text:
UCLA Grads' Janus-Like Social Platform Gains Traction
October 12, 2011 by admin · Comments Off on UCLA Grads' Janus-Like Social Platform Gains Traction
Jono Lee and Eric Sue — both recent UCLA grads — have set their newly created social platform, TwoSides, loose on the Internet to help conceptualize duality. In its current setup, users publicly ponder the duality and merits of political, philosophical, and other more mundane stances with the help of well-thought-out displays and argument compartmentalization.
In the manner of social networking, fellow users contribute to an issue's elucidation by declaring whether they agree or disagree on the matter and submitting evidence to prop up their case or unfasten the foundations of the "other side." Welcomed evidence, to be posted directly on the site, includes self-authored ranty texts, YouTube clips, scholarly articles, and anything else that's relevant.
The site fosters social connections through debate and also through the discovery of shared beliefs, values, or ideas. In TwoSides' terms: "Common beliefs are a much better indicator of whether two people would connect than, say, mutual Facebook friends. Easily see how your viewpoints match up with other people using our awesome data visualizations."
A good deal of unabashed giddiness filters through the site's details. Even TwoSides' 2011 summer intern, Ken Yu, radiated as much: a bodybuilder with a taste for progressive trance who's studying Engineering at Berkeley.
Learn More:
Social Media Urges On a New Statistics
October 11, 2011 by admin · Comments Off on Social Media Urges On a New Statistics
The world's twitter and Facebook output — along with its googling and cell phone geo data — is about to be stirred, strewn out on a researcher's desk, and examined like a sacrificed animal's entrails during the heyday of ancient Greece.
It seems that social media has done wonders for the acceptance of an old ritual of the occult — divination. Online output, as part of "big data," is about to be put through a major statistical grinder by scientists claiming a humanistic bent in an attempt to derive "sociological laws of human behavior," as John Markoff of the New York Times so eloquently put it, to "predict political crises, revolutions and other forms of social and economic instability," much the same way that natural scientists foretell the weather and try to do likewise with earthquakes.
Next year, a division of the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), is funding a three-year study on "big data" involving 21 countries in Latin America. The tools employed by these scientists will likely resemble those being developed by Revolution Analytics, Norman Nie's company of new-wave analytical tools for "data sets with trillions of entries." Perhaps the time for a new Delphic oracle has arrived.
Read More:
Are Your Online Manners Polished and Refined?
October 5, 2011 by admin · Comments Off on Are Your Online Manners Polished and Refined?
Has life on the digital sphere been making you feel like your manners and etiquette are in need of an updating? It's likely you're not alone. Publishers have apparently caught wind of a general clamoring for guidelines for navigating online lives with grace and two books on the subject were recently released: How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age and Emily Post's Etiquette, 18th Edition.
Both are 21-century updates of beloved American classics: Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People, which first came out in 1936, and Emily Post's Etiquette, first released in 1922. No doubt times have changed since then. Unfortunately, if one goes by Dwight Garner's unfavorable and less unfavorable reviews of the two tomes — published in today's New York Times' front page — the books aren't really up to task.
Garner excoriates the folks responsible for the Dale update, that would be Dale Carnegie and Associates Inc and Brent Cole, and refers to their work as a "retooling" that vitiates the expressive and "homespun" charm of the original. The authors of the Post update, all descendants of the original author, fare only slightly better. Garner says they "mostly repris[e] information to be found in earlier versions" and that the "volume is friendly but largely humorless." Faint praise, indeed.
But if you're clueless about proper online socializing, you might still want to take a peek at the two texts.
Read More:
User Pictures and Names Come Off of LinkedIn's Social Ads
August 23, 2011 by admin · Comments Off on User Pictures and Names Come Off of LinkedIn's Social Ads
It's the last stretch of August and everybody's out of the office — except yours truly, clearly — trying to cease all the promise of summer in the last few days of vacation. Given the twenty-something diurnal number all the calendars are proclaiming, it seems only to be expected that despite its immaculate primness and consistently great grasp for respectability, LinkedIn is the social network that's easiest to forget come this time of year. That's mostly because even the most novice of job hunters knows that it's important to send out one's resumes and profiles when the recipients are likely to be in the office.
But people are still paying attention to other things in the network. It was not quite two weeks ago that LinkedIn blogged an announcement concerning its decision to scrap its then-current iteration of social ads. The major issue was user complaints about the prominent placement given to user portraits and names in advertising for followed products and companies. The new version of these ads will omit user photos and names; instead, the ads will alert users to the persons in their network that following or recommending a certain product or company. Seems loyal users have a reason to sound a fanfare for their favorite space of professional connection:
Read More:
U.C. Berkeley Social App Lab Releases CitySandbox, Hopes to Network Real-World Deeds
August 11, 2011 by admin · Comments Off on U.C. Berkeley Social App Lab Releases CitySandbox, Hopes to Network Real-World Deeds
These days, Greg Niemeyer, one of the honchos of the U.C. Berkeley Social App Lab, can be caught tinkering with a pet project: CitySandbox. What exactly is that two-word mash-up? It's Niemeyer's grab at getting to a finer integration of online and offline sociability, but by his own admission he still has much ground to cover.
CitySandbox is a social medium for people to "ask questions about specific places in [their] city and discuss them" with fellow residents. The goal is to create real-world action from the postings. The site is designed to promote the formation of social clusters focused on specific local issues through the virtual/real communication between its members.
It works by overlaying a Google map of a local area, Berkeley, in this case, with social networking capabilities. Users select a map location and then ask a question about it or propose a real-life event to address a particular issue.
Here goes one example. Concerning the location 1503 Oxford St., Berkeley, CA 94709, USA, CitySandbox user SEstar asked, "Who is the person that spends every night on this bench?" The user explained that the unknown person slept while "sitting upright," "dressed in a dark long coat with a hoodie," and kept "his/her legs crossed."
SEstar's query, after three weeks, only got one response, from user Shovel, who in some sort of commiseration posted: "Kind of creepy. But you could leave a note for him." Helpful, indeed.
Niemeyer still has some way to go before hitting upon the online terrain that will truly nurture the creation of collective, real-world action from online discussions, but he feels he's on the right track.
Read More:
Ashton Kutcher Thinks Social Media is "Like a Manifestation of God"
August 10, 2011 by admin · Comments Off on Ashton Kutcher Thinks Social Media is "Like a Manifestation of God"
Ashton Kutcher, who, these days, is very much unironically being called a "social-media influencer," has been gearing up for his return to television since joining the cast of "Two and a Half Men" late last spring. Some finer points about his new role have begun to emerge and media commentators are already remarking on the "meta" aspects of his giving life to an "Internet mogul" christened — a la Hollywood — Walden Schmidt.
In an interview he gave to Details Magazine, Kutcher himself described his new character as being "somewhere between an alien and Jesus Christ," claiming he couldn't "be more specific than that." In another choice description provided by the one-time Michael Kelso, Ashton had this to say about social media: "It's almost like a manifestation of God… People used to behave morally because they thought God was always watching — in some ways God today is the collective, and the collective is watching."
By their turn, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Kutcher's television comeback, with its steadier schedule, will "allow him to focus on tech projects" at Katalyst Media, the production company he co-founded with Jason Goldberg in 2000; the company has had a social media division since 2005.
Read More:
Flickr, Twitter, and London Riots
August 9, 2011 by admin · Comments Off on Flickr, Twitter, and London Riots
On Flickr, it is now possible to find CCTV cam surveillance images of the London riots that have been taking place since Saturday night. London police uploaded the images themselves in an attempt at gaining assistance from the public in identifying the rioters. On August 5th, Mark Duggan, a 29-year-old with alleged gang affiliations was shot and killed by police in Tottenham, a part of the London borough of Haringey. Reports are suggesting Duggan did not fire at police before being shot.
Racial and class tensions are running high — Duggan was a mixed-race Londoner and the neighborhood where he died by police fire is being described by British dailies as home to the "fourth highest level of child poverty in London and an unemployment rate of 8.8%." Widespread civic violence first broke out after a peaceful protest against police brutality in Tottenham devolved into the torching of two police patrol cars and a double-decker bus. By Monday the violence had reached London proper and continued to spread on Tuesday to Birmingham, Liverpool, and Bristol. 525 arrests have been made so far on account of vandalism and looting. Police are hoping the Flickr images will help them charge more aggressors.
In addition to helping police identify the rioters, through Flickr, the newly opened Twitter account @riotcleanup — already with more than 85 thousand followers — is ready to help people organize clean-ups around the town once it's possible.
Read More:
Social Media Intelligence Offers Employers A Way to Side-Step Discrimination Suits
July 21, 2011 by admin · Comments Off on Social Media Intelligence Offers Employers A Way to Side-Step Discrimination Suits
Social Intelligence has only been in business for one year but already it's set to make a big impact on the ways that employers screen prospective hires through the use of social media. Googling a job applicant can upend an employer's best intentions to perform a thorough and fair job screening because online searches can easily reveal details that are legally prohibited from being asked during an interview — facts about an applicant's religion, sexual orientation, race, age, gender, or disability. Conducting online research that discloses sensitive information can leave employers vulnerable to discrimination suits.
On the other hand, not conducting an online search leaves undesirable and, quite importantly, legally knowable characteristics about an applicant undiscovered until it's too late. In its website, Social Intelligence says that its company tracks down pertinent information on job candidates, like public postings on social media sites of "racist remarks or activities, sexually explicit photos or videos, and illegal activity such as drug use," in addition to those of "charitable or volunteer efforts, participation in industry blogs, and external recognition." The company's gambit is to conduct meticulous online investigations on job applicants but only pass on to client-employers information that is legally safe for them to have. According to Social Intelligence, this is an all-around win-win situation.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's outreach manager, Joe Bontke, spoke with the New York Times and told the paper that violating antidiscrimination laws was a real risk for employers. He also gave the folks there two figures: 75 percent of American recruiters conduct mandatory online investigations on applicants and 70 percent of them report having snubbed applicants because of the information gathered through those investigations.
Read More:
Quepasa Pays Myyearbook $100 Million in Merger Agreement
July 20, 2011 by admin · Comments Off on Quepasa Pays Myyearbook $100 Million in Merger Agreement
Quepasa, the social network with its sights firmly set on a Latino audience has just paid the sibling trio from New Jersey, Geoff, Catherine, and David Cook, $100 million for their fraternal creation, Myyearbook.com. The payoff is considered part of a merger agreement between the two companies.
Accordingly, Quepasa is putting up $82 million in stock and $18 million en efectivo (cash, guys). The siblings' social network is geared at teens and has a strong focus on games. Calling it like it sees it, comScore ranks the New Jersey group's site as the most heavily visited online place for teenagers. For its part, Quepasa calls West Palm Beach, Florida home and was founded in 1997 by Jeffery Peterson; its current CEO is John Abbott.
AllthingsD is reporting that last year the combined revenue of the merging companies came to a grand total of $33.6 million. As part of the deal underway, Geoff Cook, Myyearbook's CEO, will now be Quepasa's COO. In a release, John Abbot had the following to say about the new partners' contribution: "By emphasizing social discovery, focusing on the people users want to know rather than the people they already know, the service has built a large and growing user base, especially in the teen and young adult demographic."
Read More:
Social Media Inside the Courtroom
July 14, 2011 by admin · Comments Off on Social Media Inside the Courtroom
Last week, what Time Magazine has called "the first major murder trial of the social-media age" came to a close with a not-guilty verdict for Casey Anthony, a woman accused of murdering her own two-year-old daughter, Caylee Marie, in 2008. Besides the intensity with which the case was followed online, the case's very beginnings are found in the social media world. As it was pointed out in Time, the first person to give notice of Caylee Marie's disappearance was her grandmother, Cindy Anthony, and she did so by way of a MySpace posting that dates to July 3, 2008. In the post Cindy Anthony wrote that her daughter Casey was not allowing her to see Caylee. It would be three more days before Cindy contacted the police about the unknown whereabouts of her granddaughter.
But that's not where the case's connection to social media ends. Walter Pacheco, who writes for the Orlando Sentinel, just wrote a piece concerning the Casey Anthony defense team's innovative use of Twitter, Facebook, and blog postings: use the postings to create a public opinion analysis and refine trial strategy with the findings. Certainly, the analysis was not the only factor to deliver the defense team's unexpected victory, but the method is now tied to a winning trial.
Read more:


text:
- Research & Course Help
- Services
- Libraries
- About
UNC Charlotte faculty, staff, and students can request items that are not available in our collection. Please provide the complete citation information for the item you are requesting.
Click here to login to your Interlibrary Loan Account
Article and Book Chapter Delivery
UNC Charlotte faculty, staff, and students can request any article from the library's print and microfilm periodical collections be scanned and sent to their Interlibrary Loan accounts without leaving their office or home! With this service, eligible patrons can:
Click here to login to your Interlibrary Loan Account.
Book Retrieval
UNC Charlotte Students can now use the "Request Item" button feature within the catalog to request that a book be held for you at the Circulation desk at either the Atkins or the Architecture Library. Once you click this button and login to your library account, you will be able to easily request the book to be retrieved. Once the book has been requested online, library staff will retrieve the book and the student may pick it up at the circulation desk located by the main entrance of the library. Online requests are retrieved regularly, at 11AM, 1PM and 2AM, during the spring and fall semesters. The service is available during the summer sessions as well, but limited to one daily retrieval. Some guidelines for the book retrieval service are:
To place a request, do the following:
Go to the catalog: http://library.uncc.edu/catalog/
Search the catalog, and Click the Request Item button towards the right of the screen when you find an item you want.
After clicking the "Request Item" button, you will login to your library account
After logging in, select the pick up location, and click on the "submit" button
You will be notified through your UNCC email account when the item is ready for pickup.
Book Retrieval - Disability Services
As noted above, Atkins Library offers a book retrieval service. This service reduces, if not eliminates, the need to use the elevators in the library or to navigate through the stacks. The retrieval service is offered for all books and is available to any student who wishes to utilize the service. Along with the online service, students can request books in person at the circulation desk or by asking one of the library staff
Atkins Library is proud to provide to our students with a limited number of ebooks and supplemental readings for your courses. Please click here for student ebook access.
eBooks for Faculty
Atkins Library is proud to provide our faculty with a database of course adoption titles that are available in eBook format. Please click here for faculty ebook access.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
CarDomain Network:
Enter your login information
Remember me
forgot your login info?
Dont have a Streetfire account?
Sign up now.
Report This Video as Inappropriate
Video you are reporting:
Please explain why this video is inappropriate.
Car Video Channels
Streetfire Member
Last Login:
Aug 9, 2013
Member Since:
Aug 7, 2013
Send Message
Add to Friends
Block Member
Link Building Company is useful regarding firms within the marketing connected with services, and is used rather than, or even along with, conventional marketing techniques, like television and also print out mass media. If you would like to make use of Link Building Company together with your company, apply these guidelines. Link Building Company is about dealing with difficulties. Begin your company simply by understanding daily, just what issues you are answering. When you solve they've issue, not only will these people turn into devoted customers, they will additionally tell their buddies about their fine encounter. Don't allow failures or perhaps worries allow you to get straight down or perhaps persuade you to definitely give up. You might be near to achieving a prosperous Link Building Company campaign when you quit. Make sure that you have every thing ready before you launch your website. This is challenging. That said, this job is exactly what can make anyone profitable eventually. Design and style your website to motivate faith and confidence. Ensure your customers sense safe and sound whilst searching your current webpage. All your webpages ought to include the particular online privacy policy for people to see. This will provide your clients peace of mind that their money dealings will be dealt with properly. Assure these that their own identification is secure on your own website. A good Link Building Company strategy is by using picture researching in your favor. When a web browser online searches some form of keyword, you will have a much better chance of becoming found in case you actually point your own photos with all the proper keywords and phrases. Even though they have a picture, it will be indexed along with your site. Guests will be drawn to your site through their own queries and may even remain and take a look close to. You may be constructing brand awareness and also come back visitors. Ensure that you put into practice social media as part of your own Link Building Company approach. Making a Fb web page allows your customers to provide you with responses that you can use and that other customers can easily see. Tweets functions excellent when you want to correspond with your customers. Advertising your current almost all rewarding items on the web is just the beginning in order to Link Building Company. Advertise these items much more intensely so that your items which have a lower return. Stage clients to add-ons as well as other items which go along with your very best suppliers. Providing these as free products can improve their product sales. Then you can certainly turn your concentrate on marketing unrelated items. You can process additional marketers as well as make an attempt to offer package offers involving products or services the store may will sell with reduced selling prices. This is an excellent way to link numerous marketplaces, thus along raising product sales volume. Locate a real estate agent on-line to help you find the best offer on journey requirements. This is the ideal strategy for allying several corporations that are associated, however, not competition. Have a close up examination of
Link building company
the caliber of your carrier's service or product. A good sub-par item never will be successful regardless of how much advertising and marketing is actually driving it. Having a great item to begin with is the best way to enhance sales. Any content you have which has customer polls to the side of the web page provides your own customers the opportunity to communicate their emotions with regards to your articles. Polls provide an easy way to maintain your content new, whilst providing buyers a chance to let their own sounds end up being been told. Together element of your current strategy for Link Building Company, you have to incorporate a reimbursement guarantee. People will certainly feel much more secure trying your current products, plus it assists your current company's reputation that it will remain regarding precisely what it sells. When you take responsibility for products or services that could not work out for a customer, these are more interested in providing you with their own business. Think about customizing your website for various global locations. Making your website available in different 'languages' can be very informed. In case your website interests people of various ethnicities, your own bottom associated with potential customers may broaden dramatically. When individuals are able to go through your content within their personal vocabulary, really much more likely that they'll purchase some thing from you. Meet the glossary involving terms, and also distribute it on your own site if you want to end up being a capacity from what you are. This is simply not only good for others but for you additionally. If your internet site includes relevant information, others is going to be attracted to it. Your website will certainly shortly become considered as a specialist website within the industry. This situation might be very for the recommend about not really combining your personal life using company. Because you have been in it together, this particular enterprise will not make exactly the same anxiety you are feeling once you are obligated to repay someone else cash. You might would like to get the aid of your partner being a company companion.
go at this site
Comments (0)
< Previous
Next >
Post Comment
< Previous
Next >
My Friends
View All
You must be logged in to do that
Close X
Already a Member?
Login below, remember that you will receive 12 Kudos just for logging in.
Email Address
Keep me logged in
Not Yet a Member?
Join StreetFire today.
Terms of Use
© 2016 CarDomain Network, Inc.
TEN: The Enthusiast Network
All rights reserved


text:
Patients shot at in Gurgaon ICU
Previous Next
Daily news & Analysis
Latest News
- Stop trafficking with a click! New TraffickCam app targets sex workers
- UN can't verify incendiary bombs in Syria, concerned by reports
- Jharkhand wants 5 more batallions of CRPF to fight Naxals
- What is Article 50? The key to Brexit
- Unlikely Kerala nursing student was forced to drink toilet cleaner, says Karnataka police
- Defence Ministry nod to buy 145 ultra light howitzers from US
- David Cameron calls on LGBT community to live 'freely'
- Want to send your own experiments into space? This tiny satellite will help you!- Watch
- Irish unity vote for later, not now: Foreign minister
- Tamil Nadu Congress chief Elangovan quits


text:
I would like to detect TCP connections which have been open for more than one minute (or for greater than N bytes, or M packets), so I can classify them as bulk traffic ("downloads") and de-prioritise them.
Can I detect long-running streams with iptables/netfilter/conntrack, and mark them for shaping by tc?
I thought I may be able to use the TCP "sequence number" as some measure of the length of a stream, but unfortunately it does not start at zero! Perhaps connection tracking with netfilter/conntrack could determine the correct sequence number, or the total number of bytes, and the duration of the connection, and choose whether to mark the packet.
(I could also mention that I am doing this on ingress using an ifb0 virtual interface. I am currently using tbf queues (with sfq) to limit low-priority data. Regardless, any solution could also be applied to egress, for example for a webserver on a limited connection who wants to de-prioritise downloads in order to speed up small requests.)
Update: Using conntrackd I am able to see a list of connections, and how long ago each one was initiated. I have started using this list to detect IP/port pairs which I want to limit (after 60 seconds). However there are number of issues:
- conntrack(d) does not appear to clear connections out of the list promptly when they have closed! So I end up marking all the connections for limiting, even ones which have finished.
- Setting marks in conntrack does not seem to set marks in the packets (as far as tc can see). (This is not just because conntrack sees the packets after ifb0: I cannot see any marks on egress packets either.) So I have just been adding new filters to tc for limiting, which is far from ideal in the long term.
- conntrack(d) doesn't tell me how much bandwidth each connection has used. So I cannot distinguish intermittent (e.g. iosocket) sessions from heavy downloads. (In any case, this is a difficult problem: if we have 5 downloads already and a new download starts, how can we tell that he is trying to flood? He won't reach anywhere near the max rate.)
Any suggestions with the above would be appreciated.
(On the bright side, even if I cannot classify the downloads correctly, simply using tfb to limit incoming data to 80% of my maximum downrate has prevented overflooding the connection, and has allowed new connections to establish much more easily than before.)


text:
Brooke blogs at Start at Home. While perusing the flea market with her mom, Brooke came across this china hutch–an outdated color, but still in great condition. So she took it home and got to work giving it a makeover!
Brooke painted the hutch and its doors white. Then she brushed on a glaze to bring out the beautiful details in the woodwork. Brooke decided to replace the back panel with bead board, which she painted a lovely shade of duck egg blue chalk paint. What a beautiful transformation! Those pretty white dishes against the blue bead board are making me swoon! It's stunning, Brooke!
Visit Brooke at Start at Home to find out more about her hutch makeover (and to swoon over more gorgeous pictures)!


text:
Experiments conducted at the New York University School of Medicine violated several research standards, according to US Food and Drug Administration investigators.
Next Generation: Freeze-Dried Gene Networks
October 23, 2014|
Researchers devise a way to preserve bits of paper containing synthetic gene networks, which can be easily stored and widely distributed. Rehydrated, transcription and translation "come to life."


text:
Lorenzo Levon Kirkland
Position: LB
Height: 6-1 Weight: 270 lbs.
Born: February 17, 1969 in Lamar, SC
High School: Lamar
College: Clemson (school history) (Kirkland college stats)
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2nd round (38th overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft.
Weighted Career AV (100-95-...): 84 (292nd overall since 1950)
2-time Pro Bowler & 1-time First-Team All-Pro (fine print)


text:
Father's day is not until Sunday but one organization started the celebration early.
Forever Dads threw its All Star Dad's Day early Saturday. The event has taken place for the last 10 years. Beth Chapman is a volunteer at Dad's Day and says she was compelled to get involved.
"I had luckily a very influential father and I know the importance of trying to support the father kid connection, " said Chapman
To pay for the special day Forever Dads applies for grant...


text:
Aug 12, 2008 12:32 PM
Get clean for a cause with Noodle and Boo Glowology Believe Honey Bar ($13). This shea butter and honey soap smells amazing and is specially formulated for dry, sensitive skin. And if the gentlest cleanse isn't enough motivation, 100-percent of the proceeds go to the Raise Your Hand Campaign, which develops water purification systems for children in Africa.
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:


text:
RSS Feeds
Contact Us
Fact Sheets
Freedom of Information
Join the Air Force
JPPSO passes along summer moving tips
JPPSO passes along summer moving tips
Posted 4/25/2013 Updated 4/25/2013
Email story
Print story
Joint Personal Property Shipping Office Northeast, Det. 2
4/25/2013 -
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass.
-- With the busy summer moving season soon arriving, Joint Personal Property Shipping Office Northeast, Det. 2, would like to pass on some key moving tips to the community.
The Defense Personal Property Program, or DP3, is a Department of Defense program designed to improve quality of life for servicemembers, civilian employees and their families through improved household goods moves.
The Defense Personal Property System provides direct and empowered communications between the servicemember and the Transportation Service Provider. DPS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year from any location with internet access.
For those that don't have Internet access, after completing the initial move requirements, the DPS Interactive Voice Response system will provide the user with access to their shipment information as they transition to their new home.
A DPS account must be established to process and manage the shipment, request delivery, file a claim and complete the customer satisfaction survey. Users may go to the DoD customer tab on www.move.mil to create an account.
Not all personal property shipments can be moved in this new system. Personnel should contact their local transportation office to see if they qualify.
All personnel moving during the summer months should be aware of the high volume of moves during the peak moving months of June, July and August.
Movers should plan to be flexible when selecting a pickup date. Never schedule a pickup on the closing date of the residence, on the last day of residency in an apartment, the day of termination of a lease or the day a cleaning crew is to start cleaning the residence. Scheduling the pickup on these days leaves no room to adjust for unforeseen problems.
Additionally, it's a good idea to leave the telephone and other utilities connected until all property has been picked up. Limited capability during peak season means that not everyone can move on the last day of the month. The moving industry has suggested that, when possible, schedule a two-day pickup date which provides some flexibility in the event something goes wrong.
The TSP is required to perform a pre-move survey at least five days prior to the requested pickup date. In most cases, the actual pack, pickup and delivery dates will be negotiated directly between the member and TSP during the pre-move survey. Expect one pack day for every 4,000 pounds of estimated weight.
A good move depends largely on how much the member gets involved and how well prepared they are when the movers arrive. Log onto www.move.mil and read the valuable information under the "Preparing for Your Move" section.
Upon shipment delivery, the servicemember and the TSP will record any loss or damage on a "Notification of Loss/Damage at Delivery" form. Loss or damage discovered after delivery shall be listed on the "Notification of Loss/Damage after Delivery" form or entered into DPS by the member.
All loss or damage must be declared and filed within 75 days of delivery, by hardcopy or in DPS. Neither the TSP, nor the government will pay for items not identified on the loss or damage report within 75 days.
To have the claim paid on the basis of Full Replacement Value, personnel must file directly with the TSP within nine months of delivery. A claim can be filed by logging into DPS and selecting the "claims" tab.
For FRV, the TSP is required to replace any item that is lost or destroyed with a new item, or pay the cost of a new item of the same kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation. The TSP is not required to replace items which can be repaired for less than the FRV of the item. Repair will be to the extent necessary to restore the item to its condition when it was received by the TSP. An item is considered destroyed if it cannot be repaired or if the cost of repair would exceed the cost of a new item.
Within five days of delivery, the TSP may provide a "Quick Claim" settlement if total claim is less than $500. Within 75 days of delivery the servicemember must file notice of loss or damage form or complete the action in DPS. If opting to file with the military claims office, it must be filed within 70 days of delivery. Within nine months of delivery, the servicemember may file the claim directly with the TSP for FRV protection. No later than two years after delivery, but after nine months, personnel may claim with the TSP or the military claims office for other than a FRV settlement.
The 12-question customer satisfaction survey is the cornerstone of the Defense Personal Property program. The CSS is a web-based survey that allows the servicemember, or their spouse, to rate the service and performance provided by the TSP. The goal of the survey is to help improve the overall move experience and ensure that only quality moving companies are used to move personal property.
TSPs are selected based on their Best Value Score. The CSS accounts for a significant portion of the BVS. Filed rates and claims processing also determine a TSP's BVS. Personnel will receive a reminder email to complete the survey seven calendar days after final delivery of a shipment. The evaluation by completing the survey is critical to the program. The survey can be easily completed through DPS by selecting the "Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS)" tab. It is extremely important to keep the email address and contact information contained within DPS up-to-date.
It is also important to note that anyone who has property stored by the government is responsible for keeping their contact information current at all times. Servicemembers should advise their counselor if they have property in storage.
Those who have any further questions should contact the Personal Property Processing Office in Building 1217 via phone at 781-225-6399 or 781-225-6398 or contact the Customer Service Department, JPPSO-Northeast, at 800-235-7776, 781-377-7627 or DSN 478-7627.
No comments yet.
Add a comment
Inside Hanscom AFB
View All RSS
Mission News
Conference highlights challenges facing acquisition workforce
Education Partnership Agreement provides collaboration opportunities
New PEO for C3I&N shares priorities, highlights workforce importance
Hanscom's junior workforce ready to take on real-world problem in challenge
Fund seeks innovative solutions
Hanscom News
July promotions announced
Employee Assistance Program provides support, resources for civilian employees
Community Support Center opens at Hanscom
2015 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
Blended retirement system training now available
JCB's goal to correct, deter youth violators
Base historian captures Air Force-level recognition
Nature's hazards: Mosquito-borne diseases
AFMC's new command chief focused on Airmen and their families
Airman aims high through astronaut program
Hanscom committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
June is National Safety Month
News Briefs and Happenings
Upcoming events
News in Brief
School Notes
LGBT Pride Month: How Hanscom is celebrating
Shipping high value items
Memorial Day a time to honor the fallen
Photo Feature
Photo feature: This week at Hanscom, June 24
Photo feature: This week at Hanscom, June 17
Laying the foundation for future AF, Coast Guard enlisted leaders
Command chief focused on mission, careers of Airmen
From Army Air Corps to U.S. Air Force, 71-years and counting
The Official Web Site of Hanscom Air Force Base
Site Map
Contact Us
Security and Privacy notice
Suicide Prevention
Accessibility/Section 508
No FEAR Act


text:
Home / College of Literature, Science, and the Arts / Events /
Learning to Read a Second Language
Abstract: Learning to read involves learning to read words and learning to understand text. For second language learners, learning to read in their second language involves additional components such as understanding the oral language represented by the script, learning new, sometimes quite different sound systems (phonemes) as well as adapting skills learned in the first language to new scripts or alphabetic rules. This talk will touch on several studies examining commonalities and differences between groups of second language learners as they learn to read and comprehend grade appropriate material. The studies are designed to test theories in reading acquisition, including the psycholinguistic grain size theory, which is used to explain the acquisition of word reading skills, and the simple view of reading, which is used to explain the acquisition of reading comprehension skills. The development of English reading skills was examined in English learners with Chinese and Spanish as a first language from a wide age range, from elementary school to high school.
Alexandra Gottardo received her Ph.D. at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Developmental area of the Psychology Department at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. She has published research in the area of the role of phonological awareness in reading. Her recent work focuses on the development of word reading and reading comprehension in second language learners, including the role of first and second language skills.


text:
Jan 16, 2014 8:25 AM
...but they made a mistake at the factory?
"Larger Bag" Toiletry Bag ($15)
(For shipping outside the UK, the retailer asks that you message them directly.)
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:


text:
Only three players for the Brooklyn Nets broke into double digits last night, none of whom eclipsed the 20-point mark. However, nine of the players on their 13-man roster scored more than eight points in a 112-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Unfortunately for the Nuggs, this game was over by the first quarter. Putting up a measly eight points to start out the game gave them little hope of making a comeback. The high point man of the night was Paul Pierce, who put up 18. But it was the all around contribution of the team that really helped the Nets cruise to victory. The Nuggs shot an abysmal 37 percent from the field to Brooklyn's 47 percent, while also going 23-33 from the foul line, to the Nets' 24-29.
The final score indicates there were SOME signs of hope in last night's battle, as a 23-point victory seems almost within reach, but this was a complete blowout. For teams like Brooklyn, who just came off a 44-point loss to the Portland Trail Blazers the night before, and the Nuggets who are coming off their worst stint of the season, losing 9 of their last ten; both teams seem to be meeting at crossroads in the season. Each have struggled to find their mid season form and consistently battle to stay alive in the playoff picture.
Luckily for the Nets, the Eastern Conference is incredibly weak this season as 10 of the 15 teams in the conference have a record below .500, including the Nets, and yet they find themselves at the 6 seed. The Nuggets sit in a different boat as they garner the eleven seed in the West, but would have a fighting chance for the eight seed if they were placed in the East.
Both teams hold little chance of furthering themselves this season as the Nuggs have struggled with multiple losses of key players to injury and trades early on. The Nets have had troubles of their own, springing from a player turned head coach seemingly unprepared, to a lack of team chemistry on a roster of "has-beens."
What does this game tell us about the NBA? Very little, if anything at all. It tells us that the East is extremely weak and there are few powerhouses left in the league today. But it also says there is always room for improvement. Look at the Blazers, who went 33-49 last year and now have the sixth best record in the entire league. A lot can change in a year.


text:
Mets Press Releases
Mets recall RHP Logan Verrett; option INF Ty Kelly
The New York Mets today announced the club has recalled RHP Logan Verrett from Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League and optioned infielder Ty Kelly to Las Vegas. Verrett will wear #35 and will be available for today's game.
Mets sign Justin Dunn & Blake Tiberi
The New York Mets today announced the club has signed its first-round pick from the 2016 First-Year Player Draft RHP Justin Dunn and its third-round selection third baseman Blake Tiberi.
Mets roster moves
The New York Mets today announced that that RHP Jim Henderson was placed on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to June 19, with right biceps tendonitis and LHP Sean Gilmartin was recalled from Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League. In addition, catcher Travis d'Arnaud was recalled from his rehabilitation assignment and activated from the Disabled List and catcher Kevin Plawecki was optioned to Las Vegas (AAA).
Medical update on Mets third baseman David Wright
Mets Third Baseman David Wright underwent successful surgery today performed by Dr. Robert Watkins. The procedure was cervical discectomy and fusion.
Mets place Juan Lagares on DL; Ty Kelly recalled
The New York Mets today announced that the club has placed outfielder Juan Lagares on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to June 15, with a sprained left thumb and recalled infielder/outfielder Ty Kelly from Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League. Kelly is active for tonight's game and will wear No. 56.
Statement from the Mets regarding third baseman David Wright
Mets third baseman David Wright will undergo surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck today in Marina del Rey, California.
Mets and Pirates to honor Orlando victims
The New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates will wear silver ribbons tonight to stand in solidarity with the victims of Sunday morning's massacre in Orlando, the largest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Mets announce new partnership with Taiwan Tourism Bureau
The New York Mets today announced a new partnership with the Taiwan Tourism Bureau and will continue to host the annual Taiwan Heritage Day on Sunday, August 28 at Citi Field when the Mets host the Philadelphia Phillies at 1:10 p.m.
Statement from the New York Mets regarding manager Terry Collins
Mets Manager Terry Collins was seen by Dr. Brian-Fred Fitzsimmons at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee after checking into the hospital on Sunday. Collins had not been feeling well prior to the Mets game with the Brewers. All tests came back negative.


text:
Style Watch PollCeleb Fashion Hit or Miss?
Check out recent style triumphs and trip-ups by the stars – then rate the looks yourself! By Melissa Liebling-Goldberg
Credit: dpa /Landov
Updated: Thursday Apr 26, 2007 | 06:00 AM EDT
More from PEOPLE
Latest News!
- Kanye West's NSFW 'Famous' Music Video Features a Topless Taylor Swift Sculpture: 'Special Thanks for Being Famous'
- Read the Cover Story: Matthew McConaughey: Love, Family & What I've Learned
- It's a Girl! Audrina Patridge Welcomes Daughter Kirra Max
- Restaurant Owner Fires His Son After Customer Is Called 'Fatty' on Receipt
- Mother of Accused Slenderman Stabber Expresses Concern Over Daughter's Future After Teen's Mental Illness Stabilizes: 'With Lucidity Comes Awareness'


text:
2012 FoodPro User's Conference
|Category Legend:
|[C] = Coordinators
[P] = Production
|[D] = Directors
[T] = Technical
|[G] = General
[W] = Warehouse
|[M] = Marketing
[N] = Nutritive
8:30AM – 4:30PM General FoodPro System Training Session [G]
Presented by: Aurora Information Systems
This training session is separate from the conference. If you are interested in attending please register with Aurora Information Systems.
[210 Room in San Jacinto]
1:00PM – 8:00PM Conference Registration [G]
[Hallway outside Multi-Purpose Room in San Jacinto]
5:15PM – 6:00PM Opening Session [G]
Welcome by University of Texas & FoodPro Advisory Board
Welcome by Aurora Information Systems
Overview of Conference Sessions
Austin Texas Overview Presentation
[Multi-Purpose Room in San Jacinto]
6:00PM – 8:00PM Opening Reception [G]
Menu: Texas BBQ
[Multi-Purpose Room in San Jacinto]
8:00PM – 11:00PM Hospitality Suite [G]
[Room Location to be determined]
7:00AM – 8:30 AM Breakfast
8:30AM – 9:00AM Conference Welcome, Introductions, Housekeeping [G]
[Multi-Purpose Room in San Jacinto]
9:00AM – 9:45AM Keynote Session [G]
"Turning Stress Into Resiliency"
Presented by: Mary Steinhardt, PhD., University of Texas
10:00AM – 10:50AM Breakout Sessions
11:00AM – 12:15PM Aurora Information Systems Presents [G]
FoodPro 2.5 Release Highlights.
12:15PM – 1:30PM Lunch
1:30PM – 2:20PM Breakout Sessions
2:30PM – 3:20PM Breakout Sessions
3:20PM – 3:40PM Break
3:40PM – 4:30PM Breakout Sessions
6:15PM Walk/travel to Bob Bullock Story of Texas Museum
Texas state history museum with three floors of interactive exhibits and an IMAX theater.
6:30PM – 9:00PM Tour of Museum & Dinner
9:00PM – 11:00PM Hospitality Suite
7:00AM – 8:15 AM Breakfast
8:30AM - 9:20AM Breakout Sessions
9:30AM - 10:20AM Breakout Sessions
10:30AM – 11:45AM Breakout Sessions
11:45AM – 1:00PM Lunch
1:00PM -1:50PM Breakout Sessions
2:00PM – 2:50PM Breakout Sessions
2:50PM – 3:15PM Break
3:15PM – 4:30PM FoodPro User Group Business Meeting [G]
Moderated by: FoodPro Advisory Board
A voting delegate from each school is requested to attend. All others are encouraged to attend and participate. Two new Advisory Board members will be elected to a two year term and future conference sites will be discussed.
6:15PM – 9:00PM TexMex Fiesta
Speaker Recognitions
University of Texas Acknowledgments
9:30PM-11:00PM Hospitality Suite
7:00AM – 8:00AM Breakfast
8:00AM – 9:15AM Tips & Tricks [G]
Tips, Tricks & Hidden features in revealed FoodPro.
9:25AM – 10:40AM Breakout Sessions
10:50 – 11:45 AM Some Wishes Do Come True [G]
An open forum where you can contribute your ideas and enhancement requests to a Wish List that will be compiled and presented to Aurora Information Systems. Many requests from prior Wish List sessions have already been incorporated into recent FoodPro releases.
11:45AM – 12:00PM Conference Wrap Up and Closing Remarks [G]
12:00PM Lunch


text:
It is hard to believe it has been over a year since the triple disaster struck off the coast of North Eastern Japan. Life in the most hard hit areas is slowly returning to normal but the impact of such a catastrophic event will never be forgotten.
In their continuing efforts to keep their citizens safe from the potential dangers of radiation exposure, the Japanese government has announced it will be lowering its radiation exposure guidelines as of April 1st 2012. Specifically referring to the total concentration of CS-131 and CS-134 per kilogram, the current Japanese guideline is set at a maximum of 500 bq/kg. When the new regulations come into effect, that figure will be cut by 80% to 100 bq/kg, making Japanese regulations the strictest in the world. (The United States guideline is 1,200 bq/kg while the EU guideline is 1,000 bq/kg.)
We here at Aiya America are just as committed to the safety of our customers. Customer safety has always been and will always continue to be our primary concern. To that end, we have been conducting monthly radiation tests on our Matcha and loose leaf teas at an independent third party lab. We have conducted over 120 tests since shortly after the disaster and plan on continuing to do so for our 2012 harvests as well. From those test results, we can confirm that our Matcha and green teas are safe to drink under all international regulations. Even when the new, extremely strict Japanese regulations come into effect, Aiya products still fall well below the set guidelines.
We are happy to provide fully detailed test results to our customers upon request.
Aiya America
2807 Oregon Ct. Unit D-5
Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: 310-212-1395
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Issue 210, June, 2008
Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori, Dibirdibi Country, 2008, synthetic polymer paint on linen, 200 x 600 cm. Gaboris solo exhibition Dulka Warngiid Land of All is at Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne, until 21 June. Image courtesy the artist, Mornington Island Art and Craft and Alcaston Gallery. www.alcastongallery.com.au
Modern masters in Brisbane
Hot on the heels of the success of Warhol, Queenslands Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) launches the exclusive Picasso and His Collection on 9 June. It features 150 works from the artists own collection, including pieces by Cezanne, Renoir, Matisse, Oceanic and African works, as well as 30 of Picassos most important works. In the lead-up to the show, Taiwanese-born American artist Lee Mingwei has taken Picassos most recognisable work, Guernica, as a reference point to painstakingly create a large sand installation which will be destroyed, in a ritualised act (Monday 9 June), and transformed into something strikingly different from Picassos painting. Visit www.qag.qld.gov.au
New media forerunner to Olympics
MAAP-Multimedia Art Asia Pacific is heading to Beijing this month to collaborate with a consortium of 17 media art specialist organisations including ZKM Centre for Media Art, Karlsruhe; FACT, Liverpool; V2 Institute for Unstable Media, Rotterdam; Eyebeam New York, MoMA, New York and Tate London. MAAP is supporting the participation of artists from Australia and the South-East Asian region. Artists include Stelarc with his interactive intelligent Prosthetic Head and his extrovert Walking Head robot. Brisbane artists from Transmute Collective will present their work Intimate Transactions in what MAAP director Kim Machan collectively describes as a nightmarishly large collection of over 50 major international media art installations. SYNTHETIC TIMES: Media Art China 2008 at the National Art Museum of China, opening 9 June until 3 July: www.maap.org.au and www.mediartchina.org
Beyond the Tropic of Capricorn
The recent local council amalgamations in Queensland have seen Pinnacles Art Gallery and the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery come under the administration of one local council. Amber Church, previously curator at Perc Tucker, heads the new team at Pinnacles Gallery, which includes Exhibitions Officer Anthony Edwards, Public Programs Officer Pia Armitage and Gallery Assistant Gill Ribbins. Pinnacles Gallery opens Vantage Point (21 June to 20 July), a series of digital video works by local Indigenous artists produced in collaboration with the highly successful Bush TV and the School of Creative Arts, James Cook University. Exhibiting artists include Shirley Collins, Christine Franklin, May Kabay, Gail Mabo, Taleah Malone, Carol Mooka, Tom Nelliman, John Paiwan, Susan Peters, Gary Prior, Ben Southwell and Rachel Tipoti.
Raw uprising down south
Brisbane-based curator and director of Raw Space Gallery Robb Kelly brings together an impressive line-up of international and Australian artists in an exhibition curated to run parallel to the Sydney Biennales theme of Revolutions Forms That Turn. Uprising includes works by Jewel Mackenzie (Australia), Josh Burry (Australia), Melanie Manchot (Germany/UK), Kristof Kintera (Czech Republic), and opens 21 June at Horus & Deloris, Contemporary Art Space, Pyrmont, Sydney.
Time constraints
An update from May Artnotes announcing Nicholas Bourriaud Curating with constraints master classes and forum. Unfortunately, due to commitments with the Tate Triennial, he has had to postpone his travel to Australian until later in the year. Visit www.rawspace.org for updates.
Smart or Sunshine state?
Arts Queensland recently announced an injection of funds through the 4-year Backing Indigenous Arts initiative, a $10.73 million program (2007-2010) targeting skills development and projects cultivating new markets and audiences. The initial focus is 15 Indigenous arts centres and hubs that span Far North Queensland, 9 of which have received operational funding in the first round. Also benefiting from $1.225 million in 2007-08 is a Cairns-based printmaking centre and Indigenous art marketplace.
The Government is also soon to announce the first round of the $12 million art + place program (2007-2010) directed at public art projects, while small to medium organisations may secure annual funding through the Arts Queensland s2m funding, with applications closing 30 June 2008: www.arts.qld.gov.au
Not suitable for children
In keeping with its occasional R+ classification, the Institute of Modern Art presents the cult classic underground films El Topo (1970) and The Holy Mountain (1973) of Chilean-born director Alejandro Jodorowsky as part of the IMA@dendy program. Visually stunning yet deeply disorienting, the films blend religious imagery, esoteric mysticism, eroticism, surrealism and ultra-violence. Visit www.ima.org.au (Whats On) for details of film screenings and introductions by artist/film critic Philip Brophy and Trash Videos Andrew Leavold.
On paper
The meditative works of painter and printmaker Ian Friend are showcased in a 30-year survey of his works on paper, at Queensland University of Technology Art Museum. The exhibition also coincides with the launch of the new monograph Ian Friend: On Paper. Exhibition continues until 29 June. Visit www.artmuseum.qut.com
Over at QUTs Creative Industries precinct, an industrious line-up of talks is occurring each month under the banner of Fashion Talks. This month, Melbourne artist and researcher Danielle Wilde (who creates wearable interfaces and body extensions) discusses her investigation into how technology and fashion might be paired with the body to create new experiences of self. 5 June, 5-6pm @ The Shed, QUT Creative Industries, Kelvin Grove. Visit www.creativeindustries.qut.edu.au


text:
For All Skin Types
Preservative and paraben free, this ultra light, weightless cream with humectants, hyaluronic acid and jojoba seed extract, helps to rapidly remedy dehydrated skin. Powerful patent pending anti-oxidant blend of white, red and green tea extracts combined with goji berry, pomegranate and grapeseed extracts help to neutralize free radicals, protect skin from environmental toxins and combat the visible signs of premature aging. Skin is left well-balanced to restore a healthy glow.
Lemon Peel Oil/Extract - Antiseptic and Astringent. Remarkable for rejuvenating and refreshing skin.
Jojoba Oil/Extract - Humectant. Restores skin?s natural lipid barrier.
Hyaluronic Acid - Humectant. Replenishes skin to enhance natural collagen production forming a film to bind moisture 1000 times in the skin cell.
Avocado Oil/Extract - Rich in essential fatty acids, Vitamins A, D, E and amino acids. Readily absorbed into the skin to hydrate and nourish.
Silk Amino Acid- Helps to protect, soften and retain moisture in the skin.
Arnica Oil/Extract - Anti-irritant. Proven to reduce bruising and dark circles.
Directions: Apply twice daily after cleanser, toner and serum by gently massaging into the face, neck and décolleté. Follow with sunscreen.
Net Weight: 1.7 oz.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glyceryl Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Steapyrium Chloride, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Extract, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Algae Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Rosa Canina (Rose Hips) Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis Extract, Uncaria Tomentosa Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Hydrastis Canadensis (Golden Seal) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Valeriana Officinalis Rhizome/Root Extract, Bioflavonoids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Milk Protein, Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5), Histidine HCI, Allantoin, Dimethicone, Lanolin Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride.
Disclaimer: Ingredients are subject to change at the manufacturer's discretion. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, please refer to the product packaging.
If you need any help for applying these offers or any other issue please call us toll-free at 1-866-830-6161.


text:
May 30, 2012 8:15 AM
Everyone already knows you're awesome. There's no need to take time from total world domination to bake a pastry. This Hazelnut Pear Frangipane Tart ($25) tastes as good as a homemade dessert (or even better, depending) and takes no effort to prepare. That leaves you with another few hours to plot and plan before your dinner party for eight.
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:


text:
At this week's game, the had a visit by the guy who heads up the SuperBowl Host Committee.
Now let me start by saying the SuperBowl is a fine event, and brings a lot of money into the local economy and we're glad to have it.
But....(you knew there was a but)....
He was urging people to visit the website and sign up as volunteers to help make the SuperBowl a success. There was some rhetoric about how its the volunteers that really make the operation work.
And I have a problem with that. See, the SuperBowl generates hundreds of millions of dollars (I suppose its possible that a billion dollars changes hands through all the work that's done). Yet, they are looking for people to work FOR FREE for them. In other words, the NFL makes money, the city makes money, and various entities make money....off of your labor.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't volunteer, because there are certain aspects that can be fun. Just know what you're getting into - helping someone else get rich. Be sure you're getting something in return, if only the fun of being at the stadium or around town to watch people.


text:
This bank is joining the sukuk club by September
The proposed sukuk issue of Bank Muscat, which is going to be the first Islamic bond or sukuk issue of an Omani bank, is seen sometime in September, a senior official of the bank told Times of Oman here yesterday.
Bank Muscat on Sunday said that it is seeking a blanket approval from shareholders for raising OMR500 million by way of Meethaq Sukuk Programme in various tranches in the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) and international markets through public subscription or private placement.
Sulaiman Al Harthy, Group General Manager – Islamic Banking- said that the bank is seeking approval at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on March 19 and thereafter seek permission from the Central Bank of Oman and the Capital Market Authority for the first tranche of the proposed sukuk issue. "We have to address any mismatch (in asset and liability) and that is the reason for the issue."
The bank said that the sukuk tranches will be of different amounts, currencies, maturities, profit rates issued on different dates and with varying terms and conditions of subscription.
The bank is also seeking permission from shareholders for another sukuk programme by its Saudi branch, which is worth 1 billion Saudi rial. Like its sukuk issue in Oman, Saudi sukuk is also planned with different amounts, maturities, profit rates, issued on different dates and with varying terms and conditions of maturity.
Further, the bank is seeking permission at the EGM for increasing the amount of the Euro Medium Term Note programme from $800 million to $2 billion. The EMTN programme involves issuing negotiable bonds in the international markets through public subscription or private placement.
Top Headlines
- Oman's Duqm tourist complex moves forward with government approval
- Kuwait fights budget deficit: Reexamining government salaries, expatriate labor
- Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts fights nationwide unemployment levels
- Construction costs fall in Dubai
- Western tourists flock to Iran, could generate $30B in new revenue


text:
False burglary alarms at downtown businesses continue to plague the Brewster Police Department- prompting the Brewster City Council to pass a final resolution at their meeting last Wednesday that will charge a fee for repetitive call-outs.
Brewster Mayor, Lee Webster says the council unanimously, yet reluctantly passed the motion after repeated requests for businesses to fix their alarm systems resulted in no response.
The new fee system will take effect immediately and will be billed through the City of Brewster Police Department."CLICK HERE" for Audio


text:
In today's post, I decided to tackle what is, to me, perhaps the most confusing characteristic of most organizations today – the failure to believe in innovation. Most firms believe strongly in their culture, they say they believe in their people and their abilities. Yet the biggest gap for innovation success is in what executives believe about the organization, and what the organization believes about its executives.
Executives want innovation to happen, in order to drive new revenues or create differentiated products, but are concerned about the distraction that innovation may produce. That distraction may lead the team to take their eyes off the ball and miss quarterly projections. Missing quarterly projections simply isn't done, and cannot be repeated, so far too much emphasis is on the short term numbers. While executives want the benefits of innovation, they are concerned about the risks of emphasizing innovation. Worse, many executives don't have faith that their teams are capable of innovation.
On the other hand, far too many people in the organization look at their executives and are certain they know what will happen if they suggest an interesting or compelling new idea. Most managers and staff are convinced that if they present a new innovation, the executive team will shoot it down, and place a black mark on the permanent record of anyone who suggested a radical new idea. Managers and staff don't believe that their executives are open to innovative ideas, even as executives ask for innovation.
This is a belief system failure, which leads to executives thinking that their teams or staff aren't innovative, because they never suggest interesting, valuable ideas, and the staff thinking that executives don't believe they are capable or worse, will shoot down new ideas. While both teams recognize the need to innovate, neither has a belief system which establishes communication, trust and commitment to allow to happen what both want to happen. This is almost a prisoner's dilemma situation, where both win only if they can keep silent.
Why does the belief system break down? Let's examine the executives first. Executives often don't understand how innovation works. Many executives achieved their positions by cost cutting or by financial management, not through innovation, so for many of them innovation is an unfamiliar, uncertain activity. They know they need it but aren't sure how it works or how their teams can be effective. They have repeatedly asked for innovation but have seen little from their teams. They don't recognize that innovation is more than an activity – it is a capability or system that needs resources, funding and persistence. Their unfunded requests seem cynical in the eyes of the managers and staff, who know that compensation is tied to delivering the quarter. Eventually executives come to believe that innovation is a dangerous, risky exercise that requires great insight and experience, which isn't present in the organization. Executives don't believe their organizations can be innovative.
In the reverse, a lot of managers and staff have good ideas, but are afraid to present them because the executive team hasn't been very open to listening to new or different ideas in the past. Increasingly, I am told by our clients how difficult it is to obtain a meeting with executives and how unlikely new ideas are to receive a warm reception. In many cases the managers have built an artificial wall, and I've found that with the right presentation and packaging executives are interested, but managers and staff don't believe that their executives will be open to new ideas.
This lack of a belief system is built on four challenges or assumptions:
1. Innovation is something that requires a significant amount of insight and skill, which doesn't exist in our company. The insights are often there, waiting for permission to be unleashed
2. Our needs and strategies are well communicated, so innovators will step forward. Executives often believe that their strategic goals and the needs for innovation are obvious, but that's rarely the case. Company strategy is poorly or inadequately communicated and often analyzed and received differently than was intended. Combine a poorly communicated strategy with the overwhelming pressure to achieve high objectives in short time frames and you can see why most organizations revert to business as usual
3. When managers or staff suggested ideas to executives in the past they were rejected or ignored. In fact in most organizations this is still the case – there are few mechanisms to allow good ideas to surface at the level where they can be considered and most importantly funded.
4. Inaction and rejection breed a culture that accepts the difficulty of innovation and the inadequacy of the staff. A vicious cycle erupts and becomes codified – executives don't think their teams are innovative and managers and staff think their ideas will be rejected. Neither believe that the other is open or capable of innovation.
If you want more innovation, work for better and more consistent communication of that fact. Establish communication lines and mechanisms for anyone to present good ideas. Carefully define the strategic goals and frame innovation activities in line with these goals. Set aside time to listen to your team and their ideas. Demonstrate engagement with your team, and build a belief system that demonstrates you (as an executive) believe the team can develop good ideas. Provide sponsorship to those who seek to innovate and offer encouragement, rewards and recognition to those that do. You'll be surprised how much innovation is possible in an organization that has a strong belief in its capability to innovate, and how little innovation is possible when no one believes that innovation is possible.
image credit: young businessman image from bigstock
Don't miss an article (4,700+) – Subscribe to our RSS feed and join our Innovation Excellence group!
Jeffrey Phillips is a senior leader at OVO Innovation. OVO works with large distributed organizations to build innovation teams, processes and capabilities. Jeffrey is the author of "Make us more Innovative", and innovateonpurpose.blogspot.com.


text:
Flip or search through our mail order catalogs virtually from your computer. Bookmark or print your favorite pages or use the item numbers to view more product detail or add items into your online shopping cart.
There was an error in the information you submitted.
Correct the error on this page before resubmitting.
Important Notes:
To place an order or for customer service, call toll-free 1-800-336-4627 or outside the United States, call 1-610-649-7565
Open Monday-Friday: 8am-10pm, Weekends: 10am-10pm (Eastern Time)
Se habla Español! Spanish-speaking representatives available, Monday-Friday: 9am-4pm (Eastern Time)
4th of July: 10am-6pm


text:
21 June, 2014@2:39 am
0 comments
Jay Dee a.k.a. J Dilla is widely regarded as one of the greatest producers in hip hop history. The King of Beats Ma Dukes Yancey Collector's Edition is manufactured in the image and likeness of the exact SP-1200 which produced Jay Dee's signature sound. The box casing is hand crafted from custom wood with chrome hinges. (Dimensions: 46 cm. x 38.5 cm. x 20 cm. (Approx. 7 7/8 in. x 18 7/64 in. x 15 5/32 in.) Weight: 4 kg. (Approx. 10lbs.)) Available for the first time, The King of Beats Box Set feature's (40) tracks from Jay Dee's groundbreaking 'Batches' on vinyl. The E-Mu Systems SP-1200 drum machine and sampler was the first electronic instrument Jay Dee worked with while crafting the incomparable styles and sounds which defined the early stages of his legendary production. The SP-1200 was his primary tool of choice at the inception of his career. During this period, he created classics for early Slum Village, The Pharcyde, A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, among many others. After careful study and curation this one of a kind collection compiles the well-deserved documentation of Jay Dee's early musical masterpieces. Ma Dukes assembled a team of industry family who spent nine months working daily to bring this project to J Dilla fans everywhere. Included inside of 'The King of Beats' Box Set Ma Dukes Collector's Edition: – (4) 10 inch Vinyl Records featuring music from Jay Dee's 'Batches' – (1) Special Edition Cassette containing (4) unreleased tracks. Check out the previously unreleased track, "Filth", from the set, below.
Leave a Reply
- Raekwon Sets A Release Date For "F.I.L.A." Album
- BUSH: A Snoop Odyssey Produced By Pharrell Williams [Preview]
- Drake – "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" Surprise Album on iTunes Now
- Action Bronson "Mr. Wonderful" Cover Art and Tracklist
- Juicy J "Blue Dream & Lean 2″ Mixtape Cover Art & Release Date Revealed
- MF Grimm "MF Love Songs" Cover Art + Tracklist
- Lord Hakim – "Brass Knucklez" (feat. Vast Aire & Phizz Ed)
- IAMSU! – "Hella Good" (feat. Tyga)
- DJ Kay Slay – "I Declare War" (feat. Styles P, Sheek Louch, Vado, Raekwon, & Rell)
- Maverick Sabre – "We Don't Wanna Be" (feat. Joey Bada$$)
- Cannibal Ox – "Blade: Art of Ox" (feat. Artifacts & U-God; prod. Black Milk)
- Asher Roth – "Blow Your Head" (prod. Nottz)
- It's Time To Say Goodbye...
Commented on by Yungplex
- It's Time To Say Goodbye...
Commented on by geedubbleyoo
- Fat Trel - "In My Bag" (feat. Wale)
Commented on by Katae
- Kanye West's "Runaway": What Does It All Mean?
Commented on by fidgar
- Sole Vs. El-P: Part One - Sole
Commented on by Reno Yakavetta
- It's Time To Say Goodbye...
Commented on by Atom


text:
Last month the ASPCA had laid off all of their law-enforcement investigators on the grounds that the NYPD was to be taking over. However this has not been the case.
The ASPCA receives over 4,000 calls a year in regards to animal cruelty, and now the NYPD has been telling callers they are not in charge either.
The NYPD was selected in August, by ASPCA's newly appointed president, Matthew Bershadker. Bershadker said the police had more manpower for handling the flood of calls his agency normally gets.
The ASPCA states:
"The NYPD will now take the lead role in responding to all animal-cruelty complaints in the five boroughs . . . All eight NYPD patrol boroughs have been trained."
The NYPD states:
"The expansion of the program is under review . . . Staffing questions should be referred to the ASPCA,"
In the meantime amid all of the miscommunication many animal cruelty cases are going unanswered.
How do you feel about this? Please comment.


text:
Globally, men who have sex with men (MSM) are 19 times more likely to be living with HIV than the general population. This figure is rising in some regions such as Asia.1
During 2011, MSM accounted for 41% of new HIV infections in Western Europe, 56% in Peru and 63% in the United States of America (USA).2 In Jamaica, one in three MSM are living with HIV.3
Some nations, especially in Latin America, have progressive attitudes and policies regarding homosexuality and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
However, the majority of Africa, along with the Middle East and Russia, continues to ignore and abuse the human rights of MSM.4 Punitive laws in various countries drive this population underground, elevating their risk of HIV and preventing them from accessing healthcare including HIV services.
What factors put MSM at risk of HIV?
The fact that HIV prevalence among MSM is so high in many countries means that members of this group have an increased chance of being exposed to the virus, due to mainly having sexual relations only within this group.5 However, there are also other factors that put MSM at heightened risk of HIV.
Biological factors
One major reason for high vulnerability to HIV among this group is that unprotected anal sex carries a higher risk of transmission than vaginal sex. This is because the walls of the anus are thin and more easily torn, creating an entry point for HIV into the bloodstream.6
Having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) also makes a person more susceptible to HIV infection. Among MSM, HIV testing and sexual health check-up frequency is low (less than 55% across all regions), so many are living with an undiagnosed STI that may put them at higher risk of HIV.7
MSM are often not aware of the particularly high risk of having unprotected sex with a person who has recently become infected. In London, United Kingdom (UK), a study reported that 27% of infections among MSM were from a partner recently infected with HIV.8
Behavioural factors
Having multiple sexual partners is more common among this community, and many do not use condoms consistently. In fact, MSM reporting easy access to condoms in 2012 varied from 29% in upper-middle income countries, to 45% in high-income countries, meaning that access to condoms worldwide remains inadequate for this group.9
Like condom access, HIV testing access is equally low, ranging between 25% and 54% across the world. By not testing for HIV, many MSM are unaware of their HIV status which can mean they are unaware of the need to take protective measures to prevent onwards transmission to others.10
Alcohol and drugs are a common part of socialising in some communities of men who have sex with men. Whenever drink and drugs are taken, it can make it more likely that people will have unprotected sex and a higher number of sexual partners, elevating vulnerability to HIV.11
MSM living with HIV often become HIV-positive while still young (4.2% of young MSM under 25 are living with HIV). This is more common in countries where HIV prevalence among the whole MSM population is quite high. It is also harder for young men who have sex with men (YMSM) to access HIV services, due to age of consent laws or unsociable opening times. For example, HIV testing and status awareness in 2014 was lower among YMSM (36%) than among this group as a whole (43%).12
Legal factors
As of May 2016, a third of countries around the world (75) still criminalise same-sex conduct, affecting the rights of MSM and other members of the LGBT community. In countries such as Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen homosexuality is punishable by the death penalty.13 As a result, MSM are less likely to access HIV services for fear of their sexual orientation and identity being revealed.
In many countries 'homosexual propaganda' is now banned too. Such laws have been introduced in countries such as Russia and Nigeria to 'support' homophobic laws, to prevent the promotion of homosexuality to the public and children in particular. The exact meaning of these laws is confusing, and LGBT rights groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working with this community have been punished under homosexual propaganda laws for helping 'promote' homosexuality.14
Russian-style propaganda laws are also being proposed in Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Latvia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In addition, there are a further 13 states in the Middle East and North Africa where 'morality laws' actively target public promotion or expression of same-sex and trans realities.15
Social and cultural factors
Many men who have sex with men have experienced homophobic stigma, discrimination and violence. This drives MSM to hide their identity and sexual orientation, and many fear a negative reaction from healthcare workers. As a result, MSM are less likely to access HIV services.16
MSM are more likely to experience depression due to social isolation and disconnectedness from health systems, which can make it harder to cope with aspects of HIV such as adherence to medication.17
HIV prevention programmes for MSM
High HIV prevalence among MSM around the world is evidence of the lack of prevention strategies that are reaching this group.
Between 2009 and 2013, the percentage of MSM reached by HIV prevention programmes in 20 countries fell from 59% to 40%. However, access varies greatly between regions and within countries. For example, MSM on a higher income are more likely to be able to afford, and therefore access prevention initiatives, than those on a low income.18
When MSM are targeted by HIV prevention campaigns they can be extremely effective. It is important that a combination of prevention programmes are available.
In recognition of this, in 2015, the UNFPA, The Global Forum on MSM and HIV, UNDP, UNAIDS, WHO, United States Agency for International Development, the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation released a tool for use by public health officials, HIV and STI programmes officials, NGOs (both international and community-based) and health workers.19
The tool, Implementing Comprehensive HIV and STI Programmes with Men Who Have Sex with Men, provides recommendations for HIV prevention, testing and treatment for MSM and is based on successful community-led approaches.
Condoms and lubricants
One of the most important prevention responses is to make high-quality condoms, along with water-based lubricants, available and accessible to men who have sex with men.
In some countries, gay bars and other known meeting places for men who have sex with men, such as bathhouses, provide and promote condoms and lubricants. The Blue Sky Club is a civil society group in Vietnam that provides 'edutainment' events in local bars and clubs, combining HIV education and condom distribution with entertainment events, which are well received by local MSM.20
Providing them in gay-friendly places is much more effective than expecting MSM to purchase them from pharmacies, or healthcare settings that they may be fearful of visiting.21
Community empowerment
Many of the most successful HIV programmes aimed at men who have sex with men empower this group and actively involve them in a community setting.
In sub-Saharan Africa, studies have shown how HIV services that are targeted at, and run by MSM, have seen the greatest response and uptake.22 This avoids the necessity of attending general healthcare settings, where MSM risk identity and sexual orientation exposure that could be met with stigma and discrimination.23
Educating peers who are part of the MSM population to educate others, provide prevention commodities and link people to MSM-friendly HIV services has shown to effectively reach and engage this population. This prevention strategy works on the basis that there is an elevated sense of trust between members of the MSM population, whereby fear of stigma is eradicated.24 Organisations staffed by MSM are also more credible and accessible to recipients.25
In the Philippines, one initiative attempted to help civil society engage with local government in the HIV response. 18 community-based groups were set up and 200 MSM and transgender people were trained in sexual health and rights. After three years, community leadership led to dialogue with local government officials on HIV, gender and human rights issues. One outcome of this process was an anti-discrimination ordinance in the city of Cebu in 2012 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and health status (including HIV).26
HIV testing initiatives
Two of the most effective ways to encourage HIV testing among MSM are to permit home-based testing, and provide community-based testing.
Home-based testing has the benefit of the user being able to avoid identification by healthcare workers.27 The privacy of conducting an HIV test alone at home is very favourable among MSM for this reason. One study in Brazil found that 90% of MSM participants would use self-testing kits, although concerns included receiving the result alone and being able to read the result properly.28 MSM should be educated about the use of self-testing kits, to heighten their confidence in using one if they are unwilling to test at regular healthcare settings.
Community-based testing at local pop-up clinics or mobile vans is also favoured among MSM. It means that they can access testing in a setting they are comfortable in, without having to travel to clinics where they may be seen or experience discrimination.29
PrEP and PEP
Recent research has shown that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce HIV transmission among MSM by 92%. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that if its use is scaled up, an estimated 20% to 25% of new HIV infections among this population could be prevented.30
PrEP is a single pill taken every day by people who are at risk of HIV exposure, such as MSM. However, it is stressed that in order for the preventative effects to be realised, it must be taken correctly and consistently, alongside using condoms.31 MSM should be counselled and informed about the correct use of PrEP before it is offered.
By contrast, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is taken after potential exposure to HIV. WHO recommends offering PEP to MSM as part of a package of prevention options. It must also be coupled with counselling about the importance of finishing the treatment course. One study found that only 67% of MSM on average completed the 28 day course, limiting the effectiveness of PEP.32
Using technology
Due to the preference for anonymity when it comes to accessing healthcare, some studies have shown that technology, messaging, and social media have helped to provide HIV prevention information to MSM.
One study in South Africa found that sending text messages to MSM over a period of time encouraged men to test for HIV.33 The Adam's Love organisation in Bangkok, Thailand, used a dedicated website, social media and web message boards for online counselling, recruitment and appointment making. Between September 2011 and January 2015, over 11,000 MSM received online counselling while over 8,000 were referred to HIV testing services.34
These types of programmes should be further explored as an avenue to engage MSM in the HIV response and their own healthcare.35
Access to antiretroviral treatment for MSM
Currently, data on HIV treatment access among MSM is very limited. Worldwide, only 40% of MSM living with HIV are thought to be accessing treatment. Reasons cited for such low access include homophobia, stigma and discrimination, as they can cause MSM to delay, interrupt or avoid treatment altogether. Experiencing these reactions from healthcare workers is also given as a predominant reason.36
Likewise, information on treatment retention rates is also very low. However, one study that recruited 6,095 MSM from 145 countries reported a drop-off at every point along the treatment cascade. Drop-off was particularly dramatic among YMSM and MSM in lower-income countries due to a lack of investment and youth-friendly services. By contrast, comfort with provider, more community engagement and better accessibility of ART were associated with higher retention rates in care.37
Barriers to HIV prevention programmes for MSM
High-risk sexual behaviour
Due to widespread stigma, many MSM want to keep their sexual orientation secret, and may also continue to have heterosexual relationships and even get married. In Asia and the Pacific between 2003 and 2007, 21% to 42% of MSM were married.38
Many MSM have a low risk perception of HIV as a result of not being included in sex education classes in school, and not being reached with HIV prevention initiatives. Having multiple partners is also more common among this community, with alcohol and drug abuse fuelling high-risk sexual behaviour such as not using a condom.39
One internet survey found that 32% of men reported having unprotected anal sex with someone of the opposite HIV-status to themselves, therefore risking HIV transmission or being exposed to HIV.40
Where there are laws that criminalise same-sex sexual relations, governments are unlikely to promote any sort of HIV interventions aimed at men who have sex with men. As a result, MSM living in these countries are unaware of their risk of HIV, can be turned away from HIV services, are fearful of accessing HIV testing, and find it difficult to get hold of condoms and lubricants.41
They are also unlikely to participate in research or prevention initiatives:
"...certain states would rather publicise their diplomatic distaste for atypical bodies, genders and sexualities instead of endorsing the protection of human rights and wellbeing of everyone." - Gloria Carega & Azusa Yamashita 42
Stigma, discrimination and violence
A huge proportion of MSM worldwide have reported experiencing violence due to their sexual orientation. This is especially evident in machismo cultures, and patriarchal societies such as those in Latin America.43
In some areas, it is public officials or even healthcare workers that are committing these offences. The fear of being identified as homosexual deters many men from accessing these services, avoiding healthcare check-ups and treatment in order to keep their orientation secret.44
Lack of research
Although some statistics give an indication of the impact that HIV is having on men who have sex with men, data is still extremely scarce in many countries. This is largely due to the fact that MSM often have no separate social identity, and are simply counted as part of the general population.
It is also due to the reluctance of many governments to acknowledge men who have sex with men, and monitor this group. As a result, data about HIV among MSM is sparse, especially in regions like Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This is due mainly to the punitive laws that criminalise same-sex behaviour in the region, and an unwillingness of governments to accept that there is a disproportionate epidemic emerging among this population.45 73 countries failed to report on HIV prevalence among MSM in 2013.
It has been suggested that in settings where MSM are a particularly stigmatised group, collaborations between the government and NGOs are the most effective way to reach this population.46
"The frightening truth is that, in many parts of the world, we simply do not know how bad the epidemics among MSM groups may be… transmission among MSM is still not tracked in most countries, resulting in a significant research gap. More research is urgently needed to inform more effective HIV prevention efforts." - Dr. Chris Beyrer, Director of the Johns Hopkins Fogarty AIDS International Training and Research Program 47
Lack of funding
Apart from a handful of countries such as Brazil and Cuba, the majority of funding for HIV services targeted at MSM comes from international sources rather than domestic funding. In 2013, only 11% was domestically sourced worldwide.48
Between 2005 and 2013, 38 countries did not report on their budget for MSM programming at all, suggesting no money was allocated for this key population. In sub-Saharan Africa, 30 of the 45 countries reporting in 2013 reported no spending on MSM programming.49
Even in countries where the rights of men who have sex with men are legally respected, there is generally a greater need for more funding from donors and governments, as the amount of money put towards campaigns is often disproportionate to the scale of the problem.50
The way forward
The evidence shows that providing HIV and AIDS services to those who are most at risk can be hugely beneficial to a whole country's approach to HIV and AIDS. Governments and international donors must therefore cease to neglect the HIV epidemic among men who have sex men, and acknowledge the situation.51
Not only is funding needed to provide HIV prevention, testing and treatment for MSM, but it's also needed to generate research and data to inform effective programming. Without allocated funding for research and programme delivery, high HIV prevalence among MSM will remain.
Stigma and cultural opposition to same-sex relations are often largely to blame for rising epidemics. Until these issues are addressed, it will be difficult to reduce HIV infection levels among men who have sex with men.52 National and community level leadership is required worldwide to end stigma and discrimination of homosexuality.53
Photo credit: ©iStock.com/DragonImages. Photos are used for illustrative purposes. They do not imply any health status or behaviour on the part of the people in the photo.
- 1. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 2. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 3. Jamaica Ministry of Health (2014) 'Jamaica Country Progress Report'
- 4. International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) (2016) 'State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of sexual orientation laws: Criminalisation, protection and recognition'
- 5. CDC (2015) 'HIV Among Gay and Bisexual Men'
- 6. CDC (2015) 'HIV Transmission'
- 7. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 8. Sullivan, P. S. et al (2012, July) 'Successes and challenges of HIV prevention in men who have sex with men' The Lancet 'HIV in men who have sex with men'
- 9. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 10. UNAIDS (2014) The Gap Report
- 11. Bourne, A. & Harm Reduction International (2012) 'Drug use among men who have sex with men: Implications for harm reduction'
- 12. WHO (2015) 'HIV and young men who have sex with men: A technical brief'
- 13. International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) (2016) 'State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of sexual orientation laws: Criminalisation, protection and recognition'
- 14. International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) (2014) 'State-sponsored Homophobia Report 2014'
- 15. International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) (2016) 'State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of sexual orientation laws: Criminalisation, protection and recognition'
- 16. UNAIDS (2014) The Gap Report
- 17. WHO (2011) 'Prevention and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men and transgender people'
- 18. UNAIDS (2014) The Gap Report
- 19. UNPF (2015) Implementing Comprehensive HIV and STI Programmes with Men Who Have Sex with Men
- 20. UNDP (2011) Towards Universal Access: Examples of Municipal HIV Programming for Men who have Sex with Men and Transgender People in Six Asian Cities
- 21. PEPFAR (2011) Technical Guidance on Combination Prevention
- 22. MSMGF (2013) 'MSM in Sub-Saharan Africa: Health, Access & HIV'
- 23. AIDSTAR-one (2011), 'Human rights considerations in addressing HIV among men who have sex with men'
- 24. PEPFAR (2011) 'Technical Guidance on Combination HIV Prevention'
- 25. Trapence G. et al (2012, July) 'From personal survival to public health: community leadership by men who have sex with men in the response to HIV'. The Lancet, 'HIV in men who have sex with men'
- 26. United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) (2015) 'Implementing Comprehensive HIV and STI Programmes with Men Who Have Sex with Men: Practical Guidance for Collaborative Interventions'
- 27. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 28. Lippman, SA (2014) 'Acceptability of self-conducted home-based HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Brazil: data from an online survey', Cadernos de saude publica, Vol 30(4) Pages724-34
- 29. PEPFAR (2011) 'Technical Guidance on Combination HIV Prevention'
- 30. WHO (2014) 'People most at risk of HIV are not getting the health services they need
- 31. Grant, RM., et al (2010) 'Preexposure chemoprophylaxis for HIV prevention in men who have sex with men', The New England Journal of Medicine, 363(27) pages 2587-99
- 32. Ford, N., et al (2014) 'Adherence to postexposure prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis', AIDS Journal, Volume 28, Issue 18, Pages 2721-2727
- 33. de Tolly, K., (2012) 'Investigation into the use of short message services to expand uptake of human immunodeficiency virus testing, and whether content and dosage have impact' Telemedicine journal and e-health 18(1):18-23
- 34. Anand, T. et al (2015) 'Innovative strategies using communications technologies to engage gay men and other men who have sex with men into early HIV testing and treatment in Thailand' Journal of Virus Eradication 1:111-115
- 35. AIDS-Star One (2013) 'Meeting Report: Innovative uses of communication technology for HIV programming for MSM & TG populations'
- 36. MSMGF (2013) 'Access Challenges for HIV Treatment Among People Living with HIV and Key Populations in Middle-Income Countries'
- 37. Ayala, G. et al (2014) 'HIV Treatment Cascades that Leak: Correlates of Drop-off from the HIV Care Continuum among Men who have Sex with Men Worldwide' Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research 5:331
- 38. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 39. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 40. ECDC, Technical Report EMIS (2010) 'The European Men-Who-Have-Sex-With-Men Internet Survey'
- 41. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 42. International Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) (2014) 'State-sponsored Homophobia Report 2014'
- 43. UNAIDS (2014) 'Guidance Note: Services for gay men and other men who have sex with men'
- 44. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 45. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 46. Mumtaz G. et al (2011) 'Are HIV Epidemics among Men Who Have Sex with Men Emerging in the Middle East and North Africa? ' PLoS Medicine, 8 (8)
- 47. Medical News Today (2007, July) 'Global Initiative Launched To Combat Increasing Spread Of HIV Among MSM In Developing Countries'
- 48. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 49. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'
- 50. Roehr B. (2008, 29th November), 'The invisible epidemic' BMJ 337(7681)
- 51. Beyrer C. et al (2012, July) 'A call to action for comprehensive HIV services for men who have sex with men'. The Lancet, 'HIV in men who have sex with men'
- 52. UNAIDS (2009) 'UNAIDS Action Framework: Universal Access for Men who have Sex with Men and Transgender People'
- 53. UNAIDS (2014) 'The Gap Report'