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Questions you never thought to ask: Is inbreeding bad for democracy? – i thought to ask. so did a few other people (way before me!): steve sailer, stanley kurtz, parapundit. see also Cousin Marriage and Democracy. and, of course, see also woodley and bell. and see Question of the Day @breviosity. previously: consanguinity and democracy.
A Dose of Clannishness and What's So Bad About Clanocracy? – @breviosity!
Where do those tensions come from? – "When the Milgram experiment was done with Jordanian assistants, they were just as willing as Americans to inflict pain under orders (62.5%). But they were more willing than Americans [1.4%] to inflict pain when no orders were given, with 12.5% of them delivering shocks right up to the top end of the scale (Shanab & Yahya, 1978)." – great post from peter frost!
Modern Europe's Genetic History Starts in Stone Age – "Scientists create the first detailed genetic history of modern Europe." – original research article. see also mtDNA haplogroup H and the origin of Europeans (Brotherton et al. 2013) from dienekes.
As women live longer and have fewer children, they are becoming taller and slimmer, study finds – "'This is a reminder that declines in mortality rates do not necessarily mean that evolution stops, but that it changes.'"
Birth Defects, FBD Marriages – from anatoly.
HBD Fundamentals – from jayman!
Why the Tropics are an evolutionary hotbed – "Ant family tree shows tropical New World hosts fast speciation while also keeping older lineages alive."
Study: People Who Believe in God Are More Responsive to Treatment of Depression – "It may be that 'the tendency to have faith in conventional social constructs' can be generalized both to religion and the medical establishment."
Beauty isn't skin deep – @mangan's.
Social psychology fraud: Just tell professors what they want to hear – from steve sailer.
Book Review: Quiet – The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking (2012) by Susan Cain – from staffan. and a classic: Caring for Your Introvert. (just shush already! (~_^) )
Ethnic origins of Forbes world billionaires (2013) – @race/history/evolution notes.
Computer scientists suggest new spin on origins of evolvability – "'[E]volvable species accumulate over time even without selective pressure.'" – in their computer simulations.
Culture — Not Just a Human Thing – vervet monkeys got culture. also Parrots Barter With Nuts.
Humans Evolved Flexible, Lopsided Brains – some of us more lopsided than others. (~_^)
When Do Babies Become Conscious? – "New research shows that babies display glimmers of consciousness and memory as early as 5 months old."
Fish win fights on strength of personality – "When predicting the outcome of a fight, the big guy doesn't always win suggests new research on fish."
Feeding our gut bacteria meat may enhance heart disease risks – "Antibiotics or vegetarian diets block production of a risk-associated chemical."
On Hold: Genes That Pause Pregnancy Discovered
Giza Secret Revealed: How 10,000 Pyramid Builders Got Fed – "This meat-rich diet, along with the availability of medical care (the skeletons of some workers show healed bones), would have been an additional lure for ancient Egyptians to work on the pyramids…. 'They probably got a much better diet than they got in their village….'"
Earliest Mayan monuments unearthed in Guatemala. see also Ancient Maya discovery sheds new light on the origins of civilization.
bonus: Levels of Commitment to the Dark Enlightenment – @habitable worlds. also What are characteristics of the Dark Enlightenment? @occam's razor.
bonus bonus: How Cuban Villagers Learned They Descended From Sierra Leone Slaves – "The amazing story of the traditional songs and dances, passed down over hundreds of years, that have tied a small Caribbean ethnic group to a remote African tribe." – cool story!
bonus bonus bonus: Revealed: The Indian village with just 6,000 inhabitants … but more than 100 pairs of twins – another town of twins!
bonus bonus bonus bonus: Can Animals Be Mentally Ill?
bonus bonus bonus bonus bonus: not a news story, but here's the definition of stubborn – Last Two Speakers of Dying Language Refuse to Talk to Each Other
bonus bonus bonus bonus bonus bonus: Thanks to rare alpine bacteria, researchers identify one of alcohol's key gateways to the brain – "Discovery is a step on the road to eventually developing drugs that could disrupt the interaction between alcohol and the brain." – cool! wait. they want to disrupt the effect of alcohol on the brain?! hey!
(note: comments do not require an email. vervet monkeys!)


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Below is a list of a few places you may have been trying to reach.

subset: commoncrawl


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A Conversation with Saginaw Grant, Chief Big Bear from 'The Lone Ranger'
Simon Moya-Smith
Decades later, Grant, the actor, traditional southern straight dancer and lecturer, will star as "Chief Big Bear" alongside Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer in this summer's probable blockbuster The Lone Ranger.
But Grant, a citizen of the Sac and Fox, Iowa and Otoe-Missouria nations, said he never endeavored to be an actor. One day in the '80s, Grant was speaking at a seminar near San Francisco. A man approached him and asked if he'd like to play a role in a car commercial. Saginaw took the role and he's been acting ever since.
Indian Country Today spoke with Grant recently from Los Angeles about his role in The Lone Ranger, his cast-mate Johnny Depp, alcoholism in Indian country, and the imperative to motivate one another.
What was the climate like for the Native Americans on the set of The Lone Ranger**?**
Everything was done with a lot of respect. They wanted the people to do everything correctly. They hired a few men who said they were Comanche to come in and do the wardrobe. And Gore [Verbinski, the director], he really has a lot of patience. I, myself, had difficulty in some of my scenes, presenting what he wanted me to do. But he was patient. Instead of tearing me down and saying "don't you understand what I want?" – he didn't do that. He made me feel like I was doing exactly what he wanted me to do. I never heard him holler on the set. He was very congenial, very thankful. The makeup people, they really did a good job. I felt good. This was the best crew I ever worked with, and hopefully I'll run into another crew like this.
You've met and worked with Johnny Depp on the set of The Lone Ranger**. What do you think of the controversy surrounding his role as "Tonto"?**
Our people, the Native people, have always been the people to help each other. [We] always want to encourage someone rather than to tear them down. And these people who do this. … I don't know. I feel sorry for them. I pity them, really. They're making it hard out here for the Native actors who are working. [Johnny] has a lot of respect for all people – not just Native people, but all people. I've had a chance to talk with him. I would suggest the people who will read this that they go see The Lone Ranger. It's not what we've seen in the past. It's going to be completely different. That's what's going to make it different. It's not the way we were portrayed in the past episodes of the old Lone Ranger [television series]. You have to see it to understand it, and to really see what we've done. I encourage, especially our Native people, to come and watch it.
What's been the best role of your life?
This role – The Lone Ranger. I really like the part I played, even though I do get killed; I probably have died in a lot of movies I've been in. I probably hold the record there. Floyd [Red Crow] Westerman and I kind of argued about this. I said, "I died more times than you do." That's just the way it is, I guess. I've been very fortunate because people seem to like my look, because it's an "Indian" look. I'm not a star or anything, but I've been able to stick here and have work. And I've been becoming pretty well known – especially since people found out that I'm in The Lone Ranger. They've really paid attention to me now. I feel good about it.
Why is it important that budding Native actors pursue their dreams?
We have fine actors, fine actresses who have done some good work, but I don't think that we have enough yet. I think that we belong in this field of work and we can get there. It may take a little bit longer, but there's a need to it, this Hollywood movie making and everything. We found a place here. There [are] people like Graham Greene, Adam Beach. There are a lot of our people who've made and live good lives and who help people. That's one thing about our Native people: We're always willing to help someone. I constantly say that we could've easily wiped out Columbus when he first came to this country. We had the numbers, but we were willing to help. We were willing to give someone a chance. But I don't look back and relive something that happened in the past. There's nothing we can do to change it. But I can only make it better for our people.
Where do you see Native Americans in the future of Hollywood?
Personally, I encourage a lot of young people not to give up, to seek their career, to stay there [in the industry] regardless of what kind of comments they get when they go for an audition. They better have a tough hide to accept some the things that are said. I mean not said out of disrespect, but [regarding] their own personal ability. I've never been criticized for being a Native. Nobody's ever said anything disrespectful to me, and I don't think they do that to other Native actors. We don't have a lot of Native actors in this field, though. It makes me feel good when I see and meet a lot Native actors. … Don't give up, just don't give up. It takes a lot of time to get recognized.
How do you spend your time when you're not acting?
I go to a lot of events. I do a lot of public speaking. And I talk to my new generation about indigenous culture. You know, we're in a place where we're losing our identity by not holding true to our traditions and our culture. And when we lose our culture there will be no more Native peoples. That's my main purpose now is to teach our young people our traditions and our culture. We must never lose it. It's kind of strange when I talk to young people. They don't really know what their beginning is. They need to hear the stories that our grandpas and grandmas had. There are principles in the stories.
Every morning, I start off my day by talking to the Creator. And these are the things I tell my young people: Keep true to who you are. You are a Native person. You're different than all these other cultures. It doesn't hurt to compliment somebody. This is what I teach the young people. I go to recovery houses where men are suffering and wanting to get away from alcohol. I know that life. I've been through it. And when I talk to them they know I've had that experience that they are in or are going through. I'm somewhat successful in my endeavor. I was at one time an alcoholic myself, but I'm no longer an alcoholic. And it makes me feel very proud because I'm making up for what disgrace I did bring to my people when I was using alcohol. I try to get this across to our people who are still suffering from it. The Creator gave us the ability to know right from wrong. We just have to make the right decision. Today, if we live by these principles, we can be happy.


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Sloan Center News
Workplace Age Diversity: Bridging the Generational Gap
Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
Boston College
The new Alumni Center on Brighton Campus
2121 Commonwealth Avenue - Free parking is available right next to the Alumni Center.
Tickets: $10 per person, includes hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine, and soft drinks
Almost without exception, we work in diverse, multi-generational workplaces. Join us for an evening of learning and sharing especially designed for graduate alumni of Boston College and focused on the cutting edge issues that professionals of all ages and at all career stages face in the workplace today regarding age diversity. Various employers' approaches to the issues will be shared so you can take back new ideas to your workplace as you navigate the generational differences in your work environment. The Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College will lead this program.
RSVP by April 30. Click here to register.
For more information, contact Jean Chisser , Associate Director, Alumni Special Services at: 617-552-1607.
Click here for maps and directions.
Established in 2005, the Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College promotes quality of employment as an imperative for the 21st century multi-generational workforce. We integrate evidence from research with insights from workplace experiences to inform innovative organizational decision-making. Collaborating with business leaders and scholars in a multi-disciplinary dialogue, the Center develops the next generation of knowledge and talent management.
Samantha Greenfield is an Employer Engagement Specialist at the Sloan Center on Aging & Work. In her role, Sam connects employers around the world with the Center's research based projects. Her past experience has included working in human resources at two large Boston law firms as well as chairing several events for local non-profit organizations. Sam holds a BA degree in Communications from Elon University, North Carolina.


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Wilbur Catabay of SVTC and representatives of Toppan Photomasks will
be here Monday February 2nd at 3 pm in CIS 101 for a joint
presentation. Topics to be discussed include:
* SVTC company background
* Making the transition of your project from SNF to SVTC
* Toppan company background
* E-beam lithography services at SVTC
* Summary and timeline
The representatives of SVTC and Toppan will be happy to hear your
comments and questions.
Refreshments will be served.


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While some contend only the blood pressure of beachgoers is up, the fact is the piping plover population has nearly quadrupled in Massachusetts since the mid-1980s.
It's been 20 years since deeper restrictions and vigilant monitoring threw an extra ring of protection around piping plover chicks as they frolicked on the beach.
While some contend only the blood pressure of beachgoers is up, the fact is the plover population has nearly quadrupled in Massachusetts since the mid-1980s. The birds have rebounded on the entire Eastern seaboard and the number of pairs is close to the target of 2,000.
"Massachusetts is one of the leading states in terms of the increase. Long Island is another important place," noted Scott Hecker, executive director of the Goldenrod Foundation.
Hecker was the director of Mass Audubon's Coastal Waterbird Program from 1987 to 2002. He remembers the original court victory over Orleans in 1990 that appealed a conservation commission decision and led to vehicle restrictions.
"We ended up with a superseding order of conditions for Orleans that set a precedent," Hecker recalled. "There would be no vehicles within one hundred yards of a hatched piping plover. That's pretty big. We went town to town to make sure they followed the same procedures."
By 1995 most beaches were directing traffic around the plovers' chicks.
"Eric Strauss studied Sandy Neck and piping plover success increased four-fold when off road vehicles were restricted, " Hecker said.
The early plover censuses logged between 126 and 139 nesting pairs statewide from 1986 to '90. By 1995 the count was 441. Last year there were a record 566 pair and 343 fledged chicks. In the 1980s monitors had started putting up protective netting to keep predators out.
"That alone would not have worked very well because when the chicks hatch they walk away from the nest site. They're very small, about the size of a ball of cotton with toothpick legs and the exact color of dry sand," explained Hecker. "Vehicle restrictions are one of the most important things that exist to help the plovers."
When they're frightened, the plover chicks scramble to depressions in the sand (tire tracks) to hide. Fledgling success rose to more than two per pair in the early 1990s; it has since tailed off to 1.29 last year. Predators, not beach buggies, are the big threat today.
Crows, foxes, skunks, gulls, raccoons, possums and coyotes all dine on plovers and their eggs. The nests, settled in open sandy beach frontage, are easily accessible. Blustery storms can wash them away.
"We have nests pretty much everywhere, pretty much all of the Cape and Islands – right on schedule," noted Ellen Jedrey, assistant director of the Barnstable-based Coastal Waterbird Program. "We have all of our staff on it and another 12 come on in the next two weeks. We'll have roughly 26 seasonal technicians monitoring beaches from Revere to Buzzards Bay. We monitor 86 sites on an almost daily basis and another 140 at least once."They've got a little more than 80 nests so far.
"There are some predator issues. No washovers yet," Jedrey noted. "Weather is definitely a factor. On Nantucket, there are feral cats. We use two types of fencing to protect nests; one is a 10-foot circle of welded wire to protect the nest and we also use electric fencing at sites like Corn Hill (Truro), Osterville, Buzzards Bay."Bird monitoring
Massachusetts hosts about a quarter of the East Coast population. South Beach in Chatham has the most, 50 pairs, followed by 30 to 40 pairs in Sandwich (three beaches), and six to eight pairs in West Dennis, Corn Hill (Truro) and Sampsons Island (Osterville) beaches.
The Sandwich sites were very productive; 41 pair produced 87 chicks last year, 2.12 apiece. That's well above the 1.29 average. Ecologists estimate 1.24 chicks per pair is the break-even point for the species. Sandwich was one of the most successful sites last year. The CWP provided two staffers and a volunteer to keep an eye on seven town beaches and despite lots of people, campfires, dogs and such, Taylor Long and Annie-Marie Hammesfahr received the "Plover Persistance Against the Odds" award.
The small sites, with one to three pair, were the most productive. While they were more difficult to monitor, they produced 129 chicks from 69 pairs (on 44 beaches). That's a 1.74 rate per pair. In contrast, at the four most populous beaches 88 pairs produced 88 chicks.
Nauset Beach in Orleans, home of the original court fight, is hosting around 20 pairs now.
We have four or five pairs with one or two egg nests and other pairs that haven't put down eggs yet," said parks and beaches director Paul Fulcher. "Birds are still coming in. Last year we had 24 pairs."One tandem is nesting on the bayside near Brewster.
Monomoy National Wildlife refuge is another hot spot.
"We've found 10 nests so far," said staff biologist Monica Williams. "All the nests are on South Monomoy. We haven't lost any yet. We have several pairs with four eggs in a nest – a full clutch. We expect more the next couple of weeks."
Last year 27 pairs of plovers nested in the refuge, 26 on South Monomoy, and they produced one chick per pair.
"They like open sandy beaches, especially on the west side of South Monomoy," Williams noted. "They like cobble and sand, and some sparse beachgrass."
Most of Cape Cod's plovers are on the outer beaches; 91 pairs in all last year with an additional 64 on the Mid-Cape, 43 on the Upper Cape, 14 on the South Shore, six on Nantucket, 23 around Buzzards Bay, 21 on Martha's Vineyard and four in Greater Boston.Beach management
Two weeks ago an adult plover was run over on Nauset Spit. That hasn't happened since the 1960s. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have the bird and are doing an autopsy. An adult should be able to avoid an automobile.
Last year, Orleans considered requesting a Section-10 exemption, that would have allowed guided access to the beach during breeding season. Vehicles were banned from beach access for 38 days in 2007. Orleans usually takes in $250,000 a year from vehicle permits but that amount has fallen as the viable season has shortened.
But the application alone would have cost $25,000 to $30,000 to file and mitigation costs would have added more.
"The board of selectmen decided not to go forward," Fulcher explained. "It would have required predator control and have the town go out and hire someone to come in and take care of the coyote, skunk and fox population and that is not anything the board wanted to get involved with."
Currently, Orleans employs two part-timers and one full-time person to monitor the plovers.
Beautiful as they are, our sandy beaches aren't the only place piping plovers call home. There are three populations; 1,848 pairs are on the United States and Canadian Atlantic Coast (up from 790 in 1986), there are 63 pairs on the Great Lakes and another 2,000 or so scattered along the Great Plains, nesting along the shallow rivers or remote empty lakes of Canada.
"They nest on sand bars that are exposed as long as they are not mud," Hecker said. "There has also been a shift to try to understand the distribution of the birds on their winter grounds and to protect them. The vast majority winter from North Carolina to Texas, some are in the Bahamas, Cuba and Mexico."
Hecker sees plover protection as an umbrella that shades other vulnerable plants and animals.
"A lot of damage is done by recreational use, cars on the beach," he said. "We actually protect the birds by law and that immediately benefits many other birds that are using those nest sites, for example terns. Least terns nest in the same habitat. Other birds are horned larks and American oystercatchers."
Oystercatchers are up from 20 pairs in 1980 to 200 in Massachusetts today.
"(This) protects birds like Wilson's plover in Virginia and black skimmers along with northeastern beach tiger beetles, sea turtles, beach mice and beach amaranth," Hecker concluded.
That may not convince all the fishermen or those who like to park above the surf at sunset, but it isn't a tale of failure.
The Cape Codder


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Trying to find out if ANDREW McKINVEN SCALLY born 31 December 1898 in Campbeltown got married and, if so, did they have any children.
He was the son of Neil Scally [shipwright] and Andrewina McKinven
I have been unable to locate any marriage details for him so I am hoping someone on the forum can help.
Hope to hear some news.
Kindest regards,
Joe McMillan,
South Australia.


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Americans' outlook on the economy and their finances took a turn for the worse in early December, likely due to anxiety about the potential for higher taxes resulting from contentious discussions in Washington over fiscal issues, a survey released on Friday showed.
The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's preliminary reading of its index of consumer sentiment plunged to 74.5 in early December, the lowest level since August.
RELATED: Fiscal Cliff Mess: How Bad Will the Economy Be in 2013?
It was far below November's figure of 82.7 and the median forecast of 82.4 among economists polled by Reuters.
"Confidence plunged in early December as consumers confronted the rising likelihood that political gridlock would push the country over the fiscal cliff," survey director Richard Curtin said in a statement. He was referring to concerns of an economic contraction next year if the White House and Congress fail to reach a budget pact by year-end.
The fiscal cliff is a series of federal spending cuts and tax hikes worth $600 billion that would phase in next year if Washington does not take action to change the situation. Economists say the "fiscal cliff" could cause a U.S. recession.
One in four consumers mentioned hearing about prospects for higher taxes when asked to identify what economic news they had heard, the latest survey data showed.
Consumers' mood is seen as a predictor of their spending, which accounts for two-thirds of the U.S. economy. The steep drop in confidence at this time bodes poorly for retailers who count on year-end holiday shopping to boost their bottom line.
The survey's barometer of current economic conditions edged down to 89.9 in early December from a November final reading of 90.7. Economists had forecast a stronger reading of 91.0.
The survey's gauge of consumer expectations tumbled to 64.6, also its lowest level in four months. It was far weaker than the 77.6 at the end of November and an expected figure of 78.0.
The measure of consumers' 12-month outlook also fell hard in early December. It dropped 22 points from late November to 75, the lowest level since August.
The survey's one-year inflation expectations rose to 3.3 percent from 3.1 percent, while the survey's five-to-10-year inflation outlook inched up to 2.9 percent from 2.8 percent.
A bright spot in the glum report was that one in four home-owners reported rising home values, the highest proportion since January 2008 and further evidence of an improving real estate market.
Breaking down the survey households by income, the drop in confidence was most pronounced among the top third and bottom third, while the middle-income ones showed a small decline.
While much of the attention on the tax fight in Washington has been on the wealthiest Americans, the payroll tax holiday is also a part of the talks and affects far more workers.
"While a spending reduction from tax hikes on top income households can be anticipated, it will not influence confidence or spending as much as the end of the payroll tax holiday," Curtin said.
Confidence among middle-income families fell 3.9 points in early December from late November. Confidence among low-income households and top-income ones fell 9.0 points and 12 points.
Increased worries about the labor market also undermined confidence in the economy despite evidence to moderate hiring.
The survey suggested job worries intensified to their highest level in a year as Americans reckoned companies might either hold back on hiring or fire workers in response to the possibility of higher income taxes and costs related to the federal Affordable Healthcare Act, dubbed Obamacare.
"This prompted consumers to significantly lower the pace of economic growth they anticipated and resulted in the majority of consumers to expect bad times financially in the year ahead as well as economic relapses over the next five years," Curtin said.
Earlier on Friday, the Labor Department said the U.S. jobless rate fell to 7.7 percent in November, the lowest in nearly four years, although the decline stemmed from more Americans giving up on looking for work in tough job climate.
By Richard Leong, Reuters


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Employment & Labor Super Lawyers in Mississippi
Select a city to narrow down your search for a Super Lawyers rated employment & labor attorney in Mississippi
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When you have come to a decision, simply use the contact form on the profiles to connect with a Mississippi attorney for legal advice.


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First impressions are everything, especially when putting trust in medical professionals to improve one's health. In today's online culture, healthcare professionals who have taken the time to build quality websites for their clients are making the most positive impressions and winning the confidence of their patients.
Residents in the Southport area will be pleased to know that JC Dental has just unveiled their new website dedicated to serving Southport patients. Whether Southport residents need a cosmetic dentist or an emergency dentist, Doctor Jeni Chaung could be the dentist that they are looking for.
In today's busy world, it is not just a matter of convenience, but a matter of time that makes it important to be able to see what servicesthat a dentist has available at the click of a button. Busy parents who need to keep a tight schedule will benefit greatly from sites like the one for JC Dental Southport. Being able to book a cleaning or check-up ahead of time is a must when there is an entire family to look after.
Online booking is an important feature when considering emergency dental work being needed. When you have any sort of urgent issue with your teeth, it is crucial to be able to see a dentist promptly. Online availability searches allow patients to reliably book a quick appointment and can even provide same day service for clients in desperate pain.
The JC Dental Southport Dentistry website also provides Southport residents with pertinent information regarding basic health and maintenance of their teeth and mouth. With regularly updated resources, patients can stay abreast of proper brushing habits as well as learn about the causes and prevention of mouth diseases like halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath, or how to prevent cavities from forming in their teeth.
Quality dental work is a must both for an individual's health and well-being. One's teeth will tell the truth about how well they take care of themselves and can determine the impression they leave on those they meet for the first time. Whether Southport area residents are suffering from a sudden painful toothache and need emergency care or need reliable scheduling for dental service, JC Dental's new Southport website can assist all patients with their dental needs. Those searching for a dentist in Southport are encouraged to visit their new website for booking and contact information.
Media Contact
Company Name: JC Dental
Contact Person: Media Relations
Email: email@example.com
Phone: (07) 56795090
City: Southport
State: Gold Coast, Queensland
Country: Australia
Website: www.jcdental.com.au


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Miri Ben-Ari - Stand By Me
Miri Ben-Ari, a Grammy Award-Winning violinist, originally from Israel, dedicates her rendition of the National Anthem titled Stand With Me, a music video in support of the Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Barack Obama. Supported by Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons and fashion designer Marc EckÛ, Ben-Ari introduces a new musical approach to capture the spirit of the American people before the 2008 Election Day.
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(Reuters) - Aetna Inc AET.N, the third-largest U.S. health insurer, has agreed to pay as much as $120 million to settle nationwide litigation over how it reimburses members for out-of-network medical services.
The accord calls for Aetna to pay $60 million into a general settlement fund, plus as much as $60 million more, depending on how many people submit claims.
Aetna said it will take a $78 million after-tax charge in the current quarter for the settlement, and that the charge will not affect operating earnings. It expects to pay for the settlement over the next one to two years.
Patients and doctors accused Aetna of using databases provided by Ingenix Inc, a unit of UnitedHealth Group Inc (UNH.N), to systematically underpay claims involving services and supplies from out-of-network providers.
The Hartford, Connecticut-based insurer was also challenged over how it calculated out-of-network reimbursement rates, and over its disclosures about those calculations.
"It continues to be a problem that insurers use improper bases to pay low reimbursement rates," said Joe Whatley, a lawyer for the out-of-network providers, in a phone interview. "We hope this settlement will deter similar conduct."
In a joint court filing on Friday, the plaintiffs and Aetna said the accord was "adequate, fair and reasonable."
It would cover patients who used out-of-network providers from March 1, 2001, to the present, and cover out-of-network providers from June 3, 2003, to the present. The litigation began in July 2007.
"We are pleased that we were able to reach a favorable agreement," James Cecchi, lead lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in a phone interview.
The settlement requires approval by U.S. District Judge Stanley Chesler in Newark, New Jersey. Aetna said it expects approval in the middle of 2013, and that it may void the settlement if too many people decide not to participate.
On January 13, 2009, UnitedHealth and Aetna agreed to stop using the Ingenix database and to help fund a new independent database to calculate rates, under agreements with then-New York attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, who is now the state's governor.
Two days later, UnitedHealth agreed to pay $350 million to settle lawsuits over its out-of-network reimbursements.
In early afternoon trading, Aetna shares were up 1.9 percent at $44.24 on the New York Stock Exchange.
The case is In re: Aetna UCR Litigation, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, Nos. MDL-2020 and 07-03541.
Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Gerald E. McCormick, Sofina Mirza-Reid and Matthew Lewis