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Wednesday, August 14, 2013
An Alternative To Higher Cash Rent For 2014Tweet
If you are renting farmland, have you opened up the discussions with your land owner about rental arrangements for 2014? If that has occurred, did the land owner express expectations for more cash rent, either because of higher land values or because they heard farmers were making a lot more money and could pay more rent? As this report has expressed on prior occasions, 2013 revenues will be less than they were in 2012, and 2014 revenues are likely to be even less if another big crop is produced next year. Operators will expect to push cash rent down for next year, and owners will expect cash rent to go up. There may be a way for both of you to achieve your goals.
Land owners have heard that cash rents have not kept up with either land values or commodity revenue per acre, and undoubtedly want a greater share of the action. But there is always the old question of "What is a fair rent?" Many operators have poured over their cash flow projections and have been unable to find where they can afford to pay more cash rent. But paying more cash rent may not be possible if an operator wants to remain in the black and still feed his family. An alternative is suggested by University of Illinois farm management specialist Gary Schnitkey, which will allow the owner to have more cash without the operator writing a bigger rent check. The alternative is a shift to a share-rent leasing arrangement. Schnitkey says based on data on fairly productive farms, there is a greater opportunity for land owners to make substantially more money by agreeing to a 50-50 crop share lease with the operator. Such a lease, which is a common arrangement, provides 50% of revenue to the owner, and the owner also pays 50% of crop production expense. The operator supplies labor and equipment and the owner is responsible for paying the taxes and marketing his or her commodities.
Schnitkey says there is no data available on the owner's share of the farm records he studied, so he looked at operator records, calculated 50% of crop sales revenue and 50% of crop input costs. The finding was that owner income from a 50-50 crop share lease returned substantially more revenue to the owner than a cash rental arrangement. Schnitkey says, "Average cash rents as reported by NASS increased (over time). Cash rents were $179 per acre in 2008, $183 in 2009, $189 in 2010, $203 in 2011, and $231 in 2012. Overall, average cash returns have been below share-rent returns. From 2008 through 2012, cash rents averaged $197 per acre, compared to share-rent returns of $298 and $272 per acre for high- and low-productivity farmland, respectively."
As indicated by the dashed line—which depicts cash rents—the average of cash rents are well under the level of income that crop-share owners would have received.
Land owners will likely seek more cash rents for the coming farm leasing year, but the prospects for crop revenue will make that a precarious agreement for farm operators. One potential solution is to offer the owner a crop share lease. In a typical share rent in recent years, the owner would have received much more income than a straight cash rent lease, and the outcome would have benefitted the farm operator with a lower risk.
Posted by Stu Ellis on 08/14 at 11:37 PM | Permalink


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The Biology Field Station offers an interactive setting where students and other visitors become involved in doing science and other STEM lessons, receive a tour of the laboratories or partake in a variety of outdoor activities.
Throughout fall and spring semesters, day-long field trips are offered for K-12 students. These events are conducted by the Field Station staff, along with Thomas More EDU and STEM students who have developed, inquiry and standard-based activities that focus on the biodiversity and ecology of the Ohio River watershed.
The faculty and students at the Center educate and engage visitors about the Ohio River ecosystem and surrounding watershed, teach the value of the watershed to those who live within it, and empower students to make a positive impact on the River and the surrounding environment.
* Field Trips and Tours are limited to 30 visitors:
To schedule a field trip or for additional information, please see:
- Reservation Form
- Sample Activities
- Frequently Asked Questions
For additional information, please contact:
Emily Pickett, M.S.
STEM Outreach Coordinator
Thomas More University Biology Field Station
(865) 293-6516 | email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
September 26, 2012
Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced the discontinuation of work on the experimental hepatitis C drug ALS-2158 and resumption of development on another hepatitis C drug, ALS-2200. ALS-2158, which was being developed with partner Alios BioPharma Inc., did not show enough efficacy. On the other hand, ALS2200 showed promise in an early trial. The company is planning a mid-stage or Phase II trial of ALS-2200 in combination with ribavirin and one trial to evaluate ALS-220 in combination with the existing drug Incivek. Incivek, which must be taken with interferon, was approved in 2011 and so far has doubled the cure rate of prior standard treatments.
Vertex acquired worldwide rights to ALS-2200 in a licensing agreement with Alios in June 2011. According to the company, the drug is designed to inhibit replication of the hepatitis C virus and the virus does not seem to become easily resistant to it. ALS-2200 is a nucleotide analogue or nuc, a class of drugs that has had problems with safety concerns.
Vertex is competing with other pharmaceutical companies including Gilead Sciences, Inc., and Abbott Laboratories to bring to market a hepatitis C drug that is not taken in combination with interferon, as interferon causes flu-like symptoms and may make patients discontinue treatment. For these reasons, the company is being tight-lipped about the structure of ALS-2200. However, more details are expected at a medical conference in November.
Adapted from:
Chicago Tribune
09.25.2012; Toni Clarke, Reuters
No comments have been made.
The content on this page is free of advertiser influence and was produced by our editorial team. See our content and advertising policies.


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Van Halen Brothers Sue Drummer's Ex Over Name
Eddie Van Halen and his bandmate brother Alex are suing the drummer's ex-wife for using her famous married name in a new business venture.
The rockers claim Kelly Van Halen's construction and interior design company dilutes the band's brand and creates unfair competition.
Kelly and Alex divorced in 1996 after 12 years of marriage but she kept her name from the union, and now her ex-husband and former brother-in-law are taking her to court in California over her moniker.
In the brothers' lawsuit, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Kelly is said to have filed two trademark applications under her name for products like chairs, children's blankets and interior design services. They claim her name is "confusingly similar to Plaintiff's Van Halen marks in sound, appearance and commercial impression."


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Days Inn Litchfield hotels are listed below. Search for cheap and discount Days Inn hotel prices in Litchfield, CT for your family, individual or group travels. We list the best Days Inn Litchfield hotels so you can review the Litchfield Days Inn hotel list below to find the perfect place.
This technology will show you discounted Litchfield, CT hotels that are comparable to the quality of Days Inn.Need a group/meeting discount? Get quotes from hotels in Litchfield CT
How should we direct your call?


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I understand that there are about 310 million people living in the United States, and private citizens here own about 300 million firearms. If these figures are even roughly correct, then the gun industry faces the challenge of selling into a saturated market. They clearly have a motive for promoting repeat and multiple sales while repressing any regulations that would slow down the process or discourage the buyer.
In November of 2012, a barbaric mass human sacrifice was performed in Newtown, Conn.
We were predictably appalled by this, and our representatives in state and federal legislatures rushed to enact new regulations aimed at forestalling further tragedies of this kind. Right on cue, the gun industry's client apologists in the National Rifle Association jumped in to defend the ideal of an unregulated gun trade, ostensibly to arm a "well-regulated militia," whatever they imagine that to mean. They have employed scary rhetoric about the big, bad government's intention to shut down the market. Meanwhile, several thousand more Americans have died of gunshot wounds while Washington has been too intimidated by the NRA to even pass a modest requirement for background checks.
To nobody's surprise, the gun industry has since proudly posted and unprecedented surge in sales. Recently, National Public Radio reported that a shortage of ammunition for some models has triggered price-gouging and scalping on the Internet, all in service to the glut of panic buyers.
While the gun industry can well gloat, "mission accomplished," I say, "Rest in peace, children."
Thad Paulhamus, Baltimore


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The 243 male officers of the Rockford Police Department now have the option of sporting a beard on the job.
As many as a third of the men on the force have grown a beard since the decades-old policy against facial hair, except for trim mustaches, changed Jan. 31, said Lt. Patrick Hoey.
Long, "Duck Dynasty"-type beards still aren't allowed. The beards can't be more than one-half-inch long.
"It's a huge hit" among officers, said Detective Shalene Eagleson. In her role on an officers committee, she researched the policies of some 20 police departments across the country before presenting her findings to Chief Chet Epperson. "It's the trend, and it's been the trend for quite some time," she said.
The policy also was changed to allow female officers — there are 39 in the department — with longer hair to wear ponytails instead of just braids or buns on the top of their heads. "It gives you a little bit more freedom," said officer Kaera Watson, who has been with the department for a year and wears a ponytail or bun at work.
Officer Josh Peterson has been wearing a beard full time for a month. "It's a change," said Peterson, who for the past 12 years on the force had shaved his beard before returning to work after hunting trips.
Sgt. Eric Bruno, who has been on the force for 21 years, said he started wearing a beard as something new to do. Beards are "in vogue" in popular culture, he said, noting Carson Daly, host of "The Voice," and Matt Lauer, "Today" show anchor, wore them for months this year. Bruno said he'll likely shave his beard this summer.
Bruno hasn't heard complaints about plainclothes officers or detectives sporting facial hair, but he said some in the public "don't like the officers in uniform wearing beards."
Dominic Iasparro, deputy chief of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department, said sheriff's deputies can't wear beards. "The image of law enforcement needs to be clean-cut, professional, a military-style image," he said. There are 134 sheriff's deputies, including a dozen females.
The Philadelphia Police Department allows officers to wear beards, but only if a doctor says the policeman has a medical condition that shaving makes a problem, said department spokeswoman Christine O'Brien.
The Pittsfield Police Department in Pittsfield, Mass., has allowed trim beards since October, said John Murphy, a patrol officer. He is one of two to three dozen officers out of about 80 male officers sporting beards. "It does not affect the ability to do (police) calls," he said.
Rockfordians I chatted with on Wednesday in downtown Rockford agree.
"It doesn't matter," said David Hansen, 32.
"It has nothing to do with their job," said Charles Newble, 62.
"I don't have a problem with it, as long as it's nice and trim," said Elaine Smallmon, 74.
So, there you have it. Now on to fighting crime.
Georgette Braun: 815-987-1331; firstname.lastname@example.com; @georgettebraun


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Help with Garden Maintenance
Budget $250-750 USD
We have a small yard that we are working on a bit at a time. The yard was shaped by the family that purchased the house in the 1950's, and maintenance fell behind as they aged and then with the second owner of the house. I'm the third owner, and it is time to catch up on the maintenance. Immediately, we need to get the cherry tree pruned for the first time in decades. When the time is right, we will need to move about 10 rose bushes to an area of the yard that gets more sun. We don't mind doing the work, but there are areas where we need the guidance and planning from an expert. The cherry tree, for example... I don't want to butcher it. Timing and moving the sensitive roses... I know it needs done, but I need an expert to decide when and what precautions to take (and to help with the muscle). This isn't going to be a $1,000 project in a week, but it is going to be something close to that spread over the next six months.
In short, I'm hoping for someone who runs a small shop, loves gardening, knows natives, understands roses, won't mind helping us learn something along the way, and isn't going to be disappointed with an iterative process or with us providing some of the labor.
1 freelancer is bidding on average $900 for this job
Hello, I live in Rockville, MD, not too far from DC. Although I am not a landscaper per se, I would like to help you with your project and have some related experience: - I am a part-time farmer in Montgomery Co More


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A monsignor working as an accountant for the Vatican has been accused of taking 600,000 Euros from a Vatican bank and attempting to illegally move (possibly with the intent to steal) 20,000,000 more. He has been arrested with two accused accomplishes (a secret service agent and financial intermediary). Per the article:
The cleric, Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, worked as an accountant in the Vatican's financial administration. He was suspended from duties several weeks ago after being placed under investigation by magistrates. Scarano is accused of taking 600,000 euros out of a Vatican Bank account. He is said to have taken out small amounts at a time and given them to friends who in turn wrote him cheques. The money was apparently used to pay off a mortgage. The Monsignor's lawyer Silverio Sica said he was additionally accused of being involved in an attempt to help friends bring 20 million euros into Italy from Switzerland by plane in league with the secret service agent and the financial intermediary.
Views: 291
It seems to me that the Vatican Bank is in enough trouble as it is, with accusations of money laundering already aimed at it. This plus the priest child abuse scandal do not paint an especially positive picture of Vatican City, Francis' attempts at outreach notwithstanding.
Could it be we're watching the wheels come off in slow motion? A man can hope.
Eventually, some of the faithful will have a epiphany - just because a man talks to an invisible ghost all day, does not preclude him from being a scumbag.
Could it be we're watching the wheels come off in slow motion? A man can hope.
I hope they have a fast motion version - it could be really funny - sort of Keystone Cops chase scene in long robes and funny hats
That seems to increase the chances, actually. I dunno; maybe it's just the increased opportunity, granted by the unwarranted trust placed in them.
First things first. Why the hell is Italy investigating this? The Vatican is a sovereign independent State. Just asked Cardinal Bernard Law, late of Boston, who fled there when the heat in the "prosecutorial" kitchen in Massachusetts was getting more than uncomfortable. They want to be recognized and have ambassadors (OK, papal nuncios), get international recognition, and sign treaties (Concordat with the Third Reich) then let them do their own house cleaning, rather than hiring it out.
As to Msgr. Scarano, again, what's the big deal? Compared to the low life that currenttly sits in New York, the monsignor is small potatoes in terms of financial mismanagement. Now Cardinal Timothy Dolan, when Archbishop of Milwaukee, diverted approximately $57,000,000.00 to shield the assets from the legitimate claims of the victims of pederast priests who preyed on the children charged to his care. What a sport!
Seems to me that Scarano just wanted a piece of the action. And, all things considered, not all that big a piece in the grand scheme of things. Then again, I guess when the local enforcer steals from the Capo di tutti capi, he knows what's coming if he's caught.
It's ... complicated, to put it mildly. The Vatican is a sovereign nation that can't do diddly squat to take care of itself. It contracts out almost all of its services from Italy.
They don't even really have a legislature of their own, as far as I'm aware. They used to just automatically adopt the laws of Italy, but they installed an approval process for new laws, after Italy started getting a little too accepting of homosexuals.
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Colombia Looks to Reduce 'Informal' Workers
Almost half of workers in Colombia's cities are self-employed, a number that the government is trying to reduce with new tax laws to encourage formal hiring. WSJ's Dan Molinski reports via WorldStream.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... here the idea is possible to avoid constant interaction with self employed ... or so-called informal workers ... people have been under the table or work for no one ... simply the orange outfit cash ... such as selling the on street corners of a shiny shoes ... about half of who is workers in cities fall into this category ... but the government aims to reduce this ... an Indian court Thursday showed a small victory ... as the dollar fell to just under fifty percent of the total workforce ... new tax laws are encouraging employers for workers on the book ... which can increase tax collection for the government ... and also when we did nearly twelve percent ... is among the highest in Latin America ... with a Wall Street Journal Dan Molinski ...


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Our interactive creative brief makes it simple to describe your design challenge and set your budget.
Our global community of professional artists present their ideas. You provide feedback.
Seven days later, choose your winning illustration. It's like picking your favorite child.
Need pictures for your new children's book? We're on it! Or a world map for your fantasy novel? We can do that too! Whatever you need, we've got fast, beautiful illustrations from the pros.
Our kind, happy and humble customer support team would love to answer your questions. Send us an email or call to speak with an actual human.


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Pmaggie,pmaggie wrote:IBW2, sorry I'm actually helping as much as you did. You simply posted a link with a Cab advertising video and told JTBird he has no excuse for not having untwisted the lines. I'm telling him to try a different brand, that's all.
Correct. One of the posts i sent to JTBird was a video which clearly showed how to untwist his lines. He said he had a 2012 Cabrinha kite and was complaining that he couldnt untwist the center lines which seemed very strange as the 2012 system makes it extremely easy to adjust center lines. In addition to explaining how to untwist the center lines I also thought that sending a video would be good. JTBird has now corrected his post to say that it is not a 2012 Cabrinha system but a 2011 system.
I have been involved in many many self rescues and self lands (well over 100) since the introduction of the IDS in 2009 in winds range from 10-40+kts and have never experienced any issues that JTBird is describing. Therefore my first instinct is that he is doing something wrong and maybe can tweak his technique so to ensure everything goes as should be. I for the most part fly the Cabrinha Switchblades and 9.9/10 they will end up on their leading edge down when releasing the QR1 onto the IDS line. In the rare case when releasing the QR1 do they fly on their back, and this is still never an issue as the self rescue and self land process is still the same ie being very easy and controled. In the event the user does not do the self land and self rescue process correctly and cause the kite to power up , the user has the option of releasing the kite instantly.
What move are you throwing only in one direction? It does sound like you are spinning so many times in only one direction that now when it comes to releasing your safety the iDS line wont slide. This will be the case for any system whether it be 5th line, single front line or IDS type system.
This method of untwisting your front lines might help. If you have access to a shallow area which is safe enough away from danger, gently rest your kite down on the edge of the window. Put both hands on the chickenloop, unhook and twist the chickenloop until your center lines are back untwisted. Hook back in and off you go again. You can do this method in deep water, however, best practised in the shallow water first.
I am tempted to do a test using the Cabrinha Switchblade using the 2011 lines and seeing how many twists of the center lines will be needed to stop the IDS line from working. My guess it has to be well over 10 twists which would mean for example, ten back rolls in only one direction The twisting issue is really only an issue ever for intermediate riders that are learning to front roll, back roll, kite loop, downloop in only one direction. Beginners are learning to ride and advanced riders will spin in both direction in at least one move if not all, thus never having many center line twists.
The minute i finish a kite session, I will always ensure my center lines are not twisted, so that walking out the lines for the next session is a breeze.


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Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman (31 May 1819 - 26 March 1892 / New York / United States)
» Click to list general statistics » OR, select a date :
That Shadow, My Likeness
THAT shadow, my likeness, that goes to and fro, seeking a livelihood,
chattering, chaffering;
How often I find myself standing and looking at it where it flits;
read more >>
- Hits: Number of visitors who read the poem on the given date.
- Posts: Number of visitors who posted the poem to a friend (via e-mail) on the given date.
- Dates that have "0" hits may not be shown on the list.
- Dates, poems and poets that have "0" hits may not be shown on the list. Statistics are generated daily.


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The European Central Bank gave Cyprus until Monday to raise billions of euros to clinch an international bailout or face losing emergency funds for its banks and inevitable collapse.
Continue Reading Below
The ultimatum came with the island's leaders locked in talks on a "Plan B" to try to raise 5.8 billion euros demanded by the EU under a 10 billion euro ($13 billion) rescue, after angry lawmakers threw out a tax on deposits as "bank robbery".
Officials said new options discussed on Thursday could include nationalizing pension funds of semi-state companies, issuing an emergency bond linked to future natural gas revenue or a revised bank deposit levy hitting only large investors, many of them Russians.
The European Central Bank, which has kept Cyprus's banks operating with a liquidity lifeline, said the government had until Monday to get a deal in place, or funds would be cut off.
"Thereafter, Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) could only be considered if an EU/IMF program is in place that would ensure the solvency of the concerned banks," it said.
Cyprus's central bank governor said he expected to clinch a financial support package by then. He did not say how.
The government has ordered banks to stay closed until Tuesday. The stock exchange also suspended trading for the rest of the week.
There were long queues at some bank branches in Nicosia as staff replenished cash machines, which have continued to operate while banks have been closed since last week.
In Moscow, Cypriot Finance Minister Michael Sarris said he was discussing possible Russian investments in the island's banks and energy resources to reduce its debt burden, as well as an extension of an existing 2.5-billion-euro Russian loan.
Russian citizens have billions of euros to lose in the island's outsized, teetering banking sector.
"The banks are the ultimate objective in any support we get, so it'll either be a direct support to the banks or the support that we get through other sectors will be channeled to the banks," Sarris told Reuters during a second day of talks with his Russian counterpart, Anton Siluanov.
He said Cyprus had no plans to borrow more money from Russia and add to its debt mountain. The Russian Finance Ministry had said on Monday that Nicosia sought an extra 5 billion euro loan.
The chairman of euro zone finance ministers, Dutchman Jeroen Dijsselbloem, told the European Parliament Moscow had informed the EU that it had no intention of plowing more money into Cyprus beyond the existing loan.
"Any other options, to go further, another loan or an investment in the banks, the Russians let us know that they are not willing to do that," he said. "Of course, the Cypriot government is now talking to the Russian government whether more can be done, I don't know the outcome of that yet."
Dijsselbloem said new loans from Russia would anyway not solve the debt issue, and that a revised levy on larger bank deposits was still on the table.
"I'm not sure that this package is completely gone and failed, because I don't see many alternatives," he told the European Parliament in Brussels.
EU officials believe at least some of the 5.8 billion they are demanding should come from the 68 billion euros in Cypriot banks, 38 billion of which are in the form of large deposits of more than 100,000 euros, mainly from foreigners.
But hitting small savers caused visceral outrage, and the Cypriot government fears that foisting too big a burden on large depositors would wreck the offshore financial industry that forms much of the country's economy.
Among the other options, nationalizing pension funds of semi-public companies could yield between 2 billion and 3 billion euros, although European officials say it would raise less. Issuing bonds linked to future natural gas revenue is problematic because pumping any gas is years away.
Doubts about the fate of the small nation of just 1.1 million people has shaken confidence in the single-currency euro zone and raised geopolitical tension between the EU and Russia.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who meets a European Commission delegation in Moscow on Thursday, said the bloc had behaved "like a bull in a china shop". He likened EU proposals, which would force Russian customers to contribute to the rescue of Cypriot banks, to Soviet-era expropriations.
Tuesday's parliamentary vote marked a stunning rejection of the kind of strict austerity accepted over the past three years by crisis-hit Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Spain and Italy.
European officials maintained the pressure on Nicosia.
"I cannot rule out a Cyprus insolvency," Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter said in an interview with the newspaper Oesterreich. "A euro exit would not achieve anything. Cyprus must act now."
With Cypriot Energy Minister George Lakkotrypis also in Moscow, officially for a tourism exhibition, speculation was rife that access to untapped offshore gas reserves could be on the table as part of a deal for Russian aid.
Cyprus is a haven for billions of euros squirreled abroad by Russian businesses and individuals - one of the reasons why Germany and other northern euro zone states are reluctant to bail it out without a contribution from bank depositors.
The island's banking sector was hollowed out by its exposure to bigger neighbor Greece.
The proposed levy on deposits would have taken nearly 10% from accounts over 100,000 euros. Smaller accounts would also have been hit, although the government proposed softening the blow to spare savers with less than 20,000 euros.
Cypriots were enraged at the proposal to tax accounts with less than 100,000 euros, which are meant to be protected by state guarantees across the European Union.
Marinos Panaretou, a 36-year-old retail manager, said he had been withdrawing the maximum 500 euros every day since Saturday, when news broke of the proposed levy.
"People feel safer if we have cash on us because you don't know what you're going to wake up to," he said. "Quite simply, you don't know what's going to happen tomorrow."
European officials say the Cypriot government could have protected small savers if it imposed a higher tax on big deposits, but it refused to do so to protect the rich foreign clients of its offshore banking business.
EU leaders are growing increasingly exasperated with Cyprus, while the threat of bankruptcy for a member of the euro zone, however small, raises fears for confidence in the currency.
"There is no obligation to accept help," said Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, whose country does not use the euro. "Cyprus has the possibility of living with its own mistakes." ($1 = 0.7722 euros)


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Radical Lung Radiotherapy Plus Nelfinavir (NelfLung)
|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: NCT01447589
Recruitment Status : Withdrawn (failed to recruit, no suitable patients)
First Posted : October 6, 2011
Last Update Posted : June 23, 2016
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
The aim of this clinical trial is to test whether the drug nelfinavir, which can increase the effectiveness of radiotherapy, can be given safely at the same time as a full dose of radiotherapy for lung cancer.
It is thought that one way that nelfinavir works is through causing changes in the blood vessels within tumours. The status of tumour blood vessels and the blood flow through them will be investigated during the trial using special imaging techniques. The dose of radiation used in this trial is greater than that used in previous trials with nelfinavir in other disease settings and the response of normal lung to the combination of nelfinavir plus radiation is unknown. Therefore, a low dose of nelfinavir will be given to the first few patients that participate and will be gradually increased in subsequent groups of patients provided that no worrying side effects are identified. There is a single report of serious side-effects in an AIDs patient who was treated with radiotherapy for lung cancer when he was also taking nelfinavir. However, in this case nelfinavir was taken at a dose 3-fold higher than the highest dose level to be tested in this trial. An important goal of this trial is to select the optimum dose of nelfinavir to be used in combination with lung radiotherapy, that can then be tested more extensively in future trials.
The radiotherapy treatment in this trial has been carefully designed to minimise the amount of healthy lung that receives radiation. Some specialised imaging techniques will be used during radiotherapy planning and delivery to help ensure that the lung cancer is targeted very precisely by radiation and that normal lung is avoided as much as possible.
One effect of nelfinavir is to interfere with the function of a particular protein in cells (called AKT). The degree to which this happens can be measured in cells from blood or tissue samples. Therefore, another aim of the study is to investigate AKT and related proteins, to check whether nelfinavir is having the predicted effect.
|Condition or disease
|Lung Cancer
|Drug: nelfinavir Radiation: Radical Radiotherapy
|Phase 1 Phase 2
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Actual Enrollment :
|0 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Single Group Assignment
|None (Open Label)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|A Phase I Dose Escalation Study of the HIV Protease Inhibitor, Nelfinavir, Given Concomitantly With Radical Radiotherapy (RT) for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
|Study Start Date :
|February 2012
|Actual Primary Completion Date :
|October 2012
|Actual Study Completion Date :
|October 2012
Experimental: Nelfinavir plus radical radiotherapy
Nelfinavir given in combination with radical RT
Drug: nelfinavir
Nelfinavir tablets BD 7 days per week from D-7 of starting radiotherapy until completion of radiotherapy on D47. 3 dose levels: 750 mg bd; 1000 mg bd; and 1250 mg bd.
Other Name: Viracept®
Radiation: Radical Radiotherapy
Total dose of 66 Gy delivered in 33 fractions (2.0 Gy/fraction) to the primary tumour plus a margin.
- maximum tolerated dose [ Time Frame: One year ]To establish the maximum tolerated dose of nelfinavir in combination with radical radiotherapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer
- Number of participants with adverse events [ Time Frame: One year ]To assess the safety profile of combined nelfinavir together with radiotherapy in patients with NSCLC.
- Radiotherapy control rate [ Time Frame: 3 and 12 months ]To determine in-field radiotherapy treatment control rate at 3 and 12 months post treatment.
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:
- Histologically confirmed NSCLC except bronchoalveolar cancer
- Patients deemed suitable for radical RT according to local policy
- TNM stage T1-2, N0-1, M0 plus patients with local recurrence
- Adequate lung function as defined by protocol
- Age ≥ 18 years
- ECOG performance status 0-2
- Written informed consent
- Patient able and willing to comply with all protocol requirements
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of other active invasive malignancy (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer and in situ carcinoma of the cervix), where the extent of disease or treatment for that condition may interfere with the study endpoints
- Previous RT to the chest
- Chemotherapy, immunotherapies or investigational medicinal products within 4 weeks of the start of nelfinavir treatment. Ie any neoadjuvant treatment must be completed 4 weeks prior.
- Liver impairment (serum bilirubin ≥ 2 times upper limit of normal, serum AST ≥ 2 times the upper limit of normal)
- Pregnant or breast-feeding women or women of childbearing potential unless effective methods of contraception are used. Contraceptives that contain norethisterone or ethinylestradiol must be replaced by other contraceptive measures
- Concurrent use of contraindicated drugs that cannot be substituted or discontinued 2 weeks or more prior to the start of trial treatment
- Known hypersensitivity to nelfinavir or any of its excipients
- Other psychological, social or medical condition, physical examination finding or a laboratory abnormality that the Investigator considers would make the patient a poor trial candidate or could interfere with protocol compliance or the interpretation of trial results
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): NCT01447589
|United Kingdom
|Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust
|Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, OX3 9DU
|Principal Investigator:
|Katherine Vallis
|University of Oxford and Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust
|Responsible Party:
|Linda Ward, QA Coordinator, Cancer Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01447589 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|First Posted:
|October 6, 2011 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|June 23, 2016
|Last Verified:
|June 2016
Keywords provided by Linda Ward, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust:
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Lung Neoplasms
Respiratory Tract Neoplasms
Thoracic Neoplasms
Neoplasms by Site
Lung Diseases
Respiratory Tract Diseases
HIV Protease Inhibitors
Protease Inhibitors
Enzyme Inhibitors
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Anti-HIV Agents
Anti-Retroviral Agents
Antiviral Agents
Anti-Infective Agents


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A laptop is one of the most vital pieces of technology. Get yourself one! Why? Because you deserve it.
I used to love my desktop. I had a laptop too, but I prefer my desktop because it feels good to have something anchored and unmoving. I've since migrated to love laptops due to my work schedule.
Recently, I was approached by Toshiba to be part of their influencer program and test their Toshiba Portégé Z830 Ultrabook. I never really knew how good it was until I really used it. Today, everyone in my family loves it and has been using it.
If you're in search for a good laptop in need for work, entertainment, fun, and good portability, why not consider this?
With a 1.8Ghz Intel Core i7 processor with a total of 6 DDR3 GB RAM, this computer provides you with excellent power and not to mention 128GB space. They say good things come in small packages and with the Z830 Ultrabook being the lightest 13" Ultrabook around, it certainly do.
Here is a couple of reasons why you should get yourself a portable computer, mine is ideally towards the Toshiba Portégé Z830 Ultrabook, here is why.
1. It's light and easy to bring around
My Portégé Z830 Ultrabook is only 1.12kg and anyone can bring it around. It fits the ladies too. My girlfriend LOVES it. Whenever she travels, she prefers to bring the Ultrabook around instead of hers.
It has a great boot up speed too, starting only at 2 seconds. So it's perfect for those 'on-the-go' and it fits all travel companions.
2. You just never know when you need a laptop.
I have travelled without my computer before and I regretted it. A portable computer helps you increase your productivity and manage your time properly.
3. Good battery life.
The Toshiba Portege Z830 Ultrabook is proven to last up to 8 hours. I have personally used it on a single-charged battery and it definitely could last that long. No more looking for an electric port in your local Starbucks.
4. I could write more.
Sometimes because I want a new environment, I bring my computer everywhere and that helps me to increase my writing frequency. I am blogging nearly every day now, sometimes even 2-3 blog posts a day.
5. Slim
This provides an easy method of transporting it by fitting it into your bag, briefcase or handbag like my girlfriend does. It fits nearly everywhere imaginable and it screams at you if you don't bring it around (kidding).
Image taken from Toshiba influencer Beatrice Tan
If you're looking for a portable computer that is not only light but comes well-equipped, this is my choice. Although many people recommend the iPad, I think due to the technological differences and functionality, I believe the Portégé Z830 Ultrabook has some strong advantages to match or even surpass other technologies.
What do you think? Love to hear your thoughts on this.
"This post is brought to you by Toshiba and Intel. Join the conversation on the Toshiba Portégé Z830 Ultrabook, Inspired by Intel at www.facebook.com/ToshibaNotebookPC."


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Louse, (order Phthiraptera), any of a group of small wingless parasitic insects divisible into two main groups: the Amblycera and Ischnocera, or chewing or biting lice, which are parasites of birds and mammals, and the Anoplura, or sucking lice, parasites of mammals only. One of the sucking lice, the human louse, thrives in conditions of filth and overcrowding and is the carrier of typhus and louse-borne relapsing fever. Outbreaks of louse-borne diseases were frequent by-products of famine, war, and other disasters before the advent of insecticides (see infectious disease). Partly due to the widespread use of insecticidal shampoos for control, the head louse has developed resistance to many insecticides and is exhibiting a resurgence in many areas of the world. Heavy infestations of lice may cause intense skin irritation, and scratching for relief may lead to secondary infections. In domestic animals, rubbing and damage to hides and wool may also occur, and meat and egg production may be reduced. In badly infested birds, the feathers may be severely damaged. One of the dog lice is the intermediate host of the dog tapeworm, and a rat louse is a transmitter of murine typhus among rats.
General features
The flattened bodies of lice range from 0.33 mm to 11 mm (0.013 to 0.433 inch) in length and are whitish, yellow, brown, or black. Probably all species of birds have chewing lice, and most mammals have either chewing or sucking lice (Anoplura) or both. There are about 2,900 known species of Amblycera and Ischnocera, with many others still undescribed, and about 500 species of Anoplura. No lice have been taken from the platypus (duckbill) or from anteaters and armadillos, and none are known from bats or whales. The density of louse populations varies enormously on different individuals and also varies seasonally. Sick animals and birds with damaged bills, probably because of the absence of grooming and preening, may have abnormally large numbers: more than 14,000 have been reported on a sick fox and more than 7,000 on a cormorant with a damaged bill. The numbers found on healthy hosts are usually considerably smaller. Apart from grooming and preening by the host, lice and their eggs may be controlled by predatory mites, dust baths, intense sunlight, and continuous wetting.
Natural history
Life cycle
With the exception of the human body louse, lice spend their entire life cycle, from egg to adult, on the host. The females are usually larger than the males and often outnumber them on any one host. In some species males are rarely found, and reproduction is by unfertilized eggs (parthenogenetic). The eggs are laid singly or in clumps, usually cemented to a feather or hair. The human body louse lays its eggs on clothing next to the skin. The eggs may be simple ovoid structures glistening white among the feathers or hairs or may be heavily sculptured or ornamented with projections that assist in the attachment of the egg or serve in gas exchange. When the nymph within the egg is ready to hatch, it sucks in air through its mouth. The air passes through the alimentary canal and accumulates behind the nymph until sufficient pressure is built up to force off the egg cap (operculum). In many species the nymph also has a sharp platelike structure, the hatching organ, in the head region, which is also used to open the operculum. The emergent nymph is similar to the adult but is smaller and uncoloured, has fewer hairs, and differs in certain other morphological details.
Metamorphosis in the lice is simple, the nymphs molting three times, each of the three stages between molts (instars) becoming larger and more like the adult. The duration of the different stages of development varies from species to species and within each species according to temperature. In the human louse the egg stage may last from six to 14 days and the stages from hatching to adult, eight to 16 days. The life cycle may be closely correlated with the particular habits of the host; e.g., the louse of the elephant seal must complete its life cycle during the three to five weeks, twice a year, that the elephant seal spends on shore.
Sucking lice feed exclusively on blood and have mouthparts well adapted for this purpose. The delicate stylets are used to pierce the skin, and a salivary secretion is injected to prevent coagulation while the blood is sucked into the mouth. The stylets are retracted into the head when the louse is not feeding. The chewing lice of birds feed on feathers, or on feathers, blood, and tissue fluids, or on fluids only. The fluids are obtained either by gnawing the skin or, as in the poultry body louse, from the central pulp of a developing feather. The feather-eating Mallophaga are able to digest the keratin of feathers. It is probable that the chewing lice of mammals do not feed on wool or hairs but on skin debris, secretions, and perhaps sometimes blood and tissue fluids.
Many birds and mammals are infested by more than one species of lice. Many species of birds have at least four or five louse species. Each species has specific adaptations that allows it to inhabit specific areas of the host's body. Among the avian chewing lice, some species occupy different body regions for resting, feeding, and egg laying. A louse is unable to live for more than short periods of time away from its host, and adaptations serve to maintain its close contact. It is attracted by body heat and repelled by light, which causes the louse to stay within the warmth and darkness of the host's plumage or pelage. It is also probably sensitive to the smell of its host and the peculiarities of feathers and hairs that help the louse orient itself. A louse may leave its host temporarily to pass to another host of the same species or to a host of another species, such as from prey to predator. Chewing lice have often been found attached to louse flies (Hippoboscidae), also parasitic on birds and mammals, and on other insects by which they may be transferred to a new host. However, they may not be able to establish themselves on the new host because of chemical or physical incompatibility with the host as food or habitat. Some mammalian lice, for example, can lay their eggs only on hairs of a suitable diameter.
The infrequency of transfer from one host species to another leads to host specificity, or host restriction, in which a species of louse is found only on one species of host or a group of closely related host species. It is probable that some host-specific species have developed through isolation because there is simply no opportunity for the transfer of lice. Domestic and zoo animals sometimes have established populations of lice from different hosts, and pheasants and partridges often have flourishing populations of chicken lice. Heterodoxus spiniger, which is parasitic on domestic dogs in tropical regions, was most likely acquired relatively recently from an Australian marsupial.
Form and function
The louse body is flattened dorsoventrally with the long axis of the head horizontal, enabling it to lie close along the feathers or hairs for attachment or feeding. The shape of the head and body varies considerably, especially in the avian chewing lice, in adaptation to the different ecological niches on the body of the host. Birds with white plumage, such as swans, have a white body louse, while the dark-plumaged coot has an almost black body louse. The antennae are short, three- to five-segmented, sometimes modified in the male as clasping organs to hold the female during copulation. The mouthparts are biting in the Mallophaga and strongly modified for sucking in the Anoplura. The Anoplura have three stylets enclosed in a sheath within the head, and a small proboscis armed with recurved toothlike processes, probably for holding the skin during feeding. The elephant louse has chewing mouthparts, with the modified mandibles borne on the end of a long proboscis. The thorax may have three visible segments, may have either the mesothorax and metathorax fused, or may have all three fused into a single segment as in the Anoplura. The legs are well developed with the tarsus being one- to two-segmented. There are two claws in the avian inhabiting Mallophaga and a single claw in some of the mammal-infesting families. The Anoplura have a single claw opposed to a tibial process forming a hair-clasping organ.
The abdomen has eight to 10 visible segments. There is one pair of thoracic breathing pores (spiracles) and a maximum of six abdominal pairs. The eversible male genitalia provide important characters for the classification of species. The female has no well-defined ovipositor, but various lobes present on the last two segments of some species may act as guides to the eggs during laying. The alimentary canal in the Mallophaga is composed of the esophagus, a well-developed crop and midgut, a smaller hindgut, four malpighian tubules, and a rectum with six papillae. The crop is either a simple swelling between esophagus and midgut or a diverticulum from the esophagus. In the Anoplura the esophagus passes straight into the large midgut with or without a swelling forming a crop. There is also a strong pump, associated with the esophagus, for sucking up the blood. Members of the superfamily Amblycera have well-developed, comblike structures at the base of the crop, which prevent undigested feather parts or other particles from passing into the midgut; in the family Philopteridae these combs are smaller and lie at the anterior part of the crop, whereas the Trichodectidae and Anoplura have no crop teeth. Apart from the eyes, which are sensitive to light, the other sensory structures are the tactile hairs and the sense organs in the mouth and on the antenna, some of which function as taste and smell organs.
Evolution and paleontology
It is generally accepted that the lice are derived from the book lice (order Psocoptera). It is also accepted that the Anoplura are related to the Mallophaga, some authorities believing that they evolved from an ancestral stock before the division into the Amblycera and Ischnocera, others that they diverged from those Ischnocera already parasitic on mammals. The origins of the elephant louse are obscure.
Apart from a louse egg found in Baltic amber, there are no fossils that might provide information on the evolution of the lice. However, their host distribution is in some ways analogous to a fossil history. Mallophagan genera frequently have a number of species that are restricted to one species of bird or to a group of closely related birds, suggesting that the stock ancestral to the bird order was parasitized by an ancestral mallophagan stock that diverged and evolved along with the divergence and evolution of its bird hosts. This relationship between host and parasite may throw some light on the relationships of the hosts themselves. The flamingos, which are usually placed with the storks, are parasitized by three genera of Mallophaga found elsewhere only on ducks, geese, and swans and may therefore be more closely related to those birds than to storks. The louse most nearly related to the human body louse is that of the chimpanzee, and to the human pubic louse that of the gorilla. However, a number of factors have obscured the direct relationship between louse species and host species. The most important of these is secondary infestation, which is the establishment of a louse species on a new and unrelated host. This may have happened at any stage during the evolution of host or parasite so that subsequent divergence will have obscured all traces of the original change of host.
Distinguishing taxonomic features
The important characters used in classifying lice at the subordinal level are mainly based on the mouthparts. Features separating the lower categories are the special modifications of mouthparts, crop, antennae, sutures, and internal thickening of the head capsule; the number and form of claws; the segmentation of thorax and abdomen; the form of body plates; the number of spiracles; the pattern of bristles (or setae); and features of the male genitalia and terminal segments of the abdomen.
Annotated classification
Lice can be included in one order, the Phthiraptera, being separated by the characters of the mouthparts into four suborders: Amblycera, Ischnocera, Rhynchophthirina, and Anoplura. The suborders Amblycera and Ischnocera contain the majority of Phthiraptera, consisting of approximately 2,900 described species.
- Order Phthiraptera
- Small dorso-ventrally flattened parasitic insects. Eyes reduced or absent, ocelli absent, antenna three- to five-segmented, mouthparts mandibulate or piercing. Obligate permanent ectoparasites of birds and mammals.
- Suborder Amblycera (chewing or biting lice)
- Mandibulate mouthparts. Parasites of birds and mammals. Antenna four- to five-segmented, third segment pedunculate; articulation of mandibles horizontal; two- to five-segmented maxillary palpus; crop simple.
- Family Menoponidae
- Widespread parasites of birds, contained in about 60 genera.
- Family Boopidae
- Confined to marsupials of Australasia, except for one species found on domestic dogs.
- Family Laemobothriidae
- Contains some of the largest Amblycera up to 11 millimetres in length. Parasites of birds of prey, rails, and some storks.
- Family Ricinidae
- Parasites of passerines and hummingbirds.
- Family Trimenoponidae
- Parasites of New World marsupials and rodents.
- Family Gyropidae
- New World, parasitic mainly on rodents, with one species on primates and one on peccaries.
- Suborder Ischnocera
- Mandibulate mouthparts. Parasites of birds and mammals. Third antennal segment filiform; articulations of mandibles vertical; maxillary palpus absent; crop as diverticulum of esophagus.
- Family Philopteridae
- Parasites of birds, except for one genus (Trichophilopterus) on lemurs; contains approximately 130 genera recorded from all orders of birds, except the swifts and hummingbirds.
- Family Trichodectidae
- Approximately 14 genera parasitic on mammals, rarely on primates, sloths, and rodents; more widespread on land carnivores, hyraxes, horses, donkeys, and artiodactyls, except pigs.
- Suborder Rhynchophthirina
- Modified mandibles borne at end of long proboscis; filiform five-segmented antennae; meso- and metanotum fused; thoracic spiracle ventral; single tarsal claw; crop absent; one genus with two species: Haematomyzus elephantis on the African and Indian elephants and H. hopkinsi on the African wart hog.
- Suborder Anoplura (sucking lice)
- Piercing mouthparts in the form of three fine eversible stylets; filiform four- to five-segmented antennae; all three segments of thorax fused together; thoracic spiracle dorsal; single tarsal claw, at least on second and third legs; crop absent, or if present is a simple enlargement; about 500 species.
- Family Echinophthiriidae (seal lice)
- Parasitic on seals.
- Family Haematopinidae (wrinkled sucking lice)
- Includes two genera parasitic on pigs, cattle, deer, and horses.
- Family Hoplopleuridae (small mammal-sucking lice)
- A large family containing approximately 27 genera parasitic mainly on rodents but also on insectivores, primates, and one on an ungulate.
- Family Linognathidae (smooth sucking lice)
- Parasitic on artiodactyls and hyraxes, except for two species parasitic on carnivores.
- Family Neolinognathidae
- Two species parasitic on insectivores.
- Family Pediculidae (human lice)
- Two genera parasitic on man, the great apes, and on some of the New World monkeys, the last perhaps being secondarily acquired from man.
Critical appraisal
The classification given above is a currently accepted one. Other classifications rank the Anoplura and Mallophaga as separate orders, with the elephant louse placed in one or the other according to personal opinion. Some workers consider the Phthiraptera as comprising four suborders: the Amblycera, Ischnocera, Anoplura, and Rhynchophthirina. There are considerable differences in the number and extent of the mallophagan (Ischnoceran and Amblyceran) families recognized and also on the generic limits within the families. In the Anoplura, controversy continues on the relations of the genera to each other and in which families they should be included.
The lice of man are referred to by various names, depending on whether the head louse is considered as a distinct species or as a variety or subspecies of the body louse. At present they are probably best referred to under one name, Pediculus humanus, but if separated subspecifically they must be called Pediculus humanus humanus (the body louse) and Pediculus h. capitis (the head louse).Theresa Clay


text: Space music with the mood of the slow motion of the planets, space ships and the universe. There is a small hint of the product in the classical genre in the form of a piano playing a little rough, it gives the effect of a live performance. So the music is quite suitable for video or abstract arthouse


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PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius shook slightly, his hands covering his ears as a neighbor described in court Thursday how the famous athlete knelt next to his dead or dying girlfriend, praying as he tried to help Reeva Steenkamp breathe.
The testimony in high court in Pistorius' murder trial was riveting and was the first detailed public description of the immediate aftermath of the shooting of Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, by the double-amputee Paralympic champion in the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 14 – Valentine's Day – last year.
"It was obvious that she was mortally wounded," said Johan Stipp, a radiologist, as he described what he saw at Pistorius' villa. Stipp said he was one of the first there.
"At the bottom of the stairs … there was a lady lying on her back on the floor," Stipp testified.
Sitting on a courtroom bench on Thursday, Pistorius bent forward and put his hand over his face, then moved them to cover both ears. He stayed that way for a while, even when one of his lawyers reached back to reassure him and touch him on the head.
"I went near her and as I bent down, I also noticed a man on the left kneeling by her side," Stipp said under questioning by prosecutor Gerrie Nel. "He had his left hand on her right groin, and his right hand, the second and third fingers in her mouth. I remember the first thing he said when I got there was `I shot her. I thought she was a burglar. I shot her.'"
Stipp, who said he didn't know that man was Pistorius until later, said he tried to help, but that he knew it was probably no good because Steenkamp showed no signs of life. Stipp said he noticed a wound in her right thigh, in her upper arm and in the right side of the head, and there was brain tissue around the skull.
Pistorius is charged with shooting Steenkamp three times out of four shots through a toilet door in his home. Prosecutors said the athlete intentionally killed Steenkamp after an argument but Pistorius says it was a mistake.
"She had no pulse in the neck, she had no peripheral pulse. She had no breathing movements that she made," Stipp said. "Oscar was crying all the time," he said. "He was praying to God, `Please let her live.'"
"Oscar said he would dedicate "his life and her life to God" if she would live and not die that night, according to Stipp.
Pistorius, who ran at the 2012 Olympics on his prosthetic legs and who was known as the Blade Runner, is charged with murder with premeditation.
Pistorius' lead defense lawyer started the fourth day of the trial by cross-examining another neighbor and questioning whether the man heard a woman screaming and then gunshots on the night Steenkamp died.
The neighbor, Charl Johnson, said he also owned a gun, a 9mm pistol, and knew what gunfire sounded like.
"I can confidently say I heard gunshots," Johnson insisted on cross-examination by Barry Roux. Later, Johnson said: "I'm convinced that I heard a lady's voice."
Roux says the banging sounds were actually Pistorius hitting a toilet door with a cricket bat and the screaming was the distressed athlete calling for help – and there were no sounds from Steenkamp who had been shot in the head.
Johnson said he "disputed" some of what Roux was saying and described in more detail what he heard on the night Pistorius shot his girlfriend to death. Johnson and his wife live around 177 meters from Pistorius' villa.
"The fear … in the lady person's calls contrasted with a very monotone male voice," Johnson testified. "The man almost sounded embarrassed to be calling for help."
Johnson also said the timing of the bangs didn't match a repeated bat swing. He said it would have taken Pistorius more time to swing the bat repeatedly, and that the bangs he heard were closer together.
Roux did get Johnson to concede that he never heard what he thought was the woman's voice and the man's voice at the same time. Roux wants to show that it was the same person, Pistorius, screaming.
The sequence of events soon after 3 a.m. on the morning of Feb. 14 last year is a critical aspect of the case. Prosecutors say there was a loud argument between Pistorius and Steenkamp before the shooting. Pistorius says there was no argument and that he had thought Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model, was in bed when he fired through the locked toilet stall door.


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Trend Analysis on Las Vegas Sands and MGM Resorts: Are Casinos a Good Gamble for 2013?
Jan 21, 2013, 08:00 ET
LONDON, January 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Resorts and casinos appear to have a number of tailwinds heading into 2013, as an improving U.S. economy coupled with strong sales from Asia bode well. StockCall has initiated preliminary technical analysis on Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS) and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM), but our analysis will be updating these reports monthly to follow the trend in this industry closely. Download today's reports for free at
Numbers out of Macau are impressive to say the least. 2012 saw gaming revenues hit a record $38 billion, up from $33.5 billion in 2011. December was particularly strong, as revenues hit a single month high of $3.5 billion. In response to growing revenues in the region, companies have been taking steps to expand their operations there, with Cotai being a popular choice for new developments. In recent news, MGM Resorts International announced the official transfer of real estate in Cotai on the same terms previously reported in October of last year. The land concession is for a 17.8 acre site in the Cotai area of Macau and will have a 25-year initial term, with the right to successively renew for additional periods, subject to applicable legislation. Our full technical analysis report on MGM Resorts can be accessed at
Las Vegas Sands Corp. [Free Trend Analysis Report on LVS] [1] has reported an 81% jump in revenue from Asia, Macau and Singapore, for its last round of earnings. Whilst the company is also exploring expansion in Macau, it is also contemplating to invest in new resorts in Spain and Canada in an attempt to not only boost sales and earnings, but also to diversify their geographical dependence.
While Macau has been performing well, the same cannot be said worldwide. Nevada saw its gaming revenues decline by just over 11% in November, though 2013 could see numbers bounce back. It is also worth noting that another economic stumble in China or the U.S. could be detrimental, but for now the outlook is positive. With companies set to soon announce their latest quarterly earnings results, it will be interesting to see which players in this industry comes out on top. Las Vegas Sands will be reporting their earnings on February 01st
- Las Vegas Sands Corp. Technical Analysis [ http://www.StockCall.com/LasVegasSandsCorp012113.pdf ]
About StockCall.com
StockCall.com is a financial website where investors can have easy, precise and comprehensive research and opinions on stocks making the headlines. Sign up today to talk to our financial analyst at
SOURCE StockCall.com


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Opinion: The Redemption of Mark Sanford
Political commentator Monica Crowley on how Mark Sanford pulled off a win in South Carolina's special election for Sen. Tim Scott's vacated seat. Photo credit: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... the number of people come up to meet regional markets like life ... or life is about getting back to the you stumbled youthful ... not how you deal situation but you get about up in the wake of the situations ... and that I just wanna acknowledge that yes the ... the best of second chances with third fourth and six seven eight and this ... but that is the reality of our shared humanity ... welcome back to Opinion Journal I'm Mary Kissel that was former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford ... who pulled a strong victory last night over challenger Elizabeth Kolbert Bush for an open Senate seat ... the God of second chances Fox News commentator and author Monica Crowley stays with me now ... on Monica ... fiscal Bush had ... every advantage that she had money he heads a star power of her brother the comedian ... aam has a lot of pull off this victory yet well it's a heavily Republican district so I think there were a lot of conservatives and Republicans who are little worried that ... because Sanford had all of this bag in teaming up people to pull it off but in the antibody by a whopping nine points out ... there are some pockets in America that Lehi elitist liberal so it was cold there but honest ... I'm really do want some conservative for the ever present a Sen and Gov Sanford for all of this is his big America's very ... forgiving society ... I need to ask for forgiveness but I think you would you when you look at his record as governor ... all all throughout his public life he's been a staunch fiscal conservative and that's what folks and in South Carolina District one really wanted to model it will looks like a sure fire win today but the pulling shares in predicting this is this just another indication ... that there is a serious problem to kill U S polls on the right well yes I these ways I mean ... it for forty six it was even cloud I it's amazing that the polling in this district was so far off them Nissan to win the presidential race were Romney was the head even handle and a lot of balls ... I yes I think pollsters have a lot to answer your your ... but you're right to say but she had a Democrat had so many advantages the DCCC ... of the Democrat Congressional Committee ... Korean almost a million dollars into this race she had free media going on to her brother and Comedy Central and so many other places ... the reality is you deserve relief that we tell candidate one quick example yesterday Election Day ... Mark Sanford I love that he had attended events in ... the name for itself ... and is called bare bones included and disappeared and I also like solving a lot of debate with a cutout of Nancy policy was also on him ... beginning the pretty FNSR as on YouTube you mention the Democrats in the money they poured in the Republican ... in congressional and actual committee ... didn't Korean ... anything right is this a win for them to because they've distance themselves ... from the candidate that ... was a surefire winner and they can look good from standing back from his scandals I guess but I think that's very short lived I don't think that that is going to be something that's can carry over onesies on Capitol Hill I think all be forgotten he will be a Republican body there ... would be he will be voting for the Republican the conservative agenda especially on fiscal issues and that's what we we really get that the question is what kind of Republican in Santa Monica because we've seen especially in the Senate ... guys like Ted Cruz ... on ... Michael he ... really out for themselves for short-term gains not claim the lighting and anti Mary thought I'd ... it's resolved said Chris might lead thank God they're they're they're the Vanguard ... of conservatism they're they're fighting the good fight and ... on behalf of the American taxpayer let's say Mark Sanford joins that Co Korea and the glut in the Senate ... and when you get what they've done it wrong in the Tri attention away from the Democratic divisions on gun control ... I really sold fictions to the American public about their role in that ... on the one to booking the party in every turn how to think it was a long-term strategy to win but said this is how we got to this mess by going online to get along by cutting the Republican establishment at each other on the back and say good job and go from bigger government higher taxes more spending ... that we can climb like that anymore and thank God for the tea party and think on fourteen three candidates ... like Ted Cruz and and Marco Rubio and likely than not out for themselves up it did this agree on the issue for America and a taxi to take integration ... marker Rubio was tea party candidate he's leading the charge for a bipartisan immigration reform ... Ted Cruz says he's against it one evening this constant ... um how was constructive ... well you can have a conversation but it marker Rubio and the gang of Peter and put something in front of conservatism that are gonna be just bought the bonds and he was on the Heritage Foundation this week six point three trillion dollars is but ... that's probably the only thing I didn't receive much I think that he has that ... differ from the twenty oh one is a sweetheart of the tea party movement for a long time and I still respected admired enormously but I do think he's blowing in in this case because they think he's being played ... by guys like Chuck Schumer and Patrick Leahy and by President Obama ... to look at immigration as part of the fundamental transformation of of America ... you get all these people in your lock them into government the NC and then you've got a ... ADI permanent Democrat voting majority we should not be in the business of helping the Democrats achieve that ok not be in the business of helping Democrats Mark Sanford's can be very interesting to see which part of the conservative caucus he joins ... in the news commentator Monica Crowley thank you so much reasoning was as good


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Think Summer at Bethel College!
What better place to be when warm summer welcomes you to the campus Green or to exciting learnings and activities!
Planners for the summer camps and institutes at Bethel College invite you to campus this summer.
Think Bethel as you make your plans for the summer. Invite your friends who have never attended a Bethel College camp to consider the opportunities for learning and fun that our campers report.
Let Bethel College be your home in the summer.


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This collection of 160 math problems covers the 20 science topic themes presented by the NASA/JPL Year of the Solar System (YOSS) website, covering the solar system, planets, the search for life, and robotics. Examples of topics included are: scale... (View More) of the solar system; asteroids; comets; moons and rings; volcanism in the solar system; ice in the solar system; water in the solar system; the Sun, transits and eclipses; astrobiology; magnetosphers and more. It is intended as a mathematics supplement for the science content presented at the YOSS website, and features grade-appropriate and Common Core State Standards-based math problems based on science content for grades 3-12. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
This is the second in a series of three professional development videos that correspond to lessons taught by Andrew Cloud, an Earth and planetary sciences teacher, with a class of 9th and 10th grade students. In this lesson, Andrew asks students to... (View More) participate in an activity that illustrates the phases of the Moon. He asks one student to represent the Earth and another student, the Moon. The student representing the Moon makes one complete rotation or one full spin on their axis while standing in one spot. Andrew guides students to see that the Moon makes a full rotation in the same amount of time it takes to revolve around the Earth one time. The demonstration is followed up by a hands-on lab where students draw the placement of the moon in revolution and rotation. Includes teaching tips and discussion questions. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
This is the third in a series of three professional development videos that correspond to lessons taught by Andrew Cloud, an Earth and planetary sciences teacher, with a class of 9th and 10th grade students. In this lesson, Andrew introduces the... (View More) concept of eclipses. He asks for student volunteers to represent the Sun (holding a flashlight), the Earth, and the Moon. He then asks the class to think about the order in which the volunteers should be assembled to create the conditions for a lunar eclipse to occur. The demonstration was reinforced by the use of the "Lunar Eclipse Essentials" video. In a final activity, students drew diagrams to illustrate a Lunar Eclipse and a Solar Eclipse. Includes teaching tips and discussion questions. (View Less)
Materials Cost: Free
This is a lesson plan for an activity that explores time zone math. Learners will translate their local time to times in other zones around the world and work with the concept of Universal Time, specifically in reference to the reporting,... (View More) description and analysis of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. This is activity 10 from Exploring Magnetism Guide 3: Magnetic Mysteries of the Aurora educator guide. (View Less)
In this laboratory activity, learners explore the difference between heat and temperature, and explore the rate of heat transfer from one substance to another as it depends on the density of the substances being investigated. The activity can be... (View More) conducted either in a science lab or in a kitchen. It is one of two activities supporting the scientific investigation of the Interstellar Medium (ISM), and is linked to reading material, reading review questions and problems, a teacher answer sheet, and glossary. (View Less)


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Wanxiang says it might build Fisker cars in US
DOVER, Delaware (AP) — A Chinese auto parts conglomerate that wants to buy failed electric-vehicle manufacturer Fisker Automotive says it would build next-generation Fisker cars in Delaware if there is sufficient consumer demand.
Wanxiang Group Corp. outlined its intentions in a court filing late Wednesday as it pushes for a competitive auction of Fisker's remaining assets.
California-based Fisker, which had planned to build cars at the former General Motors plant in Delaware, filed for bankruptcy protection in November. The move culminated a long, downward spiral that began after Fisker received a $529 million loan commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Wanxiang indicated in earlier court documents that it wanted to resume production of Fisker's problem-plagued first-generation car, Karma, in Finland and eventually shift production to a Michigan facility. That dealt a setback to hopes of Delaware officials that cars would be built at the former GM site, where Democratic Gov. Jack Markell and Vice President Joe Biden, Delaware's former senior U.S. senator, announced with great fanfare in 2009 that Fisker would revive vehicle production.
But in Wednesday's court filing, Wanxiang said it intends not only to resume Karma production, but to continue development and design of a second-generation line of Fisker vehicles. Once such vehicles are ready for mass production "in volumes that necessitate a separate manufacturing facility," Wanxiang intends to manufacture them at the now-shuttered GM plant in Wilmington.
Markell, whose administration provided about $20 million in loans and grants to Fisker to build cars in Delaware, welcomed the news of Wanxiang's intentions.
"The sole purpose of the state's loan and grant was to provide a future for a sector of the Delaware economy hard hit by the recession, so we strongly support any path forward that could lead to that result," Markell said in an emailed response for comment.
"The statement by Wanxiang — a company that employs thousands of Americans in dozens of manufacturing plants across the United States — about utilizing the Delaware plant is a positive development," Markell added.
It remains unclear, however, whether Wanxiang, which recently bought the company that served as Fisker's primary battery supplier following a separate bankruptcy case, will be able to take control of Fisker itself.
Hybrid Technology LLC, owned by Hong Kong billionaire Richard Li, also is seeking to buy Fisker's remaining assets in bankruptcy. Hybrid recently paid $25 million for DOE's outstanding loan balance, which resulted in a loss to U.S. taxpayers of $139 million.
Hybrid now wants to buy Fisker in a quick, private sale, using a $75 million credit bid based on its position as Fisker's senior secured lender. Hybrid has indicated that it likely would resell the former GM plant if it is included in an asset sale, suggesting it has no interest in building cars in Delaware.
Fisker's official committee of unsecured creditors, working with Wanxiang, is opposing the Hybrid sale and pressing for a competitive auction starting with a cash bid of $35.7 million by Wanxiang. Wanxiang's plan is contingent on the court capping Hybrid's credit bid at $25 million, which would force Hybrid to come up with more cash than it has offered so far.
Hybrid has offered about $2 million in cash to go along with its $75 million credit bid. It also has agreed to waive millions in fees it would be due for serving as Fisker's lender during the bankruptcy. Wanxiang is seeking to supplant Hybrid as Fisker's "debtor-in-possession" lender.
A hearing on the competing plans is set for Friday in Wilmington.
Markell said he hopes the judge presiding over Fisker's bankruptcy will allow "a fair and full evaluation of all proposals to acquire Fisker's assets."
Fisker's bankruptcy filing came after the company drew $192 million on the Obama administration's green-energy loan before DOE officials suspended funding in 2011.
Federal officials suspended the loans after Fisker failed to meet several sales and production milestones for its $100,000 Karma luxury car. The Karma's problems included vehicle fires and recalls, problems with battery packs, the bankruptcy of Fisker's primary battery supplier, and inventory losses from Superstorm Sandy, which destroyed hundreds of vehicles at a port in New Jersey.


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Peas in Their Pods
NR House • Provide shelter solutions for victims of domestic violence specifically women and children.
UR Worthy • Provides self-image, self-worth and esteem solutions programs for victims of domestic violence.
Healthy YOU • Provides physical, and nutritional healthy resources for women.
Helping Others Prepare to Enjoy Life (HOPE) • Provides clothing and food supplies.


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Gerard Butler: 'Movie 43' After Party!
Gerard Butler flashes a smile while attending the after party for his latest flick Movie 43 held at Madame Tussaud's Hollywood on Wednesday (January 23) in Los Angeles.
The 43-year-old Scottish actor was joined by CEO of Relativity Media, Ryan Kavanaugh, and actor Neal McDonough.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Gerard Butler
In case you missed it, check out the new trailer for Gerard's new film Olympus Has Fallen!
Movie 43 hits theaters this Friday (January 24)!
10+ pictures inside of Gerard Butler at the Movie 43 after party…


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10:00 pm
NOVA "Hunt for the Supertwister" A NOVA camera team chases storms across the Midwest to capture hair-raising footage of destructive twisters in action. The show focuses on the multi-pronged efforts of two University of Oklahoma scientists to improve the forecasting of twisters - one that uses supercomputers to model virtual tornadoes, another that sends out storm-chasers to gather live data from real storms.G
11:00 pm
Alan Alda in Scientific American Frontiers "Surgical Slimmers" In spite of the risks, people are lining up to solve their weight problems in the operating room. And if the latest device - an implantable stomach "pacer" - works out, millions more will be taking the surgical way out. D
11:30 pm
EcoSense for Living "Green Jobs" In post-Katrina New Orleans, there's a shining example of real-life results of green job training. At-risk young people get hands-on training on how to fortify and weatherize homes in The Big Easy. Then EcoSense takes you to Spartanburg, S.C. D


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Home > News & Events > Wayland Press Release Archives > 2002 News Releases > April 2002 > Wayland music department aiming at national accreditation
Wayland music department aiming at national accreditation
Just as a sculptor whittles and chisels at a clump of stone to create a masterpiece, the Department of Music at Wayland Baptist University has undergone some refining moments over the past few years in an effort to become the educational work of art its faculty dream about.
Though the department has enjoyed growth both in student enrollment and faculty numbers, music faculty members say it's all part of a grander goal.
According to Dr. Ann Stutes, assistant professor and music department chairperson, the school is hoping to gain accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music, an independent agency whose stamp of approval is considered "the ultimate accreditation in music."
"We're really pushing this because it's a standard of excellence and includes lots of self-evaluation," Stutes said. "You really get to work the kinks out of your program."
Stutes said the real vision for the accreditation process belongs to Dr. Carl Moman, chairman of the Division of Fine Arts, which houses the music department. Though the challenge of seeking NASM approval was laid before him several years ago by his mentor from William Jewell College, there was some work to be done in the department before the university would approach the organization.
"We were waiting on the right configuration of facility, library and faculty to really begin," Moman said. "We've been comparing ourselves with peer schools and have made improvements, and we have really worked on getting our faculty together. We wanted to go in strong."
After being named music chair a few years ago, Stutes was given the responsibility of overseeing the lengthy process. First, she said, the faculty team had to closely examine degree requirements and curriculum offerings, with attention to issues like library resources, facilities, alumni relations and recruiting and retention of students.
From all that introspection, the department put several changes in place to strengthen the overall program. The music education courses grew, with world and American music courses added. The division also streamlined its music degrees for efficiency and added new faculty members to round out the expertise and strengthen the instrumental and church music portions of the program.
Though change is never easy, Stutes said the overhaul was necessary and welcome.
"It's forced us to shape up, but we're proud of that. If there's something 'broken,' we're in the business to fix it," she said, adding that ways of thinking have also changed. "We really have a focus on excellence now. Everything we do, we question, 'Is this going to make us a better university?' We're really opened up our views."
Stutes said the process of self-study has involved every music faculty member and has taken a while to compile. Once the department was more confident of their situation, they contacted NASM to begin the process on their end.
In April 2001, Wesley Coffman of Hardin-Simmons University conducted a preliminary consultation for Wayland, helping prepare for the formal visit by the NASM team, which is scheduled for October 2002. Having served on such teams previously, Coffman followed the traditional format while on the Wayland campus so faculty, staff and students would know what to expect.
"(The team) attends classes and lessons at their leisure, has a formal recital with students and meets with the president, the academic vice president, our faculty and division chair," she said, adding the entire visit lasts two days. "The team then writes a report and the school can defend it or correct any errors. Then a board votes on the approval."
Coffman's visit, said Stutes, was invaluable. His report showed the department where its strengths and weaknesses lay. Students fell into the positive category.
"During this visit, the team meets with students without any faculty around," she explained. "That was one of our best selling points (with Coffman). He was blown away by our students and their quality. They were very proud to be Wayland students."
Stutes said several factors now in place should work in Wayland's favor as far as the accreditation process is concerned. The department now has 60 majors and about 25 minors. There are also many participating in vocal or instrumental ensembles that are not pursuing music degrees, which Stutes said is actually a strong point for the department. Seven faculty and 20 students attended the recent Texas Music Educators Association conference and helped host a reception for WBU music alums with almost 50 in attendance.
The school also has a presence in the Music Educators National Conference, with Dr. Sandra Mosteller serving as local chapter sponsor and Wayland sophomore Ashley Applewhite having just been elected president of the state collegiate chapter. Faculty members Timothy Kelley, director of instrumental studies, and Dr. Scott Herrington, director of choral studies, are both involved statewide through activities with the University Interscholastic League and other music organizations. Stutes said all of these things speak well of Wayland.
If NASM grants Wayland accreditation, the department would benefit in recruiting new music students and future music faculty members.
"(NASM approval) puts us in a different grouping of schools and encourages highest standards. It keeps you reviewing your degree plans and programming to keep you in the mainstream," Moman said, giving due credit to students and faculty of the past who helped bring the department to where it is today. "We only stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before and press on."


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MADRID (MarketWatch) — London stocks closed higher Friday to post a slight gain on the week, with oil majors and miners on the rise, along with shares of Burberry Group PLC.
The FTSE 100 index UKX, -0.35% rose 0.7% to 6,739.94, finishing the week 0.1% higher.
The index fell 0.5% on Thursday, driven by losses for some retailers. The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee left key rates and its quantitative easing policy unchanged on Thursday. It also didn't provide any update on its forward-looking guidance, disappointing some investors.
Stocks got a lift Friday after data showed U.K. industrial output was flat in November, with construction reportedly down the most in a year. The British pound GBPUSD, +0.6716% tumbled on the data, falling from around $1.65 to $1.6470.
Oil stocks were on the move after a broker note from Exane BNP Paribas. Shares of Royal Dutch Shell PLC RDS.A, -0.33% RDSA, -1.58% gained 2.1% as Exane lifted the company to outperform from neutral. Analysts said they are repositioning towards names with "potential for positive surprise on the restructuring front."
Also in the energy sector, Tullow Oil PLC TLW, -0.28% rose 7.6% on speculation a day prior on Bloomberg that suggested the company is a takeover target for Statoil ASA NO:STL
The analysts cut BP PLC BP, +0.56% BP., -0.31% to neutral from overweight, but higher oil prices helped the oil major shake off that cut and shares rose 0.3%.
Shares of Burberry BRBY, +1.04% gained 3.7%, benefiting from some upbeat news in the sector. A wide swath of luxury stocks rose Friday on optimism about a sales-growth pickup in 2014.
Barclays lifted Glencore Xstrata PLC GLEN, -0.41% to overweight from equal weight, driving a 2.9% gain for the stock. Analysts also reiterated an overweight weighting on Randgold Resources Ltd. UK:RRS with those shares up 2.9%.
Nonetheless, Barclays stuck to its negative weighting on the sector amid concerns 2014 will be a tough year. Lead Barclays analyst David Butler said that while 2014 looks difficult, free cashflow yields are starting to pick up for 2015 and earnings growth is turning positive based on their forecasts. So at some point next year, he said, the market may start to price in a recovery.
"For now, they've shuffled ratings with a gearing towards stocks that can deliver earnings growth in a flat price environment, albeit with risk recognition of commodity specifics (our two upgrades have a copper focus)," said Butler.
Food and other retailers were showing signs of recovery after a string of sales reports pointed to a tough Christmas trading period. Marks & Spencer Group PLC MKS, +0.89% was up 1.7%, continuing to gain from the prior day, where it was the exception in a downbeat sector. The retailer said it saw an improved performance for general merchandise over the holiday period.
Wm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC MRW, +0.83% whose shares sank nearly 8% on Thursday after a profit warning, rose 0.7%.
More news from MarketWatch:
Fed still on steady taper course despite weak job growth
Abercrombie shares rally, Sears drops
Providing critical information for the U.S. trading day. Subscribe to MarketWatch's free Need to Know newsletter. Sign up here.


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Moderators: Rev. Sylvanus, warman45
Thanks for telling me. I knew it was the Palanx formation I just couldn't put my finger on it.King of Brix wrote:That would be the spartan defense wall. It's properly called a phalanx formation, by the way. If there are more of them, theres more defense.
piltogg wrote:With that manny spiecial abilities spartans would cost so mutch that a whole sqaud of them seems unlikely.
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Double Date
Patricia A. Kuniega 1/16/2005 5:46:56 AMThe original image is below... #205848
Patricia A. Kuniega 1/16/2005 5:47:43 AMTry again... #1036837
Carolyn M. Fletcher 1/16/2005 5:49:27 AMSo nice, Pat!! Really cool stuff in there!! #1036845
Judith G. Secco 1/16/2005 6:07:07 AMWow,Pat!! Wonderful digital image! So creative and well executed.
S J 1/16/2005 6:08:06 AMVery nice creative image, Patricia!! Really amazing!!! #1036906
Charlene Bayerle 1/16/2005 6:15:42 AMThis is great work Pat!!!! Great color and creativity!!! #1036932
Cindy Paquette 1/16/2005 6:52:15 AMI LOVE this image Pat! Wow...how creative! Would look superb in a kid's room!! #1037051
Shirley L. Carpenter 1/16/2005 6:54:58 AMLove this Patricia!!!!! Very creative!!!! #1037056
Deborah C. Lewinson 1/16/2005 6:58:00 AMOutstanding work, Pat, a delightful and very creative image!!!
-Debby #1037060
William C. Raco 1/16/2005 7:42:13 AMWow, I love what you did with the original!
bill #1037167
Cathy Gregor 1/16/2005 7:42:14 AMSuper work, Pat!
Casey A. Hanson 1/16/2005 7:54:42 AMWonderful work! Very cool, Patricia! #1037195
Murry Grigsby 1/16/2005 8:13:41 AMToo FUN Pat :0) Nice piece of digital art!! #1037233
Donna J. Taff 1/16/2005 9:54:13 AMGreat image, Patricia!!!! #1037425
Janet Detota 1/16/2005 10:48:45 AMFantablulous job on this, Pat! I hope they all had a wonderful time in their date! #1037523
Susan T. Evans 1/16/2005 1:35:02 PMAwesome Patricia!!! love the title!!! wish I knew how to do this. #1037675
Patricia A. Kuniega 1/16/2005 1:52:47 PMThanks everyone for your great comments! It was a lot of fun to do. Susan, it was all accomplished with layers in PS. The background, individual buildings and windows were selections made with gradient fills. The pavement was a textured box as was the brick wall. Each tin person and trash can was cut from a photograph. The graffiti was an overlay and the moon a shape. Shadows were added with transparent fills. I tried to keep the image simple, like a collage and not a realistic image. #1037736
Amy N. Cappelli 1/16/2005 2:12:41 PMI absolutely love the way this image turned out!
Claudia Kuhn 1/16/2005 2:45:04 PMPretty wild and very cool Pat!! #1037796
Sharon Day 1/16/2005 9:20:46 PMFantastic and very creative!!! #1038100
Kip T. Berger 1/16/2005 9:41:51 PMNice job on the post processing Patricia!
Amy N. Cappelli 2/18/2005 5:37:00 PMAhhhh young lovers!
Wally Orlowsky 2/18/2005 6:07:06 PMCongratulations on this fun finalist, Pat! #1112956
Claudia Kuhn 2/18/2005 6:16:53 PMCongrats Pat!! #1113066
Deborah C. Lewinson 2/18/2005 6:29:43 PMCongrats on this fantastic finalist, Pat! #1113197
Mellanie 2/18/2005 6:33:34 PMcongrats on this and all your fantastic finalists, pat! #1113235
William C. Raco 2/18/2005 7:16:23 PMThis is a most deserving finalist!
Terry R. Hatfield 2/18/2005 8:22:22 PMCongratulations Patricia!!! #1114277
Kelly Abernathy 2/18/2005 8:55:02 PMCongratulations on a wonderful finalist! -K #1114505
Patricia A. Kuniega 2/19/2005 3:52:31 AMThanks everyone! I'm so pleased that the robots are doing so well since their little excursion into the city! There is a "can people series" in the works! lol #1115673
Cathy Gregor 2/19/2005 4:22:05 AMCongrats on your finalist (again), Pat!
Cindy Paquette 2/19/2005 5:37:43 AMAHA!!! HOW WONDERFUL FOR YOU PAT!! CONGRATULATIONS!! #1115995
Sharon Day 2/19/2005 8:06:49 AMSooooooo creative, Pat!!! Big congratulations! #1116720
Donna J. Taff 2/19/2005 9:20:16 AMCongrat's, Patricia!!!! #1116979
Stanley J. Contrades 2/19/2005 11:58:21 AMDon't know how I missed this ... must have been back in my cave again (LOL!)! CONGRATULATIONS on this excellent composition and work, Patricia, and much good luck to you in the next round!
Murry Grigsby 2/19/2005 12:47:12 PMCongrats Pat!! :0) #1117630
Stephen Zacker 2/19/2005 4:10:30 PM:-) Congratulations #1118258
Darren K. Fisher 2/19/2005 8:25:32 PMLOL this is too cute. Congrats. #1118951
Karen Engelbreth 2/19/2005 11:43:15 PMCongrats Patricia! #1119151
Mary K. Robison 2/20/2005 2:15:06 AMPat, this is terrific! Congratulations! Good luck with it higher up! #1119278
Donna W. Neal 2/20/2005 5:09:03 AMVery nice still Pat, love the idea.
ADILSON F. FERREIRA 2/20/2005 6:34:33 AMCongratulations Patricia!!! #1119870
Kathleen Clemons 2/20/2005 10:25:32 AMHow fun, Pat.Congarts to you! #1120380
Kathleen Clemons 2/20/2005 10:29:38 AMLOL I cannot type. Make that congrats! #1120384
Eric Highfield 2/21/2005 8:49:37 AMLOL! Congratulations, Pat! Not only creative, but extremely well done! #1122495
Sharon Day 2/21/2005 3:08:04 PMBig congratulations on your win, Pat!!! WTG on this wonderful image!!! #1123377
Claudia Kuhn 2/21/2005 3:21:06 PMBig congrats Pat!! #1123443
cj patterson 2/21/2005 3:22:00 PMCONGRATULATIONS!!! #1123448
Kara L. Hendricks 2/21/2005 3:31:47 PMCongrats on your big win!! Way to go!! #1123515
Joy Brown 2/21/2005 3:33:03 PMCongratulations on this terrific and very creative winner, Pat! #1123524
Patricia A. Kuniega 2/21/2005 3:41:24 PMMany thanks to everyone for taking the time to comment. I appreciate your kindesses greatly! #1123583
Charlene Bayerle 2/21/2005 3:42:38 PMCongratulations Pat...well deserved!!!! #1123590
Bonnie C. Lackey 2/21/2005 3:47:48 PMCongratulations on this win for a wonderful, wacky, image!!! #1123608
Mary K. Robison 2/21/2005 3:49:55 PMSo happy to see this cutie in the winners' circle, Pat!
Deborah C. Lewinson 2/21/2005 4:14:41 PMCongratulations on this terrific win, Pat!
Susan T. Evans 2/21/2005 4:47:15 PMCongrats Pat, this is hilarious!!! well deserved win! #1123874
Donna J. Taff 2/21/2005 4:49:05 PMCongratulation's on your win, Patricia!! #1123878
Ed Isaacs 2/21/2005 5:09:40 PMPat, I totally missed seeing this on the first time around. I wish I could do stuff like this. Congratulations, it's fantastic!!!:-) #1123952
Terry R. Hatfield 2/21/2005 5:17:22 PMPatricia, A Big Congratulations To You!!!!Awesome!!! #1123975
Dan Holm 2/21/2005 5:39:32 PMWow!!! Big CONGRATULATIONS, Patricia!!! So original, so deserving!! #1124039
Cathy Gregor 2/21/2005 5:44:03 PMWay to go Pat!!!!
Wally Orlowsky 2/21/2005 6:08:14 PMCongratulations on this imaginative winner, Pat! #1124146
Debra Booth 2/21/2005 6:28:43 PMCongratulations on your win, Pat! #1124211
Kelly Abernathy 2/21/2005 6:35:02 PMCongratulations on your win! Way to go! -K #1124237
Monika Sapek 2/21/2005 6:36:26 PMFun image, Patricia! Congrats on your Second Place Win!
Murry Grigsby 2/21/2005 6:53:50 PMCongratulations on your win Pat!! #1124349
Evy Johansen 2/21/2005 7:25:09 PMBig congratulations on your win, Patricia! #1124434
Stanley J. Contrades 2/22/2005 12:58:38 AM:-)!! CONGRATULATIONS, Patricia!
Donna W. Neal 2/22/2005 4:36:13 AMCONGRATULATIONS on your win Pat ..:) #1125172
ADILSON F. FERREIRA 2/22/2005 4:36:27 AMCongratulations on your well deserved win Patricia!!! #1125173
Karen Engelbreth 2/22/2005 9:06:58 AMCongratulations on your win, Patricia! #1125902
Judith G. Secco 2/22/2005 1:03:23 PMThis really cracks me up, Pat. So glad to see it as a winner. Congratulations to you.
Karen Bacon 2/22/2005 3:05:16 PMCongratulations Pat on this fun image!! #1126463
Stephen Zacker 2/22/2005 6:21:32 PMVery fun image Ms. Kuniega :-)
S J 2/22/2005 8:21:01 PMMany Congratulations on your win with this creative image, Patricia! #1127192
Carol Brill 2/25/2005 6:54:27 PMWhat a tribute to your fertile imagination and superb PS skills, Pat, congratulations on your win and can't wait to see more in the continuing series!! #1133870
Kristi A. Howson 2/26/2005 12:31:16 PMThis is fantastic Patricia...very creative and excellent PS work! #1135443
Wanda-Lynn Searles 1/26/2009 8:52:34 PMWOW! Awesome image and effects Patricia!Congratulations on your win!
I ran into these tin can tourists while on vacation in Maine a few years ago. I decided it was time for them to see the big city!
Uploaded on 1/16/2005 5:45:09 AM
Camera: Miscellaneous Does Not Apply
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