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Australia's Julian Wilson has won the 6 star rated Association of Surfing Professionals SriLankan Airlines Pro in flawless 4 to 6 feet surf on an epic final day.
Wilson came into this event courtesy of a wild-card from the sponsor and throughout the event he dominated, continually posting the day's highest scoring rides and took a deserved win over 19 year-old USA surfer Nat Young.
Wilson and Young were unquestionably the worthy finalists here as both verified their status as two of the most exciting emerging ASP surfers.
Wilson controlled the final from start to finish and capitalised early by taking wave priority when Young took off on a poor opening wave.
By mid-final Wilson had a solid lead and Young faulted slightly going for some gigantic floating re entry moves that never quite came off while Wilson continued to build on his lead scoring a 7.4 ride late in the final which left Young chasing an outstanding 9 point ride to bridge the gap.
While everyone knew Young was capable of such a score with only five minutes remaining finding the wave that could deliver the score became Young's task which he could not complete.
"I can't believe what an outstanding event this has been for me and all the surfers who have travelled here" said 22 year-old Wilson after his win.
"The waves have been outstanding everyday and in many ways they are similar to the point waves around Noosa where I live – but probably way more consistent."
"I'm back and over my injuries and seriously looking hard at the qualifying series – this result is ideal for me and I'll head to California for the US Open full of confidence."
It was both Wilson and Young's best ever performance at ASP level and both look ready to seriously challenge the highest ranks of surfing.
"I've had an amazing week here and I'm really greatful to have made the final" said Young.
"I knew the only way to beat Julian would be to score two excellent waves in that final – he's been the stand-out all week – I went for the win but came unstuck on a few critical moves but I'm really pleased with this result."
Both semi finals were incredibly close affairs today with Wilson defeating Drew Courtney by catching an 8.5 ride in the last minutes while Nat Young posted an outstanding 9.33 near the end of his semi final to edge out Australia's Jayke Sharpe.
Arugam Bay saved it's best to the last day here and delivered amazing conditions with clean long lined waves reeling across this ideal point break set-up and delivered both chargeable sections and barrels and the surfers simply revelled in the perfection.
The event was outstanding overall and all in attendance agreed another magnificent venue had been added to the ASP surfing tour and all look forward to next year.
1. Julian Wilson (AUS/Qld/Coolum) 14.33
2. Nat Young (USA/Cal?SantaCruz) 8.83


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Known for bringing in celebrities and smiling in photographs next to former Western leaders, a flamboyant Nigerian newspaper publisher now faces a challenge from his most vocal critics — his own employees.
Workers have barricaded the front of ThisDay newspapers in Lagos, hoping to force publisher Nduka Obaigbena into paying them as much as four months' worth of back salaries due to them. Back pay disputes often hit industries in Nigeria, a country where steady paying jobs remain few, but this crisis has hit a man politically connected to the nation's ruling elite.
"He's stepped on our toes. Believe me, we're not going to back down," ThisDay employee Tony Enabulele said. "He knows the top people, so he gets away with it."
A senior manager at ThisDay referred requests for comment Friday to Obaigbena, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Nduka obaigbena with singer Beyonce
Staffers parked several pickup trucks in front of the ThisDay office Friday, located near Lagos' grimy Apapa Port. Tthe printing plant and the main editorial office overlooking the port were closed, secured with padlocks. Outside, staffers milled around with cardboard signs with slogans like "We reject slavery."
Nduka Obaigbena with supermodel Getty Image)
The industrial look of the office space clashes against Obaigbena's image as a wealthy playboy who has brought in artists like Jay-Z, Beyonce and Snoop Dogg to Nigeria. His award shows have featured former U.S. President Bill Clinton several times, as well as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and others. That has meant hundreds of thousands of dollars in performance and speaking fees.
Meanwhile, union leaders and workers say Obaigbena routinely shorted them on their salaries and kept withholding taxes and obligations for himself. He has close ties to major business leaders and those in the ruling People's Democratic Party. But lately, it appears as though Obaigbena has been suffering a cash crunch. He cancelled his annual fashion week, which brings designers from around the world. Meanwhile, he continues to pump money into a satellite news channel called Arise TV. A previous effort to start a ThisDay newspaper in South Africa collapsed.
In a memo to staff sent April 4, Obaigbena promised to pay all outstanding salaries within 30 days. He blamed the salary problems on costly repairs that insurance policies didn't cover following an April 2012 suicide car bombing on the newspaper's Abuja office that killed three people and wounded others.
"No one planned for a terror attack in Nigeria and so we were left to fend for ourselves," Obaigbena wrote in April.
Staffers at ThisDay in Lagos say some of them will sleep in front of their office gates until they receive their salaries.
Jon Gambrell can be reached at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP

subset: commoncrawl


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Charles Hamilton Suffering From Behavioral Health Issues? Charles Hamilton Spotted Rapping In The Subway With His Band!
If your wondering whats been going on with Charles Hamilton. An anonymous source claims Charles suffers from mental & behavioral health issues and they are working to get him back into an appropriate treatment program...
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If you're not familiar with international football, let me tell you about Gary Neville. He is the captain of Manchester United, the world's most popular sports club and a perennial contender for the championship of the English Premier League, the top football league in Britain and possibly the world.
Before you ask … there's a reason I'm writing about this for Cool Green Science — a very green reason. So keep reading.
Neville is the club's fullback, which means he's not a flashy goal-scorer, but a meat-and-potatoes, hard-tackling defenseman. He doesn't have his own shoe/clothing line, or a signature fragrance, and — to the best of my knowledge — the tabloids have never paid any attention to his wife, a neglect that is increasingly uncommon these days in sports coverage. Neville also hasn't hopped from team to team like David Beckham, but has spent his entire career at Manchester United, rising from the club's youth system.
I am not a United fan — my Premiership sympathies lie with perennially average Fulham — but Neville is the type of hard-nosed, dedicated athlete you'd be happy to have your sons emulate. (Liverpool fans, please use the comment section below to register your outrage.)
Here's the environmental connection: Neville is also an unabashed greenie who has contracted the first underground zero-emissions home in the United Kingdom.
I'll pause to let you read that again. An international football star is building not only an underground zero-emissions home — it's the first such home in his entire country.
Neville's foray into green living is a welcome change in the admittedly stereotypical view of the environmentally friendly male. You know: The fey guy taking the bus to work, wearing hemp and recycled rubber eco-shoes and "vintage" button-downs over a T-shirt with a cryptic green message, and contemplating vegetarianism.
Look, there's nothing wrong with that guy. It's just that he's not likely to convert the baseball-cap-wearing, Bud-Light-drinking, SportsCenter-watching, stereotypically red-blooded American male. And we need to convert these guys if this whole sustainability thing is going to really go wide.
To do that, we need more Gary Nevilles. We need more Gary Nevilles coming out to say: "Look, trashing the Earth is just not cool and giving a crap doesn't make you less of a man." (Of course in America, Neville is an imperfect example — the mere fact that he is a soccer player significantly decreases his "man points.")
What we need are NFL players, hockey guys, baseball players, home-improvement show hosts (and NOT on Planet Green — no offense, I love my PG, but you're preaching to the choir), hunting and fishing guys … heck, even NASCAR guys to come out and start standing up for the environment.
We especially need to bring out the hunting and fishing crowd — the sportsmen. These guys will literally lose the lifestyle they love if we continue to go down the road we're on. It's hard to shoot a pheasant in a strip mall parking lot and even harder to catch a trout in a river that's dried out or irreparably damaged by unsustainable hydropower.
There is absolutely no reason a pickup truck with an NRA seal on the window shouldn't also have a Nature Conservancy sticker on the other. Why make hybrids so obvious? Why not put a hybrid engine in a Chevy Camaro and tout its fuel efficiency and its power?
There's already been some fits and starts toward manning-up the green movement. The Philadelphia Eagles have their "Go Green" initiative, magazines like Field & Stream have the occasional debate on environmentally friendly gear and Chevy is rolling out a hybrid version of its Silverado Pickup truck.
But for my money, the best move toward manning-up the green movement is coming from Audi and its "green police" campaign. This campaign launched during the Super Bowl and is built around the company's A3 TDI diesel, the 2010 Green Car of the Year, which gets an EPA 42 miles-per-gallon highway.
The campaign deftly pokes fun of annoying greenies who chastise people for drinking bottled water and using plastic bags and old-fashioned light bulbs. At first you think the commercial is a jab at the environmental community … until you realize the A3 is in on the joke — it's an environmentally friendly car that hasn't given up its manhood.
The commercial is as funny, snarky and self-deprecating as the best bits of The Daily Show.
But the "Green Police" campaign doesn't end with the Super Bowl commercial. There's a whole series of fake green PSAs (these are not as good as the original commercial) and a clever YouTube "interactive challenge" quizzing users on some of the basic principals of green living.
Like the Super Bowl commercial, these extensions of the Green Police succeed in manning-up the green movement because they rely on a type of self-referential, slacker, lovable-lout humor that resonates with this audience. Appealing to this demographic is the last step in making green living completely mainstream.
What we need to make green living go mainstream are more regular guys — more Gary Nevilles, more Philadelphia Eagles, more hunters, anglers and lovable louts pushing eco-friendly luxury motor cars.
In short, we need to stop being preachy and defensive — we need to learn to be comfortable living in our own skin.


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The Epicrates Boas Of South America
and Other Snakes From Around the World.
At this time I have Jungle Carpet Pythons, CarpetMorphs and Rainbow Boas for sale.
Updated September 06, 2010
I. Epicrates Boas Of South America.
a. Brazilian Rainbow Boas. Epicrates cenchria cenchria
b. Columbian Rainbow Boas. Epicrates cenchria maurus
c. Guyanan Rainbow Boas. Epicrates cenchria crassus
II. Other Snakes from around the world.
a. Dumerils Boas. Boa dumerili
b. Jungle Carpet Pythons. Morelia spilota cheynei
c. Coastal Carpet Pythons. Morelia spilota mcdowelli
d. Irian Jaya Carpet pythons (coming soon)
e. Carpet Morphs (coming soon... Zebra Morphs, Jaguars, Jungle Jags, IJ jags, IJ Granites, IJ Granite Jags, other CarpetMorphs)
e. Boa constrictors (coming soon... Kahl Sunglows, Coral Sunglows, Sharp albinos, Sharp Sunglows, Sharp Coral Sunglows)
Venezuelan Red-Tail Boas; Surname Red-Tail Boass, Brazilian Red-Tail Boas (belem)...Photos already on my Facebook page.
III. Housing requirements
IV. Price List
V. Biology Index (These are outdated papers which I wrote at Trinity University. Several are on Reptiles)
VI. Who Am I?
I Have Brazilian Rainbow Boas, Colombian Rainbow Boas, and Jungle Carpet Pythons available for sale.
Brazilian Rainbow Boas: litters born in 2009 and 2010...Normals, Hypos, Het Hypos (see facebook page).
Jungle Carpet Pythons: 1998 VPI to Unknown Jungle (hatched 2009) and 1998 VPI * VIVID (hatched 2010).
I am often slow at returning E-mail. If you want to catch me, call my cell 210-218-7915 between 10am and 10 pm. thanks, BHH
Lastly, does anybody know of a good introductory book to Adobe DreamWeaver??


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Perform and preform are easily confused words.
The spell-check application of most word processing software programs would not catch a slip-up of these two words. Spell-check is looking for words that aren't in its dictionary, and words that resemble words in its dictionary but are possibly spelled wrong. Spell-check isn't perfect. It doesn't know and can't guess what word you wanted or what word you meant, it can only judge the words on the page. If you used words that are all spelled correctly, it gives you a pass anyway.
Autocorrect suggests words that start with the same letters. It's suggesting what word you may want to save time, but quite often, its suggestions are pretty off base. They don't help you out, but they do make you laugh.
Perform (pronounced "purr-fohrrmm") is a verb. It means to showcase talents on a stage, for example, acting, singing, dancing, or dramatic reading. It can also mean to execute the numbered steps of a procedure or a list of tasks.
Preform (pronounced "pree-fohrr-mm") is a verb. It means an object that is molded or shaped before it is used or incorporated into something else.
The following story uses both words correctly:
Perfidia was working at her manfacturing job, making preformed plastics, when she got the call that she needed to perform as the lead in tonight's production of Sweeney Todd. The regular star had had a car accident, so Perfidia, as understudy, had to take her place.


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Bend it like Brad?
Brad Pitt has joined the Board of Directors for the U.S.A. Bid Committee to bring the FIFA World Cup to the U.S. in 2018 or 2022, U.S. Soccer has announced.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: To Beard Or No Beard: Hot Shots Of Brad Pitt!
U.S. & World
The day's top national and international news.
Pitt joins a star-studded group on the Board including Spike Lee, Gavin Rossdale, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Drew Carey, Penn Badgley, Oscar De La Hoya, plus current U.S.A. World Cup star Landon Donovan and Mia Hamm.
Soccer fans can sign the petition to support the bid at GoUSABid.com.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie
Copyright 2010 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Big Screen Gentlemen: Hollywood's Leading Men
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Brad! Demi! Robert! Paris! Hot Shots Of The Stars In Shades
PLAY IT NOW: 2010 DGA Awards: Press Room (January 30, 2010)
PLAY IT NOW: Steven Spielberg & Arnold Schwarzenegger Unveil Universal Studios' Back Lot
More from Access: [ Brad Pitt Athletes Arnold Schwarzenegger ]


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Caleb Love
|Louisville, Ky. (Louisville Christian Acad.)
2014 Track and Field: Finished fourth at the Emory Crossplex Invitational in the triple jump (12.80 meters)… Placed sixth at the Vanderbilt Black and Gold in the long jump (6.08 meters)… Placed ninth in the triple jump at the A-Sun Outdoor Championships with a jump spanning 12.75 meters.
2013 Track and Field: During the 2013 track and field season, he represented Lipscomb in the long jump and triple jump... Placed eighth at the TSU Invite in long jump leaping a distance of 5.90 meters... Participated in the triple jump at the Atlantic Sun Indoor Track and Field Championships placing ninth with a jump spanning 13.06 meters... Also at the championships, he competed in the long jump taking home 12th leaping 6.05 meters... During the outdoor season, set two personal bests in the long jump and triple jump with jumps spanning 6.47 meters and 13.74 meters respectively... Took home ninth at the Vanderbilt Invitational in the triple jump leaping 12.99 meters and 13th in long jump with a distance of 6.14 meters.
2012 Track and Field: Began his track and field career cometing in the long jump, triple jump, 100m, and 200m... First career competition was at the UNF Spring Break Invitational where he cleared the long jump in 5.97 meters... At the BSC 'Southern Invitational, took home fourth place in triple jump with a leap of 12.84 meters and 13th place in the long jump with a jump spanning 5.89 meters... During the APSU Govs Invitational, placed second in both the 100m and 200m finishing the 100m with a personal best of 11.51s and the 200m in 23.98s... At the same event, he also placed first in both the long jump and triple jump with a long jump of 5.80 meters and a triple jump of 11.69 meters... Captured ninth at the Atlantic Sun Outdoor Championships in the triple jump landing his jump at 12.72 meters... Also finished 12th at A-Sun Outdoor Championships in the long jump with a leap of 5.82 meters.
Prep: Competed for Lowery Stallings at Christian Academy of Louisville... Competed in seven individual events and three relays for the Centurions... Owns schol records in the long jump, high jump, 4x100m relay and 4x200m relay... Part of All-State 4x200m relay team in 2010... Member of National Honor Society and Academic All-State team in both basketball (2011) and track (2009-11).
Personal: Son of Dave and Karen Love... One brother, Drew... Plans to major in accounting... Chose Lipscomb to continue his track career at university with a nice, Christian atmosphere... Cousin Jon played baseball for A-Sun rival Kennesaw State and Kentucky.


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Warwick Veterans Memorial High School, Classes of '65, '66 and '67, will have an informal get-together picnic Aug. 4 at the Masonic Youth Center, 116 Long St., Warwick. Bring your chair, drinks and food. Grills will be provided. The pool and beach area
Warwick Veterans Memorial High School, Classes of '65, '66 and '67, will have an informal get-together picnic Aug. 4 at the Masonic Youth Center, 116 Long St., Warwick. Bring your chair, drinks and food. Grills will be provided. The pool and beach area will be available. If you have any questions contact Joyce Gilkenson at 580-9244; Bo Widergren 884-9579; Roberta Herchen 575-1293; or Glenda Law-Topp 465-9953. A $5 donation to the youth center would be appreciated.
Warwick Vets and Toll Gate, Class of 1973, will hold their 45th class reunion Aug. 10 at Valley Country Club in Warwick. Check out their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/vetsandtollgate1973, for additional information.
Pilgrim High School, Class of 1973, will have its 45th reunion Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. at Dan's Tavern on the Green, 615 Callahan Road, North Kingstown. See Facebook: Pilgrim High Class of 1973, or e-mail email@example.com for more information.
Pilgrim High School, Class of 1978, is having their 40th reunion at the Radisson Hotel, 2081 Post Road, Warwick, Sept. 15. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from 6-7 p.m., class picture at 7:15, dinner and dessert from 7:30-8:30 and music by DJ Candice until midnight. Cost is $55 per person; make checks payable to Ted Floskis and mail to 68 Deborah Road, Warwick, RO 02888.
Warwick Veterans Memorial High School, Class of 1978, will have a 40th reunion at Potowomut Country Club, 439 Ives Road, East Greenwich, Sept. 15. From 6-7 p.m. there will be cocktails, cheese and crackers, a dinner buffet from 7-8, 7:30 music provided by Edge of Dreams. 70's Theme, feel free to dress the part. $70 per person. Deadline for all payments is Aug. 15. Checks may be made payable to WVMHS1978 and mailed to Meg Briggs, 40 Evergreen Drive, Exeter, RI 02822. Payments can also be made via PayPal to email@example.com. If you have any dietary needs, please email them to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Mount Pleasant High School, Class of 1968, will hold their 50th reunion Sept. 21 from 6 p.m.-12 midnight at the Imperial Room, Shriners of RI, One Rhodes Place Cranston. A meet and greet with cash bar will be held between 6-7 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner beginning at 7. Tickets are $50 per guest. Payment deadline is Aug. 24. For more payment information, contact reunion organizer Constance D'Ambra at email@example.com or on FaceBook at 1968 Mount Pleasant High Reunion. RSVP as soon as possible with your intentions.
Warwick Veterans Memorial High School, Class of 1968, will hold its 50th reunion Sept. 22. There will be a cocktail hour and casual dinner at Potowomut Golf Club to catch up with old friends starts at 6 p.m. Email your contact information to email@example.com to receive updates and check Facebook at WVMHS Class of 1968.
St. Xavier Academy Reunion, Class of 1968, will hold its 50th reunion luncheon on Oct. 21 at Quidnessett Country Club, North Kingstown. Luncheon is preceded by an 11 a.m. Mass at St. Timothy Church, Warwick, when their deceased alumnae will be remembered. The Alumnae Association will honor the 50th year class of 1968 and all classes ending in 8 and 3. All alumnae are invited. Reservations will be available in the association's annual September newsletter, which will be mailed to all alumnae and available at stxavieralumnae.org or call Margaret at 232-9006.
Johnston High School, Class of 1968, is holding its 50th class reunion Nov. 17 at Santa Maria DiPrate in Cranston. Contact Ben Zanni at 401-226-2915 for more information.


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Smiling And Not Waving
Taking shots at Phil Goff 's Labour Party at this point is a bit like shooting fish in a barrel, so we'll pass it by and talk about…. oh, what the hell. Pass the six-shooter.
It has been a constant lament over the past year by Labour's spokesperson for working out ways to manipulate the media, Clare Curran, that the country's journalists are not focusing on the real issues facing NZers. The lament can be boiled down to "just because Labour keeps doing stupid things doesn't mean the media have to report it."
While to some extent she has a point, this is a bit like someone embarking on a career in professional fishing objecting to the wetness of the ocean. A good rule of thumb in life is you can't change someone else's behaviour but you can change your own.
In this case, ensuring Labour MPs don't do stupid things in the first place might be a more effective course of action than moaning about how the media doesn't quite see things the same way you do. Labour did try this week, with its first post-Darren Hughes caucus meeting.
Labour's MPs emerged from the caucus room after a few hours with the biggest collection of cheesy insincere grins you are likely to see outside a joint convention of television evangelists and used car salesmen. The smiles were there but the eyes just strobed unease. It capped off a fortnight of political misjudgements: general incompetence; disunity; and now insulting voters' intelligence.
If the caucus is unified behind Phil Goff and genuinely thinks he did a good job the past fortnight, Uruguay will win this year's Rugby World Cup.
Hey - television evangelists and used car salesmen!


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Default sorting is "Random". Use the drop-down to sort in other ways ↘
Showing 57–63 of 63 results
Word of the Day: Acroname
Because "downwind of the sewage treatment plant" sounds a lot cooler when you call it "DoWiseTrePla"
Word of the Day: Hopatitis
I flunked my hepatitis test, didn't even get a C.
Word of the Day: Kakistocracy
A word whose time has truly come.
Best of the Obama Biden White House Transition Meme
Diamond Joe is making sure The Donald gets the welcome he deserves.
The "Deep State" and Why Trump May Be The Least of Your Worries
Michael Lofgren's "Deep State" explains the mechanics of the real power in DC, and does so with surprisingly un-cynical wit.


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Well, a couple days late is better than never, right? The past 2-3 days have been a whirlwind here in our house. Wednesday consisted of running around in circles baking, cooking, chores, laundry and then sleeping. Thursday started with a lovely 6 mile run at the gym. Gotta get that run in to create the calorie deficit that needed to occur before the feast! 😉 LOL! I believe in eating all my favorites & not restricting foods for the holidays because then you walk away feeling deprived. I am not saying I go hog wild, there is a happy medium there. Once my run was complete, then came the cooking. The turkey was prepped & then placed in the oven to roast. I have to say that we purchased a Meijer Naturals Turkey this year and were disappointed in it. The meat came out very dry despite being cooked in the oven bag. In years past we have only used Honeysuckle or Butterball and it looks as if that is the only way to go. After prepping the turkey, we moved onto the cranberry sauce, stuffing, veggies & salad. Thankfully I had help from my Mom, Aaron & Mary, my mother-in-law.
The turkey ready to head into the oven:
Turkey, resting:
Ready to be carved:
Green beans & carrots ready to be steamed:
My plate of yumminess:
The cranberry sauce was made differently this year. I used POM Wonderful and orange juice instead of just orange juice. Also, I cut the sugar in half. I will post the new recipe this week. We also had come cocktails made with Pom Wonderful, orange juice & Stoli's vodka = YUM!
The meal was awesome! I am also preparing recipes for the Catholic potatoes, cornbread stuffing w/sausage and pumpkin cornbread to go up this week.
Did you guys shop on Black Friday? My Mom, Hannah & I went out at 4:30 AM and shopped for close to 12 hours! Lots of fun. I will share a recap & deals in an upcoming post.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Filed under: Family, Gluten-Free | 3 Comments »


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1,131 words
Michael Hart and Claire Parkinson
The Newton Awards: A History of Genius in Science and Technology
Whitefish, Mt.: Washington Summit Publishers, 2013
The Newton Awards (TNA) is both an ordinary and also quite odd book consisting of 142 short well-written chapters each profiling one or more scientists or engineers in chronological order from 1600 to 2000. In that sense it's a useful reference for those profiled and resembles similar references on great musicians or sports figures. Read more …


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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Calling himself a Band-Aid, Ray Emery has held the Philadelphia Flyers together nicely.
But the New York Rangers hope to get under his skin.
Emery will make his third straight start for an injured Steve Mason when the Flyers host the Rangers in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series Tuesday night. The Razor was excellent in Sunday's 4-2 win at Madison Square Garden, making 31 saves to help the Flyers even the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
"The more frequently you play, the more comfortable you are in net," Emery said Monday. "I appreciate being in there in consecutive games. I'm kind of a Band-Aid there while Mase gets better."
Mason said he won't dress for the game and his status for the series remains iffy because of an upper-body injury. He shared practice time with Emery on Monday and is hopeful to return Friday night for Game 4.
Mason hasn't played since he was injured in a collision in the next-to-last game of the regular season on April 12.
"Right now, the way Razor's playing, there's no hurry," Mason said. "He's the reason we won yesterday, so I think even if I was ready there's no reason to take him out right now."
Flyers coach Craig Berube wouldn't speculate about his goalies.
"Ray is playing next game. That's it," Berube said. "That's where I'm leaving it. There's nothing really else to talk about. The other guy is not ready, so I'm going to play the guy that is ready. And that's it."
Mason was 33-18-7 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .917 save percentage this season. He helped the Flyers overcome a 1-7 start and coaching change to make the playoffs.
Emery has more playoff experience, however. He helped lead Ottawa to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007 and was a backup for the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks last year.
"Any experience definitely helps," Emery said. "But seeing a team be successful in the playoffs, seeing the ups and downs a team has to go through to win a championship definitely leads to a positive experience that you can learn from."
Emery's win Sunday was his first in the postseason anywhere in exactly three years since a 6-3 victory with Anaheim at Nashville on April 20, 2011. It was Philadelphia's first road win against the Rangers since Feb. 20, 2011.
Now the series shifts to the Wells Fargo Center where the Rangers will try to wrestle home-ice advantage back from the Flyers. The Rangers were 0-2 in Philadelphia this season, and have dropped four of five there. But New York set a franchise record this season by winning 25 road games.
"It's going to be a loud building, and they're going to come," Rangers center Brad Richards said. "Our regular season road record doesn't really matter unless we can win some road games in this series. That's all we're really looking at. It doesn't matter what we did before. Starting tomorrow we need to go in and try and win a game."
The Flyers must be more disciplined against New York. They got away with six penalties in Game 2, killing off five of them.
"We have to be better. We can't take penalties the way we are," Berube said. "You're going to get penalties in a game just because, but you can't take emotional, dumb ones. It's going to hurt you."
The Rangers, who were twice whistled for diving, struggled on the power play and couldn't get much going after taking an early 2-0 lead Sunday.
"I didn't agree with that call, but at the same time, it's fast hockey out there and refs makes mistakes, like we do," Rangers Mats Zuccarello said Monday. "I think everybody who watches me play knows I'm not a diver."
The Rangers were outhustled in Game 2, and allowed the Flyers to upset their rhythm. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist gave up three goals on 24 shots, excluding the empty-netter at the end.
Eleven skaters took part in New York's optional practice at the Garden, including Richards, Brian Boyle, Derek Dorsett, Dominic Moore, Dan Carcillo, J.T. Miller, Jesper Fast, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Justin Falk and Raphael Diaz, and backup goalie Cam Talbot.
"They come out a little different (at home), and we know they're a pretty good home team, play well in front of their fans," Boyle said. "It's going to be a pretty fun atmosphere, and we're a pretty good road team. Should be fun."
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
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(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)


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I ADORE the clothes you sent me!!!!!!! I'm completely nuts about everything!!!!!! And the little doll you made is so freaking amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! Smidgen is wearing the little blue dress with the matching purse currently, and Tallulah is wearing the tea stained floral dress with the half sleeves. Did you know that your clothes fit Realpukis? It's a close fit- maybe a wee bit tight- but it still works =0) I am blown away by the work you did. We are talking miniscule amounts of fabric being manipulated. This stuff rocks!
OH!!! Your FABULOUS threesome of dresses arrived yesterday, but I didn't see it 'til this morning. i just had enough time to open it, and "oooooooooooooooH & AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" over these 3 UNBELIEVABLY BEAUTIFUL dresses/socks/panties, & your FABULOUS, PROFESSIONAL packaging job. I DID see my sweet dollies' names neatly hand-lettered on their gifts, and I opened "Izzy Rose's" to reveal a CUTE ducky!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
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The digital world is constantly changing, and cybersecurity has become a main concern for individuals, businesses and governments alike.
The purpose of cybersecurity is to mitigate data breaches, encourage a safe environment for hardware failures. It protects information from ransom attacks from intruders, Who can make your data unreachable unless a ransom payment is agreed using cryptocurrency. Individuals who can gain unauthorized access to the data on your system or networks can range from hackers who write scripts to try to compromise cybersecurity or organized criminal enterprises who will carry out technically advanced attacks, purely for illegal financial gain.
Security Planning
Businesses rely on Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and Disaster Recovery Plans (DRP) for their security planning. Everyone must take cybersecurity seriously as ignoring this growing problem will eventually result in an IT disaster. Today, it forms an indispensable part of the risk management strategy for any organisation.
Cyber Security applies to everyone, no matter it is an individual who must ensure that software updates and virus protection is up-to-date, without failing. It also applies to huge organisations, who rely on specialists to ensure their IT infrastructure is fully protected with suitable planning in place, to recover from data breaches. IT is becoming more advanced and complex, so higher-level management should assure security, and that staff within the organisation is fully aware of the online risks.
No software is bug-free, and this makes it riskier. Bugs in software can create security issues, due for this reason, companies like Microsoft are releasing updates for their products such as Windows and Word. These updates include bug fixes but typically address security risks that may have been identified.
Cyber Security Training
Today, IT users are often the cause of cybersecurity issues. Each user has a purpose different from one another when using a computer. While a few people have better knowledge about computer security, whereas many people do not. Every user must understand the cybersecurity risks and how they can work to reduce security breach risks.
Some approaches that help in cybersecurity planning and programs are as follows:
- Software developers must not only able to develop software, but they should code in an approach that halts easy access to potential hackers. Any software developed should also be a PEN (Penetration) tested, this is a key element of cybersecurity, identify to developers security flaws within the software.
- Train individuals to understand how to ensure the best security, such as ensuring business software and virus protection, has the latest updates applied.
- Training end-users to be able to identify emails that are phishing or to not open attachments from unknown sources or social media.
Cyber Attacks
No business can be protected 100% from cyber attacks, regardless of the commitment each organisation has with cybersecurity. However, cyber-attacks usually occur through the most vulnerable point of access. These weak points are quite easy to secure, and if businesses follow basic cybersecurity protocol, the risk can be minimized. These security procedures which are also known as cyber hygiene include elements such as.
- Ensure the latest software updates are installed.
- Ensure the latest virus software is installed.
- Ensuring strong authentication such as strong passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Not storing sensitive data in locations that can be easily accessed.
These are just the basics. Businesses must extend these practices much further to maximize their cybersecurity, as experienced hackers will find any weaknesses that may exist. With the advancement of technology, the security risks are now increasing in business computers, and at homes. There are now many physical systems that can be hacked, including:
- Automotive systems
- Airlines systems
- Internet-enabled electronic devices
- Automated systems such as traffic lights in a busy city
The Internet of Things (IoT), also brings new challenges for cybersecurity. With more reliance on these systems, cybersecurity has never been more critical. New regulations, such as the GDPR, are adding further complications to cybersecurity. The GDPR, for example, has a clear security policy, with large GDPR fines for non-compliance. With cyber-attacks becoming more frequent and destructive, resulting in potentially huge financial losses for businesses as well as their credibility, businesses are looking to experience cybersecurity professionals to ensure their organisations are fully protected.
Finding suitably experienced professionals has become a difficult task, with the sudden rise in cyber attacks, there is now a distinct shortage of suitable candidates for these high-end security roles.


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Tag: home insurance during building work
All About Subcontractor Public Liability Insurance
Outsourcing and contracting can be a minefield, and many companies struggle to understand the rules regarding who is liable for what when dealing with subcontractors. Indeed, one of the worst nightmares for a company is for them to face a claim relating to work that a subcontractor has done for them. Often, the insurer for the company that hired the subcontractor will not pay out. Because of this complication, many companies will not hire a company as a subcontractor unless they have their own insurance. Learn more here about subcontractor public liability insurance.
Requiring subcontractors to be insured is a good idea for numerous reasons. Firstly, if your general liability insurance provider notices that you are using a subcontractor that is not insured, then they may have the right to treat that subcontractor as if they were a part of your company ?" meaning that your premiums could increase. In addition, if one of the employees of your subcontractor is injured at work, and the subcontractor is not covered for that injury, then the liability may fall to you.
If you run a subcontracting company, then it makes sense to take out your own insurance ?" not just because it will make you more attractive for other companies to work with, but also because it will cover you for the numerous things that could go wrong on the job site. Not all of the companies that you work with will be organized or reputable, and if something goes wrong with a job you will be glad to have measures in place to protect yourself. Subcontracting companies often have employees working at a wide range of sites and on jobs of varying scales. While some operations may be run with military precision by foremen that preach OHSA from the moment they walk onto the site, others could be disorganized and unsafe, and as outsiders brought in to do a specific task it is hard for your employees to change the culture of each company.
Having public liability insurance, as well as employer's liability, professional indemnity and industry-specific policies is not just another expense ?" it should be a core part of doing business, because it could make a huge difference to the future of your company in the event that a customer, employee or member of the public attempts to make a claim relating to a site your contractors are working on.


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TALLAHASSEE � Tobacco products like chew, dip and snuff are not harmless.
TALLAHASSEE � Tobacco products like chew, dip and snuff are not harmless.
But because they're smokeless, youth and adults may underestimate the serious health risks associated with these products.
While cigarette use declines, smokeless tobacco use has remained steady among Florida's youth for more than a decade.
To help raise awareness about smokeless tobacco's dangers, the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida is observing Through With Chew Week, which ends Saturday.
"Some youth may mistakenly believe that when they start smoking or use any tobacco product, they are able to quit very easily," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. "This type of addiction is very hard to break, and the health risks are extremely high for any tobacco product."
The Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida's tobacco settlement fund.
Health risks
�Constant exposure to tobacco juices from smokeless products can cause oral cancers. These can form within five years of regular use, and can cause cancer of the esophagus, pharynx, larynx, stomach and pancreas.
�Smokeless tobacco use can increase the risk of oral cancers by 80 percent and the risk of pancreatic and esophageal cancer by 60 percent, according to a 2008 study from the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer.
�Using smokeless tobacco also can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. It can lead to other oral problems including mouth sores, gum recession, tooth decay and permanent teeth discoloration.
�Smokeless tobacco use also can result in reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm cells. Women who use smokeless tobacco may be at an increased risk of preeclampsia� a condition that may include high blood pressure, fluid retention and swelling� along with premature birth and low birth weight.
Smokeless tobacco products contain nicotine, an addictive and dangerous chemical.
Smokeless tobacco users and cigarette smokers have comparable levels of nicotine in the blood, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Tobacco Free Florida has three ways to help smokeless tobacco users quit.
See www.tobaccofreeflorida.com for more information.


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Royal blue Foamies® visors have a vinyl coil in back that adjusts to expand for just the right fit. These sturdy, top quality visors are ready to decorate with Foamies® stickers, glitter and more.
Foamies® visors are perfect for birthday parties, camps, school parties, group craft activities, scouting groups, classrooms and more. Great for boys and girls alike. 1 royal blue Foamies® visor per package.
Note: These royal blue Foamies® visors must be ordered in multiples of 6.


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- Networking Support|
Sign In
My Networking
Preparing Education for a Wireless Future
The most strategic investment your school district can make in the near term is in the network. With the explosion of mobile devices and the irreversible phenomenon of bring-your-own device (BYOD), users now expect seamless, wireless connectivity. School districts must support 1:1 student learning environments where a wireless network accommodates every student, teacher and administrator simultaneously.
A unified approach to network management can help deliver more reliable connectivity and a better user experience for both students and staff. By unifying the management of your wired and wireless networks with a single tool, such as HP Intelligent Management Center (IMC), you can simplify network provisioning, monitoring, troubleshooting, and reporting. And that simplifies IT, cuts operational costs, and reduces unplanned downtime.
Common Core — Are you ready?
A guide to best practice networks for Common Core and 1:1
Network Infrastructures for 1:1and Common Core Online Testing
"Our network barely had a wireless presence before, and now it's designed to handle up to 10,000 devices. It's like we've gone from a Model T to a Ferrari in one year."
Kameron Ball,
Director of Technology, Clinton Public Schools
Clinton Public School
Clinton Public School District designs a district-wide wireless network to meet national online testing standards ahead of deadline.
George River
Refreshes complete wireless and wired network infrastructure to support access by all students and staff.
Susquehanna Township School District
A new era of technology drives boost in services for students and teachers while reducing network complexity.


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I was keeping track of where I was at with Myth on my home wiki, but then figured I might as well share it here!
- 1 My Setup
- 1.1 Backend
- 1.2 Frontend
- 1.2.1 Hardware
- 1.2.2 Software
- 1.2.3 Configuration
- 22.214.171.124 Enable Wake on USB
- 126.96.36.199 Auto-start X Server
- 22.214.171.124 LIRC Remote Control
- 22.214.171.124 Sound
- 1.2.4 minimyth.conf
- 1.3 Upgrades
My Setup
MythBuntu 10.10 with separated front-end/backend
- Live TV/TV recording Free to air HD/SD (from Sydney, Australia)
- Multi-rec
- DTS/AC3 passthrough including 5,1 surround digital out
- MythMusic
- MythGallery
- MythVideo
- Suspend + Wake On USB
- HDDs totalling 1.2Tb
- Intel S775 Core 2 Q6600 Quad-Core CPU
- Gigabyte S775 GA-G33M-S2 Motherboard
- DNTVLive LP Tuner
- PCI Hauppauge Nova-T-500 MCE(OEM) Dual DVBT tuner
- Ubuntu 9.10 64bit
- MythWeb on Jetty rather than apache including the WAP version on the BlackBerry!
- Shepherd XMLTV grabber
- NFS server for music/images
- TFTP server for MiniMyth
- DVICO used device id 17de:a8a6 for two distinct devices requiring different drivers. Need to set "options cx88xx card=19" in /etc/modprobe.d to force use of Conexant reference drivers. Fortunately the Hauppauge tuner is a USB device so we can override the auto detection rather than patch the v4l dvb drivers to override it.
- ZOTAC ionitx-d-e board, 2G memory
- Szrealan E-2011 case (tiny!)
- External DVD player
- 1Tb external e-Sata drive
- BenQ PE8700 DLP Projector
- Sony Bravia TV over HDMI
- CambridgeAudio AV receiver
- MCE Remote
- MythBuntu 10.10 64bit
- Synergy to allow laptop to be the keyboard/mouse.
Enable Wake on USB
We need to enable USB0 in /proc/acpi/wakeup
Note if USB2 is also enabled, then the board immediately wakes up regardless, unsure if this is due to another USB device
#!/bin/sh #set wake via remote WAKEUP="" if [ -f /etc/default/wakeup ] ; then . /etc/default/wakeup fi for device in $WAKEUP do enabled=`cat /proc/acpi/wakeup | grep "$device" | awk {'print $3}'` if [ "$enabled" != "enabled" ] then logger -t "wakeup" "Enabling wakeup for $device" echo "$device" > /proc/acpi/wakeup fi enabled=`cat /proc/acpi/wakeup | grep "$device" | awk {'print $3}'` logger -t "wakeup" "$device $enabled" done
Auto-start X Server
- disabled GDM in /etc/X11/default-display-manager
- Simple mingetty startup with a tty definition and a startx script in the console
- user .xsession linked to /usr/share/mythbuntu/session.sh so we get the same xfce startup.
# tty7 - mingetty for MythTv # # This service maintains a mingetty on tty7 from the point the system is # started until it is shut down again. start on runlevel 2 stop on runlevel 0 stop on runlevel 1 stop on runlevel 4 stop on runlevel 5 stop on runlevel 6 respawn exec /sbin/mingetty --autologin=<user> tty7
Appended to detect if we are on tty7, in which case we start-up X with an optional layout specified in ~/.mythrc
Note that when X is stopped we automatically logout and respawn
start-frontend() { MYTHRC="$HOME/.mythrc" if [ -r $MYTHRC ] ; then . $MYTHRC fi LAYOUT_SPEC= [ ! -z "$LAYOUT" ] && LAYOUT_SPEC="-layout $LAYOUT" startx -- $LAYOUT_SPEC -logverbose 5 logout } tty | grep tty7 && start-frontend
For PE8700 Samsung LCD. See also the tips for the NVidiaProprietaryDriver
The FX5200 cards were the cause of my DVI problems on my projector. Apparently they freak out a PCB component causing the EDID data to become corrupt. (a Gigabyte card lasted from Aug 2006 to Dec 2007. Fortunately the new nvidia driver allow you to use a CustomEDID to load the data from a file.
Option ExactModeTimingsDVI is also important for the projector.
Option "UseEDIDDpi" "false" or some equivalent control of DPI is important for the Samsung television otherwise you get really small fonts (fixed in 0.21)
There are two layouts, the default uses outputs via VGA to a Samsung LCD television, the second uses DVI to the PE8700 projector.
Section "ServerLayout" Identifier "Main" # Output to Samsung LCD television #LCD[0] VGA, LCD[1] HDMI Screen 0 "LCD[1]" 0 0 Option "Xinerama" "off" EndSection Section "ServerLayout" Identifier "Projector" Screen 0 "Projector[0]" 0 0 Option "Xinerama" "off" EndSection Section "Module" Load "glx" EndSection Section "Device" Identifier "ION-GPU[0]" Driver "nvidia" BusID "PCI:3:0:0" Screen 0 #This prevents the cursor being displayed on resume from suspend Option "HWCursor" "off" EndSection Section "Screen" Identifier "LCD[1]" Device "ION-GPU[0]" Monitor "AnyMonitor" DefaultDepth 24 Option "UseDisplayDevice" "DFP-1" # HDMI Option "ConnectedMonitor" "DFP-1" EndSection Section "Screen" Identifier "LCD[0]" Device "ION-GPU[0]" Monitor "AnyMonitor" DefaultDepth 24 Option "ConnectedMonitor" "CRT-1" Option "UseEDIDDpi" "FALSE" #Computed DPI values not so good for TV display Option "UseDisplayDevice" "CRT-1" # VGA out SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1360x768" "800x600" EndSubSection EndSection Section "Screen" Identifier "Projector[0]" Device "ION-GPU[0]" Monitor "AnyMonitor" Option "ConnectedMonitor" "DFP" Option "UseDisplayDevice" "DFP" # DVI out Option "CustomEDID" "DFP-0:/etc/X11/benq-c.bin" DefaultDepth 24 SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1280x720" "800x600" EndSubSection EndSection Section "Monitor" Identifier "AnyMonitor" Option "DPMS" Option "ExactModeTimingsDVI" "true" Option "RenderAccel" "true" EndSection
Start a ruby program that listens to /dev/lircd and manages -
- mythtv via updating the database + network control port
- the AV receiver via RS232 - volume/mute, power on/off, input type
- alsa via calls to amixer - volume/mute, digital/analog outputs
- suspend on lirc idle or power button
- restart specifying TV or Projector layout
#!/bin/sh #store our dbus session and display where our kill script can pick it up export | egrep "DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS|DISPLAY" > ~/.xsession-export #Run unclutter to hide the cursor after resume - not required - see HWCursor in xorg.conf #unclutter -display $DISPLAY & #run our main lirc control program /home/mythtv/bin/audiomodeswitch/main.rb &
#!/bin/sh # We use dbus-send because it seems to block until resume which is what we want echo "Suspending" dbus-send --system --print-reply --dest=org.freedesktop.Hal /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/computer \ org.freedesktop.Hal.Device.SystemPowerManagement.Suspend int32:2 echo "Resumed"
Script is called by the ruby program, but also useful to restart from ssh
#!/bin/sh [ -f $HOME/.xsession-export ] && . $HOME/.xsession-export echo "killing mythfrontend" pkill mythfrontend #pkill unclutter echo "xfce logout $DISPLAY" xfce4-session-logout --logout --fast
LIRC Remote Control
Standard mythbuntu setup for MCE remote.
Onboard sound
Could probably do better 48/44kHz switching on the analog output between music and video but if that is important we just go digital passthrough and let the receiver do the work.
In myth config, you can see that default sound device is ALSA:myth-video, the passthrough device is ALSA:myth-passthru, and mythmusic uses ALSA:myth-music. the AC3PassThru and DTSPassThru settings are managed by the ruby program
#First line comment pcm.myth-music { type copy slave.pcm "default" } ctl.myth-music { type hw card 0 } pcm.myth-video { type copy slave.pcm "default" } ctl.myth-video { type hw card 0 } pcm.myth-passthru { type copy slave.pcm = "spdif" } ctl.myth-passthru { type hw card 0 }
TODO - Works nicely through the WRT310N router etc, but we have a hard drive have decided to stick with Mythbuntu for now.
Mythbuntu 10.10
100% clean on server
front end was missing non-versioned symlink for vdpau nvidia library
ln -s /etc/alternatives/libvdpau_nvidia.so /usr/lib/libvdpau_nvidia.so
Mythbuntu 9.10
100% clean on server
front end needed /etc/events.d/tty7 moved to /etc/init/tty7.conf
Mythbuntu 8.10
upgrade smooth


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New York
Dashboard on Health Care Quality Compared to All States
Overall Health Care Quality
Each graphic shows a State's balance of below average, average, and above average measures compared to all States reporting such data in the United States. The graphics have five categories: very weak, weak, average, strong, and very strong. This State's performance for the most recent data year is described by a solid arrow or solid triangle; a dashed arrow or hollow triangle describes the baseline year. A missing arrow or triangle means there were insufficient data to create the summary measure.
An arrow or triangle pointing to "Very weak" means all or nearly all included measures for a State are below average within a given data year. An arrow or triangle pointing to "Very strong" indicates that all or nearly all available measures for a State are above average within a given data year.
Additional Resources for Understanding Quality in New York
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Health Care Report Card Compendium is a searchable database of health care report cards for comparing the quality of health plans, hospitals, medical groups, individual physicians, nursing homes, and other providers of care. The report cards demonstrate approaches to reporting data and are a resource for those interested in creating health care report cards.
Search the Health Care Report Card Compendium.
AHRQ Health Care Innovations Exchange: A searchable database of successful and attempted health care innovations, quality tools, and learning and networking opportunities—a resource for those interested in developing and adopting innovations in health care delivery. The Innovations Exchange includes information for New York.


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It started with two papers as of late, much good and bad science journalism has been committed to the mysteries of Saturns largest moon, Titan. A photochemical smog shrouded world, Titan is a dynamic place, and would easily qualify as a planet in its own right if it were in a solo orbit about the Sun. Titan has only begun giving up its secrets in the past decade; a close flyby of Voyager 1 in 1980 revealed an orange-brown disk devoid of detail. The arrival of the joint ESA-NASA Cassini Huygens mission has led to a wealth of data, as Cassini has performed a series of close mapping flybys of the moon and even deposited the successful Huygens probe on the surface in early 2005. Now, two papers from the Journal Icarus and the Journal of Astrophysical Research describe a curious anomaly; some process is consuming expected acetylene (HC2H) on the surface of Titan. Or something but wait, lets not got shouting, Scientists find life on Titan! Were talking an indicator to a possible form of life. The studies site data gathered by Cassinis infrared spectrometer and ion and neutral mass spectrometer as it swept by the moon. As a matter of fact, Cassini has just completed a 1,270 mile pass recently on June 5th. The process in question is the accumulation of hydrogen molecules high in the atmosphere and raining down to the lakes of methane and ethane coating the surface. Evidence supports the idea that Titan should be coated with organic molecules, not to be confused with full fledged life itself (old school media take note!). Clearly, something is sequestering the expected acetylene that should be forming could it be methane-based life? Keep in mind, Titan is a cold place; daytime temps reach a balmy -290 degrees Fahrenheit. Perhaps there may be warmer, as of yet undiscovered pockets of geological activity, but the very idea of methane based life is very hypothetical. Such life forms would be vastly different than what we know here on Earth, and acetylene is on the short list of oxygen-metabolism substitutes. Mark Allen at NASAs Astrobiology Institute points out that the lack of surface hydrogen and acetylene may have a non-biological cause; Scientific conservatism suggests that a biological explanation should be the last choice after all non-biological explanations are addressed. Other processes, such as bombardment by radiation or cosmic rays (remember Titan doesnt have an ozone layer) or the chemical action of minerals could play a role.
So, what should the man on the street take away from this? That Titan is a fascinating and dynamic place, a place in our solar system where things are happening. Clearly, there is more to Titans methane- fueled hydrologic cycle than we currently understand, and a spacecraft such as the proposed Titan Survey mission that would put a dirigible-based probe in the atmosphere would go a long way towards solving the Life on Titan puzzle. For now, itll just have to go on our Mars-Europa short-list of interesting places to visit but dont believe the Aliens found on Titan! news hype just yet!


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Actor and LGBT activist Wilson Cruz will join GLAAD's staff as the Strategic Giving Officer, announced the organization.
Cruz exploded on the pop culture radar as the openly gay teen Rickie Vasquez on My So-Called Life. At that time in the early 1990s, the teen actor was among the earliest openly gay faces on television.Cruz was seen more recently in the groundbreaking Noah's Arc and Party of Five. Cruz has a long history in LGBT activism—from delivering the keynote speech at this year's Creating Change to raising awareness around HIV/AIDS.
Cruz notes that GLAAD has used its platform to change the national narrative on LGBT issues and perceptions of the community. "GLAAD is also using its media expertise to create a culture that is accepting and safe for all young people," said the actor. "GLAAD shares the stories and sparks the discussions that make the world a better place for LGBT people everywhere. I am proud and excited to grow this culture-changing work."
GLAAD President Herndon Graddick added that Cruz's "commitment to supporting local and national LGBT organizations exemplifies GLAAD's mission to move LGBT equality forward."
Good decision by Graddick and GLAAD. Cruz injects some star wattage in GLAAD's development team. And he's a great guy and very committed to activism. Bravo.
Watch Wilson Cruz discuss his activism AFTER THE JUMP ...


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Christ Is Risen!
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Sublime - Santeria
I've also been listening to Kid A by Radiohead...can't describe it but I like it.
Musorgsky "Pictures at an Exhibition"
Very good album. Have you heard the new one, In Rainbows?
Listening to early They Might Be Giants, circa Lincoln. Yay.
What's up with Triangle man? I mean, why hate Particle Man afterall? It's just not right!
I can't decide if there's some deep meaning to this song or if it's just plain nonsense.
Curt Elling - contemporary male jazz vocalist, awesome!
Curt Elling kicks butt. "Nature Boy" and especially "Tanya Jean" are two of the best jazz vocal songs EVER.* Expletive cleaned up a bit -PeterTheAleut
We bought "Clapton". It's a 2 disc-set of his biggest hits in his 40+ muscial career. First songs are with Cream, then his time with Blind Faith (remember "Presence of the Lord"?), then with Delayney & Bonnie, of course Derek and the Dominos, etc. then goes on to his hits when he wasn't part of a band (i.e. I Shot the Sheriff, Tears In Heaven, and on). He's an incredible guitarist and musician; no wonder he's been inducted 3 different times into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.Sophia
Yeah, Clapton is a classic
That's where he did his BEST work.
Not tryin' to scandalize y'all, but I've never been a big fan. He does have a great blues cd that came out in '94-'95. I think it's called "Blues Before Sunrise".
I thought his "Back to the Cradle" was awesome.
(Skynyrd, Allman bros, CCR, Marshall Tucker).
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About Washington
Welcome to Washington
When most people think of Washington, they think of rain-dampened forests, alpine wildernesses, and roaring rivers. Indeed, you could spend a lifetime discovering the forests and valleys of Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains. But Washington also boasts so much more! From the lava fields around Mount St. Helens to the badlands of the Channeled Scablands, and from the islands of the Puget Sound to the ancient cedars of the Columbia Plateau in western Washington, this state has enough to keep you exploring for the rest of your natural days.
Anglers can experience deep-sea fishing, flyfishing for migratory salmon and steelhead in the mighty rivers, or trolling for bass and other sportfish in the many lakes and reservoirs. Hikers and horse riders can enjoy short nature trails a quick hop away from Seattle or plunge into one of the many wilderness areas. History buffs find plenty to interest them with historic forts along the coast and along the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. Skiiers, snowmobilers, and snowshoers can choose from a myriad of well-maintained snow parks, perfectly suited for winter fun. Although the forests around Seattle are well--visited, solitude is easily found in the mountains of western Washington. Rainforests cover the Olympic Penninsula, while south central Washington is a sunny wonderland of arid steppes.
Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it here in Washington. Take some time to explore the wonders of Washington here at the Washington Public Lands Information Center. You will discover a wealth of detailed information about where to go and what to do while touring the public lands of this state.
In our Maps & Books section, you can purchase books, maps, and other educational items to make your virtual or real visit truly rewarding.
To begin your journey, click on Recreation Search.
If you have any questions please email the Washington PLIC staff. For information on lodging, museums, tribal lands, and commercial attractions or services, contact Washington State Tourism. For information about hunting and fishing regulations and licensing information for Idaho, please contact the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
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1pm Walk With Wildlife Tour
Join us at Southwest Wildlife for a unique Walk With Wildlife! Come take a guided tour of our sanctuary where you'll get to meet some of our wild animal ambassadors. You may see mountain lions, black bears, coyotes, Mexican gray wolves, bobcats, coatis, foxes, deer and more.
Preregistration is required. Register now, space is limited!
The fee is $25 for adults and $15 for kids 3-12, which goes directly towards the care of the animals at our center. Children 2 and younger are free.
Tours and Programs go on rain or shine except in the case of extreme weather conditions. Please come prepared for the elements whether it is raining or in the heat of summer.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Refunds will be given with only cancellations requested prior to 24 hours before the event. If SWCC cancels or needs to reschedule the event, then refunds will be automatically provided. As long as the event/program goes on as scheduled, regardless of weather or traffic circumstances, refunds are only given with a 24 hour notice of cancellation. Less than 24 hour notice cancellation means the registration will be kept as a donation to SWCC. Rescheduling of tours must take place within 30 days of the original registration. Please contact the following email if you need to cancel your event/program registration: firstname.lastname@example.com or phone in your request at 480-471-3621.


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Emotional Support Dog Registration for Gigi
Owner: Hannah Heckler
Breed: German Shepherd
Dog Training Status: My Dog Requires No Training (Emotional Support) *
Country: United States
State: Wisconsin
Registration Type: Emotional Support Dog Registration
Register Reason: Social anxiety disorder
No Documents have been issued for this Dog
Recent News
Care For Pets
May 28, 2020The Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation announced today that it has received a $200,000 grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Pet Assistance and Support Program to help house, feed and provide basic veterinary service to the pets of its clients. Chinn, who spent much of her childhood living alone in a […]
Training Service Dogs
May 28, 2020Since 2012, the Retrieving Independence Serving with Canines program has partnered with TDOC to train offenders to raise and train puppies to be service animals for people with mobility disabilities, seizure disorders and diabetes. Last summer, the program which started at Turney Center Industrial Complex (TCIX), added the Tennessee Prison for Women (TPFW) to the […]
"Good Boy" Movie
May 28, 2020Hulu's latest entry into their holiday-themed Into the Dark horror movie series might leave you side-eyeing your newly adopted pup. On Thursday, May 28, the trailer dropped for the newest Into the Dark installment, Judy Greer's new horror comedy Good Boy, which is set to premiere June 12 on Hulu. The movie is tied to Pet Appreciation Week, […]
Sheriff's Office Has A Sniffing Dog
May 28, 2020Harford County Sheriffs Department has added a new canine member to its police force. It's very common for police departments to have dogs on the force to sniff out bombs, drugs, and people, but this K9 is the first of its kind in the State of Maryland. Sata, a beautiful, fluffy black dog, is trained as a Electronic […]
Can Guide Dogs Social-Distance
May 28, 2020Guide dog Leo, a 2-year-old black Lab, helps his visually impaired owner, Samantha Ambrico-Custer, get around and navigate daily life. He performs extraordinary tasks for her every day. But one thing Leo and other guide dogs can't do: judge 6 feet between other humans. Amid the pandemic, owners say their guide dogs have had trouble […]
Paws For Life Rescue Program
May 28, 2020Crazy Dog, a brand of Whitebridge Pet Brands in St. Louis, recently donated 12,960 bags of its Crazy Dog Train-Me! treats to Paws for Life K9 Rescue (PFL). The treats will support the rescue group's COVID-19 Operation Pandemic and Paws for Life Prison programs. Operation Pandemic was launched to encourage people to foster a shelter dog […]
Dogs Adjusting To Social Distancing
May 28, 2020Brian Hare, Ph.D. professor of evolutionary anthropology and director of Duke Canine Cognition Center, discussed how dogs help people to adjust to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. I want to understand how different types of cognition evolve, including in our own species. Dogs have provided a powerful way to test ideas about how selection […]
Police Welcomes New Recruit
May 28, 2020The Moose Jaw Police Service has a new recruit, but he's of the four-legged variety. "Merc" passed his validation testing last week and he is now the fourth dog to join Moose Jaw's K9 Unit. "Usually, that's the proper protocol is that when an old dog retires a new one is brought in or when […]
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Join a winning team that gets the job done right. At Engage Partners, Inc., we focus on excellence in the industry of staffing solutions. We work hard every day to get it right and get it done – the right employees, the right businesses, the right time.
There's a reason why we have been around for decades. Engage Partners, Inc. has a wealth of experience matching people to their prospective employers (and vice versa). We have the ability to provide the opportunity for long-term career paths or temporary project assignments, temporary or full-time positions, executive management recruitment or attracting seasonal assistance. We work with a strong, diverse network of organizations across the country that are always looking for top-notch candidates to fill their open positions. From small business start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, we want your next job to be the one you've been waiting for.
We are a full-service staffing agency with opportunities for employment all across the U.S. Our recruitment efforts are focused on professionals in many areas of expertise:
Come see why our clients and our candidates seek out the level of service that makes the Engage Difference: We speak with our clients, not to them. Authoritative and approachable, it's always about the dialogue. Direct and to the point. Let's create solutions, not additional work.
Check out our current opportunities and join our Talent Network today!
What is a Talent Network?
Talent Networks enhance your job search and application process. Whether you choose to apply or just leave your information, we look forward to staying connected with you.
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Reading have confirmed they have agreed personal terms with Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak and are awaiting a work permit application to finalise the transfer.
Royals boss Brian McDermott revealed earlier this week that a deal for Pogrebnyak had been struck, and after the player passed his medical the club say they anticipate the deal to be completed in the coming days.
"Reading Football Club has agreed terms with Pavel Pogrebnyak to join the club," read a statement on club website readingfc.co.uk.
"The player has already completed a medical and the deal is now only subject to the player obtaining a UK work permit.
"Reading Football Club anticipate completing the signing within the next seven days."
Pogrebnyak is out of contract this summer and it has been reported the Premier League new boys have offered him a four-year deal worth around £65,000 a week.
The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham from German side Stuttgart, netting six goals in 12 appearances, but rejected the offer of a permanent deal with the Cottagers.
Confirmation of the deal comes a day after Reading secured the signing of midfielder Danny Guthrie on a three-year contract.
The 25-year-old former Newcastle player passed a medical on Friday and will formally complete the move on Sunday.


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Blue Heron is engaged in the exploration of Renaissance and medieval vocal music. Putting the study of original sources in the service of persuasive, vivid and exciting concert presentations, the ensemble is now established as the finest of its type in North America. Led by Scott Metcalfe, Blue Heron offers a home subscription series in Harvard Square, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a catalog of eight exceptional recordings is available on the Blue Heron label, one of which garnered the group the 2018 Gramophone Classical Music Award for Early Music, thereby making Blue Heron the first group from outside Europe to receive the award. Touring engagements have taken the group across the United States as well as to Canada and England. Blue Heron is Renaissance vocal music for the 21st century.
Site and contents copyright © 2007-2019 Blue Heron Renaissance Choir, Inc.Website services by BertPC.


text: Sports equipment The following sporting equipment can be checked in, subject to a sports equipment fee, which can be either pre-booked at a discounted rate online or at a standard rate at the airport check-in counters. Remember, each checked in item must not weigh more than 32kg. + Golf Golf equipment should be packed in a recognised golf case. + Surfboards Your surfboard must be packed in a recognised surfboard bag and does not exceed 277cm/109inches in length. Note: Kiteboards and bodyboards are classified as surfboards. Sports equipment includes Golf, Surfboard, Bicycle, Skis/Snowboard, Cricket and Diving gear. Any other sporting equipment not stated here is accepted as part of your checked baggage allowance. Please note that travelers are now entitled to take 1 x 15kg surfboard free of charge under the Free Surfboard Policy. + Diving One scuba regulator Tank harness Tank pressure gauge Face mask One pair of fins Dive suit/vest Bottle Buoyancy control device (BCD) Snorkel Weight belt One empty cylinder tank Note: High intensity diving lamps and normal portable diving lamps (e.g.: torch lights) which contain rechargeable spillable or non-spillable lead acid batteries will not be accepted onboard our aircraft as check-in nor as cabin baggage as it falls under Dangerous Goods Regulation. + Bicycle Your bicycle must be properly packed in a recognised bicycle bag or in a protective box/bag or in a plastic wrap. Bicycles that are not packed in a bicycle bag or in a protective box/bag or in a plastic wrap will be refused. Preparing bicycles for travel Handle bars Must be turned in so that they are in alignment with the frame. Pedals Should either be removed or checked in to prevent them causing damage to other bicycles or checked baggage. Gears Should be wrapped to protect them from damage. Tyres Must be deflated Mudguards Should either be removed or checked in to prevent them causing damage to other bicycles or checked baggage. Loose items This include pump, lights, water bottle, etc. They must be either securely fastened to the bicycle, removed or checked in. + Ski/Snowboard Ski/snowboard equipment should be packed in a recognised bag. You can bring one coffin/bag containing bats, wickets, pads and balls. + Cricket You can bring one coffin/bag containing bats, wickets, pads and balls. Any sports equipment that are not mentioned above will be accepted as part of your checked baggage. However, we do not accept carriage of the following sports equipment: Hang gliders Sails Kayaks, canoes and oars Pole vaults Javelins


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Intense19 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 548 diseños de 117 diseñadores freelance.
COGNITION provides technical, and program management support for Operational Concepts. We develop new operational concepts, prepare requirement documents to develop or modify existing systems and identify emerging technologies to enhance and streamline battle management processes.
COGNITION develops a variety of training concepts/plans utilizing new and advanced capabilities. These capabilities are enabled through technical and operational expertise to support development of customer requirements. Our qualified experts utilize educational principles such as the Instructional System Design (ISD) process which identifies four main phases -- analysis, design, development and implementation, with evaluations at each phase. This methodology ensures a structured approach for all courseware development.
We offer the complementary services of assessments and program evaluation. Our assessments include expertise in using the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) generated by the Office of Management and Budget to evaluate acquisition and capital asset investment programs. In addition we are able to assess emergency and contingency plans and strategies at the local community, state and federal level. The hallmark of our world-class assessment tools is thoroughness, objectivity and reliability.
Cognition is...creative people dedicated to providing quality, consulting services to government and corporate senior managers by -- integrating knowledge, inforation systems and human capital to increase productivity and profitability!
Our customers include:
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies
First Responders
Private Industry
We are looking for a logo that represents a strong new brand image
Our forte' is innovation and professionalism
We do not want to look childlike or cartoonish
We prefer slick but not oily! Nothing too elegant - we do not want to come across as above our customers. We place emphasis on being Partners with our customers, not just vendors.
the logo should be clear and bold. We want something that stands out. Again being careful not to be too fancy.
Here is an example of a logo that we like:
Here is what we don't want:
Our primay colors are dark blue and silver, but please feel free to experiment with colors!
The files we will require are:
Print file format - .ai (CMYK)
Web file format - .jpg and layered .psd (RGB)
Please do not use any stock images or clip art in the logo
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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On my RasPi board, Debian Linux, the USB microphone occasionally gets locked up such that nothing can use it. The microphone has a LED which is usually flashing, when it's locked, it turns off.
The utility
arecord describes it as follows:
card 1: Device [DYNEX USB MIC Device], device 0:USB Audio [USB Audio]
Subdevices: 1/1
Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
When the microphone stops working,
arecord gives diagnostics like this:
> arecord -D plughw:1,0 > recording.wav
Recording WAVE 'stdin' : Unsigned 8 bit, Rate 8000 Hz, Mono
arecord: set_params:1145: Unable to install hw_params:
Unplugging and plugging the microphone fixes it, only because the current dip forces the RasPi to reboot! Not an ideal situation.
Is there a way to fix this from the command line or a C executable?
I also tried using
ioctl(fd, USBDEVFS_RESET, 0) using the output from
lsusb to provide the bus and device number. That turns the LED back on, but it's overkill. The device has to be re-setup using alsamixer.


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€90.00 – €1,600.00
Great Finish – Peter Gordon
Photograph Location: Glencoe, Scotland
Image Edition: Limited Edition Print (29)
Art Medium: Fine Art Photography – Nikon d800e
An amazing finish to the day as the sky went on fire after sunset. Stunning Scottish light at its very best.
Note on Fine Art Print Sizes
Long side print sizes will be exact though short side will vary lightly depending on image dimensions. All images will be printed with an additional one inch border.
Limited Irish Fine Art Photography
The photograph you have selected is part of our limited edition fine art print series. This means that we restrict the numbers of prints available of this image. WThere are 29 prints available in the first four sizes up to 24 x 18 inches and an additional 29 in the larger sizes. This guarantee's our buyers a truly original limited edition piece of Burning Man fine art photography. As editions run out we do retain the right to make large prints available only.
About Our Printing
Each print is a unique piece of Irish fine art photography individually created and crafted under Peter and Ed's supervision in Ireland. All imagery is printed on Baryta papers with museum quality archival permanence meaning no fading or degradation over time. Digital pigment prints are now recognised world wide for their superiority over other print technologies in terms of their wide colour gamut and their longevity. Today, most digital pigment prints are colour-stable for between 100 and 300 years, and print resolution is greater than can be resolved by the human eye. The result is perfectly smooth transitions in tones, in shadows, and in other hard-to-reproduce transitions. On coated papers, and using 16-bit files, the results are outstanding in colour.
Additional information
|Edition 29
12 x 8 inch print, 16 x 12 inch print, 20 x 16 inch print, 24 x 18 inch print, 30 x 20 inch print, 40 x 30 inch print, 50 x 38 inch print, 65 x 48 inch print


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Issued by U.S. Department of State
Jul 02, 2018
This latest update to the Department of State's Worldwide Caution provides U.S. citizens with general information regarding terrorist activities, political violence, and criminal activity that transpire abroad, as well as specific recommendations on how to prepare for possible contingencies, receive information on breaking security events, and ensure that travelers can be contacted in an emergency. This version replaces the Worldwide Caution dated January 11, 2018.
As terrorist attacks, political violence (including demonstrations), criminal activities, and other security incidents often take place without any warning, U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness when traveling abroad. When planning a trip and prior to departing the United States, American citizens should consult country-specific Travel Advisories and information pages on travel.state.gov.
Travelers are also urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. The Department uses these security messages to convey information about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, natural disasters, etc. In an emergency, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or call the following numbers: 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries.
U.S. government facilities worldwide remain in a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Terrorist groups including ISIS, al-Qa'ida, their associates, and those inspired by such organizations, are intent on attacking U.S. citizens wherever they are. Extremists may use conventional or non-conventional weapons to target U.S. government and private interests. Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods, including the use of edged weapons, pistols, and vehicles as weapons, to effectively target crowds. Extremists increasingly aim to assault "soft" targets, such as:
In multiple regions, terrorists, guerrilla groups, and criminals seek to kidnap U.S. citizens to finance their operations or for political purposes. The Department also remains concerned that terrorists could again seek to down aircraft using concealed explosives or hijack commercial flights.
Private U.S. citizens should not travel to any country to participate in armed conflict. U.S. citizens are reminded that fighting on behalf of, or providing other forms of support to, designated terrorist organizations can constitute the provision of material support for terrorism, which is a serious crime that can result in penalties, including prison time and large fines.
For further information:
Copyright 1997-2020 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.


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A photograph that appears to show banners for Heineken beer prominently displayed during a dogfight has gone viral in recent weeks, but Heineken has denied sponsoring any such events.
The photograph shows two dogs fighting inside a caged arena while a cameraman films the event and an audience cheers. Several Heineken banners hang above the audience to one side of the arena.
The image, which first showed up online in 2011, received a push in recent weeks, inspiring online petitions, angry blog posts, and complaints on Heineken's Facebook page, where people have vowed to boycott the brand.
Heineken has denied any involvement with the event. The company released the following statement:
"Images are circulating on a number of websites showing what appears to be an illegal dogfight with Heineken banners (placed upside down) clearly visible. HEINEKEN is shocked and disappointed by this image. HEINEKEN is not and would never knowingly be associated with illegal activities, including those involving cruelty to animals. This is a gross misrepresentation of our brand and our legal team is now investigating the source of the picture and will take the necessary measures. We ask anyone with information regarding this picture such as the source, or the venue where it has been taken to contact us."
Update: Heineken has severed relations with club that hosted the illegal dog fight. An investigation has revealed that the photo was taken at a nightclub in Mongolia. Heineken has also removed all promotional material from the venue.


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Possible Duplicate:
Books/resources on the artistic side of photograpy?
Okay. There are lots of books out there that are eager to tell people what is exposure, f-stops and talk about all the cool gadgets one can but for their DSLRs.
Now, when someone grows up, might realise that all the photo geekery he's got didn't really help him to take better pictures (maybe sharper, not really better though), but instead his photography sense and artistic development that really paid off and the well focused and pointed 18-55mm is actually great.
Now, after you reached that point, if you could tell your younger self to read a book, which one would be?


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For the first time in over 15 years, Cathy Hutchinson brought a coffee to her lips and smiled. Cathy had suffered from the paralysing effects of a stroke, but when neurosurgeons implanted tiny recording devices in her brain, she could use her thought patterns to guide a robot arm that delivered her hot drink. This week, it was reported that Jan Scheuermann, who is paralysed from the neck down, could grasp and move a variety of objects by controlling a robotic arm with her mind.
In both cases the implants convert brain signals into digital commands that a robotic device can follow. It's a remarkable achievement, one that could transform the lives of people debilitated through illness.
Yet it's still a far cry from the visions of man fused with machine, or cyborgs, that grace computer games or sci-fi. The dream is to create the type of brain augmentations we see in fiction that provide cyborgs with advantages or superhuman powers. But the ones being made in the lab only aim to restore lost functionality – whether it's brain implants that restore limb control, or cochlear implants for hearing.
Creating implants that improve cognitive capabilities, such as an enhanced vision "gadget" that can be taken from a shelf and plugged into our brain, or implants that can restore or enhance brain function is understandably a much tougher task. But some research groups are being to make some inroads.
For instance, neuroscientists Matti Mintz from Tel Aviv University and Paul Verschure from Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain, are trying to develop an implantable chip that can restore lost movement through the ability to learn new motor functions, rather than regaining limb control. Verschure's team has developed a mathematical model that mimics the flow of signals in the cerebellum, the region of the brain that plays an important role in movement control. The researchers programmed this model onto a circuit and connected it with electrodes to a rat's brain. If they tried to teach the rat a conditioned motor reflex – to blink its eye when it sensed an air puff – while its cerebellum was "switched off" by being anaesthetised, it couldn't respond. But when the team switched the chip on, this recorded the signal from the air puff, processed it, and sent electrical impulses to the rat's motor neurons. The rat blinked, and the effect lasted even after it woke up.
Mind switch
The media proclaimed this achievement as being an "artificial cerebellum" and a "cyborg rat". This isn't quite true: first, the researchers modelled only one specific circuit in the cerebellum; and second, they also stated that the purpose of the device is not to improve a healthy brain, but to help people who have lost motor functions after a stroke.
In September this year, American scientists said they had created a way of enhancing a monkey's decision making by about 10%. One of the team leaders, Theodore W. Berger, let monkeys play a picture-matching game and recorded their neurons' activities from the cerebral cortex, where decision-making takes place. They found that the signal pattern differed for correct and incorrect decisions. The team let the monkeys play the same game again, but before a monkey made a decision, they injected the "correct" signal pattern into the brain by sending a sequence of electrical pulses through implanted microelectrodes – much like Morse code. As a result, the monkeys picked the correct picture.
The technique also works on rats, switching their long-term memory on or off, and one day Berger hopes his neuroprosthesis could restore lost memories from people with Alzheimer's disease. If this works, this could improve the brain's ability to push short-term memories into the long-term memory – creating humans who remember more than others.
It will be a long time before scientists successfully convert experimental methods using electrodes to a fully-functioning, implantable chip, but there is an indirect alternative being developed. Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a way of running electrical current through the brain with electrodes attached to the outside of the skull. The US Defence Advanced Research Agency (Darpa) currently uses tDCS to improve the learning speed of snipers, claiming it cuts the learning curve by a factor of 2.5. There are issues, though. "They learn more quickly but they don't have a good intuitive or introspective sense about why," says Vincent Clark, neuroscientist at the University of New Mexico.
Such devices were initially expensive, but now GoFlow sells a DIY kit for $99, which consists of two electrodes, cables and a 9-volt battery. So, in theory, everybody can try and tune his or her own brain at home. But if it is not applied correctly, anything could happen – from enhancing intelligence (intended), rewiring our brains (who knows?) through to electrocuting ourselves (not intended). Neuroscientist Roi Cohen Kadosh from Oxford University says he wouldn't buy the DIY kit, because he thinks it is premature to distribute it to non-experts. "People might feel like they should stimulate their brain as much as they want, but just as buying a medicine on the counter, you need to know when to use it, how often, in what conditions and in what cases you should not take it."
Unwanted reactions
So when will we be ready to plug in brain chips to think faster? "As for the technology, we will be ready very soon," says Verschure. He is convinced that it will take at least 10 years before his artificial cerebellum will actually make it into a human brain. To do so, researchers must also solve technical problems, such as providing low-voltage power supplies for the prostheses. Another, more general, problem is that not all other brain regions are as well characterised, "and this won't change so soon", says Verschure.
Like any other type of medical implant, neuroprostheses mustn't cause any unwanted reaction once they are in the body. The spiky microelectrodes are mostly made of platinum, silver and iridium, all of which are quite biocompatible and cause relatively few reactions. However, upon implantation the electrodes can injure the brain's tissue, which in turn becomes inflamed, scarred and eventually non-responsive to electrical stimulation. As a result, the brain implant can't work anymore, as a study found.
Another issue that might prevent neuroprostheses from being applied soon, according to Tel Aviv University's Mintz, is the host of unanswered ethical questions. "How many neurons do we have to replace by machine parts until we consider our brain a machine?" he asks. "A hundred? Millions? Are we still humans then?" Mintz thinks these questions should be discussed at length by ethics and law commissions before products are ready to hit the market. That said, he still believes in the success of neuroprostheses. "I think it will not be possible to stop this technology," he says.
While researchers address technical and health issues, there's one issue that hasn't been explored as much – security. Hackers could pick up and alter electrical signals from neuroprostheses, just like any other signal in the world. "They could manipulate a person and let him or her do what they want," claimed Jens Clausen, Professor of Bioethics at the University of Tübingen, Germany, in 2006.
Being a computer scientist myself I know how easy it is to pick up wireless signals, manipulate and re-inject them. I cannot imagine a brain implant hitting the market without proper encryption of the transmitted signals. Why would we protect our WiFi networks and not do the same for our thoughts? After all, wireless data transfer technology for neuroprostheses is already underway.
And then there is the question of who is entitled to enhancement technologies. Cochlear implants may have been around for decades, but 75% of all implants have been fitted in people in developed countries, 25% of which are in the US. Is this fair? When it comes to newer technologies like tDCS, Cohen Kadosh says it is, because it depends on the price of neural enhancements. Once new and expensive technologies become as cheap as caffeine, everybody will have the chance to get them.
So, at least for the next decade, brain implants will focus on specific areas. The more brain regions we understand, the more such devices can be built. But scientists also need to think about how to make them reliable, safe and secure. And affordable. If their work succeeds, how smart we can be could depend on one's financial means. Is this really the kind of world we want to live in?
If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on Future, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.


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10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Saturday, May 31, 2014
Location: Bergin Park on Haskell Street
Neighborhood: North Cambridge
Contact: Center for Families, 617-349-3003
Dads, come have fun in the park playing and meeting other dads and their children. We will have food and fun park activities for all ages. Yes, also for babies!
The group is facilitated by Michael Clontz.
It is open to all Dads with at least one child age 0-8 living in Cambridge!
For more information, call or email Center for Families.
The Center for Families offers a variety of events, workshops, and classes for Cambridge families who have at least one child ages 0-8. All are free and open to the public.