text: What was your favorite book as a child? Perhaps it's the book you read, re-read, and then read again? Or the one you stayed up late reading by flashlight under the covers? Please share your favorite childhood books in this discussion (and whenever possible include the author's name as well as the title). Do you still have a copy of the book? Bet you do!


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I think of that motion as moving my elbow forward as it bends. It starts as a reach back. Then I turn my hips. As I turn my hips I start to bend my arm. I continue pushing my elbow further out. Finally there is a slight pause THEN you explode out and rotate. Really at this point you don't have much choice in exploding out. As someone said it is a release.
From my experience in frame 1 -3 you are moving forward - not so much rotating. 1- 3 is all about getting into the power zone aka the right pec position.
EDIT: Got carried away talking. Yes, what you are describing sounds like you are coming around too fast with the shoulder and you probably aren't getting the forearm stop + sling out\whip-action

subset: commoncrawl


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http://www.wiltshireequineassistedlearning.co.ukSchoolboy Luke McGlinchey struggles to concentrate in the classroom but has found his niche out in the paddocks.
The 14-year-old, who has autism, has developed his confidence and communication skills by working with ponies at an equine centre in Broughton Gifford.
He has been on day release from Hardenhuish School in Chippenham to Wiltshire Equine Assisted Learning every week since October.
The not-for-profit organisation offers personal learning services for children who are experiencing difficulties with traditional schooling.
Luke has just received a nationally recognised horse management qualification in grooming and wants to study agriculture at college.
His mum Tracey, 44, of Cepen Park North, said: "He had a whale of a time and he has a lot more confidence in day-to-day things.
"School doesn't work for everybody – Luke has good days and bad days. Sometimes children need to be outside running around and that's Luke."
Alison Smith, of Wiltshire Equine Assisted Learning, said: "By doing this and then reflecting on what they did and how the horse responds, children are able to learn about themselves and increase their self awareness and confidence.
"Luke sometimes struggles a bit in the classroom, but get him out there with those ponies and he's an absolute joy."
Caroline Pearce, nurture coordinator at Hardenhuish School, said: "Luke has worked extremely hard creating a fantastic portfolio of work on his understanding of horse handling."
For details, see www.wiltshireequineassistedlearning.co.uk


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CHINO HILLS — When Matthew Greathouse met Karla Rosen in 2005 she was wearing a wig.
"Then she took it off and that was the first time I saw anyone with cancer at such a young age," said Greathouse, 18, of Chino Hills.
"I remember getting introduced to what was going on. My family and I weren't very close to the Rosens, but our relationship grew since then.
"It was inspiring to me that Karla was battling so hard against it, and it's changed my life since then. Once I found out about cancer and how it really affected the family and Karla it left an imprint."
Karla passed away on Feb. 5, 2006 of brainstem glioma, or an inoperable brain cancer.
She was 15 and Greathouse was 11.
Inspired by Karla's battle, her parents started The Let It Be foundation, a nonprofit that assists families who have a child with a life-threatening illness.
The foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that illness can have on the family dynamic.
Greathouse was too young to volunteer with the organization's junior advisory team when he was in the sixth grade. But a year later, he quickly joined the cause. He is now a junior advisory team captain.
Other Let It Be captains: Steven Bock, Thomas Zorrilla, and Kacie Finneran of Chino Hills High; Marissa Amorelli of St. Lucy's Priory High School in Glendora; and Erica March who attends Rosary High School in Fullerton.
There are more than 40 Let It Be volunteers.
"Back when it started, Ruthe Rosen (Karla's mother) was my neighbor, and the whole story was so close to me and my family, and when Let It Be was founded, I want to get involved right away," he said.
"When I could volunteer, I jumped at it, and ever since then, it's been a part of my life. Just being able to give back to the community, making kids and their families lives better, I enjoy doing."
To date, Greathouse has donated about 1,000 hours of his time to the foundation, making him one of their most active members.
In September, he was honored as the 2012 Los Angeles County Fair's Young Adult Community Hero for Chino Hills.
Some of the volunteer activities include community-wide lemonade stands, garage sales, talent shows, holiday basket deliveries, room makeovers and holiday home decorating.
Greathouse and other Let It Be volunteers recently wrapped gifts at the Shoppes in Chino Hills at a Let It Be fundraiser.
"Finding a balance as a young person is an art, and Matt does a great job of balancing himself as a young person," said Ruthe Rosen, co-founder of Let It Be.
"He puts in effort and pride in his commitment with our Let It Be foundation families, staff and team."
But Greathouse said it's through Ruthe Rosen's compassion, passion and commitment that he is able to reach out to families in need.
"She's the biggest inspiration in my life," he said.
Greathouse is also busy as a senior at Chino Hills High School. He serves as the Associated Student Body treasurer, taking three Advance Placement classes, keeping a 4.1 grade point average and applying for colleges.
Through an early decision application, Greathouse expects to find out if he's been accepted to Princeton University on Tuesday. He's planning to major in astrophysics.
In addition to Ruthe Rosen, Greathouse said his older sister Laura has been a big influence in his life.
"She always had that passion to get involved with everything and that drove me to give back," he said.
Chino Hills High's activity director Janet Roberts said Greathouse has been a true role model on the high school campus.
"He's approachable and he generally cares about the kids on campus and they know it," Roberts said.
"When he talks to someone he's listening to them. He makes other students feel important and not a lot of students can do that, and I think that's why students navigate to him."
Even if Greathouse moves away for college, he said he hopes to spread the mission of the Let It Be Foundation by creating a club.
"It would be amazing to get the foundation out to different states," he said. "Because I don't think I could ever stop giving back to people."
For more information about The Let It be Foundation, visit theletitbefoundation.com.
Reach Canan via email, call her at 909-987-6397 ext. 425, or find her on Twitter @ChinoValleyNow.


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The October Penn State Dairy Outlook is available!
by Jim Dunn, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Penn State University Market Psychology
The CME block cheese price fell by 1.5% in the last month, ending 2¢/lb. lower at $1.78/lb. The price rose in mid-September, but quickly slipped lower, hitting $1.75/lb. before rebounding a few cents. Butter rose in the first half of September, but flattened out since, ending the period at $1.61/lb., up 17¢, or 11.8% since last month. Butter inventories are high, yet the price is up as well. Butter exports have been high, and presumably will continue to be high, given the weaker dollar (see below) and the prices relative to New Zealand prices. Skim milk powder continues to creep up, rising another 2.6¢/lb. in gradual steps. Dry whey prices are down 0.13¢ at $0.539/lb., continuing a long period of stability.
Table 1 lists some past and estimated future milk prices. The September Pennsylvania all-milk price was $0.30 higher than August at $21.30/cwt. The September Class III price was $0.23 higher than in August at $18.14/cwt. The Class III futures price for October is $18.09. Class III futures prices for the rest of 2013 are up a bit from last month, averaging $17.71/cwt. for the remainder of 2013. The Class III futures for the first half of 2014 are below $17.00, averaging $16.59. The sharp increase in August milk production (see below) and lower feed prices are expected to trigger increased production. I would have expected that the events of the past few weeks would have hurt futures prices more than they have. The September Class IV price was up $0.36/cwt. from August at $19.43/cwt. The Class IV futures price for October is $20.26 and the prices of Class IV futures average $20.02/cwt. for the rest of 2013. This is up about 50¢/cwt. over a month ago, as the strong butter market has buoyed Class IV prices. Based on the futures prices, the forecast PA all-milk prices for 2013 and the first six months of 2014 are also shown in Table 1.
The U.S. dollar is down in the past month against the Euro and the Australian and the New Zealand dollars. The latest Global Dairy Trade Auction had the prices of all of the common dairy commodities that the U.S. exports higher than two weeks earlier, so the current market is positive for milk prices in that regard.
Corn and Soybean Markets
Corn, soybeans, and soybean meal all have fallen recently. The latest stocks report showed a surprisingly high level of corn and soybean stocks, knocking about 12¢/bu. off of the December corn contract and 50¢/bu. off of November soybeans. December futures are $4.39/bu. and November beans at $12.74/bu., so corn has lost $0.38/bu. since last month and beans have lost $1.30/bu. The harvest is progressing pretty well for both crops. The government shutdown will affect the many Department of Agriculture reports that the industry follows, and will make decision making more challenging in the absence of this impartial data. The dairy analysts have been missing the milking herd reports during the budget sequestration, but that is nothing compared to no reports whatsoever. A major advantage of government reporting is that it evens the playing field for interpreting market conditions, offsetting partially the information advantage the major players have.
Income over Feed Costs (IOFC)
Penn State's measure of income over feed costs rose by 8.3% in September. This is an increase of 69¢/cow/day. The September value is $8.95/cow/day, which is the highest value in 2013, and the highest since November 2012. As seen in Figure 1, the IOFC level for September 2013 is the best September value other than 2011 in the past four years. The increases in September resemble those of August and are the result of essentially the same factors. Most of the increase in IOFC is because of a lower feed cost prices, which fell by 9.2% from August levels. Pennsylvania corn prices are down sharply from $6.10 to $5.00 per bushel and hay prices fell 5.8%. The soybean meal price rose, reflecting the dry conditions in the western Corn Belt in August and September. The September PA all-milk price rose by $0.30 from August to $21.30/cwt. The cost of feeding a cow fell by 49¢/day to $4.90. Income over feed cost reflects daily gross milk income less feed costs for an average cow producing 65 pounds of milk per day. Figure 1 and Table 2 showing the monthly data are appended.
The allocation of the revenue per hundred pounds of milk is shown in Table 3. The milk margin is the estimated amount from the Pennsylvania all milk price that remains after feed costs are paid. As does income over feed cost, this measure shows that the September PA milk margin was 8.3% higher than August.
Milk Production
As can be seen in Figure 2, milk production for August was 2.6% more than the previous year. In addition August milk production was higher than in July, for the only time in the data I have starting in 1930. Certainly, the higher production compared to a year ago is not a good sign for milk prices, although the market response has not reflected that. The lower feed prices will benefit those producers that buy most their feed, so a further growth in milk production is certainly likely. So far the export levels are supporting the prices. Some improved producing conditions in the Southern Hemisphere may undermine exports, although so far exports are strong. The milk production report continues to lack cow numbers and milk per cow because of the Federal budget sequester, so until it returns to normal in two months, interpreting the report involves a certain about of guessing about to what degree any changes are from cow numbers or milk per cow. This of course assumes the government shutdown ends before that.
Dairy Outlook October 13 in pdf format.


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January is my least favorite month of the year. Short days, too much rain and the financial aftermath of the holidays always make me long for February.
This year there are two extra reasons to be happy that January is finally over; no more burpees (at least for a little while) and the end of the no sugar challenge!
Although both challenges went well, I'm looking forward to a little slice of something sweet come dessert night (always Friday and Sunday in my house). And my group fitness classes are certainly looking forward to more variety in their plyometrics training! (I've promised them that the entire month of February will be burpee-less and I'm certain they will hold me to my word!).
I've been taking my new GNC vitamins religiously and although it's probably too soon to tell, I do feel like they're giving me more energy. In fact, after Monday morning's Step and Weights class, several of my participants wanted to know if I'd had an extra shot of coffee that morning (I believe the exact words were 'did you take something before class?'). I'll write a review post once I've finished my month's supply.
And all my Tweeting about vitamins and energy did not go unnoticed by my friend Lyndsy, who happens to be a sales consultant for Arbonne. She asked me if I'd be interested in trying some of their supplements. Now you will pardon my ignorance, but I had NO IDEA that Arbonne sold health products. I always associated them with skin care and makeup (I probably need some help in that department too, but I digress). Of course, I said YES, and just look at what Lyndsy dropped off in the weight room for me (thanks so much Lyndsy!);
Protein powder, fibre supplements, energy fizz tablets, vitamin packs, tea and kids chewable vitamins. I'm planning to try the chocolate protein after my morning workout (it's legs day, today), but will hold off on the vitamins and energy tablets until my current vitamin experiment is finished (otherwise, I won't know which product is responsible for what; science experiments 101). In the mean time, I've given my 7-year old one of the kid's vita-chews to try. Here's his review!
P.S. Still haunted by that age old question, cardio before or after weights? Check out my take on it over at Bite Size Wellness!
Did you take your vitamins today?
What do you love about February?
Disclaimer: GNC vitamins were purchased by me. Arbonne samples were a gift. All comments and opinions are my own (and those of my son!).


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Had a few people tell me that they would like to comment on my entries. Is there an easy way to add a comment box to a website? I am not a website wizard.
It can be done, but it might confuse you a bit. The easiest way is to use something like WordPress, which has a comments feature built in, but that would mean rebuilding your site from scratch. There are some other services/scripts that enable you to add a commenting facility to your site, such as
I really don't want to redo my website, bad as it is. Just don't have the gumption to start over again... Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I want to be able to post an update, and then allow people to comment.
If your host supports PHP it should be easy to create a page that will be the destination of a form post.You build a small form on your site and when it is submitted it calls a simple PHP page that can generate an email message to you with the comment.
I used a very similar technique to provide "Contact Me" forms for the users on SimpleFreeWebsite.com.
PM me for some help on this.
Disqus is a popular one. But adding a Facebook API for the comment thread would be easy. Go to the developers area of Facebook and grab the code for it. Then if you are signed into Facebook it lets you comment on it.
Most of the links I posted above provide options that are just added to your site, rather than involving a rebuild. But this is somewhat complex stuff, so it's never going to be as simple as HTML/CSS. As zeeb44 said, Disqus is probably the easiest option.
I can definitely recommend Disqus as a great comment system solution. It's often so painful to roll out your own, and quite frankly Disqus probably have more experience in rolling them out collectively than any of us here do.
As people have said, Disqus is pretty much perfect for this, I've used it on several projects and it works like a charm
Thanks, unfortunately all way over my head and my ability....
Perhaps a simpler solution would be to add a guestbook page to your site, which would allow people to leave comments generally, rather than having comments next to each article.
I have that already. Visitors want to respond to "specific" posts/comments...


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Duration Standards | Academic Standing
Note: This section discusses satisfactory academic progress only as it relates to financial aid eligibility. Official law school policy regarding satisfactory academic progress can be found in Southwestern's Student Handbook.
Duration Standards
Full-Time Division: Federal financial aid recipients enrolled in this division are expected to complete the requirements for the J.D. degree in three years. One additional year may be granted upon a showing of good cause. However, unless granted a leave of absence, the student must remain enrolled in sufficient units to meet minimum American Bar Association (ABA) residency requirements for full-time student status (10 units per semester). If a student enrolls in fewer than the units required to maintain full-time residency, that student will be classified as a part-time student for the purposes of determining eligibility for federal financial aid.
Part-Time Division: Federal financial aid recipients enrolled as part-time students are expected to complete the requirements of the J.D. degree in four years. One additional year may be granted upon a showing of good cause. However, unless granted a leave of absence, the student must remain enrolled in the minimum number of units to maintain part-time status under the ABA residency rules (eight units per semester). Should a student fail to maintain this minimum enrollment, federal financial aid may be denied.
SCALE®: SCALE students receiving federal financial aid must complete requirements for the J.D. degree in two years. However, if a student transfers from SCALE to the full-time program, that student may be granted one additional year. Two additional years may be granted if the student transfers to the part-time division from SCALE. If otherwise eligible, the student will retain federal financial aid eligibility throughout this time.
Course Incompletion: A grade of Incomplete may be awarded only when substantially all of the work in the course has been satisfactorily completed and a time for completing the remaining work has been fixed and approved by the instructor. A grade of Incomplete may have an effect on federal financial aid eligibility and the Financial Aid Office should be contacted immediately.
Course Withdrawal: No course of action will be taken if a student withdraws from a course but remains enrolled in sufficient units to remain classified within their division for that semester (e.g. full-time or half-time) under the American Bar Association residency rules. However, if a course withdrawal results in a student falling below minimum residency requirements for the student's division, financial aid may be recalculated, and lenders may be notified.
Course Repetition: Repetition of a course is allowed only with the approval of an academic dean. Credits taken for a repeated course will not count toward course load in regards to federal financial aid eligibility (i.e. financial aid may not apply toward these classes). The student should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine the effect on financial aid.
Withdrawal from School: Any student considering withdrawal, permanent transfer or a semester at another law school is encouraged to seek assistance and counseling about these matters from the Financial Aid Office. A student who receives a Federal Stafford or Private Loan is required to contact the lender immediately upon withdrawal or transfer to another institution.
Leave of Absence: A leave of absence is generally granted only to students who have successfully completed their first year of study. A student is not eligible for federal financial aid during a leave of absence, but may be reinstated upon re-enrollment in the law school, if otherwise eligible. Students who fail to return from a leave of absence will be considered withdrawn from the last date of attendance.
Academic Standing
Probation: Students on academic probation who use Federal Work-Study funds may continue to work but should seek guidance from the Dean of Students.
Students wishing to petition regarding financial aid award changes resulting from probation may do so through the regular petitioning/appeal process.
Disqualification: A student who has been academically disqualified from Southwestern will lose financial aid eligibility at Southwestern.


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Jill Nicole Kuirsky
Jill Nicole Kuirsky first developed symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 1988 at the age of 11. But it took another three years of fatigue, joint pain, and headaches for the doctors to correctly diagnose the disease. As with approximately a third of people with SLE, Jill also has Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), a blood clotting disorder that can sometimes lead to strokes, multiple miscarriages, and other complications. In Jill's case, APS was diagnosed in her senior year of college when a near-fatal blood clot developed in her leg and started to move up to her heart. Now 27 years old and living in New York, the Michigan native has found ways to stay upbeat about the future despite ongoing disease flares. In this interview, she shares some of her coping strategies as well as tales of her journey into adulthood.
You were diagnosed with lupus at an early age. What was that like?
Jill: My pediatrician tried to get me in to see a rheumatologist. But that wasn't easy. At the time it was very difficult to find a doctor who would treat lupus in a child, much less know how to talk to one. Doctors at the University of Michigan eventually helped to get the disease under control. I took powerful anti-inflammatory drugs and began to feel better. But I also got sad at certain times of the year, like the summer when all the girls would be going outside and I had to stay in because the sunlight would cause a disease flare. I couldn't risk being put back on steroids. I hated what they did to my body—mood swings, bloating, weight gain. Those are tough at age 17. I also needed a lot of rest, but I was a kid and wanted to go out and do things.
How has lupus affected your career and ambitions?
Jill: For many years, I was disappointed with school and life, because I couldn't do all the things that everyone else did. Then I realized that I could make peace with myself by frequently adjusting my goals. For example, from the time I was small I wanted to be an actress. When I first moved to New York in my early 20s, I attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and also worked part-time as a trading assistant for an investment bank. But working in the arts can be very frustrating and stressful, and the physical demands of hours on my feet on the trading floor took a toll. I had to quit both jobs after just three years. I didn't have the stamina to work long days or more than 30 hours a week. In 2004, once I realized that I had to pace myself, I began my own theatre company: Aim High Productions. It focuses on women's issues. Having my own company allows me to produce shows, ensures that I act regularly, and enables me to raise money and awareness of the need to find a cure for lupus. For steady income I use the cosmetology degree I got in high school for my beauty business, Model Effects. I do spa packages and makeup for events.
What makes you feel better when you are having a hard day?
Jill: Exercise is a great way to deal with the pain, stress, and weight gain (from medications) of lupus. I started running regularly three years ago, and now average 25 miles a week. And to keep things in perspective, I have my cute-all-over miniature dachshund, Sir Edward Albee. He's always there to greet me at the door. That makes a big difference on particularly trying days. But the best medicine of all is my friends and family. Sometimes it's difficult for them to understand my tiredness and pains, but just having caring relationships in which I'm treated like everyone else makes me smile.
What would you say to other children diagnosed with lupus?
Jill: I had to fight my parents to let me do things like go to college. They worried so much. But looking back, attending Central Michigan University was the best thing for me because it made me feel normal, like other kids my own age. So learn as much as you can about the disease but don't forget to live your life. Do all the things you want to, and if you have a passion, follow it. I did. You just need to know when to rest.


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On Thursday, May 10th New York Health Works partnered with the Public Policy Institute (PPI) to roll-out the 2012 PPI study "Cultivating the Next Generation of Discoveries and Development in New York Bioscience". The press conference was well-attended and resulted in four media stories in the Capitol Region. Read more for a report on the event which outlines points made by the speakers, includes all of the media stories and a screen shot of the New York Health Works social media "tweeting" around the event.
Watch this YouTube video to hear remarks by both Heather Briscetti, President of the Business Council of New York State and Kathleen Arntsen, President and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of Mid and Northern New York. Heather outlined the substance of the report and emphasized the need for industry-friendly public policy going forward, resulting in new discoveries and economic growth for New York. Kathleen Arntsen gave the patient perspective and highlighted the need for greater patient understanding that a healthy biopharmaceutical industry will not only result in economic growth, but newer and safer treatments for those living with disease. Yacov Shamash, Vice President for Economic Development and Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at Stony Brook University also spoke and encouraged support of academic medical centers and the research they contribute.


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Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnosis: Using Fetal Cells From Maternal Blood
Recruitment status was: Active, not recruiting
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Chromosome Disorders
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Observational Model: Defined Population
Primary Purpose: Screening
Time Perspective: Cross-Sectional
Time Perspective: Prospective
|Official Title:
|National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Fetal Cell Isolation Study (NIFTY)
|Estimated Enrollment:
|Study Start Date:
|December 1987
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|December 2003
Fetal cells can be recovered from maternal blood, suggesting that noninvasive prenatal diagnosis is possible. However, recovery and analysis of fetal cells from maternal blood is complex and sensitivity is low because of the rarity of these cells in the maternal circulation. This study was designed to develop a noninvasive, safe, relatively inexpensive, and accurate technique for the prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders in the first trimester.
The study included a systematic evaluation of variables involved in separating and enriching fetal cells isolated from maternal blood through fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) followed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with chromosome-specific DNA probes. The results of these tests were compared to those obtained from amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) on the same women. No clinical decision was made based on the results of the experimental diagnostic/screening technique.
Even if the biological risks associated with reproductive genetic technologies are reduced, it is possible that other risks (or benefits) are associated with the procedures. Some of these factors may be: increased or diminished maternal anxiety, increased adjustment or maladaption to the pregnancy, increased feelings of coercion to undertake the procedure, and increased or decreased comfort with reproductive decision-making. The study also assessed whether there were any nonbiological or psychological effects on the women undergoing prenatal diagnostic testing.
After the first five years of the study, preliminary analysis of the data showed that the sensitivity of aneuploidy detection using fetal cell analysis from maternal blood is comparable to single marker prenatal serum screening, but technological advances are needed before fetal cell analysis has clinical application as part of a multiple maker method for noninvasive prenatal screening. Target cell recovery and fetal cell detection were better using MACS than with FACS. The detection rate of finding at least one aneuploid cell in cases of fetal aneuploidy was 74.4%.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|16 Years to 45 Years (Child, Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria
- Pregnant
- Abnormal serum marker profile (alpha-fetoprotein, hCG, estriol)
- Ultrasound abnormalities of the fetus
- Any high risk indicator for aneuploidy as determined by physician
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00064597
|United States, Illinois
|University of Illinois at Chicago
|Chicago, Illinois, United States
|United States, Massachusetts
|New England Medical Center Hospital
|Boston, Massachusetts, United States
|United States, Michigan
|Wayne State University
|Detroit, Michigan, United States
|United States, Pennsylvania
|Jefferson Medical College
|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19107-5563
|United States, Texas
|Baylor College of Medicine
|Houston, Texas, United States
|Principal Investigator:
|Laird Jackson, MD
|Principal Investigator:
|Diana Bianchi, MD
|Principal Investigator:
|Mark Evans, MD
|Principal Investigator:
|Sherman Elias, MD
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00064597 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|July 10, 2003
|Last Updated:
|June 23, 2005
Keywords provided by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD):
Chromosomal disorders
Chromosomal disorders of the fetus
Fetal cells
Prenatal diagnosis
Cytogenetic disorders
Single gene mutation detection
Abnormal serum marker profile
Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS)
Magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS)
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
Single gene defects of the fetus
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Chromosome Disorders
Chromosome Aberrations
Congenital Abnormalities
Genetic Diseases, Inborn
Pathologic Processes
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 19, 2017


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The City of Ukiah has received about $2 million so far for its plans to improve the section of State Street that passes through downtown, including putting the artery on what is called a "road diet."
"People are concerned about the road diet -- having one lane in each direction with a center turn lane, and whether that's really going to work," said Public Works Director Tim Eriksen, updating the City Council on the project at its last meeting.
"The data actually shows that going from one end of State Street to another will actually be a quicker process (with less lanes), due to the timing of the signals."
"So (the traffic engineers) told you there's going to be no problem with the diet, and it's sort of a done deal," asked Council member Phil Baldwin. "Do you believe what they've told us?"
"I do, (though) I don't want to," Eriksen said. "My litmus test is always my mother, who says that's not going to work. But the other cities that have done this, like Cloverdale, Petaluma and Palo Alto -- those communities have all shown that this is effective.
"It's not intuitive, but with the timing of the (traffic) signals, I feel comfortable," Eriksen continued. "As with any kind of road project, it's not going to be really popular (while we're doing it) and there's going to be some confusion."
"Do you think the community is aware of what we're planning to do?" Baldwin asked.
"I know certainly the majority of (people) in the downtown area know," Eriksen said. "This was in the paper several times, and we've done everything we can to let the public know."
"I think certainly we're going to have to do some sort of public outreach before this project begins," said City Manager Jane Chambers. "We're certainly not going to start tearing up State Street without letting people know."
Construction is not expected to begin until the summer of 2015, and Eriksen explained that the schedule is so long because it involves not just completing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process, but the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), because the city is receiving federal grant money for the project, known as the State Street Corridor Improvement Project.
"In 2011, we received funding about $815,000 -- from the Mendocino Council of Governments, which is enough to probably do the design and some pieces of the work," Eriksen said, adding that those funds will pay for "more of the beautification things, such as the sidewalks, the bulb-outs, the streetlights, and the trees.
"When we just had that (money) we were sort of hamstrung," he said. "Then in October, we got $900,000, with a $100,000 match from the city, so we're looking at $1.8 million to do this project."
Eriksen also mentioned that the city "very possibly may be looking at another half a million very soon, though it is not guaranteed, so I'm not supposed to bring it up."
Zach Schat, the owner of Schat's Bakery on West Perkins Street, said he was concerned that wouldn't be enough money.
"I think of myself as one of the most optimistic people you'd ever meet, but I'm not sure about the plan," Schat said. "It cost an exorbitant amount of money for me to replace the front of my bakery, and I look at the amount of money available for this it is a lot of money, but is the project going to get done for $2 million? It just doesn't seem possible that for $1.8 million we could do the things we're talking about.
Justine Frederiksen can be reached at email@example.com, on Twitter @JustFrederiksen or at 468-3521.


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I recently went with my mom to the flea market here in Nashville.
In an attempt to save money, I satisfied my urge to buy by taking pictures instead. It must have worked, because I somehow left the fairgrounds with only 3 vintage postcards. A couple of these finds were bike-related.


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'The Buffalo Sabres defenseman, therefore, must be smarting because he led the NHL with 30 blocked shots heading into Thursday night's games. "Guys can shoot the puck pretty hard at this level," McKee said. "I've got a bruise right now the size of a large orange on my knee from a Jaromir Jagr shot. But you don't think about it when you're out there. You just focus on what you have to do. It's after the game that you realize the pain it causes you, but it's never enough to keep you out of the lineup."'
You are here: Home / SabresBeat / McKee proves to be big shot on blocks


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Few banks and credit unions today will disagree that consumers, and consumer behavior, have changed with the advent of social media.
Where the divide begins to widen is between institutions that respond to that awareness with prescriptive action vs. those that idle aimlessly — hoping the answer will somehow fall into their laps.
Having received guidance from the FFIEC in December 2013, market participants can no longer hide behind the veil of ignorance regarding establishing their own social media practices.
Notwithstanding the establishment of their internal policies, the single most important move decision-makers in these organizations must make today is identifying a technology partner that can enable their stakeholders to compliantly engage in social media.
The New Paradigm: Consumers in Control
Social media has made the world a much smaller place, creating endless opportunities for consumers and brands to engage in 1:1 dialogue. Unfortunately, being 1:1 isn't always possible when you're dealing with thousands of daily conversations.
In order to support bidirectional conversation at scale, institutions need to be equipped with a social infrastructure.
Having the appropriate infrastructure in place — one that is built from a single, native architecture; one that can connect to your legacy systems; and one that can meet for the needs of your entire organization — is paramount to surviving social disruption.
While control may have shifted to consumers, organizations that respond thoughtfully now can — and will — level the playing field.
Are You Compliant?
Many institutions fear that by taking the first step into social media, they will be increasing their risk — quite the contrary.
Regardless of the day of the week, another crisis bubbles up to the top of the headlines.
Whether its rogue posting, account hacks or even just human error, preventative governance and enterprise controls are a must in any environment. This is especially true in regulated industry.
Nowhere to Run
The good news is many leading banks and credit unions aren't looking to run away from the problem.
Early leaders in leveraging social media like Navy Federal Credit Union and Citi, have proven that the rewards outweigh the risks in leveraging social.
Brands can survive and thrive in this brave new world, but to do so, they'll require the awareness, vision and desire to execute in this challenging new environment.
The first step in graduating to that level is by ensuring the needs of their entire enterprise are accounted for by their social technology partner.
If not, they will stampeded by the herd of consumers seeking to engage with their brand 1:1 in social media.
Tim O'Connor is a Global Account Manager at Sprinklr. In his role, he builds partnerships with many of the leading global financial services organizations helping to enable their success in social media. Prior to joining Sprinklr in 2012, Tim spent the previous 11 years as a sales executive in the financial services industry with his tenure including Merrill Lynch and two boutique investment banks in Manhattan.


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I have had quite a busy weekend.
Yesterday morning I started by leading the online DBT group I am part of which is really helpful for so many different mental illnesses, and very helpful to me esp as I have so many different mental illnesses...
Then I had a choir performance at the regional forensic unit. It was a bit nerve wracking as I last was there for a GMC assessment, plus there are some pretty dodgy characters there. But the performance went well which was good. I had two solos which seemed to go OK too.
Then I went shopping in the lovely charity shops on my high street plus I got a lovely haircut for too much money but I dont care as it made me feel all good about myself.
Today I had church - where I was a christingle lighter, oh the responsibility. Plus I surrepticiously finally found out the name of the nice man who is half of a couple who are really nice to me there.
I hope you have all had good days.


text:
A man suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder this morning in San Bernardino.
San Bernardino police received a call at 12:24 a.m. about a shooting in the 2900 block of North Park Avenue, said police Lt. Rich Lawhead.
They arrived and found a man who had been shot. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Police said the victim was three or four other people, but no one else was struck. Witnesses saw muzzle flashes, but it's unknown whether the shots came from a vehicle or someone on foot.
The victim didn't live in the area.
Reach Melissa via email or call her at 909-386-3878.
Get the latest crime and public safety news on Twitter @IECrime.


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Bhikkhu Bodhi
This post gives links to freely-available versions of the suttas included in Bhikkhu Bodhi's book. More details of this excellent book, and the Introuction for each chapter, are available at Wisdom Publications. You can read some of of it at Amazon and Google Books.
Links to Sutta Central (SC) will lead you to translations (click on the en links on the right). Since that site is still being built the links should improve with time. That site also gives you direct access to the Pali version, and gives links to parallels from other Canons.
These links are mostly to Sutta Central (SC) itself (http://suttacentral.net/), Access to Insight (ATI) and Metta Net (http://www.metta.lk/tipitaka/index.html. However, there are some other sources, includent Budhist Publication Society (BPS, http://www.bps.lk).
Links directly to Access to Insight (ATI) are also given in some cases where the links from Sutta Central are not yet functional.
Of course, you are encouraged to buy the book itself, but these links will give you alternative translations and easy on-line references.
Note that there are some numbering differences between different translations of the AN and SN, which may cause some confusion. Note also that at Metta Net the AN an SN suttas are presented in vaggas of about 10 suttas at a time, and you will need to match the Pali name from Sutta Central with the name at Metta Net to locate the particular sutta.
Note that there are talks by Bhikkhu Bodhi, base on this book, here (you will nee to scroll down to fin them).
There are bound to be errors in the links. Please report them!
Bhikkhu Bodhi
Introduction (PDF)
I. The Human Condition
- 1. Old Age, Illness, and Death
- (1) Aging and Death (SN 3.3) SC
(2) The Simile of the Mountain (SN 3.25) SC
(3) The Divine Messengers (from AN 3.35 [AN 3.36]) SC
- (1) The Dart of Painful Feeling (SN 36.6) SC
(2) The Vicissitudes of Life (AN 8.6) SC
(3) Anxiety Due to Change (SN 22.7) SC
- (1) The Origin of Conflict (AN 2. iv, 6, abridged) [AN 2.37] SC
(2) Why Do Beings Live in Hate? (from DN 21) SC
(3) The Dark Chain of Causation (from DN 15) SC
(4) The Roots of Violence and Oppression (from AN 3.69) SC
II. The Bringer of Light
- 1. One Person (AN 1. xiii, 1, 5, 6) [AN 1.170-186] SC ATI
2. The Buddha's Conception and Birth (MN 123, abridged) SC
3. The Quest for Enlightenment
- (1) Seeking the Supreme State of Sublime Peace (from MN 26) SC
(2) The Realization of the Three True Knowledges (from MN 36) SC
(3) The Ancient City (SN 12.65) SC
5. The First Discourse (SN 56.11) SC
III. Approaching the Dhamma
- 1. Not a Secret Doctrine (AN 3.129) SC
2. No Dogmas or Blind Belief (AN 3.65) SC
3. The Visible Origin and Passing Away of Suffering (SN 42.11) SC
4. Investigate the Teacher Himself (MN 47) SC
5. Steps toward the Realization of Truth (from MN 95) SC
IV. The Happiness Visible in This Present Life
- 1. Upholding the Dhamma in Society
- (1) Parents and Children
4. Right Livelihood
- (1) Avoiding Wrong Livelihood (AN 5.177) SC
(2) The Proper Use of Wealth (AN 4.61) SC
(3) A Family Man's Happiness (AN 4.62) SC
6. The Community
- (1) Six Roots of Dispute (from MN 104) SC
(2) Six Principles of Cordiality (from MN 104) SC
(3) Purification Is for All Four Castes (MN 93, abridged) SC
(4) Seven Principles of Social Stability (from DN 16) SC
(5) The Wheel-Turning Monarch (from DN 26) SC
(6) Bringing Tranquillity to the Land (from DN 5) SC
V. The Way to a Fortunate Rebirth
- 1. The Law of Kamma
- (1) Four Kinds of Kamma (AN 4.232) SC ATI
(2) Why Beings Fare as They Do after Death (MN 41) SC
(3) Kamma and Its Fruits (MN 135) SC
2. Merit. The Key to Good Fortune
- (1) Meritorious Deeds (It 22) SC ATI]
(2) Three Bases of Merit (AN 8.36) SC
(3) The Best Kinds of Confidence (AN 4.34) SC
- (1) If People Knew the Result of Giving (It 26) SC ATI]
(2) Reasons for Giving (AN 8.33) SC
(3) The Gift of Food (AN 4.57) SC
(4) A Superior Person's Gifts (AN 5.148) SC
(5) Mutual Support (It 107) SC ATI
(6) Rebirth on Account of Giving (AN 8.35) SC
VI. Deepening One's Perspective on the World
- 1. Four Wonderful Things (AN 4.128) SC
2. Gratification, Danger, and Escape
- (1) Before My Enlightenment (AN 3.101 §§1–2) [3.103] SC
(2) I Set Out Seeking (AN 3.101 §3) [3.103] SC
(3) If There Were No Gratification (AN 3.105) SC
4. The Pitfalls in Sensual Pleasures
6. Four Summaries of the Dhamma (from MN 82) SC
7. The Danger in Views
- (1) A Miscellany on Wrong View (AN 1. xvii, 1, 3, 7, 9) [AN 1.306-308] SC SC SC
(2) The Blind Men and the Elephant (Ud 6.4) SC ATI
(3) Held by Two Kinds of Views (It 49) SC ATI
9. The Perils of Saṃsāra
VII. The Path to Liberation
- 1. Why Does One Enter the Path?
- (1) The Arrow of Birth, Aging, and Death (MN 63) SC
(2) The Heartwood of the Spiritual Life (MN 29) SC
(3) The Fading Away of Lust (SN 45.41–48, combined) SC
3. Good Friendship (SN 45.2) SC
4. The Graduated Training (MN 27) SC
5. The Higher Stages of Training with Similes (from MN 39) SC
VIII. Mastering the Mind
- 1. The Mind Is the Key (AN 1. iii, 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10) [AN 1.21-30] SC ATI
2. Developing a Pair of Skills
- (1) Serenity and Insight (AN 2. iii, 10) [AN 2.31] SC
(2) Four Ways to Arahantship (AN 4.170) SC
(3) Four Kinds of Persons (AN 4.94) SC
4. The Refinement of the Mind (AN 3.100 §§1–10) [AN 3.101] SC
5. The Removal of Distracting Thoughts (MN 20) SC
6. The Mind of Loving-Kindness (from MN 21) SC
7. The Six Recollections (AN 6.10) SC [Related: AN 11.12 SC]
8. The Four Establishments of Mindfulness (MN 10) SC
9. Mindfulness of Breathing (SN 54.13) SC
10. The Achievement of Mastery (SN 28.1–9,combined) SC SC SC SC SC SC SC SC SC
IX. Shining the Light of Wisdom
- 1. Images of Wisdom
3. A Discourse on Right View (MN 9) SC
4. The Domain of Wisdom
- (1) By Way of the Five Aggregates
- (a) Phases of the Aggregates (SN 22.56) SC
(b) A Catechism on the Aggregates (SN 22.82 = MN 109, abridged) SC SC
(c) The Characteristic of Nonself (SN 22.59) SC
(d) Impermanent, Suffering, Nonself (SN 22.45) SC
(e) A Lump of Foam (SN 22.95) SC
- (a) Full Understanding (SN 35.26) SC
(b) Burning (SN 35.28) SC
(c) Suitable for Attaining Nibbāna (SN 35.147-49, combined) SC SC SC
(d) Empty Is the World (SN 35.85) SC
(e) Conscious Too Is Nonself (SN 35.234) SC
- (a) The Eighteen Elements (SN 14.1) SC
(b) The Four Elements (SN 14.37-39, combined) SC SC SC
(c) The Six Elements (from MN 140) SC
- (a) What Is Dependent Origination? (SN 12.1) SC
(b) The Stableness of the Dhamma (SN 12.20) SC
(c) Forty-Four Cases of Knowledge (SN 12.33) SC
(d) A Teaching by the Middle (SN 12.15) SC
(e) The Continuance of Consciousness (SN 12.38) SC
(f) The Origin and Passing of the World (SN 12.44) SC
X. The Planes of Realization
- 1. The Field of Merit for the World
- (1) Eight Persons Worthy of Gifts (AN 8.59) SC
(2) Differentiation by Faculties (SN 48.18) SC [Related: SN 48.10 SC]
(3) In the Dhamma Well Expounded (from MN 22) SC
(4) The Completeness of the Teaching (from MN 73) SC
(5) Seven Kinds of Noble Persons (from MN 70) SC
- (1) The Four Factors Leading to Stream-Entry (SN 55.5) SC
[Related: Admirable Friendship (It 17) SC ATI; Hearing the Dhamma (AN 5.202) SC; Careful Attention (It 16) SC ATI; Practice in accorance with the Dhamma (SN 22.39) SC]
(2) Entering the Fixed Course of Rightness (SN 25.1) SC
(3) The Breakthrough to the Dhamma (SN 13.1) SC
(4) The Four Factors of a Stream-Enterer (SN 55.2) SC [Related: (SN 55.1) SC]
(5) Better than Sovereignty over the Earth (SN 55.1) SC
- (1) Abandoning the Five Lower Fetters (from MN 64) SC
(2) Four Kinds of Persons (AN 4.169) SC
(3) Six Things that Partake of True Knowledge (SN 55.3) SC [No links at present]
(4) Five Kinds of Nonreturners (SN 46.3) SC
- (1) Removing the Residual Conceit "I Am" (SN 22.89) SC
(2) The Trainee and the Arahant (SN 48.53) SC
(3) A Monk Whose Crossbar Has Been Lifted (from MN 22) SC
(4) Nine Things an Arahant Cannot Do (from AN 9.7) SC
(5) A Mind Unshaken (from AN 9.26) SC
(6) The Ten Powers of an Arahant Monk (AN 10.90) SC
(7) The Sage at Peace (from MN 140) SC
(8) Happy Indeed Are the Arahants (from SN 22.76) SC
5. The Tathāgata
- (1) The Buddha and the Arahant (SN 22.58) SC
(2) For the Welfare of Many (It 84) SC ATI
(3) Sāriputta's Lofty Utterance (SN 47.12) SC
(4) The Powers and Grounds of Self-Confidence (from MN 12) SC
(5) The Manifestation of Great Light (SN 56.38) SC
(6) The Man Desiring Our Good (from MN 19) SC
(7) The Lion (SN 22.78) SC
(8) Why Is He Called the Tathāgata? (AN 4.23 = It 112) SC SC ATI


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Starting to look at vertex and pixel shaders...
Pardon if this is really basic, but--
What's the interplay/flow between a vertex shader and a pixel shader? What I can't quite understand right now is how they are called an equal number of times; i.e., there are only 3 vertices usually, but many pixels in between those vertices. How can the vertex and pixel shaders be called one right after the other over and over? Does each triangle get its three vertices run through the vertex shader, than the pixel shader works with pixels over? Or whatever...
Probably not asking the question right, but, well, trying to get the question out somehow.
They're not called equal numbers of times; the vertex shader's called once for each vertex and the pixel shader once for each pixel covered by each triangle. Each triangle gets its three verts run through the vertex shader, then the rasterizer (part of the hardware) figures out which pixels that triangle covers and runs all those pixels through the pixel shader.
The inputs to the pixel shader are based on the outputs from the vertex shader, but they are interpolated linearly across the triangle, to generate values for all the pixels between the verts.
Ha, thanks Reedbeta; that helps a lot. That's sort of what I figured, but for some reason, in all the various tutorials and whatnot I've been reading up on, those facts were really never explicitly set forth. Thanks again.
It also helps to read the specification documents (OpenGL or DirectX). It can be daunting due to the amount of reading involved, but it does a good job clearing up a lot of questions. You're more likely to learn things in official documentation than you would anywhere else. Tutorials are great if you just want to get the gist of it.
Yes, I agree; tutorials seem to usually just get "the gist" of it (annoyingly). I also had this Q...
In my shader learning here, I'm running accross Texcoord0 and Texcoord1 a whole bunch. Like the following code from a tutorial that wasn't really explained that well...
BindChannels { Bind "Vertex", vertex Bind "texcoord", texcoord0 Bind "texcoord1", texcoord1 }
BindChannels { Bind "Vertex", vertex Bind "texcoord", texcoord Bind "Color", color }
I assume those are the X,Y (rather, U,V) of the particular UV map? Or is texcoord0 and texcoord1 both individual SETS of UV coords? Once again, the tutorials I've started to read on these issues never really explain what's happening in a clear and detailed way. Makes for reading the example code really confusing if one's just entering the shader arena.
Things like TEXCOORD0 and TEXCOORD1, COLOR0, etc. (called "registers" or "semantics") usually represent a 4-component vector, with XYZW components. It's possible to store whatever data you wish in this vector. Commonly, you would store your UVs in the first two components (the XY components) of TEXCOORD0, for example. The other two components (ZW) could be left unused, or you could put something else in there if you wish. And if you have more than 4 pieces of data to send, you can use TEXCOORD1, TEXCOORD2, etc.
It's worth noting that the names of these semantics are kind of a throwback to days of fixed-function hardware where there were specific registers for specific purposes, such as color, texture coordinates, normals, etc. In modern times you can store any data you like in any of the registers, so the semantic is just a label to match things up from vertex buffer to vertex shader, or from vertex shader to pixel shader. In fact, Direct3D10-11 HLSL lets you make up your own semantics. Instead of TEXCOORD0 you could write MY_AWESOME_VALUES or whatever you want. I'm not sure about GLSL.
when you get into the general purpose gpu type stuff, youll be wanting to use these registers for storing absolutely anything, including geometry, id's all sorts.
I take it this is Unity? I've seen the page you're reading from. There's a key point listed here.
"BindChannels has no effect when programmable vertex shaders are used, as in that case bindings are controlled by vertex shader inputs."
So it seems you're working with the fixed function pipeline, or possibly Unity has some sort of "fixed shader" running behind the scenes. The "texcoords" does refer to the (u,v,w) texture coordinates for each texture unit for the purposes of multitexturing. In traditional fixed function graphics, typically there's a 1:1 mapping between texture coordinates and textures used. When you work with programmable shaders (that is you write your own vertex and fragment shaders), you're in full control over how things work. In most scenarios, you use one set of UVs for several different textures. Fixed function is a bit dumb and doesn't know what your intentions are, so it generally follows the 1:1 mapping with simple blending operations to mix all textures together.
In a programmable graphics pipeline, at least with OpenGL, you are in full control of the inputs, which are called "attributes". There's no keywords for "vertex" or "texcoord", but for obvious reasons it helps when you write your shaders that you use identifiable variable names. The bindings are done in C/C++, so you already know in advance what goes where. If you were programming shaders in C/C++, it would make sense what "texcoord" and "texcoord1" means because you would be physically telling the graphics API what the associations are. "Bind my normals here, bind my texture UVs there, etc...". Since you're using Unity, you are conforming to Unity's mapping scheme.
Ah...that makes a lot of sense. Thanks all, thanks a bunch.
TheNut: so, what IS channel binding? Like the following code, which I pasted above, with the comments included:
// Maps the first UV set to the first texture stage // and the second UV set to the second texture stage BindChannels { Bind "Vertex", vertex Bind "texcoord", texcoord0 Bind "texcoord1", texcoord1 }
// Maps the first UV set to all texture stages // and uses vertex colors BindChannels { Bind "Vertex", vertex Bind "texcoord", texcoord Bind "Color", color } Not quite understanding some elements on that page; things like "target hardware" or whatnot, UV "sets", etc.
The number of inputs available in a GPU varies massively. Modern PC graphics cards can do all sorts of fun things, but the graphics cards in mobile phones are a lot more primitive.
BindChannels seem to be a Unity way of coping with this issue.
When you think of what is actually happening in a pixel shader, you get a block of "stuff" in and output a colour
How the "stuff" is organised needs to be defined in the shader code, but the shader code is a completely separate entity than the code running on the CPU.
So how do you get the "stuff" organised so that the CPU can supply the GPU with something that matches what the GPU expects? After all if you pass in a colour and a texture coordinate in the wrong order, the pixel shader doesn't know you have screwed up, it just does what it's been told on the data you have supplied.
There are lots of ways of doing this, it is not standardised. XNA has one way of doing it, OpenGL another, Opengles another, etc. Looks like Unity has another.
The first structure is saying "give the shader a vertex position and two sets of texture coordinates". What that actually gets compiled to should be ignored while you are learning. There are many different possibilities depending on the shader compiler.
The second is saying "give the shader a vertex position, one texture coordinate, and one colour"
That's all it really means.
Thanks Stainless, very appreciated. That makes sense. There always seems to be a clearer explanation out there than what's usually presented in tutorials and documentation, lol. I usually find things to be a bit simpler in concept than what they initially seem in regards to complexity.
PS--on shaders: so, I assume shaders can be/are used to generate textures sometimes; a form of procedural generation really. Can one generate noise via shaders, for instance? I know there are noise generation algorithms, and I sort of assume they are implemented using shaders. But of course, that'sonly noise; I'm just curious about textures via shaders in general.
It's possible to create a render target, do some drawing into it and then later turn around and use the rendered image as a texture. This is often called "render-to-texture". So yes, shaders can be used to generate textures using this approach. Noise can indeed be implemented in a pixel shader and generated this way, though it's not completely straightforward - most noise algorithms (and indeed most image processing algorithms in general) are usually described as if you were going to implement them on the CPU, so translating that into a GPU implementation can be nontrivial (especially for an efficient GPU implementation).
Be warned though that render to texture is NOT supported as standard on OpenGLES.
Khronic.... err sorry Kronos were very limp wristed when defining the API and didn't require it.
Which is a pain in the proverbial.
Generating images in shaders can still be done though, you just have to do it straight to the screen.
This vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikOe0gM8nQE shows an example. The shader is given pixel x, pixel y, and time. No textures are used.
I found http://forthsalon.appspot.com/ and loved it, so ended up writing some code to convert Forth to GLSL.
What can I say, I'm a strange guy. :huh:
Thanks Reedbeta, that helps a lot. I'd indeed like to play around with texture generation via shaders as I get more experienced with them. I suppose the trick, as usual with shaders, is that you don't have the usual certainty in knowing that the texture will be perfectly done in every situation as you would know with a pre-made one. However, I think there's a lot of potential there in shader-generated textures.
Stainless: wow...the forthsalon joint is pretty rad! I'm checking it out right now. Totally up my alley, lol. Wonder who came up with that idea.


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Flensted MobileI fell in love with Alexander Calder's hanging mobiles when I was a student. I soon realised that it's almost impossible to own one nowadays, so I bought lots of other alternatives like this one from Flensted. Hanging mobiles are extremely therapeutic to mePhotographs by Mr Alex CayleYThese photographs are brooding, sexy and unsettling. All of my Cayley prints are from numbered editions of five or tenGibson Angus Young SG guitarI play but I am not very good. I am more in love with the design, especially Gibson Les Paul models. And I only like black guitarsEames Soft Pad Office Chair by VitraI got this from a boutique in Singapore and it managed to solve my backaches. Although it was designed in 1969, it isn't dated. I would use the word "handsome" to describe itCustom-made Tricker's shoes and Dita glassesI custom-made this pair of Tricker's in a UK store and soon found out they're extremely close to Junya Watanabe's collection for Tricker's. As for my Dita frames, I like their big and wide designLuxo LampI got this from the US and it's the bigger brother of the original L-1 (the world's original architect's desk lamp designed in 1937). The black version is what Pixar uses in its title sequence
Born and raised in Singapore, 35-year-old Mr Peh is the creative director of design agency, &Larry. The studio has collaborated with the likes of Sony and approaches projects believing that art and design should not exist in separate spheres. Like his design icon, Mr Charles Eames, Mr Peh believes you should "take your pleasure seriously", and this philosophy can be seen in the joyful aesthetic that permeates his many product designs and brand concepts.
Tell us about your work. What do you do and why?
I am creative director, owner and founder of &Larry, a creative studio that specialises in branding, design and advertising. We design and build our very own locally inspired objects as part of our ongoing self-initiated projects. I believe I can make a difference to Singapore's creative and design culture, and I hope to be an inspiration to current and future generations.
Why do you live in Singapore?
I grew up in Singapore and my family and friends are here. It's one of the safest places in the world where you can focus all your attention on building a family and business with ease. Being such a tiny island and country, everything is super-efficient and fast. My only lament is that shopping is not very exciting.
Where do you like to go in Singapore?
Unfortunately, I am extremely homebound and seldom go out. But when I do, I often seek out old coffee shops somewhere near Dunlop Street. I also try to go to the back of the touristy Boat Quay stretch, which faces the Singapore River, where I find real food at a fraction of what those restaurants near the river charge. I visit Dempsey Road (formerly the British army barracks) for nice restaurants and galleries in the evening.
We designed this paperknife and I use it every day, and I'm a fan of ECM's album sleeves (the book is Sleeves of Desire). The sunglasses are from Dita. As for the H Moser & Cie watch, it's not an obvious choice for a designer like me. But that's why I love it
These are some of my favourite records from ECM, such as Keith Jarrett and Susumu Yokota, whom I consider to be two of the best ambient musicians after Brain Eno
More great works from photographers such as Jonathan Frantini and DC Chang. The handmade lamp (from Anything But Red) is a tribute to my artistic friends who often lament the censorship in Singapore. Far right is a vintage-moulded plywood leg splint from Charles and Ray Eames
Why do you keep your work space this way?
When I moved in five years ago, I only had a table and a chair. I tried not to force design into the office and let it grow organically. For instance, I am willing to mix recycled furniture in mismatched colours and materials with designer classics.
What did you want to be when you were young?
I dreamt of becoming a Chinese comic book artist. I love kung fu comics from Hong Kong and I tried to imitate their illustrations. I taught myself how to draw and paint at a young age.
How did &Larry come about and what was the idea behind it?
I split with my partner in a previous joint venture. I had had at least three assistants and started &Larry all by myself. I figured that I needed to collaborate with others in order to achieve bigger things, so I left a void in front of my name and handed over the spotlight to my collaborators.
What are your five work essentials?
Glasses, computer, a task light, a good chair and most importantly, air conditioning.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Lately, lots of Bill Evans. I fell in love with Everybody Digs Bill Evans the moment I heard the song 'Peace Piece' from 1958.
If you could have designed anything in the world, what would it have been?
The World Wide Web. It's such a wonderful invention that binds us - and blinds us - at the same time.
What makes you get up in the morning?
My family, my work, fashion and music.


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All it takes is a little creativity and a video camera and you, too, can enter Spar for the Spurtle. We're not looking for a fancy high-budget video, any old smart phone will do. What we are looking for, however, is a creative dish using Steel Cut Oats. Whether it's just a fancy version of your morning routine or a whole new culinary enterprise, show us what you've done and you might just win yourself a trip to Scotland for two and $2500 cash! You have until 7/22 to submit a video, so get cracking!
Check out videos from last year for some confidence building- if they can do it, so can you!
Here are some really fun ideas that might just spark your creative bug. Find these and more on our Spar for the Spurtle Inspiration Pinterest Board.
- Savory Oats with Onions, Bacon, Cheese, Avocado, BBQ Sauce and Shredded Chicken from The Vegster
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Oats from Oh She Glows
- Rosemary Maple Savory Oats from Spark Recipes.com
- Over Easy Savory Oatmeal with Kale from Clean Eating Chelsea
- Blueberry Coconut Baked Steel Cut Oats from Family Fresh Cooking
- Gingerbread Oatmeal from Rachel Kimbrow (a Spar for the Spurtle 2011 Finalist)
Finally, visit the Golden Spurtle website and see what past participants have made.


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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jeff Gordon technically owns part of the Hendrick Motorsports team that fields a car for Jimmie Johnson.
So it would make sense if Gordon said that Johnson was the favorite to win this year's Sprint Cup title. The five-time Cup champion trails Brad Keselowski by seven points with four races remaining. Denny Hamlin is third, 20 points back while Clint Bowyer is 25 points behind.
Of the four, only Johnson has won a championship.
So, yes, Gordon does believe his teammate could be considered the driver to beat even though he's second with four races remaining.
But Gordon, a four-time Cup champion, also knows that sometimes things fall into place for a driver, and so far Keselowski has made the most of his first real title shot.
"It's hard to go against the 48 with their proven history and being in positions like this and winning the championship," Gordon said Tuesday as he handicapped the Chase following a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "But, to me, things appear to be going for Brad.
"Sometimes you evaluate things based on just good fortune and being at the right place, and in that sense, they have performed the best up to this point, which is why they're leading the points."
Keselowski has five victories this year, including two in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Johnson has three, but none in the Chase. Hamlin has five, including one in the Chase, and Bowyer has three with one in the Chase.
While Keselowski, Hamlin and Bowyer have never won championships, all three have had at least one season when they ran well in the Chase. For Keselowski, that was last year, when he finished fifth.
"If that (good fortune) continues to happen and they can step up and get some great finishes and maybe even a win or two, I don't think they're going to get beat," Gordon said of Keselowski and his Penske Racing team.
"I think you have to go back to last year. He finished (fifth) in the points. He learned a lot about racing for a championship and what it takes in the final 10 races, and I think that is what really has put them in position of being as good as they are right now and have a real legitimate shot at the championship."
Last week at Kansas, Keselowski grinded his way to an eighth-place finish while Johnson led 44 laps but settled for ninth after needing an incredible comeback after a midrace crash.
"His performance (at Kansas) was equally as impressive as Jimmie's," said Gordon, who is eighth in the Chase standings. "He struggled and finished eighth and maintained the points lead. This is what's going to make this a great battle because you've got two guys where things are going their way.
"They're both running very competitively and they're both up there in the points."
This week's race at Martinsville should play into the hands of Johnson and Hamlin, who have nine wins between them at Martinsville. Bowyer was running third on a late restart there in April and wrecked both Johnson and Gordon as he made it three-wide.
"This is a crucial weekend for (Hamlin) because Martinsville is really his bread and butter, it's a great track for him," Gordon said.
"If he doesn't really make up some points this weekend, … anything can happen anywhere, but I just think this is a weekend that is a real test for Brad, a test for Hamlin (to rally) and a weekend where Jimmie—hopefully (he's) battling me for the win—is so rock-solid."


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Windsurfing and Kitesurfing in Diégo
Within a few years, Diégo Suarez and its region has become one of the world's meccas for kitesurfing and windsurfing. The Baie des Sakalava and the Mer d'émeraude are two world-class spots, which are featured on the covers of most windsurfing and kitesurfing magazines throughout the world. The varatraza wind which blows 250 days a year, warm and crystal clear water, introductory, free ride and wave spots turned the North of Madagascar into one of the prime destinations for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Kitesurfing schools in the Baie des Sakalava and in the Mer d'émeraude teach in accordance with IKO international standards.
Essentially concentrated in the Northwestern part of the Island, sailing calls for the discovery of unexpected places, in the more-than-favorable weather, except for the months of February and March. The mainland protects the coast from large waves and sails will be fueled by thermal winds. Operators are professionals who know their region like the back of their boats. The monohulls and multihulls can accommodate 2 to 8 people, and the crews usually consist of a skipper and a cook, assisted by an additional sailor in some cases. All favorable conditions are reunited to sail away in total peace of mind. The routes can include an upstream river trip into a mangrove, stop-overs in untouched sites, or encounters with populations with lively traditions. You will feel like you are at the edge of the world in Nosy Mamoko, which does not even appear on some maps, or in Kisimamy where every year, a dhow from Zanzibar comes to stock up on shark oil!
This sport was imported in Madagascar in the mid-nineties. In Itasy, the weather conditions are perfect for long flights.
Andringitra (over and over again!) and its stable weather, its spectacular sceneries and its very cooperative population is a "top spot" for paragliding. The close vicinities of Antananarivo are also endowed with some hills which can make perfect takeoff sites.
Access to the sites often requires great expeditions involving long hikes, and journeys through forests. In Isalo, canyoning is practiced only during the rainy season and only outside the park's boundaries. The Sakaleona, in the West of Nosy Varika, on the West coast is the tallest waterfall in Madagascar. The site was opened in 1997 but its access is very challenging. In Marojejy (Northeast), the altitude differences are considerable and rain is very frequent. In the Montagne d'Ambre, the first operational canyon since 2000, is ideal for initiation. Other more challenging sites are set aside for a more experienced public.
Diving in the waters of Nosy Be
You don't have to be a professional diver to be carried away by this ecosystem which counts as one of the richest in the world! Here in Nosy Be, the seabed offers a special display, as if all the wonders of this earth had decided to meet here.
The observation of marine animals is regulated by the seasons: during the austral winter, one can spot large sea mammals such as the humpback whales... In the summer, whale sharks, and mantes are the stars of the show. Each year, sea turtles lay their eggs on the beaches of Nosy Be and neighboring islands such as Nosy komba or Nosy Sakatia and on supernatural Nosy Tanihely.
Nosy Tanihely has a national marine park where snorkeling is possible under the guidance of professionals. Nosy Be is a world natural asset of its own, on land and especially underwater. Its sandy seabed is home to a colorful and spectacular fauna living in magnificent corals (Great Gorgonian, Black Coral, Dwarf Coral, Madrepores, Brain coral, etc.).
Hikes are very popular; depending on your experience and the time you can allocate for it, you can choose between several trails, usually in national parks, which account for the majority of the ecotourism features of Madagascar. If you prefer the freedom of self-exploration, the possibilities are fewer, but you could explore the old city of Antananarivo or its surrounding countryside. For instance, you can climb Mount Tsiafajavona or follow a guide through the "Highland Farmers" circuit, or the "sacred sites and blacksmiths' villages" circuit in Ankaratra ; find the communes where Zafimaniry art is performed and preserved, follow the "River Manambolo and the Trois Frères" the "Route des Caïmans and the Montagne de la femme couchée" circuits, offered by a sustainable tourism association in Ambalavao. Climb the "Montagne des Français" in Diégo Suarez or the "Pic Saint Louis" in Fort-Dauphin, mountain bike through the wild tracks of the Island of Sainte-Marie. And don't forget Ambatolampy, a gateway to the "Massif de l'Ankaratra". This will take you through the high altitude Manjakatompo forestry station and its large pine trees, its circuits dedicated to mimosas and its arboretum, its trout farming ponds and its Cold Lake which supplies water to the city of Ambatolampy. You could proceed with a good guide, up the Mount Tsiafajavona, the third highest mountain on the Island.
The Massif of Tsaranoro in Andringitra has confirmed its place as a top climbing spot in the southern hemisphere. Many articles have been written in the international press about this site and its large collection of cliffs, which display different levels of difficulty, and where the quality of the granitic rock is exceptional. The perfect weather, over 9 months a year, and a stunning natural environment are also significant advantages. On the other end of the Island, the Montagne des Français which towers the bay of Diégo Suarez faces the Northwest, which protects the site from the winds. The best season to climb here is from June to November. The Nosy Hara Archipelago, the Islands of Andatsara and Anjombavola also offer possible climbing spots.
SPELEOLOGY or SPELUNKING
25 km South (South West of Antsirabe), Ibity's landscape consists of crumbled blocks and jagged cliffs. Erosion has carved the area over the last 60 millions years, shaping the "Giant pots". The sinkhole of the "du Diplodocus", "de la Jument", "du Caniche" and "du Perroquet" are some of the caves discovered since 1960. This region is not well known but is full of underground promises!
The Massif of Ankarana, 90 km to the South of Diégo Suarez is "Swiss cheese" with a network of underground rivers like the Manjeba, which runs through the massif. 11 main caves (some of which are sacred) have been listed. In Andranobe (North of Majunga), the underground network spreads over 2km. The concretion ranges from fine needles to 2-meter diameter pillars. The chambers are huge, with vaults rising up to 10m to 15m. Following the river upstream leads to the open air, in a natural pool surrounded by lush vegetation.
Rafting possibilities are virtually unlimited, so long as you are properly monitored by professionals (some rivers can be dangerous). Some interesting routes include Andringitra and its multitude of small rivers, ideal for kayaking and "hot-dogging". La Lily (in Itasy) winds its course through the volcanic domes and presents good rafting potential. Jolts and gushes are guaranteed in some passes. Lastly, the "La Mazy" runs in the same region, at the bottom of a narrow gorge.
More than any other region of Madagascar, the wide-open spaces of the Great South are ideal for adventures and raids on motorcycles or quads. Two kinds are available and respond to the needs of two different types of adventurers. The first one is the genuine free wheel adventure, whereby you plan your own journey; gather a small group of passionate individuals and off you are to a ride down a dry river bed or zebu-cart trails; get stuck in dead end tracks and find a way out by foot… every now and then you might get the privilege of a little portion of national paved road and by night, camp on the beach using casuarinas to brake the wind. Tombs, anthills, river-crossings, spiny forests, unknown little villages and … soon – or too soon – come home with your head full of great memories!
The second kind, the assisted raid, used to be very popular and should pick up again soon. Flawless logistics: guide-quad, Back-up 4x4, Satellite phones, camping equipment, the equivalent of an entire quad in spare parts, a cook, an aide-de-camp, a physician…
In Madagascar you never just drive your quad for hours through monotonous sand hills!
A specialized magazine article reads: "Much more than just a raid under the tropics, a real initiation journey in one of the most extraordinary countries on the planet"
Handline, trolling or cast fishing, Nosy Be and its satellite islands constitute a "sacred" spots for sport fishing. You can often practice all 3 techniques in the same day as the tide allows. The most interesting catches are the yellow-fin tunas (April to May), the skipjack tunas, the wahoo or barracudas (which can be fished from September to May with peaks in October and February), black marlins (October to March), the dolphinfish and the sailfish that populate the North part of the Mozambique Channel.
Tree Climbing is a new way to discover the environment and experience new sensations. Available activities include adventure circuits in the trees or simple tree climbing with ropes, to discover the canopy. Madagascar and its exceptional endemic trees is a perfect fit for this new activity. In the "Vallée des Perroquets", a course is already in place for beginner or confirmed climbers, but also for professionals (scientific studies). It is possible to sleep in the trees, and the restaurant will be running by early September.
The North of Madagascar holds the future of adventure sports, thanks to a great diversity of amazing landscapes and a large number of specialized and motivated service providers. For climbing, Diégo has become, over a few years, a world-renowned spot, owing to the Nosy Hara archipelago and the Camp Corail (NewSea Roc is the mandatory climbing service provider on the archipelago) which display a hundred tracks equipped with European standard marine stainless pins. Over the past few years, another spot has been made available: the "Vallée des Perroquets" (Camp Tree: treetop accommodations).
This site, which belongs to the massif of the "Montagne des Français", is becoming the most important adventure spot in the outskirts of the city (15 km). With an incredible potential for discoveries, miles of trekking trails, a multitude of unexplored caves (NSR specializes in speleology), circuits for beginners and advanced adventurers, and Mountain bike trails... through coastal villages, inland cross country or descent. These activities are mainly possible during the dry season (April to November). During the rainy season, you can go sea -kayaking on a one day excursion or over several days around the bay of Diégo; you can also discover the mangroves in the Baie des Sakalava in half or full day trips.
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MLB, Astros to host diversity summit
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Major League Baseball and the Astros will co-host the second annual MLB Diversity Business Summit, which will provide attendees with unprecedented access to human resource and procurement executives from all 30 MLB clubs, MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media, Minor League Baseball clubs and MLB's central office.
The MLB Diversity Business Summit will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on June 19. This sports employment and business opportunity career and trade fair will provide job seekers and entrepreneurs with a unique opportunity to network directly with decision-makers for employment and business opportunities at Major and Minor clubs, as well as well those from MLB media entities.
The agenda for the event will include a keynote speech by Commissioner Bud Selig, league-wide networking, exhibit floor access, workshops and executive roundtable discussions.
"Diversity is essential to our sport and remains a core priority of Major League Baseball," Selig said in a statement. "Major League and Minor League rosters reflect players of many different backgrounds throughout our game. Away from the field, the MLB Diversity Business Summit is a key platform, allowing us to offer unprecedented networking access to talented individuals who are interested in baseball careers and business opportunities. We thank the Houston Astros for co-hosting this event and exemplifying the depth of the commitment shared by all of our clubs."
Astros owner Jim Crane said in a statement: "Diversity is vital for MLB, the Astros and the city of Houston to thrive. We are proud to co-host this year's MLB Diversity Business Summit."


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Arts Conference, 2006
Welcome to website of the International Conference on the Arts in Society. To be held at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, from 15 to 18 August 2006, the Arts Conference will address a range of critically important themes relating to the arts today. The conference will run in conjunction with the various arts festivals held in Edinburgh each August, including the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh Art Festival, the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Conference presenters will include key artists involved in these festivals, and the conference itself will serve as an intellectual platform for festival themes and other topics related to the general theme of the conference: Arts of Engagement.
Conference speakers and performers will include leading contributors in all areas of the arts - artists, curators, writers, theorists and policymakers - as well as papers, colloquia and workshop presentations by artists in all disciplines (visual, performing and literary) and arts researchers. This is a conference for any person with an interest in, and a concern for, arts practice, arts theory and research, curatorial and museum studies, and arts education in any of its forms and in any of its sites.
The organising committee is currently inviting proposals to present at the 2006 Arts Conference.
Participants are also welcome to submit a presentation proposal either for a 30-minute paper, 60-minute workshop, a jointly presented 90-minute colloquium session.
Parallel sessions are loosely grouped into streams reflecting different perspectives or disciplines. Each stream also has its own talking circle, a forum for focused discussion of issues. For those unable to attend the conference in person, virtual participation is also available.
Parallel sessions are loosely grouped into streams reflecting different perspectives or disciplines. Each stream also has its own talking circle, a forum for focused discussion of issues.
Presenters may choose to submit written papers to The Arts Collection, a fully refereed academic journal. Virtual participants also have the option to submit papers for consideration by the journal. All registered conference participants receive a complimentary online subscription to the journal when registration is finalised. This subscription is valid until one year after the conference end date.
The International Conference on the Arts in Society
The purpose of the conference is to create an intellectual frame of reference for the arts and arts practices, and to create an interdisciplinary conversation on the role of the arts in society. It is intended as a place for critical engagement, examination, and experimentation of ideas that connect the arts to their contexts in the world, on stage, in museums and galleries, on the streets, and in communities.
The theme of this year's conference is Arts of Engagement. Its scope is deliberately broad and ambitious. Our times demand nothing less than cross-disciplinary and holistic approaches. The breadth of the conference, and its accompanying journal, however, will be without prejudice to finely grained discussion of the specific, the local, the grounded—particularly in the parallel sessions of the conference and the papers published from the conference in the International Journal of the Arts in Society.
The conference provides a venue and a framework for the arts and art practices that can be situated within the context of international arts festivals and biennials as a concurrent, yet integrated, event. In this way, the Arts Conference serves as a node in the larger Festival network.
Conference themes will vary annually depending on the conference venue and parallel festival themes. The Arts Conference directly and indirectly co-creates an agenda in concert with festival directors and the local arts and academic communities in the location in which it is held. In this way, the structure of the conference remains flexible and context-specific. The Arts Conference thereby becomes an additional and alternative medium for creative expression of scholarship and collaborative possibilities among artists, scholars and cultural policy makers.
This conference has been initiated by Common Ground. Previous conferences sponsored by Common Ground and run in association with arts festivals include the Art of Dissent, the Fourth Pillar Conference, and the Indigenous Arts Conference held in conjunction with the Adelaide Festival of the Arts and the Melbourne International Arts Festival.
The International Journal of the Arts in Society
Presenters have the option to submit papers for refereeing and publication to the International Journal of the Arts in Society, a fully refereed academic journal. Virtual participants also have the option to submit papers for consideration by the journal.Papers submitted for publication will be fully refereed. The publication decision is based on the referees' reports.
For more information please visit the Publish Your Paper page.
Who Should Attend
- Artists
- Festival participants and organizers
- Arts policymakers and advocates
- Arts administrators
- Curators
- Community cultural workers
- Art writers
- Media specialists
- Academics and researchers in the arts
- Art educators
- Students in all art-related fields


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robertk wrote:One can check with the Tipitaka and Vinaya and see whether promotions like this were done in the Buddha's time. If they were then it is great, if on the other hand ordaining as a Bhikkhu was a serious undertaking then it might be different.
Snowmelt wrote:I understand that monastics may not ask for food. I had understood that they also may not ask for money. Is this not the case? Or are these people not monastics?
jcsuperstar wrote:Snowmelt wrote:I understand that monastics may not ask for food. I had understood that they also may not ask for money. Is this not the case? Or are these people not monastics?
the person who sets it all up isnt a monk
basicly from what i know about this, the monks arent heavily involved, they allow it, and it helps them out, but a layman sets it up runs it etc. this wasnt the idea of monks who wanted some cash going out and buying ads and charging for retreats
I reiterate what other people said, this is a quite common practice in countries with a Theravada tradition and it seems to tie the monasteries in with their communities. I believe that before government-mandated schooling anyone who wanted to learn to read would be taught in a monastery.Jesse Smith wrote:With no disrespect intended to the Thai tradition, I see so many problems with this. It seems to minimize the basis for take up the robes, leaving home, sincere renunciation, commitment to a homeless life, etc.
This is also true. There are many services like this that actually attract pious relatives, who then force their nephews or sons into the sangha. Last night my Burmese friend told me that this is how he was "turned off" from Buddhism.Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:On balance, I think it is a beneficial custom, but it is unfortunate if young men are bribed and cojouled into become monks by relatives, although they have neither the will mor wisdom to do it voluntarily.
thecharmedbaja wrote:Even though it's not free, yet there are free alternatives, that looks absolutely amazing! I'd love to go !
The other activities (teaching english to student monks, meditation retreats in nearby forest temples and guided day tours of the area) also sounds perfect, especially the second one!
What any of you ever do the extra activities?
Didn't realise this post was so old... sorry! Anyway, the Monk for a Month concept looks great
Snowmelt wrote:I understand that monastics may not ask for food. I had understood that they also may not ask for money. Is this not the case? Or are these people not monastics?
appicchato wrote:[i]Not to dispute anything written here...but it's basically inaccurate...since 99.9% of males ordaining are Thai, their families cover all the expenses...'all the monks robes, bowls'...one set of robes, and one bowl...total cost about fifty bucks...a fortune?...the other stuff is already in the wat...photographer?...family with the point and shoot...band?...friends and neighbors...the meal afterward can be an outlay, although it's optional, not requisite...and while the 'donation' to the preceptor and attending monks can, in big city wats, be as much as you say, the vast majority of ordinations are nowhere near this much...half, or even less, would be closer to the mark...10+ is also a stretch...it depends on the wat...
This monk for a month is basically a business...I've known Caucasians ordaining where total (Thai) strangers, when hearing of their plans, step up and cover (part, or) everything...
Manapa wrote:Just went to my face book account and noticed this link on the side
so done a search and found this http://monkforamonth.com/
what does everyone think of this?
I think it is a bit strange although I have heard of another temple doing the same thing.
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The Basra reed warbler is a large, dark brown and white reed-warbler. Its size is about 18cm. The head pattern is strong with whitish supercilium and contrasting dark eyestripe. The Basra reed warbler breeds in the Mesopotamian marshes of south-east Iraq.
The Basra reed warbler is found in aquatic vegetation in or around shallow fresh or brackish water, still or flowing, mostly in large, dense reedbeds. It is found in thickets and bushland on migration and when wintering. It occurs mostly singly or in pairs, but during migration it has been recorded in loose groups.
It was listed as endangered on the 2004 IUCN Red List, due to an 80% decrease in the species' breeding population - largely a consequence of the draining of the Mesopotamian marshes by former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Efforts are now underway to restore habitat vital to the future conservation of the species.
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Topic: The Basics of Clinical Trials
Hi --
I am one of those new to all this.
Can anyone fill me in about clinical trials? Must you be in the area in which study is being performed? Are these "free" because they are trials? Are they allowed to do studies in which we don't know if we really receive the treatment or a placebo?
Thanks -


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A man who told drug dealers that Chippenham was 'ripe for the taking' for the trade in heroin and cocaine has been jailed.
Ji Forte, 26. who was connected to a flat in Neeld Crescent, Chippenham, sent a message to a London dealers Ryan Denny, 22, and Jake Hill, 23, telling him there was money to be made in the town.
All three were arrested after staff at the Premier Inn, Swindon, contacted police when they realised what Denny and Hill were up to.
Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court on Monday that Hill and Denny booked into adjoining rooms at the hotel on December 31, 2012.
But after a couple of days staff at the hotel realised what was going on and told the police about the men, who had links to West London gangs.
Police and recovered evidence of drug dealing including their mobile phones and a set of house keys. The next day they went to a property in Dean Street, Rodbourne.
Using the keys to get in they found items including 43 grams of heroin and 59 grams of cocaine with a street value in the region of £5,000.
On the day of the hotel raid the police had also gone to a flat at Sheringham Court in Liden, Swindon, where there was evidence of drugs.
A young lady who was cleaning the property was found with a small amount of cocaine and arrested.
That evening Forte went to the police station to ask after her, was arrested and found to have two wraps of heroin and £828 in cash.
His DNA had been found on a toothbrush at a house in Chippenham which had been raided and he had been in contact with Hill and Denny.
Among text messages between the three was one from him telling them Chippenham was 'ripe for exploiting'.
Denny, of Streatham, and Hill, of Kensington, both London, and Forte, of Reading, Berkshire, admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.
The court was told both Hill and Denny had previous convictions in the London for trading in class-A drugs.
Daniel Jameson, for Hill, said after a previous jail term he had been staying on friends' sofas and was offered work and accommodation in Swindon so took it.
Timothy Greene, for Denny, said his client was sorry for what he had done and hoped to start a degree course.
Will Woodman, for Forte, said his client was effectively their runner and was an addict at the time, getting paid in drugs.
He said he had not been to Dean Street or the hotel and had only just gone to the Sheringham Court address the day he was arrested.
Passing sentence, Judge Tim Mousley QC jailed Hill and Denny for four years and three months each and Forte for two years.


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Topic: Light at the end of the tunnel so to speak...
OK, quick summary: Resection 9/14/11 at Sloan Kettering (3/4 of liver, gall bladder, 7 lymph nodes, reconstructed bile duct out of small intestine) with all clean margins, wasn't officially diagnosed with CC until 5 days after surgery when pathology came back (it was 1cm x 0.7cm x 0.5cm in the bile duct only), returned home to FL 11/1/11 and back in Sarasota Memorial Hospital 11/2 with a 5" abscess, added a drain in the center of my chest, it took 7 weeks for bile to stop leaking, drain came out 12/27/12 started adjuvant chemo on 1/13/12 with no real 'plan' in place.
Found out today that I only have one chemo cycle to go! Gemzar only for one cycle was in Jan. We then added Cisplatin and I'm getting my 2nd dose of round 3 Gemzar/Cisplatin combo right now, next Friday is the off day, then 2 more doses for the 4th cycle and chemo will officially be DONE!! I will then have a CT to see what there is to see and schedule an appointment with a radiation oncologist for adjuvant radiation therapy.
It's been a heck of a journey so far and I've met a ton of great people on this blog, everyone cares so much about everyone else even though they are thousands of miles apart and probably have never met... I find it very therapeutic to be able to write posts, read others posts, and share with everyone else who is dealing with this disease.
I've probably had 13-15 CT's over the past 6 months, and every one after surgery has had nothing to report. The last one was 1/13/12, the first day of chemo. Did the CT in the morning, chemo in the afternoon so I'm not going to give in to scanxiety, forget about it! Hope you all have a great weekend, I'll be jacked up from the steroids tonite, going to a friend's surprise 50th birthday party, and heck, one beer won't kill me so I may indulge a bit!! Oh yes, since I won't be able to sleep, gonna grab that fishing pole around 1am and have some fun for an hour or so too! We got 3 keeper speckled trouts Saturday last weekend with my brother in town (daughter caught 2 18"ers and son caught one 17"er) and that was Sunday dinner, fed 6 people!! See ya!
Husband to Eileen, Dad to Hunter (17) and Sydney (15)
Attitude is everything, you have to keep it positive! And take it one day at a time, it's all anyone can do with this disease...


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Click Here for More Articles on ART & MUSEUMS
Art Gallery Tours New York Announces Chelsea Walking Tour, 1/12
"Art Gallery Tours New York" announces a Chelsea art gallery walking tour, set for Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1:00 PM. Meet at 526 W. 26th St. (10th & 11th Ave.), West Chelsea Arts Building. Cost of the tour is $20.
Visit 7 contemporary art galleries in the world's center for contemporary art, showing that week's most fascinating exhibits of painting, sculpture, electronic media, and photography. Led by Rafael Risemberg, Ph.D.
For more info, call 212-946-1548 or visit www.nygallerytours.com.


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user experience, and to be able to place an order on our website, you must have
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Hit the trails in the men's ABEO AEROsystem® Hale light hiker. A truly unique performance style, the Hale utilizes channeled air chambers to create controlled air compression, responding to movement by providing cushioned impact absorption. The upper features breathable mesh and water resistant nubuck, cushioned foam insoles, and completed with durable Vibram® outsoles for the ultimate performance comfort experience!