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BEIRUT — Western-backed opposition fighters and a faction of al-Qaida-linked rebels turned their guns on each other Saturday in Syria's largest city, battling for control of a key checkpoint in the latest eruption of infighting among the forces trying to topple President Bashar Assad's regime, activists said.
The clashes between rebels affiliated with the Free Syrian Army and fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant throws a spotlight on the growing phenomenon rebel-on-rebel violence that has sapped strength from the broader anti-Assad movement. It also underscores the rebels' enduring inability more than two years into the conflict to unite around a unified command, as well as the deepening rift between more secular opposition fighters and Islamic extremists in the rebel ranks.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Saturday's clashes were focused on the strategic checkpoint in Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr district that serves as the sole gateway between rebel-held eastern districts and the government-controlled areas in the west. Earlier this week, al-Qaida-linked militants seized the checkpoint and closed it for several days, cutting the flow of food supplies to the rebel-held quarters of the city. That spurred protests by residents suffering from food shortages at the start of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan.
The Observatory said the fighting rattled the neighborhood throughout the morning, but subsided by the afternoon as the al-Qaida-linked rebels pulled out of the area. It was not clear which group was in control of the checkpoint, where residents were staging a protest to vent their anger at soaring food prices. The area also witnessed clashes between rebels and government troops.
One of the most troubling outbursts of infighting among opposition fighters took place Friday, when the FSA said one of its commanders, Kamal Hamami, was shot dead by al-Qaida militants in the Jabal al-Turkoman mountain area in the coastal province of Latakia. Hamami, known as Abu Basir, served in the Supreme Military Council of the Free Syrian Army, a group headed by a secular-minded moderate that has the support of Western powers.
Activists monitoring Syria's more than 2-year-old conflict have previously reported sporadic infighting among rebel groups over control of the territory they've captured in the north along the border with Turkey. Those clashes were mostly between Kurdish and Arab rebels, and have subsided since a ceasefire agreement was reached earlier this year.
The fighting between moderate and jihadi groups that have for months battled Assad's regime together have become more frequent in recent weeks. The clashes have largely focused on border crossings with Turkey and vital installations, like bakeries, water wells, petrol stations and checkpoints in the north, according to the Observatory.
Another activist said the fighting is aimed at establishing control over the flow of food and aid to the residents. Each group is also trying to set up governing structures over the territory in the north the opposition has controlled for a year and take a cut of money from goods being smuggled into Syria over the border with Turkey.
The activists did not want to be quoted by name for fear of reprisal from both groups.
Militant Islamic groups, including those with links to al-Qaida, have been the most effective fighting force on the opposition side in the past year, spearheading many of the attacks that captured military bases, towns and villages and whole neighborhoods in Aleppo. In late February, Islamic battalions led the assault and conquered the eastern city of Raqqa, making it the first Syrian city to entirely fall under rebel control. Moderate factions are now fighting jihadi groups for a say in running of Raqqa.


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Adoption procedures, fees, and applications may be viewed by clicking here.
PetConnect Rescue arranges for medical services for our rescues, which can range from routine treatments such as vaccinations and blood tests to serious medical conditions such as broken bones and embedded collars. All animals that come thru PetConnect Rescue are spayed or neutered to help stem the terrible problem of pet overpopulation.
The rescues that come into our care are primarily placed in foster homes. (Some are boarded with reputable kennels or at vet practices as well). Our foster volunteers provide loving care and socialization for these animals while they await their forever homes. Thanks to donation drives we are able to pass on supplies to our foster families such as crates, food, collars, toys, bedding etc…
The core mission of PetConnect is to rescue abandoned animals and place them in safe, loving and permanent homes. Time and again, potential adopters tell us that they are willing to wait to adopt from us because of the comfort level they have in working with our organization. We do our utmost to take the nervousness, uncertainty and difficulty out of adopting a pet and support the adoption process every step of the way. The level of volunteerism in all of this is heartwarming. Because of the dedication and commitment of our volunteers we are able to find loving homes for all of these animals who otherwise would not have had a chance.
From high kill shelters to foster homes to adoptive families, PetConnect Rescue handles every step of the rescue process. PetConnect Rescue and Wellness is a non-profit 501(c)(3) animal rescue organization.
Step 2) An adoption coordinator will contact you, or you may call or email the coordinator listed for more information. Please understand that we are a volunteer organization--we will try to get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours.
Step 3) Once you have spoken to an adoption coordinator about the pet you are interested in, and if you would like to continue with the adoption process, arrangements will be made for you to meet the pet at his or her foster home.
Step 4) After you have met the dog or cat of your choice, your home visit will be scheduled. The purpose of the home visit is to ensure that the rescue animal will be living in a safe environment, as well as to support the adoption process.
PetConnect reviews applications in order in which they are received. We do, however, focus on matching the right animal to the right family to ensure successful adoptions. These animals have had enough hardship in their lives--our goal is to place these wonderful pets into homes where they will be safe and loved forever.
PetConnect requires an adoption fee for all rescues. This fee helps cover the medical, spay/neuter, transport and foster expenses incurred in rescuing each animal (our expenses for these rescues almost always exceed our adoption fees). All PetConnect Rescue animals must be spayed or neutered to help stem the vast problem of overpopulation.
Dogs: $295
Puppies: $350
Cats: $125 **
Puppies/kittens: Additional $100 deposit (see below)
PetConnect requires an adoption fee for all rescues. This fee helps cover the medical, transport and foster expenses incurred in rescuing each animal. Our expenses for each rescue almost always exceed our adoption fee.
All PetConnect animals are given basic vaccinations appropriate for their age, and are spayed/neutered unless it is medically advisable to wait because of age or health concerns. In this instance, PetConnect requests an additional deposit of $100 which will be reimbursed with proof of spay/neuter. All PetConnect Rescue animals must be spayed or neutered to help stem the vast problem of overpopulation.
PetConnect will provide discounts for senior pets.
Thank You!
Your message has been sent to PetConnect Rescue.
You'll receive a copy, too, at to help you keep track of which pets you've inquired about, and which shelters and rescues you've emailed.
NOTE: Some shelters have physical locations you can visit; some of these shelters may only have pets for a limited time, so please do not wait for a reply—just go visit the shelter! Other organizations are rescue groups run by busy volunteers who may take a while to reply. You can find information about the shelter or rescue group caring for this pet, and their adoption procedures, on the pet's details page on Adopt-a-Pet.com.


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Autologous Bone Marrow-derived Mononuclear Cells for Therapeutic Arteriogenesis in Patients With Limb Ischemia (ABC)
Recruitment status was: Recruiting
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|Intermittent Claudication Peripheral Vascular Diseases
|Biological: bone marrow derived mononuclear cells Biological: placebo
|Phase 2 Phase 3
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:
|Autologous Bone Marrow-derived Mononuclear Cells for Therapeutic Arteriogenesis in Patients With Limb Ischemia A Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, Study in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients
- Limb salvage/wound healing at t=6 months; Pain free walking distance [ Time Frame: 6 months ]
- quality of life (RAND-36), pain Scores (Brief Pain Inventory), tcO2 (wrist/ankle ratio) ABI Collateral artery scores (angiogram) at t=6 months, Limb salvage/wound healing at t= 3 and 12 months, Pain free walking distance at t=3 and 12 months, [ Time Frame: 3, 6 and 12 months ]
|Estimated Enrollment:
|Study Start Date:
|October 2007
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|October 2012
|Estimated Primary Completion Date:
|October 2012 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Active Comparator: 1
non diabetic patients with Fontaine IIb-IV peripheral artery disease
Biological: bone marrow derived mononuclear cells
40 IM injections (calf muscle) of 1-8 10E9 mono nuclear cells
Placebo Comparator: 2
non diabetic patients with Fontaine IIb-IV peripheral artery disease
Biological: placebo
40 IM injections (calf muscle) of placebo suspension
Active Comparator: 3
diabetic patients with Fontaine IIb-IV peripheral artery disease
Biological: bone marrow derived mononuclear cells
40 IM injections (calf muscle) of 1-8 10E9 mono nuclear cells
Placebo Comparator: 4
diabetic patients with Fontaine IIb-IV peripheral artery disease
Biological: placebo
40 IM injections (calf muscle) of placebo suspension
Detailed Description:
Although the safety and beneficial effects of intramuscular transplantation of bone marrow derived mononuclear cells procedure appear well documented, a number of critical question regarding application of BM-MNC for peripheral vascular disease remain to be answered. First, although the original study has been partially performed as semi-blinded study (patients with double sided claudication were recruited and blindly treated with BM-MNC in one leg and peripheral blood injections in the other leg), this approach does exclude a placebo effect. Second, although patients with mild diabetes were included in the protocol, the results for diabetic patients were not analyzed separately. Diabetic disease is characterized by monocyte and endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction and it is still unclear whether this approach is also effective in diabetic patients. Third, although six-month results are reported long-term efficacy has not been established yet.
To address these issues, the investigators now propose confirm and extend the findings from open studies in a randomized double-blind study in patients with severe claudication or critical leg ischemia and pay special attention to the influence of diabetic disease on the outcome of the study and to the possible pro-atherogenic/ pro-inflammatory effects of BM-MNC injections.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|16 Years and older (Child, Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- persistent (>3 months) disabling claudication (Fontaine's stages IIb or Rutherford's categories 3, viz. pain free walking distance less than 100 meter) despite optimal therapy or critical limb ischemia (Fontaine's stages III/IV or Rutherford's categories 4-6)
- ineligibility for angioplasty or bypass procedures
- male of female, >18 years old
- life expectancy > 1 year
- written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- candidates for angioplasty or bypass procedures
- inability to undergo bone marrow harvesting
- any condition in the affected limb that is anticipated to require surgical intervention in the first weeks after BM-MNC treatment
- life threatening co-morbidity
- poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1C > 10%)
- active malignancy in the 5 years prior to treatment
- INR >1.5 at the time of bone-marrow harvest
- bleeding diathesis
- inability to undergo arterial catheterization
- inability to follow the protocol and to comply with the follow up requirements
- any other conditions that, in the opinion of the investigators, could interfere with the therapy or could pose a significant threat to the subject if the investigational therapy was to be initiated
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00539266
|Contact: Jan HN Lindeman, MD, PhD
|#31 (0)71 5263968
|Leiden University Medical Center
|Leiden, Netherlands, 2300RC
|Contact: Jan HN Lindeman, MD, PhD #31 (0)71 5263968 email@example.com
|Principal Investigator:
|Jan HN Lindeman, MD, PhD
|Leiden University Medical Center
|Responsible Party:
|Board of Directors, Leiden University Medical Centre
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00539266 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|October 3, 2007
|Last Updated:
|July 5, 2011
Keywords provided by Leiden University Medical Center:
Critical limb ischemia
Cell therapy
Bone marrow
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Vascular Diseases
Peripheral Vascular Diseases
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Intermittent Claudication
Pathologic Processes
Cardiovascular Diseases
Arterial Occlusive Diseases
Signs and Symptoms
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


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China is a nation of entrepreneurs, and according to statistics, has 85 million businesses compared to the US's 25 million. Considering that China has about four times the population of the US, the proportion is about right. These numbers reveal that China is in fact, not a socialist nation, but is instead one which has […]Read More...
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A Short Trade Setup for TLT
Over the past two months, long-term U.S. Treasuries have gradually softened and yields have perked up. Today, the yield on the long bond sits at 3%, considerably higher than both last summer's sub-2.5% figure and November's lows beneath 2.75%. Rates have crept higher despite a third round of quantitative easing and the Federal Reserve's stated intent of driving them lower.
Then again, if we look at the long bond's yield on a short-term basis, rates are moving lower. On Jan. 4, the 30-year Treasury yielded 3.11%, so it has come off 11 basis points since then. What will the next move in interest rates hold? Are rates about to go higher or lower? Using the iShares Barclays 20+ Year Treasury Bond (TLT) exchange-traded fund as a substitute for long-term Treasuries, we can infer the next direction of bond prices and rates....383 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.
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Pizza Dough
As I mentioned last week, one of the things we made during our Boston bloggers class at King Arthur Flour was pizza dough. Pizza dough is one of those things that I've never made at home and have been wanting to for some time now.
We topped these pizzas with a small amount of sauce and fresh mozzarella prior to baking. After they came out of the oven, we topped the pizza with parmesan and basil. I love these pizza boxes they had for us to transport our pizzas!
Two Years Ago: Tiramisu Cupcakes
Three Years Ago: Caramel Mocha Cupcakes and Mussels
Pizza Dough
Yield: 2 crusts
2 cups (8 oz) flour
1 1/4 tsp instant yeast
3/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 - 3/4 cup warm water
In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
Stir in the olive oil.
Stir in the water, adding the last few tablespoons slowly to see if they are needed - a wet dough is preferable although more challenging to work with.
Turn the dough out onto work surface to knead until smooth and shiny. Be sure to follow the fold, roll, turn, method and be gentle with the dough. Try not to incorporate any more flour than is absolutely necessary.
Put dough into an oiled bowl and cover. Allow to rise until it has doubled in volume.
Turn out the dough onto a floured surface to shape the pizza.
Divide the dough into two pieces.
Begin by patting one of the pieces of dough into a disk as thin as possible until it resists stretching. Let the dough rest for a minute before picking it up with one hand and holding it vertically above your work space. Rotating the disk of dough above yoursurface, begin stretching the edges until the disk of dough is large enough to drape over the back of the knucles of both hands.
Your hands should be palm down and parallel to your work surface. Begin roatting the dough in one direction over the surface of your knuckles, slowly moving your hands wider apart and using a slight flipping motion to move the dough. This action provides tension against the dough to fully stretch it. Try not to provide so much tension that the dough tears; although, little holes can always be patched.
If the dough resists any of these steps put it down on the floured surface, cover it and let it rest for a minute or two until it relaxes again.
Recipe from King Arthur Flour
7 Responses to "Pizza Dough"
Love a good, simple pizza with tons of bail on top. This looks glorious!
I really think the kneading part is so therapeutic, even if it isn't the pounding that most of us used to do! Great post!
This looks DELICIOUS! Fresh mozzarella and basil pizzas are my favorite 🙂
Homemade pizza dough is the best! Before I tried it, I never would have guessed how easy it is.
I use this pizza crust recipe all the time! It makes the best crust!
I've been looking for a good pizza dough recipe…excited to try this one!
Yummy pizza dough! I'm such a slacker I always just buy the dough from the pizzeria. I need to get on the ball and make my own 🙂


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If men are reluctant to see their physicians when they are sick, imagine how often they see them when they feel well. However, screenings can provide critical information to help prevent serious medical problems. While there is considerable debate regarding the value of certain routine screening tests for men, most authorities agree that detecting certain diseases before symptoms develop can often decrease the risk of serious illness and even death. Here is a guide to the most commonly recommended screening examinations and tests for men.
There are four ways to screen for cancer, and more commonly, precancerous polyps, on the inside wall of the rectum and colon. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), beginning at age 50, men of average risk should follow one of these preferred testing schedules:
Another option for men who are unwilling or unable to have the above tests is having the stool checked yearly for signs of cancer.
Men who are considered to be at high risk for colorectal cancer may need more frequent screening. High risk includes:
If you are at all unsure about your risk status, talk to your doctor about how often you should have colorectal screening.
During a routine exam, the doctor may do a digital rectal exam. The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to detect any prostate enlargement, nodularity, or asymmetry that may indicate cancer. The exam takes approximately 30-60 seconds.
While it has become a controversial issue, the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test can be used as a screening tool for prostate cancer. Organizations like the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommend against the PSA test, highlighting the potential harms, like having to undergo unnecessary surgery. The ACS and American Urological Society stress the need to make an informed decision about prostate cancer screening.
What should men do? Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of screening. If you decide to be screened, your doctor will do the PSA test with or without the digital rectal exam.
A skin exam can determine if you have any moles or other lesions on the skin that may either be cancerous or precancerous. During a skin exam, which takes five minutes and is painless, a primary care physician or dermatologist studies the skin from head-to-toe, including the scalp. Your doctor may choose to biopsy (take a sample for laboratory analysis) any suspicious lesions. Recommendations for timing and frequency of skin cancer screening have not been clearly established.
If you have a history of skin cancer or previously had lesions removed, your doctor may recommend skin exams on a regular basis.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend routine screening or self-exam of teens and adults for testicular cancer. However, the American Cancer Society notes that men aged 20-39 should have a physical exam every three years to screen for various cancers, including testicular cancer. Talk to your doctor about screening and risk factors for testicular cancer.
Early detection of high blood pressure is extremely important because the longer high blood pressure goes undetected and untreated, the higher your risk of a heart attack , stroke , heart failure, kidney damage, and blindness.
If you already have high blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg or higher), have it checked according to your doctor's recommendations. If your blood pressure is considered high normal (above 120/80 mm Hg), you should have it checked every year. If your blood pressure is normal (below 120/80 mm Hg), screening every two years is usually sufficient.
Your doctor may suggest that you regularly monitor your blood pressure at home.
Cholesterol screening involves a simple blood test to measure your total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Your doctor may also check your level of triglycerides, another fatty substance in the blood. High levels of total and LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), and low levels of HDL cholesterol significantly increase your risk of atherosclerosis , a condition that may lead to coronary artery disease , heart attack, stroke, and other serious vascular problems.
All men aged 35 years and older should have their cholesterol checked. If you are aged 20 years or older and have other risk factors for heart disease, you should also have your cholesterol checked.
The American Diabetes Association recommends screening for all adults aged 45 years or older every three years, or every year if you are at increased risk. You should also be screened if you are of any age and are overweight or obese or have other risk factors for diabetes.
There are a few different blood tests that can be done to check for diabetes. All can be done at a regular office visit, but some require you to be fasting before you come in.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all people aged 13-64 years old get screened for HIV infection. If you are at high risk for having HIV, you should be screened every year.
At least once a year (preferably twice), a dentist should examine your teeth and gums and check your tongue, lips, and soft tissues in your mouth to determine if you have cavities or problems of the gums, tongue, and mouth. A full set of x-rays should also be taken periodically to pinpoint areas of special concern.
The American Optometry Society recommends an eye examination every 2 years for adults 18-60 years old. Older adults should have yearly eye exams. Also if you wear contact lenses, take medications that can affect the eye, or have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of eye disease, your eyes should be checked more often. Talk to your doctor if you experience any changes in your vision.
While some of these tests can be embarrassing or uncomfortable, it is important to endure them because they can help prevent common and serious diseases. Keep in mind that if heart disease, cancer, or other major illnesses run in your family, these screenings and examinations are even more important. Encourage the men in your life to be screened as suggested.
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Canadian Family Physician
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Colorectal cancer screening. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated February 10, 2014. Accessed March 4, 2014.
Diabetes mellitus type 2. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated February 4, 2014. Accessed March 4, 2014.
How did the USPSTF arrive at this recommendation? US Preventative Services Task Force website. Available at: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/prostatecancerscreening/prostatecancerfaq.htm. Published May 2012. Accessed March 4, 2014.
Hypercholesterolemia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated February 11, 2014. Accessed March 4, 2014.
Moyer VA. Screening for prostate cancer: U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2012;17(157):120-134.
Optometric Clinical Practice Guideline: Comprehensive Eye and Vision Examination. Available at:http://www.aoa.org/documents/CPG-1.pdf. Updated April 28, 2005. Accessed March 4, 2014.
Prostate cancer screening. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated December 19, 2013. Accessed March 4, 2014.
Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR. 2006; 55(RR14);1-17.
Screening for prostate cancer: current recommendation. US Preventative Services Task Force website. Available at: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/prostatecancerscreening.htm. Published May 2012. Accessed March 4, 2014.
Seminoma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated October 18, 2013. Accessed March 4, 2014.
Skin cancer screening. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/skin/Patient/page3. Updated March 3, 2014. Accessed March 4, 2014.
Wolf A, Wender R, Etzioni R, et al. American Cancer Society guideline for the early detection of prostate cancer. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2010;60:70-98.
4/8/2014 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance. http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed: Yee J, Kim DH, et al. Colorectal cancer screening. American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria. Available at: http://www.acr.org/~/media/ACR/Documents/AppCriteria/Diagnostic/ColorectalCancerScreening.pdf. Updated 2013.
Last reviewed March 2014 by Michael Woods, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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By now, you will have probably heard about our Made for Change bags. They're made from recycled White Stuff fabrics and their sales go towards education scholarships for children in India. There are 10 different prints to collect, they're a fab alternative to the naughty plastic ones you get in the supermarket and they make nice pressies too!
So far, we have raised £24,955 which makes 116 scholarships.
We ran the project earlier in 2012 with our 'Live to Give' bags and we were really delighted to receive some letters from three of our 2012 scholarship children; Blessy George, Rizwana and Naresh.
Elissa, our Head of Technical and Ethical Sourcing, said; "It was lovely to hear from the children and see what a difference we can make to their lives. Without the sales of our charity bags, these kids would not have had the opportunity to go to school and further their education.
We really hope we will be able to beat last year's total and raise enough money for at least 165 scholarships this year. The kids in India are so excited and working hard to achieve good grades so they can apply for this year's scholarship program too."
Have a read of the letters we received below:


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WALES coach Colin Jones says every one of his 11 boxers can win a medal at next month's Commonwealth Games.
Welsh boxers claimed three medals last time out in Delhi, with Newport's Sean McGoldrick leading the way with gold.
Team Wales are targeting 27 podium finishes in Glasgow and only two in boxing but Jones believes his talented squad can make a much bigger contribution.
"I think we can win 11 medals," said Jones. "We wouldn't be taking them if we didn't think they could win a medal."
While Jermaine Asare and Keiran Harding – bronze medal winners in 2010 – have since turned professional, St Joseph's star McGoldrick is going for gold again in Scotland.
He is joined by Wales two big medal prospects – Fred Evans and Andrew Selby – who both competed in Delhi and at London 2012.
Evans was training at St Joes with McGoldrick when he won silver at the Olympics two years ago and he and Selby are both former European champions.
Jones is looking for Evans in particular to make up for a disappointing showing four years ago.
"I worked with Fred in Delhi and he was a little bit of a letdown there in my eyes but he's matured a lot as a boxer and as a man since then," said the Wales coach.
"There's still a lot of work to do but at he's an expert pupil now.
"When he joined up with us he was a bit over the weight but he's worked exceptionally hard.
"He's only two kilos above his fighting weight now so he's on target but he's got to stay focused and put in the hard graft to ensure he's in tip-top condition."
Evans, who parted company with St Joes trainer Tony Borg last year, has had a difficult time since 2012 with a loss of form and confidence in the ring and a conviction for assault in a Birmingham lap dancing club.
But now he's fit and fully focused on going for gold in Glasgow.
"I just want to put the past behind me now and concentrate on winning gold," said the 23-year-old.
"I've definitely improved since London. This is the fittest I've been since then and I feel I'm in great form.
"I'd be disappointed with myself if I didn't win the gold. The Commonwealth Games is the medal I'm missing so I want to put that right."


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This is an annual thing with me now (see 8PTHMD 2009 and 8PTHMD 2010). I ate a lot of pizza over the course of the year, but these eight pies, mostly from around the NYC area, are the ones that haunt my dreams even as we close in on 2012. Like years past, I'm not declaring these "the best," per se, just eight pizzas that stand out in my memory and that I want more of. Are they in any kind of order? Not this year, so don't read anything into it. Just peep the slideshow and salivate.
About the author: Adam Kuban is the founder of Slice, where he has been blogging about pizza for more than 8 years. You can follow him as @akuban on Twitter.


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Latino education gap in California and the nation
A focus on education is especially timely for Latinos given the younger age of that population, says an article in the Los Angeles Times. The median age for Latinos nationwide is 27 versus 40 for the entire population. In California, the median age for Latinos is 27.
The article mentions that 'the college gap is especially significant in California, where 38 percent of the population is Latino as well as half of all grade-school students. About 75% of the students in the Los Angeles Unified School District are Latino."
Although the article indicates that graduation rates are declining for Latinos and the gap seems to be increasing between Latinos and other groups, the researchers mentioned several programs that are helping Latinos succeed in college, such as the University of California Puente Project.
The mission of the Puente Project is to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn college degrees, and return to the community as mentors and leaders of future generations. To accomplish this, counselors, teachers and mentors work together to provide students with the necessary tools to successfully transfer to four-year institutions. Through the Puente Project, Latino students persist at greater rates than other students, transfer to four-year institutions at higher rates than other students, and graduate at similar rates to white students (86 percent vs. 83.9 percent).
Source: Los Angeles Times, Report details Latino education gap in California and nationwide, April 10, 2012.


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I Love Dragon Lis Women T-Shirt
Product Color:
Product information
The Women T-Shirt I Love Dragon Lis is our old-school favorite. Perfect for use in sports where you are bound to sweat and need wide range of movement. Short sleeves to let cool air in on those hot and sunny days. Also great for every day use and to show everyone your love for I Love Dragon Lis.
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Sku: TC2BL0000016840707070032WHRE00000


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Many municipalities find UV light a greener way to purify water
Though chlorine has been the most common and well-known method of water treatment for many decades, in Logan Township, another form of disinfection reigns supreme.
Logan Township has used ultraviolet (UV) light treatment to disinfect its wastewater for many years and a new addition to their current plant ensures that they will use the alternative method for many years to come.
Currently, their wastewater reclamation facility is outdated, said Logan Twp.'s Municipal Utilities Agency (MUA) Executive Director Joe Weber, so the addition was needed to bring the facility up to date.
As a wastewater treatment plant, the facility receives the municipality's wastewater, cleans it and empties it into the adjacent Delaware River.
The project has been needed for a number of years, explained Weber, but it had to be put on hold due to the decline in economic climate. This year, it was finally able to move forward with "no impact to taxpayers."
"Not everybody is using [UV]," Weber said. "It all depends on where you go."
"For bigger plants, UV is not cost effective," explained Weber. "They usually go with what is cheaper."
But there are major benefits to UV as a disinfectant, Weber said, the most notable of which is that no chemicals needed to clean the water.
He explained that UV water treatment works by mutating the pathogens' DNA. When wastewater passes through tubes lined with UV lamps, the few seconds of exposure damage the DNA of the pathogens, preventing reproduction. Pathogens tend to reproduce very quickly so stopping reproduction is the first goal. Then, because the chemical bonds that hold the atoms of the DNA together are disrupted, the damage is severe enough that the pathogen cannot repair itself and it dies. This process effectively disinfects the water of any harmful pathogens.
According to the EPA, UV water treatment is also effective against chlorine-resistant pathogens like Cryptosporidium, which causes gastrointestinal infection in humans.
Traditional chlorine disinfection uses 100 percent chlorine gas to clean wastewater, which can be dangerous for workers and the surrounding population if a spill were to happen, said Weber. He explained that bleach, with its strong aroma, is only 3-5 percent chlorine. Other stronger cleaners that contain sodium hyperchlorite are 15 percent chlorine, so 100 percent chlorine gas is substantially stronger than both of those solutions.
Chlorine storage requires special permits and housing, because, as seen recently following the vinyl chlorine spill in Paulsboro, leaks of any kind can be damaging not only to the MUA workers but also to the surrounding population and environment. With UV, there are no special permits or housing requirements, and "everything is on site," he said.
Logan Twp. still "always put guys through training" to work with UV, said Weber. The only real concern to his workers is eye protection, he continued. Just like sunglasses provide protection for eyes from the sun's UV rays, those working with the UV light have to wear a special face shield to protect their eyes from the light. If the UV light were to shine in unprotected eyes, the person would feel as if hot sand was thrown in his or her eyes.
However, there is absolutely no risk at all to the surrounding community. No gases will ever leak into the air, explained Weber. Nothing about the UV light is harmful to humans.
Hikers are also more frequently turning to UV for water purification. UV technology is available on a portable basis from like the SteriPen which can be inserted in a bucket of water to kill the pathogens and the CamelBak AllClear water bottle can disinfect drinking water from freshwater sources in under a minute. There has also been discussion that third world countries may turn to portable UV technology as a local water treatment option.
There is no residual effect to the water from UV either. Unlike water that is treated with chlorine gas, UV-treated water is not corrosive to metals so maintenance costs are decreased.
Though the water from the facility is not recycled back into the water system for drinking, the reclaimed water from Logan Twp.'s plant empties into the Delaware River, so this means that no chlorines are being released into the waterway.
Few people in Logan Twp. are aware that the municipality uses UV light to treat its wastewater, however. "Most people don't know where their water goes when they flush their toilet," said Weber, and they only time anyone ever begins to question is "when their sewer rates go up."
There are no statistics available on how prevalent UV water treatment is in New Jersey municipalities.


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The ESRI Federal GIS conference will be held on February 25-27, 2013 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The conference is the largest of its kind, bringing together 2,700 attendees over the course of 3 days. Participants will learn about new and exciting ways federal agencies can implement geospatial technologies and analysis in everyday decision making. At the conference, you will have the opportunity to participate in 100 workshops and network with leaders in several federal agencies.
If you are planning on attending this event, we currently have several specials to offer you. As for public transportation, we are within a quick bus trip from the convention center, see map below for Metro's 42 bus route.
If you have any questions, feel free to call us at (202) 588-1180
Bernardo, Innkeeper
American Guest House in Washington DC
View Direction to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in a larger map


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Posted 7 years ago
(68 items)
I have been putting Linseed oil on this everyday since Thursday. I've been in touch with a person at a lacrosse store in my area and he knows a Mohawk indian that makes these. Draw shave, steam bent, leather basket the works. We are trying to set up a date that I can go and learn how to weave the basket out of leather for it.


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The federal government on Wednesday grounded Boeing's newest and most technologically advanced jetliner., declaring that the 787 cannot fly again until the risk of battery fires is addressed.
The Federal Aviation Administration said it would work with Boeing and U.S. airlines to develop a plan to allow the Dreamliner to "resume operations as quickly and safely as possible." United Airlines is the only U.S. carrier with 787s. It has six.
The FAA decision was the latest setback for a plane that was supposed to set a new standard for jet travel but has been beset by one mishap after another.
There are two daily scheduled flights from Los Angeles on the 787. United Airlines flies daily to Tokyo's Narita Airport, while South America's LAN Airlines has a daily flight to Santiago, Chile.
In a statement, United said it will "immediately comply" with the FAA directive and "work closely with the FAA and Boeing on the technical review as we work toward restoring 787 service."
United added that it will move affected customers to alternate aircraft.
Various South Bay businesses provide parts for Boeing aircraft, including Alcoa's Torrance facility, which makes fasteners for the Dreamliner.
Boeing also employs thousands of workers involved in other aircraft lines at several sites around Southern California, including Long Beach's C-17 Globemaster III manufacturing facility that employs more than 4,000 people.
For the second time in two weeks, a smoking or burning battery has been tied to an emergency aboard a 787. Almost half of the 787s that have been delivered have now been grounded for safety checks. And the latest incident raises the risk that the jet's electrical problems are more dangerous than previously thought.
So far, no one has suggested that the plane's fundamental design can't be fixed. But it's unclear how much will need to be changed.
The remedy could range from relatively quick-and-easy improvements to more extensive changes that could delay deliveries just as Boeing is trying to speed production up from five planes per month to 10.
On Wednesday, Japan's All Nippon Airways said pilots smelled something burning and received a cockpit message warning of battery problems while flying from Yamaguchi Ube airport in western Japan to Tokyo.
They made an emergency landing at Takamatsu airport in western Japan, and passengers evacuated using inflatable slides.
An inspection found that a flammable liquid had leaked from the main lithium-ion battery, which is below and slightly behind the cockpit. Investigators found burn marks around the damage.
"Anytime you have a fire on board - whether it's the battery that has caused it or a passenger that caused it or another electrical component - that's a very a serious situation on an aircraft and something not to be taken lightly," said Kevin Hiatt, president of the Flight Safety Foundation.
Japan's Kyodo News agency quoted transport ministry investigator Hideyo Kosugi as saying that the liquid leaked through the electrical room floor to the outside of the aircraft.
The transport ministry said the leak could have led to an accident. ANA, which operates 17 of the jets, and Japan Airlines, which has seven, said they won't fly their 787s until they complete safety checks. That's almost half of the 50 planes Boeing has delivered since handing the first one over to ANA in late 2011.
Just last week, a battery on a Japan Airlines 787 caught fire soon after the plane landed at Boston's Logan Airport. It took firefighters 40 minutes to put out the flames.
The 787 is the first plane to make extensive use of lithium-ion batteries, which have raised concerns in the past for their potential to catch fire. The FAA has given the batteries extra scrutiny and issued a special rule for their use in the 787. The plane has two batteries - the main one near the front and a second one in the rear.
Boeing and the airlines will need to move quickly to determine whether the problem is a flaw in the batteries themselves, in the plane's wiring or in some other area that's fundamental to the plane's electrical system.
Boeing has booked orders for more than 800 of the planes from airlines around the world attracted by its increased fuel efficiency.
The jet's lightweight design makes it more of a fuel-sipper, and it's so lightweight in part because it uses electricity to do things that other airplanes do with hot air vented through internal ducts. So a 787 with electrical problems is like a minivan that won't haul kids. It goes to the heart of what the thing was built to do.
Before it carried paying passengers, the 787 was closely reviewed by inspectors from Boeing and the FAA.
Mike Sinnett, chief engineer on the 787, said last week that the plane's batteries have operated through a combined 1.3 million hours and never had an internal fault. He said they were built with multiple protections to ensure that "failures of the battery don't put the airplane at risk."
The lithium-ion design was chosen because it's the only type of battery that can take a large charge in a short amount of time.
When he spoke last week, Sinnett said Boeing was not considering replacing the lithium-ion design with another type of battery.
Staff writer Brian Sumers contributed to this article.


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Man I want to see DC be successful. Such a nice guy.
Defense and rebounding is Kmart and Brand speciality, Ian is decent in D and is not that good of a rebounder for such a big guy, I'm also a Tyler fan but I can care less whatever is best next to Tyler he is not that important.
My trade proposal was not finished, I know that somebody else has to be added to the deal Tyler could probably make it work
As weird as it is, "true PGs" do not work successfully for the Pacers for the past several years. Tinsley (mostly his fault), Ford (JOB's victim, and some are from injuries as well), DC (he plays like a "true PG" in NO so...) and now DJ. And much weirder is the fact that combo guards don't have problems playing as point. Jack, Hill, and even Lance (debatable if he's really a combo guard) and in some instance AJ have worked quite well.
It ain't just us. It's a league wide deal. Name the actual "true PGs" in the NBA right now that're big time pieces of their team. Rondo clearly, CP3, Irving?, Nash if he can get healthy. Who else? It's a different league and different position now. Mark Jacksons don't work anymore.
More like there aren't a lot of Mark Jackson's around, and so the most talented remaining PG-sized players are all combos. Heck, Andre Miller, who's pretty much a modern day Mark Jackson, is still pretty effective at age 36.
Well there's still DWill, Kidd, Rubio and Calderon to name a few. I think the evolution is more on PGs becoming go-to scorers and setting up plays more for themselves as the 1st option (see DRose for example) but they're not necessarily combo guards (my definition of them is that they're naturally SGs that were playing as PG because of their lack of size).
Interesting. I wonder if that reveals a general decline in basketball culture and savvy. "We just don't build 'em like we used to" kind of thing.
"Look, it's up to me to put a team around ... Lance right now." Kevin Pritchard press conference
Been saying that for like 2 yrs now. Defenses are too good, nd guys are too athletic. Overall the game is just different. I don't think it's a bad thing.
DC and DJones for Ian looks like a real bargain. Yes, you could have signed Ian and kept DC, but the team wanted to try what appeared to be a better passing PG option. And with DJ it's only a 1 year trial period, which doubles as a small cap clear at the mid-season trade deadline for teams looking to drop salary and reload.
DJ has been pretty terrible, but even at that rate he's a better passer than DC and does have the potential to at least shoot better than he has been. I'm doubting that he'll find his game this year, but maybe he will. It took Young and Mahinmi about 10 games to start to show signs of comfort.
Hustling undersized bigs that shoot 40% are available for that price. They won't draw fouls like Tyler, but they'll get the same RebP48, better FG%, better defense, no blocked shots at the rim, etc.
DC has the athletic ability, he just doesn't have the basketball IQ needed to be a successful point guard in the NBA.
Tyler defends pretty well. He helped slow down Aldridge. Ultimately I agree though that unless Tyler signs cheap
he will be gone.


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While it seems like the A380 first flew only a short time ago, Airbus is well into its next program–the A350 XWB (eXtra widebody). The planned family is scheduled to begin operations in mid-2013 competing against the Boeing 787 (expected to enter service early next year) and some variants of the 777, which began commercial flights in 1995. Manufacturing of the first A350 began last year and final assembly plants are under construction in France, Germany and the UK.
The XWB variant arose after Airbus abandoned the proposed 222-inch diameter cross section of the A300, A310, A330 and A340 programs for a new, wider structure. Its 10-abreast seating, not previously available from Airbus, will accommodate up to 475 passengers in stretched, high-density variants.
A350 product marketing director Sophie Pendaries said the -800, -900 and -1000 variants constitute a "single family well positioned for a market of over 5,000 aircraft with the right capacity mix and right cross section." And, at a briefing in May, customer and business program development v-p Francois Caudron said Airbus had orders for 530 aircraft from 33 customers, including three private customers and five lessors, adding that the A350 "industrial setup is on track with 'extended-enterprise' suppliers on board."
Detailed design of the initial A350-900, which will hold 314 passengers in a three-class layout, has been completed as Airbus continues to establish manufacturing facilities. According to A350 deputy chief engineer Alain de Zotti, A350-900 design work is well advanced, with first parts manufactured and major development testing started.
The second model, which is scheduled for service entry in 2014, is the A350-800 with 270 seats, compared with 220 in the equivalent Boeing 787-7. Detail definition is under way, following design freeze at the end of last year. The A350-800 and -900 offer up to 900 nm more range than the 787-8 and 787-9, said Pendaries.
Still in the concept phase, with design freeze planned for 2011 and service entry four years later, is the 350-passenger A350-1000. The A350- 800 and -900 will be powered by 84,000-pound thrust Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, while the larger -1000 will be equipped with 93,000-pound-thrust units.
Systems Commonality
The Series 800 and 900 will enjoy a high level of structural and systems commonality. The two models share a forward fuselage, outer and center wingbox, rear fuselage and empennage, wing leading and trailing edges and related high-lift devices, and engine pylon. Compared with the Series 900, smaller Series 800s will sport modified forward- and aft-fuselage geometry, including re-sizing of the forward section 13/14 and aft section 16/18 and the center fuselage upper shell.
Among the common systems are landing gear, flight controls and hydraulics, slat/flap actuators, shafts, power-control unit and wingtip brakes, the auxiliary power unit, fuel and inerting systems, and the electric power generation and distribution. Both variants have an optional 79,000-pound engine-thrust rating. A350-800 systems differences from those of the -900 include adapted crew oxygen and fire-extinguishing bottles, flight control software and six rather than seven cabin ventilation zones.
The larger Series 1000 has increased design weights and payload, stretched fuselage (six frames forward of the wingbox and five aft), reinforced airframe structure and revised wing trailing edge. Its main landing gear adopts six-wheel bogies accommodated in a one-frame-longer undercarriage bay, while the engines feature "bespoke fan module and core technology." Air conditioning also is modified.
Airbus is aiming to reach program maturity at service entry through a series of structure-and systems-testing pyramids involving design, component and subassembly demonstrators and systems integration, full-scale airframe structures and "iron-bird" systems testing. Caudron said technology readiness will involve fuselage, pylon and wingbox demonstrators. Some 84 percent of overall tools had been deployed among major partners and all A350 work programs had been allocated as of this May.
According to Airbus, it has learned from the challenges it endured with the A380, on which commonality issues arose between manufactured parts and assembled structures. Buyers also had too much latitude for cabin customization, the manufacturer said.
Physical and Digital Mockups
Caudron explained that what he called de-risking the manufacturing phase to secure a quick ramp-up in serial production required "a lot of work upfront." Having also burned its fingers by relying too much on A380 digital mockups (DMU), Airbus has re-introduced a physical mockup (PMU) for the A350.
Engineering centers engaged in A350 work outside Europe include facilities in China and the U.S., said engineering executive v-p Charles Champion. In Beijing, almost 200 engineers work on several projects, including A350 movables such as the rudder and elevators. The U.S. center in Mobile, Alabama, employs about 150 engineers engaged in cabin-related design work.
Manufacturing on the A350 began in late 2009 with the first composites lay-up. Metal-cutting started in March with production of center wingbox attachments, said Caudron, adding that final assembly lines in Toulouse and Hamburg are taking shape. Production of the first aircraft is under way. Initial major parts have included wing and center-wingbox panels and the first forgings.
The 904,000-sq-ft A350 final assembly building in Toulouse is located close to the A330/A340 production line. It is expected to be able to handle more than 10 aircraft a month.
Scheduled for completion later this year, the L-shaped facility covers some 18 acres, with the aircraft halls occupying 570,500 sq ft. There are 226,000 sq ft of ancillary buildings.
Airbus is preparing for production of the 106-foot A350 wings at its UK factory at Broughton in north Wales, where a 495,000-sq-ft facility is being built. To make best use of internal volume, the plant will build the largely composite wings "in the horizontal," rather than "in the vertical" as with previous such Airbus parts.
'Branding' Cabin Products
As well as using both DMUs and PMUs to improve production management, Airbus is working hard to permit A350 operators to brand their cabin products while ultimately limiting their options. "Customization is where the A380 is in trouble: the A350 will be a much more rigid process," said programs executive v-p Tom Williams.
Customization is offered "where it matters," said Caudron. The A350 is designed to meet specific operational requirements and to allow operators to differentiate their aircraft from those of other carriers. For example, customers can select from a number of module options–such as trim and finish, color and materials–when choosing cabinet, countertop, mirror, wall panel and flooring. Similarly, there is a range of passenger seat and galley options.
This modular approach aims to give Airbus greater assurance in managing production ramp-up, while offering A350 owners confidence about future residual values since less work will be required in "decustomization."


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See images from Himawari-8 in the new satellite viewer
This demonstration product is most suitable for people
with fast internet connection and high data allowance.
Low-definition satellite images
Satellite View Selection
04:30 AEST on Monday 25 September 2017 | Visible, greyscale, Australia
Images from Japan Meteorological Agency satellite Himawari 8 via Bureau of Meteorology.
IDY28000 Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Bureau National Operations Centre Satellite Notes for 1200UTC Chart on 25 September 2017 Issued at 12:29 am EST Tuesday on 26 September 2017 A trough stretches from the Top End to southeast Queensland with convective cloud near the trough. An extensive area of mid-level cloud is streaming ahead of the cold front with embedded thunderstorm activity. A low over southern Tasman Sea extends a cold front to south coast of NSW. Southwesterly airstream behind this front is bringing areas of low cloud with scattered showers southern and eastern Victoria, and southwestern Tasmania. In the west, a band of mid level cloud with scattered showers and embedded thunderstorms extends over the western Bight. This is associated with a broad low complex with its main centre near Albany. High level jetstream cloud is crossing NSW while onshore winds are causing low cloud along near east coast of Cape York.


text: I stopped taking it for granted back in '03 or '04, I think it was. The Bucs game where the Colts came back from 21 down with 5 minutes to go after Peyton's pick 6. I didn't get to see it happen because I was angry and turned off the tv to get some sleep. One of the few things in my life that I truly regret. I've never given up on a Manning since.


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RT @adbrandt: Breaking: Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to a six-year, $100 million contract.
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RT @adbrandt: Breaking: Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to a six-year, $100 million contract.
They're going to regret that soon
Don't ask Marvin Harrison what he did during the bye week. "Batman never told where the Bat Cave is," he explained.
I cant believe Fitz got a better contract than a top 3 QB and great runner. Fitz got way overpaid
No doubt he is a great runner, but I have a hard time calling Vick a top 3 QB, esp since he has never stayed healthy for a full season.
Seems this contract is very similar to the one Fat Albert got from the Redskins, with 41M guaranteed. If he only shows up one game hell have a higher ROI then the Redskins got with Fat Albert.
A big commitment, I think they will regret this deal soon
I'm fine with this deal. Dude is worth it. Now just gotta make sure the offensive line keeps him protected.
If there was one less year on this deal, I most definitely would love this...they had to wrap him up. Not worried about him this year, he will continue to sit in the pocket prolly and hit open receivers during the regular season.
What's funny/sad about this contract is How much of that contract is going straight to debt collectors.
I think I'd still rather have Manning, Brees, Rodgers, and Brady. He's Top 5, not Top 3.
Amazing how one year trumps 7 years of mediocrity.
Last year was the first time ever that he had a QB rating over 90. (Im not couting 09-10 with his 13 pass attempts) His highest QB rating prior to last season was 81.6. And that was from his second year in the league.
He has 5 seasons with a QB rating in the 70s.
Is the previous 7 seasons the real Mike Vick or is last season the real Mike Vick? I'll wager to bet he's a lot closer to his statistical average, than he is to last years model.
I bet he really stripped his game down, as he sat in a jail cell. I bet they gave him all the time in the world to study his mechanics and fine tune them.
Seriously? You're going to try and argue that point?
How about this. We wait for this season, and see what happens? That's all I'm saying.
Let's go talk to the former front office workers for the Cubs and see how smart it is to hand out contracts, based on one years performance and ignore the rest of their career.
Can Vick be a good QB? Obviously, I don't think you can have luck over a 17 week season. But at the same time, I'm not going to erase 7 years of production, because he had one good one.
Especially when said player is a mobile QB who's getting ready to start his downward trend phsically. No, I don't mean he's going to be unathletic this season. I'm saying the trend is just starting, or just about too.
Jim Henry is a moron he gets the opposite of good players. He has no concept of a good hitter the Cubs OBP has been terrible and Henry is to fault. Milton Bradley might of been the worst signing in the history of baseball Fukudome was terrible Marlon Byrd was way over paid the list goes on and on. Plus he gives everyone and there brother a no trade clause. Not to mention he neglects pitching Jim was a joke any guy who doesn't use advance stats (or even basic stats) in baseball to scout and get players is an idiot/end rant
I understand all that. Is that supposed to refute or confirm what I said about Vick's situation?
And no he didn't strip his game down in prison. I'm saying his game was stripped down when he first came to Philadelphia. He couldn't rely on his athleticism because he wasn't in football shape. He was forced to learn the QB position, rather than playing off of raw talent like he did in Atlanta. I'm not sure what other teams Vick could have gone to and succeeded the way he has so far and thats because of who has been surrounding him the whole time. Reid has a done an excellent job with QB's.
So the Eagles front office never messes up? Just because you have a great track record, doesn't mean you're immune from making a gaffe.
If you don't think the comparison works, then show me one other year that Vick has had where he produced similiar numbers. I'll patiently wait.
Vick in the last 3-4 games of the season last year and the playoffs was different than the Vick of the first 12-13 games of last season.
I would not put him above Brady, Manning, Brees, Rodgers, Rivers, or Roethlissberger on any team.
Depending on the offense I want to run, I might waver a little in having him over either Matt Ryan or Josh Freeman.


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The directors and shareholders of Argyll Investment Services Limited ("Argyll") are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached for MitonOptimal International Limited to acquire a majority stake in Argyll, subject to approval by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission ("GFSC").
Founded in 2004 and owned by its management and directors, MitonOptimal is an independent global fund manager and asset consultant, with offices in Cape Town, Singapore and Guernsey. It currently manages total assets of USD450 million through a range of Guernsey- and South African-based collective vehicles plus other mandates, resulting in total assets under management of USD600m for the enlarged group.
Upon regulatory approval, Argyll will be re-named MitonOptimal Portfolio Management (CI) Limited and will take on the branding of the MitonOptimal group. This apart, it is very much a case of "business as usual" in every respect, with all of Argyll's current directors (who remain shareholders), its management and staff remaining with the firm, which will continue to operate from its premises at Weighbridge House in St. Peter Port's Lower Pollet.
MitonOptimal, in particular its managing director and CIO Scott Campbell, have been known to us for many years and we are delighted to be joining forces with a business and individuals with whom we share a number of common values, principles, philosophies and service standards. We are also excited about the possibilities and potential offered by our expanded investment capability and geographic footprint.


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Get an overview of this hotel3.5-star family-friendly hotel, walk to National Theater
Collecting Nectar Points
Special Offer: Book by 2 August 2017 and collect double Nectar points!
Simply enter your Nectar card number when you check out. Your points will be credited 35 days after you return from your trip.
*Terms and conditions apply.
Popular property highlights
This family-friendly San Jose hotel is located near the airport, steps from Plaza de la Cultura, National Theater, and Gold Museum. Parque Espana and Museum of Contemporary Art and Design are also within 10 minutes.
Hotel Features
A casino, a restaurant, and a fitness center are available at this smoke-free hotel. Free buffet breakfast, free WiFi in public areas, and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a rooftop terrace, concierge services, and dry cleaning.
Room Amenities
All 80 soundproofed rooms provide free WiFi, free wired Internet, and room service. For entertainment, LCD TVs come with cable channels, and guests can also appreciate comforts like premium bedding and down comforters.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Hotel Presidente - San Jose City Center, Costa Rica
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
The hotel offers a restaurant. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning. Public areas are equipped with complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. For a surcharge, the property provides an area shuttle within 50 km and a roundtrip airport shuttle (available 24 hours). This family-friendly hotel also offers a casino, a fitness center, and a rooftop terrace. Onsite self parking is complimentary.
Hotel Presidente - San Jose City Center, Costa Rica is a smoke-free property.
- Airport transportation (surcharge)
- Total number of rooms - 80
- 24-hour front desk
- Number of floors - 8
- Casino
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Free breakfast
- Concierge services
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- Fitness facilities
- Free WiFi
- Free wired Internet
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Library
- Garden
- Rooftop terrace
- Porter/bellhop
- Luggage storage
- Restaurant
- Year Built 1963
- Area shuttle (surcharge)
- Free self parking
- Smoke-free property
- Number of buildings/towers - 2
- Television in common areas
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Free Wi-Fi
- Soundproofed rooms
- Refrigerator
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi , Free wired Internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi , Free wired Internet
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Private bathroom
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Premium bedding
- Soundproofed rooms
- Air conditioning
- Phone
- Refrigerator
- Daily housekeeping
- Turndown service
- Hair dryer
- Shower only
- Desk
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- In-room safe (laptop compatible)
- Cable TV service
- Free WiFi
- Free wired Internet
- Room service (limited hours)
- Down comforter
- Individually furnished
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Rollaway/extra beds (free)
Where to Eat
A complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast is served each morning between 6 AM and 10 AM.
Las Americas Restaurant - This rooftop bar specializes in local cuisine and serves dinner only. Guests can enjoy alfresco dining (weather permitting). Open daily.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.
Nearby Things to Do
Recreational amenities at the hotel include a fitness center.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Ecotours nearby
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
- Roll-in shower
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 2 PM
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is noon
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Kids stay free! Children 10 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
- Free rollaway/extra beds!
- Cribs (infant beds) are not available.
- Pets stay free
- Dogs and cats only
- 1 per room
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
- Deposit: CRC 50000.00 per night
Optional extras
- Airport shuttle fee: CRC 20000 per vehicle (one way)
Hotel Name
- Hotel Presidente
- Hotel Presidente San Jose Costa Rica
- Presidente Hotel
- Presidente San Jose Costa Rica
- Hotel Presidente San Jose City Center Costa Rica
- Hotel Presidente Costa Rica
- Presidente San Jose City Center Costa Rica
- Presidente Costa Rica
We should mention
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties. This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). Guests must contact the property with arrival details 48 hours prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. Children 10 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding. Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


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Spread And Effectiveness Of Botulinum Neurotoxin A In Spastic Equinus In Cerebral Palsy
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Objectives. To study the short-term neurophysiological and clinical outcome of botulinum toxin type A(BoNT-A), injected at standard doses, and assess toxin spread to neighboring uninjected muscles in children with cerebral palsy.
Subjects and methods. The investigators studied 18 ambulatory children with dynamic equinus foot deformity (mean age 6.1 years). The gastrocnemius muscle on the affected side was injected with BoNT-A (Dysport, range from 8.9-19.4 U/kg). As the primary neurophysiological outcome measure, compound muscle action potential (CMAP) areas were assessed in the lateral gastrocnemius (LG) and tibialis anterior(TA) muscles on the treated and untreated side before BoNT-A injections (T0), and on days 10 (T10), and 30 (T30) after injections. Clinical scales were assessed and video gait was analyzed at all three time points.
Results. In all patients, CMAP areas recorded from the LG and TA muscles on the treated side decreased significantly from pre-injection values at T10 (p<0.05) and T30 (p<0.002). Assessment at both time points after injections also showed that ankle spasticity had diminished (p<0.05), equinus foot excursion increased (p<0.05), and functional gait improved (p<0.05).
Conclusion. Although BoNT-A injected at standard doses improves gait in children with spastic equinus foot the toxin spreads to uninjected leg muscles. BoNT-A treatment for cerebral palsy therefore needs individualizing according to the child's clinical features.
|Cerebral Palsy and Botulinum Toxin
|Drug: Botulinum Toxin Type A
|Phase 4
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:
- BoNT-A injected into gastrocnemius within standard dose ranges spreads to surrounding anterior lower-limb muscles in children with CP and induces chemodenervation in injected muscles [ Time Frame: one month ]As the primary neurophysiological outcome measure of BoNT-A induced paresis and spread, we studied changes in compound muscle action potential (CMAP) areas recorded from the lateral gastrocnemius (LG) muscle after injecting BoNT-A and from the ipsilateral tibialis anterior (TA) muscle in children with spastic hemiplegia. In line with others we considered a decreased CMAP area from LG muscle injected with BoNT-A as the neurophysiological index of BoNT-A-induced paresis
- the short-term clinical effect of BoNT-A injected within standard dose ranges on changes in gait in children with CP [ Time Frame: 30 days ]As the clinical outcome measures clinical scales were assessed and video gait was analyzed before BoNT-A injections (T0), and on days 10 (T10), and 30 (T30) after injections.
|Study Start Date:
|December 2009
|Study Completion Date:
|May 2010
|Primary Completion Date:
|February 2010 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Experimental: botulinum toxin A
botulinum toxin A diffusion in cerebral palsy
Drug: Botulinum Toxin Type A
BoNT-A (Dysport, Ipsen) ,into the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and LG muscles unilaterally on the affected spastic hemiplegic side; dose mean± SE, 283.3± 24.7 U.. The mean dose/kg injected was 14.4± 0.8, range from 8.5 to 20 U/kg, diluted in 2.5 ml saline. frequency: once.
Other Name: dysport, ipsen
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|25 Months to 9 Years (Child)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- spasticity refractory to oral medication
- patients able to walk independently or with aid
- no contraindications to BoNT-A treatment such as fixed contracture,aminoglycoside therapy and myasthenia gravis and no other neuromuscular diseases
- no orthopedic surgery before
- normal or mildly declined cognition
- previous treatment at least six months before the study
Exclusion Criteria:
- all contraindications to BoNT-A treatment
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01276015
|Study Director:
|laura bertolasi, md
|Universita di Verona
|Responsible Party:
|manager en-chief dr Caffi
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01276015 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|January 10, 2011
|Last Updated:
|January 18, 2011
Keywords provided by Universita di Verona:
BoNT-A-botulinum neurotoxin type A
CMAP-compound muscle action potential
CP-cerebral palsy
LG-lateral gastrocnemius
MG-medial gastrocnemius
TA-tibialis anterior
PROMS-passive range of movement
MAS-modified Ashworth scale
EVGS-Edinburgh visual gait scale
GMF-CS-gross motor function classification system
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Cerebral Palsy
Brain Damage, Chronic
Brain Diseases
Neurologic Manifestations
Nervous System Diseases
Signs and Symptoms
Central Nervous System Diseases
Botulinum Toxins
Botulinum Toxins, Type A
Acetylcholine Release Inhibitors
Membrane Transport Modulators
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Cholinergic Agents
Neurotransmitter Agents
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Neuromuscular Agents
Peripheral Nervous System Agents
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


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Our Thoughts
Able to change from open face to full face in a matter of seconds, the modular Fly Tourist helmet is a highly versatile choice for both city and touring riders. The huge field of vision stays the same regardless of the configuration you choose as does the venting thanks to the built-in forehead air vents. Inside the Tourist features a removable Coolmax liner and special spacing intended for Bluetooth style communication speakers.


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Each and every year, people miss out on tax deductions that would have otherwise enabled them to reduce their income tax liability or, for some, even increase the amount of their tax refund. There are tax deductions available for medical expenses and transportation, volunteering, and even unemployment-related expenses. It is a good rule of thumb to always keep your receipts or cancelled checks associated with any tax deduction. To help you discover hidden tax breaks that you may be eligible for, I've developed this list of 13 commonly missed tax deductions:
1. Medical-Related Transportation
You may be able to deduct the cost of transportation to and from visits to the doctor's office. If you drive your own car, you can claim the mileage tax deduction, as well as any tolls and parking fees that you may incur. If you take public transportation to and from a doctor appointment, you may deduct those expenses as well.
Please note that medical-related transportation is a qualified medical expense, along with payments made to doctors, hospitals, nurses or laboratory fees, acupuncture treatments or inpatient treatment for alcohol or drug addiction, participation in weight-loss programs for specific diseases if diagnosed by a physician, prescription drugs, false teeth, eye glasses, eye surgery, wheelchairs, crutches, and guide dogs for the blind or deaf. You are entitled to deduct medical care expenses that exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). This deduction can only be taken if you itemize your deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A.
2. Unemployment-Related Expenses
If you have had the misfortune of becoming involuntarily unemployed and are actively seeking employment, you will be relieved to learn that many expenses associated with job hunting are tax-deductible. For example, if you travel away from home to interview for a position, you can deduct those travel expenses, mileage, and hotel costs (as long as the hotel expense is both ordinary and necessary) for the night prior to your interview. (You may deduct 56 1/2 cents per mile for business use of a vehicle.) Parking fees, tolls, resume development services and other job hunting expenses may also qualify you for a tax deduction. However, job hunting expenses for your first job do not count. Also, in order for your expenses to qualify for the tax deduction, you must seek employment in the same industry in which you were most recently employed. This tax deduction is considered a miscellaneous itemized deduction. With miscellaneous itemized deductions, you may only deduct the amount that exceeds 2% of your AGI, and you will need to fill out Form 1040, Schedule A. Job Search Expense section of irs.gov: Publication 529 Miscellaneous Deductions
3. Expenses Incurred While Volunteering
Although you cannot deduct the value of the actual work that you do on a voluntary basis, you can deduct expenses incurred as a result of providing that volunteer work. For example, if part of your charitable work through a church or other qualifying organization requires you to spend your own money or use your own vehicle – such as transporting children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program to or from activities, or driving senior citizens to the grocery store – you can deduct those mileage or gasoline expenses, as well as any parking fees or tolls paid during travel while volunteering. Again, you must itemize in order to claim this tax deduction. irs.gov: Car Expenses section of Publication 526: Charitable Contributions
4. Interest Paid on Student Loans
You can deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid on qualified student loans per tax return per year, and you do not need to itemize deductions on your Schedule A in order to qualify (an above-line tax deduction). This deduction is limited by your MAGI (modified adjusted gross income). If your MAGI is less than $75K ($155K if filing jointly), you may deduct up to $2,500 in interest paid on student loans. "the amount determined above is phased out (gradually reduced) if your MAGI is between $60,000 and $75,000 ($125,000 and $155,000 if you file a joint return). You cannot take a student loan interest deduction if your MAGI is $75,000 or more ($155,000 or more if you file a joint return)." irs.gov: Educated Related Adjustments
5. Educational Resources Used for Work
After you have graduated from college or completed a higher education program, you can deduct the cost of any textbooks and educational resources that you purchase for your professional library. You may not, however, deduct textbooks that were purchased specifically for college. These expenses are considered miscellaneous expenses and are subject to the 2% floor. irs.gov: Tax Benefits for Work Related Education
6. Natural Disaster Losses
If your insurance company did not cover 100% of the losses that you suffered as a result of a natural disaster, you can deduct the fair market value of any damaged items on your tax return. In order to be eligible for the deduction, the loss of property must have been caused from an event that is sudden, unexpected or unusual. Some examples of qualifying events include floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and earthquakes. irs.gov: Casualty, Disaster, & Theft Losses (Including Federally Declared Disaster Areas)
7. Tax Preparation Fees
Surprisingly, not everyone realizes that they can deduct tax filing and tax preparation fees. If you pay someone – such as an accountant or bookkeeper – to complete your taxes on your behalf, you can deduct any fees paid for those services. You can also deduct the cost of e-filing your tax return, as well as the cost of any tax preparation software that you use to prepare and file your own taxes. This deduction is also subject to the 2% AGI limit, and to claim these tax preparation fees, you must file an itemized income tax return. irs.gov: Tax Preparation Fees
8. Relocation Expenses for New Employment
If you move in order to accept a new job, you may be able to deduct the moving costs associated with transporting your belongings from your prior home to your new home, as well as the mileage traveled. In order for these expenses to qualify, you must meet both the "distance test" and the "time test," and the move must be within one year of the date that you begin working at the new job. For the distance test, your new workplace must be at least 50 miles farther from your old residence than your prior job location was from your former residence. If you did not have a prior job, your new job must be at least 50 miles from your old residence. For the time test, you must work at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months immediately following your arrival to the area of your new job location. irs.gov: Moving Expenses
9. Home Purchase and Refinancing Points
When you purchase a home or refinance an existing mortgage with points, you can deduct the cost of the points paid. When purchasing a home, you are allowed to deduct the cost of the points paid all at once as long as you meet certain conditions; otherwise, you must deduct the points over the lifetime of the mortgage. When you refinance an existing mortgage, the points that you pay are generally not fully deductible in the year in which you pay them. If you use past proceeds from the refinancing to improve your home, it is possible that you may be able to fully deduct the points related to the improvement in the year in which you paid them. The remainder of the points can be deducted over the life of the loan. irs.gov: Mortgage Points
10. Interest Paid on Home Improvement Loans
If you have a mortgage, you most likely already know that you can deduct the interest that you pay on your mortgage; however, what you may not be aware of is that you can also deduct any interest paid on loans used to finance home improvements as long as you meet the 6 IRS tests discussed here. Generally, you lender will send you a year-end statement breaking down any interest paid. irs.gov: Interest Expense
11.Saver's Credit
The government realizes that social security probably won't be enough to keep you comfortable in retirement. To help people save, they are letting you have a tax credit for contributing money into your IRA, 401k, or other qualifying retirement accounts. For the current year, the tax credit is up to $2,000 ($4,000 if filing jointly). With many companies doing a 401k match, this is one of the smartest credits to use.
12. Mortgage Insurance
Lenders usually force you to have private mortgage insurance (PMI) when you can't put 20% of the home's value as a down payment. PMI can cost upwards of $250+ per month, which can greatly inflate your mortgage payment. To help off-set these costs, they now allow you deduct the cost of your PMI. This will help you until your mortgage is low enough to get out from under the PMI clause, or until you can get a better deal by refinancing. irs.gov: Home Mortgage Interest Deduction
13. Catch up Retirement Deductions
While IRA contributions for people under the age of 50 is $5500 for 2014, it's higher for people over the age of 50. As previously mentioned, the government really wants you to save for retirement. Realizing that many people are behind their retirement goals, they let people over 50 contribute $5,500 to their IRA. While it may not seem like much, if you combine it with a company 401k match, and the savers credit, it really is a good deal.
Choosing the Standard Deduction or Itemized Deductions
Many of the aforementioned deductions require you to file your income tax return with itemized deductions. There are many instances where individuals are better off taking the standard deduction because it gives them the lowest owed tax amount. Determining whether or not to itemize depends on how much you spent on certain expenses throughout the tax year. If your expenses are greater than your standard deduction amount, you are typically better off itemizing. The standard deduction amounts for the 2013 tax year are as follows:
- Single or Married filing separately: $6,100
- Married Filing Jointly: $12,200
- Head of Household: $8,950
Tax deductions change each and every year, so it is important to stay on top of the various tax law changes to ensure that you are not overpaying on your taxes. If you choose to itemize deductions, it is usually a good idea to have an experienced tax professional on your side to help ensure that any eligible deductions are taken properly.
Special thanks to Manny Davis for his contributions to this article.
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