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Downloading photos to gallery?
Started Feb 4, 2013 | Questions thread
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Multi-SportsMom • Contributing Member • Posts: 595
Downloading photos to gallery?
I tried for hours last night to get photos to load. But they never got past preparing. I even resized one to see if that was the problem. I just downloaded some the other down without problems.
What could be the problem and am I the only one?
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Alessandro Saffiotti
Free-lance flutist. Multiple personality researcher, obsessed with the problem of integrating cognitive and physical abilities inside artificial robotic agents. Head of the Cognitive Robotic Systems laboratory at the Center for Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems (AASS) of Örebro University, Sweden.
|Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Autonomous robotics, Cooperative robotics, Fuzzy logic, Uncertainty management.
|Designed and maintained by A. Saffiotti
|Last updated: Aug 10, 2014

subset: commoncrawl


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The Spanish Prisoner
Release Date: April 03, 1998
Running Time: 112 mins.
MPAA Rating: PG
Box Office: $10,162,034.00
Genre: Adaptation, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Technology, Thriller
When an ambitious businessman, Joe Ross, arrives at the fictional Caribbean isle of St Estephe for a secret meeting to unveil a new invention, he is forced to confront a series of situations as he realizes he's been caught in a trap. He seeks out an FBI agent he met in St. Estophe, and they devise a sting operation, but this move only hastens his descent into the quicksand.


text:
More than 40 firefighters worked to extinguish a large fire at a Pataskala building late Monday night.
Hotspots were still seen burning at the business on Tuesday morning – more than nine hours after it started at Eagle Heating and Cooling, located in the 900 block of Hazelton-Etna Road.
Firefighters said that the fire spread quickly and likely started at the rear of the building. From the beginning, workers and firefighters said that there was a constant series of explosions.
Fire officials said that they found it impossible to contain the fire that started at about 7:30 p.m.
Crews from five fire departments went into a defensive mode and got to a point where they had to let the building burn.
One firefighter dislocated his hip while fighting the fire and was hospitalized.
The office manager of the business said that owners lost everything and had no idea where to start to rebuild.
Crews did not immediately know what caused the fire but said that they did not expect foul play.
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Story:
January 14, 2013: Large Commercial Building Burns Near Pataskala
More than 40 firefighters worked to extinguish a large fire at a Pataskala building late Monday night.


text: Crowdfunded free HIV vaccine: as unlikely as it sounds Science 17 February 14 by Liat Clark "It's sounds like a nice story to a layperson, but it's all smoke and mirrors. You can't get to an HIV vaccine with mouse studies, not even 4,000," Picker says.Rubsamen's lab might be doing great research -- important research that at the small scale deserves to be done, either to rule certain things out or further identify markers. But the sales pitch has been totally wrong. Opening with the promise of turning the public into "superheroes" that block HIV infection is misleading. As Picker points out, elite controllers have particular HLA types that induce specific immune responses -- "but you can't make those responses happen in people that don't have those HLA types". HLAs are proteins that help the immune system tell the difference between the body's proteins and foreign ones by presenting T-cells in the thymus with tiny fragments of human protein -- it's like a training programme before the real event, so the immune cells don't wreak carnage on the body's own cells on release. T-cells respond by binding weakly with the proteins -- any that react too strongly commit cell suicide. It was Walker's team that in 2010 discovered HLA B57 is common to elite controllers. It presents a smaller diversity of protein fragments to T-cells, making them more likely to bond strongly to foreign virus and friendly proteins to kill them. Usually when HIV attacks, it hijacks the T-cells. Instead of attacking the virus and alerting B-cells to produce antibodies, the T-cells are destroyed or help the virus replicate. But T-cells in those with HLA B57 seem more likely to bind to and kill the virus.We are only just beginning to understand the intricacies of this response, let alone start replicating and inducing it, though."Are these beneficial targets, [the epitopes], all you need to turn someone into a controller or not?" asks Rubsamen. "We think the answer is yes and for certain HLA types we can do that sooner.""What they're saying doesn't make sense from an immunological point of view," Towers says. "Thirty percent of [elite controllers] have particular HLA. You might want to recapitulate that kind of protection in a vaccine, but we don't understand it well enough. Normally when you're writing a grant application you provide a detailed account of your plan so other scientists can evaluate whether it's likely to work or whether there's new information."The trouble is, there isn't really any new information. Rubsamen eventually explained all the founding data comes from other studies -- from "people in labs right now looking at targets" -- and that they do not have the key targets identified by Heckerman and repeatedly cited in the original white paper, because "he's not published yet". Charles HerstChief Science Officer, Immunity ProjectZach Kranzler The literature feels littered with buzzwords -- the approach uses "computer modelling and machine learning to literally hack the HIV life cycle", Heckerman's algorithm is "based off of similar principles used in the most advanced spam filtering software" -- which distract from the fact that neither the algorithm nor the targets are anything to do with the Immunity Project's team. There are also plenty of promises that sound like foregone conclusions: "Our nasal dosage delivery mechanism will significantly decrease distribution challenges in Africa.""I think their site overpromises from one approach and it's important to make it clear what the prospects for success and failure are," says Walker. "It was making claims about very promising results in animals and made it sound as if a vaccine had been made and was ready to move forward, and that's not the case [...] The approach is in very early stages."Just like any crowdfunding project, the campaign was directed at laypeople, which might explain the miscommunication. It's this seemingly fact-light approach that's led some to react with suspicion, regardless of what good intentions are there.Rubsamen put Walker's and Columbia University epidemiologist Salim Abdool Karim's requests to have their names removed from the Project down to an institutional discomfort."Generally this approach is foreign to some individuals and institutions that are used to being affiliated with works sponsored by government funding," Rubsamen told us. "It's a different approach. It's hard to explain what this is when it hasn't been done."Picker would contest it has nothing to do with the institutionalisation of academics -- "if their idea would work I'd be happy to support it, it's not that the establishment wants to crush them because they have a novel idea. It's not novel, it's been thought about, tested and it's not ready for prime time. It's not even close."However, Rubsamen's comments might be true of Abdool Karim. In December he wrote an opinion piece urging the public to a buy a Gyft card to help fight HIV, saying, "I'm pleased to be a part of a team, known as the Immunity Project."It's unlikely Heckerman would be put off by the Immunity Project's crowdfund, however, considering he's so embedded in the Silicon Valley tech scene the Immunity Project wants to align itself with -- "It's the Silicon Valley mentality," says Rubsamen, "don't sit and complain you can't get your work done. Figure out how to do it". When we asked the Immunity Project's director of communications Shawn Jain if we could speak with David Heckerman, still under the assumption he was involved, he replied: "Because of his affiliation with Microsoft, David is under a press embargo until his research papers publish." Later that day, we asked Jain, Y Combinator partner Sam Altman and David Heckerman, what exactly Heckerman's involvement was. Jain responded: "David has no official role with Immunity. We are only using publicly disclosed targets until his data publishes. The algorithm has been discussed in the public domain." Heckerman passed on the message that he has no involvement with the project. Altman, who told us the day before he would ask the Immunity Project team that same question, said: "I believe Heckerman has direct research involvement and still does." When we told him what we understood from Heckerman and Jain, he adjusted his answer.Y Combinator invests a relatively small amount of money into a large number of startups each year. So it's not a disaster if one fails -- the seed accelerator is more interested in trying out new things while spreading its risk, so can afford to take a punt on what is, in reality, a remarkable new model for research fundraising. Zach Kranzler "The idea you could do vaccine development as a startup, incredibly inexpensively relative to what big pharma does and then give it away -- that's the sort of hack we like," Altman told Wired.co.uk.The team spent more time deliberating the Immunity Project than it usually would a tech startup -- "30 minutes instead of the usual ten". Compare that to the months it would take to pen a research paper, take it through the peer review process, then apply for grants."I was able to explain it to Sam [Altman] in four minutes," says Rubsamen. "They got it. This is a relatively straightforward story to tell a mathematician or computer scientist. The novel part is the IT." Y Combinator sent data from Rubsamen's unpublished paper to scientists to check it, and requested they release data from the funded trial (now ongoing) as it happens. Rubsamen wants to tell the story of his research in a transparent way, and plans to blog about it. He says he did not want to wait a year or two for traditional funding since, "we have a good idea, there's a way to test it and we don't need an insane amount of money". He believes it could be a repeatable paradigm for anyone doing small science, and wants to continue the route of the peer-review process but in a way that "rapidly disseminates data".Picker says, "they'd get nowhere" if they'd tried to go the traditional funding route."I spend three quarters of my time dealing with the bureaucracy to get money and move forward in a very complicated environment. There's no question if somebody just gave me $100m I could probably do it a lot quicker -- but there's a safety net in that evaluation." It's this skipping of steps and overpromising that bothers Picker most. He's not against crowdfunding in principle, but asks "when does it become a new way to raise money versus almost a sham"."I'm not saying this is a sham; it may well be very well intentioned. But there's a continuum there where people are going to be convinced to donate and hopes are going to be raised and who knows if people are going to give money they can afford or not -- and it's not going anywhere."HIV and AIDS funding has suffered hugely since the recession though, with year-on-year donations down $41.1m (£24.5m) in 2011. So it makes sense to try new avenues.It's worth noting that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has already tried to experiment with new ways of donating money. "They wanted to fund HIV vaccine research and it was very clear the way vaccines were being tested wasn't leading to new vaccine information," said Towers. "We were finding out a lot about what didn't work, not what did. The Gates Foundation started trying to fund people that were outside of the mainstream. They sought to bring in a reviewer panel that included people that had a track record of spotting novelty in ideas rather than being immunologists working on vaccines. They funded 100,000 projects with $1m if the first round looked promising. That went a long of way."New approaches are certainly important. But after more than a decade working in the field, Picker is rightly sensitive to the community at large when it comes to unknowns like the Immunity Project. "I get, from the papers we publish, heartbreaking letters all the time... from people that are desperate. They've just got HIV and they're going to kill themselves. Really heartbreaking letters from people looking for a cure; looking for a way out. In a sense, because of that experience, I see this as almost a way to exploit those people.""The pact we have with the public to do good science and be honest, to me is very important. The thing that bothers me most about this is these people are breaking that pact. Maybe they're doing that because they believe in it. Nevertheless they're not abiding by the standards of scientific investigation most of us adhere to," Picker says, adding that the Immunity Project will get people's hopes up."There is absolutely no way in the world this is going to work the way they're envisioning, they're very naïve. It's going to be another thing of 'scientist promises this and doesn't deliver'. So those of us working for years, bit by bit carefully building our case, will suffer because of bozos like this. I really have no respect for that."Picker is adamant the approach won't work, and the most important thing is to conserve funding for approaches that have a chance, because "there's only so many phase 3 trials that can be done before the public loses faith; before the people in high incident areas have no more incentive to volunteer for studies".You have to wonder what data the Y Combinator scientists saw to come out with such a contradictory opinion to Walker, Towers and Picker?The probability of the vaccine succeeding matters most to these academics. But to understand how the Project got to this stage, you have to understand Altman and Rubsamen's motives. Altman is a tech entrepreneur and investor -- he believes in trying something new and doesn't mind failing lots to get there. "If it doesn't work, it's not going to scare me from doing something similar again," he tells Wired.co.uk. "I think the idea of developing new tech in the way Y Combinator does is a good thing, so even if it doesn't work this time for medicine we should try again. Even if it has a one-in-a-thousand chance of working it's worth trying… if a company wants to vaccinate all of Africa for free [...] we want to try that." It's important to note Immunity Project's decision to give it away for free is not novel. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has given more than $2.5 billion (£1.5bn) in HIV grants to worldwide organisations, including Bruce Walker's programme, and $1.4 (£834m) billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Each grant comes with the proviso the organisation gives away any vaccine for free.It's Rubsamen's drive, however, that clashes most with Towers' and Picker's."We need to set ourselves up to be pushed by our supporters to say, 'things are looking pretty good, why can't we move faster? What are the barriers -- financial, scientific, regulatory, public policy?' Maybe you can or can't accelerate those for a project like this. But I need to take the aggressive position about what could be. If the general consensus is it's going to take x-long to do this, that's probably how long it's going to take [...] I think it's better to say what could this be, how fast could we move [...] If you're not aggressive up front you are guaranteed to slip into a longer programme that might have been avoidable." So whether you agree with the science, the process, the aspirations, know this: 1,463 people have pledged $462,570 on what could be. It's good to be a dreamer when you're an artist, but is it such a good idea to hinge vaccine declarations and fundraising campaigns on "could", when you're a scientist? Back to start 12 Read on one page Latest on wired.co.uk


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Lexington, NC - Deputies in Davidson County arrested a woman who allegedly stole money from purses inside a church while community members were outside during an Easter egg hunt.
Investigators said they were called to Harvest Worship Center in Lexington shortly after 12:30 pm. Deputies were told Brandi Nicole Morris not only stole from the purses, she also took five t-shirts valued at $75.
When deputies confronted Morris they said they were able to recover $106 of the $146 reported missing along with all five shirts.
Morris was charged with misdemeanor Larceny. She was placed in Davidson County Detention Center under a $1,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court April 26.


text:
Litigation Should Be Your Company's Last Resort
Like any metropolis, San Diego has a diverse business climate requiring constant interaction amongst retailers, service providers, customers, guests, invitees, tenants and landlords, suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, government agencies, insurers, law firms, and accountants. This level of interaction naturally breeds conflict especially when multiplied by the large number of business, consumer and professional transactions occurring every day in San Diego County. Conflict resolution occurs routinely and the vast majority of conflicts are resolved amongst the parties without the need for lawyers. In fact most conflict is resolved before anyone recognizes that a conflict has even arisen. People naturally look to solve problems as quickly and efficiently as possible so that they can move on to more important matters. Whether a simple cashier error or a complex misunderstanding regarding the terms of a contract, most conflicts are resolved within the first few hours. Of those that are not resolved quickly, most are worked out informally by the parties in a reasonable timeframe and without the need of a San Diego litigation attorney.
Unfortunately, the law of averages guarantees that some business conflicts will not be resolved without resort to the legal system. When conflicts reach this level, business owners rely on the court system to provide them access to a just resolution. The problem of course is that access to a just resolution isn't free and even in those circumstances where there seems little doubt about who is in the right, litigation outcomes are far from predictable. In fact, in most cases litigation is drawn out, expensive, emotionally draining and ultimately unsatisfying. This does not mean that access to justice is a myth. However, opting to resolve business disputes via litigation requires a cost benefit analysis similar to any other business decision. Even the most deserving cases may not be economical to pursue. Litigation costs and attorneys fees often exceed the value of the case to the litigants. In those cases, informal resolution becomes imperative. The alternative is to right off the loss rather than accept greater losses associated with long drawn out litigation.
Whatever the cost benefit analysis, resorting to litigation should be your last resort. Why? Because as stated above, litigation outcomes are unpredictable no matter how righteous a claim is. Assume for instance that a contractor is owed $225,000 for work completed on a construction project. There is little doubt from the contractor's perspective that it is owed for the work completed. Nonetheless, the developer, a private individual, has questioned the quality of the workmanship and is refusing to pay until major repairs are completed. Assume further that the developer is being unreasonable. The contractor knows that the developer is out of money and is making excuses to avoid payment. The case is simple enough. The developer should pay for the work done. If the developer cannot afford to pay, a lien can be taken against the property to protect the contractor's interest.
Continue reading "Litigation Should Be Your Company's Last Resort" »


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Re: Files Get Renamed
- From: "JamesJ" <jjy_darwin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:19:12 -0400
Was just wondering why it was displayed MyDatabase.accdb for the longest
time then all of a sudden it was being displayed mydatabase.accdb in expolorer.
"R. C. White" <rc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:#R$08VHQKHA.4208@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hi, James..
(Sorry 'bout that empty post - didn't mean to hit Send yet.)
Open a Command Prompt window and use the Dir command with the /x switch to see the 8.3 filenames.
Dir /x shows:
09/28/2009 02:41 PM <DIR> MYDATA~1.ACC MyDatabase.accdb
09/28/2009 02:41 PM <DIR> MYDATA~1.ACC mydatabase.accdb
Those names are identical, so far as Windows is concerned. Different programs may display them differently, but they are the same to Windows "under the skin". In fact, the Command Prompt window would not let me create both names in the same folder because there was already an identically-named folder. When Windows converts the LFN (Long File Name) to the "legal" 8.3 SFN (Short File Name), it gets the same SFN with either LFN. With or without capital letters, it gets MYDATA~1.ACC either way.
This has nothing to do with Access or Basic or any other application. It's just the way that Windows (and DOS, starting about MS-DOS 6.2) works behind the scenes, ever since Long File Names have been allowed - and even before then: ABC.TXT is the same as abc.txt - or AbC.tXt. Yes, Capitalization can make a BIG difference in many contexts, but not here.
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8089.0726) in Win7 Ultimate x64
"JamesJ" <jjy_darwin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:Om454EFQKHA.2092@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxHi.
This is a bit unusual but not critical.
I've worked with my access 2007 database files for some time and somehow
the files case got changed.
In other words, a file named MyDatabase.accdb was changed to
mydatabase.accdb in explorer.
There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the files.
After renaming them back the shortcuts to them work ok.
These seem to be the only files that this happened to.
Is there anything in Vista Basic that would do this?
Does anyone know of some 3rd party software that might do this?
Wondering if I should be concerned about a virus.
Did a scan with avg and found no infections.
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Things to see and do - La Marsa
Leaving for Tunisia
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Tourist attractions La Marsa
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1 Ennejma Ezzahra
Museums and art
R. du 2 Mars 1934 TN - La Marsa
Sidi Bou Saïd owes its recognition and preservation to Baron d'Erlanger, a painter and music enthusiast who settled in the village in the early 20C. His palace, the Ennejma Ezzahra, is now home to the Centre of Arab and Mediterranean Music, which act..
2 Antonine Baths
Archaeological and historical sites
TN - Carthage
Considered among the most sumptuous baths in the Roman Empire, the Antonine Baths comprise some of the most impressive ruins of Ancient Carthage. Built in the mid-2C AD, they were part of a monumental complex, which a model attempts to illustrate. Th..
3 Punic Tophet
Archaeological and historical sites
TN - Carthage
Comprising an enclosure of steles surrounded by wild grasses, this is an extremely old Punic site of worship where barbaric rites are thought to have been carried out. It is not known what name the Carthaginians would have given to the site. The word..
4 Archaeological Site and Roman Houses
Archaeological and historical sites
TN - Carthage
The majority of remains from the old villas in this residential district of Roman Carthage are mosaics and sculptures, many of which are displayed in the Villa of the Aviary, which has now been converted into a museum. Built on the Odeon hill, the si..
5 National Museum
Museums and art
Colline de Byrsa TN - Carthage
Exhibits here include sarcophagi decorated with human figures, masks featuring grimacing faces, funerary steles, and amulets made from glass, all from the Punic period, as well as a Roman figure of Victory, busts, mosaics, amphorae etc. The national ..


text:
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day Word Problems
Put a little love into math practice this Valentine's Day. These sweet word problems will challenge your child's real-world application of math.
Butterfly Valentine Craft
Valentine's Day is a fun time to do crafts, and maybe give out a bit of candy too! Your child can create colorful valentines for her friends and classmates.
Roses are Red: Nursery Rhyme Coloring Page
Familiarize your child with some simple sight words and rhymes with this coloring page of "Roses are Red...".
Crossword: Valentine's Day
Play this fun mix between a board game and a crossword puzzle! What words can your child create from "Valentine"?
Valentine's Day Beginning Subtraction
Practice early subtraction with your child with this cheerful Valentine's Day math printable!
Play Valentine's Day Tic-Tac-Toe!
Let your first grader sweeten up the classic game of Tic-Tac-Toe with this colorful Valentine's Day version!
Printable Valentine Cards
Printable valentine cards make preparing for the school celebration a little easier. Get a batch of printable valentine cards featuring cute characters.
Play the Valentine's Word Challenge
Brain teasers like this are great for your child's cognitive development. He'll stretch his spelling and puzzle solving skills with this word fun printable.
Happy Valentine's Day Banner
This Happy Valentine's Day banner makes your house or classroom instantly festive for the holiday. Decorate a Happy Valentine's Day banner with your child.
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Worked With:
Michael Trucco
Birth Name: Michael Trucco
Born: 06/22/1970
Birth Place: San Mateo, California, USA
Born: 06/22/1970
Birth Place: San Mateo, California, USA
Born Edward Michael Trucco on June 22, 1970, Trucco grew up just south of San Francisco in the Bay Area city of San Mateo, CA. He took up acting while in high school at Junipero Serra High School, where he was also active in football and wrestling. Raised the son of a police officer, Trucco decided to follow in his father's footsteps and major in sociology and criminal justice at the Santa Clara University. Encouraged by his parents to take a theatre class during his second year at SCU, Trucco soon switched majors and graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts. Upon graduating, Trucco remained in the Bay Area for a year, refining his craft in local theatre productions and branching out into commerc... Continue Bio >>
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text:
How did Social Security get so bad?
Letters to the editor for April 6, 2014: Social Security; Filner punishment; climate change; climate credit; elephants; marketing San Diego
Sic the Watchdog on Social Security
Reading about the bleak outlook for Social Security almost daily, I find myself wondering how things got to this point.
The Social Security system was designed as a trust fund with the only expenditures being administration of the fund and payments to the beneficiaries. In earlier decades, the ratio of contributing workers to beneficiaries was higher than it is today resulting in more money being paid into the fund than was being spent. The excess money should have stayed in the fund and grown for future payments.
What happened to this money? I have a suspicion that Congress found a way to steal it for other purposes. The failure of Democrats and Republicans to raise this issue is worrisome.
The U-T Watchdog is good at ferreting out wrongdoing and demanding government accountability; perhaps the team can find where these dollars have gone.
Chris Dejan
Filner's punishment shouldn't end today
Regarding "Filner to be released Sunday" (April 2), it seems that justice has been served because former Mayor Bob Filner has been punished for crimes against women by spending three months of confinement at his luxurious downtown pad.
Does this mean that Mr. Filner gets a "pass" on procuring $100,000 worth of "contributions" for his favorite charities in exchange for revisiting and approving building permits for the politically connected?
Bob Filner should be charged and prosecuted for selling favors, using his political influence — bribery if you will, a federal corruption charge.
Lloyd Kitson
La Mesa
No denying climate change
The U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the principal international body for the assessment of climate research, just published its Fifth Assessment Report. The report's conclusion was unequivocal — climate change is real and requires meaningful action — and it has contrarians running to the media to broadcast climate change denial in op-eds and letters.
Here's one example: on Monday, the same day as IPCC report was released, the president of the Koch-funded Heartland Institute published an op-ed in Forbes that falsely slammed the IPCC's findings and promoted a denialist report that concluded climate change would have "net benefits." It's true — in the face of one of the most credible calls for climate action yet, deniers are actually trying to convince the public that climate change is beneficial to humans.
Dozens of governments and hundreds of experts reviewed each section of the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report before it was published, and this rigorous review process ensures the science is accurate and settled.
Settled science should guide our response to climate change — not the extreme fringe of the scientific community who deny the science.
he IPCC report finds conclusively that the impacts of climate change are felt across the globe, and will continue to result in severe weather, shortages in food and water, increased poverty and violence, and the spread of disease.
As stated in the IPCC report, we need to act now to reduce carbon pollution significantly and avoid catastrophe.
Gloriamarie Amalfitano
San Diego
"Climate credit' doesn't go far enough
Regarding "SDG&E customers to get 'climate credit,'" March 31, it's fantastic that Californians are feeling the benefit of our climate change laws in our pocket book in addition to our cleaner air, healthier environment, and vibrant clean technology sector.
The new "climate credit" on our electricity bills refunds some of the revenues collected through our greenhouse gas cap-and-trade system. Why not refund it all, though? That way we hold polluters accountable while leaving all the money in the pockets of the people of California.
Rebecca Dell
San Diego


text:
Newcastle is the best place in the UK to be a student, according to the results of a survey of more than 36,000 students.
Newcastle University's reputation as a great place to be a student has been given a boost with the news that Newcastle upon Tyne has been named as the top university town in Britain in a survey carried out by the UK's foremost student accommodation website, accommodationforstudents.com
Newcastle tops the accommodationforstudents.com table with an overall score of 64 per cent, based on over 36,000 student reviews from 56 university towns around the UK.
In their reviews, students rated (out of 10) their university location across five criteria: going out (restaurants, pubs, clubs), shops (supermarkets, corner shops, book shops, video shops), transport links (buses, trams, train, underground), community (safety, student population, surroundings) and facilities (gyms, libraries, parks).
At the same time, the University climbed three places to joint 20th position in The Times Good University Guide 2009 league table. The publication is the most authoritative and widely respected guide to universities in the UK, and is as an essential and comprehensive tool for students and parents at home and abroad. It ranks 113 UK universities according to eight criteria, including student satisfaction, research quality and degree results.
Lesley Braiden, Director of Marketing and Communications at Newcastle University, said: 'These results confirm the fantastic reputation Newcastle University, the city and the North East, have built up as being an excellent place for students to live and study.
'That student satisfaction is a key factor in both results is particularly pleasing for the University, because it means that the work we continue to put in to improving the standard of our student services and facilities is being reflected in the views expressed by our students,' added Mrs Braiden.
The relatively low cost of living in the North East, coupled with Newcastle's vibrant social and cultural scene, are also among the factors that attract students to the University.
Gemma Davies, former Editor of student newspaper, The Courier, who has written a student guide for The Times describing what Newcastle has to offer students, published online with the guide, comments: 'The City of Newcastle has the ideal balance between work and play for university life. Despite its popularity with weekend visitors, Newcastle is a cheap city to be a student in, and the cost of living is among the best in the country.'
Web links to further information:
Press release: Newcastle rated top town in UK to be a student
The Times Good University Guide 2009
published on: 24th June 2008


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By: Kara Duffy
February 17, 2014
Thomas County, GA- Veterinarians say the simple procedure of spaying or neutering your animal is the first step in the fight against pet overpopulation.
"It minimizes those unwanted litters; when you have a litter of eight to 10 puppies, it's very hard to place all those in good homes and then when they reproduce, it just expands from there," said Dr. Beckey Malphus, a veterinarian at the Clanton-Malphus-Hodges Veterinary Hospital in Thomasville.
Jerry Henderson, President of Miss Kitty Feline Sanctuary in Thomas County wants to help tackle that problem, which is why he's set to open the 'South Georgia Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic.'
"People sometimes forget that these animals know nothing about birth control, so something has to be done," Henderson said.
The new facility will be built behind the current Miss Kitty Sanctuary building.
Henderson says the clinic will serve folks within a 75 mile radius of Thomasville and will offer spay and neuter services to dogs and cats of all sizes, starting at $60.
"The first year our projections are to spay or neuter 5000 animals," Henderson said. "That's simply a number, but if you look at the end result of that number, that will mean some 40,000 unwanted animals will never be born."
Veterinarians say aside from helping control the overpopulation issue, spaying and neutering is also healthier for the animal.
"It minimizes breast cancer; it minimizes uterine cancer; any kind of reproductive infections," Dr. Malphus said.
Henderson says the new facility, which will be the first of its kind in Thomas County, will only focus on spay and neuter services and will not operate like a full service veterinarians' hospital.
Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2014 and will be complete by the end of Summer.


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Air-Tight Blast Gates
Ruwac's air-tight blast gates operate manually or pneumatically, and utilize a two part, self-sealing gasket assembly to completely isolate outside air, guaranteeing no air leakage across the valve or into the atmosphere. They are designed to withstand 16 HG" of negative pressure.
These blast gates are manufactured in zinc plate or stainless steel in 2", 3", 4", 6" and 8" diameter and can be installed on any dust collection or vacuum system. Pneumatic valves are available with coil voltages ranging from 24V AC/DC to 120V AC or 220 V AC and operate off air pressures as low as 30 Psi, with optimal performance requiring 70 Psi. Supplied as standard with straight ends, Ruwac's air-tight blast gates can also be made with flanged or rolled ends when required.


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Newsletter for the Section on Statistical Education
Volume 6, Number 2 (Summer 2000)
Get Involved with Stat Ed at JSM this August
Looking for a way to contribute at JSM? The Section on Statistical Education is assisting with several activities this year, and we could use your help. Here are three things to add to your "to do" list for JSM.
The Statistics Education Booth. Last year, the Center for Statistics Education debuted the Statistics Education booth, and it was a great success. You can help out this year in the following ways: a) Volunteer to spend an hour or two to help staff the booth. b) Volunteer to prepare a one-page handout on an activity suitable for use in a school classroom. You can pick the grade level. Last year a number of ASA members stopped at the booth looking for ideas for statistics related activities that they could do with their kids or with their children's class as a school volunteer. We'd like to have something to offer them this year.
Public Statistics Day. Public Statistics Day is an event held in conjunction with JSM that allows school kids to participate in a half-day of statistics related activities led by statisticians. Public Statistics Day was held in 1996, 1997, and 1998, but was canceled last year because the Baltimore schools were not in session. We are going to try again this year in Indianapolis with a different twist. Working with the Indiana Association of Home Schools, we have invited children in home schooling programs to participate and, in addition to activities for the kids, we are also planning a parents' session on how statistics can be incorporated into a home school curriculum. Public Statistics Day will be held on Thursday afternoon on the last day of JSM. If you would be interested in leading an activity and can stay a couple of extra hours on Thursday, please contact me for more details.
Attend the Stat Ed Business Meeting. This is an easy one -- no advance work required!
And, of course, be sure to attend all of the great sessions sponsored by Stat Ed. Tom Short has put together an impressive program and Jim Matis has organized a great set of round tables as well.
Hope to see you in August. And, don't forget to email me if you can help out with the Stat Ed booth or Public Statistics Day. I can be reached at email@example.com


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Canadian Gagnon triumphs in World Cup super combined
Marie-Michele Gagnon ended a 30-year drought for Canadian women in World Cup combined events by winning a super-combined competition Sunday in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria.
Gagnon was 1.37 seconds off the lead in 16th place after the super-giant slalom but went ahead of the field after posting the second-fastest time in the slalom segment.
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"It's really exciting, a magical moment," said the 24-year-old Gagnon, who wasn't born when Gerry Sorensen won in France in 1984 for the previous World Cup combined victory by a Canadian woman.
Gagnon finished in an overall 2 minutes, 5.55 seconds to beat second-place Michaela Kirchgasser of Austria by 0.32 seconds. German Maria Hoefl-Riesch, the Olympic and world super-combined champion, finished third and Austrian Nicole Hosp, who led the competition after the Super-G phase, placed fourth.
"I just tried to do my best and it looks like the pieces of the puzzle have come together," Gagnon said.
Gagnon had a disappointing 2012-13 season.
"I was trying too hard," she said. "This year, I just try my best. I know I have done all the work in training."
Hoefl-Riesch regained the lead in the overall World Cup standings one day after she lost it to Austrian Anna Fenninger in Saturday's downhill. Hoefl-Riesch has 731 points and Fenninger, who was eighth in the super combined, is second with 709.
Hirscher captures men's slalom
Marcel Hirscher won a World Cup slalom in Adelboden, Switzerland, to take the lead in the overall and discipline standings.
Austrian Hirscher, the two-time defending overall World Cup champion, had a two-run time of 1 minute, 49.75 seconds. He beat second-place Andre Myhrer of Sweden by 0.29 seconds.
With 100 race points for the victory, Hirscher leads second-place Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway by 23 points in the overall standings. Svindal is a speed specialist who typically skips slalom races.
Hirscher, 24, has 22 career World Cup victories, including 12 in slalom.
Takanashi's stock is soaring
Japanese teenager Sara Takanashi won her second consecutive women's ski jump World Cup event in Sapporo, Japan, continuing her dominance ahead of the Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Takanashi, 17, also won Saturday's event in Sapporo and is expected to be favored to win the gold medal when women's ski jumping makes its Olympic debut next month in Sochi. She has won six of seven World Cup events this season.
Winnipeg Jets fire coach Noel
Claude Noel has been fired as coach by the Winnipeg Jets and replaced by Paul Maurice.
Noel, 58, was fired amid a five-game losing streak that dropped the Jets to 19-23-5 and 10 points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Noel, hired after the Atlanta Thrashers moved to Winnipeg before the 2011-12 season, went 80-79-18 with the Jets.
"All of us should be embarrassed that we're at the point we have to change the coach," Jets forward Olli Jokinen said.
Maurice, 46, has a record of 460-457-167 in 14 seasons as an NHL coach and guided the Carolina Hurricanes to the playoffs four times.
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, asked if he did enough to give Noel a realistic chance to succeed, replied, "If I'm being honest, I would say no."
Jets assistant coach Perry Pearn also was fired.
Ducks shut out Red Wings
Andrew Cogliano scored a second-period goal and Jonas Hiller made 22 saves as the Anaheim Ducks beat the visiting Detroit Red Wings 1-0.
The league-leading Ducks have won 17 of their last 18 games. They improved to 19-0-2 at home.
Hiller has 14 consecutive victories, tying for second on the all-time list for a season. The record of 17 was set by Boston's Gilles Gilbert in the 1975-76 season.
Manchester City leads league
Manchester City took the lead in the English Premier League with a 2-0 victory at Newcastle, extending its unbeaten streak in all competitions to 15 matches.
After 21 matches, Manchester City has 47 points for a one-point lead over Chelsea. Arsenal, which plays at Aston Villa on Monday, has 45 points after 20 matches and would move into first place with a victory.
• Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, 47, has accepted a similar position on coach Bobby Petrino's football staff at Louisville. Grantham was earning $850,000 per year at Georgia. ESPN reported he will make $1 million per year in his five-year deal with Louisville.
Seattle Times news services


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NSB police union, city agree on new contract
Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 4:21 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 10:59 p.m.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH — The news brought an enthusiastic "Wooo!" from Mayor Adam Barringer.
The city and its police union avoided an arbitration hearing scheduled for next week after the city's rank-and-file officers Tuesday night approved a new labor deal by a 17-11 vote.
Human Resources Director Carol Hargy announced the deal to city leaders after receiving the news in a text message during the City Commission meeting Tuesday. The two sides had been at impasse since October.
The commission is expected to ratify the agreement at its Feb. 12 meeting. As part of the deal, police employees will contribute almost 2 percent more of their pay to their pension fund over the next three years — from 8.1 percent to 10 percent.
Longevity payments for officers were also limited in the new agreement.
"Right now, you get longevity — you get it in one lump sum payment," Hargy said Wednesday. "Well, we cut it in half and we're just adding that into their base pay."
Hargy said 10 employees did receive 100 percent of their longevity payments in a lump sum because a contract had not been ratified by Oct. 1.
"When we get the contract ratified at the next commission meeting we will be making adjustments and deducting 50 percent back to the city," Hargy said.
Also as part of the deal, officers will also receive a 2 percent salary increase — the same pay hike that was given to all city employees in the current budget — retroactive to Oct. 1.
The contract limits the amount of unused personal leave time that can be cashed out to a week. Also in the agreement is a provision that allows officers who have to appear in court on their days off to receive four hours of their daily pay — up from three hours.
Robert Walker, business agent for Teamsters Local 385, which represents the city's police officers, said he wouldn't call the union's vote a "mandate" and the increase in officers' pay to their pension didn't sit well with some of the members.
"Well, certainly it's a contract that needs a little work," he said. "The membership is not what I would call happy. We need to get back to the table in the next couple of months and hammer out some of the difficulties."
Walker said he wanted to start talks with the city on a new contract by April.
"I like to get there early," he said. "You don't have a handle on what the budget is going to be because the taxes aren't finalized until mid-summer, but I like to look at the non-monetary issues first."
Citing the need for pension reform, city officials said the city's contribution to the police pension fund increased 87 percent over the last five fiscal years, from $434,072 to $814,476. During that same period, the city's tax roll declined $3.7 billion to $2.4 billion and general fund taxes dipped from $11.9 million to $8.1 million, city officials said.
Hargy said the arbitration process could have cost the city about $30,000.
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Dancing With The Stars
Why Is Pantsless Maksim Chmerkovskiy Rolling Karina Smirnoff Around in a Suitcase? (VIDEO)
As Dancing With the Stars fans, there are some questions we find ourselves asking all the time. When will we find out the new cast? Who will win? Should the show shake up the judges? How are they defining "star" anyway. However, today we're faced with a question we never imagined we'd ask: Why is a pantsless Maksim Chmerkovskiy rolling Karina Smirnoff around in a suitcase?
Maks posted a photo of himself on Instagram in nothing but a black button-up shirt (only partially buttoned, no undershirt, of course) and matching shoes and socks. But that's not all: he's also pulling a suitcase that holds none other than his fellow DWTS pro (and former fiancée) Karina. "Always wondered why is it so hard to get through airport security when I have a show with @Karina_Smirnoff" he wrote.
So, why are Maks and Karina hanging out and taking funny pictures? Well, the pair are currently taking part in the show, Ballroom With a Twist, so we're guessing it's related to that.
Whatever the case, it's nice to see these two getting along. As many DWTS fans know, they were once engaged (back in 2009). Their relationship seemed strained for a while (at least from the outside), but they're clearly playing nice now.
Check out another update on Maksim by watching the video above!


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Making history
Politics | South Carolina conservative Rep. Tim Scott is set to become the Senate's only African-American
WASHINGTON—The man who wants to help a billion people in his lifetime has taken a big step toward meeting his goal.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Monday named Rep. Tim Scott to replace Sen. Jim DeMint, the conservative stalwart who is stepping down to lead The Heritage Foundation starting in January. Rep. Scott, whom WORLD profiled in October (see "There to serve" by Edward Lee Pitts), will become the only African-American in the Senate, and the upper chamber's first black lawmaker from the South since Reconstruction.
"I look forward to pressing the flesh on economic development issues, having the opportunity to work on making sure that our economy in this state continues to hum like an engine," Scott said while accepting Gov. Haley's nomination at a news conference in Columbia, S.C.
Sen. DeMint, who appeared with Haley and Scott for the announcement, called Scott's selection "a great choice." A variety of conservative groups were quick to laud Haley's decision, including the Family Research Council (FRC), the Susan B. Anthony List, Americans for Prosperity, and Tea Party Patriots.
"Tim Scott is a solid leader on the issues most important to the family," said FRC President Tony Perkins. "He has long fought for the helpless of society, and this has been reflected in the issues that he has championed in Congress."
Scott has a strong conservative voting record in his two years in the House, including opposition to the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare) and support for pro-life and pro-marriage legislation. He voted against the debt-ceiling deal House Speaker John Boehner and President Barack Obama negotiated last year, joining 65 other conservatives who said it didn't do enough to curtail Washington spending.
Scott was elected in 2010 along with Florida's Allen West, giving House Republicans two African-American voices after going without one since 2003. West lost his reelection bid last month, so the House will again lack an African-American Republican starting in January.
Scott's arrival won't change the ideological makeup of the Senate, where Democrats will hold a 53-45 majority (two independents also will caucus with Democrats) when the 113th Congress is seated in January. DeMint was first elected to the Senate in 2004, and his current term was set to expire in 2016.
"Sen. DeMint is hard to replace, but we're confident Congressman Scott will continue his work by being a powerful and effective advocate for economic freedom," said Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity, a group advocating for conservative economic policies and limited government.
Scott, 47, said he intends to run for the remainder of DeMint's term when a special election is held in 2014. Haley, elected two years ago, and the Palmetto State's senior senator, Lindsey Graham, will both be up for reelection in 2014.


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text: Can anyone who has worn a CB with the inserts permanently tell me how they found it. Most of the accounts I've read seem to involve removal every so often. The reason i'm asking is cos i like the erm look of the looker01. And am considering saving up for one.I would probably go for the option of a removable insert, so as to avoid wasting the money on something i just couldn't get used to. I would like something i never had to have removed tbh. emily


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The Black Keys New Album!
by 99Rock - Rock Blog
posted Apr 7 2014 1:21AM
99Rock Music News: The Black Keys' New Album Features Sampling, Band's Longest Song
"Turn Blue" is out May 13 on Nonesuch
Photo Courtesy: Kevork Djansezia/Getty Images
By Kevin Rutherford
Are you a Black Keys fan that wishes the Akron rock duo would experiment a bit more with their upcoming releases? How does a little sampling here and there sound?
In an interview with NME, the band confirmed that one of their new songs on forthcoming LP Turn Blue actually includes an entire sample as part of its makeup, something they've never done before.
According to drummer Patrick Carney, the song "Year in Review" includes a sample of Nico Fidenco, an Italian singer and movie soundtrack composer best known for his work on spaghetti westerns.
Related: Listen to the Black Keys' New Song 'Fever'
Singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach added that Turn Blue includes the band's longest song to date. "Weight of Love," which opens the record, clocks in at nearly seven minutes. The band previously hit nearly six minutes on "Goodbye Babylon" from 2006′s Magic Potion, plus six minutes, 45 seconds on 2006 cover album Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbroughwith "My Mind is Ramblin.'"
In addition, Auerbach mentioned that he's "never done a guitar solo like that" on "Weight of Love," which could get the band's fans hoping for a head-banging good time after first single "Fever"'s relative tameness chomping at the bit.
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Remaking an international series in the U.S. with the same lead actor isn't exactly well-omened given what happened to AMC's "Low Winter Sun," but Fox is going ahead with it anyway with "Gracepoint," a redo of the ITV's hit small town murder mystery "Broadchurch." The British series aired in the U.S. on BBC America, but star David Tennant will be reprising his role as one of the lead detectives on the cast in Fox's remake.
The idea may be a little suspect, but Fox is at least lining up an impressive cast, announcing today that "Breaking Bad" alum Anna Gunn and "Silver Linings Playbook" star Jacki Weaver has joined the project. Gunn, who won an Emmy for playing Skyler White, will play Detective Ellie Miller, the role played by Olivia Colman in the original, a married wife and mother who grew up in the town in which the murder takes place.
Weaver will play Susan Wright, played by Pauline Quirke in the original, a surly local who's new to town and who lives in the RV park with her dog, working in odd jobs and hiding a dark history. Interestingly, while these two characters have retained their names from the British series, Tennant's has been changed, to Detective Emmett Carver.
Like "Broadchurch," "Gracepoint" will follow the mysterious death of a young boy in a seaside town and the investigation and media frenzy that follows. The series is scheduled to begin filming in January to be broadcast during the 2014-2015 season. Chris Chibnall ("Dr. Who," "Camelot"), the creator of the original series, is an executive producer alongside with Shine America's Carolyn Bernstein ("The Bridge"), Kudos' Jane Featherstone ("The Hour," "Utopia"), Dan Futterman ("Capote," "In Treatment") and Anya Epstein ("In Treatment," "Homicide").
Futterman and Epstein will serve as showrunners, with Chibnall writing the premiere episode and James Strong, who directed five of the eight episodes of the original, signed on to direct.


text:
Thorne Research, Zinc Picolinate, 60 Veggie Caps
By Thorne Research
Loyalty Program
- You earn loyalty credit for every order you place at iHerb!
- Loyalty credit is equal to 10% of the value of your order, excluding shipping charges.
- Your loyalty credit will be applied towards your next order as soon as your current order has shipped.
- Your loyalty credits are valid for up to 60 days from the date of your last purchase.
This product is already in your Wish List.
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Expiration Date:?Jan 2019
Expiration Date
The length of time for the expiration date or "best used before" date depends on the type of product, as well as the brand.
Perishable items (such as flax oils or certain probiotics) generally have shorter expiration dates. Although our warehouse is fully air-conditioned, these more fragile items are put in cold storage (freezer or refrigeration unit) for maximum freshness.
Our receiving department does its best to verify and then enter the correct expiration dates for all incoming products. However, discrepancies do occur from time to time. This being said, the exceptionally high turnover at iHerb ensures that our inventory is among the freshest in the industry.
Shipping Weight:?0.12 lbs (0.05 kg)
Shipping Weight
The Shipping Weight includes the product, protective packaging material and the actual shipping box. In addition, the Shipping Weight may be adjusted for the Dimensional Weight (e.g. length, width & height) of a package. It is important to note that certain types of products (e.g. glass containers, liquids, fragile, refrigerated or ice packed) will often require protective packaging material. As such, these products will reflect a higher Shipping Weight compared to the unprotected product.
- Product Code: THR-21002
- UPC Code: 693749210023
- Package Quantity: 60 Veggie Caps
- Dimensions: 3.4 x 1.9 x 1.9 in, 0.05 lbs (0.02 kg)
Product Overview
- Dietary Supplement
- Hypoallergenic
- A High Bioavailability Zinc Supplement
- Our Best-Absorbed Zinc Supplement
- Essential for Growth and Immune Function
- Promotes Reproductive Health
- Without Preservatives, Magnesium Stearate, or Other Lubricants and Diluents
Zinc is essential for growth, immune system function, testosterone metabolism, as a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, and for many other functions in the body. Zinc is involved in the functioning of over 200 enzymes and plays a key role in genetic expression, cell division, and growth.
Zinc deficiency has been associated with adverse impacts on a number of structures and functions of the body. Individuals susceptible to zinc deficiency include the elderly, the immuno-compromised, those on parenteral nutrition, and burn victims.
Clinical studies demonstrate zinc supplementation can increase general wellness, and that it has a beneficial impact on connective tissue as well as reproductive health and eye health.
Because of zinc's essential role in human nutrition and metabolism, there is much interest in the absorption of zinc from both dietary intake and dietary supplements. While dietary zinc intake is effective in most situations, not all zinc dietary supplements have equal bioavailability.
Picolinic acid is a natural mineral chelator produced in the body. It is produced from the amino acid tryptophan in the liver and kidneys and is transported to the pancreas. During digestion, it is secreted from the pancreas into the small intestine, where it binds to minerals to facilitate their absorption.
Because picolinic acid facilitates the absorption of minerals, Zinc Picolinate is absorbed to a higher degree than is other zinc supplements.
Suggested Use
Take 1 capsule one to two times daily or as recommended by your health-care practitioner.
Other Ingredients
Microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, leucine, silicon dioxide.
Tamper Evident: Use only if bottle is sealed.
If pregnant, consult your health-care practitioner before using this product.
Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry place.
|Supplement Facts
|Serving Size: One Capsule
|Each Capsule Contains:
|Amount Per Serving
|Zinc (as Zinc Picolinate)
|15 mg
|Daily Value (DV)
iHerb Customer Reviews
This is another great product from Thorne with no toxic expidients and great quality supplement. I get tested by a kinesiologist for my supplements and when they are Thorne, it always shows up as being beneficial and when they aren't, it usually is a different story. My only regret with this product is that they only offer a 60 capsule option as I would buy it in a larger bottle to save on cost and packaging. The capsules are tiny and easy to swallow.
This is a great form of zinc in the form of picolinate. Everyone with macular degeneration has one thing in common....low zinc levels in the macula. Anyone with macular degeneration should take 30mg 3 times per day for 30 days and then a total of 30 mg / day thereafter. Be sure to count the mg you are getting in your multi vitamin!!! Also, when taking high doses of zinc you need to take a little copper...preferrable copper picolinate in 2 mg once per day while on the higher dose of zinc for the 30 days. Dont take the copper and zinc at the same time because they fight each other and won't absorb. Just take them a few hours apart from one another.
my skin got better
Posted by 5453762070849095224 on May 11, 2016
I take it with food otherwise I get nausea. I take 30mg daily. My skin has improved too.
Nutritionist grade
Posted by 5023433076629972616 on May 02, 2016
This was initially prescribed for me by my Nutritionist. It is great to be able to get it online as I need it instead of having to drive 30mins each way to get it from the Nutritionist, nut know it is the same high quality product.
Not vegan
Posted by bornsloppy on Apr 28, 2016
Bought this one but it is not vegan, the L-leucine comes from birds feathers. Too bad so only 1 star of 5 for this one. Otherwise high quality from Thorne.
High quality Zinc.
Posted by 5298331996289406485 on Apr 22, 2016
Posted by 4965463117734606657 on Apr 08, 2016


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Winner Announced: Armin's 2nd Summer Quiz
The second winner of Armin's weekly summer quiz goes to Jorge Campaña Gomez! Congratulations!
Jorge will be receiving two tickets to ASOT at Ushuaïa beach club and hotel in Ibiza! The contest series will keep going on each week, all summer long. For more information, and for your chance to win, enter the weekly contest here!


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PREPS: A Q&A with Mission Hills field hockey player Kelcee Drinkward
Kelcee Drinkward
Born: May 4, 1991
Birthplace: Escondido
School: Mission Hills
Sport: Field Hockey
Age: 17
Year: Senior
Accomplishments: First Team All-Valley League in 2006, second team All-Valley League in 2007.
Quick hits
Favorite movie: "The Goonies"
Favorite actress: Mandy Moore
Favorite singer: Hilary Duff
Favorite TV show: "Exiled"
Favorite meal: Macaroni and cheese with bits of hot dog
Favorite restaurant: P.F. Chang's
Favorite school subject: English
Most hated chore: Dishes
Pet peeve: Doors left open
If I weren't a field hockey player I'd be: A soccer player.
SAN MARCOS -- High school nicknames usually stick. Kelcee Drinkward, a senior field hockey player at Mission Hills High, has a rather unique nickname, one she is quite proud of, feels is warranted and hopes lasts a lifetime.
When teammates describe Drinkward to others, they say: "She's God's child." No one gives Drinkward a hard time about her nickname, perhaps because they would have to answer to a higher calling. In the classroom or on the field, Drinkward has earned respect, not just for her lifestyle, but also for her level of play.
"Kelcee is just a great all-around kid; I hear nothing but praise for her," said Amy Kivett, head field hockey coach at Mission Hills.
"She is such a great example and model for the other girls -- they all look up to her. She's is so talented and is fiercely competitive. She also has incredible stick skills and is intense on the field -- she is just a complete player."
Q: How did you come about the label of "God's child?"
A: A lot of people know that I'm a Christian and that I don't go to parties or hang out with the wrong people. One day during a practice, someone was trying to get me to go to a party and one of my teammates yelled out "Don't hassle her, she's God child," and it just stuck.
Q: Does the label bother you?
A: No, not at all. Most people know what I am and that I try to lead by example, and that my faith is important to me. Besides, I am one of God's children. I'm really proud of that label.
Q: Do feel like you are under a microscope with that kind of label?
A: Not really. I've learned to not really care what people think. I live my life so that I don't have a bad reputation. People are always inviting me to go and hang out, but I don't go because I'm never sure what exactly hanging out is going to mean to them -- it usually involves parties that I don't want to attend.
Q: Where does your faith rank in your life?
A: Right at the very top. I've been a Christian since I was 5, and it's been at the top my whole life. For me, it is faith, family, friends.
Q: How would someone at school know that you are a Christian?
A: At school, I hang out with a lot of my friends from church. I have friends that don't go to church, but they all know that I'm a Christian and generally they won't ask me to go to parties or things like that.
Q: What clubs are you involved with at school?
A: I am a member of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) at school.
Q: What happens at FCA meetings?
A: We get together and pray for each other and for other students and athletes that we know need our prayers. We talk about the Lord and we also pray for injured players, like Scotty Eveland -- we pray for him a lot.


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Born in the Czech Republic as a daughter of scientist and painter, Eva Eisler often refers to her background being very ''technical and artistic". Maybe the combination of these two factors is what is needed to become one of the world's foremost creative personalities in the design industry.
Eva is a multidisciplinary artist with international reputation and more than twenty years working experience in the New York City. Her unique stainless steel jewellery, as well as numerous installations and collections in furniture, lighting and interiors; has been part of the exhibitions of museums and galleries worldwide. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, The Pinakothek der Moderne, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston or Musee des Beaux Arts in Montreal are just few to name. Passion for architecture together with her unconventional ideas is what makes her accessory pieces special. It is like they balance on the verge of perfection and imperfection, while blending two different styles -Czech modernism and sensibility firmly rooted in the contemporary philosophy.
During the stay in the U.S she taught at renowned colleges such as New York University and Parsons School of Design. After returning to Europe, Eva wanted to share her experience and thus started teaching at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, where she is currently the chairman of the K.O.V Studio (Concept Object Meaning). Her aim is not only to educate students but rather deepen their understanding of the environment and the meaning of design and structure in our lives.
Eva's talent and individual approach to art makes her jewellery sought after by renowned luxury brands in the Czech Republic and abroad. After all, not everyone can pride himself having such an influential referees as Massimo Vignelli who ''never leaves the house without wearing a piece made by Eva.''
Photography by Jan Mahr


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Cincinnati's King Records and its various subsidiary labels have been widely celebrated for its vital contribution to the development of popular music in the 20th Century. The legendary label's groundbreaking, integrated roster of Roots, Bluegrass, R&B and Funk artists gave the world recordings that were integral to the development of Rock & Roll, Pop, Country and, though perhaps less obvious to some, Hip Hop.
Musical icon James Brown was King's most well-known artist and without Brown's Funk genius, it's likely that Hip Hop wouldn't sound the same today. Brown's work is some of the most widely sampled in Hip Hop and one song in particular provided the backbeats for innumerable Rap songs over the years. That song, "Funky Drummer," was recorded at King's studios 45 years ago in Cincinnati's Evanston neighborhood.
Samples of Clyde Stubblefield's drum break on "Funky Drummer" have powered classic Hip Hop tracks by the likes of N.W.A. ("Fuck the Police"), Boogie Down Productions ("South Bronx"), Public Enemy ("Bring the Noise," "Fight the Power"), LL Cool J ("Mama Said Knock You Out"), De La Soul ("The Magic Number"), Ice-T ("O.G. Original Gangster"), Dr. Dre ("Let Me Ride") and countless others. That break's influence has never waned, as Nicki Minaj, Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def and many more producers and artists continue to find inspiration from the funkiest of funky beats. (And its influence extends beyond Hip Hop, having been featured on The Stone Roses' classic "Fool's Gold," and tracks by everyone from Sinead O'Connor and George Michael to Aphex Twin and Korn.)
Tomorrow (June 7), some '80s/'90s Hip Hop greats will honor the 45th anniversary of Stubblefield's recording of that beat with an outdoor concert/block party near the site where it was recorded (in the 1500 block of Brewster Ave.Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation, along with Eastwood Entertainment, Lando Chapman, City of Cincinnati and the Bootsy Collins Foundation, have joined forces to bring "The Alumni Tour," featuring a variety of old-school Hip Hop greats, to town for the special event, dubbed "Lando's Old School Block Party."
The concert will feature performances by Kwame, Dana Dane, Special Ed and Chubb Rock, each of whom understand the power and influence of "Funky Drummer."
Saturday's celebration will also feature appearances by the JB-approved "Young James Brown," King artists Phillip Paul and Otis Williams and the Funkmaster General himself, Bootsy Collins.
Showtime is 7 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.). Tickets are $25 and can purchased in advance here. (Only those 21-and-up are permited.)
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation's ongoing efforts to draw attention to and preserve the legacies of Cincinnati's rich musical past. The organization continues to do great things to honor downtown's former Herzog Studios (where Hank Williams and many others recorded iconic tracks) and the group is currently supporting efforts to save and preserve the original site of King Records' facilities and also attempts to have a permanent marker placed at the site of the old Riverfront Coliseum (now U.S. Bank Arena) in memory of the 11 fans who lost their lives in 1979 trying to get in to see The Who perform (a tragic event that led to the betterment of concert safety procedures throughout the industry).


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A birthday party is no time for quiet or subtlety, so make sure you go wild by decorating with the Polka Dot Balloon! The polka dots on this translucent balloon are bursting with every color of the rainbow for an attention-drawing look.
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Katie and Rocco are in a relationship where the only sex they have is oral. This obviously upsets Rocco but not as much as learning that she's fucking his Dad behind his back. In an attempt to get Rocco to keep her secret and not confront his Dad about it, Katie finally offers to put out, giving new meaning to the old saying, "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."
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That Bernardo Bertolucci will go down as a cinematic legend is without question; the wheelchair-bound 73-year-old likely doesn't have too many films left in him, and while his enthusiasm and work ethic are an inspiration, we can't wholeheartedly endorse "Me And You." It's his first film in nine years, which is an event unto itself, and for those not down with explosions and spandex this summer, it's at least a reprieve from the artless noise of popcorn movies.
After premiering Out Of Competition at the Cannes Film Festival last spring, the first trailer for "Me And You" has arrived and it in large part dispenses with dialogue to try and evoke feeling through imagery and cinematic tableaux instead. For the most part it works, we suppose. The story follows 14-year-old Lorenzo (Jacopo Olmo Antinori) who bails on a class trip to spend some time by himself in the largely unused storage space/basement where he lives, away from the prying eyes of his family. He gets a rude awakening when his 25-year-old junkie half-sister Olivia (Tea Falco) shows up, looking to go cold turkey and detox. Over the next 90 minutes or so they bicker, grow closer, learn stuff and whatnot.
We wrote that the movie is "a minor effort at best, and disappointingly lacking a sense of energy or intent" but soundtrack aficionados will want to take note that it includes "Boys Don't Cry" by The Cure, "Rebellion (Lies)" from Arcade Fire and two versions -- one Italian and one English -- of David Bowie's "Space Oddity." The movie opens on April 19th in theaters and On Demand in the U.K. No stateside distribution yet. Watch below.


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Vienna is not only world famous for its classical music, historical sites and coffeehouses but also for its delicious pastries. It's been a long tradition in this capital of Austria to eat pastry together while sipping authentic Viennese coffee. The experience is even more unforgettable if you get to do this in one of Vienna's famous coffeehouses.
Austrian bakers honed their skills when Emperor Frederick V ordered his preferred bread rolls some 500 years ago. Since then, they have become experts in creating unique recipes for breads, cakes and other kinds of pastries. In fact, Denmark in the olden times also hired Austrian bakers to replace its own bakers who went on strike. This only means that some Danish pastries actually have Austrian influence.
This pastry is made from thin dough, folded into layers and filled with apple jam. Cris and grated apples, sugar, cinnamon, raisins and bread crumbs make up its sweet filling.
This is big and high a cake with German, Austrian and Swiss influence and baked in a circular pan with a tube in the center. It is distinguished by its ring shape or the torus shape and goes well with coffee. This type of cake is made from soft yeast dough, raisins, almonds, candied fruits and Kirschwasser cherry brandy.
This world famous cake was invented in Vienna, Austria and features five layers with chocolate buttercream in between. Its name was derived from the Austrian pastry chef Josef Dobos who created this unique kind of sponge cake.
The Sachertorte is the king of Viennese sweets. It contains a layer of apricot jam below a thick layer of smooth chocolate coating and finished with chocolate cream and vermicelli. Invented in 1832 at the Hotel Sacher (where its name was derived), this chocolate sponge cake has become so popular that other countries have made their own versions.


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Researchers Are Developing Ways to Edit...
RNAi Is Working on Tactics to...
To Know Where Biosimilars Are Going,...
The World Vaccines Market Is Predicted...
Genpathway will help Upstream Biosciences validate its prostate and liver cancer biomarkers and drug response assay. Upstream has identified specific genetic variations to use as diagnostic biomarkers for various forms of cancer.
Genpathway will use its ChIP assays to provide information for the next phase of the company's program. The assays will help elucidate parameters involving specific gene transcription factors and pathways.
"This agreement with Genpathway," notes Upstream CEO Joel Bellenson, "builds on the important analytic work we already have under way with NimbleGen and may allow us to acquire in-depth information that is not available with other analytic methods."
Should the Federal Government Pass a "Right to Try" Bill Allowing Terminally Ill Patients Access to Experimental Medicines?
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Gluten-Free Joe-Joe's from Trader Joe's
Faith's Daily Find 09.05.13
Gluten-Free Joe-Joe's from Trader Joe's
• $3.99
Lots of people love Trader Joe's Joe-Joe's cookies -- maybe even as much as Oreos. So when I noticed that they just released a gluten-free version I checked them out. I don't eat gluten-free, but I like having options for GF treats for friends. I really liked these - they're crisp and chocolatey and without that "bean-y" aftertaste many GF baked goods have. Two thumbs up!


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All of us have at least on celebrity we'd love to be best friends with. There could be multiple reasons for it. Maybe you admire their generosity, or perhaps they have killer fashion sense. Maybe you want to be their friend just because they're extremely attractive.
Whatever your reasons are, hopefully you don't have ulterior motives to be their friend. No one deserves to be used, regardless of their standing on the social pyramid. Celebrities are normal, everyday people with pretty great jobs.
Can you imagine having people screaming your name all the time? Telling you how much they love you even though they really know nothing about you? Perhaps some people thrive off of that, while others find it a little bizarre. They're really fortunate any many of them know it and try to use their influence for good.
Who would you most like to be besties with, even for a day? For me, it would have to be Lauren Conrad or Torrey Devitto. Both lovely ladies are so intelligent. They seem like people you could talk to for hours and hours and never run out of the things to say. I love Lauren's fashion sense and I love how involved Torrey is with her hospice volunteering.
Let us know who your dream celebrity BFF is in the comments below! Are they featured in the gallery?


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Seattle this Spring Break
Submitted by jason on 10/25/2012
Spend spring break in Seattle learning about human trafficking and have a great experience living and learning with fellow students.
More info: http://www.umbchillel.org/seattle
Apply: http://www.umbchillel.org/seattleapp
Applications are due on November 14.
Hillel Pics
This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from umbchillel. Make your own badge here.


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Keith Urban kicked off The Story So Far Tour in Australia on Friday night, but unfortunately due to severe weather in Brisbane, the tour has gotten off to a bit of a rocky start. He was able to play the first two nights in Brisbane but then a third show scheduled for Sunday night had to be postponed untik Monday. Keith posted a message in Twitter that said, "Tonite's show in Brissie postponed until tomorrow nite due to crazy cyclonic chaos… so bummed.!!! stay safe everyone. –KU" (sic) Ultimately, the third Brisbane show had to be postponed indefinitely due to the weather. Keith told his fans, "Beyond deflated about the flooding shutting down third Brissy show again… sending love and hope to all affected… We WILL return hopefully sooner than later Brisbane!!!!! –KU"
Not wanting to disappoint his fans who had tickets for that third sold out show, Keith and the promoter have worked it out so that he will circle back to Brisbane and play the postponed show before leaving Australia. After heading to Sydney for two shows on the 30th and 31st and two shows in Melbourne on February 2nd and 3rd, he'll then travel back to Brisbane for a make-good show on the 5th before returning to the U.S. to continue his work as a judge on American Idol.


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By Janie Chang
November 2, 2011 6:00 AM PT
Mihai Budiu distinctly remembers the buzz surrounding Kinect for Xbox 360 when it was unveiled in 2009 as Project Natal. The public announcements and demos about the technology immediately captured his imagination.
"I got very excited about those demos," Budiu says, "and I kept telling everyone how cool they were. In retrospect, I've come to realize that the internal publicity was very beneficial for the project, because it galvanized so much interest. Everyone who saw the demos wanted to be involved."
Budiu, a researcher at Microsoft Research Silicon Valley, soon got his chance. His colleague Oliver Williams had been involved with Project Natal for some time. When Williams approached Budiu in July 2009 about solving some of the challenges with the project, Budiu jumped at the opportunity.
"I said, 'Yes, absolutely,'" Budiu says, "and I put everything else I was doing on hold."
Budiu's research focus has been large-scale computation platforms. The first such project on which he worked at Microsoft Research was Dryad, the execution engine under the tool used by Bing to analyze search-engine logs. Dryad has been extended to DryadLINQ, now renamed LINQ to HPC, which is a programming layer atop Dryad that enables programmers to write code to run on large computing clusters using commonly available tools and languages such as Microsoft Visual Studio and Microsoft .NET. At first glance, large-scale parallel processing would seem to have little relevance to an Xbox.
"The problem was skeletal tracking," Budiu explains. "Kinect has to recognize body parts. Humans do this recognition easily, but our brains have been trained since birth to recognize humans of various shapes in different positions. For Kinect, rather than describe to the computer how to recognize a human, we had the system 'learn' what human movements look like by feeding it a large set of examples."
At the point when Budiu joined the project, Kinect's machine learning needed to scale up to learn a million sample images within a few hours. Each successive training session enabled the system to recognize variations in body size, clothing, hair, and body positions with greater accuracy. The Kinect team wanted to know whether DryadLINQ would give them faster, more robust, and scalable parallel processing.
"I spoke with Jamie Shotton, the researcher at Microsoft Research Cambridge working on body-part-recognition technology for the image-processing software," Budiu recalls. "I looked at the code he sent me and knew it would be feasible to implement on DryadLINQ. I managed to sketch out a solution within two hours, and then we spent two weeks adapting the solution to work with all the existing data structures and libraries that the computer-vision and machine-learning experts had developed. Then, in order to meet their goal of processing millions of images within hours, we had to scale up the implementation to run the full data set."
After seeing this initial proof of concept, the Kinect team decided to deploy machine learning on Dryad and DryadLINQ. They also increased the requirements for the solution. Machine learning improves as developers are able to work with more data, so large-scale computation platforms are essential. The quality of recognition advances with each additional layer of learning, but each new layer the team added essentially doubled the computational requirements. Not only that, but the build team needed to run the machine-learning algorithm multiple times to explore combinations of tuning parameters.
"We ended up solving a problem 100 times larger than initially envisioned," Budiu says. "This stretched DryadLINQ's capabilities to the limit, many times to the point where it would break down. This allowed us to uncover some performance bugs in the underlying platform, which we were able to fix fairly quickly. We felt proud that DryadLINQ turned out to be as versatile as we had planned. The Kinect project was proof that, with the right tools, we could solve a problem that initially did not appear to be an easy fit for parallel computation."
During the proof-of-concept phase, the training algorithms ran on a cluster of research machines. Now, the Kinect team has its own cluster of servers dedicated to running the training algorithms.
Interestingly, even though the training algorithm receives huge amounts of input data, the actual output that drives the skeletal-recognition process is relatively small and easily loaded into an Xbox. Williams, who had worked at Microsoft Research Cambridge before moving to Microsoft Research Silicon Valley, is intimately familiar with this work. Since 2002, he has worked on computer vision, focusing on the use of machine-learning techniques for efficient visual tracking.
It was when he returned for a visit to Microsoft Research Cambridge in early 2009 that Williams became interested in Shotton's skeletal-tracking work. Then, in May 2009, Williams and Shotton were asked to work with the Kinect team on a skeletal-tracking system. To meet tight deadlines, the researchers worked full-time in close collaboration with the Kinect incubation group.
There were key challenges to solve. While advances such as Kinect's 3-D camera, developed by the Xbox team, made the computer-vision problem somewhat easier, they needed to develop a system that would work reliably for everyone.
"The road to skeletal tracking is paved with solutions that track one specific human—usually the developer," Williams says. "We needed to track all body types and sizes, plus deal with more than one body at a time, because Kinect has to distinguish between players and backgrounds, identify which pixels belong to which players, recognize body parts—such as arms, legs, head, and hands—and then output simplified 'skeletons' that define the players' body configurations."
Getting to a workable solution meant iterating through numerous approaches. Williams gives full credit to the Xbox incubation team for the unflagging enthusiasm and support that enabled them to arrive at a feasible solution on time.
"I got to work very closely with them," Williams recalls. "The collaboration really brought home the fact that we were not dealing with a single issue. Kinect contains disparate methods and ideas that had to be integrated and made to work as part of a holistic system."
The team had to implement skeletal tracking in an extremely efficient way so that it would perform in real time on an Xbox. It wasn't the overall performance envelope of the Xbox that was the problem—it is an extremely well-architected box, Williams says—but the fact that only a small fraction of the machine was available for tracking tasks.
"The real challenge in terms of computational resources," Williams says, "was that the console not only had to deliver real-time skeletal tracking, but also had to support a modern, fully-fledged game title at the same time. Thankfully, the Xbox team is home to some amazingly talented optimization ninjas, who deserve all the glory for getting everything to run so well."
Williams found the experience extraordinarily rewarding. There were algorithmic and performance challenges to solve, many of which required novel approaches. It was a matter of testing and validation.
"I came to realize that the value research brings to such scenarios is the ability to triage ideas and combine them well," Williams says. "That doesn't mean there wasn't novelty there, just that to take components in isolation is to miss the more interesting story, which for me is at the system and architecture level."
Also impressive to Williams was the immense engineering effort required to deliver Kinect as a consumer-ready product with repeatable, reliable performance across diverse operating conditions.
"Through my interactions with both the Xbox incubation group and the platform team," Williams says, "I have learned a great deal about the commitment, professionalism, and quality standards it takes to make something ready to ship."
Budiu agrees.
"Kinect was a truly amazing project in that it dramatically pushed the technology envelope of what is known to be achievable," he says. "Most product teams follow a rigorous schedule, but this project had to craft efficient solutions to a series of difficult problems, almost on the fly. The project was managed to be flexible enough to accommodate some solutions that were unknowns at the beginning. The way all the pieces came together was absolutely amazing. Kinect is by far the most exhilarating project I have ever been involved with. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this effort."
How has the experience affected the researchers?
"First of all, the research projects I'm engaged in now are much more architectural in scope," Williams says, "and less about specific technical details—although these never cease to be important. Next, after seeing firsthand the engineering process required to ship a product like Kinect, my approach to building and testing systems, even if it is only for a proof of concept, is now much more grounded, more mindful of what it takes to scale."
Budiu offers a different perspective.
"For me," he grins, "one of the best outcomes is that now I can explain to my son what I do for a living!"