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(the thing being loaded off the airplane)
Answer to question above: This is a 5 MB (megabyte) Hard Disk in 1956. In September 1956 IBM launched the 305 RAMAC, the first computer with a hard disk drive (HDD). The HDD weighed over a ton and stored data equal to about 3 floppy disks (our current computers don't even have a floppy drive).
So, start appreciating your 8 GB IPOD or memory stick (8000 MB)!
So, what does all of the K, MB, GB and TBs mean?
K=Kilobyte, 1 MB = Megabyte (1,024k), 1 GB = Gigabyte (1,024 MB), 1 TB = Terabyte (1,024 GB)
Floppy Disk, 3.5" = 1.4 MB...or 1,400k ('A' Drive)
CD = 700 MB, Avg. MP3=5mb. If so, how many MP3 can you put on a CD? Why does a commercial CD only have 10-15 songs?
DVD, Single Layer = 4,500 MB or 4.5 GB = 6.4 CDs, DVD, Dual Layer = 9 GB (this is why copying commercial DVDs is difficult to do, combined with encryption)
BluRay - 25 GBs
JPEG Digital Image = 1-6mb (a 4mp camera at high resolution and minimum compression will generate a 1.5mb file. Higher res cameras will generate larger files. Most files from a digital camera are compressed before they are ever written to the memory card. So, unless you shoot in RAW, your camera is chunking part of the picture right after it takes the picture.)
Text document = 25k (.025 mb) This would be a Word Document, like a Focus...with out any pictures. MS Word documents can definitely be a lot bigger once you start inserting pictures into a layout. But simple Text Documents are very small....so you can fit a BUNCH on a small device...and it is not necessary to throw away old docs just to save room.
PSD = 30 MB...Photoshop Document...will vary depending on how many layers...but the average Magazine cover is around 25 MB). PSD are generally the largest file. Once a JPEG has been opened and expanded into a multilayer PSD, the file size will become quite large as it is no longer compressed. Watch out for creating TOO many versions of your.
'L' Drive = 50 MB...very limited amount of storage on students share drive on school server. Located in the F Hall.
'P' Drive = 650 MB...storage space allocated on Photography Server...located in the V61 Office (that's this classroom). The drive is actually a 2,000 GB (2TB) of which all students share.
'C' Drive (includes My Documents or Desktop) = Approximately 120gb total for all users. This is local to each machine...so if you save something here, it will not be on another computer.
'D' Drive = usually your CD or DVD Drive(s)
'E' Drive = usually an external hard drive, like a back up or external storage drive.
'F' Drive = usually your pocket drives (memory sticks, etc.)
'A' Drive = designated for the Floppy Drive. Since most computers don't have a floppy drive any more, you will probably not see any 'A' drive unless you buy an external floppy drive.
'M', 'X', 'V' etc. Drives = Additional virtual drives that may have been mapped
DropBox - 2gb - NEW...just into today (2012-04-09) referrals...up to 16gb.
*NOTE: Do NOT store things on the 'C' drive NOR the Desktop (which is the same as saving to the C drive). Your files are subject to being deleted either by accident or on purpose. Your Focus should be on your P drive.
Common Sizes
1.4 mb = 1 Floppy Disk
1000 mb = 1 gb (gigabyte)
650mb = 1 CD
4.5 gb = 1 dvd (single layer)
9 gb = 1 Dual layer DVD (commercial DVD)
25gb = Blu-Ray Disc
1000 gb = 1 TB (terabyte)
Exact Sizes:
1000 Kilobytes = 1 Megabyte
· 1000 Megabytes = 1 Gigabyte
· 1000 Gigabytes = 1 Terabyte A Terabyte = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes or a million megabytes
· 1000 Terabytes = 1 Petabyte
· 1000 Petabytes = 1 Exabyte -
· 1000 Exabytes = 1 Zettabyte
· 1000 Zettabyte = 1 Yottabyte
· 1000 Yottabyte = 1 Brontobyte
Digital photography (and video) has pushed the computer industry to produce larger quantities into smaller form factors. For example, the Public/Picture folder contains over 100k photos and takes up almost 300gb of space. And this is not even all of my photos.
Pictures of terms above:
Hard Drive:
Left: 2.5" Laptop drive (old...only 6gb, Speed 12ms, 4200 RPM, 66mb/sec) It has a height of only 9.5mm.
Right: 3.5" Standard Desktop Drive (VERY old 80mb drive picture. Modern day consumer drives exceed 2TB...yet still use the same form factor).
Bottom sides of the above drives. Notice the change in circuits from large logic chips (ROM and Cache, etc.) to much smaller circuit board of the laptop drive.
View of the inside of a drive. VERY little has changed about the design of these drives. Improvements include rotation speed. Most current drives spin at 5400 RPM (revolutions per minute). Faster drives spin at 7200...and 9200. Gamers use drives that spin at 10k RPM.
Floppy Disk: Very SMALL and VERY slow...only capable of storing 1.44mb of data (1 picture from a 4mp P&S digital camera).
RAM: Random Access Memory. Volatile...contents disappear when the power is turned off. When you start up your computer, the system and programs are loaded into this device.
Over the years, manufactures have improved the capacity and speed of these sticks. RAM has evolved from SIMMs to DIMMs, DRam to SDRam, etc. which is nomenclature to the density of storage and the type of chips on the stick of memory. IE. SIMM is Single Inline Memory Module...where as DIMM is Dual Inline Memory Module.
Heat Sinks and Cooling Fans: All of these components generate heat...so much heat that if for one fraction of a second your CPU runs with out the fan...it will overheat and quite possibly catch on fire. Computers have quite elaborate thermal overload protection that detects if the CPU fan is not working properly.
CPU: Central Processing Unit...AKA The Brain. Computers over the last 20 years have evolved because of lots of reasons, such as the increase in storage size...and decrease in physical size of the storage. But most importantly because of improvements to the ability of the CPU to process MILLIONS of instructions per second. The real modern marvel of the CPU is the change in size of this chip making smaller and smaller components, such as a laptop, cell phone, iPods, etc. possible.
Logic Board...or Main System Bus. This is where it all comes together. This one caught on fire...probably from a lightening storm. You can see the four silver toped capacitors along the top edge. Right next to it is a transistor that is COOKED!! See the burn hole on the top of each?
So, what does all of this mean to you?
Smaller Processors
Smaller Memory Storage
Making things like MacBook Air possible (2010):
Other memory references:
In "Did You Know", there is a reference to Exabyte. To which, I calculated that 40 EB = 40 Trillion Megabytes. In terms of CDs, that would be 714 Billion Floppy Disks, 1.4 Billion CDs, 222 Million DVDs or 200 Billion MP3s. WOW! So, get started downloading NOW. ;)
Have you ever wondered how a computer works? Here is a nice article: http://www.geeks.com/techtips/2005/techtips-NOV22-05.htm and a few other reference... http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/clock_speed.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microprocessor, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-dual-core-processor.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hertz, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_cache, http://www.techterms.com/definition/fsb
Why is the size of things relevant today?
Despite the technological advances, we still have bottle neck challenges when it comes to the internet. Also, because of a shift in computing preferences, more people prefer to do their light to moderate computing on a portable device, frequently on a cellular connection resulting in even great network challenges.
While some people prefer to use a cellular connection, it does come at a great expense to productivity. Most of use don't like to wait. Well, even on a 4g connection speed, you might as well get use to waiting.
There are basically three ways to connect to the internet. The difference in speeds in quite dramatic:
In the graphic below, you can see the advantage of a blinding fast internet connection. Depending on how many people are using the internet (including the entire campus host of IP Phones) can make a dramatic impact.
Back to Memory Storage Device


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Event 7: Dominoes
Men And Women Compete Together
The National Veterans Golden Age Games host will provide adaptive and standard sets of "Double-Six" dominoes, score pads, pencils, and timing devices.
Other Equipment: drinking water, tables, chairs and first aid kit.
The competition will be set up in a single elimination tournament format. Whenever possible competitors from the same medical center will not be matched against each other in first round matches. All matches when possible will have 4 competitors. All preliminary matches will be played to a score of 200 points. The winner will advance to the next round; and when necessary to have 4 competitors in the next match, the players with the next highest scores may advance (this will be decided by the event official). The championship match will be played to 300 points. Once a player has reached 300 points or more, the game will end and that player awarded First Place, the player with the next highest score will be Second Place, and the player with the next highest score will be awarded Third Place.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Mark 1:4-13 4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel's hair, [Read More…]


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Demand for outsourcing is set to outpace business investments in hardware and software as the recession hits home, says a new survey.
The outsourcing industry will benefit from end-users needing to cut costs, particularly in the short term, according to a survey from sourcing advisory firm, EquaTerra.
[ For more on how the worldwide financial crisis affects IT, see InfoWorld's special report. | Looking to offshore yourself? Read InfoWorld's guide first. ]
The survey, compiled among more than 200 outsourcing service suppliers, including companies such as Accenture, Atos Origin, Capgemini, IBM, Infosys, and Wipro, and EquaTerra's own consultants, found that more than 40 percent of those polled had seen increased demand levels, despite the economic downturn.
Demand was stronger in Europe than North America (64 percent of E.U. advisors cited increased demand compared to 25 percent in the Americas). However, 38 percent cited economic conditions as causing buyers to slow or defer outsourcing efforts.
The survey suggests that outsourcing projects are changing, with a strong focus on quick return on investment replacing longer-term initiatives to improve end-to-end business processes.
Martyn Hart, chairman of the National Outsourcing Association, says, "Outsourcing has always been associated with cost savings and now with all companies setting aggressive cost saving targets for next year we may see more and more outsourcing contracts come to fruition."
There is a also a longer-term trend toward supplier rationalization in order to simplify sourcing and governance efforts. This is because buyers are seeing an increased cost and complexity from employing multiple providers in overlapping functional areas. As Hart explains: "With the focus moving back onto cost as the main deciding factor in outsourcing, having one outsourcing supplier will minimize management, due diligence and supplier selection costs."
Stan Lepeak, EquaTerra's managing director of global research, explains that "leveraging software tools to automate and improve governance operations will be central to achieving business case objectives for multi-provider outsourcing efforts."
Computerworld UK is an InfoWorld affiliate.
This story, "Recession set to boost outsourcing" was originally published by Computerworld UK.


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Let us know when your receive great advice so we can thank our lawyers and point others with similar questions in the right direction.Got it!
My son was driving my car unlicensed and the car has been impounded. I received a letter from the dmv for declaration of opposition for the lienholder to sell car. the letter says the lienholder will be allowed to sell vehicle only if he or she: 1. Obtains a Release of interest from you. 2. Files an action in court and obtains a judgement in his or her favor. 3. Is unable to serve court documents at th address you have provided. The car is worth more than $4,000 and I am current on my monthly payments. There is a 65 dollar daily storage fee for the towyard and it is now $520. What can I do to prevent sale? Can I pay the towing fees to towyard so the lienholder doesn't get charged? Thank you for your help
If you can get the car redeemed in time you should be fine.
This is not a comprehensive answer and it is impossible to provide a meaningful response without a consultation. Call us for more information. 619.797.5456 www.mataelelaw.comAsk a similar question
Pay the towing and storage fees and get the car released immediately so that it doesn't continue to incur storage charges.
Nothing in this communication should be construed as creating an attorney client relationship. This is for informational purposes only. Attorney will take no action on your behalf unless and until a written retainer agreement is signed. There are strict time deadlines on filing claims and, as such, you are advised to consult with and retain an attorney immediately to file such claims timely or you will lose any right to recovery. Any testimonials or endorsements should not be construed as a guarantee, warranty or prediction of the outcome of your case.Ask a similar question
In most cases, it requires payment of the loan, all costs and fees and then the car will be released to you. Call a local attorney and see if this it the law in your area.
24 Hour Attorney Call Center (314) 361-4242 or visit us on the Web at http://www.hoffmannpersonalinjury.com.Ask a similar question
You must pay the storage fees in order to get the car returned to you. Do this immediately to avoid further fees. Additionally, do not let your son drive without his license because he could injure himself or someone else and he is not insured to drive if he has no license.Ask a similar question
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Gawler Ranges - South Australia. View from a hilltop on road from Lake Gairdner.
Taken in Spring after a good winter with pleanty of rain.
Eyre Peninsula is bordered by Spencer Gulf and Great Australian Bight with over 2,000 kilometres of coastline for fishing, whale watching, watersports, swimming with sea lions or diving with sharks.


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Casablanca Stealth Glossy Black Ceiling Fan
No one likes a muggy room and sometimes a small portable fan just doesn't circulate the air enough. Beat the heat this summer with this sharp looking Ceiling Fan.
I LOVE this gothic black crystal chandelier. I envision it in an all (or mostly) white decorative scheme, with pops of bright color. So cool!Added 8 Years Ago from Lamps Plus
great priceTags: lighting, home decor, iron, chandeliers, black, scrollAdded 9 Years Ago from Lamps Plus


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Lowering NZ's Very Weighty Problem
Lowering NZ's Very Weighty Problem - Summit To Set
Research Focus
New Zealand can lower its dramatically climbing obesity rate, and have a positive, long term effect on kiwis' health and the country's health expenditure. But it will take research and deployment of research findings to help achieve real change.
That was the key message which Gravida, one of New Zealand's Centres of Research Excellence, will emphasise in its forthcoming international summit and science symposium to be held in Auckland, 9 to 11 June.
Gravida (www.gravida.org.nz)
funds and directs research focused on "early life events
that affect lifelong health and well-being. "There is
now a vast body of evidence that obesity, diabetes and heart
disease all begin in early life, including in the womb and
before conception," says Professor Phil Baker,
Gravida's director. "What mothers do prior to
pregnancy, and in pregnancy, can be highly influential to
the health outcomes of their babies as adults.
Gravida leads research in this area through outstanding New Zealand researchers, alongside international research partners from around the world."
Put simply, says Prof Baker, early life environments affect the biology of the individual and thus influence the risk of obesity and associated disease in later life. "Humans and animals alter their development in response to cues – such as nutrition or hormones," he says. "There is overwhelming evidence that insufficient nutrition to a baby in the womb, or to an infant, or a mother's stress, can have long term health effects on the offspring as an adult. These factors can cause obesity, diabetes, bone disease and allergies."
On 9 & 10 June, some of the world's leading researchers in the field of DOHaD (Developmental Origins of Health and Disease) who are represented on Gravida's International College, will lead closed workshops with New Zealand's researchers. These workshops are designed to help Gravida and its researchers determine the next three to five years of focus for research. On Tuesday, 10 June, Distinguished Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, who was founding director of the National Research Centre for Growth and Development, the precursor to Gravida, will convene a session at 3.30pm at University of Auckland's Grafton campus that will report back on the conclusions from those workshops.
"These conclusions will set the tone, agenda and content for future research by Gravida," says Professor Baker. "With the right research, we can change the health of the nation."


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Texans Notebook
On the opening day of the Houston Texans phase one of workouts, kicking off the 2017 season, plenty of work took place at NRG Stadium. There are no coaches working with the players and considered a deal ball period of work for the players. Essentially, weight room work and conditioning on the field are all that can be done.
The Texans sent out David Quessenberry, Tom Savage, DeAndre Hopkins, and J.J. Watt to open up the season meeting with the media.
A few key points we picked up on the opening day at the facility.
An interesting note on the quarterback room: Savage and Brandon Weeden are looking forward to having Texans former wide receivers coach Sean Ryan in the quarterback room as their new coach. Savage also mentioned that it is going to be a "peaceful room" which is a little eye-opening. The departure of offensive coordinator George Godsey and quarterback Brock Osweiler creates a shift in the room which Savage is looking forward to.
There is a buzz from the defensive side of the ball with Mike Vrabel taking over the defense but also the fact that Romeo Crennel was retained and still in the building. There is a lot of respect for Crennel in the building and having him in the capacity as the assistant head coach helped calm some questions moving forward. Most know what Vrabel brings to the team and do not expect much change in philosophy defensively when the season arrives.
Braxton Miller and Will Fuller V reportedly showed up ready to work, well ahead of where they were last season when they arrived as rookies.
Hopkins reiterated the mantra that the game of football is a team sport and that his down year was, in part, because of that. Hopkins explained that he did what he was supposed to do within the offense.
Tom Savage feels that he could have avoided the injuries he has suffered the past three seasons. He went back and watched his injuries on film to figure out what he could have done differently.
The word for the receivers and quarterback this year seems to be focused around the word "communication".
Bill O'Brien showed the team the video of David Quessenberry ringing the bell marking the end of chemotherapy treatments. It is clear O'Brien takes pride in what Quessenberry has overcome the past few seasons to get back to this point.
Deshaun Watson arrived late on Monday to take his pre-draft visit with the Texans. DeAndre Hopkins had his opinion on Watson and whether the Texans should draft him. (Read Here)
Related Articles: DeAndre Hopkins Wants Deshaun Watson in Houston | J.J. Watt Like Patrick Beverley | J.J. Watt Knows the Doubters are Watching | DeAndre Hopkins Talks His Contract and Bill O'Brien| Andre Johnson Excited About Retiring with the Texans


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This page is intended to provide general information about genetic disorders and more specific information about a few genetic disorders that are diagnosed through the Fetal Concerns Center. It does not provide information about every disorder diagnosed at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
Genetics is the study of the pattern of inheritance. A geneticist studies birth disorders and their cause. Normally each individual has 46 chromosomes in every cell. Most fetuses receive 23 chromosomes from each parent. Chromosomes are structures found in every cell of the body. Typically there are 22 non-sex chromosome pairs called autosomes, and one sex chromosome pair. If you are male, the most common sex chromosome pair is XY and if you are female, the most common pair is XX. On each chromosome are hundreds of gene pairs. Genes are the blueprint for human growth and development and tell the cell how to function. Single gene disorders may be autosomal (not sex linked) or X-linked (related to the sex chromosome). Another common classification for genetic disorders is dominant or recessive. Some common genetic disorder classifications are:
A chromosomal disorder may be inherited or may be sporadic, meaning there is no family history. The most common types of chromosomal disorders can be classified in the following way:
A genetic disorder may not be suspected unless there is a known family history, anomalies that cause suspicion are noted during an ultrasound, or there are known maternal factors that cause concern, such as an infection, drug ingestion, exposure to a teratogen, maternal health issues, and/or maternal.
There are some prenatal tests that may cause us to look further for a potential problem. Test that can cause us to suspect a problem are called screening tests. These tests reveal the possibility or risk of a problem, but they do not provide a specific diagnosis.
First trimester screening is designed to identify women who may be at increased risk of having a baby with Down syndrome or trisomy 18. It involves a specific ultrasound measurement called "nuchal translucency" and a maternal blood draw. The blood draw measures two chemicals in the pregnant woman's blood. The nuchal translucency is an ultrasound measurement of the amount of fluid accumulation behind the baby's neck. The amounts and patterns of the two chemicals are used, along with the nuchal translucency measurement and the mother's age, to assess the likelihood that a baby would have Down syndrome or trisomy 18. First trimester screening is typically done after 11 and before 14 weeks gestation. Results take approximately 6 to 7 days. A positive screen means that the calculated risk of having a baby with Down syndrome is greater than or equal to a 35-year-old woman's risk. Additional prenatal testing such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis would be offered for anyone with a positive screening. These two tests allow us to look at the baby's chromosomes but they cannot tell us everything about the baby. A discussion with your doctor or genetic counselor can help you understand these procedures and the benefits, risk and limitations of these options.
The triple screen or AFP-3 test is a blood test offered to most pregnant women. This test screens for those at increased risk for a baby with a genetic disorder, especially Down syndrome and trisomy 18, or a neural tube defect. This test is typically done after 15 weeks and before 21 weeks' gestation. If you have had first trimester screening it is not recommended that you also need to do this test.
In the triple screen three chemicals are measured from a pregnant woman's blood: alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotrophin and estriol. The amount and combination of each of these chemicals help assess risk for Down syndrome, trisomy 18 or neural tube defects. It is important to remember that a positive screen does not mean the baby has one of these disorders. A positive test result means we need to investigate further with additional prenatal testing such as an ultrasound or an amniocentesis. Likewise, a negative screen does not mean the baby has no problems. This screen is for specific birth defects but does not screen for all birth defects.
Diagnostic tests are performed to give a diagnosis. These tests are recommended based on your medical history, family background, a previous test result or results of a screening test. These tests may be more invasive to provide diagnostic information.
Chorionic villus sampling is an invasive test performed at 10 to 12 weeks' gestation. Chorionic villi are microscopic finger-like projections that make up the placenta. The cells from the placenta can give us information about the baby's genes and chromosomes because the baby and the placenta formed from the same fertilized egg. A sample of the chorion is obtained by one of two ways. A small hollow tube may be passed into the vagina and through the cervix, guided by ultrasound to gently take a small sample of the chorionic villi. The other method uses a needle that is inserted through the abdominal wall and is again guided by ultrasound to take the sample. The sample is then tested for chromosomal abnormalities.
Another test for chromosomal abnormalities is amniocentesis. This test is done at 16 to 18 weeks' gestation. This also is an invasive test. A needle is inserted through the abdominal wall into the uterus, and some amniotic fluid is removed and sent to the lab. It will usually take 10-14 days to get the final results. A quick response test is available for some chromosomal disorders. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) will give us preliminary results in 24 to 48 hours and has been found to be very accurate.
Ultrasound is a noninvasive test performed almost routinely now on all pregnant women. It provides a picture of the baby in the uterus. Ultrasound looks at the anatomy of your fetus. We are now able to visualize babies via ultrasound at younger gestational ages than previously done. We are still learning what is common at these gestational ages. Therefore, if a specific part of the anatomy causes suspicion, we may need to repeat ultrasounds to see if it changes through the process of development. Ultrasound also provides us with information about the position of the baby, amount of amniotic fluid, the position and structure of the placenta, cord position, length of the cervix and can provide more specialized views of blood flow and velocity within the heart and umbilical cord. Ultrasound cannot tell us definitively if your baby has a genetic disorder. It will provide us with information about anatomical disorders.
Before you become pregnant you may want to do a few things to ensure your health is at its best. One thing you can do is make a routine physical examination appointment with your primary care provider. At this appointment you will want to verify that you are healthy, your immunization/vaccinations are up to date, review any prescription medications you are taking for safety during pregnancy, test for sexually transmitted diseases and seek treatment if you know you are already infected. You will also want to discuss with your physician your plans to conceive so that they can provide you with information related to pregnancy.
A vitamin supplement recommended prior to conception that is not normally consumed in a sufficient quantity is folic acid. Folate (the natural form of folic acid found in foods) is found in fortified grains and breakfast cereals, dried beans, orange juice and leafy greens. Synthetic folic acid is more easily used by the body than is folate, the natural form. There is no toxic level of folate. Folate is a B vitamin. Folic acid supplements should be taken for three months prior to the pregnancy and through the first trimester. To ensure that you are getting the daily recommended allowance of folic acid, take a prenatal vitamin daily. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for folic acid is 0.2 mg. However, all women of childbearing age are encouraged to take 0.4 mg of folic acid supplements because folic acid deficiency is linked to neural tube defects. The RDA for pregnancy is 0.4 mg. For a lactating mother, the RDA is again 0.2 mg. If there is a history of a prior child who has been affected by a neural tube defect, the recommendation for supplementation in future pregnancies is increased to 4 mg a day, beginning at least one month prior to conception and continuing through the first trimester.
Stop smoking before conception or at least reduce the amount of smoking. The more a woman smokes, the greater the risk. Smoking during pregnancy is known to lead to pregnancy complications and serious health problems for the infant. Pregnancy complications can include placental problems such as placenta previa and placental abruption. Smoking can also increase the risk of premature rupture of the membranes, which may result in the birth of a premature infant. Smoking affects the unborn baby as well. As already stated, it can increase the risk of prematurity that carries with it several complications. Smoking slows fetal growth, thus increasing the risk of a low-birthweight (less than 5 1⁄2 pounds) baby.
Also avoiding any type of medications (legal and/or illegal) is recommended. If you currently are on a prescription medication, it is good to discuss your desire to conceive with your physician. Do not stop any prescription medication on your own without first discussing it with your physician. Your physician can help you determine the risks associated with your specific prescription and help you decide if another medication would carry less risk.
It is recommended that pregnant women and women who may become pregnant avoid alcohol consumption even in small amounts. No level of alcohol use has been proven safe during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause physical and mental birth defects. Alcohol passes quickly through the placenta to the fetus. The baby's immature body is slow at breaking down alcohol, resulting in higher alcohol levels that persist for a longer period of time in the fetus as compared to the mother.
If you or your partner have a history of any kind of birth defect in your family or if either of you have already had a child with a birth defect, or if you are in a high-risk group because of age, ethnicity or medical history, you may benefit from a prenatal consultation with a genetic counselor. Through the Fetal Concerns Center, we can set up a consultation appointment with you and your partner to discuss your risk factors with the Genetics Department, or with a maternal fetal medicine specialist. Other reasons for a genetic consult may include a previous stillbirth or multiple miscarriages with no known explanation, family history of mental retardation or developmental delays, or a positive screening test result such as the AFP-3 or triple screen test. You may just want to learn more about testing for recessive genetic diseases that are common in certain ethnic groups or you want to learn more about available testing for genetic diseases or birth defects.
What do you do if the test results come back with information you were not expecting, such as your baby has a genetic disorder or birth defect? By knowing the diagnosis before delivery you are given time to process the information, research the care options, and make informed decisions. This does not make the decisions easier, but it gives you time to be more involved in the decisions that will need to be made. You can get input from family, pastors/priests, friends, and medical professionals. You can be an informed decision maker who is actively involved in all aspects of your baby's care. We will be here to provide information at whatever pace you desire, in whatever way is most beneficial to you.
Listed below is a brief description of some of the more common genetic/chromosomal defects that may be diagnosed prenatally.
Trisomy 13 means there are three number 13 chromosomes rather than the usual two. Trisomy 13 has a reported incidence of 1 in 2,200 to 7,600 live births. This chromosomal defect is associated with major congenital anomalies. The most common of which include: holoprosencephaly (the two cerebral hemispheres are fused) or other central nervous system abnormalities, abnormal midface development including clefting, and congenital heart defect. Many fetuses with Trisomy 13 die before they reach term and/or are miscarried. Fifty to eighty percent of infants with Trisomy 13 that are born alive will die by the age of 1 month and 75 to 90 percent have died by age 6 months. Very rarely, affected persons have survived to adulthood.
Trisomy 18 is a term used to describe the presence of three number 18 chromosomes rather than the usual two. Trisomy 18 has a reported incidence of 1 in 3,000 to 7,000 live births. This chromosomal defect is associated with major congenital anomalies. The most commonly associated abnormalities include: intrauterine growth restriction, cardiac defects, club foot/feet or rocker bottom feet, and omphalocele. Cranial abnormalities are seen with trisomy 18. These abnormalities include: an unusually shaped head with a wide occipitoparietal and narrow frontal diameter, which has also been described as the "strawberry sign" because of the shape of the head view on ultrasound. Several studies reviewed demonstrated 50% of babies with Trisomy 18 had died by one week of age, and 90 percent by six months. There is a small percentage that will survive beyond infancy. Females are more likely to survive (although not for an extended length of time) than males and the disorder is seen more often in females than males (3:1).
Trisomy 21 is a term used to describe the presence of three number 21 chromosomes rather than the usual two. Another name for trisomy 21 is Down syndrome. Down syndrome has a reported incidence of 1 in 800 live births, however the risk of incidence increases with advanced maternal age. The most commonly seen congenital abnormalities include: cystic hygroma (abnormal fluid accumulation around the neck area), nuchal-fold thickness (skin on the back of the neck is thicker than normal), hydrops (abnormal fluid accumulation in two areas of the body such as around the heart, around the lungs, in the abdomen or under the skin), cardiac defects, renal hydronephrosis (part of the kidney has abnormal collection of fluid) and skeletal (bone) abnormalities.
These are male infants with an extra X chromosome. Many will go undiagnosed until maturity as adults undergoing infertility workups. Fetuses are typically identified during amniocentesis performed for advanced maternal age. They are not normally identified because of an abnormal ultrasound finding. Some information typical of Klinefelter syndrome includes:
Achondroplasia is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder of bone growth. It affects 1 in 25,000 live births and occurs equally in both sexes and all races. Affected individuals have short arms and legs with a normal torso size. The head is usually large, sometimes due to hydrocephalus, and the forehead is prominent. Achondroplasia is the result of an abnormal gene located on one of the chromosome 4 pair. Eighty percent of these cases are not inherited. Both parents are normal size with normal chromosome 4, but a new mutation occurs for an unknown reason. If one parent has the condition and the other parent does not, their offspring have a 50 percent percent chance of being affected. If both parents have achondroplasia, they have a 50 percent chance of their offspring inheriting the condition, 25 percent chance of not inheriting the condition, and a 25 percent chance of inheriting the abnormal gene from both parents, which results in severe skeletal abnormalities that lead to an early death.
Tay-sachs is an inherited disease of the central nervous system that is incompatible with life. A Tay-Sachs carrier has one normal gene and one Tay-Sachs gene making it an autosomal recessive disease. It occurs most frequently in central and eastern European descendants, (Ashkenazi) Jews. Approximately 1 in every 30 American Jews is a carrier of the Tay-Sachs gene. The carrier leads a normal, healthy and full life. Both parents would need to be carriers and each would contribute the affected gene to have an affected baby. A baby with Tay-sachs will appear normal at birth and for approximately 4 to 6 months. The affected baby lacks an enzyme necessary for breaking down certain fatty substances in the brain and nerve cells. At a few months of age the baby will gradually stop smiling, crawling or turning over. Eventually they lose their ability to grasp or reach out and become blind and paralyzed. Death occurs by age 5. If both parents are carriers of Tay-Sachs, their offspring have a 50 percent chance of being a carrier for Tay-sachs; a 25 percent chance of contracting the disease by receiving a defective gene from each parent; and a 25 percent chance of inheriting normal genes from each parent.
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive, inherited disorder of body metabolism. Metabolism is the process of breaking down food to be used by the body. An affected individual lacks an enzyme necessary to process the protein, phenylalanine. Without treatment this protein builds up in the bloodstream and causes mental retardation. Treatment involves following a special diet that is low in phenylalanine. Since the 1960s, all newborns born in the United States are screened for this disorder shortly after birth. Approximately 1 in every 15,000 babies born is affected. Both parents of these newborns are carriers, but are unaffected. Their offspring have a 50 percent chance of being carriers; 25 percent chance of being affected or inheriting the defective gene from both parents; and a 25 percent chance of inheriting only normal genes from his/her parents. The affected baby appears normal at birth but will develop symptoms of listlessness and lose interest in their surroundings by age 3 to 6 months. The issue today is females who have been diagnosed in infancy with the disease who are now having babies. These women may have begun to eat a normal diet and no longer follow the phenylalanine restrictions. The result is a very high level of phenylalanine in their blood, which can be devastating to their offspring. These women should be counseled prenatally to resume the special diet for at least three months prior to conception and throughout their pregnancy to prevent defects in their babies.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive, inherited disorder that affects breathing and digestion. There is no cure. Both parents are carriers but are unaffected. A child with CF has inherited a defective gene from each parent. Future offspring have a 50 percent chance of becoming a carrier or inheriting the defective gene from one parent; a 25 percent chance of being affected; and a 25 percent chance of inheriting only normal genes. With cystic fibrosis the pancreas and lungs are most affected. Mucus and other secretions become thick and sticky. This thick mucous can clog the lungs and causes breathing problems and frequent lung infections, which eventually damages the lungs. The thickened secretions made by the pancreas for digestion of food, are unable to reach the small intestine. This can lead to digestive problems including inability to gain weight or grow at a normal rate. The symptoms of cystic fibrosis will range from mild to severe. Some will attend school and college and participate in some exercise, while others are too ill to attend school regularly. Males affected by CF are commonly infertile and females have reduced fertility. Cystic fibrosis does not affect a person's appearance or intelligence. Most affected individuals survive to 30 or 40 years of age.
Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of mental retardation in males. It affects 1 in 4,000 males and 1 in 8,000 females. In 1991, a researcher discovered a "mutation" in a gene located on the X chromosome, as the cause of the Fragile X syndrome. Mutation means the addition or deletion of genetic material. A small section of the genetic material at this location is repeated too many times. Normally there are 6 to 40 repeats of this section. If there are 60 to 200 repeats, this is a pre-mutation, and greater than 200 repeats is a mutation. With a mutation the gene will "turn off" and not produce the protein that it normally would make. The lack of this specific protein causes the symptoms of fragile X syndrome. A pre-mutation carrier mother has a 50 percent chance of passing on the abnormal gene to her offspring. Males are generally more severely affected because they have only one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, as compared to a female who has two X chromosomes. As this defective gene is passed on it is likely to expand in the number of repeats and become a full mutation. A man can also be an unaffected carrier of a pre-mutation fragile X gene. This male will pass on the pre-mutation (does not usually expand) to all his daughters but to none of his sons. These daughters generally have no symptoms, but are carriers and may pass it on to their children. Affected individuals have varying degrees of mental retardation or learning disabilities and behavioral and emotional problems, including autistic-like features.
Turner syndrome affects only females. It occurs when one of the two X chromosomes normally found in females is missing or incomplete. This, at present, appears to be a random event with no known cause. Turner syndrome is among the most common chromosomal abnormalities affecting 1 in every 2,500 live female births. Most affected females will have normal intelligence. However, 10 percent will have substantial delays and as many as 70 percent will have some mild delays such as learning disabilities. It is believed these women can lead a full and productive life with regular, competent medical care. The most common characteristics of a female with Turner syndrome includes short stature and lack of ovarian development. They are also prone to cardiovascular, kidney and thyroid problems as well as skeletal disorders (scoliosis) and ear and/or hearing disturbances.
Treatment is completely dependent on the disorder or syndrome, the prognosis of the disorder and parental wishes. Some disorders have very short life expectancies for which treatment would not be beneficial. However, some children with genetic disorders can and do function well with normal life expectancies. Others can be variable depending on the associated birth defects. For example, some Trisomy 21 babies can go home from the newborn nursery with minimal problems and others have multiple congenital anomalies that require numerous surgeries and more than one system can be affected. The treatment for these babies will be a collaborative effort of providing information as accurately as we can and allowing you, as the parent, to be the primary decision makers about the care to be provided.
Yes! Please ask your baby's nurse about ways to interact with and care for your baby.
If you had planned on breastfeeding your baby, and the baby is unable to eat immediately after birth, you can express your milk while you are still in the hospital. A lactation consultant can assist in answering your questions. Your milk will be frozen until your baby is ready for it. The Birth Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) have breast pumps available to you when you are in the hospital or visiting. You can bring in pictures, small toys, booties, and blankets for your baby if he/she is in the NICU.
Your baby will go home when you and the medical professionals have deemed it appropriate. Some of these genetic disorders have a short life expectancy. If you are ready to go home and desire to take your baby home with you, knowing they will not have a long-term survival, arrangements can be made for you to continue to care for your baby at home. There are home health services or hospice care that can assist you with care in the home. Some of these babies may have conditions that require surgical repair before he/she can go home. This will prolong the hospital stay for your baby. Some genetic disorders may go undiagnosed for months to years if symptoms are mild. Many of these babies go home from the newborn nursery without any problems until later in life.
Learn more about the Genetics Center at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, which works in partnership with the Fetal Concerns Center.


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Leah Binder: An Amiable Watchdog for Hospital Quality, Safety
"Community members, leaders, parents, and grandparents are coming together and walking into hospitals and sitting down with doctors and CEOs and saying, 'What are you going to do to improve things?'"
In our annual HealthLeaders 20, we profile individuals who are changing healthcare for the better. Some are longtime industry fixtures; others would clearly be considered outsiders. Some are revered; others would not win many popularity contests. All of them are playing a crucial role in making the healthcare industry better. This is Leah Binder's story.
Watchdog organizations don't always have the best relationships with those they are watching. When asked to describe her relationship with healthcare providers and leaders, Leah Binder, CEO of The Leapfrog Group, deadpans the answer. "Some of my best friends are in hospitals," she says. She pauses and then laughs. "I promise," she says. "Some of them don't like me but I will tell you that some of them do."
The Leapfrog Group, a consortium of healthcare purchasers, uses survey data and public reporting on quality measures such as central line infection rates to help consumers and employers compare hospitals' safety, quality, and efficiency. It also recognizes and rewards hospitals that take steps to reduce preventable medical errors and that meet its tough standards for adoption of quality improvement tools such as computerized physician order entry.
In a Leapfrog study earlier this fall, 214 hospitals used a Web-based simulator to see if their CPOE systems would catch common medication errors, including potentially fatal errors. The CPOE systems on average missed half of the routine medication errors and a third of the potentially fatal errors. Leapfrog also found that nearly all of the 102 hospitals that repeated the test improved in one or more medication categories. Leapfrog has issued testing guidelines and has developed a tool to help organizations test their CPOE systems.
"It's so extraordinary to me, but Leapfrog seems to be the only one out there, at least in the public policy world, with a priority on assuring that health information technology is monitored over time. It seems like such an obvious thing that it's amazing that we have to even say it but we know from [our survey that] hospitals don't always know that when they buy technology it's not plug and play. It's something they have to monitor and carefully watch over time or else they can't be sure it's safe."


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Reporting Options:
Bias Motivated Incidents:
- Information/ Resources on Death and Loss
- Responding to People in Grief
- Supporting a colleague in the workplace
- Scope of Grief Response
- Expectations with Grief
- Expressing Sympathy
- Sudden Loss
- Caring for yourself in Grief
Human Made and Natural Disasters:
Harassment or Discrimination Including Sexual Harassment:
Intimate Partner Abuse(includes dating violence and domestic violence):
- Information/ Resources on Intimate Partner Abuse
- OVA Intimate Partner Abuse Brochure
- Dating Bill of Rights
- Healthy, Unhealthy, Abusive Relationships
- Behavior Continuum
Physical Assault or Hazing:
Serious Accidents:
- Information on serious accidents
- Information for Injured Students
- Resources on mobility for CU members with disabilities or temporary injury.
Sexual Assault:
- Information and Resources on Sexual Assault
- OVA Sexual Assault brochure
- CO Sex Assault Reporting Options Brochure
- What is Consent?
- Intimacy after sexual assault
- Response tips for CU staff
- Trans* Survivors Information
- Stalking Information and Resources
- OVA stalking brochure
- Continuum of Stalking Behaviors
- Safety Plan Log
- Safety Planning Tips
- Stalking Incident Log
How to Help:
Data on prevalence and crime reporting statistics
- University of Colorado Boulder 2015 Sexual Misconduct Survey information
- Campus Climate Data
- Boulder Police Department Crime Statistics
- Clery Act and Campus Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports
CU Office of Victim Assistance
The Office of Victim Assistance offers free confidential information, consultation, counseling, advocacy, and support services to University of Colorado Boulder students, staff, and faculty.
Bulletin Boards
- Boulder Community Hospital
- Boulder County District Attorney's Office
- Boulder County Sheriff's Department
- Boulder Police Department
- Community Health
- Counseling & Psychiatric Services, C4C
- Counseling and Psychiatric Services, WHS
- CU Hazing Tip Line
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- CU Police Department
- CU Veteran's Services
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- GLBTQ Resource Center
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- Off Campus Student Housing and Neighborhood Relations
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Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) Non-discrimination Statement
The Office of Victim Assistance values diversity and inclusion. We support students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The Office of Victim Assistance shall maintain and promote a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or veteran status. We acknowledge that culturally relevant trauma services is an ongoing process of learning that begins by looking within ourselves and honoring basic human rights. As individuals and as an agency, we are committed to responding effectively to social-cultural diversity.


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A few months ago I had a gastrointestinal infection that caused me to have diarrhea for about 5 days. On the first night I had it, I woke up with my stomach swelling and an overwhelming nauseous feeling. That is when the diarrhea began. Since then, maybe once or twice a month, I've been having bouts of diarrhea where my stool is almost yellow-colored an very soft. That usually lasts about 3 days. I'm wondering if it is likely that my appendix could have been affected from all of this. I know that it is part of the digestive tract, and I'm wondering if when my stomach started swelling that first night if maybe some of that could have gotten into my appendix. I also had the stomach flu a year ago that caused my stomach to swell and me to vomit a lot. Should I have my appendix checked out or am I worrying too much?
It would be extremely rare for ongoing stomach symptoms to be caused by the appendix which typically becomes acutely inflamed, infected and has symptoms that don't go away. Chronic appendicitis can happen but your symptoms sound more like irritable bowel or possibly a bowel infection that has not resolved.
It would be important to see a clinician, providing the best history you can about the timeline of your symptoms over the past year or so, whether there is any connection to certain foods or activities, whether you have a history of foreign travel or other potential parasitic exposures, and whether there is family history of colon/stomach problems. Then physical examination, lab work, possibly a change in diet, and considering whether a gastroenterology evaluation is warranted (endoscopy/colonscopy)
If you are a student this summer, please come to clinic to get started on sorting out the mystery.
~The Doc


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The majority of my clients' end up being contact by a certain 'web design company' via contact details on their website. The contact comes in two forms either;
The emails are always the same, and I have even received them myself through my own company website.
They go along the lines of "hi there, I had a look through your website recently and we think it can be improved, we can get you higher rankings, develop it further, bring you more enquiries. why not reply or contact us on xxx for a free consultation and proposal or read our testimonials on our website www"
Obviously that is much abbreviated, but it is something to that effect over the course of a few paragraphs with a name and staff photo in the signature.
It is the same company (random SEO spam from india aside), and it always happens to client sites eventually.
It's really annoying and I just wondered if any other agencies, companies or even freelancers had experienced this and what you've done to stop it if anything? I've not lost any clients to these UK based spammers, thankfully as I have good realationships with all my clients, but their templated emails touting for business on every client site I build, within 6 months of it launching is getting pretty annoying.
I have contemplated removing email addresses from client sites (but this does seem like it would damage user experience somewhat), and we could of course add some form of blacklist 'word' filter to contact forms but that feels a tad backhanded.
I invite your thoughts...
Its a widespread practice that although not illegal it certainly is unethical.
A blacklist word filter would help if you could identify words that can be singled out for immediate dealing with or at least put into a moderation queue. If they are sending from the same company email address then you could target that as well.
Thanks for your reply!
That's a good idea about the email address. I guess that could be an extension of the 'word' blacklist. I hadn't thought of that.
I just find it odd that every one of my clients are targeted, like I say, within 6-8 months of launch. It's not like the site's are poorly built by any means!
Some of my sites are 'new' to the web on new URLs and others are redesigns. I just don't know how they find them to be frank. Its not like we're based anywhere near them at all. I'd love to know how many emails they send out a week, it must be crazy.
I also thought there would be a lot more responses on this subject from fellow business owners or freelancers experiencing this type of problem :rolleyes:
You could well be on a 'hitlist' as it doesn't sound like a random drive-by contact. Are your sites hosted on the same server or are they spread around? Do you advertise them in the same place each time? Look for similarities in each site, what you do and where you put them.
You will probably get more in time, give it a while!
You're not being singled out by any means.
When I get them I ignore and delete. I imagine most others do the same.
All of my sites are stored on the same server (I sell hosting to my clients too) so that is a possibility I suppose.
Other than that there is only really coding style that they have in common, good design and coding practices aside.
I get these spam emails as well (who doesn't!). That's just what they are - spam.
That's because it's not a problem.
Surely private communications from a third party (the other web design company) to your client are none of your business?
Even thinking of crippling a client's website by removing their email address, or filtering their contact responses, just to prevent your competitors from contacting your client, is somewhat ridiculous. Where would it end?
Anybody who owns a website gets similar messages every week. There's nothing basically wrong with that situation. There's always someone who wants to eat your lunch, whether you're selling websites or washing machines.


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MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Taking a break from playing a role in the global war on terrorism, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 Sailors and Marines lent a helping hand by participating in a community relations (COMREL) project while the ship was in port here Dec. 13-18.
During Truman's port visit, 20 Sailors had the chance to pitch in with a beautification project, painting a wrought-iron fence at a local special-needs school.
According to Chaplain Lt. Leroy Mack, COMREL projects are a common event for most port visits overseas. "We coordinate with the in-country chaplain, who lets us know what kind of COMREL opportunities are available," said Mack.
It's an all-volunteer effort, and this time Truman and CVW-3 crew members came out in droves to help.
People volunteer for various reasons, said Mack. "Some just want to help, but some want to meet different people and experience culture. Some volunteer to show their skills at a particular job."
"We just felt it was a good thing to do," said Operations Specialist 3rd Class (AW) Julia Shannon, one of the volunteers. "Kids would wave at us as they passed by. It was good to show them we can do our part and show our good will."
Mack said most COMREL projects - whether they involve planting trees or renovating a building, attract at least one dedicated crewmember who takes charge of the effort. Chief Electronics Technician (SW/AW) Todd Kepner supervised the effort this time - something he's been doing for years.
"I've done this ever since I've been in the Navy," said Kepner, who has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and other charities at home in the U.S. Kepner said a little elbow grease for a good cause is never a bad thing, especially for Sailors.
While Truman is visiting a foreign port, it's always a chance to show the American flag and serve as ambassadors for our nation, said Kepner. COMREL is a great way to pay our respects to the host nation and to show our benevolent intent, he added.
"It's an opportunity to spread the good will of Truman and the United States," said Mack. "It helps for people in foreign countries to see America in a [positive] light."
There should also be many more opportunities to come during future port visits, Mack added. "It's our intent to do one during every port [visit] if security or our other mission responsibilities don't affect it," he said.
The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Strike Group departed its homeport of Norfolk, Va., in October and is currently deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility providing a forward presence and support in the Global War on Terror.
The Truman and CVW-3 team departed Norfolk, Va., Oct. 13, for their second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror.
For related news, visit the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn75.


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TV Anchor Offers Brave On-Air Response To A Bully
When you're in the public eye you need a thick skin or learn to have one because people think they have a right to criticize everything you do. Yes, we criticize our sports heroes for their play in games or actors or singers for their performances. That's their work. That's one thing. But, it's different when it gets personal.
Jennifer Livingston is a TV news anchor in La Crosse, Wisconsin, who responded to a viewer's flat out mean e-mail that criticized her weight.
The male viewer wrote "I was surprised indeed to witness that your physical condition hasn't improved for many years." He went on to say Livingston was not a "suitable example" for young girls. "I leave you this note hoping that you'll reconsider your responsibility as a local public personality to present and promote a healthy lifestyle."
Livington's husband was outraged and posted the e-mail on the TV station's Facebook page and the response was stunning. Hundreds of people responded with words of support and it gave her the courage to address her bully on the air Tuesday morning.
"The truth is, I am overweight," she said. "But to the person who wrote me that letter, do you think I don't know that? That your cruel words are pointing out something that I don't see? You don't know me… so you know nothing about me but what you see on the outside and I am much more than a number on a scale."
Think back in your own life to some of the meanest things people ever said to you. You still remember those words don't you? I do. Clay and I talk about it often.
Social media is a wonderful thing. It's brought the world to our fingertips. But it also allows faceless people to say hurtful things to others. Sometimes it's to people they don't even know. We saw the result of that with the suicide death of Williamsville North High School freshman Jamie Rodemeyer last year.
And during the month of October, National Bullying Prevention Month, Livingston closed her response with an appeal to children to "not let your self-worth be defined by bullies. The cruel words of one are nothing compared to the shouts of many."
Nothing will take away the hurtful words in that e-mail, but I congratulate Jennifer Livingston for taking on that bully head-on and doing something productive with it. It was a brave thing to do.
Subscribe to 106.5 WYRK on


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Getting pounded on Pandora? Whether you're playing Ubisoft's James Cameron's Avatar: The Game as the human-led RDA Corporation or the indigenous Na'vi people, Game Hunters spoke with Philippe Guay, quality control team lead at Ubisoft Montreal, for some winning single-player tips.
Corporation (RDA) Single-Player Campaign
The corporation is well equipped and relies on high-end technologies and massively destructive equipment. It's probably a bad idea for an RDA trooper to go out in the jungle alone. They're much better off being escorted by at least a small team, if not by heavily equipped vehicles like the Swan or the Grinder ATV, not to mention the Dragon and Scorpion helicopters.
Create some space: An RDA trooper will usually benefit from approaching the enemy with a group, using a variety of weapons as a team. The flamethrower is effective for quickly taming the more aggressive plant life. It can also do a great deal of damage to the Na'vi, while creating a natural barrier between you and them. Another good weapon for dispatching the Na'vi is the grenade launcher. It inflicts a significant amount of damage and can really stop the enemy in their tracks. Make sure to drop your reticule just a little lower than you normally would, to make sure that the grenade explodes at the enemy's feet, sending them flying.
Range your weapons: As a first line defense, before you're swarmed, consider using the Standard Issue Rifle, which is more effective at range. Once your opposition closes the distance between the two of you, try switching to the Assault Rifle, which is one of our go-to weapons in most combat situations.
Go berserk: When you're in a boss fight, the Berserk skill really comes in handy, to make sure that you inflict maximum damage and end the fight quickly.
Use your wheels and rotors: Whenever you can, put yourself behind the controls of a vehicle. All of the vehicles will provide you with the protection you need to keep Pandora's threats at bay and provide you with a more potent arsenal to fight back with, even during a boss fight.
Favorite RDA Skill Combos
Zeta Field and Berserk: The Zeta Field skill provides the player with the armor boost necessary to absorb a lot of hits while the Berserk skill increases the amount of damage that you can dole out. The combination of the two really provides the best offence/defence combination for the RDA.
Ultrasonic Repulsor and Genetic Recombinator: When you find yourself in a situation where you're swarmed with a rapidly depleting health meter, the Repulsor will give you some breathing room, and enough time for the Genetic Recombinator to give you a quick boost of health.
Chromatic Blend and Elite Training: If a quick stealthy infiltration or a hasty escape is needed, the Elite Training skill will allow you to move fast while the Chromatic Blend skill will cloak your movements, making it virtually impossible for the enemy to figure out where you've gone, or where you've come from. Alternatively, knock a swarm of enemies down with the Repulsor and get out of there in a hurry with the help of the Elite Training.
Na'vi Single-Player Campaign
The Na'vi are tall, agile, and are significantly stronger than any RDA on foot. A solitary Na'vi can easily overcome several RDA troopers if at close range. With a pair or more of Na'vi working together, their attack can be lethal. Since the Na'vi rely heavily on traditional weaponry, their effectiveness is far superior in melee combat then at range, although the sporadic use of the Na'vi bow is helpful to take advantage of a high perch or to take down a single RDA trooper without advertising your presence to the group.
Pandora is your weapon: The Na'vi are able to scale the root systems and cliffs of Pandora much quicker and more comfortably than the RDA. Use the advantage of surprise, or the perspective from above to catch a patrol of RDA troopers unaware. Pandora is both your weapon and your shield in the fight against the invader.
Move like the wind: Another point for the Na'vi is their ability to run faster and jump higher than any RDA trooper can. With the addition of the Kinetic Dash skill, you can easily close the gap or put some ground between you and your enemy.
Favorite Na'vi Skill Combos
Pandora's Protection and Kinetic Dash: The Kinetic Dash will put you face-to-face with your opponent in a hurry while Pandora's Protection ensures that you don't take too much bullet damage on the way there. Have a large axe or mace ready to dole out some damage.
Titan's Bash and The Dual Blades: If you're swarmed by RDA troopers, use your Titan's Bash skill to stun them and follow up with a series of rapid slashes with your dual blades.
Pandora Union, Titan's Bash and Whirl of Fury: Sneak in undetected (Pandora's Union), stun your opponents (Titan's Bash), then crush them all with a large weapon and a fury-induced damage boost (Whirl of Fury). It's truly a deadly combination.
By Marc Saltzman
Mike Snider began covering the video game industry during the Super Nintendo-Sega Genesis clash in 1992. An original pinball wizard, he eventually was seduced by Robotron: 2084 and Tempest. These days he is a fan of action/shooters and lives out his Keith Moon fantasies playing a mean drum kit on music games. More about Mike.
Brett Molina has been writing about video games for USA TODAY since 2005. He is well-versed in Madden NFL, the fighting genre and first-person shooters. The first video game he played was Asteroids at a local arcade. He has been hooked ever since. More about Brett.


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Sydney is ramping up its defence of the AFL premiership as the finals loom, with a six-goal haul from key forward Kurt Tippett guiding them to an impressive 21.8 (134) to 15.9 (99) win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
The hard-fought win was only the third time in Tippett's 111-game career that he has kicked six or more in a game.
It was his biggest haul for the Swans and again showed the wait was worthwhile.
Tippett had to sit out the first half of the season because of an AFL suspension.
"We think he's been really good since the first game he played for us," said coach John Longmire.
"(He had) a long time out of the game, he came straight back into the team and he's been playing well for us every week.
"He's been kicking his three goals a week and having six or seven shots at goal and, today, the accuracy meant that he had a big impact (so) far as goals kicked."
Tippett's form was especially encouraging given that fellow forward Sam Reid will return from a recurring quad injury on the eve of the finals.
Adam Goodes will also return around the same time from a knee injury.
So Tippett is crucial for Sydney as they try to secure a top-two finish and a home final.
They are second and only half a game off top spot, thanks to upset losses this weekend for Hawthorn and Geelong.
Another good sign out of the game was the successful return of premiership defender Rhyce Shaw.
He has been missing since round two because of injury.
The Bulldogs were valiant and could also smell a potential boilover.
When Tom Campbell tapped the ball down to Daniel Giansiracusa, who volleyed it through on the full for a goal of the year candidate, the Bulldogs were only eight points down late in the third term.
But as they usually do, the Swans answered the challenge.
They kicked the last three goals of the term, with Tippett's soccered shot just seconds before the three-quarter time siren breaking the Bulldogs.
After some solid form in the last month, the Bulldogs again impressed by matching Sydney's legendary hardness at the ball.
While Kieren Jack and Tippett were best for Sydney, Ryan Griffen and Mitch Wallis starred in the midfield for the 'Dogs.
"It was a real battle today for us," Longmire said.
"We talked to our playing group about it all week, that their ladder position (15th) wasn't exactly what we'd expect to receive in regards to an opposition this weekend.
"And that's what we got."


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She comes into my backyard every day ... sometimes just for a minute. She may hang around long enough for a bite to eat but, she's her own lady so, I never insist ... for all the good it would do. Weather is no object ... every day ... all year ... she's reliable. Beautiful eyes ... who wouldn't love my girl? She's just a deer.
I love her.
© A. Macarthur/All rights reserved.


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FreezerBurn Texas is a Central Texas winter regional arts festival and community experiment. 2018 will be our TENTH year!
2018 Theme is TBA!
2018 Event Dates are JAN 12 – 15th, 2018!
2018 Event Location is TBA!
Read—and reread—the 2017 Survival Guide!
FreezerBurn is powered by volunteers. Volunteers like you! Tell us you're interested in helping out.
Want to talk? Check out our Facebook community.
Get updates and FZB Newsletter via email:
Oh and if you happen to be looking for the FreezerBurn Alberta – Canadian Regional Burn, then their website is here – http://www.freezerburn.org. We are not associated with that event, but we have common values and names. It's a small world, after all.


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Download the Game Design and Indie Game Marketing Freebook 07/19/17GameDev.net and CRC Press have teamed up to bring a free ebook of content curated from top titles published by CRC Press. The freebook, Practices of Game Design & Indie Game Marketing, includes chapters from The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, A Practical Guide to Indie Game Marketing, and An Architectural Approach to Level Design. The GameDev.net FreeBook is relevant to game designers, developers, and those interested in learning more about the challenges in game development. We know game development can be a tough discipline and business, so we picked several chapters from CRC Press titles that we thought would be of interest to you, the GameDev.net audience, in your journey to design, develop, and market your next game. The free ebook is available through CRC Press by clicking here. The Curated Books The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Second Edition, by Jesse Schell Presents 100+ sets of questions, or different lenses, for viewing a game's design, encompassing diverse fields such as psychology, architecture, music, film, software engineering, theme park design, mathematics, anthropology, and more. Written by one of the world's top game designers, this book describes the deepest and most fundamental principles of game design, demonstrating how tactics used in board, card, and athletic games also work in video games. It provides practical instruction on creating world-class games that will be played again and again. View it here. A Practical Guide to Indie Game Marketing, by Joel Dreskin Marketing is an essential but too frequently overlooked or minimized component of the release plan for indie games. A Practical Guide to Indie Game Marketing provides you with the tools needed to build visibility and sell your indie games. With special focus on those developers with small budgets and limited staff and resources, this book is packed with tangible recommendations and techniques that you can put to use immediately. As a seasoned professional of the indie game arena, author Joel Dreskin gives you insight into practical, real-world experiences of marketing numerous successful games and also provides stories of the failures. View it here. An Architectural Approach to Level Design This is one of the first books to integrate architectural and spatial design theory with the field of level design. The book presents architectural techniques and theories for level designers to use in their own work. It connects architecture and level design in different ways that address the practical elements of how designers construct space and the experiential elements of how and why humans interact with this space. Throughout the text, readers learn skills for spatial layout, evoking emotion through gamespaces, and creating better levels through architectural theory. View it here. Learn more and download the ebook by clicking here. Did you know? GameDev.net and CRC Press also recently teamed up to bring GDNet+ Members up to a 20% discount on all CRC Press books. Learn more about this and other benefits here.
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slicer4ever posted a topic in General and Gameplay ProgrammingThis thread is to promote this years week of awesome which runs from august 7th to the 13th this year. you can find the administration thread here in the lounge:
slicer4ever replied to slicer4ever's topic in GDNet LoungeIf your looking for an artist i'd make a post under classified, or even look outside gamedev.net itself. perhaps look through some artist portfolio's on artistic sites such as deviantart and contact some that you like and explain you'd like to team up.
slicer4ever posted a calendar event in Game JamsuntilWeek of awesome V contest! administration thread:
slicer4ever replied to HD86's topic in Graphics and GPU Programmingwhat do you mean by does not work? does the line stay in the same place? what sort of projection matrix are you using?
slicer4ever replied to phil67rpg's topic in For Beginnersif your using c++, then you should be using what Ryan_001 said, std::this_thread::sleep_for is part of the standard library since c++11. you don't need to be using an outside api for this.
slicer4ever replied to slicer4ever's topic in GDNet Loungeexactly which console would you be targeting? overall as long as the judge's are able to run it without having to do any leg work(and no files you are distributing are copyrighted in a way that you aren't allowed to distribute them), it should be fine. I'd also like to give a thanks to Josh petrie who has thrown in an additional 200$ to the prize pool, I've added additional prizes to 4th and 5th place winners as well!
slicer4ever replied to slicer4ever's topic in GDNet LoungeGreat to have you again :), i've added your team, and placed your request in the looking for teammates section. I hope you'll be able to find someone :) We've had a number of entrys made in both, I think riu's covered fairly well his feelings on the topic, overall it should be about using the tools your most comfortable with(unless your looking to experiment), and i don't want to dissuade people from using unreal for such a thing. A week is a fair bit of time to get something workable, regardless if you can only use a fraction of the engine's potential. Overall as riu said this is certainly not the thread to derail into such a discussion, so let's leave it at this then, i'm only bringing it up as i want to make a point that it has been used successfully in prior competitions as well. eh, this gets a bit fuzzy in what is/isn't pre-making assets for the game. basically the core idea is nothing is made with the absolute intent of being used just for this game alone. If the asset is used elsewhere and your just stripping it out, that's fine, but pre-making things solely for this competition is not fine. if those assets would belong in another game/app your working on, then it would be ok. Yes, this is fine to have. basically you just can't have more than 4 teammates, and at least the leader of the team will require a gamedev.net account for game submission and posting updates for participation points.
slicer4ever replied to slicer4ever's topic in GDNet LoungeAs newt said, this is perfectly fine. Also glad to see you rejoining us for another year :) The new team name also sounds pretty cool, I like it.
slicer4ever replied to slicer4ever's topic in GDNet LoungeGreat to have you both back on board for another year :) Good to hear, i've added you to the list! I've left your looking for artist request up, unless your friend is filling that niche?
slicer4ever replied to slicer4ever's topic in GDNet LoungeGreat to have you both again for another year :), i added you both in, and used the same info you provided last year for teams, let me know if anything's changed! Awesome, added you in, let me know if you want me to add a team name/website or anything.
slicer4ever replied to slicer4ever's topic in GDNet LoungeIsn't this what the judges score is for, if they like your tech or concept they give the points. Maybe take 5 points away from graphics and move it to the judge points. No, Judge's points can be any criteria the judge wants, it's completely dependent on them to allocate however they feel. There was a fair amount of discussion back during the first few WoA's on how to categorize points and distribute them. ultimately we settled on the disparity between graphics and audio points because as you said, graphics are almost always apart of every submission(barring the text game that was submitted a couple years ago), audio was initially equal to graphics in point distribution, but with the inclusion of the participation and judge's category, points needed to be taken from somewhere, so they were ultimately pulled a bit from audio, and first time user experience to work them in. If people want to see the points redistributed, i am open to it, but at the moment i feel we have a good balance for each category.
slicer4ever replied to slicer4ever's topic in GDNet LoungeI'm certainly open to adding another category, but I don't think this would work very nicely. As josh points out how do we define new tech/idea's? do you consider new tech as using an engine such as UE4/unity, or writing your own framwork from scratch, or do you mean something else entirely? If your working on a new idea for gameplay mechanics, or even controls it seems like gameplay and First time user experience would adequately cover how well a judge feels the idea works. Ultimately the contest is about evaluating what was created, and not how it was created, as well each judge is given a small amount of points to allocate however they feel like doing so(in the past some judge's have used their points based on how the game was made). However if others feel that such a category could benefit the contest, i'm quite willing to be flexible with what categorys a game is scored on.
slicer4ever posted a topic in GDNet LoungeThe Week of Awesome V The fifth annual week of awesome is here folks! With this year i've built a website that will be used both for judging and submissions. This website is not 100% complete as we're waiting on the site upgrade to occur later this month to integrate it into gamedev.net's domain. Overall I'm currently pleased with the design of the site, but once it's live i'm open to hearing feedback on changes. You can find last years competition here: https://www.gamedev.net/topic/678978-the-week-of-awesome-iv-fourth-annual-unofficial-gamedevnet-competition-administration-thread/ You can find the third years competition here: http://www.gamedev.net/topic/668847-the-week-of-awesome-iii-the-third-annual-unofficial-gamedevnet-competition-administration-thread/ You can find the second years competition here: http://www.gamedev.net/topic/660249-the-week-of-awesome-ii-the-second-annual-unofficial-gamedev-competition/ You can find the first years competition here: http://www.gamedev.net/topic/645699-upcoming-unofficial-gamedev-competition/ Have questions, you can also find most gd.net and contestants at the gamedev discord chat: https://discord.gg/Njc96xM Dates: RSVP for the Calendar event here: Rules: Supported Platforms: Judging Criteria: Prizes and sponsors: Judges: Participating Teams: People looking for teammates This thread is both here for asking questions, and telling us you will be competing, as we like to get an idea of how many people to expect. so please post a team name for your team, as well as your members(and be sure to drop an update to us if the team members change) please try to follow the following format for declaring your team: Team: Members: , , , Website/Blog/Twitter handle: try to be creative folks with your name!(please remember the sites rules still apply here!)
slicer4ever replied to laiyierjiangsu's topic in General and Gameplay ProgrammingThis probably isn't going to work, your still in client space, so they can figure out how to bypass this overall. I use a similar setup for my game(gameservers do little work other than keeping inputs in sync, and some minor game logic). I also implemented a shared client check for detecting if a single user is out of sync, and as you say the core problem with this setup is that when dealing with only 2 clients, neither is capable of being trusted. Ideally if this is a problem to worry about(my game is intended to be played by 4 players generally) you should implement recording player playback, and a report system. if the other player suspects cheating then give them the ability to report the offending user. the only other alternative is to make your server do more work to verify inputs are valid, but depending on how deep into development you are, this could be considerable work. At the end of the day, if someone with the skills really wants to crack your game, they probably well do so if your leave it upto the clients to decide what to do.
slicer4ever replied to TacticalWolf's topic in General and Gameplay ProgrammingThis isn't really related to openGL, as it's more a general 2D problem. Basically as your using tiles, you most likely are using a 2D grid. each tile is x pixels wide by y pixels tall. so to know what tile the mouse is over, you'd do: xTile = floor(MousexPos/TileWidth); //we use floor incase your using a language which only uses floating point numbers, floor basically removes the decimal from a number, so for example if we have 5.5, and floor that, we'd get 5. yTile = floor(MouseyPos/TileHeight); if you want to then turn that into a world coordinate, you'd do: xWorldPos = xTile*TileWidth; yWorldPos = yTile*TileHeight; if you want to move a player to that location(rater than teleport them there), then you need to generate a list of tiles to move through from your starting tile, to your target tile. a simple algorithm for this would be: TileList = []; //create an empty array of tiles. StartxTile = PlayerxTile; StartyTile = PlayeryTile; DestxTile = xTile; //using the above x/y tile's assumed for our destination. DestyTile = yTile; CurrxTile = StartxTile; CurryTile = StartyTile; while(CurrxTile !=DestxTile){ if(CurrxTile >DestxTile) CurrxTile --; //we want to move to the left. else CurrxTile++; //we want to move to the right. TileList.push(CurrxTile, CurryTile); //add this tile to our list of tiles to transverse. } while(CurryTile!=DestyTile){ if(CurryTile>DestyTile) CurryTile--; //we want to move down. else CurryTile++; //we want to move up. TileList.push(CurrxTile, CurryTile); //add this tile to our list of tiles to transverse. } //Now we can iterate over the TileList to know what tiles we should walk through. This is a very crude an inefficient algorithm(does not take into account walking diagonally), but should get you started on following a path. once you get this down, you can try implementing more advanced techniques for pathing, such as A*. Good luck :)


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Ask an Eye Doctor and Get an Answer ASAP
Hi. I'm online and happy to answer your question today.
Can you tell me a little bit more about your son's problem? How old is he? What sort of tearing is he having? What causes his eyes to tear.
Are you available to chat?
I am available to chat
He has tears from time to time
He is 38 years old
I have no idea what cause it
Is it from dry eyes?
Are you there?
hello. I am still waiting
oops...sorry about that. I
I had to step away from my computer.....my blood coffee levels were getting low :)
Dry eyes is a distinct possibility. However, in my experience, issues like what your son is dealing with are usually caused by a few problems all acting at once. Common issues such as dry eyes (which you have already mentioned), allergies and blepharitis can all contribute to watery eyes. The good news? There is a simple, at home, therapy he can do that should make things better.
When it comes to allergies it is almost impossible to pin down the offending agent(s) and, therefore, treatment needs to focus on controlling the symptoms. Dry eyes are very common and can be improved by a stepwise series of therapies. First, the use of natural tears 4-6+ times/day to augment your natural tear production, if this doesn't work then you can try temporary punctal occlusion of the lower puncta, then, if needed, temporary occlusion of all 4 puncta then, if indicated, surgical ( non-reversible) closure of the puncta. The openings to your tear drainage system are called puncta and you have one opening on each lid, near your nose.
Blepharitis is a condition where glands in the eyelids are not functioning normally. They become plugged and instead of putting out their normal clear, oily secretions, they put out thick, toothpaste like gunk. You may not be able to see this "gunk" yourself, unless it is really bad, but it shows up clearly on slit lamp examination.
The best treatment for this condition is daily lid scrubs combined with warm compresses. I like to use baby shampoo for lid scrubs. In the shower, place the shampoo on your index fingers, close your eyes, raise your eyebrows (to stretch the skin on your eyelids) and scrub back and forth along your eyelashes for 3 to 5 minutes. The hot water in the shower helps to soften the plugged oils in the glands while the mechanical scrubbing with your soapy fingers removes the oils.
Baby shampoo lid scrubs will also help to wash away allergens and stimulate tear production, thereby addressing all three of your issues. Remember, this is not an instant fix. While you are waiting for the lid scrubs to have affect you can use over the counter allergy pills such as Travist, dimetapp or Zyrtec.
Should your symptoms get worse, your vision become significantly affected or things just not get better in 3 weeks or so you should have a complete eye examination by your local ophthalmologist to look for other, less common, causes of your symptoms.
Does this make sense to you?
Are you still there?
And, now, the obligatory word from our sponsors: :o)
I hope that this information was helpful for you. Please, allow me get credit for my time and effort in assisting you and press the YES button for this assist. I will be glad to answer additional questions until you are satisfied. Thank you very much. Positive Feedback and/or Bonus is welcomed and appreciated.
I guess that you, too, have taken a short break away from your computer. I'm sorry that we keep on missing each other. However, this is no big deal...we can use the Q&A system to 'text message' each other. An email will be sent to each of us every time something is posted to this thread.
What is the answer to my question regarding wearing sunglasses?
I asked if not wearing eyeglasses will cause damage to the eye.


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|Living ELAM. She was the daughter of 2. Willis Blake ELAM and 3. Ardis Carol SCHULTE.
Child of Living ELAM is:
|Willis Blake ELAM was born 9 Oct 1918 in San Diego,CA.
|Ardis Carol SCHULTE was born 3 Jan 1922 in Volin,SD. She was the daughter of 6. Herman Joseph SCHULTE and 7. Faun Aurora BAYLOR.
Child of Ardis Carol SCHULTE and Willis Blake ELAM is:
|Herman Joseph SCHULTE was born 1880 in ,CArroll Co,IA, and died 1962.
|Faun Aurora BAYLOR was born 17 Mar 1887 in ,Jewell Co,KS, and died 16 Feb 1928 in Winfield,KS. She was the daughter of 14. Frank BAYLOR and 15. Selina Arabella "Belle" PAYNE.
Children of Faun Aurora BAYLOR and Herman Joseph SCHULTE are:
|Frank BAYLOR was born 12 Mar 1850 in ,IN, and died 30 Dec 1919 in ,Dickinson Co,IA.
|Selina Arabella "Belle" PAYNE was born ABT 1858. She was the daughter of 30. Stephen W PAYNE and 31. Augusta PECK.
Children of Selina Arabella "Belle" PAYNE and Frank BAYLOR are:
|Stephen W PAYNE was born Oct 1823 in ,NY, and died Feb 1905 in ,Smith Co,KS. He was the son of 60. Eli PAYNE and 61. Selina Samantha HOUGH.
|Augusta PECK was born ABT Dec in ,IL, and died BEF 1900.
Children of Augusta PECK and Stephen W PAYNE are:
|Eli PAYNE was born ABT 1795 in ,Greene Co,NY, and died Oct 1834 in Rocksprings,St. Clair Co,IL. He was the son of 120. Eli PAYNE and 121. Sarah WEBSTER.
|Selina Samantha HOUGH was born 14 Apr 1800 in ,Greene Co,NY, and died 12 Apr 1875 in Logan Twp,Smith Co,KS. She was the daughter of 122. Theron HOUGH and 123. Tryphana WILCOX.
Children of Selina Samantha HOUGH and Eli PAYNE are:
RootsWeb.com, Inc. is NOT responsible for the content of the GEDCOMs uploaded through the WorldConnect Program. If you have a problem with a particular entry, please contact the submitter of said entry. You have full control over your GEDCOM. You can change or remove it at any time.


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Selling resumed in the precious metals complex overnight as the US dollar added to yesterday afternoon's gains and despite a fresh rise in crude oil, copper and the commodities' complex overall. In fact, during January – a month when gold lost over 8% in value- commodities turned in their best performance in over two years' time. Copper, rubber, and cotton recorded new all-time highs, and other raw materials did not do to poorly either. Sugar comes to mind; it rose to a three-decade high because of Aussie weather concerns yesterday. Gold, meanwhile, chose to march to a different drumbeat, for the time being, in lieu of reaching fresh price pinnacles of its own.
This morning, the ECB left interest rates parked where they were (at 1%) but its President, Mr. Trichet, who did not leave reporters bereft of a supply of anti-inflation flavored words as recently as the middle of last month, was still seen as making price rises his top priority (after ensuring that growth remains on track in the region). Mr. Trichet reaffirmed his institution's commitment to fight inflation (he roiled the markets with a threat to hike rates sooner rather than later) and underscored the ECB's ability to stave it off during that news conference.
Clearly, the man does not want to be perceived as being 'behind the curve' on this issue. What followed was one of the best rallies in the euro witnessed by currency traders in recent years. Mr. T's words did a lot more than Ms. Merkel or Mr. Sarkozy's remarks made in Davos regarding the permanent status of the common currency, which were clearly intended to undermine skeptics (read: euro-shorters) all over the place. However, at the end of the (trading) day, investors regard such a possible lifting of interest rates as a 'policy mistake' – go figure.
Spot gold bullion dealing fell by over $9.00 an ounce well ahead of the New York open (so much for the 9 o'clock 'whack' apparently), once again failing to respond to the continuing (and worsening) street fights in Cairo, and the apparent spreading of the unrest over to Yemen's streets as well. The Thursday opening had the yellow metal quoted at $1,327.70 an ounce on the bid side (down $7.30), mainly on account of the rise in the greenback.
ETF outflows and the ebbing (make that: concluded) of New Year's related Chinese physical demand continue to hamper gold's ability to stage a notable rebound (such as the one seen last Friday when Egypt prompted the trade not to want to go home empty-handed for the weekend) from its recent lows near $1,300. Contradicting those who attempted to "shape" the news on India's 2010 gold imports, the Bombay Bullion Association noted that the country's inflows of the yellow metal actually declined last year.
The total provisional 201 BBA tally indicates that 332.9 tonnes of gold (not some the 700+ tonnes that were mentioned in various online stories) were imported into what has traditionally been the world's top consumer of the metal. A good portion of the obviously low (within historical contexts) level of gold imports must be because of the price-sensitivity of Indian buyers, while another could be reflecting shifting consumer preferences among young(er) potential Indian buyers.
Gold dealers and various hard money newsletters are now almost 'abandoning' India as a bullish topic with which to raise investor/subscriber morale and are actively "plugging" China as the demand source which will all but ensure the metal's bright future. Meanwhile, January's Indian gold imports stood at 40 tonnes – a nice improvement, but one that is to be viewed as an early inventory build-up, within the context of an upcoming gold-buying-auspicious 'mini-season' for weddings to take place later in February.
Meanwhile market technicians continue to point to the "Maginot Line" that gold needs to stay above ($1,280 to $1,300 and the critical $1,254 mark underneath that range) in order not to spark a much more sizeable sell-off (risking the potential for $840 to $970 area to be visited), and for the moment see the precious metal as caught in an area of indecision and uncertainty. The recent counter-trend action to the rest of the commodity complex does not offer a whole lot of confidence to the bulls.


text: Not at all "SPAM." I simply googled "michael andrews bespoke reviews" and this site popped up. Typically, when people post or comment, they bash the brand/name/business. Satisfied customers by general rule, never post or comment. I chose to give my honest feedback to what I quickly saw was about to be another bashing for MAB on this site. I have no reason to post anything to this site as I find it tedeous for what I would look for on a blog. This is the first time I have been back since I gave my two cents. And yes, Alton Lane associates showed up uninvited to the Grand Opening party at MAB that night, and were passind their cards around. As a matter of fact, Dan who has been mentioned here had to ask them to leave and escorted them out the front door. I am an attorney who works on Capitol Hill, I have no agenda for my post, other than to provide my feedback, I have been rewarded with nothing. Nor would I expect to be. And sorry, I didn't realize I have to be a serial poster for my opinion to matter. And maybe I should make a 1 sentence post, you can get a clear undertstanding of someones experience/opinion in 15 words or less. Thanks for your time! Cheers I'll post more, so my opinions can be validated.


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Unattended death
A deceased person must be under the care of a licensed medical or osteopathic physician for the natural disease process to which he has succumbed, otherwise, the death is a medical examiner case. Each case will vary and no hard and fast rule can be stated concerning the determination of whether a deceased was under medical care. Each case must be considered individually, but in general, the deceased should have a licensed medical or osteopathic physician assuming responsibility for their medical care within the last two weeks to thirty day antemortem.
There sometimes exists confusion concerning deaths in nursing homes. In many instances the dead person has not been seen physically by the physician in charge for a variable period. The physician has issued orders via telephone concerning the patient. Such deaths are considered "attended" since the physician assumes responsibility for the care and treatment of the individual. Whether or not he physically see the patient is a matter between the patient and/or the patient's family and himself. Such cases should not be accepted by the medical examiner for investigation unless the death was due to unnatural means.