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Crohn's disease, a well-known subtype of inflammatory bowel disease, is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract with numerous possible extra-intestinal manifestations. Approximately 40% of all patients affected by Crohn's disease experience at least one extra-intestinal manifestations of the disease, with the skin being the most common site of extra-intestinal involvement. Other common locations of extra-intestinal involvement include the eyes, joints, and hepatobiliary system. Interestingly, an extra-intestinal manifestation may precede the formal diagnosis of Crohn's disease in about 25% patients.[1][2][3][4]
Although the underlying etiology of Crohn's disease remains fundamentally unknown, the largely accepted theory involves exposure to "triggers" (i.e., microbial, environmental, immunological) in a genetically susceptible person. The chronic inflammatory component of Crohn disease is likely driven by altered activation of both Th1 and Th17 immune pathways with elevated levels of interleukins 23 and 17. Polymorphisms of the NOD2/CARD15 genes may further affect the innate immune response. Interestingly, patients with an altered TRAF3IP2 gene may be predisposed to developing cutaneous involvement of their Crohn's disease.[5] Other studies have shown altered intestinal flora (shifts in composition or decreased diversity) in patients with Crohn's disease. Precise etiology and pathogenesis are also limited to the cutaneous manifestations of Crohn's disease, but assistance in understanding and categorizing these skin findings come from the following three well-accepted categories:
Specific lesions: lesions have histopathological findings consistent with Crohn's disease on biopsy. This may be further subcategorized to the following:
Reactive lesions: inflammatory lesions that do not share the same histopathological findings.
Associated lesions: likely develop due to shared HLA-gene types or secondary to chronic inflammatory response.
A fourth category is suggested by some authors and encompasses the cutaneous manifestations that may be induced by the treatment of Crohn's disease, particularly with anti-TNF therapy.
The onset of Crohn's disease may occur at any age from childhood up to the seventh decade of life, with a majority of the cases diagnosed in young adults between 15 to 30 years of age. Interestingly, approximately 25$ to 35% of all cases of Crohn's disease are diagnosed in patients younger than 18 years of age. Both the incidence and prevalence of Crohn's disease have been increasing over the past few decades, particularly in well-developed countries. In the United States, approximately 246 people per 100,000 population are affected by Crohn's disease and statistically, between 20% to 33% of those patients will experience a dermatological manifestation of their Crohn's disease.[2]
The clinical presentation of Crohn's disease is immensely diverse and may include any or a combination of any of the following: abdominal pain, anorexia, weight loss, diarrhea, hematochezia, melena, malnutrition, fatigue, fevers, and bowel obstruction secondary to stricture formation. The cutaneous manifestations of Crohn's disease may also aid in establishing the diagnosis of Crohn's disease as their presence may antedate the formal inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis. Although Crohn's disease is well known for its ability to affect any part of the GI tract, from the oral mucosa to the anus, most of the disease is non-contiguous and restricted to the ileum and colon.
Each of the respective categories of the cutaneous manifestations of Crohn disease and their manifestations will be discussed below:
Specific lesions: lesions with histopathological findings consistent with Crohn's disease on biopsy.
a) Cutaneous lesions which occur due to a direct extension of bowel disease to the skin and are typically seen in the perianal and orofacial areas. Clinically, on the exam, the lesions may be ulcers, fistulae, fissures, or even abscesses and on biopsy, non-caseating granulomatous inflammation can be seen. Many do not actually consider these to truly be an "extra-intestinal" manifestation of Crohn's disease.
b) Metastatic Crohn's disease: Rare manifestation of cutaneous Crohn's disease characterized by skin lesions with findings of Crohn's disease on biopsy, but at sites distant and noncontiguous with the GI tract (must be separated from the GI tract by normal tissue).
Reactive lesions: Inflammatory lesions that do not share the same histopathological findings, but are believed to share a similar pathogenesis with Crohn's disease, perhaps due to impaired function of neutrophils or altered cellular immunity.
Associated lesions: likely arise due to shared HLA-gene types or secondary to a chronic inflammatory response. Interestingly, the presence and severity of the cutaneous manifestations listed below generally parallel intestinal disease activity.
Treatment-induced: A novel category of cutaneous findings that are most commonly associated with the treatment of Crohn's disease with anti-TNF biologics. The cutaneous manifestations of anti-TNF treatment do not correlate with disease activity status.
The relative absence or presence of the above cutaneous extra-intestinal manifestations may be helpful in monitoring the disease course of Crohn's disease, particularly in patients displaying oral aphthous ulcerations or erythema nodosum, as they may clue to the physician to evaluate for active intestinal disease, even in relatively asymptomatic patients.
Diagnosis of Crohn's disease is generally made via endoscopic evaluation of intestinal mucosa along with biopsy showing granulomatous changes and crypt irregularities. Additional laboratory evaluation, including blood tests, may also be utilized.
Treatment for the plethora of cutaneous manifestations of Crohn's disease are extensively varied. Each of manifestations that were discussed above will be briefly discussed below.[6][7][8][9][10]
Specific lesions: lesions with histopathological findings consistent with Crohn's disease on biopsy
Reactive lesions: inflammatory lesions that do not share the same histopathological findings, but are believed to share a similar pathogenesis with Crohn's disease.
Associated lesions: likely arise due to shared HLA-gene types or secondary to a chronic inflammatory response.
Treatment-induced: A novel category of cutaneous findings that are most commonly associated with the treatment of Crohn's disease with anti-TNF biologics.[11][12][13]
In some cases, non-granulomatous skin disorders may cause lesions, these include:
Crohn disease is extremely complex and difficult to diagnose and manage. The disorder has many extraintestinal manifestations that may sometimes precede the intestinal symptoms. The skin manifestations may present around the perianal and orofacial area. The primary caregiver, nurse practitioner, emergency department physician and internist may be the first to see patients with cutaneous Crohn. Without a biopsy, the diagnosis is not possible. Hence, a thorough history should be obtained and if abdominal symptoms are present, the patient should be referred to the gastroenterologist for management. These patients are typically managed medically but many need surgery to manage the complications. These patients often develop severe anxiety and stress about the diagnosis and hence a mental health consultation should be made early in the course of the disease. The outlook for patients with Crohn disease is guarded. Almost every patient will develop a serious complication and the overall quality of life is poor.[14][15][16]
|Yzet C,Brazier F,Fumery M, Post-operative entero-cutaneous fistula closure by Over-The-Scope clip in Crohn's disease. Journal of Crohn's [PubMed PMID: 30596973]
|Vide J,Osório F,Costa-Silva M,Lopes S,Azevedo F,Camila Dias C,Magina S,Magro F, Cutaneous Morbidity Among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: A Cohort Study. Journal of Crohn's [PubMed PMID: 29300856]
|Vavricka SR,Galván JA,Dawson H,Soltermann A,Biedermann L,Scharl M,Schoepfer AM,Rogler G,Prinz Vavricka MB,Terracciano L,Navarini A,Zlobec I,Lugli A,Greuter T, Expression Patterns of TNFα, MAdCAM1, and STAT3 in Intestinal and Skin Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Journal of Crohn's [PubMed PMID: 29182760]
|Alexakis C,Gordon K,Mellor R,Chong H,Mortimer P,Pollok R, Ano-genital Granulomatosis and Crohn's Disease: A Case Series of Males Presenting with Genital Lymphoedema. Journal of Crohn's [PubMed PMID: 27683802]
|Afzali A,Wheat CL,Hu JK,Olerud JE,Lee SD, The association of psoriasiform rash with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: a single academic center case series. Journal of Crohn's [PubMed PMID: 24268978]
|Cordova J,Chugh A,Rivera Rivera ED,Young S, Recurrent Pediatric Perianal Swelling. Pediatric annals. 2016 Feb; [PubMed PMID: 26878185]
|Romero Gutiérrez M,Alcántara Torres M,Muñoz Rosas C,Gómez Moreno AZ,Guardiola Arévalo A,Rodríguez Merlo R,Carrobles Jiménez JM, [Metastatic Crohn's disease]. Gastroenterologia y hepatologia. 2010 Jun-Jul; [PubMed PMID: 20537428]
|Buhr HJ,Kroesen AJ,Stange EF, [Surgery -- fistulas]. Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie. 2003 Jan; [PubMed PMID: 12541173]
|Huang W,Tang Y,Nong L,Sun Y, Risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications after surgery in Crohn's disease: A meta-analysis of observational studies. Journal of Crohn's [PubMed PMID: 25572276]
|Barret M,de Parades V,Battistella M,Sokol H,Lemarchand N,Marteau P, Crohn's disease of the vulva. Journal of Crohn's [PubMed PMID: 24252167]
|Iborra M,Beltrán B,Bastida G,Aguas M,Nos P, Infliximab and adalimumab-induced psoriasis in Crohn's disease: a paradoxical side effect. Journal of Crohn's [PubMed PMID: 21453886]
|Mocci G,Marzo M,Papa A,Armuzzi A,Guidi L, Dermatological adverse reactions during anti-TNF treatments: focus on inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Crohn's [PubMed PMID: 23453887]
|Torres J,Ellul P,Langhorst J,Mikocka-Walus A,Barreiro-de Acosta M,Basnayake C,Sheng Ding NJ,Gilardi D,Katsanos K,Moser G,Opheim R,Palmela C,Pellino G,Van der Marel S,Vavricka SR, European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation Topical Review on Complementary Medicine and Psychotherapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Journal of Crohn's [PubMed PMID: 30820529]
|Banasiewicz T,Eder P,Rydzewska G,Reguła J,Dobrowolska A,Durlik M,Wallner G, Statement of the expert group on the current practice and prospects for the treatment of complex perirectal fistulas in the course of Crohn's disease. Polski przeglad chirurgiczny. 2019 Feb 25; [PubMed PMID: 30919811]
|Choukour M,Kivits J,Baker A,Baumann C,Guillemin F,Peyrin-Biroulet L, Personalised medicine in inflammatory bowel diseases: a patient survey. Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology. 2019 Jan; [PubMed PMID: 30663451]
|Hossne RS,Sassaki LY,Baima JP,Meira Júnior JD,Campos LM, ANALYSIS OF RISK FACTORS AND POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH CROHN'S DISEASE. Arquivos de gastroenterologia. 2018 Jul-Sep; [PubMed PMID: 30540087]


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Authorities in New York have identified the remains of a male victim of Al-Qaeda's September 11, 2001 terror attack on the World Trade Center - some 16 years after the incident.
The victim will not be publicly identified at the family's request, the New York City medical examiner's office said Monday.
More than 2,750 people were killed when two passenger jets destroyed the Twin Towers, the symbol of New York's financial wealth and confidence.
The remains - usually bone fragments - of 1,641 of the 2,753 people known to have been killed have now been positively identified.
The latest identification was the first in more than two years, the New York Times reported.
"This ongoing work is vital because with each new identification, we are able to bring answers to families affected by tremendous loss," chief medical examiner, Barbara Sampson, told The Times.
Advances in DNA extraction and testing technology helped confirm the victim's identity, the medical examiner's office said.

subset: commoncrawl


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Rick is a great host and guide, making sure things were safe and everyone was comfortable, taking care of every detail to make this trip amazing.
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Dr. Jennifer Jill Harman, Associate Professor of Psychology at Colorado State University speaks at a Reykjavik Conference about the effects of parental alienation in relationships.
"Permission to Love" is a conference on Parental Alienation. It was held in Reykjavik, Iceland, on the International Awareness Day on Parental Alienation on April 25th 2017.


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Lori tells the tale of how Fairway came to acquire our new and incredible Private Label OneCups.
We Fairway folk know coffee. And we ought to since we have been buying, roasting and selling the stuff for 80 years. It is a crucial segment of what Fairway is and what we do, so it matters to us where and who it comes from, how it is harvested and how it affects the environment. The result? Farm-to-table coffee. From the grower, to Fairway, to your cup. Or mug. We like a mug.
Everyone and their madre and padre has one of those new-fangled, single-serve Keuring® machines. WELL, NOT QUITE. Neither I, nor my Mom, Dad, Benny, Steve, Hannah, Richie, Ryan or Armie would ever have entertained the notion of owning one of those infernal devices — too wasteful, too fast-and-loose with the environment, not enough regard for the farmers and workers…too many unaddressed issues.
Unfortunately, we know too much to be snookered by the sheer convenience and anti-social behavior that is the preparation of a single, self-serving cuppa-Joe-fer-one. With noses held high we would routinely debate amongst ourselves about the optimum blend, the proper grind, brewing method, water temperature. . .each of which is crucial: We obviously have a deep passion for our coffee.
I myself am a Fairway to Heaven devotee, my work-a-day-world French Press or good-old reliable Drip. But my Saturday and Sunday mornings belong to Chemex. Those cups of coffee are the sweet reward that epitomizes weekend. The Chemex requires patience, promotes lingering, and however you measure it, increases my enjoyment. Benny Lanfranco, the master of Fairway Market's Coffee Department, counseled me long ago about letting the coffee simply do its thing naturally.
On September 16th, 2012, a remarkable thing happened. The patent on the K-Cup® expired. It was our opportunity to try to do the single-serve coffee thing our way so that we could feel noble as well as proud of something we chose to put our name on. Our team dug in with Benny. We identified and defined all the factors that would be important to us and to our customers. We chose to work only with the actual coffee growers.
"Boots on the ground" as Benny would often say. "You can't understand coffee unless you understand the land and its people. That is all there is to it." Easy for Benny to say. Now came the hard part: making his wish list a reality. Well, let me tell you — we did — and then some.
After months of research, countless emails, phone calls, meetings and a million-and-one cups of OneCup coffee samples we met our equal — a hands-on partner with a new methodology for production: using a mesh basket through a recycled plastic ring (made of a vegetable-based solid) giving us–cue the drumroll please–a single-serve coffee pod that is 97.33% bio-degradable. Land-fill, begone!
Our team set off for parts unknown in Panama. Armando Gonzales, our diffident, yet charming Creative Director, joined Benny for this life-altering journey. For Armando the trip was riveting. He remembers the experience every time he holds a mug of coffee. The terrain is rugged and dauntingly steep, and "the sheer manual, painstaking labor that is required to make one single cup of coffee transformed my mindset about it forever. Perhaps I took for granted the arduousness of farming as well as the hidden brutal routine of those people whose entire existence is defined by the effort to cultivate and harvest coffee."
Benny and Armando managed to visit not just a single farm here, but several. They spent the best part of the week in these remote, steep and hidden groves, picking coffee beans with the locals, breaking bread with their families, and trying to ingenuously acquaint themselves with our new partners.
Unlike neighboring farms they visited, these estancias were equipped with proper quality living conditions – good housing with nice bathrooms and kitchens. There are schools for the children, and medical care is provided for the families. Wages are fair, and are paid directly to the farmers, rather than simply funneled into the coffers of an organization that mistakenly lists the price paid for a pound of coffee. This is what makes our coffee 'Fair and Directly Traded'. Heretofore it has been virtually impossible to guarantee that that a "fair" per-pound price really does trickle down to the actual farmer. But judging by what Armando and Benny saw and subsequently reported, it sure doesn't seem that way. It appears we have found and are supporting an endeavor that makes all the difference in our mind.
"This experience really offered pause and reflection." Armando relates. "As a Filipino I felt ashamed having come from a world of the same such poverty. I realize now how rapidly I became accustomed to the access and instant gratification that is life in New York City.
Benny had finally sourced a product that he felt worthy of the Fairway Market brand. These were robust flavors from beans picked at their syzygy, and that were then roasted with the scrutiny of a masterly and practiced eye until every batch and every bean achieved its maximum value and purpose. The Fairway One Cups are the highest quality at the lowest price possible. We are immensely proud to present our 100% Arabica, Kosher-certified, One Cup Single-Serve Coffee Pods in the following flavors: Organic Original Blend, Organic Decaf Blend, Organic Dark Roast, Supreme Blend, Italian Roast and Hazelnut.
Needless to say, all kidding aside, we now have a Keurig® machine in our office. Every single one of us previously described as pooh-poohing, dismissive nay-sayers, has been converted. We have all but ceased running across the parking lot to the Harlem Fairway for our hot coffee. We now avidly anticipate the Fairway One Cup.
Although I remain loyal to my Fairway To Heaven on the home front (grind #9, in case you really do care) my days are now filled with the flavor and variety that our Fairway Market One Cups offer — rich, delicious and foolproof each and every time. Save money, save time, save the environment and make a difference. Choose Fairway Market One Cups and join Armando in reflecting upon the commitment that went into your morning mug. "For me the ceremony of brewing a single-serve cup is a reminder that life is good, and I should appreciate it. With each sip I reflect."


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The story of the last big one is the stuff of legend in Tennessee: In the winter of 1812, when a series of massive earthquakes struck the Mississippi River valley, the shaking was so violent, folks say, that the mighty river ran backward for a time, and church bells and curtain tassels on the East Coast were set ringing and swaying.
Those who survived were left to wonder if the end of the world was upon them.
The cataclysm along the New Madrid fault dissolved into local lore and the perennial threat in this seismic zone in the central United States was largely forgotten — until Katrina.
These days, in Memphis and in many other places across the country that have predictable threats of disasters — from hurricane- and quake-prone stretches of the coasts to tornado alleys in the Plains, from Northwest towns where volcanoes loom to busy cities where terrorists could strike — talk has moved from the last big one to the next big one.
Katrina has revived scenarios of tornadoes landing on downtown Kansas City, of mud burying Tacoma, of a Category 5 hurricane wrecking Houston, of chemical agents released on the Las Vegas Strip, of wildfires sweeping Los Angeles.
Glimpse at the worst-case scenario
The images of destruction and suffering in New Orleans have chastened officials and average citizens, stretching their imaginations. Suddenly, those dusty worst-case scenarios, long unthinkable and almost theoretical, are plausible, frightening, and no longer ignored.
"I think people are going, 'Will Memphis be next?'" said Ray Pohlman, who works at the corporate headquarters of Memphis-based AutoZone, the auto parts giant that occupies an eight-story building on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The threat seems more real today, he said, than it did last month.
Katrina showed the largest-scale natural disasters can and do happen, and that even with considerable warning and precaution, so much can still go wrong. And the hurricane has given tangible form to fears of a terrorist attack bigger than that of Sept. 11.
President Bush, in his Thursday night speech from New Orleans, announced that the Department of Homeland Security will undertake an immediate review of emergency plans in every major city in America. "This government will learn the lessons of Hurricane Katrina," he said.
Politicians and emergency officials all over the country have pledged to reevaluate disaster plans and resources — after Katrina proved how easily law and order can be lost, how fragile and flawed the telephone infrastructure can be, how important it is to have food and water readily available, how the poor and disabled are especially vulnerable in a disaster.
Reconsidering the cavalry's role
Another paramount lesson for many: The federal government cannot be counted on for immediate help. Localities and even individuals must have their own emergency plans.
"We can't expect meaningful federal support to be on the ground providing provisions in an organized manner until probably the seventh day," said Eric Holdeman, with the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management in Seattle. "Our emergency response system is geared toward everyday emergencies, not disasters ... People need to be able to help themselves."
Others agreed an event as large as Katrina cannot be managed by any city or state alone. Tennessee's capacity to house evacuees was spent completely by Katrina, as it absorbed about 20,000 people. What if, like New Orleanians, Memphis' 650,000 residents suddenly needed somewhere else to go?
Fearing the worst in Dixie
Another quake of the magnitude of the 1812 temblor hitting Memphis could supplant Katrina as the country's worst natural disaster. Most of downtown Memphis, made of brick and concrete, would fall. Bridges and highways would be shattered. Gas lines would rupture. And the Mississippi River, if already near flood stage, could put large parts of Arkansas underwater.
None of these predictions are new. But they're real now.
Two states upriver, St. Louis suffered through a devastating flood only 12 years ago. The day Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, local emergency managers started reviewing flood plans in the area, which is also prone to tornadoes and is within the New Madrid seismic zone.
"It says it could happen here," said St. Louis emergency director Gary Christmann.
New doubts in savvy L.A.
Los Angeles, which has been through earthquakes, wildfires, and riots, is as well prepared as any city for a large-scale disaster. All kinds of heavy equipment and a satellite communications system are available to Los Angeles County. Thousands of National Guard and California Highway Patrol officers are based in Los Angeles.
But Katrina made even officials there think again. They now recommend, for instance, that residents keep five to seven days of food and water on hand instead of the three days' worth that were previously recommended.
Katrina turned to fiction the comforting idea that "Uncle Sam is going to ride to the rescue," said Los Angeles City Councilman Jack Weiss, who has written a report for the city on preparing for terrorism. "That's the message to every city as a result of Katrina."
There were other messages. After seeing New Orleans residents refuse to leave their homes, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he'd "get a court order, if we have to," to get people out.
Bracing for the long haul
The mayor of Moore, Okla., Glenn Lewis, heard another message: Citizens, he said, should increase sevenfold the amount of food and supplies they store at home — three weeks' worth, instead of the previously recommended three days' — "after we saw the disaster in Louisiana."
His town is in the heart of tornado country. A twister that hit Moore in October 1998 damaged more than 100 homes, and a massive tornado the following May did more than $1 billion in damage and killed about 40 people.
"You have to have a local plan," Lewis said. "If you've got to wait on FEMA or the state and you don't have a plan, you're going to wait a long time. It will seem like forever."
Self-sufficiency has been turned into a formal public awareness campaign in San Francisco by Mayor Gavin Newsom — based on the theme of "72 hours," the amount of time he believes people should presume it will take for outside help to arrive in the event of a massive earthquake.
"What we're asking people to do is to be prepared to take care of themselves and their families (for that length of time) ... so that we can focus on rescues, focus on putting fires out," said Anne Marie Conroy, director of San Francisco's Office of Emergency Services and Homeland Security.
New focus on the poor, immobile
Disaster planning and infrastructure improvements are business as usual in the Bay Area. Even so, Katrina has helped officials focus their planning. Since Katrina, Conroy and others have shifted their thoughts to the problem of displaced citizens.
"Every time there's a major event like the London bombings, the tsunami and now, Katrina, we always go back and revisit our plans," Conroy said, "and we always go back and look at what went right and what went wrong .... and adjust our plans."
Linda Johnson, who lives with her husband and two cats in a rented one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco's Mission District, said Katrina has made her realize she needs to gather together in one accessible place her scattered disaster supplies.
"I think it's really important for people to take advantage of this window of opportunity, when they're so aware of what disasters can do to families," she said. "Our family doesn't own a car, so we would really need to connect with our friends and loved ones to make a plan for evacuation if we needed to."
Volcanic threat looms over Northwest
Farther north, Washington state's most populous cities, Seattle and Tacoma, live under the double threat of earthquakes and active volcanoes. Two of the country's three most dangerous volcanoes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, are in Washington: Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. The latter erupted about 20 years ago, covering the Portland, Ore., metropolitan area in a blanket of ash. An eruption of Mount Rainier, scientists believe, could send a deadly mudflow down its slopes and could kill thousands.
"A lot of people probably question us, 'Why do you spend so much time preparing for an event that might never happen?'" said Jody Woodcock with the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management. "My response is, 'But it could happen."'
Like the New Orleans flooding, an eruption of Mount Rainier, Woodcock said, "is something we really can't comprehend."
The last time such a mudflow — made of melted ice, dirt, rocks and debris, and called a lahar — came down Rainier was 500 years ago. It could happen again at any time, though residents would presumably have several days warning, as volcanic activity can be monitored.
If the mudflow was big enough it could reach Tacoma, but probably not Seattle, where the biggest threat is an earthquake. A strong quake shook Seattle in 2001.
After Katrina, local businesses and volunteers showed an increased awareness of disaster planning and response — flooding local agencies with offers to house evacuees and help in the relief effort. Woodcock and others hope they can tap into these newly discovered resources should a disaster befall the Puget Sound region. To be sure, they will be watching what goes on in Louisiana and Mississippi.
"I think we'll learn a lot from watching the recovery process," Woodcock said, "seeing communities completely rebuild. I think emergency managers from around the world are going to be watching."
Looking beyond Mother Nature
It is not just natural disasters for which Katrina has heightened preparations.
Officials in cities like Las Vegas look at the hurricane as a lesson for terrorism. Because of the city's economic and cultural importance, and because known terrorists have visited the city before, Las Vegas is considered a likely target of a terrorist attack.
Before Katrina, however, Clark County Sheriff Bill Young did not consider what would happen if his police force, the state's largest, was temporarily paralyzed as police were in New Orleans. Katrina also got him thinking about how few highways lead out of Las Vegas, that a sudden evacuation of automobiles would render the roads impassible. And he wondered how a massive earthquake in Los Angeles might affect his city, a likely destination for millions of hypothetical evacuees, now less hypothetical in his mind.
"I really hadn't thought about it until now," said Young. "They'd totally overrun this state. I think we're going to have to factor in a few more things."
Katrina illuminated more logistical holes in Nevada's emergency plans. The war in Iraq has taken most of the state's National Guard troops out of the country. Even still, Las Vegas is probably more prepared than many cities for a large-scale disaster.
'Test ... beyond the breaking point'
Earlier this year, 78 local, state and federal agencies took part in a simulated chemical attack, called "Rotunda Thunda," at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Strip. It was the second such exercise in two years. The first, called "Determined Promise," was conducted in 2003.
"We threw the kitchen sink at southern Nevada," said Clark County Emergency Manager Jim O'Brien. "The rationale was to test us beyond the breaking point. That was our Katrina."
At the other side of the country, Linden, N.J., is part of an industrial corridor of chemical plants and oil refineries that some federal officials refer to as "the most dangerous two miles in America."
The plants come within 30 yards of public roads and are generally protected by nothing more than chain-link fence. Tucked in between these plants are people's homes. According to a study earlier this year by the Congressional Research Service, there are seven chemical plants in New Jersey where a terrorist attack or accident could kill more than 1 million people.
Since the hurricane hit, acting New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey has met with state police and other agencies to review their terrorism plans.
Helen Pointek, 88, lives across the street from a refinery. Katrina, she said, has made her wonder what would happen if a plant was breached by accident or by an act of terrorism.
"I don't know what I would do," she said. "At my age, I probably would just drop dead. I do worry about those tanks."
Short attention spans
But memories are short. A disaster like Katrina doesn't necessarily make people fearful in the long term, even if it should.
"The capacity people have to adjust and make peace with a new situation, even if they feel vulnerable, is really remarkable," said Randy Quevillon, chair of the psychology department and the Disaster Mental Health Institute at the University of South Dakota.
And for many in this country, comfort comes in the knowledge that it's a big place and you can always go somewhere else.
In Memphis, 50-year-old Stewart Wilson said there was nothing he could do to prevent a disaster in his home town. He figures he'd adapt.
"If it gets so bad in Memphis," he shrugged, "I've got relatives in Jackson, Tenn., and Chattanooga."
© 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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NEG Micon NM52 900kW
- Published in 500-1000 kW
- Read 352 times
With the Neg Micon NM52 900kW, NEG Micon had set new standard for the relation between price, quality and performance on the market for highly efficient wind turbines.
The Neg Micon NM52 900kW is a further development of the well-known and highly flexible wind turbine NM 750, which are suitable for most site conditions and climates.
That is why the NEG Micon NM52/900 is built according to the same fundamental design philosophy and on the same solid base of experience, documentation and know-how as the other NEG Micon wind turbines in this category. We call it proven technology!
View the embedded image gallery online at:


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Find Vehicle Inspection Sites Near Your Location
If your car is in need of a mandated inspection, GEICO can help you find the closest vehicle inspection location.
Vehicle inspections aren't safety inspections. They are GEICO required or state mandated inspections done to determine the condition of the vehicle. If this is related to a claim or repair, please search for an auto damage repair shop.
Enter your ZIP code in the box below and we'll show you a listing of the nearest vehicle inspection sites.
Search for Inspection Sites
Policyholders, find a vehicle inspection site near you. Just give us your ZIP, and we'll do the rest!


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Floodbreak Flood Barrier System Information
How are FloodBreak® Automatic Floodgates different from other flood barriers that have been around for so long?FloodBreak has revolutionized flood mitigation. No longer do you need to assign and train personnel to deploy flood barrier systems. The FloodBreak Automatic Floodgate is a permanent, passive flood control system that will deploy automatically without people or power dependency. It provides 24/7 flood protection and eliminates the risk of operations and human failure.
If people and power are not needed, what makes your system deploy?
The FloodBreak flood barrier is designed to automatically FLOAT up, so all that is needed is floodwaters to pool under the buoyant hinged panel and the hydrostatic pressure will deploy the gates without human intervention. View how it works
Why does the FloodBreak flood barrier float?
The FloodBreak automatic floodgate is actually a buoyant panel constructed of hollow aluminum extrusions. The extrusions are designed to be structural while also providing excellent flotation.
Additionally, the extrusions are chambered so that even if an area of the panel is compromised, the overall panel will still float. This is similar to the design of a ship's hull, where bulkheads protect the ship even if the hull is locally damaged.
Do you have any real world deployments?
We have 2500+ installed FloodBreak flood barriers protecting a wide range of facilities including hospitals, commercial buildings, subway systems, municipal properties, apartment garages and campuses. We have installations across the US and globally. Our flood barriers have been tried and tested in the field for over a decade.
There have been dozens of verified deployments in real flood conditions including many that have deployed more than once. That doesn't count the times the barrier floats up and returns to the rest position during a flash flood.
Have any of the gates failed?
Since our inception, there has never been flood damage behind a properly installed FloodBreak flood barrier.
What is the expected life of a FloodBreak Automatic Floodgate?
The gate is designed to last as long as the structure it is protecting. Materials are specified for long-term exposure to outdoor, industrial conditions. The units are low maintenance, highly durable, not prone to corrosion, and easy to clean and inspect.
What is the tallest FloodBreak floodgate?
We have numerous gates 12′ with many other tall gates in various stages of design & fabrication. There is no practical height limitation and gates can be designed for wave action loading and other requirements.
What is the longest FloodBreak flood barrier?
The longest installed FloodBreak flood barrier is 605 feet long. The system is built in panels that are each self-supporting so there is no practical limit to width or height.
Are there any limits to how high and wide you can build FloodBreak floodgates?
FloodBreak floodgates are designed with tension members rather than stanchions or vertical stops and are modular in nature. There are no practical limits in height or width, and we can provide custom-engineered solutions for any flood problem.
Can we put a FloodBreak Automatic Floodgate on an incline/decline?
Absolutely. Placing the floodgate on an incline or decline has no negative bearing on the function of the FloodBreak flood control system. We have installed FloodBreak flood barriers on minor inclines and in cambered roadways. The geometry of an installation almost never prohibits use of our system. We'd be happy to discuss your project.
Will debris affect the operation of the gate?
The gate and pan are designed to be self-clearing both before and during a flood. Debris is blocked from entering the pan prior to a flood, and the gate and tension members are designed to withstand impact from large objects floating in the floodwater.
Drains act to keep the pan clear during normal conditions and to remove the floodwater quickly once a flood has begun to subside. We always recommend checking and clearing the gate after a flood has receded. In over a decade of field deployments, debris has never caused damage or malfunction of our systems.
We have a problem with silt and clay in our floodwater. How does this affect the operation and maintenance of the FloodBreak Automatic Floodgate?
The FloodBreak passive flood barrier system will operate normally with silt and clay suspended in the floodwater. It doesn't impact the operation – even very muddy water will float the bouyant flood barrier. The system is designed so that debris is washed through to the pan and out the drainage pipes, including during rainstorms and other non-flood water events. Contact us to discuss the specifics on your project.
Does FEMA approve, endorse, or certify FloodBreak?
No. Federal policy does not allow FEMA to approve, endorse, certify, or recommend any products, contractors or companies. FEMA has indicated its preference for passive flood mitigation compared to active measures that require human dependency and FEMA has approved and funded a variety of mitigation projects that included FloodBreak passive floodgates. Learn More
Can the FloodBreak floodgate be opened before a flood, such as a hurricane?
Yes, FloodBreak Automatic Floodgates can be opened and locked into place before an imminent storm or flood event. The floodgates can be raised into the fully deployed position with human lifting, machine-assist, or a one-button self-contained lift system, depending on size and specification.
Will ice stop the FloodBreak flood barrier from deploying?
We have a number of cold weather locations already in service, and FloodBreak has performed flawlessly in the cold. Ice crusts and surface freezing will not affect the gate's ability to deploy.
If water is flowing, even under the ice, the hydrostatic pressure will lift the flood barrier. Some facilities take it a step further, either with routine maintenance to remove all ice and snow on a daily basis, or even heat tape embedded in the surface of the unit.
We work with each customer on an individual basis to plan for special circumstances such as these. Learn More.
Will we have to lubricate the hinges?
No, the hinges are designed to operate without lubrication even in harsh environments.
In the event of a flood, does the floodgate automatically go back down?
It really depends on how much floodwater deployed the gate. If a gate is deployed by a few inches of floodwater, the gate will lower back into the pan when the flood ends.
In the event of a major flood, the gate may stay in the fully open position. Some customers request that the gate have a lock to keep it in the open position after deployment so that the area can be checked and cleared after the flood recedes.
Does the floodgate have to be in a fully upright position to stop the flood?
No. The FloodBreak flood barrier will rise with the floodwater, from initial activation all the way to full deployment. The higher the flood, the higher the floodgate rises. The floodgate will hold back the maximum elevation of floodwater it is designed for, though most flood events are far less than the full design elevation.
Can FloodBreak Automatic Floodgates be used to prevent floods from sea water or will the materials corrode?
Yes, FloodBreak gates can be installed in marine applications. All of the components used in the fabrication of our gates are specified so that rust or corrosion are not a factor even in harsh environments such as road salt and salt water.
What is the material and rated life for the seals used in a FloodBreak floodgate system?
All of FloodBreak's seals are made from EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer). The blended sheet is a black colored sheet rubber which provides excellent resistance to weathering, chemicals, salts, ozone and UV exposure. It is rated for 10 year service life and can be easily replaced when required. See material specifications.
What are the maintenance requirements for FloodBreak Automatic Floodgates?
FloodBreak Automatic Floodgates are designed for decades of service life in extreme conditions and require minimal maintenance.They are designed to be self-clearing but a power washer can also be used to clean away any debris.
We recommend periodic inspection to check the gate panel, pan, and sidewalls for visible damage or misuse. With the gate in the raised position, the gasket, gasket flange bolts and hinges should also be checked. We suggest that spray lubricant be applied to the gaskets. That's it.
What is the warranty? Can we purchase an extended warranty?
FloodBreak's standard warranty is for one year, starting on the date of installation, and covers all materials and workmanship. We also offer an extended warranty and service plan which provide full warranty and maintenance coverage on an ongoing basis, giving you long term confidence for your installation.
What if someone parks atop the barrier?
A car parked atop the gate will not hurt the floodgate, but it may stop the flood barrier from deploying during a flood event.
Typically, the placement of the floodgates is such that a parked vehicle would obstruct the entry, making parking less likely. In cases where inappropriate parking is a possibility, two solutions have been used – painting the top of the gates with warning notices and/or posting no parking signage.
What if a car runs over the gate when it is partially up?
It depends on which direction the car is traveling and how high the gate is deployed. If the car is coming from the dry side into the flooded side and the gate is only partially deployed, the gate will be pushed down by the weight of the car and will float back to the deployed position when the car passes.
A car striking the partially deployed gate from the wet side can cause damage (to the car and possibly the gate as well). The gate is coated with high-visibility materials to provide a visual warning to drivers, and in high-traffic applications we can provide warning systems including strobes and even barrier arms if needed.
Can you demo the gate for me in person?
Absolutely. We have representatives across the USA and each has a mobile demonstration unit to bring to your place of business. Contact Us
How deep and wide of a hole is required to install the gate?
The best way to understand this is to refer to the Installation Guide. In this presentation you will find examples of how to formulate the hole size according to your gate size.
What options do we have in terms of coatings?
The standard coating is a non-slip, high-wear coating designed for long service life in outdoor, high-traffic installations. Color can be matched to customer specifications. The gate can also be skinned in architectural finishes, including carpet, tile, paving stones, granite, and other materials.
Sidewalls can be architectural materials that match the building facade. One of major benefits of FloodBreak is that the gate can be almost entirely hidden in the entryway to a structure.
How long will we need to keep our entry closed during installation?
A typical installation takes about 3 days from start to finish. In some cases, depending on site conditions you may not have to close your entrance at all. Click here for the Installation Guide.
Does FloodBreak install the gates?
We do not typically provide installation contracting. We do provide on-site supervision and advisory services during installation. It is a requirement for warranty activation.
Does FloodBreak service the floodgates?
We offer an annual service and extended warranty program which includes one site visit per year for inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of our products. The full FloodBreak warranty is included in this program, which can be renewed continuously for total peace of mind.
For a longer lengths, can you build a single continuous floodgate?
With our modular approach, we can provide any length needed for your project without sidewalls or breaks in the opening. Depending on the project, breaks may be placed strategically to assist maintenance or make turns in the wall. Floodgate panels can be delivered as a single unit or easily bolted together on site.
Can we pay with a credit card?
We do not accept credit cards but operate on standard commercial account terms for customers with approved credit.
Can I get help from FEMA for the cost of the gates?
Many of our installations have been part of larger FEMA mitigation projects, typically under the FEMA Section 406 grant program. FEMA has indicated its preference for passive flood mitigation solutions as they are more effective than active mitigation measures that requires human intervention. Your eligibility depends on specific FEMA requirements. To learn more about FEMA Hazard Mitigation funding under Section 406 visit: Hazard Mitigation Funding under Section 406 (Stafford Act)


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The 800-pound gorillas in the room that could make the establishment of a New Knights Templar difficult are nation states. One could easily make the argument that the history of mankind has been a violent one. In ancient times, kings and queens could send their empires to war or order the execution of a […]View Post
A New Knights Templar? Part 2
Certain conditions would have to exist before a New Knights Templar be formed in such a way that it could endure for the long haul, as the battle against militant Islam will not be won in the near future – in fact, it may become the Second Hundred Years War. A New Knights Templar […]View Post Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, French L. MacLean, Imam Syed Soharwardy, ISIL, ISIS, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, jihadists, militant Islam, New Knights Templar, Pope Francis, Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi, Second Hundred Years War, The Fifth Field


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Disney released the official trailer for "Moana," its upcoming animated film starring Johnson and newcomer Auli'i Cravalho, on Thursday and the film appears to be as fun as "Frozen," albeit in a much warmer setting.
The film tells the story of Moana, Disney's first Polynesian princess, as she sets out in the South Pacific to find Maui, a shape shifting demi-god played by Johnson.
"Moana" features songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is coming off playing Alexander Hamilton in the hit Broadway musical "Hamilton," which he wrote.
The colorful two and a half minute long trailer has Moana trying to save her village from sea monsters (some of which Moana finds to actually be cute) with the help of Maui. The trailer shows off beautiful computer animated imagery as well as pretty solid chemistry between Johnson and Cravalho, or at least their voices.
Disney is hoping "Moana" will be another piece in its recent animated renaissance, which has featured films like "Frozen," "Big Hero 6" and "Zootopia" that were hits with both audiences and critics.
If it is the smash Disney is hoping for, it would also continue a hot streak for Johnson, who Forbes just named Hollywood's highest paid actor of 2016.
"Moana" sails into theaters on November 23.


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Night Optics
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Available in 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Night Vision. The most versatile of all Night Vision devices. These multi-purpose powerhouses can be hand-held, mounted on headgear or helmets, attached to a camera or camcorder, or mounted directly to either a daytime spotting or rifle scope with our exclusive Day/Night Adaptor.
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Advanced high-resolution Night Vision technology and precision Optics make our powerful Night Vision Binoculars ideal for long-range viewing in the darkest conditions. The majority of Binoculars can be effortlessly converted into Night Vision Goggles for hands-free operation
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Night Optics USA's premier selection of Night Vision Goggles is ideal for terrain navigation, area scanning and target recognition. Can be handheld or used hands-free when mounted on a helmet or headgear. All Goggles easily convert into long-range Night Vision Binoculars.
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Sensing extremely small radiated heat signatures, combat-proven thermal systems give professional rescuers and first responders the edge in life saving, time critical situations. Advantages include all-weather, all-conditions target acquisition and engagement, whether in total darkness or through obscurants such as rain, smoke or fog.
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Select from our diverse list of accessories to increase the capability and versatility of virtually any system. Choose among: Lenses and Magnifiers; Infrared Illuminators; Weapon Mounting Systems; Helmets and Headgear Mounts; Specialized Attachments; Proprietary Accessories; and rugged Travel/Storage cases
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& Jury Award for Best Feature.
"Clear and Present Danger") received the 5th annual Beverly Hills Film Festival Legends
Award. Actress Marisol Nichols (ABC's "GCB") presented and accepted
the award in behalf of Archer.
2012 Beverly Hills Film Festival Awards
2012 BHFF award recipients were awarded with custom-made crystal and marble trophies.
A complete list follows:
The Golden Palm Award (best film in all categories) went to "The Black Tulip,"
directed by Sonia Nassery Cole.
Best Actor went to Haji Gul Aser "The Black Tulip."
Best Actress went to Katheryn Winnick for "Children of the Air."
Best Producer went to Sonia Nassery Cole and Chris Cole for "The Black Tulip."
Best Director went to Anthony Maras for "The Palace."
Best Foreign Film went to the Lebanese short film, "Anoesis" from directors Cyril Aris
and Mounia Akl.
Best Animation went to the short "Intermission Time" from filmmaker Michael Degg.
Best Cinematography went to "Children of the Air" from writer/director Damian Horan.
Best Editing went to the documentary "Uprising: Hip Hop & The L.A. Riots," from
filmmaker Mark Ford (and executive produced by Snoop Dogg).
Best Short Film went to "Henry" from writer/director Michael Bernard.
Best Documentary went to "7 Years Underground: A 60's Tale" from filmmaker Jason M. Solomon.
Best Feature Film went to "Worth the Weight," directed by Ryan Sage.
Best Feature Film went to "The Black Tulip," directed by Sonia Nassery Cole.Best Documentary went to "Uprising: Hip Hop & The L.A. Riots" from filmmaker Mark Ford and executive produced by Snoop Dogg).
Best Short Film went to "The Palace," directed by Anthony Maras.
The Golden Palm Screenplay Competition Award went to Beverly Gandara for "Rent Money."
The first runner-up award went to Michael Buchanan for "Confederate Son."
The second runner-up award went to "Rockin' Reverend" written by Scot Michael Walker.
About BHFF
The annual International Beverly Hills Film Festival was founded in 2001 by award-winning independent filmmaker Nino Simone. The 12th annual event, which took place from April 25 through 29, 2012, is dedicated to showcasing and promoting non-studio films to the entertainment industry. Designed to bridge the world of premiere independent cinema withthe renowned community of Beverly Hills, the festival hosts world-class screenings, networking events and industry seminars. Sponsors include Mosaic Hotel, CONFIDENTIAL Beverly Hills, Casa Noble Tequila, Bella Sol Foods, Icelandic Water, Image Metrics Inc., The Hollywood Reporter and Stella Artois. Screenings are held at the state-of-the-art Real D Theater, formerly Clarity Theater (100 North Crescent Drive), in Beverly Hills, California.


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"I have had the pleasure in working with Reactive Plumbing Services for a while now as Building Manager for several residential strata plans in Sydney.
Reactive Plumbing Services attend to every job with a professional approach. Their problem solving, repair skills and detailed reports stand out above others making my job as a Building Manager easier. I would strongly recommend contacting Reactive Plumbing Services for any plumbing repairs or upgrades."
"Reactive Plumbing have been the preferred plumbing contractor at the Castlevale complex, consisting of 160 residential units, since 2013. During that period they have provided a consistently high standard of service and workmanship. Their reliability, punctuality and professional approach are very pleasing features of the company.
Having the principals actually carrying out the work adds a personal dimension to dealing with them. It is my pleasure to recommend Reactive Plumbing".
"Volkofsky & Brown Pty Ltd has provided specialist facilities management services to a variety of large and boutique strata developments in Sydney for over 12 years.
Our success can be attributed in many ways to the contractors that we entrust to repair, maintain and improve the Common Property for our valued clients. That is why I am delighted to provide a testimonial for Reactive Plumbing Services.
If you insist on good quality work at a fair price, value a small team of enthusiastic, polite and professional individuals who clearly appreciate your work and require an accurate and detailed description of all work when performed, then give Ben Hern or Ben Morson a call".
"We have used Reactive Plumbing Services here at Sydney University Village since early 2014.
In that time Reactive Plumbing Services have completed works including equipment replacements and upgrades, commissioning and a wide range of maintenance.
Their workers are always well presented and courteous and arrive onsite in a timely manner when urgently required".
Our Reviews
The best. Great work but even greater blokes.
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These guys know their stuff, they know how to meet deadlines and are very well priced, if I had any more plumbing required around my place I wouldn't think twice about giving them a call.
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Reactive Plumbing are the go-to guys for all your maintenance plumbing hassles. Honest, reliable and they turn up when they say they will. I highly recommend their service.
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Not just great plumbers - also good looking chaps as well!!
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Reactive Plumbing were extremely prompt when called upon and tailored their services to suit my needs
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Very responsive, quick and quality work at a very reasonable price!!
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Maine vs Connecticut lobster rolls
One region: New England, two lobster roll recipes: Maine and Connecticut. Learn how to make your own from scratch and decide for yourself what version deserves the "best lobstah roll" prize.
Our local and beyond travels, the recipes it inspires us and what we would recommend to our friends when we come back. Some delicacies for the eyes and the tastebuds, in sum. Written by two enthusiastic frogs who left their French hometown a decade ago, hopping from Canada to Taiwan to England to the US.


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Damaging the Body: Changing Models of Alcohol Harm
The second seminar in the series Damaging the Body: Physical Harm and the Self, 1850 – 2010, will take place in the Wellcome Library this Friday evening. Details: Friday 20 April, 6pm Dr James Nicholls (Bath Spa University) It All Adds… Continue reading
Big Picture: Addiction
The latest edition of Big Picture, the Wellcome Trust resource for teachers and students, has just been published. It looks at the topic of 'Addiction': analysing the different forms addiction can take and the science used to understand it. There's… Continue reading
Exploring Wellcome Collection: A Social History of Madness in Europe
What did it mean to suffer mental health problems in the past? How was madness understood and how were patients treated? Drawing on the rich holdings both in the Library and Wellcome Collection, this short course looks at the history… Continue reading
Schnaps: public messages about alcohol
This graph (Wellcome Library no. 689465i) is one of the latest works to enter the Wellcome Library catalogue. Unexciting to look at, perhaps, despite its outlandish subject. It combines two graphs in one: the top half shows new admissions of… Continue reading


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Romney's Religion Problem
This column was written by Michelle Cottle.
Is it possible that Al Sharpton has finally said something so politically stupid that even he realizes the need to shut the hell up?
During a debate on religion this week with professional grump Christopher Hitchens, Sharpton remarked of GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, "As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation." Al being Al, the remark was seen by many as a slam on Romney's Mormonism, prompting the governor's campaign to denounce Sharpton for religious bigotry. The good reverend, in turn, has been backtracking furiously as he struggles to explain what he really meant, who he was really talking about, and what he really thinks of Mormons. No one should expect an apology from Sharpton any time soon. Big Al doesn't do apologies. But at least the reverend is making an effort to avoid a theological pissing contest as he attempts to extract his wingtip from his fat, flapping pie hole.
Which is a good thing. Because if there's one way to help Mitt Romney win the hearts of the Republican base — and allow him to emerge as a formidable contender in the general election — it's by helping him paint himself a victim of religious persecution by Democrats. While many in the GOP find Romney's Mormonism objectionable and creepy, it's safe to assume they find Sharpton even more so. Besides, if the reverend wants Romney's faith to sink his candidacy, his best bet is still to sit back and let religious conservatives do the work for him. The doctrinal distinctions between Mormonism and, say, Methodism may not mean much to secular types inside the Beltway. But the folks praising Jesus around the rest of the country remain torn.
In the wake of last week's Republican debate, in fact, I started calling around to chat with social conservatives about the field of presidential wannabes. One prominent activist graciously took time out from burning an effigy of Rudy What's-the-Big-Deal-About-Roe? Giuliani to share this tidbit: "I asked a friend of mine who's a pastor in Middle America, 'You have a choice between two candidates: Hillary Clinton versus someone who is good on social issues and who is a Mormon.' And my friend said, 'I don't think I could vote for a Mormon.' "
Think about that: A social conservative is given the choice between a Mormon and Hillary Clinton — the modern personification of Evil for GOP wingers — and he can't make up his mind? This does not bode well for Mitt's fortunes in the Heartland.
Not that one anecdote an election makes. But this is representative of the kind of story that the conservatives I've been talking to say they're hearing from the conservatives they've been talking to. It is also the sort of sentiment contributing to poll numbers indicating that between one-quarter and one-third of Americans would not vote for a Mormon — a number that grows much bigger when you include less definitive options, such as those who say that they wouldn't be comfortable voting for a Mormon or those who believe the country isn't ready for a Mormon (two-thirds of America, if last September's Gallup poll is on target.) Not insignificantly for Romney, a February 2007 Gallup poll showed that, the more religious a person is, the more likely he is to have a negative view of Mormonism.
As of now, the candidate is largely ignoring the issue and hoping that it will fade. But it's tough to imagine that the widespread, if utterly irrational, unease over Mormonism is likely to get much better on its own any time soon. For starters, the second season of HBO's Mormon-themed "Big Love" starts June 11, once again spotlighting that whole unseemly polygamy stereotype that continues to plague the church, official policy notwithstanding. Then there's the September Dawn movie coming to theaters in late June, recounting the 1857 episode in which a group of Mormons slaughtered some 120 Arkansas settlers bound for California. As Bob Novak, who saw an advanced screening, described it, the movie depicts then-church president Brigham Young, "as a 19th-century Osama bin Laden. Calling himself a 'second Muhammad,' he insists on the 'shedding of blood' of 'gentiles.'" In a nation where most folks know vanishingly little about Mormonism, Team Romney had better start praying that the movie tanks.
Compounding the problem, Romney's Mormonism threatens to turn some of his electoral pluses into question marks. Most notably, his fund-raising prowess should serve as a show of his political potency. But with a huge chunk of it raised from Mormon-dominated Utah, the storyline has been more ambivalent, with various political watchers noting that it complicates Romney's attempts to reassure voters of his independence from the church. Then there's the candidate's smooth, too-perfect demeanor, which raises all sorts of mouth-watering questions: What is he hiding? Did he cut a deal with Satan for that hair? Is he a charismatic cultist looking to amass political power and then impose his version of God's will on the American people? These are the sort of gut-level intangibles on which a U.S. presidential election can turn.
Richard Land, head of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the public-policy arm of the Southern Baptists, believes Romney must tackle the Mormon issue head on and says he has counseled Romney to give a speech à la JFK on Catholicism in the 1960 race. Message: I am not a creature of my church. But while Romney has reportedly studied Kennedy's speech, he has thus far declined to attempt something similar, instead sticking with his Americans-are-above-that-sort-of-bigotry line. As he told Sean Hannity just this week, "That's a great thing about this country. We don't — we don't decide who's going to be in office based on what church they go to."
That may be the great thing about We the People in general, Mitt. But that's a risky position to take with the Republican base. (For a fuller accounting of why, see Amy Sullivan's piece in the September 2005 Washington Monthly.)
Indeed, if Romney is really serious about becoming president, I'd like to propose an even more radical course of action than Land's: The governor should switch teams altogether and run as a Democrat. Admittedly, the polling on Dems' views of Mormonism is no more promising (and in some cases less so) than on Republicans'. But my guess is that this has to do less with theology than ideology, with most Democrats assuming that a generic Mormon candidate would be far too conservative for their tastes.
But we're not talking about a generic Mormon. We're talking about Mitt Romney, who once upon a time supported abortion rights and vowed to fight for gay rights more vigorously than liberal lion Ted Kennedy. His past support of government funding for stem-cell research should sit well with Dems, as should his past support of gun control. Admittedly, the governor would need to shift left on a range of issues including taxes and Iraq. But come on! What's another conversion or two for a guy who has already shown himself to be so ideologically flexible? At the very least, as a Democrat, Romney wouldn't have to shoulder the burden of guilt that must come from concocting patently absurd stories about his life-long love affair with varmint hunting.
So why not take a walk on the dark side, Mitt? Forget about trying to convince all those nervous evangelicals of your doctrinal acceptability and start thinking about ways to cut greenhouse gases, woo immigrants, and get us the hell out of Iraq. If you don't like it, you can always flip-flop back to the GOP in 2012. In the meantime, just think of how much fun you and Sharpton could have hanging out at next summer's Democratic convention.
By Michelle Cottle
If you like this article, go to www.tnr.com, which breaks down today's top stories and offers nearly 100 years of news, opinion, and analysis


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Now What? Conference 2013
Blend Interactive
Thursday, April 18, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CDT)
Event Details
You've launched a website. Now What?
From web project management, web governance, and content strategy, we'll cover the topics you need to know to manage your website over the long-term.
About the Conference
There's a tendency to believe that a web project ends on launch. But websites are living, breathing organisms, constantly changing and in need of updates and editorial guidance.
The Now What? Conference was created to help bring together web and marketing professionals from across the region to hear from some of today's leaders in web project management, web governance, and content strategy.
More than Just a Lecture
Now What? Conference 2013 is more than just a sit and listen conference - it's an opportunity for a full day of professional development and networking at an affordable price. In addition to talking shop with colleagues and speakers, attendees will be able to:
- Stay ahead of the curve in new practices and technology
- Make smarter decisions about workflow and site copy
- Reenergize web and marketing efforts
- Begin developing an editorial plan
- Answer the question, "What do we do with our website?"
All We're Missing Is You
One full day of speakers. Eight hours of some of the industry's leaders in content strategy, web governance and content management. A room filled with like-minded people eager to learn.
We asked. You answered. We listened. Now What? 2013 has been designed with your needs in mind. Which means this thing will fill up fast.
Ticket Fine Print:
- Badges are issued to individuals and can be picked up and used only by the individual named.
- Unused registrations have no monetary value and cannot be credited for future years or events.
- Tickets are non-refundable after April 1, 2013
When & Where
Washington Pavilion
301 South Main Avenue
Sioux Falls,
Thursday, April 18, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CDT)
Add to my calendar


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Glo Time Zone offer have been rested by Globacom, but the Glo Big Dash promises even more with just N40 you can make unlimited Glo to Glo calls.
Related Topic
- Glo Broad Access: fixed landline
- Glo Big Dash: N40 daily for unlimited Glo to Glo calls
- Glo 3G plus: pre-paid internet packages
- Glo 3G plus: post-paid internet packages
- Glo 3G plus: HSDPA high speed internet
- Glo 3G plus for HSDPA internet, video calls & mobile TV
Umidigi 9th Anniversary Sale For up to 50% Off Umidigi Phones, Click Here
Oct 16 and Oct 17 Only
Glo subscribers in Nigeria will enjoy discounts on Glo on-net calls in a new promo by Globacom. The promo called Glo Time Zone Offer will give Glo mobile subscribers up to 95% discounts on Glo to Glo calls. Depending on the time of the day the call is made, a Glo subscriber can get discounts ranging from 20% to 95%. You can now make cheap Glo on-net calls with your Glo mobile phone.
Call discounts for the Glo Time Zone Offer is as follows:
- Midnight – 5am: 95%
- 5am – 8am: 40%
- 1pm – 3pm: 20%
- 10pm – Midnight: 30%
Call discounts apply to Glo to Glo calls only.
Glo mobile is also running another promo called Glo Classic plus N2009 that will see all new subscribers to the Glo classic package who activate their lines before this 2009 receiving guaranteed benefits worth N2009 over a six months period. The benefits will come in form of free on-net SMS and airtime from Glo to Glo calls.
Glo mobile is a leading mobile telecommunication company in Nigeria with over 20 million subscribers.
For more information about Glo Time Zone offer, Glo Classic plus N2009, and other Glo promos and services, visit Globacom website at www.gloworld.com.
Related Topic


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Samantha Bond (Downton Abbey) and Francesca Annis (Reckless) star as bitter rivals for control of the Women's Institute in a rural English town as it struggles with the onset of World War II.
Hailed by the London Daily Mirror as "an astonishing story about women as war breaks out" HOME FIRES also stars Clare Calbraith (Downton Abbey), Ed Stoppard (Upstairs Downstairs), and Claire Rushbrook (Whitechapel).
The six-part Masterpiece series starts Sunday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m.
- Episode One Sunday, October 4. With World War II imminent, the local Women's Institute dissolves after Joyce resigns as president. Frances tries to revive the group with a jam-making project.
- Episode Two Sunday, October 11. The Women's Institute is back, and the RAF arrives in town. Pat endures abuse. Alison's dog has a close call. The local doctor faces up to his fate.
- Episode Three Sunday, October 18. Alison takes desperate steps to pay a bill. Claire asks Spencer out. Pat makes a speech but pays the consequences. The farmer and vicar do their duty.
- Episode Four Sunday, October 25. Frances plans an air raid shelter. Alison breaks the law; so does Miriam. Steph hides a secret that threatens the farm. Kate gets shattering news.
- Episode Five Sunday, November 1. Frances welcomes an evacuee. Laura follows her sister's footsteps. Spencer is shunned. Teresa gets bad news and makes a confession.
- Episode Six Sunday, November 8. Alison tries to escape her troubles before the jig is up. Miriam experiences despair and joy. Pat is freed from tyranny. Laura's secret is out.


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मुंबई Mumbai: Work on the much-awaited Rs.23136 crore Colaba-Bandra-Seepz underground metro corridor in Mumbai is set to take off, little over a year after getting nod from the Centre.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan will lay the foundation stone for the project tomorrow, paving the way for commencement of work as the State enters the poll mode.
Chavan will perform the ground-breaking ceremony which will be attended by Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, among others.
The project got moving in just 14 months – unusual for a city where project delays are the norm – after being approved by the Centre on June 27, 2013. The iconic Bandra-Worli SeaLink got completed, that too partially, in 23 years.
The government had scrapped the second metro line for the city – between Charkop and Mankhurd – following a dispute over a right of way for a metro depot.
The government signed a loan agreement with the Japanese funding agency JICA on September 17, 2013 and it was notified under the Metro Act by the Centre the next day. The project is likely to be completed by FY'20.
The ceremony will be conducted near the Marol fire station in the northern fringe of the megapolis.
The State has tied up with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for funding through MMRDA, the development body for Mumbai and adjoining areas. JICA, which will be funding 57 per cent of the total project cost of Rs 23,136 crore, will provide a loan worth Rs 13,235 crore.
The Centre and the State will bear the rest of the cost. Further, Rs 777 crore will be borne by the Mumbai International Airport, since the metro will pass through the areas under its control.
Mumbai Metro Rail Corp (MMRC) had in June invited expressions of interest from consultants for implementation of the 32.5km corridor, including testing and commissioning.
MMRC had earlier received pre-qualification bids from 14 consortia for the project, which will connect South Mumbai to western suburbs, to be developed on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis.
The Colaba-Seepz line will have 27 stations – 26 underground and one at Aarey Colony, Goregaon, overground. The corridor is expected to carry 13.9 lakh commuters daily by 2021 and 17 lakh by 2031.


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Warning: Fairly lengthy article, something of a rant, and I'm going to say "bullshit" quite a few times. Buckle up, buttercup… In Guy Kawasaki's book, Reality Check, he claims "Silicon Valley is a meritocracy like nowhere else." Bullshit. Look at … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2017
Leadership has Rules
Leaders, new and old, sometimes lose sight of the most fundamental tenets of leadership. Here's a reminder… I frequently tell executives that leadership – its concepts, theory, and core applications – haven't changed in a millennium. Some our … [Read more...]


text: Double-sided multi-scaled map of Mornington Peninsula National Park and Arthurs Seat State Park. Covers the entire Two-Bays Walking Track from Dromana to Cape Schanck. Shows all tourist sites, wineries, picnic grounds and walking tracks, in and around the parks, walking Track notes for more than 12 walks in the parks plus information on the coastal formations, history and development of parks compliments the map. Ideal for bush walkers, day trippers holiday makers.


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January 2015
Using a fleet of Volvo machines, Al Rosan Contracting has created a vital link between Saudi Arabia and Oman through the Empty Quarter
A FLEET of 95 Volvo machines has helped build the first-ever highway through the world's largest and most barren desert – the Empty Quarter – establishing a vital connection between Saudi Arabia and Oman.
The project is expected to have a major beneficial impact for people and businesses of the Arabian Peninsula neighbours, as the direct route through the desert will reduce journey times dramatically.
In 2010, Al Rosan Contracting was one of the contractors hired to build the first ever road connecting the two locations, consisting of a 519-km-long highway and has been using Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) machines. The longest part of the road which Al Rosan Contracting was commissioned to build (256 km) comprises a single-lane carriageways and in sections where there are steep inclines, secondary lanes are added for trucks and slower-moving traffic.
The Rub Al Khali desert, also known as The Empty Quarter or the 'quarter of emptiness', is spread over four Arab nations and covers 600,000 sq km. This includes Saudi Arabia, areas of Oman, the UAE, and Yemen. The desert itself is 1,000 km long by 500 km wide and surface elevation varies from 800 m in the southwest to sea level in the northeast. The terrain is covered with steep sand dunes with heights up to an incredible 250 m.
"The entire project was a challenge from day one whether it was the climatic conditions, topography of the area, the distance from the nearest inhabited city or availability of spare parts, logistics and services," says Fahad Hazza Aba Alros, general manager of Al Rosan Contracting.
"Trying to build a road on shifting sand dunes was always going to be difficult," he adds.
The project involved building sand bridges across salt flats and high rising dunes, so the selection of adaptable and reliable equipment was critical for this project, not least because of the aggressive environment, intense heat, sand and remoteness of the site.
"The challenges were mainly the climate and enormous volumes of sand to be moved," says Eslam Reddah, workshop supervisor, Al Rosan Contracting. "Volvo Construction Equipment machines were chosen because of their reliability in extreme conditions."
The construction of the 256-km road was completed in sections and involved gigantic amounts of sand 'cut and fill'. The sand transported to construct the bridge was 130 million cu m – the equivalent of 26 giant pyramids – and 12 million cu m of material was needed to protect the embankment of sand from wind and water.
The equipment was ordered throughout several stages of the project, totalling 95 Volvo machines, including a range of articulated haulers, excavators and motor graders. As the project progressed, a lead excavation team tackled the dunes while aiding the excavation and building of the raised surface and foundations for the road.
"The aim of this project was to directly connect two countries by road for the first time, making it easier for citizens to travel from the borders," says Fayez Subbaheen, project manager at Al Rosan Contracting.
Hundreds of drivers, excavator operators, technicians and auxiliary workers – almost 600 in total – were employed over the three-year project. They lived in self-contained camps strategically designed with facilities to support this unique development. The remote location, 1,000 km away from the Saudi capital Riyadh, presented Volvo's service and maintenance teams with a demanding schedule. This was manifested by the extreme desert temperatures, reaching 50 deg C in the day and dropping to below 1 deg C at night.
Every day the construction team worked 14-hour shifts excavating and depositing sand that was then compacted using naturally salty ground water. The time constraints of this project depended on the Volvo machines working relentlessly.
Throughout the project, the Volvo equipment was put through tens of thousands of working hours with just very little machine downtime, which translates to an incredible availability.
"We also monitored the equipment for reliability and conducting fluid analyses to check the contamination of engine oils – the results have all been an excellent 'A'," says a spokesman for Al Rosan.
He attributes these results to the quality of Volvo CE's filtration systems. "While we have generally had to change filters once a week with other equipment, Volvo's engine air filtration system ensures that the primary filter does not allow fine sand to pass to the secondary filter," he says.
In addition, Volvo had also sent qualified trainers to train Al Rosan's drivers, who were all new to Volvo machines.
Commenting on the costs, the spokesman says: "While the price of a Volvo CE machine is slightly higher, in the long term it is more cost competitive as the machines are reliable, we have so far not required any spare parts, and the maintenance requirements are standard."
Headquartered in Riyadh, Al Rosan is a specialist in road construction with more than 35 years of experience behind it and with a Grade A classification from the Saudi Ministry of Transportation. It has completed hundreds of projects throughout Saudi Arabia and is one in the few companies in the kingdom with expertise and experience to take on projects such as the highway across the Empty Quarter.
Established in 1976, the family-run company has branches in many Saudi cities including in Qassim, Tabuk, Rafha, Jouf, Turaif and at the Oman border.
Volvo CE is a major international company developing, manufacturing and marketing equipment for construction and related industries.
Volvo CE is part of the Volvo Group, the world's largest manufacturer of diesel engines in the nine- to 18-litre category. The group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications. It also provides complete solutions for financing and related services.
Saudi Arabia is a key market for Volvo CE, which is one of the world's largest manufacturers of construction machines. The Sweden-based firm offers a wide range of products for the construction sector including skid steers, compact, backhoe and wheel loaders, compact, wheeled and crawler excavators, articulated haulers, motor graders, soil and asphalt compactors, pavers, milling machines, compact equipment and material handling equipment – the most popular in the kingdom being its excavators, wheel loaders and articulated haulers.
The company is doing well in the roads and infrastructure as well as the energy sectors. Its major customers in Saudi Arabia range from multinational and large construction companies to small individual owners. Volvo's pipe layers have also been well received in the market.


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Initially 'Saturday Movie Serials' - e.g. Batman (1943) and Captain America (1944) - were successful with young audiences, but fundamentally Superhero Movies went into decline in the 1950s and 1960s, and did not pick up until much later. Occasional films like Batman (1966) with Adam West, borrowing from the success of the TV series, and Mario Bava's Danger: Diabolik (1968) were exceptions, offering limited interest at the cinema.
With this in mind, it was not until Superman (in 1978) that the genre took off with the film scoring a critical and commercial. This is why when we talk about historical examples of the genre it is difficult to cite examples before 1978, as in terms of cinema the genre has only featured broadly in cinemas since the late 1970s. In relation to literature, the Superhero genre has always maintained a cult following, facilitated to a significant degree by DC Comics and Marvel.
Many Superhero films in the 1970s and 1980s benefited from the developing popularity of the Fantasy genre, and the commercial success of Science Fiction films, like Star Wars (1977). The films also explore notions of hybridity crossing over with Action, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Children's animated films, Comedy and to a lesser extent, Horror. Below is an extensive, although not exhaustive list of key texts:
- Superman (1978)
- Superman II (1980)
- Swamp Thing (1982)
- Superman III (1983)
- Supergirl (1984)
- The Toxic Avenger (1985)
- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
- Batman (1989)
- Dick Tracey (1990)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
- Darkman (1990)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)
- Batman Returns (1992)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (1993)
- Batman Forever (1995)
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)
- X-Men (2000)
- Unbreakable (2000)
- Spider-Man (2002)
- The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
- Hulk (2003)
- X-Men 2 (2003)
- Catwoman (2004)
- The Incredibles (2004)
- Spider-Man...