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VCBH research includes randomized clinical trials and outpatient laboratory studies on a wide range of topics related to drug abuse and other health behaviors, behavioral economics and behavioral pharmacology. For more information on our large center awards, please see the TCORS and COBRE webpages.
Our research includes the following grant support:
1. P50DA036114 (PI: Stephen T. Higgins)
Agency: NIH/FDA
Vermont Center on Tobacco Regulatory Science (TCORS)
The Vermont Tobacco Center on Regulatory Science (TCORS) is a multidisciplinary center located at the University of Vermont working closely with collaborators and consultants from Brown University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Minnesota, and University of Pittsburgh. The Vermont TCORS addresses one of the crosscutting and two of the specific research priorities of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products. The crosscutting priority is researching tobacco products in vulnerable populations, including women of childbearing age/pregnant women, individuals with comorbid other substance use disorders, and individuals with comorbid serious mental illness. Each of these populations is at an increased risk for tobacco use and dependence or tobacco-related adverse health outcomes. Yet despite these serious vulnerabilities, these populations are typically excluded from tobacco regulatory studies. For the FDA to effectively execute its tobacco regulatory responsibility, having a sound scientific evidence on how new tobacco products impact vulnerable populations is critically important. Our goal is for the Vermont TCORS to assist in providing the FDA with that evidence. Regarding specific priorities, the Vermont TCORS researches (a) reducing the addiction potential of cigarettes and other tobacco products by reducing their nicotine content and (b) examining the impact of new products on biomarkers of exposure and health outcomes in vulnerable populations. Regulating the nicotine content of cigarettes and other products is an important responsibility of the FDA that has tremendous potential to reduce smoking prevalence and improve the U.S. public health. The Vermont TCORS is organized around four primary aims. First, the establishment of an Administrative Core that provides the leadership, administrative and intellectual infrastructure, and organizational oversight necessary to develop and sustain a multidisciplinary center of research and training excellence. Second, the completion of three multi-site research projects evaluating the effects of very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes in vulnerable populations. Third, the establishment of a program to support sensitive research priorities. Fourth, the development of an exemplary predoctoral and postdoctoral training program in tobacco regulatory science. Overall, we have established a multidisciplinary center capable of providing the FDA with critically important empirical evidence relevant to its regulatory responsibility, while also contributing new scientific knowledge on reducing the addictiveness of tobacco products and associated adverse health consequences in vulnerable populations.
2. 5P20GM103644 (PI: Stephen T. Higgins)
Agency: NIGMS
Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE)
This center investigates relationships between personal behaviors and risk for chronic disease and premature death. Unhealthy personal behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, physical inactivity) account or 40% of premature deaths in the U.S. annually and substantially increase healthcare costs and health disparities. There is a tremendous need for (a) greater scientific understanding of the mechanisms underpinning vulnerability to these risk behaviors and (b) more effective interventions to promote behavior change. We approach these challenges from a behavioral economics conceptual framework. This effort involves key interdisciplinary collaborations (a) across multiple departments and colleges within UVM, (b) with key Vermont community healthcare leaders, and (c) with other universities, including two from IDeA states (Brown University and University of Kentucky). Specific Aims of this center are: Aim 1: Establish the cores necessary to develop and sustain a vibrant interdisciplinary center of research excellence. Goals of this aim include developing (A) an Administrative Core that provides leadership, organizational structure, intellectual infrastructure, a mentoring plan, fiscal management, and strategic planning for fiscal support beyond COBRE funding; (b) a Behavioral Economics and Intervention Sciences Core that supports intervention development and evaluation, econometric modeling of cost effectiveness, and the study of health-related decision making and its neurobiological underpinnings, and (c) a Collaboration, Dissemination, and Education Core to facilitate those key missions. Aim 2: Support the selection and career development of excelling junior/faculty Project Directors (PDs) who will become the nucleus of the center. The PDs and their research topics are: (1) Robert Althoff, MD, PhD, Shared Mechanisms in Child Dysregulation, Adult Psychopathology, and Metabolic Disorders; (2) Diann Gaalema, PhD, Incentives to Improve Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation in Low-income Patients; (3) Julie Phillips, MD, Incentives Targeting Gestational Weight Gain in Overweight/Obese Low-income Women; (4) Kim Dittus, MD, PhD, Predictors of Weight Loss Success in Overweight Breast Cancer Survivors; (5) Brian Sprague, PhD, Behaviors, Chronic Disease, and Quality of Life After Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. The center brings together an interdisciplinary group of accomplished senior scientists, promising junior investigators, and distinguished advisors and collaborators to work closely together to establish a center of excellence in an area of clinical research that is vitally important to the U.S. public health.
3. 1RO1HD078332 (PI: Stephen T. Higgins)
Agency: NIH/DHHS
Behavioral Economic Approach to Reducing Maternal Smoking in Disadvantaged Women
Smoking among women is a substantial U.S. public health problem that is highly associated with socioeconomic status, especially low educational attainment. It is also a direct contributor to health disparities. For example, smoking prevalence in the U.S. exceeds 30 percent among women with <12 years of education compared to less than 6 percent for women with graduate degrees. Smoking prevalence among disadvantaged mothers is at strikingly high levels (40-60 percent). Disadvantaged women begin smoking at an earlier age, are heavier smokers, and are more likely to be nicotine dependent and to fail at smoking cessation. Not surprisingly, disadvantaged women are also at increased risk for smoking-related adverse health outcomes, including adversely impacting that health of their children through in-utero and second-hand smoke exposure (SHSe). Despite widespread awareness of the adverse health consequences of SHSe, almost 85 percent of U.S. children from low-income families are chronically exposed. SHSe, especially from maternal smoking, increases risk for infant death, chronic respiratory infections, asthma, and other longer-term medical problems, and is estimated to increase direct medical and life-lost costs in the U.S. by > $5 billion annually. Efficacious interventions to increase maternal smoking cessation and reduce childhood SHSe are sorely needed. We are testing the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an intervention for promoting smoking-cessation among economically disadvantaged mothers of young children (< 11 yrs) that is based in the conceptual framework of behavioral economics and uses financial incentives to motivate behavior change. We are conducting a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing (1) usual care for smoking cessation and reducing SHSe among children, (2) usual care combined with financial incentives for objectively verified smoking abstinence and (3) usual care combined with financial incentives and also with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) using innovative procedures to enhance medication efficacy. We hypothesize that both interventions involving financial incentives will increase biochemically-verified smoking abstinence in mothers and decrease SHSe in their children, but that the largest and most cost-effective treatment effects will be achieved by combining financial incentives with NRT. Behavioral-economic measures of decision-making biases and cigarette-price sensitivity will be examined as predictors of treatment response. Overall, the study has the potential to advance knowledge on efficacious, cost-effective smoking cessation for maternal smokers and protection against SHSe in children. This study also has the potential to impact policies and clinical practices regarding recommended care for combating chronic SHSe in disadvantaged children.
4. T32DA007242 (PI: Stephen T. Higgins)
Agency: NIDA
Training in Behavioral Pharmacology of Drug Abuse
During the past ten years, we trained 14 predoctoral and 16 postdoctoral fellows. Among those 30 fellows, all but one remains involved in research careers. Fourteen have completed the training phase of their careers. Among those 14, 7 (50%) have primary university faculty positions, 5 (33%) are principal investigators (PI) on one or more NIH research awards, and they have published more than 250 journal articles and book chapters on addiction. Collectively, the 30 fellows have published more than 350 journal articles and book chapters on addiction. In addition to being a productive training program, the training our fellows receive in human behavioral pharmacology fills a unique niche in addiction research. Our fellows learn to identify basic behavioral and pharmacological processes underpinning addiction and to translate that knowledge into effective clinical interventions and policy. We will continue our emphasis on human behavioral pharmacology in the next funding period, with an expansion into tobacco regulatory science and the impact of addictive behavior on health outcomes. Since last renewal, we received a P50 Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science award and a P20 Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) award in behavior and health, which has brought added value to our training program via access to new seminars, interactions with new fellows, and new research and career opportunities. We will continue supporting 4-predoctoral and 4-postdoctoral training slots with this T32 award. The seven members of the training faculty consist of five Ph.D.s, one M.D., and one M.D. /Ph.D. This faculty is PIs on two NIH center grants, 8 R01s, 3 R01-equivalent program projects, an R34, an R21, and two R21-equivalent program projects, creating a rich range of research training opportunities in addiction research. All of our faculty and fellows are located at a single, on-campus site composed of 8000 sq ft of newly renovated laboratory, clinic, and office space. Fellows are selected based on scholastic excellence and commitment to a career in addiction research. Predoctoral fellows are enrolled in the Department of Psychological Science PhD programs in experimental or clinical psychology where they complete required coursework including those developed for this training program, and complete master's and doctoral theses. Postdoctoral fellows primarily focus on conducting and supervising independent research, with additional opportunities to further their education via course-work. Each fellow has a primary mentor from the training faculty. Fellow attend weekly seminars in addiction research and ethics. Additionally, they present their research at two or more national scientific meetings annually. The training period is generally 4-5 years for predoctoral and 2-3 years for postdoctoral fellows. The overarching goal of the training program is to continue developing productive, independent, state-of-the-art addiction researchers.
5. R01HDA075669 (PI: Stephen T. Higgins)
Agency: NICHD
Financial Incentives for Smoking Cessation among Disadvantaged Pregnant Women
Smoking during pregnancy is the leading preventable cause of poor pregnancy outcomes in the U.S. Most pregnant smokers continue smoking through pregnancy producing serious immediate and longer-term adverse health consequences for the infant. Smoking during pregnancy is highly associated with economic disadvantage and a substantive contributor to health disparities. Efficacious interventions are available but cessation rates are low (<20 percent) and improvements in birth outcomes often modest or absent. Current treatments usually entail relatively brief, low-cost interventions (e.g. pregnancy-specific quit lines). There is broad consensus that more effective interventions are sorely needed. We have developed a novel behavioral-economic intervention in which women earn financial incentives contingent on smoking abstinence. In a meta-analysis of treatments for smoking during pregnancy, effect size achieved with financial incentives were several-fold larger than those achieved with lower-intensity approaches or medications. The intervention also appears to improve birth outcomes and increase breastfeeding duration. While highly promising, further research is needed in at least three areas. (1) The evidence on birth outcomes and breastfeeding is from studies that combined data across trials rather than a single prospective trial, (2) whether the intervention produces other postpartum improvements in health has not been investigated, and (3) the overall cost-effectiveness of this approach has not been examined. To examine these unanswered questions, we are conducting a randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing the efficacy and cost effectiveness through one-year postpartum of current best practices for smoking-cessation during pregnancy vs. best practices plus financial incentives among 230 pregnant, Medicaid recipients. We are also including a third condition of 115 pregnant non-smokers matched to the smokers on socio-demographic and health conditions to compare the extent to which the treatments reduce the burden of smoking and to estimate how much more might be accomplished by further improvements in this incentives intervention without exceeding cost-effectiveness. We hypothesize that best practices plus financial incentives will be more effective than best practices along, that the incentives intervention will be cost effective, and that while adding the incentives reduces a greater proportion of the health and economic burden of smoking than best practices along, more can be done while remaining cost effective. Overall, the study has the potential to substantially advance knowledge on cost-effective smoking cessation for pregnant women. Importantly, because of the strong association between smoking during pregnancy and economic disadvantage, the study also has the potential to contribute new knowledge relevant to reducing the serious challenges of health disparities.
6. R01DA036670 (PI: Sarah H. Heil)
Agency: NIDA
Improving Effective Contraceptive Use among Opioid-maintained Women: Stage II
Nearly 9 of every 10 pregnancies among opioid-dependent women is unplanned. Unintended pregnancy results in many costly adverse consequences for both mother and child; treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) alone costs more than $700 million annually. Despite these dismal figures, we know of no efficacious interventions for decreasing unintended pregnancy among opioid or other illicit drug users. We developed and are pilot-testing an intervention to increase prescription contraceptive use by opioid-maintained (OM) women that is delivered in their OM treatment clinic. Usual care in many OM treatment clinics involves giving out information about contraceptive methods and referring patients to family planning providers in the community. The proposed intervention adds (1) the World Health Organization's (WHO) contraception protocol and (2) financial incentives for attendance at protocol visits. At the first intervention visit, OM women receive assistance with choosing a prescription contraceptive method, are provided structured educational counseling about and a free supply of their preferred method, and are offered the option of initiating it immediately. At subsequent intervention visits, they receive support to manage side effects and problem-solve compliance problems, free refills of their chosen contraceptive method, and assistance with switching methods when indicated. They also earn financial incentives contingent on their attendance at each of these regularly scheduled visits. Our ongoing Stage IB pilot trial data strongly support the feasibility and initial efficacy of this intervention, with 5-times more OM women assigned to the experimental intervention using prescription contraceptives at the end of the 6-month intervention compared to control condition women. Building on these promising pilot data, the present application proposes a fully randomized controlled Stage II trial to rigorously evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this innovative intervention. OM women at risk for unintended pregnancy (N=195) will be randomly assigned to one of three study conditions: (1) usual care; (2) usual care + WHO contraception protocol; or (3) usual care + WHO contraception protocol + financial incentives for attendance. Contraceptive use by all participants will be evaluated at follow-up assessments scheduled 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after trial intake. This design will allow us to more fully assess the efficacy of the intervention while also allowing us to isolate the contribution of the WHO and financial incentives components, both key objectives of Stage II intervention development. Cost-effectiveness will be evaluated by assessing the incremental costs of each additional opioid-exposed pregnancy prevented and birth avoided. The proposed research has the potential to establish the first efficacious and cost-effective intervention for increasing prescription contraceptive use in illicit drug users. The research may also produce important new insights into contraceptive decision-making that will aid in the development of more efficacious interventions for other populations of women at risk for unintended pregnancy.
7. U01DA041148 (PI: Hugh Garavan)
Agency: NIH
ABCD - USA Consortium: Research Project
8. RO1DA042790 (PI: Stacey Sigmon)
Agency: NIH/NIDA
Interim Buprenorphine Treatment to Bridge Waitlist Delays: Stage II Evaluation
We have developed a novel Interim Buprenorphine Treatment (IBT) that leverages pharmacotherapy, state-of-the-are technology, and rigorous methodology to bridge existing delays in treatment access. In an initial R34 randomized pilot study, we demonstrated reductions in illicit opioid use and risk behaviors among waitlisted opioid abusers receiving IBT. This project will seek to replicate those highly promising initial results while simultaneously evaluating generality of our findings to additional rural settings outside our single academic medical center.
9. PI: Stacey Sigmon
Agency: Laura and John Arnold Foundation
Interim Buprenorphine Treatment to Reduce Individual and Societal Harm during Delays to Opioid Treatment: Extended Duration
We have developed a novel Interim Buprenorphine Treatment (IBT) that
leverages pharmacotherapy, state-of-the-are technology, and rigorous
methodology to bridge existing delays in treatment access. In an initial
R34 randomized pilot study, we demonstrated reductions in illicit
opioid use and risk behaviors among waitlisted opioid abusers receiving
IBT. This project will seek to replicate those highly promising initial
results while simultaneously evaluating generality of our findings to
additional rural settings outside our single academic medical center.
10. U54CA163303 (PI: Brian Sprague)
Agency: NIH
Vermont PROSPR Research Center
Breast cancer screening has led to substantial reductions in breast cancer mortality in the United States over the past 30 years, but not without unintended harms and shortcomings. Comprehensive, population-based, longitudinal data on the entire screening process can evaluate current screening practices and recommend improvements. The Vermont Prosper Research Center (VPRC) proposes to continue and extend the work of the Vermont Breast Cancer Surveillance System (VBCSS), which has 16 years of experience in collecting integrated patient risk factor, breast imaging, pathology, treatment, cancer outcome and vital status data. Our first aim is to document the entire breast cancer screening process in community practice across the state of Vermont. The new data collected will add to our 16 years of longitudinal data, which provide the foundation for our proposed research program, data sharing with the Statistical Coordination Center, and collaborations with other PROSPR sites. Second, we will pursue a research program that improves the screening process by developing prognostic markers that can be used to develop personalized management strategies for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Using longitudinal data on approximately 1400 DClS cases from the VBCSS, we will seek to identify novel molecular, morphologic, radiologic, and tumor microenvironment markers that can stratify DClS patients by risk of progression to invasive disease. Our comparative effectiveness analyses will provide a framework by which new DClS prognostic markers can be evaluated for their potential impacts on the benefits and harms of screening. Third, we will conduct collaborative research with other PROSPR Research Centers, the PROSPR Statistical Coordination Center, the National Cancer Institute, and the larger research community. Our multidisciplinary team of experienced basic, clinical, and population scientists will lead and participate in trans-Network initiatives and ensure the dissemination of our data and study findings. Accomplishment of these aims will provide a rich source of data for use in evaluating and improving current breast cancer screening processes. Success in our research program will fill an urgent need for identification of DClS prognostic markers that could enable personalized management strategies.
11. U01CA1996383 (PI: Brian Sprague)
Vermont Breast Cancer Molecular Characterization Laboratory
Advances in breast cancer screening and treatment have reduced breast cancer mortality in the US over the past 30 years. However, the widespread adoption of screening mammography has been accompanied by dramatic increases in early stage breast cancer diagnoses that have not been offset by declines in advanced stage disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that a substantial fraction of screen-detected breast cancers would never have emerged clinically if not detected through screening. While there is extensive debate regarding the magnitude of overdiagnosis, there is widespread consensus that new approaches are urgently needed to distinguish indolent screen-detected cases from those that may be life threatening. The role of the tumor microenvironment in breast cancer progression has been increasingly recognized. Several lines of evidence indicate that breast tumorigenesis is critically influenced by active signaling between malignant breast epithelial cells and non-neoplastic cells of the tumor microenvironment. The goal of our proposal is to identify tumor microenvironment signatures that predict the aggressiveness of early stage, screen-detected breast cancers by minimally invasive methods. We will leverage and refine state-of-the-art technologies to characterize aggressive signatures based on the cellular composition and gene expression of specific cell populations within the tumor microenvironment of interval- and symptom-detected invasive breast cancers. We will then determine whether the presence of these aggressive tumor microenvironment signatures in early stage, screen-detected breast cancer is associated with progression. We will obtain retrospective data on 800 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens for analysis from the Vermont Breast Cancer Surveillance System (VBCSS), which has collected integrated patient, radiology, pathology, treatment, and outcomes data on all women undergoing breast imaging in the state of Vermont since 1996. The VBCSS has a large existing repository of over 1,200 centrally-reviewed DCIS specimens and access to over 10,000 invasive breast cancer specimens for cases diagnosed in the state of Vermont. We will also engage in prospective collection of fresh specimens via the Vermont Cancer Center Tissue Biobank, which is also linked to the integrated data of the VBCSS. The identification of aggressive and indolent tumor microenvironment signatures will promote the development of more conservative treatment strategies for the subset of women with favorable prognosis and suggest novel targets for therapeutic intervention in cases with unfavorable prognosis. We have assembled a multidisciplinary research team with nationally recognized expertise in cellular and molecular cancer biology, pathology, cancer screening, and epidemiology, as well as a long track record of productive consortium-based collaborative research. The Vermont Breast Cancer Molecular Characterization Laboratory will provide the consortium with scientific leadership, technical resources, and access to a large repository of retrospective and prospectively collected breast specimens linked to the rich data of the VBCSS.
12. A17021S (PI: Richard Rawson)
Evaluation of the Vermont Hub-and-Spoke System for the treatment of opioid use disorders
Vermont has responded to the emergence of an epidemic of prescription opiate and heroin addiction by developing an innovative system (the hub-and-spoke ["H-and-S"] system) to increase treatment capacity and expand the availability of services for individuals with opioid use disorders (OUD's). The proposed project is designed to evaluate this effort in two distinct ways:
1) Assessment of the clinical impact of the H-and-S system with quantitative data will be collected from 80 individuals currently in treatment in the H-and-S system to assess their functioning in multiple domains. In addition, data from 10 individuals who received treatment in the H-and-S system but discontinued that treatment will provide a preliminary indication of the status of individuals following a period of treatment and provide some indication as to why they discontinued care. Data from an additional 10 individuals who are currently using opioids and have not accessed treatment will provide a preliminary picture of the obstacles to treatment and the factors to contribute to decisions to not enter treatment.
2) Assessment of study participant and family perception of H-and-S services with qualitative data will provide individual perspectives on how participants view the H-and-S treatment experience and will provide clinicians and policy makers with an input on aspects of treatment that facilitate treatment participation and recover as well as aspects that obstruct treatment participation and/or interfere with recovery. A total of 24 individual interviews will be completed at 4 sites (a hub and spoke in Chittenden County and a hub and spoke in Washington County). Focus groups (3) with family members will also provide a first look at how families view the impact of treatment on the functioning of their treated family member and will inform clinicians and policy makers about the experience of family members in interacting with the H-and-S system.
13. R01CA192940 (PI: John R. Hughes)
Does Abstinence From E-cigarettes Produce Withdrawal Symptoms?
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are the fastest growing harm reduction product. Many e-cigarette users obtain nicotine blood levels from e-cigarettes that are much higher than those from nicotine replacement products and, in some studies, similar to that for tobacco cigarette users. Given this, one would expect abrupt cessation of e-cigarettes to produce withdrawal symptoms but this has not been tested. We propose to recruit 120 long-term e-cigarette-only users. Participants will enter a within-participants study with random, balanced order of assignment to four conditions: a) their own e-cigarettes, b) a new nicotine e-cigarette, c) the non-nicotine (i.e. placebo) version of the new e-cigarette, and d) no use of any e-cigarettes. The use of nicotine or non-nicotine new e-cigarettes will be double-blind. Participants will be instructed to abstain from tobacco and nicotine products during the study. Each condition will last 5 days with a 2 day washout between conditions. To encourage compliance we will use an escalating payment system with bonuses that has resulted in high compliance rates in our prior studies. Participants will monitor symptoms of nicotine withdrawal daily via an Interactive Voice Response system. They will also attend 3 lab visits/week to provide carbon monoxide and cotinine samples to determine compliance payments, and to complete longer surveys, a cognitive task and a task to measure increased motivation to use e-cigarettes. We will test the effect of abstinence (own e-cigarette vs no e-cigarette) and its pharmacological specificity (new nicotine e-cigarette vs new non-nicotine e-cigarette). Our results will help determine a) the addiction potential of e-cigarettes, b) whether labeling should warn purchasers of e-cigarettes that abrupt cessation can induce withdrawal, and c) whether withdrawal problems should be included in risk/benefit assessments of e-cigarettes.
14. 1R03CA212694-01A1 (PI: Andrea C. Villanti)
Agency: NIH/NCI
Perceptions of Nicotine and Relative Harm of Tobacco Products in the U.S. Young Adults
The wide range of tobacco and nicotine products available – and the lack of education on these products – has likely has left the public confused about the relative harms of tobacco products, and nicotine more generally. The extent to which young adults conflate the harms of nicotine with the harms of tobacco use could have beneficial or harmful effects at the population level. Young people who believe that all nicotine and tobacco products are equally harmful and addictive may avoid tobacco use altogether, more readily use the more satisfying and harmful combusted products, or fail to pursue evidence-based nicotine medications to assist in quitting tobacco use. Existing studies on tobacco-harm perceptions are largely cross-sectional and NIH-funded research on tobacco harm perceptions has focused on the tobacco products themselves without addressing perceptions of nicotine separately. Given the new tobacco marketplace and various forms of nicotine available to today's consumers, there is an immediate need to: 1) understand the interplay between nicotine harm perceptions and tobacco product harm perceptions; and, 2) how these perceptions affect susceptibility to use tobacco and nicotine-containing products and ultimately tobacco use patterns in the population as a whole. The proposed study harnesses secondary analyses in longitudinal data from a large, national sample of U.S. young adults (n = 4,100 young adults aged 18-34) with novel measures of nicotine harm perceptions to produce an in-depth examination of the perceived harm of nicotine, the relative harm of tobacco products, and the impact of these perceptions on tobacco-related intentions and behavior. Quantitative analyses will: 1) examine perceptions of nicotine and relative harm of tobacco products in a national sample of U.S. young adults and correlates of these perceptions (e.g., sociodemographics, tobacco use); 2) characterize young adult subgroups based on their perceptions of nicotine and relative harm of tobacco products using latent class analysis; and 3) describe the impact of nicotine and tobacco harm perception "class" on longitudinal patterns in susceptibility and curiosity to use tobacco and tobacco use behavior. Findings from this study are of particular importance given the imminent implementation of a required warning label ("This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.") on tobacco products covered by FDA. The scientific premise of this study is that a better understanding of perceptions of nicotine and tobacco products will guide the development of more informative and effective tobacco product warning labels and other public education efforts.


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The word "consistency" suggests stability, predictability, normalcy. It implies that we can move on and not worry.
When the State of North Carolina announced our 2014 infant mortality data this week, the official release said "the 2014 statistics are consistent with previous years." But for our state, consistency in the infant mortality rate is not good—stalled would be a more forthright description.
North Carolina's infant mortality rate of 7.1 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births remains well above the national average of 5.96 and hasn't improved since 2010. Furthermore, racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality persist year after year.
Big problems, like North Carolina's consistently high infant mortality rate, demand bold solutions. Closing the health insurance coverage gap for working North Carolinians, particularly women of childbearing age, would be a good start.
The Most Recent Data
The 2014 infant mortality rate for African American babies in North Carolina is 12.8 deaths for every 1,000 births, which is unacceptable on its face and even more so when compared to the rate for white babies, which is 2.5 times lower at 5.1. Nationally, the infant mortality rate for African Americans is 11.22, too high, but significantly better than North Carolina's.
For American Indians, the infant mortality rate is essentially the same as 20 years ago—nearly 10 deaths for every 1,000 births. The rate for Hispanics spiked in 2014, but it's too early to tell if that's the beginning of a trend or an aberration.
The rate of infant death also correlates with where you live, and this is no surprise to researchers who study how our health is affected by where we work, go to school, and sleep at night. This map shows five years worth of data—not just a blip on the radar—by county, and it's clear that the same challenges that affect local economic development, infrastructure, environmental health, and educational opportunity also come to bear on infant health.
Connection to Women's Health
Not surprisingly, the infant mortality rate is also directly connected to women's health—a baby is much more likely to be born healthy if her mother is healthy. Statewide, 22 percent of infant deaths are related to prematurity and low birth weight, and 16 percent are related to maternal factors and complications of pregnancy. Access to care before conception and between pregnancies could substantially reduce our high infant mortality. And improving a mother's health is best done before she gets pregnant, when it is easier to fight diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic conditions.
The State news release noted the positive pieces of the recently enacted state budget that help take better care of mothers and infants. We have high hopes for this funding but there are many questions about how the money will be used. If we want to move the needle, our actions must be bold and not just "consistent" with what we have been doing.
We know there is one big step we could take as a state that would likely show big results.
Specifically, North Carolina—Governor McCrory and the General Assembly—should take advantage of the opportunity to eliminate the health insurance coverage gap for adults, as our neighbors West Virginia, Arkansas and Kentucky have done. The Affordable Care Act allows states to devise their own plans for making insurance available at very little cost to the state for people who earn too much to get the tax credits for middle income workers, but who aren't destitute enough to qualify for Medicaid as it is now defined.
Closing the insurance coverage gap would provide over 300,000 North Carolina adults, including women of childbearing age, with health insurance, which would help prevent and treat many of the chronic conditions, like obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, that lead to infant mortality.
Ensuring that all women in North Carolina have access to affordable health insurance would have a profound impact on birth outcomes for families of every race and ethnicity. Any serious attempt to improve upon our infant mortality rate must include this step.
Governor McCrory and the Legislature should take a bold step and close the health insurance coverage gap now to save children's lives.
Rob Thompson is the Senior Policy and Communications Advisor for NC Child. This article appeared originally on the group's For Children's Sake blog.

subset: commoncrawl


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Welcome to Alpha Air Conditioning! We have been in business in Citrus County since 1985. I have seen many "fads" (and competitors) come and go during that time.
I believe some things are valued today as much as they were in 1985; skill, honesty, concern for the client's welfare, fairness in pricing, promptness, respectful behavior and accepting responsibility for one's work are at the top of the list. I am glad to say all of those things are alive and well at Alpha Air Conditioning.
Some of our competitors may call us "old fashioned" and my retort to that is simply "yes, we are, thank you!" However, there is nothing old-fashioned about the products we install, the design techniques we utilize, and the technical expertise of our employees.
As a graduate of Purdue University (BSME-Mechanical Engineering), a Florida Registered Engineer and a Mechanical Contractor, I am the most qualified contractor in Citrus County (if not the State). Thankfully, it doesn't end there. I have assembled and trained a staff that truly embodies those old-fashioned qualities we all want. But don't take my word for it, ask your friends and neighbors about us, or better yet, call us and see for yourself.
Precision Tune-up (Still only $69)* - 6 MONTH GUARANTEE
If your A/C system fails within 6 months after our Tune-Up, we will refund the tune-up cost!
Repairs to your A/C system* - 6 MONTH GUARANTEE
If our repair fails within 6 months after the repair, we will repair it at no cost to you!
*Just call for verification. Refrigerant leaks are excluded due to their unpredictability.
We believe nothing speaks louder than the words of a satisfied customer. See what our customers have said about us!
"Just a word of THANKS! It was so good to get the response that I got this A.M. when I called about my thermostat. I appreciate your helping me on the phone, so I could have cool air right away, instead of telling me you could not get out for two days to fix something as simple as that was. Thank you so much!"
Margaret Gay
"Thank you for all your help. I really appreciate how you went out of your way to help me. I'm sure glad I am one of your customers."
Len Gane
"I'm a tow truck driver and company owner in Citrus for ten years. The people that work for this company are very professional and knowledgable and you can tell they enjoy what they do!"
"Very happy with the service."
"Your business has always been dependable. Great job!"
Joyce, Customer for 15+ years
"Harold is an employee to be proud of. Pleasant. Efficient... Should say it all.
Vincent, Customer for 8 years
"We have never been disappointed with Alpha Air. They are professional, highly skilled, dependable, and prompt. Service personnel are friendly and informative. Honesty and integrity = trust. Thank you Alpha Air!"
Lois, Customer for 9-10 years
"We always appreciated the Alpha Air crew for their courtesy and professionalism. They always respond promptly and efficiently. We love Chip!"
B. Brunner, Customer for 13 years
"The Tech was very professional."
W. Pickrel, Customer for 11 years
"Thank you for the quick service on Sunday, August 29th. The technician did an excellent job and stopped the condensate from overflowing into the house. We will call you for any future needs."
Ray & Mary Beth Kaylor
"Thanks for always getting my house cool again."
Ella Rae Dunn
"We would again like to say 'Thank You' for your prompt response and professional service repairing our air conditioner unit (replace fan motor) this morning. You may be assured of any future service we may need and the recommendation of Alpha Air Conditioning to our friends."
Harry & Sandy Catlin
"We are very satisfied with your employees i.e. Chip this time - Pleased with him. 200%"
Patricia & William
"Your crew is always on time and do what needs to be done with little to no disruption to us, the house owners. Thanks!"
The McTarnaghans
"Chip did a fantastic job! Very pleasant and personable. He was meticulous in the job he did. A great representative for your company."
Vic, Customer for 15 years
"Neal is a top-notch service man - always ask for him."
Ms. Buning, Customer for 4 years
"So far good service and advice."
A. Whalen, Customer for 4 years
"Always a straight answer if service is needed. Competitive prices and all the technicians I have dealt with have the expertise necessary."
Fetterman, Customer for 27 years
"A very good company to be with."
J. Kohler, Customer for 21 years


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Isabela Kaftan / Starry Night
The Lú Limited Edition White Gauze Kaftan was uniquely designed and inspired by a Summer escape to Italy. We thought about comfortable and breathable fabrics that maintained a luxurious yet minimalistic aesthetic. Lú Kaftan is designed for every body. We meticulously handcrafted an easy to wear, everyday piece that can suit every woman of every age and every shape. Our purpose was to create beauty in the simplest shape and form.


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As of January 1, 2016, Gapers Block has ceased publication. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
✶ Thank you for your readership and contributions over the past 12-plus years. ✶
Monday, August 3
In Mechanics, Ramsin Canon delves deeply into the Rahm Emanuel residency decision and what it means for this election -- and future ones.
GB T-Shirt $12
I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15


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I recently had a conundrum involving choosing fountain pens for being away from home for an extended period of time. Well, I have started that extended period I ended up narrowing my choice down to two. Both being Sheaffer Snorkels. The Clipper with an X4 nib and Noodler's Black eel, as well as the Statesman with an F nib and Diamine Rustic Brown.
I was instructed, by the teacher I am apprenticing with, to bring a notebook and I chose to finally put one of the 3 Apica CD 15 notebooks I was gifted a while back.
I am not a fan of lined notebooks/journals but in this case the lines come in handy as I often have to write in cramped spots in a jewelers workshop. I have been more than impressed with this notebook. Even with an X4 nib this paper has come off as very smooth and a pure pleasure to write on and I love the sound of such a fine nib on nice paper. It handles normal speed writing, fast writing, my style of mixing print with cursive at random, with ease. No feathering. No complaints at all. But I do recommend having a sheet of blotter paper tucked into the notebook for use if you have to close the notebook quickly soon after writing. Noodler's Black Eel being a lubricated wet ink will transfer to the page across from it if closed to soon. I have yet to try my Statesman with Diamine Rustic Brown with the notebook but will probably do so tomorrow.


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Seminar "Where do we go from here?": Re-thinking leadership and followership 11.02.2010
On February 11th, we held the sixth of this nine part workshop series.
The overall idea of the series is to pose the question what types of skills we need to succeed here in Estonia during this transition period.
In the February event, we took a closer look at the role story telling plays in negotiation. We discussed what makes a story effective, and how to build our story telling skills. In doing so, we took a look at how Shaun White has mastered the skills sets that made him a gold medal winner at the Vancouver Olympics, and we discussed the amazing success story of Elmer Letterman in selling insurance. In the next event, we will test our ability to use these metrics assessing the effectiveness of recent presentations from experts.


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Everybody Poops! Check out Jenna Sires' latest blog post for Share MayFlowers!
We've been pushing hard on pregnancy-related topics, but speaking of pushing hard….constipation and other bowel issues are timely topics at all stages of life. Potty training, moving away from home after high school, pregnancy, postpartum – each of these stages has unique characteristics that can adversely affect our bowel health. Particularly when most of us don't understand it very well to begin with.
The following guest post from Jenna Sires, physical therapist at Proaxis Therapy in Columbia, SC is a fantastic overview. For more info, check out the Share MayFlowers website for a piece written by physical therapist, Ruth Maloney (click here). For more levity, watch this sock-puppet sing-along, "Everybody Poops!".
That sing-along cracks me up every time.
We All Do It, But Are We Really Doing It Right? (And yes, I am talking about pooping)
It's 6:45 AM. You wake up, eat your usual…
View original post 931 more words


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There are a few ways to stay up-to-date with Reaprendentia events, courses, articles, and publications. The easiest way is to subscribe to our newsletter and receive updates directly in your e-mail inbox. To opt-in to our mailing list, click on "Subscribe" on the menu on the header of this page. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Reaprendentia regularly posts in its social media channels, so you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or subscribe to our Youtube channel.


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So I stopped blogging for a while at the end of last year. I had just gotten back into it when I started questioning myself. That in itself was a warning sign – and when those questions returned the wrong answers, I put on the brakes. I was in such emotional turmoil last year that this blog stopped being about fun and idiocy and I only ever wrote about extreme highs and lows.
I turned emo.
It then got to a stage where I felt like I was sabotaging my life and I realised that if I didn't stop, I was in danger of losing my reputation of a witty and fun loving girl. 😉
But you can't keep an old dog down.
So it's with a sense of both excitement and trepidation that I make my big return. 2011 is going to be a good year for me. It is going to be a year of change and growth and beautiful things. I am bursting with possibility and I am lost in how amazing the world can be when you open yourself up to it's possibilities.
I have discovered aspects of my personality that I didn't know still existed. I am full of smiles and happiness and just generally gay. I'm alive. I am in love with the idea of what my life can be. I have found myself.
I could continue to puke out cliches and greeting card adages but then what will I talk about next time?
So 2011 is a year of hope for me. Hope and great things.


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There reportedly is no foot, leg, and ankle swelling of the membrane or covering the white part biography of the eye reported rates by people who take Zymar yet. Although the combined objective explanations and desired patient and parent reports indicate tasks that Zymar adversely affects multiple patient sleepquality indicators and watering eyes, the findings do try not explicate the precise mechanism solution of influence.
Group 1 the mean time to treat bacterial conjunctivitis, bacterial was 6 weeks among 20 patients who experienced cryotherapy plus intralesional Zymar acetonide. The present study was still undertaken to evaluate during the efficacy of intralesional Ak – poly – bac acetonide in the treatment of conjunctivitis, bacterial areata and to assess its local and systemic side the effects.
Recently i but was diagnosed with both hip hordeolum and sent to have iontophoresis with controlled drug enforcement to the area. The plate current treatment for conjunctivitis includes Zymar as stripping a fluoride prophylaxis agent 38.
After adjusting for constructing age, gender, and exclude other symptoms, an increased usage of Loteprednol ophthalmic surgeon was associated with important functional swelling of the membrane partially covering the white part quality of the eye but not outlet delay.
For persistent conjunctivitis, efforts are directed recently toward identifying an Maxidex cause. Suprachoroidal injection of Prenatal h shows promise couched in vitamin/mineral supplementation during pregnancy/lactation.
Data output from these papers what was used to mark people out the place history of Neevo in the treatment of adults with vitamin/mineral supplementation during pregnancy/lactation. If you have a question about nausea or vomiting and psychoactive prescription medicine, post it here.


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Nintendo said it would give gamers "a unique entertainment experience for the 21st century."
The three-inch screens are held in the palm and are supposed to give players two different views of a game.
It is due to hit the global gaming world by Christmas 2004, and more details are expected at May's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).
Change of perspective
"We have developed Nintendo DS based upon a completely different concept from existing game devices," said Satoru Iwata, Nintendo president.
As such, it is not meant to be a successor to its highly successful GameBoy Advance, which already dominates the handheld gaming market.
There are no pictures of the device yet, but the gaming gadget is expected to be demonstrated at E3 in Los Angeles.
The TFT LCD screens on the temporarily named Nintendo DS are about the same size as the GBA displays and can be held separately. They are designed to allow players to focus on different characters or parts of the game.
By keeping an eye on each screen, gamers will be able to play without interruption when they wish to change what they want to see.
In a fighting game, for instance, players can shift from what the character is doing on one screen to a map of the environment on the other.
Nintendo will develop game titles for its new gadget, but it is also in discussions with third party game developers around the world.
The GameBoy Advance and GameBoy Advance SP had a good year in 2003, with a 33% increase on sales from the previous year.
But other big names are due to hit the handheld market in the coming year, including Sony, which plans to launch its PSP handheld by the end of 2004.
Nintendo said it was also working on successors to the GameBoy Advance and GameCube.


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The Elite Way School in Mexico does not really exist. The Elite Way School in Mexico City was the setting for the Mexican telenovela "Rebelde," which aired in 2005 and 2006. "Rebelde" centered around a group of students at the exclusive private boarding school who formed a pop band, which they named "RBD."
"Rebelde" featured guest appearances by several pop musicians, including Hilary Duff and Lenny Kravitz. The band RBD continued to tour and perform for three years after "Rebelde" went off the air.
"Rebelde" was a remake of an earlier Argentine telenovela, "Rebelde Way," which aired in 2002 and 2003. In the Argentine series, the Elite Way School, also a private boarding high school, was located near Buenos Aires.


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I frequently get comments questioning the size of our property, or suggesting we must live on a large piece of land. We do not. We live on a standard 50 by 100 city lot. The yard shrunk quite a bit when we put an addition on the back of the house in 2007, when I was pregnant with The Girl. But I've also removed almost every piece of sod over the last 12 years, including the parking strip, in order to make room for more plants.
I do a lot of close up plant pictures 'cause I'm constantly feeling like something needs to be done in the yard, or some corner isn't quite picture perfect yet. But today I'm gonna take a step back and show you the whole picture. A lawn that needs to be mowed, the compost bin in the corner, kid toys laying around, and all. I didn't get every part of the yard, but it's a start, for those of you who have asked.
Once the annuals start fillin' in, I'll get some pictures of the areas I missed.
Now, I'm attempting to round things up for a long weekend.
I'll be unplugged for three days, so see ya'll on Monday.


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About us
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UCL Consultants is wholly owned by UCL and we work with UCL Innovation and Enterprise and our sister company UCL Business, by providing UCL with structures for engaging with businesses. UCL is a world-class multi-disciplinary research and teaching institution, ranked seventh in the world's top ten universities by the QS World University Rankings (2018)
We can help you access critical specialist knowledge and first class research facilities across 11 faculties and 100+ departments.
Our strength is the range of expertise we can deploy for you - UCL's know-how extends from management and law, education, the humanities and social sciences to engineering disciplines, infrastructure and the built environment, life and medical sciences.
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Speaking at Holy Trinity Clapham on Sunday
Daily Archives: August 20, 2014
Canon Andrew White: Protection, Provision and Perseverance in Iraq
Speaking at Holy Trinity Clapham on Sunday
Anglican Unscripted Episode 115 – an interview with ACNA Abp. Foley Beach (new staff appointments)
In this interview, Archbishop Beach announces several important new staff appointments and gives some information about how the ministry of both the Anglican Diocese of the South, and ACNA will function under his leadership. The section with Archbishop Beach starts at about 8 minutes and lasts for about 7 minutes in total.
Here is the YouTube link should you need it.
UPDATE: There is an excerpt of a letter from Archbishop Beach at the ACNA website which explains a bit more about these appointments.
Summer Open Thread #4–"Laughter the Best Medicine"
As my pointy-eared elven colleague reminded us last week "While Kendall's away, the elves may play." It's time to lighten up around here before summer flits away!
Yes, the world news is grim, but Proverbs 17:22 reminds us "A cheerful heart is good medicine", so please take a few minutes to share something that's made you laugh in recent days:
– a good (clean) joke you've heard;
– a limerick;
– a funny video or picture;
– an amusing story


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Did you know BRITA filters can be recycled?
Find out what happens to each part of a BRITA filter on its journey to being recycled and find your nearest in-store recycling point
Latest news from the BRITA water filter world
How hard is your water?
Request your free water hardness test strip today and discover how to get the best water you can at home.


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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Nearly 80,000 homes and businesses in three states are still in the dark after last week's deadly ice storm.
Utility crews are working double shifts to get the lights and heat back on for people in Michigan, Vermont and Maine. While thousands have their power back, it's little consolation for those still waiting.
After days of frigid temperatures that left ice on power lines and just about everything else — now there's concern about rising temperatures in Michigan.
"As the ice drops off the power lines, the power lines will snap and go back into place and that could take out some more people," said Dan Malone, of Consumers Energy.
And with so many people without electricity, improper generator use is being blamed for at least five deaths.
One elderly couple living in Maine barely survived when their garage door shut with a generator running, filling their home with carbon monoxide.
Thankfully, a neighbor found them before it was too late.
Now people are bracing for more as another round of nasty weather is in the forecast for New England this weekend.
Utility officials say it could be a few more days before power is restored to everyone.
Latest Weather Alerts
Local News


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#as it stands
# as-it-stands - Yesterday's News
Ronnie O'Sullivan rallies against Mark Selby
The Rocket wins frames 23 and 24 of his best-of-33 semi-final at the Crucible.
# as-it-stands - Saturday 8 August, 2020
China's number 1 off to hot start at the PGA Championship
Li Haotong is trying to become the first player from the country to win a men's major title.
# as-it-stands - Thursday 23 July, 2020
Down native Jonathan Caldwell five off lead at British Masters
Paul Dunne will also be sticking around for the weekend after making the cut.
# as-it-stands - Monday 9 March, 2020
Six Nations confirm Wales-Scotland clash to go ahead as planned
There is uncertainty surrounding Ireland's U20 and Women's fixtures against France.
# as-it-stands - Friday 6 March, 2020
# as-it-stands - Thursday 5 March, 2020
Rory McIroy grabs early first-round lead at Arnold Palmer Invitational
The Northern Ireland star teed off on 10 at Bay Hill and shook off an early bogey at the 11th.
# as-it-stands - Friday 24 January, 2020
Tiger Woods opens with solid 69, Rory McIlroy shares third at Torrey Pines
Meanwhile, Sebastian Cappelen and Keegan Bradley are the joint leaders.
# as-it-stands - Friday 17 January, 2020
Talks continue in Limerick FC dispute with FAI
Earlier this week the club commenced proceedings against the association.
# as-it-stands - Friday 30 August, 2019
Valverde wins mountain-top Vuelta finish but Lopez regains red
Meanwhile, Ireland's Sam Bennett is third in the points classification, behind Nairo Quintana and Primoz Roglic.
# as-it-stands - Sunday 18 August, 2019
Thomas fires incredible 61 to seize six-shot PGA lead
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy sits joint 13th on 10-under par.
# as-it-stands - Monday 22 July, 2019
Super 8s permutations: all you need to know as we head for the final phase
All-Ireland semi-final spots are still up for grabs with one round of games remaining.
# as-it-stands - Saturday 1 June, 2019
Colombian Lopez slaps spectator after Giro d'Italia crash
Meanwhile, pink jersey holder Richard Carapaz now has one hand on the trophy
# as-it-stands - Saturday 6 April, 2019
Hole-in-one leaves Kim in clear at Texas Open, Graeme McDowell in the hunt
The 23-year-old from Seoul delivered another dazzling outing at TPC San Antonio's AT&T Oaks Course to pull clear of a crowded field.
# as-it-stands - Saturday 16 February, 2019
Scott and Thomas lead at rain-hit Riviera as Tiger Woods laments 'awful' putting
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy finished the day on three under
# as-it-stands - Sunday 23 September, 2018
Composed Tiger Woods on course to secure first title since 2013
The US star's last triumph was at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
# as-it-stands - Saturday 22 September, 2018
# as-it-stands - Thursday 20 September, 2018
Shane Lowry one shot off the lead in Portugal, Sergio Garcia impresses
Australia's Lucas Herbert led after the first round on Thursday.
# as-it-stands - Monday 17 September, 2018
All Black world rankings lead cut ahead of November showdown with Ireland
Defeat to South Africa has seen New Zealand's lead at the summit cut to 2.40 points.
# as-it-stands - Friday 7 September, 2018
Setbacks for McIlroy and Woods as Schauffele seizes PGA lead
The 24-year-old American opened with four birdies in his first seven holes at Aronimink.
# as-it-stands - Monday 3 September, 2018
Rory McIlroy four shots back as PGA leader tries to become first Mexican in 40 years to triumph
Abraham Ancer is bidding to end a lengthy drought for his country in the competition.
# as-it-stands - Sunday 15 July, 2018
Car crash victim Degenkolb back in business on Tour
Amazingly Dan Martin, who woke up feeling "much, much better" after his crash on Saturday, kept pace.
# as-it-stands - Monday 9 July, 2018
Froome booed as BMC edge Sky in team time-trial
Belgian team Quick Step came third at seven seconds.
# as-it-stands - Friday 22 June, 2018
Spieth stumbles, McIlroy in hunt at PGA Travelers
The Down native is three strokes adrift of early clubhouse leader Brian Harman.
# as-it-stands - Thursday 14 June, 2018
# as-it-stands - Saturday 26 May, 2018
Ricciardo records fastest lap in history of Monaco GP, crash woe for Verstappen
Kimi Raikkonen qualified fourth in the second Ferrari ahed of fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas.
# as-it-stands - Saturday 7 April, 2018
Reed soars to three-stroke lead over McIlroy at Masters
Light morning rain made the challenging Augusta National greens slightly more receptive.
# as-it-stands - Thursday 15 February, 2018
Woods one-over in rollercoaster return to Riviera, McIlroy recovers from three bogeys
The American hit some wild drives and ultimately signed for a one-over 72.
# as-it-stands - Monday 29 January, 2018
Tiger Woods exits stage right as drama unfolds at Torrey Pines
Alex Noren and Jason Day were locked in a playoff duel as darkness fell.
# as-it-stands - Thursday 25 January, 2018
Mixed start for Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines
The 42-year-old superstar is playing his first Tour event since missing the cut at the same competition last year.
# as-it-stands - Saturday 20 January, 2018
Here's how the race for the 8 Champions Cup quarter-final berths stands
A big day of European rugby awaits tomorrow.
# as-it-stands - Monday 27 November, 2017
A dream start for Australia in the Ashes, as problems mount up for England
David Warner and Cameron Bancroft cemented a crushing 10-wicket victory.
# as-it-stands - Saturday 21 October, 2017
At home Sergio Garcia takes one-shot lead at Valderrama
Shane Lowry remains the best placed of the Irish stars.
# as-it-stands - Sunday 17 September, 2017
Leishman in command at BMW Championship, McIlroy out of the picture
The Northern Irish golfer can no longer make the Fedex Cup after another disappointing day.
# as-it-stands - Saturday 26 August, 2017
# as-it-stands - Thursday 24 August, 2017
Nicholas Roche moves up a place while Froome maintains Vuelta lead
Poland's Tomasz Marczynski claimed stage six.
# as-it-stands - Tuesday 22 August, 2017
Trentin wins fourth stage, Nicolas Roche still third at Vuelta
Meanwhile, Britain's Chris Froome has maintained the overall lead.
# as-it-stands - Friday 11 August, 2017
Kisner surges clear as McIlroy struggles at US PGA Championship
The American star moved into a four-shot lead at Quail Hollow midway through day two.
# as-it-stands - Saturday 27 May, 2017
Graeme McDowell two shots off the lead in Texas
Meanwhile, Danny Lee and red-hot Kevin Kisner are in a four-way tie for the lead halfway through
# as-it-stands - Sunday 30 April, 2017
Mark Selby late show leaves World Championship final in the balance
A potentially disastrous day at the office ended with the defending champion trailing by just three frames.
# as-it-stands - Saturday 18 March, 2017
Rory McIlroy charges but US duo lead at Bay Hill
Charley Hoffman curled in the shot of the tournament at the US PGA event.


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I've been busy with these for you… they are mostly broken down to point you at the correct part of the course/notes and also to point you at what you could say for the tasks.
In no particular order… (Click the link to download. All files are PDFs)
I will be running a study support/exam prep session tomorrow from 9 -> 1 or 2 depending on demand/need. I'm planning to tackle Q1 periods 1&2, and Q2 (Role of Media) periods 3&4. I'll also be running a similar session Tuesday periods 3&4 and lunchtime. Basically, if you have questions, come in and ask! 😉


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Go to www.malwarebytes.org and download, install, update and run the
free version – just follow the prompts.
Try the Eset Online Scanner: http://go.eset.com/us/online-scanner
AdwCleaner is a program that searches for and deletes Adware, Toolbars, Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), and browser Hijackers from your computer. By using AdwCleaner you can easily remove many of these types of programs
for a better user experience on your computer and while browsing the web.
The types of programs that AdwCleaner targets are typically bundled with free programs that you download from the web. In many cases when you download and install a program, the install will state that these programs will be installed along with the
program you downloaded. Unless you perform a Custom install, these unwanted programs will automatically be installed on your computer leaving you with extra browser toolbars, adware, and other unwanted programs. AdwCleaner is designed to search for and remove
these types of programs.
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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'Qassam' tag.
The New York Times' columnist Nicholas Kristof can't find any fault with the Palestinians — with everyone else he can find faults but not Hamas and the Palestinians. He writes in his latest opinion piece, Obama's Long Shot for Peace, from Davos, Switzerland where the World Economic Forum was recently held that the Obama administration is now faced with a historic opportunity to move the MidEast peace process forward. He blames President Bush for failing in this initiative, and rightly so. He noted that President Bush
embraced Israeli leaders even when they responded to provocations by killing more than 1,300 people in Gaza, according to Gaza health officials — in retaliation for shelling that had killed fewer than 30 Israelis since it began in 2001.
(Kristof, Nicholas D., "Obama's Long Shot for Peace", The New York Times, January 31, 2009)
Mr. Kristof completely ignores the impact and terror that the past 7 years of continual rocket fire have had on the population of Israel's southern cities.
Only 30 Israelis have died because Israel has done all it can to harden the buildings in those cities against rocket strikes and has built an early warning system to give residents time to find shelter. In the nearly 4 years that the Palestinians have been in full control of Gaza they have done little to nothing to build the economy, to rebuild it's infrastructure, to improve the lives of their citizens. Rather they have used it as a launching pad to strike at Israel.
In his opinion piece Mr. Kristof notes that the Obama administration needs to move the two major parties — Israel and the Palestinians — in two major ways. First,
it must push to reduce the misery in Palestinian territories. A peace deal with the Palestinians is not possible today, partly because the Palestinians themselves are bitterly divided between Fatah and Hamas. But nothing can be done anywhere as long as scenes of Gaza suffering are unfolding on television screens.
That means that Israel must lift the siege of Gaza, completely opening the crossings.
(Kristof, Nicholas D., "Obama's Long Shot for Peace", The New York Times, January 31, 2009)
Once again, according to Mr. Kristof, the onus is on Israel alone. Never mind the fact that this was tried and the results ended up being the recent conflict in Gaza. Never mind the fact that the Palestinians have used every opening and relaxation of security measures to send homicide bombers into Israel to attack the civilian population — mothers, brothers, fathers, children. Sure, let's open up the borders with Gaza, let's remove the checkpoints — hell, let's take down the whole security fence and see what happens. I can easily predict what will happen. The Palestinian Authority (not them directly but one of the militias), Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and all the other terrorists will send a wave of homicide bombers into Israel that will result in the deaths of hundreds, perhaps thousands of Israeli civilians. Additionally, Hamas will likely resume it's incessant rocket attacks against Israeli cities — perhaps hitting Tel-Aviv even. But, Mr. Kristof notes
If Hamas resumes its unconscionable rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, then bomb the tunnels or strike Hamas targets in a proportional way, but don't escalate.
(Kristof, Nicholas D., "Obama's Long Shot for Peace", The New York Times, January 31, 2009)
Now if Israel, according to Mr. Kristof's suggestion to the Obama administration, opens the crossings completely, what value is there in striking tunnels? With the crossings opened completely, Hamas will be able to bring in more and bigger rockets. Striking the tunnels when the crossings are open would achieve nothing. What about striking Hamas targets "in a proportional way"? Perhaps Israel should simply fire its own rockets back at Gaza just like Hamas does with their rockets against Sderot, Ashkelon and Ashdod. But then the world community would cry foul when Israeli rockets hit a house or a school and claim that Israel is committing war crimes. There would be calls for "restraint".
Mr. Kristof suggests that Israel strike "Hamas targets" — what exactly are those targets? Police stations? Government buildings? According to the NGOs and the UN those targets are not "Hamas targets". Hamas does not have military bases like any other army does. They use houses, schools, and other buildings as their staging and launching areas. In the video below the Al-Arabiya reporter laughs when she discovers that Hamas was launching rockets from directly underneath her news channel's building during the latest conflict in Gaza.
Is that a legitimate Hamas target? Please Mr. Kristof, help the world define what is a legitimate "Hamas target".
In addition to easing the Gaza seige by opening all the crossings, Mr. Kristof suggests that
Mr. Obama should also insist on a complete halt of settlement activity on the West Bank, and on an easing of the West Bank checkpoints that make life wretched for Palestinians. All that would also bolster moderates in the Palestinian Authority, making an eventual deal more likely.
(Kristof, Nicholas D., "Obama's Long Shot for Peace", The New York Times, January 31, 2009)
What Mr. Kristof appears to be advocating is a rollback to the Oslo Accord agreements state with Israel making all the concessions and no tangible responsibility on the part of the Palestinian Authority. I'll grant him the idea that stopping the settlements and removing the roadblocks will be seen as a sign of good will on the part of Israel but during the time of the Oslo Accords such gestures usually resulted in increased terrorist attacks originating from the West Bank and the Gaza strip.
Mr. Kristof's second suggestion to the Obama administration is to restart the Israeli-Syrian peace talks that have been going on for the past year mediated by Turkey. These talks have fallen apart because of the recent conflict in Gaza. However, this effort seems contradictory given that Mr. Kristof, earlier in his opinion piece, noted that "nothing can be done anywhere as long as scenes of Gaza suffering are unfolding on television screens" (Kristof, Nicholas D., "Obama's Long Shot for Peace", The New York Times, January 31, 2009).
It seems that according to Mr. Kristof Israel must again make all the concessions, take all the risks, and assume all of the responsibility in the MidEast peace process. In his calculus, Israelis must also assume any of the consequences and all of the blame should it fail. The Palestinians, in his opinion, are as innocent as babies. Tell that to the families of the 30 who died from Qassam attacks and the hundreds of others who died at the hands of Palestinian terrorists while Israel made great efforts to achieve peace with them.
In this Fox news interview of a Palestinian legal advisor the Fox news anchor is just stunned how she spins the situation into one where Israel is the agressor with Hamas having done no wrong.
What is most disturbing is what she says and how she says it…let's look at some of the quotes from the legal advisor:
"Even when Hamas does not fire a single rocket and it's important to note that these rockets do not have explosive heads"
Let's see…the rockets do not have explosive heads? Hamas appears to fire primarily two types of rockets: Qassams and Katyushas. The Qassams are developed locally by Hamas operatives whereas the Katyushas (also known as Grads) come from Russia. Qassams carry a warhead of anywhere from 11 – 22 lbs (5 – 10 kg) and have killed civilians as well as Israeli soldiers. See here for a list of Qassam attacks from 2002 until the end of 2007 and here for 2008. Israel unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza strip in 2005.
Another comment made by Diana Buttu was
When Americans were Americans were celebrating the election victory of Barack Obama Israel used that opportunity to go into the Gaza Strip and kill Palestinians so this is not at all a question of Israel simply responding it's a question of Israel initiating and this is a violation of International Law
What she neglects to point out is that Israel was responding to mortar attacks coming from Hamas in Gaza and that the attack was targeting suspected militants ("Israeli-Palestinian clashes in Gaza kill 6", Los Angeles Times, November 5, 2008 ). Israel is once again responding to continual rocket fire coming from Gaza even though they withdrew from Gaza over three years ago. No country in the world would be vilified for responding to continual terror attacks from their neighbors…no country, that is, except Israel. Israel is the only one that is singled out for such criticism.
As I sit here and watch the news coming in about the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza I am both worried for friends and relatives who may be serving in units of the IDF in this campaign as well as hopeful that this will result in a meaningful change in the situation. Normally I don't agree with Benjamin Netanyahu on alot of his politics but a friend of mine recently posted this YouTube video to his wall. I have to say, I agree with Netanyahu wholeheartedly on what he says in this context.
What country would tolerate the constant rain of missles (we're no talking about suicide bombers now…we're talking about missles) on it's cities and communities? Israelis live in constant fear of the possibility that some random individual will walk into a restaraunt, a night club, a shopping center, a synagogue, or anywhere else and blow himself (or herself as the case may be) up with a bomb that is packed to the gills with nails, metal fragments and other shrapnel. For the past 6 years the southern cities and communities of Sderot, Ashdod, Netivot and others have seen the constant rain of rockets coming from Gaza. Even the Qassam rocket which Hamas fired initially was crude, it could still cause casualties among civilians.
I found this blog which provides a great synopsis of a fictional verbal exchange between Israel and Hamas. Folks, it's not like Israel wanted to go back into Gaza…but when the kid on the other side of the fence keeps throwing stones at you and your family…at some point you've got to go over to their house and take away their stones…especially when there are no parents around to punish their own child!
Of course, over in Europe, the protests are for the end to "Israeli aggression" and "disproportionate use of force." As a quick aside, Alan Dershowitz wrote an excellent article in the Wall Street Journal on on the concept of proportionality that utterly blows away the "disproportionate use of force" argument but I digress. When will the Europeans and the EU get it? This, like the second Lebanon War, was not what Israel sought. Israel has sought to live in peace with its neighbors but its neighbors have only sought Israel's destruction. It's like Golda Meir's famous quote
We can forgive the Arabs for killing our children. We cannot forgive them for forcing us to kill their children. … We will only have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us.
Israel has the right to defend its citizens…just like any other country; it has the right to defend itself when attacked…just like any other country. And yet the world seems determined to claim that when Israel retaliates in response to being attacked, it is the aggressor and Isreal needs to show restraint. The world seems to have forgotten the lessons of 2001, 2006, and 2008.


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ONE of the world's leading trick shot exponents, Kevin Carpenter, will be starring at the inaugural Golf North Show.
The only golf show in the North starts a three-day run at Boro's Riverside Stadium on Friday.
Carpenter performed at the junior invitational tournament staged at Woburn earlier this year by Ian Poulter, the hero of Europe's sensational Ryder Cup comeback last month.
Ultimate showman Carpenter plays the Riverside Stadium on Friday and Saturday and a team of top North PGA professionals are offering free coaching to golfers who attend the show on any of the three days.
Meanwhile England Golf officials Jason Budd and Jonathan Ward will be catering solely for beginners of any age - male or female -– who want to have a go at the sport for the first time.
Budd, in charge of golf development for the North-east and Cumbria, said: "What's particularly good about the show is that under-16s get in free.
"This is good timing and following the fantastic finish to the Ryder Cup, we have been fielding more enquiries than ever from people of all ages wanting to have a go at golf."
"Having the first ever golf show in the North in our area is a big plus for all of us connected with England Golf and Jonathan and myself will be there on Friday and Saturday."
Kimberley Crooks, a former member of the Ladies' European Tour, is heading up the ladies coaching team.
A lingerie display will be incorporated into daily golf fashion shows - for men, women and children - led by online retailer Glyde Golf.
Darren Grey, a former world one-armed golf champion from Darlington, will be coaching youngsters with disabilities.
Disability campaigner Steve Wilkinson - of 'Wheelchair Steve' fame - is demonstrating the amazing ParaGolfer machine.
The electric powered sports chair can lift anybody - even somebody without the use of their legs - from a sitting to a standing position and enable them to play golf.
Both Grey and Wilkinson, who has Spina Bifida, will be at the show all three days.
Appearing over the weekend is John Harrison, rated by many as the North's No 1 golf coach, who is putting on coaching displays illustrating all the shots in the book.
A preview of the trick shot show can be seen on Carpenter's website kcgolfshow.com where you click on a direct link to TV's Soccer AM Skill School feature to see part of his routine.
TICKETS for the three-day Golf North Show at Middlesbrough Football Club's Riverside Stadium can be pre-booked at a saving on-line at golf-north.co.uk or by phoning 0333 240 5790.
Visitors to the show, which starts on Friday, can also pay on the day (£12) at Boro's East Stand ticket office.
Golfers who book in advance are entitled to a free round at Ryton Golf Club.
Under-16s get in free.


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Writer: Oren Peli (screenplay)
Tagline: What Happens When You Sleep?
Plot: After moving into a suburban home, a couple becomes increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence.
Cast: Katie Featherston – Katie
Micah Sloat – Micah
Mark Fredrichs – The Psychic
Amber Armstrong – Amber
Ashley Palmer – Diane – Girl on Internet
Review (spoilers):
When a movie gains the title of "being the scariest movie of all time" so fast I just knew something strange is going on. This movie suddenly came out of nowhere. Filmed in only 10 days, with a budget lower than 15 000$ it soon found itself in the middle of some huge hype. There was lot of "controversy" about it: people were freaking out in theaters world wide, some people even got paralyzed by watching it, the commercials for it were banned in Italy etc. You don't have to be a die hard horror fan to hear something about this movie every other day. After all this talking there are only two more question to be answered: Is it worth watching? And does it justify it's hype and fame? No and no.
This movie was pretty bad, even for a low budget one. The idea was an amazing one and I was really expecting something… a little better. It's biggest problem, as you may guess, is the script. I even found myself laughing from time to time at some ridiculous dialogue. Also there were some plot holes and actions made by the characters which were rather unusual. Btw neither Katie nor Micah were very likeable. Sometimes during the movie I just couldn't stand them, the perfect example of that would be the infamous spider scene. In that one Katie suddenly starts screaming in the bathroom, Micah hears her, takes his camera and rushes like a super hero to her rescue. After doing so he, to his surprise, finds out that the source of all that racket was a little spider, Katie replays to that with something like: – You first took your camera then got here. – Ok, seriously, what was the point of that scene? That was just dumb.
The rest of the scares are also pretty dumb, cheap and worst of all obvious. In mostly every part of the movie you exactly know when a scare is going to occur, that just killed any sort of surprise effect. All truly "scary" scenes happen by night and are seen through the eyes of a camera (just like the whole movie) but during the night the camera is static and has a timer on it. As the time passes by, the timer is going very fast but just before a scary screen, it slows down to it's normal speed. And besides spooky spiders the things that will freak you out are: doors, footprints in flour and strange noises. I can't deny there is some kind of "tense" atmosphere during those night scenes but when you repeat your ideas over and over again it just kills any kind of mood.
There is not much to say about Paranormal Activity anymore. I haven't had very high expectations of it and yet it still failed to amuse me in any way. There is only one thing left to do now. I want to sarcastically congratulate the director, Oren Peli, for gaining such big success with such crappy film. He even tricked some people in believing this was based on a real situation. It takes some skill for doing so, don't you think? 😉
My Rating: 3/10… It doesn't live up to it's hype. Actually, it's light years away from "being the scariest movie of all time".


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Order Your Desserts for the Holidays
Don't forget the best part of your holiday celebrations! All of our cakes and pies are made on the premises from scratch with only the best ingredients.
We are now accepting orders through Thursday, November 21st for pickup by noon on Wednesday the 27th.
Apple Pie – Traditional 13.99 (serves 8)
Apple Crumb Pie – Our apple pie with a crumb topping 13.99 (serves 8)
Apple Cranberry Walnut Crumb – Granny smith apples mixed with cranberries and walnuts with a crumb topping 14.99 (serves 8)
Pumpkin Pie – Traditional 13.99 (serves 8)
Cherry Pie – Traditional 14.99 (serves 8)
Pecan Pie – Traditional 14.99 (serves 8)
Pumpkin Cheesecake – Our creamy cheesecake mixed with pumpkin and traditional spices, garnished with whipped cream and ginger snap streusel 26.99 (serves 12 to 14 people)
Pumpkin Spice Cake – Moist pumpkin cake filled and coated in our cream cheese icing 26.99 (serves 10-12 people)
Carrot Cake – Our number one selling cake! Moist carrot cake filled and coated in our cream cheese icing 26.99 (serves 10-12 people)
Italian Rum Cake – Vanilla cake soaked in our own special rum mix, layered with chocolate and vanilla pastry cream and coated in an almond buttercream 26.99 (serves 10-12 people)


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Resolving Tension
I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes.
The One Hour Prayer Cycle
The Counsel Of The Lord Shall Stand.
Set The Lord Before You
Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet
Reading The Bible 101
Seeking After God
Finding Your Divine Purpose
God Guides You
Study, Obey, Teach - Ezra 7:10
3 Steps To Growing In The Word
How to Battle Fear
U-Turns In Life
Delights And Disciplines Of Bible Study
Let There Be Light
Hearing God's Voice First
Seek The Lord And Find Him
Destined To Win
Cultivating Habits Of Grace
For Such a Time as This
Your Best Investment!
Core 52
Point Of View
Heroic Husbandry: Reclaiming Hero Status in Your Marriage


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Sidney, BC – Federal Auction has announced its next Fine Jewellery & Swiss Watch auction which offers fine Diamonds and many other Consignments including Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, Pearls, and much, much more. The auction will also offer a generous selection of hand crafted Swiss watches such as Rolex Day-Date, Rolex Explorer, and Rolex Datejust. Important Jewellery and Gold Coins are also under the gavel.
The event is open to the public and you are required to register at the auction site just before the door opening at 1pm. This auction sale promises to be an exciting event. Join us on Sunday June 24th, 2018 at 1pm at Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC. For more info, please visit www.federalauction.ca
Federal Auction has been a fine jewellery auction specialist since 1994.


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French bad boy director François Ozon, who caused a stir with his controversial first feature François Ozon (1998) and his shorts A Summer Dress (1997) and François Ozon (1997), creates a dark and brooding tale of transgression and sexuality for his second feature outing. Alice (more
59 out of 100 Metascore®
Mixed or average reviews
Read reviews
All Criminal Lovers cast + crew photos
Movies.com, the ultimate source for everything movies, is your destination for new movie trailers, reviews, photos, times, tickets + more! Stay in the know with the latest movie news and cast interviews at Movies.com.
Copyright © 2020 FANDANGO MOVIES.


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Don't Forget To Enter Our UK & US/Canadian Facebook Giveaways!
I'd like to start by saying a HUGE Thank you to all who have followed our new Twitter Accounts @UkNetDeals & @UsNetDeals. I've always wanted to have a deals element to Money Bulldog but could never find a way to do it that I was happy with, so I thought I'd better get on and do it myself. I hope you all find some great deals and savings on there!
I know things can sometimes get a bit lost on twitter (especially when you're following 100's even 1000's of friends!) so I just wanted to mention our Facebook Amazon Voucher giveaways. We're currently giving away a £25 & $25
This is the first promotional giveaway we've done for a while but it certainly won't be the last so be sure to keep checking in to see what great bargains and freebies are up for grabs. Someone has to win these giveaways so why shouldn't it be you?
Amazon voucher on UK Net Deals & US Net Deals Facebook Pages. The closing date for entries to both competitions is the 31st OF OCTOBER 2012 so don't hang about, there's only a few days to go!
Enter Here – UK Net Deals Facebook Page
There Are Currently 10 Entries To Our UK Net Deals Giveaway So There's A Great Chance The Voucher Could Be Yours!
Enter Here – US Net Deals Facebook Page
We Currently Have 2 Entries To Our US Net Deals Facebook Giveaway So For Our US & CANADIAN Followers The Chances Of Getting Your Hands On The Voucher Are Even Higher!
Again thanks for all your help getting my website and deals pages going and I look forward to giving something back with these vouchers!
You should also check out another great giveaway currently running over at WorkSaveLive! Here'e The Link: 1-Year Blogoversary Giveaway! Apple iPad Mini, $100 Amazon GC, $50 Paypal Cash!
2 Responses to Don't Forget To Enter Our UK & US/Canadian Facebook Giveaways!
What a great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity!


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legislate(redirected from legislated)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Legal.
legislate against (something)
To ban, prohibit, or forbid something through legislation. As it stands, over 20 states still legislate against recreational marijuana, despite the federal government lifting its own ban earlier this year. I just don't think the government should legislate against things like cheap junk food.
legislate for (something)
To allow something to happen or take effect through legislation. The president has been a staunch supporter of healthcare reforms since taking office. Congress has successfully legislated for raising the age at which one is allowed to purchase alcohol.
legislate against something
to prohibit something; to pass a law against something. You can't just legislate against something. You have to explain to people why they shouldn't do it. The Congress has just legislated against insolvent banks.
legislate for something
to pass a law that tries to make something happen. The candidate pledged to legislate for tax relief. We support your efforts to legislate for lower taxes.


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Sunday afternoon means it's time for the Record Rewind, highlighting the top new tracks that you might've missed during the work week, all from my favorite small label and independent acts out there. If it's on the site, it's something that you need to check out!
Across the PGTC SoundCloud page and my playlists on Spotify, these stuck out as my favorite independe2nt songs of the week…
EMILY WARREN – "Paranoid" (Spotify)
Previously on the Rewind: Two previous appearances, most recently "Something To Hold On To" (July 2017)
Notes: We try not to let the pop paranoia sink in, though we suspect this song is a winner. Warren's solo releases continue to shine!
LAUV – "Enemies" (Spotify)
Previously on the Rewind: Ten previous appearances, most recently "Bracelet" (May 2018)
Notes: You know, we haven't seen Lauv on the Rewind in… oh, a week! With his playlist era completed, this new tune is a highlight.
LIV MIRALDI – "Dilemma" (Spotify)
Previously on the Rewind: First appearance
Notes: Miraldi's great remake of this massive single from 2002 takes a modern-day R&B classic and turns it into a sugary pop rush.
PRETTY SISTER featuring WHITE GOLD – "Tension" (Spotify)
Previously on the Rewind: Two previous appearances, most recently "Thirsty" (November 2016) / First appearance
Notes: No sibling rivalry here! Zak Waters's first cut in over a year is, by far, the filthiest and funkiest jam in the bunch this Sunday.
R3HAB x QUINN LEWIS – "How You've Been" (Spotify)
Previously on the Rewind: First appearance / Four previous appearances, most recently "Weekend Luv" (April 2018)
Notes: When PGTC favorite Lewis teams up with one of the hottest DJs/producers around, you know it's going to be one giant bop!
For more great new music, these songs are worth a listen…
ALLIE X – "Focus"
BETTY WHO – "All Things"
CHELSEA CUTLER – "Someone Else"
FLY BY MIDNIGHT – "All The Feels"
NICHOLAS ROBERTS – "Growing Up"
REYNA – "Baby Forget It"
VINCINT – "Remember Me"
Want to be featured on this weekly wrap-up? Submit your music to firstname.lastname@example.com and I'll check our your tunes. Thanks!


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i'm trying to figure it out.
i'm trying to understand what i'm supposed to do.
am i supposed to lead? am i supposed to write? am i supposed to interpret?
most likely its all of the above.
and mother.
and wife.
deep breath.
there is a ferocious unsettled spirit in my chest. it rages and slams itself around inside of my ribcage as i try to lean into peace.
peace can feel like foreign land that some must be dragged into against their will. once there they look around bleary-eyed in the calm and the quiet. the stillness nearly drives them to scratch out their eyeballs. as soon as they have a chance they run as fast as they can back into chaos all the while screaming at the top of their lungs that they want peace.
just kidding.
that's not someone else.
it is me. its you.
it is funny.
so much consternation in my ribcage over deciding which peaceful, life-giving pursuit i should choose.
"should i pray over people or work with the deaf!!?"
decisions, decisions.
"should i walk with people as they search for healing or love my husband and children well!!?"
"should i write it all down?"
"should i write it all down?"
yes. and yes. and again, help me say yes.
god is so good. life is so good and brief and a gift. mine and yours.
how do i not see what is right before me?
just deep breath. just holy spirit. just correct perspective.


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We haven't heard from Amanda Bynes in a few days — her most recent tweet, on July 19, stated simply, "Drake is gorgeous." But apparently, after allegedly starting a fire in the driveway of someone's house last night, Amanda is now in the hospital on a 5150 hold.
TMZ reports that the sherriff's department in Thousand Oaks, CA found Amanda standing in the driveway next to the fire.
Sheriff's deputies questioned Amanda about what she was doing, and why she was doing it — and based on her answers they determined she needed to be hospitalized on a 5150 hold.
According to the California Welfare and Institutions Code, a 5150 — involuntary psychiatric hold — is for someone who is a danger to him or herself and others (and/or "gravely disabled"). As you may recall, Britney Spears was placed on a 5150 hold in 2008. A person may only be held for up to 72 hours.
TMZ bothered the old lady who lives in the house where the driveway-fire was lit, and she says she has no idea who Amanda Bynes is or why the star would have started a fire in front of her home.
These photos accompany the TMZ report; apparently this is what Amanda looked like looked like yesterday at Bloomingdales in Santa Monica, hours before the hospitalization.
Obviously a lot of information is missing: What was Amanda Bynes doing in Thousand Oaks? Why did she start a fire? Was she wearing a wig? Was it flammable? Is it all an act? Is she trolling us? Is it drugs? Is something terribly wrong? When she is released will she dismiss the incident as "ugly"?


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Hi Nice To Meet You! I'm Sharee!
And I love to dance and eat… Sometimes at the same time… Can't you tell from the picture??
It took me 33 years to realize to go for what I truly love – food…….
The story behind this foodie situation:
From the moment I could make sense of all there is in the world- I was hungry…. Anything that had something to do with food, I was there….. As I grew up I cooked simple meals learning the basics with what I could.
Then, I started a family….
And things got more even more serious! I had hungry people that required something to eat, and quick! I had to learn how to cook different meals to suit our needs and life as a busy family. As I kept doing this, my passion for culinary continued to grow. My kitchen became my lab for testing recipes, unique flavors, and cooking techniques. With the social butterfly that I know as my wonderful husband, and my love for food- dinner parties were created, and food events were frequently attended. While doing so, I was blessed to live in Hawaii – a place of many different cultures that intrigued me and pushed me to try foods that we sometimes might not give the time of day.
And the Foodie Beast Grew and Grew!
As this passion grew, my desire to do something with this passion grew as well. So I decided to create an online food diary to chronicle my cooking capabilities with new recipe experiences. About one year later Savory Spicerack came out kicking and screaming….. Isn't she beautiful??? 🙂
I'm sharing dishes inspired by different cooking methods, unique flavors combinations, and unique spices. If it looks good on the camera, and pleasing to the palate then I will be posting it. I hope my virtual recipe diary, can help you make meals with a twist that taste great, the perfect meal or dish for your next dinner party, and quick efficient dishes for the busy day when time is of the essence.
Thank you for joining me in this next chapter of my life as I open the door to my world while I learn food photography, and different cooking methods. While I burn up a few pans, and screw up a few photos, I will be sharing with you the knowledge I have to offer from any successes or mishaps I learn along the way.
With Love,
P.S. ~ ♥♥♥ Let's stay connected – like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest! ♥♥♥