text:
Consider the United States. Job creation has accelerated since last August. Household debt is now US$800 billion less than at the end of 2008, due to liquidation or refinance at lower interest rates. The current housing recovery does not seem exhausted as demand is expected to outstrip the pipeline of housing starts this year. Non-financial corporations have plenty of cash, empowering them to respond to improved prospects. Finally, the agreement in Congress on the federal budget for 2014-15, together with the political weakening of the opposition to adjustments of the public debt ceiling, point to an easing of the fiscal drag that harmed the US recovery last year.
But even with these positive factors there is a challenge as the Federal Reserve starts unwinding its "quantitative easing" (QE), beginning this month with a reduction of US$10 billion in its monthly asset purchases (currently at US$85 billion). Notwithstanding the limited size of this change - when matched with the US$2 trillion of assets currently held by the Fed - as well as Fed's "forward guidance" signaling that basic interest rates will remain low for an extended period, the initially muted reaction in bond markets was followed by 10-year Treasury yields crossing the 3% mark at the end of 2013. As 2-year yields also climbed, markets seem to believe that the Fed will be obliged to speed up the unwinding. The Fed thus must be sure to strike the right balance of actions and communication so as to avoid precocious interest rate hikes which could harm the recovery.
In the Euro-area, perceived risks of a currency breakdown and a financial and economic collapse have receded substantially. Despite sticky high levels of unemployment in crisis-ridden countries, the European Central Bank (ECB) forecast of 1.1% (GDP growth) plus 1.1% (inflation) for 2014 has been taken as a signal that the bottom of the crisis has been left behind.
The crisis still casts some shadows, however. The implementation of structural reforms in several member countries has fallen short. The public and private debt legacy in those countries still remains tall. Furthermore, the Euro-area institutional framework, which has now been fully recognized as essential, has not yet been refurbished enough. While the time horizon for tackling these issues will necessarily be long, there is a major immediate task to be faced by policymakers: the health check and prescriptions to which their banks will be submitted this year.
The vicious circle between fiscal fragility and national banks' balance-sheet deterioration that plagued crisis-ridden member countries has been broken, thanks to fiscal adjustment programs and, especially, the ECB's promise "to do what it takes" to impede a collapse. Nevertheless, the resurgence of bank credit to the private sector – particularly to small and medium enterprises – will be fundamental to consolidate the recovery. Such resurgence will only take place when banks are once again able to be funded and create credit at interest rates much lower than currently available. Therefore the Euro-area major policy challenge will be to calibrate the "asset quality review", stress tests, and new capital requirements making them tough enough to ensure that the exercise is credible, while simultaneously avoiding spooking markets.
China will also face the challenge of appropriately calibrating the implementation of its structural reform package. Higher penetration of non-state firms in several sectors, including the banking system, will require some slackening of regulation and phasing out interest-rate controls. Prior to that, however, the central government will need to rein in subnational finance and the "shadow banking" through which local governments have splurged on infrastructure and real estate spending in the last few years. Results from a public debt audit were released last month, showing that the debt of localities had risen 67% from the end of 2010 to June 2013. In that context, another important consideration when looking ahead is to remember the interbank market turmoil of December, which only ended when the Central Bank of China conceded to providing liquidity. This illustrated that authorities will have to step cautiously--- a stone at a time--- to cross the transition river, if an economic growth collapse is to be avoided.
Meanwhile, tax policy will be a key policy challenge in the case of Japan. Aggressive fiscal and monetary stimuli implemented during Prime Minister Abe's government have jolted Japan's economy out of its deflationary lethargy. However, Japan's public debt has climbed to levels around 250% of GDP. As part of the solution, the consumption tax will be hiked to 8% from 5% in April. There is also a scheduled decision in next November on whether to additionally increase it to 10% as of October 2015. It will be crucial that such a higher tax burden does not countervail the overall anti-deflationary direction of macroeconomic policy.
Finally, there is the case of emerging economies coping with the actual unwinding of QE. Last summer - in between Ben Bernanke's testimony to the US Congress in May, when he alluded to the eventual unwinding of the currently third round of QE, and the Fed meeting in September postponing its beginning - the so-called "fragile 5" (Brazil, India, Turkey, Indonesia, and South Africa) underwent massive capital outflows and large currency depreciation. Some analysts referred to that turmoil as a potential revival of the emerging-market crises of the 1990s. Those countries shared in common the presence of large, liquid, and integrated financial systems, as well as current-account deficits associated with substantial capital inflows and currency appreciation since the beginning of the US "unconventional monetary policies."
Now that the unwinding is really starting, the baseline scenario is not one of a repetition of the turbulence, since changes in asset values, exchange rates, and investors' positions have not reverted. The unwinding is to some degree already priced in. On the other hand, four of the "fragile 5" (Brazil, India, Turkey, and Indonesia) will have major elections in 2014. As they still remain vulnerable to sudden stops in capital flows, their macroeconomic performance will depend on the calibration of their macroeconomic policies and on political risks.
The bottom line is this: there is room for optimism about the global economy in 2014. The key is to temper this with caution given that the success of the global economy will hinge on policymakers' ability to strike the right balance in several key parts of the world.
(No subject)
Absolutely amazing and pretty
Absolutely amazing and pretty interesting to read regarding global economy,pretty great analysis, we agree the global economy had difficult year in 2013.
My amazing honey Margaret Brennan CBS news expert in global economy,mentioned last year was not good for global economy,probably for united states and European economy.united stated grew slower then expected which is big worry for global economy US still big growth engine for global economy.
we seen some many ups-down in US economy in starting of 2013,we faced major shut down which hurt economy nearly $24 billions,despite of shut down,and fed continue stimulate economy with lower rate and $85 billion bond purchasing program,result we seen some string sign in economic indicator like strong job data,housing data,manufacturing and industries data,lower inflation and strong GDP data which suggest economy doing well,its continue to pick peace up to nearly 3 or 3.5% annual growth which positive for US and global economy.hope we get long term,budget deal and increase dent ceiling as well as reduce deficit it will help to boost economy.weaker European economy also make big impact on US-European business trade.
another big economy you can say growth engine of global economy,now looking like china little survive to get back in track to get 10% growth,which we were seen few years ago,but higher inflation,failed to reform policies,higher interest rate make investor away from investment in china,property bubble made another worry factor for china,now we seen major effect of hard landing which hurt economy as well as less demand of Chinese good in Europe and US due to weaker demand and economy,also hurt manufacturing sector,china economy is get good grip on domestic economy which help to maintain growth about 7.5%,but we seen recovery in 2014 will help to recover china,need to reform policy,soft landing and keep positive environment for investment.
Margaret also mentioned japan economy also doing well after my abbey took office shot his three arrow,and pumps billions of money to stimulus economy,means break the cycle of deflation and bring inflation also raise sale tax and other tax to make company run on profit also lower yen value help japan for export and sell cheaper products in global market.GDP data also suggest positive sign and economy grow nearly 2% to 2.5% in 2014,
Margaret also mentioned European economy also show some growth though European austerity measure tough but countries like italy,spain,ireland,hungry continue to cut public dent to cuts public sector jobs,pensions,benefit and raise tax hurt economy more,while we seen unemployment record level in Europe nearly 12%,mostly young people,and still banking sector feel pressure after ECB announce easy loan for banks,credit cycle still weak and demand also low put impact on financial cycle as well as credit cycle.
Margaret also mentioned we also seen emerging economy also feeling pain in 2013,most economy not doing well due to impact of US economy growing stronger as well fed exit policy pull investment and restore in US again due to higher profit,many emerging economy feel inflation pressure as well as lower currencies issue make economy in worse condition,but hopefully 2014 become good year for global economy.


text:
Soda cans can be recycled. In some states, you can even redeem them for a nickel. So why would you save a soda can when you could just toss it in the recycling bin? Well, to start off, soda cans are made of a pretty craft-friendly material. If you wanted to buy perfectly bendable, yet sturdy, sheet metal, you'd have to go looking for it. If you have a soda can, well then all you need is a good X-Acto knife and you've got yourself some very pliable sheet metal. Also, the tabs can be used for all kinds of things. So while soda cans might seem like the most disposable packaging ever, and one that can be recycled almost everywhere, they actually can come in pretty handy for crafts. Once again, you can turn your garbage into something cool by trying out one of the following projects.
Soda can landscape art: You can make kitschy, retro landscape art out of soda cans. Cut the top off of a can, split the sides and wing them out, and paint it to look like a sun or a flower. It's so cheap, so fun, and so cute! And see more garden art ideas.
Can tab double duty hanger: You can double the space in your closet (almost) by affixing a can tab to each hanger in your closet. Slip one hole of the tab over the hook part of the hanger. Hang another hanger from the other hole in the tab. How is that for turning trash into something functional and useful?
Pop tab baubles: Who knew that soda can tabs could become something sparkly? When you use them as a base to glue glass gems on, they sure are! Use tabs and gems to decorate mirrors, napkin rings, or anything else that needs a flash of glam. (Pictured at top.)
Soda can ash tray: OK, it's not too glamorous, but you can make an ash tray out of a soda can. I'm not saying that you should, but you could.
DIY soda can coasters: These are really cool. Soda cans can become cute pop-art coasters when they're cut into squares and framed. Add a pop (pun intended) of color.
Soda can votive holder: This is a great design project, which would look super in an outdoor living room or on a mantel. Painting and then punching holes in a soda can yields a truly lovely votive holder that casts patterns of light on the walls.
Chaya Kurtz originally wrote this story for Networx.com. It is reprinted with permission here.
Related stories on MNN:
- Soda can tab art uplifts residents of slum [Photos]
- What are the easiest, most important things to recycle?
- 6 ways to upcycle bottle caps

subset: commoncrawl


text: The First World Hotel in the Genting Highlands roughly 50 kilometers northeast of Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, boasts 7351 rooms, which makes this three-star hotel the largest in the world. Not for long, though: Abraj Kudai in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is poised to overtake. The mega hotel is due to open with 10 000 rooms this year.


text:
Main Jet - Mikuni - N100.604 Type - #150.0 - Large Round
Main Jet - Mikuni - N100.604 Type - #150.0 - Large Round
$2.45 2.45
In stock
Aftermarket jet manufactured in Japan. Equivalent to N100/604 Mikuni type series round jet with slotted head. Sold Individually
Large Round Type - Size = 150.0 - Common jet found on many of the larger motorcycle Mikuni carbs from the 70's and 80's.
Fits the following with Mikuni carbs VM22, VM24, VM26, VM28, VM29, VM33, BS32, BS34 found on:
Kawasaki Z1, KZ650, KZ900, KZ1000
Suzuki GS750 GS850 GS1000
Yamaha XS1100, 1980-84 XS650 Mikuni 34mm. CV carbs
Aftermarket Mikuni TM 36-68, RS34 flat slide carbs, VM29, VM33 rould slide carbs
Is Universal Part: No
OEM Number(s): N/A
Motorcycle Fitment:
- 1980 Yamaha XS650 XS650G Special II
- 1981 Yamaha XS650 XS650H Special II
- 1982 Yamaha XS650 XS650J
- 1983 Yamaha XS650 XS650K


text:
DM Thumbs is a viewer for thumbs.db files and Vista thumbcache files. Used mainly for forensic analysis it will display all thumbnail images stored within a thumbs.db cache or thumbcache file along with any information stored about the original image.
Developed by GreenSpot Technologies Ltd this analysis tool originated as part of the forensic software Detection Master but is now also available as a stand alone thumbs db viewer.
Thumbs.db is a hidden file used by Windows to store thumbnail images of the files in a folder. It is then used to display thumbnails when a folder is in Thumbnails view. The caching of the thumbnails in thumbs.db is intended to speed up the displaying of thumbnails as new thumbnails need not be created every time the folder is viewed.
Forensic experts are interested in thumbs.db because deleting images from a folder does not remove the thumbnail from the thumbs.db database cache.
DM Thumbs is used in the forensic analysis of thumbs.db files providing details of when images were saved and their names and storage locations. Of course, it also means you can look at the content of previously stored pictures or photos.
In our FAQ section you will find answers to frequently asked questions about thumbs.db and Vista thumbcache files. The answers show where to find Thumbs.db files and thumbcache files and how to turn caching on or off.
You can download DM Thumbs here or should you wish, it can be downloaded from one of the many external sites that host it. This weeks selected sites are shown on the right.
For pricing and purchase options see our DM Thumbs purchase options page.
We are always looking for feedback and comments on our software. Please use the contact us form to provide feedback.


text: Which is ridiculous, because there is a full HD CG model used in a YouTube video that looks better than any thing in any version of TMP. Look up a video called "Star Trek- A Space Odyssey". EDIT: Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvPrYMczF3k&feature=youtube_gdata_player It's a full HD recreation of the space dock scene from early in the film from the initial shuttle pod approach and fly around, to clearing moorings and departure to a flight through the solar system past Jupiter and then a jump to Warp. Point being, is that using this model, they could recreate every exterior scene in the film.


text:
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text:
All you need to do is like, share and comment on the picture of the BIOSTAR TZ77A Motherboard that is on our Facebook wall! Here is our Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... 8950833882The BIOSTAR TZ77A is a great foundation for your next PC build supporting the state-of-the-art Intel 3rd generation Core processors in LGA 1155 packaging. The Z77 chipset natively supports USB 3.0 technology bringing the USB peripherals data transfer to a new level at up to 5Gbps. Intel Smart Connect Technology keeps you always up to date with social networking even when system is asleep, while Intel Rapid Start Technology allows your PC to resume from deepest sleep in a flash.
8-phase power design and 100% X.D.C solid capacitor permit excellent quality and reliability in rigorous environment. BIO-Remote 2 technology turns your Android or Apple products into a remote control, making your smartphone even smarter. The ATI CrossFireX technology along with PCIe 3.0 pushes your graphics performance to limits by enabling multiple graphics card to co-work in a single system.
Biostar will ship the motherboard to the winner and is willing to ship the board to any address in North America (Canada will have to pay their own customs). If you live in another country you may have your prize delivered to a friend or family member located in North America and then they can it to your country. As always you will be responsible for any customs fees, taxes or any other charge associated with your local rules and regulations. This contest is also void and null in locations that do not allow such things to take place. We always get people upset that it's not open to other countries, but please remember we are located in the US and are working with US companies to get the prizes.
Entry Period: The Giveaway starts on Friday, May 25th, 2012 at 12:00 PM Central and ends Thursday, May 31th, 2012 at 12:00 PM Central (the "Entry Period".)
Entry: To enter the Giveaway, follow the instructions on the primary Giveaway web page. Submission will result in one (1) entry. All duplicate entries are disqualified.
Drawing: At the conclusion of the Entry Period, the Giveaway Organizer will select the names of the potential winners in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during the Entry Period. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period. Potential winners will be contacted and will be asked to provide their full name, age, email and mailing address within three (3) days of being notified. If a potential winner does not respond within the stated time frame, the Giveaway Organizer at its own discretion may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period, or nullify that prize. Limit one (1) prize per household per Giveaway.


text:
Graduate Studies Faculty
Bihchen Hwang, DDS, PhD
Current Appointments
- Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Hospital Campus
- Downtown
Research Programs and Affiliations
- Biomedical Sciences Program
- Microbiology and Immunology
Education & Fellowships
- PhD: University of Texas, 1989
Research Interests
DNA replication of herpes viruses.
Link to PubMed (Opens new window. Close the PubMed window to return to this page.)
Fidelity of herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA replication
We are investigating the mechanisms governing the fidelity of HSV DNA replication that plays the critical roles in the emergence of mutations leading to resistance to antiviral drugs. Current efforts are focusing on examining the effects of different mutations of the polymerase and the processivity factor, the UL42, on the fidelity of DNA replication. Also, by using a novel mutagenesis system, we are characterizing whether the DNA replication accuracy could be influenced by the position effect.
Drug resistance of human cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Drug resistance is the major problem of successful treatment of human cytomegalovirus. Our current researches include the development of a novel and rapid method for the detection of drug resistant strains, including both polymerase and UL97 mutants, from clinical samples. We are also investigating the natural substrate of UL97, the kinase responsible for phosphorylating the antiviral drug ganciclovir. The findings could be useful for the future development of new antiviral reagents. These researches will be beneficial to the clinical treatment of CMV infections, especially for immuno-suppressed individuals.
Selected References
Hwang Y. T., Hwang C. B. C. (2003). Exonuclease-deficient polymerase mutant of herpes simplex virus type 1 induces altered spectra of mutations. J. Virol. 77(5):2946-2955.
Hwang Y. T., Wang Y. A., Lu Q., Hwang C.B.C. (2003). Thymidine kinase of herpes simplex virus type 1 strain KOS lacks mutator activity. Virology. 305(2):388-396.
Lu, Q., Hwang, Y. T., and Hwang, C. B. C. (2002). Detection of mutations within the thymidine kinase gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. J. Virol. Methods. 99:1-7.
Hwang, Y. T., Liu, B-Y., and Hwang, C. B. C. (2002). Replication fidelity fo the supF gene integrated in the thymidine kinase locus of herpes simplex virus type 1. J. Virol.76:3605-3614.
Lu, Q., Hwang, Y. T., and Hwang, C. B. C. (2002). Mutation spectra of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase mutants. J. Virol. 76:5822-5828


text:
For example: Road Bikes
0 goods
Bikes-home.com privacy policy
Bike Garage, Inc. which operates Bikes-home.com ("Bike Garage Bicycle") is committed to respecting your privacy and protection. The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to inform you of what personal information we may collect from you, how we use it and the choices you have regarding our use of it. Bike Garage Bicycle is the sole owner of the information collected on www.Bikes-home.com.
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If you request a catalog or join our e-list a user is required to give their contact information (such as name, address and email address). We use this information to send the customer a catalog and/or marketing emails. It is optional for the user to provide unique identifiers (such as, username and password), but encouraged so we can provide a more personalized experience on our site. We rent our customer's mailing address to other third party catalog companies. If you wish to remove your name from third party rentals, it can be done by emailing our Customer Support at email@example.com. Or, contact us by telephone or postal mail at the contact information listed below.
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Families and friends of Maren Sanchez lined up outside a Milford funeral home on Thursday to attend a wake for the Milford teen who was killed at school on Friday.
The 16-year-old was stabbed inside Jonathan Law High School and a 16-year-old classmate has been charged as an adult with her murder.
Sanchez was pronounced dead at Bridgeport Hospital on Friday, hours before she was supposed to attend the school's junior prom. She was named prom queen later that day.
U.S. & World
Her death was ruled a homicide and the medical examiner determined that she died from stab wounds to the neck and torso.
The suspect, Christopher Plaskon, 16, is being held at a psychiatric facility.
Students returned to school this week to find a large police presence on campus and counselors as well as therapy dogs were present to help students and staff cope with the loss.
"[It's] a slightly eerie feeling being back in the school where something like this happened, but I have to stay positive," said Soumya Kundu, a senior.
Around 2,000 mourners gathered at the school football field on Monday to pay tribute to Sanchez and remember the teen who made a mark on the lives of so many.
Gov. Dannel Malloy and the Branford lacrosse team were among thousands who gathered to grieve her at the candlelight vigil.
Malloy called Sanchez a star, saying she was inclusive, kind, talented and giving. He said she accomplished so much in a short period of time and affected so many.
"She had a special quality about her that made everyone welcome," Malloy said. "She was open and kind."
The school welcomed community members and asked mourners to bring candles. They released purple balloons to the tune of Sarah McLachlan's somber ballad "I Will Remember You."
It was Sanchez's favorite color.
Her own rendition of "Home" by Phillip Phillips closed out the vigil, and mourners said that in that moment, they felt her presence at the football field.
"It felt like she was here. It really felt like she was here with us," said Mary-Grace Merturi, of Milford. "Her life was short but she made an impact on so many people. She was a beautiful soul, beautiful girl. Smart, talented."
Today, a wake will be held at Cody White Funeral Home in Milford at 2 p.m.
The school district is providing shuttle buses for anyone who wants to pay their respects.
Attorney Victoria Koch, trustee of the Maren Sanchez Memorial Trust, said the family is asking Maren's friends not to wear prom attire to the wake.
Plaskon's attorney, Richard Meehan, said his client is currently under psychiatric evaluation and a 15-day emergency commitment at a medical facility.
Some students said the attack took place because Sanchez, a member of the National Honor Society who was active in the school community, would not go to prom with Plaskon. Police are not revealing a motive and said the investigation is ongoing.
On Tuesday, police documents were released that reveal more about what police learned as they began investigating at the school.
After learning about the altercation on Friday, the school resource officer began heading to the scene, but was called to the principal's office. There, he saw Plaskon, who had blood on his hands and clothing, and asked the teen what happened.
"I did it, Just arrest me," Plaskon said, according to police.
One witness reported seeing Plaskon on top of Sanchez and being unable to pull him away from her, according to police. Another reported removing Plaskon from the scene and seeing him toss a knife onto a hallway floor.
Friends of Plaskon's expressed shock at the allegations, saying he is a good kid from a great family.
"I was pretty good friends with the kid," said a sophomore at the school. "He was on the football team. We talked a lot, and it's kind of shocking knowing one of your good friends did something bad like that."
Students mourning the loss of Sanchez also returned to the high school over the weekend for comfort and counseling.
"Today is kind of hitting me because yesterday it was, you knew it happened, but you didn't know what to think about it because it's not something that happens every day and not something that you're ready for," said Kassandra Sebas, a friend of Sanchez's, on Saturday.
The memorial outside the school continued to grow as the days passed. Grieving friends and community members left flowers, balloons, candles and mementos in Sanchez's honor.
As students returned to school on Tuesday morning, many stopped by that very memorial before going into the high school.
A spokesperson for Plaskon's family told NBC Connecticut their thoughts are with the victim and her family. The Plaskon family released a statement on Tuesday.
Visiting hours for Sanchez will be held at the Cody-White Funeral Home in Milford from 2 to 7 p.m. on May 1. According to her obituary, a public funeral will not be held.
A fund has been set up to create a scholarship in memory of Sanchez.
Donations can be sent to:
The Maren Sanchez Memorial Fund
Attorney Mike McCabe, 23 Sunnyside Court, Milford CT 06460


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As I mentioned in an earlier post, I absolutely loved my three years of undergraduate course work here at The Ohio State University. I was very much in the work hard, play hard mindset and think this really paid off for me. I tried to take advantage of all of the wonderful opportunities made available to me, both academically and otherwise. However, I don't think I fully appreciated my time on campus until this past summer, when I had an internship with PwC (this was, for example, one of the great opportunities OSU made available to me).
My experiences with PwC were incredible. I worked in assurance, and was lucky enough to work on Hirtle Callaghan & Co (a mutual fund), Mettler Toledo (scale manufacturing), The Ohio State University, and Abercrombie & Fitch. I got to see so many different industries and really figure out what interested me the most. PwC also did an incredible job of throwing me into the meat of the work so I could really appreciate what a day in the life of a full time auditor looks like.
Needless to say, I worked auditor hours, which are a little bit different than student hours. This had its pros and cons, but more than anything was just something different to get used to. The internship also carried a completely different stress than being a student. Again, pros and cons but mostly just different. The biggest difference? At PwC I was getting paid for my hard work, while at OSU I am paying for it. But one parallel I was definitely able to draw was the work hard, play hard attitude. It appears as though this never disappears, so master it early!
This all has a point I'm trying to make, I promise.
While I loved working for PwC and being a contributing member of society, it is an incredibly different experience than what I had during school. Once I graduate, I'll be able to work and live in the real world for (hopefully) 35+ years. Depending on the route you take for college, you get 4-6 years. During those 4-6 years, its far too easy to get caught up in the rush of things and really miss out. I'm not saying grades and studies aren't important – I'm just saying relax and make the most of your time. The recruiters will appreciate you making the most of your time in college, especially as you master the work hard, play hard balance.
So, as I get ready to begin working at JP Morgan in internal audit, I'm again ready to practice my work hard-play hard skills. I really have loved every minute at Ohio State, but I'm very ready for the next step. Ohio State (and the MAcc program in particular) has prepared me so well for what is to come, and I am eager to explore this "real world".
Thanks to all of you who have followed my thoughts throughout the year – I hope you found them entertaining, quirky, but most of all, helpful and informative! I really can't speak highly enough of the MAcc program, and hope you will consider applying. If you're already admitted and will be here in autumn 2012, allow me to congratulate you and I wish you the best of luck during the upcoming year. Don't be afraid to take chances and explore all of what Fisher can offer – you'll have a great experience.


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INSTEON RF control means you can control the switch directly with an INSTEON remote control device like the Mini Remote. Of course, you will also have all the usual control via your Indigo system and any other linkage you may have defined with other INSTEON devices.
True Rocker Action and High Quality Construction
The INSTEON SwitchLinc Remote Control Dimmer offers the natural feel of high-end switches: tap the top to turn lights on, tap the bottom to turn lights off. You will also enjoy the crisp, tactile response with each touch, instead of the mushy feeling of other brands.
Adjustable Fade Rate
You can adjust the rate at which the light turns on or off, also known as the ramp rate. For example, you may want the light in the stairwell to turn on instantly so you can see where you're walking. Conversely, you may want the light in the master bathroom to ramp up in a soft, gentle fashion so you're not blinded in the middle of the night. The ramp rate is adjustable between 0.1 seconds and 9 minutes.
You can adjust the brightness level locally by pressing and holding the top or bottom of the INSTEON SwitchLinc Remote Control Dimmer. You can also adjust the brightness remotely by sending it dims and brights or by sending it a Preset Dim command.
Status Confirmation
Of course, like all INSTEON modules, it's "2-Way." Via Indigo, you can poll the status of the INSTEON SwitchLinc Remote Control Dimmer for an instant status report, including brightness level. This feature is essential when you need to know if the device being controlled is on or off, especially when you are controlling it via the web or the Indigo Touch iPhone app.
Easy to Install and Set Up
The INSTEON SwitchLinc Remote Control Dimmer wires in like a standard wall switch, with an additional connection to a neutral wire. If you're lucky enough to have Indigo downloaded and you have the INSTEON PowerLinc Modem, then the definition and linkage of an INSTEON device is about as easy as it gets:
- Jot down the 6 character ID located on the front of the SwitchLinc Remote Control Dimmer (Better be sure you do this before you put the face plate back on.)
- Go to your Mac and name your new device within Indigo and enter the ID you jotted down. Hit the Start Link button that Indigo presents to you.
- Wait for the 15-30 seconds it takes Indigo to go through the linking process.
That's it!Your device is now part of your INSTEON network. You'll notice that there was no pushing buttons on the device or running back and forth between the device looking for solid or blinking LEDs telling you everything is okay. Kudos to Indigo for making the INSTEON setup process work so smoothly!
Power Failure Features
All INSTEON SwitchLinc Remote Control Dimmer settings are stored in static memory and are not lost during power failures. Additionally the SwitchLinc will return to its last brightness level upon a power restore.
Brightness Indicator Bar and Choice of Color
An white brightness bar of 8 LEDs indicates the current brightness of the lights being controlled. This can be exceptionally helpful when it is difficult to see the light being controlled (e.g. outside or behind closed doors). A pipe color change out kit is available in a package containing assorted colors: red, blue, amber, and green OR a package containing 8 change-out pipes of all one color.
Want a Different Paddle Color?
Your INSTEON SwitchLinc Remote Control Dimmer comes out of the box with a white paddle installed. However, if white is not your choice, then the paddle can be replaced with a different color that is more suited for blending in with your décor. Easy to install paddle change out kits can be found here.
- Warranty: 2 years, limited
- On-Levels: 32 locally, increments of 1% with software
- Ramp Rates (full-ON to full-OFF): 0.125 to 9 seconds if programmed locally, 0.125 seconds to 8 minutes if programmed remotely
- LED Indicator: 9 White LEDs
- Operation Modes: INSTEON only, X10 only, INSTEON and X10 Combo Mode
- Multi-Way Circuit Support: One SwitchLinc Dimmer controls load, Cross-Link any number of SwitchLinc Dimmers or other INSTEON Controllers
- Setup Memory: Non-volatile EEPROM
- INSTEON Addresses: 1 hard-coded out of 16,777,216 possible
- INSTEON Links: 417
- INSTEON Powerline Frequency: 131.65 KHz
- INSTEON Minimum Transmit Level: 3.2 Vpp into 5 Ohms
- INSTEON Minimum Receive Level: 10 mV
- INSTEON Messages Repeated: Yes
- Radio Frequency: 915 MHz
- Ramp Rates (full-ON to full-OFF): 0.125 to 9 seconds if programmed locally, 0.125 seconds to 8 minutes if programmed remotely via software
- Paddle Type: True rocker action
- Wire Nuts: 4 included
- Mounting: Mounts in single or multiple-ganged junction box. Control 200 W less load for each immediately adjacent SwitchLinc Dimmer installed. For example, 600 W load control becomes 400 W with another dimmer to the immediate right or left. Use a triple-gang box with a mechanical switch in the center to avoid de-rating.
- Operating Conditions: Indoors, 32 to 104° F, up to 85% relative humidity
- Dimensions: 4.1" H x 1.8" W x 1.2" D
- Weight: 3.6 oz
- Supply Voltage: 100-277 Volts AC +/- 10%, 50/60 Hertz, single phase
- Neutral Wire: Required
- Power Wire Leads: 6", 16 AWG, stranded,600V, 105 °C insulation, ends stripped and tinned, LINE (black), LOAD (red), NEUTRAL (white)
- Maximum Amps: 5 amps
- Ground Lead: 6", 18 AWG, stranded, bare copper
- Load Types: Wired-in incandescent lighting devices
- Maximum Load: 600 Watts (uses 12-Amp triac dimmer)
- Power Consumption: 0.59 Watts
- Certification: Safety tested for use in USA and Canada (ETL #3017581)
- X10 Features (applies to power line only)
- X10 Primary Address: 1 optional (comes unassigned)
- X10 Scene Address: 255 possible
- X10 Status Response: Supported
- X10 Resume Dim: Supported (by setting Local On-Level to zero)
- X10 Powerline Frequency: 120 KHz
- X10 Minimum Transmit Level: 3.2 Vpp into 5 Ohms
- X10 Minimum Receive Level: 20mV into 5 Ohms
- X10 Messages Repeated: No
Manual and Guides
|Owner's Manual (pre version 7) (Size: 698.2 KB)
|Owner's Manual (version 7+) (Size: 698.2 KB)
|Quick Start Guide (Size: 2 MB)


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Much of the social upheaval of the 1960s can be traced back to four men at Harvard University at the beginning of the decade, contends journalist Don Lattin. His new book, The Harvard Psychedelic Club, does exactly that.
Don Lattin, the longtime former religion reporter for the San Francisco chronicle, attributes his choice career path to his own informal psychedelic experimentation as a college student in the early 1970s. He says that experience, which was shared by thousands of his contemporaries, also inspired him to research and write The Harvard Psychedelic Club.
In his book, Lattin gives each of the four main figures an iconic title. Ram Dass (Richard Alpert) is "Seeker," Houston Smith is "Teacher," and Andrew Weil, "Healer." And after some extended deliberation, he settled on calling Leary "Trickster."
Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman (right) inadvertently synthesized LSD in 1938, and accidentally became the first person to ingest it in 1944. In the United States, clinical research into the properties and effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) did not begin with Leary and Alpert's Harvard experiments in 1960, Lattn reports, but can be traced back to studies in the previous decade, a project secretly funded by the CIA.


text: Lanzarote is a very special island, let us take you to the best places to visit, beaches, villages, through lots of information, descriptive texts, photos, videos and 360° panoramas. Find the best Lanzarote hotels, apartments and rural houses with our advanced accommodation search and booking system. Rent a car and get all the information about Lanzarote excursions, leisure time, restaurants, sports and more. And don't miss Lanzarote's visitors opinions and advice in the forum. Have fun!!


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Technological expansion into multiple segments
Ever since the application of X-rays for medical imaging was discovered in the late 19th century, the diagnostic imaging domain has made dramatic advances with the introduction of new technologies, which have allowed it to expand well beyond its initial limitations. Medical imaging is currently divided into five main groups of systems, on the basis of their modality:
These categories are themselves segmented into sub-categories:
The right technology for the right diagnosis
The first imaging technology used a form of electromagnetic radiation, named X-rays by German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen, who is credited with discovering their properties in 1895. X-rays are still widely used in medical imaging (including in CT), and for therapy, in particular for cancer treatment.
They can have adverse effects, notably an increase in cancer risk for patients who are exposed to them repeatedly. However, significant advances have been made, especially for CT scans, in terms of lowering the radiation levels to which patients are required to be exposed.
Ultrasound imaging uses high frequency sound waves to produce images, viewed on a screen, of internal organs, vessels and tissues. It is widely used to monitor and diagnose the condition of certain organs, such as liver, kidneys, gallbladder and even the heart. It is well known for its use in prenatal ultrasound scans, which show images of a fœtus in the mother's womb. It is considered a safe form of medical imaging technology.
IEC TC 87: Ultrasonics, prepares International Standards for equipment and systems in the domain of ultrasonics, primarily in the medical domain.
CT imaging systems use X-ray images that are then processed by a computer to produce tomographic images or "slices" to obtain three dimensional views of internal organs. As CT uses X-rays, there are adverse effects to its use, in common with X-ray imaging, but, as outlined above, modern equipment produces ever clearer images from consistently falling levels of radiation.
Nuclear imaging technologies are also used for tomography.
MRI systems use magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the body. The magnetic field in MRI systems is produced using magnets. The field strength of the magnet is measured in tesla units, named after Serbian-American inventor and physicist Nikola Tesla who discovered the rotating magnetic field in 1882.
Low-field MRI scanners use permanent magnets, making them the least expensive of these medical imaging technologies.
Mid- and high-field MRI scanners use superconducting magnets which need cooling at extremely low temperatures during operation. IEC TC 90: Superconductivity, prepares International Standards related to superconducting materials such as alloys, and to devices.
The benefits of MRI scans are lower risks to health and lower energy consumption than other technologies. However, superconducting magnets require complex cooling installations.
Performance and safety top the list
The safety and performance of the equipment used in medical imaging, as in all other medical domains, is essential to the wellbeing of the patients and medical personnel operating it.
The remit of IEC TC 62: Electrical equipment in medical practice, and of its SCs, is to "prepare International Standards and other publications concerning electrical equipment, electrical systems and software used in healthcare and their effects on patients, operators, other persons and the environment".
The activities of two of its SCs focus on imaging equipment.
The task of IEC SC 62B: Diagnostic imaging equipment, is "to prepare international publications for safety and performance for all kind of medical diagnostic imaging equipment (e.g. X-ray imaging equipment, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging equipment) including related associated equipment and accessories as well as quality procedures (e.g. acceptance tests and constancy tests) to be applied during the life-time of imaging equipment. Included is also the development of related terminology, concepts, terms and definitions".
Although TC 87 prepares International Standards for equipment and systems used in medical imaging, International Standards that cover the safety aspects of these are the responsibility of SC 62B and also encompass "protective devices against diagnostic medical X-radiation".
MRI devices pose specific problems and require particular protective measures to be taken for patients with an active implantable medical device that may contain magnetic, electrically conductive or radio frequency-reactive components.
SC 62B, which incorporates over 200 experts, has issued 55 publications so far.
The work of SC 62C: Equipment for radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and radiation dosimetry, includes the preparation of "Standards for the safety and performance of (…) nuclear medicine equipment used for imaging". SC 62C, which has 107 experts as of April 2014, has published 35 Standards so far. Half a dozen of these cover "Characteristics and test conditions of radionuclide imaging devices".
Growing market at the centre of medical advances
The overall importance of medical imaging in the healthcare environment cannot be underestimated and is illustrated by the fact that, in the past, researchers have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on two modern imaging technologies. The 2003 Prize was awarded jointly to Paul C. Lauterbur and Sir Peter Mansfield "for their discoveries concerning magnetic resonance imaging", and in 1979 it was awarded jointly to Allan M. Cormack and Godfrey N. Hounsfield "for the development of computer assisted tomography".
As healthcare technologies improve and find new markets in different countries, the global market for medical imaging equipment continues to expand steadily with the introduction of new systems and the phasing out of older or obsolete equipment.
It is expected to reach USD 32,3 billion in 2014 and to exceed USD 49 billion by 2020. IEC standardization work that covers both the design and manufacture of this equipment and ensures its safe operation will continue to contribute to the expansion of this huge and dynamic industrial sector.


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#KOT, #SomeonetellCNN, #Someonetelltheworld, AkiraChix, Bitange Ndemo, Digital Kenya, Erik Hersman, iHub, innovation, Judith Owigar, Kenya's tech scene, KINGS of African digital economy, Nairobi, Palgrave studies of entrepreneurship in Africa series, Silicon Savannah, Tech entrepreneurship, Tech innovation, tech scene, Technology hubs, Techpreneur, Tim Weiss
The editors of Digital Kenya: An Entrepreneurial Revolution in the Making describe it as a 'book of arguments and ideas' and this blogger agrees with this analysis. Published in 2017 and originally published in 2016, a copy of the e-book is freely available under open access. The focus of the book is Kenya's entrepreneurial revolution in the tech sector. Digital Kenya is authored and edited in a very interesting way; 14 key figures in the Kenya's tech startup scene were interviewed (including Jay Larson, co-founder of the Tunapanda Institute discussed in a post here) and they provide a unique insight into the inner workings of the Kenyan tech scene and what it takes to be a digital entrepreneur, in addition the book was written by professors, contributors and scholars and edited by Bitange Ndemo and Tim Weiss.


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The Channel Islands
A group of small rocky islands off the North West coast of France, and 90 miles South of England. The group consists of Jersey and Guernsey, two or three smaller islands - Alderney, Sark and Herm - and various tiny islets of rock or seacrags. The total area is about 75 square miles. The soil is fertile and exceptionally well cultivated. The islands send large quantities of early potatoes, tomatoes, grapes, and other fruits and vegetables to the English markets. Each of the largest islands possesses its own peculiar race of cattle. The people, who are of Norman descent, are industrious and fairly prosperous. Their numbers increased from 49,430 (excluding Alderney) in 1821 to 95,840 in 1901, giving at the latter date the great average density of 1,278 inhabitants to the square mile. The language of every-day intercourse is the Norman-French patois; of the popular assemblies, law courts, and churches, modern French. English, however, is taught in schools. The islands enjoy practically home rule. The chief executive officer in Jersey, and also in Guernsey and its dependencies, is the Lieutenant-Governor. The people are Protestants and the islands are attached to the diocese of Winchester.
- From the Harmsworth Encyclopedia,1909
The Islands
For more specific advice regarding the individual Islands follow these links:
- John Fuller's Channel Islands Genealogy - includes many useful links and a surnames list of Channel Islands research interests.
- Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark are included in the decennial (1841 onwards) Census for England and Wales and can be found online, see the GENUKI ENG+WAL Census page.
- Channel Islanders New Zealand Bound by Olwyn Whitehouse.
- L.D.S. FamilySearch Catalogue:
- L.R. Burness. "Genealogical Research in the Channel Islands" The Genealogical Magazine (March 1978).
- There is a RootsWeb Channel Islands Mailing List with a searchable archive.
These are markers for old pages that have yet to be transferred:
- Research in the Channel Islands FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).
- Channel Islands Family History: Reading the Records
- The Jersey Militia - on TheIslandWiki
- The Guernsey Militia - on TheIslandWiki
- Richard Heaton has compiled an index of digitized newspapers for the Channel Islands.
- Quaker Family History Society page on surviving Quaker Channel Islands Records.
- History of the Quakers in Jersey.


text:
charlieluca on Family Tree Circles
view: full | list
Journals and Posts
Looking for BROWNS of Mynyddislwyn/Pentynmawr Wales
I am looking for any infornation or the decendents of EDWIN BROWN born 1896 and his wife ANNIE E BROWN born 1864. I have the following information.
1901 cencus living at Ty Bach Mynyddislwyn with 3 children
George L born 1895 in Glos
Gertrude M born 1900 in Pentynmawr
Frank H born 1901 in Pentynmawr
1911 cencus Edwin had passed away and the entry is slightly different
Annie Brown widower, married 1889 for 22 years
Leslie born 1895 in Glos
Gertie born 1900 in Mynyddislwyn
Howard born 1901 in Mynyddislwyn
Rosa born 1904 in Mynyddislwyn
Harper born 1906 in Mynyddislwyn
Edwin was the brother of my great grandad and i would love to be able to fit this piece to the puzzle.
- Displaying 1-1 of 1 Journals
- 1
- of1


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|Click here to watch the on-ride POV
|The Smiler
|roller coaster
|Designer / calculations
|John Wardley (ride consultant)
Ben Dowson (development)
|Model / product
|Infinity Coaster Custom
|Riders per train
|2 Chain lift hills
Height72 feet
Drop98 feet
Top speed52.8 mph
Length3839 feet
Smiler is a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers, opened in May 2013. The ride is manufactured by Gerstlauer and is an Infinity Coaster roller coaster. The ride is positioned where the Black Hole was formerly located, opposite Oblivion. The ride is the first roller coaster with 14 inversions.
Due to "teething" problems, the coaster did not open on the planned date of May 23. The ride opened on May 31, 2013.
The Smiler is a Infinity Coaster, manufactured by Gerstlauer. It has two lift hills and 14 inversions.
4 trains with 4 cars per train. In each car, riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 16 riders per train.
Plans were submitted for SW7 in late December 2011. Documents were later revealed showing that it was a custom Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster. Planning permission was granted on 15 March 2012, despite opposition from both Alton and Farley Parish councils.
Vertical Construction of the ride started in September 2012.
Deconstruction of the Black Hole tent started mid-April.
Smiler opened on May 31, 2013.
The ride was codenamed SW7. This stands for stands for Secret Weapon 7. This name was used for Thirteen (SW6), Air(SW5), Oblivion (SW4) and Nemesis (SW3).
On 21 July 2013, a bolt fell from the ride. People queueing for the ride at the time said that they heard a large clanging sound as the bolt fell. The bolt partially disengaged two sections of track and the ride reopened on 25 July 2013.
On 4 November 2013, guide wheels flew off one of the ride's trains as the train was ascending the vertical incline and hit four people in the face. The ride was closed for the rest of Scarefest.
On June 2, 2015, two cars collided, one full and one empty. The four riders in the front row; Daniel Thorpe, Vicky Balch, Joe Pugh and Leah Washington were seriously injured. The following week, Washington had her left leg amputated above her knee as a result of her injuries. On June 26, it was revealed that Balch had her leg amputated below the knee after multiple operations to save her leg were unsuccessful.
Following the accident, merchandise and references to the Smiler were removed from the park. The fate of the ride was unknown until November 24, 2015, when Alton Towers announced that the accident was caused by human error and the ride would reopen in 2016.[1] [2] On March 19, 2016, the ride reopened after 9.5 months of closure. Merlin Entertainments, operator of Alton Towers, was later fined £5 million for the accident on September 27, 2016.
|First roller coaster with 14 inversions
May 2013 - present
|Preceded by
tied with
10 Inversion Roller Coaster
|First roller coaster with 14 inversions
May 2013 - present
|Succeeded by


text:
Consult City's Top Doctors, The Minute You Need To
First Consultation
@ ₹199 ₹499
Cases done by
No Pediatricians available for this location currently
Pediatricians from other locations
What is a Pediatrician?
Pediatricians are doctors who specialize in children's health. They manage the physical, behavioural and mental health issues in infants, children, adolescents and teens, up to the age of 21. They are also commonly referred to as child specialists or pediatric doctors or pediatricians.
How often should a child see a pediatrician?
Regular visits to the pediatric clinic are advised so that a child specialist can supervise the growth and health of your child. While toddlers and infants need to be taken to a pediatrician on a monthly or half-yearly basis, an annual health checkup is recommended after your child crosses the age of 4.
Why is consulting a pediatrician is important?
A pediatrician or child specialist provides child vaccination services, disease diagnosis and treatment, nutrition and fitness recommendations for infants, children and teenagers. Consulting with a pediatrician is important to ensure your child is in the pink of health.
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Shannon1 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 151 diseños de 38 diseñadores freelance.
Powerboard Social Media Strategy
We are a new social media firm starting up in Wellington new Zealand called Powerboard. Looking for a fresh, funky, maybe fun logo design that wows people.
Small business owners through to corporates. The logo is aimed at the person who is either sales or marketing focused or the young company upstart who is bold enough to walk into the CEO's office and suggest they use social media in their businessso the design needs to be something which is "cool"... needs to appeal to the cool kids
Though i don't want current submissions withdrawn for future ones... i'm not a real fan of lightening bolts. Thanks
Please go to our draft website at http://powerboard.co.nz to get an idea of what we will be doing. The tagline really describes why the name powerboard and i think i would like that involved in the logo in some way
I must admit to liking the blue color but am willing to change for the right, innovative design
Other requirements are
- landscape orientation
- ideally only two or three colors
I don't want to stifle your creativity too much but if you look at this article from mashable http://mashable.com/2010/09/28/web-…gn-trends/ i am liking styles like 1,2,3 and 9
Thanks and i look forward to you ideas
Though i don't want current submissions withdrawn for future ones... i'm not a real fan of lightening bolts. Thanks
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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N° 43–2002: Swedish chair for ESA Council
13 June 2002
Per Tegnér, currently Director General of the Swedish National Space Board, is the new Chairman of the ESA Council for the next two years (as from 1 July 2002).
Mr. Tegnér was unanimously elected at the 159th meeting of the ESA Council, held at the Canadian Space Agency in Montreal on 12 and 13 June. He will take over from Mr. Alain Bensoussan of France whose term of office ends on 30 June 2002.
Per Tegnér, born on 22 April 1944, holds a Master in Economics and worked for more than 25 years for the Swedish Ministry of Industry. In 1998 he was appointed Director General of the Swedish National Space Board and has been the Head of the Swedish delegation to ESA since then.
For further information, please contact :
ESA, Media Relations Office
Tel : +33(0)220.127.116.1155
Fax: +33(0)18.104.22.16890
For further information:
ESA Media Relations Office
Tel: +33.(0)22.214.171.124.55
Fax: +33.(0)220.127.116.11.90


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BOSTON — A national consumer study conducted by American Sports Data Inc. and sponsored by IHRSA has determined that the total number of health club patrons, including both members and non-member users of clubs, climbed 7.0 percent to 58.3 million people in 2001. Preliminary findings from the annual Health Club Trend Report also found that the number of members of health and fitness clubs in the U.S. grew to 33.8 million (+3.0%) in 2001.
Given this growth in consumer demand and a 5.0 percent increase in the number of health clubs, IHRSA estimates that the U.S. commercial health club industry generated $12.2 billion in total revenues in 2001 (+5.0%).
"Our industry has seen total U.S. membership rise by almost 63 percent since 1992," said John McCarthy, IHRSA executive director. "The stable demand for health club membership during a very tough year for the U.S. economy is excellent news, and what is particularly encouraging, is the news that health club patronage jumped by 7 percent last year."
McCarthy added that this might show a trend of increasing non-membership revenues.
"Growth in overall attendance provides clear evidence that health clubs have adopted a more program driven business model, and that they now offer consumers the opportunity to take advantage of a club's services without having to become a member," he said. "What this means is that some 24.5 million Americans were also customers of a health club or fitness center last year. These customers represent additional revenues for clubs as well as an excellent source of prospective new members."
FIND IT NOW AT Clubindustry.COM
Keep up with breaking news in Club Industry's new e-newsletter Club Industry News Beat, and on our Web site www.clubindustry.com.


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Orange County home sales hit their highest level for a November in seven years, soaring 25.3 percent over last year's sales pace.
Home prices, meanwhile, hit a five-year high for a November, rising 12.5 percent from 2011, housing market tracker DataQuick Information Systems reported Wednesday.
The median home price, however, dipped slightly last month – to $450,000 in November versus $455,000 the previous month. Foreclosures dwindled. Competition for a limited supply of homes remained fierce.
Just ask Kimi Kobashi, who took nine months and 14 bids to finally close a deal on a Huntington Beach home.
She ended up buying a condo instead of a house and paid $5,000 over the asking price. Her agent, First Team's Jeanette Erich Nelson, urged her to write a personal note and send her picture to woo the seller into picking her bid over the others.
"I was competing with cash offers. One place, there was I think 18 offers," said Kobashi, a 47-year-old insurance investigator. She was up against buyers "with more money, bigger down payments, people with a better credit number."
When her condo came on the market, "we put an offer on the very first day it was listed. We rushed over, looked at it, and made an offer within minutes."
Despite obstacles, Orange County home buyers still pushed sales to record levels in November.
According to DataQuick:
•Homeowners closed 2,879 home sales last month. That's up 25.3 percent from 2,297 in November 2011 and the highest number of homes sold since November 2005.
•The median Orange County sales price — or price at the midpoint of all sales — increased to $450,000, vs. $400,000 in November 2011. It was the seventh consecutive year-over-year price gain.
"I have never seen such a busy market in my whole career. It's absolutely amazing," said Danielle Purcell of Team Laguna, who sold a two-bedroom Laguna Beach cottage last month for $1.26 million. "We did so many five- to 10-day deals since November, I can't even tell you."
Record-low interest rates and a shrinking supply of listings helped drive up home sales over year-ago levels for a 10th consecutive month, DataQuick analysts said.
Orange County also has a reduced supply of distressed, bargain-priced homes that had been holding prices back.
Resales of foreclosed homes accounted for just 10.7 percent of last month's transactions, compared with nearly half at the height of the real estate sales slump in January 2009. A year ago, previously foreclosed homes accounted for nearly a fourth of sales. Lenders also are seizing dramatically fewer homes.
Foreclosures fell last month to 271 units, below 300 a month for the first time since May 2007. Foreclosures are down 81 percent since they peaked at 1,441 in August 2008. Default notices, which initiate the foreclosure process, fell to 688, down 72 percent from the June 2008 peak of nearly 2,500.
That means fewer homes enter the foreclosure pipeline as lenders divert distressed properties into loan modifications or sales "short" of the amount needed to pay off the mortgage.
Since the bulk of foreclosures involved lower-priced houses and condos, condo prices soared 20.6 percent to $307,500 in November, DataQuick figures show. That's up $52,500 from a year ago.
At the same time, more higher-priced homes are starting to sell, changing the mix of properties changing hands and boosting the median price.
DataQuick figures show, for example, that 38.8 percent of homes sold for $400,000 or less last month – compared with 49 percent in November 2011. And 31.8 percent sold for $600,000 and above – up from 23.3 percent a year earlier.
Buyers are forced to pick from higher-priced properties as the inventory of listings shrinks. Steve Thomas of ReportsOnHousing.com reported this week that Orange County had 3,482 homes for sale as of Dec. 6 – the lowest number in records dating back to mid-2004.
"With low inventory and prices increasing, I think we're seeing an upturn in the marketplace," said Surterre Properties agent Jacqueline Thompson, who sold an Irvine home for $5.3 million last month. "Slowly but surely I'm seeing signs of a seller's market.
"We're seeing a surge in quality buyers, actual buyers that have the means to make an offer and close escrow," Thompson said. "It's a really positive sign."
First Team agent Michael Delune closed Nov. 16 on a five-bedroom Huntington Beach house, which his client sold for $940,000. The property went into escrow 18 days after coming on the market on Sept. 30.
"This property was a great example of what's going on in the market," Delune said. "Inventory remains low even for higher-end properties like this one, and we did receive multiple offers on it. For this property, as with others, several of the offers were all cash."
The market is just as tight in Irvine, he said. Delune sold a home there just four days after a previous escrow canceled, showing the home 26 times in those four days and getting several offers.
"There is an abundance of buyers," Delune said, "but a real shortage of sellers."
DataQuick said "extraordinarily low" mortgage rates are just one factor fueling buyer demand. Investor activity and all-cash buying remained near record-high levels.
"More buyers feel confident about their jobs, the economy, and the likelihood housing prices have bottomed and are likely to rise," said DataQuick President John Walsh.
Tim Davis, said, however, that stiff competition among buyers has taken the fun out of home shopping. Davis and wife, Katie, both 32, are living in temporary quarters while waiting to see if the Garden Grove house they're trying to buy closes escrow. Delays pushed the closing beyond the date they had to move out of their house.
That's just the latest hassle.
In the nine months since the couple began house hunting, they've seen home prices march steadily upward. They ended up signing a deal to buy a short sale at the top of their budget.
"The prices are going up, and you have to move really quick," Davis said. "You don't have time to sit and think about it."
Contact the writer: 714-796-7734 or firstname.lastname@example.com


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Healthcare WordPress Themes
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Magicka: Vietnam
Magicka: Vietnam out today, launch trailer released
Magicka: Vietnam is out today on digital platforms for $4.99, and to celebrate, Paradox has released the launch trailer for it.
Magicka: Vietnam headlines
Paradox Interactive set for massive growth in 2011
Paradox Interactive is already predicting massive revenue growth in 2011, thanks in part to the sales of a certain game called Magicka.
Magicka: Vietnam DLC gets a date and first screenshots
Paradox Interactive has announced that Arrowhead Game's Magicka: Vietnam DLC will hit digital distribution channels on April 12 for $4.99.
Arrowhead teases Magicka multiplayer, Vietnam influences discussed
Magicka developer Arrowhead has revealed its inspiration for the upcoming Vietnam expansion, and teased the possibility of competitive multiplayer.
Paradox announces Magicka: Vietnam
Paradox Interactive made a surprise announcement at GDC today, announcing a new Magicka expansion that will take place in Vietnam.


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Beginning next month, many pregnant women in Oregon will no longer be able to have the early delivery they've been dreaming of.
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On Sept. 1, Oregon will become the latest state where some hospitals are refusing to do elective, non-medically necessary inductions and cesarean sections before 39 weeks of pregnancy. The goal is to give babies more time for important development and to reduce costly complications after birth.
Seventeen Oregon hospitals — including all nine birthing hospitals in the Portland area — have agreed to a "hard stop" on the elective procedures, according to the March of Dimes' Oregon chapter, which announced the agreement earlier this month. The agreement covers about half of the deliveries in the state.
The number of cesareans and inductions at 37 and 38 weeks has been growing as women schedule their deliveries for their convenience or to be delivered by their own doctor, says Michele Larsen, the Oregon chapter's communications director. Deliveries at those weeks have risen in the U.S. in the last decade and now account for 17.5 percent of live births, she said. About one in three C-sections are done before 39 weeks, according to a 2009 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Technically, full term is 37 to 41 weeks, Larsen said, but the group believes the longer the term the better for babies.
"Thirty-nine to 40 weeks is the gold standard," Larsen said. "So much more research is coming out showing how vital those last weeks are to the development to the children's brain, liver and lungs. It makes a huge difference."
Dr. Carey Winkler, a maternal and fetal medicine doctor with one of the 17 hospitals, Legacy Health system, agrees.
"Babies born in the early-term time frame are at increased risk of complications, which increases the costs to the health care system," Winkler said of those born from 37 to 39 weeks. "In the short run and the long run, these kids have more problems."
The problems include increased risk for respiratory problems, jaundice, feeding problems, temperature instability and greater risk of being re-admitted to the hospital for poor weight gain or failure to thrive, he said.
"The closer you are to 39 weeks, the risks decrease, so it's just better to wait," he said.
Nationwide, the C-section rate reached a high of 34 percent in 2009, according to a study by HealthGrades. While a cesarean is generally considered safe, it's still a major procedure that carries risks like bleeding and infection for the mother.
Story: 8 in 10 births at private hospitals in Iraq are C-sections
The new policy may lower that rate in Oregon once women have more time to go into labor on their own before an elective induction, which carries a risk of needing a C-section if the induction fails, experts say.
Dr. Stella Dantas, a Portland obstetrician and spokeswoman for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, is hopeful that the Oregon policy will lead to fewer cesareans in her state.
Story: C-sections best for baby when close to due date
"We're hoping that this will decrease the cesarean rate," she said. "The C-section rate nationally is concerning for all ob/gyns."
Poll: Should hospitals adopt a blanket rule against early C-sections or inductions?
The Oregon agreement comes as the March of Dimes has been working on the issue across the country. About six or seven other hospitals — in California, Texas, New York and Illinois — have adopted the ban on early elective deliveries, said Leslie Kowalewski, assistant state director of the March of Dimes' California chapter. Intermountain Healthcare, which has 23 hospitals in Utah and Idaho, has had the policy for the last decade.
"There's multiple hospitals that have this hard-stop in place," Kowalewski said.
But they are in the minority, she said. "The flywheel is starting to turn," Kowalewski said. "We've got a good start but we've all got to keep on pushing."
© 2013 msnbc.com. Reprints


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How rivers get a gender attached to them
As you embark on your river cruise, do you know the gender of the river?
I sure didn't until cruise manager Mirela Varga said, "The Rhine River is known as Father Rhine. The Moselle River is his daughter."
Hmm, how does one tell the difference between a boy river and a girl river?
The question of genders of rivers, worldwide led me to search for answers from all sorts of experts, from geographers and cruise guide authors, to linguists and a legendary river explorer. The research was complex and sometimes contradictory. And always fascinating.
As for the Rhine, right off the bat, it showed itself as a muscular guy when I boarded the ship in Basel, Switzerland, where swimmers were getting giddyup rides down the swift currents.
Not surprisingly, the term Rhine comes from the Celtic word renos meaning "raging flow."
So, are there any basic rules for determining gender?
"Whether a river is known as a he or she depends on its behavior," notes veteran cruise writer Douglas Ward in his annual books Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships. For example, says the British author who has been writing the guides for over a quarter century, "the Rhone (in Switzerland and France) is almost always called 'he' because the waters can be turbulent, bothersome and rough" whereas the Saone (in France) "is a gentler kind of river — more beautiful, more tranquil — and is thus referred to as 'she'."
By the time, my cruise had reached the Upper Middle Rhine region in Germany, considered the most scenic part of the river and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the water was calm as a lake. But this section has a reputation.
In days of yore, before modern navigation devices, the narrow section near St. Goarshausen was one of the Rhine's most dangerous, boasting tricky whirlpools and hazardous reefs. Sailors often crashed here. Inspired by these tragedies, German writers penned various legends about a beautiful temptress, Lorelei, whose mesmerizing song distracted boatmen, sending them to their deaths. High above the river, I could see the fabled Lorelei Rock, where the siren is said to sit.
But the Rhine is also considered masculine because it deters invaders. It is a "brother in arms," I was told by Hans Timmer, a Dutch cruise manager formerly with Uniworld River Cruises. Moreover, it is "a fatherly river (to the Germans) because it protects and is an ally because it is a formidable obstacle to cross and a strong line of defense."
More InformationI got a sample of both a masculine and feminine river on Uniworld River Cruises' 13-day "Legendary Rhine & Moselle" cruise. The itinerary runs between Amsterdam and Basel, Switzerland, with cruise-only prices beginning at $3,899, per person. Cruises run from April through November. For more information, visit Uniworld at http://www.uniworld.com or contact it at 800-733-7820.
Other veteran cruise lines offering Rhine/Moselle itineraries include:
AMAWaterways: amawaterways.com or 800-626-0126
Avalon Waterways: avalonwaterways.com/Cruise-Vacations/Moselle-River or 877-797-8791
Viking River Cruises: vikingrivercruises.com or 800-706-1483
For more on European river cruises: europeanrivercruises.com/?nr=mm1r
Besides cruise ships, there are other ways to experience a river, such as raft, canoe and kayak. Such trips are available on many rivers around the globe. The best way to check out some possibilities is to Google the river and watercraft you're most interested in.
I never found one book that deals solely with the topic of rivers and genders, worldwide. But if you're interested in reading about the experiences of a river explorer, take a look at the books, articles and films by Richard Bangs. For more about him: http://richardbangs.com/adventures/about/. His books can be ordered through his site or go to Amazon.com
As my research unfolded, I was learning that the concept of rivers and genders can get very complicated. For example, a single river can be sometimes masculine, sometimes feminine, depending on the country and language. This is the case with the Danube, says Theres Rinner of the Danube Tourist Commission, based in Vienna.
She continues: Whether some rivers are female or male "strongly depends on their history — frequently those rivers' names reach far back into history which makes it hard to track down the exact origin."
Around the half-way point in my cruise, the ship leaves the Rhine and enters the Moselle River at the strategic 2,000 year-old German town of Koblenz.
According to a book I picked up during a cruise stop, the Moselle has been considered a feminine tributary at least since the 4th century when Roman poet Ausonius called the slim, winding, slow-moving waterway "the most-favored daughter of the Rhine."
Even the wines from the Rhine and Moselle seem to reflect this male vs female gender difference, according to Kirk Wille, an importer affiliated with Dr. Loosen Wines, an award-winning winery along the Moselle. In an email interview, he said, "Rhine wines, Riseling in particular, are more full-bodied and hearty. Moselle Rieselings are very fine and delicate."
Well, what about rivers in the U.S.? Unlike German or French, the English language has no masculine or feminine articles, so nouns are neuter. Still, some genderizing seems to be going on, such as in the "Old Man River" nickname of the Mississippi (which, in the Ojibwe language means "big river"). And I'll never forget the song from the musical Show Boat describing the Mississippi as "he just keeps rollin' along."
If anyone knows about the souls of rivers, it's Richard Bangs, an American and a legendary international river explorer who has authored 19 books, a score of documentaries and over a thousand magazine articles.
When I first contacted Bangs, he emailed that he was in Bosnia, rafting the "female" Una River.
So why is the Una "female?" Because, says Bangs, "it is mostly a lovely, winding, sensual stream."
Often called the father of modern adventure travel, Bangs later wrote me, "Many (river) names are indeed attributed to gender, often because they remind the explorers or settlers of human characteristics attributed to a gender."
Bangs went on: "Virtually all rivers were named by men. Very often, if a river is mighty, overpowering, dangerous, it is male," such as the Tigres, named for the male Tiger. On the other hand, "if it is gentle, curvaceous, easy on the eyes, it is often female." Take the case of the Mekong, "which means 'mother of all rivers' as it births and feeds many of the great ... waters of China."
But things aren't always so simple. And Bangs noted, there are no hard-and-fast rules about river names and genders. Names "vary by culture, geography, history, discoverers, and characteristics." Moreover, he added, "many river names have no gender at all," such as the mighty Nile, considered the world's longest river, at 4,130 miles.


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Posted by Editor on 08/23/07
The S-Team Heads South...Way South
Courtesy Symmetrics
Symmetrics Fueled By FarmPure jumps back into racing this weekend with the 14-day Tour of Venezuela, from August 27-September 9.
The race is the team's next stop on the UCI America Tour, led currently by Symmetric's Svein Tuft. Symmetrics Cycling Fueled By FarmPure heads to South America with the goal of winning stages, and the overall. In fact, the first stage is an 18.8km TT which should suit the team's strong time triallists - notably Tuft and Eric Wohlberg. Following the TT there are several stages of flat riding, so whoever wins the TT needs to have a strong team to defend. The entire stage race runs 2200km.
Heading to Venezuela for the S-Team are: Tuft, Wohlberg, Cam Evans, Jake Erker, Jeff Sherstobitoff and Brandon Crichton. This will be the beginning of a heavy race period, as four of these riders will head straight north to contest the Tour of Missouri immediately afterwards.
The team will do its best to provide daily updates for those following the
action in Canada.
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