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Professional Community for Car Dealers, Marketing, Advertising and Sales Leaders
I was reading the recent blog post by Kim Essenmacher and her frustration with Google+ Local reviews, when Matt Merrill (http://www.linkedin.com/in/mattsmerrill) chimed in with advice on how to get Google Reviews to stick.
Ryan Leslie picked up on Matt's statement that shot up a red flag to Ryan and to me as well:
"Here's a few tips we give our clients when submitting reviews for and in behalf of customers:"
So I did some research on the Rank Boost websites, and here is the page I found:
Does this sound like another Reputation Management "scam" that will get businesses in trouble? Should you stay away from this service?
Take a minute to read the terms of service from sites like Google+, Yelp, or Dealerrater. What you might find is that reviews are to be posted by the actual consumer and not a filtered proxy agent.
Any company that takes reviews posted on their own "form" and then filters and posts to third party sites, as a consumer, from different IP addresses, is a BIG RED FLAG!! Is this legit? You have to decide for yourself.
I think it is time to start exposing any companies that violate TOS policies that can get dealers in trouble.
What do you have to say on this matter? Does this service stink?
Brian Pasch, CEO
PCG Consulting
Views: 757
Keiiiiith, Christmas is coming.....
One to my old principal. One to my Mom. One to myself.
I hope you do Keith! BTW, gifted???
Ha! Thanks Tom. I think I ever sold six of those, besides the few I gifted. I think I'm going to re-light the "3 Laws" series for the holidays.
Keith, I've got that cup sitting on my desk. And so do a couple sales staff who I awarded it to! I'm a believer!
:) Oldie but a goodie! :)
Ryan Leslie, Thank you for the paraphrase. I'm sure it's very close to what I wrote in that earlier post. As always, I appreciate your knowledge, passion and ethical insistance in Reputation Management.
I stated in my latest post, From the Trenches - Let's Get Personal, the following: "If outside companies offer a dealer tools to track and measure their online reputation, that is for the good of all. But dealers cannot and should not put their reputations into other's hands."
I applaud your conviction that, "You CAN'T outsource YOUR Reputation!" Thank you!
I am always amazed and appalled that dealers who consider themselves so savvy, could fall for such contrivances that put their most important asset at risk.
And Nancy Simmons, "No S***"! I'm a fan!
Snake oil anyone? (I'm not sure who is worse... the seller or the buyer)
It just shows some spend more time trying to buck the system or look for loop holes then just do it right from the start so that it sticks long term.
© 2020 Created by Ralph Paglia. Powered by


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I'd like to thank RST so much. I had an unreal time at Prime Physio. Marrianne is proof that improvement is possible, even if it takes time and a huge amount of dedication and hard work
Jack Kavanagh – C5 level injury and recipient of an RST Physio Scholarship
The Rooprai Spinal Trust is invaluable, providing support, hope and friendship when you need it the most
Dr Julie Durcan – Partner injured at C4 level
Thanks to key supporters such as RST we are able to fund on-going pioneering research which is bringing us ever closer to a repair for paralysis
Jonathan Miall – CEO of Spinal Research
I jumped at the chance to become an Ambassador for the RS Trust. I am honoured and proud to have my name associated with this inspirational fund raising machine of goodness.
Nick Heald – Team GB Paracanoe World Record Holder & 2012 World Champion
Who are we?
Marrianne Rooprai's story
How can we help you?
Use our wealth of experience
Join in and help us fight paralysis
Latest news
News from the trust and elsewhere

subset: commoncrawl


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CDC reports increase in non-meningitis infections tied to outbreak
A 19-state outbreak tied to contaminated steroid injections is growing in cases of those who have been infected, however the new increase appears to more pronounced in non-meningitis infections.
There have been 478 cases of fungal meningitis or related infections as of Nov. 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, plus 12 peripheral joint infections in areas such as the knees, hips, shoulders and elbows where people may have gotten the shots. Thirty-four people have died.
The outbreak is tied to methylprednisolone acetate steroid injections used to treat pain that were made by the specialty pharmacy, the New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass.
The CDC announced Tuesday that it is still receiving reports of infections more than seven weeks after the September recall of more than 17,000 vials of injections of the steroid made by the NECC; however, the pattern now reflects an uptick infections at the site where patients received the injection. Those infections include epidural abscesses, phlegmon (soft tissue infection), discitis (infection of disc space between vertebrae), vertebral osteomyelitis (a bone infection) or arachnoiditis (swelling of one of the spinal cord membranes).
The infections are being found in both people who have already been diagnosed with fungal meningitis and people who haven't been. The CDC said Wednesday that there may not be new infections in those people, but because the fungus tied to the outbreak -- Exserohilum rostratum -- is slow-growing, the infections may have been building up.
"This isn't something new happening, but something that's coming to light after a much longer incubation period," Dr. J. Todd Weber, incident manager for response to the fungal meningitis outbreak and chief of prevention and response at the CDC's division of healthcare quality promotion, told CBSNews.com Wednesday.
Of the 91 cases reported to CDC since November 4, 2012, a total of 26 (29 percent) were classified as meningitis, 61 (67 percent) had spinal or paraspinal epidural abscess or osteomyelitis, two (2 percent) had peripheral joint infection, and two (2 percent) had more than one condition.
The most common of these non-meningitis infections, an epidural abscess, is a collection of puss near the site of the injection. The main symptom of this infection is back pain, but Weber noted many of the patients who received these injections were treated for back pain, and may not realize another infection is present.
While some people may experience swelling or redness, many won't, so the only way to determine the presence of an infection is through magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI).
- Pharmacy head pleads Fifth at meningitis outbreak hearing
- FDA finds contamination, insects and flying bird at Ameridose
- FDA chief asks House for more power to police pharmacies
The CDC assisted state health departments in contacting most of the 14,000 people who may have received the injections early in the outbreak. Not all of those patients will be contacted again, but Weber reemphasized the CDC's original guidance that patients who may be experiencing symptoms should contact their doctor.
"The message I would give, for any patient who was exposed, if new symptoms develop they should be evaluated and the fungal infection should be considered," said Weber.
In Tennessee, which has seen 82 total cases tied to the contaminated injections as of Nov. 19, health officials announced they would begin contacting 1,009 patients who received the injections that had previously been contacted for meningitis risk, but now will be told to be on the lookout for signs of an infection, reports The Tennessean.
"Tennessee is going to be very proactive," Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease researcher at Vanderbilt University who is assisting the state, told the paper.
Last week House lawmakers questioned Dr. Margaret Hamburg, chief of the Food and Drug Administration along with one of the owners of the New England Compounding Center, Barry Cadden about the current outbreak. They asked about the company's history of repeat violations and earlier FDA inspections of the firm that found non-sterile practices.
Hamburg called for more oversight of compounding pharmacies, which are regulated by state health departments, while Cadden plead the Fifth Amendment and did not answer the committee's questions.
The CDC has more information on the current outbreak.


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Hepatitis B Vaccine
What Is the Hepatitis B Vaccine, and How Effective Is It?
The hepatitis B vaccine contains a protein (antigen) that stimulates the body to make protective antibodies. Examples of hepatitis B vaccines available in the United States include hepatitis b vaccine-injection (Engerix-B, Recombivax-HB). Three doses (given at 0, 1, and 6 months of age) are necessary to assure protection. There are also combination vaccines on the market that provide protection against hepatitis B and other diseases.
Other examples of the hepatitis B vaccine include:
- Hepatitis-b-hepatitis-a vaccine - injection (Twinrix), which provides protection against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
- Haemophilus B/hepatitis B vaccine - injection (Comvax) provides protection against hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (a cause of meningitis).
- Pediarix provides protection against hepatitis B, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio.
Hepatitis B vaccines are effective and safe. Up to 95% of vaccinated individuals form effective antibodies when they get the vaccine and are protected from hepatitis B. In healthcare workers, high-risk public safety workers, dialysis patients, and sexual partners of infected persons, a blood test for antibodies is recommended after vaccination to ensure that the person produced antibodies. For the few who do not form antibodies, revaccination may improve response, especially in infants. However, a small proportion of individuals will never respond to hepatitis B vaccination.


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Cano ousted early in bid for second Derby title
American League captain eliminated after four-homer first round in Queens
NEW YORK -- Robinson Cano wasn't able to spend much time at home plate during Monday's Chevrolet Home Run Derby, clearing the fences just four times, but a decision he made as the captain of the American League squad had a huge impact on the night.
It was Cano's call to have Yoenis Cespedes of the Athletics travel to Citi Field for the festivities, and Cano was rewarded with a front-row seat for a memorable power display as Cespedes outblasted the Nationals' Bryce Harper in the final round to claim the title.
The American League has won four straight Derbies, and Cano has had a hand in the last three; he won the title in 2011 at Chase Field and was the league captain last year at Kauffman Stadium, where the Tigers' Prince Fielder was the victor.
Cano again tabbed his dad, Jose -- a former pitcher who briefly pitched in the Majors with the Astros -- to toss to him from the mound on Monday. The sweet-swinging Yankee registered a distance of 406 feet on his longest homer, a shot to right-center field.
Wearing the captain's "C" on his blue and orange AL batting-practice top, Cano also clubbed homers with distances of 349, 366 and 387 feet in the event, shattering his bat on one home run swing.
"At least I hit four this time," said Cano, who was blanked in last year's Derby in Kansas City.
That 2012 experience was difficult for Cano, who was booed lustily by the crowd because he did not select the Royals' Billy Butler for the AL squad.
Cano heard some sarcastic applause from the crowd on Monday at Citi Field -- likely from hometown Mets fans -- after his final out, but he thought his reception in Queens had been mostly positive.
"It was way better," Cano said. "The last thing you want is just to come up and get booed. It's not the same thing, where you have your crowd on your side. At least you get excited and you know your fans are there for you."
While Cano was unable to move into the second round, he knew he had made a good pick in Cespedes, whose first-round performance of 17 homers was an early Derby highlight. Cano said he called on Cespedes only after he was turned down for the final spot by other All-Stars.
"You know what? It's good to give a chance to a guy that didn't make the All-Star Game so he can get the experience," Cano said. "Now he's got a truck. I hope he gives me at least two tires."
Cano became the first Yankees player and the first second baseman in history to participate in the Derby on three occasions. He said that he was not sure if he would want to serve as the AL's captain in 2014 for the Derby at Minnesota's Target Field but said that he might consider participating in another Derby down the line.
"I might do it again," Cano said. "Like I always say, this is one of the fun things about the All-Star Game."
The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.


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Spanish train driver can't explain why he crashed
The driver of the train that derailed in northwestern Spain, killing 79 people, has said he was traveling at twice the speed limit when he approached a treacherous turn.
But, sitting uneasily before a judge, he waved his hands in front of his face and was at a loss to explain why he didn't slow down in a courtroom video released by a Spanish newspaper Thursday.
"I can't explain it," Francisco Jose Garzon Amo said, shifting in his chair and looking around. "I still don't understand how I didn't see ... mentally, or whatever. I just don't know."
The journey was "going fine" until the curve was upon him, he said. When the danger became clear, he thought, "Oh my God, the curve, the curve, the curve. I won't make it."
The edited video of Garzon's appearance at Sunday night's court session in Santiago de Compostela, where the accident occurred last week, was released by Spain's ABC newspaper. Two court officials said the video appeared authentic. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the video has not been officially released.
In it, Garzon, a slightly-built 52-year-old with short-cropped gray hair and glasses, appears shaken and at times hesitant. He sits in a simple chair in front of the judge, with four rows of chairs behind him in the small courtroom.
Garzon is wearing a dark jacket and trousers with an open-necked shirt. Behind him are two men in dark uniforms, and several other unidentified people are in the room. He also answers questions from a prosecutor.
Garzon's testimony added little new to what is already known about the crash on the evening of July 24 as the high-speed train, carrying 218 people in eight carriages, approached the capital of Spain's northwestern Galician region. But the video was the public's first look at the court testimony of the driver who walked away from the accident with a gash in his head.
ABC said its footage showed 18 minutes of excerpts from the full 55-minute session, accompanied by what it said was a transcript of the full session. The paper said it obtained a copy of the video that the court took of the session but has not made public.
The train had been going as fast as 119 mph (192 kph) shortly before the derailment. The driver activated the brakes "seconds before the crash," reducing the speed to 95 mph (153 kph), according to the court's preliminary findings based on black box data recorders. The speed limit on the section of track where the crash happened was 50 mph (80 kph).
In his Sunday night testimony, Garzon said he was going far over the speed limit and ought to have started slowing down several miles (kilometers) before he reached the notorious curve.
Asked whether he ever hit the brakes, Garzon replied, "The electric one, the pneumatic one ... all of them. Listen, when ... but it was already inevitable."
His voice shakes, his sentences break down and he appears close to tears as he replies to a question about what was going through his mind when he went through the last tunnel before the curve.
"If I knew that I wouldn't think it because the burden that I am going to carry for the rest of my life is huge," he said. "And I just don't know. The only thing I know, your honor, sincerely, is that I don't know. I'm not so crazy that I wouldn't put the brakes on."
Garzon said that after the derailment he called central control in Madrid about the accident.
"At the speed I was going and the smashup, though I couldn't see what was behind me. I knew what I was up against and I knew it was inevitable that there was a calamity and so (I called Madrid) to activate the emergency protocol," he testified.
Garzon also explained a photograph on his Facebook page which showed a train speedometer registering 124 mph (200 kph). He said he took the photo "as a laugh or whatever you want to call it" while a colleague was driving a test train on a different track some time ago. His Facebook page was taken down shortly after the crash. It is not known who removed it.
The investigating judge is trying to establish whether human error or a technical failure caused the country's worst rail accident in decades, and Garzon is at the center of the investigation.
The judge provisionally charged Garzon on Sunday with multiple counts of negligent homicide. Garzon was not sent to jail or required to post bail because none of the parties involved felt there was a risk of him fleeing or attempting to destroy evidence, according to a court statement.
National rail company Renfe said Garzon is an employee with 30 years of experience who became an assistant driver in 2000 and a fully qualified driver in 2003.
Garzon went back to court, voluntarily, to offer more testimony on Wednesday.
In that second appearance, he said he was talking by phone to the train's on-board ticket inspector moments before the accident and hung up just before the train left the tracks. But that contradicted what the court said the black boxes showed _ that Garzon was on the phone at the time of the derailment.
The court said the inspector would testify Friday as a witness. It said the judge has ruled that while the phone call was inappropriate it could not be considered a cause of the accident.
Health authorities say 57 people from the crash are still in the hospital, 11 of them in critical condition.
Hatton contributed from Lisbon, Portugal. Associated Press writer Jorge Sainz contributed from Madrid.


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Hey guys, in three day's is must do my English Presentation Called "Euro COM" .
I'm very very grateful if you can correct my Presentation a little bit.
The Orthography isn't so important… Thank you very much,
Good morning everybody, My name is Christian
I come frome B?hl, a city some min away from here. I visit the P?dagogium since 2 years.
My hobbies are playing Volleyball, working and playing on the Computer and going out with friends.
My parent's are self-employed in a crystal factory. I have a brother who studies in Karlsruhe.
From August 31st to September 28th 2001 I visited my uncle and aunt in the little town Hampton in Virginia, near Washington D.C…
Today I will talk to you about my journey to America in the time around the September, 11 2001.
I want to tell you a little bit what's happened and what my experiences.
I have invited my Presentation in three parts. In the first main point I will describe the American Family, the second point is the September 11, 2001. And in the third point I will report about the reaction of the American people.
- Main point
I have had the luck to live in two American families. At first with my aunt who is married to an American and afterwards that I stayed with their daughter Christine.
I felt completely clearly that no family member has a problem that Christine have married a black American. Together they have 4 race mixed children. So I can say there are no race differences to black peoples.
I have noticed that the religious faith plays a large role for the most American Families.
Very often we went to the church.
The daily life is more loosely than by us. The meals are taken not so regularly as in Germany. The television set is one of the most important electrical devices in the house.
With my aunt I visited many big Shopping Malls. They are unspeakable large also as the holiday parks and the naval port Norfolk with many battleships.
With my Cosine Christine I did a sight-seeing tour in Washington. I saw the White House,
the Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon. All this was in the afternoon of September 10th 2001.
- Main point
On the day after, was the terrible September 11. At 8:45 a.m. a large airliner slams into Tower one at the World Trade Center. At 9:00am the second aircraft crashes into Tower two. A short time later the third airliner crashes into the Pentagon and the fourth fell down near Pittsburgh.
I sat on the terrace as my uncle me called: "It passed a terrible attack". We sat in front of the television the whole day.
I sent immediately a E-mail to my parents that I am well. They didn't know on which place I'm on this day in Washington. It was impossible to phone to Germany, because the net was overloaded. Some of my schoolmates sent me a message to ask me how i was and the family.
- Main point
On the next day the roads had become totally empty. On all the houses and at all cars I saw many Union Jacks. Heavily armed soldiers and policemen were to be seen all over. Even in that shopping center are patrolling security people with heavy weapons. I felt everywhere the fear, confusion and embarrassment of the humans.
My aunt and uncle, who worked at the Military, talk very(?) deliberated about the situation. My aunt explained me the happening again in german language und calmed me down. We were very grateful, that the hole family went well.
For example a friend of my cousin would have been nearly in the World trade center. She had applied weeks before for a place in the World Trade Center, but she didn't got it.
I was very affected by the Terrorist attack, becouse I was in Washington at the place, where the airplane crashed one day before. But the 5 week's was very interesting and teachful for me. I got to know another continent with another way of life. Finally I was very happy to land surely again in Frankfurt .


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Pumpkin Patch Truck Sketch
Enjoy a fall filled with days of fun with our Pumpkin Patch Truck Sketch machine embroidery design. This design is perfect for adorable outfits during fall trips to the orchard or pumpkin patch! Stitch it on a pillow or tote to really celebrate the season.
The Pumpkin Patch Truck Sketch embroidery design listing includes five sizes for a wide array of hoops: 4×4, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 inch.
The writing shown in the design is included.
You will receive this design in DST, PES, EXP, HUS, JEF, VIP, XXX, VP3 and ART.
Take pictures of your fall outings and share them with us on our Facebook page. We love to see our appliques in use on your special projects! More designs are available here for your fall fun activities.


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Tesla says profits will arrive this quarter after losing more money than expected
In its first in-depth discussion with Wall Street analysts since the electric carmaker's high-profile feud with The New York Times over an unflattering review of a Model S road trip, Tesla Motors (TSLA) promised the new sedan will spark a financial turnaround even as the company continued to bleed cash.
CEO Elon Musk told investors and analysts Wednesday that Tesla would be profitable for the first time in the current quarter because it has ramped up its production to the target level of 400 cars a week.
"We really have high confidence that we will have a profitable first quarter," Musk said during a 45-minute call with analysts following release of its latest earnings report. "This is the first quarter that we have been at our target production rate. We're going to be profitable, and I think that's a pretty big deal. It took us an enormous amount of blood, sweat and tears to get there."
Tesla posted a wider-than-expected fourth-quarter loss of $90 million, or 79 cents a share, compared with a loss of $110.8 million, or $1.05 a share, in the third quarter. Total revenues were $306 million, up from just $50 million in the third quarter.
The company had promised to deliver 2,500 to 3,000 all-electric Model S
sedans in the fourth quarter but missed that target. Tesla said it produced 2,750 vehicles at its Fremont factory but delivered just 2,400, blaming the shortfall on challenges to scheduling deliveries to customers over the winter holidays.
The company added 6,000 new reservations in the fourth quarter, up from almost 2,900 in the third quarter, but had roughly 1,500 cancellations as customers were asked to finalize their options. Net reservations for year end stood at 15,000.
Tesla's stock was down more than 5 percent in after-hours trading.
"The stock is off, but I think that will be short-lived," said Aaron Chew, an analyst with the Maxim Group. "It was a great report. Reservations were really strong in the fourth quarter, and the demand trends are really encouraging."
The company lost 65 cents a share in the quarter on an adjusted basis; analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had forecast a loss of 53 cents a share using that metric.
"Overall, they are doing a good job," said Ben Kallo, an analyst with Robert W. Baird. "The important thing is that they reached their production rate, they had 6,000 new reservations and they are guiding to net income for the first quarter. That's slightly ahead of expectations."
In a letter to shareholders published on the company's website, Tesla said its plan for 2013 is to "introduce Model S to customers around the world," with first deliveries in Europe and Asia taking place later this year. Tesla plans to open 15 to 20 additional showrooms in 2013, with half in Europe and Asia. Construction has already begun on the Tesla showroom at a popular mall in Beijing, which will open later this spring.
"If we were to close all of our stores and not have any salespeople, we would still sell out through the year," Musk said.
He said some of Tesla's costs were due to higher than expected labor costs, with workers averaging 68-hour-weeks in December. He also talked about some problems with the supply chain, including delays in shipping from a Czech tire supplier, that have since been ironed out.
"We had to fly tires from the Czech Republic," Musk said. "I wanted to punch myself in the face for that one."
Tesla said it had an 8 percent gross margin for the fourth quarter and reaffirmed that it expects to reach 25 percent gross margin by the end of the year.
Musk made passing reference to the dispute with The New York Times earlier this month after reporter John Broder wrote a story about his botched East Coast road trip in a Model S that resulted in the vehicle being rescued by a tow truck. Musk responded with a blistering blog post that defended the car and attacked Broder's journalistic integrity. Margaret Sullivan, The New York Times' public editor, ultimately weighed in and took Broder to task for errors in judgment and "taking what seem to be casual and imprecise notes along the journey."
Musk said Tesla will install more Superchargers along the East and West coasts as well as in Texas, Chicago and elsewhere.
"Our Supercharger system is free, by the way," said Musk. "It's pretty frickin' great."


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License Advocates Law Group
Important up-to-date information for California professional and occupational licensees and license applicants for obtaining a license, credential, or occupational certificate and, especially, for defending the license against disciplinary action (revocation, suspension, probation) by the State.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Can the Result of An Administrative Hearing Ever be Reviewed or Changed?
Monday, March 7, 2011
License Denial or Discipline? No. 5 of the Top Ten Essential Tasks to Do Now: Prepare Your Rehabilitation Evidence
Sunday, January 23, 2011
License Denial or Discipline? No. 4 of the Top Ten Essential Tasks to Do Now: Prepare Your Character Evidence
Monday, October 11, 2010
The Blueprint for a Successful Licensing Law Matter: Does Your Attorney Follow It?
(We interrupt this series on the Top Ten Essential Tasks To Do Now, just briefly, in order to post this urgent summary discussion on an issue that is always a challenge: how to choose the right administrative law attorney for a license denial or license discipline case.)
When it comes to litigation and trials work, there are many sources of good information for the person who needs to hire an attorney. After all, trials are public, and many people have seen good trial attorneys in action. Word spreads and a reputation begins to build. With not too much effort, that reputation can be accessed through the Internet, your circle of friends and their friends and contacts, newspaper stories and, sometimes, official court reports of the final case result.
The person or business that needs to hire an attorney to handle a matter of administrative law has a more difficult task. Administrative hearings are the "trials" of individual cases about licensing, permits, taxes, fees, and other matters involving government regulation and administration. Administrative hearings ordinarily attract no public attention or courtroom observers. Because there are no juries, there is little of the "grand-standing" that high-profile trial lawyers can become known for. Few members of the public, including the potential client's widest network of connections, will know of a sufficiently skilled and experienced administrative lawyer to recommend.
And yet, the stakes of administrative law can be shockingly high — far higher than what is generally at risk in a misdemeanor criminal trial or a routine business dispute that ripens into civil litigation. For example, licensing law is one important specialty in administrative law that is often ultra high-stakes.
Licensing law is the specialized legal practice that secures and protects professional and occupational state licenses, credentials and certificates. License lawyers appeal denials of license applications, teaching credentials and other occupational "permissions" by state regulatory agencies. License lawyers also defend against state actions to revoke, suspend or restrict existing licenses. The critical degree of risk in a licensing case is obvious: the licensee has devoted years to an expensive and highly specialized educational program. He or she has studied for months and taken a difficult and expensive examination. Then, a number of years of apprenticing and climbing the steep learning curve have been invested. For the licensee suddenly faced with revocation — a teacher, general contractor, real estate salesperson, or Registered Nurse, for example – the loss of the license is the loss of their job and the loss of their means of making a living, possibly the only such means for which the individual licensee is qualified or employable. So, too, for the individual business owner — an auto repair shop, pest control service, or insurance brokerage, for example — the loss of the license means shutting down the business, forfeiting all present and anticipated income from it, all while still obligated for many on-going debts and expenses incurred for the purpose of doing business.
There are few civil lawsuits where one's entire income and ability to make a living hang in the balance. By this standard, then, Licensing Law is the ultimate high-stakes territory. Yet, still, it is practiced out of the public eye and few who find that they need "the best" licensing legal counsel have any idea how to find even a competent licensing lawyer.
This article is offered to meet that need.
Set forth here is a Blueprint for Success in licensing matters. It is applicable as well to almost every matter of general administrative law. The criteria set forth here are task-oriented — meaning that this is a Blueprint for the services a skilled licensing attorney should perform. It is not an inventory of necessary personal characteristics or qualities. A fine analytical mind, extensive specific similar experience, diligent work habits, impeccable honesty, and strong communication skills are all critical qualities, to be sure. But there is no need to write a Blueprint for those attributes — everyone can be held to know that those qualities are essential. Instead, this Blueprint is a check-list for what you need your licensing lawyer to do in your case.
Of course, every case is different by its facts and circumstances, and every case presents issues that require particular decisions and actions by the lawyer for the licensee or license applicant. But, based on more than 30 years extensive experience, there is in fact an identifiable "Blueprint" for legal services that will always position the client's case for the best possible result. So, in addition to the special requirements of your unique licensing law problem, this is what your potential licensing attorney needs to be proposing to do in your case:
• Early, comprehensive and thorough fact-gathering:
• Issue formal legal demands compelling the licensing agency to share ALL of the investigation package and ALL of the evidence the agency intends to use against you.
• Subpoena all witness statements, photographs, agency records and other material the agency relies on for its allegations or decision against you.
• Early and regular intervention to reduce the case:
• Immediately intervene with the agency investigator and other agency officials to persuade the licensing agency not to go forward, or to go forward on a less serious set of allegations and proposed penalty.
• Negotiate on a regular and on-going basis with agency representatives, including the Attorney General or Department Counsel, and including an Administrative Law Judge sitting as Settlement Officer, to reduce the allegations and the proposed penalty.
• Present alternative proposals for license discipline, or case-specific conditions for license issuance.
• Professional preparation of your case:
• Identify, find and prepare for direct and cross-examination all witnesses supporting your position.
• Prepare cross-examination of all witnesses opposing you.
• Create diagrams, video, maps, photo-journals, bench-book and other exhibits that support your case.
• Prepare, file, and argue legal motions that may limit the agency's ability under the law to discipline you, or may keep out of evidence material that is unfavorable to you.
• Presentation of your case at hearing:
• Object to the admissibility of unreliable evidence against you.
• Offer into evidence all exhibits that support you.
• Examine and cross-examine all witnesses.
• Argue the case and submit a thorough post-hearing brief, applying the law to the evidence admitted at the hearing.
• Completion of applicable post-hearing processes:
• Submit formal written objections to an unfavorable proposed Decision and argue a request for re-consideration of any unfavorable decision.
• Appear before the licensing agency board or commission to argue in support of or in opposition to the Proposed Decision.
• Preserve your rights to file an expedited writ proceeding challenging in civil court an unfavorable agency decision.
• Preserve the integrity, accuracy and completeness of the administrative record in the event that a challenge in court is necessary.
That's it! That's the Blueprint for skilled representation in a licensing matter. When you go for your free consultation, these are the tasks you need to be listening for when the attorney describes his or her plan for your case. If all of the lawyer's talk is about hearings — or all about negotiations, or all about any other limited slice of the licensing law case — beware and move on. If the proposed Agreement for Services or Retainer Agreement doesn't spell out all of the Blueprint, you need to talk further or talk to other lawyers before you sign and surrender a check.
When your livelihood or business is at stake, you need a lawyer who can do right by you in all aspects of your fight. A licensing dispute in which your professional identity and ability to earn a living are at stake can be the single most significant, expensive and emotionally challenging legal battle you will ever in life go through. Don't go through it alone; don't go through it with anyone who is less skilled, less able, or less willing than you need and deserve to protect your right to your occupation.


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Large, well appointed narrowboat – ideal for two families or groups.
This boat has:
Dimensions:21.30m (70ft)
Offering an extensive range of narrowboats this base is located in the heart of Shakespeare country, approx 5 hours away from Stratford–upon–Avon, one of the most poular destinations in the UK. Cruise north to Birmingham where you can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere as you moor up in the heart of the City of Canals, teeming with bars and restaurants. For a more relaxing break continue on to historical Warwick, famous for its castle and racecourse. Alternatively, cruise south through some of the prettiest countryside in Britain taking you to the old market town of Evesham and then on to Tewkesbury.
Visitors may bring their own bikes (max 2) with prior permission from the boatyardPlease note that an additional license is required to cruise the River Avon.


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0.6 Micron Modular Trench Isolated SOI CMOS Technology
The XT06 Series complements X-FAB's 0.6 micrometer Modular Mixed Signal Technology. XT06 uses dielectric isolation on SOI wafers, which allows unrestricted 60 V high and low side operation of all devices. The process offers reduced parasitics which results in smaller crosstalk, reduced noise and better EMC characteristics. XT06 thus allows innovative circuit design with reduced circuit complexity. CMOS as well as bipolar transistors are available with breakdown voltages of up to 110 V. The 5 V CMOS core is compatible in design rules and transistor performance with state-of-the-art 0.6 μm CMOS processes. For analog applications, several capacitor and resistor devices can be realized using the double poly architecture.
Available Modules
- Trench SOI 0.6µm CMOS Core Module (1P2M)
- ESD Implant Module
- Mid-oxide Module
- Medium Voltage PMOS Module
- Extended Medium Voltage NMOS Module
- Medium/high Voltage Depeltion NMOS Module
- High Voltage Module
- Extended High Voltage Module
- Extended High Voltage PMOS Module
- Double Poly Capacitor/(high resistor/low T.C.) Resistor Module
- Linear Capacitor Module
- Schottky Module
- Non-volatile Mempry Modules
- Optical Window Module
- 3 Metals Layer Module
- Thick Third Metal Module
- Polyimide Module
- Handle Wafer Contact Module


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I don't often get sucked into iPad games, but I must admit that I got a bit competitive with myself on this one. Learn Spanish from MindSnacks is an excellent way to challenge your language skills, no matter your level. Learn numbers, body parts, foods, vacation vocab, and more in a quick-paced game.
Create an account, tell the app your skill level, track your progress, and level up with "Quests." This is quite different from a kids' app that runs through the basics. It allows room for development, and the attractive user interface – including high-tech graphs – makes it great for all ages.
As a former tutor, I was impressed with the mix of learning styles and the adaptable pace of this app. It tests your ability to quickly match photos/concepts with words, which is a difficult multi-step process in any language! It's no wonder MindSnacks is an award-winning app developer.
Find Learn Spanish in iTunes
Available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Recommended for all ages
Price: FREE (2 lessons); $4.99 for all 50 lessons


text: Re: Lame 3.100 has been released Reply #100 – 2018-01-14 00:11:23 Quote from: Slivka on 2017-12-09 12:41:01Looks like Rarewares build is fastest without patches. But the problem is 32bit & 64bit versions don't null and three pops appear in beggining of one of the files (when null compared). I have no idea why if they use same Intel Compiler.Maybe it should be recompiled again?What program do you use for this comparison? Those pops are not audible for you?Quote from: john33 on 2017-12-12 22:05:50I've re-compiled and uploaded the lame bundles. The 32 bit version appears unchanged, but there is a difference with the 64 bit version. Personally, I can't hear a difference, but maybe someone can do a more exhaustive check. I have compared 4 files encoded with your 64-bit version compiled in October and in December. Binary comparator in foobar2000 says "no differences found".BTW, I am converting using foobar2000 converter. Is it in any way important that I am inititating 64-bit LAME encoder from foobar2000 which is 32-bit program? Last Edit: 2018-01-14 00:17:52 by inrobert


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Penn Staters share excitement of return to campus through social media
Penn Staters share excitement of return to campus through social media
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- New and returning students began arriving on campus and faculty and staff put this finishing touches on preparations for a new academic year. Penn State campuses have been abuzz with the excitement of the start of fall semester.
Social media has been abuzz as well. Penn State social media channels have been encouraging the use of #WelcomeBackPSU with posts and photos illustrating the joys of the annual rites. Posts from students, families and staff are featured at tagboard.com/WelcomeBackPSU.
"It's such an exciting time every year, and we regularly see people posting about everything that's happening, sharing photos of move-in, new experiences and reuniting with friends," said Geoff Rushton, manager of the Office of Social Media, which coordinated the project. "It made sense to encourage that and bring all these social media networks into a single channel to paint this picture of a really interesting and mostly fun time on campus."
The Penn State community is encouraged to use #WelcomeBackPSU for relevant posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine and Google+.
For more on Penn State social media, visit socialmedia.psu.edu


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In Quantitative Analysis, we studied the Do Nothing theory as an option for when something happens. In essence, even by doing nothing at all in a situation; something happens. For believers, time and time again, if we just do nothing and don't reinforce our faith, the outcome is not one that we desire.
I'd like to talk about people especially believers who "Do Nothing" when they hear that someone is sick and I say this: You will be held accountable. Jesus gave us a command and he said:
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. MATTHEW 28: 19-20
He also said:
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. MARK 16
So, if you read these passages AND you are a believer; then you should know that you CANNOT do nothing. You will be held accountable.
There's this "polite" thing that we do in this society. It's very bad. We respect a person's right to die if they want to. For example. many people thought Jack Kevorkian was a hero. He was, for those without a spiritual eye, a spiritual heart or revelation knowledge.
I didn't put this here for debate, because my point is so much more important than the previous subject matter at this time.
Today, I'm talking to the born again believer because that's the only person who is going to understand me and that's my assignment. I wasn't called to go all over the Internet to spar words with people and I'm glad. I keep remembering the scripture which says: "Be ye not given to vain babblings or disputings." That sticks in my head.
All of us know at one time or another people who are gravely ill and I'm just wondering if we're praying with them as much as we can. If we're laying hands on the, if we're ministering to them, if we're taking them healing scriptures and helping them to get confidence, get wisdom or getting a better understanding. I just don't think we can afford to sit idly by and do nothing because we hear that someone has a terminal illness. I just don't think it's good for us to make polite excuses for not going to the bedsides of the sick. I was never a nurse or doctor, but I've been sick and I can assure you, people will welcome your care and concern. Think about it.
Do something !


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Tecoluta, Mexico 1969
Thirty five tons of something big and dead was found on the beach in Tecoluta, Mexico in March, 1969 and whatever it was, it certainly received a great deal of publicity. The strange carcass's serpent-like body was covered with hard jointed armor.
A 10 foot bone tusk--estimated to weigh a ton--protruded from its head. UPI reported that biologists thought that the creature might have been a narwhal--which has a long tusk--but that after seeing the carcass, "they could not match it with any sea creature known to man."
The international press reported that a prehistoric monster of some sort had been beached and the world awaited further word on the carcass.
A seven-man commission of scientists reported on April 20, 1969 that the monster was a rorqual whale, known as the finback whale, however, that particular explanation fell short of explaining the 1 ton horn and body armor. Not only that, the first group of biologists who thoroughly examined it with the idea that it might be a whale concluded that again; it did not match any sea creature known to man.
Baby Dino?
At right, is an unknown creature (31 inches long) which was found expired near lake Erie and which the discover had stuffed by taxidermist Pete Peterson. More info can be gleaned about this animal from the Creation Evidence Museum
On , the left is a Coelacanth. This fish was thought to be 400 Million years old --older than the dinosaurs--and to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs 65 million years ago (according to materialists).
Because its fossils looked "prehistoric" and because of its large fins, scientist's had speculated that the large fins evolved into feet and that its decendants eventually walked out of the sea.
That's until it turned up alive in the late 1930's. Since then, many of them have turned up in fish nets in various parts of the world. While science may argue that man and dinosaurs never co-existed, its certain that man and an alledged predecessor of the dinosaur do co-exist.
To make my point a little finer--a classic argument between those who accept creation by God and materialists/evolutionists is whether man and dinosaur co-existed--and here we have man and pre-dinosaur (again according to evolution) co-existing.
For some reason, the supposedly 400 million year old Coelacanth is unchanged/unevolved-yet in much less time man has supposed to have evolved from the apes.
Mysterious Reptile Shot Near San Antonio
What is the mysterious reptile caught in an animal trap in 1997? Chupacabra--as some suggested?, An unknown dinosaur type long thought to be extinct? This photo comes from a video shown on KENS-5 in San Antonio. In November, 1996, a Mexican rancher near San Antonio, Texas, claimed to have captured the chupacabras with a coyote trap - and produced the photographs to prove it. (This story and photos used to be online, but have since become unavailable.)
The rancher had set the trap to capture whatever was killing his goats, chickens, and a donkey. What he caught was something he could not recognize. The creature had strange two-fingered hands, rigid dermal spines along its entire back. It was reportedly five feet long from nose to tail (my recollection) and was quite obviously a reptile.
Allegedly, the body of the strange creature was taken to a major Texas university for identification, although this cannot be verified.
North American Dinosaur Lizard/Mini T-rex
See Also:Eyewit4.html
Stories about various North Anerican dinosaur lizards that walk erect with two weak front legs--and varying in size from one foot to fifteen feet-- abound around places like the Colorado river and the Ozark mountains.
They are variously called the Mini-T-Rex and river dinos. Some have even claimed to have pictures, but they've always been inconclusive,... now, somebody has gone and shot one--and took a picture.
"It was three to four feet long, greenish with black markings on its back, and a yellowish-orange underbelly. It walked on its hind legs, never dragging its tail, its front limbs (I call them limbs because they were more like arms than anything) (like a T=rex?) were smaller in comparison to the back ones and it had four or three claws."
"Colorado's Mystery Reptile Could Be Mini Dinosaur..... [Original headline: Mystery reptile loose in county?]....
Could the Southwest be home to a mysterious new species of reptile? Nick Sucik, a private researcher from Minnesota, thinks it's possible. Sucik has been tracking sightings of an elusive lizard-like creature ever since hearing tales of "river dinosaurs" from those involved in the legally sketchy "reptile trade."
The "dino" is said to walk exclusively on its hind legs; to stand about 3 feet tall; and to have armlike appendages instead of forelegs. The reptile usually is seen near a wet environment and moves swiftly, with grace, Sucik said.
Reports of sightings trickled in, first in Pagosa Springs in 1982, then in Pueblo, Sucik said. And, he said, the same thing happened here in Cortez — "But it was kind of unexpected how we heard about it."
An Unsolved Mysteries episode had featured the story of a Cortez couple who had been visiting in Arizona. While there, the couple apparently saw the body of a reptile unlike any they had ever seen before. "It looked like a toy to them," Sucik said, and when they told their tale, "No one took them seriously."
Except, perhaps, for Sucik himself.
In an attempt to follow up on the story, Sucik wrote the Journal and later placed a classified ad, seeking communication from anyone who might have seen the enigmatic reptile. The letter netted a response from Northern California, but the ad brought results from closer to home.
According to Sucik, a woman and her daughter e-mailed him details of a similar sighting that took place in 2001 as they were driving in the Yellow Jacket area.
"Suddenly, this thing runs out. At first, they thought it was a young deer, because of its size," Sucik said. The women described it as having a long neck and skinny legs like a bird. However, it had no feathers and its "arms" seemed to go out of its upright neck rather than its body.
The women estimated that the creature would measure about 5 feet, if stretched from neck to tail. "It looked to them like a cross between a bird and a dinosaur." When they got home, each drew a picture of the creature and realized they had each seen exactly the same thing, he said.
The description matched that of other sightings, and the women happened to have been near an irrigation creek. "Every reference we've heard usually affiliates them with water," Sucik said. "That's where the term 'River Dino' comes from."
Sucik discovered it wasn't the first sighting in the area. In March or April 1996, a local woman said she saw something similar near her home at the Kampark outside Mesa Verde. "I was sitting on the couch, and looked out the front door," the woman, who did not wish to be identified, told the Journal. "I saw something, not a lizard, really, about 3 1/2 feet long and 3 1/2 feet high. It moved very fast. As far as I remember, there were only two legs that seemed to balance it."
She said the creature moved very swiftly, and had a cone-shaped nose and a tail that extended about 2 feet out from its body. It had come from a pond area.
"It was kind of unusual," she said "I didn't know if I was seeing things, or what. I never had anything like that happen before. "I thought, 'Maybe it's someone's pet', I wasn't frightened; I just thought it was unusual."
She checked reference books, but could not find anything similar to what she'd seen. Jeff Thulin of the Reptile Reserve told her it might have been a monitor lizard, however, monitors could not live throughout the winter locally.
Thulin said others have since mentioned that they have seen "a large lizard running around. I don't know any specifics at all except that it's large and looks out of place." "It doesn't match anything," he said of the description. The woman said she has tried to put it out of her mind. "Some people think you're nuts."
Sucik isn't sure what people have seen. A lizard, he said, "is a reptile on four legs. These reptiles are always on their hind legs. The only reptile to fit that morphology is a dinosaur — that kind of creates extra interest."
"It's not strange. It's like a new species that hasn't been classified in the area." Sucik said it's possible the reptile is an escapee from trade in exotic pets. Even so, the description doesn't match anything known, he said." ....Colorado Newspaper Article
For more, and additional photos, Please select eyewitness accounts from the menu on the far left.
"Morgawr is a giant sea creature that many people have seen over the years in the Falmouth Bay area of Cornwall. The word 'morgawr' means sea giant in Cornish and it is probably the most famous sea serpent in the world (the Loch Ness Monster is a freshwater creature). Of course, the sea serpent is probably just a legend, isn't it?...
Well, actually many people have seen it over the years, including many fisherman. In 1876, two fisherman caught a sea serpent in their nets in Gerran's Bay. Fifty years later (1926), a similar creature was caught in the nets of some other fishermen. The creature was described as 20 feet long with an eight foot tail, scaly legs and a beak-like head. Then there was a period with few sightings until the 1970's.
In September 1975, Morgawr was spotted off Pendennis Point in Falmouth by a man and a woman out on an evening stroll. They described a hump-backed creature with a long neck, 'stumpy' horns and bristles down its back. Again in 1975, it was spotted in the Helford, near Durgan. Two separate sightings off Rosemullion Head took place in January 1976 (one of which was by two women from London, who no doubt would not even have heard of the legend). It
was described as being 30-40 feet long and looking like a prehistoric creature. Two months later, the Falmouth Packet published some pictures of the Morgawr taken by a local lady." Source:Clare's Cornish Pages
A woman known only as "Mary F." claimed to have sighted Morgawr in February 1976, and she was able to take two photographs (one of which is shown on this page). She submitted the photos anonymously to the local newspaper, the Falmouth Packet, which published them on its front page on March 5, 1976. Mary F. included a note containing the following description of what she had seen:
"It looked like an elephant waving its trunk, but the trunk was a long neck with a small head on the end, like a snake's head. It had humps on the back which moved in a funny way. The color was black or very dark brown, and the skin seemed to be like a sea lion's... the animal frightened me. I would not like to see it any closer. I do not like the way it moved when swimming."
She also indicated that the creature was about 15-18 feet long, and that it was visible only for a few seconds. She apologized for the poor quality of her photography, writing that "The pictures are not very clear because of the sun shining right into the camera and a haze on the water. Also I took them very quickly indeed."
Morgawr 1999: Video footage of a creature swimming in the sea off Gerran's Bay has been captured by local man John Holmes and has confounded experts.
The 49-year-old from Sticker had been filming his wife swimming in the sea when he spotted what he described as a "snake-like" creature.
On Thursday he told BBC Radio Cornwall: "I was filming my wife and had climbed on a rock to admire the view across the bay and I thought I heard a splash.
It appeared bird-like at times but was very uncharacteristic of any diving birds. "A bizarre movement caught my attention about 250 metres off shore and this thing appeared to be standing about one metre above sea level."
Mr Holmes thought he was looking at the fin of a shark or a killer whale at first. "I then saw a snake-like head and neck which appeared to be raised out of the water. I was so shocked by what I saw that I almost fell off the rock. "I screamed to my wife and she climbed out of the water. I only saw it in the water for a brief amount of time."
'Living fossil'
The video was taken in August 1999 but has only just been released by Mr Holmes because he feared he would be ridiculed. Video expert Tim Farrow, of TJF Productions in St Austell, has studied the footage with a forensic scientist and has confirmed that it is "100% genuine".
"This footage has not been doctored in any way," he said. "The images are genuine and the video is genuine. It shows an animal type object in the sea.
'Zoological discovery'
"I don't know what it is but I have never seen anything like this before. There has to be an explanation but at this moment in time, I don't have one." Mr Holmes, who worked for the National History Museum in London for 19 years, has his own theory.
"I have gone through all the text books to try and work out what this may have been and my theory is that it could be a living fossil.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
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|2019 Taylor & Francis Book and Digital Product Awards Have Been Announced!
|Congratulations, 2019 T&F Book and Digital Product Award - TG59 & W099.
|Issue 7, 2020
Of all CIB and CIB related publications descriptions are given, including: title, type of publication (for example: proceeding, state-of-the-art annalysis or practice recommendation), year of publication, where to download a free copy (if applicable) or where to order and for what price, which CIB commission is responsible (if applicable) and a brief summary of its content.
The Publications can be accessed via:
- Go to database: via a search page that allows to search on a publication's title, year of publication, number of responsible CIB commission, author or registered CIB Publication number.
In principle all ever produced CIB publications are (or are being) included in the open access CIB library section of the ICONDA database as free downloadable PDF documents. This includes amongst others:
- scanned copies of hundreds of older publications
- both the full proceedings (± 25 each year) and the single papers (±over 2500 each year) from all CIB and CIB Co-sponsored conferences.
Specified search by title, author, year, source and keywords, as well as conference data, CIB Commissions/Task Groups or Priority Themes is provided.
CIB Careers


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Yesterday, Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson told the Tennessean that he thought he could beat Usain Bolt in a 40-yard dash. Johnson said:
I feel like if I would have kept training for track I'd have a chance, but I play football and he runs track, so it's totally different. I think I could still probably beat him in the 40. If I actually trained for the distance he trained for, I think I'd have a chance.
Gauntlet thrown! Since Johnson made those comments, the internet has been abuzz with speculation about how Bolt's speed would stack up in a 40-yard dash, and other NFL players and personalities have weighed in.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review solicited comments from Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown:
Randy Moss is really fast. Mike Wallace is pretty fast, too, But no question (an NFL player could hang with Bolt). Could I? Possibly, uh, no question.
Right. So Brown could possibly "hang" with Bolt in a race, no question. Possibly.
Former NFL coach and current analyst Brian Billick gave us his thoughts as well, coming to his decision with the help of some mysterious mathematicians:
So that's what math has to say about it! But what does Falcons wide receiver Roddy White think?
White isn't known for making sense on Twitter, but he may actually be close to hitting this one on the nose. NFL.com's Dan Hanzus tracked down Mark Gorsack, the official starter for the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and got his expert opinion. When asked if Bolt could break a sub-4.0 time in the 40, Gorsack was skeptical:
I don't think so...Also, when you break down Usain Bolt, first of all he's on an ideal surface. Second of all, he's in starting blocks. Then you got to look at spikes. Those spikes get a chance to grip in the ground, which gives you more force to push off. When people wear spikes, they are faster.
Is he fast? Oh yeah. Is he as fast as other National Football League players? Most likely, but I'm not sure. Running in our conditions, he'd be completely out of water.
So there you have it. The answer to the internet's most pressing question is basically: Who knows?
[Tennessean, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, NLF.com, Twitter]


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thank you, thank you...and let's toast to 2006
Thank you all...I'm sorry I've been so late in my response--there have been so many kind responses and genuine expressions of concern sent my way. Your comments have been so uplifting...I'm watching Sadie unstuff a toy as we speak...happily. She's still feeling ok and hanging in there. My big activity during the past few days has been making homemade doggie biscuits from recipes I found at Good Dog Express (and boy do they love them!). I've been baking the oatmeal and wheat germ cookies and the peanut butter treats which I can cut out with my dog bone-shaped cookie cutters. I don't know what kind of ride we'll be in for, but for now she's being pampered like the princess she is and enjoying every minute of it...
Healing from surgery is going great and I'm moving right along without any complications. I could write a lot more about that whole experience but not today.
Again, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ALL for your support and kindness. Here's to a better year...Happy 2006!
P.S. Have you guys seen the Dogs 24/7 custom covers? I ordered one with Sadie's picture. It will be such a wonderful keepsake in the years to come.