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No – because I've made some changes to the statutory bits, but also to the consumer-facing element. That's the bit that stops parents making the right decision at the moment. As far as I'm concerned, the two classification systems working together up until now has been brilliant and the relationship between the BBFC and PEGI is great. I could see it when I was working with both organisations.
But I felt really concerned by the fact the Review had brought up the classification system so early. It literally fell into my lap within days. I wanted the process to happen in a way that didn't cause problems for these two organisations. I know there had been a collaborative relationship that has worked well, but that's not all I was hearing – particularly from some parts of industry. I was lobbied very strongly from some parts of the industry for PEGI, but I can tell you that other sectors felt very strongly for the BBFC.
To set the record straight: what exactly will be changing when it comes to age ratings?
I've asked the Prime Minister to change legislation so the statutory age goes down to 12. BBFC will rate 12, 15 and 18 – they'll have to, it's the law. Under 12, PEGI should rate, because content for under-12s is less important for the consumer. And the consumer-facing element will be BBFC logos – they'll be on the front of the box.
I've asked for BBFC ratings like 'U' and 'PG' on the PEGI-rated stuff, but the BBFC has agreed that PEGI ratings should also be on the back of all their boxes – even the '12', '15' and '18'-rated stuff. That's quite a big thing for the BBFC to agree to.
Child safety is the remit that I was given, but there were other imperatives – not least the impact on industry. That's why PEGI is still involved in non-statutory classification. The BBFC agree with that, and will put their logos on these PEGI-rated titles.
MCVUK.COM EXCLUSIVE: Do you have any knowledge of whether this is going to increase the time it takes to get a game to market?
I have no knowledge. But what I do know is that when I was looking to make these recommendations, it's something I thought about really carefully. Capacity has to be built – that's why there's public consultation. I'm honestly not trying to avoid your questions, but some of them go beyond my recommendations. I've delivered them now – there is now a process that has to happen. The best way to influence that is by putting assertive timelines around it, which I've done.
MCVUK.COM EXCLUSIVE: What was the thinking behind the introduction of the '12' certificate?
I found there is a distinction between content in a way that takes it out of the ubiquitous, family-friendly domain, with slightly realistic violence and sexual innuendo. That's the point when people want to start making decisions about: "Is this right for my child?" All the evidence I have, including information about a child's cortex development and how children learn at a neural level in early childhood, showed that kind of content needed to be checked.
Are you a fan of PEGI?
I didn't want this to cause the collapse of PEGI in Europe and I also feel that with online gaming there needs to be a multi-national feel, as well as a national feel. I want to support the existence of PEGI, because it's very important. If it collapsed it would have a profound impact across Europe. PEGI ratings exist on many, many products already. If children buy online, they buy a product with a PEGI rating on it. For me, it was very important the PEGI rating itself was visible. Everyone needs to know what the symbols are. PEGI is a good system which will still rate 50 per cent of the market – for the under 12s.
What about online games?
When it comes to the internet, we don't want to have the same confusion, where suddenly we've got two different things happening. I've not made specific recommendations there, because it's too early in the day. I think this needs to be thought about by the industry – along with internet providers.
I'm asking the Prime Minister to establish the UK Child Internet Safety Council, which will be chaired by the home office and the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families). When policy is debated there, online gaming will be discussed.
How will communication work – will PEGI recommend an under-12 rating to the BBFC?
Yes, in principal. But it's up to the BBFC how they manage that. This is going to take time, particularly with the change in statutory legislation – that's going to take a period of primary consultation. For me, managing the press has been such a challenge. Press still has the mindset 'all games bad' or 'games industry equals bad'.
Funny you should say that. Our favourite one this week was…
Anne Diamond in The Daily Mail. Unbelievable.
Surely they could have afforded Fern Britton?
She would have been great, actually. Fern's a pretty level-headed woman.
Some concerns have been raised about the BBFC's capacity to handle the extra workload. Do you have confidence in it?
I know ELSPA had a thing or two to say about that. I've told the press that in the period of public consultation we are now in, the industry needs the opportunity to have its voice heard very clearly. There are concerns about the BBFC's capacity and capacity building – and that needs to be part of the process. The BBFC are aware of that.
I wanted to give a balanced and fair hearing, and I wanted to touch on all the polarisation and emotion that's been around. I've enjoyed working with your industry. I'm very clear that the games industry makes adult games for adults; it doesn't make adult games for children. They want to support the UK public to make the right choice for their child. I've also made strong recommendations to Government about the educational benefits of gaming, which have been hugely welcomed.
Some people still don't understand that the word 'game' doesn't necessarily mean anything is right for kids.
MCV asked you at last week's press conference about how public information would be funded…
Yes – there was certainly a tricky moment there, wasn't there...?
MP Andy Burnham said it was "principally up to industry". Would you like to see the Government get involved – and if they don't, is there a danger it won't happen?
That was outside the remit of my Review. What I will say is certainly, in consultations I've had with industry, you were saying, "we will be prepared to fund the public information campaign". I'm wondering whether that was made on the basis that I'd make the recommendations they wanted. I'll feel very disappointed if there were certain sections of industry that felt they didn't get what they wanted, so therefore they wouldn't follow through with that.
This seems like a really good opportunity for the industry to position itself much more positively in the social mindset. I'm not saying I expect the industry to fund it. But that has to be worked out. Everyone has to be grown up about it, and ask what we're really trying to achieve.
Do you think that the media exposure the Review has achieved will help with that?
I should put that to you. Do you think it's helped?
It's not been perfect – but it's been a good indication that there's been a natural change in attitudes. If you came out with this Review in 1998, the headlines would have surely been more sensational…
That's absolutely right. In terms of people who haven't really engaged with this issue before, the Review probably will have an impact on attitudes. I'm making very clear statements to the media: don't let your kids play games that aren't for kids. You don't let them watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre, so don't let them play games rated for adults. I have confidence in the video games industry. It's a reputable industry that produces fantastic products for children, many of which I play with my kids.
I'm also saying we need to support the UK consumer by looking at the packaging that faces them. And PEGI is a big part of that. The industry didn't have to build PEGI – you didn't have to have any classification system at that point. It's fantastic. I'm a 41-year-old mother of two. I could have come out and done the whole reactionary…
… Anne Diamond thing?
They're your words. But yeah. I could have done, couldn't I? But that's not the correct perspective. And fundamentally, if people are going to have strong feelings about this and talk about them in public, they need to spend a good deal of time doing the sort of research I've done with the industry.
MCVUK.COM EXCLUSIVE: What would you say to gamers that are worried the Review will stop them playing certain violent games?
That's not what I recommended. There is a moral debate concerning content in video games, but I want to be clear that wasn't my remit. My remit was how to better protect children. I've not said that adult gamers won't be able to play certain types of games anymore. If people tried to use my Review to try and imply that I will be sure to remind them that was not a recommendation of mine.
MCVUK.COM EXCLUSIVE: The Times and others reported that you were recommending heavier punishments for retail. Is this true?
That's nowhere in the report. Nowhere. I haven't recommended any scary legal threats to retailers. You need to be really clear about that. That is the law. You can't sell games to anyone under the statutory age. I didn't make that up. I didn't do this to finger wag at retail. I don't do finger wagging. It's a waste of time. I haven't seen that across the industry, so there was no need to act. Retail were talking about how it's important to them to be able to be really clear on what can and can't be sold to someone of a certain age.
I was never interested in wagging my finger at retail and saying that if they didn't do it, 'you'll be carted off to jail'. I didn't recommend that, and I didn't mean to infer it from my recommendations. The initial story in The Times was completely inaccurate. They did a much better story the day after, with an incredibly positive comment. When I saw that article the day of the Review, I thought: "oh, blimey."
What did you make of ELSPA's reaction, which praised the Review to an extent, but not perhaps as much as it could?
I think it was a really fair statement. I feel really pleased the report has been done comprehensively and I'm really pleased with the recommendations. But I'm not looking for people to be singing my praises. We are already in the next phase. We're talking about how we implement these recommendations – and the PM's saying: "I agree". It's absolutely right for ELSPA to be honest. I knew it was going to happen.
What's the expected timeline now you have the PM's backing?
What will be the Parliamentary process, as you understand it?
I've put timelines around the recommendations – which you've helpfully put on your website. We're in a period of public consultation, which could take a number of months, but that all depends on how quickly people get things going.
Because I have a media profile and because this has been such big news, I'm in a very good position to keep knocking at the door of Government saying: "Are you still pushing ahead with this? C'mon!" I think people know that and they recognise how strongly I feel about this. I want to make sure this happens in a way that's right for industry. What happens next is completely out of my hands, which is why I put the guidelines down. I didn't want it all to be over after we've done this research.
MCVUK.COM EXCLUSIVE: Will you ever return to the industry?
My first response to that is that I am SO just going away on holiday with my family. I want to have no involvement with anybody who has anything to do with it. I just want to get away from it all for a while – and I think I should. What the video games industry needs to know is that I have really valued my working relationship with the industry.
There are some people in the industry that will feel I haven't delivered in a way that they were hoping for – you can't please all of the people all of the time. I will always – whether informally or formally – be very clear about how much I enjoyed working with the video games industry. And I will always talk about how much I enjoy playing games with my kids. You've got a friend in me. But how that is formalised in the future, who knows? I don't know if the industry would want me. But never say never.
I've spoken about my own love of gaming with my own family. My son, when I was given this job last year, said to me: "Mummy, please do not ban video games because I will have no friends.' He literally said on the morning the Review was published: "Thanks mum. Phew!"


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Wasn't Cope playing the 3 in that possession?This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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Wasn't Cope playing the 3 in that possession?
Tonight, all flags must burn, in place of steeples.
Autonomy must return into the hands of the people.
It seems that we'll have to play a bit more regularly a small line-up consisting of West and Scola much more than I thought!
I'm not watching but that's cool to hear. Remember his rapport with Lou Amundson? That was weird as hell but they worked well together.
There's tweets about our second unit looking really good with Lance tonight, who was playing? CJ, Lance, Cope, Scola, Ian?
Did they play CJ/Lance/Cope/Scola/Ian as a unit tonight? I see our bench had a huge night, from the box score. I've always felt that line-up is how our guys should make our 2nd unit, with lance at SG and Cope at the 3.
There are two types of quarterbacks in the league: Those whom over time, the league figures out ... and those who figure out the league.
I love everything about Lance's game. We need to lock him up!
I am not gonna lie I was watching the Pistons game more intently. So I am not positive on the groups who played the most minutes together. The camera operators at the Palace know how to do their job so I watched that game on my big screen. The Pacers game was on the smaller TV with the volume muted.
This was a pleasure to observe tonight .
1. The honeybadger is in action mode!!!
2. The backup of the honeybadger is in full action moder!!!
3. It seemed like Paul George had an easy night...hope in the regular season he will show us his full potential.
4. Great passing tonight from everybody and I mean everybody! Best passer tonight was Lance.
5. This will be Chris Copelands role...coming in for a few minutes and hitting his three .
6. It is really pathetic that our third string PG is WAY better than our backup from last year.
7. Solo played a lot with the first unit tonight, which makes me believe that the plan is to start Granger if he is healthy. Solo made a good job, within himself, hitting the open shot.
8. When talking about our third string PG, I have to mention our second PG...it's not even funny how much better CJ Watson is. I love watching him hitting those shots and creating for others.
9. Only negative tonight for me was Hibbert, but since I know that he is saving his best for the playoffs, I am ok with it .
10. WE GOT ONE HELL OF A PF TANDEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We don't need to worry about Cope, cause when those two guys are on like tonight, we won't see him often. Btw. who is Tyler Hansbrough?!
Go Pacers
Only got to see the 4th qtr once I found a stream I trust. It looks like our 2nd unit was killing it, but the scrubs came in and held the lead. 23 Point victory.
You can't get champagne from a garden hose.
They played CJ,Lance,OJ,Scola and Mahinmi for most of the time. I like that Vogel is recognizing that OJ is the better option! Cope is really just a threepoint specialist and injury insurance. Solo Hill will get playing time if Granger is hurt. So we are really deep. I can't wait for the season to start and see how the Pacers play against real competition!
Copeland can knock down those shots, but man it looks like the Pacers overpaid for him.
You can't get champagne from a garden hose.
That line-up didn't play together at all.
Here's how it went:
We started the 4th quarter with a CJ/OJ/Lance/Scola/Ian unit. It worked very nice.
Cope replaced Lance at 4:56 and played at the 3. Sloan replaced CJ and Hilton Armstrong replaced Ian at 3:47. Solo Hill replaced Luis Scola at 2:49 and Cope slid back to the 4. Rasual Butler replaced OJ and Solo slid to the 2.
Tonight, all flags must burn, in place of steeples.
Autonomy must return into the hands of the people.
Our PF combination scored 44 points tonight. Their jumpers were on tonight. Let's hope that they keep it up when the regular season arrives.
Tonight, all flags must burn, in place of steeples.
Autonomy must return into the hands of the people.
What shots?
@WhatTheFFacts: Studies show that sarcasm enhances the ability of the human mind to solve complex problems!
It's definitely looking that way right now.... but I'm reserving judgement until well into the season..
By the way Pacers are 2-0 without Danny in preseason.
@WhatTheFFacts: Studies show that sarcasm enhances the ability of the human mind to solve complex problems!
Yeah, the line-up of CJ/OJ/Lance/Scola/Ian dominated tonight. I was only listening to the game, and not that closely, so I can't say how well individuals played, but as a unit they brought the team back and won the game.
Scola is going to eat backup bigs alive this year. It's going to be awesome.
Couldn't watch the game, but I saw Scola went 10-15 for 20 pts, and Watson had a nice game too. I have hardly watched any pre-season, but Watson seems like he has been a really good pick up so far
It was mentioned at the beginning of the game thread.....but the only way that I can see the highlights of the game was in NBATV Gametime.....and Good God.....the camera angles on this game was horrid. It was like the Cameraman had zoomed waaaay tooo close and was moving the camera too quickly from play to play.
Ash from Army of Darkness: Good...Bad...I'm the guy with the gun.
Tonight, all flags must burn, in place of steeples.
Autonomy must return into the hands of the people.

subset: commoncrawl


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I admit to being enough of a fan of the original BMW 6-series that I spent thousands of dollars trying to maintain a basket case of a 633CSi for a few years. The 6-series completely deserved its "shark" nickname.
The later generation, launched in 2003, not so much. Hampered by regulations concerning trunk lid and taillight height, the back end of that 6-series looked like it had an unsightly growth.
I am happy to say that the latest 6-series generation recaptures some of the original design. The 2012 BMW 650i coupe reviewed by CNET showed much cleaner lines with a solid GT look. Rather than the aggressive curves of GT cars from Maserati and Ferrari, the 650i maintains straighter lines. The trunk lid rises higher than on the original 6-series shark, but it at least looks like a part of the car.
And not only is the 2012 650i a design success, it is also a tech success. From the driveline to the dashboard, from the suspension to the cruise control, BMW takes advantage of technology. Advanced electronics help the driver handle the car, prevent distraction, navigate, and connect to the social sphere.
As in many of its other cars, BMW uses technology to let the 650i exhibit different personalities. A rocker switch on the console takes it through Sport plus, Sport, Comfort, and Comfort plus modes, each affecting engine, suspension, and steering response.
Sport mode lets you select whether to sharpen the accelerator response or make the suspension more rigid, or both.
Sport mode is where the 650i really comes into its own, letting it take corners at surprising speeds with flat rotation. Its active suspension pushes the wheels onto the road, maintaining contact. At the same time, the ride quality, while somewhat rigid, is far from harsh. Pushing it up to Sport plus merely turns off the car's traction control.
Comfort mode detunes the throttle response significantly and loosens up the suspension. It never glides over potholes like air-cushioned Mercedes-Benz S-class, but the ride quality is a little smoother than in Sport mode.
The Comfort plus mode seems like an attempt to turn the 650i into an American car from the 1960s. The suspension feel does not change much from the standard Comfort mode, but the steering becomes horribly detuned, losing all feel and exhibiting a tremendous level of play. I cannot imagine what kind of person would prefer the Comfort plus mode.
Driving the car in my preferred Sport mode on a rainy day, it showed all the responsive and dynamic handling for which BMW is known. In one instance, a slick road and a slight bump made the 650i go into oversteer in one corner. But in the split second where I was contemplating the brush-covered dirt berm at the edge of the asphalt, the car wiggled its rear wheels just enough to put the nose in the right direction.
And repeatedly that day, on those wet roads, the car's stability systems stepped in to make up for temporary loss of grip. One of the bigger BMWs, the 650i did not feel as nimble as the 328i I tested the previous week, nor as laser-guided as the M3. But when I wanted to toss it around a bit it was ready and willing.
The 650i exhibits excellent control, both from suspension engineering and BMW's Dynamic Traction Control program.
Similar to its stablemates with a 50i designation in their model names, the 650i uses a 4.4-liter V-8 engine. BMW fits it with direct injection and two twin-scroll turbochargers, one for each bank of four cylinders. Given the twin turbos, the output, 407 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, may sound on the modest side. BMW gets 560 horsepower out of a similar engine configuration on the 2012 M6.
Giving it full throttle from a stop, the car feels less like a punch in the back and more of an inexorable force. It hesitated a little at the outset, the road-holding systems acting a little like launch control in preventing the rear tires from breaking loose. It was easy to keep in line during a run up to 60 mph, maintaining a controlled precision. BMW rates the 60 mph acceleration time at 4.9 seconds.
While under way, a large number of driver-assistance features do their part to keep the car safe. BMW's new color heads-up display projected speed and route guidance information on the windshield. This feature looked its best when displaying a freeway exit, showing a nice graphic of the roadway and which lane I should be in.
CNET's car did not have the adaptive cruise-control option, but lane-departure warning and blind-spot detection were both present. The lane-departure system buzzed the steering wheel when I crossed lane lines without signaling first, and the blind-spot detection lit up indicators in the side mirror casings when the lanes next to the 650i contained cars. These indicators could be placed a little more prominently, as I rarely noticed them during a casual glance over to each side.


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Pretend & Play™ Family - Asian
Marvel Education Company • In Stock • 95877
3 years & up. Encourage role play and add realism to doll house activities. This multi-generational Asian family of 8 is made of solid vinyl, with realistic detailing. Each figure is free standing, with the tallest measuring 5"H. Also excellent for use in block play area.


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After several weeks of exploring and experimenting with stock market ideas, I am back to focusing on the basics as the first half of the year comes to a close. Although I am constantly wandering around the corners of the markets, kicking over rocks and looking for ideas and methodologies that have the promise of profit, I always come back to my deep value roots.On Thursday, I examined the old standby screen based on Walter Schloss' approach to the markets. Today I want to look at another old favorite screen that has served me very well over the years. The screen is very simple and basic. I look for companies that trade below book value, pay a dividend, are currently profitable and have been able to grow sales and earnings for the past five years. This simple screen has provided some powerful ideas over the years, and I expect it will continue to do so. The first thing I noticed was that the list has shrunk considerably since the first of the year. When I ran the screen in December 2011, about 80 names popped up as candidates. Today the list has fewer than 40 names. The feverish hunt for yield has driven many stocks higher in 2012, especially the larger-cap, more liquid dividend stocks. That's something of a warning sign in my eyes, and it makes me a little cautious about the overall direction of the market in the next few months. The largest-cap name on the list is MetLife ( MET). The company has the same problems as other life insurance companies with a weak economy and low interest rates. In addition, MetLife has suffered from failing the stress test for bank holding companies and will not be able to raise its dividend or aggressively buy back shares in the near term. I expect to see it shed holding company status by the end of the year and get out from under FDIC restrictions. The life-insurance giant is seeing strong results in retirement plan products and its international sales efforts that should drive earnings for the foreseeable future. I have owned the stock since 2008 and missed my chances to sell higher. That's fine with me, as I expect the stock to eventually surpass the 2007 highs as the economy recovers and interest rates begin to rise.
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Plants and animals have life cycle events that seemingly occur like clockwork every year:
The study of how the biological world times natural events is called phenology. Scientists now understand that plants and animals take their cues from their local climate. Climate (long-term weather patterns) is impacted by non-biological factors--temperature, precipitation and available sunlight. Species use the predictable yearly changes in the climate to determine when they start natural events such as breeding or flowering.
The three main non-biological factors that affect phenology are:
These three factors work together to determine the timing of natural events.
For example, birds in the Northern Hemisphere begin their migrations to their breeding grounds each spring. One of the main cues they use is the amount of available sunlight. In the spring, the amount of sunlight increases a little each day signaling that summer is right around the corner. Along with sunlight, birds also use the warming temperatures to determine the time of migration.
Frogs mainly depend on temperature and precipitation to determine when to breed. Wood frogs use temperature changes to signal when to come out of their winter torpor to breed at vernal pools. Frogs and toads in the Southwestern United States are completely dependent on rainstorms to create pools where they can lay their eggs.
Plants use all three factors together--temperature, precipitation and available sunlight--to time their yearly blooming.
Phenology is an important subject to study, because it helps us understand the health of species and ecosystems. Animals and plants do not live in bubbles--every species has an impact on those in its food chain and community. The timing of one species' phenological events can be very important to the survival of another species.
If one year has an unseasonably warm winter, frogs might mistake the high temperatures as a sign of spring. Therefore, several frog species could breed much earlier in the year than expected. If a late winter storm passes through, then all of the frogs that emerged from hibernation and their offspring could die. The drop in the number of frogs will impact the predators that feed on frogs, such as raptors and snakes. The impact will be felt throughout the food chain and the entire ecosystem.
Farmers depend on insects to pollinate crops, such as blueberries, apples and squash. There is a delicate balance between the insects and the crops--the crops need to flower around the same time that the insects finish developing in adults. If the crops flower too early, then the pollinator insects could still be larvae. There could be no pollinators to make our fruits and vegetables grow!
Global warming is slowly increasing average annual temperatures. One of the most noticeable ways that global warming is impacting wildlife is by disrupting the timing of natural events. With warmer temperatures, flowering plants are blooming earlier in the year and migratory birds are returning from their wintering grounds earlier in the spring.
You can play a part in studying wildlife and global warming by participating in a phenology citizen science program, such as
National Wildlife Magazine Articles:


text: OverviewBack to top NOW Foods - Kelp Iodine Vegetarian 150 mcg. - 200 Tablets Item# :49590UPC# :733739026804 Brand:NOW Foods Size/Form:200 Tablets Ship Weight:0.25 Servings:200 Dosage:1 Tablet(s) NOW Foods Vegetarian Kelp Iodine 150 mcg - 200 Tablets Kelp in Now Foods Kelp Iodine comes from a large, leafy brown algae that belongs to the seaweed family and grows in the colder waters of the world's oceans. NOW Foods Vegetarian Kelp Iodineis a good source of marine minerals, including potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron. NOW Foods Vegetarian Kelp Iodine is also an excellent source of iodine, which has been shown to support healthy thyroid function. Your thyroid gland is responsible for producing the hormones that support normal cellular metabolism. As with most green foods, NOW Foods Vegetarian Kelp Iodine also contains vitamins and cell salts essential for good nutrition. 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Bully Oval Step Bars
- Bully Oval Step Bars add rugged style to your vehicle's exterior
- Equipped with 4" Oval tubes to provide a wider stepping area
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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has reconsidered permits for the Richfield Dairy and will allow the dairy to proceed with imposed conditions.
The DNR re-evaluated the dairy's permit following a study by hydro geologist George Kraft which showed how groundwater would be affected by the $35 million dairy farm in Adams County. The DNR decided to approve the permits but conditions are in place to protect groundwater and local waterways.
The dairy, owned by Milk Source Holdings, will be required to install groundwater monitoring wells, a leak detection system and more conditions on spreading manure and process wastewater. The DRN will also limit the dairy's monthly and annual groundwater withdrawals.
Two high-capacity wells used by the dairy are approved to use up to 600,000 gallons of water per day and cannot exceed 720,000 gallons per day. Studies by the agency show the wells could reduce water levels in the area, taking as much as 2 inches from nearby Pleasant Lake.
In a statement, Jim Ostrom, a partner in Milk Source, said:
"Our permit application has received an extraordinary amount of scrutiny and review. We know we have met and exceeded all the standards to have a dairy that will be one of the most environmentally friendly dairies not only in Wisconsin but in the country."
Click here for more information.
Source: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel


text: Show Hide image Culture 21 March 2013 Reviewed: The Love and Wars of Lina Prokofiev by Simon Morrison The lonely fate of the great composer's wife. Sign up for our weekly email * The Love and Wars of Lina Prokofiev: the Story of Lina and Sergei Prokofiev Simon MorrisonHarvill Secker, 336pp, £18.99 Not every one can be Alma Mahler, whose success in the marriage stakes was immortalised in Tom Lehrer's song "Alma": "Alma, tell us/All modern women are jealous/You should have a statue in bronze/For bagging Gustav and Walter and Franz". (As in Mahler, Gropius and Werfel.) Still, the fate that awaited Carolina (Lina) Codina after she married Sergei Prokofiev was particularly cruel. Enticed along with her husband to return to the Soviet Union in 1936, Lina spent eight years in the Gulag, abandoned by all but her dutiful sons. Lina's mother had warned her daughter against falling for a man like Prokofiev. She did not think he'd take proper care of her – and she was right. But Mrs Codina had not reckoned on Lina's insatiable ambition to be "someone", even if it is was only by association. Lina knew all too well what life offered for the mediocre and the mighthave- beens. Born in Spain in 1897 to a Russian mother and Spanish father, Lina watched her parents eke out a living giving voice lessons and the occasional concert in regional theatres. Eventually, the family ended up in New York, where they rented a small apartment in the respectable part of Washington Heights. Lina's education finished at 16. But thanks to a pretty figure, a phenomenal talent for languages and a passable soprano voice, she was adopted by an exclusive cadre within the Russian émigré community. Prokofiev thundered into Lina's life in 1918 when he was 27 and she was 21. He had come to the US in the hope of making it as a composer and piano soloist. Unfortunately, after a promising start he neglected his performing in order to work on the opera The Love for Three Oranges. The piece had been commissioned by the Chicago Opera Association and support for its premiere did not survive the unexpected death of the director. Humiliated and broke, Prokofiev left the US in 1920 and went to live in Paris, with a smitten Lina in tow. Ostensibly, she had followed him to France to work on her singing but in practice she was Prokofiev's bedfellow, secretarial assistant and nurse to his aged mother. Putting up with Prokofiev's legendary arrogance required a special mix of personal ambition and self-denial. Lina happened to possess it in abundance. She wanted to be a famous singer but had neither the discipline nor the talent to join the ranks of the truly great. Failing in a career of her own, she was more than willing to share in Prokofiev's. Lina tried everything to convince him to marry her but nothing worked until she fortuitously became pregnant with their first child in 1923. They were married in the Bavarian village of Ettal, where Prokofiev spent a year composing the opera The Fiery Angel, based on the novel of the same name by Valery Bryusov. That they were married in Germany rather than France, or anywhere else for that matter, would have remained a minor detail were it not for the fact that years later the Soviets annulled the marriage on the spurious pretext that it was never registered in a Russian consulate. As Mrs Prokofiev, Lina could at last enjoy the limelight as a "someone", though it was rarely, if ever, in her own right as "Lina Llubera" (her stage name). Even when she gave a concert with Prokofiev accompanying her, the audience came to watch him play rather than listen to her sing. Lina also had a continuous battle on her hands, according to Morrison: . . . for Serge's attention, a frustrating contest, given not only his wandering eye but also his self-obsession. She had succumbed to his magnetism and had the wiles to maintain his affection, so she braved the broad range of other women in his life without protest. His indifference to her needs was, and always would be, the greater affront to her pride. It was pride on both their parts that led the Prokofievs into the trap laid on for them by the Soviets. The seduction began slowly, with an invitation to tour the country in 1927. Prokofiev's cousin, Shurik, had recently been imprisoned as a counter-revolutionary but this failed to have a dampening effect on the Prokofievs' enthusiasm for the country. Shielded from the paranoia and poverty unleashed by Stalin's murderous regime, they bathed rapturously in the carefully choreographed adulation of the Russian intelligentsia. Lina, just as much as Serge, was lulled into believing that her musical gifts enjoyed a special place of honour in her ancestral homeland. Ironically, the Soviet official in Paris who did most to facilitate these trips, an embassy counsellor named Jean-Joseph Arens, would end up being recalled and executed in 1937. By then it was far too late for the Prokofievs to escape. The early 1930s had not been good for the career of either. The death of the ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev in 1929 had deprived Prokofiev of his most fruitful collaborator. He also found that in the west his popularity and reputation were running a distant third behind that of two other Russian exports: Sergei Rachmaninoff and Igor Stravinsky. By contrast, there seemed to be a vast untapped store of ballets and operas awaiting Prokofiev in Moscow. The extent to which Lina and Sergei were willing dupes in their deception can be judged from the farcical nature of his telephone calls to her when he was in Leningrad and she was in Paris in 1934. Interference began subtly enough with operators allowing them to speak when the connection was poor and cutting them off when the line improved. Soon the interference became more blatant and the Prokofievs began to hear laughter and commentary in the background. Finally, on 19 November, 1934, Sergei faded out mid-sentence, leaving Lina to shout, "I can't hear you"; at which point the eavesdropper announced, "You were perfectly audible, I just decided to cut you off." Yet once the train had been set in motion for their relocation to Russia, neither felt able to call a halt. Not even the sudden official persecution of Shostakovich in 1936 was strong enough to shake the Prokofievs' confidence that they, in contrast, would be untouchable in Moscow. At first it appeared as though the Prokofievs were immune to the ravages of the Great Terror. It was only towards the end of 1938 that Lina and Sergei fully woke up to the reality that they had walked into a gilded cage – and thrown away the key. The Prokofievs made their final tour abroad that year. If the couple now regretted their move to Russia, they kept their feelings to themselves. By all accounts Lina put on a magnificent show in the US, wearing couture clothes every night as though she never wore anything else in Moscow. In Washington she finally won a measure of the recognition she craved by giving her own recital at a glittering soirée at the Russian embassy. Prokofiev also met with complete adoration, especially from Hollywood. Both Paramount and Disney tried to persuade him to sign a contract. Walt Disney even sweetened the deal by offering Prokofiev $1,500 for the rights to a cartoon version of Peter and the Wolf. But, in typical Soviet style, the Prokofievs' two boys had not been given permission to leave Russia, effectively turning the children into hostages in case their parents developed any ideas about not returning home at the end of their tour. Lina's life began to unravel almost as soon as they returned to Moscow. Their marriage had staggered on in part because Sergei was almost always travelling. Once they were forced to live together without a break, he found companionship elsewhere with a young woman half his age called Mira Abramovna Mendelson. She was the daughter of two party apparatchiks and a student at the prestigious Maxim Gorky Literary Institute in Moscow. There was nothing especially interesting about the girl, as Lina discovered during her jealous investigations. But Mira did enjoy one advantage over her rival: she had no interest or desire other than to devote herself entirely to Prokofiev. Lina tried every possible trick to keep Sergei within the family fold but Mira turned out to be the more ruthless of the two. Whenever Prokofiev appeared to be wavering in favour of his wife, Mira would threaten to kill herself unless he immediately returned. The couple began cohabitating in 1941 when he was 47 and she was 23. Lina was left in an appalling predicament. She was a 44-year-old mother with two adolescent sons and no obvious means of support in a city that was under intense aerial bombardment. Prokofiev and Mira had been evacuated, along with the city's other prominent artists, to Alma-Ata in Kazakhstan. He was not unsympathetic when Lina's pleas for money or food occasionally reached him but there was little he could do to ensure that anything he did send actually reached its destination. In a desperate bid to shield her children, Lina worked in every kind of capacity, including trench-digging around the city's perimeter. Moscow was a terrifying place during the war: lawless, rapacious, dangerous and cruel. Lina discovered a well of inner strength and reserve that she never knew existed within her. She resolutely kept trying to get her family out of the city and, if possible, out of the country, but every scheme fell through. Prokofiev had been churning out patriotic music during the war, and in peacetime returned to Moscow an even greater Soviet hero than when he left. Understandably, Lina refused to grant him a divorce – at least not until she and the boys were safely in the west. The stalemate between them ended in 1948 in spectacular fashion: Prokofiev suddenly fell from favour and the majority of his work was banned. As a non-person he was at the mercy of Soviet bureaucracy, which, for no discernible reason, decided that his marriage was invalid. This left Sergei free to marry Mira and deprived Lina of her last shred of protection. A few weeks after the wedding, NKVD agents arrested Lina on the charge of espionage. Her unceasing attempts to cultivate high-level contacts in western embassies – in the hope of getting an exit visa – had caused her name to get on the wrong list. After enduring 13 months of torture and interrogation, Lina was given a 15-minute trial and sentenced to 20 years in a forced labour camp. It is at this point that a glaring omission in Simon Morrison's immensely readable and entertaining book comes to light. The reader is at page 254 with only 40 pages to go, while Lina has another 40 years to live. Her eight years in the Gulag takes up a little over 20 pages and then it's a romp home to old age. The vast lacuna that is Lina's life after the death of Prokofiev in 1953 (three years before her release) cruelly highlights the very fear that made her cling to the composer for all those years: she was "someone" with him, and no one without him. It isn't only women spouses whose history is reduced to a few footnotes in the annals of their famous husband's lives. No one remembers Mr Edith Wharton or Mr Agatha Christie, either. Morrison, at least, has given this footnote its due and told the story of a woman who was a desperate little nobody when she was married, and became a courageous heroine when she was single. Someone should give Lina Prokofiev her own Wikipedia page. Amanda Foreman is a historian. Her latest book is "A World on Fire: an Epic History of Two Nations Divided" (Penguin, £14.99) Subscribe from just £1 per issue This article first appeared in the 18 March 2013 issue of the New Statesman, The German Problem More


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Topic: New Scan Results
Mom had her CT scan on Tuesday. The tumor remained stable. It was a bit of a shock since her billirubin dropped within normal range and she was feeling better and eating more. The onc said that CT scans measure size but not activity and since she is feeling better and looking better, it could be that the tumor activity is lowered by the chemo.
As with everyone on these boards, we hope for shrinkage to be able to have surgery. I think my mom finally realized that this is her new normal and she will have to be on some sort of chemo for the rest of her life. The onc wants to do 4-6 more rounds of oxiliplatin/F5U and then just F5U as a maintenance.
Considering, mom has done really well on chemo. Despite fatigue and some temporary cold sensitivity, she has no real side effects. The only thing is that her bowel movements are so irregular that there are some days she goes so many times that she is wiped out afterwards.
She is living with me right now since her diagnosis in June and the onc says she can do the chemo in FLorida. SHe has lost all her confidence in her independence. SHe used to be on the go 24/7. Now she is afraid to drive. Although she would be living alone, she would have her friends, her card games and beautiful weather. With me she has my family, but she is so isolated.
I hate Cancer. First it took my dad five years ago and now it is wreaking havoc on my mom.
Thanks for letting me rant.


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Take Action
Safety Net Journal Articles & Publications
Domestic Violence & Stalking in a Digital Age: Information for Community Corrections Agencies & Professionals
Written by American Probation and Parole Association
Helpful Links Perspectives: the Journal of the American Probation and Parole Association, 2012, Page 84 Read More ▹
The New Age of Stalking: Technological Implications for Stalking (2010 Juvenile and Family Court Journal article)
Technology has led to tremendous advancements in our society but has also brought more danger to victims of stalking and given more tools for stalkers to use. New technology has made it more difficult for... Read More ▹
This paper highlights research literature and survivors' reports on the use of technology in intimate partner stalking. It discusses use and abuse of: telephone technologies including TTY and Caller ID;... Read More ▹


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Brian Mercer spent Wednesday morning driving to Huntington Beach, Tustin, Laguna Hills and Brea wine superstores to buy one six-pack of Belgian beer for $85 apiece at each location.
But his quest wasn't just for any beer. This brew is rated as one of the world's best by knowledgable aficionados and came with two glasses in a gift pack limited to one per customer.
Mercer, a Rancho Palos Verdes resident, was eager to get his hands on a rare and elusive Trappist ale called Westvleteren XII.
Made in extremely limited quantities by Belgian monks, about 15,000 of the gift packs went on sale Wednesday for the first time ever - but for one day only - in stores in 23 states. The beer is usually available only through the brewery, which can't keep up with demand - the monks have other priorities - and consequently severely limits sales.
"They make the greatest gifts because you can't get them," said Mercer, who planned to share his liquid treasure with friends and family. "It's no fun to hoard anything."
Indeed, there was very little hoarding going on by any purchasers judging by the brisk bidding going on at eBay for gift packs (reselling is frowned upon by the monks, incidentally).
By day's end, the buy-it-now asking price by one eBay seller had escalated to $700 for a single gift pack. Another had received 27 bids reaching $401.01.
"This really for me is the pinnacle of beer," said San Pedro homeowner Dan Patten, who snagged some of the beer via Mercer. "For some people it's a very strong, I would say almost religious experience. This whole thing is just wild. It's a frenzy."
How much of a frenzy?
A Total Wine store in Redondo Beach sold all 120 gift packs it received within four hours of its 8 a.m. opening, said store manager Edward Fabian.
"We were sold out before noon," he said, adding that 20 people were waiting in line when the store opened its doors. "Some people were lined up as early as 6:30 a.m."
The unusual one-day sale was prompted by the monks' need to renovate their 160-year-old monastery in Flanders, Belgium.
"I think it will be the last (time)," Westvleteren Brewery spokesman Mark Bode told National Public Radio. "They say, `We are monks, we don't want to be too commercial. We needed some money to help us buy the new abbey and that's it,' back to normal again."
The monastery will receive about $800,000 from U.S. sales, estimated Dan Shelton, whose Massachusetts beer distribution company imported the precious brew.
The ale sale proved a mixed blessing for him.
To ensure potential customers didn't run around from store to store chasing what would amount to a couple of cases at each location, the company limited sales to larger amounts at chains like Total Wine, which agreed to sell it at a certain price.
But the move backfired in part after angry stores deluged his company with complaints.
One distributor tried to jack up the price, earning a $50 profit on each gift pack despite Shelton's attempts to stop price gouging.
Another jumped the gun by a day, racking up huge profits.
Still another threatened to sue him, contending he favored some retailers over others. One store attempted to intimidate him by saying it would never buy beer from him again. And yet another said it would file a complaint with their state's liquor commission.
A weary Shelton, who flew back from London into the morass at 1 a.m. Wednesday, was fed up with "stupid, selfish and egotistical distributors" by the time he spoke with a Los Angeles News Group reporter late Wednesday afternoon.
"There was no other way to do it," he said. "We had a certain amount of beer with a certain cachet - almost immeasurable - and at the same time we had to get it out to as many states as we could and as many people as we could."
Not everyone is a raving fan, however, of the elixir, which offers 10.2 percent alcohol by volume.
Wes Jacobs, co-owner of the Redondo Beach Select Beer Store, received one case of four six-packs.
"I've had it before," he shrugged. "There are other Trappists that are as good or better and at a much better price point.
"I still hold it in very, very high regard," he added. "The fact we even got one case was pretty good, I thought."
One of those gift packs was destined for Henry Nguyen, co-owner of Torrance's Monkish Brewing Co., which specializes in Belgian beer.
"For a monastic beer, its one of the best beers out there: dark, hints of roastiness, dark fruits, chocolaty, malty sweetness," he said. "It is a very inspirational beer for many brewers."
And drinkers, who will apparently go to great lengths to snag a bottle of the beer, which is difficult to obtain even at the monks' brewery.
For Shelton, despite the hostility he encountered from some stores and distributors, that made the ordeal worthwhile.
"It's all because they didn't think about this from the perspective of the consumer and monastery," he said. "But, overall, there must be more happy people than unhappy people today. And that makes me feel more than all right."
Follow Nick Green on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nickgreen007


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THE acting Opposition Leader, Warren Truss, has hosed down a push from within the Liberal Party to end compulsory preferential voting for federal elections, saying there are no Coalition plans to change the system.
Mr Truss - leader of the Nationals - stamped out the idea while visiting fire-affected areas of Tasmania. ''There will always be healthy debate about these issues, but the Coalition has no plans or policy to change the current system of compulsory preferential voting,'' he said.
The Liberal frontbencher Bronwyn Bishop has backed reported calls from some in the Liberal Party for an end to the system where voters have to number all the lower house candidates in their electorate. On Thursday, Mrs Bishop said compulsory preferential voting had led to a rise in informal votes. ''To have an optional preferential vote means that you would increase the valid votes that are cast,'' she told ABC Radio.
''There are many people who object to being forced to vote for somebody who is someone they simply don't want to cast a vote for, but they still wish to vote.''
According to the Australian Electoral Commission, the 2010 federal election saw the highest number of lower house informal votes since 1984, with a national informality rate of 5.55 per cent.
The ABC election analyst Antony Green has noted that a voluntary system would likely hurt Labor's overall vote.


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Board of Supervisors to Recognize Residents and Staff
Fairfax County Office of Public
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
Sept. 8, 2005
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to Recognize Residents and Staff, Issue Proclamations and Adopt Resolutions
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, at its meeting on Monday, Sept. 12, beginning at 9 a.m., will recognize the following residents and staff for their accomplishments, issue proclamations and adopt resolutions as listed below. For more information, call 703-324-3187, TTY 711.
The Practical Made Possible
Generosity Makes Hands-on Training a Reality
The Board of Supervisors will recognize more than 30 residents who have loaned properties intended for remodeling or demolition so that firefighters, police officers, deputy sheriffs and all residents may benefit from the unique training opportunities created by this generosity. The knowledge and experience gained will benefit residents and public safety staff for years to come in terms of lives saved and property protected.
When the Call Goes Out
Community and County Rally for Timber Lane Residents
On Sunday evening, July 3, the Fairfax County Fire Department responded to a four-alarm fire in progress at the Timber Lane Village Garden Condominiums, Falls Church. While the fire was brought under control within 50 minutes, many residents of the condominium were displaced. The Board of Supervisors will recognize the more than 20 individuals, organizations and county agencies who extended the hand of humanity to bring the residents to safety and help them rebuild their lives.
September Is Fairfax Prepares
Residents Urged to Be Ready for What May Come
The Board of Supervisors will designate September 2005 as Fairfax Prepares Month in Fairfax County. Residents are urged to make a basic home emergency supply kit for all kinds of emergencies. Information on what to include in the kit will be distributed throughout public locations in the county that include libraries, community and senior centers, and on the Fairfax County Citizen Corp Web site at www.fairfaxcountycitizencorps.org. In addition, a "How to Make a Kit" video produced by the Fairfax County Department of Cable Communications and Consumer Protection will be shown continually during September on Fairfax County government Cable Channel 16.
Nifty 50
Flint Hill Elementary School Reaches a Half Century
The Board of Supervisors will adopt a resolution to congratulate Flint Hill Elementary School, Vienna, on 50 years of exemplary educational service to the community. The school opened in 1955 as a 10-room institution to serve the Vienna community, growing in 1977 to include Oakton families. The current enrollment now stands at 691. A major renovation in 1994 updated the library and included an adjacent reading room and computer lab. The instruction at the school is supported by a strong parent volunteer program logging more than 7,000 donated hours in a year. Salvador Rivera is the current principal.
Celebrating Hispanic American Contributions To
Our Nation
Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month
The Board of Supervisors will designate Sept. 15-Oct. 15, 2005, as Hispanic Heritage Month in Fairfax County, noting that more than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino American in the 2000 census. Hispanic Americans contribute to our society in government, business, industry, armed forces, agriculture, science, sports and the arts. People of Hispanic heritage are a growing segment of our nation's population and are the largest minority group in the United States.
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church Celebrates
50 Years of Service
Service in the Community, the Region and the World are Hallmarks
The Board of Supervisors will adopt a resolution to commend and congratulate St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, Springfield, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Founded in September 1955, the church has expanded its outreach throughout the world. In the local community, the parish continues to provide shelter to many women, men and children who are homeless; blankets and warm clothing to many who are cold; and transportation to those who find themselves stranded on highways near the church. This summer the church fed hungry children and provided activities for them as part of the Fairfax County Summer Food Program. The Rev. Susan E. Goff serves the parish as rector.
Mental Illness Awareness Week
Increasing Awareness of Serious and Persistent Mental Illness
The Board of Supervisors will designate the week of Oct. 2-5, 2005, as Mental Illness Awareness Week in Fairfax County. Medical and psychosocial advances have provided answers for living with mental illness and in some cases preventing serious and persistent mental illness. Recovery is increasingly possible but appropriate and timely services and support are key.
Vivian Watkins to be Recognized
Serving More Than a Quarter of a Century
The Board of Supervisors will adopt a resolution to commend and thank Vivian Watkins of Burke for her noteworthy advocacy and exemplary service on behalf of individuals with disabilities in Fairfax County. Watkins, an active member of the Therapeutic Recreation Advisory Council of the Department of Community and Recreation Services for 28 years, currently serves as the chairman of the council. Throughout her tenure on the council, Watkins has worked to increase scholarship opportunities, decrease waiting lists and provide essential feedback on policies and procedures developed and implemented for therapeutic recreational programs.
To request this information in an alternate format, call the Office of Public Affairs at 703-324-3187, TTY 711.


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Ragdoll Blaster 3 3 stars level 1-7 Tips and Strategies
Ragdoll Blaster 3
By: Backflip Studios
Genre: Puzzle
Video Tips
This video walkthrough demonstrates how to beat 3 stars level 1-7 without any power ups. Uploaded on i3Stars official channel at March 7, 2013.
Still need help to finish Ragdoll Blaster 3 3 stars level 1-7?
I will update this post with more tips and tricks, so please bookmark this page and keep on checking in!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask for extra help in the comments section.
Hit like if this helped you!
Visit Ragdoll Blaster 3 walkthrough page for level videos, tutorials, cheats and more.
3 stars level 1-7 Questions
Questions related to 3 stars level 1-7 of Ragdoll Blaster 3 iPhone game.


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Leveling the Playing Field for Magazines in the Marketing Mix Modeling: The Available Information Is Now up to the Task
May 21, 2010
Andrew Arthur, VP, market solutions at Mediamark Research & Intelligence (MRI), discussed a new syndicated product designed to improve the quality of magazine data for marketing mix modeling.
Restricted Content
Access to this content item is restricted to:
- ANA Corporate Marketer Members
Please login below or create an account.
You may already be a member. Find out if your company is already an ANA member.


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Dear Dhamma Wheel Readers/Writers,
There is a sentence in the Snp 2.14 Dhammika Sutta () which puzzles me. Could you please explain what these special days are (e.g. what the difference is between "uposatha" and the "holiday of the half month"), and what a layperson does on these days (while keeping the 8 precepts)?
"With a gladdened mind observe the observance day (uposatha), complete with its eight factors, on the fourteenth, fifteenth and eighth days of the (lunar) fortnight and also the special holiday of the half month."
Thank you very much for your answer in advance.


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What's a blog without some end-of-year best-of post? Miriam's favorite Jewish articles, websites, memes and more from the past year.
Dear Readers,
What's a blog without some end-of-year best-of post? Plus, you might need some reading to keep you occupied on New Year's Day, one of the most boring days of the year (unless you plan to spend all day at the Mummers parade). Here are some of my favorite Jewish articles, websites, memes and more from the past year. Thanks to all who contributed suggestions for this list, including the friend who said that THIS was one of her favorite blogs! Enjoy the following recommendations and feel free to add your own in the comments!
Quick, Quirky and Quizzes
- If you (or any non-Jewish co-workers) ever need to know if it's a Jewish holiday, click here.
- If you're interested in America dialects and cool maps, take this quiz. It's not particularly Jewish, but it's really neat!
- Hilchos Halloween. This one you truly have to read to believe. If you don't get all the references, don't sweat it.
- How many of these "Jewish" foods have you eaten?
- Though Thanksgivukkah has come and gone, this buzzfeed post must have been one of the most widely circulated listicles ever (at least among Jews!).
- Here's one that I take credit for finding, though I seriously can't believe that not a single one of my friends alerted me to its existence: There's a Settlers of Catan cookbook!
Articles With a Capital A
(All recommended by my fabulous cadre of Facebook friends and in no particular order)
- It's a Baal Teshuva's Job to Rebel Against the Orthodox World
- The Origins and Meanings of Ashkenazic Last Names
- It took many days of seeing many people linking to the Superman Sam blog before I worked up the nerve to look at it. Only open this link if you have boxes of tissues nearby. I mean it. And if you have kids, you might not want to look at it at all.
- The Pew study, "A Portrait of Jewish Americans." Enough said.
- NMAJH tracked down a rainbow "mazel tov" sign and got great press for doing so.
- How Jennifer's Bat Mitzvah T-shirt wound up in Africa.
General Jewish Websites of Interest
(Each of which you could probably read for a week straight and not exhaust)
- G-dCast: Meaningful Jewish Screentime. (Their words, not mine.)
- Jewish Exponent: It should go without saying that I highly recommend the Exponent and all of its affiliated articles, blogs and more. Jewish Philly is lucky to have such a great online and offline publication, and we're also lucky to have the Exponent in the company of so many other truly extraordinary Jewish online resources.
- Kveller: A Jewish twist on parenting. One of their main features is a blog by Mayim Bialik, but there are many wonderful and diverse contributors sharing all kinds of Jewish parenting resources and experiences.
- Tablet Magazine: A New Read on Jewish Life, focusing on culture, religion and politics.
- The Jewish Daily Forward: The former Yiddish-only paper has remade itself into a major online presence.
- Times of Israel: Lots of articles, lots of blogs, lots of opinions.
Disclaimer: This list is not meant to be comprehensive, cohesive or exhaustive, but it's a little snapshot of what some people in my little corner of the Jewish world have been reading this year. I hope you find something here that speaks to you, and I hope we all find many more inspiring, intriguing and infinitely interesting online reads in 2014.
Happy New Year and be well,


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Apply Now!
Thank you for your interest in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Undergraduate Programs
Please visit Undergraduate Admissions to review the admission process before submitting an application.
To apply, complete the University of Hawaiʻi System application. You may choose to apply online or download the paper application.
Graduate Programs
Admission to all UH Mānoa graduate programs is managed by the Graduate Division except for the following listed below.
Continuing Education & Non-degree Programs
- A Semester in Hawaii (allows visiting college students to spend a semester at UH Mānoa)
- Leisure Center (activity programs)
- Outreach College (offers year-round credit and non-credit courses in day, evening, and online formats)


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- Treatments
- Radiesse
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With weight loss the patient began to notice more prominent bags under her eyes signs of aging. She had developed a moderate amount of volume loss from her face. This volume loss under the skin leads to lack of support under the eyes, making her look older and tired. She also had started to develop some jowling along the jawline so we discussed augmenting her chin with another filler. This strengthens the jawline, reduces jowling and in general makes the face look nicer. Procedure: 2 syringes Restylane to tear trough, cheeks. 1 syringe of Radiesse to the chin. Follow-Up: Two weeks after her treatment, her face appears smoother, and refreshed.


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PERSHORE handed debuts to several youngsters at the annual Redditch Trophy Gala.
Facing bigger clubs like Worcester and overall winners Leamington, the development squad put in a string of brave displays on the way to finishing fifth with 166 points.
Macey French got Pershore off to a flying start with gold in the girls' 10-year-old 50- metre freestyle in 35.44 seconds.
After several fifth and sixth places, the boys' 11 and under 4x25m medley team managed third and so did Naomi Marsden in the girls' 12 and under 50m backstroke with a new pb.
Chris Vizard and Jasmine Franks added to the team's total with second places in the boys' 12 and under 50m backstroke and the girls' 10 and under 50m breaststroke respectively.
Pershore girls' and boys' 11 and under 4x25m freestyle relay teams both finished third.
Josh Sharratt was second in the boys' 12 and under 50m butterfly.
The girls' nine-year-old 4x25m freestyle relay team swam to third and Vizard secured another second, this time in the 12 and under 50m breaststroke.
William Gearey added Pershore's second gold in the boys' 12 and under 50m freestyle in 29.93, setting one of the quickest times from a 10-year-old in the United Kingdom over the last 12 months.
The boys' 12 and under 4x25m freestyle relay team were second and Gearey produced victory number three for Pershore in the boys' 11 and under 50m breaststroke in a new pb of 42.35.
French finished up in second place in the girls' 10 and under 25m butterfly, Lauren Annis third in the nine-yearold 25m backstroke in 21.43 and older sister Megan second in the 11 and under 50m freestyle.
Gearey then made it three personal wins at the meet in the boys' 11 and under 50m freestyle in another pb of 29.88.
The boys' 12 and under 4x25m medley relay team secured second with a strong anchor leg from Patrick Heeks.
Several other swimmers also produced pbs at the event in Redditch, including Liam Cope, Georgia Winkley, Robert Thomer, Isobel Cumming, Jamie Saunders, Max Arris, Tamara Marsden, Charlotte Downey and James Heeks.
Tom Naughton, Pershore's head coach said: "We were slightly disappointed not to have finished higher but this was a young team and, for many, their first time swimming competitively."


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You'll need to request a prescription for combination birth control pills from your health care provider. Your health care provider will check your blood pressure and review your medical history, including asking about any medications you're taking.
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Although the amount of estrogen in combination pills can be as low as 10 micrograms (mcg) of ethinyl estradiol, most pills contain about 35 mcg. Women who are sensitive to hormones may benefit from taking a pill with a lower dose of estrogen. However, low-dose pills may result in more breakthrough bleeding than may other pills.
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Factors Associated With Chronic Respiratory Failure in Obesity
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- How to Read a Study Record
Some overweight individuals develop problems with their breathing such that they gradually breathe less and less. This leads to a lack of oxygen and a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood, called ventilatory failure. As a consequence, if such a person develops a chest infection, they are more likely to become seriously ill and need intensive care. In addition they are much more likely to develop severe complications during and following operations. This problem can be treated with a machine at home used overnight to help breathing. It is interesting that ventilatory failure only happens in some overweight individuals, and the investigators do not understand what factors make this complication develop. There are a number of theories: for example the distribution of the fat, additional lung disease (such as asthma), the addition of obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition when there are periods of cessation of breathing overnight (which is more common in obese individuals), weak muscles of breathing (perhaps due to fatty infiltration of muscles or vitamin D deficiency), and other hormonal changes.
The investigators intend to measure many potential factors in a range of overweight individuals, some who have ventilatory failure, and some who do not, to try and work out which are the important factors that cause this problem. If the investigators can identify such factors, then this will help predict in advance who is at risk from chest infections and during operations; thus allowing for earlier provision of an overnight breathing machine. This should reduce complications and potentially deaths in such individuals.
|Obesity Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Observational Model: Other
Time Perspective: Cross-Sectional
|Official Title:
|Factors Associated With Chronic Respiratory Failure in Obesity: A Cross-sectional Study
- To determine the physiological between obese patients with OHS and obese patients without OHS [ Time Frame: 1 year ]This will be a detailed ventilatory drive measurements and muscle strength testing. The comparison will be made within the group amongst the range of ventilatory failure
Biospecimen Retention: Samples With DNA
|Study Start Date:
|June 2011
|Study Completion Date:
|October 2015
|Primary Completion Date:
|October 2015 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Study group
Obese BMI>30 18-85 years old
Detailed Description:
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years to 85 Years (Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
|Sampling Method:
|Non-Probability Sample
Obese (BMI > 30kg/m2) with or without OHS (18-85yrs)
- Admitted for management of OHS
- Attending the sleep and ventilation clinic
- Being assessed for bariatric surgery
Inclusion Criteria:
- Obese (BMI > 30) with or without obesity hypoventilation
- (OHS) (18 - 85yrs)
- Admitted for management of their OHS
- Attending the sleep and ventilation clinic
- Being assessed for bariatric surgery
- Willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study
- Men and women aged 18 - 85 years
Exclusion Criteria:
- Respiratory acidosis pH <7.30
- Severe untreated hypothyroidism
- Current treatment with theophylline
- Current treatment with diuretics
- Severe restrictive or obstructive lung disease (<30% predicted)
- Severe comorbidities such as moderate/severe COPD, left sided heart failure, and primary CNS or neuromuscular diseases
- Contraindications to MRI scanning
- Contraindications to DXA scanning
- Previous participant in research in the last 12 months
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01380418
|United Kingdom
|Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust Hospitals
|Oxford, United Kingdom, OX3 7LJ
|Study Director:
|John Stradling, FRCP MBBS PHD
|University of Oxford
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
|Responsible Party:
|Ari Manuel, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01380418 History of Changes
|Obsolete Identifiers:
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|June 16, 2011
|Last Updated:
|September 8, 2017
Keywords provided by Ari Manuel, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust:
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Respiratory Insufficiency
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
Nutrition Disorders
Body Weight
Signs and Symptoms
Respiration Disorders
Respiratory Tract Diseases
Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
Sleep Apnea Syndromes
Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic
Sleep Wake Disorders
Nervous System Diseases
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


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Note: This item is more than six years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.
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May 18, 2011
Go Fish! Summer Events Held Across Texas
Get your kids hooked on the outdoors this summer with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Go Fish! summer event series. Free fishing lessons for the young and young at heart will be hosted around the state at selected state parks throughout May, June and July.
Classes and demonstrations in areas such as basic casting, fish handling, fishing rules and regulations, and fly fishing are offered to beginners and seasoned anglers alike. Loaner rods and reels, bait and door prizes are provided at each event, but participants are encouraged to bring hats, sunglasses and water.
All Go Fish! events begin at 9 a.m. with lessons given through noon. A fishing license is not necessary to participate in these events. Families with children 5 and older are welcome, and accommodations are available for the mobility impaired. Each participant takes away a fishing fun pack.
Hundreds of children have caught their first fish through the Go Fish! program, formerly the Family Fishing Celebration. Last year, some 2000 people joined state park staff and volunteers at fishing events held throughout the state. This year has already seen 47 first fish caught through the Go Fish! program. Come on out and make your son or daughter's catch our 48th.
For more information on specific Go Fish! events visit the event calendar at http://beta-tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/go-fish.
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(5.4.16 i)


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Choose ADT, the #1 Home Security Provider in East Elmhurst, NY
With monitored security systems, East Elmhurst homeowners can count on more protection and more peace of mind.
Did you know that you could make your home nearly three times less likely to be burglarized simply by adding an alarm system? FBI research has found that security systems can significantly reduce vulnerability to break-ins, one of the most serious threats faced by homeowners.
Serious threats call for serious solutions. Find your solution with an ADT monitored home alarm system.
Home security with 24/7 alarm monitoring
ADT is the leader in monitored home alarm systems, offering enhanced protection and unbeatable value for East Elmhurst, NY residents. An ADT monitored security system connects your home to a network of four Customer Monitoring Centers backed by the latest technology and expert dispatch operators. Alarm monitoring helps ensure that the East Elmhurst, NY authorities arrive at your home promptly in an emergency.
In addition to burglary, monitored alarm systems help protect homes from other security threats like fire and carbon monoxide. Comprehensive threat detection, unmatched experience and superior customer service help make ADT the leading choice for monitored home security.
Security monitoring from ADT in East Elmhurst, NY:
|Bay Terrace
|Bayside Hills
|College Point
|Fort Totten
|Fresh Meadows
|Hollis Hills
|Kew Garden Hl
|Kew Gardens Hills
|La Guardia Airport
|La Gurda Arpt
|Linden Hill
|Sta A
Don't be complacent about the safety of your East Elmhurst, NY home. Get a monitored home alarm system and give your family members the comfort they deserve.
Every ADT monitored home security system includes a high-decibel alarm, a pet-sensitive motion detector, battery backup, keychain remote and more. You can also take advantage of optional features like home automation and smartphone access.
Call today to schedule your installation appointment in East Elmhurst, NY.


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Immerse yourself into warm, fresh towels and toasty bathrobes everyday with a towel warmer from the Elements Towel Warmers collection.
Elements towel warmers offer three stylish designs including a 2-bar towel warmer, 3-bar towel rack and 4-bar heated towel rail. Each product is ideal for the bathroom or wet area in any home and features a streamlined, classic contoured loop design allowing bath towels to slide off and on with ease.
Now, you can instantly upgrade your bathroom without the need to remodel. Designed as independent electrical operating units, the Elements towel warmers feature beautiful and contemporary polished chrome finishes. All you have to do is plug them into your standard 120-volt outlet and they will quickly and easily warm your towels. These affordable towel warmers will run continuously, as you need them, keeping your family's towels warm and dry. Elements towel warmers also help to keep your bathroom mold and mildew free. They are perfect for drying damp clothing or wet outdoor gear, making them so popular everyone in your household will want to use them.
Furthermore, Elements towel warmers are lightweight, energy efficient and easy to install. Each model comes with its own brackets and hardware for simple, single stud installation. Plus, they have a built-in switch at the base of the unit, so you can easily turn them off when not in use.
Using only 60 watts of power the Elements towel warmers collection can offers you style with energy efficiency. Each model in the collection is backed by the Warmly Yours 1 year warranty and comes with 24/7 technical support from the Warmly Yours professional team. Elements Collection Specifications:


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The Cedar Key Star Party is the event of the season, according to City Commissioner Sue Colson. "It's the most enjoyable experience," she said.
If you currently subscribe or have subscribed in the past to the Cedar Key Beacon, 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.
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There's lots of things going on in the world of FC Dallas this week so here's your calendar for the third week of September:
Tuesday, September 17 - Soccer 101 for Women Pres. by AdvoCare - 6:30 PM Toyota Stadium
This sold out event is one of our favorite of the year!
Fans can join FC Dallas players, coaches, broadcasters and staff for Soccer 101, a free event for women ages 18 and up that provides the opportunity to learn and understand the fundamentals of soccer in a fun, interactive atmosphere. The event features multiple interactive stations that cover positions, rules, referee signals, field diagrams and much more!
Friday, September 20 - Lemon Bar Frisco - 5:00-7:00PM
Join the FC Dallas Girls at Lemon Bar Frisco on Friday for happy hour! They'll be promoting Sunday's Party at the Pubs with free FCD swag, a chance to win Breakaway Festival tickets & much more!
Saturday, September 21 - Breakaway Festival - All Day Toyota Stadium
The big day is finally here on Saturday as Toyota Stadium will host the much-anticipated Breakaway Music Festival headlined by Wu-Tang Clan, Empire of the Sun, Matt and Kim and many more! You can still get tickets here.
Sunday, September 22 - Party at the Pubs pres. by Budweiser - Lemon Bar Frisco 4:00PM
Our September Party at the Pubs watch party takes place on Sunday at 4:00PM as FC Dallas heads to the Big Apple to take on the New York Red Bulls! Join us at Lemon Bar Frisco across the street from Toyota Stadium as we'll be giving away tons of prizes and watching FCD battle for three huge points!
Sunday, September 22 - NTPSA Field of the Week - 5-Star Park, The Colony 1:00-5:00PM
Are you playing out at 5-Star Park on Sunday? Find the FCD mobile team who will have free beer and pizza as well as FCD ticket deals and more!


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Changes in Insulin Sensitivity After Weight Loss
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- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Obesity Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Insulin Resistance
|Procedure: Gastric bypass Procedure: Gastric banding Procedure: Sleeve gastrectomy Behavioral: Very low calorie diet
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Observational Model: Case Control
Time Perspective: Prospective
|Official Title:
|Changes in Insulin Sensitivity After Weight Loss Induced by Diet or Bariatric Surgery
- Change in Insulin Sensitivity [ Time Frame: 2-8 weeks ]Measured by frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT)
- Change in Body Composition [ Time Frame: 2-8 weeks ]Measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
- Change in Resting Energy Expenditure [ Time Frame: Up to 4 hrs post-meal ]Measured by indirect calorimetry using a Hood Calorimeter
Biospecimen Retention: Samples With DNA
|Estimated Enrollment:
|Study Start Date:
|March 2005
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|September 2017
|Estimated Primary Completion Date:
|September 2017 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Group 1: GBP non-diabetic
Non-diabetic subjects scheduled to receive gastric bypass
Procedure: Gastric bypass
NOTE: the surgery is not paid for by the study
Other Name: GBP
Group 2: BND non-diabetic
Non-diabetic subjects scheduled to receive gastric banding
Procedure: Gastric banding
NOTE: the surgery is not paid for by the study
Other Name: BND
Group 3: GBP diabetic
Diabetic subjects scheduled to receive gastric bypass
Procedure: Gastric bypass
NOTE: the surgery is not paid for by the study
Other Name: GBP
Group 4: VLCD diabetic
Diabetic subjects scheduled to receive very low calorie diet
Behavioral: Very low calorie diet
Weight loss with calorie restricted liquid diet. Subject will be asked to stay in our in-patient research unit for 2-3 weeks and consume only those foods supplied by our bionutrition unit. Expected weight loss should be between 7-10% of body weight. Subjects will receive the diet at no cost and will be compensated for their time.
Other Name: VLCD
Group 5: SG diabetic
Diabetic subjects scheduled to receive sleeve gastrectomy
Procedure: Sleeve gastrectomy
NOTE: the surgery is not paid for by the study
Other Name: SG
Detailed Description:
Patients who are scheduled for GBP, sleeve gastrectomy (SG), or simple caloric restriction with gastric banding (BND) or a very low calorie diet (VLCD) will be examined at baseline weight, and when 6-10% total body weight has been lost. We will measure insulin sensitivity with an intravenous glucose tolerance test, and fasting levels of hormones that regulate food intake and insulin sensitivity, such as ghrelin, PYY, GLP1 and leptin. Fat mass and skeletal muscle mass will be measured by dual photon absorptiometry (DXA). We will also measure the hormonal and thermic response to food with a liquid test meal and energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry. This measures how many calories are burned at rest and the in response to food. Subjects with diabetes will continue to be studied with the same protocol on an annual basis out to 5 years in order to determine the rate of remission of diabetes and the durability of this effect as subjects tend to regain some body weight over time.
Subjects with diabetes will also be followed every three months for the first year after the initial weight loss for HbA1c and fasting glucose levels. The results of this study may lead to new understanding about changes in insulin sensitivity, body composition and hormonal profile, as well as changes in energy expenditure with weight loss after bariatric surgery or with simple caloric restriction. With this greater understanding, new treatments for obesity and diabetes, that do not require surgery, may be developed.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years to 75 Years (Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
|Sampling Method:
|Probability Sample
Inclusion criteria:
Non-diabetic obese (BMI > 30) adult men and women between the ages of 18 and 75 scheduled to undergo
- gastric bypass (GBP)
- gastric banding (BND)
- Type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 6-12%) adult men and women between the ages of 18 and 75 scheduled to undergo gastric bypass.
- Type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 6-12%) adult men and women between the ages of 18 and 65 for weight reduction with a very low caloric diet (VLCD).
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus scheduled to undergo sleeve gastrectomy (SG).
Exclusion criteria:
- Pregnancy.
- Age > 75 for surgery groups; Age > 65 for VLCD group.
- Treatment with glucocorticoids, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, neuroleptics, weight loss medications, experimental medication.
- Greater than a 5% change in total body weight in the 90 days prior to the study.
- History of untreated gallstones; hepatic or renal insufficiency, abnormal TSH.
- Use of thiazolidinedione therapy.
- HbA1c > 12%.
- Use of DPP-IV inhibitor or GLP-1R agonist for greater than 12 months within 3 months of the study.
- Fasting triglycerides > 400.
- Significant cardiovascular, neurologic, renal, gastrointestinal, or hematologic disease.
- Inability to comply with or understand the study protocol as ascertained by the PI.
- We will not exclude individuals with body weight > 145 kg, but we do recognize that such individuals are above the table weight limitations of the DXA scan and body composition data will be unavailable for those individuals.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00627484
|Contact: Gerardo Febres, MD
|Contact: Judith Korner, MD, PhD
|212 305-3725
|United States, New York
|Columbia University Medical Center
|New York, New York, United States, 10032
|Contact: Gerardo Febres, MD 212-342-0281
|Contact: Judith Korner, MD, PhD 212 305-3725 firstname.lastname@example.com
|Principal Investigator: Judith Korner, MD, PhD
|Principal Investigator:
|Judith Korner, MD,PhD
|Columbia University
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
|Responsible Party:
|Judith Korner, Associate Professor of Medicine, Columbia University
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00627484 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
R21DK081050 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract )
DK072011 ( Other Grant/Funding Number: NIDDK )
|Study First Received:
|February 28, 2008
|Last Updated:
|July 28, 2016
|Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
|Plan to Share IPD:
Keywords provided by Judith Korner, Columbia University:
Insulin resistance
Insulin sensitivity
bariatric surgery
calorie restriction
body composition
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Insulin Resistance
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Weight Loss
Glucose Metabolism Disorders
Metabolic Diseases
Endocrine System Diseases
Body Weight Changes
Body Weight
Signs and Symptoms
Immune System Diseases
Insulin, Globin Zinc
Hypoglycemic Agents
Physiological Effects of Drugs
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 20, 2017


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Topic: Current Concept of rare disease research
Hi, everyone,
http://blog.rarediseases.org/making-the … -research/
Below is the part that many of us may not know how important each of our natural disease history are:
"Much of what is known of human health, wellness, and illness is a result of research into the causes and nature of specific rare diseases. It's not necessarily that the researchers of those rare diseases were searching for broader understanding of their research on conditions that affect much larger populations. Quite the contrary: it is typically the reevaluation and synthesis of individual findings after-the-fact that we come to appreciate the implications of new knowledge. In this way the answering of targeted research questions by talented and dedicated researchers armed with the scientific method is a proven means to advancing our understanding of ourselves and of our health."
God bless.


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Posted 6 years ago
(1 item)
I don't know a whole lot about it, except that the person i got it off of, got it at an auction in Garrett, Ind. about 20 years ago. They didn't know that it said Creek Chub on the box, they just bought the box and all the contents of the box at the auction. He said it had a bunch of old tools in it. Anyone seen another one like it?