text:
Procyclical Labour Productivity, Increasing Returns to Labour and Labour Hoarding in Car Assembly Plant Employment
This paper empirically examines the sources of procyclicality in labor productivity for a panel of U.S. auto assembly plants from 1978-85. An employment demand equation, derived from a cost-minimization model, is estimated to test for the presence of increasing returns and labor hoarding on the employment dimension. The data used match employment and wage data from the BLS Current Establishment Survey to publically available data on output and the nature of production at these plants. Statistical evidence in favor of both increasing returns and hoarding is found. These findings suggest that the observed procyclicality of labor productivity in this industry is due to both the nature of technology (increasing returns) as well as attempts by plant managers to maintain a reserve of experienced workers (labor hoarding). Copyright 1992 by Royal Economic Society.
If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the proper application to view it first. In case of further problems read the IDEAS help page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS site. Please be patient as the files may be large.
As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to look for a different version under "Related research" (further below) or search for a different version of it.
Volume (Year): 102 (1992)
Issue (Month): 413 (July)
Pages: 860-873
|Contact details of provider:
| Postal: 2 Dean Trench Street, Westminster, SW1P 3HE
Phone: +44 20 3137 6301
Web page: http://www.res.org.uk/
More information through EDIRC
|Order Information:
|Web: http://www.blackwellpublishers.co.uk/asp/journal.asp?ref=0013-0133
No references listed on IDEAS
You can help add them by filling out this form.
This item is not listed on Wikipedia, on a reading list or among the top items on IDEAS.
When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:ecj:econjl:v:102:y:1992:i:413:p:860-73. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.
For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: (Wiley-Blackwell Digital Licensing)or (Christopher F. Baum)
If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.
If references are entirely missing, you can add them using this form.
If the full references list an item that is present in RePEc, but the system did not link to it, you can help with this form.
If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.
Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.


text:
There will be no Edmonton 2015 because of the difference of 35 Euros a day.
There will be no Universiade here because Eric Newell's University of Alberta bid committee got outhustled, out-thought, outplayed and outspent.
The Edmonton bid committee gave up $400 million of financing by the three levels of government - $300 million worth of legacy in the form of facilities and national training centre creations - because of a difference of 35 Euros a day per athlete, or $55 Cdn.
Edmonton's bid failed in a vote yesterday in Brussels, losing to Gwangju, Korea, because the members of the Edmonton committee were caught with their heads down.
"The significant difference in the two bids was the low per-day, per-person cost," said Stefan Bergh of Sweden, the head of the site inspection team.
"Gwangju's was substantially lower," he said of the room and board in a telephone interview with Sun Media.
The charge, he said, is usually around 60 Euros.
"Edmonton went lower to 45 Euros. Gwangju's was only 10 Euros."
There are 10,000 athletes, coaches and officials involved. Do the math. At a difference of 35 Euros per day, per person, Edmonton lost $400 million in government backing and $300 million in legacy for basically under a million dollars.
And they didn't see this coming?
In all of international sport, the two Games with the worst reputations for various forms of vote buying are the Universiade and the Pan-Am Games. Forty-five Euros to 10 Euros?
"That was entirely it," said Ed Zemrau, the man who ran Universiade '83 here and was a FISU (International University Sports Federation) member for decades.
"Nobody had any idea they'd go that low. We thought at 45 Euros, that would be enough with all the other things involved to swing it. We didn't expect the 10 Euros."
For 48 hours prior to the voting, there were whispers of vote buying - of the Salt Lake Olympic scandal variety - which had leaked back to individuals with international sports connections in Edmonton, but Zemrau says that problem isn't what it used to be.
"That kind of thing might have happened. But there was no need to do that."
Not when you can buy Games for a difference of 35 Euros per person per day.
Zemrau said maybe they should have seen it coming.
"They're big spenders. They want to do the same thing they did before Seoul '88 and that's hold a Universiade as a lead-in for a bid for the Olympics."
Why didn't Edmonton offer athlete room and board for free? The Olympics are free. The Commonwealth Games are free. The recent IAAF World Championships in Athletics here was free.
"Why charge money for athletes to compete?" is fair comment, said Zemrau.
Mike Mahon, the U of A dean of Phys. Ed., said he believes the Koreans also included travel subsidies greater than the incentives that were the part of the Edmonton bid, which lost on the first ballot with the Koreans getting at least 14 of the 27 votes.
Zemrau thinks FISU blew it.
"I really think FISU made a mistake," he said. "You can't truly be international if you are constantly holding your Games in one or two continents."
Indeed. This was a wonderful opportunity for FISU but they totally ignored the big picture.
Politics probably played a part, too, with Gwangju having lost the 2013 Universiade to Kazan, Russia, in a political deal involving that city being the home of the Russian prime minister.
And the short-sighted voters were not swayed by the fact that the Edmonton bid, with support of all three levels of government, was not there to be put back on the table. Nor should it be.
This event would have been a hard sell here, although a worthy one because of the legacy.
But to get rejected like this, especially with a second chance to make an impact in North America in the city that took the event to a level it had never been before back in 1983, would be impossible to sell after this.
Not that it is an option.
"We can't go back," said Mahon.
Edmonton should return to the tried, tested and true philosophy this city has had since the 1978 Commonwealth Games and 1983 Universiade of hosting a regular run of single-sport major world championships.
Meanwhile, the Universiade can continue the run of hosting their events in places like Fukuoka, Japan; Sicily, Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Daegu, Korea; Izmur, Turkey; Belgrade, Serbia; Shenzhen, China; Kazan, Russia; and Gwangju, Korea, without anybody anywhere other than Europe or Asia paying any attention.
Their loss.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|low graphics version | feedback | help
|You are in: Business
Monday, 28 February, 2000, 12:06 GMT
Man behind BNFL's global ambitions
The problems at British Nuclear Fuels appear to have claimed their first high-profile casualty with the reported departure of chief executive John Taylor.
It was found that safety records had been falsified, with "systematic management failures" being blamed.
The scandal has badly damaged BNFL's reputation and been a huge blow to Mr Taylor's vision of turning the company into a major global player.
He was relatively unknown when he took over in 1996.
But the size of his salary - in his first year he was the highest paid chief executive in the public sector on Ł372,000 - reflected the importance of his position.
He had spent his entire career with American oil company Exxon, much of it based in Brussels.
Described as health-conscious and relaxed, he was said to welcome the challenge of preparing the business for its expected privatisation.
It has not been an easy task. BNFL took over the state-owned Magnox reactors after British Energy was privatised.
But it also acquired the massive decommissioning liabilities for the ageing stations, which some analysts felt would hinder BNFL's diversification plans.
In 1997, Mr Taylor launched a cost-cutting programme aimed at saving about Ł200m by 2001. The unions feared substantial job losses, which the company denied.
Mr Taylor also had to contend with lengthy shutdowns at Sellafield's new reprocessing plant.
When the government announced plans to sell 49% of BNFL last year, sceptics wondered whether investors would be interested in this lumbering giant with its public image problems and Magnox liabilities.
But Mr Taylor argued that BNFL had repositioned itself, and was on track to become the world's leading nuclear business.
It had moved into nuclear clean-up and decommissioning work with the Ł600m acquisition of US group Westinghouse's nuclear arm.
But the Trade and Industry Secretary, Stephen Byers, said if health, safety and environmental standards were not met, the float would be called off.
It was safety issues which led to Mr Taylor's downfall.
The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate found safety data records had been falsified on shipments of uranium and plutonium mixed oxide fuel that were bound for Japan.
Mr Taylor went to Japan to apologise to his clients for the falsification. The Japanese have demanded the consignment be sent back.
'Appropriate action'
But despite the damning criticism of BNFL management in the report, Mr Taylor sat tight, saying he had a duty to customers to sort things out.
It soon became clear however, that he had to go. Stephen Byers welcomed his reported resignation, saying it was the appropriate course of action.
BNFL's global ambitions now appear badly dented. The privatisation could be called off and Sellafield faces being closed down if safety is not overhauled.
A replacement for Mr Taylor is expected to be announced soon. Whoever is selected, the challenge of repairing BNFL's reputation cannot be underestimated.
Links to other Business stories are at the foot of the page.
Links to more Business stories
|^^ Back to top
News Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | In Depth | AudioVideo
To BBC Sport>> | To BBC Weather>>
© MMIII | News Sources | Privacy


text:
A Philosophical argument for the repeal of Second Amendment
View Single Post
December 20, 2012, 01:05 AM
Quick Karl
Junior member
Join Date: June 10, 2008
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 36
A Philosophical argument for the repeal of Second Amendment
There is no way the authors of The Bill of Rights could ever have imagined semi-automatic firearms with 30-round magazines, they were talking about single-shot muzzle loaders for hunting only, therefore The People should NOT be allowed to have semi-automatic high-capacity firearms...
There is no way the authors of The Bill of Rights could ever have imagined the Internet, Internet **** easily viewed by children, Rap music replete with its glorification of murder and its degradation of women as whores, Hollywood movies that glorify killing, or video games that may subliminally program people to kill (subliminal messages in TV advertisements was outlawed in the early 60's)... They were talking about only what you could say or print and distribute in the small communities and churches you were a part of.
Therefore, we should repeal BOTH the First AND Second Amendments, because the Founders were fools with no foresight whatsoever.
Furthermore, we should repeal Miranda Rights, and the Right to an Attorney appointed and paid for by the State if you cannot afford one, because it is paranoid and foolish to think that a Law Enforcement Officer, Prosecutor, or Judge (the State) would EVER violate your rights...
It's amazing how few people today comprehend these simple truths!
Quick Karl
View Public Profile
Find More Posts by Quick Karl
Page generated in
seconds with


text:
- Pick a product
- Pick a topic and try some solutions
- Register or Sign In
- Fill in details
- Confirm registration
Try one of these articles:
- Enable and disable cookies that websites use to track your preferences Websites store things like your preferences and login status in "cookies" on your computer. Learn how to manage cookies in Firefox.
- Cookies - Information that websites store on your computer Learn why websites use cookies and how to enable, disable or troubleshoot them in Firefox.
- Delete cookies to remove the information websites have stored on your computer Websites store information such as site preferences and login status in "cookies" on your computer. Learn how to delete cookies in Firefox.
- How to clear the Firefox cache The Firefox cache temporarily stores parts of websites you visit. Learn how to clear it to fix issues with how websites work or look.
- Disable third-party cookies in Firefox to stop some types of tracking by advertisers Some advertisers use third-party cookies to track your visits to the various websites on which they advertise. Learn how to disable them.
Firefox change product
Cookies change category


text:
"I mean, it's big shoes to fill," said Perry (pictured above left), acknowledging previous performances by Walter Matthau (in the 1968 film) and Jack Klugman (in the original sitcom, 1970-75). But we're doing our own thing and playing it differently.
"I do a slight Walter Matthau impression in the pilot. But I think the funniest joke in the pilot was from the original source material, that was in the play (1965). So in writing the pilot, we came up with our own stuff and we used some stuff from Neil Simon. And the funniest joke was written (50) years ago."
As for the meticulous Felix Unger character, this time it's being played by Thomas Lennon (pictured above right), following in the footsteps of Jack Lemmon (film) and Tony Randall (original sitcom).
"I thought long and hard whether it was even attemptable, because Tony Randall is a major hero of mine," Lennon said. "And I was worried that I might be doing an impression of Tony Randall or something.
"But then I remembered that he was really like the third Felix Unger and I might be something like about the fifth. So I felt maybe there was something new to bring to it."
To read the full-length column I wrote about Perry, his various post-Friends series and his approach to this new version of The Odd Couple – "If this one doesn't work, maybe I'll go to dinner theatre or something" – click here.


text:
Students generally complete the course work in 18 months depending on how many hours they take each semester. When are the courses offered? All of our courses are offered in the evenings or on the weekends to accommodate teachers and other school professionals.
All of our faculty members hold doctorates in the field and are active in the counseling profession as practitioners. Most of our faculty members are approved supervisors for training counselors and have years of experience in the field.
No. The master's degree in School Counseling does not require a thesis.
This degree allows you to complete the coursework necessary to become a certified school counselor. You will need to pass the school counseling exam for the state of Texas to obtain your certification.
You will enter a profession that is growing in demand for professionals with higher education while also working in a career that helps individuals and families change their lives for the better.
For more information on the master's degree in School Counseling, email Erin Aaron at email@example.com.


text:
A week after she announced she was dropping out of the 62nd District state senate race, Gia Arnold is back in.
The 24-year-old Holley woman admitted to an extramarital affair in an official Facebook posting. She said at the time she was "hurt, upset, angry and thinking more of my current situation, rather than the big picture." In the original facebook post she called the affair an "escape from an already declining marriage."
In a statement today she said she received an overwhelming outpouring of support through texts, calls and emails which "called for me to stay in in this race and fight what truth, honesty and what is right for our senate district."
The 62nd District seat was left open after 19-year incumbent George Maziarz announced he was not seeking reelection and retiring. It includes Niagara and Orleans Counties.
She's facing Republican Rob Ortt in an upcoming Republican primary.


text:
Johannesburg - The murder of a police officer in an East Rand police station needs to be investigated, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) said on Tuesday.
Warrant Officer Lennox Phathumzi Latha was responding to a call from the police cells on Sunday when he was strangled with a piece of a blanket.
"The sequence of events... raise serious questions about what really took place on the fateful evening. We are conducting our own investigation," spokesperson Theto Mahlakoana said in a statement.
"We would like the SA Police Service to answer how an officer could be killed at a station where a number of other officers were on duty. We'd also like to know how the inmates managed to walk out of the premises unnoticed."
On Monday, Colonel Noxolo Kweza said when Latha went to second cell gate he was attacked by inmates, who strangled him with a blanket cut into pieces.
The inmates then took the keys to the cell, and threw his body into a toilet in the cells.
By the time Latha's colleague realised what had happened, two of the inmates had escaped, while another two were still in the holding cell.
The two escapees were initially arrested on car hijacking charges.
Kweza said police were investigating whether the other two inmates were also involved in the murder.
Mahlakoana said the union was "disheartened" by the killing.
We always read stories of good cops being put on the line of death by baaaaaaaaad cops. I wonder if this is the case?
Don't ONLY look to the inmates. Look closer to home


text:
There's a chance the Astros could finish this year with the major league leaders in hits, batting average and home runs. Not bad for a losing team.
Jose Altuve leads the majors in hits (181) and average (.332). With a little more than a month to go, Chris Carter hit his 33rd homer of the season Wednesday — a solo shot in the ninth inning of a 5-4 Astros loss to the A's. He's already reached a career-high, and is one off the leading pace of Nelson Cruz of the Orioles.
The homer could have been game-tying were it not for a 5-4-3 double play that the preceding batter, Altuve, hit into. The umpires reviewed the call but did not change it. The Astros had already lost a challenge, leaving the decision to challenge to the umpires discretion.
"Obviously my eyes — not too good," manager Bo Porter said. "I thought Altuve beat that play but replays showed that he didn't. It's tough, but CC continues to swing a hot bat."
Said Altuve when it was pointed out that if he were on base, the game could've been tied: "Maybe not. Maybe they pitch (Carter) differently."
Even if Carter doesn't top the majors in long balls, he could still get to 40, a mark that only two players reached last season: Miguel Cabrera (44) and Chris Davis (53).
In 2004, for contrast, there were nine hitters who reached 40.
"I think it's definitely in reach," manager Bo Porter said of 40 homers. "You look at how he's been swinging the bat, and 40 home runs is definitely in reach and I hope he's able to get it.
"If you take away — let's just say a month of the first half of the season, you're talking about a guy that's going to hit .260, .270 with probably 40 already. And we got five weeks to go. Because he struggled that mightily in the beginning of the season."
Quietly, Altuve has come down to earth a little bit, while still playing well. From July 4 through Tuesday, a 45-game span, Altuve hit .309 with a .345 on-base percentage. In 84 games prior, Altuve hit .347 with a .386 OBP.
His stolen-base pace has dropped dramatically, with just six in the second half and four times caught stealing before he stole two bags Wednesday.
In the first half, Altuve had 41 steals and was caught just three times. In the past 15 games, he has two attempts and was successful once.
"I think stolen bases are like home runs," Altuve said of the change in pace. "Sometimes you (get) a lot, sometimes you have a chance. I don't know. … Maybe I'm not good anymore."


text:
Stauffer spent much of his adolescent life in Corinth with his mother Debbie McAlilly Brangenburg and sister Caroline Stauffer Turney.
His grandfather Dr. Roy McAlilly was Pastor of First United Methodist Church in the early 1980s.
According to current church members, the family was active in Corinth school, church and community activities.
As a child, Stauffer was a member of Corinth Boy Scout Troop 129 where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
His mother was in charge of the Corinth Main Street Program before moving to Tupelo to run the Main Street program there.
Stauffer was killed in the line of duty during a shoot out with suspected bank robbers in Tupelo on December 23, 2014. He was 38 years old.
The public servant is survived by his wife Beth, daughter Dixie and son Skip.
Attorney Jim Hood will join the Mississippi Chiefs of Police in marking the solemn occasion which starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Statewide Fallen Officers Memorial between the Sillers and Gartin Justice buildings off High Street in downtown Jackson.
"Mississippi lost too many heroes in the line of duty last year," said Attorney General Hood. "We will especially honor each one of their sacrifices, along with that of the other 221 officers on our memorial."
In addition to Stauffer, Mississippi's most recently fallen officers are:
• Cheif of Police Randy Junior Boykin of the Enterprise Police Department was killed March 19, 2013
• Detective Eric Tyrone Smith, Sr. of the Jackson Police Department was killed April 4, 2013.
• Police Officer Bruce Daniel Jacob of the Jackson Police Department was killed July 20, 2014.
• Corporal Keith Alan Crenshaw of the Europa Police Department was killed Oct. 23 2013.
• Corporal Clinton Hugh Frazier of the Union County Sheriff's Office was killed Dec. 18, 2013.
"We are grateful that we have no line of duty deaths in 2014," said Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police Ken Winter. "We hope we never have to engrave another name on this memorial wall."
Governor Phil Bryant will serve as the keynote speaker for the event.
Members of the public, along with family and friends of any Mississippi law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty, are invited to join officers from the Mississippi Chiefs of Police Association, the Mississippi Sheriff's Association, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Mississippi Attorney General's office at the event.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)


text:
Challenger critical of Feingold
After weeks of speculation about his U.S. Senate candidacy, the Republican made it official in a vacant manufacturing facility in Janesville, Feingold�s hometown.
�Eighteen years ago, I was going door to door, store to store and town to town in Wisconsin trying to grow my family�s business,� said Leinenkugel, whose family brewing business carries the same name. �Eighteen years ago, Russ Feingold was given a great opportunity to help Wisconsin.
�I did my part; Russ has not done his. Not even close.�
Leinenkugel criticized Feingold�s record, saying he voted against treating terrorists as terrorists, for a health care bill he said will bankrupt the nation and for government-run car companies.
�He voted against the Patriot Act�twice, and the list goes on,� Leinenkugel said of Feingold.
Until resigning earlier this month, Leinenkugel served for 18 months as Wisconsin�s Secretary of Commerce in Gov. Jim Doyle�s administration.
While he�s got statewide name recognition, Leinenkugel will often be asked to explain his service in the cabinet of the Democratic governor.
�Because of my business and management experience, I was asked to help Wisconsin,� he said. �I worked every day to save jobs in this state � I served the people of Wisconsin, not a particular party or governor.�
Leinenkugel said his experience as commerce secretary was frustrating yet eye-opening. He said he learned something every day.
As he spoke inside the former LSI building, about 10 Feingold supporters carried signs outside.
Mike Tate, chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said Leinenkugel�s service in Doyle�s administration muddies a campaign he referred to as the �flip-flop tour.�
�This guy will say anything to get elected,� Tate said. �How are people supposed to know what he stands for?�
Tate said that as secretary, Leinenkugel supported the state�s efforts to expand high-speed rail, was a vocal advocate for Doyle�s failed Clean Energy Jobs Act and solidly backed the federal stimulus package.
As a candidate outside of the Doyle administration, Leinenkugel has reversed course, Tate said.
In answering questions Monday, Leinenkugel said high-speed rail is important in a regional sense but shouldn�t come at the expense of expensive infrastructure projects around the state. He said a federal policy on energy efficiency would be better than state-by-state legislation, and the stimulus program�s true measure is unemployment rates, which in Wisconsin are still too high.
John Kraus, a senior advisor for Feingold�s campaign, said Leinenkugel is talking out of both sides of his mouth.
�That�s a striking contrast with our candidate, who has consistently shown the people of Wisconsin the courage of his conviction on issue after issue,� Kraus said. �He seems like someone who is trying to figure out who he is and what he stands for.�
To advance to November�s general election, Leinenkugel�a self-described Ronald Reagan Republican�must win a primary.
The other Republican candidates are Madison real estate developer Terrence Wall and Watertown small-businessman Dave Westlake.
Oshkosh businessman Ron Johnson also is considering a run.
Last updated: 1:20 pm Thursday, December 13, 2012


text:
Armed Store Owner Shoots at Robbers; Robbers Flee Empty-Handed
Around 4 pm on February 11, 2013 in Houston, TX, three men burst into the Northshore Video and Smoke Shop demanding money. Instead, the owner took out his gun and fired at the would-be robbers. The owner and the robbers then fled the scene in different directions.
Police are still searching for clues. No bystanders were injured in the gunfire; it is unlikely that any of the burglars were hit.
Source Source


text:
Adrenal androgen production is reduced in association with disease severity in HIV-infected women. This response may be maladaptive in terms of maintenance of lean body mass, functional status, and immune function. The aim of this study was to assess whether the use of an adrenal enzyme inhibitor of 11β-hydroxylase might increase androgen production in this population. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of metyrapone (500 mg po qid) or placebo for 2 wk in 10 HIV-infected women with AIDS wasting [weight <90% ideal body weight (IBW) or weight loss >10%] and reduced androgen levels. Basal and ACTH-stimulated androgen, mineralocorticoid, and glucocorticoid levels were measured at baseline and after 14 days of treatment. Subjects were similar in age (40.9 ± 0.9 yr), weight (91.7 ± 3.5% IBW) and hormone concentrations at study entry. Total testosterone (84 ± 54 vs. −0.4 ± 2 ng/dl, P = 0.024), free testosterone (6.5 ± 2.8 vs. 0.1 ± 0.1 pg/ml, P = 0.024), DHEA (5.0 ± 3.2 vs. −0.6 ± 0.5 μg/l, P = 0.024), and 11-deoxycortisol (2,145 ± 820 vs. −14 ± 22 ng/dl, P = 0.024) levels increased in response to metyrapone compared with placebo treatment. In response to ACTH, significant increases in the DHEA/cortisol ratio (174 ± 48 vs. 3 ± 3, P = 0.008) were seen in the metyrapone group compared with placebo. Blood pressure and electrolytes did not change, and signs of adrenal insufficiency were not apparent. These data demonstrate that inhibition of 11β-hydroxylase with metyrapone increases adrenal androgen secretion in HIV-infected women. Further studies are needed to assess the physiological effects of this strategy to increase anabolic hormone levels in severe stress, including detailed testing to rule out the potential risk of concomitant adrenal insufficiency.
- human immunodeficiency virus
- androgen shunting
- stress
- metyrapone
stress, such as that associated with severe illness, results in increased cortisol and decreased androgen synthesis (24). Women with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) wasting demonstrate reduced androgen levels, which may contribute to reduced muscle mass and quality of life in this population (10, 20). Androgen deficiency among HIV-infected women may be related to an effect of severe illness on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadotropic axis (27), but normal ovarian responses to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) have been shown in this population (11). In contrast, we (11) have demonstrated significant reduction in adrenal androgen secretion and a relative increase in cortisol, in association with low CD4 count, an index of illness severity, in a prior study among HIV-infected women. In men with AIDS wasting, a similarly altered pattern of adrenal steroid biosynthesis has been reported (7, 19), potentially as a result of altered cytochrome P-450c17 lyase activity. Prior studies suggest that reduced adrenal androgen synthesis in HIV-infected patients is associated with reduced immune function (2, 3, 6). The relative increase in cortisol and decrease in adrenal androgens may favor a shift from type 1 to type 2 immune response in association with HIV disease progression (4). Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is also thought to have antiglucocorticoid activity and may inhibit glucocorticoid-induced lymphocyte apoptosis and help to prevent infections (1). In addition, androgens are anabolic to muscle, resulting in nitrogen retention and increased protein synthesis (6). In contrast, cortisol is a catabolic hormone that reduces muscle protein synthesis (22). Taken together, these studies suggest a mechanism whereby severe stress results in increased cortisol and decreased androgen secretion. This response may be maladaptive in terms of maintenance of lean body mass, functional status, and immune function.
To address this relative imbalance of adrenal steroid metabolism, we hypothesized that administration of metyrapone, an inhibitor of adrenal 11β-hydroxylase that inhibits conversion of 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol in the final step of adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis, would result in increased adrenal androgen secretion and overall androgen levels in HIV-infected women. Our results indicate that metyrapone significantly increased adrenal androgen secretion over a 2-wk administration. Further studies are necessary to assess the physiological effects of 11β-hydroxylase inhibition and increased adrenal androgen production in chronic severe illness.
Study Design
Ten HIV-infected women between 18 and 45 yr meeting the Center for Disease Control definition of AIDS wasting [weight <90% of ideal body weight (IBW) or weight loss >10% from preillness baseline] with relative androgen deficiency free testosterone <3 pg/ml (<10.4 pmol/l), on stable antiretroviral regimen for 3 mo were studied (Table 1).
Subjects were excluded if they were pregnant or receiving estrogen, progesterone, megestrol acetate, glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, androgens, or any drugs known to affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal or adrenal axes within 3 mo of the study. Subjects were also excluded if they used any anabolic agent, including testosterone, GH, or megestrol acetate, within 3 mo of the study or were active substance abusers. Subjects were excluded if they had obvious clinical lipodystrophy or were pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to become pregnant. Subjects were required to use an acceptable form of birth control during the metyrapone treatment period. Acceptable forms of birth control included IUDs, barrier devices (condoms, diaphragms), and long-term abstinence. Subjects were additionally excluded for Hgb <9.0 mg/dl, creatinine >1.5 mg/dl, adrenal insufficiency as established by cosyntropin stimulation testing (cortisol <18.0 mg/dl at 60 min after cosyntropin injection of 250 μg iv). Written consent was obtained from all subjects, and the study was approved by the Subcommittee on Human Studies of the Massachusetts General Hospital.
Screening visit.
Eligibility was determined by medical history, physical examination, free testosterone level, complete blood count, urine pregnancy test, cosyntropin stimulation test, creatinine, and weight at a baseline screening visit. Subjects meeting all the eligibility requirements with a free testosterone level <3.0 pg/ml (<10.4 pmol/l) were subsequently enrolled in the study.
Baseline testing before randomization.
Eligible subjects were admitted to the General Clinical Research Center of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH GCRC). Eumenorrheic subjects were admitted within the follicular phase. One day before baseline visit, subjects began a 24-h urine collection for urine free cortisol and creatinine that was completed on the morning of day 1 (Table 2).
Day 1.
A urine pregnancy test was obtained from all participants. At 0800 h, measurements were made of baseline testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), cortisol, DHEA, aldosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, estradiol, HIV test, viral load, CD4, and complete blood count. A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan was performed. Dexamethasone (1 mg po) was administered at 2400.
Day 2.
At 0800, measurements of cortisol, DHEA, androstendione, and aldosterone were made. Cosyntropin [ACTH-(1–25), 250 μg iv] was administered, and repeated measurements of hormone levels were made at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min.
Following completion of testing on day 2, subjects were randomized to placebo vs. metyrapone (500 mg po qid × 14 days). Randomization was double-blinded and stratified by weight <90% IBW.
Days 3 and 4.
During days 3 and 4, after initiation of study drug, subjects remained as inpatients at the MGH GCRC for safety monitoring and underwent blood work daily for chemistry labs, including sodium and potassium and q4h vital sign monitoring until discharge on day 4.
Days 5–14.
Subjects continued taking the study drug metyrapone vs. placebo (500 mg po q6h) and returned every morning to the MGH GCRC for blood work to check electrolytes and blood pressure. On the morning of day 14, subjects began a 24-h urine collection, for urine free cortisol and creatinine, which they brought to the hospital on the morning of day 15.
Days 15 and 16 (testing identical to days 1 and 2).
On the morning of day 15, subjects returned to the MGH GCRC for an overnight stay. Testing on day 15 was identical to baseline testing on day 1, and subjects also received dexamethasone (1 mg po) at 2400 on the evening of day 15. The following morning at 0800, measurements of cortisol, DHEA, androstenedione, and aldosterone were made. Cosyntropin [ACTH-(1–25), 250 μg iv] was administered, and repeated measurements of hormone levels were made at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min min, identical to day 2. Subjects underwent a DXA scan as during the baseline visit. Subjects were discharged home after all testing was completed.
Body composition.
DXA was performed using a model 4500 scanner (Hologic, Waltham, MA). The precision of this technique in the determination of whole body fat and lean mass is 3% for fat mass and 1.5% for fat-free mass (18).
Biochemical Assays
All samples from the same patient were run in duplicate in the same assay. The free testosterone concentration was determined as the product of the percent free testosterone, measured by equilibrium dialysis, and the total testosterone concentration (Endocrine Sciences, Calabasas Hills, CA). The intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) of free testosterone was 8.8–9.4%, and the intra-assay CV for total testosterone was 0.72–17.30%. The intra-assay CVs were developed using pooled sera covering the range of the assay. The normal range for total testosterone was 10–55 ng/dl (0.4–1.9 nmol/l) and that for free testosterone was 1.1–6.3 pg/ml (pmol/l) in adult females. The inter-assay CV for testosterone was 5.6–14.8% and that for free testosterone 9.1–11.9%. The sensitivity of the total testosterone assay was 3 ng/dl (nmol/l). The sensitivity of the determination of percent free testosterone by this method is 0.1%.
RIAs were performed for cortisol (intra-assay CV 6.6–7.7%, interassay CV 8.8–9.0%; DiaSorin, Stillwater, MN), DHEA (intra-assay CV 5.6–10.6%, interassay CV 7.0–10.2%; Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Webster, TX), androstenedione (intra-assay CV 2.8–5.6%, interassay CV 7.0–9.8%; Diagnostics Systems Laboratories), aldosterone (intra-assay CV 3.6–8.3%; interassay CV 7.3–10.4%; Diagnostics Systems Laboratories), 11-deoxycortisol (intra-assay CV 2.1–5.9%, interassay CV 11.6–13.7%; MP Biomedicals, Orangeberg, NY), and estradiol (intra-assay CV 6.5–8.9%, inter-assay CV 7.5–12.2%; Diagnostic Systems Laboratories). SHBG was performed by immunoradiometric assay with an intra-assay CV of <4% and an interassay CV of 7.8–10.6% (Endocrine Sciences). Urinary free cortisol was measured by standardized techniques (15). CD4+ count was determined by flow cytometry (Becton-Dickinson Biosciences, San Jose, CA), and HIV viral load was determined by ultrasensitive assay (Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor Assay; Roche Molecular Systems, Branchburg, NJ) with limits of detection 50–75,000 RNA copies/mm3. The complete blood count was measured using standard methods. The cross-reactivity between cortisol and 11-deoxycortisol was <1%.
Statistical Analysis
Randomization was stratified for weight <90% IBW to ensure similar weight in the treatment groups. Baseline comparisons were made between treatment groups by use of the median rank test. Area under the curve (AUC) for change in hormone levels during the ACTH test was determined by the trapezoid method. Subjects were selected for the study on the basis of a relative or absolute reduction in free testosterone levels, and the primary end point was the change in free testosterone to assess whether the use of metyrapone improved overall androgen status. Changes in DHEA and androstenedione were also investigated to determine more specifically the effects of metyrapone on adrenal androgen secretion. The change from baseline over 14 days was compared in the treatment and placebo groups by the median rank test. Responses to ACTH between the treatment groups were also compared by median rank test. One patient in the placebo group elected not to finish the study, unrelated to any adverse events. Univariate regression analysis was also used to compare weight with the ratio of the DHEA-to-cortisol response to ACTH. Results are means ± SE unless otherwise indicated. Statistical analyses were performed using JMP for SAS version 5 (Cary, NC).
Baseline Values
The baseline clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1. Subjects were similar in age and weight. Neither androgen nor cortisol levels were different between the study groups at study entry. Duration of antiretroviral use was similar between the groups. None of the HIV-infected subjects demonstrated any clinical characteristics of the lipodystrophy syndrome. Weight was 91.7 ± 3.5% of ideal. Weight loss was on average 14.6 ± 2.5% from preillness baseline. At baseline, %IBW was significantly correlated with the AUC for DHEA/cortisol (r = 0.64, P = 0.01; Fig. 1), suggesting that lower weight was associated with a decreased ratio of adrenal androgens to cortisol.
Effects of Metyrapone on Basal Hormone Concentrations and Other End Points
Total testosterone (84 ± 54 vs. −0.4 ± 2 ng/dl, P = 0.024), free testosterone (6.5 ± 2.8 vs. 0.1 ± 0.1 pg/ml, P = 0.024), DHEA (5.0 ± 3.2 vs. −0.6 ± 0.5 μg/l, P = 0.024), and 11-deoxycortisol (2,145 ± 820 vs. −14 ± 22 ng/dl, P = 0.024) levels increased in response to metyrapone compared with placebo treatment over 14 days. Metyrapone normalized low total and free testosterone levels. Urine free cortisol and fasting morning cortisol levels did not change (Table 3). Weight did not change (Table 3), and changes in body composition between the groups were not detected (data not shown).
Responses to ACTH Stimulation
In response to ACTH, significant increases in androstenedione and the DHEA/cortisol ratio were seen over time in the metyrapone group compared with placebo. In contrast, the cortisol response to ACTH decreased in the metyrapone group compared with placebo (Fig. 2).
Adverse Events and Safety
No adverse events occurred related to the study drug administration. One subject in the placebo group developed bronchitis on day 4 of the study. This event was believed to be unrelated to the study protocol. Blood pressure, potassium, sodium, and hematocrit did not change between the groups. No patients developed clinical signs of adrenal insufficiency during careful monitoring.
In this study we demonstrate that use of an adrenal enzyme blocker, metyrapone, can shift adrenal metabolism toward androgen production, thus reversing a potentially maladaptive stress response that may contribute to reduced lean body mass and decreased functional status.
HIV disease is a catabolic illness, characterized by sarcopenia (16) and significant changes in hormonal metabolism (9). Weight loss in HIV-infected men and women is associated with androgen deficiency and increased risk of death (12, 26). Androgen deficiency is common and occurs in 66% of HIV-infected women with wasting (10). Androgen levels in HIV-infected women correlate with lean body mass and functional status, as measured by exercise performance on isometric testing (5, 10). The mechanisms of androgen deficiency in HIV-infected women are not known but may relate to reduced ovarian or adrenal androgen production. We measured free testosterone by equilibrium dialysis as an SHBG-independent measure of bioavailable testosterone to assess the effects of metyrapone on overall androgen status. In addition, we assessed adrenal-specific androgen responses.
We have previously shown (8) that serum levels of DHEAS, an adrenal androgen, are decreased and highly correlated with serum free testosterone levels in women with the AIDS wasting syndrome, suggesting the importance of adrenal androgen production to the overall circulating testosterone level in this population. In prior studies (11), we investigated the mechanism of androgen deficiency in women with AIDS wasting by use of ACTH stimulation testing of adrenal steroids. Those prior data demonstrated a significantly decreased DHEA/cortisol ratio after ACTH stimulation in HIV-infected patients compared with age and body mass index-matched control subjects. Furthermore, we showed that the DHEA/cortisol ratio correlated with CD4 count and was reduced in association with low CD4 count in HIV-infected women. These data suggested significant shunting of adrenal steroid metabolism toward cortisol production and away from androgen production in women with AIDS wasting, a phenomenon that correlates with decreased immune function and disease severity.
In the current study, we investigated the use of metyrapone, an inhibitor of 11β-hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol in the final step of glucocorticoid production and deoxycorticosterone to corticosterone in mineralocorticoid production. We postulated that by inhibiting this enzyme we would increase ACTH stimulation of adrenal androgen and mineralocorticoid pathways. We administered metyrapone over 2 wk at a dose of 500 mg four times a day. Our data demonstrate increased androgen concentrations, e.g., of DHEA and total and free testosterone as well as 11-deoxycortisol, the precursor hormone to the point of the enzymatic blockade. In addition, the DHEA and androstenedione responses to ACTH increased, whereas stimulated aldosterone and cortisol responses decreased more in the metyrapone group, resulting in a significant increase in the ratio of stimulated DHEA to cortisol in the metyrapone group relative to the placebo group. We pretreated with dexamethasone on the evening before ACTH testing, as we did in our prior study, to reduce variability in ACTH response and better compare changes between the treatment groups. ACTH levels were not investigated as an endpoint due to known variability in secretion.
Short-term metyrapone administration was generally well tolerated. All subjects passed a standard cosyntropin stimulation test at screening, and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency did not develop. Moreover, blood pressure and electrolyte measurements did not change between the groups. Cortisol responses to ACTH decreased in the metyrapone group relative to placebo, as anticipated. However, 24-h urine free cortisol levels and fasting AM levels before dexamethasone did not change significantly between the groups, suggesting that relatively normal adrenal glucocorticoid production persisted. Basal aldosterone levels tended to decrease and ACTH-stimulated aldosterone levels decreased significantly in response to metyrapone compared with placebo. However, there was no change in blood pressure or electrolyte values during very careful monitoring. It is possible that relative increases in mineralocorticoid precursors, such as deoxycorticosterone, resulted in preservation of normal blood pressure and electrolytes despite a relative reduction in aldosterone production. Use of metyrapone at the dose chosen may be associated with adrenal insufficiency, and it possible that subjects had mild insufficiency not detected by clinical exam and blood work. Future studies will need to assess adrenal function by use of more frequent morning cortisol and cortrosyn simulation testing. This study was not undertaken to prove the clinical utility of metyrapone for HIV-infected patients but rather to investigate the physiological effects of 11β-hydroxylase inhibition on adrenal androgen secretion in a population with chronic illness, stress, and reduced adrenal androgen secretion. Another alternative would be to administer DHEA, which has had limited efficacy in studies to date (25) and would not be expected to alter the potentially maladaptive relative imbalance of cortisol and DHEA.
Alterations in adrenal androgens are known to occur in severe stress (24) and among HIV-infected patients. The mechanism of this effect is not well understood but may involve reduced 17,20-lyase activity of the cytochrome P-450c17 system, which converts androgen precursors to DHEA and androstenedione. 17,20-lyase activity may be reduced by cytokines, NADPH, or other factors during inflammation or severe illness (1, 13, 14, 21). In turn, a relative reduction in the ratio of DHEA to cortisol production might result in altered immunologic response and worsen susceptibility to infection and even potentially contribute to viral progression, whereas increases in DHEA or its metabolites may reduce susceptibility to infection (17, 23). Furthermore, the altered hormonal responses of stress may be maladaptive and contribute to reduced lean body mass and functional status, as androgens are anabolic and cortisol catabolic to muscle. In severe HIV infection, marked sarcopenia is seen, and the altered adrenal responses to stress may contribute to reduction in muscle mass and even bone density. In this study, CD4 count increased by 47 ± 36 cells/mm3 in the metyrapone group and decreased by 55 ± 43 cells/mm3 in the control group, potentially suggestive of positive immunomodulation by metyrapone. However, the small sample size limited our ability to detect statistically significant changes in CD4. Furthermore, our study was too short to expect clinically significant changes in body composition. However, our data suggest the need for additional studies of longer duration to study immune function, body composition and other potential clinical responses
These data suggest that inhibition of 11β-hydroxylase increases androgen levels among HIV-infected women with low weight. At baseline, the decreased DHEA/cortisol ratio correlated tightly with weight, suggesting a biologically related stress response. Further studies will be necessary to determine whether increasing adrenal androgen secretion by this method improves lean body mass, functional status, and even immunologic function in HIV-infected patients and/or other patients with severe illness and adrenal shunting and whether such a strategy can be accomplished without causing untoward side effects of glucocorticoid deficiency.
This study was funded by National Institutes of Health Grants R01 DK-54167 and M01 RR-01066.
We thank the nursing staffs of the Massachusetts General Hospital General Clinical Research Center for their dedicated patient care.
The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.
- Copyright © 2006 by American Physiological Society


text:
ACParadise Network: American Cosplay Paradise American Cosplay Experience American Cosplay Snapshots
I've been cosplaying since 2005 when I created a Hermione Granger costume to wear to the book release party for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" in Oak Park, IL. I decided to really get into cosplay a couple of years later when I put together a Dani Phantom costume for my first Anime Central convention. I've been cosplaying ever since!
Recent Updates
Newest Favorites
Newest Fans
Recent Comments


text:
Geometry Word Problem:QUADRATICS
if the length of one side of a square is tripled and the length of an adjacent side is increased by 10, the resulting rectangle has an area that is 6 times the area of the original square. find the length of a side of the original square.
Tutor Answer
Brown University
1271 Tutors
California Institute of Technology
2131 Tutors
Carnegie Mellon University
982 Tutors
Columbia University
1256 Tutors
Dartmouth University
2113 Tutors
Emory University
2279 Tutors
Harvard University
599 Tutors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2319 Tutors
New York University
1645 Tutors
Notre Dam University
1911 Tutors
Oklahoma University
2122 Tutors
Pennsylvania State University
932 Tutors
Princeton University
1211 Tutors
Stanford University
983 Tutors
University of California
1282 Tutors
Oxford University
123 Tutors
Yale University
2325 Tutors


text:
Inclusive Disability Awareness Speaker: Marcus Engel
Oct 01, 2013 to Oct 21, 2013
Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Public, Staff, Students
Keywords: awareness, disability, inspiring, Marcus Engel, motivational, SDS, speaker, Student Disability Services
October is National Disability Awareness Month so Student Disability Services is presenting a series of events. The Inclusive Disability Awareness Program highlights a series of events, with Marcus Engel as the series featured speaker. After being blinded and severely injured by a drunk driver, Marcus Engel overcame unimaginable obstacles to return to college and reclaim his life. His extraordinary story of recovery after being blinded and catastrophically injured by a drunk driver challenges individuals to achieve success by making intelligent choices. Marcus Engel's unforgettable message of overcoming adversity will inspire individuals maximize their potential to achieve their dreams, to eliminate self-limiting behaviors, and to view their obstacles as opportunities.
Visit http://events.ucf.edu/?y=2013&m=10&d=22&eventdatetime_id=15004 to learn more about the event.
October 22, 2013, 7:00-8:30PM
Student Union, Cape Florida Ballroom
Event open to all UCF Community!
|Contact Person:
|Mercy Lavado
|Posted By:
|Mercy Lavado


text:
- AHA News Home »
- All articles »
- Medical schools expect 30% enrollment increase by 2017
Medical schools expect 30% enrollment increase by 2017
AHA News Now
May 2, 2013
First-year medical school enrollment is projected to reach 21,434 in 2017-2018, a 30% increase from 2002-2003, according to a report released today by the Association of American Medical Colleges' Center for Workforce Studies. Based on the association's latest annual survey of medical school deans, 62% of the growth is expected to occur at the 125 medical schools accredited as of 2002, and the rest from new schools or those seeking accreditation. About 40% of survey respondents expressed "major concern" about enrollment growth outpacing growth in residency training positions, also known as graduate medical education.
Keyword Search


text:
Alumni: You're Invited to Join Tiger Pep Band Old Gold Weekend
September 4, 2004
September 4, 2004, Greencastle, Ind. - Alumni musicians are invited to bring their instruments along with them when they return to campus for Old Gold Weekend, October 8 & 9. Per tradition, the Tiger Pep Band will welcome alumni into its ranks to perform during the Tigers football game against Sewanee (University of the South). The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. at Blackstock Stadium.
2003 graduates David Ziemba and Daniel Reck are spearheading the development of an Alumni Tiger Pep Band, that will join the student pep ensemble at major events such as Old Gold and the annual Monon Bell Classic. "This will provide an excellent opportunity for alumni to become fully engaged with current students, which provides for a strong relationship for both parties," Reck says. "Alumni will gain better ties to the contemporary University while current students will accumulate alumni contacts which will become more valuable as they graduate and move into the world."
Interested alumni can learn more by clicking here, or contact Daniel Reck at (765) 658-6571 or by sending an e-mail here.
Reck points out, "even if they don't have an instrument anymore, it's no excuse. We'll do everything to find 'em one that they can squawk on!"Back


text:
| Mary of Teck
Queen Consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions
Empress Consort of India
|Biographical information
|May 26, 1867, Kensington Palace, London
|March 24, 1953, Marlborough House, London
|Marital status
|Married to King George V
| Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominion
Empress of India
Duchess of York (Previously)
|Physical information
|Family information
| King George V (husband)
Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) (son)
Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI) (son)
Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood (daughter)
Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (son)
Prince George, Duke of Kent (son)
Prince John (son) †
Francis, Duke of Teck (father)
Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge (mother)
Adolphus Cambridge, 1st Marquess of Cambridge (brother)
Prince Francis of Teck (brother) †
Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone (brother)
| England
House of Windsor
- Harold Levinson: "How was the Queen?"
- Cora Crawley: "You know, she sort of sits there being Queen Mary-like."
- — After Rose MacClare's presentation.
Mary of Teck is the queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, spouse of King George V and the mother of Edward, Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) and Prince Albert, Duke of York (the future George VI).
Background Edit
Born Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes, her father was the Duke of Teck and her mother was Princess Adelaide of Cambridge, a granddaughter of King George III.
Known as May within the family, she became engaged to the elder son of the future King Edward VII, Albert, Victor Duke of Clarence. But he died of pneumonia six weeks after the engagement was announced. A year later she became engaged to her late fiance's younger brother George. She would become Duchess of York and then Princess of Wales before her husband was crowned King George V. She would go on to bear him a daughter and five sons.
2013 Christmas Special Edit
The Lady Rose MacClare is presented to The Queen (and The King) during a presentation court in the 1923 London Season.
|Appearances and Mentions
|Series 4
|Episode 1
|Episode 2
|Episode 3
|Episode 4
|Episode 5
|Episode 6
|Episode 7
|Episode 8
|Christmas Special
|Series 5
|Episode 1
|Episode 2
|Episode 3
|Episode 4
|Episode 5
|Episode 6
|Episode 7
|Episode 8
|Christmas Special


text:
Animal House, the film adaptation of stories Chris Miller published in National Lampoon about his experiences at a Dartmouth fraternity, is among the most beloved and successful comedies of all time. In fact, its portrayal of college party life is still imitated on campuses across the country: toga party, anyone? Now, nearly 30 years after the movie hit theaters, there are no taboos left, and Chris Miller can finally answer the fans who all want to know one thing: was it really like that? The answer: yes, but much, much more out of control!
Here, for the first time, are the real stories of Alpha Delta Phi, like the one about the frat brother who entertained the house by lighting his hair on fire (not the hair on his head, however). Or about the pledge who trick-or-treated around campus in a very revealing jack-o-lantern costume. Or about initiation night, when a frozen hot dog became very painful for two rushes. Wild and hilarious, The Real Animal House is a must-listen for any fan of the film and anyone who remembers their college days as a blur of great parties and solid friendship.
©2006 Chris Miller; (P)2006 Tantor Media Inc.
"Billed as a 'wildly exaggerated memoir', this book by the writer whose autobiographical stories for National Lampoon were the basis of the movie Animal House is exactly what you would expect it to be: loud, raucous, infantile, racy, and very funny." (Booklist)
"Reality Stranger than Fiction"
While not as slapstick as the movie where tales were cherry-picked from frat lore and had rating concerns, Pinto's "real" sophomore year is funny, bizarre, and a good male escape listen.
"This book makes the movie look tame."
I always liked reading Chris Miller's short stories in National Lampoon during the 1970's and was glad to find this on audible. I found myself laughing out loud a number of times while listening.
This is in no way highbrow stuff; not porn as another reviewer said, just stories about a bunch of guys who were completely out of control (some lucky to be alive) in college. And yes Lampoon fans, the Night of the Seven Fires is in here.
So wait until the family is out of town, grab a six pack and some camels, put on some James Brown (I know you still have that record), and enjoy.
"A hoot...."
The character's antics cracked me up and the ending was rather cute as well.
"It's really porn but I LAUGHED beginning to end."
Seriously this book is NASTY. :) But darn it, it's how college life worked! Beer, booze, bimbos and barfing...that pretty much sums this book up to me...one of the best credits I ever used.
"Like a boring marine biology text is to "Jaws"...."
The book reads like a bad text book; the equivalent of a marine biology text book being the back story of "Jaws". Yes, you can see some glimmers of the characters you know, but those few glimmers are buried in hours of dry redundancy.
The ability at narrative, or lack thereof. I wasn't looking for this to be the script of a funny movie, but once the beginning of the book leaves the discussion of Harold Ramis being offered the writing job, the next ninety minutes is an extremely detailed and painful overview of the college campus. There are trees, and seasons, and snow, and believe me, if you listen to those ninety minutes, you will know that these things exist at this college, in detail, with your senses educated to the nth degree. Should I go on? Believe me, the book does.
McLaren did ok but not one of the best performances.
The one that feels that we need hours of repeated descriptions of the same things over, and over. The attention to detail is extraordinary, but sadly, the topics that are in great detail are not topics that needed covered in-depth.
We know what Spring breaking loose Winter's cold grasp looks like, and feels like, and smells like, and feels like under our shoes, and feels like in wet hair, and sounds like, and...., no, please take that gun out of your mouth!! Unlike the book, I will stop and simply say listen to the last 45 minutes and you have the whole book, and a lot of your life left.
"Sophmoric Comedy... FUN!!!"
Sophmoric, Outdated, FUN!
The Seven Fires..
Laughed... Enjoyed the experience
Fun book if you are expecting this particular type of humor. Could be offensive if not prepared for humor or content.
"If you liked the movie...."
I could imagine where Bluto, Otter and D-Day came from in the movie. It makes the movie even funnier knowing that where they came from was more outrageous than the motion picture.
Trying to understand how these guys graduated with all of the partying and chaos.
No, sometimes it was a little overwhelming and a bit gross.
A good listen and especially if you enjoyed the movie.
"Fraternity trash"
I really wanted to like this book. I recently reconnected with a bunch of my old frat brothers from 30 yrs ago and hoped this book would reconnect me with good, old memories. Unfortunately, it totally strains the bounds of credulity. I'm a physician who has worked in more ERs than I care to remember, and it is very difficult for the human body to function after consuming as much alcohol as the author claims he and his brothers did in single evenings of partying. At least one of them would have wound up in a hospital with acute alcohol poisoning. No beer goes undrunk, no woman goes unscrewed in this book. A waste of a credit.
Report Inappropriate Content
If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.


text:
I feel kinda bad because I have written so many bad reviews of eateries recently, but this is actually what prompted me to review. I had a yucky meal at Sermet's the other night, however, they did make it right. The short of it is, is that I ordered the Calamari, and it was absolutely dis-gust-ing. My friends said it was good, but even she took a bite and said "wow - whoever cooked this is really off tonight" It was bland, chewy, and tasted old and frozen.
I then ordered a main course, which I did not like either. There was rocky sand in the vegetables, seriously. In the end, the waitress comped the food, which I didnt ask for, but which I thought was appropriate. I wound up tipping her what the food would have been anyhow, because I thought it was right to do that. And she was nice about it.
I would go back, yes...I somehow sense that this was an off night. Maybe a line cook who broke up with his GF, or who is just having a shitty day. It happens.
Nice hot, toasted bread, good olive oil. Nice cocktails. Cute hostess (tho she could smile)
Just keepin' it real.
Oh and I just read the review by Rokko...its interesting that this person also thought it might have been an "off day" as well. hmmm
Boring food. I ordered the roasted tomato soup, which had a decent flavor but was a bit one-note: creamy. I also ordered the grilled salmon salad; the "poached pears" were just pears out of can.


text:
Image copyright:
Please sign in to comment. Don't have a profile? Join now! Joining is absolutely free and no personal information is required.
Thanks PJ, how amazing that my brain created images like ones you've sewn in the past... I used to do lots of sewing and cross stitch, when my eyes worked better!! I'm happy you enjoyed these :~}
Thanks Kirsten, I do enjoy playing with frames... you've noticed!!!
I like the frames within frames, Mandy! Thanks. :)))
Mandy - I how nice! I have sewn the two purple ones in white years ago. So fun to see them in a puzzle!
Thank you Ardy :~)
Fun one, Mandy. Thank you.


text:
Somehow this story made it's way from the little league field to my parents' dinner table. Yes, my parents, who are not grandparents, whose only child is a 30 something woman were discussing this little league. My parents who don't watch professional sports never mind little league games were nearly as livid as those parents. "This is the problem with this country. The kids are coddled. 'They're' killing competition. No one's feelings can get hurt anymore." Is that what this was about? I mean, one team did get to win, and win by a large margin. What about the lesson of compassion and being a good winner?
If those little league parents (or my own parents for that matter) saw a little springer spaniel puppy on the street and she seemed hungry would they just pass the adorable puppy with the sad, droopy eyes. "Suck it puppy. Learn to fend for yourself. It's Darwinism. Only the strong shall survive. You can't find food on your own. You are loser, puppy. " And the springer spaniel comes over to you slowly because it's so hungry and tries to lick your face because it's a springer spaniel it loves everyone. And those parents would respond, "Get away, springer spaniel! I'm trying to hurt your feelings and make you a tough self-reliant citizen. I want you to be cut throat. When you see a pregnant dog on the subway don't give up your seat. That fat bitch should have moved faster or worked harder so she could afford a cab."
I wonder if these heartless parents realize how unimportant sports is in the lives of children. I played soccer, softball, and basketball as a kid before I ever entered high school. I might remember three coaches I had in that time. The remember snippets of a handful of games, though not the outcome of a single one. What I do remember from childhood is trying to convince one of the girls who lived on my block that the baby powder that I had put in a small container was cocaine. Yes, at 10 years of age me and a couple of other kids wanted to trick our other neighbor we were doing coke. Sadly, for us she never believed us. That was the same girl we tried getting to jump out of the second floor window she used to lean out of to talk to us. She almost did, but because we had compassion and really didn't understand the principles of "survival of the fittest" we said, "No. No. No! We were just kidding."
In the end I really just think the umpire wanted to go home. Stop picking on puppies and less than smart neighborhood kids.


text:
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)— It was a packed hearing room in Annapolis as Governor Martin O'Malley testified in favor of same-sex marriage.
Political reporter Pat Warren has the latest on both sides of this controversial issue.
If there is a quiet before the storm it's in the Senate where the bill passed last session. Gov. O'Malley's version of the bill is expected to pass this year.
Supporters of traditional marriage admit that they were caught off guard by the progress of the same-sex marriage bill that made it in the Senate last year. This year they got a jump on it. The rally on Lawyers' Mall on Monday night drew hundreds who opposed changing the definition of marriage.
"I came out here to stand up for traditional marriage and to say that same-sex marriage is an aberration of nature," said John Ritchie, same-sex marriage opponent.
"There are laws on the books in Maryland, which give the kinds of protections that some folks are asking for. So again, if it's not broken don't fix it," said Deacon Al Turner, same-sex marriage opponent.
Advocates for same-sex marriage answered with a show of support for the bill Tuesday morning.
"I am also a man of faith. I am also a servant of God. My belief is that God doesn't want any of us to live a life of shame, inequality or fear," said Rabbi Daniel Berg, same-sex marriage supporter.
As sponsor of the bill, O'Malley repeated for the Senate Judiciary Committee what he's been saying since he introduced the bill last week.
"It's not right, and it's not just that the children of gay couples should have lesser protection than the children of other families in our state," O'Malley said.
Opposing arguments come from no less passionate defenders of the tradition.
"Last week, our esteemed First Lady referred to those who oppose this legislation as cowards. This is just the latest example of those with sincere religious convictions are being encouraged to give up their beliefs," said Pastor Bob Borger, same-sex marriage opponent.
The real fight may be in the House, where even speaker Michael Busch isn't sure of the outcome.
"You know we do need a little bit of help," Busch said.
The bill was in the hands of the Senate Judicial Committee Tuesday. There is no word yet on when that committee might vote.
If the bill makes it through the General Assembly, it is expected to go to referendum.


text:
Issue Links
- is related to
GERONIMO-5716 Add a function to view wired bundles in OSGi portlet
- Resolved
- All
- Comments
- Work Log
- History
- Activity
- Transitions
Some imporvement needed for OSGi portlet:
1. the search filter is case sensitive and there is no way to turn it off or on
2. searching is really slow
3, the layout is not so good. I think the bundle info table should be pure html table instead of clickable dojo table widget.
I would say yes, user can do that. don't forget that the user is actually the system administrator. Basically, he can do the same thing in the cmd line by "geronimo run" to go into karaf shell...
However, that would be an improvement in future.
I find that general users can stop/uninstall critical OSGi bundles for the server without warnings.
For example, if the org.eclipse.osgi(listed in the osgi-portlet-1.jpg ) bundle is stopped by the user's operation in the OSGi portlet, the server will breakdown.
We can add an optional "expert user" item in the OSGi portlet.
If the user is not an expert user, such critical bundles cannot be stopped/uninstalled by the user.
Some improvements need to do in future:
1. when login timeout, should jump to login page
2. better way do deal with err msg.
3. the new installed bundle is only stored in the cache. When user manually clear the cache, the new bundle will disappear


text:
Mama Shelter presents its collaboration with Lola James Harper, the collective of friends, artists, family, musicians, photographers, and candles designers.
The Mama Shelter values and atmosphere inspired them the creation of 6 candles with unique fragrances:
- The Mama Shelter in Paris: Atlas Mountains cedar and mahogany wood
- The Mama Shelter in Lyon: green tea, wood and honey
- The Mama Shelter in Bordeaux: smoked wood
- The Mama Shelter in Marseille: Atlas Mountains cedar and fig tree
- The Mama Shelter in Los Angeles: tuberose, monoï and wood
This Mama Shelter x Lola James Harper collaboration is a story of a meeting and of friendship. It bears the number 22, number dedicated to collaboration: 2together.
The candles are available in every Mama Shelter and ONLINE


text:
Apple iPhone
The web in the palm of your hand
Rotating the iPhone when you're running the iPod application flips the album view into Apple's now famous Cover Flow mode. Here, unlike the underpowered iPod Classic, the motion of the album covers is fluid, with almost no sign of jagged edges. There can be a slight lag while the images first load, but not one that interrupts the movement or hinders your ability to select tracks to play.
Unlike the iPod Classic, Cover Flow works well here
Turning doesn't work with the list of on-board videos or a movie that's being played - these resolutely remain in portrait and landscape orientation, respectively, no matter what you do. While this loses Apple a few points, it's not exactly a deal-breaker.
Video playback on the iPhone's 3.5in, 480 x 320, 163dpi screen is excellent, by the way. It's no TV, of course, but it beats watching video on a more standard-sized phone display - and, for that matter, the analogue screens in the back of airline seats. I like the way you can play full screen or full ratio with just a couple of taps on the screen. The sound's excellent, though once again the iPhone is a handset that will not take a standard pair of headphones, such as my noise-reducing Shures. Yes, the phone has a 3.5mm socket, but it's recessed - entirely unnecessarily, as far as I can see.
I can only guess Apple did it to ensure folk use the bundled headset, which includes a tiny microphone unit and remote control so you can take calls - whatever's playing fades quickly away and pauses when a call comes in - and pause/play/skip tracks. But it really should have bundled an adaptor.
It's bundled plenty else. After years of shipping iPods without an AC adaptor or a dock, the iPhone comes with both. The wonderfully dinky AC unit has a standard USB port, into which you plug a standard iPod docking cable, also bundled. You can probably use it for other USB-charged devices too.
Video playback's good
You also get a cloth for wiping the quickly greasy display. Don't ask me how prone it is to scratches - I didn't try and, frankly, I don't plan to. If you're spending $433/£214 (after California's sales tax has been added), you want to look after your purchase, not shove it in a key- or change-filled pocket. That said, signs are the screen's pretty resilient, though a colleague managed to screen his three-day-old screen. Fortunately, the AppleStore gave him a new iPhone.
Selecting video on the iPod app and in YouTube (right)
Fingerprint marks are very visible, but the iPhone's glass front makes it easy to clean. Certainly, buffing it up with a hanky or shirt tail cleaned without scratching.
I found the call quality to be pretty good, both on local calls and transatlantic conversations. Since the phone was unlocked, I couldn't access the Visual Voicemail feature, but it's easy enough to dial my regular voicemail number and proceed as usual.


text:
Heart-touching whale tours on an exciting motor/sailing maxi-cat with friendly, knowledgeable and experienced crew with complimentary refreshments.
Busy Blue Bus is a tour and charter company which prides itself on always delivering quality charter and tour experiences in Albany and Esperance in Western Australia.
Discover and connect to this land with Poornarti Aboriginal tours and the oldest living culture on earth. This is Noongar country. Walk, talk and camp with Aboriginal Elder and Law Man, Joey Williams
Multi-day guided walking tours through beautiful natural areas. Stay in comfortable accommodation, enjoy delicious meals and great company as you walk WA's world-renowned walking trails.
Walk into Luxury offers all-inclusive luxury walks on the Cape to Cape track (Margaret River) and Bibbulmun Track (Albany) in Australia's South West