text:
A toxin is a poison made by living cells or organisms. Toxins can cause health problems on contact or when they are absorbed by the body.
The severity of a reaction to a toxin varies greatly. A bee sting causes a minor reaction in most people. But eating food containing botulinum toxin can cause a deadly reaction. Usually, the severity of the health problem caused by a toxin depends on:
- How often a person is exposed to the toxin.
- How much toxin was in contact with or absorbed by the body.
- How poisonous the toxin is.
Treatment can be as simple as staying away from the toxin and limiting future exposure. In some cases, treatment with substances, such as anti-venom, can prevent serious illness.
Fortunately, the levels of most toxins in the environment are low.
Current as of: November 14, 2014
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Public Health Alerts
Public health alerts include information about outbreaks, advisories and product recalls. Click on the links below to read the most recent alerts, or visit our Public Health Alerts web page.
HealthLinkBC Files
HealthLinkBC Files are easy-to-understand fact sheets on a range of public health and safety topics including disease prevention and immunizations.
FIND Services and Resources
If you are looking for health services in your community, you can use our directory to FIND hospitals, clinics, and other resources.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more, visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2015 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Is it an emergency?
If you or someone in your care has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, it could be life-threatening. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately. If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control now at 1-800-567-8911.


text:
Legal Services
Batallon de San Patricio No. 109, Piso 16
Valle Oriente
66269 San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Basham, Ringe y Correa is one of the leading full-service law firms in Latin America, Established in Mexico in 1912, Basham draws upon a century of experience assisting its clients in conducting business throughout México and abroad. The firm´s clients include prominent international corporations, many of them on the Fortune 500 List, medium-sized companies, financial institutions and individuals.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Items where SHU Author is "Nield, Kevin"
|Up a level
Group by: Item Type | Full Text | No Grouping
Number of items: 2.
PAXMAN, Jenny, NIELD, Kevin and HALL, Anna (2011). Motivation, Confidence, and Control; Unraveling Active Learning for Nutrition and Food Undergraduates. Journal of Food Science Education, 10 (4), 45-53.
MAHER, Angela and NIELD, Kevin (2005). Enhancing graduate employability in hospitality, leisure, sport and tourism. In: Enhancing student employability: Ninth quality in higher education international seminar, Birmingham, 27-28th January 2005. (Unpublished)


text:
I have been doing some work for my website site for mobile and some tablets.
/* Desktop standard 960 and up */
@media only screen and (min-width: 980px) {
#container {
max-width: 1740px;
When doing testing http://cybercrab.com/screencheck/ seems to fit in all desktop screen sizes.
Anyone Could I please ask you kindly to check if website fits in screens I don't trust test websites yet. Bit new to responsive.
http://www.mwbcomputers.com.au/ its on maintenance mode but still can see if container is ok please post capture images of website if have time just so. I can see. I do not have other screens to test it on.
Thanks for your help.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.


text:
Dr. Bhagwati J. Mistry is known for her gentle and creative touch. She enjoys helping each of her patients improve their health, appearance, and self-esteem by creating the smile of their dreams, and also maintaining the health and function of their teeth, gums, and bite.
She graduated from College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey in 1981. Advanced education and continuing dental study allow her to offer her patients a superior dental experience and an unparalleled level of quality care. She is truly committed to excellence in everything she does.
Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the most advanced technology available. We offer digital X-Rays, intra-oral cameras, diagnostic lasers, and Zoom!™ the latest tooth whitening technique. Patients may recognize the brand name Zoom!™ as the whitening procedure preferred by cosmetic dentists on ABC's hit television show Extreme Makeover.


text:
Driver Repeatedly Smashes Into Police Car During Traffic Stop Gone Horribly Wrong [VIDEO]
This driver ought to seriously think about getting a bus pass.
This driver ought to seriously think about getting a bus pass.
The Grinch has wasted no time in putting a damper on this holiday season.
Animals are often curious by nature. So it's probably a decent idea to keep your window closed if there's, say, a giraffe around.
The eternal war between felines and canines continues.
It can be very challenging for women to get their pre-pregnancy bodies back, so when it happens, it creates a stir.
Amazon continues to change the retail landscape.
Airports may be a frequent source of massive frustration—just ask anyone who had to travel cross-country this past week—but sometimes they provide us with moments that just melt your heart.
It's a holiday weekend -- a time to relax and unwind.
We aren't all master chefs accustomed to cooking huge meals for dozens people, so the kind folks at Butterball have been answering all our Thanksgiving-turkey-cooking-related questions for years. And during that time, they've had some funny calls.
Black Friday has grown into a weekend of consumer-oriented festivities starting as early as 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. We've put together a guide as to who's open when and what kinds of deals you can find when you shop, either at brick-and-mortar stores or on the Web:
video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player
More and more businesses may be opening their doors on Thanksgiving, but one man who refused to clock in now has no job.
It's not just kids who get excited when they meet their heroes.


text:
Now Playing
Loading streams...
Connect with Us
Podcasts & RSS Feeds
|All Content
|View all podcasts & RSS feeds
Strange News
Egg Throwing Deemed Legitimate Sport
The World Egg Throwing Federation says its "eggstatic" now that the English Sports Council has deemed most of its games "legitimate sports." The list includes throw and catch and target throwing. Russian egg roulette did not make the cut.


text: Prev | Next Purchase this photo Billy Summers/The Putnam Herald On Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, at Lakeside Elementary School, third-grader Chase Steadman constructs a Christmas tree ornament while enjoying the last day of school before the holiday break. Gallery: Putnam in Pictures, Friday, Dec. 28 Dec. 28, 2012 @ 10:41 AM The Herald-Dispatch / 2015 Did you miss something in Putnam County this week? Chances are, one of our photographers was there. ()


text:
|Alice Marie Bean Rhoton
|Wednesday, 13 March 2013 17:47
Alice Marie Bean Rhoton, 86, of Tompkinsville, KY passed away Wednesday, March 13th, at Skyline Medical Center, in Nashville, TN.
Marie was born in Clay County, TN on May 21, 1926. She was the daughter of the late, Sidney Stanton and Martha Alice (Browning) Bean.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Cornell Rhoton. They married September 11, 1945 in the Mt. Gilead Community at Tol Phemister's home.
She graduated from Gamaliel High School in 1944. She was a member of Corinth Church of Christ.
Marie is survived by a daughter, Judy Ross and her husband, Larry Tim, of Tompkinsville, KY. two sons Terry Rhoton, of Alavton, KY; and Jeffrey Rhoton and his wife Windy, of Hendersonville TN;
Marie is also survived by 6 grandchildren; Tim Ross, Mark Ross, Jon Ross, April Pritchett, Eric Rhoton and Simeon Rhoton and 14 great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters; Ova Wright, Estelle Armer, Hazel Hakinson, Allie Reheis, Dossie King, Haley Peterson, Ruth Grace, Ruby Bouffard, Cena Jane Bean, by her brothers; Millard Bransford Bean, James Bean, Duel Bean and Elmore Bean, and her daughter-in-law, Janie Hale Rhoton.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, March 15 at 1:00 P.M. at Yokley Trible Funeral Home, with Stewart Tarter officicating.
Visitation is Thursday, March 14 from 6- 9 P.M. and Friday, March 15 from 6:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. at Yokley Trible Funeral Home. burial is in the Monroe County Memorial Lawn.


text:
London Pass BlogBack to Blog
London attractions: Churchill War Rooms pays homage to UK's most famous prime minister
Published: Thursday 30th of May 2013
Posted by Kevin Smith
Winston Churchill was one of the most famous prime ministers this country has ever known, and the Churchill War Rooms gives a rare insight into the historical significance behind the former prime minister.
Churchill was once described as the 'greatest Briton' and a visit to these museums covers all 90 years of his life, divided into five sections.
Here guests can learn about his reign as prime minister, split into the initial years and the later period of his leadership of the UK, his childhood, politics and the second world war.
Not only can visitors learn some of the stories about Churchill, there is also the chance to discover more about those who worked underground as London was being bombed above them.
A number of exhibitions take place at the museum throughout the year and private tours are also available.
The museum also makes use of interactive technology to create displays to document the life of Churchill.
Experience the best tourist attractions in London for free with a London Pass.
Related articles
Follow The London Pass blog to learn about the latest news with attractions, sights and sightseeing events in the city. As well as useful tips, hints and advice for visitors to the city and how to make the most of your sightseeing time in London. We hope you enjoy…
Prev 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Next
Get a glimpse behind the scenes at Wembley for things to do in London
Sunday 17th of February 2013 People seeking things to do in London could opt for a trip to Wembley Stadium - one of the capital's best sporting attractions.
Things to do in London: Tate modern to host Lichtenstein: A Retrospective
Saturday 16th of February 2013 Art lovers looking for things to do in London will not want to pass up on the opportunity to see Lichtenstein: A Retrospective at the Tate Modern.
The Rock n Roll Walking Tour is one of the best things to do in London
Tuesday 12th of February 2013 When in London, enjoy the Rock n Roll Walking Tour.
London attractions: Visit Elizabethan England at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Monday 11th of February 2013 Visitors to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre will be taken on an intriguing trip back in time to the rowdy London of Elizabethan England.
HMS Belfast: One of the top London attractions
Monday 11th of February 2013 Enjoy HMS Belfast, one of the top London attractions.
London attractions: Celebrate The Jam at the British Music Experience
Wednesday 6th of February 2013 The British Music Experience is hosting an exhibition to mark the 40th anniversary of the formation of The Jam.
See Carmen at the Royal Albert Hall for things to do in London
Tuesday 5th of February 2013 The Royal Albert Hall is to host the fantastic opera Carmen from February 21st until March 3rd.
London attractions: Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum presents the history of the sport
Monday 4th of February 2013 When it comes to London attractions, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is one of the most exciting for sports fans.
London attractions: Lights, camera, action!
Friday 1st of February 2013 Mingle amongst the stars of TV and film at Eltham Palace.
Visit the second oldest botanical garden in Britain for things to do in London
Thursday 31st of January 2013 Visit the Chelsea Physic Garden, the second oldest botanical garden in Britain.
London attractions: Learn about Trog, Flook and Humph too at the Cartoon Museum
Thursday 31st of January 2013 The Cartoon Museum is hosting an exhibition that will delight those with an interest in the art form.
Prev 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Next


text:
NEW YORK (AVAFIN) -- Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF options set a new 90-day record for the number of call contracts that exchanged
hands between the buyers and the sellers. Aggregate volume of puts was 8,735 and calls
was 9,243 equating to a 0.95 put/call ratio.
The skewed options ratio suggests that traders are re-balancing their portfolios in anticipation
of a price shift. Unusual volume activity directly reflects investor outlook and confirms that a
stock move is imminent.
Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF opened at $21.95 and the stock price declined $0.91 (4.11%)
to $21.17 in the last trading session. GDXJ is trading between the range of
$21.03 - $21.97. Within the last week, the shares have lost -6.99% of their value.


text:
With 27 days left until the 40th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22) here's day 2 of the tips to go green in Kentucky, thanks to the Kentucky Earth Day Web page.
- Use Energy Star qualified lighting in your home. If every household in the United States changed the lighting in one room of their home to ENERGY STAR qualified lighting, our annual energy savings alone would be equivalent to the amount of more than 21 power plants.
- Make sure your home is properly insulated. This will help you conserve electricity and reduce your home's power demands for air conditioning and heating.
Previous tips:
1. Evergreens not only beautify your landscape and create oxygen for the atmosphere; they also help reduce home energy costs. Plant them in a staggered or double line to the northwest of the home. The U.S. Bureau of Statistics reports that a line of evergreens can reduce heat loss and winter fuel bills by 20%.
2. A refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher and clothes washer can account for up to 20% of a household's monthly utility bill. Energy Star qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10-50% less energy than standard models. Spruce up you kitchen and laundry room and use less water and electricity by purchasing an Energy Star qualified appliance.
Have an out-of-the-box tip? An Earth Day event to share? Send them my way email@example.com.


text:
Cats and Daughters (After Cleo Came Jonah)
"A raw and honest account of family, life-changing events and overcoming setbacks that is poignant and life-affirming" Daily Express UK March 2013
"A must read. Five Stars." The Lady, UK
"I adored this memoir to the point that I could not put it down."
Kelly McLean NZ Book Sellers
"Sequel to Cleo, told with unflinching candor and Aussie-tinged wit… Brown reprises her first book's theme: cats have the power to help heal human suffering. Brown's voice is alternately, and appropriately, lighthearted and solemn."
Publishers Weekly STARRED review for CATS & DAUGHTERS
After Cleo, a crazy Siamese kitten called Jonah bounced into our lives. With daughter Lydia determined to move to a Sri Lankan monastery while I was about to undergo breast cancer surgery, I swore another cat was the last thing we needed.
But then Mum always said I should never swear.
This eagerly anticipated sequel to Cleo became a number one best seller when first released in 2012, and is being translated into many languages. US publication is scheduled for March 2013.
"An intimate memoir about one woman and her relationships with her cat and her family.
How do you deal with planning a wedding, being diagnosed with breast cancer and having a daughter who wants to become a Buddhist nun all at the same time? You get a high-strung, high-maintenance new kitten. Or at least this is how best-selling author Brown (Cleo; The Cat Who Mended a Family, 2010) coped with the stresses of her life.
Amusing passages swirl among the details of Brown confronting her illness: "Getting three surgeons to show up in the same operating room at the same time was like arranging for Lady Gaga, Angelina Jolie and Queen Elizabeth II to attend the same charity event."
Meanwhile, her daughter needed time and space to find her own identity in a Sri Lankan monastery.
The author writes eloquently about the bonds that exist between women of all ages, as she criss-crosses the path between caretaker and needy patient.
Woven in between are the antics of Jonah, the new kitten whose existence in the house was questioned from day one; "Jonah hesitated for a moment, as if considering the invitation," she writes. "But he narrowed his eyes and took flight like a trapeze artist, launching himself through the air to land of top of the kitchen dresser....What I hadn't counted on was a berserk kitten hiring himself on top of the upper cabinet. The glasses trembled ominously as he struggled to find his balance. The author amiably recounts the ups and downs of owning a cat and integrating the animal into her life.
For cat lovers, a pleasant and moving story of love and identity among mothers, daughters and felines."
Kirkus Reviews.
"The only thing more worrying than holding cats and daughters close is setting them free," observes Australian journalist and humorist Brown as she shares her experiences with breast cancer, a rebellious daughter, and a rambunctious cat. In this sequel to Cleo, told with unflinching candor and Aussie-tinged wit, Brown's breast cancer diagnosis and surgery coincide with her older daughter, Lydia, leaving for war-torn Sri Lanka to become a Buddhist nun. Meanwhile, a new cat enters Brown's life: a stunning, sapphire blue-eyed neurotic Siamese she names Jonah, whose behavioral baggage includes spraying, running away, and shredding carpet. Her life "ruled by a cat," Brown reprises her first book's theme: cats have the power to help heal human suffering. Brown's voice is alternately, and appropriately, lighthearted and solemn, her vulnerability evident as she struggles with breast cancer and Lydia's lifestyle; Jonah provides love, friendship and is the "[l]istener, healer, the companion who never judged." In a beautiful moment of introspection during a visit to Sri Lanka, Brown understands the futility of holding onto daughters, recognizing that Lydia needs to live her life. Having courageously faced down fear, loss, mortality, and Sri Lanka, Brown realizes she has learned much along the way. (Apr.)
Publishers Weekly
"Cats & Daughters is delightfully different. Author Helen Brown has a wonderful sense of humor and that shows abundantly here, despite that she writes about scary things mixed with the ubiquitous awww-inspiring pet-and-me stories…This is one of those books you leave on the table so it's handy when you want to return to it – which will be often. Whether your kiddies or kitties have two legs or four, Cats & Daughters is a book you'll pounce on."
The Bookworm (nationally syndicated column)
"If you're one of the 500,000 who bought Cleo and loved it, you'll be happy to hear her sequel is equally heart-warming and engaging. If you've ever felt like your life is sometimes stranger than fiction then you'll readily identify with the latest update on Helen's life. It's a great reminder of why, even when life is dishing you up a big plate of craziness, there are still blessings to be gained."
Australian Women's Weekly June 2012
Don't you love it when a book you dearly loved has a sequel?
As a crazy cat lady in the making, I lapped up everything about Helen Brown's first feline-related book Cleo: How an uppity cat helped heal a family. It's the true story of how a little black kitten came into her life after her nine-year-son Sam was tragically killed in a road accident, in front of his younger brother Rob. Spirited, regal Cleo was the tonic Helen and her family needed: her kittenish antics and unwavering companionship see the Brown family through their heartache and many more years of ups and downs too.
So you can imagine my utter glee when I discovered there was follow up.
This one picks up where the first story left off, with Cleo having recently passed on and a vehement Helen rejecting all notions of getting another cat – ever.
It takes a battle with breast cancer to change her mind. While recovering from a mastectomy, Helen's sister spots "the cutest Siamese kitten in the pet shop across town." Despite barely being able to hobble to the car, her adamant no cat stance and a dislike of the breed, it doesn't actually take much convincing to get Helen to the shops. Then the beautiful milk white kitten tinged with shadowy brown, matching ears, tail and feet does all the rest. She writes:
"I have always assumed love at first sight was a human-to-human thing, and not something that could occur between a middle-aged woman and a Siamese kitten. But in those few seconds I'd become enraptured. At some sub-cellular level that kitten and I belonged together."
To seal the deal, the sleek and athletic kitten is named Jonah, in homage to our great All Black winger who was hitting the headlines at the time and also to appeal to her rugby mad but not so fond of cats husband, Philip.
Jonah quickly establishes himself as a madcap dervish who wraps the entire household around his little chocolate paw. His antics (and trail of destruction) are the perfect foil for the myriad of stresses Helen faces on top of her recuperation: organising her son Rob's impending nuptials, trying to complete the manuscript for the Cleo book and most worrying of all, daughter Lydia's decision to give up her scholarship at university to become a Buddhist nun in Sri Lanka.
But oh what a delightful read this is! Despite the obviously painful and often trying situations, Helen fearlessly opens up about these physical and emotional hardships and is unflinchingly honest, even when sometimes it means she is cast in a not so flattering light. Her insights into aging, death and the challenges of motherhood – especially when your beautiful and talented daughter wants to become a nun in a country embroiled in civil war – are warm and sincere. Her wry observations, such as Lydia's penchant for wearing white – the colour of purity – had me snorting with laughter. She writes: "As we watched her float away like a snowflake toward the departure gate, the mother in me thought "What a dreadful colour for stains. I hope she doesn't spill tomato sauce over herself."
And then there's Jonah. Capricious, wily, Jonah with his crazy, demanding ways and clever perceptions into his family's needs that only a feline can have. How I loved him! And when he ends up on kitty Prozac after terrorising the house with prolific territorial spraying, his newly achieved Zen state nearly matches that of the devout and much meditated Lydia.
The epitome of the bitter-sweet memoir After Cleo: Came Jonah is and every bit as charming, funny and heartfelt as its predecessor. I carried it everywhere I went in the two days it took me to read it, pulling it out whenever I had even just a spare moment or two – that to me is the mark of a great read. And just as Cleo placed a little paw print on my book loving heart, Jonah did too – in his distinctly more energetic and rambunctious way of course.
Booksellers NZ April 5 2012
A warm, wise and often funny account of the highs and lows of mother-daughter relationships, the impact of a potentially life-threatening illness, and an often kooky - some might say deranged - cat called Jonah.
I can't put down "After Cleo...", what a great read. "Cleo" has been a good seller here, and I'm sure Jonah will do even better.
Matilda's Books, Melbourne
CATS AND DAUGHTERS/ AFTER CLEO CAME JONAH – Helen Brown
Review Extracts
A Must Read: "This is a moving account of family life going off the rails, but saved by love and the realisation that by allowing cats and daughters to roam, they'll come home in the end." Five Stars
The Lady (UK) April 27 2012
"I adored this memoir to the point that I could not put it down. Very well written, it captured both my heart and my imagination.
I would recommend this book not as a memoir but as a story that you just have to read."
Kelly McLean NZ Book Sellers April 13 2012
" A warm and wonderful read."
The Weekly Review
"Helen Brown is an award-winning columnist, writer and broadcast journalist renowned for her candid and intimate style. Her ability to delve into her deepest thoughts and her darkest days with honesty, passion and heart is what has made her an internationally bestselling author. "
She Said April 4 2012
"If Cleo did well, Cats and Daughters will do exceptionally well. It's a wonderful book. I loved it dearly." Pat Harding, ABC, Radio Great Southern, Western Australia
Helen Brown's biography Cleo, a heart-rending account of the death of her son and the kitten who helped her family grieve, was a word of mouth hit.
Her latest release, After Cleo Came Jonah, covers another turbulent period, when Brown was diagnosed with breast cacner and her eldest daughter decided to live in a Buddhist monastery in war-torn Sri Lanka. This intimate and candid book has broad appeal.
Herald Sun May 13 2012
"A delightful book."
Bay of Plenty Times May 10 2012
"Helen Brown has another international best seller on her hands."
Aussie Book Reviews April 21 2012
A delightful book. The Reader is drawn into the ups and downs of health – breast cancer and family relationships, especially between mother and daughter." Anne McPhail, Rotorua Post
What Readers Are Saying about After Cleo Came Jonah
Thank you so much for writing about Cleo and Jonah. Absolutely loved it! I read After Cleo, Came Jonah over the Easter break and must admit found myself laughing over certain bits, especially Jonah getting used to his harness. Your Jonah is one beautiful boy! Kate
Hi Helen, I adored following you and Jonah's story in the follow up to Cleo. It also made me feel so much better about having a medicated cat. Kelly
I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed reading both Cleo and Cats and Daughters, particularly because as the "owner" of 3 cats, Susie and the mother of a daughter who like Lydia is very headstrong and determined to do her own thing and Louise I could relate to large parts of your story. Thank you so much for writing these books.
I have spent this entire weekend reading 'After Cleo: Came Jonah'. Once again I could not put your book down. In the last two days I think I have been as far as the washing lines (a few meters) and spent the majority of the time in my pajamas!
I absolutely loved your second book and found myself laughing out loud and also gasping in shock at other parts. Jonah sounds absolutely wonderful and I always find that oriental breeds have such amazing characters.
Thank you for sharing your stories. Both books brought me a great deal of reading pleasure and enjoyment and I hope some day soon you write another book. Donna
I have just finished After Cleo and just feel I have to thank you for this wonderful memoir.
I have been rationing myself with only one chapter at a time. But
today I gave up and read the whole book to the end. Thank you so much it was delightful. Now I will have to re read it again and again and it will be as dog-eared as Cleo until your next book!
yours sincerely,
I have just completed your 2 books,
only I read them back to front, starting with After Cleo.
i can honestly say they were the best I have read - so inspiring
so sad too. You are a very brave woman. Anne
Loved both books!!! Please write another. Leanne Barry
A friend loaned me the book After Cleo came Jonah which I have just finished and returned. I loved the book (a cat lover and owner of 2 here) and like everyone else have fallen in love with that little rascal Jonah. Bless you heaps Lynn
I have been allowing myself 20 pages a day, savouring every moment. I hope it will not take the ownership of another cat to create a trilogy. Janice
I have just this minute finished After Cleo, Came Jonah and want to say thank you for another wonderful book. I had read Cleo some time ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, but this next book was really special for me. Thanks for writing a book with heart and meaning and one that made me think a little about the years to come. Toni
I have just finished reading 'Jonah' and you have saved my sanity!!! Thanks again for your wonderful books. Sue
Hi Helen, I have just finished reading After Cleo came Jonah. I loved it so much!!! Best book I have read in years. I honestly could not put it down which was hard. We have our own small business so I work 7 days a week. This is the first time I have sent an email in this regard. That is how much I loved your story telling. I was crying out loud towards the end when you were in Sri Lanka with Lydia. Thanks so much for sharing your life with others it helps to understand our own lives. Will now have to go and buy your other books. Sharon
Having just read "After Cleo Came Jonah" over the last few days I want to thank you for sharing such a wonderful story. I'll be urging friends to read it too.
Looking forward to your next publication.
Kind regards and love to Jonah. Nicola
The Australian - Travel & Indulgence - On the road to Kandy (19 May 2012)
New Zealand Herald (May 2012)
That's Life (April 2012)
Next, feature (May 2012)
Timaru Herald (7 April 2012)
Herald Sun (28 April 2012)
Stonnington Leader (15 April 2012)
Melbourne Weekly (7 May 2012)
Daily News, New Plymouth Taranaki (12 May 2012)
Top authors congregate for a Yarn(16 May 2012)
Radio National ABC - Life Matters Radio Interview
It was fun chatting about Cats and Daughters on ABC national radio.
And an honour to be on Kathryn Ryan's Radio New Zealand show.


text:
Corporate Awards and RecognitionSynergy Enterprises, Inc. (SEI) and our President/CEO have received the following awards and recognitions:
- SEI won two 2014 AVA Digital Gold Awards for the development of educational videos for the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, and one Honorable Mention for the development of a medical video for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute on Drug Abuse. View the award-winning videos: Condition of Education Statistics Animated School Crime and Safety Video, Highlights of U.S. Program for International Student Assessment 2012 Results Video, and National Institute on Drug Abuse Brain Reward 2013 Video.
- SEI won six 2013 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen awards from the National Association of Government Communicators.
- SEI won a 2012 Telly Award for five videos produced in collaboration with BlueSky Films and Abt Associates for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's 8th Annual Prevention Day.
- President Barack Obama invited SEI President/CEO to a meeting at the Oval Office on June 11, 2010, followed by a press conference at the Rose Garden to laud SEI as a successful "information technology small business."
- Prachee J. Devadas, SEI President and CEO, was one of 15 business owners invited to the White House on September 27, 2010, to be with President Obama, Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, and members of Congress when the President signed the Small Business Jobs Act, designed to help small businesses hire new workers.
- SEI was nominated and named a top-five finalist for the 2010 GovCon Contractor of the Year Award.
- SEI president was nominated and named a top-five finalist for the 2010 GovCon Executive of the Year Award.
- SEI president was honored as the 2009 Washington Metropolitan Area District Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration.
- SEI president was awarded the 2009 Proclamation from Montgomery County Council.
- SEI ranked 14 on Washington Technology's 2008 list of Top 25 Nationwide 8(a) Firms.
- SEI president received Outstanding Contribution Award by the National Association of Professional Asian American Women in 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000, and 2002.
SEI's senior staff and subject matter experts have also received various industry awards and recognitions. Find a listing below.
- Maggie Bray—National Institutes of Health, Plain Language/Clear Communication Award, 2011
- Rhonda L. Crenshaw—American Society for Training and Development President's Award Winner for Professional Excellence, 2009
- Carla McClure—Golden Quill Awards for national publications, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008; EdPress, Distinguished Publication, senior writer, 2002; West Virginia Commission on the Arts, Fellowship Award in Literature, 1994
- Verna Robinson—Society of Government Meeting Professionals, Planner of the Month, 2006
- Patrick Zickler—National Institutes of Health, Plain Language Award, 2010 and Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals, Gold Hermes Creative Award, 2008


text:
(d@k uses ''cascading style sheets'' -- our Sites remain accessible ~;-)
Linnaeus may well have asked that question, while classifying domesticated fowl way back in 1758. But, our goal isn't to answer whether it was the chicken or the egg that came first: Gallus gallus domesticus dot com hopes, instead, to help you quickly find the best answers to all those many more important questions you might have.
Google's great. But, a search for "chicken" offers everything from a new compiler for the scheme programming language to Kentucky Fried Chicken. And, soon? They'll be listing us among those results found when searching for them ... who has the time to sift through 549,000,000 results? But, you're gonna have to be patient, 'cause it's gonna take us quite a bit longer than 0.14 seconds to find and organize what you wanna know.
So, bookmark page, unless you have a better memory for Latin than the rest of us, and check back in from time to time: This egg's just hatched out of the incubator, but we'll be out of the brooder soon.
Gallus gallus domesticus is one of my more 'bird-brained' domains, along with guineas.us & doves.me, and I have just a *few* more … ok … about fifty more.
But, you can find me on BackYardChickens, where I've found many warm/friendly/helpful folks.
If you have useful/accurate informations to share, or wish to help out, then please all about it (once we're all feathered up, we'll need it ~'-)
<!-- -->
(cowcreekgeek © 2012 all rights reserved ~'-)


text:
Gear Review
Good bang for the buck
Great jacket for the price, used it for a ride up the Los Angeles Crest HWY were temperatures dipped down to the high 30's F. It does not breath as well has other ones, for the climb up I had to remove the sleeves which was no problem at all. On my descend down with the wind chill factor this jacket rocked!! I was able to make it down hill without stopping to warm up. The sleeve zippered up with no problem. I have unzipped them off twice and experience no problems with the zipper. For the price this jacket is great for cold weather.
View More Details on Gore Bike Wear Phantom SO Jacket - Women's


text:
20 days and counting :)
scheduled my gender scan :)
Posted 08/06/2014
Comments (1)
What's on your mind?Create a new post
Your growing child
Your 5-month-old: Week 4
Your baby now sees and hears the world almost as well as you do. Her communication skills are expanding rapidly, too, as evidenced by her squeals, bubbling sounds, and operatic octave changes. Her sounds can demonstrate her attitude or response to... Read More
Your 6-month-old: Week 1
As your baby starts becoming more active, he'll appreciate comfy clothes. Opt for soft fabrics that won't chafe him as he moves around. Loose, stretchy, and breathable clothing will provide your energetic little one plenty of wiggle room. Read More
Your 6-month-old: Week 2
Your baby may favor one hand for a while and then switch to the other. But you can't really tell whether she's a lefty or a righty until she's about 2 or 3 years old. Read More
Your 6-month-old: Week 3
Soon your baby may let you know that he's ready to try eating finger foods by grabbing the spoon you're feeding him with or snatching food off your plate. Scatter four or five pieces of finger food onto your baby's highchair tray or an unbreakable plate. Read More
Your 6-month-old: Week 4
At this age, babies tend to gravitate toward stuffed animals, big and small. One might even become your baby's favorite security object. If so, it'll soon be covered in drool and accompanying you everywhere. Don't worry... Read More


text:
Kenny Williamson: Meet the 2014 Best Music Photographers in St. Louis
|Kenny Williamson
|Taylor Swift
What dos/don'ts do you have for young photographers who would like to pursue this type of work?
Do keep the copyright to all of your images. Do get to know the other photographers at the venue. Do not piss off the security guards. Do not piss off the people in the front row. Do not bring a 40-pound backpack into a three-foot-wide photo pit. And do not do this thinking you'll make a lot of money and quit your day job. Do this because you undeniably love it.
Kenny Williamson Elton John
Pick one of the photos you've submitted and tell us a little about it: Where was it shot, who is featured and, most importantly, how did you capture it? We'd love to hear logistical description or technical breakdowns or whatever else you want to tell us.
I've always been a fan of Elton John but have never seen him in concert, until November 2013. The photographers were told in advance we would shoot only the first two songs, from the soundboard. Just before the show, we received good news that song one would be from the pit. We were escorted to the stage and positioned directly in front of Elton John's grand piano. The first song of the show was "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding," which lasted beyond ten minutes -- which is an eternity in music-photography years. I was able to use multiple lenses and get a set of images I was pleased with, including the one I featured here. This took several attempts with a fish eye lens, holding the camera level so as not to distort the subject too much, and trying to get the reflection of Elton on the floor.
See also:
Todd Morgan: Meet the 2014 Best Music Photographers in St. Louis
Abby Gillardi: Meet the 2014 Best Music Photographers in St. Louis
The 15 Most Ridiculous Band Promo Photos Ever
This Incredible Make-A-Wish Teenager Went to the Gathering of the Juggalos, Got a Lap Dance (NSFW)
Crotching Whiskey at the Justin Bieber Concert and Getting Thrown Out: A Review
The Top Ten Ways to Piss Off Your Bartender at a Music Venue
Follow @rftmusic
Sponsor Content


text:
Doc Martin (Part 14 Spoilers)
View Single Post
04-09-2012, 01:24
Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,387
Originally Posted by
My mention of Ruth getting a share in the Large Restaurant comes from the agreement she and Al reach for the repayment of the sum that he misappropriated at the end of Cats and Sharks. Al proposes 10% of the restaurant's profits, and the proceeds from the sale of his scooter, which would pay her back in one go -- almost. She counters by refusing the proceeds from the sale of his scooter as he'll need it to come to work at her farm. I take that to mean that for the first few episodes of S6 at least, she'll be drawing some sort of repayment from the restaurant's profits. It's not envisioned as a long term arrangement, but seeing that that restaurant is always in financial crisis, it may open the door to Ruth being involved with the Larges around the restaurant, as well as with Al around the farm.
I've been coming across Ian McNeice in some of my recent movie viewing. He was in "The Englishman who went up a hill and came down a mountain" opposite Hugh Grant and Tara Fitzgerald. He had a small role in "Valmont," the movie that sparked the off-screen romance between Colin Firth and Meg Tilley. Last night I watched "84 Charing Cross Road," (a movie starring Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft which I watched repeatedly about 15 years ago, I liked it that much, but haven't watched in a while -- certainly not since becoming aware of Ian McNeice as Bert Large) and there he was playing Mr. Humphreys. The variation between these three roles is not as striking as the total transformation we see in Eileen Atkins between, for instance, Doc Martin and Cold Comfort Farm, or in Martin Clunes between Doc Martin and some of his other roles, but Ian McNeice is, IMO, a very good actor, which I have to separate in my mind from the fact I don't particularly like Bert Large, his character.
Bert, it seems to me, is mostly a character for characters we care about more, like Al, like the Doc and Louisa, to play off...which makes me wonder if S6 may be the time to make him central to some multi-episode subplot (like his battle with a chronic illness) and then to kill him off.
I remember when J.K. Rowling killed off Albus Dumbledore at the end of book 6 I thought, how can there possibly be a wizarding world without him? Reaching back further into my childhood reading, I remember when L.M. Montgomery killed off Matthew toward the end of Anne of Green Gables, I thought, how can "the Anne books" (of which there are at least 5 subsequent) have gone on without him? The way I justified both those deaths to myself as a reader (and I am still happier about Matthew's than about Dumbledore's), was along the lines of "unless a seed fall into the ground and die it cannot bear much fruit." Sometimes characters can be worth more to us dead than they are alive. For instance Matthew's death transformed the relationship between Anne and Marilla, allowing Marilla to channel all the softer attributes that were once found in him. I wonder what grist might be obtained for the mill in terms of Al's character -- in terms of scenes between Al and his avunculars (Martin and Ruth) -- if Bert's character were to be sacrificed at this point?
thanks for the explanation of how AR might own a small piece of the Large restaurant. makes sense.
I have also seen Ian MacNeice in the series Rome (it was HBO, on for two seasons, apparently hideously expensive to produce but well done and fascinating, especially if you are a history buff) -- where he was the town crier -- stood on a pedestal and declaimed the news.
And thanks for the mention of Anne of Green Gables -- one of my very favorite books as a child. I must have read it a dozen times -- and the death of Matthew was so beautifully treated.
View Public Profile
Find More Posts by NewPark


text: For those of you who have gained weight... I "attempt" to diet down often but Im just so f*cking hungry and not disciplined enough not to eat. Also, my crazy ass metabolism has me starving all day, but I also gain weight easily :rolleyes: I was thinking that I should just go with the eating thing and try to put on some muscle, and was just wondering if more muscle is going to drive my appetite even more, or if it will stay the same. My reasoning is, more muscle will burn more calories, so when I am bigger I will be able to burn off the fat... Thanks.


text:
A blood pressure monitoring device includes a pressure sensing element mounted or a probe tip or in a catheter tip adapted for insertion into a patient's blood stream. The element includes a pressure transducer having a micromachined diaphragm which flexes in response to pressure changes. The flexes are converted by the transducer to electrical signals which pass back through the catheter to a display. The element and the catheter are conformally coated with a thin layer of parylene which insulates the device from the deleterious effects which blood components such as water and ions would otherwise have on various components of the device.
1. A blood pressure monitoring device comprising:
(a) A silicon pressure transducer including an integral micromachined diaphragm forming the bottom wall of said transducer, said diaphragm flexing in response to a change in blood pressure exerted on a first side of said diaphragm, said transducer converting said change in pressure to an electrical signal;
(b) a flexible polymeric tubing having said element mounted in a distal end thereof, said tubing enclosing conducting means for conducting said signal away from said transducer; and
(c) a parylene coating on said transducer and at least a portion of said tubing, said coating insulating said transducer and conducting means from water vapor and ions when said device is placed in a patient's blood stream for up to eight days and longer.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm forms the bottom wall of said transducer.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said transducer is a silicon chip.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said polymeric tubing is of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl acetate, polyester and polyurethane.
5. The device of claim 1 further comprising an end cap affixed to said distal end, said end cap having said transducer supported therein.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said and cap is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of ceramic and stainless steel.
7. The device of claim wherein said conducting means is a wire.
8. The device of claim 1 further comprising means providing air communication between the interior of said tubing and a second side of said diaphragm.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein said parylene coating is a vapor-deposited coating.
10. The device of claim 1 further comprising an anticoagulent on said parylene coating.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein said anticoagulent is heparin.
12. A pressure monitoring device comprising:
(a) a sensing element including a silicon transducer, said transducer converting a pressure change sensed by said element to a signal related to said pressure;
(b) a flexible polymeric tubing having said element mounted therein, said tubing enclosing means for conducting said signal away from said transducer; and
(c) a parylene coating on said element and at least a portion of said tubing thereby insulating said element and means for conducting from the external environment.
13. The device of claim 12 which measures pressure in a compartment of a living body.
14. A blood pressure monitoring device comprising:
(a) a pressure sensing element including a silicon transducer having an integral micromachined diaphragm no more than 10 microns thick forming the bottom wall of said transducer, and diaphragm flexing in response to a change in pressure exerted by a patient's blood stream in contact with a first side of said diaphragm, said diaphragm converting said change in pressure to an electrical signal;
(b) a flexible polyurethane tubing having said element mounted in a distal end thereof, said tubing enclosing a wire for conducting said signal from said transducer to a display connected to a proximal end of said tubing;
(c) a conduit within said tubing establishing air communication between a second side of said diaphragm and the interior of said tubing; and
(d) a parylene-C coating vapor deposited on said element and at least a portion of said tubing, said coating insulating said element and wire from water vapor and ions for up to eight days and longer when said device is placed in a patient's blood stream.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein said element further comprises an end cap affixed to said distal end and having said transducer supported therein.
16. The device of claim 14 further comprising a coating of heparin over said parylene-C coating.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to implantable biomedical devices, and more particularly, relates to blood contacting sensing devices and a method for their protection against degradation induced by the blood.
2. Background of the Invention
In current diagnostic and therapeutic medical practice, many situations arise in which an instrument must be implanted and maintained in a patient's body for extended periods of time. For example, implanted sensors for gases, electrolytes and pH which depend on a component of a body fluid reaching the sensor for a chemical reaction are well-known.
In other cases, the sensor measures a physical effect, such as blood pressure, by converting a pressure flex on the sensor to an electrical charge. In these cases, it is often essential that the body fluid be prevented from contacting the sensing element, because body fluids in general contain ions in an aqueous environment, and ions and other constituents of body fluids are often deleterious to the sensing element particularly when an electrical charge is to be developed. In addition, water vapor passes easily through most materials and itself catalyses reactions that may corrode various device components.
Exemplary of devices adapted for implantation is that described by Wallace et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,822. The Wallace et al. device includes a pressure transducer covered by a cap for monitoring pressure in body compartments such as the uterus. The transducer and cap are disposed in a flexible boot, and aligned hole in the cap and boot are filled with a silicone gel. The gel serves as a hydraulic fluid which transmits external pressure in the body compartment to the transducer and also provides a water tight seal to prevent body fluid from reaching the transducer.
Hutchins et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,781, discloses a catheter tip pressure transducer for blood pressure measurement. The transducer is covered by a rubber sheath which provides a seal against entrance of the blood into the transducer compartment.
Protection of implants from damage by body fluids has been summarized by Troyk in Sensors Expo Proceedings, 1988, page 308A-1. Troyk discusses the state of the art in packaging for implantable sensors, and states that, while blood compatible chemical sensors have been developed, they cannot be used with implanted systems because of packaging difficulties.
Coatings have been extensively studied for the protection of implants. Matsuo et al., in Sensors and Activators, 9, 115 (1986) discloses a parylene-coated reference ion sensitive field effect transistor fabricated by cleaning of the silicon surface with an oxygen plasma and depositing a 100 nm parylene coating thereon.
Yasuda et al., in Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 17, 109 (1981), reports that vapor deposited parylene coating adhere well to polymeric surfaces but poorly to metal and glass, and that the poor adhesion to metal and glass may be overcome by glow discharge depositing a primer coating of polymer and vapor depositing a coating of parylene over the polymer. Similarly, Nichols et al., in Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 23, 57 (1987), states that no single off-the-shelf polymeric material has sufficient biocompatibility and adherence to various implant materials to provide insulation to a sensor exposed to the hostile ionic environment of extracellular fluid. Thus, Nichols et al. teaches a trilayer coating for sensor implants consisting of a first glow discharge polymerized and deposited layer of methane, a second layer of glow discharge polymerized and deposited parylene C thereon and an outside layer of biocompatible parylene C vapor deposited thereon.
Blood contacting medical implants face the additional problem of the thrombogenicity associated with most foreign materials in contact with the blood. Kanda et al., in Electronic Letters, 17, 558 (1981) discloses a study of clotting times of various surfaces in contact with blood.
Much effort has been expended by many workers in an effort to construct a direct blood contacting device which can be implanted in a patient's blood stream and provide continuous blood pressure monitoring for a protracted period of time without sustaining damage or inducing thrombosis. While the above disclosures have addressed the problem, to date, no such device exists. The present invention provides a solution to this problem.
A pressure monitoring device includes a pressure sensing element having a pressure transducer mounted in a catheter tip. The element senses pressure changes and the transducer converts the changes to signals which are connected through the catheter to a display. The element and at least a portion of the catheter are coated conformally with a thin layer of parylene. (In the present disclosure, the term conformally means a continuous pinhole-free covering over all surfaces, joints and connections).
In a preferred device of the invention for blood pressure monitoring, the transducer is supported in an end cap affixed to the end of the catheter. The transducer is separated from a patient's blood by a micromachined diaphragm which flexes in response to changes in the blood pressure. The flexes are converted by the transducer to electrical signals which pass through a conductor, such as a wire back through the catheter to the monitor. Preferably, air communication is maintained between the interior of the catheter and the exterior surface of the diaphragm.
The preferred conformal coating of parylene is applied by vapor deposition and is from about 2 to 10μ thick.
Thus, the present invention provides a catheter tip blood pressure monitoring device in which a thin vapor-deposited pinhole-free layer of parylene is conformally coated directly onto the pressure sensing element and at least a portion of the catheter. Because the coating is very thin, it protects the sensing element without compromising the flexional properties of the diaphragm. The coating is applied directly onto the element and catheter with a need for a primer coat. Because the parylene coating adheres exceptionally firmly to the polymeric catheter and conformally covers both the catheter and the element, the coating has no tendency to delaminate from the nonpolymeric portions of the element, such as the transducer and end cap. Thus, the device may be maintained in a patient's blood stream for a week or more with swelling, cracking, leaking or delaminating. By coating a blood contacting implant with parylene in accordance with the invention, the need for an anticoagulent, such as heparin, may be eliminated for up to two weeks. On the other hand, a heparin layer may be applied to the parylene coating if desired to further enhance antithrombogenicity, particularly if the device is to remain implanted in a patient's blood stream for longer periods.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blood pressure monitoring apparatus of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the catheter tip blood pressure sensor of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway view of a representative sensor suitable for coating with parylene in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 4 is an optical micrograph of a control catheter probe tip cutaway to show the transducer and conductors prior to parylene coating and implantation;
FIG. 5 is an optical micrograph of the control probe tip of FIG. 4 after 30 minutes in normal saline; and
FIG. 6 is an optical micrograph of the control catheter probe tip of FIG. 4 after parylene coating and eight days implantation in a rabbit artery.
While this invention is satisfied by embodiments in many different forms, there will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as exemplary of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described. The scope of the invention will be measured by the appended claims and their equivalents.
In its broadest scope, the present invention is contemplated to include any implantable sensing device conformally coated with vapor-deposited parylene directly onto the device surface. Preferred sensing devices of the invention are catheter tip sensors responsive to physical effects, such as pressure, useful for measuring pressure changes in a compartment of a living body. Particularly preferred is a catheter tip blood pressure measuring device.
A preferred parylene coated catheter tip pressure sensing device of the invention will now be described in general terms with reference to the drawings. A detailed description of the preferred device absent the parylene coating is provided in copending application, Ser. No. 410,564, filed Sept. 21, 1989, of common assignee, which copending application is herein incorporated by reference.
FIG. 1 illustrates blood pressure sensing device 10 including catheter 12 having proximal end 14 and distal end 16. A pressure sensor 18 is mounted in distal end 16, and proximal end 14 is connected to a display monitor 20. Any electronics necessary for conversion of pressure sensed by sensor 18 to the monitor may be housed in a suitable enclosure 22 between the sensor and monitor. If desired, the device may include an optional blood sample port 24 connected to the catheter by a conventional luer-lok 26. Distal end 16 of catheter 12, including that portion of the catheter which includes sensor 18, is conformally covered with a coating of parylene 28.
FIG. 2 shows parylene coating 28 conformally covering sensor 18 and a portion of catheter 12. It is evident that the parylene coating may be applied to only a portion of the catheter, as shown in FIG. 2, or it may cover the entire portion of the catheter contemplated to be inserted into a patient.
FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a blood pressure sensing device suitable for application of the parylene coating of the invention. Pressure sensor 18 includes a silicon transducer 40 micromachined to include a cavity 42 and a diaphragm 44 which forms the bottom wall of the transducer. A plurality of bonding pads 46 of a conducting metal are affixed to a surface of transducer 40. The transducer is affixed firmly, as for example by an adhesive 47 to an end cap 49 having a shoulder 50, a wall 52 and a flange 54. Catheter 12 may be mounted on flange 54 to abut shoulder 50 and may be affixed to both with adhesive 47.
A vent tube 56 passes through wall 52 to provide air communication for pressure equalization between the bottom surface of diaphragm 44 and the interior of catheter 12. A plurality of conductors 58 likewise pass through wall 52 and connect to bonding pads 46. A coating 59 of a suitable insulating material may be applied to a surface of transducer 40, pads 46 and conductors 58. An adhesive fill 60 may be added to the interior space bounded by flange 54 to provide support for tube 56 and conductors 58.
Any suitable polymer which can be extruded by either melt or solution techniques may be used for fabrication of catheter 12. Suitable polymers are, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl acetate, polyester or preferably polyurethane or copolymers thereof.
Diaphragm 44 may be about 1 to 10, preferably about 6μ thick. While it is preferred that the diaphragm is an integral part of the silicon transducer formed by micromachining to form cavity 42, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that the diaphragm may also be a membrane of a material such as rubber.
Bonding pads 46 serve to establish electrical communication between conductors 58 and transducer 40 and may be of any conducting metal. Suitable conducting metals are silver, gold or preferably aluminum. Coating 59 may be of any suitable insulating material, preferably silicon nitride. The coating may be applied by any suitable procedure, as for example from a solvent solution followed by solvent evaporation, or, preferably it may be sputter coated to the surface of transducer 40, pads 46 and conductors 58.
End cap 49 closes the distal end of catheter 12 and provides support for transducer 40. The end cap may be ceramic or preferably a metal, most preferably stainless steel.
Conductors 58 pass through catheter 12 to provide electrical communication from transducer 40 through pads 46 to the electronics in enclosure 22. The conductors, preferably a plurality of wires, may be of any suitable material for conducting electrical signals such as platinum, copper, or, preferably aluminum. Most preferably, the conductors are coated with a layer of a suitable insulator, such as epoxy or crosslinked polyurethane.
Parylene is the generic name for thermoplastic film polymers based on para xylylene. Three precursor xylylene dimers commercially available from Nova-tran Corp., Clearlake, Wisc., may be polymerized to polymers conventionally referred to as parylene N, parylene D and parylene C, and the present invention contemplates coatings from all three. The preferred coating material of the invention is parylene C. This product is prepared by heating 2-chloro-p-xylylene in steam to a high temperature to produce a solid cyclic dimer which can be isolated in pure form. The pure dimer is then pyrolyzed to two molecules of a monomeric highly reactive intermediate α,α'-diradical of chloro-p-xylylene. On cooling, the vaporized diradical condenses on the object as a conformal coating of polymeric film in a process generally referred to as chemical vapor deposition.
The parylene coating may be deposited on the pressure sensing device of the invention in a suitable pyrolysis apparatus having a sublimination chamber, a pyrolysis chamber and a deposition chamber, as for example the Model 1050 parylene generator available from Nova-tran. The solid dimer may be placed in the sublimination chamber and the device to be coated may be placed in the deposition chamber. The apparatus may be pumped down to a pressure of about 1 to 100, preferably about 10 to 30 millitorr using a mechanical pump and a liquid nitrogen trap. The temperature of the sublimation chamber may be raised to about 50� to 300� C., preferably about 100� to 200� C., most preferably about 150� C. whereby the dimer sublimes and the vapor passes into the pyrolysis chamber. Pyrolysis of the vaporized dimer may be carried out by maintaining the temperature of the pyrolysis zone about 500� to 900� C., preferably about 600� to 800� C., most preferably about 650� C. The diradical formed by the pyrolysis passes into the deposition chamber where it polymerizes and condenses conformally on all surfaces of the device.
It has been found that the temperatures maintained in the sublimation and pyrolysis chambers and the pumpdown pressure are factors in control of the rate at which the coating forms on the device. Higher temperatures and lower pressures increase the rate of coating formation. Accordingly, coatings which range in thickness from about 0.25 to 25μ may be deposited in about 10 sec to 10 hr. Preferred coatings are about 1 to 15μ thick and are deposited in about 1 to 60 min. The most preferred coatings are about 2 to 10μ thick and are formed in about 30 min.
It is known that parylene adheres well to polymeric materials and, in accordance with the invention, it has been found that the parylene coating adheres exceptionally well to the surface of the polyurethane catheter. The firmly adhered coating on the catheter portion of the device anchors the conformal coating so that the portion of the coating on the metal end cap does not undergo any delamination in spite of the well-known failure of parylene to adhere to metal or glass surfaces.
The morphology of the parylene coatings on the catheter tip probes of the invention were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and found to vary in thickness from 1 to 45μ in thickness depending on the quantity of dimer charged to the sublimation zone of the reactor and the volume of the reactor. Thus, a dimer mass of 2.6 g in a 169.6 cubic inch reactor and a dimer mass of 3.1 g in a 339.3 cubic inch reaction gave a film 2 to 5μ thick.
In accordance with the invention, a catheter tip probe having a 2.54μ coating of parylene C, after 8 days implantation in a rabbit artery, was devoid of degradation, as described in Example III and illustrated in the photograph of FIG. 6. This probe was fully functional after the 8 days and clearly would have remained so for an indefinite period if the implantation has been maintained. In contrast, an identical probe lacking the parylene coating showed extensive decomposition after 30 minutes immersion in 1N saline, conditions which approximate blood in corrosiveness, as shown in FIG. 5.
The parylene coated probe of the invention remained substantially nonthrombogenic for the 8 day rabbit implantation. If deemed appropriate, the parylene coated probe may be coated with an anticoagulent to further protect against the formation of thrombi when placed in a patient's blood stream. A preferred anticoagulent is heparin, which may be applied by any conventional process. For example, a suitable method for heparinization of a blood contacting surface is that of Dudley et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,467 in which the surface is treated sequentially with a cationic surface active agent and sodium heparin.
The following Examples are provided to further describe the invention but are not to be considered in any way as limitative of the invention.
The catheter tip blood pressure probe to be parylene coated was placed in the deposition chamber of the Nova-tran Model 1050 reactor. The reactor was sealed and the appropriate amount of parylene C dimer (i.e., for a desired coating thickness) was uniformly distributed in the sublimation zone of the reactor. The system was pumped down to a partial pressure of 50 mTorr and liquid nitrogen was added to the cold trap to serve as both a trap and a cryopump. Pumping was continued until a partial pressure of 20 mTorr or less was achieved.
The pyrolysis zone heater was then turned on and the temperature raised to 655� C. over several min. The sublimation zone heater was then heated to 155� over 10 to 15 min and maintained at this temperature for 30 min. The sublimation and pyrolysis zones were cooled to room temperature, the liquid nitrogen was removed from the trap, air was bled into the system and the probes were removed. Film thickness and quality (i.e., absence of pinholes) was determined by SEM.
The catheter tip blood pressure probe of FIGS. 2 and 3 but lacking the parylene coating was immersed in a 1N saline both for 1 hour at 37� C. The probe was removed from the bath, rinsed thoroughly with distilled water, dried and examined. An optical micrograph showed extensive degradation of the bonding pads and conductors, as shown in FIG. 5.
A parylene-coated catheter tip blood pressure probe as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 was inserted into the artery of a rabbit. The probe was removed after 8 days and examined visually and by SEM for degradation of the sensor element and conductors due to the blood. The probe showed no degradation, as shown in FIG. 6 and was fully functional in monitoring blood pressure.
Thus, the invention provides a catheter tip blood pressure monitoring device in which the sensitive components are protected against moisture and ions by a conformal coating of parylene firmly adhered to the polymeric catheter so that delamination of the parylene from the non-polymeric sensing element does not occur.
Patent Citations
Non-Patent Citations
Referenced by
Legal Events
Original Image


text:
A person-to-person flower presentation package, wherein a bundle of flowers is placed out of sight in a preferably conical, open-topped, container. Upon presentation, a cord is pulled, raising the blossoms suddenly into view. The package also includes one or more popping sound generators which are actuated as the flower-raising cord is pulled.
1. A person-to-person flower presentation device, comprising:
a hollow body having wall means enclosing a space therewithin, having a substantially open uppermost end; wherein
the space within the body encloses a group of at least one flower assembly comprising at least a blossom;
means securing the blossoms together into a single bundle thereof;
a flexible bundle pull string having a pair of opposite ends, one of which is fastened to the blossom securing means; and
pull string guide means positioned upon the body so that the bundle of blossoms is raised by pulling upon the other of said pair of ends outside of the hollow body.
2. The person-to-person flower presentation device of claim 1, wherein:
the flower assembly comprises a blossom connected to an uppermost end of a downwardly extending elongate stem member having a lowermost end; and
the means securing the blossoms together comprises means securing the lowermost ends of the stem members together, so that the group of flowers comprises a single bundle thereof with the blossoms uppermost thereon.
3. The flower presentation device of claim 2, wherein:
the bundle of flowers is raised by pulling downwardly upon the bundle pull string.
4. The flower presentation device of claim 3, wherein:
the blossoms of the bundle of flowers are generally below the open uppermost end of the body, and are lifted to a position thereabove as the bundle is raised.
5. The flower presentation device of claim 4, wherein:
the pull string guide means comprises a perforation carried by the hollow body wall means at an elevation higher than the stem member securing means, through which the pull string exits from the hollow body.
6. The flower presentation device of claim 5, wherein:
the pull string guide means further comprises;
a guiding perforation carried by the hollow body wall means through which the pull string re-enters the hollow body; and
the hollow body wall means carries a perforation through which the pull string finally exits from the hollow body to be pulled from outside thereof to raise the bundle of flowers.
7. The flower presentation device of claim 6, further comprising:
at least one popping sound generator mounted within the hollow body; and
means actuating said generator as the bundle of flowers is raised by pulling upon the pull string.
8. The flower presentation device of claim 7, wherein:
the means actuating the popping sound generator comprises a flexible lanyard cord extending from said generator to and through the pull string final exit guiding perforation, said lanyard cord and the pull string being pulled simultaneously.
9. The flower presentation device of claim 8, wherein:
the popping sound generator comprises a hollow body containing an explosive device which produces the popping sound when actuated by the lanyard cord, and a plurality of rolls of confetti, said explosive device generating a pulse of combustion gases expelling the confetti from the body upwardly simultaneously with the elevation of the bundle of flowers.
10. The flower presentation device of claim 8, wherein:
the wall means comprises a shell expanding conically from a lowermost tip portion thereof to the open uppermost top of the hollow body; and
the perforation of final exit of the pull string from the hollow body is at said tip portion.
11. The flower presentation device of claim 10, further comprising:
a serrated decorative fringe secured to the body shell at the uppermost open end thereof, extending inwardly thereover to substantially shield the blossoms from view therethrough.
12. The flower presentation device of claim 11, wherein:
the flower assembly is selected from among freshly cut live flower components and manufactured substitutes therefor.
13. The flower presentation device of claim 6, wherein:
the flower assembly is selected from among freshly cut live flower components and manufactured substitutes therefor.
14. The flower presentation device of claim 5, further comprising:
at least one popping sound generator mounted within the hollow body; and
means actuating said generator as the bundle of flowers is raised by pulling upon the pull string.
15. The flower presentation device of claim 14, wherein:
the means actuating the popping sound generator comprises a flexible lanyard cord extending from said generator to and through the pull string final exit guiding perforation, said lanyard cord and the pull string being pulled simultaneously.
16. The flower presentation device of claim 3, wherein:
the flower assembly is selected from among freshly cut live flower components and manufactured substitutes therefor.
17. The flower presentation device of claim 1, wherein:
the flower assembly is selected from among freshly cut live flower components and manufactured substitutes therefor.
1. Field
The field of the invention is packaging apparatus for presentation of flowers from one person to another.
2. State of the Art
Gifts of flowers carry their own very effective, even if mute, language conveying respect, admiration, congratulations and the like to the recipient, who can seldom fail to feel the underlying sentiment, even in the absence any accompanying verbal message. Flowers are given in honor of births, marriages, birthdays, holidays and many other current memorable events, and even memorable past triumphs and milestones in the lives of the recipients. Some situations are best commemorated by quiet respectful bestowal of the floral offerings. In other situations, there is strong motivation to call attention not only to the flowers but to the flower giver as an individual. This is often true when the recipient is the object of the giver's personal affections.
However, prior art packaging of roses or other flowers for presentation in the latter situations is largely free of variety or dramatic impact, perhaps because floral tributes themselves tend to be considered ultimate emotional expressions. There is substantial merit in this viewpoint. However, floral tributes are so widespread as to become prosaic, and boringly predictable. In the familiar scenario, the admiring swain, for example, clutches a clump of long stemmed flowers, generally roses and generally red, in his outstretched hand, unpackaged or at best partially wrapped in paper or transparent plastic. For surprise, many presenters attempt to conceal the flowers in a hand held behind the back, to then be flourished into the face of the recipient. Reliance is of necessity upon dramatic words, demeanor and gestures unaided by packaging. It is to be expected that the presenter will need all the help he can obtain.
Therefore, a need remains for a way of packaging flowers and bouquets that will add drama to the act of presentation from one person to another.
With the foregoing in mind, the present invention eliminates or substantially alleviates the shortcomings in prior art packaging devices for presentation of long stemmed flowers from one person to another. The inventive device comprises an open-topped, preferably conical, generally hollow shell receptacle into which the flowers are placed with stems down, blossoms up, the latter however below the open top out of the sight of the recipient. The receptacle preferably has appropriately colorful exterior wrapping. The flowers are fastened into a single bundle by securing the lowermost ends of the stems together, as by an encircling collar, which may comprise elastic bands, wrappings of adhesive tape or the like. Attached to the collar is one of the ends of a flexible pull cord, by which the bundle of flowers is raised upon presentation to bring the blossoms upwardly into the view of the recipient person. Pull cord guides allow the presenter to raise the bundle by pulling down the other end, which is outside the receptacle. These guides preferably comprise a pair of perforations through the shell, through which the cord slips, at least one of which is substantially above the initial elevation of the stem collar. The pull cord exits through this perforation and then re-enters via the remaining one. After re-entering, the pull cord finally exits the receptacle through another perforation, preferably at the lowermost end of the receptacle body, such as the tip of a conical body. At this point, the pull cord emerging end is grasped and pulled downward to raise the flower bundle as described above.
Preferably, the flower presentation device further comprises one or more of a state of the art device commonly called a "party popper" secured to the interior surface of the shell wall of the receptacle. A triggering lanyard cord emerges downwardly from each popper to extend to and through the perforation at the bottom of the receptacle. The lanyard cords are then preferably secured together with the bundle pull cord below and outside the receptacle, to be pulled downwardly therewith.
When the flowers are presented, the giver pulls downwardly upon the together-secured cords, the hoisting pull cord propelling the flowers upwardly and out of the upper opening suddenly before the eyes of the recipient, while the party poppers are actuated to pop sharply. Confetti may be stored coiled within the poppers, to be expelled upwardly, uncoiling and mixing into an illusion of froth as the blooms are raised.
It is therefore the principal object of the invention to provide a method of packaging gift flowers for dramatic and entertaining presentation from one person to another.
In the drawings, which represent the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the invention,
FIG. 1 illustrates the flowers being presented from one person to another, being raised upwardly into view of the recipient to the accompaniment of popping sounds, drawn to a reduced scale,
FIG. 2 a side elevation view of the inventive package of FIG. 1, drawn to approximately the same scale, showing decorative external wrapping of the body, along with an inwardly curling uppermost fringe initially shielding the blossoms from view,
FIG. 3 a cross sectional view of the presentation device of FIG. 2, drawn to the same scale,
FIG. 4 a cross sectional view of the presentation device of FIG. 1, and the bundle of flowers shown in its raised position hoisted upwardly by the pull cord, drawn to the scale of FIG. 2,
FIG. 5 a view of the presentation package of FIG. 1, with the decorative cover however removed, and the conical receptacle body being split along a slope line and spread apart to show the interior contents of the package, drawn to the approximate scale of FIG. 2,
FIG. 6 a side elevation view of one of the popping sound generators which are enclosed within the presentation package, drawn to a somewhat enlarged scale,
FIG. 7 a vertical cross sectional view of the popping sound generator of FIG. 6, drawn to the scale thereof, and
FIG. 8 a top plan view of the presentation package of FIG. 2, drawn to approximately the scale thereof.
The inventive flower presentation device 10 illustrated in conjunction with flowers for presentation from one person to another. The device is preferably conical in exterior shape, suggestive of familiar flower packages. (FIGS. 1-4) Hollow body 11 comprises a thin paperboard or plastic sheet 12 curled into a cone with an open top 13. Overlapping sheet edge portion 14 is secured to sheet 12 as by bonding material, not shown. (FIG. 5) A small open aperture 15 is provided at cone tip 16. Attractive wrapping paper 15 secured by tape swatches 15t covers body 11. Preferably, a paper fringe 17 is secured about open top 13, having inwardly curled projections 18 substantially masking the tops of blossoms 19 from view. In FIG. 5, body 11 is shown severed along a cone slope line 20 and pulled to spread apart as indicated by arrows 20a to more clearly reveal internal contents. Downwardly extending stems 21 of blossoms 19 are secured together at stem lower ends 22 by an encircling retaining collar 23. In the illustrated embodiment, collar 23 comprises multiple windings 24 of adhesive tape tieing blossoms 19, leaves 25 and stems 21 together into a single bundle 26, with the blossoms below open top 13. A flexible bundle hoisting pull cord 27 is tied firmly about collar 23, from which it extends upwardly to exit from body 11 through the upper one 28 of a pair of vertically aligned perforations 28 and 29 through sheet 12. Pull cord 27 then re-enters body 11 by way of the lower perforation 29 to then extend downwardly to and through tip aperture 15. Circumferential bands 28g and 29g, of hardened glue for example, may be provided to strengthen the sheet 12 at the perforations.
A bundle anchoring cord 30 is securely tied to collar 23 and extends downwardly to and through the aperture 15, to then be secured as by adhesive tape, not shown, to the outside of the conical body 11 under wrapping 15. Anchoring cord 30 is installed with sufficient slack to allow bundle 26 to be hoisted by pull cord 27 only high enough for the blossoms 19 and the leaves 25 emerge upwardly through open top 13.
Thus the device 10 may be used to dramatically present flowers from one person to another. (FIG. 1) Lower portion 32 of conical body 11 is grasped in one hand, and the lower end 33 of hoisting cord 27 is pulled by the other hand downwardly to slip through perforations 28 and 29 to lift flower bundle 26. Flexible fringe leaves 18 are pushed outwardly by rising blossoms 19, which spring suddenly into the view of the receiving person.
To render the presentation auditorially as well as visually startling, three state of the art devices 34 called "party poppers" are installed within body 11, secured as by cured hardened glue, not shown, to the inside surface of conical body sheet 12. Each popper 34 has a downwardly emerging actuation lanyard cord 35, each extended by flexible cord segment 36 to join with the bundle hoisting pull cord 27 below tip aperture 15 of body 11. These cords are all fastened together as by a wrapping 37 of adhesive tape. When the wrapping 37 is pulled downwardly, the bundled blossoms 19 are propelled upwardly out of conical body 11, and the poppers 34 are actuated to each emit a startling but harmless popping sound. Each popper also spews an upwardly tumbling froth of unwinding confetti 38. (FIG. 4) Thus, the blossoms, leaves and confetti "explode" into view. The timing of the popping sounds may be coordinated with the rise of bouquet bundle 26 by selecting the relative amounts of slack in lanyards 36 and bundle pull cord 27. With more than one popper 34, simultaneous or sequential popping sounds also may be provided in this manner.
The state of the art poppers 34 are commonly made in China. One example is the K2269 "Party Popper" manufactured in JIANGXI, China. A typical design comprises an external shell body 40 of soft plastic with a sizeable upper chamber 41 and a downwardly extending hollow stem 42. (FIGS. 6 and 7) Chamber 41 has a lower compartment 43 separated from an upper compartment 44 by a thin paper barrier 45 wedged into body 40 above a circumferential projection 46 about the interior of body 40. A similar barrier 47 is wedged into a circumferential groove at the top of compartment 44, which contains multiple coils 38 of colorful confetti. In lower compartment 43 is a small firecracker-like hollow paper cylinder 48 bonded to body 40, containing a tiny quantity of explosive powder, not shown. The powder is ignited by frictional heat when lanyard cord 35 is pulled through cylinder 48, producing a small explosive popping sound. Expanding gases of combustion are substantially confined to lower compartment 43, so that barriers 45 and 47 are blown upwardly out of body 40, along with unwinding coils 38 of confetti, the latter creating the illusion of froth emerging from the top of conical body 11. Other ways of creating the auditory pops might be employed, such as utilization of a percussion cap device within body 11, triggered by a tug on the lanyard cord.
Body 11 is illustrated to be constructed from flat cardboard sheeting 12 by cutting a proper pattern, not illustrated, to be subsequently curled into a cone and secured using the overlapping bonding strip edge 14. Other possible constructions for body 11 include injection molded cones. Other shapes than conical may if desired be selected, such as cylindrical or square.
Although the flower assemblies for presentation are illustrated as each comprising a blossom and an attached long stems, the device may within the spirit of the invention be adapted for presentation of flower assemblies with very short stems or none at all. The device is generally adaptable for presentation of freshly cut live flowers and manufactured substitutes therefor.
The invention may be embodied in still other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.
Patent Citations
Referenced by
Legal Events
Original Image


text:
Just a few months after they take control of the House, Republicans will face a dangerous moment, when a spark nears a tinderbox that could ignite a conflagration within the party—and with it, a new round of primary challenges that could threaten incumbents' careers.
But that potentially explosive situation, the nearly annual, always painful raising of the national debt ceiling, has some potential upsides for Republican leadership, too.
Early preparation, already under way, offers Republicans the opportunity to use the vote to placate their base and start down the long path toward seriously curbing government spending.
Raising the debt ceiling, though, is not something that House Republicans will be able to avoid. If Congress refuses to raise the ceiling, the United States would default on loans, plunging the world economy into a deeper recession at the very moment it seems headed toward recovery, however slow and unsteady. Voting down an increase is simply not a viable option.
That doesn't mean it's a palatable option, especially for Republicans who just won an election by promising to be fiscally vigilant. The current ceiling stands at $14.3 trillion, after President Obama signed a bipartisan agreement in February. At that point, the national debt stood at $12.35 trillion, according to the Treasury Department. Today, the debt stands at $13.83 trillion, and aides on Capitol Hill expect Treasury to ask for an increase as early as April.
Presumptive House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and his Republican colleagues will take over the lower chamber in part because of a resurgent GOP base angry about excessive government spending. Many of the 87 newly elected Republicans have close ties to the tea party movement, and voting to allow trillions in new government spending would seem anathema to their mission in Washington.
"It's a terrible message to the American taxpayer, that we've dug ourselves in such a hole that the only way out is to dig ourselves deeper. It's a bad policy," said newly elected Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., who was elected on November 2 and has already been sworn in because he simultaneously won a special election to replace former GOP Rep. Mark Souder.
"We have to cut our way out of this problem. We can't keep borrowing and spending our way out."
Boehner has walked a tightrope between the Washington establishment and the tea party uprising, and if he and incoming Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., vote to raise the ceiling, it puts them square on the side of the D.C. establishment.
Raising the ceiling without clear concessions from the White House could lead to a fresh round of primary challenges, including against members of the GOP leadership.
Some Democrats wonder if they have to do anything at all, or if the Republican civil war will incite itself. Certainly, the party will use the vote to point out what it will characterize as Republican hypocrisy, raising debt limits to pay for massive tax cuts. And most agree it's a rare Democratic opportunity they can see coming from miles away.
In his White House press conference on Tuesday, Obama seemed to acknowledge that the impending vote has painted Republicans in a corner.
Rick, Executive Director for Policy
Concise coverage of everything I wish I had hours to read about."
Chuck, Graduate Student
The day's action in one quick read."
Stacy, Director of Communications
I find them informative and appreciate the daily news updates and enjoy the humor as well."
Richard, VP of Government Affairs
Chock full of usable information on today's issues. "
Michael, Executive Director
"Nobody, Democrat or Republican, is willing to see the full faith and credit of the United States government collapse," Obama said. "I think that there will be significant discussions about the debt limit vote. That's something that nobody ever likes to vote on. But once John Boehner is sworn in as speaker, then he's going to have responsibilities to govern. You can't just stand on the sidelines and be a bomb thrower."
Senior Republican Hill aides admit they will have to work on the freshman class to convince them of the importance of voting for the increase. And they're not going to be surprised when April rolls around, sources on Capitol Hill said. As evidence, some Republicans discussed the possibility of making a debt ceiling increase a part of a deal on tax cut extensions announced this week, though the plan was ultimately deemed impossible.
Now, the GOP is contemplating ways to use the increase as leverage for their own ends. Senior aides said the GOP is already talking about what they want out of negotiations. The wish list might include coupling the increase with major budget reforms or massive spending cuts, the aides said.
"We're going to come up with something that will meet our responsibilities and make progress," said one top GOP aide. "It's already been a topic of conversation."
Achieving big concessions from Democrats would help Republicans mollify activists dead set against new spending. And in placating those activists, Republicans could pursue the path that is most advantageous to them politically—cutting spending—without indulging in other, less popular goals of the tea party movement, like repealing popular parts of the new health care law.
Democrats smell an opportunity to stoke a potentially damaging battle within the Republican Party. They should sense, too, that the GOP has the chance to begin serious negotiations on the debt ceiling in a much stronger position than Democrats anticipate. But Republicans will have to convince their base they're getting the best possible deal. And given that the premise for a compromise will be allowing the federal government to spend more money, that's not going to be an easy case to make.
This article appears in the December 8, 2010 edition of NJ Daily.
Don't Miss Today's Top Stories
Rick, Executive Director for Policy
Concise coverage of everything I wish I had hours to read about."
Chuck, Graduate Student
The day's action in one quick read."
Stacy, Director of Communications
I find them informative and appreciate the daily news updates and enjoy the humor as well."
Richard, VP of Government Affairs
Chock full of usable information on today's issues. "
Michael, Executive Director


text:
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent who was charged with intoxication manslaughter was going at least 110 mph at the time of the deadly crash that killed his teammate and close friend, according to police documents obtained by Ray Villeda of NBC 5 in Dallas.
Police have said that defensive lineman Josh Brent's blood-alcohol content level was more than twice the legal limit.
Cowboys practice-squad member Jerry Brown Jr. was killed in the Dec. 7 crash along state Highway 114 in Irving.
Police documents detailing the crash and a timeline of what happened that night are now in the district attorney's office.
According to the documents, Brent was going at a minimum of 110 mph down Highway 114. The report said he may have gone as fast as 134 mph at points.
At least three different surveillance cameras at a nearby Dallas Area Rapid Transit station captured the car, according to the documents. Investigators said the cameras recorded Brent going through a green light at Tom Braniff Drive.
Two 911 calls were made from the car. In one, clicking sounds from the car's flashers are all that can be heard.
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/theredzoneorg
Like us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/Theredzone.org


text:
Travelling fans were seen clashing with stewards in the moments following Celtic's first goal in a match the Scottish champions won 2-1, while reports claimed that seats were ripped up and thrown.
Police Scotland confirmed no Dutch fans were arrested during the game but UEFA has decided to take action and a hearing will take place next month.
A spokesman said: "Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against AFC Ajax for crowd disturbances and throwing of objects (article 16 of the UEFA
Disciplinary Regulations) at last night's UEFA Champions League match in Glasgow against Celtic FC.
"The case will be dealt with by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body on 21 November."
Celtic travel to the Netherlands for the return fixture at Amsterdam Arena on 6 November.


text:
Zac on sesame street?
10-22-2011, 09:41 PM (This post was last modified: 10-22-2011 09:43 PM by angiecakes1990.)
Post: #246
RE: Zac on sesame street?
cuz miss piggy will do anything to get kermit like she will try and make him jealous with flirting with other muppets or men and kermit is not that stupid to fall for it he knows lol i love kermit lol
see heres one when she was trying to make him jealous he doesn't fall for it.
Natsu Dragneel The Dragon Slayer from Fairy Tail
the only anime male hottie that can suit rosy pink hair and be a total badass
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)


text:
An everyday rack of trad gear
Dane Lexie gives an "overview of my modest climbing rack. This is what I carry most for the area in which I climb. This video is not intended to be a shopping list for new-to-trad climbers.This video is just showcasing the least amount of gear I will take with me to the Read More


text:
Klamath Falls, Ore. - Monday's Memorial Day observations in Klamath Falls featured a unique flyby.
86 year old Frank Kuonen served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II.
Pilot David Junker honored Kuonen in a special way today "Today I have the privilege of flying with Mr. Frank Kuonen, a World War II veteran."
The 1943 Fairchild PT-19 was used to train thousands of pilots during World War II...and Frank Kuonen looked right at home in the cockpit.
The high point of the Memorial Day flight was a flyby over the ceremonies in Klamath Falls to honor those who died serving their country.
"Don't have many left." Noted Kuonen, who served on the USS Burns. "The last reunion was pretty slim - and that's been several years ago. And of course, I being the youngest one on the ship, most of them are gone now."
Junker gave the flight to Kuonen as a way of saying 'Thanks'...
"Has allowed us to enjoy the benefits and freedoms that we have here today."
And while the Memorial Day observations had a serious tone, Kuonen says that the flight was really something...
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
You can find out more about the Fairchild PT-19, and how to schedule a flight by going to: www.flyklamath.com
Copyright KOBI-TV. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without written permission.


text:
You are here Home Frequently asked questions ChoiceSeats
What are ChoiceSeats?
ChoiceSeatsTM are mostly window and aisle seats towards the front of Coach (and may include exit row seats*). ChoiceSeats have the same leg room as other seats, but are closer to the front of the plane – so you're among the first to get on when you board (with Zone 2) and among the first to leave when you land. *Dividend Miles Chairman's, Platinum, Gold and Silver preferred customers will continue to receive exit row seats free of charge.
When can I buy ChoiceSeats?
When you book your flight, during check-in and any time in between.
How do I buy ChoiceSeats?
Are ChoiceSeats sold per flight or each way? In other words, what would I pay if I have a connecting flight?
ChoiceSeats are sold on a per flight basis. For example, if you're flying from Los Angeles to Philadelphia with a connection in Charlotte, you may buy a ChoiceSeat for the first flight to Charlotte and another ChoiceSeat for the second flight to Philadelphia.
Are ChoiceSeats available on all flights?
There are ChoiceSeats on all US Airways and US Airways Express flights. If you don't see any on a particular flight, we may be sold out.
Can Preferred members buy ChoiceSeats?
Yes, but we also have complimentary Preferred and exit row seats.
Can I purchase ChoiceSeats at a kiosk or with an agent at the airport?
Can I buy a ChoiceSeat if I booked my ticket with a travel agent?
Yes, but you'll need to come directly to US Airways for your ChoiceSeat. You can go to 'Manage flights' at usairways.com or buy a seat when you check in online.
Will I get a receipt for my ChoiceSeats?
Yes. We provide a receipt when you buy your ChoiceSeats online, over the phone or at the airport.
Am I forced to buy a ChoiceSeat if they're the only seats left when I'm booking my flight?
No. We will assign you a seat when you check in for your flight.
Are ChoiceSeats refundable?
If US Airways changes or cancels your flight, changes aircraft, causes you to miss a connection or you're denied boarding on an oversold flight and we're unable to provide your ChoiceSeats, we'll provide you a refund. We'll automatically process your refund if your reservation changed before you checked in. If your reservation changed after you checked in, please call 800-428-4322 to request a refund. ChoiceSeats are non-refundable if you change, cancel or miss your flight.
If I buy a day-of-departure upgrade or move up to an earlier flight, will you refund my ChoiceSeat?
No. ChoiceSeats are non-refundable if you decide to change your flight.
I'm Preferred and I bought a ChoiceSeat. Will I get a refund if I'm upgraded automatically?
We'll continue to process your automatic upgrades whether you have a ChoiceSeat or not. However, if you get an upgrade, your ChoiceSeat fee will not be refunded.
If I volunteer to take a later flight because my original flight is oversold, will I get a refund for my ChoiceSeats?
We'll try to provide you a ChoiceSeat on your new flight. If a ChoiceSeat is not available, please call 800-428-4322 to request a refund. You must call within 7 days of the flight for which you volunteered.


text:
- San Diego: Stanford Law School at the Ballpark: Padres vs. Rockies
- August 11, 2014 6:30pm - 10:30pm
- San Francisco: Young Alumni Summer Happy Hour
- August 13, 2014 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Academic Calendars
Add an Event to This Calendar
- Are you a Stanford Law School faculty, staff member, or student org officer? Request an Event Manager and/or Content Manager Account.
- Already have your Event Manager account? Login and add your event.
Feature Your Event on the SLS Home Page
- Submit your event and it may be selected as a home page highlight.