text:
Query: Whats an effortless way to get a lot of "followers" on Twitter?
also, go ahead and "comply with" me, I will comply with you back!
Greatest solution:
Solution by Pata Salada
If you want more followers then comply with men and women that is going to adhere to you back, you can try out this:
1 – Comply with @TeamAutoFollow – To get you in the list (see subsequent)
2 – Adhere to the group – (see the list at http://teamautofollow.com/ – comply with as a lot of as you would like, we all stick to back, Over 1,000)
For additional followers:
– Consist of #TeamAutoFollow in your post (as frequently as feasible)
– Consist of #TeamAutoFollow in your Bio (You can do this at the finish of it, men and women are a lot more prompt to stick to when they know that you will comply with back)
– RT and comply with @TeamAutoFollow Tweets (a little aid as soon as in awhile is appreciated)
– Comeback daily for a #ShoutOut
get twitter followers
Got a much better solution? Hit the comments below


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Results 1 to 5 of 10
April 23rd, 2014 11:58 PM #1Senior Member
- Join Date
- Apr 2014
- Posts
- 260
April 24th, 2014 12:29 AM #3Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jan 2014
- Posts
- 2,504
Ellery - Sounds like "celery", not a fan at all. Sorry!
Kali - It's okay, I'd much prefer the spelling Cali/Callie, though. Consider Calla with Callie as a nickname.
Remi - Quirky and fun, I like it.
Rory - It's growing on me. Very sweet.
Harper - It's a lovely name, but very overused.
My favorites from your list are Rory and Remi.
Last edited by polina; April 24th, 2014 at 01:25 AM.polina ∙ 19 ∙ art history major ∙ web developer
french/russian/swedish ∙ living in st. petersburg, russia
clementine ∙ astrid ∙ sidonia ∙ ottoline
felix ∙ sebastian ∙ milo ∙ atticus
in the silence of your bones and eyes
forgotten magic sits and waits for fire
April 24th, 2014 12:53 AM #5Senior Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2012
- Posts
- 2,347
April 24th, 2014 12:54 AM #7
Ellery: I don't like how it's pronounced, also has the trendy "Elle" in it. Perhaps Eleanor, Elise?
Kali: I like the name Callie, I don't like the spelling Kali at all. Callie itself is a lovely name, also you can create nicknames from it, Cal, Lili, Lea.
Remi: It's okay, but I don't really feel it, it doesn't seem finished.
Rory: I like the name, but it reminds me of Jory from Game of Thrones, which makes me very sad.
Harper: Overused.
Molly: Very cute and simple, I like it very much.
April 24th, 2014 12:58 AM #9Senior Member
Arabella, Thibault, Sophia, Alfred, Eleanor, Rémi, Charlotte, Achille, Olivia, Clement, Elizabeth, Frederick, Maud, Benedict, Adèle.
- Join Date
- Aug 2010
- Posts
- 1,283

subset: commoncrawl


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With only three days left in 2009 (good riddance), time to make your New Year's resolution is quickly running out. Whether you embrace or reject the annual tradition, it's tough not to form some sort of secret pact for self-improvement when a new year is just around the corner. Work harder, live healthier, be friendlier…
Setting the goals is simple. It's keeping up with those pesky promises that proves so difficult. That's why FishbowlDC salutes the brave journalists who shared their good intentions with us. For better or for worse (ahem…Jake Tapper), the "2010 New Year's Resolution Roundup" is now live:
"To stop answering yes when people ask me if I also play defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings."
– Jared Allen, The Hill
"To know every member of congress by name, face and state."
– Luke Russert, MSNBC
"I'm starting a cliche jar on my desk. Every time I'm busted using a cliche in a story, I have to do five push-ups. Ten if it's a bad business term. I figure that either my writing will improve, or I'll get in a better shape. Talk about a win-win… oh, man, well, there's the first 10…"
– Jen Nycz-Conner, Washington Business Journal
"The first year of the Obama administration was too hectic timewise for me to take my son and Dad to the new Yankee Stadium, but in 2010 it's the Bronx or bust!"
– Ed Henry, CNN senior WH correspondent
"Read more fiction. Make time to cook. Stop my long-running habit of intentionally sneezing on other journos' keyboards when they stroll out of the press gallery."
– Todd Zwillich, The Takeaway / WNYC New York / Public Radio Intl.
"Less time on my blackberry and twitter."
– Jake Tapper, ABC News WH correspondent
"To be the best husband, father and son I can be. Also, to not yell at so many field hockey referees during Catholic University's 2010 run to their first NCAA tournament."
– Chris Cillizza, Washington Post
"Although I don't actually believe in NY resolutions, I do intend to be the first person in the Capitol press galleries every morning since '2010' is my beat and all."
– Erin McPike, National Journal
"I'm totally corny about these kind of things, so here it goes: I want to think more positively in 2010 and be less critical of others. I'd also like to spend more time talking to friends instead of talking to them, then intermittently looking down at my blackberry during our conversation."
– Shira Toeplitz, CQ-Roll Call
"To survive the stream of lunatics that visit FishbowlDC's Anonymous Tip box on a daily basis. To not become one of those crazed D.C. journalists."
– Betsy Rothstein, FishbowlDC


text:
Oklahoma Health Care Authority
- Employees in region:
- 563
- Sector:
- Government
- HQ location:
- Oklahoma City, OK
'15, '16
Oklahoma's Medicaid program, known as SoonerCare, is administered by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA). SoonerCare works to improve the health outcomes of Oklahomans by ensuring that medically necessary benefits and services are responsive to the health care needs of our members. Qualifying Oklahomans include certain low-income children, seniors, the disabled, those being treated for breast or cervical cancer and those seeking family planning services. Insure Oklahoma assists qualifying adults and small business employees in obtaining health care coverage for themselves and their families.
OHCA strives to educate and engage our current 829,561 members regarding personal responsibilities for their health services utilization, behaviors, and outcomes in partnership with a state-wide network of 43,652 providers. For more information, visit www.okhca.org.
"Flexibility, forward-thinking management, great employees."
"It is always changing and challenging, which makes it interesting."
"I am able to work peacefully without feeling overwhelmed or rushed."
"The flexibility. "
"I can help to make a difference in our members' lives. "
"They genuinely care about staff and are very approachable."


text:
What does abu dhabi mean?
Definitions for abu dhabiˈɑ bu ˈdɑ bi
Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word abu dhabi.
Princeton's WordNet
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates's capital(noun)
a sheikhdom of eastern Arabia and capital of the United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi(prop. n.)
The capital city of United Arab Emirates. Population (2000) = 363,432.
Abu Dhabi(ProperNoun)
One of the United Arab Emirates, and the capital of UAE.
Origin: أبوظبي.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Arab Gulf from the central western coast. The city proper had a population of 921,000 in 2013. Abu Dhabi houses important offices of the federal government, and is the seat for the United Arab Emirates Government and the home for the Abu Dhabi Emiri Family and the President of the UAE from this family. Abu Dhabi has grown to be a cosmopolitan metropolis. Its rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the relatively high average income of its population, has transformed Abu Dhabi to a larger and advanced metropolis. Today the city is the country's center of political, industrial activities, and a major cultural, and commercial centre due to its position as the capital. Abu Dhabi alone generated 56.7% of the GDP of the United Arab Emirates in 2008. Abu Dhabi is home to important financial institutions such as the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and the corporate headquarters of many companies and numerous multinational corporations. One of the world's largest producers of oil, Abu Dhabi has actively attempted to diversify its economy in recent years through investments in financial services and tourism.
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of abu dhabi in Chaldean Numerology is: 4
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of abu dhabi in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3
Images & Illustrations of abu dhabi
Translations for abu dhabi
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text:
Letter: No reason for bus rides to be so long in Holland
No reason for bus rides to be so long in Holland
I live in the Holland School District, less than two miles from the elementary school, yet my children will be on the bus 55 minutes in the afternoon. That is unacceptable. In the past, my children were on the bus no more than 20 minutes. There are many families living within three miles of the school whose children are also facing this extremely long bus ride.
The superintendent claims "protocol." She is unwilling to fix this issue. I am just trying to figure out why my children are being subjected to a 55-minute bus ride for no logical reason. Can anyone explain this to me?
Kim Knox


text:
WASHINGTON —The chain pharmacy lobby is urging Congress to delay a plan by federal health officials to force retail pharmacies to submit competitive bids in order to sell durable medical equipment, including vitally needed diabetic supplies used by millions of Americans.
In an urgently worded written testimony to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores warned that imposing competitive-bidding requirements on retail pharmacies could make it much harder for diabetic patients to obtain glucose test strips and other needed supplies. The result, the group warned lawmakers, could jeopardize diabetes treatment and monitoring, driving up health costs and adding to the nation's health-cost burdens.
NACDS' testimony came during a hearing Sept. 15 on Medicare's competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies. The pharmacy group asked Congress to freeze a plan by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand competitive bidding—which has undergone "Round 1" pilot testing in several markets around the United States—until the impact of the program on Medicare beneficiaries' access to healthcare services and supplies is fully analyzed.
In particular, NACDS urged caution in expanding the program to include retail pharmacies and diabetic testing supplies. "To ensure that community pharmacists continue to play a role providing quality healthcare services and decreasing medical costs, it is vital that Medicare beneficiaries have continued access to medications and supplies through community retail pharmacies," NACDS said.
"CMS has repeatedly stated that it plans to expand the competitive bidding program into the retail pharmacy market," the group testified. "However, expansion of the…program to the retail setting will limit beneficiary access, possibly resulting in lower-quality services, leading to increased medical costs. This is especially important should the program be expanded into the area of diabetic testing supplies," the organization added. "Any disruption in the ability of individuals to receive their diabetic testing supplies could result in increased illness and increased medical costs, both of which would be avoidable if beneficiaries continue to have access to their supplies at the retail level."


text:
Career Per 36 Minutes
13 ppg
3 rpg
6 asp
32% 3pt
He's just a dumb version of Carlos Arroyo....dude is a bust.
Career Per 36 Minutes
13 ppg
3 rpg
6 asp
32% 3pt
He's just a dumb version of Carlos Arroyo....dude is a bust.
IF he signed for less than 4 mil per year I would live with it. Anything more is plain stupid. Might as well sign Ridour or Livingston.
Still feel like Monta Ellis makes the most sense, but 11 mil contract is a killer.
This is all why I think Morrow could be the best option.
Mr Metrocard is 100% right.
Raymond Felton is NOT what we need.
co-signed. not in NYK; no place for felton here.
It's ridiculous anybody wants this guy. Dime a dozen speed with an average jumpshot from what I've seen.
I don't think Felton is that bad. LOL! I actually think he is a good PG. I don't mind taking him to be honest. He is far better than Duhon. FAR BETTER!!
Someone brought up Derek Fisher not too long ago, and I admit I originally laughed at him thinking that there would be no change the Lakers wouldn't resign him.
Now that they signed Steve Blake though and are hesitant to give Fisher the money he wants, I could see him leaving.
Its pretty much agreed across the forum that no one wants Felton. Would you give Fisher a 3 year 12-15 mil deal to leave LA?
Don't worry, D'Antoni wants PGs that have a good shooting ability. Felton does not fit in D'Antoni's system.


text:
Rare, Microsoft-exclusive white Xbox One up for charity auction
Remember that white Xbox One that Microsoft announced is only for select employees who worked on the console? Well, it can be yours…for a price and a good cause.
GamesAid is raising money for charity by auctioning off one of these white consoles via eBay.
The winning bidder will receive the white console, it's matching controller, and black Kinect following the Xbox One's official release date on Nov. 22.
As an added bonus, this specific console will feature the engraved "I MADE THIS" on the console's faceplate that previously was for Microsoft designers only.
At the time of writing, the auction price sits at £16,300.00 ($22,070.22) with 65 bidders.
Want in on the bidding action? Click here.
Happy bidding!
Source: [eBay via IGN]


text:
12 Oregon ballot measures dropped in compromise
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Public employee unions and anti-union petitioners agreed Monday to a cease-fire on competing ballot measures, avoiding an expensive and bruising showdown between unions and business interests.
The decision is a coup for Gov. John Kitzhaber, who has worked for more than a year to get business and labor interests to move past their acrimonious 2010 fight over two measures that raised taxes on corporations and the wealthy. He hopes to eventually broker a compromise that would have both sides support a wide-ranging tax-reform effort designed to reduce Oregon's heavy reliance on personal income taxes to fund schools and state government, but the ballot measures threatened to poison the waters.
"Instead of spending millions on ballot measure battles, we have an agreement that provides an opportunity for people to work with one another on solving Oregon's biggest problems," Kitzhaber said in a statement. "I appreciate the willingness of the measures' sponsors to take this enormous step forward."
Our Oregon, a liberal group backed primarily by public-employee unions, has agreed to withdraw 10 proposed measures that would increase taxes on corporations and the wealthy. The group had said it would decide later which of the 10 to move forward with.
In a statement from its campaign arm, Our Oregon said withdrawing the measures clears the way for Kitzhaber to continue trying to broker a tax-reform compromise.
"The best news out of this deal is that Oregon workers will not have to face a major, multi-million-dollar attack from out-of-state corporate interests," the statement said.
Petitioners also withdrew two anti-union ballot measures that would have severely crippled unions' ability to exercise their influence in campaigns and in the Capitol. One measure would have prohibited the use of workers' payroll deductions on politics, the other would have eliminated a requirement that union-represented workers pay dues.
The secretary of state's online system for tracking petitions confirmed that they had been withdrawn.
Last month, Kitzhaber also brokered a compromise between hospitals and the union representing their workers. The Service Employees International Union had proposed ballot measures that would have capped pay for hospital executives, required a minimum amount of charity care and required them to publish pricing information online.
(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
12 ballot measures withdrawn Monday, March 3, 2014, according to the secretary of state's website:
1. Get Government Out of Politics Act II
2. Public Employee Choice Act
3. Large Corporations Should Pay Their Fair Share I
4. Invest in Oregon's Future II
5. Large Corporations Should Pay Their Fair Share II
6. Fund Oregon's Priorities
7. Invest in Oregon's Future I
8. If Corporations Are People, Let's Tax Them Like It
9. Wealthy Should Pay Their Fair Share I
10. Cut Taxes for Small Business and Close Loopholes for Big Corporations I
11. Cut Taxes for Small Business and Close Loopholes for Big Corporations II
12. Employees Rights at Work


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Ok. Confession time. This is the tea that got me hooked. I was casually strolling through the mall, minding my own business when out of nowhere, a sweet little old lady asked "Try some iced-tea?"
WHO DOESN'T LOVE ICED TEA? And in my defense, she was a very nice lady. So I took her little cup and gave it a swig. I was shocked at how much I loved it. So shocked, I immediately wandered into the store to see what this tea nonsense was all about.
$70 later I walked out with 8oz. of Blueberry Kona Pop, some rock sugar, a tea mug/infuser combo, a citrus tin for the tea, and an over-whelming sense of "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?"
All that said…this is a delightful tea. One of the only ones I will actually buy from Teavana. It is great iced or hot. With sugar or without. I don't think it tastes overly artificial. I think it is a refreshing blend of pineapple and blueberry. I highly recommend this decaf gem.


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Disease Markers
Volume 35 (2013), Issue 6, Pages 895–905
Effective Assessment of Diabetes Control Using Personal Glucometers (CONTOURLINK, Bayer, Germany; CALLA, Wellion, Austria; LINUS, Agamatrix, USA)
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
22nd Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Teaching Hospital Olomouc, 775 20 Olomouc, Czech Republic
3Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Neurology and Geriatrics Moravsky Beroun, 793 05 Moravsky Beroun, Czech Republic
4Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
5Department of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Received 1 July 2013; Revised 19 October 2013; Accepted 23 October 2013
Academic Editor: Giuseppe Murdaca
Copyright © 2013 R. Chlup et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Aim of this trial was to assess (1) the accuracy and precision of electrochemistry-based glucometers CONTOURLINK, CALLA, and LINUS and (2) the diabetes control using Ambulatory Glycaemic Profiles (AGP) as markers of therapeutic effectiveness. Glucometers and COBAS INTEGRA 400 Plus analyzer were used by one laboratory professional to estimate P-glucose (PG) in 112 out-patients. There were 112 sets of 12 PG estimations analyzed. In each set, means of 3 capillary PG estimations on 3 respective glucometers and on INTEGRA analyzer were calculated. The statistical program SPSS, v. 15, was applied. The mean INTEGRA PG values ranged from 2.7 to 25.3 mmol/L. There were strong correlations between mean PG on INTEGRA versus CONTOURLINK, versus CALLA, and versus LINUS; PG deviations from INTEGRA were mostly within the range ±15%. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test revealed differences between CONTOURLINK-INTEGRA and LINUS-INTEGRA; CALLA-INTEGRA showed no difference. SD INTEGRA = 0.061 mmol/L, SD CONTOURLINK/SD CALLA/SD LINUS were 0.256/0.290/0.286 mmol/L. All patients were trained to perform defined 10-point PG profiles to adapt food, exercise, and insulin doses. The PG differences between all tested glucometers and reference values were in borderline of ISO 15197 but worthy of consideration. AGP are helpful markers of diabetes control.
1. Introduction
Fasting and postprandial plasma glucose concentrations (PG) are principal diagnostic markers of diabetes mellitus. Physiological development of PG in the course of day and night is a prerequisite for the optimum physical and intellectual working capacity and prevention of diabetes complications. Therefore, the diabetes treatment is targeting on recovery of glucose homeostasis. Haemoglobin A1c brings information on long-lasting diabetes control. However, in daily life, a simple marker enabling undelayed assessment of various external factors and therapeutic outcomes is needed; ambulatory glycaemic profiles (AGP) with timing and quantity of food, exercise, and insulin dosage are known to be helpful to assess the diabetes control and the effects of various therapeutic and interfering factors [1–3].
Since the discovery of insulin by Paulescu in 1921 [4] and after its purification and introduction to human medicine by Banting, Best, Collip, and Mc Leod in 1922 [5], the needs of comfortable estimation of PG concentration are continuously growing [6, 7]. In 1974, the first glucometer (Ames) was introduced into clinical practice. To date, self-monitoring by means of various glucometer-strips systems is widely applied [8–11]. Diabetes management in many centres has been based on conventional self-monitoring of plasma glucose concentration (SMPG) for several years [12–16] or even on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) [17–20] resulting in a downward trend in all diabetes complications, especially in individuals with type 1 diabetes [8–10].
At present, the quality of a glucometer-strips system is usually assessed considering the international standard ISO 15197 (In vitro diagnostic test systems—Requirements for blood-glucose monitoring systems for self-testing in managing diabetes mellitus) [21, 22].
Accuracy and precision of a glucometer-strips system were evaluated in several studies using different methods [21–25]. Within the course of 15 years, we have tested the glucometer systems Card (Medisense), Optium (Abbott), Advance (Hypoguard, GB) [26–28], and LINUS (Agamatrix, USA) [29] at our diabetes centre considering their accuracy when used in real life.
The purpose of the present trial was to assess the accuracy and precision of the electrochemistry-based glucometers CONTOURLINK, Bayer, Germany, using FAD glucose dehydrogenase strips, and CALLA, Welion, Austria, as well as LINUS, Agamatrix, USA, both using glucose oxidase strips. The previous tests performed with these glucometers by manufacturers under strictly standardized laboratory conditions and, in part, independently, also in our clinical department, resulted in acceptable results [30, 31]. We also paid attention to the assessment of diabetes control in real life using glucometer CALLA for ambulatory glycaemic profiles (AGP) as markers of therapeutic effectiveness.
2. Materials and Methods
The study was carried out in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration in adult persons attending medical checkups, who gave their consent to capillary blood collection. There were no exclusion criteria. Concomitant diseases and additional medication were not considered.
In the course of six consecutive weeks, 9 glucometers (3 CONTOURLINK, 3 CALLA Light, and 3 LINUS) were used by one laboratory professional to estimate PG in 112 outpatients (Figure 1). Within 2 following minutes 200 μL of blood from the same fingerprick was also collected in a heparinized tube with fluoride lithium (Figure 2) and centrifuged to estimate the PG 3 times on the analyzer COBAS INTEGRA 400 PLUS using hexokinase reference method. Samples with traces of hemolysis were not processed.
In each type of glucometer one lot of test strips was used for all tests in 112 tested individuals. The calibration of the analyzer COBAS INTEGRA was performed every day. The conditions in the laboratory were standardized (temperature 20–24°C, usual humidity and light conditions).
3. Results
3.1. Accuracy and Precision of Glucometers
There were 112 sets of 12 PG estimations analyzed. In each set, individual means of 3 PG estimations on 3 glucometers CONTOURLINK (one estimation on each of them), on 3 glucometers CALLA, and on 3 glucometers LINUS and results of 3 estimations of each specimen on INTEGRA analyzer were calculated.
The mean INTEGRA PG values ranged from 2.7 to 25.3 mmol/l.
There were strong correlations (Spearman) between mean PG estimations on INTEGRA versus CONTOURLINK (), on INTEGRA versus CALLA (), and on INTEGRA versus LINUS ().
Deviations of mean PG on glucometers from mean PG on INTEGRA were mostly within the range ±15%. The percentage of sample deviations from INTEGRA within the range ±15% was as follows:(i)glucometer CONTOURLINK 94.6% of 112 pairs (Figure 3),(ii)glucometer CALLA 93.8% of 112 pairs (Figure 4),(iii)glucometer LINUS 97.3% of 112 pairs (Figure 5).
3.2. Statistical Analysis
The statistical program SPSS, v. 15, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA, was applied to assess the results. was considered significant.
The accuracy of glucometers was assessed by comparison of differences between individual glucometers and reference values on the analyzer COBAS INTEGRA (Figure 6).
Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test with Bonferroni correction revealed differences between mean PG on CONTOURLINK versus INTEGRA () and LINUS versus INTEGRA ().
There was no significant difference between mean PG values on glucometer CALLA versus INTEGRA ().
The variability (precision) of PG estimations was assessed by mean standard deviation calculated from 112 individual means of 3 estimations on INTEGRA and in each set of respective glucometers:(i)SD INTEGRA = 0.061 mmol/L,(ii)SD CONTOURLINK = 0.256 mmol/L,(iii)SD CALLA = 0.290 mmol/L,(iv)SD LINUS = 0.264 mmol/L.
3.3. Assessment of Diabetes Control in Real Life Using Glucometer CALLA for Ambulatory Glycaemic Profiles (AGP) as Markers of Therapeutic Effectiveness
Having found the acceptable accuracy and precision in all three types of tested glucometers, we have recommended the glucometer CALLA to all persons with diabetes on insulin and on oral antidiabetic drugs as well as on diet only. All individuals have been encouraged to estimate at least one complete AGP including the data on food consumption, insulin dosage, and other relevant factors and to bring it to each medical checkup. Based on the general condition and considering both the HbA1c and AGP and additional laboratory parameters the recent therapeutic outcomes were assessed.
Example 1. 50-year-old man with type 1 diabetes treated by means of an insulin pump has experienced frequent morning hyperglycaemias. HbA1c was 55 mmol/mol. AGP revealed nocturnal near-hypoglycaemia (Figure 7). The AGP improvement (Figure 8) is deemed to result from the reduction of the basal rate between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. (Figure 9).
Example 2. 60-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes, hyperlipoproteinemia, hypertension, and obesity treated with metformin 1700 mg/d. No complaints. HbA1c was 75 mmol/L. AGP revealed hyperglycaemia particularly in the morning hours (Figure 10). Four months later, the AGP improvement is deemed to result from the increased metformin dose from 1700 to 3000 mg/d. HbA1c was 50 mmol/mol (Figure 11).
4. Discussion
This study focuses (1) on the accuracy and precision of three different types of electrochemistry-based glucometers (CONTOURLINK, CALLA, and LINUS) and (2) on the assessment of diabetes control using ambulatory glycaemic profiles (AGP) as markers of therapeutic effectiveness. The glucometers are produced by different companies and available on the market. All investigations were carried out in an out-patient department under conditions of everyday's practice and under supervision of one specialist.
ISO 15197:2003 [21] demands that all glucometers for SMPG adhere to the following guidelines: ≥95% of blood glucose (BG) results should fall within ±15 mg/dL (0.83 mmol/L) of the reference method at BG concentrations <75 mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L) and within ±20% at BG concentrations ≥75 mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L).
ISO 15197:2013 is a tighter standard applicable to manufacturers, regulatory authorities, and conformity assessment bodies. It specifies requirements for in vitro glucose monitoring systems that measure glucose concentrations in capillary blood samples and are intended for self-measurement by lay persons for management of diabetes mellitus. The new ISO 15197:2013 differs from the previous 2003 version in the following points: increased accuracy for glucometer systems, in particular for glucose values greater than 75 mg/dL (4.2 mmol/L). Manufacturers of glucometer systems must ensure that their technology enables accuracy to improve from ±20% to ±15%. The new version accounts for 99% of results, as opposed to 95% for the previous one. For the first time, the standard provides formal acceptance criteria for accuracy as regards testing by patients and assessment of interferents (including hematocrit).
Project leader for ISO 15197, Dr. Alan Cariski, comments: "More accurate glucose measurements will help patients to better regulate their diabetes, through more informed treatment decisions that may affect, for example, dietary intake and medication dose, especially insulin."
Our "real life results" for all three glucometers (CONTOURLINK, CALLA, and LINUS) described in this study are in accordance with the present international standard ISO 15197:2003 [21]. However, the distribution of reference values between hypoglycaemic, euglycaemic, and hyperglycaemic range is the weak point of our trial.
Considering the recent ISO 15197:2013 [22], which should become mandatory in the year 2015, our results may be assessed as borderline. It is necessary to mention that the number of pairs (glucometer system versus reference method) was 112 only (i.e., lower than the demanded number of 200 pairs) leaving less than 99% of the results obtained from individual glucometers within the range ±15% from the reference values measured on COBAS INTEGRA 400 PLUS analyzer.
SMPG is clearly associated with improved HbA1C concentrations in persons with type 1 diabetes and insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. Persons with diabetes who are not treated with insulin may also benefit from SMPG; however, the discussion on this topic is still ongoing. This may be caused by the rising cost [9].
Both these international standards are suggested for in vitro testing of glucometer-strips systems. Considering the accuracy and precision in real life testing, our results may be undoubtedly influenced by many interfering factors (e.g., differences in haemoglobin concentration, different temperature, the blood transferred on strips step by step directly from the fingerprick without previous homogenization, etc.). We have not paid adequate attention to all potentially interfering factors. In addition, it was hardly possible to carry out such a large number of investigations in a short period of time demanded by exact scheme of the international standard. Despite these facts, the tested glucometers brought helpful results and supported decisions dealing with adaptations of diabetes therapy, particularly when applied for the investigation of ambulatory glycaemic profiles.
In our centre, the ten-point ambulatory glycaemic profiles are performed as a substantial part of regular diabetes checkups. The persons with diabetes (PWDs) are trained in AGP including corrections of timing of fingerpricks, meals, and insulin application exceeding ±15 min of the times printed on the AGP sheet. On the evaluation of an AGP the following is especially recommended.(i)To compare the fasting PG values at 6,00 h at the beginning and at the end of the AGP to assess the stability of diabetes control.(ii)To pay attention to the evolution of PG between midnight and 6,00 h a.m.; the increase ≥1.0 mmol/L indicates a dawn phenomenon.(iii)To explain the postprandial PG variations over the day.(iv)To identify hypoglycaemias.(v)To discuss all items dealing with insulin dosage, meals, and exercise(vi)To suggest adaptations.
The variability (precision) of PG estimations was assessed by mean standard deviation calculated from 112 individual means of 3 estimations on CONTOURLINK (0.256 mmol/L), on CALLA (0.290 mmol/L), and on LINUS (0.264 mmol/L) which is four to five times more than mean standard deviation on COBAS INTEGRA (0.061 mmol/L). That means that a difference of PG values in AGP need not be always related to a real change of PG concentration but may be due to the lower precision of glucometer. For example, the "decrease" of PG reading from 11 mmol/L at 12,00 h to 9 mmol/L at 15,00 h may be due to the variability of the glucometer-strips system when the reference value at 12,00 h and 15,00 h remains always 10,0 mmol/L but the glucometer reading at 12,0 h was 10 mmol/L − 10% and 10 mmol/L + 10% at 15,0 h.
The frequency of a single PG estimation and/or AGP's is often discussed considering patient's comfort, costs, and metabolic outcomes. However, there are still many patients who are making self-monitoring in order to fulfill the physicians recommendation only, without any active approach to correction of glycaemia.
From the point of view of practice, the monitoring and self-monitoring of glycaemia make sense if they results in active treatment adaptation in order to improve the metabolic control.
To date, researchers pay attention to standardization of glucose estimation [32, 33], to standardization of SMBG, and to ambulatory glycaemic profiles. Some papers keep using the abbreviation SMBG even though several glucometer systems are estimating the glucose concentration in plasma and the abbreviation SMPG appears to be more appropriate.
Many papers deal with the continuous glucose monitoring [34–45].
The present situation is characterized in the papers of Thorpe and Bergenstal.
Thorpe [23] tried to assess the quality of publications evaluating the accuracy of blood glucose monitoring systems. Many studies determine the performance of blood glucose monitoring (BG) systems. Correct evaluation is, however, complex, and apparent contradiction of results creates confusion. This study aimed to provide an overview of frequently made errors and to develop easy-to-use checklists to verify the quality of such studies. Building on the work from Mahoney and Ellison [42] and subsequent reevaluation, study designs of accuracy studies were assessed, and best practice and internationally accepted norms were determined. Key issues were collated, and two simplified checklists were developed, one for the assessment of analytical accuracy studies and a second for guidance with studies assessing the influence of interferences. The checklists have been used in a feasibility study with 20 representative studies selected from a literature search between 2007 and 2012. This check revealed that limitations in the designs and methods of studies assessing the performance of BG systems are common. The use of the accuracy checklist with the 20 representative studies showed that only 20% were in agreement with most of the issues deemed important and that 40% showed clear nonconcordance with ISO 15197. The use of the interference checklist showed that only 50% of the publications were in good agreement with the quality checks. In agreement with previous studies, which concluded that many evaluations are performed poorly and present questionable conclusions, the use of these checklists demonstrated that few publications adhered to international guidelines and recommendations. Taking this into consideration, it becomes obvious that the publications must be examined in more detail to establish their quality and the validity of conclusions drawn.
Bergenstal and others [8] reported on the expert panel of diabetes specialists in Tampa, FL, March 28-29, 2012. The purpose of the meeting was to develop recommendations for standardization of analysis and presentation of glucose monitoring data, with the initial focus on data derived from CGM systems. The panel acknowledged that self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was currently the predominate mode of glucose monitoring in diabetes and that additional conferences were needed to address the issues particularly relevant to reporting and analysis of SMBG data, even though there is considerable overlap between SMBG and CGM standardization.
There were important conclusions from this meeting. Despite advances in insulin preparations, insulin delivery devices, and glucose monitoring technology, glycemic control in many individuals with type 1 diabetes remains suboptimal. Use of the HbA1c value as a primary (or sole) measure of glycemic status, underutilization of SMBG and CGM data, and lack of easy and standardized glucose data collection, analysis, visualization, and guided clinical decision making are, clearly, key contributors to poor glycemic control within this population.
The IDC will continue to develop, test, and assist with implementation of the AGP "Dashboard" as the standard reporting system for CGM and, ultimately, data from SMBG. Through standardization of clinical terms and key metrics, with glucose data visualized in an easily interpreted format, the AGP "Dashboard" has the opportunity to benefit clinicians, patients, payers, and regulators through improved patient care, better understanding and utilization of glucose data in clinical practice, and greater ability to evaluate and improve clinical performance. Standardized reporting also has potential to benefit clinical research by enabling investigators and regulators to agree on standardized benchmarks that define improvement in glycemic control and a reduction in hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and glucose variability. This will allow for new drugs, new devices, and new team-based approaches to diabetes management to be evaluated more effectively.
Standardizing glucose reporting and analysis, with tools such as AGP, may be one step toward optimizing clinical decision making in diabetes. Although CGM has been shown to be valuable in several clinical settings, continued research is needed to define which individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes will benefit most from either real-time use of CGM or retrospective analysis of intermittent use of CGM.
Hence, from the practical point of view and considering various interfering factors, we believe that in one diabetes centre one type of glucometer system should be recommended for all individuals with diabetes. The AGP belong to important markers of therapeutic effectiveness. Appropriate timing and frequency of ambulatory glycaemic profiles are advisable.
Glucometer systems CONTOURLINK, CALLA, and LINUS appear to be acceptable means for routine AGP self-monitoring and clinical use. Nevertheless, the differences in PG-readings between individual types of glucometers should be considered both in clinical studies and diabetes care. Self-monitoring of glycaemia makes sense if it results in active adaptation of therapy in order to improve the metabolic control.
Conflict of Interests
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests
This paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor Dr. med. Michael Berger, June 2, 1944–August 18, 2002, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Heinrich Heine Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany, for his enthusiastic approach to diabetes education, self-monitoring, and evidence-based medicine.
Parts of this paper were presented as a Poster at the 5th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes, Barcelona, Spain, February 9–12, 2012.
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and because I am a fan of anything pumpkin,
and because my boyfriend is on the other side of the country,
and because I apparently didn't recieve enough sweet goodies for Valentines Day,
and because I haven't baked anything in like three days...
I decided that I needed to make a Pumpkin Bundt Cake!
Here is my wonderful Bundt pan! Every time I use it I am amazed at how well the cakes come out!
Okay, let's make that cake!
Start by combining the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices in a large bowl.
I used a combination of pumpkin pie spice and Penzey's Cake Spice.
You could just use pumpkin pie spice, but I love the Cake Spice. It is sweet, and spicy, and it smells absolutely delicious!
Go ahead... smell it!
Alright, now combine the butter and sugar in the mixer.
Beat for 2 minutes
While you are waiting, you can take pictures of your cute dog! Hi Molly!
Okay, add the eggs now.
Beat until the batter is smooth and yellow.
Now, slowly add the pumpkin.
(The recipe calls for 1 cup, but mine is obviously a heaping cupful!)
The batter looks super weird, and orange at this point. Do not be discouraged! Carry on!
Add half of the flour mixture, the milk, and then the other half of the flour.
Spread the batter into the wonderful bundt pan that has been greased and floured.
Bake for 45-55 minutes
Let cool for 10 minutes
(While you are waiting, you may make the glaze. I apparently forgot to document this step.)
Drizzle glaze over the warm cake
Yummmmm... that looks delicious!
But, just to make it a little more indulgent, I added toasted pecans to the top.
Recipe Time!
Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cinnamon Glaze
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp Penzeys Cake Spice
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1-2 Tbs milk
Toasted pecans
Preheat oven to 350.
Grease and flour bundt pan.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.
In the bowl of a mixer, beat butter and sugar. Beat for 2 minutes.
Add eggs, beat until the batter is smooth and yellow.
Slowly add pumpkin to the mixture.
Add half of the flour mixture, the milk, and then the rest of the flour mixture. Mix just until combined. Do not over-mix.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 45-55 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, invert cake onto cooling rack.
To make the glaze: combine ingredients in a small bowl. Add milk or powdered sugar to get the desired consistency. Drizzle over warm cake. Top with toasted pecans.


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A ROBBERY in a downtown neighborhood not far from the White House ended with a shot fired but no injuries, Washington police said.
Three masked black male suspects robbed two men in downtown Washington at around six in the morning local time, police spokesman Araz Alali told AFP.
When the suspects fled in a silver or white Lincoln Town Car, the victims pursued in their own vehicle.
During the chase one of the suspects fired at least one shot that hit the victims' windshield.
Some reports placed the incident near Lafayette Square, the park outside the presidential residence, but police said the robbery occurred about six blocks away in an area popular for its bars and restaurants.
After the shot was fired, the victims drove towards the White House, "knowing there would be uniformed policemen there," Mr Alali said.
The men reported the incident to two Secret Service officers, who relayed the information to police.
No suspects are in custody, and the investigation is being actively pursued, Mr Alali said.
Originally published as Shot fired in mugging near White House


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Researching MBA Programs
From our friends at Accepted.com:
Researching MBA Programs
Isn't it ironic? Schools complain students write with a sameness that tends to blur them into one amorphous blob, and students struggle to understand the distinctions between schools because school brochures, presentations, and web sites sound stunningly similar. It can all numb the mind.
Accepted offers many tips and articles on distinguishing yourself in your essays, but this piece presents resources that will help you understand the distinctions among schools.
MBA programs are as unlike each other as you are unlike other applicants. You just need to know where to look to appreciate the differences:
- School web sites. Go beyond the admissions section. Make sure you understand the curriculum at each and every school you consider, as well as the recruiter profile and hiring patterns for recent graduates. Check out professors' recent research.
- Student newspapers. Read them to get a feel for campus life and issues.
- Student blogs. Check out The League of MBA Bloggers. Student-written journals give you a sense of student satisfaction and campus life, plus they provide a means for you to get in touch with current students.
- B-School Forums. The granddaddy at this point is the BW Forum, but it can induce neurosis. I am really referring to the school-sponsored forums like Wharton's S2S, Chicago's Full-time MBA Discuss Forums, Yale SOM Admissions Forum, and CMU Teppers Admissions Forum.
- School guides. Businessweek, The Wall St. Journal, and others publish annual and bi-annual guides. These are introductory in nature and can be a good place to start your research. When you have narrowed your choices, or if you are short on time and can't do all that I suggest above, I recommend Clear Admit's guides.
- Visit the school. This is by far the best form of research, but it isn't always practical. If you can visit, do so. If you can't, rely on the other steps mentioned above.
If you do your homework, by the time applications are out you will know exactly why you want to attend Dream School #1.
Researching MBA Programs? is presented by Accepted, one of the oldest and most respected admissions consultancies in the world. If you would like to obtain more tips, explore its inventory of MBA admission ebooks, discover its MBA Interview Feedback Database, sign-up for one of its free e-courses, or learn more about its experienced editors, visit //www.accepted.com/mba. And if you don't have the time to do all the research recommended above, consider Accepted's MBA Admissions Consulting. You will save tons of time by taking advantage of our research and experience.
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NEWCASTLE United are set to be without Tim Krul for more than a month after scans revealed the goalkeeper suffered significant damage to his ankle in Thursday's Europa League win over Metalist Kharkiv.
Krul is due to see an ankle specialist later today to ascertain the full extent of the problem, but an initial prognosis suggests he could be sidelined for up to five weeks.
He will definitely not be involved in tomorrow's Premier League home game with Southampton, and with Steve Harper suffering from tendonitis, Rob Elliot and Jak Alnwick are the only goalkeepers available to Alan Pardew.
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Elliot will make his first Premier League appearance as Newcastle take on a Southampton side currently one place above them in the table, with Alnwick promoted to the substitutes' bench despite not having made a single senior outing.
Confirmation of Krul's injury has taken some of the gloss off Thursday's European success in the Metalist Stadium, with the Holland international's ankle having been damaged in an 88th-minute incident involving Metalist striker Jonathan Cristaldo.
Cristaldo was booked for what appeared to be a stamp on Krul, and while Pardew did not make too much of the incident in the immediate aftermath of his side's win, the Newcastle boss is understood to be furious at the sequence of events that has culminated in the loss of arguably his side's most important player.
Krul left the Metalist Stadium on crutches, and while it was initially hoped his injury would look less serious once the swelling around his ankle subsided, the problem now appears to be much more severe.
His absence tomorrow will be keenly felt, although Pardew will still be challenging his players to end a memorable week on a high by securing a much-needed league win over the Saints.
Recent victories over Aston Villa and Chelsea have provided the Magpies with some much needed breathing space, but Pardew is taking nothing for granted with the relegation zone still too close for comfort.
"It'll be a great end to a very good week if we can beat Southampton, but that's easier said than done," said the Newcastle boss. "Southampton have definitely picked up and they play a high pressing game which we're going to have to combat.
"We'll put Europe to one side because we have two very important Premier League games coming up (against Southampton and Swansea). If we could get three or four points out of those two games, I'd take that now. That would give us a good platform to go into the next phase of the Europa League."
This will be the ninth time this season that Newcastle have played a league fixture straight off the back of a European game, and five of the previous eight occasions have resulted in a defeat.
In the first half of the season, the Europa League was a major burden, placing a considerable strain on the Magpies' threadbare resources.
The arrival of five players in last month's transfer window addressed some of the concerns about a lack of squad depth, and Europe is now regarded as an opportunity rather than a hindrance.
Thursday night's victory in Ukraine was a feather in Newcastle's cap, and Pardew is hoping the feel-good factor spills over into tomorrow's domestic encounter.
"The lads are going to have so much confidence and goodwill to take into the weekend," he said. "The European competition has been a negative in the early part of the season because we've picked up injuries in it and it's stretched us. But now we're suddenly seeing the flip side of it.
"I was with (Tottenham boss) Andre Villas-Boas on Monday and said to him, 'I'm really not sure about this competition'. But he said, 'Trust me – you'll love it if you win it'. He obviously has so he knows what he's talking about.
"We're getting to grips with it a bit. It caught Premier League teams out before, but Thursday night felt different. It's given us a great boost to take into Southampton."
Mathieu Debuchy, Steven Taylor and Davide Santon are expected to return to the back four tomorrow, although Pardew admits the performances of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Massadio Haidara two days ago have given him food for thought.
"Debuchy has trained and Davide feels a little bit stronger so I'm hoping they'll both be available," he said. "But having said that, I have no problem picking Massadio now after his performance on Thursday. I can freshen things up with senior players, and I've never really had that luxury.
"I've now got the luxury of having four centre-halves, three of who are really playing well. The other guy (Mike Williamson) isn't really going to get a chance now because the other three are playing so well."
Tomorrow's game pits Pardew against his most recent employers prior to moving to Newcastle. The Magpies manager spent 13 months at St Mary's before he was dismissed to make way for Nigel Adkins.
Newcastle were comprehensively beaten when they travelled to the south coast in November, and Pardew admits there is a strong personal incentive to ensure his side produce a much more accomplished display tomorrow.
"It's going to be very dear to my heart to win this game, and I won't be pulling any punches in my dressing room that's for sure," he said. "There are some players I love there who I'm looking forward to seeing. They got a result over us last time and thoroughly deserved it, so we need to perform a lot better than we did when we played at their place."


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A summit view of Point 11,500...
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Unilever's men's grooming brand, Axe, made history last year during Super Bowl XLVII after announcing plans to send one viewer to space as part of its Apollo campaign. This year, Axe returns to the big game to air a 30-second television commercial.
The phenomenon surrounding Unilever's Axe Apollo, the largest campaign in the brand's 30-year history, is coming to its epic conclusion in December at the Axe Apollo Space Academy.
The drug channel winner of the Path to Purchase Institute's annual Design of the Times merchandising display competition fired on all cylinders in meeting the "Four C's" judges use to measure each of the displays — ability to command attention, connect with the shopper, convey a clear message and close the sale.
In conjunction with the Axe Apollo Space Academy, which will send 22 people from around the world to space, the Axe brand is launching a new retail-focused program that will allow seven people to attend Space Camp for a chance to participate in the trip of a lifetime.
To celebrate the biggest product launch in its 30-year history — the launch of the Apollo line of products — Unilever's Axe men's grooming line will premiere a television commercial titled "Lifeguard" on Feb. 3 during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLVII.


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WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush took communion at church and went for a brisk jog with his dog on a rare weekend spent in Washington.
The president and Laura Bush usually go to Camp David, where he can roam the woods and jog. It was clear that Bush pined for the open spaces of the 143-acre presidential retreat and of his 1,600-acre ranch in Crawford, Texas.
Immediately after returning from St. John's Church across from the White House, Bush swapped his blue suit and tie for a blue windbreaker and black running tights.
He ran for nearly 40 minutes at Fort McNair, with several jogging Secret Service agents and a mini-motorcade in tow. Bush is said to run a seven-minute mile, and he appeared to keep a strong pace Sunday, though the temperature was in the high 30s and there was a stiff wind.
His dog Spot also ran laps with Bush around the base.
Neither dog nor master appeared tired on their return to the White House, and they walked the South Lawn in the December sun.
On the third Sunday of Advent, Bush and his wife listened at the Episcopal church as the Rev. Luis Leon pondered the character of Jesus Christ.
When Leon directed his listeners to greet their neighbors in the pews, Bush shook several hands, including that of his FBI director, Robert Mueller, a regular at the church.
Congregants joined in reading part of Psalm 146, which included these words: "Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, for there is no help in them. When they breathe their last, they return to earth, and in that day their thoughts perish."
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Get DVD Talk Feeds
This series is based upon the Mozart Effect which is based upon the following
· The use of music and the arts to improve the health of families and
· The general use of music to improve memory, awareness, and the integration
of learning styles
· The innovative and experimental uses of music to improve listening
and attention deficit disorders
· The therapeutic uses of music for mental and physical disorders and
· The collective uses of music for imagery and visualization, to activate
creativity, and reduce depression and anxiety
This by no means represents all the uses and aspects, but presents a good overview
as to the theories behind the entire series of Baby Einstein videos. A series
of images (still and moving), music, sounds, and spoken languages are repeated
in an effort to induce the desired results.
There are opponents to this series of videos, ones that feel that introducing
children at this young of an age (they're intended for 1 to 18 months) is wrong
no matter the content. After watching the reaction of the "borrowed baby"
while this video was playing I would disagree. These videos are presented as
nothing but the 21st century equivalent of a musical mobile that entertains
your child.
Now, on to the specifics concerning this title in the series, Baby Einstein.
The DVD consists of over and hour of audio-visual stimulation for your child and is intended for the full range of 1 to 36 months.
There is an immense amount of content presented in the short time and it's enough
that it should remain fresh for several months. Most of it is presented as merely
a listening and stimulation tool, but it would have been nice to have better
accompaniment with the audio.
For instance, several sections involve counting and the alphabet in foreign
languages. This is recited while unrelated, but colorful, video plays on the
screen. To interest and help an older audience, and intuitive parents, visual
representatives of the letters and numbers should be flashed on the screen while
spoken. Likewise, when the nursery rhymes are recited, it would be nice to see
the text, even as a subtitle option.
The disc is broken into several sections, with the Theater being the longest.
This is where most of the audio and video is played in succession with almost
no pauses in between. It can be hard to follow at times, but the included workbook/pamphlet
helps you keep up. The other sections include more language and image games;
with one that identifies a provided vocabulary list in several different selectable
languages (English, Japanese, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish…). The included
booklet is really handy and helps the parent get a handle on what is actually
happening, although the baby will certainly care less about the book, it's nice
to know what you're child is watching and why.
I found this one less interesting when compared to the Baby Mozart DVD. It's
abundance of music is likely to keep the youngest child interested, while the
advanced language of the Einstein disc will continue to appeal to the older
Video: The video on these discs is beautiful. The color and
saturation has purposely been ramped up and it shows. The images practically
jump off the screen and have no trouble catching the young, wandering eye.
Audio: The audio is a capable stereo mix that is perfectly
crisp and bright but problematic in a few small areas. The levels jump ever
so slightly, causing me to reach for the volume button occasionally.
Extras: There are no true extras, but they offer links to
buy some of the toys that are features in the videos. On a side note, the menus
were increasingly frustrating deeper into the DVD. There was no back button
to return to a previous menu. They are meant to be played straight through and
it's not easy to do otherwise.
Overall: I would recommend this to parents that want
to encourage their children and develop their interests at an early age. While
babysitting, the child we kept was easily entertained as we watched and commented
together at the objects on the screen. This disc is better suited for the older toddler, but will entertain any young child.


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PARIS, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- French President Francois Hollande vowed to reverse the country's rising unemployment in 2013 in his first New Year's address.
Also during his address Monday, Hollande said France would emerge from its financial crisis "sooner and stronger" because of the direction he and his government have taken since he was elected six months ago, France24 reported.
France's jobless rate was above 10 percent late in 2012.
"We've set the course -- jobs, competitiveness and growth -- and I will not deviate," he said. "It's the future of France."
He also pledged to address what he called "useless spending" in government, saying the people's money "is hard earned and must be put to the service of a thrifty and exemplary state. Those with more will have to contribute more."
The Socialist Party president also emphasized the delivery on several campaign promises, including an increase in the number of teachers, allowing 60-year-olds the right to retire if they entered the work force earlier than usual and the end of France's combat mission in Afghanistan.
Concerning same-sex marriage and euthanasia, Hollande said France is most successful "when it moves forward on equal rights."


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Green Bay, Wisconsin Artisan Cheese Trail
Home > Find an Inn > Green Bay Artisan Cheese Trail
Renard's Cheese
248 Cty S, Algoma 54201
On Cty. S. (Lakeshore Dr.) between Algoma and Sturgeon Bay. Retail Outlet, Mail Order. Hrs: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-2; Sun 11-5 (May thru October)
Arthur Bay Cheese Company
237 E. Calumet St, Appleton 54915
Fresh cheese curds Tuesday-Saturday. Take Hwy 441 and exit Oneida St. and take a right on Calumet St. Retail Outlet, Hrs. T-Th 11-6; F-Sat 8-6.
Caprine Supreme
W5646 Hwy 54, Black Creek 54106
920-984-3388; 920-209-9588 email@example.com
The Caprine Supreme family farm is perfectly suited to pasture a herd of 400 dairy goats. The husband and wife team of Todd and Sheryl Jaskolski use fresh, nutritious, Grade A milk to craft a complete line of goat's milk products. We control the products from goat to consumers, being able to provide you with the freshest goat products available. No set hours at this time, please call ahead.
Blossoms & Steve's Cheese Co.
220 S. Bohemia Dr, Denmark 54208
Located at I-43 and Hwy 96. A Wisconsin tradition since 1916, our store offeres many varieties of Wisconsin cheese, wines and homemade fudge. Full line of BelGioioso cheeses. Aged Cheddar, fudge, jams, jellies, wine and fresh curds. Retail Outlet, Mail Order. Hrs: M-F 9-5:30; Sat 10-2
Scray's Cheese, LLC
2082 Old Martin Rd, De Pere 54115
4 m. south of East De Pere between Hwy. 57 and PP. Shop at this third-generation cheese producer for Gouda, Edam, Cheese Curds and other popular Wisconsin specialties. Retail Outlet, Mail Order. Hrs: Call ahead.
Nala's Fromagerie
2663 Development Dr, Suite 30, Green Bay 54311
Located at Hwy. 172 and Cty. Rd. GV European-style cheese store offering over 160 varieties of fine Wisconsin and world cheeses, and a wide range of olives and imported cured meats. Retail Outlet, Hrs: M-Sat 10-6; Sun 11-4 Nov-Dec.
Krohn Dairy Store/Trega Foods
N2915 Cty Rd AB, Luxemburg 54217
1 m. south of Hwy. 29 on Cty. Rd. AB. Family-run since 1892. Produced World Champion Mozzarella in three of the last five World Championship Cheese Contests. Try Provolone and Sharp Cheddar as well! Retail Outlet, Mail Order. Hrs: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-Noon.
Ron's Wisconsin Cheese, Inc
124 Main St, Luxemburg 54217
Hwy. 54, 2 blocks south on AB, on Main St. In business for 31 years, our cheese spreads are unique. Try Ron's Spreadable Cream Cheese with Herbs & Spices, many other spreads and Cheddars from mild to 5 years. Retail Outlet, Mail Order. Hrs: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-12.
Springside Cheese & Wine
5068 Hwy 141, Suite 1105, Oconto 54154
Offering a very large selection of cheese, not to mention all of the delicious flavors of wine, Springside Cheese and Wine also carries a large selection of bulk foods, meats, gifts, and many more items. Retail Outlet, Hrs: M-F 9-9; Sat 9-8; Sun 9-6.
Springside Cheese Corporation
7989 Arndt Rd, Oconto Falls 54154
7 m. north of Oconto Falls on Cty. B; corner of B and Arndt Road. A tourist-oriented specialty cheese factory manufacturing ethnic and traditional Wisconsin favorites including Cheddar and Colby. Retail Outlet, Observation Window, Mail Order, Tours. Hrs: Daily - call ahead.
Laney Cheese
W1031 Main Laney Dr, Pulaski 54162
Just off Hwy. 29 between Green Bay & Bonduel Aged Cheddars up to 10 years and fresh curds daily. This third generation business has been family owned since 1964. Offering traditional string cheese whips, smoked string Cheddars and fresh Colby. Retail Outlet, Mail Order. Hrs: M-Th 8-5:30; F 8-6; Sat 8-3.
Astor House Bed and Breakfast
Green Bay, Wisconsin
View more details and photos Go to Website View availability
Franklin Street InnFranklin Street Inn, Appleton knows that our guest's favorite cheese tour & taste is at the Union Star Cheese Factory in Fremont. Without a doubt, it is worth the short 25 mile drive from the inn going west on Hwy. 10. For nearly 100 years, the Metzig family has crafted the finest natural cheeses. Their store also offers many cheese variteties & spreads for purchase. Perhaps you wish to watch a cheese making video only 5 miles to the north of the inn in Little Chute. Simon's Specialty Cheese Factory Store is owned and operated by the Simon family since 1940. They are the proud producers of award-winning cheese using fresh milk from local dairy farms. The closest place to our inn to buy the perfect cheeses for a WI souvenir is to go only one mile from our inn to the Arthur Bay Cheese Comapny. A store for true cheese lovers!
Appleton, Wisconsin
View more details and photos Go to Website View availability
Westport Bed and Breakfast
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
View more details and photos Go to Website View availability


text: The Tivoli Audio PAL is a portable AM/FM radio with a single 2.5-inch "full range" speaker. Measuring 6.25-inch x 3.7-inch x 3.9-inch, the gadget has a weather-resistant cabinet, a large tuning knob, a frequency contouring circuit, a telescoping FM antenna and a built-in AM antenna. You can hook up your CD or MP3 player via a 3.5mm input jack to share your music with your friends. Its replaceable NiMH battery pack delivers up to 16-hour of playback time on a single charge. It can also be used with AC power. Available in pink or black, the Tivoli Audio PAL retails for $219.99 each. [Tivoli]


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Webber vented his anger after qualifying and Sunday's race after it appeared team-mate Sebastian Vettel had been given preferential treatment.
On Saturday the team stripped Webber of a new front wing and handed it to Vettel after it failed on the German's car in final practice.
After the 33-year-old took the chequered flag he sniped over the team radio "not bad for a number two driver", a jibe he now claims was "Australian sarcasm".
Webber then followed that in the post-race press conference with a comment that he would never have signed a new contract with the team - as he did just over a month ago - had he known Vettel would be favoured.
After joining Vettel and Horner on stage for a sing-along at the latter's post-race barbecue on Sunday night, Webber has since held a frank discussion with his boss.
"My disappointment on Saturday after qualifying spilled over into Sunday," said Webber on his personal website.
"Of course, things get said in the heat of the moment which, with hindsight goggles on, probably shouldn't have been said.
"Formula One is a highly charged and fiercely competitive arena where emotions and adrenaline do run high from time to time like in many sports.
"My comment on the radio after the race was an example of Australian sarcasm - either at its best or worst depending on how you choose to take it.
"But rest assured, under the helmet I was massively rapt about winning one of the most prestigious events on the F1 calendar and Red Bull Racing's local race.
"We've already debriefed the race weekend at the factory and have cleared the air.
"The British Grand Prix was a wonderful result for myself and the team. However, time moves fast and looking in the mirror for too long doesn't prepare us for Germany. We've moved on."
Webber, like Horner, maintains Red Bull will now continue to follow the same policy of the championship leader being given preference should a similar dilemma occur again.
That could see Vettel losing out in his home race at Hockenheim next weekend as Webber now has a seven-point cushion over his team-mate.
Despite the apparent friction between the duo, stemming from their collision in the Turkish Grand Prix at the end of May, Webber claims it is nothing more than healthy rivalry.
"The respect within the team extends to the drivers," added Webber.
"I know I have a very good driver as a team-mate, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
"We share information freely in team meetings and contribute to the development and improvement of our cars.
"Seb and I are not enemies, we're just two drivers that are pushing hard and want to do the best for ourselves and the team, it's as simple as that."


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Heika: We could all make the world a better place by learning from the life of Richard Durrett
I always used to joke with Richard Durrett that I was the only one who knew just how good he was.
Turns out I was wrong.
The outpouring of love for Richard after his death on Tuesday shows just how many lives he touched. He was amazing.
Richard helped out with Stars coverage back at the Star-Telegram in 1999 when I was there. He and I worked on the Stars beat together at The Morning News. We just always ended up in the same places and became friends. We both started at The Grapevine Sun, so it seemed sort of destined.
And it was in those years that I learned just how good he was.
Richard knew something about everything. He loved to golf, and was an advocate for junior golf and community golf coverage. He loved college football and always had an opinion on TCU or his beloved Auburn. His love of hockey came from having spent his high school years in Montreal, where his dad worked for Delta. He attended the Habs playoff games, and was a scholar on every aspect of the sport. He learned the ins and outs of auto racing and was one of the top writers in the area on that sport. And, of course, he immersed himself in every aspect of Rangers baseball.
And, because of that, he pulled himself in a lot of directions. We would be at a Stars game waiting for the start, and he would be talking to Eddie Gossage on the phone and doing an update on an upcoming race or a top driver doing some sort of test out at Texas Motor Speedway. He would be at a baseball game in Oakland, and I would get a tweet update on a Stars story I was working on (he beat me on a beat he didn't even cover anymore). We would be at a college football press conference and he would be writing up a story on a local golfer.
So I'd give him a hard time about his bosses working him too hard and he always gave me that sheepish smile and told me that a lot of times his bosses didn't want him to do the story. No, he said, he just felt the story needed to be written.
He felt a responsibility to help Gossage and the Motor Speedway or to help the struggling Stars or to help the local golfer. They were good people, he reasoned, and if he could spread their story and help them out, he was going to do that.
He felt the same way about the fans.
He started the online Stars chats at The Morning News and I picked them up when one lockout too many forced the editors to turn the Stars from a two-man beat to a one-man beat. In my first year, I got complaints from some of the fans that I didn't answer their specific question. I said I answered the same question and figured that was the purpose of the chat, to simply get the answers out. But what Richard had been doing was searching all of the questions, and then making sure as many different readers were represented so that they all got their name in the chat.
I just answer them in the order they come, but Richard understood that the fans were a big part of the media experience. He wanted them to feel good, too.
That's just who he was.
I talked to Richard Tuesday morning. He had dropped his wife Kelly and son Owen and daughter Alice off at the airport for a trip to California and he was driving back home. He was usually in the car when we talked. That's when he had time, driving to the speedway or the Ballpark or TCU or running errands in the middle of the day for his family.
He had stayed up late after the Oakland game to write his analysis and got up early to take care of the family. That's who he was.
When I got the call last night, I was truly shocked. A brain aneurysm. You just don't even think about that. He was 38, and as healthy as anyone I knew. He ate right, worked out, took care of himself. He was a religious man who was a true believer, who lived his life the right way. He was a great husband, a great dad, a great son, a great brother, a great son-in-law.
You try to make sense of things at times like this, and there just is no sense to it. It's not fair to him, it's not fair to his wife, it's not fair to his kids. It's just not fair.
I've been struggling with that thought a lot, and here's what I've come up with. Richard didn't treat people the way he did as a means to an end. He didn't do things to keep score. He did things because he really cared, because that's who he was, because he believed that made the world better.
He was just a genuine nice guy who worked extremely hard at making people happy.
And if we all try to live a little more like he did, then we can carry his legacy _ and his memory _ for a long, long time.


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Pollutants shape baby-gator gonads
From New Orleans, at the e.hormone 2003 Conference
Over the past decade, comparisons of alligators from two Florida lakes–the relatively pristine Woodruff and the pesticide-laden Apopka–have turned up numerous reproductive impairments in the Apopka animals. Low hatching rates, abnormal sex-hormone concentrations, perturbed egg production, and shorter-than-usual penises, are among the effects observed over the years (SN: 7/15/95, p. 44).
These impacts in Lake Apopka's animals had been chronicled only in adolescent and adult gators. Biologists at the University of Florida in Gainesville wanted to see whether the changes occur even in baby gators. So, Teresa Bryan and her coworkers collected 150 alligator eggs from nests on Lake Woodruff and incubated many of them in water laced with nine hormone-mimicking pesticides typical of Lake Apopka. Those include DDT, dieldrin, toxaphene, heptachlor, and alpha-chlordane.


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Commercial Vehicle Group Annual Meeting Set For May 16, 2013
May 01, 2013, 15:25 ET from Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.
NEW ALBANY, Ohio, May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVGI) announced that it will hold its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time). The meeting will be held at the Company's corporate headquarters located at 7800 Walton Parkway, New Albany, OH 43054.
Details of the meeting and proxy materials were mailed on or about April 10, 2013, to stockholders of record as of Monday, March 18, 2013.
This meeting will be webcast live by Thomson/CCBN and can be accessed at Commercial Vehicle Group's Web site at www.cvgrp.com. A replay of the meeting will also be available on the Investor Relations pages of the Company's Web site.
About Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.
Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. is a leading supplier of a full range of cab related products and systems for the global commercial vehicle market, including the heavy-duty (Class 8) truck market, the construction, military, bus and agriculture markets and the specialty transportation markets. Our products include static and suspension seat systems, electronic wire harness assemblies, controls and switches, cab structures and components, interior trim systems (including instrument panels, door panels, headliners, cabinetry and floor systems), mirrors and wiper systems specifically designed for applications in commercial vehicles. The Company is headquartered in New Albany, OH with operations throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Information about the Company and its products is available on the internet at www.cvgrp.com.
SOURCE Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc.


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The sun is imploding, the moon is weeping and the squirrels are racing for the hills. Nabbing yourself a chocolate high might be your next logical move. The antioxidants are irrelevant in the face of The Big One, but the bliss factor — well, that's gonna come in handy when the ground begins to rumble and the city starts to crumble around you.
Smart chocolate connoisseurs get their emergency supplies from La Cañada's Chocolate Box Café, which imports its premium-quality confections from Belgium. The chocolate itself is crafted with time-honored artisan techniques, then modernized with unconventional additions such as chili pepper and bergamot. The benefits of globalization are masterfully displayed as teas from the Far East, tropical fruits and exotic spices are infused into truffles, ganaches and delicate swirls of creamy chocolate. This is the best chocolate I've found in this country.
The shop's aesthetic is sophisticated and elegant, with chocolates molded into squares, hearts, leaves and lumps, even a painter's palette and an angular geodesic dome. The ganaches are tiny works of art, printed with eye-catching graphics — bold calligraphy and pop-art imagery indicating mint, cinnamon, grappa or pear.
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Even the boxes are feats of design savvy. For the ganaches, you can opt for the sliding tray; for the truffles, a shrunken hat box. Or throw tradition to the revved-up Santa Anas (a sign for many that a quake is near) and choose the Treasure Box, which fans open to reveal three levels of buttermilks, marzipans, swirls, nuts and creams, all drenched in that fine, fine Belgian chocolate.
The café itself has a distinctly European feel — dark brown and orange accents and tiny round tables clustered in front of an L-shaped booth. Beverages (teas, coffees and, of course, chocolate) and gelatos are served at an adjacent counter. You can taste any chocolate you'd like — tiny bits are sliced off and presented to you on a tiny tray, teasers that lure you into an inevitable gorge and ensuing sugar high/crash.
The chocolate is preservative free and highly perishable. It is kept in temperature-controlled storage for no longer than eight weeks. At that time, if the chocolates haven't been eaten (as if!), the café donates them to local charities. One good reason to move to La Cañada and take up volunteer work, before it's too late.
714 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada, (818) 790-7918 or ?www.chocolateboxcafe.com.


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Learn about this topic in these articles:
formal systems
...It is strongly complete if the addition to it (as an extra axiom) of any wff whatever that is not already a theorem would make the system inconsistent. Finally, an axiom or transformation rule is independent (in a given axiomatic system) if it cannot be derived from the remainder of the axiomatic basis (or—which comes to the same thing—if its omission from the basis would make the...
propositional calculus
The independence of the axioms is usually proved by using more than two truth values. These values are divided into two classes: the desired and the undesired. The axiom to be shown independent can then acquire some undesired value, whereas all the theorems that are provable without this axiom always get the desired values. This technique is what originally suggested the many-valued logics.


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Herald poll breaks trend: Brown up 4
With four other surveys this week showing Elizabeth Warren pulling into the lead in the Massachusetts Senate race, a Boston Herald/UMass Lowell poll gives a different picture of the race:
U.S. Sen. Scott Brown has moved into a narrow lead over rival Elizabeth Warren while his standing among Massachusetts voters has improved despite a year-long Democratic assault, a new UMass Lowell/Boston Herald poll shows.
The GOP incumbent is beating Warren by a 50-44 percent margin among registered Bay State voters, a turnaround from the last UMass Lowell/Herald poll nine months ago that had the Democratic challenger leading by seven points. Among likely voters, Brown is leading the Harvard Law professor by a 49-45 percent margin, just within the poll's 5.3 percent margin of error. ...
Brown is now viewed favorably by 57 percent of registered voters, up nine points from a UMass Lowell/Boston Herald poll conducted in Dec. 2011. Brown's unfavorable rating actually has dropped six points to 29 percent. He is also drawing 22 percent of voters who say they will vote for President Obama.
The apples-to-apples comparison between the polls is with likely voters, where the spread has varied from a 6-point Warren lead to (in this poll) to a 4-point lead for Brown. The Herald poll, like all the other surveys released this week, highlights the key question of the race: just how many Massachusetts Democrats can Brown persuade to vote for Barack Obama and Scott Brown on the same ballot? This latest poll is more optimistic for Brown on that count than the others.


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I am an only child, and I'm pretty glad I was. My dad sometimes tells me, though, that he wonders if I should have had siblings. As The Edited Life tells us, this is a common concern, and she considers the potential change in her oldest child.
From Listen to Leon, a reflection on Troy Davis, activism and race. Thought-provoking stuff, no matter what your feelings are.
Art imitates life, they say, but lately it seems that fashion has been imitating television. Capital Style points out the similarities in this chicken-and-egg debate (and brings us tons of drool-worthy pictures of clothes – sorry, guys…).
Now THIS is a diet plan I can support: a literary diet. Thanks, Team Wet Dog!
Ew. Spiders. Poor Orange Hoodie…
The only upshot of fall, at least for this beach-loving Gulf Coast girl, is soup and stew weather. Here are some pretty pictures of sausage soup from Cookies and Kale.
And in lieu of my usual vacation pictures, let's go out on something I think we ALL can agree on. You are so right, Lumpyhead – there ought to be a law. Have a great weekend!


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The German zoo where teensy little cute polar bear Knut is housed has reported falling numbers of visitors since the lovable little polar bear started to transform into a fully grown snarling beast.
"I guess everyone wants to see a cuddly little teddy bear," commented his keeper, "but its a different matter when you've got a 1/2 ton teeth-gnashing bear rocking back and forth in his pen."
One onlooker said "I brought my kids to see a capering little fluffball and all we got to see was this big white toothy thing tearing the heads off fish, the kids were very disappointed."
Zoo officials today confirmed that the official policy of "Returning animals to the wild once we have finished exploiting them" cannot be followed in this case as for polars bears, due to global warming, there is no "wild" to return to.
The zoo is said to be considering painting black patches on Knut and giving him to the Chinese as a gift.


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Gray modern car closeup on black background.
Here are 10 common errors that can lead to left turn crashes:
1. Pointing wheels left while waiting to make a turn. Keep them straight, otherwise you'll be pushed into oncoming traffic if struck from behind. Many fatalities result from this common error each year.
2. Improper lane position. For offset turn lanes at intersections, steer sharply toward the left edge of your lane (once clear of the traffic island), then straighten out to position your vehicle alongside and parallel with the left edge of your lane.
3. Proceeding blindly when view blocked by opposing left turn traffic (like a tractor-trailer) at intersection. If you follow the lane position procedure above, you'll have the best possible view of oncoming traffic, your wheels are safely pointed straight ahead, and there's no need to blindly encroach oncoming lanes.
4. Proceeding blindly when traffic is backed up. For example, if traffic is backed up and you must weave through stopped northbound traffic before turning left (southbound). Here, you can't see approaching southbound traffic and neither can those drivers see you – until it's too late. In this case, consider turning right and taking an alternate route, rather than blindly turning left and risking a nasty crash.
5. Feeling pressured to turn because light is turning red. Upon entering an intersection on a green light, you can lawfully complete your turn only when safe to do so. If it's not safe to turn until the light turns amber or red, then so be it. The law never commands you to get into a crash by turning in front of a "red light runner."
6. Running an amber or red light. By law, you are required to stop for an amber light whenever possible to do so safely, and running a red light is courting disaster.
7. Not coming to a full stop at a stop sign intersection before turning. The problem with running a stop sign to save time is that the driver on the cross street may have the same idea. It's a paradox of time and consequence that if there are only two cars out on the road, they'll often collide.
8. Failing to watch for approaching cyclists and pedestrians before turning.
9. Turning from the wrong lane. If a dual left-turn lane isn't designated by signs/lane markings, it's illegal to create your own from a thru-lane.
10. Making convoluted maneuvers to skirt the law. For example, making a right turn, then a u-turn, then another right turn to avoid a red light. You can rationalize all you want that such actions are technically legal, but don't be surprised if your vehicle is struck while driving in this erratic manner.
Note: Information above is of a general nature and should not be taken as legal advice or opinion.


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