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We have the great pleasure of residing in the downtown core of Kitchener
From North (St.Jacobs)
Head Southbound on the ON-85 to Lancaster St W/Waterloo, take the Lancaster St W exit continue on Lancaster, turn right onto Frederick St/Regional Road 6. Turn Right onto King Street East. Turn left at the first cross street onto Queen Street South, hotel entrance will be on the right.
From 401
Take exit 278B for Regional Road 8/King Street E towards Kitchener-Waterloo. Merge onto King Street East/Waterloo Regional Road 8, merge onto On-8 West, follow signs for King Street/downtown. Slight left onto King Street/downtown, continue until Queen Street. Turn left onto Queen Street South; hotel entrance will be on the right.
Use the right two lanes to take exit 278 for On-8 towards Kitchener. Continue on On-8 W, follow signs for King Street/Downtown. Slight left onto King Street/Downtown, continue until Queen Street. Turn left onto queen Street South; hotel entrance will be on the right.
From East (Guelph)
Head West on the ON-7/Victoria St-N. Turn left onto Frederick St/Regional Rd 6. Turn left onto King Street East, at the first cross street turn left onto Queen Street South; the hotel entrance will be on the right.
From West (New Hamburg/Stratford)
Head Eastbound on the ON-7/ON-8 to Courtland Avenue, take Courtland Avenue exit North and follow to Queen Street South. Turn right onto Queen Street South, the hotel will be on the left hand side past Charles Street.
GPS Coordinates The Walper Hotel 43.449429, -80.489753
As the hotel was built before cars existed in Waterloo region, unfortunately the construction of a car park for the hotel was never considered by the original owners. Luckily we are central DTK, which means there are heaps of city parking lots close by, plus, our ambassadors offer a valet service that can't be beat! Alternative to valet, the closest city parking we recommend is the Benton and Charles city lot.
Car parks are located: Charles & Benton Garage GPS 43.448729, -80.489324
Ontario/Charles Parking Lot GPS 43.44960, -80.490944
If you are cycling, there are many places to lock up around Kitchener. However, Kitchener does offer a more secure option for bicycle parking which can be found at this website: https://www.kitchener.ca/en/getting-around/secure-bike-parking.aspx
Check in time is 3:00pm.
If you're early, we're happy to take your bags, and in the event that your room is ready in advance of this time, we'll let you know, and get you settled at no additional charge.
Although each room has similar furnishings and all the standard amenities, each layout differs. We adore every space in The Walper, so we definitely appreciate when guests recognize the beauty in them too! Our front desk would be delighted to request a specific room for you when you reserve. While we are unable to guarantee the room will be available during your stay, we do our best to customize your experience to your preferences.
We sure do! TWH Social, featuring the creations of our beloved chef Jeff Ward is located on our basement level. 1 King Street West
There are so many activities in DTK! Fortunately for us we are in the heart of downtown, fortunately for you everything is close by! Check out our 'events' page where we have tons of local events and festivals listed (many of which occur within our doors!).
Otherwise, you may find some of our favourite tried and true local activities below:
Apollo Cinema
Victoria Park
Rock Climbing
Adventure rooms
Queen Street Yoga
Axe throwing
Alternatively, you may check out the Kitchener website for plenty of information about the area.
Things to do Kitchener
Yes, of course, just shoot an email over and we would be thrilled to chat with you about your photos.
As fun as that would be, it is not! The Walper is named for Abel Walper, who commissioned the construction of the building in 1893.
Our eco efforts include conscious decisions to shop local, support artisans and of course, environmental initiatives. For more details about these programs and partnerships, follow us on instagram!
Check out accessnow.com for additional information.


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Its two summits used to be separated by the Setun River, until one of the summits was razed in 1987.
Since 1936, the area has been part of Moscow and now contains the Victory Park with many tanks and other vehicles used in the Second World War on display.
Historically, the hill had great strategic importance, as it commanded the best view of the Russian capital.
Its name is derived from the Russian for «to bow down», as everyone approaching the capital from the west was expected to do homage here.
In 1812, it was the spot where Napoleon in vain expected the keys to the Kremlin to be brought to him by Russians.
Here, in the period of the Golden Horde Russian knyaz met with nods of his suzerain. In the Middle Ages, on an elevated site with bows met Khagan and Khan's ambassadors. In connection with what occurred and the name itself, «bow-down hill», as it was necessary to bow to express humility.
In the 1960s, the Soviet authorities decided to put the area to use as an open-air museum dedicated to the Russian victory over Napoleon.
The New Triumphal Arch, erected in wood in 1814 and in marble in 1827 to a design by Osip Bove, was relocated and reconstructed here in 1968.
A loghouse, where Kutuzov presided over the Fili conference which decided to abandon Moscow to the enemy, was designated a national monument.
The huge panorama «Battle of Borodino» by Franz Roubaud (1910–12) was installed here in 1962. A monument to Kutuzov was opened in 1973.
The Victory Park and the Square of Victors are important parts of the outdoor museum.
In the 1990s an obelisk was added with a statue of Nike and a monument of St George slaying the dragon, both designed by Zurab Tsereteli. The obelisk's height is exactly 141,8 meters, which is 10 cm for every day of the War.
A golden-domed Orthodox church was erected on the hilltop in 1993-95, followed by a memorial mosque and the Holocaust Memorial Synagogue.
On the 9th May 1995 the first post-Soviet victory parade was held here, with President of the Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin and Minister of Defence and General of the Army Pavel Grachev in attendance. Commanding the parade was commander of the Moscow Military District Colonel-General Leonid Kuznetsov. This parade was also the first major display of the new post-Soviet army uniforms.
At the 60th V-day celebrations in 2005, President Vladimir Putin inaugurated 15 extravagant bronze columns, symbolizing main fronts and navies of the Red Army during the World War II.War museum
Since the 1980s the hill also includes the monumental museum to the Soviet victory in the Great Patriotic War. The main building of the museum was constructed between 1983 and 1995.
'Hall of glory' holds reliefs of the 12 soviet Hero Cities, on its marmor walls are inscribed the names of several thousand Heroes of the Soviet Union, awarded during the war. 'Hall of remembrance' downstairs contains 'Books of remembrance' with the names of more than 26 million soviet war dead.
Article is based on: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Photo: Guenni88, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Poklonnaya Gora
Russian: Покло́нная гора́
literally 'bow-down hill'
metaphorically 'Worshipful Submission Hill'
Victory park: free
Museum: Adults: ₽ 250
Children 7-18 years, students, seniors: ₽ 200
A hill in the west of Moscow city center, between the rivers Setun and Filka
☎ +7 (499) 142-41-85
+7 (499) 148-71-73
+7 (499) 142-49-11

subset: commoncrawl


text: Johnny Thunders, born John Anthony Genzale, Jr. (July 15, 1952 - April 23, 1991), was an American protopunk guitarist, singer and songwriter. He came to prominence in the early '70s as a member of the New York Dolls. He later played with The Heartbreakers and as a solo artist. Read More


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Rocking !!
We have spent the last two evenings hunting for a rocking chair. The trusted rocking chair of three years (we got it when we had our first one) broke two days ago. The bearings just gave out ! In an attempt to fix it (hardware engineers have an inbuilt urge to fix things and software engineers have an inbuilt urge to encourage their husbands to fix things ), I managed to dismantle the whole thing only to realize that the sons of &%&^#&^#'s have used a bearing that is hard molded into the frame !!
Looks like I have to go buy a new chair. The last two evenings have been spent in trying to buy the right rocking chair. After visiting over 30 shops, we have finally decided to go buy the exact same chair (we found a shop that has it in its catalog).
In the meantime, Junior wont go to sleep unless she is rocked and that has made life very difficult for us. Imagine rocking her without any back support from 2AM to 3AM. Me, the wife and the MIL have been rocked to pieces because of this. But tomorrow is going to be a golden day, with a new rocker ...
We are realllly looking forward to it.


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Types of Bottle Water: What's the difference between spring, purified, sparkling and mineral waters?
While bottled water was a novel concept in the U.S. just a generation ago, now it is one of the most popular choices for Americans. In fact, in 2016, bottled water surpassed carbonated soft drinks as the number one packaged beverage (by volume) in America!
But not just any water can be called "bottled water." Bottled water is defined as a consumer food product by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with strict standards of identity. As such, the FDA requires companies to clearly identify the "type" of water on the label of all bottled water sold in the United States. Nestlé Waters North America puts its bottled water through rigorous quality testing to make sure it's safe, delicious, and meets FDA standards before being packaged for consumers.
Keep reading to learn about the different types of bottled water.
What makes the different types of bottled water unique?
Besides the bubbles in sparkling water, most of the differences are things you can't see. There are unique sources and quality-control processes that make the brands and types of bottled water special and distinct.
Is bottled water safe?
Bottled water is one of the most extensively regulated packaged food products available in the U.S. In accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, FDA regulations for bottled water are at least as stringent as those imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for municipal drinking water. In fact, federal regulations are stronger for bottled water than for tap water when it comes to key contaminants, including lead.
What is spring water?
Spring water comes from an underground formation and must naturally flow to the earth's surface. It is collected at the surface or, like some Nestlé Waters brands, through a borehole that allows access to the water underground. When withdrawn for bottling, spring water needs to maintain the original and natural character that defines what it means to be spring water. The source is carefully monitored for consistency, quality, and safety.
What is purified water?
Purified water has been treated by specific processes to remove impurities. Both the source of the water to be purified (e.g., a well or municipal water source) and the type of purification procedure can vary. Distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, and filtering are among the standard purification treatments that may meet FDA standards. Water must meet the purified sterile standard of the U.S. Pharamcopeia 23rd Revision.
Learn more about the Nestlé® Pure Life® 12-Step Quality Process.
What is sparkling water?
Sparkling water is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. More often than not, the sparkling water available on store shelves is the result of carbonation added after the water is collected. Additionally, the label mentions the water source, for example: "sparkling spring water" or "sparkling mineral water." Confused by the differences between seltzer, soda water, and sparkling bottled water? They all fall within the sparkling water category.
What is mineral water?
Mineral water comes from an underground water source, similar to spring water. But it can only be called "mineral water" if it has a minimum of 250 parts per million (ppm) total dissolved solids (TDS). TDS are the minerals and small amounts of organic matter dissolved in water. Once bottled, the TDS levels need to stay the same. Minerals cannot be artificially added. If the TDS content of mineral water is below 500 ppm, you may see "low mineral content" on the label.
Which types of bottled water are the best?
The answer is simple: They're all good! When you're making a bottled water comparison, remember, all water is hydrating—bubbles or no bubbles, spring, purified or mineral water—as long as you're drinking it.


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Your boss proposes a new initiative you think won't work. Your senior colleague outlines a project timeline you think is unrealistic. What do you say when you disagree with someone who has more power than you do? How do you decide whether it's worth speaking up? And if you do, what exactly should you say?
It's a natural human reaction to shy away from disagreeing with a superior. "Our bodies specialize in survival, so we have a natural bias to avoid situations that might harm us," says Joseph Grenny, the coauthor of Crucial Conversations and the co-founder of VitalSmarts, a corporate training company. "The heart of the anxiety is that there will be negative implications," adds Holly Weeks, the author of Failure to Communicate. We immediately think, "He's not going to like me," "She's going to think I'm a pain," or maybe even "I'll get fired." Although "it's just plain easier to agree," Weeks says that's not always the right thing to do.
Here's a quick list of dos and don'ts on how to disagree with someone more powerful than you.
>> Explain that you have a different opinion and ask if you can voice it.
>> Restate the original point of view or decision so it's clear you understand it.
>> Speak slowly — talking in an even tone calms you and the other person down.
>> Assume that disagreeing is going to damage your relationship or career — the consequences are often less dramatic than we think.
>> State your opinions as facts; simply express your point of view and be open to dialogue.
>> Use judgment words, such as "hasty," "foolish," or "wrong," that might upset or incite your counterpart.
Adapted from How to Disagree with Someone More Powerful than You by Amy Gallo.
You may also like:
Dos & Don'ts: How to Negotiate Nicely Without Being a Pushover
Dos & Don'ts: How to Overcome the Midday Slump
Dos & Don'ts: After You Tell Your Boss You're Leaving
Dos & Don'ts: When You Find Out a Coworker Makes More Money than You Do


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Mona Lisa shows her bum in Walker's "Moona Lisa"
Not so long ago I dreampt that Vickie Berndt's painting "Divine Goddess" (Drag queen Divine as a many-armed indian goddess) had been stolen. While still inside the dream in typical dream logic I surmised that "Divine Goddess" was the new Mona Lisa. Though now that I'm awake I'm wondering if maybe Nick Walker's "Moona Lisa" is more like it, literally. Nick's now infamous street piece has us asking "Has Mona changed over time, growing less modest and more irreverently unloosed? Or have we simply gotten to know her better? Now privy to her private goofball self? A giggly playmate that she shares only with her lover or her dearest friends? Are we banging Mona Lisa? Is she our new (old) best bud? "
Seeing Mona in a new setting, from a new, ahem, angle is oddly liberating. I don't know about y'all but when Mona is lifting her robes to show us her booty, I just wanna yank my crinolines and bare my own (bountiful) bum. I could bask in the moonlight all night. Nick Walker explains the magic behind pieces like his Moona, "In 1992 I began to combine stencils with my freehand work. The appeal of stencils is that they allow me to take an image from anywhere – dissect any part of life – and recreate it on any surface."
On his myspace page, Walker lists among his interests: "Robots, pranks, space suits, ESP, swimming under water, Rock 'em Sock 'ems, macaroons. " Holy cupcake! No wonder I like Nick Walker! He's a Robot-loving macaroon-munching mindreader with a trickster bent. The neon orange foxes have kissed his forehead. He's most definitely Goof-blessed — at a recent Bonham's Auction "Moona Lisa" (in some form) sold for six figures when it was estimated at only six grand. Marc Schiller chopped it up to "the Banksy effect" (Banksy being the outlaw street artist who became a gallery sensation.) I dunno… makes a foxy kind of sense. Funny things happen when your forehead is bussed by neon foxes. "Estimates" be damned, my man, The DayGlo Fur had other plans. Schillinger said in the October '08 issue of Paper, "The price is not only astronomical, it's absurd." Absurdity is the trickster's signature — illegible loops of neon ink — so yea, absurd, exactly. Makes me want to sleep with a feather-crossed macaroon on my forehead so as to summon some sneaky oscillations…
Artist & (re) Inventer Nick Walker inks some prints of his modern masterpiece "Moona Lisa."
"I got fuzzy hair, hate rude people and love burritos." — Nick Walker
Alphabetfiend is Dia VanGunten — a writer & wanna-be circus freak living in Austin, Texas.
2 Responses to "Mona Lisa shows her bum in Walker's "Moona Lisa""
[…] portrait of Palin, which hangs in The Old Town Ale House on Chicago's North side, is more Moona Lisa than Mona Lisa. It only makes sense since Sarah Palin doesn't have the intelligent gaze of […]
[…] Homer's better (far superior) half. I love this piece. Though maybe not as much as I love Moona Lisa, the piece that brought in a surprising six figures at a recent Bonham's Auction. But that […]


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Funeral For A Friend To Play Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation
Funeral for a Friend
Funeral For A Friend will be playing 2 shows in July as a celebration of outgoing guitarist Darran Smith's time with the band.
The group intend to play breakthrough album "Casually Dressed And Deep In Conversation" in it's entirety - plus a few extra little surprises to keep the audiences on their toes.
As drummer Ryan Richards explains - "As sad as we are to see Darran leave, these shows will be guaranteed to give him a great sendoff. We played 'Casually Dressed..' in it's entirety when we toured it back in 2003/4 and never really planned to do that again, but obviously with it being Darran's last shows it seems like a perfect opportunity to play the record for the final time. Don't miss it!"
And Darran himself chipped in with "I'm really excited about these shows, it's gonna be great playing the whole of 'Casually Dressed...' plus they're gonna be some of my last shows with Funeral & I'll be goin' out with a bang!"
Darren is leaving the band after this years's Sonisphere Festival to concentrate on family life, while FFAF are reshuffling the ranks in time for the release of album #5. Current bassist Gavin Burroughs is moving to guitar, whilst Ex-Hondo Maclean/The Future bassist Richard Boucher has joined on four string.
Thu 22 Jul: Cardiff, University
Fri 23 Jul: London, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
Young Guns will be supporting at both of these shows but all other details of the evening are being kept under wraps for now.
Tickets will be available exclusively from www.crowdsurge.com/funeralforafriend at 9am on Wednesday 19th May, 48 hours before they go on general sale.


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The tawk.to app is now available in the Shopify App Store!
Just log into your Shopify dashboard.
Then visit: Download the tawk.to app for Shopify here.
Click the green "Get" button for the tawk.to app.
The app will be installed into your Shopify site.
Then login to your tawk.to account from the tawk.to app in your Shopify dashboard.
The widget will be added to all pages of your Shopify site.


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How do you feel about the President's manipulation of Scripture? Talk to me…
Conservative commentator Robert Knight of Coral Ridge Ministries is taking issue with President Obama's recent "born gay, always gay" comments.
Knight says many politicians are frightened of the homosexual issue and unfamiliar with the research, and end up giving away moral ground. On the other hand, Knight told OneNewsNow that some wrongly assert homosexuality is innate and therefore should be promoted. On October 14, Obama said people are born with a certain makeup, claiming all are "children of God." Furthermore, he said, people do not make choices about who they love.
"That's a mangling of scripture [which] says not everybody is a child of God," Knight responds. "We're all created in God's image, but to be a child of God means to come under God's authority and to honor God above all else and to submit to Jesus Christ."
Related articles
- Obama Quotes Scripture to Push 'Moral Imperative' of Immigration Reform (theblaze.com)
- President Obama: 'Nothing Beats Scripture' (secularnewsdaily.com)
- Obama Mangles Protocol, Shakespeare (kylesmithonline.com)


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To detect an abnormal testosterone level in males and females; in males, to help diagnose the cause of erectile dysfunction or the inability of your partner to get pregnant (infertility); in females, to help diagnose the cause of masculine physical features (virilization), infertility, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); in children, to help determine the cause of genitals that are not clearly male or female (ambiguous genitalia) or delayed or early puberty
- For males, when you may be infertile or are unable to get or maintain an erection; when you are a boy with either early or delayed sexual maturity (puberty)
- For females, when you have male traits, such as a low voice or excessive body hair (hirsutism), when you have abnormal uterine bleeding, do not menstruate (amenorrhea), or are infertile
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm; a morning sample is preferred.
Testosterone is the main sex hormone (androgen) in men. It is responsible for male physical characteristics. Although it is considered to be a "male" sex hormone, it is present in the blood of both men and women. This test measures the level of testosterone in the blood.
Testosterone is mainly produced by special endocrine tissue (the Leydig cells) in the male testicles. It is also produced by the adrenal glands in both males and females and, in small amounts, by the ovaries in females.
In males, testosterone stimulates development of secondary sex characteristics, including enlargement of the penis, growth of body hair, muscle development, and a deepening voice. It is present in large amounts in males during puberty and in adult males to regulate the sex drive and maintain muscle mass. In women, testosterone is converted to estradiol, the main sex hormone in females.
Testosterone production is stimulated and controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH), which is manufactured by the pituitary gland. Testosterone works within a negative feedback mechanism: as the testosterone level increases, LH production decreases, which slows testosterone production; decreased testosterone causes increased production of LH, which in turn stimulates testosterone production.
Testosterone levels are diurnal, peaking in the early morning hours (about 4:00 to 8:00 am), with the lowest levels in the evening (about 4:00 to 8:00 pm). Levels also increase after exercise and also decrease with age.
About two-thirds of testosterone circulates in the blood bound to sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and slightly less than one-third bound to albumin. A small percent (less than 4%) circulates as free testosterone. The free plus the albumin-bound testosterone is the bioavailable fraction, which can act on target tissues.
In many cases, measurement of total testosterone provides a healthcare practitioner with adequate information. However, in certain cases, for example when the level of SHBG is abnormal, a test for free or bioavailable testosterone may be performed as it may more accurately reflect the presence of a medical condition.
How is it used?
Testosterone testing is used to diagnose several conditions in men, women, girls, and boys. Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men, produced mainly by the testicles, and is responsible for male physical characteristics. Although it is considered to be a "male" sex hormone, it is present in the blood of both males and females.
The testosterone test may be used to help evaluate conditions such as:
- Delayed or precocious (early) puberty in boys
- Decreased sex drive in men and women
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Infertility in men and women
- Testicular tumors in men
- Hypothalamus or pituitary disorders
- Hirsutism and virilization in girls and women
Typically, a test for total testosterone is used for diagnosis. The total testosterone test measures testosterone that is bound to proteins in the blood (e.g., albumin and sex-hormone binding globulin [SHBG]) as well as testosterone that is not bound (free testosterone).
About two-thirds of testosterone circulates in the blood bound to SHBG and slightly less than one-third bound to albumin. A small percent (less than 4%) circulates as free testosterone. Free testosterone plus the testosterone bound to albumin is the bioavailable testosterone, which can act on target tissues.
In many cases, the total testosterone test provides adequate information. However, in certain cases, for example when the level of SHBG is abnormal, a test for free or bioavailable testosterone may be performed as it may more accurately reflect the presence of a medical condition.
Depending on the reason for testing, other tests and hormone levels may be done in conjunction with testosterone testing. Some examples include:
When is it ordered?
In men, the test may be ordered when infertility is suspected or when a man has a decreased sex drive or erectile dysfunction. Some other symptoms include lack of beard and body hair, decreased muscle mass, and development of breast tissue (gynecomastia). Low levels of total and bioavailable testosterone have also been associated with, or caused by, a greater presence of visceral fat (midriff or organ fat), insulin resistance, and increased risk of coronary artery disease.
In boys with delayed or slowly progressing puberty, the test is often ordered with the FSH and LH tests. Although there are differences from individual to individual as to when puberty begins, it is generally by the age of 10 years. Some symptoms of delayed puberty may include:
- Delayed development of muscle mass
- Lack of deepening of the voice or growth of body hair
- Slow or delayed growth of testicles and penis
The test also can be ordered when a young boy seems to be undergoing a very early (precocious) puberty with obvious secondary sex characteristics. Causes of precocious puberty in boys, due to increased testosterone, include various tumors and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
In females, testosterone testing may be done when a woman has irregular or no menstrual periods (amenorrhea), is having difficulty getting pregnant, or appears to have masculine features, such as excessive facial and body hair, male pattern baldness, and/or a low voice. Testosterone levels can rise because of tumors that develop in either the ovary or adrenal gland or because of other conditions, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
What does the test result mean?
The normal range for testosterone levels in men is broad and varies by stage of maturity and age. It is normal for testosterone levels to slowly decline, usually after age 30. Testosterone may decrease more in men who are obese or chronically ill and with the use of certain medications.
A low testosterone level (hypogonadism) may be due to:
- Hypothalamic or pituitary disease
- Genetic diseases that can cause decreased testosterone production in young men (Klinefelter, Kallman, and Prader-Willi syndromes) or testicular failure and infertility (as in myotonic dystrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy)
- Impaired testosterone production because of acquired damage to the testes, such as from alcoholism, physical injury, or viral diseases like mumps
- Chronic disease, such as diabetes
Men who are diagnosed with consistently low testosterone levels and have related signs and symptoms may be prescribed testosterone replacement therapy by their healthcare providers. However, testosterone supplements are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to boost strength, athletic performance, or prevent problems from aging. Use for these purposes may be harmful. For more information, see the Hormone Health Network article: The Truth about Testosterone Treatments.
Increased testosterone levels in males can indicate:
- Testicular tumors
- Adrenal tumors that are producing testosterone
- Use of androgens (also called anabolic steroids)
- Early puberty of unknown cause in boys
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in babies and children
In women, testosterone levels are normally low. Increased testosterone levels can indicate:
Is there anything else I should know?
Alcoholism and liver disease in males can decrease testosterone levels. Drugs, including androgens other than testosterone and steroids, can also decrease testosterone levels.
Prostate cancer responds to androgens, so many men with advanced prostate cancer receive drugs that lower testosterone levels.
Drugs such as anticonvulsants, barbiturates, and clomiphene can cause testosterone levels to rise. Women taking estrogen therapy may have increased total testosterone levels.
If I have a low testosterone level, will taking supplemental testosterone help?
Maybe. Testosterone supplements, either with gels, patches or injections, can raise testosterone levels. They may help to relieve some symptoms and/or prevent muscle and bone loss that occurs with aging in men; however, this has not been definitively proven. There is concern that testosterone replacement therapy may exacerbate preexisting prostate cancer, but no evidence of causing cancer. There are label warnings that testosterone administration may result in possible increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Although men with erectile dysfunction may have low testosterone, in many cases testosterone administration does not improve the symptoms because there are other underlying conditions. Therefore, consult a healthcare practitioner for a medical evaluation and consultation to determine if this is the right therapy for you. Also read the Hormone Health Network infographic: The Truth About Testosterone Therapy.
I am a woman, so why do I need a testosterone test?
Women's bodies also produce testosterone but in small amounts. It is needed for hormonal balance and to help women's bodies to function normally. If your body is producing too much testosterone, you may have more body hair than average, have abnormal or no menstrual periods, or be infertile. A testosterone test, in conjunction with measuring other hormone levels, can help your healthcare provider to understand what is causing your symptoms.
Is the amount of hair directly proportional to the amount of testosterone in my body?
The amount, color, and texture of hair is largely determined by genetics. Studies have shown a proportional relationship of testosterone levels to the amount of body hair. The hair growth response to testosterone differs in different parts of the body. Hence, in some men, for example, testosterone promotes hair growth in the abdomen and back while hair growth is suppressed in the scalp, leading to male pattern baldness. Genetics plays a major role in the expression of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone to the hair-altering compound dihydrotestosterone, leading to a family tendency towards balding. The drug finasteride (Propecia®) inhibits the action of 5-alpha reductase and can reverse male pattern baldness in some men.
What are free testosterone and bioavailable testosterone?
Testosterone is present in the blood as "free" testosterone (less than 4%) or bound testosterone (~98%). The latter may be loosely bound to albumin (about one-third), the main protein in the fluid portion of the blood, or bound to a specific binding protein called sex hormone binding globulin or SHBG (about two-thirds). The percentages in the three fractions varies greatly. The binding between testosterone and albumin is not very strong and is easily reversed, so the term bioavailable testosterone (BAT) refers to the sum of free testosterone plus albumin-bound testosterone.
It is suggested that bioavailable testosterone represents the fraction of circulating testosterone that readily enters cells and better reflects the bioactivity of testosterone than does the simple measurement of serum total testosterone. Also, varying levels of SHBG can result in inaccurate measurements of bioavailable testosterone. Decreased SHBG levels can be seen in obesity, hypothyroidism, androgen use, and nephritic syndrome (a form of kidney disease). Increased levels are seen in cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, and estrogen use. In these situations, measurement of free testosterone may be more useful.
On This Site
Tests: FSH, LH, SHBG, DHEAS, Estrogens, Semen Analysis, Anti-Mullerian Hormone, Androstenedione
Conditions: Infertility, PCOS, Endocrine Syndromes, Testicular Cancer, Adrenal Insufficiency, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Low Testosterone in Adult Men
In the News: Treating Men for Age-related Low Testosterone (2020)
Elsewhere On The Web
The Hormone Health Network: Mens Health
Mayo Clinic: Infertility
Mayo Clinic: Testosterone therapy
KidsHealth.org: Precocious puberty
KidsHealth.org: Delayed puberty
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia


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When is a Publish Not a Publish?
I was looking through some of the comments and saw a question that the response really called for a post on it's own. Here is the comment, edited down for brevity, feel free to look up the whole comment from the post on Project Conference:
The PDS calls for changing the code values does not update the msp_view tables for project summary information. After fruitless searches on google, google-groups, etc, I had to resort to opening the project, saving it, and then closing it. The XML from the SOAP peeking tool showed Project Checkin including this data, but there must be as easier way. Hence the opening-saving-closing of each project.
What this question really comes down to is publishing. In Project Server there is a two phased commit for saving 1) Save which puts updates the MSP_* tables 2) Publish, which updates the MSP_VIEW_* and MSP_WEB_* tables. PDS lives in the same rules.
This issue here is around the scheduling engine. Project Server does not have a scheduling engine, all that logic is housed in Project Professional. You can use the PDS to create a project, then you can call ProjectViewTablesCreate (or set the AutoPublish flag in ProjectCreate) to push the information into the MSP_VIEW tables. The issue is none of the dependencies have been calculated, fields values haven't been calculated, etc. To get that work to occur you need to open the project in Project Pro and then perform a save and publish. So it's really not an issue with the programming model as much an issue of where functionality lies.
When is a Publish not a Publish? When the scheduling engines haven't ran over the data, you really don't have a complete publish.
In Project Server 2007 there is some lightweight scheduling on the server, some updates to users views will be able to occur without requiring Project Pro to open the project. What the final count of "You must use Project pro to do XXX", and "Project Server will handle YYY" is still up for debate. That will be a good topic for a future post. Unfortunately it will have to wait till all the dust settles on feature adds/cuts which will probably be late summer. I'd hate to say you can do XXX, and have that feature cut :(.


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Our #MVPtoVIP series celebrates the inspirational journeys of some of the fantastic founders in our Farillio network. This time, we're chatting to Anna Ward, founder of CakeDrop. Get to know her better below...
1. How would you sum up the concept behind your business?
CakeDrop delivers the yummiest cake from London's best independent bakeries, direct to London offices. We take the last-minute element out of workplace celebrations and perks by allowing office managers to buy and schedule cake deliveries in advance via our website.
2. What were you doing before you set it up?
I worked at an advertising company in the City. We had such a great office culture and would always celebrate colleagues' birthdays. That said, it was always a 10-minute rush to decorate a desk and sneak out to buy a rubbish supermarket cake before they got into work. That's what sparked the idea for CakeDrop initially – the opportunity to improve the status quo.
3. When did you realise that you wanted to run your own business and what led to you achieving it?
For me, it wasn't a case of wanting to break away and be my own boss – I loved being employed. It was simply the fact that I believed in CakeDrop as a business concept… and then couldn't stop thinking about it. I worked on the business behind the scenes for over a year before finally leaving my job to focus on it 100%. Ultimately, it was that huge leap of faith that led me to achieving the goal of launching, otherwise I could have planned and prepared endlessly.
4. How did you find the process of launching the business?
Really tough. I never anticipated the amount of things there would be to do, the amount of things there are to pay for, and the constant obstacles that you have to overcome in order to sustain a business. That's not to say it hasn't been a lot of fun, it really has. Some days have been so energising and positive that it completely overrides the times where I've sobbed on the bus home after a day of setbacks. You've really got to take the good with the bad and keep the faith.
5. What is the most challenging aspect of being a business owner?
Being so invested in your business and customers, and having to deal with inevitable glitches. There will always be days where things just don't go right – especially with a delivery-based business. I find myself worrying on a Saturday night about little things that could go wrong the following week. As a business owner, if things don't go to plan, it's not as simple as just shrugging it off. I know I am fully responsible and I do not want to let anyone down. The pressure of that is very real.
6. Employee culture – more specifically improving it – is a big theme of the moment. CakeDrop aims to help do that, doesn't it?
There are so many amazing employers in London these days that really invest in their workplace culture to keep staff happy and improve productivity – whether it's allowing staff to bring their pups to work, building wacky breakout rooms, or making sure every birthday is celebrated properly.
We know that cake is a huge part of office culture, but it's tough for office managers to source decent cake in a cost-effective way. Many of the amazing independent bakeries in London aren't set up for delivery, and those that are struggle to make it financially viable without a steep delivery charge. CakeDrop bridges that gap and offers an alternative to getting the same old Colin the Caterpillar in every time there is a celebration at work.
7. The irony is that you're improving culture, but you're working mostly on your own. Do you find it lonely?
When I first began, I was extremely lonely. I went from a busy fun office to being at home alone every day, sometimes for three days in a row without seeing anyone. Now I really value the time I get to spend with other people during the working week, whether that's networking with other business owners, catching up with our suppliers, or even those brief moments I get with customers when I'm out CakeDropping.
8. How do you combat the anti/low-sugar movement with your products – or the 'naysayers'?
At CakeDrop, our aim is to move offices away from buying mass-produced supermarket cake which is pumped full of artificial additives, preservatives, and far too much sugar to make up for a lack of real flavour. The cakes we deliver are made fresh with ingredients such as seasonal fruit, edible petals, and all-natural flavourings. That's not to say they should be considered one of your 5-a-day, but if you're going to treat yourself to a slice of cake then there is a way to do it right.
Aside from offering quality, we also have a growing variety of gluten-free and vegan cakes, and have just brought an all-gf bakery on board who provide an incredible range of refined sugar-free bakes. Ultimately, CakeDrop isn't about promoting an unhealthy lifestyle, it's about doing things better and making sure everyone can enjoy cake in the office, whatever their dietary requirements or preferences.
9. Tell us about being shortlisted for London's Hottest Food Entrepreneur
We were over the moon to be shortlisted only a couple of months after launching. It meant we had to present our idea to Levi Roots and a panel of judges at Westfield Stratford City for the chance to win some funding and mentoring. Although it was so nerve wracking, it was a great way to kick off the business by standing in front of an audience and putting CakeDrop out there. There was tough competition and we didn't win, but it was a great experience and motivated us for the year ahead.
10. Do you have any advice for other founders at the start of their journeys?
Firstly, accept help from anyone and everyone who offers it, and then be picky with what advice you carry forward. It's hard to ask for time from people when you know you have nothing to offer back, but it is so important. I hope one day I can pay forward all the help that has been given to me.
Secondly, read constantly about successful entrepreneurs, startups, corporate business, and everything in between. There will be at least one takeaway from every book that you can apply to your business.
Lastly, learn to deal with the fact that not everything will be as perfect as you want it, and low budgets will hold you back in the early days from doing all the amazing things you want for your business. But it is better to have started the process than to wait until you have 'enough money' and everything just as you want it. The latter will never transpire on its own, but by starting at least you are one step closer.
11. What does the future hold for your business?
This year has been really exciting already – we've on-boarded loads of new offices, revamped our website and are about to launch CakeClub, London's first monthly cake subscription service for offices. We have just expanded our delivery zone within London but would like to go further. Hopefully one day outside of London, into other major cities.
Craving more sweet startup stories like Anna's? Join the conversation using the hashtag #MVPtoVIP.
Follow @cakedropldn, @AnnaG_Ward & @farillio.


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Downing College was delighted to welcome the Black Cantabs Monthly Speaker Series at The Heong Gallery on 27 April 2017.
The Black Cantabs Project was launched in October 2015, with the aim to uncover, or recover, the university's 'lost students' through archival research. It is an organised opportunity for 'current and former students of the University of Cambridge to write the black students of this institution back into its history' and publish these findings online. Downing Fellow Dr Mónica Moreno Figueroa is Patron of the Black Cantabs Research Society.
Jointly hosted by the Black Cantabs, African Society of Cambridge University and the Centre of African Studies, the recent event at The Heong Gallery was the second in the Black Cantabs Speaker Series. The speaker, Ms Brigitte Sesu Tilley Gyado, a British Nigerian writer, social entrepreneur and alumna of Robinson College (2004), shared her experiences of working in tech, micro-financing, and gender rights in Africa.
The event also provided an opportunity to celebrate the contemporary African Art collection currently on display at The Heong Gallery. The exhibition ' When The Heavens Meet The Earth' highlights emerging African artists from over a dozen countries on the continent from the Sina Jina collection of Robert Devereux, an alumnus of Downing. The works are presented though multiple media including photography, painting, sculpture and film. With pieces that explore everyday life, politics, human rights, LGBT +, representation and identity, this exhibition has been described as impactful, provocative and playful.
Those attending the Black Cantabs event were informed of an exciting and little-known Downing connection with one of the artists featuring in the exhibition. Photographer Rotimi Fani-Kayode (1955-1989), whose work appears on the exhibition poster, was the son of Remi Fani-Kayode (1921-1995), one of Downing's own Black Cantabs. The College Archivist is continuing research in support of the project.
Born 22 December 1921 in Chelsea, London, the son of Victor Adetapo and Molara Kayode of Lagos, Nigeria. Educated King's College, Lagos, Nigeria. Admitted January 1943, matriculated March 1943, studying for a degree in Law. BA 1946, MA and LLB 1965.
We will share more information on Downing's Black Cantabs in our From the Archives pages as our research progresses.
'When The Heavens Meet the Earth' is open until 21 May 2017.
More information on the Black Cantabs Society.
Published on 2 May 2017.


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Ford has introduced a new technology that will park your car while you stand beside it and press a button. It's designed to help you park at the shopping mall or in a tight spot at school. Fully Assisted Parking Aid is an evolution of Active Park Assist, a feature currently available in vehicles like the 2014 Ford Focus that requires the driver to stay put.
Another new technology called Obstacle Avoidance can detect slow-moving and stationary objects (like people) from about 700 feet away. If the object is in your current driving path and you don't react, the car can take over steering and swerve or apply the brakes. Ford says it has tested the technology at speeds over 38MPH.
The research projects were announced this week in Belgium. There is no set timeframe as to when we'll see the technology in a Ford or Lincoln car at a dealer near you.
Earlier this year, Audi showcased a similar driverless self-park tech called Piloted Parking at CES 2013 in Las Vegas. Drivers can direct their car to find a parking spot. Ford did not state a range for Fully Assisted Parking Aid but the demonstrations show the driver standing within a few feet, hinting at a Bluetooth connection that covers about 30 feet.
Obstacle Avoidance also has a precedence with other automakers. In the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E550, for example, the car can also detect objects and apply the brakes. In the 2013 Infiniti Q60, the technology works in reverse: The car can spot an object that appears behind the car.
The Ford research is important because it points to more automated car maneuvers in the future for hands-free driving. And, looking out even further, we may be able to send our car in a driverless mode to pick up the kids or take itself to the gas station. Computers can scan for objects faster than any human and, more importantly, in all directions around the car.
Now if we can just teach them to take the dog for a walk.
This story, "If you can't do it, the car will: Ford showcases advances in parking assistance and obstacle avoidance" was originally published by TechHive.


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We have an incredible opportunity for a student with experience to work on a short film using a Sony FS7. The shoot is tomorrow, Wednesday 23 September at La Perouse, Sydney.
1. Director: Mark Barnaville, Producer: Emma Chu
2. Project Name: The Deep Sun
3. Project Type: short film
4. Position: Cinematographer
5. Paid/Unpaid: Unpaid, however travel expenses covered and full catering on the day as well as a token of appreciation at the end of filming.
6. Gear Provided: Sony FS7
7. Date: Wednesday 23 September 2015
8. Approx hours per day: 6-8 hours at most.
9. Location: La Perouse and Chippendale
10. Synopsis: An intellectual man visits an old friend who has created a machine capable of immersing humans in a digital landscape. When Tom decides to trap Jacob inside his own world, Jacob must escape or risk becoming a test subject.
For more information contact: Emma Chu, mob: 0410 550 588 email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Looking forward to hearing any expressions of interest soon!
Best wishes,


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Today I make a new test with PyCharm IDE for python development on linux.
It video show the installation of PyCharm on the Fedora 26 operating system.
As you know , PyCharm is free, open-source and come with a Lightweight IDE for Community.
You can buy it but you will have the Professional Full-featured IDE.


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Options in FP Group Formation
Groups are forming and dissolving all the time. In addition to existing affiliations, primary care physicians (PCPs) are being presented opportunities to join new hospital Managed Service Organizations (MSOs), independent MSOs/IPAs/Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)/Group practices Without Walls (GPWWs), foundations, local specialist-dominated single and multispecialty groups and small PCP groups. Recruiters are singing the praises of corporate type groups and HMOs, both in and out of state. With this confusing array of opportunities, what should you do?
The first issue to consider is why all this attention is focused on you and how it could affect your decisions. Anyone watching how the changes in the health care system will effect the delivery of care knows that primary care is the key specialty required. That means everyone wants you, or will want you soon. Your specialty is in short supply in most areas, and demand will increase until the medical schools or retraining programs respond in five to ten years or more, if ever. The result of these factors is that your value is climbing, if not the dollar value of your practice. In locations with a shortage of PCPs, the dollar value of the practice is less as it may be more cost-effective to start a practice from scratch or join a group rather than buy a practice or buy-into a practice.
As a strategy for the future, affiliation with some type of group makes sense for a number of reasons for most PCPs. It provides economies of scale, allows for more sophisticated management, allows more delegation of the business tasks that many PCPs find unpleasant, usually increases net income, spreads risk in capitation, makes it easier to attract contracts, patients, and associates, provides peer support, etc.. For certain PCPs, remaining solo is appropriate, such as those with a demonstrated inability to function in a group setting, those with certain types of non- traditional practices, dedicated over-utilizers or those in certain niche markets. Cash and conceirge or retainer practices also function well solo. For some physicians very close to retirement the hassle of change will not be worth it.
For the majority of physicians what type of group is appropriate? The answer falls in a few categories with no one answer right for everyone.
The first, and most conservative, form of group formation for PCPs is single specialty family practice, internal medicine or pediatrics. Five physicians is an ideal minimum number especially for a single site, with the next logical steps of 10 then 15 or more. It provides an excellent group dynamic, taking advantage of the benefits of economies of scale without the bureaucratic hassles of larger groups. The drawback is that it is too small to have significant managed care clout in most communities and may be squeezed out by larger competitors.
Larger group formation offers advantages such as dependable income, expanded benefits packages, freedom from business hassles, more free time for other interests and market dominance. Drawbacks often include loss of control of working environment and individuality, greater risk of loss of job, a clinic atmosphere, political stereotyping in the greater community, and having your clinical competence being assumed by outsiders to be equal with that of the lowest member of your group. The difficulty of large group formation is far greater, as is the risk of failure to achieve formation. Many groups are specialist dominated to protect specialist interests (read: income) and not PCP interests.
Group Practices Without Walls (GPWW), in either single or multispecialty modes, offer physicians some of the benefits of group practice while maintaining individual practice locations and most of the feel of private practice. A major drawback, especially in comparison with "staff model" groups, is the often lesser commitment by individual physicians to the success of the group over their own "practice". GPWWs also have certain less efficiencies due to replication of facilities, staffing, etc., and so have higher costs resulting is less profits for the physicians from professional services. A major reason for many GPWWs to form was to be able to integrate ancillary services for additional profit. This profit may be in jeopardy in the future due to HMOs contacting separately for ancillary services, or from adverse legislation.
A common alternative being pushed is the Management Services Organization (MSO). An MSO is a legal entity formed to contract for management and services to physician practices, with varying levels of invasiveness. The identity and motivation of the funding entity must be carefully reviewed as "he who has the gold makes the rules" in many cases. You also need to carefully scrutinize who is doing the management, as there are few existing successful MSOs. Many people and groups represent themselves as MSO managers, including unemployed ex-hospital administrators and others with no experience in the field. Especially beware the hospital that wants to manage your practice but can't manage its own affairs. There are MSOs and related types of groups that are by PCPs, for PCPs or multispecialty that appear to have promise that bear watching. The main benefit of MSOs that succeed is that they are the main option for maintaining the flavor of private practice, while maintaining much control by the individual physician, with eventual involvement into the probable integrated systems of the future.
The differentiation between IPAs, MSOs, PPOs, HMOs, PPAs, Exclusive Contracting Organizations (ECOs), and Physician Hospital Organizations (PHOs), is becoming blurred. As a PCP considering joining a group a key issue to remember is that "the large print giveth and the small print taketh away". You must read and understand the contracts in detail and get independent professional opinion on those issues in question and negotiate them in your favor, rather than depending on the label applied to an organization.
Unfortunately there is real risk in any decision you choose. Exercising due diligence should protect you from making a disastrous decision. If the decision you make does turn out to be disastrous remember, as a PCP, your skills will always be in demand somewhere.
Reprinted with permission from CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS' MANAGED CARE FORUM.
Author Keith Borglum is a consultant and medical practice appraiser with Professional Management and Marketing, 3468 Piner Road, Santa Rosa California 95401.
Keith is one of the few consultants in America to be accepted as a member of all of the following; the Institute of Business Appraisers, National Association of Healthcare Consultants, Society of Medical Dental Management Consultants (90-94), American Medical Association's Doctors Advisory Network, American Academy of Family Physician's Network of Consultants, American Academy of Ophthalmology Executive Consultnats, and the American College of Physicians Managed Care Advisory Consultant Network.
Phone for consulting and appraisal information.
Permission is granted to reprint or quote any portion of this article provided that the author, firm, phone and city are named and two copies of the quoting journal are immediately mailed to the author at 3468 Piner Road, Santa Rosa CA 95401.


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Already one of the conducting world's biggest hoarders of frequent flier miles, Jaap van Zweden will be New York's music director designate during the 2017-18 season, assuming the full duties of his role in fall 2018. 2017-18 will also be his last full-time year in Dallas, and as if that schedule weren't busy enough, van Zweden plans to continue as the director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic until summer 2019.
The New York job is a tough one, leading one of the world's most renowned orchestras, but it's about to get even harder. Renovations to its concert hall will soon be leaving the band effectively homeless, playing in temporary locations around New York City for at least two years. Alan Gilbert, the current leader, chose to quit rather than face that challenge. Van Zweden will be tasked with managing this wandering-orchestra phase, consulting on acoustic design of the new concert hall and helping with the huge amount of fundraising required to finance it.
Van Zweden's rise in the conducting world has been swift and impressive. He began, at age 18, as the concertmaster of Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, which some consider the world's most prestigious orchestra. His February 2006 guest appearance with the Dallas Symphony was only his second-ever appearance conducting in the United States, but it was good enough that the DSO hired him to take over full-time.
In almost exactly 10 years, van Zweden has become a Dallas landmark, known for his exacting, high standards and the energy he brings to the core repertoire. He records for DSO Live, the orchestra's new record label, which overcame some early issues with muffled sound quality to produce a few excellent new albums. Dvorak's New World Symphony, from a live concert in January 2014, is especially terrific, a thrilling, old-school performance you can download on iTunes or eClassical.
Following van Zweden's departure from Dallas in 2018, he will have the title of conductor laureate, which, in layman's terms, means he will come back to visit whenever he finds time. The DSO's chairman of the board of governors, Joseph F. Hubach, said in the orchestra's press release that, "We are looking forward to extraordinary music making for the next two-and-a-half years with Jaap as music director, and for an additional three years as conductor laureate."
A number of other projects are keeping the Amsterdam native busy. With the Hong Kong Philharmonic and a slew of renowned singers, he is recording Wagner's enormous operatic Ring Cycle. And he's recorded a whole shelf of CDs by composers like Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Britten and some whose names do not start with B.
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Meanwhile, the New York City media has been quick to pick up two rumors about van Zweden. The first, noted by Anthony Tommasini in the Times, is that van Zweden doesn't much like performing new music. But as van Zweden told the Times in an interview, working with living composers "is a luxury I think we should treasure as conductors," and in the Netherlands, he premiered a new work "every week or two." He recently conducted the debut of a new concerto by Magnus Lindberg, and plays a violin concerto by Wolfgang Rihm on a CD from the Naxos label.
The other rumor has a stronger basis in fact. There have been rumblings in Dallas for years that van Zweden is, to put it diplomatically, not the easiest boss to work for. He has exacting visions for each work he conducts, rarely compromises and does not rest until his vision is fulfilled in every particular. This can mean demanding rehearsals and sink-or-swim pressure. Last year, two DSO musicians separately confided to this writer that working with van Zweden is "difficult," but worth it for his high musical standards.
Should New York be worried? The truth is, classical music has a glorious tradition of asshole conductors, and not just on Amazon Prime's Mozart in the Jungle. Fritz Reiner's rule in Chicago was notoriously tyrannical, and an old rumor has it that Arturo Toscanini fired a musician who looked at his watch during rehearsal. Dozens of other conductors, past and present, have earned reputations for shouting, harassing or impulsively firing their musicians. By contrast, Jaap van Zweden sounds tame.
It's too early for rumors about who will succeed van Zweden in Dallas, but as soon as we hear something, we'll let you know.


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We asked on our Facebook page: "If you are planning to travel this summer have you inquired about neurosurgeons in the area you are visiting, in case of an emergency?"
Here is what you said:
After looking at the results, we had asked Debby Buffa, Hydrocephalus Association Board Member, mother of two adults with hydrocephalus and a support group leader to share her experiences, wealth of knowledge and tips to take into consideration in preparing for a trip. We include a list of resources at the end of this article.
Traveling with hydrocephalus!
By Debby Buffa, Hydrocephalus Association Board Member
I know many of you have questions about travel and flying with hydrocephalus and shunts. I am a mom of two daughters, now in their 30s, who have had hydrocephalus and shunts since early childhood. I managed a neurosurgery office for 18 years and have run a hydrocephalus support group since 1987. Firstly, the best resource you have is your neurosurgeon. Always check with your physician first as you may have certain health problems that may affect your travel plans.
My daughters have been to Jamaica, Costa Rica, England, France and throughout the States, including Hawaii. My oldest has had many revisions; therefore, we were pretty nervous about her flying to far-away places, particularly Europe and Hawaii. My younger daughter traveled to Costa Rica for her honeymoon and we were worried about what would happen if her shunt malfunctioned while she was there.
The first thing we did was make sure they had copies of their last operative note, this usually shows what type of shunt was placed and where. We ordered a copy of the last CT/MRI scan. Usually it is best to have a baseline CT which shows what the ventricles look like when the person is healthy and then have another scan from a time when the person needed a revision. This way any neurosurgeon can see what happens when the shunt is not working properly. In cases of slit ventricle syndrome, you may also want to take a copy of the history and physical (H&P) report that is dictated on admission to the hospital. This would usually mention that the patient has slit ventricle syndrome and the ventricles don't dilate when there is a malfunction. You can ask your doctor to copy your operative note and H&P for you. For the CT/MRI you call the radiology facility where they were taken and ask them to make you a CD.
Then we needed to make a plan on where they would go if they became ill. The HA website is a wealth of information. You can find a directory of neurosurgeons who treat hydrocephalus and there are suggestions and articles regarding travel, flying and hydrocephalus. It is a good idea to also check with your own neurosurgeon who may have their own suggestions as to whom you should see in an emergency. In the States, we searched for a major university medical center which would have neurosurgeons covering the emergency room. Neither daughter has problems with flying; one has a venticuloperitoneal shunt (VP) shunt, the other a ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt. If you are traveling overseas, contact HA to get further information regarding available surgeons/facilities. If you are traveling to a place you would not feel safe being treated, then find out the closest major medical center in an American city that can be flown to emergently. Remember, this is about being proactive, as it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Each daughter carries a small card with type of shunt, neurosurgeon office & exchange number; primary physician; insurance; and emergency contacts. This information has been added to their cell phone as well. On my older daughter's group tour to Europe, she explained her condition to the organizer and assured them she was fine to travel and had made plans for an emergency.
There are also programs that will fly you in an emergency to an American hospital, but I am not personally familiar with these. Make sure your insurance covers your travel in a foreign country, not all do. You may want to purchase travel insurance just as a safety net.
As parents, we will always worry about our children, regardless of whether they have hydrocephalus or not. Being prepared is one way to ease our minds and be assured that we are doing the best we can. The key is to let them live the life they were meant to.
Give them wings and let them fly.
Useful links and resources:
- To find Neurosurgeons in the location where you're going, check HA's Physicians Directory.
- To find doctors outside the US visit the American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- For medical alerts visit: MedicAlert


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I was at ArmadilloCon 2018 this past weekend. Didn't stay for the whole event, but I got in on the critique panel, and got a short story of mine reviewed! Got some really great advice for it all around.
I plan on finishing up another short story this month and then I'm back to revising Spymancer again.
Hope all of you readers are doing well (and I hope this post comes out nice looking because I'm doing this on my phone). I hope remember to post something else before this month is over. Haha!
Philip Hauser


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RT Motion MK3.1 Wireless Lens Control
RT Motion MK3.1- Light-weight Wireless Lens Control Unit.
Perfect for gimbals, rigs, keep your focus puller happy.
- Super-low weight system.
- Powerful, near-silent Motors.
- Unequaled 1.5Km range. FHSS interference immunity.
- Our kit can come with 1 or up to 3 motors
- Simultaneous 4 Axis control as standard (Knob, Slider, A and B), 6 with optional force-joystick.
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- Precision machined from aerospace grade aluminium billet.
- Automatic and manual (softstop) calibration.
- Unique calibration algorithm and torque control to protect lenses.
- Full 16bit digital transmission.
- No noticeable latency, 2ms.
- Run-stop support for ARRI, ALEXA, Red EPIC, Red ONE, Sony F55, Phantom Flex, LANC, Blackmagic etc.


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5 Reasons You Should Watch Reality TV (Particularly Big Brother)5 Reasons You Should Watch Reality TV (Particularly Big Brother) https://jasonlauritsen.com/wp-content/themes/corpus/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 Jason Lauritsen https://jasonlauritsen.com/wp-content/themes/corpus/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg
The seven day countdown is on at my house. One of our favorite shows, Big Brother, debuts a new season on July 12. Judge me if you must. I know that there are some of you out there who look down your nose at reality television as some sort of substandard type of entertainment. But I love it.
Here are five reasons why I think you might want to reconsider your position on Reality TV (and specifically Big Brother), particularly if you are a student of leadership or a practitioner of Human Resources.
- Big Brother is a really interesting look into the dynamics that exist between strangers as they are brought together and given no other option than to be in close proximity to one another for a long period of time. You see how some personalities blend and others clash. Interpersonal skills are on display. It is a fascinating thing to watch happen. And, while the circumstances of Big Brother are unusual (these strangers are living together in lock down for up to a month and a half), I think there are some parallels to how employees are challenged to socialize when they join a company or new team.
- Big Brother is a social game and it involves forming relationships, coalitions, and partnerships to survive. People hatch strategies throughout the game for how to capture power and influence within "the house" where the game is played. There are always some great lessons that emerge from how people use and abuse power and the associated consequences. The game also reveals some really interesting perspectives into how disloyalty, backstabbing and lying can get you ahead in the short run but consistently burn you down in the long run.
- Big Brother (and the Biggest Loser, Survivor, etc.) are games that involve both social dynamics (you get voted off by your competitors) and performance. There are physical and mental competitions regularly. Those who perform well on the contests throughout can lift themselves above the drama of the voting within the game. Performance trumps drama, but the drama is always there.
- Throughout the Big Brother game, rules are randomly changed and enforced with little or no warning to the competitors (sound familiar?). Sometimes, these changes can be pretty dramatic. I love watching how the competitors react to these changes. I think that if you pay attention, you can learn a lot about why change management and communication is so important within our organizations. On Big Brother, their motto for contestants is "Expect the Unexpected" so, while they often don't like a change, they usually don't resist it because the unexpected is expected. There's a lesson there as well.
- It is just fun TV to watch.
I'm not suggesting you should watch every reality show on the market (there are some really bad ones). And, I'm also not suggesting you should sit with your legal pad as you watch these shows to take notes and analyze the show (that would take the fun out of it). What I am suggesting is that reality shows reveal some interesting insights into human nature and how people react to certain situations and pressures. Many of our workplaces are reality shows playing out every day without the cameras rolling. And, too often, we are happily playing the role of Big Brother.


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Blood Conservation
Surgery Without Blood Transfusion, Bloodless SurgeryCall for an Appointment
The Duke Center for Blood Conservation offers bloodless surgery, also known as "patient blood management," as an option to patients who seek safe alternatives to blood transfusion because of religious, medical, or personal concerns. Our safe and effective transfusion-free techniques, used during surgeries and medical procedures, limit or eliminate the need for blood products.
Avoiding the Need for Blood Products
More and more, people are seeking safe, effective alternatives to blood transfusion when they require surgery or other types of medical care. We respect your views and offer innovative treatment options that minimize blood loss and help you safely avoid the need for blood products such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Research shows that bloodless procedures can reduce contamination, lower your risk for infection, shorten your hospital stay, and help you recover faster.
Why Choose Duke
Access to Clinical Trials
Our doctors participate in numerous clinical trials aimed at improving treatments options for people who request bloodless surgery. You may have the opportunity to participate in our ongoing clinical trials to test these approaches before they become widely available.
Support for Your Decisions
You meet individually with our team of doctors, nurses, and staff to discuss your bloodless medical and surgical options. We help you choose an approach that's right for you.
Innovative Techniques
Our experts use a variety of techniques to eliminate the need for blood transfusion. They include:
- Argon beam, which coagulates blood at the bleeding site during surgery
- Cell saver, which cleans and recirculates your own blood continually during surgery
- Electro-cauterization, which uses heat to stop vessels from bleeding
- Harmonic scalpel, which uses mechanical energy to coagulate blood and cut tissue
We also use hemodilution to increase the fluid content of blood, and erythropoietin to stimulate bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.
Commitment to Safety and Satisfaction
Our bloodless surgery program has been carefully designed to comply with our hospital policies, guidelines, and protocols. We are committed to your safety and satisfaction in every aspect of the care we provide.
Special Expertise
Bloodless medical procedures require special expertise, precise monitoring, the latest equipment, and innovative techniques. Our highly skilled team of experts offers you the latest advances.
Complex Surgical Care
We work closely with Duke surgeons in orthopaedics, neurosurgery, cardiology, cancer, and other specialties. They are highly trained and expertly prepared to use bloodless techniques during complex surgical cases.
Pre-Anemia Surgical Referrals
You may be referred to our program to reduce your risk for developing anemia after surgery.
Pre-Operative Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about bloodless surgery at Duke University Hospital, call the Center for Blood Conservation at 919-668-2467 to complete a pre-operative consultation. The doctors linked to this page are just a few of those with particular experience and interest in blood conservation techniques. Blood Conservation staff are also able to help you to find an appropriate specialist to care for your needs.
Duke University Hospital is proud of our team and the exceptional care they provide. They are why we are once again recognized as the best hospital in North Carolina, and nationally ranked in 11 adult and 9 pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report for 2020–2021.


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Expert witnesses play a key role in the outcome of injury cases, from car accident lawsuits to medical malpractice litigation to product liability claims. In many cases, a sustained opinion from an expert is required to establish plaintiff's assertions before the case even makes it to the trial phase.
For this reason, it's imperative for personal injury attorneys to explore any issues that may challenge the credibility of an expert witness testifying for the defense.
One way that this can be done is by analyzing the witness's bias for the defense. In many cases, defendant includes an insurance company. These are large corporations and they routinely will use the same witnesses or the same witness providers time and again. This means a substantial portion of these witnesses' income is derived from insurance company testimony.
What's more, some of these witnesses are paid on a contingency fee basis, meaning they are not compensated unless the side for which they are testifying wins. When the expert witness has a financial stake in how the case turns out, this can reveal a major bias that, if exposed, can lessen the impact of his or her testimony.
In the recent case of Ray v. Draeger, plaintiff was injured in an automobile accident. After filing a lawsuit against at-fault driver (represented by his auto insurance company), plaintiff sought to cross-examine defense expert witness on his insurance industry bias. However, trial court had granted a defense motion earlier in the process that effectively barred such questioning, so the request was denied. However, trial court did allow plaintiffs to question the witness about his financial interest in the "industry" and for "defense attorneys," while disallowing plaintiffs from questioning witness on the specifics of compensation for this particular case.
That was unfortunate – and, as the Alaska Supreme Court would later rule, erroneous, because this particular witness, an orthopedic surgeon, derived a substantial portion of his income testifying almost exclusively for defendants in personal injury cases, and this defendant insurance company in particular. Some years, 50 percent or more of his $800,000 annual income was from testifying for insurance companies in personal injury cases, with about half of those being for car accidents.
In this case, the surgeon testified that while it was reasonable for plaintiff to seek initial treatment following a low-speed, low-impact rear-end collision, her later treatments of physical therapy were not reasonable.
Jurors ultimately decided plaintiff should be compensated for her initial hospital bills, but not those for her later physical therapy appointments.
Plaintiff appealed, specifically citing trial court's denial of motion to cross-examine this witness on his bias toward the defense.
State supreme court noted generally, evidence of bias is both relevant and probative, but conceded some courts have found it to be prejudicial if it results in jurors deciding a close case on a basis that's improper (i.e., whether a party is insured).
Courts can exclude evidence of a defendant's insurance to avoid this fact. And that's what happened here, although it had the effect of essentially blocking plaintiff from pointing out the insurance industry bias of the expert witness.
In resolving this issue, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that such bias should be exposed when the connection is substantial. In such cases, the probative value of that information is more than likely to outweigh the danger of unfair prejudice resulting from jurors knowing defendant is insured.
Additional Resources:
Ray v. Draeger, July 17, 2015, Alaska Supreme Court
More Blog Entries:
Report: New Auto Technology Could Halt Drunk Drivers, July 9, 2015, West Palm Car Accident Attorney Blog


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Only 25605€ (34,254USD)?? I'll take two!!!Seriously though, that sounds like a beast! It looks cool too, all black.http://teledynelecroy.com/oscilloscope/oscilloscopemodel.aspx?modelid=7169I found this comparison to the Agilent9000 from the Agilent point of view. It's always interesting to see how each company pushes the features they have the advantage in as the most important. I love the one lonely missing "History mode playback" feature in the Agilent column.http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5991-1663EN.pdfThere should be a "New Toys At Work" sub-forum in the test-equipment section.
Did you measure the waveform capture rate of HDO6000?
-precision current probes. I played with the new agilent current probe. It is fenomenal. Lecroy is still stuck with the rebadged hioki kludges that need to clamp around cables ( good luck sensing the current consumption of a chip... You need to cut traces on the board and solder a bodge wire..) and it still cannot show you a high dynamic range signal.
15 bit for the lecrap ? Imterpolated you mean... That thing only has a 12 bit convertor just like the agilent.
You come across more of a lecroy fanboy than anything elseAgilent is doing everything right and lecrap is doing everything wrong now.
As far as I remember LeCroy is the one with the longer experience in DSOs, compared to Agilent. Agilent was once HP also known as "High Prices" and since they become Agilent they produced nothing really revolutionary. Can you show me an example for the opposite?My opinion is that Agilent lags LeCroy and not reverse. Agilent can do everthing but nothing right.
By the way: LeCroy wasn't bought, they consolidated with Teledyne, that's a small big difference.
No, they didn't. LeCroy was bought by Teledyne, plain and simple.
The Agilent is just an 8bit scope with 16 times oversampling
As far as I remember LeCroy is the one with the longer experience in DSOs, compared to Agilent.
Can you show me an example for the opposite?
My opinion is that Agilent lags LeCroy and not reverse. Agilent can do everthing but nothing right.
This is for sure a fanboy territory here, because some guys here love the chineese low cost DSOs so much and never had a real scope at hand so that they think this is state of the art. We are talking about professional equipment and this market is very clear (Tektronix, LeCroy, Agilent, R&S)
For me Agilent and HP are two different pairs of shoes, HP produced nice test equipment even if this stuff was very expencive and big. For me Agilent lost its face in the dirty war with Tektronix. Now that Tek is nearly out of the race Agilent starts another dirty war with LeCroy. Dirty because of the fact that they sale what they don't have and I dismiss a company that compares apples with oranges just to look good. It's no shame to admit they doen't have 12bit resolution.Poor Agilent, very poor.I'm awaiting the day Agilent starts fighting against R&S.
QuoteNo, they didn't. LeCroy was bought by Teledyne, plain and simple.Where did you get this info from? My info is directly from LeCroy, they consolidated even if Teledyne is ten times bigger LeCroy was before. This is why the equipement is labled Teledyne LeCroy.
How many ADC bits make sense BTW? They spec the input amplifier at 55 dB SNR ... so that's already 2 bits buried in noise
LeCroy has only 2.5 GS/s. Not much for a 1GHz scope. Well, the HDO6000 and DSO9000H scopes are different. It's hard to say which one is better.


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Unplug for the Day . . . Cataloochee
Tucked away off the I-40 between Asheville, North Carolina and Knoxville, Tennessee is the breathtaking valley of Cataloochee. Surrounded by 6000 ft. peaks, this well protected and preserved valley is part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. With our daughter's horse show schedule and my love of wildlife, this has become an annual pilgrimage for our family.
In 2001 and 2002, the National Park Service, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other partners reintroduced elk into this beautiful valley. Over 200 years ago, elk roamed this area of the southern Appalachian Mountains, but due to overhunting and loss of habitat, the herd was eliminated. As the elk were reintroduced into the area and as they were born, the elk were fitted with radio and GPS collars biologists use to monitor population and movement.
In addition to the elk herd, a variety of historic late 19th century, early 20th century frame buildings, including a school house and church have been well preserved on the property. Also, they have a parking area and beautiful trails for those who enjoy horseback riding. Winding through the valley is a peaceful, naturally stocked stream . . . so for the fishermen in your family, check into a National Park Service fishing permit and bring their trout fishing gear. The National Park Service has been thoughtful to include a few picnic tables in the park, but there are many lush fields and panoramic views for a comfy picnic blanket or travel chairs.
If you want an opportunity to unplug your children and offer them a place to roam for a few hours, add a half-day trip to Cataloochee!
Things to Know . . .
Unplug – You might have thought I was referring to this as a discipline of self- control, but seriously, you will unplug. Once you are deep into the park, you will lose cell signal; therefore, make any necessary preparations ahead of time, then go ahead and turn off your phone to preserve your battery.
Drive Time – With each visit, it seems that the trip gets quicker and quicker; although, it is a little bit of a drive into the park. The National Park Service has greatly improved the roads since our earliest visits, but you will still travel a narrow, curvy, paved & dirt county road until you reach the service road. On our latest visit, I did notice a small, foreign-made, convertible roadster handling the roads just fine . . . Just know ahead of time – it is curvy! Also, especially during peak season (late September through early October), please practice much patience and take/give – some areas of the county road are still one lane.
Elk Safety – The recommended safe range for viewing or photographing elk in the park is 50 yards. Fortunately/Unfortunately, these beautiful mammals have become well acquainted with humans; although, I have noticed some photographers dangerously close to the elk. They are still WILD animals. (Funny side note: As I was exiting one of the "off the main path" bathrooms, to my surprise was a young bull approximately 20 feet from me . . . I think we were both a little surprised!). . . Which leads me to . . .
Bathrooms – The bathrooms are considered "vault toilets" which means there is no flushing or running water, so please pack wipes or hand sanitizer for your hands. In addition, there is only a choice of two gas stations on the I-40 exit for Cataloochee, so plan ahead.
Gas Stations – Once in the park, you will be approximately 10 miles to the nearest gas station; therefore, gas up your vehicle before heading into the park.
Finally, go and enjoy!
Some great links with additional information:


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Special Guest : Pastor Mark and Janet Brazee – December 2
Monday, December 2, 2013 @ 7:00 pm
Don't miss these special meetings with Pastor Mark and Janet Brazee! Pastor Mark is ministering on healing. Yesterday was fantastic! 7:00pm in the Joy Center Auditorium.
The Lord has given Pastor Mark a special anointing in the area of healing. He will be ministering the Word and praying for the sick. If you or someone you know needs a touch from God – don't miss it!


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Trends and Drivers in Fail-Safe Architectures for Rail Systems
The market for embedded computing technologies in rail applications is following a similar trend as has been seen in other embedded market spaces. A layer of the technology value chain becomes 'table stakes'— delivering limited competitive advantage to a point that it makes sense for application providers to reallocate R&D resources to differentiating elements of the end product and buy the base technology from companies who are dedicated to that technology. We are witnessing this transition in the rail market for embedded computers that are certified to safety integrity level four (SIL4), the highest level. These embedded computers offer a certified, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) generic fail-safe platform allowing rail application developers to focus their R&D resources on differentiating applications.
This trend is driven by a number of emerging trends in the global rail industry.
In the past few years we have witnessed an explosive growth in global investments in public rail transportation, in particular high-speed rail and metro, caused mainly by the effort to reduce a nation's carbon footprint by replacing inefficient automobile-based transport with efficient mass transportation. This is particularly evident in emerging economies such as China and India, as well as established economies in the Far East, Africa and South America. While less so in Europe and North America, we do witness growth in these markets due to other factors such as pan-European rail standardization as well as modernization of the rail infrastructure to enhance safety.
To get this white paper, please click the download link below.Download this White Paper
Trends and Drivers in Fail-Safe Architectures for Rail Systems


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TORONTO - Shaun Marcum pitched six hitless innings and came out of the game. Once Marcum was gone, Tampa Bay's offense started up.
TORONTO - Shaun Marcum pitched six hitless innings and came out of the game. Once Marcum was gone, Tampa Bay's offense started up.
Carlos Pena got the Devil Rays' first hit with a tiebreaking home run off Jason Frasor in the seventh inning, and Tampa Bay beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 Sunday to stop a season-high, six-game losing streak.
Making his first start this year after 13 relief appearances, Marcum struck out seven and walked three, leaving after 78 pitches. He was starting because Victor Zambrano has a strained forearm.
"Marcum was perfect," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He actually went a little bit further than we anticipated. He was rolling along. It�s tough to lose a ballgame like that. They held us in check, too."
Gibbons intended to limit Marcum to 70 pitches and never considered sending him back out for the seventh.
"I can't do that," Gibbons said. "You can't. He's definitely not going to be able to go nine. That would be abuse. Many guys come up lame that way. He gave us everything we needed and more."
Marcum, a 25-year-old right-hander, was 3-4 in 14 starts with Toronto last season. He walked Pena in the second and gave up back-to-back walks to Rocco Baldelli and Brendan Harris in the sixth before ending the inning by striking out Carl Crawford.
"I didn't figure I'd get tired as soon as I did," Marcum said. "There was a lot of adrenaline early in the game."
Delmon Young almost beat out an infield chopper in the fifth, but Ryan Roberts charged in from third and made a quick throw to first that ended the inning.
"He was pitching great," Pena said of Marcum. "He was spotting his pitches and he was throwing that offspeed for strikes. I was kind of surprised they took him out."
Frasor (1-2) retired Ty Wigginton on a flyout and struck out B.J. Upton before allowing Pena�s homer, an opposite-field drive to left.
"You want to do it so bad that it kind of takes you out of your focus," Pena said. "I was just trying to relax and see the ball and look what happened. It felt very good to hit the ball hard the other way, and to put our team ahead feels even better."
Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon praised Pena for taking Frasor's pitch the other way.
"You can see he's got enormous power to all fields, Maddon said. "He's unusual with the kind of power he has to all fields."
Pena was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, getting a run-scoring infield single off Brian Tallet with two outs in the ninth.
On a day when each team had only three hits, Jae Seo (2-3) was nearly as sharp as Marcum, giving up two hits and striking out a season-high seven in seven innings to win for the first time in four starts. Seo, who made his 100th major league start, didn�t allow a hit until Royce Clayton's two-out double in the fifth.
"He has that kind of game in him and he brought it today out when we really needed it," Maddon said. "He made better pitches in better spots and the results were good."
Seo, who gave up five runs over three innings in his prior start, used a simpler approach this time.
"I'm just pitching, you know," Seo said. "I'm keeping the ball down and just throwing. The last game there was too much thinking. Today it was just throwing."
Brian Stokes worked a 1-2-3 eighth and Al Reyes finished for his 11th save in as many chances, allowing Matt Stairs' first homer. Reyes hadn�t allowed a run since April 23, when the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez homered off him.
Notes: Tampa Bay won the finale of a six-game trip. ... Troy Glaus (sore left heel) missed his second straight game but Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Glaus is making progress. Roberts started at third, batted ninth and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. ... Several players from both teams used pink bats and wore pink wrist bands to mark a breast cancer awareness promotion on Mother�s Day.


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As Zingtree is getting more and more larger companies as clients, we've received a lot of requests for being able to better manage a large library of trees. Some customers are planning on creating hundreds or even thousands of trees. Our latest update makes it even easier to locate and organize large decision tree "forests."
First Step: Tag Your Trees!
If you haven't done so already, you should tag your trees. A tag is like a category – any tree can have multiple tags. This is the first step to being better organized.
To tag a tree:
- Start at My Trees, and select a tree.
- Go to the Settings tool.
- Click the Tags tab.
- Enter a tag, or pick from a list of existing tags:
- Click Update Settings to save.
Locating Trees by Tag
Once you've tagged your trees, Zingtree has a few different ways to make it easy to stay organized:
- For Authors: Filter your list of trees by tag in the My Trees tool.
- For Authors: Use Tree Tag Integration to enter a list of tags to find trees that have any or all of the desired tags.
- For Agents or End-Users: Authors can use new Macros to present a list of trees to an end-user that contain any or all tags in a list.
Authors: Filter by Tag in the My Trees Tool
When you use the My Trees tool, you'll see an option at the top right for Has Tag. This contains a list of all the decision tree tags in use for your organization:
Select a tag, and you'll see all the trees that have that tag.
Authors: Use Tree Search
For more powerful searching using tags, use the Tree Tag Integration button in My Trees. You have different search options:
- Match Tree Tags (any): Enter a comma separated list of tags. The results return a list of trees that include any of the tags in the list.
- Match Tree Tags (all): Enter a comma separated list of tags. The results return a list of trees that include all of the tags in the list.
Using Macros to Present Lists of Trees by Tag
Inside the content area of any tree, you can insert a special macro to show all the trees in your organization that match any or all tags in a list. You can examine the Tree Tag Demo in the Zingtree Gallery to see how this is done.
The two macros you can insert into the content area are:
- ##treetaglist-any: tags##
- ##treetaglist-all: tags##
In the examples above, replace tags with a comma separated list of tags. treetaglist-any will return a list of trees that match any of the tags in the list. treetaglist-all returns only those trees that contain all the tags in the list.
#treetaglist-any: demo,gallery## – matches trees that are tagged with either demo or gallery.
#treetaglist-all: demo,gallery## – matches trees that are tagged with both demo and gallery.
Shortcut: When editing a node, you can insert these macros from the Templates editing tool in the Content editor:
Bonus: Dynamic Lists
When publishing a tree, if you add a tags= parameter to the tree URL, you can dynamically import the list of tags used by the tree macros. Be sure to separate the tags with | characters. Example:
Inside the tree, this macro will list trees that have tags that match ALL the tags in the passed-in tags= parameter:
This macro will list trees that have tags that match ANY tags in the passed-in tags= parameter:
Node #6 from the Tree Tag Demo in the Zingtree Gallery shows how this is done. Try it!
Integrations: Dynamic Tree Lists by Passing Tags
Our customers Corey and John asked for a way to send a list of tags from their Help Desk system, and open a specific tree or show a list of matching trees. Here's how to do it.
- Go to My Trees, and click Tag Matching.
- Use one of the tree tag searches.
- In the search results, click the Integration Link Template button at the bottom of the page. This will show you a URL to use as the basis for linking from your Help Desk/CRM system to the Zingtree search.
This link is derived from a search in the Zingtree Gallery.
Thanks to Corey, John, Elise, Trey and a few others for sharing their tree management needs. If you have a suggestion, comment, or question, please reach out and talk to us!


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I know it has been a while since I posted something, but life has been somewhat hectic in recent months and the blog has had to take a backseat. I will try to post more frequently, but my schedule is still pretty well packed for the next few months. Nevertheless, I felt the need to say something about the books I have written, and just say with a grin that if you are still looking for that last minute gift… you could always purchase one of my books from Amazon.com
Rules to Live By: Sermons on the Ten Commandments
The contents of this first book are pretty self explanatory.
Starting Over: From Ruins to Rebirth
This second book I wrote for my teenage son while I was out of the country for an extended period of time. The book deals with a range of topics from a Christian perspective. The story follows two siblings traveling alone across what used to be the United States. The world as we know it today had been ravished by war and only small pockets of people remained. As this brother and sister pair travel along they run into various situations and have numerous conversations that lead to discussions of the Christian faith. There is some violence in the book, but there is no foul language, and there is plenty of content to encourage further discussion about the intersection of Christianity and the world around us.
Traveler: One Girl's Amazing Journey of Spiritual Discovery
This final book was also written while I was out of the country. It was written for my daughter and is aimed at the 10-12 year old age range. The main character of the book travels to various places around the globe thanks to a very special playhouse in her room. Along the way, she is exposed to Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. In her conversations with people from other countries, her Sunday School teacher, and her parents, she learns something about culture, other world religions, and how Christianity stands apart. The book is a great tool for conversation around the dinner table. If you would like to read a review of the book, click here.
Until my next post, have a Merry Christmas!