text:
Therapy With Bevacizumab (BEV), Epirubicin, and Cyclophosphamide Followed by Docetaxel Plus Trastuzumab and BEV Given as Neoadjuvant or Adjuvant Therapy for Women With Locally Advanced HER2 Positive Invasive Breast Cancer
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00464646
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : April 23, 2007
Results First Posted : September 26, 2012
Last Update Posted : October 1, 2020
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- Study Results
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
The main purpose is to learn if adding bevacizumab to standard chemotherapy and trastuzumab to treat HER2-positive breast cancer will affect heart function. This study will evaluate:
- How bevacizumab, given with chemotherapy, and then bevacizumab given with trastuzumab after surgery, will affect breast tumors
- Side effects from adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy and trastuzumab
- Whether adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy and trastuzumab for breast cancer will affect the heart
- If receiving bevacizumab will have any effect on how patients recover from surgery
|Condition or disease
|Breast Cancer
|Drug: Epirubicin Drug: Cyclophosphamide Drug: Docetaxel Drug: Trastuzumab Drug: Bevacizumab
|Phase 2
NSABP FB-5 is a Phase II study for women with HER2-positive invasive breast cancer evaluating a regimen of epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel plus trastuzumab and bevacizumab in two patient cohorts:
- Cohort A: Women with unresected locally advanced breast cancer (clinical Stage IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC)
- Cohort B: Women with resected pN2 or pN3 (pathologic Stage III) breast cancer.
The primary aims of the study are to determine the rate of cardiac events for all patients and the pCR rate in the breast and axillary lymph nodes for Cohort A. Cardiac events will be defined as NYHA Class III/IV congestive heart failure and cardiac death. For Cohort A, secondary aims of the study include determining the rate of pCR in the breast and the cCR rate following the neoadjuvant therapy. The secondary aims also include determining the value of the regimen in improving 5-year RFS and 5-year OS and determining the non-cardiac toxicities of the regimen in all patients.
Patients in Cohort A will receive neoadjuvant therapy consisting of epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide (EC) every 21 days for 4 cycles plus bevacizumab given on Day 1 of Cycle 4 only, followed by docetaxel every 21 days for 4 cycles plus bevacizumab every 21 days for the initial 3 cycles. Patients will also receive weekly trastuzumab beginning with the first cycle of docetaxel and continuing until 1-7 days before surgery. Patients will then have breast surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy) with axillary staging. Approximately 4-6 weeks following surgery, bevacizumab and trastuzumab will resume and continue every 3 weeks for 13 doses to complete one year of targeted therapy.
Patients in Cohort B will receive adjuvant therapy consisting of EC every 21 days for 4 cycles followed by docetaxel every 21 days for 4 cycles. Beginning with the first cycle of docetaxel, patients will also receive bevacizumab every 21 days for 4 cycles and weekly trastuzumab until 3 weeks after the last docetaxel dose. Beginning 3 weeks after the last dose of docetaxel, both bevacizumab and trastuzumab will then be given every 3 weeks for 13 doses to complete 1 year of targeted therapy.
Cardiac monitoring will be conducted for both cohorts. For Cohort A, LVEF assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-EC, 2-4 weeks following surgery (about 6 months from study entry), and 9, 12, 15, and 18 months from study entry. For Cohort B, LVEF assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-EC, and 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months from study entry. The preferred method for LVEF assessment is 2-D echocardiogram; however, LVEF assessment by MUGA scan is permitted.
Patient follow-up will continue for 5 years following study entry.
The FB-5 sample size is 105 patients.
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Actual Enrollment :
|105 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Parallel Assignment
|None (Open Label)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|A Phase II Clinical Trial of Epirubicin Plus Cyclophosphamide Followed by Docetaxel Plus Trastuzumab and Bevacizumab Given as Neoadjuvant Therapy for HER2-Positive Locally Advanced Breast Cancer or Given as Adjuvant Therapy for HER2-Positive Pathologic Stage III Breast Cancer
|Study Start Date :
|May 2007
|Actual Primary Completion Date :
|December 2009
|Actual Study Completion Date :
|May 2014
Experimental: 1
Drug: Epirubicin
Both Cohorts: Epirubicin 90 mg/m2 IV every 21 days x 4 cycles
Other Name: Ellence
Drug: Cyclophosphamide
Both Cohorts: Cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 IV every 21 days x 4 cycles
Drug: Docetaxel
Both Cohorts: Docetaxel 100 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 every 21 days x 4 cycles
Other Name: Taxotere
Drug: Trastuzumab
Cohort A: Pre-op therapy - 4 mg/kg IV first dose, then subsequent doses at 2 mg/kg IV weekly (16+ weeks) until 1-7 days prior to surgery. Post-operative therapy (beginning no sooner than 28 days after surgery and continuing every 3 weeks x 13 doses) - 8 mg/kg IV first post-op dose, then subsequent doses at 6 mg/kg IV
Cohort B: 4 mg/kg IV first dose, then subsequent doses at 2 mg/kg IV weekly on days 1, 8, and 15. Three (3) weeks after last dose of docetaxel, 6 mg/kg IV and continuing every 3 weeks x 13 doses
Other Name: Herceptin
Drug: Bevacizumab
Cohort A: Cycles 1-4, 15 mg/kg IV on day 1 of cycle 4 only; Cycles 5-7, 15 mg/kg IV on day 1 every 21 days x 3 cycles; post-operative therapy (beginning no sooner than 28 days after surgery), 15 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks x 13 doses
Cohort B: Cycles 5-8, 15 mg/kg IV on day 1 every 21 days x 4 cycles; beginning 3 weeks after last dose of docetaxel, 15 mg/kg IV every 3 weeks x 13 doses
Other Name: Avastin
- Number of Patients With Pathological Complete Response (pCR) in the Breast and Nodes for Patients With HER2-positive LABC Following Neoadjuvant Treatment (Cohort A) [ Time Frame: Assessed at time of surgery on average at 8 months ]The determination of pCR is performed by the local pathologist following examination of tissue (breast and nodes)removed at the time of surgery. The outcome measure is the number of participants with no histologic evidence of invasive tumor cells in the surgical breast specimen, axillary nodes, or SNs identified after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
- Cardiac Event Rate as Determined by LVEF Assessment [ Time Frame: Cohort A: Baseline, post-treatment with EC, 2-4 weeks after surgery, and 9, 12, 15, and 18 months from study entry. Cohort B: Baseline, post-treatment with EC, 2-3 weeks after the last dose of docetaxel, and 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months from study entry. ]
- pCR in the Breast (Cohort A) [ Time Frame: Assessed at the time of surgery ]
- Clinical Complete Response (cCR) [ Time Frame: Determined at baseline, between EC and docetaxel, and following docetaxel (before surgery) ]
- Grade 3 and 4 Toxicities, Including Toxicities Associated With Radiation Therapy(RT) [ Time Frame: Before each cycle of pre-op Rx; 2-4 wks after the last docetaxel dose; 2-4 wks post surgery (Cohort A); every 6 wks during post-op Rx (Cohort A); every 6 wks during targeted therapy alone (Cohort B); RT complications assessed at 12 mos from study entry ]
- Recurrence-free Survival [ Time Frame: From the first dose of study therapy until the date of recurrence or for a maximum of five (5) years from study entry ]
- Overall Survival [ Time Frame: From the first dose of study therapy until the date of death or for a maximum of five (5) years from study entry ]
- Percentage of Surgical Complications (From Mastectomy, Lumpectomy, and Axillary Staging Procedures) (Cohort A) [ Time Frame: 2-4 weeks after surgery and at 9 and 12 months from study entry ]
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
Conditions for eligibility for patients with LABC (Cohort A):
- The diagnosis of invasive adenocarcinoma of the breast must have been made by core needle biopsy or limited incisional biopsy.
- Patients must have clinical Stage IIIA, IIIB, or IIIC disease with a mass in the breast or axilla that is greater than or equal to 2.0 cm measured by clinical exam, unless the patient has inflammatory breast carcinoma, in which case measurable disease is not required.
Conditions for eligibility for patients with resected Stage III breast cancer (Cohort B)
- Patients must have undergone either a total mastectomy or a lumpectomy.
Patients must have completed one of the following procedures for evaluation of pathologic nodal status.
- Sentinel lymphadenectomy followed by removal of additional non-sentinel lymph nodes, or
- Axillary lymphadenectomy without SN isolation procedure.
- The interval between the last surgery (for breast cancer treatment or staging) and study entry must be no more than 84 days.
- By pathologic evaluation, ipsilateral nodes must be pN2 or pN3.
- For patients who undergo lumpectomy, the margins of the resected specimen must be histologically free of invasive tumor and DCIS as determined by the local pathologist. If pathologic examination demonstrates tumor at the line of resection, additional operative procedures may be performed to obtain clear margins. If tumor is still present at the resected margin after re-excision(s), the patient must undergo total mastectomy to be eligible. (Patients with margins positive for LCIS are eligible without additional resection.)
- For patients who undergo mastectomy, margins must be free of gross residual tumor. Patients with microscopic positive margins are eligible.
Conditions for patient eligibility (ALL patients)
- The patient must have consented to participate and must have signed and dated an IRB-approved consent form that conforms to federal and institutional guidelines.
- Patients must be female.
- The patient must be greater than or equal to 18 years old.
- The patient's ECOG performance status must be 0 or 1.
- The tumor must be invasive adenocarcinoma of the breast on histologic examination.
- The breast cancer must be determined to be HER2-positive prior to study entry. Assays performed using FISH require gene amplification. Assays using IHC require a strongly positive (3+) staining score.
At the time of study entry, blood counts must meet the following criteria:
- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) must be greater than/equal to 1200/mm3.
- Platelet count must be greater than/equal to 100,000/mm3.
- Hemoglobin must be greater than/equal to 10 g/dL.
The following criteria for evidence of adequate hepatic function must be met:
- total bilirubin must be less than/equal to ULN for the lab unless the patient has a grade 1 bilirubin elevation (greater than ULN to 1.5 x ULN) due to Gilbert's disease or similar syndrome involving slow conjugation of bilirubin; and
- alkaline phosphatase must be less than 2.5 x ULN for the lab; and
- AST must be less than/equal to 1.5 x ULN for the lab.
- Alkaline phosphatase and AST may not both be greater than the ULN. For example, if the alkaline phosphatase is greater than the ULN but less than/equal to 2.5 x ULN, then the AST must be less than/equal to the ULN. If the AST is greater than the ULN but less than/equal to 1.5 x ULN, then the alkaline phosphatase must be less than/equal to ULN.
- Patients with AST or alkaline phosphatase greater than ULN are eligible for inclusion in the study if liver imaging (CT, MRI, or PET scan) does not demonstrate metastatic disease, and has adequate hepatic function.
- Patients with either skeletal pain or alkaline phosphatase that is greater than ULN but less than/equal to 2.5 x ULN are eligible for inclusion in the study if a bone scan or PET scan does not demonstrate metastatic disease. Patients with suspicious findings on bone scan or PET scan are eligible if suspicious findings are confirmed as benign by x-ray, MRI, or biopsy.
- Serum creatinine less than/equal to ULN for the lab.
- Urine protein/creatinine (UPC) ratio must be less than 1.0.
- All patients must have their LVEF assessed by 2-D echocardiogram within 3 months prior to study entry. (MUGA scan may be substituted for 2-D echocardiogram based on institutional preferences.) The LVEF must be greater than/equal to 55% regardless of the institution's LLN.
- Note: Since the pre-entry LVEF serves as the baseline for comparing subsequent LVEF assessments to determine if trastuzumab and bevacizumab therapy can be administered, it is critical that this baseline study be an accurate assessment of the patient's LVEF. If the baseline LVEF is greater than 65%, the investigator is encouraged to have the accuracy of the initial LVEF result confirmed and to consider repeating the study if the accuracy is uncertain.
Exclusion Criteria:
Conditions for patient ineligibility (Cohort A)
- FNA alone to diagnose the primary tumor.
- Surgical axillary staging procedure prior to study entry. (Procedures that are permitted include: 1) FNA or core biopsy of an axillary node for any patient, and 2) although not recommended, a pre-neoadjuvant therapy SN biopsy for patients with clinically negative axillary nodes.
Condition for patient ineligibility (Cohort B)
• Breast reconstruction using tissue expanders or implants at the time of mastectomy.
Conditions for patient ineligibility (ALL patients)
- Definitive clinical or radiologic evidence of metastatic disease.
- Synchronous bilateral invasive breast cancer.
- History of ipsilateral or contralateral invasive breast cancer regardless of treatment or ipsilateral DCIS treated with RT.
- History of non-breast malignancies within the 5 years prior to study entry. Patients with the following cancers are eligible if diagnosed and treated within the previous 5 years: carcinoma in situ of the cervix, carcinoma in situ of the colon, melanoma in situ, and basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
- Prior therapy with anthracyclines, taxanes, trastuzumab, or bevacizumab for any malignancy.
- Treatment including RT, chemotherapy, and/or targeted therapy, administered for the currently diagnosed breast cancer prior to study entry.
- Continued therapy with any hormonal agent such as raloxifene, tamoxifen, or other SERM. (Patients are eligible if these medications are discontinued prior to study entry.)
- Any sex hormonal therapy, e.g., birth control pills, ovarian hormone replacement therapy, etc. These patients are eligible if this therapy is discontinued prior to study entry. (Women of reproductive potential must agree to use an effective non-hormonal method of contraception during study therapy and for at least 6 months after completion of targeted therapy.)
Cardiac disease that would preclude the use of the drugs included in the FB-5 treatment regimen. This includes but is not confined to:
- Active cardiac disease: angina pectoris that requires the use of anti-anginal medication; ventricular arrhythmias except for benign premature ventricular contractions controlled by medication; supraventricular and nodal arrhythmias requiring a pacemaker or not controlled with medication; conduction abnormality requiring a pacemaker; and clinically significant valvular disease.
- History of cardiac disease: myocardial infarction documented by elevated cardiac enzymes or persistent regional wall abnormalities on assessment of LV function; documented CHF; or documented cardiomyopathy.
- Uncontrolled hypertension defined as systolic BP greater than 150 mmHg or diastolic BP greater han 90 mmHg, with or without anti-hypertensive medication. Patients with initial BP elevations are eligible if initiation or adjustment of BP medication lowers pressure to meet entry criteria.
- History of hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy.
- History of TIA or CVA.
- History of other arterial thrombotic event within 12 months before study entry.
- Symptomatic peripheral vascular disease.
- Any significant bleeding within 6 months before study entry, exclusive of menorrhagia in premenopausal women.
- Serious or non-healing wound, skin ulcers, or bone fracture.
- Gastroduodenal ulcer(s) determined by endoscopy to be active.
- History of GI perforation, abdominal fistulae, or intra-abdominal abscess.
- Anticipation of need for major surgical procedures (other than the breast surgery required for patients in Cohort A) during study therapy and for at least 3 months following completion of bevacizumab.
- Known bleeding diathesis, coagulopathy, or requirement for therapeutic doses of coumadin.
- Other nonmalignant systemic disease that would preclude the patient from receiving study treatment or would prevent required follow-up.
- Sensory/motor neuropathy greater than/equal to grade 2, as defined by the NCI's CTCAE v3.0.
- Conditions that would prohibit administration of corticosteroids.
- History of hypersensitivity reaction to drugs formulated with polysorbate 80.
- Pregnancy or lactation at the time of study entry. (Note: Pregnancy testing should be performed according to institutional standards for women of child-bearing potential.)
- Use of any investigational agent within 4 weeks prior to enrollment in the study.
- Psychiatric or addictive disorders or other conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude the patient from meeting the study requirements.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00464646
|Principal Investigator:
|Norman Wolmark, MD
|NSABP Foundation Inc
|Responsible Party:
|NSABP Foundation Inc
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|First Posted:
|April 23, 2007 Key Record Dates
|Results First Posted:
|September 26, 2012
|Last Update Posted:
|October 1, 2020
|Last Verified:
|March 2020
Neoadjuvant Therapy
Locally Advanced Breast Cancer
Adjuvant Therapy
Pathologic Stage III Breast Cancer
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Breast Neoplasms
Neoplasms by Site
Breast Diseases
Skin Diseases
Immunosuppressive Agents
Immunologic Factors
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Antirheumatic Agents
Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
Alkylating Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Antineoplastic Agents
Myeloablative Agonists
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
Angiogenesis Inhibitors
Angiogenesis Modulating Agents
Growth Substances
Growth Inhibitors
Tubulin Modulators
Antimitotic Agents
Mitosis Modulators
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
Topoisomerase Inhibitors


text:
China / Asia(whole)
Mouse over image to zoom.
Mapmaker: Sanson
Title: La Chine Royaume
Date: 1679 Size: 41x54cm. Price: £2000
Condition: Fine
Prices of antique maps include shipping world-wide by registered air mail. Next-day delivery in the UK. All the antique maps on this website have a Certificate of Authenticity. The condition of each map is described above as fine (undamaged and unrestored but not in mint condition), very good (not as good as fine) or good (average condition). PayPal now offers interest-free payments in 4 instalments, up to US$600.
Press 'Enable Border' above to see a frame around any selected map (not included in the price!) Real frames help you protect and display your antique maps. Here are a few tips. 1. Make sure the materials that touch your maps are acid-free. 2. Don't let your framer attach maps in any way to backing boards to remove creases. 3. Don't expose maps to the sun's direct rays of light.
Map World is based in Canterbury, Kent. Phone us on 01227 456883. Order Antique Map Price Guide here.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
All Hallows Eve
Tags: Killing Games / Defense Games / Shooting Games / Survival Games / Zombie Games
Publisher: Gamer.com.tw
Video Walkthrough
You are all alone in an old house on Halloween. The dead have risen and want you for lunch. Can you stop them? The aim of the game is to protect your mansion from the attacking zombies and kill them before they reach your front door. The game may start slow, but stick with it. The carnage will become fast and furious in the later levels, use your mouse to play this game and progress on to the different levels.
· Play This Game = Use Mouse
Embed this game
Share this game


text:
Welcome to the Dockwalk.com Forum
In order to post a comment in one of the forum topics, you must log in or sign up. Your display name will appear next to your posts unless you check the Post Anonymously box. When writing a post, please follow our forum guidelines. If you come across a post that you would like us to review, use the Report Post button. Please note the opinions shared in the forums do not necessarily reflect the views of Dockwalk.
Dockwalk.com Forum
U.S. Accounting - Ask Avmar
Banking & Tax for Australian Crew
Hi all,
Does anyone know the best way to organise banking while working in the super yacht industry either specific for Australia or general?
A) Will I need to pay Australian Income tax if I transfer the money into my Aus bank account
B) Is there a better to hold your money & investments in other country?
Hi Phil, My understanding is it is best to keep your foreign earnt income offshore. Once funds come into an Australian bank account you open yourself up for investigation from the taxation office. I would suggest contacting Damon Young from All State Partners who are accountants specialising in Australian taxation matters for the superyacht industry, vessels and crew. Damon Young's e-mail is firstname.lastname@example.com
Best regards Carrie Carter, Carter Marine Agencies Pty Ltd, Cairns Australia.
Hi Phil, My understanding is it is best to keep your foreign earnt income offshore. Once funds come into an Australian bank account you open yourself up for investigation from the taxation office...
I thought that would be the case in opening up the chance of having to pay tax on the money coming in, but would be interested to see if other people are doing the same.
Do you know what country is best for holding cash and investments OS?
This is a very often asked question. In accordance with USA federal tax law, depositing money in an offshore bank account is not illegal. You are required to report the fact that you have such a bank account. It is illegal though not to report this money on your tax return. Especially after the most recent G-20 summit in Europe last week, the world has gotten a little smaller and the tax havens once secret are headed in the other direction.
If you are paid by check, wire transfer, or you deposit the money into a financial institution of any kind there will be a trace of the funds and although the US armed forces can not find Bin Laden, the IRS for sure would if you catch my drift.
When you are not a US citizen, US tax law can still apply to you if you are physically in the states for a substantial period of time. To see if you qualify for this special test please visit my Website WWW.MyTaxGuru.Com. Please keep in mind a substantial period of time in short does not mean more than half the year. It is a crazy three year test.
I am not an Australian attorney or accountant. I am in the USA therefore I cannot comment on your Australian situation. Any further questions please contact me 954-763-2829 x 201 Thank you Eric Yankwitt
This issue seems to be a recurring theme
However, for a tax-treaty to be applicable so that minimum tax liability can be obtained requires proper and appropriate "tax residency".
It would also seem that yachties have the greatest opportunity to establish "tax residence" in almost any jurisdiction they choose.
Amongst the experts (both professional and amateur) that monitor these threads there must be a few who can answer the question "Which is the best and how does one qualify for residence?".
A good place to start would be to follow the example of the individuals working for overseas military contractors from your home country.
In the case of US residents under multi-year contracts in places like Iraq, the employee usually qualifies for upwards of $90,000 USD income-tax-free (they still have to pay SS taxes) and an additional housing allowance of roughly $15K to $25K completely tax free). To qualify, yearly tax returns must be filed in the US (the States usually honor the Federal exclusions).


text:
I don't know how much. Because of this, I never glass the bottom at the same time and if there is a 100% springback ( and I did have that on a few boards), I would glass the top again with more rocker on a table.
The two layers board is an good compromise tho.


text:
With the Major League Baseball playoffs just around the corner, it's time for all the baseball fans out there to gear up with a poster of one of this year's hottest players! After some considerable discussion, the staff at Sports Poster Warehouse has come up with our Top Ten MLB position player posters to have going into the playoffs.
10. "Ken Griffey Jr. WHITE SOX BLAST Poster" – At this spot, we had no choice but to go with Ken Griffey Jr. This future hall of famer has had a legendary career. Could it end this year with the White Sox?
9. "Grady Sizemore ACTION Poster" – This year, Grady Sizemore continued his ascent to stardom:
8. "Carlos Beltran THE ZONE Poster" – Carlos Beltran of the Mets has been great both in the outfield and at the plate.
7. "David Ortiz LONG BOMB Poster" – As per usual, Big Papi has been tormenting pitchers all season long.
6. "Vladimir Guerrero IN THE ZONE Poster" – The Angel's Vlad Guerrero has been put up excellent numbers while still brandishing his cannon in right field.
5. "Prince Fielder INTENSITY Poster" – Big Prince Fielder, in his third full season in the big leagues, has continued to impress with his power at the plate.
4. "Alex Rodriguez START SPREADING THE NEWS Poster" – Although he has been in the headlines for all sorts of non-baseball related things this season, A-Rod has continued his chase after Barry Bonds' homerun record.
3. "Derek Jeter REEL DEAL Poster" – A-Rod's trusted teammate in New York, Derek Jeter has turned in yet another great season for the Yankees. A leader in the clubhouse, on the field and at the plate, a Jeter poster is still a must have.
2. "Albert Pujols SUPERSTAR Poster" – A model of consistency, Albert Pujols is lighting it up once again this season.
1. "Ryan Howard GONE DEEP Poster" – Lastly, after great debate, the Sports Poster Warehouse staff has come up with our number 1 pick: Ryan Howard. The Phillies' slugger continues to hush critics with numbers at the plate that are out of this world.


text:
Today, Google has aired a new ad that features Google Now. This ad shows a little girl telling her dad to ask his smartphone, which looks to be a Nexus 4, about his flight status. When he checks, he is told that his flight is cancelled and then goes out to play with his daughter in the snow; hence, this ad. You can watch ad in the above video.
The latest ad shows that the Google is still trying to push the family aspect of its products. We've seen the company push this aspect before in its Nexus 7 and Nexus 4 commercials earlier. Google's Nexus 7 ad focuses in on a father and son on a camping trip while the Nexus 4 commercial shows a father and son on a Google Hangout.
Personally, I'm getting a bit tired of these advertisements and think that Google may want to expand its horizons to grab the attention of other markets. However, I do feel that Google's latest round of commercials does a good job of showing users the features of its products instead of throwing product and software specs into their faces.
Source: TalkAndroid


text:
"Creativity is the new Productivity"
I visited the BETT (British Education Technology) exhibition in London Jan 25 to Jan 27. The main theme seemed to be creativity, especially in its visual form. I observed how the exhibited hardware, software, services, methods and presenters' experiences reflected the increasing role of creativity in learning. I wanted to see how these lessons apply to learning not just at school but also in the working life.
STEM has been the favorite acronym of any responsible education oriented organization or business for years. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Those have been the building blocks of our industrial society, and mastering STEM has ensured most students a good job and salary. In the current global post-industrial turmoil, where robots and artificial intelligence seem to challenge our STEM-based society, the need for any extraordinary and unpredictable abilities has increased.
Thus the concept called STEAM has emerged just recently. The A stands for Art (+ Design, ie. "Creativity", visit the website www.stemtosteam.org for more information). It sounds somewhat as if Divination, the vague subject practised at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, had finally been promoted to equal status with the Defence against Dark Arts.
At BETT 2017, STEAM was everywhere. Here creativity seemed to mean especially new and easier ways to express ideas visually and interactively, in other ways than good old written text. Creativity has been often credited to Apple's ecosystem, but now Microsoft has coined the new direction well with their slogan "Creativity is the new Productivity", with some good new tools to support that. "Creativity is the most important leadership quality", according to 1,541 CEOs interviewed by IBM for their report "Capitalizing on Complexity" (recommended to me by Lego Education).
Software and application vendors demonstrated many innovative ways to do "speculative design", ie. to easily visualize and modify ideas, concepts and data. Many tools offer templates to build visual presentations, such as Adobe Spark and Microsoft Sway. APIs in Google and Excel make it possible to connect to sensors and visualize measurements in real time with little or no programming skills (g.co/sciencejournalapp and Excel: Project Cordoba). My favorite was the example where Adobe After Effects was used to embed 3D designs in real video with its green screen motion tracking feature.
Video in general was very prominent at the BETT floor. Video is widely used in flipped learning, for student exercises and feedback. In one case it was shown that short video introductions of MOOC course modules increased the number of people opening the modules and completing them. Making a video requires that you really know what you are talking about and can express it concisely. By now all phones, tablets and networks support making and viewing video. Video also appeals to emotional intelligence and is a natural medium to children (not so for adults yet).
AVR, Augmented and Virtual Reality is the next step up from plain video. Last year it just was not at BETT yet. Since then Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and other tools have built on the example set by the Google Cardboard. Now several companies offered extensive sets of VR learning content with lesson plans. It is interesting to see how VR develops from here. Its immersive nature is certainly a powerful motivator for learning. Today VR worlds are still quite passive. It takes time to develop natural ways to move and interact in a virtual world. Pokémon GO did a good job in bringing AVR closer to everyday use.
The A in STEAM is based on play and imagination. Like last year, Lego Education, Minecraft Education (Microsoft bought and merged the Swedish Minecraft game and Finnish MinecraftEdu mod) and many robotic playsets and lessons about digital storytelling gave good examples of the power of free play. Edita Publishing's Educode business offers training for both Lego Education and Minecraft Education.
You can be like Newton and innovate with just a pen and paper, but the killer feature for STEAMing will be the digital pen, that allows you to truly draw and write on screen. I have been using Microsoft Surface Pro 4 tablet computer and its pen for a year and there's no turning back.
At BETT I still didn't find a pen-equipped computer that matches the Surface. iPad Pro has a good pen too, but these are both still too expensive for regular students' parents, not to mention schools. I tested one high-end Chromebook with a pen, but it was honestly enough advertised to be used for "doodling" only - it was too slow when drawing or writing by hand. While proper typing skills remain highly valuable, the digital pen will truly be a STEAM weapon of choice when it becomes more available and affordable. It will be similar to the effect that touchscreens had for mobile phones.
To present those STEAMing ideas, a hot item this year seemed to be huge touch screens either on the wall or as a table. They are certainly more practical than smartboards that require a projector. Still I don't think they are big enough to compete with the big picture that a proper video projector offers. With a slightly aging eyesight I have recently missed many points in meeting rooms with too small big screens. Make them three meter wide and we may be talking - maybe with OLED screens soon!
When there are 20+ students in a class or a big team in a meeting room, you'd be STEAMing more efficienly if anybody could share their visions on the big screen without the cable hassle. This is closer than ever with several wireless projection techniques shown at BETT, such as Miracast, Google cast for education, Apple TV and the likes. But we're still waiting for an ecosystem-independent, dongle-free cheap and functional solution that is supported by any device and operating system and projects the whole screen and not just a specific browser.
The many different Learning Management Systems (LMS) shown at BETT have lately been challenged by GAFE (Google Apps for Education) followed closely by Microsoft's Office 365 and its killer app OneNote (my memory extension). These business giants have turned their cloud based productivity suites to learning platfoms, both innovatively called "Classroom". It is great that their mutual competition speeds the development for the benefit of the learners. Both claim to be the king of the hill in modern dead-tree-free learning. Both companies' BETT presentations concentrated on educating the audience on how to use the cloud for virtual collaboration and to forget email attachments - older people do not know what the cloud is and younger don't know what email attachments are. Tough!
Friday night's top presenter was the legendary Sir Ken Robinson, author of the most ever viewed TED talk. Sir Ken's good talk about enabling the A in STEAM and lessons he'd learned in over half a century were peppered with fun British humor - in my mind's eye I saw him in Pink Floyd's "We don't need no education".
He also used Finland as a positive example of a modern learning environment. We should remember our reputation abroad as a superpower in education - this was not used at BETT, where only oil countries such as Norway had their country stands. You may watch Sir Ken's presentation below.
What was not at BETT? I did not notice much AI, artificial intelligence solutions for learning. There were no robot tutors or genies-in-a-laptop to replace the teacher. But AI is there. It is in the search engines, in the way computers now understand speech and handwriting, how they help students in creative writing, how they learn to recognise things they "see" and can interpret people's emotions via their webcams. There is AI in the way computers connect with real world and act on it via their robotic extensions. Will computers be able to overtake us in the A of STEAM - innovation, design and creativity? Let's return to London next year to see what has happened!


text:
There's a local campaign in the Greater Toronto Area sponsored by the good folks at the Salvation Army and promoted daily on a local television station, in most cases by one of the most insufferably manic weathermen one is ever likely to see on television.
The campaign is called Toy Mountain, and people of all ages and socio economic standing gather in local meeting places, most often in malls, bringing in gifts of new toys that will, we are told, be distributed to children in need. The underlying theme is that there can be nothing worse than for a kid to wake up on Christmas morning without a toy under the tree.
If there's a tree at all in their house. Or if there's a house. Or food. Or stability. Not to worry.
This is not about the contradictions of the holiday season and the evils of materialism and how Christmas has become so commercial. That's a given. We already know the economics of it. Especially when the bills start arriving in January.
It just occurred to me that any parent (myself included, times three) will tell you that one of the daily rituals of being a parent is about cleaning up their own toy mountain that the kids leave scattered around the house. In this country, toys are not in short supply. The interest in even the most sought after toy is short lived. There is always something newer and better to want.
To be the object of their desires. I mean, don't kids learn that from their parents? And especially from TV?
A clip on the news I saw was especially telling -- an interview with a mall Santa Claus. "You'd be surprised," says Santa, "how many three-year-olds want an iPhone for Christmas."
It brought me back to a still-vivid memory from my own childhood, to the days before I had even entered school. My mother had these thick, dark curtains to cover the front windows in the modest house I grew up in. And I used to go in behind them and look out the window and play games with the most prized treasure I had: a small plastic soldier.
It would fascinate me for hours, and I played out scenarios and got lost in my own dreams and fantasy lands. And I was happy, because the greatest toy I ever owned was my own imagination.
I tried to instil this in my own children, by not overindulging them with loads of gifts. By engaging them in discussions about the world around them. Teaching them to read. Not relying on schools for their education. But no generation has ever been so inundated and targeted by crass commercialism. How can they not be affected?
Lying on his deathbed in Xanadu, Citizen Kane, the man who had it all, who was about to die alone, thought back to the one thing that truly made him happy -- a simple sled: Rosebud.
Perhaps Orson Welles, in his genius, was telling us all we need to know in such a simple yet profound way. That in the end, our happiest moments have always been the simplest ones. And no amount of toys, or lack of them, will change that. I'm no Scrooge, I like giving gifts, when and where I can. That's the world we live in.
But for some reason Rosebud continues to stay in my mind.


text:
Diagnosis of Testicular Cancer
]]>Main Page]]> | ]]>Risk Factors]]> | ]]>Symptoms]]> | Diagnosis | ]]>Treatment]]> | ]]>Screening]]> | ]]>Reducing Your Risk]]> | ]]>Talking to Your Doctor]]> | ]]>Living With Testicular Cancer]]> | ]]>Resource Guide]]>
Most often with testicular cancer, you will find a painless mass in your scrotum. At other times, either the mass will be discovered during a routine health check-up or it will be painful. Painful masses are likely to be infections ( ]]>epididymitis]]> or orchitis) and may be treated first with antibiotics, but all masses or swellings in the scrotum or testis should be examined by your physician.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam, including a careful exam of your testes.
Diagnostic Tests for Testicular Cancer
Your doctor may do some of the following tests:
Blood Tests —A sample of your blood is taken and the levels of certain tumor markers are measured. Tumor markers are chemicals that sometimes appear in the blood if cancer is present in the body.
Testicular cancer produces two markers: alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). These chemicals not only help diagnose the disease, they are also used to monitor the success of treatment.
Another substance in the blood, the liver enzyme LDH, is usually elevated in advanced cases of cancer. It may be measured to help diagnosis and to monitor the success of treatments.
Ultrasonography —Ultrasound is the key test in diagnosing testicular cancer. It uses sound waves to find tumors. If it shows a mass that is solid, the testicle will most likely be removed.
Excisional ]]>Biopsy]]> —This is the removal of an entire testicle for laboratory examination to check for cancer. Most testes with suspicious masses seen on ultrasound are completely removed. In order to minimize the potential for spread of cancer cells as a result of the surgery itself, the surgical approach to this procedure is through the groin rather than across the scrotum.
]]>Chest X-ray]]> —This is a series of standard x-ray images of your chest. If cancer is confirmed by biopsy, it may have spread to the lymph nodes in the chest. The chest x-ray is done to check for this spread.
CAT Scan —This test provides detailed computerized x-ray images of any part of your body and can be used to help determine if the cancer has spread. The CT scan is usually taken of the ]]>abdomen]]> and pelvis.
Staging of Testicular Cancer
If cancer is found, the treatment and chance for cure depend on the tumor type, location, size, stage of the cancer, and your general health. For most stages of disease the cure rate is currently over 90%.
Ninety-five percent of testicular cancers are of a type called germ cell tumors. There are two major types of germ cell tumors: seminomas and nonseminomas. There are several types of nonseminomas, all of which tend to be more aggressive than most seminomas. They are distinguished with microscopic examination as well as by blood tests for tumor markers. Some tumors may have more than one cell type. Nonseminomas are less easily cured than seminomas.
Staging is a careful attempt to determine whether the cancer has spread and, if it has, what body parts are affected. Staging of testicular cancer considers both the growth of the tumor and the involvement of the lymph nodes. The following stages are used to classify testicular cancer:
Tumor Stage:
Tis ( in situ )—The cancer is very localized and has not spread to other areas.
T1 —The tumor is limited to the testis and epididymis, without having spread to nearby blood vessels.
T2 —The tumor is limited to the testis and epididymis and has spread to the blood vessels or into the thin skin surrounding the inside of the scrotum (called the tunica vaginalis).
T3 —The tumor has spread to the spermatic cord.
T4 —The tumor has spread into the wall of the scrotum.
Nodal Stage:
N1 —lymph node with 2 centimeters (cm) or less of cancer
N2 —lymph node with 2-5 cm of cancer
N3 —lymph node with more than 5 cm of cancer
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center website. Available at: http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/ . Accessed January 31, 2006.
Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2000.
Last reviewed November 2009 by ]]>Mohei Abouzied, MD]]>
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.


text:
"Venus Express, give me a GO/NO GO for launch..."
At 04:11 CET, 9 November 2005, Venus Express Ground Segment Manager Manfred Warhaut called up the mission controllers on the communications loop at ESOC's Main Control Room.
According to the launch procedures, he confirms the status of Venus Express and that everything was ready for launch.
Listen to the Venus Express GO/NO GO MCR rollcall.


text:
We have size 57/58/59 IN STOCK!
Keep up with us on Instagram
Free Shipping over $75.00
Shop CT MEN
Horse Pilot Airbag Safety Vest w/ Gillet - Unisex$950.00
Check out all the safety essentials from
KASK Vertigo Equestrian Backpackfrom $240.00
Free Shipping over $75.00
Shop CT Youth for equestrian clothing in and out of the ring
Free Shipping over $75.00
Get your stretchy on with Ellany Belts!
New to EQU!
The Kentucky Moonboots are a small and ultralight fetlock boot with a single Velcro closure.
US DOMESTIC: We have a standard flat rate of $10.00 for FedEx Ground tracked service for any order placed in the continental US.
Canada: We have a standard flat rate shipping of $30.00USD for FedEx Ground tracked service for all orders going to our lovely Northern neighbours.
International: We ship orders around the world. Please see our shipping policy for more information.
Read our Shipping Policy for more information.Shipping Questions? Contact Bryn Lake 1-877-467-0311 8AM-6PM PST, or email firstname.lastname@example.com
Please note, Helmets and Sale Items are not eligible for refunds or exchanges.


text:
Thank you for visiting my blog! I write contemporary thriller suspense fiction. Mystical Circles is psychological suspense, and the sequel A Passionate Spirit a paranormal thriller. You can order signed copies here. Or download them to your kindle as follows:
Subscribe to my mailing list and get a free epub Pursuing Your Creative Passion, a taster from my inspirational writer's guide Perilous Path: A Writer's Journey – packed with encouraging tips, insights and reminders for writers.
Sign up here.
Here on my blog, I post weekly. I love to have your comments so please keep them coming! And if you'd like to know more about my next novel Director's Cut, which I'm working on right now, do sign up for my mailing list here.
As a child I was inspired by Enid Blyton. I started writing adventure stories at the age of seven; the love of writing that her stories first instilled into me has strengthened over the years.
I studied English Literature at Lancaster University, and my first permanent job was as a production secretary with the BBC. Later I lived for nearly five years in Australia. I now live in Warwickshire with my husband David, son Jamie and daughter Abigail.
I completed two full-length adult novels before writing Mystical Circles. I've always been fascinated by the interaction of different complex personalities, an inexhaustible source of inspiration for a writer!
And my advice to anyone who wants to be a writer? Read a lot, listen to people's conversations, be observant about the details of your world, and especially about human behaviour and interaction, and persist in your writing, being single-minded to the point of obsession…never give up, always believe in yourself despite all evidence to the contrary,(Click to Tweet) and hold out for what you first dreamed of.
Thank you for reading this. And if you want to be first to hear about my next novel, which is currently in progress, do sign up on my email list here.


text:
By Liz Premo, Atlantic News Staff Writer
Atlantic News, Friday, June 1, 2007
[The following article is courtesy of Atlantic News]
[Atlantic News Photos by Liz Premo]
HAMPTON -- Seven Winnacunnet High School graduates who lost their lives while in military service to their country were honored last week at a special ceremony that was broadcast live throughout the school.
While friends and family members looked on from their seats in the front office foyer a plaque was unveiled, bearing the names of the departed, their year of graduation from WHS, their rank and military branch, and the year they died.
So honored were Bruce W. Brown (Class of 1963, US Army); Robert E. Shaw ('66, USMC); Edmond G. Findlen ('67, USAF); Steven J. Philbrick ('68, USMC); Mark W. Holman (US Army) and Desiree Loy (USAF), both Class of '77; and MarciAnna Y. Rivera (2006, US Army).
"This memorial commemorates those Winnacunnet graduates who have sacrificed their lives for our country," read the inscription, above which was placed the Great Seal of the United States of America and the Winnacunnet Warrior Indian mascot.
At the bottom of the plaque was written, "Dedicated on Memorial Day, 2007, to honor the fallen heroic Warriors of Winnacunnet High School" and a quote by Winston Churchill, "Never was so much owed by so many to so few."
The plaque, which will hang by the entrance to the school's Hawley Library, was the fruition of an effort embarked upon several months ago by Principal Randy Zito and teacher Jack Ford. They were assisted by American Legion Post #35 Commander Ralph Fatello and Post #35 Chaplain, John Holman, whose son Mark's name is one of those inscribed.
Those in attendance included Mark's mother Connie Holman and sister Melanie (Holman) Caruso; Robert's parents, Anna and Ernest Shaw and sister Sonja (Shaw) Chouinard; Mike Schwotzer, who was Findlen's best friend; and local Veteran and Post #35 member, Wes Balsiger, among others.
The ceremony featured the solemn presentation of colors by the WHS MCJROTC color guard, as well as student Anthony Grant singing "Amazing Grace." As the plaque was unveiled, Holman offered remembrances of those honored, noting specific connections to their time at WHS.
Among the cherished memories: Brown's ambition to become an architect, Shaw's membership with the WHS Audio Visual Aide program and wrestling team; Philbrick's desire to be a state trooper; Findlen's love of guitar playing, folk singing and history; Holman's sense of humor and his enjoyment of music and art; Loy's involvement in student council and as a WHS majorette, as well as her joy of laughter and love of music; and Rivera's membership with the WHS MCJROTC program and her goal to become a physical therapist to help wounded soldiers returning from war.
"We come today in remembrance, to honor our departed, who nobly served their great country to keep us free," he said. "They need not have died on the battlefields to have served their nation well. Those who served share a bond of service, pride and love of country."
He continued, "Our recognition today will hopefully bring comfort, peace and hope to the families of those who have served, and move future generations forward in the cause of freedom. Let us never forget their noble actions of service, loyalty, devotion and sacrifice that we may continue to stand in the glory of freedom in this great land."
Holman concluded his remarks by saying, "May God bless America and our men and women in the Armed Forces who serve our nation. May they never be forgotten."
Fatello also took time to address listeners and viewers, thanking Principal Zito and Coach Ford for "taking the time to honor these seven WHS graduates who lost their lives while in the service of our country."
He noted that "service to our country has always been a noble and honorable endeavor. Those that serve in the armed forces do so for the most part because of an inner calling," he said, one that "comes from deep within one's soul."
Raising his right hand for emphasis with regard to a commitment to serve, Fatello recited a portion of the Oath of Military Enlistment: "I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same."
He then added, "These seven graduates we honor and remember today all took that oath. They lived and died by it. We owe it to them, but more importantly we owe it to their families, to never forget their sacrifices, or the sacrifices that their loved ones have endured."
Fatello asked all to "remember these former WHS students this Memorial Day, and remember all the other true Warriors who have died in America's wars, so that we can enjoy the freedoms we all have today. Thank you, and God bless America."
As the ceremony concluded, Zito offered a promise to "make sure this community doesn't forget those who served."
"It was beautiful," said Anna Shaw of the ceremony, pausing to touch the portion of the plaque bearing her son's name. "We sure appreciate it. It's nice to sec how much everybody appreciates what they did [for America]."
"It was a wonderful ceremony," said Post #35 Past Commander, Joe Kutt. "It was long overdue." Acknowledging that the "recognizing our lost heroes takes a team effort to get it accomplished," Kutt observed that the "American Legion [will keep] taking care of items that should be done, one at a time."
"I think it was a lovely memorial service," said Connie Holman. "I think we really need to appreciate the fact that there are still people who want to remember and keep their loved ones in their hearts."
She added that such Memorial Day observances offer "comfort, peace and hope to families of those who served" and "bring forth the true meaning of this day of remembrance for everyone."


text:
|This document is available in three formats: this web page (for browsing content), PDF (comparable to original document formatting), and WordPerfect. To view the PDF you will need Acrobat Reader, which may be downloaded from the Adobe site. For an official signed copy, please contact the Antitrust Documents Group.
The United States of America and Joseph B. Eisenberg ("defendant") hereby enter into the following Plea Agreement pursuant to Rule 11(c)(1)(B) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure ("Fed. R. Crim. P."):RIGHTS OF DEFENDANT
1. The defendant understands his rights:
2. The defendant waives the rights set out in Paragraph 1(b)-(g) above. The defendant agrees to have his sentence determined under the United States Sentencing Guidelines ("U.S.S.G.") and hereby waives all constitutional challenges to the validity of the U.S.S.G. The defendant waives any right to have facts that determine his sentencing factors under the U.S.S.G. (including offense level, base fine amount, culpability score, guideline fine range, and any specific offense characteristic or other enhancement or adjustment) alleged in an indictment and found by a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant agrees that facts that determine his sentencing factors will be found by the court at sentencing by a preponderance of the evidence and that the court may consider any reliable evidence, including hearsay, in making such determinations. Further, pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 7(b), the defendant will waive indictment and plead guilty at arraignment to a one-count Information to be filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The Information will charge the defendant with participating in a combination and conspiracy to suppress and eliminate competition by maintaining and increasing the prices of certain rubber chemicals to be sold in the United States and elsewhere, beginning in or about July 1995 and continuing until in or about February 2000, in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1.
3. The defendant, pursuant to the terms of this Plea Agreement, will plead guilty to the criminal charge described in Paragraph 2 above and will make a factual admission of guilt to the Court in accordance with Fed. R. Crim. P. 11, as set forth in Paragraph 4 below.FACTUAL BASIS FOR OFFENSE CHARGED
4. Had this case gone to trial, the United States would have presented evidence to prove the following facts:
5. The defendant understands that the maximum penalty that may be imposed against him upon conviction for a violation of Section One of the Sherman Antitrust Act is:
6. In addition, the defendant understands that:
7. Sentencing for the offense to be charged will be conducted pursuant to the U.S.S.G. Manual in effect on the day of sentencing, unless, as authorized by U.S.S.G. § 1B1.11, the court determines that use of the Guidelines Manual in effect on the date that the defendant is sentenced would violate the ex post facto clause of the United States Constitution. If the court makes such a determination, the court shall use the Guidelines Manual in effect on February 2000, the last date that the offense of conviction was committed. Pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2R1.1(b)(2), the United States and the defendant agree that, for purposes of sentencing, the appropriate volume of affected commerce attributable to the defendant is over $100 million. As authorized by U.S.S.G. § 1B1.8, the United States agrees that self-incriminating information that the defendant provides to the United States pursuant to this Plea Agreement will not be used to increase the volume of affected commerce attributable to the defendant or in determining the defendant's applicable sentencing guidelines range, except to the extent provided in U.S.S.G. § 1B1.8(b).SENTENCING AGREEMENT
8. The defendant understands that the sentence to be imposed on him is within the sole discretion of the sentencing judge and that, pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(c)(3)(B), he will have no right to withdraw his guilty plea if the Court imposes any sentence inconsistent with the recommendation contained in this Plea Agreement or any recommendation made at the time of sentencing.
9. Based on the information now known to it, the United States agrees that it will make a motion, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1, for a downward adjustment of three levels for acceptance of responsibility due to the defendant's timely notification of his intention to enter a guilty plea.
10. The defendant understands that the Court will order him to pay a $100 special assessment pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3013(a)(2)(A) and U.S.S.G. § 5E1.3 in addition to any fine imposed.
11. Pursuant to Fed R. Crim. P. 11(c)(1)(B), the United States agrees that if, in its sole and exclusive judgment, it decides that the defendant has cooperated fully and truthfully, provided substantial assistance to law enforcement authorities within the meaning of U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1 in any federal antitrust investigation involving any product sold by Crompton and its predecessors and subsidiaries, and otherwise complied fully with this Agreement, it will file with the Court a motion, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1 and 18 U.S.C. § 3553. The motion will describe the nature and extent of the defendant's cooperation and recommend a downward departure from the Guidelines' fine and term of imprisonment in this case.
12. The defendant understands and agrees that the decision of the United States on whether to file a motion pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1, as described in Paragraph 11 above, is based on its sole and exclusive decision of whether the defendant has provided substantial assistance. The defendant understands and agrees that the decision will be binding on him. The defendant understands that the decision of the United States on whether to file such a motion, or the extent of the departure recommended by any motion, will not depend on whether convictions are obtained in any case. The defendant also understands that the Court will not be bound by any recommendation made by the United States.
13. Subject to the ongoing, full, and truthful cooperation of the defendant, as described in Paragraph 14 of this Plea Agreement, and before sentencing in the case, the United States will fully advise the Court and the Probation Office of the fact, manner, and extent of the defendant's cooperation and his commitment to prospective cooperation with the United States' investigation and prosecutions, all material facts relating to the defendant's involvement in the charged offense, and all other relevant conduct. To enable the Court to have the benefit of all relevant sentencing information, the United States may request, and the defendant will not oppose, that sentencing be postponed until his cooperation is complete.DEFENDANT'S COOPERATION
14. The defendant will cooperate fully and truthfully with the United States in the prosecution of this case, the conduct of the current federal investigation of violations of federal antitrust and related criminal laws involving the manufacture or sale of rubber chemicals in the United States and elsewhere, and any litigation or other proceedings arising or resulting from any such investigation to which the United States is a party ("Federal Proceeding"). The ongoing, full, and truthful cooperation of the defendant shall include, but not be limited to:
15. Subject to the full, truthful, and continuing cooperation of the defendant, as described in Paragraph 14 of this Plea Agreement, and upon the Court's acceptance of the guilty plea called for by this Plea Agreement and the imposition of sentence, the United States will not bring further criminal charges against the defendant for any act or offense committed before the date of this Plea Agreement that was undertaken in furtherance of an antitrust conspiracy involving the manufacture or sale of rubber chemicals ("Relevant Offense"). The nonprosecution terms of this paragraph do not apply to civil matters of any kind, to any violation of the federal tax or securities laws, or to any crime of violence.REPRESENTATION BY COUNSEL
16. The defendant has reviewed all legal and factual aspects of this case with his attorney and is fully satisfied with his attorney's legal representation. The defendant has thoroughly reviewed this Plea Agreement with his attorney and has received satisfactory explanations from his attorney concerning each paragraph of this Plea Agreement and alternatives available to the defendant other than entering into this Plea Agreement. After conferring with his attorney and considering all available alternatives, the defendant has made a knowing and voluntary decision to enter into this Plea Agreement.VOLUNTARY PLEA
17. The defendant's decision to enter into this Plea Agreement and to tender a plea of guilty is freely and voluntarily made and is not the result of force, threats, assurances, promises, or representations other than the representations contained in this Plea Agreement and the Joseph Eisenberg Cooperation Agreement, filed separately with the Court. The United States has made no promises or representations to the defendant as to whether the Court will accept or reject the recommendations contained within this Plea Agreement.VIOLATION OF PLEA AGREEMENT
18. The defendant agrees that, should the United States determine in good faith, during the period that any Federal Proceeding is pending, that the defendant has failed to provide full and truthful cooperation, as described in Paragraph 14 of this Plea Agreement, or has otherwise violated any provision of this Plea Agreement, the United States will notify the defendant or his counsel in writing by personal or overnight delivery or facsimile transmission and may also notify his counsel by telephone of its intention to void any of its obligations under this Plea Agreement (except its obligations under this paragraph), and the defendant shall be subject to prosecution for any federal crime of which the United States has knowledge including, but not limited to, the substantive offenses relating to the investigation resulting in this Plea Agreement. The defendant may seek Court review of any determination made by the United States under this Paragraph to void any of its obligations under the Plea Agreement. The defendant agrees that, in the event that the United States is released from its obligations under this Plea Agreement and brings criminal charges against the defendant for any Relevant Offense, the statute of limitations period for such offense will be tolled for the period between the date of the signing of this Plea Agreement and six (6) months after the date the United States gave notice of its intent to void its obligations under this Plea Agreement.
19. The defendant understands and agrees that in any further prosecution of him resulting from the release of the United States from its obligations under this Plea Agreement based on the defendant's violation of the Plea Agreement, any documents, statements, information, testimony, or evidence provided by him to attorneys or agents of the United States, federal grand juries, or courts, and any leads derived therefrom, may be used against him in any such further prosecution. In addition, the defendant unconditionally waives his right to challenge the use of such evidence in any such further prosecution, notwithstanding the protections of Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(f) and Fed. R. Evid. 410.ENTIRETY OF AGREEMENT
20. This Plea Agreement and the Joseph Eisenberg Cooperation Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the United States and the defendant concerning the disposition of the criminal charge in this case. This Plea Agreement cannot be modified except in writing, signed by the United States and the defendant.
21. The undersigned attorneys for the United States have been authorized by the Attorney General of the United States to enter this Plea Agreement on behalf of the United States.
22. A facsimile signature shall be deemed an original signature for the purpose of executing this Plea Agreement. Multiple signature pages are authorized for the purpose of executing this Plea Agreement.


text:
Spring 2008
Letter from Paul Shaw
Mary Ann Bolger's 'inner train-spotter' must not have been functioning at full bore when she read Stephen Eskilson's Graphic Design: A New History (Eye no. 66 vol. 17). Her two examples of mistakes are only the tip of the iceberg as the book is riddled with errors. I counted nineteen (misattributions, discrepancies between text and captions, misspellings of names, inaccurate dates) in the first 60 pages alone – sufficient to show that the book is much more flawed than Bolger indicates in her review. Eskilson may be good at discussing art history – those certainly are the parts I enjoyed the most – but he is abysmal at discussing type and typography.
Other aspects of Eskilson's book are troubling, but I will cite only one, since it is mentioned approvingly by Bolger. It is his statement that the graphic design profession was established 'when the task of designing printed material was separated from the task of printing it'. At first glance this seems like a reasonable claim, but he provides no support for it. Not only does he fail to mention individuals such as William Pickering, Bruce Rogers and Charles Ricketts who did indeed separate the activities of design and printing, but he also ignores the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493), a book that was clearly designed – a complete maquette survives – before it was printed. Finally, Eskilson makes no reference to W. A. Dwiggins, the man thought to have first coined the term 'graphic design'. In other words, he never fully comes to grips with a definition of graphic design.
Paul Shaw, New York
Mary Ann Bolger replies: I am pleased that Paul Shaw has drawn attention to the typographic inaccuracies in Stephen J. Eskilson's A New History of Graphic Design. As I pointed out in the review, the catalogue of errors in this book extends beyond the discussion of typographic matters and is evident throughout the text and in the captions.
A more pressing issue to consider is how and why we write about graphic design history. The book has provoked some heated debate on Design Observer.
With regard to Shaw's final point, I agree that Eskilson fails to support his contention that graphic design as a profession, rather than an activity, is a product of industrialisation. This does not alter the fact that this could be a valid observation, and one that in other writing – by Richard Hollis, for example – has been better supported. The question of how to define graphic design in terms of practice as well as history is a timely one, worthy of a more detailed consideration and of interest to non-trainspotters, too!
First published in Eye no. 67 vol. 17 2008
Eye is the world's most beautiful and collectable graphic design journal, published quarterly for professional designers, students and anyone interested in critical, informed writing about graphic design and visual culture. It is available from all good design bookshops and online at the Eye shop, where you can buy subscriptions and single issues.


text:
We at Earthling Education are committed to supporting positive educational experiences (that become everyday practices) in the ways that we earthlings relate to each other and our fellow creatures (of all species).
We question violence in all of its forms.
We are inspired by the great peacemakers of the past and present including Dr. Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Vaclav Havel, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and many others who have led by their examples of protection, healing and yes, enjoyment of our planet.
Contact info: email@example.com
Location: Saint Paul / Minneapolis metro area, Minnesota, USA
Earthling Education, Inc. is a Minnesota 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.


text:
Forget SOPA, Hollywood Already Had a Field Day with the Justice System
Copyright justice: Steal a subway ride and pay a $100 fine. Steal a song and pay $150,000.
The controversial Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) bills and their backers employ striking language to describe the problem they supposedly attack, namely "theft of U.S. property" and "IP theft." They use that language to argue for sweeping new powers affecting the domain name system, Internet search, online advertising, and electronic payments.
It's a great example of the way Hollywood chooses its words very carefully in constructing its propaganda wars. The old-fashioned and accurate word is "infringement," but that word doesn't create the visceral responses that "theft" does. So the bills refer almost exclusively to "theft."
The trigger for this was Hollywood's frustration several years ago that "file sharing" didn't sound bad. After all, we learned in kindergarten that "sharing" is a good thing. The motion picture industry's lead spokesperson, Jack Valenti, hated the term. He liked to compare a chocolate cake to files on the Internet: if you share some of your cake, you're not supposed to still have all your cake, but when you share a file you still have the file. Thus, he argued, it's not "sharing" at all. Of course, his inability to distinguish between chocolate cake and information -- which is what music stored as bits really is – resembles Hollywood's profound misunderstanding of the Internet today. One can indeed share information while keeping it.
Over the last ten years I have watched Hollywood loyalists, undoubtedly responding to some coordinated industry messaging directive, start talking exclusively about "theft" when they refer to infringement. One can tell who has signed on as a Hollywood partisan in the current debates by seeing who now uses the loaded term "theft" instead of the accurate term "infringement." The facts that the bills overflow with references to "theft," and that many government officials have changed their vocabularies to use the new, industrially correct language, reveal a lot about Hollywood's capture of government.
When the big content companies talk about "IP theft" or "copyright theft," what are they really talking about? The essence of theft is deprivation – when someone steals your wallet he takes your wallet away and you don't have it any longer. But if I like your haircut and get one just like it, I haven't stolen your hair. I have just copied it. Theft and copying are inherently different things.
But let's stick with the "theft" concept for a while and see where Hollywood's terminology leads us. What would "copyright theft" mean? How does one steal a copyright, which is just a form of ownership right? The same way one can steal someone's real estate ownership, by forging a deed (or assignment) or tricking someone into signing one. That's pretty rare. Looking at it differently, one can steal a copy of a copyrighted work, say by shoplifting a book. But neither stealing copyrights nor stealing books are the types of so-called IP "theft" that the pending bills try to stop. The bills try to attack reproductions (copying/downloading), transmissions (streaming), and other traditional forms of what has always been called "infringement."
Under the "theft" conception of copyright law, what, exactly, is the deprivation when someone makes illegal copies? It really boils down to just one thing: money. Copyright infringement – renamed copyright theft -- deprives the copyright holder of some of his or her expected profit from exploiting the copyright.
What are other, similar kinds of "theft" by depriving someone of expected money? Failure of a tenant to pay the agreed rent to a landlord is one. Parking in a parking space without putting money in the meter is another. Jumping the turnstile to ride on a subway without paying the fare is a third. (And, of course, failure of a studio or record label to pay artists or actors the promised contractual royalties for their work on a record or film is a fourth. But something tells me the studios and labels sponsoring the current bills won't go near that topic. The bills don't include rogue studios and labels in their scope.)
How do the civil damages or penalties for the different types of such "theft" compare? Failure to pay expected money under a contract doesn't trigger a penalty: contract law usually says that a party can recover the money she expected but not punitive damages or attorneys fees (unless parties have specifically bargained to pay attorneys fees for a breach). Failure to pay rent usually requires payment of rent to cure the default. Failure to put money in the parking meter prompts a ticket for $60. In New York City, failure to pay the $2.50 subway fare results in a maximum fine of $100.
Copyright "theft" is a very different story. Copyright infringement statutory damages in civil litigation can be as high as $150,000 for infringement of a single work. Yes, a single work such as a single song with an iTunes download value of $1. A copyright holder can claim such statutory damages without needing to prove a single penny of damage or loss. Think such sky-high damages aren't realistic? Think again. In the RIAA's case against single mother Jammie Thomas, a jury awarded $1,500,000 for the download of 24 songs, with no proof that she had transmitted songs to others. The federal judge thought that was ridiculous and reduced the total award to $54,000 – and the RIAA and MPAA are now arguing strenuously on appeal that the jury verdict should return to the original figure, $62,500 per downloaded song.
If we take copyright law's maximum-penalty-to-price ratio as applied to an illegal download, and apply that same penalty-to-price ratio to the New York subway, the maximum penalty for jumping that turnstile and avoiding the $2.50 fare would be $375,000 instead of $100. Copyright industries are on to a really good thing under current law. One could say it's a steal.
And the copyright industries haven't gotten their fill of penalties and enforcement powers. That's why they are back in Washington today, enlisting an army of Senators and Congress members to give them more power in the PIPA and SOPA bills to distort the domain name system (supposedly dropped from secret amendments not yet released), to censor search results and online advertising, and to turn online payment systems into enforcers.
They say that the legislation targets "foreign rogue sites," even though current copyright law has killed foreign rogues such as Grokster and Kazaa, and even though there are express provisions for suing persons within the US, and even though the legislation regulates American companies in numerous different ways. On five occasions I have asked the backers to identify any foreign sites that they have sued in the US without being able to secure legal relief to which they are entitled, and they haven't yet given me a single example. They say that the legislation doesn't change copyright law, but it creates new laws that distort the principles of current copyright law.
The backers are trying to rush this legislation through without truly open hearings with representation of a wide variety of interests, including the public interest. Read up on these bills and call your Senator and member of Congress to let them know whether you believe Hollywood needs more power.


text:
What looks like a giant bent and sharpened paperclip is actually an updated version of Didier Faustino's Love Me Tender chair with a brushed stainless steel finish. Not only does is look like an incredibly uncomfortable place to crash, you have to be extremely careful where you place it.
If your home is finished with lovely hardwood flooring you'll probably want to skip this design altogether since the sharpened feet will inevitably leave their marks wherever it's placed. But on the bright side, if you're fanatical about furniture placement and hate to see a single item moved, you'll always have four tiny holes in your floor letting you know where the Love Me Tender is supposed to sit. Pricing is unknown, but with only 100 copies being produced, it's probably going to be an expensive way to tear up your floors. [super-ette via MoCo Loco]


text:
Managing Direct Debit Schedules
Managing the direct debit schedule for a customer in SchemeServe is very straightforward.
It's important to note that any changes you make to a direct debit schedule are then e-mailed directly to the customer as fresh copy of their direct debit instructions. They are also e-mailed to the customer's bank – cancelling the existing direct debit and setting the new one up.
About Setting Direct Debit Schedules
Direct Debit payments are collected on the same day of every month. You can alter or set up these payments easily in SchemeServe.
Important Note: Take care when choosing collection dates. If possible do not set collection dates to the 29th, 30th or 31st of any month.
This is because February has 28 days in most years, and other months have only 30 days. If you set your collection date, for example; to the 31st August. When September comes to an end there is no 31st day – SchemeServe does not process the debit on the 30th instead the next payment will be taken on 31st October.
We strongly recommend that regular payments are made on the 1st of each month to avoid this issue.
Managing Debit Schedules
- Log in to SchemeServe
- Click on the Cases Tab
- Find the Case
- Click the View Button to open the Case
- Click the Money Tab
- Click the Create New Schedule Link to set up a New Direct Debit
- OR if a Direct Debit is already in place you can Change Payment Dates, Amounts and/or Cancel the Current Schedule
- Click the Save Link to set up the new schedule and send the documents associated with the Direct Debit
Video Tutorial
See Also:
Taking a Card Payment on a Case
Recording a Cheque Payment on a Case
Recording a Bank Payment on a Case
Auditing Changes to Cases including Direct Debit Schedules
Reporting and Accounting for Direct Debit Payments