text:
Good morning. Thank you, Tom. I want to begin by thanking Secretary Kerry, whose tireless efforts on behalf of our country and our vision of a smarter and more capable presentation of diplomacy and development around the world allows us to, today, proudly launch this 2nd Quadrennial Development and Diplomacy Review.
Thank you to Deputy Secretary Higginbottom and Special Representative Perriello. I'm looking forward to working closely with both of you as we go forward here and really have an honest assessment of how we're doing in an effort to get better. That was the theme that underpinned Secretary Clinton's launching this initiative originally and I think ought to serve us as well as we go forward this time around.
Now, four years ago, the QDDR provided the strategic foundation to answer President Obama's call to transform USAID into a modern development enterprise. With direction from the QDDR, we implemented a suite of ambitious reforms that have changed the way we do business around the world. And I'm not going to reiterate the full list of those actions taken or steps forward, but I would note that today you can download an app on your iPhone and pull up hundreds of rigorous, high-quality programmatic evaluations that demonstrates that development and the execution of development cooperation is, in fact, a discipline that needs to be informed by evidence, data, excellence, and delivering real, concrete results.
Last month in New York with Deputy Secretary Higginbottom present, we had the opportunity to launch the U.S. Global Development Lab, a historic investment in the power of science, technology, and private sector partnership to take our work forward in a transformational way. That lab began as a single recommendation in the first QDDR, and I think it's a testament to the fact that when we get great ideas from our teams through this process, it may take a few years, but together we can actually deliver on the ideas and on the concepts this process will undoubtedly uncover.
Four years later in total, the steps we've taken since the first QDDR have made us a stronger and more capable development enterprise and have helped our nation pioneer a new model of development that intertwines policy reform, political commitment, financial support, and private sector leverage to deliver extraordinary results.
While this is a great foundation, we know we have more to do – more especially as we try to answer President Obama's call, now made in two State of the Union addresses to lead and join the world in ending extreme poverty within the next two decades.
While this goal is ambitious, it is also within reach. This new QDDR will enable us to take advantage of this unique moment in history, one where new tools, technologies, and partnerships are redefining what's possible, and where we have to address real opportunities and challenges we will face – the challenge of climate change and performance in fragile states and conflict-affected settings.
Now, as we pursue this new QDDR, I just want to share three principles that I'm going to ask our teams to keep top of mind as we go forward. The first is the basic principle that our nation is more secure and more prosperous when we effectively elevate development to stand with diplomacy and defense in how America projects power, influence, and support across a rapidly changing global context.
The second is to live up to that bold aspiration, we have to constantly be willing to do things differently, to continuously improve, to modernize, to partner with others, to get more leverage out of our relationships, and to more actively engage with the Congress and with partners all around the world. And the third is that this is a real opportunity to also bring attention and political support to the work that all of you do every single day.
In just a few weeks we'll honor colleagues of ours who have lost their lives in the diplomatic or development service by placing their names on the plaque downstairs. And as we do that, we recognize that in fact, whether it's the quiet diplomacy that averts conflict and keeps people safe or the unheralded efforts to help young girls go to school and learn a bit more so they can build a prouder and more prosperous life for their own communities and families, that the folks we work with every day are, in fact, heroes.
So let's use this as an opportunity to elevate the role of diplomacy, the role of development, and the role America can play in a world that is, in fact, rapidly changing.
Now, I have the opportunity to introduce Secretary Kerry in the Ben Franklin Room at the State Department, so that's – I'm not going to do a broad introduction here. But I will say one thing, and that is: The sheer force of Secretary Kerry's example should inspire every person in this room today, and all of our colleagues at State, at AID, across our government, and in our diplomatic and development community, to be bolder, to be more aspirational, and to be more confident that in a world where people debate sometimes what America's power looks like 10 or 20 years from now, if we do the right things today, if we follow Secretary Kerry's bold aspirational leadership, we know that our efforts will collectively shape the kind of world we live in.
So with that, Secretary Kerry. (Applause.)
Last updated: April 25, 2014


text:
NetWellness is a global, community service providing quality, unbiased health information from our partner university faculty. NetWellness is commercial-free and does not accept advertising.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Cancer Genetics
Mother`s cancer
Hi, my mother died from pancreatic cancer age 47, both her parents were cancer free and lived till very old age. We think her grandmother, her fathers mother, had liver cancer age 55, genetics at cambridge have told me it was most likely a chance thing but ive always been worried. My grandfather had a brother who never developed cancer and died at 70 from other causes. We have traced back 3 generations to see how long people lived and they were all over 60. Am i worrying too much? Also my mother was a smoker from her teenage years and suffered from hepatitis when she was a young woman.
Your concern is understandable given the young at age which your mother was diagnosed. Most pancreatic cancers are "sporadic;" that is, not caused by an identifiable genetic factor. In families in which there is a genetic explanation we typically find family histories suggestive of a few different hereditary cancer syndromes. These include:
- Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (with family members affected with early-onset breast cancer and ovarian cancer)
- Hereditary colon cancer (family members with early onset colon cancer
- Possibly endometrial cancer as well as other gastro-intestinal cancers)
- Hereditary melanoma and pancreatic cancer (family members with early-onset melanoma, multiple melanomas and pancreatic)
There are also a couple of other very rare cancer syndromes in which pancreatic cancer can be found.
You have done your homework and learned that no one else in the family has been diagnosed with any kind of cancer for 3 generations and you contacted someone at Cambridge who told you this is unlikely to be genetic or hereditary. While we cannot say with absolute certainty that this was not caused by a genetic factor, I agree that the chances are quite low. Your mother also had a clear risk factor, cigarette smoking, and a suspected risk factor, hepatitis. It is very possible that these two risk factors are responsible for your mother's pancreatic cancer.
However, having a mother with pancreatic cancer does increase your risk for pancreatic cancer a bit over the population risk. Just to be on the safe side, you should discuss this with your family physician. You should also avoid smoking as this is a clearly proven risk factor for pancreatic cancer.
At this time there is no screening that has been proven to improve survival if a pancreatic cancer has been diagnosed. Your physician might be able to discuss other ways to address some of your concerns.
Duane D Culler, PhD, MS
Clinical Instructor of Genetics
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University

subset: commoncrawl


text: It all depends on what the plan is with David West. If they intend on bringing him back, at what will be a bigger number, then you stand pat. Well, obviously you try to trade the guys not named Hill, George, Granger, West, and Hibbert to get a better bench but none of them have any value so that seems highly unrealistic. If they don't feel comfortable with what West is going to get on the open market, then you've got to move him and get back as much as possible.


text:
Warming Up to Broadcom
The strong quarter Cisco CSCO reported last night is giving Broadcom BRCM a lift today. Cisco's better-than-expected results for the first quarter -- which earned it an upgrade from Pacific Crest this morning -- sparked a huge gap higher open. The stock is attracting very heavy trade and is now stabilizing with a 5% gain. The positive news is pulling BRCM 2% higher, putting shares in a low-risk buying position.
Broadcom (BRCM) -- Daily Source: TradeStation View Chart » View in New Window ...247 more words left in this article. To read them, just click below and try Real Money FREE for 14 days.
There's no substitute for a trading floor to get great ideas, so Jim Cramer created a better one at Real Money and blogs there exclusively. We then added legendary hedge fund manager, Doug Kass, with his exclusive Daily Diary and best investing ideas. Staffed with more than 4 dozen investing pros, money managers, journalists and analysts, Real Money Pro gives you a flood of opinions, analysis and actionable trading advice found nowhere else, and allows you to interact directly with each expert.
Already a Subscriber? Please login.


text:
Vick's best completion percentage at Va Tech? 59.2% which was actually his freshman year. His soph year he completed a whooping 54%.
RGIII WORST season for completion % was 59.9%. He completed 72% of his passes this season.
RGIII is a damn good passing QB, even if he didn't have the ability to run the ball. He's GOOD.


text:
Home > Publications > Books
The largest IEEE book-publishing division, IEEE Press publishes technical books in all the fields served by IEEE. Since 2001, IEEE Press has published its works jointly with John Wiley & Sons, bringing the work of IEEE authors to the worldwide technology community.
Books are published in many different formats such as e-books, online books, Amazon Kindle and are available through IEEE Xplore, John Wiley's Web site and Amazon, as well as other online retail outlets.
Interested in publishing a book but don't know how to begin the process? Review the proposal guidelines to better understand how to propose your book idea and the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the IEEE Press and Wiley relationship as well as general information related to copyright, production, and marketing. The IEEE Technical Interest Profiles outline the technical areas of interest to the members and customers presently served by the IEEE.
Questions regarding submitting your proposal can be sent via email directly to email@example.com. Learn more about IEEE Press.
Useful links when preparing your manuscript for review:
Wiley manuscript guidelines are followed as all IEEE Press books are published in cooperation with John Wiley & Sons.
Send an e-mail to email@example.com.
Send an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com with your proposal.


text:
Prepare for the 2007 Hurricane Season
Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
Contact: Merni Fitzgerald, Director of Public Affairs
703-324-3187, TTY 711, Fax 703-324-2010
Media Pager: 703-324-NEWS (6397)
May 15, 2007
Get Prepared for the 2007 Hurricane Season
With hurricane season beginning June 1 and an active year predicted by experts, residents should take steps now to prepare for any hurricanes or tropical systems that may affect this area.
"It may not be something we think we will have to deal with here in Fairfax County, but as we saw in 2003, Hurricane Isabel caused major power outages and flooding in the county," said C. Douglas Bass, emergency management coordinator for Fairfax County. "Being prepared just in case of a hurricane is an important safety precaution county residents should take."
The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to prepare for the upcoming season by reviewing hurricane safety tips and preparing an emergency supply kit. Be prepared for at least three days and include essential items such as a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, food and water, flashlights, a first-aid kit and medications.
Fairfax County residents also can take one precaution now by registering for alerts from the CEAN – Community Emergency Alert Network – at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cean. The CEAN will deliver emergency alerts, notifications and updates during a major crisis or emergency to e-mail accounts, cell phones, text pagers, satellite phones and wireless PDAs registered on the system. In addition, residents are encouraged to register for additional CEAN alert categories, such as severe weather 24/7 and severe weather 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management, in cooperation with the National Weather Service and state emergency management officials, offers the following hurricane safety tips.
Before the Storm
- Cut dead trees and limbs that could fall on your home.
- Learn the difference between a watch and a warning. A hurricane watch indicates that hurricane conditions are possible in your area within 36 hours. A hurricane warning indicates that hurricane conditions are possible in your area within 24 hours.
- If you live in a flood-prone area, identify where to go if ordered to evacuate and the safest route to get there. If there is a flood, you may only have minutes to get to safety. Choose several places – a friend's home in another town, a motel or a shelter. Remember, public shelters and many motels don't allow pets in their facilities.
- If your home or business is in a flood-prone area, make sure you have a current flood insurance policy (not typically part of a standard insurance policy). A 30-day waiting period is generally required to purchase flood insurance, so take time now to visit your insurance agent to learn more.
- Take pictures of your property before the storm to help validate your claim and remember to take your policies with you if you need to evacuate.
When a Hurricane is Approaching
- To help keep food cold for several hours if the power goes out, fill plastic containers with water, leaving about an inch of space inside each one (remember, water expands as it freezes). Place the containers in the refrigerator and freezer. This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold for several hours if the power goes out.
- Fill your bathtub with water to use for toilet flushing in case water is unavailable following a storm.
- Bring in garbage cans, lawn furniture and other items that could blow away.
- Fill your car's gas tank. Gas stations will be in short supply in a power outage.
After the Storm
- Prepare to be without power, telephone or any outside services for a week or more.
- Watch out for downed power lines, weakened structures, rodents and snakes, and avoid standing water.
- Avoid drinking tap water unless officials say it is safe to do so. Eat only foods you are absolutely sure are safe.
- Operate generators outdoors only in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home. Never use a generator indoors or in attached garages. Poor ventilation can result in carbon monoxide poisoning or death.
- Avoid using candles as a light source. Deadly fires can result.
For more information, contact the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management at 703-324-2362, TTY 711, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency.
For more news and information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news.


text:
About Me
- katrina
- My work can be found in REAL: Regarding Arts and Letters, The Jabberwock Review, The Emerson Review, Storyglossia, The MacGuffin, Confrontation, Passages North, SmokeLong Quarterly, elimae, wigleaf, Pank, New Delta Review, and Gargoyle #57, among others. One of my stories has been translated into Farsi by Asadollah Amraee, and many others by Jalil Jafari, two of which have been published in the Iranian journal, Golestaneh Magazine. Currently, I'm an Associate editor for Narrative Magazine. In 2011, I was awarded the Carol Houck Smith Contributor Scholarship for the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Read: "Echolocation" by Myfanwy Collins
Be prepared. Haunting, mesmerizing, "Echolocation" is a page-turner you will not be able to put down until you've reached the end. It's the story of four women connected by family and the bleak, harsh, land of northern New York. Some have escaped, but they're all brought together again by tragedy and secrets they thought they'd left behind. There's Auntie Marie, dying of cancer, the two girls she raised, Geneva and Cheri, and Renee, Cheri's mother, who ran away to Florida not long after Cheri was born. Cheri returns to help Geneva with their aunt, and Renee shows up unexpectedly with a secret that will change them all.
The characters in "Echolocation," men and women alike, are flawed in the best, most fascinating, ways, and though they make mistakes, they are not beyond redemption, not beyond our empathy. Collins clearly loves her characters, weaknesses and all, and that authorial love elicits a similar compassion from the reader. These four women are fierce. Auntie Marie's devotion to Cheri and Geneva is as strong as her devotion to God; Cheri is determined in her self-destructive desire to deny her feelings; Geneva's strength in carrying on with life after a devastating accident is remarkable, and Renee finally discovers she's capable of caring for another more than herself.
This is a complex story, told with an assured, deft hand. Collins is a master at weaving story lines together in an artful, spare way. Every word is well-chosen. Every nuance is perfectly placed. "Echolocation" is literary fiction at its finest.
2 comments:
- Myfanwy Collins said...
Oh, Kat!!! Thank you so much for this beautiful review. I'm deeply touched and very grateful. xo
- katrina said...
Thanks for writing a book I love.
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
- Home
- News
- Sports
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Features
- Special Sections
- Classifieds
- Public Notices
After weeks of analysis and discussion the House voted to approve House Bill 265 which provides for a two year state budget. The measure adopts the governor's budget proposal but with slight changes.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the The Pioneer News, then simply find your account number on your mailing label and enter it below.
Click the question mark below to see where your account ID appears on your mailing label.
If you are new to the award winning The Pioneer News and wish to get a subscription or simply gain access to our online content then please enter your ZIP code below and continue to setup your account.
|ZIP Code:


text: OverviewBack to top Nalgene - Transparent Lexan Square Storage Bottle - 4 oz. Item# :80103UPC# :661195313322 Brand:Nalgene Size/Form:4 oz. Ship Weight:0.15 Nalgene Transparent Lexan Square Storage Bottle - 4 oz. Nalgene Transparent Lexan Square Storage Bottle has a narrow mouth that allows for smooth pouring. Its unique square shape makes it perfect for storage, especially for those people who are space-conscious. Like all other Nalgene products, the Nalgene Narrow Mouth Square Lexan Bottle is leakproof! You can easily measure the liquid or solid substances stored in the bottle by looking at the clearly visible measuring lines down the side of these bottles. One of the best features of the Nalgene Lexan Bottle line is its tough Polycarbonate material. Some benefits of this strong plastic include: High impact resistance Resistant to staining Won't retain odors Withstands sub-freezing to boiling temperatures Dishwasher safe away from the heating element Max temperature: 135°C/275°F Min temperature: -135°C/-211°F Nalgene:Back in 1949, a Rochester, New York chemist named Emanuel Goldberg developed the first plastic pipette holder. Along with three workers, he began the Nalge Company in a small building at 625 South Goodman Street. For years Goldberg and his growing team developed the Nalgene line of state-of-the-art polyethylene laboratory equipment: centrifuge bottles, filter units, storage tanks. Obviously, it wasn't the kind of stuff you toss into your backpack for a weekend in the woods. But there were rumors floating around … stories about scientists taking the smaller, more convenient bottles out of the lab and using them on hikes and excursions.By the 1970s this "unofficial" use for Nalgene bottles caught the eye of Marsh Hyman (President of the Nalge Company in Rochester, New York). At Nalgene, there all about helping people simplify their lives while respecting the environment. That's why they created reusable containers of all kinds, made from a wide range of materials to suit your personal preferences, needs and lifestyle. So whether you're looking for a virtually indestructible drinking bottle for a backcountry adventure, or you want a clean, green way of storing your dry pasta, you'll find a Nalgene product that gets the job done.


text:
Zaqatala Rayonu Women T-Shirts are an Idakoos specialtiy! Idakoos has many things to offer. Whether you want to get a Zaqatala Rayonu Women T-Shirt for a special occasion, give a Printed Zaqatala Rayonu Women T-Shirt as a present or need to represent with a funny Zaqatala Rayonu Tee during Holidays or Family and Friends get-togethers, Idakoos is sure to have the right Zaqatala Rayonu Women T-Shirt for you! Even if it turns out you can't find the right Zaqatala Rayonu Tshirt with the perfect design for your mother, father or children; Idakoos offers all of its men's women's and children's Zaqatala Rayonu Tshirts as Custom Zaqatala Rayonu Women T-Shirts. Personalize any Zaqatala Rayonu Women T-Shirt the way you want to ensure the perfect gift.
Showing 1 - 15 of 15 Women T-Shirts
<< Previous |Page: 1 | Next >>


text:
Plans to address the pension fund's shortfall -- $197 million in December -- include $5.75 million in budget reductions and putting another sales tax issue on the June or August ballot.
Greene County election results show that voter turnout was just over 17 percent, with 52 percent of the voters saying no to the new tax.
The City of Springfield offers information about the pension fund and proposed tax on its web site. Content includes an ongoing list of frequently asked questions, a video of City Manager Greg Burris presenting a PowerPoint about the issue, as well as the complete PowerPoint presentation. The Police Officers' & Firefighters' Retirement Fund System page has links to the pension plan's provisions.
The City provides a brochure summarizing the issue online (pdf) or by calling 864-1010.
The Springfield News-Leader has published several articles covering the arguments for and against the increase and reaction to the measure's defeat.
See the "Related Stories" section in the News-Leader's sidebar for links to more coverage.
Older articles from the News-Leader can be accessed online from America's Newspapers. A library card is required for access outside the library.
KSMU News' coverage of the issue includes podcasts.
KY3 provides video of news reports on its web site.
Find this article at


text:
Groene at the Legislature: Teacher absences, substitutes
Mail: Southern statues symbolize suppression
More opinion
Senate: Vote no on Graham-Cassidy health care plan
Fall: Good time to spray musk thistle in rosette stage
More Ag News
The last thing a working North Platte woman needed was to have her hours cut.
But thats what happened. A few days ago, she learned that her hours are now reduced to 28 per week.
The woman, who asked not to be named for fear of job reprisal, is one of 10 or so Mid-Plains College part-time workers who will lose considerable hours, and pay, in North Platte and McCook.
They include adjunct teachers, advisors, clerical workers and maintenance workers often they hold two or more of those jobs at the same time, working 2-3 part-time jobs at the college, working as much as 39 hours a week.
The woman, who has a graduate degree, doesnt know how she will make ends meet. Her kids qualify for reduced lunches at the public schools, which she said is a shameful situation.
Like many businesses around the country, college officials blame Obamacare the federal healthcare reform.
The cutbacks are all-too-common in North Platte and all over the country. Companies nationwide are cutting hours of part-time employees to fewer than 30 a week, so the company doesnt have to provide health insurance.
The provisions of Obamacare require companies with 50 or more employees to provide a health insurance plan to a full-time worker, and they defined full time as 30 hours or more a week. If a company doesnt provide the insurance, the company has to pay a fine of $2,000 per employee.
That stipulation is a key part of the Obamacare program, to make sure everyone in the U.S. has affordable health insurance. The success of the vast reform package rests on everyones health care being insured.
But companies, leery of expenses and extra work, are cutting back hours instead of helping more people get insured.
Many companies said the requirement would cripple their profits, Sen. Mike Johanns said.
Wal-Mart is one of the major company that has been making adjustments. Wal-Mart now hires only part-time workers at most of its stores across the country, according to recent surveys by Rueters news service and reports by Forbes magazine.
Angry Wal-Mart workers protested in June at the companys shareholders meeting in Bentonville, Ark. They said they could hardly make ends meet with the hours and pay theyd been getting.
With the cuts, it will be impossible, they said.
In response to complaints from businesses, on July 1 President Barack Obama's administration issued a one-year waiver on penalties for employers who do not comply.
The waiver didnt change anything at the community college, where cutbacks had been planned since earlier in the year.
The federal government has backed off on some of the penalties, but the bulk of requirements are still in place, North Platte Community College business manager Mike Steele told college faculty at a meeting on Aug. 20.
Steele said the college has set 28 hours as the hours-per-week for part-time workers.
North Platte Public Schools
There will be no impacts this year at the North Platte Public Schools, now that the government issued the waiver and postponed the penalties, Business Manager Stuart Simpson said.
Simpson said the hours of a few para-educators; secretaries and maintenance workers might have to be cut in the 2014-15 school year, but that depends.
If they worked more than an average of 30 hours during the weeks of the school year in the base year, also known as the look-back year from Aug. 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013, they will see some reduction in their hours.
Simpson said the hours-per-week for paras are averaged over each week that school is in session, including partial weeks of Thanksgiving, spring break and parent-teacher meetings.
Elsewhere around town
North Platte business owner Mark Wilkinson of Wilkinson Development said he is looking into his options.
Wilkinson said businesses might share part-time workers. He said McDonalds and Holiday Inn Express are putting something in place. The worker works at both places, putting in more hours overall, but remaining in part-time status at each company.
Thats probably the trend, Wilkinson said.
At Steele Construction in North Platte, some employees will be hired as sub-contractors instead of put on the payroll, owner Scott Steele predicted.
Still, the situation is depressing for workers who are affected.
I have a masters degree and I live in public housing, another community college part-time instructor said, echoing the plight of millions of educated people who cannot find a good job.
Obamacare questions
The next step of Obamacare is unclear.
The massive reform affects one-fifth of the national economic. It has stutterstepped into existence in the face of harsh criticism. Requirements and deadlines have often been delayed.
Critics point to the sheer size of the program -- the bill itself stacks up 7-feet tall, and there are thousands of details that have to be worked out before provisions can be implemented.
And, even though the business penalties are now waived for another year, penalties still apply to individuals who do not purchase health insurance.
Ideally, states were told to set up Internet marketplace exchanges by Oct. 1 where people could conveniently shop for health insurance. But that wasnt a firm requirement. If states declined to set up an exchange, the federal government would create the exchange marketplace.
More than half the states, including Nebraska, declined to set up an exchange, creating another big job for the federal government.
Sen. Mike Johanns hailed the one-year delay for businesses. Like most Republicans, he said the entire law should be repealed.
This news is further evidence that the new government mandates
are too costly and too burdensome," he said when the mandates were announced.
Johanns said its time for the White House to wave the white flag and begin working to unwind this tenuous law and replace it with something that will actually lower insurance costs for hardworking families.
What that would be, Johanns didnt say.
This report was first published in the Aug. 18 print edition of the North Platte Bulletin. (Don't just hear about it, read the Bulletin's print paper.)
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
North Platte, NE 69101


text:
Citrix Online UPG ACAD 1MO GOLD PLUS MNT NS PERPMPX (4044361-ED)Item#: 40277752 | Model#: 4044361-ED
- Price:
- $248.99
$6.99 Shipping
- Shipping:
- Temporarily out of stock. Order today and we'll deliver when available. (Details)
Additional Resources
Citrix Online UPG ACAD 1MO GOLD PLUS MNT NS Product Details
Additional Resources: Product Manuals
Related ItemsPrevious
Manufactured by: Citrix Online
Warranty provided by: Citrix Online
UPC No:
Mfg Part No: 4044361-ED
Box Size:
( Length:0, Width:0, Depth:0)
Shipping Weight: 1.0000 pound(s)
Click here for full warranty and support information
- Citrix Online logos are registered trademarks of Citrix Online. All others trademarks and copyrights mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.


text:
Limited theatrical run begins today. On Demand tomorrow...
To insure your action figure collection, get in touch with Collectibles Insurance, the official insurance company of the Figures.com network. Say "Figures.com" to get 5% off your first term premiums.
To buy action figures, take a look at BigBadToyStore.com, RedfordFilms.com, PastGenerationToys.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, SmallJoes.com, MonkeyDepot.com, and Urban-Collector.com.
Chris Ball, President and CEO of LA-based film production and distribution company Wrekin Hill Entertainment, and Joel Weinshanker, President and CEO of the National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), announced today that COMIC-CON EPISODE IV: A FAN'S HOPE will begin traditional theatrical runs in Los Angeles on April 5th, in San Francisco and Portland on April 6th, and in New York, Boston and Washington, DC on April 13th. The film will also become available to more than 100 million viewers on Video On Demand on April 6th.
Wrekin Hill and NECA will also be using Tugg, Inc. ("Tugg") for the upcoming release of Spurlock's film. Starting today, audiences from around the country can use Tugg to bring COMIC-CON EPISODE IV: A FAN'S HOPE to their local theater.
The distributors will be hosting a series of one-night only special screenings with Morgan Spurlock in seven cities. These special events have been set with a threshold for attendance in anticipation of a post-screening Q&A session with the director.
Notes Ball: "We wanted to make these first events extra special for the most passionate Comic-Con fans, and give them the opportunity to speak with Morgan about the making of this film. Comic-Con Episode IV is the kind of movie that can't just be watched, but needs to really be experienced."
Morgan Spurlock's Q&A event dates and cities are as follows, along with links to reserve tickets for each event:
* April 9th, Orlando, FL - tugg.com/events/409
* April 10th, Miami, FL - tugg.com/events/406#.T3UXlM3Agc9
* April 13th, Baltimore, MD - tugg.com/events/408#.T3UXws3Agc9
* April 15th, New Haven, CT - tugg.com/events/401
* April 16th, Las Vegas, NV - tugg.com/events/407
* April 19th, Long Island, NY - tugg.com/events/411
* April 22nd, Atlanta, GA - tugg.com/events/show/404#.T3Uf-exWrUM


text:
alan wrote:Hi Becky
Can you offer a good reason why we should do your homework for you?
If you develop an interest in Buddhism and want to discuss it, fine. But please don't assume you can go here and data mine.
retrofuturist wrote:I'll look at answering these questions soon, but don't have time just at the minute, and they seem quite detailed.
Will PM you...What is your occupation?
What is your ethnic background?
Since 1999How long have you been practicing Buddhism for?
Do you attend services for your religion? If so how often?
This is a wide range question...What is your knowledge of poverty?
It is both an artificial and avoidable situation.In your opinion, how do you feel about poverty?
I would yes.Is this influenced by Buddha's attitude in the approach to poverty and in saying this do you agree or disagree with the stance?
Here's some examples..Can you justify this further?
To a large extent, yesDo the teachings and scriptures of Buddha influence your viewpoint?
To some extent, yesDoes your personal life affect your views on poverty due to family values, career or a particular incident?
Only those which seek to either further keep people in poverty or refuse to alleviate them.Are there any points in which you disagree on the religions viewpoint on poverty?
I should think so.Do you recognise and identify your religions ethical code?
See this...What do you, from your understanding, believe this is?
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .budd.html
To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one's mind — this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
If based on the above quote, then yes.Does the ethical code align Buddhist views and values on poverty?
Sikkha SuttaIf so, how do you feel the issue should be approached, considering the values and ethical code.
rowyourboat wrote:I think it is very interesting how Christian adherents research other religions in such depth. There is apparently one who had done a thesis on nirodhasamapatti! Amazing. I do find it mildly disconcerting as well, I must admit.
Return to "General Theravāda discussion"
Users browsing this forum: form, Mr Man, retrofuturist and 89 guests


text: If you have kids... will you tell them that you used to write? tell them that you used to steal paint? teach them how to do it? Will you supprt them if they decide to do it? let them know is their shit is wack or bump it? show them your old sketches?tell them about train cops and who o look out for? Bring them into the yard at night and tell them which trains are the best to hit? Fill their stockings on christmas with caps gloves and markers?.... you get the idea.


text: I was chatting with some guys at work and an interesting question was raised. Does anyone know how the royalites are split from the sales of jerseys and other merchandise. Do the superstars receive any of the money from the sale of their jerseys? Are the royalities split equally amongst the players (even non superstars) in the league and the NBA? Just curious if anyone knew how that all worked.


text:
Neglect Level Control at Your Peril
This first article in a four-part series examines reset mode tuning issues.
This article first appeared in our sister publication Chemical Processing.
The level in a process vessel often isn't viewed as a critical variable to control. Especially in surge vessels, controller performance typically is considered satisfactory if no high- or low-level trips occur. Vessel level's effect on the corporate bottom line usually is nil. So, it's easy to see why vessel level controls receive little attention.
However, neglecting level control carries definite risks. Indeed, loss of level control has contributed to three major industrial accidents (see: "Don't Underestimate Overfilling's Risks").
Processes consist of a collection of unit operations. The various flow streams that interconnect these unit operations propagate variance from one to the next. This variance ideally should diminish as it spreads but the nature of some unit operations actually amplifies it.
Control loops also can amplify variance, either through improper operating objectives or poor tuning. The flow between some unit operations depends upon a level controller's output to a final control element on a flow stream. Two factors make level loops a potential source of variance:
- 1. Variance in any stream in or out of a unit operation leads to variance in vessel level, to which the level controller responds by changing the flow of either an inlet or a discharge stream.
- 2. The inherent nature of level processes complicates controller tuning, especially for integral or reset mode. Excessive reset action (i.e., reset time too short or reset rate too fast) results in a cycle in the flow. In the conservatively tuned level loops applied to surge vessels, the slowly responding controller produces a cycle with a period of hours. This is where level differs from other loops — reducing the controller gain or sensitivity doesn't eliminate the cycle but merely increases its period.
Figure 1 shows a vessel with four feed streams and one product stream. The level controller influences just the discharge stream. The only difference between controlling using a feed stream instead of a discharge stream is directionality (increase-increase versus increase-decrease). In Figure 1 the final control element is a valve but a pump with a variable frequency drive often is a viable, and possibly preferable, alternative.
The controller in Figure 1 translates variations in vessel level to variations in discharge valve opening and, hence, discharge flow. Maintaining level within a given proximity to its set point requires certain changes in discharge flow. Generally, the tighter the level is controlled, the larger the necessary variations in discharge flow.
Now, let's consider some characteristics of a feedback controller:
- It decreases the variance in the control error by increasing the variance in the controller output, which translates to higher variance in the flow through the final control element.
- It shifts variance from one variable to another; it doesn't reduce total variance.
- An improperly tuned feedback controller can significantly raise total variance.
Although instrument technicians often are responsible for tuning level controllers in a plant, propagation of variance is a process issue that's most appropriately addressed by process engineers.
Most level processes are integrating/ramp/non-self-regulated, the primary exception being gravity flow applications. When the level controller is on manual, with an integrating process:
- Vessel level changes at a rate proportional to the imbalance in the material balance (total flow in minus total flow out).
- Changes in level (and, thus, head) don't affect the discharge flow and, consequently, the imbalance in the material balance.
- The rate of change in level remains the same as the level increases or decreases.
When the level doesn't directly impact any flow in or out, the dynamic characteristics of the process act as an integrator. The integrator in the reset mode of a controller coupled with an integrator in the process can have adverse consequences.
Starting from an equilibrium state (total flow in equals total flow out), any upset results in a ramp change in level, hence the term "ramp process." If the upset conditions persist, the ramp continues until the level reaches a limiting condition, usually in the form of a high- or low-level process trip. When no control actions are taken, such processes don't seek an equilibrium, hence the term "non-self-regulated process."
Join the discussion
We welcome your thoughtful comments.
All comments will display your user name.
Want to participate in the discussion?Register for free
Log in for complete access.
No one has commented on this page yet.
RSS feed for comments on this page | RSS feed for all comments


text:
I know it's impossible not to worry when your favorite team is making questionable offseason decisions. I went through the same pessimism when we picked up Plumlee. But I want you guys to take into consideration that we've only officially had these guys signed for, what, 24 hours? I feel you should have more faith in this team, more faith in our new players, more faith in our front office, and most importantly, more faith in our coach, that they will be able to work together and produce as well, if not better, than they did last season.
If Coach Vogel gives the role of distribution to DJ Augustin, you have to believe that Augustin is a good enough player, and professional, to play the way his coach wants him to. Yes, he can score. Yes, he can shoot. Yes, he averages around 6 assists on a bad Bobcats team with mediocre jump shooters. You should trust that, with our coaching staff, he's going to get time playing with the starters, and he's going to make the whole team better when he's on the court. That's something DC didn't do: look to make his teammates better instead of trying to carry the team with his penetration and floaters. It's about them having a different mentality, not the fact that they're the same height, or play even close to the same kind of basketball.
I know Lance Stephenson, Gerald Green, and Orlando Johnson may not look like much as a backcourt rotation. Lance is in his third year, and has had enough time to progress, work with the team, mature, and actually BE ready for the NBA, rather than just being Born Ready. Gerald Green still underwhelms many of you (to the point where my constant support of and campaigning for him has caused others to think he's now overrated), but the fact of the matter is, he still has a good offensive game. He CAN score, more than just dunks, more than just lucky penetration moves. He shoots, inside and out. And yes, Orlando Johnson is definitely underwhelming in Summer League. So did Paul George, and look at how he's developed in the time he's played. I know TraderJoe particularly thinks that he won't even earn a spot on the roster, which may be the case. But if the FO and coaching staff see something in him (and any of the other guys), you have to trust that they know more about basketball than you do, otherwise they wouldn't be getting paid "bookoo bucks" to do their jobs.
Now to Mahinmi. We can all agree that paying DJ and DC to get Mahinmi was a little overkill. To only receive a long, athletic, shot-blocking, defensive center in return for a veteran wing and a point guard (who plays like a shooting guard, wanted to start, and wanted to get paid Hill money to do so) is a little disappointing. But clearing up the cap room from DC's and DJ's contracts (as well as avoiding having to pay DC in the future) was the main point of that trade. Is 4yrs/16m too much for him? You can go ahead and say yes, because you haven't seen him play. I'm sure more than half of you haven't even seen any highlights, nor lowlights, nor any gameplay whatsoever, to make your decision; but you're going to think it anyway. For a bunch of people who know nothing about him (especially how to pronounce or spell his name), you're not giving him the light of day that he might ACTUALLY contribute to this team.
Ah, Miles Plumlee. Yeh, we could have had Perry Jones. I'm sorry guys, but wasn't I the one who, for like two years, was praying we had some chance to pick PJ3 in the draft, even though it was almost unanimous that our pick would be too low? Well, we passed by him for Plumlee. Do you know why? Not because of Perry's knees, not because Bird loves white guys. Maybe because Pritchard thought he was a pussy (@SlikSmits). But it was because Pritch, Vogel, and many other Pacers officials loved the comparison between Miles and Jeff Foster (including Foster himself). They were looking for a particular player, found him, and picked him. Who else were the Pacers going to pick that low? Arnett Moultrie, maybe. Marquis Teague, now not necessary with DJ Augustin. Look at the team we have now, and who would have supplemented better than a dirty-work 4/5 big man? For those of you saying he'll play third rotation at center, what's to say he can't play the 4? How gifted and intelligent are we to just assume where Plumlee can play on the court? The jury is still out on Plumlee (Summer League is no indicator of his skill), but we'll have to see what kind of impact he'll make in a place where guards and wings don't try to dominate the floor.
GUYS! We have to get it together!
All this calling for FO firing, and selling the team, and who sucks, and who doesn't, and how bad we're gonna be, and how there's no way we'll compete against anyone.
Don't you think that Vogel and the veterans can rally this team into working together, and playing the best basketball AS A TEAM as possible (something that all the Big 3 teams out there can't come close to doing). The main point of this offseason was to re-solidify our starting 5 (which we did), and make our bench deeper than it was last year (something that we thought we had, but didn't; but now we do). These guys are a TEAM. What do we have this year that we didn't last year? A full, non-rushed offseason, summer league, preseason, and plenty of practice time to make them better AS A WHOLE.
There's no reason to blow up this team. We've only had this team, officially, as it currently stands, since 4pm on Friday. And a lot of these posters are acting like we just turned INTO the Cavs after LeBron fell off. Or the Hornets after CP3 dodged out. Or the Bobcats, Wizards, Jazz, etc. Weren't we third in the East last year? Fifth in the league? All league problems aside (D-Rose getting injured, Bosh injured during the playoffs, etc.), we still kicked a lot more *** last year than ANYONE on this board thought we would. How did we possibly get worse in the last few days? DC, Dahntay, Lou, Fes are out. Augustin, Green, Plumlee, OJ, Mahinmi are in. We're bigger and more skilled in the post, we've got shooters on the bench, our starting five is intact.
All the wisdom I want to bestow on you readers is that we should be patient. Our summer league run is over, our roster will soon be solidified, practices can start, our team can build and learn and mesh, and we'll soon come together and prove the haters wrong. Please have patience, and have faith in this team, the players, the front office, the coaching staff, everyone. They're not stupid, they're not ignorant, they know what they're doing. Let them do their work, and trust that we'll come out of this offseason with fervor, intensity, and amazing chemistry.
I have a lot of faith and trust in this team. I will always support this team, no matter what they do. Now is not a time to turn your back on the Pacers. It's a time to be proud of what we've accomplished (who else led the Heat 2-1 in the playoffs? Boston? that's good company). Let's all join together, be strong, and look on the brighter side. We're Pacers fans, not bandwagon Heat fans. I'm not trying to call anyone out in any way. I just want us all to come together, be proud of what we have, and have faith.
Thank you for your time, and I'm happy to be in the same category of fandom as a lot of you.
I love you all. Good night.


text:
As I've often discussed, the stock market is an amazingly accurate barometer of future economic activity: The market sniffs out the good and bad far in advance, likely six to eight months out. For us, as traders and investors, it is hard to think more than six to eight minutes ahead. But if we step back and look at the bigger picture, we can see some very positive developments for the future -- yes, even with the political wrangling in Washington on the horizon.
I look to several reports when I'm forming an opinion on the economy -- and, in turn, the stock market, especially since many of the indicators are forward-looking as well. Of these, I particularly prefer the ones with little noise that represent various areas of the entire economy. Let's briefly go over them one by one.
On the domestic side, the most important report is industrial production. This is a great leading indicator of economic strength, or lack thereof. While recent trends here have been solid, they are not strengthening -- though production is at a pretty decent level. The purchasing managers index (PMI) ties into this one, and its most recent trend is higher; and the Institute for Supply Management report has also shown robust growth. (Do know that many other indicators trickle down from the ISM repot, so when it does turn down, it's a very important warning sign.)
Next up is retail sales, which have been unusually resilient of late. It's like that old truism -- never count out the consumer. The holiday shopping season was a success for most retailers, and now we head in to a slower pre-summer period.
Home sales, starts and permits make for a great indicator, as well, as the housing sector's tentacles reach many other areas of the economy. From jobs to lumber to copper and Home Depot (HD) sales, the housing-market renaissance has been a major contributor to the U.S. recovery. The sector's resurgence should continue through 2013. The solid numbers here also reflect a favorable interest-rate environment, courtesy of the Federal Reserve -- from which the banks are taking benefit, as well, as they start to loan to consumers and businesses.
Other important catalysts can be found in factory orders and durable goods, as they reveal inventory levels, restocking and ordering trends. Also important, of course, are employment figures. While jobless claims and the monthly employment data are a bit noisy, both paint a decent picture after the numbers have been smoothed out, and after we've taken into account revisions from prior months. Jobs growth is not as robust as many would want -- this is a Veruca Salt world, after all -- let's remember that this is a very big economy, and small moves must lead to lead to bigger ones.
Finally, let's talk earnings. Much has been made of a downturn in the next earnings cycle but, frankly, the recent data are not showing it. Earnings acceleration and growth are trend figures, and the turn higher may be occurring right now. According to Stephanie Link, co-portfolio manager of Action Alerts Plus, the third quarter came in lower by 5% for companies on the S&P 500. But, as it stands so far, the fourth quarter is showing a healthy 6.5% growth vs. 2011. Revenue is up a modest 2.2%, as well, with two-thirds of the companies beating estimates. This is even despite Hurricane Sandy, which reduced economic activity in affected areas.
So, all in all, the economic data are showing some positive trends. U.S. gross domestic product is expected to grow at 2% to 2.5% this year, but if these trends continue, we may get to the 3% area or even 4%. In my next piece, I'll talk about the strong current trends overseas, and how they could boost domestic performance.


text:
The 50 Best Dates in the 50 States
There are major issues couples commonly squabble over — like sex, money, and kids, all of which we'll get to in a minute — but if you're going through a rough spot over what seems like nothing at all, you're not alone. "Marriage is a lightning rod that absorbs stress from every source — past and present," says psychologist Harriet Lerner, author of Marriage Rules: A Manual for the Married and the Coupled Up. "When stress gets high enough, even the best couple can look like the most dysfunctional one." Lerner notes that just about anything can turn into an epic battle, including something as insignificant as which knife to use to properly cut a tomato. To stop the stressful cycle, take a deep breath and before your scream, think about whether the knife is really the problem. And if you already blew up, apologize and explain what's actually bothering you before it turns into a bigger issue.
Whether or not you believe money is the root of all evil, there's no denying it's responsible for a big chunk of relationship problems. The tough economic climate doesn't help, but even in the best of times, most couples will go through a rough patch. "My husband and I were ready to get married young, and we're still glad we did, but it was definitely a struggle to adjust to managing our finances as a couple while dealing with student loans and finding jobs," says Chelsea S., 27, of Findlay, OH. "Seriously talking about our biggest goal — to purchase our first home together — made us both more willing to make some sacrifices without resenting the shopping or new car we had to give up. It was still tough, but now that we're settled in, we're glad we saved for our life together."
12 Hot Older Action Heroes We Still Fall For


text:
Carpet Repair in Von Ormy, TX 78073
Need to repair your carpet in Von Ormy? Are you tripping over ripples? Complete Clean Water Extraction can handle all of your carpet repair and carpet stretching in Von Ormy. Our carpet experts can save you money by protecting your carpeting investment for years to come. Often, carpet that is loose or that has ripples can be stretched, and areas that are stained beyond help or have burn marks can be patched. Call Complete Clean Water Extraction today for a free estimate of your Von Ormy carpet repair needs!
We handle the following Von Ormy carpet repair services:
Carpet Repair
Binding Repair & Replacement
Pet Damage Correction
Seam Repair
Berber Carpet Repair
Fringe Repair
Von Ormy Carpet Stretching
Complete Clean Water Extraction utilizes the best tools and techniques to stretch loos carpet and remove wrinkles and ripples. If you are finding yourself tripping over ridges in your carpet, it's time to get it stretched! If your carpet was newly installed, you'll want to contact the installer; properly installed carpet should not need stretching. Call Complete Clean Water Extraction today for a Von Ormy carpet stretching quote today.
Von Ormy Carpet Patching
If you've got stains that cannot be removed, burn marks or other permanent damage to spots on your carpet, Complete Clean Water Extraction may still be able to salvage it and help you avoid carpet replacement. Complete Clean Water Extraction can patch your Von Ormy carpet from an extra piece you may have from a closet or other inconspicuous area. We'll remove the damaged areas and replace with new carpet. When the patch is complete, you'll have trouble remembering where the problem areas were!
Von Ormy Berber Carpet Repair
Berber carpeting is generally beautiful and easy to care for. A common problem, however is that Berber tends to snag. Whether from the family pet or a child's toy, Complete Clean Water Extraction can repair the snag in your Berber carpeting in Von Ormy. If the area is relatively small, we may be able to "re-burl" it. If it is a larger area, patching may be required.
Call us today and find out why we're Von Ormy Texas's preferred carpet repair and carpet stretching company!
★★★★★ - "I have a pup that made a hole in the carpet in the middle of the room. I thought that at best l could patch it and it would not be noticeable, but Eric Argueta really did a wonderful job! am very pleased with his work and could not even tell where the ripped carpet was . I called this company based on reviews, that's why I give this job a 5/5 . I wish I could post the pictures , it was just amazing ,like nothing ever happened!"
diana poblano in Converse, TX
"Eric and his assistant did a great job repairing carpet that our dog chewed and scratched up. They even saved us money by being able to stretch the carpet out instead of replacing it. Very quick and professional job. Getting the quote was fast also; Eric responded quickly to my online inquiry. I definitely recommend them!"
"The repair look worse than the actual problem we had to make this look like nothing ever happened because we did not want to have to replace the carpet and entire upstairs since we were movin out in a couple of months complete clean made the repair very hard to see, the only reason we were able to even notice it because when you it what's there thanks Eric for saving us a thousands on not having to replace the up stairs carpet will definitely recommend them."
Mr. & Mrs. Lane in Boerne, Texas
★★★★★ - "Awesome! I thought I had ruined my brand new hardwood floors with poor commercial wax. They showed up on time and got straight to work stripping it all off without damaging the wood. Floors look as good as new! Would definitely hire them again for my tile and carpet as well!"
Veronica P. in Cibolo, TX
Call for FREE Carpet Repair Quote
Dial Area Code first please.
Carpet Repair available in the following Von Ormy, TX zip codes:
- 78073


text: Treatment By Mayo Clinic Staff Print Doctors generally begin by treating epilepsy with medication. If medications don't treat the condition, doctors may propose surgery or another type of treatment. MedicationMost people with epilepsy can become seizure-free by taking one anti-seizure medication, called anti-epileptic medication. Others may be able to decrease the frequency and intensity of their seizures by taking a combination of medications. Your doctor will advise you about the appropriate time to stop taking medications. More than half the children with epilepsy who aren't experiencing epilepsy symptoms can eventually discontinue medications and live a seizure-free life. Many adults also can discontinue medications after two or more years without seizures. Finding the right medication and dosage can be complex. Your doctor will consider your condition, frequency of seizures, your age and other factors when choosing which medication to prescribe. Your doctor will also review any other medications you may be taking, to ensure the anti-epileptic medications won't interact with them. Your doctor likely will first prescribe a single medication at a relatively low dosage and may increase the dosage gradually until your seizures are well-controlled. Anti-seizure medications may have some side effects. Mild side effects include: Fatigue Dizziness Weight gain Loss of bone density Skin rashes Loss of coordination Speech problems Memory and thinking problems More severe but rare side effects include: Depression Suicidal thoughts and behaviors Severe rash Inflammation of certain organs, such as your liver To achieve the best seizure control possible with medication, follow these steps: Take medications exactly as prescribed. Always call your doctor before switching to a generic version of your medication or taking other prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs or herbal remedies. Never stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor. Notify your doctor immediately if you notice new or increased feelings of depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in your mood or behaviors. Tell your doctor if you have migraines. Doctors may prescribe one of the anti-epileptic medications that can prevent your migraines and treat epilepsy. At least half of all people newly diagnosed with epilepsy will become seizure-free with their first medication. If anti-epileptic medications don't provide satisfactory results, your doctor may suggest surgery or other therapies. You'll have regular follow-up appointments with your doctor to evaluate your condition and medications. Surgery Epilepsy surgery Surgery is most commonly done when tests show that your seizures originate in a small, well-defined area of your brain that doesn't interfere with vital functions such as speech, language, motor function, vision or hearing. In surgery, your doctor removes the area of your brain that's causing the seizures. If your seizures originate in an area of the brain that controls movement, speech and other functions, you may be awake during part of the surgery. Doctors will monitor you and ask you questions during the procedure. If your seizures originate in a part of your brain that can't be removed, your doctor may recommend a different type of surgery in which surgeons make several cuts in your brain (multiple subpial transection). These cuts are designed to prevent seizures from spreading to other parts of your brain. Although many people continue to need some medication to help prevent seizures after successful surgery, you may be able to take fewer drugs and reduce your dosages. In a small number of cases, surgery for epilepsy can cause complications such as permanently altering your thinking (cognitive) abilities. Talk to your surgeon about his or her experience, success rates and complication rates with the procedure you're considering. Therapies Vagus nerve stimulationVagus nerve stimulationIn vagus nerve stimulation, an implanted pulse generator and lead wire stimulate the vagus nerve, which leads to stabilization of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Vagus nerve stimulation. In vagus nerve stimulation, doctors implant a device called a vagus nerve stimulator underneath the skin of your chest, similar to a heart pacemaker. Wires from the stimulator are connected to the vagus nerve in your neck. The battery-powered device sends bursts of electrical energy through the vagus nerve and to your brain. It's not clear how this inhibits seizures, but the device can usually reduce seizures by 20 to 40 percent. Most people still need to take anti-epileptic medication, although some people may be able to lower their medication dose. You may experience side effects from vagus nerve stimulation, such as throat pain, hoarse voice, shortness of breath or coughing. Ketogenic diet. Some children with epilepsy have been able to reduce their seizures by following a strict diet that's high in fats and low in carbohydrates. In this diet, called a ketogenic diet, the body breaks down fats instead of carbohydrates for energy. After a few years, some children may be able to stop the ketogenic diet and remain seizure-free. Consult a doctor if you or your child is considering a ketogenic diet. It's important to make sure that your child doesn't become malnourished when following the diet. Side effects of a ketogenic diet may include dehydration, constipation, slowed growth because of nutritional deficiencies and buildup of uric acid in the blood, which can cause kidney stones. These side effects are uncommon if the diet is properly and medically supervised. Potential future treatments Deep brain stimulationDeep brain stimulationMRI scan of deep brain stimulation Researchers are studying deep brain stimulation as a potential treatment for epilepsy. In deep brain stimulation, surgeons implant electrodes into a specific part of your brain. The electrodes are connected to a generator implanted in your chest or the skull that sends electrical pulses to your brain and may reduce your seizures. Implantable, pacemaker-like devices that help prevent seizures are also under investigation. These responsive stimulation or "closed loop" devices analyze brain activity patterns to detect seizures before they happen and deliver an electrical charge or drug to stop the seizure. Pacemaker for epilepsy In addition, new minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as MRI-guided laser ablation, show promise at reducing seizures with fewer risks than traditional open brain surgery for epilepsy. Researchers are also studying stereotactic radiosurgery as a potential treatment for some types of epilepsy. In this procedure, doctors direct radiation at the specific area of your brain that is causing your seizure. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic DiagnosisThe Mayo Clinic experience & patient stories Aug. 12, 2017 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter References Seizures and epilepsy: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm. Accessed Sept. 25, 2014. Schachter SC. Evaluation of the first seizure in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Sept. 26, 2014. Is an emergency room visit needed? Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/firstaid/is-an-emergency-room-visit-needed.cfm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2013. Injuries from seizures. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/healthrisks/injuriesfromseizures.cfm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2013. Fact sheet on seizure-related causes of death and preventative measures. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/resources/newsroom/pressreleases/Fact-Sheet-on-Seizure-Related-Causes-of-Death-and-Preventative-Measures.cfm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2013. Schachter SC. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013. Frequently asked questions. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/faq.cfm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2013. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2013. Hirsch LJ, et al. Neuroimaging in the evaluation of seizures and epilepsy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013. Karceski S. Initial treatment of epilepsy in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Sept. 26, 2014. Schachter SC. Overview of the management of epilepsy in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Sept. 26, 2014. Wetjen NM, et al. Subtraction ictal single-photon emission computed tomography coregistered to magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating the need for repeated epilepsy surgery. Journal of Neurosurgery. 2006;105:71. Noe KH. Seizures: Diagnosis and management in the outpatient setting. Seminars in Neurology. 2011;31:54. Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Surgical treatment for seizures. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2004. O'Brien TJ, et al. Subtraction SPECT co-registered to MRI improves postictal SPECT localization of seizure foci. Neurology. 1999;52:137. Lyons MK. Deep brain stimulation: Current and future clinical applications. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2011;86:662. U.S. News best hospitals 2012-2013. U.S. News & World Report. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings. Accessed Jan. 25, 2013. First responders. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/livingwithepilepsy/firstresponders/. Accessed Jan. 31, 2013. Staying healthy. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/livingwithepilepsy/healthandwellness/stayinghealthy/index.cfm. Accessed Jan. 31, 2013. Transportation. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/livingwithepilepsy/parentsandcaregivers/caregivers/transportation.cfm. Accessed Jan. 31, 2013. First aid. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/firstaid/index.cfm. Accessed Jan. 31, 2013. Finding employment. Epilepsy Foundation. http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/livingwithepilepsy/employmenttopics/findingemployment.cfm. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013. Romanelli P, et al. Non-resective surgery and radiosurgery for treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. Epilepsy Research. 2012;99:193. Worrell GA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 29, 2013. Willie, J. et al. Real-time magnetic resonance-guided stereotactic laser amygdalohippocampotomy for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurosurgery. 2014;74:58. Curing the epilepsies: The promise of research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/epilepsy_research.htm#Section2_2 Accessed Sept. 26, 2014. Chatman M, et al. Stereotactic-guided laser ablation of epileptogenic abnormalities in intractable focal epilepsy: Preliminary results. Neurology. 2013;80:P04.196. http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/meeting_abstract/80/1_MeetingAbstracts/P04.196. Accessed Sept. 26, 2014. Thurman DJ, et al. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: Assessing the public health burden. Epilepsia. In press. Accessed Sept. 26, 2014. Epilepsy across the spectrum: Promoting health and understanding. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2012/Epilepsy/epilepsy_rb.pdf. Accessed Sept. 26, 2014 Connect with othersNews, connections and conversations for your healthRecent postsSee more postsJoin Mayo Clinic ConnectColleen Young, Connect Director (@colleenyoung) posted in Wed, Jul 26 12:13 PM ViewLiving with epilepsy - Introduce yourself & meet othersmatermiracle (@matermiracle) posted in Fri, May 26 10:22 AM ViewEpilepsySuhcuddo (@suhcuddo) posted in Wed, Jun 21 10:39 PM ViewPseudo seizures RelatedNeurontin side effects: How do I manage them?Extreme Endurance AthletePacemaker for epilepsyMedical marijuanaBrain anatomyEEG (electroencephalogram)CT scan Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has been recognized as the best Neurology & Neurosurgery hospital in the nation for 2017-2018 by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about this top honor EpilepsyOverviewSymptoms & causesDiagnosis & treatmentDiagnosisTreatmentRequest an appointmentThe Mayo Clinic experience & patient storiesDepartments & specialtiesExpertise & rankingsLocations, travel & lodgingClinical trialsResearchCosts & insurancePreparing for your appointmentSelf-managementMore aboutIn-DepthExpert AnswersMultimediaResourcesNews from Mayo Clinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Store Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. The Last Diet You'll Ever NeedNEW! Mayo Clinic Guide to Integrative MedicineStop Osteoporosis in its TracksMayo Clinic Health LetterThe Mayo Clinic Diet Book Diagnosis & treatmentRequest an appointmentDiagnosisTreatmentThe Mayo Clinic experience & patient storiesDepartments & specialtiesExpertise & rankingsLocations, travel & lodgingClinical trialsResearchCosts & insurancePreparing for your appointment CON-20117122 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Epilepsy


text:
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Aug. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Genomic Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GHDX) today reported financial results and business progress for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.
Total revenue increased to $57.6 million in the second quarter of 2012, compared with $50.8 million in 2011, an increase of 13 percent. Product revenue was $57.2 million in the second quarter of 2012, compared with $50.5 million for the same period in 2011, an increase of 13 percent.
Net income was $1.8 million for the second quarter of 2012, compared with $2.3 million in the second quarter of 2011. Net loss related to InVitae Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary, was approximately $0.8 million for the quarter and is reflected in overall results. Net income, excluding InVitae, was $2.6 million.
Basic and diluted net income per share applicable to common stockholders was $0.06 in the second quarter of 2012, compared with basic and diluted net income per share of $0.08 for the same period in 2011.
"We delivered strong worldwide growth in test volume across all products, notably from new markets including DCIS breast cancer, colon cancer and international. Our growth in tests and revenue, along with net income generated in the quarter, continues to exemplify the strength of our business model," said Kim Popovits, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Genomic Health. "Looking ahead, we remain on track to report topline results from our prostate cancer clinical validation study later this year with the goal of launching an Oncotype DX test for prostate cancer patients in 2013."
Total operating expenses for the second quarter of 2012 were $55.8 million, including cost of product revenues of $9.0 million, compared with total operating expenses for the comparable period in 2011 of $48.5 million, including cost of product revenues of $8.2 million.
In the second quarter of 2012, more than 19,020 Oncotype DXtest results were delivered, an increase of 16 percent, compared with more than 16,390 test results delivered in the same period in 2011.
Financial Results for Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $116.1 million, compared with $100.7 million for the first six months of 2011. Product revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was $115.1 million, compared with $100.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 an increase of 15 percent.
Net income was $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared with net income of $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011. Net loss related to InVitae was approximately $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and is reflected in overall results. Net income, excluding InVitae which was formed in 2012, was $3.5 million.
Basic and diluted net income per share was $0.09 and $0.08, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared with basic and diluted net income per share of $0.07 for the same period in 2011.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at June 30, 2012 were $113.9 million, compared with $100.5 million at December 31, 2011.
"The difference in growth rates between the 16 percent growth in tests delivered and 13 percent growth in product revenue reflects the continued diversification of our business and our success in penetrating new markets," said Dean Schorno, Chief Financial Officer of Genomic Health. "In the second half of 2012, we plan to increase operating expenses to expand our worldwide commercial opportunity and deliver on our pipeline."
The company's financial guidance for the full-year ending December 31, 2012:
Update on InVitae:
"As the InVitae business strategy has evolved, we recognized an increasing distinction from our core business in cancer and, at the same time, identified meaningful synergies with Locus Development, a privately held company we have been investors in since 2011. We have concluded that the best path forward is to support the combination of the two entities as a separate independent company under the leadership of Randy Scott," said Kim Popovits. "In becoming Chairman of the Board and CEO of the combined entity to be called InVitae, we fully support Randy's decision to step down from our Board of Directors as he turns his full attention toward building a world class company to advance the use of genetics in the clinical setting, and believe this is the ideal way for Genomic Health to optimize our investment in genetics."
Genomic Health has committed to make an additional investment of up to $5 million in the combined entity's current Series C financing round, resulting in an ownership position of less than 20 percent, with a right to increase its ownership in a future round of financing.
Recent Business Highlights:
Oncotype DX Breast Cancer Commercial Progress
Oncotype DX Colon Cancer Commercial Progress
Peer-Reviewed Publications and Medical Meeting Presentations
Pipeline, Next Generation Products
Conference Call Details
To access the live conference call on August 8 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time via phone, please dial (877) 303-7208 from the United States and Canada or +1 (224) 357-2389 internationally. Please dial in approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. A telephone replay will be available beginning approximately two hours after the call through August 15, and may be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056 from the United States and Canada or +1 (404) 537-3406 internationally. The replay passcode is 13490376.
To access the live and subsequently archived webcast of the conference call, go to the Investor Relations section of the company's Web site at http://investor.genomichealth.com. Please connect to the web site at least 15 minutes prior to the call to allow for any software download that may be necessary.
About Genomic Health
Genomic Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: GHDX) is a global health company that provides actionable genomic information to personalize genomic health decisions. The company's lead product, the Oncotype DX® breast cancer test, has been shown to predict the likelihood of chemotherapy benefit as well as recurrence in invasive breast cancer and has been shown to predict the likelihood of recurrence in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In addition to this widely adopted test, Genomic Health provides the Oncotype DX colon cancer test, the first multi-gene expression test developed for the assessment of risk of recurrence in patients with stage II disease and appropriate stage III patients. As of June 30, 2012, more than 10,000 physicians in over 65 countries had ordered more than 295,000 Oncotype DX tests. Genomic Health has a robust pipeline focused on developing tests to optimize the treatment of prostate and renal cell cancers, as well as additional treatment decisions in breast and colon cancers. The company is based in Redwood City, California with European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, please visit, www.GenomicHealth.com. To learn more about Oncotype DX tests, visit: www.OncotypeDX.com and www.mybreastcancertreatment.org.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to full year 2012 financial guidance, including the company's expectations regarding the number of test results delivered, total revenue and net income before investments; our expectations regarding operating expenses for the remainder of the year and our use of those funds; our ability to optimize our investment in, and the prospects for, InVitae; our beliefs regarding our prostate cancer program, the timing and outcome of our clinical validation study, and our expectations regarding the launch of a test for prostate cancer; the focus and attributes of the company's product pipeline; the ability of the company to develop additional tests in the future; and the ability of any potential tests the company may develop to optimize cancer treatment. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the results of clinical and developmental studies; the applicability of clinical study results to actual outcomes; our ability to develop and commercialize new tests and the timing thereof; unanticipated costs or delays in research and development efforts; the applicability of initial next generation sequencing studies to future results; the risk that we may not obtain or maintain sufficient levels of reimbursement for our existing tests and any future tests we may develop, both domestically and abroad; our ability to compete against third parties; the risks and uncertainties associated with the regulation of our tests by the FDA and other agencies abroad; and the other risks set forth in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risks set forth in the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Genomic Health disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
NOTE: The Genomic Health logo, Oncotype, Oncotype DX, Recurrence Score, and DCIS Score are trademarks or registered trademarks of Genomic Health, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.


text:
So we have to call in an extra 3,500 troops to make up for the shortfall in security staff at the Olympics – an announcement made within a week of the government's decision to slash Army numbers.
The total number of military personnel, from three services and including reservists, contributing to games security will now be 17,000.
Troops will carry out general security on venue gates and bag checks. Some 5,000 personnel will be in specialist roles, such as bomb disposal squads, special forces and the London missile sites, with a further 1,000 involved in logistical support.
Home Secretary Theresa May said the lack of trained G4S security staff was only discovered last Wednesday, 16 days before the games begin.
Labour MP Keith Vaz was quick to jump on the issue, telling the House of Commons: "G4S has let the country down and we have literally had to send in the troops."
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the scale of the problem should have been recognised sooner.
She welcomed the decision to bring in extra troops but continued: "I have to say to her this really looks like another huge Home Office shambles."
Mrs May said: "I can confirm to the House that there remains no specific security threat to the games and the threat level remains unchanged.
"And let me reiterate that there is no question of Olympic security being compromised."
Mrs May said Britain had the "finest military personnel in the world".
"They stand ready to do their duty whatever the nation may ask.
Our troops are highly skilled and highly trained and this task (the Olympics) is the most important facing our nation today," she said.
Really, Mrs May, when they are still being maimed and killed in an increasingly dangerous Afghanistan?
Oh, engage brain.
Is anyone therefore surprised that service families have such little regard for your government's arguments about service job losses and the merging of regiments, including the loss of 2 Royal Welsh?
The Coalition. Another week, another PR disaster.
Reminds me of that Cape Fearstyle episode of The Simpsons where Sideshow Bob gets stuck in a field stepping on rakes.
Downing Street said G4S's inability to provide enough security for the Olympics was "unfortunate".
In a statement, it warned the company should face consequences for its failure to fulfil its contract.
I wonder what this means for the Coalition's bright idea of bringing in private security firms to other areas.
It is interesting to note that G4S was also one of four contractors bidding to take over some services for Surrey Police.
The force's police authority voted last Thursday to suspend the plan.
It is now thinking of scrapping it entirely.
Mayor drives media mad
AS PR stunts go, the mayor of Triberg in the Black Forest, Gallus Strobel, right, has an, er, unusual way of getting his hometown on the map.
He has created parking spaces in the town's car park with male and female symbols on them – with 'easier' parking spaces which are wider and well lit for women, and those that must be reversed into being signed for men.
He said that feedback had been mostly positive, but that there had been some "humourless reactions from the politically correct".
But, it seems, he has achieved his aim of marketing his town by stirring up a driving war of the sexes.
He said: "The TV will come. I am happy... It's been a great marketing gimmick."
Next year? How about shops with women staff to help men find the things which are right in front of them?
Gouda clean fun here
ARGUS Towers loved the story of the Llandogo man Alwyn Thomas, who has penned a song to cheese.
Hours of good, clean fun here and on social media networks coming up with cheese-related song titles.
My favourite?
Nobody Does It Feta.


text:
In then continental U.S., you have shopping malls, and in Hawai'i, you have Ala Moana Center. It's the largest open air shopping center in the world, and a mighty impressive one at that. It has a broad mix of boutiques and chains, high end, low end, and everything in between.
And it's not just for tourists—Ala Moana is a main meeting point and shopping spot for many locals, myself included. To sweeten the deal, the food options at this shopping center will put any others to shame. There's Shirokiya, the two-floor Japanese food emporium, excellent dim sum at Jade Dynasty, and close to perfect eggs benedict at Longhi's. As for the desserts? It gets even better. Click through for Our 5 Favorite Sweets Spots at Ala Moana Center.
Ala Moana Center
1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96814 (map)
808-955-9517; alamoanacenter.com
About the author: Originally from Honolulu, Kathy YL Chan blogs at Kathy YL Chan, where she chronicles her eats and travel adventures between Hawai'i, New York and beyond. She firmly believes that there is always room for dessert.


text:
I didn't know much about Catholicism when I started working at Catholic Theological Union. I'm Jewish, and Catholicism has always been outside the realm of my experience. Although some might find it unusual that a Jewish person would be on staff at CTU, it's not really that unorthodox to me. I grew up with a faith background, and it feels comfortable to be around religion, even when it's not my own tradition. I come to CTU with a respect of all religions and a curiosity about other cultures and faiths. Likewise, everyone here has welcomed me with open arms. Interfaith is not just a word at CTU; it's something that is truly practiced.
That said, working at CTU has made me think quite a bit about differences and similarities. There are some days I am reminded of our differences, especially when I encounter unfamiliar aspects of Catholicism. I'm full of questions: "What is Advent?"; "Why are you bringing in palm fronds on Ash Wednesday?"; "What exactly is the Eucharist?" My questions may seem basic, but I'm starting at ground zero. I'm quite appreciative of my fellow coworkers who patiently explain aspects of the religion to me.
I have also have had the privilege to dialogue not only with Catholics, but Muslims as well. I've filmed lectures where Muslims have spoken about interfaith. I have had discussions with a Muslim student about the recent discrimination she faced in Israel. This was challenging to hear, especially given that my father's family is Israeli. However, I am grateful that CTU offers a safe space where we can explore these issues.
Being at CTU is also a reminder of our similarities. I share CTU's values of justice, love, and peace. At a recent work retreat, both a fellow staff member and I remarked that Jerusalem is one of our most cherished places. We both commented on the religious history and the sacred spiritual feeling within the walls of the Old City. I love Jerusalem; the city feels like home.
I feel truly blessed to be at CTU. This is a place of deep learning and growth. I look forward to continuing the interreligious dialogue as we all honor and respect our differences and similarities.
Ronit Bezalel | Webmaster/Media Manager | firstname.lastname@example.com
Lent came early for CTU this year, just three days into our Spring Semester. With all the sudden frenetic activity—welcoming new students, greeting colleagues and classmates we haven't seen in weeks, reveling in new class material yet unburdened by assignment deadlines—it seemed incredibly unfair to contemplate entering this stereotypically somber season. Or so I thought.
When I woke up this Ash Wednesday, I honestly wasn't planning to rebel, but I couldn't help being…well…happy. I moved through the day feeling energized, and while some attributed this to the ounces of coffee I consumed (not a wise way to fast, my friends!), I sensed something more at work.
"I just can't get excited about Lent! I don't want to be all gloomy in my sackcloth and ashes," a typically vibrant student lamented to me.
"But you don't have to be," I gushed, with other-worldly/caffeinated energy. "Lent is so exciting! It's a time of possibilities, for us to grow more fully into the people God invites us to be, which is our most authentic selves!"
Growth. It's a loaded word. It can indiscriminately become a euphemism for any painful and necessary process we would rather avoid, and I wished it hadn't escaped my lips in that moment….until our Ash Wednesday Liturgy, when Prof. vanThanh Nguyen reminded us in his homily that Lent comes to us from the Old English word for spring.
Gloom or not, these weeks leading up to Easter are filled with slow awakenings and tentative shoots, as we cross over the threshold of an earthly season and prepare our hearts for a new season within. On Wednesday morning, I noticed that my peace lily plant, which often chooses to remain flowerless for years at time, is preparing a bloom. In the next weeks this white oval will emerge from its stalk, turn toward the sun, and slowly unfurl itself to its understated brilliance.
And there, a work of creation can catechize us further.
Whether we call it growth, conversion, or transformation, the work of Lent begins with the willingness to let God in – to be "petal-open," as the author Zora Neale Hurston called it. Admittedly, there have been times that this realization has made me wince. This week it makes me smile. Broadly.
Will we become "petal-open" this Lent?
Angela Paviglianiti | Director of Admissions | email@example.com
This morning's news of Pope Benedict's resignation shocked the world. His bad health, he cites, is just too severe to carry on the responsibilities of the office.
Thank you, Benedict XVI, for your service and Catholic witness. Whether a fan or not, he committed himself to the cause. It's not an easy job, especially in today's increasingly complex world.
We pray, too, for his health. Retirement will allow him to better attend to his personal and physical needs. Be well, Benedict.
As you read pundits everywhere weighing in on today's developments, you can't help but ask, "What's next?" To be sure, there will continue to exist disagreements over liturgy and theology, ecclesiology and science, ethics and morality, dogma and tradition. Conservative and Liberal. Orthodoxy. Heterodoxy. And, everything in-between.
Will he be charismatic? A good communicator? Have the right vision? Pastoral prowess?
Depending on what's important to you, the questions abound. I know I've made a "short list" in my head of what I'd like to see in the next Pontiff. I imagine many are crafting similar lists. These things matter. It's important. Our faith - today, tomorrow, and in the future - depends on it.
Even so, let us not meet this moment with a hyper-intensity (and sensitivity!) that overshadows our reliance on the Holy Spirit's agency. In the end it will be the Spirit's in-dwellings, working in tandem with Cardinal electors, that will call forth and elect a new Pontiff.
The moment we find ourselves in - amidst conjecture and spin, news coverage and blogs, articles and radio segments - shouldn't only be about our human tendency to speculate and prescribe. The fanfare, hoopla, ornate caps, gowns, and shoes of it all will no doubt be reason to get excited. There's greater depth than this, though.
This is a moment for prayer. Reflection and contemplation. Discernment. Deep thinking. Recollection and remembrance.
Our pause to do the inner work required of faith matters, too.
The Holy Spirit is beckoning us forward.
Are we listening?
Come, Holy Spirit!
Ryan J. Hoffmann | Senior Director of Enrollment Management | firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Shares of Dell (DELL) jumped 4% Monday after Goldman Sachs analyst Bill Shope upgraded the computer maker to Buy from Sell, with a $13 price target. Shope outlined three catalysts for the stock: things can only get better, upside to lowered earnings expectations and the long-shot possibility of a leveraged buyout by founder Michael Dell.
Jim Cramer speculated on Monday that the Goldman analyst must know something the rest of the investment community doesn't. After all, why would he stick his neck out if he didn't know something?
Here's another possibility: hedge fund bottom feeding. The tech sector, as measured by the S&P 500, was brutally beaten down this quarter. The sector fell about 6.3%, although overall, the tech sector is still up 13% this year. Many hedge funds have been bottom feeding in the tech sector, especially among the names that have been beaten down the most. Hedge funds have been after Yahoo! (YHOO), Facebook (FB), Research In Motion (RIMM), Zynga (ZNGA) and Groupon (GRPN).
The brokerage community is all too happy to oblige hedge funds by publishing several generic upgrades designed to goose the stocks of near dead companies in order to generate some commission action.
With Dell trading nearly 6x 2014 estimates, how wrong can you be? Maybe next year will be better. Maybe next year's estimates are too low. Maybe Dell is undervalued and poised for a bounce.
At all the investor conferences I've been to, Dell's management has acknowledged the PC business stinks and has outlined a goal of moving more heavily into the enterprise and cloud services (the so-called "New Dell.") But even management thinks it will take another three years until it can transition away from PCs.
There are other risks, too. Maintenance, which is about 30% of revenue, has been a bright spot. According to a Barclays analysis, if maintenance revenue falls at the same rate as PCs, Dell could lose 7% of its total earnings and compound the company's problems.
To me, this is a dead cat bounce that has been artificially created by the hedge funds and the broker-dealer community to goose the stock and create a little excitement around year-end. After year-end, don't hang around too long, because this Christmas goose will get plucked.


text:
Paula Kiger is a CFCA sponsor and blogger at www.biggreenpen.com. For International Women's Day, she sent us this blog post about her mission awareness trip to Guatemala last year.
Thirty-eight people and I participated in a mission awareness trip to Guatemala in July 2011.
On our first full day in Guatemala, we traveled to the CFCA center in San Lucas (about a two-hour drive).
On the way, we stopped in Ciudad Vieja to get acquainted with the people who are served by the CFCA office there.
The people at that office went out of their way to give us a big welcome. There were songs, dances, presentations by project participants, and lunch.
At each of the places we visited, we were given mementoes of the visit.
At Ciudad Vieja, we were given samples of the candy that many of the mothers of sponsored children have learned to make and sell to tourists. This project allows them to provide for their families and to learn a marketable skill.
We also heard from the mothers who do "ribbon embroidery," also to be sold in Antigua, one of the main tourist destinations in Guatemala.
I identified so much with each of the mothers who spoke, in Ciudad Vieja and throughout our time in Guatemala. They want so desperately for their children to have safety, an opportunity to be educated, good nutrition and adequate shelter.
Although the moms who are my peers in the U.S. put their wants for their children in different terms, the underlying desire is exactly the same: let my child be happy and safe.
As our time in Ciudad Vieja was winding down, I decided to give my rusty college Spanish a whirl.
We did have translators with us, but with 39 participants, and so many Guatemalan families to visit with, if you wanted to have a one-on-one conversation you had to give up on getting your verbs conjugated right and just talk.
That is how I ended up approaching Ana Lucrecia, a mother and a leader at the CFCA office we were visiting.
I asked her about teaching the other mothers, about her own children, and about the work they do. She specializes in "ribbon embroidery."
I don't remember the specifics of the conversation except that I think she knew I was incredibly impressed at her initiative and how much she had clearly given of herself to younger mothers who needed a role model.
As our group gathered to leave, Ana Lucrecia handed me a piece of her work ñ a hand towel with detailed embroidery on it. She said, "con recuerdos," which means "with memories."
I was floored. I didn't need a gift from Ana Lucrecia, but I will treasure it, and the connection I felt with her, forever.
Related links:


text: NO, We are not gentlemen. We are not dapper. And although some of us may sport a mustache, we are not particularly sober. While we enjoy the occasional speakeasy, we do not need a three-ring-circus involving a bow tie and suspenders to have a good time. Although our favorites range from the oh-so-trendy Last Word to the ever-appropriate French 75, we will drink everything from jungle juice to Jura's Prophecy and Pappy's finest Winkle, occasionally in the same evening. We can be found at dive bars and on dance floors, lounging on rooftop terraces and at poolside bars, as the life of the party or the alluring wallflower. Ungentlemen, this is where we discuss the drinks that we drink, without the stigma of snobbery attached to us, without the cloud of judgement and classicism that now hovers over many a formerly decent cocktail establishment. We go to bars. We hang out. We shoot the shit. We like a good bartender, and we like a good drink. Some of us like a lot of olives. We may know how to mix a damn good cocktail, but it very often involves more sloshing than measurement, because that is how life works. If our friend does not know how to make us a Dry Martini, an Old Fashioned, or even a Sazerac, we do not snub them. We make it for them, we toast them, and we toast ourselves. Repeatedly. Because there is no time for that sort of bullshit. We appreciate both restriction and moderation. We do not fuck around with our booze. What we do not do is bro out. We do not take shots of jaeger from the ice luge, though we can accept that, on some occasions, this is both proper and enjoyable. Perhaps if we were still in our teens we would find it enjoyable as well. It is, however, not discussed here. Nor are Irish Car Bombs, Flaming Doctor Peppers, or any stories beginning "This one time, when I was drunk." We will instead opine on microbrews, both foreign and domestic, wax ever-so-slightly philosophical on peaty Scottish drams, and discuss the relative perks of local gins. But we will do so with the open arms of the Streetwear Brotherhood, and we will educate. The foundation of all knowledge is the recognition that we know nothing. Pictures and recipes (vague or otherwise) are always welcome.


text:
|Game Rankings
|Performance Rankings
|Horse Rankings
|Fun Facts
|Last 100 Scores
|Highscores Help
Error Loading ChartDirector for PHP Extension
An attempt has been made to dynamically load ChartDirector, but it was not successful. Please refer to your ChartDirector for PHP documentation or click here for how to resolve the problem.
Error Log