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We sought to determine whether ambient temperature (Ta) affects gonadal function by altering the rate at which circadian rhythms entrain to short day lengths. Syrian hamsters were housed in cages where they received 14 h of light per day ("long days," 14L) at 22°C. Hamsters were then transferred to cages to receive 10 h of light per day ("short days," 10L) and kept at 5, 22, or 28°C or were maintained in 14L at 22°C. Body mass and estimated testis volume as well as duration of nocturnal locomotor activity (α), previously established as a reliable indicator of the duration of nocturnal melatonin secretion, were determined over the course of 24 wk. Testicular regression in short days was accelerated by 4 wk at 5°C and delayed by 3 wk at 28°C relative to 22°C. The interval between α-expansion and initiation of testicular regression was markedly affected by Ta with delays of 0, 3, and 6 wk at 5, 22, and 28°C, respectively. All hamsters held at 5 and 22°C underwent testicular regression, but 25% of those maintained at 28°C failed to do so. We suggest that Ta modulates testicular regression primarily by affecting responsiveness of neuroendocrine target tissues to long melatonin signals.
- melatonin
- hibernation
- body mass
- refractoriness
- photoperiodism
- food hoarding
syrian hamsters sustain reproduction when day length exceeds 12.5 h/day and become reproductively quiescent in day lengths below this value (10). In short days, hamsters enter hibernation if kept at low ambient temperature (Ta) (23, 44). Day-length information is represented endogenously as the duration of the nocturnal melatonin signal produced by the pineal gland; long (>8 h) nightly melatonin signals trigger short-day responses (2). The long melatonin signal can be mimicked by daily melatonin injections given 1–3 h before the onset of darkness to hamsters kept in long days or by extended daily subcutaneous melatonin infusions delivered to pinealectomized animals; both treatments induce gonadal regression (2, 41). Hamsters maintained in short days do not sustain gonadal regression indefinitely; instead, testes undergo recrudescence after ∼15 wk of exposure to short days (34).
Although day length appears to be the primary environmental cue that Syrian hamsters use to initiate seasonally appropriate physiological and behavioral changes, Ta markedly affects the photoperiodic response (8, 22, 23, 26, 31, 33): low Ta (5°C) accelerates and high Ta(30–32°C) delays the onset of gonadal quiescence. A similar modulatory role of Ta on photoperiodic responses has been documented in other photoperiodic rodents (7, 25,37-39). In Siberian hamsters, Ta affects the photoperiodic response by altering neuroendocrine responsiveness to long melatonin signals (25). A similar mechanism has been proposed but not demonstrated in Syrian hamsters (31, 33). Ta may also alter neuroendocrine responses by influencing generation of the melatonin signals (4, 39, 40, 45). Siberian hamsters transferred from long to short days entrain to the short photoperiod almost a week sooner when housed at 5°C rather than 22°C, and this is correlated with more rapid initiation of short-day responses (25). Cold may also affect reproduction independently of photoperiodic regulation via its effects on energy balance (5, 9, 23). Syrian hamsters do not always immediately increase food consumption when transferred into short days and cold (5°C), thus failing to fully compensate for increased energy demand (36). The resulting acute body mass loss may facilitate gonadal regression. In the absence of changes in day length, however, well-fed hamsters sustain the summer phenotype when challenged with low Ta values. Thus Syrian and Siberian hamsters kept in long days at 5°C do not undergo testicular regression or other behavioral and physiological responses that are typical of the winter phenotype (8, 30, 43, 42), although some investigators of male Syrian hamsters report partial gonadal involution under these conditions (22, 27).
The two goals of this study were to determine whether Tamodulates short-day photoperiodic responses in Syrian hamsters through changes in melatonin secretion and whether Ta exerts similar effects on both testicular regression and subsequent recrudescence. Because the duration of the nocturnal melatonin signal is highly correlated with the duration of nocturnal locomotor activity (α) in male Syrian hamsters housed at a Ta of 22°C (11), we presumed that the rate of α-expansion during entrainment to short days at both lower (5°C) and higher (28°C) Ta values remains a reliable indicator of the duration of melatonin secretion. Use of locomotor activity permits continuous albeit indirect assessment of melatonin signal duration in individual animals over the course of many weeks and is of value because direct repeated measurement of the hormone on a daily or hourly basis over long time spans is not feasible in a mammal of this size. Our conclusions regarding melatonin patterns must, however, remain tentative pending verification at low and high Ta values of the correspondence between melatonin secretory activity and locomotor activity.
Seven-week-old male Syrian hamsters (Hsd:Han:AURA) obtained from Harlan Sprague Dawley (Madison, WI) were housed in groups of 3 or 4 individuals in polypropylene cages at 22 ± 1°C in a 14L photoperiod (14 h of light/day: lights on 0230–1630, Pacific standard time) for 3 wk after arrival at Berkeley, CA. Food (Simonsen rat chow) and tap water were available ad libitum. At 10 wk of age (week 0), body mass and estimated testes volume (ETV) were measured (19), and animals were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups; thereafter, animals were housed individually. A long-day (LD) control group (n = 13 hamsters) remained in 14L at 22°C for 24 wk. The remaining three groups were transferred to the short-day (SD) 10L photoperiod (10 h of light/day: lights on at 0630) and kept at ambient temperatures of 5°C (n = 13), 22°C (n = 13), or 28°C (n = 12). Temperature control in the 28°C room failed for 3 days on week 7, and during this time Tafell to 22°C.
Somatic, gonadal, and activity measurements.
Body mass and ETV were measured weekly starting 2 wk before the temperature and photoperiod change (week −2), and presence or absence of food caches in the nest were noted. To measure ETV, each animal was anesthetized with isofluorane vapors (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, IA), and the length and width of the left testis was measured externally. The product of testis width squared times length provides an ETV that is highly correlated with testis mass (19, 24, 46). From week 0 until the end of the study, locomotor activity was monitored with passive infrared motion detectors mounted on plastic hoods set on top of wire cage lids. Movement in the cage across 3 or more of 27 zones activated a closed-contact relay to Dataquest III software (Data Sciences, St. Paul, MN). From these data, nightly activity duration for each animal was determined using the Tau software package (Mini Mitter, Sunriver, OR). Activity counts for 10-min intervals were averaged over 1 wk to generate a 24-h histogram. Daily activity onset was defined as the time that activity levels first rose above the daily mean and remained above this value for ≥1 h. Activity offset was defined as the time that activity fell below the daily mean and stayed below this value for ≥1 h. Duration of the active phase (α) was calculated as the interval between activity onset and offset (17, 25). Weekly α-values are reported for the first 6 wk of the study to enable more detailed analyses during the entrainment period and biweekly for the remainder of the study. During weeks 9–17, hamsters kept at 5°C were monitored daily for hibernation using the noninvasive "sawdust technique" (29).
Hamsters were classified as photoresponsive (R) or nonphotoresponsive (NR) on the basis of testis volume during weeks 2–16. The criterion for defining testicular regression and therefore photoresponsiveness was an ETV < 48% of the initial ETV value (week 0) maintained for at least two consecutive weeks. All R hamsters met and exceeded this standard for testicular regression; differences in the magnitude of testicular regression in R hamsters were quantified by calculating the minimum ETV and the timing of gonadal regression and recrudescence. Minimum ETV was the mean of the three lowest ETV values. Onset of gonadal recrudescence was defined as the date on which ETV increased by >300 mm3 above minimum ETV and was sustained at this value for two consecutive weeks. Testes were considered to have undergone recrudescence when ETV had recovered to ≥48% of initial ETV. Latencies to gonadal regression and recrudescence were calculated as the intervals between α-expansion to >13 h and the ETV decline below and rise above 48% of the initial ETV, respectively.
Differences in testis volume, body mass, and α-value as a function of treatment group were assessed with one-factor repeated-measures ANOVA (StatView 5.0, SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Where a significant effect or interaction was obtained in the overall ANOVA, Fisher's protected least-significant difference test was used for pairwise post hoc comparisons. The χ2-test was used to compare the incidence of nonresponsiveness in hamsters housed in different Ta values. Observed differences were considered significant if P < 0.05. Data are presented as means ± SE.
Neither body mass nor testis volume differed among the groups before transfer to SDs (P > 0.38 and P> 0.50, respectively). On week 0, ETV was 3,007 ± 62 mm3, and body mass was 95.9 ± 1.1 g.
Testis volume.
Temperature had a significant impact on gonadal regression in SDs. All hamsters held in SDs at 5 and 22°C but only 75% of those at 28°C underwent gonadal regression (χ2, P < 0.05). Moreover, testis regression proceeded more slowly and was less complete at 28°C than at 22 or 5°C (Fig.1). During the first 2 wk after initiation of testicular regression, testis volume decreased by 1,688 ± 144 mm3 at 5 and 22°C but decreased by only half that amount (708 ± 269 mm3) at 28°C (P < 0.005). Minimum testis volume achieved was inversely correlated with Ta (Fig. 1); it was 14% of initial testis volume at 5°C (424 ± 38 mm3), 24% at 22°C (733 ± 42 mm3), and 31% at 28°C (923 ± 60 mm3; P < 0.001, for comparisons among all Ta values). Minimum testis volume of NR hamsters at 28°C did not differ significantly from that of animals maintained in LDs (2,167 ± 424 mm3 and 2,363 ± 157 mm3, respectively; P > 0.60) and never reached the criterion for gonadal regression.
Timing of gonadal regression and initiation of recrudescence were also temperature dependent, as both occurred earlier at lower temperatures. Regression was initiated on week 1.9 ± 0.1 at 5°C,week 6.0 ± 0.3 at 22°C, and week 8.7± 0.9 at 28°C (P < 0.01, significantly different at each Ta; Fig. 1). At each Ta, gonadal involution was maintained for 6.3 ± 0.2 wk. Significant increases in gonadal size above minimal values, which signify the onset of testicular recrudescence, were recorded on week 8.1 ± 0.1 at 5°C, week 12.6 ± 0.3 at 22°C, andweek 14.8 ± 0.7 at 28°C (P < 0.05, significantly different at each Ta). Because the rate of testicular recrudescence was substantially slower at 5°C than at the higher Ta values, the groups differed less with respect to when gonadal recrudescence was completed; this status was achieved 2 wk earlier in animals kept at 5°C than in those at 22 or 28°C (weeks 13.1 ± 0.4 vs. 15.1 ± 0.4 and15.6 ± 0.6, respectively; P < 0.01 for each comparison). During weeks 21–24, ETV values of hamsters at 5°C were higher than those of animals in the other groups (5,210 ± 146 mm3 vs. 4,005 ± 155 mm3; P < 0.01).
Hibernation was recorded in 8 of the 13 animals kept in SDs at 5°C, and torpor-bout length ranged from 1 to 4 days (Fig.2). Hibernation was initiated betweenweeks 9 and 12 after transfer to SDs as the testes were beginning to undergo recrudescence and was terminated between weeks 14 and 18 when substantial recrudescence was evident. Two of the most reliable hibernators died while torpid during weeks 14 and 16, respectively. Among hamsters held at 5°C, testicular recrudescence was slower in hamsters that entered torpor than those that did not (P < 0.01; Fig. 2). Testis volume increased at similar rates in both groups during weeks 8–12 but more rapidly in nontorpid animals during weeks 14 and16. Testis dimensions remained greater for the remainder of the experiment in hamsters that were never detected in hibernation, but by week 24 the magnitude of the difference had decreased (Fig. 2).
Food hoarding to the nest, which was observed during weeks 10–21, was not quantified but was observed only in hamsters that did not hibernate and was most prevalent during weeks 10–14. Four of the five hamsters never detected in torpor during weeks 12–14 cached food in their nests throughout this interval of maximal hibernation. In contrast, none of the five hamsters that hibernated during weeks 12–14had food caches. Three hamsters hibernated during weeks 12and 13 but were euthermic on week 14; none of these hamsters had food caches during weeks 12 and13, and only one stored food on week 14 (after it had terminated hibernation).
Body mass.
Temperature and photoperiod exerted less pronounced influences on body mass than on testis volume. In LD animals, body mass increased during the first 10 wk and was constant for the remainder of the experiment (Fig. 3). NR animals at 28°C weighed significantly more than all other groups throughout the experiment (P < 0.005). Body mass increased significantly during the first 6 wk in SD R animals at 22 and 28°C. In contrast, at 5°C there was a transient decline in body mass of 4.4 ± 2.3 g during the first 2 wk, which corresponds to an increase of 6.3 ± 0.9 g in other SD R groups (P < 0.005). During the first week of SDs, there was a significant relation between changes in body mass and testis size for the 5°C group and for all SD hamsters (P < 0.05 and P < 0.0001, respectively). During week 1, testis size increased 9 ± 4% at 28°C, decreased 6 ± 3% at 22°C, and decreased 21 ± 5% at 5°C (P < 0.05 for each comparison). By week 2, however, there was no longer a significant relation between changes in body mass and testis size (P > 0.7); there were similar body mass changes at all Ta values with most hamsters maintaining or increasing body mass independent of changes in testis size. By week 3, hamsters at 5°C had regained their initial body mass, and body mass values at 5°C did not differ significantly from those at 22 or 28°C. Body mass for all SD R animals considered together increased by 4.5 ± 0.8 g from weeks 3–6, but the absolute values were 7 g lower at 5°C than 22 or 28°C (Fig. 3). Duringweeks 6–14, body mass increased in the LD group by 5.5 ± 1.3 g but decreased in the SD group by 2.0 ± 1.5 at 5°C, 7.1 ± 0.7 g at 22°C, and 6.2 ± 2.8 g at 28°C. By week 12, the differences among the SD R hamsters held at different Ta values were no longer significant because of the greater body mass loss at 22 and 28°C than at 5°C. Body mass increased spontaneously in all SD animals beginning on week 16 (Fig. 3). By week 24, hamsters at 5°C were heavier (P < 0.001) than all other groups except the 28°C NR hamsters.
The α-value remained short (10.4 ± 0.1 h) for hamsters kept in LDs (Fig. 4) but expanded in all animals transferred to SDs. The α-value was significantly longer during the first 2 wk at 5°C than at 22 or 28°C (P< 0.005 and P < 0.01, for each comparison onweeks 1 and 2, respectively). At a Taof 22°C, the α-value did not expand in hamsters during the first week in SDs and was equivalent to that of LD animals. At 28°C, the α-value increased but not significantly during the first week in SDs. By the second week, the α-value had lengthened significantly in both 22 and 28°C groups and reached steady-state SD values at all Ta values. By week 4, the α-value no longer differed between Ta values and remained long (>12 h) in SDs at all Ta values through the end of the experiment onweek 24. In the 5°C group, the α-value became highly variable and at times difficult to characterize during the weeks before and during the appearance of torpor. The α-expansion was comparable in R and NR animals at 28°C (Fig. 4). Activity records for individual animals from each of the three SD groups are shown in Fig.5.
The interval between α-expansion and testicular regression was temperature dependent (Fig. 6,top), but the latency to onset of gonadal recrudescence relative to time of α-expansion to >13 h was not affected by Ta (Fig. 6, bottom). There was no delay in gonadal regression relative to α-expansion at 5°C. By the end of the first week in 5°C, testis volume had decreased slightly but significantly, and the α-value had expanded to >12 h (see Figs. 1and 4). By week 2 at 5°C, testicular regression was nearly complete and the α-value had expanded to >13 h. Although α-expansion was delayed by only 1 wk at 22 and 28°C compared with 5°C (see Fig. 4), the latency to gonadal regression was substantially longer at the higher Ta values (P < 0.005 for each comparison to 5°C). Despite the similarity in the timing of α-expansion at 22 and 28°C, latency to testicular regression was doubled at the higher Ta, and 25% of hamsters held at 28°C never underwent gonadal involution. In contrast to its marked effect on timing of testicular regression, the latency to testicular recrudescence was not affected by Ta; recrudescence occurred 11.8 ± 0.4 wk after α-expansion with no differences attributable to Ta (Fig. 6, bottom).
In Syrian hamsters exposed to SD lengths, low and high Ta may accelerate and delay the appearance of winter traits, respectively, by modulating the responsiveness of target tissue to melatonin. The amplitude of the melatonin signal does not consistently increase in Syrian hamsters housed at low temperatures: no differences were detected in plasma melatonin concentrations of males held at 5 and 20°C, respectively (31, 33), but in a third investigation (40), serum melatonin concentrations were higher at 5 than 22°C. It is unknown whether amplitude changes of the magnitude reported in the latter investigation affect rates of gonadal regression.
Cold exposure accelerated α-expansion, which presumably implies an earlier appearance of long-duration melatonin signals. This conclusion must remain tentative pending verification of the high positive correlation of these variables at low as well as higher Tavalues. In any case, the more rapid entrainment in cold-exposed hamsters was insufficient to fully account for the marked acceleration of testicular regression in the cold and does not explain the markedly delayed reproductive responses at 28°C. The latency to onset of testicular regression after α-expansion, which may provide a valid measure of how rapidly neuroendocrine tissues respond to the SD melatonin signal, was strongly temperature dependent with shorter latencies at lower Ta values. At 5°C, hamsters experienced rapid gonadal regression coincident with α-expansion, whereas an increase from 22 to 28°C doubled the latency to gonadal regression from 3 to almost 6 wk. Furthermore, 25% of the hamsters housed at 28°C were NR, as neither testes volume nor body mass changed significantly in response to SDs. Variations in Tamay also affect reproduction independently of the pineal axis, e.g., by modifying secretion of gonadotropins or thyroid hormones (13). It remains uncertain whether the inadvertent decline in Ta from 28 to 22°C for 3 days during week 7facilitated gonadal regression.
At 28°C, the α-value expanded similarly in both R and NR Syrian hamsters, which indicates that the circadian system of NR Syrian hamsters responded in the typical manner to the shortened day length. In deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), Ta also modulates the timing of SD testicular responses (7, 37), and some individuals are NR (3). In common with the Syrian hamster, NR deer mice entrain their circadian rhythms appropriately to SDs with expanded melatonin signals and lengthened α-values but nevertheless fail to undergo gonadal regression; this suggests that loss of target tissue responsiveness to long melatonin signals is the cause of nonphotoresponsiveness in deer mice and possibly in Syrian hamsters. A genetic component has been implicated in the nonphotoresponsiveness of deer mice, which occurs with greater frequency in populations from more southerly latitudes (28,47). In contrast to deer mice, nonphotoresponsiveness in Siberian hamsters appears to be due to a change in the generation of the melatonin signal rather than to tissue insensitivity to melatonin. Nonresponder Siberian hamsters do not maintain extended α-values when transferred to SDs (18, 32), but they respond appropriately to long melatonin signals produced endogenously in constant darkness or exogenously by daily melatonin infusions (12, 16, 25, 32). Nonphotoresponsiveness in a primarily photoperiodic species allows for more opportunistic reproductive responses to environmental conditions (5). To our knowledge, the present study provides the first documented instance of environmentally induced nonphotoresponsiveness in Syrian hamsters.
Nonphotoresponsiveness in Syrian hamsters at 28°C may reflect either decreased target tissue responsiveness to long melatonin signals or a masking effect of high Ta that is unrelated to circadian control of the pineal gland. In the latter instance, melatonin secretion could be compromised at 28°C, even as the α-value indicates normal entrainment of the locomotor activity rhythm to SDs; decreased amplitude and/or duration of the melatonin signal in SDs at 28°C may explain nonphotoresponsiveness in some individuals. The observation that melatonin secretion in European hamsters is attenuated at a Ta of 30°C supports this conjecture (45). The α-value is a reliable indicator of the duration of the nocturnal melatonin signal in Syrian hamsters at 22°C (11, 20); whether this relation holds at lower (5°C) or higher (28–32°C) Ta values is not known and therefore requires qualification of these conclusions. In Syrian hamsters held in LDs and treated with supplementary midafternoon melatonin injections, the gonadal response was diminished at Ta values of 30–32°C compared with responses at 22°C (26, 35). It is not possible, however, to definitively conclude on the basis of these studies that neuroendocrine target tissue responsiveness is blunted at the higher Ta; if melatonin secretion were abbreviated in Syrian hamsters at Ta values of 30–32°C, the afternoon melatonin injections might not be sufficient to produce the long-duration melatonin signal that this treatment induces at 22°C. Whether high Ta values attenuate or eliminate SD responses by decreasing target-tissue responses to long melatonin signals as occurs in Siberian hamsters (25) can be determined in studies in which pinealectomized hamsters held at 22 and 28°C are administered standardized melatonin infusions.
The onset of spontaneous testicular recrudescence occurred 6.3 wk after testes had regressed irrespective of the Ta at which hamsters were housed but at quite different times after animals were placed in SD environments. If neuroendocrine refractoriness is triggered after a fixed number of SD lengths and long melatonin signals, then clearly this mechanism is highly temperature sensitive. Testicular recrudescence was initated after ∼8, 13, and 15 wk of SD exposure, respectively, for hamsters held at 5, 22, and 28°C. This issue is complicated by the potential masking effects of Taon gonadal function; testicular recrudescence in SDs typically only occurs when gonadal regression has ceased. Hamsters at 5°C initiated recrudescence at week 8, at which time animals at 28°C were still weeks away from complete testicular regression.
More than half of the Syrian hamsters kept at 5°C initiated hibernation 9 wk after transfer to SDs, which corresponded to the week on which testicular recrudescence was initiated but before substantial testicular growth was evident. In the closely related Turkish hamster (Mesocricetus brandtii) (6, 14), hibernation onset was also coincident with the earliest phases of testicular recrudescence, and hibernation was terminated after substantial testicular growth accompanied by increased androgen secretion had occurred. Hibernation is generally associated with diminished androgen secretion, and high plasma concentrations of testosterone terminate hibernation in several hamster species (15, 23). Some species, such as the golden-mantled ground squirrel, terminate hibernation before initiating testicular development (1); in general, gonadal recrudescence may be prevented or greatly diminished during torpor.
Hibernation and food hoarding were observed only in hamsters kept at 5°C and appeared to be mutually exclusive behaviors. Hamsters either entered torpor or cached food in their nests. These behaviors were first noted after 9 wk in SDs, which suggests that their spontaneous appearance may be controlled by day length. We cannot, however, discount the possibility that low Ta is the primary proximate controller of hoarding behavior (21). Neither behavior was noted in hamsters kept in SDs at 22 or 28°C.
Syrian hamsters transferred to 5°C sometimes incur severe energy imbalances that may contribute to rapid inhibition of the hypothalamic-gonadal axis (9, 36). Rapid onset of gonadal quiescence associated with cold exposure in female hamsters kept in LDs coincided with profound (20%) losses of body mass; this effect was completely eliminated by providing more palatable ground chow that sustained increased food consumption and normal body mass (9). In the absence of profound losses of body mass, cold exposure of male Syrian hamsters housed in LDs sometimes (22,27) but not always (8, 30) resulted in moderate testicular regression similar to that measured during the first week of cold exposure in the present study. Thus in the present study, the moderate (21%) decline in testis size measured during the first week at 5°C may result at least partially from the inhibitory effects of cold exposure and the associated minor (<5%) body mass loss. In contrast, the rapid and substantial gonadal involution during the second week at 5°C was independent of changes in body mass, which suggests that it may represent an accelerated, SD-induced gonadal regression. Body mass loss was not the major determinant of testicular regression; hamsters that gained body mass and those that lost <1% of their initial body mass during the first 2 wk of cold exposure (n = 5) showed significant testicular regression that was indistinguishable from that seen in animals that lost 1–5% of their body mass (n = 6). Reflecting the possible role of limited energy supplies in inhibiting reproduction in the cold, the NR hamsters at 28°C, which retained reproductive function throughout SDs, had the highest body masses. Increased energy reserves may contribute to maintenance of testicular function in SD animals.
Timing of testicular regression and onset of recrudescence but not changes in body mass were affected by Ta values between 5 and 28°C. The sole exception to this generalization was the acute decrease in body mass during the first week of cold exposure. Testicular regression occurred 4 wk earlier at 5°C and 3 wk later at 28°C relative to latency at 22°C. Testicular recrudescence occurred 2 wk earlier at 5°C than at 22 or 28°C, during week 13versus week 15, respectively. In contrast to the variability in timing of gonadal regression and recrudescence at several Ta values, body mass in R Syrian hamsters reached a nadir on week 15 and increased starting on week 16 at all Ta values. There were no differences in body mass between the 22 and 28°C R hamsters despite the striking differences in the timing and extent of their testicular regression. The effector pathways that govern somatic and gonadal responses to day length may be differentially affected by Ta with gonadal status the more labile trait.
The authors are grateful to David Freeman and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on the manuscript.
This research was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants MH-11484 and MH-61171.
Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: J. E. Larkin, Dept. of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020 (E-mail: jlarkin{at}stanford.edu).
The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.
- Copyright © 2002 the American Physiological Society


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In 2014, the government had levied a 5 percent export duty on iron ore pellets, which are value-added products of leftover material or low-grade iron ore and are used in steel-making.
The government has reduced export duty on iron ore pellets to zero from 5 percent, a move that will make the commodity more competitive amid subdued demand and weakening prices.
In 2014, the government had levied a 5 percent export duty on iron ore pellets, which are value-added products of leftover material or low-grade iron ore and are used in steel-making. A notification in this regard was issued by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) yesterday.
Welcoming the decision, Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar tweeted: "The government removes 5 per cent export duty on iron ore pellets. This would improve capacity utilisation of pellet plants and give a necessary boost to the sector."
Iron ore pellet makers as well as some miners had earlier sought a reduction in the export duty on iron ore to make it more competitive. Steel and its related raw material market is facing a tough time on account of subdued demand and high production, adversely impacting the prices.
Besides, a fall in demand in China, the worlds' biggest metal consumer, is leading to the country dumping excess steel and other finished products in consuming countries, including India, a move that has hit the top line and bottom line of mining and steel companies.
Pellet Manufacturers Association of India (PMAI) Secretary General Deepak Bhatnagar said the industry had been pursuing the withdrawal of the export duty since 2014 when it was levied, adding that the pellet industry's capacity utilisation has dropped to 35 percent.
"The pellet prices have dropped from a level of USD 130 per tonne when the export duty was levied to USD 59 per tonne now, making exports non-viable," he added.
"The government can now take immediate remedial measures by removal of distance-based charges for movement of pellets as well as changing the classification for movement to class 140, which is applicable to manufactured and finished products like cement."
He faulted the classification of iron ore, saying pellets are a finished product. He also suggested introduction of a mechanism to bring down sale price of iron ore charged by miners "drastically" and rationalisation of the royalty structure of the government. The wish-list also included extension of the export obligation time period under EPCG scheme by 5 years without any interest and penal fee.
"To discourage pellet imports, the government needs to impose an import duty on iron ore lumps and pellets of up to 30 per cent," Bhatnagar added. India has an iron ore pellet production capacity of about 85 million tonnes per annum.


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Research and Archaeology the research framework for the eastern counties (published in 2000) was the first of its kind in England. Developed by ALGAO East, the framework includes Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and is intended to provide a firm foundation for archaeological work — generating high quality research and ensuring that the full potential of PPG investigations is realised.
Research and Archaeology is published in the EAA Occasional Papers series and available online.
It follows the structure envisaged by English Heritage and set out in Frameworks for Our Past (Olivier 1996):
- Resource assessment: the current state of knowledge and understanding.
- Research agenda: gaps in knowledge, potential of resource, research topics.
- Research strategy: priorities and methods for achieving research aims.
Comprehensive review underway
The Regional Research Framework for the East of England was never intended to be a fixed point but rather a dynamic process through which the region's archaeology can be influenced, and subject to periodic review and revision. A comprehensive review is now underway.
The project, developed by ALGAO East of England supported by Historic England, aims to establish an accessible, interactive Framework that can be readily updated and sustained beyond the lifespan of the project. The Framework will make use of an online hub developed collaboratively with Historic England which will bring together disparate resources for anyone engaged in historic environment research in the region.
The project is managed by Alice Cattermole Heritage Consultancy.


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217 20 Hayashi cho
217 20 Hayashi cho
Tanaka R.,217 20 Hayashi cho |
Okuda Y.,217 20 Hayashi cho |
Takahashi S.,217 20 Hayashi cho |
Oda S.,Tokyo University of Science
Proceedings - 2013 1st International Symposium on Computing and Networking, CANDAR 2013 | Year: 2013
Recently, image processing is widely used in research on the habits and characteristics creatures. For example, the medaka (Oryzias laptipes) which breeds quickly is popular used in various experiments. In particular, observing the behavior of the medaka is important to understanding the ecology of their characteristics. In this paper, we proposed the tracking method based on image processing for a medaka observation of its behavior. Therefore, we describe our proposed tracking method which combine the estimated position and the orientation code matching based on rotation invariant feature. Through experimentation, we examined the effectiveness of our proposed method. © 2013 IEEE.
Okuda Y.,217 20 Hayashi cho |
Takahashi S.,217 20 Hayashi cho |
Kawabata K.,RIKEN |
Aonuma H.,Research Institute for Electronic Science |
And 2 more authors.
Proceedings - 2013 1st International Symposium on Computing and Networking, CANDAR 2013 | Year: 2013
Recently, research on the habit of creatures and their characteristics are widely based on image processing. For example, the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus which consist of micro brain modifies its behavior by the situation and experience. In this paper, we constructed a technique of image observation to detect a cricket based on an advanced statistical feature, and automatically generated action trajectory. Therefore, we are able to apply the simultaneous observation of crickets. Through ex-perimentation, we proved the effectiveness of our proposed method. © 2013 IEEE.
Nagase N.,217 20 Hayashi cho |
Terao K.,217 20 Hayashi cho |
Miyanishi N.,1 1 Izumino |
Tamai K.,Rexxam Co. |
And 5 more authors.
Analyst | Year: 2012
We propose a novel Kretschmann-type surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor chip having a surface covered with electrodeposited gold nanostructures to enhance the sensitivity of SPR biosensing. The nanostructure is three-dimensional and has a larger surface area than a conventional flat surface chip, which increases the amount of protein binding and also induces a large change in the effective dielectric constant of the sensing area. The gold nanostructures were formed by electrodeposition under galvanostatic conditions, so their size could be controlled by manipulating the deposition time and current. The sensing characteristics, including the concentration dependence and noise level, indicated that the performance of the resulting chip (called a Au-black chip) was equivalent to that of a conventional sensor chip. We also determined the optimal electrodeposition conditions to obtain a sharp SPR curve for protein detection assay; the optimal thickness of the gold layer was 50-60 nm. Enhanced protein sensing was demonstrated by using a binding assay of anti-BSA antibody and BSA molecules. The protein binding signal was several times higher than that of the conventional assay. The insights into electrodeposition for SPR sensing presented here will enable improved sensitivity for detecting low-concentration and small proteins. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.


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Choosing a cloud or on-site business phone system
02 September 2016
It can be a challenge to select the right phone system for your business. With so much to consider, it's important to get it right. By asking eight simple questions, this infographic will help you choose which business phone system platform best suits your business:
Related Content
- Collaboration
- Unified Communications
- Hosted Phone Systems
- On-Premise Phone Systems
- Hybrid Phone Systems
- Contact Centres
- Cloud Contact Centre
Achieve greater business flexibility, customer insight, productivity and reduced operating costs with the brilliantly simple ShoreTel Connect.Download
Find out about Prodec's UK datacentres, including where they are based, their key features, and why you should consider hosting from them.Download


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Optimal Forecast Combination Under Regime Switching
This Paper proposes a new forecast combination method that lets the combination weights be driven by regime switching in a latent state variable. An empirical application that combines forecasts from survey data and time series models finds that the proposed regime switching combination scheme performs well for a variety of macroeconomic variables. Monte Carlo simulations shed light on the type of data generating processes for which the proposed combination method can be expected to perform better than a range of alternative combination schemes. Finally, we show how time-variations in the combination weights arise when the target variable and the predictors share a common factor structure driven by a hidden Markov process.
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|Date of creation:
|Oct 2004
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| Postal: Centre for Economic Policy Research, 77 Bastwick Street, London EC1V 3PZ.
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text:
Royal Crown Derby Blue Aves
Timelss blue and white Royal Crown Derby Blue Aves pattern with intricate and delicate design is the all blue version of the classic Royal Crown Derby Aves pattern originally introduced in the 30's. Royal Crown Derby Blue Aves is trimmed in 22kt. gold. and mixes well with Carlton Blue.
Complimenatry UPS Ground shipping on order of $150.
Royal Crown Derby ships in 3-7 business days when in stock. Delivery will be 4 - 5 weeks when not available to ship immediately. We will notify you within 48 hrs. with the estimted ship time for your order. Call us at 1.800.834.3797 with questions regarding Royal Crown Derby.


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Written on: 10/12/2007
Three months after the warranty ended the charge portal broke loose inside both our Blackberry 7105 phones. The phones could not be charged nor could information be downloaded from them. Blackberry's Customer Support would not fix the phone without payment even though the problem stems from faulty parts in the phone.


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"A cool chocolate treat."
Fudgsicle Pie
0 recipe photos
READY IN:4hrs 10mins
Ingredients Nutrition
- 16 cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
- 1⁄4 cup butter or 1⁄4 cup margarine, melted
- 1 cup milk
- 1 (4 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream, softened (NOT melted)
- In a bowl, combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter; mix well.
- Press into a greased 9-in pie plate.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the milk and pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes.
- Fold in ice cream.
- Spoon into the prepared crust.
- Cover and freeze for 4 hours or til firm.
- Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before serving.
- If desired, garnish with whipped topping.
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Marts have yet to catch up with the factories' price moves
Some mart mangers I spoke over the weekend reckon that after a couple of weeks when numbers were seen to ease, last week saw bigger sales return.
The effect of the smaller numbers was that the trade remained reasonably steady although as the week progressed the market became a little unbalanced as increased stock numbers coincided with fewer buyers ringside in some places.
Auctioneer Willie Troy of Cashel mart summed it up well when noting that while prices had eased back there were a lot of what he termed "in-between cattle 550-600kgs" who found the going tough.
The ringside figures for the 500-600 kg show average prices easing back in this section by 2c/kg or €10-12/hd while the 600kg+ bullock lost 1c/kg or €6/hd.
It's a minimal enough adjustment but the reality of the mart trade is that everything is governed by factory prices and last week they edged up by 5c-10c/kg.
This would normally see mart prices edge cautiously upwards but that did not happen.
Instead the contagion in the forward bullock section seemed to have infected the heavier heifer as well because the 500-599kg heifer was the biggest faller in the entire heifer section losing 5c/kg or from €25-30/hd.
Looking at the other lighter weight categories, the majority fell back but here the issue was not age related – it was simply a case of too many cattle and not quite enough buyers.


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- A couple took a divorce on religious differences. The husband thought that he is a God and the wife thought she is not.
- Religion is an assurance that you will go to heaven after your death if you believe in God.
What is Enlightened Leadership? > Power of Spiritual Oneness !! > What is Spiritual Leadership? > Laughter is the best Medicine >


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Pre-Law Resource Center
Pre-Law Clubs and Groups
WSU Mock Trial Club
Mock Trial is both a club and a class at WSU. The course is built around a simulated trial of a criminal or civil case in which students pay the role of participants in a trial. The WSU Mock Trial Club helps students learn about the courtroom. Every year students are given a case and through use of rules of evidence, witnesses and attorneys, act out trials at different tournaments and in class throughout the academic year. WSU's Mock Trial team participates in the national mock trial competition sponsored by the American Mock Trial Association as well as other invitational tournaments throughout the year. Learn more on their Facebook page.


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|Author: Emode Victor
Topic: Whose Report Would You Believe? [08/10/2016]
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? Isaiah 53:1. Read: Isa 53:2-5
Bishop David Oyedepo said sometimes ago, that when he went to the hospital to do a medical check up, the doctor told him, Sir, you have high blood pressure. He turned and said to the doctor, it's not possible. The doctor asked him, do you understand English or you did not hear what I said? He replied, I understand English-speaking , but it's not possible that I should have high a blood pressure. It sounds crazy and ridiculous, but that is just the truth about faith and believing in the Lord Jesus. It's a crazy and ridiculous faith in Christ redemptive work on the Cross that brings the miraculous. He often says, can you imagine Jesus Christ being hospitalised? Why should you lay on sick bed when the Bible said, you are healed by Jesus's stripes. Whose report will you believe, doctor's or God's?
Why should you weep because someone called you barren when the Bible said concerning you, "There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil". Exd 23:26. Whose report will you believe? Let God's Word dwell in you richly and make His word real to you and begin to claim what is rightly given to you. Hallelujah!
* It's a crazy and ridiculous faith in Christ redemptive work on the Cross that brings the miraculous.


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Saracens v Toulon, Heineken Cup semi-final
Armitage out to restore his reputation
ESPN Staff
April 27, 2013
Delon Armitage swapped the Premiership for the Top 14 in 2012 © Getty Images
Toulon fullback Delon Armitage is determined to hit the headlines for the right reasons when his side tackle Saracens in the Heineken Cup semi-finals at Twickenham on Sunday.
The former England international swapped the Premiership for the Top 14 last year having seen his stock fall in the wake of a string of run-ins with disciplinary chiefs. But the 29-year-old has since gone some way to restoring his reputation as a key part of Toulon's armoury and is hoping to offer fans a reminder of his class on his return to English rugby's HQ.
"The last couple of years in England were not the best," Armitage told The Daily Telegraph. "It would be great to finish off well and to give people a different idea of me. I did leave under a bit of a cloud. I want everything that is written about me to be about what happens on the pitch. I've learnt a lot since I came here last summer, especially from the likes of Mr [Jonny] Wilkinson over there, about how you have to deport yourself off the field as well as on it.
"When you come from just being a club player and suddenly you're thrust into the big thing that is playing for England and all that goes with it, well, you can forget that you are in the public eye all the time. That's not to make excuses, just to explain that it has taken me a long time to realise all that. Kids do see you as a role model whether you do yourself. So, yes, I hope I've turned a page. I don't want people to have a bad image of me in their minds. I definitely have regrets about the way it finished."
Armitage, who has scored three tries on Toulon's passage to the final four, is relishing a return to Twickenham but is expecting a formidable challenge. "I didn't come to Toulon to relax and enjoy the weather. Everyone is here to win things. Sarries will be a tough nut to crack. They used to be a bit negative but they've been running in the tries. Joel Tomkins has settled in the centre, [David] Strettle and [Chris] Ashton are seeing plenty of ball, and scoring. It should be a cracker.
"Toulon have this reputation of big spenders, just like Manchester City. Well, like City, they are going to keep spending until they win something. It is up to us now to do the business. That's the pressure and expectation on you. You have got to deliver."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Communication error please reload the page.


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Fiscal Rules and Sovereign Default. Laura Alfaro, February 2016, Paper. "We provide a quantitative analysis of fiscal rules in a standard model of sovereign debt accumulation and default, modified to incorporate quasi-hyperbolic preferences. For reasons of political economy or aggregation of citizens' preferences, government preferences are present biased, resulting in over accumulation of debt. A quantitative exercise calibrated to Brazil finds welfare gains of the optimal fiscal policy to be economically substantial, and the optimal rule to not entail a countercyclical fiscal policy." Link
Search thousands of articles, papers, book chapters, interviews and videos on growth. Search Tips


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Musical Beats Music School Norwich offers Violin/Viola, Theory lessons and Music Kindergarten groups for Pre-school children using the Colourstrings and Kodaly method of teaching. We encourage pupils to experience the best music education possible that will stay with you for life. For more information & Contact, please visit www.musicalbeats.co.uk
Times and prices are subject to change. Contact venue before setting out.
Event contact: No name specified
No contact number specified


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(This story has been updated to reflect status of bill in Senate)
Legendary game show host Bob Barker is putting his mouth where his money is.
Barker - the former host of "The Price is Right" - released a video plea to the Pennsylvania legislature to pass a bill ending live pigeon shoots which he described as "barbaric acts."
In the video - which contains graphic images - Barker describes how tens of thousands of birds are slaughtered each year during the shoots in which they are typically launched from metal boxes and shot at close range.
In 2010 Barker announced he would donate $1 million to the anti-animal cruelty group SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) which has been protesting the shoots.
The NRA and Pennsylvania Flyers Association, a pigeon shooting advocacy group, defend the shoots, which have been held since the 19th century, as a proud hunting tradition, while the Pennsylvania Game Commission has said such an activity is not hunting.
(Here is my account of witnessing a pigeon shoot at Wing Pointe hunting preserve in Berks County last fall.)
Opponents of pigeon shoots say leaving hundreds of wounded birds to suffer and die constitutes animal cruelty and should be prosecuted. Their efforts to bring cases to court in Berks and Bucks counties have been blocked by the district attorneys who say pigeon shooting is legal.
Last year the Delaware River Keeper joined the effort to halt pigeon shoots at the Philadelphia Gun Club because of the environmental threat posed by large amounts of lead shot and numbers of dead birds in the river.
Barker made his appeal to state legislators to pass Senate Bill 510 sponsored by Sen. Pat Browne (R., Lehigh), which would ban live pigeon shoots.
A similar bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee last session but failed to get a vote in the full Senate. Gregg Warner, chief counsel to Judiciary committee chairman Stewart Greenleaf (R., Bucks) said Greenleaf is prepared to move the bill again but will not do so until he is assured a vote by the full Senate.
Erik Arneson, spokesman for Sen. Majority leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware), says Pileggi supports the bill (he is a co-sponsor), but wants to have a GOP caucus discussion on the legislation before a vote.
He cautioned time is short before the summer break (July 1) and the primary focus now is passing a state budget.
Pigeon shoots held on private gun clubs draw a relative handful of people, many of them from New Jersey where such shoots are illegal but they have a powerful lobby.
Among the regulars participating at pigeon shoots at the Philadelphia Gun Club is New Jersey shipping terminal magnate Leo Holt, president of Holt Logistics. Holt was one of a small group of businessmen who traveled with Gov. Corbett on his trade mission to South America in March.


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U.S. Census Bureau | http://www.census.gov
Beginning with the 2000 census, CUGIR adopted a policy of only providing decadal updates to census data sets. These data are derived from the US Census bureau's TIGER/Line files, and the Census Bureau releases periodic updates in between decadal censuses. The significance of these updates varies, and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether they should obtain updated data from the Census Bureau.
Note also that the Census began distributing TIGER/Line data as shapefiles on March 31, 2008.
NY State data series
1 mapsheets available for data theme County Subdivisions (Census 1990)


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Hotel Praga
This neighborhood is a great choice for travelers interested in monuments, culture and city walks – Check location Antonio Lopez, 65, Carabanchel, 28019 Madrid, Spain – This neighborhood is a great choice for travelers interested in monuments, culture and city walks – Check location
|Room Type
Basic Single Room
Standard Single Room
Basic Double Room
Double or Twin Room
Double or Twin Room with Free Parking
Triple Room
Max adults: 2
Max children: 1 (up to 0 years of age)
Triple Room (2 Adults + 1 Child)
Max adults: 2
Max children: 2 (up to 0 years of age)
Family Room (2 Adults + 2 Children)
Quadruple Room
|× 5
Quintuple Room with Balcony
Junior Suite
Area Info – This neighborhood is a great choice for travelers interested in monuments, culture and city walks – Check location
Closest Landmarks
- Usera 0.3 miles
- Marqués de Vadillo 0.5 miles
- Bridge of Toledo 0.5 miles
- Pirámides 0.6 miles
- Cuarta Pared Theatre 0.7 miles
- Legazpi 0.7 miles
- Acacias 0.7 miles
- Plaza Elíptica 0.8 miles
- Nave 73 0.8 miles
- Embajadores 0.8 miles
Most Popular Landmarks
- Atocha Train Station 1.3 miles
- Plaza Mayor 1.5 miles
- Puerta del Sol 1.6 miles
- Museo del Prado 1.6 miles
- Retiro Park 1.9 miles
- Parque de Atracciones de Madrid 2.7 miles
- Santiago Bernabéu Stadium 4.1 miles
- Convention Center 4.2 miles
- Chamartin Station 5.5 miles
- La Paz Hospital 6.1 miles
Restaurants & Markets
- Maxi Dia Supermarket 0.1 miles
- Lidl Supermarket 0.1 miles
Closest Airports
- Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport 9.4 miles
What would you like to know?No thanks
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Food: Spanish
Open for: Lunch, Dinner
5 Reasons to Choose Hotel Praga
Why book with us?
Prices you can't beat!
Manage your bookings online
The staff speaks English
Booking is safe
Facilities of Hotel Praga
Most Popular Facilities
Services & Extras
- Tickets to Attractions or Shows (additional charge)
Pets are not allowed.
- Bicycle Rental (additional charge)
Food & Drink
- Breakfast in the Room
- Bar
- Restaurant
Free! WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed) and costs EUR 16 per day.
- Parking Garage
Front Desk Services
- Baggage Storage
- Ticket Service
- Tour Desk
- Currency Exchange
- 24-Hour Front Desk
Cleaning Services
- Ironing Service (additional charge)
- Dry Cleaning (additional charge)
- Laundry (additional charge)
Business Facilities
- Fax/Photocopying (additional charge)
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities (additional charge)
- Air Conditioning
- Heating
- Car Rental
- Packed Lunches
- Soundproof Rooms
- Elevator
- Honeymoon Suite
- VIP Room Facilities
- Family Rooms
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Newspapers
- Room Service
Languages Spoken
- Spanish
- English
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From 2:00 PM
Until 12:00 PM
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to room type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.
Children and Extra Beds
All children are welcome.
There is no capacity for extra beds in the room.
Pets are not allowed.
Hotel Praga accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.


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Tag: one important question
One Important Questionwritten by plasticpopsicle on 2012-10-05
I recently came across a blog that is brimming with inspirational stuff for photographers and designers. If you're either, both, or just in need of something to jump-start your creative spirit, here are some selected anecdotes answering 'One Important Question.'6 33 Share Tweet


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When starting out as independent cam girl using Skype and Yahoo, there are lots of different decisions involved, one of the most important being how one handles payment processing. I'd like to talk a little bit about payment processing options, particularly as they relate to independent (indie) listing sites.
While some indie cam girls prefer to use their own payment processing accounts through services such as Zombaio and CCBill, many cam girls choose to use the payment processing offered by an indie listing site. Throughout my years as an independent cam girl I've used a mix of both with great results, but there are pros and cons to both options. The main 'pro' of being fully independent with my own payment processing is obviously that no one but the payment processing company takes a portion of the proceeds, but payment processing can also be a hassle to set up, and in the case of CCBill, expensive upfront. In choosing to use the payment processor of an indie listing site, the site receives a percentage of each show booked, but the site also handles the set-up of the account and any issues that arise in operating that account.
One of the most important considerations for any indie cam girl thinking about selecting listing site payment processing is how the payment processing of the site operates. While some sites act as a middle-man of sorts between the payment processing company and you, other sites are designed so that your portion of each payment is sent to you directly from the processor. This latter system is ideal, as it offers indie cam girls protection from potentially unscrupulous site owners who would simply collect your payments and run off with your money. That situation is thankfully quite rare, but it has happened in the past. In selecting sites that act as a middle-man between you and your funds, research the company before you join, find out how long it has been in operation, and speak to other indie cam girls who work the site to find out what their experiences have been. Is the site owner easy to reach? Does he or she respond promptly to questions and demonstrate that they care about their business? Does the site have a long record of acting responsibly and paying promptly and in full? There are some great sites out there run by professionals who care about their businesses, but always remember that anyone can create a website and get a payment processing merchant account. Research is vital in ensuring that you have signed up to a listing site that will treat you well and pay you the money you are due. Selecting a middle-man style listing site isn't an inherently bad option, it's simply an arrangement that needs to be entered into carefully, and with due diligence.
As stated above, sites that select a style of payment processing wherein you receive your payments directly from the processor offer indie cam girls slightly more security in terms of guaranteeing your receipt of your funds. One company in particular that I worked with, CamGirlServices, offers both Zombaio and CCBill subaccounts, and also offers free web site creation and hosting services to cam girls who don't wish to design and operate their sites themselves. While I fully created and operate my own independent cam girl website quinn69.com, I continue to use their 'no-upfront fee' CCBill processing as an option available to customers. I highly recommend this company as an option for any cam girl who possesses the skills to attract and maintain a customer base but doesn't wish to pursue their own independent payment processing. Indie camming is not easy (it involves much time and effort to build and maintain a sustainable business), but payment processing doesn't need to be a hassle.
I hope you all find this helpful in delving through the vast array of payment processing options out there. While creating a successful indie camming business is by definition an independent journey, there are great companies out there that serve as amazing resources.
Happy Camming J.


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Glasgow, United Kingdom (PressExposure) August 12, 2009 -- As the English and Scottish Premiership clubs prepare for the big kick off this weekend, fans up and down the country are rushing to finalise and enter their fantasy league teams.
Having formed their own league, the team at iomart hosting hit upon the idea of creating a Fantasy XI using players with names, no matter how tenuous, with links to the data centre and managed hosting industry. The rules were simple; using a 442 formation; players could be selected from any country and must have represented their clubs during the 2008/9 season.
Having quickly named four players, with the rather obvious colocation related choice of Kolo Toure, Manchester Cityâs recent £15M signing from Arsenal being the first name on the team sheet, the struggle began.
With a goalkeeper, 3 defenders, a midfielder and two forwards still to find, the team turned to Twitter and close contacts for advice, suggestions and help. Finally after two days of information âtransferâ activity, the All Star Fantasy Managed Hosting XI was complete.
Phil Worms, iomart Hosting Marketing Director, stated: âIt really was a game of two halves. We really struggled on the first day, but after a frank team talk, and a review of our tactics, we opted for a long punt on Twitter, and that turned our fortunes around on the second day. We have to say weâre over the moon with the final result.â
Phil added: âAlthough we are delighted with our first team, we are always looking for new players to add depth to the managed hosting squad and would be delighted to receive further Twitter suggestions @iomarthostingâ.
The final Managed Hosting Fantasy XI
Goalkeeper FranCISCO Casilla Cortes â Cadiz (CISCO)
Defence Rico MORACK â Hertha Berlin (Rack) KOLO Toure â Manchester City (Colocation) Fitz (data) HALL â Queens Park Rangers (Data Hall) SUN Jihai â Sheffield United (Sun)
Midfield George WEBB â AFC Bournemouth (web) Ryan GIGGS (Gbs) â Manchester United (Gigabits) Alan POWER â Hartlepool (Power) SERVER Djeparov â Pakhtakor (server)
Forwards Andrej KVAS* â NK Aluminij (KVA = Kilo Volt-Amps) Ian WATT â Queens Park (Watts)
Andy DRIVER â Heart of Midlothian (Driver)
Gary MEGSON (Mbs) â Bolton Wanderers (Megabits)
Contacts: iomart Press Office: Tel: +44 (0) 141 931 6400 email: email@example.com http://www.iomarthosting.com
Press Contact: Lister Pavilion iomart Press Office Kelvin Campus West of Scotland Science Park Glasgow, G20 0SP 0800-040-7228 email@example.com http://www.iomarthosting.com


text: We are in the process of a complete remodel of our second floor bathroom. The bathroom was gutted to the studs and floor joists, the rough plumbing was moved and updated, and then re-construction began this week. Today, the plumber was setting the tub and I come home to a gigantic hole in my first floor ceiling, directly below the tub. I won't be able to discuss the reason for the existence of this hole with my plumber until Monday, but I cannot understand why it was necessary. I can see through the hole all the way through to the second floor. It appears to my untrained eye that there was no need for this hole, and they could have managed everything from the second floor, where there was already a hole. Is this normal? How can I find out if the hole was necessary? I have plaster walls/ceilings, and this hole will be very costly to fix. In a related question/note . . . the plumber insisted that I buy a cast iron tub. Apparently, you cannot get clean taking a shower in a fiberglass tub. I followed the plumbers recommendation, and was thanked for this by having my wood floors damaged by the clumsy plumbers while they carried this 500lb monstrosity up to the bathroom. I would guess there is approximately 8 gouges of various sizes between my front door and the bathroom. The gouges are cosmetic and probably unfixable. I am definitely bring this up to the plumber, but do not know what I should expect him to do abou it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. FYI, this plumber came highly recommended and has been very professional in my dealings with him so far. I do not know if the owner was even here today though, it may have just been his employees.


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Please feel free to add a comment about the Exodus or Suprine's Plans. Comments will be posted after review by our Administrator.
Monty-FF (not verified)
Wed, 05/29/2013 - 08:49
Hi John,
Good one, I have been riding FF machines with and without Hub Centre Steering since 1983 and even with rather underpowered engines I have been able to run rings round the competition. This is due to the extreme stability under braking, the ability to separate out braking and steering forces, being part of the machine by leaning back on it so body movement does not influence steering etc etc.
My old Yamaha 500 machine used to overtake 3 times as many bikes as overtook me on average. The MoT (yearly government inspection) tester came back form going down his favourite test road and said "that things bloody dangerous, I have just been down that road 10 mph faster than ever before" and that form someone who's workshop is knee deep in weird and wonderful machines he has build over the years is saying something.
On my Guzzi powered one that I hadn't rigged a speedo up on led a friend to think he had just done 60mph on a test drive when it turned out from the tacho he had been doing 80 mph.
Unfortunately I have moved onto tilting 3 wheeled FF's, the Carver one (see my web site). On the Isle of Man during TT week on "Mad Sunday" when the mountain race course is made one way and everyone goes out to show how great they are only 3 bikes got past me the first run over I did, and only 2 the second time.
Keep up the good work.
FF is brilliant, FF with HCS is the best.
You might just need to put some thought into making it a bit prettier with some bodywork or great paint scheme ?
ribek (not verified)
Mon, 05/20/2013 - 17:40
I understood the term flat four to refer to a horizontally opposed 'boxer' engine. the engine you are using looks like a straight four, horizontally inclined.
Leigh Hateley (not verified)
Wed, 05/29/2013 - 09:34
In motoring circles this has an North south inline 4 cylinder engine laid down on its side. If it was transverse it would have the crankshaft in the same plane as the wheel axles like majority front wheel drive cars eg mini. Once again it seems marketing department has done it wrong yet again!
DRW (not verified)
Mon, 05/20/2013 - 18:21
The idea is great, the layout does not look promising. Its long, the riding position doesnt look that comfortable (is he stretching to look over the bars?), the windscreen looks like an afterthought, Is that storage space above the engine or the rest of the goodies for the powerplant?
Ted Smith (not verified)
Wed, 05/22/2013 - 17:09
You take an old BMW, cut it in half, add some pipes and call this technology. I have a 2003 K1200GT and it is a dinosaur so I know what you have done and what hardware you are using. Please, do something original, and do not pretend to be advancing transportation with this pathetic 'idea' that is a step backwards.
BH (not verified)
Fri, 10/10/2014 - 02:43
I'd like to applaud you for doing something you wanted to do, and I am a fan of the format. What bothers me most is your site refers to this as a "first", "radical", and "leading edge". This is essentially a reasonable attempt at an old idea, not anything radical in the least. Arnold Wagner's Peraves company has been cranking out Ecomobiles, since the mid 1980s. They trace the lineage of what they call "monotrace" vehicles to the Monotrace brand vehicles sold in the 1920's and the Dalniks of the 1940s. Honestly, comparing a fully enclosed vehicle like an Ecomobile to what you have done shows this to be anything but radical, or ground-breaking, but rather primitive. Primitive has its place, as does simplicity. Building your own vehicle, and selling as many as you can to as many who desire it is a great thing. Just don't claim to have invented anything, done anything radical, or done something new. This false advertising, when the machine is perfectly capable of selling itself, is unnecessary.
Mac Saphir (not verified)
Thu, 05/23/2013 - 08:54
Love the concept. Don't love the looks....and look guys even the Swiss, fully enclosed bike also powered by 1st gen BMW K1200 engine did not cost anywhere near what you will initially be asking for these. All I can say is "good luck with that". Seriously.
jim mele (not verified)
Thu, 05/23/2013 - 13:59
How about some video showing how you start up and stop from the supine position? Also show us how difficult or east it is to get into the seat and how you get the vehicle up on the center stand.
Victor Puntus (not verified)
Fri, 05/24/2013 - 08:58
Хорошее дело делаете.
Вот тут дизайн:
Это легко адаптировать под одного пилота и на двух колесах.
С наилучшими пожеланиями Пунтус Виктор.
B MCNUTT - FLORIDA (not verified)
Fri, 05/24/2013 - 16:53
JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER WANT ANOTHER MOTORCYCLE, THAT NOTHING COULD EXCITE ME ANYMORE, YOU GUYS GO AND DO THIS! I AM ALREADY SAVING FOR THIS THING AND ONE DAY, I WILL HAVE ONE! MAKE THAT I MUST HAVE ONE! CANT WAIT TO SEE WHAT OTHER MODELS YOU COME OUT WITH AND THE TECHNOLOGY THAT FOLLOWS! CUDOS FOR BEING BRAVE ENOUGH TO FLY IN THE FACE OF THE STATUS QUO! ITS AN IDEA WHOS TIME HAS COME! bb
Gary Noyes (not verified)
Sun, 07/28/2013 - 11:25
Promote Exodus with demo races, particularly at IndyCar and NASCAR events. Use standard Exodus on street courses and short ovals, and Exodus G on long ovals and road courses. If enough buyers want to race, form Exodus Racing League, get TV coverage, create a new sport!
BTW, Exodus lean angle is limited by width of flat four engine; max lean angle would be possible with a V-4 motor. Should provide highest two-wheel-vehicle cornering speeds physically possible. With turbo V-8 motor, would also be the fastest in the world, due to low drag.
thomas lewis (not verified)
Wed, 10/02/2013 - 13:45
Enclosed motorcycles ,narrow tilters are the future,but better body designs,like BMW's concept tilter the Simple will have to be built.The Simple body could be applied to any chassis.It offer's a traffic friendly ride height,easy entry and exit,very low CD 0.16 and good crash protection,versa none for a standard motorcycle.A very narrow 4 wheeled,tilting chassis,using weight shift could be the holy grail of vehicles,4 contact patches,4 brakes,stands by itself,no gyros, outriggers,feet to hold it upright at stops and it puts back the fun in driving,taking trips.Keep pushing forward,all the best.
geffs (not verified)
Fri, 01/03/2014 - 04:09
I would like to appreciate the admin for the space to share and view some of the modern bike design and construction. I was wondering whether the super structure and ultra modern bike design will be both aerodynamic and cost and material effective. Thanks for the comments and vital information. Please suggest my query.
whitfield.dan@g... (not verified)
Sat, 01/11/2014 - 09:00
Having ridden the Swiss ECOMOBILE motorcycle, (no longer available) which has a very similar design to your Exodus, I can say with absolute certainty that a much steeper front fork steering head angle will result in much improved cornering and stability. This is based on over 100K miles ridden in that configuration on USA highways including coast to coast run. My experience is backed by 40 years as M/C tecch including 2 years as H-D factory test track rider at York PA final assembly plant.
Keep on the great work! It is a very tough road to perfection, but the benefits are huge! Dan Whitfield


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Self Publishing: Pre-Selling and Marketing the Book
Children who do not read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times less likely than their peers to graduate from high school. A startling statistic that many would assume they could do nothing about but Ashley and April Fox leaped into action. Their driving ambition is to make a difference in the lives of little readers, a passion that inspired the start of a publishing company Kafani Inc. which means unique in Swahili. The two, in serious pursuit of their mission rallied their network, raised money, and sold 300 copies of their book to families and schools before it ever printed.
Keep reading for how they did it
Ashley, working part-time as a teacher in Memphis has experienced how reading improves child development. She recently finished her Masters in Digital Media at Columbia University and joined Teach for America while working on a business plan to self-publishing children's books. Shortly after, the idea for their first book Keisha Cane and Her Very Sweet tooth was born.
To start the business they found angel investor and funded $8,000 through a kick-starter campaign which exceeded the original goal of $6,000. The campaign created buzz and anticipation for the book launch. Ashley explains that she focused on activating her network. She reached out to everyone she knew – professional organizations, her sorority, teacher's associations, and her former magazine industry colleagues. She made personal asks to share the campaign, buy a book or help support the tour.
There is no lack of children's books in the marketplace so Kanfi leveraged their special sauce – April's amazing illustrations. The pictures represent a mixed media approach of cut and layered drawings, fabric, paper, trims creating a visual buffet of beautiful colors and textures. Before finishing the product they held focus groups with both readers and teachers to get feedback on the drawings and story. Once the fundraising campaign closed the hard work of marketing the book began. Lucky, for these ladies they had a marketing plan in place which is something every small business and potential author needs to find and attract their most likely buyers.
It's not easy to publish your own book but the key to sales success is having a plan and executing. There is no one fail proof formula for preparing to launch. Ashley and April used buzz through Kick-starter and activated their network. For additional push they planned what Ashley dubbed a blog tour, where different sites wrote articles about the their Keisha Cane book and it worked, landing them a piece in Black Enterprise Magazine.
The ladies used the idea of a traditional book tour but mostly visited classrooms across the country where they read the book to students and shared their message with teachers and parents. This was a nice touch because during the Kickstarter campaign many of the funders backed donations of books to the classrooms they later visited. The tour itself was an experience that considered every detail. The décor reflected the nostalgic experience of grade school filled with classic sweets, popcorn, a rainbow of cupcakes not to mention the Keisha Cane swag – bookmarks, posters and stickers. Whether you try self-publishing online or off Ashley and April's story can give you a lot of actionable ideas.
What can be learned from the Kafani book launch:
Choose a single audience: Authors can always switch genres later or publish multiple works but it's important to focus on launching one product at a time.
Create a pre-launch campaign: Put together a comprehensive marketing plan that will generate buzz and buy-in before your products or services even launch. The plan should include continuous outreach to your personal and professional network, social media connections and any events or contest that you plan to run and the expected return for each for example, number of people reached, cost and expected sales.
Pre-sell and cover publishing cost: The best way to gauge demand is to presell products and services before they launch. It allows you to test the market and make the customer part of the creation process. You can source their ideas and build an offer tailored to their needs.
Create a compelling story: People remember and connect with stories. What story can you share about your product that the ideal audience will connect to? Make it about them. Share the understanding of the most urgent problems or aspirations and how what are selling addresses them.
Inject your special sauce: There are not that many new ideas but there are new ways of executing old ideas. How can you add personality, style or design to differentiate your business in today's marketplace. Leave them with something to remember that makes people what to spread the word.
Self-published authors don't have it easy. Ashley would be the first to tell you that the whole launch process is a lot of work but extremely rewarding. The Kafani founders already have a solid idea for their next book and future plans for IPhone apps. The purpose-driven vision that these women have leaves no doubt in my mind, the future for young readers is bright.
If you have an interest in self-publishing a book I highly recommend, The Complete Guide to Successful Publishing one the best books to buy. I admit it's a little old but It explains to process from start to finish and the process hasn't changed the amount of printing options has. I used this book myself to publish From Payne to Power. After spending hours in bookstores for weeks, researching book's that could help me self-publish this was a good find. it was the most simple to understand yet comprehensive guide that I came across.
Do you believe crowdfunding campaigns are a successful way to launch a book?


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You don't have to speak Portuguese to understand what's going on in this video, except to know that the woman is being interviewed about the high crime rate in Rio de Janeiro. "How high is the crime rate?" Ed McMahon would have asked Johnny Carson, setting up the punchline, which comes at 0:07.
Woman mugged during on-camera interview about crime
By LU Staff
LU Staff
Promoting and defending liberty, as defined by the nation's founders, requires both facts and philosophical thought, transcending all elements of our culture, from partisan politics to social issues, the workings of government, and entertainment and off-duty interests. Liberty Unyielding is committed to bringing together voices that will fuel the flame of liberty, with a dialogue that is lively and informative.


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Hereafter are some beautiful analogue photos of tractors in the field.
|Harvest Time by l4ts
|Tractor Luv by Mistyfx
|Tractor and Hay Bales by Jim on the Wall
|Day's Work by StephenHB
|Mondriaan by leo.roos
|Untitled by anómyk
|combine harvester and tractor by Auntie Ivy's Kitchen
|George. by polarisandy
|Jonas by John J. Genna
|Kid's heaven (Nikon F5, Ektar100) by Vara-I Photography


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Students demonstrate their ability to read and think critically by writing a 4-6 page (i.e., 1200-1800 words) synthesis-analysis (précis is the technical term) over an approved article of their choice. The professor will happily read and discuss papers with students before the due date. Student essays will be graded on both content and writing style, as required by the state of Texas. Students should:
**Briefly summarize and introduce the article and author.
**Discuss the overall thesis. Identity, explain, and analyze the three most important arguments used by the author. Consider: importance (or lack of), related assumptions and implications.
**Analyze evidence used and ask: does this evidence support claims made in the article? Would other evidence provide a different interpretation?
**Look at the chosen article in broader perspectives. Given what we have studied and read, how compelling and relevant is the article, how does it compare and contrast with other primary and secondary readings, and what do historians tend to find important?
**In order to meet state requirements, consider ethical issues involved. What kind of ethical issues do people and historians face, and who decides what is "ethical"? How does what is "ethical" change according to time and place? What kind of social and personal responsibility do we have to ensure "ethics" prevails?
**Provide an opinion of the article. Consider the author's writing style and ability to keep the attention of readers or even inspire them. Feel free to share other thoughts and comments related to or inspired by the article.
In all cases, provide brief and relevant examples. Avoid quotations. Avoid "I," "you," "very." Use paragraphs! Use appropriate formats. And, please remember to submit the academic honesty pledge.
When ready, please submit to the appropriate link in Blackboard.


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guest user on a mac air
can mac air be set up for use by more than one person with each having its own login and apps?
- Asked by Herb K from Aspen
1 Answer from the Community
Absolutely. The best example I can give is parental controls. My youngest daughter has her own login that I set up which keeps her safe from the internet thugs. You just have to remember to log yourself out. But you can have multiple users set up on one machine. No worries at all. Works great. Very easy to do. Applications/settings/users and groups.
- Answered by Bill B from Red Oak
- Sep 25, 2014


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Best Friends Up For Whatever and Shit Around the Web
Girls that are up for anything, body doubles suing, and more! read more
Jake Gyllenhaal Has So Many Girlfriends
Jake Gyllenhaal is rumored to be dating Ruth Wilson coming as a shocking blow to not all his buddies in the not gay bar he never attends thrice a week. The couple were spotted participating in an outdoor exercise program for suburban pussies known as Barry's Boot Camp... read more


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- Please select a date to see the proper prices!
- Meal can be requested on the spot
Best offer
158 € / person / night, no meal
Description of the accommodation:
Rooms, services Just planning a trip to Austria? We suggest you check the options provided by G'sund & Natur Hotel Die Wasnerin Bad Aussee. The hotel is offering 88 tastefully furnished rooms to those seeking accommodation in Bad Aussee. The hotel is offering you freshly prepared fine local meals in its restaurant every day. For those arriving by car parking is available nearby. We recommend trying some of the relaxing wellness services available at the hotel, the steam room and indoor pool will also be at your disposal. Nearby table tennis, bike rental, diving, sailing and boat rental opportunities will provide an excellent chance to spend your leisure time actively. You can also try the local gym and its provided services. The bar is an ideal place to host a personal meeting or a pleasant evening talk. In the safe you can secure your valuables. Wireless Internet connection (WiFi) is available at the hotel, ensuring that you can stay up-to-date during your holiday. The exact list of services available at G'sund & Natur Hotel Die Wasnerin Bad Aussee (including those for an extra fee) and the exact list of equipment in a room can be found on the information sheet below.
Payment For the reservation you may need to provide advance payment by credit card or credit card guarantee, depending on the exact date, room and price.
Arrival, opening hours The earliest time to check in at the hotel is 16:00, the latest time to check out is 12:00. You will be able to speak with the personnel in English and German languages.
G'sund & Natur Hotel Die Wasnerin Bad Aussee rooms Rooms
- Please select a date to see the proper prices!
Accommodation services
Free WiFi in shared places
Relaxation: Fitness, Table-tennis, Squash, Bike rental at the accommodation
Scuba diving nearby, Sailing nearby, Boat rental nearby
- Wellness section, relaxation
- Indoor pool
- Steam room
- Jacuzzi
- Pool (Outdoor - seasonally open)
- Finnish sauna
Pet friendly (15 €/night), Garden, Bar, Elevator, Safe deposit box, Roof garden
Own restaurant
Bathrobe, Hairdryer, Mini-bar


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Mithunam Trailer (2012)
"Mithunam" 21 December 2012 Drama
Mithunam is a 2012 Telugu Drama film directed by Tanikella Bharani. It features S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Lakshmi.[2][3] The film is based on a best selling Telugu novel of the same name, written by Sri Ramana. Tanikella Bhranai received CineMAA Award Special Jury Award for Best Direction.[4] Mithunam means couple in Telugu.[5] It also means an astrological sign. AMR Productions released Mithunam all over India on December 21, 2012, with positive reviews
Watch the official Mithunam 2012 trailer in HD below or find more Mithunam videos on Vidimovie.


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#206 628 13TH Ave W, Vancouver West, British ColumbiaMLS®#: V996168
Listing Overview
- Property Value$409,000
- Property Address#206 628 13TH Ave W, Vancouver West, British Columbia, V5Z 1N9, Ca
- TypeCondo
- StyleOther
- Year Built1992
- Taxes$1,556
- Living Area783 sq.ft.
- Bedroom1
- Bathroom1 full
Fairview VW
#206 628 13TH Ave W, Vancouver West, British Columbia, V5Z 1N9, Ca
Enjoy 783 sq ft of southern exposure in this beautifully maintained extra large 1 bedroom suite in the Cambie/City Hall neighbourhood. Complete with walk in closet, large in-suite storage, gas fireplace, spacious deck and bay window this suite is a pleasure to show. Connaught Estates is an extremely well run and proactive building close to the Canada Line, shopping, medical district and numerous restaurants. All this PLUS parking and additional storage!
Drapes/Window Coverings, Clothes Washer/Dryer/Fridge/Stove/DW, Fireplace Insert
Bike Room, In Suite Laundry, Storage, Wheelchair Access
Listing Provided By
RE/MAX Select Properties
Copyright and Disclaimer
The data relating to real estate on this web site comes in part from the MLS Reciprocity program of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLSR logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. Copyright 2017 by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board, BC Northern Real Estate Board, and Kootenay Real Estate Board. All Rights Reserved.
- Yuni J. Kim
- Phone: 604.551.2035
- Office Phone: 604.737.8865
- Email: email@example.com
- RE/MAX Select Properties
- 5487 West Boulevard
- Vancouver, BC


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What leaders do and how they do it is a topic of much discussion around the world and around my dinner table. Leadership theory as well as leadership in action is, one might say, "in my wheelhouse." A debate about whether or not managers really need to know how to do the jobs of the employees they manage went on for many years in my house. Then this notion of managing vs. leading began to emerge.
It has become popular in organizational development circles to say that managers focus on processes and leaders focus on people. This raises the questions if a manager must be a leader and if leaders need to be good managers. The best case scenario is for leaders to model behaviors that inspire others to deliver results. Of course, accountability and integrity are qualities which managers and leaders share. The ability to build relationships is another. This does not require super-human skill. It does, however, require the willingness to put one's self out there. In other words, take a risk.
Ten years ago I took a risk. I turned down a promotion and left the best job I've ever had to relocate for my husband's job. It wasn't long before I became bored. I needed something to do. There was no shortage of unpaid work to occupy my time. Volunteer opportunities soon turned into a passion for community service. So, I decided to take another risk. I went back to school to prepare myself for a leadership role in public affairs. I studied emergency administration and disaster planning. I studied non-profit management and public administration and conflict resolution. I had the opportunity to study abroad and learn prevention and intervention strategies to combat human trafficking. I learned about survivor aftercare. I returned from that experience physically and emotional drained but excited about the prospect of putting my knowledge and skills to work for an organization that needs a champion of customer relationships who can deliver dynamic results.
Now, here's the biggest risk of all. After months of searching, I have only had one interview. My resume has been reviewed, revised, and has received the digital equivalent of "don't call us, we'll call you" so many times that I am beginning to question if all of my risk taking was for nothing. I'm not giving up. On the contrary, I'm reaching out, dear readers of this blog, and asking for your help. Please share this post.


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CPSU slams IT hiring
The public sector union says poorly trained and inexperienced IT contractors are being hired for important government projects without proper scrutiny.
The Department of Human Services has been clearing out IT subcontractors amid allegations some had been employed using fake CVs.
Reports say many of the subcontractors were supplied by an labour hire company with little departmental oversight.
CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood said the government should stop the practice.
"Labour hire simply has to go," she said.
"This fraud case could not have occurred if this work was being done by Commonwealth employees employed under the Public Service Act and subject to APS scrutiny."
The attempt to save money would end up costing more in the long-term, Ms Flood said.
"One third of 14,000 ICT staff across the APS are now contractors but the evidence is these contractors do not always have the right training, experience or specialist skills for the job, and cost far more than qualified APS employees," she said.
"External contractors cost this government far more and in most cases deliver far less than if the money was spent on retaining qualified APS staff."
Ms Flood said government IT outsourcing was "dismally failing".
"Whether trying to start a business, get an education, find employment or caring for a loved one, the digital public services on which the Australian public relies should be every bit as good as the private sector."
The Department of Human Services has defended its practices.
"IT contractors are sourced from vendors on the department's Deed of Standing Offer for ICT Services," a spokesperson told reporters this week.
"To be included on the panel, these vendors execute a contract with legally enforceable terms and conditions, including that the staff they put forward for our consideration have the necessary skills to undertake the work required.
"In addition, the department assesses each contractor's technical skills, including through an interview and by contacting referees, and where appropriate, conducting a technical test."
At least one public service employee is also under suspicion, and the Australian Federal Police have been called in to help with the investigation.


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Seth Greisinger was back in his old stomping ground, but for all it mattered, he could've been on the moon.
The important thing was that he'd helped his team knock off the Pacific League leaders. Now that was something worth talking about.
Greisinger threw 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball and rookie reliever Naoya Masuda recorded the two biggest outs of the night as the Chiba Lotte Marines edged the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters 2-1 on Tuesday at Tokyo Dome.
"It was a team win," Greisinger said. "Masuda was just unbelievable in the eighth inning. Basically saved the day for us. Everybody just had a great game."
Greisinger (3-0) continued his strong start to the season against NPB's hottest team. He threw 103 pitches and allowed seven hits while striking out six and walking one.
"You can't many mistakes against the Fighters, because they have such good pitching," Greisinger said. "Every game seems to be a close game with them."
Shortstop Shunichi Nemoto drove in both runs for the Marines with a game-tying single in the sixth and a go-ahead single in the eighth.
The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Fighters, who had won seven of their last eight.
Nippon Ham starter Kazuhito Tadano (1-0) had a strong outing, throwing seven innings of one-run ball. Tadano gave up five hits and struck out four. He also made some nifty plays in the field, none better than when he snatched a hard-hit liner out of the air for the first out of the fourth.
Fighters veteran Atsunori Inaba collected the 1,994th hit of his career with a triple in the seventh and Sho Nakata's lone hit was an RBI single in the first.
Greisinger called Tokyo Dome home for four seasons (2008-11) as a member of the Yomiuri Giants. He led the Central League with 17 wins in his first year with the team and was 31-22 overall.
Being back, didn't seem to conjure up any special memories.
"I like the mound here," Greisinger said. "It's a small ballpark. Other than that, it was a good game by the team. Whatever field we're playing at, we're trying to win the ballgame."
Greisinger said he was a little tired in the latter stages of the game and found himself in a tight spot after giving up two one-out singles in the eighth.
He was relieved by rookie Yuhei Nakaushiro, who went right back to the dugout after hitting Yoshio Itoi to load the bases.
Masuda was then tasked with escaping the jam. He retired Nakata for the first out, bringing Inaba, who entered the game hitting .360 with three home runs and 23 RBIs, to the plate.
Masuda worked the count even at 2-2 before Inaba got on top of a fastball and Nemoto scooped up the resulting grounder and threw to first to end the inning.
Marines closer Yasuhiko Yabuta worked the ninth for his seventh save of the season.
"At that point in time, I'm out of the game, so there's nothing I can do," Greisinger said. "You let them do what they've been doing all year long. Both Nakaushiro and Masuda have been great. It's nice when you can come out of the game, then have those guys come in after you and Yabuta to finish it up."
Fighters reliever Naoki Miyanishi (0-1) was charged with the loss after allowing Nemoto's RBI single in the top of the eighth.
The two teams will meet in the second game of their series on Wednesday at Tokyo Dome. Hayden Penn (1-1) will be on the mound for the Marines while Tomoya Yagi (1-2) will toe the rubber for the Fighters.
Eagles blank Buffaloes
Takahiro Shimomi and Darrell Rasner combined on a six-hit shutout as the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles handed the Orix Buffaloes their fourth straight loss, a 4-0 defeat on Tuesday.
Shiomi (2-2) struck out nine over eight innings at Kleenex Stadium. Kazuo Matsui hit a solo home run in the first inning off Alfredo Figaro (0-4) among his three hits.
Hawks 1, Lions 0
At Fukuoka's Yahoo Dome, Hiroki Yamada (3-1) combined with two relievers on a four-hit shutout as Fukuoka Softbank sent Seibu to its third loss in a row.
Nobuhiro Matsuda singled in the game's only run in the first inning, reaching 20 RBIs in the Hawks' 21st game of the season.
The Lions' Kazuhisa Makita (1-2) took the loss.
Carp 1, Tigers 0
At Koshien Stadium, Shota Dobayashi hit his first career home run and Kenta Maeda pitched eight shutout innings as Hiroshima edged Hanshin to end a three-game losing streak.
Dobayashi broke a scoreless tie in the eighth inning when he drove a 2-0 slider from Randy Messenger over the wall in center field.
Maeda (3-1) held the Tigers to just two hits, walking one and striking out eight in a 106-pitch outing.
The 24-year-old ace, who threw a no-hitter on April 6 against the Yokohama BayStars, did not give up a hit until Keiichi Hirano reached on an infield single with one out in the sixth.
Hanshin had the potential tying run on third base with two outs in the ninth against Dennis Sarfate, but the Hiroshima closer struck out Craig Brazell swinging to end the game and pick up his fourth save.
Messenger (2-1) struck out nine and allowed two hits in eight innings of work. Both teams finished with three hits each.
Swallows 4, Dragons 1
At Tokyo's Jingu Stadium, Wladimir Balentien hit a two-run homer in the third inning as Tokyo Yakult beat Chunichi, leaving the two teams tied for first place in the Central League.
Shohei Tateyama (2-0) threw six innings of one-run ball. Daisuke Yamai (0-3) gave up four runs in four innings for the Dragons, whose winning streak ended at five games.