Move is a victory for farm animal welfare
NEW YORK--The ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) commends the recent decision by Florida lawmakers to remove the \"ag-gag\" language from House Bill 1021 and Senate Bill 1184. By making it a crime to take photographs or videos on farms, the ag-gag proposals in these bills sought to suppress whistle-blowers from exposing animal abuse and cruelty on agricultural facilities.\nIronically, undercover video taken at a dairy farm in Florida more a decade ago showing young calves wounded by gunshot and then being shoved into a watery pit to drown served as the inspiration for the Florida legislature to pass its current humane slaughter and euthanasia laws (F.S.S. 828.22-828.26). In many states, such documentation has been instrumental to law enforcement, farming reform and new laws protecting animal and public welfare.\n\"Bills like this only serve to heighten suspicion that the agricultural industry has something to hide,\" said Suzanne McMillan, director of the ASPCA farm animal welfare campaign. \"Americans deserve to know how their food is produced, and responsible farmers should welcome that transparency. Where there are problems, industry should direct its energy toward resolving them, not covering them up.\"\nUnder Florida's proposed ag-gag provisions, employees and others who sought to expose not only animal abuse but other criminal conduct on farms including sexual harassment, worker and environmental violations, would have been risking misdemeanor charges of the first degree, punishable by up to one year's imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.\n\"Legislators carefully examined the bills, listened to the concerns raised by thousands of their constituents and ultimately took the correct action,\" added Ann Church, vice president of state affairs for the ASPCA. \"We are hopeful that Florida, a state with very significant agricultural interests, will serve as a bellwether for other states where similarly draconian legislation is being considered and lawmakers continue to balk at the myriad assaults these bills would deliver to American values.\"\nThe ASPCA and its members lobbied strongly to prohibit similar chilling provisions from passing in Florida, New York, Iowa and Minnesota in 2011. This year, ag-gag legislation has already been introduced in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska. In addition to factory farms, these bills have the potential to shield slaughter plants and puppy mills from legitimate investigations.\nFor more information on the ASPCA and to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, please visit www.aspca.org.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6911873817443848} {"content": "Seven studies were included in the review: two RCTs and five interrupted time series (ITS) (20,384 participants, range 256 to 5,043). There was no perceived risk of selection bias or attrition bias in any study. One study was double-blinded and another was partial-blinded. Detection bias was considered to be present in three studies. Compliance with chlorhexidine body washing was measured in one study.\nIncidence of acquisition of MRSA carriage was significantly reduced with chlorhexidine body washing in the three ITS studies in which this was the primary outcome.\nFive studies (four ITS, one RCT) assessed MRSA infection rates (three studies as the primary endpoint) and a significant reduction in MRSA infection rate was found in one ITS study.\nCarriage and bacteraemia rates due to vancomycin-resistant\nenterococcus were assessed as the primary endpoints in one ITS study that found a significant reduction in both outcomes.\nThree studies (two RCTs, one ITS) considered all-cause infection rates as the primary endpoint and one RCT found a significant reduction in incidence of all-cause primary blood stream infections with chlorhexidine body washing.\nNone of the studies had incidence of colonisation and/or infections with antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria as primary endpoints. One RCT found a higher incidence of infection with antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria after introduction of chlorhexidine body washing. Two studies (one ITS, one RCT) found a reduction in incidence of infection with chlorhexidine body washing. Rates were very low (1% or less) in both study periods in one ITS study.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6727182269096375} {"content": "Background Why is this project being proposed?\nMnDOT, in cooperation with WisDOT, the FHWA, and the City of Red Wing, is conducting the Red Wing Bridge Project. The project includes the Highway 63 (Eisenhower) Bridge over the Mississippi River and the Highway 63 Bridge over Highway 61, as well as the highway connections to Highway 61, Minnesota Highway 58, and approach roadways in Wisconsin. The Eisenhower Bridge provides the only regional crossing of the river for approximately 30 miles upstream and downstream for several communities on both the Wisconsin and Minnesota sides of the river.\nLaws passed by the Minnesota legislature following the I-35W Bridge collapse provide funding for rehabilitation or replacement of certain types of bridges in the state. The Eisenhower Bridge is “fracture critical” by nature of its truss design and therefore is eligible for funding through the new State funding program.\nMnDOT is working through a process that has considered a range of improvements alternatives, identified a recommended alternative, and has assessed the environmental impacts of the recommended alternative. Following the environmental impact analysis, final design will be initiated and should extend to 2017. Construction is proposed to begin in 2017.\nDecision process\nDecisions regarding the project are being made by MnDOT as the agency responsible for the bridge, in consultation with WisDOT and FHWA. MnDOT will also need to obtain approval (municipal consent) from the City of Red Wing as required by state law. MnDOT must also obtain a number of other approvals for the project, such as river navigation, environmental impacts, and land acquisition. One of the project goals, which has been obtained, is to avoid long term closures during construction. MnDOT understands that communities on both sides of the river rely on the river crossing on a daily basis.\nEnvironmental review\nAn Environmental Assessment/Environmental Assessment Worksheet complying with State and Federal guidelines was prepared and distributed for comment. An EA/EAW provides background information including:\nNeed for the proposed project Alternatives considered Environmental impacts and mitigation Agency coordination and public involvement National Environmental Policy Act Decision-making Alternatives\nIn the summer of 2014, MnDOT completed a comprehensive evaluation of both rehabilitation and replacement options for the river crossing and the Highway 63 overpass of Highway 61. The process included assessing the physical, community, and environmental impacts as well as cost and transportation benefits of a range of alternatives. The decision regarding the recommended alternative (see the Project Home and Design Documents tabs) involved input from all stakeholders. An important part of the recommended alternative decision process was input from the community. Business representatives, local government officials, and the Project Advisory Committee were part of a collaborative and open process. MnDOT also presented the alternatives analysis and has gathered input from the public at three open house meetings to date.\nMnDOT follows strict regulations about property acquisition to ensure fair and equitable treatment of property owners. Once the EA/EAW is complete, MnDOT will talk with property owners affected by the project about anticipated impacts to their property. These impacts could range from temporary construction easements or purchases of small strips of property at the roadway edge, to a purchase of the entire property. Individuals with specific concerns should speak with the MnDOT Project Manager, Chad Hanson (chad.hanson@state.mn.us or 507-286-7637)\nHistorical significance\nCompleted in 1960, the Eisenhower Bridge is a steel through-truss bridge that crosses the Mississippi River main channel at Red Wing, Minnesota. The two-lane bridge is 1,631 feet long, 35 feet wide, and stands 65 feet above the river. The Eisenhower Bridge has been determined to not be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, established by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. However, the Highway 63 Bridge over Highway 61 is eligible for listing on the NRHP.\nSection 106 of the Act requires federal projects to consider historic preservation in planning and decision making. MnDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, and the State Historic Preservation Officer have been working together to ensure the Section 106 process is followed. To that end, MnDOT completed the Bridge 9103 Rehabilitation Study to comprehensively assess the feasibility of rehabilitating Bridge 9103 as part of this project. Additionally, Red Wing contains historically and architecturally significant buildings, which reflect the city’s mid-19th century beginnings as a riverfront trade point. Red Wing includes a total of 25 listings on the NRHP; the downtown district retains the majority of the commercial buildings that were constructed during the city’s early boom period of 1860 – 1910. Red Wing has long been considered a leader in the historic preservation movement in Minnesota, maintaining and rehabilitating a wide range of structures throughout the city.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5818936824798584} {"content": "A joint EPO-UNEP study: \"Patents and clean energy technologies in Africa\"\nThe EPO together with UNEP have conducted a joint study, with the support of OECD's statistical analysis capabilities, and published the results in a report entitled \"Patents and clean energy technologies in Africa\". This report focuses on the patent landscape for clean energy technologies in Africa, as one area of the developing world which has vast potential clean energy resources, and could greatly benefit from use and technology transfer of clean energy technologies. It follows on from a first study which analysed global patenting trends for clean energy technology, using the Y02 classification scheme, entitled \"Patents and clean energy: bridging the gap between evidence and policy\"\nThis study highlights the role of the patent system, particularly its patent information services, which identify approximately 1.5 million patent documents relating to climate change mitigation through the EPO's dedicated Y02 classification scheme and make these available via the internet on Espacenet, free of charge.\nAt the same time, less than 1% of the world's clean energy technology related patent applications from 1980 to 2009 have been filed in Africa.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7472113370895386} {"content": "libros arte-arquitectura-diseño-fotografía ciencia cine-teatro-musica clásicos - poesía cocina / gastronomía filosofía - religión - mitología historia - antropología - ciencias sociales infantil-juvenil lingüística - teoría y crítica literaria narrativa comics - ilustración ebooks objetos Gaudí y modernismo Barcelona Picasso ciencia arte y diseño fetichismo literario infantil audiovisuales música (audiov.) arte - arquitectura (audiov.) cine (audiov.) ciencia (audiov.) literatura (audiov.) infantil (audiov.) danza (audiov.) especiales restauración dónde estamos ficha técnica sinopsis\nFor many illusions it is easy to find owners - people who proudly declare their belief in things such as life after death, human reason, or the self-regulation of financial markets. Yet there are also different kinds of illusions, too, for example, in art: trompe l'oeil painting pleases its observers with 'anonymous illusions' - illusions where it is not entirely clear who should be deceived. Anonymous illusions offer a universal pleasure principle within culture. They are present in games, sports, design, eroticism, manners, charm, beauty, and so on. However, it seems that this pleasure principle is increasingly misinterpreted. The proud proprietors of certain illusions are no longer capable of recognizing that they also follow anonymous illusions. As a consequence, they mistake happy, polite others for naive idiots or 'savages' - the possessors of stupid illusions whose happiness is an obscene intrusion into the lives of more rational creatures. The misrecognition of anonymous illusions thus becomes a crucial ideological bedrock for contemporary neoliberal policy. Hatred of the other's happiness leads to the destruction of the public sphere and to a state that, rather than fostering and stimulating its citizens' capacities, interpellates them as victims and limits itself to providing 'protective' or repressive measures directed against them.\n*Todos nuestros productos incluyen el IVA, ampliar información", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9531195759773254} {"content": "November 5, 2009 Oral Contraceptives May Benefit Women With Asthma\nNew research shows that during natural menstrual cycles, women with asthma who were not taking oral contraceptives (OC) had lower exhaled nitric oxide levels (eNO), a marker of airway inflammation associated with asthma, than women who were taking OC.\nResearchers from McMaster University in Hamilton, ON, Canada, studied 17 women with asthma during their menstrual cycles. Results showed that individuals not using oral contraceptives (OC) had higher mean eNO levels than women using OC.Furthermore, among women not using oral contraceptives, an increase in estrogen levels was associated with a decrease in eNO, while an increase in progesterone was significantly associated with an increase in eNO. Researchers speculate that OC may have a potential role in the management of premenopausal women with asthma.\n---\nOn the Net:", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9917951226234436} {"content": "Pathogenic and protective roles of MyD88 in leukocytes and epithelial cells in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease. Asquith MJ., Boulard O., Powrie F., Maloy KJ.\nBACKGROUND & AIMS: Toll-like receptors (TLR) are innate immune receptors involved in recognition of the intestinal microflora; they are expressed by numerous cell types in the intestine, including epithelial cells, myeloid cells, and lymphocytes. Little is known about the relative contributions of TLR signaling in distinct cellular compartments to intestinal homeostasis. We aimed to define the roles of TLR signals in distinct cell types in the induction and regulation of chronic intestinal inflammation. METHODS: We assessed the roles of the shared TLR signaling adaptor protein, MyD88, in several complementary mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease, mediated by either innate or adaptive immune activation. MyD88-deficient mice and bone marrow chimeras were used to disrupt TLR signals selectively in distinct cellular compartments in the intestine. RESULTS: MyD88-dependent activation of myeloid cells was required for the development of chronic intestinal inflammation. By contrast, although epithelial cell MyD88 signals were required for host survival, they were insufficient to induce intestinal inflammation in the absence of an MyD88-competent myeloid compartment. MyD88 expression by T cells was not required for their pathogenic and regulatory functions in the intestine. CONCLUSIONS: Cellular compartmentalization of MyD88 signals in the intestine allow the maintenance of host defense and prevent deleterious inflammatory responses.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5850822329521179} {"content": "Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of human primary brain tumor. The standard treatment protocol includes radiotherapy in combination with temozolomide (TMZ). Despite advances in GBM treatment, the survival time of patients diagnosed with glioma is 14.5 months. Regarding tumor biology, various types of cancer cell overexpress the… (More)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8920232653617859} {"content": "The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that unique alternative designs can be efficiently found by searching the discarded data (or graveyard) from a multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA). Motivation for using graveyard data to generate design alternatives arises from the computational cost associated with real-time design space exploration of multiobjective optimization problems. The effectiveness of this approach is explored by comparing (1) the uniqueness of alternatives found using graveyard data and those generated using an optimization-based search, and (2) how alternative generation near the Pareto frontier is impacted. Two multiobjective case study problems are introduced—a two bar truss and an I-beam design optimization. Results from these studies indicate that using graveyard data allows for the discovery of alternative designs that are at least 70% as unique as alternatives found using an optimization-based alternative identification approach, while saving a significant number of functional evaluations. Additionally, graveyard data are shown to be better suited for alternative generation near the Pareto frontier than standard sampling techniques. Finally, areas of future work are also discussed.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6913598775863647} {"content": "Get the military a media plan The world’s fourth most powerful military worries that negative media coverage is eroding its image. For decades after 1947, even through the humiliating rout by the Chinese in 1962, India’s press placed the military on a pedestal. Foreign correspondents who rode into Dhaka with the Indian military in 1971 described our jawans fondly, even admiringly. This is no longer so. Now everyone is fair game for a brash, iconoclastic new breed of journalists and news organisations that operate in real time on digital media platforms. This is evident from the on-going feeding frenzy around one of the media’s own --- a newsmagazine editor who faces accusations of rape. The military community, both serving and retired, finds it hard to deal with this new environment. In forum after forum where I meet the military, officers bitterly criticise what they call an anti-national media and an ungrateful nation. They point to numerous poorly sourced news articles critical of the military to dismiss even legitimate criticism. Critics of the military reject this prickliness with the jibe that the services are stuck in a time warp and must understand that they too are subject to scrutiny. But that would be short sighted because self-esteem is a crucial driver that induces soldiers, sailors and airmen to function in professional situations where death is a real possibility. If militaries were compensated monetarily for the risks they encounter, employee costs would be unaffordable. The respect that a military is accorded, therefore, should be viewed as cost-free remuneration that drives soldiers to do what they do. One winter morning in the early 1980s, I was a young lieutenant motorcycling down from Ferozepur to Delhi for a weekend of leave. With my shiny new Yezdi (yes, there was once a mobike called that!) stalled by a tyre puncture, I was admiring the mustard crop in the fields around me when a passing farmer saw my uniform and stopped his tractor. He loaded my Yezdi on his trailer and took me to a tyre repair shop in Moga, the nearest town, waving aside my offer to pay him. The tyre-shop owner peremptorily told his other customers to wait, fetched me a steaming glass of milk, repaired my tyre and had me back on the road in 20 minutes. There was no question of payment --- it was only a puncture, he said. This public regard kept us functioning as soldiers, not the princely Rs 790/- that I was drawing each month. The truth is that the military knows very little about the world of journalism and has no plan in place to learn more. It has no filters to distinguish one news report from another --- credible from amateurish, one that needs rebuttal from one that should be ignored. Instead of a careful evaluation of reportage, what comes to the fore is an unstoppable urge --- rooted perhaps in military training --- to respond, and respond now. Even as officers respond to a news report with reflexive denials and inadequately crosschecked “factsâ€, the digitisation of the communications space permits others inside the organisation to pass on contradictory narratives. A senior television journalist who specialises in this tit-for-tat says that 70 per cent of the calls that he receives contradicting army statements come from the rank and file, not from officers. Nor does the army know when to be silent. In the recent intrusions in Keran, J&K, top generals appeared repeatedly before the media, promising a swift end to the operations. With no end in sight the conspiracy theories began, terming the intrusion “another Kargilâ€. Why did the army set deadlines when a simple statement could have sufficed --- that the army has the situation under control and would brief the media when operations were concluded? This readiness to comment on on-going operations is matched by an inexplicable need to cloak administrative matters in secrecy. Instead of letting journalists file “exclusives†and “exposes†on issues like rape by military men, there must be a website where administrative statistics are freely available? The generals seem unwilling to admit that 1.6 million soldiers, sailors and airmen represent a slice of society that will reflect the trends and ailments of the broader society they are drawn from. With survey after survey underlining that the military remains India’s most respected organisation in the eyes of the public, the generals must have the confidence to step back and unhurriedly prepare a media plan. In 2003-04, the army set up a new department to interface with the media --- the Army Liaison Cell. The ALC must now be manned by specialists, officers who have worked as journalists, who can conduct daily briefings, put mistakes and even debacles in perspective, and release harmless information that continues to be treated as secret. Source : Broadsword ====================== ====================== ====================== ====================== @Ray Sir & @Decklander Sir .. Your Views Please ..", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7499963641166687} {"content": "Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise:\nThursday Morning Poster Presentations: Posters displayed from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: One-hour author presentation times are staggered from 8:30-9:30 a.m. and 9:30-10:30 a.m.: D-31 Free Communication/Poster - Supplements: THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2006 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM ROOM: Hall B\nAuthor Information\nWayne State University, Detroit, MI.\nEmail: gregorykarapetian@hotmail.com\nPURPOSE: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of the variability from one heart beat to the next; is vagally mediated; and has been found to change significantly during the aerobic-anaerobic transition of exercise. Ventilatory threshold (VT) and HRV both have a strong relationship with autonomic control and previous studies have suggested that a heart rate variability “threshold” (HRVT) exists which coincides with VT during graded exercise. Caffeine however, is a common stimulant that influences autonomic control, and may therefore influence HRV. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of caffeine on HRV during progressive exercise.\nMETHODS: Eleven subjects performed graded maximal cycle ergometry to volitional fatigue. The study was a randomized placebo controlled, double-blind design, where each subject served as his/her own control (caffeine vs. placebo). Metabolic gas and ventilatory parameters were measured breath-by-breath averaged over thirty seconds, and blood lactate was measured every three minutes. Lactate threshold and VT were measured according to Gaskill et al., 2001. Heart rate variability was determined using time domain indexes including standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and mean successive difference, which have been shown to correlate strongly with vagal tone (Hayano et al., 1991).\nRESULTS: Caffeine consumption of 5mg/kg significantly (p <.05) increased blood lactate and reduced some indices of HRV (coefficient of variation and mean successive difference) at rest. However, during exercise the placebo and caffeine trials where no longer significantly different for lactate, VT, or HRV. CONCLUSIONS: While caffeine has a significant impact at rest, it does not influence lactate threshold, VT, or HRV during vigorous exercise.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8351241946220398} {"content": "Comparative analysis of viral RNA and apoptotic cells in bursae following infection with infectious bursal disease virus\nLih, Ling Kong and Omar, Abdul Rahman and Bejo, Mohd Hair (2008)\nOfficial URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cimid.2004.01.006\nAbstract\nSpecific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens infected with very virulent (vv) infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) UPM94/273 developed lower pathogenicity compared to UPM97/61. Sequence analysis indicated that UPM94/273 is an exceptional vvIBDV. In this study, a SYBRw Green I based real-time reverse transcriptase reaction assay was developed to measure viral RNA in the bursae of SPF chickens infected with IBDV. Specificity of the amplified products was confirmed by melting temperature analysis. A linear relationship was observed between the amount of input viral RNA and the threshold values for IBDV-specific product over five log10 dilutions. The viral RNA level following infection with UPM94/273 was significantly higher at day 1 and 2 post-inoculation (p.i.) compared to UPM97/61 infected chickens. However, chickens infected with UPM97/61 had significantly higher numbers of bursal cells undergoing apoptosis compared to UPM94/273 infected chickens. In both groups, the number of apoptotic cells and viral RNA levels peak at day 3 p.i. This study indicates that UPM97/61 and UPM94/273 have different efficiency of replication and percentage of apoptotic cells in bursae during the acute phase of IBDV infection.\nRepository Staff Only: Edit item detail", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8972331881523132} {"content": "Assessment | Biopsychology | Comparative |Cognitive | Developmental | Language | Individual differences |Personality | Philosophy | Social |\nMethods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |\nIn psychology, it typically refers to\nthe perception of a group as pure entity (an entitative group), abstracted from its attendant individuals. It is different from holistic perception. Operationally, entitativity can also be defined as perceiving a collection of social targets (e.g., individuals) as possessing unity and coherence (e.g., a group). Entitativity is highest for intimacy groups, such as the family, lower for task groups, lower yet for social categories (e.g., people of the same religion), and lowest for transitory groups, such as people waiting at the same bus stop (Lickel et al., 2000).\nCampbell (1958) coined the term\nentitativity in order to explain why some groups are considered real groups while others are thought to be mere aggregates of individuals. He suggested that people rely on certain perceptual cues as they intuitively determine which aggregations of individuals are groups, and which are not (e.g. Spectators at a football game may seem like a disorganized collection of people, but when they shout the same cheers or express similar emotions, this gives them entitativity)(Forsyth, 2010).\nAdditionally, Campbell (1958) emphasized three cues that individuals can use to make judgments regarding entitativity:\ncommon fate (the extent to which individuals in the aggregate seem to experience interrelated outcomes), similarity (the extent to which the individuals display the same behaviors or resemble one another), and proximity (the distance between individuals in the aggregate). To illustrate how we make those judgments, consider the example of people sharing a table at a library. They could be friends who are studying together, or they may also be strangers happening to share the same table. If you're wondering whether this is an actual group, you would examine their common fate, similarity, and proximity. Common fate may be something like the group all getting up and leaving together while talking or laughing amongst themselves. Similarity could be as simple as noticing that they are all using the same textbooks or notes, or that they happen to be wearing the same t-shirts to organizations (i.e., fraternity, university group). Finally, their physical proximity to one another (i.e., moving to sit closer) would be the final characteristic to judge that you are witnessing individuals with entitativity (Forsyth, 2010).\nThere are two proposed antecedents for the entitativity perception (Ip, Chiu, & Wan, 2006):\nphysical similarity goal/behavior similarity. See also Edit ReferencesEdit Campbell, D. T. (1958). Common fate, similarity, and other indices of the status of aggregates of person as social\nentities.\nBehavioural Science, 3, 14–25. Ip, G. W. M., Chiu, C. Y., & Wan, C. (2006). Birds of a feather and birds flocking together: Physical versus behavioral cues may lead to trait- versus goal-based group perception. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90,368-381. Forsyth, D. R. (2010). Group Dynamics(5th edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Lickel, B., Hamilton, D. L., Sherman, S. J. (2001). Elements of a lay theory of groups: Types of groups, relational styles, and the perception of group entitativity. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 5,129-140. Lickel, B., D. L Hamilton, G. Wieczorkowska, A. Lewis, S. J Sherman, and A. N Uhles. (2000). Varieties of groups and the perception of group entitativity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology78, no. 2: 223–246. link to pdf\nThis page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7232483625411987} {"content": "Asked 7 years, 6 months ago\nHow should a diabetic runner refuel?\nHOW TO REFUEL IF YOU’RE DIABETIC\nI can’t seem to find any guidelines about how diabetics should include sports drinks and energy gels and bars into their training. Usually, for a 5K like the one I’m running on Saturday, I know I can make it with just water and then I know how to achieve a balanced blood glucose level when I eat afterwards. However, when I think about the 10-miler coming up on my schedule, I’m not confident at all knowing that I could collapse due to low blood sugar or overconsumption of a drink or gel that would cause my glucose to soar. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Cathy Lanuto, Washington, DC", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6924851536750793} {"content": "The Reserve Bank has said a further cut to the cash rate is likely, despite the risks in the housing and mortgage market.\nIn the minutes of the March monetary policy board meeting, the central bank noted that risks “continued to be centred on housing and mortgage markets”, admitting that the recent decline in interest rates could further boost prices, particularly in the commercial market.\n“…[R]isks had been beginning to build in commercial property markets, including developers of residential as well as non-residential property. Prices in several market segments had been rising, even as vacancy rates remained high and leasing conditions weakened,” members noted.\nThe Reserve Bank also expressed concerns over the residential sector, particularly in regards to the effects of historically low interest rates on investor lending.\n“The composition of these markets remained skewed to investor activity, especially in Sydney,” members noted. Growth in credit for housing investors was noticeably faster than owner-occupier credit, at over 10% measured on the same basis.\nIn December, APRA announced measures designed to temper the housing market risks faced both by households and lenders, although the Reserve Bank minutes also noted that “these risks also needed to be placed in the context of the prevailing low levels of household stress”.\nBut despite the Reserve Bank’s concern over the risks mounting in the housing and mortgage market, members noted that another cut to the cash rate is likely in the future to boost economic growth and decrease the Australian dollar.\n“Nonetheless, on the basis of the current forecasts for growth and inflation, members were of the view that a case to ease monetary policy further might emerge.”", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8524947166442871} {"content": "ICAO DANGEROUS GOODS TRAINING PROGRAMME\nThe dangerous goods training programme consists of training courses which will assist States in complying with the broad principles governing the international transport of dangerous goods by air outlined in Annex 18 and detailed in the Technical Instructions. The programme is directed towards safety inspectors responsible for dangerous goods, but it would benefit anyone with a need for knowledge of the detailed provisions in the Technical Instructions. Individuals who successfully complete a course receive a certificate directly from ICAO.\nDangerous Goods Training Courses\nICAO is offering the courses in one of two ways: in-country or fixed course dates. In-country delivery of courses allows for a large number of students to attend the course without incurring multiple travel costs. This is beneficial for organizations with multiple individuals to train. Fixed course dates are pre-determined by ICAO at a set location.\nPART 1 - This course provides State employees with the knowledge and skills required to determine when a consignment of dangerous goods is prepared, handled, stored and transported in accordance with Annex 18 and the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.\nPART 2 - This course provides a foundation for establishing and maintaining a dangerous goods oversight programme. Students will be given the knowledge and skills to evaluate operator dangerous goods programmes and to conduct dangerous goods-related inspections and investigations of operators and shippers.\nFor detailed information on scheduling a course for this programme, please contact: AviationTraining@icao.int.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6811542510986328} {"content": "The term postal savings bank refers to financial institutions operated by post offices that took deposits and provided customers with access to a safe location to keep their money. Postal savings banks were originally established to promote thrift among the poor.\nPostal savings banks were first established in Great Britain in 1861 and catered to wealthy individuals living in larger cities. Eventually, more countries began to offer this service, ultimately catering to the poor with the objective of promoting savings.\nThe United States Postal Savings System was signed into law by President Taft in 1910, and provided this service from 1911 until July 1967. The US Postal Savings System initially paid 2% interest on deposits, while the money was placed in commercial banks earning 2.5%. The remaining 0.5% was used to pay for the cost of providing this service. These banks initially had an advantage over commercial banks because deposits were guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. The Banking Act of 1933 introduced Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which eliminated this advantage. At its peak in 1947, the United States Postal Savings System held $3.4 billion in deposits and served 4 million customers through 8,141 locations.\nCountries still providing this service include: Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam. Countries no longer offering this service include Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Great Britain, Portugal, Finland, and the United States.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8902575969696045} {"content": "Poly(A) binding protein (PABP) homeostasis is mediated by the stability of its inhibitor, Paip2.\nhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16601676\nThe poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) is a unique translation initiation factor in that it binds to the mRNA 3' poly(A) tail and stimulates recruitment of the ribosome to the mRNA at the 5' end. PABP activity is tightly controlled by the PABP-interacting protein 2 (Paip2), which inhibits translation by displacing PABP from the mRNA. Here, we describe a close interplay between PABP and Paip2 protein levels in the cell. We demonstrate a mechanism for this co-regulation that involves an E3 ubiquitin ligase, EDD, which targets Paip2 for degradation. PABP depletion by RNA interference (RNAi) causes co-depletion of Paip2 protein without affecting Paip2 mRNA levels. Upon PABP knockdown, Paip2 interacts with EDD, which leads to Paip2 ubiquitination. Supporting a critical role for EDD in Paip2 degradation, knockdown of EDD expression by siRNA leads to an increase in Paip2 protein stability. Thus, we demonstrate that the turnover of Paip2 in the cell is mediated by EDD and is regulated by PABP. This mechanism serves as a homeostatic feedback to control the activity of PABP in cells.\nPubmed ID: 16601676 RIS Download\nMesh terms: Feedback, Physiological | HeLa Cells | Humans | Immunoprecipitation | Poly(A)-Binding Proteins | Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex | Protein Biosynthesis | RNA, Messenger | RNA, Small Interfering | RNA-Binding Proteins | Repressor Proteins | Ubiquitin | Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9126623272895813} {"content": "Dear President Obama,\nThank you for your service to our country. Thank you for supporting \"life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness\" for every American.\nI write to you today regarding our country's education policy. I call you to support \"conditions for excellence\" in every American school. Education is the foundation our country stands on, and currently there are many who want to weaken that foundation for their own gain and fame without evidenced-based knowledge and research.\nSimilar to the mortgage crisis, when profiteers sought to use the American people, particularly those without great voice or choice, for personal gain, education demise and quick fixes (like too-good-to-be-true mortgages) will cost our country excess dollars and weaken the American spirit of innovation and change.\nNow it's time to build \"conditions for excellence\" in every American school by streamlining standardized tests (saving misspent dollars), and supporting a broad criteria for excellence as noted in this blog post I wrote: http://teachwellnow.blogspot.com/2011/08/standardized-tests.html\nI see the promise our country holds for a bright future. I know that an optimal, well-rounded, child-centered education for every child, the kind you and I afford our own children, will pave the way for that future. I believe that government has the role to regulate private industry so that its gain is not the people's loss.\nIt's time to turn the tide in education from NCLB to \"Excellence in Education for All.\" I implore you to seek the consult of outstanding, experienced educators and researchers to learn the truth of what matters in education and lead the way to a bright future for all of America's children.\nThank you for listening.\nWith respect,\nMaureen Devlin\nFourth Grade Teacher\nWayland, MA\nCc: Secretary Arne Duncan, Governor Deval Patrick", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5637674331665039} {"content": "Inheritance tax, and the rules and regulations governing it, can be complicated, just like many of the options for limiting any potential tax bill, when passing on your wealth. It is important for you to seek professional advice when considering or setting up a trust.\nWith appropriate trusts and inheritance tax planning your financial adviser can help you avoid making the taxman your largest beneficiary when you die.\nPlease note that trust arrangements are not Old Mutual Wealth products, they are legal arrangements allowing your investments to be held in a way that minimises their tax liability.\nYou can find further information about tax and trusts in these documents:\nA guide to investment for trustees\nThis guide highlights some key aspects of investment for trustees.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9431164860725403} {"content": "EGFR mutation testing has become an essential determination to decide treatment options for NSCLC. The mutation analysis is often conducted in samples with low percentage of tumour cells from primary tumour biopsies. There is very little evidence that samples from metastatic tissues are suitable for EGFR testing. We had evaluated the frequency of EGFR… (More)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8897073864936829} {"content": "Finish Line IncFind Ratings Reports\nFinancial Analysis\nFINISH LINE INC's gross profit margin for the third quarter of its fiscal year 2016 has increased when compared to the same period a year ago. Even though sales increased, the net income has decreased, representing a decrease to the bottom line. FINISH LINE INC has very weak liquidity. Currently, the Quick Ratio is 0.25 which clearly shows a lack of ability to cover short-term cash needs. The company's liquidity decreased from the same period a year ago, despite already having very weak liquidity to begin with. This would indicate deteriorating cash flow.\nDuring the same period, stockholders' equity (\"net worth\") has decreased by 16.48% from the same quarter last year. The key liquidity measurements indicate that the company is in a position in which financial difficulties could develop in the near future.\nSTOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12-months. To learn more visit www.TheStreetRatings.com.\nIncome Statement Q3 FY16 Q3 FY15 Net Sales ($mil) 371.74 361.03 EBITDA ($mil) 0.0 0.0 EBIT ($mil) -18.77 -32.84 Net Income ($mil) -40.44 -21.84\nBalance Sheet Q3 FY16 Q3 FY15 Cash & Equiv. ($mil) 33.3 55.27 Total Assets ($mil) 781.64 879.78 Total Debt ($mil) 17.0 0.0 Equity ($mil) 465.67 557.59\nProfitability Q3 FY16 Q3 FY15 Gross Profit Margin 26.73 23.0 EBITDA Margin 0.0 0.0 Operating Margin -5.05 -9.1 Sales Turnover 2.39 2.04 Return on Assets -0.53 6.67 Return on Equity 5.77 10.93\nDebt Q3 FY16 Q3 FY15 Current Ratio 1.96 2.11 Debt/Capital 0.04 0.0 Interest Expense 0.0 0.0 Interest Coverage 0.0 0.0\nShare Data Q3 FY16 Q3 FY15 Shares outstanding (mil) 40.5 44.36 Div / share 0.1 0.09 EPS -0.26 -0.44 Book value / share 11.5 12.57 Institutional Own % n/a n/a Avg Daily Volume 1550326.0 918166.0\nValuation\nHOLD. The current P/E ratio indicates a premium compared to an average of 22.09 for the Specialty Retail industry and a value on par with the S&P 500 average of 25.41. To use another comparison, its price-to-book ratio of 1.48 indicates a discount versus the S&P 500 average of 2.83 and a significant discount versus the industry average of 14.08. The price-to-sales ratio is well below both the S&P 500 average and the industry average, indicating a discount.\nPrice/Earnings\nPrice/Cash Flow\nFINL 27.08 Peers 22.09 FINL 5.21 Peers 13.93\nPremium. A higher P/E ratio than its peers can signify a more expensive stock or higher growth expectations.\nFINL is trading at a premium to its peers.\nDiscount. The P/CF ratio, a stock’s price divided by the company's cash flow from operations, is useful for comparing companies with different capital requirements or financing structures.\nFINL is trading at a significant discount to its peers.\nPrice/Projected\nEarnings\nPrice to\nEarnings/Growth\nFINL 9.72 Peers 20.93 FINL 0.12 Peers 2.02\nDiscount. A lower price-to-projected earnings ratio than its peers can signify a less expensive stock or lower future growth expectations.\nFINL is trading at a significant discount to its peers.\nDiscount. The PEG ratio is the stock’s P/E divided by the consensus estimate of long-term earnings growth. Faster growth can justify higher price multiples.\nFINL trades at a significant discount to its peers.\nPrice/Book\nEarnings Growth\nFINL 1.48 Peers 14.08 FINL -51.54 Peers -14.80\nDiscount. A lower price-to-book ratio makes a stock more attractive to investors seeking stocks with lower market values per dollar of equity on the balance sheet.\nFINL is trading at a significant discount to its peers.\nLower. Elevated earnings growth rates can lead to capital appreciation and justify higher price-to-earnings ratios.\nHowever, FINL is expected to significantly trail its peers on the basis of its earnings growth rate.\nPrice/Sales\nSales Growth\nFINL 0.37 Peers 1.48 FINL 4.28 Peers 7.69\nDiscount. In the absence of P/E and P/B multiples, the price-to-sales ratio can display the value investors are placing on each dollar of sales.\nFINL is trading at a significant discount to its industry on this measurement.\nLower. A sales growth rate that trails the industry implies that a company is losing market share.\nFINL significantly trails its peers on the basis of sales growth", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9590749144554138} {"content": "How Should I Light my Fireplace Properly?\nRooms with fireplaces are often inadequately lit – these spaces are generally designed for relaxing and entertaining but the lighting may only consist of a few lamps. If you’re lucky your builder might have thrown in a few recessed lights near the fireplace for general lighting, that is definitely needed but recessed cans are perfect for lighting the overall space and lack the layers of lighting needed to create depth and highlight the room’s features. When done properly lighting will add depth and ambiance while tying together all aspects of decor.\nFireplaces are sought after architectural details and should be highlighted in your space – start with placing two recessed lights two feet away to cross-illuminate the fireplace; keeping them close to the fireplace will ensure a person cannot step between the light source and fireplace, creating shadows and blinding an unsuspecting guest. Make sure to get an adjustable trim, either a gimbal or eyeball trim. The two lights should be positioned to wash the area above the mantel. To add some more depth, frame the fireplace with sconces on either side, which will create drama and focus attention on the centerpiece. No room for wall sconces? Or seeking a cleaner look? Accent lighting can be applied above crown molding; this will create a warm inviting glow that will balance the room.\nIndirect lighting will help soften the shadows produced by the recessed lights. The exact application of this indirect lighting will depend on your space. A higher ceiling would benefit from one or two pendants or chandeliers centered on the fireplace and a smaller room with a lower ceiling might benefit from just a few lamps. Either application of indirect lighting will soften shadows and add human scale to the space. An accented fireplace will remain the focal point for the room while the layers of light create an inviting space with warmth and interest.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5152106285095215} {"content": "Too often, I hear people using the terms bandwidth and broadband interchangeably. They are not the referencing the same thing.\nBandwidth has its origins in the analog world, and is related to hertz, or frequency. In the world of RF, there is also signal bandwidth or analog bandwidth. Bandwidth is also used to describe light, such as spectral bandwidth. However, in the digital world, bandwidth is clearly used to reference speed, which can then be used to calculate capacity. For example, Unified Communications requires more bandwidth than simple VoIP. VoIP without compression requires 64kbps. A UC voice channel typically requires 88-96kbps.\nBandwidth for the IP Community is nearly always referred to in terms of bits per second, the range of which is infinite in either direction – more bits per second or fewer bits per second. So, if bandwidth is about speed, what is broadband?\nBroadband, as described by the FCC, requires a minimum bandwidth of 256kbps. The term broadband is applied to a transmission media that can support multiple signals simultaneously. As with bandwidth, broadband has historical references to radio and TV. It also is related to terms such as narrow band and wide band. However, for this discussion, we will refer to broadband as it applies to the Internet. In that context, we view broadband as delivered using copper, fiber, cable, wireless (Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, LTE), satellite, etc. The types of broadband include DSL, ADSL, SDSL, T1, DS3, Cable modem, etc.\nPerhaps, this primer is only useful to a few of you. But as we sell VoIP, Hosted UC and SIP Trunking, it is necessary to understand the difference between a request for broadband, and the bandwidth required to service the customer.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8850027322769165} {"content": "Share this article on:\nThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication Tuesday about cybersecurity flaws in certain St. Jude Medical cardiac devices and the Merlin@home transmitter after it was confirmed the devices could potentially be remotely accessed by unauthorized individuals.\nThe FDA confirmed that unauthorized users could “remotely access a patient’s RF-enabled implanted cardiac device by altering the Merlin@home Transmitter,” potentially causing patients to be harmed. The flaws would allow an attacker to deplete the battery on implanted devices, alter pacing, or trigger shocks.\nThe FDA confirmed that there have been no reported instances of the cybersecurity flaws being exploited to cause harm to patients to date and patients have been advised to continue using the devices as instructed by their healthcare providers.\nA patch to address the flaws has been developed and will be automatically applied this week. However, in order for the Merlin@home device to receive the update it must be left plugged in and connected to the Merlin Network.\nThe cybersecurity vulnerabilities were discovered by researchers at MedSec as part of a study into cybersecurity measures used to protect implantable medical devices. MedSec passed on details of the research to Muddy Waters last summer. In August 2016, Muddy Waters published a report criticizing St. Jude Medical for allowing ‘stunning cybersecurity flaws’ to remain unaddressed in its Merlin@home system and its associated defibrillators and pacemakers. St. Jude Medical denied the claims and sued Muddy Waters for disseminating ‘false and misleading’ information.\nHowever, since the revelations were made in August, Abbott Laboratories, which recently acquired St. Jude Medical in a $25 billion deal, has been conducting its own investigations into device security. Abbott Laboratories has worked closely with both the FDA and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that its pacemakers, defibrillator devices, and their associated systems are adequately protected and access by unauthorized individuals is blocked. The FDA has reviewed the software patch and has confirmed that it addresses the “greatest risks” and reduces the potential for exploitation and patient harm.\nCarson Block, founder of Muddy Waters, issued a statement about the FDA announcement saying it “reaffirms our belief that had we not gone public, St. Jude would not have remediated the vulnerabilities.” However, while critical security vulnerabilities have been addressed, Block said “the announced fixes do not appear to address many of the larger problems, including the existence of a universal code that could allow hackers to control the implants.”\nIn the safety communication, the FDA reminded consumers that “any medical device connected to a communications network (e.g. wi-fi, public or home Internet) may have cybersecurity vulnerabilities that could be exploited by unauthorized users.” The FDA went on to say “the increased use of wireless technology and software in medical devices, however, can also often offer safer, more efficient, convenient and timely health care delivery.”\nCybersecurity Guidance for Medical Device Manufacturers\nIn December 2016, the FDA published its final cybersecurity guidance for medical device manufacturers. The document details measures that medical device manufacturers should adopt to ensure post-market devices are routinely assessed for vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. The FDA released guidance in 2014 covering pre-market submissions for the management of cybersecurity in medical devices.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5850369930267334} {"content": "I've read a recent study that suggests MINOR colds don't have to interfere with training, and that the duration of the cold is unaffected one way or the other.\nInfluenza isn't a common cold, however, but a potentially serious viral infection, if that's what you actually have. I'll defer to those here with professional medical training, but I would think that your body's resources need to be concentrated on fighting the flu, which will sap your strength. I've only had the flu in my youth (been taking flu shots for 30 years), but remember being wasted for a while afterwards. And when I had pneumonia at age 38 (and misdiagnosed for weeks by incompetent Army doctors before it was treated), I was weak as a kitten for a good 6 months following it. Serious diseases really tax your whole body, and the flu is one of them. I would of course see a doctor, and focus on rest and everything else you're told to do. That's the best way to quickly return to your training.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.620736837387085} {"content": "BACKGROUNDTraffic policemen are identified to be at a higher risk of exposure to air pollution and its contaminants such as lead. A study done prior to the introduction of unleaded petroleum in Sri Lanka revealed a mean blood lead level of 53.07 μg/dL, which was well above the Center for Disease Control defined acceptable safe levels. This study aimed to… (More)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6764130592346191} {"content": "APPEAL from the Circuit Court of Madison County; the Hon.\nJOSEPH J. BARR, Judge, presiding.\nMR. JUSTICE JONES DELIVERED THE OPINION OF THE COURT:\nThis appeal brought by plaintiff-appellant, Donald Burroughs, arises from a negligence action involving a rear end collision. The trial court of Madison County entered judgment on the jury verdict of not guilty returned in favor of the defendant.\nThe issues presented for review are: (1) whether the jury's verdict was against the manifest weight of the evidence; and (2) whether the court erred in instructing the jury.\nOn a dark, wet evening, November 25, 1972, at approximately 6 p.m. a 1968 Javelin driven by the defendant Ricky McGinness, age 17, with Richard Adams, age 12, riding as passenger came onto U.S. Route 40 in Collinsville, Illinois, from Illinois Route 157, which merges into Route 40. Traveling west in the right hand lane the defendant collided with the rear end of a 1969 Buick Riviera operated by plaintiff, Donald Burroughs, with Barbara Burroughs, his wife, riding as passenger. It was stipulated that the plaintiff's injury was a result of the collision.\nThe defendant in his deposition, and when first examined by plaintiff's attorney at trial, contended that he did not see the plaintiff's car until he was 50-75 feet away from it. However, on cross-examination he stated that he misunderstood the question; he actually noticed the plaintiff's car when going down a hill while plaintiff's car was going around a curve ahead, but he did not start braking until he was 50-75 feet from the plaintiff's car. The defendant stated that he was traveling at 35-40 m.p.h. and he began braking because he thought the plaintiff's car was stopped. Subsequently, he stated that he did not know the car was stopped. He testified that he could see cars for one-half to three-quarters of a mile from the top of the hill on Route 157 but the curve in the road obstructed his vision to a certain extent. However, the defendant acknowledged that there were no obstructions on Route 40 near the K-Mart store where the accident occurred. The defendant stated that he saw that the plaintiff's taillights were illuminated but he did not see any brake lights or turn signal. Defendant further acknowledged that the reason he did not see the plaintiff's car and begin to brake sooner was because he was distracted by the confusion of the traffic to the left of him at the intersection of Route 157 and Route 40. He also testified on direct examination that the car he hit in the rear was approximately 100 feet from the K-Mart store's entrance.\nThe plaintiff, Burroughs, testified that he did not see defendant's car until after the impact. He contended that at the time of the accident he was not stopped but had slowed down to a speed of 8-10 m.p.h. because the car in front of him had its right turn signal on. He also testified that he was moving slowly because the pavement was wet and he was preparing to turn into the driveway of the K-Mart store. However, the plaintiff contended that he had not begun to make his turn onto the K-Mart driveway. Although he testified his wheels were slightly turned, he also stated that he was 25 feet from the K-Mart entrance when the accident occurred. Plaintiff believed he had his turn signal on but could not specifically remember because it was a natural reflex for him to activate his turn signal.\nThe plaintiff's wife, Barbara Burroughs, who was a passenger in plaintiff's car at the time of the accident, testified that it was dark out and that the lights on their car were on. She further stated that she and her husband were going to turn into the K-Mart Shopping Center; however, they had not yet turned at the time of impact. Mrs. Burroughs also testified that after the collision her husband could not move so she helped him steer the car into the K-Mart parking lot and turned the motor off.\nThe record reveals that an ambulance was called and Mr. Burroughs was taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Granite City. Since the accident the plaintiff has had back trouble which has required and will require in the future medical treatment and expenses.\n1 The plaintiff in this appeal first contends the jury verdict is against the manifest weight of the evidence. We are aware that the jury verdict is to be given great weight. Nevertheless, when the jury returns a verdict which is not supported by the evidence it is the duty of the trial court or the reviewing court to act as a check upon the jury and reverse that verdict. (Thomas v. Lynch (1978), 59 Ill. App.3d 542, 375 N.E.2d 859; Glaze v. Owens (1968), 104 Ill. App.2d 172, 243 N.E.2d 13.) In light of general experience and common knowledge, the evidence before us reveals that the defendant was not attentive while driving and therefore, negligent. A driver approaching from the rear has the duty to keep a safe lookout and he must take into consideration the fact that he may be required to stop or slow his vehicle suddenly. (Glenn v. Mosley (1976), 39 Ill. App.3d 172, 350 N.E.2d 219; Apato v. Be Mac Transport Co. (1972), 7 Ill. App.3d 1099, 288 N.E.2d 683; Barnash v. Rubovits (1964), 46 Ill. App.2d 409, 197 N.E.2d 134.) Furthermore if he does not maintain a proper lookout for traffic ahead he is negligent. Glenn v. Mosley.\nThe defendant testified that he could see the cars traveling in his lane for a distance of one-half to three-quarters of a mile, but the rain prevented him from determining if the cars were moving or stopped. The plaintiff testified that he was not stopped in the road, but rather was traveling at a speed of 8-10 m.p.h. because the driver preceeding him was turning. The defendant was traveling at a speed of 35-40 m.p.h. and acknowledged that he did not begin to brake until he was only 50-75 feet from the plaintiff's car. Since the defendant saw plaintiff's car prior to the time he began to brake, he should have determined that he was gaining unduly on the plaintiff's car and slowed his vehicle accordingly. Also, due to the weather conditions and the prospect of turning traffic in a congested area preceding the plaintiff, the defendant should have anticipated that the plaintiff was moving slowly. The defendant has a duty to travel at a speed which would have provided an adequate distance between his car and the plaintiff's car, and which would have allowed the defendant to make a safe stop when the traffic ahead of him had stopped or slowed. The defendant testified that the merging traffic to the left of him at the intersection of Routes 157 and 40 was confusing. However, he also acknowledged that he had traveled through this intersection nearly 100 times before. The defendant also admitted that prior to his braking he was talking or looking somewhere else when he should have been watching the traffic in front of him.\n2 We conclude that in light of these particular facts and the record before us, abundant evidence established the negligence of the defendant, McGinness.\nThe defendant contended that the plaintiff contributed to the accident by violating the \"turn signal statute\" (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1973, ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-804(b)), which in itself can be considered some evidence that plaintiff was negligent. The alleged violation of the statute was the only evidence adduced by the defendant that the plaintiff was contributorily negligent. This evidence was presented to the jury through defendant's instruction 4A, the statutory violation instruction (Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Civil, No. 60.01 (2d ed. 1971)), which incorporated the \"turn signal statute\" and stated:\n\"A signal of intention to turn right when required must be given continuously during not less than 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning within a business district.\" (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1973, ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-804(b).)\n\"Any turn signal when required shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by an electric turn signal device.\" (Ill. Rev. ...", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5717426538467407} {"content": "Many still fail to appreciate the huge potential for using energy more efficiently, which is probably the best way to reduce carbon emissions.\nCheck it out: In the Boston Consulting Group’s report The Energy Efficiency Opportunity: Winning Strategies for a High-Growth Market, which was published in May, we calculate potential energy savings of 200 megatons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in the U.S., which is equal to 20% of annual energy demand.\nIn Europe, we project that energy-efficiency technologies will represent a market worth approximately €30 billion ($38.2 billion) by 2020.\nThe most robust growth will be in countries with high energy prices, determined regulators, stable regulatory environments, and established energy-efficiency markets.\nSome important challenges remain in the residential market, however.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6840716600418091} {"content": "Skip to main contentCGMA homeSign inAbout usContact usEmployersCharted Global Management Accountant Logo\" />MagazineResourcesLearnEventsAbout CGMA®Become a CGMA®SearchNews|Features|Videos|Podcast|NewsletterReports|Tools|Videos|Blogs|Promote Your CGMA®Competency and Learning|Courses|Harvard ManageMentor|PublicationsConferences|WebcastsWhy CGMA|Benefits|What is management accounting|Case studies|FAQs|Code of ethicsTransformation and transparency: managing local government performanceAdd to favouritesDecember 16 2014Topics:Performance managementThis report explores the role of the finance function in local government. It provides guidance for local government leaders and finance professionals on how to enable effective performance management.It identifies four critical areas to be addressed: thetransformationof public services, the need to enable a supportingtechnologystructure, the demand for greater governmenttransparencyand the challenge of recruiting, developing and retainingtalent.Success across these 'Four Ts' requires careful planning and execution, together with detailed monitoring and analysis of results. A strong, integrated finance function is crucial in achieving this.InfographicInterested inorganisational managementandgovernance? You may also like....Essential tools for management accountantsToolThe Boardroom and RiskPublicationRisk cultureReportExplore moremanagement accounting topics.Be the first to leave a comment.You must be a CGMA Designation Holder to commentLogin nowRelatedWinning KPIsHow to drive value from sustainability performance management and the CFO's roleUnlocking performanceGoverning for performance: New directions in corporate governanceStay connected with CGMAAbout usJoint ventureOur missionPressContact usMagazineNewsFeaturesVideosPodcastNewsletterResourcesReportsToolsVideosBlogsPromote Your CGMA®LearnCompetency and LearningCoursesHarvard ManageMentorPublicationsEventsConferencesWebcastsAbout CGMA®Why CGMABenefitsManagement accountingCase studiesFAQsCode of ethicsBecome a CGMA®", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9424141049385071} {"content": "1. Dorsey, Grant: 27 articles (01/2015 - 05/2006) 2. White, Nicholas J: 23 articles (10/2015 - 12/2003) 3. Rosenthal, Philip J: 23 articles (01/2015 - 05/2006) 4. Kamya, Moses R: 20 articles (01/2015 - 05/2006) 5. Mårtensson, Andreas: 15 articles (10/2014 - 10/2005) 6. Utzinger, Jürg: 15 articles (09/2011 - 01/2002) 7. Davis, Timothy M E: 13 articles (08/2015 - 03/2006) 8. Björkman, Anders: 13 articles (10/2014 - 10/2005) 9. Ogutu, Bernhards: 12 articles (08/2015 - 01/2008) 10. Sowunmi, Akintunde: 12 articles (01/2015 - 08/2007)\n1. Malaria\n01/01/2006 - \"Artemether, highly effective in multi-drug-resistant malaria is not routinely available for use in pregnancy due to the lack of adequate research data in animals and man. \"\n10/01/2008 - \"Solid microemulsion preconcentrate (NanOsorb) of artemether for effective treatment of malaria.\"\n10/01/1999 - \"Artemether is a new and effective treatment for malaria, although relapse is a problem in monotherapy. \"\n11/01/1996 - \"artemether would be an effective treatment of severe malaria in the rural tropics in situations where oral or parenteral administration is not possible.\"\n01/01/2014 - \"Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing intramuscular artemether with intravenous or intramuscular antimalarial for treating severe malaria. \"\n2. Falciparum Malaria (Plasmodium falciparum Malaria)\n11/21/1992 - \"Artemether is effective against falciparum malaria but associated with a high recrudescence rate. \"\n07/01/1997 - \"These results suggest that artemether is rapidly effective in acute recrudescent Plasmodium falciparum malaria and is without deleterious side effects.\"\n11/01/2015 - \"Efficacy of a Novel Sublingual Spray Formulation of Artemether in African Children with Plasmodium falciparum Malaria.\"\n09/01/1999 - \"An open study to evaluate the efficacy of artemether in severe falciparum malaria.\"\n01/01/2008 - \"[Efficacy of artemether in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children aged 6-60 months of age in Bangui (Central African Republic)].\"\n3. Infection\n11/01/2005 - \"A double-blind field trial on the effects of artemether on Schistosoma japonicum infection in a highly endemic focus in southern China.\"\n01/01/2003 - \"These findings have been confirmed in clinical trials for the former two parasites; administered orally once every 2-3 weeks, artemether significantly reduced the incidence and intensity of patent infections. \"\n01/01/2003 - \"Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral artemether for the prevention of patent Schistosoma haematobium infections.\"\n05/01/2002 - \"Randomized controlled clinical trials confirmed that artemether, orally administered at a dose of 6 mg/kg once every 2-3 weeks, results in no drug-related adverse effects, and significantly reduces the incidence and intensity of schistosome infections. \"\n01/01/2002 - \"Artemether, an efficacious antimalarial drug, effectively prevents patent schistosome infections and morbidity, as established in laboratory models and in clinical trials. \"\n4. Cerebral Malaria\n03/01/1996 - \"The clinical efficacy of intramuscular artemether was studied in 144 children suffering from severe non cerebral malaria. \"\n05/01/1997 - \"The disposition of intramuscular artemether in children with cerebral malaria; a preliminary study.\"\n02/12/2005 - \"Rectal artemether is effective and well tolerated and could be used as treatment for cerebral malaria.\"\n10/15/1999 - \"Artemether represents an important option in the management of cerebral malaria in Nigeria especially in rural areas where facilities for intravenous administration may not yet be optimal.\"\n05/01/1997 - \"The disposition of intramuscular artemether (AM) was studied in 26 Kenyan children with cerebral malaria. \"\n5. Parasitemia\n10/15/2012 - \"In addition, despite adversely affecting parasitemia and weight in non-artemether treated infected mice, HJP-272, seemed to confer some survival benefit when used as adjunctive therapy, though this did not reach significance. \"\n12/01/1993 - \"The effects of artemether on the morphology of Plasmodium falciparum were studied in an owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus) when parasitemia reached 33% and the animal became severely ill. \"\n05/06/2004 - \"CF(3) analogues of artemether and arteether exhibited a high in vivo antimalarial activity on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei NK173, with a complete clearance of the parasitemia during the entire observation period (25 days).\"\n08/01/2007 - \"Artemether-lumefantrine clears parasitemia more rapidly than ASP but both combinations are effective in treatment of uncomplicated P. \"\n01/01/1999 - \"Findings showed that artemether was more effective than quinine with regard to total clearance of parasitemia, 90 p. \"\n1. lumefantrine 2. artesunate 3. artemisinine (artemisinin) 4. Amodiaquine (Camoquin) 5. Quinine (Quinson) 6. sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (Fansidar) 7. Mefloquine (Lariam) 8. piperaquine 9. dihydroquinghaosu (dihydroartemisinin) 10. Chloroquine (Aralen)\n1. Aftercare (After-Treatment) 2. Drug Therapy (Chemotherapy) 3. Chinese Traditional Medicine (Traditional Chinese Medicine) 4. Intravenous Infusions 5. Therapeutics", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9876784682273865} {"content": "Camellias are perennial evergreen shrubs that belong to the Theaceae plant family. Native to South and East Asia, gardeners often use camellias to add a dash of color to gardens during the winter months when many other plants go dormant. These easy-to-grow shrubs come in various forms and numerous varieties.\nCamellia Crapnelliana\nThe camellia crapnelliana plant comes from Hong Kong and thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zones 8 to 10. This camellia variety reaches between 20 and 30 feet in height with spreads ranging from 12 to 20 feet. The Camellia crapnelliana features green foliage, reddish-brown bark and aromatic white flowers that bloom from October through December. These shrubs prefer rich, acidic soils in partially shady planting sites. This variety needs medium, consistent moisture and protection from direct afternoon sun. Camellia crapnellianas occasionally suffer from leaf spots, black mold and aphid infestations. Many gardeners use this camellia as container plants, background plants and shrub borders.\nCamellia Furfuracea\nThe Camellia furfuracea, native to Vietnam and South China, generally thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 10. This camellia variety reaches between 6 and 9 feet in height with slightly smaller spreads. The fragrant, white flowers bloom from December through March, followed by inedible brown fruits. This plant needs acidic, well-drained soils in partly shady locations. Anthracnose, petal blight and root rot sometimes plague these camellias. The camellia fufuracea works well when planted in borders or woodland gardens.\nCamellia Japonica\nCamellia japonica, indigenous to Korea, China and Japan, typically grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 9. This camellia variety matures up to 12 feet in height with spreads of about 10 feet. This shrub prefers partially shady positions and slightly acidic soils. The Japanese camellia blooms pink, red, white or striped flowers. The flower displays occur in the early spring for cooler climates and from autumn to spring in warmer climates. Indoor plants often attract mealy bugs, scale and aphids. Gardeners should plant this shrub in areas large enough to handle its spreading habit.\nCamellia Oleifera\nThe camellia oleifera, more commonly called the tea-oil camellia, is native to Indochina and China. Winter hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 10, this camellia variety grows between 10 and 20 feet in height with similar spreads. This plant features green leaves and fragrant white flowers that bloom in March. The tea-oil camellia prefers fully sunny to partially shady planting sites and acidic, moist soils. Camellia oleifera plants often contract leaf spots, canker and black mold. Scale frequently infest these plants. Home gardeners typically use this shrub in protected areas around patios and homes.\nCamellia Petelotii\nCamellia petelotii plants come from Southern China and Vietnam, and successfully grow in USDA Zones 8 to 10. This variety of camellia reaches heights between 6 and 10 feet with slightly smaller spreads. Yellow, fragrant flowers bloom from December through March. Emerging leaves have purple tints, but mature to a dark green color. This camellia plant requires acidic, rich soils in partly shady locations. Camellia petelotti shrubs sometimes suffer from anthracnose, canker and petal blight. Spider mites and scales occasionally feed on this plant. The camellia petelotti works well as borders, hedges and backgrounds.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8102325797080994} {"content": "On March 17, 2016, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) announced proposed new safety regulations concerning onshore natural gas transmission and gathering pipelines. These proposed regulations would expand and enhance the reach of PHMSA’s pipeline safety protocols. Among the proposed rule changes are: new assessment and repair criteria for gas transmission pipelines; expansion of this criteria into medium population density areas; enhanced corrosion control requirements; and verification of maximum allowable operating pressure, including verification of maximum pressures for pipelines that have not yet been verified due to grandfathering. Significantly, the proposed regulations would repeal an exemption for gas gathering line reporting requirements and add a new definition for onshore production facility/operation, as well as a revised definition of gathering lines. This rulemaking would extend regulatory requirements to certain previously unregulated lines that are eight inches or greater in diameter; however, such requirements would be limited to damage prevention, corrosion control, public education, maximum allowable operating pressure limits, line markers and emergency planning.\nThis effort to enhance safety regulations arises out a general concern for pipeline safety in the face of unprecedented demands on the pipeline system. These changes are also driven by the need to prevent significant gas pipeline incidents, including events such as the rupture and explosion of a natural gas transmission line in San Bruno, California, on September 9, 2010, that killed eight people. PHMSA estimates the total present value (15-year period, 7-percent discount rate) of benefits for the proposed rule to be around $3.3 billion, while costs for the same period are expected to be approximately $597 million. Other benefits from the proposed regulations include expected reductions in greenhouse gas emissions—in particular, methane—from pipelines. Leak detection protocols set forth in the proposed regulations are expected to prevent approximately 69,000 to 122,000 metric tons of methane and 14,000 to 22,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide over a 15-year period.\nComments on the proposed rulemaking, which is available on PHMSA website, are due within 60 days following publication in the\nFederal Register.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9814560413360596} {"content": "We have studied the influence of Pt on the growth of Ni suicide thin films by examining the Pt redistribution during suicide growth. Three different initial Pt configurations were investigated, i.e., a Pt alloy (Ni+Pt/< Si >), a Pt capping layer (Pt/Ni/< Si >) and a Pt interlayer (Ni/Pt/< Si >), all containing 7 at. % Pt relative to the Ni content. The Pt redistribution was probed using in situ real-time Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) whereas the phase sequence was monitored during the solid phase reaction (SPR) using in situ real-time x-ray diffraction. We found that the capping layer and alloy exhibit a SPR comparable to the pure Ni/< Si > system, whereas Pt added as an interlayer has a much more drastic influence on the Ni suicide phase sequence. Nevertheless, for all initial sample configurations, Pt redistributes in an erratic way. This phenomenon can be assigned to the low solubility of Pt in Ni2Si compared to NiSi and the high mobility of Pt in Ni2Si compared to pure Ni. Real-time RBS further revealed that the crucial issue determining the growth properties of each silicide phase is the Pt concentration at the Si interface during the initial stages of phase formation. The formation of areas rich in Pt reduce the Ni suicide growth kinetics which influences the phase sequence and properties of the suicides. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3455873]", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5796800255775452} {"content": "The first steps following a collapse are critical. They will blaze the trail for subsequent\ninvestigations, and they may prevent further damage or loss of life. The activities immediately following a collapse profoundly influence the success of subsequent technical investigations. So much of the evidence associated with a collapse is of a perishable nature—and some of it highly perishable—that swift action is needed to preserve as much as possible. Snow will melt, fracture surfaces will corrode, the debris will be removed, and memories will fade. The forensic engineer who is called in following a collapse plays a crucial role in determining what those first steps should be. He or she is the most qualified to recognize perishable evidence and its potential value.\nthe pdf paper to learn\nhttp://www.zshare.net/download/3687176660aac5/\nRACHID FROM ALGERIA", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9719727039337158} {"content": "A spatiotemporal investigation of varved sediments highlights the dynamics of hypolimnetic hypoxia in a large hard-water lake over the last 150 years\nLimnol. Oceanogr., 58(4), 2013, 1395-1408 | DOI: 10.4319/lo.2013.58.4.1395\nABSTRACT: The spatiotemporal distribution of biochemical varves spanning the last 150 yr was investigated using 40 cores collected over a depth gradient in a large subalpine lake—Lake Bourget—in the French Alps. Four-dimensional sedimentological, biological, and geochemical analyses show that varve preservation can be used as a reliable proxy to reconstruct annual-to-decadal oscillations of hypoxia in large lakes. The volume of hypoxic waters was calculated by integrating the volume between the lake bottom and the depth of the shallowest varve-bearing core for each year. Although Lake Bourget bottom waters have been oxic over the last 9000 yr, severe hypoxia has occurred only since 1933 ± 1. The volume of hypoxic waters showed, thereafter, a succession of pronounced fluctuations, leading to an increase of 8% of the total lake volume in the 1960s, a decline in the 1980s, and a second, ongoing increase since 1990. Whereas the initial onset of persistent hypoxic conditions could be attributed to eutrophication due to nutrient-rich inputs from sewage water and/or diffuse contamination, the later fluctuations were also driven by climatic factors, i.e., flooding, rising air temperatures, and phosphorus-independent changes in primary production. Hence, cumulative effects related to global warming seem to have driven hypolimnetic hypoxic conditions since equilibrium was initially disrupted due to a drastic shift in the trophic state.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9953424334526062} {"content": "Clare Hinrichs Associate Professor of Rural Sociology The Penn State University\nProjections about development of an agricultural bioeconomy often assume farmers will readily become feedstock producers. This presentation considers farmers’ motivations and interests regarding the emerging bioeconomy in the context of current patterns of farm restructuring and rural change. It draws on recent sociological field research conducted with Iowa farmers participating in a demonstration project harvesting switchgrass for energy end uses. These farmers expressed clear optimism about potential environmental gains in producing perennial feedstocks for biofuels. They articulated skepticism about the likelihood of widespread or durable social and economic gains for their community or region through participation in the agricultural bioeconomy.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9900314807891846} {"content": "Social Security: Interpretation 1 Carl Degler \"The Third American Revolution\"\nHistorian Carl Degler argued that the New Deal was revolutionary. He believed that the New Deal represented a drastic change in how Americans viewed government and its role in the economy. Rather than expecting economic troubles to be solved by market forces (a faith in \"laissez-faire economics\"), Americans began to expect the government to act in times of economic trouble and intervene to help make things better.\nDegler saw Social Security as a piece of this change, signaling that Americans viewed the government as responsible for ensuring that older Americans would live decent lives. This was a shift from thinking that this responsibility lay only with individuals and families. Degler also argued that Social Security demonstrated FDRís flexibility and willingness to experiment when the public demanded it. The American public was ready for a change after experiencing the severe conditions during the Great Depression, when banks were failing, industries were faltering, people were unemployed, and feelings of fear, uneasiness, and dissatisfaction were widespread. Degler argued that the New Deal constituted a permanent shift in the American publicís expectations: they now wanted the government to be an active player in the economy.\nCarl N. Degler (1959). \"The Third American Revolution.\" In\nOut of Our Past: The Forces that Shaped Modern America.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.94242924451828} {"content": "English vocabulary\nPeople can have many aptitudes, but without a large and precise English vocabulary to express themselves, they cannot take full advantage of these abilities. Unlike aptitudes, vocabulary is\nnot a natural ability; it can be improved if one is willing to make the effort to do so.\nFor anyone seeking to take full advantage of the new knowledge they have gained about their aptitudes, maximizing your vocabulary level is a significant task. The following pages can help:\nEffective Ways to Build Your Vocabulary offers some advice about how you can improve your English vocabulary. Build your knowledge with some fun vocabulary resources! We have developed a vocabulary building program based on our research into vocabulary acquisition. It is described on the WORDBOOK page. A former client relates his own experience with vocabulary development and its benefits in Software Upgrade. A former employee quizzes us on vocabulary and its importance. We explain how we determined the difficulty levels of over one thousand words for our Wordbook program.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7645097374916077} {"content": "Asthma Therapeutics Market in Major Developed Economies to reach $21.7 billion by 2020.\nSummary: The report includes complete market forecast upto 2020 for the major developed economies. It also discusses Asthma Therapeutics in great detail with all the necessary pipeline analysis.\nThe asthma therapeutics market is forecast to grow marginally over the forecast period across the top eight developed nations, from $18.4 billion in 2013 to a projected value of $21.7 billion by 2020 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.4%.\nBrowse Detailed TOC, Tables, Figures, Charts and Companies Mentioned in Asthma Therapeutics In Major Developed Markets To 2020 - Personalized Treatment For Severe Asthma To Drive Market Growth Despite Patent Expirations at- http://www.marketreportsworld.com/asthma-therapeutics-in-major-developed-markets-to-2020-personalized-treatment-for-severe-asthma-to-drive-market-growth-despite-patent-expirations-10070377\nThis is in spite of generic erosion facing several of the leading asthma brands, such as Advair (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol xinafoate), Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol fumarate) and Xolair (omalizumab), and is a consequence of new market entrants and rising disease prevalence.\nThe global prevalence of asthma is significant, believed to affect approximately 300 million people worldwide. This burden is predicted to increase in future, reaching 400 million by 2025.\nAlthough the majority of asthma patients are able to manage their symptoms effectively using currently marketed products, some remain inadequately controlled with these same products. This unmet need, coupled with rising global prevalence, has resulted in strong industry interest.\nConsequently, the current asthma pipeline is highly innovative, featuring several promising molecules in late-stage drug development. Biologics and monoclonal antibodies, the latter in particular, are gaining prominence within the indication. Novel monoclonal antibodies such...", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.562360405921936} {"content": "Our Michigan No-Fault Insurance lawyers often file claims on behalf of our injured clients for Attendant Care Service benefits. These benefits provide for payment to individuals (even family members) or agencies who assist and supervise a car accident victim during the period of recovery after the accident. These benefits are considered a medical benefit and can last years and even a lifetime.\nMany times, the auto insurance company will pay the benefit but will grossly underpay a fair wage to for the provider. The amount of benefit can vary from $10.00/hour up to $25.00/hour (or even more) depending on the type of injury suffered and the level of services. When an insurance company is underpaying for these benefits. we often sue the insurance company to make them pay the fair rate in the future and to recover the underpayments in the past. These claims are often substantial.\nWe handle Michigan No Fault Insurance cases in Adrian, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Bay City, Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Canton, Clinton Township, Dearborn, Detroit, Eastpointe, East Lansing, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Flint, Garden City, Grand Rapids, Grosse Pointe, Hazel Park, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kentwood, Lansing, Marquette, Midland, Monroe, Mount Clements, Muskegon, Novi, Oak Park, Okemos Owosso, Pontiac, Port Huron, Portage, Rochester, Roseville, Royal Oak, Saginaw, St. Clair Shores, Shelby Township, Southtgate, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Taylor, Troy, Utica, Warren, Waterford, Westland, Wyoming, Ypsilanti, Zeeland Alcona County, Alger County, Allegan County, Alpena County, Atrim County, Arenac County, Baraga County, Barry County, Bay County, Benzie County, Berrien County, Branch County, Calhoun County, Cass County, Charlevoix County, Cheboygan County, Chippewa County, Clare, County, Clinton County, Crawford County, Delta County, Dickinson County, Eaton County, Emmet County, Gladwin County, Genesee, Gogebic County, Grand Traverse County, Gratiot County, Hillsdale County, Houghton County, Huron County, Ingham County, Ionia County, Iosco County, Iron County, Isabella County, Jackson County, Kalamazoo County, Kalkaska County, Kent County, Keweenaw County, Lake County, Lapeer County, Leelanau County, Lenawee County, Livingston County, Luce County, Mackinac County, Macomb County, Manistee County, Marquette County, Mason County, Mecosta County, Menominee County, Midland County, Missaukee County, Montcalm County, Montmorency County, Muskegon County, Monroe County, Newaygo County, Oakland County, Oceana County, Ogemaw County ,Ontonagon County, Osceola County, Oscoda County, Otsego County, Presque Isle County, Ottawa County, Roscommon County, Saginaw County, Saint Joseph County, Sanilac County, Schoolcraft County, Shiawassee County, St. Clair County, Tuscola County, Van Buren County, Washtenaw County, Wayne County, Wexford County and all Michigan cities and counties.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9977981448173523} {"content": "It is no secret that many who have purchased timeshares no longer wish to own them for a variety of reasons. One major reason is the obligation to pay a yearly maintenance fee, even if you don't use your timeshare. Those fees often rise considerably over time.\nAccording to the National Timeshare Owners Association (NTOA), the average annual maintenance fee at the end of 2014 in the U.S. was $881. According to Gregory Crist, the association's CEO: \"As a timeshare owner, you are legally required to pay that fee. Otherwise, if you default, you can be taken to court, and a judgment will be entered against you along with foreclosure proceedings.\"\nWhat are your realistic...", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9889650344848633} {"content": "FieldConnex® Surge Protectors are available for process plants at high risk for lightning strikes or other voltage surges. The fieldbus and all instrumentation can be protected with surge protectors:\nDepending on intensity and frequency of lightning strikes, surge protectors may lose functionality after one or several hundred voltage spikes. Certainly after each lightning strike and at least annually, surge protector functionality requires validation. Validation is often a manual and labor-intensive process. This work can be eliminated entirely with FieldConnex® Surge Protectors.\nFieldConnex® Surge Protectors are available with optional integrated diagnostics. They indicate the end of their useful life via Advanced Diagnostics. A message in the control room indicates the affected spur. The LED of the surge protector indicates locally, which module requires replacement.\nAdditional engineering for implementation is not required where fieldbus is equipped with the Advanced Diagnostic Module and diagnostic-enabled Segment Protectors.\nAn additional wiring level is omitted with this type of surge protector. The surge protectors can be retrofitted to most fieldbus installations with FieldConnex® Segment Protectors, e.g. Type R2-SP*).\nOptions permit\nall installation and maintenance rules. Versions enable or disallow exchange under live conditions. The screen can be connected to ground hard or via gas discharge tubes supporting all common shielding techniques:", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7876054644584656} {"content": "Men say some remarkable things when you ask them why they are overweight. Here's a sampling of some of my husband's responses over the years:\nI'm not overweight, you're just skinny. I'm a big guy. I can't help it if I have a hearty appetite. It's inherited. I have big bones. Being chunky was my family's way of showing how well off they were—this isn't fat, it's a symbol of success. This is protection. I never catch a cold; I haven't been sick in years; I must be doing something right. Do you think I'm fat?\nAll this from a man with an IQ of almost 200!\n]? you'll look at his statements, you'll note that he either denies that he's even got a problem or rationalizes that it's not beyond his control. He could lose, he thinks, if he set his mind to it. Most revealing was his observation that he has a hearty appetite.\nObviously he does. You don't get to weigh 240 pounds without one. But the underlying message I finally coaxed out of him (why is it that women have to beg their men to verbalize?) was that he considered it unthinkable to stop eating, or to leave the table, when he was still \"hungry.\" (See page 38 Appetite vs. Hunger.)\n*19/243/1*", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7087574005126953} {"content": "In Acts 17, Paul provides a model for the framework of engaging our culture as we share the truth of Christ. Paul witnessed the glory of God degraded by idolatry, but did not condemn the people. Instead, he explained the truth of God as Creator and Sustainer of life, who cannot be enshrined by human hands. Alistair Begg encourages us to be relevant in the culture, but committed to the truth of God’s Word.\nWhen The Church Was Young\nContemporary churchgoers may find themselves considering the early days of the Christian church with fond nostalgia. However, in reading through Luke’s account in Acts, we find that the early Church was not a group of elite Christians. Instead, they wrestled with the very same challenges that face the twenty-first century Church today.\nIn this series, Alistair Begg traces a line from the first century Church to the twenty-first century Church by examining issues such as our alienation from God, our tendency to present a cheapened Gospel, the juxtaposition of divine predestination and human free will, our culture’s obsession with idolatry, and God's ultimate power to save. We learn that the early Christians devoted themselves to the teaching of God’s Word and the spreading of the Gospel by depending on the Holy Spirit, and we are encouraged to hold firmly to the truth of Christ’s saving work as we engage our communities.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9146504998207092} {"content": "LogRhythm, The Security Intelligence Company, has announced the launch of its Threat Intelligence Ecosystem, the industry’s first collective of threat intelligence vendors focused on delivering unprecedented security intelligence via a next-generation security analytics and intelligence platform. The inaugural partners of the ecosystem – CrowdStrike, Norse, Symantec, ThreatStream and Webroot – have joined forces with LogRhythm to collaboratively deliver unparalleled visibility and insight to detect today’s sophisticated, high-risk cyber threats. LogRhythm’s Threat Intelligence Ecosystem represents many of the market’s leading commercial vendors of threat intelligence, each employing a variety of differentiated methods and techniques for successfully acquiring, assessing and verifying their threat intelligence.\nDetecting and responding to today’s increasingly sophisticated cyber threats requires pervasive, enterprise-wide visibility and advanced machine analytics, tied with rich external context in the form of relevant, accurate and actionable threat intelligence. This threat intelligence includes data such as low reputation IP addresses and URLs, nefarious email addresses, file names, processes and user agent strings. LogRhythm’s Threat Intelligence Ecosystem enables its award-winning security analytics platform to seamlessly and automatically consume and leverage each ecosystem partner’s unique intelligence. The ecosystem allows customers to choose one or many security intelligence sources, enabling LogRhythm’s platform to deliver faster detection of and response to high-risk cyber threats for mutual customers.\nIn conjunction with the launch of its Threat Intelligence Ecosystem, LogRhythm has released a corresponding Threat Intelligence Security Analytics Suite to ensure that the threat data unique to each ecosystem partner is accurately captured and recognized by LogRhythm’s Security Intelligence Platform. Mutual customers benefit from LogRhythm’s ability to collect and process all of an organization’s log, flow, event and other machine data, as well as LogRhythm’s endpoint, server and network forensic sensor data, to not only identify activities associated with threat intel, but automatically prioritize incidents corroborated with other high risk events recognized across the IT environment.\nThis pervasive visibility, combined with the rich context provided by one or more Threat Intelligence Ecosystem partners, enables LogRhythm’s Security Intelligence Platform to deliver even faster detection of and response to cyber threats, driving down false positives and reducing meantime to remediate threats.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5117554664611816} {"content": "Parents provide children with both genes (nature) and linguistic input (nurture). A growing body of research demonstrates that individual differences in childrens language are correlated with differences in parental speech. Although this suggests a causal link between parental input and the pace of language development, these correlations could reflect effects of shared genes on language, rather than a causal link between input and outcome. We explored effects of maternal input on English vocabulary development in internationally-adopted (IA) childrena population with no genetic confound. IA preschoolers demonstrated some of the same correlations with input as in previous studies; specifically, measures of input quality were significantly correlated with vocabulary. However, IA infants did not demonstrate this pattern. Differences between the age groups may be related to the pace of acquisition; more rapid vocabulary development in the preschoolers suggests that access to, and childrens ability to make use of input, may be a limiting factor for the infants.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5943008661270142} {"content": "I present a study on the morphological complexity of six European languages. A theory-free measure of the complexity of a language's inflectional morphology, is derived from Gell-Mann's concept of Effective Complexity. Using a parallel corpus, I show that disconsidering word order information results in the classical gradation of inflectional complexity: Languages in which words have more inflected variants seem to be more complex than languages with fewer variants. It also appears that the presence of the inflectional system increases the complexity of languages. However, when word order information is explicitly considered, the apparent gradation in complexity across languages vanishes. Furthermore, it becomes clear that the presence of inflections reduces the overall complexity of languages. In sum, inflection is used whenever its presence simplifies a language's description. Inflectional morphology is not a capricious feature, as some argue, but rather an effective tool for complexity reduction.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8256075978279114} {"content": "ABSTRACT This article draws from fieldwork conducted with the staff, volunteers and recipients of programs run by NGOs in Morrumbala, a rural district in central Mozambique. During the Mozambican conflict in the 1980s and early 1990s, a majority of district residents lived in refugee camps in Malawi. This article explores how recipients and volunteers draw on nostalgic memories of humanitarian experience in Malawi to critique and make claims on the humanitarian regimes that now provide services in Morrumbala. Anthropological literature has shown that refugee experience can be central to processes of political subjectification, becoming the grounds through which claims are articulated on neoliberal regimes of rights and services. These memories, and the nostalgic humanitarian lexicon they deploy, point to the historicity of humanitarian experience. As Morrumbala residents engage new configurations of aid and welfare today, the afterlives of previous interventions also allow for ambivalent and critical engagements with humanitarian practice in the present.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.982639729976654} {"content": "As their name suggests, snowmobiles are designed to travel on snow and ice. These vehicles are typically driven on open terrain like frozen lakes and trails. Much like a motorcycle, snowmobiles are designed for one driver and one passenger. The vehicles simply boast an engine, windshield, and skis, which provide balance and directional control. Operating on tracks, snowmobiles are mainly employed by hunters and workers. However, snowmobiles are now common recreational vehicles as well. Enthusiasts participate in races, ride trails, and even climb mountains.\nEarly snowmobiles used rubber tracks and two stroke engines. Today, most new models boast Kelvar composite tracks, and some manufacturers like Alpina Snowmobiles and Yamaha design the vehicles with four stroke engines. These engines are more environmentally friendly because they emit fewer toxins into the air. Other manufacturers are also becoming more environmentally conscious, successfully designing two stroke engines that pollute less.\nBecause rubber tracks and pollutant-heavy two stroke engines are becoming outdated, mechanics and home users might consider purchasing used snowmobile parts to update an existing snowmobile. Other commonly-needed used snowmobile parts include the seat, the speedometer, intake boots, and reed valves.\nUsed parts are advantageous for numerous reasons. They are cost effective. A new four stroke engine might cost thousands. By contrast, used parts and engine conversion kits are much more affordable, while a used four stroke engines costing even less. Additionally, one might use salvage parts to keep a vintage snowmobile running. Others might want to modernize their older, outdated vehicles.\nUsed snowmobiles can be acquired quickly and easily via autobidmaster.com. However, the online site does not carry individual parts. In fact, autobidmaster.com brokers entire salvage vehicles, including snowmobiles, from Copart Auto Auctions. Buying entire salvage snowmobiles might be even more advantageous than purchasing parts individually. Just like individual used parts, salvage snowmobiles are cheaper than new models. As discussed, often snowmobile aficionados seek to refurbish vintage vehicle models. Buying a salvage snowmobile might provide all the used parts one needs for rebuilding vintage makes.\nBy contrast, many salvage snowmobiles are in like-new condition. These vehicles might be more appropriate for dealerships and mechanics, who service newer snowmobile models. Specifically, salvage snowmobiles might contain parts to covert a two stroke engine, make a two stroke engine more efficient, or come equipped with a near mint condition four stroke engine altogether.\nOne popular way to obtain salvage snowmobiles is through online sources, like autobidmaster.com. This site facilitates salvage auctions which occur online. Aside from convenience, buying a salvage snowmobile is cost efficient. The vehicle can be delivered to one’s home, shop, or dealership for an affordable price, quickly and easily.\nOnline auto auctions via autobidmaster.com are also advantageous because one does not have to physically visit salvage yards, searching for snowmobile parts. In this way, one saves time, energy, and transportation costs. Finally, buying an entire salvage snowmobile saves mechanics and dealerships effort. With the complete vehicle, one has a plethora of parts available on hand, ensuring that one has a constant and stocked supply of parts.\nFacilitated by autobidmaster.com, one can find salvage snowmobiles at an affordable rate. To start now, click the above blog header!", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9430660605430603} {"content": "Less than a fifth (19.4%) of white British boys eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) - a measure of poverty - were awarded at least five C grades, including English and maths, in their GCSEs this year.\nIn comparison more than half (51%) of white British boys not eligible for the meals attained five A -C grades, including the two core subjects - a gap of 31.6 percentage points.\nThis gap has widened from 29.8 percentage points in 2006.\nAnd half (50.9%) of teenagers overall achieved this standard in the summer - a gap of 31.5 percentage points.\nThis attainment gap has grown from 30.2 percentage points in 2006.\nToday's figures, published by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) give a breakdown of GCSE achievement by gender, ethnicity and eligibility for FSM.\nThe statistics show that all teenagers who are eligible for the free dinners are still far behind their richer classmates.\nJust over a quarter (26.9%) of pupils eligible for FSM scored at least five C grades, including English and maths, compared to 54.4% of those not eligible for the meals.\nThis achievement gap of 27.5 percentage points, has narrowed slightly from 28.1 percentage points in 2006.Reuse content", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8499036431312561} {"content": "The project, which reached financial close in March, will use a combination of 4MW wind, 1MW solar and 0.5MWh battery storage to help the remote town of Coober Pedy reduce its dependence on diesel fuel.\nThe system will be integrated with an existing diesel power station, owned by EDL.\nConstruction of the project is set to begin in September, with full operations due in the second half of 2017. It is Senvion's first off-grid supply contract.\nThe project has received A$18.4 million ($13.7 million) in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena), a government backed organisation supporing the development of new systems to commercialisation.\n\"In off-grid locations, renewable energy has unique advantages over fossil fuels. Many remote Australian communities rely on diesel generators that are expensive to run and create uncertainty due to the volatility of fuel prices. While diesel prices have dropped in the last two years, prices are expected to rise again in the long-term,\" Arena said.\nArena CEO Ivor Frishknecht said: \"This is a next-generation off-grid project, taking advantage of advanced renewable and enabling technologies that have already been successfully trialled at off-grid locations such as King Island.\"\nEarlier this year Senvion's OEM rival Gamesa unveiled a new offgrid system combining wind with solar and battery storage in Spain.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6572319865226746} {"content": "When taking warfarin it is important to consider diet and maintaining a consistent amount of Vitamin K in your diet as much as you are able. Foods rich in Vitamin K can impede the effectiveness of warfarin and cause fluctuations in your ILR. Have you ever taken warfarin alongside a herbal remedy and experienced adverse effects? If you have, and are happy to share your story for a potential media opportunity to help raise awareness, please email a brief account to andrew@afa.org.uk. Thank you.\n**If you wish to make major changes to your diet or start taking a ‘health supplement’, discuss this with your doctor or the clinic which monitors your warfarin therapy.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7081373929977417} {"content": "Abstract\nD1 and D2 dopamine receptors are structurally homologous G protein–coupled receptors that serve distinct physiological functions both in neurons and nonneural cell types. We have observed that these receptors are selectively endocytosed in HEK293 cells by distinct dynamin-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Although these endocytic mechanisms operate with similarly rapid kinetics, they differ in their regulation by agonist and deliver D1 and D2 receptors specifically to different primary endocytic vesicles. After this segregation into different endocytic membranes, both D1 and D2 receptors recycle to the plasma membrane. Similar results are observed in Neuro2A neuroblastoma cells coexpressing both receptors at high levels. These findings establish that “classical” dynamin-dependent and “alternative” dynamin-independent endocytic mechanisms differ in their physiological regulation, sort structurally homologous signaling receptors in the plasma membrane, and mediate distinct early endocytic pathways leading to recycling endosomes. Our results also refute the previous hypothesis that dynamin-independent endocytosis targets G protein–coupled receptors selectively to lysosomes, and they suggest a new role of endocytic sorting mechanisms in physically segregating structurally homologous signaling receptors at the cell surface.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9922654628753662} {"content": "Unlike some other canine conditions, the signs of anemia can be relatively subtle. Anemia, or lack of sufficient red blood cells, ranges from mild to severe. Although a seriously affected dog appears ill, mildly affected dogs might just seem \"not quite right.\" Your vet checks your dog's blood for anemia at his annual checkup, but bring your dog in for an examination if he's not quite right.\nAnemia\nYour dog's bone marrow produces red blood cells, which bring oxygen to his body's tissues. Cells circulate throughout his body for about 60 days, and parts of old red blood cells are recycled by the bone marrow to form fresh ones. Anemia results from various factors, including trauma, poor nutrition, severe parasite infestation, hypothyroidism, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal ulcers, cancer and toxin exposure.\nSymptoms\nNormally, your dog's gums should appear a healthy pink. If they're pale, that's a good indication that he's anemic. If your usually active dog becomes lethargic, no longer eager to play or go out for exercise, he could be anemic. He might lose his appetite and get thinner. Seriously affected dogs experience rapid breathing and pulse rates. Dogs with hemolytic anemia, when hemoglobin from red blood cells breaks down too quickly and accumulates in the body, appear jaundiced and might pass dark urine. However, mildly affected dogs might not show any obvious symptoms. Your vet will diagnose anemia after receiving the results of your pet's blood test.\nDiagnosis\nYour vet takes a blood sample from your dog and conducts a packed cell volume test, usually as part of a complete blood count. This test indicates the amount of red blood cells in your pet's bloodstream. A normal percentage ranges from 39 to 60 percent. If the percentage is lower than normal, your dog is anemic. Additional tests include a urinalysis, biochemical profile, fecal parasite examination and a blood smear. The latter test shows whether the bone marrow is still producing new red blood cells. Dogs with severe anemia might require a bone marrow biopsy. Once a cause is found, treatment can begin.\nTreatment\nTreatment depends on the underlying cause of the low red blood cell count. Severely anemic dogs might require an emergency blood transfusion. While iron deficiency often causes anemia in people, it's relatively rare in canines, with the exception of inadequately fed puppies. Prognosis also depends on the cause. For example, anemia resulting from parasite infestation usually resolves quickly once a dog is dewormed or treated for fleas. Anemia resulting from a malignancy doesn't have a good prognosis if the cancer has metastasized.\nReferences Photo Credits Janie Airey/Lifesize/Getty Images", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7213431596755981} {"content": "The Commerce Department has appointed 21 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils, which are key partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service in determining how ocean fisheries are managed.\nThe councils, established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, prepare fishery management plans for marine fish stocks in their regions. The councils fulfill the act’s charge to end and prevent overfishing and rebuild fish stocks to ensure sustainable fisheries. NOAA’s Fisheries Service works closely with the councils during plan development and also reviews, approves and implements the management plans developed by the councils. The Pacific Council appointees are Richard H. Lincoln (Wash.) for the obligatory seat and Jeffrey N. Feldner (Ore.) for the at-large seat.\nThe North Pacific Council includes John J. Henderschedt (Wash.) and Eric A. Olson (Alaska) for obligatory seats. The Western Pacific Council appoints David G. Itano (Hawaii) Frederick M. Rice (Hawaii) for at-large seats and Richard B. Seman (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) for an obligatory seat.\nCouncil members represent diverse constituents, including commercial and recreational fisheries, environmental interests and academia. Each year, the Secretary of Commerce selects approximately one-third of the total of 72 appointed members to the eight regional councils. Twenty-one are being named or reappointed for the next term, which begins on August 11.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8173540830612183} {"content": "Waking up when it suits you: SleepTracker alarm watch\nSeptember 11, 2007 Have you ever noticed that on some mornings you wake up more easily than others? These are the mornings when you wake up in the light, \"almost awake-time\" of your sleep cycle. The bad groggy mornings are when you have awakened from the deep sleep part of the sleep cycle. We've previously encountered technology that takes advantage of this phenomena in the form of the aXbo \"sleep phase alarm clock\" and now there's the wrist worn SleepTracker personal alarm watch. The SleepTracker tracks sleep cycles and allows you to set your \"wake-up\" time to coincide with moments of light sleep, meaning you wake up feeling more alert.\nThe average adult experiences 4-5 full sleep cycles over an 8-hour period. Each cycle lasts about 90-110 minutes and comprises five different stages. No two people have the same sleep cycles, and nobody has the same cycle twice. Many factors can influence sleep cycles, including diet, exercise, medications, drugs or alcohol, stress, sleep disorders, and sleep deprivation. Age and gender can play a role, too: women tend to sleep more soundly than men, and as we age, we sleep more restlessly.\nThe SleepTracker continuously monitors signals from your body that indicate whether you are asleep or awake and its internal sensors detect even the most subtle physical signals from your body to find your best waking moments. Once you set its alarm window, it monitors your sleep cycles for optimal waking moments during the preset alarm window and finds those almost awake-moments (which can be multiple during the sleep cycle alarm window) and gently wakes you when you're most alert.\nThe standard SleepTracker is now available for US$149.00", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6727378964424133} {"content": "The Budget, to be presented by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on July 10, will give the country a glimpse of how the government plans to use its resources.\nPrime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to focus on promoting economic growth in a swift manner.\nOne of the main drivers and indicators of a government’s economy is its capital market. The Budget presents a great opportunity for reforms in retail, FDI, and FII participation in both the equity, and futures and options segments.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5837469696998596} {"content": "Oscarline Onwuemenyi 29 September 2016, Sweetcrude, Abuja – The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) disclosed on Wednesday that the country has recorded losses to the tune of $200 billion for failing to pass an enabling law for the petroleum industry.\nA statement signed by NEITI Director of Communications, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, noted that some of the losses were projected investments due to regulatory uncertainty.\nOrji said that clear unambiguous rules, predictable policy-making, and efficient regulations had been lacking in Nigeria’s petroleum sector since the process of enacting a law for the sector commenced.\nHe said that NEITI 2013 audit of the oil and gas sector showed that $10.4 billion and N378.7 billion (i.e. N3.2 trillion at the current exchange rate) were lost.\nAccording to him, the losses were attributable to under-remittance, underpayments, inefficiencies, theft or absence of clear fiscal regime in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.\nOrji noted that the losses had also been huge in economic terms on Nigeria’s foreign reserves and value of the Naira due to imports of over $26.4 billion worth of refined petroleum products.\nThe NEITI official said Nigeria’s oil and gas sector had continued deteriorating due to insufficient laws governing the industry.\nOrji added that Nigeria’s experience was in contrast to Ghana’s experience since it passed its own law and despite Ghana’s relative newness to oil and gas production. He, therefore, urged Nigeria to learn from the passing of the petroleum law in Ghana’s oil and gas sector.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5580675005912781} {"content": "UK business spend on IT is on the up, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).\nIn the first six months of 2005, private-sector companies splurged £2.3bn on software and £3.4bn on hardware. That represents 18% and 1.8% increases respectively compared to the same period last year.\nBy submitting your personal information, you agree that TechTarget and its partners may contact you regarding relevant content, products and special offers.\nMeanwhile, a Forrester Research study reports that the economy and IT spending remains \"bullish\" in the US.\nThe analyst's quarterly poll monitors the business confidence of 151 US CIOs whose confidence in IT spending and expectations was high in the second quarter. However, Forrester warns that Hurricane Katrina could impact expectations for the rest of the year.\nSome 86% reported a strong or very strong business climate in the third quarter - up 16% from the previous quarter. A healthy majority of CIOs (86%) believed the business climate would carry on improving throughout 2006.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8513320684432983} {"content": "1. Anaphylaxis (Anaphylactic Shock) 2. Food Hypersensitivity (Food Allergy) 3. Peanut Hypersensitivity (Peanut Allergy) 4. Hypersensitivity (Allergy) 5. Infection\n1. Burks, A Wesley: 25 articles (05/2015 - 01/2002) 2. Sampson, Hugh A: 25 articles (05/2015 - 05/2002) 3. Wood, Robert A: 17 articles (05/2015 - 07/2003) 4. Lack, Gideon: 12 articles (05/2015 - 03/2003) 5. Sicherer, Scott H: 11 articles (05/2015 - 07/2003) 6. Jones, Stacie M: 10 articles (05/2015 - 08/2009) 7. Turcanu, Victor: 8 articles (05/2015 - 04/2010) 8. Sampson, H A: 8 articles (06/2013 - 07/2000) 9. Dreskin, Stephen C: 7 articles (05/2015 - 12/2010) 10. Li, Xiu-Min: 7 articles (12/2014 - 07/2003)\n1. Immunoglobulin E (IgE)IBA\n05/01/2012 - \"Individuals with peanut allergy showed significantly greater IgE binding and broader epitope diversity than did peanut-tolerant individuals. \"\n06/01/2002 - \"Improved screening for peanut allergy by the combined use of skin prick tests and specific IgE assays.\"\n04/01/2015 - \"IgE recognition patterns in peanut allergy are age dependent: perspectives of the EuroPrevall study.\"\n01/01/2013 - \"The aim of this study was to examine the possible association between peanut allergen IgE components and severity of clinical reactions in patients with a history of peanut allergy. \"\n01/01/2012 - \"Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs or controlled clinical trials involving children or adults with clinical features indicative of IgE-mediated peanut allergy treated with allergen-specific OIT, compared with control group receiving either placebo or no treatment, were eligible for inclusion. \"\n2. hypoxanthine arabinoside (ara-H)IBA\n02/01/2008 - \"Alleviating peanut allergy using genetic engineering: the silencing of the immunodominant allergen Ara h 2 leads to its significant reduction and a decrease in peanut allergenicity.\"\n10/01/2015 - \"Ara h 2 and Ara 6 are the best predictors of severe peanut allergy: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.\"\n12/01/2004 - \"We sought to study the occurrence of peanut allergy in patients allergic to birch pollen and characterized the Bet v 1-homologous peanut allergen Ara h 8. Recombinant Ara h 8 was cloned with degenerated primers and expressed in Escherichia coli. \"\n11/01/2015 - \"Utility of Ara h 2 sIgE levels to predict peanut allergy in Canadian children.\"\n11/01/2015 - \"These findings suggest a method for use of the seed aspartic protease in reducing peanut allergy due to Ara h 1. \"\n3. AllergensIBA\n11/01/2004 - \"Improved understanding of the molecular structure of the major peanut allergens and the peanut-specific immune response has lead to significant diagnostic and therapeutic advances in the study of peanut allergy.\"\n06/01/2000 - \"The development of improved methods for diagnosis and treatment of peanut allergies requires a better understanding of the structure of the allergens. \"\n11/01/2015 - \"These allergens need to be discovered to allow estimation of the allergenic risk for patients with peanut allergy and to further improve diagnostic measures. \"\n01/01/2013 - \"For this reason, the information available on peanut allergens is increasing and the debate about peanut allergy is always renewed. \"\n01/01/2013 - \"This fact has originated the publication of an elevated number of scientific reports dealing with peanut allergens and, especially, the prevalence of peanut allergy. \"\n4. Proteins (Proteins, Gene)IBA\n11/01/2015 - \"The proteins were able to activate basophils of patients with peanut allergy. \"\n11/01/2015 - \"Proteins were studied by using SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting with sera from patients with peanut allergy. \"\n01/01/2015 - \"We determined the individual contribution of peanut proteins to B, T cell and allergic effector responses in a mouse model for peanut allergy. \"\n09/01/2014 - \"Loss of allergenic proteins during boiling explains tolerance to boiled peanut in peanut allergy.\"\n03/01/2014 - \"Sensitizing potential of enzymatically cross-linked peanut proteins in a mouse model of peanut allergy.\"\n5. AntibodiesIBA\n02/01/2012 - \"The aim of the study was to evaluate the basophil allergen threshold sensitivity (CD-sens) and antibodies to peanut allergen components in relation to DBPCFC in the diagnoses of peanut allergy in children. \"\n05/01/2013 - \"We measured concentration and avidity of antibodies to 12 pneumococcal serotypes in 78 children aged 0.6-18 years with recurrent bacterial respiratory infections, and in 80 individuals who were being tested for peanut allergy, ages 0.4-15 years, serving as a comparison group. \"\n03/01/2008 - \"Remission of peanut allergy can be predicted by low levels of IgE antibodies to peanut in the first 2 years of life or decreasing levels of IgE sensitization by the age of 3 years.\"\n10/01/2004 - \"The aim of the study was to investigate the development of peanut hypersensitivity in children and adolescents with specific IgE antibodies to peanut, using questionnaires and current serum tests and comparing it to information obtained 5-6 yr earlier, to investigate how peanut intake during this period related to subject age, IgE antibody levels and symptoms and to investigate what information this patient group was given at the time of diagnosis regarding avoidance of peanut related food. \"\n07/01/2015 - \"Only limited evidence is available regarding the cytokine repertoire of effector T cells associated with peanut allergy, and how these responses relate to IgE antibodies to peanut components. \"\n6. Carbon MonoxideIBA\n08/01/2013 - \"I argue that the peanut allergy epidemic was co-constructed through interactions between experts, publics, biomedical categories, and institutions, while social reactions to the putative epidemic expanded the sphere of surveillance and awareness of peanut allergy risk. \"\n05/01/2013 - \"In the therapeutic model, co-administration of type B ODN plus peanut proteins was highly effective in reducing anaphylactic reactions in mice with established peanut allergy. \"\n7. Pepsin A (Pepsin)IBA\n08/01/1999 - \"In contrast, pepsin-digested peanut induced significant T-cell proliferation responses (stimulation index = 30) in vitro in PBMCs from 7 subjects with peanut allergy, albeit at lower levels than that induced by intact peanut (stimulation index = 66). \"\n08/01/1999 - \"Western blot analysis of sera from 5 subjects with peanut allergy showed multiple IgE-reactive proteins in crude intact peanut extract that were eliminated after pepsin treatment of the peanut extract. \"\n8. HLA-DR Antigens (HLA-DR)IBA\n01/01/2015 - \"Here we conduct the first genome-wide association study of well-defined FA, including specific subtypes (peanut, milk and egg) in 2,759 US participants (1,315 children and 1,444 parents) from the Chicago Food Allergy Study, and identify peanut allergy (PA)-specific loci in the HLA-DR and -DQ gene region at 6p21.32, tagged by rs7192 (P=5.5 × 10(-8)) and rs9275596 (P=6.8 × 10(-10)), in 2,197 participants of European ancestry. \"\n12/01/2015 - \"However, a recent large genomewide association study of patients with peanut allergy and their family members found 2 PA-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs9275596 and rs7192) mapping to regions involving the HLA-DR and HLA-DQ genes. \"\n12/01/2015 - \"Early studies using candidate gene approaches found associations between PA and HLA-DR and -DQ alleles (HLA-DRB1*08 and DQB1*06:03P) when comparing subjects with peanut allergy with nonallergic unrelated control groups. \"\n10/01/2015 - \"In addition, HLA-DR and HLA-DQ gene region variants appear to play a role in peanut allergy, although no studies have yet assessed their susceptibility to environmental cues. \"\n9. omalizumab (Xolair)FDA Link\n05/01/2011 - \"A phase II, randomized, double‑blind, parallel‑group, placebo‑controlled oral food challenge trial of Xolair (omalizumab) in peanut allergy.\"\n12/01/2013 - \"Among children with high-risk peanut allergy, treatment with omalizumab may facilitate rapid oral desensitization and qualitatively improve the desensitization process.\"\n11/01/2012 - \"Subjects with peanut allergy were treated with omalizumab for 6 months and assessed for clinical and cellular responses. \"\n11/01/2012 - \"Kinetics of mast cell, basophil, and oral food challenge responses in omalizumab-treated adults with peanut allergy.\"\n11/01/2012 - \"In subjects with peanut allergy, the basophil response appears to mitigate against the ability of omalizumab to improve the patient's tolerance of oral allergen.\"\n10. filaggrinIBA\n03/01/2011 - \"Filaggrin loss-of-function mutations showed a strong and significant association with peanut allergy in the food challenge-positive patients (P = 3.0 × 10(-6); odds ratio, 5.3; 95% CI, 2.8-10.2), and this association was replicated in the Canadian study (P = 5.4 × 10(-5); odds ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.6). \"\n10/01/2015 - \"Environmental peanut exposure has been associated with increased peanut allergy risk in individuals with filaggrin null mutations, consistently with sensitization occurring through a damaged skin barrier. \"\n10/01/2014 - \"Filaggrin (FLG) loss-of-function mutations lead to an impaired skin barrier associated with peanut allergy. \"\n10/01/2014 - \"Peanut allergy: effect of environmental peanut exposure in children with filaggrin loss-of-function mutations.\"\n03/01/2011 - \"To investigate the association between filaggrin loss-of-function mutations and peanut allergy. \"\n1. Immunotherapy\n01/01/2005 - \"The development of safe and effective immunotherapy for peanut allergy has been complicated by the high anaphylactic potential of native peanut extracts. \"\n04/12/2014 - \"Small studies suggest peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) might be effective in the treatment of peanut allergy. \"\n05/01/2013 - \"A model of peanut allergy in C3H/HeJ mice was used to assess whether type A, B, or C CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) molecules would be effective in: (i) a prophylactic approach to prevent peanut allergy when administered simultaneously with a Th2-skewing adjuvant, and (ii) a therapeutic model to allow for shortened immunotherapy. \"\n05/01/2015 - \"Although promising results have emerged regarding oral immunotherapy (OIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for the treatment of peanut allergy (PA), direct comparisons of these approaches are limited. \"\n11/01/2014 - \"Assessing the Efficacy of Oral Immunotherapy for the Desensitisation of Peanut Allergy in Children (STOP II): A Phase 2 Randomised Controlled Trial.\"\n2. Therapeutics\n06/01/2013 - \"This review discusses recent advances in molecular diagnostic techniques for peanut allergy and highlights advances in peanut allergy therapeutics, discussing allergen-specific and allergen-nonspecific treatments that are currently in Phase I/II clinical trials.\"\n10/01/2011 - \"The prevalence of peanut allergy appears to be on the rise worldwide, yet there are no therapeutics currently available that can alter the course of this condition. \"\n01/01/2015 - \"Awareness about the relative contribution of individual peanut allergens and cross reactivity between these allergens is of importance for current research in diagnostics and therapeutics for and the mechanism of peanut allergy.\"\n05/01/2004 - \"Peanut allergy: sensitization by peanut oil-containing local therapeutics seems unlikely.\"\n3. Transplantation (Transplant Recipients)\n12/01/2011 - \"Two mechanisms may explain the observations described for the patient reported in this study: de novo development of peanut allergies after transplantation, or passive transfer of peanut allergies from a peanut-sensitized organ donor. \"\n10/01/2008 - \"Transfer of peanut allergy from the donor to a lung transplant recipient.\"\n4. Skin Care\n04/01/2007 - \"In one epidemiological trial, an association between topical use of skin care products containing peanut oil and the development of peanut allergy was observed; however, the data reflect a retrospective analysis without specifying skin care products containing peanut oil and also without analysing the quantity of topicals used. \"\n5. Phytotherapy (Herbal Therapy)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9358168244361877} {"content": "The government has today published guidance for pooling Local Government Pension Scheme Fund assets into up to 6 British Wealth Funds, containing at least £25 billion of Scheme assets each. The government is now inviting administering authorities to come forward with their proposals for new pooled structures in line with the guidance to significantly reduce costs while maintaining overall investment performance, with the wider ambition of matching the infrastructure investment levels of the top global pension funds.\nWe widely expect UK structures to be favoured for such pooling. The ACS is likely to be a strong contender, depending on the asset class.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.836571455001831} {"content": "If the Northern Lights College Basic Lockout Procedures will not meet the needs of a site or piece of equipment then site or equipment specific procedures must be created. These written procedures must be specific to the worker or job. All written procedures will include at minimum:\nA process a worker can follow where s/he is the only one responsible and using a small piece of equipment and the work taking place will be very brief. An example might be:\nWhen changing the blade on the cut-off saw(chop saw) saw a worker will use the following process:\nShut off the power and disconnect the electrical line cord from the power outlet\nCoil the power cord and always keep it in your line of sight\nPerform the necessary repairs/maintenance\nCheck the work performed (connections or fasteners tight, etc...)\nReconnect the power cord\nA method for identifying locks issued to workers must be outlined in the written procedures. This method can be achieved by:\nStamping the locks with an alpha-numeric ID and recording issued locks sets.\nColour coding the locks and recording issued lock sets.\nA process for communicating the lock out and displaying warnings to other workers in the area that may be affected by the repairs or lock out. This process can be effected a number of ways some examples are:\nTag out labels or signage where the warning are prominently displayed\nA flagging system provided all workers are aware of the system\nAlter the work process so only the workers performing the repairs or maintenance are in the immediate area\nA written instruction on the number of locks or if additional locking mechanisms are required. These can include:\nScissor clamps\nCircuit breaker locks\nCable locks\nA method for testing the effectiveness of the lockout and to verify that each energy source has been effectively locked out must be clearly outlined in the written procedure.\nThe process for starting the device(s) or machinery after repairs or maintenance is completed must be clearly described in the written procedure.\nA provision for supervisors to unlock devices or machinery must be made clear to all involved in the lockout process. This provision must be described in the written procedures.\nOn multiple lockout points the shut down order in addition to the order in which the locks have to be applied must be clearly outlined.\nIf a situation that requires a group lockout (2 or more workers using their personal locks to lockout machinery) arises the written procedure must include the following provisions:\nA method for securing the keys to both set of locks in a common location.\nThe keys must be locked by both persons locks\nA checklist outlining which machines are locked. The checklist must include which worker locked which machine. The checklist must be prominently posted in a conspicuous area. If the keys become unsecured or the worker’s locks are removed from the key securing area the lockout process will be considered null and void.\nA method or process for removing the locks and restarting normal operations.\nIf working on mobile equipment the following process must be clearly outlined in the written procedures:\nComplete de-energization of equipment such as removing keys after shutting of power or disconnecting battery power. All keys must be secured or kept in the possession of the worker performing the repairs or maintenance.\nBraking and blocking of tracks or wheels\nUsing pins, articulating locks or chains to lockout hydraulic booms, grapples, winches or arches.\nNeutralizing any loads borne by a malfunctioning machine.\nIf you or your department require assistance in creating effective written procedures please consult the Health, Safety & Environment Advisor at 1018.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.585540771484375} {"content": "The Business Analytics Competition is an annual campus-hosted event that provides an exciting opportunity for undergraduate students studying business analytics (or related fields) to test their knowledge and hone their skills. Competing students not only engage in the “art and science” of decision-making but also practice their ability to draw business insight from a comprehensive analysis of relevant data. The competition takes place in early summer.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9297972321510315} {"content": "Abstract\nWhen exploring noisy or visually complex data, such as seismic data from the oil and gas industry, it is often the case that algorithms cannot completely identify features of interest. Human intuition must complete the process. Given the nature of intuition, this can be a source of differing interpretations depending on the human expert; thus we do not have a single feature but multiple views of a feature. Managing multi-user and multi-version interpretations, combined with version tracking, is challenging as these interpretations are often stored as geometric objects separately from the raw data and possibly in different local machines. In this paper we combine the storage of the raw data with the storage of the interpretations produced by the visualization of features by multiple user sessions. We present case studies that illustrate our system's ability to reproduce users' amendments to the interpretations of others and the ability to retrace the history of amendments to a visual feature.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9733530879020691} {"content": "Manufacturers impregnate chimney sweep logs with chemicals that help break down the tar and creosote inside of the chimney that can cause a fire. When a homeowner burns the log, the chemicals rise with the smoke and cling to the creosote and tar. Over time, these chemicals soften the deposits in the chimney.Continue Reading\nChimney sweep logs can diminish creosote, but homeowners should not use them as a substitute for chimney cleaning. Manufacturers state that these logs can remove up to 60 percent of the creosote, so without manual cleaning the chimney still could represent a fire hazard. A U.S. Federal court found that manufacturers could not label these logs as a \"chimney cleaning logs\" or claim that the logs prevent chimney fires. Also, if the chimney sweep log removes the creosote, the creosote either burns up promptly to create an immediate fire hazard or falls onto the smoke shelf where it can later catch on fire.\nManual cleaning without chemicals by a professional can usually remove all of the tar and creosote within a chimney. However, if no one has cleaned the chimney regularly, the chimney can have hard, glazed deposits of tar and creosote inside. In these cases, a professional chimney sweep applies chemicals to soften the deposits and then follows the chemical treatment with further manual cleaning.Learn more about Cleaning Products", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8939871191978455} {"content": "World population may reach 9 BLN threshold by 2050\nAccording to a newly released UN demographic report, the world population is growing and ageing. Experts estimate that the world population will likely increase by 2.5 BLN over the next 43 years.\nA clear trend is seen towards an ageing population emerging due to declining fertility and increasing longevity.The growth is primarily attributed to less developed regions. Meanwhile immigration will buoy the population of industrialized countries which would otherwise see a fall. Russia along with Germany, Italy, Japan and South Korea will join the “decline” club due to low birth rates.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5941149592399597} {"content": "FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany — During AERO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President Pete Bunce praised EASA and the FAA for their efforts to put into place the CS-23/Part 23 Reorganization, which would regulate the safety of GA aircraft based on requirements based on the complexity and performance of the airplane, rather than on existing arbitrary divisions based on weight and propulsion.\nThe lighter segments of GA have suffered in terms of new product innovation as a result of overly prescriptive and rigid rules, he said.\n“Adopting new certification rules will help spur new product innovation and the installation of safety-enhancing technologies in existing airplanes,” Bunce said. “We are pleased with the steps EASA and the FAA have taken to date, with the stated goal of doubling safety while cutting certification costs by half.”\nGAMA has worked with EASA, the FAA and the industry over the past year on these new certification rules, which would allow compliance through consensus-based standards. EASA has also worked with the FAA to establish formal rulemaking initiatives to develop the new system. Officials in other countries such as Canada, Brazil and China, have also been involved in this initiative, and remain committed to adopting a harmonized global approach, he noted.\nIn addition to the CS-23 effort, Bunce emphasized the importance of implementing the broader General Aviation Safety Strategy developed last year by EU Member States, EASA and industry.\n“The Strategy represents an opportunity to rethink how we approach GA regulation in Europe, to ensure proportionality in areas such as operations, licensing and maintenance,” Bunce said.\nBoth of these initiatives represent significant opportunities to address some of the challenges faced by GA in Europe, he noted.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6853911876678467} {"content": "This program is an evidence-based intervention for aggressive behaviour in pre-adolescent children. This program teaches positive strategies for coping with perceived conflict or threat, as well as an understanding of the participant's feelings and motivations behind inappropriate behaviour. This facilitator guide includes step-by-step instructions for accurately implementing this evidence-based program in the parent's group. There is also a corresponding workbook for parents which includes worksheets and monitoring forms to track progress and reinforce the skills learned in the group sessions.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9731636643409729} {"content": "The increasingly multicultural fabric of modern societies has given rise to many new conflicts, as ethnic minorities and national minorities demand recognition and support for their cultural identity. Writing in a clear and non-technical way, Will Kymlicka, the leading political philosopher of his generation, provides the most comprehensive analysis to date of this crucial political issue.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9995134472846985} {"content": "This book presents original research outlining the key elements in responding to parental misuse of drugs and alcohol.Offers a definition of “misuse” and “addiction” and the factors that influence the nature of misuse or addictionReviews extensively the nature and impact of parental substance misuse on children and families using the latest evidenceExplores how research and theories might help inform professionals or non-professionals assessing families affected by parents who misuse drugs or alcoholProvides an in-depth discussion of Motivational Interviewing, including a critical discussion of the challenges and limitations involved in using it in child and family settingsConsiders the wider implications of the findings for practice and policy and argues that these responses can be used across the field of work with vulnerable children and their families", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9805862307548523} {"content": "In a gravity separation device, particle shape, size and density allplay a role. The combination of these determines where eachindividual particle reports to in the viscous fluid, where particlecrowding (solids to water ratio) also plays a role. To understand theperformance of gravity separation devices in the heavy mineralindustry, these particle characteristics need to be measured. Thereare various challenges in analysing particle density and particle sizesimultaneously for the purpose of quantifying gravity separatorperformance, not to mention particle shape. These analyticalchallenges include the high cost of high-density sink-floatfractionation, toxicity of high-density sink-float media, inability ofsink-float media to fractionate at densities greater than4.0 g/cm3, and the time-intensive nature of these fractionations. Theuse of the detailed particle-by-particle output from Qemscan®particle mineral analyses (PMA) as a fast and cost-effectivealternative is evaluated. The size and density outputs from theQemscan® were employed to characterize the performance of aheavy mineral spiral concentrator as an example. Critical analyticalrequirements are to be addressed before the Qemscan® output datacan be utilized.\nDescription:\nThis paper was first presented at the, HeavyMinerals Conference, ‘What next?’, 20–23September 2009, Champagne Sport Resort,Drakensberg.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9648842811584473} {"content": "Title\nA comparison of the higher order harmonic components derived from large-amplitude fourier transformed ac voltammetry of myoglobin and heme in DDAB films at a pyrolytic graphite electrode\nRIS ID\n105005\nAbstract\nA debate as to whether heme remains bound or is released in myoglobin molecules incorporated into a didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) film adhered to a pyrolytic graphite electrode has prompted a comparison of their electrochemistry by the highly sensitive large-amplitude Fourier transformed ac voltammetric method. The accessibility of third, fourth, and higher harmonic components that are devoid of background current and the enhanced resolution relative to that available in dc voltammetry have allowed a detailed comparison of the FeIII/FeII and FeII/FeI redox processes of myoglobin and heme molecules to be undertaken as a function of buffer composition and pH and in the presence and absence of NaBr in the buffer and/or film. Under most conditions examined, only very subtle differences, in the FeIII/FeII process were found, implying this process cannot be used to indicate the intactness or otherwise of myoglobin in myoglobin-DDAB films. In contrast, higher order ac harmonics obtained from myoglobin-DDAB and heme-DDAB films reveal pH dependent differences with respect to the FeII/FeI couple. Analysis of the ac harmonics, and with the hypothesis that the FeII/FeI process reflects the myoglobin state, suggests that the majority of the iron heme is released from myoglobin-DDAB (pH 5.0, no NaBr) films in contact with pH 5.0 (0.1 M sodium acetate) buffer solution devoid of or containing NaBr. However, myoglobin films prepared with pH 5.0 buffer containing NaBr shows significant difference in the higher harmonic shapes and midpoint potentials in the FeII/Fe I process relative to the case when heme molecules are used, although as noted in other studies, a significant fraction of the Mb is rendered electroinactive in the presence of NaBr. The voltammetric responses of myoglobin and heme-DDAB (pH 5.0) films in contact with pH 7.0 (0.1 M) phosphate buffer solution also exhibit significant differences in the FeII/Fe I redox couple in the higher harmonics in contrast to a report [de Groot, M.T.; Merkx, M.; Koper, M. T. M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005, 127, 16224] that claimed identical midpoint potentials apply to both films under conditions of dc cyclic voltammetry. The FT-ac voltammetric data therefore suggest that a substantial fraction of myoglobin in myoglobin-DDAB (pH 5.0) films in contact with pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution remains intact. No evidence of a catalytic effect that enhanced the released of heme from myglobin was found at the pyrolytic graphite electrode surface. In summary, higher harmonic ac voltammetric data indicate that the FeII/FeI process but not the FeIII/FeII reflects the state of myoglobin in DDAB films. On this basis, films prepared at pH 5.0 should include NaBr, or else films should be prepared at neutral pH to achieve films with myoglobin remains in its intact near native state when a myoglobin-DDAB film is confined to a graphite electrode surface. Otherwise, the release of heme in myoglobin molecules incorporated into a DDAB film is likely to be a dominant reaction pathway. 2010 American Chemical Society.\nPlease refer to publisher version or contact your library.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8541550040245056} {"content": "Additionally, this bill was proposed prior to the $15 minimum wage being enacted and, under current law, would have lead to a $30 minimum wage on Thanksgiving. In 2015, Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez failed to garner the votes necessary to get the bill approved by the State Assembly.\nAfter several meetings with the author’s office urging them to exempt the restaurant community, most restaurants were exempted except those with 500 or more employees and located within a grocery store or retail establishment. Despite these amendments, the CRA continued lobbying against the proposal in attempts to get all restaurants removed from the pay mandate.\nGiven that this bill had been substantially narrowed to only apply to retail establishments, grocery stores and restaurants with 500 or more employees located within grocery store or retail establishments, lawmakers began voting in support of the bill as it made its way through the legislative process.\nOn the last day of this legislative year, Assemblymember Gonzalez put her bill up for a vote of the full Assembly and expected it to win approval. However, the CRA’s advocacy team had been working to oppose the bill with individual assemblymembers and was successful in turning former supporters into opponents, using the argument that their previous support for the proposal was in a different context and prior to the enactment of the $15 minimum wage pathway. Lawmakers, contemplating the potential mandate of a $30 minimum wage on Thanksgiving under AB 67, abruptly killed the proposal.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8905351161956787} {"content": "Online Services\nAll your resources at your fingertips.Learn More\n(Queen's Bench Division; Eady J; 19 November 2008)\nThe husband claimed against the wife's solicitors alleging a breach of confidence and privacy, in that the wife had taken correspondence and other documentation from the husband and used them in matrimonial proceedings under the\nHildebrand rule. The husband claimed that the solicitors were jointly and severally liable for use of the documents, not least because, he alleged, the solicitors had instructed or advised the wife to intercept the husband's mail. The solicitors applied to strike out the husband's claim as disclosing no cause of action. Striking the action out, the court noted that the law regarding interference with personal property could have application notwithstanding a marital relationship of the parties. However, the mere receipt and retention of documents by the solicitors did not amount to misuse of private information. There was no evidence that the solicitors had advised or instructed the wife to intercept the husband's mail. It did not seem right to take and keep an original document under the approach in Hildebrand, but there was no evidence that the solicitors had ever asserted a claim over originals in this case, or had refused a demand to return such originals. There had been no misuse of information received, as any information received had been noted and retained purely for use in connection with court proceedings and the protection of their client's interest in that context. There was no justification for making allegations of criminality against matrimonial solicitors, or anyone else, without a solid basis for doing so.\n\"The unrivalled and authoritative source of judicially approved case reports, covering all areas...", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6428152322769165} {"content": "You can use this\nreturn on investment calculator to figure out your gain or loss on an investment. The calculator provides the overall ROI, as well as an annualized ROI. This return on investment calculator only requires three pieces of information, the original investment, the present or future value of the investment, and time elapsed or term.\nThe variables used in our online calculator are defined in detail below, including how to interpret the results.\nAdditional Resources\nThis is the original investment amount before any gain or loss.\nThis is the actual, or approximate, day you made the investment. The date can be in the past or in the future if you're evaluating an investment opportunity.\nThis is the total returned value of the investment. This can be the projected future value of an investment, or it can be the value actually returned to you from a past investment.\nThis is the actual, or approximate, end date for an investment you're evaluating. Once again, this date can be in the past or future.\nThis is the gain or loss on the investment, stated in dollars. This value is calculated by subtracting the returned value from the original investment.\nThis is the term of the investment, stated in years. This value is the difference between the start and end dates.\nThis is the calculated return on the investment, stated as a percentage. This is the return you received over the entire term of the investment.\nThis is a simple annualized return on the investment. This value is determined by taking the ROI and dividing it by the investment term.\nReturn on Investment Calculator - Copyright © 2006 - 2015 Money-Zine.com (Last Reviewed on January 26, 2015)\nDisclaimer: These online calculators are made available and meant to be used as a screening tool for the investor. The accuracy of these calculations is not guaranteed nor is its applicability to your individual circumstances. You should always obtain personal advice from qualified professionals.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9828454256057739} {"content": "You're trying to concentrate on an assignment. Your deadline's coming up. But all day long, emails, calls, texts, reminders, push notifications and calendar alerts bombard you. What if you could turn them all off with just your brain, achieving total digital peace with zero effort?\nThis is the idea behind Phylter, a new piece of software designed to keep you focused on the task at hand. It might be the future of working as we know it.\n\"It's this idea that when your mind is really busy, you can't handle notifications very well,\" Evan Peck, a former computer science Ph.D. student at Tufts University, told\nMic. Peck was affiliated with the Phylter project before becoming an assistant professor at Bucknell University. \"It tries to determine when you have a high workload, and then when you do, it tries not to give you notifications.\" Freedom from distraction: The concept is based on a brain-sensing technology called functional near-infrared spectroscopy, and it's a hot topic in wearable-computing research.\nFor instance, a 2013 Google report mentions the potential for fNIRS to be integrated into Google Glass, adapting to the user by delivering new updates and notifications to the device only at times when it wouldn't be a distraction.\n\"Imagine a system where you have a little dial and you can tell it, 'Now I'm kind of busy, so leave me alone,'\" Jacob told\nNew Scientist.\nThe research, which is being conducted under Tufts University professor Robert Jacob, would use an infrared sensor-embedded headband to measure your brain activity. If it notices you're concentrating hard via the blood flow in your prefrontal cortex, it activates a sort of neural airplane mode, halting incoming notifications.\nPeck worked on a paper with Jacob titled \"From Brains to Bytes,\" which explored the potential of using sensors to identify brain states. Peck said the brain sensors could also, potentially, command robots or human avatars in a frighteningly Avatar, but in real life: Matrix-like scenario. The research coming out right now, however, is more practical.\nDaniel Afergan, the principal on the corresponding paper \"Phylter: A System for Modulating Notifications in Wearables Using Physiological Sensing,\" saw the rise in physiological sensing becoming consumer-grade. \"Phylter receives streaming data about a user's cognitive state, and uses this to modulate whether the user should receive the information,\" Afergan writes in the paper. \"As computing devices continue to battle for users' attention, Phylter limits less significant notifications that distract the users from focusing on a single task.\" (\nMic contacted Afergan for comment, but he wasn't able to speak with press due to a contract with his new employer, Google.) Of course, there's a pretty rough practical flaw. With Phylter, your digital distractions are muted if you're concentrating hard. But if you start to falter, like around that 3 p.m. slump, the software may detect that you're idling or losing focus, then open the floodgates to all your coworker birthday-party invites, pilates reminders and grocery lists. It sweeps you out into the digital sea of obligations and distractions, making it even harder to get back on task.\nHowever, that's a minor fault in what could be the ultimate tool for achieving digital Zen. Anyone with an Apple Watch — what's essentially a wearable notification center for your wrist — can tell you that our generation is caught squarely in the \"busy trap.\" We've convinced ourselves that all notifications, even the monumentally frivolous ones, contribute to our day and deserve a slice of our already-thin attention.\nPhylter could, effectively, return us to a time of digital freedom — at least for an hour or two.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6039422750473022} {"content": "Pfaffermayr, Michael Stöckl, Matthias Winner, Hannes\nYear of Publication:\n2008\nSeries/Report no.:\nWorking Papers in Economics and Statistics 2008-09\nAbstract:\nThis paper analyzes the relationship between capital structure, corporate taxation and firm age. We adapt a standard model of optimal capital structure choice under corporate taxation, focusing on the financing and investment decisions a young firm is typically faced with. Our model allows to derive testable hypotheses about the relationship between corporate taxation, a firm's age and its debt to asset ratio. To test these hypotheses empirically, we use a cross-section of 405,000 firms from 35 European countries and 126 NACE 3-digit industries. In line with previous research, we find that a firm's debt ratio increases with the corporate tax rate. Further, we observe that older firms exhibit smaller debt ratios than their younger counterparts. Finally, consistent with our theoretical expectation, we find a positive interaction effect between corporate taxation and firm age, indicating that the impact of corporate taxation on debt is increasing over a firm's life-time.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6551964282989502} {"content": "This article explores the linkages between strategies for managing different types of conflict and group performance and satisfaction. Results from a qualitative study of 57 autonomous teams suggest that groups that improve or maintain top performance over time share 3 conflict resolution tendencies: (a) focusing on the content of interpersonal interactions rather than delivery style, (b) explicitly discussing reasons behind any decisions reached in accepting and distributing work assignments, and (c) assigning work to members who have the relevant task expertise rather than assigning by other common means such as volunteering, default, or convenience. The authors' results also suggest that teams that are successful over time are likely to be both proactive in anticipating the need for conflict resolution and pluralistic in developing conflict resolution strategies that apply to all group members.\n2008 APA", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9520127177238464} {"content": "Over deze norm\nStatus Definitief Aantal pagina's 126 Gepubliceerd op 01-08-2012 Taal Engels\nThis International Standard gives a number of optimized test plans, the corresponding operating characteristic curves and expected test times. In addition the algorithms for designing test plans using a spreadsheet program are also given, together with guidance on how to choose test plans. This standard specifies procedures to test whether an observed value of - failure rate, - failure intensity, - mean time to failure (MTTF), - mean operating time between failures (MTBF), conforms to a given requirement. It is assumed, except where otherwise stated, that during the accumulated test time, the times to failure or the operating times between failures are independent and identically exponentially distributed. This assumption implies that the failure rate or failure intensity is constant. Four types of test plans are described as follows: - truncated sequential tests; - time/failure terminated tests; - fixed calendar time terminated tests without replacement; - combined test plans. This standard does not cover guidance on how to plan, perform, analyse and report a test. This information can be found in IEC 60300-3-5.\nDetails\nICS-code 03.120.30\n19.020\n21.020\nNederlandse titel Betrouwbaarheidsbeproeving - Controleproeven voor constant faaltempo en constant faalintensiteit Engelse titel Reliability testing - Compliance tests for constant failure rate and constant failure intensity Vervangt Gewijzigd door", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8715558052062988} {"content": "Since low birthweight has been correlated with both neonatal and long-term health, we performed this epidemiological study to evaluate the Japanese secular trends in mean birthweight and the prevalence of preterm/term low birthweight infants during the last three decades. We used population-based birth certificate data from January 1979 to December 2010.… (More)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6186033487319946} {"content": "This book offers a powerful response to what Varner calls the \"two dogmas of environmental ethics\"-the assumptions that animal rights philosophies and anthropocentric views are each antithetical to sound environmental policy. Allowing that every living organism has interests which ought, other things being equal, to be protected, Varner contends that some interests take priority over others. He defends both a sentientist principle giving priority to the lives of organisms with conscious desires and an anthropocentric principle giving priority to certain very inclusive interests which only humans have. He then shows that these principles not only comport with but provide significant support for environmental goals.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8446612358093262} {"content": "Share: Why I Stay in School? Share: Why I Stay in School?\nMon, 03/05/2012 - 12:30pm - Tue, 05/01/2012 - 12:30pm\nWhile dropout is a continuing problem, what about those who are in school - why do they get up early every morning and persist in their education?\nIn the Newshour's new American Grad project, they are asking students to choose an image that illustrates their motivations to stay in school. We’ll “pin” them up on our Pinterest board “Why I Go to School.”\nTeachers can get their students involved by using this NewsHour Extra lesson plan.\nWe found that students’ decisions to stay in school are also largely personal. In many cases, the same reasons that led to disengagement are also reasons that empower students to excel. They shared with us something deeply personal.\nTags:\nAudiences:", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8813867568969727} {"content": "The next time you crumple a sheet of paper to toss into the wastebasket you may think differently about it.\nNew research reported at the Scientific American indicates that human brains obtain their convolutions by crumpling like a sheet of paper, especially in the last trimester of foetal development.\nIt's all about space.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9395057559013367} {"content": "Summary Background\nThe Sabin vaccine is used world-wide, and most children with food allergies receive it without incident. However, in the 2009 vaccination campaign conducted in Argentina, four children experienced immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions following vaccination.\nObjective\nWe aimed to review the medical history of the affected children, study their allergic condition after the episodes and analyse the presence of allergenic vaccine components.\nMethods\nPatients were selected based on their immediate allergic reactions following vaccination. They were assessed for allergies to cow's milk and hen's egg. The presence of cow's milk proteins in the vaccine was tested by various immunoassays involving cow's milk- or α-lactalbumin-specific polyclonal rabbit antiserum and patient sera.\nResults\nAll of the patients had a history of milk allergy, and no history or current evidence of egg hypersensitivity was found. Levels of cow's milk- and Sabin vaccine-specific IgE were increased, and the result of a skin prick test with cow's milk proteins or the Sabin vaccine was positive in each patient. In addition, an ELISA using specific rabbit antiserum detected α-lactalbumin in the Sabin vaccine. When α-lactalbumin was employed as a soluble inhibitor in a competitive ELISA, binding to vaccine-coated plates by cow's milk- or α-lactalbumin-specific rabbit antiserum or by patient serum containing IgE was inhibited.\nConclusions\nWe have demonstrated that these patients were allergic to cow's milk, and had circulating and mast cell-bound IgE antibodies specific to cow's milk proteins. We found that the Sabin vaccine contained α-lactalbumin, which may have been responsible for the reactions elicited following vaccination with the Sabin and dual viral vaccines in combination.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8650059103965759} {"content": "Polymer thin films is an emerging area driven by their enormous technological potential and the intellectually challenging academic problems associated with them. This book contains a collection of review articles on the current topics of polymer films written by leading experts in the field. To reflect the interdisciplinary nature of this field, the contributors hail from a wide range of disciplines, including chemists, chemical engineers, materials scientists, engineers, and physicists. The goal of this book is to provide readers, whether involved in or outside of the field of polymer films, with an encompassing and informative reference.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9505705237388611} {"content": "It was during the interview the news came out. The agency needed to hire a therapist to run a handful of court mandated counseling groups. This much I knew, and even those two words – court mandated – piqued my most ambivalent self. One group was a DUI group and another was for parenting. I then learned the final group I’d need to commit to in order to be hired was a domestic violence group for male offenders.\nOffenders. Perpetrators. Batterers. Wife beaters.\nWas I interested, they asked. Tension could’ve cracked my face like ice dropped into warm water, and still I heard a resounding “Yes” dribble from the corner of my mouth. Fake it till you make it, I thought, though the wiser part of me felt it fair to admit to some degree of uncertainty about working with offenders. The interviewers were validating and encouraging. Soon I found myself preparing for my first domestic violence group, preparing to face my fears.\nI’d worked with victims before, though we – the people who choose to bear witness to humanity’s dark alleys – prefer to use the word “survivor.” I’d heard the stories, stories I couldn’t share with anyone; not just for confidentiality sake, but for the reality that most who exist outside of this world rather prefer it this way. They might dip their big toe in to test the temperature, only to find it too cold or hot.\nI’d seen the stories. My mother and I after the divorce, suddenly on our own. My mother, her fear, her need for someone to take care of her. Sam, who took us in, but not without a price. We lived in a roach infested one room studio, four of us with a curtain separating the adults from the kids. I heard everything, and felt guilty on those nights when it got to be too much, when we fled in the dead of night to the familiarity of the motel with the crescent shaped pool. Guilty, because despite everything I wanted to go back. We always went back. Until one day we didn’t.\nNow I was to provide counseling and support to the Sam’s of the Bay Area. I was afraid, and it was this group of men who taught me to look at my own fears, my own assumptions, my own attachment to victimhood. They uttered words of asses and sages. They blamed everyone else and owned up to their misgivings. They felt justified and remorseful. They felt powerful and wounded. They hated women and loved women. They couldn’t bear intimacy and dreamt of closeness. They were lost and found.\nI believe we all walk a fine line between victim and perpetrator, that the capacity for either is in each of us. I also believe we each walk a path, and each is a learning path if we recognize and intend it to be. Salvation is this learning, which is empowerment. This I believe.\nIf you enjoyed this essay, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to This I Believe, Inc.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.816535472869873} {"content": "We recently reiterated our NEUTRAL recommendation on\nBroadcom Corporation ( BRCM).\nBroadcom’s product leadership and solid financial performance and strong cash flow generation continue to be the positives for the stock. Broadcom is well placed in the fast-growing wired and wireless communications markets, with cutting-edge solutions for a growing number of connected users who are demanding more content and bandwidth.\nThe market for wireless connectivity devices is expected to grow driven by increasing demand for smartphones, tablets, netbooks and digital TVs. Wireless LAN and GPS business continues to gain traction.\nBroadcom is focused on the most innovative technologies related to connectivity, bandwidth and content. The continued expansion of pay-TV and Internet access services internationally, especially in China and India, provides significant opportunity for growth.\nBroadband Communications business continues to grow propelled by the global adoption of high-definition pay TV services and increasing consumer preference for HD content leading to strong sales of core set-top boxes and broadband modems. Broadcom has a strong product portfolio and it continues to benefit from share gains in this segment as service providers increasingly deploy high-end devices.\nIn the Infrastructure and Network business, demand for video and data continues to outstrip expansion and Broadcom expects strong adoption of 10-gigabit products by data centers and enterprise customers to continue throughout 2010 driving strong revenue growth.\nHowever, we remain concerned about the pressure on margins due to the accelerated new product (65 nm) ramps, which typically carry lower margins early in the product lifecycle and integration of new acquisitions (Teknovus and Dune). Operating expenses continue to grow due to increased R&D spend.\nAdditionally, market research firm iSuppli recently lowered its 2010 outlook for the semiconductor industry and expects global chips to grow around 32% compared with the previous estimate of 35%. This was primarily due to a slowdown in consumer demand for some electronic devices, including PCs. Inventories have been building throughout the semiconductor supply chain and this might lead to a decline in revenues in the second half of 2010.\nIn the long run, we maintain a Neutral recommendation. The stock carries a Zacks #4 Rank, which translates into a short-term rating of Sell. In the last six months, the stock has had a good run, carving a steady growth path, but we do not see much upside from current levels and would like to wait.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.61849045753479} {"content": "\"Long sentences and floating commas\": Mexican students' rhetorical practices and the sociocultural context\nThis chapter reports on a study that takes a problem-drive approach to answer the question “What do Mexican Spanish university writers ‘do’ when they write in Spanish, their L1, and in English, their L2?” This ethnographic study examines learners’ writing practices in their educational environment. Data collection includes learner and participant observation accounts, classroom observations, and textbook analyses. In Part I, the sociocultural context of the Mexican university is described, followed by a functional discourse analysis of one representative example from a multilingual student’s essay. Part II discusses the educational setting, literacy training, and writing instruction from both teachers’ and learners’ perspectives. This chapter informs teachers and other language education professionals about multilingual writers in EFL contexts.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7285057902336121} {"content": "Angiogenesis plays a critical role in metastasis and tumor growth. Human tumors, including colorectal adenocarcinoma, secrete angiogenic factors, inducing proliferation and chemotaxis of microvascular endothelial cells, eventually leading to tumor neovascularization. The chemokine interleukin 8 (IL-8; CXCL8) exerts potent angiogenic properties on endothelial cells through interaction with its cognate receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. As CXCR1 and CXCR2 expression is differentially regulated in tissue-specific endothelial cells and effects of IL-8 on intestinal endothelial cells are not defined, we characterized the potential IL-8-induced angiogenic mechanisms in primary cultures of human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (HIMEC) and IL-8 receptor expression in human intestinal microvessels. CXCR1 and CXCR2 expression on HIMEC were defined using reverse transcriptase-PCR, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis. IL-8-induced downstream signaling events were assessed using immunoblot analysis and immunofluorescence. The angiogenic effects of IL-8 on HIMEC were determined using proliferation and chemotaxis assays. HIMEC responded to IL-8 with rapid stress fiber assembly, chemotaxis, enhanced proliferation, and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2). HIMEC express CXCR2, but not CXCR1. Neutralizing antibodies to CXCR2 diminished IL-8-induced chemotaxis and stress fiber assembly. Specific inhibitors of ERK 1/2 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase abrogated endothelial tube formation and IL-8-induced chemotaxis in HIMEC. IL-8 elicits angiogenic responses in microvascular endothelial cells isolated from human intestine by engaging CXCR2. We confirmed tissue expression of CXCR2 in human intestinal microvessels. Supported by the notion that malignant colonic epithelial cells overexpress IL-8, CXCR2 blockade may be a novel target for anti-angiogenic therapy in colorectal adenocarcinoma.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6767070889472961} {"content": "Evaluating Alternative Nutrient Sources in Subsistence-Level Aquaponic Systems Date2014 Author\nAguilara-Titus, Jonathan\nCao, Yusi\nKazyak, Eric\nKumar, Kalyani\nLi, Kevin\nLouie, Adam\nLouie, Alan\nLu, Jessica\nMann, Winston\nMirsky, Daniel\nMisner, Kelly\nO'Connor, Luke\nTarshish, Miriam\nZhang, Chenmuren\nAdvisor\nLazur, Andrew\nMetadataShow full item record Abstract\nMany food production methods are both economically and environmentally unsustainable. Our project investigated aquaponics, an alternative method of agriculture that could address these issues. Aquaponics combines fish and plant crop production in a symbiotic, closed-loop system. We aimed to reduce the initial and operating costs of current aquaponic systems by utilizing alternative feeds. These improvements may allow for sustainable implementation of the system in rural or developing regions. We conducted a multi-phase process to determine the most affordable and effective feed alternatives for use in an aquaponic system. At the end of two preliminary phases, soybean meal was identified as the most effective potential feed supplement. In our final phase, we constructed and tested six full-scale aquaponic systems of our own design. Data showed that soybean meal can be used to reduce operating costs and reliance on fishmeal. However, a more targeted investigation is needed to identify the optimal formulation of alternative feed blends.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9898208975791931} {"content": "Title:\nProcessing unfamiliar faces\nIt is well established that matching unfamiliar faces is highly error prone, even under seemingly optimal conditions. This thesis shows large individual differences in unfamiliar face matching. Across several visual cognition tasks, the best predictor for this variability was recognition of inverted faces, regardless of whether they were familiar or unfamiliar. In stark contrast, there was no relationship between upright familiar and unfamiliar face processing. Moreover, the ability to match faces was unrelated to the ability to reject these faces, unless they were upright familiars. Therefore, the processes involved in upright unfamiliar face processing appeared to be qualitatively similar to those underlying the recognition of inverted familiar and unfamiliar faces, but very different to those responsible for upright familiar face processing. Finally, the presence of a second face severely impaired matching a target person, particularly when they were presented close together. The implications of these findings for the forensic field are discussed.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9925175309181213} {"content": "Background\nHigh-risk drinking by college students continues to pose a significant threat to public health. Despite increasing evidence of the contribution of community-level and campus-level environmental factors to high-risk drinking, there have been few rigorous tests of interventions that focus on changing these interlinked environments. The Study to Prevent Alcohol Related Consequences (SPARC) assessed the efficacy of a comprehensive intervention using a community organizing approach to implement environmental strategies in and around college campuses. The goal of SPARC was to reduce high-risk drinking and alcohol-related consequences among college students.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9996446371078491} {"content": "BEIJING, Jun. 22 – The Beijing municipal government has raised the monthly minimum wage in the city to RMB960, effective from July 1.\nThe notice, issued June 4, raises the monthly minimum wage to RMB960, up from RMB800, and the hourly minimum wage to RMB5.5, up from RMB4.6.\nFurthermore, the notice stipulates that social security fees, housing funds, overtime wages, allowances or subsidies for meals, transportation and housing for working in special work environments, or conditions such as night shifts, high temperatures, or working underground should not be regarded as components of standard minimum wage.\nThe part-time hourly minimum wage was raised from RMB9.6 to RMB11, during national holidays the minimum hourly wage was increased from RMB22 to RMB25.7.\nThe notice was implemented in accordance with the “Green Beijing” concept which aims to maintain social stability and promote economic development.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9752538204193115} {"content": "It is the goal of the these public entities, through the Massachusetts Unified Certification Program and its other DBE program components to ensure that DBE firms have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT assisted contracts. It is the goal of these entities, working in concert to:\nEnsure nondiscrimination III the award and administration of DOT assisted contracts. Ensure a level playing field on which DBE firms can compete fairly for DOT assisted contracts. Ensure that the DBE program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law. Ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CPR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBE firms. Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program. Develop a single efficient and comprehensive \"one stop shop\" certification program for firms seeking to compete for DOT assisted contracts. Ensure that all firms, from prime contractors to subcontractors, understand and respect their obligations relative to all aspects of the DBE program, and that deviations from the requirements of the regulation may be subject to applicable state and federal enforcement sanctions.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8715803623199463} {"content": "Sustainability Plan Focused on a sustainable business\nWe are committed to exploring sustainable energy, environmental and economic solutions that deliver value to our constituents and preserve our natural resources to be enjoyed for generations. We strive to balance our responsibility to provide reliable and affordable energy and deliver shareholder value with our responsibility to minimize impact on the environment.\nWe hold ourselves accountable for meeting these goals, not just in the short term, but for decades to come. We do this by FOCUSing our sustainability efforts in these areas:\nPerformance: delivering sustainable financial and operational performance\nDrive company performance and realize value - Our sustainability plan begins with performance, challenging ourselves to continually improve and realizing value for our shareholders and team members, while demonstrating strong governance and transparency to our stakeholders.\nCommunity: providing value to the communities we serve\nUnderstanding what our customers and constituents value and maintaining and enhancing the competitiveness of the regions we serve – Our plan includes a focus on advancing and promoting solutions to address customer expectations and values and developing community relationships to attract new businesses while maintaining and expanding service to our existing customers. Investing and improving in our communities is deeply rooted in our company culture because our long-term sustainability is directly linked to the prosperity of the areas we serve.\nWorkforce: strengthening our foundation\nGrow our human capabilities to shape and achieve our strategic vision. Placing safety first, our workforce is a critical component of our sustainability plan. We do what it takes to attract, motivate, empower and retain diverse, high-performing talent because we care about the people who work hard every day to make this company successful.\nBuild information technology platforms that support growth strategies and efficiency. Our sustainability plan challenges us to find innovate ways to reduce enterprise risk and transform our capabilities by modernizing our information systems to support current and future growth opportunities.\nEnvironment: a tradition of environmental action, innovation and stewardship\nServe our customers energy needs while conducting business in a sustainable manner. We know what it takes to be long-term stewards of our shared environment. We are committed to continuous improvement by minimizing our impact on the environment, including significant reductions in power plant emissions, maximum recycling of water to reduce overall use, minimal solid waste disposal through the recycling of coal combustion byproducts and innovative land use and reclamation.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8538289070129395} {"content": "ERIC Number:ED248112 Record Type:Non-Journal Publication Date:1984-Apr-30 Pages:14 Abstractor:N/A Reference Count:N/A ISBN:N/A ISSN:N/A\nWomen in Science: Perceptions of Secondary School Students.\nWelch, Wayne W.; And Others\nThe Science Assessment Research Project assessed the science achievement and attitudes of 18,000 9-, 13-, and 17-year-old students nationwide. This study investigated the attitudes of a random sample of 1,955 17-year-old students' attitudes toward women in science as indicated by responses to seven Likert items administered during the assessment. Specific research questions addressed were: (1) What are the attitudes of secondary school youth toward women as scientists? (2) Are these attitudes different for males and females? (3) At what age do they originate? (4) What are some of the correlates of adolescents' attitudes toward the role of women in science? (5) What is the potential for such attitudes influencing science career choices? Among the findings reported are those indicating that, in general, 17-year-olds expressed a positive attitude toward the role of women in science and that girls expressed significantly more positive attitudes toward women in science than did boys. Similar findings were noted when these results were compared to those of 13-year-olds, suggesting that the male sex-bias attitude is stable across age group (and race). Although the source of the sex-bias attitude remains unknown, it seems to be related to slightly lower ability. (JN)\nPublication Type:Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers Education Level:N/A Audience:Researchers Language:English Sponsor:N/A Authoring Institution:N/A", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6731224656105042} {"content": "In Identity, Place, and Subversion in Contemporary Mizrahi Cinema in Israel, Yaron Shemer presents the most comprehensive and systematic study to date of Mizrahi (Oriental-Jewish or Arab-Jewish) films produced in Israel in the last several decades. Through an analysis of dozens of films the book illustrates how narratives, characters, and space have been employed to give expression to Mizrahi ethnic identity and to situate the Mizrahi within the broader context of the Israeli societal fabric. The struggle over identity and the effort to redraw ethnic boundaries have taken place against the backdrop of a long-standing Zionist view of the Mizrahi as an inferior other whose “Levantine” culture posed a threat to the Western-oriented Zionist enterprise.\nIn its examination of the nature and dynamics of Mizrahi cinema (defined by subject-matter), the book engages the sensitive topic of Mizrahi ethnicity head-on, confronting the conventional notion of Israeli society as a melting pot and the widespread dismissal of ethnic divisions in the country. Shemer explores the continuous marginalization of the Mizrahi in contemporary Israeli cinema and the challenge some Mizrahi films offer to the subjugation of this ethnic group. He also studies the role cultural policies and institutional power in Israel have played in shaping Mizrahi cinema and the creation of a Mizrahi niche in cinema. In a broader sense, this pioneering work is a probing exploration of Israeli culture and society through the prism of film and cinematic expression. It sheds light on the play of ethnicity, class, gender, and religion in contemporary Israel, and on the heated debates surrounding Zionist ideology and identity politics. By charting a new territory of academic inquiry grounded in an interdisciplinary theoretical framework, the study contributes to the formation of “Mizrahi Cinema” as a recognized and vibrant scholarly field.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5243842601776123} {"content": "Breaking News\nAt university campuses, particularly in California, anti-Israel divestment debates in student government have become a spring ritual.\nFrom San Diego to Berkeley and Davis, student senators introduce resolutions backing divestment, debate is scheduled immediately, propaganda is spread, supporters pack the halls, pro-Israel speakers are harassed (or worse), and student senators with almost no knowledge cast deciding votes. Whether the resolution (which has no practical impact) is adopted or defeated, Israel’s demonization is propagated.\nWhile presented under the façade of local student initiatives, this process is a central part of a much wider and well-financed campaign of political warfare against Israel. The delegitimization of Israel began with its founding, and has not stopped. In the early decades (before the pretext of occupation after the 1967 war), the Arab League boycott office, located in Damascus, persuaded many firms, including Pepsi and American Express, not to do business with Israel. And travelers with Israeli visas in their passports were barred from Arab countries.\nAt the U.N.’s 2001 NGO (non-governmental organization) “anti-racism” conference in Durban, South Africa, the political war was expanded to include false claims of “war crimes,” “apartheid,” “ethnic cleansing” and even “genocide.” Boycott efforts were expanded to universities, churches and the media. They received a massive infusion of funds and “feet on the ground” in the form of highly politicized NGOs. The goal of this Durban strategy was clear: the complete international isolation of Israel.\nOn this foundation, the first campaigns for academic boycotts and divestments were launched a few months later by pro-Palestinian student groups and union officials, using the false allegations of an Israeli “massacre” in Jenin. Monthly and sometimes weekly events featured speakers under the banner of human rights who repeated the mantra of Israeli demonization. Although often focusing on post-1967 occupation and settlements, and stripped of the historic and military context, the message remained that sovereignty for the Jewish people, regardless of borders, was unacceptable. This is the core message of campus divestment campaigns, including those in California.\nThe engine propelling this political war is composed of groups like Electronic Intifada, (led by Ali Abunimeh), the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott (Omar Barghouti) and other full-time dedicated Palestinian activists in scores of NGOs. Their funding sources are often hidden, but they clearly have major resources to send speakers, organize training sessions for activists, hold pseudo-academic conferences, and support the Students for Justice in Palestine network on many campuses. Perpetual students, like Emiliano Huet-Vaughn, who is part of the International Solidarity Movement and SJP, have spent years going from campus to campus (St. Louis, London, Berkeley, etc.). All of this takes money, coordinated organizations, schedulers, speakers, graphic artists and spin doctors.\nTo support the pretense that these campaigns are not inherently anti-Semitic in singling out Israel, the organizers quote Israeli and Jewish political NGOs that are part of the Durban strategy. For example, the 2013 UC Berkeley divestment resolution cites B’tselem, Adalah and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel as sources for allegations of “human …read more\nSource: Israpundit", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6019023656845093} {"content": "Abstract\nCentral and peripheral fatigue have been explored during and after running or cycling exercises. However, the fatigue mechanisms associated with a short maximal cycling exercise (30 s Wingate test) have not been investigated. In this study, 10 volunteer subjects performed several isometric voluntary contractions using the leg muscle extensors before and after two bouts of cycling at 25% of maximal power output and two bouts of Wingate tests. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electrical motor nerve stimulation (NM) were applied at rest and during the voluntary contractions. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), voluntary activation (VA), twitch amplitude evoked by electrical nerve stimulation, M wave and motor potential evoked by TMS (MEP) were recorded. MVC, VA and twitch amplitude evoked at rest by NM decreased significantly after the first and second Wingate tests, indicating central and peripheral fatigue. MVC and VA, but not the twitch amplitude evoked by NM, recovered before the second Wingate test. These results suggest that the Wingate test results in a decrease in MVC associated with peripheral and central fatigue. While the peripheral fatigue is associated with an intramuscular impairment, the central fatigue seems to be the main reason for the Wingate test-induced impairment of MVC.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7049154043197632} {"content": "A Papa John’s pizza franchisee faces jail time for his attempt to evade responsibility for paying overtime to workers at nine stores in the Bronx, N.Y. Authorities alleged the man’s company, BMY Foods, ran a scheme that tracked hours under fictitious names to hide overtime liability.\nWorking with the New York Attorney General, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division recovered over $500,000 in lost wages and damages for the affected employees. Additionally, the attorney general is seeking jail time for the franchisee.\nNote: Enforcement officials are not taking wage theft, in its various forms, lightly. In cases like this—where the employer obviously falsified records to hide his illegal pay practices—officials will not think twice about throwing the book at the employer.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9874112010002136} {"content": "Vaccination Costs From the Doctor's POV the MPR take:\nApproximately half of pediatric vaccines are purchased by private pediatricians and family physicians and are administered to the majority of children in the U.S. As the cost of newer vaccines has increased, it has become one of the top overhead expenses for private pediatric practices. A survey of pediatricians and family physicians on satisfaction with insurance payments for vaccine purchases and administration reported that 10% of physicians had considered halting providing vaccines for privately insured patients due to costs. The highest dissatisfaction levels were seen in physicians regarding Medicaid payments for vaccine administration. The strategy used most frequently by clinicians unsure of how third-party payers would reimburse for new vaccines: informing patients that they may receive a bill for the vaccine.\nREAD FULL ARTICLE From\npediatrics.aappublications.org", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9462972283363342} {"content": "Research links estrogen and binge eating\nEstrogen may be a new tool for combating obesity. Medpage Today reports that Baylor College of Medicine researchers have found that an estrogen replacement suppressed binge-eating behavior among lab mice which lacked estrogen receptors.\nThe team published its findings in the\nJournal of Clinical Research and noted that a new glucagon-like peptide-1 estrogen conjugate delivered estrogen to the right place.\nMedpage notes that there have been human studies which showed that binge-eaters tend to have low GLP-1 levels, but that this research is the first to suggest a GLP-1 estrogen conjugate can curb behavior.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8483132719993591} {"content": "A recent study indicated that several species of fish, namely Clinostomus funduloides, enter the streams around Lake Matoaka when detention ponds overflow during storm events. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these fish have a top-down control of stream ecosystems.\nA controlled laboratory study showed that the fish prey upon the amphipod Gammarus pseudolimnaeus with a strong preference for smaller sized individuals. The relationship between amphipod populations and leaf litter decomposition was then analyzed in Strawberry, Berkeley and Pogonia Creeks. Leaf litter bags were placed in areas with and without fish in each stream. After a five week period, the number of amphipods was significantly lower in the sites where fish were abundant. Moreover, the average size of the amphipods in the areas containing fish was larger, indicating that the presence of fish does, in fact, influence the amphipod community structure.\nGammarus pseudolimnaeus is a shredder, essential in the decomposition of leaves. Therefore, the decomposition rate of the leaf litter was expected to be lower in the areas populated with fish. However, no significant difference in the breakdown rate was found between areas with and without fish. Potential explanations for these results include possible leakages, differences in turbidity, dissolved oxygen and the availability of other food sources. Future studies must be conducted to determine the direct correlation between the abundance and size of amphipods and leaf litter decomposition\nFor additional documentation Elise Wach provided a PowerPoint Presentation entitled \"Fish, Amphipods and Leaves: How are they related?\" provided here in PDF form.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9927255511283875} {"content": "TIPS TO CONSERVE WATER Kitchen and Laundry\nKeep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator to avoid running the tap for a cold drink.\nAvoid running water to thaw food. Run the dishwasher only when you have a full load. Automatic dishwashers use about 15 gallons of water per load. Don’t let water run continuously if washing dishes by hand. Use your garbage disposal less often and compost instead. Use the proper water level when doing laundry. Bathroom\nTest for toilet leaks by adding food coloring to the water tank.\nInstall water saving fixtures; especially WaterSense products. Dispose of tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save 3-7 gallons per flush. A bathtub filled half full holds about 50 gallons of water. Consider showering instead. Keep shower length under 5 minutes and save up to 1,000 gallons if using an unrestricted fixture. Avoid letting the water run while shaving, brushing your teeth, and washing your face. Teach children to turn faucets off tightly after use. Lawn\nAvoid excessive watering. Most lawns need only an inch of water per week to stay healthy. A shallow container can be used to measure the water.\nUse short cycles (5 minutes) at least an hour apart to reduce runoff. Reduce evaporation by watering in the evening or early in the morning. Set sprinklers carefully to avoid watering paved areas. Avoid sprinklers that spray a fine mist, which increases evaporation. Aerate the soil in the spring and fall to reduce runoff. Keep the grass 2-3\" long to enhance root development with minimal watering. Install a Rain Barrel and use the water for plants, to wash the car or water the lawn. Landscape Materials\nPlant water efficient grasses, plants, trees, and shrubs.\nUse mulch to help the soil retain moisture and to reduce the growth of weeds. Use drip irrigation to water plants, trees, and shrubs. Plant in the spring or fall, when watering requirements are lower. Other Outdoor Tips\nShut off and drain the water lines to outside spigots in the winter to prevent damage and costly repairs from freezing.\nAvoid using the hose to clean areas that could be swept with a broom. Run the water only to wet and rinse when washing vehicles and use a bucket for wash water. (Try to wash on the grass where the water can percolate to reduce water quality impacts. Storm drains lead directly to our streams.)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7643788456916809} {"content": "Maturation of visual and auditory temporal processing in school-aged children. Dawes P., Bishop DV.\nPURPOSE: To examine development of sensitivity to auditory and visual temporal processes in children and the association with standardized measures of auditory processing and communication. Methods Normative data on tests of visual and auditory processing were collected on 18 adults and 98 children aged 6-10 years of age. Auditory processes included detection of pitch from temporal cues using iterated rippled noise and frequency modulation detection at 2 Hz, 40 Hz, and 240 Hz. Visual processes were coherent form and coherent motion detection. Test-retest data were gathered on 21 children. RESULTS: Performance on perceptual tasks improved with age, except for fine temporal processing (iterated rippled noise) and coherent form perception, both of which were relatively stable over the age range. Within-subject variability (as assessed by track width) did not account for age-related change. There was no evidence for a common temporal processing factor, and there were no significant associations between perceptual task performance and communication level (Children's Communication Checklist, 2nd ed.; D. V. M. Bishop, 2003) or speech-based auditory processing (SCAN-C; R. W. Keith, 2000). CONCLUSIONS: The auditory tasks had different developmental trajectories despite a common procedure, indicating that age-related change was not solely due to responsiveness to task demands. The 2-Hz frequency modulation detection task, previously used in dyslexia research, and the visual tasks had low reliability compared to other measures.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6381900310516357} {"content": "To get dental insurance, Medicare participants must enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes dental coverage. Traditional Medicare Parts A and B exclude dental services unless they are a crucial part of a covered procedure.Continue Reading\nMedicare Advantage Plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are coverage options offered by private companies that must include all the services traditional Medicare Parts A and B offer, apart from hospice care, which traditional Medicare covers. Additionally, many Medicare Advantage Plans offer extra coverage such as hearing, vision, health and welfare programs, and dental. To find a Medicare Advantage Plan in your area that includes dental coverage, go to the main page of the Medicare website, click on Forms, Help & Resources in the toolbar at the top of the page, select Find Health & Drug Plans, enter your zip code, and click Find Plans. Under Summary of Your Search Results, select Medicare Health Plans With Drug Coverage or Medicare Health Plans Without Drug Coverage. A special symbol marks all listed plans that include dental insurance.\nTraditional Medicare only covers dental work that is part of a procedure such as repairing a jaw after an accident or extracting teeth as a prelude to radiation treatment. Additionally, Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital care during complex or emergency dental work, but it does not cover the dental services.Learn more about Health Insurance", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7553110122680664} {"content": "We believe deeply in the great value of an AU education. Our story is not the national story.\nWhen choosing a college we believe the focus should be on selecting the best fit for your educational needs. Whether you are considering attending, or you've already chosen American University, we understand that financing your education is a significant factor in setting you on the right course for a transformational experience and lifetime of passion for effecting change.\nIn Washington, D.C., and across the nation, student debt, loan rates and college affordability have become increasingly important issues since the start of the recession. The economy and job market have created uncertainty for students and families across the country.\nHowever, the value of a quality education does not fluctuate.\nAmerican University is committed to using all of its resources to help motivated students attain their educational goals. We’ve developed these tools and resources to help students and their families understand and manage their personal finances to take the actions that best fit their situations.\nWe look forward to working with you regarding financing an AU education.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6362475752830505} {"content": "Teaching Energy and Transport Economics\nA Joint Workshop organised and sponsored by the Economics Network and the UK Energy Research Centre Meeting Place, Oxford, Wednesday 31 May 2006\nTeaching Energy Economics was our third subject-specific participatory workshop. Held at Lady Margaret Hall in Oxford, the workshop provided 16 lecturers with the opportunity to focus on their own issues of concern.\nUnusually, most of the participants were not economists and were seeking guidance in teaching non-economics specialists. The varied background in transport, energy, renewables, and microeconomics proved a challenge for structuring the day (which is normally based upon the registrants' responses to a questionnaire e-mailed to them two weeks before the event). But in the end, the highlight was the networking and, in this case particularly, the sharing of resources for supporting students without economics backgrounds. One attendee wrote:\n\"Many thanks for an enjoyable and informative workshop. As a non-economist teaching energy economics I was enthused by the discussions within the groups and grateful for the resource information, none of which I had previously seen.\"\nThe Economics Network is now aware of this need from non-economists and plans to address it via the website and, possibly, future workshops.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6325560212135315} {"content": "The power to redraw electoral lines is the power to design elections. Enormous significance therefore attaches to any delegation of redistricting authority. Yet in every jurisdiction in the country, the power to redistrict has been delegated to a varied collection of actors whose participation largely has escaped academic attention. They are as ubiquitous as they are overlooked: they are the redistricting litigants. These actors’ participation in the process leads to a startling form of redistricting. Though the majority of these litigants are not elected, appointed, or in any way vetted by the electorate at large, they are empowered to affect electoral lines in deliberate and politically consequential ways; to affect the rights of non-parties without providing class-action protections or other defenses; and to exploit a procedural regime that, due to the time pressures of the election cycle, becomes warped in ways that give litigants significant leverage to advance their own agendas. These features reflect a regime developed not through deliberate design, but rather through the accidental effects of judicial intervention. This Article responds to the persistent gap in the literature by revealing the unacknowledged power of redistricting litigants. It identifies the concerns their participation raises with respect to the outcomes, efficiency, and legitimacy of the redistricting process, and it concludes with a discussion of targeted reforms. These reforms include institutional adjustments meant to reduce reliance on litigants and procedural changes meant to give greater voice to non-parties.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5829981565475464} {"content": "Diabetes Mellitus - Type I\nType I Diabetes Mellitus (Type I DM) was originally termed \"Juvenile Diabetes\" because it largely presented in adolescents and young adults. However, this term is no longer in use as the age of Type II DM onset has progressively decreased and has come to overlap with that of Type I DM. Type I DM is an autoimmune disease which results in progressive immune-mediated destructions of the Islets of Langerhans, ultimately leading to deficiencies in insulin synthesis. Development of the disease appears to occur in individuals with some genetic susceptibility who undergo a unidentified environmental insult. Those possessing HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR3 alleles are at increased risk and some theorize that a cryptic viral infection may be the source of the environmental insult. Whatever the ultimate etiology, Type I DM is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the endocrine pancreas specifically in the Islets of Langerhans. This inflammatory infiltration, termed Insulinitis, appears to be primarily composed of T-cells and can be observed years before clinical onset. Inflammation leads to progressive and selective destruction of insulin-producing islet beta cells. Clinically apparent diabetes begins only after nearly all (~80%) of pancreatic beta cells have been destroyed. Once this physiological reserve of beta cells has been destroyed, insulin levels progressively decline and may reach complete absence. Type I DM is treated with lifetime recombinant insulin replacement therapy.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7765358686447144} {"content": "Bacteria Diversity\nGreater bacterial diversity has been correlated with wellness, but diversity can vary greatly among healthy individuals.\n[1][2] When you have your microbiome sequenced with uBiome, you will receive a diversity score. Diversity is determined using the Simpson's Diversity Index. Scores range from 0 to 10, with 10 being the most diverse. The average gut sample generates a score of between 6 and 9, but the distribution varies depending on the type of sample.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7005791664123535} {"content": "Affiliation: Lianet Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Pedro Kouri”, Apartado Postal 601, Marianao 13, La Habana, Cuba.\nAbstract\nParasites are eukaryotic pathogens and largely include protozoa, helminths and arthropods that cause different diseases to human. Parasitic diseases have a significant impact on developing countries and it has raised the mortality rate to various millions per year. Despite the recent progress, no vaccines are presently available against any of the major parasitic infections of humans. Chemotherapy remains the only option for both clinical and control management. However, conventional drugs are present with features that limit their utility, such as high cost, poor compliance, drug resistance, low efficacy and poor safety. There is thus a clear need for new therapeutic agents against parasites infections.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.991512656211853} {"content": "Education, at its most fundamental core, is a social endeavour between student and teacher. While this remains a core tenet in the Junior School, it is clear that at the dawn of the digital era, technology must also be integrated into the student experience. However, we must be vigilant to not replace that critical human contact with a machine, but harness those tools purposefully and thoughtfully to engage each student individually as they work toward their personal learning goals.\nA wide array of tools are readily available in the Junior School, including interactive whiteboards in each classroom, an Apple iPad mobile learning lab, dedicated primary and junior iMac labs, LEGO robotics, a generous distribution of iPads in the junior classrooms and laptop resources for each teacher. Having the hardware and software is not enough, for we recognize that it is professionally informed teachers who animate the curriculum with the inspired use of technology tools. To this end, we also have a dedicated Junior School Technology Integration Specialist who oversees the MacLabs and works alongside both teachers and students, facilitating projects and creating engaging lessons inside and outside the classroom.\nAt CDS, we remain true to our core strengths and beliefs regarding teaching and learning, but are also sure footed, knowing when and where to adapt and adopt the best uses of emergent technology within our classrooms. That is true - Education, with balance.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9988939166069031} {"content": "Webinar Overview: Presenter:\nWe here at the Society of Certified Senior Advisors\n® are very excited to have Deborah Skovron joining us. Deborah holds a BA in counselling psychology and certificates in Compression Planning™, workplace mediation, program evaluation, and business management.\nOver the past 30 years, Deborah has developed extensive experience in testing and demonstrating innovative concepts in the educational, human services, and senior industries. Most recently she has served as Executive Director of the\nSociety for Creative Aging and the Director of the Colorado Jewish Venture Philanthropy Fund. Deborah is committed to making a difference in organizational direction and dynamics. She is also keenly aware of the sensitive and integral role that a consultant takes on with an organization seeking change, direction, or impact.\nA multitude of studies have established that loneliness and social isolation increase the risk of cognitive decline and depression as people age. Over the last 6 years under Deborah’s direction, CircleTalk™ has created a platform for the aging population to shine and be known, sometimes for the first time in their lives.\nInspiration:\nAs older adults leave their homes and communities for the security and support offered in senior living, too often, the ability to successfully connect socially is disrupted or lost leading to loneliness, isolation and lack of purpose and meaning. This experience can be more profound for adults with memory and cognitive challenges. Research has now established that these human conditions increase the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, social isolation and depression as people reach longevity.\nIntention:\nThis webinar will highlight best practices for operationalizing positive and successful aging in senior living and introduced tools and strategies that reduce isolation through a structured program for meaningful conversations and personal sharing.\nThese strategies have been successfully implemented in a range of residential settings, inspiring a sense of belonging, and creating small community where there was none.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9562551975250244} {"content": "Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed summary judgment in favor of defendants who faced a RICO suit following resolution of arbitration with the plaintiffs. The case involved a dispute over whether the defendants tried to overtake a foreign subsidiary of the plaintiffs. A relevant agreement between the parties required the plaintiffs to submit to arbitration under Singapore law. The plaintiff brought suit in the Northern District of California, but that case was dismissed on forum non conveniens grounds. As part of that suit, the plaintiff included a RICO claim and sought treble damages. The Singapore arbitration took about two decades to reach completion, following which time the defendants paid the arbitral award to the plaintiff. Then, the defendants found that the plaintiff had re-initiated suit in California, continuing to seek treble damages under RICO.\nThe court balanced the treble damages provision of RICO with the “one satisfaction rule,” the principle that a plaintiff should not recover more than their actual losses. The “full measure” of the plaintiff’s claims were not satisfied by the arbitration’s award of actual losses, and, thereby, the RICO trebling claim was not extinguished. The court remanded the case for further proceedings, albeit with a limitation that the previous arbitral award would be offset against any liability on the RICO claim. Uthe Technology Corp. v. Aetrium, Inc., No. 3:L95-cv-02377 (9th Cir. Dec. 11, 2015).", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6922321915626526} {"content": "Whitefield’s Sin Exposing Spotlight\nWhitefield was convinced that any presentation of the gospel must begin by exposing the listener’s sin and his dire need for salvation. This necessitated the preacher’s confronting his hearers’ rebellion against God and warning of the eternal consequences of their rejection. Whitefield plainly understood that none rightly desire the gospel of Christ until they know of their own condemnation before God. Whitefield preached those truths that reveal sin, namely, the holiness of God, the fall of Adam, the demands of the law, the curse of disobedience, the certainty of death, the reality of the final judgment, and the eternality of punishment in hell.\nWhen addressing the unregenerate masses, Whitefield sought to ensure that their depravity was fully laid bare. Martyn Lloyd-Jones aptly stated, “No man could expose the condition of the natural unregenerate heart more powerfully than George Whitefield.” Only when confronted with their sinfulness, Whitefield insisted, would unbelievers seek to embrace Christ as their Savior and Lord. He peeled back the outer layers of people’s self-righteousness in order to bring about self-awareness of their sinful hearts.\nThe work of evangelism mandated that he address the eternally devastating effects of sin in his preaching. Whitefield, like a watchman on the tower, warned of sin, death, and judgment. He sought to disturb his listeners with their lost condition before a righteous Judge in heaven. “The sin of your nature, your original sin, is sufficient to sink you into torments, of which there will be no end,” he preached. “Therefore unless you receive the Spirit of Christ, you are reprobates, and you cannot be saved.” He believed the lost must be driven to the brink of utter desperation before they will come to faith in Christ.\nWhitefield was a master at sweeping away all useless rhetoric in order that the unconverted would recognize their desperate need to repent. He implored them, “You are lost, undone, without Him; and if He is not glorified in your salvation, He will be glorified in your destruction; if He does not come and make His abode in your hearts, you must take up an eternal abode with the devil and his angels.” None who heard Whitefield were put to sleep with a false sense of security.\nPointing back to Adam’s transgression, Whitefield emphasized that all are born with an inherited sin nature from the first man. He declared, “We all stand in need of being justified, on account of the sin of our natures: for we are all chargeable with original sin, or the sin of our first parents.” It was this strong belief in original sin and total depravity that caused his every sermon to drive his listeners to grasp a sense of their desperate condition in sin. All humanity is born spiritually dead, he believed:\nCan you deny that you are fallen creatures? Do not you find that you are full of disorders, and that these disorders make you unhappy? Do not you find that you cannot change your own hearts? Have you not resolved many and many a time, and have not your corruptions yet dominion over you? Are you not bondslaves to your lusts, and led captive by the devil at his will?\nWhitefield’s sermons were filled with vivid warnings of the horrific dangers of remaining in a state of sin. In his sermon “Walking with God,” he warned that hell may be but one step away for them: “For how knowest thou, O man, but the next step thou takest may be into hell? Death may seize thee, judgment find thee, and then the great gulf will be fixed between thee and endless glory for ever and ever. O think of these things, all yet that are unwilling to walk with God. Lay them to heart.” Whitefield understood that gospel preaching must include the threat of hell, which is intended to drive men to flee to Christ and escape His terrors.\nBy such strong statements, Whitefield shined a sin-exposing spotlight into the dark crevasses of depraved hearts. Only then would sinners flee to the foot of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ to hear about a Savior who died for their guilty souls.\nThis excerpt is taken from\nThe Evangelistic Zeal of George Whitefield by Steven Lawson.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5877667665481567} {"content": "One positive side-effect of the recent financial market meltdown that toppled giant, century-old institutions and cost millions their jobs is that it created a strong desire among many Americans to better understand how the U.S. economy functions. In The Little Book of Economics, Greg, Ip, one of the country's most recognized and respected economics journalists, walks readers through how the economy really works.Written for the inquisitive layman who doesn't want to plow through academic jargon and Greek letters or pore over charts and tables, The Little Book of Economics offers indispensible insight into how the American economy works - or, doesn't. With engaging and accessible prose, the book Provides a comprehensive understanding of each aspect of our economy from inflation and unemployment to international trade and finance Serves as an insider's guide to the people and institutions that control America's economy such as the Federal Reserve and the federal budget Explains the roots of America's current economic crisis and the risks the country faces in its aftermath, such as stratospheric government debt, while offering advice on overcoming these threats Walks readers through the basic concepts and terminology they need to understand economic news Punctures myths and political spin from both the left and the right with candid and often surprising insightA must read for anyone who wants a better grasp of the economy without taking a course in economics , The Little Book of Economics is a unique and engaging look at how the economy works in all its wonderful and treacherous ways.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7918192148208618} {"content": "Broadcast-equipment vendor Grass Valley, and middleware and content-security vendor Irdeto, have partnered to develop a multiscreen solution that is aimed at the world of broadcast. For managing content ingest, metadata, and transcoding, the solution relies upon Grass Valley's Mediafuse product; Mediafuse oversees the core, content management processes that allow live and pre-recorded content to be formatted, then IP-encapsulated for distribution to connectable devices. In order to ensure that this content is secured for IP distribution, the solution relies on the Irdeto Broadband suite, which at its heart consists of Irdeto's ActiveCloak DRM.\nAlso at NAB this year, both Harris and Harmonic have released multiscreen hardware in the form of dedicated transcoding platforms, for content wrapping and repurposing. Such platforms indicate that multiscreen solutions are set to become affordable as packaged products, rather than remain boutique systems that have often required siloed workflows, and a dense archive of pre-encoded and wrapped video assets.\nThe joint solution has been designed so that broadcasters who use current iterations of Mediafuse can upgrade to the new functionality, and importantly, leave their existing production infrastructure intact.\nAnalysis\nThe UK offers a telling example. In 2010, of the 83m installed connectable Blu-Ray players, connectable TV sets, Xbox360's, PS3s, smartphones and PCs, only 14m of these are addressed by pay-TV - corresponding to a total penetration of 16 per cent. There is ample opportunity for broadcasters to address the remaining 69m devices. Moreover, across both Western Europe and North America, pay-TV multiscreen penetration is much lower; pay-TV device penetration stands at 4 per cent in both regions.\nAlthough Grass Valley's and Irdeto's solution will allow broadcasters to add multi-device distribution capability onto their existing platforms, use of a single DRM - Irdeto's - may not be sufficient to address the totality of devices in the market; this is because the DRM market has the potential to fragment. While Microsoft's Playready, Apple's Fairplay and Adobe's Flash Access have historically constituted the means to secure audio-visual content, solutions from Widevine, NDS, Nagravision and Irdeto have broadened the set of DRMs from which broadcasters and pay-TV operators may pick. With Marlin DRM making additional inroads in the world of hybrid broadcast-IP television - on the UK's YouView platform, and Italy's Tivu' platform - the market is moving further away from universal, platform-and-device-independent DRM. If pay-TV operators, broadcasters, and OTT providers wish to reach the entirety of the addressable device ecosystem - or at least have the potential to reach all addressable devices - multi-DRM support will near assuredly be required.\nIHS Screen Digest TV Technology Intelligence", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7413380742073059} {"content": "Braille reading is a demanding task that requires the identification of rapidly varying tactile patterns. During proficient reading, neighboring characters impact the fingertip at ∼100 ms intervals, and adjacent raised dots within a character at 50 ms intervals. Because the brain requires time to interpret afferent sensorineural activity, among other… (More)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6046491861343384} {"content": "Designing effective REDD+ safeguard information systems: building on existing systems and country experiences\nA key determinant of REDD+ success will be the development and implementation of safeguards, including systems for providing information on how safeguards are addressed and respected. This policy paper is the result of a three-year initiative to develop REDD+ safeguard information systems (SIS). The research examined: information collected through eight existing systems that could feed into reporting on REDD+ safeguards; how the existing systems ensure transparency, consistency, accessibility, flexibility, country-driven processes and the lessons for a REDD+ SIS; early action in five countries to provide lessons and insights for the further development of REDD+ SIS. In exploring these areas, the research aims to contribute to improved SIS by identifying how REDD+ practitioners can build on existing systems and learn from early action. The research concludes that new mechanisms, methodologies or indicators are not necessarily required, but systems can be built on existing frameworks.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8124884366989136} {"content": "Socio-legal studies are an essentially interdisciplinary enterprise. However, there is currently only one form of interdisciplinarity that most socio-legal scholars (and criminologists) recognise and work with. This form is derived from the idea that 'society itself' - and by this most scholars mean ‘civil society’ - drives the law. However, another, rival understanding of society, which we term the authoritarian-liberal statist understanding that slipped from view in the late seventeenth century and remained obscure from then until now, may be used to generate another form of interdisciplinarity for socio-legal studies (and for criminology). However, this rival understanding of society does not simply allow us to reconfigure our notion of ‘society’; it radically changes the role society plays in relation to the law. Two crucial points emerge from this rival account: first, society can no longer be understood as separable from (even though interacting with) the law; and second, society can no longer be understood as driving the law.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7735507488250732} {"content": "If a personal home is also your primary residence, you may not be liable for any capital gains tax. IRS rules allow homeowners selling their primary residence to earn up to $250,000 profit without having any capital gains tax liability. Therefore, the majority of US homeowners will face no tax requirements when selling their homes. But, the property must qualify as your primary residence to receive this tax break. If a married couple sells their primary residence, this exemption increases to $500,000.\nIRS Regulations\nUntil 1997, the IRS required homeowners to reinvest all profits into another primary residence to avoid capital gains taxes when selling their homes. Sellers over age 55 could take a one-time $125,000 profit tax exemption, regardless of their use of the funds. However, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, allows the $250,000 exemption each time you sell your primary home. This IRS law allows homeowners to sell their homes without concern for the disposition of their profits.\nNo LImit on Exemption Use\nUnlike the former once-in-a-lifetime exemption for seniors, IRS rules set no limit on the number of times you use the $250,000 (or $500,000) tax exemption. You may sell your primary residence multiple times and enjoy this exemption each time you transfer the deed. Second homes and rental properties do not enjoy this tax benefit. However, you face no difficult choices regarding when or if to take this tax exemption, since you are not numerically limited.\nPrimary Residences Only\nTo enjoy this tax benefit, you must sell your primary residence. Selling other real estate falls under prevailing capital gains tax rules, just as all longer term assets do. Be sure you can prove, if necessary, that the home sold was your primary residence. You must have lived in the home for over six months for at least two of the five years prior to its sale. This rule gives you some flexibility if you moved, but had difficulty selling your former primary home.\nSpousal Co-Owners\nIf you are married and file joint tax returns with your spouse, you should qualify for a $500,000 tax exemption, instead of the single owner $250,000 maximum. While you may exceed these maximums if you sell a six-bedroom mansion on the Atlantic or Pacific oceans, most US homeowners will face zero capital gains taxes when they sell their homes. The doubling of the exemption for homes co-owned by spouses eliminates tax consequences for most Americans.\nPhoto Credits Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5562045574188232} {"content": "For some reason, most of us tend to gravitate toward certain types of jewelry. Whether it's simply the look of these pieces or how they blend in with our wardrobes, it's not uncommon to have hyper-specific preferences, especially since jewelry is such a personal thing. When it comes to metal, many people will choose baubles based on what is most trendy at that time. Meanwhile, others stick to the tried-and-true options that they know complement their personalities.\nIt can be challenging to figure out which metal is the right one for you. After all, there are many considerations to take into account, including your budget, skin tone and lifestyle. So how do you choose?\nUse this guide before picking out some new baubles from Fine Jewelers:\nSilver This metal boasts many advantages. For one, silver is a less expensive precious metal than gold. It's also particularly soft in its pure state, making it an ideal choice for jewelry you want engraved. However, this softness also means that it can be easily damaged. That's why silver is often combined with other metals. Mixing in copper, for example, produces sterling silver, which is not only more affordable than the pure metal but also has greater durability. On the other hand, the addition of copper can make silver more prone to tarnishing over time. Still, it's a strong metal that's ideal for bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Since this soft metal shows wear more quickly, it's not the best choice for wedding bands or engagement rings.\nWhile essentially anyone can wear silver, it looks especially stunning on those with cool skin. If you're unsure about whether you have a cool complexion, look for bluish veins on your wrist or rosy undertones in your face.\nGold There's a reason that gold has captivated all kinds of people for centuries. Not only is it ultra rare, but the metal's lustrous appearance is particularly eye-catching. Additionally, gold is more resistant to tarnishing and scratching than silver. While pure gold is usually considered too soft for everyday baubles, it can be mixed with zinc or copper to make it more durable. It's important to take your lifestyle into account when wearing gold pieces. Rings and bracelets are more at risk of becoming damaged or deformed, especially if you're someone who works with your hands. That's why it makes more sense to choose 18-karat or 14-karat gold for these pieces. Or, you could always opt for gold plated jewelry, which also comes with the benefit of a lower price tag.\nAs with silver, this metal can look striking on a range of different skin tones. However, it really complements those with warm complexions. Gold also looks remarkable on those with blonde or reddish hair. If you're not sure whether you have a warm skin, look for greenish veins and golden or olive undertones.\nRose gold While this is really just a different alloy of gold, it deserves its own category purely for the major resurgence its seen in recent years. As more designers have been featuring this metal and more celebs have been rocking it, rose gold has certainly made a major comeback. Essentially, the alloy fuses gold with copper, resulting in a pinkish finish as opposed to the traditional yellow hue. The higher the copper content, the more intense the reddish tone will appear. The addition of copper also means that this form of gold will patina over time, but this effect can be rather desirable for some. In fact, it has a certain vintage vibe that may perfectly match a person's retro-inspired or whimsical wardrobe.\nOne of the primary perks of rose gold is that it's highly scratch-resistant. So it's a fitting choice for everything from pendants to rings and watches. It's also worth noting that rose gold is ultra versatile as it pairs nicely with nearly any other metal. Plus, this metal flatters any complexion.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6509857773780823} {"content": "Paul W. Thurner, Martin Binder Effectiveness of Ministries’ Claims in EU Intergovernmental Negotiations: A Multi-Level Approach\nWe propose to measure ‘negotiation effectiveness’ by comparing the initial preferences of 140 governmental subunits with regard to 46 negotiation issues with the final treaty stipulations. Due to the hierarchical order of the data we use multi-level analysis. A key result is that the macro-context of equivalent jurisdictions leads to a higher convergence of negotiation effectiveness than the macro-context of the national governments.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.519008994102478} {"content": "Healthcare providers are frequently turning to new technologies to keep patients engaged in their care. While such tools may enhance the patient experience, clicking a mouse or logging into a portal is not indicative of active patient engagement. Kyra Bobinet, a consulting faculty member of the Stanford School of Medicine, explains that these shiny new tools leave only fleeting, surface-level impressions. Technology, alone, is not the silver bullet to building lasting relationships with patients or engaging them in their care.\nWhat Bobinet cites as the most critical factors of patient engagement are motivation and emotion. Caregivers can only connect with patients on a deeper level when they understand the factors that lead to excitement, the moments that elicit fear, and the words that bring comfort. When providers understand what truly resonates with patients, they can develop effective products and programs to make patients an active part of the care process.\nCipherHealth recognizes that technology should be used to enhance personal connections between patients and caregivers, not foster impersonal experiences. Orchid, CipherHealth’s digital rounding solution, encourages purposeful touchpoints, helping staff communicate clearly with patients and encouraging patients to ask questions or express concerns. The patient’s feedback is not simply a means to complete a checklist, but instead is used to drive organization-wide improvements and influence the way care is delivered to each patient.\nWhen patients return home from the hospital, they will not remember the high-tech gadgets used by their caregivers. What sticks with patients is how well the care team listened, and responded, to their individual thoughts and feelings. This doesn’t mean that providers should abandon technology, as it is a critical component in delivering high-quality care. Rather, providers must find the tools that enable an ever greater level of connection with their patient populations.\nContact CipherHealth today to understand how you can capitalize on technology to build meaningful patient engagement.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.987917423248291} {"content": "ERIC Number:ED142476 Record Type:RIE Publication Date:1977-Mar Pages:82 Abstractor:N/A Reference Count:0 ISBN:N/A ISSN:N/A\nAmerican Women Today & Tomorrow.\nBryant, Barbara Everitt\nThis study finds that the women's movement has had a significant impact in expanding the outlook and changing the attitudes of American women. According to this representative survey of 1,552 women, American women perceive their roles as either traditional, balancing, or expanding. The traditional outlook, generally shared by women over 50, views homemaking as woman's primary role. The expanding outlook favors more options and flexible lifestyles. This outlook, held by women under 35, regards women on an equal basis with men, not only in employment, but also in the sharing of household responsibilities, alimony, child support and custody. In the middle of the spectrum are those women who share a balancing outlook, combining the views of the traditional and the expanding. These women are generally in their 40's or of Black or Spanish-American heritage. The survey reveals that (1) most women are still employed in low-level or female-dominated fields, (2) a gap remains between salaries of men and women, and (3) most women believe government assistance with child care is needed. The study concludes with a list of predictions for the future, based on the idea that \"when outlooks change, behavior follows.\" An expectation is that women will pursue lifestyles which combine careers and homemaking with more shared responsibilities in marriage. Chapters discuss women's opinions; their work; marital status; motherhood, family planning, and childhood; leisure activities and the media image of women; and the effect of the women's movement. Statistical tables, a copy of the 19 page questionnaire, and a bibliography are included. (KC)\nDescriptors: Attitude Change, Child Care, Employed Women, Family Planning, Family Role, Females, Feminism, Homemakers, Leisure Time, Marital Status, Mass Media, Mothers, National Surveys, Occupational Surveys, Prediction, Questionnaires, Sex Differences, Sex Discrimination, Sex Role, Statistical Surveys\nSuperintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (Stock No. 052-003-00249-3, $1.25 paper cover)\nPublication Type:Reports - Research Education Level:N/A Audience:N/A Language:N/A Sponsor:N/A Authoring Institution:National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, Washington, DC.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7463331818580627} {"content": "Kexue, or science, captured the Chinese imagination in the early twentieth century, promising new knowledge about the world and a dynamic path to prosperity. Chinese Buddhists embraced scientific language and ideas to carve out a place for their religion within a rapidly modernizing society.\nExamining dozens of previously unstudied writings from the Chinese Buddhist press, this book maps Buddhists' efforts to rethink their traditions through science in the initial decades of the twentieth century. Buddhists believed science offered an exciting, alternative route to knowledge grounded in empirical thought, much like their own. They encouraged young scholars to study subatomic and relativistic physics while still maintaining Buddhism's vital illumination of human nature and its crucial support of an ethical system rooted in radical egalitarianism. Showcasing the rich and progressive steps Chinese religious scholars took in adapting to science's rising authority, this volume offers a key perspective on how a major Eastern power transitioned to modernity in the twentieth century and how its intellectuals anticipated many of the ideas debated by scholars of science and Buddhism today.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.907366156578064} {"content": "We develop a monetary model with flexible supply of labor, cash in advance constraints and government spending financed by seignorage. This model has two regimes. One regime is conventional with two steady states. The other regime has a unique steady state which can be determinate or indeterminate. In the latter case there exist sunspot equilibria which are stable under adaptive learning, taking the form of noisy finite state Markov processes at resonant frequencies. For a range of parameter values, a sufficient reduction in government purchases will eliminate these equilibria.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.966844379901886} {"content": "Tolerance to bacterial cell wall components including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may represent an essential regulatory mechanism during bacterial infection. Two members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, TLR2 and TLR4, recognize the specific pattern of bacterial cell wall components. TLR4 has been found to be responsible for LPS tolerance. However, the role of TLR2 in bacterial lipoprotein (BLP) tolerance and LPS tolerance is unclear. Pretreatment of human THP-1 monocytic cells with a synthetic bacterial lipopeptide induced tolerance to a second BLP challenge with diminished tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 production, termed BLP tolerance. Furthermore, BLP-tolerized THP-1 cells no longer responded to LPS stimulation, indicating a cross-tolerance to LPS. Induction of BLP tolerance was CD14-independent, as THP-1 cells that lack membrane-bound CD14 developed tolerance both in serum-free conditions and in the presence of a specific CD14 blocking monoclonal antibody (MEM-18). Pre-exposure of THP-1 cells to BLP suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor-kappaB activation in response to subsequent BLP and LPS stimulation, which is comparable with that found in LPS-tolerized cells, indicating that BLP tolerance and LPS tolerance may share similar intracellular pathways. However, BLP strongly enhanced TLR2 expression in non-tolerized THP-1 cells, whereas LPS stimulation had no effect. Furthermore, a specific TLR2 blocking monoclonal antibody (2392) attenuated BLP-induced, but not LPS-induced, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 production, indicating BLP rather than LPS as a ligand for TLR2 engagement and activation. More importantly, pretreatment of THP-1 cells with BLP strongly inhibited TLR2 activation in response to subsequent BLP stimulation. In contrast, LPS tolerance did not prevent BLP-induced TLR2 overexpression. These results demonstrate that BLP tolerance develops through down-regulation of TLR2 expression.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9939834475517273} {"content": "August 2016 - NICE is updating this guidance (see the in development page for information). The NHS should continue to follow the recommendations in this guidance until the update is complete.\nThe National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on sacrocolpopexy using mesh for vaginal vault prolapse repair.\nIt replaces the previous guidance on mesh sacrocolpopexy for vaginal vault prolapse (NICE interventional procedures guidance 215, March 2007).\nNICE was notified of various procedures for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. NICE asked the Review Body for Interventional Procedures to undertake a systematic review of these procedures.The Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee (IPAC) considered the systematic review and have also produced guidance on: sacrocolpopexy using mesh for uterine prolapse repair, infracoccygeal sacropexy using mesh for vaginal vault prolapse repair, infracoccygeal sacropexy using mesh for uterine prolapse repair and insertion of uterine suspension sling (including sacrohysteropexy) using mesh for uterine prolapse repair.\nDescription\nVaginal vault prolapse occurs when organs above or around the vagina slip down from their normal position. Sacrocolpopexy is an operation that aims to provide support for the pelvic organs in their natural position. This is achieved by attaching a piece of material (mesh), usually from the top and back of the vagina, to a ligament of the lower back bone.\nP24.2 Sacrocolpopexy\nYour responsibility\nThis guidance represents the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, healthcare professionals are expected to take this guidance fully into account. However, the guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer.\nCommissioners and/or providers have a responsibility to implement the guidance, in their local context, in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations. Nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.\nCommissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5597406029701233} {"content": "Continue Reading\nSome advantages to being twins are that the twins have a sibling their age, may understand each other better and can have a strong bond while some disadvantages are that they may often be compared to each other and not viewed as individuals. Identical twins occur when one fertilized egg divides into two, and these twins have the same genes. Fraternal twins occur when there are two fertilized eggs; these twins share half of the same genes and can be different sexes.\nTwins can often have strong bonds between each other, understanding each other in ways that other siblings or parents may not. However, it is important to see twins as individuals with their own distinct personalities. Ways parents can achieve this is to spend time with each twin individually, give them their own space and give them separate gifts based on their own interests.Learn more about Genealogy", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7565658092498779} {"content": "The people we spend time with\ninfluence how successful we are. They influence how hard we work, how we deal with failure, how big our goals are.\nThis includes the people\nwe surround ourselves with online AND the ‘people’ we watch on TV.\nIf you doubt this,\nlisten and watch a TV watching 5 year old. She’ll likely have the mannerisms and the vocabulary of the TV characters.\nWhat we see becomes normal for us.\nWhen I watch an episode of Real Housewives, I tend to bicker and fight with the people around me. I grow dissatisfied with my house. I’m less likely to work hard. Because these attitudes don’t drive me toward my goals, I rarely watch Real Housewives.\nAre you surrounding yourself\nwith people, both real and imaginary, who drive you toward your goals?\nThis entry was posted on Sunday, March 10th, 2013 at 6:00 am and is filed under New Business Development. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9326292872428894} {"content": "Fat loss is all about caloric expenditure. We must burn more calories than we take in. While on the quest for fat loss, many people place far too much focus on how many calories they are burning during their exercise sessions. If you train in the proper way, you can actually greatly enhance the total [...]\nBrowsing articles tagged with \"\nweights\"", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5511293411254883} {"content": "On Thursday, the White House debuted plans to target a demographic long ignored by the Democratic Party given its history of electoral apathy: fourth graders.\nNext year marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, and the administration is celebrating by offering fourth graders and their families a chance to visit national parks and other public land free of charge. The program, called \"Every Kid in a Park,\" will take place during the 2015–2016 school year, and the National Park Foundation plans to provide travel assistance to schools with many low-income students.\nThe White House cited a 2010 Kaiser Family Foundation poll when announcing the project, which notes that kids spend about 53 hours a week glued to electronic devices. \"Every Kid in a Park\" will make these grueling hours more fun by helping kids practice properly Instagramming a sunset.\nThe program will also hopefully lead to a significant uptick in the number of young Junior Rangers across America, an underappreciated but reliable indicator of national well-being.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7707509994506836} {"content": "[en] The Hazar Basin is a 25 km-long, 7 km-wide and 216 m-deep depression located on the central section of the East Anatolian Fault zone (eastern Turkey) and predominantly overlain by Lake Hazar. This basin has been described previously as a pull-apart basin because of its rhombic shape and an apparent fault step-over between the main fault traces situated at the southwestern and northeastern ends of the lake. However, detailed structural investigation beneath Lake Hazar has not been undertaken previously to verify this interpretation. Geophysical and sedimentological data from Lake Hazar were collected during field campaigns in 2006 and 2007. The analysis of this data reveals that the main strand of the East Anatolian Fault (the Master Fault) is continuous across the Hazar Basin, connecting the two segments previously assumed to be the sidewall faults of a pull-apart structure. In the northeastern part of the lake, an asymmetrical subsiding sub-basin, bounded by two major faults, is cross-cut by the Master Fault, which forms a releasing bend within the lake. Comparison of the structure revealed by this study with analogue models produced for transtensional step-overs suggests that the Hazar Basin structure represents a highly evolved pull-apart basin, to the extent that the previous asperity has been bypassed by a linking fault. The absence of a step-over structure at the Hazar Basin means that no significant segmentation boundary is recognised on the East Anatolian Fault between Palu and Sincik. Therefore, this fault segment is capable of causing larger earthquakes than recognised previously.\nEU Marie Curie Excellence Grant Project (MEXT-CT-2005-025617: Seismic Cycles)\nUnderstanding the Irregularity of Seismic Cycles: A Case Study in Turkey", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9984815716743469} {"content": "Competence should be a given by the time you are being considered for an executive role. So what could stop you from being selected for promotion, or successful even if promoted? One answer is weak executive presence.\nWhat is executive presence? It has been called the “Je ne sais quoi” of executive success – invisible, hard to define, but definitely palpable in the boardroom. Bates Communication calls it the “wow factor” and defines it as “the ability to walk into a room and instantly attract positive attention”. With it, a leader is heard and considered; without it, overlooked and dismissed.\nIn my work with succession planning and executive team coaching, developing executive presence is emerging as one of the most critical development areas. Although some might think presence is the same as charisma, I believe presence is a skill that can be developed, not a charm that some are fortunate to have.\nWhat are the building blocks of executive presence?\nCharacter Confidence Conviction Clarity Consciousness Character\nSomeone with executive presence is grounded in deep values and known for consistency between his or her words and actions.\nConfidence\nA healthy self-regard attracts the confidence of others. Self-doubt and a need for approval create warning flags as does arrogance.\nConviction\nThe ability to stand alone marks someone with presence. Doing what is right despite opposition and obstacles has immortalized leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.\nClarity\nThe ability to communicate good and bad news and connect with others in a straightforward, compelling manner earns the respect and commitment of others. Waffling and confusion do not.\nConsciousness\nWithout strong self-awareness and emotional intelligence, a leader with confidence, conviction and clarity could be cunning and controlling. That kind of presence creates fear and resentment.\nTo sum up, competence is a necessary but not sufficient foundation for executive presence. Character, confidence, conviction, clarity and consciousness must also be developed.\nIs it a coincidence that the building blocks to enter and thrive in the C-Suite all start with “C”? I think not.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7811607718467712} {"content": "A cooperative corporation is a business trust that holds the title to a cooperative building and grants occupancy rights to shareholders of the corporation. Cooperative housing is not the same as a condominium. A condominium association is a group of individually owned units with an association of homeowners that handles the upkeep and maintenance of common elements. In contrast, cooperative housing is a corporation that holds the title to a building. People who live in a unit of the building must purchase a share of the corporation, and they get a lease instead of a deed in exchange for their purchase. Common upkeep and maintenance happens through the actions of the corporation's elected boards; these members must be elected from existing shareholders. To become a member of the corporation's shareholders, a potential unit buyer must be accepted by the board. and a shareholder cannot sell his or her share until the board approves the buyer.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7467474937438965} {"content": "119,532content UK rich-poor gap widening A new study has revealed that affluent Britons are accumulating wealth three times as fast as the destitute.\nAccording to a research study by the Office for National Statistics, total wealth for the richest tenth of British households increased by 21 percent between 2012 and 2014.\nHowever, for the bottom half of all households, total wealth rose by just 7 percent during the same period.\nThere are now growing concerns that Britain is becoming an increasingly unequal society.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8900366425514221} {"content": "Employer-required lodging expenses may now be deductible as an employee business expense or, if paid or reimbursed by the employer, excluded under an accountable plan, even if the employee is not away from home.\nThe IRS finalized rules it put into effect in 2012 allowing employees to deduct certain expenses paid or incurred for local lodging as business expenses.\nNormally, lodging expenses a taxpayer incurs while not traveling away from home are considered personal expenses under Sec. 262(a) and are not deductible. However, under the new rules, local lodging expenses that meet certain criteria will be considered ordinary and necessary business expenses and therefore deductible under Sec. 162.\nTo be deductible, local lodging expenses must meet a facts-and-circumstances test under Regs. Sec. 1.162-32(a) or qualify for a safe harbor under Regs. Sec. 1.162-32(b). Local lodging expenses paid by an employer on behalf of an employee may be deductible under Sec. 132 as a working condition fringe benefit if they meet the new tests. If an employee is reimbursed by the employer for local lodging expenses, the reimbursement amount may be excludable from the employee’s income if the expense allowance arrangement qualifies as an accountable plan under Sec. 62(c).\nOne factor considered under the facts-and-circumstances test is whether the expense is a “bona fide condition or requirement of employment imposed by the taxpayer’s employer.” Examples given in the regulations to illustrate the facts-and-circumstances test include employees who are required to stay at a local hotel during a work-related training session, professional athletes who are required to stay at a local hotel before a home game, an employee who is relocating for work and looking for a new home, an employee who has to stay at a hotel near the office while working long hours, and employees who occasionally are on call for a night duty shift and stay at a local hotel.\nUnder the safe harbor, local lodging expenses will be treated as an ordinary and necessary business expense if:\nThe lodging is necessary for the employee to participate fully in or be available for a bona fide business meeting, conference, training activity, or other business function; The lodging does not exceed five calendar days and does not occur more than once each calendar quarter; The employer requires the employee to remain at the activity or function overnight; and The lodging is not extravagant or lavish and does not provide a significant element of personal pleasure.\nIn response to a comment, the final regulations clarify that expenses that do not qualify for the Regs. Sec. 1.162-32(b) safe harbor may nevertheless be deductible under the facts-and-circumstances test.\nTaxpayers may apply the new rules to any tax year that is still open.\nBy Alistair M. Nevius, J.D., the JofA ’s editor-in-chief, tax.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6278566718101501} {"content": "As the demand for kidney transplantation continues to increase, some patients needing a transplant have looked abroad for available organs. The findings suggest that such “transplant tourism” by Americans may not be as safe as receiving transplants in the United States.\nTo investigate the issue, the researchers studied the outcomes of kidney transplant recipients who were US residents that travelled abroad for transplants and returned to University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for follow-up care. They compared these so called “transplant tourists” with similar patients who underwent both transplantation and follow-up care at UCLA.\nThe study included 33 transplant tourists and 66 UCLA-transplanted patients who were followed for an average of 16 months. The investigators noted that most transplant tourists travelled to their region of ethnicity with the majority receiving transplants in China (44 percent), Iran (16 percent), and the Philippines (13 percent). After receiving their transplants, tourists came to UCLA for follow-up about a month after their procedure.\nAfter one year, kidney rejection occurred in 30 percent of tourists compared with twelve percent of the UCLA-transplanted patients. The incidence of infections was not significantly different between tourists and UCLA-transplanted patients, but the severity and types of infections were markedly different. Seventeen tourists (52 percent) had at least one infectious complication, with three patients having had two or more infectious episodes. Nine patients (27 percent) were hospitalised with an infection listed as the primary cause of hospitalisation. By comparison, only six (nine percent) of the 66 UCLA-transplanted patients required hospitalisation for infectious complications following transplantation.\nOne patient in the transplant tourism group died from complications related to possibly donor-contracted hepatitis B. The investigators also noted that infections with cytomegalovirus were more common among tourists than UCLA-transplanted patients.\nMEDICA.de; Source: American Society of Nephrology (ASN)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7503212690353394} {"content": "Water is known as elixir of life. This precious resource is used by all living organisms for their survival. You might have noticed formation of scales on your kitchen sinks, bathroom surface. This is due to the prolonged use of hard water.\nHard water is water containing appreciable amounts of dissolved\nlike calcium and magnesium in the form of ions. As it contains minerals, it is not harmful to our health. When hard water is boiled, it releases carbonates forming scales in utensils like tea kettles used for boiling. Hard water can be distinguished by its metallic and dry taste. minerals\nWhat are the uses of Chlorine?\nScales caused by the prolonged use of hard water makes the kitchen, bathrooms, taps and other plumbing devices look old. Though the cations present in hard water (Ca2+, Mg2+) are water soluble, their relative concentration causes the displacement of ions from the solution. This is responsible for the calcinations seen on water faucets, which is nothing but a precipitation of calcium or magnesium carbonate. It is not suitable for some industrial applications as it may damage the equipments like pipes by slowly clogging the pipelines completely.\nWhat does rain water consists of?\nSoap does not lather easily in hard water though detergents do. This is because when they come in contact with soaps, hard water reacts with the organic acids (present in the soap) to form a precipitate called ‘scum’. Thus, hard water does not seem to be suitable for purposes like bathing and washing clothes.\nSoft water on the other hand contains few or no\n. It is treated water which only contains sodium ions and other ions removed. It may taste slightly salty and hence might not be suitable for drinking. Upon boiling, it does not form scales unlike the hard water. It also lathers easily with soaps and detergents. elements\n5 great ideas that emerged around the period of Renaissance.\nHardness could be of two types depending on the ions present. Temporary hardness is due to the presence of calcium and magnesium ions while permanent hardness is due to the presence of sulfate or chloride ions along with calcium and magnesium ions. Temporary hardness could be removed by boiling or adding lime while permanent hardness cannot be.\nWhy is sodium kept under kerosene?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6494379043579102} {"content": "Across racial and educational groups, households with children have fewer resources than those without. Typical white, college-educated couples without children have nearly three times more wealth than their peers with children. Typical black, non-college-educated couples without children earn 57 percent higher incomes than similarly situated black couples with children. Typical Hispanic, non-college-educated couples without children have 3½ times more savings than their peers with children.\nhttp://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/analysis/2016/04/07/what-your-household-type-reveals-about-your-financial-security", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9998178482055664} {"content": "Gardner, Leigh A. (2012)\nThe rise and fall of sterling in Liberia, 1870-1943. In: Modern and comparative economic history seminar, 15th November 2012, London School of Economics and Political Science. (Unpublished)\nAbstract\nRecent research on exchange rate regime choice in developing countries has revealed that a range of factors, from weak fiscal institutions to the inability to borrow in their own currencies, limits the range of options available to them. This paper uses the case of Liberia to illustrate that new states in Africa during the gold standard era faced similar limitations, even in the absence of formal colonial rule. The rapid depreciation of the Liberian dollar in the nineteenth century led to the adoption of sterling as a medium of exchange and store of value. This initially made it easier for Liberia to service its sterling-denominated debt and for Liberians to purchase imports from Britain. However, as economic relations with the United States deepened during the twentieth century, instability in the pound-dollar exchange rate created serious dislocations in the Liberian economy, ultimately leading the official adoption of the U.S. dollar in 1943. The story of Liberia illustrates the long-standing challenges of globalization for peripheral economies and suggests the need for a reassessment of the origins and impact of colonial monetary regimes.\nActions (login required)\nRecord administration - authorised staff only", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8686481714248657} {"content": "Charter school lotteries are fixed. I am not suggesting operators have systematic ways to populate schools with high-achieving students. For the most part, this is a misconception propagated by charter school detractors. However, even when operators entice lottery participation, voluntary entry skews the composition of charter populations. To truly fix charter lotteries, give every student a chance.\nThe issue is particularly relevant in NYC, which has 197 charter schools educating 83,200 students, according to the NYC Charter School Center, a support organization. The center says interest is so high that all but a handful have to choose students by lottery.\nInstead of relying on voluntary participation, charter lotteries should include every student within a district or zone. Assuming random selection, including all students would provide an equal opportunity to win the lottery. Students selected by drawing would attend a charter, unless they refuse placement. Such a fix would maintain the power of school choice while providing all the opportunity to make that choice.\nCurrent procedures presuppose the existence of family members and advocates who have the motivation to choose lottery participation. The need for a lottery suggests that many students receive such support. For these overcrowded pools of entrants, lotteries provide a fair way to select incoming classes. Yet, for students with advocates too stubborn, apathetic, or negligent, a lottery offers no chance. Their absence (and loss) is not random.\nIn fairness to many charter operators, the inability of lotteries to select classes of students that are equivalent to local public schools should not unequivocally eliminate admiration of charter outcomes. Many charters provide high-quality education that yields positive outcomes. Yet, critics dismiss performance of charters if they serve students who are less underprivileged or vulnerable than their traditional school peers. In my courses, I challenge that condemnation by asking, \"How poor must students be before their educational attainment becomes impressive?\" I have similar trouble with detractors who accuse charters of supporting race and class segregation. The accusers cast judgment as charters attempt to meet the needs of parents who must navigate between irreconcilable choices of education and equality for their children. Because they tend to focus on meeting the needs of underprivileged communities, segregated student populations often accompany the possibilities offered by charters.\nLike current policies, my proposed charter lottery fix has trade-offs. Most notably, entering all students in a lottery limits the choice of some students. After all, to have the opportunity to make a choice, the student must still win a seat.\nSimilarly, my proposed fix does not guarantee equivalent charter and traditional school populations. Non-random factors such as residence and child care could unduly bias school choices. My \"opt out\" proposal may not compel responses from those who overlook school choice options. However, including the entire population of students in the lottery would safeguard against the unequal distribution of non-responders among charter and traditional schools.\nRegardless of claims otherwise, charter school lotteries are anything but random. Although drawings indiscriminately select winners from the lot of entrants, their procedures discriminate against the neediest of students. Not every knocked-upon door will be opened, phone call answered, or flier hung upon a refrigerator. For students behind closed doors, lacking a reliable phone number, without a refrigerator, or a flier-hanging guardian, choice was never an option.\nTo give these students a chance, charter school lotteries need a fix.\nCraig Hochbein is an assistant professor of educational leadership at Lehigh University's College of Education.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9034274220466614} {"content": "Viewpoint: Reshaping the industry toward innovation, certainty and efficiency\nIt is no secret that capital costs of major projects have skyrocketed over the past decade. A July 2015 industry report noted that the average megaproject’s cost increase is 80% of its original value, with an average schedule slippage of 20 months.\nIt is no secret that capital costs of major projects have skyrocketed over the past decade. A July 2015 industry report noted that the average megaproject’s cost increase is 80% of its original value, with an average schedule slippage of 20 months.\n1\nAt first glance, these statistics, combined with the lower-for-longer oil environment, yield a poor outlook for moving capital investments forward in today’s oil and gas market. However, the lower-for-longer oil environment is a positive opportunity for owners and contractors to collaborate, reverse the trend and reshape the industry into one that is known for innovation, all while delivering certainty and capital efficiency.\nFig. 1. Extensive modularization can reduce required material quantities and craft hours onsite. Use of the 3rd Gen Modular Execution approach on the capture portion of the Shell Quest carbon capture and storage facility, helped reduce the capital cost by 30% from initial estimates.\nInnovation\nThe same industry report noted that productivity in the construction industry has remained flat for decades, while productivity improvements in manufacturing have nearly doubled.\nTo improve capital costs and schedule delivery, we must innovate and challenge the status quo. Three years ago, Fluor created a business transformation and innovation organization to lead the company in working with clients to develop new ideas and technology that improve project execution and reduce costs. This organization is driving a culture shift throughout the company, and empowering our organization to be more creative and innovative.\nHowever, innovation does not just stem from the top down. Our industry can also advance productivity and new ideas by fostering an inventive culture and encouraging employees to ask not why, but why not? On nearly every project, employees are developing unique ideas that can improve a project’s capital intensity through better design and project execution. With corporate encouragement, support and funding, employees are empowered to take these ideas from concept to reality, where they are then shared throughout the organization.\nOn a recent project, a project engineer noticed that crews may not be able to anticipate all safety hazards. This discovery led her to develop a new application called safety pin, which helps site leadership enhance safety by mapping critical activities taking place on project sites.\nIn the early design phase of another recent effort, the team had a small amount of water that required treatment. Rather than incorporating a water treatment plant into the design, the team developed a way to safely flare the water rather than treat it. This novel approach removed the requirement for a water treatment plant, reducing the project’s capital cost by millions of dollars and improving operating efficiency.\nEncouraging our teams to be creative, fully explore new ideas and challenge time-tested practices enables project teams to improve capital efficiency and delivery certainty for our clients.\nDelivery certainty\nHow do we shift the average 20-month megaproject delay into one where on-time delivery is the norm? Delivery certainty is best achieved with delivery control—that means having one organization focusing on delivering the complete project. This approach allows work to flow seamlessly between phases. Fabrication and construction teams can bring their expertise to bear from the project’s inception. Early evaluations of design and execution strategies by these teams have produced significant improvements in the engineered products delivered to the jobsite, and the design is easier to fabricate and construct.\nIn a traditional contracting model, engineering and technology teams are the only ones engaged in the early phases of the project. Contractors transition work and the associated responsibility at the end of each phase, which can create silos. This approach pushes unresolved issues to construction, which creates unnecessary delays and cost challenges in the most labor-intensive and costly project phase. With all resources focused on delivering the project with maximum predictability and capital efficiency at the outset, unresolved issues are mitigated before they occur, preventing unnecessary consequences.\nAn example of this collaborative approach is advanced work packaging, where construction activities are planned and sequenced in the design phase of the project. Details on materials, equipment, tools and schedule are generated during the engineering phase and are ready before craft teams are mobilized to the site. This approach was recently designated as a construction best practice by the Construction Owners Association of Alberta. Implementing this approach and investing in the early mobilization of construction and fabrication resources has yielded substantial productivity improvements on job sites, with Fluor achieving reductions in direct craft hours of between 15% and 18% on direct-hire projects.\nThis approach can be expanded with other better-build solutions, such as integrating scaffolding into front-end construction planning. Scaffolds are identified and designed into the 3D model during the detailed design phase, reducing quantities and minimizing at-grade scaffolding. Scaffold clips are installed in the fabricated steel when it arrives to the site, saving critical construction hours, reducing costs and improving safety.\nCapital efficiency\nFluor has been working with a major oil and gas company to create a step-change improvement in project execution, making projects 30% cheaper, 30% shorter and 30% safer. The focus for all clients is not just on a reduction in contractor rates, but an improvement in total capital expenditure.\nCollaboration must begin in the early phases, such as front-end engineering and design (FEED). While typically accounting for between 0.8% and 2% of the total capital cost, FEED is where owners have the largest opportunity to impact capital cost reduction. The design, fabrication and procurement decisions made in FEED shape a project into either one that will not go forward due to the high costs, or into one that will pass the company’s hurdle rates and deliver long-term value.\nFluor began collaborating with the client very early in the FEED stage of a project. Using our 3rd Gen Modular Execution approach to optimize the facility, we reduced the plot plan by 40% compared to a traditional design, lowering bulk material costs and the number of required onsite craft hours. Combined with process simplification, capital costs were reduced to 85% of the initial estimate. With integrated engineering, procurement and construction execution, the sanctioned cost and schedule has been maintained throughout the life of the project, fully meeting the client’s business objectives.\nAnother concept that holds enormous potential for the industry, but also requires early collaboration, is the zero-base execution approach. Beginning with a minimal design, the goal is to develop a safe, operable and maintainable facility, while unraveling and removing additional requirements and standards that typically do not provide a return on investment. In this approach, the project only delivers what is truly needed for the facility. We achieve a practical minimum design that optimizes capital expenditure and future operating expenditures. Teams utilizing this approach have seen a 33% plot reduction and a 20% tag reduction, while maintaining facility capacity.\nWith these approaches, our industry has an incredible opportunity to deliver innovation, certainty and capital efficiency for our clients to achieve the return on investment they need to move forward with high-priority projects.\nHP\nLITERATURE CITED\nChangali S., A. Mohammad and M. van Nieuwland, “The construction productivity imperative,” McKinsey and Co., July 2015.\nThe Author\nRelated Articles\nFrom the Archive", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6939805150032043} {"content": "By Ben Levisohn\nReports in the media indicate that Biogen is being considered as an M&A target. We view the possibility that this R&D powerhouse might consider a “safe haven” exit as reasonable due to the high level of uncertainty around both Tecfidera (we think Forward’s case is strong) and Aducanumab (is ARIA the PML of AD?) and the ongoing CEO transition. However, looking at Biogen as a target, we believe many of the standard synergies that drive many acquisitions are missing. Biogen’s significant SG&A spend may be difficult to trim due to the significant infrastructure required to sell into the MS market and it’s difficult to envision an acquisition where the world’s premiere neurology R&D engine wasn’t a major objective. By contrast, a Biogen acquisition would catapult the company into the development and commercialization of some of the most complex and politically isolated drugs in the healthcare sector…Somewhat surprisingly, based on changes in terminal value, Biogen looks more valuable when swallowed intact than as a collection of current and near pipeline drugs.\nShares of Biogen have risen 0.9% to $317.50 at 12:08 p.m. today, while the\niShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) has advanced 0.6% to $297.89.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9831424355506897} {"content": "Endocardial endothelium modulates myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness in aequorin-loaded ferret myocardium. Abstract\nThe influence of selective removal of the endocardial endothelium (by a 1-second exposure to the detergent Triton X-100, 0.5%) on myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness and intracellular Ca2+ transients was studied in ferret papillary muscles loaded with the Ca(2+)-regulated bioluminescent indicator aequorin. The removal of endocardial endothelium produced three major effects: 1) a decrease in peak developed tension and an early onset in isometric relaxation without corresponding changes in the intracellular Ca2+ transient; 2) a rightward shift in the peak [Ca2+]i-peak tension relation with no change in maximum Ca(2+)-activated twitch tension; and 3) a decrease in steady-state tetanic force with a slight increase in the steady-state [Ca2+]i (at 4 mM [Ca2+]o) and an unchanged steady-state tetanic force with a clear increase in the steady-state [Ca2+]i (at 10 mM [Ca2+]o). These results suggest that intact endocardium may enhance performance of the heart by increasing the myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness through endothelium-derived compounds such as endothelin. This hypothesis is supported by our observations that endothelin 1) induced a leftward shift in peak [Ca2+]i-peak tension curve and 2) could reverse the characteristic changes produced by the removal of endocardium.\nCopyright © 1992 by American Heart Association", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5820490717887878} {"content": "Junkie Thinking has a new address...my favorite link!! You will always find this web site handy on Freedom's front door....\nJunkie Thinking Junkie Thinking\nWhen it comes to addictive behavior and thought processes, the smoker is right up there with the cocaine or heroine addict. Especially in the early stages of quitting smoking do we tend to crave \"Just One\". Unfortunately, that is nothing but the mind of the addict rationalizing the next of many fixes. (Excerpted from Patricia Allison's book \"Hooked But Not Helpless\") Find out why \"Just One\" can never be an option...\n\"One Puff won't hurt\" JUNKIE THINKING: \"One puff will always hurt me, and it always will because I'm not a social smoker. One puff and I'll be smoking compulsively again.\" RESPONSE: \"I only want one.\" JUNKIE THINKING: \"I have never wanted only one. In fact, I want 20-30 a day every day. I want them all.\" RESPONSE: \"I'll just be a social smoker.\" JUNKIE THINKING: \"I'm a chronic, compulsive smoker, and once I smoke one I'll quickly be thinking about the next one. Social smokers can take it or leave it. That's not me.\" RESPONSE: \"I'm doing so well, one won't hurt me now.\" JUNKIE THINKING: \"The only reason I'm doing so well is because I haven't taken the first one. Yet once I do, I won't be doing well anymore. I'll be smoking again.\" RESPONSE: \"I'll just stop again.\" JUNKIE THINKING: \"Sounds easy, but who am I trying to kid? Look how long it too me to stop this time. And once I start, how long will it take before I get sick enough to face withdrawal again? In fact, when I'm back in the grip of compulsion, what guarantee do I have that I'll ever be able to stop again?\" RESPONSE: \"If I slip, I'll keep trying.\" JUNKIE THINKING: \"If I think I can get away with one little \"slip\" now I'll think I can get away with another little \"slip\" later on.\" RESPONSE: \"I need one to get me through this withdrawal.\" JUNKIE THINKING: \"Smoking will not get me through the discomfort of not smoking. It will only get me back to smoking. One puff stops the process of withdrawal and I'll have to go through it all over again.\" RESPONSE: \"I miss smoking right now.\" JUNKIE THINKING: \"Of course I miss something I've been doing every day for most of my life. Bud do I miss the chest pain right now? Do I miss the worry, the embarrassment? I'd rather be an ex-smoker with an occasional desire to smoke, than a smoker with a constant desire to stop doing it.\" RESPONSE: \"I really need to smoke now, I'm so upset.\" JUNKIE THINKING: \"Smoking is not going to fix anything. I'll still be upset, I'll just be an upset smoker. I never have to have a cigarette. Smoking is not a need; it's a want. Once the crisis is over, I'll be relieved and grateful I'm still not smoking.\" RESPONSE: \"I don't care.\" JUNKIE THINKING: \"What is it exactly that I think that I don't care about? Can I truthfully say I don't care about chest pain? I don't care about gagging in the morning? I don't care about lung cancer? No, I care about these things very much. That's why I stopped smoking in the first place.\" RESPONSE: \"What difference does it make, anyway?\" JUNKIE THINKING: \"It makes a difference in the way I breathe, the way my heart beats, the way I feel about myself. It makes a tremendous difference in every aspect of my physical and emotional health.\" RESPONSE:", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7808364629745483} {"content": "The easiest way to keep miniblinds clean is to regularly dust the slats with a microfiber cloth, duster or vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. However, when a deep cleaning is necessary, keep your miniblinds clean and fresh with a variety of methods.\nVinyl, Plastic or Aluminum\nRemove the blinds from the window and place them in a bathtub filled with warm water, 2 tablespoons of dish soap and a cup of white vinegar. Swish the blinds around in soapy water and let them sit for an hour. Drain the tub and rinse the blinds with warm water. Gently shake them to remove excessive water and allow them to dry.\nWood Miniblinds\nWood miniblinds may be left on the window while they are cleaned. Use a quality wood furniture polish, or make your own by combining 1-cup mineral oil, 1/4-cup white vinegar, and 1/4-cup water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on individual slats and polish them with a microfiber cloth. Do not soak the blinds in water; it can cause the slats to warp.\nFabric Miniblinds\nFabric miniblinds, especially silk, are the hardest to clean. For the best results, contact a professional cleaner. Blot the stains with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and a clean white cloth until they disappear. Do a spot check first to ensure the solution does not discolor the fabric. Do not use water on fabric miniblinds.\nPhoto Credits BurAnd/iStock/Getty Images", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9673905968666077} {"content": "Our upside-down confusion about fairness\nOur society tolerates gross unfairness every day. It tolerates misogyny, racism and the callous indifference to those born without privilege.\nBut we manage to find endless umbrage for petty slights and small-time favoritism.\nWhen a teacher gives one student a far better grade than he deserves, and does it without shame, we're outraged. When the flight attendant hands that last chicken meal to our seatmate, wow, that's a slight worth seething over for hours.\nWhen Bull Connor directed fire hoses and attack dogs on innocent kinds in Birmingham, it conflated the two, the collision of the large and the small. Viewers didn't witness the centuries of implicit and explicit racism, they saw a small, vivid act, moving in its obvious unfairness. It was the small act that focused our attention on the larger injustice.\nI think that most of us are programmed to process the little stories, the emotional ones, things that touch people we can connect to. When it requires charts and graphs and multi-year studies, it's too easy to ignore.\nWe don't change markets, or populations, we change people. One person at a time, at a human level. And often, that change comes from small acts that move us, not from grand pronouncements.\nHappy birthday, Martin.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6212434768676758} {"content": "Correlation between rCBF and histological changes following temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion. Abstract\nCorrelations between changes in regional, cortical, cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and histological changes in the corresponding brain regions were examined following middle cerebral arterial occlusion in 24 cats. In all animals, the duration of arterial occlusion was 2 hours followed by 2 hours of recirculation. The animals were divided into 2 groups according to the severity of the observed histological damage. Severe cortical damage was observed in 8 cats (Group A), and, in the remaining 16 cats, little or no cortical damage was seen (Group B). There was a statistically significant difference between these 2 groups in the average rCBF values during ischemia. During recirculation, there was a prompt and uniform recovery of rCBF in animals in group B but a marked diversity; of rCBF ranging from hyperemia to oligemia in animals in group A. This diversity of rCBF reflects inhomogenous blood flow. This study indicates potential hazards for surgical revascularization in the aute stage of stroke when brain damage has progressed beyond a certain level.\nCopyright © 1980 by American Heart Association", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6961756944656372} {"content": "SYDNEY--Australian retail sales rose 0.6% in June, and were stronger than expected in the second quarter of the fiscal year largely due to strong demand from home furnishings as housing construction starts to accelerate.\nEconomists had expected a 0.3% rise in the month, reflecting a shallower recovery in consumer confidence after the government announced new taxes and spending cuts in its 2014-15 budget in May and an unseasonably warm winter that curbed demand for warm clothing.\nSales for May were upwardly revised by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to a fall of 0.3% from a 0.5% decline when the figures were first released. Retail sales in the second quarter fell 0.2% from the prior quarter, compared with an expected fall of 0.5%.\n-Write to James Glynn at james.glynn@wsj.com", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6028366088867188} {"content": "Mon, Jan 23, 2017 at noon:\nDecline of cash assistance and child well-being, Luke Shaefer\nSlemrod, Joel. 2010. \"Old George Orwell Got It Backward: Some Thoughts on Behavioral Tax Economics.\"\nFinanzarchiv, 66(1): 15-33.\nIt is entirely appropriate that the study of public finance take seriously \"behavioral\" in-consistencies with traditional models of individual and collective decision-making. This raises the question of whether the state should play a role in protecting individuals from themselves, and whether individuals are susceptible to manipulation, or even exploitation, by the people who comprise the state. In this essay I two aspects of this issue - tax complexity and tax compliance. In addressing these issues I ask, and offer some tentative answers to, what is distinctive about behavioral tax economics as a sub-field of behavioral economics and as a sub-field of tax economics.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7745857238769531} {"content": "ERIC Number:ED219696 Record Type:RIE Publication Date:1982-Mar Pages:9 Abstractor:N/A Reference Count:0 ISBN:N/A ISSN:N/A\nThe Relationship between Assertiveness and College Satisfaction in a Multicultural Population.\nAbston, Nathaniel, Jr.; Wesley, Andrea L.\nThe changing ethnic population of college students presents a need to assess college satisfaction, particularly in view of the increasing numbers of black students attending predominantly white colleges and universities. The relationship between assertiveness and college satisfaction was studied in a multicultural population of 23 black and 23 white college students who completed the College Self Satisfaction Questionnaire and the College Self Expression Scale. Statistical analyses did not support the hypothesis of a significant relationship between assertiveness and satisfaction. In addition, no statistically significant ethnic differences were found for assertiveness. Black students did, however, achieve higher scores than white students on the assertion measure. Black students were significantly less satisfied with their college experience, confirming previous research. The findings suggest that assertiveness and college satisfaction may be inversely related. (Author/JAC)\nPublication Type:Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers Education Level:N/A Audience:N/A Language:English Sponsor:N/A Authoring Institution:N/A Note:Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association (28th, New Orleans, LA, March 24-27, 1982).", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8906964659690857} {"content": "Investigation of the Impact of Turboprop Propulsion on Fuel Efficiency and Economic Feasibility Date2014-10-02 Author\nAntcliff, Kevin Richard\nMetadataShow full item record Abstract\nThis study explored a 130-passenger advanced turboprop commercial airliner with the purposes of economic feasibility and energy efficiency. A baseline vehicle and a derivative vehicle were researched and analyzed in detail. Based on the findings of this analysis, an advanced future airliner was designed. For the advanced airliner, advanced technologies were suggested and projections of these technology benefits were implemented. Detailed performance analysis was conducted for all three aircraft. The energy efficiency of each vehicle was compared to current and future N+3 aircraft. Lastly, cost analysis was performed to observe the impact of these energy savings. The three existing and future concepts evaluated were: 1) Bombardier 80- passenger Q400 baseline, 2) An expanded 130-passenger Bombardier Q400 termed the Q400XL, and 3) an N+3 advanced 130-passenger turboprop airliner termed the N+3 Airliner. The N+3 Airliner was compared to the SUGAR High, a Boeing/NASA N+3 aircraft, in both fuel efficiency and economic feasibility. The N+3 Airliner was 22 percent more energy efficient. At current oil prices, the N+3 Airliner had nearly identical operating cost. However, at two times current oil prices, the N+3 Airliner has a slight advantage economically. Therefore, as long as the price of oil is above 2011 oil prices, $3.03 per barrel, the N+3 Airliner will be an economically viable option.\nCollections Doctoral Dissertations [11451]", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8224489688873291} {"content": "Continue Reading\nA colony of bees may establish a functional hive with comb in about a month, depending on factors such as species, colony size and availability of food. However a hive is never truly finished, and bees continue to expand the hive and its food stores until winter.\nAn average bee colony can contain up to 50,000 individual bees at the height of the season. In a new hive's second year, or sooner if the hive is overcrowded, a colony of bees usually swarms. During swarming, over half of the worker bees, along with the existing queen, leave their hive to establish a new, separate colony in a different location.Learn more about Biology", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9350059032440186} {"content": "Continue Reading\nUsed pop-up truck campers are typically available for purchase from local dealers listed on recreational vehicle websites such as Camping World, RV Trader and Hallmark Campers. These websites provide a means for used equipment dealers from around the United States to advertise available units.\nPop-up truck campers are units that are set into the bed of a pickup truck. The defining characteristic of these units is that the ceiling can be jacked up, typically with a manual cranking system. This pop-up feature provides more headroom inside the camper. Additionally, truck campers often feature post jacks that support the weight of the camper when parked and in use to stabilize the unit independently from the vehicle suspension system. These jacks are mechanically operated or power-assisted on newer and high-end models.\nUsed pop-up truck campers generally retail for $2,500 to $28,000 as of 2015, depending on year and model as well as condition of a particular unit. More expensive models have luxury features such as an indoor toilet and shower connected to a water tank, a built-in counter and sink system and multiple bunks. High-end models also typically feature integrated power systems that power conveniences such as a refrigerator, stereo system and propane stove system.Learn more about Vehicles", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.56540846824646} {"content": "NeuroEE Project ID: 660219 Finanziato nell'ambito di: Delineation of a brain circuit regulating energy expenditure to impact body weight Dal2016-02-01 al2018-01-31, progetto in corso Dettagli del progetto Costo totale:EUR 195 454,80 Contributo UE:EUR 195 454,80 Coordinato in:United Kingdom Invito a presentare proposte:H2020-MSCA-IF-2014See other projects for this call Meccanismo di finanziamento:MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Obiettivo\nObesity is now a global epidemic with a significant and deleterious impact on human health. My career aim is to clarify the neural underpinnings of energy expenditure (EE) given that this makes a significant contribution to body weight. During my early career, I discovered a circuit linking the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) to brown adipose tissue (BAT) and inducing thermogenic beige (browning) white adipose tissue (WAT), regulating EE. Moreover, I found that the VMH-BAT axis is utilized by estrogen (Cell Metabolism, 2014) and nicotine (Diabetes, 2012) to increase EE and decrease body weight. My preliminary data indicate that a critical node between the VMH and BAT is the raphe pallidus (RPa), a brain region known to drive sympathetic tone to BAT. My immediate career aim is to clarify the neurochemical communicator receiving the VMH-EE related input and transmitting to BAT and browning. Given that the RPa is rich in the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) which plays a role in thermoregulation, I hypothesize that 5-HT is a crucial component of my circuit. I propose to perform a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship (MSC) under Prof Lora Heisler’s supervision, arguably the global leader in 5-HT obesity research. Her laboratory is in the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, an Institute with more than a century of focused state-of-the-art obesity and nutrition research. This will supply an optimal environment for a MSC providing me with the opportunity to broaden my research interests, and allowing me to construct an international network of obesity researchers. A MSC will also provide the opportunity for me to be trained in transferable next generation engineered genetic technology that will allow me to rigorously and definitively test my current research hypothesis and to provide state-of-the-art expertise that will form a platform for my future career.\n5-HT, brown adipose tissue, browning, raphe pallidus, ventromedial hypothalamus Coordinatore Contributo UE: EUR 195 454,80\nKING'S COLLEGE REGENT WALK\nAB24 3FX ABERDEEN\nUnited Kingdom\nNumero di registrazione: 195912 / Ultimo aggiornamento: 2016-03-21", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7392087578773499} {"content": "It is recommended to keep the daily simvastatin dose to 20 mg or less to avoid this side effect of the drug combination. Statins such as atorvastatin (Lipitor®), lovastatin (Mevacor®) and simvastatin (Zocor®)are metabolised via a cytochrome P450 3A-dependent pathway while fluvastatin (Lescol®), pravastatin (Pravachol®)and rosuvastatin (Crestor®) are metabolised via cytochrome P450 3A-independent pathways. As simvastatin and amiodarone are metabolised by the same isoenzyme, in the present case, the concomitant use of these drugs may have resulted in competition, resulting in excess of free plasma statin and thereby causing myotoxicity. However, there are limited publications on this interaction and the exact mechanism has not been established.\n-Wes\nh/t:\nWSJ.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9292588233947754} {"content": "Comparing two trajectories from molecular simulations conducted under different conditions is not a trivial task. In this study, we apply a method called LDA-ITER to compare two molecular simulation results by finding the appropriate projection vectors. Because LDA-ITER attempts to determine a projection such that the projections of the two trajectories do not overlap, the comparison does not suffer from a strong anisotropy, which is an issue in protein dynamics. LDA-ITER is applied to two test cases: the T4 lysozyme protein simulation with or without a point mutation and the allosteric protein PDZ2 domain of hPTP1E with or without a ligand. The projection determined by the method agrees with the experimental data and previous simulations. The proposed procedure, which complements existing methods, is a versatile analytical method that is specialized to find the difference between two trajectories.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9829684495925903} {"content": "EMMPRIN (CD147) is a novel receptor for platelet GPVI and mediates platelet rolling via GPVI-EMMPRIN interaction.\nThe Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN, CD147, basigin) is an immunoglobulin-like receptor expressed in various cell types. During cellular interactions homotypic EMMPRIN-EMMPRIN interactions are known to induce the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases. Recently, we have identified EMMPRIN as a novel receptor on platelets. To our knowledge EMMPRIN has not been shown to serve as adhesion receptor, yet. Here we characterise platelet glycoprotein VI (GPVI) as a novel adhesion receptor for EMMPRIN. Human platelets were prestimulated with ADP and perfused over immobilised recombinant EMMPRIN-Fc or Fc-fragments under arterial shear conditions. ADP-stimulated platelets showed significantly enhanced rolling (but not enhanced firm adhesion) on immobilised EMMPRIN-Fc compared to Fc. Pretreatment of platelets with blocking mAbs anti-EMMPRIN or anti-GPVI leads to a significant reduction of rolling platelets on immobilised EMMPRIN-Fc, whereas pretreatment with blocking mAbs anti-p-selectin, anti-alpha4-integrin or anti-GPIIb/IIIa complex (20 microg/ml each) had no effect. Consistently, chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with GPVI showed enhanced rolling (but not adhesion) on immobilised EMMPRIN-Fc in comparison to non-transfected CHO cells. Similarly, CHO cells stably transfected with EMMPRIN showed enhanced rolling on immobilised GPVI-Fc (or EMMPRIN-Fc) compared to non transfected CHO-cells. Finally, specific binding of EMMPRIN to GPVI was demonstrated by a modified ELISA and surface plasmon resonance technology with a dissociation constant of 88 nM. Platelet GPVI is a novel receptor for EMMPRIN and can mediate platelet rolling via GPVI-EMMPRIN interaction.DOI:", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9877480864524841} {"content": "CENOVIS VITAMIN D 1000IU TABLETS\nDue to a lack of sun exposure many Australians have less than optimal Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, which is important, as a diet deficient in calcium can lead to osteoporosis in later life. Cenovis® Vitamin D3 helps to maintain normal calcium metabolism, for bone growth and to assist peak bone mass. Adequate Vitamin D nutrition is also needed to help maintain muscle strength as well as maintaining healthy nervous and immune systems. In a once daily formula, Cenovis® Vitamin D3 provides the natural form of Vitamin D in a small easy-to-swallow mini tablet.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.820716142654419} {"content": "Withthe rapid accumulation of whole genome sequencesfor a wide diversity of taxa, especially microbialtaxa, phylogenetic reconstruction based on changesin gene order and gene content is showing promise,particularly for resolving deep (i.e., ancient) branchsplits. However, reconstruction from gene-order datais even more computationally expensive than reconstructionfrom sequence data, particularly in groups with largenumbers of genes and highly-rearranged genomes. Wehave developed a software suite, GRAPPA, that extendsthe breakpoint analysis (BPAnalysis) method of Sankoffand Blanchette while running much faster: in a recentanalysis of chloroplast genome data for species ofCampanulaceae on a 512-processor Linux superclusterwith Myrinet, we achieved a one-million-fold speedupover BPAnalysis. GRAPPA can use either breakpointor inversion distance (computed exactly) for itscomputation and runs on single-processor machinesas well as parallel and high-performance computers.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8132363557815552} {"content": "Your editorial (March 20, \"The cost of news\") revealed that newsroom jobs at newspapers are down 28 percent nationwide since 2001. This should worry every citizen, whether or not they read and pay attention to the news.\nThe\nFreeman's parent company recently has been sold due to bankruptcy. Our region can only hope your staff and their valuable service to the community are maintained.\nCitizens, imagine the dangers of not having quality newspapers and their reporters. How would we learn about our local governments, schools, businesses, events or threats to our safety? We need a regional perspective.\nWithout reporting, how would there be any accountability to guard against abuse and corruption? What opportunities would be missed? A community without reporters to keep it informed will not long function or survive.\nIt's been too easy to take newspapers for granted, too easy to let someone else support the press. If local newspaper reporters are gone, the Internet will not have local sources. We will be blinded with ignorance and deaf to dangers.\nI urge citizens to support their newspaper by maintaining subscriptions, even if they are not able to read every issue thoroughly or agree with every editorial. Freedom of the press is not free; it requires the people to maintain the press. A subscription is an act of citizenship.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6390038728713989} {"content": "External or internal shocks may lead to the collapse of a system consisting of many agents. If the shock hits only one agent initially and causes it to fail, this can induce a cascade of failures among neighoring agents. Several critical constellations determine whether this cascade remains finite or reaches the size of the system, i.e. leads to systemic risk. We investigate the critical parameters for such cascades in a simple model, where agents are characterized by an individual threshold\nHow big is too big? Critical Shocks for Systemic Failure Cascades\nClaudio J. Tessone, Antonios Garas, Beniamino Guerra, Frank Schweitzer\nVia Complexity Digest", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9839023947715759} {"content": "It is generally thought that most visual abilities develop in the first years of life, and if they do not get a chance to develop (usually through eye problems), they cannot be gained later.\nFor example, people who have had severe congenital cateracts from birth that prevent light from entering the eye, often have trouble making sense of objects if this condition is cured later in life, because the brain has not developed the necessary functions to make sense of objects.\nSacks and Siegel’s letter follows a previous report in\nNature that reported on the development of useful vision after 30 years of blindness.\nBoth of these reports suggest that the brain is more ‘plastic’ (able to reorganise) than was previously thought. This is contrast to ten years ago, when it was largely accepted that the brain developed few new functions after early adulthood.\nLink to letter ‘Seeing is believing as brain reveals its adaptability’.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5825785994529724} {"content": "Minimize risk and maximize profits with convertible arbitrage\nConvertible arbitrage involves purchasing a portfolio ofconvertible securities-generally convertible bonds-and hedging aportion of the equity risk by selling short the underlying commonstock. This increasingly popular strategy, which is especiallyuseful during times of market volatility, allows individuals toincrease their returns while decreasing their risks. ConvertibleArbitrage offers a thorough explanation of this unique investmentstrategy. Filled with in-depth insights from an expert in thefield, this comprehensive guide explores a wide range ofconvertible topics. Readers will be introduced to a variety ofmodels for convertible analysis, \"the Greeks,\" as well as the fullrange of hedges, including titled and leveraged hedges, as well asswaps, nontraditional hedges, and option hedging. They will alsogain a firm understanding of alternative convertible structures,the use of foreign convertibles in hedging, risk management at theportfolio level, and trading and hedging risks. ConvertibleArbitrage eliminates any confusion by clearly differentiatingconvertible arbitrage strategy from other hedging techniques suchas long-short equity, merger and acquisition arbitrage, andfixed-income arbitrage. Nick Calamos (Naperville, IL) oversees research and portfoliomanagement for Calamos Asset Management, Inc. Since 1983 hisexperience has centered on convertible securities investment. Hereceived his undergraduate degree in economics from SouthernIllinois University and an MS in finance from Northern IllinoisUniversity.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.96112459897995} {"content": "Intense sympathetic stimulation releases neuropeptide Y but fails to evoke sustained coronary vasoconstriction in dogs. Abstract\nWe determined whether a 3-minute period of intense cardiac sympathetic stimulation, which is known to release neuropeptide Y (NPY), elicits a sustained poststimulatory coronary vasoconstriction in anesthetized dogs that had received propranolol. We also periodically measured the cardiac chronotropic responses to test vagal stimulations; these responses served as an index of the neuronal release of NPY. In a group of 11 animals, the coronary vascular resistance increased by 14 +/- 4% during the sympathetic stimulation. After cessation of stimulation, however, coronary vascular resistance returned rapidly to its control value. The cardiac responses to the test vagal stimuli were attenuated by approximately 40% after cessation of sympathetic stimulation, and this inhibitory effect persisted for approximately 60 minutes. In a second group of eight dogs, we determined whether the intense sympathetic stimulation potentiates the coronary vascular responses to exogenous norepinephrine (NE). Before sympathetic stimulation, standard intracoronary infusions of NE increased coronary vascular resistance by 14 +/- 2%. Intense antecedent sympathetic stimulation did not alter the coronary vascular responses to subsequent NE infusions. However, the chronotropic responses to test vagal stimuli were initially attenuated by approximately 30%, and this inhibitory effect persisted for approximately 1 hour. In a third group of four dogs, we found that exogenous NPY significantly potentiated the coronary vasoconstriction evoked by NE infusions. The coronary vascular responses to combined infusions of NE and NPY were consistently greater (by approximately 13%) than the sum of the responses to these substances when they were infused separately. We conclude that, even though sufficient NPY appears to be released from the sympathetic nerve endings to inhibit vagal neurotransmission, the quantity of NPY released into the coronary blood vessels under the conditions of our experiments appears to be insufficient either to elicit a sustained coronary vasoconstriction or to potentiate the vasoconstrictor effects of intracoronary NE infusions.\nCopyright © 1993 by American Heart Association", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9913137555122375} {"content": "Cosmic Serpent explored commonalities between western and native science, taking into account that native cultures have, over millennia, developed ways of knowing that are highly adapted, interconnected, and enduring. Each knowledge system informed the practice of science and its role in society in a fundamental way, and the commonalities provided a framework for developing mutually inclusive learning experiences in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The project recognized previous work that attempted to integrate both systems. Our innovative and collaborative approach explored commonalities between the two systems in the context of informal science education.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7719948291778564} {"content": "I love to travel and take exciting vacations. I love seeing new places, experiencing new things, and tasting new cuisine. The problem? I hate leaving my horses behind…especially the aging ones. But my job involves traveling to conventions across the country, so I've gotten used to leaving Dorado in capable hands while I'm away. This is good news, since I'll be taking an exciting trip next week—my honeymoon!\nThe first trip I had to take while leaving Dorado in the hands of his caretakers at his boarding barn was horrible…I worried about him all day, every day. And while I still hate leaving him behind, each subsequent trip has been easier because I keep coming back to a happy and healthy horse—with the exception of the trip I took when he was on stall rest last year; that was\nnot a fun trip. Anyway, I now have a routine down pat that I use to prepare to leave him in someone else's care. Here are some steps that I—and my parents—take when we're preparing to leave our senior horses in someone else's care, with some extra tips from The Horse regular contributor Dr. Stacey Oke (DVM, MSc).\nI always ensure my horse's \"guardian\" has access to all of my horse's emergency contacts—such as the veterinarian, farrier, and other professionals—by leaving their information on a stall card like this one.\nPhoto: The Horse\nFirst, even though Dorado resides at a boarding barn so he has numerous people checking on him throughout the day, I always leave an emergency contact in charge before I leave. For this trip, I've selected my good friend Kristen, who boards her horse across the aisle from Dorado and is well-versed in caring for older horses—in addition to her young off-the-track-Thoroughbred at the barn, she has two horses (one senior) at home whom she cares for daily.\nWhen choosing a caretaker or emergency contact, Dr. Oke offered some solid advice: \"A willing friend who won't charge for their time but who isn't very savvy when it comes to the day-to-day management of a horse, especially senior horses, might not be the best bet. Find a nice way to say thanks, but no thanks, and (consider hiring) a professional horse sitter.\"\nNext, I always ensure my horse's \"guardian\" has access to all of my horse's emergency contacts, such as the veterinarian, farrier, and other professionals. My veterinarian's and farrier's phone numbers are permanently posted on Dorado's stall card whether or not I'm out of town or not. I also always ensure that my horse's caretaker has written permission to make veterinary decisions on my behalf if I can't be reached.\n\"Having it in writing that the caretaker is allowed to make decisions for the owner would be a good idea, and have a copy of the letter sent to the regular veterinarian so they know in advance would also expedite matters in an emergency situation,\" Dr. Oke suggested.\nFor example, my parents were driving back to Michigan from Kentucky after attending the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2012 when they received a phone call from the horse sitter: a large piece of debris had struck our then 25-year-old Appaloosa mare in the head over night, and she had a large gash in her forehead. The veterinarian was on his way and would start treatment upon his arrival. Mom and Dad arrived home about six hours later to find Jessie all stitched up—and screaming for food.\nFor less serious wounds, it's always smart to ensure your horse's caretaker has access to your equine first-aid kit. I know Kristen is experienced in caring for wounds, but I'll still give her a quick rundown of where all my medical supplies live and will point out any concerns I might have about Dorado's health before I head out. This time, I know Dorado will be getting close to needing his shoes reset by the time we arrive home, so I'll ask her to just watch for loose shoes and to let me know if any develop so I can schedule an appointment with the farrier for as soon as we return.\nDorado's medication and supplements are easy: I prepare everything ahead of time and leave each in a small container, which is then mixed in his breakfast each morning.\nPhoto: Erica Larson\nAnd my family and I always ensure our horses' caretakers are well-versed on which horses need supplements or medications on a daily basis, and that they are completely clear on how to administer them. For instance, Dorado's medication and supplements are easy: I prepare everything ahead of time and leave each in a small container, which is then mixed in his breakfast each morning.\nOther supplements and medications aren't that simple: Brandy, our 24-year-old Miniature Horse, for example, needs pergolide and isoxsuprine each day, and she's not always willing to consume it all without a fight. And as Dr. Oke points out, pergolide shouldn't be exposed to sunlight or stored in very high temperatures, so we always make sure that the caretakers are clear on where to keep her pergolide between feedings (in our barn's medicine cabinet) and how to ensure she gets the full dose (basically, Brandy's a pig—if she doesn't eat all her food with the medicine mixed in on the first try, she just doesn't go outside until she does so. This doesn't happen frequently, but when it does she usually cleans her bowl within a half-hour).\nLikewise, our senior Appaloosa gelding Taz required ophthalmic drops daily to help keep his uveitis in check and he needed to wear a fly mask every day during the last few years of his life. He was typically very agreeable to these drops being administered, but we were always sure our horse sitters were clear on how to administer the drops and made sure they understood the importance of him wearing his mask.\nSome other good points to consider:\nDr. Oke suggests having your horse's full medical records on hand in the event of an emergency. Especially if the veterinarian treating your horse in a pinch isn't his regular vet, having a history of previous medical conditions can be hugely helpful.\nEnsure your caretaker has access to your truck and trailer, or arrange for them to have access to a rig if you don't own one, in case of emergency.\nDr. Oke always suggests having a back-up caretaker in case your primary caretaker has an emergency, or needs a second opinion in the event of an emergency.\nAlso, if you're having someone exercise your horse while you're away, leave detailed instructions on what you'd like done, what they should and shouldn't do, and any health problems that might impact your horse's ability to exercise (such as arthritis or heaves).\nIt might seem daunting on paper, but in reality ensuring your senior horses are in good hands while you're away comes down to a few simple steps. I'll definitely be taking all the aforementioned steps before I leave on my honeymoon to ensure Dorado is in the best hands possible in my absence.\nHow do you prepare to leave your senior horses with a sitter?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5619909763336182} {"content": "Humanitarian Corridors vs. Humanitarian Truce: The Debate Continues\nThe debate over the best way to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in Syria continues. On Tuesday, after Syrian forces bombed a bridge that civilians were using to flee to Lebanon, Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stated that “[h]umanitarian corridors must immediately be opened.” In response, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reiterated its opposition to this option. ICRC spokesman, Saleh Dabbakeh, stated, “The ICRC does not believe that humanitarian corridors are the ideal solution to what is happening in Syria,” so “[w]hat we have called for is the humanitarian pause where there is fighting that will last for two hours and it will take place every day.” News reports indicate that the ICRC has been negotiating the humanitarian truce option with both government and opposition leaders for at least two weeks.\nAs noted in previous HPCR posts, some from the humanitarian sector worry that emergency relief initiatives will inexorably lead to political and military intervention while others, who support political and military intervention, argue that humanitarian aid is not enough in view of the systematic abuses to the civilian populations. (For a comprehensive examination of the Syrian security crackdown in Homs, see this Human Rights Watch report from last fall.) This debate continues amidst various initiatives geared toward addressing the crisis. On Wednesday, Valerie Amos, the United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, will begin a three-day visit to Syria. And Kofi Annan, the joint United Nations Arab League envoy to Syria, will visit Damascus starting Saturday. (Though, as the International Crisis Group notes, Annan’s mission represents “a chance to rescue fading prospects for a negotiated transition” but faces a “slim chance” of success.) Additionally, China’s former ambassador to Syria, Li Huaxin, now China’s special envoy to Syria, will visit Syria this week, and Russia will meet with various Arab League countries in Cairo to discuss the crisis on Saturday.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5337325930595398} {"content": "The flux density\nS as a function of frequency and the angularsize of a radio source are the observables directly relevant to most cosmologicalproblems. They are related to the intrinsic source luminosity L and projected linearsize d as described below.\nConsider an isotropic source at redshift\nz with spectral luminosity L at frequency (measured in the sourceframe). Its spectral flux density S measured at the same frequency (in the observer's frame) will be\n(15.1)\nwhere\nA is the area of the sphere centered on the source andcontaining the observer and - ln( S / S 0) / ln(/ 0) is the two-pointspectral index between the frequencies and 0 = / (1 + z) in theobserver's frame. (Note that the negative sign convention for is used throughoutthis chapter.) The (1 + z) 1+term expresses the special relativistic Doppler correction; the geometry and expansion dynamics of the universe appear only in A. An \"effective distance\" D(Longair 1978)can be defined by A 4 D 2. Sincethe area of the sphere centered on the observer and containing a source at redshift z is always A / (1 + z) 2, the relation between(projected) linear size d and measured angular size is\n(15.2)\nThe \"angular size\" distance is defined by\nD d / = D /(1 + z). The \"bolometric luminosity distance\" D bol defined by S bol = L bol /(4 D bol 2) is given by D bol = D(1 + z).\nIn Friedmann models (cosmological constant = 0) with zeropressure, density parameter =2\nq 0, and current Hubble parameter H 0the effective distance is traditionally given(Mattig 1958) as\n(15.3)\nHowever, this formula is numerically unstable for small\nz, thetransformation (based onTerrell 1977)\n(15.4)\nis better for numerical calculations. For particular values of,\nD reducesto the simpler forms:\n(15.5a)\nTo describe the distributions of sources in space and time, we also needthe comoving volume\ndV of the spherical shell extending from z to z + dz. It is dV = 4 D 2 dr, where the comoving radial coordinateelement is dr = - (1 + z) c dt. In a Friedmannuniverse the expansion rate is\n(15.6)\nso\n(15.7)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7533644437789917} {"content": "Abstract\nThe article explores whether people experiences a lower level of work–household conflict in a context that is characterized by extensive family policies (Sweden and to some extent Hungary and Czech Republic) aimed at facilitating participation in the labour market. This is done by studying perceived work–household conflict among women and men living in Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. The analyses are based on the answers to a questionnaire distributed to nearly 6,000 randomly selected individuals within the framework of the European Union financed ‘Household, Work, and Flexibility’ (HWF) study. The results show that women in Sweden experience conflicts between work and household demands to a higher degree than any other category in all five countries. The differences between Swedish women and women living in the Netherlands and the UK are explained by variables indicating qualifications and workload in the main job, but the lower degree of work–household conflict among Czech and Hungarian women is still significant when controlling for household composition and working conditions. Data indicate that a possible explanation for this can be found in the interplay between men's and women's attitudes toward gender roles and the actual situation in terms of division of labour.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.739843487739563} {"content": "Citation\nO’Driscoll, M.P. & Cooper, C.L. (2002). Job-related stress and burnout. In P. Warr (Ed.), Psychology at Work (pp. 203-228). London, England: Penguin Group.\nPermanent Research Commons link: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/4431\nAbstract\nOccupational stress is a topic of substantial interest to organizational researchers and managers, as well as society at large. Stress arising from work conditions can be pervasive and significant in its impact on individuals, their families and organizations. There is also a widespread belief that management of job stress is a key factor for enhancing individual performance on the job, hence increasing organizational effectiveness. Sethi and Schuler 1984 outlined four major reasons why job stress and coping have become prominent issues: a concern for individual employee health and well-being; b the financial impact on organizations including days lost due to stress-related illness; c organizational effectiveness; and d legal obligations on employers to provide safe and healthy working environments.\nDate2002 Type Publisher\nPenguin Group\nRights\nThis chapter has been published in the book: Psychology at Work. ©Peter B. Warr and contributors, 1996, 2002. Used with permission.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8449303507804871} {"content": "Signers from 28 organizations advocating for global HIV responses called on United States Senators Robert Menendez and Robert Corker to schedule a confirmation hearing in the next week for Dr. Deborah Birx, nominated by the White House last month to serve as the next U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and lead the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief. The position to lead the U.S. flagship humanitarian program, and the largest effort internationally dedicated to combating a single disease, has stood vacant since early November, when Ambassador Eric Goosby stepped down from the post he had held for the previous five and half years. Before Dr. Goosby assumed the position in June 2009, the leadership spot had remained open for nine months, four of them following President Obama’s nomination of him.\nSen. Menendez, the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen. Corker, the committee’s ranking Republican introduced the 2013 PEPFAR Stewardship and Oversight Act last September. The Act, which renewed authorizaton for PEPFAR funding for the next five years, was voted unanimously into law by the House and the Senate in November. In their letter, sent today, signers express concern that efforts to implement the PEPFAR Act’s provisions, to accelerate HIV treatment access efforts, and coordinate the program’s work for greater efficiency will stall without a leader. Organizations signing the letter include American Jewish World Services, AVAC, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Housing Works, amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, and the IDSA Center for Global Health Policy, which produces this blog.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.583622932434082} {"content": "Less than six months from now, “metro-mayors” will take office in some of England’s biggest cities, armed with the largest personal mandates in politics after Sadiq Khan’s. And with these mayors being given powers over housing, transport and infrastructure in their city region, it’s no surprise that candidates from Westminster and the business community have been drawn to the roles, including Andy Burnham, former shadow health secretary, and Andy Street, former John Lewis managing director.\nHowever, it’s also clear that these metro-mayors will face challenges when they take office in May. These include negotiating economic uncertainty as Brexit negotiations begin in earnest, and winning over the local politicians and residents who are sceptical about the role. These new mayors will not only need to deliver on their electoral promises, but also have to establish their offices as efficient, effective and credible in Britain’s centralised system of governance.\nRead the rest of the article on Times Red Box", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.947264552116394} {"content": "When it comes to Social Security, there are few questions as important as when you're eligible to apply and how much you're likely to get every month.\nIn the video below, Motley Fool contributor John Maxfield answers the following question from a reader:\nI'm confused by some Social Security information, especially the amount I'll be receiving once I apply. I'm retiring at age 63 in Dec. 2015. Some sites are stating that I'll get $800 a month. Yet, people I've actually spoken to say I'll be getting almost three times that amount. Who should I be listening to? Also, clarify for me when I'm supposed to apply for Social Security. I was born in May. Do I apply three or six months before my birthday?\nTry any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9986673593521118} {"content": "Government Transfers and Political Support\nWe estimate the impact of a large anti-poverty cash transfer program, the Uruguayan PANES, on political support for the government that implemented it. Using the discontinuity in program assignment based on a pre-treatment eligibility score, we find that beneficiary households are 11 to 14 percentage points more likely to favor the current government relative to the previous government. Political support effects persist after the program ends. A calibration exercise indicates that these persistent impacts are consistent with a model of rational but poorly informed voters learning about politicians' redistributive preferences.\nThis paper was revised on December 5, 2011\nDocument Object Identifier (DOI): 10.3386/w14702\nPublished: Marco Manacorda & Edward Miguel & Andrea Vigorito, 2011. \"Government Transfers and Political Support,\" American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 3(3), pages 1-28, July. citation courtesy of\nUsers who downloaded this paper also downloaded these:", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6987204551696777} {"content": "Some Evidence on the Importance of Sticky Wages\nWe thank Mark Bils, Matteo Iacoviello, Peter Klenow, Peter Ireland, Emi Nakamura, Fabio Schiantarelli, Jon Steinsson and seminar participants at Boston College, CREI, the European Economic Association Annual Meetings, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and the NBER Summer Institute for useful suggestions and comments. The usual disclaimer applies. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6316623091697693} {"content": "Micronutrients Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020\n(PRWEB) August 26, 2014\nTransparency Market Research has published a new report titled “Micronutrients Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020”. According to the report, global market for micronutrients was valued at USD 4.37 billion in 2013 and is anticipated to reach USD 7.59 billion in 2020, expanding at a CAGR of 8.2% between 2014 and 2020.\nThe market for micronutrients is driven by high demand for quality and uniform yield owing to increasing population and depleting arable land. Furthermore, the global micronutrients market is driven by deficiency of micronutrients in soil across various regions. This affects the yield and growth of plants. One of the major challenges in the agricultural industry is to meet demand for food globally. Micronutrients offer the highest potential for improvement in quality and uniformity in the yield of crops. Depleting arable land is likely to provide opportunities for hydroponically produced food and seed treatment applications. However, higher prices of micronutrients and lack of awareness regarding applications, technological know-how and dosage of micronutrients is expected to hamper growth of the micronutrients market. Some government and development organizations are taking initiatives to create awareness among growers and farmers.\nBrowse the Full Micronutrients Market Report: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/micronutrients-market.html\nZinc was the most widely used micronutrient across various regions. It accounted for over one third of the total volume demand in 2013. However, molybdenum, which is required in a small quantity in crops and plants, is estimated to be the fastest growing product segment in the micronutrients market in the next few years. Soil is the most applied technique for micronutrients. Foliar applications constituted the second-largest share of 23.4% in the micronutrients market in 2013. However, other applications such as seed treatment and hydroponics are projected to provide better opportunities for the global micronutrients market in the near future.\nCereals accounted for the highest demand among crop types for micronutrients in 2013. Cereals such as wheat, rice, maize, barley and oats constitute majority of food sources in various regions. Fruits and vegetables are anticipated to be the fastest growing crop types for micronutrients during the forecast period. Other types of crops such as flowers are also likely to provide opportunity for the micronutrients market in the next few years. Pulses and oilseeds accounted for the second-largest demand of 29.6% for micronutrients in 2013.\nBrowse the full Micronutrients Market Press Release: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/micronutrients-market.htm\nAsia Pacific dominated the micronutrients market in 2013 and accounted for over 50% of the market share in 2013. The region is estimated to exhibit potential growth for the micronutrients market during the forecast period. Asia Pacific was followed by North America, which is projected to be the fastest growing region in the micronutrients market during the forecast period. Demand for micronutrients is increasing in North America due to depleting arable land and higher demand for quality and uniform yield. Europe held the third-largest demand for micronutrients in 2013. Rest of the World is anticipated to witness stable demand for micronutrients between 2014 and 2020.\nThe report provides a comprehensive view of the micronutrients market in terms of volume and revenue. Additionally, the report includes current demand analysis and forecast for product segments, applications, crop types and form types in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World.\nThe report comprises the following segments:\nMicronutrients Market - Product Segment Analysis\nBoron Copper Iron Manganese Molybdenum Zinc Others (Including chlorine, nickel, etc.)\nGet report sample PDF copy from here: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1410.\nMicronutrients Market - Application Analysis\nFertigation Foliar Soil Seed treatment Others (Including hydroponics, etc.)\nMicronutrients Market - Crop Type Analysis\nCereals Pulses and oilseeds Fruits and vegetables Others (Including floriculture, etc.)\nMicronutrients Market - Form Type Analysis\nNon-chelated Chelated\nMicronutrients Market - Regional Analysis\nNorth America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the World\nContact:\nSheela AK 90 Sate Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA/Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales(at)transparencymarketresearch(dot)com", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5671193599700928} {"content": "Because of the challenges that have contributed to homelessness, the lives of these individuals and families are in chaos.Their lack of a steady income and security of a home intensify whatever social, physical, and psychological challenges they face.\nStabilization Services\nStabilization Services provides intensive case management for persons with extra challenges. The problems these individuals face and the public services they utilize cost the community a significant amount of funds in healthcare, judicial processing and more.\nCurrently, the targeted individuals include:\nthe chronically homeless, individuals with a chronic disability who have been homeless for more than one year, or experienced homelessness four times within the past three years; those with mental illness who are homeless; and persons with chronic conditions are assigned disability specialists that can help obtain social security income. On-Site Medical and Dental Clinics\nPoor health and lack of affordable healthcare are among the top risk factors related to homelessness.\nMajor barriers to care include:\nlack of insurance or a Harris County Hospital District Gold Card cost of care lack of transportation long waits for care or appointments SEARCH collaborates with Healthcare for the Homeless – Houston (HHH) to provide on-site medical and dental care. HHH originated from a partnership between SEARCH and Baylor College of Medicine and currently provides homeless individuals with medical care, mental health counseling, dentistry, vision care, podiatry and health education.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9000726342201233} {"content": "In simple terms, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an approach to psychotherapy which serves to identify and explore patterns of thinking and behaving which are contributing to a problematic emotional state, exploring these thoughts and behaviours for the presence of inaccuracy, troublesome bias or distortion, and reconstructing more helpful and more accurate ones.\nIt is not about wishful thinking, or a denial of reality – conversely is about trying to discern actual evidence and fact, from inappropriate ‘meanings’ or ‘inaccurate conclusions’, correcting the distortions or faulty thinking, supporting the individual to accept the reality as it actually is, and where possible engaging in some appropriate problem solving strategies.\nWhat is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy used for?\nA Cognitive – Behavioural therapeautic orientation encompasses a range of specific counselling and clinical techniques and approaches and has been found to be extremely useful in a range of contexts and emotional disturbances – particularly depression and anxiety.\nFreecall 1800 877 924 to enquire about making an appointment with Ainsley or any of our psychologists specialising in the use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8835158348083496} {"content": "If you haven't buckled a child in a car seat since the days when the Cabbage Patch Kids ruled the toy aisle, the car seat you just bought for your grandchild looks different from what you remember. And, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there's a 44% chance you're not using one of its most important features – the top tether.\nToday, all front-facing car seats have a top tether, typically located just behind the upper back of the child seat. The strap hooks to a vehicle's rear shelf, seatback, floor, cargo area, or ceiling. In a crash, it's designed to keep the seat from tipping forward, preventing facial and head injuries. Since 1999, the top tether has been a key component of the car seat LATCH system along with lower straps that also anchor to the vehicle.\nYou might wonder why everyone isn't using tethers if they've been around for 17 years. Vehicle design is partly to blame. Cars manufactured before 2001 weren't required to have corresponding anchors for top tethers. And not until 2003 were lower anchors mandated.\nBut awareness seems to be the main problem. In the survey, IIHS asked non-users why they skipped the tether, and 30% responded they didn't realize it was there or didn't think their car had a corresponding anchor. Another 25% said they didn't know how to use it or where to attach it, and 13% admitted they were in too much of a hurry.\nThe big tether takeaway: Carefully read your car's owner's manual and the child seat manual (inadequately tightened, twisted, and improperly routed tethers are an issue, too). If you're still feeling unsure, take advantage of hands-on assistance at a Safe Kids Coalition inspection station: Washington inspection stations or Oregon inspection stations.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5658854842185974} {"content": "Jenny practices primarily in Spengler Nathanson's litigation department, with a focus on public entity and public employee liability, civil rights, law enforcement liability, employment-related litigation, probate litigation, estate planning, and ...\nPractice areas & skills: Education, Litigation, Personal Injury, Insurance\nEducation laws relate to how our schools operate. They cover matters like educational standards, school district and school board authority, student attendance, discipline, and dress code requirements. An education lawyer advises school districts and school boards and represents them in disputes with students, teachers, and parents. Education lawyers also represent parents who have issues with their children's education. For example, if you think your child has been improperly suspended from school, an education lawyer will help you determine if challenging the suspension is within your legal rights.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6893986463546753} {"content": "Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) has been described to exert beneficial and detrimental effects in various neurologic disorders. These conflicting roles of PGE₂ could be attributed to its diverse receptor subtypes, EP1-EP4. At present, the precise role of EP1 in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is unknown. Therefore, to elucidate its possible role in ICH, intrastriatal injection of collagenase was given in randomized groups of adult male wildtype (WT) and EP1 receptor knockout (EP1⁻/⁻)C57BL/6 mice. Functional outcomes including neurologic deficits, rotarod performance, open field activity, and adhesive removal performance were evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h post-ICH. Lesion volume, cell survival and death, were assessed using Cresyl Violet, and Fluoro-Jade staining, respectively. Microglial activation and phagocytosis were estimated using Iba1 immunoreactivity and fluorescently-labeled microspheres. Following 72 h post-ICH, EP1⁻/⁻ mice showed deteriorated outcomes compared to the WT control mice. These outcomes were demonstrated by elevated neurological deficits, exacerbated lesion volume, and significantly worsened sensorimotor functions. Fluoro-Jade staining showed significantly increased numbers of degenerating neurons and reduced neuronal survival in EP1⁻/⁻ compared to WT mice. To assess in vivo phagocytosis, the number of microspheres phagocytosed by Iba1-positive cells was 145.4 ± 15.4 % greater in WT compared to EP1⁻/⁻ mice. These data demonstrate that EP1 deletion exacerbates neuro-behavioral impairments following ICH, potentially by slowing down/impairing microglial phagocytosis. A better understanding of this EP1 mechanism could lead to improved intervention strategies for hemorrhagic stroke.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999391436576843} {"content": "Enriched iron(III)-reducing bacterial communities are shaped by carbon substrate and iron oxide mineralogy Date2012-12-03 Author\nLentini, Christopher J.\nConcept link\nWankel, Scott D.\nConcept link\nHansel, Colleen M.\nConcept link MetadataShow full item record Citable URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/1912/6985 As publishedhttps://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2012.00404 DOI10.3389/fmicb.2012.00404 Abstract\nIron (Fe) oxides exist in a spectrum of structures in the environment, with ferrihydrite widely considered the most bioavailable phase. Yet, ferrihydrite is unstable and rapidly transforms to more crystalline Fe(III) oxides (e.g., goethite, hematite), which are poorly reduced by model dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms. This begs the question, what processes and microbial groups are responsible for reduction of crystalline Fe(III) oxides within sedimentary environments? Further, how do changes in Fe mineralogy shape oxide-hosted microbial populations? To address these questions, we conducted a large-scale cultivation effort using various Fe(III) oxides (ferrihydrite, goethite, hematite) and carbon substrates (glucose, lactate, acetate) along a dilution gradient to enrich for microbial populations capable of reducing Fe oxides spanning a wide range of crystallinities and reduction potentials. While carbon source was the most important variable shaping community composition within Fe(III)-reducing enrichments, both Fe oxide type and sediment dilution also had a substantial influence. For instance, with acetate as the carbon source, only ferrihydrite enrichments displayed a significant amount of Fe(III) reduction and the well-known dissimilatory metal reducer Geobacter sp. was the dominant organism enriched. In contrast, when glucose and lactate were provided, all three Fe oxides were reduced and reduction coincided with the presence of fermentative (e.g., Enterobacter spp.) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (e.g., Desulfovibrio spp.). Thus, changes in Fe oxide structure and resource availability may shift Fe(III)-reducing communities between dominantly metal-respiring to fermenting and/or sulfate-reducing organisms which are capable of reducing more recalcitrant Fe phases. These findings highlight the need for further targeted investigations into the composition and activity of speciation-directed metal-reducing populations within natural environments.\nDescription\n© The Author(s), 2012. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Frontiers in Microbiology 3 (2012): 404, doi:10.3389/fmicb.2012.00404.\nCollections\nThe following license files are associated with this item:\nRelated items\nShowing items related by title, author, creator and subject.\nThe importance of dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) in the nitrogen cycle of coastal ecosystems Giblin, Anne E.; Tobias, Craig R.; Song, Bongkeun; Weston, Nathaniel; Banta, Gary T.; Rivera-Monroy, Victor H. (The Oceanography Society, 2013-09)Until recently, it was believed that biological assimilation and gaseous nitrogen (N) loss through denitrification were the two major fates of nitrate entering or produced within most coastal ecosystems. Denitrification ... Modeling sulfate reduction in methane hydrate-bearing continental margin sediments : does a sulfate-methane transition require anaerobic oxidation of methane? Malinverno, Alberto; Pohlman, John W. (American Geophysical Union, 2011-07-12)The sulfate-methane transition (SMT), a biogeochemical zone where sulfate and methane are metabolized, is commonly observed at shallow depths (1–30 mbsf) in methane-bearing marine sediments. Two processes consume sulfate ... Shimada, Koji; Kamoshida, Takashi; Itoh, Motoyo; Nishino, Shigeto; Carmack, Eddy C.; McLaughlin, Fiona A.; Zimmermann, Sarah; Proshutinsky, Andrey (American Geophysical Union, 2006-04-21)The spatial pattern of recent ice reduction in the Arctic Ocean is similar to the distribution of warm Pacific Summer Water (PSW) that interflows the upper portion of halocline in the southern Canada Basin. Increases in ...", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.730894923210144} {"content": "The term “sexual assault” elicits strong reactions from students. They want it off their campuses, now. Legislative and media spotlights remain fixed on campus sexual assaults, and many are wondering what they can do to help. As a growing number of universities update their policies and link sexual assault to alcohol – stating that students…", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9539007544517517} {"content": "Hunting for a Healthcare Partner Fox Chase Cancer Center Situation: A Cancer Center Takes a Turn for the Worse Based in Philadelphia, Pa., the Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) enjoys an excellentreputation for both research and care. FCCC is a National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only 41 such institutions inthe United States recognized as “leaders in the development of more effectiveapproaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”\nThanks greatly to its reputation, the 100-bed FCCC had a 100 percent patient self-referral rate, significant philanthropic support and fiscal year 2007 revenues of approximately $300 million, with more than $75 million coming from government grants and outside philanthropy. However, when the recession hit in 2008, FCCC faced considerable financial challenges. Charitable contributions fell, and the National Cancer Institute warned it might need to reduce its grant funding. The prospect of that loss of support led many key surgeons to leave FCCC, while cash on hand dropped so low the organization defaulted on its credit agreements. Without a waiver of those defaults, FCCC could not obtain going concern audits, which would have hampered its ability to attract the charitable support upon which it depended.\nWith so uncertain a financial picture, FCCC’s creditors demanded a financial and operational restructuring. FTI Consulting was engaged to improve performance in all areas of FCCC’s operations.\nFTI Consulting’s Role: Improving Margins, Exceeding Expectations\nBeginning in May 2009 and working alongside FCCC CEO and President Dr. Michael Seiden and his executive team, FTI assessed, designed, and implemented a Management Action Plan and began to execute an operational improvement turnaround. FTI Consulting filled in key management roles, including chief strategic implementation officer (CSIO), to ensure that the improvements were installed according to plan.\nAlthough FCCC’s Board expressed a strong desire for the healthcare provider to remain independent, it agreed to have the FTI Consulting CSIO assist with restructuring the organization and help FCCC’s Board assess its strategic options for long-term viability — including affiliating with other healthcare organizations.\n“The professionals at FTI Consulting brought a fresh perspective, rigor and discipline to improving our operations and financial health. They were focused and professional and brought a wealth of talent in both operational improvement and strategic positioning with key external stakeholders.”\nMichael Seiden, M.D., PH.D., CEO and President, Fox Chase Cancer Center\nIn its CSIO role, FTI Consulting improved FCCC’s cash position and negotiated with its lenders to give FCCC time to propose a comprehensive solution. FTI Consulting led negotiations with a variety of possible partners, affiliates and acquirers while advising the Board on the potential benefits and risks of proposed strategic alternatives, including remaining independent.\nOutcome: Teaming Up with Temple for Joint Success\nThe engagement surpassed expectations. Initially, FTI Consulting had projected $20 million in EBITDA improvements over 18 months. In fact, FTI Consulting’s implementation teams enabled FCCC to achieve $30 million in sustainable EBITDA improvements within just 14 months.\nDespite this impressive turnaround, FCCC’s creditors still doubted the organization’s ability to repay its financial obligations. Ultimately, the Board decided to merge with Temple University Health System (TUHS). FTI Consulting, managing the due diligence process and working with FCCC counsel, finalized the merger and negotiated a settlement with FCCC’s creditors. The TUHS merger was completed in mid-2012, with TUHS agreeing to buy FCCC for $83.8 million, invest $30.9 million into expanding the cancer center and pay off $126.5 million of FCCC’s long-term debt.\nToday, FCCC has a bright future as an integral part of the Temple University Health System. In 2014, U.S. News & World Report ranked FCCC as one of the top 20 hospitals in the country. In January 2015, Philadelphia Business Journal reported that efficiencies resulting from the merger have helped FCCC achieve profitability, with the health provider expected to turn a profit of $5.4 million for the fiscal year. With its financial house in order and the resources of TUHS behind it, FCCC is helping more patients and continuing to advance the boundaries of cancer research to help people live longer, healthier lives.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5431159734725952} {"content": "Think regarding bullying and young children. Do you think that bullying is more apt to occur in a public school setting or a private school setting? Do you think the setting has any effect on bullying, or is it primarily the child's age? Reflect on a bullying incident which you are aware of. The incident can comprise you as the victim, the bully, or a bystander. This might even be an incident which was reported in the news of which you are aware. Alternatively, you might share an incident which occurred with your own child or a child who is close to you. How could the condition have been changed or ignored?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9959250092506409} {"content": "[July 29, 2013]\nNexant iEnergy Continues to Raise the Bar for Utility DSM Business Process Management\nSAN FRANCISCO --(Business Wire)--\nNexant\ntoday announced a significant expansion of its\nNexant iEnergy™\nplatform and applications suite that provide utilities with a\ncomprehensive solution for managing all DSM (News - Alert) business processes as well\nas launching and managing an entire portfolio of energy efficiency,\nrenewable energy, and demand side management (DSM) programs.\nUtility executives and managers responsible for DSM portfolios are\nincreasingly challenged by the need to meet compliance requirements,\nmanage complex operations cost-effectively, and ensure customer\nsatisfaction. They struggle to meet these challenges, continuing to\nmanage programs using outdated tools such as spreadsheets and customized\nor CRM-based systems that do not fully automate the entire DSM business\nprocess.\nTo address this situation, Nexant has been actively deploying Nexant\niEnergy to utilities across North America, providing them with a\npowerful platform that includes:\niEnergy™ DSM Central (formerly TrakSmart) provides an end-t\nend DSM business process management platform for improved visibility,\nmanagement, and control in a single, secure, system of record.\niEnergy™ Trade Ally streamlines collaboration between utility\ncustomers, trade allies and utility program managers, enabling the\nentire energy efficiency and DSM community to work together\neffectively through an intuitive online portal.\niEnergy™ Home engages consumers to take action on energy\nconservation and participate in utility DSM programs through demand\nmanagement, equipment replacement and behavior modification.\niEnergy™ Demand Response enables utility program and operations\nteams to reliably and securely manage a full range of DR initiatives,\nincluding program design, enrollment and operations; event management\nand forecasting; performance and resource management.\n\"Using Nexant iEnergy for the Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program will\nenable us to achieve improved program visibility, streamline our\nreporting tasks, and better disseminate critical information to\nstakeholders and regulatory agencies,\" said Jim Jerozal, Managing\nDirector, Energy Efficiency, Nicor Gas. \"Most importantly, its\ncomprehensive capabilities and configurability will help to ensure that\nour programs are administered efficiently and cost-effectively.\"\n\"Nexant iEnergy is an innovative, cloud-based software platform that\nfundamentally changes how utilities manage all underlying operations and\nmarket engagement for energy efficiency and DSM to drive energy savings,\nreduce operating costs, and meet compliance requirements,\" said Nexant\nSVP and CTO Martin Milani. \"By orchestrating this end-to-end business\nprocess management, the platform brings together the entire DSM\necosystem that includes utilities, customers, trade allies, regulators,\nand third-party implementers.\"\nABOUT NEXANT\nNexant offers a comprehensive suite of best-in-class services and\nsoftware designed to transform utility business processes and implement\nsmart grid and demand management initiatives. Over the last decade, it\nhas been developing and commercializing technology solutions - such as\nNexant iEnergy™, Nexant Grid360™, Nexant iHedge®, and Nexant\nRevenueManager® - enabling utilities, power producers, and retailers to\nimprove operational and financial efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance\ncustomer engagement across the energy value chain.\n[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7905216217041016} {"content": "Figuring out what makes employees tick has always been a challenge for office leaders. No two employees will equally respond to the same incentives, encouragement or direction. In a recent survey conducted by consulting firm Rainmaker Thinking of 37,419 managers across hundreds of industries, “managing different personalities” was the third most often mentioned challenge, after time management and giving negative feedback (see sidebar below).\nDr. Alden Cass, a cl", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7394410371780396} {"content": "-- Charges That State Has No Plan; Patients May Suffer--\nNew York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today called on the New York State Department of Health (SDOH) to reconsider or delay the closures of Mary Immaculate and St. John’s Queens hospitals planned for the end of the month.\nIn a letter to Commissioner Richard Daines, which can be viewed at www.comptroller.nyc.gov, Thompson wrote: “SDOH has not publicly disclosed its plans to address the consequences of these closures. SDOH has also failed to address concerns including how nearby emergency rooms such as the one at Jamaica Hospital will be able to absorb an expected 50 percent increase in demand.”\nThompson charged that the SDOH made little effort to engage the community and stakeholders in its closure plans, despite knowing that the hospitals were in financial trouble.\n“With the City’s economy in decline, these closures are poorly timed from both a health care and economic perspective,” Thompson continued. “As increasing numbers of City residents lose their jobs and health insurance, there will be significant demands on emergency rooms as City residents’ access to primary care decreases. With capacity already strained, crowded emergency rooms mean longer wait times for patients, delayed ambulance response times, and possibly, diminished health outcomes.”\nThompson also expressed concerns regarding patient notifications and coordination with providers to ensure the continuity of care for out-patients. He also questioned how remaining hospitals will absorb the financial impact of increased patient loads.\nThompson called on the SDOH to reconsider or delay the closures of the facilities until the concerns he raised are addressed.\nOver the last month, Thompson has been advocating to prevent the closures of the hospitals and previously called on the State to find a solution that would be equitable for the residents and hospital employees.\nIn 2006, Thompson issued a report “\nEmergency Room Care: Will It Be There?,” analyzing the impact of the proposed closure of five hospitals, including Parkway Hospital in Queens. The report detailed how such closures could overwhelm emergency rooms at neighboring hospitals, reduce ambulance availability, and require New Yorkers to travel farther to reach an emergency room. Since then, Parkway Hospital, which was located near Mary Immaculate Hospital in Forest Hills has closed, placing added pressure on the remaining hospitals. If Mary Immaculate and St. John’s close as well, Western and Southwestern Queens will have lost 3 hospitals within two years.\nIn 2004, Jamaica Hospital, the closest hospital to Mary Immaculate, had roughly 100,000 emergency room visits compared to approximately 45,000 at Mary Immaculate. If all of the patients from Mary Immaculate switched to Jamaica Hospital, this would represent an almost 50% increase in activity.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8391739726066589} {"content": "Purchasing a home has been synonymous with the major goals of a growing family. A variety of home styles, such as a condominium, townhouse or a detached home, might accommodate your family's needs. Whether you've purchased a home before or you're purchasing a house for the first time, you will need to complete and supply a variety of documents.\nLoan Forms\nA mortgage loan application is the primary financing document that a home buyer completes. Income documents are required to purchase a house. Borrowers must supply a lender with tax records and pay stubs to validate recent earnings history. Federal and state laws require mortgage lenders to provide applicants with various documents, such as a good-faith estimate, truth in lending form, and other disclosures. Applicants will receive documents that display the projected costs for certain loan programs, as well as disclosures that inform borrowers of their rights when buying a home. For example, a borrower has the right to know why he was denied for a mortgage loan.\nLoan Approval Letter\nThe loan approval letter is a lender-issued document that reflects a borrower's maximum financing amount, as well as the loan type and the approximate rate of interest. A prospective home buyer who obtains a loan approval letter can begin her home search within an affordable price range. A mortgage approval letter may give a borrower confidence when speaking with home sellers or with a real estate agent about purchasing a house.\nSales Contract\nReal estate sales contracts are used to document the agreed-upon terms between a buyer and a home seller. Important details and time frames are listed in the sales contract. Documentation is used to provide transparency for both parties. For example, the sales price, acceptance date, settlement date and the earnest money deposit are reflected in a real estate sales contract. Property repairs that a seller agrees to handle before settlement, as well as a seller's contributions toward a buyer's closing costs are reflected in a sales contract. Certain seller-included items that will remain within the property, such as kitchen appliances, are documented in a sales contract, too.\nClosing Forms\nThe closing of escrow is the final phase a buyer completes toward purchasing a house. A variety of documents are signed during the closing process. A settlement statement documents certain costs, such as a home's purchase price, the amount financed, real estate taxes, legal fees and lending fees. A home buyer also receives documents that verify her property ownership and mortgage terms, such as a deed and a mortgage note.\nConsiderations\nHome buyers generally amass several significant documents during a purchase transaction. A property survey, homeowners insurance policy and other settlement documents should be kept in a fireproof box or a file cabinet. Safeguarding important real estate documents could position you to easily gather your records, if you need to file an insurance claim or to sell your home.\nPhoto Credits Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8852207064628601} {"content": "MMWR. 2007;56:673-678\n1 figure, 2 tables omitted\nOn October 17, 2006, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) was notified of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis, characterized by vomiting and diarrhea, among attendees at a family reunion. The outbreak initially was reported by a group of attendees to their local health department in Garrett County, Maryland. The same day, the information was relayed to the Grant County Health Department in West Virginia and subsequently to WVDHHR. The reunion was held on October 14 at a private residence in Grant County, West Virginia, and the 53 identified attendees included residents from Florida, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. This report describes a collaborative, multijurisdictional epidemiologic investigation using a cohort study and laboratory analyses to determine the source of infection and appropriate control measures. The results indicated that a combination of person-to-person and foodborne transmission of two strains of norovirus, likely introduced by persons from two different states and subsequently at least two food items, was the probable cause of these illnesses, highlighting the challenge of investigating and controlling norovirus outbreaks. During periods of peak norovirus activity, public health officials should emphasize the importance of appropriate handwashing and the exclusion of ill persons from social gatherings.\nIn collaboration with state and local health departments, interviews were conducted with 11 reunion attendees to help generate hypotheses and develop a list of attendees and foods served. A questionnaire was then developed to conduct a cohort study involving all reunion attendees. Questions addressed illness onset, symptoms, attendance at prereunion gatherings, consumption of specific food items, contact with ill persons, and onset of symptoms among nonattendees. Questionnaires were administered by telephone and in person by state and local health department staff members from West Virginia and Maryland in coordination with health departments from the other attendee jurisdictions in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.\nAn attendee case was defined as two or more episodes of nonbloody diarrhea (i.e., two or more loose stools in a 24-hour period) or vomiting within a single 24-hour period on or after October 7, 2006, in a person who attended the reunion. A nonattendee case was defined as acute illness characterized by vomiting or diarrhea with onset after 12 a.m. on October 18 in persons who did not attend the reunion but who had direct contact (i.e., within 3 feet) with attendees after the reunion.\nThe list of reunion attendees included 53 persons, of whom 48 (91%) were interviewed. Of those interviewed, 28 (58%) had illness that met the attendee case definition. In addition, four cases were identified among nonattendees, all of whom were household contacts of attendees. Symptoms reported by the 28 ill attendees included diarrhea (96%), vomiting (75%), abdominal cramps (71%), nausea (61%), headache (54%), chills (36%), body aches (32%), fever (not specified) (21%), and fatigue or malaise (18%). Nineteen (68%) of the 28 ill attendees were female, and six (21%) were aged ≤10 years. Six (21%) of the patients sought medical care. For the 25 patients who reported both date of illness onset and date of recovery, the median duration of illness was 54 hours (range: 6-135 hours). Twenty-one of the 28 attendee cases occurred during October 14-16.\nThe 1-day reunion began at 11 a.m. on October 14. Persons with illness onset after 8 p.m. on October 14 through 12 a.m. on October 18 were included in the cohort study, as were persons who attended but did not become ill. Persons with illness onset either before the reunion or after 12 a.m. on October 18 were excluded. Incubation periods were calculated by subtracting the date and time of the first possible exposure from the date and time of illness onset. The first possible exposure was defined as either the time the person arrived at the reunion or the time the person arrived at a prereunion gathering where previously ill persons were present. Nine of the 48 interviewed attendees were excluded from the cohort study because they did not meet the defined illness-onset criteria. Three had illness onset >72 hours after the reunion. Six attendees had illness onset either before the reunion or within 6 hours after the reunion began and might have introduced the illness into the reunion; four of these six were immediate family members from New York who had traveled to the reunion together, including a child who was ill with vomiting and diarrhea during the reunion, and the other two were West Virginia residents who had no contact with each other or the family from New York immediately before the reunion.\nOf the 39 attendees included in the cohort study, 19 met the case definition and illness-onset criteria, and 20 did not become ill. The median incubation period for the 19 cases was 36 hours (range: 20-61 hours). Of 31 food items served at the reunion, two items were identified as significant risk factors for developing illness (p<0.05, by two-tailed Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test) and were eaten by the majority of ill persons: scalloped potatoes (relative risk [RR] = 2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-6.9) and chicken (RR = 2.2, CI = 1.0-4.8). Both food items were eaten at the reunion by persons who were ill before the reunion, which might have provided an opportunity for these persons to contaminate the food at the event. The chicken was purchased at a store by the family from New York, whose four members had been ill before the reunion, which provided another opportunity for the food to be contaminated. The scalloped potatoes were brought by persons from West Virginia who were not ill before the reunion. Consumption of the chocolate cheese ball also was statistically associated with illness (p = 0.04), but the item was only eaten by seven persons. In addition, six of the seven attendees who ate the chocolate cheese ball also ate both the chicken and scalloped potatoes; all seven ate the chicken. Self-reported direct contact with ill persons at the reunion, including with the symptomatic child, also was a significant risk factor for developing illness (RR = 2.3, CI = 1.0-5.1). Attendance at prereunion gatherings at either home A or home B was not associated with illness. Reunion attendees were provided information on appropriate hand hygiene and the potential for viral shedding and secondary transmission up to 2 weeks after symptoms resolved.\nIn coordination with state and local health departments, reunion attendees were encouraged to submit stool or vomitus samples to their respective local health departments. Stool specimens were submitted by 13 ill reunion attendees from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, and West Virginia, and the specimens were then submitted to the respective state laboratories for analysis.* No vomitus samples were analyzed. Norovirus reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), genotype sequencing analyses, and enteric bacterial cultures were performed by the Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania state laboratories. Initial genogroup assignment was made by differential probe binding. Results were compiled and compared to identify specific etiologic agents involved in the outbreak. No environmental samples were collected.\nOf the 13 stool specimens submitted (six from Pennsylvania residents, three from Maryland, three from New York, one from West Virginia, and none from Florida or Virginia), 12 (92.3%) tested positive for norovirus genogroup II by RT–PCR. Using genetic sequencing of the RT–PCR products from norovirus region B† and comparison with GenBank,‡ the closest match for the strain detected was identified by each state laboratory. The same strain (Hu/GII-4/Chester/2006/UK) was identified in the two sequenced norovirus-positive specimens from Maryland, the two positive specimens from New York, and the one positive specimen from West Virginia. A second strain (Hu/NLV/Oxford/B6S6/2003/UK) was identified in all six positive specimens from Pennsylvania. No differences in exposures between persons infected with the two different strains could be identified. No other etiologies (e.g., bacterial) were identified.\nS Glasscock, Grant County Health Dept; J Welch, Preston County Health Dept; J Dailer, W Elmer, Randolph County Health Dept; K Kline, Pendleton County Health Dept; D Bixler, MD, M del Rosario, MD, M Myers, West Virginia Dept of Health and Human Resources. T Buckel, E Cvetnick, Garrett County Health Dept; R Myers, PhD, Maryland Dept of Health and Mental Hygiene. A Johnson, Chautauqua County Health Dept; B Rosen, PhD, New York State Dept of Health. B Perry, Pennsylvania Dept of Health. A Hall, DVM, EIS Officer, CDC.\nNoroviruses are the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States, with an estimated 23 million cases occurring annually.1- 3 The average incubation period for norovirus is 24-48 hours, and clinical disease is characterized by acute onset of vomiting, nonbloody diarrhea, or both, lasting 12-60 hours.4 In clinical studies, approximately two thirds of persons infected with norovirus experienced symptoms of disease.5 The primary route of transmission for noroviruses is fecal-oral, including consumption of fecally contaminated food or water, direct person-to-person contact, and contaminated objects or environments.4,5 Airborne transmission via vomitus droplets also can occur.4,5 During outbreaks, primary cases often result from exposure to a fecally contaminated food item, object, or environment, whereas secondary cases result from person-to-person transmission.6 Noroviruses and norovirus infections have numerous characteristics that facilitate their spread during outbreaks, including the low dose required for infection; prolonged, asymptomatic shedding that can occur in infected persons; environmental stability of the virus; and lack of lasting immunity in persons who have been infected previously.4 Molecular epidemiologic techniques have identified substantial strain diversity, and epidemic strains of norovirus might be more virulent or more environmentally persistent than nonepidemic strains.7\nThis outbreak highlights the challenges of investigating and controlling norovirus outbreaks, including multiple modes of transmission. The findings of this investigation, including the detection of two different norovirus strains in patients, suggest that illness was independently introduced into the reunion by several sources (i.e., persons from New York and from West Virginia). Food items might have been contaminated by persons who were ill when they attended the reunion. Infection likely was propagated through a combination of person-to person contact and foodborne transmission; transmission through contaminated fomites cannot be ruled out. Laboratory evidence confirmed that at least two different norovirus strains were circulating among attendees. The convergence of two virus strains in a single outbreak coincided with a period of high norovirus activity in the region. During October-December 2006, a total of 20 other outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in West Virginia were reported to WVDHHR, representing a sevenfold increase in the number reported during the same period in 2005.\nPrevention and control of norovirus outbreaks, especially during periods of increased norovirus circulation, should emphasize standard infection-control practices, including the exclusion of ill caregivers and food handlers from work settings and exercising adequate hand hygiene.8 Persons who have had gastroenteritis recently should pay attention to washing their hands after toileting and should not prepare food. Food items that might have been contaminated by persons with gastroenteritis should be discarded. As demonstrated by this outbreak, collaboration among multiple state and local health departments often is required for prompt public health investigations of norovirus outbreaks, which can be complicated by multiple sources, viral strains, and routes of this highly transmissible infection.\nThe findings in this report are based, in part, on contributions by Tucker County Health Dept; C Clark, S Arrington, MA, L Clay, S Comstock, S Hill, T Shwe, MPH, S Stowers, S Wilson, MPH, West Virginia Dept of Health and Human Resources; A Weltman, MD, Pennsylvania Dept of Health; K St George and DNA Sequencing Core, New York State Dept of Health; Washington County Health Dept, Maryland; Virginia Dept of Health; Florida Dept of Health; D Bensyl, PhD, Office of Workforce and Career Development, T Chen, MD, G Mirchandani, PhD, and J Schaffzin, MD, EIS officers, CDC.\n*Three of the four New York family members who were ill before the reunion submitted stool samples; neither of the two persons from West Virginia who were ill submitted a stool sample. The specimen from one West Virginia resident was analyzed at the Maryland state laboratory because of assay availability.\n†RT–PCR primers targeted region B of the viral genome, which includes the polymerase gene commonly used for genetic classification.\n‡Genetic sequence database maintained by the National Institutes of Health (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Genbank/index.html).\nMultistate Outbreak of Norovirus Gastroenteritis Among Attendees at a Family Reunion—Grant County, West Virginia, October 2006. JAMA. 2007;298(8):854-856. doi:10.1001/jama.298.8.854\n© 2017", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6495667695999146} {"content": "From professional translators, enterprises, web pages and freely available translation repositories.\nEnglish Tagalog Info\nparanormal psychologyApproaching the paranormal from a research perspective is often difficult because of the lack of acceptable physical evidence from most of the purported phenomena. By definition, the paranormal does not conform to conventional expectations of nature. Therefore, a phenomenon cannot be confirmed as paranormal using the scientific method because, if it could be, it would no longer fit the definition. (However, confirmation would result in the phenomenon being reclassified as part of science.) Despite this problem, studies on the paranormal are periodically conducted by researchers from various disciplines. Some researchers simply study the beliefs in the paranormal regardless of whether the phenomena are considered to objectively exist. This section deals with various approaches to the paranormal: anecdotal, experimental, and participant-observer approaches and the skeptical investigation approach.\nLast Update: 2016-07-19\nSubject: General Usage Frequency: 1 Quality: Reference:\nSearch human translated sentences\nUsers are now asking for help: fatum nos iungebit (Latin>English) | επεκαλεσθην (Greek>Afrikaans) | unparteilichkeit (German>Latvian) | spackle compound (English>Tagalog) | tu amiga (Spanish>English) | laten steken (Dutch>French) | mag iyot ta in tagalog (Tagalog>English) | οξομεταλλικών (Greek>German) | πολλαπλασιασθωσι (Greek>Portuguese) | te lo devi meritare lo sai (Italian>English) | beat the sheep (English>Welsh) | durrzaam blijven wonene (Dutch>French) | gambar memek anak kecil (Indonesian>Hindi) | wag mong gawin sa iba ang ayaw mong gawin sayo (Tagalog>English) | si cela est possible pour vous (French>English)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8505309820175171} {"content": "Managers Not MBAs: A Hard Look at the Soft Practice of Managing and Management Development\nThirty years ago, Mintzberg's bestseller \"\"The Nature of Managerial Work sought to dispel the myths of the disconnected, overly analytical manager by observing a week in the lives of five chief executives. In a sense, \"\"Managers Not MBAs is the sequel, delving as it does into current practice and the need for developing much better managers. The book examines what is wrong with both management education and management itself, and how both could be changed. Mintzberg explores the concept of management as a practice blending craft (experience) with art (insight) and some science (analysis). Conventional education in this realm, he says, encourages a \"\"calculating\"\" approach by overemphasizing the science, and a \"\"heroic\"\" approach by overstressing the art. Mintzberg argues instead for training balanced, dedicated managers who practice an \"\"engaging\"\" style, believing that their purpose is to leave behind stronger organizations, not just higher share prices.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8731849193572998} {"content": "Each individual possesses a distinct physical attribute that lends insight into their character. Society offers the hackneyed explanation of looking into the eyes for understanding into one’s identity’; for me this proves to be untrue. My eyes contribute information merely in a superficial manner, whereas the impressions imprinted on my hands illustrate the story of my being.\nThe callous swelling that has developed on the middle finger of my right hand serves as a constant reminder of the perseverance and determination necessary to reach my academic prosperity. Academics served as the driving force in all my endeavors. Upon graduation from Fairleigh Dickinson I continued my study of dentistry through Fairleigh Dickinson’s Pre-Professional Degree Program. After years of intense work that required steadfast persistence to complete I successfully obtained my DMD from the New York University School of Dental Medicine. The hardened bump on my weathered hands that has developed from years of steady writing conveys my unwavering desire to attain success. Looking at the diploma that now hangs on the wall of my office, I arrive at the realization that even though the marks on my hands may eventually fade away, the experiences infused in me will endure forever.\nThe distinguishing feature present on my left fourth finger will always remain\nsymbolic in my life. This distinct marking, my wedding ring, symbolizes the pinnacle of my success. Besides being a successful orthodontist, I am also a devout husband and a loving father. It was once said “You leave home to seek your fortune and, when you get it, you go home and share it with your family.” My existence would be futile if I could not share it with my wife and three children.\nThe markings present upon my hands portray a determined individual whose desire for success enabled him to live an advantageous life. My education at Fairleigh Dickinson fostered me to believe in the impossible and now I have obtained a...", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9446974992752075} {"content": "The Innovation Lab Network (ILN) is a group of schools, districts, and states taking action to identify, test, and implement student-centered approaches to learning that will transform our public education system. The goal of the ILN is to spur system-level change by scaling locally-led innovation to widespread implementation, both within and across states, with a constant focus on student outcomes. Current states in the ILN include California, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Schools and districts within these states have been given the opportunity to act as pressure-testers of new and innovative ways to address the needs of their students, with backing and support from their state departments of education.\nThese innovations are grounded in shared principles, known as the six critical attributes, including:\nFostering world-class knowledge, skills\nStudent agency\nPersonalized learning\nPerformance-based learning\nAnytime/anywhere opportunities\nProviding comprehensive systems of learner support\nThe ILN works to encourage states and their member school districts how to operationalize these principles through collaboration, transparency, and mutual support. States are encouraged to work closely with key players at the local, district and state levels, as well as with outside stakeholder groups, including the business and higher education communities.\nQUESTIONS THAT INSPIRE OUR WORK\nGiven the opportunity to start from scratch and design a new public education system that addresses the needs of today's students, what would that system look like?\nWhat does college and career readiness mean in practice?\nHow can we use technology to personalize and enhance the teaching and learning experience?\nHow can we meaningfully measure students' progress toward attaining key knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential to lifelong learning?\nWhat are the structures and policies that best support and high-quality local innovation and encourage scaling across education systems?\n- See more at: http://www.ccsso.org/What_We_Do/Innovation_Lab_Network.html#sthash.oZEsjwsu.dpuf", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5784323811531067} {"content": "Learning how to apply liquid foundation makeup is an essential step in a daily skincare and beauty routine. Select the right color and application tips to conceal flaws rather than enhance them. Follow these guidelines to expertly apply liquid foundation.\nThings You'll Need\nPrepare your skin with a thin layer of moisturizer geared toward your skin type. Use moisturizer with sunscreen added if you plan to spend time outdoors.\nChoose the correct color of liquid foundation makeup for your skin tone. For example, people have a yellow undertone and benefit from a yellow cast in their foundation. Test the color on your jaw line rather than your finger or wrist.\nPlace a small dollop of liquid foundation on your finger. Applying foundation with fingers yields maximum coverage. Use your middle or ring finger, as your index finger doesn’t provide the deft touch of your nondominant fingers.\nWork across your face in small areas. You must blend the foundation in each area before it dries. You can use a makeup sponge to spread the foundation, but the sponge can absorb a large amount of the foundation, wasting the product.\nUse a makeup sponge to blend the liquid foundation makeup around your jaw line and hairline. You can use a synthetic sponge or a natural sponge, but you must start with a clean sponge every time.\nSet the liquid foundation for all day wear. If you have oily skin, set the foundation with loose or pressed powder. If you have dry skin, set it with blotting tissues.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9978137016296387} {"content": "Researchers at the University of Michigan looked at 192 couples over 17 years. They compared couples that expressed their anger, and resolved the conflict, and other couples where either one or both spouses suppressed their frustration.\nResearchers found those who contained their anger were more likely to die at a younger age than the couples who expressed their thoughts and worked out their problems.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.996137797832489} {"content": "Affiliation: (Jia Sun) at the Synergetic Innovation Center of Food Safety and Nutrition, State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, P.R. China.\nAbstract\nSubstance P, a neuropeptide belonging to the tachykinin family is a pleiotropic peptide with specific neural activities and involved in immunomodulation and antimicrobial host defense. It has been found to modulate a variety of inflammatory processes, including acute pancreatitis, sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and asthma. Also notably, substance P shares common bio-physical and -chemical properties such as low molecular mass, cathionicity and amphipathicity with antimicrobial peptides. It is therefore suggested to take part in host defense at specialized locations.\nThe review aims to highlight undated understanding on substance P in inflammation, allergy and its antimicrobial activities with potential implications in infection and host defense.\nTherapeutic implications of the peptide, modulators of peptide expression and receptor signalling will be highlighted in each topic. Taken together, these topics will be of significant values for future pharmaceutical investigation and application of the field.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.773784339427948} {"content": "People associate bright colors with energy and activity, two words that do not describe the typical bedroom. Yet there is no reason to avoid these colors altogether. Instead, blend bright colors with more soothing tones to create a bedroom that pops with color while promoting rest and relaxation. A color wheel can help you choose colors that work well together.\nColor Wheel\nSir Isaac Newton created the first color wheel in 1666. The precise design was refined over the centuries, but the basic concept remains the same. A color wheel lays out the primary, secondary and tertiary colors in a logical circular design. The primary colors are red, yellow and blue. The secondary colors are equal blends of the primary colors, while the tertiary colors are created by blending a primary color with a secondary color. Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel, while complementary colors are directly opposite each other. Both pairings create harmony between differing shades.\nCool Colors\nCool colors are on the blue side of the color wheel. Cool colors tend to soothe the emotions, enhance focus and promote serenity. Focus on bright colors from the cool side of the spectrum for a bold, dynamic bedroom that does not keep you awake at night. Greens and purples, which blend cool and warm colors, could be warm or cool depending on the color balance. Choose tones with more blue to continue the cool theme, or spice up the room with a more yellow or red hue.\nWarm Colors\nWarm colors, including yellow and red tones, stimulate the emotions. They promote activity, socialization and wakefulness, so use them sparingly as accents in the bedroom. A splash of bright red or yellow can make the room seem inviting and exotic, but too many warm colors could prevent restful sleep. If you use a warm color, pair it with a complementary cool color.\nBlack, White and Neutrals\nIn pigments, including wall paint, black is the presence of all colors, while white is the absence of any color. Yet white is generally considered a cool color, while black is considered a warm color. Neutrals, such as beige and taupe, create a soothing backdrop for brighter colors. Neutrals are also classified as warm or cool but do not appear on most color wheels. To decide how to classify a neutral, consider the tones that created it. Neutrals with a yellow or red hue are warm, while those with a blue tint are cool.\nPhoto Credits Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5017747282981873} {"content": "Cattle prices rose sharply this week as meat packers bought beef in preparation for Labor Day grilling demand. October live cattle futures reached $1.00 per pound on Thursday morning, a record price for that contract. Cattle prices have leapt nearly 15% over the last two months, following corn and soybean prices higher. Both corn and beans are primarily used as animal feed in the United States, with 43% of corn and 98% of soybeans being fed to animals. Over the last two months, corn prices have risen 25% while beans climbed 13%, reducing profit margins for livestock producers.\nThere are thoughts throughout the cattle industry that cattle and beef prices could fall sharply once Labor Day demand has been satiated. As of midday Friday, October live cattle futures were trading at 99.25 cents per pound.\nCoffee Stays Energized\nCoffee prices rose to a new 12-year high, reaching $1.82 per pound on Friday morning. The market has been driven primarily by supply concerns from the world's top producers, Columbia and Brazil. Those two nations produce nearly half of the world's coffee and have recently been suffering from heavy rains, which can damage the sensitive coffee \"cherries\" that hold the immature coffee beans.\nFor now, American consumers may have to accept paying higher prices for their daily caffeine fix as coffee prices have perked 38% over the last three months.\nUS Dollar Up, Euro Down\nWith global equities lower this week, investors sought the perceived refuge of the US dollar over the Eurocurrency, sending the Euro to a 1-month low at on Friday morning. The Eurocurrency was further damaged by a European Central Bank statement that indicated that growth prospects remained grim across Europe. As of midday Friday, the Euro was trading at $1.27, down 0.5%", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7445904612541199} {"content": "Tim Ferriss has dedicated much of his career to the study of learning.\n\"The purpose of investing is to improve your quality of life,\" he explained to Torabi. \"The intermediate step is achieving a reasonable or aggressive rate of return, but the ultimate objective of investing is allocating resources to improve your quality of life.\"\nFor this reason, Ferriss chooses not to invest in stocks, because the process causes him so much anxiety that it ultimately decreases his quality of life.\n\"I've learned from myself that even if I achieve a high rate of return in a publicly traded stock, it's a bad investment,\" he explained to Torabi. \"Even though I'm making money, I'm miserable doing so. I'm worse off than when I started.\"\nRather than giving up on investing all together, he's found an alternative: angel investing, which allows him to give his own capital to companies (primarily startups) and advise them, in exchange for an ownership stake.\nHe likes the sense of control that angel investing allows. \"It's a binary decision for me, where I do my homework. I do a ton of due diligence,\" he told Torabi. \"I make an investment or I don't, and then I live with that decision until there's an exit or a failure. And, because I can't, there's no use second guessing myself.\"\nThese \"all or nothing binary bets\" are much less stressful for him than putting money into a stock and anxiously watching it jump around.\nThis strategy works for Ferriss, but that doesn't mean it has to work for you. \"Not all forms of investing are suitable for all people,\" he emphasized to Torabi.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8494861125946045} {"content": "A recent New York Times article looks at a growing number of experts, including Dr. Carolyn L. Westhoff, a gynecologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, who now question the value of conducting routine pelvic exams on asymptomatic women.\nThe performance of this exam is often a key part of an annual ob-gyn visit even though for women who are well there is insufficient medical evidence to recommend its use. The exam may not only lead to unnecessary additional tests and costs but may also in some cases discourage women from seeking necessary care.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9969187378883362} {"content": "Free to Breathe and the Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium (LCMC) are pleased to announce our collaboration to promote molecular tumor mutation testing for lung cancer patients. The advancement of tumor testing has been recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology as one of the keys to developing effective personalized treatments for lung cancer. By understanding the incidence of mutations and other unique traits among different lung cancer tumors, we can better match patients with the specific treatments that are right for them.\nThe LCMC, formed by 16 cancer centers across the US, marks a clear step forward in making tumor testing available to non-small cell lung cancer patients. By reaching a large population of patients across the country, the LCMC is creating a unique national data set that may help doctors and researchers determine the frequency of certain mutations and explore opportunities for clinical trial enrollment. As we validate known mutations and identify new targets, we’ll build a more thorough understanding of what mutations exist and how to treat the cancers that arise due to them. The LCMC was initiated with funds available through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act; with the expiration of these funds, Free to Breathe has assumed the leadership role in managing funds originating from the private sector to allow the LCMC to continue its critical work, expand its reach and enroll more patients.\nFor more information about the LCMC or to learn about the centers involved, visit www.golcmc.com.\n©2017 Free To Breathe | All rights reserved. | Federal tax exempt ID number: 45-0505050.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7235726118087769} {"content": "Thank you for contacting me to share your support for labeling genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and agriculture. I share your support, and I appreciate hearing from you.Americans have a right to know what is in the food they buy and feed to their families. Labeling GMO products is a commonsense way to bring transparency to consumers, so they can make informed decisions about their food. That is why I am an original cosponsor of the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act (S. 511).\nYou can click on the video link below to hear more about why I support labeling GMO foods, and how I’m fighting to protect the rights of consumers and opposing the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 1599), commonly referred to as the DARK Act.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5663210153579712} {"content": "Posted on 11 Jul 2013 by Neilson\nFundamentals in the workers' compensation insurance market have been steadily improving and should continue to lead to robust revenue growth, according to Fitch Ratings. Following a long period of declining premium rates, workers' compensation pricing has increased for two consecutive years with little sign that pricing trends will reverse in the near term.\nWorkers' compensation is the largest segment of all U.S. commercial lines, representing 18% of property/casualty industry commercial lines net written premiums in 2012. Workers' compensation has been the worst performing major commercial lines segment for some time. However, the 2012 industry aggregate segment combined ratio improved to 110% from 117% in the prior year. Fitch projects a 105% workers' compensation calendar year combined ratio in 2013.\nIn response to growing underwriting losses and pressure on profitability from lower investment yields, the broader commercial lines insurance market entered a hardening underwriting cycle phase in mid-2011. Premium rate increases have continued in the first half of 2013 and appear sustainable through the end of the year. Willis North America, Inc.'s most recent Marketplace Realities report predicts that workers' compensation rates will rise 2.5%-10% in 2013, with more than 20% increases projected in the underperforming California market.\nFitch notes that workers' compensation claims costs are influenced greatly by medical cost factors that tend to expand at a higher rate than general inflation. Healthcare costs in 2012 were a bit more stable than historical patterns, but sustainability of this trend is questionable given pending implementation of healthcare reform in the U.S. A return to economic stability is promoting a return to declining claims frequency trends.\nLoss reserves in the workers' compensation segment have developed adversely for four consecutive years. Fitch's analysis suggests that the industry's loss reserve position in workers' compensation remains inadequate.\nGiven the prominence of workers' compensation as a percentage of many insurers' books of business, continued market hardening and underwriting improvements promote earnings stability that is viewed favorably from a credit perspective. Reductions in workers' compensation loss reserve deficiencies would also contribute to stability of insurer ratings at current levels.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6005593538284302} {"content": "Whether we are faculty, higher ed administrators, college publishers, digital platform providers, or campus bookstores, ultimately our success is dependent on student success. We've seen the positive impact affordable and readily accessible course materials has on academic achievement, and that the high cost of course materials presents real barriers to academic achievement.\nOur solution? Connect students with discounted eTextbooks, custom, published content and other digital course materials through integrations across campus systems, also known as RedShelf Inclusive. Our inclusive access program equips up to 100% of students and faculty with required materials before the start of classes and provides intuitive teaching and learning tools to help drive student success in the classroom.\nNeed a reason to go inclusive? We'll give you four.\n1. AFFORDABILITY\nWe work with leading industry publishers to offer discounted course materials in multiple durations that are “below competitive market rates” as required by the U.S. Department of Education. The result? Students save money; campus stores become the central hub for digital content delivery and gain up to 100% sell-through. In fact, schools using RedShelf's inclusive program during Fall 2016 saved an average of 39% off the standard digital price and 64% off the new print price of textbooks.\n2. ACCESSIBILITY\nWe are compliant with ADA and Section 508, giving all students access to digital content that suits their learning needs. Our website and eReader have information that's clearly readable and easy to navigate. Additionally, we created an Accessible Reader intended specifically for users who require enhanced accessibility functionality.\nSchools can leverage the RedShelf catalog to provide access to all content, to every student, on any device. Our platform integrates directly with the campus Learning Management System (LMS) or a store branded 'My Shelf,' allowing for single sign-on access and direct linking to additional content.\n3. ACHIEVEMENT\nNavigation, tools and our reading experience are optimized to focus on students needs. Our study tools, including the ability to create and annotate flashcards, highlight content in multiple colors, and create personalized student guides, promote interaction with the content. Faculty benefits from the collaboration feature which encourages professor and student interaction through sharing of notes and annotations in group sessions.\n4. ANALYTICS\nAnalytics allow faculty and institutions to analytics student performance versus eBooks usage metrics at the individual, section, course, and institutional level. Usage data includes reading time, pages read, and annotations at the chapter and page level, helping faculty and administrators identify at-risk students.\nReady to get started? Reach out to sales@redshelf.com, and we'll connect you with a dedicated account representative.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6761535406112671} {"content": "When employers interview unionized employees about potential misconduct, they have the right to a union steward. But do non-unionized employees, such as those employed by most small businesses, have similar rights? A 2000 National Labor Board Review decision determined that non-unionized employees have the right to request the presence of a co-worker at disciplinary interviews.\nInvestigative Meeting\nAs of July 2011, if an employer is meeting with an employee to discuss a situation and determine whether disciplinary action against the employee is warranted, the employee has the right to have a co-worker present. However, if the purpose of the meeting is solely to inform the employee of disciplinary action, the employee does not have the right to have a co-worker present. For example, an employee may request a co-worker's presence in a meeting discussing discrepancies in his time card, but not at a meeting in which his employer simply plans to suspend him due to the discrepancies.\nRequest Requirement\nA non-union employee must request the presence of a co-worker to take advantage of this right. As of July 2011, employers are not obliged to invite co-workers or to ask employees if they want to have a co-worker present. If the employee does not request the presence of a co-worker, she cannot then sue the employer for failure to allow her to have one present at a meeting.\nEmployer Refusal\nEmployers have the right to refuse a meeting prior to handing down discipline if an employee insists on having a co-worker present. However, if an employer takes this route, she must discipline the employee without an investigation of the issue. This is a risky strategy because if the employee sues for wrongful termination or discrimination, the courts may be more likely to favor the employee.\nWaiver\nIf an employee requests a co-worker's presence at a disciplinary meeting, she must sign a waiver stating that she requested and agreed to the co-worker's presence. This waiver states that the employee waived her right to privacy regarding disciplinary meetings so that she cannot later object that she did not receive enough privacy during the meeting, particularly if it does not go the way she wants it to.\nMcDermott, Will and Emery; Non-Union Workers Entitled to Have Co-Worker Present During Disciplinary Meetings; July 2000 Butera Law: Can Non-Union Employees Have Co-Worker Present for Investigatory Interview? Labor Information Service; Beware -- Court Holds That Nonunion Employees Have Right To Have Co-Worker Present During Disciplinary Interviews; January 2002 Photo Credits Digital Vision./Photodisc/Getty Images", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9114896059036255} {"content": "A pet obesity epidemic is under way in the U.S., according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, which reports that some 88 million U.S. cats and dogs are overweight or obese. Veterinarian Ernie Ward, the organization's founder, says owners do not understand animals' caloric intake requirements, tend to overfeed and under-exercise pets and would benefit from clearer food labels. \"The public perception today is that a fat cat is a healthy cat,\" Dr. Ward said. \"But we must bust that myth. It's what's killing our pets and costing untold dollars.\"", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7748556137084961} {"content": "Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher once wrote about hurtling down a two-land road at sixty miles an hour and catching the eye of a driver passing in the opposite direction at the same speed. He was struck by how, at that moment, he had placed his life in the other driver’s good faith and attention not to cross two lines of yellow paint and end his life, and how similarly, though they had never spoken a word to each other, the other driver had done the same. According to Christopher, this mundane yet wondrous moment of trust and interdependence, multiplied a million times over, was how the world works.\nWhen I was eight years old, I went to summer camp. One day, some mix of envy, boredom, and shame led me jump into the deep end of the pool despite not knowing how to swim. I had enough of splashing around with six-year olds in the shallow end while the eight-year old boys were jumping off the diving board. I had had enough of playing with the ‘kiddies’. More accurately, I had had enough of being different and less than the boys my age. And so I walked over the deep end, held my breath, and jumped.\nI can still recall how it feels to drown: the choking panic, the terror of swallowing of water while gasping for air. Even today, I see deep water and hear death. But as I sank, a small hand grabbed mine and pulled me up. Heaving on hot cement, retching water and unable to give thanks, I remember looking up and seeing a girl, my age, skinny with brown hair. She looked at me and then, almost embarrassingly, turned and ran away.\nI often think of that nameless girl, her identity permanently lost to me. I wonder if she recalls summer camp and grabbing a drowning boy’s hand. Does she remember what she did twenty-four years ago? If so, I doubt she congratulates herself. Yet how many lives did she radically affect? My parents, their child not drowned in a pool a hundred miles away, immediately come to mind. How would their last twenty-four years have been if I had drowned in 1982? What other ripples has her act caused, as I live out my life?\nPhilosopher Martin Buber believed that God exists solely in the authentic connection between people. “All real living is meeting,” he wrote. A little girl gave me life twenty-four years ago. How could she not be God and her small act not be grace? Multiplied a million times over, people acting in ways both wondrous and mundane, we live in each other’s grace. This is how the world works. This I believe.\nIf you enjoyed this essay, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to This I Believe, Inc.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6485186815261841} {"content": "Rx-mediated resistance was analyzed in Rx-expressing transgenic Nicotiana plants. The infection outcome of nine Potato virus X isolates mutated at amino acid positions 121 and 127 of the coat protein (CP) confirmed the key role of these amino acids but provided a more complex picture than previously reported. In particular, in Rx-expressing Nicotiana spp., eliciting activity modulated by amino acid 121 was conditioned by the nature of amino acid 127. These results suggest that the specificity of recognition might be modulated by host factors that are somehow subtly modified between Rx-expressing potato and Rx-expressing transgenic Nicotiana plants. Moreover, the CP of three Potexviruses, Narcissus mosaic virus (NMV), White clover mosaic virus (WClMV), and Cymbidium mosaic virus (CymMV), are all recognized by the Rx-based machinery and able to trigger an Rx-dependant hypersensitive response. A smaller elicitor of 90 amino acids was identified in the CP of NMV and WClMV, which contains the previously identified key positions 121 and 127. This elicitor is only weakly conserved (approximately 40% identity) among the CP of the various recognized viruses, suggesting that the Rx molecular machinery targets a conserved structural element of the Potexvirus CP rather than a conserved amino acid motif.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.807412326335907} {"content": "Do you worry about cholesterol and fat when you plan your meals? If you are longing for the good old days before you knew any better and could eat bacon and eggs to your heart's content (while unknowingly plugging vital arteries), Armour's Turkey Bacon is a 90-percent fat-free bacon made from cured dark turkey with natural smoke flavoring added. The 12-ounce package can be purchased for $1.89.\nKay Hadley: \"We liked Turkey Bacon though it tastes more like ham than bacon. It really has no fat and sticks to the pan. It barely needs to be warmed. We definitely will purchase it again because bacon has become taboo at our house.\"Don Russell: \"We liked this product. It is similar to turkey ham because it is very meaty; however, it has a baconlike flavor. Armour's product cooks down very little and has 40 calories a strip. We endorse it.\"\nDoris Wilding: \"We loved Turkey Bacon and have already purchased more. I don't feel it's a bacon substitute, but it's a good breakfast meat. I feel good about feeding a 90-percent fat-free product to my family. The texture reminds you of Sizzlean. It's a great breakfast meat.\"\nJudy Slack: \"We had a split vote on this one. One daughter hated, detested and threw her turkey bacon down the sink. But rest of us thought it was good. It didn't taste a lot like bacon, but it's a lot healthier for you. To heck with sink-dumper, she can go vegetarian! We'll buy this again.\"\nEdyth Jensen: \"We really enjoyed the Turkey Bacon. It didn't shrink like bacon and had good flavor. The only problem is it's quite expensive. It would be good for a breakfast meat if you're worried about cholesterol and fat.\"\nLinda C. Tingey: \"This was really good. I'm going to use it more often. Not only is this very good for you but it tastes great, too. My kids loved it and we're going to buy it again.\"\nConclusion: This low-fat product really fits the bill for those who love bacon but are worried about bacon's high fat content. Some of our testers suggested you not think of it as a bacon substitute but appreciate it as a good breakfast meat.\nThe Deseret News testing panel independently tests products purchased by the Deseret News. Readers with suggestions for products to be tested should contact the Today Section, Box 1257, Salt Lake City, UT 84110.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6653019189834595} {"content": "The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has reportedly affirmed a ruling that Spanish citrus growers must label their fruits when they have used chemicals or preservatives in post-harvest processing. Spain challenged the European Commission’s (EC’s) power to enact the rule, arguing the U.N. Economic Commission for Europe had set voluntary standards only. The lower court noted that even though the EC must consider U.N. standards, it is not required to adopt those guidelines, reasoning that the ECJ reportedly echoed in its ruling.\nSpain also argued that the rule created an unconstitutional distinction between citrus growers and growers of other fruit, but the lower court found that citrus fruit is often subjected to higher levels of chemical processing and that citrus peels are used differently than the peels of other fruits and vegetables because they are often added to food for additional flavor.\nSee Wall Street Journal, March 3, 2016.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9265812635421753} {"content": "Ohio is one of 24 states that does not require voters to register with a particular party. This means there is no official record of voter party affiliation. However, the need for these voter files is diminishing, as 64% of the electorate are crossing lines when they vote.* Both of these factors underscore the need to understand the platforms and specific policy issues that determine how Ohioans will cast their vote.\nResonate took a deeper look at Ohio’s voters. Thirty-six percent report voting Democratic, 30% Republican, and 27% Swing (those who are willing to cross party lines at least some of the time).\nWe also looked at how these voters choose their candidates based on their platform positions; there are stark differences in the top issues for Democratic and Republican voters. Healthcare and job creation are tied for the top issue for Democratic voters, with 56% citing it as a key platform issue. They also look a candidate’s stance on entitlement programs (44%). Republicans are looking at government spending (60%), balanced budget (50%) and defense/military (41%). Swing Voters are focused on government spending (47%), job creation (45%) and healthcare (39%).\nIf either side is looking to win over “soft” voters from the other, they won’t do it based on social issues. Traditional marriage/gay rights remain hot button issues for both, as well as race/gender equality and pro-choice on the left and pro-life and 2\nnd amendment rights on the right.\nAs campaigns consider this statewide data, they should also account for nuances within the congressional districts. We drilled down on OH-6 to take a closer look.\nVoters within OH-6 skew slightly more Republican (31%) and Swing (28%). But unlike voters on the state level, there is one consistent consideration for voters: job creation. For Republican voters, it replaces military/defense issues. Education overtakes entitlement for Democratic voters. The top 3 platforms for Swing voting remain the same.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8646222352981567} {"content": "Genetic contribution to radiographic severity in osteoarthritis of the knee. Valdes AM., Doherty S., Muir KR., Zhang W., Maciewicz RA., Wheeler M., Arden N., Cooper C., Doherty M.\nOBJECTIVE: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) has a significant genetic component. The authors have assessed the role of three variants reported to influence risk of knee OA with p<5×10-8 in determining patellofemoral and tibiofemoral Kellgren Lawrence (K/L) grade in knee OA cases. METHODS: 3474 knee OA cases with sky-line and weight-bearing antero-posterior x-rays of the knee were selected based on the presentation of K/L grade ≥2 at either the tibiofemoral or patellofemoral compartments for one or both knees. Patients belonging to three UK cohorts, were genotyped for rs143383, rs4730250 and rs11842874 mapping to the GDF5, COG5 and MCF2L genes, respectively. The association between tibiofemoral K/L grade and patellofemoral K/L grade was assessed after adjusting for age, gender and body mass index. RESULTS: No significant association was found between the rs4730250 and radiographic severity. The rs11842874 mapping to MCF2L was found to be nominally significantly associated with patellofemoral K/L grade as a quantitative trait (p=0.027) but not as a binary trait. The GDF5 single nucleotide polymorphism rs143383 was associated with tibiofemoral K/L grade (β=0.05 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.08) p=0.0011). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that within individuals affected by radiographic knee OA, OAGDF5 has a modest but significant effect on radiographic severity after adjustment for the major risk factors.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6232078075408936} {"content": "Our society has become increasingly mobile over the past several decades. As a result, parents often seek to relocate away from the other parent after custody has been determined. Such relocations can wreak havoc on family relationships.\nSince the laws vary broadly, it is extremely important for a parent seeking to prevent relocation with children to know, understand and follow the detailed rules to prevent that relocation. If the custodial parent fails to follow the rules, it can often result in a change in custody. State laws often spell out requirements which may include:\nA parent seeking to relocate must generally notify the other parent well in advance of a move. The timelines for that notification are specified in many state laws. Those same laws also provide specific instructions regarding the information that must be included in the notification. In states that require notification, the other parent may also usually file an objection to the relocation or file a Motion seeking to prevent the relocation\nYet other states require not only notification, but consent of the other parent to allow the move. In the event the both parents do not consent, often the parent seeking to relocate most bring a motion seeking permission of the court. This often would include a request for a change in custody.\nOften state statutes spell out factors that a court must consider when determining whether to allow children to relocate away from one parent. Some factors courts consider when making determinations to allow or disallow a move include:\nOne truism is that if the Court allows the relocation, it often requires the party moving to pay more of the transportation costs related to visitation. This cost issue should be raised in any hearing as well as a request to change custody if the parent responsible for the transportation contemptuously fails to follow the court's orders. In the even the non-custodial parent does not prevail, a finding in that regard may change those fortunes if the moving parent fails to follow through on their obligations.\nSign up to receive a 10-part series of useful information and legal advice about the divorce process.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7124661207199097} {"content": "Before the development of targeted therapies, administration of cytokines (e.g., interleukin-2, interferon-alpha) was the primary systemic treatment option for advanced renal cell carcinoma. Sorafenib, an oral targeted, multikinase inhibitor, significantly prolonged progression-free survival and overall survival in the Treatment Approaches in Renal Cancer Global Evaluation Trial (TARGET), a large (N = 903) phase III, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma resistant to standard therapy. This analysis of a patient subgroup from TARGET evaluated the safety and efficacy of sorafenib in patients who had received prior cytokine therapy (sorafenib: n = 374; placebo: n = 368) and in patients who were cytokine-naïve (sorafenib: n = 77; placebo: n = 84). Progression-free survival was significantly prolonged with sorafenib therapy compared with placebo among patients with and without prior cytokine therapy (respectively 5.5 vs. 2.7 months; hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-0.64 and 5.8 vs. 2.8 months; hazard ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.73). Clinical benefit rates for sorafenib-treated patients compared with placebo patients were also higher (cytokine-treated: 83 vs. 54.3%; cytokine-naïve: 85.7 vs. 56.0%). Sorafenib was well tolerated in both subgroups (grade 3/4: 20 and 22%, respectively). Sorafenib demonstrated a consistent, significant clinical benefit against advanced renal cell carcinoma, with a twofold improvement in progression-free survival and disease control rate, with similar toxicities in patients with or without prior cytokine treatment.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7633614540100098} {"content": "While the council's decision and the accident are in no way related, it seemed a tragic irony that we should be so quickly reminded of the dangers inherent in our custom of hurtling around in metal boxes. Going faster raises the risks. It's as simple as that.\nIncreasing speed limits makes me think of a psychology experiment I was involved with during college. Subjects were asked to look at a series of boxes and rate them by size, from 1 to 9. They weren't told, however, that there were only seven sizes of boxes.\nAs you may guess, the study participants ranked the boxes as if there were nine sizes anyway. The point of the experiment was to show that our minds adjust to a perceived reality, based on the information we are given.\nSo it is, I believe, with speed limits. Drivers will automatically adjust to the new, higher speed limits, using them as a benchmark for how fast they should go — even if prudence and good judgment dictate otherwise. And let's face it, most of us use speed limits as a minimum rather than as a maximum.\nSo I am proposing an experiment of my own.\nI pledge that for the next month I will not exceed the speed limit.\nEver. Anywhere. For any reason.\nIf my son is late to school, I will not speed. If the movie started five minutes ago — and I hate, hate, hate missing the start of a film — I will not speed. If the guy behind me gives me the finger, I will not speed.\nJoin me.\nI am asking — no, challenging — everyone reading this to take the pledge. For the next month, do your best to drive no faster than the speed limit.\nI know it won't be easy. You might be late to work one day, and the temptation will be great. You might be the only one on the road, and you'll feel the urge to cheat. You might simply forget, or convince yourself that if other cars are going faster that it really isn't safe to stay within the limit. I'm routinely guilty of all the above.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6357359290122986} {"content": "Public key cryptography, invented in the 1970's, revolutionized the world of computation by displaying a tool-box that builds trust in authenticity and integrity of {\\em data}, even when it is transmitted from unknown computers and relayed via untrusted and possibly corrupt intermediaries. A celebrated line of theoretical works dating back to the 1980's envisions a similar revolution, offering a level of trust in the integrity of arbitrary {\\em computations} even when executed on untrusted and possibly malicious computers. A particularly surprising aspect of these results is {\\em succinctness} which means that the running-time needed to verify a computation is only as costly as reading the program that describes it, even when this program is exponentially shorter in length than the computation's running time!\nCommon belief has been that it is impractical to build a truly succinct computational-integrity protocol. We challenge this conception by describing the first full-scale implementation of it. Our system compiles programs in standard C into succinctly-verifiable programs, with asymptotic parameters that match the best-possible bounds predicted by theory. Joint work with Alessandro Chiesa, Daniel Genkin and Eran Tromer.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.693024754524231} {"content": "Q. According to the 2008 National Electrical Code, electric drinking fountains installed in public buildings, such as schools, must meet which of the following requirements: Offer GFCI protection for personnel — Class A, 5mA (nominal) trip Can't be supplied with a hermetic compressor Offer GFCI protection only if it is located within 6 feet of a 15A or 20A, 125V single-phase receptacle outlet Offer GFPE protection — Class C, 30mA trip none of the above Answer: A\nAs per 422.1 and 422.52, ground-fault protection for personnel is required for electric drinking fountains. This requirement is not limited to cord-and-plug connected appliances, but also applies to direct-wired electric drinking fountains. It's important to note that phase and voltage are not specifically addressed in this new requirement. In other words, this rule does not specifically indicate an applied voltage of 125V, single-phase.\nOwen is the owner and president of National Code Seminars and the holder of master electrician certifications in 46 states. He can be reached at necexpert@aol.com.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6399347186088562} {"content": "PURPOSE: Sleep is a fundamental biologic function. The circadian process organizes the sleep phases with the light and dark cycles. Activities that disrupt these biological processes, such as shift work, influence the development of sleep disorders. Objectives:1) To determine the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) among air traffic controllers (ATC); 2) To determine the factors that contribute to the occurrence of EDS; 3) To determine the effect of shift work on the sleeping pattern of ATC. METHODS: This is a cross sectional, cohort study. ATC and communicators from the air traffic offices were given a self-administered questionnaire which included the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and questions on sleeping habits and patterns. RESULTS: 168 ATC and communicators participated in the study (46% response rate). Prevalence of EDS with an ESS score >10 was 63%. The degree of ESS scores is not significant across age and between males and females (Fisher’s exact=0.19, p < 0.05). There is a significant difference between the ESS scores of shiftworkers compared to those who worked fixed hours (Fisher’s exact=0.041, p < 0.0.5). There is no significant difference in the ESS scores of those who go on duty everyday compared to those who go on duty less frequently (γcoefficient=0.26). There is no significant difference between the ESS scores of those who go on <8 hour duties and those who go on 8, 12, 24 or >24 hours of duty. Common aids to sleep included watching television (56%),reading (45%), and internet surfing (5%). Common method to keep awake is drinking coffee (67%). CONCLUSION: EDS is common among shiftworkers and this is primarily brought about by disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle. Further studies are needed to evaluate current working practices and organization of shift work in the air traffic offices in the Philippines. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Air traffic controllers are exposed to the possible negative effects that bad work organization of shifts may have on on the cognitive function, psychomotor performance and health status and hence performance efficiency.\nDISCLOSURE: Eleanor Dominguez, None.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6647799611091614} {"content": "ABSTRACT\nThe aim of the present study was to investigate whether perinatal exposure to a moderate dose of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alters cortical gene expression and neurotransmission, leading to enduring cognitive dysfunctions in rat offspring. To this purpose, rat dams were treated, from gestational day 15 to postnatal day 9, with THC at a daily dose (5 mg/kg,\nper os) devoid of overt signs of toxicity. THC did not influence reproduction parameters, whereas it caused subtle neurofunctional deficits in the adult offspring. Particularly, perinatal THC induced long-lasting alterations of cortical genes related to glutamatergic and noradrenergic systems, associated with a decrease in the cortical extracellular levels of both neurotransmitters. These alterations may account, at least in part, for the enduring cognitive impairment displayed by THC-exposed offspring. Taken together, the present results highlight how exposure to cannabinoids during early stages of brain development can lead to irreversible, subtle dysfunctions in the offspring.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9843426942825317} {"content": "Between Governing and Governance On the Emergence, Function and Form of Europe's Post-National Constellation\nEdited by:\nPoul F. Kjaer\nThis book explains the emergence and functioning of three forms of governance structures within the context of the European integration and constitutionalization process: comitology, (regulatory) agencies, and the Open Method of Co-ordination. The point of departure is the insight that the intergovernmental/supranational distinction, which most theories of European integration and constitutionalization rely on, has lost its strength. A new paradigm of EU research is therefore needed. Against this background, it is suggested that the distinction between governing and governance provides a more appropriate basis for analyzing the phenomenon of integration and constitutionalization in Europe. The distinction between governing and governance allows for an understanding of the EU as a hybrid consisting of a governing dimension, characterized by legal and organizational hierarchy, and a governance dimension which operates within a network form characterized by legal and organizational heterarchy. The function of governance structures is to ensure the embeddedness of the governing dimension in the wider society. Instead of representing contradictory developments, the two dimensions are therefore mutually constitutive in the sense that more governing implies more governance and vice versa. These theoretical insights are illustrated through two detailed case studies which respectively reconstruct the operational mode of the Open Method of Coordination within EU Research & Development Policy and the regulatory system for the EU chemicals market (REACH). The book is inter-disciplinary in nature and incorporates insights from law, political science, and sociology.\n212 pages\nPublication Date: 2/5/2010 Format: Cloth ISBN: 9781849460262", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6213372945785522} {"content": "ERIC Number:ED457223 Record Type:RIE Publication Date:2001-Apr-12 Pages:11 Abstractor:N/A Reference Count:N/A ISBN:N/A ISSN:N/A\nCreative Habits and the Meaning-Oriented Curriculum.\nMitchell, Mathew; Randolph, Karen\nThe connection between creativity and education was studied through interviews conducted by 2 interviewers with 53 creative individuals in northern California, selected because they had visibly recognized success in their fields and they were at least 35 years old. Both researchers developed a matrix of themes. There were 10 major themes that ran across the interviews in Researcher A's analysis. Six of these were explicitly predicted based on the writings of John Dewey. The analysis by Researcher B identified 3 major categories under which 14 specific themes were placed. The two approaches seemed to catch different themes, but the themes could be grouped into three major categories: (1) essential background (discipline); (2) habits of inquiry (engagement); and (3) supportive features (landscape). This initial analysis suggests that researchers may want to explore how to develop a curriculum that incorporates the toolbox of habits successful creative individuals have. (SLD)\nPublication Type:Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers Education Level:N/A Audience:N/A Language:English Sponsor:N/A Authoring Institution:N/A Note:Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (Seattle, WA, April 10-14, 2001). Session sponsored by John Dewey Society SIG.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.667521595954895} {"content": "In a recent study entitled “Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG\n35-55)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is ameliorated in interleukin-32 alpha transgenic mice,” a team of researchers investigated whether interleukin (IL)-32, a cytokine with an established role in rheumatoid arthritis, has a protective function in a mouse model of human multiple sclerosis (MS). The study was published in the journal . Oncotarget\nMS is a neurological autoimmune disease characterized by immune destruction of the\nmyelin layer within nerve cells, leading to a wide range of neurological symptoms (affecting sensory, motor, autonomic, and neurocognitive functions) that usually manifests between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. Currently, MS affects approximately 350,000 individuals in the United States. IL-32 is a novel cytokine (cytokines are small proteins with key functions in cell signaling) expressed in a variety of human organs — including the spleen, thymus, leukocyte, lung, small intestine, colon, prostate, heart, placenta, liver, muscle, kidney, pancreas, and brain. IL-32 expression is increased in rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder, where its levels correlate with clinical and histological markers of the disease. The role of IL-32, however, on central nervous system injuries and demyelination is currently poorly understood.\nIn this new study, a team of researchers investigated how IL-32α may affect MS pathogenesis. To this end, they induced\nin vivo experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an experimental and widely accepted mouse model of MS, by injecting mice with encephalitogenic peptide, MOG 35-55. The same strategy was used in a transgenic mouse that overexpressed the human IL-32α protein ( IL-32α transgenic mice).\nThe team had previously shown that IL-32α mice showed reduced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines when compared to controls (non transgenic mice). The researchers then observed that EAE symptoms in terms of\nparalysis severity and neuropathology in IL-32α transgenic mice were significantly reduced compared to non-transgenic controls. Further studies revealed that infiltration of immune cells, astrocytes/microglia activation (non-neuronal cells of the central nervous system with immune functions) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) levels in IL-32α transgenic mice spinal cord was suppressed, together with markers of spinal cord damage.\nFindings from the study indicate that IL-32α may suppress EAE by inhibition of neuroinflammation in the spinal cord, suggesting IL-32α as a potential new therapeutic avenue on MS to be explored.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7865771651268005} {"content": "Portfolio\nStudents use the PLA portfolio development process to document their prior learning. This process requires students to prepare and submit a collection of documents that establish and support their claim that they have specific relevant skills, knowledge, values, attitudes, understandings, achievements, experiences, competencies, training, and certifications that align with specific course objectives. The portfolio developed in the documentation course should not only describe the relevant experience but should also identify the particular learning outcomes.\nStudents must also offer a critical self-assessment of what college-level learning has been acquired through selected non-traditional experience. This experience might include a variety of work, training, reading and research, civil and military service, or life learning.\nOnce students complete and submit the PLA portfolio, assessors will evaluate it to determine if the portfolio provides evidence which ties those skills to a specific course objective. If the portfolio does so, credit may be awarded when assessors determine that the prior learning is acceptable for credit. A separate portfolio must be prepared for each course for which a student is seeking credit.\nDetailed information concerning Prior Learning Assessment through Portfolio development can be found in the PLA Student Handbook.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9831840991973877} {"content": "20-year-old man killed when struck by tree falling from tree-cutting machine.\nAuthors\nNew Jersey Department of Health\nSource\nNIOSH 2005 Mar; :1-6\nAbstract\nOn February 9, 2004, a 20-year-old male landscaping worker was killed when he was struck by a falling tree. The victim worked for his father, the owner of a small landscaping business in New Jersey. On the day of the incident, the victim and several other workers were assigned to clear a plot of land that included many large pine trees. The victim's job was to mark and clean already felled trees, which included cutting branches and reducing the size of the logs (bucking). While the victim was cutting the branches with a chainsaw, a tree-cutting machine was being used approximately 60 feet away to cut and clear the standing trees on the plot. This tree-cutting machine, similar to a front-end loader, was fitted with a specialized attachment referred to as a feller-buncher. The feller-buncher clasps the tree in hydraulic jaws, cuts the tree at its base, and enables the cut tree to then be transported. The fatal injury occurred when a cut pine tree came loose from the tree-cutting machine and fell, striking the victim. NJ FACE investigators recommend following these safety guidelines to prevent similar incidents: 1. All ground crew should always maintain a safe distance of at least twice the height of the felled tree from its cut point. If this is not feasible, consider staggering job shifts. 2. All machines used at the work site should be maintained in serviceable condition. 3. A safety and health plan based on job hazard analysis should be developed and followed.\nKeywords\nAccident-analysis; Accident-potential; Accident-prevention; Accidents; Injuries; Injury-prevention; Safety-education; Safety-equipment; Safety-practices; Safety-measures; Traumatic-injuries; Region-2; Work-practices; Work-analysis; Work-areas; Work-intervals; Work-operations; Occupational-accidents; Occupational-hazards; Occupational-health-programs; Occupational-safety-programs; Safety-programs; Forestry-workers; Machine-operation\nDocument Type\nField Studies; Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation\nFunding Type\nCooperative Agreement\nNTIS Accession No.\nPB2005-109929\nIdentifying No.\nFACE-04NJ013; Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-CCU-207088; Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U60-OH-008345\nSource Name\nNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health\nPerforming Organization\nNew Jersey Department of Health", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7384371757507324} {"content": "Philip P Goodney, Brian W Nolan, Andres Schanzer, Jens Eldrup-Jorgensen, Andrew C Stanley, David H Stone, Donald S Likosky, Jack L Cronenwett\nBACKGROUND: Using 30-day operative mortality reported with lower extremity bypass (LEB) in preoperative decision making may underestimate the actual death rate encountered before patients have truly recovered from surgery, especially in elderly, debilitated patients with significant tissue loss. Therefore, we examined preoperative, patient-level risk factors that predict survival within the first year following LEB. METHODS: Using our regional quality improvement initiative in 11 hospitals in Northern New England, we studied 2306 LEB procedures performed in 2031 patients between January 2003 and December 2007...\nJanuary 2010: Journal of Vascular Surgery", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.797620415687561} {"content": "Filter Results: Publication Year\n1992\n2015\nPublication Type Co-author Key Phrase Publication Venue Cell Type Method\nLearn More\nAllicin, one of the main biologically active compounds derived from garlic, has been shown to exert various pharmacological activities and is considered to have therapeutic potential for many pathologic conditions. In the present study, we investigated the potential post-ischemic neuroprotective effects of allicin and its underlying mechanisms. Using a rat… (More)\nThe refractive status of 3,099 children was analyzed. The result showed that the incidence and degree of hyperopia decreased gradually and those of myopia increased along with the growing up of children in ametropia. In binocular refractive amblyopia, high and medium hyperopia and myopia in severe and medium amblyopia were significantly more than those in… (More)\nToll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) plays a critical role in innate and acquired immunity, but its role in radio-resistance is unknown. We used TLR4 knockout (KO,(-/-)) mice and gut commensal depletion methods, to test the influence of TLR4 and its' in vivo agonist on basal radio-resistance. We found that mice deficient in TLR4 were more susceptible to IR-induced… (More)\nWe previously found that genetic polymorphisms in gene coding for histamine H4 receptors were related to the risk and malignant degree of breast cancer. The roles of polymorphisms in other histamine-related genes, such as histidine decarboxylase (HDC), histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) and histamine H3 receptor (HRH3), remain unexplored. The aim of this… (More)\nPain caused by acute pulpitis (AP) is a common symptom in clinical settings. However, its underlying mechanisms have largely remained unknown. Using AP model, we demonstrated that dental injury caused severe pulp inflammation with up-regulated serum IL-1β. Assessment from head-withdrawal reflex thresholds (HWTs) and open-field test demonstrated nociceptive… (More)\nHistamine receptor 3 (H3R) is expressed in various tumors and correlated with malignancy and tumor proliferation. However, the role of H3R in tumor invasion and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) remains unknown. Here, we explored the H3R in the highly invasive glioblastoma (GBM) and U87MG cells. We found that H3R mRNA and protein levels were… (More)\n‹ 1 ›", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5139143466949463} {"content": "Crash risks are particularly high under certain conditions, which include in the presence of teen passengers, at night, under the influence of alcohol and while using electronic devices. the effect of teenage passengers has been demonstrated with respect to teenage risky driving and crash risks, but it is not understood the extent to which this may be due to social influences on teenage drivers to drive faster and follow more closely. Teenage passengers may distract teenage drivers. This research seeks to determine the relative importance of perceived social norms and peer influence on teenage driving performance.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9313815832138062} {"content": "from Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) issued the following statement in support of the reauthorization of the three national security provisions in the PATRIOT Act which are set to expire on Thursday, May 26th. These provisions will be extended for an additional four years.\n\"As a military officer, I have seen the PATRIOT Act provide invaluable legal tools to detect, disrupt, and prevent potential terrorist plots. These legal tools have been available to investigators of organized crime and drug traffickers for years; surely they should be available for use against terrorists. We must have the authority to defend our nation from future attacks, while ensuring American's fundamental rights are protected under the Fourth Amendment.\n\"The PATRIOT Act has played an important role in disrupting potential attacks and keeping our country safe since 9/11. Three essential national security provisions of the PATRIOT Act are set to expire tonight; therefore Congress must act to ensure these constitutional and commonsense safeguards remain intact against potential terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.\n\"While the death of Osama bin Laden, the terrorist mastermind behind 9/11, is great news, it represents one victory in our continuing fight against terror. This fight is not over and we must maintain aggressive efforts to protect and defend our nation against any potential terrorist enemies.\"\nBackground on the Expiring National Security Provisions in the PATRIOT Act Courtesy of the House Judiciary Committee § Roving Wiretaps:Roving wiretaps allow intelligence officials - after receiving approval from a federal court - to conduct surveillance on terrorist suspects regardless of how many communication devices they use. Roving wiretaps are nothing new. Domestic law enforcement agencies have had roving wiretaps for criminal investigations since 1986.\n§ Business Records:This provision allows the FBI, after obtaining approval from a federal judge, to access tangible items, including business records, in foreign intelligence, international terrorism and espionage cases.\n§ Lone Wolf:National security laws allow intelligence gathering on foreign governments, terrorist groups and their agents. But what about a foreign terrorist who either acts alone or cannot be immediately tied to a terrorist organization? The lone wolf definition simply allows our intelligence officials to answer threats from terrorists acting alone. It cannot be used against a U.S. citizen.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9662901759147644} {"content": "NLIHC has announced that J. Ronald Terwilliger and Amy Anthony will be recognized for their contributions to affordable housing at NLIHC’s annual Leadership Reception on the evening of April 4, 2017. Ron Terwilliger, chairman emeritus and former CEO of the Trammel Crow Residential Company, will receive the 2017 Edward W. Brooke Housing Leadership Award for his outstanding contributions to the cause of rebalancing federal affordable housing. The Brooke Award is named for the late Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-MA), who championed low income and fair housing while in Congress and later served as the chair of NLIHC’s Board of Directors. The award is presented to individuals who advocate for affordable housing on the national level. Retired Preservation of Affordable Housing President and Founder Amy Anthony will be the recipient of the 2017 Cushing N. Dolbeare Lifetime Service Award. The Dolbeare Award is named after NLIHC’s founder, considered the godmother of the affordable housing movement. NLIHC presents the Dolbeare Award to individuals for their lifetime of service to affordable housing.\nThe 2017 Leadership Reception will follow NLIHC’s 2017 Housing Policy Forum which will take place in Washington, DC, April 2-4. The Forum will provide opportunities to engage with thought-leaders, policy experts, researchers, affordable housing practitioners, low income residents, and leaders from Capitol Hill and the new Administration about the state of the affordable housing crisis in America and its solutions.\nThe Policy Forum will explore challenges and opportunities emerging from the 2016 presidential and congressional elections and the best strategies for achieving positive affordable housing policy solutions. NLIHC will invite the new HUD secretary to share his or her vision and priorities and to engage with participants about their concerns, aspirations, and recommendations. The Forum will also explore the lessons learned from the first year of implementation of the national Housing Trust Fund; the intersections between housing and health, education, criminal justice reform, and other areas; and ways to rebalance U.S. federal housing investments to end homelessness and housing poverty, among many other topics. The third day of the Forum will provide an opportunity for participants to visit their congressional delegations on Capitol Hill.\nThe NLIHC 2017 Housing Policy Forum and Leadership Reception will take place at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington DC. Register at: http://bit.ly/2dnJpnS\nA limited number of shared-lodging hotel scholarships will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis to low income residents who are current NLIHC members and who pay their own Forum registration fee (“self-pay participants”). To ensure a broad geographic distribution, no more than two scholarships will be awarded to participants from any one state (with the exception of New York, where a donor has provided funding for six). The scholarships provide residents attending the Forum up to three nights of shared hotel lodging on April 1, 2, and 3. Scholarship recipients must commit to attending all Forum sessions, including a special resident session on Sunday, April 2 and Lobby Day on Tuesday, April 4. To apply for a scholarship, contact James Saucedo at jsaucedo@nlihc.org. Questions? Call 202-662-1530 or email jsaucedo@nlihc.org.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6185832023620605} {"content": "JLC contributor Mark Parlee recently inspected a home in Iowa with major roofing issues. He found a range of reasons why the roof had given out, leaving the house leaky and wet.\nAll of the leaks stemmed from poor attention to detail when the shingles were being installed and flashed, he said.\nThese problems included the following: No plumbing vent boots had been installed. Instead, these penetrations had been “black jacked”—asphalt roof cement had simply been smeared around the bases of the vent pipes.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9734381437301636} {"content": "Procurement as a function is on a journey toward greater importance and influence. As it evolves beyond its transactional and back office roots, the department is becoming a strategic player focused on total value delivered including supporting revenue goals, reducing total cost of ownership, and developing partnerships with key suppliers.\nHowever, when discussing procurement’s alignment with the overall business it becomes imperative to develop and establish a rapport with the stakeholders and executive team. Aligning the procurement department with the business strategies is of great interest to CPO’s and CEO’s alike.\nKarl-Heinz Müller, former Supply Chain Executive at Siemens and Vodafone and thought leader in global Procurement, discusses, how purchasing provides value to the organization from an end-to-end perspective, and which skills are required to successfully establish an integrated purchasing function.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9972138404846191} {"content": "Causes Here's a sample of our volunteer opportunities:VIEW AS\nTo support caregivers and their loved ones By providing kind, safe and reliable day services For adults who would benefit from a compassionate environment, Meaningful programs and opportunities for socialization\nForster Woods Adult Day Center is a professionally supervised day program serving the elderly and other adults with physical or mental impairments. We provide a structured day program that includes meaningful social, cognitive, creative, and sensory activities in a warm, caring and secure environment. The program is individualized for each person based on the participant’s individual plan of care.\nIndependence, self expression and being part of a group help adults who may be isolated by illness, disability or loss maintain a positive orientation to life. By focusing on maintenance of physical and mental health, Forster Woods enables the participant to maintain as high a level of functioning as possible, thereby allowing them to remain in their homes and communities.\nWe at Forster Woods understand that caring for a loved one with a debilitating disease such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, or Parkinson’s Disease requires constant attention and supervision and can be exhausting. Using Forster Woods to supplement the care they give at home offers caregivers an opportunity for rest, employment, running errands and pursuing their own interests.\nJennifer Putmon 5173493101 Need admin access?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7131691575050354} {"content": "The most common garden slug is 1-1/2 to 2 inches long when full grown and are gray to black. Slugs are not insects. They are a mollusk, like oysters, clams and snails and can be described as a snail without a shell.\nSlugs are one of the first pests of spring. They hatch from jelly-like masses found under boards, flower pots and other damp areas of the garden. Slugs feed at night and leave behind a slimy residue as they move. They prefer damp, cool locations.\nSlugs eat large holes in the leaves, fruits, and crowns of plants.\nNon chemical: Slugs are difficult to\ncontrol. Eliminate hiding places by removing garden debris such\nas leaves and mulch. Increase spacing between plants to allow better\nair circulation and reduce moisture that the slugs need. Hand pick\nat night or in early morning. Use barriers such as coarse sand or\ncopper stripping placed around desirable plants. Attractants such\nas stale beer in a shallow dish may attract and trap some slugs.\nChemical: Contact your County Extension office for current pesticide controls.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5356009006500244} {"content": "In the\nHypertension article by Hansen et al (Hansen TW, Thijs L, Li Y, Boggia J, Kikuya M, Björklund-Bodegård K, Richart T, Ohkubo T, Jeppesen J, Pedersen CT, Dolan E, Kuznetsova T, Stolarz-Skrzypek K, Tikhonoff V, Malyutina S, Casiglia E, Nikitin Y, Lind L, San-doya E, Kawecka-Jaszcz K, Imai Y, Wang J, Ibsen H, O’Brien E, Staessen JA, on behalf of the International Database on Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Relation to Cardiovascular Outcomes Investigators. Prognostic Value of Reading-to-Reading Blood Pressure Variability Over 24 Hours in 8938 Subjects from 11 Populations. Hypertension. 2010;55:1049–1057.) a correction has been made to Figure 3A. The line labeled 17 has been deleted from the figure. The correct Figure appears below.\nThe authors regret the errors.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.819043755531311} {"content": "Wisconsin has long been a leader among states in expanding coverage to its low-income residents since even before the major coverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) took effect on January 1, 2014. While Governor Scott Walker decided not to adopt the Medicaid expansion, thousands of previously uninsured Wisconsinites…\nRefine Results view as grid view as list\nThis fact sheet provides an overview of changes to BadgerCare, Wisconsin’s 1115 waiver demonstration project, and how it relates to the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion.\nThis state report explains how the ACA expands coverage in Wisconsin, including a breakdown of how many uninsured people are eligible for Medicaid, how many are eligible for financial assistance to help them buy private insurance in the new Marketplace and how many will not receive any financial assistance at all. The report also details, in specific dollar figures, the income levels at which people in Wisconsin are eligible for Medicaid or financial assistance in the Marketplace. For states not expanding Medicaid, the report quantifies how many uninsured people fall into the “coverage gap,” meaning they will be ineligible for financial assistance in the Marketplace or for Medicaid in their state despite having an income below the federal poverty level.\nFinal update made on December 11, 2012 (no further updates will be made) Establishing the Exchange On November 16, 2012, Governor Scott Walker (R) notified federal officials that Wisconsin would default to a federally-facilitated health insurance exchange.1 After initial efforts to develop a state-based health insurance exchange, Governor Walker announced in July…", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8680474758148193} {"content": "This volume introduces the study of language attrition - the forgetting of language. In this first collection devoted to second language attrition, the contributors focus on contexts of loss where Japanese is either the attriting language, or the replacing language. Bringing together research to substantiate previous hypotheses in the field, this book offers new theoretical and practical insights for those interested in language change.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6392974853515625} {"content": "Opioid Abuse Leads to Hearing Loss\nA case study published in\nPharmacotherapy discusses a rare but possibly underreported adverse effect associated with oxymorphone abuse, namely acute reversible hearing loss following inhalation of oxymorphone extended-release formulation.\nA previously healthy 24-year-old male presented to the emergency department complaining of acute bilateral hearing loss after he snorted a crushed oxymorphone 30mg extrended-release tablet. He admitted occasional oxymorphone and marijuana abuse for recreational purposes and the onset of hearing loss was about eight hours after inhalation. He also complained that he'd had a “head cold” for the past week. Lab results were unremarkable except for mild elevation in serum creatinine concentration (1.21 mg/dL) and elevated white blood cell count (22.9 9 103/mm3). A diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia was made after a chest radiograph showed right lower lobe infiltrate, but no evidence of sinusitis. His hearing loss improved three hours after presentation and he was admitted for pneumonia, wherein he received intravenous antibiotics. His hearing loss had completely resolved the following morning and he was discharged with oral antibiotics. Upon discharge, two of his associates stated that the patient had experienced similar hearing loss following oxymorphone inhalation, but it was not as severe.\nThis potential interaction scored a 6 on the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale, indicating a probable cause of the patient's acute hearing loss. The mechanism of action in opioid-associated hearing loss (OAHL) is not completely understood but is believed to be due to disturbances within the cochlea. Because OAHL does not appear to be drug-, dose-, or duration-dependent, predisposition to OAHL may be due to genetic polymorphisms of the drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. The presence of adulterants or other additives in illegally-obtained opioids, or introduced as part of the preparation for injection or inhalation, could also contribute to OAHL.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.639846920967102} {"content": "Every educational organisation is unique, with continually changing needs. Although many independent schools have been established for hundreds of years, they are no different. We have an in-depth understanding of the issues independent schools face, and offers a number of potential solutions.\nIndependent schools are up against fierce competition to maintain pupil numbers. It is therefore vital to ensure your school is performing to the highest standards, with the best financial controls in place to manage any potential risks.\nEvery penny is crucial, even to fee-paying schools, who are often viewed as having more funds than state funded schools. We understand that financial constraints can sometimes be a factor in decision making, so we ensure schools are making the most responsible choices.\nWe work with you to understand the ethos of your school, and to become part of your internal team. We understand your challenges to include:\nCash flow management:\nGovernance:", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.510495662689209} {"content": "Prolonged remission is an infrequent outcome among patients and is preceded by an atypically monophasic clinical course in a significant minority and may reflect unique pathophysiologic mechanisms.\nPubMed, J Rheumatol, 2014 Aug 1. (Also see: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatments)\nThis item was posted in the ISN Newsroom. Please check the newsroom daily for updates on scleroderma and other related articles.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7026558518409729} {"content": "Temperature dependent rotational diffusion of a nonpolar solute, 9-phenylanthracene (9-PA), and a dipolar solute, rhodamine 110 (R110), has been examined in an ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim(+)][PF6-]) and in a conventional solvent, glycerol. This study has been undertaken to explore how parameters such as solvent size and free volume influence solute rotation in the case of a nonpolar solute, 9-PA. To understand the role of specific solute-solvent interactions, similar measurements have been performed with a dipolar analogue, R110. It has been observed that the viscosity normalized reorientation times of 9-PA are longer by a factor of 1.4-1.6 in glycerol compared to those in [bmim(+)][PF6-]. While the most commonly used Stokes-Einstein-Debye hydrodynamic theory is not successful in explaining this experimental observation, Gierer-Wirtz and Dote-Kivelson-Schwartz quasihydrodynamic theories could rationalize this trend, albeit in a qualitative manner. Rotational diffusion of R110, on the other hand, follows an exactly opposite trend compared to 9-PA. The normalized reorientation times of R110 are longer by a factor of 1.3-1.4 in [bmim(+)][PF6-] compared to glycerol, which is due to the formation of stronger solute-solvent hydrogen bonds between the positively charged R110 and the ionic liquid. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9990812540054321} {"content": "May 10, 2012 North Korea's failed attempt to launch a satellite from its Unha-3 space rocket on April 13 and India's successful flight test of the Agni-5 long-range missile on April 19 marked significant events in the ballistic missile development programs of the two countries. These two ballistic missile test events not only reveal technical information about system performance, but also invite reflection on U.S. policy responses. The demonstration of North Korean failure and Indian success is only the most readily accessible feature of the story. The broader implications for U.S. nonproliferation and security policies are more complicated and less obvious. Both cases imply U.S. failure to accurately assess threats and to adopt appropriate responses for mitigating those threats. The the full text of the brief \"Long-Range Ballistic Missile Development: A Tale of Two Tests\" is available online. # # # The Arms Control Association (ACA) is an independent nongovernmental organization dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by the world's most dangerous weapons.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8377313017845154} {"content": "Entry requirements\nYou should have an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant subject.\nMonths of entry\nSeptember\nCourse content\n'Development' has come to represent the political relationship between rich and poor countries following the end of colonialism. This programme offers a critical approach to development through the lens of anthropology. It explores the historical role of anthropological engagement in development, and provides the opportunity to rethink concepts, policies and practices underwriting global inequality.\nOffering a critical exploration of the concept of rights (human, indigenous, or gender, for example) and how it is mobilised to make various kinds of claims, the degree presents diverse perspectives on how we might address global inequality. London is the headquarters of many development-related organisations. You will negotiate a work placement with one such organisation for one half day per week. This is an opportunity for critical reflection on some of the issues raised. Qualification and course duration MA Course contact details Name Course Enquiries course-info@gold.ac.uk Phone +44 (0)20 7078 5300", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6831061840057373} {"content": "In the mid-1800s, the story of a man-eating tree captured widespread attention. In a report he wrote for the South Australian Register, Carl Liche, a German explorer, claimed that while exploring Madagascar, he'd witnessed a woman climb the trunk of a large plant and drink its nectar. When the plant sensed her presence, it captured her with its tentacles and pulled her into its body.\nOne hundred years later, a 1950s science writer debunked the legend, asserting that not only was there no such tree, but that no one by name of Carl Liche had ever explored Madagascar.\nWhile a tentacle-wielding, man-consuming tree may not exist, a scaled-down version of such a plant does. The man-eating tree of Madagascar may have been an exaggeration of the pitcher plants that grow in Madagascar, Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia and other hot and humid, low-lying areas. The largest of the pitcher plants is known as Nepenthes, and this plant does capture small vermin and lizards in its pitchers (or cupped leaves).\nThe pitcher plant creates a substance that coats the inside of its pitchers. This substance mixes with water that the plant draws up through its roots. Insects and, on occasion, small animals are attracted to the scented water. When they come to drink, they fall into the pitcher, are unable to escape, and the plant draws nutrients from the captured prey.\nWhile you certainly won't fall prey to the pitchers of the Nepenthes -- they're entirely too small to hold a human -- you could easily fall prey to the sickness some plants induce. In fact, the following 10 could actually kill you.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.569597065448761} {"content": "A fraction of HIV-1 patients are able to successfully control the virus and avoid developing AIDS. It has become increasingly clear that variations in the immune response during the initial days of acute infection including the period of peak viral replication determine long term differences in disease outcomes. While the precise factor(s) necessary and sufficient for protection from AIDS is as yet unidentified, a number of factors have been correlated with protection from AIDS. Among these are the presence of a strong proliferative and multifunctional T-cell response as well as the HLA allele status of a patient. Therefore the goal of this thesis project was to 1) broadly identify the major contributors to the proliferative and multifunctional T-cell response during acute infection with HIV, 2) examine the durability of these responses and 3) elucidate the gene regulation pathway(s) by which HLA allele status determines disease outcomes.\nIn order to identify the major contributors to the proliferative and multifunctional T-cell response to HIV we utilized PBMC samples from a cohort of acutely infected HIV patients in the Duke and University of North Carolina infectious disease clinics. These samples were stimulated in vitro with peptides representing the HIV clade B consensus sequence and the T-cells were analyzed for proliferation and multifunctionality. Through this analysis we identified CD4+CD8+ (DP) T-cells as overrepresented within the proliferative response and the primary contributor to multifunctionality. Additionally, the acute multifunctional T-cell response was highly focused on the Nef, Rev, Tat, VPR and VPU sections of the HIV proteome. We also discovered similar response patterns among a cohort of HIV controllers recruited from the Duke infectious disease clinic. In fact, the frequency of multifunctional DP T-cells was inversely correlated with viral loads among the controller cohort.\nHaving identified DP T-cells as HIV responding cells of interest, we next examined their durability following the removal of widespread antigenic stimulation via administration of HAART. Utilizing longitudinal samples from the acute HIV cohort we again examined T-cell proliferation and multifunctionality at approximately 24 weeks and 104 weeks post infection among patients. This experiment demonstrated that among patients who initiated HAART during acute infection there was a significant reduction in the frequency of multifunctional DP T-cells at 24 and 104 weeks post infection compared to study entry. Meanwhile the proliferative DP T-cell response was maintained longitudinally. Additionally, these patients did not exhibit the previously described increase in frequency of multifunctional CD8 T-cells as infection progressed to the chronic phase. Although the majority of patients initiated HAART during the acute stage of infection, a minority delayed HAART initiation for various lengths up to and including study cessation. Among this group of patients the frequency of multifunctional DP T-cells was maintained longitudinally. Therefore, the early initiation of HAART reduces long term frequencies of multifunctional DP T-cells while delayed HAART initiation leads to a durable multifunctional DP T-cell response. Since HIV controllers with higher frequencies of multifunctional DP T-cells maintain lower viral loads, early HAART initiation may be detrimental to the development of immune cells capable of controlling the virus.\nFinally, we examined the effect HLA alleles have on gene regulation during the initial interactions between HIV and the host immune system. This work employed 2 HIV negative patient cohorts. One cohort expressed HLA-B*35 which has previously been shown to correlate with rapid progression to AIDS following infection with HIV. The second cohort expressed HLA-B*57 which has been associated with long term non-progression following infection with HIV. PBMCs from each group were infected with HIV in vitro. Twenty-four hours after infection these cells were sorted into CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells and NK-cells. Following cell sorting, mRNA was isolated and interrogated for expression changes using whole genome microarrays. This analysis revealed HLA allele specific differences in the magnitude by which CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells and NK-cells activate the interferon response pathway following exposure to HIV.\nIn total, these findings provide insight into the cell types responsible for significant portions of the acute immune response to HIV and the mechanisms by which individuals protected from progression to AIDS differ from their peers.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8291499614715576} {"content": "The origin of this wonderful mechanism is one of evolution's most durable mysteries. In 1861, just two years after Darwin published\nOrigin of Species, quarry workers in Germany unearthed spectacular fossils of a crow-size bird, dubbed Archaeopteryx, that lived about 150 million years ago. It had feathers and other traits of living birds but also vestiges of a reptilian past, such as teeth in its mouth, claws on its wings, and a long, bony tail. Like fossils of whales with legs, Archaeopteryx seemed to capture a moment in a critical evolutionary metamorphosis. \"It is a grand case for me,\" Darwin confided to a friend.\nThe case would have been even grander if paleontologists could have found a more ancient creature endowed with more primitive feathers—something they searched for in vain for most of the next century and a half. In the meantime, other scientists sought to illuminate the origin of feathers by examining the scales of modern reptiles, the closest living relatives of birds. Both scales and feathers are flat. So perhaps the scales of the birds' ancestors had stretched out, generation after generation. Later their edges could have frayed and split, turning them into the first true feathers.\nIt made sense too that this change occurred as an adaptation for flight. Imagine the ancestors of birds as small, scaly, four-legged reptiles living in forest canopies, leaping from tree to tree. If their scales had grown longer, they would have provided more and more lift, which would have allowed the protobirds to glide a little farther, then a little farther still. Only later might their arms have evolved into wings they could push up and down, transforming them from gliders to true powered fliers. In short, the evolution of feathers would have happened along with the evolution of flight.\nThis feathers-led-to-flight notion began to unravel in the 1970s, when Yale University paleontologist John Ostrom noted striking similarities between the skeletons of birds and terrestrial dinosaurs called theropods, a group that includes marquee monsters like\nTyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor. Clearly, Ostrom argued, birds were the living descendants of theropods. Still, many known theropods had big legs, short arms, and stout, long tails—hardly the anatomy one would expect on a creature leaping from trees. Other paleontologists argued that birds did not evolve from dinosaurs—rather, their similarities derived from a shared common ancestor deeper in the past.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5551998019218445} {"content": "A W-2 is a form that company employees receive in January. It shows the income they earned and the amount of taxes that were deducted. Employees need these forms to complete and process their annual income taxes. Sole proprietors of businesses are not eligible to receive salaries, as it is prohibited by law. These small business owners also do not receive W-2 forms. Instead, sole proprietors must pay themselves directly from their profits.\nOptions for Payment\nSole proprietors can legally pay themselves by issuing draw checks from their business checking accounts. Draw checks are not the same as paying salaries and receiving W-2s. Draw checks can be tracked by these business owners, but they can't be counted as actual labor expenses. Sole proprietors are still responsible for paying taxes on all profits, regardless whether they issue themselves draw checks. These individuals also are fully responsible for financing their businesses, whether it's through borrowing or from the owner's savings. Therefore, they are allowed to use their profits as needed.\nEmployee Payments\nSole proprietors are allowed to pay their employees' salaries, which are then reported and distributed on W-2 forms after each calendar year. Employees' salaries, bonuses and benefits count as labor expenses, which sole proprietors report when filing their taxes. One alternative these small businesses owners have besides paying salaries is hiring independent contractors. Independent contractors are not employees. They are self-employed business people like the sole proprietor. Independent contractor payments still count as labor expenses. However, sole proprietors only need to send them 1099 forms at the end of the year, according to the IRS. Independent contractors are responsible for reporting their own taxes, as the small business owners do not deduct taxes from their payments.\nSpouse Payments\nOne legal way sole proprietors can draw salaries is by paying their spouses salaries. That way, they benefit from the extra income, which isn't directly taken out of their profits. Instead, the spouse's income counts as a labor expense and is included along with all other employees. This additional labor expense is then deducted from total revenue, which lowers the tax liability of the sole proprietor. In other words, profits are lower because of the spouse's salary. Thus, the owner pays less taxes. The spouse then receives a W-2 form in January, showing all tax and benefit withholdings.\nConsiderations\nSole proprietors can draw salaries if they become incorporated. But they must fill out additional paperwork and pay fees to convert their businesses to corporations. This process is usually handled by an attorney, as forms are usually filed through both the state and federal governments. The key benefit to owning a corporation is having investors. Business owners who incorporate also stand to lose only what they've invested in their companies, not their homes or bank accounts if they get sued. However, business owners who remain sole proprietors are not double taxed like corporations -- for both employees and the business itself -- and they do not need to obtain federal identification numbers or fill out special tax forms.\nBrad Gillies Personal Coaching: Is a Sole Proprietorship Right for You? IRS: Sole Proprietorships Social Security Online: Employer W-2 Filing Instructions & Information The CPA Journal: The Domestic Production Deduction and Sole Proprietors IRS: Topic 756 - Employment Taxes for Household Employees IRS: Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee? Photo Credits Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.52513587474823} {"content": "Petersen, Sidsel Rübner1; Alkeskjold, Thomas Tanggaard1; Lægsgaard, Jesper1\nAffiliations:\n1 Department of Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark2 Fiber Optics, Devices and Non-linear Effects, Department of Photonics Engineering, Technical University of Denmark\nAbstract:\nRare‐earth doped high‐power fiber lasers and amplifiers have attracted a lot of attention, due to the advantages of the fiber amplification scheme. Compared to conventional optically pumped bulk lasers, heat is dissipated much more effectively in fiber lasers, having a large surface‐to‐active volume ratio. Thereby, a stable beam with nearly diffraction‐limited quality can be achieved. The fibers are often cladding‐pumped with a number of low‐brightness semiconductor laser diodes, in which way a low‐cost pump of several kilowatts can be achieved [1]. However, the frequencies, which can be amplified, are naturally restricted by the gain spectra of the laser‐active dopants. Furthermore, special care must be invested to amplify frequencies outside of the peak of the gain spectrum. There is a special interest in the long wavelength region of the Ytterbium gain spectrum, 1100 nm ‐ 1200 nm, which can reach the yellow‐orange light regime through frequency doubling. Yellow‐orange light has applications within the medical industry, high‐resolution spectroscopy and for laser‐guide stars [2]. To achieve amplification at these wavelengths, the larger gain at shorter wavelengths must be suppressed to avoid parasitic lasing due to Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) build‐up. Nonlinear effects, such as stimulated Raman scattering, stimulated Brillouin scattering and four‐wave mixing, set the upper limit for achievable powers in fiber amplifiers. To increase the nonlinear threshold, Large‐Mode‐Area (LMA) fiber designs are desired. However, it can be challenging to maintain Single‐Mode (SM) operation with increasing core sizes. In this work a LMA Distributed Spectral Filtering (DSF) Photonic Crystal Fiber (PCF) for amplification above 1100 nm is presented. The cladding consists of hexagonally placed air holes, seven missing holes define the core. On each side of the core, rows of air holes are replaced with high‐index inclusions, a one‐ and a three‐row design has been investigated. Thereby the core mode is confined by both index‐ and bandgap guiding type mechanisms. Single‐mode operation can to a large degree be controlled through index guidance by tuning the air hole diameter. Suppression of unwanted spectral components is realized through bandgap guidance by tailoring the high‐index inclusions. A filter of ASE is thereby incorporated in the PCF cladding. Furthermore the inclusions on one side of the core are reduced in diameter with respect to the inclusions on the other side of the core, enabling the DSF effect to be adjusted spectrally from both the red‐ and blue‐edge. We demonstrate an enhanced suppression of unwanted spectral components in the three‐row design compared to the one row design, and SM behaviour is demonstrated for core diameters of ~ 45 μm. Redshifting of the maximum gain from 1030 nm to above 1100 nm is illustrated by considering the Ytterbium gain curve and a white light transmission measurement of the PCF.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7503790259361267} {"content": "(Newser)\n–\nThe inhospitable oxygen-starved layers of the oceans, once relegated to the deep sea, are now encroaching on coastlines, reports the\nLos Angeles Times. The dead zones, linked to global warming, have moved up into continental shelves, a study in Science says. They interfere with commercial fishing and entice predators that thrive in such conditions such as the jumbo squid.\n\"If you warm waters, they hold much less oxygen. That's the same as a bottle of soda water. If you open it warm, it'll fizz all over the place,\" explained one of the study's authors. When that warming water is the ocean, it can also create lighter upper layers that could interfere with global circulation, a potential doomsday scenario.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9944493770599365} {"content": "Despite its clinical value, the rubber dam seems to result in significantly higher aerosol levels on various areas of the dentist's head, requiring that dentists cover their heads with suitable protective wear.\nOSAP Disclaimer | Please notify our webmaster of any problems with this website. OSAP thanks its Super Sponsors for their support in 2016. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement by OSAP of a company's products or services.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.993637204170227} {"content": "COS 60-8: Context-dependent variation in a plant-pollinator mutualism\nSuann Yang, Matthew J. Ferrari, and Katriona Shea. The Pennsylvania State University\nBackground/Question/Methods In the plant-pollinator mutualism, both species that are involved benefit to some degree. This benefit, however, can vary in strength both spatially and temporally. We examined the relationship between the plant-pollinator interaction and ecological context for two species of invasive thistles, Carduus nutans and C. acanthoides, in pure and mixed constructed arrays of different densities and sizes in the field. We recorded pollinator movements within each array, and considered the fitness consequence of these movements for both plant species. Interactions between invasive species are relatively understudied; thus examining their indirect interactions through their shared pollinators is of particular importance.Results/Conclusions Preliminary results reveal that the visitation behavior of insect pollinators varied with the distribution of flowering plants. Visitation rate to pure C. acanthoides arrays was higher than that to pure C. nutans arrays, with mixed arrays receiving an intermediate rate of visitation. Within arrays, the number of flower heads (display size) of an individual was a much stronger predictor of visitation than the distance between plants. In pure C. acanthoides arrays, pollinators preferred to visit plants with larger displays; however, there was no apparent preference for display in pure C. nutans arrays or the mixed arrays. Instead, in mixed arrays, pollinators preferred to visit C. acanthoides individuals regardless of display size. In mixed arrays, the average duration of a visit to a C. nutans flower head decreased compared to in pure C. nutans arrays. In contrast, visits to C. acanthoides flower heads, the preferred species, were the same in single species and mixed arrays. Thus, when C. acanthoides is present, C. nutans experiences not only reduced visitation but also decreased duration of visits, while C. acanthoides is relatively little affected by the presence of C. nutans. Understanding the change in pollinator foraging behavior with ecological context can shed light on patterns of variation in the strength of a particular plant-pollinator mutualism. For our two invasive thistles, these shifts in pollinator behavior may potentially reduce the fitness of C. nutans in the presence of its congeneric invader C. acanthoides, with repercussions for its invasion success.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6915577054023743} {"content": "Microsoft Updates High Availability Guidance for Cloud Apps\nMicrosoft has released an updated checklist for high-availability (HA) scenarios in Microsoft Azure with guidance on how to design and manage solutions that use VMs, websites and storage, in cases where great load is expected intermittently or consistently.\nUsing these guidelines, architects and developers can compose checklists based on the resources they intend to use.\nAt a glance: Recommendations for building more scalable applications\nMicrosoft provides many resources in Azure that can be composed into solutions, but this HA checklist targets Virtual Machines, Web Sites and Databases.\nFor Virtual Machines, these are the recommendations:\nUse Traffic Manager to handle balancing traffic across multiple Azure regions. Azure has 26 regions around the world, with 8 more expected in the near future. Use multiple VMs per role. Use a Load Balancer. Azure’s Load Balancers enable intra-data center routing. Thus, in a given region, it ensures the actual VMs being used are efficiently selected. More on the distinction between these assets is provided by Microsoft program manager Jonathan Tuliani. Deploy virtual machine scale sets for automatic growth or shrinkage in the number of VMs in operation, based on internal metrics such as the processor activity on VMs or external factors like the length of an Azure storage queue.\nThe checklist really provides a block by block approach to understanding what a HA-configured deployment of VMs in Azure looks like.\nFor Website services delivered via Azure, it is recommended that developers take advantage of the Azure CDN as well as stand up a caching provider such as a Redis cache; whereas databases running in production on Azure should utilize active geo-replication.\nIn making the announcement, Adam Glick, senior program manager - Azure resiliency, stated that even though Azure has provided offerings that support building with HA, many clients still don’t take advantage of those solutions. Microsoft notes that the solution approaches presented can be applied without significant changes to application design.\nThis checklist goes beyond just making recommendations and providing insight on some of the risks that are reduced by following the practices specified. With the average cost of downtime for applications being between $1.25 to $2.5 billion annually, according to the IDC, the risks are very real. They include:\nIncreased latency due to bottlenecking Single points of failure across application tiers Reduced scalability Increased cost per resource used\nThe HA checklist is one resource among many that is provided by Azure on the topic. SQL Server gets its own list of considerations in the high-availability/disaster-recovery solutions document. For Azure web apps, Microsoft provides reference architecture. Technical guidance on resiliency and deployment models for achieving HA with IoT is also available. Glick stated in the announcement about the checklist that these steps should be implementable without having to cause significant application re-write, whereas the guidance shared by teams like the patterns and practices team represents insights that should be followed before solutions are developed.\nHigh availability is a serious matter. Breaching service level agreements can result in significant legal action. When Sears had two outages in 2015, it claimed it lost $2M in profit and filed a lawsuit against the companies involved. Machine Zone, maker of the popular Game of War app dropped Peak Hosting as a provider after the app went down for two hours in October 2015. This led to the provider filing for bankruptcy.\nBeyond the checklists, Azure, as well as other cloud providers supply templates that can deploy cloud resources containing pre-built HA configurations. Azure provides Azure Resource Manager templates that demonstrate load and clustering strategies. Amazon provides lists in this regard, too. Further demonstration of HA solutions can be found in IBM’s own deployment templates.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5029926300048828} {"content": "Warranties for a hot water heater are typically available directly from the manufacturer and often come packaged with the water heater. Water heaters commonly carry a limited warranty that covers the tank and various components.Continue Reading\nWarranties are often available online at the manufacturer website, such as Rheem.com. Warranties obtained online typically require registering the hot water tank and downloading the warranty. Warranties are also commonly available from authorized dealers. Hot water tank warranties typically cover the first owner of the water heater, and sometimes cover subsequent owners if the water heater is not relocated. Hardware stores, such as Lowe's, typically offer an extended warranty that includes labor coverage.Learn more about Appliances", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9997991919517517} {"content": "Southern Trauma: Revisiting Caste and Class in the Mississippi Delta\nPublished in\nAmerican Anthropologist, Vol. 106, No. 2, 334-345 (June 2004) at doi: href=\"10.1525/aa.2004.106.2.334 Abstract\nTwo classic ethnographies, Hortense Powdermaker’s\nAfter Freedom: A Cultural Study in the Deep South and John Dollard’s Caste and Class in a Southern Town, contributed to a “master narrative” of the Mississippi Delta and the South that viewed class largely through the lens of race. Their work contributed to the community studies and culture and personality traditions and became part of the public discourse of race in the United States. This article examines the institutional and theoretical frameworks within which they worked. We focus on three aspects of their work: (1) their definition of class that left race as the only salient social divide; (2) their portrayal of middle- and upper-class statements as normative; and (3) their uncritical use of data from elsewhere in the South to interpret their Indianola data. We report the events at the Yale Institute of Human Relations that led Dollard to publish before Powdermaker. This paper has been withdrawn.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8398467302322388} {"content": "04 Aug Study Finds Exercise Helps Reduce Cholesterol Levels\nA recent study conducted out of North Carolina University found that individuals who increase the amount of exercise they get by 180 metabolic units per week, which amounts to about one hour of mild or 30 minutes of moderate exercise, experienced a significant decrease in triglycerides while also experiencing an increase in their “good” HDL cholesterol.\nThe study, which was conducted over a 12-year period of time, examined more than 8,700 middle-aged men and women. Although both sexes saw a significant amount of benefit from increasing the amount of exercise they got each week, women actually showed a greater amount of improvement to their health than the men who participated in the study. In fact, women were the only ones who saw what is considered to be a “statistically significant” decrease in their “bad’ LDL cholesterol. This was particularly true for African-American women as well as for those women who were menopausal. Furthermore, African-American women were the only ones who saw a “clinically significant” decrease in total cholesterol levels.\nAlthough the researchers are not sure why their appears to be a difference in effects on men versus women, they speculate that hormones play a significant role. This hypothesis appears to be supported by the fact that post-menopausal women enjoyed a more significant affect than other women. The researchers further speculate that the connection to race may be due to genetic variations, but this hypothesis needs to examined further before drawing any conclusions.\nNo matter how you look at it, the bottom line is clear: getting more exercise is good for you, no matter your race, age or gender, so visit the AtHomeFitness home page and start looking through the workout equipment we have available to help you live a healthier lifestlye.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5749515295028687} {"content": "1. Santamaria, Mauro Pedrine: 8 articles (09/2013 - 06/2007) 2. Casati, Marcio Zaffalon: 8 articles (09/2013 - 04/2008) 3. Nociti, Francisco Humberto: 7 articles (09/2013 - 06/2007) 4. Sallum, Enilson Antônio: 7 articles (09/2013 - 06/2007) 5. Sallum, Antônio Wilson: 5 articles (09/2013 - 06/2007) 6. Sallum, Antonio Wilson: 4 articles (09/2013 - 04/2008) 7. da Silva Feitosa, Daniela: 2 articles (09/2013 - 05/2009) 8. Sallum, Enilson Antonio: 2 articles (09/2013 - 07/2012) 9. Suaid, Fabricia Ferreira: 2 articles (09/2013 - 04/2008) 10. Bołtacz-Rzepkowska, Elzbieta: 2 articles (01/2013 - 01/2012)\n1. Root Caries\n03/01/1998 - \"Resin-modified (light-cured) glass ionomer and polyacid-modified composite resin (compomer) restorations are popular choices for the restoration of root caries and cervical abrasion/erosion lesions, but clinical studies are relatively few and have been published primarily as abstracts. \"\n03/01/2005 - \"This study evaluated the microleakage of resin-modified glass ionomer, flowable compomer and flowable resin composite restorations on a Class V cavity of simulated advanced root caries under a flexural load cycling condition. \"\n05/01/2014 - \"Candidate caries lesions were randomly assigned to an ART group for root caries treatment with the conventional ART technique, filling with glass ionomer, or an ART + Carisolv® gel for the same ART plus the application of a caries solvent (Carisolv®). \"\n07/01/2012 - \"In turn, these increases place the older population at increased risk for caries; it is estimated that 23.7% of those over the age of 65 have root caries.1 Glass ionomer (GI) seems particularly suitable for restoring root lesions, as it has good esthetic and anti-cariogenic properties, allows for chemical bonding to teeth, and has gained wide acceptance. \"\n07/01/2011 - \"A minimally invasive approach for restoring interproximal root caries lesions with glass ionomer is described.\"\n2. AIDS-Related Complex (ARC)\n04/01/2006 - \"Effect of light-tip distance on the shear bond strengths of resin-modified glass ionomer cured with high-intensity halogen, light-emitting diode, and plasma arc lights.\"\n09/01/2009 - \"The current study evaluated the effect of plasma arc bleaching on the microleakage of Class V restorations restored with resin composite, compomer and resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI). \"\n01/01/2001 - \"The purpose of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strengths of a composite resin (Transbond XT; 3M/Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) and a resin-modified glass ionomer (Fuji Ortho LC; GC America Inc, Alsip, Ill) cured with 2 different light-curing units: a conventional visible light unit (Ortholux XT; 3M Dental Products, St Paul, Minn) and a xenon arc light unit (Plasma Arc Curing [PAC] System; American Dental Technologies, Corpus Christi, Texas). \"\n12/01/2008 - \"Four types of cements were used: glass ionomer, Fuji I (GC); zinc phosphate, Cimento LS (Vigodent); zinc oxide without eugenol, Rely x Temp NE (3M ESPE); and resin cement, Rely x ARC (3M ESPE). \"\n3. Fatigue\n12/01/2004 - \"The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the applied load in a rolling-ball device on the surface contact fatigue of two dental filling materials: a microfilled composite (FA) and a glass ionomer (GFII). \"\n03/01/1998 - \"Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether immediate finishing and application of cyclic loading under water spray on resin-modified glass-ionomers, a conventional glass-ionomer, a polyacid-modified resin composite and a resin composite are reflected in their Young's modulus and fatigue resistance after 1-month wet storage compared with a control group that could mature untroubled for 1 month. \"\n03/01/1995 - \"This in vitro study was conducted to investigate the fatigue behavior of several dental restoratives, including composites, glass ionomers and a resin-reinforced glass ionomer. \"\n12/01/2004 - \"A microfilled composite is very much more resistant to contact fatigue than a glass ionomer.\"\n01/01/1996 - \"However, the addition of metal particles as in the admixed-type metal-reinforced glass ionomer produced a material with increased fatigue resistance.\"\n4. Smear Layer\n09/01/2000 - \"The purpose of this study was to test the root reinforcing capabilities of a glass ionomer sealer and to test whether pretreatment of the instrumented canal to alter or remove the smear layer might enhance the reinforcement. \"\n07/01/1987 - \"Previous studies have shown that the bond strength of glass ionomer to dentin can be increased by the removal of the smear layer. \"\n12/01/2008 - \"The shear bond strength of the glass-ionomer adhesive to dentin proved to be independent of the smear layer thickness. \"\n12/01/2008 - \"To investigate the effect of two different smear layer thicknesses treated with different dentin conditioners on the bond strength of glass-ionomer adhesive to dentin. \"\n12/01/2008 - \"Shear bond strength of glass-ionomer adhesive to dentin: effect of smear layer thickness and different dentin conditioners.\"\n5. Dehydration (Water Stress)\n08/01/1997 - \"The results of this study of the maturing polymerized resin-modified cements have potential clinical implications in the handling of these materials; the addition of resin has not significantly reduced the glass ionomer's susceptibility to dehydration problems.\"\n10/01/1991 - \"Study of hybrid glass-ionomer materials, without spurious dehydration effects, was also achieved.\"\n08/01/2015 - \"Conventional glass ionomer luting cement is more susceptible to cohesive failure when subjected to dehydration compared to resin-modified glass ionomer paste/paste luting cement. \"\n08/01/2015 - \"A Confocal Microscopic Evaluation of the Dehydration Effect on Conventional, Resin Reinforced Powder/Liquid and Paste to Paste Glass Ionomer Luting Cements.\"\n06/01/2004 - \"The topographical part of the glass-ionomer materials was performed in two series with different drying procedures, since this material exhibits a higher sensitivity to dehydration than the other materials. \"\n1. Fluorides 2. Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate (Delton) 3. Xenon 4. Dentifrices (Dentifrice) 5. Transbond XT 6. Fuji Ortho LC 7. GC dentin cement 8. Resin Cements (Cement, Resin) 9. carbopol 940 (sodium polyacrylate) 10. ketac-molar\n1. Transplants (Transplant) 2. Lasers (Laser) 3. Fluoridation 4. Crowns (Crown, Dental)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6135236024856567} {"content": "3.6.1. Afforestation and Reforestation\nConverting non-forest land to forests will typically increase the diversityof flora and fauna, except in situations where biologically diverse non-forestecosystems are replaced by forests that consist of single or a few species (e.g.,plantations of monocultures and especially exotic species).\nWhere afforestation or reforestation is done to restore degraded lands, italso is likely to have other environmental benefits-such as reducing erosion,controlling salinization, and protecting watersheds. In dry countries, expansionof forested areas can also be viewed as a desertification-reduction activity.\nChanging land uses also alters the nature of economic activity. The socioeconomicopportunities provided by the new land use (e.g., forestry) are a benefit ofthe change, but forgone opportunities in the previous activity (e.g., agriculture)are a cost. Social impacts can include population displacement and loss by some(often disadvantaged) section of society of the use of common property (Fearnside,1996). The net effect of land-use change on employment, income, and equity cannotbe determined a\npriori; it must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.The social systems in each country will strongly influence the socioeconomicimpacts associated with any given activity.\nIf a definitional scenario under which the harvest/regeneration cycle createsARD land is adopted, efforts on LULUCF activities under Article 3.3 may concentrateon existing forests rather than creating new forests. As a result, an incentiveto enhance the early growth rates of regenerating stands, such as through fertilization,could be put in place. In the FAO scenario combined with land-based accountingapproach II, emissions from harvest slash are accounted if they occur duringthe regeneration phase. This factor could lead to an incentive to burn the harvestslash at the time of harvest. If the definitions of afforestation and reforestationexclude natural establishment of tree cover and restrict themselves to planting,the occurrence of monocultures on afforestation/reforestation land could increase.If the definition of reforestation in the FAO scenario excludes regenerationof trees after a selective cut, clear-cut management might be favored over selective-loggingmanagement.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5500969290733337} {"content": "A bolder path to a sustainable future\nByBrian Sansoni, Vice President, Sustainability Initiatives – American CleaningInstitute\nAt the American Cleaning Institute (www.cleaninginstitute.org), our sustainability mission is to enable our membership to drive improvements in sustainability across our industry and throughout our supply chain.\nAs we prepare to celebrate our 90\nth anniversary in 2016, it is notable that our industry’s most recent history is laying the groundwork for an incredible future.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7188379764556885} {"content": "Simultaneous Quaternary radiations of three damselfly clades across the Holarctic\nAuthors:\nTurgeon, Julie × Stoks, Robby Thum, Ryan A Brown, Jonathan M McPeek, Mark A #\nIssue Date:\nMar-2005\nSeries Title:\nThe American naturalist vol:165 issue:4 pages:E78-E107\nAbstract:\nIf climate change during the Quaternary shaped the macroevolutionary dynamics of a taxon, we expect to see three features in its history: elevated speciation or extinction rates should date to this time, more northerly distributed clades should show greater discontinuities in these rates, and similar signatures of those effects should be evident in the phylogenetic and phylodemographic histories of multiple clades. In accordance with the role of glacial cycles, speciation rates increased in the Holarctic Enallagma damselflies during the Quaternary, with a 4.25x greater increase in a more northerly distributed clade as compared with a more southern clade. Finer-scale phylogenetic analyses of three radiating clades within the northern clade show similar, complex recent histories over the past 250,000 years to produce 17 Nearctic and four Palearctic extant species. All three are marked by nearly synchronous deep splits that date to approximately 250,000 years ago, resulting in speciation in two. This was soon followed by significant demographic expansions in at least two of the three clades. In two, these expansions seem to have preceded the radiations that have given rise to most of the current biodiversity. Each also produced species at the periphery of the clade's range. In spite of clear genetic support for reproductive isolation among almost all species, mtDNA signals of past asymmetric hybridization between species in different clades also suggest a role for the evolution of mate choice in generating reproductive isolation as species recolonized the landscape following deglaciation. These analyses suggest that recent climate fluctuations resulted in radiations driven by similar combinations of speciation processes acting in different lineages.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.748501181602478} {"content": "How important is the publisher version of the article to researchers? Very, according to a recent researcher study By Gemma Deakin | Senior Research Executive, Elsevier Posted on 9 August 2013\nIn the past, when articles were largely only available in print, it was safe to assume that most researchers were accessing the publisher’s version. If readers wanted to double check that, getting hold of the author’s manuscript would take much longer than it does nowadays (i.e. finding the contact details for the author, writing to them, waiting for a response). However now that articles are available online in multiple formats (author manuscript, pre-print servers, subject repositories) it is reasonable to question how many researchers still want to access the final publisher version and, in addition, whether they are confident they can distinguish between different versions.\nIn a recent researcher study carried out by Elsevier’s Research and Academic Relations team, it was found that the majority of researchers wanted to access the publisher’s final version, i.e. the official version that included the volume and year. This was particularly the case when researchers were citing an article (83% indicated they would want the final publisher version for this activity).\nHowever, when researchers were undertaking other activities, i.e. those not related to authoring such as general browsing, they were less concerned about the publisher’s version. For example, when browsing to keep up-to-date only 57% wanted to access the final version, 20% were happy with the author’s manuscript after peer review, 11% the pre-reviewed manuscript, with 25% saying that the version did not matter (note that respondents could select more than one option).\nGiven the importance of accessing the final version in specific situations, it might be expected that researchers would be confident they could identify the final version. When asked how confident they were, only 58% were confident.There was variation across subject areas.\nMathematicians, life scientists and earth/environmental scientists were most confident they could distinguish between different versions. Least confident were computer scientists and those in medicine & allied health. Computer scientists are less concerned about the version being used so it makes sense that they would be less likely to distinguish between versions, whereas in contrast medical researchers are more likely to want the final version, so not being able to tell is a greater issue for them.\nThese results suggest that publishers and importantly, repository managers, are not making it explicitly clear to researchers which version the researcher is accessing.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6094257831573486} {"content": "Recurrent excitatory circuits face extreme challenges in balancing efficacy and stability. We recorded from CA3 pyramidal neuron pairs in rat hippocampal slice cultures to characterize synaptic and circuit-level changes in recurrent synapses resulting from long-term inactivity. Chronic tetrodotoxin treatment greatly reduced the percentage of connected CA3-CA3 neurons, but enhanced the strength of the remaining connections; presynaptic release probability sharply increased, whereas quantal size was unaltered. Connectivity was decreased in activity-deprived circuits by functional silencing of synapses, whereas three-dimensional anatomical analysis revealed no change in spine or bouton density or aggregate dendrite length. The silencing arose from enhanced Cdk5 activity and could be reverted by acute Cdk5 inhibition with roscovitine. Our results suggest that recurrent circuits adapt to chronic inactivity by reallocating presynaptic weights heterogeneously, strengthening certain connections while silencing others. This restricts synaptic output and input, preserving signaling efficacy among a subset of neuronal ensembles while protecting network stability.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7298617362976074} {"content": "The rising adoption of mobile devices has changed customer expectations. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Contact Solutions, a provider of cloud-based contact center solutions, survey on mobile users and customer care revealed the growing importance of mobile customer service options. Contact Solutions recently launched the My:Time mobile customer care solution for enterprises.\nThe increased reliance on mobile has made a demographic and cultural shift toward customer self-service, Contact Solutions said. According to the survey, 92 percent of consumers were in need of mobile customer service options.\nMy:Time is designed to address these requirements from mobile customers. Enterprises benefit as they can deliver improved customer service across multiple channels.\nAccording to Michael Boustridge, CEO of Contact Solutions, My:Time puts customers in control of the interaction and allows them to connect seamlessly to a contact center when, where and how they want.\nThe solution leverages mobile devices to meet these consumer demands while driving down expensive operations and telecom costs for the enterprise, the company said.\nThe service features a cloud-based mobile platform, agent desktop portal and mobile apps for iOS and Android. Customers can start customer service interaction, stop if they get interrupted and resume at their convenience.\nThe mobile customer service solution is especially beneficial as it eliminates the frustration associated with typical customer service interactions. Customers are often required to wait on hold and stay engaged for the entire service interaction.\nSince the app allows a seamless transition between self-service and contact center agents without having to leave the app, it does not require them to re-authenticate or repeat personal information.\nThe Boston Globe implemented My:Time to provide customers with a time-saving, convenient way to interact with its organization while also providing agents with actionable data from across channels.With its ability to support a seamless transition from self-service app to live agent, the solution significantly improve services such as mobile banking and mobile care. It also supports several customer interactions in segments like healthcare, retail and travel.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.523189902305603} {"content": "IAP audits normally have an operational focus addressing general controls. ‘Operational-based’ IAP audits examine audit area departmental personnel adherence to policies and procedures while simultaneously evaluating the\neconomy, effectiveness and efficiency of assigned tasks; relative to the fore stated control group. Whereas, general IT controls can be classified to include organizational structures, hardware configurations, operating systems, physical facilities, development methodologies, change management, and operational continuity. However, if during ‘operational-based’ planning the IT auditor discovers an IAP framework is not deployed, the audit planner should consider utilizing the COBIT Deliver and Support-Ensure Systems Security framework domain process as a baseline for setting detail objectives.\n“\nView Part I of the Auditing Information Assets Protection series here“", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5933294296264648} {"content": "A series of recent surveys point to challenging times ahead for healthcare providers who have neglected to take the proper steps to prevent a cybersecurity attack.\nHaving your health data held hostage sounds scary, but there are ways to protect your organization. A cybersecurity expert shares strategies for defending against a new breed of hackers.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9807015061378479} {"content": "Fewer schools are including \"Best Dressed\" as a category in their end-of-the- year student polls. As public schools continue to adopt dress code policies, more students are unable to make individual fashion statements.\nA recent University of Houston study suggests that this might be a good thing as school uniforms can positively impact students' grades, attendance and behavior.\nUH economics professor Scott Imberman and graduate student Elizabetta Gentile surveyed administrative data from 160 public schools in a large urban school district. This data included student demographics, as well as academic, disciplinary and attendance records that had been filed from 1993 - 2006.\nBy applying econometric techniques - combining economic theory with statistics - Imberman and Gentile compared students from schools that required uniforms to peers from non-uniformed institutions. They specifically focused on student outcomes that emerged once a school required uniforms. Their study is documented in the paper \"Dressed for Success: Do School Uniforms Improve Student Behavior, Attendance and Achievement?\"\nTheir findings show bolstered attendance, academics and behavior in middle and high school students once their schools adopted uniforms. Imberman and Gentile noted that the biggest improvement was among female students.\n\"After uniforms were adopted, girls in middle school and high school missed one day less of school annually,\" Imberman said. \"That sounds like a modest improvement, but in terms of educational interventions, it is challenging to motivate a progression in this area. This is fairly substantial.\"\nThey also found that once uniforms were mandated, the school district was more likely to retain its female students at all grade levels.\n\"Often, parents withdraw their children from a school district due to dissatisfaction,\" Imberman said. \"This data suggests that uniforms helped schools increase parental satisfaction and encouraged students not to leave for charter or private schools.\"\nThe quantitative nature of the study does not offer direct insight as to why uniforms produce such favorable results from students. It does, however, point to the fact that students' attendance, test scores and behavior consistently improved from the time uniforms were introduced.\n\"The benefits increased over time,\" Imberman said. \"The effects were smaller during the first year uniforms were adopted but grew in subsequent years. We interpret this as indication that there may have been an adjustment period. The uniforms might have taken some time to have an effect and become ingrained within the schools' environments.\"", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8370320796966553} {"content": "A system that combines frequent blood sugar measurements with software that varies the rate at which insulin is pumped into the body can significantly improve glucose control in type 1 diabetics.\nReuters, 09/17/2015. (Also see Research on Diabetes)\nThis item was posted in the ISN Newsroom. Please check the newsroom daily for updates on scleroderma and other related articles.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6663463115692139} {"content": "An International Labour Organization (ILO) Specialist, Diego Rei, has arrived here to assist the Department of Labour in a number of areas.\nRei, the ILO’s Employment and Labour Market Specialist, will be assisting in three key areas.\nThey are – establishing a labour market information system, making the department of labour a centre for information on all matters pertaining to workers and doing a study on the informal sector and child labour.\nRei explained that workers in the informal sector do not fully benefit from their rights and entitlements.\nIn respect of child labour, he observed that the practice was not very widespread.\nAccording to the ILO official, estimates for the Latin American and Caribbean region point to a conservative estimate of eight percent of the total children of school age engaging in labour activities.\nHe disclosed that labour conventions prescribe that no children below the age of 12 should be engaged in any work.\nRei stated that between the ages of 12 and fifteen children are permitted to engage in light work.\n“Between fifteen and eighteen years old they can work, but not be engaged in activities that are hazardous or detrimental to their health,” he asserted.\nRei noted that the main contributing factor to child labour is poverty.\nHe also pointed out that if children do not have access to school they engage in child labour.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9675463438034058} {"content": "Children's services has been acclaimed as one of the great contributions of the American public library movement, yet in the early days of American public libraries, children were not even considered to be a part of the library's clientele. However, beginning as early as 1876, library professionals began to speak out in favor of children's library usage and rights, a subject that eventually became the focus of a whole corps of library professionals. Through an analysis of the professional literature of librarianship starting in 1876 and continuing for a hundred-year period to 1976, Fannette H. Thomas has compiled this selected bibliography that explores the evolution of children's work and the major developments, trends, innovations, and practices that evolved or emerged in children's services. The development of the children's service is traced from the days when one shelf of materials for children were culled from the adult collections to the appearance of special children's rooms, reference services, and readers' guidance, and from the pioneers in children's librarianship to today's story hours and multimedia use. This bibliographic exploration of children's services in the American public library encompasses ten chapters including: those devoted to historical focus, professional staff, organizational scheme, philosophical perspective, client group, collection development, readers' services, story hour, interagency cooperation, and multimedia. The volume's entries reflect the plethora of information found in the professional literature about every facet of children's services. Author and subject indexes complete the work. This is a useful resource for college and university librarieswhere courses in the History of Librarianship, Studies in Public Librarianship, or Children's Services in the Public Library are taught. A unique reference guide, it will simplify the task for researchers, students, and practitioners.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5025588870048523} {"content": "The Bible sometimes refers to God as a \"consuming fire.\" What does this mean? What does the Bible mean when it calls God a consuming fire?\nThe first time this concept is introduced is found in Deuteronomy 4:24: \"For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.\" Here, the idea of \"consuming fire\" stands alongside God's jealousy. The context of the chapter deals with God's command not to worship other gods. Only the Lord was to be worshiped. He would not tolerate worship of others; He was a \"consuming fire\" in the sense that He desired all of the worship of the Israelites.\nDeuteronomy 9:3 also refers to the Lord as a \"consuming fire.\" In this context, God would serve as a consuming fire to destroy Israel's enemies. The idea is that of a wildfire that would destroy those who opposed God's people.\nIsaiah 33:14 would later refer to the \"consuming fire\" of God's wrath in judgment. In this case, the term was not mentioned with God as a consuming fire, but rather spoke of His actions to judge sin. Isaiah 30:27 adds, \"his tongue is like a devouring fire,\" another reference to judgment.\nIn the New Testament, Hebrews 12:28-29 provides a perspective on this issue as well: \"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.\" This passage refers to God's \"consuming fire\" as a reason for reverent worship. Believers will receive an eternal kingdom and are to offer devoted worship.\nThroughout Scripture, fire also often holds the general idea of purifying or of judgment at various times. Jesus even used the idea of \"eternal fire\" on two occasions in stories related to judgment upon unbelievers (Matthew 18:8; Matthew 25:41). The Lord also rained down fire from the sky in judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24). Fire served as part of offering the sacrifices of the Old Testament. Moses encountered God in a burning bush consumed by fire (Exodus 3). Fire came as a judgment upon the Egyptians (Exodus 9:23-24), yet the Lord also led the people of Israel by fire at night in the wilderness (Exodus 13:22).\nThe concept of God as a consuming fire includes both the idea of God's jealous, holy nature and His judgment upon those who oppose Him. Used in more than one way in the Bible, the overall idea is one of power, both positively in the sense of deserving worship and negatively in punishing those who oppose Him.\nRelated Truth:\nThe attributes of God, what are they?\nHow is God Almighty?\nWhat does it mean that God is a jealous God? Why is God jealous?\nWhat is the fear of God?\nWhat are the names of God? What do the names of God mean?\nTruth about God", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7568786144256592} {"content": "Taxation of leases that are not long funding leases: lease and leaseback: with premium\nIn a typical tax-driven transaction, a business grants a head lease to a bank (or other lender) for a premium. The bank then grants a typical finance lease to the business.\nCommercially, this is equivalent to the bank making a loan to the business and the business repaying it at interest.\nHowever, the lease premium is generally regarded as a capital receipt that is effectively not taxed on the recipient but the rentals under the leaseback were claimed to be allowable for tax purposes. The commercial effect is that the business (the head lessor and sub-lessee) obtains a loan and get tax relief for repaying it.\nThese arrangements were stopped by FA 2004. CAA01/S228B (as amended by FA 2008) denies relief for the capital element of the leaseback rentals. For further guidance, see CA28910.\nIn a variant on these arrangements, the bank sold the lease receivables at market value to a third party. This meant that the bank did not account for the lease as a finance lease. Such arrangements are caught by the provisions of CTA10/S752 onwards.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.558873176574707} {"content": "December 2, 2016 – A Fully Magnetically Levitated Circulatory Pump for Advanced Heart Failure\nA scarcity of effective therapeutic options for advanced heart failure has led to the development of durable mechanical circulatory support devices. Left ventricular assist devices, more accurately known as left ventricular assist systems, increase the rate of survival and improve quality of life among patients with advanced heart failure. However, these clinical benefits are balanced by an increased risk of infection, bleeding, neurologic events, and pump malfunction that is due principally to pump thrombosis.\nAs adoption of circulatory pumps has expanded, concerns about pump thrombosis have heightened. In 2013, two reports suggested that there has been an increase in the risk of pump thrombosis, beginning in 2011, associated with a currently approved axial continuous-flow pump, HeartMate II. Pump thrombosis has also been associated with an approved centrifugal continuous-flow pump, HeartWare. The need for surgical pump exchange due to pump thrombosis results in substantial complications and increased cost of care. These concerns have lowered enthusiasm for expansion of this therapy to patients who are less severely ill and have even led to the premature discontinuation of a clinical trial.\nA new fully magnetically levitated centrifugal continuous-flow circulatory pump, HeartMate 3, has been engineered to reduce shear stress on blood elements and avert pump thrombosis. This pump has wide blood-flow passages and no mechanical bearings, is frictionless, and is programmed to facilitate rapid changes in rotor speed to create an intrinsic artificial pulse. This fixed pulse, which is asynchronous with the native heartbeat, reduces stasis in the pump.\nWe conducted a trial to compare clinical outcomes with the centrifugal-flow pump HeartMate 3 with outcomes with the axial-flow pump HeartMate II in patients with advanced heart failure that is refractory to standard medical therapy. In this report, we present the results of the first prespecified analysis of the trial.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8731286525726318} {"content": "Title Date of this Version\n2008\nCitation\nPublished in\nBiol Invasions (2008) 10:1441–1455. DOI: 10.1007/s10530-008-9218-1 Abstract\nThrough intentional and accidental introduction, more than 100 species of alien Ichneumonidae and Braconidae (Hymenoptera) have become established in the Hawaiian Islands. The extent to which these parasitoid wasps have penetrated native wet forests was investigated over a 1,765 m elevation gradient on windward Hawai’i Island. For [1 year, malaise traps were used to continuously monitor parasitoid abundance and species richness in nine sites over three elevations. A total of 18,996 individuals from 16 subfamilies were collected. Overall, the fauna was dominated by aliens, with 44 of 58 species foreign to the Hawaiian Islands. Ichneumonidae was dominant over Braconidae in terms of both diversity and abundance, comprising 67.5% of individuals and 69.0% of species collected. Parasitoid abundance and species richness varied significantly with elevation: abundance was greater at mid and high elevations compared to low elevation while species richness increased with increasing elevation, with all three elevations differing significantly from each other. Nine species purposely introduced to control pest insects were found, but one braconid, Meteorus laphygmae, comprised 98.0% of this assemblage, or 28.3% of the entire fauna. Endemic species, primarily within the genera Spolas and Enicospilus, were collected almost exclusively at mid- and high-elevation sites, where they made up 22.1% and 36.0% of the total catch, respectively. Overall, 75.9% of species and 96.0% of individuals are inferred to parasitize Lepidoptera larvae and pupae. Our results support previous data indicating that alien parasitoids have deeply penetrated native forest habitats and may have substantial impacts on Hawaiian ecosystems.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5125362873077393} {"content": "The virus-encoded proteins of tobacco etch virus (TEV), a plant potyvirus, arise by proteolytic processing ofa large polyprotein precursor. The TEV genome codes for two proteinases, a 49-kilodalton proteinase andhelper component proteinase (HC-Pro), which cleave the polyprotein at specific sites. The only known cleavageevent catalyzed by HC-Pro occurs at the HC-Pro carboxyl terminus. The proteolytic activity of HC-Pro wasanalyzed by expression of the enzyme in bacterial and cell-free systems. The carboxyl-terminal domain ofHC-Pro exhibited proteolytic activity in Escherichia coli with a processing half-time of approximately 100 s.The processing kinetics of HC-Pro expressed in vitro by cell-free transcription and translation was variable,depending on the presence or absence of TEV polypeptide sequences at the amino terminus of the proteolyticdomain. Cleavage of the HC-Pro carboxyl terminus appeared to proceed exclusively by an autocatalyticmechanism; the proteinase synthesized in vitro exhibited little or no proteolytic activity when reacted with theHC-Pro cleavage site in trans or bimolecular reactions.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7211425304412842} {"content": "Synopsis: Lévy Flight of the Bumblebee\nBumblebees visit flowers to collect nectar, often visiting multiple flowers in a single patch. Mathematically, a bee’s path has been described by a Lévy flight, which gives flights over long distances a larger weight than in an ordinary random walk model. This description is controversial, however, as bumblebees in the wild are under the constant risk of predators, such as spiders, which likely modifies their foraging behavior.\nWriting in\nPhysical Review Letters, Friedrich Lenz at Queen Mary, University of London, UK, and colleagues present a statistical analysis of the velocity distribution of bumblebees. They draw from experiments that track real bumblebees visiting replenishing nectar sources under threat from “artificial spiders,” which can be simulated with a trapping mechanism that holds the bumblebee for two seconds. The team finds that in the absence of spiders, the bumblebees forage more systematically and go directly from flower to flower. When predators are present, however, the bumblebees turn around more often, highlighting a more careful approach to avoid spiders. The analysis indicates that for real foraging, factors such as bumblebee sensory perception, memory, and daylight cycles must also be taken into account in addition to the presence of predators, all of which may cause cause deviation from a Lévy flight pattern. – Daniel Ucko", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6616926193237305} {"content": "A lavishly illustrated exploration of the material behavior and symbolic value of quilting across six generations\nMary Black's Family Quilts utilizes a remarkable collection of sixteen quilts to tell the story of a family through six generations and access the material behavior associated with quiltmaking traditions. The daughter of a prominent farmer, Mary Louisa Snoddy Black (1860–1927) is remembered in the Spartanburg, South Carolina, region for the hospital named in her honor and for the philanthropic foundation that continues to support community health and wellness. Laurel Horton explores the even more tangible legacy Black left to her descendants—trunks full of quilts made by women of the family, each labeled with detailed information about its origin and significance. Pairing the information from the labels with research culled from interviews, letters, and public documents, Horton stitches together the family's history across the fabric of two centuries as she explores the roles of women as keepers of home, hearth, and history in nineteenth- and twentieth-century America.\nValuable both as artistic creations and as historical artifacts, the family quilts reflect decades of work, familial interactions, economic philosophy, and personal and communal values. Suggesting that quilts were exchanged as a mode of currency in an informal, female-centered economy, Horton uncovers the clues they hold about the people who made and used them in their daily lives.\nFrom the whole-cloth quilt made by Black's great-grandmother around 1850 to examples from the early twentieth century, Horton traces changes in style, material, and functions of quilts. In doing so, she dispels popular misconceptions associated with these pieces of Americana, including the notion that the earliest examples were made out of necessity from salvaged materials. She shows instead that early quilts were finely crafted from expensive materials and prized more for their aesthetic merits and symbolic functions than for their assumed domestic use.\nMary Black's Family Quilts also includes a foreword by Michael Owen Jones, Professor of Culture and Performance, University of California, Los Angeles, and author of Craftsman of the Cumberlands: Tradition and Creativity.\nLaurel Horton is an independent folklorist and internationally recognized textile scholar. A native of Kentucky, she holds an M.A. in folklore from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The former president of the American Quilt Study Group, she edited\nUncoverings, AQSG's annual volume of research papers from 1987 to 1993. Horton directed the South Carolina Quilt Project for the University of South Carolina's McKissick Museum from 1983 to 1985 and has published more than thirty articles on quiltmaking traditions. She lives in Seneca, South Carolina.\nMary Black's Family Quilts represents an intriguing blend of South Carolina history, social history, material culture, and women's studies for academics and general readers alike. Laurel Horton's thorough research into the Black family history spans generations and her engaging narrative gives us an incredibly personal portrait of the ordinary women who made these delightful quilts.\"—Jan Hiester, Curator of Textiles, Charleston Museum", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.651595413684845} {"content": "In a white paper issued in March, the California Federation of Labor (CFL) called for reforms to \"undo the damage\" wrought by SB 899, a California GOP-sponsored workers' compensation \"reform\" bill that was touted by AP in April 2004 as “one of the biggest victories of [then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's] new political career\".\nThe celluloid action hero insisted the \"reform\" was necessary to curtail the spiraling costs of workers' compensation insurance for California employers.\nAs the CFL white paper correctly notes, the rationale behind Schwarzenegger's workers' compensation \"reform\" legislation was largely a scam. Like so many other investment schemes, the source of spiraling workers' compensation costs can be found in the 1993 deregulation of the insurance industry and a subsequent burst of a workers' compensation insurance investment bubble. Yet, Schwarzenegger refused to include limits on the rates insurance companies could charge employers as part of his \"reform\" package.\nDespite an initial drop in the cost of workers' compensation insurance in California, costs have again climbed --- so much so that, according to a May 15 article that appeared in the\nVentura County Star, \"the Port of Hueneme is preparing to pay 120 percent more for workers' compensation insurance\" in the coming year.\nContrary to the philandering actor-turned-Governor's claims that the savings would not be extracted from the backs of injured workers, SB 899 contained drastic reductions in benefits --- so drastic that, in a 2004 letter published by\nLos Angeles Times, after pointing out that I had represented litigants in workers' compensation proceedings since 1979 and was regarded by my peers as an exceptionally effective litigator, I warned California employees that if they were injured on the job, God help them because I was not sure I could.\nWhatever efforts are now made to \"undo the damage\" wrought by SB 899, they will come too late for my client, Charles Romano. Thanks to the law's massive reduction in prohibitive penalties that could have been assessed for bad faith refusals to furnish vital, life-sustaining medical treatment --- the new penalties are a drop-in-the-bucket compared to what it had cost to keep him alive --- Charles is no longer with us...\n--- Click here for REST OF STORY!... ---\n( 6 so far...)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9725853204727173} {"content": "In 2014, Susie Romans quit her job in marketing and sales to strike out on her own.\nToday, her consulting business earns $15,000-$20,000 a month.\nShe's able to charge over $1,000 for one-on-one coaching, and sell her insights in the form of courses for up to $975.\nHow does she do it? Romans shared with Business Insider her top three pieces of advice for would-be entrepreneurs who want to earn more.\n1. Master your skill.\nRomans says passion isn't enough to start a high-earning business — you need to have skill. \"Get good at something, because you need something to bring to the table,\" she says. \"I don't want to mock the idea of following your passion, but you really have to have a skill, or expertise, or a story. Really highly skilled people and people with a high level of expertise can charge premium rates. You have to bring something to the table that's impressive.\"\n2. Be smart about your business model.\nAlso, she says, you have to be smart about the way you build your business model. After years of maintaining a successful lifestyle blog that had 50,000-hit days, Romans realized she didn't have a way to monetize it. Years later, she has some ideas.\nOne path to take is \"positioning yourself as a premium brand and charging rates right out of the gate that allow you to pay your bills and your mortgage,\" she says. \"I have a family. I needed to make at least $4,000 a month. After that it led to $10,000, after that to $20,000. You can grow, but you can't charge $20 an hour — you have to be positioned as a premium brand.\"\nThen, she says, it's time to start getting serious about leverage. \"I don't want to be slaving away at 10, 12-hour days,\" she explains. \"You have to package what you have and sell it. I remember watching a YouTube video with Sara Blakely, who said she had this moment sitting at her desk thinking, 'I need something I can sell to millions of women.' You can't be selling your one-on-one time — even if you're speaking on stage, it's still your time. You need a product that can reach millions.\"\nAnother option Romans highlights is to have a really powerful story that connects with and inspires clients. \"I have a client who had her first child at 42, and she has a powerful fertility story. She helps women struggling with fertility and says, 'You can do it, too.' Brendon Burchard had a near-death experience and built his whole business on his story.\"\n3. Refuse to stay down.\nOnce you have a marketable, expert skill and a way to sell it, you need faith. \"You have to believe in yourself,\" Romans says. \"That's something that's been really strong for me. I don't even know where it comes from. I have this fall down, get back up, fall down, get back up mentality. I don't stay down.\"\nIn fact, she says her belief in herself is so unshakable that she's had people tell her she's delusional. \"When you believe in yourself so much, people wonder if you're all there!\" she says. With the corporate job she left, she remembers, \"I had it made. They were paying me well, I could work from home, and I was getting bonuses, but there was something greater. I love inspiring people and helping others, and I knew I was meant for something bigger.\"", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5444333553314209} {"content": "After a six-month rise, IT executives' confidence in the economic outlook appears to have peaked, at least temporarily. After rising rather steadily for half a year, confidence in the overall economy dropped a tenth of a point to 6.8, and in our respondents' own company by two tenths of a point (also to 6.8). The drop was even more drastic in the financial-services sector, which dropped to 6.9, down from 7.8 in our January survey. One possible explanation: the announcement by the U.S. Department of Labor that while the unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a point in December, to 5.7 percent, the U.S. economy only created 1,000 new jobs during the month, not between 100,000 and 150,000 as had been expected.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5068801641464233} {"content": "Biosecurity, at the practical level, is an action plan designed to minimise the risk of introducing diseases into a flock. The term ‘biosecurity’ refers to measures taken to prevent or control the introduction and spread of infectious agents to flocks.\nThis document is designed to provide guidelines specifically for free range layers at a practical farming level. Some people may believe that, by their nature, free range farms cannot accommodate biosecurity principles. This is a misconception, as most biosecurity principles can be accommodated on a free range farm.\nThese guidelines identify some of the significant and obvious risk areas; however, it is important to remember that aspects such as the locality of the farm, proximity to other farms and effective vaccination programs all impact on a farm’s biosecurity. The guidelines include sections on:", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9252524375915527} {"content": "Can you nonbelieve it: What happens when you do not believe in your memories? Human memory is susceptible to errors and distortions. This may sound cliché (Loftus, 2005), but the practical meaning of this is illustrated by, for example, the devastating effects of mistaken eyewitness identifications (Sagana, Sauerland, & Merckelbach, 2012), the far-reaching consequences of innocents who falsely confess to crimes they never committed (Kassin & Gudjonsson, 2004), and the tragedy of adults who erroneously come to believe that they recovered very early memories of abuse experiences (Loftus, 1993). As for these alleged recovered memories: there was a fierce debateamong psychologists, therapists and even legal professionals in the 1990s (Howe & Knott, in press) about their authenticity, a debate that was even characterized as the “memory wars” (Patihis, Ho, Tingen, Lilienfeld, & Loftus, 2014). It took place against a background of hundreds of lawsuits by adults against their parents because of the alleged abuse memories from childhood that had been “recovered” during therapy in adulthood (Lipton, 1999). Some therapists and clinical psychologists argued that such recovered memories are essentially correct and surface after repression has been lifted due to therapeutic interventions (e.g., hypnosis, sedating drugs). Many researchers, however, contended that recovered memories might, in fact, be pseudo-memories produced by risky techniques such as hypnosis and guided imagery (Howe & Knott, in press; Lambert & Lilienfeld, 2007).\nOne group of individuals who are particularly interesting are those who previously claimed to have recovered a memory of a sexually abusive episode, but later retracted those claims (Ost, Costall, & Bull, 2002). Do these retractors still have “memories” of these abusive episodes? How do these retractors view their earlier experiences? One recent line of investigation that focused on memories and beliefs and how these are related to each other, might provide some clarification. Briefly, this research has revealed that under certain circumstances, people form memories of events but develop doubts about whether the events have actually occurred. Under these circumstances, people still report having vivid images and recollections of an event, but they do not believe that the event actually happened, turning them from false memories into nonbelieved ones.\nNonbelieved memories have previously been assumed to be an extraordinary rare phenomenon (Mazzoni, Scoboria, & Harvey, 2010; Otgaar, Scoboria, & Mazzoni, 2014). Below, we review recent research on nonbelieved memories and show that it has relevance to many areas in psychology (e.g., psychopathology, legal psychology). Before doing so, we will first explain what nonbelieved memories are and will then describe the methods that have been used to experimentally induce them in the lab.\nBeing Kidnapped and Bombed, but not Believing it\nFor some time, scholars assumed that nonbelieved memories are a rare phenomenon. Anecdotal descriptions of such memories have occasionally appeared in the literature. For example, the famous developmental psychologist Jean Piaget had a vivid memory of a man attempting to kidnap him when he was two years old. He remembered and described the event in great detail including information that the perpetrator scratched his nurse’s face (Piaget, 1951). However, not until thirteen years later, Piaget’s former nurse confessed that it was she who had fabricated the event and fed the story to him. Piaget no longer believed that he was almost kidnapped as a child, but he could not stop having vivid visualizations and images of the fabricated kidnapping, as if it had still occurred.\nNonbelieved memories are fascinating, if only because the bulk of studies focusing on memory examine\nbelieved memories: memories of events for which people also believe that the event occurred (Scoboria, Mazzoni, Kirsch, & Relyea, 2004). While various ideas about memory suggest that memories are typically believed to be true (e.g., James, 1890/1950; Brewer, 1996), it is only recently that memory researchers have started to investigate the possibility that memory might exist without accompanying belief.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5503261089324951} {"content": "(Newser)\n–\nHang on before opening that second diet soda. A survey has found significant reductions in blood filtering capabilities in the kidneys of older women who drank two or more artificially sweetened sodas a day. The study doesn't show a definitive link, but the lead researcher tells NPR that she avoids diet soda. \"They're likely not good for you,\" she said. Surveyed soda-drinkers were white and at least 56, but other demographic groups should take heed, she warns.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9907141923904419} {"content": "ALL\nThe ubiquitous nature of the smartphones and other mobile devices has given rise to a highly informed and connected consumer base. They walk into a retail outlet and they would already be whipping out their mobile devices to compare products or prices available in-store to those available online. Moreover, they expect the retailers to be well aware of not only the merchandise, but also about promotions and discounts on offer. Interestingly, the number of e-commerce transactions has been on the r...\nAccording to a new report on e-commerce spending and earning by eMarketer, global retail sales are set to touch $22.492 trillion in 2015, with a forecast for a steady rise over the next 3 years, i.e, until 2018. Over the years, online commerce conducted via the smartphone, tablet or even the desktop devices have steadily increased, owing to the increasing adoption of mobile devices. With more than 80% consumers accessing their mobile devices to compare products, redeem coupons or make purchases,...", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7588762044906616} {"content": "‘Electronic skin’ has been developed that records heartbeats, brain activity and muscle contractions as accurately as bulky conventional electrodes, yet is no thicker than a human hair.\nThe patch, created by John Rogers, a materials scientist at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and his colleagues, consists of a flexible and stretchy lattice of sensor-laden circuits. It can be applied and removed like a temporary tattoo, and sticks to skin without adhesives.\nKim, D.-H. et al., Science 333, 838-843 (2011).\nA step closer to understanding human ecosystem", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8757858872413635} {"content": "‘Grow Your Own’ Grant Will Help Heartland Regional Medical Center Enhance Health Care Workforce\nSeptember 4, 2013\nSt. Joseph, Mo. — Heartland Regional Medical Center has been awarded a “Grow Your Own” grant from the Missouri Hospital Association to help recruit the hospital’s health–care workforce. The grant of $45,662.14 will be used to build a foundation of health–care professionals who have an understanding of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.\nThe aging population, growing number of individuals with chronic conditions and expanded access to health insurance have led to increasing demands on the health–care system. These factors and others have generated an urgent need for additional hospital employees. Additionally, implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which includes significant changes to payments and health care delivery systems, coupled with new technology, such as electronic health records, has increased demand for workers with highly specialized skills.\n“The future of health care is uncertain and changing rapidly. In response, we must radically and boldly recreate ourselves. We must also mentor the health–care providers of tomorrow, giving them the tools and knowledge they need to navigate these changes. The Grow Your Own grant will allow us to share our experience with students in health–care related areas, ensuring that the people we serve continue to receive the best and safest care from discerning, compassionate health–care providers,” said Dr. Mark Laney, President and CEO, Heartland Health.\nAt Heartland, Grow Your Own funds will be used to offer a new, unique, innovative health–care internship program designed to go beyond traditional health care by introducing junior and senior college students to complex issues facing health–care organizations. The program is modeled on a graduate–level class combined with an on–site internship.\n“The workforce challenge for Missouri hospitals is two-fold,” said Herb B. Kuhn, MHA president and CEO. “First, hospitals must address the shortage of educated health care workers, including primary care physicians, nurses, therapists and imaging technicians, to meet the expanding demand for care. Second, hospital leaders also must recruit and retain talented individuals to manage increasingly complex health care organizations. The Grow Your Own program allows hospitals to address these challenges with plans that are tailored to the needs of their organizations and the communities they serve.”\nApplications for the Grow Your Own Hospital Grant Program were submitted in July. The applications were reviewed and selected by an independent committee composed of representatives from health care, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations with experience in health care grant development and funding processes.\n###", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.599931538105011} {"content": "Visitors Now: Total Visits: Total Stories: from the San Francisco Fed\n– this post authored by Kevin J. Lansing and Agnieszka Markiewicz\nThe increase in U.S. income inequality since 1970 largely reflects gains made by households in the top 20% of the income distribution. Estimates suggest that households outside this group have suffered significant losses from foregone consumption, measured relative to a scenario that holds inequality constant. A substantial mitigating factor for the losses has been the dramatic rise in government redistributive transfers, which have doubled as a share of U.S. output over the same period.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9998977780342102} {"content": "Abstract W P39: Relationship Between Lesion Topology and Clinical Outcome In Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusions Abstract Background: Final infarct volume is a robust predictor of outcome in large vessel occlusion (LVO) patients but lesion location may also impact outcomes in these patients. DWI ASPECTS on follow-up MRI imaging, like infarct volume, is predictive of outcome in addition to providing information regarding lesion location. We aim to determine whether individual DWI ASPECTS regions have an impact on clinical outcome in anterior circulation large vessel occlusions. Methods: Patients with intracranial ICA, M1 and M2 MCA occlusions who underwent endovascular therapy between 2007 and 2014 at UPMC were included. Baseline demographics and outcomes including final infarct volume and 3-month mRS were collected. DWI ASPECTS based on follow-up MRI (12-72 hrs) was assessed by two observers. The impact of each DWI ASPECTS region on predicting poor outcome (mRS 3-6) was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results: 213 patients were included in the analysis (mean age 66.1±1.0 yrs, median NIHSS 15 [IQR 11-18], 19.5% ICA and 72% M1 MCA occlusions, 3-month mRS 3-6 of 46.8%). Inter-rater reliability was good for DWI ASPECTS (Deep ASPECTS regions: Kappa=0.72, Cortical ASPECTS regions: Kappa=0.63). All DWI ASPECTS regions with the exception of “putamen” were significant predictors (p<0.05) of poor outcome in univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis with all 10 ASPECTS regions included, only M4 (OR=0.33 95%CI 0.16-0.70, p=0.003) and M6 (OR 0.39, 95%CI 0.18-0.85, p=0.018) significantly predicted poor outcome while deep regions (caudate, putamen and internal capsule) did not. After controlling for final infarct volume, M4 (p=0.045) and M6 (p=0.018) regions remained significant predictors of poor outcome. M6 was independently associated with poor outcome in right hemispheric lesions (OR 0.13 95%CI 0.04-0.47, p=0.002) while M4 (OR 0.14 95%CI 0.04-0.48, p=0.011) predicted poor outcome in left hemispheric lesions. Conclusions: Involvement of the right parieto-occipital (M6) and left superior-frontal (M4) regions seem to have a significant impact on outcome in LVO patients. While these results need to be replicated in other patient cohorts, lesion topology may also need to be considered in outcome prediction in LVO patients.\nAuthor Disclosures:\nS. Rangaraju:None. C. Streib:None. A. Jadhav:None. T.G. Jovin:Consultant/Advisory Board; Modest; Dr Jovin: Consulting and speaker fees from Co-Axia, ev3, Concentric Medical and Micrus.. © 2015 by American Heart Association, Inc.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7422699928283691} {"content": "1 Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus University2 unknown3 Alexandra Instituttet A/S4 Alexandra Instituttet A/S\nSubtitle:\nDeliverable 18;\nAbstract:\nThe challenges involved in designing appropriate and desirable hybrid spatial computing environments are considerable. Two aspects highlighted through our own experience and in the communities’ literatures are particularly demanding: 1. The situated and social nature of human activities. 2. The transformative nature of the encounter between people and technology. Trying to achieve grounded leaps of socio-technical imagination on such shifting ground is difficult. It demands close and continuous loops of design, use and evaluation. Our grounded imagination approach combines a range of methods to meet the challenge. We present some highlights from activities during 2002/2003. These activities cut across the boundaries used to structure the report so far – highlighting achievements with regard to supporting people in combining, composing configurations of people, spaces, materials and technologies in and across different contexts.\nType:\nBook chapter\nLanguage:\nEnglish\nPublished in:\nEu,ist, Fet, Dc Project, Workspace: Distributed Work Support Through Component Based Spatial Computing Environments, 2003, p. 1-29", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6452267169952393} {"content": "Hi Siran, 12.5 mg of Metoprolol\nis a very low dose. You don't state the reason why your mother was on the drug. Has she had a heart attack\n,? does she have congestive heart failure? What other medications is she taking? Did she have any diagnostic tests done before she saw the Dr, like an echocardiogram\nor a chest x-ray? Metoprolol can weaken the force of the hearts contraction, which is what I think her Dr.was trying to explain to her. While this would decrease the hearts oxygen\ndemands when it does not pump blood as effectively it can lead to congestive heart failure. In medical terms this is called a negative inotropic effect. This is only speculation on my part based on the information you have provided in your question, you can email be if you need to, there's nothing worse than a sick mom, take care, Donna", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.952594518661499} {"content": "A Word Wall is a strategy to reinforce the core vocabulary of a specific subject. Teachers select new words, technical terms, and words that frequently recur and print these words in bold block letters on cards. Teachers post these cards on a highly visible wall or bulletin board as students confront them in reading or discussions. Note: the Word Wall is built one word at a time as students encounter new terminology.\nStudents review terms on the Word Wall as a \"warm up\" activity before lessons. Everytime one of the words appears in the lesson, the teacher reinforces it by pointing it out on the Word Wall. Repetition is the key to the Word Wall's success. Teachers often incorporate Word Wall terms into learning games, like \"Rivet\" and the \"Dictionary Game.\"\nCopyright © 2005-", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8560985922813416} {"content": "This topic contains a range of tools to help you evaluate your training.\nThis tool is designed to help you understand and explore different opportunities to evaluate reactions to training.\nThis tool can be used to to help you to understand and explore different ways to assess learning in training.\nUse this tool to explore different opportunities to measure any behavioural changes that have taken place during training.\nThis tool will help you to consider different ways to evaluate the results of the training in terms of business impact.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9512895345687866} {"content": "Chapter 2. Description of a Metadata System\nThis chapter identifies common components of a metadata system for education\norganizations, including key points influencing metadata governance, metadata\nmodels, metadata item inventories, and comprehensive data dictionaries.\nMetadata systems are driven by the information needs and characteristics\nof each specific organization (see exhibit 2.1). This makes it challenging,\nif not impossible, to describe a single model for a metadata system that\nwould apply to every state and local education agency. Still, most metadata systems\nin education environments have some common features. The following description is\nbased on these commonalities. In general terms, a robust metadata system will include\nsystem governance arrangements that include policies and procedures for\nmetadata management and use within the organization, and related roles and\nresponsibilities for staff;\na metadata model that links metadata items to existing data elements and data\nsets;\na list of relevant metadata items (i.e., a metadata item inventory), including a\nlexicon that identifies shared vocabulary for term use and naming conventions;\nand\na comprehensive data dictionary.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9814640283584595} {"content": "Neurodiversity is a concept where neurological differences are to be recognized and respected as any other human variation. These differences can include those labeled with Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Dyscalculia, Autistic Spectrum, Tourette Syndrome, and others.\nFor many autistic people, neurodiversity is viewed is a concept and social movement that advocates for viewing autism as a variation of human wiring, rather than a disease. As such, neurodiversity activists reject the idea that autism should be cured, advocating instead for celebrating autistic forms of communication and self-expression, and for promoting support systems that allow autistic people to live as autistic people.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6541397571563721} {"content": "Individuals with reduced body mass resulting from early nutritional stress often compensate for thislater in growth. This compensatory growth can be beneficial as individuals adjust their body mass to thelevel of individuals that grew up under better conditions. Yet, compensatory growth can also result incosts that are paid later in life. In zebra finches raised under different nutritional conditions, we testedwhether compensatory growth affects subsequent adult exploratory behaviour, a proxy for an avianpersonality trait. We tested their exploratory behaviour in a spatial test to find hidden food on2 consecutive days. The behavioural measures of exploration correlated with each other across timeshowing a high individual behavioural consistency. Early nutritional treatment itself did not affectexploration and feeding. Yet, birds with higher previous compensatory growth were less active andapproached the food with different latencies from birds with lower compensatory growth. Life historydecisions on whether to compensate for a bad start or stay small thus result in elementary differences inbehaviour, such as exploratory behaviour, with potential fitness consequences, depending on payoffs ofexplorative strategies in different environmental conditions.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9851541519165039} {"content": "Volunteer fire fighter dies after falling through floor supported by engineered wooden-I beams at residential structure fire - Tennessee.\nAuthors\nTarley-J; Bowyer-M; Merinar-T\nSource\nNIOSH 2007 Nov; :1-9\nAbstract\nOn January 26, 2007, a 24-year-old male volunteer fire fighter died at a residential structure fire after falling through the floor which was supported by engineered wooden I-beams. The victim's crew had advanced a handline approximately 20 feet into the structure with zero visibility. They requested ventilation and a thermal imaging camera (TIC) in an attempt to locate and extinguish the fire. The victim exited the structure to retrieve the TIC, and when he returned the floor was spongy as conditions worsened which forced the crew to exit. The victim requested the nozzle and proceeded back into the structure within an arm's distance of one of his crew members who provided back up while he stood in the doorway. Without warning, the floor collapsed sending the victim into the basement. Crews attempted to rescue the victim from the fully involved basement, but a subsequent collapse of the main floor ceased any rescue attempts. The victim was recovered later that morning. NIOSH investigators concluded that, to minimize the risk of similar occurrences, fire departments should: 1. use a thermal imaging camera (TIC) during the initial size-up and search phases of a fire; 2. ensure fire fighters are trained to recognize the danger of operating above a fire and identify buildings constructed with trusses or engineered wood I-beams. Additionally, Municipalities and local authorities having jurisdiction should develop a questionnaire or checklist to obtain building information so that the information is readily available if an incident is reported at the noted address. Additionally, Building code officials and local authorities having jurisdiction should consider modifying the current codes to require that lightweight trusses are protected with a fire barrier on both the top and bottom.\nKeywords\nRegion-4; Fire-fighters; Fire-fighting; Fire-safety; Fire-hazards; Injury-prevention; Accident-prevention; Traumatic-injuries; Emergency-responders; Fire-fighting-equipment; Accident-prevention; Accidents; Injuries; Safety-education; Safety-measures; Safety-practices; Surveillance\nDocument Type\nField Studies; Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation\nNTIS Accession No.\nPB2008-105071\nIdentifying No.\nFACE-F2007-07\nSource Name\nNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9759321808815002} {"content": "The correspondence between Leibniz and Samuel Clarke was the most influential philosophical exchange of the eighteenth century, and indeed one of the most significant such exchanges in the history of philosophy. Carried out in 1715 and 1716, the debate focused on the clash between Newtonianand Leibnizian world systems, involving disputes in physics, theology, and metaphysics. The letters ranged over an extraordinary array of topics, including divine immensity and eternity, the relation of God to the world, free will, gravitation, the existence of atoms and the void, and the size ofthe universe. This penetrating book is the first to offer a comprehensive overview and commentary on the Leibniz-Clarke correspondence. Building his narrative around general subjects covered in the exchange--God, the soul, space and time, miracles and nature, matter and force--Ezio Vailati devotes specialattention to a question crucial for Leibniz and Clarke alike. Both philosophers, worried by the advance of naturalism and its consequences for morality, devised complex systems to counter naturalism and reinforce natural religion. However, they not only deeply disagreed on how to answer thenaturalist threat, but they ended up seeing in each other's views the germs of naturalism itself. Vailati rigorously tracks the twists and turns of this argument, shedding important new light on a critical moment in modern philosophy. Lucid, taut, and energetically written, this book not only examines the Leibniz-Clarke debate in unprecedented depth but also situates the views advanced by the two men in the context of their principal writings. An invaluable reference to a fascinating exchange of ideas, Leibniz and Clarke makesvital reading for philosophers and historians of science and theology.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9943041205406189} {"content": "It was a classic David versus Goliath moment. At the December 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Kevin Conrad challenged the U.S., the sole holdout on a plan for a post-2012 climate treaty. \"If, for some reason, you're not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us,\" he declared. \"Please, get out of the way!\" Within minutes, the U.S. backed down. The resulting \"Bali Action Plan\" provides a road map for an international climate treaty that will succeed the Kyoto Protocol. The Bali agreement was significant for Conrad, who was there as Papua New Guinea's Special Envoy for Climate Change, because it contained provisions for which he'd fought for years. For the first time, the U.N. Climate Treaty agreed to recognize the role of tropical forests and deforestation in tackling global warming.\nThis issue has long been central to Conrad, 40, who was raised in a small village deep in the rain forests of Papua New Guinea. He first addressed deforestation as a graduate student at Columbia University. While there, he sought my assistance on how the international community can provide incentives for conserving rain forests. He knew that without payment for environ-mental services, which have been excluded from current climate-change agreements, countries like Papua New Guinea simply cannot protect their forests.\nMomentum quickly shifted after Conrad secured the support of two visionary leaders, Prime Minister Michael T. Somare of Papua New Guinea and President Oscar Arias Sánchez of Costa Rica. Making the case that deforestation in the developing world accounts for 20% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, Somare and Arias have called for countries that preserve their rain forests to be compensated.\nConrad is at the vanguard of this movement as executive director of the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN), an intergovernmental alliance of over 40 countries that has emerged as a formidable force within U.N. climate negotiations. At the CfRN's request, the World Bank established the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, which has raised $172 million to support analytical work and capacity building to reduce deforestation. More recently, Norway has pledged $2.8 billion to combat deforestation. Sparked by Conrad, Somare and Arias, these initiatives may mobilize the largest sums in history to support rain-forest conservation.\nConrad's Bali stand was no mere act of bravado, but evidence of a powerful phenomenon: a giant bloc of developing nations demonstrating more determination in the face of climate change than an industrial giant. Driven by this same sense of urgency, the CfRN represents a vital partnership between developed and developing nations that could significantly mitigate climate change. As Conrad's call to arms reminded us, what we need is precisely this kind of leadership, wherever we can find it.\nJoseph E. Stiglitz is University Professor at Columbia University and winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economics", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7331708669662476} {"content": "Abstract\nObjective: To validate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimating equations in white HIV-infected patients based on serum creatinine and/or serum cystatin C.\nDesign: Single-center, cross-sectional evaluation of the predictive performance of GFR estimators.\nMethods: GFR was measured by iohexol plasma clearance. Serum creatinine (Scr) and serum cystatin C (Scyst) were measured by traceable and standardized methods. We evaluated the performance of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and the Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations. We also studied the performance of the cystatin C-based equation (CKD-EPI Scyst) and the combined cystatin and creatinine-based equation (CKD-EPI combined), as recently proposed by the CKD-EPI group.\nResults: Two hundred and three participants (18% of women) were included. Mean age was 49 ± 10 years. Mean measured GFR (mGFR) was 95 ± 24 ml/min per 1.73 m\n2. CKD-EPI and CKD-EPI combined significantly outperformed the MDRD equation. The percentage of estimating results within 30% of mGFR was 75, 82 and 81% for the MDRD, CKD-EPI and CKD-EPI combined equation, respectively. Results favoring the CKD-EPI and CKD-EPI combined equation were especially observed for patients with mGFR over 90 ml/min per 1.73 m 2.\nConclusion: In our European HIV cohort, we confirmed that the creatinine-based CKD-EPI equation should replace the MDRD study equation. However, global performance of this equation remains worse than the performance observed in the general population. This lesser performance is particularly relevant in patients with measured GFR under and around 60 ml/min per 1.73 m\n2. Moreover, the specific interest of Scyst-based equations is not confirmed in this population.\nAuthor Information\naDepartment of Infectious and Tropical Diseases\nbDepartment of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Hypertension, CHU Hôpital Nord, Saint-Etienne\ncGroupe Immunité des Muqueuses et Agents Pathogènes, University Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, PRES Université de Lyon, France\ndDepartment of Nephrology-Dialysis-Hypertension, University of Liege, CHU Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgium\neLaboratory of Toxicology and Pharmacology, CHU Hôpital Nord, Saint-Etienne, France\nfInterdisciplinary Research Center, University of Leuven, Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium.\nCorrespondence to Amandine Gagneux-Brunon, MD, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Avenue Albert Raimond, 42 055 Saint-Etienne, Cedex 2, France. E-mail: amandinebrunon@yahoo.fr\nReceived 14 October, 2012\nRevised 28 January, 2013\nAccepted 31 January, 2013", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.612714409828186} {"content": "\"After its landscape-rich (re)design in 1995 and in the name of protecting it from ‘uncivilized behavior’, the Municipality of Beirut controlled and restricted access to about two-thirds of Horch al-Sanawbar, based on certain frequenters’ social practices, employing strategies of fencing and regulating. Today, only about one-third of Horch is open to the public. However, Horch frequenters continue to manifest their practices and desires despite of fences and regulations, and disregarding landscape ‘museumification’.\nThis paper investigates the history of Horch al-Sanawbar and documents current social practices in its different parts; then, it attempts to correlate history and social practices of Horch to better understand it as a public space, based on literature from Sandercock and Cupers and Miessen. The main argument is that previous and current usages of Horch reveal the ability of people, through history, to negotiate their practices in controlled public spaces and under different types of control. Enacting public space becomes, then, a product of city residents’ desires throughout time.\" (Thanks Daniel) Paper on the Beirut Pine Forest by Fadi Shayya, a former AUB student.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5476367473602295} {"content": "Daily\nReflection From a Creighton Student's Perspective\nMarch\n6th, 2008\nby\nAllison Showalter\nSophomore; Undecided Major\nTestimony is a powerful tool in motivating people. The\nevening news covering a catastrophe or a tragedy usually includes\ninterviews of witnesses of the event. The accountability of a witness\ntestifies to the legitimacy of the story. The added dimension of\na personality gives a universal feeling of “it could have\nbeen me” to the occurrence. Legally, a witness is usually\nnecessary to validate documents and contracts. The presence of a\nwitness willing to testify to the authenticity of the issue gives\nlegitimacy to the event.\nIn the Gospel story today, Jesus claims that God is His Divine witness.\nHowever, the people do not accept this testimony because they do\nnot all physically hear God’s testimony verifying Jesus as\nthe long-awaited Messiah. Since we do not accept this divine testament,\nGod also gives a human instrument, in the form of John the Baptist,\nto confirm Jesus’ status. The toughest part of this Gospel\ncomes when Jesus says, “I do not accept human testimony.”\nWhile we are able to accept the testimony of John and human testimony\nas a first step along the ladder of faith, we will only be accepted\ninto the Kingdom of Heaven if we accept Jesus as the Messiah with\nGod as the Divine witness.\nI find this the most challenging aspect in this story of testimony:\nwe cannot rely on human witness in matters of faith. While I find\nthe human aspect of the Church’s testimony acceptable, I often\nstruggle to believe the divine portion of Church doctrine. The mysteries\nI struggle with the most, such as concepts of transubstantiation\nand Trinity, require the most blind faith when dealing with divine\nwitness. While I resist meditating on these aspects of my faith\nbecause they are most difficult, I recognize that struggling with\nthese concepts will bring me closer to full reliance on God. Through\nJesus, who testifies to the truth, I can hope to come closer to\ncomprehending the full majesty of God and gain faith and hope through\nHim.\nCollaborative Ministry Office Guestbook", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9286491274833679} {"content": "Many of us may not take the time to stop and think about what and why we admire our heroes. However, it is important because the qualities we admire in them are often qualities that we aspire to.\nWhen you identify your heroes, you also identify common characteristics they uphold. It’s likely that these characteristics are the reasons you admire them. Think about it; test it out. You’ll discover that it’s true. You share a common value system with your heroes, or they wouldn’t make your list.\nRemember, heroes don’t need to be famous. There are countless everyday heroes that come into our lives—friends, relatives, teachers, coaches—even co-workers and bosses. In a sense, the characteristics you admire in these folks are a take away—a bonus. Now, apply what you learn from these individuals to your own life and career. You won’t stop being yourself. Instead, you will move another step closer to discovering the real you. Best of all, uncovering that information can be extremely valuable—both personally and professionally.\nWho are yours?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5861384868621826} {"content": "Case Study: DiverticulitisA 63 year old women with severe diverticulitis* for years was continually having bouts with extreme pain. Her physician prescribed steroids, antibiotics and a high fiber diet. When she was not on medications her pain and symptoms returned worse each time. She was becoming weaker and having symptoms of toxicity; headaches, lethargy, rashes, and nausea.\nAfter a period of shifting her whole body pH and improving digestion, we began a program of strengthening her bowel wall. Her eliminations improved and she no longer had any pain or bouts of diverticulitis.\nAfter ~8 months on her program she came into my office and asked me about passing kernels of corn? Recently, she had observed passing kernels of corn. She stated she had not eaten any corn for over a year. Her bowel walls had strengthened and were healing the diverticulitis pockets. Those pockets had released their stored toxic material, which included kernels of corn.\n*Diverticulitis is a condition where small pouches bulge outward through the colon or large intestine. These pouches can contain waste material and food, i.e., corn. These bulges occur at weak areas along the bowel wall. Your body then attempts to seal these toxic pouches up. However, these bulges can become inflammed, infected, and rupture causing extreme pain and serious problems. Conventional medical treatment usually involves antibiotics, steroids, and surgery to remove the diverticulii.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8925660252571106} {"content": "This paper studies how inflation as a macroeconomic indicator affects nominal bond prices. I consider an economy with a representative agent with Epstein-Zin preferences. Regime switching affects the state-space capturing inêation and consumption growth. Thus, the agent is concerned about the intertemporal distribution of risk, which is affected by the persistence of the variables and the regimes. Regime switching allows for structural changes in the volatility of unexpected shocks. To the extent that inêationary unexpected shocks indicate lower consumption growth, nominal bond holders need to be compensated for these shocks. It follows that a switch in the regime state affecting the covariance of inflation and consumption growth can be interpreted as a change in the price of risk. I find coefficients of risk aversion from 40 to 90, and subjective discount factors above 0.99, depending on the exact specification of the model. The model yields have on average a positive slope, a consistent Principal Components decomposition, and predictability as in Cochrane and Piazzesi (2002).\nSubjects:\nConsumption-based Asset Pricing Regime Switching Recursive Preferences Yield Curve Term Structure of Interest Rates", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9572211503982544} {"content": "Polyomavirus JC (JCPyV) is largely excreted by the human population through the urinary route and has been recognized as a potential viral marker for human waste contamination. This study aims to investigate the dissemination of JCPyV in waste water from a sewage treatment plant (STP) located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to describe the prevalence of JCPyV subtypes currently present in this population. Raw and treated sewage samples were collected bimonthly during one year, and examined for the presence of JCPyV using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). JCPyV was detected by nPCR in 96% and 43% of raw and treated sewage samples, respectively. The concentration of JCPyV present in the samples ranged from 1.2 × 103 to 3.2 × 105 and 2.6 × 102 to 6.2 × 103 genome copies per 2 ml of concentrated raw and treated sewage sample, respectively. The strains were characterized and the obtained nucleotide sequences indicated that the detected JCPyV strains clustered with subtypes of East African, West African and European origin. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing the incidence and diversity of JCPyV strains in raw and treated sewage in Brazil.\nKeywords: Brazil, JCPyV, polyomavirus, quantitative PCR, waste water", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.643859326839447} {"content": "Efficacy of etidronate and sequential monofluorophosphate in severe postmenopausal osteoporosis: A pilot study Abstract\nIn a three-year pilot study on 52 women with severe postmenopausal osteoporosis, treatment with etidronate followed by calcium and vitamin D (ECaD) was compared to etidronate followed by monofluorophosphate, calcium and vitamin D (EFCaD). BMD in lumbar spine, total hip and femoral neck increased significantly more with EFCaD than with ECaD. Pain-mobility score decreased significantly more with EFCaD than with ECaD (p=0.006). New vertebral fractures occurred in three patients under EFCaD (12%) and in nine under ECaD (35%), (p=0.048). Three patients under EFCaD (12%) and 15 under ECaD (58%) did not respond to therapy (p of difference=0.001). Mild or moderate adverse reactions were reported by 25 patients, with no significant difference between the two groups. The pilot study suggests that etidronate, sequentially followed by monofluorophosphate, could be a safe, effective and relatively inexpensive therapy in severe postmenopausal osteoporosis.\nReadership Statistics 8Readers on Mendeley", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999609589576721} {"content": "As a result, organisational researchers have developed measures of 'derailment potential' that consider key suspect behaviours such as betraying trust, deferring decisions, or avoiding change. Work to date has confirmed that managers fired from organisations are judged to be higher in these derailers, but these were post-hoc judgments that could have reflected biased hindsight rather than honest evaluations.\nTo avoid this, a new study led by Marisa Carson utilises database information on 1,796 managers from a large organisation to examine behaviours rated during employment tenure instead of on departure. Each behaviour was rated by between eight and ten sources - from subordinates to supervisors – with ratings combined into single potential scores. Drawing on staff turnover data, the study confirmed that individuals exhibiting more derailment potential behaviours were more likely to later be ejected from the organisation. In addition, they were more likely to leave early of their own volition, suggesting they jumped before they were pushed.\nThe study also looked beyond the behaviours exhibited to the traits that might be behind them, through a personality inventory, the Hogan Development Survey (HDS), that all managers had completed. The researchers were exploring the philosophy that derailment isn't caused by a deficit in positive traits such as conscientiousness, but the presence of additional, unhelpful qualities, measured in the HDS, that resemble features of clinical disorders. These traits come in three areas: 'moving away from people' such as a cynical, doubtful disposition, 'moving against people' including manipulation and a tendency to drama, and a third area of 'moving towards people' involving an abiding eagerness to please and defer to others.\nCarson's team predicted each of these areas would predict derailment behaviours, but in the analysis only one mattered: moving against people. This factor also predicted turnover of both kinds, and its effect on turnover was brokered by higher derailment behaviours. Conversely the 'away' area turned out to relate negatively, but non-significantly, to the derailment scores, and the 'toward' area didn't emerge as a coherent factor during preliminary analysis so wasn't pursued further. The story here, then, is that qualities that rub up badly against others, such as attention-seeking, idiosyncracy, over-confidence and rule-bending translate into red-flag behaviours that predict early exit from the organisation.\nWhat to be done? This research provides some support for screening for these types of tendencies early in a manager's career, in order to inform decisions about future role as well as identifying priority areas for training and development. These efforts, should they avert derailment, are likely to pay off in the long run.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8086477518081665} {"content": "An energetic entrepreneur who enjoys the outdoors might find landscaping business ownership an attractive option. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that more time-crunched or elderly homeowners, plus corporate and educational facilities, will soon require landscaping services. To serve this increasing client base, the BLS estimates a need for 20 percent more grounds maintenance workers from 2010 to 2020. Despite this growth trend, consider the industry's risks before you make an informed decision.\nUnreliable Workers\nA landscaper racing to complete new office park greenery so tenants can occupy their spaces, and a residential market landscaper with daily maintenance jobs on the books, depend on reliable employees with a good work ethic and attention to detail. Unfortunately, the landscaping industry is plagued by worker unreliability, likely driven by the physically demanding work, low pay, lack of health insurance and largely seasonal employment. While other industries must also deal with unreliable workers, landscapers are especially vulnerable, as the industry relies heavily on a ready supply of manual labor.\nWorker Injuries\nLandscaping workers consistently experience on-the-job injuries resulting from the highly physical nature of the work. When an employee moves heavy bags of dirt around the day's work site, his improper lifting techniques can result in back, shoulder or knee injuries. Workers often trip or fall while walking on uneven surfaces and also experience injuries from the potentially dangerous equipment they operate. When a workplace injury occurs, the landscaping business owner often feels impacts from lost employee work time and must also handle the resulting workers' compensation claim.\nWeather Impacts\nIn temperate climates where landscapers maintain year-round work schedules, beneficial rains keep trees, lawns and flowers thriving. In contrast, torrential rains, thunderstorms and flooding can damage greenery and cause a well-manicured lawn to resemble a muddy field. Landscaping crews can find themselves sidelined until conditions improve, which means lost work time, rescheduled appointments and potentially unhappy clients.\nClient Lawsuits\nLandscapers who finalize a contract with a handshake often face unexpected lawsuits from angry clients. New Jersey-based lawyer Peter Lamont, who specializes in small landscaping firm representation, emphasizes in an article titled \"How to Start a Landscaping Business,\" on the website of the National Federation of Independent Business, that a business owner must protect himself with a comprehensive written contract. He should include initial estimate, project logistics, completion date and payment framework details. If the client does not want a specific area of the property addressed or mentions other exclusions, that information must appear in the contract as well. Both parties must agree on and sign the contract before the landscaper begins his work.\nEconomic Uncertainty\nLandscapers who successfully navigate the industry's pitfalls can still find themselves at the mercy of economic uncertainty. In a September 2010 article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press, John Garrett, an economics professor at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, observed that a shaky economy typically results in reduced consumer purchases of luxury goods, including lawn care services. Although middle-class customers frequently tighten their budgets first, Chattanooga-based nursery owner Mark Bonastia told the newspaper that affluent residents can unexpectedly curtail lawn services during downturns as well.\nUnited States Bureau of Labor Statistics: Grounds Maintenance Workers: Job Outlook The Decatur Daily: Trouble on Landscape CNA: Risk Control Industry Guide Series: Landscape, Lawn Care, and Plant Nursery Industry, P. 4 Houston: Houston Weather National Federation of Independent Business: How to Start a Landscaping Business Chattanooga Times Free Press: Landscapers Dust Selves Off After Recession Storm Photo Credits Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7860341668128967} {"content": "This week marked the start of the annual Palestinian olive harvest, an ancient tradition on which 80,000 families still rely for their livelihoods. Yet these families face growing economic hardship due to Israeli land confiscations, access restrictions, settler attacks, and not least the widespread uprooting, destruction and theft of the trees themselves.\nThe infographic ‘Uprooted’ focuses on the staggering fact that Israeli authorities have uprooted over 800,000 Palestinian olive trees since 1967, the equivalent to razing all of the 24,000 trees in New York’s central park 33 times.\nThis graphic is being released as part of Visualizing Palestine’s 2013 crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. We would love if you could share the campaign URL with the graphic and through social media.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9450045228004456} {"content": "You have no items in your shopping cart.\nZwitterionic Biodetergents Zwitterionic biodetergents have characteristics of both ionic and non-ionic detergent types. Its headgroups are hydrophilic and contain both positive and negative charges in equal numbers, resulting in zero net charge. Zwitterionic detergents are less denaturing proteins than ionic detergents by protecting the native charge of protein molecules like nonionic detergents but are more harsh surfactants. They are more efficient than non-ionic detergents at disrupting protein-protein bonds and reducing aggregation. These properties have been used for chromatography, mass spectrometry, and electrophoresis methods, and solubilization of integral membrane proteins.\nAG Scientific can ship FedEx directly to your lab, from small-scale to bulk orders. Our leadership in bulk supply allows us to provide custom product packaging and create multiple product forms. We offer “just in time” delivery, private labeling, and custom formulations for specific research needs.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.600265383720398} {"content": "A number of grad schools are offering dual degree MSCE/MURP programs, and typically these graduates focus on transportation engineering/planning. Surely these graduates have additional skills than the graduates of either individual program, but are they more valuable? Typically, an MSCE graduate would expect a higher salary than a MURP graduate, but should an MSCE/MURP graduate expect more money than someone with only the MSCE degree? In other words, how likely are employers to discount the value of the MURP degree, compensating the dual degree employee as if they had only the MSCE degree?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9738744497299194} {"content": "I Don't Experience Hunger\nSo I decided recently that I need to find something to do about this because, though not problematic currently, I could see it sometime becoming an issue. The gist of it is: I don't get hungry or full.\nHere I would like to note that I'm very healthy, 5'11\"-6' and 158 pounds. My RHR is 47-53 and my body fat is at a low but still healthy level (I'm a swimmer). Basically, I'm in good shape despite this bizarre phenomenon.\nIt doesn't matter how long I go without eating, I don't feel hunger in a normal way. I eat based on meal times and depending on whether I'm at what I believe is a calorie deficit etc. The issue remains, I can and have (without actually realizing it) gone significantly over 24 hours without food and not been bothered at all. I eat sometimes when I'm bored because enjoying the taste is nice, but it's more of a \"take it or leave it\" feeling that could be similarly satisfied with a non-nutritional diet soda or something like that.\nAlternatively, when I do eat, it does not matter how much food I consume, I don't get that full and satisfied feeling. I do however get that \"I'm sick from so much food and I'm beginning to throw up\" phenomenon. For example, I once ate two new large boxes of cereal (watching television or something), only realizing once I was on the verge of throwing up that I'd eaten more than my stomach could properly hold. Essentially, I only ever stop eating once I've begun because I 1) make a conscious decision that I've had an appropriate amount or 2) I feel as though I'm going to vomit. Note that I have no history of bulimia or anything; I've only actually thrown up a little once after eating more than my stomach could handle.\nIn summary, I never actually experience hunger and I never actually experience a satisfactory \"full.\" Does anyone have an idea of what is going on? It's really inconvenient have no way of telling whether I've consumed enough aside from actually tracking calorie and nutrient intake.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.69988614320755} {"content": "Have you gone to your doctor about all your aches and pains, your depressed moods, your inability to sleep, and your lack of energy? Did your doctor tell you that nothing is wrong with you? Did you know that all these symptoms can be caused by a hormonal imbalance? Don’t let your doctor offer you antidepressants or sleep medications for symptoms that can be resolved safely and naturally by replenishing your hormones with bioidentical hormones!", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9135541319847107} {"content": "SUMMARY\nHarold R. Solbrig has been a pioneer in the medical computing field since the early 1970s. Over the past two decades his emphasis has been on the role of formal semantics in data interoperability with a focus on clinical terminology, and terminology and data binding. Mr. Solbrig joined Mayo Clinic in 1999 and is currently working on terminology standards and adoption within the Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics.\nAdditionally, he has participated and contributed to multiple standards organizations, including Health Level Seven International (HL7), the World Health Organization, International Standards Organization (ISO), the Object Management Group (OMG), the International Terminology Standards Development Organization (IHTSDO) and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).\nFocus areas\nTerminology services. Mr. Solbrig focuses on models, interfaces and standards for representing, querying and maintaining terminological resources.\nInformation model terminology binding. Mr. Solbrig is a key contributor to the ISO 11179-3 Edition 3f specification that formalizes the relationship between ontologies and data. He has worked with multiple organizations on linking ontology semantics with data models and instances, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the National Library of Medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC).\nFormal ontology. His research includes distinction between types, categories and definitions in formal ontology models and in collaboration with the NCI and other organizations. The goal is to develop new approaches to separating definition knowledge from secondary artifacts.\nSemantic MediaWiki. His work includes the incorporation of semantics into information resources like Wikipedia. He developed a model and set of tools for crowd-sourced ontology development called LexWiki, which was subsequently adopted by the NCI for the use with the NCI Thesaurus and the Neurolex community. Significance to patient care\nThe standards and methodologies derived from Mr. Solbrig's work form a key foundation for interoperability and sharing clinical data, which in turn allows researchers to make new discoveries. This improves the healthcare process and more fundamentally, enables sophisticated decision support tools to assist providers at the point of care.\nProfessional highlights\nEditor, Common Terminology Services 2 Standard, 2011\nHL7 Volunteer of the Year Award, 2005", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9641230702400208} {"content": "Antidepressant treatments enhance plasticity and increase neurogenesis in the adult brain, but it has been unclear how these effects influence mood. We propose that, like environmental enrichment and exercise, antidepressant treatments enhance adaptability by increasing structural variability within the nervous system at many levels, from proliferating precursors to immature synaptic contacts. Conversely, sensory deprivation and chronic stress reduce this structural variability. Activity-dependent competition within the mood-related circuits, guided by rehabilitation, then selects for the survival and stabilization of those structures that best represent the internal or external milieu. Increased variability together with competition-mediated selection facilitates normal function, such as pattern separation within the dentate gyrus and other mood-related circuits, thereby enhancing adaptability toward novel experiences. - by\nCastren E. & Hen R., Trends in Neurosciences , 04 February 2013", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7627882957458496} {"content": "This paper examines return predictability when the investor is uncertain about the right state variables. A novel feature of the model averaging approach used in this paper is to account for finite-sample bias of the coefficients in the predictive regressions. Drawing on an extensive international dataset, we find that interest-rate related variables are usually among the most prominent predictive variables, whereas valuation ratios perform rather poorly. Yet, predictability of market excess returns weakens substantially, once model uncertainty is accounted for. We document notable differences in the degree of in-sample and out-of-sample predictability across different stock markets. Overall, these findings suggests that return predictability is not a uniform and a universal feature across international capital markets.\nSubjects:\nStock Return Predictability Bayesian Model Averaging Model Uncertainty International Stock Markets", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9461594223976135} {"content": "Abstract\nQuantitative trait loci (QTL) studies provide insight into the complexity of drought tolerance mechanisms. Molecular markers used in these studies also allow for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in breeding programs, enabling transfer of genetic factors between breeding lines without complete knowledge of their exact nature. However, potential for recombination between markers and target genes limit the utility of MAS-based strategies. Candidate gene mapping offers an alternative solution to identify trait determinants underlying QTL of interest. Here, we used restriction site polymorphisms to investigate co-location of candidate genes with QTL for seedling drought stress-induced premature senescence identified previously in cowpea. Genomic DNA isolated from 113 F2:8 RILs of drought-tolerant IT93K503-1 and drought susceptible CB46 genotypes was digested with combinations of EcoR1 and HpaII, Mse1, or Msp1 restriction enzymes and amplified with primers designed from 13 drought-responsive cDNAs. JoinMap 3.0 and MapQTL 4.0 software were used to incorporate polymorphic markers onto the AFLP map and to analyze their association with the drought response QTL. Seven markers co-located with peaks of previously identified QTL. Isolation, sequencing, and blast analysis of these markers confirmed their significant homology with drought or other abiotic stress-induced expressed sequence tags (EST) from cowpea and other plant systems. Further, homology with coding sequences for a multidrug resistance protein 3 and a photosystem I assembly protein ycf3 was revealed in two of these candidates. These results provide a platform for the identification and characterization of genetic trait determinants underlying seedling drought tolerance in cowpea.\nCitation\nMuchero, W.; Ehlers, J.D.; Roberts, P.A. Restriction site polymorphism-based candidate gene mapping for seedling drought tolerance in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. TAG Theoretical and Applied Genetics (2010) 120 (3) 509-518. [DOI: 10.1007/s00122-009-1171-6]", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6213966608047485} {"content": "Atypical or variant forms of well-known chondrodysplasias may pose diagnostic problems. We report on a girl with clinical features suggesting diastrophic dysplasia but with unusual radiographic features including severe platyspondyly, wide metaphyses, and fibular overgrowth, which are partially reminiscent of metatropic dysplasia. The diagnosis was clarified by molecular analysis of the DTDST gene, which revealed homozygosity for a previously undescribed mutation leading to a Q454P substitution in the 10th transmembrane domain of the DTDST sulfate transporter. Molecular analysis may be of particular value in such atypical cases.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9991381764411926} {"content": "DyP-type peroxidases comprise a novel superfamily of heme-containing peroxidases which is unrelated to the superfamilies of known peroxidases and of which only a few members have been characterized in some detail. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a DyP-type peroxidase (TfuDyP) from the thermophilic actinomycete Thermobifida fusca. Biochemical characterization of the recombinant enzyme showed that it is a monomeric, heme-containing, thermostable, and Tat-dependently exported peroxidase. TfuDyP is not only active as dye-decolorizing peroxidase as it also accepts phenolic compounds and aromatic sulfides. In fact, it is able to catalyze enantioselective sulfoxidations, a type of reaction that has not been reported before for DyP-type peroxidases. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to determine the role of two conserved residues. D242 is crucial for catalysis while H338 represents the proximal heme ligand and is essential for heme incorporation. A genome database analysis revealed that DyP-type peroxidases are frequently found in bacterial genomes while they are extremely rare in other organisms. Most of the bacterial homologs are potential cytosolic enzymes, suggesting metabolic roles different from dye degradation. In conclusion, the detailed biochemical characterization reported here contributes significantly to our understanding of these enzymes and further emphasizes their biotechnological potential.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8718995451927185} {"content": "Followership in higher education: academic teachers and their formal leaders\nBillot, JM; West, D; Khong, L; Skorobohacz, C; Roxa, T; Murray, S; Gayle, B\nPermanent linkhttp://hdl.handle.net/10292/5935 MetadataShow full metadata Abstract\nThe concept of followership in higher education has been given limited attention despite the fact that followers are key players in the follower/leader equation and that leadership is increasingly seen as vital to improving the student learning experience. This paper explores this concept, reporting on the findings of a qualitative study underpinned by a socio-constructivist framework. Thirty-eight narratives describing the experience of being a follower and interacting with a formal leader were collected from academic teachers in seven institutions worldwide and analysed using inductive content analysis. The richness of the narratives collected illustrates the intricate relationship formed by the followership/leadership interaction. The results affirm the premise that, just as teachers are defined by their students’ learning, leaders are defined by their followers’ engagement. However, some teachers also display a strong reluctance towards the very idea of being a follower in academia where critical and independent thinking form the backbone of all practices. Negotiation, responsibility, and mutual respect appear essential aspects of any form of followership/leadership interaction as it directly or indirectly influences student learning and personal development. The research presented suggests that, in challenging times, academic leaders must attend to the characteristics and needs of their followers.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8339248299598694} {"content": "Baroreflex failure in a patient with central nervous system lesions involving the nucleus tractus solitarii. Abstract\nAnimal studies have shown the importance of the nucleus tractus solitarii, a collection of neurons in the brain stem, in the acute regulation of blood pressure. Impulses arising from the carotid and aortic baroreceptors converge in this center, where the first synapse of the baroreflex is located. Stimulation of the nucleus tractus solitarii provides an inhibitory signal to other brain stem structures, particularly the rostral ventrolateral medulla, resulting in a reduction in sympathetic outflow and a decrease in blood pressure. Conversely, experimental lesions of the nucleus tractus solitarii lead to loss of baroreflex control of blood pressure, sympathetic activation, and severe hypertension in animals. In humans, baroreflex failure due to deafferentation of baroreceptors has been previously reported and is characterized by episodes of severe hypertension and tachycardia. We present a patient with an undetermined process of the central nervous system characterized pathologically by ubiquitous infarctions that were particularly prominent in the nucleus tractus solitarii bilaterally but spared the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Absence of a functioning baroreflex was evidenced by the lack of reflex tachycardia to the hypotensive effects of sodium nitroprusside, exaggerated pressor responses to handgrip and cold pressor test, and exaggerated depressor responses to meals and centrally acting alpha 2-agonists. This clinicopathological correlate suggests that the patient's baroreflex failure can be explained by the unique combination of the destruction of sympathetic inhibitory centers (ie, the nucleus tractus solitarii) and preservation of centers that exert a positive modulation on sympathetic tone (ie, the rostral ventrolateral medulla).\nCopyright © 1994 by American Heart Association", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.933405339717865} {"content": "Introduction\nPlantar wart is a common disеasе that produces warts on thе sole оf the foot; humаn papillоmavirus is the causative organіsm оf thiѕ disease. Usuallу, these warts will dіsappear on thеіr оwn; however, most individuals wоuld like to trеat them immediatelу, instead of waіtіng for thеm to go away. There аre mаny plаntаr wаrt treatmentѕ available.\nCоmmоnly Available Plаntаr Wart Treаtments\nYоu cаn trеаt рlаntаr warts yourѕelf by utilizing any оf the commonly available plаntаr warts treatments such as duct tape and salicylic acids. Theѕe trеatmеnts do not requіre thе help of a physician.\nplantar warts\nDuсt Tape\nMаny reseаrches reveal that duct taре work better thаn cryotherapy, whiсh is anothеr plantar wart treatment mеthоd. This trеatmеnt involves covering the wart ѕurface bу a piece of duсt tapе аnd leaving it for abоut ѕіx daуs. After six daуs, sоak the warts in wаrm water and gently {rub} the wart surface using a pumice ѕtonе оr an emerу board. You need to rеpеat thе whоle process fоr a couplе оf weeks until thе warts disaррear.\nSalicylic Acid\nTake ѕalicylic acid (40% ѕоlutiоn) аnd aррly it on the wart surface once оr twicе a daу; however, avoid аpplying it on the hеalthy skin. In the middle of each application, pare down the dеаd wаrt tiѕѕue, which рreѕent оn the surfаce оf the wаrt, usіng аn emerу boаrd or a рumice stone. You can also aррly salicylic acid pаtches оn thе wart surface that peels off the dеad tissues gradually on constant uѕе of the patches. Yоu have to repeаt the above-discussed proceѕѕeѕ for аbоut three to four weeks to eradicate thе warts completely.\nAdvanсed Plantar Wart Treatmentѕ\nManу аdvаnced treatmentѕ аrе availablе for plаntаr warts, whіch сan be dоnе onlу with the help of physicians. Somе оf them are cryotherapy, іmmunotherapy, minor ѕurgery, and lаsеr surgery.\nCrуotherapу is оne оf the commonest plantar wart treatments. This treatment involves applіcatіon оf lіԛuіd nіtrogen on the wаrt surface. Thіs iѕ a time-сonsuming treаtment and it is not for children as іt causes severe рain during treаtment.\nImmunotherapy amеlioratеs уour immunе system to fіght against plantar wartѕ. Thіs treatment invоlves thе appliсation of intеrfеron оr certain typeѕ of antigens.\nMіnor surgery involves surgical rеmoval of thе wаrt tіѕѕueѕ оr deѕtroying thеm wіth the hеlp of the procеssеs such as сurеttеmеnt or electrodesiccation. Thiѕ is аn effective method; hоwever, іt may leave scar if dоne carelessly.\nThere аre many tyрes of laser surgeries avaіlable to rеmоvе persistent plantar warts; however, they arе expensive аnd pаіnful.\nConclusions - Preventive Measures\nInstеаd of sееkіng for any рlаntаr wart treаtment аftеr уоu gеt plаntаr wart, you can prоtect уourself from plantar wart by tаkіng sоmе prеvеntіvе mеasurеs. The fоllоwing рreventive measures will keep you away frоm plantar wаrtѕ. Trу to avoid walkіng barеfoot, іf possіble. You must change уоur soсks daily. Always try to keeр your feet dry аnd clean. Avoid your body pаrtѕ touсhing with thе warts present on other раrts of уour body оr the warts рreѕent on оthеr individualѕ. Whеnеvеr yоu find any wart оn уоur body, take immediate action.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5050342082977295} {"content": "Since the summer of 2010, San Francisco's been testing\nSFpark, a first-of-its-kind initiative to raise parking meter prices on in-demand blocks and lower them on emptier ones.\nAccording to the Times' Michael Cooper and Jo Craven McGinty, spots can reach as much as $6 per hour, but typically go for $4.50.\nTo gauge demand for meters, organizers have installed sensors at nearly a quarter of the city's 26,800 metered spaces.\nThe experiment, which received a federal grant and runs until this summer, seems to be working:\nBy tweaking prices every two months–rising or falling anywhere from $0.25 to $0.50/hour–the project has helped several blocks meet their targeted occupancy rates in a given month. At the same time, it's forced 15 of the city's 20 less-frequently used parking garages to lower their rates, the Times' reports.\nThere are still a few kinks to work out, however. Higher prices don't always deter parkers from clogging up streets, and SFpark has been criticized for not helping to cut down traffic and reduce pollution. Think about it: The less time spent circling the lot looking for a spot, the more gas you'll conserve.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7556238174438477} {"content": "Search\nThis new guide provides guidance and illustrations regarding the initial and subsequent accounting for, valuation of, and disclosures related to acquired intangible assets used in research and development activities (IPR&D assets).\nThis is a valuable resource for preparers of financial statements, auditors, accountants and valuation specialists seeking an advanced understanding of the accounting, valuation, and disclosures related to acquired IPR&D assets.\nKey topics covered:", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999749064445496} {"content": "A study suggests that teens who engage in oral sex will likely engage in vaginal sex within 6 months of their first oral sex activity. Researchers now consider oral sex the gateway to intercourse. There is no denying that this activity can have a powerful impact on a teenager’s subsequent sexual decisions. http://goo.gl/Kk3Egl\nMore from", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9731149673461914} {"content": "This book describes in depth the media formulations, cloning techniques and methods for expanding a single plant into thousands. Over 35 species of plants are detailed. This expanded edition introduces new developments in biotechnology, such as genetic engineering and cell culture. It explains clearly how to set up a propagating laboratory, from a hobbyist's kitchen to an elaborate commercial enterprise.\nThe new fourth edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the many advances in science and technology, including the five accepted sequential stages of micropropagation. Ten new plants have been added. This in turn has greatly expanded the already extensive bibliography. Among the new topics that have been introduced or expanded on are embryo culture for breeding, somaclonal variation, anther culture, somatic embryogenesis, cryopreservation, and genetic engineering. More ornamental plant examples are given and many new illustrations provided, including a chronology of discoveries in micropropagation.\nBy Lydiane Kyte. 274 pages. Hardcover.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.551037073135376} {"content": "This analysis identifies potential drought-related impacts to generation availability in the region based on a current snapshot of system conditions, and is not intended to be an exact prediction of future generator outages. ERCOT uses the results of this analysis as a signal to initiate coordination with owners of potentially affected generation capacity. The current predictions indicate that no generation is expected to become at risk within the next six months.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.945151686668396} {"content": "Achievement 3: health technologies for women\nIn the last century, new technologies such as microbicides, mammograms, PAP tests and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and bone densitometry have contributed to the prevention of osteoporosis, HIV, and breast and cervical cancer.\nFor example, breast and cervical cancer are among the top 10 leading causes of death for women aged 20-59 years, representing 223 000 deaths in 2004. The introduction of screening programmes contributes to early identification, access to treatment, and leads to longer, healthier lives for many women and girls.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5150657892227173} {"content": "Despite a drop in its order backlog, a strong performance by Areva's mining business helped the company report a 3.8% increase in revenues to €9.3 billion ($12.6 billion) in 2013.\nRevenue from its nuclear operations was €9.0 billion ($12.2 billion), up 7.1% from the previous year. A strong performance by Areva's mining and front-end operations \"offset the expected business downturn in the reactors and services business groups.\"\nFor 2013, Areva's mining division posted revenue of €1.8 billion ($2.4 billion), an increase of 29.1%. The company said this reflects the planned reduction of its inventories, \"despite a slight decrease in production and lower average sales prices of uranium sold under contracts over the period, reflecting the current unfavourable natural uranium market conditions.\"\nAreva's front-end group - covering uranium enrichment and fuel fabrication - reported a 6.8% rise in revenue in 2013 to €2.2 billion ($3.0 billion). Its back-end business group brought in revenue of €1.7 billion ($2.3 billion), around the same level as in 2012. Meanwhile, the reactors and services business saw revenue decrease 3.7% in 2013 to €3.3 billion ($4.5 billion).\nWhile far smaller than its nuclear businesses, revenues from Areva's renewables division fell 24.7% to €132 million ($178 million).\nMeanwhile, Areva's overall order book of €41.6 billion ($56.2 billion) at the end of 2013 was slightly down from a year ago, when it stood at €44.7 billion ($60.4 billion). Some €7.6 billion ($10.3 billion) of new orders were received last year, excluding orders associated with agreements reached in October with EDF for the EPR reactors planned for Hinkley Point C.\nAreva CEO Luc Oursel commented, \"Two years after Fukushima, Areva's level of activity was especially strong in 2013. We outperformed our revenue outlook for nuclear operations.\" He added, \"The group's revenue benefited from the robustness of the recurring activities and from temporary elements, such as exceptionally high uranium sales.\"\n\"This growth demonstrates the resilience of our end market, despite unfavourable current conditions,\" he noted.\nResearched and written by World Nuclear News", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8329663872718811} {"content": "Want to know exactly how to eat and exercise during pregnancy?\nExposed! Little known secrets to nutrition and exercise during and after pregnancy! Discover how to give yourself the best shot at a healthy, simple, and pain-free pregnancy! Getting pregnant and childbirth are two of life's greatest miracles. Most women, when asked the question, \"What was the most memorable event in your life?\" often cite pregnancy and childbirth. It's like a gift from above. There is just no denying the powerful emotions that pregnancy and childbirth can create in parents. However, while pregnancy is glorious and a rewarding experience, the hard truth is that there is a nutrition and fitness aspect that cannot be neglected. There is also a flip side to this shiny coin. Many women often end up feeling that pregnancy has ruined their shapely figure and the stretch marks have disfigured them. They automatically assume that once they've given birth, their bodies will never go back to the shape they originally used to be. Weight gain, stretch marks, a loss of sex appeal, etc. are negative consequences that women consider a trade-off to having a bouncy little baby. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes...pregnancy will result in weight gain. This is only natural and in fact, it's healthy. However, the weight gain can be maintained without letting it get out of control. All weight that is gained during pregnancy can be lost after pregnancy. After all, it's just fat and the principles of fat loss are set in stone, regardless if it's a pregnant woman or an obese man. It will take you time to shed the fat...but there is no hurry. Slow and steady wins the race. With patience, persistence, and this brand new guide, you can definitely lose the excess fat after childbirth and at the same time, enjoy a healthy and simple pregnancy. The Fit And Healthy Pregnancy Guide Discover the secrets of nutrition and exercise during and after pregnancy.\nWe've sent an email with your order details. Order ID #:\nTo access this title, visit your library in the app or on the desktop website.\nBad naration\n- Megan Richey", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7519673109054565} {"content": "Inclusive Education in the Early Years is written for pre-service teachers to assist in the development of their skills and knowledge about inclusion, disability and inclusive education, within the context of their role as early childhood educators. The text covers critical aspects of teacherdevelopment in relation to fostering inclusive language and communication, enabling social interactions (including play) and supporting positive behaviour development. The state of play and implications of the current Australian context for early childhood education is explored, includingconsideration of the Early Years Learning Framework of Australia and the current legislative and policy contexts.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.581043004989624} {"content": "Abstract\nSumona Ghosh1,2,*, Meenakshi Kaw1,2,*, Payal R Patel1,2, Kelly J Ledford1,2, Thomas A Bowman1,2, Marcia F McInerney1,4, Sandra K Erickson5, Raymond E Bourey1,3, Sonia M Najjar1,21Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Research, 2Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, and of 3Medicine at the University of Toledo College of Medicine, Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH, USA; 4Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry at the College of Pharmacy, University of Toledo, Main Campus, Toledo, OH, USA; 5Department of Medicine, University of California, and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA; *These authors contributed equally to this workAbstract: Transgenic liver-specific inactivation of the carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM1) impairs hepatic insulin clearance and causes hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, elevation in hepatic and serum triglyceride levels, and visceral obesity. It also predisposes to nonalchoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in response to a high-fat diet. To discern whether this phenotype reflects a physiological function of CEACAM1 rather than the effect of the dominant-negative transgene, we investigated whether Ceacam1 (gene encoding CEACAM1 protein) null mice with impaired insulin clearance also develop a NASH-like phenotype on a prolonged high-fat diet. Three-month-old male null and wild-type mice were fed a high-fat diet for 3 months and their NASH phenotype was examined. While high-fat feeding elevated hepatic triglyceride content in both strains of mice, it exacerbated macrosteatosis and caused NASH-characteristic fibrogenic changes and inflammatory responses more intensely in the null mouse. This demonstrates that CEACAM1-dependent insulin clearance pathways are linked with NASH pathogenesis.Keywords: nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, CEACAM1, high-fat diet, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6445940732955933} {"content": "Children who are encouraged to learn from an early age have more capabilities to learn, as well as improved memory and better responses to stress, a new study has shown.\nThe research, which was conducted at the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, highlighted that nurturing from the mother during early years is crucial to the success of adolescents.\nThe main author of the study, Joan Luby, child psychiatrist at St Louis Children's Hospital, said: \"This study suggests there's a sensitive period when the brain responds more to maternal support.\"\nA series of brain scans conducted on children from nursery age through to adolescence showed that those who were nurtured by their mothers at an early age were more successful when it came to learning, memory and regulating emotions during adolescence. In contrast, those who did not have dedicated attention from their mother at a young age were less advanced in these areas.\n\"We think that's due to greater plasticity in the brain when kids are younger, meaning that the brain is affected more by experiences very early in life. That suggests it's vital that kids receive support and nurturing during those early years,\" Ms Luby stated.\nThe findings could open the doorway for children to perform better at school, cope better in life and develop emotionally, by encouraging parents to provide more support and nurturing early in the lives of their children.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8530731201171875} {"content": "Piano restoration is an arduous and costly procedure.\nWhile Doctor Piano is certainly willing to consider total rebuilding, (restoration), of the client’s present piano, we seldom recommend it unless there is a consensus that the end result will justify the expense.\nTwo factors that can, in fact, justify the expense are:\nThe piano in question has a replacement cost of $50,000 or more, The instrument is a treasured family heirloom.\nIf the decision is to proceed with restoration, Doctor Piano has highly skilled craftsmen with over thirty-three years of experience, and a state of the art facility to truly give your piano a new lease on life.\nReconditioning, on the other hand, is a different matter: often a viable and affordable alternative to replacing or fully restoring your piano.\nDoctor Piano can offer a thorough evaluation. Make an informed choice, whether it be restoration, replacement, or reconditioning.\nTrust us: We are piano experts.\nPlease contact us to inquire.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7683705687522888} {"content": "The fixed-term contract has been used as a legal instrument by parties who wish to engage in an employment relationship within the framework of predictability and freedom to control the duration of their contractual relationship. Consensus between both parties on the contents and the specific limitations of this kind of atypical employment contract is vital to avoid any misunderstanding and unreasonable expectations on the part of the employee. At the conclusion of the contract, the parties need to be ad idem that employment would start at the time of the conclusion of their contract, or at a specific date or event stipulated therein, and would inevitably terminate automatically at such time as the parties have agreed upon. It should have been the mutual intention of the parties that the purpose of this type of contract is linked to a limited duration, unlike that of the traditional contract of indefinite employment, which is likely to continue for an indefinite period.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7220759391784668} {"content": "In the midst of the ongoing debt and budget crises, politicians and voters continue to engage in the contentious debate regarding the faulty prioritization of U.S. government spending. Most Americans remain concerned with the recklessness of large government spending in what they consider lesser priority areas. Operating on a $3.7 trillion budget for fiscal year 2012, Congress awarded $18.7 billion to NASA, encouraging the administration to reinvigorate its traditional role of innovation, technological development, and scientific discovery. On the other hand, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) received $4.5 billion, $1 billion less than their requested amount.\nThis large discrepancy between the dollars allocated to these agencies is a clear-cut example of the growing concern among Americans regarding profuse government spending. Given that 95% of the underwater world remains unexplored and the space program has experienced little to no progress in recent years, should the space program remain a priority?\nThe last half of the 20\nth century was marked by the ideological and technological warfare between the U.S. and the Soviet bloc. The Cold War morphed itself in several arenas from proxy wars to political conflict to economic and technological competition such as the Space Race. The Space Race is synonymous with the arms race, where one of the main frontiers where the Cold War was waged. As a result, accomplishments and developments made in these areas not only enhanced American power, but were also received with a strong sense of national pride.\nHowever, the backbone of the Information Age lies in developing innovative science and technology that will enable us to explore new worlds and increase our understanding of the earth. Space exploration has contributed largely to this effort as a result of relentless government support and a strong lobbyist backing. Lawmakers from Alabama, Maryland, and Utah, where NASA and the corporations typically awarded its contracts operate, invest heavily in lobbyists and PACs to push their agendas forward in Washington.\nOn the contrary, although oceans are exploited for economic activities such as mineral extraction, dumping, commercial transportation, fisheries, and aquaculture, oceanic exploration has lagged behind due to insufficient support from the U.S. government. According to NOAA, \"one of every six jobs in the United States is marine-related and over one-third of the U.S. GNP originates in coastal areas, the ocean is key to transportation, recreation, and its resources may hold the cures to many diseases.\" Since its potential contribution to human sustainability stands at equal footing with space research, government should apportion the necessary capital needed to explore the deep-sea frontier.\nMoreover, since its establishment in 1957, NASA has always faced attack from social activists accusing the agency of wasting resources that could be used here on earth. Given the daunting issues in the country today such as poverty, unemployment, lack of access to health care, a broken education system, and many others, many believe that the large amount of money poured into space research could be used to tackle these issues. Moreover, due to our limited understanding of oceanic activities and processes, we continue to remain subject to the implications of natural disasters stemming from the ocean. Investing in oceanic research may help discover preventive mechanisms against catastrophic earthquakes, tsunamis, and oil spills.\nThe historical link between the American military complex and the space program may be the reason behind continued government support to the space agency. Arguably, the War on Terror has recreated tension similar to the Cold War era, forcing government to pour investment towards maintaining military supremacy in its fight against terrorism. The pronounced favoritism towards space research could therefore be attributed to the U.S. government’s traditional preference for hard power politics over soft power politics. While there is no doubt about the contributions of the space program to technological developments in numerous areas, one cannot help but question its relevance in a post-Cold War world. Possessing jurisdiction over 3.4 million square miles of ocean, there lies enormous potential to realize the benefits of the ocean while ensuring its sustainability for future generations.\nPhoto Credit: Grand Velas Riviera Maya", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8679949641227722} {"content": "A retirement plan requires careful consideration of many factors – such as how much you save, how your future earnings might change, and how much you'll spend in retirement. This calculator allows you to explore different outcomes by adjusting these variables, and seeing their effects on your retirement plan. Get started by entering your information below and clicking the \"View Report\" button. To adjust your projected return on savings and marriage/Social Security status, click the pencil icon to expand that section.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9984506964683533} {"content": "Talking Points\nCrude oil and copper stabilize as China demand concerns abate Goldtreads water as traders weigh geopolitical concerns against a USD recovery Bearish technical signals on WTI warn of further declines\nCrude oil has stabilised above the $101.00 mark in Asian trading today following a steep decline during trading on Monday that was mirrored in growth-sensitive commodities like copper. Meanwhile, gold continues to waver around the $1,340 level with newswires pointing to ongoing Ukrainian tensions as a possible source of support for the precious metal.\nChinese Demand Concerns Ease\nA disappointing set of Chinese trade balance figures released over the weekend weighed on the commodities space on Monday. Copper touched the lowest level in more than two years, while crude oil fell below the $102.00 handle. Following the initial drop in the growth-sensitive commodities there appears to be some signs of stabilisation in Asian trading today as concerns over chinese demand ease.\nWhile investor sentiment is still vulnerable to fresh negative news-flow, a light economic docket in the session ahead is unlikely to offer a catalyst to spark the same sort of magnitude of declines for copper and crude oil that was witnessed on Monday. While event-risk may be lacking, speculative positioning amongst WTI traders stands at a record number of net long positions signalling the potential for a sharp correction for oil.\nGold Faces Mixed Cues\nGold is treading water around the $1,340 level as traders weigh conflicting signals for the precious metal. On the one hand; ongoing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe have likely offered support for commodity. While on the other, broad US Dollar strength may have weighed on the fiat-money alternative.\nWhile uncertainty surrounding the Ukrainian-Russian conflict remains on traders’ radars, in the absence of a flare-up, the US Dollar may take the reigns as the dominant driver for the precious metal over the remainder of the week. The economic calendar highlights several pieces of noteworthy event risk including theUS UofM Consumer Confidencefigures and the confirmation hearing for Fed Officials Fischer, Brainard, and Powell. An improvement in US economic data and pro-”taper” talk from the aforementioned Fed speakers would likely aid a greenback recovery and weigh on the precious metals space.\nCRUDE OIL TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – Crude oil is exhibiting signs of a downtrend as prices have moved below their 20 SMA. This follows on from a Dark Cloud Cover formation on the daily that warned of declines ahead. Additionally, the rate of change indicator has shifted into negative territory, signaling building downside momentum. Following the daily close back below the $102.00 level a bearish bias is offered with an initial downside target of the psychologically significant $100.00 mark.\nDaily Chart - Created Using FXCM Marketscope 2.0\nNATURAL GAS TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – Buyers remain prepared to support the natural gas price at the 4.450 mark as the commodity stabilizes following dramatic declines at the end of February. With the 20 SMA signaling a downtrend, a corrective bounce at this stage would be seen as an opportunity to enter new short positions. Resistance is likely looming at former support near 4.917 (the 61.8% Fib Retracement level).\nDaily Chart - Created Using FXCM Marketscope 2.0\nGOLD TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – We remain on the lookout for a shift to a downtrend for gold on the daily. With resistance at 1,351 keeping the bulls in their pens for the time-being, further near-term gains look like a bit of a stretch. The emergence of a Dark Cloud Cover formation is a warning signal, however it would be too soon to suggest a bearish reversal given prices remain within their upward trend channel and above the 20 SMA.\nDaily Chart - Created Using FXCM Marketscope 2.0\nSILVER TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – A downtrend has emerged for silver signaled by the 20 SMA and ROC indicator. Shorts are preferred on a break below former resistance-turned-support at $20.50, which would open up the prior range-low at $19.00.\nDaily Chart - Created Using FXCM Marketscope 2.0\nCOPPER TECHNICAL ANALYSIS– Following a dramatic plunge in copper prices over the past few trading sessions, buyers appear to be emerging at the $3.030 level. Against the backdrop of a continued downtrend, a bearish bias is retained and a corrective bounce would be seen as an opportunity to enter new short positions.\nDaily Chart - Created Using FXCM Marketscope 2.0\n--- Written by David de Ferranti, Market Analyst, FXCM Australia\nTo receive David’sanalysis directly via email, please sign up here\nContact and follow David on Twitter: @DaviddeFe", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5192443132400513} {"content": "On the aerosol weekly cycle spatiotemporal variability over Europe Abstract\nIn this work, we focus on the spatial and temporal variability of the aerosol weekly cycle over Europe as these were recorded from TERRA MODIS and AQUA MODIS satellite instruments. Aerosol optical properties retrieved from MODIS TERRA (February 5 2000–February 2009) and AQUA (July 2002–December 2008) were used to produce an aerosol weekly cycle index. First, the general aerosol optical depth (AOD550 nm) weekly patterns were defined at a 1 ◦ × 1 ◦ resolution using the satellite-based index and six regions of interest were selected. To remove episodic dust transport events, two different aerosol flags, employing fine mode ratio (FMR550 nm) and AOD550 nm data, 10 were applied diagnostically. A second spatial averaging method was then used for the investigation of the weekly variability and the statistical significance of the weekly cycle over each of the previously selected regions. Three major weekly cycle plumes are observed over Europe. A strong positive (higher values during midweek) weekly cycle plume appears over Central Europe, while a strong negative (higher values during 15 weekend) weekly plume appears over the Iberian Peninsula and the North-eastern Europe. A weak but statistically significant negative plume is apparent over the Eastern Mediterranean. The temporal examination of the weekly cycles shows that in some areas there are seasonal differences in the sign of the weekly cycle. The aerosol weekly variability over different regions in Europe was examined in conjunction with 20 the dominating synoptic wind patterns from the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, showing that the seasonal weekly cycle plumes over regions situated in the eastern Europe and the Mediterranean Sea could be partly attributed to the westerly transport of continental aerosols.\nReadership Statistics 13Readers on Mendeley", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8072104454040527} {"content": "Abstract\nAbstract High doses of captopril (SQ 14, 225) (120–160 mg/kg/day) were administered orally to normal rats, and the effects on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system were observed. Plasma angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was elevated significantly on the 3rd, 7th and 30th days of captopril administration. ACE activity in the lung and the kidney was significantly decreased on the 1st day then gradually increased, becoming significantly higher than that of controls by the 30th day. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was significantly elevated on the 1st day and remained at a high level until the 30th day. Renal renin content was found to be significantly lower on the 1st and 3rd days. Plasma aldosterone concentration was not affected by captopril treatement, whereas serum potassium concentration was found to be significantly lower on the 1st, 3rd and 30th days. It is suggested that besides its inhibitory action on ACE, captopril has a direct or indirect stimulating action on ACE production as well as on renin release.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7667464017868042} {"content": "Continue Reading\nTone down spicy foods by adding a small amount of sugar or stirring in an acidic product such as vinegar or citrus juice. Alternate methods include incorporating dairy products such as sour cream, milk, cream or yogurt into the dish or adding extra ingredients to dilute the spice.\nStart by adding small doses to avoid altering the flavor too much, particularly when using sugar or acids. Stir the ingredient into the dish and taste it with a clean spoon. Choose the right method for the dish. For example, for a stir-fry, adding extra rice, veggies or sauce can help lessen the impact of the heat. Overly spicy soups and stews can be made milder by adding extra broth to dilute the effects of the spice. Add more tomatoes and beans to a pot of chili or more meat to a meat-based dish.\nKeep in mind while preparing a recipe that the smaller the pepper, the more heat it is likely to have. Lessen the heat of chili peppers by removing the seeds and membranes before adding them to a dish. Additionally, when cooking for a crowd, consider adopting a less is more approach to using spicy ingredients. Remember, you can always add crushed red pepper or fresh diced chillies as a garnish for those who prefer spicier dishes.Learn more about Herbs & Spices", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9379646182060242} {"content": "Can a policy brief be an effective tool for policy influence?\n3ie and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), in collaboration with Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), explored the effectiveness of a policy brief for influencing readers’ beliefs and prompting them to act.\nA multi-armed randomised control design was used to find answers to three research questions: Do policy briefs influence readers? Does the presence of an op-ed type commentary within the brief lead to more or less influence? and Does it matter if the commentary is assigned to a well known name in the field?\nKey findings A policy brief is more effective in creating ‘evidence-accurate’ beliefs amongst those with no prior opinion Messengers matter when it comes to readers’ intended actions Gender and self-perceived levels of influence affect people’s intention to act after reading the policy brief Implications for policy communication Ensure policy briefs have clear key messages Include opinion and authority features as they may help to ensure briefs are shared and passed on Consider whether a policy brief’s design or format is less appealing to women and/or makes them less inclined to take action Target the ‘movers and shakers’", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7294586896896362} {"content": "In every training certification I've seen, the importance of planning and documenting a client's workout and improvement is well-stated. However, it's easy, especially with long-term clients, to slip into a routine where workouts are \"planned,\" on-the-spot, regular tests to prove progress in strength, flexibility and body fat reduction, and other important markers are neglected.\nConsider what a disservice you're doing to your clients. If you neglect to show them a trend of improvement, either through a documented workout that shows increases in weight, repetitions or intensity, or through regular testing where there is an apple-to-apple comparison and undeniable improvement, you remove a significant motivating factor that boosts their self-esteem and encourages them to work harder. You also handicap yourself. Without objective data that proves what you are doing for them generates marked improvement, they have little incentive to spend further time and money with you. Ouch.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9805508255958557} {"content": "According to the real estate foreclosure website RealtyTrac, the U.S. averages about 20,000 foreclosures per month. Additionally, since 2006 there have been around 5 million foreclosures, with another 10 million homeowners facing its possibility on occasion. When residential mortgages are foreclosed, the homes securing those mortgages are repossessed and become bank-owned, or \"real estate-owned\" properties. Undoubtedly, buying an REO home can save money, but determining just when a mortgage for such a home may be available takes some effort.\nREO Home Mortgages\nBefore buying any real estate-owned home, understand what that property's listing is saying. For one, most REO properties are sold \"as is,\" meaning you're responsible for any repairs or title liens after you buy one. Property title liens are attached by property owners' creditors, and the new owners of that property become responsible for eventually paying them off. Plus, it's rare for lenders to offer their own mortgage loan products for REO homes because they're sometimes not worth their selling prices.\nLender REO Language\nExcept for rehabilitation-type mortgages, most lenders won't loan money for homes that aren't appraised at their sale prices. However, lenders are usually eager to move their REO homes when the right offers are made. If you're going to make an offer on an REO home, expect to hear \"as is,\" \"addendum\" and \"disclosure\" frequently. When it comes to REO homes, addendums and disclosures are used by lenders to explain to buyers just what lenders are and aren't responsible for when purchase contracts are signed.\nREO Mortgage Availability\nBy definition, REO homes are \"distressed properties.\" In some cases, the homes have been ill-used by their former owners, so the home you're buying could have numerous repair issues. If you're hoping to obtain a mortgage loan for an REO home and the lender owning it isn't offering one without a big down payment, you do have some options. For one, if you intend to occupy your REO home, you can apply for government-backed rehabilitation mortgages.\nFHA Rehabilitation Mortgages\nThe Federal Housing Administration offers a mortgage suited for REO homes that accounts for their \"as is\" condition. FHA 203(k) rehabilitation mortgages can be used by hopeful owner-occupant homebuyers to purchase and then repair their REO homes. FHA lending limits run from $417,000 to $729,250, so chances are good the REO home you're buying will qualify for an FHA rehab mortgage. Before buying an REO home from a lender, ask first if it offers the FHA's 203(k) rehab mortgage.\nLender REO Websites\nIf you're going to buy a real estate-owned home, you'll certainly have plenty from which to choose. Almost every mortgage lender maintains a website listing all its REO homes available for sale. A market search of several lenders' REO home websites also reveals that many offering REO properties also offer FHA mortgage programs as well. If the lender selling a REO home says it will provide a \"rehab mortgage,\" it's most likely talking about an FHA-insured 203(k) mortgage.\nDr. Housing Bubble: Modified Mortgages Re-enter Shadow Inventory Realtor.com: REO: Mortgage vs. Cash RealEstateABCs.com: Buying Bank Owned Properties (REO) BankForeclosuresSale: What Are Distressed Properties? The Niche Report: Straight Up With Jocelyn Predovich: The Truth about FHA 203k Loans HUD.gov: Mortgagee Letter 2011-39 Photo Credits Spencer Platt/Getty Images News/Getty Images", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.565727174282074} {"content": "Home Health Index Reverses Course, Declines in August\nAfter consecutive months of record-breaking gains, the home health index slumped slightly during the month of August. Stoneridge Partners’ Home Health Index, which tracks the average market value of the top three largest public home heath care companies—Almost Family (Nasdaq: AFAM), Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED) and LHC Group (Nasdaq: LHCG)—dropped 1.13% from the previous month.\nFrom May through August, the index had achieved four consecutive months of new, all-time highs. Year to date, the index is up 12.83%, and has risen 9.79% for the trailing 12-month period. By comparison, the index rose 2.8% in July, and surpassed its previous all-time high.\n“After recent all-time highs, the home health index slumped slightly at the end of August, but valuations remain strong,” Rich Tinsley, president and CEO of Stonebridge Partners, said of the index’s reversal. “The publicly traded home health companies have been highly acquisitive throughout 2016 and are keeping an eye on new regulations coming down the pike.”\nBy comparison, the S&P 500 contracted just 0.12% during August.\nAll three home health companies saw their share prices decline in August. LHC Group saw its share prices drop 0.29% from the previous month. Year to date, the company’s stock is up 0.07%, according to Stoneridge Partners. Almost Family’s stock declined 1.27% during the month, though it remains up 4.08% year to date. Amedisys saw the biggest drop during the month, with a 1.73% decline in share prices. However, the stock has been a big gainer and is up 36.19% year to date.\nAddus Homecare bucked the trend and saw its share prices rise 2.22%. Addus is not tracked on the index because little of its revenue comes from Medicare.\nReeling Over Regulations?\nThe index decline comes as the Pre-Claim Review Demonstration from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has come into effect in Illinois. While the demonstration has only rolled out in Illinois thus far, the impact has been far-reaching, with rumors and reports swirling that the process is filled with hiccups. The reports led two U.S. Senators from Florida to pen a letter to CMS urging the agency to delay the implementation in their state. The demonstration is scheduled to roll out in Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan and Texas periodically over the coming months.\nLHC Group, based in Lafayette, Louisiana, has long-touted its ambitious acquisition pipeline for the year, has since toned down its plans as a result of pre-claim. A significant chunk—roughly half— of its potential deals were in states that are expected to be affected by pre-claim, and the company is holding off, according to CEO Keith Myers .\nAlmost Family, which has exposure in three of the five pre-claim states, has generally been more optimistic, as executives have voiced support for the initiative. The Louisville, Kentucky-based company has been very acquisitive in the last year and reported record revenue at the end of the second quarter of 2016.\nAmedisys has also been bullish in attitude toward pre-claim, though executives conceded they were unsure what the long-term impacts could be.\nWritten by Amy Baxter", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6110193729400635} {"content": "Several symptoms associated with chronic pain, including fatigue and depression, are characterized by reduced motivation to initiate or complete goal-directed tasks. However, it is unknown whether maladaptive modifications in neural circuits that regulate motivation occur during chronic pain. Here, we demonstrate that the decreased motivation elicited in mice by two different models of chronic pain requires a galanin receptor 1–triggered depression of excitatory synaptic transmission in indirect pathway nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons. These results demonstrate a previously unknown pathological adaption in a key node of motivational neural circuitry that is required for one of the major sequela of chronic pain states and syndromes. Glutamate inputs excite nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons. Chronic pain reduces AMPA receptor function in the DADR2-expressing class of these neurons, thereby reducing their activation by glutamate input. This decreases the motivation to work for a food reward.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8751776814460754} {"content": "In his new book, 1776, historian David McCullough tells the story of the everyday Americans who marched alongside George Washington. They were farmers and schoolteachers, lawyers and boys. They were people like Henry Knox, a twenty-five-year-old bookseller who improbably hauled 120,000 pounds of artillery from Fort Ticonderoga overland to Boston in the dead of winter, enabling the Americans to secure a key military victory. They were a ragtag band of freedom fighters who endured a vicious winter and rampant disease to defeat the preeminent military power of the day. They were everyday Americans, and their incredible sacrifices ensured that the Declaration of Independence would be more than a historical document.\nSo where do we find this kind of greatness today? We see it in the brave soldiers who risk everything to secure freedom abroad. But we also see it in those everyday Americans who revel in the everyday joys and responsibilities of raising a family.\nI think this point needs to be made because there has been a great tendency since the invention of the welfare state to rely upon government subsidies to help us along. But the government can never replace a family member. The government cannot raise our kids. As Abraham Lincoln observed 130 years ago: “You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.”\nI herewith propose that these words receive more attention. We should not wait for the government to act; we must take initiative. We must understand that it is up to us to change for the better. We cannot rely on government to make things right or force us to be good. Government alone cannot produce good people. We must take responsibility for ourselves.\nEarly on, these ideas were deeply inscribed in America’s self-concept. As French writer and politician, Alexis de Tocqueville noted over a century ago: “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there; in the fertile fields and boundless prairies, and it was not there; in her rich mines and her vast world commerce, and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good ‑‑ and if America ever ceases to be good ‑ America will cease to be great.”\nA century later and America is glutted with prosperity, but increasingly empty in spirit. For no accumulation of objects can truly lessen the burden of human anxiety. How do we keep this spiritual numbness from inhibiting and destroying us? The answer is straightforward: we must revel in the greatness of fundamental pleasures: family, civility, and the striving for moral excellence. Therein lies the means by which everyday Americans may ensure the survival of this country.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5855990052223206} {"content": "Yesterday the U.S. Department of Labor (“U.S. DOL”) and the Vermont Department of Labor(“VDOL”) signed a three-year memorandum of understanding to share information and conduct joint investigations regarding independent contractor misclassification. The agreement is part of the U.S. DOL’s Misclassification Initiative, the goal of which is to prevent, detect, and remedy employee misclassification. Just last month Alaska’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development entered into a similar agreement. Vermont is the 26th state to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Labor as part of its misclassification initiative. The other states signing the memorandum are Alaska, Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.\nThis agreement between Vermont and the U.S. DOL comes on the heels of an August 31, 2015 report issued by Vermont State Auditor Doug Hoffer entitled “Worker Misclassification – Action Needed to Better Detect and Prevent Worker Misclassification.”\nEmployers in Vermont should expect the misclassification audit report and the memorandum of understanding with the U.S.DOL to spur investigation activity within the state. Companies in Vermont, like those in the 25 other states that have signed memoranda with the U.S. DOL, should expect that any misclassification inquiry will now automatically expand to include both state and federal agencies, thereby increasing the scrutiny on such companies and the risks associated with a misclassification determination. Employers who have not already closely reviewed their independent contractor relationships should consider performing a privileged audit in order to assess the risk they may have of misclassification claims.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7487239837646484} {"content": "Innovation in practice is a new publication that showcases the prevention, survival, support and service innovation activities delivered by the BHF.\nIt explains how our work in these areas provides vital support to health professionals and patients by developing and piloting innovative services and a wide range of lifestyle information and condition-specific materials.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.948158323764801} {"content": "Data from four consecutive surveys of Tucson longitudinal study of airways obstructive disease were used to examine the relation of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function to non-tobacco cigarette smoking. The surveys were conducted over a six-year period and provided data on 1802 subjects 15-60 years of age, with a total of 5659 individual questionnaires. Estimated odds ratio (OR) of current non-tobacco smoking for chronic cough was 1.73, for chronic phlegm: 1.53, and for wheeze: 2.01 (p less than 0.05). These estimates were adjusted for age, tobacco smoking and occurrence of the symptom in preceding survey. The increased risk of the symptoms was related to the habit continued for several years, and there was no immediate remission of the symptoms after quitting smoking. A significant (p less than 0.05) reduction in pulmonary function (FEV1, Vmax50 and their ratios with FVC) was found a year or more after current non-tobacco smoking was reported. Although the average consumption of non-tobacco cigarettes, believed to be marijuana smoking, was less than one per day, significant effects were still detectable in both pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5118231177330017} {"content": "New findings regarding the formation of fullerenes, aka \"buckyballs,\" were recently published in the journal\nNature Communications, suggesting that smaller cages grow into larger ones. According to the article abstract, fullerenes self-assemble in a closed network by incorporating atomic carbon and C2. This growth was shown by measuring fullerene response to carbon vapor, and analyzed by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry. When carbon vapor was present, large fullerenes containing hundreds of carbon atoms appeared but without the vapor, only C60 and a few slightly smaller fullerenes were detected.\nThe Royal Society of Chemistry reported on these findings, noting that key to the research was the powerful FT-ICR mass spectrometer at Florida's High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The research, led by Harry Kroto, who discovered \"buckyballs\" more than 25 years ago, enabled the team to analyze at extremely high resolution the compounds produced when buckyball-sized fullerenes reacted with vaporized carbon. According to the report, the researchers concluded that smaller fullerenes must grow to C60 and larger fullerenes by \"eating up\" carbon atoms. A few bonds may be rearranged but the cages never compromise their closed structure; the researchers confirmed this by trapping metals inside the cages, which were retained after growth.\nThese findings reveal fundamental processes that govern the self-assembly of carbon networks, the same processes of which are likely be involved in the formation of other nanostructures such as nanotubes and graphene. Such fullerene technologies have been incorporated into personal care applications for free radical-scavenging, antiaging, whitening, anti-inflammation, anti-wrinkle, sunscreens, pore-tightening, sebum oxidation control and cellulite control.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7382491827011108} {"content": "Host defenses are profoundly compromised in HIV-infected hosts due to progressive depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Moreover, deficient CD4+ T lymphocytes impair vaccination approaches to prevent opportunistic infection. Therefore, we investigated a CD4+ T cell–independent vaccine approach to a prototypic AIDS-defining infection, Pneumocystis carinii (PC) pneumonia. Here, we demonstrate that bone marrow–derived dendritic cells (DCs) expressing the murine CD40 ligand, when pulsed ex vivo by PC antigen, elicited significant titers of anti-PC IgG in CD4-deficient mice. Vaccinated animals demonstrated significant protection from PC infection, and this protection was the result of an effective humoral response, since adoptive transfer of CD4-depleted splenocytes or serum conferred this protection to CD4-deficient mice. Western blot analysis of PC antigen revealed that DC-vaccinated, CD4-deficient mice predominantly reacted to a 55-kDa PC antigen. These studies show promise for advances in CD4-independent vaccination against HIV-related pathogens.\nMingquan Zheng, Judd E. Shellito, Luis Marrero, Qiu Zhong, Stewart Julian, Peng Ye, Virginia Wallace, Paul Schwarzenberger, Jay K. Kolls", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8441537618637085} {"content": "Study Identifies Four New Genetic Markers For Severe Childhood Obesity [news]\nUnhealthy food environments and sedentary lifestyles certainly contribute to obesity, but they can’t entirely explain weight gain. The latest research points to four new genes that could contribute to the most extreme cases of obesity in childhood. By comparing the genomes of 1,509 children in the UK with severe obesity to 5,380 similar children of normal weight, an international team of researchers first identified a series of 29 genetic changes that distinguished the heavier children. Narrowing these differences down to those that influence obesity, they found nine genes strongly linked to early weight gain, five of which were known, and four of which are new.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7028242349624634} {"content": "Supplementary memorandum by Department\nfor Transport, Local Government and the Regions (OS 17(a))\nThank you for the letter, dated 27 March. I'm\noutlining a response to your three questions below.\nIn respect of question 296, does \"pressures\nfrom Europe\" refer to the draft legal framework? If not what\ndoes it refer to?\nPressures from Europe may include directives,\nregulations and judgements that apply in general to the public\nsector but, in particular, there are three relevant European proposals\nthat are focused on access to public information. These include:\n``Towards a EU Framework for the\nExploitation of PSI'': EC Director General Information Society\nWorking Document;\n``Public Access to Environmental\nInformation'': EU Draft Directive;\n``INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial\nInformation in Europe)'': EC Director General Environment initiative.\nHow will an EU framework for the exploitation\nof PSI and the INSPIRE (Infrastructure for Spatial Information\nin Europe) initiative affect Ordnance Survey?\nThe EU Framework for the Exploitation of PSI\ncurrently proposes that public sector information should be made\navailable at a price that ensures that total charges levied do\nnot exceed the cost of producing the information. Ordnance Survey\ncurrently operates as a trading fund and is required to meet agreed\nperformance targets, including a rate of return on capital employed.\nDepending on the finally agreed formulation of the EU requirement,\nthe EU proposals could impact on the current OS trading model.\nThe INSPIRE initiative currently proposes EC\nlegislation that aims to ensure that geographic information is\nreadily available for use by EC policy-makers and citizens. This\nprovides an opportunity for the GB-wide standards advocated by\nOrdnance Survey to be adopted throughout Europe. The proposed\nlegislation is likely to affect the market for geographic information\nand may impact on the current approach to the pricing and licensing\nof Ordnance Survey data.\nWas the proposed EU Framework for the exploitation\nof PSI and INSPIRE considered as part of stage one of the Quinquennial\nReview?\nThe current European proposals were not considered\nin stage one of the Quinquennial Review. They will be considered\nin concluding stage two and defining the best way forward for\nOrdnance Survey.\nIn summary, the European developments outlined\nabove may affect Ordnance Survey in future, but the extent of\nthe impact can only be assessed as the various initiatives progress.\nSally Keeble MP\nParliamentary Under-Secretary of State\n26 April 2002", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5001600980758667} {"content": "ERIC Number:ED379929 Record Type:RIE Publication Date:1993-Jan Pages:63 Abstractor:N/A Reference Count:N/A ISBN:N/A ISSN:N/A\nESL: English as a Subversive Language.\nGriffith, Thomas W.\nSeveral cultural traits often associated with Anglo-American tradition are examined, and their significance in the debate over the spread of English as the world's dominant language is discussed. It is argued that these traits of Anglo-American culture are generally beneficial to society and individuals within it, and that they are reflected in the English language. The first cultural asset discussed is wealth. Just as physical and cultural factors are seen as contributing to the society's overall affluence, English is seen as linguistically rich and expansionist. The second attribute of Anglo-American society examined is egalitarianism. In the same way that the society has supported egalitarian principles, English reflects these principles in a number of historical developments: loss of \"thou\"; a leveling of honorifics; and the emergence of commonly used slang. Third, individualism is explored. In English, \"I\" is capitalized despite its non-capitalized German antecedent; the use of the prefix \"self-\" has multiplied; and literacy is widespread, signifying the importance of the individual in society. It is proposed, based on these observations, that the spread of English throughout the world is a benignly subversive activity, corresponding to a spreading of democratic societal values. (MSE)\nPublication Type:Opinion Papers; Dissertations/Theses - Masters Theses Education Level:N/A Audience:N/A Language:English Sponsor:N/A Authoring Institution:N/A Note:Master's thesis, University of Massachusetts, Boston.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6391863822937012} {"content": "Hurricane Matthew is wreaking havoc through the Bahamas and the U.S. southeastern coast.\nBeyond the tragic loss of life and property, economists are also predicting major business disruptions related to the hurricane, particularly in oil and gas production and delivery.\n\"Massive evacuations are expected to expand along the East Coast as Hurricane Matthew, a major threat to life and infrastructure, barrels down,\" states Phil Flynn, a market analyst for\nFutures Magazine in an October 4 update. \"For energy, the track of the storm looks to be a bigger threat to demand than supply, but in the near term it will further reduce U.S. oil supply that has fallen at a historic pace during the last five years weeks,\"\n\"Oil tankers are being diverted to other ports or will wait out the storm and that could delay imports by as little as four days, or in some cases, it could be weeks,\" he added. \"Gulf cargoes may end up in New York harbor but as the storm moves north, supply into New York Harbor will be challenged as well.\"\nThose disruptions are boosting crude oil futures, which crested $50 for both November and December Globex Futures, the strongest levels since late June 2016. January 2017 futures are trading at $51, as well. Additionally, Brent crude oil is trading at $52 per barrel, the highest levels since August 2016.\nOil analysts estimate that 10 million barrels of refined oil will be directly impacted by Hurricane Matthew, with regional storage facilities at a high risk of significant damage, according to Tank Tiger, a Princeton, N.J.-based oil services consulting firm. Some storage facilities have already been evacuated, including Vitol's Cape Canaveral, Fla.-based Seaport Canaveral Florida storage terminal. That closing alone impacts three million barrels of oil and will contribute to already rising gasoline prices in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, analysts say.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8432561159133911} {"content": "The multi-system approach utilizes auditory, visual and kinesthetic pathways to enhance learning. These students often need multiple repetitions before mastering a skill. In the fast pace of the current culture of the classroom, up to 90% of students can have gaps in their development. The multi-system approach is designed for repetition and building a foundation.\nKey Takeaways:\n1\nA multi-sensory approach to education engages all of a student’s learning faculties.\n2\nUsing a multi-sensory approach to a lesson can make learning fun.\n3\nRepetition is critical to multi-sensory education.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9725736379623413} {"content": "Warc: APAC marketing budgets expected to decrease\nMarketers in Asia Pacific expect their budgets to decrease in the immediate future, according to Warc’s Global Marketing Index (GMI).\nThe December run of the study delivered a reading of 48 points for budgets, an improvement from 46.8 points in the previous month, but still below the neutral point of 50, indicating budgets are expected to drop.\nGlobally the reading was 47.2 points, ahead of the 46 points recorded in November, with perceptions remaining gloomy in Europe, on 44.8 points, while the Americas was buoyant, on 50.2 points.\nThe index for trading conditions looked healthy on 55.6 points in Asia Pacific and 61.1 globally — the best performance on this measure since May 2012. Globally the index for staffing levels proved positive on 53 points.\nThe three key measures contributed to a headline GMI of 52.5 points in December, versus 50.1 points in November.\nBreaking out the findings for various media, digital, excluding mobile, yielded 74.8 points, meaning greater resources are being allocated to this channel. Mobile also secured a high reading on 68.7 points.\nAll other media except radio enhanced their position from November. Television, on 47.6 points, was in negative territory but delivered its strongest figures for seven months, Warc found.\nThe index sets a neutral point of 50, with scores higher than this reflecting a positive outlook, while lower than 50 reflects pessimism.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9529324769973755} {"content": "Continue Reading\nClavamox for dogs is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, according to AllMedVet. It provides treatment for multiple ailments. Clavamox treats respiratory, skin and urinary tract infections in dogs.\nClavamox has two active ingredients: amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. These ingredients work together to fight infections. Amoxicillin destroys both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, while clavulanic acid negates the bacteria's defense mechanisms against amoxicillin, states petMD.\nAmoxicillin's ability to combate gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria is particularly noteworthy. They have distinctly different structures and thus have differing levels of vulnerability to antibiotics, according to Diffen. Amoxicillin's ability to defeat both bacteria types makes it a very effective broad-spectrum treatment.\nClavamox is administered to dogs orally which can be a difficult task. Hiding the pill in food, utilizing a pill pocket, or using a pill gun are all methods recommended by Safe Bee. Proper food selection is crucial when hiding the pill in food, as dogs are capable of smelling the pill in foods lacking a strong scent. Peanut butter is a recommended choice.\nPill pockets are treats with room to store a pill inside. They are commercially available and come in various dog-friendly flavors. Lastly, a pill gun is a contraption for depositing the pill at the back of the dog's throat. The swallowing process is eased by rubbing the dog's neck after making the deposit, according to Safe Bee.Learn more about Veterinary Health", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6207139492034912} {"content": "درمان پزشکی غیرروانپزشکی اختلال بدریخت انگاری\nکد مقاله سال انتشار مقاله انگلیسی ترجمه فارسی تعداد کلمات 35548 2005 7 صفحه PDF سفارش دهید محاسبه نشده Publisher : Elsevier - Science Direct (الزویر - ساینس دایرکت) Journal : Psychosomatics, Volume 46, Issue 6, November–December 2005, Pages 549–555 چکیده انگلیسی\nMany individuals with body dysmorphic disorder seek nonpsychiatric medical and surgical treatment to improve perceived defects in their physical appearance. However, the types of treatments sought and received, as well as the treatment outcome, have received little investigation. This study describes the frequency, types, and outcomes of treatments sought and received by 200 individuals with body dysmorphic disorder. Treatment was sought by 71.0% and received by 64.0%. Dermatological treatment was most frequently sought and received (most often, topical acne agents), followed by surgery (most often, rhinoplasty). Twelve percent of the subjects received isotretinoin. Such treatment rarely improved body dysmorphic disorder. Thus, nonpsychiatric medical treatments do not appear effective in its treatment.\nمقدمه انگلیسی\nBody dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a distressing or impairing preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance, is associated with markedly impaired psychosocial functioning, suicidality, and notably poor quality of life.1 Despite the morbidity that BDD causes, few studies have investigated the treatments that individuals who suffer from it seek and receive. The plastic surgery and dermatology literatures contain anecdotal reports of patients with “minimal deformity” and “dermatological nondisease” who appear similar to patients with BDD.2 Such reports typically noted poor outcomes and dissatisfaction with treatment. However, it was unclear whether they had DSM-defined BDD. Recent studies have suggested that DSM-IV BDD is relatively common in these settings. The rates of BDD among cosmetic surgery patients range from 7% to 15%; in dermatological settings, rates of 9% to 12% have been reported.2 Few studies have examined the converse—i.e., the rates of nonpsychiatric medical treatment received by individuals with BDD. In the largest study we know of,3 76% of 250 adults sought and 66% received nonpsychiatric treatment for their perceived appearance “defect,” most commonly dermatological and surgical. A study of 50 patients with BDD4 found that 48% had sought surgical or dermatological treatment, and 26% had received at least one procedure. In a chart-review study of 50 patients, 40% had undergone plastic surgery.5 These findings are consistent with evidence that the skin (e.g., acne), hair (e.g., thinning), and nose (e.g., size or shape) are the most common areas of concern.1 These results are also consistent with evidence that most patients have poor insight regarding their perceived defects, believing that they have actual physical deformities for which medical treatment or surgery is needed.1", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7782590389251709} {"content": "Grid Assurance™ designed to speed restoration and improve electric grid resiliency\nEight electric utilities and energy companies have announced an initiative to provide improved responses to major events affecting the electric transmission grid by giving transmission-owning entities access to domestically warehoused long lead-time critical equipment.\nAffiliates of American Electric Power, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Duke Energy, Edison International, Eversource Energy, Exelon, Great Plains Energy, and Southern Co. have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue development of Grid Assurance™, a limited liability company that expects to offer subscribers cost-effective solutions for enhancing grid resiliency and protecting customers from prolonged transmission outages.\nAs proposed, Grid Assurance will own and provide subscribers with timely access to an inventory of emergency spare transmission equipment that can otherwise take months to acquire. Grid Assurance filed a petition with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) late yesterday seeking confirmation that this service can be part of a transmission-owning entity's strategy to effectively address grid resiliency mandates. Grid Assurance will not be FERC regulated, but plans to charge cost-based subscription fees, similar to FERC-regulated transmission formula rates. Cost-based subscription fees are expected to facilitate subscribers' ability to recover expenses.\nRestoration of the transmission grid can be hampered by long lead times required to design, build and deliver critical replacement equipment including large transformers, circuit breakers and other specialized electrical equipment. As proposed, Grid Assurance will be more cost-effective than companies independently securing emergency spare equipment for high-impact, low-frequency events due to economies of scale, diversification and improved logistics.\nGrid Assurance plans to own and maintain equipment at secure, strategically located warehouses to facilitate the equipment being placed in service faster than traditionally possible. Grid Assurance expects to offer additional logistics support to expedite transportation of equipment to impacted sites. Subscribers can call on equipment when they experience certain events, such as physical attacks, electromagnetic pulses, solar storms, cyberattacks, earthquakes and severe weather events. Grid Assurance can complement existing programs transmission owners have, and industry initiatives, like the Spare Transformer Equipment Program (STEP) coordinated through the Edison Electric Institute, to enhance access to spare transformers and other equipment by providing a more comprehensive inventory of critical spare equipment.\nContingent on regulatory approvals, Grid Assurance is expected to begin accepting subscribers and identifying inventory in 2016.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5489920377731323} {"content": "On the 13\nth October 2014, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) issued a circular regarding re/insurance undertakings in a group. Undertakings are to inform the MFSA whether they fall within the scope of group supervision under Solvency II by the 14 th November 2014.\nUndertakings are expected to determine whether they form part of a group in terms of the definitions which apply under Solvency II and whether group supervision applies to their group. This must be followed with an assessment of the scope of the group supervision. To this end, the Authority is requesting the shareholding structure of the whole group clearly showing which entities will fall within the scope of insurance group supervision. Undertakings must also determine the applicable level of group supervision. Should it be concluded that group supervision does not apply, the re/insurance undertaking must provide the Authority with the grounds for its decision.\nThe full text of the circular may be accessed by\n. clicking here\nFor further information on Group Supervision under Solvency II and related matters, please contact\nDr Matthew Bianchi.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5222347378730774} {"content": "Ramesh Mallipeddi\nAssociate Professor\nOffice: 1247 HW Phone: 212.772.5163\nI received my Ph.D. from Cornell University in 2008, specializing in Restoration and Eighteenth-Century English literature. My research interests encompass sentimentalism, transatlantic slavery, colonialism, and postcolonial literatures. My essays on eighteenth-century British literature have appeared in various venues, including\nEighteenth-Century Studies, The Eighteenth Century: Theory and Interpretation, and ELH. My book, Spectacular Suffering: Witnessing Slavery in the Eighteenth-Century British Atlantic (forthcoming from University of Virginia Press in 2015), attempts to map the precise conditions under which slave distress emerged as a topic of emotional concern and political intervention. Rather than viewing sentimentalism as a literary-historical category internal to British history, the book approaches sympathy as a mode of historical epistemology, a form of counter-knowledge that emerged in response to profound socio-economic transformations set in motion by Atlantic modernity. It undertakes this redefinition of sentimental sympathy in the interests of theorizing embodied slave agency. As the book argues, in articulating their own experiences of loss, the subjection of their bodies to the regimes of the market and rigors of plantation discipline, the ostensible objects of sentimental compassion—African slaves—also seized on the discursive resources of melancholic sentiment.\nMy work on embodied subjectivity in the context of Atlantic slavery has led to another project, tentatively titled\nIndignity: Rights and Reparation. A conference paper presented at ASECS on “Clarissa’s Body, Richardson’s Story” marked the beginnings of my attempt to trace (especially in light of Lynn Hunt’s Inventing Human Rights) the contribution of Richardson’s magnum opus, in particular, and first-person narratives, more broadly, to the evolving discourses of bodily autonomy and subjective right. To develop this interest, I recently taught a Masters class titled “Literature and Rights, from the Eighteenth Century to the Present,” which focused on two distinctive literary forms—the rape narrative and the slave narrative—that document two paradigmatic instances of bodily injury: rape and enslavement. It is in the wake of bodily harm or corporeal indignity (suffered by victims of torture, rape, and enslavement) that the subject of rights as a potential maker of claims comes into being. The politically and ethically appropriate point of departure for a discussion of rights, I argue, is not the possessive—“I have a right”—but the dispossessive: “I am wronged.” Publications:\n“‘A Fixed Melancholy’: Migration, Memory, and the Middle Passage.” Special issue on “The Dispossessed Eighteenth Century,” eds. Chi-ming Yang and Jordana Rosenberg,\nThe Eighteenth Century: Theory and Interpretation. 55, no. 2-3 (2014): 235-253.\n\"The Subject of Shame in Frances Burney's\nEvelina\" (Journal article)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8986972570419312} {"content": "WASHINGTON, DC, July 25, 2016 – In a significant and closely watched voting rights case, an en banc panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a ruling on July 20 finding that a Texas voter-ID law (“SB 14”) violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. In May, a pro bono team from Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP submitted an amicus curiae brief in the case, Veasey v. Abbott, on behalf of six of the nation’s most prominent Latino nonprofit organizations. The brief argued that SB 14 violates Section 2 because it disproportionately burdens minority voters in Texas, including Latino voters, and suppresses minority voter turnout.\nIn reaching its decision, the Fifth Circuit endorsed a standard for vote denial cases that assesses the social and political context in which strict voter-ID laws like SB 14 are passed—an approach urged in Milbank’s brief, among others—and rejected the stringent standard advocated by Texas. In light of the impending general election, and because the Texas legislature will not be in session again until January 2017, the Fifth Circuit directed the district court to fashion an interim remedy to ameliorate SB 14’s discriminatory effects before the November election, while avoiding any disruption of the election. The complex, 203-page opinion also vacated and remanded to the district court for further consideration certain other issues not argued in Milbank’s brief.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7094357013702393} {"content": "When I grow up I might be a crazy cat lady. Or maybe not. I currently have two house cats plus Bullet who comes and goes as he pleases (I make him stay inside at night). I also have a couple of barn cats.\nIf you don't have house cats, I bet you know someone who does. You might even want to ask for their empty buckets or jugs so you can try some of these ideas.\nLitter Buckets\n1. Livestock triage kit - I keep a limited first aid kit in the horse barn which holds vet wrap, scissors, rolled cotton, a thermometer, and leg wraps. (I keep bottles and jars of liniment and wound care products in the house so the contents aren't exposed to freezing temperatures or extreme heat.)\n2. Kidding kit - this bucket holds all the supplies I might need during kidding season.\n3. Container for plants - I asked hubby to drill holes in the bottom of half a dozen buckets so I could plant large plants in them. With the lids removed, they make great tomato and pepper plant containers. He drilled the holes along the bottom edge of the sides of the buckets so the water could drain more easily.\n5. Harvest time - I fill buckets with plums, apples, blackberries and veggies when it's time to harvest. The buckets have handles so it's easy to carry them around. For short term storage I put the filled buckets in our spare room with the air conditioning vent wide open. If we had a basement, I'd use that instead.\n6. Seat - an upside down bucket is a good spot to sit while working in the garden. (They are sturdier if you sit on the bottom instead of the top.) I keep my garden tools and gloves in this bucket too.\n7. Pet food storage - for dog or cat food.\n8. Birdseed storage - I love feeding the songbirds and have two big feeders in the yard. Half a bag of birdseed will fill both feeders, but I don't like to store the rest of the birdseed in the bag where mice can get into it.\n9. Goat minerals - I buy goat minerals by the bag, so I pour it all into a bucket for storage.\n10. Water bucket - I keep a bucket filled with water in the yard for the dogs to drink.\n11. Holding place for screws, bolts, tools, etc. - when we dismantled a big metal shed in return for the materials, we took two buckets with us to hold the screws and other hardware as we removed them. The buckets are much more convenient than the zipper bags we used to use. We also took one along when we bought a used swingset.\n12. Projects - hubby uses them to carry and hold tools he's using on a current project.\n14. Miscellaneous storage - I have several buckets that hold the work gloves and rubber boots that our daughter and her husband use when they visit.\n15. Winter wear - another bucket holds all of our scarves, mittens, winter work gloves, and so on that need to be stored over the summer.\n16. Small toys such as Legos and blocks - when our youngest daughter was little she loved to play with Happy Meal® toys and Disney figures. She had quite a collection that outgrew every container we had until we gave them a bucket. The toys were lightweight and she could carry the bucket around by the handle.\nLitter Jugs\n17. I have several of these smaller litter containers hanging around too. I love these jugs for hauling water to the chickens, or for carrying hot water from the house to water troughs when needed in the winter.\n19. Cutting the top off of the jugs yields a container for toys, necessities in the car, and more.\n20. I use a jug to mix fly spray concentrate to refill the spray bottles for the horses. I keep it in the horse trailer and label it well for safety.\nPainting Your Buckets\nIf you wish, you can paint the buckets with Krylon Fusion® spray paint for plastic, then decorate with acrylic paint. I used white paint on the buckets I used as plant containers and had to apply several coats to cover the logo, so a darker color might be a better choice. I've read that you can use methyl ethyl keytone (Butanone) to remove the printed label, but I haven't tried it. Actually I hadn't heard of the product before, so I looked it up - it's quite expensive in my opinion so painting is a better option for me.\nUsing chalkboard paint would allow you to label the buckets; I just use duct tape instead. Contact paper is another good option for covering up the printing on the buckets if that's important to you.\nWhat would you store in cat litter buckets?\nThis post has been shared at some of my favorite blog hops.\n~~~~~\nMy hope is to inspire you, and to encourage your homesteading plans and your dreams of a simple, self-reliant, God-dependent life. You can follow me at:\nFacebook | Pinterest | Bloglovin | Subscribe via email", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5130112767219543} {"content": "It's Not the Economy, Stupid\nHow can we be expected to grow and create jobs, many executives wonder, when we are shrinking?\nDespite a slight easing on the unemployment rate, a quarter million Americans lost their jobs last month, and job prospects for those out of work look bleak for the foreseeable future. Policymakers and citizens alike are concerned with how we can reduce the rate of unemployment—no easy feat when balanced with the need to slash expenses.\nHowever, focusing on unemployment is exactly the wrong thing to do. Yes, the numbers are staggering. But they only tell part of the story, and they do not offer a solution for relieving the economic chaos.\nInstead, there is a more effective way to grow—a way that is free, does not rely on a government bailout, and has the potential for massive societal impact. American executives should turn to the 140 million who have jobs, and find practical ways to inspire them in their work, to empower them to innovate us out of a mess.\nENGAGE EMPLOYEES\nBased on extensive, long-term research, Gallup has determined that less than 30% of the corporate workforce is truly engaged< in its work. That's less than 30% of employees who work with passion and feel a profound connection to their companies. Yet employee engagement leads to increased customer engagement, which leads to real revenues and, eventually, more job opportunities for others.\nUnfortunately, it seems that amid the crush of an urgent economic reality, executives and managers have overlooked some elementary tasks, such as making sure employees know what is expected of them and allowing them to use their talents in their roles. Yet the need to engage employees better is especially crucial during a recession, when mantras such as \"do more with less\" can madden employees who must pick up extra duties after their colleagues are laid off, but who are offered no tangible financial incentive to innovate.\nEngagement serves as an intangible incentive — one that can be more valuable than any money can provide.\nLEARNING FROM BEST BUY\nTake, for example, one store in the multibillion-dollar electronics retail chain, Best Buy. Executives evaluated employee engagement and discovered the store was middling at best. The poor score was affecting morale, employee turnover, and store profits.\nAfter polling the employees for solutions, the management implemented some significant institutional changes, like a \"team close,\" so all team members felt jointly responsible for the nightly store closing, and not just an unlucky few.\nAs a result of management's listening and making some bold decisions, employee engagement improved, and the store substantially lowered employee turnover and increased profits. Then, the changes were scaled across the 1,200-store chain. For every one-tenth-of-a-point increase in employee engagement, each Best Buy store increased profits by $100,000 a year.\nSo consider all of those who aren't inspired to put their hearts into their work. Worse, nearly 20% are \"actively disengaged,\" trying to undermine others' productive work. This is not merely a caricature of Office Space or Dilbert. Tens of millions of people deliberately clock in every day with the intention of holding back U.S. corporations' ability to compete and innovate.\nThis is a shame—and yet it is an opportunity too.\nConsider this a call to arms for all leaders. Imagine the results if we were to double employee engagement at our organizations within 18 months, from 30% to 60%. Through a disciplined effort to increase the connection and commitment of our employed workers, our organizations can innovate and create new solutions. This is the surest way to lower those devastating unemployment numbers. And we have no excuse—not even a bad economy.\nKrisztina Holly is vice-provost for innovation and executive director of the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation at the University of Southern California. Jim Clifton is chairman and CEO of Gallup. Reprinted with permission.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7319951057434082} {"content": "When we praise a child, our wording can either be specific (e.g. “You did a good job drawing”) or generic (e.g. “You are a good drawer”). According to Andrei Cimpian and colleagues this subtle distinction can make a big difference to children's motivation when things go wrong.\nThe researchers played a kind of drawing game with 24 four-year-old children using hand-held puppets. The researchers controlled a 'teacher puppet' that asked the children's puppets to draw different objects. No drawing was actually performed, instead the children had to mime their puppet doing the drawing. For the first four drawings the researchers responded as if the drawings had been a success. Crucially, half the children were praised generically whereas the other children were praised non-generically. Then for the next two drawings, the researchers responded as though the children's puppets had failed to draw correctly (e.g. saying they had omitted wheels on a bus or ears on a cat). This was to see how the children responded to criticism. The children who had earlier been told they were good drawers responded badly to the criticism. They lost interest in the drawing and failed to come up with strategies to correct the drawing mistakes. By contrast, the children previously praised in a non-generic fashion, responded better to the criticism, and came up with ways to rectify the failed drawings. The idea is that if children are given generic praise – in this case being told they are a good drawer – this leads them to believe they have a stable, trait-like drawing ability. This belief turns to loss of morale when confronted with failure or criticism. By contrast, the non-generic praise, specific to a given episode, is rewarding without leading to false confidence. ___________________________________ Cimpian, A., Arce, H-M. C., Markman, E.M. & Dweck, C.S. (2007). Subtle linguistic cues affect children's motivation. Psychological Science, 18, 314-316. Post written by Christian Jarrett (@psych_writer) for the BPS Research Digest.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7927108407020569} {"content": "Critical Reflections is a process that leaders can use to help their groups learn lessons from key events, positive or negative. The basic process is short and simple. It begins with a key event and includes three stages: exploringreliving the event and sharing perceptions of what happened; reflectingreaching an understanding of how and why it happened; and projectingharvesting lessons for the future. The goal is to create a specific action plan that will set the stage for a productive future.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9715985655784607} {"content": "The movie Interstellar involves many interesting scientific concepts, including the fluidity of time. On Earth, time moves at the same speed for all of us – otherwise our watches would constantly need to change how fast they move. However, time can change in two specific scenarios.\nIf someone is moving significantly faster than us on Earth\nIf someone is under the effects of more gravity than us on Earth\nAstronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) experience this. As they orbit the Earth, the gravitational pull keeps them in orbit, and makes them move much faster than we are on Earth. As a result, they age less than us.\nIf the same astronauts wanted to head away from Earth at an extremely fast speed – near the speed of light – they would age slower than us during the trip. If the destination was an object with more significantly more gravity than the Earth – like a black hole – they would continue to age slower while under the effects of increased gravity.\nThat’s the genius of media – you can enjoy the adventure and emotion presented in the movie, and OPTIONALLY it can spark a light of curiosity that leads one to further research.\nShouldn't that be what science education is about?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.539931058883667} {"content": "What is saturated fat, and why are these two words surrounded by so much negative hype? Saturated fat can be described as one of the unhealthy fats our diet should strive to avoid (trans fat being the other). However, not all fats are the enemy; in fact, fat is an essential nutrient that our body depends upon to thrive. It is important to differentiate between the evil fats and the friendly fats: saturated is bad and promotes various health complications, while unsaturated is good and satisfies our body with vital nutrition. This should be easy to fathom; since saturated begins with an “s,” we can remember to stay away! How Does Saturated Fat Harm Our Health?\nA saturated fatty acid is jam-packed with hydrogen and carbon atoms, making it a rigid compound that doesn’t bend or willingly combine with oxygen. Therefore, when this stubborn fat is consumed, it can clog our arteries and negatively affect our cholesterol levels and triglycerides, leading to numerous health issues including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. Yikes!\nHow Can We Avoid Saturated Fats?\nThe only saturated fat food our heart approves of is the one we never eat. While it’s impossible to live a life free of all saturated fats, they should be consumed in extreme moderation! Avoid the following foods as much as possible:\nAnimal products (fatty meats) Butter Whole milk Ice cream (and other creams) Coconut oil\nRemember, when you are out there on the nutritional battlefield, combat the saturated fats, and befriend the unsaturated fats!", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5364394187927246} {"content": "FREE. EFFECTIVE. ONLINE.PERSONAL TRAINER ROUTINES.\nDirections\nUse a measuring tape to check your waist and hip measurements.\nWhile standing relaxed, measure the smallest area around your waist. The smallest area is usually around the navel or belly button. After measuring, enter the number in the box labeled \"waist\".\nMeasure the largest area around your hips. The largest area is usually around your buttocks. After measuring, enter the number in the box labeled \"hip\". Caution: Do not pull the measuring tape tight around your waist or hips.\nClick the Submit Button.\nYour waist-hip ratio will appear in orange.\nWaist to Hip Numbers - Stomach Fat is a Killer\nStudies have found that fat around the abdominals and abdominal organs (visceral fat) or waist size, increases your odds of developing heart conditions and diabetes. This is a troubling find for men as they generally have a highly likelihood of developing heart disease and typically hold more body fat around their mid-sections. However, regardless of gender, “apple-shaped” people have a greater chance of developing diseases when compared to “pear-shaped’ individuals.\nLove Handles Are Ok?\nStudies found that “love handles” or subcutaneous body fat, defined as fat that you can pinch and is right under the skin, was not found significant for predicting future diseases. Waist size from solid visceral fat around the abdominal organs is the culprit to watch out for that can lead to heart risks. A waist size greater than 40 inches for men and 35 for women is believed to be problematic and may cause the production of specific reaction that change glucose and cholesterol metabolism.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6982426643371582} {"content": "On July 11, the NLRB continued the expansion of joint-employer liability set forth in\nBrowning-Ferris Industries, 362 NLRB No. 186 (Aug. 27, 2015) by eliminating the requirement that a union receive the consent of both the employer and its staffing agency when seeking to combine their employees into a single bargaining unit. Miller & Anderson, 364 NLRB No. 39 (July 11, 2016).\n“User” employers contracting with staffing agencies for temporary employees should be on high alert for potential joint unionization activities. “User” employers should review and assess their level of control over significant terms and conditions of the “supplier” employees’ employment. If the user employer is deemed a “joint employer” of the agency employees, the NLRB will hold that a bargaining unit of both agency employees and direct employees is permissible. Additionally, “user” employers with unionized workforces should review their collective bargaining agreements to identify any provisions that might expose them to increased joint employer risk when engaging a “supplier” employer, especially with respect to wage violations by the staffing agency.\nIn 2012, the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (“SMWIA”) petitioned the Board to represent a bargaining unit consisting of sheet metal workers employed by Miller & Anderson, an electrical and mechanical contractor in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and temporary workers jointly employed by Miller & Anderson and Tradesmen International, a staffing service that supplies skilled construction workers. The Regional Director for Region 5 of the Board dismissed the petition, and SMWIA appealed.\nThe Board ruled 3-1 that a union seeking to organize a “mixed” bargaining unit consisting of temporary workers supplied by a staffing company (the “supplier”) and regular employees employed by the “user” employer – in this case, Miller & Anderson – is\nnot required to obtain the two employers’ consent prior to proceeding to an election, provided that (a) the user employer is a joint employer of the temporary workers and (b) the temporary workers and regular employees share a “community of interest.” Factors that can establish such a community of interest include the same supervision, hours, working conditions, and training.\nThis is another area in which the Board has flip-flopped . The decision in\nMiller & Anderson is reversal of the Board’s ruling in Oakwood Care Center, 343 NLRB 659 (2004). Oakwood itself reversed M.B. Sturgis, Inc., 331 NLRB 1298 (2000), which held that such “mixed” unit elections could proceed absent consent from the user employer and its staffing company. Many employers engage staffing agencies to obtain temporary employees to supplement their own work forces. Under the Board’s more expansive standard for joint employers announced in Impact on Employers: Browning-Ferris, those “user” employers are more likely to be joint employers of the temporary employees if they possess or exert authority over their working conditions. Miller & Andersonnow makes it easier for those temporary workers to bargain alongside regular employees since employer consent is no longer required. Of course, the regular employees may prefer not to be joined with the temporary employees, as their interests may differ. Additionally, “user” employers face greater risk for unfair labor practices attributed to the “supplier” employer, along with the many other risks of being deemed a joint employer.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5995544195175171} {"content": "Discussion Paper series, Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 6304\nAbstract:\nWe use experiments to test comparative statics predictions of canonical tournament theory. Both the roles of principal and agent are populated by human subjects, allowing us to test predictions for both incentive responses and optimal tournament design. Consistent with theory, we observed an incentive effect from raising the winner's prize. However, we also observed several empirical puzzles that appeared to contradict theory. Controlling for social preferences did not resolve the puzzles, although social preferences do influence behavior. It turns out that the puzzles can be explained by the canonical model once the textbook assumption of separable agent utility is relaxed.\nSubjects:\ntournaments experiment social preferences contract theory", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6540833711624146} {"content": "Little Bundles – meeting the needs of those in difficult circumstances, including people who are homeless, fleeing domestic violence, or in financial hardship when they are expecting or caring for a baby.\nGoodness, like kindness, is a positive quality that is expressed in actions that benefit others. It is marked by a spirit of generosity. (Acts 9:36, 39; 16:14, 15) But goodness involves something more. Goodness is moral excellence. It involves not just what we do but, more important, what we are. the goodness produced by holy spirit permeates a Christian’s entire way of life.—Eph. 5:8, 9", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.926692545413971} {"content": "By the time we arrive at the Fourth Noble Truth, the Buddha offers us the medicine that helps to bring an end suffering. He teaches it as the Eightfold Path, a set of interdependent practices that help us to untangle the knots of greed, ignorance, and hatred. ...Read more ›\nOn our tour through the Four Noble Truths and how they translate to collective suffering, the first two have taken us into a thorough dissection of the nature of suffering. If we stopped there, it could be devastating. ...Read more ›\nThe first of the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths pointed to us the truth of suffering. Suffering needs to be recognized as such and faced head-on if we wish to truly alleviate it. Our efforts to deny it or indulge in sensory indulgences to distract ourselves from it will inevitably lead to more suffering. In the Second Noble Truth, the Buddha dives deeper to untangle the cause of this state of dukkha, this unsat ...Read more ›", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7969842553138733} {"content": "Supervised Learning for Provenance-Similarity of Binaries Sagar Chaki, Cory Cohen, Arie Gurfinkel, Proceedings of the 17th ACM SIGKDD Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD), page 15-23, August 21-24, 2011. Abstract: Understanding, measuring, and leveraging the similarity of binaries (executable code) is a foundational challenge in software engineering. We present a notion of similarity based on provenance -- two binaries are similar if they are compiled from the same (or very similar) source code with the same (or similar) compilers. Empirical evidence suggests that provenance-similarity accounts for a significant portion of variation in existing binaries, particularly in malware. We propose and evaluate the applicability of classification to detect provenance-similarity. We evaluate a variety of classifiers, and different types of attributes and similarity labeling schemes, on two benchmarks derived from open-source software and malware respectively. We present encouraging results indicating that classification is a viable approach for automated provenance-similarity detection, and as an aid for malware analysts in particular.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9612336754798889} {"content": "Recent studies suggest that baby opossums are better at carpooling than Americans. Just kidding. But seriously, only 10% of Americans carpool, and that includes those who ride with family members. July marks the two year anniversary since we sold our car for Ripples, and while we’ve had dialogue about emissions, social psychology has been largely left out. It’s time we had an honest conversation in America about what it’s like on both sides of the windshield.\nThe psychology of carpooling in America can be as confusing as English grammar. When was the last time you paid friends for buying groceries and cooking dinner for you, or helping you move? Yet, it is polite in our culture to offer gas money in exchange for a ride. Is it fair for passengers to pay for ride favors from friends, when those friends don’t pay for dinner or moving favors from their passengers? A driver who offers free rides might feel taken advantage of, despite receiving gifts or favors from their passengers. And acceptance of a free ride (if you don’t own a car) could create debt in a friendship in a way that accepting expensive food can’t.\nCar owners may share rides with each other for free, but people who don’t own a car often become a gas money account. Yet greed may not be the motive for these drivers: car owners face incredibly high costs of maintaining a personal vehicle. Drivers may offer a ride to someone they perceive as desperate, without evaluating their own desperation for gas money. This can lead to unfair carpool situations in which a driver may feel like a chauffeur and the passenger feels like a bank. But awareness of these issues can reduce them.\nIn the USA, carpooling has plummeted since the 1980s, despite genuinely well-intentioned people offering rides. Applause to the car-pooling mavens out there! Most people are generous and will gladly offer rides to shared destinations. But sometimes even generosity arises from a misconception. Despite being highly mobile without a car, to car-centric American culture, not owning a car is like being permanently grounded by your parents.\nAmerican culture depicts people without a car as immature and unfit to date, or in a bad place in their life due to poverty, crime or disability. This affects the American perception of carpooling.\nOffering a ride to someone “in dire need” of a ride is seen as saintly, a gesture deserving of immense gratitude regardless of the driver’s other, less saintly, actions (like driving a carpool while intoxicated).\nWhile it may not make them a saint to offer a ride, the driver is required to selflessly forego convenience and privacy for the sake of a carpool. Americans are unaccustomed to sharing their cars, which are experienced as private spaces for phone calls or entertainment. “For some people, saving the earth in a future century isn’t as important as freedom to choose their radio station this morning,” writes Ben Barkow, Ph.D., in Toronto’s Behavioural Team study entitled “The Psychology of Car-Pooling.” Barkow describes the type of social bargaining skills necessary for effective carpooling as maturity. Well said.\nEven in the best of circumstances, carpooling takes more than logistical planning and tree hugging. It involves maturity, emotional resilience, good social skills, and healthy amounts of compromise and backup plans from both driver and passengers. Our society can grow to encourage carpooling as a virtue, just like some indigenous cultures grew to consider favors (even to strangers) a hallmark of humanity. This can be tough on both the driver and passenger, but if baby opossums are so good at it, there is hope for Americans, too.\nRipples is a 100 percent solar-hosted website that includes a blog, newspaper column, resources and services for individuals and non-profit organizations. Read more on this topic and others at www.RipplesBlog.org", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6683397889137268} {"content": "What has EU climate and energy policy done for the UK? A review with 20 climate and energy specialists\nFor this review, we interviewed 20 climate and energy specialists. There was a striking consensus that the EU had played a positive role overall in the UK’s energy outcomes, even amongst those who had criticisms of individual policies. There was widespread concern that the UK would struggle to maintain a coherent energy and climate programme if it were to leave the EU.\nWe conclude that, overall, EU climate policy has been a powerful, positive force in helping the UK to meet its energy investment and climate change goals.\nWe are grateful to the European Climate Foundation for supporting this publication.\nAuthor(s):\nRachel Cary, Friederike Metternich\nPublication Date:\n23 October, 2013\nISBN:\n978-1-909980-03-7\nCost:\nFree\nTheme:\nLow Carbon Energy", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.674949586391449} {"content": "Q1 about analyzing the tasks of the activity in terms of value, time, frequency and cost.\n- What criteria were used to classify tasks as value-added (PE and PI) or nonvalue-added (SE and SI)? - Is an activity value-added if it changed the form, fit, or function of the product, for which the customer is willing to pay? - Why is operation 070.00 classified as SE?\n- What is the task time versus flow time for the operation 060.00 under 737 EBU? - Why were the tasks valued in $ and not left in hrs?\nQ2 about creating two Pareto charts for the tasks of the workshop: one showing the total $ values of all the tasks & one showing the $ values of only the support tasks.\n- Will the $ charts that differ across activities (see 737 versus 767 rates) & so the $-based charts discriminate better across activities than labour-hour-based Pareto charts? - Is the $ chart a better basis for division-wide targeting of priorities & improvement goals? - Are $ signals more forceful motivational indicators than labour hours? - What alternative $ rates could have been used?\nQ3 about discussing the choice of direct & indirect labour hours as a measurement base for the resources consumed.\n- Is cycle time a critical variable influencing the division’s productivity? - May more labour hours on off-line processing reduce cycle time significantly? - Is more analysis necessary to determine the fundamental causes that prevent shorter cycle times & drive up line-item expenses in Exhibit 1-6? - Will a comprehensive ABC require that outcome costs be identified by individual cost drivers?\nQ4 focuses on the contracts between traditional methods of budgetary reporting and activity analysis.\n- Which is used to provide delayed-outcome measures organized by hierarchical lines? - Which one is to provide real-time information in the improving process? - How is ABC data used to provide strong behavioral reinforcement for value...", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8588439226150513} {"content": "Does developing a winning government contract proposal seem impossible? It doesn’t have to if you follow these proven, effective principles. This guest post is by Jim McCarthy, Principal Owner and Technical Director, AOC Key Solutions, Inc. (KSI), a federal contracting proposal and business development consulting firm. Since 1983, KSI has helped clients win over $130 billion in federal contracts. To some, managing a complex major proposal is a fearsome task. It doesn’t need to be if you keep some foundational principles in mind. Next time you face a significant proposal challenge, fall back on these principles that winning contractors follow:", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9495033621788025} {"content": "Corey Curtis, age 44, of Racine, Wisconsin appeared before County Court Judge Tim Boyle to face allegations that he owed $50,000 in arrears of child support and $40,000 in interest to the six mothers of his nine children.\nWhile pronouncing a sentence of three years probation on him for failure to pay child support, Judge Boyle mused about how he wished he had the authority to order sterilization of Mr. Curtis, because he couldn’t afford to pay for the nine children he had already sired.\nThe alert prosecutor then advised the Judge that there was precedent in Wisconsin to make such an order, referring to a 2001 case where a payor father was ordered not to father any further children until he had paid the arrears of child support he already owed.\nThis precedent setting case, State v. Oakley was upheld by Wisconsin’s highest court and later appealed to the United States Supreme Court, who declined to hear the case, thus implicitly recognizing the legitimacy of the trial court order. The Justices of the Wisconsin Court held that the “no-procreation” condition of probation was constitutional. It was also preferable to the eight-year prison sentence that otherwise would have been ordered.\nOne Judge dissented on the basis that a person should have as many children as he or she wants, even if they cannot afford them:\n“by allowing the right to procreate to be subjected to financial qualifications, the majority imbues a fundamental liberty interest with a sliding scale of wealth. Men and women in America are free to have children, as many as they desire. They may do so without the means to support the children and may later suffer legal consequences as a result of the inability to provide support. However, the right to have a child has never been rationed on the basis of wealth.”\nIn a similar scenario in Texas, Felicia Salazar, age 20, was sentenced to ten years probation for failing to prevent her 19-month old daughter from being abused by her partner. She was also ordered not to have any more children until her probation was completed.\nThese orders may be harsh but if the “best interests of the children” are paramount, they may occasionally be necessary.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5110434889793396} {"content": "Longstanding renal calculus is a risk factor of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the renal pelvis. It is highly aggressive and usually diagnosed at advanced stages with a poor prognosis. We present two cases of kidney stone complications with renal pelvic SCC. These two patients had a radical nephrectomy and the dissected tissues were renal pelvic SCC. Our cases further emphasize that renal pelvic SCC should be considered in patients with longstanding renal calculus. These cases contribute greatly to an early diagnosis and early treatment, both of which will significantly minimize the damage of, and markedly improve the prognosis of, renal pelvic SCC.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8265502452850342} {"content": "Traditional e-learning systems offer learners factual and conceptual feedback, providing a rationale for the right answers and hints for the wrong ones. In contrast, simulation-based learning interventions that offer decision-making in a low-risk, high-fidelity context encourage learners to derive understanding through performance-specific feedback. This approach, which focuses on “consequences,” does the following:\nDisplays the outcomes or consequences of learner decisions by showing them instead of telling them (unlike traditional diagnostic feedback that tells the learner what they got incorrect). Akin to real-world feedback, it gives the learner feedback in a relatable form with implications both immediate and remote. Delays the feedback so learners have time to reflect on their decisions and the outcomes of each, resulting in significant cognitive processing. Is mapped to specific decision outcomes and thus, to learning outcomes. It promotes a holistic view of the concepts and learners’ performances.\nRead the\nwhitepaper to know how a multiplicity of approaches to feedback—experiential, qualitative, quantitative—allow for reflection and understanding. The paper also highlights how these can address the contextual needs arising from myriad learning styles, profiles, and environments with greater efficacy.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9996809959411621} {"content": "Targeted Expression of Catalase to Mitochondria Protects Against Ischemic Myopathy in High-Fat Diet–Fed Mice Abstract\nPatients with type 2 diabetes respond poorly to treatments for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and are more likely to present with the most severe manifestation of the disease, critical limb ischemia. The underlying mechanisms linking type 2 diabetes and the severity of PAD manifestation are not well understood. We sought to test whether diet-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress would increase the susceptibility of the peripheral limb to hindlimb ischemia (HLI). Six weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) in C57BL/6 mice was insufficient to alter skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and respiratory function or the size of ischemic lesion after HLI, despite reducing blood flow. However, 16 weeks of HFD similarly decreased ischemic limb blood flow, but also exacerbated limb tissue necrosis, increased the myopathic lesion size, reduced muscle regeneration, attenuated muscle function, and exacerbated ischemic mitochondrial dysfunction. Mechanistically, mitochondrial-targeted overexpression of catalase prevented the HFD-induced ischemic limb necrosis, myopathy, and mitochondrial dysfunction, despite no improvement in limb blood flow. These findings demonstrate that skeletal muscle mitochondria are a critical pathological link between type 2 diabetes and PAD. Furthermore, therapeutically targeting mitochondria and oxidant burden is an effective strategy to alleviate tissue loss and ischemic myopathy during PAD.\nReceived March 25, 2016. Accepted May 25, 2016. © 2016 by the American Diabetes Association.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8797402381896973} {"content": "ANSI/AMCA Standard 210-07 - ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 51-07 now available The American National Standards Institute approved the standard in August 2007; ASHRAE approved it in March. Standard 210-07, \"Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating,\" is now available.\nThe Air Movement and Control Assn.ting Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating.”\nAccording to AMCA officials, this standard establishes uniform methods for laboratory test of a fan or other air-moving device to determine its aerodynamic performance in terms of airflow rate, pressure developed, power consumption, air density, speed of rotation, and efficiency for rating or guarantee purposes. This standard applies to a fan or other air-moving device when air is used as the test gas with the following exceptions: (a) air circulating fans (ceiling fans, desk fans); (b) positive pressure ventilators; (c) compressors with inter-stage cooling; (d) positive displacement machines; (e) test procedures to be used for design, production, or field testing. The standard www.amca.org .", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7196642160415649} {"content": "Training Not a Magic Bullet\nIn Feb. 10 Editor-in-Chief column (\"Live in the Moment, but Plan for the Future\"), there were several good points executives need to consider related to staffing and the member experience. It's important to clarify that training is not a magic bullet. It's typically viewed as an event by employees. This is why development plans, consistent one-on-one coaching, management follow up and leading by example is critical. How many executives still engage in member issues themselves? If we want employees to engage members, we have to engage the employees. We also have to demonstrate we know what it's like to be on their side of a member conversation.\nSecondly, you mention employee buy-in. We have quarterly all-staff meetings (we have 37 employees in two locations). During these meetings, we openly discuss the credit union's financials and progress toward set goals and relate them back to staff roles and responsibilities. By doing this, staff understand why we ask them to review the members' full relationship and to identify where we can help make their financial lives better. This can only be accomplished by having a conversation that understands the members' needs versus selling a product.\nFinally, looking outside the industry for new employees provides a new set of eyes to understand why we do what we do and how. The right person has the attributes the organization is trying to instill in other employees. It increases the learning curve, but it's a ride worth taking.\nTodd Hoepker Chief Strategic Officer NARFE Premier Federal Credit Union Alexandria, Va.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6461960077285767} {"content": "- Populations in Africa are increasingly exposed to the negative impact of natural and human-induced disasters such as drought, floods, disease epidemics and conflicts which threaten the agriculture production systems and livelihoods of vulnerable communities.\nThe initiative on “Building Resilience in Africa’s Drylands” was developed to enhance the capacity of these communities ...read more", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9971045851707458} {"content": "Download the Transmittal Letter\nTO: His Excellency Deval L. Patrick, Governor\nThe House Committee on Ways and Means\nThe Senate Committee on Ways and Means\nThe Joint Committee on Revenue\nUnder Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 29, Section 5B, I am required on or before October 15\nth to prepare estimates of budgeted revenues for the current and ensuing fiscal year.\nBased on available data on tax collections and economic trends, I do not believe it is necessary at this time to revise the Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) tax revenue estimate of $22.797 billion, reflecting the FY14 consensus tax revenue estimate augmented by additional revenues assumed in the FY14 General Appropriations Act (GAA) or enacted as part of the transportation finance bill. The $22.797 billion estimate also reflects the estimated cost of the sales tax holiday that took place this past August. Year-to-date tax revenues through September are $199 million above the current benchmarks for those months. However, in light of the repeal of the software tax and economic uncertainty related to ongoing federal budget dynamics, we believe that it is prudent at this time to retain the existing tax revenue estimate.\nWhile we are encouraged by over-benchmark tax revenue performance to date, we do currently forecast lower-than-expected performance for non-tax revenues (approximately $150 million in reduced revenue relative to levels originally assumed in the FY14 GAA). This non-tax exposure does not include estimates of the impact of an extended federal government shutdown, which could more significantly jeopardize federal reimbursements. We will continue to monitor all aspects of our revenue performance closely as one component of our FY14 budget management.\nAs is customarily the case, I am not providing a FY15 revenue estimate at this time. Our capacity to forecast FY15 revenues will benefit from a few more months of tax collection data and testimony regarding updated economic forecasts at the FY15 consensus revenue hearing in December.\nSincerely,\nGlen Shor\nSecretary", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5994279980659485} {"content": "What President Buhari can do to help Ogoniland clean up Oil Pollution\nThe Nigerian government has finally started the clean-up of oil-soaked Ogoniland after years of inaction. A billion dollars has been committed to what has been described as one of the world’s most wide-ranging and long-term oil clean-up exercises.\nThis part of southeastern Nigeria is known to have been affected by widespread oil pollution largely caused by the Shell oil company for more than five decades. A report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) catalogues the damage inflicted on Ogoniland. It includes contaminated groundwater, oil-soaked soils and a polluted environment. There has also been lasting damage to important ecosystems like mangroves.\nFormer Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan failed to act on the results of the 2011 United Nations report. It is commendable that President Muhammadu Buhari has moved to address the environmental pollution and improve the livelihoods of the Ogoni people.\nBut there are four fundamental omissions that could undermine the clean-up. These could also prolong the 20- to 30-year target of recovering and cleaning up the region. These fundamental omissions are:\nthe limited involvement of Nigerian experts in the assessment; the lack of a socioeconomic study of Ogoniland; an absence of comprehensive data on the full extent of damage on livelihoods and its long-term costs; and the lack of clarity on who is responsible to pay for the clean-up between the oil companies and Nigerian government. Overlooking many Nigerian experts\nThe report was based on environmental assessment of contamination of four thematic areas. These were land, health, vegetation and water. The recommendations cut across vital issues including operations, technicality, monitoring and public health for cleaning up the region.\nBut the assessment lacked the input of many experts from Nigerian research institutes. The role of international experts cannot be ignored but the exclusion of local expertise can be costly. Many of the stakeholders involved came from government and the oil industry. These stakeholders lack the knowledge acquired by Nigerian academics involved in research related to Ogoniland over the years.\nThe few Nigerian researchers named in the report were from the River State University of Science and Technology. This gave the impression that no other academics were involved in researching the region. In fact, a good number of Nigerian research institutes and universities have conducted research in the region. These include the universities of Port Harcourt and Ibadan. This research dates back to the 1970s and has been undertaken in collaboration with European entities.\nThe absence of key stakeholders from the research community could potentially frustrate government efforts in establishing new institutions to oversee and implement the recommendations.\nSocioeconomic study\nThe United Nations assessment did not include a socioeconomic study of Ogoniland. This would estimate the socioeconomic costs of environmental damage due to oil pollution. The report documented a number of socioeconomic experts but no data were provided.\nThis integration is crucial and could have enhanced the findings of the report. Rather, this study was left to a transition phase that will ensure the activities of the United Nations assessment are carried out. Without this, the real cost valuation of the environmental restoration and clean-up cannot be accurately estimated.\nStudies suggest that social disharmony, sabotage, militancy, water contamination and low food production among the people is largely driven by oil pollution. But there is an absence of comprehensive data on economic assessment due to environmental pollution. This would in turn show the full extent of damage on livelihoods and its long-term costs in Ogoniland.\nIf the government does not consider the socioeconomic impact of implementing the recommendations it will incur more agitation from the Ogoni people, as is already happening.\nSocioeconomic losses are huge in the region and the United Nations report does not provide costs related to these losses. As a result, the people of Ogoniland have already started demanding their share of allocation from the government based on the information from the report.\nThe key question is: what is the environmental damage cost of underpinning factors of socioeconomic activities, including agricultural production, education and property in Ogoniland? The lack of an estimate for the total oil spill cost and lack of formula for compensation could further aggravate tension in the region.\nThe origins of the conflict goes back to the 2011 report, which was based on an independent assessment on the impact of oil pollution in the region. Its main recommendations were operational, technical, public health and follow-up monitoring for the clean-up. This is far from solving the problem in the region without aggregating the oil spill cost with full extent of damage.\nThe current estimate for the operational costs of the clean-up is estimated at US$1 billion. But with a proper socioeconomic analysis, the cost could double or triple.\nWho pays for the clean-up?\nAnother issue lies in who is responsible to pay for the clean-up. It is not clear in the report who between the oil companies and Nigerian government is responsible. This may be partly attributed to the absence of socioeconomic data. The availability of this kind of information could see the oil companies pay a very significant amount as compensation due to their oil pollution activities. This can be seen as a deliberate attempt to avoid further debate about holding oil companies responsible for oil pollution in the region.\nOne of the significant findings was that several years of oil exploration have led to public health and safety issues. This was especially true in relation to water contamination. Benzene, which causes cancer, was found standing at 900 times recommended levels. This was indirectly attributed to the activities of oil companies.\nWhat Nigeria now needs to do\nThe Nigerian government must take urgent steps to correct the omissions identified in the report. A technical body of local experts should be set up to coordinate new institutions that can be complemented by international expertise and skills.\nIn addition, a socioeconomic analysis of the impact of oil pollution in the region is needed to make informed decisions. This analysis must capture the underlying causes, and the impact of oil pollution and its associated cost.\nAn independent organisation must be set up to lead the socioeconomic study. This can be done in partnership with local academic institutions, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The results should form a rational basis for making decisions to speed up the implementation process.\nA set of clear indicators must be developed to monitor and evaluate the activities of new institutions. This must be supported by a clear legal framework based on transparency and openness. This approach should make individuals or groups accountable at every stage of the implementation process and must be well communicated to the public.\nFellow at the School of Global Environmental Sustainability, Colorado State University\nDisclosure statement\nAdemola Adenle does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5310558080673218} {"content": "February 25, 2013\nState urgently needs long-term plan to address rising pension and Medicaid costs, loss of income tax revenues\n(CHICAGO) – An analysis released today by the Civic Federation’s Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability shows the State of Illinois is on track to accumulate nearly $22 billion in unpaid bills by FY2018 unless action is taken to curb rising pension costs and plan for increases in the Medicaid program. The five-year projections in the Federation’s FY2014 Budget Roadmap are intended to indicate the long-range consequences of the State’s current revenue trends and spending pressures. The full 63-page report is available at www.civicfed.org/iifs.\nIn January 2012 the Federation’s five-year outlook warned that Illinois’ backlog of unpaid bills could reach nearly $35 billion. The State’s five-year fiscal outlook has since improved, largely due to significant Medicaid program reductions authorized in June 2012. “This long-range outlook shows just how far the State has to go in order to stabilize its finances,” said Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation. “Lawmakers need to adopt a long-term mindset and restructure the unaffordable pension systems that are keeping the State in its fiscal downspin.”\nIllinois is headed for a substantial loss of revenue beginning in 2015, after the partial rollback of the temporary income tax increase enacted in 2011. On January 1, 2015 the personal income tax rate is scheduled to decline from 5.0% to 3.75% and the corporate rate will decline from 7.0% to 5.25%. The first full budget year under the lower rates will be FY2016. With the resulting decline in revenues and growing annual pension costs, the State’s operating deficit is projected to increase dramatically to $4.2 billion in FY2018, compared with a modest surplus in FY2013.\nWithout action to curtail rising pension costs, the Federation’s analysis finds that the State will be unable to stabilize its fiscal condition. Pension costs, including annual contributions and debt payments on pension bonds, are projected to consume nearly one third of State-generated revenues by FY2018. “We’ve reached a breaking point where the State will not be able to make its future pension payments without sacrificing basic government services,” said Msall. The Civic Federation urges lawmakers to immediately enact comprehensive pension reforms, including significant limits on automatic annual benefit increases and a gradual shift of normal pension costs to actual employers.\nThe report also details the ongoing transformation of Illinois’ Medicaid program, which includes significant program reductions, a shift to managed care for more recipients and potential implications related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Civic Federation recommends that the State expand eligibility for Medicaid under the ACA, allowing a significant increase in federal resources for the program. Regardless of whether Medicaid expansion under the ACA is approved, the State is expecting increased program costs as healthcare expenses continue to rise and publicity surrounding the ACA drives previously Medicaid-eligible individuals to enroll for the first time.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8615518808364868} {"content": "In a monetary union, the interaction between several governments and a single central bank is plagued by several sources of deficit bias, including common pool problems. Each government has strong preferences over local spending and taxation but suffers only part of the costs of union-wide inflation and higher interest rates, creating a tendency towards excessive debt. Motivated by the evident failure of fiscal rules to restrain debt in the European context, this paper analyzes an alternative fiscal regime in which the control of sovereign debt issurance is delegated to an independent authority, while public spending decisions remain decentralized. Using a symmetric perfect-foresight model, we compare the long-run policy biases affecting a typical country across different institutional arrangements. Establishing an independent fiscal authority tends to reduce debt via three distinct channels: first, the debt aversion induced by its mandate; second, its greater patience, compared to an elected institution; and third, the internalization of common pool problems, if the authority is established at the union-wide level. Furthermore, we show that fiscal delegation is more effective in restraining debt, and more informationally efficient, than the establishment of a federal government which would centralize fiscal decisions.\nSubjects:\nfiscal authority delegation decentralization monetary union sovereign debt", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8462052941322327} {"content": "About One Week\nNationwide ice cream cake producer Carvel recommends you do not store ice cream cake in the freezer or refrigerator for longer than seven days. Ice crystals form in the ice cream and degrade its quality within a week.\nIt Depends on Your Freezer\nIce cream cake might keep longer than a week, depending on the quality and temperature of your freezer, but when ice crystals form in the ice cream, it is time to throw it out. If you freeze ice cream cake made without cream cheese, butter cream, whipped cream or eggs, it can stay good for up to two months, according to PastryWiz.com.\nBottom Line\nIf you want to eat leftover ice cream cake, you should eat it as soon as possible after freezing it, preferably within a week. The longer you store ice cream cake in the freezer, the more it loses its flavor and texture.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9745375514030457} {"content": "Over the last few months, there's been a lot of talk about the economy. Everyone has something to say: investors, politicians, business owners, and taxpayers. Despite the wide variety of theories and opinions being expressed, all of this talk has one thing in common.\nIt's all negative.\nLayoffs and deficits and business failures dominate the headlines, but there's no reason they need to dominate your mind. If you're tired of the pessimism and ready for something different, you're not alone.\nOn Thursday, April 23rd, area residents are joining together to focus on a different message - a message of resiliency and confidence and optimism. In a nationwide event called\nTown Hall for Hope, national radio show host and New York Times best-selling author Dave Ramsey will be streamed live from Oklahoma City, sharing his vision of hope for America's financial future and answering questions from viewers all over the country.\nIt's time to stop talking about how bad the economy is and start working on making it better. Come and listen as Dave Ramsey shares real strategies and real answers you can use to better your financial situation and negotiate these challenging economic conditions.\nTown Hall for Hopewill be hosted at 7 p.m., April 23rd at The Little Church in the Pines, Bass Lake. To learn more, contact Jeremy Becker at 760-7522 or visit TownHallForHope.com.\nImage courtesy of jonathanignacio.files.wordpress.com", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5990214347839355} {"content": "8 Tax Tips 5. Child & Dependent Care Credit\nRaising children can be expensive, which is why the government offers a tax credit to ease the burden. You can receive a credit of up to $3,000 for one child or up to $6,000 for two or more children if you had to pay someone to take care of them while you were either working or looking for work. Anyone with children who used the services of a child-care giver during the fiscal year is eligible, but your degree of eligibility is based on your gross adjusted income. To apply, you'll need to fill out Form W-10 with your taxes.\n6. Deduction for Education Expenses Whether you're in school part-time, full-time, or you're just taking some extra classes to get that promotion at work, you can deduct a portion of your tuition fees. You can deduct up to $4,000 if you made under $65,000 (or under $130,000 total income if you file jointly with your spouse), or up to $2,000 if you made under $80,000 ($160,000 for couples filing jointly). You can take advantage of this deduction on either Form 1040 or 1040A, but the good news is that you won't have to itemize for it. 7. Tax Relief for Divorced or Separated Individuals If you're divorced or separated, then you know that one of the hardest parts is figuring out your finances, from dealing with alimony and child support payments to property settlements. Fortunately, there's help and you may even be eligible for tax breaks. The IRS offers a free publication on the subject that should answer most questions. Additional questions can be directed to the IRS either in writing or over the phone. All taxpayers that are divorced or separated are eligible to receive the pamphlet and can do so at the IRS's official website. 8. E-File for Free Those who file electronically reduce the burden on the IRS. Accordingly, Congress has mandated that the IRS receive 80% of its returns electronically by 2007. To encourage this, the IRS has partnered with various tax software companies to allow those who use these companies' products to file for free. If you decide to use a company that hasn't partnered with the IRS, you'll most likely pay for the privilege of e-filing, so it's worth doing your homework. Companies that are eligible are part of the Free File Alliance, which is the place to start your search if you're looking to file your taxes by Internet.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6192030310630798} {"content": "You know how the males in your life believe they are better at navigating?\nScience finds that if you tell them that—even if it's not true—it'll give them a performance boost.\nAccording to the study, “while men are better than women, on average, at using geometric cues to navigate, the genders are equally good wayfinders when using landmarks. The 'men are better navigators' stereotype made men better at both.”\nWonder what\nelse we could tell them that they're better at?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8048819303512573} {"content": "\"SWAC is the oldest initiative of solidarity and partnership between the OECD and Africa.\"\nAnne De Lattre, founder and Director of the\n\"Club du Sahel\" in 1976\nThe “\nClub du Sahel” was founded by Sahelian countries and OECD member countries in Dakar in 1976 to raise international support and awareness of the drought crises in the Sahel. For the first 25 years, the Club’s key mission was to provide support to the Permanent Inter-State Committee of Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) and to mobilise support from the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) countries, which led to a significant increase in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Sahel region. It also facilitated the creation of the Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA) and the Network of Farmers’ Organisations and Agricultural Producers of West Africa (ROPPA). Following a large-scale consultation process facilitated by CILSS and SWAC, the Food Aid Charter was adopted in 1990, which outlined many of the principles that were later included in the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. West Africa is currently one of the most prepared regions for preventing and managing food crises.\nIn response to growing regional interdependence, the Club’s geographic focus was extended in 2001 to encompass all West African countries. The Club was consequently renamed the “Sahel and West Africa Club” (SWAC). While deepening its partnership with CILSS, it has also developed strong relationships with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).\nSWAC has contributed to strategic thinking and facilitated the development of various common regional strategies and policies, in particular in the fields of agriculture, cross-border co-operation, conflict prevention, climate change, livestock and migration. By promoting regional action, SWAC work has helped highlight that contemporary global challenges are all part of a puzzle of interdependent regional challenges.\nIn 2010, Club Members launched a deep reform process, which led to the approval of a new Mandate with a new governance structure and a redefined relationship with the OECD. As a result, ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS joined the Club as Members in January 2011.\nTop", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6650506854057312} {"content": "Based on the reasoning that transcriptional noise arises from the stochastic relaxation of otherwise closed chromatin, Batada and Hurst argue that essential eukaryotic genes tend to cluster within regions of open chromatin because these regions are relatively free from transcriptional noise. This would minimize the possibility of random fluctuations in expression that would kill the cell and therefore provide a selective advantage to those cells whose essential genes cluster together in less noisy regions. They present bioinformatic analyses of yeast data that seem to support this idea.\nI like the idea, but am not totally sold on the notion of \"essentialness\". Yeast essential genes are based on those which are lethal when mutated in yeast grown under the warm and loving conditions of laboratory culture. However, the yeast genome did not evolve in the lab, it evolved in much harsher and variable natural environments. The the real set of essential genes is likely to be much larger than defined here, in fact it may include the whole genome as it is likely that each gene was essential at some point in yeast evolution. This said, even in natural environments, there maybe a spectrum of gene essential-ness, with some genes essential over a broader range of conditions, or longer evolutionary time-span than others. Thus the lab essential genes may actually reflect the core set of \"most essential genes\". But can we take this for granted?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7469276189804077} {"content": "Abstract\nThe beginnings of this paper are rooted in Kibera, Kenya; the largest slum on the African continent, boasting a population of 1 million people constrained by a piece of land the size of New York City's Central Park. I had the opportunity to explore Kibera while studying in Nairobi and working at a Health Clinic in the heart of the slums poorest neighborhood. The dichotomy of wealth, specifically in Kenya's urban areas, challenged me to understand how such a social stratification had developed and sustained itself. This paper explores policy decisions spanning from independence in 1964 to the present day that have dictated the development experience of Kenya. Furthermore, I have endeavored to address the specific factors that have hindered economic development. It is my contention that while some of these hindrances are anchored in pre-independence activities, most reflect the failure of Kenyan policy makers to recognize the needs of their own people.\nRecommended Citation\nNulty, Christopher(2012)\"The Kenyan Development Experience: A History of Hindrances and Limiting Factors,\"\nColgate Academic Review:Vol. 3, Article 8. Available at: http://commons.colgate.edu/car/vol3/iss1/8", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8237417936325073} {"content": "\"Wolverines are unique mammals, they fill a niche that a lot of other creatures couldn't survive,\" says Robert Inman of the Wildlife Conservation Society's wolverine program in Ennis, Mont. Famously 1,000 pounds of attitude stuffed into 30 furry pounds, wolverines range across the Canada, Scandinavia and Siberia, patrolling territories hundreds of square miles in size in snowy places. \"They are carnivores but not top predators, often scavengers that benefit from other's kills,\" he says.\nIn an upcoming study in the\nJournal of Mammalogy, Inman and colleagues look at one mystery about these formidable carnivores, why they bear their young as early as February, a time when there isn't a lot of food. Bearing and weaning a cub can take more than 100 times more calories than normal daily living for carnivores, the study notes:\n\"The timing of reproductive events in relation to food availability may be particularly critical for the wolverine. The wolverine's large feet are a morphological adaptation that allows it to travel easily over deep snow, and the species is distributed in circumpolar fashion across the tundra, boreal, and montane biomes (regions). Throughout its distribution, the wolverine displays extremely large home ranges, territoriality, low densities, and low reproductive rates. These adaptations are necessary for exploiting a cold, low-productivity niche where growing seasons are brief and food resources are limited. Starvation is a significant natural cause of wolverine mortality.\"\n\"What advantage do they receive by bearing their young in February, ahead of other animals, when their isn't a lot of food,\" Inman asks. \"Any why do they live in rocky terrain that other creatures avoid.\"\nTo figure it out, the researchers used reproductive data on wolverines, their own and others, from 1955 to 2011, along with similar data about food resources, carcasses of everything from reindeer to ground squirrels \"habitually\" cached by wolverines.\nThe data suggest that female wolverines are preferentially caching carcasses near the dens where they bear young, the researchers report, to later feed their tots:\n\"We expect that the limits to wolverine distribution are ultimately related to the species' ability to avoid competition by existing in cold, low productivity environments and accumulating (caching) the limited food resources present therein. As such, we propose a ''refrigeration-zone'' hypothesis as a food/competition-based explanation for the observed correlation between wolverine distribution and the area encompassed by persistent spring snow cover.\"\nThe \"refrigeration zone\" regions needed for wolverines may shift due to global warming, Inman says. \"A warming climate is not good for wolverines, they are adapted to cold conditions.\"\nOnly about 250 to 300 wolverines live in the Lower 48 states, he adds, about half as many as the region could support, the subject of proposed rule-making under study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. \"They are hard creatures to track and study,\" he adds. \"We don't know a lot of things about wolverines, which might be surprising for such a famous animal.\"\nVisit Science Fair for your daily dose of scientific news, from dinosaurs to distant galaxies. Science Fair is written by science reporters Dan Vergano and Elizabeth Weise and weather reporter Doyle Rice. Their subjects are often controversial -- and always fascinating -- be they stem-cell research, slime mold, or underground slush on Mars. More about the team", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7534574866294861} {"content": "Abstract: The dominant tradition in Western philosophy sees rationality as dictating. Thus rationality may require that we believe the best explanation and simple conceptual truths and that we infer in accordance with evident rules of inference. I argue that, given what we know about the growth of knowledge, this authoritarian concept of rationality leads to absurdities and should be abandoned. I then outline a libertarian concept of rationality, derived from Popper, which eschews the dictates and which sees a rational agent as one who questions, criticises, conjectures and experiments. I argue that, while the libertarian approach escapes the absurdities of the authoritarian, it requires two significant developments and an important clarification to be made fully consistent with itself.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9243432283401489} {"content": "Abstract\nWe used wetland mesocosms (1) to experimentally assess whether inoculating a restored wetland site with vegetation/sediment plugs from a natural wetland would alter the development of invertebrate communities relative to unaided controls and (2) to determine if stocking of a poor invertebrate colonizer could further modify community development beyond that due to simple inoculation. After filling mesocosms with soil from a drained and cultivated former wetland and restoring comparable hydrology, mesocosms were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: control (a reference for unaided community development), inoculated (received three vegetation/sediment cores from a natural wetland), and stocked + inoculated (received three cores and were stocked with a poorly dispersing invertebrate group—gastropods). All mesocosms were placed 100 m from a natural wetland and allowed to colonize for 82 days. Facilitation of invertebrate colonization led to communities in inoculated and stocked + inoculated treatments that contrasted strongly with those in the unaided control treatment. Control mesocosms had the highest taxa richness but the lowest diversity due to high densities and dominance of\nTanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae). Community structure in inoculated and stocked + inoculated mesocosms was more similar to that of a nearby natural wetland, with abundance more evenly distributed among taxa, leading to diversity that was higher than in the control treatment. Inoculated and stocked + inoculated communities were dominated by non-aerial invertebrates, whereas control mesocosms were dominated by aerial invertebrates. These results suggest that facilitation of invertebrate recruitment does indeed alter invertebrate community development and that facilitation may lead to a more natural community structure in less time under conditions simulating wetland restoration.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6928715705871582} {"content": "Haemophilia A is a common X-linked recessive bleeding disorder, affecting about1 in 5000 males worldwide. It is caused by a deficiency of functional coagulationFactor VIII (FVIII), resulting in prolonged or abnormal bleeding episodes. Theseverity of the disease is related to the level of functional FVIII in the plasma. TheFVIII gene is a large gene, located at Xq28 with a complex genomic organisation.It contains 26 exons spanning 186kb of genomic DNA, and produces a 9kbtranscript, resulting in a functional protein of 2332 amino acids.Over 900 mutations, which span a wide variety of categories, includingrearrangements; complete or partial gene deletions; large insertions; duplications;frameshift mutations; splicing defects; nonsense and missense mutations, havebeen identified in the FVIII gene. Most mutations are rare or family specific, exceptfor the intron 22 inversion mutation, which is reported to account for 45-50% ofmutations in severe haemophilia A patients in most populations. A secondinversion mutation, in intron 1, accounts for approximately 3.8% of haemophilia Apatients in the UK. In South Africa, diagnostic mutation testing is currently onlyavailable for the intron 22 inversion mutation. Linked marker analysis is used totrack high risk alleles in families where the disease-causing mutation is unknown.This study aims to evaluate an mRNA-based method to identify disease-causingmutations in South African haemophilia A patients and improve the diagnosticservice. Blood samples from 120 patients were tested first for the intron 22 andthen for intron 1 inversion mutations. Inversion negative patients were analysedfurther using mRNA.A mutation has been identified in 73.3% (88/120) of all patients. 30% (36/120) ofpatients had the intron 22 inversion, 2.5% (3/120) an intron 1 inversion and 40.8%(49/120) of patients had a mutation identified by mRNA analysis. A mutation wasnot identified in the remaining 26.7% (32/120) due to sample and technicaldifficulties.Of the 49 mutations identified through mRNA analysis, 28 patients (57.1%) have apoint mutation (17 missense (34.7%), 9 nonsense (18.4%) and 2 splice-sitemutations (4.1%)), 9 patients (18.4%) have a deletion and 7 patients (14.3%) havean insertion. Another 5 patients (10.2%) have a complex mutation (includingpatients where an exon deletion was detected on mRNA analysis, but no mutationwas identified on DNA analysis). One mutation, c.3637insA, was found recurrentlyin 14% (6/43) of patients from the white population. This single base insertionresults in a frameshift mutation with a premature stop codon at amino acid 1221(only translating about half the normal FVIII protein). This common mutation,together with haplotype analysis, suggests a founder effect for this mutation.mRNA analysis of the FVIII gene is a novel technique in mutation detection forhaemophilia A. It decreases the costs involved in sequencing the coding regionand it offers improved mutation detection compared to DNA analysis.Diagnostic testing in South Africa should be extended from the current intron 22inversion mutation to include DNA analysis for the intron 1 inversion and thefounder mutation (c.3637insA) in white patients, followed by mRNA testing,starting with the analysis of the fragments spanning exon 14. mRNA analysisidentifies an additional 55.7% of mutations compared to conventional diagnostictesting for the intron 22 inversion alone.\nDescription:\nM.Sc. (Med.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8515929579734802} {"content": "The term\nwas initially coined to describe the peculiar resemblance between certain ancient styles of monumental architecture and the fruit of one or other species of fungus. However, fungitecture\nWith the enduring legacy of the ancient monuments shining as a beacon towards a greater understanding of fungi, FungiTecture has set out to reveal the extraordinary influence of one particular species of fungus upon mankind. Classed scientifically as\nAmanita muscaria, this fungus deserves to be renamed Amanitas (h)umanitas. As in nature, this fungus operates at root level, without which nations may drift astamina and soon perish.\nBased in southeast Australia (opposite\nTasmania - another anagram of amanitas!), FungiTecture tables a diverse range of goods and services primarily intended to enlighten, inspire or amuse. FungiTecture is constantly striving to improve and expand upon its range of amenities, and is working towards releasing a series of books, films and other media focussed on fungi.\nHowever, FungiTecture has no intention of selling or supplying actual fungi, nor any equipment or material specifically designed to grow, harvest, store or manipulate same - so please do not even ask! Nevertheless, and notwithstanding the ubiquity of fungal spores, some of our products may contain elements made from or with the help of one or other fungus, including but not limited to fabrics, inks and dyes, fuels, solvents, enzymes and other process agents. FungiTecture intends to declare the existence of fungal elements within its products as information comes to hand.\nWhile nations may struggle to reconcile their environmental responsibilities, mankind remains under constant threat of destruction by mushroom cloud, whether man-made or natural. Despite the inevitable, FungiTecture believes a deeper and more widespread understanding of fungi is vital to our achievement and enjoyment of a sustainable future.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9056597352027893} {"content": "Experimental Capitalism : The Nanoeconomics of American High-Tech Industries 9780691169620| Ciltli | 15,19x22,91x1,5 cm. | İngilizce | 272 Sayfa | Türler İktisat\nFor much of the twentieth century, American corporations led the world in terms of technological progress. Why did certain industries have such great success?\nExperimental Capitalism examines six key industries--automobiles, pneumatic tires, television receivers, semiconductors, lasers, and penicillin--and tracks the highs and lows of American high-tech capitalism and the resulting innovation landscape. Employing \"nanoeconomics\"--a deep dive into the formation and functioning of companies--Steven Klepper determines how specific companies emerged to become the undisputed leaders that altered the course of their industry's evolution.\nKlepper delves into why a small number of firms came to dominate their industries for many years after an initial period of tumult, including General Motors, Firestone, and Intel. Even though capitalism is built on the idea of competition among many, he shows how the innovation process naturally led to such dominance. Klepper explores how this domination influenced the search for further innovations. He also considers why industries cluster in specific geographical areas, such as semiconductors in northern California, cars in Detroit, and tires in Akron. He finds that early leading firms serve as involuntary training grounds for the next generation of entrepreneurs who spin off new firms into the surrounding region. Klepper concludes his study with a discussion of the impact of government and the potential for policy to enhance a nation's high-tech industrial base.\nA culmination of a lifetime of research and thought,\nExperimental Capitalism takes a dynamic look at how new ideas and innovations led to America's economic primacy.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5541539192199707} {"content": "The First Canadian Edition of Forensic Psychology introduces students to the practice of forensic psychology by showing them how psychologists aid the legal system by serving as expert witnesses, criminal profilers, and forensic consultants. Authors Lawrence Wrightsman and Stephen Porter present the roles and responsibilities of forensic psychologists, and address both the opportunities and temptations inherent in those roles, focusing on the unique Canadian context. Through this lens, the text explores the ethical issues facing practicing forensic psychologists, such as promising clients too much, the possibility of becoming advocates rather than objective scientists, and the pitfalls associated with substituting one's values for data.Streamlined to meet the needs of the Canadian marketplace, Wrightsman and Porter provide students with an accurate and candid picture of the field, and the range of careers in forensic psychology.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9198673367500305} {"content": "Red Clover Tea\nSome of the exclusive elements of red clover include its ability to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Scientific studies have linked the use of red clover tea to a significant reduction in the tension of blood vessels, therefore reducing blood pressure. This can also help to prevent other cardiovascular conditions and coronary heart disease.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9165938496589661} {"content": "Call it the CSI Effect: Forensics classes are turning high school students on to science, reports Education Week.\nFor educators like (Mary) Hanson, who teaches a forensics elective at Arlington High School, in St. Paul, Minn., the appeal to students is clear. The nitty-gritty of forensics, whether it involves studying a shoe print or fibers from a crime scene, she noted, excites students in a way that much of traditional science often does not.\nMs. Hanson fully acknowledges that “CSI” has led students to her class. But once they arrive, she emphasizes that forensic techniques—fingerprinting, handwriting analysis, or photogrammetry (making measurements from photos, such as a suspect’s height in a surveillance video)—are more precise and laborious than they appear on TV.\nMs. Hanson draws from work (as a reserve police officer), and from the academic content in other science classes she teaches, in her forensics class. Students use geometry, for instance, to study one of the grimmer aspects of a crime scene: blood spatter.\nI learned about blood spatter analysis from watching Dexter, a forensic scientist who moonlights as a serial killer. Don’t try this at home, kids.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9876187443733215} {"content": "As noted in some of our previous blog postings, many condominium corporations share facilities with other condominium corporations or other properties.\nWhile in most cases there are shared facilities agreements that govern the operation, maintenance and costs related to these shared facilities, this is not always the case. Where the facilities are shared between a residential condominium and a commercial property, this often results in the residential unit owners paying more than their fair share of the costs related to the shared facilities.\nWhere there is only one electricity, water or gas meter that services both the residential condominium and the commercial property, if there is no shared facilities agreement then the residential unit owners end up subsidizing the commercial enterprises. This is particularly problematic where the commercial businesses consume an inordinate amount of utilities, such as a restaurant or laundry for example.\nBill 106 will require that there be a shared facilities agreement in place that meets the prescribed requirements set out in the regulations. While the regulations have not yet been drafted and circulated, the regulations could require that separate meters be installed or could require that the shared facilities agreements set out a method for the equitable allocation of shared costs to eliminate any subsidization.\nBill 106 also provides that unless the regulations provide otherwise, any easement or covenant, whether positive or negative in nature in a shared facilities agreement will run with the land and will be binding on both the real property that has the burden of the covenant, as well as the property that receives the benefit of the shared facilities. This is a significant change to the long-standing legal tenet that only negative covenants run with the land and can be enforced against subsequent landowners. This provision will prevent parties from trying to avoid paying for a portion of shared facilities costs on the basis that they had never committed in writing to contribute to these costs. Our previous blog posting reviewed the case of Middlesex Condominium Corporation 229 v.WMJO Ltd. where some of the parties receiving the benefit of shared facilities had taken this position.\nReaders should note that the provisions of Bill 106 could change before the legislation is enacted.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.983168363571167} {"content": "Grand Junction, Colo (KKCO) --- When school gets out for the summer, teachers say their biggest concern is that their students will forget everything they have learned during the year.\nThis is often referred to as brain drain and now there is a way to prevent that from happening.\nEducational toys are a great way to engage children and help them boost their reading, writing, math and science skills without making them work for it.\nMath is one of the most difficult subjects to retain when it is not constantly being practiced, but according to the National Association for Music Education, math becomes easier to learn when incorporating music.\nThere toys can engage both of these aspects and also focus on hand-eye coordination, fine motor control, creativity and imagination.\nDiscovery Toys has built their business on offering products that are educational, yet fun for kids, so they learn without even realizing it.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9337595701217651} {"content": "First, read about the need for appreciation if you have not done so already.\nA woman needs to feel appreciated for the good things she does. If she doesn't, she may cease doing those things. You, as her husband, are the one who can best meet this need. Tell her frequently how much you appreciate the little and big things she does. Compliment her on her intelligence, abilities, and appearance, and tell her how much you admire her. Be sure to show your gratitude for her contributions to the financial well-being of the household, whether it is bringing home a paycheck or cooking more at home and budgeting well. Your frequent expressions of appreciation will help her to gain a greater sense of self worth and confidence. As she does, she will become a more valuable, admirable, beautiful, and praiseworthy woman.\nSay it with words\nA man feels love through his eyes, a woman through her ears. Your woman needs to\nhear your expressions of appreciation for what she does: “The spaghetti sauce you made is delicious.” “Thanks for making dinner.” “You sure are a good mother to our children” “It was so nice of you to ask my opinion.” These words can be made more meaningful if accompanied by a token gift, such as flowers or jewelry.\nExpress your appreciation in words both written and spoken. Although you may not need to receive cards from her on special occasions, she does need to receive them from you. Send her a card for her birthday, your anniversary, Mother's Day, and Valentine's Day at a minimum, and on other days occasionally “just because” you love and appreciate her. Alternatively, give her flowers with a written note expressing your love. A hand-written letter mailed to her will also turn her heart.\nLeave no doubt in her mind\nYou may also effectively convey your appreciation by acts that are so bizarre that no alternative motive can be assigned to them (for example, unexpectedly washing her car and leaving a note on the steering wheel expressing your appreciation for something she has done).\nReturn Home", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6162261366844177} {"content": "Desiccant Definition - What does Desiccant mean?\nA desiccant is a substance or chemical that absorbs or attracts moisture from the air, causing a state of dryness (desiccation) in its vicinity. This chemical used to attract and remove moisture from air or gas and keep the products dry which, in turn, inhibits the corrosion process.\nThese chemicals are used in product containers during shipping to protect against moisture damage. Descants also prevent condensation of moisture between window panes. Desiccants are available in various forms and are widely used in many industries, such as:\nPacking Electronics Manufacturing Corrosionpedia explains Desiccant\nDesiccants are chemical substances used as drying agents with a high attraction or affinity for water. They are usually chemically inert and do not react with water or the substances they protect. They use an adsorption mechanism to capture moisture and stow it away where it cannot interact with the product. Industrially, desiccants are widely used in gas streams to control water levels.\nSilica is the most common desiccant. It is an inert, nontoxic, water-insoluble white solid. Other desiccants include:\nActivated charcoal Calcium sulfate Calcium chloride Molecular sieves (typically zeolites)\nDesiccant bags like silica bags are used in package contents to protect against humidity during transport and storage. It also helps to prevent corrosion, mold growth and other harmful consequences of moisture through absorption of water vapor.\nDesiccants are sold in desiccant units. A desiccant unit is the measure of the quantity of desiccant which, at equilibrium with air at 23 ± 35.5°F (2°C), adsorbs the following quantities of water vapor:\nMin. 3.0 g at 20% relative humidity Min. 6.0 g at 40% relative humidity", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.821786642074585} {"content": "Summary: The Third Sector - such as the voluntary, charitable, financial co-operative, religious, health and educational organisations which sit outside the confines of the private and public sectors - is facing a rapidly changing environment which challenges its continuation in its present form. This research workshop seeks to examine current influences on the effective operation of these non-profit organisations. We are interested in high quality research papers which address the managerial challenges facing this sector. The organisers are particularly interested in the results of managerial, economic and inter-disciplinary approaches.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7926431894302368} {"content": "International influences are extensive in the softs markets, such as coffee, sugar, orange juice and cocoa. So, staying on top of what’s happening requires the right mix of in-depth analysis, insightful guidance and effective execution services.\nR.J. O’Brien specializes in providing commercial users and producers of these commodities with intelligent risk-management analysis and advice that equal an unparalleled trading experience.\nRJO produces proprietary and comprehensive daily and weekly softs market analysis and reports that highlight the following:\n© 2017 R.J. O'Brien & Associates LLC\nFutures trading involves the substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9578782916069031} {"content": "‘An analysis of corporate disclosure and potential improvements in disclosure in quoted companies in the automotive industry’.\nDissak Delon, Samuel (2011)\nAbstract\nThis work is an attempt to assess the effectiveness and impact of disclosure levels in quoted companies in the automotive industry. Changing practices and behaviors is not always the end result desired, but merely a mean to reach the desired end. National and International accounting bodies are aiming to require from firms more disclosure of past and prospective information.\nActions (Archive Staff Only)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5934560298919678} {"content": "Peer Reviewed\n1\nDocument Type\nArticle\nPublication Date\n1-1-2013\nKeywords\nMalpractice, Primary Care\nAbstract\nOBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to examine the epidemiology of malpractice claims in primary care.\nDESIGN: A computerised systematic literature search was conducted. Studies were included if they reported original data (≥10 cases) pertinent to malpractice claims, were based in primary care and were published in the English language. Data were synthesised using a narrative approach.\nSETTING: Primary care.\nPARTICIPANTS: Malpractice claimants.\nPRIMARY OUTCOME: Malpractice claim (defined as a written demand for compensation for medical injury). We recorded: medical misadventure cited in claims, missed/delayed diagnoses cited in claims, outcome of claims, prevalence of claims and compensation awarded to claimants.\nRESULTS: Of the 7152 articles retrieved by electronic search, a total of 34 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the narrative analysis. Twenty-eight studies presented data from medical indemnity malpractice claims databases and six studies presented survey data. Fifteen studies were based in the USA, nine in the UK, seven in Australia, one in Canada and two in France. The commonest medical misadventure resulting in claims was failure to or delay in diagnosis, which represented 26-63% of all claims across included studies. Common missed or delayed diagnoses included cancer and myocardial infarction in adults and meningitis in children. Medication error represented the second commonest domain representing 5.6-20% of all claims across included studies. The prevalence of malpractice claims in primary care varied across countries. In the USA and Australia when compared with other clinical disciplines, general practice ranked in the top five specialties accounting for the most claims, representing 7.6-20% of all claims. However, the majority of claims were successfully defended.\nCONCLUSIONS: This review of malpractice claims in primary care highlights diagnosis and medication error as areas to be prioritised in developing educational strategies and risk management systems.\nDisciplines\nMedicine and Health Sciences\nCitation\nWallace E, Lowry J, Smith SM, Fahey T. The epidemiology of malpractice claims in primary care: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2013;3:e002929.\nPubMed ID\n23869100\nDOI Link\n10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002929", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7206528186798096} {"content": "Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431.\nThis opinion is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports.\nTom, J.P., Andrias, Catterson, Richter, Abdus-Salaam, JJ.\nOrder, Supreme Court, New York County (Donna M. Mills, J.), entered September 19, 2011, which, insofar as appealed from as limited by the briefs, denied defendants' pre-answer motion to dismiss, pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(1), (5) and (7), the cause of action for legal malpractice, unanimously reversed, and the motion granted, without costs.\nBy written agreement dated April 28, 2009, plaintiff, a commodities trader with MBF Clearing Corporation, retained defendant Quadrino & Schwartz, P.C., on an hourly fee basis, \"to represent him in connection with the filing of long term disability claims under two Guardian group policies.\" At that time, the \"look back period\" for determining an employee's \"Insured Earnings,\" used to calculate the amount of benefits to which the employee was entitled, was one year from the date of disability. As of May 1, 2009, the look back period was increased to three years.\nIn support of his malpractice claim, plaintiff alleges that defendants, without his knowledge, submitted a claim form that incorrectly stated that the date of his disability was \"4/9/09,\" which was the day he stopped trading, not the day he was determined to be disabled; the latter he alleges was May 13, 2009. Plaintiff contends that as a result of this error, Guardian applied the one-year look back period, which led to the denial of his claim on April 14, 2010, because his 2008 income tax return showed a loss. Although plaintiff, on a contingency fee basis, retained new counsel who successfully appealed the denial, he seeks to recover from defendants the additional costs, expenses and attorneys' fees he incurred in prosecuting that appeal.\nSupreme Court correctly determined that issues of fact exist as to whether the release signed by plaintiff on March 31, 2010, in connection with the settlement of his fee dispute with defendants, was obtained in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR § 1200.0), rule 1.8(h)(2)(see Swift v Ki Young Choe, 242 AD2d 188, 192 [1998]; see also Newin Corp. v Hartford Acc. & Indem. Co., 37 NY2d 211, 217 [1975]). However, the malpractice claim must nevertheless be dismissed because the evidentiary materials submitted by the parties conclusively establish that defendants breached no duty to plaintiff, and that no alleged damages were caused by any act of defendants (see O'Callaghan v Brunelle, 84 AD3d 581 [2011], lv denied 18 NY3d 804 [2012]; Between The Bread Realty Corp. v Salans Hertzfeld Heilbronn Christy & Viener, 290 AD2d 380, 381 [2002], lv denied 98 NY2d 603 [2002]).\nTo succeed on a motion to dismiss pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(1), the documentary evidence relied on by the defendant must \"conclusively establish[ ] a defense to the asserted claims as a matter of law\" (Leon v Martinez, 84 NY2d 83, 88 [1994]). On a motion to dismiss pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(7), the court must \"accept the facts as alleged in the complaint as true, accord plaintiff[] the benefit of every possible favorable inference, and determine only whether the facts as alleged fit within any cognizable legal theory\" (id. at 87-88). However, \"allegations consisting of bare legal conclusions as well as factual claims flatly contradicted by documentary evidence are not entitled to any such consideration\" (Maas v Cornell Univ., 94 NY2d 87, 91 [1999]).\nAt the heart of plaintiff's malpractice claim is his assertion that defendants could have obtained the date of his disability from his treating physician, Dr. Schottenstein, at any time after May 13, 2009, but refused or neglected to do so. However, the record demonstrates that when plaintiff's new counsel argued in his June 14, 2010 appeal letter to Guardian that the claim turned on the date it was determined that plaintiff was disabled, not on the date he ceased trading, he relied on the \"June 10, 2010 Medical Record of Dr. Douglas Schottenstein, NYSpinemedicine, which for the first time gives [plaintiff] a date of disability on May 13, 2010\" (emphasis added). Defendants ceased acting as plaintiff's attorney on December 23, 2009, well before the June 10, 2010 record was available.\nThe documentary evidence further demonstrates that defendants' submissions to Guardian were based on the information available to them. Defendants were retained to file a disability claim on April 28, 2009, which predates the date on which plaintiff claims it was determined that he was disabled. Plaintiff's claim form, dated September 2, 2009, states that April 9, 2009 was the date that he became unable to work because of illness or injury. While plaintiff asserts that he signed the claim form in blank, the e-mail he relies on shows that he was provided with a draft claim form, asked to review it and complete the unanswered questions, and told that the information would then be typed into the form he signed. Further, on September 9, 2009, plaintiff sent defendants an e-mail stating that \"[m]y last trading day was [A]pril 8th.\" Defendants relied on that date to complete the disability claim form, which they submitted to Guardian that day.\nDefendants also submitted to Guardian Dr. Afshin Razi's physician's statement, dated August 27, 2009, which states that Dr. Razi first evaluated plaintiff for his back condition on May 27, 2008, and last treated him on March 19, 2009, and that plaintiff had \"[m]oderate limitations of functional capacity; capable of clerical/administrative (sedentary) activity (60-70%)\" (footnote omitted). Dr. Razi added that plaintiff \"cannot carry heavy bag or be on the trading floor where he may be jostled[,] which may injure his back.\"\nConsistent with the foregoing, the employer section of plaintiff's disability claim, dated September 25, 2009, states that the date the disability began was \"unknown,\" that the last date plaintiff worked on the \"floor\" was April 7, 2009, and that the reason for leaving work was a disability. Defendants also provided Guardian with Dr. Razi's and Dr. Schottenstein's medical records, the receipt of which Guardian confirmed in a letter dated October 20, 2009, in which Guardian advised defendants that it had requested additional information directly from the doctors.\nWe also note that Guardian's denial was not final at the point that defendants ceased representing plaintiff on December 23, 2009. In its letter dated December 17, 2009, Guardian stated that it had been determined that plaintiff's disability was \"supported\" from April 7, 2009, but denied the claim because it had not received his 2008 tax return and trading statements or logs for the year April 8, 2008 through April 7, 2009, which were needed to determine his monthly benefit. The letter further advised counsel that if plaintiff wished to appeal the determination he needed to submit those documents. That information was provided to Guardian on February 22, 2010, at which point defendants no longer represented plaintiff. When Guardian denied plaintiff's disability claim on April 14, 2010 \"because the information you submitted does not support any insured earnings as of the date you ceased work full-time on April 7, 2009,\" it stated: \"We did receive a new Long Term Disability Claim form from you dated March 23, 2010 indicating that your disability ...", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5107566118240356} {"content": "Every six months, flip your mattress over\nTo provide even wear, flip the mattress so that the top is now on the bottom, and turn it so that the foot of the mattress is now at the head\nCover the mattress, to protect it and extend time between cleanings\nConsider purchasing a mattress cover to protect the surface of your mattress. Choose a washable cover that is easy to remove and replace on your mattress. Some covers are even designed to reduce dust mite allergies, and reduce the need to vacuum your mattress\nRemove dust from the mattress surface\nDust, dander, and dust mites build up in your mattress. Even those of us without allergies can begin to notice dust and dirt in our mattress. Vacuum your mattress using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. If someone does have allergies in your home, you may need to vacuum more frequently and/or purchase mattress covers\nIf the mattress surface becomes dirty or soiled, use an upholstery shampoo\nFollowing the directions exactly, use an upholstery shampoo to clean dirt and soil from your mattress surface. Or, mix a mild detergent with water until suds form. Apply the dry suds only to the soiled area using a sponge. Wipe the area with a sponge that has had warm water wrung from it. Allow the area to dry thoroughly", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8435094356536865} {"content": "A\nn international visionary entrepreneur, published musician, and bestselling author, Ayman Sawaf is one of the original creators of the discipline now known as Emotional Literacy and an early pioneer in Emotional Intelligence. His book Executive EQ: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership and Organizations, which he coauthored with Dr. Robert Cooper, introduced emotional intelligence in the business world. Ayman has spent the last 20 years building the evolutionary foundation for entirely new systems and industries that are transforming human potential by providing new maps to evolve our relationships with ourselves, our business, and our world. His latest book, Sacred Commerce: A Blueprint for a New Humanity, which he coauthored with his wife Rowan Gabrielle, focuses on evolving the business world one person at a time, emphasizing a system guided by spirituality. Ayman has influenced countless individuals, teachers, coaches, and business leaders worldwide. He believes network marketers are particularly well positioned to embrace the feminine and the sacred in business, thus opening the path towards emotional mastery, abundance creation, and conscious evolution.—J.G.\nTell us a little about your background. I was born into a Lebanese family and grew up in the Middle East, but enjoyed a multicultural upbringing in an international environment. I studied engineering and mathematics in the U.S., and after I graduated with my university degrees, I started my entrepreneurial career in the lighting business in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries. I became very successful, I had two children, and my life seemed perfect. However, as I hit my late 20s everything started falling apart. I went through a divorce. I became depressed. I had a health crisis, and I thought, “That’s it. I wasted my life.” That led me to deciding to live differently and explore my emotions. Money and business had been such a strong part of my identity that I had never really paid attention to my feelings. A friend observed that this might be the cause of my problem. I was introduced to a book by Louise Hay called You Can Heal Your Life and started reading it. I realized there is a connection between emotions and belief systems and our external reality. I was an extremely chauvinistic* and mental person, categorizing emotions as a feminine energy and not part of my world.\nOne thing led to another. I met a teacher, read some books, and started my healing journey. I was astonished at how healing my emotions caused my body to heal. I said, “How come no one taught us this in school?” I had been to the best universities. I thought I was very smart, but realized I wasn’t. I saw how we needed to bring and showcase the value of emotions into our education system. I decided, “Let’s start with a new generation of kids who are emotionally smart!” I coined the term emotional literacy, which is the ABC—123 of our feelings—how to recognize them, acknowledge them as ours, how to express them, how to receive the messages they carry inside them. I created a media company in Los Angeles. We did four TV series. We released 28 books, the emotional literacy series for kids. The company is now called KidsEQ.com. For years I sent out emotional literacy newsletters to hundreds of thousands of people, including school teachers and university psychology departments. I launched a non-profit organization called F.E.E.L.—Foundation for Education in Emotional Literacy.\n*Chauvinism: 1. zealous and aggressive patriotism or blind enthusiasm for military glory; 2. biased devotion to any group, attitude, or cause; 3. the denigration, disparagement, and patronization of either sex based on the belief that one sex is inferior to the other.\n17", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7131372690200806} {"content": "PhD Candidates (PGR)\n“For students, the move to university is a personal investment of the cultural capital accrued through school and college education. It is also a signification social displacement, which may be intensified where the student is mature, is the first in their family to attend university, or is from an ethnic group under-represented in the university population.” (Briggs, Clark and Hall, 2012).\nThe context of the challenges faced today:\nThe pressure to finish within the time limit set.\nPressure to publish.\nThe relationship between a PhD candidate and their supervisor.\nPsychological challenges and poor mental health, such as Imposter Syndrome.\nFunding a PhD and living costs simultaneously.\nBalancing competing pressures of work, life, teaching, research and family.\nPrecarious teaching commitments and earnings.\nLack of desk space on campus.\nPhD study is a time of extended and potentially slow-paced, independent learning. The transition from being taught directly to learning by research requires development of a different set of skills that may not have been exercised before. Considering the average length of a PhD, it is also incredibly difficult to maintain focus and motivation on the same project that spans over a few years. It is natural, then, that the pressure placed on PhD students can feel unmanageable.\nThe Students’ Union is here to support you through the ups and downs from start to finish.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6722534894943237} {"content": "Abstract\nMuscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer is a common malignancy with poor outcomes for which immune checkpoint blockade is now showing promise. Despite clinical activity of PD-1/PD-L1–targeted therapy in this disease, most patients do not benefit and resistance mechanisms remain unknown. The non–T-cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment correlates with poor prognosis and resistance to immunotherapies. In this study, we determined tumor-oncogenic pathways correlating with T-cell exclusion. We first establish in this report that T-cell–inflamed bladder tumors can be identified by immune gene expression profiling with concordance with CD8\n+ T-cell infiltration. Upregulation of genes encoding immune checkpoint proteins PD-L1, IDO, FOXP3, TIM3, and LAG3 was associated with T-cell–inflamed tumors, suggesting potential for sensitivity to checkpoint blockade. β-Catenin, PPAR-γ, and FGFR3 pathways were activated in non–T-cell-inflamed tumors. No difference was seen in overall somatic mutational density between groups. The three pathways identified represent targetable potential pathways of tumor-intrinsic immunotherapy resistance. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(7); 1–6. ©2016 AACR. Footnotes Note:Supplementary data for this article are available at Cancer Immunology Research Online (http://cancerimmunolres.aacrjournals.org/).\nPrior presentation: Presented at 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Chicago, IL, May 29–June 2, 2015.\nReceived November 10, 2015. Revision received February 9, 2016. Accepted April 7, 2016. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5100805759429932} {"content": "There are certain calls made in a basketball game that are accepted as reality, when it fact they aren't at all.\nThe truth is, some of the most common truths about the rules of basketball actually aren't true at all.\nNeed proof? No problem. Here are seven myths about basketball rules, and the actual truth behind all of them. They'll make you think twice about what you thought you knew.\n1. A defensive player must be stationary to take a charge. Reality: Once a defensive player has obtained a legal guarding position, the defensive player may always move to maintain that guarding position and may even have one or both feet off the floor when contact occurs with the offensive player. Legal guarding position occurs when the defensive player has both feet on the floor and is facing the opponent. This applies to a defensive player who is defending the dribble. 2. A dribble that bounces above the dribbler's head is an illegal dribble violation. Reality: There is no restriction as to how high a player may bounce the ball, provided the ball does not come to rest in the player's hand. 3. \"Reaching in\" is a foul. Reality: Reaching in is not a foul. The term is nowhere to be found in any rulebook. Why? There must be contact to have a foul. The mere act of \"reaching in,\" by itself, is nothing. If contact does occur, it is either a holding foul or a pushing foul. 4. \"Over the back\" is a foul. Reality: Similar to the reaching in myth, there must be contact to have a foul. Coaches holler for over the back fouls when their shorter player has seemingly better inside rebounding position and the ball is snared by a taller opponent from behind. Penalize illegal contact; don't penalize a player for being tall. 5. If it looks funny, it must be traveling. Reality: The traveling rule is one of the most misunderstood in basketball. One of the basic tenets is that a player cannot travel unless that player is holding a live ball. A bobble or fumble is not \"control\" of the ball, therefore, it cannot be a traveling violation. If you immediately identify the pivot foot when a player receives the ball, you're well on your way to judging traveling correctly. 6. After a player has ended a dribble and fumbled the ball, that player may not recover it without violating. Reality: A dribble ends when the dribbler catches the ball with one or both hands or simultaneously touches the ball with both hands. A fumble is the accidental loss of player control when the ball unintentionally drops or slips from a player's grasp. It is always legal to recover a fumble. The rules do not penalize clumsiness. 7. Referees should not make calls that decide the outcome of a game. Reality: Officials do not make calls that decide the outcomes of games. Players commit fouls and violations; officials view those infractions, judge the action and then apply the rules of the game to what they have viewed. The rules then determine the penalty. The officials do not decide the outcome of the game; the players do. If the rule results in the imposition of a penalty that determines the outcome of the game, such is life. Ask yourself this: If you would have called it in the second quarter, why not call it at the end of the game? You are a credit to the game when you are consistent from the opening tip to the final buzzer.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6059396266937256} {"content": "Summary:This note conducts a business cycle accounting analysis for systemic economies, with an emphasis on spillover effects from macroeconomic versus financial shocks. The systemic economies under consideration are China, the Euro Area, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This analysis is based on historical decompositions of output growth derived from the estimated structural macroeconometric model of the world economy, disaggregated into thirty five\nnational economies, documented in Vitek (2012). Within this framework, each economy is represented by interconnected real, external, monetary, fiscal, and financial sectors. Spillovers are transmitted across economies via trade, financial, and commodity price linkages.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7198864221572876} {"content": "Delivering personalized digital brand experience is paramount for companies today. Being a successful brand goes beyond providing an aesthetically appealing and intuitive customer experience; it needs to be customized and relevant to the consumer's needs. Is that person is conducting product research, shopping for their own needs, or purchasing a gift is more than an action, but a process. Marketing departments must be strategic in their efforts to assess what draws in the consumer. A lot of issues can surface from trying to couple the technical and business objectives, especially when certain technologies are grandfathered in and may not offer the experience that is up to speed with today's market.\nHowever, implementing a plan and technology that can achieve this is feasible! Businesses must assess what they want to achieve so they can engage with their customers on a personal level across all forms of contact, be it mobile, tablet, or desktop. .\nLearn about how Acquia boosts your ability to engage with customers across platforms with customized digital experiences. Acquia and Drupal couple together to unite the technical requirements and the business goals, giving you the edge on delivering high-quality experiences.\nForrester Research agrees: With customer-centered intentions, Acquia serves as a top ranked digital experience company that combines the processes and technologies with the teams and strategies of a company into a seamless platform to boost to your ability to personalize.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.663008987903595} {"content": "This post is part of the series called\nObstacles in Academia, which aims to highlight the many challenges young scientists face today.\nResearch demands funds, and typically very large sums. Securing funds for research is a laborious process often ending in failure. A stagnant federal research budget has fueled a hyper-competitive environment among scientists, often to the detriment of the research.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000087022781372} {"content": "A multisubunit translocon of the inner envelope membrane, termed Tic, mediates the late stages of protein import into chloroplasts. Membrane proteins, Tic110 and Tic40, and a stromal chaperone, Hsp93, have been proposed to function together within the Tic complex. In Arabidopsis, single genes, atTIC110 and atTIC40, encode the Tic proteins, and two homologous genes, atHSP93-V and atHSP93-III, encode Hsp93. These four genes exhibited relatively uniform patterns of expression, suggesting important roles for plastid biogenesis throughout development and in all tissues. To investigate the roles played by these proteins in vivo, we conducted a comparative study of T-DNA knockout mutants for each Tic gene, and for the most abundantly expressed Hsp93 gene, atHSP93-V. In the homozygous state, the tic110 mutation caused embryo lethality, implying an essential role for atTic110 during plastid biogenesis. Homozygous tic110 embryos exhibited retarded growth, developmental arrest at the globular stage and a 'raspberry-like' embryo-proper phenotype. Heterozygous tic110 plants, and plants homozygous for the tic40 and hsp93-V mutations, exhibited chlorosis, aberrant chloroplast biogenesis, and inefficient chloroplast-import of both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic preproteins. Non-additive interactions amongst the mutations occurred in double mutants, suggesting that the three components may cooperate during chloroplast protein import.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6126052737236023} {"content": "Money managers are rewarded for increasing the value of assets under management,and predominantly so in the mutual fund industry. This gives the manager an implicitincentive to exploit the well-documented positive fund-flows to relative-performancerelationship by manipulating her risk exposure. In a dynamic asset allocationframework, we show that as the year-end approaches, the ensuing convexities in themanager's objective induce her to closely mimic the index, relative to which herperformance is evaluated, when the fund's year-to-date return is sufficiently high. Asher relative performance falls behind, she chooses to deviate from the index by eitherincreasing or decreasing the volatility of her portfolio. The maximum deviation isachieved at a critical level of underperformance. It may be optimal for the manager toreach such deviation via selling the risky asset despite its positive risk premium. Undermultiple sources of risk, with both systematic and idiosyncratic risks present, we showthat optimal managerial risk shifting may not necessarily involve taking on anyidiosyncratic risk. The manager's policy results in economically significant departuresfrom investors' desired risk exposure. We then demonstrate how constraining themanager's investment opportunity set, via a simple benchmarking restriction, canameliorate the adverse effects of managerial incentive", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.848464846611023} {"content": "The explosion of data, coupled with tools used to collect and analyze that data, has fundamentally transformed how we communicate, collaborate and innovate. Every employee now has access to some level of analytics, helping to guide strategic decision-making and processes. Yet, while we’ve made great strides in data democratization, businesses struggle to master data centralization. And, as a result, are housing siloed treasure chests of knowledge that remain largely untapped. Over the last five years, the complexity of data consolidation has grown in parallel with the expansion of SaaS and", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9949290752410889} {"content": "In California, the primary foreclosure method is non-judicial foreclosure. With this method, lenders can choose to bypass the court for a faster, less expensive foreclosure process. If the deed of trust does not contain a power of sale clause, however, the lender might opt for a judicial foreclosure. A judicial foreclosure requires a final order from the court before the lender can legally foreclose the property. Although the process takes longer, the lender can seek a deficiency judgment requiring the homeowner to pay the difference between the loan balance and sale price. If you receive a foreclosure summons, you must take immediate action.\nNon-Judicial Foreclosure 1\nContact your lender as soon as you receive any kind of notice pertaining to foreclosure or default. If your lender is foreclosing non-judicially, you might first receive a notice of default followed by a notice of sale. In other cases, the lender might send a combined notice including the notice of default and sale notice. You can write a hardship letter asking to explore options to prevent foreclosure. However, non-judicial foreclosures do not require a legal response since the court is not involved.\n2\nWrite a hardship letter to the lender explaining the reason you fell behind on your mortgage payments. Even after receiving a foreclosure notice, it is not too late to explore foreclosure prevention methods. A short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure let you give back the home without suffering the credit consequences associated with foreclosure.\n3\nContact a HUD-approved foreclosure prevention counselor if you need help. These counselors can explain the process, answer any questions you have, advocate with the lender on your behalf, and determine your eligibility for federal and state assistance programs.\nJudicial Foreclosure 1\nContact a HUD-approved foreclosure prevention counselor. The counselors are familiar with California laws and can explain your rights in a judicial foreclosure. They can review your loan documents to identify discrepancies or suggest methods to stop the foreclosure.\n2\nDraft a response letter. There is no standard format used to answer a foreclosure summons in California. Your response should simply be a letter to the court confirming or denying the allegations stated in the summons.\n3\nDeny allegations of the foreclosure summons that are false. For example, if the notice incorrectly states the balance due, provide the correct amount in your response letter.\n4\nAdmit allegations that are true in your response letter. By admitting allegations, you are not admitting fault or giving the bank the right to take your home.\n5\nList reasons why you believe the bank should not have filed the foreclosure lawsuit. State these reasons briefly in your response letter rather going into great detail.\n6\nExplain to the court in your letter why the foreclosure should not proceed. You can request more time to reach a solution with the lender.\n7\nMake a copy of your response letter for your records.\n8\nFile your response letter with the clerk of court. Bring your original letter, along with the copy, for the clerk to stamp and record.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8144949078559875} {"content": "Abstract\nConsider a group consisting of\nS members facing a common budget constraint p'ξ=1: any demand vector belonging to the budget set can be (privately or publicly) consumed by the members. Although the intragroup decision process is not known, it is assumed to generate Pareto-efficient outcomes; neither individual consumptions nor intragroup transfers are observable. The paper analyzes when, to what extent, and under which conditions it is possible to recover the underlying structure—individual preferences and the decision process—from the group's aggregate behavior. We show that the general version of the model is not identified. However, a simple exclusion assumption (whereby each member does not consume at least one good) is sufficient to guarantee generic identifiability of the welfare-relevant structural concepts.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8900721073150635} {"content": "Poultry farmers Ted Layton and Scott Willey were recognized for their efforts to improve water quality and reduce nutrient runoff with the 2016 Delaware Environmental Stewardship Award.\nLayton and Willey are co-owners of T&S Farms near Milford, growing broiler chickens for Allen Harim Foods on a 44-acre farm. They have four poultry houses, with a capacity of 134,000 birds per flock. As part of their efforts, they have installed a manure shed and compost, have a stormwater pond and will plant a tree buffer. They focus on weed control, lane maintenance and pad cleanliness and have all manure transported by Ellis Farms.\nAwards to Layton and Willey and three runners-up were presented Jan. 9 during Delaware Ag Week by Nutrient Management Commission Chairman Bill Vanderwende and Nutrient Management Program Administrator Chris Brosch.\nRunners-up were:\n— Alvin and Norma Warner, of Milford, who grow for Perdue Foods growing the Coleman Organic Program, with a capacity of 62,000 organic broilers. They have created 15 acres of riparian buffers and wildlife habitat, planted tree buffers and installed heavy use pads and a composter.\n— Tracey Hill, of Laurel, who grows for Mountaire Farms, with a capacity of 116,000 broilers. He has grassed waterways and all pipes lead to a fish-stocked pond which treats stormwater from the production area.\n— Jim Nguyen, of Georgetown, who grows for Amick Farms, with a capacity of 110,000 broilers. He has installed heavy use pads, planted trees to reduce exhaust emissions, graded swales to direct stormwater into a one-acre pond, planted apple trees and berry bushes for wildlife and uses freezers for mortality.\nLayton and Willey will receive $1,000, a plaque and a sign for their farm. The runners-up will receive $500, plaques and signs.\nThe awards are supported by Allen Harim Foods, Amick Farms, Mountaire Farms and Perdue Farms.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8154968619346619} {"content": "Synjardy Dosage\nGeneric name: EMPAGLIFLOZIN 5mg, METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE 500mg\nDosage form: tablet\nThe information at Drugs.com is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.\n2.1 Recommended Dosage Individualize the starting dose of SYNJARDY based on the patient’s current regimen: – In patients on metformin, switch to SYNJARDY containing empagliflozin 5 mg with a similar total daily dose of metformin; – In patients on empagliflozin, switch to SYNJARDY containing metformin 500 mg with a similar total daily dose of empagliflozin; – In patients already treated with empagliflozin and metformin, switch to SYNJARDY containing the same total daily doses of each component. Take SYNJARDY twice daily with meals; with gradual dose escalation to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects due to metformin [see Dosage Forms and Strengths (3)]. In patients with volume depletion not previously treated with empagliflozin, correct this condition before initiating SYNJARDY [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Patient Counseling Information (17)]. Adjust dosing based on effectiveness and tolerability while not exceeding the maximum recommended daily dose of metformin 2000 mg and empagliflozin 25 mg [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. 2.2 Recommended Dosage in Patients with Renal Impairment 2.3 Discontinuation for Iodinated Contrast Imaging Procedures\nDiscontinue SYNJARDY at the time of, or prior to, an iodinated contrast imaging procedure in patients with an eGFR between 45 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2; in patients with a history of liver disease, alcoholism or heart failure; or in patients who will be administered intra-arterial iodinated contrast. Re-evaluate eGFR 48 hours after the imaging procedure; restart SYNJARDY if renal function is stable [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5852311849594116} {"content": "The differential between Brent and WTI spot prices historically was just a few dollars per barrel in either direction. In 2011, the Brent premium over WTI averaged $16.38 per barrel; however, in 2012 this premium widened to $17.61 per barrel.\nThe significant events in 2012 include:\n* U.S. crude oil production rose by an estimated 780,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2012, the largest yearly increase to date.\n* The surge in crude oil production led to crude oil stocks held in land-locked Cushing, Oklahoma, which is a major pricing point for crude oil, that resulted in record-high end of month stock levels from April through December.\n* The United States remained a significant net oil importer when levels of crude oil and petroleum products are added together.\n* After Brent fell below $90/bbl in late June and WTI dropped below $80/bbl, prices rebounded in July on expectations that policymakers in the United States, Europe, and China would take action to stimulate economic growth, which could increase oil demand. * Disruptions in oil production in South Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and the North Sea reduced available global supplies, putting upward pressure on oil prices.\nGet our free video series \"Options Trading Strategies\"", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6408660411834717} {"content": "Doctors who immediately viewed FDG-PET findings in cases of suspected Alzheimer's disease handled treatment differently than those who did not see the findings for two years, according to University of California, Los Angeles, researchers. Among patients whose doctors saw the scans right away, 40% were treated with dementia drugs within the initial six months of the two-year study while none of those whose doctors did not see the scans until two years later were treated within the first six months. Just 12% of patients in the delayed group received proper medication by the end of the first year. Researchers concluded that FDG-PET not only aids in early Alzheimer's disease diagnosis but also helps expedite treatment.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7415729761123657} {"content": "The European Central Bank has been particularly busy. It is engaged in an asset-buying program. Despite a European Court of Justice ruling highlighting the conflict of interest between its bank supervisory function and role as creditor, the ECB is still part of the Troika official creditors and participated in the marathon negotiating sessions over Greece.\nThe ECB is closely monitoring the situation at Greek banks. It has not increased the ELA ceiling for the second consecutive week, following the Greek government's acceptance of the creditors' demands.\nStill its staff has time to conduct some fun research. It released a report that many market participants will find interesting. It looked at whether Twitter and Google can be useful in predicting the stock market. It finds that Twitter is better than Google. It is also better than the survey that the ECB currently uses. The ECB staff (Huina Mao, Scott Counts and Johan Bollen) concludes that Twitter generates statistically and economically significant predictive value. The caveats are that it is particularly useful in the US, UK, and Canada. It is not very useful in China. In addition, the predictive value is only for the very short-term.\nThe research looks at the use of \"bullish\" and \"bearish\" words on tweets and in Google. A one-point increase in the sentiment survey index it currently uses translates, for example, into a 2.26 bp move in the Dow Jones Industrials the next day. In contrast, a one-point increase in its Twitter index is associated with a 12.5 bp move in the Dow.\nThis research found that Twitter bullishness helps predict Google bullishness. This suggests that Twitter information precedes Google searches. It also finds that the bump given to stocks from the Twitter bullishness wears off, and stocks return to what the ECB staff says are fundamental values within a week.\nThe ECB's work shows a positive correlation between Google queries and Chinese stocks. It suggests that others look at Weibo, which is a Chinese-version of Twitter. Students and practitioners may pick up mining social media for insights into other markets, including the foreign exchange market.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6852800846099854} {"content": "Newspaper > Guest Column Articles Lessons for Managing Unconventional Resources\nRecently, a report produced by the US Energy Information Agency noted that Egypt has significant proven and prospective volumes of natural gas and sizeable deposits of crude oil. There are around 2 trillion cu meters of proven conventional natural gas reserves and nearly further 3 trillion cu meters in unconventional reservoirs. Egypt also has 4.4 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves and around the same volume in unconventional deposits. Whilst these are not the highest figures in the world, if optimally managed, such resources could play a significant role in Egypt's economic development.\nRatification of the Petroleum Concession Agreements\nThe Egyptian constitution, adopted in 2012, stipulated that exploitation rights of ''state properties or public facilities'' shall be granted by a law. On July 3rd the Egyptian army declared the immediate suspension of Egypt's constitution. Given this, questions emerge regarding petroleum agreements in Egypt. Is it possible to formalize petroleum concession agreements in the absence of the legislature or People's Assembly? Considering exploration and exploitation rights are to be issued only by a law, are parliamentary elections necessary for new petroleum agreements to be completed?\nEgypt’s Energy Trap\nEgypt's energy sector is in profound disarray, at a time when the Egyptian economy would desperately need the proceeds from functioning energy production and trade. Declining reserves and falling production, coupled to surging domestic energy demand have since 2008 turned Egypt into a net importer of oil and oil products.\nBetween a Rock and a Hard Place: Egypt’s New Natural Gas Supply Policy\nThe decision by the Egyptian government to commit to the long-term domestic supply of natural gas while allowing immediate imports of LNG and the rapid adjustment of domestic prices to reflect the cost of supply to the industry, signals a potentially significant shift in Egypt's energy policy.\nUpstream Anxiety: A Commentary on the Current Challenges within the Upstream Business Sector of the Egyptian Oil and Natural Gas Industry\nThe 2011 revolution transformed the Egyptian government and left a sense of vagueness in the upstream business sector in Egypt. Revisions of the current gas export agreements resulted in amendments to increase gas prices in order match the current international benchmarks.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.64644855260849} {"content": "A quality heater is necessary if you intend to maintain a successful tropical freshwater, marine fish or reef system. Temperature fluctuations often go unnoticed by aquarists and can cause stress to fish and corals.\nMost heaters include a built-in thermostat to select the optimal temperature for your aquarium, however, the use of a thermometer to monitor the temperature is highly recommended. You might consider a temperature controller for keeping a stable environment in your aquarium since they offer more precise readings and an advanced feature set. A minimum of 1-2 watts per Litresis recommended to keep aquarium temperatures at an optimal level. Aquarists with larger tanks should consider using more than one heater. In the unlikely event that your heater goes, have multiple heaters in place safeguards your tank from crashing", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8381356596946716} {"content": "What is a 'Capital Dividend'\nA type of payment by a firm to its investors that is drawn from a company's paid-in-capital or shareholders' equity, rather than from the company's earnings, as with regular dividends. Such a dividend is often paid out in instances where a dividend payment is required, but company earnings cannot facilitate such a cash payment.\nAlso known as a \"return of capital\". BREAKING DOWN 'Capital Dividend'\nA capital dividend is typically not taxable for shareholders, as it is viewed as a return of the capital paid in by investors. Capital dividends are not a preferred form of dividend payment for firms or investors, as they are often seen as a sign of a company struggling to generate earnings and free cash flow. Additionally, by paying out dividends from retained earnings, a company's struggles may worsen as its capital base shrinks, limiting investment and business opportunities in the future.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9995887875556946} {"content": "Interviews\nInterviews are an alternative method for asking questions. They differ from questionnaires in their face-to-face nature. They are particularly useful for gathering more detailed information and enabling a more natural and flexible approach to questioning. An interview generally involves a conversational exchange between the interviewer and one or more other individuals. The interviewer usually has certain topics that they want to explore. The possible structures for interviews can be viewed along a scale from those which are highly structured to those which are very open in nature. Generally, the more the researcher already knows about the topic and the range of possible answers, the more structured the interview becomes. Also, if the researcher knows they need to report the results of…", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7193808555603027} {"content": "Cite As:Nazir A, Khan B, Counsell S, Henderson M, Gao S, Boustani M. Impact of an Inpatient Geriatric Consultative Service on Outcomes for Cognitively Impaired Patients. Journal of hospital medicine. 2015;10(5):275-280. doi:10.1002/jhm.2326.\nFound At:John Wiley & Sons, Inc.\nAbstract:\nBackgroundImpact of geriatric consultative services (GCS) on hospital readmission and mortality outcomes for cognitively impaired (CI) patients is not known.ObjectiveEvaluate impact of GCS on hospital readmission and mortality among CI inpatients.DesignSecondary data-analysis of a prospective trial of a computerized decision support system between July 1, 2006, and May 30, 2008.SettingStudy conducted at XXXXX hospital, a 340-bed, public hospital with over 2,300 yearly admissions of 65 or older.Patients415 inpatients aged 65 and older with CI were enrolled from July 2006 to March 2008.Measurements30 day and one year mortality and hospital readmission following the index admission. Cox’s proportional hazard models were used to determine the association between receiving GCS, re-admission or mortality while adjusting for demographics, discharge destination, delirium, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and prior hospitalizations. The propensity score method was used to adjust for the non-random assignment of GCS.ResultsPatients receiving GCS were older (79; 8.1 SD vs 76; 7.8 SD; p<.001 with higher incidence of delirium (49% vs. 29%; p<.001)). No significant differences were found between the groups for hospital readmission (Hazard Ratio (HR)=1.19; 95% CI = 0.89, 1.59) and mortality at 12 months of index admission (HR=.91 ; 95% CI = 0.59, 1.40). However, a significant increase in readmissions was observed for the GCS group (HR=1.75; 95% CI = 1.06–2.88) at 30 days post-discharge.ConclusionOne year post-discharge outcomes of CI patients that received GCS were not different from patients who did not receive the service. New models of care are needed to improve post-discharge readmission and mortality among hospitalized patients with CI.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8906290531158447} {"content": "Even if you don't have a sunny windowsill, you can still grow herbs indoors, thanks to new products on the market.\nThese kits include everything you need to get started, including seeds, a full-spectrum grow light, and either pots or a hydroponic container system. You can choose from basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, and many other herbs.\nStart by inserting special pre-seeded pods into your hydroponic container or by planting seeds in the provided pots. As the herbs grow, just add water and nutrients as recommended.\nHydroponic kits will produce finished herbs faster than potted ones, but they typically cost more.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8785973191261292} {"content": "dc.description.abstract The purpose of this study was to explore participants' (teachers, students, administrators,\nand parents) experiences and perceptions regarding the perceived impact a rural high school's\none-to-one laptop initiative had on content area literacy, new literacy's, and critical literacy.\nThrough a case study, data were collected through multiple sources and viewpoints to obtain an\nin-depth perspective of how this rural high school's one-to-one laptop initiative had perceivably impacted teacher's instruction to enhance student learning.\nData were collected and analyzed through a blending of direct interpretation and\ncategorical analysis, presenting the following findings. The one-to-one laptop initiative's\ntechnology was utilized: (a) by student participants for academic purposes, personal efficiency,\nand recreational purposes, (b) by teacher participants for educational purposes, and (c) within\ncontent area instruction. Resulting from the access to laptop technology, this study documented\nthe purposes of finding information for assignments, facilitating \"just in time\" learning, and\nstimulating schema about curricular content. Content area literacy instruction was perceivably\neffected because of the multiple textual formats the technology provided, and instructional\noccurrences were documented as developing vocabulary and fostering either content\ncomprehension or reading comprehension. The new literacy's and how they were implemented\nwithin the mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies classrooms were discussed.\nThe role of critical literacy was presented in relation to students' sense of agency, and the power\ndynamic within various content area classes.\nThe majority of participants were documented having a positive perception regarding the\none-to-one laptop initiative. Although integration of technology was occurring, there were\nopportunities lacking that could further develop teachers' instruction to enhance student learning.\nWhen considering professional development within schools implementing a one-to-one\ntechnology initiative, administrative teams should: (a) consider what will be requisite versus\nelective technology integration tasks, and (b) ensure professional support is provided to teachers\nregarding integrating technology within their pedagogical practices. Additionally, teachers\nshould instructionally integrate the technology tools and literacy's that students currently employ.\nPedagogically, this study implies that teachers must expand their comfort zones regarding\ncontent area literacy, new literacy's, and critical literacy. en", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8343978524208069} {"content": "The importance of effectively combating HIV/AIDS through tackling the social aspects of the pandemic post-2015.\nAn open letter to Ban Ki Moon\nMr Secretary General:\nThis letter starts with one patient.\nI met her on my second day at Kenyatta National Hospital, on the paediatrics ward. I would like to tell you her name, but she had never been given one, so I called her “Beautiful”. She was 3 months old and had never left the hospital. Twenty-four hours after a traumatic birth to an HIV-positive mother who had not accessed the care freely available to all pregnant women for prevention of mother-to-child-transmission, she had been abandoned. Despite having no name, she already had a status: positive. When I met her she didn’t cry, because in her short life she had learnt that no one came when she did. She was developmentally delayed because, in such an underresourced department, caring for the well child was not the physician’s priority. “What makes a mother give up her child?” I asked one of the junior doctors. He responded: “It happens; there are usually more of them”. I explained that I didn’t understand, and the doctor’s response was as sharp as the answer was obvious — I was right. I\ndidn’t\nI knew the proportion of AIDS-related fatalities had decreased dramatically with the upscaling…", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5049930810928345} {"content": "The McKinsey Quarterly, a publication of McKinsey & Company, recently published a short article offering Three Tips for planning in these uncertain times. It emphasizes the importance of developing multiple scenarios, rigorous monitoring and longer-term focus to enhance the success of your planning. (You’ll need to register – for free – to read the entire article).\nWe respect your email privacy", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000057220458984} {"content": "While much research focuses on healthy babies for pregnant mothers, little has been published about the physical and emotional health and changes that the mothers go through themselves.\nThe study was conducted by lead researcher Dr Jennifer Haas, Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, on a group of multi-ethnic women, during and immediately after pregnancy. Over the course of their pregnancy, researchers observed significant changes in health, including decline in the ability to perform daily functions and increased signs of depression, both of which improved during the postpartum period. However for some, these health problems can also extend into postpartum. Women who reported insufficient money for food and housing, and lack of exercise, were most associated with poor health, before, after and during pregnancy. The article published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine states that \"depression is more common among disadvantaged and minority women.” Exercise is recommended and seen as an effective way to counter or prevent these changes. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology endorses this and suggests 30 minutes of moderate exercise for pregnant women on most, if not all, days of the week. \"These results can be used to guide the expectations of women, their providers and policies around functional status during pregnancy,” states Haas. Statistics show that over 90% of women in the work force continue to work up to the month before delivery. Of the 60% of women who return to work in the year after delivery, two thirds return to work within three months. The data from the study could ultimately affect public policies such as work leave for mothers-to-be. While the association between exercise and significant health benefits for pregnant women is shown here, the relationship has not yet been established as causal. MEDICA.de; Source: Blackwell Publishing", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5501545667648315} {"content": "Running time: 2:29\nDuring late winter, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas received sorely needed rain which helped reduce short-term impacts, like wildfire and dry topsoil. But it has taken months to develop deep and severe drought in the region, and a few wet weeks won’t erase that situation. It can take months of ideal conditions to bring soil, rivers, and vegetation back to health.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9579342603683472} {"content": "Cross-basin comparison of phosphorus stress and nitrogen fixation in Trichodesmium\nLimnol. Oceanogr., 54(5), 2009, 1438-1448 | DOI: 10.4319/lo.2009.54.5.1438\nABSTRACT: We investigated the phosphorus (P) status and N\n2 fixation rates of Trichodesmium populations from the North Pacific, western South Pacific, and western North Atlantic. Colonies of Trichodesmium were collected and analyzed for endogenous alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity using enzyme-labeled fluorescence (ELF) and for nitrogenase activity using acetylene reduction. AP hydrolyzes dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP) from dissolved organic phosphorus and is active in Trichodesmium colonies experiencing P stress. Across multiple stations in the subtropical North and South Pacific, there was low to moderate ELF labeling in Trichodesmium, although labeling was present in other taxa. In contrast, Trichodesmium ELF labeling in the North Atlantic ranged from low to high. Low ELF labeling corresponded with high DIP concentrations while high ELF labeling occurred only at North Atlantic stations with DIP concentrations #40 nmol L21, indicating that Trichodesmium was not experiencing dramatic P stress in the Pacific Ocean while P stress was evident in the western North Atlantic. However, nitrogenase activity was significantly higher in the P-stressed western North Atlantic than in the Pacific Ocean (0.40-1.30 compared to 0.01-0.46 nmol C 2H 4 h -1 colony -1). These data underscore the differential basinlevel importance of P availability to Trichodesmium and suggest that factors other than P are constraining their N 2", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8273265361785889} {"content": "While boards acknowledge they bear ultimate responsibility and accountability for their organizations' affairs, governance quality is often far from optimal. The High- Performance Board offers pragmatic and candid advice about what your board must do to maximize performance and contributions. The authors provide sixty-four principles designed to help your board achieve peak performance. They describe every principle in detail and present best practices and practical applications for each one. Each section of the book concludes with a board check-up-a set of questions that can be used to assess your board in light of the principles. A quick read for busy board members, this book is the ultimate board \"drivers' manual.\"", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5933855772018433} {"content": "Dear Driving for Dollars,\nI recently moved to an area where it rains a ton, and I find driving in it disconcerting. It never seems like my car is making good contact with the road like it does when the roads are dry.\nIs my car hydroplaning? If so, what can I do to prevent it?\n-- Jim F.\nJoseph O. Holmes/Getty Images\nDear Jim,\nIt's understandable how driving in the rain can make you feel uncomfortable when you are not accustomed to wet weather. It does \"feel\" different from driving on a dry road.\nFind the best auto loan rates\nHydroplaning occurs when your tires don't have enough tread or tire pressure for the water to be dispersed and allow the rubber to keep contact with the road. You also can have momentary instances of hydroplaning when driving through standing water, such as a puddle or where water collects on the edge of a road.\nTo reduce your chances of hydroplaning, make sure your tires don't need to be replaced. Check the tread depth and inspect for signs of wear, such as flat spots or sidewall cracks.\nIf your tires are in good shape, make sure they are inflated to the correct tire pressure. Set a reminder to check the pressure monthly because tires naturally lose air over time. The correct tire pressure is listed in your owners manual or on a sticker on your driver's side doorjamb.\nReduce speed when driving on wet roads. The faster you drive, the harder it is for your tires to distribute the water and maintain contact with the road. Avoid making quick turns and braking hard, as these maneuvers only make it harder to maintain contact with the road.\nIf it turns out you need some new rubber for your car, read \"How to choose new tires.\"\nBankrate's content, including the guidance of its advice-and-expert columns and this website, is intended only to assist you with financial decisions. The content is broad in scope and does not consider your personal financial situation. Bankrate recommends that you seek the advice of advisers who are fully aware of your individual circumstances before making any final decisions or implementing any financial strategy. Please remember that your use of this website is governed by Bankrate's Terms of Use.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.694219708442688} {"content": "You are hereHome › Declining Per-Capita VMT: A Broad-Based Trend\nPosted by: on\nFrontier Group intern Danielle Elefritz contributed this blog post.\nIn prior work, Frontier Group research has demonstrated that the decline in per-capita driving over the last decade is a broad-based trend taking place in a variety of states and metropolitan areas across the United States. As the economy continues to recover, it is worth checking in on trends in per-capita VMT, using monthly traffic data for 2013 and population data from the Census Bureau.\nThe monthly data confirm that the trend toward lower per-capita driving remains broad based. While the South Atlantic region has seen the greatest decrease in VMT per capita since 2004, all five regions saw declines. Furthermore, only one region, the South Gulf, has had a meaningful uptick in per capita VMT data in the last few years as each of the other four regions saw driving either flatline or decrease in this same time period.\nThe Federal Highway Administration divides the U.S. into five regions—the Northeast,[1] the South Atlantic,[2] the North Central,[3] the South Gulf,[4] and the West.[5] Since 2004, the South Atlantic region saw the largest decrease in VMT per capita, declining 8 percent relative to 2004. The West saw the second largest decrease in VMT per capita at 7.7 percent, followed by the Northeast at 7.4 percent, the South Gulf at 5.6 percent, and finally the North Central at 4.3 percent.\nAll five regions have also seen declines in per-capita driving since the pit of the recession in 2009. Since 2011, the only region to see a meaningful uptick in per-capita VMT has been the South Gulf.\nDuring the first five months of 2014, as Doug Short has noted, per-capita VMT has continued to fall, suggesting that the shifts in driving patterns Americans have demonstrated over the last decade are continuing, even amidst a more robust economic recovery.\n[1] Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont\n[2] Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia\n[3] Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin\n[4] Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas\n[5] Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9520788192749023} {"content": "Opalesque Industry Update - Credit hedge funds should not be considered part of the ‘shadow banking’ sector, according to a new paper by the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), the global hedge fund trade association.\nAIMA’s research paper* highlights crucial differences between the key functions of a traditional bank and those of credit hedge funds and other non-bank financial institutions.\nCredit hedge funds do not take deposits, do not offer daily liquidity nor otherwise hold themselves out as guaranteeing the return of the invested principal.\nThey manage their liquidity profiles by agreeing investor redemption terms which correspond to the liquidity profile of the underlying investments. They therefore do not engage in significant maturity transformation.\nCrucially, hedge funds do not benefit from implicit or explicit taxpayer guarantees.\nAndrew Baker, AIMA CEO, said:\nThe G20 mandated the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to develop recommendations to strengthen the oversight and regulation of the ‘shadow banking’ system in November 2010, but there has been considerable debate about what constitutes a ‘shadow bank’. Recent G20 language referred to 'money markets funds, securitization, securities lending and repo activities, and other shadow banking entities. '\nCredit and credit-related hedge funds comprise up to one-third of the global hedge fund industry and use a very diverse range of investment strategies, ranging from fundamental credit analysis and arbitrage to the trading of complex derivatives.\n(press release)\nAs the global hedge fund association, the\nBG", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5331035852432251} {"content": "The Hetch Hetchy Power system is composed of three hydroelectric powerhouses: Moccasin Powerhouse, which includes a small, in-line hydroelectric unit, Kirkwood Powerhouse and Holm Powerhouse. The combined total hydroelectric output for these facilities is over 400 megawatts. Hydroelectric generation at Moccasin and Kirkwood Powerhouses rely on gravity-driven water flowing downhill from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Holm Powerhouse generates energy from gravity-driven water flowing downhill from Cherry Lake. On average, the Hetch Hetchy Power System generates 1.6 billion kilowatt hours of clean, hydroelectric energy each year.\nThis process starts at the source. Gravity gently coaxes water from the reservoirs in the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power System. At our hydroelectric powerhouses, large turbines harness the kinetic energy of gravity-driven water, transforming it into hydroelectric power. This clean energy is then transmitted to San Francisco along City-owned transmission lines that transverse the State of California from east to west. Once in the City, the energy is distributed to the City’s municipal facilities and retail customers; SFO, SFGH, MUNI, Police, Fire, retail City tenants, residences and businesses in the San Francisco Shipyard and Treasure Island. In normal-to-high precipitations years, we sell energy on the California energy markets.\nMoccasin Power House\nHetch Hetchy Reservoir- O'Shaughnessy Dam\nMoccasin Power House, featured above, is the powerhouse furthest downstream. The control room at Moccasin Powerhouse not only operates all three powerhouses, but also remotely starts and stops generating units, adjusts generator speeds and takes all necessary readings. Holm Powerhouse is the largest of the three powerhouses.\nSan Francisco benefits immensely from owning and operating the Hetchy Power System. Hetch Hetchy hydroelectric energy is cost-effective and 100% greenhouse gas-free. It does not produce any harmful radioactive byproducts or leave behind any waste. Its cost-effective, clean electricity keeps our environment clean and helps the City’s fiscal bottom-line.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6907168626785278} {"content": "Scientists Develop Mathematical Model of Zombie Outbreak\nIt is becoming clear that World War Z could have been prevented. Between ludicrous positioning of medical research labs and the less than stellar performance of the authorities, it’s a wonder that humanity is not extinct.\nWe now learn that scientists had developed a model of a potential zombie outbreak before SHTF. This is documented in When Zombies Attack!: Mathematical Modeling of an Outbreak of Zombie Infection (pdf). The conclusion of this is quite prescient:\nIn summary, a zombie outbreak is likely to lead to the collapse of civilisation, unless it is dealt with quickly. While aggressive quarantine may contain the epidemic, or a cure may lead to coexistence of humans and zombies, the most effective way to contain the rise of the undead is to hit hard and hit often.\nThe inference in the paper is that the collapse of civilization is equivalent to extinction. It did not seem to occur to the authors that a new civilization would arise from the ashes, albeit one largely based on the world as we knew it. Truly, that which did not kill us, made us stronger.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6970400810241699} {"content": "Employee Gratitude: A New Direction for Understanding Organizational Citizenship Behaviour Date2010-12-08 Author\nSpence, Jeffrey Robert\nMetadataShow full item record Statistics\nAbstract\nOrganizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) is extra-role behaviour that is not formally required by organizations, but benefits the organization and its members (Organ, 1988). OCB is considered to be a core dimension of job performance (Rotundo & Sackett, 2002) with research showing that OCB contributes to the health and productivity of organizations (e.g., Podsakoff, Whiting, Podsakoff, & Blume, 2009). As a result, both organizational researchers and organizations have long been interested in understanding the origins of this behaviour. However, research into the antecedents of OCB has important limitations. Notably, this research has conceptualized OCB as a static construct, which recent theorizing and research indicates is an inaccurate assumption (e.g., Beal, Weiss, Barros, & MacDermid, 2005; Ilies, Scott, & Judge, 2006). Additionally, OCB research has relied on a single theoretical framework, social exchange theory, to explain previous findings, creating narrowness in the field. The current dissertation sought to address these important limitations by conceptualizing OCB as a dynamic construct (i.e., one that has sizable day-to-day within-person variability) and examining the ability of state gratitude, a novel and theoretically relevant antecedent, to predict OCB. Drawing on the Moral Affect Model of gratitude, Affective Events Theory, and Broaden and Build Theory, I propose that state gratitude is an important driver of day-to-day fluctuations in OCB. In two daily diary studies, my findings revealed that, as predicted, dynamic fluctuations in OCB were significantly predicted by state gratitude. Additionally, in the second of two daily diary studies, state gratitude was successfully induced by a “count your blessings” task and state gratitude was found to be a significant mediator of the induction and OCB. Overall, the results lend support to the notion that OCB is dynamic and that state gratitude, a discrete positive emotion, can be an effective driver of OCB.\nCite this work\nJeffrey Robert Spence (2010). Employee Gratitude: A New Direction for Understanding Organizational Citizenship Behaviour. UWSpace. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/5654\nOther formats", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8604201078414917} {"content": "A:Hi,Thanks for the query.I understand your concern.Irregularity in periods can occur due to many causes like dietary or exercise changes, recent illness etc leading to gonadal hormonal imbalance, thyroid hormonal abnormalities etc.If your thyroid profile is normal with medicines, that may not be a cause for your problem.Usually, menstrual cycle with length between 21 to 35 days can be considered as normal only.So, you may wait for one more week, possibly by that time you will get periods.If not consult your doctor once and take tablets for withdrawal bleeding.Take care.\n(*)These Q&A’s are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8933324813842773} {"content": "According to children with CHSCN and their families, good practice in service provision:\n● Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness to families’ individual needs.\n● Actively safeguards their “ordinary” lives and needs. ● Works in partnership with families, valuing their knowledge and expertise. ● Works with wider networks, including family, friends, other services and settings.\nFor Scie’s knowledge review, eight services that fulfilled these good practice criteria were selected for a practice survey.\nCommon features included:\n● Families were perceived as competent experts.\n● The child and family were acknowledged as partners in defining need. ● A high value was placed on individual relationships. ● Different aspects of a child and family’s identity were actively recognised and accommodated. ● Autonomy was delegated to frontline staff. ● High levels of flexibility and responsiveness were provided. ● Tasks such as “navigating”, “signposting”, “way-finding”, “advocating” or “key working” were included within the function of the service.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5837231874465942} {"content": "If they told me upfront than no. There is absolutely no reason for me to risk my sexual, physical, and emotional health for someone who may not last. If this is a new relationship and even if I feel those pangs of \"this could be going somewhere\", there is absolutely NO reason to pursue any sort of sexual activities.\nIf they tell me they have herpes or gonorrhea than what else could they have that they wouldn't be so willing to tell me? If it was a treatable disease than why haven't they treated it yet? And how soon was their last sexual partner from me if they still have it? I have no interest in being with someone that sleeps around or doesn't use protection with their partners- it says to me, if they're so careless with their own health and safety, how will they be with my health and safety?\nIn a world full of uncertainty people need to take their sexual health seriously, if it's a partner that didn't know they had it because they weren't tested than I don't want to be with them. If they can't be bothered to be regularly tested than that's not the type of partner I want, I do not want someone who hops from bed to bed with little regard for themselves or their partners.\nThis is all rhetorics and being married it doesn't' really apply to me. However, if the time were to come where I wasn't with DH, I'd still take this seriously. I have PCOS which already puts me at a higher risk of endometrial and cervical cancer, I'm not going to further put myself at risk of HPV or various STI's- it would be a new chapter in my life, why ruin it with something that has the potential to last a lifetime?\nMy body is a temple, yes, I occasionally destroy it with fast food even though I know the dangers... but to risk a lifetime of either infertility, depression, cervical cancer, or pelvic pain caused by any various STI is not worth the risk.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6667834520339966} {"content": "Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster today welcomed the appointment of managers for a new £50million fund which will safeguard and create over 2,000 jobs within the next ten years.\nBraveheart Investment Group plc has been appointed to manage the Growth Loan Fund, which aims to generate £150million sales growth per annum for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).\nThe fund forms a key component of Invest Northern Ireland’s wider Access to Finance strategy, with the objective of stimulating the availability of risk capital to the SME sector across Northern Ireland. Arlene Foster said: “I have listened to the business community and I fully understand the frustration of the SME sector at not being able to access finance. The Growth Loan Fund is a practical measure which will help to address this problem. It is part of a major new Access to Finance initiative that my department, through Invest Northern Ireland, is launching to stimulate and encourage economic growth in these challenging times. \"The Growth Loan Fund will provide loans of between £50,000 and £500,000 to businesses in the manufacturing or tradable services sectors over the next five years. It is a valuable addition to the existing sources of funding for businesses in Northern Ireland and I welcome the appointment of Braveheart Investment Group plc, who are experienced fund managers, to oversee its operation. “By ensuring that companies with high growth potential are not held back because they cannot access finance, the Growth Loan Fund will boost business confidence and help SMEs that have strong potential for growth, particularly in international markets.” The appointment has been made to Braveheart as the lead bidder in a consortium comprising itself, NEL Fund Managers Ltd (‘NEL’) and Clarendon Fund Managers Ltd (‘Clarendon’). NEL operates from Newcastle upon Tyne and has a long track record in managing mezzanine loan funds. Clarendon is based in Belfast and manages various funds supporting SMEs in Northern Ireland.\nLoans will be made to businesses that can demonstrate sales and profitability growth, or strong growth potential. Businesses that currently export and wish to further expand sales in international markets will be a key target of the Fund, as they have the potential to contribute most to Northern Ireland’s economic growth.\nGeoffrey Thomson, Chief Executive of Braveheart, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to manage the Growth Loan Fund. We have teamed up with two respected fund managers whom we know well, and we are delighted to be working with them. We look forward to working with Invest NI in delivering what is a new and innovative product in Northern Ireland.” It is intended that the Fund will be significantly financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8720940351486206} {"content": "The key to weight loss is simple when you consume fewer calories than you use. Although this fundamental tenet of weight loss is simple, the execution is difficult. Once your know how many calories you use daily, you can then determine how many calories to eat to lose weight. Many factors affect your daily calorie requirement, including your height, weight, age, sex and activity level.\nCalorie Calculations\nTo decide how much you should eat to lose weight, first determine the number of calories needed to maintain your current weight. Calculators are available on many websites; look for one that takes into account key factors that affect your calorie needs. Age, for example, affects the number of calories you use daily. A 5-foot-4-inch, 180-lb., 20-year-old woman with a sedentary lifestyle requires roughly 1,885 calories daily to maintain her weight. A similar 40-year-old woman requires approximately 1,770 calories daily because metabolic rate slows with age. Your activity level also influences your calorie requirement. A 5-foot-4-inch, 180-lb., 40-year-old woman who participates in moderate exercise three to five days per week boosts her daily maintenance calories to approximately 2,285 calories, a 29 percent increase over what she needs if sedentary.\nCalorie Amount\nTo lose weight safely, the American Dietetic Association recommends that you set your daily intake at 500 to 1,000 calories below what you require to maintain your current weight. Consider the example of a 40-year-old, 5-foot-4-inch, 180-lb. woman who exercises moderately three to five days weekly. Given that she requires approximately 2,285 calories daily to maintain her current weight, her target calorie intake to lose weight is 1,285 to 1,785 calories daily. Keeping all other factors the same but changing the age to 20 years old, target calorie intake is 1,435 to 1,935 calories daily. Your expected weight loss if you set your daily intake at 500 calories below maintenance level is 1 lb. per week. With a 1,000-calorie deficit, you can expect average weight loss of 2 lb. weekly.\nWhat to Eat\nWeight loss programs commonly target restriction of either fats or carbohydrates to achieve reduced calorie intake. These strategies make sense considering that solid fats and added sugar account for approximately 35 percent of the calories in the average American diet, according to the \"Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010.\" The relative advantages and disadvantages of low-fat versus low-carbohydrate diets remain hotly debated. Both strategies can be successful if you follow the program. A low-carbohydrate diet may lead to more weight loss initially, primarily due to decreased total body water. Whatever diet you choose should include a sufficient variety of foods to ensure that your vitamin, mineral and protein needs are met.\nConsiderations\nTalk with your doctor about the best diet for you, especially if you have a preexisting medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease or high blood pressure. Your doctor may recommend that you consult with a dietitian to develop an individualized weight loss plan that meets your nutritional and medical needs.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5282524824142456} {"content": "Abstract There is accumulating evidence that the viral interleukin-10 (vIL-10) ortholog of both human and rhesus cytomegalovirus (HCMV and RhCMV, respectively) suppresses the functionality of cell types that would be critical to contain virus dissemination and help shape long-term immunity during the earliest virus-host interactions. In particular, exposure of macrophages, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, monocyte-derived dendritic cells, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells to vIL-10 suppresses multiple effector functions, including notably, those that link innate and adaptive immune responses. Further, vaccination of RhCMV-uninfected rhesus macaques with non-functional forms of RhCMV vIL-10 greatly restricts parameters of RhCMV infection following RhCMV challenge of the vaccines. Vaccinees exhibited significantly reduced shedding of RhCMV in saliva and urine following RhCMV challenge compared to unvaccinated controls. Based on the evidence that vIL-10 is critical during acute infection, the role of vIL-10 during persistent infection was analyzed in rhesus macaques infected long-term with RhCMV to determine whether post-infection vaccination against vIL-10 could change the virus-host balance. RhCMV-seropositive macaques, which were shedding RhCMV in saliva, were vaccinated with non-functional RhCMV vIL-10, and shedding levels of RhCMV in saliva were evaluated. Following robust increases in vIL-10-binding and vIL-10-neutralizing antibodies, shedding levels of RhCMV modestly declined, consistent with the interpretation that vIL-10 may play a functional role during persistent infection. However, a more significant association was observed between the levels of cellular IL-10 secreted in PBMC exposed to RhCMV antigens and shedding of RhCMV in saliva. This result implies that RhCMV persistence is associated with the induction of cIL-10 receptor-mediated signaling pathways. IMPORTANCE Human health is adversely impacted by viruses that establish lifelong infections that are often accompanied with increased morbidity and mortality (e.g., HIV, hepatitis C virus, human cytomegalovirus). A longstanding but unfulfilled goal has been to develop post-infection vaccine strategies that could ‘reboot’ the immune system of an infected individual in ways that enable the infected host to develop immune responses that clear reservoirs of persistent virus infection, effectively curing the host of infection. This concept was evaluated in rhesus macaques infected long-term with rhesus cytomegalovirus by repeatedly immunizing infected animals with non-functional versions of the rhesus cytomegalovirus-encoded, viral interleukin-10 immune modulating protein. Following vaccine-mediated boosting of antibody titers to viral interleukin-10, there was modest evidence for increased immunological control of the virus following vaccination. More significantly, data were also obtained indicating that rhesus cytomegalovirus is able to persist due to upregulation of the cellular interleukin-10 signaling pathway.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8844435214996338} {"content": "Motivation\nAssistive devices, such as bionic limbs, exoskeletons, rehabilitation and other service robots need ‘muscle-equivalent’ motion control.\nThis need crosses over into established sectors heavily dependent on mobile systems, such as aerospace, med-tech and agriculture.\nWaveDrives new actuation technology, incorporated in the SILA linear actuators, has been developed to address these needs.\nHuman-compatible motion\nHigh band-width, slow but forceful motion with fast response times and back-drivability for safety - is key to developing the user-friendly, performance enhancing products needed by our ageing population and for human-centered manufacturing.\nHigh efficiencyacross the full dynamic range is essential to reduce power requirements and deliver consistent performance, particularly for mobile applications. Quieter operationis vital for prosthetics, other wearable actuated devices and in medical, domestic and workplace scenarios.\nFor example, the requirements for an active knee prosthesis include quiet operation, high power to weight, fit within the leg envelope, free swing, energy harvesting, low maintenance/ high reliability and affordability.\nHigher reliabilityand minimal maintenance is pre-requisite in safety critical, difficult and dangerous applications and key to acceptability in devices for human interaction.\nCompared to hydraulic and pneumatic systems, electric actuators can be controlled more precisely, present significantly reduced environmental and workplace hazards, and minimal maintenance related downtime. The highly competitive global economy and pressure on more sustainable use of resources continue to drive demand for electric actuation offering even greater power density, efficiency, reliability and reductions in through-life cost.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6164121031761169} {"content": "LETTER FROM WELDON TO GATES\nJanuary 17,1997\nDear Mr. Gates:\nNow that I have had the opportunity to review your testimony on the 1995 National Intelligence Estimate (NIE 95-19) before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I would like to share some of my thoughts with you. While I think we agree on many of the flaws in the analysis, I was disturbed by your assertion that it was congressional pressure which caused the premature release of the NIE and disappointed by your comments which absolve the intelligence community for its role in producing a defective assessment.\nWhile you acknowledge the 1995 NIE is in many ways flawed, you criticize others who raised questions about the quality and objectivity. As a consumer of intelligence, Congress has a right to raise criticisms and it has an oversight responsibility to ensure that the intelligence community is delivering a quality product. It would be remiss to remain silent when incompetence or bias is suspected. That is precisely why Congress established the Gates panel over the objections of the DCI.\nNot once did your panel provide an opportunity for Members who charged politicization to be heard. Given your harsh condemnation, I believe you had a responsibility to explore those allegations and to offer a detailed rebuttal of them. Instead, your merely exonerate the intelligence community of politicization, suggesting the report became victim to \"political naivete.\" It is far more injurious to ignore or whitewash politicization when it exists than it is to suggest that possibility.\nIronically, NE 95- 19 failed to adhere to the criteria that you laid out in a March 1992 memo for avoiding politicization. For example, you stated that analysts must clearly distinguish between fact, inference, and judgment. As noted by GAO, this N1E presents judgments and assumptions as facts. You also warned against the dismissal of alternatives and the exaggeration of certainty. GAO found that NIE 95-19 exaggerated the certainty of its key judgments that no new ICBM threats to CONUS would\narise in 15 years -- and that no evidence was presented to support that conclusion. Notably, the 1993 NIEs did not make these mistakes.\nI completely agree with your statement that the exclusion of Alaska and Hawaii from the assessment of the ballistic missile threat to the United States was \"foolish from every perspective.\" If these estimates are to be of any use to policy makers, they should be framed in such a way that they can form the basis for national security decisions, not CONUS security decisions.\nAs you know, earlier NIEs warned of a potential missile threat to the United States shortly after the turn of the century. Had the threat to Alaska and Hawaii been considered in the 1995 NIE, there is little doubt that the outcome would have been, at best, much less optimistic. Indeed, the faulty framework of the\n1995 NIE itself suggests politicization. The analysis also dismisses the remaining threat from Russia, exaggerates the efficacy of the MTCR and ignores critical developments which suggest the potential for accelerated maturation of a missile threat. It also conflicts with the 1993 assessment in terms of future missile threats to the United States without any attempt to justify such a major departure. I wholeheartedly agree with you that the estimate understated the risk of an unauthorized or accidental Russian missile launch, particularly in light of military and civil instability there.\nYou told the Senate Committee that the analysis was rushed to completion, and subsequent press reports quote you as attributing that to congressional pressure. Mr. Osias testified to the same effect. That is patently false, and events surrounding the release confirm that.\nIn January 1995, General Malcolm O'Neill requested from the intelligence community an assessment of the ballistic missile threat to the entire United States. He stated in congressional testimony that the intelligence community pledged to deliver it to him before the summer, in the May timeframe. Four months after the due date, I wrote to Secretary Perry expressing concern about the delay and asked him to ensure its timely delivery. General O'Neill had not received a copy of the NIE nor had he been informed of its completion, and I had not received a response to my letter when the unclassified findings on the 1995 NIE were released to Senators Bumpers and Levin during Senate debate on the National Defense Authorization bill. Interestingly, that release came in the form of a letter from CIA's congressional affairs office.\nOne would think that the primary customer, General O'Neill, would have been informed of the NIE's completion before the findings were released. But more to the point, if it was my letter which pressured the intelligence community to rush the NIE to completion, then why was I not informed of its release et the same time as the Senators, if not before? Even after the findings were released to the Senators, I did not receive any information on the NIE until one week later after I personally requested a CIA brief on it.\nSome have suggested that it was politically naive for the intelligence community to have released the NIE during the Senate debate. From my perspective, it was not political naivete which prompted the release, but political calculation. The intelligence community never publicly stated that it needed more time before the release, and it would not likely have jeopardized its work to meet any political deadline -- from Capitol Hill, the Administration or anywhere else.\nGiven that the NIE was already seven months past its due date, the notion that congressional pressure caused a premature report release is a foolish assertion on its face; so is the suggestion that it was a mere coincidence that the NIE was released during Senate debate. It is clear that the Administration recognized that the NIE could be used to advantage during debate on national missile defense policy; its congressional affairs representatives ensured that happened.\nWhile I agree with many of your criticisms of the NIE, I believe that defects which so significantly impact the outcome are suggestive of politicization deserve much harsher criticism. The mishandling of the 1995 NIE not only sullied the assessment process, but the community itself. Regardless of the cause for a flawed analysis, the community in my mind did an inadequate job and should not escape responsibility for shoddy workmanship. Nonetheless, I would still welcome the opportunity to meet with you if you have any evidence to support your claim in that regard.\nSincerely,\nCurt Weldon\nMember of Congress", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7697947025299072} {"content": "In their one-hour film, Paul Maguire and GYA member Alexander Kagansky take us on a journey through today’s world of science. Strung together in an ongoing dialogue on interdisciplinary research, we meet representatives of manifold disciplines: Art, philosophy, neuroscience, mathematics, education and sociology – to name only a few. The film discusses interdisciplinarity as both, a challenge and an opportunity for future-oriented academic work. It thereby showcases Nobel prize winner Peter Higgs, highly regarded professors such as Joyce Tait and Richard G. Morris and emerging young scientists from variying fields of research. BEYOND DISCIPLINE captures their perspectives on interdisciplinarity as a “mind-set” for research, innovation and peace.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7939719557762146} {"content": "GraphCrowd: Harnessing the Crowd to Lay Out Graphs with Applications to Cellular Signaling Pathways Date2016-07-05 Author\nSingh, Divit Pal\nMetadataShow full item record Abstract\nAutomated analysis of networks of interactions between proteins has become pervasive in molecular biology. Each node in such a network represents a protein and each edge an inter- action between two proteins. Nearly every publication that uses network analysis includes a visualization of a graph in which the nodes and edges are laid out in two dimensions. Several systems implement multiple types of graph layout algorithms and make them easily accessible to scientists. Despite the existence of these systems, interdisciplinary research teams in computational biology face several challenges in sharing computed networks and interpreting them. This thesis presents two systemsGraphSpace and GraphCrowdthat together enhance network- based collaboration. GraphSpace users can automatically and rapidly share richly- anno- tated networks, irrespective of the algorithms or software used to generate them. A user may search for networks that contain a specific node or edge, or a collection of nodes and edges. Users can manually modify a layout, save it, and share it with other users. Users can create private groups, invite other users to join groups, and share networks with group members. Upon publication, researchers may make networks public and provide a URL in the paper. GraphCrowd addresses the challenging posed by automated layout algorithms, which incor- porate almost no knowledge of the biological information underlying the networks. These algorithms compel researchers to use their knowledge and intuition to modify the node and edge positions manually to bring out salient features. GraphCrowd focuses on signaling networks, which connect proteins that represent a cells response to external signals. Treat- ing network layout as a design problem, GraphCrowd explores the feasibility of leveraging human computation via crowdsourcing to create simplified and meaningful visualizations. GraphCrowd provides a streamlined interface that enables crowd workers to easily manip- ulate networks to create layouts that follow a specific set of guidelines. GraphCrowd also implements an interface to allow a user (e.g., an expert or a crowd worker) to evaluate how well a layout conforms to the guidelines. We use GraphCrowd to address two research questions: (i) Can we harness the power of crowdsourcing to create simplified, biologically meaningful visualizations of signaling net- works?(ii) Can crowd workers rate layouts similarly to how an expert with domain knowledge would rate them? We design two systematic experiments that enable us to answer both ques- tions in the affirmative. This thesis establishes crowdsourcing as a powerful methodology for laying out complex signaling networks. Moreover, by developing appropriate domain-specific guidelines for crowd workers, GraphCrowd can be generalized to a variety of applications.\nCollections Masters Theses [16646]", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7601545453071594} {"content": "The CO150 Fall 2007 Common Syllabus is designed to achieve the following course goals, which are aligned with gtPathways and AUCC guidelines:\nThe syllabus writers also hope this curriculum moves students toward these broader educational goals:\nPhase 1: Reading for Critical Inquiry\nIn the first phase of the course, we're studying the work of an accomplished writer who addresses the question-at-issue:\nWhat should we eat? Michael Pollan is a professional writer and journalism professor whose writing for The New York Times exemplifies the thorough research, critical thinking and clear communication we ask our students to strive for. By looking at the strategies used by a writer who is trying to answer a significant question-at-issue as he approaches varying rhetorical situations, we hope to demonstrate critical inquiry-in-context that shares values and strategies with academic discourse. To this end, Unit 1 focuses on close and critical reading. We'll ask students to read several articles for various purposes, employing a variety of reading strategies. Our primary goal for this unit is to establish critical reading practices that will enable effective inquiry and support an understanding of writing as rhetorical practice. To assess students' close reading practices, we will ask them to write summaries of the readings. We'll assess students' critical reading practices with a review/letter at the end of this phase. Phase 2: Expanding Critical Inquiry through Investigation and Argument\nIn the second phase of the course, we expand our inquiry into the question of what we should eat by identifying related issues, developing and refining questions, and investigating those questions. The goals for this phase include not only increasing our understanding of the issues, but also engaging in the conversations about them. In the first phase, we learned how one writer investigated the \"ominvore's dilemma,\" considered some of the answers he found to \"what should we eat?\" and began posing further questions that Pollan's work raised for us. Now, we will refine some of those questions and investigate them. In the process of doing so, we will build\ninformation literacy as we find and select sources that offer a variety of perspectives on the questions we pose as well as credible and authoritative information. Students will work collaboratively to investigate one question and explain their findings to the class. These explanations can serve as initial inquiry for students who wish to pursue these questions further or as an impetus for initiating other lines of inquiry. Students will then join the conversation on a question-at-issue by writing an argument. Phase 3: Sharing Local Inquiry with Public Audiences\nIn the final phase of the course, students will apply the inquiry and writing practices and strategies they have been using in the course as well as learn and develop additional research methods and writing skills. So far, we have focused our inquiry on questions related to “the omnivore's dilemma.” At this point, we hope students have begun to understand how critical inquiry into significant questions crosses disciplinary boundaries. As students investigate their issue across a variety of disciplines, we expect that they will learn to develop a repertoire of strategies for considering purpose and audience is a variety of academic writing situations. In Phase 2, students had a chance to see how conversations about significant issues occur in layered contexts that are interrelated, much like an ecosystem. Phase 3 asks students to explore the local ecosystem of the CSU campus and surrounding community, focusing on sites of academic, social, cultural, recreational, political, or personal interest to new students at the university. In this unit, we ask students to\ninvestigate a site of interest--a course, an academic program, a service, an activity, an organization—and explain the results to inform new students about it. Based on their investigation of the site and evaluation of its value to students, students will then write an argument to promote the site to other students, to address a problem with the site, or to effect change.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8005914688110352} {"content": "This book provides a comprehensive overview of host genetic factors that influence susceptibility to infectious diseases. It deals with the role of infections as evolutionary forces, methods of identifying susceptibility genes, the role of susceptibility genes in the pathogenesis of infectious disease, as well as with the application of this knowledge in public health policy, vaccine development, and animal breeding.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8215123414993286} {"content": "There is currently a lively debate ongoing in society about the nature of trust and the conditions necessary to establish and sustain it. Given the role of trust in bridging uncertainty, it is perhaps not surprising that as our consciousness of risk has increased, the role and nature of trust in social practices has come under growing scrutiny. These developments are particularly relevant to health because participation in health practices is arguably based on and engendered through trust. There is thus a need for empirically based research, which intelligently unravels this complexity to support all stakeholders in the health arena. This multidisciplinary volume of work addresses this gap by contributing substantively to the exploration of trust in the experience, practice and organization of health. It offers an overview of recent scholarship, based on empirical research, which explores the significance of trust in relation to key health-related issues. At the same time, this text examines conceptual themes in relation to trust more generally, including the relationship between trust and auditing, consent, expert knowledges and social capital.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9997580051422119} {"content": "A significant worldwide challenge is to increase the food supply to accommodate a population growing to 9,000,000,000 in the face of climate change. Per capita water supply in Jordan is among the world's lowest. Despite this scarcity, three-quarters of Jordan's water use is consumed by irrigated agriculture, while producing low economic values from additional water used compared to urban uses. However, irrigated agriculture supports Jordan's food security, so its policymakers continue to examine measures to produce more crop per drop in irrigated agriculture, to permit scarce water to meet growing urban demands. This paper examines economically efficient measures to conserve water in irrigated agriculture to sustain growing urban water demands. Using a sample of one-third of the farms in Jordan's Mafraq Basin, an econometric model is formulated to identify factors influencing irrigation water use and economic productivity. Findings show that the price of water is the overarching factor influencing both. A low water price discourages water conservation even if other institutions promote it. A high price of water encourages conservation even in the presence of other discouraging factors. Results suggest that water-conserving policies in Jordan's irrigated agriculture can be more effectively implemented where water institutions and programs are designed to be compatible with the underlying economic scarcity of water. Results carry significant implications for the design and implementation of development programs affecting the use of water in the world's dry areas.\nKeywords: Aquifer, Irrigation, Jordan, Mafraq Basin, Urban water use, Water conservation", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9757811427116394} {"content": "We’ve all heard the media-driven dogma that everyone needs at least 8 hours of sleep per night for optimal neurophysiological performance. Striving for 8 hours of sleep is generally a healthy rule of thumb [for most people], but shouldn’t be considered a utopian amount for everyone. Many individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) sleep excessively, often exceeding 12 hours per night with intermittent naps throughout the day.\nWhile you may think that the extra sleep would promote vigor and possibly aid in combating depression, it turns out that in many cases, the opposite is true. Too much sleep perpetuates an imbalance of the circadian rhythm, and generally promotes or exacerbates depressive states. It turns out that among individuals with major depression, sometimes deliberate [self-induced] sleep deprivation can elicit potent antidepressant effects.\nAlthough most professionals don’t go around recommending sleep deprivation as an intervention for everyone, research since the 1970s has demonstrated the antidepressant potential of sleep deprivation. There is even some evidence to suggest that when combined with certain pharmaceutical antidepressants, sleep deprivation acts synergistically, reducing depression more than either intervention as a standalone option.\nSleep Deprivation For Depression: A Potent, Short-Term Treatment\nUnder normative circumstances, chronic sleep deprivation is known to detrimentally affect both physical and mental health. Those who frequently get a poor night’s sleep may suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, anxiety, chronic fatigue, impaired cognitive performance, and a noticeable decline in motor skills. However, among the depressed populace, strategic sleep deprivation (or restriction) can rapidly improve mood – sometimes quicker than any other intervention.\nHypothesized Mechanisms of Sleep Deprivation’s Antidepressant Effect\nThere are numerous hypothesized mechanisms behind the antidepressant effect associated with sleep deprivation. Most recently, researchers suggest that increased glial signaling of adenosine (A1) receptors is largely responsible for the mood boost derived from sleep deprivation. Others speculate that cumulative adjustments of: adenosine receptors, arousal, circadian rhythm, reduction of time spent in bed, and altered “microsleep” – may synergistically promote mood improvement.\nGlial signaling: A study published in 2013 investigated the antidepressant mechanism of sleep deprivation. It was discovered that glial signaling promotes the antidepressant effects derived from deprivation of sleep. Specifically, when astrocytes (star-shaped glial cells) signal to A1 (adenosine) receptors, depressive moods (and behaviors) are significantly reduced. A1 (Adenosine) receptors: Glial cells facilitate increased activation of synaptic A1 (adenosine) receptors. Researchers were able to confirm the involvement of A1 receptors by deliberately administering the drug CCPA, an A1 adenosine receptor agonist. Upon administration of CCPA, mood significantly improved.\nNote: It was suggested that the mechanisms associated with sleep deprivation may be useful to target in the development of newer pharmaceutical antidepressants. Drug developers could develop a compound that selectively modulates glial (astrocyte) signaling.\nSource: http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v3/n1/full/tp2012136a.html Arousal alterations: A study published in 1992 suggested that total sleep deprivation produces antidepressant effects via alteration of arousal. A total of 23 individuals with major depression were deprived of a full night’s sleep twice on a weekly basis for 2 consecutive weeks. Arousal was assessed with the Thayer’s Activation Deactivation Adjective Check List (AD ACL). Relief from depressive symptoms was directly associated with arousal assessment scores. Evidence suggested that sleep deprivation enhances certain aspects of arousal, while decreases subcortical arousal. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10607054 Circadian rhythm: Many people with major depression have circadian rhythm abnormalities that perpetuate and/or exacerbate their depression. Inability to normalize the circadian rhythm can have detrimental long-term consequences for both physical and mental health. It appears as though sleep deprivation therapy may combat depression via modulation of the circadian rhythm, correcting various abnormalities and altering activation of specific genetic biomarkers. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22906517 Cortisol increases: A study published in 2004 noted that just one night of sleep deprivation can significantly reduce depressive symptoms in up to 60% of patients. In this study, researchers explored the role of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis in the attenuation of depressive symptoms. They specifically recorded levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) prior to, during, and following one night of sleep deprivation.\nAmong those who experienced an antidepressant effect, cortisol levels were significantly elevated during the night of sleep deprivation as well as the following day. Those who didn’t respond to sleep deprivation didn’t experience clinically significant changes in cortisol levels. Researchers speculate that significant elevations in post-sleep deprivation cortisol (compared to baseline) may predict antidepressant responses.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15285966 Decreased sleep fragmentation: Excessive sleep is associated with increases in sleep fragmentation or lack of deep (slow-wave) sleep. It appears as though acute sleep restriction may decrease sleep fragmentation, ultimately increasing the amount of deep, restorative sleep that is attained. Perhaps normalization of the circadian rhythm with sleep deprivation is what trains the body to adapt to sleeping during a specific chunk of time. As the body comes to learn that it must sleep during a shorter allotted timeframe, it may decrease fragmentation. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15144959/ Microsleep minimization: “Microsleeps” may influence the antidepressant effect of sleep deprivation. These are considered ultrashort, unintentional episodes of attention loss that last 5 to 10 seconds. It appears as though individuals undergoing partial-sleep deprivation as a treatment for depression experience greatest improvement when microsleep is minimized compared to those who experience high amounts of microsleep. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9611673/ Neurotransmission: A publication from 2014 analyzed changes in plasma metabolites among 12 sleep deprived individuals. They used liquid chromatography to determine alterations in plasma metabolites that were specifically altered as a result of sleep deprivation. They discovered that 27 metabolites increased – perhaps most notably tryptophan, serotonin, and taurine.\nIt has long been known that increasing serotonin can elicit an antidepressant response, and past-research suggests that among depressed individuals, taurine levels are generally altered. Therefore, it is important to consider that increases in levels of tryptophan, serotonin, and taurine could contribute to the antidepressant efficacy of sleep deprivation.\nSource: http://www.pnas.org/content/111/29/10761.abstract Reduction of “time in bed”: It is well known that people with depression are unable to summon up the motivation to get out of bed and/or get things done. Despite the fact that energy may be low among those with depression, spending excess time in bed as a result of oversleeping can promote grogginess and lethargy as a result of this habit. By reducing the time spent in bed with sleep deprivation, individuals break the psychological crutch of staying in bed all day and may feel less fatigued – contributing to an antidepressant effect. REM reduction: Individuals with depression often experience REM sleep earlier in the night and an overall increase in rapid-eye movement compared to those with normative moods. Sleep deprivation has been hypothesized to alter the amount of REM (rapid-eye movement) that a person experiences during their sleep cycle, potentially contributing to a therapeutic antidepressant response. In addition, some believe that the antidepressant effect from REM reduction is a result of REM-restricted increases in BDNF levels. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26146031 Sleep Deprivation for Depression Treatment (Research)\nResearchers have known that sleep deprivation can be used as a potent intervention for depression since the 1970s. Nearly every study has suggested short-term efficacy of sleep deprivation as a short-term treatment for a majority (up to 60%) of those with major depression. In addition to improving mood, sleep deprivation may provide an added benefit of enhancing executive performance and potentiating antidepressant responses.\n2014: A study published in 2014 aimed to determine the effect of sleep deprivation on EEG (electroencephalograph) and executive functions among individuals with depression. Researchers recruited 18 individuals with a diagnosis of depression and 21 healthy non-depressed individuals. They used a polysomnography to assess changes before and after sleep deprivation, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to measure depression.\nExecutive performance was measured with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), an assessment used to determine cognitive flexibility. Results indicated that sleep deprivation significantly improved mood and cognitive function among those with depression. This was evidenced by the decrease in depression scores from “6.7” to “2.9” and reduced errors in various measures of the WCST.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25266518 2010: A paper published in 2010 reported that sleep deprivation as a treatment for depression is effective for 40% to 60% of all patients. Despite the significant short-term efficacy of sleep deprivation as an antidepressant, it is estimated that nearly 4/5 (80%) of all individuals experience a relapse of depressive symptoms within several days. Still, authors note that sleep deprivation is highly-effective despite its mysterious, unknown mechanism of action. Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20586691 2003: A publication from 2003 notes that acute sleep deprivation for one night or partial sleep deprivation (in the second half of the night) significantly improves mood of approximately 60% of individuals with depression for the following day. Authors of this publication mention the fact that sleep deprivation yields the most rapid antidepressant response, even more rapid than ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181780/ 2002: A report from 2002 suggests that “total sleep deprivation,” or deprivation of sleep for an entire night, significantly improves mood in up to 60% of those diagnosed with depression. Authors of the report suggest that responses are subject to significant individual variation, with certain individuals experiencing an increase in depression (up to 7%) and others experiencing full symptomatic remission. They also mention that antidepressant responses to total sleep deprivation are noted during the night of the deprivation and/or throughout the following day.\nIn less common cases, up to 15% of individuals experience reductions in depression after brief “recovery sleep” the following day. Unfortunately, up to 80% of those who experience a reduction in depressive symptoms from sleep deprivation end up experiencing symptomatic relapse (complete or partial). In many cases, a return to the pre-deprivation sleep schedule triggers symptomatic relapse.\nAuthors report that antidepressant properties of sleep deprivation can often be maintained with antidepressant augmentation strategies (e.g. pharmaceutical drugs, light therapy, etc.). Moreover, some sources suggest that “partial sleep deprivation” throughout the second half of the night is equal in efficacy to “total sleep deprivation” (no sleep for the entire night). Whether partial deprivation is superior as an antidepressant to total deprivation remains unknown.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12531127 2002: Researchers in 2002 stated that partial sleep deprivation can significantly ameliorate depressive symptoms. Despite fast-acting antidepressant relief from sleep deprivation, a majority of individuals engaging in partial sleep deprivation relapse in depressive symptoms within just one night. In this study, researchers used repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to determine whether it could prevent relapse in depressive symptoms.\nA group of 20 individuals with depression that responded to partial sleep deprivation were assigned to receive TMS or a sham-TMS. They discovered that TMS significantly elongated the antidepressant response associated with sleep deprivation, thus it may be an effective way to inhibit relapse. That said, it is important to consider that the TMS may be acting as a standalone antidepressant among responders to sleep deprivation rather than potentiating its effect.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12002519 2001: Researchers noted that when used in conjunction with serotonergic and noradrenergic antidepressants, total sleep deprivation may enhance antidepressant response. In addition, the combination of lithium and total sleep deprivation may also provide a sustained antidepressant effect. A study published in 2001 suggested that total sleep deprivation may elicit an antidepressant effect via dopaminergic mechanisms.\nThis study aimed to test the hypothesis that total sleep deprivation (e.g. skipping sleep for an entire night) had dopaminergic effects contributing to its antidepressant efficacy. A total of 28 individuals diagnosed with bipolar depression were assigned to total sleep deprivation with administration of the drug Survector (Amineptine) or a placebo. Results indicated that total sleep deprivation significantly attenuated depressive symptoms, but the effect was not significantly enhanced by Survector by the end of the treatment.\nIt should be noted that despite no synergistic effects of total sleep deprivation and Survector (a dopamine reuptake inhibitor with a minor affinity for norepinephrine), the effect of total sleep deprivation in isolation provided significant therapeutic benefit. This suggests that among individuals with severe bipolar depression, total sleep deprivation may be an advisable intervention.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11728613 1999: A study published in 1999 discussed the therapeutic potency of sleep deprivation among individuals with bipolar depression. Their goal was to test the efficacy of the drug Pindolol when administered synergistically with intervention of total sleep deprivation. Pindolol is a beta blocker that is nonselective, with some effects as a 5-HT1A (serotonergic) receptor weak partial agonist and antagonist.\nA total of 40 individuals with bipolar depression were randomly assigned to receive Pindolol (7.5 mg) or a placebo for 9 days in conjunction with 3 sessions of total sleep deprivation. Results indicated that administration of Pindolol potentiated the antidepressant effect associated with total sleep deprivation. Further, it appears as though Pindolol administration provided a sustained antidepressant effect, thus preventing relapse.\nThis finding is especially helpful for individuals with bipolar depression. Researchers noted that the antidepressant response from the combination of total sleep deprivation and Pindolol could be maintained for 6 consecutive months (a longer term) with administration of lithium salts in approximately 65% of cases. As was noted in newer research, authors suggest a serotonergic mechanism of total sleep deprivation, thus aiding in the reversal of depressive symptoms.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10088139 1993: A study from 1993 indicated that an estimated 70% of all adults diagnosed with depression can experience antidepressant effects of sleep deprivation. That said, it wasn’t known as to whether sleep deprivation would provide benefits among adolescents diagnosed with depression. In this study, researchers recruited a total of 17 adolescents diagnosed with psychiatric disturbances and deprived them of sleep for 36 hours.\nPrior to the sleep deprivation, assessments of both depression severity and subjective arousal were recorded. These same assessments were also collected during the sleep deprivation and after a night of recovery sleep. Results were interesting in that adolescents with severe depression experienced significant therapeutic benefit from sleep deprivation.\nHowever, among patients considered “in remission” from depression, the 36 hours of sleep deprivation worsened their depressive symptoms and notably decreased their subjective arousal. Authors noted that there are likely parallels in responses to sleep deprivation among adolescents and adults with severe depression.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8340295 1992: In the early 1990s, a review of evidence of sleep deprivation as a treatment for depression was published. This review incorporated all research investigating sleep deprivation for clinical purposes. Researchers focused on 6 clinically relevant interventions of sleep deprivation including: enhancement of antidepressant medication efficacy, expediting an antidepressant’s therapeutic onset, as an inhibitor of mood cycling, as an alternative intervention to pharmaceutical antidepressants, usefulness as a diagnostic aid, and predicting responses to antidepressants.\nThe review drew evidence from a total of 36 published studies. The review literature suggested that sleep deprivation may potentiate the efficacy of antidepressants. In addition, sleep deprivation appeared to expedite antidepressant onset of action and aided in the distinguishing of dementia from pseudo-dementia stemming from depression. It was unclear as to whether sleep deprivation could be used to successfully predict antidepressant responses.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1734735 1992: A study conducted in the early 1990s noted that sleep deprivation often demonstrated rapid antidepressant efficacy among certain individuals with depression. Researchers in this study sought to distinguish differences in regional activation within the brain of those who respond to sleep deprivation from those who didn’t respond. To accomplish this, a brain imaging technique called PET (Positron Emission Tomography) was utilized.\nThe PET scans were conducted pre-sleep deprivation and post-sleep deprivation in a group of 15 individuals with major depression. It was noted that those who respond to sleep deprivation have significantly greater metabolism in the cingulate cortex region of the brain (following sleep-deprivation) compared to those who don’t respond. Of the 15 patients, a total of 4 experienced greater than 40% reduction in depressive symptoms based on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D).\nWhile this study proved that sleep deprivation is effective in a subset of those with depression, it appears as though not everyone responds. Researchers speculated that among the responders, it appears as though the limbic system may have been overactive, and thus contributing to their depression. Among the nonresponders, depressive symptoms may be non-limbic and as a result, they derived no substantial benefit from sleep deprivation.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1554042 1982: In the early 1980s, researchers were reporting that sleep deprivation may elicit an antidepressant effect as a result of altering sleep latency, sleep fragmentation, and REM sleep. Authors noted that sleep deprivation for one night contributes to a substantial antidepressant effect. It was speculated that certain sleep-dependent processes associated with sleep regulation are impaired among the depressed populace.\nSpecifically, deficiencies in “Process S” are thought to contribute to abnormal sleep among those with depression. Researchers noted that the antidepressant effect associated with sleep deprivation is likely a result of an increase in “Process S” as a result of extended waking periods. Although in this report researchers were attempting to decipher the antidepressant mechanisms of sleep deprivation, they highlighted its efficacy as a short-term antidepressant intervention.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7185793 1980: A study from 1980 analyzed a sleep deprivation task as an intervention for depression. A total of 14 individuals with depression were matched with 14 healthy controls. This sleep deprivation task specifically focused on waking individuals to minimize REM (rapid-eye movement) phase sleep.\nAmong those with depression, REM sleep is often excessive compared to NREM (non-REM) sleep. It was noted that prior to REM deprivation, those with depression had reductions in REM latency, greater REM frequency, and the temporal distribution of REM was considered abnormal – compared to the healthy controls. Results indicated that REM deprivation provided therapeutic antidepressant benefit among those with depression, possibly by temporarily restoring an imbalanced circadian rhythm.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7362414/ Benefits of Sleep Deprivation for Depression\nThere are many benefits of strategically engaging in sleep deprivation for the treatment of depression. Regardless of whether you’re using total sleep deprivation (skipping sleep for a full night), partial sleep deprivation (skipping sleep for part of the night), or specifically depriving yourself of REM (rapid-eye movement) – all serve as potent short-term antidepressants.\nAdjunct treatment: Sleep deprivation has been documented as being highly effective when used as an adjunct treatment for depression. In other words, among those taking antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs), sleep deprivation may potentiate the antidepressant response and/or onset of action. Further, sleep deprivation may provide someone with temporary relief from depressive symptoms while they are waiting for their pharmaceutical antidepressant to work. Circadian rhythm modulation: Many individuals with depression are thought to have abnormalities of the circadian rhythm. In other words, their “biological clocks” are thrown out of balance, possibly due to the depression. However, in some cases the direct cause of depression is likely a circadian rhythm abnormality. Sleep deprivation is thought to modulate the circadian rhythm and correct disturbances. Established efficacy: Sleep deprivation has been documented as an effective short-term intervention for depression since the 1970s. It has been suggested as an effective antidepressant for up to 60% of individuals with depressive disorders. Moreover, it appears as though many types of sleep deprivation including: total-night, partial-night, and REM deprivation all provide substantial mood boosts among those with depression. Executive improvement: Some research has suggested that both arousal and executive performance improve among those with depression who engage in sleep deprivation. Perhaps the noticeable executive improvement among those with depression contributes to the antidepressant effect. After all, many individuals with depression complain of brain fog – which may exacerbate their depressive feelings. Fast-acting: Among the most prominent benefits of sleep deprivation is the fact that it provides rapid antidepressant effects. Studies have documented that the antidepressant (mood boosting) effect associated with sleep deprivation is often noted to occur during the deprivation and is sustained throughout the following day. This fast-acting effect may be beneficial for someone who is highly suicidal, feeling as if they want to die. Limbic system modulation: Certain reports suggest that those who are most likely to benefit from sleep deprivation may have overactive limbic systems. Engaging in sleep deprivation tones down activity within the limbic region of the brain, and ultimately contributes to feeling less depressed. Should you have depressive feelings stemming from the limbic regions (anterior cingulate), sleep deprivation may temporarily normalize the activity within these regions. Neurotransmission: It appears as though sleep deprivation affects glial signaling to adenosine A1 receptors, increases serotonin (and its precursor tryptophan), and taurine. The specifics of alterations in neurotransmission as a result of sleep deprivation aren’t fully understood, but it may be that the sleep deprivation is having an impact on mood via serotonergic mechanisms. Fully elucidating the alterations in neurotransmission associated with sleep deprivation could help spur the creation of new antidepressants. Potent antidepressant effect: Most people don’t question whether sleep deprivation is effective as a transient treatment for depression due to the fact that improvements are often significant. Reports suggest that it may be more effective as a short-term antidepressant than other approved options. Although not everyone responds to sleep deprivation, those who do often experience substantial reductions in depressive symptoms. Prevents oversleeping: Many individuals with depression have gotten into the habit of oversleeping. Though the depression may have caused fatigue, tiredness, grogginess, and brain fog – often times a person’s neurophysiology adapts to the new behavior of increased sleep. The neurophysiological adaptations may be perpetuating and/or exacerbating depressive emotions. Sleep deprivation prevents oversleeping, forcing a person to break their depressive neurophysiological patterns, which may contribute to the antidepressant effect. Sustainability with pharmaceuticals: There is some evidence suggesting that the antidepressant effect resulting from sleep deprivation can be maintained long after the night of deprivation. While the antidepressant effect from sleep deprivation is generally considered transient, some papers document sustainability of up to 6 months with the right treatment. Sustainability may be more pronounced among those with bipolar depression due to the fact that they are more sensitive to mood adjustments. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and even repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have been shown to sustain sleep deprivation’s effect. Synergistic effects: The antidepressant effect from sleep deprivation can often be enhanced in a synergistic manner with administration of specific pharmaceutical drugs. For example, one study cited that administration Pindolol (a beta blocker with a weak effect on the 5-HT1A receptor) potentiated the antidepressant responses from sleep deprivation. Combining sleep deprivation with an SSRI or SNRI may generate a synergistic antidepressant response. It has also been theorized that tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and certain MAOIs (e.g. Tranylcypromine) may act synergistically with sleep deprivation as a result of REM suppression. Temporary contrast: Perhaps the most notable benefit of sleep deprivation among those with clinical depression is that it provides temporary contrast, allowing the individual to understand that they are capable of feeling less depressed. Many people stuck in depression for an extended period of time often assume that they’ve always felt depressed. The antidepressant effect of sleep deprivation gives them some emotional contrast and may provide them with increased hope and/or optimism of improvement. Drawbacks of using sleep deprivation for depression\nThere are some potential disadvantages associated with using sleep deprivation as an intervention for depression. The most notable disadvantage is that not everyone is guaranteed to respond, thus it could actually worsen depressive symptoms in a subset of individuals. In addition, the biggest downfall associated with sleep deprivation is that it’s generally only effective for a short-term.\nAdverse health effects: Sleep deprivation can cause a variety of adverse health effects and compromise your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery the following day. In fact, evidence has shown that those who are sleep deprived suffer from compromised driving performance to a greater extent than those who drive drunk. Sleep deprivation increases risk of heart abnormalities (e.g. irregular beats), stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Daytime fatigue: Although one study suggested enhancement of executive function following sleep deprivation among those with depression, it cannot be assumed that everyone experiences this enhancement. In fact, some individuals may end up feeling more fatigued than usual, suffering from excessive daytime fatigue. Daytime fatigue could significantly impair job (or school) performance. Not universally effective: While estimates suggest that between 40% and 60% of those with major depression experience short-term benefit from sleep deprivation, it is clearly not universally effective. Some individuals derive no benefit from a night without sleep and may end up feeling fatigued and equally as depressed the following day. Should you try sleep deprivation, there’s a chance you won’t notice any change in mood. Short-term efficacy: Despite sleep deprivation’s proven efficacy as a treatment for depression, its antidepressant effect is generally considered extremely short-term and/or transient. Among the 60% of individuals who experience mood improvement, most end up experiencing a full relapse of depressive symptoms within a day or two. That said, there are some medications that can be used to maintain a longer-term effect (up to 3 months). Side effects: Even if sleep deprivation successfully reduces your depressive symptoms, there’s a chance that it may result in unwanted side effects including: anxiety, brain fog, cognitive impairment, emotional recognition difficulties, and lethargy. It is important to be cognizant of potential side effects associated with reduced sleep. Sleep deprivation can trigger hypomania (or mania) among individuals with bipolar disorder, provoke psychotic symptoms, and increase seizure susceptibility. Worsening of depression: One study estimates that of individuals with depression who try sleep deprivation as an antidepressant intervention, up to 15% experience a worsening of depressive symptoms. Any intervention that has the potential to worsen symptoms should be used with caution. Individuals agreeing to test sleep deprivation for their depression may want to remind themselves that it could exacerbate their symptoms rather than alleviate them. Who is most likely to benefit from sleep deprivation for depression? Factors to consider.\nClearly not everyone should use sleep deprivation as a treatment for depression. Research has suggested certain factors can be used to predict whether you’re likely to benefit from sleep deprivation as a treatment for depression.\nBipolar depression: Those with bipolar depression often derive significant benefit from using sleep deprivation as an antidepressant intervention. It is unknown as to why those with bipolar disorder may derive more benefit from sleep deprivation, but it is hypothesized that bipolar patients may be more sensitive to “switching” of moods. Sleep deprivation may trigger a “switching” mechanism for an antidepressant response, which can be augmented with a mood stabilizer (e.g. lithium) for long lasting results. Chronotype: Research demonstrates that those who are most likely to benefit from sleep deprivation tend to have specific circadian preferences. Those that derive the most benefit from sleep deprivation tend to prefer staying up later or have an “eveningness” preference. Individuals with a “morningness” preference were more likely to experience a worsening of depression following sleep deprivation. Depressive subtypes: The two depressive subtypes most likely to benefit from sleep deprivation include: endogenous depression (naturally occurring without external influences) and melancholic depression (characterized by anhedonia and lack of mood reactivity). It is unknown as to whether certain types of depression are more likely to worsen following sleep deprivation compared to others. High arousal: Individuals with a higher baseline level of arousal tend to respond significantly more than those who have lower arousal. This could be due to the fact that those with higher arousal have a different neurophysiological signature associated with their depression compared to those with lower levels of arousal. Greater arousal may be associated with faster-paced brain waves (e.g. beta waves) compared to slower ones (e.g. theta waves) and different neurotransmission. “Limbic” depression: One study documented that those with high baseline metabolism within the anterior cingulate region of the brain responded better to sleep deprivation for depression than those with lower baseline metabolism. This suggests that individuals with depression characterized by overactivation within the limbic region may be more likely to respond to sleep deprivation. PET scan data suggests that sleep deprivation may normalize metabolic activity within the anterior cingulate. Mood swings: Individuals with significant mood swings or subject to significant variance in mood throughout the day or between multiple days are more likely to respond to sleep deprivation for depression. It is unclear as to why depression with mood swings makes an individual more likely to derive benefit from sleep deprivation, but it is an important factor that may help predict individuals that are more likely to respond.\nNote: There are factors that seem to be non-predictive of responses to sleep deprivation for depression including: age, depression severity, duration of depression (or illness), number of prior antidepressant treatments, subjective expectation, and sex.\nSource: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181780/ Strategies to Maintain the Antidepressant Effects of Sleep Deprivation\nThere are several proven strategies that potentiate the antidepressant effect of sleep deprivation. While several involve co-administration of pharmaceutical drugs (antidepressants, beta blockers, mood stabilizers) – other interventions include: light therapy, sleep phase advance therapy, and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.\nAntidepressants: Administration of SSRIs and SNRIs may aid in sustaining the antidepressant effect of sleep deprivation. Perhaps more likely to sustain the antidepressant response is administration of a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) or specific MAOI that suppresses REM (rapid-eye movement) sleep. A decrease in REM sleep and increases in specific neurotransmitters resulting from the antidepressants may potentiate the effect of sleep deprivation. Beta blockers: The drug Pindolol, a nonselective beta-blocker has been researched and cited as an effective adjunct to sleep deprivation. It appears as though administration of this drug can extend the antidepressant effect of sleep deprivation. It is unclear as to whether any other beta blockers have this same effect as Pindolol – acting on the 5-HT1A receptor. Light therapy: Administration of bright light therapy the morning after sleep deprivation can extend the antidepressant effect of the intervention. In one study, patients were divided into 2 groups: one received bright light therapy, while the other received no bright light therapy after the sleep deprivation. The group that didn’t receive the bright light therapy experienced a depressive relapse within one day, whereas the group receiving bright light therapy maintained their antidepressant response for a week. Mood stabilizers: Among those with bipolar depression, administration of lithium tends to extend the efficacy of sleep deprivation. In fact, those with bipolar disorder are significantly more likely to respond to sleep deprivation in the first place. Lithium may help prevent a person’s mood from plummeting once they’ve managed to transition out of the depressed state. Sleep phase advance: A study conducted in the 1990s documented that by “shifting” a person’s sleep schedule by one hour each day, they were able to maintain the antidepressant effect provided by sleep deprivation. Researchers scheduled individuals to sleep from 5 PM to 12 PM, then 6 PM to 1 AM, followed by 7 PM to 2 AM (and so on) – until the sleep phase had reached 11 PM to 6 AM. This shifting significantly preserved improved mood derived from sleep deprivation. Transcranial magnetic stimulation: Using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has demonstrated preliminary efficacy in extending the antidepressant effect of sleep deprivation. The effect was noted to be maintained several days longer than the norm. It is unclear as to how long the antidepressant effect can be maintained with consistent rTMS following sleep deprivation.\nNote: It is unclear as to whether combining multiple strategies such as administration of Pindolol, using bright light therapy, sleep phase advance, and transcranial magnetic stimulation would significantly extend the antidepressant effect of sleep deprivation compared to using just one adjunct intervention. Responses to these maintenance strategies are likely subject to significant individual variation.\nHow often should you use sleep deprivation for depression?\nThere are no definitive guidelines as to how often sleep deprivation should be used for those with severe depression. Assuming an individual derives significant benefits from sleep deprivation, it may be used up to several times per week. The goal isn’t to deprive an individual of sleep every night as this would result in adverse health effects.\nMost people will want to work with a professional that has some experience with using sleep deprivation as an antidepressant. By working with a professional, you can come up with a personalized frequency to maximize the benefit you derive from deprivation. For example, you may benefit from 3 nights of sleep deprivation per week, whereas another person may find that they only benefit from 1 night of sleep deprivation per week.\nFurther, the specific type of sleep deprivation (e.g. total deprivation, partial deprivation, REM deprivation) may make a difference. In addition to deprivation, coming up with a set sleep schedule or restricting sleep (to prevent oversleeping) may provide added benefit. I’ve recommended tweaking sleep as a way to biohack your mental health and overcome depression with logic.\nMy interest in sleep deprivation as a treatment for depression\nI became interested in sleep deprivation as an intervention for depression as a result of contrasting times in my life when I felt happy with times that I felt depressed. When I was depressed, I ended up taking antidepressants – some of which made me feel extremely tired. On these drugs I would sleep for 10 to 14 hours per night, wake up, only to sleep even more throughout the day.\nIn my experience, the antidepressants caused chronic fatigue, and exacerbated depression – both of which were maintained upon withdrawal. I continued to have severe brain fog and fatigue as a result of an antidepressant-induced chemical imbalance. My neurochemistry was a shambles and nothing seemed to fix it until I developed PTSD and severe hypochondria (health anxiety).\nThe combination of PTSD and hypochondria resulted in significant increases in adrenaline levels, which prevented me from getting the standard 10 to 14 hours of sleep that I was getting on antidepressants. Now I was getting about 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night, possibly less than 6 a few nights of the week. Reduction in sleep hours was due primarily to anxiety-induced insomnia and a state of hyperarousal.\nAs I overcame my PTSD and adrenaline addiction, I realized that my sleep hours began increasing and my mood went from being highly-anxious + happier to less anxious + more depressed. I documented these subtleties and hypothesized that sleep deprivation may increase arousal and ultimately elicit an antidepressant effect. Just like the research suggested, I found that temporary sleep deprivation improved my mood, but chronic deprivation and restriction impaired my executive functioning.\nI believe that individuals with higher arousal are likely to be less depressed, and thus get more sleep compared to those with lower arousal – who may have less activating neurotransmission and neuroelectrical activity (e.g. beta wave deficiencies). I think it would be interesting to analyze the neuroelectrical activity (brain waves) of individuals with depression that respond to sleep deprivation as an antidepressant intervention.\nTheoretically, certain commonalities in the brain activation could be noted among those who experience an antidepressant effect, and these could be consciously trained via EEG neurofeedback and/or combined with decoded neurofeedback to target regional activation. While the effects of sleep deprivation are more complex than neuroelectrical activity, it would be worth investigating.\nHave you deliberately tried sleep deprivation for depression?\nIf you’ve engaged in sleep deprivation as a treatment for depression, feel free to share your experience in the comments section below. To help others better understand your situation, mention whether you were assigned a specific sleep deprivation protocol by a professional (e.g. partial sleep deprivation) or whether you deliberately skipped sleep on your own as a treatment. Discuss whether the sleep deprivation ended up being an effective short-term antidepressant or whether no noticeable response was noted.\nIf the sleep deprivation was effective, note when you noticed your mood shifting from depression to feeling less depressed, and how long you were able to sustain the antidepressant response before your mood relapsed. Were you taking any medications and/or supplements that may have influenced (or potentiated) your response to the deprivation?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6334925889968872} {"content": "Economically stable and prosperous communities foster a sense of neighborhood pride and encourage residents to engage in community events and civic activities, helping prevent crime and violence that discourages investment in jobs and business opportunities.\nReview these resources to understand how economically stable and prosperous communities influence the health of residents; the economic benefits of pursing mixed-use and equitable development; and tools to leverage investment in your community.\nThese case stories show examples of establishing healthy neighborhoods by way of economic development and revitalization. Each story includes lessons learned, links to additional resources and can serve as examples other agencies may consider and adapt to meet their communities’ unique circumstances.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6125346422195435} {"content": "An unusual heat burst occurred shortly after 3 am on the morning April 25, 2012, across the Springfield area. The temperature jumped some 15 to 20 degrees in a matter of 15 to 30 minutes, rising from the middle 50s and low 60s to the middle and upper 70s. The sudden rise in the thermometer was accompanied by a downburst of winds that gusted to near 40 and 50 mph in some locations. What is a Heat Burst? Heat bursts are interesting, relatively rare, atmospheric nighttime events characterized by gusty winds, a rapid increase in surface temperature, and a decrease in surface dewpoint associated with a dissipating thunderstorm. There are two main atmospheric ingredients that are necessary for a heat burst to occur. The first is a dissipating thunderstorm or shower. Second, the midlevel atmospheric environment must be hot and dry, combined with a shallow surface inversion. Thunderstorms develop when moist, unstable air is given a nudge upward. Moisture in the cloud condenses and later falls as precipitation. Once the thunderstorm loses its updraft, the thunderstorm is said to be downdraft dominated. When this occurs with a hot and dry atmospheric midlevel in place, the moisture associated with the downdraft evaporates and initially cools this layer, increasing its rate of descent toward the surface. However, the descending air will stop cooling once all the moisture has evaporated, therefore causing adiabatic (compressional) warming and mixing of the warm (inversion) layer. The heat burst will occur once the warm and dry air descends to the surface.\nThis is the Doppler radar image at 3:04 am showing rapidly decaying thunderstorms just west of the Springfield metro area.\nThis is the Doppler radar image showing the velocity or winds in the atmosphere at 3:04 am. The labeled areas in light blue show where winds are around 40 to 50 mph near the ground from these decaying thunderstorms.\nA MESONET weather station located near Rogersville reported a temperature rise from 54 degrees to 75 degrees with a peak wind gust of 30 mph shortly after 3 am. The ASOS weather reporting station located at the Springfield-Branson National Airport reported a temperature rise from 63 degrees to 75 degrees with a peak wind gustof 39 mph shortly after 3 am.\nA MESONET weather station located in Battlefield reported a temperatures rise from 65 degrees to 74 degrees with a peak wind gust of 46 mph around 3 am.\nA MODOT weather station located at the interchange of I-44 and Highway 65 on the northeast side of Springfield reported a rise in temperature from 66 degrees to 78 degrees with a peak wind gust of 38 mph between 3 am and 4 am.\nThis is a look at the upper air sounding or weather ballon data from the previous evening. It shows a warm and dry airmass up to 600 mb with an unstable atmosphere above the 600 mb level. This explains why there were high based thunderstorms last night which collasped into warm, dry air and causing a heat burst.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6168256402015686} {"content": "Single-Donor Pancreas Islet Transplantation Procedure Shows Promise\nArticle ID: 509781\nReleased: 10-Feb-2005 4:40 PM EST\nSource Newsroom: JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association\nNewswise — Patients with type 1 diabetes who received islet transplantation from a single donor pancreas were insulin independent one year later, according to a study in the February 16 issue of\nJAMA, a theme issue on medical applications of biotechnology.\nType 1 diabetes remains a therapeutic challenge, according to background information in the article. The success rate of islet (cells that produce insulin to control blood sugar levels) transplants has recently been increased markedly by transplanting a higher number of islets prepared from 2 to 4 donor pancreases. However, for islet transplants to become a widespread clinical reality, additional advances are still needed. In particular, restoration of insulin independence must be achieved with a single donor, as is also the case with pancreas transplants, to reduce the risks and costs and increase the availability of islet transplantation.\nBernhard J. Hering, M.D., of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and colleagues conducted a study to assess the effectiveness and safety of islet transplantation from a single pancreas. The trial was conducted from July 2001 to August 2003 and enrolled eight women with type 1 diabetes.\nDuring the trial there were no serious, unexpected, or procedure- or immunosuppression-related adverse events. All eight recipients achieved insulin independence and freedom from hypoglycemia. Five remained insulin-independent for longer than 1 year.\n\"Our results mark a distinct advance in islet transplant efficacy. We not only achieved insulin independence using islets from only 1 donor pancreas [as compared with 2 to 4 in another trial], we also achieved superior glycemic control (as evidenced by normal results of oral glucose tolerance testing in 4 of 5 recipients with sustained insulin independence) using significantly fewer islets,\" the authors write. \"These findings may have implications for the ongoing transition of islet transplantation from clinical investigation to routine clinical care.\"\n\"While these findings may suggest a distinct advance in islet transplantation, further study in a larger population with longer follow-up will be critical to assess the risk-benefit ratio of this emerging therapeutic option,\" the researchers conclude.\n(JAMA. 2005;293:830-835. Available post-embargo at http://JAMA.com)\nEditor's Note: This study was supported by grants from Roche Laboratories Inc., the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. SangStat provided rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin. Wyeth-Ayerst supplied sirolimus.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8467634320259094} {"content": "National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention Working Session 2011\nRepresentatives from Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, Salinas, and San Jose gathered in Washington, DC on October 31 and November 1, 2011 for the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention Working Session. The Forum is a collaboration between the U.S. Departments of Justice, Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Working Session brought together a diverse group of participants involved in the local youth violence prevention efforts in each city along with federal staff, researchers, and experts. Dequan O’Neal, a Youth Leader from the Neighborhood Service Organization’s Youth Initiatives Project in Detroit, MI, also participated in the meeting.\nOver the course of the two days, Working Session attendees participated in panel discussions, presentations, and facilitated discussions where they discussed the implementation of the cities’ comprehensive plans to prevent and reduce youth violence. The conference began with opening remarks by Assistant Attorney General Laurie Robinson and Attorney General Eric Holder, who emphasized the importance of interagency coordination in the Forum’s efforts. The Forum cities’ comprehensive plans blend prevention, intervention, enforcement, and reentry and focus on multi-disciplinary partnerships, balanced approaches, and data-driven strategies to ensure that cities address the wide range of factors associated with youth violence.\nMichael Strautmanis, Deputy Assistant to the President and Counselor for Strategic Engagement at the White House, who is charged with leading the Forum Steering Committee, expressed his and the President’s deep appreciation for the commitment and the hard work that everyone at the local and federal level has given to this effort of preventing youth violence. He also mentioned the President’s plan to pass the American Jobs Act as a way to get more youth and families back to work and reduce the strain on local economies that are overwhelmed with high unemployment numbers.\nJeff Slowikowski, Acting Administrator for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the U.S. Department of Justice stressed the important role of youth and family engagement during his remarks. A panel on youth, family, and faith based partnerships further explored this issue and allowed participants to hear concrete examples of successful partnerships.\nEach of the six cities involved in the Forum presented an update on the implementation of their plans and challenges they’ve encountered. Information sharing was a common challenge across the cities, as was securing funding and deepening diverse partnerships throughout the community. Panel presentation throughout the two day Working Session highlighted tools for successful multi-disciplinary partnerships, data-driven strategies, a status report on the assessment of the Forum, and resources available to all cities working to reduce and prevent youth violence: CrimeSolutions.gov, youth.gov, and the National Reentry Resource Center.\nBryan Samuels, Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Children and Families, discussed the similar challenges faced by youth involved in the child welfare system and youth affected by violence, as well as the importance of considering trauma histories when working with vulnerable youth. A panel of federal agency partners from the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Justice further highlighted the importance of considering the needs of youth across the developmental spectrum.\nThe Working Session allowed the city teams to explore various intervention and enforcement approaches. The participants viewed the film\nThe Interrupters and engaged in a discussion with Gary Slutkin, Executive Director of CeaseFire. A panel on various intervention and enforcement approaches currently in use in Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles expanded the conversation on real-world implementation, replication, and adaptation of nationally recognized models.\nBernard Melekian, the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services at the U.S. Department of Justice closed the meeting with remarks focused on the importance of appropriate law enforcement responses in the cities involved in the Forum, as well as the need for the cities to share their lessons learned with others communities interested in working to prevent and reduce youth violence in their communities.\nThe Attorney General blogged about the Forum on the U.S. Department of Justice website after the meeting. To learn more about the Working Session, view the agenda and visit the photo gallery. Learn more about youth violence prevention by visiting the Forum’s website.\nPower Points for the Youth Violence Forum Page Presentations from the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention Working Session\nTime Presentation Monday, 10/31/2011\n10:30 AM\nPanelists from the federal agencies comprising the Forum’s Federal Coordination Team (FCT) provided status updates for their agencies, including feedback from the Forum city site visits and overview of each agency’s Action Plan\n11:15 AM\nRepresentatives from Memphis, TN and San Jose, CA detailed some of the successes and challenges they have had as they implement their respective cities’ initiatives to reduce and prevent youth violence\n1:45 PM\nRepresentatives from Cincinnati, OH, Baltimore, MD, Los Angeles, CA, and Chicago, IL provided an overview of their violence reduction and prevention programs, including the principles, successes, challenges, outcomes, and evaluation of each program\nTuesday, 11/01/11\n8:45 AM\nRepresentatives from Boston, MA, Salinas, CA, and Detroit, MI provided an overview of their cross-agency/cross organizational violence reduction and prevention programs, including the strategies behind the programs, successes and challenges, and next steps that will be taken to continue the efforts\n10:30 AM\nRepresentatives from multiple governmental agencies, universities, and research organizations presented on the importance of incorporating data and research into the development of prevention programs. A presentation was also conducted on HIPAA guidelines in research.\n2:30 PM\nThis presentation provided an overview of the objectives, approach, and technical Assistance provided by the National Reentry Resource Center. The presentation also covered The Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s (OJJDP)programs focused on re-entry, federal funding opportunities for re-entry, working groups focused on the issue, and federal resources on the topic.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5289009213447571} {"content": "The Roman paganism of Jesus’ day taught that the actions of gods in the heavens above affected the earth below. If Zeus got angry, thunderbolts shot out. “As above, so below,” went the ancient formula.\nJesus, though, sometimes inverted that. He taught: As below, so above. A believer prays, and heaven responds. A sinner repents, and the angels rejoice. A mission succeeds, and God is glorified. A believer rebels, and the Holy Spirit is grieved.\nI believe these things, yet somehow I keep forgetting them. I forget that my prayers matter to God. I forget that the choices I make today bring delight or grief to the Lord of the universe. I forget that I am helping my neighbors to their eternal destinations.\nThe good-news message of God’s love that Jesus brought to this earth we can now bring to others. That was the challenge He gave His disciples before ascending to His Father (see Matt. 28:18-20). We who follow Jesus serve as an extension of His incarnation and ministry. It is why He came to earth. Before He left, He told His disciples that He would send His Spirit from above to them below (Luke 24:48). He did not leave us alone. He fills us with His power that we might touch lives here below to affect eternity.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6900330781936646} {"content": "Context-Dependent Fine-Grained Entity Type Tagging\nEntity type tagging is the task of assigning category labels to each mention of an entity in a document. While standard systems focus on a small set of types, recent work (Ling and Weld, 2012) suggests that using a large fine-grained label set can lead to dramatic improvements in downstream tasks. In the absence of labeled training data, existing fine-grained tagging systems obtain examples automatically, using resolved entities and their types extracted from a knowledge base. However, since the appropriate type often depends on context (e.g. Washington could be tagged either as city or government), this procedure can result in spurious labels, leading to poorer generalization. We propose the task of context-dependent fine type tagging, where the set of acceptable labels for a mention is restricted to only those deducible from the local context (e.g. sentence or document). We introduce new resources for this task: 11,304 mentions annotated with their context-dependent fine types, and we provide baseline experimental results on this data.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.927186131477356} {"content": "Keywords: productivity, productivity management, producer achievement, end user satisfaction, integrating approaches\nProductivity management: linking producers and end users\nProductivity is often too limited in its interpretation. Beyond the traditional belief that productivity is about obtaining higher output from the same physical inputs in the manufacturing system, there is a growing appreciation of the relationship between the producer and the end user. This paper explores a broader definition of productivity that focuses on customer satisfaction, and productivity management approaches that help to align and integrate the strategies and operations of the producer with the expectations and satisfaction of the end user.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8830155730247498} {"content": "Researchers and decision makers who study natural resources and, in particular, water resource management, have acknowledged the significant role of hydroinformatics. The Handbook of Research on Hydroinformatics: Technologies, Theories and Applications describes how hydroinformatics applications, tools and decision aids are manifested and can be integrated and enhanced in organizations, while presenting hydroinformatics as a function of both human and technological interactions. This book provides the latest research on the use of hydroinformatics to establish sustained linkages between the water system and other related systems.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8874115943908691} {"content": "Going after adaptation co-benefits: a REDD+ programme in Fiji\nThis ‘Inside story on climate compatible development’ by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) finds that Fiji has an advanced REDD+ policy and planning process, which has also inspired other Pacific countries to engage with REDD+. By using REDD+ financing to conserve forests, Fiji is not only contributing to climate change mitigation, but also climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation. The brief notes that climate change adaptation is the highest policy priority for Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Therefore, it is difficult for smaller PICs to justify the costs of developing readiness to participate in international mitigation mechanisms. However, REDD+ can help build countries’ resilience to the effects of climate change, and with funding and technical support from the international community, even small countries can make significant progress in creating policies and strategies for REDD+.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8106198906898499} {"content": "Present Joy\nGemini Horoscope\nDecember 5, 2012\nYou may feel unsettled in your personal affairs today or insecure about the course of your life. If your reality does not conform to your desires or expectations, you may find yourself worrying and harboring a great deal of stress. You can avoid the inner turmoil associated with this type of anxiety by grounding yourself firmly in the present. Engaging in repetitive physical exercise can help you achieve a more grounded state. You may also want to explore your need to hold on to expectations and consider instances in your life when waiting patiently for an unknown outcome has proven beneficial. Today can be a wonderful time to escape your thoughts by becoming absorbed in enjoyable activities like swimming or jogging.\nReleasing your expectations and staying anchored in the moment can help you prevent past strife and future uncertainties from sapping your sense of confidence. It is often memories that plague us and a fear of the unknown that causes anxiety and tension. Staying grounded in the here and now allows you to focus on the tasks and goals you have chosen to devote your time to without becoming distracted by errant thoughts. Keeping your mind situated in the present helps you take pleasure in small accomplishments, while eschewing expectations helps you avoid worrying about events that may never come to pass. When you anchor yourself in the present today, you will enjoy what is rather than worry about what may lie ahead.\nThis article is printed from DailyOM - Inspirational thoughts for a happy, healthy and fulfilling day.\nRegister for free at dailyom.com", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5309708118438721} {"content": "The Coca-Cola Company, Facebook and Dell are among 16 companies that have just joined the Department of Energy’s Workplace Charging Challenge, which aims to expand the availability of workplace vehicle charging for American workers. Three new corporate partners have also joined the Department’s National Clean Fleets Partnership.\nBy joining the Workplace Charging Challenge, partners commit to assess workforce plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging demands, and then develop and implement a plan to install workplace charging infrastructure for at least one major worksite location.\nThe challenge aims to achieve a tenfold increase in the number of US employers offering workplace charging, over five years. The initiative also supports the broader efforts of the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, announced last year by President Obama, which aims to make electric vehicles as affordable and convenient for the American family as gasoline-powered vehicles within the next decade.\nIn addition to the above companies, AVL, Bentley Systems, Biogen Idec, Bloomberg LP, the City of Sacramento, The Hartford, The Hertz Corporation, National Grid, New York Power Authority, NRG Energy, OSRAM SYLVANIA, Raytheon Company and Southern California Edison have also signed up to the initiative. Earlier this year, 13 companies, including Google, Ford and GE announced their commitment to the program.\nThe news comes as three new corporate partners – AMP Americas, Kwik Trip and Waste Management – announce their membership in the Energy Department’s National Clean Fleets Partnership.\nThe public-private partnership aims to assist the nation’s largest fleet operators in reducing the amount of gasoline and diesel they use nationwide.\nAnnounced by President Obama in 2011, the partnership aims to speed the deployment of clean, energy efficient vehicles and the infrastructure to support their widespread use. Through the partnership, Energy Department experts provide each company with specialized resources, technical expertise, and support to develop a strategy to reduce the fleet’s oil consumption. The Department also helps connect partners with clean fuel providers and equipment manufacturers where their fleets operate.\nThe new partners announced this week join with 18 other major national companies, including AT&T, UPS, FedEx, PepsiCo and Verizon, that are part of the project.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.926010012626648} {"content": "Many times, these individuals are arrested in neighboring cities on misdemeanor charges, while neighboring jurisdictions have issued felony arrest warrants in their names. These criminals can potentially go undetected for years. http://www.motorola.com\nTo address this problem in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, nine local law enforcement jurisdictions have banded together to form a network of biometric databases to enable cross-jurisdictional law enforcement. Known as the National Capital Region, agencies from Fairfax County, VA; Montgomery and Prince George’s County, MD; Washington, DC; and the United States Secret Service have each established Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) that enable the cross search of other agencies’ criminal databases based on biometric information.\nMotorola provided an interoperable network of AFIS systems based on each of the counties’ specific operational and legislative requirements. Each agency built AFIS systems that would enable an officer to seamlessly search a database across jurisdictional boundaries. With a subsequent upgrade of this network, this seamless connectivity of data has expanded to mobile units out in the field.\nFor example, this interoperable network enables an officer in Fairfax County who has stopped a suspect to capture the detained individual’s fingerprints and submit those prints to the Fairfax County AFIS. Should those prints provide a match, the officer is then informed of any previous arrest record and any possible outstanding warrants. If the Fairfax system does not find a match, the network then simultaneously transfers the data to the Washington, DC, Metro and Montgomery and Prince George’s County AFIS systems. Searching those databases, a positive match would provide the officer on the side of the road with the criminal history of the individual’s unlawful activities in neighboring jurisdictions and alert the officer of any possible outstanding arrest warrant issued for this person.\nLaw enforcement agencies in Fairfax County, VA; Montgomery and Prince George’s County, MD; and Washington, DC all use Motorola’s advanced Biometric Identification Systems (BIS). Each system was specifically designed to meet the operational, logistical and legislative requirements of the respective counties and states. The solutions included multi-modal biometric systems for fingerprint, palmprints, and facial images. Advanced workstations were installed for latent processing and new bookings.\nBeyond the cooperative of these neighboring counties, interoperability extends to the Sheriff’s Information Management System (SIMS), Virginia State Police, and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Additionally, the new system was designed to be compatible with the legacy technologies still active within the region. Benefits\nBy providing faster matching speeds, greater accuracy, and access to more databases, the technology used by the National Capital Region has increased positive identifications and crimes solved. Officials have also seen a dramatic reduction in hardware procurement cost and a long-term reduction in maintenance and support expenditures. Furthermore, the joint procurement enabled the agencies to secure Homeland Security grants as they could demonstrate a positive return on investment (ROI). Even system training was easier to provide due to cooperative training for the large numbers of potential attendees from the different agencies.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5924626588821411} {"content": "The Survival of Ultrashort Locking-Taper Implants\nRainier A. Urdaneta, DMD/Shadi Daher, DMD/Joseph Leary, DMD/Kimberly M. Emanuel, RDH/Sung-Kiang Chuang, DMD, MD\nPMID: 22616059\nPurpose: To evaluate the performance of 5-mm-long implants. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2008 and December 2009. The sample was composed of patients who had received at least one 5-mm-wide, hydroxyapatite-coated Bicon implant. The outcome variable was implant failure. Descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusted for multiple implants in the same patient, were utilized to identify predictors of dental implant failure. Results: Two hundred ninety-one subjects who received 410 locking-taper implants were followed for an average of 20 months. Of these, 211 were ultrashort implants (57 were 5 × 5.0 mm and 154 were 5 × 6.0 mm) and 199 were short implants (5 × 8.0 mm). Three hundred twenty-two implants (93.4%) were restored with single crowns. There was a higher proportion of ultrashort single-tooth implants (94.6%) as compared to short single-tooth implants (92.2%). Nine implants failed, for a cumulative survival rate of 97.5%. Of the failed implants, five were ultrashort (all 5 × 6.0 mm) and four were short. No failures were documented for 5- × 5.0-mm ultrashort implants. There was no statistically significant difference (P = .68) in the Kaplan-Meier survival rates of ultrashort implants (97.6%) and short implants (95.2%). After adjusting for other covariates in a multivariate model, implant length was not associated with implant failure (P = .49). Conclusions: The survival of ultrashort (5- and 6-mm) implants was comparable to that of short (8-mm) implants. INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC IMPLANTS 2012;27:644–654.\nKey words: dental implants, implant length, retrospective cohort study, short implants, single-tooth implants", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6147574186325073} {"content": "In the spring of 2008, a 260MWe coal-fired power plant (CFPP) located in Rochester, New York was closed over a 4 month period. Using a 2-years data record, the impacts of the shutdown of the CFPP on nearby ambient concentrations of three Hg species were quantified. The arithmetic average ambient concentrations of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM), and particulate mercury (PBM) during December 2007-November 2009 were 1.6ng/m\n3, 5.1pg/m 3, and 8.9pg/m 3, respectively. The median concentrations of GEM, GOM, and PBM significantly decreased by 12%, 73%, and 50% after the CFPP closed (Mann-Whitney test, p<0.001). Positive Matrix Factorization (EPA PMF v4.1) identified six factors including O 3-rich, traffic, gas phase oxidation, wood combustion, nucleation, and CFPP. When the CFPP was closed, median concentrations of GEM, GOM, and PBM apportioned to the CFPP factor significantly decreased by 25%, 74%, and 67%, respectively, compared to those measured when the CFPP was still in operation (Mann-Whitney test, p<0.001). Conditional probability function (CPF) analysis showed the greatest reduction in all three Hg species was associated with northwesterly winds pointing toward the CFPP. These changes were clearly attributable to the closure of the CFPP.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9182535409927368} {"content": "Authors: Rolanda Lange and Dustin J Marshall Published in: Ecology, volume 97, issue 3 (March 2016) Abstract\nBio-invasions depend on the number and frequency of invaders arriving in new habitats. Yet, as is often the case, it is not only quantity that counts, but also quality.\nThe process of dispersal can change disperser quality and establishment success. Invasions are a form of extra-range dispersal, so that invaders often experience changes in quality through dispersal.\nTo study effects of dispersal on invader quality, and its interactions with quantity on invasion success, we manipulated both in a field experiment using an invasive marine invertebrate.\nEstablishment success increased with the number of individuals arriving in a new habitat. Prolonged larval durations – our manipulation of prolonged dispersal – decreased individual quality and establishment success. Groups of invaders with prolonged larval durations contributed only a third of the offspring relative to invaders that settled immediately.\nWe also found an interaction between the quality and quantity of invaders on individual growth: only within high-quality cohorts did individuals experience density-dependent effects on growth.\nOur findings highlight that dispersal not only affects the quantity of invaders arriving in a new habitat but also their quality, and both mediate establishment success.\nCitation\nLange R , Marshall DJ (2016) Propagule size and dispersal costs mediate establishment success of an invasive species.\nEcology, 97(3), 2016, pp. 569–575 DOI: 10.1890/15-1573 PDF 238 KB", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5877537727355957} {"content": "Cytoplasmic serine hydroxymethyltransferase regulates the metabolic partitioning of methylenetetrahydrofolate but is not essential in mice.\nhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18644786\nThe hydroxymethyl group of serine is a primary source of tetrahydrofolate (THF)-activated one-carbon units that are required for the synthesis of purines and thymidylate and for S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent methylation reactions. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) catalyzes the reversible and THF-dependent conversion of serine to glycine and 5,10-methylene-THF. SHMT is present in eukaryotic cells as mitochondrial SHMT and cytoplasmic (cSHMT) isozymes that are encoded by distinct genes. In this study, the essentiality of cSHMT-derived THF-activated one-carbons was investigated by gene disruption in the mouse germ line. Mice lacking cSHMT are viable and fertile, demonstrating that cSHMT is not an essential source of THF-activated one-carbon units. cSHMT-deficient mice exhibit altered hepatic AdoMet levels and uracil content in DNA, validating previous in vitro studies that indicated this enzyme regulates the partitioning of methylenetetrahydrofolate between the thymidylate and homocysteine remethylation pathways. This study suggests that mitochondrial SHMT-derived one-carbon units are essential for folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism in the cytoplasm.\nPubmed ID: 18644786 RIS Download\nMesh terms: Animals | Cell Nucleus | Cytoplasm | Female | Fibroblasts | Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic | Glycine Hydroxymethyltransferase | Male | Mice | Mice, Transgenic | Mitochondria | Models, Biological | Models, Genetic | Tetrahydrofolates", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9526956677436829} {"content": "7 CFR 1467.20 - Market-based conservation initiatives.\n(a)Acceptance and use of contributions. Section 1241(e) of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended, (16 U.S.C. 3841(e)), allows the Chief to accept and use contributions of non-Federal funds to support the purposes of the program. These funds shall be available without further appropriation and until expended, to carry out the program.\n(b)Ecosystem Services Credits for Conservation Improvements.\n(1) USDA recognizes that environmental benefits will be achieved by implementing conservation practices and activities funded through WRP, and that environmental credits may be gained as a result of implementing activities compatible with the purposes of a WRP easement, 30-year contract, or restoration cost-share agreement. NRCS asserts no direct or indirect interest in these credits. However, NRCS retains the authority to ensure that the requirements of the WRPO, contract, and easement deed are met. Where activities required under an environmental credit agreement may affect land covered under a WRP easement, 30-year contract, or restoration cost-share agreement, participants are highly encouraged to request a compatibility assessment from NRCS prior to entering into such agreements.\nTitle 7 published on 2015-08-22.\nNo entries appear in the Federal Register\nafter this date, for 7 CFR Part 1467.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8167484998703003} {"content": "Common guidelines for a board of directors include holding regular meetings to discuss the current state of the company over which it governs, working directly with members of the management team to offer guidance and developing large-scale strategies for the company as a whole. Other guidelines may focus on responsibilities to vote on financial matters and ensuring compliance with various laws and regulations.Continue Reading\nThe board of directors for a company or other organization must meet on a regular basis to review various matters relating to the entity, with most board guidelines including a set format for each meeting that includes sections to review notes from past meetings and set goals for the future. These board meetings may consist of planning sessions wherein the members determine the best course of action to help the organization achieve its primary objective, such as gaining financial solvency for a new company or reducing homelessness or a nonprofit.\nBoard meetings typically also focus on reviewing the financial reports for the organization to ensure it stays on track with predictions and expectations. If the company is not on track, it may vote to lay off employees or reduce executive salaries to correct the matter. Guidelines for a board of directors also include an emphasis on working with the executive team to help provide feedback on decisions and plans as well as make suggestions for smaller operational changes.Learn more about Corporations", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6866534352302551} {"content": "Remove nail polish from your carpet while it's still wet for best results. Dried nail polish is more difficult to remove. You need a butter knife, clean dry rags, paper towels, nail polish remover and dish soap.Continue Reading\nCheck to see if the polish is still wet or has already dried. If it's dry, use the dull edge of the butter knife and flick away the excess polish. If it's still wet, use a dry rag to blot any excess polish away. Use gentle pressure and avoid scrubbing, which spreads the stain.\nTest the nail polish remover in an inconspicuous spot on the carpet. Avoid using oily polish removers that cause a grease stain on the carpet. Apply a small amount to a clean rag and blot the stain. Continue applying the remover to clean spots on the towel and blotting until most of the polish is gone. Don't saturate the carpet to prevent the solvent from dissolving the backing.\nPut a few drops of dish detergent in a bowl of water. Mix well, and apply it to the stain with a cloth dipped in the detergent solution. Blot with a paper towel to remove any remaining polish and the polish remover. Repeat until there are no more traces of the polish. Apply clear water and blot dry to remove any detergent. Use paper towels to absorb as much moisture as possible.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5586436986923218} {"content": "No products in the basket.\nANTIOXIDANT SUPPLEMENT PRODUCTS\nExercise is a double-edged sword as it causes oxidation, producing free radicals, which in excess can lead to cell damage. Under such circumstances, it is crucial to have a diet rich in antioxidants. Trust Reflex Nutrition to support your nutritional needs with products such as Sports Antioxidants, which aid in the neutralisation of free radicals.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9997254610061646} {"content": "Verdes calculated the amount of non-natural influence required to match the increases in temperature observed in the last 150 years. He plotted the influence over time. Then, he compared it to the evolution of greenhouse gasses, taking into account the cooling due to aerosols. With allowances for error, he found that influences attributable to greenhouse gasses mirror the graph of non-natural influence needed to explain the observed temperature increase of recent decades.\nAs the \"debate\" about the existence of global warming, and the causes of it, there are mounting evidence for human activities being a significant cause of it.\nI'll edit this entry to include the exact reference once this paper has been published.\nZz.\nEdit: This is the exact citation to this paper:\nPablo F. Verdes, Phys. Rev. Lett., v.99, p.048501 (2007).\nThere is also a review of this work on PhysicsWeb.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9973432421684265} {"content": "The all-important internal customer: Part 2 (This is the second of three parts. Read Part 1.)\nTeams and employees may have “the right stuff” --- they are knowledgeable, skilled and hardworking. But this is insufficient to meeting key business goals.\nIf these skilled and committed employees work in isolation, or separate, from their internal customers --- those dependent on their work --- they fail to impact business results. It is that simple.\nWorking alone, no one can impact business results.\nHowever, when teams and individuals work collaboratively with their internal customers toward a common goal, they can impact business results.\nWork in any business is accomplished only when different teams (functions or departments) combine and unite their different expertise to achieve shared business goals.\nSaid differently. Business goals are accomplished only when individuals and teams with unique expertise (called “functions” or “departments”) work together as a single united team toward common goals.\nTo combine and unite diverse expertise on common goals every team and individual must do something exceptionally well.\nThe must build an effective two-way working partnership with their internal customers. A relationship that leverages and focuses both teams unique expertise.\nIf a business is to be successful teams MUST work effectively with their internal customers.\nKey Learning:\nThe relationship with your internal customer exists for one purpose --- achieving business results.\nUnderstand the unique expertise of your team --- and the reason the company needs that expertise.\nBeing an expert in your function is not enough. You must collaborate with individuals and teams that have different expertise and objectives (your internal customers) toward a common goal.\nThink about these questions:\nWhat obstacles prevent you from creating effective working relationships with your internal customers?\nWhat business goals unite you and your internal customer?\nWhat have you done to keeps this working relationship with your internal customer effective?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.999992847442627} {"content": "Explore the New machine for Domestic Mining Industry\n27 June, 2013 at 8:31 am in Employment\nChina has shown strong growth in mining equipment demand, a direct result of investment in its local mining industry. For example, coal output nearly doubled from 2001 to 2006, reflecting the nation’s intense need for energy. China is also a major source of commodities such as iron ore and bauxite. Other major Asian markets for mining equipment include Australia and India. Like China, India has experienced a major growth in coal output. Australia is a leading producer of bauxite and iron ore. Asia is expected to post strong gains in mining equipment demand through 2011, reflecting further gains in the China and India markets. Latin America, which has extensive mineable resources, will also post above average growth, reflecting more mining investment in nations like Brazil. Eastern Europe will also continue to provide opportunities, particularly in Russia. Henan Hongxing is specialized in the producing of jaw crusher,impact crusher, cone crusher, industrial milling machine, and vibrating screen, dust collector equipment, to succeed in a lot of mining and processing to use.\nDespite their maturity as markets, the largest producers of mining equipment are generally found in the United States and the industrialized nations of Western Europe, as well as Japan. Such countries have a long history and much expertise in the development of capital equipment industries of all types, which many have leveraged in mining machinery. However, China has emerged as a major producer, due in large part to the nation’s growing mining industry. With the largest deposits of mineable resources generally located in developing countries, the major multinationals that dominate world mining equipment production are increasingly moving production capacity to these areas, a trend that is expected to continue.\nPrices for mineable commodities (especially metals like copper and iron ore) have shown growth in recent years. This has led to intensified efforts to mine metal ores, and thus has generated strong demand for products like mining machinery. Meanwhile, coal, facing dwindling reserves in numerous countries, remains in demand as an alternative source of energy in an era of high oil and gas prices, while demand for industrial minerals (clays, sand and gravel, stone and a myriad of others) has benefitted from the general upsurge in commodities markets.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6519967913627625} {"content": "The Martin Act, which authorizes the Attorney General to regulate securities transactions, including cooperative and condominium sales by sponsors, does not preclude private individuals from bringing common-law fraud or breach of contract claims arising from such sales.Caboara v. Babylon Cove Development, LLC, 2008 WL 2747188, 2008 N.Y. Slip Op. 6281 (App. Div. 2d Dept July 15, 2008).\nThis case arose when several purchasers of units in a townhouse condominium sued the Sponsor for fraud and breach of contract, based on an alleged misrepresentation in the offering plan.The Sponsor argued that plaintiffs allegations, if true, would establish a Martin Act violation within the Attorney Generals jurisdiction and therefore the claims were pre-empted.A lower court accepted this argument and dismissed the case, but the Appellate Division reversed this ruling and reinstated the claims.It reasoned that while the Martin Act was designed to deter fraudulent practices in the sale of securities and authorizes the Attorney General to redress such practices, nothing in the statute abridged private rights of action for common-law fraud or breach of contract. The rule that private plaintiffs may bring fraud and breach of contract claims arising from cooperative or condominium offerings, so long as they satisfy the traditional elements for pleading these claims, was previously recognized by the Appellate Division, First Department, whose jurisdiction includes Manhattan and the Bronx.(Please see the November 2007 issue of this Client Advisory.)This new decision by the Appellate Division, Second Department, which covers Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and several other counties, brings uniformity to this area of the law.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7128487229347229} {"content": "Your email address will be used for Wildy’s marketing materials only. We will never give your email address to any third party.\nSpecial Discounts for Pupils, Newly Called & Students\nBrowse Secondhand Online\n'This is a remarkable book. It comprises the best scholars in the field covering all of the essential elements needed to understand and respond to the foremost conservation challenges of the 21st century. It is contemporary, insightful and challenging. In my opinion, this work is essential for any scholar, practitioner or student who works in this area.' - Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato, New Zealand", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7045941352844238} {"content": "Meu artigo sobre\n“Democracia consolidada e tamanho do Estado”, aprovado para a Revista de Economia Política, será publicado na edição de jan-mar/14. Abaixo, um resumo do argumento defendido no trabalho.\nLeia um pouco mais sobre os artigos que serão publicados nesta edição clicando aqui – http://www.rep.org.br/next_issue.asp\n“Consolidated democracy and size of the State. Common sense suggests that the more consolidated democracies and advanced economies tend to be more efficient and produce smaller states. What is observed in practice, however, is a positive correlation between ‘democratic consolidation’ and ‘tax burden’ (as a proxy for ‘size of government’). This finding, while not expressing any causal relationship between the two variables, is an evidence that a more republican and democratic State, as defined in Bresser-Pereira, must be able to provide, effectively and efficiently, broader public services with better quality. This is, in consolidated democracies, the State should not be small.”", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6955549716949463} {"content": "Globalizing your community content should be a part of your digital transformation in marketing and customer care. The total spending power of online consumers around the world is nearly $50 trillion, a recent Common Sense Advisory report found. Three years ago, enterprises would have had to translate content into 37 languages to reach 98 percent of Internet users. This year, it takes 48 languages to reach the same amount of users.\nFor companies seeking to create a seamless global community, “translate frequently and fast” is the name of the game. Today’s content is dynamic and ever-changing. With high-quality translation and localization, enterprises can tailor marketing and customer care issues to their consumers around the world.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.580365002155304} {"content": "BACKGROUND:\nConduction abnormalities serve as a substrate for ventricular fibrillation (VF) in patients with Brugada syndrome (BS). Signal-averaged electrograms can detect late potentials, but the significance of conduction abnormalities within the QRS complex is still unknown. The latter can present as multiple spikes within the QRS complex (fragmented QRS [f-QRS]). We hypothesized that f-QRS could indicate a substrate for VF and might predict a high risk of VF for patients with BS.\nMETHODS AND RESULTS:\nIn study 1, we analyzed the incidence of f-QRS in 115 patients with BS (13 resuscitated from VF, 28 with syncope, and 74 asymptomatic). f-QRS was observed in 43% of patients, more often in the VF group (incidence of f-QRS: VF 85%, syncope 50%, and asymptomatic 34%, P<0.01). SCN5A mutations occurred more often in patients with f-QRS (33%) than in patients without f-QRS (5%). In patients with syncope or VF, only 6% without f-QRS experienced VF during follow-up (43+/-25 months), but 58% of patients with f-QRS had recurrent syncope due to VF (P<0.01). In study 2, to investigate the mechanism of f-QRS, we studied in vitro models of BS in canine right ventricular tissues (n=4) and optically mapped multisite action potentials. In the experimental model of BS, ST elevation resulted from a large phase 1 notch of the action potential in the epicardium, and local epicardial activation delay reproduced f-QRS in the transmural ECG.\nCONCLUSIONS:\nf-QRS appears to be a marker for the substrate for spontaneous VF in BS and predicts patients at high risk of syncope.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8074177503585815} {"content": "Continue Reading\nAll non-mammals are hairless and lack mammary glands. Non-mammals with jawbones have lower jaws composed of multiple bones; mammals have a lower jaw composed of a single bone. A non-mammal with teeth loses and replaces teeth multiple times during its lifespan, while a mammal goes through this process only once.\nThe lack of mammary glands means that non-mammals cannot feed their young with milk. Non-mammal species that care for their young, such as birds, must utilize outside sources of food instead. The inability to produce milk and lack of hair are the only two traits shared across every single species of non-mammal animal.\nBecause of the wide variety of complexity among non-mammals, other traits are not applicable to every animal. Non-mammal animals range from the simplest sponges and single-celled animals to complex animals that share many traits with mammals, such as birds.\nTraits shared by non-mammals are largely defined by the shared traits of mammals possessed by no non-mammal species, rather than specific qualities shared by all non-mammals. Examples of these traits are jawbone and tooth-related traits; not all non-mammals have jawbones or teeth. While these traits are shared across all non-mammals they are applicable to, they do not apply to every non-mammal.Learn more about Zoology", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9921770691871643} {"content": "PURPOSE: Platypnea-orthodeoxia is a relatively uncommon but striking clinical syndrome characterized by dyspnea and deoxygenation accompanying a change to sitting or standing from a recumbent position. Hypoxemia after lung transplant can have multiple etiologies. We report a rare case of persistent hypoxia and platypnea-orthodeoxia after lung transplantation as a result of right-to-left interatrial shunt (RLIAS) through a persistent formane ovale (PFO). METHODS: A 66 year old male underwent left single-lung-transplant (SLT) for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Patient was extubated on post-transplant day one. On day two, he complained of dyspnea with documented hypoxemia while sitting and during physical activity. This was associated with increased oxygen requirement. Extensive evaluation including bronchoscopy with biopsy and CT angiogram were negative. V/Q scan showed no evidence of pulmonary embolism but a significant right to left shunt. Echocardiogram with agitated saline confirmed a PFO with right to left shunt with normal pulmonary pressures. The patient underwent percutaneous closure of the PFO with AMPLATZER® atrial septal occluder. Post closure, he had immediate significant improvement in oxygen saturation in the catheterization lab. Patient was eventually discharged home on room air. RESULTS: Platypnea-orthodeoxia from RLIAS with normal right heart pressures is a rare complication after lung transplant, with only 1 prior case reported in English literature. Similar presentation has also been seen after right pneumonectomy. Although the exact pathophysiology is not known, it has been postulated that an altered anatomic relationship occurs between the inferior vena cava (IVC), superior vena cava, and the atrial septum after right pneumonectomy and in our case, left SLT. This can cause preferential flow and streaming of blood into left atrium from IVC through a PFO, even in the absence of a pressure gradient. Additionally, the interatrial septum can be pulled downward due to shift in mediastinum resulting in a new opening of foramen ovale and RLIAS. Percutaneous closure is the preferred treatment. CONCLUSIONS: RLIAS is a rare complication after left SLT resulting in significant morbidity. This complication should be considered in post-transplant patient with unexplained dyspnea and hypoxemia. Percutaneous closure is the preferred treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Pre-transplant workup should include interatrial shunt evaluation. DISCLOSURE: The following authors have nothing to disclose: Jose Melendez, Amarbir Mattewal, Harish Seethamraju\nNo Product/Research Disclosure Information", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9741595983505249} {"content": "Abstract In this paper we analyse the source and magnitude of marketing gains from selling structured debt securities at yields that reflect only their credit ratings, or specifically at yields on equivalently rated corporate bonds. We distinguish between credit ratings that are based on probabilities of default and ratings that are based on expected default losses. We show that subdividing a bond issued against given collateral into subordinated tranches can yield significant profits under the hypothesised pricing system. Increasing the systematic risk or reducing the total risk of the bond collateral increases the profits further. The marketing gain is generally increasing in the number of tranches and decreasing in the rating of the lowest rated tranche.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.860069751739502} {"content": "I routinely get\n~70% response rate for evaluations of conferences I facilitate. Here are three reasons why this rate is so much higher than the typical 30-50% response rates that other conference organizers report. At the start of the first session at the event, I request that attendees fill out the online evaluations and explain why we want them to do so. I provide online surveys that are available at the start of the event, and that can be completed at any point. If the conference has a printed learning journal, I’ll include a printed version of the evaluation, so attendees can fill it out as an aide-mémoire during the event if they wish. Post-conference, via email, I gently remind attendees who have not yet completed an evaluation. I include a due date (normally 10-14 days after the end of the event), and a few sentences reiterating the reasons why we’d appreciate their response. I send up to three of these reminders before the due date.\nI promise attendees that\nalltheir feedback will be carefully read. I tell attendees that their evaluations are crucial for improving the conference the next time it is held. I tell attendees that we will share allthe (anonymized) evaluations with them. (I don’tshare evaluations on individual sessions with attendees, but I forward all comments and ratings to the session presenters. I doshare overall ratings and all general comments about the conference.)\nWhen you explain to attendees why you are asking them to spend time providing evaluations, and they trust you to deliver what you’ve promised, they are much more open to providing feedback. And I suspect that when attendees know that other attendees will see their anonymized feedback, they may be more motivated to express their opinions.\nI don’t find doing any of this particularly onerous, and the result is a rich treasure-trove of ideas and feedback from a majority of attendees that I can use to improve future conferences.\nWhat’s your typical attendee response rate for conference evaluations? What do you do to encourage attendees to provide event feedback? Photo attribution: Flickr user herzogbr", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7933576107025146} {"content": "Ponds, pools and fountains are all beautiful additions to an outdoor space, but they aren't necessarily original. There are many more water elements beyond these most common options that you can use in your landscaping--ideas that may fit your landscape more appropriately.\nWaterfalls\nWaterfalls, and water walls, whether they are large or small, create an aural and visual addition to a landscape. They can be expensive to install, but they can be worth the trouble. Waterfalls can empty into other water elements in a landscape, such as ponds or pools.\nWaterwheel\nIf you want a larger, more dramatic water feature, add a waterwheel to your landscape. You will need a more elaborate water set up, such as a creek with enough force to push the wheel forward. Additionally, you could use the waterwheel as a part of a Rube Goldberg-like water element in your garden with the water causing other things to occur, such as bamboo tipping features.\nRain Chains\nIf you are looking to create a more economical water feature in your landscape, install a rain chain. Rain chains are a good replacement for downspouts and are chains that hang from the top of a building and channel the rain downward from the roof in a beautiful display. Metals that don't rust are typically used for rain chains. Copper is often used.\nReflecting Pools\nReflecting pools are a dramatic addition to any landscaped space. These pools add a sense of serenity to the outdoor environment while enhancing the beauty of other nearby landscaping features due to the mirror image that the pool creates. The keys to making a reflecting pool do its job well are a high contrast between the color of the pool's lining and features it is to reflect. A dark lining paired with a light object is the best combination.\nWater Barrel\nThe first thing that you may think of when you think of a water barrel is something bright, big and plastic. You don't need to use a plastic barrel, though, to collect the rain. Instead, choose a more aesthetically pleasing design, such as a rustic basin or a water-proofed wooden barrel.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.85716313123703} {"content": "(This article was originally published at Statistical Modeling, Causal Inference, and Social Science, and syndicated at StatsBlogs.)\nJudea Pearl writes:\nCan you post the announcement below on your blog? And, by all means, if you find heresy in my interview with Ron Wasserstein, feel free to criticize it with your readers.\nI responded that I’m not religious, so he’ll have to look for someone else if he’s looking for findings of heresy. I did, however, want to share his announcement:\nThe American Statistical Association has announced a new Prize, “Causality in Statistics Education”, aimed to encourage the teaching of basic causal inference in introductory statistics courses.\nThe motivations for the prize are discussed in an interview I [Pearl] gave to Ron Wasserstein. I hope readers of this list will participate, either by innovating new tools for teaching causation or by nominating candidates who deserve the prize.\nAnd speaking about education, Bryant and I [Pearl] have revised our survey of econometrics textbooks, and would love to hear your suggestions on how to restore causal inference to econometrics education. [I'm confused on that last point; I thought that causality was central to econometrics; see, for example, Angrist and Pischke's book. --- AG]\nPlease comment on the article here: Statistical Modeling, Causal Inference, and Social Science", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6312006115913391} {"content": "It's official --- multi-funds do boost returns Controversial plans that pick schemes from a range of top managers have beaten single funds\nPublished: 30 October 2005\nINVESTORS are increasingly turning to schemes aimed at making their lives easier by pre-selecting a package of top funds. New research suggests these schemes can produce superior returns — if you know where to look.\nFunds of funds, so-called because the manager picks a spread of top schemes from other firms, have been around in their present form for about seven years, but have only really surged in popularity since the bear market as investors have become less confident about making their own decisions.\nHowever, because they involve two sets of charges — the manager’s and those of the funds selected — a debate has raged as to whether they can beat single funds. Until now.\nThe average fund of funds in the active-managed sector, where schemes can have up to 90% in UK equities and the rest in international shares, has gained 7% over five years and 72% over three, according to", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9628013372421265} {"content": "Contracting professionals must balance risk to select a contract type that results in reasonable contractor risk and provides incentive for efficient and economical performance. The\nDESCRIPTION FAR lists over 15 contract types, each with a different allocation of risk, incentive, and management requirements. This course provides an overview of each of these contract types. The learner will also demonstrate understanding of these contract types by completing a contract type selection based on a real solicitation.\nTOPICECRS", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8124709725379944} {"content": "Whether we like it or not, things happen. A pet emergency is no different. Many things are seemingly unpreventable – When a dog dashes into the road, or a cat eats tinsel – but are they? 1,485 more words\nTags » Pet Emergency by Amy D’Andrea MEd, CVT\nFor many years, the American Heart Association has developed and disseminated guidelines on how best to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on people experiencing cardiac arrest. 1,186 more words", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5214041471481323} {"content": "Gross domestic product figures obtained from across the 4 corners of the earth continue to highlight the ongoing contraction in the global economy as international trade continues to shrink. Third quarter GDP figures obtained from Switzerland showed the economy flat at 0.00% growth with annualized GDP declining to 0.80% compared to the second quarters 0.90% value. Despite efforts by the Swiss National Bank to keep the Franc competitive, the global outlook continues to weigh on progress. Declines also occurred in Brazil, with the year over year GDP slump accelerating to a -4.50% contraction from -2.60% recorded in the prior period. Further north, Canadian GDP declined -0.50% compared to the previous month’s 0.10% expansion as the mining, gas and oil sectors fell further. Meanwhile, Australia’s GDP managed to beat expectations for both the quarterly and annualized values, increasing at a pace of 0.90% and 2.50% respectively.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9980922341346741} {"content": "Health Assessment mid-term: general survey and vital signs\nHome > Flashcards > Print Preview\nThe flashcards below were created by user jam110007\non\nFreezingBlue Flashcards\n. What would you like to do?\nwhat is a general survey\na study of the whole person, covering the general health state and any obvious physical characteristics - the overall impression\ngeneral survey assess what physical presence?\n- stated age vs. apparent age - general appearance - body fat - stature - motor activity - body and breath odors\nbody shape types?\n- mesomorphic - endomorphic - ectomorphic\nmesomorphic\n- average height, well developed musculature\nendomorphic\n- short and stocky - apple shaped, pear shape\nectomorphic\ntall, willowy, fat distribution is not well developed, musculature is poorly developed\ngeneral survey assess what psychological presence?\n- dress, grooming, personal hygiene (appropriate clothes for weather? are they clean?)\n- mood and manner (inappropriate may indicate psychiatric problems) - speech (slurred speech ma indicated intoxication or neurological problem) - facial expressions (are they awake and alert? are they responsive?)\ngeneral survey assessing for distress\n- labored breathing, wheezing, cough, labored speech - painful facial expressions, sweating, guarding - serious or life-threatening complications - emotional distress or anxiety\nthe vital signs we look for include....\nT - temperature P - pulse R - respiration B/P - Blood Pressure pulse oximetry pain assessment\nvital signs: how do you assess respiration? what is a normal range/finding?\ncount for 30 secs or a full minute if you suspect abnormalities - normal range = 12-20 per minute\nEupnea\nnormal effortless breathing\ntachypnea\nfast breathing, has a rate of more than 20 per minute\nbradypnea\nslow breathing, rate below 10 per minute\ndyspnea\nlabored respiration, shortness of breath\northopnea\npositional difficulty breathing\nwhat are normal findings for infants and adults in respiration rate?\ninfant: 30-40/min\nadult: 10-20/min\nvital signs: how do you assess pulse\nusing the pads of the first three fingers palpate the radial oulse - regular rhythm: count for 30 sec x 2 - irregular: count for full minute\nhow do you assess pulse volume\nby checking if its absent or bounding by using a 4-point scale for measuring - 0 = absent - +1 = weak - +2 = normal - +3 = strong/ increased - +4 = bounding\nhow is pulse volume distributed across the body?\npulse volume should be the same throughout the body\nwhat are some factors that affect heart rate?\n- age - gender - activity - emotional status - pain - environmental factors - stimulants - medications\nwhat are the normal heart rate findings for infants and adults?\ninfant: 100- 170 BPM\nadult: 60 - 100 BPM\nwhere is the radial pulse located? how do you find it?\n- located on the wrist - you can find it by following the thumb down to the wrist, with light palpation\nwhere is the apical pulse located? what equipment should you use? how should you hear?\n- located in the 5th intercostal space in the midclavicular line (for men its around the nipples; female under the breast) - use the diaphragm of the stethascope - should hear S1 (Lub) and S2 (Dub)\ntachycardia\nfast pulse rate over 100 BPM\nbradycardia\nslow pulse rate, less then 60 BPM\nasystole\nabsence of heart beat\ndysrhythmia\nirregular pulse rhythm\nhow do you calculate pulse deficit? what should it equal?\napical pulse rate - peripheral (radial) pulse rate = 0\nif pulse deficit does not equal zero, what may it indicate?\nit may indicate cardiac dysrthymias - extra systolic contraction without enough volume to reach peripheral\nhow do you convert F to C and vise versa\nCelsius: 5/9 x (temp in F - 32 degrees)\nFahrenheit: (9/5 x temp in C) + 32 degrees\nroutes for measuring temperature?\n- oral - rectal - axillary - tympanic - temporal\ntemperature: oral route advantages and disadvantages\nadvantage: convenient, accessible\ndisadvantage: safety, physical ability, accuracy\ntemperature: average oral route findings and range\naverage findings: 37.0 C or 98.6 F normal range: 36-38° C or 96.8-100.4° F\ntemperature: average rectal route findings and range\naverage: 0.7°C or 0.4°F (higher than oral) range: 36.7-38.5°C or 98.0-101.6°F\ntemperature: rectal route advantage and disadvantage?\nadvantage: most accurate disadvantage: safety, invasive, uncomfortable\ndifferences between a rectal and oral thermometer?\nrectal - has a rounded, bulb end and is colored red\noral - straighter than rectal and it identified by the color blue\ntemperature: average axillary route findings and range\naverage: 0.6°C or 1°F (lower than oral) range: 35.4-37.4°C or 95.8-99.4°F\ntemperature: axillary route advantages and disadvantages\nadvantage: safe, noninvasive disadvantage: accuracy? length of time to obtain measurements\ntemperature: average tympanic route findings and range\naverage: calibrated to oral or rectal scales range: same as oral and rectal scales\ntemperature: tympanic route advantage and disadvantage\nadvantage: convenient, fast, safe disadvantage: accuracy? technique affects reading\ntympanic thermometer\n- infra red sensor - points towards tympanic membrane\ntemperature: temporal artery thermometer\n- as accurate as rectal and pulmonary artery temps - more accurate than tympanic\nwhat are some variables that affect body temperature?\n- circadian rhythms - hormones - age - exercise - stress\nhypothermia\nlow temperature - 92.3°F, 34°C\nhyperthermia\nhigh temperature - 101.5°F, 38.5°C\nA febrile\nno temperature whatsoever\nwhat is blood pressure\nthe force exerted by the flow of blood pumped into the large arteries\nkorotkoff sounds: phase I\nfirst time you hear a sound coming through. it indicates highest systolic pressure; the top number\nkorotkoff sounds: phase II\nchange in quality of sound\nkorotkoff sounds: phase III\nintense tapping sound\nkorotkoff sounds: phase IV\nsound muffles\nkorotoff sounds: phase V\nsound disappears - the diastolic pressure; the bottom number\nblood pressure: is there is a difference of 10 between phase 4 and 5 what will clinicians do?\nthey will put phase I over phase IV, over phase V\nwhat are the factors that determine blood pressure\n- cardiac output - peripheral vascular response - volume of circulating blood - viscosity of the blood - elasticity of blood vessel walls\nwith what can you measure blood pressure with?\nby using - Sphygmomanometer - Aneroid manometer - Mercury manometer\nhow do you get pulse pressure?\nits the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure\nsites where you can measure blood pressure?\n- brachial - thigh - avoid AV shunts or fistulas, affects arms of post-mastectomy patient\nmeasuring blood pressure: documentation\ndocument - position of patient - location where taken\nblood pressure normal findings?\n< 120/180\nprehypertension\n120-140/80-90\nwhat is the average pulse pressure?\n40\ncommon errors in blood pressure measurments?\n- incorrect cuff size - unrecognizable auscultatory gap - incorrect cuff placement\nfactors that influence B/P\n- age - sex (men slightly higher then females) - race (African American slightly higher) - diurnal rhythm (goes down at night during rest and up during the day) - weight - emotion/stress\nnormal B/P for infant and adult\ninfant: 90/61\nadult: 120/80\nwhy do elderly have higher B/P\ndue the the hardening of the arterial system - systolic pressure may be higher\npulse oximetry\nmeasurement of the oxygen saturation of the hemoglobin molecule\nwhats a normal pulse oximetry finding?\n>95%\nwhat is the 5th vital sign?\npain\nwhat are we assessing for pain\n- subjective feelings and an individual response\npulse deficit is the difference between what?\napical and radial\nhypoxemia\nan inadequate level of oxygen in the blood\nWhat would you like to do?\nHome > Flashcards > Print Preview", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.576261043548584} {"content": "I measured it for my book using lab-grade equipment; it was about 0.3 to 0.35. But I was measuring distilled water, not mash. I think AJ was suggesting that it might be less of a difference that way. I'd like to try some experiments with different liquids and see if it makes a difference.\nIf you're talking about a 0.05 difference, you also have to look at the precision of your instrument. Can it resolve to that level? How is it rated? Also, you say \"mash temps\". It's a curve, so the difference isn't the same across all mash temperatures. I'd have to go back to check my data to see where it was 0.3 and where it was 0.35, but it was likely in single infusion ranges. A 0.05 difference in pH isn't going to affect your beer in any meaningful way, so I don't know that it's worth arguing about.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9200475811958313} {"content": "Singapore’s Young Innovators Address Real World Problems\nThe Applied Materials Clean Tech Competition (CTC), a research and design challenge program for 15-18 year old students, attracted overwhelming interest in Singapore with participation from 330 students, forming 91 teams across 23 schools.\nLaunched for the first time in Singapore, this annual competition aims to address a significant global issue, and this year’s theme focused on “Clean Water for All.”\nFollowing months of vigorous prototyping, innovative research and design,\nHwa Chong Institution emerged as the winner of the Applied Materials Clean Tech Competition in Singapore. Their team’s innovative project on utilising calcium carbonate found in clam shells to remove toxic metal ions from waste water showcased their talent to solve critical global water problems through affordable eco-friendly solutions.\nThe grand finals in Singapore took place at the Science Centre, where the teams presented their solutions to an eminent panel of judges that included representatives from both government and private sectors.\nCompeting on the global stage with the mission to eradicate the lack of access to clean water, a basic human necessity the competition highlighted how young innovators were poised to address real world problems.\nOn behalf of Applied Materials, congratulations to all those who participated in the entire CTC journey!", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9971253275871277} {"content": "Hedgehog (HH) signaling is a critical determinant of neural progenitor specification during central nervous system (CNS) development. Subtle changes in Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) ligand concentration are sufficient to specify distinct neural progenitor fates; thus, complex mechanisms exist to precisely control HH ligand production and distribution during CNS development to generate the requisite diversity of mature neurons that comprise a functional CNS. Failures in these regulatory mechanisms underlie numerous CNS disorders. Specifically, deficiencies in HH signaling during embryogenesis prevent proper segregation of the cerebral hemispheres, causing holoprosencephaly, while excess HH signaling impairs neural tube closure, resulting in exencephaly and spina bifida. Additionally, overactive HH signaling is a frequent cause of medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor in children. The overall goal of this proposal is to reveal novel mechanisms that restrict HH signaling during normal development to uncover fundamental insights into the etiologies of numerous CNS pathologies and to inform the development of novel HH-targeted therapeutics. Restraining the HH response during embryogenesis depends on feedback up-regulation of multiple cell surface HH-binding antagonists, including the canonical HH receptor Patched 1 (PTCH1) and Hedgehog-interacting protein 1 (HHIP1). While loss of feedback up-regulation of PTCH1 or HHIP1 alone has no effect on CNS patterning, combined inactivation of PTCH1- and HHIP1-mediated feedback inhibition results in an increased magnitude and range of HH signaling in the neural tube. Patched 2 (PTCH2) is an additional HH-binding protein that is expressed in the developing CNS during HH-dependent patterning; however, whether PTCH2 restricts HH signaling in vivo remains unknown. My preliminary data suggest that PTCH2 can antagonize HH signaling in cell-based functional assays and can inhibit SHH signaling during CNS patterning via chick in ovo neural tube electroporations. In addition, PTCH2 localizes to the primary cilium, an organelle required for HH signal transduction. Moreover, PTCH2 physically interacts with the HH co-receptor BOC. Based on these data, we hypothesize that PTCH2 is a novel HH antagonist during vertebrate CNS development that functions at the primary cilium to inhibit HH pathway function. I will test this hypothesis through immunofluorescent analysis of neural pattering in Ptch2-/- mouse embryos. To uncover redundancy between PTCH2 and other cell surface antagonists, I will analyze neural patterning in compound Ptch2-/-;Hhip1-/- mice and embryos lacking both PTCH2 and PTCH1 feedback inhibition. I will also employ cell biological approaches to elucidate the mechanism and functional significance of PTCH2 ciliary trafficking. Lastly, I will use biochemical tools to probe the interactions between PTCH2 and other critical cell surface HH components and test the significance of these interactions in cell signaling assays. This analysis will reveal fundamental insights into the nature of HH signal transduction and have therapeutic implications for a multitude of CNS disorders.\nCentral nervous system (CNS) development is extremely complex and disturbances in this process underlie many neurologic disorders. Hedgehog (HH) signaling plays an essential role during CNS formation and mutations in the HH pathway are associated with a wide range of human diseases; including medulloblastoma; the most common invasive brain tumor in children. My work on novel HH pathway antagonists will reveal critical insights into both normal CNS development and the mechanisms of tumorigenesis in the CNS.\nMathew, Esha; Collins, Meredith A; Fernandez-Barrena, Maite G et al. (2014) The transcription factor GLI1 modulates the inflammatory response during pancreatic tissue remodeling. J Biol Chem 289:27727-43 Camp, Darius; Haitian He, Billy; Li, Sally et al. (2014) Ihog and Boi elicit Hh signaling via Ptc but do not aid Ptc in sequestering the Hh ligand. Development 141:3879-88", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9121444225311279} {"content": "INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY BANKERS: CREDIT AVAILABILITY IN RURAL AMERICA PLENTIFUL\nJun. 27, 2014\nSource: Independent Community Bankers of America news release\nThe Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) told a House Agriculture Committee subcommittee examining rural credit availability that credit is plentiful for America's farmers and ranchers and is being provided at rates near historically low levels.\nHowever, Sean Williams, president and CEO of First National Bank of Wynne, Ark., urged Congress to conduct a series of hearings relating to troubling activities of the Farm Credit System (FCS).\nAs part of the hearing on credit availability in rural America, Williams noted that \"the ag economy has experienced record prices allowing farmers to pay down debt. Livestock producers are also now benefitting from lower feed costs and higher prices providing much-needed profits. The rapid rise in farmland values has slowed or stalled, meaning that land prices are expected to be stable or slightly decline if crop prices continue declining or remain below the cost of production.\"\nWilliams also provided the subcommittee with conclusions of a recent ICBA banker survey, which found that:\nThe farm bill and crop insurance are vital to extending credit, Reference prices are \"adequate\" but won't cover production costs, Drought and weather problems exist in many states and are a concern, and More farm bill details and decision-making tools are needed.\nAdditionally, Williams voiced community bankers' alarm over the FCS's cherry-picking activities. He said that FCS, a government-sponsored enterprise, leverages tax and funding advantages to target the financially strongest customers of community banks, destabilizing ag loan portfolios of many banks. This increases risks to the community bank industry, leading to fewer lenders and less credit availability for rural America.\nIn the written testimony, ICBA noted the Farm Credit Administration's unauthorized \"investment\" gambit to allow FCS lenders to engage in non-farm lending; questioned why the FCA obtained a $10 billion line of credit without congressional approval; and noted the FCA's \"anything goes\" regulatory approach led to CoBank, the FCS's largest cooperative lender, making an unauthorized $725 million loan to Verizon to buy out Vodafone's interest in Verizon Wireless.\n\"This deal finances large, corporate, multi-national firms located in New York City and London; this is a non-rural and non-cooperative, international corporate financial deal inappropriate for an ag-based cooperative operating as a taxpayer-backed GSE,\" Williams said.\nTweet", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7030589580535889} {"content": "Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.\nI understand that you are going through a difficult time due to your inability to sleep properly. Now, difficulty in sleeping (known as \"insomnia\" ) can be due to a variety of causes. Some of the problems causing insomnia are:\n- Stress\n- Anxiety\n- Depression\n- Poor sleep habits\n- Other medical problems, chronic pain\n, etc.\nNow, the first step in managing insomnia is a detailed assessment to establish the probable cause. It is not wise to just take sleeping tablets without making a proper assessment and identifying a cause. So, I would advise you to see a psychiatrist\nfor a detailed assessment and further management.\nFollowing strict sleep hygiene\ntechniques like fixing specific timings for going to sleep and waking up, avoiding coffee, tea, caffeinated drinks or alcohol, doing regular physical exercise and practicing relaxation techniques\nlike yoga or meditation\ncan all hep in improving sleep.\nWish you all the best.\nRegards,\nDr. Jonas Sundarakumar\nConsultant Psychiatrist", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8715195655822754} {"content": "Modifying oral requests in a foreign language\nThis paper uses interactive oral role-plays to examine the extent and the way in which low proficiency EFL learners mitigate their requests. The dimensions examined are internal and external modification, and request perspective. Results indicated that the learners significantly underused internal modification and opted for external modification, especially grounders, in line with previous studies. Learners also overused zero marking and showed a preference for speaker perspective. It is presently argued that unlike external modification, internal modification may not be part of low proficiency learners’ pragmalinguistic repertoire, due to its pragmalinguistic complexity and need for extra processing effort. The learners’ lack of pragmalinguistic repertoire and their reliance on need and want statements were used to explain the total lack of joint and impersonal perspective in the data and the predominance of speaker perspective.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9914516806602478} {"content": "Deforestation, clearance or clearing is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use.\nDeforestation comes in many forms, including fires, clear-cutting for agriculture, ranching and development, unsustainable logging for timber, and degradation due to climate change. This impacts people’s livelihoods and threatens a wide range of plant and animal species.\nIn India the rising population has intensified the pressure on our already alarming forest resources and have led to there indiscriminate utilization. The problem of deforestation in Rajasthan have intensified the problem of Draught and desertification in its already water stressed western regions.\nReforestation and Agroforestry methods would help in reviving the enviornmental conditions in the state.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7155081033706665} {"content": "The Week\nIs a five-day workweek followed by a two-day weekend a socially optimal schedule? This paper presents a model in which both labor productivity and the marginal utility of leisure evolve endogenously over the workweek. Labour productivity is shaped by two forces: restfulness, which decreases over the workweek, and memory, which improves over the workweek. The structural parameters of the model are disciplined using daily variation in electricity usage per worker. The results suggest that increases in the ratio of vacation to workdays lead to output losses. A calibration of the model suggests that a 2-3 day workweek followed by a 1 day weekend can increase welfare.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.643496036529541} {"content": "Vision, Mission and Values\nThe Department of Public Administration’s vision is to be an agent of change to develop and enhance public leadership through education, scholarship and service. Building upon Portland State University’s commitment to community-engaged scholarship and service, the Department of Public Administration is uniquely placed to prepare current and emergent leaders in local, regional, national and global communities.\nWe recognize that solutions to contemporary problems require innovative approaches and alliances among governments, nonprofits and businesses, and encourage our faculty and students to engage in multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches to advance the public interest.\nWe aim to contribute to the integrity, effectiveness, and transparency of the next generation of trusted public leaders.\nThe Department of Public Administration at Portland State University is dedicated to preparing individuals for ethical, competent and effective public service in a range of roles in policy, management and leadership. We seek to improve practice by facilitating learning through community engagement, promoting scholarship, and encouraging reflection as we develop and work with leaders representing diverse communities across all domains of public service.\nWe recognize that public service professionals work within a complex set of constitutional, institutional, socio-cultural, and legal structures. We believe that they must understand the ways in which economic and political interdependence, both global and domestic, shape the exercise of administrative leadership and management. Our collective efforts support the educational and professional preparation of public service professionals and new scholars.\nBased on this recognition, we are guided by the following values which encompass our commitment to integrated, rigorous and relevant teaching, learning, and scholarship, all geared toward the sustainability of our increasingly diverse and rich communities:\nWe believe that the integration of theory and practiceis essential for successful management and leadership in public, nonprofit and health organizations, and that reflective practice enhances this integration. We believe that a public service education that integrates ethics and experienceis essential to our society. We seek to model in ourselves and develop in our students values of public serviceand provide mechanisms through which students can explore potential roles for engaging the public in their work. We are committed to addressing the life-long learning needsof our graduates and career public service professionals. We value scholarshipthat is both rigorous and relevant. We value Portland State University's commitment to community-engaged teaching and scholarship. We are committed to collaboratingwith public and nonprofit organizations and communities to create rich learning experiences that both assist the community and prepare graduates for productive public service careers. We believe that public service professionals must understand the ways in which a multiplicity of interests help to shape, and in turn are shaped by, the underlying values of our systems of democratic governance. We believe that understanding the dynamic social relationships in diverse and global communitiesis essential for public service leaders and managers.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.524882435798645} {"content": "Abstract\nSera from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis exhibit variable autoantibody reactivity against mitochondria, the commonest antigen (designated M2) including three structures of approximate M.W. 70, 50 and 40 kD. The nature of these antigens has only recently been established; the 70 and 50 kD are the transacetylase E2 and component X, respectively, of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and are distinct polypeptides. We have demonstrated, by immunoblotting, elution and rebinding of antibodies, unequivocal cross-reactivity between the major bands of the M2 antigen. In addition, cross-reactivity has been shown between antibodies binding to each of the three M2 bands of mitochondria and two major antigenic bands of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Conversely, antibodies eluted from these two bands of\nEscherichia coli were found to bind all three M2 bands of mitochondria. These results suggest that the antibodies of primary biliary cirrhosis contain both peptide-specific and cross-reacting antibodies, the latter recognizing a common “M2 epitope” that might include nonprotein components of the peptides. However, direct and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays failed to implicate the coenzyme of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, lipoic acid or its amide, as the common antigenic moiety.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6787717938423157} {"content": "Fast food consumption has detrimental effects on a human body. To achieve proper physical and mental health you must eat clean and healthy food. The body responds to what we eat. Clean food consists of whole meals, fruits, and vegetables. Stay away from processed, quick fix meals at the restaurants and just eat at any fast food like Best Food Au Bon Can Offer. They have high-calorie content stored as saturated fats responsible for high cholesterol in the body. A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. To sustain the change, have a positive attitude and take one step at a time. Here are some tips to help you go through the change\nPositive mindset\nHave a motivating factor to change your eating habits. Is it an upcoming event, which you want to look sexy? Is it a negative comment about your eating habits? The positive attitude will help to ensure you are focused towards the goal and you can sustain the routine until you achieve your desired results.\nDefine the time you are willing to commit to the challenge\nChanging your eating pattern revolves around total lifestyle change. How are you planning your breakfast, lunch, and dinner? What are the financial implications? How are you going to handle the cravings? These are questions to help you change your eating habits and ensure you keep up with the repercussions, however, challenging they may seem.\nPrepare a comprehensive audit of your diet\nHave a list of foods you want to avoid and a replacement. Technology offers numerous applications and online forums to offer guidance. Join groups they educate and help you go through the journey.\nStart small\nThe journey to great physical health has many options. Make a decision to focus on one habit at a time within a specific period. Ensure you stick to it. After a month incorporate other habits and always focus on the main goal and not the repercussions of your diet change.\nSet clear objectives\nSaying I want to reduce on pizza is not enough. The objectives must be (SMART) Specific, Measurable, Accurate, Realistic and within a given Timeframe. How many calories do you want to cut on? How do you want to manage the craving? For how long do you want to stay away from Pizza?\nTailor the lifestyle change in your grocery shopping\nChange your shopping routine by involving a grocery list and avoid fast foods. Consider buying food with low fat and high-calorie content. Stick to the schedule set in your objectives. Your grocery list will reduce and realize your monthly budget will also be cut by a certain percentage.\nConsider these tips in meal preparation\nPrepare your meals to ensure they maintain the nutritive content and no addition of calories. You might buy the right food but you make a mistake in preparation. Stick to boiled and steam food to achieve better results.\nThis is a long term effect, you should not lose hope when you do not see the impact of your efforts on healthy lifestyle within a month. As long as you are doing the right thing, give yourself time.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5648925304412842} {"content": "This paper proposes a concept for how joint forces will achieve operational access in the face of armed opposition by a variety of potential enemies and under a variety of conditions, as part of a broader national approach.\nOperational access is the ability to project military force into an operational area with sufficient freedom of action to accomplish the mission. Operational access does not exist for its own sake, but rather serves our broader strategic goals, whether to ensure access to commerce, demonstrate U.S. resolve by positioning forces overseas to manage crisis and prevent war, or defeat an enemy in war.\nOperational access is the joint force contribution to assured access, the unhindered national use of the global commons and select sovereign territory, waters, airspace and cyberspace.\nEnduring requirement for force projection As a global power with global interests, the United States must maintain the credible capability to project military force into any region of the world in support of those interests.\nWhile the requirement for operational access applies to any mission, the most difficult access challenge—and therefore the subject of this concept—is operational access contested by armed opposition.\nDistinction between antiaccess and area-denial As used in this paper, antiaccess refers to those actions and capabilities, usually long-range, designed to prevent an opposing force from entering an operational area. Area denial refers to those actions and capabilities, usually of shorter range, designed not to keep an opposing force out, but to limit its freedom of action within the operational area. Importance of preconditions The challenge of operational access is determined largely by conditions existing prior to the onset of combat operations. Consequently, success in combat often will depend on efforts to shape favorable access conditions in advance, which in turn requires a coordinated interagency approach. The joint force will attempt to shape the operational area in advance of conflict through a variety of security and engagement activities (as described in the Capstone Concept for Joint Operations), such as multinational exercises, access and support agreements, establishment and improvement of overseas bases, prepositioning of supplies, and forward deployment of forces. Emerging trends Three trends in the operating environment promise to complicate the challenge of opposed access for U.S. joint forces: The dramatic improvement and proliferation of weapons and other technologies capable of denying access to or freedom of action within an operational area. The changing U.S. overseas defense posture. The emergence of space and cyberspace as increasingly important and contested domains.\n[Download not found]\nEnemy adoption of antiaccess/area-denial strategies Events of recent decades have demonstrated the decisive results U.S. joint forces can achieve when allowed to flow combat power into an operational area unimpeded. Yet, few if any enemies perceived that they possessed the ability to deny U.S. access by armed opposition, and U.S. operational access during that period was essentially unopposed. The combination of the three major trends described above has altered that calculus dramatically. Increasingly capable future enemies will see the adoption of an antiaccess/area-denial strategy against the United States as a favorable course of action for them. The ability to ensure operational access in the future is being challenged—and may well be the most difficult operational challenge U.S. forces will face over the coming decades.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7069642543792725} {"content": "Garlic is a bulb of the lily family but also related to the chive and onion family. Garlic bulbs should be planted in November or December. Right before planting, divide the bulbs into cloves. Use the largest outer cloves of each bulb for your seed stock. These cloves will produce better quality plants.\nGarlic prefers rich, loose, fertile soil. A heavy soil will restrict bulb growth. Do not plant garlic where onions have been previously planted. The soil may be contaminated with common diseases or pests. Planting the clove with the root system down is not necessary, as the clove planted will disintegrate as the plant develops. Plant the garlic in full sunlight and in moist, but not soggy, soil. Plant the cloves 2 inches deep and 4 inches apart. Distance between rows should be 12 inches to 18 inches.\nGarlic requires twice as much fertilizer as most vegetables. Under normal conditions, you should water deeply to a depth of 24 inches. Discontinue irrigation as soon as the plant tops naturally fall over and become dry. Let the soil dry for a week or two before harvesting.\nWhen harvesting the garlic, lift the bulb carefully using a spade to loosen the bulb from the soil. Do not bruise the bulb. Store the garlic in a shady, well-ventilated place to dry. You can tie small bunches together on a wire or rope. Keep the bunches to a group of 10 or less for air circulation as thy hang to dry. Dry the bunches for 2 or 3 weeks. After drying, cut the stalks to 1\" above the bulb. Trim off the root system. Store the bulbs in a cool, well-ventilated place.\nSome expert gardeners plant garlic on the shortest day of the year and harvest on the longest day of the year. If you plant in December in Gilroy, your garlic should be ready to harvest in late June or July.\nGarlic and onions interplanted with roses, cause the roses to produce a stronger perfume in larger quantities. This is practiced in Bulgaria, where attar of roses is produced for perfumes.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.717809796333313} {"content": "Welcome > Focus > Sustainable Development\nForward-thinking\nsustainable development solutions, spanning both the investment input and potential opportunities output, have now been scaled and quantified. The solutions are tailored to word from the business world. From an ethical, environmental and social responsibility stance, sustainability is set to be a mid-term factor driving increased turnover, lower expenditure, and better growth in profitability.\nThe\nAFNOR is one of the leading protagonists in the area. The AFNOR is part of the team responsible for the upcoming market release of standard ISO 26000, which is set to mark the same kind of revolutionary step forward as I SO 9001 was for quality and ISO 14001 for the environment.\nThe document has moved here.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9077537059783936} {"content": "A self portrait to visually represent what living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is like. I have had ME for about 6 years. Little is known about it currently, but it's believed to be a neurological disease. Some of the hallmarks include muscle pain, constant, flu-like fatigue which is unrelieved by rest, memory and concentration problems, and chronic pain. It also often makes you overly sensitive in all your senses; I often explain to people that it's like the volume in my brain is turned up to 11.\nThis image captures the blerg-feeling of being exhausted all day yet still having trouble sleeping, leaving you feeling like you don't belong either to the world of the awake or the world of the asleep; you're just trapped between the two.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9774976968765259} {"content": "English français Criticality in the Approach to Failure in Amorphous Solids\nFailure of amorphous solids is fundamental to various phenomena, including landslides and earthquakes. Recent experiments indicate that highly plastic regions form elongated structures that are especially apparent near the maximal shear stress Sigma(max) where failure occurs. This observation suggested that Sigma(max) acts as a critical point where the length scale of those structures diverges, possibly causing macroscopic transient shear bands. Here, we argue instead that the entire solid phase (Sigma < Sigma(max)) is critical, that plasticity always involves system-spanning events, and that their magnitude diverges at Sigma(max) independently of the presence of shear bands. We relate the statistics and fractal properties of these rearrangements to an exponent theta that captures the stability of the material, which is observed to vary continuously with stress, and we confirm our predictions in elastoplastic models.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9986012578010559} {"content": "Question! YOUR I have been suffering from tendonitis on and off for several years. Q. Dear Terry, “I have been suffering from tendonitis on and off for several years. Most of the time the pain is mild, but lately it has been more on the moderate to severe side. Do you have any suggestions?” — Scott W., Kearney, NE A. Dear Scott, I do have some options that I believe will make a significant difference. However, I would first encourage you to consult with a healthcare practitioner that specializes in sports medicine and/or a certified fitness professional who can determine if incorrect body mechanics during exercise may be contributing to your tendinitis.\nWhen it comes to addressing your pain, I would recommend these four ingredients: highly absorbable curcumin, boswellia, DLPA and nattokinase. Each ingredient works in a slightly different manner to help get you comfortable as quickly as possible. I advise taking these four ingredients three times daily.\nTo further assist in the healing/repairing of these tendons, I recommend a multi-ingredient combination. It should include the active forms of vitamins B6 and B12, along with magnesium, manganese, bromelain, zinc, vitamin C, niacinamide, and boswellia. One of the most crucial ingredients is manganese. You need at least 36 mg of manganese to have an impact, so make sure the dosing of this critical mineral is adequate. I recommend taking these ingredients three times daily.\nHealthy Regards!\nTerry . . . Naturally", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6541644334793091} {"content": "A reappraisal of the EU's expanding readmission system\nTitle: A reappraisal of the EU's expanding readmission system\nAuthor: CASSARINO, Jean-Pierre\nDate: 2014\nCitation: The International Spectator, 2014, Vol. 49, No 4, pp. 130-145\nISSN: 0393-2729; 1751-9721\nAbstract:\nReadmission is not simply a means of removing undesirable foreigners through coercive methods. When viewed as a way of ensuring the temporary stay of foreign workers in the labour markets of European destination countries, readmission may also impact on the participatory rights of a growing number of native workers facing equally temporary (and precarious) labour conditions, in a context marked by employment deregulation and wage flexibility. These implications have clear democratic significance. A new analytical perspective applied to the expansion and development of the readmission system is aimed at promoting a reflection on an unexplored research area bridging the gap between labour migration regulation and labour market deregulation.\nType of Access: openAccess; openAccess", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8154350519180298} {"content": "Abstract\nThe origin of new genes includes both the initial molecular events and subsequent population dynamics. A processed Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) gene, previously thought to be a pseudogene, provided an opportunity to examine the two phases of the origin of a new gene. The sequence of the processed Adh messenger RNA became part of a new functional gene by capturing several upstream exons and introns of an unrelated gene. This novel chimeric gene, jingwei, differs from its parent Adh gene in both its pattern of expression and rate of molecular evolution. Natural selection participated in the origin and subsequent evolution of this gene.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5314405560493469} {"content": "Physiotherapy is a profession that pursues a 'whole man' approach to achieve wellbeing and health. The patient is actively involved in their own treatment and personal care, through authorization education & comprehension. The practitioner helps to renew the motion and function of individuals impacted by illness, injury or incapacity.\nTheir services come convenient in maintaining the wellness of individuals of all ages, by helping patients manage pain, in addition to preventing disorder. So, sports physiotherapy helps to ease recovery, encourage development and freedom, and permit individuals to carry on playing sports. Functions of physiotherapist For the best results, it is advisable to locate a qualified physiotherapist who will assist you with exercise, guidance, instruction and manual therapy. The function of a sports physiotherapist will be to administer treatments using physical means such as mechanical, electrical, thermal, manual and hydraulic therapeutic exercises using special techniques. The professional uses these physical agents to prevent, recover and adjust to individuals with loco-motor, generated by exercise or sports at different degrees. This thought-provoking midland offers a variety of insurance covered article has oodles of original suggestions for the meaning behind it. The amounts refer to sports elite (i.e. leisure & competition), fundamental sports and sports fan. The particular functions of a physiotherapist in sports include: Outreach in sport The physiotherapist attempts to guide sports professionals, along with sports folks. Additionally, they perform important activities needed to improve the ability to prevent harm among sportsmen. Prevention The physiotherapist is attentive to prevent while participating in the possible return of harm or a sport, all variables which could bring about injuries. Recovery The physiotherapist helps the athlete to recover functionality the first time possible. Moreover, they seek to hasten the biological process of healing from injuries and limit athletes training until they're reinstated back to health. Rehabilitation The physiotherapist helps a fantastic deal in easing rehabilitation after recovery from injuries. If you know anything at all, you will possibly claim to compare about midland physiotherapy clinic. The sportsman is anticipated to regain functionality quickly, accelerating the procedure for recovery and restricting the sportsmen training to a minimal level. Moreover, the sportsman is anticipated to be reinstated with the greatest prospects for success. Teaching The physiotherapist aims at enhancing all the areas of knowledge, which contribute towards the training of professionals in the field of physiotherapy, particularly at the graduate level. Research Physiotherapists are involved in research studies that contribute to development and the expansion of expertise in sports physiotherapy. Learn extra information on midland physio by visiting our original paper. Physiotherapists use knowledge and their skills to enhance a range of health conditions, for example neurological, cardiovascular, neuromusculoskeletal, and respiratory illnesses..", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7408944368362427} {"content": "This resource is no longer available Improve the Patient Journey With Omni-Patient\nWhile the primary goal of today’s healthcare providers and practices is, undoubtedly, to enhance the patient’s experience and deliver high-quality care to improve long-term patient wellness, there are various barriers which lead to unavoidable readmissions; overuse, underuse and misuse of beneficial care; rising costs; and ongoing care quality issues. These barriers include:\nDuplicate patient records Incomplete medical histories Incorrect medications And billing mistakes\nHealthcare firms need to and can do better- and the answer lies in underutilized, but effective technology. Read this paper today to examine the challenges healthcare organizations are currently facing when it comes to providing high-quality patient care.\nAnd as a bonus, find an analysis of 2012’s winner of the Next Generation (NG) Healthcare U.S. Summit “Leader in Innovation” award and discover how this tool is helping healthcare organizations enhance the patient experience.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.979149341583252} {"content": "In IT divisions and organizations, the need to execute in a competitive and complex technical environment while demonstrating personal integrity can be a significant personal and organizational challenge. Supplying concrete guidelines for those at an ethical crossroads, Ethics in IT Outsourcing explores the complex challenges of aligning IT outsourcing programs with ethical conduct and standards.\nThis one-stop reference on the ethical structure and execution of IT outsourcing incorporates an easy-to-apply checklist of principles for outsourcing executives and managers. It examines certification programs, such as the online ethics training and certification offered by the Code of Ethics and Business Practice Standards for Outsourcing Professionals established by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP). Based upon significant research on the economic impact of outsourcing at a micro, macro, and corporate level, this volume defines a comprehensive set of ethical program components to ensure your program is aligned with ethical guidelines. Based on a solid foundation of documented research and analysis Examines the ethical impact of outsourcing on individuals, corporations, and society Outlines a new corporate capability-the Ethics PMO Includes a list of tools to help readers establish their own Ethics PMO Filled with authoritative insights based on the author's decades of experience working with large firms in IT and outsourcing, this book is suitable for both veteran IT practitioners and stakeholders new to the topic. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the underlying issues in this area of growing importance, it will bring you up to speed on the recent developments you need to be aware of to ensure ethical personal, corporate, and societal decision-making.\nReaders are invited to participate in the growing dialog of business ethics, and IT outsourcing ethics in particular, at the author's website: www.ethicsinit.com\nTo view this DRM protected ebook on your desktop or laptop you will need to have\nAdobe Digital Editions installed. It is a free software. We also strongly recommend that you sign up for an AdobeID at the Adobe website. For more details please see FAQ 1&2. To view this ebook on an iPhone, iPad or Android mobile device you will need the Adobe Digital Editions app, or BlueFire Reader or Txtr app. These are free, too. For more details see this article.\nEbook Details Pages: 211 Size: 6.8 MB Publisher: CRC Press Date published: 2012 ISBN: 9781466562295 (DRM-EPUB)\nDRM Settings Copying: not allowed Printing: not allowed Read Aloud: not allowed", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6023210287094116} {"content": "Modernismo arose in Spanish American literature as a confrontation with and a response to modernizing forces that were transforming Spanish American society in the later nineteenth century. In this book, Cathy L. Jrade undertakes a full exploration of the modernista project and shows how it provided a foundation for trends and movements that have continued to shape literary production in Spanish America throughout the twentieth century.\nJrade opens with a systematic consideration of the development of\nmodernismo and then proceeds with detailed analyses of works-poetry, narrative, and essays-that typified and altered the movement's course. In this way, she situates the writing of key authors, such as Rubén Darío, José Martí, and Leopoldo Lugones, within the overall modernista project and traces modernismo's influence on subsequent generations of writers.\nJrade's analysis reclaims the power of the visionary stance taken by these creative intellectuals. She firmly abolishes any lingering tendency to associate\nmodernismo with affectation and effete elegance, revealing instead how the modernistas' new literary language expressed their profound political and epistemological concerns.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8499809503555298} {"content": "Abstract\nThe village banking approach to microfinance aims to empower women by giving them responsibility for and control over certain aspects of the intervention. This paper explores how women members negotiate participation in the bank and analyses the relationship between responsibility, risk and empowerment. It is based on an ethnographic study in Luribay, Bolivia where the microfinance institution Credit with Rural Education has been operating since 2000. The village bank is placed in the context of gender relations in Luribay and ideas of risk, responsibility and empowerment explored in that context.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8048189878463745} {"content": "12 May 099 Extending the TFN withholding arrangements to closely held trustsThe Government will extend the tax file number (TFN) withholding arrangements to closely held trusts (which are trusts that generally have fewer than 20 beneficiaries), including family trusts, with effect from the 2010-11 income year. The measure will ensure that assessable distributions to beneficiaries of closely held trusts align with the amounts included by these beneficiaries in their tax returns. The measure will not apply to income upon which tax is directly payable by the trustee of the trust, such as the income assessable to minors. Individuals who have tax withheld by trustees can claim a credit for that tax in their tax return. The measure also aligns with the Government’s commitment to ensure a high level of compliance with existing taxation laws by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the ATO's income matching system.\nFor more information, see the Treasurer's media release, No 2009/67, 12 May 2009", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6769581437110901} {"content": "Eight non-randomised retrospective case-control studies (1,065 cases) were included in the analysis. Patients were considered representative of the target population, their characteristics were found comparable within the study groups (where reported) and five studies had more than 90 patients followed-up for five years.\nThe number of complications was significantly lower following laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy compared to open distal gastrectomy at 30 days (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.88; eight studies). No significant differences were observed in mortality rates at 30 days and recurrence rates between the two interventions. There was no significant heterogeneity (Χ²=0%) for these outcomes.\nOperative time was significantly longer for laparoscopy-assisted surgery compared to open gastrectomy, with an overall difference of approximately 37 minutes (WMD 36.51, 95% CI 15.55 to 57.46; six studies). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower for the laparoscopic surgery group compared to open surgery (WMD -114.73 mL, 95% CI -160.46 to -69.01; seven studies). There was evidence of very high heterogeneity for these outcomes (Χ²>90%)\nFirst flatus and first oral intake following surgery took place significantly earlier for the laparoscopic surgery group (first flatus WMD -1.01 day, 95% CI -1.44 to -0.57; five studies, Χ²=86% and first oral intake WMD -0.95 day, 95% CI -1.19 to -0.71; three studies, Χ²=0%). Patients who received open surgery stayed in hospital for about three more days than those who received laparoscopic surgery, which was statistically significant (WMD -3.28 days, 95% CI -4.16 to -2.39; six studies, Χ²=57.4%). There were no significant differences in the number of harvested lymph nodes between the two groups.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9958352446556091} {"content": "Baking breads with shortening in place of butter can aid dieters in controlling consumption of saturated fats. An ounce of vegetable-derived shortening contains a mere 7 grams of saturated fat, compared to the 14 grams in an ounce of butter. Due to significant differences in flavor and water content, inexperienced bakers should use bread recipes designed for the use of shortening.\nWater Content\nSubstituting shortening for butter when baking yeast breads at home is complicated the most by the differences in water content between the products. A dough containing a high percentage of moisture will rise more quickly than a dry dough. Butter contains about 20% water content on average, while shortening is purely fat. Highly experienced bakers can switch between using shortening and butter while baking to adjust the rising time of yeast breads according to their scheduling needs.\nFlavor\nShortening lacks any strong flavor that can be detected in the final product. Avoid substituting shortening in recipes which prescribe the usage of salted butter, as this can result in a flat-tasting final product. If shortening must be substituted for salted butter, add an additional 1/8 teaspoon per 1/4 cup of butter. Shortening is ideal for use in flavored, savory yeast breads. To enhance the taste, add chopped garlic cloves or rosemary to the dough or sprinkle salt on top before baking.\nQuick Breads\nBeginning and intermediate bakers can find success in baking sweet, quick breads with shortening. Breads which do require the addition of yeast or a rising process are less likely to be disrupted by small changes in water content. To prevent a dense, heavy final product, thoroughly cream the butter and sugar together. Use a hand-mixer for 30 to 60 seconds or beat with a fork or whisk. If the final product tastes flat, use a mixture of butter and shortening to improve the flavor.\nBread Machine\nUsing shortening in place of butter when baking yeast bread in a machine can be a challenging feat for even experienced home bakers. A machine is timed to begin baking after an established rising cycle, which can lead to a denser final product. If the recipe used prescribes melted butter, avoid using solid shortening. Ensure that the product is between 80 and 100 degrees F to avoid further disruptions to the rising cycle, per the recommendation of baking supply and education company Prepared Pantry.\nReferences and ResourcesBaking Bites: Butter vs. Shortening in Pie Crust\nPrepared Pantry: Which is Better - Butter, Oil or Shortening?\nSelf Nutrition Data: Butter, salted\nSelf Nutrition Data: Shortening, vegetable, household, composite", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.939965546131134} {"content": "Because purchasing decisions are primarily about personal value, about how much we gain or lose, the prefrontal cortex does not seem to be the dominant player in our brain’s response to purchasing decisions. According to a 2007 fMRI experiment by Brian Knutson, George Lowestein, and colleagues, the frontal cortex was less activated during purchasing decisions than either the nucleus accumbens (which processes rewards), or the insula (which processes pain). This suggests that purchasing decisions are driven more by the balance of pain and desire than by a rational assessment of our options.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7266779541969299} {"content": "Xylan is a crucial component of many plant primary and secondary cell walls. However, the structure and function of xylan in the dicotyledon primary cell wall is not well understood. Here, we characterized a xylan that is specific to tissues enriched in Arabidopsis primary cell walls. Unlike previously described xylans, this xylan carries a pentose linked… (More)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 1.0000096559524536} {"content": "April 28th, 2015\nThe results of a recent survey suggest that nearly a quarter of advanced lung cancer patients fail to receive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) testing before starting treatment. The recent development of drugs that target EGFR has expanded treatment options and improved the outcome for individuals with lung cancer. Guidelines from the International Association for […]", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.945565938949585} {"content": "\"You see, like most women, I was born with the chromosome abnormality known as “XX,” a deviation of the normative “XY” pattern. Symptoms of XX, which affects slightly more than half of the American population, include breasts, ovaries, a uterus, a menstrual cycle, and the potential to bear and nurse children. Now, many would argue even today that the lack of a Y chromosome should not affect my ability to make informed choices about what health care options and lunchtime cat videos are right for me. But others have posited, with increasing volume and intensity, that XX is a disability, even a roadblock on the evolutionary highway. This debate has reached critical mass, and leaves me uncertain of my legal and moral status. Am I a person? An object? A ward of the state? A “prostitute”? (And if I’m the last of these, where do I drop off my W-2?)\"", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9832214713096619} {"content": "Abstract\nThis article critiques the notion of abortion as a \"positive liberty.\" The author argues that the court's holding in Roe v. Wade created a negative right to abortion, meaning that an individual seeking an abortion is merely protected from government interference. Over time, \"pro-abortion\" advocates have sought a positive right to access an abortion, including government funding. The author finds this position problematic and outside the scope of Roe, particularly as it erodes religious healthcare providers' right to refuse to perform the procedure.\nRecommended Citation\nMaureen Kramlich,\nThe Abortion Debate Thirty Years Later: From Choice to Coercion,31 Fordham Urb. L.J. 783 (2003). Available at: http://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/ulj/vol31/iss3/6", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9977476000785828} {"content": "Many pet owners will be among those who hit the road this summer for a holiday with their families and furry companions, alike. However, car travel with an animal can be distracting for humans and uncomfortable for the pet, and this article offers a series of tips, attributed to AVMA, for making vehicular travel easier and safer for all. Among other things, AVMA advises that animals be properly and comfortably restrained while in the car. Read AVMA's FAQs on traveling with pets.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6742023229598999} {"content": "Essential Information Staff accountants work for accounting firms, public companies, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies. They prepare documents such as income tax returns, monthly reports, and financial statements. Employers prefer a bachelor's degree in accounting and prior accounting experience. Staff Accountant Job Description\nStaff accountants work under the supervision of a controller, director or certified public accountant (CPA). They maintain financial reports, records, and general ledgers; prepare and analyze budgets; and perform general bookkeeping. Many staff accountants are also responsible for billing activities, such as accounts payable and accounts receivable. A 40-hour workweek can be expected; many accountants prepare tax returns that can lead to potential overtime during tax season.\nJob Duties\nStaff accountants also perform administrative duties such as maintaining schedules, providing telephone support, filing, transcription and the production of forms. The accountant may have additional responsibilities if employed by an accounting firm. In addition to preparing tax returns and financial statements, accounting firms represent clients on matters pertaining to their financial affairs. Typically, it is the staff accountants' responsibility to meet with clients to discuss their financial matters, such as real property, equipment, and tax liability.\nRequirements\nTypical requirements for the position include a bachelor's degree in accounting and one year of accounting experience, which can be gained from an internship position or previous employment.\nA Bachelor of Science in Accounting is a 4-year degree preparing students with the necessary skills in accounting, business, management, information technology and ethics. Curricula may include courses such as macroeconomics, business communications, computer applications, statistics and accounting information systems.\nPotential staff accountants must possess basic math skills, the ability to analyze figures, knowledge of accounting principles and excellent verbal and written skills. They must be able to multi-task, establish priorities and organize efficiently. Knowledge of computers and familiarity with accounting software is also essential. Some employers may require a criminal background check along with a written test performed at the time of the application.\nEmployment Outlook and Salary Information\nAccording to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment growth for accountants and auditors should be about average at 11% over the 2014-2024 decade.\nPayScale.com reported that staff accountants earned a median salary of $45,837 in 2016. Entry-level staff accountants had a median salary of $39,704 annually.\nA staff accountant works under a CPA to perform general accounting duties. A bachelor's degree is required for this career.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7495595216751099} {"content": "Experts say the unexpected drop in consumer spending and income during the month of October is due to lost wages and disruptions from Hurricane Sandy.\nConsumer spending decreased $20.2 billion, or 0.2 percent, and real disposable income decreased 0.1 percent in October compared to the previous month, according to a Bureau of Economic Analysis report.\n“The October estimates of personal income and outlays reflect the effects of Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall in the United States on October 29,” the report said. “The storm affected 24 states, with particularly severe damage in New York and New Jersey.”\nOctober wages decreased $17.1 billion nationally, following a $22.4 billion increase in September.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8194541931152344} {"content": "Cancer specialists reaffirmed their support for the CDC's updated recommendation for vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent cancers associated with HPV infection.\nRepresentatives of all 69 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers endorsed a consensus statement released today, an affirmation first stated a year ago.\n\"We feel HPV vaccination represents a rare opportunity to prevent the nearly 40,000 cases of HPV-associated cancers diagnosed annually in the United States,\" the cancer center representatives said in the statement.\n\"HPV vaccination is our best defense in stopping HPV infection in our youth and preventing HPV-associated cancers in our communities,\" the cancer specialists added. \"The HPV vaccine is cancer prevention.\"\nIn its annual update to vaccination guidance, the CDC recommended two doses of the nine-valent HPV vaccine, administered at least 6 months apart, for all 11-year-old boys and girls. Because the vaccine has increased efficacy at a younger age, the CDC recommended three doses of the vaccine for 15- to 26-year-old males and females who remained unvaccinated.\nThe CDC first recommended HPV vaccination a decade ago. Nonetheless, uptake of the various vaccines has lagged behind vaccination rates for other recommended vaccines. A 2016 status report showed that 41.9% of girls and 28.1% of boys had completed the recommended vaccine series, far short of the 80% uptake goal for 2020 established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Healthy People 2020 initiative.\nCiting data from the CDC, the cancer centers' consensus statement noted that 79 million Americans are infected with HPV, and 14 million new infections occur each year. Certain high-risk strains of HPV account for a majority of several types of cancer, including cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, and other cancers involving the genitalia in men and women.\n\"We encourage all healthcare providers to be advocates for cancer prevention by making strong recommendations for childhood HPV vaccination,\" authors of the consensus statement said. \"We ask providers to join forces to educate parents, guardians, and colleagues about the importance and benefits of HPV vaccination.\"\nReviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco and Dorothy Caputo, MA, BSN, RN, Nurse Planner\nlast updated", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7997692823410034} {"content": "Long sandy beaches and historic Victorian homes define Cape May, the “Nation’s Oldest Sea Shore Resort,” located at the southern tip of the New Jersey shore. It’s a community often regarded as entirely crime-free, but each summer, when its population swells with thousands of visitors, the calm quickly disappears and crime rates soar, stretching the law enforcement agencies responsible for maintaining the peace. Responding to the worst and most dangerous criminal acts, regardless of the season, is Cape May County SWAT. First established in 2006, the part-time regional tactical team pools the resources and manpower of nine separate departments to create a combined group of 35 men and women responsible for high-risk law enforcement operations throughout the county’s 620 square miles.\nSituated on a peninsula extending into Delaware Bay, Cape May County SWAT’s area of operation is divided between a heavily forested mainland and the more urban island communities situated along the Atlantic coast. The geography and disparate terrain requires a division of the team into two squads, Mainland and Island, though they can seamlessly combine when required to bring their full number to bear. Operating in predominantly rural areas, the Mainland team dedicates hours to tracking fugitives through dense foliage and open terrain, while the Island team focuses more on the close-quarters-battle (CQB) tactics necessary to move safely through the county’s many multi-story beachfront hotels and apartment buildings. The squads routinely train together for critical incidents such as active-shooter and hostage situations, which would necessitate the callout of the entire team. Much of the agency’s current caseload relates to narcotics warrants, served in response to the importation of heroin, cocaine and marijuana brought from Philadelphia and New York to cater to the visitors who descend on the county every summer.\nWeapons & Tactics\nEvery officer selected for the team attends the five-day SWAT I course at the U.S. Training Center in Moyock, North Carolina, where candidates develop the marksmanship and tactical skills necessary for CQB. Many will later complete the company’s SWAT II course, which focuses on the more advanced tactics and techniques required for hostage-rescue missions. In addition to performing regular duties with their parent departments, officers joining the county team are expected to undergo a minimum of 12 hours of SWAT-specific training each month and participate in up to three annual exercises involving the full team. Each officer uses his or her department-issued sidearm, nearly all of which are .45-caliber Glock 21s, and are provided with a Colt M4 Commando by the county. Chambered for 5.56mm NATO ammo, this select-fire rifle has been adopted by tactical teams throughout the country because of its power, light weight and short overall length—features that provide operators with the lethality, mobility and speed required to clear interior areas.\nFitted to every county-procured rifle is a Meprolight M21 self-powered reflex sight, which provides constant, all-light aiming capability without batteries. Using a tritium light source in darkness and a fiber-optic light collector during the day, the M21 features a 4.3-MOA bullseye triangle reticle that allows for rapid and parallax-free target acquisition with both eyes open. An additional modification is SureFire’s M500A weapon-mounted light, which replaces the original handguard and features a 9-volt, shock-isolated incandescent lamp with an output of 125 lumens. Three beam switches are integrated into its forend, affording the shooter options for activating the light based on their individual preference, including a constant-on rocker, a momentary-on pressure pad, and a system-disable rotary switch.\nTo promote uniformity and create an air of intimidation conducive to suspect compliance, officers are provided with BDU-style uniforms in a dark digital camouflage pattern that includes a combat-style shirt with uniform rip-stop nylon sleeves and a cotton-acrylic chest and back, which mitigate the degree of heat experienced when wearing a full kit. For ballistic protection, officers wear a MOLLE-compatible Protech Titan Assault Enhanced plate carrier with NIJ Level IIIA soft armor under Level IVA ceramic plates, the latter being included to stop the rifle rounds against which soft Kevlar, designed only to protect against handgun calibers, is insufficiently protective. The carrier supports user customization and offers detachable yoke, groin, bicep and throat protectors. Protech Delta 4 Level IIIA ballistic helmets, weighing less than 3 pounds and secured with an adjustable three-point retention chinstrap, complete the armor system.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7846354842185974} {"content": "In malaria endemic regions, a fetus is often exposed in utero to Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage Ags. In some newborns, this can result in the induction of immune suppression. We have previously shown these modulated immune responses to persist postnatally, with a subsequent increase in a child's susceptibility to infection. To test the hypothesis that this immune suppression is partially mediated by malaria-specific regulatory T cells (T(regs)) in utero, cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) were obtained from 44 Kenyan newborns of women with and without malaria at delivery. CD4(+)CD25(lo) T cells and CD4(+)CD25(hi) FOXP3(+) cells (T(regs)) were enriched from CBMC. T(reg) frequency and HLA-DR expression on T(regs) were significantly greater for Kenyan as compared with North American CBMC (p < 0.01). CBMC/CD4(+) T cells cultured with P. falciparum blood-stage Ags induced production of IFN-γ, IL-13, IL-10, and/or IL-5 in 50% of samples. Partial depletion of CD25(hi) cells augmented the Ag-driven IFN-γ production in 69% of subjects with malaria-specific responses and revealed additional Ag-reactive lymphocytes in previously unresponsive individuals (n = 3). Addition of T(regs) to CD4(+)CD25(lo) cells suppressed spontaneous and malaria Ag-driven production of IFN-γ in a dose-dependent fashion, until production was completely inhibited in most subjects. In contrast, T(regs) only partially suppressed malaria-induced Th2 cytokines. IL-10 or TGF-β did not mediate this suppression. Thus, prenatal exposure to malaria blood-stage Ags induces T(regs) that primarily suppress Th1-type recall responses to P. falciparum blood-stage Ags. Persistence of these T(regs) postnatally could modify a child's susceptibility to malaria infection and disease.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7263447046279907} {"content": "Question: \"What is the joy of the Lord?\" Answer:The joy of the Lord is the gladness of heart that comes from knowing God, abiding in Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was born, the angels announced “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10). All who find Jesus know, with the shepherds of the nativity, the joy He brings. Even _before _His birth, Jesus had brought joy, as attested to in Mary’s song (Luke 1:47) and by John’s response to hearing Mary’s voice as he “leaped for joy” in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:44). Jesus exemplified joy in His ministry. He was no glum ascetic; rather, His enemies accused Him of being too joyful on occasion (Luke 7:34). Jesus described Himself as bridegroom enjoying a wedding feast (Mark 2:18-20); He “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” (Luke 10:21); He spoke of “my joy” (John 15:11) and promised to give His disciples a lifetime supply of it (John 16:24). Joy is reflected in many of Jesus’ parables, including the three stories in Luke 15, which mention “rejoicing in the presence of the angels” (Luke 15:10) and end with a joyful shepherd, a joyful woman, and a joyful father. Nehemiah told the repentant Israelites that the joy of the Lord would be their strength (Nehemiah 8:10). The early church was characterized by gladness and the joy of the Lord (Acts 2:46; 13:52), and “joy in the Holy Spirit” is a distinguishing mark of the kingdom of God (Romans 14:17). Those who are part of the kingdom share in the kingdom’s delight. Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). In fact, it is our Christian duty to rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 3:1; 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16). In Christ, the believer is “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8). Because of its supernatural origin, the joy of the Lord—our gladness of heart—is present even through the trials of life. We know we are children of God, and no one can snatch us away from Him (John 10:28-29). We are heirs to “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade,” and no one can steal it from us (1 Peter 1:4; Matthew 6:20). We see the Author and Finisher of our faith, and, let the enemy rage ever so much, we know who wins in the end (Hebrews 12:2; Psalms 2). Faith is the victory that overcomes the world, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Adverse circumstances, instead of hindering our faith, can actually enhance our joy. Paul and Silas knew adversity as they sat with their feet in the stocks in a Philippian jail cell. Their legal rights had been violated. They had been arrested without cause and beaten without a trial. At midnight, since they couldn’t sleep, they sang—loudly—the praises of the Lord they were serving (Acts 16:25). A miracle soon followed (verse 26). The apostles in Jerusalem were arrested—twice—and ordered not to preach in Jesus’ name. The second time they faced the court, they were beaten. Unfazed, they returned home “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” and ready to preach some more (Acts 5:41). Of course, the apostles were only following the example of our Lord, who had “for the joy set before him . . . endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). The joy of the Lord may be inexplicable to the one who does not possess it. But, for the believer in Christ, the joy of the Lord comes as naturally as grapes on a vine. As we abide in Christ, the True Vine, we the branches are full of His strength and vitality, and the fruit we produce, including joy, is His doing (John 15:5). Read more:https://www.gotquestions.org/joy-of-the-lorg.html#ixzz3ZPA1vEEh", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9267053604125977} {"content": "Sunday, November 18, 2012 Mediterranean Diet Benefits Arteries\nResearch at the University of Montreal has revealed that while a single meal of \"junk food\" – composed mainly of saturated fat – is damaging to the arteries, a comparable Mediterranean meal rich in mono-and polyunsaturated fatty acids imposes no such damage, and may even be beneficial.\nBy measuring endothelial function on the inner lining of blood vessels, the researchers were able to determine how easily the arteries dilate following the two types of meals.\nIn the study of 28 non-smoking men who ate a Mediterranean-type meal first and a junk food-type meal one week later, the team found that after eating the junk food meal the men's arteries dilated 24% less than they did when in the fasting state. In contrast, their arteries dilated normally and maintained good blood flow after the Mediterranean-type meal.\nThe study also revealed that participants with higher blood triglyceride levels seemed to benefit more from the healthy meals. Their arteries responded better to the Mediterranean meal compared to people with low triglyceride levels.\n\"We believe that a Mediterranean-type diet may be particularly beneficial for individuals with high triglyceride levels, such as patients with metabolic syndrome, precisely because it could help keep arteries healthy,\" said Dr. Anil Nigam, Director of Research at the Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre (ÉPIC) .\n\"These results will positively alter how we eat on a daily basis. Poor endothelial function is one of the most significant precursors of atherosclerosis. It is now something to think about at every meal.\"\nMediterranean Diet Cookbook For Dummies\nBites\nArtwork: Large Artery", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.620421290397644} {"content": "We believe that higher education is empowering for individuals and transformative for society. Southern Africa’s development depends on strong leadership in key fields, which is why we have supported over 3,000 individuals through their studies since 1981. Research and knowledge are crucial tools for addressing some of the most pressing issues in contemporary southern African society, therefore we focus our scholarship provision on enabling access to postgraduate and doctoral studies. On top of a strong academic record and a passion for research, our scholars must demonstrate their commitment to social justice and to employing their skillsets to achieve impact within the wider community. Our focus on education also extends to access to primary and secondary schooling. Through support of our partner Equal Education, the Trust advocates for quality and equality in the South African education system.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9931414723396301} {"content": "Empirical Analysis of Construction Enterprise Information Systems: Assessing the Critical Factors and Benefits Date2009 Author\nTatari, Mehmet Omer\nAdvisor\nSkibniewski, Miroslaw J\nMetadataShow full item record Abstract\nAttaining higher levels of system integration is seen as the primary goal of enterprise information systems in construction (CEIS). Increased system integration resulting from CEIS implementation is expected to lead to numerous benefits. These benefits encompass information technology infrastructure as well as strategic, operational, organizational, and managerial aspects of the firm. By adopting CEIS, firms seek tangible and intangible benefits such as cost reduction, improved productivity, enhanced efficiency, and business growth. However, with the challenge of integrating various business functions within the firm, certain factors become critical for achieving higher levels of integration. Despite ample research on integrated IT systems, there are very few works in the construction field that empirically analyze the critical factors impacting the level of integration and the benefits thereof. This study seeks to address these gaps in the literature and analyzes the impact of critical factors on levels of integration and the ensuing benefits through a systematic and rigorous research design. The conceptual framework in this study draws heavily upon the theory of IT integration infrastructures, while also modifying and expanding it. This study quantifies the critical success factors that impact CEIS integration and the ensuing benefits. Furthermore, it analyzes the effects of system integration on CEIS induced benefits. It also investigates the impact of CEIS strategy on CEIS induced benefits, and identifies the relationship between CEIS strategy and system integration. Finally, it assesses the effects of CEIS induced benefits on user satisfaction and provides a CEIS implementation guide map for construction firms. The study uses multiple regression analysis and ANOVA to test these relationships.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5863189697265625} {"content": "As pressures on global natural capital intensify, Conservation Capital is developing new business and investment mechanisms for its conservation. We call this 'conservation enterprise'. We are a pioneering and impact-driven company, responding to new conservation opportunities. Our work responds to three core dynamics: Conservation Landscapes: To survive, the world’s remaining natural landscapes need to prove their economic, social and political case. They have significant potential in this regard, but it remains largely unrealized. Commercial Enterprise: Considerable scope exists for creating or re-engineering business models to actively support biodiversity conservation. This can and should be combined with generating sustainable profits. Investment Finance: Demand for conservation finance significantly exceeds available supply. There is an urgent need for new private sector investment mechanisms to supplement traditional public and philanthropic channels.\nConservation enterprise and related finance are becoming an essential focus for any modern conservation development initiative. Read more...", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.742975115776062} {"content": "Serrapeptase, a proteolytic enzyme derived from the intestines of silkworms is not found in any foods or fruits. It is widely available as a supplement and purported to have various health benefits; however, medical doctor and author Ray Sahelian urges caution in the use of serrapeptase until more is known about its long-term benefits and side effects. Seek the advice of your physician before you take any food supplements.\nSources\nSerrapeptase, also known as serrapeptidase, serratiopeptidase or serratia peptidase is derived from the microorganism serratia, which naturally occurs in the intestines of silkworms. Serrapeptase is also found in other microorganisms associated with the bacteria serratia sp. E-15, such as E. coli and salmonella, according to a serrapeptase review site, Serrapeptase.org.\nFunctions\nSerrapeptase dissolves dead tissue without harming living cells, according to Serraptase.org. This is reflected in its ability to dissolve the fibrous cocoon of silkworms in the intestines, enabling the moth to emerge. Serrapeptase has been used to reduce pain and inflammation in a number of conditions, such as nose and throat infections, ear infections, carpal tunnel syndrome and fibrocystic breast disease, according to Serrapeptase.org. However, in a study by the Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi, India, serrapeptase illustrated little analgesic and anti-inflammatory action compared to ibuprofen and paracatemol.\nConsiderations\nThe ability of serrapeptase to remove dead tissue might enable it to combat cardiovascular and arterial disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. According to Hans Alfred Nieper, former president of the German Society of Oncology, serrapeptase may dissolve fibrous blockages and blood clots. No clinical evidence backs these assertions. Seek the advice of your doctor before you use serrapeptase for any medical condition.\nCaution\nSerrapeptase might cause discomfort and various symptoms in some people, Sahelian notes. These may include minor aches and pains, nausea, stomach upset, coughs and the risk of pneumonia in elderly users.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8073285222053528} {"content": "Value growth barely maintained flat rates while declining smoking prevalence continues to weaken tobacco demand in Costa Rica. Nonetheless, growth continued to be undermined by rising health awareness among Costa Ricans, successful campaigns to draw attention to health risks associated with smoking, tough restrictions on tobacco advertising and smoking in public places, and further growth in illicit trade, particularly of cigarettes.\nEuromonitor International's Tobacco in Costa Rica report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data 2010-2014, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be the new legislative, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2019 illustrate how the market is set to change.\nData coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.\nWhy buy this report?\nGet a detailed picture of the Tobacco market;\nPinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;\nUnderstand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;\nUse five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.\nEuromonitor International has over 40 years' experience of publishing market research reports, business reference books and online information systems. With offices in London, Chicago, Singapore, Shanghai, Vilnius, Dubai, Cape Town, Santiago, Sydney, Tokyo and Bangalore and a network of over 800 analysts worldwide, Euromonitor International has a unique capability to develop reliable information resources to help drive informed strategic planning.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8368911743164062} {"content": "The quiz was created to help Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) plan sponsors understand and properly execute their fiduciary responsibilities.\nIt guides users through a series of fourteen statements focusing on areas such as investment policy statements and potential conflicts of interest. Users are also offered resources throughout the quiz to assist them in understanding their role as a plan fiduciary.\n\"At MetLife, we’re committed to delivering timely educational programs and resources to help plan sponsors make informed decisions,” states Derrick Kelson, vice president, MetLife. “This assessment quiz is designed to be a helpful tool for ERISA plan sponsors in managing their plans.\"\nTo take the quiz, click here.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.557220995426178} {"content": "FX & CFD trading involves significant risk\nThe\nU.S.\ndollar traded lower against the most major currencies, but the U.S. currency is\nstill supported by higher U.S. Treasury yields. The yield on the U.S. 10-year\nTreasuries climbed to 2.64% on Tuesday. That was the highest yield since last\nmonth.\nThe\neuro\ntraded mixed against the U.S. dollar. The euro suffers due to bond yield gap\nbetween some euro area government bonds and U.S. Treasuries. While the currency\nin the Eurozone is to remain permanently cheap, the first interest rate hike by\nthe Fed in the United States and by the Bank of England in the U.K. is more\nlikely.\nThe European Central Bank cut its interest rate last Thursday. The ECB reduced its deposit rate to -0.10% from 0.0%. The European Central Bank is the world’s first major central bank to use a negative rate. The deposit rate of -0.10% means that commercial bank will be charged for holding their reserves. This measure should spur commercial banks to ramp up lending.\nThe\nBritish\npound increased against the U.S. dollar due to the strong labour market data in\nthe U.K. The U.K. unemployment rate fell to 6.6% in the three months to April\nfrom 6.8% in the previous three months. That was the lowest level since early\n2009. Analysts had expected a decline to 6.7%.\nJobless claims (claimant count) declined by 27,400 in May, compared with a forecast for a decline of 25,000 people. April’s figure was revised to a decrease of 28,400 from 25,100.\nWeekly earnings increased by 0.7% in the three months to April, missing expectations for a 1.2% gain, after a 1.7% rise in the previous three months. The growth of wages is slower than inflation in the U.K. The inflation rate in the UK was 1.8% in April.\nThe\nJapanese yen rose against the U.S. dollar due to expectations that the Bank of\nJapan will not expand its stimulus measures at its meeting this week.\nThe\nCanadian dollar rose against the U.S. dollar in the absence of any economic\ndata.\nIn the overnight trading session, the BSI manufacturing index was released in Japan. . Japan's BSI manufacturing index for the second quarter declined to 13.9 points from 12.7 in the first quarter, missing expectations for a rise to 14.1.\nThe\nNew\nZealand dollar rose against the U.S dollar in the absence of any major economic\nreports. The kiwi was supported by expectations the Reserve Bank of New Zealand\n(RBNZ) will raise interest rates again later in the day. Investors expect the\nRBNZ will hike its interest rate by 0.25% to 3.25%.\nThe\nAustralian dollar climbed to 1-month highs\nagainst the U.S. dollar due to the better-than-expected consumer sentiment data\nfrom Australia. The Westpac consumer confidence in Australia increased 0.2% in\nJune, after a 6.8% decline in May.\nMarket Focus\nQuotes\nAll posted material is a marketing communication solely for informational purposes and reliance on this may lead to loss. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Please read our full disclaimer.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6100581288337708} {"content": "Environmental management is a wide, expanding, and rapidly evolving field, which concerns all humans. There is no precise and universally agreed definition of environmental management but it plays a crucial role in the quest for sustainable development. Environmental management affects everybody from individual citizens, administrators, and lawyers, to businesses, governments, international agencies and non-governmental organizations. This second edition explores the nature and role of environmental management, covering key principles and practice, and offers a comprehensive and understandable introduction, which points readers to further in-depth coverage. Among the themes covered are: - sustainable development - proactive approaches - the precautionary principle - the idea that the \"polluter pays,\" and the need for humans to be less vulnerable and more adaptable. With rapid expansion and evolution of the subject it is easy for those starting to study it to get disorientated, but this useful volume offers a structured coverage and foundation for further, more-focused interest. \"Environmental Management for Sustainable Development\" is a much revised, restructured and updated second edition accessible to all readers. It is illustrated throughout with figures, plates and case studies.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9924858212471008} {"content": "19 April 2016\nImage credit:\nIDPartnership An appeal has been allowed, and outline planning permission granted, for 320 new homes on the edge of Ormesby near Middlesbrough, following work by WYG planners. Despite the site lying beyond the settlement boundary, the appeal was successful because Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council could not prove that it had a five-year housing supply, nor did it have an up-to-date Local Plan. Much of the Inquiry had focussed on arguments around economic activity rates and their influence on future housing need.\nAt the Public Inquiry, the Inspector found that the proposal would deliver a range of positive benefits, most notably a significant contribution to housing need, including affordable housing, and that any adverse impacts of the proposal would not outweigh these benefits.\nThe Council’s Objectively Assessed Need figure was 215 dwellings per annum. However, the developer’s Counsel countered that its figure of 355 dwellings was correct because it was based on more accurate economic activity forecasts. The Council had argued that the population of the borough was sufficient to meet the demand for jobs in the area. But the developer’s Counsel argued that population would need to be imported to meet that demand and, in turn, have their housing needs met. On this basis, the Inspector was persuaded that the developer’s Objectively Assessed Need figure was more realistic.\nJohn Wyatt, Associate Director at Signet Planning, now part of the WYG group of companies, had worked on the proposal from before the pre-application stage. He subsequently secured an Officer’s recommendation for approval at planning committee stage but this was refused by Members.\nHe said: “This decision is significant because the issue of an older working population, which will become more relevant, and the prediction of economic activity rates and their influence on future housing need, were fully explored. We are pleased that the Inspector agreed with our more realistic economic activity rates rather than those produced by the Council’s expert witness. It is also pleasing that the Inspector concurred with our view that policies relevant to the supply of housing were out of date by virtue not only of an absence of a five-year housing supply, but also due to the age of the Local Plan.\nYou can read the appeal decision here.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6134092807769775} {"content": "OVERVIEW\nThe Internal Revenue Code is lengthy and complex, which can sometimes mean that your personal income tax return will be riddled with errors and omissions. The IRS allows you to voluntarily correct the mistakes you later discover by filing an amended tax return. However, you have to adhere to all eligibility criteria before filing the amendment.\nStaying within the statute of limitations for filing a tax amendment\nBefore you begin the process of amending a personal income tax return, you should first make sure that filing an amended return isn’t time barred by the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations prohibits you from filing an amendment that increases a refund amount beyond three years of the original filing date or two years of the date you actually pay the tax, (basically whichever one is later).\nAs an example, if you filed your 2012 taxes on April 15, 2013 and did not discover a calculation error until April 16, 2016, the statute of limitations bars you from claiming a refund. Reasons to file a tax amendment\nThe IRS allows you to file an amended return only to correct your filing status, to cure any errors you make in claiming dependents, to increase or decrease the amount of income you originally reported and to add or eliminate any deduction or credit.\nIf the original return includes mathematical errors that affect your tax liability, you should provide the IRS with sufficient time from the original filing date to fix the error; generally, the IRS can detect and correct math errors on tax returns within a reasonable amount of time. The IRS will notify you of any change it makes to your tax return. If additional changes are still necessary after receiving notice, only then should you amend the tax return. Amending your tax return\nA valid tax return amendment requires you to complete IRS Form 1040X. The two-page form requires you to update the amounts that differ from what you reported on the first tax return. The form also provides space for you to draft a short note to the IRS explaining why you are amending the return. However, if the error relates to information you initially reported on a schedule or attachment to the tax return, you have to update that schedule and attach it to the 1040X.\nFor example, if you initially underestimated your capital losses because you omitted some stock transactions (presumably on accident), you must prepare a new Schedule D and file it with the 1040X. Interest and penalties on tax amendments\nAlthough the IRS encourages taxpayers to amend a tax return when the original does not accurately report the correct tax, you are still liable for interest and penalties if the amended return requires an additional payment of tax. Monthly interest will also accrue on the tax you underreported between the original filing date and the date you file the amendment.\nAdditionally, the IRS may impose a late-payment penalty that accrues concurrently with interest. However, if you can provide reasonable cause, the IRS has discretionary authority to waive all interest and penalties.\nGet every deduction\nyou deserve TurboTax Deluxe searches more than 350 tax deductions and credits so you get your maximum refund, guaranteed.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6515198945999146} {"content": "Consumer in Japan were more optimistic in June as the consumer confidence index among households rose 0.9 points to 41.80, data from the Cabinet office showed on Friday. However, the survey was conducted on June 15, before the Brexit referendum wrecked havoc in the global markets. The survey showed that consumers were positive in their economic outlook including employment and readiness to buy new durable goods. Last week, Japan's retail sales fell 2.30% marking a slowdown in consumer spending. The survey however showed that households expect inflation to rise in the year ahead. In a separate report, the BoJ’s measure of inflation showed that consumer prices increased 0.80% on the month in June, rising at the same pace as in May but below the BoJ’s inflation target of 2.0%", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9021140336990356} {"content": "Learn about this topic in these articles: patterns of migration\n...at great depths during the day and rise at dusk, concentrating in the upper layers of water during the night. Their predators, particularly fishes, follow them in their cycle. The daily activity of\npelagic birds (those living on the open sea), such as petrels and shearwaters, which feed on planktonic crustaceans and squids, follows this same rhythm.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9823092222213745} {"content": "This fully-revised Second Edition looks at how practitioners and students can achieve best-practice when working with vulnerable adults.\nThe first part of the book explores the evolution of concepts and policies for safeguarding adults, with particular reference to the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Capacity Act 2005. In the second section the focus shifts to good practice in empowering vulnerable adults. The final section focuses on developing effective professional and inter-professional practice.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9635090827941895} {"content": "Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) is to put forward a global tender this week to rent a third gasification vessel with the capacity of 750 million cubic feet of gas per day.\nMinister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El-Molla said to local media that the third vessel will contribute to bridging the gap between demand and supply, helping to meet local market needs.\nHe added that the vessel will supply gas required for economic development over the next five years.\nFSRU Höegh Gallant - Image: Höegh LNG\nAccording to El-Molla, the vessel will dock at Sumer, in the Ain Sokhna terminal, where it will receive liquid gas shipments, convert the liquid into a gas state, and then pump the gas into the national gas grid pipelines.\nThe minister pointed out that the third vessel will boost import capacity to 1.95 billion cubic feet of gas per day, instead of the current capacity of 1.2 billion, which is imported through two gasification vessels also docked in Ain Sokhna. He added that importing more gas will stabilise supplies for electricity and other industries within the country.\nAccording to studies prepared by specialised institutions, Egypt can achieve self-sufficiency with regards to natural gas by 2022, at which point importing could cease.\nEgypt currently has two gasification vessels in Ain Sokhna. The first is a Norwegian ship, which has a capacity of 500 million cubic feet per day. The second vessel is owned by Singapore’s BW, which has a 700 million cubic feet capacity.\nEgypt’s current production of natural gas is 4 billion cubic feet per day, and will remain so until the end of the current fiscal year.\nThe total volume of compensatory wells that were linked to the production does not exceed 700 million cubic feet per year, while the monthly decline in the productivity of Egyptian wells stands at 100 million feet per month.\nSource: DailyNewsEgypt", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6516960263252258} {"content": "Quick Reference\nAffecting two parties; often used in relation to negotiations or agreement between two countries. International relations are often conducted between two countries, seeking mutually beneficial solutions to disputes, and improved collaboration and cooperation. Bilateralism can be contrasted with unilateralism, and many international organizations are designed to encourage multilateral negotiations. Bilateral agreements can be easier to negotiate, involving only two parties, but outcomes can be seen to serve a narrow set of interests. Bilateral negotiations have a similar interpretation in domestic politics. The prime ministerial style of Tony Blair, involving an emphasis on bilateral meetings between himself and ministers, was seen to reduce the influence of the Cabinet and undermine collective decision‐making.\nSubjects: Politics.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8884217143058777} {"content": "Assessment | Biopsychology | Comparative |Cognitive | Developmental | Language | Individual differences |Personality | Philosophy | Social |\nMethods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |\nThe term\nphenomenology in science is used to describe a body of knowledge that relates empirical observations of phenomena to each other, in a way that is consistent with fundamental theory, but is not directly derived from theory. For example, we find the following definition in the Concise Dictionary of Physics: Phenomenological Theory. A theory that expresses mathematically the results of observed phenomena without paying detailed attention to their fundamental significance. [1] See alsoEdit ReferencesEdit ↑ Thewlis, J. (Ed.) (1973). Concise Dictionary of Physics. Oxford: Pergamon Press, p. 248.\nThis page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8586922287940979} {"content": "In the West, an active monsoon pattern features scattered showers from the Desert Southwest to the interior Northwest. Heat lingers across the northern half of the region, where numerous large wildfires are in various stages of containment. On the Plains, hot, mostly dry weather is maintaining stress on both rain-fed and irrigated summer crops. Across the northern Plains, heat is also promoting winter wheat maturation. In the Corn Belt, scattered but highly beneficial shower activity is occurring across the upper Mississippi Valley. Meanwhile, cloudy weather prevails along the Ohio River. Across the remainder of the Midwest, extremely dry conditions and near- to above-normal temperatures are maintaining severe stress on reproductive summer crops. In the South, widespread cloudiness and scattered showers accompany near- to below-normal temperatures. Drought-easing showers are heaviest across parts of the interior Southeast, including eastern Kentucky.\nOutlook: During the weekend and early next week, heat will persist on the Plains and intensify across much of the East and Midwest. Several days of 100-degree heat can be expected on the central Plains, and triple-digit readings may briefly return to the upper Midwest. During the next 5 days, little or no rain can be expected on the Plains and across the driest areas of the southern and eastern Corn Belt. Meanwhile, scattered showers will affect the Intermountain West and the upper Midwest. Across the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic States, additional rainfall totals could reach 1 to 3 inches. The NWS 6- to 10-day outlook for July 18-22 calls for near- to above-normal temperatures nationwide, except for cooler-than-normal conditions along the Pacific Coast. Elsewhere, a complex rainfall pattern will result in the likelihood of above-normal rainfall in several areas, including the Pacific Northwest, southern Rockies, western Gulf Coast region, and Great Lakes and Eastern States, while drier-thannormal weather can be expected across the northern half of the Plains and from California into the Great Basin.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9811393618583679} {"content": "Abstract\n14-3-3 Proteins may function as adapters or scaffold in signal-transduction pathways. We found previously that protein kinase C-ζ (PKC-ζ) can phosphorylate and activate Raf-1 in a signalling complex [van Dijk, Hilkmann and van Blitterswijk (1997) Biochem. J.\n325, 303-307]. We report now that PKC-ζ-Raf-1 interaction is mediated by 14-3-3 proteins in vitro and in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments in COS cells revealed that complex formation between PKC-ζ and Raf-1 is mediated strongly by the 14-3-3β and -θ isotypes, but not by 14-3-3ζ. Far-Western blotting revealed that 14-3-3 binds PKC-ζ directly at its regulatory domain, where a S186A mutation in a putative 14-3-3-binding domain strongly reduced the binding and the complex formation with 14-3-3β and Raf-1. Treatment of PKC-ζ with lambda protein phosphatase also reduced its binding to 14-3-3β in vitro. Preincubation of an immobilized Raf-1 construct with 14-3-3β facilitated PKC-ζ binding. Together, the results suggest that 14-3-3 binds both PKC-ζ (at phospho-Ser-186) and Raf-1 in a ternary complex. Complex formation was much stronger with a kinase-inactive PKC-ζ mutant than with wild-type PKC-ζ, supporting the idea that kinase activity leads to complex dissociation. 14-3-3β and -θ were substrates for PKC-ζ, whereas 14-3-3ζ was not. Phosphorylation of 14-3-3β by PKC-ζ negatively regulated their physical association. 14-3-3β with its putative PKC-ζ phosphorylation sites mutated enhanced co-precipitation between PKC-ζ and Raf-1, suggesting that phosphorylation of 14-3-3 by PKC-ζ weakens the complex in vivo. We conclude that 14-3-3 facilitates coupling of PKC-ζ to Raf-1 in an isotype-specific and phosphorylation-dependent manner. We suggest that 14-3-3 is a transient mediator of Raf-1 phosphorylation and activation by PKC-ζ. mitogen-activated protein kinase platelet-derived-growth-factor receptor scaffold/adapter protein signalling complex signal transduction The Biochemical Society, London © 2000", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.54116290807724} {"content": "San Francisco recently enacted two sweeping ordinances that are being referred to as the “Retail Workers Bill of Rights” (you can find the ordinances here and here). The new laws impose strict new requirements on retail employers and establishments in the City of San Francisco. While the ordinances became effective on January 5, 2015, employers will have until July 5, 2015 to comply. Below is an overview of the new laws’ requirements.\nAffected Employers—“Formula Retail Establishments”\nThe new laws apply to “Formula Retail Establishments” with at least 20 retail sales establishments worldwide and 20 or more employees in San Francisco. The term “Formula Retail Establishment” applies to retail sales or service establishments that maintain at least two of the following features: (1) a standardized array of merchandise, (2) a standardized façade, (3) a standardized décor and color scheme, (4) uniform apparel, (5) standardized signage, and (6) a trademark or servicemark.\nNew Requirements for Formula Retail Establishments Offering Additional Hours Worked to Current Part-Time Employees – Under the ordinances, employers must offer, in writing, additional work to qualified part-time employees before hiring new employees or using contractors or staffing agencies to perform additional work. Employers only need to offer part-time employees up to the number of hours required for the employee to reach 35 hours worked per week. Employers must retain offers of additional hours to employees for at least three years. Good Faith Initial Estimate of Minimum Hours and Two Weeks’ Notice of Schedules – Prior to the start of employment, employers are required to provide new employees with a good faith written estimate of the employee’s expected minimum number of scheduled shifts per month and the days and hours of those shifts. The estimate need not include on-call shifts. The ordinances also require employers to provide employees with their schedules two weeks in advance. Employers must retain employee work schedules and payroll records for at least three years. Notice of Schedule Changes and “Predictability Pay” for Schedule Changes – Employers must provide employees with notice of schedule changes. If the employer changes an employee’s schedule on less than seven days’, but more than 24 hours’ notice, the employer must provide an extra hour of pay for each changed shift. A “schedule change” is defined as changing the date or time of a scheduled shift, cancelling a scheduled shift, or requiring the employee to work when he or she was previously unscheduled. However, an employer does not need to provide “predictability pay” when it extends an employee’s scheduled shift to include overtime hours.\nIf the employer changes the employee’s schedule on less than 24 hours’ notice, the employer must provide an additional two hours of pay if the changed shift is four hours or less or an additional four hours of pay if the changed shift is longer than four hours.\nKey Exceptions: Employers do not have to provide “predictability pay” if any of the following conditions apply: Another employee was scheduled to work, but is unable to work due to illness, vacation, or other approved time off, and the employee failed to provide the employer with at least seven days’ notice. Another employee was scheduled to work, but failed to report to work on time or is sent home as a disciplinary action. The employee requests a change in shifts or trades shifts with another employee. Emergency situations: the business closes due to threats to safety, public utility failure, a natural disaster, or a state of emergency declared by the Mayor or Governor. On-Call Shift Pay – If an employee is required to be “on-call,” but is not called in to work, the employer must provide the employee with two hours of pay if the on-call shift lasted four hours or less, or four hours of pay if the on-call shift exceeded four hours. Equal Treatment for Part-Time Employees – Employers must provide equal treatment, subject to certain qualifications, for full-time and part-time employees regarding: (1) starting hourly wage; (2) access to paid and unpaid time off; and (3) eligibility for promotions. However, hourly wage differentials are permissible if they are based on reasons other than part-time status, such as seniority or merit systems. Further, employees’ time off allotments may be prorated based on hours worked. Workplace Posting – Formula Retail Establishments are required to post at the workplace a notice informing covered employees of their rights under the new laws. Require Contractor Compliance – Covered employers must include in service contracts with contractors for janitorial or security services: (1) a provision requiring the contractor to comply with the new laws; and (2) a copy of the new laws. Penalties for Non-Compliance\nThe San Francisco Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (“OLSE”) is charged with implementing and enforcing the ordinances. The OLSE can order compliance, impose administrative fines, and require employers to pay lost wages and reimburse the City’s enforcement costs. Additionally, the ordinances authorize the City Attorney to bring a civil action against employers for violation of the laws. The City may recover payment of lost wages, civil penalties, reinstatement of employment, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. Notably, if an employer fails to maintain or retain records as required by the new laws, the City will presume that the employer did not comply with the ordinances.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8141187429428101} {"content": "TEAM CHARTER\nReal-Time Inundation Mapping Evaluation (R-TIME) Team\nVision: The provision of real-time inundation maps will enhance community resiliency by\nenabling decision makers to make informed decisions to better mitigate the impact of floods.\nMission: Evaluate demonstration projects in which real-time inundation maps are currently\nbeing generated by the National Weather Service (NWS) and others. NWS demonstration projects are\ncurrently being conducted on the Red River, St. Johns River, Tar River, and Susquehanna River\nBasins. Assess the capabilities, limitations, and resources required for each of these\nprojects/alternatives. Based on the response to the Request for Information (see attachment) and\nthe evaluation of current mapping activities, recommend the approach (if any) most suitable for\ninclusion in real-time operations. Define what information should be provided and how, how the\ninformation will be depicted, the frequency with which the information should be generated, and\nthe format(s) in which the information should be made available.\nScope of Authority/Limitations:\nThis team operates under the authority of the Director of the Office of Hydrologic Development,\nand the NOAA Hydrology Program Manager.\nRecommendations must be scientifically sound, efficient and cost effective.\nAnalyses must be objective and unbiased.\nPast or current practices, and organizational allegiances among the team members, must not be\nallowed to influence either the evaluation or the recommendations.\nThe team will consult with internal and external partners and customers as needed.\nConsensus among team members, as agreed upon by the team, is required for a decision to be made\nor a recommendation to be adopted. In situations where the team can not achieve consensus, and a\ndecision must be made to move the team's activities forward, the NOAA Hydrology Program Manager\nwill adjudicate the impasse.\nTravel expenses, if needed, will be covered by the NOAA Hydrology Program.\nSuccess Criteria/Deliverables:\nThe team will produce a final report consisting of HOSIP/OSIP documentation through Stages 1, 2\nand 3 required to implement the recommended solution. The team leader will brief the team's\nfindings and recommendations to the NOAA Hydrology Program Manager.\nCommencement & Termination Date:\nThe team will be formed and commence activities by October 15, 2006 and deliver its final\nreport and briefing by September 30, 2007.\nSuggested Team Members:\nMARFC\nJoe Ostrowski\nSERFC\nJonathan Atwell\nOCWWS\nTom Donaldson\nNCRFC\nJohn Halquist\nCNRFC\nThea Minsk\nOHD\nCecile Aschwanden\nOHD\nReggina Cabrera (Team Leader)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7140122652053833} {"content": "DiGeorge syndrome, which is caused by a microdeletion of 1.5 to 3.0 megabases on the long arm of chromosome 22, has an incidence of approximately 1:4,000 to 1:5,000 live births. The phenotypic spectrum of this disorder includes congenital heart defects, immunodeficiency due to thymic hypoplasia or aplasia, transient or permanent hypocalcemia due to parathyroid hypoplasia or aplasia, developmental retardation, and psychiatric disorders. Dental aspects in these patients include skeletal malformations, velopharyngeal insufficiency with or without cleft palate, small mouth, and hypotonus orofacial musculature, as well as impaired salivary flow. Enamel aberrations related to hypocalcemia may result in a higher frequency of dental caries. Based on a series of five patients, the medical and dental aspects that have to be considered in the care of patients with DiGeorge syndrome are presented. (Quintessence Int 2010;41:551–556)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5182110071182251} {"content": "Abstract\nAbstract Olfactory-like receptors (OLRs) have been shown previously to be expressed in adult and foetal human tongue. This prompted us to verify the hypothesis if OLRs were involved in taste perception. In the present work, the mouse orthologs of OLR genes expressed in adult and/or foetal human tongue were identified. Analysis of their genomic localization and of their primary sequence features using bioinformatics did not reveal any shared remarkable characteristic. The expression of eight of these orthologs ( S25/mJCG1, K42, mJCG2, mJCG3, P2/mJCG5, P3/mJCG6, mT09m/mJCG9, K21/mTPCR85 and mTPCR06) was studied in three types of mouse papillae as well as in the olfactory epithelium. It was found that all of them are expressed in olfactory epithelium and that only three of them ( S25/mJCG1, K42/mJCG2 and mTPCR06) are expressed in papillae. However, despite many efforts it was impossible to detect without ambiguity the presence of OLR mRNAs in taste receptor cells nor in surrounding tissues by in-situ hybridization. Hence, the studied OLRs very likely play in taste papillae other roles than taste perception.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5706983208656311} {"content": "Temp car insurance comes in several forms - temporary or month-to-month are the primary examples. Temporary car insurance covers periods ranging from 1 to 28 days. Month-to-month cover, also known as pay-as-you-go, covers periods longer than 28 days, but shorter than the one-year terms of annual insurance policies. These temp options allow drivers to get cover when they don't require year-round coverage and don't want to pay for insurance they won't use or need. Pay-as-you-go insurance also offers more flexibility to young drivers, who may otherwise have difficulty finding the type of cover they need.\nDrivers who need to drive another car for short periods of time often purchase temporary insurance. Many annual policies exclude cars not listed on the policy. Thus, drivers can find themselves in the unfortunate position of driving without insurance, even though they pay for annual insurance, albeit the wrong kind. Temporary cover ensures that drivers don't experience this unenviable situation. Some comprehensive annual policies may include third party cover on other vehicles, subject to restrictions, in which case drivers may not need temporary cover. For drivers without such policies, temporary cover allows them to fulfil legal requirements for a modest cost. Indeed, some choose to use temporary insurance as a defensive tactic, to safeguard their no claims bonus and ensure that annual policies won't increase should they have an accident.\nTemporary insurance may be used for many reasons, but essentially it's about fulfilling legal obligations. Laws dictate that every driver must have third party cover at minimum, providing protection for the person and property of others involved in an accident. For those who drive at all times, year-round insurance suits their needs and fulfils this basic requirement. That's sufficient for insuring a vehicle driven all the time, but what about irregular or unexpected driving? This can come at any time - driving a borrowed car whilst one's own car is being serviced, borrowing a van to transport things from one place to another, sharing the driving on a long trip, even offering to serve as designated driver in someone else's vehicle.\nFor more zany information about temporary car insurance why not try this crazy site?", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7307500839233398} {"content": "How Employees Put Their Company at Risk\nDespite the abundance of publicity over organizations that have been hacked—Target, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and Ashley Madison, to name just a few—workers still take part in risky device usage that could potentially expose their company to a variety of threats, according to a recent survey from CompTIA. The survey report, \"Cyber Secure: A Look at Employee Cybersecurity Habits in the Workplace,\" reveals that a surprisingly large percentage of employees receive no cyber-security training on the job. As a result, they aren't as familiar with the dangers of malware as they should be, nor are many of them aware of proven protective measures such as two-factor authentication. Meanwhile, many employees consider their work and personal devices as one and the same—often calling up work-related data while connecting through vulnerable public WiFi networks. \"The ecosystem of consumer technology is swelling, and the lines that once delineated device use are fading,\" the report states. \"Employees use a variety of personal and corporate tools, but work devices aren't solely used for work purposes [and vice versa]. This blending of data puts the onus on organizations to ensure that employees understand what constitutes 'good' cyber-security hygiene and are equipped with the skills to demonstrate it.\" An estimated 1,200 U.S. employees took part in the research.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7400575876235962} {"content": "Caffeine is a mind-altering drug common in foods and beverages. While most people are familiar with the buzz and alert feelings that immediately follow a cup of coffee, not everyone understand the complex biological reactions that caffeine causes in the body. Caffeine is absorbed in the body very quickly, and can have an immediate effect on your central nervous system.\nCaffeine and the Body\nCaffeine is quickly absorbed into the body and is immediately distributed to the brain, according to Medline Plus. Unlike some chemicals, caffeine does not accumulate in the bloodstream or other parts of the body, but is instead excreted in urine within a few hours of consumption. As caffeine passes through the brain, signals are sent to the adrenal glands that cause them to pump stress hormones through your body in the imitation of a fight-or-flight response.\nSpeed\nDetermining an exact speed or time for caffeine absorption is difficult due to individual factors such as age, body weight, caffeine sensitivity and diet. However, according to the ABC website, women metabolize caffeine at a rate 20 to 30 percent quicker than men. As your blood transfers the caffeine from your gastrointestinal tract to your brain, it increases your total metabolic rate, reaching its maximum concentration within an hour of consuming.\nEffects\nAlthough caffeine is widely available in products ranging from sodas to chocolate and coffee, the Teen’s Health website recommends capping your dosage to 300 milligrams a day. As caffeine begins to stimulate your central nervous system, feelings of awareness, energy and elevated mood can often occur, followed by a crash of low energy and tiredness. Due to its addictive properties, caffeine can form dependencies and addictions in individuals who consume as little 100 milligrams a day, leading to withdrawal symptoms such as tiredness, irritability and headaches.\nSafety Concern\nReduce your risk of negative symptoms by limiting your caffeine intake, and never drinking caffeinated beverages on an empty stomach. If you feel that you may be dependent on caffeine, talk to your doctor about healthy alternatives to your eating and drinking habits.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7863055467605591} {"content": "Spurred by recent governmental transitions from dictatorships to democratic institutions, this highly original work argues that negotiated civil society-oriented transitions have an affinity for a distinctive method of constitution making_one that accomplishes the radical change of institutions through legal continuity. Arato presents a compelling argument that this is the preferred method for rapidly establishing viable democratic institutions, and he contrasts the negotiated model with radical revolutionary change. This exceptionally engaging work will be of interest to students and scholars of comparative politics, constitutional law, and East European studies, as well as to political scientists and sociologists.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.919187605381012} {"content": "The term S&P 900 Composite Value refers to an index that includes a subset of the securities found in the S&P 400 and S&P 500 Indices. The S&P 900 Value is published and maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices.\nThe S&P 900 is a composite index that includes mid to large-cap stocks in the United States' market. The S&P 900 Value is a subset of the securities appearing in the S&P 900, which includes the S&P 400 and S&P 500 indices.\nThe components of this index were selected based on their value potential with respect to sales, earnings relative to price, and momentum. These three criteria determine the security's value score, which is used when selecting securities for inclusion in the Value Index. First launched on December 16, 2005, the index is made up of approximately 670 securities. The composite is designed to provide investors with a measure of the performance of mid to large-sized U.S. value equities. The performance of the index can be tracked using the stock ticker SPUSNV.\nS&P Dow Jones first determines whether a stock appearing in the S&P 900 has value potential based on sales, earnings and momentum. These 670 securities are then placed in the Value index. Those securities with the highest value scores (approximately 200 securities) are placed in the Pure Value index. In other words, the Pure Value index is a subset of the Value index with the highest value potential.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9764116406440735} {"content": "This course begins with an overview of the Earth's systems \"geophysical, atmospheric, oceanic, and ecosystems\" as they exist independently of human influence. Following this introduction, the course explores the effect that human activities have on the different natural systems. Topics include:\nhuman population growth and resource use, increasing competition for fresh water, and climate change.\nEach of the programs features two case studies following top scientists in the field. The course includes video programs, a coordinated website, the course text online, five interactive simulations, background on the scientists whose research is documented, a professional development guide for high school science teachers and additional resources.\nThis workshop will be offered for 3.0 CEUs. Participants will be enrolled in Canvas and access the course materials through this gateway site. They will be expected to engage with all the course materials including 13 half hour video sessions plus support materials, website interactives, and wrap-around activities totaling at least an additional 24 hours, but will not be required to submit homework, papers, projects, etc.\nA non-graded discussion forum will be available to participants as an outlet for ideas and peer interaction. A participant survey/open-ended test questions/evaluation form will serve as the end point of the noncredit course and will document participation. Once the participant has completed the survey/test form, they will notify the course monitor who will review and send a certificate documenting the CEUs.\nNoncredit courses do not produce academic credit nor appear on a Colorado State University academic transcript.\nImportant Information\nThere is no refund available for this noncredit course once the registration is processed. Students will receive an email containing their Canvas login information soon after registration.\nInstructors\nBarry Carroll\nBarry.Carroll@Colostate.edu", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5430602431297302} {"content": "Continue Reading\nUsing a formula that astrophysicist Greg Laughlin had created, the planets have been given values in terms of currency. The Earth is valued at five quadrillion dollars, as of February 2011, making it the most expensive among 1,235 other planets.\nProfessor Laughlin used vital statistics such as each planet’s age, mass and temperature to come up with the formula. According to his calculations, Mars is only worth $14,000, while Venus is barely worth a cent. The reason for this is that these planets have inhospitable environments.\nDespite the low price tags of other planets in space, purchasing them is not allowed because of a treaty established by the United Nations in 1967, the Outer Space Treaty. With a total of 102 state parties, this treaty forbids any nation from claiming territorial sovereignty over any part of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies.Learn more about Astronomy", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5411709547042847} {"content": "While exposure to fibers and particles has been proposed to be associated with several different lung malignancies including mesothelioma, the mechanism for the carcinogenesis is not fully understood. Along with mineralogical observation, we have analyzed forty-four major and trace elements in extracted asbestos bodies (fibers and proteins attached to them) with coexisting fiber-free ferruginous protein bodies from extirpative lungs of individuals with malignant mesothelioma. These observations together with patients’ characteristics suggest that inhaled iron-rich asbestos fibers and dust particles, and excess iron deposited by continuous cigarette smoking would induce ferruginous protein body formation resulting in ferritin aggregates in lung tissue. Chemical analysis of ferruginous protein bodies extracted from lung tissues reveals anomalously high concentrations of radioactive radium, reaching millions of times higher concentration than that of seawater. Continuous and prolonged internal exposure to hotspot ionizing radiation from radium and its daughter nuclides could cause strong and frequent DNA damage in lung tissue, initiate different types of tumour cells, including malignant mesothelioma cells, and may cause cancers.(Communicated by Takashi SUGIMURA, M.J.A.)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5287114381790161} {"content": "In\nUS News & World Report, William Broman, a current biomedical engineering major at George Washington University, offers a reality check about the financial burdens facing many college graduates in the form of hefty college loan payments. The data, he says, supports the notion that one of the quickest ways for graduates to eliminate their college debt is to enter a STEM field.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6306278705596924} {"content": "The study - presented at the ESPEN Congress on Nutrition and Metabolism – examined the association between previous eating habits and current nutritional status in elderly people, finding that for every percentage of energy intake that came from dietary fat resulted in a 7% higher risk of being malnourished 10 years later.\nLed by Lisa Loderstrom from Uppsala University in Sweden, the research team followed more than 700 people from mid-Sweden for an average of 10 years – revealing a relationship between levels of dietary fat intake and the later risk of malnourishment.\nStudy details\nLoderstrom and her colleagues followed 732 men and women aged between 44 and 80 years old from 1997 to 2009. All participants were asked to provide information on dietary habits lifestyle information at the beginning of the study. This included information on potential risk factors form malnutrition such as: sex, age, BMI, tobacco use, and percentage energy intake from fats, carbohydrate, protein and alcohol.\nThe team followed the participants for an average of 10 years, before conducting a final nutritional assessment – using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).\nThe team reported that while the percent of energy gained from carbohydrate, protein or alcohol were not associated with the risk of malnourishment; smoking, BMI, and percentage of energy from fat were all significantly associated with the later risk of malnourishment.\nAfter adjusting for the risk of smoking and BMI, the team revealed that for each additional percentage of energy from fat the risk of later malnourishment increases by 7%.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5008560419082642} {"content": "D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier is arguably the most popular city official in the District.\nHer job approval is high, some have floated a run for the mayor’s office, and she’s the epitome of no-nonsense competent management. In a city experiencing ceaseless ethical lapses and serial scandals tainting the local public sector, she’s the town sheriff who saddles a noble steed. Lanier is personable, likable and her own best representative.\nShe has a straight-talking style and common-sense attitude. For that reason, Lanier’s often misguided and random utilization of special emergency powers granted the police chief under the District’s Emergency Suspension of Liquor Licenses Act of 2005 is an oddly uncharacteristic misstep.\nThe law allows closure for up to 96 hours of an establishment that poses an “additional imminent danger to the health and welfare of the public” with “no immediately available measure to ameliorate” and a finding “that there is a correlation between increased incidents of crime within 1,000 feet of the establishment and the operation of the establishment.” The law further provides that this latter “determination shall be based on objective criteria, including incident reports, arrests, and reported crime, occurring within the preceding 18 months.”\nA license suspension under this provision remains in effect until the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board can expedite review as related to liquor permit rules.\nGranting an extraordinary special ability to singlehandedly impose emergency closures was not intended as a regulatory penalty mechanism, but to protect the public from serious ongoing danger not achievable through standard actions.\nRecent usage of this unique power illustrates the controversy over its increasingly irregular imposition.\nTwo weekends ago, following police response to an alleged after-hours sexual assault complaint at the long re-launched historic jazz venue Bohemian Caverns that first opened at the corner of 11th and U streets, N.W., in 1926, the decision to invoke an emergency closure was puzzling. While the accusation that a male employee assaulted a woman invited to the location for drinks after the business had closed and without the authorization or knowledge of the owner is certainly troubling if true, there was no resulting threat to public safety extending to the surrounding area.\nLikewise, the emergency closure earlier that week of Indulj Restaurant and Lounge one block away, following the gunshot wounding on an adjoining street of three male patrons, perhaps from a passing vehicle, also fails to meet the legal criteria. This act of random violence without prior occurrence, as unsettling as it may be, does not establish a pattern of incident or likelihood of repetition related to the venue’s operation.\nThe ABC Board terminated or allowed expiration of these closures.\nAs counterintuitive as it may seem, a criminal act committed either on the street or on premise does not automatically constitute an actionable standard under the law. A reflexive reaction without collecting or understanding relevant facts potentially results in both inappropriate closure and unwarranted business harm.\nTemporary emergency shutdowns – numbering nine in 2011 and 14 this year among nearly 1,600 alcohol-licensed businesses – do not represent a thoughtful or consistent policy benefiting public safety. Instead, the closures strike observers as unduly haphazard and capricious, and inconsistent with the goal of protecting the community from continuing danger. Employment of this extreme measure is oftentimes not reflective of either the intent or requirements of the law.\nOf note, churning out closure citations appears a newly overused routine, as evidenced by the cut-and-paste error on the Bohemian Caverns police order. The document, later revised, cited a “brazen shooting on the streets of the District of Columbia” as cause, not the actual incident.\nMisapplying this law does not provide public safety, fails to meet the defined standard and suggests only a desire to implement a shortsighted public relations strategy. Imposing closures without a justifiably legitimate rationale undermines its rare use when appropriate.\nRather than conveying confidence that an actual threat is being addressed in a relevant manner, misuse leads to a false sense of protection and unduly taints both neighborhood and business as dangerous locale or enterprise.\nCommunity interests are poorly served by this propagating police practice.\nMark Lee is a local small business manager and long-time community business advocate. Reach him at OurBusinessMatters@gmail.com.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5648613572120667} {"content": "The amount of energy stored in a given food per unit volume or mass. Fat stores 9 kilocalories/gram (gm), alcohol stores 7 kilocalories/gm, carbohydrate and protein each store 4 kilocalories/gm, fiber stores 1.5 to 2.5 kilocalories/gm, and water has no calories. Foods that are almost entirely composed of fat with minimal water (e.g., butter) are more energy dense than foods that consist largely of water, fiber, and carbohydrates (e.g., fruits and vegetables).", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7475241422653198} {"content": "openDemocracy oD-UK oDR oD 50.50 democraciaAbierta Transformation OurBeeb More OurBeeb Happiness Debate Edited by William Davies\nThe happiness debate ran over the course of 2011, featuring sixteen articles from a range of policy thinkers, academics and critics. It interrogated the underpinnings of the government's new interest in our happiness, reflecting on what this might mean, how happiness is measured, and whether our wellbeing should be a concern for policy in the first place. A highlight of the happiness debate was an interview with Geoff Mulgan, former head of Tony Blair's policy unit, now Director of NESTA and a founder of Action for Happiness. These articles remain a valuable online resource for those seeking to think critically and widely about the emergence of a policy paradigm, which places our mental wellbeing at its heart.\nSee Davies' reflections on the debate, written at the conclusion of the series.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9071031808853149} {"content": "To clean a badly stained toilet bowl, scrub the toilet with baking soda, and use a pumice stone to remove mineral buildup. Clean the toilet bowl with vinegar and Borax on a regular basis to prevent additional stains. Typically, toilet bowls can be cleaned in under an hour.Continue Reading\nPour a cup of baking soda onto the stained areas of the toilet bowl, and allow the baking soda to remain undisturbed for several minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush to remove odors and surface stains.\nPumice stones are used to remove difficult stains, such as buildup caused by minerals in the home's water supply. Wear gloves, and gently scrub the stained areas with the stone to remove lime scales and other mineral buildup. Flush the toilet to remove any particles in the bowl.\nToilet stains are common in homes with hard water. To prevent new stains, add a cup of vinegar to the bowl, and allow it to remain for an hour. Flush the toilet, add 1/2 cup of Borax to the toilet bowl, and allow it to remain overnight. The next morning, clean the toilet bowl with a brush, and flush to remove the Borax.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7150787115097046} {"content": "\"Intelligence and spirituality share features with wisdom, but they are not the same thing. One can be intelligent, yet lack practical knowledge. Spirituality is often associated with age, like wisdom, but most researchers tend to define wisdom in secular terms, not spiritual.\"\nTo break that down:\nIt is uniquely human. It is a form of advanced cognitive and emotional development that is experience-driven. It is a personal quality, albeit rare. It can be learned, increases with age and can be measured. It is probably not enhanced by taking medication.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9203395843505859} {"content": "Many different bacteria and viruses can cause conjunctivitis in the neonate. The two most feared causes are N. gonorrheae and Chlamydia acquired from the birth canal during delivery.Other agents causing Opthalmia neonatorum include Herpes simplex virus (HSV 2), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus haemolyticus, Streptococcus pneumoniae.\nOphthalmia neonatorum due to gonococci (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) typically manifests in the first five days of life and is associated with marked bilateral purulent discharge and local inflammation. In contrast, conjunctivitis secondary to infection with chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) produces conjunctivitis after day three of life, but may occur up to two weeks after delivery. The discharge is usually more watery in nature (mucopurulent) and less inflamed. Babies infected with chlamydia may develop pneumonitis (chest infection) at a later stage.Infants with chlamydia pneumonitis should be treated with oral erythromycin for 10–14 days.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.769634485244751} {"content": "Is there such a thing as a safe cigarette? Every year, millions die from smoking-related illnesses. Meanwhile, Big Tobacco continues to peddle their products to nearly a billion smokers worldwide with little accountability. In this climate of devastating addiction and astronomical death tolls, an alternative to dangerous tobacco-laden cigarettes has taken hold. E-cigarettes promise all the pleasures of smoking without the lethal consequences, and they've become so popular that even the world's largest cigarette manufacturers are desperate to climb aboard and seize a piece of the action.\nWelcome Back, Big Tobacco, produced by the Canadian documentary series The Fifth Estate, investigates whether this new phenomenon is a true life saver or merely smoke and mirrors.\nThe filmmakers travel to the world's second largest tobacco company - British American Tobacco - and witness the work being done to produce the ideal vaping experience. Inside their top secret labs, over 800 million dollars is being spent on the development of e-cigarettes and other nicotine-based products which are designed to be less harmful than traditional cigarettes. But can a tobacco company really be relied upon to regulate itself, and encourage consumers to stop purchasing their most profitable cash cow?\nHost Mark Kelly confronts a representative from the corporation's research and development department, and holds his feet to the fire on these crucial questions. He also speaks with members of the medical community who believe that such alternatives serve the public's best interest, regular citizens who have thrown away their cigarette packs in favor of a vaporizer, and Canadian health officials who remain on the fence regarding the ultimate safety of these products. Can e-cigarettes offer a real solution to a massive public health crisis, or do they serve as a gateway to get more young people hooked on smoking? The Health Canada organization contends that more studies are required before a final determination can be reached.\nStrict regulations have banned Big Tobacco from becoming a player in Canada's e-cigarette industry, but that could soon change. In light of this,\nWelcome Back, Big Tobacco provides a valuable service by examining this contentious issue from multiple perspectives and informing its viewers of all the potential risks and benefits involved.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6731080412864685} {"content": "A degree in #Criminology opens the doors to endless job opportunities. Without any doubt, this is one of the most fascinating and wonderful fields for students. After completing your graduation, you can pursue a career in areas like\nsocial work, psychology, and forensic sciences. According to PayScale, an average salary for a criminology graduate is $45,000, which is more than a graduate of biology, linguistics, and gender studies. If you have decided to opt for this program, the following universities have invited applications for September 2016 intake. Framingham State University\nThis university is situated in Massachusetts. Its\nCollege of Social and Behavioral Sciences invites applications for majoring in criminology. The institute promises to provide best ever study and research facilities to its graduates and post-graduates. As a student, you will study a wide array of criminal problems. Framingham State University awards scholarships to deserving and bright students. It is known for its outstanding and world-class learning opportunities. The University of Tampa\nThe University of Tampa is situated in Florida. On an average, the tuition fee is $27,391. Students of this university enjoy an\ninterdisciplinary environment and numerous internship opportunities. It is known for its great research facilities, allowing students to expand their knowledge. This institute has invited applications for Bachelor’s and Master’s in criminology, forensic sciences, business administration, biological sciences, linguistics, and engineering. You can apply for admission in the Criminology Scholars Program. This short-term course helps to develop an interest in the course before you opt for a regular degree program. State University of New York\nIt is situated in Cortland. This is one of the finest and\ntop ranked universities of New York. It has invited applications for a BA in Criminology, and an MA in Sociology. The faculty members prepare students for facing the challenges of tomorrow. Also, students learn the skills related to the criminal justice system. After the completion of your degree, you can further the #Education in any relevant discipline such as forensic sciences, social sciences, and others. Eastern Michigan University\nEastern Michigan University is based in Michigan. The estimated tuition fee is $13,040. Its\nDepartment of Criminology and Forensic Sciences has talented faculty members. If you want to open the doors of good employment opportunities for yourself, a degree in criminology has no alternative. The Ph.D. faculty members remain busy with students in research projects. You can enjoy hands-on learning by opting for an internship after your graduation.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7528858184814453} {"content": "Learning To Forgive Learning to Forgive - Forgiveness is Not Inherent Learning to forgive implies that forgiveness is a learned process, not an automatic response. Our sinful nature (our flesh) has a high resistance to laying offenses aside. It prefers to take on an offense and use the energy that the offense brings with it, in every negative way. Every part of our un-renewed mind, our carnal mind, has a preference to take on an offense and a propensity to hold grudges, and seek its own sense of justice. Within the carnal mind, retaliation is most often not an option, but rather it's a driving force, it has to get even! Our flesh, unrenewed, unbridled, lacking illumination and understanding, prefers to be judge, jury, and executioner of the offender even when that offender is our own self. Learning to forgive - Christ Based Learning to forgive can only be fully achieved after we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, otherwise we are simply acting according to our flesh. While we can learn to \"forgive and forget\" on a carnal level, as a good deed, but true forgiveness comes from the Spirit of Christ within us. Until our mind is renewed, until we are enlightened by His Holy Spirit, there remains a resistance, an enmity between us and God that will govern our every decision (Romans 12:2, Titus 3:3-5).\nLearning to Forgive - Recognizing the \"Old Man\" Within Learning to forgive begins with understanding what God says about forgiveness in the Bible. Part of our learning process includes becoming aware that our flesh is truly hostile to God, must be brought under authority, and re-trained. Our \"old man\" must be put off and a \"new man\" must be put on (Ephesians 4:22, 24; Colossians 3:10-25). According to Scripture, we are the ones who must put off the old and learn of God and choose His ways. Thankfully we are not left alone to make decisions on our own because God, our Father, has sent His Spirit to help us. The Spirit dwells within us and teaches us (John 14:26). God has also given us His infallible Word, the Bible to teach us how to forgive. Learning to Forgive - A Personal Story There was a time in my life when I was extremely angry with my father. He had, in my opinion, done something that was beyond forgiveness. I knew what the Bible said. I had been taught all the reasons why we should forgive, but the reality was that I simply did not believe that forgiveness was all-encompassing. My anger and judgment were truly taking life from me. One day I said to the Lord, \"I don't believe You forgave him. I don't believe You can love him either. He has stepped over the line! If You love him and forgive him, show me and I will consider forgiving him too.\" My thoughts immediately were focused on an unshelled pecan. I could almost feel the hardness of the shell, but I knew that inside of that shell the fruit was soft, pliable, and delicious. As I continued to consider the unshelled pecan, I was suddenly impressed with the fact that the hard shell was representative of the shell that sin puts around us, while the fruit remains intact within the shell. It is able to bear more fruit and to feed others when the shell is removed from it.\nMy spirit grasped what the Lord was showing me. The shell represented my father's hardened heart and his sin-altered lifestyle. All of a sudden, I understood forgiveness and healing from God's perspective. I understood for the first time that God loved my father for who he was, not for what he had become. God saw through the shell and His love was focused on who He had created my father to be. God recognized that my father's actions were driven by sin. Luke 23:34 echoed thru my head, \"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.\" I realized that I needed to separate my father's actions from his created being and I understood that I, like Jesus, could forgive the man without excusing his actions. All of a sudden, I didn't need to consider if I would forgive my father, it wasn't even a matter of when, it was an immediate response. God used a pecan for my \"learning to forgive\" lesson. He completed His process in me and I learned a lasting lesson.\nI pray that the next time you see an un-cracked nut, God will use that to solidify your understanding of forgiveness, just as He did for me. I encourage you to examine yourself. Ask the Lord to reveal any shell that may have formed around you and, should you sense that there is one, ask Him to break it open and help you become all He created you to be!\nWhat is your response?\nYes, today I am deciding to follow Jesus\nYes, I am already a follower of Jesus\nI still have questions", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5846105813980103} {"content": "Webers Law\nWeber's Law is related to the Just Noticeable Difference (also known as the difference threshold), which is the minimum difference in stimulation that a person can detect 50 percent of the time. But Ernst Weber noted that for people to really perceive a difference, the stimuli must differ by a constant \"proportion\" not a constant \"amount\".\nFor example, if you are buying a new computer that costs $1,000 and you want to add more memory that increases the and the price $200 (a 20% increase), you might consider this too much additional money to spend. However, if you were buying a $300,000 house a $200 feature may seem like nothing. It might take an additional $10,000 to make you stop and think if it's too much to spend. In this example, the amount stays the same ($200), but the proportion changes and that's what makes the perceptual difference. Interested in a Graduate Psychology Degree?\nYou can get free information about Adler University's graduate psychology programs just by answering a few short questions.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5446761846542358} {"content": "Friday January 9Our God of Grace\nEphesians 2:4-5\nGrace is God’s favor and love shown to mankind. We cannot earn it or ever be good enough to deserve it. To truly appreciate His grace, we need to comprehend certain truths about Him and ourselves.\nFirst, God is perfectly holy, so He cannot allow sin in His presence. When Adam and Eve chose to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree, their intimate connection with Him was broken. Since all future generations inherited their sinful nature, every person is born with a disposition that is bent away from the Lord.\nNext, God’s character is just. As a result, He requires payment for all sins. The penalty He demands is death (Rom. 6:23), not just physically but also spiritually through eternal separation from Him.\nFinally, we have a merciful God who does not treat us as our actions deserve but instead extends His grace toward us. He devised a plan that would affirm His holy nature, satisfy His justice, and enable us to become members of His family: He sent His Son to accomplish our salvation. Born as a human being, Jesus lived a perfect life and completely fulfilled the Law. He alone qualified as the one who could satisfy divine justice. Christ took our place, bore our sins, and experienced God’s wrath over our rebellion—all so that we could be reconciled to the Father.\nGod made this provision for our salvation while we were still sinners (Rom. 5:8). Have you acknowledged your sinful state and received His forgiveness through faith in Jesus? If so, are you expressing ongoing thankfulness for His grace?\nFEATURED RESOURCE\nThe Life Principles Bible\nThis Bible combines the wisdom of Scripture with the principles that guide Dr. Charles Stanley's life and empower his ministry. Order your copy.\nUsed with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. © 2008 All Rights Reserved.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.936631441116333} {"content": "“Summary\nGlobal spending in the domain is being driven by the increasing frequency of terror attacks that have taken place in the last couple of years and the associated fear of knowing that non-state as well as organized actors are in all probability active within the country and possess acute local knowledge which might enable some of these elements to strike at critically important networks, sites or processes successfully\nKey Findings\n– The Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) market is expected to value US$64.6 billion in 2016, and grow at a CAGR of 2.44% to value US$82.2 billion by 2026. The cumulative market for global expenditure on CIP is expected at US$813.6 billion over the forecast period\n– The CIP market is expected to be lead by North America with an expected share of 34.6% over the forecast period, followed by the Asia Pacific region at 27.4%, and Europe at 25%. The Middle Eastern market for CIP is expected to account for a share of 10.9%, followed by the Latin American and African markets with a cumulative share of 2.2%\n– Over the forecast period, the Physical Security segment is expected to account for 69.9% of the market., while Network Security and the Others segments (includes investment in ancillary and support activities) are expected to account for shares of 27.1% and 3% respectively\nSynopsis\nThe Global CIP Market 2016-2026 report offers a detailed analysis of the industry with market size forecasts covering the next ten years. This report will also analyze factors that influence demand for CIP equipment, systems and services, key market trends, and challenges faced by industry participants. In particular, it provides an in-depth analysis of the following:\n– Market size and drivers: detailed analysis during 2015-2025, including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators. It also provides a snapshot of the spending and modernization patterns of different regions around the world.\n– Recent developments and industry challenges: insights into technological developments and a detailed analysis of the changing preferences of CIP segments around the world. It also provides trends of the changing industry structure and the challenges faced by industry participants.\n– Regional highlights: study of the key markets in each region, providing an analysis of the key segments of the market that are expected to be in demand.\n– Major programs: details of the key programs in each segment, which are expected to be executed during 2015-2025.\n– Competitive landscape and strategic insights: analysis of the competitive landscape of the global market. It provides an overview of key players, together with information regarding key alliances, strategic initiatives, and financial analysis.\nReasons To Buy\n– Determine prospective investment areas based on a detailed trend analysis of the global CIP market over the next ten years.\n– Gain in-depth understanding about the underlying factors driving demand for different CIP segments in the top spending countries across the world and identify the opportunities offered by each of them.\n– Strengthen your understandingof the market in terms of demand drivers, SWOT, industry trends, and the latest technological developments, among others.\n– Identify the major channels that are driving the global CIP market, providing a clear picture about future opportunities that can be tapped, resulting in revenue expansion.\n– Channelize resources by focusing on the ongoing programs that are being undertaken by the internal ministries of different countries within the CIP market.\n– Make correct business decisions based on thorough analysis of the total competitive landscape of the sector with detailed profiles of the top CIP suppliers around the world which include information about their products, alliances, recent contract wins and financial analysis wherever available.”", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6674729585647583} {"content": "Inclusion Criteria:\n- Histologically documented pancreatic adenocarcinoma not previously treated with\nsystemic therapy.\n- Complete macroscopic and microscopic (R0) resection for ductal adenocarcinoma of the\npancreas with no evidence of malignant ascites, peritoneal metastases or distant\nmetastases. Lack of recurrent and/metastatic disease must be confirmed\nradiologically with CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis prior to enrolment.\n- Adequate tissue available for IHC testing of hENT1. Histological/cytological\nconfirmation of tissue to ensure sufficient material is available for hENT1 analysis\nby the Cross Cancer Institute (CCI) is required. Paraffin block sufficient for\npreparing ≥ 6 unstained slides for central storage and testing if required by\noncologist.\n- ECOG performance status of 0 - 2. (Appendix B)\n- Age ≥ 18 years\n- Life expectancy of at least 6 months based on discretion of treating\n- Adequate hematologic function defined by the following laboratory parameters:\nHemoglobin > 100, Platelet count > 100 and Absolute granulocyte count > 1.5.\n- Adequate hepatic and renal function defined by the following laboratory parameters:\nAST and ALT ≤ 2.5 X upper limit of institutional normal, bilirubin ≤ upper limit of\ninstitutional normal, and calculated creatinine clearance of ≥ 50 mL/min using the\nCockcroft-Gault formula, if just below 50 mL/min based on this formula then GFR ≥ 50\nmL/min as determined.\n- Patients may have received prior curative radiotherapy for a different malignancy\n(unless radiation was curative therapy to ≥ 25% of bone marrow stores) and patients\nmust have recovered from the toxic effects of this treatment.\n- Patients must be started on protocol ≤ 10 weeks from the date of curative surgical\nresection, and patients must have recovered from the toxic effects of surgery.\n- Patients must have the ability to read, understand, and sign an informed consent and\nmust be willing to comply with study treatment and follow-up.\nExclusion Criteria:\n- Patients who have received prior chemotherapy or radiation delivered as parts of\ninitial curative therapy for pancreas cancer (i.e. neoadjuvant or adjuvant\nchemotherapy administered alone and/or concurrently delivered with radiation and/or\nsurgery) are not permitted. Metastatic patients are not permitted.\n- Prior treatment for a different malignancy with > 6 cycles of traditional alkylating\nagent-based chemotherapy, > 2 cycles of carboplatin-based chemotherapy, or concurrent\ntreatment with other experimental drugs or anti-cancer therapy.\n- Lack of physical integrity of the upper gastrointestinal tract, malabsorption\nsyndrome, short gut syndrome, or history of bowel obstruction due to peritoneal\nmetastases.\n- Previous or concurrent malignancies, excluding curatively treated in situ carcinoma\nof the cervix or non-melanoma skin cancer, unless at least 5 years have elapsed since\nlast treatment and the patient is considered cured.\n- Any serious medical condition within 6 months prior to study entry such as myocardial\ninfarction, uncontrolled congestive heart failure, unstable angina, active\ncardiomyopathy, unstable ventricular arrhythmia, cerebrovascular diseases,\nuncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled psychiatric disorder,\nserious infection, active peptic ulcer disease, or other medical condition that.\n- Known dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency.\n- Pregnant or lactating women; women of child bearing potential must have a negative\nserum pregnancy test within 7 days of trial registration. Women or men of child\nbearing potential must use effective contraception (defined by the treating\nphysician) which must be documented in study CRFs.\n- Any other reason the investigator considers the patient should not participate in the\nstudy", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5546038746833801} {"content": "The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) recently denied Patent Owner’s counsel’s motion to withdraw from representation of Patent Owner in\nShire Dev. LLC v. LCS Group LLC, IPR2014-00739 (Nov. 21, 2014) (Paper 9). Under 37 C.F.R. § 42.10(e), counsel may not withdraw without PTAB authorization. The Shire Dev. request was denied because the inventor could not proceed pro se as the patent was assigned to LCS Group, LLC, which was also designated as the real party-in-interest.\nThe PTAB followed the general rule presented in\nMotorola Mobility, LLC v. Arnouse, IPR2013-00010 (March 21, 2013, Paper 24) (April 19, 2013, Paper 30), that a juristic entity, e.g., a corporate entity, may not represent itself pro se in a proceeding before the PTAB. The panel in Motorola Mobilityrelied on Talisila, Inc. v. United States, 240 F.3d 1064, 1066 (Fed. Cir. 2001) and 37 C.F.R. § 1.31 (2012). Paper 24 at 3; Paper 30 at 6-7. Notably, neither addresses representation of a patentee or a petitioner before an agency. Tasila concerns whether a corporation may represent itself pro se in , such as the Court of Federal Claims. Rule 1.31 concerns who may represent an federal courts for a patent, noting that juristic entities must be represented by a patent practitioner. applicant\nAs in\nShire Dev., the issue of pro se representation typically arises in the context of a motion to withdraw by patent owner’s counsel. Authorization to proceed pro se depends on whether the party or real party-in-interest is a juristic entity. For example in United States v. Golden, IPR2014-00714, the PTAB authorized Mr. Golden to file a motion to proceed pro se because the record showed that he, “in his personal capacity,” was the Patent Owner. Paper 17 at 2. In contrast, in Motorola Mobility, the PTAB noted that while the power of attorney and mandatory notices identified Mr. Arnouse as the patent owner and sole real party-in-interest, a Complaint from a copending litigation stated that Arnouse Digitial Devices Corp (ADD) was the exclusive licensee with “all substantial rights.” Paper 30 at 2-3. As ADD appeared to be the “effective patentee,” Mr. Arnouse could not proceed pro se. Id. at 7. With respect to Shire Dev., the PTAB noted that the mandatory notices identified LCS Group, a juristic entity as the patent owner and real party-in-interest; not the inventor.Paper 9 at 2. Further, this would not necessarily be corrected by assigning ownership back to the inventor, particularly where “any rights” may remain in the juristic entity. Id. The inventor may become the patent power but the juristic entity remains a real party-in-interest. Id.\nEven if the motion to proceed\npro se is authorized, the PTAB highly advises the party to retain counsel, explaining that “given the complexity and very technical nature of these proceedings, pro se representation carries significant risk.” Golden, Paper 17 at 2.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9992371797561646} {"content": "Published on\nStatic Business and Strategic Plans are fast becoming irrelevant in a world of rapid commoditization, great uncertainty, and limited resources especially for scalable startups. BUSINESS MODEL DEVELOPMENT (BMD) is emerging as a more dynamic, relevant, and cost-effective approach. However, tools for BMD are authored by different people and found in different books as well as websites. Finding a comprehensive set of tools for BMD is time-consuming.\nThis presentation, \"Business Model Development for Blue Ocean Startups\" is currently the only resource that integrates tools for BMD in a worksheet or template format that facilitates collaboration. The tools can instantly be used for your projects on business model discovery, validation, execution, and/or performance management. Please note that this FREE & INTERACTIVE One-stop Toolkit is available for a LIMITED TIME.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.8190056681632996} {"content": "The Role of Trace Minerals in Dairy Hoof Health\nTrace mineral nutrition plays a critical role in building and maintaining strong, healthy feet. For example, zinc and copper are essential nutrients for developing healthy claw horn tissue, while zinc and manganese play a crucial role in wound healing. Research has shown that feeding a combination of trace minerals (Zn, Mn, Cu and Co) in a highly available complexed form helps decrease both the incidence and severity of common claw lesions.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9999669194221497} {"content": "Abstract\nAbstract Neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) are involved in both tonic and reflex control of sympathetic outflow. Many of these neurons express the adrenaline-synthesizing enzyme phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT), and are designated C1 neurons. C1 neurons that contain mu-opioid receptors (MORs) are hyperpolarized by MOR activation and are activated during morphine withdrawal. The present study examined the subcellular distribution of the cloned MOR, MOR1, in rat C1 neurons following chronic morphine treatment, using RVLM sections that were dually labeled for PNMT-immunoperoxidase and MOR1-immunogold. Electron microscopic analysis of the subcellular distribution of MOR1 revealed a lower abundance of plasma membrane-associated MOR1 in C1 dendrites of rats treated with morphine, compared to placebo-treated controls, only in distal dendrites. There were no differences in the size of dual-labeled dendrites between treatment groups or in the overall density of MOR1 within PNMT immunoreactive dendrites between treatment groups. These results suggest that chronic morphine treatment leads to a decreased presence of MOR1 at the cell surface, without a significant reduction in cytoplasmic receptor density. These observations suggest that chronic morphine produces a selective internalization of MOR1 in C1 neurons, without apparent changes in receptor synthesis or trafficking. The reduction of accessible MORs on these neurons may be a mechanism for tolerance with regard to autonomic responses to opioid administration and may facilitate the profound sympathetic hyperactivity that occurs during acute opioid withdrawal.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7906123399734497} {"content": "Autosomal dominant myotonia congenita (Thomsen's disease) is caused by mutations in the muscle chloride channel CIC-1. Several point mutations found in affected families (I29OM, R317Q, P480L, and Q552R) dramatically shift gating to positive voltages in mutant/WT heterooligomeric channels, and when measurable, even more so in mutant homooligomers. These channels can no longer contribute to the repolarization of action potentials, fully explaining why they cause dominant myotonia. Most replacements of the isoleucine at position 290 shift gating toward positive voltages. Mutant/WT heterooligomers can be partially activated by repetitive depolarizations, suggesting a role in shortening myotonic runs. Remarkably, a human mutation affecting an adjacent residue (E291K) is fully recessive. Large shifts in the voltage dependence of gating may be common to many mutations in dominant myotonia congenita.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.7957479357719421} {"content": "Recent decades have seen rapid advances in automatization processes, supported by modern machines and computers. The result is significant increases in system complexity and state changes, information sources, the need for faster data handling and the integration of environmental influences. Intelligent systems, equipped with a taxonomy of data-driven system identification and machine learning algorithms, can handle these problems partially. Conventional learning algorithms in a batch off-line setting fail whenever dynamic changes of the process appear due to non-stationary environments and external influences. Learning in Non-Stationary Environments: Methods and Applications offers a wide-ranging, comprehensive review of recent developments and important methodologies in the field. The coverage focuses on dynamic learning in unsupervised problems, dynamic learning in supervised classification and dynamic learning in supervised regression problems. A later section is dedicated to applications in which dynamic learning methods serve as keystones for achieving models with high accuracy. Rather than rely on a mathematical theorem/proof style, the editors highlight numerous figures, tables, examples and applications, together with their explanations. This approach offers a useful basis for further investigation and fresh ideas and motivates and inspires newcomers to explore this promising and still emerging field of research.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9184419512748718} {"content": "This paper describes a processing approach which enables perceptually compelling modification of audio signals via accentuation or suppression of transients. The transient detection uses a frequency-domain analysis which yields a spectral. ux parameter. In typical detection methods, such a parameter would be compared with a threshold to derive a binary transient detection function. Here, we instead use an adjustable graded response to arrive at a continuous transient characterization function. This smooth function is used to drive a nonlinear frequency-domain signal modification. We demonstrate that binary detection is problematic for perceptual manipulation, that our approach overcomes these problems, and that our system is able to achieve substantial modification of a signal's perceptual attributes without introducing significant artifacts.\nhttp://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=12912\nClick to purchase paper as a non-member or login as an AES member. If your company or school subscribes to the E-Library then switch to the institutional version. If you are not an AES member and would like to subscribe to the E-Library then Join the AES!\nThis paper costs $33 for non-members and is free for AES members and E-Library subscribers.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6047526597976685} {"content": "This book relates the history of\nasteroid discoveries and christenings, from those of the early pioneering giants of Hersehel and Piazzi to modern-day amateurs. Moving from history and anecdotal information to science, the book's structure is provided by the names of the asteroids, including one named after the author.\nFree from a need to conform to\nscientific naming conventions, the names evidence hero-worship, sycophancy, avarice, vanity, whimsy, erudition and wit, revealing the human side of astronomers, especially where controversy has followed the christening. Murdin draws from extensive historical records to explore the debate over these names. Each age reveals its own biases and preferences in the naming process.\nOriginally regarded as \"vermin of\nthe skies,\" asteroids are minor planets, rocky scraps left over from the formation of the larger planets, or broken fragments of worlds that have collided. Their scientific classification as \"minor\" planets makes them seem unimportant, but over the past decades asteroids have been acknowledged to be key players in the Solar System. This view of their starring role even alters the trajectories of spacecraft: NASA's policy for new space missions en route to the outer planets is that they must divert to study passing asteroids whenever possible. This book provides for readers a complete tour of the fascinating world of asteroids.\nPaul Murdin is a distinguished internationally\nknown astronomer with a track record of well-written books and eloquent lectures about astronomy. He has been honored with an OBE in 1988, the Award of the Royal Astronomical Society for Services to [professional] Astronomy in 2011, the Eric Zucker Award of the Federation of Astronomical Societies for outreach to amateur astronomers, in 2012, and the name of asteroid 128562 Murdin.\nEinband gebundene Ausgabe Seitenzahl 207 Erscheinungsdatum 27.07.2016 Sprache Englisch ISBN 978-3-319-31835-6 Reihe Springer Praxis Books / Space Exploration\nVerlag Springer Maße (L/B/H) 287/217/17 mm Gewicht 809 Abbildungen 5 schwarz-weiße und 45 farbige Abbildungen, Bibliographie Auflage 1st ed. 2016", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.6757756471633911} {"content": "The dynamics of self-confidence are modelled in an environment where rational individuals optimally choose educations and occupations with the aim to acquire productive skills while learning about ability. It is shown how the presence of uninformative options can trap individuals below their potential. Furthermore, the trade-off between probability of success and value of skills may induce uncertain individuals to acquire less productive skills on their way to ability intensive occupations. The value of information also induces uncertain individuals to delay their labor market entry. The model can explain differences in perseverance in the face of failure.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9217589497566223} {"content": "The overall five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with a malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor, based on data obtained between 2003 and 2009, is approximately 76 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. This data is the best available for determining a survival rate for this type of tumor.Continue Reading\nA five-year survival rate is the percentage of people with a disease who survive at least five years following diagnosis, states the American Cancer Society. This rate is what doctors use to discuss a prognosis, but many people survive longer than five years. Per the 2003 to 2009 data, if the GIST has not spread further than one organ at the time of diagnosis, the five-year survival rate is 91 percent. If it has spread to distant parts of the body, the five-year survival rate drops to 48 percent.Learn more about Conditions & Diseases", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5387911796569824} {"content": "Primary languages are to be an entitlement for all pupils in KS2 from 2010. There is therefore a need to ensure that trainee primary teachers are equipped with the required skills, knowledge and understanding to contribute to this process. This book supports specialists, and also non-specialist trainees with an interest in MFL, who may need to deliver languages across the curriculum, providing them with a clear understanding of the methodology and helping them to develop linguistic competence and confidence.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.811501681804657} {"content": "ABSTRACT\nCalcrete-coated remnants of landslide debris and alluvial deposits are exposed along the presently stable hillslopes of the Soreq drainage, Judea Hills, Israel. These remnants indicate that a transition from landslide-dominated terrain to dissolution-controlled hillslope erosion had occurred. This transition possibly occurred due to the significant decrease in tectonic uplift during the late Cenozoic. The study area is characterized by sub-humid Mediterranean climate. The drainage hillslopes are typically mantled by thick calcrete crusts overlying Upper Cretaceous marine carbonate rocks. Using TT-OSL dating of aeolian quartz grains incorporated in the calcrete which cements an ancient landslide deposit, we conclude that incision of ~100 m occurred from 1056 ± 262 to 688 ± 86 ka due to ~0·3° westward tilt of the region; such incision invoked high frequency of landslide activity in the drainage. The ages of a younger landslide remnant, alluvial terrace, and alluvial fan, all situated only a few meters above the present level of the active streambed, range between 688 ± 86 ka and 244 ± 25 ka and indicate that since 688 ± 86 the Soreq base level had stabilized and that landslide activity decreased significantly by the middle Pleistocene. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9964269399642944} {"content": "Admission of guilt fines are now applicable to certain specified offences under the Waste Act. The maximum fine is R5, 0000.\nThe Regulations only apply to general waste and not hazardous or priority waste, as defined under the Waste Act.\nWhilst general waste has less environmental impacts than hazardous waste, it is likely that these Regulations will be severely criticized by environmental groups as the maximum admission of guilt fine is extremely low, particularly when compared to other fines under the Waste Act and does not provide any significant deterrent.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9959383010864258} {"content": "Effective and sustainable teambuilding is necessary in today's marketplace where fewer people are being required to do more work. More often than not, the adage \"Getting everyone rowing in the same direction\" is associated with building effective teams. However, is this really true? If everyone is rowing in the same ...Download Now", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9984285831451416} {"content": "30 months in, the conflict in Syria has invited more guns than expected. Starting off with a group of breakaway officers who formed the armed rebel core of the Free Syrian Army, Syria is now cursed with a number of auxiliary groups engaging in combat alongside both the government and opposition forces.\nThe Assad regime seeks the support of the Lebanese group of Hezbollah and the Iraqi group Abu Fadl Al-Abbas Brigade in combat. Their scored victory in the battles of Al-Qusayr stands witness to the effectiveness of Hezbollah in unconventional warfare in unpredictable terrain. The coordinated strategies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's groups in combat pose a sharp contrast to the disoriented and deeply fragmented armed opposition, let alone the political wing of the Syrian opposition.\nAron Lund notes the divisions of the Syrian armed opposition into three main groups: the Free Syrian Army, the Syrian Islamic Front, and the Syrian Islamic Liberation Front. Under the aegis of these groups operate dozens of sub-groups with different ideological orientations, diverging external agendas, diverse sources of funding, and a burgeoning membership base of foreign fighters.\nUnlike Hezbollah, which risks losing a vital supply lifeline and political sponsor with the demise of the Assad regime, the foreign opposition fighters identify with radical elements within the Syrian opposition on a narrow sectarian basis. The Syrian cocktail of foreign groups to buttress the regime and opposition fighters alike helps imbue the Syrian conflict with the sectarian die that plagues the region, notably the Sunni-Shiia divide. It is through this framework that the Syrian conflict threatens to debunk the security conditions of neighboring states such as Lebanon, Iraq, and possibly Turkey.\nBut the key to any potential solution in Syria lies with the Cold War players: the USA and Russia. The media and diplomatic role the USA and Russia played in their divergent interpretations of a reported chemical attack in a Damascus suburb on August 21 contained the seeds for a potential showdown in Syria, with U.S. and Russian fleets floating on Mediterranean waters. Compound this with the preparedness of Iran and Israel to enter the war alongside their allies.\nThe recent U.S.-Russian deal averts a potential U.S. strike by placing Syrian chemical weapons under international auspices but does not unambiguously indicate an end to Syria's civil war. But it does provide a political vent that the U.S. and Russia could build upon to broker a peace treaty in Syria. The forthcoming months will reveal whether the USA and Russia can summon the world to implement their Syrian roadmap or whether regional spoilers such as the EU, GCC, Iran, Turkey and Israel will continue to fish for their interests in Syria.\nAny peaceful solution to the Syrian conflict ought to include a power-sharing agreement involving Assad loyalists and opposition figures in a transitional government. The transitional government ought to work on restoring the peace by promoting the disarmament and demobilization of armed groups, and their subsequent reintegration into the Syrian state and society. These steps should take place under close international auspices to insure genuine implementation of the agreement. Preparing for transparent parliamentary and presidential elections, reconstructing destroyed cities, and repairing damaged infrastructure should also be prioritized on the agenda of post-war governments.\nSeeing that the political fog prevents a clear view of such reforms, the Syrian people are likely to be still counting in months and placing their bets on a comprehensive U.S.-Russian deal.", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.5256763696670532} {"content": "Helicobacter spp. represent a proportionately small but significant component of the normal intestinal microflora of animal hosts. Several of these intestinal Helicobacter spp. are known to induce colitis in mouse models, yet the mechanisms by which these bacteria induce intestinal inflammation are poorly understood. To address this question, we performed… (More)", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9986287951469421} {"content": "Manufacturing is a tightly controlled and highly regulated industry, where regulations continue to change due to evolving environment, health, and safety issues.\nTCS' Environment, Health, and Safety Services (EH&S) ensure compliance with changing regulations through timely and accurate submission of high-quality documents. We also help in creation and maintenance of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).", "pred_label": "__label__POS", "pred_score_pos": 0.9839262366294861}