text:
Search UMMC
Mobile Navigation
Preference is given to applicants who are legal residents of Mississippi. Out-of-state applicants will be considered only if there are positions available after all qualified Mississippi applicants are accepted.
Since verbal and written communication skills are vital to success in the academic programs in the School of Health Related Professions, applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination and to demonstrate competence in written and spoken English. Information on the TOEFL examination may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540.
Prospective students should contact the Office of Enrollment Management or the School of Health Related Professions for current information regarding application information, prerequisites, program requirements, or tuition and fees.
All students attending the University of Mississippi Medical Center must show proof of health insurance coverage. Students may complete a waiver showing coverage already obtained or may enroll in the group plan offered by the Medical Center. More information on this requirement may be found online in the UMMC Bulletin or on the Student Accounting webpage. Any questions should be directed to the Office of Student Accounting at (601) 984-1060.


text:
Royal Bank of Scotland and former directors including ex-chief executive Fred Goodwin are being sued for up to £4bn by thousands of private shareholders in a class action law suit.
The RBoS Shareholders Action Group also includes about 100 institutional investors, said to include HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Credit Agricole and Collins Stewart, plus a number of local authority pension funds and a group of churches and charities, all of whom lost money in the bank's 2008 rights issue.
The action group claimed that the former directors "sought to mislead shareholders by misrepresenting the underlying strength of the bank and omitting critical information" from the rights issue prospectus. The group – representing more than 12,000 private shareholders, many of whom are pensioners – has launched proceedings against Goodwin, ex-chairman Tom McKillop, the former head of investment banking Johnny Cameron, ex-finance director Guy Whittaker, and the bank itself.
This is the second claim to be lodged against RBS in the last few days. It emerged last week that the bank is being sued for misleading investors, in a joint claim brought by Dutch bank ING and several pension schemes.
The action group argued that the alleged failings mean that under the terms of the Financial Services and Markets Act, RBS is liable for losses sustained by investors who participated in the rights issue. It added: "It is estimated the final claim may be as much as £4bn."
In April 2008, RBS asked shareholders to pump in £12bn of new capital to shore up its balance sheet after its disastrous acquisition of Dutch bank ABN Amro. Just months later the bank was part-nationalised in a £45bn government bailout that left the taxpayer with an 82% stake in the institution.
The action group, which is represented by law firm Bird & Bird, claims that "vital facts were withheld from the shareholders ahead of the rights issue. At the same time, despite evidence to the contrary, the directors made recklessly optimistic statements which gave a grossly misleading impression of the underlying strength of the bank".
A spokesman for the action group said: "Today represents a giant step forward for the many thousands of ordinary people who lost money as the result of inexcusable actions taken by banks and their directors in the financial crisis. Now, for the first time, some of these directors will have to answer for their actions in a British court."
The group said its claim was lodged in London's high court today . The group claimed that, "in essence, the directors created a false market for RBS shares to raise the £12bn required to shore up the balance sheet".
The group has previously said that any private or institutional shareholder who signed up for shares in the rights issue was eligible to join its ranks, and that Philip Marshall QC of Serle Court chambers was acting as its leading counsel.
Simon Hart, banking litigation partner at City law firm RPC, said: "This is one of the largest shareholder actions we have seen brought against the UK banks. These type of actions are by their nature relatively rare but have been borne directly out of the unprecedented upheavals in the banking industry in 2008." Law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, which is acting for RBS, declined to comment.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
September 22, 2010
By: by Elinor Hargreaves & Joel Rinebold, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology
The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) of East Hartford, CT, today announced the receipt of a grant from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to expand a growing hydrogen and fuel cell regional cluster centered in the northeast United States. This energy technology cluster is currently driven by a global market and is poised for growth as a US based industry to meet worldwide demand for clean and efficient electric generation.
"Maximizing a region's economic assets is one of the best ways to create long term job growth, and that's what SBA's new Innovative Economies pilot initiative is doing," Karen G. Mills, Administrator of the SBA, said. "Today we are announcing funding support for 10 regional economic clusters. SBA's support will help expand the opportunities and the role small businesses play in these regional collaborations, which are enhancing the ability to create jobs locally and compete on a national and global scale. I'm thrilled to announce the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology's participation. They're creating jobs in the community and making the region an industry leader."
CCAT will work with its partners in New England and New York to undertake activities and provide services to support job growth and enhance the competitiveness of the region's hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain. The Project Team includes CCAT, the Hydrogen Energy Center, the Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition, Clean Energy States Alliance, and New Energy New York's New York Fuel Cell Network.
"This program will significantly enhance the economic growth and job creation for the region by building on the capacity of the diverse supply chain of over 170 companies and organizations in the New England / New York region that support the hydrogen and fuel cell industry," said Elliot Ginsberg, President and CEO of CCAT.
CCAT and the Project Team will seek to support the collective industry through a public-private partnership for business development, workforce training, establishment of strategic market development activities, and increased deployment of fuel cell generation facilities. These activities will lead to increased US based market share and productivity, economic development, and job creation.
"Assistance to expand this technology cluster will lead to lower energy costs, improved environmental performance, and an increase in U.S. based jobs", Joel Rinebold, Director of Energy Programs at CCAT and Chair of the Coalition, said. "This is a great opportunity to invest in an emerging technology made in the region that will serve an expanding global market."
CCAT is a nonprofit corporation that serves as a unique economic development center of excellence for the region, state and nation. CCAT offers a wide range of services to a diverse base of customers that spans manufacturers, high technology firms, small businesses and entrepreneurs, educators and public policy makers. The Energy Program at CCAT administers the Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition, which is comprised of representatives from the fuel cell and hydrogen industry, labor, academia, government, and other stakeholders. The Coalition works to advance the development, manufacture, and deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen technology and associated fueling systems in Connecticut and abroad.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.


text:
- Achieve impressive printing results—page after page. Original HP toner cartridges consistently deliver documents with crisp text and sharp images. Make managing and replacing supplies simple, so your office can stay productive.
- Specifications
- Color(s) of print cartridges:
- Black
- Print technology:
- Laser
- Page yield (black and white):
- 2,100 pages
- Page yield footnote:
- Approximate average yield based on ISO/IEC 19752. Actual yield varies considerably based on content of printed pages and other factors. For details see http://www.hp.com/go/learnaboutsupplies.
- Compatible Products
HP Laserjet Pro M1536DNF
HP Laserjet Pro P1606DN
Thank Your For Shopping With Redlaser. We Appreciate Your Business!
Welcome to Red Laser!
We hope you find our website helpful and trust that you will find our prices competitive. We do our best to keep the website as current and accurate as possible. However, please note that we are constantly receiving new products and it takes time to add those products to the website. if you do not see an item that you are looking for, please contact us at 296-6400, we might just have it! We try very hard to ensure that we provide the residents of Bermuda with fair prices on good quality, name brand products. If you ever find the same product advertised in Bermuda for less, please do not hesitate to send us their website link or their advertisment and we will BEAT that advertised price. Remember, island wide delivery is always free! Unfortunately, we can not ship outside of Bermuda.
While we are happy that you visited our website, we hope that you will also visit our retail store located at 12 Bakery Lane, in Pembroke. You will find us next door to Rayclan and Pembroke Paint!


text:
篠山市 二宮神社
Ninomiya Shrine in Sasayama City
The God's spectre that you can see only at 10:00 A.M. on a sunny day in the end of November.
Looking back at the approach.
Behind the Torii Gate you see another world.
Visiting Tango Peninsula
Kotohiki Beach
Sands of quartz makes sounds when you walk on the beach.
The way to the sea ...
The winter has come over the sea . ( Fukui Pref. )


text: Computers, Laptops & Tablets Apple 63 63 people found this article helpful Time Machine, the Backup Software You Should Be Using Makes automatic backups simple on your Mac by Tom Nelson Writer Tom Nelson is an engineer, programmer, network manager, and computer network and systems designer who has written for Other World Computing,and others. our editorial process Facebook Twitter Tom Nelson Updated on June 25, 2019 Use Time Machine to go back in time to recover a lost file. Apple Macs iPad Tweet Share Email Using Time Machine as the primary backup for your Mac is a no-brainer. This easy-to-use backup system not only lets you restore your Mac to a happy working state after a disastrous crash, but it also lets you ever-so-easily restore individual files or folders you may have accidentally deleted. In addition to restoring a file, you can go back in time to see what a file looked like an hour ago or at any time or date in the recent past. About Time Machine Time Machine is included with all Mac operating systems beginning with OS X 10.5. It requires an internal or external drive onto which it automatically backs up your Mac as you work. It works with Apple's Time Capsule as well as with other hard drives. Time Machine's user interface and ease of setup make it a backup application you're likely to use and continue to use. Time Machine was a revolutionary approach to backup when it was first introduced. The revolutionary part wasn't the backup process or how creative the user interface was or even how well Time Machine pruned old backups. All these things had been seen before in backup applications. What made Time Machine a winner was that it was so easy to set up and use that people actually used it. That's the revolution. Mac users are actively backing up their computers without having to think about the backup process. Setting Up Time Machine Setting up Time Machine amounts to selecting the drive or drive partition you want to dedicate to your backups. Once you do that, Time Machine takes care of just about everything else. The setup options are limited to selecting any drives, partitions, folders, or files you don't want to include in your backups. Time Machine notifies you when it deletes old backups unless you turn off this notification. You can also decide whether to add a status icon to the Apple menu bar. For the most part that's it. No other settings are required to set up or figure it. Click the Time Machine On switch or Back Up Automatically depending on the version of Time Machine you use in your Mac's Time Machine Preferences, and your system will be backed up. There are other options you can make use of, such as using multiple drives to store your Time Machine data, but the advanced settings are hidden away and not needed by most casual users. How Time Machine Performs Backups The first time it runs, Time Machine performs a full backup of your Mac. Depending on how much data you have stored, the first backup can take quite a while. After the initial backup, Time Machine performs a backup every hour of any changes that occur. This means you only lose an hour's worth of work in the event of a disaster. Some of Time Machine's magic lies in how it manages the space it has for backups. Time Machine saves hourly backups for the last 24 hours. It then saves only daily backups for the past month. For any data that's older than a month, it saves weekly backups. This approach helps Time Machine make the best use of available storage space and keeps you from needing tens of terabytes of data just to keep a year's worth of backups on hand. Once the backup drive is full, Time Machine deletes the oldest backup to make room for the newest. This is important to realize: Time Machine does not archive data. All data is purged eventually in favor of more recent backups. User Interface The user interface consists of two parts: a preference pane for setting up the backups and the Time Machine interface for browsing through backups and restoring data. The Time Machine interface is fun to use. It displays a Finder-type view of your backup data and then presents the hourly, daily, and weekly backups as stacks of windows behind the most recent backup. You can scroll through the stack to retrieve data from any backup point in time.


text:
New Year, New Look!
Dec 31, 2009
The New Year is almost here and it's time to start thinking about how you're going to revamp your style so that you'll be looking even better throughout all of 2010! Will you get a hair cut? Change your hair color? Start working out? Change up your wardrobe? The possibilities are endless!
Just remember that when you redo your style, keep in mind that there are going to be some very memorable occasions in the upcoming year and you're going to need the right ensemble to celebrate. Whether you're heading to prom, a semi formal, a dance, or a gala, you need to have the right dresses and gowns to suit the occasion while still complimenting your new look. Don't worry – when the time comes, DressProm.net will be there to help with a stunning selection of prom dresses, semi formal dresses, short and flirty dresses, and so much more! Plus, with our selection, you should have no problem finding the perfect dress to compliment your new look or sense of style.
This year, update your style and be daring! DressProm.net will be there to back you up when you need to find the perfect dress for your big occasion. Have a very Happy New Year!


text:
Share this page
Gay marriage critic's e-mail fails the test
BILL NEMITZ - September 11, 2009
In his other life, as director of public affairs for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Marc Mutty has spent years navigating the complex legislative currents that run through the State House. It's the kind of job that requires a keen understanding of what a given law says – and what it doesn't.
But these days, Mutty is chairman of Stand for Marriage Maine, the group that is working to repeal Maine's same-sex marriage law. And if his latest fundraising pitch is any indication, Mutty's new gig has a lot more to do with fear than facts.
The mass e-mail went out late last week under the heading "Should children be indoctrinated in Maine schools?"
Signed by Mutty, it's a not-so-pleasant peek at what we can expect between now and the Nov. 3 statewide vote on same-sex marriage.
The appeal starts with a "pop quiz" to commemorate the start of the school year:
Which of the following does not belong in the same group as the others: A) History B) Mathematics C) English D) (in bold-face type) Homosexual Marriage.
The letter then congratulates those who chose "D," noting, "Maine's public schools should focus on reading and writing, not mandatory gay sex education."
You read that correctly. According to the leader of Stand for Maine Marriage, a man who undoubtedly knows better, the law passed by the Legislature in May makes "gay sex education" mandatory in classrooms statewide.
In case you didn't get it the first time, Mutty goes on to warn, again in bold-face, that "if marriage is redefined to be genderless, then same-sex marriage must be taught as being the same as traditional marriage."
And finally, the money pitch: "We need your immediate contribution of $100, $50 or even $25 to keep homosexual education out of Maine's classrooms."
All of which raises an intriguing question: Who really wrote this – and what have they done with the old Marc Mutty? Mutty was out sick Thursday and thus unavailable to explain what's causing him to see things in Maine's same-sex marriage law that, from any reality-based angle, simply aren't there.
But the Rev. Bob Emrich of the Emmanuel Bible Baptist Church in Plymouth, a member of Stand for Marriage Maine's executive committee, said the group stands by Mutty's claim that the same-sex marriage statute will require "explicit homosexual instruction in the classroom."
One problem. Emrich and Mutty are wrong. Nowhere in the law do the words "school" or "classroom" even appear.
And if you're looking for phrases like "explicit homosexual instruction" hidden in some obscure statutory subsection, trust me – it's not there. Not even in code.
So, Pastor Bob, what gives?
"I would think it would come under the comprehensive family life curriculum that the state of Maine mandates," Emrich said, noting that when teachers instruct students about "marriage" under "the curriculum," they would have no choice but to include same-sex marriage in their lesson plans.
"It's really pretty obvious," Emrich said.
Uh-huh. Except it isn't.
For starters, Maine doesn't "mandate" a "comprehensive family life curriculum" for its schools.
Rather, Maine Revised Statutes Title 22 requires the commissioner of education to work with local family planning programs to develop "comprehensive family life education services" that any school district can choose (or choose not) to incorporate into its curriculum.
The statute also says that if any family-life education takes place in a school, "a parent may choose to not have (his or her) child participate" in the program.
As for "marriage" – heterosexual or homosexual – the word never appears in the statute. Not once.
Ditto for Maine's Learning Results, the broad standards upon which school districts build their curricula.
The closest they come to anything involving "family life," according to Department of Education Communications Director David Connerty-Marin, are the standards for "Health Education and Physical Education" and "Career Education."
And what do those say about marriage?
"Nothing," Connerty-Marin replied.
The simple truth is that school curriculum decisions in Maine are made not by the state, but by local school boards. And those school boards, being elected and all, answer directly to parents.
Here in Portland, Superintendent Jim Morse said Thursday, the sex-education program for ninth-graders already touches briefly on issues surrounding homosexuality. (Morse also noted that parents can pull their children out of that discussion – or the whole sex-ed program, for that matter – if they feel it's not appropriate for their children.)
As for any "explicit" instruction on homosexuality, Morse said it simply doesn't exist – nor will it if the same-sex marriage law is upheld.
"There is no explicit discussion," Morse said.
Which brings us back to the truth – or disturbing lack thereof – in Mutty's misguided fundraising appeal.
In a statement issued via e-mail Thursday, Jesse Connolly, campaign manager of No on 1/Protect Maine Equality, predicted that Maine voters will "see through these cynical campaign tactics" by Mutty & Co. as the debate heats up in the coming weeks.
"This is an attempt to divert attention and raise unfounded issues," said Connolly. "Question 1 has nothing to do with schools and no one is voting on curriculum in November."
Connolly is right – and anyone who's taken the time to carefully read Maine's same-sex marriage law knows it.
Including, of all people, Marc Mutty.
Columnist Bill Nemitz can be contacted at 791-6323 or at:


text:
The Boys In The Boat – A Review
Nine men in one boat achieve a lasting legacy. If The Boys in the Boat were to be summarized in one sentence that would be it. The Boys in the Boat follows the nine students of the University of Washington who won the gold medal in rowing at the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics. Beginning with their first days in a boat to their victory, The Boys in the Boat marks a notable, but often forgotten, moment in history.


text:
Hate Crimes & Bias-Motivated Incidents
The District's goal is to develop students who appreciate and respect diversity, understand the roles and contributions of people of diverse groups, and who are prepared to interact harmoniously, work productively and thrive personally in a pluralistic society.
Hate Crime:
An act or attempted act by any person against the person or property of another individual or group that in any way constitutes an expression of hostility toward the victim because of his or her race, religion, disability, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. This includes, but is not limited to, threatening phone calls, hate mail, physical assault, vandalism, cross burning, destruction of religious symbols, and fire bombings.
Bias-Motivated Incidents:
School related behavior which constitutes an expression of hostility against the person or property of another because of the victim's race, religion, disability, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. This may include such behavior as non-threatening name calling, using racial slurs, or disseminating racist leaflets.


text:
A successful promotional strategy for a place like shopping complex or a mall must be based on a clear understanding of the economic base. With this in mind, promoters would be able to identify appropriate blend of activities that will appeal both to potential buyers and participating businesses. However, when it comes to developing ideas in adequate lead time, in order to expect positive results, things get crucial. Through effective promotional activities, you can bring shoppers at the business doorsteps; once they cross the threshold then it's up to the shopkeeper to offer exactly what the customer is looking for. Few tips for improvising in-shop branding are as follows:
- Be very strategic in choosing the promotional activity
- Coordinating the activities as per crowd and situation
- Acknowledge and recognize existing/potential customers
- Make the activity entertaining and engaging
- Include children-friendly activities
- Create opportunities to educate customers about the product/service
- Consider value-added promotions instead of discounts


text:
WE REFUSE to let cancer win.
This week we launched coronavirus.bwhi.org, which will be a frequently updated location for culturally relevant tools and tips about health and safety, emotional wellness, parenting, healthy lifestyles and financial literacy during the pandemic. Our goal is to continue to support wellness in Black women from all facets, especially in times of heightened stress. We will feature content from government entities and trusted media and organizational partners, but also from health experts and community leaders who work closely with the Imperative and understand the unique needs and concerns of our supporters.


text:
Meet the Staff – Kayla of Doggie Fun & Fitness
1.)How long have you worked here?
2.5 years
2.) Why did you choose to work here?
I was recommended by a friend. I was working in retail at the time, but I also wasn't sure what to do for a career. I applied to DFF, and some time later I ended up getting my Veterinary Assistant Certificate from Massasoit. Now I'm studying Business Management at Quincy College.
3.) What did you expect it to be like?
I expected to just watch dogs while they play, and then I started training for the daycare floor. Now I work in the office in the afternoons.
4.) What has surprised you the most?
I was surprised by how much hard work goes into working with dogs, and how training-oriented DFF was.
5.) What do you like best about your job?
Theres a few things that I love about having the opportunity to work at DFF; I love creating bonds with new dogs and still having bonds with dogs that have been coming since I started, I also love talking to clients and having knowing them for years, and I love the knowledge I have of dogs to use in the future.
6.) What do you like least?
Nothing, not even cleaning up whatever can possibly come out of a dog's body 😉 guess I'm used to it by now


text:
Located in the heart of downtown Bay Shore…
salon VaVa, new york • 85 east main st. bay shore, ny 11706
•(631) 969-8585•
Please contact us if you have any questions or comments. We will do our best to respond to all legitimate inquiries in a timely manner. Thank you!
The Salon VaVa Management Team


text:
Located in the heart of Georgetown, just a few steps from Baked and Wired, Moby Dick is a no-frills diner with a Mediterranean and Persian feel. It evokes the idea of simple, tasty food in a casual and relaxed environment. The atmosphere hints at quick but good quality food, with minimal decor of simple wooden tables, plastic cutlery, few decorations and a fast-food feel. Moby Dick is almost like a food stall on the sidewalk turned into a restaurant. However, while it seems like the kind of place you would come to for the quality of the food alone, it doesn't quite live up to its ideal.
Although you would think this type of fast food would be a perfect fit for a couple of Georgetown students after a busy day of classes, this branding doesn't match what Moby Dick claims to be. The restaurant presents itself as a provider of authentic Mediterranean food with slow-braised stews, house-made signature sauces and clay oven baked pita, all prepared in traditional Persian cooking styles. In reality, the food is as filling as a Wisemiller's sandwich: it might suppress your hunger, but you won't exactly feel like you've had a cultural dining experience afterward.
While two of my friends enjoyed the vegetarian options, my third friend and I ordered some of the Moby Dick classics. I tried the Kabob-e Kubideh ($10.25): ground sirloin with grated onion, house seasoning, grilled tomatoes and plenty of rice. My friend ordered the Moby's Joojeh ($10.80): chunks of grilled chicken breast marinated in the house seasoning and again served with rice and tomatoes. Both were rather underwhelming, and there was too much rice, which was served with a chunk of butter, making it a little sickening. For a restaurant that claims to have a Mediterranean flair, the meat was not as flavorful or as spicy as one might expect. We also agreed that the servings were too big, as most of us took our leftovers home.
Still, there were a variety of options; you can get every entree as a sandwich or with salad, and there are different stews served for lunch that change daily. My vegetarian friends found a variety of salads and platters to choose from, and there was a mixture of authentic Mediterranean appetizers, such as Must-o Mososeer yoghurt ($4.85) and Dolmeh ($4.85), stuffed grape leaves. Regardless of our opinions of our respective entrees, we all enjoyed the complimentary pita bread and yoghurt cucumber sauce before our meals came.
Moby Dick is certainly a crowd-pleaser and welcomes a diverse gathering of diners. It also serves family platters for up to seven people, giving the restaurant appeal for large groups. I think Moby Dick's popularity boils down to the simplicity of its food and its speed: our meals were all ready for us to collect in less than ten minutes. It is also incredibly affordable. Most of the meals came to around $10 and the sandwiches, which are served with rice and a salad, are priced at around $6.
Moby Dick also excels in Mediterranean classics; it offers baklava ($4.35) for dessert, falafel ($7.05) for vegetarians and several different kabobs for meat lovers. There is also a kind of Americanization of some traditional dishes, like the Veggie Delight ($7.05) and the Moby's Melt ($7.05), both of which are sandwiches served with American cheese and mushrooms, but wrapped in pita to create an odd mesh of culinary styles.
Moby Dick is not exactly authentic Mediterranean food in a simple diner setting, as it claims to be. What Moby Dick does provide, though, is quick, filling and popular food for a wide audience, which is ideal for Georgetown students. Although a little too far down M Street to be the new Wisemiller's, and not as exceptional as it pretends to be, Moby Dick remains a Georgetown fast food staple.


text:
(Meditation for beginners)For beginners, it is better to sit no longer than 20 or 30 minutes. During that time, you can readily obtain total rest. The technique for obtaining this rest lies in two things - watching and letting go: watching your breath, and letting go of everything else. Release every muscle in your body. After about 15 minutes or so, it is
possible to reach a deep quiet filled with inner peace and joy. Maintain this quiet and peace.
Some people look on meditation as a toil and want the time to pass quickly in order to rest afterwards. Such persons do not know how to sit yet. If you sit correctly, it is possible to find total relaxation and peace right in the position of sitting. Often it helps to meditate on the image of a pebble thrown into a river.
How is one helped by the image of the pebble? Sit down in whatever position suits you best, the half lotus or lotus, back straight, the half smile on your face. Breathe slowly and deeply, following each breath, becoming one with the breath. Then let go of everything. Imagine yourself as a pebble which has been thrown into a river. The pebble sinks through the water effortlessly. Detached from everything, it falls by the shortest distance possible, finally reaching the bottom, the point of perfect rest. You are like a pebble which has let itself fall into the
river, letting go of everything. At the center of your being is your breath. You don't need to know the length of time it takes before reaching the point of complete rest on the bed of fine sand
beneath the water. When you feel yourself resting like a pebble which has reached the riverbed, that is the point when you begin to find your own rest. You are no longer pushed or pulled by anything.
If you cannot find joy in peace in these very moments of sitting, then the future itself will only flow by as a river flows by, you will not be able to hold it back, you will be incapable of living the future when it has become the present. Joy and peace are the joy and peace possible in this very hour of sitting. If you cannot
find it here, you won't find it anywhere. Don't chase after your thoughts as a shadow follows its object. Don't run after your thoughts. Find joy and peace in this very moment.
(My commentary)
Stopping, calming, resting and healing are major functions of meditations. If we concentrate on our breathing, we can stop thinking, calm our body and mind, rest and heal ourselves. All we need to do is concentrating on our breathing.
(Cf.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW66B_aGuiA
Thích Nhất Hạnh


text:
For 30 years, the lobbying firm of Carpi & Clay has helped the San Diego County Water Authority navigate treacherous political waters, from the Imperial Valley transfer agreement to securing local funding in multibillion dollar bond deals.
But on Jan. 31, the firm will no longer represent the authority in Sacramento, ending an era started by prominent San Diegan Ben Clay and later carried on by his son, Jonathan.
"I want to explore new opportunities and the fit was not quite right for me anymore," said Jonathan Clay.
The contract with the San Diego County Water Authority is for $10,600 a month. The firm will continue to represent the authority on federal issues through its Washington, D.C., office headed by Ken Carpi.
The Clays and the authority said the parting of ways is amicable.
"We think the world of Jonathan and the firm," said Dennis Cushman, assistant general manager of the authority.
Ben Clay retired from the firm in 2008 after running the Capitol office since 1984. He and his wife, Nikki, remain active in San Diego civic affairs.
Ben Clay worked with a gallery of local lawmakers who he credited with helping safeguard the San Diego region's water supply during some of the toughest fights: Bob Frazee, Dede Alpert, Lucy Killea, Dave Kelley and Steve Peace, a among others.
The legislative issues varied from conservation mandates on toilets and washing machines to giving the water authority the right to buy, sell and produce electrical power, Ben Clay said.
Added Jonathan: "I have always been very proud of the conservation bills that we carried." During his stretch, the state enacted recycle rules and a mandate for residential water meters, among others things.
Of course, the cornerstone was the 2003 seven-state compact to share the Colorado River. The Clays had a hand in achieving the hard-fought pact, which, among other landmark accomplishments, allows the water authority to buy supplies from Imperial Valley farmers.
Clay will continue to represent the county of San Diego.


text:
The Future Prospects day Presented by Nike Sports Camps Canada will be comprised of Clinics run by OSBA and College coaches followed by Showcase games that will provide attendees to display their skills on the court against their peers.
In order to be considered for the Future Prospect Showcase and Clinic a player needs be in grade 7, 8, or 9 as of September 1 of the same school year as the Showcase.
The Girls Elite Showcase and Clinic Presented by Nike Sports Camps Canada provides elite level female athletes with a venue to showcase their basketball talents and get insight to aid in the development of their basketball skills. During the day of the Showcase, Players will gain maximum exposure through drill work and 5-on-5 round robin full-court exposure games. This format will allow players to showcase their talents in front of the coaches in attendance.
In order to be considered for the Senior Showcase and Clinic a player needs be in grade 10, 11, or 12 as of September 1 of the same school year as the Showcase.
Our goal is to provide the best student-athletes in the Ontario with an opportunity to be seen by Prep-Schools and Post-Secondary institutions, as well as have the opportunity to hear from coaches and players that have been successful in their basketball careers.
"One of the things that most impresses me was that they are willing to coach anyone that wants to learn and love the game. They work as hard with a group of tier five Team Ontario Basketball athletes as he does with the University athletes that attend his summer program. Their goal is always improvement and getting the most out of people." ~ Sam [Nipising University - Player]
"Within the past 3 years, I have had the event director personally work with two players of mine (my daughter being one) to assist in them with the mental and skill preparation for a varsity university basketball career. My daughter is currently playing in her third year at Laurentian and their help was a big part of that!" ~ George [YNBA - President]
"The passion for the game shines through in every moment of teaching. There staff is able to create the most positive, energetic and fun learning environment for those looking to develop their skills. They truly care and will do everything it takes to help you grow as an athlete, and an individual." ~ Nada [Purple Eagles - Player]
"I have known Jey-son for the better part of two decades and in everything he does, he brings extraordinary energy, passion, and focus. Jey-son has been involved in several of our programs and he always adds significant value to athletes and staff alike. I know anything Jey-son takes on, he does so with excellence. " ~ Mano [PGC - President]
Copyright © 2019 Girls Elite Showcase - All Rights Reserved.


text:
If you are a woman, age 35-65 who is coping with or just curious about menopause or peri-menopause, I'm here to help!
What's most important is that women make informed decisions about their health.
Menopause Power gives you the facts so you can decide what's best for you.
If you want to:
You're in the right place!
I created the Menopause Power Program to enable you to work more effectively with your doctor to ensure that your menopause is managed correctly. This popular program provides you with a 3-hour instructional course on DVD or online, plus my new book the Menopause Power Take Charge Guide, and information for your doctor – everything you need, at your fingertips, to take an active, informed role in making decisions about your health.
Join the thousands of women who are becoming informed and empowered through Menopause Power. Knowledge is power! Get Menopause Power now.
To get started, just provide your name and primary email address in the Menopause Minutes box in the upper right section of this page. I will then send you The 10 Things You Must Know About Menopause and the first installment of my audio series called Menopause Minutes. These brief audio recordings will arm you with even more information on topics related to menopause and I'll email them to you every few weeks. You will be empowered right from the beginning with great information, absolutely free!
My name is Diana Schwarzbein, MD. I'm an endocrinologist – a medical doctor who specializes in hormone problems. I've made it part of my life's work to study menopause and to find the right way to effectively and safely treat the hormone system imbalances menopause inevitably causes.
The complaint I most frequently hear from women in middle age is:
"Ever since I went into menopause, I'm not myself. I want to feel like I used to.
Can you help me?" The answer is, Yes!
Over the past 23 years, using bioidentical hormones, I have helped thousands of women like you, to restore their hormone balance, prevent disease, slow their aging process, lose weight, and look and feel better. Now, through Menopause Power, I can help you, too.
Our middle years can absolutely be some of our best years. Yet, once in menopause, many women are plagued by fatigue, headaches, fat-weight gain, hair loss, constipation, problems with digestion, memory loss, irritability, anxiety, depression, loss of libido, vaginal dryness, sleep disruption, high cholesterol levels, and many other problems.
What women are not told, and what 99% of doctors don't understand, is that
all of these problems are actually caused or aggravated by menopause.
I'm here to help. My goal is to provide you with unbiased, scientifically grounded, practical information you can use to make the right decisions about your health now that you are in or nearing menopause.
I created the Menopause Power Program to help you wade through the tremendous amount of erroneous and conflicting information circulating about menopause. Understandably, most women are misinformed, confused, and scared. And, most physicians are not trained to understand and treat menopause correctly. They, too, are misinformed and confused. So, in 2010, I decided to do something about it. I began an initiative to educate women AND physicians about why it is so important to change the way we traditionally view menopause and to share my time-tested methods for treating menopause effectively and safely.
While I can't help you by becoming your personal doctor, I can help you by sharing with you and your doctor what I know about menopause and how to treat it safely and effectively. This is what Menopause Power is all about – educating women and their physicians. Get Menopause Power and take charge of your health today.
To your health and happiness,
Diana Schwarzbein, MD
Author: The Schwarzbein Principle Books


text:
« The Letter From: March 1, 2004 on Funding NCLB | Main | School Improvement RFP of the Week (1): Reading First Center Teaches Us About Conflicts of Interest »
5 From 1: Federal Politics and Policy
My top five press releases from June's School Improvement Industry Announcements – Federal Politics and Policy
Many readers do not have the time to identify and read announcements documenting the relationship between federal education policymaking and the business of school improvement.
edbizbuzz can help.
School Improvement Industry Announcements – Policy and Politics monitors over 100 government and interest groups inside the Washington Beltway.
Starting today, I'll be offering my top five announcements from each monthly issue.
My criteria for selection will be information and events that help edbizbuzz readers understand how what happens in Washington shapes our emerging market for school improvement products, services and programs.
• U.S. Department of Education Inspector General report makes you wonder if nonprofits are not held to a lower standard of accountability: Teach for America, Inc., Review of the U.S. Department of Education Discretionary Grant Awards (Jun 5)
• To influence market-shaping federal policy, start by reading the Federal Register: Comment Request; Feasibility and Conduct of an Impact Evaluation of Title I Supplemental Education Services (May 29)
• The biggest for-profits can afford to secure k-12 marketing channels by starting at the top (I): AASA and Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies Launch National School Safety Study (Jun 6)
• The biggest for-profits can afford to secure k-12 marketing channels by starting at the top (II): American Book Company Joins NSTA SciLinks® Program (May 27)
• The biggest for-profits can afford to secure k-12 marketing channels by starting at the top (III): Learning to Change/Changing to Learn - Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and the Pearson Foundation public service announcement (Jun 5)


text:
Another week goes by and more coffees magically appear! Is a great and very exciting time of year for new coffees
El Salvador Finca San José Washed Red Bourbon
Cherry truffle, big body, red wine
In the cup I want you to imagine a cherry truffle chocolate that's been drenched in red wine. This big bodied, well structured and balanced coffee finishes with milk chocolate and a gentle sherry like kick.
£6.50 for 250g,
El Salvador Finca San José Washed Amarangia Bourbon
Kit Kat, caramel, orange
In the cup this takes like someone took a Kit Kat chocolate bar and mashed it up with a pink wafer. In the mid palate expect carmel and high sweetness that finishes with pink grapefruit and oranges.
£7.00 for 250g
El Salvador Finca San José Washed Elefante
Golden sugar, champagne, peach
In the cup a golden sugar like sweetness meets champagne in the most unlikely of pairings. The peach acidity and brown sugar sweetness runs through the aftertaste.
£9.00 for 250g
Red Rum (new Red blend!)
40% El Salvador Finca Alaska Washed Bourbon
30% Kenya Kiriga Estate AB Washed
30% Guatemala El Limon Washed Caturra
£6.00 for 250g
Rwanda Buf Nyarasiza Washed Red Bourbon
Passionfruit, apricot, panna cotta
In the cup this passionfruit creamy coffee also has apricot and hints of mango, it's pretty much a tropical fruit panna cotta. The mouthfeel on this is really huge, but remains smooth and silky throughout.
£7.50 for 250g
Costa Rica Don Mayo Finca Bella Vista Yellow Honey Caturra
Single cream, red grape, milk chocolate
In the cup I want you to think single cream meeting sweet red grapes. As it cools you'll find milk chocolate and a thick but silky mouthfeel.
£6.50 for 250g


text: The pay period ends on the business day prior to the time sheet due date. Time sheets are due by 3:00 PM on the date indicated. All time sheets must be completed in ink and signed by both the employee and the supervisor prior to submitting to payroll. The types of services to be entered on time sheets are overtime, additional duty pay and other special assignments.


text:
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a blockbuster triumph
It's no secret, even to longtime fans, that the Star Wars movies are formulaic films. They follow a certain path that leads to a certain victory. And not to say that the formula doesn't work, because it indeed does and trying something new wasn't always Star Wars' biggest success (yes, I mean the prequels). However, as Star Wars is being directed by auteur filmmakers, that comforting formula will be challenged. Star Wars: The Last Jedi manages to subvert expectations while delivering a worthy sequel that takes its place among the best of the franchise.
Continue reading "'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' Review: Rian Johnson Takes A Beloved Franchise Into Bold And New Territory"


text:
Tax liens have been a hot item in certain circles for centuries; among bankers, institutional investors, and hedge fund managers. They buy up as much as they possibly can spending hundreds of millions in tax lien certificates every year.
This makes it tricky for small buyers to participate when these large investors are near. In some cases, counties will even let these large investors buy the entire county portfolio!
However, there is a marketplace, a secret place, where these large investors trade and purchase from one another. Tens of millions of dollars in tax lien certificates trade hands through this Secondary Market; these are tax liens that were purchased at an auction, and then are sold through a private sales afterwards.
This is not a place for individuals, unless you know someone and have at least $10 million dollars they won't even talk to you.
What if someone were able to tap into that market, purchase large bunches of certificates, and then offer them for sale in smaller, manageable groups?
That is exactly what REI Holdings has done. We have played in this private trading marketplace, and have opened the door for our clients. As we continue to purchase large portfolios on the Secondary Market, our portfolio managers meet with our clients and help them participate in the public Secondary Market through us.
Never has this been a possibility before. Our clients can avoid the auction, the competition, the county nuance, and purchase tax lien certificates that were previously impossible to find. You're welcome. 🙂


text:
4643 Glenwood Avenue, North Vancouver Listing #: R2407108
Rarely available Canyon Heights, estate-sized property minutes to downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park, Park Royal, Grouse Mountain, and Handsworth Secondary. This renovated 4229 sq. ft. home is situated on a sunny SW facing park-like 21, 970 sq.ft lot. The massive lot features a private yard with a pool, hot tub, patio, and deck. Tastefully upgraded kitchen, bright open concept living and dining, large master bedroom with luxury ensuite and large his and hers walk-in-closets. The 1511 sq. ft. lower level opens onto the private yard and offers a large rec-room and a separate entrance for a possible nanny suite. This home is walking distance to world-class trails and all the amenities of Edgemont Village. Call today to book your private viewing.
Taxes (2019): $9,542.23
- In Suite Laundry
- Pool; Outdoor
- Swirlpool/Hot Tub
- ClthWsh
- Dryr
- Frdg
- Stve
- Hot Tub Spa
- Swirlpool
- Smoke Alarm
- Swimming Pool Equip.
Site Influences
- Golf Course Nearby
- Marina Nearby
- Private Yard
- Shopping Nearby
- Ski Hill Nearby
Similar Listings
Listed By: Hadden Properties
Disclaimer: The data relating to real estate on this web site comes in part from the MLS Reciprocity program of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS Reciprocity logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver or the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.


text:
Skip to main content
Seti search block
Search Keys
Our Scientists
Core Research
Education & Outreach
About Us
Donate Now
Show — Footer
Hide — Footer
For Media
Fermi Paradox
Could We Be Alone in the Cosmos?
It's something people tell me all the time, and usually in hushed tones: "with a trillion planets out there, we really can't be the only intelligent beings in the galaxy." In other words, given the enormous amount of real estate in space, aliens are sure to exist.
If extraterrestrials are out there, why haven't we found them?
"Where is everybody?"
Fermi Paradox
Our Galaxy Should Be Teeming With Civilizations, But Where Are They? Is there obvious proof that we could be alone in the Galaxy? Enrico Fermi thought so -- and he was a pretty smart guy. Might he have been right?
Zookeepers, Alien Visitors, or Simple Life
How Can We Explain Our Isolation? We seem to have the Galaxy to ourselves. At least, thats the obvious conclusion from the apparent lack of aliens in the neighborhood.
What's Blocking Galactic Civilizations?
Could galactic empires exist? In a previous article, we noted that there has been plenty of time for aliens keen on colonizing the Milky Way to pull it off. However, we see no signs of galactic federation ("Star Trek" aside). Why does the cosmos look so untouched and unconquered?
Subscribe to Fermi Paradox
Our Scientists
Core Research
Education & Outreach
About Us
Donate Now


text:
|System: PS3
|Dev: SCEA
|Pub: Polyphony Digital
|Release: November 24, 2010
|Players: 1 - 16
|Screen Resolution: 480p - 1080p
|Mild Lyrics
B-spec may be a big disappointment, but the good news is that it is the only real sore spot in the game. The game's special modes section is a huge triumph and gives the game some real variety. Special modes include everything from a kart racing simulator (no blue shells here!) to a NASCAR driving school. One of the most-touted special modes is the Top Gear challenge mode, which is based on the hit BBC TV show. Fans of the show will instantly recognize the show's irreverent attitude, and if you want to participate in a race that only includes VW buses, this mode will be your best bet.
The experience of playing the game online can be a little tough to navigate at first, as the game uses a complex menu system that allows you to create lobbies, design races, and invite friends in what is surely the most customizable online experience ever. Want to run through a thirty-lap ultra-race through the streets of London? You can do that. Want to do two laps through the High Speed Ring on karts? You can do that too. There is plenty of depth to the online mode, and once you get the hang of the system (there is a bit of a learning curve), you'll be creating and participating in races with ease. The game's online component also features a social networking system that allows you to leave messages for friends on a public "wall" and invite people to your personal GT space.
The game's structure encourages an almost obsessive amount of commitment, as there are more than one-thousand cars to purchase and tune, as well as plenty of challenges and special events to participate in. The game includes enough content that you'll be busy for quite some time. And of course that doesn't even include the game's license modes (which serve as a sort of advanced training) and the arcade mode.
Gran Turismo 5 doesn't only play well, it also looks great. Fans have come to expect amazing things from the visuals in the Gran Turismo series, and Gran Turismo 5 pushes the game to its graphical limit. Photo-realistic cars, tracks, and weather effects are everywhere in the game, and it is certainly the best-looking game I have ever seen on the PlayStation 3. The only caveat to the visual quality is that the game does not include any realistic crash physics. Though there is some minimal damage included in the game, don't expect to see any bumpers dragging or windows breaking when you hit another car. The game still includes the infamous "bounce" mechanic that fans complained about in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, and if you are looking for realistic crashes, you are better off sticking to a franchise like Burnout or Need for Speed.
However, if you are looking for a quality simulator that pushes the genre forward, then Gran Turismo 5 is your game. With a plethora of modes, amazing visuals, and enough cars to make even the most committed gearhead swoon, there is plenty to love about Gran Turismo 5. I'll admit that I was disappointed by certain aspects of the game, but overall, this package is certainly something that every automotive enthusiast needs to experience. Gran Turismo 5 sets the bar high for the genre overall, and with its detailed approach to core mechanics and commitment to creating the best simulation in video games, it's easy to see why Gran Turismo is the gold standard in the automotive genre. Though some missteps were made with some of the modes, the game is a tight package that begs not only to be played, but obsessed over.
Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Senior Contributing Writer
Game Features:


text:
Opening this weekend is Disney and director Sam Raimi's fantastic prequel to The Wizard of Oz, Oz The Great and Powerful. The film centers on a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics (James Franco) who finds himself transported to Oz and drawn into a battle between the three witches Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams). Loaded with incredible visuals, amazing 3D, and a beautiful world created by production designer Robert Stromberg (Alice in Wonderland, Avatar), Oz is the type of movie that definitely should be seen on a movie screen and it's absolutely worth the extra charge to see it in 3D. Oz The Great and Powerful also stars Zach Braff and Joey King.
Recently, I got to speak with Weisz. We talked about what it was like to walk on the yellow brick road for the first time, her reaction to the finished film, 3D, collaborating with Sam Raimi, and not doing David Cronenberg's next movie, Maps to the Stars. Hit the jump to watch.
If you missed my video interviews with Mila Kunis, James Franco, or Zach Braff, click the links. And here is Matt's review of Oz The Great and Powerful.
Rachel Weisz:
- What was her reaction to seeing the film for the first time
- What was it like to walk on the yellow brick road for the first time
- 3D talk
- Collaborating with Sam Raimi
- Reveals she's not doing David Cronenberg's next movie Maps to the Stars


text:
Biomonitoring was developed for the assessment of the health risks from exposure to metals at work, and the approaches and concepts of biomonitoring are derived from such exposures. At present, biomonitoring is increasingly used to assess exposure from the environment. Biomonitoring and assessment of external exposure are complementing activities, where the exposure assessments are much more widely applied, especially when the number of chemicals concerned is considered; environmental analysis also offers the distinct advantage of speciation analysis, which is very poorly developed for biomonitoring. Biomonitoring, on the other hand, provides information on exposure from all sources, and via all absorption routes, and also considers accumulation of the chemical in the body. Biomonitoring using exposure biomarkers thus considers interindividual differences in the absorption, whereas use of effect biomarkers also considers interindividual differences in sensitivity. Few effect biomarkers, however, have been validated. Biomarkers of susceptibility have so far not been adapted for use in metal toxicology. The major challenges of biomonitoring are the development of monitoring methods, which are inexpensive enough to be applied at a frequency that makes possible meaningful biomonitoring of metals with a short half-time; development of exposure biomarker guidance values specific to individual species of different metals; expansion of the repertoire of validated effect biomarkers; and validation and application to effect monitoring of the "omic" technologies.
The chapter first describes the main sources of exposure through air, food, and water but also points to unusual sources such as medical implants. Special attention is given to the processes of lung deposition and clearance of inhaled gases, vapors, and particulates, including ultrafine particles. In contrast to the extensive studies in the lung, absorption of metal in the gastrointestinal tract is less well understood. A diagrammatic example is given of the summation of all the absorption processes as they contribute to the total body burden. Since the publication of the first edition, new information has become available on the mechanisms of transport and distribution of metals in the body. In particular, it has been shown that several metals can cross cell membranes by specific carriers and ion channels intended for endogenous substrates. One well-documented example is the chromate oxyanion that is structurally similar to the sulfate anion and thereby gains entrance into the cell by the sulfate carrier. The fecal excretion of several metals occurs as the end result of extensive enterohepatic recirculation. In the case of certain organometallic species, the gut microflora may play a critical role converting the metal to the inorganic form, which is excreted in the feces. The renal accumulation and excretion of metals has also received considerable attention. The renal accumulation of cadmium in the form of its complex with the small molecular weight protein, metallothionein, still remains one of the best-documented mechanisms. Toxicokinetic models continue to be useful in providing a quantitative description of the overall body turnover of metals. They can be useful in establishing dose-response relationships where, for example, the range of half-times of elimination of a metal can contribute to the overall variance in the dose-response relationship. In addition to the observationally based models, pharmacokinetic models can be developed based a priori on physiological and mechanistic considerations. The chapter concludes with a consideration of indicator media that best reflect the dose to the critical organ.
Recommendations aimed at protecting the public from toxicity of essential elements have usually been developed separately from those recommendations aimed at protection from deficiency. Because of the uncertainties involved in the evaluations, these recommendations have sometimes been in conflict, emphasizing the need for a new approach, including a balanced consideration of nutritional and toxicological data. In developing these new principles of evaluation, some basic concepts based on interindividual variability in sensitivity to deficiency and toxicity must be considered. Such variation translates into one interval of (low) daily intakes, at which there is risk of developing deficiency, and another interval of (high) dietary intakes at which toxicity may occur. In most instances, there is a third set of intakes in between, which represents the acceptable range of oral intakes (AROI) in which no adverse effects occur. It must be noted, however, that such a range cannot be found that protects all persons from adverse effects. Those persons with genetically determined sensitivity may require higher intakes to avoid deficiency or lower intakes to avoid toxicity than those defined by the AROI. AROI is defined as protecting 95% of an unselected human population from minimal adverse effects of deficiency or toxicity.
BACKGROUND: The high and increasing prevalence of childhood asthma is a major public health issue. Various risk factors have been proposed in local studies with different designs.
METHODS: We have made a questionnaire study of the prevalence of childhood asthma, potential risk factors and their relations in four regions in Scandinavia (Umeå and Malmö in Sweden, Kuopio in eastern Finland and Oslo, Norway). One urban and one less urbanized area were selected in each region, and a study group of 15962 children aged 6-12 years was recruited.
RESULTS: The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of asthma varied considerably between different areas (dry cough 8-19%, asthma attacks 4-8%, physician-diagnosed asthma 4-9%), as did the potential risk factors. Urban residency was generally not a risk factor. However, dry cough was common in the most traffic polluted area. Exposure to some of the risk factors. such as smoking indoors and moisture stains or moulds at home during the first 2 years of life, resulted in an increased risk. However, current exposure was associated with odds ratios less than one.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings were probably due to a combination of early impact and later avoidance of these risk factors. The effects of some risk factors were found to differ significantly between regions. No overall pattern between air pollution and asthma was seen, but air pollution differed less than expected between the areas.
Our knowledge of the adverse health effects from exposure to low levels of air pollution is still insufficient. Early indicators, such as respiratory symptoms, need more attention. We made use of the fact that possible weak effects can be detected more easily when the relevant exposure and other determinants are well controlled. A postal questionnaire was sent to random samples of inhabitants registered as residing in the Vicinity of 55 centrally located air quality monitoring stations in Swedish towns. There were 6,109 questionnaires (76%) returned. Multivariate analyses with confounding control were used to examine the effects of different levels of criteria pollutants on the prevalence of symptoms. The ranges of the half year values were 9-32 and 2-16 mu g/m(3) for nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide respectively. Logistic regression analyses showed higher risks for respiratory problems such as coughs, throat irritation and nose irritation among the persons most exposed, The associations were most obvious for nitrogen dioxide exposure among women. The suggested effects of air pollution exposure cannot be medically evaluated today but they are nevertheless interesting since they are found within common levels usually considered to be safe.
Silver compounds may be absorbed through inhalation, but there are no quantitative human data on the extent of this phenomenon. Silver salts may be absorbed by up to 10-20% after ingestion. The highest concentrations of silver are usually found in the liver and spleen, and to some extent in the muscles, skin, and brain after ingestion. The biological half-time for silver ranges from a few days for animals up to approximately 50 days for the human liver; it is possible that skin deposits have an even longer half-time, but there are no quantitative data on this for man. Silver binds to high-molecular-weight proteins and metallothionein in tissue cytosol fractions. Excretion of silver from the body is primarily biliary. Water-soluble silver compounds such as the nitrate have a local corrosive effect and may cause fatal poisoning if swallowed accidentally. Chronic exposure of humans leads to argyria, a clinical entity characterized by grey-blue pigmentation of the skin and other body viscera. Repeated exposure of animals to silver may produce anemia, cardiac enlargement, growth retardation, and degenerative changes in the liver.
An analysis of the circumstances preceding severe occupational injuries as a consequence of impacts has shown that well-known risks are of great importance in 75 per cent of the cases. This indicates that the subjective cause "neglect" is common. The negligence is distributed to the same extent among employers as among employees. Negligence by the employers was defined as obvious violations according to the Law of Workers' Safety or Regulations issued by The National Board of Occupational Health and Safety. Negligence by employees was defined as actions against specific orders or common sense.
As a result of this study additional research concerning the execution of Criminal Law in occupational accidents has been carried out. The law has also been changed regarding prosecution in cases of breaking the Law on the working environment.In situations where elimination of risks is not possible it is a most important task to minimize the risk of severe injury. In four of the studies there are examples of minimization of injuries by increased usage of personal safety equipment, improved rescue and by modifying the environment.
If personal safety equipment could be used in all relevant situations the incidence of severe injuries at the place of work would decrease by more than 25 per cent. However, the crucial insufficiencies as to the specifications of personal protective equipment must be emphasized. This should stimulate the development of environmental changes, thus preventing the build-up and release of potentially dangerous energy.
Working alone and late rescue for other reasons, together with other circumstances following the injury made the injuries worse in a little more than 10 per cent of the cases.In the studies concerning injuries as the result of impacts in trucks and buses it is shown that a lot of trucks turn over and that a large number of injuries occur as a result of deformation of the cabins. A safety belt would offer good protection against injury in about half of the cases. Safety in trucks and buses could be improved by the introduction of a deformative zone in front of the occupants.
Front designs of cab-over vehicles should be changed and the use of seat belts in trucks and buses should be made compulsory. Passive seat belts, knee bars and air bags are interesting alternatives and additions to manual seat belts for commercial drivers.
Smelter workers who were exposed to air-borne arsenic for a mean of 23 years, and age-matched referents, were examined with clinical, physiological, and neurophysiological methods. Exposure to arsenic in workroom air was estimated to have been around the Swedish occupational limits, which were 500 yg/m before 1975 and 50 yg/ra thereafter. An increased preval ence of Raynaud's phenomenon and a reduced finger systolic blood pressure (FSP) during local and general cooling were found in the smelter workers. Slight, but significant sub-clinical neuropathy, in the form of slightly reduced nerve conduction velocity (NCV) in two or more peripheral nerves, was more common among the arsenic workers than among the referents. There were positive correlations between cumulative exposure to arsenic, reduced NCV in three peripheral motor nerves, and decrease in FSP during cooling. Arsenic levels in urine were 1 ymole/1 (75 yg/1) in the arsenic workers and 0.1 ymole/1 in the referents. In 21 arsenic workers with no or very low exposure to vibra ting hand tools, the FSP during cooling had increased significantly after 3 years wit h the lower arsenic exposure. There was no change in FSP during the summer vacation, whereas urinary levels of arsenic decreased to normal values. Thus there seems to be a slow improvement of finger blood circ ulation which is independent of short-term fluctuations in the exposure to arsenic. No seasonal variation was found in FSP during cooling with the standardized method used. When the NCV-measurements were repeated five years later the difference between arsenic workers and referents had increased, despite the fact that 14 of the 47 arsenic workers had had no exposure to arsenic during the last 1-5 years. These observations indicate, that in subjects with long term exposure to arsenic, sub-clinical neuropathy is not reversible. Ten milligrams of Ketanserin, a serotonin receptor antagonist, was given intravenously to five arsenic workers with cold-induced vasospasm. Skin temperature and FSP during cooling increased significantly with Ketanserin as compared wit h saline solution. After oral treatment, 2 x 40 mg /day for four weeks, no significant increase of FSP during cooling or rise in skin temperature was found in six arsenic workers and eleven patients with Raynaud's phenomenon. The decrease of vasospastic tendency after intravenous injection of Ketanserin indicated that similar mechanisms might operate in arsenic-induced and other types of Raynaud's phenomenon. A general co nclusion from the five studies in this dissertation is that long-term occupational exposure to arsenic has had adverse effects on the peripheral circulation and nerve conduction. The tendency to vasospasm, but not the sub-clinical neuropathy, seemed to be reversible with decreasing exposure.
Absorption of vanadium from the gastrointestinal tract is poor, not exceeding 2% in humans. Soluble compounds of vanadium are absorbed to a considerable extent after inhalation and concentrated in the lung, but available information is not adequate for a reliable estimation of dose-response relationships. Absorbed vanadium is widely distributed in the body. In animals the highest values are found in bone, kidney, liver, and spleen. Bone maintains essentially unchanged levels for several weeks. Low concentrations have been detected in brain and in animal placenta and testes. Urine is the dominating route of excretion of absorbed vanadium. Animal and human data indicate that excretion occurs in at least two phases. A three-compartment model for elimination is described in humans with half-times after intravenous injection of 1.2 hours, 26 hours, and 10-12 days. Vanadium is essential for certain bacteria and microorganisms. Some reports suggest that vanadium is essential for mammals, but no biochemical function has been defined in humans. The total dietary intake is estimated to be 6-30 and in some regions up to 50 mu g/day. The use of vanadium salts as a supplement in athletes and body builders has been reported. Local effects in experimental animals are mainly seen in the respiratory tract. They may be acute and chronic, including bronchitis and pneumonia. Systemic effects have been observed in liver, kidney, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and blood-forming organs. Metabolic effects include interference with the biosynthesis of cystine and cholesterol, depression and stimulation of phospholipid synthesis and, at higher concentrations, inhibition of serotonin oxidation. Vanadate has been shown to inhibit Na+-K+-ATPase, phosphatases and several other enzyme systems. Vanadium compounds enhance the effects of insulin and have been shown to lower blood glucose in animal and human experiments in diabetic individuals. Both acute and chronic effects of occupational exposure to vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) and other vanadium compounds have been described. They are manifested mainly as delayed, but reversible irritation of the respiratory tract involving excess mucus production and prolonged coughing, accompanied by bronchospasm, wheezing, and diarrhea in cases of more severe exposure. Eye irritation and conjunctivitis have been reported in workers. Tracheobronchitis may result from heavy, long-term exposure. Changes in lung function indicating obstruction and an increase in inflammatory biomarkers have been demonstrated in boiler cleaners after prolonged exposure. Vanadium is not mutagenic in Ames test. However, pentavalent and tetravalent vanadium compounds have produced aneuploidy in somatic cells in vitro and in vivo. A clear evidence of carcinogenic activity has been shown in mice after inhalation of vanadium pentoxide. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified vanadium as a possible carcinogen (Group 2B). Biological monitoring of vanadium in serum, blood, and urine is used to follow exposure to vanadium compounds in occupational and population studies. Urine analysis, being a noninvasive method, is suitable for monitoring of workers. Reviews on environmental, toxicological and occupational health aspects of vanadium have been published by IPCS (1988), ATSDR (1992), Domingo (1996), WHO (1996), IPCS (2001), Barceloux (1999), HSE (2002), and EFSA (2004).
The aim of this study was to estimate the benchmark dose (BMD) for pancreas dysfunction caused by cadmium (Cd) exposure in smelters. Smelter workers who had been exposed to Cd for more than 1 year and matching nonoccupationally exposed subjects were asked to participate in this study. Urinary cadmium (UCd) was used as a biomarker for exposure, serum insulin and amylase were used as biomarkers for pancreatic effects. In this study, serum insulin and amylase were lower in the smelter workers than in the nonoccupationally exposed subjects. A significant dose-response relationship with UCd was displayed. BMI)s in terms of urinary Cd corrected for creatinine were calculated by use of BMDS (version 1.3.2). The benchmark dose lower limit of a one-sided 95% confidence interval (BMDL) for 10% excess risk was also determined. It was found that the BMDL10 for serum insulin and serum amylase was 3.7 and 5.3 mu g/g Cr, respectively. Compared to the BMDL for renal damage caused by Cd exposure, identified by the effect biomarkers urinary beta(2)-microglobulin, urinary N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, and urinary albumin (UALB), it was shown that BMDL10 for serum insulin is the lowest among all values and UALB gave the highest value (5.8 mu g/g Cr). This study indicates that Cd exposure can result in pancreatic dysfunction and the effect appears at lower urinary Cd level than renal dysfunction. The endocrine function of the pancreas was affected at lower urinary levels of Cd, compared to the exocrine function, which was seen at higher urinary levels of Cd than those giving rise to renal tubular dysfunction.
An occupational exposure to hand-arm vibration can cause a complex of neurological, vascular and musculo-skeletal disturbances, known as the 'vibration syndrome'. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not at all clear. Early signs of an incipient vibration syndrome are often intermittent disturbances in the cutaneous sensibility of the fingers, i.e. numbness and/or tactile paresthesias. At later stages, a vasoconstrictive phenomenon appears, usually as episodes of finger blanching.
When using a vibratory tool, all mechanical energy entering the body has to be transmitted through, or absorbed by, the glabrous skin in contact with the handle. Therefore, the aims of this study was to investigate: (i) mechanical
responses of the skin to vibrations, (ii) the response properties of cutaneous mechanoreceptors to vibrations, and (iii) influences of vibration exposure on touch perception.
It was found by measuring the mechanical point impedance (0.02-10 kHz) that the skin is easy to make vibrate within the range of 80 to 200 Hz. Within or close to this range are the dominant frequencies of many vibratory tools. Thus, strong mechanical loads, such as compressive and/or tensile strain, can appear in the skin which, in turn, may induce temporary or permanent injuries.
Recordings of impulses in single mechanoreceptive afferents, while the skin as exposed to vibrations, were obtained using needle electrodes inserted into the median nerve. The 4 types of mechanoreceptive afferents (FA I, FA II, SA I, and SA II) in the glabrous skin exhibited different response characteristics to vibrations. The FA I units were most easily excited at vibratory frequencies between ca 8 and 64 Hz and the FA II units between ca 64 and 400 Hz. The SA units were most sensitive at lower frequencies. At high stimulus amplitudes, such as may occur while using vibratory tools, a considerable overlap existed between the frequency ranges at which the units were exited. Evidence was also provided, that mechanical skin stimuli produced by edges of a vibrating object, compared to flat surfaces, more vigorously excited the FA I and particularly the SA I units. Thus, a marked edge enhancement, essential for tactile gnosis and precision manipulation, seems to exist already within the peripheral nervous system.
Acure impairment of tactile sensibility caused by vibrations, proved to be due to a reduced sensitivity of the mechanoreceptive afferents. A loss of manual dexterity a*vi an increased risk for accidents may therefore appear, both during and after a vibration exposure.
Percussive tools, high speed drills and ultrasonic devices are known to generate mechanical energy at frequencies above 1 kHz, i.e. frequencies usually not felt. At these frequencies, it is known that most of the energy, entering the body, is absorbed by the skin. Therefore, it was investigated whether a long-term exposure to high-frequency vibration may have a detrimental effect on the cutaneous sensitivity. One group of dentists and one of therapists, professionally exposed to high-frequency vibrations, were studied with regard to vibrotactile thresholds in their hands. The study showed that deleterious effects on tactile sensibility, at local exposure to high frequency vibration, can not be excluded.
Risk assessment for metallic substances usually follows the generally accepted framework format for risk assessment for all toxic substances, which involves (1) exposure assessment, (2) hazard identification, (3) assessment of dose-response relationships, and (4) risk characterization. The importance of risk communication is also addressed. Risk assessment/risk communication is of particular relevance for metals and metalloids, because all living organisms are exposed to these elements, and metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury and the metalloid arsenic have been responsible for many human poisonings and even deaths. It is, hence, imperative that readers of this handbook have a firm perspective on the exposure levels of metallic substances that produce adverse health effects and the various risk assessment approaches that have been used and are evolving to protect the health and well-being of living organisms. Biomonitoring approaches, identification of toxic metallic species for hazard identification, dose-effect relationships, construction of dose-response curves, and the development of benchmark doses for various metallic species are discussed in relation to protecting sensitive subpopulations, because not all individuals within a general population are at equal risk for toxicity. Risk characterization using modern biomarkers that are capable of detecting early cellular effects to low-dose exposures to metallic substances will play an increasingly important role in assessing risk from exposure to this class of toxic substances on an individual or mixture basis. The issue of metal/metalloid-induced carcinogenesis is of ever increasing importance, because many of the elements associated with this cellular outcome produce a number of early cellular effects, including formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis. Finally, the issue of risk communication/risk management is of great importance, because these issues are critical to addressing the health concerns of exposed populations and the practical, ethical, and financial issues related to reducing hazardous exposures to metallic substances.
Handbook of the Toxicology of Metals is the standard reference work for physicians, toxicologists and engineers in the field of environmental and occupational health. This new edition is a comprehensive review of the effects on biological systems from metallic elements and their compounds. An entirely new structure and illustrations represent the vast array of advancements made since the last edition. Special emphasis has been placed on the toxic effects in humans with chapters on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of metal poisoning. This up-to-date reference provides easy access to a broad range of basic toxicological data and also gives a general introduction to the toxicology of metallic compounds.
This introductory chapter is composed of two parts. The first section is a brief history of the science of the toxicology of metals by the late Dr. Lars Friberg. He delineates the early realization of the need for international cooperation and consensus that have guided seminal studies related to environmental and occupational toxicology. In this spirit, he initiated work on the first edition of the Handbook of Toxicology of Metals that included contributors from around the world. The second section takes up some current concerns related to the toxicology of metals. It highlights such concerns in relation to the current status of the scientific understanding to date of the metals included and discussed fully in the chapters of the Handbook. Furthermore, it draws attention to future directions in generating new knowledge to fill gaps in the continued quest to assemble the knowledge base necessary for the protection of human health from adverse consequences related to exposure to metals.
Human exposures to metals and metalloids such as arsenic frequently occur as mixtures, and hence it is important to consider interactions among these elements in terms of both mechanisms of action and for risk assessment purposes. Interactions among these elements may produce additive, synergistic/potentiative, or antagonistic effects that may be manifested as direct cellular toxicity (necrosis or apoptosis) or carcinogenicity. Dose-response relationships may further be influenced by constitutive factors such as age, sex, and the expression of specific proteins. The roles of molecular factors regulated by specific genes (so called gene-environment interactions) for the expression of metal toxicity are known only to a limited extent for most metals. However, for chronic beryllium disease causing fibrosis of the lung, it has been shown that beryllium sensitization, a prerequisite for developing the disease, depends on an antigen-specific immune response occurring predominantly among persons with a specific HLA-DBP1 genotype. Some gene-environment interactions in terms of genetic polymorphisms have been demonstrated such as those involving ALAD and arsenic methyl transferases, but the importance of these observations for development of human diseases has not been fully explored. Mechanisms of importance for interactions and the development of toxicity are the expression of metal-binding proteins (metallothioneins or lead-binding proteins). In many cases, direct primary data on interactions among toxic or essential elements are lacking, and so innovative derivative methods such as the binary weight of evidence (BINWOE) method have been used to predict potential interactions among groups of metals and metalloids. At present, there is much to be learned about interactions among both toxic and essential elements, but this is clearly a critical area of research.
Cadmium (Cd) is chemically similar to zinc; it occurs naturally with zinc and lead in sulfide ores. Elevated concentrations in air, water, and soil may occur close to industrial emission sources, particularly those of nonferrous mining and metal refining industries. Cadmium metal has been used as an anticorrosive, electroplated onto steel, and Cd compounds are used as pigments, often in plastics. Cadmium and its compounds are also used in electric batteries, electronic components, and nuclear reactors. Because some of the applications of Cd can be performed by other less-toxic materials, the use of Cd has, therefore, been restricted by law in some countries. The absorption of Cd compounds through the skin is negligible. Between 10 and 50% of inhaled Cd will be absorbed, with the degree of absorption being greater for smaller particles and fumes than for larger dust particles. Humans absorb 5-10% of ingested Cd. A low intake of calcium, zinc, or iron increases the degree of absorption; for example, in iron-deficient individuals, the gastrointestinal absorption rate may be as high as 20%. Cadmium is transported in plasma when bound to metallothionein-a low-molecular-weight protein and/or to certain high-molecular-weight proteins. The accumulation of Cd occurs in many tissues, with particularly long half-lives (10-30 years) having been reported for Cd in muscle, kidney, and liver tissue. Cadmium stimulates metallothionein production in the same manner as other bivalent metals, such as zinc, copper, and mercury. Metallothionein-bound Cd in plasma is filtered through the renal glomeruli and reabsorbed in the tubuli, where the metal ion is released after lysosomal degradation of the protein. The unbound Cd stimulates the production of new metallothionein, which binds the Cd in the renal tubular cells. When not all of this new Cd is bound, toxic effects occur, possibly because of the interference of Cd with zinc-dependent enzymes and/or membrane function. The average amount of Cd ingested in most European and North American countries is approximately 1020 mu g/day. The corresponding average urinary excretion is approximately 0.5-1.0 mu g/day. Most of the Cd in blood is located in the cells. The average blood concentration is approximately 0.5-1.0 mu g/L in nonsmokers; it is twice as high in smokers because of Cd absorption from cigarette smoke. Concentrations of 10-20 mu g/kg are usually found in the kidney cortex of nonsmokers in European countries. Although the intake of Cd through food has been higher in Japan than in Europe, and the reported tissue levels are correspondingly higher, the food intake of Cd has decreased in Japan during the last few decades. Ingestion of highly contaminated food or drink results in acute gastrointestinal effects with concomitant diarrhea and vomiting. Acute inhalation of Cd in air-for example, from soldering or welding fumes-may lead to severe chemical pneumonitis. Long-term exposure to low air levels may lead to chronic obstructive lung disease and possibly lung cancer. Long-term excessive exposure from the air or food leads to renal tubular dysfunction. The first sign of damage is a low-molecular-weight proteinuria. This condition is the critical effect of such exposure to Cd and is used in quantitative risk assessment. Long-term exposure from food, often combined with other means of delivery, may also lead to disturbance of calcium metabolism, osteoporosis, and osteomalacia, mainly among postmenopausal women. A disease exhibiting these features-called Itai-Itai disease-occurred in the 1950s in Cd-polluted areas of Japan; 124 cases were diagnosed up to 1970, and decreasing numbers of clinical cases have been diagnosed later, with 66 cases during the period between 1970 and 2006. In animals exposed to Cd through injection, inhalation, or oral exposure, cancer may develop at the injection site, in the lungs and prostate, or in other organs. Although some epidemiological studies have found an increase in the rates of cancer of the lungs and prostate, other studies have not demonstrated such effects. Cadmium is classified as a human carcinogen (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Exposure to Cd in the air at concentrations of 5-10 mu g/m(3) during a working life of 45 years may give rise to renal tubular dysfunction in a small proportion of exposed workers. At approximately 100 mu g/m(3), signs of chronic obstructive lung disease may develop even after exposure for a shorter duration. After a lifetime of exposure from food at an average intake of approximately 200 mu g/day, renal effects have been observed at age 50. There is considerable individual variation in the sensitivity of these renal effects. It has been suggested that such effects can be avoided if renal cortex levels are kept <50 mu g/kg and urine levels <2.5 mu g/g CR. Recent reports of low, but statistically significant, increases at even lower levels of urinary Cd are, however, noteworthy. Such increases are observed in the general population, particularly among people with diabetes. There is no specific treatment for Cd poisoning. When there are signs of osteomalacia, large doses of vitamin D should be given. Because of the long half-life of Cd in the kidneys, which are the critical organs and the irreversibility of the critical effect, primary prevention is essential. Prevention can be assisted through environmental and biological monitoring. The extensive literature on the toxicological and environmental aspects of Cd has been reviewed in detail by Friberg et al. (1974, 1985, 1986a), Tsuchiya (1978), Nriagu (1980, 1981), the WHO/IPCS (1992), the IARC (1993), Jarup et al. (1998c), the ATSDR (1999), Nordberg and Nordberg (2002), the EU (2003), Satarug and Moore (2004), and the WHO/FAO (2003, 2005).
Th is case referent study is a part of the Office illness Project in Northern Sweden. From a questionnaire study among 5986 office workers, 75 VDT workers with self-reported facial skin symptoms and the same number of referents were selected for this study. The environmental electric and magnetic fields in the office as well as electromagnetic fields associated with the VDT at the workplace were measured, The aim of this part of the project was to explore the role of the measured electromagnetic parameters in relation to skin symptoms. For most of the measured parameters there was no difference between cases and referents. However, more cases than referents were found in the highest exposure group for two of the measured parameters. Fm the background electric field in the mom the relative risk in terms of crude odds ratio (OR) was 3.0 (95% CI: 1.2-7.2) for the high exposed group (greater than or equal to 31 V/m) compared with the lowest group (less than or equal to 10 V/m). The same comparison for the magnetic field in the ELF-range (greater than or equal to 0.30 mu T vs less than or equal to 0.145 mu T) in front of the VDT gave an OR of 2.7(95% CI: 1.0-6.9).