text:
To characterize the health status of recent pediatric refugees.
Research Design:
Medical records of 107 pediatric refugees who underwent screening during a recent 24-month period were reviewed.
A county hospital pediatric clinic in a metropolitan area with a population of 1189000. The majority of pediatric refugees who come to the Buffalo, NY, area receive a health screening in this clinic.
Most of the children were from Vietnam (67%), the Soviet Republics (19%), or Africa (14%). The median age was 8 years 2 months (range, 1 to 18 years). Only 39% of the children had evidence of adequate immunizations for age (39 of the children from Vietnam, two children from Africa, and one from the Soviet Republics). In 30%, physical examinations exposed conditions that required follow-up or referral to a medical or surgical specialist. Forty-two percent of the children required dental referral. Seven children were anemic; three had microcytic anemia. Of 81 children who underwent screening for hepatitis B, six (7%) were carriers, 35 (43%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antibody, and only four (5%) related a history of hepatitis exposure. Stool specimens were examined for ova and parasites in 87 children; 19 had pathogenic parasites with multiple organisms in two. Thirteen (24%) of 55 children who were tested from Vietnam, five (36%) of 14 children who were tested from Africa, and one (5%) of 18 children who were tested from the Soviet Republics had pathogenic parasites. Parasites included Ascaris lumbricoides (n=8), Necator americanus or Ancylostoma duodenale (n=5), Giardia lamblia (n=3), Trichuris trichiura (n=2), Dientamoeba fragilis (n=2), and Entamoeba histolytica (n=1). Skin testing for tuberculosis with purified protein derivative (tuberculin) was completed in 83 children, and 17 (20%) had reactive tests (21% [12/58] from Vietnam, 11% [1/9] from Africa, and 25% [4/16] from the Soviet Republics).
Refugee children who come to the United States frequently have conditions that put them at risk of future morbidity and may require utilization of substantial health care resources. Some of these conditions represent public health concerns.(Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1995;149:887-892)
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subset: commoncrawl


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Top Definition
When you attempt to do something, then panic because you realize you're about to hurt or humiliate yourself.
Derek experienced trial and terror when he kissed the girl of his dreams, then quickly pulled away because he knew he had bad breath.
লিখেছেন- IAmKrazyKool 19 de অগাস্ট de 2009
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text:
New generation follows Cuaron, Inarritu, del Toro
MEXICO CITY — In the last decade there has been a slow resurgence of Mexican cinema, following the near-extinction of local film production in the 1990s. During that time, Alfonso Cuaron, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and Guillermo del Toro broke out, drawing attention to Mexican film. In their wake, the next generation is making its mark.
Film production has been steadily increasing in Mexico. Between innovative documentaries and a wave of minimalist features, a distinctly Mexican aesthetic is emerging amid the arthouse scene. At the same time, there is greater diversity of projects, from toons and commercial comedies to sci-fi and fantasy.
But this year will mark a test of whether the market will be able to support Mexico's burgeoning film production, as more local films fight for fewer spaces amid the glut of global product.
Mexico has been living through a protracted political, social and economic crisis since the '90s. Its closed economy was pried open and leveled by free trade. Its political system has evolved from one-party rule to democracy. The cultural strife has been fueling cinematic innovation.
Mexico's most promising arthouse directors like Fernando Eimbcke, Amat Escalante and Gerardo Naranjo and documakers like Juan Carlos Rulfo have found international fans with their fresh takes on a globalized Mexico struggling to find itself.
But so far, Mexico's cutting edge has struggled to do much business at the home box office. The release of Carlos Reygadas' acclaimed "Silent Light" was a blip this winter.
On the other hand, the local shingles of Hollywood majors have been producing a string of box office hits, while independent Mexican producers like Lemon Films, with "KM 31," and Altavista Films, with "Bad Habits," are showing increasing savvy in putting out commercially successful films.
Still, speaking of Mexico's film production as an industry is a bit of an exaggeration. Few films see any return on their investment, and only a handful of filmmakers make a living doing film, the rest forced to work commercials or migrate to bigger markets like Hollywood and New York.
But that has begun to change. A tax incentive for film investment has helped spur dozens of companies to invest in film projects. In the mid-'90s, Mexico was putting out a handful of films. Last year, some 48 projects out of a total of 74 feature-length films were funded by a total of nearly $50 million thanks to corporate investors, from steel companies to banks.
However, many of these films are from first-time helmers and were produced through ad hoc production companies without a track record.
"There is going to be a weeding-out process," say Gabriel Ripstein, head of Columbia's local production office. "It's hard to compete if you don't have the muscle of a major."
Darkening the horizon, President Felipe Calderon's efforts at tax reform could soon eliminate the tax incentive.
Monica Lozano, head of Altavista Films as well as Mexico's independent producers association, says filmmakers will need to make a concerted lobbying effort.
"If the tax incentive isn't maintained, we could be in a very delicate position," Lozano says.


text:
WOODBURY — A Camden City man was sentenced Friday to six years behind bars for admitting to having sex with a minor in West Deptford four years ago.
Kyle Wilson, 22, of the 1200 block of Empire Street negotiated a plea with the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office in December confessing to engaging in sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl. At the time, Wilson was a resident of Mantua Township. He pleaded guilty to third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Superior Court Judge Christine Allen-Jackson sentenced Wilson, who must serve 85 percent of the six-year term before he can apply for parole. Once out, he must register his address with local police as a sex offender under the provisions set forth by Megan's Law. Wilson will also be supervised for at least 15 years once released from prison.
Lamar Tribbett, 21, of the unit block of Spar Drive in Sicklerville and a former resident of Woodbury, pleaded guilty to endangering the same girl in 2008. He too, awaits sentencing.


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FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was discovered in the late 80s after researchers began looking to see if there was a virus in animals similar to the HIV virus of humans. We now know that both viruses are part of the Lentivirus family of retroviruses. These viruses are species specific, infect an individual for life, and produce a slow progressive disease. People cannot get FIV from a cat, just as cats cannot contact HIV from people.
The FIV virus is present in the blood, saliva, and cerebrospinal fluid of infected cats. The virus is dependent on its host and cannot live outside the cat. The most common mode of transmission is through the bites wound of infected cats. Casual contact is a less likely method of transmission. Potentially, infected Queens can pass the virus to their offspring.Unneutered male cats are the most commonly infected. These cats tend to be territorial and most likely to have been bitten by a carrier of the FIV virus. House cats that never come into contact with strays are the least likely to contact or develop FIV.
It may take years after an exposure to the FIV virus for severe clinical signs to appear. About four to six weeks after exposure the infected cat may develop swollen lymph nodes and the white blood cell count declines. Some cats will develop fever, diarrhea, and anemia in the early stages. Other symptoms include gingivitis, respiratory infections, eye diseases, neurological problems, and general poor health. The symptoms are the result of the viruss ability to suppress the immune system. It does this by destroying a type of white blood cell called the T helper cell. There is a high correlation between FIV positive cats and FELV positive cats.
The diagnosis needs to be made by your veterinarian. A blood test is used to determine if the animal is producing antibodies to the FIV virus. If antibodies are present it means the cat has been exposed. Your veterinarian may recommend testing any new cat that is being brought into your household. Kittens less than six months of age may test either false negative, or false positive. If they are incubating the virus, they may not have enough antibodies present to give an accurate positive test result. False positives occur when a queen passes antibody to the kittens through the milk. These kittens may also get the virus this way. Kittens who test positive should be retested at six months of age. Your veterinarian is the best person to advise you when and who to test.
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text:
We're back at the march, it falls apart. And you get back, you're back on Beale Street or whatever, what did you see? What did you feel? What did you do? What do you remember?
Well, as I remember, when I got back everyone was still, it was still the mad dash from Main Street or what's called, it's Mid-America Mall today but it's, it was Main Street. Um, everyone was still running because the p--you know, the police were trying to get the marches I guess into one confined area. And I guess the area they were trying to get them into was back to Clayborne Temple. From you know, which was where the march began. Um, how did I personally feel? What did I personally do? Um, I remember they asked me at the Senate investigation hearing, "Did you throw a rock?" And I said, "In all honesty, yes, I did throw a rock." So that's what I did. I picked up a rock, a brick or bottle or two or three or four. I don't know how many. And I threw a couple, uh, because you have to understand that the march as far as I guess the Black community was concerned, even though they were not--and I don't think they were in favor of violence. I don't even think they had any inkling that violence was coming. There are years and years of frustration in terms of not only the sanitation workers aren't being treated fairly. I'm not being treated fairly. My uncle's not being treated fairly. It, it was just a release. And anytime anything's released there's just an outpouring, you know, an explosion type situation. And um, at, for, momentarily I felt a great deal of relief. I mean, if you want to know what I personally felt, yeah. Ah, I guess after tossing the first brick, rock, bock--bottle or whatever it is I tossed, um, the seriousness of what was happening then takes over. It's like people could really get hurt. People could really get killed because all of a sudden you notice that there's a person you know, with a bleeding head here. Or there's broken glass all around you. There's sh--you know, firings. I mean, you don't know if the police are firing in the air, firing--I mean, you don't know what's going. So then the seriousness of the situation sets in and so to some extent you're now afraid. You're trying to think of you know, what do I do to protect myself? And at the same time how do we keep this level of intensity going so that people know, you know, that, that we really mean business as it relates to seeking some relief for what we felt like was you know, mistreatment on the part of the White community.


text:
Trying to Stop the World's Greatest Monster: Mario Lopez
I am at a loss. I do not know how to proceed from here. Time and time again, I have tried to warn you of a great and overwhelming evil, a wave of darkness that is even now cresting, set to break over this world and wash away all of humanity -- and still you do nothing. I've told you about the darkness inside Mario Lopez; I've told you about his lies; I've told you about his alleged rapes; I've told you that he was breeding, and of his inhumanly callous attempts to cash in on that fact, using his babies like bar coasters to prop up the wobbly legs of his career. I've told you about all of these things, and yet not once have I read of a pending investigation. Not once have I heard a call to arms. Not one single cry for justice has been uttered. But I'm telling you now: Click those links. Those are all real things that happened. Mario Lopez exists. Mario Lopez is among us. Mario Lopez advances.
"And lo, his coming shall make Vlad the Impaler's butchery look like a Zack Attack."
So, once again, it falls to me to lead the charge. In yet another of what I can only assume will be vain attempts to shake the hypnotic control that Mario Lopez exerts over the world, I will illustrate my tale with the thing's own actual, unaltered words, taken directly from various interviews, as well as its own Twitter feed.
It was a balmy spring day when I first decided to undertake the actions that would end up costing me everything. It was not a decision that I made lightly, or without considerable deliberation. For even now I am not a man wholly without love or happiness in his life, despite the horrors that I have borne witness to. I have a home, a career, a wife, a family, hopes and dreams, and like eight beers still left in the fridge. I have things to live for, and so I want you to understand that I did not choose to discard my life on a whim.
So it was not with frivolity that I went to that storage locker on Glendale that night. It was not with gaiety that I pulled the fraying string on the overhead light, unlocked the corrugated metal gate and surveyed my equipment. Indeed, it was with a heavy heart that I hefted my shotgun loaded with consecrated Earth, coiled my whip braided from Nepalese prayer beads and sheathed my twin daggers (forged on the Winter Solstice and cooled in the waters of the Nile's Source) inside of my wife's bright purple velvet mini robe. That last part especially was just chock full of deliberation and intent and was absolutely on purpose, I promise. I was not at all intending to don my sweet black leather duster and opened the wrong closet because I was still next-day drunk -- no, the robe was a talisman; it was, like, blessed by a Canadian Frost Monk or something. Word is bond.
"Hey, I snap pictures of accidents that I pass on the highway! I'm normal, amigos!" -- Mario Lopez
And so laden with sacred weaponry and profane intent did I mount my steed -- a beaten and ill-used 2005 Kia Optima -- my grim purpose beating inside of me like a second heart. With even grimmer purpose did I then mount the 4 Line toward downtown after the Optima refused to start. With the grimmest of all purposes did I stumble off that bus in West Hollywood, after being rudely awakened and shoved toward the exit by the surly Vietnamese driver who bizarrely muttered of "inhuman wails" and "terrible screeching" and "too many farts."
When I eventually arrived at my frightful terminus, I clambered over the towering brick wall to the Lopez compound, fell onto a tree, caught my "protective" mini robe on an errant branch and went stealthily spinning into the wet earth below. I cunningly feigned unconsciousness for an indeterminate period of time. When I at last awoke, it was dark.
Sweet, sheltering dark.
No, seriously, Mario Lopez takes pictures of gruesome traffic accidents that he "passes." That's the actual photo from his Twitter feed.
The night is oft reviled as a sinister cloak enshrouding a litany of evils, but this is not always the case. For remember that the light can blind as effectively as any shadow, and that it is the sun's rays -- not the moon's -- which seep into our pores and poison us with cancers. Yes, there are ghouls in this world that feed off of the sun, and as is plainly evidenced by his bitchin' tan, Mario Lopez counts itself among them. After I'd staggered to my feet and steeled my resolve with a liberal application of expired Four Loko (I get a deal), I mentally bade farewell to this mortal coil, and set forth into the monster's lair.
What I saw there shocked me to my very core, and nearly drove me to madness. For there sat the beast, with his dead, black eyes and that easy grin which spoke more of savagely bared teeth than mirth ...
Playing Monopoly with his giggling family.
I am ashamed to tell you, dear reader, that at that sight, my determination was very nearly broken. I reeled and staggered, and sat heavily on the ground. I took mental stock: Was I truly just in this task? Or was it yet another fever dream brought about by a night spent devouring old episodes of Saved by the Bell, vainly attempting to spot Kelly Kapowski upskirts whilst binging on caffeinated malt liquor of questionable integrity?
Was I truly here to slay a dragon, or was I just inappropriately obsessed with a bland pseudo-celebrity, who was only trying to live a normal life despite a barrage of questionable tabloid claims?
Look: Mario Lopez only respects God for the power he wields. Isn't that the primary sign of sociopathy?
But then I saw it: It was just after Mario Lopez rolled the dice, comically pantomiming shock for his clapping and squealing daughter as he moved the little car over to the jail space. His wife, Courtney, laughed and reached over to slap his arm playfully, inadvertently revealing that tiny, quivering thing -- nearly invisible to the naked eye -- which assured me of the righteousness of my dreadful path.
It was then that I saw the strings.
I watched in creeping horror as the trick became clear: His family -- his own wife and baby daughter -- moved only with him. Every draw of a card, every surreptitious glance, every affectionate gesture -- they were all carefully choreographed by the movements of none other than Lopez himself. The illusion shattered abruptly every few seconds, when he would stop and stare silently ahead, as if carefully considering what a real human being might do next, and his entire family simply froze with him. It was apparent then that these were merely lifeless husks, animated exclusively by the pulleys and strings which adjoined them to Mario Lopez. So lost was I in shock that I forgot, if only momentarily, to cloak my own presence. I very nearly succumbed when he mechanically inclined his head to stare up at me standing outside of his living room window, and the heads of his wife and daughter swiveled with him as one.
Oh. I didn't have to infer anything from the last tweet at all: He outright says it.
"This is it," I thought to myself, "this is the only chance the world has. Nobody is more prepared for this moment than you are. Nobody has undergone more extensive training. Nobody has conducted more careful study. Nobody will strike now, if you do not. Push the horror away, Brockway, push it away and down, and strike. Strike, for all of mankind turns on your next action!"
With a yelp consisting of equal parts fear and fury, I stood and charged. I was ready to fulfill my destiny at any cost. I channeled the entirety of my soul's energy into these small and frail limbs, imbuing them with all the might and potentiality of a human life. I swung my arm back, felt it surge hot with the righteous fervor of every pure and good thing in the world worth protecting, and readied it to strike the blow that would send Corruption reeling.
I took two and a half steps before slamming face-first into the closed window. I instantly collapsed, my vision gone iridescent from the pain in my surely broken nose.
Look! I'm not the only one who sees it. Also: Notice how he says "thanks" after being compared to a vampire.
"What foolish heroics," something like a voice droned from behind me. O, God, how did he get out here so fast?!
"Ackmblnnn," I coolly retorted, and sneezed blood all over my legs.
"You persist," he said, his words so completely lacking in intonation that it took me a moment to realize this was a question.
"I have to! You started releasing children's books!" I spat defiantly, and by defiantly, I mean bloodily, and by spat, I mean sobbed.
"Yes. Children learn much more quickly. They are more ... susceptible ... to information," it spoke, and it was then that my vision cleared and I saw what dwelled behind me.
It was nothing.
I did not, as expected, turn and bear witness to the smarmy, smirking form of Mario Lopez hovering over me, wearing his usual crude, mocking impression of a human face. There was only damp soil and empty cans of Uva Berry. I slowly pivoted back around, and there found the entire Lopez family, standing shoulder to shoulder just inches away from me, beyond the glass: Lopez in the center, his daughter and wife to either side. Their heads were cocked uniformly, in a gesture of raptorial curiosity.
Nope: Nothing weird about that second response at all. Certainly nothing that hints at a Lovecraftian cult following Lopez or anything ...
"Why are you presenting yourself as a role model to little kids?" I screamed at the line of deathly still Lopezii.
When its answer came, I realized that it had, in fact, never been behind me at all. The voice had been inside of me all along, resonating in the painful space where my childhood once lived: "Why not me. I have bred. I have spawned. I have created children and therefore may speak on the subject."
"You instantly started exploiting the fact that you had a baby in every way possible. First the reality show -- before your little girl was even born! -- and now you're using her as an excuse to hawk children's books? This has to stop!"
"Progeny exist to advance the race. I am the race. They advance me. Besides, have you even read my books."
"Of course not!" I answered, trying to take my feet but finding that Lopez had cast some sort of vertiginous spell on me that quite resembled Four Loko poisoning in its effects. "You think I'm stupid enough to let your mad words inside of me?"
You can feel the evil ebbing off of it! It's like the Necronomicon of the beanbag section!
"Clever." Mario Lopez replied. But chillingly, it was the daughter who feigned his humorless, sardonic smile.
"That's right! It was super clever and not at all because I'm mostly illiterate!" I affirmed. "But I had somebody read me a synopsis of your books on Amazon -- you know, so as not to expose myself directly to the madness, and not because I don't understand how to make that sound with the crossy thing next to the field goal mark -- and it's clear that they teach the most terrible lessons!"
"Such as." Mario Lopez's voice inquired; it was the wife whose brow knit in feigned innocence.
"Such as everything! Every word of it! This was what the hobo with the smart-making glasses read to me":
"I do not understand the issue." It spoke at last with its physical mouth, and I instantly longed for the nostalgic pain its psychic transmissions had brought, for now the three heads spoke as one, forming a flat, toneless choir of dead voices.
"Setting all racist caricatures aside, one of the kids in your book Mud Tacos starts showing off, so the others deal with this by immediately revenging themselves upon him. What kind of lesson is that for little kids?"
"A simple one." the chorus chanted. "If weak beings aspire beyond their station, choke them in filth until they die. This is necessary."
"This is correct. This is food for human beings." -- Mario Lopez
But I noticed something that gave me hope, if only a twinge: When Lopez spoke, the others seemed to be losing sync -- the wife spoke too early, the daughter spoke just a moment too late.
"You won't get away with this!" I whipped the tight, form-fitting mini robe off and held it before me like a shield, but then I got cold, so I put it back on and just kind of held one end of the belt out at the Lopez triumvirate. "Even if people buy your pathetic attempt at passing for a man, they'll know you're not a good role model for kids! What about that time you joined the cast of A Chorus Line, and immediately had the other males cover up their bodies and move to the back of the line, so as not to outshine you? That's American Psycho level narcissism."
"I was the star," Lopez said, the voice emitting from his own mouth alone. "Stars persist by burning the elements around them. What surrounds a star is either destroyed by it, or consumed by it as fuel. It is the highest purpose a lesser thing can aspire to, to expend its life fueling an object more brilliant than itself."
"You think people will just chalk that up to Hollywood-style vanity? Fine, but what about the time you cheated on your wife days before the wedding?!"
"I explained that. I went on Howard Stern to explain that. It was an amusing anecdote on a funny show."
"It was not! You said, and I quote: 'I figured at that point it was easier to ask for forgiveness [afterward]. It's my bachelor party, we were going to have a good time. And we went, we had a good time.' You dropped the veil there, buddy. You forgot the 'muchachos' and the 'hombres' and the big fake smile -- you talked like an insane robot with no understanding of basic morality. You fucked up, and now anybody listening to it will know what you really are!"
The really scary thing: I didn't add any emphasis. That's just how words coming directly from his mouth appear in text.
At this, he seemed to take pause.
"But this is what men do," he finally droned. The little girl opened her mouth as if to speak with him, but suddenly closed it. A look of pained confusion washed over her. The wife began to weep silently. "It is funny, isn't it. Men lust and whore and other human beings find it amusing. Boys will be boys, the people say. Surely this story was endearing."
"No, dude, just -- Jesus, do I really have to explain that it's only funny in fiction? Nobody thinks it's adorable when real men bang whores on the night before their wedding and then get an annulment two weeks later -- because we understand that you just ruined some poor girl's life. It's not cute. You can't do that crap in reality and get a laugh; it's like dropping an anvil on an actual bunny rabbit. The real result is just bloody and awful."
Why, what a strange way to phrase that, Mario. It is a shame that you obviously lied, isn't it?
"Ah. So one cannot crush small mammals," it asked, "this is also not allowed. So many rules."
"Wh- what are you ..." Courtney slurred. She was shaking her head from side to side, as if trying to clear the fog from a long-drugged stupor. She did not control the entirety of her body, it was clear, but with a Sisyphean effort she did manage to turn her head to stare accusingly back at Lopez.
Mario turned to meet her gaze, and for an instant, I swore there was a hint of surprise in those lifeless shark eyes. But it was gone before it even resolved, and the Lopez trio suddenly began screeching and frantically thrashing about. It danced a mad jig across the living room, the limbs of the wife and daughter slashing and clawing at the central controlling body, the central body snapping and twisting upon itself as a wolf caught in a snare. At this sight, my faltering courage at last failed me. To my shame, and humanity's assured damnation, I fled the scene in senseless terror. The last thing I heard, as I scrambled up the tree and back out to the blissfully unaware world slumbering beyond those walls, was a short, sharp female cry, and then a long, low whistle -- like an ancient steam engine, building upon itself and building upon itself until it ceased to be a sound at all, and instead became a fathomless vibration echoing in the very stones beneath my fleeing feet.
And then pristine, unbroken silence.
This is how Mario Lopez says "run."
But just before I scrabbled back onto that divine bus, and home, to safety and salvation, I once again felt the rotten, sickly weight inside of my brain that signified Mario Lopez was speaking. It had lapsed into the same disingenuously enthusiastic persona it adopts when it knows the cameras are rolling. It said:
"Heeeey, muchacho! Thanks for the tip back there about the limits of acceptable whoring! It's really gonna help me pass in the future! You keep being useful like that, hombre, and there might be a space for you in the world that follows What Must Be Done! Ha ha ha, I'm just joshing with you, cabron! All will be fuel. All will be fuel. ALL WILL BE FUEL. ALL WILL BE FUEL, AMIGO!"
And so, though I did live to relate my tale to you, please know that all of my days from now until the absolution that only death can grant me shall be hollow. I find that the world which surrounds my waking hours is now like the painted backdrop of a theater -- to be seen from a distance, but never enjoyed. I am a man forever apart, existing in a dimension that looks in on but does not intersect with your own. For I shall always know that each day of mine was bought: bartered and paid for with the souls of a beautiful young mother and her innocent daughter. Even in my slumbering hours, I likewise find no respite, for I still hear that woeful clattering, as of women rolling dice, and drawing cards, and sliding thimbles, and dancing eternally to the vibrations of the strings that Mario Lopez holds.
You can pre-order the next episodes of Rx right here, or buy Robert's other book, Everything Is Going to Kill Everybody: The Terrifyingly Real Ways the World Wants You Dead. Follow him on Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook.
For more from Brockway, check out A Life-Changing Seminar on Empowerment, Leadership and Boobs and A Typical Day at the Office, As Told Through Police Reports.


text:
Our first contact with many inventors comes before they have applied for and received a patent. While we will always be generally encouraging to them, that is too early for us. Without knowing what the invention really is, we can't even comment on it. And we don't want to know what the inventor is patenting until the patent has been issued.
We have a page up on patents that are relevant to helmets. We are always looking for new ones to add, so if you have had one issued recently please let us know.
If you are marketing a new patented idea, we unfortunately do not have the ability to help in the process of bringing your new helmet development to market. We can report on new designs when they arrive, and give general encouragement for new products, but we do not have the engineering, patent or management skills to make a meaningful contribution to move a product along to the consumer. Our area of expertise just does not extend to the product development process. We rely on the market to accomplish that. We are interested in hearing about your innovation, but will not be able to provide advice on how to market it.
New technology for the helmet field is always of interest, but we are limited in our ability to assist the inventor.


text:
Top Definition
When you wake up feeling like crap for no good reason. Often a symptom of clinical depression.
'Dude, be online at 9 tomorrow, I've been getting serious morning shitness lately and it'd be great to talk to someone to cheer me up'
od uživatele beetee-> 17. květen 2010
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text:
Anna Faris talks 'The Dictator,' Sacha Baron Cohen and androgyny
Audiences used to the "House Bunny" version of Anna Faris are going to be shocked to see her in "The Dictator."
The Sacha Baron Cohen satire plays on the actress' rep as a sex symbol by practically giving her a sexless look overall (in overalls). In her interview with HitFix this week, Faris describes her role as activist and social welfare entrepreneur Zoey as "androgynous. I didn't want her to be really hip, I just wanted her to be so wrapped up in the passion she feels... as someone who has no time for aesthetic."
Baron Cohen's oppressive General Aladeen is nothing but aesthetic and propensity to offend, a character he often kept up even between shoots. But when the makeup and bombastic outfits came off at the end of the day, the "Ali G" originator is "a normal, lovely person. it was always interesting to see that juxtaposition of him in a character," Faris described.
This is the first time Faris has acted in "outrageous comedies," though the subject matter may offend someone close to home, name the actress' mom. "I think audiences... want to see a movie that pushes the envelope... maybe my mom will point out the many things that bothered her."
"The Dictator" is out on May 16. Check out how Baron Cohen's Aladeen behaved in New York during a press conference earlier this week.


text:
Cross Country Places 4th At Mel Brodt Opener
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - - The Ball State cross country team opened the 2012 season with a fourth-place showing at the 5K Mel Brodt Collegiate Opener hosted by Bowling Green Friday evening.
Two-time defending Mid-American Conference champion Toledo won the five-team meet with 19 points from its top five runners, while Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan and Ball State all finished within three points of each other at 71, 72 and 74, respectively. Madonna placed fifth with 150 points.
"Our girls ran a pretty good race for this course and the windy conditions we encountered today," said Ball State head coach Randy Heisler. "Overall, I am happy with our results. For the first time since I have been here, we had five girls run within a minute of each other. To have a pack mentality is big for us. It is the next step in our evolution."
Pacing the Ball State pack was senior MaryKate Mellen (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) with a time of 19:05.60 to place ninth overall. Freshman Katelyn DeVries (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) turned in BSU's second best time in her collegiate debut with a 12th-place clocking of 19:18.50.
Also scoring for the Cardinals were sophomore Courtney Edon (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine) with a time of 19:38.60 (16th), senior Emilee Zets (Berlin Center, Ohio/West Branch) with a time of 20:04.20 (18th) and senior Allison Blanck (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) with a time of 20:05.90 (19th).
Also running for the Cardinals were sophomore Caitlynn Edon (New Palestine, Ind./New Palestine) with a time of 20:15.50, freshman Kelly Swift (West Lafayette, Ind./West Lafayette) with a time of 20:24.30 in her first collegiate meet and junior Esther Tirado (Dominican Republic/Lafayette Jefferson) with a time of 20:40.20.
The Ball State cross country team returns to action Saturday, Sept. 8, when it travels to Fort Wayne, Ind., for the 2012 IPFW Invitational.
Ball State Individual Results
9. MaryKate Mellen (19:05.60, 9th)
12. Katelyn Devries (19:18.50, 12th)
20. Courtney Edon (19:38.60, 16th)
24. Emilee Zets (20:04.20, 18th)
25. Allison Blanck (20:05.90, 19th)
29. Caitlynn Edon (20:15.50, 21st)
31. Kelly Swift (20:24.30, 22nd)
33. Esther Tirado (20:40.20)


text:
Fixed PriceBudget: $30
Start DateOctober 21, 2012
Take two excel files (xlsx or csv) and combine them into one and build a pivot.
Basically, we have sales coming from one file. We have inventory coming from another file.
We want to build a combine spreadsheet in a very specific format to combine sales and inventory data into a single view.
New products will be introduce, new stores will be introduce. So, this should be dynamic.
Attached is what we want at the end.
Please bid if you have a EASY AND SIMPLE solution to the task.
Attached is a file that is an end product.
We will provide 2 raw files (one providing inventory and one providing sales data) to people who can deliver the end product.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: Just to be clear, this has to be a macros driven process to load and combine and format the data in final form. Some of the developers are thinking this is simply report creation but i can easily do myself.
The end product is Excel, it will be nice to have the capability of loading both files into the final excel and building the pivot displayed in the file attached.
Activity on this Job
Last Viewed by Client: 3 years ago
Hired: 1
About the Client
United States
Jacksonville 05:27 PM
Jobs Posted
64% Hire Rate, 1 Open Job
Over $40,000
Total Spent
92 Hires, 16 Active
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4,839 Hours


text:
Yesterday afternoon, we updated MaplePrimes. The purpose of the update was primarily to squash some bugs and improve user experience.
Highlights of the update include:
A number of other small improvements were made as well.
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text:
Reynolds falls in PIAA wrestling team final
HERSHEY -- Reynolds fared better than Bethlehem Catholic's three previous opponents did during this weekend's PIAA Class AA team wrestling tournament.
That meant little to the Raiders by the end of Saturday's championship dual.
Bethlehem Catholic, which only lost one individual match going into the final, made history with its 41-15 victory at the Giant Center. The Golden Hawks (16-0) became the state's first Class AA program to win four consecutive titles.
Easton (2001-04) and Central Dauphin (2008-11) accomplished that feat in the PIAA's Class AAA meet.
Saturday's dual was a rematch of last year's Class AA final. The Golden Hawks beat Reynolds 43-16 for their third straight title last season.
The Raiders, the District 10 champions, also sought their fourth overall PIAA Class AA trophy. They previously won it all in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
Before their back-to-back appearances against Bethlehem Catholic, Reynolds also was a state finalist in 2005 and 2010.
Austin Moffett highlighted Saturday's individual results for the Raiders. Moffett pinned the Golden Hawks' Jody Crouse in the first period of their 182-pound match.
Gage Bayless (106), Levi Stoyer (145) and Mason McCollum (152) were Reynolds' other victors.
Joey Gould (120) and Jose Ortiz (195) recorded pins for Bethlehem Catholic, which overwhelmed District 10 second seed Fort LeBoeuf 62-0 in the Class AA quarterfinals.
The Golden Hawks outscored their four tournament foes by a combined score of 235-18.


text:
I was recently at dinner with some girlfriends, and one of them was teasing me about my impossible appetite. I wasn't offended at all. In fact, it's a badge I wear with pride. To quote my friend, I will absolutely "eat you under the table." Food truck festivals, family-style Italian, dim sum Sundays — I do it all.
Food can be one of life's greatest pleasures, especially when shared with good company. Many diet gurus and experts will tell you that when you go out with friends, you should choose light options. "Get a salad with dressing on the side," they'll say, "or a nice piece of grilled fish." That may work for some people, but from my perspective… that kind of sucks.
Why drag yourself to a restaurant to order a $14 salad that you could probably make better (and healthier!) at home, while your friends and family relish more delectable fare? Spare yourself the torture; treat yourself! But do so with a few key things in mind. Read more… →


text:
Melissa Morgenlander received her PhD in Cognitive Studies in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University in May of 2010. Her career began in educational television production working on programs such as Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (PBS), The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (Jim Henson Productions), and Blues Clues (Nickelodeon). She went on to teach fifth grade in Chelsea, Massachusetts before beginning her doctoral studies at Columbia. Over the years, Melissa has interviewed hundreds of kids as a freelance researcher for TV shows such as Sesame Street, Cyberchase, Little Einsteins, Pinky Dinky Doo, Barney, and Word World. Most recently, Melissa served as the Research Manager for the Institute of Play.
While she's interested in incorporating technology into all school subjects, Melissa's content expertise is math learning. She was a key researcher and workshop presenter for the landmark "Big Math for Little Kids", an innovative preschool math curriculum. In addition, she was the Curriculum Developer for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (a Playhouse Disney show that focuses on math), and as a Math Content Consultant for Scholastic Magazine Group.
Melissa holds a BA in American Culture from Vassar College and MA in Educational Communication and Technology from NYU. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and preschool twins, who constantly fight over her iphone.
Follow Melissa on twitter: @CovertCoviewer.


text:
Pete Puma wrote:
> Greetings, I have an ethernet best described as being in the shape of a
> "Y". Picture the wireless router/gateway at the bottom of the letter and a
> few cpus at each remaining fork of the letter on separate switches. One
> gateway, two switches.
> Do I need the entire subnet to be gigabit speed to obtain that speed
> between 2 cpus that are both on the same switch? In other words, do I need
> one gigabit switch where I require the speed or must I revamp the whole
> enchilada network?
> Hoping for the cheaper answer and thanks for reading...
It is my understanding that the difference between a "switch" and a "hub" is
that each port on a switch is independent of the other ports. This means
that if you have a device that can operate at gigabit speed, the
communication between that device and a switch will use gigabit speed
regardless of any other devices connected to the switch. Therefore, if you
have two gigabit devices connected to the same switch, the communication
between those devices through that switch will also be at gigabit speed,
again regardless of any other devices connected.
A "hub", OTOH, operates with all ports simultaneously. This means that
every device connected to a hub is limited to the speed of the slowest.
The best part, assuming you actually have switches and not hubs, is this is
the cheaper answer, just like you wanted!


text:
As he lay in Manhattan's Mount Sinai Hospital, Norman Mailer knew he didn't have long to live. And when his time came, in the early morning hours of Nov. 10, he awoke, gave his son Stephen "a euphoric smile," Stephen says, and slipped away. "Norman," adds Mailer's wife, Norris, "saw death as just another adventure."
He had plenty of those before kidney failure ended his life at 84. The Brooklynite won two Pulitzer Prizes, directed films, ran for mayor of New York City, wed six times and had nine children. Famously pugnacious, he feuded with fellow writers and feminists. "He presented himself as a tough guy; that was a front," says author Gay Talese. "He had a big heart." Still, Mailer did get into scrapes. Worst was a 1960 party when he stabbed second wife Adele with a penknife. "He never apologized," says Adele, 82. Mailer settled in Provincetown, Mass., with Norris, a painter and "a stable, loving force," says friend Doris Kearns Goodwin, adding, "People were captivated by the bigger than life personality. But it's his words that will live on."
Norman Mailer 1923-2007
updated 11/26/2007 AT 01:00 AM EST
•originally published 11/26/2007 AT 01:00 AM EST


text:
Low-Cost Kitchen Crafts
Bonus: Get our newsletter & special offers for free. We will not share or sell your email address. View our Privacy Policy
Get the Natural Look
By: Kathleen George for Styrofoam Brand Foam
We are adding the craft to your Craft Projects.
The project was added to your Craft Projects.
Click here to view your Craft Projects.
Tell time with this natural looking faux-stone clock. With its texture it makes for a great kitchen accessory.
- STYROFOAM Brand Foam:
- Block, 12" x 10" x 1"
- Acrylic paints: ivory; dark red; dark brown; medium brown; light brown; black
- Texture medium or pre-mixed spackling
- Battery-powered aluminum clock movement
- Serrated knife
- Candle stub or paraffin
- Fine-line black permanent marker
- Sharp pencil
- Ruler
- Wooden skewer
- Putty knife, 1" wide
- Paintbrushes: medium flat; small round
- Soft rags
- Small sea sponge
- Disposable palette
- Water basin
- Paper towels
- Thick, white craft glue
- Wax serrated knife with candle stub or paraffin. Measure and cut 8" square from foam block. Use marker to divide foam into four 4" squares. Use smooth edge of knife to widen and deepen grooves to 1/8". Poke pencil through center to create hole for clock movement.
- Use putty knife to spread uneven layer of texture medium over entire front surface of foam, including edges. Use knife tip or skewer to make cracks and pits in surface. Vary natural "grain" of four squares slightly for added interest. Use skewer to remove excess medium from grooves and center hole; let dry completely.
- Paint clock ivory; let dry. To "age" finish, paint over two opposite ivory squares with thin layer of dark brown; don't forget edges. Immediately remove nearly all paint with damp sponge, leaving paint in grooves and cracks. Repeat aging with light brown, then medium brown, keeping sponge well-rinsed between colors. For a different effect, use soft rag to remove paint.
- Paint over remaining squares with thin layer of dark red. Immediately remove excess paint with damp sponge, leaving more color than on previous squares. Let dry. Repeat aging with medium brown.
- Mix small amount dark brown paint with a touch of black; thin with water. Paint over groove lines and enhance deeper cracks. Let dry.
- Follow manufacturer's instructions to insert clock movement.
®™ Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow. For more project ideas, please see styrofoamstyle.com.
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text:
Need a dose of horsepower?
Check out the Panhandle Council of Car Clubs' 20th annual Make-A-Wish Car Show on Saturday and March 7 at the Amarillo Civic Center.
The show will feature at least 250 vehicles - hot rods, customs, motorcycles and model vehicles - attracting automotive enthusiasts from the Tri-State area and beyond, said Barry Henson, show chairman.
"I know we'll have that many, if not more this year," Henson said. "We have a little over 30 commercial vendors, too."
Vendors will sell everything from car lifts for mechanics to CDs featuring '50s and '60s music to gourmet foods and kitchen products, Henson said.
Since the show will occupy most of the Civic Center, people can spend as much, or as little, time as they like each day, Henson said. But don't underestimate it.
"To walk through the show should take a couple of hours, minimum," he said.
As many as 13,000 people have visited the show in a given year, and the council hopes to draw 15,000 people this year, according to information from Bill McWeeney, council president.
Proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Texas Plains, a decision made by the car council in 1986, McWeeney said.
Make-A-Wish grants wishes to any child 212 to 18 years old who has a life-threatening medical condition that places the child's life in jeopardy, said Sharon Bertrand, wish coordinator for the foundation. The foundation grants wishes to children in 55 counties of the Texas Panhandle.
In the past 20 years, the foundation has granted about 800 wishes to area children, Bertrand said.
Laying Tracks
Who: Panhandle Council of Car Clubs
What: Make-A-Wish Car Show
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 7
Where: Amarillo Civic Center
Cost: Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for children; age 5 and younger, free.
"I can tell you that the car show is the biggest fund-raiser that we have during the year," Bertrand said.
Since the car show started raising funds for Make-A-Wish, the council has donated more than $866,000 to the organization, McWeeney said.
Funds from the car show have increased through the years, Bertrand said.
"And last year, we got $79,000," Bertrand said. "And they're hoping for more this year."
This year's show will feature vehicles as old as 1922, and most are older than 1985. Newer model cars in the show usually are highly modified. Henson said this year's show will include new Dodge Viper trucks.
Henson has chaired the car show for 10 years.
"It's a lot of work," Henson said. "There's a lot of help from everybody. Each car club has a job once the show gets here."
The council includes 18 car clubs from the area, McWeeney said. On off-months, clubs from the council and other car enthusiasts gather at 6 p.m. on the first Saturday at Hillside Drive and Bell Street to mingle with other car fans.
Car clubs take turns hosting monthly cruises beginning at 7 p.m.
David Patterson of Canyon started the car clubs council in 1981, McWeeney said.
Council club members include: Amarillo Antique Auto Club, Amarillo Area Corvette Club, American Truck Historical Society, Classic Rollers Unlimited, Early V-8 Ford Club, Hansford Show Time Car Club, Harley Owners Club, High Plains Drifters Street Rods, High Plains Studebaker Drivers Club, High Plains Thunderbird Club, Krankers Kar Club, Plymouth Owners Club, Porsche Club, Slow Pokes Rod & Custom, Texas Panhandle Model A Club, Texas Panhandle Mustang Club, Top of Texas Classic Chevy Club and Top of Texas Volkswagens.
© 2016. All Rights Reserved. | Contact Us


text:
on June 5, 2013 - 12:37 AM
LOCKPORT – Niagara County will be leaving the landfill business as of July 3.
The Refuse Disposal District board, comprising county legislators, voted unanimously Monday to stop accepting waste at the district's only active landfill, the construction and demolition, or C&D, landfill on the Lockport Bypass.
Dawn M. Timm, interim district director, said even with the costs of installing a temporary cover over the waste and the loss of revenue from disposal fees, the July 3 shutdown will save the county about $100,000 for the rest of this year.
Four employees assigned to the landfill, all members of the county's blue-collar union, will be kept on for about a month after the closure to work on installing the cover.
Timm said that will consist of burying the waste under about a foot of clay and soil, using material the county has been stockpiling and equipment it already owns.
County Manager Jeffrey M. Glatz, who recommended the shutdown a year ago, said that while the facility will close July 3, operation might end at the end of July or in August. After that, the four workers will receive layoff notices but will have the option of transferring into the Public Works Department.
Commissioner Kevin P. O'Brien said he has five vacancies on his highway crews and would be able to take the former landfill workers.
"It's their option how they wish to proceed," Glatz said.
Legislator John Syracuse, R-Newfane, made sure the motion the board voted on Monday did not promise new jobs to the four workers. "I can't support that," he said.
The employment future of the sole remaining employee at the district, a clerical worker, also is in question, Timm said.
Timm had presented an analysis to the refuse board in late April, asserting that former District Director Richard P. Pope manipulated his budgets to make it look like the C&D landfill was profitable.
In the 2012 budget, Pope allocated 52 percent of the district's personnel costs to the C&D landfill, spreading the remainder of the costs among the three closed landfills, two in Lockport and one in Wheatfield, which the district is required to monitor.
Pope was placed on administrative leave Nov. 1 after being accused of violating county policies on residency and personal use of county vehicles. He resigned Jan. 2.
When Timm, the county's environmental science coordinator, took over, her analysis of where the work actually was done showed that 81 percent of the district's labor actually was performed at C&D. Allotting the personnel costs in that matter produced a $415,000 operating loss at C&D for 2012.
"Business was down 12 percent so far this year," Timm said.
She said she will seek bids for a permanent cap for the landfill this winter, with hopes that the work can be done next May.
Last October, Clough Harbour & Associates, in a report prepared for Pope, estimated that the cost of capping the landfill would be $1.2 million. "I think that's a solid number," Timm said Tuesday.
email: email@example.com


text:
Hello friends of Scrapbook MAX!
Scrapbook MAX! is indeed a whole year older. Scrapbook MAX! was officially released on February 14, 2006. It's been an exciting year of growth and expansion in both the program and in our awesome community!
To celebrate our birthday, we are offering a 10% discount to our fabulous Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store (another exciting way that Scrapbook MAX! has grown). To get 10% off your purchase, simply type BIRTHDAY in the Coupon Code field before you Checkout. This offer is good only until March 14, 2007 and may not be applied to any previously placed order.
Thank you all for your kind "birthday wishes". Thank you for your enthusiasm, creativity, suggestions, and support throughout our first year. And finally, thank you for spreading the word about Scrapbook MAX! . We look forward to more years of digital scrapbooking with everyone in our growing family!
Scrapbook MAX!


text:
Top Definition
That last, nasty tasting puff of smoke from igniting the screen ash. It never enhances your buzz and it always makes you gag and hack.
UGH!!! NEGATIVE HIT!! Yeesh, that one could've hacked the spanish army!
Por Stuben Hackfittle Von Burntsteiner 07 de noviembre de 2004
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?


text:
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Natural Double Chocolate 2 lbs
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BodyStrong100% Whey Protein - Natural
Unflavored 2 lbs
Retail Price: $34.19
Sale Price: $16.99
100% Natural Whey Protein - Whey Factors
Natural Factors
Whey Factors is a pure source of high quality whey protein that provides support for muscle development and repair, as well as the immune system.-Whey Factors is a pure source of high quality whey protein that provides support for muscle development and repair, as well as the immune system.-Highly efficient, undenatured, microfiltered and ultrafiltered whey from grass-fed cows - free of rBGH, BSE, and GMOs-Rich in glutamic acid and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA),br>-Provides beneficial whey protein microfractions including: immunoglobulin and lactoferrin-<2 g carbohydrates per serving-Low in lactose - only 1 g per serving-Mixes instantly
Contains milk and soy.
Manufacturer's Directions
Add 1 scoop (22 g) to 180 ml (or 1 cup) of water and shake in a shaker cup. Use 1-3 scoops daily with food or as directed by a health professional. Keep out of the reach of children.
Manufacturer's Disclaimer
This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Good product. Vastly overpriced.
It mixed easily in milk with just a spoon. I would not advise mixing in water.
Much better than flavored powders. It is pure protein without all that "proprietary blend BS that many other brands use.
the products they carry are the best and are shipped without any problems. The prices are better than the health food stores Ive been shopping at and are always available. I will continue to use this company.
But the price has gotten way out of hand at this website. Will by at another dealer.
excellent product
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Browsing Dissertations by Author "Helander, Elina"
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Helander, Elina (2012-06-19)Speaker identity plays an important role in human communication. In addition to the linguistic content, speech utterances contain acoustic information of the speaker characteristics. This thesis focuses on voice conversion, ...
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First US printing. A 'who did what to whom' this is Hollywood gossip at its meatiest - yet, with sympathy for some of those who were destoyed by the movie industry, including Frances Farmer. Originally written in French and published in Paris. Oversized format, illustrated throughout with photographs. Dust jacket cover photograph of Jayne Mansfield and the final photograph in the book is of her dead dog lying in the gutter next to a whiskey bottle. Map endpapers. 297 pp plus index. Near fine in very good dust jacket (some rubbing and edgewear to the dj.) .ISBN # 0-87932-0869
Bookfever.com - Selling books on the internet, by mail order, at book fairs, and at Antiques Upstairs in historic downtown Jackson, California, since 1992. Over 50,000 books and magazines in stock (over 4,000 signed or inscribed by the author) - many more than are listed on our website, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you cannot find what you are looking for.FIND US ON FACEBOOK
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Water main break, hit gas line led to sinkhole in Rio Rancho
UPDATED 7:38 PM MDT Aug 07, 2013
Crews working on a water main break in Rio Rancho hit a gas line Wednesday.
The incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m.
The leak caused the asphalt to deteriorate, resulting in a 5-by-10-foot sinkhole.
A water department official said the gas line affects one home. That home has been evacuated.
The water supply to the area has not been compromised.
Copyright 2013 by KOAT.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Dear Fitness Expert,
To give you a little history about myself, 2 years ago I tried to become pregnant. I succeeded, but unfortunately lost the baby at 3 months due to Turner Syndrome. I am trying again.
I am 5'7 ½" tall and weigh 245. I take antidepressants called Lexapro. I was told by my Ob/gyn to switch over to Prozac at 20mg. per day. I am concerned about both issues of being overweight and the antidepressant. I am currently trying to lose weight, it's just a battle for me.
Do you have any information on these topics for me?
Thanks a lot.
Hi. You've got several different issues going on here. You've been through some hard times and I am very sorry. You're a strong woman and should be proud of yourself in your quest for physical fitness, better health and, questioning your medication. (It's always good to question things).
First, you need to get a second diagnosis on your health record. This is not to say you are questioning the initial diagnosis. You are simply looking for confirmation and any additional input. It would be good to discuss why you are taking Lexapro, when it started, how much you are taking . . . Again, it's always good to get another opinion.
Having said all that, you should know there are a variety of concerns regarding anti-depressants and pregnancy. While some studies indicate the medications are perfectly safe (remember these studies are often in-house, meaning the studies are conducted by the manufacturer), other studies have shown premature birth, lower birth weights of the newborns and impaired developmental skills to name a few. Unfortunately, there is very little data on the long-term ramifications of taking these medications during pregnancy. There is simply no way to really know the risks until we see the long-term effects which could take years and that really doesn't help you. It should also be noted that on-going studies are being conducted to determine if taking these prescribed medications interfere with the conception process.
No matter where experts stand on the notion of anti-depressants and pregnancy, the overall consensus is 'less is better.' However, there are times when a person really needs to take anti-depressants. Depression -- untreated -- can negatively impair the human brain which will ultimately affect your unborn baby. This is a heavy reality you must consider. Again, this is why it is imperative to speak to several professionals about your condition and the need for anti-depressants. Just as we have many qualified physicians, there has also been a growing trend to prescribe anti-depressants (which may be addictive and eventually become a necessity) for people who are simply feeling the blues. Both conditions must be taken seriously!
In regards to your weight condition, it is a common complaint. But there is good news. I have been involved with a variety of studies in which women who were overweight actually LOST weight while they were pregnant. Working with a nutritionist, they were able to completely change the way they ate, actually burned fat, built muscle and walked away with a beautiful new baby and less pounds. Amazing.
You can do this while you are "in training" for pregnancy. By working with a licensed nutritionists, you will learn what and how to eat and chose foods that will improve your health, mood (yes, it's true!) and fitness level. These things combined will help you sculpt your body. It will not happen overnight but it will happen.
Given your background, it is imperative that you find a nutritionist with a PhD in health/food sciences. Unfortunately, almost anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. I cannot tell you how many women had long, frustrating stories about diets/the weight battle but began to see results as soon as they sat down with a qualified nutritionist/trainer.
Finally, more studies have been conducted on the success of conception based upon the lifestyle of the woman. Stress, depression and fatigue all figure prominently as obstructing the ability to conceive. By asking the questions you've asked, you are already fighting back against these factors! The best news of all is you can't lose by following these steps. No matter what, you are building a better you. Corny, yes, but very true.
Please keep us posted on your journey!
-- Alex


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Ultrasounds have a variety of purposes during pregnancy, but the use that often receives the most attention is the technology's ability to reveal the sex of the baby.
Some parents-to-be can't wait to find out whether they're having a boy or a girl, while others just choose to hold off until birth. Either way, a sonogram — the grainy, black-and-white image that results from an ultrasound scan — will be baby's earliest picture and a couple's first chance to see the developing fetus.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an image on a screen of the baby in the mother's uterus. The scans are typically done twice during pregnancy, but the one done between 18 and 22 weeks is when the sonographer (ultrasound technician) might identify the gender of the baby, if parents want to know.
Expectant parents who want their child's sex to remain a secret until birth are in the minority, said Dr. Stephen Carr, director of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center and of maternal-fetal medicine diagnostic imaging at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island in Providence. He said about 85 percent of couples want to find out the gender before the delivery, and for several reasons: to know how to paint the nursery, pick a name or satisfy their curiosities about the family composition.
However, "more and more people are telling us they want to wait until the baby arrives to find out the sex," he said. "It's the last great surprise left."
Increasingly, Carr said, couples have asked him to write down the baby's sex and place the answer in a sealed envelope, because some parents-to-be want to host a gender-reveal party for family and friends to share and celebrate the news.
Beyond ending the guessing game, there are medical reasons why mothers and fathers may want to learn the sex of their baby from an ultrasound. Sometimes knowing the gender can help parents make informed decisions about the pregnancy itself, such as in the case of sex-specific diseases, Carr told Live Science.
One example of this is congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic condition in which baby girls may have genitals that appear more masculine than feminine, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Carr, also a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, discussed six key points about ultrasound screenings and sex determination.
A baby's gender is determined when the egg is fertilized
A baby's gender is determined at the time of conception, long before most women even realize they are pregnant.
Both the egg from the mother and the sperm from the father carry sex chromosomes. The egg always contributes an X chromosome, and the sperm can bring either an X or a Y chromosome, depending on the sperm cell.
The sex of the baby is determined by which sperm cell fertilizes the egg first. If the sperm is carrying an X chromosome, the baby will be a girl. If the sperm is carrying a Y chromosome, the baby will be a boy.
Ultrasounds were not designed for sex prediction
U.S. hospitals have used ultrasounds since the late '70s and early '80s, Carr said. But the common prenatal exam wasn't intended as a reason to find out the baby's gender; it was meant to image the developing fetus for other reasons, he said.
Although the test can be done at any time during a pregnancy, women typically get one during the first trimester. This early ultrasound is often done to confirm a pregnancy, detect the fetal heartbeat and to determine the due date, according to the March of Dimes.
A second ultrasound is usually done 18 to 22 weeks into pregnancy to make sure the baby is growing and developing properly. This is often when parents can learn the sex of the baby.
The scan is also used to see if a woman is having more than one baby, as well as to determine the location of the placenta and umbilical cord. In addition, it can identify certain birth defects, such as Down syndrome and spinal abnormalities, and investigate pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, reports the March of Dimes.
It's a safe test for mother and baby
According to researchers at São Paulo Federal Universityin a 2009 article in the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, ultrasound is a safe prenatal test. It uses sound energy and not radiation, such as X-rays, to generate images of the fetus.
During a transabdominal ultrasound, a pregnant woman lies on her back while a clear gel is spread on her belly, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. A probe called a transducer is moved over the abdomen, transmitting sound waves that produce images of the baby inside the mother's womb.
There is no harm to the baby during the procedure, and the only risks to the mother may come from lying flat on her back, which might make her feel dizzy, or the discomfort of having a full bladder, Carr said. (Women may be asked to drink several glasses of water before the scan because a filled bladder helps give clearer images.)
Gender determination is usually highly accurate
Gender predictions made by ultrasound have an accuracy rate "north of 90 percent," Carr said. But mistakes can be made when determining gender because it depends on the clarity of the images and the skills of the person interpreting them.
Until the 14th week of pregnancy, baby boys and girls look exactly the same on ultrasound, Carr said. Beyond this point, noticeable anatomical differences in the genitals can show up on the scan.
Around 18 weeks of pregnancy and beyond, Carr said that ultrasounds have pretty good reliability for gender prediction if the baby is in a good position in the mother's uterus (meaning it is not in a breech, or feet-down position), and its legs are far enough apart that there is good visibility between them.
"Gender-telling is not exotic," Carr said. When a sonographer looks between the legs, if it's "an outie," it's a boy, Carr explained.
A blood test for pregnant women that's been around for about three years can also determine the sex of the fetus with 98 to 99 percent accuracy, Carr said. Done at the eighth or ninth week of pregnancy, the screening is called the cell-free DNA test. It may be used in women where there is an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities, such as in older mothers, he said.
Be wary of keepsake ultrasounds
Carr said that he understands the psychology of expectant parents wanting to see an image of their baby. However, he doesn't endorse so-called "bonding scans," which are also referred to as recreational or keepsake ultrasounds. These scans are done to produce keepsake pictures or videos, and not for medical reasons.
Ultrasounds should be used as a diagnostic tool when there's a medical reason, Carr said. The procedure is tightly regulated when it occurs in a hospital or medical clinic, he added.
That's generally not the case for commercial places doing keepsake images: There is no regulation of ultrasound facilities outside of a medical setting, so their quality can vary wildly, Carr said, and the technicians there may have limited medical training to interpret the scans.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine issued a joint statement discouraging the use of prenatal ultrasounds for nonmedical reasons.
Old wives' tales are fun but generally not reliable for predicting sex
For some people, waiting until at least the 18th week of pregnancy to know the sex of a baby can feel like an eternity. Perhaps that's why people continue to believe so many old wives' tales as prediction methods to fill the void.
One popular belief is that if a woman is carrying the baby high, she is supposedly having a girl, while carrying the baby low means it's a boy. "Carrying high or low is a function of the mother's abdominal wall muscle tone and the baby's position," Carr said. "It has no influence on gender."
Another theory holds that a mother's food cravings during pregnancy may reveal the baby's sex, with sweet cravings signifying a girl and cravings for salty, sour or odd foods linked with a boy. "This has no basis in physiology," Carr said.
But there may be a little bit of truth to the idea that fetal heart rate could be a tip-off. Carr said that early in pregnancy, there is no difference in heart rate between the sexes, but by the third trimester, a girl's heartbeat tends to be a little faster and a boy's a little slower. Still, he cautioned that although research studies may find this association over an average of 1,000 babies, an individual baby boy could have a faster heartbeat, and an individual baby girl could have a slower one.
Folk wisdom has linked experiencing severe morning sickness with having a girl, and this tale may have some science behind it. Women carrying girls have higher levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), and these higher levels are associated with an increased risk of severe morning sickness, Carr said. But he warned there's not a hard and fast relationship between morning sickness and fetal sex.
Another urban legend is "the Drano test." For this one, a woman combines some of her first morning urine with the liquid drain cleaner. If the color turns green, the baby is said to be a girl; if it's blue, a boy may be on the way. Unfortunately, "there's nothing to this idea, and Drano is really caustic," Carr pointed out.
The ring test is another suggested way to guess the baby's gender. For this old favorite, a woman ties her wedding band to a string or strand of long hair and hangs it over her pregnant belly. If the ring swings back and forth, the baby is believed to be a boy. If the jewelry swings in a circle, the child is thought to be a girl. "It's fun, but it isn't science," Carr said, chuckling.
Additional resources
- Johns Hopkins Medicine explains: What Is a Fetal Ultrasound?
- See a slide show explaining fetal ultrasound at the Mayo Clinic.


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on October 3, 2012 - 5:25 PM
DARIEN – The Genesee County Sheriff's Office and the Darien Volunteer Fire Department are trying to determine what caused the early morning fire that heavily damaged the barn of the Oles family on County Line Road.
The fire, called in about 1:53 a.m., destroyed the structure, which was used to store farm equipment. No financial damage estimate had been made by this evening.
Investigators are considering a possible electrical shortage or overheated damp hay in the barn as possible causes. No injuries were reported but rescue crews were called to the scene along with firefighters.


text: You know, when it comes to dresscodes there really is 2 sides: you either make the rules your own or make your own rules. No, I'm not saying you should ignore it when a bride asks you not to wear white to her wedding but when it comes to simple aspects like whether you can consider a dress to be suitable for an office or out of office-league, I think there are some ways you can play the rules for your benefit. Just like with this dress from CNDirect.


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Please click on the link below to download the latest version. Thanks!
On the 10th anniversary of the anthrax attacks on Washington, two former senators said America is "largely unprepared" to prevent or face a bioterror attack.
The report card released Wednesday by the Bipartisan WMD Terrorism Research Center revealed 15 F's and 15 D's when assessing the nation's preparedness to fight such attacks on a large scale.
A grade of "D" was given across the board for the country's ability to develop and quickly approve medical vaccines in the event of a critical outbreak.
The country received mostly B's and C's for its ability to handle small-scale events, such as the anthrax letter attack of 2001.
Democrat Bob Graham and Republican Jim Talent led the report card effort.
WMD Terrorism Research Center CEO Randall Larson said faith-based and voluntary groups could have a big role in helping Americans survive a bioterror attack.
"If a terrorist organization were to release anthrax or plague or something like that in your community, the federal government would do a very good job getting those antibiotics to your community quickly," he said.
"The problem that we see is then these large quantities, breaking them down and getting them to individual people," Larson continued. "And that needs to be done within 48 or 72 hours. And if they do it, most people will survive."
The anthrax attacks in 2001 killed five people and sickened 17 others. No one was ever charged.
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The singer accompanied the release of her new video for "F––––in' Perfect" with a personal note on her website, in which talks about the importance of supporting kids who feel helpless and accepting people for who they are, something she plans to do with her own child.
"I have a life inside of me, and I want her or him to know that I will accept him or her with open and loving and welcoming arms," Pink wrote in the post. "And though I will prepare this little munchkin for a sometimes cruel world, I will also equip this kid to see all the beauty in it as well."
The mom-to-be has been embracing her burgeoning baby bump and while she may not be a traditional soccer mom, she is eager to embrace motherhood.
"There are those that accept us with all of our flaws," Pink writes. "I do that with my fans/friends, and I will do that with my child, whoever they decide to be."
See what other readers have to say about this story – or leave a comment of your own


text: PITTSBURGH Two students from Cambria Heights Elementary School are winners of the 10th annual Edgar Snyder and Associates "My Holiday Wish" Coloring Contest. Trey Trybus, age 6, and Grace Jasper, age 9, each won a $100 gift card for their artistic submissions chosen from more than 800 entries from across western Pennsylvania. Looking at this year's entries, I was inspired by the level of creativity and thoughtfulness coming from such young children, said Attorney Edgar Snyder, whose law firm has supported community service initiatives like these for more than 30 years. It's a great way to support local schools and also deliver an encouraging message to our staff and clients.


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- Robert from Milton, VT won $27,000 playing Triple Stars and $40,000 playing Double Diamonds!
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With Blast Corps on the horizon I was eager to polish off Banjo-Tooie yesterday; I had to look up a handful of items to speed up the process (and some of them I probably would have never found otherwise), but I've now done it. 900 notes, 90 jiggies, 45 jinjos, 25 cheato pages, and a bunch of other crap. Can't remember the number for honeycombs right now... probably 25? Meh, anyway... I feel like the golden era of 3D platformers has already come and gone, which is a shame, and this game shows up moving steadily towards the era of iron mixed with clay (to stretch a metaphor). Granted, Banjo-Tooie does some pretty impressive things, but it falls short on the matter of reward and gratification, and ends up as a bit of a downer in the end.
Banjo-Tooie was the much-anticipated sequel to Banjo-Kazooie and another in the N64's line of 3D platformers. Donkey Kong 64 had come out the previous year, and was one of the biggest, baddest platformers the world had ever seen, 1up-ing Mario 64 in sheer scope and size and even requiring the Expansion Pak for its sweet lighting effects. 120 stars? Pah! How about 200 bananas? And you can forget just having one playable character, because this game has *five*! There are bonus levels, secrets galore, over a thousand items to collect... heck, there are even two full games included as secrets *within* the game! So when it came time for Banjo-Tooie, Rare was looking to expand the scope of Banjo-Kazooie, taking everything that was there and multiplying it by two or three. Were they successful?
Well, sort of. Banjo-Tooie is definitely a *longer* game - my B-T playthrough was over twice as long as my B-K playthrough (and nearly 3x the length of one of my earlier 100% B-K runs from years back). However, there are actually significantly *fewer* items to collect - notes are found in groups of five rather than singly, mumbo tokens have been replaced by these pinkish fellows that only appear twice in each world, and the new items added don't even come close to filling in the gap to make up for that. So what's bigger about this game, then? The worlds are larger (although there are eight this time around, rather than nine, which means ten less jiggies), although items are much more spread out and, as I said, clustered together in "nests" (presumably due to memory constraints). Also, jiggies are in much less obvious places, and sometimes it takes awhile just to find one of them - I once spent about two *hours* in a world without finding a single jiggy! To me, this is highly ungratifying, since the purpose of "little" collectibles like notes is to reward the player for small tasks (like jumping up to a higher platform), and the jiggies and such reward the player for larger tasks (like finishing a mini-game successfully). With most of the rewards being for larger tasks, you can go a long time without feeling like you've made any progress, which can be frustrating for longer runs. Expect to find a jiggy roughly every fifteen minutes on average, and that's if you're keeping a moderate pace. Later on it takes longer.
However, part of the reason some jiggies are so well hidden and take forever to find leads me to talk about one of this game's strong points. In B-K, each world was self-contained. Except for Freezeezy Peak, Gobi's Valley, and perhaps one jiggy in Bubblegloop Swamp, everything can be obtained on your first trip to a world, and if you want to minimize the number of trips to Freezeezy and Gobi's, you can enter, learn your new ability from Bottles the mole, and leave. You'll have all the moves in the game by that point, and the levels will go back to being self-contained collect-fests (which, aside from a few stray notes that can be a pain in the tail to track down, are managable enough and rarely take much longer than an hour). In Banjo-Tooie, however, the worlds are interconnected in incredibly creative ways. Sometimes helping a character in one world will cause them to leave and go to another world (where they will help you obtain another jiggy), and sometimes you will have to enter a world *from another world* in order to get certain kinds of items. One particular puzzle in Jolly Roger Lagoon involves trips to Grunty Industries, Cloud Cuckooland, and Hailfire Peaks... all for one jiggy. It's pretty neat how everything ties together like this, especially considering this is still essentially a hub-based level design, rather than open-ended Metroid-style world in which these interconnections are the norm.
Even so, some of the backtracking gets tedious, especially considering that one of the new "features" is the ability to play as Mumbo, or to have Banjo and Kazooie split up and work separately. Also, transformations occur in every level rather than just four of them... which means, in essence, five "playable characters" per level: Banjo+Kazooie, Banjo alone, Kazooie alone, Mumbo, and the transformation for that world (performed by a new character, Humba Wumba). Switching between them takes time, and if you don't know where you're supposed to go as who, it can bog you down quickly. Most of your initial trip to some levels involves triggering a lot of switches to open up gates that you can only access from one side (which was the reason it took me over four hours to clear out Grunty Industries) and finding the warp pads to cut down on travel time later. Once you get past this, the collecting picks up a bit more, and the abundance of mini-games and bosses (yes, there are bosses this time around) spruce up the variety very nicely.
Even so, the game was still a disappointment my first time around, and although I appreciated the interconnectedness of the worlds more this time, it still left me a little dry this time too. I can remember playing the second and third Spyro games years back (which are, sadly, MIA these days) and comparing B-T to them; in light of Year of the Dragon's large number of worlds (at least twice as many), extensive mini-games, voice-acting, and smooth frame rate, it felt like the slowdown-laden sequel to B-K was a little behind the times and should've taken advantage of the Expansion Pak (or at least not tried to be as graphically impressive). Also, the Stop 'n' Swop was not implemented in the N64 version of this sequel (instead you defeated B-K cartridges and used their items to unlock paltry rewards), and there was almost nothing to show for collecting most of the secret items. The reward for all 90 jiggies was rather pointless and basically amounted to screenshots of the game that I had taken so long to beat. Meh.
But, despite my complaining, the game was actually not too bad.. I might give it a 6.5 or 7, although definitely not the 9 that nearly everyone on GameFAQs gave it. I just wish I had gotten more for my troubles...
...but such is the advantage of NES games! Most of them don't take as long as that, and there's a certain charm to even the worst NES endings (usually)... although Dragon Warrior 2 and 3 could take awhile. I've gotten the boat in the second game and am going after the crests (and some better equipment while I'm at it), but since I've beaten it twice I shouldn't need to re-reference a guide on this run. I also have a few new gems my collection, and I have the screenshots ready for my Clash at Demonhead post... now to just write it, provided the quest for platinums in Blast Corps doesn't consume my gaming time...
Since I didn't do the summary run-down for Banjo-Kazooie, I probably won't bother for Banjo-Tooie... I may add it later after the fact, but more for myself than anything else.


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Rating: 5 stars 1 1 review 694
PO Box 12981 Raleigh NC 27605 USA
Provide a place for ritual and ceremony in which followers of Earth centered religions can gather for holy days, marriages, handfastings, coming of age celebrations, funerals, blessings, dedications, and other such events. Provide support, understanding, and education to those of alternative beliefs and to the community in general. Unite the community in times of need towards making our community and the entire planet a better place to live.
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I moved to the Raleigh area and, looking for groups and gatherings for Pagans, I found the Church of the Earth. I soon became very involved and now serve on the Church Council, run many of its rituals, and through the Church, have found a dozen other local groups and organizations. Church of the Earth is a great melting pot and for a variety of Pagan belief systems, with only a loose set of tenets as general guidelines for membership: 1) Every Person's Religious Belief Is Correct, For Them. 2) The Earth Is Our Mother, We Should Respect Her. 3) Old Ways Should Not Be Ignored. 4) We are Accountable for our Actions.
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The general common sense and openness of this Pagan group has allowed me to become more comfortable with my own beliefs, and has provided contact with most of the people I now consider my friends.
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