text:
|Issue 11
Jan./Feb. 1998
16 Factors that Assess your
Prairie Grains is the
|The farm lending community realized there was a lesson to be learned from the farm debt crisis of the 1980s: methods used to determine, measure and analyze the financial position and performance of farms were either seriously underused, or woefully inadequate.
Thus, in 1988 the ag lenders division of the American Bankers Association proposed that farm lending guidelines should be standardized. Finding a common ground to report and analyze farm finances would not only reduce risks for farmers and lenders nationwide, but also improve farm finance education, and permit the collection of data for historical and comparative analysis of farming operations.
A "Farm Financial Standards Task Force," which later became the Farm Financial Standards Council, approved a report in 1991 that established universal financial reports, criteria, measurements, and data collection procedures for farm finances.
Following are factors derived from the report for use by producers, agri-businesses, and financial institutions, to adequately measure the financial position and performance of farms. Since every farming operation is different, not every measurement may be used for assessment, and additional measures may be used if they provide more insight.
In any case, farm lenders use many of these financial performance ratios (what some call the "Sweet Sixteen") to assess farm financial health. The 16 factors fall under five categories: Liquidity, Solvency, Profitability, Repayment Capacity, and Financial Efficiency. For an illustration of actual performance ratios, see the chart of farms enrolled in the Northland Farm Business Management on the bottom of this page.
Factors that measure dollars available to purchase inputs and inventory items after the sale of current farm assets and the payment of all current liabilities.
1) Current Ratio -- (total current farm assets divided by total current farm liabilities). Virginia Tech Ag Economist David Kohl, who played a key role in developing the 16 farm performance ratios, would like to see a current ratio of at least 1.5 for single enterprises, and 1.25 for multi-enterprises. Unhealthy, according to Kohl's guidelines, is a single-enterprise ratio lower than 1.0, and .75 for multi-enterprises.
2) Working Capital -- (total farm assets - total farm liabilities). This is one of the more critical factors, since it measures the amount of operating capital available for the farm operation. Deferred taxes should be included as liabilities. This factor ignores committed lines of credit, and does not recognize current assets that cannot be liquidated instantly.
These factors evaluate what would happen if all assets were sold and converted to cash and all liabilities were paid.
3) Debt To Asset Ratio -- Measures farm debt relative to the value of the farm (total farm liabilities divided by total farm assets). It measures the proportion of farm assets financed by debt as opposed to owner's equity. This ratio is greatly influenced by the value placed on the assets. Although a reasonable standard for the ratio varies by enterprise, Kohl suggests that a ratio less than 30% as optimal; less than 70% as acceptable; anything greater than 70% unsatisfactory.
4) Equity To Asset Ratio -- (total farm equity divided by total farm assets). Measures farm equity, or net worth. Not all lenders may calculate both the debt-to-asset ratio and the equity-to-asset ratio, preferring to use one or the other (Further, since these two ratios added together always equal 100%, calculating both is unnecessary) . Under Kohl's guidelines, an equity-to-asset ratio greater than 70% is optimal; 30%-70% acceptable; and under 30% unsatisfactory.
5) Debt To Equity Ratio -- (total farm liabilities divided by total farm equity). Measures your ability to leverage borrowed money, or farm debt relative to farm equity. A ratio under 45% would be optimal, 45% to 230% acceptable, and over 230% unsatisfactory. Area lenders place more emphasis on the debt-to-asset and equity-to-asset ratios.
Most crucial in evaluating the level of success of a farming operation. Following are key indicators in evaluating net farm income.
6) Rate Of Return On Assets - -The interest rate earned on all investments in the farm business. For market value assets, this can be looked at as the "opportunity cost" versus alternative investments. How it is calculated: Net farm income from operations (NFIFO, excluding gains and losses from disposal of farm capital assets) + farm interest expense - value of operator and unpaid family labor and management divided by average total farm assets. Optimal is a rate of at least 8%; below 3% is unsatisfactory.
7) Rate of Return on Equity -- Interest rate being earned on your farm equity. For market value assets, this return can be compared to returns available if the assets were liquidated and invested in an alternative investment. Rate of return on farm equity should be greater than return on farm assets when borrowed money or credit is used. A rate of 5 to 15% would be acceptable; more than 15% is optimal and less than 5% is unsatisfactory.
8) Operating Profit Margin -- (NFIFO + farm interest expense - value of operator and unpaid family labor and management) divided by gross revenue). Measures the operating efficiency of the business. If expenses are held in line relative to the value of output produced, the farm will have a healthy profit margin. Not only may low prices cause a low profit margin; high operating expenses and inefficient production can also contribute. Further, a farm can generate profit but not cash flow- the culprits being debt or living expenses that are too high. A rate of return of at least 25% is optimal; less than 10% is too low.
9) Net Farm Income -- The return to labor, management, and equity capital in the business. A key factor, this is the reward for investing unpaid family labor, management, and farm equity in the farm business instead of elsewhere.
Repayment Capacity:
The first ratio in this category provides a measure for the borrower to cover all term debt and capital lease payments, and the second to measure capital replacement and term debt repayment margin.
10) Term Debt Coverage Ratio -- Measures whether the business (nonfarm income included) generated enough cash to cover term debt payments. A key measurement because if the number isn't positive it will be difficult for a lender to approve additional credit. A ratio less than 100% indicates that the business did not generate sufficient cash to meet scheduled payments in the past year.
11) Capital Replacement Margin -- Calculates cash generated that is available for financing capital replacement items such as equipment.
Financial Efficiency:
Includes five ratios for evaluation, profitability, operating efficiency, competitiveness, and level of profits retained in the business.
12) Asset Turnover Ratio -- (gross revenue divided by average total farm assets). This measures efficiency in using capital, and is a comparison between the value of farm production and total farm assets. If the business generates a high level of production with the given level of investment, the asset turnover rate will be high. Rate may vary by style of capital ownership.
13) Operating Expense Ratio -- (operating expenses, excluding interest and depreciation) divided by gross revenue or value of farm production). This ratio indicates the percent of gross farm income that was used to pay operating expenses. Lenders prefer to compare on a five-year history, and again, need to consider the style of operation. For example, a person who rents or leases equipment will have a higher operating expense ratio than a farm with owned assets. A ratio of less than 65% is optimal, 65% to 80% acceptable, and over 80%, a red flag.
14) Depreciation Ratio -- (depreciation expense divided by gross revenue). Can vary depending on the method of depreciation used. A management depreciation is recommended, since it is a steady measurement as opposed to tax-based, which can vary from year to year.
15) Interest Expense Ratio -- (interest expense divided by gross revenue). Measures the amount of farm income used to pay interest which should be calculated on an accrual basis. Optimal is an interest expense of 7% or less; More than 15% is unacceptable.
16) Net Farm Income Ratio -- (net farm income divided by gross revenue). Indicates the percent of gross farm income remaining after all expenses for living, tax needs, capital purchases, investment, retirement, or debt payments. A ratio of 15% or more is optimal; less than 5% unsatisfactory.
"If anything, these factors are just a benchmark. Obviously, good records are needed for the 16 measurements to be accurate. Weather, prices, and other circumstances can be subjective, and need to be considered. For example, it's understandable for a young start-up producer to have a high debt-to-asset ratio, but not so for the guy who's been farming for 35 years. The key is to look at these factors in combination and over a period of time, and look at the trend for where operational changes may be needed," says Ron Dvergsten, farm business management instructor with Northland Community Technical College.
Being Prepared For Your Lender
What should you as a borrower do to be prepared in approaching a lender? The American Bankers Association suggests that if you can respond to the 12 questions below and provide support for your answers, you will have gone a long way toward being adequately prepared.
|Copyright Prairie
Grains Magazine January 1998
|Current Ratio
|Working Capital
|SOLVENCY RATIOS (Market)
|Farm Debt to Asset
|Farm Equity to Asset
|Farm Debt to Equity
|PROFITABILITY (Market)
|Rate of Return on Farm Assets
|Rate of Return on Farm Equity
|Operating Profit Margin
|Net Farm Income
|REPAYMENT CAPACITY (Accrual)
|Term Debt Coverage Ratio
|Capital Replacement Margin
|Asset Turnover Ratio (Market)
|Operating Expense Ratio
|Depreciation Expense Ratio
|Interest Expense Ratio
|Net Farm Income Ratio
|Actual farm financial measurements of 300 to 400 farms that participated in the Northland Community Technical College (Thief River Falls, MN) farm business management program between 1994 and 1996.


text:
Nov. 10, 2003
Clemens captured both the singles and doubles titles at the Southern California Intercollegiates at the Los Angeles Tennis Club over the weekend. Clemens, the tournament's top-seeded player, defeated teammate Chris Lam, 6-2, 6-3, in Sunday's final. He then teamed with Lam to win the doubles championship, 8-0 over teammates Chris Surapol and Aaron Yovan.
This is Clemens' first UCLA/MET-Rx Student-Athlete of the Week honor of the season and of his career.
Also nominated: Aaron Lopez, M. Soccer (one goal, one assist as UCLA clinched the Pac-10 title); Colby Lyman, W. Volleyball (led UCLA with 3.67 kills/game, a .400 attack percentage and four aces); Roy Moon, M. Golf (two wins at Collegiate Match Play Championships); Iris Mora, W. Soccer (game-winner in double OT against Oregon); Brett Ormsby, M. Water Polo (10 goals in three wins); Chris Pena, M. Volleyball (MVP in 3-0 win over Team Canada); Noelle Quinn, W. Basketball (buzzer-beater downs Love and Basketball, led all players with 22 points); Kim Vandenberg, W. Swimming (won the 100m and 200m butterfly in dual meet win, qualified for NCAA in 100 fly); Gina Umeck, W. Golf (2-0-0 at Collegiate Match Play Championships).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Goldman Sachs seems to think 2014 will be the year that gold will go down even further due to one substantial reason: the recovery of the United States economy. How much will it sink? One Goldman expert says $1,050, a 16 percent decline from the present prices of around $1,250.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC on Monday, Jeffrey Currie, head of commodities research at Goldman Sachs, believes the economic recovery will be the major blow to the yellow metal and will continue to be that way for years to come.
"Our view there really is driven by the expectation of the U.S. economy reaching escape velocity," Currie said on the network's "Squawk on the Street." "Essentially when you think about a short on gold ... it's essentially just a bet on a substantial recovery in the U.S. economy."
Due to last month's bleak job numbers, gold has been gaining momentum again. Currie conceded that gold is still a terrific hedge against inflation, but he doesn't see high inflation in the short-term, though he did note that once the economy picks up more steam then there could be inflation, which would be good for gold.
In addition, Currie sees a drop in other commodities, especially in copper and beans. This year will be the year that continues the trend of investors shying away from commodity markets in emerging markets and shift their money into the developed world. Essentially, this would cripple the commodity market.
The primary question that some goldbugs would ask Currie: is there any validity in what he is saying?
The U.S. economy doesn't appear to be recovering at all. The real unemployment rate is close to 25 percent, one-third of the country receives some sort of social assistance or monthly check from the federal government, companies are cutting back on employment or slashing hours to avoid Obamacare and the U.S. dollar is continuing to be debased.
Furthermore, Currie noted that he doesn't see inflation. However, another important question: does he shop for his own groceries? It has been widely reported that meat prices are rising and have been for the past few years, while Americans can expect to pay more for housing, healthcare, public transportation and pretty much everything else.
According to Credit Suisse, the commodity market has been performing quite well, including last month when most sectors of the commodity market jumped between two and five percent.
"Amid macroeconomic improvements in the US and abroad, correlations between commodities and traditional asset classes have been decreasing," said Christopher Burton, Senior Portfolio Manager for the Credit Suisse Total Commodity Return Strategy, in a statement. "We expect individual commodities to continue to be increasingly driven by fundamental factors rather than macroeconomic headlines. While broad macroeconomic trends continue to be important, they will likely impact asset classes in different ways. We continue to expect commodities to provide valuable diversification benefits going forward."
At the time of this writing, gold is trading at $1,252.40, while silver is valued at $20.40.


text:
The Caz Filmer Writes Story …..
Hi there. My name is Caz and I'm addicted to words and blogging. Welcome to my world and thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about what I do here. Let's start with my 'fancy face' photo, in full hair and make-up. (Totally not what I'd look like if you knocked on my front door.)
My journey as a blogger started way back in 2009 when the Aussie Blogosphere was small and you could pretty much comment on every other blog in the land. (Try doing that today!) I had always been a bit of a 'Word Nerd' and, after seeing a friends blog, I knew this was the place I needed to be. With three little pre-school girls crawling around my feet I fired up my lap-top, bought myself a domain name and let the Word Nerd roam free.
Being a stay-at-home mum was a revelation to me. I'd dreamt about it for so long and passionately wanted to do it right – but was completely unprepared for how draining and demanding it would be. The Truth About Mummy was my story of coming to terms with the fact that living your dreams can be gut-wrenchingly hard. I basically Word Nerded myself through the process of hanging up my supermum cape.
I loved that blog (and to be honest I still do) but as with all things it's had to grow up. These days I blog as Caz Filmer Writes and, while I still have my honest mummy moments, I also write about a myriad of things that come across my path and spark my passion. I love to Word Nerd about my home town of Ballarat, my journey learning to run, dyslexic (yes a Word Nerd can be dyslexic) and my secret passion for all things marketing and communications.
That said I will never forget that this blog was born to be a Mummy Blog. I feel strongly about supporting other mums as they surf the tidal wave of emotions parenthood brings. I want to use this space to celebrate and support all things 'mummy' related – but especially the emotional health and well-being of Australian mums as they sew their time, energy, patience and hard earned finance into the lives of their little people.
In my other life (you know, the one I had before kids and obsessive blogging) I worked as a case manager within the disability service system. More recently I've studied project management, business management and marketing and worked part-time raising community awareness as the Regional Manager of a dance school for children and young adults with Down syndrome – that was just a little bit magical. At the moment I'm working from home part-time as a digital communication consultant and caring for my mum who has alzheimers. (That one is tough and something I'm working through day-by-day.)
And now, in the spirit of keeping it real, this is what I really look like ……


text:
When it comes to Canadian history, plenty of our significant dates came out of the U.S.A. Such as this one: April 21, 1962. For that was the opening day for the 21st Century Exposition, also known as the Seattle World's Fair. This was a big event for plenty of us Canadians living along or near the Washington/British Columbia border, as such an event as this was certainly an exotic attraction for most of us, who grew up thinking of ourselves as dull, boring and bland and "anything" from across the line (as we used to say) as bigger, better and brighter.
The Seattle World's Fair ran from April 21st to October 21st of 1962, and there are probably more than a few Canadian households in which back closets and bottom drawers hold pictures, souvenirs and View-Master reels from that time period, along with memories of such marvels as The Space Needle and The Monorail. (see video)
On the other hand, April 22nd of 1915 was a major day in the development of Canada's international reputation. It was then, as the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium was getting underway and the First Canadian Division had just reached what was termed "The Western Front", where they were at once tossed into the fray and were soon hit with a deadly new weapon of war -- cholorine gas. Our boys held their own and established us on the world scene as a hardy, fighting nation.
It was also during this battle that John McCrae wrote the immortal "In Flanders Fields". Over two thousand Canadian soldiers died during the first 48 hours of the Second Battle of Ypres.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly. Scarce heard amid the guns below.
And that's the way it was. Thanks for the click.


text:
Judge Nugent
04-16887 Fry (Doc. # 122) - Document Text
- Details
- Category: Judge Nugent
- Published: 27 October 2008
- Written by Judge Nugent
SIGNED this 14 day of October, 2008.
Page 1 of 9
VANESSA DAWN FRY, ) Case No. 04-16887
) Chapter 13
Debtor. )
Trustee Laurie B. Williams ("the Trustee") seeks dismissal of this chapter 13 case
because it was reconverted to chapter 13 after a previous conversion and because the Debtor has
Case: 04-16887 Doc #: 122 Filed: 10/14/2008 Page 2 of 9
received a previous discharge within six years of filing the present case.1 In response, the Debtor
argues that the Court retains the discretion to permit reconversion under § 706(c) and should
exercise that discretion because the Debtor converted her case to chapter 7 by mistake. The
Debtor has also filed a Motion to Set Aside [the] Order Converting Case Under Chapter 13 to
Chapter 7. The Trustee argues that Debtor's motion to set aside should be denied as it is an
attempt to circumvent §§ 706(a) and 727(a)(8) and to manipulate and abuse the bankruptcy
The parties stipulated to the facts and filed a single joint brief. The Court has reviewed
the papers and is ready to rule.
I. Findings of Fact
The Debtor filed her chapter 13 bankruptcy case on December 17, 2004. When she filed
her petition, she did not disclose that she had received a discharge on August 15, 2001 in a
chapter 7 case filed in the Southern District of California.2 In March of 2005, she amended her
petition to reflect the prior filing. Debtor filed a plan on February 26, 2005, drawing an
objection from AmeriCredit and the Trustee. The objection by AmeriCredit was eventually
resolved in Debtor's favor. The Trustee's objection was resolved by extending the plan term to
fifty-two months.
After the Trustee filed a series of motions to dismiss for delinquent plan payments, the
Court entered an agreed order on December 6, 2007, stating that the case would automatically be
1 This is a pre-BAPCPA (Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act)
case. Debtor filed this case on December 17, 2004. All statutory references are to the
pre-BAPCPA version of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 101, et seq., unless otherwise noted.
2 No. 01-05036 (Bankr. S.D. Cal. filed August 15, 2001).
Case: 04-16887 Doc #: 122 Filed: 10/14/2008 Page 3 of 9
dismissed if the debtor did not convert to chapter 7 within 30 days of the date of the order. (Doc.
73). On December 17, 2007, Debtor filed a motion to convert the case to chapter 7. (Doc. 75).
That same day, the Court entered its Order Upon Conversion of Case Under Chapter 13 to
Chapter 7 ("Conversion Order"). (Doc. 76).
Thereafter, the United States Trustee ("UST") filed a motion to dismiss the case (Doc.
78) because the Debtor had received a discharge in the California case withing 6 years of the
petition date of the instant case. Section 727(a)(8) provides that a debtor who has been granted a
chapter 7 discharge in a case commenced within six years before the petition date may not obtain
a discharge. On February 1, 2008, and in response to the UST's motion, the Debtor moved to
reconvert the case to chapter 13 (Doc. 87). A form Order Converting Case Under Chapter 7 to
Chapter 13 ("Reconversion Order") was submitted to the Court and entered on February 29,
2008, notwithstanding the prior conversion. The form Order's customary finding that "the case
has not been converted previously under § 1307 . . . " was clearly incorrect in this case (Doc.
On March 13, 2008, the Trustee filed the present motion to dismiss the chapter 13 case,
arguing reconversion to chapter 13 was improper thus cause exists to dismiss. (Doc. 96).
Debtor argues reconversion is permissible under the circumstances because she mistakenly
converted her case to chapter 7 and requests the Court set aside the Conversion Order. (Doc.
II. Discussion
A. The Debtor's Motion to Reconvert
The Trustee argues that because this debtor had previously converted her chapter 13 case
Case: 04-16887 Doc #: 122 Filed: 10/14/2008 Page 4 of 9
to one in chapter 7, she was barred from reconverting to chapter 13. Section 706(a) states that a
debtor may convert from chapter 7 to chapter 13 "at any time, if the case has not been converted
under section 1112, 1208 or 1307 of this title." As the parties noted, courts are split over the
interpretation of this language. Some courts hold that the debtor may only convert from chapter
7 to chapter 13 if the case has not been previously converted from chapter 13, and bars the
debtor from seeking any further reconversion.3 Others have held that while § 706 (a) allows a
debtor a one time "absolute" right to convert from chapter 7 to chapter 13, it does not bar a
subsequent discretionary conversion after notice and a hearing.4
Debtor urges this Court to follow the latter interpretation and employ its discretion to
grant her second conversion motion. Debtor contends that § 706(c), which provides that the
Court may not convert a chapter 7 to a chapter 13 unless the debtor so requests, affords the Court
this discretion. Here, because the Debtor requested the conversion, she argues it is within the
court's discretion to grant it.
After careful study of § 706 and its context within the Code as a whole, the Court
concludes that it lacks discretion to reconvert this case to chapter 13. The subsection the Debtor
relies on, § 706(c), must be read in context with the rest of the section, especially § 706(b) which
provides for a chapter 7 case to be converted to chapter 11 "at any time" on request of a party in
3 See, e.g., In re Muth, 378 B.R. 302, 303 (Bankr. D. Colo. 2007); In re Hardin, 301 B.R.
298 (Bankr. C. D. Ill. 2003); In re Vitti, 132 B.R. 229 (Bankr. D. Conn. 1991); In re Carter, 84
B.R. 744 (D. Kan. 1988); In re Ghosh, 38 B.R. 600 (Bankr. E.D.N.Y. 1984).
4 See, e.g., In re Johnson, 376 B.R. 763, 2007 WL 3156255 (Bankr. D.N.M. Oct.29,
2007); In re Anderson, 354 B.R. 766 (Bankr. D.S.C. 2006); In re Johnson, 116 B.R. 224 (Bankr.
D. Idaho 1990); In re Trevino, 78 B.R. 29 (Bankr. M.D. Pa. 1987).
Case: 04-16887 Doc #: 122 Filed: 10/14/2008 Page 5 of 9
interest. Subsection (c) makes it clear that a debtor cannot be involuntarily placed into Chapter
12 or 13. That is consistent with § 303(a) which provides that an involuntary proceeding may
only be commenced under chapter 7 or 11 and only against a person who is not a farmer, a
family farmer, or a non-moneyed corporation, so long as the person is eligible for relief under
the chapter that is invoked. In other words, § 706(b) and (c) make clear that a creditor or party in
interest may not circumvent the prohibition on involuntary chapter 12 and 13 cases by use of the
conversion power.
Each remedial chapter contains provisions that protect against involuntary conversions to
chapters 12 and 13. Section 1112(b) provides that, on motion of a party in interest, a chapter 11
case may only be converted to chapter 7 or dismissed. Section 1112(d) provides that the court
may only convert a chapter 11 to a chapter 12 or chapter 13 case if the debtor requests the
conversion, has not received a § 1141(d) discharge, and, if the debtor requests conversion to
chapter 12, only if conversion would be equitable. Similar provisions exist in § 1307(d) which
provides, in part, that a chapter 13 case may be converted to one under chapter 11 or 12 upon a
party in interest's motion.5 In chapter 12, § 1208(d) only allows conversion of a family farm case
to chapter 7 if the debtor has committed fraud in connection with the case. Thus, each remedial
chapter's conversion provisions outline the scope of the Court's authority to grant a conversion
motion and each contains subsections that reinforce the prohibitions of involuntarily subjecting
farm debtors to any Title 11 relief and of involuntarily forcing debtors with regular income into
chapter 13. These subsections do not supply discretion, they curtail it.
5 This right is subject to the limitation of former § 1307(e) that provides that if the debtor
is a farmer, his case may not be converted to proceedings under chapters 7, 11, or 12 except at
his request.
Case: 04-16887 Doc #: 122 Filed: 10/14/2008 Page 6 of 9
Thus, the Court agrees with those that prohibit reconversion. The language of § 706(a)
clearly and unambiguously states a debtor may convert out of chapter 7 only if the case has not
been previously converted under § 1307. The Court holds that Debtor does not have a right to
reconvert her case. The Reconversion Order, erroneous on its face, should be vacated and this
case returned to a chapter 7, subject to the following.
B. The Debtor's Motion to Set Aside the First Conversion
The Debtor's motion to set aside essentially seeks reconsideration of the Conversion
Order. While there is no specific reference to a motion to reconsider in the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure or Bankruptcy Procedure, the rules allow a litigant to file a motion seeking relief
from a judgment or order pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b) which is made applicable to the
bankruptcy by Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9024.
Rule 60(b) provides that the court may grant relief from an order based on one or more of
the following:
(1) mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect; (2) newly discovered
evidence which by due diligence could not have been discovered in time to move
for a new trial under Rule 59(b); (3)fraud, ... misrepresentation, or other
misconduct of an adverse party; (4) the judgment is void; (5) the judgment has
been satisfied, released, or discharged, or a prior judgment upon which it is based
has been reversed or otherwise vacated, or it is no longer equitable that the
judgment should have prospective application; or (6) any other reason justifying
relief from the operation of the judgment.6
Debtor contends she converted her case to Chapter 7 because she mistakenly thought she was
eligible to obtain a Chapter 7 discharge. She says that the content of the motion proves her
mistake because the motion asserted that she was eligible for a discharge. As a general
6 Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(b).
Case: 04-16887 Doc #: 122 Filed: 10/14/2008 Page 7 of 9
proposition, the "mistake" provision in Rule 60(b)(1) provides for the reconsideration of orders
only where: (1) a party has made an excusable litigation mistake or an attorney in the litigation
has acted without authority from a party, or (2) where the judge has made a substantive mistake
of law or fact in the final judgment or order.7 Debtor has failed to met her burden here. Debtor
did not allege the court misapprehended the facts, her position, or the controlling law. Instead,
Debtor alleges she was the one who misapprehended the facts and consequences. Moreover,
contrary to Debtor's assertion, her motion to convert did not say she was eligible for a Chapter 7
discharge. Debtor's motion to convert alleged that "[she] does qualify as a debtor under Chapter
7...." She does qualify to be a debtor, even if she is not eligible for a discharge.8 Finally, a
review of the Conversion Order does not reveal any error in law or fact by the judge. The
Conversion Order does not make any specific findings of fact or law, it simply sets forth
deadlines for required filings. Thus, Rule 60(b)(1) cannot be the basis to set aside the
Conversion Order.
Likewise, Rule 60(b)(6)'s "any other reason that justifies relief" cannot be the basis to set
aside the Conversion Order. Relief under this provision generally requires a showing of actual
injury and the presence of circumstances beyond the movant's control that prevented timely
action to protect his interests.9 The Tenth Circuit has found extraordinary circumstances when
events not contemplated by the moving party render enforcement of the judgment inequitable.
7 Cashner v. Freedom Stores, Inc., 98 F.3d 572, 577-578 (10th Cir. 1996).
8 See 11 U.S.C. § 109; Canganelli v. Lake County Indiana Dep't of Public Welfare (In re
Canganeilli), 132 B.R. 369 (Bankr. N.D. Ind. 1991)(Eligibility requirements for being Chapter 7
debtor do not expressly limit or prohibit granting of general discharge to one who has filed
Chapter 7 petition within six years of filing of previous Chapter 7 petition).
9 Lehman v. United States, 154 F.3d 1010, 1017 (9th Cir.1998).
Case: 04-16887 Doc #: 122 Filed: 10/14/2008 Page 8 of 9
Rule 60(b)(6) relief is appropriate when circumstances are so "unusual and compelling" that
extraordinary relief is warranted, or when it "offends justice" to deny such relief.10 A counseled,
deliberate choice with unfortunate consequences does not warrant Rule 60(b)(6) relief.11 Debtor
requested the Conversion Order. She was in the best position to know if she had previously
obtained a Chapter 7 discharge. Under these circumstances, the Court finds no basis to set aside
the Conversion Order.
C. Cause to Dismiss the Remaining Chapter 7
The Trustee argues cause exists to dismiss this case. The authority to dismiss a Chapter 7
case is found in § 707, which provides dismissal only after notice and a hearing and only for
cause. Being ineligible to receive a discharge pursuant to § 727(a)(8) is cause for dismissal.12
Section 727(a)(8) provides that "[t]he Court shall grant the debtor a discharge, unless, the
debtor has been granted a discharge under this section . . . in a case commenced within six years
before the date of the filing of the petition." Debtor previously filed a Chapter 7 on May 10,
2001 and a discharge was granted on August 15, 2001. This case was originally filed on
December 17, 2004, within the six year period; thus, Debtor is not eligible for a discharge in this
case.13 Since Debtor cannot receive a discharge at this time, cause exists to dismiss this case.
10 Cashner, 98 F.3d at 580 (internal quotation marks omitted).
11 See Ackermann v. United States, 340 U.S. 193, 198, 71 S.Ct. 209, 95 L.Ed. 207
12 In re Blanchette, 54 B.R. 890 (Bankr. R.I. 1995) (where the debtor is precluded from
obtaining the primary source of relief afforded by Chapter 7, i.e., discharge, this constitutes
cause for dismissal, within the meaning of 11 U.S.C. § 707).
13 "Commencement" of a case occurs upon the filing a voluntary petition. 11 U.S.C. §
301. Conversion of a case does not effect a change in the date of the filing of the petition, the
commencement of the case, or the order for relief. 11 U.S.C. § 348(a).
Case: 04-16887 Doc #: 122 Filed: 10/14/2008 Page 9 of 9
III. Conclusion
The Reconversion Order (Doc. 91) is VACATED. The Debtor's motion to set aside the
Conversion Order (Doc. 101) is DENIED. The Trustee's motion to dismiss (Doc. 96) is
# # #
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Are You Feeling Alone or Afraid? Call us! (321) 452-0800, and dial extension 144.
Contact us! We can help 24/7!
Or, You Can Look for the Safe Place Sign to Get You to Help, Safety, Shelter and Support. Help is FREE and Confidential!
Crosswinds operates Project Safe Place in Brevard County, which is part of a national program offering immediate help to children and teens who have run away, are homeless, on the streets, in an unsafe situation, or just alone or afraid.
To get immediate help, you can enter one of over 100 community centers and businesses that are designated Safe Place sites. All designated sites display the familiar yellow and black Safe Place sign.
You need only tell an employee at the site that you need help, and the employee will contact Crosswinds immediately.
Project Safe Place is also a school education program, offering information on the dangers of running away, substance abuse, available services, and other issues to middle and high school students.


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Website User Agreement
Copyright ©2009 Beaufort County Library
A Department of Beaufort County Government
The Bluffton Library Rug Hooking Group, a group of rug hooking enthusiasts, meets the second Saturday and is open to all experience levels of rug hooking crafters. Start a new project or finish an old one, and make new friends. Debra Walland, owner of Seaside Hooking and member of the Association of Traditional Hooking Artists will facilitate the group. Some beginner materials will be provided.


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UMass-Navy Game Notes, September 9, 2006
Recap | Final Stats | Photo Gallery
* Chris Koepplin kicked his second field goal of the game from 36 yards with 5:55 left in the fourth quarter.
* David Burris recovered his second fumble of the game with 8:01 left in the game. Wilner Alexis forced the fumble.
* Chris Koepplin kicked his first-career field goal from 37 yards out with 4:55 left in the third quarter.
* David Burris recovered a fumble with 10:32 left in the third quarter. The play came two plays after Liam Coen was intercepted deep in Navy territory.
* James Ihedigbo recovered a fumble with 1:03 left in the first half allowing UMass to run out the clock.
* Brandon Smith had a 4-yard sack early in the second.
* UMass forced Navy to twice in the first half. The Mids had punted just one time in their last two games dating back to last year.
* James Ihedigbo had a forced fumble on a Navy pitch late in the first quarter.
* UMass took a 14-7 lead on J.J. Moore's 37-yard touchdown bomb from Liam Coen. It was Moore's seventh career touchdown catch and first In nearly a year to the day. His last score came on Sept. 10, 2005 at Colgate.
* Tracy Belton had his 12th career interception which is third among all active players in Division I-AA. Heading into Saturday, only Ken Chichone of Cal Poly (15) and Dre Dokes of Northern Iowa (13) have more. Belton is now tied for ninth in career interceptions all-time at UMass with four other players.
* Brad Listorti had a 10-yard reception for his first-career catch.
* James Ihedigbo sacked Navy QB Brian Hampton on the Mids' first offensive play for a loss of five yards.
* Tim Washington scored on a 5-yard rush with 11:45 left in the first quarter. It was his second career touchdown, first with UMass. His only other TD came while he was at Syracuse when he scored vs. Temple on Nov. 8, 2003.
* Rasheed Rancher hauled in a 39-yard reception from Liam Coen on UMass' first offensive play. That was the second-longest reception in Rancher's career. His longest was an 84-yarder from Coen against Delaware on Nov. 5, 2005.
* UMass returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown on a reverse pitch from Matt Lawrence to Courtney Robinson. But the play was called back due to an illegal block in the back.
* The crowd of 30,117 is the sixth-largest UMass football has played before in history.
Featured Links
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10 Impossibly Pretty Braids You Need Now
These gorgeous braided hairstyles are the stuff dreams are made of
Health & Beauty
Skin Care
Enter to get your free sample of Skintimate Island Berry Breeze Shave Gel read more
When it comes to preserving a beautiful complexion, many of us are willing to spend big bucks on a potent mix of lotions, serums and treatments that promise to fight the signs of aging. But do we actually need to drain our bank accounts to put our best face forward? read more
Let's talk about sex. Sometimes, especially as women, we have a rough time fulfilling our potential for pleasure. "It comes down to energy and inhibitions," says sex therapist and author, Dr. Jane Greer, PhD. "For women, inhibitions flow from feeling uncomfortable with our bodies." She says that insecurity is the primary reason why women struggle to enjoy sex. Luckily, there's an easy cure: Exercise. read more
Ask a new mother about how to best breastfeed, swaddle or change a diaper, and she will no doubt rattle off a list of information she's picked up from self-help books and fellow moms. Ask the same mother how to best tell if a woman is suffering from postpartum depression, and she be stumped. read more
We've long known that the right accessory can make the outfit. But the ultimate hand-embellishment isn't a flashy ring or bedazzled bracelet -- it's ink. read more
Zosia Mamet couldn't be more different than her character Shoshanna on
"Girls." Mamet's style is laid back, and her beauty routine is read more
Rainbow roots -- the brainchild of Lottie Tomlinson -- is the coolest new way to cover up grays or grown-out color. It's also a more covert way to rock the wild rainbow hair trend -- and it's safe to say we're obsessed. read more
Free makeup may sound like a fun (not-extremely-necessary) treat to most people, but to many beauty junkies, it can mean avoiding near bankruptcy. Yep, a beauty-obsessed gal's insatiable urge to punch up her pout with the latest liquid lipstick, liven her lids with all 30 shades of the newest eye shadow palette or fight the signs of aging with that revolutionary serum can add up. And it often means that beauty lovers' makeup bags are overflowing with products, while their wallets are more drained than that bottle of their signature scent. read more
Stunning nail art ideas -- from easy DIY to crazy design ideas -- one week at a time read more
I Gave Up Luxury Beauty Products for a Month. These Are the Drugstore Products I Loved
It will surprise none of my friends when I say that I have expensive taste. My boyfriend is in awe of my ability to unknowingly gravitate to the most costly glasses of wine on the list. While my job doesn't pay for my $35 glasses of Chateaneuf-du-Pape, it does allow me access to all the spendy beauty products my heart desires. But if I were forced to actually pay for the luxurious products that I love, I'd be broke in two seconds -- much like 99 percent of the world. read more


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Re: Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.
- From: "Suzanne S. Barnhill" <sbarnhill@xxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:28:54 -0600
Does Alt+F9 make any difference?
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
"Tom" <Tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
Microsoft Word suddenly started replacing all the hyperlinks in my
with this phrase, "Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. " Actually, it's
the hyperlink that's being replaced, but just the text (I can still
ctrl+click to follow the link, but it's hard to know what the link is if
error message is displayed for each link.) This is a very disruptive
for me since I often download lengthy word documents that have hundreds of
links in them. It does the same if I manually change the text to a link.
I'm using Microsoft Word 2003 SP3. Please help!
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Deborah Rush Movies and Career Information
Apr 10, 1954
Apr 10, 1954
Deborah Rush is an American actress. Rush has worked in television, film and on Broadway. In 1984, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off. She also acted in Stephen Adly Guirgis' The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. In 2003 she acted in the comedy film American Wedding, as Mary Flaherty, Michelle Flaherty's mom. In December 2008, she joined the cast of the Broadway revival of Blithe Spirit. Rush has acted in a number of movies and television series, including the Woody Allen films Zelig and The Purple Rose of Cairo. She was a regular cast member of the television series Strangers with Candy. She had a recurring role on Spin City as Helen Winston, eventual ex-wife of mayor Randall Winston, and on Orange Is the New Black, as Piper's mother. She is the daughter-in-law of television journalist Walter Cronkite and is the mother of two sons, Walter Cronkite IV and Peter Cronkite.
- Deborah Rush Movies before 2015
- Half Nelson 2006
- Strangers With Candy 2006
- American Wedding 2003
- Bad Company 2002
- Good Girl 2002
- Three to Tango 1999
- You've Got Mail 1998
- In & Out 1997
- My Blue Heaven 1990
- Night in Heaven
- Women Who Kill


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The Red Clay School District parent forum scheduled for May 16 at A.I. duPont Middle School has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 30 from 5 to 8 p.m., at a new location.
The May 30 event will be held at Shortlidge Academy, 100 W. 18th Street, Wilmington.
The topic will be behavioral strategies for parents. Certification from the Crisis Prevention Institute will be available for parents who attend.
To register or for more information, call (302) 552-3773.
Location, ST | website.com


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This year's Book Club Café will host Michelle Wildgen, the author of You're Not You and But Not For Long [Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press], both of which are set in Madison. The date is Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 7pm. at the lovely Olbrich Gardens.
The popular desert event, which is a fundraiser in support of the Madison Public Library, is sponsored by the various Friends groups of the Central and branch libraries. Wildgen will give a talk, as will Library Director Barb Dimick. Wildgen will also be available to sign copies of her books. A raffle provides an opportunity to win baskets of books and chocolates, and attendees receive a booklet of favorite book titles from the book club groups attending.
While many book clubs attend as a group, the event is open to any individual who wishes to attend. However, reservations often sell out. "Since seating is on a first come-first serve basis, I always encourage people to get their registration forms in early," said Carol "Orange" Schroeder, the Book Club Café Chair and owner of Orange Tree Imports. The registration forms are expected to be available in the branch libraries in early April.
Author Michelle Wildgen, a Madison resident and UW alumni, is a senior editor at Tin House Magazine and editor of the anthology, Food & Booze: A Tin House Literary Feast [Tin House Books, 2006]. Her work includes fiction, essays, and reviews, many of which focus on food. She has been published in The New York Times and O, the Oprah Magazine, as well as numerous anthologies and journals.
The Book Club Café has been an annual event for over a decade. Past featured authors have included Wisconsin authors Jacquelyn Mitchard, Margaret George, and Jane Hamilton, as well as Sara Gruen, author of the New York Times #1 Bestseller Water for Elephants, and many other notable writers.
To receive registration information for the Book Club Café by email go the the MadisonPublicLibrary.org website. All proceeds from the event directly benefit the Madison Public Library.


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Registration is now open for our Fall Workshop with esteemed teacher John Mark Rozendaal (Trio Settecento, Repast, Sonnambula, Viola da Gamba Dojo) on Sunday October 27 from 9:30-4:30pm at Catholic University in DC. You can read more about Mr. Rozendaal here.
The theme will be an "In Nomine Day". In Nomines are typically consort pieces for four or five instruments, especially consorts of viols. One instrument plays the theme through as a cantus firmus with each note lasting one or even two measures; usually this is the second part from the top. The other parts play more complex lines, often in imitative counterpoint.
All levels encouraged to attend, including beginners! You must pre-register for this event by responding to this email or by mail.
Sunday, October 27 2013
Ward Hall
The Catholic University of America,
620 Michigan Ave., NE
Washington DC 20064
Campus map: http://www.cua.edu/res/docs/cuamap.pdf
Metro: Red Line, Brookland/CUA stop
Street parking on Harewood Rd free on Sundays
Workshop Schedule
9:30am-10:00am Coffee/Registration/Intro
10:00am-10:45pm Technnique
11:00am-12:15pm In Nomines (simple) small groups
12:15pm-1:15pm Lunch (pack your own or visit the Student Union, about $12)
1:15pm-2:30pm In Nomines (more complex) small groups
2:45pm-4:00pm Large group session (Sanctus and Agnus Dei from the Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas and the Purcell à7)
4:00pm-4:30pm Pack up, clean up
To register for the workshop:
1) Reply to this notice by Oct 13, 2013. Please tell us what size viols you are planning to bring, what clefs you can read, and indicate your skill-level in sight-reading: Advanced, Intermediate, or Beginner.
2) If you have not yet joined VdGS/GWB, or need to renew your dues, please do so. You can pay your dues at the meeting, or mail to VdGSGWB/Amy Domingues, 3133 7th ST N, Arlington, VA, 22201. Annual dues are $20/$10 (students and those of limited means.) If you aren't sure whether you are paid up, feel free to ask! Please make checks payable to Amy Domingues/VdGS-GWB
3) The registration fee for this event is $55 regular /$35 (students and those of limited means.) Check by mail to the address above (preferred), or cash at the door.
Registration deadline is October 13, 2013
Questions? Email firstname.lastname@example.com
Sept. 16, 2011
The VdGS-Greater Washington-Baltimore chapter is pleased to announce an all-day
workshop, Music à la Mode: how the composer's choice of mode defines
the affect of the music, with Sarah Mead (Brandeis Early Music
director). If you have not had the opportunity to learn from Sarah at a
past Conclave or other music workshop, now is your chance! If you HAVE
had the pleasure of working with her, you already know you're in for a treat! Sarah brings her vast knowledge of
Medieval and Renaissance music theory to our workshop to help us understand the
way composers used modes to convey meaning in choral and viol repertoire.
Our local teachers John Moran (Peabody/Rebel Baroque) and Tina Chancey
(Hesperus) will also be assisting.
9:30 - 10:00 - coffee and intro to 16th-century modes and humours
10:00 -11:00 - Participatory demo of music in the four principal modes
11:15 - 12:30 - First consort class (focus on modes I & V), and beginners class
12:30 - 1:30 - Lunch (please bring a bag lunch)
1:30 - 2:45 - Second consort class (focus on modes III & VII)
3:00 - 4:15
- open coaching of pre-formed groups, or solos if time permits
4:15 - 5:00 - Participatory demo on humour and affect
VIOL PETTING ZOO---Saturday, July 9, 2011
The Greater Washington-Baltimore Chapter of the Viola da Gamba Society of America presents a Viol Petting Zoo!
November News
Quaver Viol Consort presents Nature & Fantasy: A Viol Portrait, a concert of music for viola da gamba quartet at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC in honor of the exhibition Arcimboldo, 1526-1593: Nature and Fantasy
Nature and Fantasy: A Viol Portrait
November 17, 2010
12:00 p.m.
National Gallery of Art
401 Constitution Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20004
Quaver will play a program of lush and engaging music that captures some of the quirky beauty of the work of Renaissance Italian painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo, famous for his bizarrely imaginative portraits comprised of fruits, vegetables and flowers. The program will feature works by Renaissance Italian and English composers Giovanni Paolo Cima and John Dowland, modern composers Astor Piazzolla and Zachary Wadsworth, and singer Sheryl Crow.
Quaver, founded in 2008 by Loren Ludwig (bass and treble viol), Marie Dalby (treble viol), Brady Lanier (bass viol), and Tobi Szuts (tenor viol), plays exciting music, new and old, in ways that engage the eclectic sensibilities of the iPod era. Our concerts bring together music ranging from Petrucci to Purcell, Shostakovich to Cole Porter. We draw on the traditional viol consort repertory to seek points of contact between its rich polyphonic heritage and contemporary musical aesthetics: sixteenth-century pavans and fantasias are paired with recent polyphonic music from performers such as the rock band Radiohead, the electronica ensemble Ratatat, and composers Astor Piazzolla, Gyorgy Ligeti, and others.
Quaver has just released its eponymous debut CD. Sound clips can be heard on the group's website: www.quaver.org.
September 12, 2010
The VdGS-Greater Washington Baltimore chapter is pleased to announce an all-day workshop, Creative Bowing with Sarah Cunningham. We are also excited to present vendors for all your viol music and instrument needs! Dan Rippe of Ripmeister Publications and Anthony Allen of Boulder Early Music will be on hand with a wide array of sheet music and several of Charlie Ogle's budget-friendly viols! Tina Chancey will also coach a beginners' session in conjunction with Sarah's consort coaching.
In conjunction with the 2010 Washington Early Music Festival, and the
Souls Memorial Episcopal Church, 2300 Cathedral Ave. NW,
Washington, DC
June 13-19, 2010 Virginia Baroque Performance Workshop
ANNOUNCEMENT: The Virginia Baroque Performance Workshop (June 13-19, 2010) The faculty are exceptional, it's basically a friendly 5-day intensive with masterclasses and ensemble coaching. It's a great chance for people to work on improving their playing skills. We are full for harpsichord, but still have some space for gamba or cello.
There is some scholarship assistance available.
Here is the link: www.emu.edu/bach/baroque ,
Next Playing Session May 1, 2010posted 19 minutes agoApr 9, 2010 8:44 AM by Viola daGamba [ updated 11 minutes agoApr 9, 2010 8:52 AM ]
Dear Friends,
The Viola da Gamba Society of Greater Washington/Baltimore (VdGS/GWB) will hold a chapter Playing Meeting on May 1, 2010 at 10:00am. Please see below for information on how to register for this event.
Date: May 1, 2010, from 10:30am-1:00pm
Location: All Souls Memorial Episcopal Church ("All Souls at the Zoo")
2300 Cathedral Avenue NW : Washington, DC 20008-1505
The meeting will include:
-Consort reading, led by Tina Chancey and Loren Ludwig
-Light refreshments
-Short discussion about upcoming projects
To Register for the Playing Meeting:
1) Reply to this notice by April 24, 2010. Please tell us what size viols you are planning to bring, what clefs you can read, and indicate your skill-level in sight-reading: Advanced, Intermediate, or Beginner.
2) If you have not yet joined VdGS/GWB, please do so on or before May 1. To join, please send dues payable to VdGSGWB/Amy Domingues, 3133 7th ST N, Arlington, VA, 22201. Annual Dues are $20/$10 (students and those of limited means.)
3) The registration fee for this event is $20/$10 (students and those of limited means.) Check or cash, by mail to the address above, or at the door.
Please bring a music stand. Tuning will be A=415Hz.
Thank You, and Special Thanks to our new members who joined the chapter earlier in the year. We look forward to hearing from you!
Home >
At the 2009 VdGSA Conclave in Chicago, Amy Domingues and Heather Spence began the process of re-activating a local chapter of the VdGSA. The VdGSA asked Tina Chancy to serve as liaison to the national board, and this group convened a nine-member planning committee to help launch the chapter, which includes: John Moran, Jessica Powell, Cathy Blank, Leslie Nero, Coco Simon, and Doug Wolters, in addition to Amy, Heather and Tina.
Initially, most chapter activities will take place in and around Washington and Baltimore. However, we'd like viol players from VA, MD, WV, and DE to consider yourselves as potential chapter members, and to organize viol activities in your own areas (as you may already be doing!)
The first chapter meeting will be held on on January 23, 2010 from 10am-12pm, at United Church (1920 G ST NW, Washington, DC, 20006, theunitedchurch.org.) There will be a short business meeting, consort reading, and snacks.
• Discounted member rates for workshops, ensemble coaching, master classes, and other activities
• On-line membership directory
• Use of the chapter's web site to post classified ads such as instruments for sale and rent
• Option to list items on the chapter's on-line events calendar
• Access to a sheet music library which the planning committee is in the process of organizing
• The satisfaction of helping raise the profile of the viola da gamba in our area.
• As a thanks for joining, we will give new members Al Folop's latest edition of CONSORT SHEET MUSIC ON CD, thousands of pieces, indexed, easy to read, and ready to print!
We welcome you as members of the local chapter, whether or not you belong to the national VdGSA. To become a chapter member, please send a check for payment of dues to: Amy Domingues/VdGSGWB at 3133 Seventh St N, Arlington, VA 22201-2018. Please also note "Dues" in the memo line.
Dues are $20 per calendar year; $10 for students, retirees, and those of limited means. You decide what category you belong to. We also encourage chapter members to join the National VdGSA (www.vdgsa.org.)
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May 2, 2007 12:06 PM
Have the classiest, most sought after trash in the neighborhood with the Home Chic Home Collection Garbage Bags ($10/set of 20). Not just for trash, these stylish 13-gallon kitchen garbage bags feature a beautiful damask pattern in black and white with a blue drawstring closure.
If you've got a product or service that you'd like to promote on Outblush, click here to find out about our advertising opportunities.
Outblush is a blog for girls who love to shop. Our staff digs up the best clothes, home stuff, beauty items, and more. New items are posted every day — bookmark us and check out:


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College Hockey:Cheverie Brilliant Again as Pioneers Down Gophers
Denver Stays Undefeated in Series' Openers
DENVER — Sometimes, it takes a while for teams to warm up and a game to get going.
For the University of Denver, it took two periods, but 20 minutes was enough to beat the University of Minnesota, 3-1, Friday night at Magness Arena.
The Pioneers had the first early chance about a minute in when they had a chance on the doorstep. However, they missed that opportunity and for the next 40 minutes, it was a back-and-forth game with the edge mostly going to the Gophers.
The big guy for us through the first 40 minutes was Marc Cheverie in allowing us to keep the game close so wed have a chance in the third period, said DU coach George Gwozdecky.
Thanks in part to Cheveries efforts, the Pioneers broke through the scoreless tie 55 seconds into the third period on an individual effort by Tyler Ruegsegger. Ruegsegger came streaking down the near side boards, cut in front of the net, made a move on Gopher goaltender Alex Kangas and backhanded it in for the 1-0 lead.
The goal sparked the Pioneers, as they continued to pour on the pressure. Just over halfway through the period, DUs top line struck again to make it 2-0. Ruegsegger dug the puck out of the corner to Rhett Rakhshani behind the Gopher net. Rakhshani tossed it in front to Joe Colborne who shot it on net where it bounced off Kangas and in.
I thought the difference in the game was their ones [top line] beat our ones and we talked about their top line and we had to keep them off the board and [we didnt], said UM coach Don Lucia.
The Gophers picked up the pressure a little bit afterward and Lucia pulled Kangas with about two minutes left in the period. The gamble paid off, when Patrick White scored with 1:34 remaining to make it a one goal game. Cade Fairchild took a shot that went wide, bounced off the back boards up to White who snuck it inside the post past Cheverie (44 saves).
The guys kept coming and they competed right to the very end and we scored a goal with the pulled goalie situation, said Lucia.
The only goal that [they] score[d] on [Cheverie] is a goal where it hits the [boards], changes direction and he doesnt have a chance, said Gwozdecky.
However, just 17 seconds later, DUs top line struck back. Rakhshani picked off a Gopher pass coming back into the zone, made a spin move around the defenseman and let a shot fly past Kangas (28 saves).
Nothing against the Gophers; I thought they played very well, but this wasnt a game of xs and os; this wasnt a game of strategy, said Gwozdecky. It was a game of being able to somehow ratchet up our intensity and our desire to try to do something more effective and it didnt really work until the third period, unfortunately, but start it did.
They havent lost on the first night of a series all season long and I thought we played well tonight, said Lucia. We did a lot of good things.
You just got to keep working and I thought our team did that tonight. We did so many good things tonight; I feel bad for them that they didnt get rewarded with a win.
The two teams face off again Saturday night. Puck drop is at 7:07 p.m. Mountain time.
The following is a self-policing forum for discussing views on this story. Comments that are derogatory, make personal attacks, are abusive, or contain profanity or racism will be removed at our discretion. USCHO.com is not responsible for comments posted by users. Please report any inappropriate or offensive comments by clicking the "Flag" link next to that comment in order to alert the moderator.
Please also keep "woofing," taunting, and otherwise unsportsmanlike behavior to a minimum. Your posts will more than likely be deleted, and worse yet, you reflect badly on yourself, your favorite team and your conference.


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This week's guests on Freedom Watch include Lou Dobbs, Sharron Angle, more
From Judge Napolitano's Facebook page comes news of this week's Freedom Watch guests:
Freedom Watch raises the Gadsden Flags! NeoCons, Libertarians, and Democrats tangle over Afghanistan! Does Lou Dobbs think illegal immigrants have Natural Rights? Freedom Fighters Charles Gasparino, Nancy Skinner, Radio/Media Personality Official Page, and Donald J. Boudreaux duke it out on Recession, and Big Oil woes…. Sat. 10AM & 8PM EST & Sun. 7PM & 11PM EDT.
Sharron Angle is on the front lines of the Tea Party Revolution! Will she succumb to pressure to moderate her views or will she carry forward the freedom message to the Senate? This weekend on Freedom Watch!
Tune in on Saturday morning (or watch one of the rebroadcasts).


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Suzanne Roshan
12 Suzanne Roshan Articles
Here's how Hrithik Roshan made peace with his ex-mother-in-law Zarine Khan!11 months ago 0
The actor didn't attend Khan's book launch but did something special for her on Twitter... Hrithik Roshan has lent his support to his former wife… Read Article ▶
Hrithik Roshan finally gets divorced from Sussanne Khan!2 years ago 2
What will happen to their kids now? Read on to find out... Fans of Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan had been praying for the couple to get back… Read Article ▶
When Hrithik Roshan turned his fan into an interior decorator!2 years ago 0
The Bang Bang actor is known to be a positive person has become a ray of sunshine in yet another life! Read on to find out what we are talking… Read Article ▶
Hrithik Roshan is holidaying with his sons in Disneyland!2 years ago 1
The actor was recently spotted with his sons at the Mumbai Airport and now we know where he was headed to. Hrithik Roshan seems to be taking a… Read Article ▶
Spotted: Hrithik Roshan out with his kids2 years ago 3
The Greek god was spotted at the Mumbai Airport with his beautiful boys Ever since he separated from his childhood sweetheart and wife, Hrithik… Read Article ▶
Is Rakesh Roshan miffed with Hrithik Roshan for separating with Sussanne Khan?2 years ago 1
The Krrish 3 actor's problems do not seem to end even after his separation from Sussanne B-town's perfect love story came to an end when Hrithik… Read Article ▶
Yogen Shah
Hrithik Roshan-Sussanne split: Is the family trying too hard to stop gossip around the couple?3 years ago 1
Everyone was shocked when Hrithik and Sussanne announced their separation. Here's what their family has to say Only a few days ago, Hrithik Roshan… Read Article ▶
Yogen Shah
Hrithik Roshan confirms separation from wife Sussanne Roshan. Read full statement!3 years ago 10
For a while now the Krrish 3 star and his family have been in denial mode. However, they now confirm that the beautiful couple is indeed ending their… Read Article ▶
Yogen Shah
Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif: Who's got the most stylish pose?4 years ago 21
We spotted a galaxy of stars giving their glitziest pose ever for Hello! magazine's Hall Of Fame Awards special cover shoot. Tell us who dazzled the… Read Article ▶
Shahrukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Shahid Kapoor: Who will and won't work with Priyanka Chopra?4 years ago 5
Once upon a time Priyanka Chopra was the most preferred co-star in Bollywood. Today, many actors run in the opposite direction at the mere mention of… Read Article ▶
Valentine's Day: Abhi-Ash, Shahrukh-Gauri, Hrithik-Sussanne…who is the most romantic couple in B-town?4 years ago 18
In the world of glamour and grandeur real love is difficult to come by, but some romantics from Bollywood keep the flame of affection, care and… Read Article ▶
The best compliments Hrithik Roshan got for Agneepath4 years ago 0
Roshan Jr is getting compliments galore for stepping in into the shoes of Amitabh Bachchan as the new Vijay Deenanath Chauhan, but his parents… Read Article ▶


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I am running my blog site on godaddy shared hosting, at US. But my site's top visitors percentage are as follows:
India - 25% USA - 15% UK - 4%
Now as major are from india, should I choose a hosting/server located near it, like singapore or so? Will that be of any benefit, such as by improving the loading experience for major visitors?
Is there any other factors that I should consider for server location?
Thanks in advance.


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2008!!! BETTER THEN THA REST:3 Members Graduated from High School in this Year Me too!
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Problem on this page? Briefly let us know what isn't working for you and we'll try to make it right!


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Jon Voight may have not gone to Angelina Jolie's wedding, but that doesn't mean that he isn't happy for his daughter. The actor from "Ray Donovan" is happy about what is going on in his daughter's life. On Friday, CBS News shared that he is really happy that Brad Pitt is his new son-in-law.
He did not show up at the big day. Jon said, "I'm very happy that I can now legitimately call [Pitt] my son-in-law, this wonderful fellow who I love, and that they're very happy. The kids must have had a wonderful time at the wedding because they all had their things to do. It must have been very beautiful. I'm very happy for them."
Voight has not shared if he was invited to the wedding of Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt or not. He said, "She's working now with Brad, and I've got a couple of things to do, too. But as soon as we can, we'll get together -- it's going to be exciting." It does appear that everything is still really good between them all.


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Index of content:
Volume 120, Issue 15, 15 April 2004
- Theoretical Methods and Algorithms
Bohmian dynamics on subspaces using linearized quantum force120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1669385View Description Hide Description
In the de Broglie–Bohm formulation of quantum mechanics the time-dependent Schrödinger equation is solved in terms of quantum trajectories evolving under the influence of quantum and classical potentials. For a practical implementation that scales favorably with system size and is accurate for semiclassical systems, we use approximate quantum potentials. Recently, we have shown that optimization of the nonclassical component of the momentum operator in terms of fitting functions leads to the energy-conserving approximate quantum potential. In particular, linear fitting functions give the exact time evolution of a Gaussian wave packet in a locally quadratic potential and can describe the dominant quantum-mechanical effects in the semiclassical scattering problems of nuclear dynamics. In this paper we formulate the Bohmian dynamics on subspaces and define the energy-conserving approximate quantum potential in terms of optimized nonclassical momentum, extended to include the domain boundary functions. This generalization allows a better description of the non-Gaussian wave packets and general potentials in terms of simple fitting functions. The optimization is performed independently for each domain and each dimension. For linear fitting functions optimal parameters are expressed in terms of the first and second moments of the trajectory distribution. Examples are given for one-dimensional anharmonic systems and for the collinear hydrogen exchange reaction.
Variational second-order Møller–Plesset theory based on the Luttinger–Ward functional120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1650307View Description Hide Description
In recent years there have been some rather successful applications of a new variational technique for calculating the total energies of electronic systems. The new method is based on many-body perturbationtheory and uses the one-electron Green function as the basic "variable" rather than the wave function of traditional variational calculations. It is the purpose of the present work to promote the new methods within the realm of traditional theoretical chemistry by demonstrating their utility for calculating the correlation energies of a number of atoms at a level corresponding to second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory. The generalization to any desired order of perturbation theory is not hard to accomplish.
The importance of three-body terms in the fragment molecular orbital method120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1687334View Description Hide Description
A previously proposed two-body fragment molecular orbital method based on the restricted Hartree–Fock (RHF) method was extended to include explicit three-body terms. The accuracy of the method was tested on a set of representative molecules: 32, and 64, as well as α and β n-mers of alanine, 20, and 40, using STO-3G, 3-21G, 6-31G, and basis sets. Two- and three-body results are presented separately for assigning one and two molecules (or residues) per fragment. Total energies are found to differ from the regular RHF method by at most and rms energy gradients differ by at most and and rms dipole moments are reproduced with at most and (%) relative error, where the subscript notation refers to the n-body method based on m molecules (residues) per fragment. A few of the largest three-body calculations were performed with a separated trimer approximation, which presumably somewhat lowered the accuracy of mostly dipole moments which are very sensitive to slight variations in the density distribution. The proposed method is capable of providing sufficient chemical accuracy while providing detailed information on many-body interactions.
Analytic second derivatives for general coupled-cluster and configuration-interaction models120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1668632View Description Hide Description
Analytic second derivatives of energy for general coupled-cluster (CC) and configuration-interaction (CI) methods have been implemented using string-based many-body algorithms. Wave functions truncated at an arbitrary excitation level are considered. The presented method is applied to the calculation of CC and CI harmonic frequencies and nuclear magnetic resonancechemical shifts up to the full CI level for some selected systems. The present benchmarks underline the importance of higher excitations in high-accuracy calculations.
Unified treatment of chemical and van der Waals forces via symmetry-adapted perturbation expansion120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1676119View Description Hide Description
We propose a symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) expansion of the intermolecular interactionenergy which in a finite order provides the correct values of the constants determining the asymptotics of the interactionenergy (the van der Waals constants) and is convergent when the energy of the interacting system is submerged in the continuum of Pauli-forbidden states—the situation common when at least one of the monomers has more than two electrons. These desirable features are achieved by splitting the intermolecular electron–nucleus attraction terms of the Hamiltonian into regular (long-range) and singular (short-range) parts. In the perturbation theory development, the regular part is treated as in the conventional polarizationtheory, which guarantees the correct asymptotics of the interactionenergy, while the singular part is weakened sufficiently by an application of permutational symmetry projectors so that a convergent perturbation series is obtained. The convergence is demonstrated numerically, for both the chemical and van der Waals minima, by performing high-order calculations of the interactionenergy of the ground-statelithium and hydrogen atoms—the simplest system for which the physical ground state is submerged in the Pauli-forbidden continuum. The obtained expansion enables a systematic extension of SAPT calculations beyond second order with respect to the intermolecular interaction operator.
Simulation of environmental effects on coherent quantum dynamics in many-body systems120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1651472View Description Hide Description
In this paper we describe an application of the trajectory-based semiclassical Liouville method for modeling coherent molecular dynamics on multiple electronic surfaces to the treatment of the evolution and decay of quantum electronic coherence in many-body systems. We consider a model representing the coherent evolution of quantum wave packets on two excited electronic surfaces of a diatomic molecule in the gas phase and in rare gas solvent environments, ranging from small clusters to a cryogenic solid. For the gas phase system, the semiclassical trajectory method is shown to reproduce the evolution of the electronic–nuclear coherence nearly quantitatively. The dynamics of decoherence are then investigated for the solvated systems using the semiclassical approach. It is found that, although solvation in general leads to more rapid and extensive loss of quantum coherence, the details of the coupled system–bath dynamics are important, and in some cases the environment can preserve or even enhance quantum coherence beyond that seen in the isolated system.
Revealing the roles of Hamiltonian coupling in bound-state quantum systems120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1668638View Description Hide Description
A Hamiltonian coupling identification (HCI) technique is introduced to reveal the independent and cooperative roles of Hamiltonian matrix elements in determining the bound-state energies of quantum systems. The HCI technique operates by encoding each Hamiltonian matrix element with a unique modulation signal, producing a nonlinear signature in the energy eigenvalues that may be decoded to reveal the contributing coupling structure in the Hamiltonian. The HCI technique is capable of exploring the roles of Hamiltonian coupling structure within and beyond the convergence limits of standard perturbation theory expansions. The flexibility residing in the encoding and decoding processes may be exploited to tailor the analysis to meet the desired degree of sought-after information about the Hamiltonian coupling structure. HCI, based on a Fourier encoding and decoding scheme, is illustrated by extracting information on the role of coupling interactions in the potential matrix elements of several simple model systems.
Computing minimal entropy production trajectories: An approach to model reduction in chemical kinetics120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1652428View Description Hide Description
Advanced experimental techniques in chemistry and physics provide increasing access to detailed deterministic mass action models for chemical reaction kinetics. Especially in complex technical or biochemical systems the huge amount of species and reaction pathways involved in a detailed modeling approach call for efficient methods of model reduction. These should be automatic and based on a firm mathematical analysis of the ordinary differential equations underlying the chemical kinetics in deterministic models. A main purpose of model reduction is to enable accurate numerical simulations of even high dimensional and spatially extended reaction systems. The latter include physical transport mechanisms and are modeled by partial differential equations. Their numerical solution for hundreds or thousands of species within a reasonable time will exceed computer capacities available now and in a foreseeable future. The central idea of model reduction is to replace the high dimensional dynamics by a low dimensional approximation with an appropriate degree of accuracy. Here I present a global approach to model reduction based on the concept of minimal entropy production and its numerical implementation. For given values of a single species concentration in a chemical system all other species concentrations are computed under the assumption that the system is as close as possible to its attractor, the thermodynamic equilibrium, in the sense that all modes of thermodynamic forces are maximally relaxed except the one, which drives the remaining system dynamics. This relaxation is expressed in terms of minimal entropy production for single reaction steps along phase space trajectories.
Meta-generalized gradient approximation: Explanation of a realistic nonempirical density functional120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1665298View Description Hide Description
Tao, Perdew, Staroverov, and Scuseria (TPSS) have constructed a nonempirical meta-generalized gradient approximation (meta-GGA) [Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 146401 (2003)] for the exchange-correlation energy, imposing exact constraints relevant to the paradigm densities of condensed matter physics and quantum chemistry. Results of their extensive tests on molecules, solids, and solid surfaces are encouraging, suggesting that this density functional achieves uniform accuracy for diverse properties and systems. In the present work, this functional is explained and details of its construction are presented. In particular, the functional is constructed to yield accurate energies under uniform coordinate scaling to the low-density or strong-interaction limit. Its nonlocality is displayed by plotting the factor that gives the enhancement relative to the local density approximation for exchange. We also discuss an apparently harmless order-of-limits problem in the meta-GGA. The performance of this functional is investigated for exchange and correlation energies and shell-removal energies of atoms and ions. Non-self-consistent molecular atomization energies and bond lengths of the TPSS meta-GGA, calculated with GGA orbitals and densities, agree well with those calculated self-consistently. We suggest that satisfaction of additional exact constraints on higher rungs of a ladder of density functional approximations can lead to further progress.
- Gas Phase Dynamics and Structure: Spectroscopy, Molecular Interactions, Scattering, and Photochemistry
A complete nearest-neighbor force field model for120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1683105View Description Hide Description
A force field model is developed for that features 13 force constants representing all interactions between nearest-neighboring atoms. The model is compared with, and tested against, other force field models in the literature. Force constants for are then deduced by fitting the model to the 14 known optically accessible vibrational frequencies of the molecule. Finally, the model is fitted to two existing theoretical calculations of the complete vibrational spectrum of Fair agreement is obtained with the theoretical calculations, implying that interactions with atoms other than nearest neighbors are small.
Spectroscopy of the OC–HF hydrogen-bonded complex at120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1669387View Description Hide Description
The levels of the linear OC–HF complex are observed in the range of 10 800–11 500 cm−1 using intracavity Ti–sapphire laser-induced fluorescence. The vibrational predissociationlinewidths of both (30000) and states exceed 5 GHz; thus, the measured spectra are not rotationally resolvable. Under the assumption that these levels are not strongly perturbed, the rotational constants of the two levels are determined to be 0.1100(1) cm−1 for (30000), 0.1081(1), and 0.1065(1) cm−1 for f and e sublevels of respectively, through band contour fitting. The band origin is at 10 894.46(1) cm−1, showing a HF wave number redshift of 478.3 cm−1. The 4.07 redshift ratio of to that of indicates a significantly nonlinear increase of the intermolecular interaction energy through HF valence excitation. An ab initio interaction potential surface for HF valence coordinates varying from 0.8 to 1.25 Å is used to examine vibrational dynamics. The HF valence vibration is treated perturbatively, showing that the vibrational redshifts are determined essentially in first order with only a very small second-order contribution. The combination transition is observed with the band origin at 11 432.66(1) cm−1, giving the HF intermolecular bending mode to be 538.2 cm−1. The high frequency of this vibration, compared to that in similar HF complexes, shows the strong angular anisotropy of the intermolecular interaction potential of OC–HF with respect to the HF subunit. The lifetime of the level increases to 28 ps from 14 ps for (30000).
High-level ab initio studies of the electronic excited states of the hydroxyl radical and water–hydroxyl complex120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1687335View Description Hide Description
The lowest-energy electronic transitions in the hydroxyl radical and the hydrogen bound complex have been studied using ab initio methods. We have used the complete active-space self-consistent field and multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) methods to calculate vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths. At the MRCI level the lowest-lying electronic transition is redshifted by about 2500 cm−1 upon formation of the complex. We propose that this transition could be used to identify the complex in the gas phase, which in turn could be used to examine the role of in atmospheric reactions.
Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy of the complexes (Rg:Ne, Kr): Determination of the intermolecular potential energy surfaces120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1669384View Description Hide Description
Pure rotational spectra of Ne–SH and Kr–SH have been studied by Fourier transformmicrowave spectroscopy.R-branch transitions in the lower-spin component corresponding to a linear radical were observed for in the region 11–25 GHz for Ne–SH and for in the region 5–20 GHz for Kr–SH, respectively, with parity doublings and hyperfine splittings associated with the H nucleus. Although the spectral pattern of Kr–SH is relatively regular, that of Ne–SH is irregular with the J dependence of the parity doublings quite different from other Rg–SH or Ar–OH complexes. Two-dimensional intermolecular potential energy surfaces (IPSs) for both of the species have been determined from the least-squares fittings of the observed rotational transitions utilizing results of high-level ab initio calculations. These IPSs reproduce the observed transition frequencies within the experimental error and provide accurate knowledge on the intermolecular interaction and internal dynamics. Systematic comparisons of Rg–SH complexes have clarified various features of this series of complexes.
Vacuum ultraviolet pulsed-field ionization-photoelectron study of in the energy range of 10–17 eV120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1669386View Description Hide Description
Vacuum ultraviolet pulsed-field ionization-photoelectron (PFI-PE) spectra of have been recorded at PFI-PE resolutions of 0.6–1.0 meV in the energy range of 10–17 eV using high-resolution synchrotron radiation. The PFI-PE spectrum, which covers the formation of the valence electronic states and is compared to the recent high-resolution He I photoelectron spectra of obtained by Baltzer et al. [Chem. Phys. 195, 403 (1995)]. In addition to the overwhelmingly dominated origin vibrational band, the PFI-PE spectrum for is found to exhibit weak vibrational progressions due to excitation of the combination bands in the symmetric stretching and bending modes. While the ionization energy (IE) for obtained here is in accord with values determined in previously laser PFI-PE measurements, the observation of a new PFI-PE band at suggests that the IE for may be 0.12 eV lower than that reported in the He I study. The simulation of rotational structures resolved in PFI-PE bands shows that the formation of and from photoionization of is dominated by type-C and type-B transitions, respectively. This observation is consistent with predictions of the multichannel quantum defect theory. The small changes in rotational angular momentum observed are consistent with the dominant atomiclike character of the and molecular orbitals of The PFI-PE measurement has revealed perturbations of the (0, 6, 0) and (0, 6, 0) bands of Interpreting that these perturbations arise from Renner–Teller interactions at energies close to the common barriers to linearity of the and states, we have deduced a barrier of 23 209 cm−1 for and 5668 cm−1 for The barrier of 23 209 cm−1 for is found to be in excellent agreement with the results of previous studies. The vibrational PFI-PE bands for are broad, indicative of the predissociative nature of this state.
Photolysis of oxalyl chloride at 193 nm: Emission of detected with time-resolved Fourier-transform spectroscopy120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1669390View Description Hide Description
Upon photolysis of oxalyl chloride at 193 nm, time-resolved and rotationally resolved emission of in the spectral region 1850–2350 cm−1 was detected with a step-scan Fourier-transform spectrometer under nearly collisionless conditions. Boltzmann-type rotational distributions of CO correspond to temperatures to with an average rotational energy of The average vibrational energy of CO is estimated to be according to observed vibrational populations of and that of predicted with a surprisal analysis. Combining the average internal energy of CO determined in this work and average translational energies of photofragments Cl and CO determined previously by Hemmi and Suits, we propose a four-body dissociation mechanism producing one pair of translationally rapid and internally excited CO and one pair of translationally rapid Cl, each with similar energies, to account for the energy balance. Formation of translationally slow ClCO, Cl, and CO reported previously by Hemmi and Suits might be rationalized with a second channel involving emission of electronically excited intermediates. We observed no emission of ClCO near 1880 cm−1, indicating that surviving ClCO has little vibrational excitation in the C–O stretching mode.
Dissociation dynamics of thiolactic acid at 193 nm: Detection of the nascent OH product by laser-induced fluorescence120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1667878View Description Hide Description
Electronically excited thiolactic acid (2-mercaptopropionic acid), undergoes the C–OH bond cleavage on excitation to the state at 193 nm, generating the primary product OH which is detected by laser-induced fluorescence technique in a collisionless condition of flow system. The partitioning of the available energy between vibrational, rotational, and translational degrees of freedom of nascent photofragments is obtained from relative intensities of ro-vibronic lines in laser-induced fluorescencespectrum of OH, and their Doppler profiles. The rotational population of OH is characterized by rotational temperature of OH is produced in a vibrationally cold state, i.e., mostly in The average translational energy of OH is found to be which implies 25.6 kcal/mol of energy in relative translation of photoproducts corresponding to the value of ∼0.6. The observed high translational energy is due to the presence of a barrier in the exit channel, implying that the C–OH bond scission takes place on an electronically excited potential energy surface. The observed partitioning of the available energy between various degrees of the photofragments is theoretically modeled, and the hybrid model, with 26.0 kcal/mol of barrier in the exit channel, is found to explain the measured data quite well. The experimental results are also supported with ab initio molecular orbital calculations for both the ground and the excited electronic states.Time-dependent density functional theory is used to understand the nature of various electronic transitions connecting the lower excited states. Potential energy curves as a function of the C–OH bond length of thiolactic acid suggest distinct exit barriers in the and states. But, we could locate the transition state structure for OH formation in the state alone. Thus, although thiolactic acid is excited to the state at 193 nm, it undergoes internal conversion to where it dissociates to yield OH. In addition to the OH channel from excited electronic states, we studied theoretically all probable dissociation channels occurring on the ground electronic state of thiolactic acid.
Vibrational relaxation of in the gas phase and in solution120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1676292View Description Hide Description
Transient electronic absorption measurements reveal the vibrational relaxation dynamics of following excitation of the C–H stretch overtone in the gas phase and in liquid solutions. The isolated molecule relaxes through two stages of intramolecular vibrational relaxation (IVR), a fast component that occurs in a few picoseconds and a slow component that takes place in about 400 ps. In contrast, a single 5–7 ps component of IVR precedes intermolecular energy transfer (IET) to the solvent, which dissipates energy from the molecule in 50 ps, 44 ps, and 16 ps for 1 M solutions of in and respectively. The vibrational state structure suggests a model for the relaxation dynamics in which a fast component of IVR populates the states that are most strongly coupled to the initially excited C–H stretch overtone, regardless of the environment, and the remaining, weakly coupled states result in a secondary relaxation only in the absence of IET.
Threshold-photoelectron-spectroscopy-coincidence study of the double photoionization of HBr120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1669382View Description Hide Description
A threshold-photoelectron-coincidence spectrum of HBr has been recorded in the 32.2–35.8 eV photon energy range, with a resolution of ∼0.01 eV, using a synchrotron radiationsource. The and states of the dication are clearly observed in the spectrum, while there is no clear evidence for the formation of the electronic state. For the first two states, the vibrational states have been resolved, while for the ground state also spin–orbit splitting has been detected. The results appear in good agreement with previous experimental observations. A comparison with theoretical predictions indicates the role of "noncovalent" contributions to the interaction between the two atomic partners for the formation of metastable states.
Low-lying electronic states of120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1669383View Description Hide Description
The present study describes the characterization of energy and structure of in its low-lying electronic states, achieved through an extension of a new empirical method [Chem. Phys. Lett. 379, 139 (2003)] recently introduced to evaluate the interatomic interaction in the molecular dications. The method is based on identification of the main components of the interaction and their evaluation through some simple correlation formulas. Potential energy curves, given in a simple, natural, and analytical form, made possible the calculations of some important properties, such as double-photoionization energy thresholds, vibrational spacing, average lifetime, and Franck–Condon factors. The predictions, compared with data available in the literature, are of great interest for the analysis and interpretation of some new experimental results.
Intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution in the highly excited fluoroform molecule: A quantum mechanical study using the multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree algorithm120(2004); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1668639View Description Hide Description
The present paper is devoted to a detailed study of the intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution in fluoroform initiated by a local mode excitation of the CH stretch All nine internal degrees of freedom are explicitly taken into account and the full quantum mechanical simulation is performed by means of the multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree algorithm. The existence of different time scales considerably complicates the dynamics. The mode-to-mode energy transfer is analyzed by calculating the evolution of the partial energies of all vibrational modes. This study emphasizes the crucial role played by the two-dimensional FCH bending modes which act as an energy reservoir. The fast energy flow into these bending modes significantly hinders an energy flow from the CH chromophore. Finally, our results are compared with those obtained previously with the wave operator sorting algorithm approach.


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Ravell Call, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — After news broke Thursday that cyclist Lance Armstrong was ending his fight against doping accusations, local cyclists and Armstrong fans were lamenting the fall of an international star.
Others simply said it was another testament to a troubling reality in cycling and professional sports in general: everybody cheats, some get caught.
It's a generalization, but speaks to the effort to find understanding or meaning in the parade of fallen stars accused of cheating, which this month also included Major League Baseball's batting leader, Melky Cabrera of the San Francisco Giants, and a pitcher for the Oakland A's in the steroid-swollen Bay Area.
Michael Timberlake, who teaches sociology of sports at the University of Utah, said that Armstrong is considered a hero by many, including children. But he said research shows children to be more affected by the person pouring the milk than the face staring back on the Wheaties box.
"Kids' role models are usually closer to them, like their parents, fathers and brothers," he said.
Timberlake said that athletes, like people in general, are constantly forced to deal with competing pressures. He said an example in sports is the separation between winning and sportsmanship, which are both admired, and leads to questionable behavior like "flopping" in basketball or "diving" in soccer.
"Technically, that's not good sportsmanship, but it's come to be a norm" Timberlake said. "You have different values in sports and anything you do, and they compete sometimes."
Unlike sports, Timberlake said the rules in regular life are more informal and are based on shared understanding of what actions are right or wrong, appropriate or inappropriate or civil and uncivil.
In some cases there are laws to enforce behavior, but often an individual will simply act outside of accepted norms in order to succeed in business, politics or polite society, which results in informal sanctions from the people around them.
"There's strong societal pressures toward conformity," he said.
The norm in cycling has been performance-enhancing drug use, practiced by some of the sport's biggest stars. Does that make it a norm and therefore acceptable to those trying to attain that level of performance?
"The poor guy really has been hammered," Virginia Gowski said of Armstrong, who not only capitalized financially, but is a man who overcame cancer and turned athletic success into Livestrong, benefiting cancer research to the tune of millions of dollars. "If I were him I probably would have given up as well."
Gowski, a Salt Lake mother of three, said her children are too young to be aware of the controversy but it creates an opportunity for parents to discuss the values of fair play, sportsmanship and honesty with their families.
"I think it's a parent's job to teach a lesson with this kind of experience," she said. "Talk about ethics and talk about competition and what's important."
Jamie White, who was biking up Emigration Canyon on Friday, said that in his mind, the issue of doping and performance enhancement through drug use is more of a gray area than other forms of cheating.
He said athletes commonly use diet or vitamin supplements in an effort to gain a competitive edge and the rules of what is and what is not allowed are constantly evolving. Caffeine, for example, was prohibited for cyclists until 2004, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency.
"I'm not one to condemn," White said. "All those guys dope and it made for some great racing."
In a statement to the Associated Press, Armstrong called the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's investigation an "unconstitutional witch hunt." He said he had ultimately grown weary of fighting the allegations against him, and continues to proclaim his innocence.
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