text:
Aug. 30, 2011
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
UCLA Women's Volleyball on Facebook
2011 Media Guide Now Available Online
Thursday, Sept. 1
8 p.m. PT - #12 UCLA vs. #23 Long Beach State
Online Coverage: Live Stats | Long Beach Audio
Friday, Sept. 2
8 p.m. PT - #12 UCLA vs. #22 Ohio State
Online Coverage: Live Stats
Sunday, Sept. 4
8 p.m. PT - #12 UCLA at #10 Hawai'i
Online Coverage: Live Stats | Hawai'i Audio | Hawai'i Video (fee)
The 12th-ranked Bruins will battle three Top 25 teams this weekend as they travel to Honolulu for the Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Classic. UCLA will play #23 Long Beach State on Thursday, #22 Ohio State on Friday and #10 Hawai'i on Sunday. All three contests will start at 8 p.m. PT/5 p.m. PT.
Live stats will be available for all three matches this weekend in Hawai'i. In addition, video with a fee for the UCLA-Hawai'i match will also be available. You can find links on the women's volleyball schedule page at UCLABruins.com. The next audio broadcast at UCLABruins.com will be on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Pepperdine.
The Bruins travel to a pair of Southern California rivals next week, facing Pepperdine on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. and third-ranked USC on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in their first ever Pac-12 match.
UCLA dropped one spot to 12th in this week's AVCA Top 25 Coaches poll, losing 23 points. The Bruins are one of six Pac-12 teams ranked in the Top 16. UCLA came in at 11th for the second straight week in the Volleyball Magazine rankings with 110 points, eight more than last week. In the Pac-12 preseason coaches poll, the Bruins were fifth with 90 points.
Since 1974 with the inception of the Hawai'i women's volleyball program, UCLA has traveled to Honolulu at least once each year for 35 of the past 38 campaigns, including every season since 1980. The Bruins are 60-32 (.652) in matches played in Honolulu and 40-5 (.889) in matches against teams other than Hawai'i (UCLA is 20-27 at UH). UCLA has been part of a tournament in the Aloha State every year since 1988 and is 51-18 (.739) in its previous 23 Hawai'i tourneys. Thirteen of those 18 losses have come at the hands of the Rainbow Wahine. The Bruins have gone undefeated in Hawai'i tournaments eight times.
For the first time since 2006, the Bruins did not start a season with a 2-1 record, as they swept the competition at last weekend's LMU Invitational. UCLA had the same record through its first three matches every season from 2007-10 ... junior Bojana Todorovic tied a school record with eight service aces on Saturday against Cal State Fullerton and has 13 aces in her first three matches. The eight aces tied the mark set by Liz Masakayan (Oct. 19, 1983 vs. San Diego State) and also set a school record for aces in a three-set match. The previous record of seven was held by Elaine Youngs (Nov. 13, 1992 vs. Colorado) ... senior Lauren Van Orden posted her first double-double of the season, 10th as a Bruin and 26th of her career against Cal State Fullerton with 25 assists and 10 digs ... senior Lainey Gera had a pair of double-figure digs matches on Saturday with 14 versus Fullerton and 10 against Loyola Marymount to give her 63 for her career ... Todorovic, who was the only Bruin to play in all nine sets last weekend, was named the LMU Invitational MVP and was joined by Gera on the All-Tournament Team ... sophomore Kelly Reeves recorded her seventh double-figure kills match with a team-best 11 against LMU ... the only Bruins not to appear in a match last weekend were seniors Katie Camp (left knee) and Sara Sage (right shoulder), who are both recovering from offseason surgeries. Both have been practicing and are expected back in the next week.
The 49ers hosted their own tournament last weekend and went 2-1, sweeping Prairie View A&M and UMBC, while losing to seventh-ranked Washington in four sets. Long Beach State, which dropped one spot to 23rd in this week's AVCA Top 25 poll, averaged 13.30 kills, 1.10 aces, 12.30 digs and 3.20 blocks per set with a .294 hitting percentage during the first weekend. Three players averaged over 3.00 kps last weekend, junior Janisa Johnson (3.50), senior Caitlin Ledoux (3.30) and sophomore Haleigh Hampton (3.20). Head coach Brian Gimmillaro, in his 27th year at Long Beach with a record of 705-172, employed two setters last weekend. Sophomore Ashley Vazquez appeared in eight sets and averaged 8.88 aps, while freshman Erin Juley played in four sets and averaged 8.00 aps. Defensively, Johnson posted 3.40 dps and senior Lauren Minkel averaged 2.71 dps. At the net, freshman Alma Serna averaged 1.70 bps, while Hampton recorded 1.40 bps. The 49ers went 25-8 last year and finished second in the Big West Conference with a 12-4 record, returning 11 letterwinners and five starters from that squad which lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins and the 49ers have a long history, but have played only twice since 2004, with both matchups coming in 2009. UCLA, which leads the all-time series 55-19, dropped a three-set decision (19-25, 16-25, 14-25) on Sept. 19 in Fullerton, but rebounded with a sweep in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 4 at Pauley Pavilion (25-20, 25-20, 25-16). Lainey Gera averaged 4.83 dps in the two matches. The Bruins are 18-8 in neutral-site matches with the 49ers, but the teams have never met in Hawai'i.
The Buckeyes went 4-0 last weekend at the West Virginia Mountaineer Invitational, sweeping Valparaiso, New Hampshire, Towson and West Virginia. Ohio State averaged 15.75 kills, 0.92 aces, 17.08 digs and 2.58 blocks per set with a .253 hitting percentage. Three players averaged over 3.00 kps, led by a familiar face to Bruin fans. Junior Mari Hole, who played her first two collegiate seasons at UCLA, averaged 3.92 kps and 2.17 dps. Sophomore Kaitlyn Leary (3.50) and junior Emily Danks (3.08) also averaged over three kills a set. Junior Amanda Peterson quarterbacks the offense and averaged 12.25 assists per set last weekend. Defensively, senior Sarah Mignin posted 4.58 dps, while junior Mariah Booth (1.17) and sophomore Kelli Barhorst (1.08) each averaged over a block per set. Ohio State went 24-12 and 10-10 (sixth) in the Big Ten Conference, advancing to the NCAA Regional Semifinals. The Buckeyes return eight letterwinners and three starters from that team, coached by fourth-year head coach Geoff Carlston (65-42). UCLA is 8-1 all-time (6-1 at neutral sites) against Ohio State, with the last meeting coming in Honolulu on Sept. 1, 2002, a three-set sweep by the Bruins. The two teams have also met in Honolulu on Sept. 7, 1990 (UCLA 3-1) and Sept. 6, 1998, which marked Ohio State's lone win in the series, a five-set triumph.
The Rainbow Wahine swept the competition at their home tournament last weekend, beating San Francisco and Arizona in three sets and Wichita State in four. Hawai'i averaged 14.90 kills, 2.20 aces, 13.70 digs and 1.90 blocks per set with a .317 hitting percentage. Senior Kanani Danielson (4.00) and freshman Jane Croson (3.20) both averaged over three kills a set. Sophomore Mita Uiato handles the setting duties and posted 12.00 assists per set. Defensively, junior Emily Maeda averaged 4.00 dps, while sophomore Emily Hartong recorded 1.00 bps. Dave Shoji, in his 37th year at Hawai'i, holds a record of 1048-179 and returns 12 letterwinners and five starters from last year's squad that went 29-3, won the Western Athletic Conference with a 16-0 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Bruins and the Rainbow Wahine have played each other at least once a season since 1974, the first year of women's volleyball at Hawai'i. UCLA trails the all-time series 36-32 and has dropped two in a row to Hawai'i, but had previously won four straight. The Rainbow Wahine hold a 27-20 advantage at home, with each of the last 10 matchups coming in Honolulu (UH 6-4). Lainey Gera has three double-figure digs contests to her credit against Hawai'i (4.55 digs per set), including 23 a year ago. Rachael Kidder (13) and Kelly Reeves (12) each had double figures in kills in last year's four-set loss (22-25, 19-25, 25-18, 21-25).


text:
The Transition to Comprehensive Credit Reporting
Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) has been permissible in New Zealand since 1st April 2012. We expect the transition to a comprehensive (or positive) reporting regime to commence within the coming months. Veda is fully enabled for CCR and working to assist the credit industry with this transition. As Australia still requires a change to the Privacy Act to permit CCR, New Zealand will lead Australasia into the new era of comprehensive credit reporting.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The S&P 500 slipped lower in two sessions during the holiday shortened trading week and finished with a 2.63% loss. The index has finished lower in 11 of the past 19 sessions and three of the past four weeks. With Friday's close the index has retreated 3.14% from the record high close seen on Jan 15, reaching a significant level (that of 3% or greater) as the MRL indicator suggested was likely earlier.
The bulk of the week's losses came in the volatile 2.09% pullback on Friday. As a result the -2% L indicator that activated at the close of last week was correct in suggesting the heightened possibility of a 2% or greater drop on the S&P 500 within a session.
The last volatile move, that of 2% or greater in a session, was seen on Oct 10, 2013 when the index climbed 2.18% higher in a session. The last volatile move lower was seen on June 18, 2013 when the index slipped 2.50% during the session. As can be seen in the Indicators section of past articles, both of these moves were also suggested as likely prior to their occurrence by the +2% and -2% indicators, as have most of the other volatile daily moves seen over the past three years.
The index pushed below support found at prior resistance within the 100 L at 1815 on Friday and into the lower level of 100L resistance range. It continues to seem possible the next solid support level might not be found until the second 1700 level MRL seen at 1760 to 1770, with alternate support being seen at the first 1700 level MRL at 1735 to 1745 (or possibly 1750).
The average daily volume increased 10.33% over the previous week's average. Volume was weakest on Wednesday and that snapped a 12 day run of volumes higher than the 13 DMA. As is often the case, Friday's volatile pullback had the week's strongest volume. The five day volume variance also reflected the recent volatility as the difference from high to low volumes jumped to 36.88%.
Although both Thursday's and Friday's volumes were larger, the rebound Monday had the highest volume seen in 18 sessions. Although the bears appear to be winning the current battle, the bulls had not jumped ship. It continues to seem likely the current pullback is a round of profit taking, and the drop will probably remain within or near the 3% to 5% range. It also seems fairly likely the fall could continue closer to the 5% range before rebounding.
Major Stock Market Indexes
The index charts of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, NASDAQ, New York Stock Exchange and Russell 2000 all fell steeply Friday. The Dow Jones was the only index not to finish the session with a loss greater than 2%, as it finished the session just under with a 1.96% drubbing.
Even after dropping 2.15% for the session Friday, the NASDAQ chart maintained a very bullish appearance. The pullback fell through the 13 EMA, but stopped well above the 50 EMA and fairly far above the lower trend line in its push higher after taking a steeper rebound path last April.
The Russell had the day's largest percentage drop at 2.41%, and fell through the 50 EMA, but rebounded to close nearly at this level. In doing so it maintained within the steeper uptrend it established last April and still has a mostly bullish looking chart.
The S&P 500 finished Friday's session with the second lowest loss at 2.09%, but slipped and finished fairly deeply below the 50 EMA. Depending on the choice of trend lines, the S&P has either broken below or is resting on the lower trend line. Although it has possibly broken trend, the chart still looks somewhat bullish.
Even though the Dow finished with the smallest loss on the day Friday, it fell rather deeply below the 50 EMA in this drop. The NYSE slipped 2.29% on Friday and also dropped deeply below the 50 EMA. Both of these indexes have broken below the lower trend line in previous trends higher and continue to have the most bearish looking charts.
Although the indexes dropped rather steeply over the past two days, they are not yet oversold leaving the potential for additional downside. However, it does not seem too unlikely they could begin to rebound in the not so distant future.
US Treasury Charts
The 20 year US Treasury Note price pushed higher in three of four sessions this past week, with Thursday running steeply higher. It finished Friday above the Sept 25 high of two rebounds ago, but below the last high on Oct 23. It seems likely it could begin to find resistance near or within the current price range. Treasuries are also fully overbought, making a pullback likely. The 20 year price may continue higher after this pullback, but since upside looks limited, it seems doubtful. Although the chart looks bullish, the price appears to have run well above levels one might consider reasonable for likely future Fed actions. The Fed is likely to announce a further reduction in bond purchases in the coming week, regardless of short term price direction; the reduction or planned reduction in these purchases is probably good reason to shed long term treasuries.
The recent bullishness in US Treasury prices is somewhat bearish for stocks, but these runs appear close to likely turning points lower.
The 10 year US Treasury Note interest rate slipped in three trading days this past week. It fell to and bounced higher off the 50 EMA Tuesday, but the rebound stalled short of the 13 EMA on Wednesday. It slipped steeply below the 50 EMA Thursday continuing lower still on Friday. The drop brought the rate to the lower trend line in the recently established downtrend and the Ten Year rate chart is fully oversold. The chart makes a rebound in rates look likely in the week ahead. It does not seem unlikely a trend reversal taking rates higher again is probably not far away.
Gold began Sunday night with a quick push to 1260 shortly after the Sydney open, but it slipped from this high and traded flatly between 1258 and 1254 until shortly after the Sydney open on Monday night, where it began to trend lower from about 1256. This drop steepened late in Hong Kong trading Tuesday morning before leveling out briefly after the London open, but then continued in a steep retreat into New York trading reaching a low of about 1236. It gradually rebounded to about 1245 before the New York close and traded uneventfully between there and 1239 until it began another break lower late in the New York session from about 1240 on Wednesday, the fall leveled off during trading in Sydney at about 1237, but dropped again into the Hong Kong open reaching a low of about 1232 late Wednesday night. It traded between the low and about 1238 until it began to rebound strongly shortly after the Hong Kong close Thursday during London trading. This rebound continued steeply into the late London and early New York trading reaching about 1266, after falling briefly to 1258, it leveled off between 1262 and 1266 into the New York close. It fell to about 1260 Thursday night during Sydney and Hong Kong trading then traded between 1259 and 1261 until after the Hong Kong close Friday. It again rebounded steeply to about 1272 during London trading, but slipped slowly to about 1261 after the New York open before rebounding gradually to a New York Spot close of 1268.90, which was higher than last week's close of 1254.30.
Gold has rebounded to near a level that could provide resistance, and it does not seem unlikely this resistance will turn gold lower again.
The news keeps telling of the increases in Asian gold interest siting increased purchases in China, Japan, Korea, etc. Other than a few short, well planned and highly publicized blips higher here and there during Asian trading, the charts continue to show little evidence that there is much buying going on in Asia. Nearly all major price moves higher are originating during New York and London trading while many of the price pullbacks are originating or occurring during Asian trading.
It looks like some in US and UK are buying the media hype, but the charts continue to show the Asians appear to be mostly taking profits on these run ups, not fueling these rallies.
S&P 500 Constituent Charts
Many of the constituents took substantially pullbacks in the past week. The charts continue to give signs this was a round of profit taking.
Most moves lower accelerated into the final two trading days of the week, but several saw the falls they were in prior to this diminish into these two days, giving the appearance they could be starting to round out of these falls.
Although many of these charts appear to have potential downside left and some look like they have begun a downtrend that could carry their prices lower even into an overall market rebound, quite a few look to be in or near areas that they are likely to rebound from.
Many of the constituents maintained within up trends in the recent fall. Many that did not are not very deep below previous trend.
Many that have begun rebounds after long falls look to be continuing these moves higher.
Most of the constituents moved lower in Friday's fall. Based on the constituent price data downloaded after Friday's close, 481 constituents dropped shedding 2.41% of their un-weighted and unadjusted share price. The constituent's shed 2.69% of their un-weighted and *unadjusted share price during the past week based on the data downloaded last week.
*Mastercard (MA) share price for Jan 17, 2014 was adjusted for the recently completed 10 for 1 split, but this data was not handled in other manners consistent with un-weighted S&P 500 indexes. Please note all current un-weighted index versions of the S&P 500 are adjusted due to the frequent and numerous changes to the index constituents. Charts of these un-weighted index versions will be very close to the actual un-weighted price action of the index, but they will not move exactly to the actual constituents due to these adjustments.
A look at the sector's performance over the past week and on Friday is as follows in the format:
Sector: Weekly Percentage change / Friday's Percentage Change
Energy: -1.38% / -2.11%
Materials: -4.39% / -2.77%
Industrials: -4.39% / -3.53%
Consumer Discretionary: -2.06% / -2.03%
Consumer Staples: -1.61% / -1.02%
Health Care: -2.35% / -2.75%
Financials: -3.39% / -2.37%
Information Technology: -2.34% / -2.59%
Telecommunications Services: -2.55% / -1.51%
Utilities: -0.45% / -1.29%
These drops are not uncharacteristic of those seen during normal profit taking. Although not always the case, the sectors that get hit hardest in pullbacks often rebound the strongest in a rally higher.
Many of the constituents are oversold, but many are not. Some look like they could continue to hold in or near overbought even into a further pullback. Charts are showing signs that the fall might be near a rebound, however it looks like the index might continue a little lower first.
Although the indicators featured in these articles are not always correct, they many times and being so they are worth reading about and taking note of.
The +/(-) 90 D, (-)/+ 90 D, MRL, -2% L and +2% H indicators are currently active. The 90 E will become active on Tuesday. See a more detailed description of most of the indicators developed through research and featured in these articles here.
The 90 E will become active on Tuesday and this indicator is often active during volatile conditions. As explained in last week's article, these volatile conditions are sometimes seen early, as was the case in this instance as Friday's fall of 2.09% reached volatile levels a couple days before this indicator became active.
The 90 E indicator is also known for a high occurrence of market price direction changes while it is active. In order to be considered a market direction change the index price must do one of two things. Fall to a significant level, meaning the difference between the highest closing price and the lowest closing price must be 3% or greater lower. The drop from the Jan 15 high was a market price direction change lower, since the lowest closing price seen on Friday is over 3% lower.
The other price direction change happens when the index recovers from one of these significant drops, in order to recover from a significant drop the index must close at a price equal to or greater than the highest close it fell from. Market price direction changes higher are most often bullish, as the index normally continues higher after a recovery from a significant drop. It continues to seem fairly likely this direction change higher could occur in this instance during this indicator's presence.
The +/(-) 90 D indicator that became activate on Oct 7, 2013 will expire in 15 trading days and a 90 E will become active on Tuesday. The +/(-) 90 D has performed as follows to this point in the format: highest close / lowest close / last close.
+10.28% / -1.23% / +6.81%
The (-)/+ 90 D indicator that became active on Nov 25, 2013 has performed as follows to this point in the format: highest close / lowest close / last close.
+2.55% / -1.51% / -0.68%
The S&P 500 again retested the lower boundary of the MRL at 1850 in Tuesday's rebound, but the intraday high was turned back at 1849.31 within the influence of this resistance range but below the previous high. The index again began to slip back from this resistance. Although it finished Wednesday with a slight gain after trading in a fairly narrow price bandwidth, the intraday high only reached 1846.87. Thursday's move lower became more pronounced with Friday's 2.09% drop reaching a volatile level.
Friday finished at 1790.29 and at session lows. Friday's closing price does not seem like a likely support area, as it has not offered support in the past. The closest area were resistance had turned to support in the run higher was near 1770. Resistance turned support was also seen near 1760, 1750 and 1745. One of these levels would seem a more likely turning point higher than Friday's close.
The recently activated -2% L had a correct indication in the past week as Friday closed 2.09% lower. Although this volatile move lower was seen before the 90 E became active, it seems possible that volatile conditions might be relatively short lived. The chances of another move lower of these proportions in a session seems remote at this time, yet not impossible. This indicator will deactivate with the 90 E expiration, unless future market conditions hold it open longer.
The +2% L indicator did not provide a correct indication during the past week. The large drop Friday opens the possibility of an offsetting move of 2% or greater higher and increases the chances that a move of this proportion might be seen significantly. As a result of this higher likelihood, the +2% indicator moved to a high state (H) of likelihood. This indicator will stay in this high state until a move of 2% or greater is seen or for 30 trading days, the timeframe when most offsetting moves are seen. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the change on the indicator and current market conditions at the time, the indicator could fall to a low state (L) again or become dormant.
The greatest chance of offsetting moves occurring is within the first 10 trading days after a volatile move. A 2% offsetting move higher would be a very bullish indicator. It is not uncommon for a 2% move higher to happen early in the rebound of runs that recover from significant drops. Most recoveries from significant pullbacks move higher to the next resistance level, in this case the 100 L at 1900.
Current Cautions
The recent drop on the index has reached significant levels and the index has had a volatile trading session. These are bearish indications, so there is reason to have some continued caution.
However, the pullback continues to fit normal patterns seen during rounds of profit taking and it seems likely it will probably remain in or near the 3% to 5% drop level.
The third retest of lower boundary resistance in the 1800 level MRL at 1850 to 1865 sent the index lower with Friday's volatile move lower penetrating the 1815 support. Friday's close appeared to leave the index in an area that probably won't offer support, so it seems possible the drop could continue to likely support at the second 1700 level MRL seen at 1760 to 1770 or alternate support in the first 1700 level MRL at 1735 to 1745 (or possibly 1750).
Although it looks possible earnings could set another quarterly record in the fourth quarter, there are likely some bumps along the way. Some of the bumps have already surfaced, but there are likely to be others later. These fourth quarter earnings bumps could add to investor anxiety.
Earnings levels normally drop in in the first quarter as it is the earnings offseason for many businesses, and these seasonal earnings changes will likely be seen in guidance given in upcoming reports. This "softness" is often misread as signs of weakness. As a result investors tend to become more cautious early in the year and are easily spooked.
Volume increased by 10.33% this past week and the five day variance shot up to 36.88% reflecting the volatile conditions seen in the past week.
The 90 E will become active Tuesday and this indicator is often active during volatile conditions. It also has a strong history of pointing to market price direction changes.
The correct indication of the -2 L in Friday's 2.09% fall, set the +2% L indicator into a high state of likelihood (+2% H). This is due to a heightened chance of an offsetting move of 2% of greater higher on the index.
It seems fairly likely that volatile conditions could last for a relatively short duration, probably exiting before or with the expiration of the 90 E.
The beginning of the year is generally a bullish timeframe; however rounds of profit taking that result in significant drops are more common during this timeframe.
Please note there is no established resistance in the MRL levels before the index has reached these levels. Several instances have proven to hold resistance once reached; however MRL levels that the index has not yet reached are only the most likely levels that resistance will be seen based on research. Back tests of the data used to project these resistance levels work well, but they are not allows exact, and these resistances could react sooner or later than expected, it is also possible the resistance will not be seen at all.
There continues to be many reasons to be bullish at the current time. Any pullbacks in stock prices seen along the way are probably a good opportunity to add.
As explained in past articles the resistance at the first 1700 level MRL had a conflict as to the upper boundary of this resistance. As the index reached these levels both the 1745 and 1750 levels showed evidence of being a resistance level. Further research suggests the 1750 level could actually be a separate MRL, but since it did not have the normal resistance range associated with these resistances, it might have been misinterpreted at the time as a conflicting resistance boundary. Rather than change coarse now and create confusion over resistance/support levels in future articles, it will continued to be noted as it was originally, the first 1700 MRL at 1735 to 1745 (or possibly 1750).
Recently there have been several reports on the utilities sector that shed a bad light on this sector. These reports gave what appear to be good reasons to avoid the sector. Although this was probably good advice nine months ago, when the news was more relevant, it probably does not hold true any longer due to substantial retreats in many of these stocks and the changes seen since.
One area of concern in these reports was a slow rebound in electrical usage. As a result projected earnings increases in the sector are low, but they are probably too low.
A fairly big part of this reduced usage was caused by a long string of extremely mild winters. The recent cold blast seen over a large part of the country should increase usage dramatically. Even homes that don't use electricity for heat will likely see increases in electric bills as nearly every alternate source of heat uses electric fans, motors or pumps to move or extract this heat, and the extreme cold will require these devices to turn on more frequently.
Many companies have and will continue to see large increases in wind and solar production. Although costs for these installations are still fairly steep, many states required them and in doing so allowed for increased prices for energy produced at these facilities and or allowed gradual reimbursement of these expenses through charges on electric bills. Although these costs came off the bottom line upfront, they will be trickling back in later.
Although the electrical production of these green installations may not be 100% predicable, there are no fuel costs and any production will reduce the need to produce electricity in facilities that do have fuel costs.
Those that have excess production from green energy facilities will also be able to sell this production at a premium to those that do not meet required green energy thresholds. Some of the electric companies are specializing in these installations and have seen profits soar.
Electric companies were also forced to reduce transition line losses, and this too came at a cost to profits. Again some were allowed to pass this cost onto consumers gradually. At the same time these large reductions in line losses will reduce the costs to produce electricity in the future.
Please note that production levels of the past included these lines losses, and the reduction in these losses also reduced the need to generate electricity to cover these losses. Take care of the numbers presented in these reports, some used production levels to argue lower usage levels, but did not adjust these numbers for the reduction in line losses. Usage levels are lower than seen previously, but not as low as some of these reports make them look.
Many of the deadlines to have green energy or improvements to reduce line losses are nearing, and as these deadlines pass or as these projects are completed early, these costs will disappear, but the income to offset these costs will continue to flow for many years to come.
There are other costs to be concerned about specific to coal or nuclear facilities, but not all companies will have facilities that will generate these charges.
Based on the constituents and sectors of the S&P 500, the sector holds the best dividend return with an average yield of 3.979%. The sector also has a trailing twelve month (TTM) P/E of 15.87, second only to the Financial Sector's 15.60.
The sector also offers stability in downturns. Based on differences in the closing prices on Jan 10 and Jan 24, the sector pulled back the least at an average drop of 0.702%, compared to the best TTM P/E of the Financial Sector that had a retreat of 4.266% over the two week timespan. One week timeframes along with the drops seen Friday for all sectors are included in the S&P 500 Constituents Charts section above. Given the sector yield, if a company paid a dividend during this period the investor more than likely still saw a gain.
Many of these sources of information were used in this article.
Subscribe to receive Email alerts for new articles as they are published near the top or bottom of this page.
Have a great day trading,
Access to all of Ron's past articles.
Disclosure: Ron does not have any investments in MA. He has investments in many of the companies within the S&P 500 Utilities Sector and added in this sector this week. Ron is currently about 86% invested long in stocks in his trading accounts. The increase in his investment level over the past week was due to the purchase of two issues with this cost partially offset by the sale of two issues and dividend payments. Ron feels he is slightly oversold at the current time; however he has and will continue to sell stocks that reach long or short term targets. He will also continue to add stocks he feels are at a great value through a variety of buy orders. He will receive dividend payments from six issues in the coming week and seven in the following week. If no further investment changes are made during this timeframe these dividend payments will not change his investment level.
Some of the trades made during the past week may have been due to repositioning investments as discussed in a previous article.
Disclaimer: The information provided in the Stock Market Preview is Ron's perception of the current conditions and what he thinks is the most probable outcome based on the current conditions, the data collected and extensive research he has done into this data along with other variables. It is intended to provoke thought of the possible market direction in his readers, not foretell the future. Ron does not claim to know what the stock market will do. If the stock market performs as expected, it only means he is applying the stock market history to the current conditions correctly. His perception of the data is not always correct.
This article is intended to provoke thought about investment possibilities. Acting on the information provided is at your own risk. You are urged to do your own research, and where appropriate, seek professional investment advice before acting on any information contained in these articles.


text:
government affairs
Posted: December 30, 2011 at 1:33:42 PM
In Government Affairs | COGGS | IMBA Trail Care Crew | Joey Klein | IMBA Trail Solutions | Duluth Traverse | Stephen Mullins
Approximately two days before Xmas the Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (Duluth, MN) was awarded a $250,000 grant to start construction on the Duluth Traverse trail. I have written numerous times about the Duluth Traverse on this blog, so instead... Read More / Post Comments
Posted: December 14, 2011 at 11:59:35 AM
In Government Affairs | Subaru IMBA Trail Care Crews | Hans Rey | laguna beach | orange county | laguna canyon foundation | share
From the top of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Parks, you can look down on Laguna's beaches, some of the most beautiful in Southern California. Then you have the option to ride your back straight down the hill through the last native coastal... Read More / Post Comments
Posted: December 7, 2011 at 12:15:29 PM
In Government Affairs | BLM | fort ord | morca | monterey
We had the pleasure of working with the Monterey Off Road Cylcing Association (MORCA) last weekend in Monterey, CA. Their main backyard trails are at Fort Ord, a former U.S. army post. About 15 years ago, the base was converted to civilian use,... Read More / Post Comments


text:
A few of my rock climbing friends are heading up to Maple Canyon in July, and i thought i'd tag along with my bike since i'm not all that into rock climbing.
Any trails around there that are worth a look?
So far I have Camelot, Maple Syrup and Flume
Thanks guys!
Results 1 to 3 of 3
Thread: Maple Canyon singletrack?
Similar Threads
Hot Deals See All Hot Deals >>
Latest Mountain Bike Articles


text:
The Samsung SGH-A107 is a simple yet astounding flip phone. The cover of the phone has a smooth and glossy texture for elegance and safety of the device. This SGH-A107 is a GSM dual-band phone that works with your ATT sim card. This phone supports instant messaging and text messaging. You can also save multiple numbers per contact and use added features like the calendar and alarm for you organizer. Buy this used Samsung SGH-A107 basic flip phone for ATT at a discounted price!
Phone Specifications
Samsung SGH-A107 Basic Color Flip Speaker Phone ATT
Only 1 left in stock--order soon.
Complete 30 day warranty
37.99 New Available online


text:
Testimonials and Reviews of AssessME.org
> Ruth Ott
- Community Bible Church, San Antonio, TX
"To date, we have assessed more than 9,000 people for ministry fit. By using the AssessMe.org selection process we have been able to consistently identify leaders to teach classes each semester. If you are looking for a process to equip your members in one easy format, I would recommend AssessME.org."
> Greg Baird
- Kidmin360
"AssessMe has been a wonderful addition to our toolbox for helping to equip & connect children's ministry leaders."
> Susan Ketcham
- Church Multiplication, Reformed Church in America
"This assessment tool has become a standard part of our assessment process for two years now. I have found it to be very effective as it helps to paint a picture of the individual and how God has already been at work in their lives, equipping them for the work He has for them to do. I recommend it all the time! "
> Kande Wilson
- Vineyard Community Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
"It fills a void left open by many of the popular personality assessments and spiritual gifts tests out there. They can be helpful to a degree, but lack an overall picture of a person and how they will function in a ministry setting."
> Thomas Elenbaas
- Fair Haven Ministries, Hudsonville, MI, USA
"As we build an equipping ministry, knowing the combination of Leadership Style, Giftedness, Personality, and Skills is highly valuable. It's so easy for ministry leaders to search in AssessMe for people whom God has already uniquely designed to fit the areas in which our ministry needs them. It's true that God provides the people where he leads in ministry – and AssessMe helps to make the connection."
> Dennis Moore
- Trinity Church, Lansing, Michigan, USA
"What intrigued me most was how one could use the assessments you provide to help someone identify their life mission, form teams, and provide mentoring for ministry mobilization... I found your book intriguing and probably the most useful tool I've ever been exposed to."
> Dan Webster
- Founder, Authentic Leadership
"Dave Posthuma and E-Church Essentials share my passion to train and inspire leaders to live authentic lives of great impact. Rarely do you meet someone as passionate about the church with the technological genius of Dave. I love how he is helping churches by leading them into the technological future. Pay attention to what he is doing and access his outrageous resource. It will help you as you both grow and organize your church."
Contact Dan Webster at
> Leonard Sweet
- Drew University, George Fox Evangelical Seminary, preachingplus.com
"Ever wonder what it was like to have been on the ground floor with Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com or Pierre Omidyar of eBay.com? Wonder no longer. Join Dave Posthuma of E-ChurchEssentials and hold on –- the future of the church is forming right before your eyes and under your feet."
See Leonard Sweet's website at
Spiritual Gifts Test
Personality Test
Leadership Test
Skills Tracking
Church Personality
Spiritual Formation Test
Copyright © 2016, All Rights Reserved · E-Church Essentials, LLC · 1569 Castlemaine Drive, Zeeland, MI 49464 USA · Phone 1.800.724.1159
- privacy -


text:
This page is the brochure for your selected program. You can view the provided information for this program on this page and click on the available buttons for additional options.
Nihon University
Tokyo, Japan (Exchange Program)
|Program Terms:
Academic Year,
Summer I
|WMU applicants only
|Budget Sheets
Summer I
|Dates / Deadlines:
There are currently no active application cycles for this program.
|Fact Sheet:
|Program Type:
|Language of Instruction:
|Minimum GPA:
|Class Standing:
|Undergraduate Junior, Undergraduate Senior, Undergraduate Sophomore
|Program Specialist:
|Yumi Takahashi-Ede
|Language experience required:
|Areas of Study:
|Program Length:
|Academic Year, Semester, Summer
|Program Description:
|Jump To:
|Application Instructions
Application Instructions
The deadline for the BroncosAbroad application is January 15th, 2015. We will then evaluate all applications and invite students to a Selection Committee Interview sometime in early February. After the interviews, advisors will decide on Exchange placements and will assist students with host university applications.
Program OverviewNihon University was founded as a law school in 1889 and became a university the same year as WMU's founding (1903). Typically, WMU students attend Nihon to study the Japanese language, and so Japanese language courses form the core of the curriculum. With 14 graduate schools, 11 colleges, three schools and one junior college, it is the largest university in Japan. WMU is one of only 17 universities in the world to have an exchange agreement with Nihon.
WMU students interested in this exchange program may be able to contact students from the host institution currently studying at WMU. Contact the Haenicke Institute Study Abroad office for information.
See the Japanese Programs Quick Comparison sheet for more information about Study abroad programs in Japan: 2014-2015 quick comparison.pdf
Back to Top
LocationNihon University's Japanese language program is located in the Nihon Daigaku Kaikan Annex building, just a short walk from the JR Ichigaya Station in downtown Tokyo. Tokyo is one of the world's great cities, offering extensive cultural and entertainment activities and providing the opportunity for students to experience a high level of cultural immersion. For visitors, many sites of interest lie either on or within the JR Yamanote line, the rail-loop that circles central Tokyo. Ginza is the most famous shopping area in Tokyo. Ueno Park north of the center has some of Japan's finest museums and galleries. The Tokyo National Museum holds the world's largest selection of Japanese art; the National Science Museum is packed with scientific marvels; and the Shitamachi History Museum is a re-creation of the plebeian downtown quarters of old Tokyo.
Back to Top
AcademicsAcademic Eligibility
Good Academic standing
Minimum GPA of 2.75
Completion of Japanese 1010.
Academic Program
WMU students study at Nihon in a 12-week intensive language and culture program during the spring semester or summer term. Classes are held at the Nihon Daigaku Kaikan Annex building in the center of Tokyo. Students study alongside other international students. Class sizes are small, and students have close personal contact with their professors. Students typically study beginning, intermediate or advanced Japanese. Students will take a placement test upon arrival to determine which level of courses they will take. Other courses in English about Japanese culture and business are sometimes offered. Professors usually arrange two outings per semester, one to a museum and another to a major tourist destination, such as Kamakura or Nikko.
WMU students may spend only one 12-week term in this program. Students seeking a longer experience should apply to the other exchange programs, which last one academic year.
Academic Credit
WMU credit will be awarded for courses successfully completed on this program with prior approval of the student's academic advisor, academic advisors in departments outside of the student's major department (if the student plans to take classes outside of his/her major), and the Haenicke Institute for Global Education. This approval is obtained by completing the Course Pre-approval Form available from the HIGE. Students are urged to work closely with academic advisors and HIGE staff to plan a course of study allowing for steady progress toward their degree.
Back to Top
Cost & Financial AidCost
The program fee includes: tuition, administrative fees, and international health and emergency assistance insurance. Program fees will be billed to the student account for the each semester.
The program fee does not include: housing, meals, airfare, books, local transportation, passport, visa, and personal expenses. Costs not included in this program fee are estimates and may vary according to individual needs and preferences. This budget does not include activities which are not part of the academic program, such as personal travel, entertainment, shopping, etc.
Costs not included in the program fee are estimates and may vary according to individual needs and preferences. This budget does not include activities which are not part of the academic program, such as personal travel, entertainment, shopping, etc.
Program fees are subject to adjustment due to changes in actual exchange rates or other factors. In addition, programs may be modified or cancelled in the event of insufficient enrollment. Program dates are subject to slight adjustment by the home/host university.
Note: For tax purposes, the university requires the program fee billing be divided into qualified (expenses and fees related to the class or program) and non-qualified (other costs). The total program fee equals the program commitment fee plus qualified and non-qualified expenses added together.
Program commitment fee
+ Qualified (expenses and fees related to the class or program)
+ Non-qualified (other costs)
= Total program fee
Program commitment fee: This is a portion of the program fee which is billed after the student clicks the "Commit" button to secure their place in the program. The remainder of the program fee is billed to the WMU student account for the semester of enrollment in study abroad credits. The program commitment fee is due within 30 days once charged to the WMU student account. After 30 days, per university accounts policy, holds will be placed on past-due balances.
Please note: Disbursement of financial aid may not coincide with the start date of the program abroad, so plan ahead! Some out-of-pocket costs may occur prior to receiving financial aid for the semester, such as the program commitment fee, passport, airfare, immunizations, visa or residence permit fees (if applicable). These costs vary by program and WMU Study Abroad Specialists are available to answer questions about the program budget.
Financial Aid
Students eligible for federal or state financial aid may use their awards for studying abroad. After a student has been accepted to the program, they must complete required paperwork with WMU Financial Aid to apply financial aid to the program costs. It is the student's responsibility to complete the paperwork prior to departure and to maintain compliance with financial aid regulations while studying abroad (i.e., remain enrolled full-time). Non-WMU students must apply for financial aid through their home university.
Back to Top
HousingNihon University provides one room per student in an apartment building for international students. There are two apartment buildings that Nihon University currently uses, both located in Akazutsumi in the Setagaya Ward of Tokyo. The rooms include utilities, stove, bathroom, washing machine, and Internet connection. Students should allow 30,000 yen (exchange rates are variable, but roughly $300) per month for housing (meals not included). Since Nihon University subsidizes the costs of the apartments, this is only a small fraction of what an apartment in Tokyo would usually cost.
Back to Top
ItinerarySummer 2016
Arrival Day: May 10
Orientation & Placement Test: May 12
Summer Semester begins: May 16
Summer Semester ends: July 26
Fall 2016
Arrival Day: September 13
Orientation & Placement Test: September 15
Fall Semester begins: September 20
Fall Semester ends: December 6
Spring 2017
Arrival Day: January 11, 2017
Orientation & Placement Test: January 13, 2017
Spring Semester begins: January 17, 2017
Spring Semester ends: March 29, 2017
Back to Top
Additional ResourcesHost Institution Information (external links)
Nihon University
Country Information (external links)
Japan - Lonely Planet
Tokyo - Lonely Planet
U.S. Department of state Information
Country Specific Information - Japan
Culturegram - Japan
VISA (external links)
Consulate-General of Japan in Detroit
Program faculty directors:
Professor Jeffrey Angles
Associate Professor of Japanese Literature & Translation Studies
Professor Rika Saito
Associate Professor of Japanese Language & Literature
Professor Carlos Pimentel
Assistant Professor of Japanese Language
Study Abroad Specialist:
Yumi Takahashi-Ede
Study Abroad Specialist
2425E Ellsworth Hall
Phone: (269) 387-5890
Back to Top


text:
LOS ANGELES -- The injury-riddled Los Angeles Dodgers haven't missed a beat, thanks to a formidable bench that has more than compensated for recent injuries to regulars Matt Kemp, Mark Ellis, Juan Uribe and Juan Rivera.
Utility infielder Jerry Hairston Jr. and reserve outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr., whose fathers gave them first-hand experience on how to be major leaguers, helped lead the Dodgers in their latest win.
Hairston had the first five-hit game of his career and Gwynn added a pair of RBI singles in Chris Capuano's 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
"Matt's arguably the best player in the game, and you hate to lose a guy like that because it can be pretty devastating for the team. But we feel we have a complete team," Hairston said. "And even with Matt in the lineup, we're going to need everybody to contribute to be successful. Everybody's been doing that, and it's been fun."
Hairston had a double and four singles, one of which drove in a run. He raised his average to .381 in his second start since coming off the disabled list Friday.
"It feels good, but the bottom line is that we won," Hairston said. "As a player, I try not to be result-oriented. I know it's a result-oriented business, but you just try to have good at-bats. If you do that, the results will be there."
The Dodgers' sixth victory in eight games -- all minus Kemp, Ellis, Uribe and Rivera -- improved the best record in the majors to 32-15 and enabled Los Angeles to maintain its 7 1/2-game lead over San Francisco in the NL West.
NL RBIs leader Andre Ethier was 0 for 5 with three strikeouts, but his teammates picked up the slack considerably with 12 hits.
"We're a resilient bunch. Guys aren't afraid of the moment, and they step right in," Gwynn said. "We're not thinking about Matt being gone or Juan being gone. Everybody's just doing their part. When you've got a bunch of guys pulling the rope in the same direction, you're going to have some positive results.
"We knew coming into this year that we had to have guys stepping up in addition to Matt, 'Dre and (Clayton) Kershaw. And for the most part, everybody from one to 25 has been able to come up with a big hit or a big defensive play."
Matt Treanor put the Dodgers ahead for good with a home run in the fourth inning that deflected off center fielder Justin Maxwell's glove as he made a leaping attempt in left-center field.
Capuano (7-1) pitched two-hit ball over seven innings and struck out eight. It was the eighth time in his last nine starts that he allowed fewer than three runs. The 33-year-old left-hander improved to 5-0 at home with a 1.36 ERA.
"The guy's good, man. He's been pitching good all year and he's one of the better pitchers you're going to face," said Astros third baseman Chris Johnson, who struck out twice in going 0 for 3. "His changeup's nasty. I would consider him an ace on a lot of teams."
Capuano is displaying the form that earned him an All-Star nod with Milwaukee in 2006, and convinced the Dodgers' front office to sign the free agent to a two-year, $10 million contract in December.
"I try not to get caught up with that. I just try to focus on what I can control, which is making pitches," Capuano said. "Sometimes I feel bad for guys who are in that one or two slot. Even if they're pitching well, because of their slot, there's all that pressure and nothing slides."
J.A. Happ (4-4) tied a career high by striking out 10. He gave up two earned runs and nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, and fell to 0-3 with a 2.82 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers.
"He was in trouble a lot," Houston manager Brad Mills said. "Out of his 10 strikeouts, nine were with runners in scoring position. That tells you right there that he was in trouble almost every inning."
Jose Altuve lined Capuano's first pitch of the game past a diving Gwynn in center field for a triple, and scored when shortstop Dee Gordon made a diving stop of Jed Lowrie's grounder up the middle and threw him out.
"Lowrie hits that ball up the middle and Gordon makes a nice play to stop the inning from continuing to move on. That was a huge play of the game right there," Mills said. "We had something going, and Capuano was still trying to find himself."
The Dodgers tied it in the second on a two-out single by Gwynn, then went ahead on Treanor's homer.
Altuve's triple was Houston's only hit until Lowrie's two-out single in the sixth. Capuano's reflexes took over in the sixth when he knocked down Carlos Lee's liner with his glove while diving to the third-base side of the mound and threw him out to strand runners at first and second with the Dodgers leading 2-1.
Johnson made errors on routine grounders by Scott Van Slyke in the fifth inning and Ethier in the seventh. Ethier made it all the way to second base on the second miscue, putting two runners in scoring position with one out. Hairston scored the Dodgers' third run on Xavier Cedeno's bases-loaded walk to pinch hitter Bobby Abreu.
Game notes
Kemp (hamstring) went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in the first game of his rehab assignment for the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque. He started in center field, batted third and left after five innings. Kemp is expected to play for Albuquerque on Monday night, too. ...This was Houston's final regular-season game against the Dodgers before the 51-year-old franchise shifts to the American League next season. Organist Nancy Bea Hefley played "Yellow Rose of Texas" while the Astros' starting lineup was announced. ... Cedeno's contract was purchased earlier Sunday from Triple-A Oklahoma City after lefty Fernando Abad was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an inntercostal strain on his right side.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.


text:
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Alberta, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Peterborough, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria,
Czech Republic
Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Delhi, Mumbai,
New Zealand
South Africa
United Kingdom
Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull University, London, Nottingham, Sheffield, University of Leicester, University of London, York
United States
Athens GA, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia MO, Columbus, Denver, Des Moines, Duke University, NC, Durham & Chapel Hill, East Lansing, Flagstaff, AZ, Houston, Iowa City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Lubbock TX, Manhattan KS, Muncie IN, New Orleans, New York City, Oneonta, Pittsburgh, Plattsburgh, Providence, Richmond VA, San Fernando Valley, San Francisco, Twin Cities, West Georgia (University)
Scott Stringer. Not only did he just testify about this, he was also the brain behind the first ever survey of subway safety.
Have you seen this?
We are collecting stories from women about whether or not these subway ads are effective. Have a story? A thought? Send it to us!
One of the problems with street harassment is that it has been so rarely researched and written about. I recently had brunch with Holly Kearl, who is currently writing a book about street harassment. Rock on girl.
Help her out by completing this quick online survey about street harassment:
The more folks who take it, the more accurate it is, the more that changes in the world. Hollaback survey-style!
Hope you can join us to celebrate three great years.
I'm writing with a story that got me so mad, and I was so furious that I didn't have any recourse. I'm glad to have found this blog.
I recently began riding a bike around in Brooklyn. I'm a violin teacher. I dress like a teacher, and had my instrument and a backpack, and was wearing a helmet.
I swear to god, as I was riding in the bike lane on Pacific Avenue in Prospect Heights, a truck driver literally BARKED at me. Repeatedly.
As traffic went forward, his truck got ahead of me. When I passed him again, he did it again. Barking? What the hell? I'm a teacher!!!!
I have felt angry about the "hey beautifuls" I get all the time, but this is absolutely outrageous. I seriously wanted to harm that guy. I didn't have my phone out, or I would've done the photo thing. I could've gotten his license plate too. Next time, I will be prepared.
The weird thing is, my boyfriend, who is really sensitive and wonderful, has never heard most of these comments. He is still surprised when I tell him what someone just said to me. He believes me, but he just doesn't hear them.
Thanks for listening. I hope we can pass more laws that will criminalize this behavior. It really sucks.
Submitted by Anonymous
"I get harassed 100 times a day. I tried everything to stop it but it doesn't stop. I wear loose clothes, I don't wear make up, I spend more than an hour in front of the mirror everyday thinking of ways to hide my body. I walk home everyday. It only takes me 15 minutes, I cross the bridge. It is usually very loud and busy, but that does not stop men from approaching girls, any girl, good looking or bad looking, covered or not.
I remember so many scary harassments. There was this guy who followed me and suddenly grabbed my bottom in front of everyone. I screamed but he ran away and no one interfered. Once I was shopping with my father and aunt, and this guy kept staring at me and blowing me kisses. My dad shouted at him and started hitting him. I think men are doing this because they are jobless and have no manners."
To read more stories from the women of Egypt, click here.


text:
Posted on February 14th, 2006
The next "Writers Read" sponsored by the language and literature department will feature Ralph Wood, professor of theology and literature at Baylor University in Waco, Tex.
Dr. Wood will read from his published works 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 16, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building.
His major book, first published in 1988 and still in print from the University of Notre Dame Press, is entitled "The Comedy of Redemption: Christian Faith and Comic Vision in Four American Novelists" (Flannery O'Connor, Walker Percy, John Updike and Peter De Vries).
His most recent books are "Contending for the Faith: The Church's Engagement with Culture" (Baylor University, 2003), "The Gospel According to Tolkien: Visions of the Kingdom in Middle-earth (Westminster John Knox, 2003) and "Flannery O'Connor and the Christ-Haunted South" (Eerdmans, 2004).
His book on Tolkien has sold more than 25,000 copies, and he has given dozens of lectures on Tolkien and O'Connor at major universities and churches across the U. S. and Canada.
Wood holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Texas A&M University at Commerce and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Chicago. From 1971 to 1997 he taught at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C, where he held the John Allen Easley Professorship in Religion. During the 1997-98 academic year, he was Distinguished Professor of Religion at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. At Baylor, he teaches in the departments of English and religion as well as the Truett Theological Seminary.
Admission to this program is free; it does not include dinner as the Writers Read events usually do.


text:
Contact Us
Connect With Us
Career Opportunities
Listen Live
Recently Played
Request A Song
Contest Rules
Photo Albums
Pet Of The Week
Listener Club Contests
Update Account
Artist Details
Search for
Charley Pride
Share This
With 36 number one hits under his belt,
Charley Pride
, who is black, has helped prove how little race matters to the majority of country music fans. It's taken a long time to understand that, though. His first single, "Snakes Crawl at Night," was released without publicity photos, as some in the industry feared listeners would automatically reject a black country singer. Since then,
's 12 gold albums in the United States, combined with 30 gold and four platinum internationally, place him in the Top 15 all-time country record sellers. His easygoing singing style and easy-to-listen-to voice show why these honors have come his way. From picking cotton in his native Mississippi,
ended up working in a smelting plant in Montana after a stint as a semipro baseball player. At the suggestion of
Red Sovine
moved to Nashville, where he was signed by
Chet Atkins
of RCA. In 1966, "Just Between You and Me" brought
a Grammy nomination and national fame. At the end of the '60s and the early part of the '70s, he had five number one singles in a row, including "All I Have to Offer Is Me" and "(Is Anybody Going To) San Antone." Numerous awards came in 1971 and 1972, with many more hits following, among them "She's Too Good to Be True," "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'," and "Night Games."
's warm baritone voice and relaxed style made him the highest-selling act for RCA since
Elvis Presley
was born on a cotton farm in Sledge, MS. His father was a sharecropper on the farm at a time. When he was 14 years old,
bought a guitar from Sears Roebuck and proceeded to learn how to play by listening to country music on the radio. Two years later, he turned his attention to baseball. He joined the Negro American League, playing with the Memphis Red Sox. After playing ball for two years,
joined the U.S. Army, where he served for two years. Upon his discharge, he intended to return to baseball, but he sustained injuries that affected his throwing arm. Discouraged that he couldn't qualify for the major leagues,
began working construction in Helena, MT, while he still played in the minors. Eventually, he earned a tryout for the California Angels in 1961, but they turned him down; the following year, the New York Mets rejected him as well.
Following his rejection in baseball,
turned his attention to music, and in 1963, he sang "Lovesick Blues" for
Red Foley
Red Sovine
backstage at one of
's concerts. The veteran musicians were impressed and told
to go to Nashville. Heeding their advice, he traveled to Music City, but he couldn't break into the industry. However, both of the Reds and
Webb Pierce
kept recommending the fledgling singer to their associates and eventually helped him secure a management deal with
Jack Johnson
. Through
Jack Clement
, who sent a demo tape of
's to
Chet Atkins
at RCA, who signed the vocalist in 1966. Later that year,
's debut single, "The Snakes Crawl at Night," was released but was issued without a publicity photograph, since the label was afraid that radio programmers would be reluctant to lend support to a black country singer. Both "The Snakes Crawl at Night" and his second single, "Before I Met You," gained a small audience, but it wasn't until "Just Between You and Me" that
became a star. Released at the end of 1966, "Just Between You and Me" climbed to number nine and began a virtually uninterrupted streak of Top Ten singles that ran until 1984; out of his 54 singles released during those 18 years, only three failed to crack the Top Ten.
's success didn't arrive as easily as it may seem. Though he was praised upon the release of "Just Between You and Me" and won a Grammy award for the single, there remained resistance in certain quarters of the country audience to a black performer. Nevertheless, the consistent quality of
's music and the support from his fellow musicians helped break down doors. And the doors began to open very quickly -- on January 7, 1967, he became the first black artist to perform on the Grand Ole Opry since
DeFord Bailey
in 1925. Over the next two years, his star steadily rose, and between 1969 and 1971, he had six straight number one singles: "All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)," "I'm So Afraid of Losing You Again," "(Is Anybody Going To) San Antone," "Wonder Could I Live There Anymore," "I Can't Believe That You've Stopped Loving Me," and "I'd Rather Love You." All of those singles also charted in the lower regions of the pop charts, giving evidence of his smooth, country-pop crossover appeal. "Let Me Live," taken from his gospel album,
Did You Think to Pray?
, temporarily broke his streak of number one singles in the spring of 1971, but it won a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance. Directly after "Let Me Live," two of his biggest hits -- "I'm Just Me" and "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" -- arrived, earning him his greatest success on both the country and pop charts.
Throughout the '70s, he continued to chart in the upper regions of the country charts, earning number one singles like "It's Gonna Take a Little Bit Longer" (1972), "She's Too Good to Be True" (1972), "A Shoulder to Cry On" (1973), "Then Who Am I" (1975), "She's Just an Old Love Turned Memory" (1977), and "Where Do I Put Her Memory." During this entire time, he never changed his country-pop style, though he promoted new performers and songwriters like
Ronnie Milsap
Gary Stewart
, and
Kris Kristofferson
's success continued during the first half of the '80s, as he continued to have number one hits like "Honky Tonk Blues" (1980), "Mountain of Love" (1982), "You're So Good When You're Bad" (1982), and "Night Games" (1983). During 1984 and 1985, however, he grew frustrated with RCA Records, who began to promote newer artists at the expense of veteran performers like
himself. He left the label at the end of 1986, signing with Opryland's 16th Avenue label, where he returned to working with his old producer,
Jerry Bradley
had a number of minor hits for the label, highlighted by 1988's number five "Shouldn't It Be Easier Than This," before it collapsed.
moved on to Honest Entertainment in the early '90s, where he released
My 6 Latest & 6 Greatest
, where he dueted with the likes of
Marty Stuart
Travis Tritt
didn't record much after that album, yet he continued to be a popular concert attraction. On each of his shows, he was supported by his son
, who played lead guitar. In 1994,
was given the Academy of Country Music's Pioneer Award.
David Vinopal, Rovi
► View More
▲ View Less
More Charley Pride
Did You Think to Pray/A Sunshiny Day With Charley Pride/Sweet Country/Songs of Love by
She's Just an Old Love Turned Memory/Someone Loves You Honey
The Gospel Collection
Country Charley Pride/Pride of Country Music
Snapshot: Charley Pride
Amazing Love/Pride of America/Charley
The Sensational Charley Pride/Songs of Pride...Charley, That Is/In Person/Just Plain Charle
Country Charley Pride/The Country Way/Pride of Country Music/Make Mine Country
Honky Tonk Hits
It's Just Me: 25 Number One Country Hits 1966-1981
There's a Little Bit of Hank in Me/Burgers and Fries/When I Stop Leaving (I'll Be Gone)
40 Years of Pride
The Pride of Country [3KO]
View More
You may also like...
Glen Campbell
Cleve Francis
Ray Price
Eddie Rabbitt
Conway Twitty
Faron Young
Listen Live
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Contest Rules
Listener Club Login
Connect With Us


text:
March 29, 2013
TUCSON – University of Arizona football held a 90-minute workout Friday night at Phoenix College with the defense winning an approximately 60-play scrimmage. Below is a transcript of quotes from head coach Rich Rodriguez and select players.
Head Coach Rich Rodriguez
On tonight's scrimmage:
"I saw a few flashes. We should do more like this. More like a game environment for our young guys. There were some good plays for our quarterbacks but there were some nervous plays, too. Hopefully, we'll get those fixed up before the next scrimmage."
On comparing tonight's scrimmage to last Saturday's:
"I think we were better defensively. We applied more pressure. Offensively, there are some execution things. But, offensively, I was a little disappointed overall. Our tempo wasn't as good as it can be."
On tonight's atmosphere:
"The weather was beautiful. We had a nice crowd. It's like Friday Night Lights. I'm glad we did it and we'll keep doing it."
On the play of B.J. Denker:
"He's taking charge a bit, being a bit more vocal. He has played better in other scrimmages than he did in this one. He was off a little bit in some respects; some of it wasn't his fault. He'll keep working to get better because it's important to him."
On the experience gained by younger players with starters out during spring practice:
"What we're looking for are more guys we can win with on both sides of the ball but especially on defense. We did not play nearly enough guys on either side of the ball last year. Ideally, we'd want to play 21-22 guys. Some of the freshman class, incoming class are going to have to play because of numbers. Some of these guys have five spring practices left to prove we can win with them."
Senior quarterback B.J. Denker
On tonight's performance:
"There are a couple throws I'd like to have back. I made the right reads but I need to make sure I deliver the ball. I just have to learn from those, see what I did wrong and get better."
On the starting quarterback job:
"I don't want the position given to me and I don't think it should be. Competition makes you a better player and makes the team better. I'm fine with it being open; I don't want (Coach Rodriguez) giving me the job. I want to earn it. Anytime I get in the game in practice, I'm going to try to show him that I'm the best man for the job and that he can win with me. That's how I take every snap."
On the scrimmage:
"This is awesome. The crowd was huge, especially for it being in the Phoenix area. I haven't played under the lights in a while. This was really fun, just coming out here and being enthusiastic."
Senior cornerback Richard Morrison
On playing under the Friday Night Lights:
"It was just like in Texas, it was great. We had a good scrimmage."
On his interception:
"I looked at Austin's (Hill) eyes and I saw his eyes get big. From playing wide receiver, I knew that when his eyes got big, that means the ball was coming. So I turned my head, I saw it, went up with him, and I just came down with the ball."
On his mentality during the transition:
"The more I think, the worse I do, so I just try not to think and let my athleticism do the work."
Junior receiver Austin Hill
On the team's energy:
"We just try to come out here and have fun. It's a lot of hard work playing for Coach Rodriguez. It's tough but it's always fun to scrimmage in front of the fans and let everyone enjoy it."
On the play of B.J. Denker:
"B.J. (Denker) played well today. There are a lot of things we still have to work on, like timing and holding the pocket. I was real proud of him, he played pretty well tonight."
Individual Stats:
QB B.J. Denker: 176 pass yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
RB Ka'Deem Carey: 1 rush, 12 yds
QB Javelle Allen: 50 pass yds, 57 rush yds, 2TD
WR Austin Hill: 3 rec, 28 yds
QB Terrence Miller
QB Javelle Allen 18 yard run
QB Austin Hill
QB Trey Griffey
QB Tyler Slavin
QB B.J. Denker 5 yard pass to Jared Baker
QB Clive Georges
QB Javelle Allen 5 yard pass to Trevor Ermisch
Tyler Slavin, fumble forced and recovered by William Parks
Richard Morrison


text:
At a time which beauty has become an obsession and sex a product, Rick Day intends to catch the hottest exhibitionists in their most intimate moments.
In his picture books PLAYERS and PLAYERS TWO, Rick succeeded in creating a world of images in which the trained bodies of hunks in rough rugby outfits, tight shorts (or simply naked as God intended) exude much more than simply masculine sex appeal. It is the interplay of the straightforward and the intimate and its palpable excitement that creates gripping images.
This makes Rick Day undisputably one of the major artists of contemporary photography and we love him for that!
Take a look at amazing images you can find in his books, right after the jump!
(Photo credit : Rick Day)
OMG looking at those pics has made me fully bonerized!
love his work…always have. these are quite stunning
Good God! A must-read for sure,
Is there anything better then hot sweaty looking Men posed in great pictures?
The guy with the red socks is Cameron Earnheart. I'd know that ass anywhere.
Sometimes all the parts just come together!
hum … I'm kinda surprised that not a bunch of guys came crawling out of the wood work when those were taken.


text:
Gasp! is a full service agency. We can create, design, produce and book a national campaign or we can simply design a new corporate logo or anything in between. Advertising, marketing and promotion covers a vast array of things....
Gasp! can do it all and we do it in a cost effective manner because we use freelance talent specific to the project. We have no large overheads, no plush city offices and no army of mouths to feed.
We have produced many of the
above for various products
● Press and magazine ads,
● Outdoor advertising,
● Trade shows,
● Logo design,
● Incentive promotions,
● Media plans,
● Print advertisements,
● Radio and TV commercials,
● Catalogues,
● Brochures,
● Price lists,
● Corporate design,
● Flyers,
● Exhibitions,
● Point of sale,
● Web pages,
● Packaging design,
● Competitions...
Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.


text:
Picture books all about cars & trucks:
Mini Racer by Kristy Dempsey
"Ready, steady, green light, go Mini Racer won't go slow. "Twelve little vehicles are lined up and ready to race. With speed bumps to jump and corners to round, who will take the lead? The winner just might surprise you. This rhyming text is filled with onomatopoeia sure to tickle the funny bones of little readers. Beep, beep! Watch out as they race to turn the pages and follow each animal's themed story. And the chase doesn't end with the last screech; little ones will beg to read it over again to discover all of the details in the art.
description from Goodreads.com
A Truck Goes Rattley Bumpa by Jonathan London
Trucks can be big or small, red or blue. Trucks can make exciting noises. Trucks can haul and dig and stop and go. There are just so many things that trucks can do. But can they help to build a house? With teamwork anything is possible! Here is the perfect picture book for preschoolers who are fascinated with trucks of all kinds.
description from Goodreads.com
Truckery Rhymes by Jon Scieszka
For generations these classic, high-octane rhymes, songs, and tales have been passed down from truck to truck. Lucky for us, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature has collected them all into one really big, noisy volume. From "Peter Peter Payload Eater" to "Pop Blows the Diesel" to "Swing Around with Rosie," all the classic truckery rhymes are here. Find out which one is your favorite!
To reserve or check the availability of these titles, visit our library catalog as
well as our full booklist of car & truck books.
Read the Library Newsletter


text:
How to Pick a Major and Not #Fail
Middle class wages have stagnated for over a decade and college graduate wages are falling, so you might as well ignore those "average" wage estimates schools provide you during freshmen orientation because those will change – and likely fall – before you graduate in 4 – 7 years. For example, I majored in Business. When I graduated in 2005, Business majors were expected to average around $50,000 at their first job. I made $18,000 at my first job after college. Sure, $18k is greater than $0 and "a job is a job," but I couldn't help but wonder why I invested over $50,000 in my college "education" to make less money than I made as a High School Junior working at IHOP. I don't say that to scare you. I say that to point out that not everyone is going to meet or exceed the average. Someone has to fall below, in my case way below, the average and that someone might be you.
I ask that you keep this in mind when you're balling out of control on school loan reimbursements at the club, car dealership, or at the mall with your college boo. You will have to pay that money back and you might not initially make the income you have in your imagination. Despite this reality, there is never a reason for your GPA to read like this in college.
Doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects and maybe three to four other majors aside, college will be fairly pointless for the majority of us. When's the last time you were at work and thought to yourself, "Thank God I mastered the Pythagorean Theorem or I would never be able to complete this work assignment!" I doubt it was recently.
Most people will learn how to do their jobs through trial, error, and on the job experience. Still, many wouldn't have even been able to get a job interview if we didn't obtain that little piece of paper from that expensive institution we attended for 4 – 7 years. Does that mean we would have been any less equipped to successfully complete our jobs without a college degree? It's hard to tell – and I guess we'll never know. However, I'm fairly positive that for $50,000+ or less, we could have figured out how to do our jobs given 4 – 7 years to do so.
If your major doesn't matter in the long run, then how do you pick one and not fail out of college like the almost 60 percent of people who begin and never graduate? I'll happily enlighten you today. There are two secrets to mastering any college system in the known universe (or at least in America).
1) Study; and 2) Show up to class.
College is not that complicated. I'm amazed how many people go to college and don't 1) study; and 2) show up, then wonder why they're failing almost all of their classes. I'm not the smartest person in the world. I'm not even the smartest person on this website. I know plenty of people smarter than myself who should have graduated college, but they didn't. Ninety-five percent of the time they failed to do one or both of aforementioned tips – study or show up.
In the end, I'm not for or against college. Hypocritically, I even plan on pursuing my Masters. However, I think college is the best worst plan for people who have no plan at all. If you're an entrepreneur with a great idea like Facebook, come from a rich family, want to go into a branch of the military, want to take the chance at obtaining one of those six-figure-non-college-degree requiring jobs, or you simply don't care about making a substantial (yet, not guaranteed) income in the future, then I honestly believe college will be nothing more than a complete waste of time and money for you. As with life, you will only get out what you put into college.
College is one of many paths to achieving your goals, but it is by no means the only path. Depending on your goals, it might not even be the best path. However, if the path you choose is routed through college, then I think the most important lesson you can learn is the one thing they never bother to teach you. You need to learn what you're going to do after college while in college – and if you're really smart, before you ever get to college. This was a lesson I had to learn on my own. It was very time consuming and very expensive. I don't regret the experience, but I do wish I had learned it much sooner and much cheaper. It would have made my life a lot easier, but maybe life isn't meant to be easy.
What are some informal lessons you learned from the college experience that you wish you knew sooner or that someone explained to you before you started? Let's help others learn from our mistakes instead of suffering from them themselves.
A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. – Latin Proverb
PS… Excuse all the hyperlinks. They've been made available to provide quick references for the college students among us.
Pages: 1 2


text:
Index of content:
Volume 22, Issue 2, February 1995
Quantitative mammography contrast threshold test tool22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597462View Description Hide Description
Mammographiccontrast is commonly evaluated by visualizing small objects of varying size or mass divided by projected area. These qualitative contrast determinations are commonly performed by imaging a phantom like the American College of Radiology accreditation phantom at clinical mammographic settings. However, this contrast assessment does not take into account the kVp of the machine. This work describes a quantitative mammographycontrast threshold test tool which examines light object contrast on a uniform background for a contrast range of 0.32% to 1.38% at 25 kVp. For this mammographycontrast threshold test tool, contrast is defined by ΔI/I=log e (ψ0/ψ b ), where ψ0 is the target energy flux, and ψ b is the background energy flux. Contrast threshold is defined as the lowest contrast value for which the objects are visible. Unlike traditional assessments of mammographiccontrast, this measurement of contrast threshold is kVp corrected. The mammographycontrast threshold test tool is constructed out of common plastics and provides a quantitative means of assessing contrast threshold for individual mammographic units and total mammographic systems.
Quantitative versus subjective evaluation of mammography accreditation phantom images22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597463View Description Hide Description
The precision of quantitative and subjective evaluations of phantom image quality has been studied. Twenty‐seven images of the American College of Radiology (ACR) mammography accreditation phantom were acquired under different x‐ray techniques and digitized. Several quantitative image quality measures were obtained from each image by analyzing microcalcification and nodule target objects in the phantom. All images were also scored subjectively by 8 observers, each of whom provided a count of the number of objects seen in each target class (fibrils, microcalcifications, and nodules). An analysis was performed to predict the subjective measurements from the quantitative measurements and to estimate their variabilities. It was found that the subjective measures could be well predicted by the quantitative measures and that the variance of the quantitative measures was significantly smaller than that of the subjective measure, by almost a factor of 10. The implication for the ACR accreditation program for mammography is that a substantial improvement is possible in the image quality evaluation process by performing computerized analysis of the phantom images in addition to subjective analysis.
Segmentation of mammograms using multiple linked self‐organizing neural networks22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597464View Description Hide Description
A possible first stage in the analysis of the mammographic scene is its segmentation into four major components: background (the nonbreast area), pectoral muscle, fibroglandular region (parenchyma), and adipose region. An algorithm has been developed for this task. It is based on the classification of a feature vector constructed from statistical measures of texture calculated at two window sizes. Separate self‐organizing neural networks are trained on sample data taken from each of the four regions. The feature vectors from the entire mammogram are then classified with the trained networks linked via a decision logic. To overcome the variability of texture between mammograms the algorithm uses data from a mammogram to classify itself in a staged approach consisting of several binary decisions. The training regions for each successive stage are determined from geometric information produced by the previous stages. The dataset in the study consisted of thirty (fifteen pairs) digitized normal mammograms of variable radiographic appearance. As a measure of performance, the outlines of the parenchyma were compared to those drawn by a radiologist experienced in reading mammograms. Comparison of the areas and perimeters generated by the human and computer observers gives a relationship with correlation coefficients of 0.74 and 0.59 for each measure, respectively. The overlapping areas of the parenchymas segmented by the observers normalized by the combined area was also calculated for each case. The mean and standard deviation of this measure was 0.69±0.12.
X‐ray imaging with amorphous selenium: Detective quantum efficiency of photoconductive receptors for digital mammography22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597599View Description Hide Description
Factors affecting the zero spatial frequency detective quantum efficiency of photoconductor‐based x‐ray detectors operating in the mammographic energy range are modeled for monoenergetic incident x rays. The problem is separated into two sections: the calculation of the x‐ray absorption and the Swank factor. X‐ray absorption in this energy range, for most practical photoconductors, is dominated by the photoelectric effect. The Swank factor has four components: fluorescence escape, stochastic variations in gain, variations of gain due to incomplete coupling of charge from the photoconductive layer to the detector electrode, and the nonlinear discharge arising from the field‐dependent x‐ray gain, an effect that is unique to photoconductors. Calculations are performed for selenium, which is currently the most technologically advanced photoconductor available for digital x‐ray imaging. For thicknesses of selenium exceeding 50 μm and for energies between 12 and 50 keV, the detective quantum efficiency of this photoconductor is found to exceed that of a conventional Gd2O2S‐based mammographic phosphor screen.
Image feature analysis and computer‐aided diagnosis in mammography: Reduction of false‐positive clustered microcalcifications using local edge‐gradient analysis22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597465View Description Hide Description
To improve the performance of a computerized scheme for detection of clustered microcalcifications in digitized mammograms, causes of detected false–positive microcalcification signals were analyzed. The false positives were grouped into four categories, namely, microcalcificationlike noise patterns, artifacts, linear patterns, and others. In an edge‐gradient analysis, local edge‐gradient values at signal‐perimeter pixels of detected microcalcification signals were determined to eliminate false positives that look like subtle microcalcifications or are due to artifacts. In a linear‐pattern analysis, the degree of linearity for linear patterns was determined from local gradient values from a set of linear templates oriented in 16 different directions. Threshold values for the edge‐gradient analysis and the linear‐pattern analysis were determined using a training database of 39 mammograms. It was possible to eliminate 59% and 25%, respectively, of 91 detected false‐positive clusters with loss of only 3% of true‐positive clusters. The combination of the two methods further improved the scheme in eliminating a total of 73% of the false‐positive clusters with loss of 3% of true‐positive clusters. Using these thresholds, the two methods were evaluated on another database of 50 mammograms. 62%, 31%, and 80% of the false‐positive clusters were eliminated with loss of 3% of true‐positive clusters or less, in the edge‐gradient analysis, the linear‐pattern analysis, and the combination of the two methods, respectively. The edge‐gradient analysis and the linear‐pattern analysis can reduce the false‐positive detection rate, while maintaining a high level of the sensitivity.
Effects of undersampling on the proper interpretation of modulation transfer function, noise power spectra, and noise equivalent quanta of digital imaging systems22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597600View Description Hide Description
The proper understanding of modulation transfer function(MTF), noise power spectra (NPS), and noise equivalent quanta (NEQ) in digital systems is significantly hampered when the systems are undersampled. Undersampling leads to three significant complications: (1) MTF and NPS do not behave as transfer amplitude and variance, respectively, of a single sinusoid, (2) the response of a digital system to a delta function is not spatially invariant and therefore does not fulfill certain technical requirements of classical analysis, and (3) NEQ loses its common meaning as maximum available SNR2 (signal‐to‐noise) at a particular frequency. These three complications cause the comparisons of MTF and NEQ between undersampled digital systems to depend on the frequency content of the images being evaluated. A tutorial of MTF, NPS, and NEQ concepts for digital systems is presented, along with a complete theoretical treatment of the above‐mentioned complications from undersampling.
A fully automated algorithm for the segmentation of lung fields on digital chest radiographic images22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597539View Description Hide Description
A completely automated algorithm is presented which is capable of identifying both the right‐ and left‐lung fields on digitized chest radiographic images. The algorithm is tested on a sample of 802 chest images against lung fields drawn by a human observer. The average accuracies are found to be 0.957±0.003 and 0.960±0.003 for right‐ and left‐lung regions, respectively. To put them into perspective, the results are compared to several other simple segmentation techniques. These include a comparison of two sets of lung fields drawn by the human observer at different times which yielded accuracies of 0.967±0.005 and 0.967±0.004 for right‐ and left‐lung regions, respectively.
Comparison of two methods for accurate measurement of modulation transfer functions of screen‐film systems22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597456View Description Hide Description
The modulation transfer function(MTF) of a screen‐film system can be measured by two methods, i.e., a slit method with Fourier transform on the line spread function and a square‐wave response function (SWRF) method. However, it is still uncertain whether MTFs obtained by the two methods are identical. In this study, MTFs of relatively sharp and unsharp screen‐film systems were measured by using the two methods. The slit method provided slightly greater MTF for the relatively sharp system than the SWRF method. However, MTFs of the unsharp system obtained with the two methods were comparable. Generally, the slit method tends to provide reliable results for unsharp systems, whereas the SWRF method is favorable for sharp systems. Accuracy and consistency of these measurements were examined by comparison of experimental and theoretical edge responses derived from the measured MTFs. However, the difference in edge responses obtained by the two methods was relatively small compared with the variation of the measured edge responses, and thus results were considered inconclusive as to whether either of the methods can provide more accurate MTFs. International interlaboratory comparison indicated that the variation in the measured MTFs at six different institutions was relatively large for both methods. However, the MTFs of two screen‐film systems measured by the slit method appear to agree with those by the SWRF method within the variation expected from the interlaboratory comparison.
The spatial resolution performance of a time‐resolved optical imaging system using temporal extrapolation22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597457View Description Hide Description
Optical imaging methods are being explored as a potential means of screening for breast cancer. Previous investigations of time‐resolved imaging techniques have suggested that due to the lack of photons with sufficiently small pathlengths, the spatial resolution achievable through a human breast would be unlikely to be better than a centimeter. Experimental results presented here indicate, however, that higher resolution may be achieved by extrapolating the measured temporal distribution of transmitted photons. This is performed using a least‐squares fit between data and an analytic model of photon transport. The spatial resolution of a time‐resolved imagingsystem was evaluated by measuring the edge response produced by an opaque mask embedded in the center of a 51‐mm‐thick, very highly scattering medium. The limiting spatial resolution was improved from about 13 mm to about 5 mm.
Radioactive check device for ionization chambers22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597459View Description Hide Description
On visual interpretation of light localization/radiation field coincidence films22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597601View Description Hide Description
Dosimetric characteristics of a commercial multileaf collimator22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597461View Description Hide Description
The dosimetric characteristics of a multileaf collimator(MLC) retrofitted to a SL25 linear accelerator have been investigated. Central‐axis depth dose, surface dose, penumbra, beam flatness and symmetry, field size factors, beam transmission through leaves and/or diaphragms, and leakage between the leaves were measured. Quantitative measurements of all beam parameters show good agreement with the design specifications of the manufacturer. No changes were observed in flatness, symmetry, penumbra, and penetration for both 6‐ and 25‐MV photon beams when compared to the values for the standard collimator. No significant differences were observed in the penumbra as a function of leaf position. Transmission measurements in areas shielded by either X diaphragms or leaves plus diaphragms are less than 1% of dose within open field. The average leakage between leaves is about 2.5% for 6‐MV and 3.5% for 25‐MV photon beams. The peak value of the leakage at any point between leaves is less than 5%. The dosimetric features of shaped fields using the MLC are comparable to those of alloy shaped fields with the standard SL25 collimator.
Intercomparison of normalized head‐scatter factor measurement techniques22(1995); http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.597602View Description Hide Description
Normalized head‐scatter factors were measured with cylindrical beam coaxial miniphantoms and high purity graphite buildup caps for 4‐, 6‐, 10‐, and 24‐MV photon beams at field sizes from 4×4 to 40×40 cm2. The normalized head‐scatter factors determined by the two methods matched well for 4‐ and 6‐MV photon beams. The miniphantom technique produced normalized head‐scatter factors 1.5% and 4.8% lower than the buildup caps for the 10‐ and 24‐MV beams for large field sizes, respectively. At small field sizes, the miniphantom technique produced larger normalized head‐scatter factors than the buildup caps. Measurements made with an electromagnet indicate that a significant portion of the ionization measured in the buildup cap at 24 MV arises from contamination electrons. Measurements made with the miniphantom and magnet found no contamination electron contribution. The miniphantom technique may exclude such contamination electrons, potentially leading to inaccuracies in tissue‐maximum ratios and phantom scatter factors, as well as inaccuracies in monitor unit calculations.


text:
Fire breaks out at Flory's PlazaMarch 09,2014Anthony Edwards / Staff Photo
Firefighters arrive on scene to battle a smokey blaze at the site of a former motel at Flory's Plaza.Staff Report
A structure broke out at Flory's Plaza, the site of the former motel, at about 4:30 p.m.
Several fire crews have been called to the scene including Rutland Town, Proctor and West Rutland. Tanker trucks from towns including Castleton, Chittenden, Ira and Wallingford, have also been called to provide water at the scene.
Rutland Town police closed Route 4A in Center Rutland between Simmons Avenue and West Proctor Road on Sunday afternoon as crews battled the blaze. Motorists were advised to take an alternate route.
We will bring you more information as it becomes available.MORE IN This Just InWATERBURY The Vermont State Police Marine Division is working with other agencies this weekend ... Full StoryST. LOUIS Sen. Full StoryBARRE A Barre woman pleaded not guilty Friday to threatening Department for Children and... Full Story
- Most Popular
- Most Emailed


text:
"What are benzodiazepines, and how do they work?
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs primarily used for treating anxiety, but they also are effective in treating several other conditions. The exact mechanism of action of benzodiazepines"...
Serax Consumer
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Serax
USES: Oxazepam is used to treat anxiety and also acute alcohol withdrawal. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming and an anti-seizure effect. It works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural substance in the body (GABA).
This medication may also be used for sleep (insomnia)
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to therapy.
Use this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming. Also, if used for an extended period of time, do not suddenly stop using this drug without your doctor's approval. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to avoid side effects such as seizures.
When used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
Serax Consumer Overview
Additional Serax Information
Serax - User Reviews
Serax User Reviews
Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.
Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Serax sorted by most helpful.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Emotional Wellness
Get tips on therapy and treatment.