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Multilingual Staff With Personal Service
Our multilingual professionals will guide you through the entire process of immigration as well as assist you with the required documents. We make sure that your paperwork is hand carried to the Consulates/ Embassies or Passport Office so that expedited attention is paid and your visa or passport can be processed to meet your travel deadlines.
DCS Visa Solutions has a long established relationship with several Consulates and Embassies, which allows our company to acquire visas and/or passport as quickly as possible. Complete transparency is maintained throughout the procedure for which we work hand in hand with our clients to help them achieve immigration solution without any complications.
What Makes Us Different
Personalized Service
Thousands of Proccessed Visas
Effective and Strategic Advice
We specialize in
A Work Visa gives someone the ability to take a job in a country other than the one in which he/she is a citizen. There are different types of Work Visas and we can help you throughout the whole process!
We specialize in providing the latest necessities required at the Brazilian Federal Police, such as, Work Visa Registration, RNE cards, registration amendments, etc. Our professionals understand what all is required to immigrate to Brazil and you can completely rely on us.
DCS is able to scale client's total immigration process through its network of Immigration Partners. To make your world borderless is our mission!
We have different processing times for Passport Services so you don't have to miss that important business trip or that dream vacation.
FBI Records is one of the requirements for many countries to apply for a Work Visa. We can collect your fingerprints and expedite the FBI Records.
An official document, such as birth, death and marriage certificates, must be certified to be used in another country. The determination of which certificate is issued is based on the country in which the document will be used. We can help you determine what is needed!
A personalized visa and passport service, right when you need it
Our wide array of specialized services include Immigration consulting, Documentation, Passport processing and a lot more that can make your journey trouble free and enjoyable. With years of experience, we have processed thousands of visas and achieved numerous satisfied customers.
We are recognized as a reliable and professional visa and passport facilitation company. We provide our clients with effective and strategic advice that helps them achieve a competitive edge in the global market. Our visa solutions are known specialized immigration services that are fast and of the highest caliber.
Years in Business


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DPLM Faculty Profiles — Dr. Weimer
Eric T. Weimer, PhD
Assistant Professor
Office: 984-974-1451
Research Interests
My research interests are in the application of cellular and molecular assays to enhance diagnosis of immunologic disorders. As the Associated Director of the Clinical Flow Cytometry, HLA, and Immunology Laboratories for UNC Hospitals, I am interested in combined use of flow cytometry and molecular technology to improve clinical genetic assays. In addition, I am interested in the use of next-generation sequencing to assess patient outcomes following bone marrow transplantation.
List of publications from PubMed

subset: commoncrawl


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Project Management Consultant Position Open for our Professional Development Action Network
Professional Development Action Network: Investing in people is the guiding principle for this Network. To honor this, we will offer free SEL professional learning opportunities to build a support system for those that work with youth. To help manage this work, we are looking to hire a project manager:
Position Title: Project Management Consultant, Milwaukee Succeeds Community Social Support Network (Goal 4)
Reports To: Milwaukee Succeeds Goal 4 Leadership Team
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Management Consultant will work to organize, manage and report on the Professional Development (PD) series being hosted by Goal 4. This person will be responsible for:
- Promotions: Work with the PD action network to promote and register training participants for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) training opportunities
- Event Planning: Coordinate the technical aspects and logistics for all specialty events and the monthly training calendar
- Data Management: Administer, collect and manage data needed to gauge the impact of professional development efforts in partnership with Assessment & Evaluation Consultant
- Alignment: Coordinate with Goal 4's Outreach and Continuous Improvement action networks to ensure alignment and to leverage resources
- Reporting: Contribute to grant reporting for the project including managing related expenses
- Outreach: Become a SEL Ambassador and represent the network at community meetings and events.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be willing to work some evenings and weekends. Additionally, an applicant must have the ability to navigate the city efficiently to get to meetings and events as needed. Specifically, applicants must have:
- Five years of experience with project management preferably in a non-profit setting
- Experience with event planning for groups as small as 10 and as large as 300
- Strong administrative skills with proficient to advanced skills with Microsoft Suite and Google applications
- Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated, creative, flexible and accurate with details\
- The ability to facilitate small group meetings and work effectively with individuals from diverse background
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- The ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines
- A demonstrated interest in building community and helping others
- Experience with coalition work and/or under a collective impact model is a plus!
$25/hour; 10 months; 10 hours per week.
Interested? Please submit your résumé and letter of interest to firstname.lastname@example.com by Monday April 30th.


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The West of Ireland is a wild, beautiful and mystical place, once the edge of the known world. Irish mythology tells us that beyond the horizon was Tír na nÓg – Land of the Young.
The West is home to some of the world's most breath-taking seascapes, unspoiled, pure, pristine. The Atlantic Ocean always rolling in, always changing, always challenging. Isolated beaches, peaceful, reflective but never still.
Atlantean na Mara is here, in the heart of the West. Gently taking the goodness of this magical place and creating a skincare range which encapsulates this unique corner of the North Atlantic Ocean at "The Edge of the World"
Seaweed is one of the most overlooked natural resources on our planet. As a skincare ingredient, it naturally cleanses and purifies due to its inherent antiviral, antioxidative and moisturising properties. Packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients which are essential to healthy skin, seaweed is an ideal solution for restoring the natural skin balance and promoting healthy new cell development.
Beneficial polysaccharides and other elements found in seaweed have been shown to reduce elastin and collagen degradation and increase moisture levels in the skin, while its anti-inflammatory properties can aid in treating skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and acne.
The seaweed used in our extract is sustainably hand-harvested from the wild Atlantic Ocean off the West Coast of Ireland. Our unique extraction process is performed with the care and expertise required to retain the full nutritional potential of the seaweed, which is then carefully blended with organic oils and other beneficial ingredients to produce a range of invigorating and nourishing products you can use every day.
Helps to reduce the skins aging process
Seaweed contains natural anti-aging ingredients which can improve the suppleness of skin while also promoting new cell development. Seaweed also helps to detoxify and tone the skin while at the same time moisturising. Fine lines and wrinkles can be reduced, resulting in brighter, younger and more alive looking skin.
Helps prevent environmental damage
Seaweed is a powerful anti-oxidant. Its minerals are detoxifying, helping to combat harmful environmental damage.
Helps with treating skin conditions
In the past seaweed has been to be used as a treatment for psoriasis, eczema and acne. It contains anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties which can help with treating sensitive skin.
Helps with cellulite reduction
Seaweed also aids with stimulating micro-circulation of the skin. This can help flush toxins away which helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Irish Seaweed
There are about 10,000 species of seaweed globally. Ireland has over 500 different seaweeds around its coastline.
Because of Ireland's unique position in the North Atlantic Ocean coupled with the influence of the Gulf Stream we have both warm water and cold water species indigenous to our coast.
The best of both worlds.
Alaria Esculenta
Alaria Esculenta contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals as well as essential fatty acids omega 3, 6 and 9. These help stimulate and maintain intercellular communication.
It helps preserve skin elasticity and suppleness by reducing elastin and collagen degradation and reinforcing the hydrolipidic barrier.
Harpoon Weed
Asparagopsis Armata
Asparagopsis Armata, also known as harpoon weed, is rich in nutrients and polysaccharide compounds which have been shown to have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.
Asparagopsis Armata also has an inherent fungicide and preserving effect and is packed with powerful antioxidants which help protect the skin cells and promote growth of healthy new cells.
Red Algae
Dumontiaceae is a type of red marine algae packed with anti viral and healing properties. This extraordinary seaweed can only be harvested for a small window each year. Particularly well suited for skin ailments because of its high content of sulfated polysaccharides, which can help tighten skin and reduce elastin degradation while also ensuring the cells receive enough oxygen to remain healthy.
Irish Moss
Chondrus Crispus
Chondrus Crispus, also know as Irish Moss or Carrageen, is rich in vitamins and minerals and is used to soften and smooth the skin.
Containing proteins, polysaccharides, iodine, bromine and a host of other nutrients, Chondrus Crispus is one of the most nutrient dense plants on our planet.
Serrated Wrack
Fucus Serratus
Fucus Serratus, also know as serrated wrack, has been used traditionally for centuries as a skin treatment. Packed full of fucoidans, which have been shown to encourage the synthesis of new collagen.
Fucus Serratus also fights damaging free radicals and skin ageing, reduces inflammation, helps to improve skin elasticity and provides hydration to the cells.
Laminaria Digitata
Laminaria Digitata, also known as Kelp or Tangleweed, contains a variety of proteins, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Ursolic acid helps form a protective barrier on the skin, while fucose polymers act as moisturising agents.
All of these ingredients help increase hydration thereby maintaining and improving the skin's elasticity
Our Key Ingredients
All of our ingredients are ethically sourced from quality organic suppliers. We aim where possible to use 100% organic ingredients. We strive to ensure that sustainability is not compromised and use ingredients which were obtained through Free Trade and Cruelty Free sources.
Boswellia Carterii
Frankincense, of the Boswellia family of trees, has long been used by humans for religious rites and healing effects. Frankincense promotes the growth of healthy new cells, keeps existing tissue healthy and can help reduce wrinkles and soften lines on the skin. It has powerful astringent and antiseptic properties which can help smooth scar tissue and decrease inflammation.
Cananga Odorata
Ylang Ylang
Cananga odorata, or Ylang Ylang as it's more commonly known, is an excellent skin balancer which encourages just the right amount of oil production to keep the skin healthy. It is a natural moisturiser that can help smooth the tone of the skin, being particularly effective on acne scars or dark marks on the skin.
Rosa Damascena
The "Queen of Flowers", Rose oil has the ability to soothe and rebalance dry and sensitive skin types. It has antiseptic, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for skin care. Rose can help clean the pores and tighten the skin, resulting in an overall smoother and more youthful tone.
Simmondsia Chinensis
Simmondsia Chinensis or Jojoba is a unique oil which closely resembles sebum, the oil found in our skin. Jojoba can act as a natural skin conditioner by replacing diminishing levels of sebum while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Containing vitamins A and E, it helps the skin to produce healthy new cells while protecting from harmful bacteria and free radicals.
Aloe barbadensis
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is an excellent moisturiser containing vitamins A, B, C and E in abundance, as well as a variety of other enzymes and nutrients essential to healthy skin . The gel is readily absorbed into the skin for instant cooling, soothing and hydration.
What People are Saying
"I find the face oil and face gel the best I've ever used. I love that I can mix it myself as I can make the correct texture for my skin."
Linda, Manchester
"Thanks Atlantean. I love using Irish seaweed products, makes me feel like I've been on a long walk on the beach in the West."
Jenny, Bray Co. Wicklow
"I love these products. Especially the Face oil, it is so light and pure."
Sharon, Dublin
"With the body wash I really do feel squeaky clean and energised. It lasts a long time as well. Great products and great value
Peter, London.
Our Story
As someone who grew up near the ocean you could say I have it under my skin, it's my escape, my go to place. Sunny or stormy it makes no difference. I do prefer stormy, but that's just me. Living in Ireland, an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, it's just as well.
I also love to swim, time or place doesn't really matter, wet suit or not. I always feel refreshed and revitalised. In particular when there is seaweed nearby. I never really thought too much about that until a few years ago.
While on holiday in the West of Ireland, Rossbeigh in Co. Kerry, (that's it in the image) with a group of friends, discussing the newly christened Irish Wild Atlantic Way, the conversation was about the uniqueness of this coastline and how we all shared our lives with it in one form or another, we somehow found ourselves exploring the idea of creating a range of seaweed based skincare products. Would it be possible to make products which reflected the purity of our coastline and carry the story of our relationship with the sea?
Just like the ocean, this idea got under my skin. I couldn't let it go.
And so began this journey. That was late 2015.
As with most things, they appear invisible until we become aware of them. We discovered a whole industry, dedicated to Irish seaweed. The only thing we had though were questions.
Someone once said questions are the answers. We found this to be completely true and the more questions we asked the clearer it became to us. Then of course others began to appear and buy into our vision. We educated ourselves and with the support of an Algologist developed an initial range of products, which we are very proud of.
Irish Atlantic seaweed is packed with nutrients and powerful bioavailable minerals which are naturally absorbed and utilised to rejuvenate skin. The synergy between seaweed and essential oils creates powerful anti-aging solutions and effectively reduces the appearance of blemishes and fine lines.
The most important thing to us is that we make the best products we can using only the purest ingredients. Our seaweed is harvested by hand, our oils are organic and our philosophy is to try and leave nothing but our footprints behind.
Following on from that initial conversation in 2015 we now have a range of skincare products made with all the goodness of Irish seaweed. This is our beginning. We are based in Castlebar in the heart of the West of Ireland, and our mission is to bring not only our products but also our story and the story of this small island in the North Atlantic Ocean to as many people as possible while leaving only our "Footprints In The Sand".
Paul Hartery
Get in Touch
Atlantean Na Mara Ltd
6 Cavendish Lane
E-Mail: email@example.com
Drop Us a Line
Don't be shy.
Let us know if you
have any questions!
Customer Login


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KHASMA publishes their first album
As the title suggests, we have been working on new songs for our debut album, which will be released in spring 2020. We've written and recorded 11 - 13 songs, which will then be available for you in digital sales (iTunes / Amazon Music / etc.) and in streaming (Spotify / Apple Music / etc.). On January 8th we're kicking off the year with the new sound of KHASMA, a single release «Wildfire» will drop from our album! Get in the action from the start and come with us on an exciting journey! We can't thank you enough already for your support shown with «Move The World»!!
Our Story: We met for the first time in 2017 when we were commissioned to write the event theme tune «Move The World» for the Swiss Gymnastics Festival in Aarau 2019. This soon resulted in a deeper friendship and it was clear to us that we wanted to continue writing songs to keep up the momentum. After a few weeks away songwriting, we had a lot of songs together and decided to present them to the public as a full length album. We are passionate and committed to bringing you the best sound with our first album.
The special thing about our project
We are an independent band consisting of three people who are responsible for this project without a label or external producers. With a great deal of initiative, we've recorded the songs in our «home studio», produced them and given everything we've got in terms of creativity and authenticity to this album.
But in addition to the musical work, there are of course many behind the scenes tasks that we cannot run ourselves. We're a great team and that makes our goal of KHASMA's first album possible.
Below you can listen to our first song «Move The World» below, which we were allowed to write for Switzerland's largest polysporting event.
We need your support for this
In order to achieve our goal from the debut album, we need your financial support. Since we carry out this project without the support of a label or other financial advance, we as a band also bear the entire financial risk ourselves.
If you donate, we have an attractive list of rewards to thank you for the donation. ;-) We look forward to showing our appreciation, getting to know you personally or simply welcoming you to our KHASMA family with a donation.
We are extremely grateful for your support and can't wait to go public with our songs.
Psst: If the project takes more than expected, we will also invest the money in a video clip of one of our singles! ;-)
Follow us now on our social media such as Instagram / Facebook / Youtube / Spotfiy under KHASMA Music and don't miss any news.


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The 10th State conference of the DMK on Sunday urged the Centre to move a resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Council seeking a referendum among Sri Lankan Tamils to facilitate a political solution preferred by them.
A resolution adopted at the meeting said India should insist on a referendum under the supervision of the United Nations and an international inquiry into the alleged war crimes in the last phase of war between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE. Another resolution made a strong case against FDI in the retail sector, arguing that the move would deprive livelihood of crores of people dependent on the retail sector.
Sethu project
The conference demanded implementation of the Sethusamudram Project and abrogation of the agreement between India and Sri Lanka ceding Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka. Besides urging the Centre to commute the death sentence of Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan, convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, a resolution wanted a legislation to dispense with capital punishment in the country. (The Hindu)


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The Barcelona Metro or underground railway is probably the easiest and most convenient way of getting around the city for both tourists and residents alike.
The Metro System is run by two operators Transports Metroplolitans de Barcelona (TMB) run the majority of the network, whilst Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) run Lines 6, 7 and 8.
The Metro serves the Barcelona Metropolitan area that comprises the City of Barcelona plus Sant Adrià de Besos, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Badalona and Hospitalet de Llobregat,which are all in the comarca of El Barcelonès.
The network also extends south to towns in the Baix Llobregat such as Sant Boi and Cornellà.
Buying Tickets
You can buy single journey tickets and a variety of TMB travel cards, including the excellent value T10, in the machines in metro entrances.
If you are coming to Barcelona on vacation, it is well-worth investing in a three, four or five-day Barcelona Card, which not only gives full access to the Barcelona metro, buses, ferrocarrils, trams and funicular but also offers discounts in museums and sights as well as in restaurants and shops.
Metro Line 1 runs from Hospital de Bellvitge in Hospitalet to Fondo in Santa Coloma de Gramenet.
It is the most used line as it goes through important stations such as Catalunya, Espanya, Arc de Triomf and La Sagrera.
Metro Line 2 runs from Paral.lel in Barcelona city centre to the Pompeu Fabra University campus in Badalona.
The line was opened in 1995 and is useful for getting to Sant Adrià and Badalona as it has connections with the Red, Green/Yellow and Blue Lines at Universitat, Passeig de Gràcia and Sagrada Familia respectively.
Metro Line 3 runs from the University of Barcelona Zona Universitària at the end of Diagonal to Trinitat Nova. It opened in 1924 and is the oldest Barcelona Metro line.
It is another key line as it has stops at Sants-Estació, Catalunya and Diagonal.
Metro Line 4 runs from La Pau to Trinitat Nova and has important city centre stops at Verdaguer, Passeig de Gràcia and Urqinaona.
You're likely to use it quite a lot as Jaume I - the main stop for the Barri Gòtic is on the Yellow Line, as are Barceloneta, Vila Olímpica and the Forum.
Metro Line 5 runs from Cornellà Centre south of the city to Barcelona's main hospital at Vall d'Hebron.
Important city centre stations include Sants-Estació, Diagonal, Verdaguer, Sagrada Familia and Sagrera.
Lines L6, L7 and L8 are all run by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC) and, although technically part of the metro system, use different trains, which are more comfortable than the regular metro trains.
* The Lilac L6 FGC-Metro Line goes from Plaça Catalunya to Reina Elisenda.
* The Brown L7 FGC-Metro Line goes from Plaça Catalunya to Avinguda Tibidabo.
* The Pink L8 FGC-Metro Line runs from Plaça Espanya to Molí Nou Ciutat Cooperativa.
Metro Line 9 is in two sections, the first of which opened in 2009 and runs from La Sagrera to Can Zam in Sant Coloma.
The second section opened in early 2016 and goes from Zona Universitària to Barcelona Airport.
The remaining section that runs through Barcelona City Centre is still under construction.
Metro Line 10 runs from La Sagrera to Gorg in Badalona.
This relatively new line also opened in 2009 and is planned to reach Zona Franca.
Metro Line 11 runs from Trinitat Nova to Can Cuiàs in Moncada i Reixach.
It serves a part of the city that was previously very difficult to reach by public transport and includes the stations Casa de l'Aigua, Torre Baró and Ciutat Meridiana.
For up to date Barcelona Transport Information visit Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona
Do you have a great information to add or an opinion to express about on this topic? Share it!


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Joanna Miles, only comes to visit Brighton for 3 or 4 days per month for work. The company is a DJ Agency based in the Lanes called Families. We spoke about how, at age 34, she lives in Berlin and does a job she loves.
How did that happen?
I used to live in London, and then I moved to Berlin in September. I got my job here in January because I used to work for another company in London and then when I went to Berlin I changed jobs, and part of the deal is that I come here and spend some time with the team and like my assistants and stuff.
So you're a DJ?
No, I'm an agent for DJ's, I get them gigs, so I have a list of DJ's that obviously want to get as many gigs as possible and I find them as many gigs around the world as I can!
Tell me about one of the DJ's that you represent?
There's quite a few! I feel really naughty picking one because that means I've got a favourite. One of them is like a live band they're called Pillow Talk they're American, one of them lives in Berlin and one of them lives in New York. They're like house, soul R&B, it's really really good. So they DJ but they're also like a live band so there's a vocalist and they're amazing! But obviously I'm gunna say that!
What do you like about doing this job?
I really really like house music. Thats the main reason. I do get some good perks as well, I get to go to festivals and events. But generally I get to speak about what I love, to people that I like, everyday. And I love my job, which I think is a big help because I think you have t0 love your job.
If you had one message to humanity what would it be?
Be really really nice to each other everyday at least once a day be nice to each other. Love a lot!
So I've noticed the diamond tattoo on your inner wrist, is there a story behind it?
Oh this one! Yeah so this is a diamond and this means even in the darkest of times just keep on shining. I have another one as well! I got this one for my best friend (shows me a love heart on her inner forearm). We have the same one but shes got hers there (she points to above her left hip). And thats when I moved to Berlin, just to keep us together always.
Tell me about her!
She is amazing obviously because she's my best friend. We have been friends for 10 years, she lives in London, works in advertising her name is Claire. Yeah she's just like the first lady of my life. After my boyfriend she is literally like the second most important person to me after Neil, which she's gunna kill me for saying that because she wants to be first!
We hope Claire doesn't kill you and the gigs go well for Pillowtalk!


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New audio transcription capabilities are arming a generation of hackers with the ability to easily and cheaply pull valuable PCI DSS data from contact center call recordings.
Call recordings can be protected by using Automatic Pause and Resume, which eliminates valuable data from recordings.
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Access the white paper by filling out the form on this page.
© 2018 ZOOM International


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If you're like me, you're probably quite leery when it comes to video art. Fear not, there are actually some great works within the genre, Reel-Unreel being one of them.
ABOVE: Francis Alÿs, Reel-Unreel, 2011, single channel video projection, dimensions variable with installation
Full disclosure, being unfamiliar with the genre, my guard is often up when it comes to video art, and when in galleries, I'm rarely able to sit through a full showing. Maybe it's me, but I find most of it to be pretentious and nonsensical. That was until I came across Reel-Unreel by Francis Alÿs in an off the path room at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Stumbling upon it by accident, I was quickly compelled to stay for the full 20 minutes.
Based on the street game 'trundling a hoop' – which is common among Afghan children – the film consists of two boys reeling and unreeling two spools of film through the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan. As the first boy unwinds the film, he is followed by the other who rewinds it onto a second reel. While the action takes place on screen, the film itself reels and unreels in its projector.
Although simplistic in nature, Reel-Unreel provides an insider's glimpse into the daily life of Kabul as the boys run through the oldest parts of town, over the rubble of war, and up a hill overlooking the city. Throughout it all, the sights, sounds, and people of the Afghan capital pass in and out of the frame, and the city itself becomes one giant movie set.
I really liked Reel-Unreel. If you're going to the AGO, I suggest you see it.


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"The Tribute to Sir Elton John & Billy Joel: Through the Years"
Through August 11
GevaTheatreCenter, 75 Woodbury Blvd.
Tickets start at $25 | 232-4382, gevatheatre.org
- Joel Mason and David James in "The Tribute," currently on stage at Geva Theatre. PHOTO BY DEREK MADONIA
Tribute shows dedicated topopular musicians are nothing new -- I remember seeing "Beatlemania" when I was barely a teenager. The show currently on the Geva Mainstage, "The Tribute to Sir Elton John & Billy Joel: Through the Years," is something of a different animal. In it, the two performers bringing to life the music of the pop-rock legends of the title do not attempt to pass themselves off as the pianist-singers. They simply sing the hits of the piano men who inspired them, interspersed with some banter that references the performers' personalities more than the icons themselves. Because of that, the show actually feels more like a cover-band concert than a theatrical endeavor. Regardless, by the end of opening night, the crowd at Geva was eating it up, quite content to ignore any flaws and able to enjoy the night for what it was: accessible musical fun.
The show stars Rochester native David James, who handles the Billy Joel side of the equation, and Joel Mason, who tackles the catalogue of Sir Reginald Dwight, better known as Elton John. The two have extensive performance experience, with James -- a once and future student of the Eastman School of Music (he'll return to ESM this fall for an additional degree) -- having performed his Joel tribute in various hotels and cruise ships. It was on one of those cruises that he met Mason, who has similarly performed around the world with his Elton John act. The two decided to work together on a concert in honor of the two piano-playing rock stars, who notably worked together in their "Face 2 Face" tours in the 90's and early 2000's.
The format of "The Tribute" is simple. Sitting at two pianos on the Geva stage, the two men take turns on various classic Joel or John songs, sometimes sharing vocal duties, sometimes soloing, and in the case of guilty pleasure "Honky Cat," even getting into a little piano duel. They both play the piano and, when needed, backing tracks fill in the rest of the instruments. Most of these tracks are fine, but a few come dangerously close to elevator music -- "Philadelphia Freedom" was especially cheesy (admittedly, the source material is hopelessly dated).
As James and Mason perform, a projector screen on the back of the stage plays either background videos that wouldn't feel out of place at a Korean karaoke bar or archival footage of the original artists. It's oddly comforting to see videos like John's "I'm Still Standing," which is basically the distillation of every 80's music video ever, and Joel's "Uptown Girl," which still makes me giddy every time I watch Christie Brinkley take off her hat and unfurl her hair. When the duo shares the stage, they engage in a bit of shtick -- sometimes too much shtick -- and frequently goad the audience into participating with sing-alongs or claps.
That last point proved somewhat awkward at the beginning of the performance I attended. Prior to the two performers taking the stage, a brief trivia video implored the audience to go get more drinks before the show started, and later in the evening Mason made a crack about how nobody cared about what he sang so long as the drinks were flowing. That kind of banter makes sense in a cocktail lounge... but Geva ain't a cocktail lounge. And I think, at first, the audience may have felt a little awkward singing along even to familiar feel-good music in a space where it's used to seeing works like "A Raisin in the Sun" or "On Golden Pond." But by the end of the second act, the crowd was fully into the show, with unabashed sing-alongs and spontaneous dancing breaking out with at least one man seated toward the front of the theater.
The performers each bring something different to the show. James is the stronger singer and pianist, and his voice is well suited to the Joel catalogue. He is particularly good in the slower, more emotional ballads ("She's Always a Woman" and "Just the Way You Are"), although he also touches on something that the program points out is quintessentially Billy Joel: projecting an aura of toughness. Mason's gift comes from his ability to work a crowd. He has a boyish charm about him, and even when he was trying too hard, I found myself amused by his act. He also has quite the impressive John-inspired wardrobe, including one multi-colored fur outfit I'll call Muppet Armageddon and an all-white ensemble I can only describe as "from the Norma Desmond estate sale."
While it would be impossible for a two-hour show to cover all of the hits of pop legends like Joel or John, the nearly 30 songs selected should please fans of either artist, especially fans of their early periods (I don't think there's any music in the show from after 1990). It goes without saying that the songs themselves are all excellent examples of piano-based pop-rock, and James and Mason handle them capably. The show is a bit of an odd fit for the Geva space, and there's no denying that it could use some refining. But if you're a fan of pop music from the 70's and 80's and don't mind a bit of shameless pandering, it makes for an entertaining evening. (The drinks they kept mentioning couldn't hurt.)


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Rudd prepares to release tax review
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is preparing to release the Henry Tax Review on Sunday, but leaks of the review's details have already caused consternation.
LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: Next Sunday the Federal Government will finally release the recommendations from the Henry tax review, but already leaks have caused much consternation, particularly in the mining industry.
It's unhappy with a reported 40 per cent tax on mining profits which would give Canberra a big chunk of the minerals boom dollars.
That's one of two major plays that the Rudd Government's making to claw back a larger share of growth taxes.
The other is the GST, which has been up until now untouchable.
Ticky Fullerton prepared this special report on the taxing times ahead.
TICKY FULLERTON, REPORTER: We're two weeks out from the budget and six days from a long-awaited Henry tax review, chaired by the head of the Treasury - a 1,000-page tome which brings to mind the classic cabinet scene from Duck Soup.
(Excerpt, Duck Soup, Paramount Pictures, 1933)
CABINET MINISTER: Your excellency, here's the treasury department's report. I hope you find it clear.
GROUCHO MARX: Clear? Why, a four-year-old child could understand this report. Run out and find me a four-year-old child. I can't make head and tail out of it.
TICKY FULLERTON: Roaring back just in time to solve a few budget problems for the Government, why, it's the economy.
WAYNE SWAN, TREASURER: The Australian economy continued to outperform the rest of the advanced economies right around the world.
CRAIG JAMES, CHIEF ECONOMIST, COMMSEC: We were supposed to have a budget deficit up around about $57 billion. It looks as though it's going to come in somewhere between $40 billion and $45 billion. That is a significant degree of gap between the forecast and the outcome.
TICKY FULLERTON: But also give Wayne Swan presumably something to work with going out in the next few years?
CRAIG JAMES: Well, certainly if the budget deficit comes in substantially less than has been indicated there's a lot more that the Government can do.
TICKY FULLERTON: The Federal Opposition had its own Henry take a look at tax policy last year.
HENRY ERGAS, SENIOR ECONOMIC ADVISER, DELOITTE: Any reform that doesn't address the difficulties in personal income taxation is not likely to really do the job in terms of improving the efficiency and long-run growth potential of the Australian economy.
TICKY FULLERTON: Personal income tax raises around $120 billion of the $290 billion total raised a year.
Henry Ergas argues that high marginal tax rates distort everyday decisions to work and invest in skills, and that will only become more pronounced as the population ages.
HENRY ERGAS: What I would hope to see is reform of personal income taxation - flatter rates, lower rates, and the lower reliance on taxing income relative to taxing consumption or expenditure.
TICKY FULLERTON: But there's one small problem with that: the Government instructed the Henry Review to ignore the largest consumption tax, the GST.
DR NICHOLAS GRUEN, CEO, LATERAL ECONOMICS: It's kind of unfortunate that you announce a root and branch review of taxation and then nominate your - the roots and branches that it's not a review of.
(Excerpt, GST Advertisement, 2000)
SONG: Unchain my heart...
TICKY FULLERTON: Fiddling with the GST is political dynamite.
Until last week the GST had been a tax that the states refused to give up. As a very famous Treasurer once said:
PAUL KEATING, TREASURER 1983-1991: The one place to not to be in this system is between a Premier and a bucket of money.
TICKY FULLERTON: But that's just where Kevin Rudd has put himself.
In last week's health deal, he's clawed back 30 per cent of the GST from state coffers. All, that is, except Western Australia.
COLIN BARNETT, WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PREMIER: Why is it about GST? Probably because the Federal Government and the Federal Treasury want to get their hands on state revenue.
TICKY FULLERTON: Ten days ago, out of the blue, Wayne Swan announced a $13 billion GST tax windfall for this year, thanks to the better economy.
Thirty per cent of GST revenue puts the Commonwealth in control of nearly a third of Australia's biggest growth tax.
Wayne Swan says the GST will not rise above 10 per cent but in years to come that could all change.
Ten per cent is still well below the oeCD average of 17.7 per cent and across the Tasman, the New Zealanders this year face a hike in their GST from its base of 12.5 per cent.
JOHN KEY, NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER: The Government is also carefully considering a modest increase in the rate of GST to no more than 15 per cent.
(Loud groans)
TICKY FULLERTON: Henry Ergas says it's only a matter of time before Australian tax reform reaches the GST.
HENRY ERGAS: There is no way that that issue will go away. There's no way it will be buried. It will be there.
TICKY FULLERTON: There's another big state revenue stream that the Henry Review will advise the Government to go after: the rivers of gold forecast to flow from the mining boom.
The tip is, a new resource rent tax of up to 40 per cent of future mining dollars.
DR NICHOLAS GRUEN: We rationalise state resource rent taxes, raise Commonwealth resource rent tax and use that to recycle money to lower company tax rates. I think that's the sort of stand-out tax issue.
TICKY FULLERTON: The mining industry is already crying foul.
SIMON BENNISON, CEO, ASSOCIATION OF MINING AND EXPLORATION COMPANIES: If they go ahead and make some of these decisions without consultation, the consequences can be quite catastrophic, not only to the companies directly but also to the regional communities which those companies redirect a lot of resources in social infrastructure and community benefits.
TICKY FULLERTON: A number of premiers have indicated that they are very reluctant to sign over royalties to a centralised system.
COLIN BARNETT: They're thinking about a resource rent tax, which is basically a tax on mining and therefore a tax on Western Australia. Sixty-two per cent of Australia's minerals industry is in this state.
TICKY FULLERTON: Premier Barnett's outrage adds further tension to GST negotiations with Kevin Rudd.
According to one senior source familiar with government thinking, a federal resource rent tax could fund Canberra's share of the roll out of the national broadband network (NBN).
CRAIG JAMES: It certainly may be the case that the strength coming in from our resource revenues are enough to offset some of the expenses that we've got, such as the broadband rollout and even things like health funding.
TICKY FULLERTON: Funding broadband from mining is bad economics, according to Dr Gruen.
DR NICHOLAS GRUEN: If the Government is going to put lots of money into broadband, that's a capital item. The resource rent tax is essentially a recurrent item and I'm, you know, a bit of a stickler for keeping those two things separate in our minds.
TICKY FULLERTON: The NBN report is another document yet to be released but Lateline understands that the $42 billion price tag could be revised to about half that figure. Perhaps that was what the minister was alluding to on Lateline last month.
STEPHEN CONROY, COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER (Lateline, March 17): I think there will be a whole variety of people who will be quite surprised about the information that is in this document.
WAYNE SWAN: We're very serious about this review. That's why we've asked such quality people to conduct the review.
TICKY FULLERTON: Quality is clearly a rare commodity, however.
Ken Henry is wearing two hats: chairing the tax review and then, as secretary to the Treasury, advising Government on what to do with it.
DR NICHOLAS GRUEN: It will be interesting to have Ken's candid views on that but I don't think if you ask him on the program he'll tell you.
Ticky Fullerton, Lateline.


text:
Tiffany Reports Second Quarter Results; Company Posts Solid Sales And Earnings Growth
New York, N.Y., August 27, 2010 - Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) today reported that its worldwide net sales rose 9% in the second quarter ended July 31, 2010, with solid growth in most regions. A higher operating margin also contributed to a 19% increase in net earnings in the second quarter; net earnings from continuing operations adjusted to exclude nonrecurring items rose 45% (see attached "Non-GAAP Measures" schedule). The Company increased its full year earnings growth outlook.
Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Tiffany's financial performance in the quarter continued to demonstrate the benefits derived from a growing global presence, with roughly half of our sales now occurring outside the U.S. In the quarter, we were pleased that sales increased in most countries and product categories."
In the three months (second quarter) ended July 31, 2010:
- Worldwide net sales increased 9% to $668.8 million. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, which excludes the effect of translating foreign-currency-denominated sales into U.S. dollars, worldwide net sales rose 8% and comparable store sales rose 5% (see "Non-GAAP Measures" schedule).
Net earnings from continuing operations rose 19% to $67.7 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, compared with $56.7 million, or $0.46 per diluted share.
Earnings in the second quarter of 2010 include $0.02 per diluted share of expenses (see SG&A expenses below) related to the pending relocation of Tiffany's New York headquarters staff. Earnings in 2009's second quarter included $0.07 per diluted share of nonrecurring income related to a loan recovery and tax reserve adjustments. Excluding those items, net earnings from continuing operations increased 45% (see "Non-GAAP Measures" schedule).
In the six months (first half) ended July 31, 2010:
- Worldwide net sales of $1.302 billion were 15% higher than the prior year. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, worldwide net sales and comparable store sales rose 13% and 7%.
Net earnings from continuing operations rose 57% to $132.1 million, or $1.03 per diluted share. Excluding all nonrecurring items in both years (see "Non-GAAP Measures" schedule), net earnings from continuing operations increased 74%.
Net sales highlights by segment:
- In the Americas, which spans the U.S., Canada and Latin/South America, sales increased 8% to $350.4 million in the second quarter and rose 14% to $665.7 million in the first half. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, sales rose 7% and 13% in the second quarter and first half and comparable store sales increased 5% and 10% (sales in the New York flagship store rose 8% and 16% and comparable Americas' branch store sales increased 4% and 8%). Internet and catalog sales in the Americas declined 2% in the second quarter and rose 9% in the first half.
In Asia-Pacific, sales increased 21% to $111.5 million in the second quarter and increased 35% to $233.8 million in the first half. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, sales rose 17% in the second quarter, with the largest percentage growth in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Korea, and rose 27% in the first half; comparable store sales rose 7% and 14%. During the quarter, the Company opened a store in the new Marina Bay Sands Resort in Singapore (its fourth in Singapore) and a store in the IFC Mall in Shanghai (its 12th in China).
In Japan, sales of $118.0 million in the second quarter and $233.1 million in the first half were 4% and 1% higher than the prior year. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, sales declined 2% and 5% in the respective periods and comparable store sales declined 7% and 8%.
In Europe, sales increased 14% to $76.9 million in the second quarter and 19% to $145.5 million in the first half. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, sales rose 25% in the quarter, with similarly strong growth in the U.K. and continental Europe, and rose 22% in the first half; on that basis, comparable store sales rose 21% and 18% in the respective periods.
Other sales declined 19% to $11.9 million in the second quarter primarily due to lower wholesale sales of rough diamonds. Other sales increased 24% to $24.2 million in the first half, due to higher wholesale sales of rough diamonds and increased wholesale sales of TIFFANY & CO. merchandise to independent distributors primarily in the Middle East and Russia.
The Company operated 223 TIFFANY & CO. stores and boutiques at July 31, 2010 (91 in the Americas, 57 in Japan, 48 in Asia-Pacific and 27 in Europe), versus 211 locations a year ago (88 in the Americas, 57 in Japan, 42 in Asia-Pacific and 24 in Europe).
Other financial highlights:
- Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of net sales) increased to 57.8% in the second quarter, from 55.1% last year, partly reflecting the recapture of higher product costs through retail price increases, as well as manufacturing efficiencies and a decline in wholesale sales of rough diamonds. Gross margin was 57.8% in the first half, compared with 55.5% last year.
- SG&A (selling, general and administrative) expenses rose 10% in the second quarter and 12% in the first half due to increases in staffing, occupancy and marketing costs. SG&A expenses in 2010 included $3.6 million in the second quarter and $4.4 million in the first half, or $0.02 per diluted share after tax in both periods, of costs related to the pending relocation of Tiffany's New York headquarters staff; these expenses are associated with the acceleration of depreciation of property and equipment and incremental rents during this transition period until the move occurs in early 2011. In addition, in the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a $4.4 million gain, or $0.02 per diluted share after tax, related to a loan recovery. Excluding those items in both years, SG&A expenses increased 7% in the second quarter and 10% in the first half; on that adjusted basis, SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales was 40.3% in the second quarter, versus 41.2% a year ago, and the ratio was 40.6% in the first half, versus 42.7% last year.
Interest and other expenses, net of $11.1 million in the second quarter and $23.3 million in the first half were modestly lower than the prior-year periods.
Effective income tax rates were 34.0% in the second quarter and 32.5% in the first half; the first half rate included nonrecurring items recorded in the first quarter (see "Non-GAAP Measures" schedule). In the prior year, effective income tax rates of 26.7% and 32.4% reflected the recording of favorable reserve adjustments at the conclusion of certain tax audits, which benefited net earnings by $0.05 per diluted share in the second quarter and first half of 2009.
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $615 million at July 31, 2010, versus $334 million a year ago. Short-term and long-term debt totaled $782 million, versus $752 million a year ago, and represented 40% of stockholders' equity at July 31, 2010, compared with 45% a year ago.
Net inventories at July 31, 2010 were 1% above July 31, 2009. Net inventories have increased 9% since the start of the fiscal year, and management's full year objective continues to call for a high-single-digit percentage increase to support sales growth and new store openings.
The Company repurchased 798,900 shares of its Common Stock in the second quarter at a total cost of $32.9 million, or an average cost of $41.16 per share, and repurchased 1,118,400 shares in the first half at a total cost of $47.1 million, or an average cost of $42.15 per share. Approximately $355 million remains available for future repurchases under the existing plan which expires in January 2011.
Mr. Kowalski continued, "We look toward the second half of the year with a sense of guarded optimism, continuing to grow our worldwide store base and launching a range of exciting new products, including an extraordinary collection of jewelry with yellow diamonds and an enticing new collection of handbags and leather accessories, among many others."
He added, "So far in this third quarter, consolidated worldwide sales are growing at a low-double-digit percentage rate over last year, with varying results by region. And, as our sales grow, we are efficiently utilizing our infrastructure to further increase the operating margin. Therefore, based on our better-than-expected second quarter results and expected continued strength in gross margin, we are increasing our annual net earnings outlook to $2.60 - $2.65 per diluted share (from $2.55 - $2.60 previously), although earnings growth in this third quarter (versus last year's $0.33 per diluted share excluding nonrecurring items) will be somewhat restrained by disproportionately higher marketing spending. Tiffany remains strategically and financially well positioned."
2010 Outlook:
Management's outlook for fiscal 2010 is based on the following assumptions which may or may not prove valid:
a) A worldwide sales increase of approximately 11%;
b) By region, sales are expected to increase approximately 10% in the Americas, to increase by a mid-twenties percentage in Asia-Pacific, to decline by a low-single-digit percentage in Japan and to increase by a mid-teens percentage in Europe. Other sales are expected to increase modestly from the prior year;
c) The opening of 14 new Company-operated stores (five in the Americas, seven in Asia-Pacific and two in Europe);
d) An increased operating margin primarily due to a higher gross margin, as well as an improved ratio of SG&A expenses (excluding nonrecurring items) to sales;
e) Interest and other expenses, net of approximately $50 million;
f) An effective income tax rate of 34% - 35%;
g) Net earnings from continuing operations (excluding nonrecurring items) of $2.60 - $2.65 per diluted share.
h) This full year earnings forecast excludes any nonrecurring items such as expenses related to the pending relocation of Tiffany's New York headquarters staff, as well as a net tax benefit recorded in the first quarter which, in total, will reduce earnings in 2010 by approximately $0.06 per diluted share; the Company's previous earnings forecast also excluded nonrecurring items.
i) Capital expenditures of approximately $180 million.
Today's Conference Call:
The Company will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) to review these actual results and its outlook. Investors may listen at http://investor.tiffany.com ("Events and Presentations").
Next Scheduled Announcement:
The Company expects to report its third quarter 2010 financial results on November 24, 2010 with a conference call at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time). To receive notifications of news releases, please register at http://investor.tiffany.com ("E-Mail Alerts").
Tiffany & Co. operates jewelry stores and manufactures products through its subsidiary corporations. Its principal subsidiary is Tiffany and Company. The Company operates TIFFANY & CO. retail stores and boutiques in the Americas, Japan, Asia-Pacific and Europe and engages in direct selling through Internet, catalog and business gift operations. For additional information, please visit www.tiffany.com or call our shareholder information line at 800-TIF-0110.
This document contains certain "forward-looking" statements concerning the Company's objectives and expectations with respect to sales, store openings, operating margin, net earnings, inventories and capital expenditures. Actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Information concerning risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially is set forth in the Company's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Net Sales
The Company's reported sales reflect either a translation-related benefit from strengthening foreign currencies or a detriment from a strengthening U.S. dollar.
The Company reports information in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Internally, management monitors its sales performance on a non-GAAP basis that eliminates the positive or negative effects that result from translating international sales into U.S. dollars ("constant-exchange-rate basis"). Management believes this constant-exchange-rate basis provides a more representative assessment of sales performance and provides better comparability between reporting periods.
The Company's management does not, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company presents such non-GAAP financial measures in reporting its financial results to provide investors with an additional tool to evaluate the Company's operating results. The following table reconciles sales percentage increases (decreases) from the GAAP to the non-GAAP basis versus the previous year:
James N. Fernandez
(212) 230-5315
Mark L. Aaron
(212) 230-5301


text: I meant to update my LJ last weekend but my granddad was taken into hospital and we spent the week waiting for news. My parents just phoned me and told me that he died peacefully this morning. It's good, because he wasn't really him any more; Alzheimer's had gradually eroded the man I grew up with and he was practically housebound, which for a man who'd always enjoyed his sport was akin to torture. So I'm glad he's not suffering any more, but I'm still sad. Although he was a selfish man, he was always loving and kind towards me and until my cousin Jack was born, I was his favourite grandchild. My dad's father died when he was 11 so my granddad was the only grandfather I had growing up (but I had 3 grandmothers - my mother's mother, my mother's stepmother and my father's mother) and now I won't have that again (unless I find a partner with a living grandparent). I'm postponing my life update for a little while but I will be back.


text:
If you were to log in, you'd be able to get more information on your fellow community member.
While I agree with you that Govt. shouldn't be concerned with the equality of pay between sports players and private school teachers. I must point out that comparing the two is not really what you should do to uphold the Libertarian and in most cases Ayn Rand's ideals.Private schools are built and funded entirely by private funds.They pay all of their own expenses,yet they supply a very valuable service to the community.On the other hand,Sport franchises have their facilities built for them using our tax dollars costing tax payers billions of dollars with limited advantages for the common taxpayer.Therefore the sportsfranchise can afford to pay their employees alot more, because they are subsidized by the American taxpayer and the private schools are forced to pay their own way.
I think your just afraid that the flag wavers are real patriots ,which probably scares the heck out of you


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Posted on January 31, 2012
The former President of of Brazil Lula da Silva was feted across the world for bringing millions of Brazilians out of poverty.
However, the rich also did very well under his left-wing government.
Brazil has an ever increasing number of millionaires, many of whose feet rarely touch the ground – as they fly from penthouse to office to gated community.
Paulo Cabral reports on the gap between rich and poor in Sao Paulo.


text:
Welcome to Zillmer Farms
At Zillmer Farms, we offer only the highest quality Blackberries for sale by bulk or wholesale. Our Blackberry season normally runs from May through November of each year.
For a longer production season, Zillmer Farms grows several different varieties of Blackberries. Winter cold temperatures can affect the production, please call to check on what's available.
Besides blackberries, we grow other seasonal fruits and vegetables. See the Farmers Wife page or calendar for a list of those being sold at a specific market. We are located close to I-20, about 15 miles north of Tyler and halfway between Dallas,Texas,and Shreveport, Louisiana.
Blackberries and strawberries
Potatoes, green beans, red onions


text:
Transport Roosens in Antwerp: our team of hauliers
Skilled hauliers
Since 2009 all professional hauliers are required by law to obtain a certificate of competence (code 95 on the driving certificate), next to the regular driving certificate. The certificate will be regularly renewed by means of refresher courses. So don't worry: your load is in good hands.
With a healthy dose of enthusiasm
Each new haulier receives an in-service, on-the-job training at the Antwerp docks. Interested in strengthening our team? Have a look at our job vacancies for drivers with a certificate cat. CE.
Care to find out more about our transport company's services (e.g. container transport and flatbed trailer transport)? Give us a call at +32 3 775 01 01 or fill in our contact form.


text: Mystery Writers of America (MWA) welcomes people from all backgrounds, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. We do not tolerate discrimination or abuse of any kind, including any form of sexual harassment. We similarly require our members and guests to comply with this policy when participating in any MWA-sponsored events.


text:
What if you could print Polaroid photos from your iPhone?
While some folks consider physical photographs a step backwards in the evolution of photography (fair enough @BradMcCarty), the shutter-sound luddite inside me still enjoys holding a beautiful photograph, pinning it to my wall or pasting it in a diary.
While Instagram, PicPlz and every other of the millions of filter forming iPhone apps out there give users the washed out vibes that remind us of old times, we're still stuck with digital photo libraries on the web and on our mobile phones. For all of you out there who wish there was an iPhone device to instantly print out your photos, this concept design by Mac Funamizu will make you smile. Funamizu writes that in his design, if you upload the photo to a website, you can add an QR code for the url on the back. For a geo-tagged photo, you can also include the map to show where the photo was taken.
Read next: Adobe releases three new iPad apps, Color Lava, Nav and Eazel


text:
WA's Site Pages Stop Displaying in Firefox 4.0
I've updated to Firefox 4, and I have encountered several instances when I submit on this site, I get returned a blank page. My comments/information is not entered, and I cannot get visible screen content from WA pages.
When I open IE8, I can navigate and enter information just fine.
Yesterday I rebooted to fix the problem. This morning I cleared the domain cookies. I had tried disabling Adblock Plus, but that action had no effect on the problem.
This could be just my computer, or more likely it's a Firefox 4 bug. But, maybe it's something y'all at WA want to track.


text:
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Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria
Print version ISSN 0004-282XOn-line version ISSN 1678-4227
Arq. Neuro-Psiquiatr. vol.65 no.3b São Paulo Sept. 2007
Optimized hyperventilation preserves 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in severe traumatic brain injury
A hiperventilação otimizada preserva o 2,3-difosfoglicerato no traumatismo craniencefálico grave
Rayne Borges TorresI; Renato Giuseppe Giovanni TerziII; Antônio Luís Eiras FalcãoIII; Nelci Fenalti HöehrIV; Venâncio Pereira Dantas FilhoV
Campinas State University (UNICAMP) Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil (FCM/UNICAMP):
IPhysical Therapist and Master of Science. Director, Graduate Course of Phisiotherapy, Faculdades Integradas de Patos, Patos PB, Brazil
IIFull Professor of Surgery, FCM/UNICAMP
IIIAssistant Professor, FCM/UNICAMP and Head UTI - Hospital das Clínicas - UNICAMP
IVAssistant Professor, Clinical Pathology Department, FCM/UNICAMP
VAssistant Professor, Bioethics and Neurosurgery, FCM and Hospital das Clínicas da UNICAMP. Neurosurgeon Hospital das Clínicas - UNICAMP
INTRODUCTION: The concentration of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG/Hct) increases as a physiological occurrence to pH increase and hyperventilation. This response was tested in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
METHOD: The concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct was measured daily for six days in eleven patients with severe TBI in need of optimized hyperventilation because of intracranial hypertension.
RESULTS:There was correlation between pH and the concentration of DPG/Hct. The concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct remained predominantly within normal levels with slight increase in the sixth day of the study. The concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct correlated significantly with measured partial pressure of oxygen that saturates 50% the hemoglobin of the blood (P50st), confirming the consistency of our data.
CONCLUSION: The expected physiological response of a progressive increase in concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct to hyperventilation was not observed. This fact may be explained by the intermittent and not sustained hyperventilation as dictated by the protocol of optimized ventilation.
Key Words: 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, brain injury, traumatic brain injury, hyperventilation, mechanical ventilation.
INTRODUÇÃO: A concentração de 2,3-difosfoglicerato nos eritrócitos (2,3-DPG/Hct) aumenta como ocorrência fisiológica ao aumento do pH e à hiperventilação. Esta resposta foi testada em pacientes com traumatismo craniencefálico (TCE) grave.
MÉTODO: A concentração de 2,3-DPG/Hct foi medida diariamente, durante seis dias, em 11 pacientes com TCE grave necessitando de hiperventilação otimizada por causa da hipertensão intracraniana.
RESULTADOS: Houve correlação entre o pH e a concentração de 2,3-DPG/Hct. A concentração de 2,3-DPG/Hct permaneceu predominantemente dentro da normalidade, com ligeira tendência à elevação no sexto dia de estudo. Houve correlação entre a concentração de 2,3-DPG/Hct e a pressão parcial de oxigênio que satura 50% da hemoglobina (P50st), confirmando a consistência dos dados.
CONCLUSÃO: A esperada resposta fisiológica de aumento progressivo da concentração de 2,3-DPG/Hct não foi observada. Este fato pode ser explicado pela aplicação intermitente e não sustentada de hiperventilação, como ditado pelo protocolo clínico de ventilação otimizada.
Palavras-chave: 2,3-difosfoglicerato, traumatismo cerebral, lesão cerebral traumática, hiperventilação, ventilação mecânica.
The organic phosphate present in the red blood cell - 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) - exerts important function in oxygen transport. The increase of this phosphate in the red blood cell reduces the hemoglobin oxygen affinity, facilitating oxygen delivery to the tissues. On the other hand, a reduction of 2,3-DPG in blood promotes an opposite effect1,2. The main factors that regulate the concentration of 2,3-DPG in the red blood cell are changes in red cell pH and hypoxia3. The arterial blood carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and, consequently, pH are altered by mechanical ventilation which has been used in some situations, such as the control of intracranial hypertension in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The fall in PaCO2 (hypocapnia) reduces cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure4. Currently, systematic and indiscriminate hyperventilation in patients with TBI has been questioned5, but it has been used, in a more restricted way, monitoring the global brain metabolism. This has been done calculating the cerebral extraction of oxygen through continuous or intermittent sampling of the venous oxygen saturation of the jugular bulb vein. The coupling between the PaCO2 and the cerebral extraction of oxygen has been called optimized ventilation6,7.
It is known that the reduction of PaCO2 and, consequently, the increase in arterial pH, increases the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, a possible factor interfering with oxygen delivery to the tissues of the injured brain. The hypothesis of the present study was that an increase in the concentration of 2,3-DPG in the red blood cell must occur as a physiological response to increased arterial pH induced by mechanical ventilation. Therefore, the objective was to measure PaCO2, arterial pH, the concentration of 2,3-DPG and to calculate the partial pressure of oxygen that saturates 50% the hemoglobin of the blood (P50) of patients that suffered severe TBI and submitted to a protocol of optimized ventilation.
The present study was carried out in the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas, UNICAMP. The study was approved by the Hospital Research Ethics Committee and informed consent was obtained from the patient's legal representatives.
Eleven patients were included. Gender, age, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission8, the cause of the head trauma, the presence or absence of associated lesions, the evaluation of the computerized tomography by the Marshall classification9 and the APACHE II score as well as the APACHE II calculated risk of death are displayed on Table.
All patients exhibiting focal lesion as well as those with gunshot injuries underwent surgery. All patients were intubated and on mechanical ventilation. Intracranial pressure was continuously monitored as well as respiratory mechanics, capnography and pulse oximetry. The pressure transducer of titanium tip CODMAN® (Johnson & Johnson, Raynham, Me - USA) was placed in the brain parenchyma and was used to monitor intracranial pressure. Respiratory variables, capnography and oximetry were continuously recorded with a respiratory profile monitor CO2SMOPlus® (Respironics/Novametrix/Dixtal, São Paulo - Brazil). The hemoglobin saturation of jugular bulb blood was continuously monitored with a 4F fiber optic oxymetric catheter BAXTER® coupled to a VIGIILANCE® monitor (Baxter Health Care Corporation, Irvine, CA - USA) and/or in an intermittent way by hemo-oximetry measured in a blood sample collected from the same catheter, or from a 16G catheter INTRACATH®. A central venous catheter (superior vein cava) and a urinary bladder catheter were inserted. The correct location of the venous catheters was confirmed by radiography.
The patients were kept supine with the head elevated to 30 degrees and the cervical spine maintained rectified to prevent compression of the jugular vein.
It was attempted to keep the cerebral perfusion pressure (mean arterial pressure less intracranial pressure) always above 70 mmHg, with volume replacement and/or administered norepinephrine. Sedation was started with fentanyl associated to midazolam (0.5 mg of fentanyl and 75 mg of midazolam in 250 mL of 5% glucose. Dripping started at 10 to 20 microdrops/min, up to a sufficient dose to sedate, according to the individual response of each patient).
Mechanical ventilation was optimized to keep cerebral oxygen extraction between 24% to 42% whenever the intracranial pressure was above 20 cmH2O6,7. If the intracranial pressure remained elevated, mannitol 20% was given in bolus (0.5 a 1 g/kg/dose) or the sedation was substituted by thionembutal (initial dose between 0.5 to 2 mg/kg/hour up to a maximum of 4 mg/kg/hour). If after these isolated or combined alternative procedures, the intracranial pressure remained elevated, a new brain computerized tomography was performed to evaluate the necessity of surgical decompression. No patient in this series needed surgical decompression.
The use of mannitol, furosemide and vasoactive drugs was recorded. Daily water balance and urine output was also registered.
Laboratory data Arterial and venous blood gases as well as hemo-oximetry of the jugular bulb were performed daily and analyzed by the ABL 700® (Radiometer, Copenhagen, Denmark). The calculation of the partial pressure of the oxygen that saturates 50% of the hemoglobin corrected to standard condition (temperature 37ºC, pH 7.4 and PaCO2 40 mmHg) (P50st) was obtained directly from the venous blood gas analysis. The concentration of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate per hematocrit (2,3-DPG/Hct) was measured by spectrophotometry, using the kit catalogue 665 of SIGMA DIANOSTIC (Sigma-Aldrich - St. Louis, Me - USA). The first measurement was collected from the arterial blood in the first 12 hours of hospital admission. The remainders were performed daily, always in the morning. Serum phosphate was measured in the Hospital auto-analyzer with "Roche Diagnostics" reagents. Collection of data was performed for six days after admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The normal range of phosphate for our hospital laboratory is 2.5 to 4.5 mg/dL. Values below 2 mg/dL were considered as hypophosphatemia and values below 1 mg/dL were considered as severe hypophosphatemia.
Standardization of the measure of the 2,3-DPG One milliliter of blood was harvested in syringe daily (Peak 70, Medical Radiometer, Copenhagen, Denmark) and transported to the laboratory in a cooled container. The maximum period of refrigerated storage before analysis was two hours.
The 2,3-DPG reagents for quality control were catalogue S 3006 (normal) and catalogue S 3005 (high) of SIGMA DIAGNOSTIC (Sigma-Aldrich - St. Louis, Me - USA). The values read with the high control and the normal control were always between the limits, 3.3 to 4,3 and 1.7 to 2.5 mmol/ml, respectively, as required by the manufacturer.
Control group Peripheral venous blood was collected from healthy not-smokers volunteers (20 men and 20 women) to establish our standard of normality. In these samples we measured the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct, serum phosphate and calculated P50st, with the same techniques described for the group of patients with TBI.
Statistical analysis To compare and correlate the variables that had more than one measurement in each patient we applied the GEE analyses - generalized estimating equations, an extension of generalized linear models10. This analysis takes into consideration measurements obtained in the same patient at different times (longitudinal measurements) and analyses the simultaneous change on several variables in the same patient and in the patients' group. Continuous variables as well as categorical variables used in this analysis were classified by pre-determined cut values. Statistical significance was established as 0.05.
Control group The values of mean and standard deviations of the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct and serum phosphate, as well as the calculated P50st in the control group were 4.6±0.7 µmol/mL, 3.15±0.46 mg/dL and 26.3±1.0 mmHg, respectively. The values of the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct were within the limits of normality by the manufacturer standard and the values of the concentration of serum phosphate were within the limits of standardized normality for the Hospital Laboratory. The values of P50st are similar to those reported in the literature.
Patients group
Correlation between pH and PaCO2 As previously mentioned, the means of PaCO2 and arterial pH were correlated through a GEE analysis (p=0.0001). The values of mean PaCO2 and mean pH meet predominantly below 35mmHg and above 7.45, respectively. This indicates that the patients had been, most of the time, kept in a state of respiratory alkalosis. At times, however, the value of pH is normal, despite a low PaCO2 and in some the value of pH is elevated despite a normal PaCO2. This situation was interpreted as an associated metabolic alteration (compensatory metabolic acidosis and primary metabolic alkalosis, respectively).
Correlation between the pH and the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct A positive correlation between the mean arterial pH and the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct was demonstrated through GEE analysis (p=0.0001) (Fig 1).
Blood transfusion, hypophosphatemia and 2,3-DPG/Hct The concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct was lower when the patients received stocked red blood cell transfusion within the 24 hours that preceded blood collection (p=0.001) and/or presented a serum phosphate below 2.0 mg/dL (hypophosphatemia) (p= 0.005). The interference of these factors on the correlation between pH and the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct can be appreciated in Fig 2.
2,3-DPG/Hct in relation to the time The concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct, remained normal from the first to the sixth day with a slight, non significant rise at day 6 (Fig 3) when the value of reference was the mean of the first day (p=0.05) or the mean of the control group (p=0.09).
Correlation between the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct and the P50st As expected, a significant correlation was found comparing the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct and P50st (p=0.0001).
The data of the present study show a positive correlation between the arterial blood pH and the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct in patients with severe TBI artificially ventilated (Fig 1). Changes in 2,3-DPG as a response to pH variations had previously been reported in other physiological and clinical situations. In elevated altitudes, the increase of the concentration of 2,3-DPG in the erythrocytes has been interpreted as a compensating mechanism for oxygen transport at low barometric pressure11. In this situation, respiratory alkalosis seems to be the main cause to increase the concentration of 2,3-DPG in the red cells. Corresponding change in 2,3-DPG concentration in the red cells secondary to alteration in arterial blood pH, either as metabolic or respiratory alkalosis or acidosis, have been reported in some clinical situations12,13. As a matter of fact, Bellingham et al.14 confirmed experimentally this correlation, inducing metabolic alkalosis or acidosis in healthy volunteers.
The time and the depth of the alteration of pH to cause a significant response in the concentration of 2,3-DPG are not clear-cut in the literature. Venuxem et al.13 demonstrated changes in the concentration of 2,3-DPG only in chronic states of acidosis or alkalosis, because in acute situations (pH changes within 24 to 48 hours), the concentration of 2,3-DPG was normal. On the other hand, Bellingham et al.14 demonstrated that the concentration of 2,3-DPG does not change within the first four hours of metabolic acidosis or metabolic alkalosis. However, a significant response was shown to occur after 48 hours. Respiratory alkalosis induced by hyperventilation in healthy volunteers, did not exhibit deviation in the red cell 2,3-DPG concentration15. However, in these subjects hyperventilation was not sustained for more than twenty minutes. In the current study, the time and the depth of the hyperventilation varied, from minutes to hours, according to the attending physician's orders based on the clinical situation of the patient. Nevertheless, the mean daily arterial pH remained elevated (moderate alkalosis) during the six days of the study in the majority of the patiente. Yet, the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct, exhibited great daily variation from patient to patient, with a mean, non significant rise by the sixth day (Fig 3). We attribute this finding to the intermittent and non sustained hyperventilation applied to these patients with severe TBI based on a previously established protocol of optimized ventilation.
For many years, systematic and indiscriminate hyperventilation has been used to prevent intracranial hypertension in patient victims of severe TBI16. PaCO2 was, systematically, kept between 20 and 30 mmHg. From the decade of 1980, the indiscriminate use of hyperventilation started to be criticized, because the reduction of cerebral blood flow induced by hypocapnia could lead, or exacerbate, post-traumatic brain ischemia. Currently, hyperventilation is no longer used prophylactically in the treatment of severe TBI17. However, in refractory intracranial hypertension, hyperventilation may be cautiously applied under strict evaluation of cerebral oxygen extraction. This is currently done measuring the hemoglobin oxygen saturation in the jugular bulb, indirectly expressing cerebral blood flow. Hyperventilation is then titrated to keep oxygen extraction within safe limits, a practice called optimized ventilation6,7.
As respiratory alkalosis displaces the oxygen dissociation curve to the left (low P50st), the increased hemoglobin affinity for oxygen may hamper tissue availability. Therefore, the expected physiological response would be the return of the dissociation curve to normal (P50 normal, around 26.6 mmHg). In the current study, the expected gradual increase in the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct in response to hyperventilation (respiratory alkalosis) was not observed. This was attributed to the fact that hyperventilation was applied intermittently and based on an established protocol of optimized ventilation.
Other factors that may have contributed to the lack of response of 2,3-DPG/Hct must be mentioned. First, it is known that preserved blood has a progressive reduction in the levels of 2,3-DPG/Hct related to the time of Blood Bank storage. Five of the eleven patients in the present study received blood transfusion. All together they received 18 units of packed red cell. These units had been stocked for more than six days; two units were stocked for 18 days and 11 units for more than 20 days in the Hospital Blood Bank. Each patient transfused, received two or more units of packed red cells. These units were preserved with citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1), that permits blood transfusion after 35 days of Blood Bank storage. Measured concentration of 2,3-DPG in blood preserved with the CPDA-1 show discrepancies on the weekly reduction of 2,3-DPG. A loss of 2,3-DPG around 40% to 60% occurs in the second week, from 70% to 90% in the third week and greater than 90% from the fourth week on18-21. In healthy volunteers, Heaton et al. evaluated, the restoration of 2,3-DPG in erythrocytes after blood transfusion, with Blood Bank storage of 35 days. When CPDA-1 was used the as conservative, they describe an important fall in the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hb22. After a period of seven hours, 50% of the concentration of 2,3-DPG already had been restored, but the complete restoration was seen only after 48 hours.
A second factor that may interfere with 2,3-DPG production is hypophosphatemia. The reduction of serum phosphate can cause a fall in 2,3-DPG because of decreased 1,3-DPG, as well as increased degradation of 2,3-DPG22. The normal levels of serum phosphate lay between 2.5 and 4.5 mg/dL. The clinical symptoms of hypophosphatemia are observed when serum phosphate falls below of 2.0 mg/dL23. In the analysis of our data, hypophosphatemia was defined when serum phosphate was under 2.0 mg/dL. Hypophosphatemia has been described in patients with TBI24-26. In the current study, the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct was lower than normal when hypophosphatemia was present. Pas'ko and Volosheniuk25 also correlated serum phosphate, with the concentration of 2,3-DPG and ATP in the red cell. Hypophosphatemia may occur for several reasons in critical patients when associated to conditions such as alkalosis, the use of diuretics, volume expansion and sepsis27-29. However, marked hypophosphatemia has been seen only when hyperventilation is associated the intravenous glucose administration. The shift of phosphate from the blood to the cell across the cell membrane is attributed the two mechanisms. The first is the increase in glycolitic activity in response to the increase of intracellular pH, induced by respiratory alkalosis. The second is the level of insulin in the bloodstream in response to glucose infusion, promoting greater migration of phosphate into the cell27. Recently, in healthy volunteers, it has been demonstrated that the longer the time of hyperventilation, or the deeper the hypocapnia, greater is the fall in serum phosphate15. In patients with severe TBI, Pas'ko and Volosheniuk25 had demonstrated that serum phosphate was lower in patients with hypocapnia. Hypophosphatemia in these patients was attributed to the insufficient replacement of phosphate in parenteral nutrition, as well as a loss of phosphate in the urine. Sepsis is another well described cause of hypophosphatemia and is associated to increased risk of death29,30. We reported that in 14 patients with severe TBI, a preliminary and partial analysis revealed an inverse relationship between the pH and serum phosphate. Furthermore, the most important factor leading to hypophosphatemia was sepsis. In addition, it was observed that serum phosphate was significantly lower in patients that died compared to survivors30.
Concluding, the variations in the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct observed in this group of patients with severe TBI exhibited a significant correlation with P50st (p<0.05). This correlation of two independently measured variables certifies the reliability and the consistency of our data. It was not possible to demonstrate a gradual increase of the concentration of 2,3-DP/Hct in the course of the treatment with optimized hyperventilation. Despite the daily averages of all patients, pointing to respiratory alkalosis (high pH and low PaCO2) alkalosis was not sustained during all the period of study.
One limitation of this study is the absence of a comparative group with systematic and continuous hyperventilation. It is quite possible that the expected increase in 2,3-DPG/Hct could then be demonstrated. However, with basis on the present knowledge and current practice, it would have been unethical a study design including this group. Despite this constraint, our data suggest that optimized ventilation is a safe practice that does not interfere significantly, with P50st and ultimately, with oxygen delivery. Furthermore, it was possible to demonstrate a statistical correlation between arterial pH and the concentration of 2,3-DPG/Hct. Finally, we were able to demonstrate that blood transfusion and hypophosphatemia are adjuvant factors that may contribute to hinder the rise of 2,3-DPG/Hct.
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26. Polderman KH, Bloemers FW, Peerdeman SM, Girbes AR. Hypomagnesemia and hypophosphatemia at admission in patients with severe head injury. Crit Care Med 2000;28:2022-2025. [ Links ]
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30. Torres RB, Terzi RGG, Falcão ALE, Hôer NF, Dantas Filho VP. Hypophosphatemia in severe traumatic brain injury. RBTI 2005;17:116-120. [ Links ]
Received 5 March 2007, received in final form 22 May 2007. Accepted 28 June 2007.
Dr. Rayne Borges Torres - Rua Bossuet Wanderley 685 - 58700-410 Patos PB - Brasil. E-mail: email@example.com
This Project was partially funded by FAPESP Grant 99/12920-8 and Grant 00/02498-6.


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There's a new type of therapy. It's called Nature Therapy and is prescribed to help those with anxiety and depression, as well as those with physical problems. It involves spending time out in nature.
I had to laugh when I heard about this. In my generation (no wisecracks, please), that's what kids did. We went outside…..
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Recent terrorist attacks cast a long shadow across the world and our thoughts are with all those affected. It is impossible to sum up all we have lost and make instant assessments of how much will change – and we're not going to attempt that here. This is obviously a fluid situation and there will be change and significant challenges ahead, but much will endure. It seemed right to us in that vein that we stick to the topics we'd pencilled in for this week: the changing nature of work, construction challenges and the brightening outlook for India.
The future of work
The world of work is changing. In the UK, self-employment is a 40-year high. Terms like 'gig economy' and 'sharing economy' are being used to describe the different ways people approach employment and how they use private assets to make money. You might have seen some recent research from McKinsey , which examines how likely jobs are to be automated. You can check the likelihood of a robot taking your job here. Bank of England research suggests that 15 million jobs in the UK could be at risk of automation – including 95% of accountants. Although we're not quite ready to welcome our new robot overlords at EY, this clearly isn't a trend any company can ignore.
The impact on the ground is mixed. Analysis from the New Policy Institute suggests that whilst the number of self-employed might have increased to record levels, the amount of business generated by companies with zero employees has remained static since 2008. This means turnover by business has declined, given the rise in numbers. There will be so many factors at play here. Global competition from lower-wage economies has squeezed freelance income in areas like copywriting If there is a rising 'gig economy', it may be that part of this rise in self-employment isn't so much a rise in people running their own business as taking on a patchwork of roles created by disruptive businesses – like Uber.
David Pouffle, an Uber strategist, recently noted that: "For most people, driving on Uber is not even a part-time job …it's just driving an hour or two a day, here or there, to help pay the bills." Some people choose and enjoy this form of working; but the rise in insecure income streams certainly raises questions for consumer-facing businesses, including lenders.
As we've mentioned before, we may also need to reassess what we mean by 'investment' in this new economy. Technology and changing working practices have already seriously muddied the waters between consumer and capital spending. Employees now use personal phones, tablets, laptops and Wi-Fi in a business context. Individuals are effectively using privately owned cars and spare rooms as businesses, without these showing up on any capex figures. This isn't just an academic challenge. Companies need to think about how they compete and differentiate against new low-capex, nimbler models. As more people turn to self-employment – through choice, or perhaps because all or part their job is now obsolete – a potential new army of workers also emerges to fuel the disruptive economy to uncertain effect. Who have thought that waffle houses could disrupt parcel delivery in the US?
How can companies adapt? They obviously need to put their clients are the heart of this discussion, looking at how they can serve them better and learn lessons from the disruptors. It's interesting to note the growing number of taxi companies now who offer online booking and tracking. They'll need to see the world as the client sees it – i.e. without barriers. If consumers want cars with inbuilt Wi-Fi capability, manufacturers will need to buy technology and form alliances to make this happen. Clearly some companies will need to rethink their asset and staffing models, reassessing how much they'll like to 'rent' in both cases. Companies can also use technology to better utilise assets and staff and create communities amongst freelancers and contractors. If you want to read more on this, Uschi Schreiber, EY's global vice chair for markets, has explored the issues for professional services firms – but with clear lessons for other industries.
Constructing success
Betting against the UK housing market has to be somewhere up there with betting against the Fed in terms of bad ideas. The market obviously took a hit during the financial crisis, but has risen back strongly since. UK house prices grew 6.1% in the year to September, up from 5.5% in August – a six-month high and the 41st consecutive month of growth. But, how do we square this rise in prices – and buoyant reports from house builders – with four recent profit warnings blaming a sluggish housing market?
The first thing to note is that this doesn't look like a lack of demand. House builders say their houses are selling like hotcakes –albeit subsidised hotcakes. These warnings seem driven by a lack of supply in the secondary market, given their focus in estate agents and the DIY-exposed. These groups thought the pre-election slump was the aberration, but volumes haven't really picked up, lowering their forecasts for the year. Estate agents cite factors like a slower central London market and the impact of higher stamp duty at the top-end as part of the reason for the slowdown. Price is obviously also a factor – as it has been for a long time. It's not just first time buyers who are finding the first move out of reach. Often the next move up the ladder has moved out of reach – and this stalls the market.
The outlook for construction as a whole remains mixed. House builders are obviously in the pink, but official figures released at the end of last week show construction output as a whole contracting for a third month in September. This contrasts with other survey data, which suggests a slightly brighter output; but, in any case, it is margins that remain the real issue, especially for contractors, who are struggling to achieve figures over 2%. The sector's fragmented structure encourages a highly competitive bidding process, generating contracts that leave little or no room for error. We believe the sector needs to see a 50% reduction in top-tier contractors and for the group of 15 top contractors to drop to as few as five. This would create the necessary operational and investment advantages of scale and meet demands for larger projects and an international footprint. A handful of high-quality operators could lead the consolidation, although Sovereign Wealth Funds and continental European and South East Asian companies have also expressed interest.
The emerging exception?
The term 'emerging market' or similar is obviously too broad – and becoming dangerously so. The country that brings this home is India, which looks set to be the fastest growing major economy in 2015. Our latest annual attractiveness survey highlights how well recent reforms have been received by business leaders, who found India's macroeconomic stability, FDI policy and ease of doing business more attractive compared to 2014. Work is still required in infrastructure, transparency, taxation and implementing economic reforms; but it looks like India will stand out as one of the 'emerging market' exceptions in 2016.