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Federal Direct PLUS LoanPage address: https://www.mnsu.edu/campushub/loans/plus/
The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is intended to allow parents with acceptable credit histories to borrow for each dependent son or daughter enrolled in a post-secondary institution. Parents should use the Direct PLUS Loan only if they wish to assume the educational debt for their son or daughter or if additional funds are needed to meet the educational budget of the institution their son or daughter is attending.
Apply for Direct PLUS Loan
IMPORTANT: The Direct PLUS Loan complies with both Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards (SAPS) criteria as well as the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
CAUTION: Applying for a Plus Loan prior to receiving an Official Award Notice could result in the expiration of the credit check process, which is normally only valid for 90 days.
Loan Eligibility
An eligible parent borrower must:
- Be the natural or adoptive parent, or legal guardian of the dependent student,
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (eligible non-citizens must supply documentation of their immigration status),
- Be borrowing on behalf of a dependent student who meets all of the requirements for the Federal Direct Loan Program (for this reason, Minnesota State Mankato requires a FAFSA to be on file prior to processing a Direct PLUS Loan),
- Have a credit worthy history as determined by your lender, and
- Not be in default or owe a refund on any Title IV Federal Student Aid.
Credit Requirements
Minimum of 6 credits is required.
Loan Amounts
There are no annual or aggregate limits on Federal PLUS loans. However, you may not borrow more than the cost of education (usually expressed as a yearly amount) as determined by the school, less any other financial aid received during the time period the loan will cover. For example, if the cost of education is $14,000 per academic year, that is the maximum amount of student financial assistance your son or daughter may receive from all sources including the Federal Direct PLUS Loan.
Costs Involved
The guarantee and origination fees are subtracted from the loan, by the lender Department of Education Servicer, to cover the expense of processing the loan and Direct PLUS loan defaults. The fees and the current interest rate on your loan are printed on the loan disclosure statement you receive prior to or at the time the first half of your loan is disbursed. This disclosure will usually come from your lender's guarantor the Department of Education Servicer.
Origination Fees
- First disbursed on or after October 1, 2017 and before October 1, 2018 = 4.264% origination fee
- First disbursed on or after October 1, 2018 and before October 1, 2019 = 4.248% origination fee
This is a loan fee deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement you receive. This means the money you receive will be less than the amount you actually borrow. You're responsible for repaying the entire amount you borrowed and not just the amount you received.
Disbursement of Funds
Your Direct PLUS loan funds will be disbursed at the beginning of each term (1/2 Fall and 1/2 Spring). If you are applying for the academic year as a whole (Fall and Spring together) or if you are applying for a single term, your funds will be disbursed at the earliest possible disbursement date according to the lender's (guarantor's) and Minnesota State University, Mankato's predetermined disbursement schedule.
You MUST repay the Federal Direct PLUS Loan. It is not a grant. Failure to repay the loan has serious consequences. If you default on your loan, all national credit bureaus will be notified. You will be subject to collections procedures by external collection agencies, wage garnishment, and seizure of federal income tax refunds.
Fall 2018- Summer 2019
- As of 7/1/2018, Direct PLUS loans are fixed at 7.6% for the 2018-2019 school year. The interest on the Direct PLUS loan is not paid by the U.S. Department of Education during in-school periods. Interest accrues from the time of final disbursement. However, interest accrued during periods of deferment can be paid periodically or can accrue and be capitalized and added to the principal amount of the loan.
Payments begin on a Direct PLUS loan after the final disbursement of the loan. Generally, the maximum repayment period is 10 years. Repaying the loan as quickly as possible minimizes the interest costs. A repayment schedule is sent to the parent borrower upon final disbursement of the loan. The parent remains responsible for all payments required to meet the repayment schedule even if other arrangements have been made, for example, the student makes the payment on behalf of the parent borrower.
The Direct PLUS Loan Program contains a variety of provisions designed for flexible repayment. Among the provisions are deferments and forbearances, which may enable the borrower to temporarily suspend or reduce payments. If problems arise in making payments, the lender or servicer should be contacted immediately to see if any of the following conditions are met.
A deferment is a period of time during which repayment requirements are temporarily suspended. Deferments are granted for specific time periods and only for conditions set forth under federal law.
Department of Education servicer is able to assist through times of difficulty in making payments through the use of forbearance. If a borrower is not eligible for a deferment and has difficulty making the scheduled payments, lender or servicer should be contacted to discuss the possibility of a forbearance to reduce or suspend regular payment or lengthen the repayment period.
Department of Education servicer may grant a forbearance if eligibility for deferment is exhausted, or if the borrower is involved in certain bankruptcy proceedings or is applying for a total and permanent disability cancellation. In most cases, the decision regarding whether or not to grant forbearance is made by the Department of Education servicer. The Department of Education servicer is anxious to work with borrowers when they believe the borrower has a commitment to repay the loan.
The interest which accrues on the loans during periods of forbearance is the borrower's responsibility. Payment of interest can be made during the forbearance or it can be capitalized and added to the loan. If the interest is capitalized, the monthly payment amount may increase after the forbearance period has ended.


text:
Get more done with Windows 8.1.
It's the most personal part of your PC. The spacing and height of our keys are specially designed to be comfortable to use and to increase accuracy.SEE MORE REASONS
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Trademarks: Lenovo, ThinkPad, ThinkCentre, ThinkStation and the Lenovo logo are trademarks of Lenovo. Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Ultrabook, Celeron, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Atom, Intel Atom Inside, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel vPro, Pentium, Xeon, and Xeon Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation. Other company, product or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others. www.intel.com/go/rating
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**Ship date: An estimated ship date will be posted on our order status site after your order is placed. The date reflected above does not determine when your order will ship since inventory status may change before your order is final and because items may be held until all products on the order are ready to ship. To obtain the latest information about the availability of a specific part number, please call the phone number listed in the masthead at the top of this page. A flat charge for shipping & handling may apply for certain orders, as indicated on the Checkout page.

subset: commoncrawl


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See full story (Jeff Amlotte / Los Angeles Times)
See full story (Jeff Amlotte / Los Angeles Times)
See full story (Jeff Amlotte / Los Angeles Times)
See full story (Jin Lee / Bloomberg)
A businesswoman in the parking garage was the first. The next day it was a landscaper at the gas station. Then the balding guy in the convertible, top down. Over the weekend it was four older women coming from brunch.
They did a double take.
Perhaps they liked the curved silhouette, quiet grace and low-slung stance of the full-size hatchback I was driving. Or maybe they found the car's profile and abrupt rear end excessive, awkward and dominantly avant-garde and wrote it off as just another "look at me" conveyance of narcissism.
But they looked at the 2012 Audi A7. Twice.
And this may be why people will buy this Sportback-hatchback-coupe-sedan thingy. Perhaps because they find Audi A6 too boring or the Porsche Panamera V-6 too costly and lacking the visual panache. Whether you adore or abhor the A7, you can't help but look at it.
The A7 is the expressive alter ego to the more staid 2012 A6 that it is based on. But looking at the A7, there's no doubt it's an Audi.
At the front, the prominence of the trapezoidal grille is matched only by the drama of the daytime-running LED lights, which drop from below the hood and give the A7 the face of a stoic feline.
Viewed in profile, the frameless doors and overall greenhouse of the A7 look compressed from the A6. The roof begins to curve downward slowly at the B-pillar between the front and rear doors and continues its long stretch until it ends abruptly at the rear of the car.
The bulk of that curve, from behind the rear passengers' heads to the tail of this Audi, is one large rear hatch that swings opens at the touch of a button to reveal 24.5 cubic feet of trunk space.
And swing it will; because the hatch is so long, it swings unfortunately high when open. Hypothetically, a man could pop the hatch in the parking garage of his gym only to have it swing up and smack into the ceiling, putting a small chip in the Havanna Black Metallic paint and precipitating a torrent of easy-to-spell words from him. Hypothetically.
But a more ominous consequence of this large rear hatch is that it gives the last third of the A7's profile a heavy, almost burdensome appearance before abruptly being cut off at the end of the car.
The look would have been more compelling if Audi designers had stuck a bit more of a horizontal trunk lid at the end of the hatch to balance out the front. One has only to reference the A5 Sportback (which, sadly, is not available in the U.S.) to see that it's possible to have a four-door hatchback with more handsome proportions.
On the road, the wide and low stance of the A7 makes it particularly engaging for its size. The steering and throttle have three modes of adjustment, with the middle setting, Auto, not surprisingly the most balanced.
The standard Quattro all-wheel-drive system provides its usual tenacious grip, aided on my test car by the $1,500 sport package, which gives buyers 20-inch wheels wrapped in extra-sticky performance tires, a sport suspension and shift paddles to manually row the eight-speed automatic transmission.
Daily driving had me reconsidering this package, however, because the suspension often seemed too harsh on rough roads and potholes and the tire/wheel combination transmitted excessive road noise into the cabin.
Moving the A7 is a 3.0-liter supercharged engine that is simply resplendent as it doles out 310 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, getting the 4,200-pound car from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds.
Gas mileage is rated at a respectable 18 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. In over 600 miles of driving, I averaged 25.1 mpg, though on long stretches of freeway I could easily hit 28 mpg.
Unlike the A7's closest competitor, Mercedes-Benz's CLS550, no V-8 is available right now in the Audi. It's likely, however, that the company will unveil an S7 variant sometime in the future that will almost certainly have V-8; probably a mean one.
What is available in the A7 now is a surprising amount of technology, though you're going to have to pay for it.
My loaded, $80,130 tester came with the $5,800 "innovation package." It includes an adaptive cruise control system that can automatically take the car down to a full stop in traffic, night vision that displays in a screen between the speedometer and tachometer, and a collision-avoidance system that applies the brakes if it senses you're approaching an object too quickly.
Meanwhile, the $6,330 upgraded "prestige package" includes a navigation system that uses real-time Google Earth and Google Traffic, a Wi-Fi connection for eight devices and a Bose sound system.
Now, if only the A7 had been able to steer itself, I could have spent my week in the back seat playing Portal 2 and live-streaming Netflix to my laptop. Finally, my tester had the $5,900 Bang & Olufsen stereo system. That alone is nearly 10% of the A7's base price of $60,125. Yes, the sound coming from the 15 speakers was so clear and crisp you could hear the artist blink. But that's still a sizable expense; imagine a $1,600 stereo option on a Ford Fiesta.
Plenty of ink has been used extolling the virtues of Audi's interiors. This one is no different, so I'll spare you the adulation. I will point out that the company seems unnecessarily beholden to marketing this car as a four-door coupe. So much so that it has eliminated the middle seat in the rear and in its place installed a simple plastic bin.
Audi's line is that anyone needing to transport five people won't buy the A7. Maybe. But you have to think at least one potential customer is going to look at the rear seat and find this disdain for practicality a deal-breaker. Especially when Audi markets the hatchback design in terms of its usefulness.
After a week of driving this car, I didn't feel differently about the styling — the profile of the A7 still seems unbalanced and slightly awkward. But drivers and passengers can't help but appreciate the classy and ever-so-rebellious way the Audi A7 eschews the traditional high-end sedan.
A week of double-takes will do that to you.


text:
I've not had a motorised screen but from what I've heard they are not the most reliable of things.
But then again, taking a screen out of it's bezel and fabricating it into a dash tends to also reduce the reliability of the unit. (I know, I have gone through a few of them.)
For opinions on what ways you can go with a display it's probably best your post some pictures of how your dash looks at present.


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Man 060 | May 16, 2011
Man Recordings latest release is a very special occasion for the label since it's the debut album by Man's own head, Daniel Haaksman. The label is based in Berlin, though starting as an imprint for Baile Funk, nowadays is one of the most important contributors to a contemporary club sound reflecting a hyper-accelerated, globalised world where musical genres melt together until they become indefinable.
Daniel Haaksman is undeniable "Funkeiro Numero Um Da Alemanha" ("Germany´s #1 Funkeiro", a "funkeiro" is Brazilian slang for Funk follower) and impressively proves this with his debut album, going even one step further. "Rambazamba" might be deeply rooted in the aesthetic of Baile Funk, but takes the Brazilian sound as starting point for a journey into the soundscapes of local music going global all around the world.
The title of the album reflects this melting pot of ideas: "Rambazamba" is German vernacular for "stir up" or "mayhem", used a lot in German spoken language, yet it sounds "exotic". Its origins are etymologically unclear (though a common belief is that it's a vernacular appropriation of the Spanish "Carramba" or a mix up of "Rumba" and "Samba"), there are suggestions that it comes from Yiddish or Romanic languages. Whatever the origin the word perfectly represents the atmosphere of the album as it represents the chaos, energy, and uprising elements of the recordings and at the same time, with it's unclear etymological origin, it mirrors the aesthetic of the album with references to the sound of cities like Rio De Janeiro, Salvador De Bahia, Belem, Cairo, Luanda, Napoli, or regions such as the Caribbean and the Balkans.
"Jesus" with its stomping funk synth and the queen of Baile Funk, Tati Quebra Barraco, shouting on the mic acts as a perfect starting point for the ride. It is followed by the classic 808 Baile sound of "Pobum Coco", which has become a steady dancefloor burner thanks to its Polka-infused hookline though originally stemming from a classic Brasilian rock recordings from Bahia. After a short break with "Copabanana", evoking the a mythical Rio of the 1960's and 1970's with it's dreamy vocal sample over a disco break, Haaksman leaves Brazilian territory with the next track: an African atmosphere permeates "Hands up", not least because of the support by Mozambiquean girl group Seguindo Sonhos. The Kalimba's characteristic sound and a catchy synth soon set let you realize the change of pace.
"Dubcheck", a collaboration with Daniel's old label partner Shantel and Boban Markovic Orkesta (one of the most legendary brass ensembles from the Balkan) is a sure shot dancefloor filler, a pumping uptempo hybrid of Gypsy Balkan Rave and Soca, airhorns included! Other highlights include the cool Egyptian Jazz of "Strut Oriental" influenced by Sun Ra, a UK Funky groove and pulsing percussion drives with "Sum Sum" which pairs UK bass science with Bulgarian choirs. "Senta Senta" melts an original baile funk Montagem with European house grooves, sirens included. "Kewok" feat. Genghis Clan is using elements from a South Italian tarantela recording, in which the horn sections gets wasted thanks to the hi-percentage drinks provided by Italian-British global bass maestro Genghis Clan. The journey across continents continues with "Carnaval" which brings the magic of Trinidadian Soca together with a hands-up-in-the air aesthetic and filthy Euroland basslines. A cover version of "Din Daa Daa", one of the most classic club tunes ever, which was originally written and produced in the early 1980s in Berlin by the former Tangerine Drummer George Kranz, sounds surprisingly fresh and banging in its 2011 rework by Daniel Haaksman. We remain in Haaksman´s city with Brasilian born Roxxy Bione who is featured on the twisted funk of "Bomba". Finally "Berlin Brega" shows what the future may sound in reworking Brazil's latest hype to emerge from the Amazon, Technobrega, through Berlin eyes. The combination of cheapest synth with a futuristic bassline and a hypnotic vocal cut-up sounds like it's made to move behinds around the globe.
Daniel Haaksman has had a long and experienced history in modern worldwide dance music. Starting as a DJ in the early 1990s alongside Shantel in the legendary "Lissania Essay" club in Frankfurt, Germany, his name first became known when he put together the acclaimed "Dub Infusion" series for Best Seven / Sonar Kollektiv, showing the multifaceted aspects of Dub in Electronica. In his stint running Essay Recordings together with Shantel, a label at the forefront of the Balkan dance revival, Daniel was also responsible for the compilations "Rio Baile Funk Favela Booty Beats" and "More Favela Booty Beats " (Essay 2004 & 2006), introducing the world to the mind blowing Brazilian ghetto sounds of Baile or Carioca Funk.
His own label Man Recordings started in 2005 with the release of the critically acclaimed compilation "Não Wave – Brazilian Post Punk 1982-1988" and then went on to focus on more Baile Funk orientated releases. As a label, it helped launch the international career of the Brazilian MC Edu K and the Rio-based MC Gringo, started two series of vinyl releases ("Funk Mundial" and "Baile Funk Masters") releasing the first international remixes and tracks by artists like Diplo, Crookers, Count & Sinden, Bonde de Role, Schlachthofbronx and countless others. Though focussing on digital releases nowadays, the label has just recently released the "Valeu" compilation on CD celebrating 5 years and 50 releases of Tropical Bass music. Besides, Daniel Haaksman has done remix work for dozens of artists including Ray Baretto, Gotan Project, The Phenomenal Handclap Band, Shantel, Madera Limpia, OMFO and Féloche amongst others. Productions under his own name on the Man Recordings imprint include "Whose afraid of Rio?" EP in 2008, "Gostoso" EP in 2009, and "Hands up" EP in 2010. When he´s not in the studio producing or remixing, Haaksman is journeying around the world as DJ, playing an ecletic mix of a party proven, trans global bass music.
And so, Man Recordings proudly present to an unsuspecting public Daniel Haaksman's first album under his own name, full of the Haaksman trademarks of hypnotic cut-up vocal clips, thundering percussion, exotic horns and Portuguese refrains. "Manda Bala" (go for it) as they say!


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Hello. My name is Patricia Lyons. I am a professional photographer. And I, um, take a whole lot of photos with my phone.
Now don't you worry, I'm not going to show up at my next job with just my iPhone (though I can't swear that won't happen in the next ten years).
Like your mobile, the phone itself neatly wraps the fragments of my life, work and personal, into a sleek little glass-faced box. Oh yeah, we're talking color-coded kids' schedules on iCal, games to keep them happy during doctor visits, client emails, one touch weather (which is usually wrong), ESPN updates or FB checks, and texts from Dad. They're all on there. In one small unit. Sometimes I even use it to make phone calls.
But the thing is, the phone itself is freakishly close to my grasp at any given moment and has accidentally become an integral part of my personal photography vault. Now you might ask (as my husband has, while twitching and maybe holding the Visa bill in one hand), "why on earth would you shoot with a phone when you have all that expensive equipment?"
Because all day, every day, I see things I want to shoot and frame them up in my mind, but my camera is ______ (fill in blank with any location excluding my hand).
Because sometimes that big camera is, well, big, and within my purse could double as a medieval swinging weapon.
Because if I DID shoot all the time with my big camera, I'd fire myself for adding to my already overloaded processing workload.
Because I thought it would be cool to take a shot each day and slap them all together after some time to see if they encapsulate my week, month or year. Like a photojournal.
Because there are all these cool camera apps that make my inner geek giddy and make the photos look better.
Because it's great shooting exercise, especially those days I'm stuck in the office and not shooting at all.
And most importantly:
Because sometimes the best camera for capturing a moment, is simply the one you have in your hand.
Thoughts on Phonetography
4 comments:
- Suzanne said...
Very lovely! I wish I could take pictures on my phone as well as you do!
- July 6, 2010 at 5:43 PM
Awesome pics, what app do you use?
- July 26, 2010 at 10:02 PM
- vignarulo said...
very nice blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- November 7, 2010 at 6:07 PM
- Jonsi Ellis, arquitecto said...
Beautiful photos!
Keep up!
- March 23, 2011 at 9:54 AM
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The customer service folks here at King Arthur Flour field requests from customers all day long. Many begin with the words "My mother [grandmother] used to make this thing, it was like a cake, only it had a lot of thin layers of…" Or, "Do you still sell that little twisty whisk thing…?" Or "Can you tell me if you're giving any classes in Dallas [Des Moines, Decatur, Dothan…] soon?"
And then there are the baking questions. "Why do my cookies burn on the bottom?" "Why does my banana bread sink in the center?" And, perhaps the all-time most-asked question of all: "Why didn't my bread rise?"
Talk about a loaded question—one fraught with mysterious side paths and dark twists and turns—that has to be it. "Why didn't my bread rise?" Well, how long do you have? It could be the ingredients; it could be the way it was kneaded; it could be where you set the bowl; it could be whether it's raining or sunny, for crying out loud. Yeast is a living thing; and when it gets together with flour and liquid and salt (and sugar and whatever else you want in your loaf), it acts like any other living thing, humans included: capriciously. Unpredictably. With a mind of its own.
Luckily, with practice you can become friends with yeast. Become familiar with it, understand its likes and dislikes, its quirky foibles (doesn't like cinnamon; doesn't like garlic; who knew?). And, with very little practice, you can become a good yeast bread baker. So long as you don't insist on baking 100% whole wheat sandwich bread.
Ah, my bête noir… Would that it were as easy to make a soft, moist, nicely sliceable 100% whole wheat bread as it is to attain the same goal using all-purpose flour. Or even half whole wheat, half AP. But 100% whole wheat bread—wow, have I struggled with it over the years. And the struggle continued last week, as I sought The Perfect 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Loaf for a new section on our recipe site, Guaranteed Classics, due to launch in a few months.
I'd spent two weeks trudging through loaf after loaf of 100% whole wheat bread. I knew the goal; I saw the prize out there on the horizon. But, like a mirage in the desert, the harder I struggled toward it, the more it receded. That high-rising, fine-grained, supple loaf, the one that slices like a dream without crumbling, the one that tastes like the best parts of whole wheat—nicely earthy, "nutty," rich—had been eluding me. I'd made dry loaves; dense loaves; over-risen loaves, flabby with air and collapsing at the sidewalls. I'd made loaves whose overriding flavor was a tannic bitterness. Loaves that tasted like… well, like nothing much at all. I'd come close to despairing.
But as any bread baker knows, hope springs eternal. So long as there's flour in the canister and yeast in the freezer, salt on the counter and water flowing from the tap, there'll be bread. And yesterday, I came as close as I've come to my Holy Grail, 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread.
And the secret is… I went back to my tried-and-true methods and ingredients. I'd been experimenting with different ways of kneading, different types of yeast, and different varieties of flour. So, like we all do sometimes when our computers go blooey, I went back to all my original whole wheat bread defaults: King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour; SAF instant yeast; and a Zo bread machine, for kneading.
The result? Not unexpectedly, the dough kneaded up gnarly and clay-like, rather than smooth and supple. Whole wheat flour, with its tiny, sharp little bran particles, does an effective job of shredding its developing gluten as you knead. But said dough also showed adequate vigor during its first rise, and was even more cooperative during its second rise, crowning a perfect 1" over the rim of the pan. Thank you, my dear yeast… as you grow and prosper, your mere numbers help overcome the deleterious effects of the bran.
The loaves (I made three) showed good oven-spring as they baked, rising into smooth domes. When I pulled them out of the oven, they didn't stick in the pans, instead sliding out "slick as a smelt," as they'd say in Maine. A gilding of melted butter on the crust was a lovely final touch.
And the taste? Surprisingly delicious. Me, I'm a white bread fan at heart. But I can totally see enjoying this whole wheat bread—spread with peanut butter and jelly, toasted and sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar, as part of a BLT.
So here it is, my current state-of-the-baking-art 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread. I'm sure the recipe will continue to evolve; but this is a good snapshot of a moment in time, a stopping place along the path. And hey, fellow bread bakers: if you have a 100% whole wheat sandwich bread recipe you love, one that bakes in a loaf pan and has all the attributes sandwich loaves need—easy to slice, moist and non-crumbly, tasty—let's compare notes, OK?
Once I'd finally settled on a whole wheat bread recipe I thought was pretty good, I decided to test it with our three King Arthur whole wheat flours. And now, introducing our contestants: organic white whole wheat flour; traditional (red) whole wheat flour; and white whole wheat flour. All are unbleached 100% whole wheat; white whole wheat is simply a different strain than red, a lighter-colored, less assertively flavored flour. By the way, the "bandage" on the bag on the right is simply to keep its contents safely inside; we often get punctured bags from our warehouse to use here in the test kitchen.
You can see the slightly different colors of these three flours; the traditional whole wheat (right) is both darker, and more coarsely ground. The speckles are bits of bran.
Even though I prefer to knead bread in the bread machine, I thought I'd show you a version made in a KitchenAid stand mixer. Notice how "gnarly" the dough is when you first start to knead it...
...and how it smooths out—though not as nicely as yeast dough made with all-purpose flour. This is a different kind of dough indeed.
Here are the three types of whole wheat (l to r)—organic white wheat, white wheat, and traditional—kneaded into dough in the bread machine.
And here they are an hour later. As you can see, they've become puffy; but they haven't come anywhere near doubling in bulk.
Here they are, shaped and in their greased 9"x 5" loaf pans.
And here they are, 75 minutes later, nicely risen. The organic white wheat loaf (l) had risen to 1 1/2" above the rim of the pan; the white wheat loaf, to 1" above the rim; and the traditional loaf to 3/4" above the rim.
Lovely! Forty-five minutes in the oven resulted in three golden loaves. Here I'm running a stick of butter over the hot loaves; it gives them a soft, buttery crust.
Surprisingly, the organic white wheat (l) didn't have nearly as much oven spring as the white wheat (center), which had slightly more than the traditional (r). Nevertheless, I'd call them all good loaves: nice texture, moist, easy to slice.
AND tasty! As much as I always say I don't like whole wheat bread, when these loaves came out of the oven I couldn't resist. They really did taste divine, even without the peanut butter and jelly. We were in the midst of a meeting and I brought everyone a warm slice. As Tom, our marketing manager, said, "This is wonderful—it doesn't even need butter!"
So—I guess I'll eat my words, right along with this delicious bread! Maybe I DO like whole wheat bread...
Read, rate, and review (please!) our recipe for 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread.
When you bake whole wheat bread at home, not only are you treating yourself to something fresh, delicious, and hot from the oven; you're saving money. The chart below shows a typical price for three different baked goods you might purchase at the supermarket, and the ingredients cost for you to make them at home.
|Cost of ingredients
at the supermarket
|$2.69/5 lb.
|$3.29/lb. frozen
|Large eggs
|KA AP flour
|$5.39/5 lb.
|KA bread flour
|$5.29/5 lb.
|KA whole wheat flour
|$4.89/5 lb.
|Instant mashed potatoes
|$1.99/13 ¾ oz.
|Dry milk
|Yeast bulk
|$2.59/2 oz.
|Baking powder
|$1.79/10 oz.
|Baking soda
|Orange juice
|$2.69/1/2 gallon
|Cost of baked goods
at the supermarket
|72¢ each
|Blueberry muffins
|99¢ each (supermarket bakery) or $3.99 (18-ounce package of 6)
|Whole wheat bread
|$3.49/24-oz. loaf
|Cost of ingredients
to make your own blueberry muffins
|4 ounces butter
|¾ cup (5 ¼ ounces) sugar
|2 large eggs
|2 teaspoons (1/6 oz.) vanilla extract
|1 ½ teaspoons (7g) baking powder
|½ teaspoon (2.2g) baking soda
|½ teaspoon (3g) salt
|2 ¼ cups (9 ½ ounces) KA AP Flour
|$4.04 for 33 oz. blueberry muffins averaging 2 ¾ ounces each
|Cost of ingredients
to make your own bagels
|4 ½ cups (19 ounces) bread flour
|1 5/8 teaspoons yeast
|1 ¾ teaspoons salt
|$1.33/12 bagels
|Cost of ingredients
to make your own whole wheat bread
|2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
|1/2 cup (4 ounces) lukewarm water
|1/2 cup (4 ounces) lukewarm milk
|1/2 cup (2 5/8 ounces) orange juice
|5 tablespoons (2 1/2 ounces) melted butter
|1 1/2 teaspoons salt
|3 tablespoons (1 ¼ ounces) sugar
|1/4 cup (5/8 ounce) nonfat dry milk
|3/4 cup (1 5/8 ounces) dried potato flakes
|3 3/4 cups (15 ounces) King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour
|$2.09/28-oz. loaf; $1.19/lb.


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* Required fields
CUSTOMER CONSENT & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: By typing, printing, signing, and/or submitting this online form, I/we certify that everything I/we have stated in this form is correct. I/we understand that I/we will be contacted by a UNION Savings BANK ("Bank") representative to complete the application process. I/we understand that additional information will be required for processing. I/we agree to receive all disclosures, provide identification, and sign agreements/documents in person at the time I/we visit the Bank. I/we further understand that the Bank may also keep this form whether or not an account opening results. I hereby authorize the Bank to verify any information included in this application and allow access to all the accounts listed above on which I am an owner. This application may be submitted by either electronically or by mail. PRINT & SIGN to mail/drop off the application. Click here for a listing of locations. Applications may be mailed to: UNION Savings BANK, PO Box 540, Freeport, IL 61032 or returned to any UNION Savings BANK branch location. By submitting your application, electronically, in person or by mail, you acknowledge that you have read, understand and agree to all terms, conditions and disclosures provided by UNION Savings BANK for this application.


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The Microfiber Cloth is perfect for removing dust or dirt from your silver or gold and for use when handling precious metals. The microfibres help to prevent scratches and capture dust. This cloth is perfect for use with your precious metals collection.
Not intended for use with polish. Rubbing precious metals is never recommended. To remove tarnish and other blemishes consider using E-Zest Coin Cleaner.
Silver products shown in the pictures are not included.
|Non circolata
|195 mm x 195 mm


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Chanel Egg Carton Jewelry Box Clutch Bag
2014-10-30 fashion
Chanel what?
Milk carton, you say?
Egg Tray?
When the Chanel Supermarket Runway Handbags were published for the first time, some people said: 'it looks cheap, no please'.
Others thought that Karl Lagerfeld has gone mad, but oh boy what were we wrong. Presenting Plexiglass Egg Tray Clutch Bag, oh yes baby the treasure is hidden in the inside.
Our first impression on the Chanel Egg Tray Clutch Bag was: 'Oh, it's a egg tray decorated by CHANEL with CC logo on the front and interwoven chain link'. It's like mixing supermarket design with Chanel, what's so special about it?
But that's not all, its looks like an item that you will be wearing one or two times and then hide it deep in your wardrobe. Perhaps one day you will even sell it, with regrets.
Like we said earlier, we were wrong. If you take a look at the inside you will find six empty holes. Each of them can store a CHANEL accessory like rings. And they look so darn luxurious that its like a dream come true.
What you need to know:
This is a jewelry Box Minaudiere – it can be used as a clutch bag that can be worn on your shoulder. It's embellished with stressed CC signature and interwoven chain links.
Measuring 4.1 x 5.9 x 2.6, priced at €9750 euro's and $20,750 SGD at Chanel boutique. Oh and unfortunately this clutch doesn't come with the rings.


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Archive for professional riders
You are browsing the archives of professional riders.
You are browsing the archives of professional riders.
Sport has always been intertwined with our state's history. From recreational pursuits like skiing, climbing, and paddling, to the 2002 Winter Olympic venues, Utah's dynamic geography and stunning beauty has made it the likely choice for sport-centric people worldwide. However, until recently, Utah's place in professional cycling has been minimal. That all changed in 2004 […]


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Republic of Ireland Approves Funding for KALYDECO™ (ivacaftor), the First Medicine to Treat the Unde
Republic of Ireland Approves Funding for KALYDECO™ (ivacaftor), the First Medicine to Treat the Underlying Cause of Cystic Fibrosis, for People with a Specific Genetic Mutation (G551D)
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NAS: VRTX) announced today that the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Republic of Ireland will fund KALYDECO™ (ivacaftor), the first medicine to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), for people ages 6 and older who have at least one copy of the G551D mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Cystic fibrosis is a rare genetic disease for which there is no cure. It is caused by a defective or missing CFTR protein resulting from mutations in the CFTR gene. In people with the G551D mutation, ivacaftor helps the defective CFTR protein function more normally.
Today's decision follows an assessment of the medicine by the National Centre for Pharmacoecomomics (NCPE), which acknowledged the benefits of ivacaftor, including significant improvement in lung function, increased body weight, improvement in quality of life and a 55 percent reduction in pulmonary exacerbations, or periods of worsening respiratory signs and symptoms that often require treatment with antibiotics and hospitalisation. Vertex is working to make ivacaftor available to eligible people in Ireland as quickly as possible.
"We are delighted that the HSE will make ivacaftor available for eligible people with cystic fibrosis in Ireland," said Simon Bedson, General Manager of Vertex Europe. "We will work with them to help implement this decision to ensure that those who are eligible can access ivacaftor as quickly as possible."
Ivacaftor was discovered as part of a collaboration with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc., the non-profit drug discovery and development affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
About Ivacaftor
Ivacaftor is the first medicine to treat the underlying cause of CF in people with the G551D mutation in the CFTR gene. Known as a CFTR potentiator, ivacaftor is an oral medicine that aims to help the CFTR protein function more normally once it reaches the cell surface, to help hydrate and clear mucus from the airways. Ivacaftor (150mg, q12h) was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2012, by the European Medicines Agency in July 2012 and by Health Canada in November 2012 for use in people with CF ages 6 and older who have at least one copy of the G551D mutation in the CFTR gene.
Vertex retains worldwide rights to develop and commercialize ivacaftor. A Marketing Authorization application is under review by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia.
Indication and Important Safety Information
Ivacaftor (150mg tablets) is indicated for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients age 6 years and older who have a G551D mutation in the CFTR gene.
Ivacaftor is not for use in people with CF due to other mutations in the CFTR gene. It is not effective in CF patients with two copies of the F508del mutation (F508del/F508del) in the CFTR gene. The efficacy and safety of ivacaftor in children younger than 6 years of age have not been evaluated.
High liver enzymes (transaminases, ALT and AST) have been reported in patients receiving ivacaftor. It is recommended that ALT and AST be assessed prior to initiating ivacaftor, every 3 months during the first year of treatment, and annually thereafter. Patients who develop increased transaminase levels should be closely monitored until the abnormalities resolve. Dosing should be interrupted in patients with ALT or AST of greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal. Following resolution of transaminase elevations, consider the benefits and risks of resuming ivacaftor dosing. Moderate transaminase elevations are common in subjects with CF. Overall, the incidence and clinical features of transaminase elevations in clinical trials was similar between subjects in the ivacaftor and placebo treatment groups. In the subset of patients with a medical history of elevated transaminases, increased ALT or AST have been reported more frequently in patients receiving ivacaftor compared to placebo.
Use of ivacaftor with medicines that are strong CYP3A inducers such as the antibiotics rifampin and rifabutin; seizure medications (phenobarbital, carbamazepine, or phenytoin); and the herbal supplement St. John's Wort substantially decreases exposure of ivacaftor, which may diminish effectiveness. Therefore, co-administration is not recommended.
The dose of ivacaftor must be adjusted when concomitantly used with potent and moderate CYP3A inhibitors. The dose of ivacaftor must be adjusted when used in patients with moderate or severe hepatic disease.
Ivacaftor can cause serious adverse reactions including abdominal pain and high liver enzymes in the blood. The most common side effects associated with ivacaftor include headache; upper respiratory tract infection (the common cold), including sore throat, nasal or sinus congestion, and runny nose; stomach (abdominal) pain; diarrhea; rash; and dizziness. These are not all the possible side effects of ivacaftor. A list of the adverse reactions can be found in the full product labeling for each country where ivacaftor is approved. Patients should tell their healthcare providers about any side effect that bothers them or doesn't go away.
Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information for KALYDECO at www.KALYDECO.com, the EU Summary of Product Characteristics for KALYDECO at http://goo.gl/N3Tz4, and the KALYDECO Canadian Product Monograph at www.vrtx.ca.
About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a rare, life-shortening genetic disease affecting approximately 70,000 people worldwide, including 30,000 people in the United States, 35,000 in Europe, 4,000 in Canada and nearly 3,000 in Australia. Today, the median predicted age of survival for a person with CF is approximately 37 years in the United States, about 40 years in Europe and 48 years in Canada, but the median age of death remains in the mid-20s.
There are more than 1,800 known mutations in the CFTR gene. Some of these mutations, which can be determined by a genetic, or genotyping test, lead to CF by creating non-working or too few CFTR protein at the cell surface. The absence of working CFTR protein results in poor flow of salt and water into and out of the cell in a number of organs, including the lungs. This leads to the buildup of abnormally thick, sticky mucus that can cause chronic lung infections and progressive lung damage.
Collaborative History with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. (CFFT)
Vertex initiated its CF research program in 1998 as part of a collaboration with CFFT, the non-profit drug discovery and development affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in the U.S. This collaboration was expanded to support the accelerated discovery and development of Vertex's CFTR modulators.
About Vertex
Vertex creates new possibilities in medicine. Our team discovers, develops and commercializes innovative therapies so people with serious diseases can lead better lives.
Vertex scientists and our collaborators are working on new medicines to cure or significantly advance the treatment of hepatitis C, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other life-threatening diseases.
Founded more than 20 years ago in Cambridge, Mass., we now have ongoing worldwide research programs and sites in the U.S., U.K. and Canada. Today, Vertex has more than 2,000 employees around the world, and for three years in a row, Science magazine has named Vertex one of its Top Employers in the life sciences.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, (i) the expectation that reimbursement in Ireland for ivacaftor will start in the second quarter of 2013 and (ii) the statements by Mr. Bedson in the third paragraph of this press release. While the company believes the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are accurate, there are a number of factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include the risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's annual report and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available through Vertex's website at www.vrtx.com. Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new information becomes available.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Megan Goulart, 617-341-6992
Nikki Levy, 617-341-6992
Michael Partridge, 617-341-6108
Kelly Lewis, 617-961-7530
KEYWORDS: United States Europe North America Massachusetts Ireland
The article Republic of Ireland Approves Funding for KALYDECO™ (ivacaftor), the First Medicine to Treat the Underlying Cause of Cystic Fibrosis, for People with a Specific Genetic Mutation (G551D) originally appeared on Fool.com.Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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Hello. Welcome to Seven Layers Design.
Designing an effective website takes more than just "making things pretty." There are many factors that contribute to creating a website design that will truly benefit your organization.
Once complete, the design must be developed into a functioning website. We use the latest in web technology to make your design in a great website. We can also develop your own design into a great website.
Maintaining your website is important, but can also be time consuming and frustrating. We offer full website maintenance services so you can focus on what's really important— running your business.Learn More


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Erase borders, starting with the display.
The XPS 13 isn't just the smallest 13-inch laptop on the planet, it also has the world's first virtually borderless infinityEdge display.
Sorry, this item is not available anymore for purchase online. Please see our recommended replacement product.
Operating system
Preloaded with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS.
Preloaded with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS.
The smallest 13-inch on the planet with the world's first infinityEdge displayLarge screen, small laptop: The virtually borderless infinityEdge display cleverly fits a 13-inch display into the size of an 11-inch laptop.
Impressive screen size: The thin bezel frees up the screen space in this innovative design. The three-sided, virtually borderless infinity display measures a miniscule 5.2mm border: the thinnest frame on a notebook. With a slim bezel of less than 2% of the total display, you have more screen to love.
Thin build: Not only is the XPS 13 small, it's also stunningly thin to make it an ideal mobile companion. At only 9-15mm thick and starting at only 2.6 pounds (1.18kg), it is easy to stick in your purse or bag while you are on the go.
Stunning view
Stunning UltraSharp™ QHD+ resolution (3200x1800): Choose the option that gives you 5.7 million pixels (276 ppi) for the ultimate screen performance with precise clarity and eye-popping details. There are over 2.5 times as many pixels as FHD, 5 times as many as HD and 4.4 times as many as the MacBook Air 13 (or other products with HD+ displays). It's also available with a Full HD non-touch display (1920x1080).
Easy to share: See content clearly from almost any angle with an IGZO2 IPS panel, providing a wide viewing angle of up to 170°. Enjoy the vibrant screen together with your friends.
Brighten your day: The screen is brilliant enough to watch movies in sunlight without missing the details. At 400-nit, it's up to 100% brighter than a typical panel (200-nit) for a great view even outside. With a high color gamut of 72% and a high contrast ratio of 1000:1, more colors are represented so you can see the brightest brights and the darkest darks.
Touch friendly: The optional touch display lets you interact with your technology (phone, tablet and laptop) the same way. Enjoy your apps and OS at your fingertips.
Easy to share: See content clearly from almost any angle with an IGZO2 IPS panel, providing a wide viewing angle of up to 170°. Enjoy the vibrant screen together with your friends.
Brighten your day: The screen is brilliant enough to watch movies in sunlight without missing the details. At 400-nit, it's up to 100% brighter than a typical panel (200-nit) for a great view even outside. With a high color gamut of 72% and a high contrast ratio of 1000:1, more colors are represented so you can see the brightest brights and the darkest darks.
Touch friendly: The optional touch display lets you interact with your technology (phone, tablet and laptop) the same way. Enjoy your apps and OS at your fingertips.
Small size. Big performance.Start faster: Enjoy the speed, clarity and improved graphics with Intel® Core™ processors.
Speedy start up: The XPS 13 boots and resumes* in seconds thanks to a standard solid state drive.
Improved usabilityPinch, zoom and click with precision
The improved precision touch pad works quickly and fluidly like a touch screen with no more jumping or floating cursors.
See what you've been missing
This standard backlit keyboard lights up your keys and your ideas. No need to squint in low-light or no-light rooms while typing.
Premium materials for a stunning design and durabilityTough stuff: Machined aluminum construction means the XPS 13 is precision-cut from a single block of aluminum for a sturdy, durable chassis.
Cool under pressure: XPS products use carbon fiber that is similar to what is used for some of the world's high performance cars and racing bikes for a stellar combination of lightweight and strength. The palm rest is strong and thin like aluminum, but lighter and cooler to the touch.
Resists life's "oops" moments: The Corning® Gorilla® Glass NBT™ QHD+ display is up to 10 times more scratch resistant than soda lime glass, so it helps prevent scuffs caused by handling, cleaning or wiping.*
Greenest XPS laptop everSmarter materials: Built with the environment in mind, the XPS 13 is free of concerning materials like lead, mercury and some phthalates. The greenest XPS laptop ever, it's also EPEAT® Gold registered* and BFR/PVC-free.*
Recycle-friendly: The rapidly renewable bamboo trays are 100% recyclable, so you won't worry about your environmental footprint. And an impressive 90% of the laptop's parts can be easily recycled or reused.
Pre-loaded and pre-tested with all available driversSave time: Dell has already verified and preinstalled all drivers for you so there is no need to spend time finding the right driver for your laptop.
Save money: Get exactly what you want. This laptop comes with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, the popular Linux distribution, backed by Dell ProSupport, so you won't deal with the hassle and extra cost of another OS that you won't use.
4th Gen: Over the last two years, the Dell™ XPS™ 13 laptop, Developer Edition keeps getting better. Initially started as an open-ended exploratory project to identify what developers demand, improvements are made based on developers' input.
Mobile essential accessories for your XPS 13Enhance the mobility of your XPS 13 with accessories that can help you stay powered up, connected, and protected on the go.
Dell Power Companion – 12,000 mAh
Power and charge your XPS 13 along with your phone and tablet while you are on the go with the Dell Power Companion.
Dell Premier Sleeve (S)
Protecting your XPS 13 on the go is easy with a sleek, custom-fitted sleeve to use alone or inside a case. Features are specifically designed for Dell accessories.
Work essential accessories for your XPS 13Maximize the performance of your XPS 13 with the ultimate work accessories that can increase productivity in the office.
Dell UltraSharp 32 Ultra HD Monitor – UP3214Q
Get four times the resolution of Full HD and view a new level of clarity and detail with the Dell UltraSharp 32 Ultra HD Monitor featuring Ultra HD 4K resolution.
Dell Wireless Keyboard & Mouse – KM714
Expand your productivity and keep your desk clutter-free with this combo that includes LED precision tracking and a number pad.
- 5th Generation Intel® Core™ i3-5010U processor (3M Cache, up to 2.1 GHz)
5th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-5200U processor (3M Cache, up to 2.7 GHz)
5th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-5500U processor (4M Cache, up to 3.0 GHz)
Operating System
- Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
Video Card
- Intel® HD Graphics 5500
- 13.3-inch UltraSharp™ QHD+ (3200 x 1800) infinity touch display, ETE Corning® Gorilla® Glass NBT™
13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) infinity display, anti-glare
400-nits, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 72% color gamut, 170° wide viewing angle - 85° / 85° /85° / 85°
Capacitive touchscreen option – 10-finger touch support
- 8GB Dual Channel DDR3L-RS SDRAM at 1600 MHz (On Board)
Hard Drive
- 128GB, 256GB or 512GB SSD drive options
- USB 3.0 w/Powershare (2)
Mini DisplayPort (1)
Headset jack (1)
Noblelock (1)
3-in-1 Card Reader (SD, SDHC, SDXC)
Dimensions & Weight
- Height: 9-15mm (0.33-0.6") x Width: 304mm (11.98") x Depth: 200mm (7.88")
Weight: 2.6lbs (1.18kg); 2.8lbs (1.26kg)with touch*
- Widescreen HD (720p) webcam with dual array digital microphones
Audio and Speakers
- Stereo speakers
1W x 2 = 2W total
- Exterior Chassis Materials
CNC machined aluminum
Edge-to-edge Corning® Gorilla® Glass NBT™ on QHD+
Carbon fiber composite palm rest with soft touch paint
Full size, backlit chiclet keyboard; 1.3mm travel
Precision touchpad, seamless glass integrated button
- Dell Wireless 1560 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.0 [2.4&5 GHz, 2x2]


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Back to All Events
Earlier Event: June 29Live Rust
Later Event: June 30Soulstice Creation
Penticton Ribfest arrives at Lake Okanagan Park on June 29, 30, July 1 & 2. The park will come alive with a full weekend of fantastic family fun. We will offer a rib cook-off between four champion barbecue teams from across Canada, music throughout the entire event, entertainment and activities for children and youth, as well as a beverage garden and loads of vendors. Organized by the Penticton Rotary Club, this event expects to attract up to 10,000 people
over 3 days raising funds for ongoing community projects for the citizens of Penticton.


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5.56 Modern Series
Our Modern Series Barrels are machined from 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel and feature a QPQ Corrosion Resistant Finish and QPQ Coated M4 Feed Ramp Extension. Upgrade with one of our 5.56 Performance Series Barrels or 5.56 Premium Series Barrels.
11.5" 5.56 Government Profile Carbine Length AR 15 Barrel, Modern Series
Regular Price: $145.00
Special Price - $116.00


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Efficacy Study of Preconception Treatment of an Asymptomatic Bacterial Infection in an Infertility Population
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01322971
Recruitment Status : Terminated (Disease prevalence lower than expected in population.)
First Posted : March 25, 2011
Results First Posted : January 20, 2017
Last Update Posted : January 20, 2017
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- Study Results
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection characterized by a pathologic shift in the normal vaginal flora. BV has been associated with a number of poor reproductive outcomes, including infertility, preterm labor and premature rupture of membranes. If BV does disrupt normal embryologic development, then the treatment of BV prior to conception may improve implantation rates and other pregnancy outcomes in the infertile population.
This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which infertile women undergoing intrauterine insemination or embryo transfer are screened for BV prior to treatment. Those patients who screen positive for BV will then be randomized into the treatment arm(metronidazole 500mg by mouth twice daily for 7 days) or the control arm (placebo by mouth twice daily for 7 days). The primary outcome, positive pregnancy test rate (i.e. biochemical pregnancy rate), will then be assessed. Secondary outcomes, such as clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, and live birth rate will also be examined.
|Condition or disease
|Vaginosis, Bacterial Infertility Miscarriage
|Drug: Metronidazole Drug: Placebo
|Not Applicable
The purpose of this study is to determine if preconception treatment of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis improves pregnancy outcomes (i.e. biochemical pregnancy rate). Study protocol as follows:
- Patients will be notified of study via face-to-face contact at the initial clinic visit (baseline ultrasound visit, menstrual cycle day 2-5), by physician referral or the Stanford website. Patients expressing interest will be screened in person to confirm that they meet all enrollment criteria. The participant will be asked to sign informed consent documents and a brief intake questionnaire with then be administered.
- Enrolled patients will then be screened for bacterial vaginosis at their next visit (typically on menstrual cycle day 12), prior to transvaginal ultrasound. The screening will require that a speculum be inserted into the vagina and a vaginal smear be collected with a swab from the posterior fornix. A microscopic slide will be prepared by rolling the swab on the surface of a glass slide. The diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis will be established clinically using the Amsel criteria to confirm 3 of the following 4 signs: clue cells; vaginal pH ≥4.5; fishy odor before or after the addition of 10% potassium hydroxide solution to a wet-mount side; and a homogeneous, off-white, discharge. For validation of clinical diagnosis, 100% of screen positive slides, and 10% of screen negative slides, will be sent for to the Department of Pathology for Gram staining.
- The patients with a positive screen for bacterial vaginosis will then be randomized to receive metronidazole 500mg orally twice daily for seven days (treatment arm) or placebo orally twice daily for seven days(control arm). Randomization will be performed using a computer-generated code. Those patients whose screen is negative will also be followed for outcomes, but no randomization will be performed.
- All randomized patients will continue with routine monitoring and insemination as planned by their treating physician.
- If pregnancy is confirmed at least 12 weeks after intrauterine insemination by ultrasound evidence of a fetus with heartbeat, information will then be collected regarding the pregnancy and its outcome.
- Primary and secondary outcomes will be followed for 2 years after date of enrollment for all patients.
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Actual Enrollment :
|2 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Parallel Assignment
|Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|Pregnancy Outcomes Following Preconception Treatment of Asymptomatic Bacterial Vaginosis in an Infertility Population: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
|Study Start Date :
|February 2011
|Actual Primary Completion Date :
|June 2012
|Actual Study Completion Date :
|June 2012
Active Comparator: Metronidazole
Patients randomized to the metronidazole arm will receive metronidazole 500mg orally twice daily for seven days.
Drug: Metronidazole
Metronidazole 500mg orally twice daily for seven days
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Patients randomized to the placebo arm will receive placebo orally twice daily for seven days(control arm
Drug: Placebo
Placebo will be administered orally twice daily for seven days
- Biochemical Pregnancy Rate (Positive Pregnancy Test) [ Time Frame: up to 2 years ]Biochemical pregnancy rate was defined as number of participants who had a positive pregnancy test
- Pregnancy Rate (Pregnancy Visible on Ultrasound) [ Time Frame: up to 2 years ]
- Miscarriage Rate (Loss of a Clinically Recognized Pregnancy) [ Time Frame: up to 2 years ]
- Infectious Morbidity (i.e. Chorioamnionitis, Neonatal Sepsis) [ Time Frame: up to 2 years ]
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, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Women who are actively trying to conceive via intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current use of an oral or vaginal antibiotic.
- History of allergy or adverse reaction to metronidazole.
- Prior enrollment in study (patients returning for repeat cycle may not be re-enrolled).
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01322971
|United States, California
|Ruth Lathi
|Stanford, California, United States, 94305
|Principal Investigator:
|Ruth Bunker Lathi
|Stanford University
|Responsible Party:
|Ruth Bunker Lathi, Principal Investigator, Stanford University
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01322971 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
IRB Protocol Number 20103 ( Other Identifier: Stanford IRB )
|First Posted:
|March 25, 2011 Key Record Dates
|Results First Posted:
|January 20, 2017
|Last Update Posted:
|January 20, 2017
|Last Verified:
|November 2016
Keywords provided by Ruth Bunker Lathi, Stanford University:
Bacterial Vaginosis
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Vaginosis, Bacterial
Vaginal Diseases
Abortion, Spontaneous
Genital Diseases, Male
Genital Diseases, Female
Bacterial Infections
Pregnancy Complications
Anti-Infective Agents
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Antiprotozoal Agents
Antiparasitic Agents


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WASHINGTON — Former National Security Agency chief Michael V. Hayden learned a lesson about eavesdropping aboard an Amtrak train to Newark: Don't talk on the phone where people can hear you.
Hayden, who also once headed the CIA, began talking on his cellphone Thursday after boarding Acela No. 2170, The Washington Post reported.
A few seats away, passenger Tom Matzzie heard him mention President Barack Obama's 2008 BlackBerry, which was modified to block foreign eavesdropping.
Once Matzzie was able to place Hayden, he took to Twitter. "Former NSA spy boss Michael Hayden on Acela behind me blabbing âon background as a former senior admin official,'?" he tweeted. "Sounds defensive."
Matzzie, a former Washington director of the political organization MoveOn.org, kept up the tweets for another 15 minutes as Hayden talked. Hayden used the name "Massimo," leading Matzzie to conclude he was speaking with Time's national security reporter, Massimo Calabresi.
"Michael Hayden on Acela giving reporters disparaging quotes about admin," Matzzie tweeted. "?'Remember, just refer as former senior admin.'?"
Someone eventually tipped off Hayden, who finished a call, stood up and walked over to Matzzie.
"Would you like a real interview?" Hayden asked.
"I'm not a reporter," Matzzie replied.
"Everybody's a reporter," Hayden said.
The Post said the two then talked about the Fourth Amendment and NSA surveillance, and then Hayden posed for a photo with Matzzie.
Hayden told the Post later he wasn't disparaging Obama or his administration. Matzzie "got it terribly wrong," Hayden said, dismissing the tweets as an inaccurate "story from a liberal activist sitting two seats from me on the train hearing intermittent snatches of conversation."
"I didn't criticize the president," Hayden said. "I actually said these are very difficult issues. I said I had political guidance, too, that limited the things that I did when I was director of NSA. Now that political guidance (for current officials) is going to be more robust. It wasn't a criticism."
Hayden retired as CIA director in 2009 and is now a principal in the Chertoff Group, a national security consultancy.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Maulian Dana: Many still silenced after women got the vote
Mavis Longfellow: Can't we do better?
Another View: Mainers have no obligation to sign people's veto petitions
New border patrol chief explains why he uses #BuildTheWall and what his plans are for Maine
Today's editorial cartoon


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[title page] "QUIET, PLEASE!" Wyllis Cooper NO. 3 SUNDAY, JUNE 22, 1947 RECORDING STUDIO #2 1:00 - 5:45 PM JUNE 17 [We Were Here First] [page 1] CHAPPELL: Quiet, please. (7 SECONDS OF SILENCE) CHAPPELL: Quiet, please. (MUSIC ... THEME ... FADE FOR..) ANNCR: The Mutual Broadcasting System presents the third of a series of unusual dramatic programs, written and directed by Wyllis Cooper, and featuring Ernest Chappell. This story is called "We Were Here First." (MUSIC ... THEME ... FADE BEHIND) CHAPPELL: (FADE IN) Yes, I'll tell you a story. You keep asking for stories: I'll tell you one that'll really give you something to think about. You'll keep thinking about this story till you die; and I have an idea you'll pass it on to the ones who come after you, just as I'm passing it on to you. So you listen carefully. (MUSIC ... INTRODUCTION) CHAPPELL: This one doesn't start with "once upon a time". It's about the world today, though that "once upon a time" business comes into it. Listen. Do you know there are giants in this world? Oh, yes, there are. Did you think we were the only ones here? You're wrong. There are giants. Millions of them: billions. Giants so big that it's almost impossible for one of us to imagine how big they are. Why, a hair from the head of one of them is as big as your leg. [page 2] And they're everywhere. In the cold lands; in the hot lands; everywhere. And they hate everybody. They hate each other. They hate us. How they hate us! How they'd like to get rid of us! But I'll tell you something: they're not going to. We were here first - and we're going to be here a long, long time after they're gone. For they're going to go; don't fool yourself about that. They can't win. (MUSIC ... IN FOR BG) CHAPPELL: But it isn't going to be easy. Don't fool yourself about that, either. They've killed an awful lot of us in all the millions of years they've been on this earth. And, I may say, we have killed quite a few of them. We've killed more of them than they have any idea. And, that, my child, is quite a trick, when you consider the difference in our sizes. How big are they? Well, that's hard to explain. We're all different sizes, you know. Some of us are small, some of us big. There are fat ones among us, and thin ones. But on average, I should say, they're about a hundred and fifty times as tall as we are. Oh, yes. A hundred and fifty times our size. That amounts up. But there's an old saying, child; this is something you want to remember: "the bigger they are, the harder they fall." [page 3] I don't want to give you the idea, though, that it's going to be easy to win. I've nearly lived my life out, and there's just as many of them as ever. You'll live your life out, and your children and your children's children will live and die, in generations that you can count up in trillions, and they'll still be here. And we'll - all of us, pay an awful price in that time. But we breed fast, and our families are larger, and one day.... one day there'll be no more giants in the earth, and we'll have it all to ourselves. Brethren dwelling together in unity. That's one of their sayings too, but they disregard it pretty much. They don't dwell together in unity any more than we do. And that's the bad part of it from our standpoint. If we just had sense enough to get together! If we'd just stop fighting amongst ourselves! Of course, it's all right for them to fight amongst themselves. That simplifies our problem. Some day, if we're lucky, maybe they'll all kill each other. They try hard enough. Oh, I tell you, they've got weapons, child. They've got an atomic bomb. It works, and some of them are scared to death that it may one day wipe them all out. But.... we'll see. If it does, good riddance, and our day comes a little sooner. If it doesn't...well, we've got time. [page 4] They've got to talking lately about biological warfare. Germs, you know? You know where they got that. From us. No, they don't realize how far ahead of them we are in biological warfare. I could tell you some things .... but there are secrets that even I can't tell. They'll find out, though. Remember - the bigger they are, the harder they fall. That's a mighty comforting thought. Something else to think about, too: as I said, they hate us; but most of their time is taken up in hating each other. So they don't have the time to attend to us as they should if they want to continue to exist. They're absolutely ruthless, though, when they do think about exterminating us. I know. I nearly got it once. Want to hear about it? Can you take it? Well: this is just one of the concentration camps they run, in between the times they're planning how to exterminate each other. They call this place New Jersey, but it's not New Jersey to us. Some of us call it Thanatopolis. That's Greek; it means "City of Death." Greek? Oh, the Greeks lived on this earth a long, long time ago. There's some of them left today - but they're not the same as they were then. They got careless. All that's left of their glory is words like Thanatopolis. Words that have the sound of death in them-child. I was hungry. That's how I got caught. That's the way a lot of us get caught. Plenty of food, plenty of good, healthy food; plenty to drink; nothing to do but get fat. [page 5] And get killed. I didn't know about giants in those days. I know now. (MUSIC ... AN ACCENT) CHAPPELL: The gate was wide open. And I tell you it was the pleasantest place I've ever seen. I looked it over. I smelled the food. I tell you I've been around, and I never smelled anything so delicious in all my life. I just went crazy, as hungry as I was. Well. The food was just as good as it smelled, and there was plenty of it. I lost my way, going in: it's a kind of labyrinth, you see, and I was interested in the food. I was hungry. There was a lot of us in there. I recognised hundreds of friends; fat, happy, well-fed. I stayed there quite a while. I got fat, too. But there were sounds I didn't like. (MUSIC ... AN ACCENT) CHAPPELL: Sounds like thunder; rustlings; sounds that came from nowhere at all. And the feeling of someone watching us. Someone laughing at us (DISTANT LAUGHTER) And one day, one morning early, I heard a voice WOMAN: This one's about ready, I think. Just look at 'em. (LAUGHS) Thousands and thousands of them and not one of them with sense enough to try to get out. [page 6] CHAPPELL: I looked up. That sounded like a human voice to me. WOMAN: Get the gas ready. They've had a good time now long enough. We'll see how long it takes them to die. CHAPPELL: It was a human voice: a giant voice. This particular concentration camp of theirs was run by one of their females. Probably, according to their standards, a very beautiful one. To me, as I looked up her face far above me, she looked like all the figures of Death I'd ever dreamed of. And, child, she was Death. WOMAN: Where's the stop-watch? CHAPPELL: Paralysed, I watched her great fingers wind her stop-watch. SOUND: (OF WINDING WATCH) CHAPPELL: Stiff with terror, I saw the nozzle of the gas generator slither into the door far across the floor. I began to crawl toward the door, toward the gaping mouth of that gas-jet. I tried hard to warn a few of my friends, but they were heavy with good living, and it was useless. I found my way through the labyrinth, hoping, hoping there would be time. I had a goal now - if I could make it. And then I saw her raise her hand with the watch. I heard her WOMAN: Turn on the gas! SOUND: (THERE IS A LOUD HISS AS THE GAS GOES ON) (MUSIC ... ADDS TO CONFUSION) CHAPPELL: One tiny wiff of the gas: one short, infinitesimal breath of it, and I thought my heart would leap from my body. My eyes bulged; my legs refused to hold me up; I fell, and staggered, and fell and staggered again. [PAGE 7] And as I stumbled out into the blessed freshness of the air, I heard the sound of her stop-watch SOUND: (OF WATCH TICKING) CHAPPELL: and her laughter. WOMAN: (LAUGHS) Look at 'em! Look at 'em crawl and wiggle! This is the best gas we've used! Look at 'em - three seconds, four seconds - and everyone of 'em dead! This is won-der-ful! CHAPPELL: I was dazed. My mind couldn't contemplate such slaughter. Four seconds - and countless thousands of us dead! And then...then, this is the horror. You know what she did? She gathered up their still-warm bodies and tossed them onto a great scale, and weighed them! Why? So she could know how many of us she had killed, in four seconds. Do you wonder we hate them? Do you wonder we live for nothing but the day when the giants, male and female and their young, shall all be gone from this earth? (MUSIC ... FOR A CURTAIN) CHAPPELL: So you can see. It must be us, or them. And, I swear to you, child, we'll stay. We were here first. We're patient. Most of the time, they forget we're here, and that's good for us, of course. [page 8] Because they're intelligent. They can fly, too. They have marvellous instruments that help them perform amazing things. They've got radar, for instance - but fortunately for us, their radar won't pick us up as ours does them. They've got methods of communications - but theirs aren't as good as ours. And the amazing thing is that most of the remarkable inventions they've thought out and perfected are used for fighting one another. Let them keep on inventing, I say. Because, you see, there's one little point they never seem to think about. They fight amongst themselves - but we fight against both sides. And you know who wins their wars? We do, child. We always have: we always will. We spy on them day and night. No matter where they go, there's always one of us near them. There is not one single word spoken in the giant world that we don't hear. No matter what they plan, we know about it. They're never free from us. They plan for their pleasures and we prepare to spoil their pleasures. They plan wars, and we mobilize our expeditions. They pray, and we hear them. [page 9] And we answer their prayers, sometimes, with death. What do you mean? How? You think it's hard for a being our size to kill a being the size of the giants? It isn't. You see, in the first place, we're willing to sacrifice a million of us to kill one of them. No, that's true. Not all of us know about the giants. Not all of us know that we're being sacrificed in this endless war. Some of us think we're dying a natural death, I suppose; but we leaders know. You still don't understand? Let me give you an example. I said the giants are on the average perhaps a hundred and fifty times as tall as we. That's just height. If you know anything about mathematics you realize that that means they're uncounted millions of times bigger than we are. In actual mass, it would probably take a billion of our bodies to make one the size of theirs. Take an ant, for instance. How much bigger is a man than an ant? You see? So; On a plantation in South America: (MUSIC ... INTRODUCTION) MAN: (SCARED) They're coming! The ants! [page 10] (MUSIC ... ANT MUSIC) MAN: A brown river of ants...flowing toward us in a straight line...in a column fifty feet across...miles long...the beasts are fleeing from them...monkeys...deer...tapirs...jaguars... CHAPPELL: Ants. Tiny creatures only half an inch long. MAN: Soldier ants...hungry...leaving only the stripped skeletons of trees to mark the path they followed...skeletons, picked clean, of the animals that fell in their way...stripped clean in a matter of minutes... CHAPPELL: Ants. Tiny creatures only half an inch long. MAN: They're coming! We've got to fight them - CHAPPELL: Fight them with flowing streams of water - MAN: And they come on! CHAPPELL: Fight them with jets of oil - MAN: Open the tanks - drown them - CHAPPELL: And some die, but they come on. MAN: Fight them with fire! Ho, fire here - set the oil on fire! CHAPPELL: And some die, but they come on. MAN: Run - run - don't let them get you - CHAPPELL: They've poison in their jaws - MAN: (PANIC-STRICKEN) Run - run - the ants - the ants - CHAPPELL: And the brown river flows remorselessly on. (MUSIC ... UP HIGH) CHAPPELL: Tiny creatures, half an inch long. And behind them, as the end of the brown river disappears - a clean white skeleton...and desolation. [page 11] (MUSIC ... ENDS) CHAPPELL: So you see, it isn't size. It's hatred, and the will to conquer. And ... it's numbers. (MUSIC ... AN ACCENT) CHAPPELL: The bigger they are the harder they fall, child. (MUSIC ... PAYOFF) CHAPPELL: So you haven't seen the giants. You just think you haven't, child. You're young yet, and you mistake them. Sometimes you think it's a cloud that obscures the sun. Sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn't. Don't waste time when a great shadow falls on you, child. It might be one of the giants. And they strike without warning. It's a horrible death. You see, one of the things that makes living in the same world with the giants so terrible is the way they hate us. They hate us in an impersonal kind of way. They kill us by habit, most of them. They say, "there's one, kill him!" and that's all there is to it. They never think about it afterward. That, I think, is why we hate them most. We're of no consequence to them. That is, they think we're of no consequence. If they knew what we've done to them through all the countless aeons they've been on earth ... Well, perhaps it's a good thing they don't. [page 12] Their scientists know, though. And they've got some pretty good scientists - when they're not thinking of ways to kill each other. They know us. Some of them study us - and, child, they're clever. They're the ones who thought of setting us against each other. They're warmakers amongst themselves - why shouldn't they apply their theories to us? Their theories work. We fight amongst ourselves. We do too much of it. And most of us don't know why we do. It costs a lot of lives; and the worst part of it is, it costs time. I don't say that they put us up to all the fighting; some of us think of it ourselves. Maybe it's a good thing: maybe there'd be too many of us for own good if we didn't kill each other. But if we could only get together! If we could only, all of us, see that one shining goal before us! Think of a world that would belong to us all by ourselves - with no giants to think about! Not that all of us think about the giants - that's just the trouble. We have to spend so much time convincing others that they really exist; that they are a menace to us every second we live; that we've got to destroy them. One day, if we don't learn to get together, they'll destroy us, maybe. They've destroyed a lot of us so far. And I hate to think of this world belonging to them exclusively. [page 13] What? Oh, yes, of course, they wouldn't live long without us. They need us: some of them know that, even if we are, as a race, a constant nuisance to them. But what's the good of that? If they destroy us, they'll die, too. And then there won't be anybody left in the world. But believe me, child, we don't need them. We got along a good long time before they appeared. And we'll do it again. (MUSIC ... A KIND OF HUMMING FROM THE ORGAN) CHAPPELL: Nonsense? Superstition? You children! I know, though. I said the same thing when I was your age. But I found out different. Yes, there are giants. You'll find out. Certainly we can kill them. Didn't I tell you about the ants? That's right; there were millions of them. But one of us can kill a giant. Just one of us. I'll tell you a story about that, and then you decide for yourself. This was in the last war. Out in China. A long, long way from here. I know it's true: I got it from a friend of mine who was there. An airplane fell down in a valley between the mountains. [page 14] The pilot had a broken leg. For a week he lay there in the valley, all alone, and there was nothing wrong with him except for his broken leg. He had something to eat, and there was water, and he needn't have died, except that a bug of some kind bit him, and he got some strange fever. The second week he began to be delirious; and then one morning he heard someone coming MAN 1: (WAY OFF) Hellooooo! MAN 2: I hear someone calling. (HE'S SICK) MAN 1: (WAY OFF) Hellooooo! MAN 2: I can't see anybody. Everything looks funny. (HE TRIES TO CALL) Who are you? MAN 1: (CLOSER) I'm coming! MAN 2: Who are you? (HE SPEAKS QUERULOUSLY) Where's my gun? I have to have my gun. I don't know who's calling me ... MAN 1: (CLOSER) Where are you? MAN 2: I'll keep quiet. I don't know who he is. I'll wait. SOUND: (AND HEAVY FOOTSTEPS COME CRASHING THROUGH THE UNDERBRUSH) MAN 2: I see him...no...yes, I do. (CALLS) You're not going to get me! SOUND: (FOOTSTEPS CLOSER) MAN 1: Where are you? MAN 2: I see him. He's so big ... it's a giant ... look at him ... he's coming closer ... a giant! I'll have to kill him or he'll kill me - MAN 1: (UP) I've been looking for you for a week - MAN 2: You're not going to get me, giant! [page 15] MAN 1: You've got a fever. MAN 2: Get away from me, giant! MAN 1: You're delirious! MAN 2: Don't you touch me - don't you come closer! MAN 1: Let me help you - MAN 2: No - no - you're a giant! Think I don't know! You've come to get me - MAN 1: Take it easy - MAN 2: No - no - get away from me - I'll kill you - MAN 1: Easy, fellow. Take it easy now - MAN 2: No - no get away! Get away, I say, I've got a gun! MAN 1: Put the gun away. MAN 2: Don't touch me! Stop! Stop! All right - SOUND: (A PISTOL SHOT, THEN, ANOTHER, AND THE SOUND OF THE GIANT'S FALL) MAN 1: I told you! I told you I'd kill you! (HE LAUGHS) I've killed a giant! (MUSIC: ... FOR PUNCTUATION) CHAPPELL: He killed one of them. It was very easy. And it was very curious, a little later when the evening came and his fever cooled a little, that the dead giant looked so much like his friend that had jumped out of the airplane a moment before he did. It was very curious. Well, all right. It was his friend. He thought his friend was a giant, and he killed him. [page 16] Or did he kill him? He fired the pistol at his friend. That was the direct cause of his friend's death. But who was it that brought him the fever that made him think his friend was a giant. Remember? I said a little bug bit him. So the little bug was indirectly the cause of the other man's death; and to the little bug the man was a giant. They were both giants, and he killed them both. Because the man who had killed his friend had a moment of lucid thought, and his fading strength was enough to bring the pistol up to his head. I know it's true. Well, maybe that is rationalising; but you think it over. To my way of thinking, two giants got killed. It's getting dark in here. Am I a little slow in my thinking, now that I'm - look out! Quick - look out! SOUND: (HEAVY CRASH) (MUSIC: ... BACKS IT UP) CHAPPELL: (ON CUE) All right; so you killed him. He was a child, and he didn't have a chance against a giant he didn't even believe in. He's dead, giant. No, I'm not going to be emotional about him. There are too many others to worry about the death of one. You can smash us; you can poison us; you can gas us to death; but we'll always be with you. Up to the end, and afterward. [page 17] You can't win. Without us, you'll starve. With us...you'll die. But listen for a second. We're everywhere. We're in the earth; we live in your houses; we eat your food; we watch you day and night. We've got senses you never dreamed of. We've got weapons that you have no defense for. You walk on your two legs. We've got six. You fly, in your airplanes. We've got wings. You make your weapons. We are our own weapons. And if we insects ever get together, giant.... Or maybe we won't have to. Maybe you'll blast yourselves off the earth and save us the trouble. Your atomic bombs don't mean anything to us. The flies lived at Hiroshima, you know. The beetles are still alive on Bikini. And far under the surface of this earth you think you own, more and more millions of us are sleeping, waiting the day. Giant, we'll always be there. Wherever you go; while you're awake, while you're asleep. [page 18] Hating you, plotting against you, knowing that one day everything you've built, everything you've accomplished on this earth will be ours. We were here first; and we'll be here last. There's a fly in the room isn't there? And there's a cloud of gnats somewhere outdoors; waiting for you and all the rest of the giants we hate. Are you the one that was bragging about - what did you call it? DDT? Fine, giant. DDT does kill us. It kills the good insects and the bad ones alike. Better try again, giant. You can't live without us...and you can't live with us. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. We were here first. (MUSIC: ... FOR AN ACCENT) CHAPPELL: Think of that some night when a fat moth blunders in your bedroom window. Maybe he won't be blundering, giant. Maybe he'll be... spying. And remember...we're giant killers. (MUSIC ... THEME ... STOP FOR) SOUND: (CLAP HANDS) CHAPPELL: Not so good, giant. (LAUGHS) See you tonight.... (MUSIC ... THEME ... FADE FOR)
ANNCR: You have listened to "Quiet, Please", which is written and directed by Wyllis Cooper. The one who spoke to you was Ernest Chappell. [page 19] CHAPPELL: And the others were Nancy Douglass, Walter Black and Kermit Murdoch. The music was composed and played by Gene Perrazzo And now, for a word about next week's "Quiet, Please" story, here is our writer-director, Wyllis Cooper. COOPER: Next week's story is called "The Ticket-Taker." I think you'll find it intriguing and entertaining. CHAPPELL: And so, until next week at this time - I am quietly yours, Ernest Chappell. (MUSIC ... THEME ... FADE FOR) ANNCR: This program came to you from New York. (PAUSE) Stay tuned now for a fascinating story of strange events and their commonsense explanation on the House of Mystery which follows in just a moment. (MUSIC ... THEME TO FINISH) ANNCR: THIS IS THE MUTUAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM (NOTE: SYSTEM TO BE GIVEN LIVE!)Home


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iSocial Project: Marie Curie Fellowship Experienced Researcher - Position available
The Laboratory for Internet Computing, Department of Computer Science, University of Cyprus announces the availability of a Marie-Curie Experienced Researcher in Online Social Networking technologies. The position is for eighteen (18) months. The position is funded by the European Commission under the Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN) program iSocial, which focuses on the design of distributed and scalable overlay networking and distributed storage infrastructures for open online social networks and for innovative social network applications that preserve end-user privacy and information ownership. The main objective of the iSocial Initial Training Network is to provide world class training for a next generation of researchers, computer scientists and Web engineers, emphasizing on a strong combination of advanced understanding in both theoretical and experimental approaches, methodologies and tools that are required to develop Decentralized Online Social Networking platforms.
Requirements, Eligibility Criteria and Funding
Experienced Researchers (ER) within their first five years of their career.
The successful candidate is expected to conduct original research in collaboration with the principal investigators of UCY and other iSocial partners, as well as to contribute actively to the activities planned in the context of the ITN (scientific publications, participation to meetings and events, secondments, preparation of educational material, and online courses, student advising, project management and coordination, etc.).
We are looking for highly motivated applicants with a Ph.D. in computer science or a related field from a reputable institution, strong analytical and programming skills, proven research record, and excellent knowledge of the English language.
ITNs support the initial training of researchers who are still within the first five years (or full-time equivalent) of their careers in research, at the time of their appointment.
Eligible applicants are researchers who, at the time of recruitment are:
- - in possession of a doctoral degree, independently of the time taken to acquire it, or have at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience;
- - and have less than five years of full-time equivalent research experience.
The research experience of an Experienced Researcher (ER) recruited for initial training may not exceed 5 years at the time of the appointment.
Also, eligible applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Cyprus for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of recruitment.
Marie Curie fellows enjoy good salaries and working conditions, career development opportunities and work-life balance. We especially encourage women researchers to apply for the aforementioned position. The yearly salary of a PostDoc researcher under Marie Curie iSocial ITN scheme at UCY is expected to be approx. 56,000 Euros before the tax, social security, and other deductions. Marie Curie fellows will also get coverage of expenses related to the participation in research and training activities (contribution to research-related costs, meetings, conference attendance, training actions, etc.).
To communicate your expression of interest, please fill in the application form (doc,pdf) and send it together with your curriculum vitae, two (2) references, transcript of the grades (original and in English), by email to "mpoveda (at) cs.ucy.ac.cy". While expressions of interest are accepted on a continuous basis, applications received by 30th of June, 2014 will be considered in the first evaluation cycle. Expected starting date: 1st September, 2014. For more information please contact Maria Poveda: mpoveda (at) cs.ucy.ac.cy.
The iSocial ITN has started in October 2012 and will finish in September 2016. The following institutions participate in the iSocial ITN: Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden (asst. prof. S. Girdzijauskas, prof. S. Haridi); Univ. of Cyprus (prof. M. Dikaiakos, Dr. G. Pallis); Univ. of Insubria, Italy (prof. E. Ferrari); ICS/FORTH, Greece (prof. E. Markatos, prof. V. Fragopoulou); Univ. of Barcelona (prof. M. Boguna); IBM Israel (Dr. E. Dekel); Peerialism, Sweden (Dr. S. El-Ansary), and a number of associated research and industrial partners (IMIS/ATHENA, Greece; Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; TELEFONICA TID, Spain; FORTHNET, Greece; FMT Worldwide, Cyprus/Australia; Wadja.com, Cyprus/USA).


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With the 2013 NFL season just a short screen pass away, there are a lot of of questions. Here's five of them, and we've included answers, too. See if your favorite team has the goods to make this season a memorable one.
Can the Baltimore Ravens defend their Super Bowl title?
Without Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Anquan Boldin, Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger, as well as the injured Dennis Pitta, the Baltimore Ravens will be a very different team in 2013. The signing of Elvis Dumervil helps the pass rush and former Raiders safety/cornerback Michael Huff adds depth in the secondary, but without Boldin, the Ravens lack a clear-cut number one receiver. Unless Jacoby Jones and recently acquired Brandon Stokley and Dallas Clark can contribute and one of their rookies can chip in, the pass attack, despite QB Joe Flacco's $120.6 million contract, looks mediocre. At this point, it appears the Ravens can make the playoffs on their defense, but they will need Flacco to prove his worth once again if they are to defend their Super Bowl title.
How will Sean Payton's return affect the New Orleans Saints?
Without Payton, the Saints staggered to a 7-9 record in 2012, in spite of an insane 5,177-yard, 42-touchdown season from quarterback Drew Brees. Away from Brees, injuries to Darren Sproles and Jimmy Graham and the ineffectiveness of Mark Ingram hurt the multifaceted offense at times. A spotty defense, thanks to Tracy Porter's off-season signing with the Denver Broncos and Jonathan Vilma's suspension was what really hurt the team, however. Payton's return to the team, calling the plays and providing leadership, will prove a drastic change. Expect the team to run the ball far less than they did last year and utilize Graham (who's in a contract year) and Sproles far more. While the defense will continue to be suspect, a more efficient Payton-directed offense should be enough to get the team into the playoffs.
Can the Patriots offense thrive without Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez?
Without Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez, the Patriots once mighty pass attack doesn't look nearly as formidable. If Tom Brady can't get the most out of recently acquired Danny Amendola and Welker-clone Julian Edelman, New England is going to spend more time on the ground than they'd like.
Can Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson avoid a dreaded sophomore slump?
All three looked poised as they led their respective teams to playoff appearances in their rookie seasons. With a bevy of maturity and an abundance of talent, the trio will have the eyes of the NFL world on them as they embark on season two of their pro careers.
Will J.J. Watt dominate again?
It's pretty hard to top 20.5 sacks, but when you consider the 6'5", 295-pound Watt's raw athletic ability, not ot mention a 37" vertical leap and youth (he's just 24), it's easy to say that barring any serious injury, Watt will continue to be the most dominant player in the NFL.