text:
(EDGAR Online via COMTEX) -- Item 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Discussion of financial condition and liquidity for NSP-Minnesota is omitted per conditions set forth in general instructions H (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q for wholly owned subsidiaries. It is replaced with management's narrative analysis of the results of operations set forth in general instructions H (2) (a) of Form 10-Q for wholly owned subsidiaries (reduced disclosure format).
Table of Contents
Financial Review
The following discussion and analysis by management focuses on those factors that had a material effect on NSP-Minnesota's financial condition, results of operations and cash flows during the periods presented, or are expected to have a material impact in the future. It should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes to the consolidated financial statements. Due to the seasonality of NSP-Minnesota's electric and natural gas sales, such interim results are not necessarily an appropriate base from which to project annual results.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical statements contained in this report, the matters discussed in the following discussion and analysis are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements are intended to be identified in this document by the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "objective," "outlook," "plan," "project," "possible," "potential," "should" and similar expressions. Actual results may vary materially. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect changes that occur after that date. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, including inflation rates, monetary fluctuations and their impact on capital expenditures and the ability of NSP-Minnesota and its subsidiaries to obtain financing on favorable terms; business conditions in the energy industry, including the risk of a slow down in the U.S. economy or delay in growth recovery; trade, fiscal, taxation and environmental policies in areas where NSP-Minnesota has a financial interest; customer business conditions; actions of credit rating agencies; competitive factors, including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets served by NSP-Minnesota and its subsidiaries; unusual weather; effects of geopolitical events, including war and acts of terrorism; state, federal and foreign legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rates or have an impact on asset operation or ownership or impose environmental compliance conditions; structures that affect the speed and degree to which competition enters the electric and natural gas markets; costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; actions by regulatory bodies impacting NSP-Minnesota's nuclear operations, including those affecting costs, operations or the approval of requests pending before the NRC; financial or regulatory accounting policies imposed by regulatory bodies; availability or cost of capital; employee workforce factors; and the other risk factors listed from time to time by NSP-Minnesota in reports filed with the SEC, including "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of NSP-Minnesota's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013, and Item 1A and Exhibit 99.01 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014.
Results of Operations
NSP-Minnesota's net income was approximately $183.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014, compared with approximately $179.7 million for the same period in 2013. Electric rate increases in Minnesota (interim, subject to refund) and North Dakota, lower depreciation expense, weather-normalized sales growth (which is adjusted against a 30-year average of actual historical weather conditions) and the favorable year-over-year impact of weather were partially offset by higher O&M expenses, lower AFUDC and higher property taxes.
Electric Revenues and Margin Electric revenues and fuel and purchased power expenses are largely impacted by the fluctuation in the price of natural gas, coal and uranium used in the generation of electricity, but as a result of the design of fuel recovery mechanisms to recover current expenses, these price fluctuations have little impact on electric margin. The following table details the electric revenues and margin: Six Months Ended June 30 (Millions of Dollars) 2014 2013 Electric revenues $ 2,069 $ 1,923 Electric fuel and purchased power (853 ) (805 ) Electric margin $ 1,216 $ 1,118
Table of Contents
The following tables summarize the components of the changes in electric revenues and electric margin for the six months ended June 30:
Electric Revenues (Millions of Dollars) 2014 vs. 2013 Retail rate increases (a) $ 29 Trading revenue 26 Conservation program revenue (offset by expenses) 20 Non-fuel riders 17 Interchange revenues from NSP-Wisconsin 17 Transmission revenue 16 Estimated impact of weather 10 Fuel and purchased power cost recovery 7 Retail sales growth (excluding weather impact) 7 Other, net (3 ) Total increase in electric revenues $ 146 Electric Margin (Millions of Dollars) 2014 vs. 2013 Retail rate increases (a) $ 29 Conservation program revenue (offset by expenses) 20 Non-fuel riders 17 Interchange revenues from NSP-Wisconsin 14 Estimated impact of weather 10 Retail sales growth (excluding weather impact) 7 Transmission revenue, net of costs 6 Other, net (5 ) Total increase in electric margin $ 98
(a) Retail rates implemented in 2014 include interim rates in Minnesota, subject to refund, and final rates for North Dakota. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion of rates and regulation.
Natural Gas Revenues and Margin The cost of natural gas tends to vary with changing sales requirements and the cost of natural gas purchases. However, due to the design of purchased natural gas cost recovery mechanisms to recover current expenses for sales to retail customers, fluctuations in the cost of natural gas have little effect on natural gas margin. The following table details natural gas revenues and margin: Six Months Ended June 30 (Millions of Dollars) 2014 2013 Natural gas revenues $ 466 $ 343 Cost of natural gas sold and transported (337 ) (224 ) Natural gas margin $ 129 $ 119
Table of Contents
The following tables summarize the components of the changes in natural gas revenues and natural gas margin for the six months ended June 30:
Natural Gas Revenues (Millions of Dollars) 2014 vs. 2013 Purchased natural gas adjustment clause recovery $ 110 Estimated impact of weather 6 Conservation program revenue (offset by expenses) and incentives 2 Other, net 5 Total increase in natural gas revenues $ 123 Natural Gas Margin (Millions of Dollars) 2014 vs. 2013 Estimated impact of weather $ 6 Conservation program revenue (offset by expenses) and incentives 2 Other, net 2 Total increase in natural gas margin $ 10
Non-Fuel Operating Expenses and Other Items O&M Expenses - O&M expenses increased $46.4 million, or 8.3 percent, for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in O&M expense is partially due to the timing of a prior year nuclear outage (i.e., amortization of the 2013 Monticello outage began in July 2013), as summarized in the table below for the six months ended June 30: (Millions of Dollars) 2014 vs. 2013 Nuclear plant operations and amortization $ 27 Electric and gas distribution expenses 4 Interchange agreement billing with NSP-Wisconsin 4 Transmission costs 3 Generation costs 3 Employee benefits (2 ) Other, net 7 Total increase in O&M expenses $ 46
Nuclear plant operations and amortization cost increases were primarily related to the amortization of the 2013 Monticello outage costs, as well as initiatives designed to improve the operational efficiencies of the plants.
Conservation Program Expenses - Conservation program expenses increased $20.9 million, or 45.3 percent, for the six months ended June 30, 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to higher electric recovery rates. Conservation costs are recovered from customers and expensed on a kilowatt hour (KWh) basis. As such, increased sales due to cold winter temperatures or hot summer temperatures will increase revenues and expenses.
Depreciation and Amortization - Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $11.7 million, or 5.5 percent, year-to-date. The decrease was primarily attributed to additional accelerated amortization of the excess depreciation reserve associated with certain Minnesota assets, partially offset by normal system expansion. See further discussion within Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.
Taxes (Other Than Income Taxes) - Taxes (other than income taxes) increased $11.0 million, or 10.4 percent, for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase was due to higher property taxes primarily in Minnesota.
AFUDC, Equity and Debt - AFUDC decreased $16.2 million year-to-date. The decrease was due to the reduction caused by the portion of the Monticello LCM/EPU placed in service in July 2013, partially offset by construction related to the expansion of transmission facilities.
Table of Contents
Interest Charges - Interest charges increased $5.0 million, or 5.4 percent, for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase was primarily due to higher long-term debt levels in the current period, partially offset by refinancings at lower interest rates.
Income Taxes - Income tax expense increased $17.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to higher pretax earnings in 2014, decreased permanent plant-related adjustments in 2014, recognition of research and experimentation credits in 2013 due to the passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act and a tax benefit for a carryback claim related to 2013. These were partially offset by the successful resolution of a 2010-2011 IRS audit issue in 2014 and increased wind production tax credits in 2014. The ETR was 34.5 percent for the first six months of 2014, compared with 30.8 percent for the first six months of 2013 due to these adjustments.
Public Utility Regulation
NSP System Resource Plans - In March 2013, the MPUC approved NSP-Minnesota's Resource Plan and ordered a competitive acquisition process with the goal of adding approximately 500 MW of generation to the NSP System by 2019.
In May 2014, the MPUC issued its order directing NSP-Minnesota to negotiate a 100 MW solar PPA with Geronimo Energy, a natural gas, combined-cycle PPA with Calpine, a natural gas, combustion turbine PPA with Invenergy and to file these agreements later this fall. The MPUC also directed NSP-Minnesota to present its final pricing terms for its 215 MW natural gas combustion turbine, self-build option at the Black Dog site. The MPUC is expected to rule on the four options later this year.
In early 2013, NSP-Minnesota also issued a request for proposal (RFP) for wind generation and subsequently sought commission approval of the following four wind projects:
A 150 MW ownership project for the Border Winds wind farm in North Dakota;
A 200 MW PPA with Geronimo Energy, LLC for the Odell wind farm in Minnesota; and
A 200 MW PPA with Geronimo Energy, LLC for the Courtenay wind farm in North Dakota.
In October 2013, the MPUC approved the four wind projects. In 2014, the North Dakota Public Service Commission (NDPSC) approved the prudence of the Border Winds project as part of the rate case settlement and determined it will address the Pleasant Valley project at a later date. In June and July of 2014, NSP-Minnesota finalized agreements with Renewable Energy Systems Americas, Inc. for the Pleasant Valley and Border Winds projects and anticipates both projects going into service in 2015.
In April 2014, NSP-Minnesota issued a RFP for up to 100 MWs of solar generation resources. Proposals were received in June 2014. NSP-Minnesota is evaluating such bids and plans to submit recommendations regarding selected bids with the MPUC in October 2014.
CapX2020 - In 2009, the MPUC granted CONs to construct one 230 kilovolt (KV) electric transmission line and three 345 KV electric transmission lines as part of the CapX2020 project. The estimated cost of the five major CapX2020 transmission projects listed below is $2.1 billion. NSP-Minnesota and NSP-Wisconsin are responsible for approximately $1.2 billion of the total investment. As of June 30, 2014, Xcel Energy has invested $821 million of its $1.2 billion share of the five CapX2020 transmission projects.
Hampton, Minn. to Rochester, Minn. to La Crosse, Wis. 345 KV transmission line In May 2012, the MPUC issued a route permit for the Minnesota portion of the project and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin approved a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) for the Wisconsin portion of the project. Federal approval of the project was granted in January 2013. All avenues of appeal for the grant of project permits have now been exhausted. In July 2013, the FERC denied a complaint filed by two citizen groups in March 2013 against the project. Construction on the project started in Minnesota in January 2013 and the project is expected to go into service in 2015.
Monticello, Minn. to Fargo, N.D. 345 KV transmission line In December 2011, the Monticello, Minn. to St. Cloud, Minn. portion of the Monticello, Minn. to Fargo, N.D. project was placed in service. The MPUC issued a route permit for the Minnesota portion of the St. Cloud, Minn. to Fargo, N.D. section in June 2011. Construction started on the Minnesota portion of the St. Cloud, Minn. to Fargo, N.D. segment in January 2012. In April 2014, the St. Cloud, Minn. to Alexandria, Minn. portion of the project was placed in service. The NDPSC granted a CPCN in January 2011 and a certificate of corridor compatibility and route permit for the portion of the line in North Dakota in September 2012. In January 2013, construction started on the project in North Dakota. The final phase of the project, Alexandria, Minn. to Fargo, N.D. is expected to go into service in 2015.
Table of Contents
Brookings County, S.D. to Hampton, Minn. 345 KV transmission line The MPUC route permit approvals for the Minnesota segments were obtained in 2010 and 2011. In June 2011, the SDPUC approved a facility permit for the South Dakota segment. In December 2011, MISO granted the final approval of the project as a multi-value project (MVP). Construction started on the project in Minnesota in May 2012. The project is expected to go fully into service in 2015, although segments will be placed in service as they are completed.
Bemidji, Minn. to Grand Rapids, Minn. 230 KV transmission line The Bemidji, Minn. to Grand Rapids, Minn. line was placed in service in September 2012.
Big Stone South to Brookings County, S.D. 345 KV transmission line In December 2011, MISO granted final approval of the project as a MVP. In March 2014, the SDPUC approved a permit for construction of the project's southern portion. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2015, with completion in 2017.
Minnesota Solar - Minnesota legislation requires 1.5 percent of a public utility's total electric retail sales to retail customers be generated using solar energy by 2020. Of the 1.5 percent, 10 percent must come from systems sized less than 20 kilowatts. There are two new solar programs approved: a community solar garden program that will provide bill credits to participating subscribers and a production incentive program for solar energy systems equal to or less than 20 kilowatts with authorized payments of $5.0 million over five years. The legislation also provides for an alternative tariff based on a distributed solar value or Value of Solar (VOS) methodology.
In March 2014, the DOC's proposed VOS methodology was approved by the MPUC however, NSP-Minnesota disagrees with including the VOS in the community solar garden program. In June 2014, NSP-Minnesota submitted reply comments and a recalculation of the VOS rate to recognize lower costs and incorporate DOC assumptions. If the MPUC requires the VOS rate, and NSP-Minnesota's VOS rate calculation is approved, production from solar gardens would earn 9.4 cents per KWh, adjusted annually for inflation. If the VOS rate is not required by the MPUC, it may approve a retail rate based credit ranging from 9.5 to 15 cents per KWh. The actual bill credit amount is dependent on tariff service the customer receives as well as their willingness to transfer the renewable energy credit (REC) to NSP-Minnesota. An MPUC decision on community solar gardens, including the bill credit rate, is expected in the third quarter of 2014.
Nuclear Power Operations
NSP-Minnesota owns two nuclear generating plants: the Monticello plant and the PI plant. See Note 14 of Xcel Energy Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013 for further discussion regarding the nuclear generating plants.
NRC Regulation - The NRC regulates the nuclear operations of NSP-Minnesota. Decisions by the NRC can significantly impact the operations of the nuclear generating plants. The event at the nuclear generating plant in Fukushima, Japan in 2011 has resulted in additional regulation regarding plant readiness to safely manage severe events, which is expected to require additional capital expenditures and operating expenses.
In March 2012, the NRC issued three orders which included requirements for mitigation strategies for beyond-design-basis external events, requirements with regard to reliable spent fuel instrumentation and requirements with regard to reliable hardened containment vents, which are applicable to boiling water reactor containments at the Monticello plant. The NRC also requested additional information including requirements to perform walkdowns of seismic and flood protection, to evaluate seismic and flood hazards and to assess the emergency preparedness staffing and communications capabilities at each plant. Based on current refueling outage plans specific to each nuclear facility, the dates of the required compliance to meet the orders is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2015 with all units expected to be fully compliant by December 2016.
In June 2013, the NRC issued a revised order with regard to reliable hardened containment vents. The revised order added severe accident conditions under which the existing hardened vent which comes off of the wet portion of the containment needs to operate and requires a second hardened vent off of the dry portion of the containment. The revised order requires that any necessary changes to the existing vent are to be completed by the second quarter of the 2017 refueling outage at the Monticello plant and a new vent to be added by the second quarter of the 2019 refueling outage. Portions of the work that fall under the requests for additional information are expected to be completed by 2018.
Table of Contents
NSP-Minnesota expects that complying with these external event requirements will cost approximately $80 to $100 million at the Monticello and PI plants. The majority of these costs are expected to be capital in nature and are included in NSP-Minnesota's capital expenditure forecasts. NSP-Minnesota believes the costs associated with compliance would be recoverable from customers through regulatory mechanisms and does not expect a material impact on its results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
The NRC continues to review its requirements for mitigating the risks of external events on nuclear plants. In April 2014, the NRC issued a draft of proposed regulatory guidance for risk mitigation of tornado missiles (projectiles impacting the plant). This draft guidance is subject to public comments, further NRC review and possibly public meetings prior to finalization. NSP-Minnesota expects the costs associated with compliance with new NRC regulatory guidance for missile protection to be capital in nature and recoverable from customers. However, at this time NSP-Minnesota is still evaluating the proposed new requirements and has not yet estimated their financial impact.
Summary of Recent Federal Regulatory Developments
The FERC has jurisdiction over rates for electric transmission service in interstate commerce and electricity sold at wholesale, hydro facility licensing, natural gas transportation, accounting practices and certain other activities of NSP-Minnesota, including enforcement of North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) mandatory electric reliability standards. State and local agencies have jurisdiction over many of NSP-Minnesota's activities, including regulation of retail rates and environmental matters. See additional discussion in the summary of recent federal regulatory developments and public utility regulation sections of the NSP-Minnesota Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2013. In addition to the matters discussed below, see Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of other regulatory matters.
FERC Order 1000, Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation (Order 1000) - In 2011, the FERC issued Order 1000 adopting new requirements for transmission planning, cost allocation and development to be effective prospectively. In Order 1000, the FERC required utilities to develop tariffs that provide for joint regional transmission planning and cost allocation for all FERC-jurisdictional utilities within a region. In addition, Order 1000 required that regions coordinate to develop interregional plans for transmission planning and cost allocation. A key provision of Order 1000 is a requirement that FERC-jurisdictional wholesale transmission tariffs exclude provisions that would grant the incumbent transmission owner a federal Right of First Refusal (ROFR) to build certain types of transmission projects in its service area.
The removal of a federal ROFR would eliminate rights that NSP-Minnesota has under the MISO tariffs to build certain transmission projects within its footprint. In Order 1000, FERC instead required that the opportunity to build such projects would extend to competitive transmission developers. MISO made their initial compliance filings to incorporate new provisions into their tariffs regarding regional planning and cost allocation. Various parties appealed Order 1000 final rules to the D.C. Circuit. The date for a Court decision in the appeal is uncertain.
The FERC ruled on the initial regional compliance filings for MISO, directing further compliance changes. The FERC ruling prohibits ROFR provisions in the MISO tariff and Transmission Owners Agreement (TOA), except for consideration of state statutes. The MISO Transmission Owners filed an appeal of this decision. Initial filings to address interregional planning and cost allocation requirements with other regions were made by MISO and are pending action by the FERC.
Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota legislation preserves ROFR rights. Wisconsin has not developed such legislation. The FERC's initial order on MISO's compliance filing required MISO to remove proposed tariff provisions that would have recognized state ROFR rights and allowed state regulators to select the developer of a transmission project. Xcel Energy requested rehearing of this issue. The FERC has also accepted changes to MISO's transmission cost allocation procedures that will protect the ROFR for projects needed for system reliability. MISO has proposed that the Order 1000 compliance tariffs be effective for projects approved in December 2014.
Table of Contents
MISO Transmission Pricing - The MISO Tariff presently provides for different allocation methods for the costs of new transmission investments depending on whether the project is primarily local or regional in nature. If a project qualifies as a MVP, the costs would be fully allocated to all loads in the MISO region. MVP eligibility is generally obtained for higher voltage (345 KV and higher) projects expected to serve multiple purposes, such as improved reliability, reduced congestion, transmission for renewable energy, and load serving. Certain parties appealed the FERC MVP tariff orders to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Seventh Circuit). In June 2013, the Seventh Circuit upheld the FERC MVP tariff orders allocating MVP project costs regionally, but remanded the FERC decision to not apply the regional charge to transmission service transactions crossing into the PJM RTO. U.S. Supreme Court review of the Seventh Circuit decision was requested. In March 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the appeal. Appeals of the regional allocation issue have thus been exhausted. The FERC has not yet taken action on the remand of the PJM allocation issue. The NSP System has certain new transmission facilities for which other customers in MISO contribute to cost recovery. Likewise, the NSP . . .
Aug 01, 2014
(c) 1995-2014 Cybernet Data Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved


text:
A Study to Investigate an Immunomodulatory Therapy in Adult Patients With Perennial Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis
This study has been completed.
Cytos Biotechnology AG
Information provided by:
Cytos Biotechnology AG
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
First received: December 14, 2007
Last updated: April 24, 2009
Last verified: April 2009
- Full Text View
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- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
The purpose of the study is to test the efficacy of the combination treatment AllQbG10 in patients with perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to house dust mite allergy in a double-blind placebo-controlled setting
|Perennial Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis House Dust Mite Allergy
|Drug: CYT005-AllQbG10 (combination of house dust mite allergen extract with CYT003-QbG10) Drug: House dust mite allergen extract in combination with CYT003-QbG10-placebo
|Phase 2
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:
|Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study to Investigate Safety, Tolerability, Immunogenicity and Clinical Efficacy of a Specific Immunotherapy Combining Allergen With CYT003-QbG10 (CYT005-AllQbG10) in Adult Patients With Perennial Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis Due to House Dust Mite Allergy
Resource links provided by NLM:
MedlinePlus related topics: AllergyU.S. FDA Resources
Further study details as provided by Cytos Biotechnology AG:
Primary Outcome Measures:
- Conjunctival provocation test with allergen and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms in daily life [ Time Frame: about 1.5 hours on 4 occasions over 1 year ]
Secondary Outcome Measures:
- Safety and tolerability of the study treatment by collection of adverse events [ Time Frame: about 30 min. at each visit ]
|Estimated Enrollment:
|Study Start Date:
|November 2007
|Study Completion Date:
|March 2009
|Primary Completion Date:
|March 2009 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
|Experimental: Arm 1
Drug: CYT005-AllQbG10 (combination of house dust mite allergen extract with CYT003-QbG10)
subcutaneous injections at 8 visits
|Placebo Comparator: Arm 2
Drug: House dust mite allergen extract in combination with CYT003-QbG10-placebo
subcutaneous injections at 8 visits
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years to 65 Years (Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Mild to moderate perennial allergic rhinoconjunctivits due to hypersensitization towards house dust mite allergens
Exclusion Criteria:
- Clinically relevant other allergies (perennial or seasonal) that could potentially interfere with the patient's study treatment schedule or assessments
- Use of any concomitant medication that could affect the patient's study treatment response or assessment results
Contacts and Locations
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below. For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00574223
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00574223
|Cytos Biotechnology (Sponsor's Headquarter)
|Schlieren, Switzerland, CH-8952
Sponsors and Collaborators
Cytos Biotechnology AG
|Study Director:
|Philipp Mueller, MD
|Cytos Biotechnology
More Information
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017
|Responsible Party:
|Philipp Mueller, MD, Head of Clinical Development, EVP, Cytos Biotechnology AG
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00574223 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
CYT005-AllQbG10 04
|Study First Received:
|December 14, 2007
|Last Updated:
|April 24, 2009
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Conjunctivitis, Allergic
Immune System Diseases
Conjunctival Diseases
Eye Diseases
Hypersensitivity, Immediate
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017

subset: commoncrawl


text: What are the common sizes of fine art papers used for printing "11x14" and "16x20" negatives? I'm trying to decide on tray and contact print frame sizes, and sometimes it's best to be able to have something large enough to fit the entire piece of paper, versus just the negative. I appreciate all the information that I've received to get going in this new endeavor. Thanks.


text:
|Boulder, 10'
|Hueco: V4 Font: 6B [details]
|Hank Jones?
|Page Views:
|Submitted By:
|Anonymous Coward on Jan 1, 2002
|The Kingpin Boulder is closed to climbing MORE INFO >>>
|Comments on Hank's Arete
|Add Comment
|Show which comments —
By Elijah Flenner
Nov 25, 2002
rating: V4 6B
There are two ways to do this, from a sitstart, or start standing with a left hand on the better sidepull crimp. I believe the sitstart is V5, and the standing start is V4.
By Steve Woods
Jan 12, 2004
|After hitting the jug above the starting holds, does this then take the arete traverse leftward across the top of Hanks? If so, the traverse itself is V3/4 and extremely fun. If you cannot do the harder start, try jumping to the jug and starting.
By Adam Holmes
Jan 12, 2004
|The standard topout goes straight up after hitting that jug. But traversing left at the jug may be a fun variation. I'll have to try that next time.


text:
Trip highlights:
- See the famous Banaue Rice Terraces
- Learn the customs and traditions of the ancient people of the mountain region
- Trek to and spend a night in Batad, a village within an amphitheater of rice terraces
- Trek to spectacular waterfalls and dive into their lagoons
- Traverse a beautifully alien quartz and limestone cave system
- See the unique hanging coffins of Sagada.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Travel to Banaue.
The group assembles in Manila in the evening and we get some shut-eye while we travel through winding mountain roads. When we wake up we will be in Banaue, home of the famous rice terraces, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world.
Day 2: Batad.
We trek to Batad, a village within an amphitheater of rice terraces. We hike amidst the rice paddies to a spectacular waterfall and spend the night in the village.
Day 3: Travel through Bontoc to Sagada.
We take the scenic road to Sagada. We stop at Bontoc where we learn about the customs of the indigenous people of the mountain region. In Sagada we do a preliminary tour of the village and its picturesque surrounds.
Day 4: Sagada highlights.
Today we do plenty of hiking to see the many attractions of Sagada. These include a sacred waterfall, hanging coffins, an underground river and local handcrafts shops.
Day 5: Sagada caving.
We've saved arguably the best for last. We spend an exhilarating day underground traversing a bizarrely beautiful cave system.
Day 6: Visit Baguio and travel back to Manila.
Sadly our adventure is at an end and it's time to head back to Manila. On the way we stop by the mountain city of Baguio, known as the summer capital of the Philippines because of its popularity among local tourists.
Price Includes:
Also see tour packages in:
Asia Philippines Outdoor: Land Rambler Hiking & Trekking Caving


text:
Allen Lund Co. partnered with Verbum Dei High School in South Los Angeles as part of the schools Corporate Work Study Program. This is the seventh straight year that the company and high school with be working together.
Four Verbum Dei students are working at Allen Lund corporate headquarters for the academic school year. Through rotation, students of the program gain experience in the marketing, carrier resources, human resources and sales departments while attending school.
The corporate work study students this year are sophomore Mark Palmer, junior Zahid Ruiz and freshmen Anthony Rivera and Angel Diaz.
Students of the program are mentored throughout their time in the office and sometimes return.
"Several students have been hired, coming back to work during school breaks or as summer interns," said Carrie Petersen, assistant manager of human resources.


text:
AIAIAI S03 Speaker Unit - Warm
AIAIAI S03 Speaker Unit - Warm, the s03 speaker unit warm is engineered with a titanium Coated driver to reduce distortion, and designed with a fully sealed driver, providing a full and rich sound. accessory for aiaiai tma-2 modular series, magnet type: neodym, diaphragm material: titanium Coated, diameter: 40 mm, frequency range: 20 hz - 20 khz, max power: 70 mw, spl: 117 db, impedance: 32 Ohms, cable lock, weight: 100 g
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Offers include 20% British VAT and are valid as long as stocks last. Shipping costs to the U.K. are 10 EUR (approx. £7), free shipping on orders above 199 EUR. Please click here for international Shipping Costs and Delivery Times. We do not accept liability for typographical errors or inaccurate information of any kind. *RRP = manufacturer's / distributor's recommended retail price in Germany


text:
Sober Grad Night Party
Country Club Lanes and Lazer X are a great place to celebrate your schools graduation! We have a large room upstairs with 2 dance floors and a stage, a small room downstairs, 48 bowling lanes, laser tag arena fitting up to 30 people at a time, 2 arcades, billiards and a snack bar. We also offer great food and beverage packages! Please call us at (916) 488-7545 or fill out a request form below.
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text:
NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Tanjong Tokong, Penang, Malaysia, 2006/11/21 - SpeedTextPad is a specialized text editor designed specifically for 'f r e e-writing'. With SpeedTextPad, the writer can perform free-writing effectively.
Announcing New Shareware: SpeedTextPad version 1.1
Yeoh HS, who runs an IT consulting firm, is pleased to announce the release of a new shareware, "SpeedTextPad".
SpeedTextPad is a specialized text editor designed specifically for free-writing. With SpeedTextPad, the writer can perform free-writing effectively.
Free-writing means that you, the writer:
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Tim McGraw Explains Why 'Overrated' Could Be His Theme Song
Tim McGraw agrees that the first song on his new 'Sundown Heaven Town' album could be his theme song. The banjo-laden track evokes everything he stands for: hard work, overcoming obstacles and struggles and finding time appreciate family and friends. It takes a humble man to call a song called 'Overrated' a theme song, but the 47-year-old father of three was willing to go even further.


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MLB draft coverage for the Mets focused on their 1st round pick, their 2nd round pick, and their 4th round pick from Hawaii. Everyone else got lumped into this "Day 2" story and received a small paragraph. Except for their 13th round pick, who curiously was the subject of a lengthy feature. Is it because their 13th round pick, Matthew Bowman, is the nephew of MLBAM CEO Bob Bowman? In the MLB.com story, there's no mention of Bob.
Writes a tipster:
I'm told that all MLB.com writers were alerted to the potential of Bowman being drafted a couple days ago and told that whichever team took him, that beat writer would have to write a separate story on it. Someone asked if they should identify the fact that he's the CEO's nephew and they were told emphatically not to.
Another source confirms the tipster's account, but as you can imagine, writers at MLB.com do not want to get dragged into this.
[UPDATE: Jim Romenesko spoke with MLB.com, which gave him this response. "In this situation, we had a kid get drafted out of the Ivy League, the first Princeton player drafted by the Mets, and I found that compelling. Bob [Bowman] knew nothing about the assignment. …There was no directive to the reporter to remove Bob's name. I removed it. I didn't see any connection with him being drafted."]


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CARLTON coach Brett Ratten was ''ecstatic'' with yesterday's 30-point win over Fremantle at Patersons Stadium, while opposite number Mark Harvey delivered a damning assessment of his Dockers.
The final result clearly flattered the Dockers and Ratten said Fremantle's ability to kick five of the last six goals was mainly due to the Blues running out of legs.
Carlton had already used its substitute Zach Tuohy when Bret Thornton went off the ground with a facial injury.
''I thought it was an outstanding performance. Defensively I thought it was just brilliant,'' Ratten said. ''It's a challenge when you come to Perth.''
Fremantle remains in the race to play finals but, in Harvey's words, was beaten for pace, lacked intent in the early going and then was outclassed in the second half. ''We've got too many guys who are playing catch-up [with fitness] at the moment,'' he said.


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Conni, Susanne, That's extremely helpful, thank you both. On 12 October 2010 12:46, Susanne Ebrecht <miracee(at)web(dot)de> wrote: > FRA isn't CDG ... of course at the airport you will find all stuff > additionally in English and not only in German. > Yes, it certainly was my experience that English speakers are well accommodated while I was in Berlin last month....There is only so many times you can sheepishly smile at someone in a foreign country as if to say "I'm completely bewildered, please help me", and I think that I reached that limit when I was in Paris last year :-) > My experience is that intercontinental flights are cheaper when they are via > FRA but not end in FRA. > > The flight from FRA to STR will be a train. Lufthansa/United (star alliance) > won't take planes here. They have an agreement with German Train company > (DB) that for the flights Frankfurt - Stuttgart and Frankfurt - Cologne a > train is used instead of plane. > > Of course this train won't cost you extra money because you are using it > with your boarding card. > > When I have to take a train after landing on an airport in Germany I never > book it in advance. > Usually, my planes are not in time ... either they are much earlier > (especially when traveling from US) or later. > > Means even when I would book in advance I would need to pay the full prise > at the end. > So I don't book in advance and just buy the ticket after I landed. > > For buying ticket at the airport you either need Euro or a credit card. They > don't accept Dollar. I'm actually travelling from Dublin, so most of that doesn't apply to me - I suppose I'll just buy the ticket when I land anyway. >> 2. How close is the DB Bahn Frankfurt(Main)Hbf train station to FRA >> terminal 2? >> > > You don't want to travel to main station first. You want to take the direct > train from airport to Stuttgart. > > It is just some walking distance in the airport. > I expect that there are signs which you just need to follow. > Look for red written "DB" sign ... That's what I'll do. Thanks again. -- Regards, Peter Geoghegan
Next: From: Magnus Hagander Date: 2010-10-19 13:11:15 Subject: PGDay Europe 2010 Registration Open Previous: From: Susanne Ebrecht Date: 2010-10-12 11:46:31 Subject: Re: Transportation from Frankfurt to Stuttgart for pday.eu


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O'Neill On Directing 'Star Trek: Hidden Frontier' And 'Odyssey'By T'Bonz
March 18, 2008 - 2:11 AM
Fan-produced films are a great way to keep the franchise alive after years of disappointing 'Star Trek' movies and shows, says David O'Neill.
As reported by Trekweb, working on Star Trek: Hidden Frontier and Star Trek: Odyssey was both challenging and enjoyable according to O'Neill. "Directing was great," he said. "I was the new guy, handling the penultimate episode of this phenomenal series. It was complex episode to boot, setting everything that would lead into the finale. The cast was a delight to work with, giving me help and advice where needed."
Once Hidden Frontier ended, O'Neill moved on to Odyssey. "I was fortunate to be able to join 'Hidden Frontier' when its production values were on an exponential role," said O'Neill. "The green halo effect was now gone, the virtual sets looked sharper, and with the new lighting effects, we're able to give the episodes a more subtle, shadowy look of real life."
O'Neill directed the third season The Lotus Eaters episode of Odyssey. Shooting was a challenge. "As the song goes, 'It never rains in Southern California,' but during the production of this episode we had our wettest January in like five years," he explained. "The camera cannot move filming in virtual sets, so I was looking forward to filming outside. But rain, mud and some cool weather prevented us from filming all the Achlys, Panos, Ro and T'Lorra scenes outside. And on the one night we did get to film outside, it was very chilly and damp, along with barking dogs."
Fan-produced films give the opportunity to tell unique stories that might be too controversial for the traditional studios and also help to keep the franchise alive, according to O'Neill. "I think fans films such as ours, along with 'Star Trek: Intrepid', 'Star Trek: Phase II' and others, is a great way keep the franchise alive, especially over these lean years of disappointing movies and TV shows," he explained. "One of the best reasons to do something like this, I think, is to present stories that have yet to be seen, even on the studio backed Star Trek. Obviously, the gay storylines that were introduced in Hidden Frontier is one area CBS/Paramount has decided is far too dangerous to explore in their corporate strategy to appeal to every demographic on the planet. But with the fan produced shows, it gave voice to a base that has been ignored over the years. That's what online shows and movies have given us: a chance to explore these new avenues of story telling."
To read more, head to the article located here.
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Sign Up
timetospa wine expert Jérôme Ottenwaelter recommends
this perfect pairing:
2006 Morgon "Vieilles vignes" by Guy Breton, Gamay from France
Let's have guiltless fun: Fish? Red tonight,
no white, thank you. And for an exotic recipe
where tons of flavors explode, why not an old
vine from one of the most traditional regions
in France?
Finding a wine that would resist this recipe
without overpowering it was the challenge,
and to do so while being balanced with all
components, from swordfish to curry, and
jalapeno to mint.
Gamay is often good-humored in Beaujolais,
but in Morgon it develops a whole new
dimension, where playful becomes elegant,
and earthy shows the exuberance of the
ground. You may be surprised by the fireworks
created with this association.
Recommended Products
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Flange Bearing, 2-Bolt, Ball, 1-3/16" Bore
DAYTON| Zoro #: G0876836| Mfr #: 3FDE3
Zoro #: G0876836Mfr. Part #: 3FDE3
$63.25 /ea
This item ships free. DetailsStandard ground shipping
Technical Specifications
|Zoro #: G0876836 Mfr #: 3FDE3
|Item: 2-bolt Flange Bearing
|Housing Material: Cast iron
|Includes: (2) Set Screws, Oiler Cap
|Locking Type: Set Screw
|Temp. Range: -20 Degrees to 200 Degrees F
|Dimension D: 1/2"
|Dimension C: 4-19/32"
|Dimension A: 5-9/16"
|Finish: Nickel Plated
|Bearing Lubrication: Chevron SRI-2 or NLGI #2 Equivalent
|Bearing Insert Material: 52100 Chrome Steel
|Series: Nickel Plated Standard Duty
|Bearing Insert Type: Ball
|Overall Width: 3-1/4"
|Dynamic Load Capacity: 4382 lb.
|Overall Length: 5-9/16"
|Static Load Capacity: 2517 lb.
|Overall Height: 1-37/64"
|Bore Dia.: 1-3/16"
|Dimension F: 1-37/64"
|Dimension B: 3-1/4"
|Bolt Size: 7/16"
|Country of Origin (subject to change): China
Product Description
Flange Bearing, Number of Bolts 2, Nickel Plated Standard Duty Series, Bore Dia. 1-3/16 In., Ball Bearing Type, 52100 Chrome Steel Bearing Material, Cast Iron Housing Material, Set Screw Locking Type, Mounting Hole Center 4-19/32 In., Overall Height 1-37/64 In., Overall Width 3-1/4 In., Overall Length 5-9/16 In., Bolt Hole Size 7/16 In., Ball Bearing Insert, Dynamic Load Capacity 4382 lb., Static Load Capacity 2,517. lb, Temp. Range -20 Degrees to 200 Degrees F, Nickel Plated Finish, Silver
Restrictions and Compliance
- *1 : California Proposition 65 : This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.
- *2 : California Proposition 65 : This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.
- *5 : Export Sensitive Item : This item has been identified as potentially requiring formal authorization or licensing to export under U.S. government export control laws and regulations, including but not limited to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).


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Xbox 360 to go Blu-Ray?
At that start of this month Sony confirmed the rumours about Microsoft's Xbox 360 getting Blu-Ray. Since the end of HD-DVD there were worries about the 360's future, now thanks to a little help from Sony the Xbox will live on. The Blu-Ray Drive(shown above) has yet to be confirmed by Mircosoft but they have yet to deny it.
Is this a good or bad thing for the 360? Discuss on our Forums.


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Last night was Star Wars night at Busch Stadium. Hence Chewbacca up there hurling out the first pitch.
If you watched the game on ESPN, you might of noticed the whole production going HAM on the Star Wars theme. And if you felt like it was very corporate synergy-ish, you'd be right:
Lucasfilm is owned by The Walt Disney Company. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.
None of it seemed to distract the Cardinals from winning their 3rd straight game (6 of 8) and pulling within 2 games of the Brewers for 1st place in the NL Central.
In fact, the game was one of the more by the book wins of the season. 6.2 innings from Lance Lynn surrendering only 2 earned runs. A LOOGY out from Randy Choate. A solid inning from Seth Maness. A save from Rosenthal. And the top of the Cardinals order producing 9 hits and 3 RBIs.
But, since this hasn't been an easy season for the Cardinals, something bad had to happen.
Yadier Molina exited the game early with a sprained right thumb. He's already underwent an MRI and the length of his absence should be known later this PM.
The Cardinals go for the sweep of the Pirates tonight.


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Nepal: Three Weeks of Cultural & Shamanic Immersion April 2006
eBook (PDF): $12.38
Nine of us traveled to Nepal in April 2006 with Dr. Larry Peters to observe various shamanic healing techniques and receive shamanic initiation at the time of the April full moon with Aama Bombo, one... More > of the International Counsel of Indigenous Grandmothers. While we were there anti-monarchy demonstrations broke out and the King of Nepal tried to use curfews to subdue the unrest in Kathmandu. A nationwide strike accompanied the demonstrations and Maoist insurgents took advantage of the turmoil. The US Embassy sent its non-essential personnel out of Nepal, and a serious fuel and food shortage developed. This diary-style record of twenty-four days in April 2006 allows the reader to accompany us as we experienced shamanic training, toured Kathmandu and Pokhara, as well as witnessing history in the making.< Less
Our Love Affair With The Maple Tree
eBook (PDF): $5.99
The author and her husband became accidental sugarmakers in 1997 and have built a 1300 tap maple syrup enterprise in Maine: High Acres Maple Syrup. This is the story of High Acres, how it came to be,... More > practical information other sugarmakers might find helpful, and whimsical vignettes about the maple adventure. This small gem is loaded with full color photographs and diagrams to illustrate the story. If you are already a fan of High Acres Maple Syrup, "Our Love Affair With The Maple Tree" will give you a better understanding of what has gone into bringing you the liquid gold you pour over your pancakes.< Less
High Acres Maple Syrup Cook Book
eBook (PDF): $3.53
Perfect bound edition of this superb collection of over 200 recipes using real maple syrup. It has been compiled, tested and presented by the owner of one of the finest maple syrup sugar houses in... More > southern Maine. Because a cookbook is only as good as its index, this volume has been extensively indexed. There is a section on how maple syrup is made, how it is graded, what the consumer should know when buying real maple syrup and caring for it after getting it home. Simple instructions for substituting maple syrup in your own favorite recipes is also included.< Less
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The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.
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Knowing the Trinity: Practical Thoughts for Daily Life, by Meet the Puritans contributor Ryan McGraw, is the latest book from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.
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Country of Origin: Brazil
Ingredients: Wheat flour enriched with iron and folic acid, vegetable fat, invert sugar, salt, starch, malt extract, yeast chemicals sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and sodium acid pyrophosphate, flavor, emulsifier soya lecithin and flour enhancer metabisulfite sodium
Allergy Info: Contains gluten, milk and sesame
Tostines are salt and water crackers. Water and salt biscuits have been around since 1885. Through more then a century of experimentation, water and salt biscuits are creamier and crunchier then ever.
Next Up: Serenata de Amor by Garoto


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TEL AVIV (Dec. 26)
Winter storms sweeping over Israel forced the suspension of citrus loading at Haifa port today. Loading at the port of Ashdod to the south continued but with long interruptions. Pickers were unable to work in the citrus groves because of the weather. The crop was reportedly in excellent condition owing to the rains during the last few days.
Sand storms whirled across the Negev today. On the Sea of Galilee, a small body of water subject to sudden violent squalls, a fishing boat capsized. High winds and steep waves made navigation impossible.


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Fundamental investors often have difficulty coming to terms with the idea that past prices can have an impact on future prices. But as anyone who has ever owned a stock can probably attest, watching your position change in value is hard to ignore. It's naive to think that those past prices (such as investors' entry prices) don't have an impact on when they ultimately choose to sell.
How to Spot Support and Resistance Levels
Generally, there are three ways that technical traders determine support and resistance levels: intermediate reversals, round numbers and moving averages.
The most common way to find support or resistance levels is by looking at intermediate reversals, or the points where trends have turned around and changed direction in the past. By connecting those peaks, you can draw a support or resistance line that restricts a stock's price action. These types of support and resistance can be either horizontal (at a set price level) or sloping trends.
Because investor psychology ultimately sets the market, round numbers can also act as important support and resistance levels. That's because when a stock approaches a round number, such as $10 or $100, investors have preconceived notions that the stock may be getting "expensive" or "cheap," prompting them to sell or buy shares accordingly. This can lead to broken trends at these prices.
Moving averages are also important indicators of support and resistance levels. Because they represent the average prices paid by investors for a given issue over a certain period, the psychological impact of a moving average can be tangible. When it comes to picking the appropriate moving average, some experimentation is sometimes required to find the moving average that best restricts price action.


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Indoor Soccer Arena 2000
4670 Aldona Lane
Sacramento, CA 95841
Phone: 916-489-5000
Need directions?
Sacramento, CA 95841
Phone: 916-489-5000
Need directions?
We play all year and leagues are always forming.
Please feel free to call or Email us for deadline dates or additional information.
Feel free to drop by and see us. Our normal hours are:
Don't have a team but want to play? We can help.
ALL waivers must be completed on-line. Click on the GREEN Sign Waiver button in the top of the page. Contact us at 916-489-5000 or email us at email@example.com
ISA2000 a FUN, safe soccer experience for EVERYONE


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Want to bring a group out to tube or learn to ride? TSR offers group rates for all activities. We also have awesome catering options from Wahoo's Fish Taco and 70-acres of fun to make any field trip, party, event, team build or group outing loads of fun!
Contact firstname.lastname@example.com for more information.


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PRO FOOTBALL; Manning's Last Call May Signal a Turnaround
By LYNN ZINSER
Published: January 4, 2005
In a year full of momentous decisions, some that turned out bad, others that turned out worse, the very last one of the Giants' season will be the one that helps propel them through the off-season.
Quarterback Eli Manning, in the waning seconds of the final game on Sunday night against Dallas, showed the Giants what they had been waiting to see. He stood under center, surveying the defense, taking his time despite the game clock ticking down, and made the perfect choice to change the pass play that had been called into a running play that would win the game.
''It was one of those cat-and-mouse games that took place the entire ballgame,'' Giants Coach Tom Coughlin said. ''He did an outstanding job there because he kept his poise and his cool, if you will, standing over the ball. It's what allowed him to make that decision because there is always a certain amount of risk involved.''
There was little about Manning's season that was not risky, starting with the decision last April to trade a slew of draft picks for him and hand him the keys to the franchise. The biggest risk of all may have been Coughlin's decision to make him the starter in mid-November, throwing him at the helm of a wobbling team about to face the N.F.L.'s toughest defenses.
But it seemed to finally pay off Sunday night. On Monday, despite the team's eight straight losses and its 6-10 record, the Giants left their locker room after the final team meeting with smiles on their faces and hope on their minds, thanks to the season-ending victory engineered by Manning.
''His development over the last three weeks has been phenomenal,'' running back Tiki Barber said. ''I think we give a lot of credit to Eli because he developed quickly. I think the game slowed down for him and he was able to make some decisions and be a leader and a general out there for us. I am excited to see what he is going to do.''
That Manning will start next season is about the only thing the Giants players can be completely confident of. They know management is contemplating an overhaul in response to two dismal seasons. They know that players who were once thought of as the core of the team -- like receiver Ike Hilliard, tackle Luke Petitgout and safety Shaun Williams -- are in danger of being jettisoned.
The losing streak will have its victims, but in the end, Manning believes it will make him better. He learned under fire, his every mistake magnified, but he saved his best moment for last.
''I felt more comfortable,'' Manning said of his final game. ''I had a good feel for our offense. I knew what to do. I wasn't nervous. I was seeing the defenses. I was seeing coverages and making the right reads. I think I felt more confident in what I was doing.''
The Giants, in turn, are suddenly much more confident in him.
Photo: Eli Manning struggled after he took the helm of the Giants in mid-November, but he gradually gained poise. (Photo by Shannon Stapleton for The New York Times)


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LA JOLLA, CA - May 9, 2013 ¬- Ardem Patapoutian, professor in the Dorris Neuroscience Center at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), has been named a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Investigator, based on demonstrated potential to contribute significantly to biomedical science.
"I am immensely pleased for Ardem and what his selection says about him and TSRI," said Michael A. Marletta, president and CEO of TSRI. "Ardem's work in mechanotransduction is transformative. Our expectations are even higher for him now."
Patapoutian and 26 other top biomedical researchers from across the country were selected for HHMI's flagship investigator program from among 1,155 applicants. The new HHMI investigators will begin five-year appointments in September, receiving the significant support necessary to drive their research in creative new directions.
The current group of 330 HHMI investigators includes 15 Nobel laureates and more than 160 members of the National Academy of Sciences.
Patapoutian and his team are investigating the molecular underpinnings of mechanotransduction, the process by which cells convert mechanical forces into chemical signals. Specifically, the lab is focused on identifying the molecules that sense force, determining how these sensors work, and elucidating their physiological roles in biological processes and diseases involving mechanotransduction, including sensing touch, pain and blood pressure.


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Established in 1998, Geinhart Australia is dedicated to the design, manufacture and supply of innovative, high quality, cost effective equipment to the supermoto and MX industry worldwide.
Geinhart manufacturers a complete range of rims, hubs and spoke kits suited to all applications of Supermoto and MX conversion, from 125s to KTM 950s. Including spoke lacing, truing and balancing.
Geinhart Australia provides a complete conversion service. Extruding only 7075T Aircraft grade aluminium alloy.
Geinhart rims do not suffer from the problems associated with billet wheels or the low stress rupture toughness associated with cast magnesium wheels. Our hubs use only CNC machined aircraft grade 6061-T6 aged aluminum.
Geinhart continues to develop and modify products suitable for all areas of supermoto and motocross sport with excellence, superior quality and safety its paramount goal.


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Paul Petersen, who has worked more than seven years in the Maricopa County Assessor's Office as the assessor's representative and public information officer, has been named as the new Maricopa County Assessor.
Petersen, a licensed attorney and court interpreter, replaces former assessor Keith Russell, who resigned the position in June to become a justice of the peace in east Mesa.
Petersen, 38, was unanimously appointed by the five-member board of supervisors and will face election in 2014 to serve the remaining years of Russell's term. The supervisors noted Petersen's experience in the assessor's office — and the challenges he faces. Petersen is a fourth generation Arizonan.


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So … when did filmmakers start cutting red band trailers that were 3 and a half minutes long? First there was that "The Devil Inside" red band trailer, and now another extended red band trailer for the comedy "The Babymakers". I think there might be something to be said for getting in and getting out as fast as you can without giving away all the plot or the jokes. Three and a half minutes seems, well, about one and a half minutes too long, to be perfectly honest with you. Anyways, that's just my opinion. See what you think of "The Babymakers" below.
The film stars Paul Schneider as a sperm-challenged married man who can't knock his hot wife up (played by geek fantasy girl Olivia Munn, here playing the straight man to the guys), so he decides to recruit his witless pals to steal the sperm deposits he left at a sperm bank years ago. What? We've all been there, haven't we? Don't judge.
Also starring director Jay Chandrasekhar (of Broken Lizards fame), Helena Mattsson, Constance Zimmer, M.C. Gainey, Hayes MacArthur, and Desi Lydic.
Makin' babies in 2013 or thereabouts.
UPDATE: Trailer removed by request. Here's something to make up for it:


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Airlines - Flight Centre's Airline Guide
Flight Centre has been selling airlines and airline tickets for more than 25 years. Whether you're looking for a flight to Australia or further afield to Europe, we'll help you choose the best airline to your destination and, once you've made your choice, arrange your airline tickets.
Discount airlines offer some great cheap airline tickets, whilst premium airlines offer a more luxurious journey - whichever your preference your choice will be made easier with our airline guide.
Our guide to airlines includes information about the features and facilities you can expect in each cabin class, details of travel times and schedules plus airline routes to the most popular international destinations. If you get confused, don't worry - your local Flight Centre consultant is always willing and able to explain the differences to you.


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SHERIDAN — The Wyoming Game and Fish will be holding an open house in Sheridan on disabled hunter and disabled hunter companion permits as well as other topics. The open house will be held at the Sheridan Regional Office at 700 Valley View Drive 4-6 p.m. followed by a fish and watercraft regulation meeting at 6 p.m. Monday.
At the Sheridan open house, additional proposed regulation changes will be discussed on the following topics: authorized license selling agents, commercial game bird farms, license issuance, central visual acuity disability permits and liberalizing the number of bison licenses a hunter can receive in a lifetime.
Fishing and watercraft regulations will be discussed starting at 6 p.m. following the open house.
Comments on proposed regulations can be made at public meetings, through the WGFD website at http://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/HUNTING-1000179.aspx or by mailing to: WGFD, Regulations, 3030 Energy Lane, Casper, WY 82604.
The deadline for comments is 5 p.m. June 7. Proposed regulations can be viewed at the same Internet site.
All comments will be presented to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission prior to its July 9-10 meeting in Saratoga, where it will make final decisions regarding these regulations.
Game and Fish supports the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Every effort will be made for reasonable accommodations. Anyone needing auxiliary aids should contact the nearest Game and Fish office.


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Music of Friday, 8 June 2012
Source: 233music
On Wednesday, at Rockstone's Office, Okyeame Kwame aka the Rap Doctor, premiered the video of his latest song, "Sika" which is the first track off his new Clinic album. Many celebrities including Richie Mensah, Kesse, Raquel, Reggie Rockstone, Benny Blanco, Eddie Blay, Pope Skinny, Andy Dosty, Armani, Bulldog, Kwame Farkye and the Nigerian comedian Legend were present.
Okyeame Kwame wowed the crowd with his performances with Raquel and Kesse. Guests were seen gasping for breath when Reggie Rockstone took over the stage and provided comic relief. Reggie Rockstone who seems to be getting back to music with his every move, performed snippets of some of his greatest hits. The video was directed by Abraham Ohene Djan of OM studios.
When asked for his view on how the program went and if it fulfilled his expectations, the Rap Doctor said, "When most people hear songs they ascribe their own pictures or ideas of what they think to the video and because of this I was very nervous when the program began. However after the premiere I could tell people liked the video and understood what the song really stood for. Everyone who came there told me they really liked it and I could see they were really happy and so I am also very happy."
All in all it was a beautiful event but for those who weren't able to witness it here are some pictures of the event. Let us know your views of this piece of work:


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Byron Marshall's hobby is cooking. He'd like to own a restaurant someday. "I'm an excellent cook," the Valley Christian junior running back said. "I cook pasta and steak and chicken. My dad and my ...
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text: Last week, I was part of a UN inter-agency convoy that brought much-needed emergency supplies to the Areha district, including for nearby Muhambel town. It has been months since humanitarian assistance has been able to get through. Even now that the fighting has stopped in this area, the 22-truck convoy had to take a circuitous route to avoid active hot areas.


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Which Gun...To the dying end?
Always had this idea after going on a call as a beat cop years ago where a WWII Vet passed away in his bed. His son informed me that when we moved his dad's body, a loaded gun would be found under his pillow. Sure enough a well worn, loaded S&W M&P .38 special was right there. His son said his dad was a scrappy, tough SOB right to the end.
I figure when I get to an age where I'm not comfortable keeping my collection around - I'll par down to just one handgun for basically home protection or "under the pillow" security. The others will be passed on to my two sons, if still possible then??, to avoid any red tape issues, etc..
If such a scenario would occurr? Which "one gun" from your current collection would it be for you?
My choice: S&W 19-3 4" loaded with .38 +P's. Very accurate and easy to handle.
1911 - NHC loaded with Golden Sabers.
S&W Mdl 66.
My edc the glock 20 with frangible rounds.
My 1911 loaded with Hornady Critical Defense
Tough choice between G-Father's pre A1 1911....and a 4" "early model",629 with professional action job?
I would want it to be my GP100 but I suspect it would be too heavy for me to lift if I were weak with illness.
Gun? Rather it'll be the AK 47 to the end.
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Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.


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Inflation-hit manufacturers brace for new round of hefty pay rises
The Guangdong government is considering raising the minimum wage for the second time in less than a year, with pay in Dongguan rising as much as 15.6 per cent, the city's Communist Party boss said.
But the convenor of Hong Kong members of the Shenzhen city Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference said yesterday the wage rises could be meaningless as soaring inflation would force many Hong Kong-owned factories out of business in the coming months.
Dongguan party secretary Liu Zhigeng said on Sunday at a panel discussion with deputies of Dongguan's CPPCC that the average minimum wage would be raised by 15.6 per cent, starting from June. Local media reports other cities in Guangdong are also considering an increase, some as high as 18 per cent.
The official announcement of the rise is expected in the next two months.
The announcement came after Beijing pledged to raise the minimum wage by at least 20 per cent annually over the next five years to boost domestic consumption. But manufacturers in Guangdong said it would do little to solve the region's labour shortage and reverse the wave of factory closures in the region last year.
In May, Guangzhou lifted the monthly minimum wage from 860 yuan (HK$1,015) to 1,030 yuan and Shenzhen to 1,100 yuan in July. Another demand for wage increases among mainland workers has again emerged as the increases were quickly eaten up by runaway inflation.
And it is that inflation that will be fatal to many Guangdong factories in the near future, according to Lam Lap-fong, convenor of Hong Kong members of Shenzhen's CPPCC. 'More than 30 per cent of Hong Kong manufacturers will shut down in Guangdong soon after the Lunar New Year regardless of whether wages are frozen or rise by 20 per cent,' he said yesterday on the sidelines of the CPPCC meeting.
'Most of the factories now have to pay workers about 2,000 yuan per month, almost double the official minimum wage. But it's still hard to retain workers.
'On the other hand, inflation has been skyrocketing on the mainland since last year, sending production costs up by 30 per cent or even more.
'I think we will see the biggest exodus of manufacturing employers in Guangdong since the 1980s.'
A wave of labour disputes swept through mainland factories from May to July last year. Taiwanese-owned electronics manufacturer Foxconn and several Japanese car and parts makers in the Pearl River Delta were hit the hardest.
Foreign-owned factories endured a spate of labour unrest, with most giving in to workers' demands. One of the highest pay rises was 800 yuan a month for workers at Denso, a parts maker affiliated with Toyota.
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Pan American 40I Baritone
Date: 1920's, owned by Martin R.
The Pan American 40I Baritone was produced between at least 1925 and 1929. It was available in brass, nickel, silver plate or silver plate with gold bell.
What Pan American said in 1925:
The essential part of any band is the baritone player, for with his important harmony parts and his fine solo work, the entire band is practically built around him. His work will be no better than the instrument he uses, and consequently the work of the entire band will depend upon his instrument as well as the player himself.
We challenge anyone to show us a better baritone at any price than this Pan-American model. It possesses to the nth degree the ease of blowing, beautiful tone and balance required by professionals and we guarantee it to be satisfactory for use in any organization.
Don't select any other instrument until you try the Pan-American baritone. It is well proportioned, being 27½ inches high with 11 inch bell and weight only 6 pounds. The standard Pan-American construction details and equipment are of course furnished with the baritone.


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|Page (1) of 1 - 11/14/12
|email article
|print page
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) November 14, 2012
Over the five years through 2012, the Cotton Fabric and Yarn Manufacturing industry in China has been growing at an annualized rate of 15.1% to an estimated $270.5 billion. The global recession that began in mid-2008 had a major influence on the textile industries in China. Slower growth in foreign demand for apparel and fabrics resulted in lower demand for yarn and cloth in late 2008 and all of 2009. In the years that followed, the economy rebounded and the stimulus package launched by the government led to substantial growth in demand for cotton fabric and yarn products.
There are about 11,855 enterprises operating in this industry in 2012, most of which are small to medium in scale. The top four players, Weiqiao Textile, the Huafang Group, the Demian Group, and Changshan Textille, account for less than 5% combined market share. No single manufacturer dominates the industry although, geographically, the industry is predominantly located in East and South China.
Competition from other developing countries with lower labor costs will be a significant challenge to the Cotton Fabric and Yarn Manufacturing industry in China in the long term. In addition, rising raw material and energy expenses will raise operational costs while increasing competition from cotton and chemical fiber dyers, and ramie, linen and hemp processors will pushes industry product prices down. IBISWorld anticipates that there will be a restructuring of the industry to increase research investments and develop more value-added products.
For more information, visit IBISWorlds Cotton Fabric and Yarn Manufacturing in China industry report page.
Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IBISWorld
Friend IBISWorld on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IBISWorld/121347533189
IBISWorld Industry Report Key Topics
The Cotton Fabric and Yarn Manufacturing industry of China is engaged in spinning yarn and weaving cloth using cottons and synthetic fibers. The main products of this industry are cotton yarn, blended yarn, synthetic fiber yarn, cotton cloth, blended interwoven cloth, chemical fiber cloth, yarn-dyed greige cloth, cotton sewing thread and synthetic sewing thread.
Industry Performance
Executive Summary
Key External Drivers
Current Performance
Industry Outlook
Industry Life Cycle
Products & Markets
Supply Chain
Products & Services
Major Markets
Globalization & Trade
Business Locations
Competitive Landscape
Market Share Concentration
Key Success Factors
Cost Structure Benchmarks
Barriers to Entry
Major Companies
Operating Conditions
Capital Intensity
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Annual Change
Key Ratios
About IBISWorld Inc.
Recognized as the nations most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.
Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/china/cotton-yarn-fabric-mfg/prweb10129067.htm.
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Keywords:restraint of trade,international (foreign) trade,trade dispute,trade agreements,trade policy,trade balance,economy, business and finance,financial and business service,business enterprises,business (general),fishing industry,cinema industry,radio industry,television industry,music industry,process industry,lifestyle and leisure,lifestyle (house and home),fishing industry,electricity production and distribution,cinema industry,radio industry,television industry,music industry,manufacturing and engineering,machine manufacturing,process industry,industrial production,society,society,Summer Asian Games,Winter Asian Games,agriculture,fishing industry,cinema industry,radio industry,television industry,music industry,process industry,consumer goods,consumer issue,consumer confidence,consumer issue
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Commercial broadcaster Nippon Television Network Corp. said Friday it will acquire online video service provider Hulu LLC's business in Japan for an undisclosed amount.
The transaction is expected to be completed in early spring, and NTV will provide the subscription video on demand service in Japan under the Hulu brand using the same platform, the Tokyo-based broadcaster said.
Los Angeles-based Hulu started offering the service in Japan in September 2011. It currently offers subscriptions for unlimited viewing of content via Internet-connected devices such as televisions, personal computers and smartphones for ¥980 per month.
"Nippon TV is looking forward to succeeding Hulu's business as a new path to deliver content through the Internet," NTV President Yoshio Okubo said in a statement in English. "We feel a big potential in the brand and service Hulu has created."
Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins says Hulu had grown to a point where it believed the best path forward was to sell its Japan business to a strategic buyer.


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TPWD Print-Friendly Page: http://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/print.phtml?req=20110127bMedia Contact: TPWD News, email@example.com, 512-389-8030
Additional Contacts: Rob McCorkle
TPWD Website: http://tpwd.texas.gov
TPWD News Release — Jan. 27, 2011
Indoor and outdoor recreation grants are made to local governments from the Texas Recreation and Parks Account program funded with a portion of the state sales tax collected on sporting goods.
The commission approved only one out of four indoor recreation projects submitted by political subdivisions with less than 500,000 population that were eligible for matching funds. La Grange will receive $750,000 to renovate and further develop the 12,190-square-foot Randolph Recreation Center in the northeastern part of the city. Project plans include constructing a kitchen, media center, meeting facilities and rooms to host a variety of activities, including exercise, arts and crafts and reading.
Two political subdivisions with populations of more than 500,000 were funded under TPWD's Urban Indoor Recreation Grant program. Fort Worth's and San Antonio's grant applications, totaling $1.21 million, received approval.
The City of Fort Worth will use $1 million in matching grant monies to construct a 23,000-square-foot community center at 4680 McPherson Blvd. in the southwest part of the city. The proposal includes installation of an indoor climbing wall, rainwater collection system, demonstration gardens and signs.
The City of San Antonio's request for $212,500 in matching state funds was approved for the renovation and expansion of the Jingu House at 3853 N. St. Mary's. The money will be used to install a fire hydrant and make renovations to interior finishes, the restroom, observation deck and parking patio extension.
TPWD received 29 eligible applications for outdoor recreation funds totaling $12.9 million. The commission voted to provide state matching funds totaling $1.84 million to four governmental entities.
Corsicana will receive $500,000 in state matching funds to support the acquisition of 30.9 acres of city-owned parkland to develop an athletic complex in the western part of the city. Funds will be used to develop baseball and softball diamonds, a sand volleyball court, a multipurpose court, a playground, a pavilion, trails and a picnic area with tables.
The commission also approved a $500,000 outdoor grant to Gun Barrel City to help secure an 11.6-acre donation of land to expand and further develop 40-acre Community Park #3 in the central city. Development plans include new tennis and basketball courts, a soccer field, fishing pier, a covered amphitheater stage, gardens and trails with interpretive signage.
A third $500,000 grant application from Haltom City also garnered approval from commissioners. The matching funds will be used to acquire 44.5 acres adjacent to Little Fossil Creek and a 20-acre lake for development of a linear park in the center of town. The park will include trails with an overlook and boardwalk, a pavilion, fishing pier and gardens.
The fourth outdoor recreation grant, for $348,000, will help Vinton upgrade the 2.27-acre City Hall Park in the central part of the city. The city plans to use the funding for a playground, pavilion, benches, picnic tables with grills, a trail, xeriscape garden and native tree plantings.
For more information about the grant awards or to receive application forms, see TPWD's grants Web page or phone the department's Recreation Grants Department at (512) 389-8224 or e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com.
On the Net:


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Service Info
On November 1st, the VT Data Center experienced an issue with a load balancer. Due to the need to replace hardware for the load balancing systems on November 2, between 5a and 7a, there may be interruptions to accessing some Virginia Tech sites. Users are cautioned to postpone critical work (such as Banner updates, web hosting, etc.) until after the maintenance is completed.
© 2011 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University


text: Module Name: src Committed By: christos Date: Wed Aug 18 08:32:02 UTC 2010 Modified Files: src/lib/libutil: passwd.c Log Message: Log why pwd_mkdb failed. Currently on aslr systems, pwd_mkdb either aborts or when s/vfork/fork/ dies with SEGV accessing the the stack. The same abort effect can be achieved when we remove all resource limits. To generate a diff of this commit: cvs rdiff -u -r1.49 -r1.50 src/lib/libutil/passwd.c Please note that diffs are not public domain; they are subject to the copyright notices on the relevant files.


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by James Nieman
1Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around [Jesus], 2they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them.
3(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; 4and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.)
5So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?"
6He said to them, "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written,
'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me;
7in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'
8You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition."
9Then he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition! 10For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' 11But you say that if anyone tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is Corban' (that is, an offering to God) 12then you no longer permit doing anything for a father or mother, 13thus making void the word of God through your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many things like this."
14Then he called the crowd again and said to them, "Listen to me, all of you, and understand: 15there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile."
17When he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18He said to them, "Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, 19since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.)
20And he said, "It is what comes out of a person that defiles. 21For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, 22adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly.23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
What a lousy way to begin! This brand new year brims with real challenges and fresh opportunities. There's so much now to do. I don't know about you, but I'm excited to be part of God's ways at LSTC as we turn toward our next fifty years. So what word from scripture do we hear to inspire us in mission and guide our next steps? That's right: a suffocating story of stale piety that explains why so many people want nothing to do with religious folks like us! It's a vexing scene of faith at its worst, shrunk down to compliance, caricature, and condemnation, a vigorous fight over the most vapid of issues. And since these verses still have the ring of truth, we still feel their sting of indictment.
But before we can wiggle out of that one, matters only get worse. The problem is not just what this reading says but how it's been used. Combined with many other holy texts, this one has an infamous history of reinforcing a cartoon view of the covenant people, our nearest religious cousins. As a result, Christians have regularly and repeatedly heard the "good news" that the distinguishing feature of Judaism is hollow insincerity. Thank God we're not like them! Annihilation in the name of true righteousness is then but a half-step away. And there's Jesus right in the middle of this sickening muddle, apparently justifying the reduction of his own people to a petty scale we gladly embrace.
So if we're honest about it, this is a pretty ugly text for the start of a promising year. But if we're going to be really honest about it, let's go all the way. Let's move beyond a gut reaction and honestly enter the world where this exchange happened. In particular, let's get to know the provocateurs that set it all in motion, those Pharisees and scribes who sauntered over from Jerusalem. Let's even have a little sympathy for them because, in contrast to nearly every sermon that's ever mentioned them, and perhaps to the muted horror of our Bible faculty (let alone Jesus), I think they get a bad rap. Pharisees—a populist Jewish lay movement of reform-minded innovators committed to bringing holy devotion into every household. And scribes—a scholarly guild dedicated to preserving scripture and promoting its use. Multiply vibrant faith in daily life by actually reading the Bible, and you've got the idea. These are folks you rarely meet but would love to know. You'd want them on the church council.
What's more, when they came to Jesus with their hand washing concerns, the Pharisees and scribes were not being borderline OCD fussbudgets. Let's honestly remember the setting. Back then, Israel had long since been invaded and occupied, a conquered colony on the fringe of the empire. Pressures to conform to Roman control threatened to corrode being a faithful Jew. Under such oppressive conditions, you do whatever it takes to preserve religious identity and fidelity. You adopt little signs of resistance, practices to show your true allegiance. Those signs seem rather small to us now, but when you're stripped of power, even something slim can be a wedge, leverage to assert who you are and what you believe. Even a small deed like hand washing carries a message: God's ways are true, not the regime's.
So when the Pharisees and scribes asked why Jesus disciples' did not so wash, the issue was more than ritual obedience or even political loyalty. It was the question of what leads to lasting life: divine promise or human expediency. And when Jesus replied to that challenge, first to those leaders, then the crowds, and finally his own disciples, he never disputed its premise. Instead, as so often in Mark's gospel, he amplified it, sharpened it, made it even more troubling for the Pharisees and scribes, the crowds and disciples, and for us who overhear through them. Yes, so much depends on whether we trust God or empire, covenant or convenience. But what do we trust when love for the tradition of the elders replaces love for the elders we've actually been given? What do we trust when our passion for purity dims any passion for the impure who meet us at every turn? You can't just wash your hands of such matters.
All of this worry about purity and defilement can seem rather quaint and remote, the arcane concerns of a bygone era. At least, that's what I thought until about a month ago. I was setting up my apartment here and needed a few of the mundane supplies for daily purity: dish soap, laundry detergent, bathroom cleanser. So I drove to a big box store I knew would have all these under one roof, loaded them in my cart, and headed to the checkout—where my debit card was promptly declined…three times, in full view of the many folks now waiting behind me. I knew I had money in the account. What was up? Betraying not one hint of emotion, the clerk looked me in the eye and flatly declared, "It's not us. It's your bank."
My bank? Why would they care? Oh, but did I mention that this happened at the Target on East 86th and Cottage Grove, about thirty blocks south of here? This wasn't about whether I bought Tide or Downy. No, my bank was just looking out for my best interests. It seems that someone like me isn't supposed to be spending good money in a neighborhood like that. I guess I might become defiled. So they thought ahead, automatically blocking account access so my dollars would remain unsullied and my credit rating pure. Who cares if that amounts to computerized redlining that creates economic apartheid, turning a South Side neighborhood into a colony on the fringe of the empire where wealth is extracted but rarely reinvested? And please don't hear this as my self-righteous indignation. After all, I chose this bank, so I am completely implicated in its purity policies that benefit people like me.
Purity and defilement are not a throwback to ancient days. They appear in all the crafty choices we make about whom we'll embrace or avoid, choices about what's good for us or threatens our survival. For the best of religious reasons, the Pharisees and scribes also made such choices: faithful living instead of defilement, acts of purity to resist all that debases and degrades. Jesus took this choice seriously, but then raised it to a new level, with a dangerous twist. Maybe trust in God leads right into defilement. Maybe faithful living calls for associating with the unclean. Maybe that's why the very next place Jesus went after this story was over the border, with unmerited healing for an unworthy foreigner and her diseased daughter. Maybe that's why the very next chapter finds him again among the unwashed in the desert, concerned not with proper foods or vessels but an abundant feast where each is satisfied and all have a place. Maybe that's why, by the end of that very chapter, Jesus gestured where his faithful defilement would lead: to rejection for the sake of the impure, whose plight became his own.
Out of love for God, we want to remain undefiled, keep our distance from all that might be unclean. But Jesus died as one of the impure, the sign of a different love—a holy love poured out for the soiled and humiliated of our world, including us. That's a sign to open us, free us, impel us toward a more daring trust in God—when we eat here, when we wash there, when we leave this place to associate with neighbors yet unknown. God's love embraces us precisely in our impurity and defilement. And maybe that makes this the perfect word for us to hear today, something to ponder not just during the challenges of the coming year, but even over the course of our next half century.
Mark 7:1-23


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Washington (Nov. 25)
The United States Government has accepted a French invitation to a three-power conference in Paris on refugee migration, a State Department spokesman announced today.
The French invitation was made in notes to the British and U.S. Governments Oct. 31, following a British protest over the sailing of Jewish refugees from Marseilles to Palestine. The United States will be represented at the parley by officers attached to the U.S. military government in Germany, the U.S. political advisor's office in Berlin and from the headquarters of U.S. forces in Europe.
(In London a Foreign Office spokesman announced that the British Government had also accepted the French invitation.)


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PRZOOM - /newswire/ -
Orange County, CA, United States, 2011/04/28 - ALLiGACOM selected as a key partner by The Davies-Woerner Group - ALLiGACOM.com.
ALLiGACOM, a leading Supply Chain Management solution provider with a cloud-based EDI integration environment for ERPs and business applications announced today a new partnership agreement with The Davies-Woerner Group which has designed the Certified Technology Program (CTP) to increase operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall value of trading partner relationships.
ALLiGACOM has been selected as a key partner for CTPs by The Davies-Woerner Group because of their unique ability to integrate to a wide spectrum of leading ERP and accounting systems. Technology communities are often filled with suppliers and customers with ERPs from software publishers as diverse as SAGE, SAP, Microsoft, and, today, even SaaS ERP solutions like SAP Business ByDesign. Davies-Woerner relies on partners like ALLiGACOM to integrate different trading partners as part of a broader B2B community. When a company like ALLiGACOM can handle a vast array of solutions, everyone benefits", says Andy Davies, Managing Partner at The Davies-Woerner Group.
When we learned about CTPs by The Davies-Woerner Group, it just made sense. For any large enterprise looking to promote the adoption of EDI and other complimentary technologies into their trading community, you need an official program to manage that process, said Jacques Vigneault, Vice President Sales & Marketing at ALLiGACOM.
About ALLiGACOM, Inc.
ALLiGACOM (alligacom.com) is a leading solution provider that stands out for its unmatched expertise in the Supply Chain Optimization by providing a cloud-based EDI integration environment for ERPs and business applications. ALLiGACOMs EDI solutions are designed to optimize EDI transactions, increase profitability, operational efficiency and drive better business outcomes through smarter collaboration by automating trading partners relationships in a seamlessly way. ALLiGACOMs EDI solutions are available worldwide through its North America offices and reseller network.
About The Davies-Woerner Group
The Davies-Woerner Group is dedicated to increasing the operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall value of trading partner relationships. Our Certified Technology Programs (CTPs) provide trading partner communities with a fast-track approach for identifying and implementing complementary technology platforms in areas such as EDI, ERP, and supply chain management. These initiatives result in dramatic improvements to the efficiency of B2B communications and a wide range of strategic benefits for all stakeholders, such as improved supplier performance, reduced costs, and increased quality.
Davies-Woerner has decades of combined experience with evaluating, implementing, and supporting enterprise level, mid-sized, and smaller scale technology initiatives. This knowledge is used to develop CTPs that create win-win opportunities across the supply chain.
Agency / Source: ALLiGACOM
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