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- 5 Rocket Stocks for Gluttonous Turkey Day Gains
- Time to Sell These 5 'Toxic' Stocks
- 5 Earnings Short-Squeeze Plays
- 5 Must-See Charts
- 5 Stocks With Big Insider Buying
Sell These 5 Toxic Stocks Before It's Too Late - views
BALTIMORE (Stockpickr) -- Do you own one of these toxic stocks? If so, it's time to hit "sell."
Let me be clear: The S&P 500 looks strong right now, and a number of critical factors are pointing to a sustained rally for 2013. That said, not all names are participating in the upward momentum in stocks. And the ones underperforming the market right now are the same ones likely to stifle your stock performance for the rest of the year.
That's why today we're taking a technical look at five namesthat could be toxic for your portfolio this winter.
To be fair, the companies I'm talking about today aren't exactly "junk."
I mean, they're not next up in line at bankruptcy court. But that's frankly irrelevant; from a technical analysis standpoint, they're some of the worst positioned names out there right now. For that reason, fundamental investors need to decide how long they're willing to take the pain if they want to hold onto these firms this Fall. And for investors looking to buy one of these positions, it makes sense to wait for more favorable technical conditions (and a lower share price) before piling in.
>>5 Under-$10 Plays Primed to Pop
For the unfamiliar, technical analysis is a way for investors to quantify qualitative factors, such as investor psychology, based on a stock's price action and trends. Once the domain of cloistered trading teams on Wall Street, technicals can help top traders make consistently profitable trades and can aid fundamental investors in better planning their stock execution.
So, without further ado, let's take a look at five "toxic stocks" you should be unloading in 2013.
>>Buy These 5 Hated Stocks to Beat the S&P
First up is Amgen (AMGN), the $63 billion biopharmaceutical stock. For the last few weeks, Amgen had been looking bullish -- until shares broke down below support, that is. A failed bullish pattern is generally worse than an outright bearish pattern, and AMGN has been proving that point with its price action for the last few trading sessions.
Amgen had been forming a an ascending triangle pattern, a bullish setup that's formed by horizontal resistance to the upside at $90 and uptrending support below shares. Ultimately, the selling pressure at support proved stronger than buyers had figured, and when bids disappeared at that support line, this stock went into freefall. In a big way, AMGN is a cautionary tale of why it's critical to wait for a breakout to actually happen before jumping onboard a breakout trade.
Now AMGN looks likely to resolve further to the downside. Investors looking for an exit should sell now before January 23 earnings hit – while they could put shares back on track, the headline risk coupled with a bearish chart make it too much of a gamble…
BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton (BHP) has had a stellar run in the last six months, climbing more than 20% over that period while the S&P posted performance that clocked in at around half that. But BHP looks like it's finally rolling over. Here's what to watch for in this commodity giant.
BHP is currently forming a head and shoulders top, a price pattern that indicates exhaustion among buyers. The head and shoulders is formed by two swing highs that top out around the same level (the shoulders), separated by a bigger peak called the head. The sell signal comes on the breakdown below the pattern's "neckline" level, in this case at $76.
Momentum, measured by 14-day RSI, has been in a downtrend since all the way back in December, when BHP first started showing signs of weakness. Since momentum is a leading indicator of price, it adds some significant evidence that BHP could be in for lower levels. On the move below the neckline, I'd recommend keeping a protective stop at $77.
Ryanair Holdings
I realize it doesn't sound like that much of a stretch to call an airline stock toxic. But discount European carrier Ryanair Holdings (RYAAY) is just now starting to show some technical weakness. Investors could get their first distinct sell (or short) signal in Ryanair this week.
Like BHP Billiton, Ryanair has been a strong performer for the last couple quarters – shares of the $11 billion carrier have climbed by more than 32% in those last six months. But Ryanair is showing weakness thanks to a rounding top in shares. Like the name implies, a rounding top looks like an upside down parabola in a stock's price action. It represents a gradual shift of power from buyers to sellers. In Ryanair's case, the pattern triggers on a move down through $38.
Momentum is important on this stock as well: RSI had show RYAAY in overbought territory as the calendar flipped over to 2013. Contrary to popular belief, an overbought reading in momentum isn't a bearish signal in and of itself (overbought stocks statistically tend to go even more overbought in the short-term), but the fact that momentum is rolling over simultaneously is bearish. I'd be looking to take gains on a slip below $38.
Even though Microsoft (MSFT) has gotten hit hard in the last year -- stumbling into the red by more than 8% to underperform the S&P by close to 20% -- it's signaling that lower ground isn't out of the question.
Microsoft has been consolidating since mid-November, moving sideways in a rectangle pattern after getting sold off hard from highs of $33 this year. Consolidations are generally good things because they give buyers and sellers a chance to sit back and consider their next moves without the added pressure of a moving target (remember, all price action ultimately comes down to buyers and sellers). But rectangles tend to be continuation patterns, so a breakdown below support at $26.50 is a signal that shares are on their next bear leg.
Listening to price action is critical in this case. After all, if shares can push through resistance, it's more likely that MSFT has found a bottom.
A downtrend in relative strength (not to be confused with RSI) adds some extra evidence towards a downward ending in this stock. Microsoft continues to underperform the S&P 500 at an increasing rate, and that's historically a good indicator that more underperformance is yet to come for the next three to ten months.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Last up on our list of toxic-looking names is Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN), a stock that's currently forming a classic double top pattern in shares.
A double-top pattern is formed by two swing highs that come in at approximately the same price level. They're separated by a swing low that's the breakdown level for the pattern – a move below that low triggers the sell signal in shares. For REGN, that sell signal comes on a move below $165.
As a shareholder, it's important to remember that it doesn't matter why selling pressure is coming into this stock right now -- the two tops on this chart show us that it is. Now, it's just a question of whether that newly introduced selling pressure can overcome the holdout buyers sitting below that $165 level. If they do (with a breakdown), then it's time to exit this stock -- or even bet against it.
If you decide to take the short-side, I'd recommend keeping a stop on the other side of the 50-day moving average.
To see this week's trades in action, check out the Technical Setups for the Week portfolio on Stockpickr.
>>5 Stocks Insiders Are Scooping Up
>>5 Stocks Spiking on Big Volume
>>4 Breakout Buys for January -- and One Sell
Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.
Jonas Elmerraji, CMT, is a senior market analyst at Agora Financial in Baltimore and a contributor to TheStreet. Before that, he managed a portfolio of stocks for an investment advisory returned 15% in 2008. He has been featured in Forbes , Investor's Business Daily, and on CNBC.com. Jonas holds a degree in financial economics from UMBC and the Chartered Market Technician designation.


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Job Search Strategies for Alumni: Finding Employment in a Difficult Market
Are you getting ready to launch your job search? Have you been looking for a while but are getting discouraged about not finding a job? In better times, it might have been possible to use only one or two job search methods to land a position, but today it is necessary to employ every job search strategy at your disposal. This is the second session of a two part series. Career professionals from the Center for Career Education will help you to launch or jump start your job search. You will also have the opportunity to share tips and insights about the job search process with other Columbia alumni. While it is recommended that you attend both workshops, it is not a requirement.
Session Two: Wednesday, December 7 - 6:30-8:00Center for Career Education, Columbia University
Finding the Jobs: This session will cover the "Hidden Job Market" which includes tapping into and expanding your network of people. In addition, we will talk about general and specialized websites as well as other sources of employment opportunities.
Light refreshments will be served.
Register for this Event

subset: commoncrawl


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About DealExtreme
DX MVP Blog is a community to provide a platform for customers to share information on geeky products from DealExtreme. Here you can get the information you need through the reviews shared by DealExtreme customers. If you would prefer to publishing original reviews, then you have come to a great place to have it distributed.
About Dx.com
Dx.com is an amazing online store offering 70,000+ different gadgets at unbeatable prices for people of all ages.
Go start your wonderful journey to find out the coolest gadgets in the world!


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Does the fat leave your body?
With Cool Sculpting, if It is Not Weightloss, Where Does the Frozen Fat "Go"?
Doctor Answers 25
CoolSculpting by Zeltiq is loss of fat not loss of weight
Losing fat does not mean weight loss as fat is much less dense than muscle and you would need to lose a lot of fat to see the reduction of weight on a scale. Meanwhile the 20% reduction of fat volume in one focal bulge can make a difference in shape and how clothing fits. The body metabolizes the dead fat cells.
Learn more: http://www.thenyac.com/zeltiq/index.html
How Does Cool Sculpting Work?
The cool sculpting (Zeltiq) will freeze the fat cells (cryoplipolysis) without affecting other tissues; the fat in the adipocytes (fat cells) will freeze at a controlled temperature inducing cellular apopotisis (programmed cell death) hence a permanent solution.
As for the fat within the adipocytes, it will get dissolved into the blood stream at a slow rate without inducing a increase of the serum fat levels worth noting.
So the fat will be used up by your body and the adipocytes that were eliminated will never grow back again.
I hope this helps.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Dr. Sajjadian
Learn more: http://www.DrSajjadian.com
CoolSculpting.... will you lose weight?
Coolsculpting kills 20-25% of the fat cells in the area treated. As these cells die, your body reabsorbs the fatty acids and the cellular debris and you excrete the excess through your intestines. You will see the area treated shrink over the next 2-3 months as this happens. You will not feel, or know that anything is happening in any way other than when you look in the mirror over the next several weeks, you will see that you are getting smaller. Will you lose weight? ....a very small amount for each treatment area.
Learn more: http://www.DiscoverTheBeauty.com
You might also like...
CoolSculpting Removes Fat
Learn more: http://www.olsonandorlick.com/dermatology/coolsculpting-faq.cfm
Dead fat cells are processed by your liver
Where does fat go after CoolSculpting?
The fat cells are damaged by the cold temperature during CoolSculpting and are slowly dissolved and broken down in your body by cells called macrophages. The fat cell particles are then cleared from your body through your lymphatic system and goes through the liver where it is processed out of your body as waste.
Where the fat goes after CoolSculpting
You shouldn't expect to loose weight but you can expect to loose inches. Freezing fat cells creates cell death and then the body is able to naturally get rid of the fat cells though all the normal way that your body gets rid of cells, all the time.
Coolscupting Treatment
The treated fat cells are crystallized (frozen), then die. Over time, your body naturally processes the fat and eliminates these dead cells. The CoolSculpting fat freezing procedure is FDA-cleared and safe to use in the neck area.
Learn more: http://www.myethosspa.com/services/newjersey-coolsculpting/
Fat Leaves Through Kidneys
This is quite a common question, and a good one. CoolSculpting causes the breakdown of fat cells in a natural process called apoptosis. At this point, the body's waste system takes over, filtering the fat cells out through the kidneys so that they leave the body along with the urine. You are right in that CoolSculpting does not produce a significant weight loss. Although you will shed unwanted fat cells and can reshape and tone areas of the body, you won't likely see a significant change on the scale.
Learn more: http://www.drmarkfreeman.com/non-surgical/coolsculpting.cfm
"Frozen" fat cells are metabolized and naturally eliminated
Learn more: https://clderm.com
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.


text: Fu Shitou was married to Wei Jinhua for three years before he learned his wife was a transvestite. Fu married Wei after she befriended his sister-in-law. The truth about her biology was revealed recently when Wei was stopped by police and strip-searched when she fled her home after an argument. She later confessed to a court that she is a man. Fu expressed shock that he didn't know. "But we never had sex — I just wanted someone to take care of me," he told police. The judges allowed Wei to go free, however. Some websites are saying Fu was gullible, but maybe he was just lonely and willing to get companionship in any way. [The Sun]


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Joel Dare said:
> I setup the m0n0wall system on 18.104.22.168. If I have a web server in
> my office that needs to be on 18.104.22.168 and a web server that needs
> to
> be on 126.96.36.199, don't I have to bind all three addresses to my WAN
> port so that I can then use 1:1 NAT to forward them to the appropriate
> internal machines? Or, if I setup NAT 1:1, does this somehow just work?
No, you don't have to bind those addresses to your WAN interface. Just use
1:1 NAT, it somehow just works. Call it magic. ;) No, seriously - m0n0wall
automatically binds 1:1 NATed WAN IPs to its WAN interface.
- Manuel


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Nine months into their culinary journey, the folks behind Dante's Fire Cocktails & Cuisine on East Grant Road are shaking things up.
Today the restaurant, which specializes in small plates under tantalizing headings inspired by Dante's epic poem "Inferno,"is rolling out a full-sized entree section dubbed "Atonement." There you will find a Kobe-style beef burger ($14, an ahi tuna nicoise salad ($18), a charcuterie plate ($12) and house-made truffled pork canneloni.
Under "Anger" — the spicy section of the menu — owner Jon Tuck added a spicy baked shrimp salad. On the cocktail side of the menu, Tuck is finally putting his favorite cucumber martini in black and white at the request of fans who've been begging since Tuck opened the restaurant last May.
To ring in the new year, Tuck also is introducing a daily happy hour "7 for $7" menu today. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily and all day Sunday, you can choose from seven items including tuna tartar, lamb meatballs, chorizo sliders and Thai curry shrimp for $7 apiece. Happy hour — from 4 to 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily — also has drink specials including $1 off draft beers and specialty cocktails, $3 bottled beers and $5 and $7 wines.
Dante's Fire, 2526 E. Grant Road, is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesdays through Mondays; closed Tuesdays. Details: Call 382-9255.


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|Home | About | Journals | Submit | Contact Us | Français
Objective: To evaluate the influence of computer-based reminders about influenza vaccination on the behavior of individual clinicians at each clinical opportunity.
Design: The authors conducted a prospective study of clinicians' influenza vaccination behavior over four years. Approximately one half of the clinicians in an internal medicine clinic used a computer-based patient record system (CPR users) that generated computer-based reminders. The other clinicians used traditional paper records (PR users).
Measurements: Each nonacute visit by a patient eligible for an influenza vaccination was considered an opportunity for intervention. Patients who had contraindications for vaccination were excluded. Compliance with the guideline was defined as documentation that a clinician ordered the vaccine, counseled the patient about the vaccine, offered the vaccine to a patient who declined it, or verified that the patient had received the vaccine elsewhere. The authors calculated the proportion of opportunities on which each clinician documented action in the CPR and PR user groups.
Results: The CPR and PR user groups had different baseline compliance rates (40.1 and 27.9 per cent, respectively; P < 0.05). Both rates remained stable during a two-year baseline period (P = 0.34 and P = 0.47, respectively). The compliance rates in the CPR user group increased 78 per cent from baseline (P < 0.001), whereas the rates for the PR user group did not change significantly (P = 0.18).
Conclusions: Clinicians who used a CPR with reminders had higher rates of documentation of compliance with influenza-vaccination guidelines than did those who used a paper record. Measurements of individual clinician behavior at the point of each clinical opportunity can provide precise evaluation of interventions that are designed to improve compliance with guidelines.
Attention to preventive health services is increasing as evidence for their efficacy accumulates.1 One of the clearest guidelines that reflects widespread consensus among clinicians is the recommendation to administer influenza vaccines to adults 65 years of age or older.2,3,4
Yet vaccination rates range between 45 and 58 per cent.5 Although health care providers have good in-Donald6 wrote in 1976 the "nonperfectibility of man" has prevented health care professionals from acting reliably on their own intentions.
Providers often inadvertently overlook effective preventive therapy for millions of people—an error of omission that contributes to tens of thousands of influenza-related deaths.7 A cohort study that measured adjusted outcomes of immunized compared with nonimmunized patients over a three-year period demonstrated that immunized patients have approximately half the deaths, half the hospitalization rates, and half the hospital costs of nonimmunized patients.5 Other studies showed similar efficacy rates.8 In a Canadian study, 80 per cent of patients 65 years of age or older who were hospitalized for influenza-associated respiratory conditions had had at least one visit with a health care provider prior to the admission and thus in many cases had presented the health care system with an opportunity to administer the influenza vaccine.9
Managed care health plans often require provider organizations to report how well their practitioners comply with clinical guidelines.10 Methods for reporting and auditing guideline compliance rates, however, are not clearly or consistently defined.
For most public health studies of influenza vaccination rates, either administrative billing data5 or consumer questionnaires11,12 are used to determine the rates of immunization. Although the denominators used in different methods of calculating the compliance rates vary, the numerator represents the number of consumers or patients who have received (or believe they have received) an influenza vaccine during the past influenza season. This method of calculating vaccination rates produces a valid rate for a defined population, but it does not permit investigators to study the effectiveness of an intervention designed to improve individual clinicians' compliance rates. For example, offering immunizations at churches, senior centers, or immunization clinics may increase vaccination rates even though providers may take no specific action. Increased media attention to influenza deaths during a given year may motivate patients to seek vaccinations from their providers. A more precise measure of clinicians' actions at each clinical opportunity would help researchers understand what tools help clinicians comply with their own intentions to administer preventive health services.
Several interventions have been developed to address the problem of underutilization of influenza vaccination in adults and children. Placing reminder notices on the front of the paper medical record is labor intensive and is subject to the same "nonperfectibility" problem.13 Similarly, mailing reminder postcards or letters has not produced consistently good results.14,15 Because health care providers can favorably influence patients' beliefs about and acceptance of influenza vaccination, reminding clinicians when they are seeing an eligible patient has additional benefits.16,17
Computer-based reminder systems have been shown to increase clinicians' rates of compliance with guidelines, especially in preventive health maintenance interventions.18,19,20,21,22,23,24 Although the methods used to measure rates of compliance vary across the studies, interventions using computer-based reminders generally use the entering of an influenza vaccination order as the satisfying action for the guideline. When we initially distributed individual compliance reports to our clinicians, using the metric by which only vaccination orders are equated with guideline compliance, they questioned the validity of the report. They argued that there are patient conditions and preferences that are not under the control of the clinician (e.g., patient declines the vaccine, patient received the vaccine elsewhere, patient is allergic to or has other contraindications for the vaccine). One of the reasons that these extenuating patient conditions are not typically considered in compliance measurements is that they are difficult to ascertain through review of the paper medical record. To overcome the limitations that paper-based records impose on practical measurement of influenza vaccination guideline compliance, we used a computer-based patient record system to capture these situations in a coded format and incorporated these considerations in our measure of compliance with influenza vaccination guidelines.
We conducted this study in a large internal medicine clinic at an academic center. Approximately one half of the clinicians had been using a computer-based patient record system (EpicCare, developed by Epic Systems, Madison, Wisconsin) as their primary record-keeping tool for almost two years (CPR users). The other clinicians in the clinic used traditional paper records (PR users). We defined the influenza season as October 1 through January 31 and referred to the season by the year in which it ended (in January). The CPR system was installed in July 1996, prior to the 1997 influenza season. Rule-based clinical reminders were developed and implemented in September 1997, just before the 1998 influenza season. The reminders appear when the clinician opens the chart of a patient who is eligible for a recommended intervention (Figures and ).
Before implementing the clinical reminder system, we distributed a baseline survey of clinicians' attitudes about recommendations regarding preventive health services to all 34 clinicians in the clinic; 23 (68 per cent) returned it. One question was whether they agreed with the recommendation to offer influenza vaccination to adults 65 years of age or older who do not have contraindications to the vaccine.
We used scheduling data to identify all patients 65 years of age and older who had one or more nonacute clinic visits during the influenza seasons of each year from 1995 through 1998. We divided the pool of patient visits into those who saw a CPR user and those who saw a PR user. Patients who had received vaccinations in September (i.e., prior to the defined influenza season) were excluded, as were patients who were allergic to a vaccine component or who had another contraindication. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of chronic medical conditions (congestive heart failure, pulmonary diseases, diabetes, coronary artery disease, or stroke) among the patients of the two provider groups. Data were abstracted from the medical records and entered into Paradox version 4.5; they were then imported to SPSS version 7.0 for statistical analysis.
We used the PR as the source document during the prestudy period for both groups; we used the CPR as the source document for the CPR user group and the PR as the source for the PR user group during the study period.
We assessed what actions clinicians took when they were presented with an opportunity to follow the influenza guideline, by measuring the rate at which each clinician offered eligible patients an influenza vaccination. Each visit by a patient eligible for an influenza vaccination was considered an opportunity for the clinician to comply with the guideline by performing one of the following four actions: ordering the vaccine; documenting that counseling was performed; documenting that the vaccine was offered, but the patient declined; or documenting that the patient had already received the vaccine elsewhere. After a patient received or declined the vaccine, he or she was no longer considered an eligible patient for the remainder of that year's influenza season. If only counseling was offered during a visit or if a time-limited contraindication was present, the patient remained eligible for vaccination.
We attempted to abstract 100 per cent of the records of all eligible patients for each study year. The numbers of patient visits in each study group are summarized in . Despite multiple attempts, however, we could not locate the records or find documentation for a portion of the patient visits. summarizes the number of patient records or encounter documents that we were not able to retrieve.
Of the 23 participants (13 CPR users and 10 PR users) who returned the preventive services survey, 95 per cent either agreed or strongly agreed with the recommendation that adults 65 years of age or older who had no contraindications should be offered an influenza vaccination during the influenza season. The influenza guideline compliance rates are summarized in and in .
There were no statistically significant changes from the first (1995) to the second (1996) year of baseline measurements for either the CPR users or the PR users (P = 0.36 and P = 0.47, respectively). Both groups increased their compliance rates in 1997 compared with 1996 (59 per cent, P < 0.001, and 30 per cent, P < 0.02, respectively). In 1998, the CPR user group's compliance rate increased again (P < 0.02), for a total increase of 78 per cent (P < 0.001 by the Kruskal-Wallis test) over the 1996 rate prior to the introduction of a CPR. The PR user group's compliance rate dropped by 17 per cent (P < 0.03) in 1998 compared with 1997. The final PR user group compliance rate in 1998 was similar to the baseline in 1996 (P = 0.18).
To evaluate an intervention designed to encourage administration of influenza vaccines for eligible patients, we developed a metric to assess clinicians' behavior at each opportunity to offer the vaccine. We refined existing methods of measuring responses to computer-based reminders by capturing patient conditions and preferences that affect appropriate clinician behavior in following the influenza-vaccination guideline. In contrast to those based on population data alone, this measure allowed us to quantify more precisely changes in the behavior of individual clinicians that were attributable to computer-based reminders. We believe this metric for assessing clinicians' behaviors at each clinical opportunity can be applied to other clinical guidelines.
Because of the personal time required to learn to use a CPR, the CPR user group was made up of clinicians who volunteered to use a CPR as part of a pilot project. Consequently, our results may not generalize to the broad population of all clinicians. Although the baseline compliance rates of the CPR user group were higher than those of the PR user group, each group's rates were stable during the two years prior to the implementation of computer-based reminders. The stability of the rates gave us confidence that, without any other external changes, the clinician group's compliance rates would remain approximately the same from year to year.
The statistically significant increases in compliance rates for both groups that occurred between 1996 and 1997 are interesting. During the 1997 influenza season, for reasons unrelated to the study, clinical memoranda informed all clinicians that the major health plans had requested reports on the practice's compliance with preventive health services, such as administration of the influenza vaccine. The practice had also set up a table in the building lobby to promote the clinic and remind people about influenza vaccinations. The public media ran stories about how severe influenza infections were expected to be that season. In contrast, because of an unseasonably warm winter in 1998, media attention to influenza vaccination waned. Although we do not have a definitive explanation for why the PR user group's compliance rate increased in 1997, it is notable that the level of increase was only half that of the CPR user group, and that whatever effect led to the increase in 1997 disappeared in 1998, while the CPR user group's rate continued to increase. We interpret the magnified positive increase among the CPR user group as a positive reflection of how use of a CPR can improve the degree to which clinicians act on their own intentions to follow guidelines. We interpret the continued rise in compliance rates, at a time when compliance by the PR user group returned to baseline rates, as evidence that computer-based reminders can further enhance the compliance rates.
Notice that this study measured documentation of actions related to influenza vaccination guidelines and does not report the actual percentage of patients who received the vaccine in either the CPR or the PR group. Only by directly observing or recording actual clinician behavior, neither of which we performed in this study, would we be able to determine whether CPR users and PR users interact differently with patients or whether that interaction affects clinical outcomes.
We argue that an increase in documentation is in and of itself an improvement in practice. The fact that the documented behaviors of both groups did change in 1997 indicates that both groups can change their documentation rates. Others have demonstrated that CPRs can improve documentation behavior as well.25 In addition, documentation is rising in importance both for quality reporting and for reimbursement compliance.
Conducting a study using a CPR system also had logistical advantages over paper chart reviews. For example, during medical record abstraction, we could not locate 20 to 31 per cent of the paper medical record documents. In contrast, there were no missing CPR documents. These benefits should extend to routine measurement of quality information, which is vastly easier with computer-based records.
As more clinical guidelines view each encounter as an opportunity to provide preventive health services or promote healthy behavior, providers will need effective and efficient methods to take advantage of each opportunity to enhance patient care. For example, health plans now request that clinicians not only document the smoking history of patients but also counsel patients who smoke about the health risks of smoking at each opportunity. The CPR is a valuable tool whose reminders can help clinicians act on these opportunities. Through the use of coded entries, it also automates the capture of precise, accurate information that helps quality personnel as well as researchers evaluate the effects of interventions designed to help improve compliance with guidelines, at every point of opportunity.
The authors thank their project team colleagues who implemented the computer-based patient record system in the clinic: Wendy Marquardt, Barbara Boggs, Cynthia Fellencer, Mary Jaworski, Nancy Kreider, Patricia Sandlund, and James Yarnold. They thank the members of the Information Services Division of Northwestern Memorial Hospital for their technical support of the computer-based patient record system. They also thank the clinicians at the General Internal Medicine Clinic at Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation for their participation in the study. They are especially grateful to Gary J. Martin, MD, chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine, whose ever-present support made this project possible. They thank Lyn Dupré for her excellent editorial assistance.
This research was conducted and the paper written when Dr. Tang was a full-time employee of Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He is currently at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and is a part-time employee of Epic Systems, the vendor of the CPR software.
This work was supported in part by High Performance Computing and Communications contract N01-LM-43509 from the National Library of Medicine.
PubMed Central Canada is a service of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) working in partnership with the National Research Council's national science library in cooperation with the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the U.S. National Library of Medicine(NCBI/NLM). It includes content provided to the PubMed Central International archive by participating publishers.


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Department News
New ECEn Faculty Member
Research Topics: RF/Analog/Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits
Shiuh-hua Wood Chiang received his B.S. degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada in 2007, the M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Irvine in 2009, and the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2013. He was a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Communication Circuits Laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2013. From 2013 to 2014 he was a Senior Design Engineer in the RFIC design group in Qualcomm, developing low-power circuits for Bluetooth tranceivers. He joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of Brigham Young University in 2014 as an Assistant Professor. His research interests include RF/analog/mixed-signal integrated circuits for biomedical devices and communication systems. Prof. Chiang received the Analog Devices Outstanding Student Designer Award in 2011 and 2012.
His faculty homepage can be viewed here.


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MentorFish.com Exchange Event (Free)
Monte Snyder
Saturday, July 26, 2014 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM (CDT)
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Mentorfish is a resource of tools and trainings to support people in accelerating success both in their life and business. Every month you will be exposed to extensive opportunities to Exchange your thinking, make Exchanges in your habits, and bridge the gap between you and GREATNESS. Find out more…
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Mercury Safe Dentists, Mercury Free Dentists, Mercury Detoxification, Chronic Mercury Poisoning, Gum Disease Prevention
Dedicated to Educating the Public about Mercury Safe Dentistry,
Mercury Amalgam (Silver) Fillings, Chronic Mercury Poisoning,
Mercury Detoxification, and Gum Disease Prevention!
Dr. Bruno Sharp's office is mercury free (amalgam/silver filling free) and mercurysafe and he is dedicated to the practice of health-based dentistry. His goal is to treat his patients in the most healthy, caring, holistic way possible and to share information about dental wellness with his patients so that they can make educated decisions about their oral health. He fully understands the critically important relationship of oral to overall health and realizes that; "You cannot be truly healthy without good oral health!"
Safe Mercury Amalgam Filling Removal Protocols
As your Oral Health Doctor, Dr. Sharp is aware that mercury vapor, dental infections, and TMJ (bite) problems can have a negative impact on oral and overall health. Because of these concerns, we focus on patient education and strive to remove mercury amalgam (silver) fillings in a safe way. For information about why it's important to use a mercury safe dentist, Click Here.
To accomplish this, we utilize safe & proven removal protocols based on recommendations of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and other prominent biological and holistic dental organizations. For more information about why we use safe protocols to remove amalgam fillings and an explanation of what they are, Click Here.
Holistic Dentistry
Holistic/Biological Dentistry is a philosophy that recognizes that the teeth and associated oral structures are a part of the whole body. Because of this important relationship, we offer a wide range of treatment options. Dr. Sharp also takes a unique Whole Body approach to oral health care; combining sound dental science, modern technology, and years of experience with a deep concern for his patients' physical health and emotional well-being and comfort.
Whole Body Dental Philosophy
This Whole Body philosophy stresses the use of biocompatible dental materials whenever possible. He also works closely with highly qualified health professionals to assist him in his efforts to return the patient to optimal oral and overall health. His Health-Focused - Patient First approach to holistic dentistry means that he treats the teeth, jaw, and related oral structures, with specific regard to how that treatment will affect the entire body.
Continuing Education
Dr. Sharp believes that continuing education is a powerful tool that allows him to give you and your family the best, state-of-the-art dental care. Each year he takes many hours of continuing education courses and he has advanced training in many areas of holistic, cosmetic and conventional dentistry. Dr. Sharp specializes in restoration and replacement of teeth and is known as "the plastic surgeon of cosmetic dentistry".
He is also one of the leading proponents of Fluoride-Free Dentistry and against the use of fluoride in water and dental products. To access Dr. Sharp's Fluoride Free Website and learn more about fluoride and the benefits of being fluoride free Click Here. To access Dr. Sharp's online directory of fluoride-free dentists Click Here. For information about his Fluoride-Free Toothpaste and other products, Click Here.
Treatments and Services
Our office also uses the latest in dental equipment and technology in order to provide the patient with healthy treatment options and services, including:
Cosmetic Dentistry
Our office also specializes in state of the art restorative and cosmetic dentistry to correct, restore or enhance your smile to fit your own unique facial form. Our goal is to integrate esthetics as part of total dental and overall health while creating an overall pleasing and natural facial appearance.
Dr. Sharp can create the smile of your dreams - just imagine yourself with a beautiful, new, natural looking smile!
Associations & Organizations
Dr. Sharp is associated with a number of prestigious dental organizations, including:
About Dr. Sharp
Dr. Sharp has devoted his dental career to practicing healthy, holistic, non-invasive, biocompatible dentistry. He is also a proponent of making the dental office occupationally safe as possible regarding mercury and he strives to protect the patient, the staff, and the environment from excessive and unnecessary exposure to mercury at the dental office.
Dr. Bruno Sharp a Prosthodontist Specialist (experts in the restoration and replacement of teeth) with more than 20 years of advanced training and experience, has provided professional dental care in Miami for the past 12 years. Born in Rio de Janeiro and following a family tradition of more than 100 years, Dr. Sharp is the 4th generation of dentists from the Sharp family from Brazil, who have studied in the United States. Dr. Sharp first earned his dental degree in Rio de Janeiro and completed an advanced program in Restorative Dentistry at the National University in Brazil.
He chose to study in the United States, where he received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree at the Virginia School of Dentistry. He then decided to specialize in Prosthodontics and graduated from the University of Florida's College of Dentistry Master's program. Click Here for more information about Dr. Sharp.
Our Staff
Our fantastic staff is made up of highly-trained, dedicated, caring and motivated professionals who work together as a unique team to bring you the highest quality holistic dental treatment in a healthy, caring, and supportive setting.
We would be honored to add you to our list of satisfied patients and encourage you to visit Our Office Website to learn more about our office and the many services and treatments we offer. We want to thank you for considering our office for all of your dental needs.
NEW! Dr. Tom McGuire's new Video, Mercury: The Poison in Your Teeth conclusively proves that amalgam/silver fillings not only release toxic mercury vapor - but that the common act of brushing just one amalgam filling - will release more mercury than allowed by governmental regulatory agencies at the workplace! It also tells you what you can do about it. Click Here to watch this amazing video demonstration - and don't forget to tell your friends and family! (You can also access it by searching YouTube for The Poison in Your Teeth or Tom McGuire, DDS.)
I know that Dr. Sharp is a highly trained, experienced and skilled, caring, holistic and mercury safe dentist. I am impressed with the depth of his knowledge and understanding about the critically important relationship of oral to overall health and his effort to educate his patients. He utilizes his knowledge and training when designing dental treatment plans for his patients.
Dr. Sharp is exceptionally well-trained in many areas of holistic and traditional dentistry. His advanced and ongoing training in holistic, traditional and cosmetic dentistry and his concern for the safe removal of amalgam fillings makes him ideally suited to remove and replace them. Dr. Sharp also helped develop some herbal, fluoride-free toothpastes which are available for purchase on his website. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a caring cosmetic, health focused and mercury free dentist.
Dr. Sharp is also a Charter Member of the International Association of Mercury Free Dentists (IAMSD) and a member of the prestigious IAOMT. I encourage you to visit his website to learn more about his philosophy of mercury free and healthy dentistry. When you visit his office, please let him know where you found out about him and say hello to him from me. Thanks!
Privacy is important to us; therefore, we will not sell, rent, or give your name or address to anyone.
At any point, you can select the link at the bottom of every email to unsubscribe.
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Abbotsford Convent in Australia Picture
Cool Capture: Historical Buildings
As one of the remnants of The Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne, Australia, this vintage building now serves as a valuable arts-and-culture area. The photo of this historic building was submitted with our #CoolCapture hashtag on Instagram by user casjumbo.
Have you been testing out your photography skills and snapped a shot you want to share? Submit your pics to our Cool Capture group or to Instagram with the #CoolCapture hashtag, and your pic might be featured on the GeekSugar homepage!


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Adidas Argentina 2006 official home long sleeve shirt in celeste/white stripes.Features embroidered team crest with 2 stars on top weaved in gold and Adidas logo.Climacool with mesh panels and gold piping design .100% polyester.Comes with official licensed player N&N of Ayala #2.
Note:All of our Products are official,brand new with its original tags.
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Address: 1640 E. Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, Ca 91104, USA
Phone: 1-800-945-7291
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Max Ernst
Throughout her childhood, Joanna Moorhead never heard a good word from her family about her cousin. When she went to Mexico she found out why she had abandoned them 60 years ealier
Sotheby's in Paris to sell private collection covering intertwined lives of some of most famous dada and surrealist artists
As the son of model and photographer Lee Miller, Tony Penrose spent his childhood with famous artists, but had a difficult relationship with his alcoholic, depressive mother. Now, via her archive, he is finding out who she really was
Despite what the great collector's relatives are saying in a legal proceeding, her intimate museum in Venice is one of the wonders of the modern art world – and has in no way betrayed her joyous vision
Shows feature reimagining of Sigmund Freud's study and Paris art collector's flat in combination of old and new art
Jonathan Jones: Beuys, Richter, Kiefer, Polke, Ernst … such a formidable lineup shows up British contemporary artists for the commercial, over-hyped and celebrity focused lightweights that they are
Peter Capaldi takes us through the history of surrealism, from its origins in the cafes of Paris with André Breton to Dalí's lobster phone and Oppenheim's furry teacup
As a book by her poet father Paul Eluard is due to be published for the first time in English, Cécile Eluard, 95, recalls her youth among such geniuses as Max Ernst, Salvador Dalí and Marcel Duchamp
Jonathan Jones: From Caravaggio to Picasso, artists have always drawn to the darkness of deep midwinter
Jonathan Jones: Next year's show at Scotland's National Gallery of Modern Art proves that images of sorcery and satanic sex never go out of fashion
Fortunately there's a recipe book instead of a catalogue for this exhibition, so everybody can have a go. Alan Sykes dons his apron
The swimming pool is not just a place of pilgrimage for leading Olympians – it has also inspired some of the 20th century's most memorable art. Artist and novelist Leanne Shapton, herself a former competitive swimmer, chooses 10 of the greatest works of art based around the baths
Sotheby's to auction off trove of art treasures and memorabilia owned by the renowned playboy. Mark Brown, meets his son Rolf
Among 300 works are pieces by Magritte, Dali, Lichtenstein and Warhol screenprint of Sachs' second wife, Brigitte Bardot
Tanning was the last living member of the surrealist movement, wife of Max Ernst and published her first novel at the age of 94
A new exhibition will explore how Lewis Carroll's stories about Alice, the 'Harry Potter of her day', have inspired generations of artists, from Salvador Dalí to Kiki Smith
English surrealist painter and sculptor regarded as a national treasure in Mexico
Jonathan Jones: Surrealist painting, which draws inspiration from Michelangelo, redefines Renaissance artists as analysts of the human heart
Leonora Carrington escaped a stultifying Lancashire childhood to run off with Max Ernst and hang out with Picasso and André Breton in 1930s Paris. She fled the Nazis, escaped from a psychiatric hospital in Spain and became a national treasure in Mexico. What happened to one of Britain's finest - and neglected - surrealists?
Leonora Carrington ran off with Max Ernst, hung out with Picasso, fled the Nazis and escaped from a psychiatric hospital. Joanna Moorhead travels to Mexico to track down her long-lost cousin, one of Britain's finest - and neglected - surrealists.
At 15, a Surrealist before her time, Dorothea Tanning's paintings horrified her family. Now, sculptor, poet and, at 93, first-time novelist, the widow of Max Ernst reveals why moving on is better than painting like Chagall
It's a troubling, glorious thing, this picture. Seeing it in a gallery is like encountering a screaming exotic bird in a cathedral.


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ToCalendar enables you to fully keep track of your phone calls and messages by saving them directly into your Google calendar. Once saved in your calendar, they will be available on all your devices and computers, and by using Google's powerful search tool you will never have to wonder when you last talked to someone.
The paid version of ToCalendar will also enable you to pick which numbers to save and give you further flexibility on how to save them.
Note: The first time you launch toCalendar, it will load all the phone calls made from the day before installation.
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The Frankfurt International Book Fair (FIBF) means a lot for those who are literature-wise very rich. In order to satisfy their inquisitiveness about what is happening new in the market and thus keep themselves updated such fairs are organized and accumulate countless publishers, authors, multimedia companies and distributors. Being an annual book fair it allows them to make utmost of it so that they can fetch as much as knowledge they want to and can also discuss the licensing fees and publishing rights.
The venue for FIBF is a multi-hall where more than 2,99,000 visitors are expected to come from 90 nations and this year Iceland will be the guest of honor in this Book Exhibition. It is indeed a consummate place to exaggerate your network and business and hence keep yourself up-to-the-mark related to the latest and upcoming trends. But, don't forget that entry here is chargeable but on a very nominal price.
In 2011, varied program of events from the art, music and film sectors are also anticipated to take place which will be further captured in the cameras of 10,000 journalists. Nonetheless, it is going to be lucrative for everyone who ever think to join it.


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Last season, playing defensive end, he was credited with 43 tackles, seven QB pressures, two sacks, nine tackles for lost yardage, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two blocked kicks and two deflected passes.
Sen'Derrick Marks is shown in action last season for the Tigers.
He has also been named to the watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Award and the Outland Trophy and made the Playboy Preseason All-America team.
Marks and the Tigers will open their season August 30th vs. Louisiana-Monroe at AU's Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Last year Marks helped the Tigers finish ranked in the Top 10 nationally in total defense. "I think we are going to have a strong defense again this year," Marks says.
2008 Inside the Auburn Tigers Football Guide


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Latest 'marvel studios assembling a universe' news
COMIC REEL: Constantine Shows His Face; Pierce & Fury Make A Deal in "The Winter Soldier"
3 Movie News
The first photos of Matt Ryan as John Constantine hit online; Alexander Pierce & Nick Fury shake on a deal in a new "The Winter Soldier" clip & more.
EXCLUSIVE: Downey Dissects Iron Man in Marvel's "Assembling a Universe" Clip
3 Movie News
Robert Downey, Jr. talks about playing Tony Stark in an exclusive clip from the upcoming Marvel Studios documentary, "Assembling a Universe."
"Avengers: Age of Ultron" Sneak Peek To Air During ABC Special in March
3 Movie News
ABC will broadcast "Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe" on March 18, a one-hour special that promises a sneak peek for "Avengers: Age of Ultron."


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Wallis & Ed
1 Bourke St,
Melbourne 3000
(03) 9633 6265
Ok, so I have a vested interest in this one.. The design studio I work for was asked to name and brand a new restaurant adjoining the Windsor Hotel. It was to have a completely different vibe; something far more slick and modern than than the Windsor, and yet still friendly enough that you could take your grandma for lunch. And so after a bit of researching I came up with the name Wallis & Ed, a cheeky nod to the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor. The logo I designed shines proudly in the front window, uniting together my two loves of food and design.
The menu borrows from various cuisines, with items such as pork or prawn rice paper rolls, peppered yellow fin tuna on a bed of pine nut and apricot cous cous, or lobster Bisque with saffron rouill. Though chef Jerome Tremoulét (Lynches, Paul Bocuse and Penfold's Magill Estate Restaurant in Adelaide) harks back to the good-ol-fashioned roots of the Windsor by putting beef wellington on the menu. Enough to share between two, it looks delicious, though it wasn't one of the items we ordered when some friends and I visited one Friday night.
Above: Complimentary hommus and chips to start.
We decided to get a bunch of plates to share between the five of us. The waiter informed us that some of the dishes came in serves of 3 or 4, so kindly arranged for serves of 5 so we could each have one. The prices below are the prices off the menu, as I'm not sure what they charged us per plate to make them serves of 5.
Above: Dutch beef croquettes with Dijon mustard ($12.00) which were tasty.
Above: Baked Pimientos del Piquillo with eggplant and labna stuffing ($13.00) which we all found a bit bland and mushy.
Above: Duck spring rolls, confit duck leg in feuille de brique with spiced plum sauce ($15.00). Nice, but tasted store-bought.
Above: Peppered Yellow Fin tuna with pine nut and apricot cous cous ($20.00) was pretty as a picture. The tuna was perfectly cooked and seasoned, as was the cous cous.
Above: Little beef burgers, homemade brioche bun, tomato sauce and shoestring fries ($12.00 for 3). A must! They are so cute too!
Being a bunch of girls, we then ordered a few desserts to share. I think chef Tremoulét comes into his element here, as I thought the quality of the desserts were far superior to that of the mains. But maybe I just have a sweet tooth..
Above: Mandarine crème brûleé with kumquat ice cream ($13.00) was deliciously creamy with an intense mandarine flavour, perfectly matched by the kumquat ice cream.
Above: Warm apple tarte tatin, with vanilla ice cream ($10.00)
Above: Spiced steamed pudding, with brandy custard ($12.00). I loved the figs that came with this one. It reminded me of Christmas!
Above: caramel popcorn ($10.00). I couldn't fathom how they could charge that much for pop corn..
While the place wasn't full, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to what I consider to be my Wallis & Ed. I hope it does well as it would be a shame to see it close! *Some photos courtesy of Wallis & Ed.


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Hump Day Hottie: Jon Bernthal From "The Walking Dead" & The Upcoming "L.A. Noir"
With the cold winter months approaching, it's time to heat things up. Our new newsletter, Hump Day Hotties, will bring our favorite eye candy directly into your inbox every Wednesday. (Subscribe here!) Feel free to drool. We won't judge.
This past weekend, I finally succumbed to peer pressure and curiosity and started watching "The Walking Dead." Three days and 20+ hours in, I am now at the start of the show's current season. I am planning on being all caught up by the time the next new episode airs on Sunday. Tragically, however, my favorite character — i.e. the character I would most want to bang during the zombie apocalypse — Shane was killed off at the end of season two. Yes, Shane was crazy, but he was also so hunky. If only he could have kept a level head and realized that Lori was not worth his time! Sigh. Anyway, just because Shane is no longer among the group of survivors stabbing walkers through the brain on "The Walking Dead" doesn't mean I can't go on appreciating the man who portrayed him, Jon Bernthal.
Wikipedia tells me that Jon is married, because of course he is, he is gorgeous and gorgeous men don't stay single long. He also runs a non-profit called Drops Fills Buckets, "an impact-driven, entrepreneurial approach to making a difference," which seems rather vague, but he's a do-gooder and that just makes him hotter.
Jon is, thankfully, not done with the small screen — he's the lead actor in the upcoming TNT show "L.A. Noir," a crime show set in the '40s and '50s about the Los Angeles police department's war with a local mob leader. Jon plays a marine turned cop, which means we'll be seeing a lot of him in uniform, droooooool. I also hope that there's a love interest involved, so that we get to see him plenty shirtless too. Do they do nudity on TNT? They'd better.


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- Take the Menopause Quiz
- Essential Screening Tests Every Woman Needs Slideshow
- Patient Comments: Menstrual Cramps and PMS - Medication
- Find a local Obstetrician-Gynecologist in your town
- Menstrual cramps and PMS medication facts
- What are menstrual cramps?
- What is the treatment for common menstrual cramps (primary dysmenorrhea)?
- What is premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?
- What treatments are available for PMS?
- What medications are used to treat PMS?
- What are some guidelines for the safe use of OTC products for menstrual cramps and PMS?
Quick GuidePremenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Track and Prevent Symptoms
What medications are used to treat PMS?
Medications used to treat the different symptoms of PMS include taking:
- Diuretics, which are medications that increase urine production, thereby eliminating excess fluid and relieving weight gain, bloating, and swelling. Ammonium chloride, caffeine, and pamabrom are mild diuretics that are ingredients in nonprescription OTC products such as Diurex PMS, Lurline PMS, Midol PMS, Pamprin Multisymptom, and Premesyn PMS. Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a prescription diuretic that has been used to treat premenstrual swelling of the hands, feet, and/or face.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) that are commonly used for menstrual cramps, headaches, and pelvic discomfort. NSAIDs are available as both prescription and non-prescription products. Examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis), and mefenamic acid (Ponstel).
- Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) that are sometimes prescribed by doctors to decrease fluctuations in ovarian hormone levels. While older studies failed to provide evidence that OCPs can consistently provide relief for symptoms of PMS, the newer low-dose birth control pills, with their improved hormonal formulations, seem to be more beneficial.
- Ovarian suppressors such as danazol (Danocrine) have been prescribed by doctors to suppress ovarian hormone production. Danocrine cannot be used over long periods because of side effects.
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs, which cause the complete suppression of ovarian function, and have been found to be helpful in treating some women with PMS. These GnRH analogs are not prescribed long term (more than 6 months) because of their adverse effects on bone density and an increased risk of bone thinning (osteoporosis).
- Antidepressants which are prescribed by doctors to treat the mood disturbances related to PMS. Antidepressants appear to work by increasing brain chemical (serotonin and others) levels that are affected by the ovarian hormones.
- Fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Paxil). These are examples of antidepressant medications that have been found to be effective in treating the mood changes associated with PMS.


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Champaign, Ill. (UPI) Mar 25, 2009
Scientists say they assessed more than 50 Illinois highway rest areas and weigh stations as possible sites for wind turbines and found none acceptable.
University of Illinois Professor Patrick Chapman and graduate student Piotr Wiczkowski performed the study for state officials who wanted to determine the feasibility of using wind to provide electricity at the sites.
Wiczkowski and Chapman said what they were looking for was "grid parity." They determined what the cost would be to install and maintain wind turbines at each site for 20 years versus the cost of the energy generated during that time. If they found the cost would match the cost of obtaining electricity from the grid, then grid parity would be achieved.
"If you have grid parity," said Chapman, "it's an economically wise decision to put the wind turbine in. The numbers add up, in other words."
But they found none of the rest area or weigh station sites could achieve grid parity. Part of the difficulty, the researchers said, is that Illinois's electricity is very inexpensive. Another difficulty was that the rest areas require an unusually large amount of power to operate vending machines and lights 24 hours a day.
The study is available in PDF format at http://www.ict.uiuc.edu/Publications/report%20files/FHWA-ICT-09-034.pdf.
Related Links
Wind Energy News at Wind Daily
Chu announces new wind energy funding
Golden, Colo., April 29, 2009
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu says his department will provide $93 million to support development of wind energy in the United States.
|The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement


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Threatening yet thought provoking at the same time, Visceral Company's premiere of Kill Me combines excellent acting and very dark subject matter to examine the horrors and ravages caused by mental illness.
Cam (Natasha Charles Parker) experiences an horrific car accident, emerging from a coma convinced that beings from another dimension have made her immortal. Her sister Wendy (Angela Stern) and lover Grace (Jonica Patella) suspect she is suffering from mental illness. How do we escape the demons torturing us, and are they real, or merely figments of our imagination?
Director Dan Spurgeon injects a strong sense of danger and darkness from the beginning, keeping the production off-kilter and energetic. He draws vivid performances from the three women. Patella gives Grace a questioning, trusting vulnerability, contrasting nicely with Stern's controlling, tough Wendy. Parker's Cam effectively moves from anxiously shaky to downright destroyed and broken.
Production work is first-rate, really selling the story. John McCormick's sinister sound effects, Dave Sousa's foreboding and spooky lighting, and Ben Womick and Jana Wimer's simple but evocative set design bring a visceral realism to the piece. Erica D. Schwartz's costume design and Wimer's makeup work are both frightening and hokey at the same time.
The production is strictly for mature audiences only because of extremely intense subject matter and graphic language.
Kill Me features fine performances and spot-on design work for those who enjoy horror and gory subject matter or the exploration of the dark interiors of the human mind.
The Visceral Company presents Kill Me Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. through June 2 at the Lex Theatre located at 6760 Lexington Ave. in Hollywood. Tickets cost $20, and advance tickets are available for purchase at thevisceralcompany.com.


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Stanley Cooper
Stanley Cooper (August 4th,1926 / New York City)
» Click to list general statistics » OR, select a date :
Sarah Palin
The pin-up of the very Right Wing
Has rarely done a very right thing
Can't help but wonder what she's up to
It's likely Mz. Palin has no sensible clue
read more >>
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Technical Climbing
Mount Kenya Technical Climbing - Rock Climbing in Kenya
Mount Kenya, Batian summit • 5199m
Difficulty: D, Grade IV, 5.9
Technical Climbing, Kenya Rock Climbing, Ice climbing on the Main peaks of Mt Kenya ( Batian 17,058 ft. Nelion 17,022 ft) Climbing the 'Diamond Couloir', South-East Face Route and North Face route.
Mt Kenya to Africa second Highest peak. Mt Kenya one of the East Africa Mountains that passes along the equator. Mt Kenya climbing Technical climb on Rock Climbing and ice climbing on Mount Kenya
Climbing from base of Normal Route direct to top of Nelion and then crossing the gate of mist to Batian and back to Nelion and descend the same way. To the summit is a challenging technical climb.
For the experienced mountain climber, this peak is one of the world great challenges
Mount Kenya in Mount Kenya National park has unique position on the equator offers climbing seasons and route conditions varying with the sun's Position.
A climber doing one of the best ice routes are on the southern side of the mountain and should climb when the sun is in the North between the months of July and September.
However during the same period the east and north sides are the best condition in rock climbing. Conversely when the sun is in the south, south side offers the best rock routes and the North the better ice climbing condition.
Recommended Routes for Technical climbing at Mount Kenya
Normal Routes, Standard IV: South West Ridge, Standard v (Rock routes)
North Face Standard route, Standard IV (Rock Route)
North Face Sirimon Approach
South-East Face Route. , Standard IV ,Ice Window, Standard V (ice routes)
Mid July to end of September Ice Climbing through the 'Diamond Couloir' -
This attempt to the main summit of Point Lenana (4,985 m) is included for people not wishing to attempt the much more difficult twin summits of Mt. Kenya Nelion and possibly Batian. Is technically a much difficult scramble.
The Guide:
Our local guide has the knowledge and experience of the climbing routes on Nelion & Batian peaks also with verbal information and local knowledge.


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Which may be why we so want to see his blackened head, pulverized by taxpayer bullets.
Blood and blackened remnants are caked on the bathroom floor.
Eyebrows Cressida: Imagine eyebrows drawn on a balloon with a blackened cork.
The rear ramp dropped open, and Lance Cpl. Williams saw a blackened hull spouting flames 30 feet high.
But inside the destroyed entrance, down the blackened hallways, through the blown-out doors, there is a room with a light on.
Some sought to return to their blackened hearths, coasting in open boats along the shore.
Teeth are knocked out, or filed into prescribed shapes, or blackened.
The dingy blinds of yellow holland were drawn at each of the soot-grimed windows, blackened by age and dirt.
At length they reached the blackened ruins and the mouldering dead of Tangibao.
It was a writhing, squirming mass of blackened humanity struggling for a mere physical existence, a bare living.


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Regional Sporting Clay Championship in March
At Caney Creek Shooting Sports
10/3/2013 by
Caney Creek Shooting Sports was recently awarded the South Central Regional Sporting Clay Championship, which will be held at the facility next March with up to 1,000 people expected to attend. It?s a major league event in sporting clays and will hopefully be just the beginning of many world class shooting events to come to Caney Creek Lodge.
Caney Creek Lodge & Shooting Sports is centrally located near Interstate 45 north of Teague. Owners Justin and Beth Bounds and Justin?s mother, Kitty Granger have worked hard to ensure there is plenty to do year-around at Caney Creek Lodge. The 10,000 sq. ft. newly remodeled lodge sits on 500 serene acres that have been in their family since 1849.
Justin?s grandfather, Frank Short, built Caney Creek Lodge as a family place. He was an avid hunter and sportsman, including building the Waco Gun Club skeet range. It was here that Justin began shooting skeet with his grandfather.
Justin?s whole family has hunted all over the world and it was only natural for Caney Creek to become a premier hunting venue. ?My grandfather passed away about 13 years ago and my wife and I moved into this house,? he said. When the Bounds took it over around 2000, they remodeled the whole building and put an exotic game fence around the property and started selling hunts, doing Bed & Breakfasts, weddings and special events. Beth Bounds gets credit for the astounding range of Native American art pieces ? including unique paintings of warriors and medicine men in war paint ? along with lots of different artifacts.
Caney Creek is now getting more and more established for its sporting clay shoots. ?In 2010, we began sporting clays to fill the gap between the hunting that is busy in winter and slow in summer. It?s the opposite with sporting clays where it is busy in summer and slow in winter,? Bounds said. In 2011, Caney Creek was voted the Texas Sporting Clay Association Club of the Year. It was a sign how far they had progressed in the sporting clays field in just 2 yrs.
Many people are unfamiliar with sporting clays shoots, but that?s changing thanks to the efforts of Bounds and others dedicated to its growth. There are three possible games with shotguns, Bounds said - skeet, trap and sporting clays. ?Sporting clays have quickly become the most popular by far. It is the fastest-growing shooting sport in the world and the best way to describe it is that it?s golf with a shotgun. With skeet, the shooter stays in one place and the targets all look the same. It?s the same with trap-- you shoot from one position and all targets look the same.? In sporting clays, the shooters move from station to station ? each presenting different shooting scenarios and challenges. Bounds said each course usually has 12 to 15 different stations. Each course is different because there is always a different terrain. ?Imagine, on a typical clay course there are two portable machines, each hidden and throwing a different hunting situation, but you don?t see where they are or when they are coming. ?
The machines cost about $2,500 and up for each one. They can be moved and they can be adjusted to allow for different speeds, angles, elevations, distances, trajectories and target sizes ? all designed to simulate the traits of game animals and birds. You rarely get the same experience twice in a row so it is never boring.
To achieve the look of game, the bio-degradable clay targets vary in size, color and what they do. At one station, Bounds demonstrates how targets are shot into the air to simulate the flight of different game birds - they?re black, to be better seen against the sky. In another simulation, shooters can be surprised by a different-shaped target like a rabbit that skitters along the ground. It?s orange so they?re distinguishable against the backdrop of land.
Clay shooters typically use 12 gauge shotguns on a sporting clay course, Bounds said.
The course tests skill levels close and far. Targets can come at you ? like a duck landing on a pond - or they can fly off, like quail. There are a many different variables available, Bounds said.
?We?ll completely change the terrain.?
Following a presentation by Bounds to the City Council, the City of Fairfield allocated Caney Creek Lodge $50,000 from the city?s 2013-14 hotel tax fund to help promote the 500-acre facility for the big shooting event next March. ?Our goal here is to develop this as a destination type of shooting facility ? one of the best in the world,? said Bounds.
Bounds said most shooting facilities that could handle the infrastructure like Caney Creek ?are in metropolitan areas like San Antonio or Chicago?places like that. This is going to be a big thing for Fairfield, Freestone & Limestone County as well as Teague and possibly other counties.?
Not only are they hosting the South Central Regional Sporting Clays Championship, that same week next March, Caney Creek will host the North American FITASC Championship, which is one of three world cups in sporting clays. It?s different because the shooter has to keep his gun below his chest until both he and the umpire see the target. It?s also a contest with more stringent rules, Bounds said.
?We expect 500-600 regulation shooters to be here for a one-week-long event.? With spouses and children the regionals could attract more than 1,000 people, Bounds said.
?Studies on shoots like this indicate they bring $1.5 to $2 million to a community?s local economy. And studies have also shown each dollar spent will turn over 10 times before it leaves, said Bounds, who added that he will invest $300,000 into the infrastructure for the regionals and that doesn?t include the $50,000 the lodge got from the City of Fairfield. ?People will come from all over the world and they are people who have and will spend money. These are the best shooters in the world,? Bounds stressed.
Caney Creek has hired a shoot manager, Tim Miles from Tucson, Arizona for the event. Miles has managed several regional shoots like the one planned for March and U.S. opens, Bounds said.
?Our long-term goals are to be hosting similar size shoots at least once a year. One upcoming such event is the Texas State Shoot in 2015, which is larger than next year?s regional shoot.
The ultimate goal would be to host a U.S. open in clay sporting shoot, which would be approximately twice as large as the state shoot. ?That will fill hotel rooms even as far as Waco,? noted the lodge owners.
According to Justin Bounds, Caney Creek is about hunting all year long. For years hunters have zeroed in on Caney Creek and for good reason ? the Bounds have structured a wide range of experiences that hunters don?t forget. Home cooked meals, private bedrooms & baths, a trophy room full of beautiful mounts from around the world, a beautiful new pool and hot tub, 2 outdoor firepits are just part of that experience. There are hog hunts, exotic hunts and of course, whitetail hunts. Hunters can also choose an exotic hunt with no season, which include Axis, Fallow, Sika and Blackbuck Antelope. Now Caney Creek draws 100-plus hunters a year.
Caney Creek Shooting Sports is open to the public seven days a week and people who come to shoot get quite an experience for not a lot of money. For $40, shooters get 100 targets ?half-a-day worth of entertainment. When they pay, shooters get a shot card similar to a credit card to use at the shooting stations which have control units that control the release of targets, count the number of targets thrown and show the shooter how many targets he has left on his card.
In addition to the varied trajectories, paths and speed, the targets can be configured to be thrown up as single targets, simultaneous pairs and following pairs - one target right after the other.
Justin Bounds, 35, and his wife, Beth have two girls, Faith, 4, and Dakota, 10 as well as his mother who helps out. They feel blessed to also have an amazing local following of avid shooters in this area who have supported the Club 100 percent and have been invaluable to it?s success.
Justin got into the taxidermy business as a Teague High School student and after he graduated he opened a taxidermy business in Fairfield, The Outdoorsman, which also handled hunting and fishing equipment. He ran that business for 10 years, but a battle with leukemia left him with a low-immune system and doctors told him he shouldn?t be in taxidermy with that condition.
He?s in good health now and accompanying him around Caney Creek is ample testimony to the active life he leads now.


text:
|School of Engineering and Applied
Department of Computer Science
CSci 133 -- Algorithms and Data Structures I
Prof. Michael B. Feldman
For this example, the objects consists of just strings; in general, each object will have several data fields of differing types, with one field designated as the key.
(In Java we might implement the objects as a class that implements Java's Comparable interface, and provide a compareTo method that selects and compares the keys. This is a Java-dependent implementation detail; the fundamental process of ordered insertion in a linked list is independent of any language-specific details.)
The insertion process has four distinct cases:
Case 1. When the list is initially empty, inserting a new node is very easy. We just set the list header's front and rear references to point to the new arrival. Our updated list is
Case 2. If the key of the new arrival is less than the key of the first node, we have a two-step subalgorithm:
Case 3. If the key of the new arrival is less than the key of the first node, again we have a two-step subalgorithm:
Case 4. Since we've covered the simple conditions in Cases 1, 2, and 3, Case 4 leaves only one condition: the newly-arriving node has a key that lies between the keys of two adjacent existing nodes, and thus must be inserted between those two nodes. We must make the new node point to the next one in the list, but also we must make the new node's predecessor node point to it.
The subalgorithm requires a search through the list, to find the proper position of the new arrival. We will need two reference variables, current and previous, for this search, to keep track of the new node's possible predecessor and its possible successor. These two pointers move together through the list. They are initialized like this:
We know the list has at least two nodes in it already, and that the new node's key is known to be greater than that of the first node (how do we know these facts?), so the first possible position for the new arrival is between the first and second nodes.
To make sure you understand the entire algorithm, try inserting Aunt, Baby, King, Queen, and Uncle, by following the algorithm precisely, step by step.
There's no one best strategy -- the software designer must choose one that best suits the intended application(s).
Case 2. As in the insertion case, the algorithm uses a pair of reference variables, current to indicate the node whose key is compared to the arriving one, and previous to point to that node's predecessor node. Since the keys in the list are in ascending order, the search proceeds as long as the arriving key is greater than the keys already in the list. Once a node is found whose key is equal to or greater than the arriving one, the search is over. There are two possibilities:
(end of article)


text:
(November 2001)
In January 2001, the Internal Audit Division (SIV) conducted an audit of the Going Global Science and Technology Program (Going Global) as part of its review of Departmental Grants and Contributions. The Program has an annual funding level of $390,000 and was formed in June 2000 by consolidating the Asia-Pacific International Business Development (JSTF) Program and the Science and Technology with European Partners (STEP) Program.
Going Global is administered and managed by the Science, Technology, and Partnering Division, Trade Commissioner Service (TBR). One year prior to the audit, Going Global was assigned a new Program Manager who is currently implementing administrative processes needed for management of this newly consolidated Program. A number of the changes made have been in direct response to concerns related to the two predecessor programs.
Overall, the Program is well managed. However, there are gaps in program documentation. Through the course of the audit, the following were noted with respect to the management of the Going Global Program:
1.1.1 The Going Global Science and Technology Program (Going Global) has the mandate to promote Canada's international science and technology collaboration by assisting Canadian researchers in the identification and establishment of new international collaborative Research and Development (R&D) initiatives with foreign partners.
1.1.2 The Going Global Contribution Fund ($390,000) was formed by consolidating the Asia-Pacific International Business Development (JSTF) Program ($300,000) and the Science and Technology with European Partners (STEP) Program ($90,000). This change was made to broaden the range of international collaborative R&D opportunities.
1.1.3 Recipients eligible for funding under Going Global are non-Federal Government researchers who require support to explore opportunities for collaborative R&D projects. Funding is intended to support efforts towards the initiation of collaborative R&D efforts, not to support research activities themselves. DFAIT will contribute up to 50% of the expenses eligible under the Program, up to the maximum level of $50,000. Eligible expenses include travel, accommodation and other non-research expenses associated with establishment of collaborative R&D activities.
2.1.1 The overall objective of this audit was to review TBR administrative and operational frameworks surrounding the Going Global Science and Technology Program to:
2.2.1 Prior to the establishment of Going Global, JSTF ($300,000) was administered by TBR, and STEP was administered partly by TBR ($20,000) and partly by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) ($70,000). AUCC no longer has any role in the administration of the Going Global Program. No project files administered by AUCC were selected for review.
2.2.2 The audit comprised a review of 10 projects from the 1999/2000 (STEP and JSTF) to 2000/2001 (Going Global) fiscal years. The total value of projects selected was $239,745, which is 52% of the value of projects funded. The following table provides a breakdown of the funding by year for the sample of projects selected. The table was developed based on information provided by TBR.
for Year
Value of
Value of
|% of
for Year
|Going Global
|Grand Total
* Two of the Going Global project files selected for review were not completed at the time of the audit. Accordingly, these files were evaluated up to the Contribution Agreement stage in the Program Management Life Cycle.
2.2.3 The value of individual projects funded ranged from $1,800 to $50,000. Expenses that were eligible for funding included travel, accommodation and non-research expenses. The large range of project values is due to the number of individuals that travelled (i.e. a single individual versus a delegation) and the location of travel (i.e., domestic versus international).
2.3.1 The methodology comprised:
3.1.1 Our detailed observations are presented in accordance with the Audit Team's review of the Program Management life cycle of a Going Global, STEP, JSTF Contribution Agreement which is composed of the following steps:
3.2.1 Eligible recipients of Program funding are groups of two or more applicants representing various research organizations. Such organizations include universities, non-Federal Government research centres and private companies that require support to explore opportunities for collaborative R&D projects with foreign counterparts. Marketing for STEP and JSTF was informal, such that word of mouth was used to promote these two Programs. After the merger creating the Going Global Program, visibility issues surrounding Program awareness were addressed through the development and use of a Going Global website.
3.2.2 Applicants are made aware of Going Global by viewing the Program's website which is linked to the Foreign Affairs home page. The site includes the project application form, although its use is not required. Use of a website is seen by management as cost effective means to publicly promote the Program and address previous concerns related to accessibility. The website is effective in marketing the Program to eligible recipients.
3.2.3 At the time of the audit the website was in the process of being updated and had been down for a period of six months. The six month delay was caused by a redirection of TBR's efforts towards preparing a new 2000 TB submission. Efforts towards updating the website were put on hold until approval was granted for the 2000 TB submission. TBR has indicated that the site would be online "as soon as possible." Once the site is online, the issue of public access to program funds is expected to be addressed.
3.3.1 Applicants apply for Program funding through letter, e-mail or mini proposal. The use of a standard application form was not evident in JSTF and STEP files. While these Programs had been managed informally, it is apparent that a dialogue between Departmental officials and applicants typically occurred enabling Program Officers to obtain information required to assess a project proposal against Program criteria.
3.3.2 At the time of the audit, the Deputy Director of Science and Technology was formalizing the application process by requiring applicants to specifically address the questions listed in the application form. This approach helps to clarify program requirements for the applicants, ensures consistency in the types of information collected from applicants, and facilitates the project assessment process.
3.3.3 TBR does not retain information on applicants and projects that are rejected for funding. Screening of applicants and their projects occurs at the point of contact with TBR. Applicants contact TBR with their ideas for potential projects and if they do not meet the criteria for program funding TBR will direct them to other fund programs for which their projects may be suitable.
3.4.1 Project assessment and approval involves assessing the merit of the project and the ability of the recipient to carry out the project activities. This process is informal and involves soliciting feedback from program stakeholders and committee discussions between the two Deputy Directors and the Director of TBR. This process is effectively the same process that had been followed for STEP and JSTF.
3.4.2 The soliciting of feedback from Program stakeholders exists for all three programs. Stakeholders for Going Global include officers within TBR and external "experts" from other Government departments and academic institutions. These stakeholders provide scientific and technological advice needed to evaluate applications and the eligibility of applicants. Project files do not contain documentation detailing how feedback is incorporated into the decision to accept or reject projects for funding.
3.4.3 We did observe two other projects for which the assessment process specifically addressed project risks by completing background checks on foreign counterparts and analysing the economic situation of the country where the applicant had chosen to travel. Risk assessments such as this are useful in identifying risk exposures and associated mitigation strategies enabling projects to achieve a higher likelihood of success.
3.4.4 While management has been able to obtain sufficient information to assess an application against Program criteria, documentation of the assessment of a project and justification for approval decisions is generally not available.
3.4.5 Current practices expose the decision to criticism, especially if the project is not able to achieve its objectives. We observed two projects approved under the STEP Program for which concerns were raised with the merit of the project and the ability of the applicant to deliver the project. In one case the project was successful, but in the other case it was not.
3.4.6 Approval for projects is documented with the signing of the "Project Authorization" form that details the name of the project, amount of funding, the target country and subject area of the project. "Project Authorization" forms can be signed by either the Director or one of the Deputy Directors. All but one of the files reviewed contained a signed "Project Authorization" form.
Recommendation for TBR
3.4.7 Document management's project assessment, project risks and mitigation strategy for identified risks, and the justification and recommendation for funding projects.
TBR Response
3.4.7 TBR will be developing a "Going Global S&T Records Management Guide", to ensure that standardized written records are kept by project officers, using a checklist and documenting: initial inquiries from potential applicants; initial recommendations; consultations; project evaluations and risk assessment; TBR memoranda providing justification and recommending support; and approval/funding records.
3.5.1 Contribution Agreements reviewed were found to be in compliance with Departmental requirements. The agreements:
3.5.2 TBR is responsible to monitor the recipient as per the terms and conditions of the Contribution Agreement.
3.5.3 The Contribution Agreement requires recipients of funding prepare a comprehensive final report describing the event (workshop, reception, etc.), meetings and discussions held, anticipated outcomes and action items resulting from the initiative. Final project reports are key to ensuring that funding is used to further program objectives. All project files reviewed contained a copy of the final report submitted by the recipient.
3.6.1 TBR verifies invoices and supporting documentation as received from Program recipients. Once approved by TBR, this documentation is sent to the Area Management Office - International Business, Passport, and Consular Affairs (TAM) for processing and payment. TBR does not retain invoice and payment documentation, it relies on TAM for this function.
3.6.2 We found, with the exception of one project, that the amount paid to recipients agreed with the amount cited in the Contribution Agreement.
3.6.3 For one project related to the STEP Program, the amount paid to the recipient exceeded the amount cited in the Contribution Agreement by ten percent. The Contribution Agreement was for $5,000 and the applicant submitted an invoice for $5,528 which was approved and paid, suggesting that an amendment was in order, but had not occurred. Our review of the expenditures indicated that they were consistent with the Agreement. However, we were unable to find any documentation that justified the increased payment.
3.6.4 The Deputy Director of Science and Technology was unable to provide justification for the increased payment because it occurred before he became the Program Manager.
Recommendation for TBR
3.6.5 Document the justification for the approval of payments in variance with the Contribution Agreement.
TBR Response
3.6.5 TBR believes that the one exception in approval of payments identified by SIV's audit was an inadvertent oversight, and that normally the amount paid to the recipients agrees with the amount cited in the Contribution Agreement. However, if such an exception should occur again, it will be fully documented.
3.7.1 Program Management's monitoring processes are ongoing throughout the life of projects. Contact is made with recipients in accordance with the schedule of project events allowing DFAIT's intervention as needed to facilitate successful completion. Recipients are expected to submit final reports upon completion of their projects. Generally reports are submitted on schedule, but there are some exceptions where Program Management has to follow up on outstanding reports.
3.7.2 In general, final project reports contain sufficient information to evaluate the success of projects. The final reports provide a description of the event and proceedings of meetings and discussions held as well as the nature of contacts made for future scientific collaborations.
3.7.3 For the files selected, we found project reports were submitted on time and contained evidence that the project produced the intended results.
3.7.4 Under the Terms and Conditions of the Going Global Program as approved by the Treasury Board, DFAIT is required to prepare a report once a year on the immediate outcomes of the Program to facilitate the Program Management process. This report is expected to include:
3.7.5 In addition, a Program impact statement is required every three years. That report is expected to:
3.7.6 Program Management has indicated that Program assessment reports detailing the effects and benefits of projects funded during the year on the Program are not prepared.
Recommendation for TBR
3.7.7 To comply with TBS approved Terms and Conditions for Going Global, TBR should:
TBR Response
3.7.7 TBR will be developing a "Going Global S&T Records Management Guide", which will include:
Sample Number:
Applicant/Company Name (Recipient):
Program Element:
Grant / Contribution
Repayable Contribution? Yes / No
Vote: 1 / 10
Amount of Grant/Contribution/Contract:
Description of Project:
Time Period for Project:
Reviewed By (auditor and date):
|Is the applicant's request for funding on file?
|Does the application/request contain sufficient information to assess the project against program criteria?
|Review, Eligibility and Approval
|Is the project consistent with the program mandate and objectives?
|Is there evidence that the project has been reviewed against program criteria (general and specific)?
|Is there evidence of consultation with project stakeholder(s) for acceptance or refusal of the project?
|Does the review process address the risks associated with the successful achievement of project objectives?
|Is there a project Evaluation Form on file?
|Has the project been approved by the appropriate officer (Record of approval)?
|The Agreement
|Is there a copy of the grant/contribution agreement or contract on file?
|Does the agreement include a reporting clause?
|Does the agreement include an audit clause?
|If there is an amendment, is there a rationale/evidence on file for project or funding amendment?
|If there is an amendment, is there an amended agreement, containing both signatures, on file?
|Is there evidence on file that the agreement has been reviewed by the appropriate departmental officer?
|Is there a payment requisition on file?
|Have approval authorities been obtained and signed by the appropriate officer (Sec. 34)?
|Did the amount paid agree with the amount in the agreement (verify against departmental financial system)?
|Were advance payments made? If so, as per policy?
|Was funding provided from the appropriate Vote?
|Monitoring and Reporting
|Has the recipient provided activity, progress or project reports? At what intervals?
|Upon closing the file, is there an assessment done by TBR of the project? (relevance, outcome, outputs)
|Upon closing the file, is there an assessment of the recipient (e.g.,performance)? (to develop track record)
|Is there evidence that the project produced the intended results?
|Program Management
|Is the file well-organized?
|Is the status of the project readily apparent to allow any project officer to assume responsibility for the file?
October 4, 2000