text:
Partida Blanco
"Redolent of blue agave, Partida Blanco is brilliant, clean and crisp; very floral, with notes of citrus. Well balanced with a fresh, pure agave flavor and a pleasant finish that lingers gently on the palate. Unlike any other Blanco." - From Partida Tequila
Partida Tequila was rated higher than any other leading Tequila brand based on aggregate scores in a recent taste test conducted by The Academy of Tequila, the official Tequila tasting board of Mexico.
Partida Tequila is initially being distributed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Texas. Partida will continue to expand aggressively and strategically in the United States and begin distribution in Mexico later this year (2006).
Along with these top ratings from The Academy of Tequila, Partida Tequila is getting great reviews from many notable sources in the industry. Though I haven't tasted the spirit quite yet, Partida is currently available in Colorado so I expect to very soon.
You really should visit the first class Partida website to find out more about this great new tequila and the history of the Partida family. The site is extremely well done and covers every interesting aspect of the brand.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mar 08, 2006 12:22 PM|OmarSoto|LINK
I reset the navigateURL property of a MenuItem object so that I could write code in the ItemClick event. After I execute my code I would like for the URL that I saved for the Item in the Value property to be seen in a new window, while leaving open the page that was just called. In other words, I would like the Click event to behave as a regular MenuItem with the Target Property of _Blank. Any ideas?
Mar 08, 2006 01:17 PM|dannychen|LINK
You'll basically need to write some javascript and register a startup script that will open the url in a new window (maybe use window.open?). When the page postsback and loads again, this code will run and cause new window to open. Basically it becomes a popout.
Mar 08, 2006 01:26 PM|OmarSoto|LINK
Any examples out there that you can think of?
Mar 08, 2006 05:32 PM|OmarSoto|LINK
I was able to get it working based on your comment. Here is the code to what I did, in case anyone else has the same issue. I ended up placing the Javascript StartupScript in the Menu ItemClick Event. The biggest point was figuring out that Page_Load is called BEFORE the Menu ItemClick event is called at postback. The code used was:
if (!Page.IsStartupScriptRegistered("OpenNewURL")) {
Page.RegisterStartupScript("OpenNewURL", @"<script language=""JavaScript""> OpenURLNew('" + NEWURL + "'); </script>");
Page.RegisterClientScriptBlock("OpenURLFunction()",@"<script language=""JavaScript"">
function OpenURLNew(NewURL) {window.open(NewURL,'');}</script>");


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Regulators Want to Hear What You Think of V2V Technology
WASHINGTON — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to hear what you think of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications technology as part of its latest rulemaking effort on V2V for light-duty vehicles.
"By warning drivers of imminent danger, V2V technology has the potential to dramatically improve highway safety," said NHTSA Deputy Administrator David Friedman. "V2V technology is ready to move toward implementation and this report highlights the work NHTSA and the Department of Transportation are doing to bring this technology and its great safety benefits into the [U.S.] light vehicle fleet."
V2V technology has the potential to be fused with existing vehicle safety features to further improve the effectiveness of many crash avoidance safety systems currently being developed and implemented in the vehicle fleet and serve as a building block for a driverless vehicle, according to NHTSA.
Safety Applications
NHTSA recently announced that its two-year pilot test of 3,000 cars proved that the transmission of basic data between cars, like speed and position, improves the safety of all vehicles on the road.
The safety applications currently being developed provide warnings to drivers so that they can prevent imminent collisions, but they don't automatically operate any vehicle systems such as braking or steering.
A supporting research report claims that V2V's safety benefits in two safety applications, left turn assist (LTA) and intersection movement assist (IMA), could prevent up to 592,000 crashes and save 1,083 lives per year.
How does it work? LTA warns drivers not to turn left in front of another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction and IMA warns them if it is not safe to enter an intersection due to a high probability of colliding with one or more vehicles. Additional applications could also help drivers avoid imminent danger through forward collision, blind spot, do not pass, and stop light/stop sign warnings.
In practice, V2V communication can give drivers 360-degree situational awareness to address potential crash situations – including, for example, those moments when you need to decide if it's safe to pass on a two-lane road, make a left turn across the path of oncoming traffic, or when a vehicle approaching at an intersection appears to be on a collision course. In those situations, V2V communications can detect threats hundreds of yards from other vehicles that cannot be seen, often in situations in which on-board sensors alone cannot detect the threat.
Don't worry, says NHTSA, V2V technology doesn't involve the exchange or recording of personal information, nor does it track vehicle movements. The information sent between vehicles doesn't identify them, merely contains basic safety data. In fact, the system as contemplated contains several layers of security and privacy protection to ensure that vehicles can rely on messages sent from other vehicles and that a vehicle or group of vehicles would be identifiable through defined procedures only if there is a need to fix a safety problem.
The advanced notice of proposed rulemaking seeks public input on NHTSA's findings to support the department's regulatory work to eventually require V2V devices in new light vehicles, including proposed regulations by 2016.
The advanced notice of proposed rulemaking is available at Regulations.gov with the public having 60 days to comment. More information is also available on NHTSA's V2V Communications website.
With files from Rolf Lockwood.


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Target: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Goal: Drastically decrease the amount of Japanese whaling, as the current levels are driving animals to extinction and flooding the food market with bad meat
Japanese whaling has claimed the lives of over one million whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the last 70 years alone. While this practice started small as a tradition of culture, it has grown exponentially and is now based on money made from the sale of meat and blubber. The desire for money has driven up the number of animals hunted and killed and is quickly leading to extinction for a few of these sea creatures. Demand the Japanese government institute more strict laws that limit the number of whales, dolphins, and porpoises that can be killed each year.
It is estimated that 17,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises are killed off Japan's coast each year. The Japanese government allows this practice to happen, stating that they only allow a sustainable number of these animals to be killed each year. However, the Japanese officials are using decades-old numbers to calculate what is sustainable. Quotas for hunting were introduced in 1993—after nearly 33,000 animals were killed in a single year—to help regulate the hunting and allow the creatures to continue populating the sea. But these quotas have not been updated with accurate data and are causing these populations to be driven to extinction.
There are a few facts that help portray the incredible decline in the number of these sea creatures. In the 1980s, Japanese whalers were hunting roughly 1,800 striped dolphins per year. In 2013, hunters struggled to find even 100. Of course, these 100 were promptly slaughtered and sold for their meat.
The whales, dolphins, and porpoises are not the only ones being affected either. With the amount of meat and blubber that floods the Japanese market from this extreme hunting, it is incredibly difficult to guarantee the safety of the meat. Scientists conducted a study in October 2013 that found high levels of mercury in the meat, levels that are dangerous for human consumption. With so much hunting, it is very difficult to ensure that the meat is fit for consumers.
Japan needs to institute stricter and more limited hunting rules before there are no whales, dolphins, or porpoises left to catch and kill. These creatures are being driven to extinction because the Japanese government insists on using outdated information and because a profit can be made from the meat. Tell the government that money is definitely not a good enough reason to destroy all of these creatures while flooding the market with bad meat.
Dear Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,
I respect whaling as an important part of the Japanese culture and understand it has traditional value. However, recent years of hunting have seen extremely unsustainable numbers of whales, dolphins, and porpoises being killed. If this practice continues at this level, scientists estimate that it will drive these animals to extinction very soon.
It is estimated that over one million animals were killed during whaling over the last 70 years alone. It seems evident that such high numbers indicate an unsupportable level of hunting, and therefore require more strict laws to be made by the Japanese government to decrease the legal number of animals that can be killed each year.
Please help protect these animals so they have the chance to repopulate each year. In doing so, it will also help protect the Japanese people from an influx of bad meat reaching the market. Something needs to change, or these animals will simply disappear as many people become ill from bad meat.
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Robert Pittman via Wikimedia


text:
by Staff Writers
Los Angeles (AFP) Feb 20, 2012
Four people were killed in two avalanches that swept through an area near a ski resort in the northwestern US state of Washington, authorities said.
US media initially reported that at least eight others were missing in the incidents, which took place Sunday near Stevens Pass in the Cascade Mountains northeast of Seattle.
But King County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kathleen Larson said the eight had "managed to to dig themselves out of the snow."
However, three skiers who were part of that group did not make it out alive, and efforts to revive them through CPR procedures had been unsuccessful.
Officials said the group was skiing in a restricted, avalanche-prone area that was marked by clear signs warning people of the danger.
Meanwhile, a second avalanche, near the ski resort of Alpental, buried a snowboarder, officials said. The man was found a half-hour later but efforts to revive him were also unsuccessful.
The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center on Sunday had issued a warning about "high avalanche danger" above 5,000 feet (1,500 meters), and a "considerable" danger below that elevation.
It was not immediately clear the elevation at which the avalanches occurred.
It's A White Out at TerraDaily.com
Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.
Dutch prince's condition unchanged after ski accident
The Hague (AFP) Feb 19, 2012
The condition of Prince Johan Friso, son of Dutch Queen Beatrix remained unchanged for the second night in an Austrian hospital after a horror skiing accident, the Dutch Royal House said Sunday. "The health condition of his royal majesty Prince Friso remains unchanged," at the intensive care unit of the Innsbruck University Hospital, it said in a statement issued in The Hague. "He is sta ... read more
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text:
GoPro helps people capture and share their lives' most meaningful experiences with others—to celebrate them together. Like how a day on the mountain with friends is more meaningful than one spent alone, the sharing of our collective experiences makes our lives more fun.
The world's most versatile cameras are what we make.


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One bedroom apartment, Sale, Alanya, Turkey
41.000,00 €
incl. commissions, mortgage possible
One bedroom apartment, Sale, Antalya, Num. ZR-308491
"Aura Blue" residence, located in the district Kestel / Alanya, and the tourist heart of Alanya. This new modern project is located only 200 m from the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea and is a popular residence for a wonderful holiday where internal and external spaces offer many possibilities for leisure activities in a new recreation center. The complex covers a total of 8 - four-storey blocks which are altogether 132 apartments of type 1 + 1, 2 + 1 storey apartment with two bedrooms and štyroma.
Here you can experience the unique atmosphere of nature, where you will be surrounded by banana plantations, sun and sea.
Type: Apartment
Location: Alanya - Kestel
Living space: 45 m2 - 225 m2
Number of bedrooms: 1-4
Living room: 1
Built in 2014, the completion of the project: 2015
Kitchen: 1 (American Cuisine)
Bathroom: 1-2
Floor: Ceramic
Distance to the sea: 200 m
Distance to Alanya center: 5 km
The complex offers its residents:
• Outdoor pool
• Covered pool
• Playground
• Pergola
• Grill meetings
• Turkish sauna
• Sauna
• Steam room
• Relaxation room
• Massage
• Bathroom
• Hair salon
• Bowling
• Playground
• Playstation
• Fitness center
• Table tennis
• Billiards
• 7/24 bezp.služba, gardener, manager
• generator fail-safe electrical current
• Central satellite system
• Panoramic elevators
• double PVC windows
• Spot lights in the living room and kitchen
• Drywall in all rooms
• worktop made of granite on kitchen counter
• Air conditioning in all rooms
• Parking
• Check water and electricity in the complex
Price from € 41,000
Listing summary
45 m²
personal property
new Building
Real Estate Agency 562 offers
Leaders & Partners (L&P reality), s.r.o.
Námestie osloboditeľov 20
Košice 040 01
+421 905 541 086
Real Estate Agent 111 offers
Ing. Mgr. Richard Jurček
0905 541 086
Your Listing seems interesting, please contact me.
You might also be interested in
One bedroom apartment, Sale, Alanya, Turkey
69.500,00 €
124247x Listing appeared in search results
629x Listing viewed detailed
40x The offer was shown this month


text:
Graphic Design
at North Hennepin Community College
Program Details
- Award: Associate of Science
- Credits: 60
- Delivery: Face-to-face where some online courses may be available or required.
- WIOA Certified
About this Program
This program prepares students to work in the design field or transfer to a four-year college to complete a bachelor's degree in graphic design. Coursework includes graphic design, typography, illustration, computer graphics, desktop publishing, web design, computer animation and the studio arts. Students complete a portfolio of work and are trained as technical and creative designers.
Program Locations
- North Hennepin Community College 55445


text:
I have to admit - I don't get the show about expecting mothers that didn't know they were pregnant. I'm sure you know what show I'm talking about: "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant." I also had no idea what a controversial topic this show was until I updated my status on Facebook one day and stated that I didn't buy it. How could you not know you were pregnant? I had watched a marathon of the show one day, and I was hooked. Just amazed that each expecting mother that was on the show didn't have a clue that they were pregnant. How is it possible? Really?
I still don't buy it. And I still know that it's a controversial topic.
There are certain situations that I could see not knowing you are pregnant. At least for the first - and maybe second trimester. But to go full term and then have to go into the ER for stomach cramps only to find out you're an expecting mother? What a joke. Or they took one at home pregnancy test and it was negative. ONE test? ONE?
Now, the stories where the women didn't make it full term before finding out I understand. I could totally see not knowing you were pregnant, especially if it was your first baby and you didn't know what signs of pregnancy to look for.
I was young with my first pregnancy, and it was definitely an unplanned pregnancy. I was terrified to tell my parents that I was pregnant, so I hid the pregnancy for over 6 months. Note: I hid the pregnancy. It wasn't that I didn't know I was pregnant, it was that I didn't want to tell anyone. Big difference. I could feel the baby move, and I knew that I was pregnant.
I am now on my sixth pregnancy. Each time, I have known that I was pregnant. Usually right away. There were times that I would be sitting on the couch, and you could see the baby roll from one side of my belly to the other... with each pregnancy. If you didn't know you were pregnant, and you saw that, wouldn't your first inclination be to freak out? How do you just not know you're an expecting mother?
Because this is such a controversial topic, I'm going to be watching the comments closely. Don't be rude or judge me because you know someone who didn't know they were an expecting mother. You are each entitled to your own opinion, and I have NO problem with your opinion being different than mine about this topic, but remember the old adage: if you can't say something nice...


text:
Mental Health
Have Mental Health Questions? Ask a Psychiatrist Online
Great question, although I am sorry your kiddo is having such difficulties. You asked for ideas, so here are a few thoughts I would have if you were a client of mine:
(1) sometimes, kids can get constipated very easily (diet plays a big role in this, physiology can as well). whatever the cause, if they have a lump of hard stool in their colon, it impedes progress for other solid stool to get around the mass. Then, liquid stool can squeeze out the sides and exit outside of the control of the kiddo. Laxatives and fiber will be necessary, although a more invasive procedure may be necessary to remove the initial mass. A check-up by the pediatrician will be necessary as the first step to rule out or treat any physical complications.
(2) Related to #1 above, if a kiddo is feeling tremendous anxiety - again, for whatever reason ambient in their life - then they may "bear down" and hold their stool in. Over time, the colon extracts all of the water from the mass and creates constipation. Too, even without constipation, sometimes anxious kids can hold their stool past the point that they can contain it, and it will leak or seep out. A check-up form the doc to rule out physical probs will be necessary, but if anxiety is the issue, a talk therapist who specializes in kids can help ease his fears/worries/traumas (whatever the case).
(3) At times kids can become defiant via their stool. They can act out aggression by smearing stool, expelling it in inappropriate places, or expelling it at inappropriate times. Talk therapy can help to resolve some of the familial issues that may be present and fueling the acting out.
(4) Finally, and this is again related to stress and anxiety, a kiddo can "regress" as a means of coping with the bad feelings they are having. If there is abuse or ambient stress in the household (or bullying at school?) sometimes kids will return to a more child-like (or infant-like, in the case of a 10-year-old kiddo) state as a means of avoiding the reality of their chronological age. Encopresis (the technical term for this phenomenon) can certainly be a part of that regression, as can enuresis (bed-wetting), temper tantruming, and other younger behaviors. Talk therapy again will be the best course of action.
I wish you well - it is not easy to see your kids upset, especially in a way that upsets us! If you are satisfied with the response, please hit "Accept." That is the only way I can receive credit for my answer. Thanks-
Dr. Steve


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Executive Conflict Management & Leadership Conference DEC 2012
ADR International, Inc.
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
Yes, you will need ID to check-in to the conference. Although the 4 day/3 night hotel charges are included, you will need ID and credit/debit card for the hotel check-in for incidentals that may not be covered after your $100 resort credit. There is an age minimum of 21 years old due to the Open Bar Receptions.
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
Transportation to the Hard Rock Hotel from the Orlando airport (MCO) is included, as well as the valet & daily parking fees for those who will park at the HRH.
What can/can't I bring to the event?
Smartphones and tablets with earpiece, preferably iPhones & iPads, are required to participate. This event is entirely "Going Green" which means there will be no printed materials. All conference info and session agendas will be delivered via digital media app and audio will be delivered from the moderators via iPhone/iPad earpiece.
As a professional conference, it is expected that attendees will not bring any illegal devices or substances.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
You may contact the company via email: email@example.com or call 561-602-0010.
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Yes, your ticket is transferable with no additional fee.
Can I update my registration information?
Yes, you can update your information via the Eventbrite website. Please email firstname.lastname@example.com should you have any difficulties.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
You do not need your printed ticket; you will check-in to the conference with your confirmation scan code on your smartphone or tablet, iPhone or iPad.
What is the refund policy?
Refunds will be processed for 100% up until 30 days prior to this event, November 6, 2012. Any requests after that date should be forwarded via email and shall be reviewed for consideration on a case-by-case basis, noting that tickets are transferable.
The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay?
No, the registration name and the attendee's name must match, as ID is required for conference check-in and hotel check-in.
The Hard Rock Hotel & The Universal Orlando Resort
5800 Universal Blvd
ADR International, Inc.
Founded in 2008, ADR International, Inc. seeks the confidence of high-profile individuals and organizations - domestic and foreign. Our mission is to assist parties in conflict engage in productive dialogue through alternative dispute resolution.
ADR International, Inc. specializes in Executive Conflict Management & Leadership; inter-personal conflict in upper-management where egos and salaries are most competitive.
We are excited to announce our new quarterly series on Executive Conflict Management & Leadership at the thrilling venues of the Hard Rock Hotel and the Universal Orlando Resort! The First Annual Conference is December 6-9, 2012, with the 2013 schedule to follow shortly.
Valerie Eichhorn
Founder & CEO
ADR International, Inc.


text:
- The Cooler Heads Digest will not be published next week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will return on 5 December. Happy Thanksgiving!
- The comment period for EPA's proposed "Clean Power" Plan ends 1 December. Click here to submit a comment.
In the News
Renewable Fuel Standard: EPA Retreats from Cutbacks
Marlo Lewis, GlobalWarming.org, 21 November 2014
U.S. Oil Imports Fell as Output Rose in October
Mark Shenk, Bloomberg, 20 November 2014
Fossil Fuel Industries: Time to Stand Tall! (Book Review of The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels)
Erin Conners, Master Resource, 20 November 2014
Wind Energy Industry Gambles with Taxpayer Chip
Ernest Istook, Washington Times, 19 November 2014
New Polar Bear Study Is Junk Science
Susan Crockford, Polar Bear Science, 19 November 2014
Report: EPA Paid Employees $1 Million While They Were on Leave…Sometimes for Years
Michael Bastasch, Daily Caller, 19 November 2014
For Once, a Court Sided with People Rather Than "Threatened" Rodents
Ron Arnold, The Daily Signal, 18 November 2014
Spin Alert: Despite What DOE Says, Its Loans Are Not Making Money
Donald Marron, Forbes, 17 November 2014
News You Can Use
All 50 States Hit Freezing
Reuters reported this week that Tuesday was the coldest November morning across the U.S. since 1976, as temperatures in at least one location in all 50 States dipped to freezing or below.
Inside the Beltway
Myron Ebell
Landrieu Fails To Find Sixtieth Vote for Keystone Pipeline
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) did allow a floor vote on Tuesday, 18th November, on a bill to permit the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline from Alberta's oil sands to Gulf refineries, but Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) failed to find the sixtieth vote necessary to break the Democrats' filibuster. All 45 Republicans voted for the bill, but only 14 Democrats.
Landrieu thus failed to demonstrate her clout as the outgoing chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which cannot help her uphill effort to win re-election to the Senate in her 6th December runoff with Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.). It also shows that 41 of her Democratic colleagues are more interested in keeping faith with their environmental billionaire donors than keeping another Democrat in the Senate. They will have 46 seats in the 114th Congress, which should be enough for the 41 votes needed to block cloture on major Republican legislation.
Across the States
William Yeatman
New Report Shows State-by-State Energy Costs of EPA's Clean Power Plan
A report released this week by Energy Ventures Analysis, Inc. estimates that EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan, in combination with existing agency rules promulgated during the Obama administration, would increase the cost of electricity and natural gas by nearly $300 billion in 2020 compared with 2012. Click here for a State-by-State breakdown of how EPA's rules would affect your electric and gas bills.
Around the World
Myron Ebell
Obama Pledges $3 billion to Green Climate Fund, Attacks Australian Prime Minister Abbott in Oz
After signing a climate agreement with Chinese president Xi Jinping at the APEC summit meeting held outside Beijing last week, President Barack Obama traveled on to the annual G-20 summit meeting in Brisbane, Australia. In a side speech at the University of Queensland, Obama pledged $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund and then used the rest of his speech to criticize the Australian government's climate policies.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott as the host of the G-20 meeting tried unsuccessfully to keep climate policy off the agenda and out of the final communique. And he lost the full support of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who said after Obama announced $3 billion and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced $1.5 billion for the Green Climate Fund that the Canadian government would contribute as well.
But Abbott has not backed down. This week he re-iterated his position that the ongoing UN climate negotiations will fail if they put policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ahead of economic growth. "It's vital that the Paris conference be a success... and for it to be a success, we can't pursue environmental improvements at the expense of economic progress. We can't reduce emissions in ways which cost jobs because it will fail if that's what we end up trying to do."
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop also criticized Obama's speech during an interview on Australian television from New York where she was attending the UN Security Council meeting. According to the Australian newspaper, American Ambassador to Australia John Berry had strongly warned the White House not to criticize the Abbott government while in Australia.
Green Climate Fund Gets $9.3 Billion in Pledges
The Green Climate Fund came close to its initial goal of $10 billion at a conference of donor nations in Berlin on 20th November. A total of $9.3 billion has now been pledged.
President Barack Obama got things going earlier in the week at the G20 summit meeting in Australia when he pledged $3 billion. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe then pledged $1.5 billion. In Berlin, new pledges included $1.1 billion from the United Kingdom and smaller amounts from Italy, Finland, New Zealand, Mongolia, and Panama. A number of other nations have already made commitments. France and Germany are also in the billion dollar club.
The Green Climate Fund (or GCF) was first suggested by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the annual UN climate conference in 2009 in Copenhagen and then became the centerpiece of President Obama's efforts to save the conference from total collapse. The deal agreed in Copenhagen is that wealthier nations will give a total of $100 billion per annum starting in 2020. The GCF will give the funds to poorer nations to help them deal with the impacts of climate change and pay for their own climate policies. $9.3 billion is a start, but it's far from the $100 billion per year commitment.
President Obama will no doubt try to redirect other foreign aid appropriated by Congress to meet his $3 billion pledge to the GCF. But Congress controls all appropriations, and the 114th Congress may not agree. In that case, the President's pledge will be as empty as his recent climate agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Science Update
Marlo Lewis
Google Ends Green Energy Project
During 2007-2011, Google's RE<C energy innovation center invested heavily in wind, geothermal, and solar technology, hoping to produce a gigwatt of power more cheaply than is possible with coal. The effort failed. Writing in IEEE Spectrum, Google engineers Ross Koningstein and David Fork report that by 2011, "it was clear that RE<C would not be able to deliver a technology that could compete economically with coal, and Google officially ended the initiative...."
"First, renewable energy sources like solar and wind need to get cheap -- not just as cheap as a coal- or natural-gas-fired power plant, but so much cheaper that it makes economic sense to abandon traditional fossil fuels soon. Furthermore, the power system needs to be redesigned so renewable sources, like rooftop solar panels, can be as responsive and useful on the grid as a traditional power plant is now, the engineers wrote.
Second, the world needs as-yet-uninvented technologies to pull CO2 from the atmosphere."
Then and only then would a zero-carbon system be a "thrifty choice" – a solution the world confidently embraces because it makes people wealthier.
The Cooler Heads Digest is the weekly e-mail publication of the Cooler Heads Coalition. For the latest news and commentary, check out the Coalition's website, www.GlobalWarming.org.


text:
THOUSANDS gathered at Charlton Sports Centre for the annual Andover Family Fireworks night.
Spectacular fireworks, bonfires, local bands and a funfair were all on offer providing terrific entertainment to the crowds.
Andover Anton Rotary Club and the Andover Round Table organised the popular event and all proceeds on the night are set to go to a number of Andover charities.
Chairman of the Andover Family Fireworks committee Barry Hawgood said: "The whole show went down extremely well.
"Lots of hard work has gone into this from the volunteers and I don't think you could have seen better fireworks in the whole of Hampshire.
"The bands proved very popular as well and gave up their time to perform which was really appreciated."
Test Valley Brass played to welcome visitors before The Rookies and Andover girl band Chasing Daisies also performed.
The children's fireworks display followed ahead of the main fireworks display provided by Merlin Fireworks which lit up the sky over the town.
Andover Bellydancers4Life performed after the fireworks and Chasing Daisies and The Rookies returned to the stage.


text:
FORMER AFC Totton committee member Nick Ferguson is understood to be head of the three-strong consortium interested in taking over crisis club Bashley.
The Hayling-based business man spent a brief five week stint helping Stags during pre-season and is set to be joined by Graham and Angela Speechley-Price, who both left Totton along with Ferguson in August.
Bash chairman Mike Cranidge politely declined to comment on the trio's prospective involvement but did confirm ongoing talks with a party of three people "experienced at a Southern League level" should come to a conclusion by the end of the week.
The members-owned club last week passed a resolution to fold "unless adequate funding is forthcoming and executive vacancies filled" by April 30, while the deadline for pulling out of next season's Southern League passes at the end of this month.
Cranidge told the Daily Echo: "We hope to have more information in the coming days but we're going to have to make a decision by the end of this week because time is of the essence.
"Negotiations are at an advanced stage. We are getting down to the finer details now so hope to have something to report very soon."
Ferguson was unavailable for comment when contacted by the Daily Echo this morning.
The New Forest outfit host Weymouth in the Southern League Premier Division tomorrow, while Hamworthy United entertain Downton and Verwood Town are at home to Sholing in the Wessex League Premier Division (all 7.45pm).


text:
|1,400 sq. ft.
|Property type
|Minimum Stay
|3 nights
Book your Maple Weekend Family Getaway now. Tour old fashioned maple sugar-bushes, try "wax-on-snow", pancake breakfasts, and pure maple syrup, maple cream, maple candy...
Located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Croghan NY this Adirondack Vacation Rental destination is sure to please anyone!
The historic school house offers 3 relaxing bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a full kitchen, reading alcove, wood-stove, pillow-top beds and many guest amenities. With cherry hard-wood finishes and a spiral stair case highlighting the cathedral-ceilinged living room, this is not your average vacation cottage.
Care was taken to preserve the history of this building which at one time served as a church and later as a schoolhouse for Belfort. With a nod toward the history of the building, decorative glass windows were selected by the architect and the original flooring was restored to a new shine. In addition modern comforts like radiant in-floor heating and solar thermal domestic hot-water were implemented to meld the old and new in a complimentary way.
Just 1.5 hours north of Utica and 2 hours from Syracuse the Old Belfort Schoolhouse offers a quiet respite from the modern world. For those seeking a get-away that is something different than the crowds of Old Forge, this accessible Adirondack vacation rental offers wonderful access to the best of the Adirondacks with the comforts of a beautiful home to stay in.
Architect, Landscape Architect, focused on renovating historically significant buildings.
Mike Steiger purchased this house in 2010
This property is historically significant as it served as both a Church and later as a Schoolhouse in Belfort. During the renovations we focused on preserving the architecturally significant elements using decorative glass windows and preserving the pulpit area while adding in energy efficient modern features like radiant in-floor and solar-thermal heating.
Area Attractions:
In the Spring /Summer / Fall- The Old Belfort Schoolhouse sits directly on the Beaver River Canoe Route a 14-mile passage from Moshier drop-in to High Falls which includes six overland portages totaling slightly more than two miles. Kayaks are available for rent as needed.
In the Winter- The Old Belfort Schoolhouse sits directly on Lewis County trail Snowmobile Trail No. 8 with ride-in, ride-out access and a covered garage available. Snowmobile trails are groomed 24/7 for the best riding experience around! Cozy seating around the woodstove is a warm way to finish a busy day out on the trails.
Perfect place to spend Maple Weekend!
We came there for cross-country skiing and to meet the New Year. It was a perfect, very pleasent place for the celebration.
New York, NY
We very much enjoyed our stay at the Belfort schoolhouse. Our son was visiting from Arizona and wanted to get back to the north country. The house was amazingly renovated, and exceeded our expectations. We hit peak leaf season, and we are always glad to get back to such a ruggedly beautiful area. This is a very unique and comfortable rental. We are already making plans to return.
Nice place
Maryann and Craig were incredible hosts. The home is decorated beautifully and easy to get to. The home is well appointed with everything you need to have a wonderful stay that is away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The Schoolhouse is located close to great food, grocery, restaurant and gasoline establishments that could not be more helpful. I can not say enough about the hospitality of Maryann and Craig (Troy too) and the town of Croghan.
We were there during a weekend with temps 20 below zero and the house was cozy warm and accommodated all of our needs! Troy made sure we always had enough firewood and everything was just exactly as described. Thanks!
Schedule of local events:
Maple Weekend March 19th, 2016
Maple Weekend April 2nd, 2016
SNIRT RUN April 16th, 2016
AdironDUCK Race April 24th. 2016
Maple Festival May 14th, 2016
Black-Moose Kayak Event - May 20-22, 2016
Beaver Camp Auction - June 10th, 2016
Bluegrass Festival - June 17-19
23 Mile Black River Challenge - June 26th
Zwanzigstein Fest - July 2nd, 2016
River Fest - August 6th, 2016
Cream Cheese Festival - September 17th, 2016
Fall Foliage Tour - October 1st, 2016
|Rate Period
|Weekend Night
My Standard Rate
3 night minimum stay
|Notes: Rates are based on 6 guests; add $20 per night, per additional guest
|Refundable damage deposit
|Pet Fee


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Customer Reviews
3 Item(s)
per page
- Absolutely fantastic Review by Lindy
Price Ease of Use Quality
This shawl is beautiful. I just made it for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day. There were a couple times when I got confused but was able to re-think and figure out where I went wrong. I am going to make another one for myself; too gorgeous to pass up. Highly recommend!
(Posted on 5/13/13)
- Love this! Review by Teresa
Price Ease of Use Quality
Wonderful pattern; very easy to read and understand. Easy to put down and go back to.
(Posted on 8/8/12)
- very good Review by Linda
Price Ease of Use Quality
I just want the free pattern as I want to make for my grandmother
(Posted on 4/22/12)
3 Item(s)
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|Nautical Furniture and Accessories
Royal Barge Oars with Rack
|Nautical Furniture and Accessories
Royal Barge Oars with Rack
about nautical accessories and furniture
European coastal towns and islands supplied the bulk of sailors over the years. Gone for months or even years their return was a joyful and festive occasion for family and friends. To announce a safe homecoming a small iron or brass anchor was displayed next to the family cottage entrance. The local priest or pastor often blessed these little anchors during church service before the sailor left for a new and uncertain voyage... 👉🏻 about nautical accessories and nautical furniture
catch the perfect nautical decorating wave with surfboard decor
One of the biggest splashes you can make in nautical decor is to use classically styled wooden surfboards that have been thoughtfully placed throughout the home as your decorating focal points. Surfboards also become functional furnishings and implements when they are made into tables, counter tops and vanities. It pays to catch this stylish nautical design wave, while making a bold statement of classic surfer beach house style in your home... 👉🏻 how to decorate with surfboards
decorating with nautical accessories
Sparkling blue oceans, warm sunny days and sand between your toes are pleasant memories of a day at the beach. Transform those mental seaside images into tactile reminders by adding a few nautical accessories to your home decor. Whether you choose to incorporate a sea-loving theme throughout your entire house or simply scatter a few salty reminders here and there, decorating with nautical accessories can capture the adventurous spirit of the sea... 👉🏻 how to decorate with nautical accessories
adding taste of the briny sea with nautical decor
Bring your love of boating home with fun and colorful nautical decor. If you have someone in your home with a love of all things seafaring, quality nautical themed decor pieces are a perfect accompaniment to nearly any home decor. Whether you're near the ocean or miles away from any body of water bigger than a swimming pool, you can bring the flavor of the sea into your home easily with our maritime accessories. Owning a boat or having a membership to a yacht club is not required... 👉🏻 nautical decor
sailing through history with miniature ship replicas
Ship models have captured the imaginations of people young and old. We imagine ourselves captaining or perhaps crewing on these diminutive, yet amazingly accurate representations of full-sized ships. Cruisers, sloops, yachts and racing ships gathered together in maritime museums or in private collections inspire minds to dream about a life on the water. Model shipbuilding has been a part of humanity since ancient times, with models from thousands of years ago providing archaeological evidence of how seafaring cultures devised and perfected watercraft... 👉🏻 about ship models
charting a stylish course with nautical furniture
Whether you live by the seaside or are just invigorated by the thought of an ocean location, it's easy to bring this feeling to your home through the use of nautical furniture and accessories. These whimsical and functional additions can make you feel as if you are on an adventurous ocean side holiday every time you step into the room. Adding a nautical feeling to your home's interior can be as simple as a few well-placed accessories, or you can embrace a stronger statement and add larger pieces of nautical furniture... 👉🏻 nautical decor
Coastal decor is a great way to bring the ocean to your home, and with these handcrafted nautical accessories, you can create a calming relaxed atmosphere to any interior. These one of a kind decorative accent pieces will be sure to make a splash in your home.


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Emotions ran high at last week's Rescue Union School District board meeting where parents and teachers implored the five-person board not to lay off more teachers, but instead spend some of the district's surplus funds to save jobs and give all teachers a pay raise.
Fourteen of the lowest tenured, or non-tenured, teachers in the district received pink slips on March 15. These will go into effect next school year unless the district rescinds them. Superintendent David Swart said declining student enrollment is the chief cause for these layoffs, with roughly 112 fewer students projected to be enrolled in Rescue's schools next year.
The rallying cry from teachers and parents was that students need more teachers, not less. Parents told the board that not all children's needs are being met by overwhelmed teachers. Lake Forest PTC President Cristina Jean said where her school used to supplement art and PE programs with PTC funds, this year they spent more on "safety nets" for teachers, "like reading and math intervention programs because the teachers just can't do it all," she said. "Shadow a teacher for a day; see how difficult the job is."
Parent Chris Meyer offered one solution: "Spend a little money to lower the student/ teacher ratio and see how this will boost morale, increase learning and may even draw new families to our district."
The state requires a school district to hold at least 3 percent of its operating funds as a reserve, but teachers brought handouts stating that Rescue holds 31 percent ($7 million) in savings.
"Release some of these funds that are at our discretion," parent Kristen Haas pleaded.
School board member Kim White said after the meeting that there are more variables at play. And although she was the lone board member who voted against teacher lay-offs earlier this year, White said she understands why the board has held on to its reserves.
"Only last spring we were given bleak forecasts. That if Prop. 30 didn't pass, for instance, California school districts would get hit even harder than we already have been. And even though Prop. 30 did pass, it's still too soon to tell how funds will be funneled down to our district from the state," she explained, adding that some districts would receive more money than others. "It's still too early to tell how we will be impacted by Prop. 30. So yes, we've been conservative with our spending."
White said she always makes her decisions based on the best interest of children. "I don't want to lay off teachers either and I'd love to see smaller class sizes, but I need to balance that with ensuring we can make payroll and our other obligations," she said. "I'd hate to say, 'Sorry the state didn't send us a check this month!'"
Teachers also said they haven't seen a pay raise in seven years. Though years of experience and post-graduate units do bump up a teacher's salary scale, the scale hasn't changed in seven years.
Instead teachers have been offered a one-time, 3 percent bonus, on condition. Seven teachers will have to retire early in addition to the 14 laid off. Twenty-seven-year Jackson Elementary teaching veteran Gerry Neal called the 3 percent bonus offer an insult. "I give more to my students than I give to my own children," Neal said. "That offer is a slap in the face."
Known as "employee No. 1," or the most senior tenured teacher in the district, Rob McClurg spoke at the meeting of his 35 years in the district and how he's gone to great lengths to bring passion for learning to his classroom. "Now I'm being offered a substantial amount of money to leave, but I've never been offered a substantial amount of money to stay." He then added, "I have to make a huge decision with only days to decide."
The board made no decisions last week. Negotiations are under way while more votes are scheduled for later this spring and summer.
Kids and schools continue to get a raw deal. Prop 30 was a sham. If our schools falter, our entire community will follow. (And that's coming from someone who doesn't have kids in these schools!)Reply


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Join as a member. There's a certificate with your name on it.
This project loads the Browser Ponies JS library on a page after a user types the Konami Code (up up down down left right left right b a). Because let's face it: what website is complete without OMG PONIES?
Sandbox URL: https://drupal.org/sandbox/rj/2089189
Git: git clone email@example.com:sandbox/rj/2089189.git
Comment #1bluesomewhere CreditAttribution: bluesomewhere commented
|Needs review
|» Needs work
Howdy, RJ! Thanks for adding to the craziness that is the Konami Code :)
Aside from the issues below, please correct your Git clone in the style of:
git clone --branch 7.x-1.x http://git.drupal.org/sandbox/rj/2089189.git browser_ponies
- Duplication
- This sounds like a feature that should live in the existing Konami Code project. Module duplication and fragmentation is a huge problem on drupal.org and we prefer collaboration over competition. Please open an issue in the Konami Code issue queue to discuss what you need. You should also get in contact with the maintainer(s) to offer your help to move the project forward. If you cannot reach the maintainer(s) please follow the abandoned project process.
If that fails for whatever reason please get back to us and set this back to "needs review".
- Master Branch
- It appears you are working in the "master" branch in git. You should really be working in a version specific branch. The most direct documentation on this is Moving from a master branch to a version branch. For additional resources please see the documentation about release naming conventions and creating a branch in git.
- Major coding standards / best practice issues
- An automated review of your project has found some issues with your code; As coding standards make sure projects are coded in a consistent style we please you to have a look at the report and try to fix them. Anyway, note that issues found are possibly false positives and fixing all issues is not a requirement for getting through the application process.
You can find the results of the automated report at http://pareview.sh/pareview/httpgitdrupalorgsandboxrj2089189git
Also, I suggest taking advantage of the Project Application Review Bonus to expedite review: https://drupal.org/node/1975228


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This content has been marked as final. Show 2 replies
1. Re: dbconsole wont start after password changeskuljeet singh - Aug 22, 2012 5:20 AM (in response to Willwohlman-Oracle)Try How To Change Mgmt_view Password for DB Control console [ID 1369157.1]
or you also have a option to reconfigure the dbconsole.
2. Re: dbconsole wont start after password changesWillwohlman-Oracle Aug 22, 2012 4:19 PM (in response to Willwohlman-Oracle)i solved the issue after another days work.
i couldn't reconfigure the dbconsole because of the max reuse limit (i was trying to reuse the same password) set in the MONITORING_PROFILE profile. it was causing all sorts of problems when the emca tried to recreate the DBSNMP user object.
after working through lots of KMs to manually drop the dbconsole / EM repository objects and figuring out this limit above, then i managed to reconfigure dbconsole and get it to run again.
thanks for your help.


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Student Success Center
Tutors are available free of charge for all LCCC students enrolled in one credit hour
or more. Tutoring is available six days a week – mornings, afternoons, evenings and
Saturdays. Tutoring is available in many subjects from Anatomy to Chemistry to Spanish
to much more. LCCC students can make regular appointments or drop in. Appointments
are highly encouraged. Visit the Student Success Center website for more information.
Request Face-to-Face Tutoring - Cheyenne Campus
Pi Shop: Math Help Center
The LCCC Pi Shop provides comprehensive, high quality, math tutoring services for
LCCC students. Tutors are trained to provide math support and help that meets the
needs of LCCC math students. LCCC students should contact us to schedule an appointment
or ask about our drop-in hours. Appointments are highly encouraged. Visit the Pi Shop website for more information.
Request Face-to-Face Tutoring - Cheyenne Campus.
Writing & Communications Center
Free writing consultation is available through the Writing & Communications Center. Get help at any phase of the writing and/or speech-planning process, from brainstorming
ideas, to outlining, to discussing revision strategies on a completed draft of a paper.
Request Face-to-Face Tutoring - Cheyenne Campus
Free Online Tutoring
If it's 3 a.m. and students need help, they can try Smarthinking, a free online service that offers tutoring in many subjects, including math, accounting, chemistry and more. Students access Smarthinking from their D2L account homepage. Students go to "Student Resources" and click on "Smarthinking."
More than 80 percent of Smarthinking tutors have a master's degree or Ph.D. in their discipline with an average of eight years of teaching experience. This service has a limited number of hours of tutoring available each semester. Once those hours are reached, online tutoring will not be available until the following semester.


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magnetic flux (Φ)
Magnetic flux (Φ) is a measure of the quantity of magnetism or magnetic field. Specifically, magnetic flux, a scalar quantity, is defined as the surface integral (i.e. the integral over an area) of the magnetic flux density B:
The SI unit of magnetic flux is the weber, named in honor of the German physicist, Wilhelm Eduard Weber (1804–1891).
Magnetic flux is a useful quantity in the formulation of Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, and in discussing the physics of devices such as transformers and solenoids. In the case of an electric generator, where the magnetic field penetrates a rotating coil, the area used in defining the flux is the projection of the coil area onto the plane perpendicular to the magnetic field.
Application of flux to Faraday's lawMichael Faraday's seminal experiments in electromagnetism led him to conclude that the magnitude of the electromotive force (emf) induced in a closed loop is proportional to the time rate of change of magnetic flux through the loop, i.e.,
where ε is the instantaneous value of the induced emf, and C is a constant of proportionality. The negative sign in this equation is the basis for a sign convention governing ε.
When the flux is expressed in webers and the emf in volts, C = 1. Thus:
This emf is induced in a closed loop whether a conductor comprises the loop or not. It is present, for example, around any closed loop in space, through which the flux is changing.
If the flux passes through N identical turns of wire connected in series, instead of a single loop, the total induced emf is the sum of the emf's generated in the separate turns:
This is Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction.
Related category• ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
Reference: Duckworth, Henry E. Electricity and Magnetism. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston (1960).
Home • About • Copyright © The Worlds of David Darling • Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy • Contact


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Your Systems Architecture ensures that your data is available when
and where you want it, as well as ensuring that only those with the
correct authority can get to it. Devon IT can help you make the right
descisions about hardware, software, networks and internet services
and provide full installation and administration as well as support
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Devon IT specialise in Open Source systems, including Linux and
FreeBSD. These types of systems give excellent performance and can
work in conjunction with your existing systems, whatever the platform.
With years of industrial experience, backed up by computer science
qualifications, Devon IT provide high quality software solutions.
Using a variety of appropriate programming languages and well chosen
programming techniques, Devon IT is able to give you what you need, on
time and within budget. Scalable and fault tolerant software are a
speciality, as are data management and manipulation systems.
Devon IT are committed to using the right tool for the job. With extensive
experience of Perl and C as well as C++ and Java, large and small
applications are catered for, integration is made easy and performace is
tuned, where needed. Devon IT use a combination of design and development
methodologies including OOA/OOD and forms of RAD.
The web can be more than contact details, a list of products &
services or even simple eCommerce. It can give your business new and
enhanced functionality and your customers access to information and
services 24 hours per day, without needing to pick up the phone. Devon
IT specialise in web based applications, giving you the opportunity to
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applications can allow your staff internal, cross site and secure
internet access to certain aspects of your business.
By understanding the protocols, servers and other underlying
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standards keeps the web portable. Knowing the scripting languages and
application frameworks, such as JavaScript, PHP, CGI and mod_perl, your
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base. Devon IT are also in a position to offer web server
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Raw data is nothing more than a collection of event records or a
list of transaction. After analysis, your web logs can become user
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potential expansion. Indexed correctly, your data can give you rapid
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By using systems at the top of their league for data processing,
such as Perl, C and appropriate choices of data store, such as
relational databases or Berkeley DB, your data can be extracted,
manipulated, analysed and presented in the method of your
Not all commercial or local training organisations can offer what
you need. Some courses may be too broad or lack particular content
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Devon IT is pleased to offer bespoke training courses, on your
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Consultancy is a broad term covering different levels of technology
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Devon IT offer a large range of Consultancy services. From systems
review and advice on purchasing to developing a web strategy or even
reviewing a book, Devon IT can offer your business the right level of
advice to suit you.


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"Behind the clichéd press images of vintage cars, crumbling buildings, peeling paint and a struggling unhappy people held back from progress, lays a hidden society of Cuba's most influential people - the creative class. It is a socially connected group of keenly observant artists, glamorous models, filmmakers, musicians and writers captured in an elaborate dance of survival and success. Their lives are a constant play of appearances; they are the privileged class in a classless society."
Michael Dweck: Habana Libre


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9 p.m. Revolution. $6.
All right, Adrian Tillman, a.k.a. 607, is back with "YIK3LIF3! The Lord and The Duchess," his follow-up to last year's "YIK3S!" It's been out since Halloween, 19 tracks with the kind of lines that further cement Tillman's status as one of the sharpest and funniest rappers around, and not just in Arkansas. Exhibit A, from the foreboding, awesome "AK-47 Percent" (with guest Yk) "I pledge allegiance to my flag and my clique / Promise I won't act like Romney when I'm rich / He don't know no poor folks, so you can tell Mitt bitch-ass that this the AK-47 percent."
This is a co-record release show with Little Rock's Bear Colony, whose "Soft Eyes" was released Tuesday on Esperanza Plantation. The 13-track album is a bit of a departure from the band's last record, 2007's "We Came Here to Die." Band leader Vincent Griffin is still essentially crafting hazy bedroom pop that happens to be recorded with a full band, but this time around, the guitars are often pushed out of the foreground by an array of electronic sounds and buzzing washes of synthesizer.
You can get 607's new album here. Bear Colony's new album is on Spotify or you can pick up the limited edition vinyl at the show.
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Jay Barth / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / Calendar / Gallery Listings


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Full Text:
Criminal Justice Database provides indexing and abstracts for over 450 U.S. and international journals and full text for nearly 150 journals.
Covering crime prevention and deterrence, juvenile delinquency, police issues, courtroom procedures, and other criminal justice issues.
Library service desk: 828-262-2820 or Ask a Librarian
Access is restricted to ASU students, faculty, and staff.
Number of simultaneous users: unlimited; Terms of Use


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by Staff Writers
Beijing, China / China (AFP) Aug 15, 2013
China has soared almost to the top of the world's economic league tables, but whether the official data underpinning its status can be trusted is a constant headache, analysts say.
Simmering unease regarding China's economic figures has taken on new meaning in recent months with discrepancies in some statistics and questions over just how much gross domestic product (GDP) is really growing.
Earlier this year, economists took issue with Chinese monthly trade statistics, which diverged wildly from expectations, and two weeks ago official and private purchasing managers surveys -- a key measure of manufacturing -- surprisingly pointed in opposite directions.
Doubts have also been raised about how inflation is calculated.
"If there was an index for suspicion about China's official statistics, it would be off the charts, or to use the technical American term, 'crazy bad'," Standard Chartered economist Stephen Green wrote in a report.
No less an authority than China's new premier Li Keqiang has expressed doubts on the issue.
Leaked US diplomatic cables show that as the top official in Liaoning province in 2007, he told the then US ambassador that some Chinese data was "man-made" and thus unreliable.
When evaluating the provincial economy, Li said he focused on only three figures -- electricity consumption, rail cargo volume, and the amount of loans issued, according to a confidential memo released by the WikiLeaks website in late 2010.
"All other figures, especially GDP statistics, are 'for reference only,' he said smiling," according to the cable.
China officially overtook Japan as the world's second-largest economy in 2010, and analysts say it is only a matter of time before it knocks the United States off the pedestal it has held for more than a century.
But when that day finally comes, can the data be believed?
Michael Pettis, a finance professor at Peking University and a senior associate at the US-based Carnegie Endowment, said that among China economists, "no one" found Li's purported comments surprising.
"I mean, we've been told this many, many, many times by government officials," he told AFP.
"There's a lot of problems in China. One is that there's a perception that the numbers have political incentives embedded in them."
China calculates monthly and annual data far more quickly than France, a much smaller economy believed to have much higher quality data, he noted.
"So you sort of wonder how they're able to do it more quickly than the French," he said. "That leaves all sorts of questions open."
Economists have long questioned the reliability of numbers provided by local government officials whose career trajectory depends on the performance of their region, creating incentives to make figures look better than the reality.
Toshiya Tsugami, a former Japanese diplomat who now heads a China business consultancy, blames a governmental structure which gives local authorities broad administrative powers but reserves control over assignments and promotions for the centre.
"The personnel ratings are done based mostly on each leader's performance, and what is most given weight is to what extent each local leader has developed his/her local economy, for which purpose the most used measure is GDP," he said.
"As a result, local leaders are engaging in fierce competition aiming at higher GDP growth in order to be promoted," he added. "And since they also handle statistics, there is a strong motivation to dress up the data."
It is widely known that the sum total of growth as reported by each province is much higher than for the country overall, Pettis noted, "which of course is impossible".
"I think there is a sense that the National Bureau of Statistics is doing a reasonably good job under very difficult circumstances," he added. "The local provincial and municipal statistical bureaus, maybe less so."
The report by Green of Standard Chartered, released earlier this year, estimated economic growth for 2011 and 2012 at 7.2 percent and 5.5 percent respectively, far below official figures of 9.3 percent and 7.8 percent.
Acknowledging the inherent challenges he had with his calculations, he wrote that his figures could at best be described as "guesstimates", adding: "We have to use official data to question official data."
Christopher Balding, who teaches at Peking University's HSBC Business School, argued in a paper this month that skewed consumer price index data, especially for housing, seriously overstates the size of China's economy.
"Conservatively, correcting for housing price inflation... adds approximately one percent to annual consumer price inflation in China, reducing real GDP by more than $1 trillion."
But experts say the situation is expected to improve as authorities realise they need a better grip on what is happening to create and carry out effective policies.
China's leaders say they want to change the country's economic model to one more resembling advanced countries such as the US and Japan, where consumer spending is the key growth engine, and that will result in slower, albeit steadier, annual expansions.
Wang Qinwei, China economist at Capital Economics in London, told AFP: "If the data are not reliable, then any policy and reform decisions will be wrong."
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This article is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
This paper presents the design and test of a simple active near-infrared sparse detector imaging sensor. The prototype of the sensor is novel in that it can capture remarkable silhouettes or profiles of a wide-variety of moving objects, including humans, animals, and vehicles using a sparse detector array comprised of only sixteen sensing elements deployed in a vertical configuration. The prototype sensor was built to collect silhouettes for a variety of objects and to evaluate several algorithms for classifying the data obtained from the sensor into two classes: human versus non-human. Initial tests show that the classification of individually sensed objects into two classes can be achieved with accuracy greater than ninety-nine percent (99%) with a subset of the sixteen detectors using a representative dataset consisting of 512 signatures. The prototype also includes a Webservice interface such that the sensor can be tasked in a network-centric environment. The sensor appears to be a low-cost alternative to traditional, high-resolution focal plane array imaging sensors for some applications. After a power optimization study, appropriate packaging, and testing with more extensive datasets, the sensor may be a good candidate for deployment in vast geographic regions for a myriad of intelligent electronic fence and persistent surveillance applications, including perimeter security scenarios.
By definition, a sparse detector sensor is an imaging device that has a relatively sparse detector array as compared to state-of-the-art imaging sensors. Sparse detector sensors may be a low-cost alternative to traditional, high-resolution imaging sensors, which use dense focal plane arrays, for object classification. Size, cost, and power restrictions preclude the use of traditional imagers in applications that require widespread deployment of the sensors and in scenarios in which the sensors must be regarded as disposable. Classification of sparse detector sensor data is of particular interest when building inexpensive, unattended ground sensors; however, robust classification is challenging due to the paucity of information that can be used to detect and identify various objects.
The design of an unattended ground sparse detector imaging sensor for broad-scale object classification has been prototyped in our laboratory [
This work complements ongoing research at the Center for Advanced Sensors at the University of Memphis to develop a network of low-cost sensors and intelligent signal processing algorithms that detect and provide a broad-scale classification of humans and vehicles, while ignoring non-utility animals. Since trails and unimproved roads are often the point of entry for illegal aliens, smugglers, and terrorists, effectively monitoring these areas represents a significant challenge to national security. The United States' border with Canada and Mexico is approximately 12,000 km, with many remote and uninhabited sections. Persistent monitoring of these areas is currently not feasible and is restricted to high-traffic areas; however, ubiquitous deployment of sensors to monitor the entire border is of extreme interest. For example, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is leading the development of technology for border security via the SBI.net project [
Innovative use of alternative low-cost sensors, including imaging sensors, and networking technology may provide a competing or complementary monitoring capability for borders and other application scenarios. For example, suppose a suite of low-cost sensors could be developed that provide a significant percentage of the functionalities offered by the technologies selected for the SBI.net project, but they could only do so for a coverage area of 10 m. If the cost of each sensor was $100 and it costs an equal amount for installation, the total cost would be approximately $20K per km of border. If each sensor had a 10-percent (10%) per year failure rate, there would be an additional recurring cost of $2K per km. Even doubling these costs, there is still a substantial margin between the potential costs of the sensors envisioned as part of our work and the technologies currently under development for comprehensive electronic border security.
The remainder of this paper details the design and evaluation of one approach to a low-cost imaging sensor that has a sparse detector array. It is proposed that such a sensor could be a component of a ubiquitous, low-cost sensor network. Section 2 introduces our sparse detector imaging sensor prototype and an initial motivating application and provides the details of the sensor developed in our laboratory, including the acquisition of images used for subsequent classification. Section 2 also provides details about the Web-services interface and issues for future deployment. Section 3 highlights an initial approach used for classifying the images from the sensor into human and nonhuman classes. Section 4 offers conclusions and future directions.
Typically, smugglers on foot use large packs to transport contraband weighing up to 50 kg along known trails and unimproved roads across the border between the U.S. and Mexico. Smugglers often travel in large groups and the border patrol has inadequate personnel to monitor these vast geographic regions. Therefore, a high degree of confidence in classification algorithms is needed to provide notification when objects of interest are detected to allow authorities to assemble adequate personnel to intercept and apprehend the smugglers along known points on the trails or roads. Moreover, numerous and inexpensive unattended ground sensors are needed for placement at several locations and these sensors should be resilient to false alarms as there is inadequate capacity among the authorities for reacting to false alarms. In our initial application domain, such trails and unimproved roads are abundant, but most of the routes are known. However, the routes have many travelers that are not of interest, including non-utility animals and humans that do not fit the profile of interest. In typical deployments, a sensor would be placed near a trail having a width of approximately 1 to 1.5 m or near an unimproved road of width of approximately 3 to 5 m. These sensors can be located where vegetation or other environmental features can be used to hide placement. The trails and roads are located in areas that are considered open range. Wild horses, cattle, deer, large cats, dogs, rabbits, and pigs are just a few of the non-utility animals that use the same trails as humans moving through the area.
Our prototype sparse detector imaging sensor system can be viewed as a near-infrared implementation of the model described by our colleagues at the Center for Advanced Sensors as shown in
The CX-RVMS retro-reflective infrared sensor [
The prototype sparse detector sensor was assembled by placing 16 CX-RVMS retro-reflective sensing elements at 12.7-cm intervals in a vertical configuration (
The driver software for the digital input board interfaced to the sensor uses a 32-bit DLL compatible with any Windows programming language. A C/C++ program was developed to acquire signature data assuming at least one sensing element's beam would be broken as an object traverses through the sensor's optical curtain for initial testing purposes. Therefore, data acquisition started when a break-beam event first occurred and continued at a sampling rate of approximately 10 ms until none of the sensing elements detected a break in their beam.
A raw dataset is created by the C/C++ program by writing a single ASCII file for each object detection event as a string of 1s and 0s corresponding to no-break and break, respectively, for sensing element B0 through C7 as the object passes through the sensor's optical curtain. Each of the 16 sensing elements is sampled in parallel, which provides data for a '16 ×
For each image in
These images or silhouettes are remarkable given that they were produced from a sensor with only 16 detectors placed at 12.7-cm intervals. The data was collected with the sensor configured with
In conjunction with the silhouette collection and classification algorithm development, we have been developing software for the prototype profiling sensor to facilitate integration within a network-centric environment using service-oriented computing [
More sophisticated services, such as
Currently, the prototype version of the sensor provides a WSDL file that serves as a wrapper for a Java program that implements the Web service and subsequently invokes the lower-level sensor API developed in C/C++ as shown in
Light-weight versions of the profiling sensor are planned that are bundled with an embedded processor. Such devices will have a very limited computational platform powered via batteries, wireless interface, and an environmentally hardened construction. These devices will be evaluated to determine the level of computational complexity supported, including the feasibility of hosting a full-featured, Web-services interface as is provided by the initial prototype.
To accommodate ubiquitous deployment, data communication protocols must be carefully considered. Minimizing wireless communications saves both bandwidth and power. The break-beam patterns of each sensor are highly compressible, so one approach is to transmit the collected data over a wireless communication channel to a base station each time the sensor is activated as an alternative to designing the sensor to include an embedded processor to locally classify the data and to process various tasking parameters.
Power requirements are also a major concern in the design of the sensor, as long battery life is highly desirable. The choice of detectors affects power consumption along with the choice of data communication protocols. Transmission of high-level image classifications consumes less power than the transmission of the raw data, even if it is compressed. Naturally, the decision regarding the centralized base station approach versus the distributed architecture, with the intelligence on the sensor, will be determined by the specific application.
Concealment of the device is also a requirement in many applications. To be effective, a smuggler or person crossing a border illegally must not be aware of the location of the sensors.
While the sensing elements described in this paper are an active near-infrared emitter/detector, it would be possible to construct a profiling sensor from passive infrared detectors. Klett et al. [
Five algorithms were tested to classify data obtained from the profiling sensor into two classes: human and non-human. The algorithms were the Naïve Bayesian Classifier (NB) [
A Naïve Bayesian classifier assigns a test sample to a class with the highest posterior probability among the
The prior probability
If each class is expected to occur with equal probability, then classification based on posterior probability depends only on the class conditional probability. The calculation of the class conditional probability is commonly performed using the parametric approach, where a probability distribution model, such as the Gaussian distribution, is assumed for the data points. The parameters for the distribution (e.g., mean and standard deviation for Gaussian) are then estimated from the training samples. Thus, the class conditional probability of the
Dimensionality reduction involves projecting a variable from an
To project the data onto the lower-dimensional space with
Learning Vector Quantization is a technique to learn prototypes of various classes in Nearest Prototype Classifiers (NPC). Unlike the
There are many versions of LVQ, such as LVQ1, LVQ2.1, LVQ3, OLVQ1, and OLVQ3 [
Another condition on the update is that the test point
Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are classifiers that address the two-class problem by identifying a separating hyper-plane that leaves the maximum margin from each of the two classes [
The goal is to maximize the margin
In the case when the two classes are not separable, the optimization is more complicated, and SVM finds
The majority of the algorithms were implemented using MATLAB and the data was classified off line. The SLVQ technique was implemented using the RSLVQ toolbox [
The classification results indicate that SVM performed the best using the sample datasets, closely followed by NB, NB + LDA,
After the baseline classification rate (CR) for human versus non-humans was established using the sensor assembly described in Section 2.4 for the algorithms described in Sections 3.1 through 3.5, further analysis was performed to establish additional baseline results. These results document how the number of sensing elements and their arrangement impacted the CR with respect to the human versus non-human classification task using the 512 datasets previously described.
The CR was determined for all five algorithms using every subset of the set containing the 16 sensing elements
The results indicate that when using the SVM algorithm on the 512 datasets, CRs over 90% for the human versus non-human classification task can be achieved using only two sensing elements (element 4 and 11, with respect to
It must be emphasized that this analysis was performed to establish baseline results using a nominal sparse detector configuration with a representative dataset containing 512 object signatures of humans, animals, and vehicles. Testing with additional algorithms, including the fusion of multiple algorithms, is warranted using more extensive and varied datasets, as well as testing modifications to the profiling sensor system assembly parameters, such as
A simple, active near-infrared prototype imaging sensor has been presented to show the feasibility of using a sparse detector array for capturing and subsequently classifying naïve images or silhouettes of objects. The sensor appears to be a low-cost approach for discriminating among humans and non-humans in unattended ground deployments. Such an approach to designing an imaging sensor may be critical for wide-scale deployments in which the sensor is considered disposable; therefore, the cost of the sensor is crucial. An initial set of algorithms were evaluated using 512 datasets of humans, animals, and vehicles with respect to their ability to classify the data acquired from the sensor into human versus non-human classes. Empirical analysis using these datasets shows that over ninety-nine percent (99%) accuracy is feasible in categorizing individually sensed objects into specific classes of interest. Although not included as part of the results summarized in this paper, the sensor and associated algorithms appear to be resilient to false alarms induced from non-human signatures; however, more detailed analysis is required to determine 'false alarm' probabilities.
In addition, the sensor's low-level device driver software has been designed so that various classification algorithms can be inserted and objects can be classified in real-time. The software API has been wrapped to facilitate integration into a service-oriented architecture by providing a WSDL interface to the high-level sensor functionality.
Future directions are being pursued along a variety of focus areas, including acquiring more signature data from the prototype sensor for a wider variety of objects typically found in open range. Also, a more detailed algorithm analysis that relates the resolution of the sensor to its object discrimination capabilities is needed to determine the optimal number of detectors and their arrangement within the sensor system for a given classification task.
In many applications of the sensor, it will be imperative to execute the detection and classification algorithms using a light-weight, low-cost computing platform embedded within the sensor. Minimizing network bandwidth by transmitting only high-level classification results, as opposed to raw or compressed data or silhouettes is desirable in many potential applications. However, other applications are anticipated in which a human will be in the loop to directly classify the sensed data; therefore, human perception studies to evaluate the efficacy of manual classification of the naïve images or silhouettes is also warranted.
A power consumption analysis and optimization effort is needed prior to deployment, as well as developing techniques for camouflage or covert placement. Development of a second version of the prototype sensor, which will be more durable to support further field testing in typical application scenarios, is planned. Ultimately, the realization of the prototype sparse detector sensor concept as a 'sensor on a stick' with a self-contained power supply and an embedded system for light-weight computation and communication capability within a network-centric, service-oriented environment is a worthwhile goal.
The anonymous peer reviewers are thanked for their suggestions that improved this paper. Funding for this work was provided in part by cooperative agreement W911NF-05-2-0019 between the University of Memphis and the U.S. Army's Research Laboratory (ARL), as well as funds from the Herff College of Engineering at the University of Memphis. This paper does not necessarily represent the position of the U.S. Government. Thanks to Kenny Emmanuel, Jeremy Brown, Yury Tritenko, Matthew Smith, Joseph Qualls, and Irene Qiu for their assistance with the signature collection effort and software development support.
(a) Human with large backpack. (b) Utility animal with packs. (c) Vehicles, such as SUVs.
Sparse detector system model configuration.
CX-RVMS retro-reflective photoelectric sensing element (all units mm) [
(a) Prototype sensor logic diagram. (b) Transmitting/receiving platform. (c) Human walking between transmitting/receiving and reflecting platforms.
(a) Human with backpack. (b) Break-beam pattern from the sensor for a human wearing a backpack. (c) Silhouette generated from the break-beam pattern acquired by the sensor.
Silhouettes created from break-beam patterns acquired from the sparse detector imaging sensor: (a) human with large backpack. (b) human without backpack. (c) two humans with large backpacks. (d) two humans without backpacks. (e) donkey. (f) llama. (g) horse with human rider. (h) horse with pack led by human. (i) sport-utility vehicle (SUV). (j) pick-up truck. (k) van. (l) car. The x-axis denotes the number of samples and the y-axis denotes a sensing element number (1-16).
Example Web services for the profiling sensor described with UML.
Profiling sensor service-oriented interface to client.
Example camouflage of a sparse detector sensor: (a) Profiling sensor realized with sensing elements in PVC pipe and transmitting/receiving platform mounted on a tree. (b) Profiling sensor realized with sensing elements in PVC pipe with transmitting/receiving platform painted to blend in with a tree [
Highest CR(%) for the human versus non-human classification task obtained using the SVM classification algorithm for the subsets containing 1 through 16 sensing elements.
CR(%) for human and non-human objects using 16 sensing elements.
Sensing element combination yielding the highest CR (SVM algorithm).
|4, 11
|4, 10-11
|4, 10-12
|4, 5, 10-12
|1, 4, 10 - 12, 15
|2, 4, 8, 11-13, 15
|1, 2, 4, 8, 11-13, 15
|1-4, 8, 11-13, 16
|1, 3, 4-7, 11-14
|1-8, 11-13
|1-9, 11-13
|1-13, 15


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Ask Mac Questions and Get Answers from Experts ASAP
It is a MAC Mini with 16GB memory and the latest dual processors. The video is a composite video either an S-video feed or RCA plugs. I do have HDMI feeds to the TV's from the Mac MIni
I have answered this several different places so I am confused as to what goes where??? I do not have a capture card, this is my way of gathering information. I have no plan in place but after this discussion I hope to have a plan. Your suggestions: for live camera coverage with a low resolution camera. converting that video for usage as a replay or live presentation, recording it and or sending it to other TV's for viewing during the service to individuals outside of the sanctuary and options for viewing live inside the sanctuary.
If you are only inputing standard definition footage into ProPresenter, the cheapest option would be the XLR8 ProView USB Video Adapter listed for $99.
Can I do this at the same time I am using ProPresenter for showing slides for the songs during the service?
Absolutely. With the XLR8 set as the video input device for ProPresenter, engage the "Live" button, and your camera will be on screen. If you engage a slide, ProPresenter will fade to it, and when you clear the slide, ProPresenter will fade back to video. You can even show song lyrics over top of your live video if you'd like.
There are some great tutorials on how to use and setup ProPresenter. I highly recommend you check them out before you configure your system. http://www.renewedvision.com/propresenter.php?page=tutorials
Does this answer your question?
Thank you, XXXXX XXXXX have to purchase Pro Video Player in addition to ProPresenter 5 to make this happen?
OK, I received the XLR8 USB, hooked it up and recorded video while in ProPresenter. However, I when I clicked on LIVE VIDEO within ProPresenter, the video did not come up. I did get a little camera in the upper right corner. I had set preferences to S-Video, the only choice. I could play the recorded video inside ProPresenter and out to the TV's but never anything live came through. I did have to hook up the video feed to the yellow RCA plug that came with the XLR8 converter because their was not a S-Video cable coming form the camera. Only an RCA plug.
OK thanks, will be 3-4 days before I try that due to vacation but I will respond when I try it.
I now have live video to the TV's , thanks. I have captured some of that live video on the Mac Mini hard drive. However, I do not remember the steps to record the video. A little red dot is on the camera but it does not seem to change when I click on it. The XLR8 works great and I can play back the portions I have recorded. I made sure all other programs are closed when I go back to ProPresenter5, live video shows but I cannot make it record. Thanks, Ken
Yes, I remember now, for some reason I thought clicking the red button made it record. I did record some live video and I thought it was while I was showing the video on the screens but I guess not. Thanks


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His family, who recently celebrated the Santa Rosa, Calif., man's 103rd birthday, attributes his good health and mental sharpness to a daily vitamin regimen, decades of physical labor in orchards and nut groves, and the balanced meals his wife, Grace, prepared until her death this summer at 86.
Though genes and chronic disease greatly influence brain health, researchers agree seniors like Mahnke are on the right path to making the most of their memories.
Their recommendations for a memory-maximizing lifestyle include:
This includes fresh fruits and vegetables rich in anti-oxidants and cold-water fish containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout, halibut and tuna. Recommended fresh produce includes blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, spinach and other leafy vegetables, and broccoli and cauliflower.
"Obesity, especially in midlife, is related to decreased cognitive function," said Dr. Sue Stephenson, a physician in Santa Rosa. A study of 1,500 adults found obesity in middle age doubled the likelihood of dementia later in life, and those with high cholesterol and high blood pressure had six times the risk of dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
The combination of emotional stress, inadequate sleep and poor diet "can play into subtle cognitive decline and can influence occasional bouts of absentmindedness," said Molly Wagster, program director of neuro-psychology of aging research at the National Institute on Aging.
Study a foreign language or musical instrument, play word and card games, take in a museum or a performing arts production.
If you're walking or biking to improve cardiovascular health, take a friend along. The interaction adds mental stimulation to your workout, health professionals suggest.
Some doctors particularly recommend morning exercise, both to improve sleep at night and mental clarity during the day. Wagster pointed to a recent study by University of California Irvine colleagues Carl Cotman and Paul Adlard, who found that mice bred for Alzheimer's disease showed brain and learning improvements after five months of exercise.
Limit yourself to one or two servings daily, depending on your body size and metabolism.
Smoking tobacco negatively affects the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. And chronic marijuana use frequently causes short-term memory loss, said John B. Arden, a psychologist and author of "Improving Your Memory for Dummies" (For Dummies, $19.99)
"Remember, the gateway to memory is attention," said Arden. "A lot of folks who smoke pot have difficulty attending to their environment."
Research has linked a high level of the amino acid homocysteine with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. Studies in mice funded by the National Institute on Aging also showed that high levels of this amino acid can damage neurons. Increased intake of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 decreases homocysteine levels in the blood, according to the institute. Health professionals advise getting adequate daily amounts of folic acid and B12 through foods -- including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk products and fortified breakfast cereals -- or vitamin supplements.
"The older brain is more plastic or flexible or adaptable than we had previously thought," said Wagster, underscoring the possible benefits of such positive lifestyle choices. "There's beginning to be a more optimistic view of aging, that there are things we can do to enhance our cognitive function."
(Katy Hillenmeyer writes for The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa, Calif.)


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About the Book
Atorkor is a small village in the Anlo district of the Volta Region (South Eastern) part of Ghana. It is located on the Atlantic coast with beautiful sandy beach. The main occupation of the village is fishing for which the inhabitants depend on the sea and the lagoon. Fishing in Atorkor has declined considerably due to depleting stocks in the immediate vicinity of the shore line and the use of archaic traditional fishing methods which limits the fishermen to fishing only in the immediate vicinity of the shore line. This prompted the start of the Atorkor Develpment Foundation in 2001. Its vision is to transform Atorkor from a very poor and under-developed village into a self-sustaining village with basic amenities. More information about Atorkor and volunteering can be found at www.adfatorkor.org
About the Creator
Have just started to try and make a living from photography after spending the last 3 years traveling. I have volunteered in five African countries, visited New Zealand and Hong Kong so far and have loved the experience. My stay in South Africa was the turning point as far as the photography is concerned. I spent four glorious weeks on a photography & conservation project . I hope to get a book published through here of the fantastic places I have been too and the wonderful people I have met. Have a feeling it will be more than one books worth!
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Mark Rodger
Mark Rodger is in his 11th year as the athletic trainer for the Gamecock men's basketball team after spending three years at East Carolina University.
In addition to providing medical coverage for the South Carolina men's basketball team, Rodger also works as a lecturer and clinical instructor in the undergraduate athletic training education curriculum program at South Carolina.
He received his bachelor's degree in exercise science with a specialized concentration in athletic training from the University at Buffalo in 2001. He attended graduate school at South Carolina, where he earned a master's of arts and teaching degree in physical education in 2003.
Rodger is a native of Berlin, Germany, and graduated from the JFK School in Berlin in 1996. He is married to the former Jordan Allonier, and the couple welcomed twin sons, Grayson James and Cameron Mark, in May 2015.