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Eaglerulez's guides to building a computer Version 2.
- Topic Closed
10 years ago #6
The Core 2 Duo: The Core 2 Duo utilizes the Conroe architecture which is intel's newest architecture that was released very recently. Instead of sacrificing everything for speed the Core 2's are extremely efficient. In fact one of the cheapest Core 2's the E4300 which only clocks in at 1.80 Ghz can outperform an Athlon 64 X2 4200 which is clocked at 2.2 Ghz, a way faster frequency. So why can this baby out perform an Athlon? Well for one it has a shared L2 cache. In most other dual core processors, each core was given only a fixed amount of cache. This meant if a core needed more memory it would have to use slower alternatives by borrowing the memory from other sources. If an equation didn't require all of the L2 cache memory, the whole L2 cache memory would still be used, although it had no effect on the performance, meaning more heat would be produced, and more energy would be drawn. However with a shared L2 cache, each core can take however much it needs. So if it needs more for a certain equation, it is readily available. While if it doesn't need a lot of memory, power can still be saved by not dedicating the whole cache. The two cheapest Core 2's have a shared 2MB L2 cache, while the later ones have a shared 4MB cache. In older processors this would mean each core would get 1 or 2MB, but now each core can use however much it needs. The Core 2's are the best buy you can get today. The cheapest one is only about 100 dollars; it is a fast dual core processor, and is extremely energy, and information efficient. It is said to have roughly a 30% performance increase against its' priced equivalents. The other value of the Core 2 Duo's is that they can overclock very well, allowing a budget 1.8Ghz Core 2 Duo to reach speeds of 3.3Ghz.
See Overclocking
Process types
Finally, the last and most minor form of determining a CPU's speed is its process type. What this means is how close the transistors in the CPU are together. Generally the closer together the transistors the less energy they have to use to communicate, meaning less heat, and overall better efficiency. The way this is expressed is in nanometers or NM. Meaning the transistors are only a certain number of nanometers apart. Most Athlon processors run on a 90NM process, while the new core 2's run on a 65NM process (also contributing to why they are so efficient). As time goes on the processes will get smaller and smaller, meaning more cores can be fit into a single CPU wafer. For instance the new quad core processors that are out run on a mere 45Nm process which is why they can fit 4 processing cores on a single waffer, since everything is so compact together. The advantage of smaller process types is usually found when overclocking, since cores with smaller process types draw less energy and produce less heat, and are therefore ideal for reaching higher clock speeds.
www.actsofgord.com . Long live Green Earth. Escalators can't break, they can only temporarily become stairs. I Love GREEN TEA


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Considered high-risk/high-reward investments, hotels may be the most challenging type of asset to value. Combining real estate with an operating business, hotels have high operating leverage and economic sensitivity, and they are management, marketing, energy and capital intensive. Despite this, hotels generally generate favorable long-term yields among institutional-quality real estate investments. Proper valuation requires a combination of strong valuation fundamentals, detailed operational knowledge and real-time access to proprietary competitive trends. These skills represent the starting point for the PwC Hospitality & Leisure valuation team.
Fully dedicated to the lodging industry, PwC professionals hold the highest designations in appraisal certification (MAI) and real estate consulting (CRE). Combining financial expertise with industry knowledge, we help our clients understand the issues that underlie value and provide them with the most comprehensive and reputable valuation services in the hospitality industry. We recognize the individuality of each valuation engagement and develop a scope of services that emphasizes the most important issues. While fundamental valuation theory applies across all projects, each hospitality asset's unique characteristics are critical to accurately understand its underlying value. Our extensive range of industry valuation expertise can help you resolve issues involving:
PwC's hospitality and leisure clients benefit from our responsiveness, efficiency, accuracy, commitment to using the best industry data, renowned research and econometric models, and comprehensive analysis. Our extensive engagement experience, combined with access to more databases featuring richer informational data, often makes us the first choice for many high-profile institutions, lenders and owners, and we are frequently called upon to perform valuations too complex or too large for other firms. Whether valuing partnership interests, appealing tax assessments, exercising transactions options or securing financing, we provide you with sound and comprehensive analysis from which to base critical business decisions. Further, we provide litigation support services to stand behind our analyses in a legal environment or for use in disputes requiring expert testimony.

subset: commoncrawl


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remote sample delivery with comPANION
TTP Labtech's comPANION is a bench-top module add-on that can be sited remotely from a comPOUND store to provide:
- a remote interface to the comPOUND store to allow it to be sited outside the lab
- a system to link up to 4 comPOUND modules to provide a larger integrated store with higher throughput
- an interface to further automation.
TTP Labtech's comPANION units can be remotely located in different rooms, or even on different floors of a building. They can connect comPOUND stores in parallel so that samples held in different modules can be accessed simultaneously, thus increasing sample throughputs.


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Need Advice?
JHS Pet Behavior Helpline
If you are experiencing behavioral issues with your pet and don't know what to do, call the Pet Behavior Helpline. Our trained staff can assist with correcting many types of behavior problems for both dogs and cats. To utilize this free community service, call 904-493-4586 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Obedience Classes
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Politics create some odd alliances and one emerged this past week when La Jolla attorney Mark Fabiani, the San Diego Charger's stadium proposal front man and former adviser to Demos Bill Clinton and Al Gore, joined the legal team of Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Perry is facing charging of abusing his office and coercing a public official for essentially trying to get a county prosecutor in the Lone Star state to resign after she was arrested for DUI.
Fabiani assures us his work with the Chargers goes on and that Perry, known for poaching California businesses, is not trying to convince the Bolts to move.
'Critical mistake'
Speaking of DUI, the Sacramento Bee points out state Sen. Ben Hueso's website has a cautionary note about drunk driving.
The paper wrote it was a presumably a sober moment when the San Diego Democrat posted: "The law and common sense make it absolutely clear that driving any vehicle after drinking is a critical mistake. A DUI crash or arrest can be avoided in a number of ways: not drinking, riding with a designated, sober driver, using public transportation, calling a taxi or staying where you are for the night."
Ah, taxis. It seems Hueso's brother owns a cab company. It's not clear whether that had any thing to do with Hueso's vote against a ride-sharing insurance bill several hours several hours before his arrest, and reaffirmed his opposition on Thursday when a comprise on the bill was struck.
Hueso was arrested for drunken driving in the early morning hours of Aug. 22. He's apologized, but says he intends to prove his innocence. The arrest came after Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez tweeted a photo showing Hueso and other Democratic legislators drinking on the Assembly's Capitol balcony. Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins has since cautioned members and there are discussions about whether alcohol should be banned from the Legislature's halls and meeting rooms.
White House honor
San Diego native Megan E. Carroll has been named one of 15 White House Fellows for 2014-15.
The program created by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 is designed to give promising young leaders first-hand experience in working with officials in the top echelon of the federal government. Carroll's work leading up the year-long appointment include working with the United Nations and The Carter Center in South Sudan.
She has a master's degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a bachelor's in political science from Amherst College.
Stadium view
As San Diegans debate various scenarios for a new Charger stadium and whether it should be linked to convention center space, Wright Communications of Solana Beach conducted an online survey of 375 city and county residents and said found 63 percent oppose the city paying for a new stadium.
An even larger 67 percent of respondents opposed a city-funded stadium even if it meant the Chargers would leave town.
Tweet of the Week
Goes to Santee Republican Assemblyman Brian Jones, who issued this after legislation he opposed was adopted: "Bill on @JerryBrownGOV desk will require Juvenile Detention Facilities to register offenders to vote #AreYouKiddingMe."


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"Smart Smokin Jackie" - 14.3hh
2 Yr Old Sorrel Mare - Granddaughter of High Brown Cat - Broodmare
CJ Performance Horses is owned and operated by Josh & Chelsea Smitherman. Whether it's training, coaching, or matching horse to rider, CJ Performance Horses is dedicated to great beginnings. Call CJ Performance Horses with your training and showing needs, when searching for your next prospect, or to evaluate your present horse's ability to meet your goals. Ground work and respect are very important in our training program.... (read more)
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An illustration drawing without any word(s), letter(s), or number(s)
Arranging and conducting athletic competitions
Business in Toledo, OH


text: Mark had a great solo career as well as a 13 year run as lead singer for [lastfm]Paul Revere and the Raiders[/lastfm], and Sunday night he's in town to sing them again on the 25th Anniversary of the Happy Together Tour. Sharng the stage will be Mickey Dolenz of the [lastfm]Monkees[/lastfm], [lastfm]The Buckinghams[/lastfm], [lastfm]The Turtles[/lastfm]' Flo and Eddie, and [lastfm]The Grassroots.[/lastfm] Mark promises there'll be nothing but the hits from each act when they hit the stage at the Dodge Theatre. But don't take my word for it, Click more to hear Part 1 of my 3 part conversation with Mark. There's a lot of new information I learned yesterday. Hope you enjoy it.


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Daniel 9:12
12He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem.
English Standard Version brought to you by Good News Publishers and Crossway Bibles.


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Oscar De La Renta Lace Impression Georgette Chemise 682324
Sorry, no other customer-recommended styles found.
This product was discontinued October, 2012 and is no longer available. Please consider one of the Customer-Recommended Replacements above, or try a new search.
This sheer georgette nightie features floral lace insets at the front and sides, with a nude mesh backing. Straps are non-stretch lace with nude backing. Made of sheer woven polyester.
Try these keyword searches with similar features:


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No More Lunch Bags Left Behind
Your child is growing up quickly and has a lot on her mind. While she may look and even act mature, she will not yet have the planning skills you might wish she had. Not yet, anyway. She may need some help to keep her world organized.
Tips to help your child build the skills to keep her life running smoothly
• Decide what is important. Your child may not need to have every aspect of her life organized, so figure out together what activities or times cause the most stress and make sure that routines are established for those. Does the morning routine always cause stress? Plan this out carefully. Is soccer practice driving everyone crazy? Develop a plan for when the gym bag gets packed.
• Stick to the routine . Once you make plans, be sure that you both follow them. While there will be times when flexibility is needed, following the routine will help your child understand how a routine keeps her life running smoothly. Make this connection for her by saying things like, "Wow, we got to the bus with no problems today, your morning checklist really worked!"
• Reinforce your child's successes. Acknowledge the times when she is able to stay organized, and help problem solve when the routine doesn't work.
• Stay involved. Once your child gets a handle on her routine, she will still need your help and support. Make sure to check in with her and ask how the routine is working. This will also make it easier for you to help her brainstorm problems and solutions in her planning as they arise.
This information was compiled by Sunindia Bhalla, and reviewed by the Program Staff of The Children's Trust.


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Someone made an NFL version of the "2048" game... and it's full of glorious butt fumbles
First there was Threes!. Then there were a bunch of knock-offs of the game developed to play in your computer's internet browser. The most popular of those versions was 2048. Now, Reddit user /u/JaySpike has made an NFL version of 2048 called 2048: NFL Edition. It's the same gameplay and concept, but the numbers are replaced with some of the most derp moments and faces from the NFL.
Philip Rivers' stupid face.
Joe Flacco's Fu Manchu.
Jesus Aaron Rodgers.
And that's only some of them. Play the game yourself and see if you can get to the highest scoring picture.
Play 2048: NFL Edition HERE. You can also make your own version, if you're into that sort of thing.
You can follow Senior Editor Lance Liebl on Twitter @Lance_GZ. He likes talking sports, video games, movies, and the stupidity of celebrities. Email at email@example.com


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The NHL season could go down without a fight.
Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, a vice president on the NHL Players' Association executive committee, told the Sun yesterday the union has no plans to make a new offer and "they're willing to lose the season".
Speaking from his home in Goteborg, Sweden, Alfredsson said he had discussions with union officials last week and the players aren't going to do anything to change the offer of a 24% rollback they made Dec. 9.
"We're not working on anything ... we're not going to do anything to change our offer," said Alfredsson. "We've got nothing else planned. We felt that we gave them our best offer.
"We thought we made them an offer that they could work with. What we found out in that meeting was they have a one-track mind. (Gary Bettman) is stuck on one thing and we're not going to play under a cap system.
"We're willing to lose the season if that's what it takes. We're prepared for it."
There have been no formal talks between the two sides since the NHL flatly rejected the players' offer on Dec. 14. The NHL countered with an offer including a salary cap which included pay cuts of more than 30% for the league's higher-paid players.
Though there has been talk the players are putting pressure on union boss Bob Goodenow to get a deal in place, Alfredsson says the union remains united in its fight not to get a cap.
"Everybody I've spoken with, and I've talked to a lot of people through this, understands what we're going through right now and they support what we're trying to do," said Alfredsson. "We want a deal that is fair for both sides.
"I know that a lot of players are frustrated that we're not playing, but they're also frustrated that we made what we thought was a good offer and the league didn't engage in any kind of discussions to try to make something happen.
"If people are saying that (the players don't support the union), they're wrong."
Next up on the lockout agenda is a meeting between Bettman and the NHL's board of governors in New York on Jan. 14. Sources say the season won't be formally cancelled, but this will be a show of support for the cause.
Alfredsson has a backup plan in place. He'll begin skating with Frolunda in the next couple of days and plans on playing in the next two weeks.
"Right now, it wouldn't do me any good to play two or three games in Sweden and then find out we're going to have a season. I'm just going to wait," said Alfredsson. "Even if the league doesn't officially cancel the season next week, if this goes past the middle of the month there's not going to be a season anyways.
"A lot of guys are like me and making other plans."


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AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) Chairman, President and CEO, 10% Owner Timothy E Conver sells 9,000 Shares
Posted by: insider (IP Logged)
Date: January 22, 2013 12:35PM
Chairman, President and CEO, 10% Owner of AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) Timothy E Conver sells 9,000 shares of AVAV on 01/18/2013 at an average price of $21.9 a share.
Aerovironment, Inc. has a market cap of $493 million; its shares were traded at around $22.02 with a P/E ratio of 16.1 and P/S ratio of 1.5. Aerovironment, Inc. had an annual average earning growth of 6.3% over the past 5 years.
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For the complete insider trading history of AVAV, click here.
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Meet the red panda family from Cloverleaf Corners! Father Russell is always very cheerful and happy. He loves going on picnics with his family in the park. He makes the best sandwiches! Mother Rufina is an amazing baker and makes the most delicious desserts! Her specialties include strawberry shortcake and chocolate mousse pies. Sister Rowena is very active and loves playing sports. She especially likes playing soccer and is on her school's team. For ages 3 and up.
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The ST1212T 2-Port VGA over Cat 5 Extender is designed for use with the ST121 VGA over Cat 5 extension series, offering convenient video distribution at distances of up to 500 feet (150 meters) using standard Cat 5 (or better) Ethernet cabling. Comprised of the transmitter unit only, the ST1212T requires one Receiver Unit (ST121R) per display that you are connecting.
For added versatility, the VGA over Cat 5 Repeater (ST121EXT) can be used to extend the distance between the transmitter and receiver by an additional 500 feet (150 meters), for a total extension distance of 1000 feet (300 meters). Similarly, up to 3 repeater units can be used between transmitter and receiver, enabling you to connect monitors at each repeater, while still extending the total distance.


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Canada could be a world leader in clean energy through innovation
Energy Minister Joe Oliver and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Worldwide, the clean technology economy is worth $1-trillion, and is expected to grow to $3-trillion by 2020. Canada currently captures only one per cent of the global clean-tech market. Canada could become a world leader, increasing our clean-tech market share six-fold to $60-billion by 2020.Photograph coyrtesy of the PMO
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I was unimpressed by Uli's work. It looked like every other thing she's made IMHO.
I was saddened by Michaels work simply becuase I expected more from him. I didn't think it was Hoochie as some have described it. I just think it could have been better.
Jeffrey stuff is just weird enough to win him this competition.
I actually liked Laura's stuff.
I actually came into this rooting for michael but if I had to choose right now, my vote would be for Laura. However I feel Jeffrey will take the competition.


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The CJQ embodied the characteristics of the Modern Jazz Quartet during their heyday. For example, Barron's quartet which included Lewis Nash on drums, Rufus Reid on bass, and Stefon Harris on vibes were meticulous and decisive in their execution of the classical material, which comprised the bulk of the first set.
During the hour-long set, the CJQ stayed on course avoiding any protracted flights of improvisation. Barron mixed the set with classical compositions by Sebastian Bach and some original works by his band mates. At first, the performance looked as if it was going to be dull. But, by the third number, an original by Reid titled Ode to Ray, the CJQ had found its footing. The reworking of Bach's material made the first set worthwhile.
The CJQ turned the classical material into the kind of swinging jazz that you can witness at any jam session that worth its salt. I have heard Bach's Invention No. 4, for instance, numerous times, but this was my first time hearing it performed by jazz musicians. Just for a moment try to image Bach sitting in with a contingent of go-for-the-jocular jazz musicians. If you can conjure this then you have a sense of the magic the CJQ created-classical compositions that swung.
Of the members, drummer Lewis Nash was the most colorful. He displayed some amazing cymbal work, which was evocative of Louis Hayes. Stefon Harris soloing was akin to the late Milt Jackson. Harris had been likened to Bobby Hutcherson, but Harris has a closer kinship to Jackson.
During intermission the gentlemen sitting in front of me told his friend that although he liked Harris' performance he felt that Milt Jackson was a better player. I always thought Jackson was a rather conservative vibe player in keeping with the mandate of the MJQ, and that Harris is just as good if not better. Harris is definitely a more physical player. Proof of this can be heard on his Blue Note release Black Action Figure. However, on this night, Harris had his mallets moving so fast that the tips of them resembled red laser beams.
The CJQ performed Epilog an original that Harris dedicated to Jackson. I am not sure what Harris was trying to accomplish with this number. It was too specious, and hindered the momentum the band had established.
Throughout the set Barron had the same stately demeanor as the late pianist John Lewis. Like Lewis Barron's single line were clear as spring water. Barron is an economical player who avoids redundancy.
The second half of the concert Barron performed with his Brazilian configuration Canta Brasil ensemble. Here the theme was the same as his CJQ presentation. Barron selected material from famous Brazilian composers who were influenced in part by classical music. The CJQ's set was more engaging than the second one.
Flutist Anne Drummond, a former student of Barron's looked and sounded uncomfortable on stage with the other musicians. It was difficult to listen to the Brazilian drummer Patinho after witnessing Lewis Nash's exceptional playing earlier. Patinho playing was generic. Barron introduced John Patitucci as one of the best bass players in the country, but he didn't let Patitucci loose. It was like a secret that Barron was only privy to.
Barron played freely with this unit. Barron's playing and guitarist Adam Rogers were the bright spots of the set.
Most of the audience stuck around for both sets. Unlike the mass exodus after the first set of bassist Dave Holland's concert a month ago. Most of the subscribers to this jazz series are jazz conservatives, and Barron music is more suited to their taste. Holland, on the other hand, is more liberal and daring.
But no one would have blamed the audience for fleeing after the first set. The Classical Jazz Quartet performance was satisfying enough.


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Answer: Radioisotope Scan Report Example 1
12/2/91: Brain Scan
Imp: Abnormal brain scan compatible with subdural disease or right
Record date.
Record procedure performed — Brain scan.
Record impression along with any information which seems to clarify or add to the report.
A scan report will seldom contain a positive statement regarding the presence of cancer. Scan findings should be supported by other more definitive procedures. Thus, when you encounter an abnormal scan or isotope tracer report, look for other reports which support or negate the findings.
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- About this Journal ·
- Abstracting and Indexing ·
- Aims and Scope ·
- Article Processing Charges ·
- Articles in Press ·
- Bibliographic Information ·
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- Table of Contents
Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 170483, 7 pages
Effect of Habitat Type on Parasitism of Ectatomma ruidum by Eucharitid Wasps
1Departamento de Biología, Universidad del Valle, Calle 13 No. 100-00 Cali, Valle, Colombia
2Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Apartado Aéreo 7495, Bogotá, Colombia
3El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Entomología Tropical, Avenida Centenario km 5.5, 77014 Chetumal, QROO, Mexico
Received 26 August 2011; Accepted 23 October 2011
Academic Editor: Volker Witte
Copyright © 2012 Aymer Andrés Vásquez-Ordóñez 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.
Eucharitidae are parasitoids that use immature stages of ants for their development. Kapala Cameron is the genus most frequently collected in the Neotropics, but little is known about the biology and behavior of any of the species of this genus. We aimed to evaluate the effect of habitat type on eucharitid parasitism and to contribute to the knowledge of the host-parasite relationship between Kapala sp. and the poneromorph ant Ectatomma ruidum (Roger) in Colombia. Twenty E. ruidum colonies were extracted from two different habitat types (woodland and grassland), and larvae and cocoons (pupae) were examined in search for parasitoids in different stages of development. Globally, 60% of the colonies were parasitized, with 1.3% of larvae and 4% of pupae parasitized. Planidia (first-instar larvae), pupae, and adults of the parasitoid were observed. All of the pupae and adult parasitoids belonged to Kapala iridicolor Cameron. All the colonies collected in the woodlands were parasitized and contained more parasitized larvae (2%) and parasitized cocoons (8%) than those collected in grasslands (4/12 parasitized colonies, 0.5% parasitized larvae, 0.8% parasitized cocoons). The relationship observed between habitat type and parasitism prevalence is a novel aspect of the study of eucharitid impact on ant host populations.


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Egon Schaden
LOCATION: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Emeritus Professor of Anthropology, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Author of Mitologia Heróica de Tribos Indígenas do Brasil and others.
Primary Contributions (1)
indigenous inhabitants of the tropical forests of South America. The tribal cultures of South America are so various that they cannot be adequately summarized in a brief space. The mosaic is baffling in its complexity: the cultures have interpenetrated one another as a result of constant migratory movements and through intertribal relations, leading to the obliteration of formerly significant differences, and to new cultural systems made up of elements of heterogeneous origin. Hundreds of languages, in very irregular geographic distribution, with innumerable dialects, are or have been spoken in the tropical area of South America. Thus, only the broadest generalizations can be made; one can mention certain cultural manifestations that are present in a great number of groups, even though varying in their actual expression, and illustrate them with specific examples—but always with the qualification that in a neighbouring tribe or group a distinctly contrasting idea or institution may...READ MORE


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HomeAutomotiveAftermarket & distributionLogistic CompaniesProduct Conformity Assessment (PCA)Mongolia – Conformity Assessment Program
Mongolia imports over 80% of its consumer goods and 60% of its foodstuffs. To protect consumers and ensure goods meet the standards stipulated by MASM imports covered by the conformity assessment programme must demonstrate compliance through testing and verification. On successful completion of an assessment we will issue a joint Certificate of Conformity issued by SGS on behalf of MASM.
Presentation of a valid Certificate of Conformity is a mandatory requirement for relevant goods before they can achieve customs clearance in the country.
This Conformity Assessment Programme facilitates international trade by ensuring that:
Our extensive experience in managing conformity assessment programmes around the world enables SGS to offer efficient, comprehensive and tailored solutions to provide assistance to exporters and make sure their shipments are in conformity with Mongolian or approved international standards.
With more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and a presence in more than 100 countries, we can provide Conformity Assessment Programme services in any part of the globe.
published 15/12/12
published 19/07/17


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1965 · Berlin
by Wiegartz, Hans
Berlin: Verlag Gebr. Mann, 1965. Original. Softcover. VG (Likely never read but with prior owner's name/date on half title - professor of classical art - and another owner's address label inside front cover). Grey card wraps with black lettering. 192 pp. followed by 48 bw plates, including one map. Very occasional bw illus. within text. Text in German. Small Asian Pillar Sarcophagi: Studies on the sarcophagus types and their figurative representations. Includes a list of plate descriptions. With beautiful bw photo of the sarcophagi/figurative details. (Inventory #: 156041)


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Metal Union Pacific UP Spittoon Railroad Train
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Metal Union Pacific UP Spittoon Railroad Train- Used in excellent condition except where noted (see pictures for reference) - "Union Pacific" marked in black around rim - Some holes in metal - Rust and paint chipping present As a courtesy to our customers who purchase more than one item during a short period of time, we offer COMBINED SHIPPING! --Contact us after your first win --We ask that you pay for your items only and hold them for shipment --Contact us when you're finished bidding --We send a request for the final, combined shipping cost, and once paid, all items are shipped ASAP We save time and effort, you save money! Positive Feedback - We need it! We encourage you to take the time to leave good feedback for us. As soon as we receive it, we automatically leave good feedback for you - makes for great Ebay partners! Likewise, if you do happen to have a concern, please contact us first and we'll be happy to try to work out a resolution that works for us both. Thanks! Operating a retail store in Dallas, Texas since 1981, Collectible Trains and Toys specializes in model Trains, Track, Accessories. We are authorized dealers for Lionel, Markin, Atlas and MTH. In addition to new products and closeouts, we regularly ... read more


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Comments on Web Experience Factory, WebSphere Portlet Factory, and the new mobile features
Jonathan Booth 060000XRMC Visits (820)
(Original posting date: June 11, 2011) I'm writing this blog shortly before the planned release of Web Experience Factory, which is the new name of WebSphere Portlet Factory. I've been architect of this product since back at Bowstreet in the years before we were acquired by IBM, and I thought I'd share a few thoughts about where we're at now with the product, especially as it relates to the area of mobile web application development. When the whole smartphone and smart device market really exploded last year, we realized that the model-driven... [More]
IBM Web Experience Factory 7.0.1 Now Available
Jonathan Booth 060000XRMC Visits (1403)
(Original posting date: June 30, 2011) Well, in case you haven't heard, the 7.0.1 release of Web Experience Factory is now available. Customers can download it from IBM Passport Advantage, and we'll have a free trial version that should be posted in the next week or so. Key new features in Web Experience Factory 7.0.1 include: Mobile and multi-channel support, with new builders, wizards, themes, and more (this is the big one!) New IBM Web Content Manager builder allows easy integration of content and development of custom authoring... [More]
New introductory demo movies for getting started with Web Experience Factory
Jonathan Booth 060000XRMC Visits (1789)
(Original posting date: July 18, 2011) With the new release of Web Experience Factory, all of the new mobile and multi-channel support is generating interest in the Factory framework from quite a few teams that haven't used Portlet Factory before. To help these teams and others get started, we've been posting a series of introductory videos on our wiki. These are short videos that introduce the model-based development approach, show you how to get started with the tool, and demonstrate some of the key builders. These videos don't go into deep... [More]
Free Trial Version of Web Experience Factory 7.0.1
Jonathan Booth 060000XRMC Visits (1977)
(Original posting date: July 26, 2011) We recently posted a free trial version of Web Experience Factory 7.0.1 that you can download. This download comes complete with everything you need to try things out, including the Eclipse IDE and the WAS CE (WebSphere Application Server Community Edition) test server. My recommendation for the simplest way to get up and running is to use the default installation, so that everything's installed and configured automatically, with Eclipse and WAS CE. Later you can switch to running on the Portal server... [More]
Using highly-customized UI designs with Web Experience Factory
Jonathan Booth 060000XRMC Visits (2182)
(Original posting date: September 28, 2011) In this blog I wanted to highlight some new documentation and slides that we've recently published, on customizing application UI and layout. I wanted to make sure that people are familiar with the features for using detailed custom HTML layouts within the automation framework of Web Experience Factory. There two basic approaches to controlling page layout in Web Experience Factory: A data-driven automated approach, where all the data fields are initially generated from a schema and can then be... [More]
IBM Mobile Technology Preview with hybrid toolkit now available
Jonathan Booth 060000XRMC Visits (1664)
(Original posting date: October 27, 2011) One important component of IBM's mobile support strategy has recently been made available. This is the "IBM Mobile Technology Preview", which includes important mobile application components that you can download and use. This initial preview release includes features such as the Phonegap client runtime for developing hybrid applications, and notification technology for sending notifications to client devices. You can find more information on the IBM Mobile Technology Preview here ,... [More]
Generating Application UI from Dynamic Data
Jonathan Booth 060000XRMC Visits (3482)
Recently we've been asked by multiple customers how they can dynamically control the generation of forms and views based on some data that is determined at runtime. For example, here are a couple of slightly different scenarios we've been asked about: How can I use runtime metadata to control all the rich behavior of form fields, including things like formatting, validation, visibility, UI type (drop-down vs text field vs radio buttons, etc.)? How can I create a single application model that generates many different variations based on data... [More]
Just posted - Web Experience Factory 8.0 Beta One
Jonathan Booth 060000XRMC Visits (2589)
Last week at Lotusphere we announced Web Experience Factory 8.0 Beta One. The key new features in this Beta are in these areas: Support for the latest IBM WebSphere Portal Beta Support for a client-side mobile web UI architecture, for performance and scalability benefits (see more on this below) Automated support for Dojo Mobile, for an enhanced user experience on mobile devices Enhancements to the Web Experience Factory Designer IDE and developer tools, for improved productivity CMIS (Content Management Interoperability Services) builder, for... [More]
Do you want to share Web Experience Factory code amongst community members?
AdamG 110000672C Visits (2976)
In the spirit of a community that helps itself, one of the things we were thinking of doing in this community is providing a place for IBM Web Experience Factory developers to access sample code, share code etc. For example, perhaps you have done some cool stuff that works with IBM Web Experience Factory that you'd like to share or perhaps you've created a new builder you think others would be keen to use. What are your thoughts about this? Please comment below
If you have a cool mobile site built with Web Experience Factory enter it in the Mobile Web Awards
AdamG 110000672C Visits (2056)
Enter your site here in the mobile web awards
Comments on the Worklight acquisition announcement and Web Experience Factory
Jonathan Booth 060000XRMC Visits (1520)
The planned IBM acquisition of Worklight ( press release here ) is an exciting positive development in IBM's mobile story. A number of people have asked me what it will do to our strategy with IBM Web Experience Factory (WEF). The good news is that the Worklight technology will have a great synergy with WEF, and WEF's place in IBM's mobile strategy remains unchanged. The Worklight acquisition will serve to accelerate IBM's support for mobile features such as hybrid, and that's all good for customers who want all the things that WEF offers... [More]
Check out what Darren Cacy has to say about Web Experience Factory
AdamG 110000672C Visits (2289)
Always stoked to see tweets like this: " Heading to Austin tomorrow to host a workshop on Web Experience Factory for mobile web sites. WEF makes it so easy." Follow Darren here https://twitter.com/#!/kcibmer Also check the blog posting below by Darren, which could be help flu when creating multi-lingual portlets using IBM Web Experience Factory Using Locale in Web Experience Factory portlet titles
The Web Experience Factory 22.214.171.124 Fix pack has been released and posted to Fix Central.
AdamG 110000672C Visits (2878)
The Web Experience Factory 22.214.171.124 Fix pack has been released and posted to Fix Central . Direct access here: http://download4.boulder.ibm.com/sar/CMA/LOA/030i5/0/WEF_7013_FIXPACK.zip http://download4.boulder.ibm.com/sar/CMA/LOA/030i5/0/wef7013_fixpack_readme.htm ftp://download4.boulder.ibm.com/ecc/sar/CMA/LOA/030i5/0/WEF_7013_FIXPACK.zip ftp://download4.boulder.ibm.com/ecc/sar/CMA/LOA/030i5/0/wef7013_fixpack_readme.htm
Interesting blog article by Davalen on using Web Experience Factory to add mobility to Web Applications
AdamG 110000672C Visits (2539)
Nice article by Justin McGarvie of Davalen covering how to use Web Experience Factory to make web application mobile/multichannel . Really cool seeing partners weigh in with examples of how to use the technology. I think it would be great to get partners to weigh in on this blog... so please take advantage of the group blog and get your entry in :-)
Some informative blog articles that go "under the hood" of Web Experience Factory
Jonathan Booth 060000XRMC Visits (1463)
In case you haven't seen these, one of the members of the Web Experience Factory team has posted some nice articles that talk about what's "under the hood" of some key Web Experience Factory technology such as builders and Page Automation. Here's a link to the blog: Web Experience Factory - Under the Hood


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Got two pairs of boots, one Xcel Drylock 2012 5mm and one Salomon Myo 5mm, both split toe and only been worn twice each - I HATE split toe boots and fall into the trap of trying a new pair each year in the hope that I'll find a pair I like. Think my toes must be too long or something. The Salomon's have the comfyest sole of any wetsuit boots I've ever tried, they feel like walking on marshmallows, was gutted they didn't do a round toe.
Anyway, the Xcels are yours for £20 (cost £50 new), and the Salomons are £10. Free post or collect from St Agnes / N Coast Cornwall - PM if interested.


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Our Fusion Checking account offers exceptional benefits when you meet a few simple requirements each cycle, including an incredible APY and ATM fee refunds. Our Fusion Widget tool helps you regularly track the requirements you've satisfied for each cycle to ensure that you receive your benefits each month.
In additional to this helpful tool, Advantis will also email you at the end of each month and notify you if your met the Fusion requirements for that particular month.


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MEXICO CITY, June 2 (Reuters) - Embattled construction firm OHL Mexico cannot activate a share repurchase program until probes into corruption allegations are complete, a company executive said on a conference call on Tuesday.
Shares in the company have been hurt by a recent series of leaked recordings of individuals, alleged to be OHL Mexico officials, discussing overcharging for public works and making a hotel payment for a state government official.
The executive added that the company would wait for the results of audit before continuing ongoing negotiations of various concessions.
Reporting by Cyntia Barrera and Tomas Sarmiento


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NCI Drug Dictionary
The NCI Drug Dictionary contains technical definitions and synonyms for drugs/agents used to treat patients with cancer or conditions related to cancer. Each drug entry includes links to check for clinical trials listed in NCI's List of Cancer Clinical Trials.
- heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan mimetic M402
A low molecular weight heparin derivative and heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) mimetic with no or minimal anticoagulant activity and potential antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, M402 mimics HSPGs by binding to and inhibiting various heparin-binding growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines such as VEGF, HGF, FGF2, SDF-1a, heparanase and P-selectin all of which are essential for tumor angiogenesis and metastasis to occur. This inhibits heparin binding growth factor-mediated signaling and disrupts tumor-stromal interactions eventually leading to an inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor cell progression. In addition, M402 may enhance the cytotoxic effect of other chemotherapeutic agents.
Check for active clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonym: HSGAG mimetic M402 Code name: M402


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AMR Corp. turned in another abysmal performance in the first quarter, as American Airlines Inc.'s parent said Wednesday it lost $505 million - the third-biggest loss for a first quarter in its history.
The results led at least one Wall Street analyst, Jamie Baker of J.P. Morgan, to chide AMR chairman and chief executive Gerard Arpey and chief financial officer Tom Horton for the Fort Worth-based company's poor results.
"Gerard, I don't want to beat around the bush here. You got the highest cost. You got the lowest margins. You're the only major airline expected to lose money this year. Your year-to-date equity performance has trailed that of your peers," Baker said on a conference call to discuss the quarterly earnings.
"I mean, in other businesses that I can think of, when there's a company standing out like this, you sort of expect a really major overhaul. And it isn't clear to me that Flight Plan 2020 is that plan," Baker said, referring to AMR's latest strategy to turn around its fortunes.
Saying he was struggling to find a question, Baker concluded, "I guess it has to be: Is this really all you got?"
Arpey and Horton defended AMR's results compared with those of other airlines. They said they expect revenue to increase when American gets antitrust immunity for its trans-Atlantic alliance with British Airways PLC and Iberia and its Pacific alliance with Japan Airlines.
Arpey said American has a "pretty significant labor cost disadvantage" compared with major competitors that lowered their labor expenses in bankruptcy court. But now many of those airlines are in negotiations or federal mediation with their unions for new contracts, Arpey said.
"I don't think that is a long-term sustainable advantage for those airlines," Arpey said. "I would expect, now that all the contracts are amendable virtually across the industry, there's going to be a lot of convergence in the cost structures across the network carriers."
AMR blamed rising fuel costs and the slow economy for its huge loss in the first quarter, despite rising revenue. AMR's American and American Eagle operations saw their revenue increase $229 million, while fuel costs went up $178 million over the same quarter in 2009.
The $505 million net loss, or $1.52 a share, came on revenue of $5.07 billion. In the first quarter of 2009, AMR lost $375 million, or $1.35 a share, on revenue of $4.84 billion.
The 2010 loss included a $53 million charge caused when Venezuela cut the value of its currency in half in relation to the U.S. dollar in January. Excluding that charge, AMR lost $452 million, or $1.36 a share.
The consensus among analysts was that AMR would lose $1.31 a share.
AMR shares closed down 79 cents, or 9.2 percent, at $7.77 in New York Stock Exchange trading Wednesday.
Earlier Wednesday, AirTran Holdings Inc. said it lost $12 million, compared with a $28.7 million profit a year earlier. Delta Air Lines Inc. reported Tuesday that it lost $256 million, down from a $794 million loss in the first quarter of 2009.
Southwest Airlines Co., Continental Airlines Inc. and Alaska Air Group Inc. will release their first-quarter results this morning. Analysts' consensus is that Dallas-based Southwest will earn 3 cents a share, Alaska will earn 35 cents a share, and Continental will lose 86 cents a share.
Investors will be watching for Continental's estimates on how much the volcano-related cancellations will hurt its second-quarter results.
The disruption so far has hurt AMR's earnings this quarter by about $15 million, "with reduced revenue partially offset by lower fuel and operating expenses," Horton told analysts.
"Of course it's too soon to estimate the total financial impact of this event," he said, "but suffice it to say it was a very unwelcome development in the midst of a fragile recovery."


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Nature Notes
Slender Glass Lizard
One of the most unique and interesting residents of the dry open prairies and savannas of Kankakee Sands are the western slender glass lizards (Ophiasaurus attenuates attenuates). Often mistaken for snakes, these legless lizards are actually quite different from snakes. They have moveable eyelids and external ear openings! This may not seem like a huge difference, but it really is. When you look at lizards, maybe a gecko or the bearded dragon you find in a pet store, one of the first things you see are their eyes…blinking eyes. The fact that lizards have external ear openings and snakes don't may not have occurred to you in the past, but next time you see a lizard or snake (or a picture), look a little more closely and you'll see it.
Glass lizards differ from snakes in other ways too. Unlike snakes, they are not able to unhinge their jaws. This means they are unable to eat prey larger than themselves. No pocket gophers for the slender glass lizard! These guys generally eat spiders, beetles, crickets, and small vertebrates. They are also quite stiff and brittle, as opposed to the flexible, more elastic snakes. The stiff bodies of glass lizards are due to osteoderms (bony deposits forming scales or plates) beneath their skin.
The name 'glass lizard' comes from a characteristic fairly unique to these little creatures. As a defense mechanism against attack, glass lizards will shed their tails. The breakage occurs along fracture planes, which allow the tail to splinter into multiple pieces. Their tails will grow back, but they will not be as long, and tend to grow back darker in color. Most glass lizards you may have the luck of encountering, will probably have already lost part of their tail. Western slender glass lizards can reach a length of 42" from head to the tip of their tail; however it is much more common to see them less that 24" long.
The western slender glass lizard is found from Southern Wisconsin to Texas, and as west as Kansas. Living in dry prairies and dry open woodlands and savannas, the biggest threat to this species has been habitat destruction and fragmentation. Listed as an endangered species in some states, including Wisconsin and Kansas, we are lucky here in Northwest Indiana to still have the opportunity to run across these unique lizards.
One more way these lizards are different from snakes is that you will rarely find glass lizards on roads. While snakes will often try and cross roads, glass lizards use mode of locomotion that is not conducive to pavement. They use a side-to-side motion, more like that of a fish swimming through water. Roads and pavement do not provide the necessary friction to make movement easy. This is also the reason habitat fragmentation is so destructive for the glass lizard. They can't simply move to better habitat across the road. -Andrea Locke
If you do happen across one of these glass lizards, please remember that they are a bit skittish and breakable, so please don't try and handle them.


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GAVIN OATTES knows all about making resolutions and sticking to them.
The positive thinking guru from our Seven Days magazine is owner and managing director of people development organisation Tree of Knowledge and has just enjoyed one of his best years in business.
The company have gone from strength to strength while Gavin picked up a Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award from business group WeDo.
But the former stand-up comedian and primary school teacher has also endured one of his worst years personally, losing his father.
He said: "This has been the biggest year in Tree of Knowledge's history – the most important year for growth, the year we had to take it to a different level.
"But at the start of the year, my dad died. I can honestly say that is the worst thing that has happened in my life. No other thing comes close.
"But I was able to take the loss of my dad, my best friend, and turn it into a positive.
Three women look back on the year that changed their lives for the better
"It comes down to mindset, it comes down to attitude, it comes down to choice and the beautiful thing about choice is it is completely free.
"You wake up in the morning and you either choose to go to work and have a bad day or you choose to go to work and have a great day.
"I woke up after losing my dad and chose to keep focusing on my goals. I chose to keep working as hard as I could.
"I took three weeks off and spent time with my family. That was a real positive.
"I guess the point is you focus on the positive, take as a many positives as you can and use it to spur you on.
"I can sit around feeling sorry for myself or I can do something about it."
Gavin, 33, originally from Troon, Ayrshire, and now based in Edinburgh, studied to be a primary school teacher but performed as a stand-up comic at the Fringe Festival and Melbourne Comedy Festival as one half of a double act Ham'n'Rolls.
When that came to an end, he focused on teaching until he attended a workshop run by Tree of Knowledge in 2004 and was so impressed, he joined the company. In 2009, he completed a management buy-out.
He said: "I'm a great believer that if you spot an opportunity that looks right and feels right, you have to go for it.
"Since we took over, Tree of Knowledge have become a bigger company, we've increased the turnover substantially and we are working all across the UK.
"We work in schools, colleges, universities, running workshops and delivering resources to some of the world's leading organisations, such as Canon, Santander, British Gas and the NHS."
Dad of two Gavin took the company on to BBC's Dragon's Den in 2010 and turned down investment from Peter Jones.
He has recently managed to return to comedy, performing at this year's Edinburgh Fringe with new trio The Colour Ham.
He said: "Making goals is the easy part. Anyone can daydream about a better life but actually doing it is something different.
"There's no point thinking positive if you don't take positive action. You have to get off your backside and make it happen.
"Running your own business or getting a comedy show to the Fringe is not easy, especially when you have a young family.
"I have a son who is four years old and a daughter who is one. I have huge commitments at home and that has to come first but sometimes I get those lines blurred.
"At the end of the day, you are not going to succeed unless you actually go and do it.
"There are a lot of people who sit around waiting for good things to happen. They are not going to happen unless you do something about it."
Make changes for you... not anyone else
I have always thought the burst of motivation New Year brings to people is amazing. For that very reason, it is a great time to make a big difference because you can ride that wave of motivation – new year, new you, new resolution.
When it comes to making changes, only do it because you really want to. Don't do it because it is what you are meant to do at this time of year. It has to be something you want to do, not what someone else wants.
For example, if you want to lose weight, do it because you want to, not because your partner wants you to shift a few extra pounds – although it's always a benefit if you have help.
You've got to work out if you are a resolution type or an evolution type. In other words, are you going to go hell for leather right now or are you going to take it slowly? There is no right or wrong but you have to be honest with yourself.
If you are going to start your year afresh, you are going to have to set your goals. They have to be personal goals and you need to know what you want to have achieved at the end of the year.
There is no harm in having a massive goal. I stand up in front of adults and kids every day and say you've got to think big, you've got to think absolutely huge.
There is no harm in wanting to be a success. I don't think anybody who has been successful would tell you they didn't want to do so well.
If you have a big goal at the end, you have to bear in mind the more realistic, short-term goals that are going to get you there so that you feel like you are making genuine progress.
Once you have set your goals and you know what you want, the toughest part of all is sticking to it.


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- Sold Date:
- Source: eBay
For your consideration, this wonderful and Rare Antique Albert Fehleisen Bottle is up for auction.The Albert Fehleisen Brewery was located at 317 Orange Street in Newark, New Jersey . According to my research, the Albert Fehleisen Brewery was in operation between 1879 and 1884. That would make this Bottle an Antique Gem! This AF Bottle is Rare for many reasons. First of all, it is Complete with its Original Top, Manufactured and Patented by Karl Hutter of New York. Karl Hutter was one of the most successful Bottle Manufacturers of the Late 19th Century. This bottle, I believe, has an example of the Porcelain Lightning Stopper , for which Mr. Hutter acquired the Patent Rights from Charles de Quillfeldt in 1877. The Hutter Stopper came soon tafter. I found an explanation of the Lightning Stopper online and the article states: "This stopper revolutionized beer bottling and was an almost instant success for Karl Hutter who acquired the patent rights and popularized this stopper when it was reissued in 1877. In 1878, Henry Putnam also acquired and interest in this stopper and in 1882 adapted it for use on fruit jars. T were many imitators of this patent over the years, but they all worked on the same principle of leveraging a rubber disk into the lip of the bottle to make a seal." This Antique Aqua Bottle , ... read more


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A WOMAN has been left homeless after a fire ripped through her home in Hutton.
Fire fighters were called to a fire in a second floor flat on Hawksmoor Green at about 12.30am this morning.
When crews, from Brentwood and Billericay, arrived they found the building heavily smoke logged. They wore breathing apparatus and used one hose reel to extinguish the fire by 1.34pm.
Crews then used a high pressure fan to ventilate the building.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown. The fire service and police will carry out an investigation.


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Here at Review Centre we work hard to make sure we are the best place on the internet for honest, unbiased consumer reviews - we are grateful for your help in keeping us that way!
Written on: 12/12/2013
My mum ordered tickets for Andre Rieu in Glasgow as Christmas presents and was charged over £200 for two tickets valued at £40 each. I will not be recommending this site to anyone.


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…because I'll be speaking at The Amaz!ng Meeting 9!
I've been dying to announce this since I found out, since it's an honor to be invited to speak at such a large and truly amazing skeptical event. And it's even more of an honor now that the speaker's list has been announced, and I see what awesome people I'm listed with (and I made it in before the "And many more" cut!):
Elyse Anders
Greta Christina
Rachel Dunlop
Pamela Gay
DJ Grothe
Harriet Hall
Jennifer Michael Hecht
PZ Myers
Steve Novella
Bill Nye
Jennifer Ouellette
Penn & Teller
Phil Plait
James Randi
Adam Savage
Eugenie Scott
Michael Shermer
Karen Stollznow
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Rebecca Watson
…Just to name a few. Go check out the whole list here. The weird thing about my life is that I've actually met or even befriended most of that list already – I'm mostly excited because I know it means it'll be an excellent conference. …Well, and I'm still flailing about meeting Neil deGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye. BILL NYE! *swoon*
Oh, and I should add that 24 out of 49 speakers are women. Way to go, TAM! See, who says these amazing skeptical women don't exist? And no, I'm not just going to be speaking on the panel on diversity (though it's great they're having that discussion). Isn't that awesome?! EDIT: Sadie Crabtree, Communications Director of the JREF, just informed me that the women actually outnumber the men as solo presenters this year. I think that's a first for a skeptical conference! Go TAM9!
TAM9 Goal: Get Phil in the hot tub again, along with as many other speakers as possible.
I hope I'll see you there this summer!


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Business owners and top executives have to be an optimistic lot, if only to keep things going in uncertain times.
That may account for how they see the near future.
According to a survey of 435 owners or managers of businesses with 10 or more employees, 49 percent expect general business conditions to be a little or a lot better six months from now. Only 27 percent think it will be slightly or much worse.
The survey, from cloud and communications services provider Cbeyond, found that the business leaders view taxes as the biggest immediate threat to their success, with 51 percent citing taxes. Government regulations are next at 41 percent, then labor costs at 34 percent and the federal deficit at 32 percent.
Despite their optimism, business leaders are feeling anxious. Some 58 percent said their stress level is on the rise (compared to the period prior to the November elections), and 30 percent said it's much higher.
Full News here – The Biz BeatSome local news is curated - Original might have been posted at a different date/ time! Click the source link for details.


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Rabbits are the latest pets to suffer weight problems as they become the nation�s �new cats�.
New statistics from the PDSA, veterinary charity, show that health problems in rabbits have increased dramatically as the popularity of these pets has grown rapidly over the past five years, making them the nation�s �new cats�. The knock-on effect however is that they are the latest pets to suffer from severe weight and dental problems as pet owners �kill them with kindness�.
Rabbits have now become the third most popular pet* and in recent years have become the �new cat� for time-poor pet owners believing them to be a low maintenance pet. According to the survey carried out amongst the charity�s vets, who treat over 4,500 pets free ever working day, this new pet ownership trend has led to a rise in the number of rabbits enduring an unnatural lifestyle. Rabbits are frequently kept in small spaces, which decreases exercise and leads to boredom eating. They are also often deprived of essential grass-grazing, high fibre diet, sunlight and sometimes fed inappropriate high calorie treats.
These factors have contributed to about one in three rabbits now being overweight leading to severe problems. Fat rabbits have an inability to control their body temperature, so can develop heat stroke in warm weather leading to respiratory problems. Female rabbits that are too fat may fail to breed, and as well have an increased susceptibility to pregnancy toxaemia, which can be fatal. The worst problem, however, is the rabbit�s inability to clean itself properly which can result in maggot infestation during the summer.
This new rabbit lifestyle trend has also led to worrying dental problems for over one in ten rabbits. Of these, 69% are dwarf breeds suffering from gruesome tooth overgrowth and spikes on their back teeth. This can cause a rabbit to starve to death, as they cannot eat. Dry mix feeds and unhealthy treats do not offer rabbit teeth the chewing exercise required. This means that they are only used for crushing instead of grinding as nature intended.
Additionally, keeping rabbits indoors deprives them of sunlight necessary to help them to make vitamin D, which is used to absorb calcium, essential for keeping bones healthy.
These warnings come as PDSA launches its annual PetCheck Programme to promote responsible pet ownership across Britain from a purpose built mobile vehicle. With nearly half of all British households owning a pet, PDSA is educating and encouraging people to think carefully about the best way to care for their pets to prevent unnecessary illness.
Despite health warnings from PDSA last year, the nation�s dogs and cats are still suffering from severe weight problems; nearly 50% of dogs and 20% of cats in the UK are overweight.
Elaine Pendlebury, PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, comments: "Weight and dental problems are an increasingly common ailment, particularly for rabbits. Oral disease is one of the most prevalent conditions in veterinary medicine, which is worrying when a healthy mouth is of paramount importance to an animal�s general well-being and quality of life. Feeding rabbits a grass-grazing, high fibre diet will not only help their teeth but also will aid their digestion and help to keep their weight down. Make any dietary changes gradually, under veterinary supervision, and you will be helping your rabbit have a happier and healthier life. "
Marilyn Rydstr�m, PDSA Director General comments: "The results of our survey reveal some very worrying trends in the welfare of our pets and these issues must be addressed and acted upon immediately. We believe the PDSA PetCheck Programme will help us to reduce the number of avoidable conditions that vets see every day, freeing up our precious resources so that PDSA veterinary surgeons and


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MAF Gathering Evidence In Dairy Investigation
MAF Continues To Gather Evidence In Dairy Investigation
MAF has confirmed that its Special Investigation Unit has visited and obtained information from a number of properties in the North Island as part of its investigation into allegations of illegal export of dairy products from New Zealand.
MAF Food's Director of Dairy Products, Tim Knox said considerable preparation, including the obtaining of search warrants, was undertaken by the Special Investigation Unit prior to the operations. Search warrants are obtained as a matter of course in investigations such as this to protect all of the parties involved and to ensure transparency in the information gathering process.
The allegations of illegal export of dairy products were brought to MAF's attention by the New Zealand Dairy Board in September and have triggered an investigation by MAF's enforcement arm.
Mr Knox said the investigation was complex and would take some time to complete.
MAF's investigation is focussed on allegations that dairy products were exported without the required permit issued in accordance with the Dairy Board Act. Possible offences committed against other Acts are also being investigated.
"These visits are part of a systematic information-gathering process. They should not be read as indicating a sudden escalation of the investigation. Rather, they indicate that MAF is working its way through a thorough investigative process and will continue to do so until it has reached a conclusion."
"The latest search warrant obtained was in relation to a Fonterra site. On being approached by the investigation team, Fonterra produced the documents required and facilitated the process extensively," Mr Knox said
No further comment will be made as to the number of people interviewed or the nature of documents obtained other than to say that the people concerned were co-operative.


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Basic Drawing Made Amazingly Easy (Paperback)
Watson-Guptill Publications, 9780823082766, 160pp.
Publication Date: April 17, 2012
The third title in a bestselling series, Basic Drawing Made Amazingly Easy is a complete drawing book for the beginning artist. Based on a series of lessons that begin with the five basic shapes (circle, oval, square, cylinder, and rectangle) combined with the five basic components of drawing (line, mass, perspective, light, and shading), the book progresses from the simplest forms to more complex inanimate objects and organic animate subjects.
About the Author
CHRISTOPHER HART is the world's bestselling author of drawing and cartooning books. His books have sold more than 7.4 million copies and have been translated into 20 languages. Renowned for up-to-the-minute content and easy-to-follow steps, all of Hart's books have become staples for a new generation of aspiring artists and professionals, and they have been selected by the American Library Association for special notice.


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While traveling to the World Economic Forum meeting in China, I came across a new paper that piques my interest. The paper is by David Keith at the University of Calgary (published in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Science), and is a theoretical investigation of how injecting large quantities of precisely engineered particles into the upper atmosphere might provide a cost-effective tool for climate intervention - geoengineering.
The idea of using aerosol particles for messing with climate change isn't a new one; the idea of injecting sulfate aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect more sunlight away from the earth has been around for a while. But there were a couple of novel aspects of David's paper that caught my attention.
The first was that he proposes engineering particles as disks a few micrometers wide and around 50 nanometers thick, that are designed to automatically congregate where they are most useful in the atmosphere - in other words, this is a beautiful case of nanotechnology meets geoengineering.
The second aspect of the paper that caught my attention was that I was working with precisely engineered particles not too dissimilar from those that David described back in the 1990s, which got me wondering whether techniques being used then for fabrication of silicon particles could be used for the more complex particles being proposed here.
In a nutshell, David's idea is to engineer discs around 10 micrometers across and 50 nanometers thick, with a core of aluminum, a top layer of aluminum oxide, and a bottom layer of barium titanate. Injected high enough into the atmosphere (so Brownian motion didn't muck things up) the discs should align with the lighter aluminum/aluminum oxide side facing up, and the heavier barium titanate side facing down. This is important, because the way these two surfaces interact with air molecules when the particles heat up - as they would do in sunlight - means that there would be a net force pushing the discs up (photophoresis). In effect, the particles would levitate to a stable position in the atmosphere, while keeping their shiny side to the sun - thus reflecting sunlight away from the earth (or increasing albedo).
This approach is a lot more sophisticated than dumping huge quantities of sulfates into the atmosphere, as in principle more could be achieved with less material, and in a more controlled manner. By engineering nanoparticles appropriately, it might also be possible to control where they go even further - by introducing a magnetic component for instance, so they follow the Earth's magnetic field.
The idea is an intriguing one. The science that David Keith outlines - which admittedly is broad brushstrokes science - is plausible. The forces on discs the size he suggests should be sufficient to keep them aligned in the upper atmosphere - even when the Sun isn't present for short periods of time. And if sufficient quantities could be produced, they should have a measurable cooling effect. The neat thing of course is that this is a concept that can be tested reasonably easily in the lab, using simulated atmospheres and prototype particles. And with advances in materials manufacturing in recent years, it shouldn't be too hard to make small batches of the discs.
Which brings me to the second reason the paper caught my eye. Back in the 1990"²s I was interested in how non-spherical airborne particles - including discs - behaved in aerosol samplers. One particular source of particles I played around with was precisely engineered uniform discs, just a few micrometers in diameter, formed using micromachining techniques more usually used to manufacture semiconductor chips.
This was a technique described by Mark Hoover (a good colleague from NIOSH) and colleagues, and developed in the UK by Paul Kaye. By using suitable templates, precisely shaped particles could be etched on the surface of a silicon wafer, then floated off and aerosolized. The result was an airborne cloud of precisely engineered discs.
Of course, Mark and Paul were using silicon as their main material. But with modern Chemical Vapor Deposition techniques, it would be easy to use a similar technique to manufacture the particles described by David Keith. The question then is, how expensive would they be?
In his paper, David estimates that around 10 billion kg of these nano-discs would be needed. That's a lot - but probably economically viable with large-scale investment in production and if the benefits were deemed important enough (David runs the figures assuming the cost of manufacture is less than 1% the cost of abating CO2 emissions, and arrives at a cost of less than $60/kg).
There is another question though, and that is the question of environmental and human health impact. If the use of such particles was ever explored seriously - even at the laboratory scale - it goes without saying that parallel studies would be needed to understand how they might interact with the atmosphere, environment and people in less than helpful ways, and how adverse impacts might be avoided.
Here again, though, David Keith comes up with a thought-provoking idea: What if the particles were engineered to have a finite lifespan, so that potential adverse impacts were minimized? This might be done, he suggests, by designing particles that degrade over time under UV radiation and a constant assault from oxygen radicals in the atmosphere. Safety by design in other words - an idea that has been discussed in nanotechnology circles for a while (including in the 2006 Safe Handling of Nanotechnology commentary in Nature) - but it's good to see it being explored in this context.
At present, geoengineering the climate using engineered nanoparticles is just an idea - but it is a plausible one, and shows what can happen when different technologies and ideas begin to converge. One to watch in the future I suspect.


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Aluminum Security Credit Card Wallet provides protection against RFID identity theft!
It's a handy pocket-sized Wallet for cards, cash and more! Made with a tough aluminum shell, with card sleeves that fan out for easy access. All that, plus it guards against demagnetization and RFID identity-scanning thieves.Mini-safe:
State Color, as available in the Shopping Cart. Get yours now!


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Written on: 24/08/2005 by guykerr (4 reviews written)
Good Points
Fuel Economy.
Power & Torque.
Build Quality.
Bad Points
None really. The handling is a bit on the soft side, but that's about it.
General Comments
Volkswagen Golf 1.9 GT TDi 130 (Mk4)
I have had many Golfs over the years, starting with one of the first 1600cc 4 speed Gti's, but this is my first Mk4 and my first diesel, and I'm very, very impressed with it!
The power and economy are nothing short of amazing. I'm averaging 54mpg in a combination of town & motorway driving, which is pretty good! In standard form, the 130bhp engine has loads of power and a great spread of torque, making it very tractable and able to embarrass many so called sports cars. But a re-map of the engine ECU, as I've had carried out, totally transforms this already powerful car into a 180bhp (yes 180!) diesel powered rocket, with very little noticeable decrease in fuel consumption. This really has to be experienced to be believed!
The handling of the car leaves a bit to be desired when pushed with too much body roll, but the brakes are superb. The brakes are easily up to the job, with 288mm vented discs on the front, and single discs on the rear.
The six speed gear box is precise, but a little notchy at times.
Comfort is good, and the Recaro style sports seats give plenty of support. The front and rear arm rests add to the comfort, and the adjustable steering column allows you to find the perfect driving position.
Equipment level is good, with electric windows all round. There's A/C, a Radio/CD player, and the nicest illuminated dash in blue and red I've seen on a car to date.
There's loads of little storage spaces to be found throughout the car, with cup holders front and rear.
The boot is large enough for most people's requirements, and certainly big enough to accommodate my two Labradors with ease.
Without doubt this is the best Golf I've ever owned! It was a great car even before the re-map, but since well... words fail me! You can't believe your driving a diesel, there is just so much power available in any gear!
It's great!
Buy one!
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Healthy Waldo County's Community Anti-Drug Coalition to recognize 'asset champions'
Members of Healthy Waldo County's Community Anti-Drug Coalition set out to identify people in our Waldo County community who might be described as "asset champions." As a noun, a champion is a person with special knowledge who performs skillfully. As a verb, champion means to fight for or speak in support of a group of people or a belief as an advocate, or proponent. Community members responded by suggesting the names of individuals and professionals and a few organizations to be recognized.
The Search Institute in Minnesota has coined the term "developmental assets" to describe the positive values, relationships, skills and experiences that help children and teens thrive. Young people with high asset levels are most likely to make healthy choices, while those with lower asset levels are more likely to get involved with negative or risky behaviors like violence, trouble in school, drug and alcohol use and more. In their framework, there are 40 assets grouped under eight categories: support; empowerment; boundaries and expectations; constructive use of time; commitment to learning; positive values; social competencies; and positive identity.
On Monday, May 19, at Belfast Area High School, 14 individuals and organizations will be recognized and honored for the work that they do to build assets for youth in Waldo County. The program is scheduled to take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact Patrick Walsh at 338-2200 ext. 109 or pwalshbrmaine.org.


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The government has decided that the 3 nests at Norfolk Botanical Gardens will be removed. The nearby airport has reported 505 bird strikes since 1990. Of these 4 (YES, FOUR) have been Bald Eagles!!!! Supposedly the eagles are the only ones being singled out to have their nests destroyed. There is a petition you can sign if you wish. This is the link.
Where have you been? I watched bald eagles in Canada...you're right, it is an amazing experience!
I've been watching bald eagles nests all this time I was away. Amazing experience Libby!
Look who is back!!! You have been sorely missed, Katerina! Libby ;-)))


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Guns at Capitol scare some visitors
ST. PAUL -- Gun opponents testified Tuesday that they felt uncomfortable earlier this year when they knew gun advocates were packing in the Capitol, but a key opponent admitted he likely will not win a gun ban.
Gun proponents far outnumbered opponents in the meeting, called to bring more information to a committee that is supposed to advise legislators and the governor about whether guns would be allowed in the state Capitol complex.
The two sides remained far apart philosophically in the Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security meeting.
Gun opponent Rep. Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul, admitted that it is unlikely he can convince enough lawmakers to support his Capitol gun ban plan. Earlier in the year, his attempts at stricter gun control laws failed.
The debate came a week after Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton said he would not favor clamping down on guns in the Capitol. That is in contrast with Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon, who said her "knee jerk" reaction would be to forbid guns in the building.
Prettner Solon leads the Capitol security panel and on Tuesday spent much of her time looking for middle ground on the issue.
"There is lots of room for movement," she said after the meeting, adding that there will be several more meetings before the committee offers any advice. "We don't have to jump from one extreme to the other extreme."
Safety needs to be considered, she said. "I do not want to be in a position where we have an incident at our Capitol and have not thoroughly looked at the situation."
Tuesday's arguments sounded a lot like those heard earlier this year when gun control legislation was debated. The difference was that some who were in the Capitol for the earlier debates returned to say they felt threatened at those hearings, packed with pro-gun activists carrying pistols.
"I started to feel deeply intimidated," Anna Gambucci said.
Sami Rahamim, whose father was killed in a mass shooting at Accent Signage in Minneapolis in 2012, said that the "Capitol is a place for free-flowing ideas ... not bullets."
But Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, and other gun supporters said no incidents have been reported in the Capitol because of guns. "Law abiding citizens have the right to protect themselves. There is nothing broken."
State law allows Minnesotans who have permits to carry handguns to carry them in the Capitol as long as they notify the state public safety commissioner first. Nearly 840 people have given that notification.
Kevin Vick said it is an "irrational fear" that guns put Capitol visitors at risk. Firearms crimes have fallen drastically in the past two decades, he said.
Heather Calio of the National Rifle Association said banning guns would threaten gun owners' rights. "You should not have to choose between participation and security."
Public Safety Commissioner Romona Dohman agreed there is a need to balance the need for security with the ability for Minnesotans to move around the Capitol.
Long-time open-government advocate Rich Neumeister did not address the guns issue, but he strongly urged the committee to recommend that as the state Capitol is renovated and a new Senate office building is constructed that designers keep public access to their public officials in mind.
Neumeister, a Capitol fixture, said he opposes a design like Minneapolis City Hall, where officials come in through a "secret" entrance and leave the same way, never allowing for public contact.


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Planning an entertainment-industry event in L.A. on the first night of Passover takes a certain amount of chutzpah, but Outfest film festival and the studio-employee organization out@warnerbros figured the subject matter would be a draw, at least for the gentile or non-practicing Jew who wanted to learn more about the early days of the AIDS epidemic.
In honor of the movies 10th anniversary, the two groups sponsored a screening of HBOs And the Band Played On, the adaptation of Randy Shilts Pulitzer Prizewinning book that mapped out the hellish journey humanity took from a half-dozen cases of "gay cancer" to a world where whole continents are teetering on the brink of AIDS oblivion. About 70 people sat in the Renberg Auditorium at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and watched AIDS swirl its way out of 1980s bathhouses like the last of Pandoras ills. Sitting in the back row was Dr. Don Francis, one of the first people to suggest AIDS was caused by an infectious agent. Francis is an unassuming man with a vague resemblance to actor Matthew Modine (albeit shorter and less naively expressive), who plays the doctor.
Like all disease-of-the-week TV movies, And the Band Played On has plenty of scenes with earnest do-gooders standing up to scream during hospital board meetings, but the film avoids the treacly shtick by sticking to the AIDS story. Its a fascinating, almost unsolvable medical mystery and the ultimate cautionary tale about institutional rivalry and well-meaning denial. Modine is good, but Alan Alda, in his role as HIVs controversial co-discoverer, Dr. Robert Gallo, chews it up while skewering every arrogant doctor with a God complex.
After the film, Francis came to the front of the stage, warily taking a standing ovation. He has no desire to be the Erin Brockovich for the T-cell set, but admitted he was in the right place at the wrong time. He worked on the 1976 Ebola outbreak in Sudan and the mid-1970s hepatitis B vaccine trials, but also presciently took an interest in feline leukemia, a disease started by a virus eerily similar to HIV. Plus, the young Francis was sitting at his desk at the Centers for Disease Control when reports of the first pneumocystis deaths rolled into Atlanta.
Surprisingly honest for a man who worked for the government for two decades, Francis didnt shy away from answering questions about how accurate Alda was in his take on Gallo. "The portrayal was kind to him," he said.
The next night out@warnerbros hosted "How Long Will the Band Play?" at the West Hollywood Park Auditorium, where Francis spoke on the future of AIDS research and prevention to a small audience. He talked about his attempts to develop an AIDS vaccine through his company, VaxGen, which in February released the results of its 5,000-volunteer, three-year Phase III AIDS vaccine trial. "Sadly, the overall protection of the vaccine was trivial," he explained. But even sadder is the fact that his companys trial may be the first and possibly last comprehensive AIDS-vaccine endeavor in the U.S. for a long time.
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Francis said he was initially shocked that both AIDS activists and pharmaceutical companies rushed so quickly to make incredibly complicated antiviral drugs rather than go for a vaccine, which he says we could have in five years "if we put our pedal to the metal." But with the dismal return on investment for vaccines and the sight of so many people dying horrible deaths visible everywhere, the overall public-health strategy was for the short-term fix instead of the long-term solution.
The socioeconomic realities of a vaccine are bad enough, but Francis said the opposition to comprehensive sex education is a bigger non-starter than it was back in the mid-1980s when conservatives first made it clear that talk of condoms and anal sex was taboo: "You spend all your time dealing with these extremists so that, ultimately, public-health departments and leaders give up because its just not worth it. And they know that."
VaxGen, with its reeling stock price, has enthusiastically jumped into the smallpox and anthrax markets, which are flush with federal cash and hopped up on a government mandate to have vaccines in two and a half years. Still, Francis hopes a private-public partnership for another shot at the AIDS vaccine gets worked out within the next few months, but hes not holding his breath.
"It is much harder to move the AIDS wagon down the road than it would be for SARS or something like that, where the whole community is committed to do something about it," Francis warned. "Because AIDS is them and we are us, and the politics of this country has been thriving on them and us for the last 20, 30 years or so. Its discouraging."


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A sea hare, a gulper eel, and a colony of sea pork
Ocean oddities coming out of nowhere
Leorah Gavidor 10:30 a.m., Nov. 21
The renovation of the Hotel Sandford at 1301 Fifth Avenue is complete. (click here to see article from 2010). I dropped by unannounced on September 22 to take a look.
While the hotel interior looks nice in the lobby and common areas, conditions inside leave a lot to be desired, according to 11-year resident Butch Weathers. He was sitting outside and agreed to talk.
Weathers said the front entrance card-key device does not work. The main elevator has an out-of-order sign on it; Weathers said it's been that way for almost six weeks. Residents use a freight elevator in the meantime.
In the basement, the new kitchen area has a full-size refrigerator, microwaves, sink, countertops, and cabinets, but there's no range/oven for residents to use. Food vending machines have been robbed several times, Weathers said. The computer room is done, but there are no PCs in it.
While all 130 rooms received new paint, carpet, and bathroom improvements, electrical upgrades were minimal at best. Rooms can now have mini-refrigerators but microwaves are prohibited. Ceiling fans are also not allowed.
"They won't allow us to do any of that stuff," Weathers said.
Weathers said security cameras throughout the building were promised, but only a few were recently installed on the first floor. He said there is no late-night security guard, and homeless people often enter the building. Weathers said some new paintings on the walls were stolen.
While residents paid an average rent of $433 prior to renovation, beginning rents are now $505, and, according to Weathers, can increase to $605.


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Two more families have joined a lawsuit alleging that staff at a state mental health treatment facility routinely used metal handcuffs and shackles to restrain developmentally disabled residents without cause.
The suit, filed in U.S. Federal District Court, also contends that the Minnesota Extended Treatment Options facility in Cambridge, Minn., secluded residents for extended periods and deprived them of family visits.
The facility is run by the state Department of Human Services.
Parents of Jason Jacobs, one of the three facility residents involved in the suit, allege that staff restrained Jacobs hundreds of times with metal handcuffs and shackles. The suit also alleges that Jacobs' arm was broken while in metal handcuffs and staff refused to provide immediate medical treatment.
"METO should be shut down and its staff punished for what they did to Jason and other young people there," said Beth Jacobs, Jason's mother. "They broke my son's arm and abused him for three years, using handcuffs, leg irons and anything else they could think of, lying to us the whole time about what they were doing."
The lawsuit seeks class action certification and damages for alleged violations of the federal civil and constitutional rights of people with developmental disabilities. The suit also seeks an injunction against METO to prohibit its restraint and seclusion practices.
"With today's filing, more families now join this action against the unbelievable abuse of people with developmental disabilities and their families at a state operated facility," said Shamus O'Meara, a lawyer representing the families. "We categorically reject and renounce the abusive, cruel, and discriminatory conduct against these vulnerable citizens."
In 2008, the state Ombudsman for Mental Health and Development Disabilities released a 202-page review of the facility, which found that staff engaged in excessive use of restraints and law enforcement-style devices on residents. The report, called "Just Plain Wrong," found that 63 percent of the residents who were in METO at the time of the review had been restrained.
In one case, a resident had been restrained 299 times in 2006 and 230 times in 2007. The report also found that one resident was placed in restraints after touching a pizza box, apparently against staff's instruction.
A spokesperson at the ombudsman's office declined to state whether the cases of the residents involved in the lawsuit were reviewed during the investigation, citing privacy practices.
The ombudsman's report states that the Department of Human Services issued a corrective action letter in 2008 for at least six citations, including "failure to ensure that all the required standards and conditions for the use of controlled procedures were met."
Patrice Vick, a spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services, declined to comment on the lawsuit or the ombudsman's report. Vick also declined to comment on whether the Department of Human Services followed up with the facility to ensure that changes had been implemented, citing pending litigation.
The facility was formally opened in 1999 on the grounds of the Cambridge State Hospital which closed the same year.
The purpose of the program was to treat developmentally disabled people who may have engaged in criminal conduct or other behavior that poses serious concerns for public or resident safety.


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ACParadise Network: American Cosplay Paradise American Cosplay Experience American Cosplay Snapshots
Cosplayer Hobbit Katie > Costume of Mizuki Himeji (Baka to Test to Shokanju)
- Most Recent Photo
- 02-22-2013
- Series
- Baka to Test to Shokanju
- Character
- Mizuki Himeji
- Special Variation:
- Summer Uniform
- Year Completed:
- Construction Difficulty:
- Easy
- Costume worn at:
- Anime Expo 2010
About this Costume
- Construction Details:
Really love Baka to Test and had to do Himeji. She so fun. The uniform is made from scratch. I made sure to get a slight strech fabric for her to everything would fit snuggly. I made the bunny clip by distroying a target easter bunny.
Add a Comment


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They can not look within themselves,
To uncover solutions to undo their problems.
Accustomed they are to placing blame.
Claiming faults elsewhere...
To sell that are sold and bought,
Anywhere beyond their own doorsteps sought.
They can not accept truth.
Pursuing it is not the reality they have created.
Conflicts to initiate with a dumping as often as they can,
Is a designing of a mindset...
They prefer and understand to restrict themselves to limits.
With this comprehended as if to demand.
And yet...
It is the living to disrespect to reject progress,
Is what is done they do at their best.
This they value with a few to protest.
Accepting truth is refused and offends.


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Niagara Wheatfield School Board puts managerial raises in limbo
SANBORN – Pay hikes for a half-dozen managerial positions were put on hold Wednesday by the School Board, with some board members saying they shouldn't take place at all.
Raises of 2 percent to 3.7 percent were on the agenda for approval, but board member Richard Sirianni said he objected to spending the money in view of the district's financial status. He said his opinion was not a reflection on any of the employees, but he believes the raises were inappropriate because the district still faces economic troubles. Groups such as the teachers and the school-related personnel staff gave concessions at budget time, he said.
He reminded the board that it was "two months removed" from eliminating art and music programs, sports, and full-day kindergarten to prevent a large tax hike, and the perception would be one of disrespect to the taxpayers.
Board member Christopher Peters said he also had "a hard time with this one."
Richard Hitzges, the board's financial director, said raises for the managerial positions are not tied to a contract, and policy gives the board discretion in granting them. He said the raises were not included in the 2013-14 budget as a line item and this was the first time the board was reviewing them.
Superintendent Lynn M. Fusco said the positions received no raises in 2012, but no one at the meeting was able to say when the last raise occurred.
The district's website shows that the pay hikes of 3.7 percent would target the district accountant and two head bus drivers, while the 2 percent raises would go to the director of facilities and school lunch director. The district treasurer was also on the list, but Ashley Wood had recently resigned from that position. As a result, any raise would be pro-rated to July 19.
The item was tabled in a 5-2 vote, with Sirianni and Richard Halleen in dissent. Before the raises are presented again, the board will be given a five-year history on the salaries, along with concurrent tax hikes.
Resident Rosemary Warren suggested the board look at each position to determine if any were assigned additional duties to justify the raise in pay.


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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760353953251845523.post183303438904595879..comments2017-11-18T18:00:18.906-05:00Comments on Buckeye Surgeon: Comparative Effectiveness---- How effective is it really?Jeffrey Parks MD FACShttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-2760353953251845523.post-29571076943300742622010-02-14T12:25:38.347-05:002010-02-14T12:25:38.347-05:00First of all, I agree with you. However this post...First of all, I agree with you.

However this post actually discusses apples and oranges. Medicare's use of untested parameters (eventually found to be flawed) such as tight glucose control in ICUs has nothing to do with CER. It's really an indication of CMS's laziness in trying to devise P4P schemes.

The most important part of CER is to get it right. As Groopman says, "best available evidence, accrued from rigorous scientific studies, ... to guide our decision making in clinical practice."

Well done CER would be, IMHO, things reasonable physicians (like you and me) would advocate for our patients. Wouldn't you appreciate having a guideline that says end-stage dementia patients should not have PEG tubes inserted? Evidence is building that they do not benefit from them. And how many of your ICU beds are occupied by people whose suffering they are only prolonging? Might not well-studied guidelines offer support for YOUR style of practice, ie, letting terminal patients go, rather than "doing everything", just because we can?

That said, I agree wholeheartedly that the government doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of actually producing this kind of useful CER. Which means I agree with your concerns about being coerced to provide care that may ultimately be found harmful. Think there's any way we can avoid getting sued for it too? Me neither.#1 Dinosaurhttps://email@example.com