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Boeing reclaimed the title of world's biggest aircraft maker Thursday, overtaking European arch rival Airbus, even as it grapples with its most serious crisis in years.
Airbus, part of European aerospace group EADS, said aircraft deliveries rose 10% to a record 588 in 2012, but it still fell short of Boeing for the first time in a decade. Boeing deliveries totaled 601, the most since 1999.
Boeing (BA) also claimed top spot in terms of net orders, winning 1,203 compared with 833 at its European competitor. Airbus, based in the southern French city of Toulouse, still has a bigger backlog of unfilled orders than Boeing.
But the grounding of 787 Dreamliners could deal a serious blow to Boeing's prospects, particularly if the U.S. investigation into a problem with its battery reveals flaws in the design of the lightweight, carbon-composite aircraft.
Aircraft manufacturers have been trying to find ways to make their planes lighter and more fuel efficient as margins are squeezed by high oil prices, the weak global economy and the rapid growth of low-cost carriers.
The Dreamliner's batteries, made by Japan's GS Yuasa, are the first to be used in this way in commercial jets. They are energy efficient, light and compact, but they generate a lot of heat. The company has sent a team to work with U.S. investigators in Washington.
Related: Boeing's clout in Washington may face test
Airbus will be watching the investigation carefully, and is unlikely to celebrate its rival's woes. Its answer to the 787 -- the A350 -- has a maiden flight scheduled for the end of June or early July, and deliveries to customers are due to begin in 2014. The A350 also makes use of lithium-ion batteries, from a different supplier.
Experts said Boeing would need to move quickly to contain any loss of confidence in its aircraft but that there could be broader anxiety among airlines about the shift to new and unproven technologies.
"I expect Airbus will also be getting lots of questions from its customers about what it's doing to make sure there isn't a repeat," said Bridgette Sullivan-Taylor, assistant professor of strategy and organization at Warwick Business School.
And any cost increase due to Boeing's problems with the Dreamliner would be painful. UBS already expects Airbus to lose between 500 million and 700 million euros on the A350 in 2014-2015 as production costs exceed launch prices.
Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier said Thursday that the European Aviation Safety Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority were satisfied with the A350's architecture.
"Regarding the 350 electrical architecture, we don't see any reason, at least until we get additional information, to change our design," Bregier said at a news conference.
"I don't know the design of the 787. I know the design of the 350 and we are confident the design is robust both regarding the batteries, its architecture, the safety means, and also more globally the electrical architecture of the 350, which has no reason to be the same as its competitor."
Airbus knows only too well how difficult it is to launch a new aircraft with complex technology. The A350 is already running a year behind schedule, and Airbus' own revolution -- the A380 superjumbo -- was beset by production problems.
The world's biggest commercial aircraft underperformed for Airbus again last year, booking only nine orders against a target of 30 as the discovery of tiny cracks in the wings deterred some potential customers. Production of the A380 is forecast to slow this year as Airbus introduces a permanent fix.
Bregier said Airbus had been badly hit by the A380 wing cracks but had closed the chapter successfully.
"We have found the root causes of the problems, we have developed the solutions, we have tested the solutions in flight, and we can say that this A380 wing-related issue is now behind us."
Germany and France founded Airbus in 1970, backed by leading European airlines, with the aim of creating an alternative to U.S. manufacturers that could meet the growing demand for short-haul travel between the region's capitals.
Its global success was based on the launch in 1988 of the A320 family of single-aisle aircraft, which also used fly-by-wire technology in a commercial aircraft for the first time.

subset: commoncrawl


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No, you will not. Anyone reporting in good faith (with a reasonable belief) may not be criminally prosecuted or sued in civil court for:
A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a false report is not protected from prosecution or civil suit.
Call Community and Veterans Services at 320-983-8208 for more information.
Show All Answers
The following marks and abrasions can be strongly indicative of physical abuse especially when combined with a child's description of how the injury was inflicted. Another strong indicator of child abuse is an explanation for injuries that would be unusual in a given age group. For example, a broken arm or leg in a four-month old child is blamed on a fall down the stairs.
Signs of physical abuse may include:
The best indicator of sexual abuse is a disclosure by the child regarding the sexual activity.
Other indicators may be:
Neglect can be indicated by a child who is chronically dirty or dressed inappropriately for the weather, a child who is frequently hungry or sleepy and reports being unable to eat or sleep regularly at home, a child who does not attend school regularly or one who has not been enrolled in school, a child who remains untreated or is treated inappropriately for a medical problem or a child who describes being left alone and unable to care for himself.
A good indicator of endangerment is a description by a child of events that may place him in danger such as being involved in a physical, domestic fight between adults in the home, seeing illegal drugs being used or sold, or having access to loaded guns kept in the home.
The most important reason to report child abuse is to protect the child from further abuse. Children have few resources for changing the circumstances of their lives, and children who are being hurt by their caretakers rely on the intervention of others to protect them. Reporting abuse is also a way to ensure that parents who need help but are not able to ask for it are offered parenting resources. Call Community and Veterans Services at 320-983-8208 for more information.
Describe the situation to child protection or Law Enforcement. Remember that often the most serious abuse occurs in private and away from anyone but the children involved. County Child Protection staff is available to answer questions regarding what is reportable. Call Community and Veterans Services at 320-983-8208 for more information.
Law Enforcement Departments and Mille Lacs County Child Protection are the agencies charged with receiving reports of child abuse occurring in Mille Lacs County. These agencies are also responsible for the joint investigation of child abuse allegations. You may report suspicions of child abuse to Law Enforcement Departments 24 hours a day by calling 911. The operator will ask you to describe the circumstances. You may also call Mille Lacs County Child Protection at 320-983-8208.
When reporting suspicions of child abuse, be prepared to provide as much information as you have including the names and addresses of the child and parents and specific data about what happened, who was involved, and when and where the events took place. Other helpful information is what school the child attends, who else might have information about the child's situation, where the child is now, and the names of siblings or other members of the household.
Any report made to the Law Enforcement Department will automatically be cross-reported to Mille Lacs County Child Protection, as any report made to Mille Lacs County Child Protection will be sent to the Law Enforcement Department. This is included in the Minnesota State Statutes outlining requirements for child abuse investigations.
Minnesota law requires that any person whose job involves working professionally with children and who knows or has reason to believe that a child is being neglected or physically or sexually abused must immediately report the suspected incident to local Law Enforcement and/or child protection. The duty to report extends to childcare workers, school personnel, physical and mental health care providers, and law enforcement officers, among others. The report must be made immediately or within 24 hours, followed by a written report within 72 hours. You will need to complete the Child Abuse/Neglect reporting form.
Minnesota law requires reporting by mandated reporters who know or have reason to believe that a child is being abused or has been abused within the past three years. A mandated reporter who fails to make a report under those circumstances may be found guilty of a misdemeanor. Call Community and Veterans Services at 320-983-8208 for more information.
Unfortunately, sexual abuse is not as uncommon as we would like to think it is. It affects both girls and boys of all ages, from every kind of neighborhood and of all races. Studies have found that about one of every four girls and one of every eight boys has reported incidents of sexual abuse. In 85% of reported sexual abuse cases, the offender is known to the child as a friend, relative, or neighbor.
Talking with children about the privacy of their bodies and what are appropriate kinds of touching is a precaution; like teaching them to cross the street safely, wear seat belts, and not to play with matches. Teaching kids good boundaries helps to keep them safe. Not talking about these issues won't make them go away.
Teaching young children that their bodies are private doesn't have to be about sex. It can be as simple as reminding children that the parts of their bodies covered by a swimsuit are private.


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Penn State Abington has received a grant through NASA to award eight $1,500 scholarships to students from populations underrepresented in the fields of science and engineering. The scholarships require the selected students to perform three consecutive semesters of research under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
START-UP (STEM Academic Research Training engaging Underrepresented Pennsylvanians) recruits first- and second-year women as well as minority students to engage in prolonged and meaningful science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) projects. Studies show that undergraduates who participate in hands-on research are more likely to pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM.
"There are no answer keys in a research project. Students work alongside faculty on projects that require creative solutions, and they learn the process of science by doing."
-- Ann Schmiedekamp, division head for science and engineering
Ann Schmiedekamp, division head for science and engineering at Abington, said there is a lot of excitement surrounding the program.
"Penn State Abington has a solid program of undergraduate research, and we have seen its benefits firsthand," said Schmiedekamp. "There are no answer keys in a research project. Students work alongside faculty on projects that require creative solutions, and they learn the process of science by doing."
The START-UP scholars will work five hours each week, beginning this spring, learning experimental design, literature review, laboratory safety and technique, experimentation, and data collection and analysis. An additional semester is required to prepare and showcase the results of their work at a research exhibition.
During the three semesters of active research, they invest a minimum of 160 total research hours and receive a $1,500 scholarship, awarded in increments of $500 per semester.
The START-UP students also have the opportunity to apply for three summer internships at nearby Environmental Tectonics Corp. (ETC), which specializes in developing simulation trainers for a variety of industries. The Abington cohort will compete for the internship slots with START-UP recipients at five other colleges and universities in Pennsylvania.
The START-UP/ETC interns receive a $5,500 stipend and solidify their research skills in an industry setting while expanding their networks, according to the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium Office. The office administers the program for START-UP's principal funder, NASA.
START-UP is designed to help reduce a deficit in STEM education in the United States that is impairing its competitiveness worldwide. A White House task force concluded that federal STEM education investments should focus on retention of undergraduates from underrepresented groups.
Students interested in the STEM disciplines may apply for the scholarships even if they have not yet declared a major. The deadline for the competitive application process is Nov. 8. Go to www.pa.spacegrant.org/startup for more information and or contact Schmiedekamp at [email protected].


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Bikram Yoga Studio in Estero, FL
What is Bikram Yoga?
Bikram yoga is a method of yoga that involves a series of 26 postures and two breathing techniques that are performed during a 90-minute class. Practicing yoga regularly has been shown to lessen back pain, sharpen the mind and improve mood—it can even help lower blood pressure.
Practicing Bikram yoga yields many benefits, including flushing toxins from the body through sweat, and it even helps with weight loss. In most Bikram yoga classes, the room is heated — often up to 105°F with humidity between 40 and 60 percent. Because of this high temperature, Bikram yoga is sometimes called hot yoga, but the two are different. Hot yoga refers to any yoga practice done in a hot room, whereas Bikram yoga includes specific poses. The hot temperatures improve blood flow and help oxygen reach muscle tissue, which improves flexibility.
Bikram yoga follows the 80-20 method and the exhalation method of breathing. Using the 80-20 method, practitioners take a full breath, assume a pose and continuously exhale 20 percent of their air through their noses. With the exhalation method, practitioners take a full breath and exhale while holding the pose. Both breathing techniques can be difficult for beginners.
What are the Benefits of Bikram Yoga?
The postures performed during a 90-minute Bikram yoga session are done in the environment of a heated room. Each posture in the sequence is done in specific order, and each posture prepares the body for the next one. The most highly touted benefit of Bikram yoga is its detoxification properties—heavy sweating is said to help flush toxins from the skin. Proponents of Bikram yoga often report improved mental and physical health. Other benefits of Bikram yoga include:
- Enhanced strength
- Increased flexibility
- Improved lung capacity
- Weight loss
- Improved appearance of skin
Studies suggest that Bikram yoga increases mindfulness, lowers perceived stress, and improves overall balance and flexibility. By the end of a class, participants will have worked every muscle, tendon, joint, ligament, internal organ and gland while systematically moving fresh, oxygenated blood through the entire body. This form of yoga is designed to build strength and improve balance and flexibility by gently stretching and massaging the spine, muscles, tendons, joints and all internal organs of the body.
Is Bikram Yoga Safe?
Bikram yoga poses some potential dangers. The safety of Bikram yoga depends on an individual's fitness level and overall health, among other factors. Exercising in extreme heat can lead to dehydration and hyperthermia, both of which cause nausea, dizziness, fainting, muscle cramping and other symptoms. Generally, if someone starts to feel nauseated, dizzy or otherwise ill during a class, it's a good idea to take a break and drink some water.
Bikram yoga is not recommended for people who have high blood pressure or are pregnant. It's important to take a class that is taught by a qualified Bikram yoga instructor. The instructors are there to guide participants through the postures and makes sure no one is working beyond his or her capacity. Regular practice of Bikram yoga can result in the healing and repair of injuries and illness, weight loss and peace of mind. Request more information about Bikram yoga today. Call (239) 425-2900 or contact Dr. Doreen DeStefano online.
Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine
12734 Kenwood LnSuite 84
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239) 425-2900
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
10:00 am - 5:00 pm


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Reviewing National Physical Therapy Month: Other Injuries And Disorder
October is a special month for our profession, as it marks the annual National Physical Therapy Month campaign. All month long, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants around the country work to boost public awareness about physical therapy by explaining what the profession entails and how it can significantly improve patients' lives. To this end, we've been offering a detailed review of the numerous conditions that physical therapists can treat in different regions of the body.
In this, our last post of the month, we're going to look at a few other injuries, conditions, and situations that physical therapists also treat, but which don't easily fit into any of the other categories we've described so far:
- Post–surgical rehabilitation: physical therapy is strongly recommended as a first–line treatment for most musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, as it will often lead to successful outcomes and can often help patients avoid surgery; however, certain patients are candidates for surgery, particularly those who don't improve with physical therapy, those with severe injuries, and athletes who are on a tight timetable and looking to return to play as soon as possible; when a patient decides to have surgery, a course of physical therapy will always advised to help these individuals regain their abilities during the recovery period with a progressive rehabilitation program
- Balance–related disorders: physical therapists can also address issues related to balance impairments; for example, many physical therapists offer vestibular therapy, which is a specific approach designed to address problems involving the body's vestibular (balance) system, such as vertigo; in addition, physical therapists can provide fall–prevention programs for older adults that primarily aim to improve balance—as well as strength and flexibility—and thus reduce the risk for falls in the process
- Concussions: a concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by the brain rapidly moving back and forth or banging against the side of the skull, which can lead to headache, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, and fatigue, among other symptoms; although rest is the most important treatment for concussions, physical therapists can help individuals recover more quickly by providing vestibular therapy and utilizing other techniques that address the wide range of concussion symptoms
- Temporomandibular joint disorders: the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge joint that connects the part of the skull directly in front of the ears (temporal bone) to the lower jaw (mandible); temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a general term that describes any condition that involves this joint, and the result is usually pain or tenderness in the face, jaw, neck, or shoulders; physical therapists frequently see patients with TMDs and manage these patients with massage and other interventions that target the jaw
Research backs physical therapy for these conditions, too
Physical therapy programs for these conditions differ more widely than for the other regions of the body we've reviewed so far due to their variety, but many of the same principles and techniques that are fundamental to the practice will still be incorporated into each individualized treatment program. For example, treatment for concussions and balance–related disorders typically includes specific exercises and other interventions that aim to improve patients' balance, while post–surgical rehabilitation programs progress gradually to help patients regain their strength and flexibility to pre–injury levels.
Research supports the use of physical therapy for these conditions, as it does for the other regions of the body we've reviewed so far. In one study, exercise therapy was found to reduce pain and significantly increase range of motion for patients with TMDs. Other research from one systematic review showed that vestibular therapy is effective for older adults with vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders, while another systematic review found that exercise programs may reduce risk factors associated with falls and the incidence of falls in older adults.
We hope you've learned something about physical therapy this month for National Physical Therapy Month. By now, you should have a firm grasp of the multitude of conditions that we can treat and the many types of benefits you can expect if complete treatment with a physical therapist. So if you're dealing with pain, movement–related issues, or any other deficits, we strongly encourage you to contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment today.
The information in the articles, posts, and newsfeed is intended for informational and educational purposes only and in no way should be taken to be the provision or practice of physical therapy, medical, or professional healthcare advice or services. The information should not be considered complete or exhaustive and should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes without first consulting with your physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician or other healthcare provider. The owners of this website accept no responsibility for the misuse of information contained within this website.


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Researchers Create Chip To Detect Prostate Cancer in Urine
Scientists from the University of Parma in Italy have developed a chip that would be able to detect a suspected marker of aggressive prostate cancer in urine, which could make cancer testing easier and less invasive.
"If true, the detection of sarcosine in urine opens the door to the early stage detection of prostate cancer using a non-invasive method," said Enrico Dalcanale, a researcher at the University of Parma.
The newly developed chip contains a special receptor grafted onto a silicone based wafer, which according to its creators can detect sarcosine in urine while ignoring other compounds not linked to cancer.
Dalcanale said that he and his research team are developing an updated version of their cancer detector that will allow testing for sensitivity and make the chip easy to use. He added that patients could also combine the chips results with prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing, to get a complete and better estimate of ones risk for prostate cancer.
He also said that this same invention could be used to locate other biologically similar compounds found in drugs, neurotransmitters, painkillers, and antidepressants, and the cost of the chip would be in the same price area of a PSA screening.


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The Appearance of Radha-kunda
On a field near Govardhana Hill, in the twilight, the demon Arishtasura had assumed the form of a bull and, at King Kamsa's order, had tried to kill Lord Krishna. Instead, the Lord had slain him. Just prior to his attack, Krishna had been chatting with His girlfriends, the gopis of Vrindavana, who had become quite frightened by the demon's angry bellowing.
Krishna strolled over to them, expecting to engage in their usual rasa dance. In this, the girls would form a circle, Krishna would miraculously reproduce His body between each two girls, and the party would ecstatically dance round and round. But the gopis, now relieved of their fear of Arishtasura, were in a playful, joking mood.
As Krishna tried to place His arm around the shoulder of one of them, she flinched and stepped back, saying, "I don't think You should touch any of us now."
Krishna smiled.
"Oh? And why not?"
"Well, You've just killed a bull. And the scriptures consider a bull to be as sacred as a cow."
"True, but that bull was really a demon."
"Doesn't matter," a second girl said. "He still had a bull's body. So by killing him, You've committed a terrible sin."
"I have?" Krishna beamed, playing along with their joke.
"Absolutely. You're very contaminated now."
"How terrible!" Krishna said with mock seriousness. "Then what should I do?"
"You should atone for Your sin," a third gopi said.
"Atone?" He asked, eyebrows raised.
They all nodded firmly, wanting to laugh but restraining themselves.
"But how?"
The first gopi said, "I think You should bathe in every holy river in the world."
The other gopis nodded.
"All the rivers?" Krishna asked.
"Yes," the girls giggled. "All."
"But that'll take too long. I have a better idea."
"Oh?" they inquired.
"Instead, I'll bring the rivers here."
"How can You do that?" asked the second gopi skeptically.
"Just watch."
Krishna turned away from them and kicked His heel into the ground, making a hole.
Then He ordered, "O holy rivers, please come here at once!"
In a few seconds, the personified forms of every sacred river appeared there, standing with their palms folded and heads bowed. The men were bare-chested but decked in rich dhotis, whereas the women were wearing luxurious saris.
Krishna turned to the gopis.
"See? They're all here."
Although the girls were astonished, they scoffed, "We don't see anybody."
Krishna said to the rivers, "Would you please announce yourselves?"
Each river spoke his or her name, such as Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sarayu, Sona, and Sindhu.
The gopis looked at each other doubtfully. Were those persons really those rivers?
Then the hole that Krishna had made with His heel suddenly expanded into a vast hollow, and all the personified rivers gladly entered it, each manifesting his or her own water form. It was now a beautiful, inviting, holy pond.
Krishna descended and splashed into it up to His neck, dunked His head several times, and climbed out, drying His dark glistening body with His hands.
"Well, now I'm completely pure." He smiled. "You don't have to worry anymore."
The girls tittered, knowing they never had to anyway.
"But look at you," Krishna said with mock condescension, pointing at them.
"What about us?" a few asked.
"You're all impure."
"Us?" several answered, incredulously.
"Yes, you!"
"No, we didn't touch the bull," the second girl said. "You did."
"True, but you've never performed any religious activities for Lord Brahma's pleasure. That makes you impure."
Then Krishna's favorite, Srimati Radharani, turned to Her girlfriends and said, "All right, if we're impure, then we'll become pure."
"How?" the third gopi asked.
"I'll make an even better pond than Krishna's, and we'll all bathe in it."
"But where?" asked the second gopi.
"Just follow Me."
With Krishna in tow, Radharani confidently led Her friends a short distance away. They noticed that Arishtasura's hooves had dug a shallow ditch just west of Krishna's pond, and Radharani decided to make Her pond there.
"Let's start digging," She said to Her friends.
They bent over, began clutching clumps of soft clay, and discarded them. After only an hour, they created a large hollow.
Krishna was astonished by how rapidly they had dug it.
When the gopis came out, the Lord munificently said to them, "You can fill it up with the holy water from My pond."
"Your pond?" Radharani asked, patronizingly.
"Yes, why not?"
"Because Your pond is contaminated. When You bathed in it, You left Your bull-killing sin there. I don't want that in My pond!"
Krishna laughed loudly.
"Then where will You get the holy water?"
"From the nearby Manasi Ganga lake. We'll bring many pots of it here."
Krishna recalled that some time ago He had meditated on the holy Ganges River, which was a considerable distance from Vrindavana, and had miraculously made it appear here as a lake. It was thus named Manasi Ganga ("the Ganges created by Krishna's mind"). But now Krishna wanted to spare Radharani and Her friends the heavy labor of lugging thousands of jugs of water from there to here. So He gestured to His pond, and suddenly a male representative of all the holy rivers emerged from it. With tears in his eyes, he folded his palms, bowed his head to the ground before Radharani, and devotedly prayed to Her.
Radharani's mood changed from playful to serious. She could see that he was approaching Her for some sacred purpose.
Rising to his knees, the representative said, "O Goddess, even those who know the scriptures well, such as Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, cannot understand Your glories. Only Krishna, the highest goal of all human effort, can. Therefore, He wishes to make sure that, when You're fatigued, You can wash away Your perspiration. That would make Him very happy."
Radharani gratefully glanced at Krishna, and then returned Her attention to the rivers' representative.
"As soon as Krishna ordered us, we came here to live in His excellent pond. But we all have a desire, and only if You are pleased with us can it be fulfilled."
Radharani pleasantly asked, "Oh? And what is it?"
"We desire to come to Your pond, for only then will our lives be successful."
With a gentle smile, Radharani replied, "All right. Please do."
Her friends nodded in agreement, feeling immensely happy.
At that moment, all the holy rivers in Krishna's pond broke through its blackish clay boundary and quickly flowed into and filled Radharani's pond. This movement sounded like a surging river during a heavy rainstorm.
As Radharani was enjoying this sight, Krishna seriously said, "My dear Radharani, may Your pond become even more famous than Mine. I will always come here to bathe in it and to enjoy water sports. Indeed, this pond is as dear to Me as You."
Radharani was touched deeply and replied, "And I, with My girlfriends, will also bathe in Your pond, even if You kill hundreds of Arishtasuras here. And anyone who, with intense devotion, bathes in My pond or resides on its bank will surely become very dear to Me."
"And dear to Me also," Krishna added. "I will certainly bless such persons well!"
As the darkness enfolded them, Krishna and the gopis formed a circle and began their rasa dance. He resembled a rain cloud, and Radharani a flash of lightning. As They danced, They generated a torrential downpour of brilliant, transcendental joy. From that night on, Radharani's pond (kunda) would be called Radha Kunda, and Krishna's, Shyama Kunda. And anyone who would bathe even once in Her pond, or perform devotional service on its banks, would, by Her mercy, develop pure love for Krishna. Such love would of course culminate in continuous divine ecstasy. Thus, Radha Kunda would become known as the most exalted pilgrimage spot in the world.
For this reason, countless pilgrims travel many miles just to bathe in its spiritually exalting waters.


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The following obituaries were received for Thursday –
Edna Charlene Phillips Banks – Springville
Edna Charlene Phillips Banks, 73, of Springville, passed away at 3:03 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at I.U. Health Bloomington Hospital.
Born December 30, 1939 in Science Hill, KY, she was the daughter of Benjamin and Roxie Mae (Bell) Phillips. She married Richard Bill Banks and he preceded her in death in 1993. She retired from General Electric and was a member of the Oak Grove Pentecostal Church.
Survivors include her children, Laverne Jones and wife Sandy, of Bedford, Melissa Goodman and husband Billy, of Bloomington and Kevin Jones, of Springville, step-sons,
Terry Banks and wife, Sherry, of Bloomington and Gerald Banks and wife, of Texas; a sister, Alma Jones and husband, Norman; a brother Howard Phillips and wife, Amy, all of
Springville; grandchildren, Tyler and Tyson LuAllen, Taner Goodman, Kacy Turpin, Kevin and Niky Jones, Jami and Jessie Goodman; great grandchildren, Sydnee LuAllen,
Sierra Pritchett, Tyler LuAllen, Jr., Sadie LuAllen, Ryatt Reggal, Kaytlin Charlene Turpin Jayson Edwards and Bryson Jones.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers, Herbert, Stanley, R.C., Eugene, Glen, Luther and Ray; sisters, Carrie, Aline and Opal.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 am on Saturday, March 9th at Oak Grove Pentecostal Church with Bro. Larry Hawkins and Bro. Mark Brock officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 pm to 8 pm on Friday, March 8th at the Day & Carter Mortuary.
Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book and light a candle in memory of Charlene at www.daycarter.com.
Robert Dean Clampitt – Mitchell
Robert Dean Clampitt, 77, of Mitchell, passed away at 12:55 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at IU Health Bloomington Hospital.
Born October 17, 1935, in Lawrence County, he was the son of Dale and Leona (Hatfield) Clampitt. He married Rita Chastain August 20, 1983.
Bob retired from Otis Elevator and served eight years in the Indiana National Guard, 138th Armor, Bedford. He graduated from Shawswick High School in 1955.
Survivors include wife, Rita Clampitt, of Mitchell; children, Jeffrey Dale Clampitt, of Bloomington; Kristy and husband William Workman, of Indianapolis, Jan Reynolds, of Orleans, Judi Ann and husband Jake Taylor, of Mitchell; 8 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; brother, William Clampitt and wife Margiett, of New Castle
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Charlie Raymond Clampitt.
Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 8, in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Rev. Steve Jones officiating. Burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107.
Friends may call from 4 pm to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 11 a.m. until the service on Friday at the funeral home.
Honorary Casketbearers: Barry Barnett and Shannon Houchin Casketbearers: Donnie Spires, Elvis Mattingly, Steve Brown, Bob Hunt, Chris Hunt, and Scott Clampitt.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com


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With the completion of its second national Symposium, funded in part by the National Science Foundation, the Sustainability in Prisons Project Network has officially gone national.
The first symposium was held at The Evergreen State College, led by faculty member Carri LeRoy, Ph.D. and Washington Department of Corrections' Dan Pacholke, to introduce participants to the multi-faceted activities going on in Washington State prisons. The second Symposium, held March 20th-22nd, 2013, at the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City, convened corrections representatives from nine jurisdictions in six states, along with academic experts, scientists, and national authorities on sustainability in corrections, to share resources, ideas and action plans for implementing sustainability-oriented practices and science-based education and research programs in corrections facilities nationwide.
The Utah Symposium provided an opportunity to continue and extend the work begun at last September's first Symposium at The Evergreen State College, in Olympia, Washington. 36 participants representing teams from California's Los Angeles County and Santa Clara County, Oregon's Multnomah County, the State Departments of Corrections of Maryland, Ohio, Oregon, California, Utah, and Washington, as well as science faculty from The Evergreen State College, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, University of Utah, and three national resource people, convened to present action plans to implement science research, conservation biology, and science/sustainability education as well as cost-savings and revenue-generating programs in detention centers and incarceration facilities nationwide.
The event began with a poster session and included team presentations, panel discussions, and group visioning work. By the end of the workshop, the teams developed a vision for creating a National and International Sustainability in Prisons Project Network.
Each regional group in the emerging Network has proposed sustainability-oriented projects, all of which are based on science and technology, job training, safety, and security.
Science programs often feature propagation and reintroduction of endangered species, such as butterflies, frogs, and native prairie plants.
One of the interesting programs under development by the Ohio Department of Corrections is the proposal to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of breeding and reintroducing the "Eastern Hellbender" in Ohio's rivers and streams. Led by a team of corrections professionals, scientists, the Columbus Zoo, The Wilds, and The Vera Institute of Justice, Ohio. SPP-OH has chosen this endangered species as the focus for science education, skills training, and ecological restoration. The "Eastern Hellbender" is one of the world's largest salamander species, usually about 24 inches in length, but often as large as 30 inches. To move forward with the program, the Ohio team had to research and debunk various local legends such as the hellbender being poisonous or dangerous to humans. It is not.
Other jurisdictions, such as the Los Angeles' County Sheriff's Department's Pitchess Detention Center, and the Santa Clara County's Elmwood Complex are pursuing local, organic gardens for job training and reduced food costs, as well as restoration of local creeks and streams bordering or flowing through the residential facilities.
Oregon's SPP has made huge strides. All the State of Oregon Prisons are involved, and offer a wide range of programming. They offer science lectures, growing Kincaid's lupine and golden paintbrush as nectar sources for native butterflies, multiple produce-gardens, nature imagery projections in a segregated housing unit, and ongoing and increasing efficient and environmentally operations. Plans for the future include butterfly rearing and expansion in all areas of programming.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (CDCR) has implemented many sustainability programs in its facilities, to build green infrastructure; reduce waste, care for animals, bring nature inside the walls, and green corrections. Already the CDCR has seen substantial energy savings and waste reductions. The state of California has discussed additional programming with the Center for Natural Lands Management, Mills College/Saint Quentin, and other potential academic and conservation partners.
Facilities and programs in more urban settings, such as Multnomah County, near Portland, Oregon are pursuing cost-saving, sustainability-oriented activities, such as, digitizing the law library (saving about $70,000 annually); upgrading the laundry facility at Inverness Jail with water recycling and energy saving systems,(saving $57,000 per year); reducing total energy use of the jails 20 percent by 2020; reducing water use in county jails 10 percent by 2015; working with food contractors to buy at least 10 percent of food locally. Combined, these programs and practices have saved Multnomah County over $400,000, while providing increased security for staff and public and job training for inmates.
The Maryland Green Prisons Initiative is collaboration between the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), scientists at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and Baltimore Ecosystem Study LTER researchers. Current programs include sustainable operations, tree planting, restoration of the American chestnut, Master Gardener certifications, and growing oysters to replenish populations of Chesapeake Bay. Complementing these sustainability programs, faculty and graduate students are planning research programs examining biodiversity patterns in the urban environment.
At the public event that capped the Workshop, Sustainability in Prisons Project Co-Directors, Dan Pacholke and Dr. Carri LeRoy, member of the faculty at The Evergreen State College, Brittany Gallegher (The Evergreen State College), Craig Ulrich (University of Nevada), Tami Goetz (Utah Governor's Office) and Dr. Nalini Nadkarni University of Utah), shared their inspiring stories of science education and sustainability practices leading to reduced recidivism, cost savings, and improved community relations.
—Cover Photo: Kirk Crippins—
—First Published on CorrectionsOne.com—
For more information on the Sustainability in Prisons project, visit http://www.sustainabilityinprisons.org.
Paul Sheldon is a Senior Advisor for many organizations, including www.GreenPrisons.org and www.NatCapSolutions.org. He is on the Board of Directors of www.PlantingJustice.org, and serves as a Founding Member of the American Correctional Association's Clean and Green Committee.
2. http://web.multco.us/news/county-jails-go-green-save-money-through-new-sustainable-jail-project


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Big interview: Scott Lerner, founder and CEO Solixir
Solixir CEO: The secret to a successful start-up, slapping consumers in the face, and the rule of six…
What makes Solixir unusual is that while it neatly mirrors these concepts - its products are called 'awaken', 'think', 'restore' and 'relax' - the formulations are far from predictable.
The brainchild of former Pepsi executive Scott Lerner, who drew heavily on the skills of world-renowned herbalist Amanda McQuade Crawford PhD and dietitian Susan Kleiner PhD, Solixir contains a serious dose of 1,400mg of standardized active botanicals in every 12oz can, no added sugars, no sweeteners (artificial or natural), no preservatives, and no acidulants.
A growing proportion of the population is migrating to products that are less sweet
Awaken, the energy offering of the group, contains Yerba Maté Leaves (which contain 30mg caffeine), Asian Ginseng Root, Wood Betony Leaves, Angelica Root, Turmeric Root, Ginger Root, Cinnamon Bark, Nutmeg Seed, carbonated water, white grape juice concentrate, orange juice concentrate and natural flavors.
It has 55 calories and is designed to keep you awake, rather than give you a mega dose of sugar and caffeine that will have a stimulant effect, says Lerner, who scored a slam dunk in the start-up stakes after securing nationwide listings for Solixir at Whole Foods Market within a year of launch.
"We could have just gone to a flavor house and asked them to spit out a ready-made energy formulation. But I didn't want to go down that route", adds Lerner, who was senior brand manager for Naked Juice at Pepsi before he set out on his own.
The products are not as sweet as soda - deliberately so - says Lerner: "A growing proportion of the population is migrating to products that are less sweet, although some people are still shocked when they first try our products!"
We realized that people didn't know about the herbs as much as I had thought
So what's the secret to his success? And what advice would he give to other budding entrepreneurs looking to stand out from the crowd?
First, build a compelling proposition and know your target consumer, says Lerner, who recently changed Solixir's packaging to move from using botanicals-focused imagery to a cleaner, more modern look.
"The formulation hasn't changed, but based on feedback, we realized that people didn't know about the herbs as much as I had thought, so we changed the way we presented the brand."
The rule of six…
Next, secure enough funding to support your brand - with which you'll have to "slap consumers in the face" if you want to gain their attention - he says.
Like most entrepreneurs, Lerner started by tapping friends and family for cash, before approaching angel investors and more sophisticated investors. But if there's one thing he has learned, it's "the rule of six", he adds.
"If you think you'll need one million, or whatever the amount, you'll actually need more like six times that."
So has he made a profit yet?
No. But he will, says Lerner, who acknowledges that while Solixir is "never going to be as big as Coke or Pepsi", it nevertheless sits within a category of natural functional products that could easily comprise a decent chunk of the market.
While Solixir is currently listed in Whole Foods Market, Vitamin Shoppe, Walgreens and scores of independent retailers and c-stores, it could also work well in a broader range of outlets, from natural vending machines, libraries and workplaces to more mass market grocery stores, he predicts.
As for geography, nowhere is really off limits, he says.
"Of course there are going to be more customers for this type of product in LA, but I am convinced that there are also people in Toledo, and all over the Midwest, that are looking for something that is natural and efficacious."
Click here to read more about Solixir.
Click here to read Lerner's blog.


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The announcement, which was made at the Block Association's December town hall, was just the latest in a long series of accomplishments this year. Another high point was the addition of two new members to the organization's Board of Directors: Martin Colberg and Steve Forte, both longtime Woodhaven residents.
"I'm very pleased to be part of an organization that is accomplishing so much for our neighborhood," said Colberg. "The Block Association has done a great deal to make it a better place to live. I encourage all Woodhaven residents to join and get involved with the WRBA."
Forte expressed a similar sentiment, saying, "This has been a busy year for the organization, but there's still a lot to be done. We might be just volunteers, but we're working hard to tackle the challenges facing the neighborhood. I'm confident that 2012 will be an even busier and more exciting year for us."
The WRBA's first town hall of the new year will occur Jan. 21 at 1 p.m., at the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps., located at 78-15 Jamaica Ave.
Here is a chronology of some of the organization's other highlights from a very active 2011:
- In January, in the wake of a blizzard that left much of New York City crippled, the WRBA restarted its Block Captain program, to provide a network of contacts throughout Woodhaven to help centralize information about which blocks need attention from city services. The Block Captain now covers nearly half of the neighborhood and has proven very effective in getting the help that residents need -- including a diabetic girl in Woodhaven who needed dialysis but couldn't get to her appointment until her family's street was plowed. The WRBA worked with Assemblyman Mike Miller to ensure the street was clear and the girl could receive her treatment.
- In March, the Block Association rallied for the CCNS Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Senior Center, which was on the chopping block because New York State budget cuts would have eliminated its funding. Dozens of residents turned out to express their support for the senior center and to object to the cuts. The senior center was ultimately saved.
- Also in March, the Block Association hosted a free art show at Emanuel Church of Christ. About a dozen artists displayed their work. The show was an outgrowth of the Block Association's Writers & Pints nights, which brought Queens Poet Laureate Javier Paolo to Woodhaven in 2010.
- In April, the WRBA was joined by Assemblyman Miller and well over a dozen volunteers for a successful graffiti clean-up in the neighborhood
- In June, the WRBA worked with the Richmond Hill Block Association to organize a rally to save Engine Company 294, which was threatened with closure by a plan proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Over 200 people showed up at the rally, and the fire company was spared -- a huge victory for a community that have seen more than their fair share of dangerous fires in recent years.
- Also in June, the WRBA submitted written testimony to a New York City Council committee, supporting proposed legislation to increase fines for residential noise while also urging the City Council to consider other options for tackling this problem. The testimony drew upon dozens of residents' responses to a Block Association questionnaire. Overwhelmingly, Woodhaven residents said that noise conditions have adversely affected their quality of life, that not enough is done to handle noise complaints, and that noise conditions have worsened in recent years. Numerous excerpts from these responses were included in the testimony, which was over 10 pages long.
- In September, the WRBA gathered at Joe Abbracciamento Restaurant with residents, elected officials, and civic leaders for a fundraiser to celebrate the Block Association's 40th anniversary. The evening was a great success, as everyone had a good time and some attendees walked away with terrific prizes. It was a terrific opportunity to recognize our honorees: the Man of the Year, Assemblyman Mike Miller; the Woman of the Year, Eleanor Errante; the Business of the Year, the Leader-Observer; and the Hall of Fame inductee, the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps. The fundraiser also brought in over $4,000 for the WRBA, which struggled with very limited funding this year.
- In its ongoing fight against illegally posted signs, the WRBA asked two of its elected officials in November to support changes to the law. The changes would allow private citizens' testimony to be used in prosecuting those who visually pollute our neighborhoods by posting unsightly advertisements on telephone poles, lampposts, and other public property.
- Also in November, the Block Association announced the launch of a committee to advocate landmarking the Forest Park Carousel, which has been closed and behind locked gates for far too long. The carousel is a true historical specimen that has brought joy to generations of Woodhavenites, and the Block Association is determined to see it reopened.
- In December, the WRBA hosted a well-attended Christmas Parade Watching Party, which cheered on the marchers on Jamaica Avenue.


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(CNN) -- Should a man have to choose between his golf drive and his sex drive?
Doug Barron sued the PGA to get an answer. In November, the 40-year-old from Memphis, Tennessee, became the first player in professional golf to be suspended for doping.
The dope in this case is synthetic testosterone and beta blockers.
Barron, a journeyman who has played Tour events for more than a decade, says he had been taking the blockers to treat a heart condition since 1987. Long banned in Olympic sports from bobsled to diving, beta blockers also reduce anxiety and muscle tremor and can sharpen focus and precision.
Barron has another health problem: extremely low testosterone. Since 2005, he has been getting monthly shots of synthetic testosterone, which is also banned from most professional sports. Testosterone, naturally occurring or synthetic, promotes muscle mass and strength, among other things.
The golfer's natural testosterone count when he was prescribed the shots was 78 nanograms per deciliter of blood. Most healthy men his age have a testosterone level between 300 and 500.
"For anyone with a low count -- and 78 is very low -- it can be very debilitating," said Emory University urologist Dr. Chad Ritenour, who has lectured more than a dozen times this year on testosterone treatments and prescribes it to patients. "The difference it makes for someone's quality of life is really huge. I've had some men come in and give me a hug because they felt so much better on it than off it."
Barron struggled for years trying to understand why he was chronically fatigued and had trouble putting on muscle. And he had absolutely no sexual desire.
"I didn't want to get out of bed most days, much less do anything in it," he said. "I was always wondering, 'What's wrong with me?' I thought it was in my head and this was something I could fix if I just had the right attitude."
"I was a 35-year-old man who, you know, wants to be living like a 35-year-old man. I was kind of embarrassed in a way. It wasn't easy on me or my wife."
In November, Barron's lawyers filed suit against the PGA under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"The definition of a disability is something that impairs a major life activity, and intimacy with your wife is a major life activity," said Barron's attorney Jeff Rosenblum.
U.S. Federal Magistrate Tu Pham shot that argument down but said Barron may have a viable argument pertaining only to the beta blockers.
The PGA refused to answer CNN's questions about Barron's case or discuss its anti-doping program.
The golfer's reliance on the ADA has been compared to a 2001 Supreme Court ruling in favor of disabled golfer Casey Martin, whose degenerative leg ailment prevented him from walking all 18 holes.
The PGA fought Martin for years, denying him a request to ride in a golf cart, arguing that would harm the integrity of the game. After his court victory, Martin played professional golf for three years and then became head coach of the men's golf team at the University of Oregon.
In 2007, not long after Martin settled into his coaching life, professional golf was scrambling again. Hall of Fame golfer Gary Player, then 71, said at a news conference that he knew at least one player who used steroids. The comments came after a reporter asked him directly whether golf had a problem with doping.
"Whether it's [human growth hormone], whether it's creatine or whether it's steroids, I know for a fact that some golfers are doing it," the veteran player said. He refused to name names.
A year later, in July 2008, the PGA introduced its anti-doping policy. Tour officials began educating players on what they could and couldn't take.
CNN asked the PGA how many players on its circuit have been tested.
"While the number of tests is substantial, and we do not get into specifics, we can confirm the number is closer to 1,000 than 600," Tour spokeswoman Ana Leaird wrote in an e-mail. She offered no further comment.
Barron's lawyers are now suing to get the PGA Tour to provide all records, including names, of positive drug tests.
"Doug might have been the first one to be punished, but we think he's not the only one who has tested positive and been given a pass," Rosenblum said.
When the ban went into affect, Barron told the Tour that he was on the blockers and testosterone. He requested a therapeutic use exemption, arguing that he needed them to live normally.
PGA Tour physicians say they measured Barron's testosterone levels at 325 in November 2008 and 296 in December 2008, according to court records. The Tour ruled that that Barron's testosterone count was within acceptable range. He had to get off the drugs.
But Barron's attorney said the testosterone levels were within acceptable range because Barron was receiving the shots.
He "just couldn't function at all," Barron said of his attempts to get off the medication. Without the testosterone, he was listless. Without the beta blockers, he was having chest pains.
"I took a risk I should have known better than to do, and I got a shot of testosterone" in July just before the St. Jude Classic in Memphis, where he failed a random drug test.
Barron's year-long suspention started in September.
Colorado attorney Rich Young, one of the world's anti-doping experts and famous for leading the winning case against 2006 Tour de France champ Floyd Landis for the use of synthetic testosterone, spoke with the Golf Channel about the Barron case.
"When he was told he couldn't do [testosterone], he may not have liked the decision, but for him to ignore the decision is a flat-out intent to violate the rules," Young said, according to the Channel.
Young, who helped the PGA craft its policy, also addressed an accusation Barron has lobbed: If he were a more important player, he would not have been treated the same way.
Barron's lawyers have pointed to golfer Shaun Micheel, who was granted a therapeutic exemption for abnormally low testosterone by the Tour in 2005 and was allowed to use synthetic testosterone.
In August 2006, Micheel was runner-up to Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship -- a major tournament he won in 2003 -- and defeated Woods in the first round at the 2006 HSBC World Match Play Championship. According to the PGA Web site, Micheel has earned $8 million since he went pro in 1992.
Barron is far from a rock star in his sport. He reportedly earned about $33,000 last year, and during the previous eight seasons on the PGA Tour, his top finish was a tie for third place at the 2006 Byron Nelson Championship, one year after he began testosterone therapy.
The only major headline Barron has claimed in his career came that same year, when he took his white polo shirt off during a tournament to wade into a marshy part of a course. Players reportedly chuckled at Barron's protruding gut.
"I had a tire. If taking testosterone makes you look like that, then maybe testosterone doesn't work the way everyone assumes it does," he said.
"He may not have done it to become Barry Bonds," Young told the Golf Channel. "But he was told what the rules were and chose to break them."


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DiSEqC (Digital Satellite Equipment Control) is a communications protocol specified by Eutelsat and used widely in Digital consumer Satellite Receivers.
These versions of the protocol specify a unidirectional communication to attached devices. Superceeded by DiSEqC2.x.
These versions of the protocol are more flexible and allow bidirectional communication with quite intelligent LNBs, Rotor Dishes and LNB Switches.
With DiSEqC2.x it is possible to auto-configure Satellite Dish Equipment, meaning complicated config dialogs on the OSD are not necessary anymore. The SetTopBox can directly probe the DiSEqC Bus for available devices like Switches and LNBs and request the LNB LOF.


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Warren-based Warrior Sports Inc. will go into court-ordered settlement talks with Under Armour Inc. after a Maryland federal judge agreed to block the Baltimore sports apparel and equipment giant from using documents obtained from Warrior involving the lacrosse equipment market.
Warrior, a lacrosse and hockey equipment maker founded by company President David Morrow in 1993 and owned by New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc. since 2004, seeks damages of over $75,000 and an injunction against Under Armour; Vertical Lax Inc. of Altamont, N.Y.; and two former Warrior employees in a July 2011 lawsuit.
Judge Richard Bennett of U.S. District Court in Baltimore last month ruled ordered that Under Armour is barred from using a 2011-2012 product line plan for Warrior Sports and a handful of college athletic team sponsorship agreements with Brine Corp., which was acquired by Warrior in 2007.
Warrior alleges Under Armour came by its product line plan for lacrosse equipment and the sponsorship deals after hiring two former Brine employees, Neal Goldman and Jenny Levy, shortly before Under Armour's own entry into the lacrosse "hard goods" market in May 2011.
Warrior originally sued Goldman in July 2011, adding Vertical Lax and Levy as defendants this year. The lawsuit alleges the employees breached a noncompete agreement after leaving Warrior in 2010 and early 2011, and helped land retailer agreements with Dick's Sporting Goods and The Sports Authority, which are also Warrior customers.
The company alleges that Warrior's own 2011-12 business plan found its way onto Under Armour's computer network. Under Armour and Vertical Lax "dispute those allegations" but stipulate those documents will not be used.
Bennett last week ordered the case referred to Magistrate Judge Paul Grimm for a settlement, although no date is set.
Seven MI firms get noticed in litigation
Speaking of industry giants (it's a judgment call whether $1.4 billion in 2011 revenue makes Under Armour "giant" in athletic wear), size matters little when the nation's general counsel and in-house litigation attorneys name the Michigan law firms they most respect — and fear.
The BTI Litigation Outlook 2013 report last month from Wellesley, Mass.-based BTI Consulting Group Inc. lists just two Michigan-based firms among its "Most Feared Litigation Firms." Detroit-based Miller Canfield Paddock and Stone PLC makes the list, with more than 100 of its roughly 310 attorneys worldwide practicing as litigators — but so does Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco PLLC, which numbers just 16 attorneys in Birmingham a mere three years after its formation.
In fact, three of the seven Michigan firms that were standouts in any field of litigation according to BTI this year have fewer than 100 lawyers here. Troy-based Harness Dickey & Pierce PLC (108 attorneys worldwide, 70 in Michigan) is one of more than 60 top-rated firms nationwide for intellectual property law, while Kienbaum Opperwall Hardy & Pelton PLC (also 16 attorneys in Birmingham) is among 60 or so of the best for routine employment litigation.
BTI compiled its report from interviews with more than 300 general counsel and in-house litigation attorneys surveyed between March and August 2012, who represent more than 350 companies nationwide including 127 Fortune 1000 companies.
Other firms with a sizable Detroit presence to be most feared are Foley & Lardner LLP (about 900 attorneys, 36 in Detroit) and Jackson Lewis LLP (about 700 attorneys, 10 in Southfield); but BTI doesn't break out formidability by office location or area of practice.
Firms that were ranked for performance by individual practice areas were grouped into either top-tier "powerhouse," second tier "standout" or third tier "honor roll" classes, based on in-house counsel feedback to BTI.
Bodman PLC in Detroit (134 attorneys) makes BTI's honor roll in class action and tort cases, complex commercial litigation and routine commercial litigation, while Dykema Gossett PLLC is a standout in routine commercial litigation and honor roll firm in complex commercial litigation. Grand Rapids-based Warner Norcross & Judd LLP was an honor roll firm in routine commercial litigation.
Seven of the top 10 Michigan law firms by size do not appear anywhere in the BTI survey of in-house counsel.


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Leader-class Decepticon Megatron (Earth Mode)
Review by EVA_Unit_4A
As Megatron departed his warship to claim the long-lost All Spark for himself, that scheming, back-stabbing, arrogant, and incompetent traitor Starscream secretly planted a bomb on him, which then exploded while he was aboard the Autobots' defenseless maintenance ship. The blast threw Megatron out of the vessel, and the powerful Decepticon was lost as he fell into the atmosphere of Earth. Starscream finally had his victory, and claimed leadership over the Decepticon army, despite the mournful protestations of Lugnut who had just lost his rightful master, and the doubts of the other loyal soldiers aboard. But what none realized was that Megatron survived his plummet through the air... sort of. His chassis crashed near Detroit, Michigan where a young man named Isaac Sumdac was working in his wooden shack on amateur-built robots. Sumdac found a few scattered parts, including a hand and the head, but none of it was functional. He then spent the next 50 years reverse-engineering the alien robot's technology, using it to create a strong corporation called Sumdac Systems in the late 21st century. Without the human being aware, Megatron slowly regained consciousness, and learned about the highly-primitive human technology. Then he made Professor Sumdac aware of his existence, but he tricked him by saying he was a friend of the Autobots, and didn't want his existence revealed until the two of them could make a new body for him. Over the next few months, as more Decepticons arrived on Earth looking for him, Megatron secretly experimented with Sumdac's robots, trying to make a more powerful body on his own, but all failed. Finally, his fanatically-loyal servant Lugnut was able to steal a poorly-protected key that had been modified by the All Spark from the Autobots, and Megatron used it to rebuild his recently-recovered body into a more powerful form. With the modified key card in his possession, Megatron can finally leave the foolish Sumdac behind, and go on to take the real All Spark once and for all. Oh- and smash Starscream's traitorous Spark into the next millennium…
. . .
The voice of Decepticon Megatron is performed by veteran voice actor Corey Burton, who also covers Autobot Ratchet, and several other semi-regular & guest characters- including a cameo by his better known G1 character Spike Witwicky- in "Transformers Animated". But he is currently known for providing numerous official voice recreations of a wide range of Disney characters in both direct-to-DVD videos and in the theme parks, as well as other announcer-like performances. Megatron's vehicle mode (back) is that of a two-seat futuristic twin-rotor heavy attack helicopter. Vectored thrust nozzles at the back end of the tail boom, combined with the side-by-side paired main rotors, eliminates the need for a small counter-rotation rotor in back; but he still has two jet engines for forward movement along the top between the rotor nacelles. Though it didn't turn out quite as smoothly as I would have liked, his robot mode's arms are supposed to be widely-spaced engines and missile-launching pods which fit directly beneath the rotors. (Unlike in the series, they don't actually launch anything in toy form.) The cockpit has enough room for two human occupants (were this vehicle mode not the inherent form of a Cybertronian, of course), and the forward seat can just be made out below the transparent-red canopy. (Indeed, in the season-one finale, Megatron places a kidnapped Isaac Sumdac inside of the cockpit.) And below the nose is Megatron's trademark fusion cannon, now as a powerful chin gun turret. For features in vehicle mode, there are plenty to go around; I'm putting off talking about the fusion cannon until later when I review the robot mode. To get it out of the way, he has three-point landing gear, though none of them are retractable in vehicle mode. However, if you remove the fusion cannon [and the attached part of the armor, which reveals Megatron's head], there is an extra landing gear directly under the nose which can be swung down. Now, here's the cool thing… The rotors are connected together inside those nacelle wings via an internal mechanism. So, even though there is no motorized feature in this Leader-class toy, when one of the rotors is turned by you, the other one automatically spins in the opposite direction at the same time so that you don't have to! (Awesome!)
. . .
The other is the light-and-sound function which is limited to just Leader-class figures from the "…Animated" line. This is accessible in both modes, and functions differently for both, but is activated the same way. In vehicle mode, when you press on the transparent-red Decepticon symbol on the bottom, several red LEDS around it and one in the cockpit will flash on-and-off several time. The sound of a jet engine powering-up is heard, followed by rotors turning, and then a power-down sound. Now, here's the kicker: if you hold down the activation button the whole time, the spinning-rotor sound and flashing LEDs will continue for nearly a full minute! (In other words, if you can position your hands just right, you can get the sound F/X and spin the rotors both at the same time. Neat, huh?)
Automorph Technology is a special feature which was introduced in the "Transformers: Armada" (2005) line, and returned in "Transformers: Cybertron" (2006); though it was not called such until the debut of the toy line based on the first live-action film "Transformers" (2007). What Automorph does is- depending on which toy is involved- use a series of internal levers & gears, triggers, and buttons to move one part of the figure without you having to move it yourself; it automatically transforms for you. Sometimes, an Automorph feature will be electronically-powered, though this is reserved for special larger sets only. For Megatron, there is only one Automorph features, though it's not identified specifically as such:
- To bring the shoulders up against the upper torso, after the rotors are removed, the support wings are tilted upwards- bringing them to a horizontal position as opposed to them being diagonal in vehicle mode. The joint system for this is shaped like an "X" from the front- moving the right wing shifts the left arm, and vice versa.
Unfortunately, this mechanism does not snap into position in either mode, so when holding or posing him you have to be wary that you don't shift either one. (Whether this is a quality control issue I cannot say, but I haven't heard of anyone else's snapping in place.)
Megatron's robot mode (back)- like much of "Transformers Animated" in general- takes a lot of his inspiration from the original G1 TV series "The Transformers" (1984-86). Several things come to mind. First, his coloring- dark gray, black, and red, with a pale face, red eyes, and a purple Decepticon logo on his chest. (Unfortunately here, that logo is transparent-red. Grr…) His head features the same blocky helmet-like design and mouth, but adds some new things like vents and small circular details on either side of his jaw. His upper torso is broad, and has a similar shape in the chest to that of the original G1 character; though with some additional transparent-red details for effect on the toy. The speaker for his sound effects is cleverly hidden in his mid-torso in such a way that does not add anything that isn't on the character in the series. The arms are entirely new, and are more oriented towards the "...Animated" design-style. While traditionally Megatron's huge fusion cannon was always on his right arm- as can be recreated here- he is shipped out from the manufacturer with it on the left, which means that it can be removed and is interchangeable between them. While no longer the separated grip & trigger of a German-built Walther P38 [U.N.C.L.E. Special], his legs, nonetheless, maintain a very similar shape. On his back hang the nose section, wings, and jet engines from the vehicle mode which do appear in the series in this fashion (hence I do not consider them kibble). Megatron has some unusual posturing which will later affect his range of motion. The most obvious would be how he leans forward when standing straight. The problem, though, is that while his ankles tilt inwards very generously, they don't pitch forward or backward, so you can't do any fancy posing using his lower legs; just twisting at the knees. However, you can see that by leaning forward like this, he off-sets all that stuff on his back so that he doesn't become back heavy. (I'm undecided if this is a good thing or not.) Though his elbows are turned inwards, from a side view the entire lower arm permanently pitches forward; turning the elbows forward 90° only increases the effect. Because of how high his upper arms raise, they come to within a hair's width from those wings; and since there is no locking mechanism, sometimes they will bump into them when things accidentally shift around. So in some ways, his range of motion is a bit limited compared to smaller-sized figures. But, most of his joints ratchet, and there are no ball-and-socket joints to wear out quickly. His head, waist, upper elbows, wrists, and knees all free-turn, as do the little black hip guards.
. . .
For special features, this Leader-class figure has several. The easiest one to use is the light-&-sound. Simply press in on the red Decepticon logo on his chest, and Megatron-
- says, "Where is the All Spark?"
- says, "Crush the Autobots!"
- laughs manically
-in that order while the red LEDs in the cockpit, chest, and his head flash on-and-off. (I'm still trying to decide if that's really Mr. Burton saying those lines, or a generic sound-alike.) Each time you depress the Decepticon logo/button, there is an internal mechanism which moves Megatron's face- his mouth opens and his brow drops! His face only moves when you press on the button, otherwise it remains neutral. (Unfortunately, if you try to make him 'talk' by pressing and releasing rapidly, you always get the SFX to activate. What I've found is that lifting up on the back of his head moves his face around without activating the effects.) Another feature that activates only when you press the button is that his mouth opens, and his brow drops to one side a little! The second feature is his fusion cannon. Now this one actually fires a single transparent-red projectile, but to load it, you insert it, and then pull on the back of the cannon to cock it. Then when you press the tiny black trigger, the back of the cannon springs forward, and the missile shoots out! Also, as mentioned earlier, the cannon can snap onto either arm, but the preference is for the right. And the last feature is that both main rotors can transform into two separate hollow-center swords that can be held in both hands!
Many people and longtime Trans-fans were once more greatly disturbed by the newest incarnation of those famous shape-shifting alien robots in disguise; for example, turning the famous Optimus Prime into a measly wannabe with no ambitions and trust issues, or the overall design style of merging & graceful lines/curves matching that of other recent cartoons such as Disney's hugely-popular "Kim Possible" (2002-2007). And yet after a rocky start in trying to win back the minds of the fans, the show has become a hit on its own as much as it is a tribute to the original G1 series from 1984. Plus, "Transformers Animated" is an original American series like "Beast Wars: Transformers" (1996-99) and "Beast Machines: Transformers" (1999-2001) before it, rather than being a dubbed anime production from Japan. The same can be said of the toys thus far in their initial releases. But as word has spread across the Internet, the toys have come to shine on their own- not just for their functionality, but for their absolute and striking similarities to their on-screen counterparts, which has never been as fully successful before- where proportions were usually off, colors were wrong, and functions were off or not mentioned. In other words, after 23 years, we are finally getting in our hands what we see on the screen in a way never seen before in Transformers history. This is unquestionably an homage to a legendary and beloved character, with so many of his physical traits carrying over from the original TV series and being used in a respectable way. That he was so popular, and has such staying power in the minds of fans says a lot as well. But then this version of the Decepticon leader has his own qualities- a twin-rotor helicopter mode, paired swords, and an "I'm not playing around anymore" aura. Perhaps my complaints might lie in his transformation and vehicle mode. I thought the tail boom was kinda weak looking, and could've used some beefing-up for such a powerful character. The transformation seems to be built around his torso- obviously it needed to in order to avoid messing around with the electronics therein, but it seems like a cheap attempt to get around providing us a more complex transformation. I mean, you need the fusion cannon part in order to cover the head! That's too old school for me as a likable come-back. Same with the arms becoming weapon pods- if they could have extended further away from the body somehow, the transformation would have been more convincing; not to mention having a [better] locking mechanism for that feature as well! I will say, though, that I really like how well the rotors turn compared to each other- they don't grind or protest like some previous figures from other lines did (*cough*movie Scorponok*cough*). The feet are a little irritating that they don't bend back & forth, but I can live with that. What I can't figure out is why they turn inwards so easily! As to the electronic feature, I think they could have used a plain white LED, and then been able to use a purple Decepticon logo like he has in the series. While it's nice to have his face move around a bit, you can't really play with it without always triggering the SFX, which is kinda annoying. Closing this out, he's got a few quirks, but this Leader-class Megatron still rocks hard. So go get 'im!
Posted 12 August, 2008 - 02:12 by EVA_Unit_4A |
12 comments postedLooks pretty cool, but isn't there a way to make his knees look less....odd?
Wow- you caught that too, huh? Yeah, when his legs are straight down, it looks like his knees are turned inwards, in an almost petite anime schoolgirl-type way. But, alas, that is just the way the thighs are molded, since the legs have to join together in vehicle mode. (If you watch the video I made, you'll see what I mean.)
CollectionDX Staff
The black parts of the lower legs can be unlocked to make for better proportions. They can be moved around to suit anyone's liking. I just got him yesterday and he is a great figure. I was going to pass on all the Leader figs from Animated, but finally caved on this guy. Glad I did.
Herecy-! Herecy! You put Megs's fusion cannon on his left arm! Herecy!
Just kidding, of course.
Someone commented on YouTube- have you seen the video yet???- that Megatron's transformation is fairly simple. And I tend to agree with that- you move everything except his torso & head. To me, that's kinda cheap when you look at how intricate the Leader-class figures were from the movie's line-up; I think they could have done something different. I mean, you can get away with that on Bulkhead, but not Megs. (I'm hoping Ultra Magnus doesn't have a non-moving blocky torso like this either.) However, I will compliment Takara on giving Megs a waist joint; that was nice.
Perhaps they could have reduced him to a single AA- or a set of watch batteries instead. I mean, I like the SFX, but they could have kept this down to three LEDs (head, chest, cockpit) rather than five.
Oh, BTW, does that sound like Corey Burton to you in the SFX, or a sound-alike...? I'm still undecided on the matter.
CollectionDX Staff
That's not my pic, so I'm off the hook. :) I figured I didn't need to take one since I already saw that one on TFW.
If it's not Burton, than it's close. I'm fairly certain that the real voice actors were used in the Bumper Battlers, so it wouldn't surprise me if it was really him. And I agree, Megs is pretty simple, but he looks so bad ass! I think his robot and copter modes both look great, and for me, that's the point, so it's forgivable. It is kinda the opposite end of the spectrum when compared to Movie Leader Megs, but I'd take this one any day.
I also just want to mention that that is one drawback of the American style of large, expensive figures. Hasbro tends to include batteries and FX often to the detriment of their figures. I do tend to like the Japanese approach which is just make a nice, posable figure with lots of accessories. I do believe that Hasbro thinks that parents have to justify a $40 price tag on a figure, and having electronic gimmicks (ZOMG LIGHT AND SOUNDS!!) help do that. And for some, maybe they do, but often they do more harm than good.
One thing I want to comment on that I couldn't really in the review was "...Animated" Megs as a whole. While I wait to pick up the Voyager-class figure, I think that his Cybertronian mode is still superior to his Earth Mode seen here. I mean, WHY would the All Spark chose a helicopter alt. mode over a jet/rocket-powered alt. mode? A helicopter just seems to weaken Megs' image overall versus his wickedly-dangerous Cybertron Mode.
Or rather, why did Takara, Hasbro, & Cartoon Network choose a helicopter over a jet- because we'd already seen that before in the Unicron Trilogy?
CollectionDX Staff
Of course Hasbro, and every other toymaker, has to justify the price tag of every figure they make, not just to consumers, but to their corporate overlords as well.
It's been pretty obvious, especially with their Transformers brand, that Hasbro seems to think US parents and children are not very smart. That in the US, kids only want flashing lights and sounds, or shooting missiles, or basically anything they can print in big letters on the side of the box, or features that only sound good in a board room. "Kids like video games, right? Just make every figure talk and flash, like video games do!" Why not save yourself money, and families in the US insult- just import the Takara toys, like you did in the 1980's, and collect your money.
Now they've taken the US approach to animation- take a simple, easy to animate style they know financially works, and apply any old 80's cartoon to it; add computers and marketing department- and these new US designed toys are overly simplistic and pretty plain- especially for $40 a piece.
The design is interesting, despite being pretty plain. I like the helicopter design, but like a kid in my family said when he saw an episode of the show: "Isn't Megatron a jet? or a car? I don't know what he is besides a robot!" I always prefered the "jet" Megatron myself, but a little consistancy would be nice. Robot mode is very nice as well, I like the throwback design, but i think that i'm a little partial to the 80's designs, as i grew up with them.
The real question is: "But is this really a $40-50 toy?" and the answer all around is NO. It's a $15-20 figure, blown up a few inches, with added plastic and electronics, to "justify" the price. 5 to 8 years ago, this toy would have cost $20-25. Adding some weight, and flashing lights does not justify the addded expense.
While I'm usually a sucker for megatrons, and this does look kind of cool, this is one that i won't be purchasing, on the principal that it's too expensive and the transformation is far too simplistic for the price.
Another thing to keep in mind is that most of the Animated deluxes are more complex than Megs. The line as whole is not too bad, but it is funny when you have much smaller figures that are twice as complex. Supreme Starscream anyone? I don't blame you for abiding by your principles on this. But he just looks too cool to me. He will be the only Leader class I pick up from this line.
Oh, I don't know- I think Ultra Magnus looks pretty awesome too, don't cha think?
However, I'm still debating whether to go with Leader-class or Voyager-class Bulkhead. Going with the larger figure means he's in-scale and you get the Headmaster unit, but I don't feel like spending $40 on him since he's not exactly my favorite character.
CollectionDX Staff
I agree, Magnus looks cool. I'm just running out of room in my apartment. :)
Another figure done justice by a great EVA_Unit_4A review.
In short, I love this figure. I've had a good couple of hours of fun flying it around devastating various smaller aircraft and land-based artillery Transformers. And the robot mode looks great standing around giving orders and showing off his sweet weapons. When I can take a figure and honestly say that neither mode outshines the other and that they're BOTH awesome, that is quite a fine piece.
Meh- I'd take Megs' robot mode over the vehicle mode, even though I like the synchronized rotors and chin-mounted fusion cannon/missile launcher turret.
CollectionDX Staff


text:
Ousted Catalan president, 4 others in custody in Brussels
Former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont makes a statement in the form of a video calling for the release of "the legitimate government of Catalonia," after a Spanish judge ordered nine Catalan secessionist leader to be held in custody pending a potential trial over the region's independence push , in Brussels, Belgium, November 2, 2017. TV3 VIA REUTERS TV / REUTERS
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BRUSSELS – Brussels prosecutors said Sunday that ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont and four ex-regional ministers were taken into custody to start the process of their possible extradition to Spain.
The five presented themselves to the federal police at around 9 a.m. (3 a.m. ET), Brussels prosecutor's office spokesman Gilles Dejemeppe. He said that they have not been arrested and that Puigdemont and the four members of his disbanded Cabinet will be heard by an investigative judge later in the day.
The Belgian judge will have to decide within 24 hours of what separatist politicians wanted in Spain on suspicion of independence for the northeastern Catalonia in violation of Spain's Constitution.
Dejemeppe said the judge's options range from "refusal to execute the European arrest, arresting the people involved, releasing them on conditions or under bail." He said if they are arrested then they will be sent to jail as the extradition process continues. Dejemeppe said that the whole process from arrest to extradition, could take more than 60 days.
That delay could give Puigdemont time to participate, albeit from afar and in largely a symbolic capacity, in the regional snap election called by Spain's government for Catalonia on Dec. 21.
A senior official of Puigdemont's party, the center-right Democratic Party of Catalonia, said on Sunday that the party wanted Puigdemont to repeat as its candidate. Spanish government spokesman Inigo Mendez de Vigo has said that any politician can run in the election unless he has been convicted of a crime.
Puigdemont and the four ex-ministers fled to Belgium as part of an extraordinary crackdown to the region's illegal secession claim.
A Spanish National Court judge issued a suspicion of five crimes, including rebellion, sedition and embezzlement, on Friday, a day after the same judge sent another former Catalan Cabinet members to jail without bail while her investigation continues. A ninth spent a night in jail and was freed after posting bail.
Puigdemont wrote in Dutch in his Twitter account on Saturday that he was "prepared to fully cooperate with Belgian justice following the European arrest warrant issued by Spain."
Puigdemont's lawyer in Brussels has already said that his client plans to fight extradition to Spain without requesting political asylum.
Political forces in Catalonia are hurryly jockeying for position to start a campaign that promises to be as bitter as it is decisive to Spain's worst institutional crisis in nearly four decades.