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By John P. Walsh
Good Morning, Miss Dove! is Frances Gray Patton's contemporary tale of a middle-aged spinster elementary school geography teacher in Liberty Hill who, when suddenly taken ill, sees the entire small town rally to her side. While a mythical period piece from the mid1950's of an unchanging town with students who obey their beloved teacher as well as being directed by Henry Koster in a stagey way, it boasted progressive casting depicting a newly-integrated (1954) American public school classroom in grand Cinemascope and De Luxe color. Film-going audiences in 1955 loved the film. Awaiting a risky operation, Miss Dove (Jennifer Jones) thinks back on her life and those of her prized grown-up former students who included Robert Stack (a surgeon), Chuck Connors (a policeman), and Jerry Paris (a playwright). All of these students overcame difficult childhoods and found worldly achievement with the help of Miss Dove. Patton's novel had already enjoyed success in 1954 as a Book of the Month Club and Reader's Digest selection and its release as a major motion picture by 20th Century-Fox continued the heroine's popularity. The release of the film during Thanksgiving weekend 1955 was in the same year that Jennifer Jones starred in another Deluxe color film, the American drama-romance Love is a Many-Splendored Thing. For the Academy-Award winning actress to play an elderly spinster (many early scenes feature a naturally beautiful Miss Jones), she plays beyond type for a dark young beauty as well as foreshadowing a sort of mid-20th century American Mary Poppins nearly a decade before the appearance of Walt Disney's proper English nanny. In the mid1950's as America settled into the Eisenhower years, Good Morning, Miss Dove! allowed for a lead character – the "terrible" Miss Dove played by Jones – who is an unflinching and beloved disciplinarian when in fact the American public education system was undergoing copious and more difficult change. In that way, the character of Miss Dove is further complicated by becoming a popular icon in the American culture by being mostly a nostalgic figure.
The audience meets the elder Miss Dove at the movie's start—make-up artist Ben Nye transformed the 35-year-old Jennifer Jones into the 55-year-old Miss Dove—and by flashbacks the film dramatizes her youth as she is about to marry, but chooses not to because her father dies suddenly and she learns he has debts. To pay them back, she steels herself to remain single and take a teaching post. Her chilly veneer is part of her honor to do the proper thing along with the sober accommodation to life's necessary sacrifices. While those who did not know Miss Dove mocked her behind her back and said she couldn't have had much of a life—never married, no family, no kids, never went anywhere—her army of students judged her differently. Beyond any possibly wider cultural meaning, the film presents a unique person who by the logic of her experience or, conversely, the experience of her logic enters into a series of social interactions that are both amusing and honest. This includes the penultimate scene on her sick bed where Miss Dove tells her pastor Reverend Burnham (Biff Elliot) blankly: "Life, whatever others may think, has been for me…I have been happy. I have made many mistakes. Perhaps even sinned. I admit my human limitations but I do not in all honesty find the burden of my sins intolerable. Nor have I strayed like a sheep. I have never been AWOL. I have never spoken hypocrisy to my Maker and now is scarcely a propitious moment to begin." While her conscientious thoughts may be read from varied sides of the political and cultural spectrum they are enjoined to the expression of one woman's life perfectly dedicated to her students. The film's denouement starting at around 1:39:00 is powerful. Accompanied by the tuneful strains of Leigh Harline's memorable soundtrack, it is a sentimental tribute to Miss Dove's life which benefited many different people through the years because of no more than her good character. (1:47:16).
The costume designer for Good Morning, Miss Dove! (1955) is Mary Wills (1914-1997). She worked mainly for Samuel Goldwyn productions and Twentieth Century-Fox, breaking into the movie business as a sketch artist for Gone With The Wind (1939). In her nearly 40-year career Mary Wills was nominated for an Oscar seven times and won the Academy Award in 1962 for her colorful designs for The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm. Born in Prescott, Arizona, she moved to Los Angeles after receiving her Master's degree from the Yale Art and Drama School where she was the first woman admitted into that program. She started designing costumes in 1944 at RKO with Belle of the Yukon and soon after designed costumes for Disney's Song of the South (1946). Mary started working for Samuel Goldwyn in 1948 where she designed costumes for Enchantment. For the next six years at Goldwyn Studio Mary was referred to as "The Fabulous Miss Wills." She was regularly nominated for her costume design in the 1950s when she designed the costumes for Good Morning, Miss Dove! including Hans Christian Anderson (1952), The Virgin Queen (1954), Teenage Rebel (1956), A Certain Smile (1958), The Diary of Anne Frank (1959), The Passover Plot (1976) and the film for which, in 1962, she won the Academy Award. Mary Wills also designed the Rogers and Hammerstein musical film Carousel, from 1956. She demonstrated a special talent for designing historical costumes, especially after she moved to 20th-Century Fox in 1954 to make The Virgin Queen starring Bette Davis. Later she showed great aptitude for designing dance and folk costumes – a small collection of her original sketches are online at the Los Angeles County Museum – for live productions such as the Shipstad & Johnson Ice Follies founded in 1936 and now simply called the Ice Follies. Mary Wills worked on two major films that she did not get film credit for – namely, Camelot (1967) and Funny Girl (1968). For Funny Girl, she designed the Ziegfeld show-girl brides costumes as well as the costumes for Omar Sharif.
©John P. Walsh. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by an means, electronic or mechanical, which includes but is not limited to facsimile transmission, photocopying, recording, rekeying, or using any information storage or retrieval system.


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My t25 is arriving Wednesday and I want to start it. Does it matter if I start on Wednesday or does it have to be a Monday to follow the calendar?
- popi asked 2 years ago
Nope. Just push play and enjoy seeing some great results.
- west answered 2 years ago
I started on a Sunday! Doesn't really matter; just adjust the calendar to fit you.
- rose answered 2 years ago
I personally picked to start on a Tuesday. It's easier to do double workouts on a Saturday morning than a Friday morning (work).
- charley answered 2 years ago
You can start any day but manage your calendar according to it.
- santi answered 2 years ago
Good purchase! Ride out the first few weeks and you'll grow to love it. I'm speaking from 6 months in. And no, it doesn't matter which day you start on. You can move the rest days to suit your schedule too.
- alice answered 2 years ago
Your Answer

subset: commoncrawl


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Reference Range
Troponins are protein molecules that are part of cardiac and skeletal muscle. Smooth muscle cells do not contain troponins.
Three types of troponins exist—troponin I, troponin T, and troponin C. Each subunit has a unique function: Troponin T binds the troponin components to tropomyosin, troponin I inhibits the interaction of myosin with actin, and troponin C contains the binding sites for Ca2+ that helps initiate contraction. [1]
This review discusses troponin as a marker of cardiac injury, its testing, utility, appropriateness use criteria, and interpretation of abnormal values.
Abnormal values
Troponins are generally undetectable in healthy patients, although this may eventually change as more sensitive assays become available. The absolute abnormal value varies depending on the clinical setting in which the patient is evaluated and the assay used. In a patient who presents with chest pain and possible myocardial infarction (MI), an abnormal value is that above the 99th percentile of the healthy population as a cutoff using an assay with acceptable precision.
The 99th percentile cutoff point for cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is well-known at 0.01 ng/mL (with 10% coefficient of variance value at the 99th percentile of 0.03 ng/mL), as only one cTnT assay exists. [2]
In contrast, several different assays are commercially available for cardiac troponin I (cTnI), so the 99th percentile cut point varies based on the assay being used. [3, 4, 5]
The 99th percentile of a reference decision limit (medical decision cutoff) for cardiac troponin (cTn) assays should be determined in each local laboratory with internal studies using the specific assay that is used in clinical practice or validating a reference interval that is based on findings in the literature. [2] Clinicians need to be aware of the reference range for the assay in use at their institution. Table 1 shows the calculated 99th upper reference limit values for some of the available troponin assays.
The cutoff values are different for MI in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Currently, CABG-related MI is defined as (1) biomarker level elevations more than 5 times the upper reference limit plus either new pathological Q waves or new left bundle branch block (LBBB), (2) angiographically documented new graft or native coronary artery occlusion, or (3) imaging evidence of new loss of viable myocardium.
For PCI in patients with normal baseline troponin values, elevations of cardiac biomarkers above the 99th percentile upper reference limit indicate periprocedural myocardial necrosis. By convention, increases of biomarkers above 3 x 99th percentile upper reference limit have been designated as defining PCI-related MI.
In patients undergoing CABG or PCI in whom baseline cardiac enzyme values are abnormal, it is difficult to confirm periprocedural MI.
The following are 99th percentile cutoff values for acute MI (as suggested by the ESC/ACC) for some of the commonly used troponin I assays: [6]
DPC Immulite: 0.40
Abbott AxSYM: 0.30
Bayer ACS:Centaur: 0.15
Ortho Vitros: 0.10
Bayer ACS:180: 0.07
Dade Dimension RxL, second generation: 0.07
Beckman Access, second generation: 0.04
Byk-Sangtec Liaison: 0.036
Dade Status CS: 0.03
Roche Elecsys, third generation: 0.01
Troponins are released in response to myocardial injury regardless of cause. Ischemia is the most common cause of cardiac muscle damage, and the initial assays were developed as a marker to detect the presence of myocardial ischemia; however, elevation of troponin levels can occur in myriad conditions other than ischemic damage.
Troponin release in cardiac injury
It is proposed that there is a small cytosolic pool and a larger muscular pool of troponins. During cardiac injury, depending on the severity, troponins are released from both pools. An initial small elevation occurs when troponins are released from the cytosolic pool, when troponin molecules in the cytosol of cardiac muscle diffuse across the sarcolemma into the surrounding lymphatics and blood vessels, becoming detectable in blood. If the injury persists and necrosis progresses, further troponins are released from the muscular pool. [7, 8]
Pattern of rise and fall
When measured with older generation assays, elevated troponin levels can be detected 6-12 hours after onset of myocardial injury, peaking at about 24 hours, followed by a gradual decline over several days (up to 2 weeks).
Modern assays can detect troponins as early as 3-4 hours after onset of myocardial damage. This has increased the sensitivity of point-of-care troponin testing in patients who present initially to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of ischemia and myocardial damage. Most current guidelines recommend rechecking troponins 6-12 hours after the initial assessment and up to 24 hours after symptom onset. [3, 9] In patients in whom subendocardial non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is highly suspected, the troponin levels may be re-evaluated earlier, at 3-4 hours, as the markers may be detectable sooner. [10, 11, 12]
Troponin T and troponin I
Troponin T and troponin I are different molecules with different roles. While an elevation of either specifies myocardial damage, their absolute values differ. One standardized assay exists for troponin T, while multiple assays are available for troponin I; each has a different cutoff value, as these assays target distinct epitopes..
Clinicians need to be aware of the abnormal reference range for the assays used in their practice and that absolute values from different assays do not correlate.
Causes of troponin elevation other than myocardial infarction
Causes of troponin elevation other than MI include the following:
Cardiac contusion/trauma
Cardiac surgery
Stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic)
Chronic severe heart failure
Cardiac arrhythmias (tachyarrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias, heart blocks)
Extreme exertion
Post–cardiac surgery
Infiltrative diseases such as amyloidosis
Medications and toxins such as doxorubicin, trastuzumab, and snake venom
Transplant vasculopathy
Critical illness
Elevated troponin levels should always be evaluated in a clinical context. While the incidence of elevated troponin levels in the general population is low and is generally associated with an underlying cardiac structural abnormality, any level of troponin elevation is associated with a worse prognosis in age- and disease-matched cohorts. This is especially true in critically ill patients with a diagnosis other than acute coronary syndrome, in whom elevated troponin levels have been shown to be associated with increased mortality. [13, 14, 15, 16]
There are various causes of troponin level elevation in the absence of coronary artery disease, discussed below.
Damage due to relative myocardial ischemia (type 2 myocardial infarction) from a supply-demand mismatch
The troponin level may be elevated in the setting of a demand for an increased cardiac output and relatively inadequate myocardial blood flow. This can occur in sepsis, [14] septic shock, systemic inflammatory response system (SIRS), hypotensive shock, hypovolemic shock, [17] cardiac arrhythmias (eg, supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate, tachyarrhythmias). [18, 19] In patients with acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure due to etiologies even other than MI, troponin levels may be elevated because of the inability of the weak heart to maintain appropriate coronary perfusion.
Tachycardia from any etiology increases the cardiac oxygen demand and, owing to reduced diastolic filling time, reduces coronary perfusion. This relative supply demand mismatch can cause myocardial damage to some extent, increasing the level of troponins.
In the setting of sepsis, septic shock, and acidosis, in addition to the increased myocardial oxygen demand, a relative myocardial depression contributes to demand ischemia.
Elevation of cardiac troponin levels has been noted in the setting of aortic valve disease. Individuals with aortic stenosis often have increased left ventricular thickness, and this increased muscle mass may contribute to demand-based subendocardial ischemia. [20] This also holds true for individuals with left ventricular hypertrophy. [21]
Hypertensive emergency, coronary vasculitis, and aortic dissection may also cause an elevated troponin level due to type 2 MI.
Elevated troponin levels caused by direct cardiac damage from agents other than ischemia
Cardiac contusion due to blunt chest wall trauma can raise the level of troponins stemming from direct injury to the ventricular muscle fibers. The combination of ECG and troponins had a high negative predictive value in diagnosing significant blunt cardiac injury, and, in the absence of other compelling reasons for hospitalization, these patients can be safely discharged. [22]
Myocarditis from any etiology (eg, viral, fungal, mycobacterial, bacterial) may elevate troponin levels owing to direct injury to the ventricular myocyte. [23] This causes membranous damage, myocyte necrosis, and release of troponin from the injured or necrosed myocytes. [24] Similarly, troponin levels may be elevated in the absence of ischemia in acute pericarditis due to ventricular myocyte injury. [25]
Patients who receive CPR or external defibrillation [26] or shocks from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator may also have elevated troponin levels due to ventricular muscle damage.
Medications and chemicals that are directly cardiotoxic may also elevate troponins. Such agents include chemotherapeutic drugs such as cyclophosphamide, anthracyclines, and bevacizumab and chemicals such as carbon monoxide. Studies in patients receiving chemotherapeutic agents with known cardiotoxicity have shown that those who develop elevated troponin levels in the absence of ischemia are at an increased future risk of developing left ventricular failure and cardiomyopathy. [27]
Infiltrative disorders such as amyloidosis may also cause elevate troponin levels.
Individuals who develop rhabdomyolysis with cardiac involvement may also have elevated troponin levels.
Multiple factors
Troponin elevation in stroke
Both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke have been associated with elevated troponin levels and ECG changes, although the degree of elevation is typically much less than that seen with acute MI. The exact etiology of this remains unclear, but autonomic dysfunction following stroke with an imbalance in the sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow to the heart may be a possible explanation.
In the setting of stroke, the sympathetic input to the heart increases and catecholamines surge, which can affect the cardiac myocyte and increase troponin levels. levels of other cardiac markers are often normal in this setting. In patients with stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage, elevated troponin levels have been associated with poor cardiac and neurological prognosis. [28]
Peripartum cardiomyopathy and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy have also been associated with elevated troponin levels.
Troponin elevation with pulmonary disease
The presence of significant pulmonary disease strains the right ventricle by increasing the right ventricular afterload. This can result from acute pulmonary embolism and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the setting of pulmonary hypertension.
Increased troponin levels may be seen with a large pulmonary embolism, presumably owing to increased right heart strain. [29] Elevated troponin levels in the setting of acute pulmonary embolism portends a worse prognosis than in patients without elevated troponin levels. [30]
Similarly, troponin levels may be elevated in the setting of acute exacerbation of COPD and associated with increased in-hospital mortality. [31]
Troponin elevation with renal disease
The evaluation of elevated troponin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease presents many challenges. In many asymptomatic patients with kidney disease, especially those on hemodialysis, troponin levels may be elevated. [32]
In the absence of other clinical features of ischemia, elevated troponins alone may not be reliable and may be falsely positive, leading to unnecessary investigations. This is further confounded by the fact that patients with renal insufficiency are at an increased risk for silent ischemia and that cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of mortality in patients with kidney diseases.
Nonetheless, even asymptomatically elevated troponin levels are associated with a worse long-term prognosis in patients with chronic kidney disease. [33]
In many cases, troponin T is more elevated than troponin I in patients with chronic kidney disease, even at baseline. [32, 33] Although the exact reason for this is unknown, it has been postulated to result from a higher unbound cytosolic pool of troponin T, leading to early release and a higher molecular weight of troponin T (resulting in a delayed clearance from the kidneys). [34]
Collection and Panels
The troponin sample assay relies on serum levels of troponin. The sample collected is whole blood through venipuncture. No special patient preparation is needed, and fasting is not required. Blood for the test can be drawn at any time of the day.
The tubes in which the sample is collected are different for troponin T and troponin I, and the clinician should refer to the package insert for requirements. Generally, troponin T requires sample collection in heparinized test tubes (green top), while EDTA (purple top) or heparinized tubes are used for troponin I. [6, 35] Most specimens require centrifugation prior to running the test in order to separate the serum from the cellular components.
Sample storage
The clinician should refer to the assay's package insert for instructions. In general, for troponin T, the blood sample should not be frozen or refrigerated immediately, and it can be stored at room temperature for up to 8 hours for analyses. [6]
Laboratory turnaround time
Currently, the consensus is that the turnaround time for troponin measurement in the setting of chest pain should be 60 minutes, and individual laboratories should strive to achieve this time. [36]
Troponins are protein molecules that are part of cardiac and skeletal muscle. Smooth muscle cells do not contain troponins.
Three types of troponins exist—troponin I, troponin T, and troponin C. Each of the 3 troponin subunits has a unique function. Troponin T binds the troponin components to tropomyosin. Troponin I inhibits the interaction of myosin with actin. Troponin C contains the binding sites for the Ca2+ that helps to initiate contraction. [1]
The skeletal and cardiac muscle troponin T and troponin I are immunologically distinct entities. [7] Separate sets of genes code for these proteins. Thus, the cardiac troponin assays, which rely on antigen antibody interaction, are specific for cardiac troponins and can be used to differentiate between the skeletal and cardiac troponins.
Cardiac troponin levels do not rise in the presence of skeletal damage without cardiac myocyte damage. However, this is not the case for creatine kinase MB, which, being present to some extent in skeletal muscle and several other tissues such as the intestines, tongue, diaphragm, uterus, and prostate, may be elevated upon injury to these tissues, potentially resulting in false-positive results. [37] . Because of this, troponin testing is superior to creatine kinase MB testing.
Ischemic heart disease
Ischemic heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Much advancement in early diagnosis and management of patients presenting with varying manifestations of ischemic heart disease has been made.
Electrocardiography (ECG) was one of the earliest diagnostic modalities introduced to evaluate ischemic injury to the heart. Despite its usefulness, ECG continues to be nonsensitive in diagnosing ischemic cardiac events, as ECG findings are normal in many patients with ischemic injury.
The introduction of various markers of cardiac injury, such as creatinine kinase MB, troponins, and myoglobins, has revolutionized the diagnosis of myocardial injury. The cardiac troponins, by virtue of being the most sensitive and specific, have become the preferred biomarker for evaluation of patients with suspected MI. [2, 38, 9]
Troponin values should be evaluated upon clinical suspicion of MI.
Detection of myocardial infarction
Per the 2007 guidelines of the ACC/AHA, the term acute MI should be used when there is evidence of myocardial necrosis in a clinical setting consistent with myocardial ischemia. One of the criteria is detection of rising and falling cardiac biomarker levels, with at least one value above the 99th percentile of the upper reference limit. The preferred marker for diagnosis of MI in this setting is troponin. [38] This is the single most important use of troponin in clinical medicine. The troponins are specific to cardiac muscle, rise fairly early in cardiac injury, and stay elevated longer than some of the other cardiac biomarkers such as CK-MB and myoglobin. Normal serial troponin values effectively rule out acute myocardial ischemia.
Determining infarct size
Peak troponin values can provide an estimate of the infarct size and the severity of myocardial damage. These values are more sensitive in the setting of transmural infarction (ST-segment–elevation MI [STEMI]) than in subendocardial infarctions (NSTEMI). [39, 40] This correlation holds true for both troponin T [41, 39] and troponin I [42] (peak or values at 72-96 hours). Higher values generally correlate with a larger infarct
Significance of degree of troponin elevation
The degree of troponin elevation correlates well with both the 30-day mortality and long-term mortality. Various clinical trials have evaluated the degree of elevation of both troponin I and troponin T and found that higher elevations at presentation and peak are associated with worse long-term outcomes. The absolute values have been used to guide treatment decisions and to identify patients who are at an increased risk of death. [43, 44, 45, 46]
Prognostic value of the timing of elevation
Patients who present with elevated troponin levels at baseline tend to have worse outcomes than those in whom troponin levels are elevated at 8 hours. Outcomes are best in patients in whom troponin levels never elevate. [47]
In both STEMI and NSTEMI, elevated levels of troponin T and troponin I at presentation are associated with a worse prognosis in terms of both short-term and long-term mortality.
How often to perform troponin testing and the need for serial testing
In patients with MI, there is a lag before troponin elevations can be detected.Thus, the markers should be serially monitored upon suspicion for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The initial recommendations were to check the markers every 6 hours until the expected peak was reached. However, with the more sensitive assays now available, very low concentrations of elevated cardiac markers can be detected, and evidence has demonstrated that checking troponins 3-4 hours after the initial draw can help in early diagnosis of ACS. [47]
Some of the analytical interfering factors that may lead to falsely elevated troponin results include the following: [9, 48, 49, 50]


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A Christmas Stocking
Posted by limedragon | Filed under knitting
During Grandma's recent visit, I showed her a couple of books filled with Christmas Stocking designs. I told her to pick a couple that she liked, and that I would make her one for the coming holiday.
p align="center"
Tags: acrylic, christmas, gift, grandma, green, holiday, stocking, vanna's choice
Naughty Bird!
Posted by limedragon | Filed under general
So, have you seen the new Starbucks holiday cup design?
Yes, it's a zoo
Posted by limedragon | Filed under knitting, socks
In more ways than one… I've neglected much of my holiday preparation except knitting. Today, I will have to start focusing on gift wrapping, addressing cards (late!) and helping Mom decorate the tree.
Chris mentioned that I was knitting a zoo. How very true. Another way to look at it is as a Noah's Ark, [...]
Tags: a step above, black, blue, flamingo, gift, hippy crunchy, holiday, lace, orange, parrot, pink, red, rockin, sock-club, sockbug, socks, white, yellow, zebra
Looming Deadline
Posted by limedragon | Filed under general, knitting
I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays!! Have a wonderful time with your friends and family. :)
Tags: copperleaf, flamingo, holiday, parrot, socks, tiger, zebra


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Bolt from the Blue (Movie)
Haruo (Yo Oizumi) has a dream to become the best magician, but, so far, he is only a marginal magician. Haruo also doesn't have parents. He then goes back 40 years in time to Asakusa, Tokyo. There, he meets his parents when they were young and he learns the secret of his birth.
Category: Japanese Movie
Status: Completed
Released: 2014
Rating: 9.25 (8 Votes) Rate it!
Drama Stars:
Bolt from the Blue (Movie) Online
- Bolt from the Blue (2014) Mar 07, 2015
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Font Family: Venti CF, Number of fonts: 14*OTF + 14*WOFF + 14*SVG, Type Foundry: Connary Fagen Typography, Designer: Connary Fagen, Design date: 2014
Venti is a geometric font family with a warm, readable character. Inviting and versatile, Venti's engaging form, subtle imperfections and human tone make it an enticing choice for headlines, quotations and short texts. Version 2 brings a host of bug fixes, redrawn glyphs, better kerning, a new x-height for better readability, and many other improvements.


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What is it?
Prednisone is under a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works by suppressing the immune system which results in a decrease in the inflammatory reaction within the GI tract.
Why do I need this medication?
This medication is effective in treating symptoms of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease.
How long do I have to take this medication?
Prednisone is used for the short-term treatment of symptoms but has no benefit for long term maintenance as it has no effect in preventing flares. Once symptoms settle significantly, the dose of prednisone is slowly reduced to zero.
How do I take it?
This medication comes in pill form and should be taken once daily in the morning.
The body naturally produces a steroid called cortisol by the adrenal glands. When taking prednisone, the normal cortisol production in the body will decrease. Once prednisone is stopped, cortisol production will resume but it will start slowly. Therefore, it is important to slowly wean off this medication to prevent any withdrawal symptoms.
A typical starting dose will be 40mg. Take this amount for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, you can slowly decrease the dose by 5mg every week. When you reach 20mg, you should then decrease your dose by 2.5mg every week until off. Speak to your doctor prior to weaning off your medication.
When will I start to feel better?
Steroids work relatively quickly and benefits can be seen in as little as 7 days.
What happens when I want to get pregnant?
Prednisone can be taken during pregnancy. However, family planning should be discussed with the doctor for more information.
Read more: Pregnancy and Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis
Can I drink alcohol while on this medication?
What are the risks/side effects?
The following is a list of potential side effects. Many side effects increase with the long-term use of steroids:
- Acne
- Hirsutism (hair growth)
- Striae (stretch marks)
- Mood disturbances
- Sleep disturbances
- Edema (swelling of the feet or ankles)
- Cushinoid appearance (moonface)
- Increased appetite/Weight gain
- Avascular necrosis
- Increased blood glucose levels
- Osteoporosis
- Hypertension
- Cataracts, glaucoma
- Increased risk of infection
Check out other treatments for ulcerative colitis and other treatments for Crohn's disease
Other Considerations
- Because prednisone can increase the risk of osteoporosis, it is advisable to take 1500mg of Calcium and 1000u of Vitamin D daily while taking this medication.
- Please call the doctor if you experience any unusual groin or hip pain as this may be a symptom of avascular necrosis.


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Report lead author Dr Helen Meese said: "About seven million UK homes are headed by someone aged over 65, who will undoubtedly need some form of assistive technology to help with everyday living within the coming decade.
"Homes built with older people in mind, as well as retrofit technology for our existing housing stock, could not only allow people to live in their homes for longer, but also massively reduce costs for the NHS and social care system."
Physical inactivity costs the NHS £10billion a year and £2.5billion is spent on care annually as a result of poor housing according to the report Healthy Homes: Accommodating an Ageing Population.
But Dr Meese said simple, low-cost home modifications such as installing handrails, outside lighting and slip-resistant surfaces have been shown to result in a 39 per cent drop in injuries and a 26 per cent reduction in medical treatment.
And building or adapting homes to suit the ageing population could help them avoid the need to downsize, which often exacerbates mobility issues and the onset of frailty.
The Healthy Homes report calls for the Government to introduce financial incentives for construction firms to build homes that are "flexible and will span the generations".
It also recommends the inclusion of older people in the design process and outlines the potential for new markets in smart technology to help to tackle the existing inadequate housing stock.
from http://www.protein-barscheap.info
via http://www.protein-barscheap.info/search/label/Daily-Express-Health


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Barleyclear is a liquid extract and works in a similar way to Barley Straw Pouches. It inhibits the growth of green algae and blanket weed when added regularly to pond water, it starts to work as soon as it is added to the water.
• Inhibits the growth of algae
• Wildlife-friendly
• Easy to use
Dosage: 250 ml treats 4550 litres (1000 gallons)
Directions: Shake bottle well. Mix the correct dose in a clean bucket of pond water, and then pour evenly around the pond. Control of blanket weed is best achieved by using Barleyclear before the water warms up in spring and continuing throughout the season. This product cannot be overdosed.
Quantity: 1 x 250ml


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Mixed Berry Mascarpone Scones are sweeter than sweet, with a delightful "cream tea" flavor to them that can't be beat. Mascarpone makes them wonderful. You know how sometimes you get an idea in your head and it just won't go away? That's where these ... [ Read More ]
Banana Yeast Bread
Banana Yeast Bread is a totally different way to think about "banana bread". With a cinnamon brown sugar swirl, you may never go back to quick bread again. Call me crazy, but I'm kind of over banana bread. I mean, I've made Strawberry Banana Bread, and ... [ Read More ]
Coconut Oil Banana Muffins
Coconut oil banana muffins have a delectable crumb topping that makes them hard to resist. They make a fantastic breakfast any day of the week. My first Mother's Day is coming up. It's pretty monumental. For the last few years, it's been a somber ... [ Read More ]
Cranberry Pumpkin Spice Scones
Cranberry Pumpkin Spice Scones combine my favorite flavors of Fall into one delicious treat. I eat them for breakfast and tea time, and you should too! You know, I've come to realize that I miss baking. More often than not, I let the kid and the job come ... [ Read More ]
Overnight Bananas Foster French Toast
Overnight Bananas Foster French Toast is perfect for Father's Day breakfast. Sweet, caramelized bananas with a hint of rum turn this overnight french toast from comforting to OH WOW! Father's Day this year is pretty special around here. It's James's ... [ Read More ]
S'Mores French Toast
S'mores French toast is a crazy decadent way to start your weekend. Luckily, it's also crazy easy. Golden Grahams is easily in my top 3 cereals of all time. Right up there with Pops and Cookie Crisp. In fact, I just had to stop writing and go have a bowl, ... [ Read More ]
Butternut Squash Muffins
Butternut Squash Muffins made tangy with fresh cranberries. They're great for breakfast, or afternoon tea! I have to say that butternut squash muffins aren't something that ever occurred to me before. But, faced with one from our weekly CSA that sat on ... [ Read More ]
Vermont Country Blend Cranberry Maple Bread
Vermont Country Blend Cranberry Maple Bread is completely irresistible for breakfast. Bet you can't stop with one slice! Aren't you so glad it's fall? I love diving straight into all the flavors we associate with fall - pumpkin, maple, ginger. Warm and ... [ Read More ]
Peach Clafouti
Peach Clafouti is the best breakfast you've never had. This sweet stone fruit, eggy custard pancake is your new favorite, I swear. Every once in a while, I see a recipe that I just can't get out of my head. Whether it's the photos, the ingredients, or ... [ Read More ]
Whole Wheat Banana Muffins
Not gonna lie. These Whole Wheat Banana Muffins are a bit of a departure from my normal baking routine. I'm not normally one to skip the butter, or use sweetener instead of sugar (except in my coffee and tea, where Splenda reigns supreme). But, when your ... [ Read More ]
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A long but great question this morning from Hortense the Prepared (Yet Confused). Hortense writes:
I'm a writer who likes to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, the best-case scenario, and as many scenarios in between as is possible. So, I find it a bit frustrating at times that I cannot see, analyze, and plan for every detail of what happens after a writer sells his or her first book. This all leads up to my new favorite question for authors: What would you consider good investments for part or all of your first advance?
I've heard some interesting answers so far — everything from a professional web site to a really good ergonomic chair, along with such practical reminders as to put 1/3 aside for taxes, pay off as much of any bad debt as possible, never be without health care, and don't forget the agent's fee.
But something tells me an agent might offer slightly different advice than a writer.
Is this an area where you offer advice to clients? What would you do, if you didn't need the money for immediate and crucial living expenses? Any pros and cons you can offer on setting money aside for such things as accountants, web sites, logos, copies to give away to book-related connections, conference expenses, travel…?
I understand writing is a business, and yet it's a little hard to tell which typical business expenses apply, and which don't.
Thanks for opening up this topic of conversation, HtP! It's not one that is often covered, and I'd love to share my thoughts. First of all — it is, unfortunately a very small percentage of authors who can count on an advance as anything other than a windfall — that is, a bonus payment on top of their day job, which they use to pay expenses. The other thing to remember is that an advance isn't just instantly handed down the second you sell a book — it often comes after a long contract negotiation, and if you're dealing with a big publishing house, even has to go through channels there. I once heard a check was in Piscataway — true story.
So I wouldn't recommend that you count on your advance to pay the rent, buy groceries, make that car payment, etc. At least not at first. So what could you do with it? You provide some great suggestions yourself — put it towards building a great website (or hiring someone to do that for you), upgrade your writing device (new computer, new pens, new notebooks — whatever works for you), buy yourself something special, whether that's that ergonomic chair or a necklace you've been salivating over. Or, as you said — be practical and safe, and put a chunk aside for taxes, paying off bad debt, health care, or savings.
So what can I add? Consider using the money to hire an accountant or financial planner who can tell you EXACTLY what you should put away for taxes or other expenses, and take their advice as to how much of the advance is available to you for "extras" — that swank new computer, chair, or website. The biggest investment you can make in your writing career is time, and that doesn't cost much. If you're posting regularly and frequently updating your website, you may not need a expensive new design. If your current computer does everything you need it to, and isn't fast enough or swank enough to allow you to browse at lightning fast speeds or play the hot new videogame — then you get to put that time you're now browsing or playing to use writing.
I'd love to tell you to save money to travel to conferences, but there's a good chance, if you've made that sale, you're already socking that cash away to polish your writing style at workshops and such. And when you get big enough — they'll pay you to come.
I hope that answers some of your questions, HtP! The only other thing I would add is a caveat that my work is specifically as your literary agent, helping to place your book in the hands of the people who will publish it. I'm not a money manager or financial planner, and if the above truly are your concerns, the very best advice I can give you is to hire someone who's only job it is to advise your on your money. That's what they're there for. Good luck!
Filed Under: Ask Daphne!
Tags: accounting, advances, advice, financial planning
3 Responses to "Ask Daphne! For investment advice?"
Jon Bard Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 11:16 am
All superb advice. I'd add another investment: taking some courses, workshops or, at the very least, reading some books about writing in genres other than your own. Writers who build successful careers are typically very versatile, and make a living writing across age groups, writing for magazines, writing scripts and plays, puzzles and games, even greeting cards.
At the very least, broadening your horizons will make you a better writer within your most comfortable genre.
Jon, Children's Book Insider
dust Says:
June 10th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Okay, that spins off another question — how do you find an accountant that specializes in writers? Or do you need one? Is a small-business accountant close enough?
Kate Says:
June 16th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Dust, I would guess that most small-business accountants would be more than qualified to work with writers. But as with any important decision you make about your writing career, it's wise to research. See if your local writing group recommends anyone, check out listings in libraries or bookstores, if they post ads for local businesses, or ask other writers you know.
The important thing is for your accountant to know that you're not counting on a set income, that you'll be paid in chunks that are difficult to be mapped out too far in advance, and that taxes won't be taken out. If he knows that, you should be able to build a strong business relationship.
Good luck!


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BEARD is our brand new card game! Designed for 2-6 players its a ridiculous romp through reality as you compete with your friends to grow the first truly epic beard!
Price: $20 with clear plastic case!
Includes: 106 Cards (70 Save or Shave, 30 BEARD Cards, 2 Blanks & 4 Rules Cards)
2-6 Players in 10-30 Mins
Designers: D.J.IC. Curran & Brian Liberge
Available Print on Demand from DriveThruCards! Due to a technica error it may be labelled as adult only.
"BEARD! is a nice, light and silly game! Unfortunately, playing it has left me lamenting my lack of facial hair." -Aerjen Tamminga, Boston Festival of Indie Co-Producer and Games Curator, Game Designer, aerjengames.com
"Despite being an awesome, easy to learn party game, BEARD! is a down-right hilarious experience." – Eloy Lasanta, Game Desinger, http://thirdeyegames.net/
"There are two great things in this world: beards and games. When the two are combined, something magical happens." – Simeon Cortezano, Reporter, Examiner.com
How To Play
Gameplay is simple.
1. The player with the largest beard chooses who goes first.
2. The first player draws a Save Or Shave card (SOS Card), reads it out loud, and does what it says. Hopefully, it tells you to draw Beard! Cards, but it might tell you to lose Beard! Cards, Steal the Cards of others, roll a six sided die, or choose between multiple options.
3. Play continues clockwise.
4. Each Beard! Card has one letter: B, E, A, R, or D. The first person to have one of each Beard! Card, wins the game.
Print and Play
Check out a couple of sample Shave or Shave cards below or you can read the full text and even print the game at home. This is the final text but only a simple word document. It does not represent the final layout.
The Save or Shave Card plus Rules.


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Kallenbach X Gup
25 September - 29 September
We are proud to present our very first group show in collaboration with Gup, featuring a selection of photographs represented by GUP Gallery.During the Unseen Photo Fair we bring you a selection of affordable photography made by young and upcoming photographers from all over. Exhibiting photographers are Debbie Tea, Steven Brahms, Bernard Handick, Patrick Cooper, Bram Spaan, Kees Rijken, Noël Loozen, Francisco Reina, Noortje Schmit a.o. All exhibited prints are signed and numbered by the artist, and framed and printed at the highest quality.


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Our universal and integrated solutions are based on a comprehensive range of services in engineering, manufacturing, after sales and demand & supply chain management.
General Manager in Enics Switzerland
The Enics plant in Switzerland is located in the small town of Turgi, which is located in the northern part of Switzerland near the German border and 30 min. from Zurich.
Austrasse / Postfach
CH-5300 Turgi
Phone +41 56 299 30 10
Invoice address
c/o Enics Eesti AS
Valga mnt. 7a
61504 Elva


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An American song-writer, dancer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, choreographer and singer Bruno Mars, with a real name Peter Gene Hernandez, is known for his international hits like 'When I was your man', 'Just the way you are', 'Grenade', 'The lazy song' and so many more. He has landed 6 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 since the beginning of his career in 2005. Not only does he write his own songs but he has also written many hits for several artists.
Reacho brings to you these 6 amazing songs that you've always hummed and tapped your feet on but you didn't know were written by the most talented Bruno Mars. Let's get started!
1. Travie McCoy - Billionaire
This debut single by Travie McCoy features vocals by Bruno Mars. This song, co-written and co-produced by Bruno Mars has been stuck on the tongues of so many people, after all who doesn't want to be a billionaire?
"I wanna be on the cover of Forbes magazine, smiling next to Oprah and The Queen."
The song has sold 3 million digital downloads, becoming the third single by Bruno to do so.
2. Flo Rida- Right Round
The song was co-written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrance and Aaron Bay-Schuck. According to Lawrance, the song was written by Bruno while driving. In US it stayed #1 for six-weeks straight and broke the record of the first-week sales. It reached the top 10 charts in nineteen countries worldwide.
3. B. O. B – Nothing on You
Sung by an American rapper B.O.B, this song also features vocals from Bruno Mars himself. When asked for the inspiration of this song, Bruno simply said, "Every song I write has to do with a real-life experience, whether it's at the time or me back-tracking to how I felt at another moment. So, yeah, it was about someone; let's leave it at that."
4. Mike Posner – Bow Chicka Wow Wow
Written and produced by Bruno Mars (The Smeezingtons), this song also features American rapper Lil Wayne.
"Once I throw on this bow-chicka-wow-wow
What you gonna say, you act like you gon leave
But I know you gon' stay"
5. Justin Bieber – Love Me
Co-written by Bruno Mars, this song was the first promotional single in Justin Beiber's debut album, 'My World'. Bieber opened every show in his My World Tour with this particular song.
"Love me, love me
Say that you love me
Fool me, fool me
Oh, how you do me"
6. Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa - Young, Wild & Free
This is a song by American hip-hop artists Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa featuring vocals by Bruno Mars. Co-written and co-produced by Bruno Mars, this song was nominated for the Best Rap Song at the 55th Grammy Awards.
"So what we get drunk, so what we smoke weed, we are just having fun!
We don't care who sees
That's how it's supposed to be. Living young and wild and free"
Title image: charitybuzz
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Teeth By Tonight!®
Dental Implants and securely fixed teeth in just one procedure with our amazing Teeth By Tonight!® solution.
Why so many have chosen our Teeth By Tonight!® Solution.
- Dr. Kline created the Teeth By Tonight!® procedure over a decade ago and has now completed thousands of cases.
- Dr. Kline has devoted his entire 25-year career to replacing lost smiles using dental implants.
- Dr. Kline is routinely consulted for his expertise by the international companies that make dental implants.
- Teeth By Tonight!® restores your smile with securely fixed teeth that you never have to remove. No one needs to know these are not your natural teeth.
- Your ability to bite, chew, speak clearly, and laugh without hesitation is completely restored.
- The elimination of gum infection will result in a noted overall improvement in the way you feel. Less susceptible to every little bug going around. More energy!
- Your new smile will make you look 10 to 15 years younger due to the restoration of the natural shape and proportions of your face.
Watch Dr. Rick Kline Explain Dental Implants In this Informative Interview
Click here to read a transcript of this interview.
Teeth By Tonight!® Procedure
- We remove your failing and damaged teeth.
- Treat gum infection that is damaging your health.
- Securely place 4 to 6 dental implants.
- Securely attach a temporary set of fixed teeth that look amazing and are ready to use.
- Eat a light meal that night with your new teeth.
- Recovery time and pain are negligible.
- Return in a few months for an easy replacement of your temporary teeth with strong, durable permanent teeth.
- With proper care, there is no upper limit to how long your new smile can last.


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(The Prodigy Chronicles #1)
(The Prodigy Chronicles #1)
byC.L. Denault
Genre: Young-adult, Fantasy, Dystopian and Romance
Sixteen-year-old Willow Kent believed she was normal. But when a genetically-advanced military officer shows up in her village and questions her identity, long-buried secrets begin to emerge. With remarkable skills and a shocking genetic code the Core and its enemies will do anything to obtain, Willow suddenly finds the freedom she craves slipping through her fingers. Greed, corruption, and genetic tampering threaten every aspect of her existence as she's thrust, unwilling, into the sophisticated culture of the elite Core city. To ensure peace, she must leave the past behind, marry a man she's never met, and submit to the authority of a relentless officer with a hidden agenda of his own.
Her life has become a dangerous game. How much will she sacrifice in order to win?
Do you ever read a book that made you want to unread them right after you finished reading it? No, not because it wasn't a pleasant experience but because you want to read it again for the very first time?
Gambit made that impact to me. I wanted to unread the book because I want to savor each moment. I finished this book all too fast, thanks to its fast-paced plot. Now I want to start and meet each and every character again. I want to go back, and meet Reece, Asp and Willow all over again.
"I sucked in a lungful of air and kept from heaving up the contents of my stomach. This was terrible. Our lives were in danger, and the girl with the strongest skill of all couldn't handle it. Some weapon I was turning out to be."I was pleasantly surprised after reading Gambit. I'am honestly putting off writing review in this wonderful book because I'm so scared I won't be able to do this book justice with my review. But I have to try. I need to atleast try.
Willow Kent has lived a quiet life with her family in the outlying lands, where their main goal is to keep their family from starving. That is, until a core officer shows up in their tavern door that her life was turned upside down. Turns out Willow is a missing heiress of the Roanoke family, a powerful family from the Core, where DNA will dictate your stand in the society.
Gambit was so well-written that I just can't get enough of it. This is exactly how I want my Dystopian read to be. Great, intriguing world-building, A rather complex one at that. The core city was set-up in futuristic Europe, specifically in London, as the Big Ben is still up and working, the only thing that's left of our world, makes you left wanting for more, fast-paced plot, swoon-worthy Romance, and the characters, oh man, they are one of the best part of this book!
"I'm not here to keep you from experiencing pain. If I held back all your struggles, you'd never grow."Willow Kent. Her growth throughout the duration of the book is commendable. Not just with her skills but with her way of thinking as well. She has a great skill, pretty superior, being a second-phaser that she is, but we didn't see much of her strength here, since she didn't have much of a training, hopefully on the sequel, we'll get much more of it. She made mistakes, a whole lot of it in fact, but that's fine! That's what makes her more realistic in my eyes.
Then there's Reece. The cold-blooded Core Commander, whose mission is to bring Willow back to the Core. Reece is the kind of character I think, readers will either hate or love, there's no inbetween. I have no idea in all honesty at first that he's going to be Willow's love interest, not that I'm complaining really, I'am one of those people who loved Reece despite his hard and rough personality. He's not one of those people or men that Willow can sway and bend to her liking, he's a commanding officer, one that is used to being followed and respected.
"Ogre!"Their age differences fascinates me and it just add to the appeal of their relationship. Reece, despite his obvious cold demeanor, is still a complete mystery for me. There were a lot of issues going on around him that wasn't answered, like his problem with the guardian and his upbringing. At some point, I can compare him to Aaron Warner, in his own twisted, dark and swoony way he does care, people might see it differently, but that's just the way he thinks he's built for it, atleast he has consistency.
"Brat," he retorted. "I thought we were past your low tavern behavior."
The side characters were awesome too! Aspen, Tem, Hart, Morry, Fenn, Rush, The Ritters, which I developed a fond fascination after the last encounter and even Thess. I'am hoping we'll get to see more of him in the sequel. I would just give anything to hear any news at all for the sequel. Plus that wonderful cover is totally relatable with the story! I can't help but think that everything about this book is just perfect for me!
I THINK I HAVE JUST READ ONE OF MY BEST READ IN 2015... I'm not even exaggerating. I'm sure this isn't the last time I'm going to read this book!
Beware that this is the first installment in the series, so expect a lot of world building, a whole lot of plot development, but not much of resolutions given at hand. This book obviously set-up the stage for much awaited sequel, how many times did I mention the sequel now? A LOT! Because I just want to read it.. badly.
Overall: I would love to recommend this book to everyone who loves their Dystopian read, with romance & sexual tensions going on, swooning, great secondary characters, beautiful writing and DNA alteration/superpowers!
Book Links:
Writing and blogging are two of her passions, along with drinking coffee and watching sci-fi and horror flicks. When she's not hanging out with her family, she can usually be found at a library or tucked away in the shadowy corner of a hip coffeehouse. She's also been glimpsed sneaking into her garage, late at night, to work on her time machine.
She enjoys connecting with people (especially those from other planets, dimensions, and the future). To find her, just visit her website or The INFJ Café. Or use a Stargate. Whichever is easiest.


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Greta from Vela Images* always captures the most gorgeous of details at her weddings and this deco inspired wedding in Cambridge is no exception. Love all the prettiness going on with those flowers! And that ring.... I die!! Sam and Anna were close friends of Greta's so who better to tell us about the day than the lovely lady herself...
The wedding of Sam & Anna...where do I begin? I don't normally play favourites but this is one wedding which will stand out in my memory of weddings as being one of the best weddings I have EVER shot for so many reasons...
Firstly the deco styling was executed to unique perfection with every little detail from the vintage bridesmaid dresses and the gorgeous Corina Snow gown (Corina designs the best deco style wedding dresses I have seen) right through to the dainty and detailed table settings. I have photographed lots of vintage weddings this season which have all been divine, but it was the use of colour which really set this deco style wedding apart from others. Not many brides are brave or bold enough to combine pinks, oranges, yellows and greens all into the same setting on their wedding day. But this is exactly what Anna did. And just like in real life there was a method to her madness, carefully selected hues and eclectic pieces all pulled together to create a consistent, elegant and stylish wedding theme like no other. A true reflection of Anna's personality.
Anna and Sam, both being country folk at heart, choose to wed on Anna's family farm in Cambridge in a marquee on the tennis court. The day was stormy, rainy, windy and then blissfully sunny just in time for the ceremony and celebrations.
Sam, the groom found his dapper suit at Crane Brothers and he opted for a mid grey to compliment Anna's cream and beige gown. The feature cake was made by Devoney from Sugar Mama and the couple designed and inscribed their own wedding rings.
But amazing details aside, the main reason that this wedding will always stand out from others in my memory is because Anna & Sam, the stunning bride and groom are amazing, special friends. Not just your average everyday type friends but friends I have lived with, travelled with, partied with, laughed with (a lot!) and grown with. And what's even better is that they were both friends separately in their own right and then they decided to fall in love and get married. Two of your coolest friends marrying each other! It really doesn't get much better than that. Thank you Anna & Sam, I will always be so honoured that you choose me to photograph your amazing wedding day.
* Vela Images is one of my fabulous sponsors


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Creating An Engaging Lesson Plan
For a teacher, having an effective lesson plan in place is the ticket to reaching students, especially those who might otherwise not be engaged in a particular subject. The sense of fulfillment that the teaching profession is meant to achieve is enhanced when that plan lays the groundwork for such students to take it upon themselves to learn more about a topic.
Listed below are some ideas for lesson plans that can get through to students the particular importance of a topic. While some may scoff at the idea of using educational games to get a message across, past experiences show that they can work:
Going Beyond Lectures
While verbal instruction has been a hallmark of teaching forever, adapting to the era of the mobile device can do wonders in reaching contemporary students. That's because it provides an atmosphere where videos and interactive contest become part of the curriculum, allowing them to stay focused rather than simply listening to you talk.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Expecting students to learn on their own at a pace that you set can essentially lead to a system in which some students thrive while others fail miserably. Designing group learning topics to explore deeper issues when it comes to such things as history or US civics puts the onus on all members of that group to do their part and promotes teamwork in general.
Games People Play
A relatively dry topic like US civics might elicit plenty of yawns from students, but using educational games to deliver the right information can stifle such actions. One example is PolitiCraft, which allows the student to have a choice in what type of civic engagement they prefer and gets them to use their own creativity in fashioning solutions.
Digital Storytelling
Designing lesson plans when it comes to writing can often be difficult because some students take to standard instruction right away while others simply can't grasp the concepts of this necessary concept. However, through an idea like digital storytelling, a student's writing abilities can grow by using software that turns their efforts into video representations. That something that forces the student to concentrate more in order to get their point across.
Pinpointing Objectives
A teacher's lesson plan is something that a student now often sees in a general way, with nebulous expectations potentially leading to short attention spans toward a subsequent topic at hand. Presenting one that's fairly specific, while allowing for some wiggle room on the part of the teacher, gives the latter a certain level of flexibility. By the same token, students can get a better sense of the concepts that are most important.
Civics Taught Right
New technologies, educational games and other key components are often part of lesson plans that reach their intended target, the student. In the area of US civics, PolitiCraft is something that can light a fire under those students that can aid them long after they leave the classroom.
Civic engagement is something that's learned, yet too often, such knowledge comes in piecemeal fashion or from the wrong sources. Using PolitiCraft can avoid that trouble, so go to www.politicraft.org to make sure your students learn something important while also having fun.


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Contract Management Tracking
Categorize contracts by user department, industry classification, funding, personnel (buyer, specialist, project manager), D/M/WBE Goal Type and more.
Detailed contract profiles let you plan for contract renewals and terminations; track the original contract award and change orders to reflect contract value; manage all subcontractor participation as well as the D/M/WBE subcontractor goals and actual prime commitments.
Perform spend analysis by certification type, contract type, funding source, department.
Determine attainment by contract award, contract value and prime payments for year to date and life of contract.
Manage all waivers, perform site visits and maintain history of complaints.
Contract Reporting
Generate dashboards and reports Track participation on various contract types such as capital construction, commodities, small procurement, and credit card.
Web-based tools capture prime sub payment and non-payment reports; outstanding sub payments and invoices; and subcontractor plan modifications.
Produce Contract Award and Spend reports to determine prime commitments and monitor utilization of primes and subs. Generate Compliance Exception and Deliquency reports.
Create compliant reporting for federal agencies such as US DOT, US DOL, and US HUD.
Contract Performance
Contract event driven alerts notify users to non-compliance, while users capture Contractors' Performance by across a variety of Scorecards and Criteria – Sub Plan, Good Faith Effort, Commercially Useful Function, D/M/WBE Attainment by Contract Commitment, and Contract Close-out.
Additional key features
- Capture a contract profile for every procurement.
- List change orders, status and reasoning for S/W/M/DBE participation or the lack thereof.
- Manage Master and Blanket Order Agreement and aggregate Contracts by Projects.


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Harris reveals what he said at half-time as Millwall seal Wembley place against Bradford
NEIL Harris paid tribute to his players for sealing their place in another League One play-off final, but stressed "success is promotion" after they came from behind to beat Scunthorpe in the semi-final second leg.
Steve Morison scored either side of Lee Gregory's goal after Ivan Toney had given Scunthorpe a 19th-minute lead at Glanford Park. Stephen Dawson pulled one back with nine minutes left but Millwall survived through six minutes of injury-time to book their place in the Wembley decider against Bradford on May 20.
The Lions had to beat Bristol Rovers a week ago to clinch their place in the play-offs, and followed that up with a superb victory against the Iron.
"We've not achieved anything," Harris said. "Yes, we've had a really good season, and a brilliant cup run, but to bounce back from losing last year's final, then a difficult September, has been really good.
"That's two really strong performances from this Millwall team. But success is promotion. There's great emotion when the final whistle goes. You realise you're going to manage again at Wembley, my staff will coach at Wembley, but it's about the players on the pitch.
"The fans, I have to apologise to, it's another expense for them to find for the fifth time in nine years. But they will, because they are our fans, and that's what they do.
"The players on the pitch bounced back from four defeats in September and three in December. But we haven't looked back since beating Charlton before Christmas.
"I wasn't fazed by tonight. The spirit in the camp, the camaraderie, they're relaxed because they know they have ability. When you've got the work ethic like they've got it's fantastic.
"Over the two games we deserve that."
Millwall fell behind against the run of play, but gave themselves the perfect boost before half-time when Morison headed home Tony Craig's cross.
Harris revealed the players were "bouncing" at the break as they sensed Graham Alexander's side would be reeling after conceding the equaliser.
"I thought we had been outstanding, arguably one of our best 45 minutes of the season," Harris said. "The goal just before half-time was a really good goal for us, the full-back crossing the ball and the big centre-forward at the back stick.
"We went in and I didn't have to say a word, the players were bouncing, tactically helping each other. I gave them a couple of minutes to relax.
"I said to them, 'Fellas, I'll do the tactical stuff in a minute, but how you feel now, imagine the opposite feeling in the other dressing room'. I think that hit them hard. That gave them their focus and concentration.
"Scunny came out and had a good start, but after that we bossed the next 20 minutes. After that it was a really strong performance."
Scunthorpe poured forward in added-time at the end of the game, but couldn't find a way past Jordan Archer.
Harris also revealed his assistant Dave Livermore's message as Millwall hung on in those dramatic late moments.
Harris explained: "It's really difficult, Coops [Jake Cooper] is another centre-half with balls going into our box. Fred Onyedinma and David Worrall give you fresh legs in a wide area. But if we'd conceded we would've needed to score another goal in extra-time.
"But sometimes you've just got to trust your players. And Livs was brilliant, he just said to me, 'Chops, just trust them, let them get on with it'. And then it's about their desire.
"You talk about the front players scoring goals, Shaun Williams' passing range was a joke, it was brilliant. You've got the desire in your own box with centre-halves heading balls away, your 'keeper under pressure coming for crosses to try to punch the ball away, trying to take catches, probably way above his years in what he's trying to do because he wants to do his job.
"Right at the end you've got Tony Craig blocking a shot, Mahlon Romeo in the box blocking one at the near post, Jimmy Abdou and Fergie [Shane Ferguson] in the 96th minute throwing themselves in front of the ball. That's what spirit there is.
"Over the course of the season, those key moments win you promotion."
Image: Millwall FC


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For so many years, Maine has had the same slogan and nickname. I think as the perennial mayor of this state, we should call it the land of the many fingers. I have looked at the map of the state of Maine and have seen so many little islands jutting out from the coast. For the shore extends for miles.
In the hand of the fingers, Detective Cousleau holds the crown jewel and must be careful not to lose it. Often he bungled the capers that he investigated. This is what has sometimes happened with the state bungling the beauty of the land.
I know that the state has had long standing nicknames of the pine tree state or vacation land, but why not change it to give it the flair of attraction. It deserves that fresh new coat of paint.
As one drives along the coast of Maine towards Canada, it is called going DownEast. When I look at the map of the state of Maine, it looks like someone holding a trophy up and capturing the beauty asking the beholder to view and be raptured by its beauty.
Imagine going only 300 to 400 miles from anywhere in the NorthEast and enjoying the land of the many fingers. It would greatly save on the airfare to Bermuda or St. Croix. There are many reasons besides the money to be saved to go to Maine as your get-a-way. First, there is the natural beauty that it offers. Where else can you go in the world where you can see the rugger Mainers working on the coast pulling their lobster traps and the boat builders working on the skiffs and yachts to go down the gangplank into the water for their maiden voyages. For many such people do such a thing. Tourism is a big business for the state accounting for 7% of the gross state product. It contributes $2.5 billion. One article treated this industry as an export industry. This happens through the visitation of the tourists to our state. As the potential mayor, I would educate the visitors of the importance of living on the land and enjoying the quaint aspects of it. Taking the time to sit on the porches to enjoy the slowing down of the traffic on the Sheepscot River and the gulls returning home to their nightly rock.
For the youth at summer time, they sail the bays and inlets that are outlined by these little fingers. When one goes to the shore, the young adults form regattas at the local yacht club and sail in front of the summer rental cottages. Our family saw many of these races up close in front of our cottage and it was always an exciting time to see what they learned at the time.
These 5 fingers can fit perfectly in the glove of your hand. The land of the perfect fit.
There are the stops along the way of the blueberries that people can pick from the side of the road. I saw many a car as my dad drove along the country lane of Route 27 towards Boothbay Harbor, and occasionally, there were stands at the side of the road of people selling their wares.
Yet, if one wanted to go to the casino, they can always escape to and gamble and enjoy the limelight of gambling. Yet that does not reflect the true character of Maine. There should be a law that protects the beauty of Maine. Just as there are laws that protect the sanctity of animals, why not protect the beauty. Many areas have lost the general nature of Maine.
Our rural vacation spot at Pratt's Island at the tip of Southport Island on the western side was compromised recently by the building of mcmansions. One such one is 17,884 square feet for a summer enclave for artists on almost six acres of shorefront. The Pratt's Island that I know gets accessed by a rickety one lane bridge that creeks when the car goes over it-requiring one to hold their breath on the journey. To get a glance of this new devlelopment all you need to do is to look at the recent October issue of Down East magazine and read about this creation.
While there is a beauty still from my memories of the seven summers on the island, the beginning of my first romance, progress can take away from the rustic beauty that our family was so used to. Being used to five rooms is fine that get heated by the evening fire. The draft that blows through the cracked doorways is part of the charm of a rustic Maine cottage.
These kinds of tourism are gentle and can be found apart from the large tour bus crowds. While a more elaborate casino may be great, there are moments to enjoy that I have remembered from so long ago.
So, I would definitely petition the state legislature and congress to change the designation of Maine as the Finger State. For she definitely has many of them and each one can lure you into an adventure close to her lap. Come sit down and enjoy the story of being entrapped in the splendor of Maine.
Thanksgiving Thursday - Beautiful Gifts
1 year ago


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Requirements Of Twin Tower Heatless Regenerative Type Air Dryers For Diesel & Electric Locomotives - Online Article
The presence of moisture in pneumatic system of locomotives causes malfunction in of electro pneumatic and pneumatic devices .A1thoug automatic drain valves have been provided in locomotives hut the problem of moisture carry over along with compressed air has not been overcomes .It has therefore, been considered necessary to provide air dryers on locomotives so that air supplied to the electro pneumatic and pneumatic equipment is clean and dry and does not cause any condensation of the moisture in the system.
The technical requirements cover the design inspection testing and installation of the air dryers for the use on electric and diesel electric locomotives. It shall be the responsibility of the supplier to work out suitable design of the air dryer to meet the technical requirements indicated in this specification.
General Conditions
Service Conditions
The equipment shall be capable of working satisfactorily under the service conditions indicated below:
Mean sea level to an altitude of one thousand meters above mean sea level.
0 degree to 55 degree Centigrade. The temperature inside locomotive may reach as high as 70 degree centigrade.
Operating Voltage
The electro pneumatic or electrical devices shall be suitable for 72 volts dc on diesel locomotive and 110 volts dc for electric locomotives. The voltage variation on diesel may he between 48 to 90 volts and on electric locomotives it may be between 85 to 130 volts dc. Supplier will include protection against sudden variation in voltage like surge in air dryer design itself.
Relative Humidity
In-Let Temprature
The temperature of compressed air at the inlet of air dryer may be as high as 60 degree.
Vibrations & Shocks
The equipment should be capable to withstand, without damage, the vibrations and shocks normally encountered during service. The conditions are indicated below:
- Maximum Vertical Acceleration = 1.Og
- Maximum Longitudinal Acceleration = 3.Og
- Maximum Transverse Acceleration = O.5g ("g" being acceleration due to gravity)
Details of Vibration, Shock & Bump Tests
The assembly is secured in a suitable position to a machine producing vibrations of sinusoidal forms with adjustable amplitude and frequency and is then subjected to test given below. The assembly tinder test shall be able to withstand successfully the electrical tests and in particular, the dielectric tests applicable to the equipment concerned.
- Determination of resonant frequencies
- Tests with sustained vibrations
- Tests for stimulating the efect of shunting shocks
Other Conditions
Equipment shall be capable of operating efficiently in spite of dirt, dust, mist, torrential rain, heavy sand or stone storms and presence of oil vapours and radiant heat etc. to which the rolling stock is normally exposed in service.
Technical Requirements
Air dryer should be of heatless twin tower regenerative type. It should be of light weight. The system should be suitable for continuous operation.
Operating Pressure
The air dryer should be Capable to work at nominal main reservoir pressure between 8 -10 kg./cm for both diesel and electric locomotives. At times pressure may go as high as 11 kg/cm.
Air Dryer Capacity
Diesel Locomotives
On diesel locomotives compressor capacity varies from 2400 lit/mm at 400 rpm to 6000 lit/mm at 1000 rpm at 10 kg/cm2.Howev it should be capable to work with air flow variation from 2400 it/min to 6000 lit/mm Normal duty cycle of compressor for air dryer design purpose, be taken as the design for continuous air flow during train working except for a period of 30 minutes or so at highest compressor capacity, during initial charging of the train.
Electronic Locomotives
On electric locomotives compressor capacity varies from 1000 lit/rn in to 2000 lit/mm at 10 kg/cm2 for passenger locomotive and 2000 lit/mm to 3000 lit/mm for freight locomotives. Design air flow for air dryer should he 1500 lit/mm for passenger locomotives and 2000 lit/mm for freight locomotives. However, it should be capable to work with air flow variation from 1000 to 2000 lit/mm on passengers locomotives and from 2000 to 3000 lit/mm on freight locomotives. Normal duty cycle of compressor for air dryer design purpose, be taken as the design for continuous air flow during train working except for a period of 30 minutes or so at highest compressor capacity, during initial charging of train.
Dew Point Depression
On design air flow, air dryer should be capable to give a dew point depression of atleast 30 degree centigrade for all conditions of ambient temperature as given in service conditions. In the worst case of air flow and ambient temperature, air dryer should be capable to give dew point depression of 15 degree centigrade. The performance of air dryer in terms of dew point depression as given above, must confirm to specification for at least 4 years. Dew point depression = A-B A = Inlet Dew Point Temperature Actual temperature at inlet to Air Dryer, at actual pressure, assuming 100% saturation of compressed air. B= Outlet Dew Point Temperature At outlet to Air Dryer, use dew point meter to measure dew point temperature at actual pressure.
Purge Loss & Depressurization Loss
Purge and depressurisation loss in terms of percentage of inlet air flow required for regeneration should not be more than 20% at design capacity.
Pressure Loss
The pressure drop across the air dryer shall not be more than 3% of inlet pressure. The actual pressure drop for the unit offered must be indicated. HUMIDITY INDICATOR Air dryer should be provided with humidity indicator which indicates the quality of outgoing air whether it is dry or wet. The colour code used for indication should be preferably as under:
- Dry air -blue colour
- Wet air - white colour
The desiccant to be used should be available indigenously in India. The life of desiccant shall not be less than four years. Desiccant should not disintegrate during use under operating conditions prevalent in the locomotives. Provision of compactor to maintain constant mechanical pressure on the desiccant packed in the Vessels may he provided so that the desiccant remains compact and tight. The type of compactor and its detail shall be furnished in the offer. The material basically used as desiccant is activated alumina. The specification of the activated alumina to be used is described below.
There shall be following two grades of the material:
- Grade 1: For high pressure air drying and
- Grade 2: For general purposes. The material shall consist of activated alumina in spherical or pellet form.
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15 September (Part 1) - The Bexley Buffoon is lost for words
six isn't a particularly special number but it is the number of days since I
sent a complaint to Bexley's idiotic Chief Executive Gill Steward about her
decision to withdraw the Press Desk from Council meetings in defiance of
government instructions to provide one if possible and exercise common sense.
Bexley's own correspondence says that responses to emails should be made in five days but as it considers itself above the law and thinks nothing of calling in favours from their uniformed branch in Arnsberg Way, why should I be surprised that they break their own rules?
I imagine that the Bexley Buffoon is having difficulty excusing her obvious lack of common sense as required by government.
I'll give it another couple of weeks and then go directly to the Local Government Ombudsman. I doubt it will escalate to one of John Watson's Judicial Reviews in a hurry but of course it could.


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You have a big filling that needs replacement. Do you have to get a full crown? Not necessarily. A more conservative option, inlays and onlays fit into a tooth similar to a filling, yet they are milled restorations, much like a crown. The bumps on top of a tooth are called cusps. Inlays fit between cusps, while onlays fit over one or more cusps. Inlays and onlays allow a patient to retain more natural tooth structure, which is always best.
Not every situation is right for an inlay or onlay, but the dentist will assess your problem and determine the best solution for you. Because they are created in a lab like a crown, inlays and onlays require two appointments. At the first visit, we will prepare your tooth by removing your tooth decay or old filling and cleaning the area. We will take a dental impression and send it to our dental lab so that a technician can create a custom inlay or onlay for you. The dentist will determine the best material to use, but in most cases, teeth that show when you smile or speak can have a white restoration. Back teeth incur extreme pressure, so a metal inlay or onlay may be indicated. You'll wear a temporary until the lab delivers your final restoration.
At the second appointment, the dentist will remove your temporary and permanently cement your final inlay or onlay into position. After polishing and modifying the restoration as necessary to ensure proper bite alignment, you'll enjoy your stronger, healthier smile for years to come.
Your Smile is Our Passion
Bethesda's Premier Cosmetic Dentist
With oral health built on a solid foundation, you'll enjoy a lifetime of smiles. Come experience the personalized care, quality materials, and contemporary technology that make dental visits rewarding. Call us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Greenbaum. Be sure to visit our gallery and review before-and-after photos while you're here. Bethesda Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry serves patients from Rockville, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Northern Virginia, and surrounding areas.


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While Gov. Scott Walker was making his final pitch to Wisconsin voters Monday night in front of a crowd of supporters, a group of a couple dozen protesters outside banged buckets and chanted jeers.
They were there, Hannah Engber of Occupy Milwaukee said, with three demands: repeal Walker's anti-collective bargaining law, reinstate the state law prohibiting gender-based wage discrimination and "tax the rich -- tax the one percent."
"We're having a rally on Wednesday, actually, win or lose, just to keep people in the streets," Engber said. "No matter who wins, we want to hold our politicians accountable."
As Wisconsin voters go to the polls, grassroots activists both within and outside Wisconsin are watching with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Protesters in Wisconsin and Occupy supporters elsewhere say they are hopeful that Walker will be defeated, but they are determined not to let the Tuesday recall election be the final word on the state's austerity policies.
"There have been discussions amongst Occupy Wall Street folks about this," said Rebecca Manski, who grew up in Madison and has been involved with Occupy Wall Street since its first week in New York. "We're dismayed, absolutely dismayed that the Democratic Party kind of took over that really radical movement."
Nevertheless, she wants Walker to lose.
That ambivalence, shared by some on the left in Wisconsin itself, has its roots in how the people-powered movement embodied in the state capitol protests -- which many on the left compared to protests in places from Athens to Tahrir Square -- has morphed into a recall election supported, albeit reluctantly, by the Democratic National Committee. Over time, traditional party politics have become more and more prominent in the anti-Walker movement.
While some political observers now see the election on Tuesday as the final word on the matter of Walker's austerity policies, that position is anathema to many Occupy protesters' conceptions of democracy as a process that doesn't stop with a vote.
"We'd all be delighted to see Walker gone," said David Graeber, a professor of anthropology at Goldsmiths College, University of London who was deeply involved in planning the Occupy Wall Street protests from the start. "But the fact that Walker can pull on 20 times as much money as those trying to unseat him is a perfect example of why we feel the dice are loaded on the political field [and] we're trying something else."
Graeber, along with several other Occupy protesters in New York, said he was "inspired" by what happened in Wisconsin. But he was also cognizant that the supporters it drew in -- unions and the Democratic Party -- had different priorities than his own. The coalition of people who identify with the Occupy movement includes everyone from die-hard labor organizers to anarchists like Graeber who are resistant to unions' willingness to compromise with the status quo.
"They are standing for a fair position within the system -- really, defending themselves against attacks on the position they already have," he said. "We're trying to challenge the basic terms of the system itself."
That may be why there don't seem to be caravans of Occupy protesters heading to Wisconsin, or even declarations of support from General Assemblies across the country.
Jackie DiSalvo, a member of the Professional Staff Caucus at the City University of New York, remembered trekking out to Madison during the 70,000-person strong protests last winter. It was that experience, she said, that motivated her to get involved in Occupy Wall Street during its planning phase.
"The first occupation was the occupation of the Capitol in Madison, so people have a lot of admiration for the fact that labor people did that," she said.
But, she said, "I don't know anyone who's going out there" for the election. That may be in part because, on Occupy organizing email lists and elsewhere, "there is constantly outrage that someone from the Democratic Party is trying to co-opt us."
Charity Schmidt, the co-president of the Teaching Assistants' Association at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said the earlier anti-Walker protests were one reason why the Occupy movement never really flowered in Wisconsin, despite its progressive heritage.
"By the time the Occupy movement proper started to pop up in Zuccotti Park, and parks across the country, a lot of activists in Wisconsin, they felt they had done the occupy thing and were now busy on other work."
Sometimes that other work meant direct action protests, like a recurring "solidarity sing-a-long," in the Capitol. Other times it meant working on gathering signatures for the recall. But even as union activists within Wisconsin contributed to that work, Schmidt said, they were conscious of the Democrats' differing priorities.
Many in her union were disappointed that Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the Democratic candidate in the recall election, refused to promise to veto any budget bill that does not repeal Walker's collective bargaining law. After that law passed, the TAA lost hundreds of members and was forced to convince its remaining ones to hand over their bank information one by one for union dues.
Barrett's reticence, she said, "points to this larger debate with how we interact with electoral politics, especially candidates that many question whether they actually represent the interest of our union."
"People really care about this election," she said, "but we also care about holding the people we elect accountable to us."
Mary Clinton, an organizer with the UAW who was also involved in Occupy Wall Street, straddles the labor and Occupy worlds. She is one of the few Occupy activists who have traveled to the state for the recall election. (Manski, for her part, said "we in New York are really not coordinating with them.")
In between knocking on potential voters' doors, Clinton told HuffPost that "there's a lot to the Wisconsin uprising, and this is one tactic that is being used as part of a broader movement to fight austerity.
"The struggle for progress and social justice doesn't end when polls close on Tuesday in Wisconsin."


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