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In the previous post I introduced the concept of an allowed edge set in hardware, and presented the edge set we chose for our current processor designs. I mentioned that a reduction in edges reduces the capability of the processor. In this post I will explain why this is and how it affects the performance of the system.
To begin, note that in the design we're building, it is useful to refer to the physical qubits as vertices and physical couplers as edges in a graph . Call the hardware graph. The hardware graphs for 8, 32 and 128-qubit systems were explicitly shown in the previous post, although in principle many other types of hardware graph (say for example the one we used for the 28-qubit Leda or 16-qubit Cerberus chips) are feasible. Internally here we call graphs formed of tiling the plane with blocks Chimera graphs.
Assume a hardware graph has been defined. For the following example, we'll use the 32-qubit version for simplicity. Here it is for reference:
We now want to use this hardware graph for solving problems. Assume that we wish to use the chip to run a quantum adiabatic algorithm to solve for the global minimum of
ie, a fully connected (all non-zero) graph on 32 variables. Can we do this? The answer is no. To see why, assign to this problem a graph , with vertices identified with variables and edges drawn whenever a non-zero is required. For this example, this graph is the fully connected (all non-zero) graph on 32 vertices. Call the problem graph.
A problem graph can be solved natively in the hardware if can be embedded in the hardware graph . A graph embedding is in general a one to many map between vertices and edges in to vertices and edges in . In the example above, cannot be embedded in , as they have the same number of vertices, while is fully connected and is not.
Let's try another problem graph. Let's say we want to solve for the global minimum of
where and the problem edge set are arbitrary. What can we say about whether or not we can embed the problem graph into a hardware graph? Here are some things that we know:
- You can always embed a fully connected graph on variables into a Chimera graph with variables.
- You can never embed a problem graph that has either more vertices or more edges than a hardware graph.
- Any instance that is in the middle needs to be determined by solving what is in general a hard problem in its own right, that is does embed in . In practice if you wanted to operate in this regime, you'd probably have a fast heuristic embedder to see if a problem natively embeds.
Based on these observations, there are three obvious ways these chips can be operated.
- Use the chip as a solver for complete graphs, where the algorithm calling the chip has a hard-coded embedding scheme for any problem edge set. This option has the advantage that it is the most flexible for inclusion in the master algorithm (no restrictions on problem edge set), and there is no runtime cost for embedding. Its key disadvantage is that the number of variables of problems you can solve in this mode is upper bounded by roughly the square root of the number of qubits in hardware, which is a significant cost with the current chips & their low qubit count.
- Use the chip as a solver for problem graphs that exactly match the hardware graph by making this a hard constraint in the master algorithm. In other words, as an algorithm designer you are constrained to only pose problems to the hardware that have problem graphs that exactly match the hardware graph. This has the advantage of having trivial hard-coded embedding and maximally using the resources of the hardware. Its key disadvantage is a severe loss of flexibility in algorithms design possibilities.
- Use the chip for arbitrary problem sizes by running an embedding heuristic each time a possibly embeddable graph is generated by the master algorithm. This has the advantage of a significant gain in flexibility for algorithm designers. The main disadvantage is the increased runtime burden of having to compute embeddings on the fly.
My own strong preference is for #2 above. The loss of flexibility in algorithms design is a big problem, but we've been able to find ways to build algorithms respecting fixed hardware graphs already so I think that the advantages of #2 carry the day, at least in the short term.
So how does embedding work in practice? I will defer delving too deeply into the technical details here, leaving this to this publication. Here is a picture from that paper. The problem graph is on the left, and a simple hardware graph (not the one we use) is on the right. This is an example of a successful embedding.
One very interesting subject that Vicky's paper discusses is that the embedding details actually affect the runtime of the quantum adiabatic algorithm for solving the problem, not just whether the problem can be natively solved. In other words, two different embeddings which are both completely valid can have vastly differing adiabatic runtimes. The reason for this is that the runtime is a function of the minimum gap between ground and first excited states, and the matrix element between them. Both of these are functions of the actual embedding and embedding parameters used. In fact, it is likely that different embedding strategies could change the asymptotic scaling of quantum adiabatic algorithms. As far as I know, no-one is currently investigating this aspect of the scaling of these algorithms–this is a feature of operation in a regime where the AQC does not natively support full inter-qubit connection (ie. any real machine).
To finish this introduction, note that the 128-qubit Rainier chip can embed two complete graphs of size and as shown here:
Here the blue and red circles are couplers, the black lines are qubits (a 4×4 array of 8-qubit unit cells), the yellow circles are individual qubit biases (the ). The dashed lines show regions where fully connected graphs can be embedded. If an algorithm designer wanted to use this chip in mode #1 above (a complete graph solver), you'd architect the system to feed this chip 16 and/or 12 variable problems. This illustrates the significant hit using the chips as complete solvers gives. You go from having 128 variables to 16. This is the primary reason why I think using this scale of system as a fully connected graph solver is not the best idea.


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Muffins, loafs, biscuits, and scones—we have a pumpkin bread recipe for every fall occasion.
Healthy Pumpkin Bread Recipes
Pumpkin is one of those defining fall flavors that many of us have come to associate with the season. These recipes will have all the warm and comforting aromas of autumn wafting from your oven in no time.
Our first recipe, Golden Pumpkin-Walnut Loaf, makes a delicious gift. But, we'll warn you, you might just want to keep it all for yourself.

subset: commoncrawl


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Product Description
Issues of peace around the world are a tangled weave, and extremely volatile. This conversation illuminates the complexities in Northern Ireland, and helps us to develop greater compassion and a deepening of our own thinking regarding ethnic factions within any nation. A respected political journalist in Northern Ireland, McKeown became an activist for peace and suddenly found himself forced out of his career. We hear his extraordinary story of courage and integrity, and his well-thought-out ideas of what it takes to end violence and create productive peace anywhere. "A vital, life-loving, life-celebrating and -respecting culture is what we have to create at the end of this century of murder," says McKeown.
He is the co-founder of Peace People, along with Nobel Peace Prize laureates Betty Corrigan and Mairead McGuire. Produced with the support of the Fetzer Institute.
Topics Explored in this Dialogue:
- How to create healthy politics on a small scale
- A journalist's risky journey beyond objectivity
- The tragedy that catalyzed a peace movement
- Turning popular sentiment into political action
- Personalities of the Catholic and Protestant theologies
- Distinctions among unionists, loyalists, republicans and nationalists
- The scary part of being a truly religious person
- How churches could help end violence
- The peaceful side of Ireland's history
Host: Michael Toms Interview Date: 3/1/1996 Program Number: 2586


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Dave Attell visits The Tonight Show, jokes with Kristen Stewart and hawks "Old Porn"
Dave Attell has made the late-night TV rounds before, both as a host and as a stand-up comedian. But I cannot recall him ever doing panel with Jay Leno before, and certainly not with his ever-growing hairdo flowing out from underneath his ball cap -- and most especially not whilst sitting next to Kristen Stewart.
That said, Dave, how come did you didn't wear your Dave's Old Porn hat to promote your Showtime series?
Roll the clips. In this first bit, Attell flirts with Kristen Stewart. Am I typing that right? Flirt? He also makes Leno slightly uncomfortable with his jokes about little fellers.
In this second bit, Attell describes his new show to Leno's audience. Let's see how that goes!
If you'd like to learn more about Attell's new series, just read the interview he gave me last month!


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Get an overview of this hotelHotel in Lavagna with free breakfast and bar/lounge
Situated in Lavagna, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Porto di Lavagna and Lavagna Beach. Chiavari Beach is 1 mi (1.6 km) away.
Hotel Features
This hotel features a bar/lounge, a coffee shop/café, and concierge services. Free continental breakfast and free WiFi in public areas are also provided. Other amenities include express check-in, express check-out, and multilingual staff.
Room Amenities
All 13 rooms offer WiFi, room service, and TVs with digital channels. Other amenities available to guests include hair dryers, showers, and phones.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Albergo stella di mare
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
The hotel offers a coffee shop/café. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. A complimentary breakfast is offered each morning. Public areas are equipped with complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access.
This Lavagna hotel also offers a terrace, multilingual staff, and concierge services.
Albergo stella di mare has designated areas for smoking.
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Luggage storage
- Terrace
- Designated smoking areas
- Express check-in
- Express check-out
- Total number of rooms - 13
- Number of floors - 1
- Bar/lounge
- Coffee shop or café
- Free breakfast
- Concierge services
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Hair salon
- Free WiFi
- Multilingual staff
- Year Built 1963
- Train station pickup (surcharge)
- Free parking nearby
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
Available in all rooms: Wireless internet access ( EUR 2 per day )
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Free parking nearby
Room Amenities
- Phone
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Hair dryer
- Bidet
- Shower only
- Desk
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- Television
- Digital TV service
- WiFi (surcharge)
- Room service (limited hours)
Where to Eat
A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.
Spa Services
- Manicures and pedicures
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Roll-in shower
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at noon
Minimum check-in age is 18
Check-in time ends at 8:00 PM
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is 10:30 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Pets allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
No elevators
Optional extras
- Fee for in-room wireless Internet: EUR 2 per day (rates may vary)
- Airport shuttle fee: EUR 50,00 per vehicle (roundtrip)
- An early check-in fee will be charged
- A late check-out fee will be charged
Hotel Name
- Stella di Mare Hotel Lavagna
- Stella di Mare Lavagna
- Albergo stella di mare Hotel Lavagna
- Albergo stella di mare Hotel
- Albergo stella di mare Lavagna
- Albergo stella di mare
We should mention
All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport. Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 2999.99, due to national regulations. For further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation. This property offers transfers from the train station (surcharges may apply). Guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.


text:
You purchased this item onView this order
MRM, Cranberry, 60 Veggie Caps (Discontinued Item)
- You earn loyalty credit for every order you place at iHerb!
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Shipping Weight:?0.18 lbs (0.08 kg)Shipping WeightThe Shipping Weight includes the product, protective packaging material and the actual shipping box. In addition, the Shipping Weight may be adjusted for the Dimensional Weight (e.g. length, width & height) of a package. It is important to note that certain types of products (e.g. glass containers, liquids, fragile, refrigerated or ice packed) will often require protective packaging material. As such, these products will reflect a higher Shipping Weight compared to the unprotected product.
- Product Code: MRM-85001
- UPC Code: 609492850010
- Package Quantity: 60 Veggie Caps
- Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 4.1 in, 0.15 lbs (0.07 kg)
- Basics
- Premium Cranberry Extract With Vitamin C
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Cranberries are known to have a beneficial effect on urinary tract health. Recent data suggests that special proanthocyanidins with A-type linkages, unique to cranberries, are responsible for their exceptional anti-adhesion activity. MRM includes Vitamin C with its potent Cranberry Extract to further support urinary tract health.
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Take 1 capsule up to 3 times a day with a meal and plenty of water or as directed by your qualified healthcare provider.
Other Ingredients
Rice flour. Capsule made from plant cellulose.
Contains NO dairy, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, gluten or yeast.
|Supplement Facts
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|Amount per Serving
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|Cranberry Extract (5% proanthocyanidins)
|400 mg
|Vitamin C
|120 mg
|*Percent daily value based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
†Daily Value not established.


text:
Veterans are having trouble using the GI Bill to pay the full cost at state colleges and universities. New rules say vets can collect up to $17,500 a year at private colleges but only the cost of in-state tuition at public institutions. With frequent moves required by military service, some vets can't qualify as in-state students.
Veterans fight for in-state tuition
But that's okay. We have to give in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. That's the important thing.
This situation also applies to the spouses and children of active-duty military personnel. It really hurts, especially since spouses already suffer, job-wise, from frequent moves. One of my kids' teammates was a Navy brat, who turned 14 just before her dad was transferred for the 8th time since she was born. It's particularly tough when the family is assigned to high cost-of-living areas, like DC.
Vets aren't diverse. Color notwithstanding, they just aren't.
Perhaps illegal aliens could be seen as more malleable.
I was a Vet from 'out of area' when I first started college in CA. I had the same problem when I tried to register at the local CC–was gonna be hit with out of state tuition rates. Someone suggested I register for night school (at another local CC), where they didn't ask…and I didn't tell, lol. Got in, no problem, for in-state rates, and used the GI Bill.


text:
Language of the Day for 17 April 2013Print
A language of
500 in Norway (Krauss 1992). 1,000–2,000 speakers in Norway and Sweden (Salminen 2007). Ethnic population: 1,000 (1995 M. Krauss).
6b (Threatened).
Language Use
Language use has recently been activated to some extent. Younger speakers may nevertheless prefer Norwegian [nor] (Salminen 2007). Used by few children. Also use Norwegian [nor].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 30%–60%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%.


text:
Thomas Nelson, religious publisher, to be purchased by HarperCollins
HarperCollins buys out religious publisher
Crystal Cathedral board sells property to local University
Crystal Cathedral board backs sale to university
Congress considers military aid cuts to Egypt because of persecution
Cut is U.S. aid to Egypt touted over persecution
Demonstrators may be asked to leave St. Paul's in London
St. Paul's Cathedral raises doubts over protesters
Local churches in Joplin help to rebuild houses with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
TV makeover show to build 7 homes in Joplin
Category: General News
Fiscal Cliff to be History
The fiscal cliff appears to be history: Late last night congress passed legislation to avoid it. The house voted to accept a plan that originated in the senate on New Year's Eve. The president says he will sign it, but for now he's headed back to Hawaii to rejoin his family on vacation. Meanwhile, you will probably still have more taxes taken out of your paycheck this year. That's because there was a temporary reduction in Social Security taxes put in place a while back that expired yesterday and wasn't renewed.


text:
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
- n. A labial pipe organ stop of 8-foot pitch.
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. In organ-building, a stop closely resembling the dulciana, and deriving its name from its delicate reedy tone, which resembles that produced by a willow pipe. Also salicet.
German, from Latin salix ("willow") + -ion + -al (Wiktionary)
Sorry, no example sentences found.


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Ensuring the Safety of Texans
Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst held a press conference on Monday in response to the recent nightclub tragedies in Chicago and Rhode Island. To ensure that similar tragedies do not occur in Texas, Dewhurst announced that he has asked the Senate Committee on State Affairs to conduct a review of existing laws and regulations protecting citizens in entertainment and other public facilities. In a letter addressed to the chairman of the committee, he wrote that he is particularly concerned about laws relating to fire safety, including the use of indoor pyrotechnics.
Houston Senator Mario Gallegos, a twenty-two year veteran of the Houston Fire Department, filed legislation on Wednesday that would require the approval of a fire marshal or county sheriff to use pyrotechnics before a gathering of fifty or more people. Gallegos said that the penalty for failure to comply would be a criminal offense. The Senator conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims of recent tragedies and said that it is up to the leadership to make sure that these things don't happen again.
2003 Texas Capitol Schoolhouse
The school bell rang on Wednesday to signal the start of the biennial Texas Capitol Schoolhouse. The Ground Floor Rotunda of the Capitol was transformed into a classroom for two days for children and teachers from all over the state. Diane Boehm, founder of the event, said that the event gives legislators the opportunity to see first hand how schools today are using technology and how important funding for technology is. Austin Senator Gonzalo Barrientos, sponsor of the event since it's inception in 1991, called the children our future leaders. Co-sponsoring Senator Teel Bivins of Amarillo said that he stopped by to watch them demonstrate the remarkable things they are doing in schools with technology. "We're learning more from you than you're learning from us," El Paso Senator Eliot Shapleigh told the children, "and it's our job to make sure that this great, great idea of public education in the state of Texas only gets better."
Medicaid Coverage
The Lieutenant Governor told members of the press that although many states have been forced to cut back on Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, he hopes to continue to provide the same coverage for Texans who are currently eligible.
Dewhurst announced that he has made a recommendation to the Senate Finance Committee to delay the implementation of SB 43, passed during the 77th Legislative session to streamline the eligibility process for children's Medicaid, in order to achieve approximately $400 million in savings.
Children with Special Health Care Needs program
The Senate Finance Committee concurred with the House to authorize the spending of $2.5 million in federal funds for the Children with Special Health Care Needs program. Dewhurst said that he will be meet with Governor Rick Perry shortly to implement the program to add 150 children with chronic physical or developmental conditions to the program during this year. According to the Lieutenant Governor, the rest of the $4 million reserved for the program will be earmarked for medically needy children in 2004.
Bills Passed by the Senate
On Wednesday, the Senate approved the passage of it's second bill of the 78th Legislative Session. SB 189, sponsored by Dallas Senator John Carona, requires the appointment of a committee upon receiving a salary grievance from an elected county official.
The Senate passed seven bills in Thursday's session:
Session video and all other webcast recordings can be accessed from the Senate website's audio and video archive pages.


text:
Gift Premium Subscription To thetragichero
Join Date:01-29-2012
Last Activity:02-06-2013 3:37 PM
Likes Given: 15
8 Likes on 8 Posts
- Single
- Palm Bay
Posted in thread: Autosiphon didnt work, beer got airiated.... on 06-24-2012 at 11:52 PM
had this happen, caused me to have to buy another autosiphon as the first one did not make it
through the flight across the kitchen
Posted in thread: hopbursted citra hybrid ale on 06-22-2012 at 08:00 PM
i did an all calypso hop hybrid apa that's deliciousi did use a small amount as fwh, but a good
couple of ounces late and dryhoppedkiller hop flavour and aroma, but only 36ibu so it's nice
and drinkab...
Posted in thread: Hangover beer??? :( on 06-21-2012 at 12:55 PM
i have gotten IMMEDIATE headaches from fusels in beer
Posted in thread: The glasses you use for drinking your brews on 06-21-2012 at 12:51 PM
tasting/sample glass on the left, full on imbibing glass on the righthey i have the same sample
glass!did you also get yours free with coppola wine?
Posted in thread: The glasses you use for drinking your brews on 06-20-2012 at 03:40 AM
after buying nonic imperial pints, i won't ever go back to the 'american pint' glasses (except
for the rare mixed drink) for my aleskolsch will be drank out of kolsch glasses,
belgians/barleywines out...
Posted in thread: Fell asleep on couch, boil went 6 hours on 06-20-2012 at 03:37 AM
hope you mashed super low!
Posted in thread: Beer Hangover on 06-19-2012 at 01:07 PM
3am steak and shake run
Posted in thread: homemade hop extract? on 06-18-2012 at 01:30 AM
i would like to dryhop my 2.5g batch of barleywine, but i always have leaf hops soak up way too
much wortso i put an ounce and a half of leaf hops into a mason jar with some vodka to make my
own extra...
Posted in thread: Summer Citra Wheat (lemon!!!) on 06-18-2012 at 12:54 AM
lhbs had some citra but no sorachi, so i'll try this with cascade subbed for sorachi (at least
in the kettle) once i get my kolsch off the yeast cakethis is by far the most popular beer i've
brewed so...
Posted in thread: wheat malt ? on 06-18-2012 at 12:45 AM
i throw a handful of rice hulls in my mash tun for all my beerssorta like my medical insurance:
i don't ever go to the doctor, but it's nice to know it's there if needed


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Attorney General Cuomo Announces Doctor Ranking Agreement With Unitedhealthcare
NEW YORK, NY (November 20, 2007) - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an agreement on doctor ranking programs with UnitedHealthcare (NYSE: UNH). UnitedHealthcare is the second-largest health insurance company in the country and will apply the principles of the Attorney General's model for doctor ranking programs nationwide.
The agreement with UnitedHealthcare is the fifth in three weeks, following similar agreements reached with CIGNA Healthcare, Aetna, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Group Health Incorporated/Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York, both of which are subsidiaries of EmblemHealth, Inc. CIGNA, Aetna, and Empire's parent, WellPoint, will also apply the principles of the Attorney General's doctor ranking model nationwide. WellPoint is the largest insurer in the country and Aetna is the third largest.
This model was created in consultation with the American Medical Association and the Medical Society of the State of New York, along with a host of consumer advocacy groups including the Consumers Union and the National Partnership for Women & Families. North Shore Physician Organization also provided key assistance to the Attorney General's doctor rankings initiative.
UnitedHealthcare has plans to launch a doctor ranking program known as UnitedHealth Premium? designation program to consumers in New York in December 2007. In July, the Attorney General sent a letter to UnitedHealthcare, the first company contacted as part of an industry-wide investigation into doctor rankings, calling on it to fully explain how it intended to rate physicians and to refrain from launching a program in New York without the Attorney General's consent. UnitedHealthcare will comply with the Agreement before launching that program in New York.
"We are witnessing the insurance market correcting itself. The three largest insurers in the country have now all said they will apply the principles of our model for doctor rankings nationwide. Leaders in the insurance industry are setting the standard for rating doctors by using a model that was created with the input of physicians and consumers," said Cuomo. "I applaud UnitedHealthcare for working over the past several months with our office to improve their rating system and waiting to make sure their program met our standards before launching it."
"We applaud the Attorney General's commitment in this area and are pleased that our Premium designation program will embrace and comply with the core principles of the agreement, including the importance of transparency of information to consumers, physicians and employers. We believe physician performance assessment programs play a key role in improving health care quality and cost-efficiency," said Reed V. Tuckson, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief of Medical Affairs, UnitedHealth Group. "This is good news for consumers who need information tools to help guide them through the health system and for physicians who deserve useful and accurate feedback."
"Having three of the largest insurers in the country pledging to adopt the principles of the Attorney General's model nationwide is an important victory for consumers everywhere," said Debra L. Ness, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families. "Programs that evaluate physicians need to be designed so that consumers know exactly what goes into how their physicians are assessed and can easily understand their choices. As the Attorney General's model becomes the standard within the industry consumers across the country can achieve this goal."
"We are pleased that UnitedHealthcare has followed the other New York health insurers and committed to these crucial protections for patients and physicians," said the American Medical Association's President-Elect, Dr. Nancy Nielsen.
"The program set forth in this agreement, compared to the one United rolled out earlier this year, represents a major accomplishment of the Attorney General," said Dr. Robert Goldberg, President of the Medical Society of the State of New York. "The infusion of transparency, backed up by oversight to ensure accuracy and due process makes great strides in providing useful information for our patients."
The model reforms doctor ranking programs by compelling insurers to fully disclose to consumers and physicians all aspects of their ranking system. Additionally, under this model, the insurer must retain an oversight monitor, known as a Ratings Examiner ("Rx"), who will oversee compliance with all aspects of the agreement and report to the Attorney General every six months.
Under the model, insurers will:
- Ensure that rankings for doctors are not based solely on cost and clearly identify the degree to which any ranking is based on cost;
- Use established national standards to measure quality and cost efficiency, including measures endorsed by the National Quality Forum (NQF) and other generally accepted national standards;
- Employ several measures to foster more accurate physician comparisons, including risk adjustment and valid sampling;
- Disclose to consumers how the program is designed and how doctors are ranked, and provide a process for consumers to register complaints about the system;
- Disclose to physicians how rankings are designed, and provide a process to appeal disputed ratings;
- Nominate and pay for the Ratings Examiner, subject to the approval of the Attorney General, who will oversee compliance with all aspects of the new ranking model and report to the Attorney General's office every six months; the Ratings Examiner must be a "national standard setting organization" and will be national in scope, independent, and an Internal Revenue Code ? 501(c)(3) organization.
Doctor-ranking programs are a rapidly growing practice within the healthcare industry. Major insurers nationwide either operate or are in the process of developing these programs.
Today's agreement with UnitedHealthcare also covers Oxford Health Plans, Inc.
The Attorney General's industry-wide investigation of doctor ranking programs is ongoing and is being handled by Linda Lacewell, the head of the Attorney General's Healthcare Industry Taskforce.
For Adobe PDF files you can download Adobe Reader from Adobe Systems.


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RUSH: The media is twisting itself into pretzels -- pretzels! -- doing everything they can to deny the obvious reality of Fort Hood. Last night, CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, Special Investigations Correspondent Drew Griffin reported this about the Fort Hood gunman Nidal Malik Hasan.
GRIFFIN: Hasan made NO attempt to hide his religion or his conservative Muslim ideology, which is exactly why some experts are convinced Nidal Hasan is NOT a terrorist.
RUSH: Outrageous on two counts! There is nothing "conservative" about Islamofascism. These people in the media continue to refer to anything they think is evil as "conservative." Secondly, I know and I have read a lot of terrorists who are pretty open about what they intend to do. They're out there. I mean, Zawahiri, Bin Laden, any number of them are doing everything they can to let it be known what they believe and what they intend to do and what it is that motivated them. What does this guy mean? He "made no attempt to hide his religion or conservative Muslim ideology, and that's why some experts..." Who are these experts? Name the names! We need to know who these people are so we don't listen to them anymore. Now, do you remember it wasn't long ago that the State-Controlled Media very, very, very concerned, ladies and gentlemen, (gasp!) very concerned that the forces of talk radio and the right-wing news bloggers were ginning up potential violence against President Obama and others in society -- and, oh, what had happened to our civility. Well, Anderson Cooper 360 broadcasts an American Muslim threat against President Obama. Revolution Muslim Brother Yousef Al-Khattab said this about Osama Bin Laden and President Obama, and they broadcast it on CNN last night.
AL-KHATTAB: I love Osama Bin Laden, I wallahi (swear to Allah). I love him! I love him like more than -- more than I love myself. Is [President] Obama a murderer, a tyrant, a scumbag? Absolutely he is. If they killed him, would I shed a tear? Absolutely I would not.
RUSH: There you go, now CNN putting it all out there, folks, while worrying and wringing its hands throughout the summer about the "teabaggers." Even President Clinton has gotten into that vulgarity game now, calling tea party attendees teabaggers. We'll get to all that in mere moments. Special investigations correspondent Drew Griffin had this exchange with revolution Muslim Brother Yunis Abdullah Mohammed on CNN again last night.
MOHAMMED: We're commanded to terrorize the disbelievers.
GRIFFIN: Commanded to terrorize the disbelievers?
MOHAMMED: The Koran says very clearly in the Arabic language: "Terrorize them." It's a command from Allah!
GRIFFIN: So you're commanded --
MOHAMMED: To terrorize them.
GRIFFIN: -- to terrorize --
MOHAMMED: Doesn't mean...
GRIFFIN: -- anybody who doesn't believe?
MOHAMMED: You define terrorism as going and killing an innocent civilian. That's what your --
GRIFFIN: And you?
MOHAMMED: I define terrorism as making them fearful so that they think twice before they go rape your mother or kill your brother or go onto your land and try to steal your resources.
RUSH: This guy, Drew Griffin, just has this conversation with this guy. Now, go back and play sound bite eight. He just heard this guy say what he believes terrorism is and what his commandment from Allah is. This is after he reported this...
GRIFFIN: Hasan made NO attempt to hide his religion or his conservative Muslim ideology, which is exactly why some experts are convinced Nidal Hasan is NOT a terrorist.
RUSH: Well, let me tell you something: I'm an expert in media and I am entirely convinced as to why CNN has no audience. Zip, zero, nada.
RUSH: Kelsey in Hurricane, Utah. Hello.
CALLER: Hello Rush how are you today?
RUSH: Fine and dandy. Thank you.
CALLER: Hey, it's great to talk to you. Real quick, I wanted to get back to the CNN reporter --
RUSH: Yeah?
CALLER: -- and how he was describing Nidal Hasan's religion. Now, am I remembering correctly, did he use the word "conservative"?
RUSH: Yeah, "conservative Muslim."
CALLER: Well, you know, normally if you would want to describe his actions, wouldn't you kind of use a different word? Wouldn't you say "radical" or "nut job" or "traitor" or "extremist"?
RUSH: Yeah, but it... See, we are the "extremists." Obama is calling us the extremists. This guy is a mainstream Islamofascist. But, no, your point is well taken. Look, the media calls Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the mullahs "the conservative leadership in Iran."
CALLER: Yeah. Well, you know, I feel like it's big marketing, you know? We are labeling, we are marketing. We are using rhetoric and trying to convince people that the duck that's walking like a duck and quacking like a duck is not a duck.
RUSH: Well, I know. But see what you have to understand is we're the enemy. We're the ones that need protection against backlashes. Not Muslims. Muslim backlash in this country? There's hardly any hate crimes against Muslims compared to other religions.


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Today, I was at a wedding reception with loud music. A guy told me that his sister couldn't be there because she "went home to be with her boy." I said, "That's too bad, she's missing a great party." He paused and repeated, "She went home to be with her LORD." FML
by Anonymous / 03/31/2014 at 12:43am / United States (New York) / Miscellaneous
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Eric Yixin Yang, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professo, Chair
Department of Biological Sciences
1 Kellogg Circle, Box 4050
Emporia State University
Emporia, KS 66801
Phone: 620-341-5608 (office)
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, 2003
Department of Microbiology
Program of Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Advisor: Dr. Douglas Fix
Medical Degree in Clinical Medicine, 1996
Dalian Medical University
Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China
M.S. in Computer Science, 2005
Department of Computer Science
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Advisor: Dr. Bidyut Gupta
Courses Taught
Bioinformatics MC 859/459, Emporia State University
Honors Biology GB 171, Emporia State University
Microbiology MC316, Emporia State University
Microbiology Laboratory MC317, Emporia State University
Pathogenic Microbiology MC562, Emporia State University
Pathogenic Microbiology Laboratory MC563, Emporia State University
Principles of Biology Laboratory GB141, Emporia State University
Java Programming, Southern Illinois University
Professional Membership
Sigma Xi the Scientific Research Society
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
American Society of Microbiology (ASM)
American Society of Cell Biology (ASCB)
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Selected Presentations (seminars-posters-invited speaker)
- 12/2010: poster, "Anti-Proliferative and Anti-invasive Effects of Oleanic Acid in Human Malignant Melanoma Cells". 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology, Philadelphia, PA.
- 12/2010: poster, "Molecular Mechanisms of Inhibitory Effect of Zerumbone on Human Malignant Melanoma Cells." 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology, Philadelphia, PA.
- 03/2010: poster, "Zerumbone and Luteolin, Two Bioactive Herbal Extraction, Induce Cell cycle Arrest and Apoptosis of Human Malignant Melanoma Cells. 142th Annual Meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science, Fort Hays, Kansas (the second place award of poster presentation)
- 03/2010: poster, "Potential Therapeutic Effects of Cinnamon Leaf Oil and Its Constituents on Human Malignant Melanoma Cell". 142th Annual Meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science, Fort Hays, Kansas (the third place award of poster presentation)
- 03/2010: oral, "The Anti-proliferation and Cell Cycle G2/M Phase Arrest of Human Melanoma Cells Caused by Curcumin". 142th Annual Meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science, Fort Hays, Kansas (the second place award of the oral presentation).
- 03/2010: poster, "Using Microarray Analysis to Elucidate the Protective Effect of Mercuric Compound at Sub-lethal Concentrations Against the Bactericidal Effect of Ultraviolet Light on Escherichia coli Cells." 142th Annual Meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science, Fort Hays, Kansas
- 01/2010: poster, "The Effect of Curcumin on the Growth of Human Malignant Melamoma Cells." The 8th Annual K-INBRE Symposium. Kansas City, MO. (award of poster presentation, 9 out of about 100 posters received the awards)
- 03/2009: poster, "Gene Expression Profile of Malignant Melanoma Cells in Response to the Treatment By Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract". 141th Annual Meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science, Topeka, Kansas (the second place award of the poster presentation)
- 03/2009: poster, "Effect of Mercuric Compound at Sublethal Concentrations on the
- Survivability of Bacterial Cells Challenged by Ultraviolet Light or N-Ethyl-
- N-Nitrosourea". 141th Annual Meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science, Topeka, Kansas (the third place award of the poster presentation)
- 03/2009: Poster, "The toxicity of Luria-Bertani Medium on Certain Escherichia coli Strains". 141st Annual Meeting of Kansas Academy of Science at Topeka, Kansas
- 12/2008: Poster, "Microarray Analysis of the Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract on the Proliferation of Malignant Melanoma cells". 48th General Meeting of American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), San Francisco, CA
- 06/2008: Poster, "Characterization of a Novel Antimicrobial and Antitumor Agent Produced by Brevibacillus laterosporus." 108th General Meeting of American Society for Microbiology (ASM), Boston, MA
- 03/2008: Poster, "Characterization of Antimicrobial and Antitumor Agents Produced by Isolates of Soil from Rocky Mountain National Park". 140th Annual Meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science, Emporia, Kansas (the first place award of the poster presentation)
- 03/2008: Poster, "The Effect of Ginkgo biloba Leaf Extract and Its Active Constituents on the Proliferation of Malignant Melanoma Cells". 140th Annual Meeting of the Kansas Academy of Science, Emporia, Kansas
- 11/2004: Poster, "The Isoflavone Genistein Reduces SOS-Dependent Mutation in Escherichia coli", ASM Conference on DNA Repair and Mutagenesis: From Molecular Structure to Biological Consequences, Southampton, Bermuda
- 10/2003: Invited speaker, "Reduction of Transversion Mutations by the Isoflavone Genistein in Escherichia coli", Fall 2003 Seminar Series, Program of Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
- 05/2003: Invited speaker, "The Application of Embryonics and Immunotronics in Fault Tolerance", Semester Seminar, Department of Computer Sciences, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
- 02/2003: Invited speaker, "Soybean and Human Health", invited by Civic Center of Carbondale as part of Health Awareness Program.
- 05/2002: Poster, "Effect of Isoflavone Genistein on Mutagenesis induced by ENU and UV in Escherichia coli", 104th General Meeting of American Society of Microbiology, New Orleans, LA
- 05/2000: Poster, "Alleviation of ENU-induced Mutagenesis by genistein", 2nd Annual Midwest DNA Repair Symposium, University of Louisville
Selected Refereed Publications:
- Ma, X., Yang, Y., Lv, G. (2010) Small Interfering RNA-Directed Knockdown of S100A4 Decreases Proliferation and Invasiveness of Osteosarcoma Cells. Cancer Letters Vol. 299: 171-181
- Wolyniak J. Michael, Alvarez J. Consuelo J, Yang Yixin, etc. (2010) Building Better Scientist Through Cross-disciplinary Collaboration in Synthetic Biology: A Meeting Report From The Genome Consortium for Active Teaching (GCAT) Workshop 2010. CBE—Life Sciences Education 9(4):399-404.
- Xiao Zhao-yang, Wang Shou-ping, Yang Yi-xin. (2010) Mechanism of the Preconditioning Protection Against Anoxia-reoxygenation Injury of Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes. China Journal of Anesthesiology (in press) (corresponding author)
- Liu, C and Yang, Y. The Effect of Zerumbone on the Proliferation and Invasiveness of Human Malignant Melanoma Cells (submitted to Molecular Cancer Research) (corresponding author).
- Xiao, Z., Wang, S. and Yang, Y. Temporal Changes of Proenkephalin and Prodynorphin mRNA and Their Derived Peptides in the Kainic Acid Induced Epileptic Rat. (submitted to Journal of Biomedical Science) (corresponding author).
- Zhao, Y. and Yang, Y. Microarray Analysis of the Anti-melanoma Effects of Kaempferol. (submitted to Cancer Letters) (corresponding author)
- Zhao, Y and Yang, Y. The Gene Expression Profile of Human Malignant Melanoma Cells Treated by Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract (submitted to Phytomedicine) (corresponding author)
- Zhao, Y and Yang, Y. Characterization of the Antimicrobial and Anti-tumor Substance Produced by Brebacillus laterosporus Isolated from Rocky Mountain. (in preparation) (corresponding author)
- Wang, X and Yang, Y. Molecular Response to Mercuric Chloride in Escherichia coli Challenged by Genotoxic Agents. (submitted to Journal of Bacteriology) (corresponding author)
- Schrock J. R. and Yang, Y (2007). The Growing Problem of Plagiarism and the Correct Use of Science Citation. Biology Teaching Vol. 32, No.7
- Yang, Y. and D. Fix. (2006) Genetic Analysis of the Anti-mutagenic Effect of Genistein in Escherichia coli. Mutat Res. 600: 193- 206
- Gupta, B., Yang, Y., Rahimi, S., and Vemuri, A. (2006) A High-Performance Recovery Algorithm for Distributed Systems. ISCA 21st International Conference on Computers and Their Applications, March 23-25, 2006, Seattle, Washington, USA. Editor: J. Jackson, ISBN: 1-880843-58-7
- B. Gupta, S. Rahimi, and Y. Yang. (2007) A Novel Roll-back Mechanism for Performance Enhancement of Asynchronous Checkpointing and Recovery, Informatica, 31: 1-13
- Yang, Y. and D. Fix. (2001) Reduction of ENU-induced Transversion Mutations by the Isoflavone Genistein in Escherichia coli. Mutat Res. 8; 479(1-2):63-70.
Research Interests
Phytochemicals are natural chemicals extracted from plants. Phytochemicals has drawn considerable attention due to their extensive biological activities involved in cancer prevention and treatment. Phytochemicals has demonstrated preferential induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in tumor cell lines. In addition, phytochemicals modulate the expression of genes involved in tumor behavior and malignant transformation.
Malignant melanoma is currently the leading cause of death from cutaneous malignancies, and it is estimated that one out of 63 persons in United States will develop malignant melanoma in his or her lifetime. The incidence of melanoma has increased five-fold during the past three decades, and is rising faster than any other cancer in men and second only to lung cancer in women. Metastasized melanoma is extremely aggressive, often fatal, and refractory to current therapies. It has a very poor prognosis: the median survival rate is 6 months, and the 5-year survival rate is less than 5-15%. Therefore, there is pressing need to seek powerful chemotherapeutic agent to cure malignant melanoma.
My lab screens and examines the pharmacological effects of a number of standard preparation of plant extracts and individual constituents of the extract on malignant melanoma. We explore the numerous bioactivities of phytochemcials on melanoma cells: cytotoxicity, proliferation inhibition, apoptosis induction and cell cycle progression arrest, reduction in cell motility and invasiveness, etc. We elucidate the anti-melanoma mechanism by examining the differential gene expression profile of melanoma cells in response to phytochemicals. We also identify the genes and pathways that phytochemicals may target on to exert the anti-melanoma effects by gene knockout through RNA interference. In addition, we are investigating the relationship between structure of phytochemicals and pharmacological effect, especially the apoptosis induction and cell cycle perturbation. The goal of our research is to contribute to the design of viable novel targeted therapy to treat invasive melanoma.
In addition, our group has other three ongoing projects that my graduate students are currently working on: (1) Interactive effects between dam (methylation of GATC sites) deficiency mutation and the mutations of mutD, mutH, mutL, or mutS (genes required for methyl-directed mismatch repair). (2) Effect of mercuric compound at sublethal concentrations on the survivability of bacterial cells challenged by genotoxic agents (3) Characterizing a novel antimicrobial and anti-tumor agent produced by a strain of Brevibacillus laterosporus, a spore-former isolated from Rocky Mountain soil sample.
Due to my background in both molecular genetics and computer science, I am also interested in giving solutions to the mathematical or computing algorithm problem using bacteria cells, taking advantage of directionality of genes. My lab is working on designing innovative genetic circuits to facilitate topological search and solve Hamiltonian path problem.
Research team:
Andrew Xiao, M.D., Ph.D., currently an Associate Professor at Department of Anesthesiology at China 4th Military Medical University. He recently received a major research grant from National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Yunqi "Chloe" Zhao, M.S., currently a Ph.D. candidate at Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at University of Kansas (a top ten Pharmaceutical Science Ph.D. Program of the United States). Chloe received the following awards as result of her research work at my lab:
- Harold Durst Graduate Research Award of 2008
- The first place presentation award of 140th Annual Meeting of Kansas Academy of Science in 2008
- The second place presentation award of 141th Annual Meeting of Kansas Academy of Science in 2009
- The best poster presentation award of 2009 Emporia State University Research and Creativity Forum
Xiaobo "Linda" Wang, M.S. candidate. Linda received following awards as result of her work at my lab. Linda will join Pharmacology Ph.D. and MBA combined program in Pennsylvania State University in August 2011.
- The second place of oral presentation award at 142nd Annual Meeting of KAS in 2010
- The third place of poster presentation award at 141st Annual Meeting of KAS in 2009
- 2010 Laurence C. Boylan Scholar Award
- 2009 Biology Graduate Student Scholarship
Chang, Liu, M.S. candidate. Chang received M.D. from China Medical University. Chang received the following awards as result of her research work at my lab. Chang received admission and full financial support from ten prestigious Ph.D. programs including Pharmacology programs in University of Colorado at Boulder (ranked No. 30), University of Minnesota (ranked No. 32), University of Indiana at Bloomington (ranked No. 34), University of Virginia (ranked No. 46), Purdue University (ranked No. 56), University of Iowa (ranked No. 56) and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (ranked No.1 in cancer research).
- Travel Award of American Society of Cell Biology
- The second place and third place of poster presentation award at 142nd Annual Meeting of KAS in 2010
- The second place of poster presentation award at 143rd Annual Meeting of KAS in 2011
- 2010 Biology Graduate Student Scholarship
Brandy Hanson, B.S., currently a M.D. student at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences)
David Nasrazadani, BMB undergraduate student. David's research work received the poster award at 8th Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research (K-INBRE) Symposium in 2010
Christian Smith, BMB undergraduate student
Yiliu Liu, BMB undergraduate student
Anthony Westby, Biology undergraduate student
Tim Moser, Biology undergraduate


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Miley Cyrus for W Magazine March 2014 by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Category - Entertainment
Joan Smalls for Fendi Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaigns by Karl Lagerfeld
Kanye West for Interview Magazine February 2014 by Steven Klein
" This former Yale drama student has covered some of the most revered magazines in the industry — DuJour, W and Dazed and Confused — scored a Miu Miu campaign, and has showed serious promise on the red carpet...
A$AP Rocky, Cara Delevingne Jourdan Dunn for DKNY Spring/Summer 2014 Ad Campaign
The Givenchy designer has exclusively revealed to Style.com that he has collaborated with Nike. The fruits of the partnership, which will bear the logo NIKE RT, will arrive in stores and on Nike.com this Spring. Style –
Bar Refaeli and Diane von Furstenberg pose with the rapper Wale. Photographs by Terry Richardson for Harper's Bazaar
Zooey Deschanel, Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler & Allison Williams for US Elle Magazine February 2014 : Women in TV by Carter Smith
Drew Barrymore for Marie Claire February 2014
Rihanna for MAC Viva Glam Ad Campaign shot by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin


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Today, my parents felt the need to lecture me about how people who "smoke the reefer" are a "waste of life" and will never amount to anything. I was baked during the entire conversation, and actually ended up breaking down in tears, because I realized they were totally right. FML
by :( / 06/24/2012 at 5:45pm / United States (Minnesota) / Kids
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After months of hard-fought battles against Luke Harper and Erick Rowan, The Usos finally vanquished their foes at Money in the Bank as they beat the Wyatt Family and retained the WWE Tag Team Championships Sunday night. WWE provided a picture after the win with the crowd reaction:
.@WWEUniverse was on their feet throughout, as @WWEUsos retain the #TagTeamChampionship #usocrazy pic.twitter.com/Z4YEWqf3D5— WWE (@WWE) June 30, 2014
WrestlingINC broke down how the match ended:
#MITB: One super-plex & two big splashes later, the Usos best the Wyatt boys & retain the titles. A strong kickoff for this event, for sure.— WrestlingINC.com (@WrestlingInc) June 30, 2014
While Harper and Rowan were seemingly after The Usos and their titles for quite a long time, WWE managed to hold off on a pay-per-view title match until Money in the Bank. Ultimately, it was well worth the wait as the two teams put on an excellent show.
After the match, The Usos took to Twitter to remind fans of the result:
STILL.....#MITB pic.twitter.com/4ptjkJDfo9— The Usos (@WWEUsos) June 30, 2014
"@KonnorWWE: @WWEUsos are walking targets.. #TheAscension #MITB @TDGarden" shoot for it Uce!!! We ready!!— The Usos (@WWEUsos) June 30, 2014
Since defeating the New Age Outlaws during the lead up to WrestleMania XXX, The Usos have taken on and defeated all comers. Harper and Rowan certainly posed the stiffest challenge of all, but that is exactly what The Usos were expecting:
Wyatts and #TruTagTeam at #MITB .The true test.....— The Usos (@WWEUsos) June 14, 2014
The Usos and Wyatts have contrasting styles, which has allowed them to mesh well and put forth some great in-ring work throughout their feud. That was evident once again Sunday as they were given ample time to impress.
Even though WWE's tag team division isn't particularly deep right now, there is no question that the creative team has placed emphasis on the titles over the past several weeks by committing fully to this rivalry. The fact that The Usos and Wyatts had so many matches leading up to this meant that it didn't necessarily feel fresh, but an actual story has been told, which isn't always the case.
The Usos rushed to John Cena's aid during his feud with Bray Wyatt, which naturally led to Harper and Rowan stepping in. The two teams went at it on a number of occasions and evenly got heavily involved in the Last Man Standing match between Cena and Wyatt at Payback.
While the feud was originally about Cena and Wyatt more than the tag teams, that has changed since Payback. The Usos and Wyatts have managed to put the spotlight on themselves to some degree and they made the most of it at Money in the Bank.
Most fans were likely happy with the match itself, but the result might be questionable to some. The Usos are a strong tag team and have carried the titles well, however, it very much felt like it was the Wyatts' time leading up to the pay-per-view.
Although they are still followers of Wyatt, Harper and Rowan have been given an opportunity to go off on their own to some degree and pursue things other than solely following Wyatt's cause. In fact, Harper and Rowan were given plenty of television time without Wyatt even being in the picture, as seen in this WWE Instagram photo:
Harper and Rowan seemed poised to achieve their own personal glory for the first time in WWE, but the writers decided to keep the straps on The Usos instead. As disappointing as that might be to supporters of the Wyatt Family, it can be argued that Harper and Rowan don't necessarily need titles in order to thrive.
Was keeping the titles on The Usos the right move?
With that said, it is difficult to say where these two teams go from here. There are very few teams left for either of them to go up against and it is hard to imagine this feud continuing now that The Usos have vanquished Harper and Rowan.
Perhaps now is the time to pull the trigger on calling up a team like The Ascension from NXT to take on The Usos. Harper and Rowan can get by on simply being Wyatt's henchmen, but The Usos need opponents to defend the titles against.
The feud between The Usos and Wyatts was effective in building an actual tag team angle and showcasing the titles as well, but there is no doubt that Money in the Bank should be the end of the line for this rivalry.
Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter


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Greg Norman, winner of 91 tournaments worldwide, remembers a time when panic attacks on the elite golf circuit were often alleviated with the illicit use of a common heart and blood pressure medicine, the beta blocker.
"In my day, lots of guys were on beta blockers," Norman, 57, said in August. "It wasn't openly acknowledged, but it was obvious to the rest of us. A guy's personality would change. In practice rounds or friendly matches, we'd see the real guy under stress. Then in competition, he was like a different, calmer person. Those guys were trying to take the nerves out of the game. But nerves are very much a part of the game."
Norman was far from the only one with the tacit understanding that beta blockers, also prescribed for stage fright, were part of big-time golf. So in 2008, when the PGA and LPGA Tours were establishing their anti-doping programs, beta blockers were included on the banned substance lists.
The little pill that inadvertently, or not so inadvertently, soothes the jitters is strictly policed when the PGA Tour paydays top $1 million.
The permissibility of beta blockers in golf's top level came into focus anew last week. Charlie Beljan won a PGA Tour event last Sunday, two days after being hospitalized because of a panic attack.
Beljan might be treated with medication to prevent future panic attacks. But in competition, he will not be allowed to take certain medications, like beta blockers, without applying for a therapeutic use exemption, which requires a review by an independent panel of doctors.
Dr. Nicole Danforth, a psychiatrist, the medical director of Massachusetts General Hospital's sports psychology program and a former professional golfer, said, "I think beta blockers could treat the yips, and I think the tours think so, too, or they wouldn't ban them."
Beta blockers are prohibited in many sports other than golf, including Olympic sports. The PGA Tour took its lead from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency in adding beta blockers to its list.
"One of the many pharmacological uses of beta blockers is the steadying of hand tremors," said Andy Levinson, the executive director of the PGA Tour's anti-doping program. "Anything requiring fine motor skills could be affected, something necessary in sports like archery or golf."
For millions of Americans who take beta blockers, enhancing athletic performance is far from the purpose. Beta blockers are heart medicines meant to control blood pressure, slow the heartbeat and treat a variety of other heart conditions. That they might help calm nerves in a pressure situation is almost an accidental side effect.
"It so happens that the response to an anxiety-producing situation is also driven by the sympathetic nervous system that the beta blocker is trying to control for the good of the patient's heart," said Dr. Binoy K. Singh, the associate chief of cardiology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.
But Singh said he knew of no long-term, randomized clinical trials measuring beta blockers' effectiveness in resolving anxiety or improving performance in pressure situations, even if he has had patients tell him they have noticed a calmness in those settings.
There is, in fact, no universal agreement on whether beta blockers help or hurt in athletic situations.
"Some level of anxiety is good for performance," said Richard Ginsburg, a sports psychologist at the Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. "It keeps you on your game. A beta blocker can take away some edge, mellow you too much."
Danforth agreed, though she added that beta blockers, purely from a golf perspective, had been likened to the stabilizing advantage some find using a long putter.
There are medical concerns for those who acquire beta blockers without a prescription, perhaps through the plethora of websites selling the drugs. Singh said there was a serious risk for people using beta blockers without a genuine, long-term medical need for them.
"They are a very powerful class of drugs that have enormous impact on essential bodily functions," he said. "They are not without adverse effects."


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CLEVELAND - Both Bowling Green coach Curt Miller and Miami coach Maria Fantanarosa consider themselves close friends.
But that friendship was tested for a moment during the Mid-American Conference tournament quarterfinal battle between the two schools.
The physical contest briefly took an ugly turn with 3:48 to play when BG's Kate Achter, fighting through a flare screen, caught Miami's Nicki Motto with a fist to the face.
During the media timeout that followed, an animated Fantanarosa was screaming towards the Bowling Green bench. She didn't join her team's huddle until the timeout was almost over.
After the game both coaches said the incident already was forgotten.
"Kate's foul certainly wasn't intentional, but in the heat of the battle I would assume Maria thought we fought through that screen [too aggressively]," Miller said.
Fantanarosa said the intent of her dynamic demonstration was simple.
"It was a physical game, and I didn't want it to become a dirty game," she said. "It was an aggressive play, but I don't think Kate is a dirty player."
After the game, Fantanarosa joked that her biggest concern was finding a replacement for Motto, her point guard.
"I was going to play point," Fantanarosa said. "I didn't want to go in - I wanted her out there."
YOUTH SERVED: When top-seeded Bowling Green trotted out its starting lineup yesterday for its MAC tournament quarterfinal game against Miami, the youthful exuberance was obvious. The Falcons showed the youngest group of starters in the tournament - a freshman, three sophomores and a junior. That group is the core responsible for BG's 21-7 record, and its NCAA tournament aspirations. "They have so much confidence, without being cocky," Falcons' head coach Curt Miller said. "One of my philosophies is you have to let kids make mistakes. I think they got some confidence because we've let them use their talents and play." Sophomores Ali Mann, Liz Honegger and Carin Horne are joined by junior Casey McDowell and freshman Kate Achter in the BG starting five. "Those three sophomores are as confident as anyone I've coached, and Kate came in with a tenacity and a makeup that not many freshmen have," Miller said. "They've never looked over their shoulders, and they knew we were going to sink or swim with them. We do it without a superstar"
MARKWOOD: Perrysburg High School graduate Laura Markwood, the younger sister of former UT standout Jennifer Markwood, completed her freshman season at Miami with yesterday's MAC tournament loss to the Rockets. Markwood hit 3-of-4 shots from the field for six points and had three rebounds against UT in a backup role for the RedHawks.
Markwood broke the Miami record for offensive rebounds by a freshman this season with 85, and was the leading scorer in the middle for the RedHawks at 6.5 ppg. She had 20 blocked shots and 41 steals this season.


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A Toledo man who stole money and property from his 76-year-old father to feed a drug habit was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison followed by six months in the Correctional Treatment Facility in Toledo.
Mark Polcwiartek, 43, of 5956 Holly Glen Dr. was found guilty of two counts of robbery July 25 following a jury trial in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.
Judge Frederick McDonald said Polcwiartek verbally abused his father, calling him from jail to get him to testify that the items were gifts.
The victim in the case, Frank Polcwiartek, told the court his son was a good person who has an addiction problem.
But Judge McDonald said that while he understood that sentiment, the son's actions were "at best, reprehensible. ... This case is not about drug abuse. This case is about elder abuse."


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We stock a wide variety of costumes to hire, both character and historical, from a size 8 to 28 for women and small to XXL for men. We also have costumes to hire or purchase for children, plus an extensive selection of costume accessories, including wigs, hats, glasses, beards and moustaches.
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City clerk/solicitor to present draft document
The city's endeavour to improve the safety and tidiness of Moose Jaw properties could become an expensive proposition for landlords.
© Justin Crann
Coun. Brian Swanson addresses issues with the city's proposed property maintenance and nuisance bylaw in Monday's regular executive committee meeting.
At their regular meeting on Monday night, the Friendly City's executive committee passed a motion to allow the city clerk and solicitor to present the draft property maintenance and nuisance bylaw to city council.
The bylaw was designed, according to a report prepared for the committee, "to encourage an attractive, tidy and safe community."
"The bylaw is giving (inspectors) the authority to go in and inspect dwellings that aren't structurally sound," explained Katelyn Soltys, Moose Jaw's assistant city solicitor.
However, Coun. Brian Swanson took issue with one of the bylaw's sections, which would result in what he suggested would be an expensive bill for landlords who rent older properties — such as Moose Jaw's many century homes.
The section dealt with fire code requirements in buildings and would be enforced on an on-complaint basis.
Essentially, it requires properties to have modern fire prevention measures in place — including fire separation between suites — that may not have been present in a lot of older properties because it wasn't required at the time they were built.
"What this will actually do is make a lot of suites in Moose Jaw non-compliant," said Swanson. "The actual implementation of this is not realistic."
Soltys said what's at issue isn't the added cost, since many old properties would be grandfathered and tenants would have to complain or the situation would have to become unliveable before work would be required and costs incurred.
She said the policy was designed to improve public safety and fire protection.
Matt Noble reiterated that, in most cases, the bylaw won't be an issue. He cited recent precedent.
"Just recently, the City of Kelowna undertook a similar process," he told the committee. "If there are specific issues and real problem buildings, you need to have a way to deal with it.
"This is, at least, a start," added Noble.
Coun. Don Mitchell supported Noble's sentiment about getting the ball rolling.
"I don't think the status quo has been satisfactory," he said.
But Swanson cited precedent of his own: similar discussions of council from August 2006.
At that time, administration was directed to reconsider a proposed property standards bylaw because of the requirements that would have been placed on owners of multiple-dwelling properties.
"There is a reason this stalled previously," he told the committee.
But executive committee sided with Noble's precedent and passed the motion to have the city clerk/solicitor present the draft bylaw by a vote of five to two.
Find Justin Crann on Twitter.


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For most athletes sport retirement occurs because of deselection (they do not have the athletic talent needed in order to continue playing) or a career-ending injury, but did you know more young athletes today are voluntarily retiring from sports? In these cases kids are not retiring from sport because of a lack of talent, mental toughness, or an injury; but instead because they are no longer interested in playing sports. Why is this happening (especially to otherwise talented athletes), and what sport psychology factors are contributing to this change in attitude with today's young athletes?
In previous generations nearly every athlete who participated in youth/interscholastic sports played until he or she couldn't play anymore, and often retired from sports dejected and feeling unfulfilled as it related to playing at the "next" level. While there are still countless numbers of young athletes who fall into this category, there are increasingly more kids who have simply had enough — often retiring from sports voluntarily because of one (or more) of the following factors:
•High intensity sports. Travel and "Premier" leagues offer a higher level of sports competition, which can be both good and bad. While kids may learn to master a sport at a sooner age, the high intensity schedule they are exposed to can lead to nagging injuries, sports burnout, and less fun (the #1 reason why kids compete in sports)
•The daunting prospect of college sports. More young people today are learning that while college sports can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience, it's also a lot of work– even at the D-III level! In fact, many would call college sports a full-time job in addition to the already challenging task of excelling in full-time college course-loads — all this leads to some young athletes deciding against continuing on in sports, even if they are lucky enough to have that opportunity.
Yes, a lot has changed in youth and interscholastic sports in recent years, including the increase in the number of kids who have simply had enough and welcome sport retirement. At my private practice where I regularly counsel student athletes, not a week goes by where I am not discussing the prospect of voluntary sport retirement with a youngster. This can be an especially difficult situation to deal with for parents and coaches, as in most cases the athlete is still quite capable of playing, but seems to have lost interest (usually for one or more of the reasons I discussed above).
For more information on the signs of sport retirement and what you can do to help, check out Positive Transitions for Student Athletes.
Dr. Chris Stankovich is a graduate of The Ohio State University and the Founder of Advanced Human Performance Systems, an athletic counseling and human performance enhancement center.
For more information visit his website: www.drstankovich.com


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It's hard to adapt a movie to the world of video games. Diehard fans want an experience that accurately represents the source material, but the first level of Super Mario Bros. has a bigger body count than all of Die Hard. Usually game developers get around this problem with a weird boss fight here or an unusual story deviation there, but apparently they sometimes leave their early draft of the script in the wash, and can only loosely guess at the ending based on the shapes of the inkblots.
5Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures -- The Wrong Grail Makes You a Supervillain
JVC, LucasArts
Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures is a Super Nintendo platformer that takes players through iconic scenes in all three movies (it was a simpler, less Crystal Skull-filled time). But then you reach the end of The Last Crusade, the one about the search for the Holy Grail, which will keep anyone who drinks from it alive. Unfortunately, it's hidden in a secret room full of fake grails that will keep you dead forever, and also Nazis are after it. In the movie, Nazi henchman Donovan chooses incorrectly and withers away into dust. But in the game ...
How the Game Missed the Point
JVC, LucasArts
Wait, what? He gets so scared that he spontaneously loses all his flesh? And instead of having the good grace to die of old age, Donovan goes on living as a sentient skeleton. He deserves major credit for how quickly he adjusts to what one would assume to be an awkward and painful transition, as he immediately begins leaping about with the range of an Olympic gymnast and uses his own skull as a lethal bowling ball against Indy.
JVC, LucasArts
Thus outing himself as Janeane Garofolo's father once and for all.
When you defeat him, he continues to defy logic by bursting into flames, despite being made entirely of bones and the fact that you've only been whipping him, not dousing him with gasoline.
JVC, LucasArts
This is why you always employ a safety word during S&M sessions.
From the Nazis' standpoint, they'd probably prefer to get their hands on more fake grails instead of the real one. Sure, immortality is great for the Fuhrer and his dog, but turning all of your foot soldiers into an army of intimidating skeleton monsters is going to be more useful in wartime. One bitchin' grail kegger later, and boom: The Allies are trying to beach in Normandy under a blitzkrieg of magical skull attacks.
JVC, LucasArts
"The only thing we have to fear is ... this, actually. Shit."
4Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles -- Splinter Randomly Gets Better
Asking someone which Ninja Turtle is their favorite is like asking which deity is their favorite. But let's not forget Splinter, the wise teacher who instructed the turtles with all the dignity and grace that a stock character resembling a diseased Muppet can muster. Splinter's origin story varies, but the most well-known version is that he was a Japanese martial arts expert forced into exile by Shredder. He lived as a sewer hermit in New York City until he and his pet turtles were exposed to barrels of an oozing green mutagen, because hey, that's what you get for living in a New York sewer.
How the Game Missed the Point
The first TMNT game for the NES didn't have much of a story -- Shredder kidnapped April O' Neil, because that's what bad guys do, and you had to save her, which is what good guys do. Just choose a turtle and painstakingly fight your way through some of the most maliciously designed, death trap-filled, all-around bullshit levels you've ever seen in a video game. Good luck!
The little-known Tenth Circle of Hell.
The game was balls-to-the-wall impossible and hated children more than most clowns, so what did you get if you managed the Herculean feat of beating it? This:
"Hey, I bought you a beer."
"I also saved the universe from unspeakable evil."
Uh ... why exactly are you allowed to become human again? Did the Shredder in this version curse you like a miffed gypsy? Nope: Splinter still had his DNA mutated by ooze. But apparently you can undo genetic damage just by being super relieved. Also, why aren't the turtles affected? They're mutants for the exact same reason that he is. April, meanwhile, seems rather unfazed by the whole "miraculous recovery" thing, which is rather odd, considering that she's a frigging journalist.
"Pizza Hut's low, low prices are the real miracle worth investigating!"
To be fair, three panels of text with images is more of an ending than most NES games got -- many barely managed a "thank you." That actually makes this more impressive: They managed to screw up the entire mythos in only three measly panels. It took Lucas three whole movies to manage that.


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- Width-matched to fit the car precisely, ensuring proper clearance and handling characteristics
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- Super bright coating over the front of the wheels helps to prevent corrosion and makes cleaning easier
- Offset matched and hub machined to properly coordinate with Honda's Vehicle Suspension Design for a smooth ride, and to help ensure the longevity of wheel bearings, suspension joints and wheels
- Center cap stays snug and tight due to a positively engaged groove
- Steel lug inserts for the perfect lug nut seating, to prevent stripping
- 5 Door TOUR (2WD)
2 Door - 2-Door Coupe
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4 Door - 4-Door Sedan
5 Door - Station Wagon
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Firestorm EP Remixes
- Artists Peo De Pitte, Karetus, Specimen A, SKisM, Far Too Loud
- Release Date 2012-12-16
- Labels Funkatech Records
- Catalog FTECH055D
What a wild few months its been for Far Too Loud "Firestorm" lived up to its name in every way since its July release. With heat from Diplo, Sub Focus, Pendulum, Dillon Francis, Bare Noize, Culture Shock and a whole heap more, the EP smacked a number one shaped hole in Beatports overall releases chart!
Could a remix EP possibly beat that type of success? Damn right it can; youve just got to pick the right remixers. Like Funkatech have, right here: each player has delivered class A cargo. Inspired by the tools Far Too Louds creativity has left them, SKiSM, Peo De Pitte, Specimen A and Karetus have stepped up to deliver a package that runs the gamut of everything thats great about bass music right now.
First up, Peo De Pittes rub of Firestorm; a bashy bombardment of whistling peaks and stinking lows. Kicking and screaming like a Fake Blood record after a six month course of steroids. By the time you hit the build-up you can even taste a dash of techno.
Specimen A follows and ignites without delay. Rising sirens wail, giving hint to a murderous drop thats teased by the sudden entrance of shivering synths. One sonic boom later and were swaggering to the most uncompromising stabs and angular grooves like we were born to such a chaotic soundtrack.
The final Firestorm reversion comes from Karetus. Fresh from his Loudness War EP, hes added the scream factor with a ghost train riff that growls and grizzles across the frequencies with suspense and drumstep drama.
Last but never, ever least comes SKiSM with a rub of 600 Years. In true SKiSM style, expect the unexpected; what begins as a pensive, slo-mo drumstep stomp-off swiftly switches to a gut-busting D&B shock out with amens, fat sweaty guitar chugs and all the trimmings.
With no shade or style of bass left uncovered, the whole remix EP was curated with the same spirit the genre-flexing Far Too Loud made the original in. A more than fitting follow up to Funkatechs biggest record of the year, were sure you agree!


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The bikes are primed and ready to go and the track at Taupo is groomed for action ... all that's left now is for the Altherm JCR Yamaha Racing Team riders to take their places on the start line.
This Labour Weekend's annual Motocross Extravaganza at Taupo's Digger McEwen Motorcycle Park will be "the first big shake-down" for national MX2 champion Scotty Columb and his teammates as they prepare to defend their New Zealand Motocross Championship titles in 2014. It won't be easy for the Yamaha men because it will be champion versus champion and teammate versus teammate in this first outing of the season.
Queenstown's MX2 No1 Columb and national 125cc No1 Cameron Vaughan, of Rotorua, will go head-to-head in the MX2 (250cc) class, Columb on a YZ250 two-stroke and Vaughan on an Altherm JCR Yamaha YZ250F four-stroke machine.
Meanwhile, with MX1 regular Billy MacKenzie overseas, Waitakere's Ethan Martens will step in at Taupo to keep the seat warm in the big bike class on the Altherm JCR Yamaha team's YZ450F.
For multi-time former national champion Martens it will also be a step up.
He is a former national 125cc champion and last year raced in the MX2 category but the future for him now is on the 450cc bike.
"We have brought Ethan in because, although Billy is from overseas [Scotland], the team's goal is to support and develop the Kiwis," said manager Josh Coppins, who has just returned from managing Team New Zealand at the Motocross of Nations in Germany.
"I think Ethan has been riding the MX1 bike really well."
In addition to Columb, Vaughan and Martens, BikesportNZ.com rider Logan Blackburn, of Te Puke, will be on board an Altherm JCR Yamaha YZ125.
"We really wanted to cover all the classes. This is part of our programme to develop riders," Coppins said.
"At the end of November the riders will all gather down here [at the team training facility in Motueka] for testing and training, but this Taupo event is the team's first big shake-down.
"Our goal is to win all three classes and we have the riders to do that.
"We will have two main team riders, Scotty Columb and Billy MacKenzie, and support riders too - Ethan Martens, Cameron Vaughan and Logan Blackburn. It is a tiered system and we still have Hamilton's Josiah Natzke and Otago's Courtney Duncan to come into the mix."