Advanced Biofuels, Clean Combustion and Auxiliary Power (APU) Objectives
Land and other resource constraints currently limit the portion of transportation energy that can be derived from biofuels. Next generation biofuels, such as those made from lignocellulosic or algal biomass feedstocks, could in principle provide a significant portion of transportation fuel in the U.S. and China. Advanced biofuels development and deployment can be accelerated by linking biotechnology to combustion process and exhaust aftertreatment design, optimization and control.
Thrust Area Leaders
Angela Violi - University of Michigan
Zhen Huang - Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Co - Thrust Area Leaders
Ctirad Uher - University of Michigan
Fuyuan Yang - Tsinghua University


It is widely recognized that engaging stakeholders in marine protected area (MPA) network planning is critical for ensuring the long-term success of this conservation tool. Participatory decision-making leads to smoother implementation and enhanced compliance with regulations, while also promoting social learning, fairness, and public trust. In spite of compelling evidence for effective stakeholder engagement, it is not uncommon for MPAs to fail because of poor engagement processes. This project endeavours to elucidate some of the best practices in stakeholder engagement, and how they have been applied to MPA network planning. An appraisal of relevant literature revealed several key best practices in participatory decision-making, which include: fostering meaningful participation; engaging early; establishing clear objectives; conducting transparent processes; flexibility; acquiring independent facilitation; incorporating socioeconomic data; and, utilizing local knowledge. An examination of two international case studies, namely, the California Marine Life Protection Act and the United Kingdom Marine Conservation Zone Project, demonstrated how these best practices have been applied in different contexts. Lessons learned through this research informed a set of recommendations for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)-Maritimes Region as they embark on MPA network planning in the Scotian Shelf bioregion. By taking the information in this project under advisement, it is believed that DFO could develop a strong public participation strategy for this initiative.


Julie Quamma, Ph.D., UW Learn Clinic - Why Neuropsych Testing Benefits ADHD Students, their Parents and Teachers There is no formal "test" for AD/HD. A comprehensive cognitive/neuropsychological evaluation is critical to fully understand how each individual is impacted by ADHD. It is needed to develop a comprehensive intervention plan. Neuropsych testing identifies individual strengths and weaknesses across different domains of functioning - intellectual, academic achievement, memory, executive functioning, and processing. It provides an understanding of how ADHD symptoms impact learning and behavioral adjustment. Neuropsych evaluations also identify specific learning disorders, which are more common in individuals diagnosed with ADHD. Julie Quamma Ph.D., Director of the UW Learn Clinic, explains what the tests measure. Why does test behavior help us understand the test numbers? What is the difference between school and neuropsych evaluations? She will discuss how evaluation results guide recommendations for intervention.
Evergreen Healthcare (Formerly Evergreen Hospital Medical Center)Surgery & Physicians Center12040 NE 128th StreetKirkland, WA 98034


This course emphasizes how entrepreneurial strategy focuses on creating structural change or responding to change induced externally. It also covers Grabber-holder dynamics as an analytical framework for developing entrepreneurial strategy to increase success in creating and shaping the diffusion of new technology or product innovation dynamics. It includes modeling, case studies, and a term project.


Company Profile "Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 230 U.S. stores located in 31 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 117 full-line stores, 109 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques, one treasure&bond store and one clearance store. Nordstrom also serves customers through its online presence and through its catalogs. Additionally, the company operates in the online private sale marketplace through its subsidiary HauteLook."
Nordstrom is due to report earnings May 10th after the bell at 4:45pm. The company will be holding its annual shareholders meeting the day before, May 9th, at 11:00 a.m.
Current Analyst Estimates The consensus analyst estimate is for Nordstrom to report earnings of $0.75/share, falling mid way between the low end of the range ($0.70) and the high end ($0.79). The mean estimate for revenue comes in at $2.52 billion between estimates for revenues as low as $2.44 billion and as high as $2.63 billion. The estimated earnings number if attained would represent year over year earnings growth of 15.4% while the revenue growth, if coming in at consensus estimates, would represent growth of 13% from the same quarter a year ago. Earnings and revenue estimates are derived from the 21 analysts covering the stock.
Consensus Earnings Estimates Trend Consensus estimates for earnings have grown from $0.73 to $0.75 over the past 60 days. This revision trend has picked up more recently in the past month with 11 analysts raising their estimates during that time, nine of which have raised them within the last week. There have been no downward revisions for the current quarters earnings over the same time period.
Current Analyst Price Targets To this point there has only been one significant event related to analysts covering the stock and that is UBS initiating coverage on the stock with a buy rating. Analysts at UBS have set a price target for the stock at $63/share.
Ratio Analysis To get a sense of the current valuation with respect to its competitors, below is the ratio analysis for Nordstrom versus Macy's (M) and Saks' Incorporated (SKS) along with the industry and S&P 500 averages.
JWN M SKS Industry S&P 500 Price / Earnings 17.53 13.8 24.88 153.8 15.3 PEG 1.51 1.32 1.6 --- --- Price / Sales 1.06 0.64 0.56 0.5 1.3 Price / Book 5.86 2.81 1.42 2.2 2.2 Dividend Yield 1.96% 1.99% --- 1.5% 2.1%
Fair Value Analysis The valuation of discounted cash flows is an effective tool in identifying the intrinsic value for well established companies. The input for the analysis is as follows:
Input Revenue Growth Rate (Current Year / Ongoing) 11.3% / 6.5% Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)(% of Revenue) 60.6% Operating Expenses (% of Revenue) 28.2% Tax Rate 35.5% Weighted Average Cost of Capital 10%
Over the previous four years the company had been able to better manage its cost of goods sold, however that trend may be turning so analysis will use only a modest 0.2% decrease in COGS for 2013 and beyond. While operating expenses for the company have been relatively consistent, for the purpose of maintaining a conservative analysis I've used 28.2% for operating expenses as a percentage of revenue, slightly higher from the year prior. Also higher from the year prior is the company's tax rate which I've raised to 35.5% from 34.9%. This change allows for any variability that might occur due to a changing tax code. The result is an estimated fair value of $45.74/share. Currently shares trade for $54.14, an 18.4% premium to the estimated fair value.
Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.


Join us for regularly scheduled classes and email suggestions for future classes to hello@startgarden.com. Class lessons, instructors, and times are subject to change due to popular demand.
20 available spots | FREE for members | $25 for non-members
The Balance Breakthrough Model: Testing Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability
A study conducted by the Management Sciences Institute indicates that 89% of successful new product introductions fit the following criteria:
New, but not too new to the market New, but not too new technology Is grounded in real customer needs.
These three criteria form the foundation of what is called the Balanced Breakthrough Model, which was first introduced by business management guru Peter Drucker. It establishes the premise that powerful offerings are those that match what people desire, what is technologically feasible, and what is viable as an ongoing business. Having a ‘balanced’ offering does not necessarily mean that each of these components is equally emphasized but that all are present.
This model provides an ideal structure for teams to generate, organize and prioritize the challenges they must overcome to achieve success on an initiative. Learn how to apply it to your idea to make the most of your resources in the early stages of your journey to deliver it to the world.
Tom DeVries, President & Co-Founder, Thoughtfull Design
Tom DeVries is a hybrid design & business strategist obsessed with designing solutions, systems and businesses that empower people. He is a Human Centered Design methods expert with extensive experience leading organizations to identify unmet needs in the marketplace, and then develop business models to deliver solutions that engage users in delightful end-to-end experiences. He has led initiatives for organizations from small to large in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States.
Event Information Free / $25.00 March 12, 2013 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Start Garden - 50 Louis Ave (1st Floor) Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Learning


Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) was derived from the Mcree Curve. It is a TOTAL count of light energy (in photons) between
400nm to 700nm. The PAR measurement is fast becoming a popular metric of the growing power of a light source.
However, the PAR measurement has two fundamental flaws. First, the wavelengths between 380nm to 400nm and 700nm to 880nm are excluded from the PAR measurement. Second, all photons are weighted equally regardless of wavelength.
The Mcree Curve clearly shows plants respond to energy outside the 400nm to 700nm PAR range. Furthermore, plants respond differently to energy within the PAR range.
A PAR meter only measures photons between 400nm and 700nm. As you can see in the example above PAR does not distinguish which photons of light are present, rather it only counts the total amount of photons present in those nanometers.


Social Security Reform: Answers to Key Questions GAO-05-193SP, May 2, 2005 Additional Materials: Accessible Text: Contact: The sooner our nation acts to address Social Security's long-term financial challenges, the easier it will be to successfully meet them. Once explained, the choices we face are not difficult to understand, but they are difficult to make. They affect both how much Americans pay for Social Security and how much they receive from the program. They require changes that not only will affect us but have implications for future generations. They also are difficult because they involve deeply felt values, such as community, individualism, fairness, and human dignity. This guide tries to boil down the complexities of Social Security and the implications of reform to the basic choices we face as a nation.
This guide provides answers to questions about the most basic aspects of Social Security and reform issues in a concise and easy-to-understand format. We provide straightforward answers to how Social Security works, why it needs reform, what the basic options are, and how to assess their implications.


When the word “virtualization” was first applied to storage, it referred to the ability to create a unified pool of storage from heterogeneous disk platforms by masking the underlying complexity. One of the primary benefits was to enable users to add inexpensive storage resources to existing resources while retaining the management simplicity of a homogeneous environment.It still does. However, in the old days the virtualization engine was typically a piece of software from a small, relatively unknown start-up that didn’t sell large, expensive disk arrays. These days, virtualization is usually discussed in the context of products such as IBM’s SVC, EMC’s Invista, and Hitachi Data Systems’ TagmaStore controller.
Do you think that those vendors have the same utilitarian goals as the start-ups did-to make it easier for you to add inexpensive ponies to your existing stable of stallions?
Virtualization is becoming a competitive weapon. As Info-Tech’s John Sloan notes in “ Why virtualization is like the neutron bomb,” on p. 39 of this issue, virtualization enables a vendor to eliminate the enemy while leaving the enemy’s infrastructure standing.
However, as Sloan points out, virtualization (storage or server) is just a step along the way to the true goal (well, users’ true goal): the IT utility, where storage and compute power are served up like commodities such as water and electricity.
As such, I suppose it doesn’t matter that vendors use virtualization for ulterior competitive motives that, at least in the short term, may translate into vendor lock-in. In the long run, virtualization will lead to commoditization, which translates into a buyer’s market where the end users ultimately benefit the most.
Perhaps we should have sub-titled Sloan’s article, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
Dave Simpson Editor-in-chief


Gynecologists at Lahey are committed to enhancing patient care through the department's Minimally Invasive Surgery Program (MIGS). Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are available as safe and effective alternatives to more invasive traditional surgery for appropriate patients with conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts and abnormal bleeding.
Both laparoscopic and hysteroscopic procedures are performed using very small incisions and a tiny fiber-optic camera to guide the miniature instruments. The key difference between the two types of procedures is that laparoscopy is done through the abdomen to examine and treat conditions affecting the abdominal and pelvic organs, while hysteroscopy is performed through the cervix, like a pap smear, to examine and treat conditions affecting the uterus.
Benefits of both types of minimally invasive procedures typically include
Lahey gynecologists are recognized leaders in performing this innovative surgery, actively presenting on minimally invasive hysterectomies at national and international conferences.


"I like pork chops, I like pierogi, I like kielbasa. I love bacon almost as much as I love potato chips."
She has nevertheless lost 53 pounds in less than two years.
In January 2010, her church did its yearly fast. Johnson, a diabetic, did the best she could, using a meal-substitute drink to keep her blood sugar up. Then she resumed eating normal food.
Months later, feeling "shaky" due to low-blood pressure, she saw a doctor. "He said, 'Well, no wonder: You've lost 37 pounds,'" she recalls.
Without realizing it, Johnson had become accustomed to smaller portions following the church-inspired cutback. Her high-blood pressure drug became unnecessary.
"I realized I'd had success without starving myself. So by that time it was easy."
She dropped another 16 pounds by watching her carbs and keeping portions about half of what they used to be, while doing mild exercise.
From 222 pounds, she now carries 170 pounds on a 5-foot-2-inch frame. She dropped four dress sizes and takes two prescriptions instead of five. She hopes to lose another 20 pounds and walks every day. She just wishes she'd done it earlier: "I do a lot more and have better health."


The federal government has committed $11 billion to expand the operating capacity of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), which receive federal funding and enhanced Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement, and “look-alike” clinics that receive enhanced reimbursement but no federal grants. These clinics, which serve primarily the poor and uninsured, are expected to be part of the solution to anticipated primary care shortages, as up to 32 million currently uninsured people begin to seek health care as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.


"The processing of our food is profoundly disgusting, and the accumulation of packaging fills a giant barrel at my school every day."
That's a quote from 5th-grader Aden Kahr of Olympia, Washington. Yes, 5th-grade - quite well-spoken for such a young man! Aden has diabetes, and he has some opinions on his school lunches...
In yesterday's Seattle PI article, we read how Aden takes a turkey sandwich, fruit and carrots to school every day, unlike his friends at a south Seattle elementary school who don't have that choice. For them, the free lunch program offers burritos, pizza, and other processed foods.
Seattle is currently evaluating a bill to get more local food into school cafeterias and connect local farms with schools. It's sponsored by unlikely bedfellows: the environmental community and the conservative Washington Farm Bureau.The bill would connect local farmers with schools and help fund better foods in low-income schools - foods like fresh, local fruits and vegetables.
This is similar to the issues that farmers are raising in New York - see the article from October: Local Carrots with a Side of Red Tape.
It's also a good reminder to be on the lookout for bills and issues like this in our own local communities; what is the food like in the schools near you?


MICROS SYSTEMS INC's gross profit margin for the third quarter of its fiscal year 2013 is essentially unchanged when compared to the same period a year ago. The company managed to grow both sales and net income at a faster pace than the average competitor in its industry this quarter as compared to the same quarter a year ago. MICROS SYSTEMS INC is extremely liquid. Currently, the Quick Ratio is 2.12 which clearly shows the ability to cover any short-term cash needs. The company's liquidity has decreased from the same period last year.
During the same period, stockholders' equity ("net worth") has increased by 8.17% from the same quarter last year. Overall, the key liquidity measurements indicate that the company is very unlikely to face financial difficulties in the near future.
Income Statement Q3 FY13 Q3 FY12 Net Sales ($mil) 315.11 278.04 EBITDA ($mil) 64.61 59.47 EBIT ($mil) 58.91 55.95 Net Income ($mil) 44.26 43.25
Balance Sheet Q3 FY13 Q3 FY12 Cash & Equiv. ($mil) 669.35 816.02 Total Assets ($mil) 1639.25 1504.77 Total Debt ($mil) 3.98 0.0 Equity ($mil) 1156.25 1068.9
Profitability Q3 FY13 Q3 FY12 Gross Profit Margin 52.52 54.86 EBITDA Margin 20.5 21.38 Operating Margin 18.7 20.12 Sales Turnover 0.76 0.72 Return on Assets 10.83 10.65 Return on Equity 15.36 14.99
Debt Q3 FY13 Q3 FY12 Current Ratio 2.41 2.97 Debt/Capital 0.0 0.0 Interest Expense 0.02 0.16 Interest Coverage 2454.67 349.67
Share Data Q3 FY13 Q3 FY12 Shares outstanding (mil) 78.66 80.29 Div / share 0.0 0.0 EPS 0.55 0.53 Book value / share 14.7 13.31 Institutional Own % n/a n/a Avg Daily Volume 1209860.0 887784.0
BUY. MICROS SYSTEMS INC's P/E ratio indicates a discount compared to an average of 27.69 for the Software industry and a value on par with the S&P 500 average of 19.08. Conducting a second comparison, its price-to-book ratio of 2.96 indicates a premium versus the S&P 500 average of 2.44 and a significant discount versus the industry average of 7.07. The price-to-sales ratio is well above the S&P 500 average, but well below the industry average. Upon assessment of these and other key valuation criteria, MICROS SYSTEMS INC proves to trade at a discount to investment alternatives within the industry.
Price/Earnings
Price/Cash Flow
MCRS 19.95 Peers 27.69 MCRS 18.27 Peers 20.11
Discount. A lower P/E ratio than its peers can signify a less expensive stock or lower growth expectations.
MCRS is trading at a significant discount to its peers.
Average. 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.
MCRS is trading at a valuation on par to its peers.
Price/ProjectedEarnings
Price toEarnings/Growth
MCRS 17.36 Peers 24.71 MCRS 1.13 Peers 0.76
Discount. A lower price-to-projected earnings ratio than its peers can signify a less expensive stock or lower future growth expectations.
MCRS is trading at a significant discount to its peers.
Premium. 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.
MCRS trades at a significant premium to its peers.
Price/Book
Earnings Growth
MCRS 2.96 Peers 7.07 MCRS 11.79 Peers -92.79
Discount. 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.
MCRS is trading at a significant discount to its peers.
Higher. Elevated earnings growth rates can lead to capital appreciation and justify higher price-to-earnings ratios.
MCRS is expected to have an earnings growth rate that significantly exceeds its peers.
Price/Sales
Sales Growth
MCRS 2.75 Peers 8.67 MCRS 15.09 Peers 16.46
Discount. 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.
MCRS is trading at a significant discount to its industry on this measurement.
Average. Comparing a company's sales growth to its industry helps to determine if the company is adding or losing market share.
MCRS is keeping pace with its peers on the basis of sales growth.
Latest Stock Upgrades/Downgrades Brokerage Partners


(Originally posted in the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute Blog) by Cedric Johnson
Georgia’s education policies – including the way it awards HOPE scholarships — create barriers to college education for minorities and the poor, says a report released by the Institute for Research on Higher Education (IRHE) at the University of Pennsylvania. “In their current form, Georgia’s higher education policies are likely to perpetuate rather than ameliorate disparities by race, ethnicity and income, making it difficult to raise the education attainment of the state’s population as a whole,” the report concludes.
The findings reinforce a study by GBPI that highlights shortcomings of the HOPE program and serves as another warning to policymakers who have set an ambitious goal for increasing the number of Georgians with postsecondary credentials. Policymakers must address such inequities if they truly want to keep the state from falling behind as more and more employers demand a skilled-and knowledge-based workforce.
By 2020, the state aims to graduate 250,000 additional students with college degrees or certificates.
However, the IRHE report highlights several barriers to reaching this goal and cites a number of areas where Georgia lags behind the nation and neighboring states: high school graduation rates, the percentage of adults 25 and older with at least an associate’s degree, and the number of full-time college freshmen completing a bachelor’s degree within six years. The state’s low marks in these areas are partly due to another problem highlighted in the report, the steady rise in tuition and fees amid declining state investment in higher education over the last decade.
HOPE is a key financial resource for Georgia’s college students. However, the IRHE report notes that most HOPE benefits flow to middle-income students, who likely have other options for funding their education. Consequently, HOPE fails to reduce inequalities in higher education.
A recent GBPI study found that a disproportionate share of HOPE dollars fund students from households with incomes of more than $100,000.Considering Georgia doesn’t provide need-based grants to college students, distributing limited state resources based solely on grades, as HOPE currently does, creates greater barriers to higher education for many lower-income Georgians.
The IRHE report is yet another reminder of the disconcerting realities of Georgia’s counter-productive education policies and highlights the shortcomings lawmakers must address if they want to turn things around. The authors end the report by posing a relevant question:
Are Georgia’s leaders up to the challenge?


A key to running successful "social networking sites" is to remember that they're just communities. All communities, online or off, have one thing in common: members want to belong, to feel like part of something larger than themselves. Communicating effectively, setting clear and specific expectations, mentoring contributors, playing with trends, offering rewards, and praising liberally (but not excessively) can harness your members' innate desires, and nurture great content in the process.
Asymmetry, asperity, simplicity, modesty, intimacy, and the suggestion of a natural process: these attributes of elegant design may seem relevant only to a project's aesthetics. But the most successful web designs reflect these considerations at every stage, from idea to finished product. Bring heart to the experiences you create by infusing them with intelligence that transcends aesthetics and reflects the imperfection of the natural world.


June 16, 2008 --[ASDWire]-- Aerospace consultancy AeroStrategy completed a comprehensive forecast of the raw materials used in aviation, spanning the air transport, military, business, and helicopter segments. The materials included both metals and non-metals, and were classified into 10 categories. Key findings of the 20-year forecast include:The total weight of aircraft produced in 2007 is nearly 200 million lbs The total weight of materials required to produce these aircraft (“buy weight”) is 1.0B lbs and will reach 2.2B lbs by 2027 Despite encroachment from composites, aerospace aluminum demand will continue to grow over the next decade Overall, the most significant increase is titanium consumption, which will expand from 107M lbs to reach 218.7M lbs by 2017 Demand of carbon fiber reinforced plastics will grow almost ten-fold by 2027 The material “buy-to-fly ratio” for current production aircraft is approximately five Boeing and Airbus aircraft account for nearly 60% of total material demand A summary of findings was presented at the American Metals Market Conference and can be downloaded at http://www.aerostrategy.com/speeches.cgi . AeroStrategy is a premier management consulting firm specializing in strategy and market analysis for the aviation and aerospace industries. The firm has offices in Europe and North America. For further information, see www.aerostrategy.com


The Rev. Mary M. Brown of the Odyssey Networks summarizes the findings of a Lilly Foundation-funded study on preaching in an article for the Huffington Post:
A year ago, when my fellow passenger in row eight inquired about my occupation, I casually shared I was a pastor who had been called to serve as associate director of a seminary's center for biblical preaching. He nearly dropped his newspaper. "Finally, I have found someone who can answer my question. I like my pastor a lot, but can you tell me why his sermons are so boring?" This question was a first. As he and I began to chat, I immediately sensed his sincerity. His was a question I needed to think about and answer.A Lilly-endowed study of more than 10,000 Christian laypeople revealed that while 78 percent of them have never discussed a sermon with their preacher, church members do have strong opinions and deep hopes for their pastor's preaching. The study found that:
Laypeople listen to a sermon expecting inspiration to encourage spiritual growth.
Laypeople look to preaching for spiritual leadership, especially as it relates to current life and societal issues.Laypeople rely on preaching for serious spiritual content about the Bible and not good advice that can be found in a self-help book.
Laypeople listen to preaching expecting a long-lasting impact. When this happens, listeners are motivated to return for another church service.
Laypeople come to church hoping for a sermon that will make a difference in their hearts and an impact on their lives. Unfortunately too often they spend the sermon passing their time by doling out lifesavers to their children, doodling on the bulletin insert or making a mental "to do" list for the upcoming week.
What do you make of these findings? Do they confirm what you have previously supposed, or is there news here?


Mobile operators have clearly expanded their remit from direct-to-consumer health solutions, to solutions that support core clinical and operational processes within the hospital. From this traditional base mobile operators are moving to solutions that connect the various stakeholders in the healthcare system to the patients to provide fully integrated care. Effective and efficient integration of mobile technologies and infrastructure into the healthcare system creates significant value for both stakeholder groups.


Hospice is no longer a place, but rather an ideal and philosophy of care for those nearing the end of life. The purpose remains the same - to find rest, to be cared for and to gather courage in the face of life’s challenges. Journey Song was established, in collaboration with Seacoast Hospice, to provide companionship, comfort and joy during life’s final journey.
Hospice is the art and science of palliative care—physical, emotional and spiritual—at the end of life. The goal of hospice is to create a caring community to support individuals and families in the midst of life-limiting illness. Death is not denied, but life is affirmed and lived fully until death comes. Hospice also provides support for bereaved families.
The term hospice comes from the Latin word hospes, which means to host a guest or stranger. Hospices were places of rest for travelers in the 14th century. In the 19th century, the sick and dying were taken into monasteries and cared for by monks and wealthy widows. The modern hospice movement originated in the United Kingdom with the founding of St. Christopher’s Hospice in 1967, by Dame Cicely Saunders. Hospice in the United States began as an all-volunteer service; it was not until 1984 that Medicare established a hospice benefit that provided for a broader array of palliative treatments.


At six feet, nine inches, and only fourteen years old, Sluggerrr the Lion, the Kansas City Royals’ mascot, may not have considered the power of his pitching or the potential for liability when he surmounted the third base dugout with a paw full of foil-wrapped hot dogs and flung them into the stands. Like Sluggerrr, the Royals fans seated around the dugout, hands in the air, shouting “Me! Me!” might not have considered the potential harm of a free flung frankfurter. But, due to John Coomer’s lawsuit against the Kansas City Royals, many are considering just these questions in the context of tort liability. According to Coomer’s negligence complaint filed in Missouri state court in May 2010, Coomer was sitting six rows back from the dugout when Sluggerrr, apparently going for a behind-the-back toss, threw the hot dog directly into Coomer’s left eye, resulting in a detached retina, among other eye damage.
Intent on gaining an advantage over their neighbors, baseball fans can be seen with all manner of things on the ready, from gloves to fishing nets, in the event that a baseball might end up being batted into their section, giving them a chance to take home a souvenir ball and all the customary bragging rights that go with it. Courts have recognized the nature of baseball fans and have noted that fans actually hope to come in contact “with some projectile from the field (in the form of a souvenir baseball).” Benejam v. Detroit Tigers, Inc., (Mich. App. 2001). It is this acknowledgment, and others like it, which have led to the limited duty rule, or the “baseball rule” as it is often called. The rule shelters ballpark operators from certain liability associated with game-related injuries to fans and requires only that the ball park operators provide screening behind home plate and other areas where a fan would be uniquely susceptible to an injury and provide a reasonable amount of screened seating areas for fans who desire protected seats. When an injury does occur it is often successfully argued by the defendant that the risks associated with the quintessential all-time American game are well-known and that the injured fan assumed the risks when he or she came to the game. This affirmative defense, when successful, results in low recovery rates for fans who sustain injuries from being struck by baseballs.
Notably, Coomer does not purport to have been hit by a ball or broken bat, or other projectile directly related to playing baseball. The media attention generated by the lawsuit may be due to the paradoxical nature of object and associated injury. But, recent developments in America’s pastime may prove to be relevant in determining what can be expected at a baseball game. Sluggerrr made his debut at Kauffman Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Royals, on April 5, 1996. His debut coincided with the growing popularity of mascots and field entertainment designed to attract and engage young audience members. In the ensuing years, the role of mascots has grown and has been developed and expanded by baseball clubs and their marketers and branding experts.
Whether a team’s mascot is roughing up the opposing team’s mascot or shooting (with the use of an air gun) souvenir t-shirts and plush toys into stands of excited fans, many fans look forward to going to the ball park not only to “root, root, root for the home team” but to enjoy the entertainment that is associated with the game, including the antics of the mascot. Thus, it might be argued that these kinds of antics, typical of most mascots, include throwing things into the stands.


Administrators Don't defy administrators — including the school board, which has the legal power to fire you. The quickest way to get fired is to disobey reasonable orders; that's insubordination. Just as your students must obey your orders, obey your superiors' orders — if those orders are reasonable.
Do I have to follow unreasonable orders? Teachers' associations advise that if an administrator's nonsensical order isn't imminently dangerous, obey it, then immediately file a grievance — a written complaint — that the administrator has violated the law or the agreement between the district and association. You'll triumph in the grievance procedure by presenting an impartial arbitrator with compelling evidence.
In addition to obeying directives, forge relationships with administrators by volunteering to perform tasks that others dread. Recall that volunteers often gain immortal acclaim for their efforts. Therefore, volunteer to do a few difficult tasks. For example, if your principal sorely wants the Boy Scouts involved in your school but can't find anyone to make it happen, volunteer! Make phone calls and schedule an assembly for parents and Boy Scout representatives. You can do great things when you volunteer, and your principal may appreciate your efforts.


Susan Hasty, Publisher
Table of Contents . . . October 21st, 2004
Hormone Replacement Therapy - ACOG issues state-of-the-art guide to HRT
Ovarian Cancer - Chemotherapy helps women with localized disease
Abdominopelvic Actinomycosis - IUD often a concomitant factor in tumoral syndrome due to bacterial infection
Addiction Medicine - Smoking and methadone use together are factors in neonatal abstinence syndrome
Adolescent Health - Study adds to evidence supporting sports, positive sexual behavior/health link
Assisted Reproduction - Animal preimplantation development studies will highlight human embryogenesis
Breast Cancer - Blood test provides window into treatment of metastatic cancer
Breast Cancer - Breast MRI gains support as important diagnostic tool
Breast Cancer - NMP66 breast cancer detection results presented at conference
Breast Implants - Study finds no connection to development of connective tissue disorders
Business Update - Pharmaceutical conference to discuss issues facing pharma companies
Cancer Genetics - Janus kinase 2 modulation in ovarian cancer cells may depend on p53
Cancer Prevention - Actress urges adding cancer screening to women's healthcare
Cancer Prognosis - VEGF signals the probability of breast cancer progression
Cancer Research - Pharmaceutical company submits IND for novel anticancer agent Tarvacin
Cancer Therapy - Chemical derived from vitamin E shows early promise as cancer drug
Cancer Treatment - Volunteers give cancer patients free makeovers
Cervical Cancer - ACOG clarifies recommendations on screening in adolescents
Cervical Cancer - Chemotherapeutic potential of plumbagin investigated
Cervical Cancer - PCR more HPV-sensitive than signal amplified in situ hybridization
Cervical Cancer - Surgical technique described for locally progressive advanced disease
Childhood Obesity - Shape It Up program teaches New Jersey children about risks of obesity
Colon & Breast Cancer - New assay can measure capecitabine and its metabolites in plasma
Diabetic Glomerular Hypertrophy - No protective role found for estrogen receptor alpha in diabetic nephropathy
Diet & Nutrition - Salad before a meal helps women reduce calorie intake
Diet & Nutrition - Unrecognized iron deficiency can impair immunity in older women
Disease Prevention - Antiretroviral therapy of HIV+ moms who breastfeed may protect infants
Eating Disorders - Researchers conducting study of anorexia treatments
Fitness & Wellness - Vitamin B12 taken nasally can stave off anemia after weight reduction surgery
Gender-Based Medicine - Men, women more different than thought
Geriatrics - Use of growth hormone for delaying aging questioned
Gynecologic Cancer - Data gathered and reported during gynecologic cancer awareness month
Gynecologic Cancers - Concurrent ovarian and endometrial cancers highlight diagnostic difficulties
Gynecologic Cancers - Study validates Sexual function-Vaginal changes Questionnaire
Healthcare Coverage - Private health plan introduced for children in central Texas
Healthcare Coverage - Survey finds women feel health plans critical to ensuring financial future
Hormone Replacement Therapy - Menopause experts update position statement on estrogen and progestogen use
Hormone Replacement Therapy - Short-term impairment of gallbladder emptying associated with HRT
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine - Human papillomavirus in cervical cancers in Mozambique genotyped
Information Technology - Cancer center quality diagnostics on every physician's computer via web tool
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Biomedical food supplements product research featured in consumer publication
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Depression co-morbidity associated with poor sleep, more severe IBS symptoms
Legislative Issues - Survivors, physicians stress need for gynecologic cancer awareness bill
Myasthenia Gravis - Asymptomatic type of disease also adversely affects pregnancy and birth
Newborn Health - Study finds no deaths related to traditional infant bedding
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma - NHL patients do not receive full dose of chemo, study shows
Obstetrics - Study: Methimazole isn't safe during pregnancy
Occupational Safety - Occupational safety institute published hazardous drug exposure report
Osteoporosis - Osteogenesis around titanium implants affects bone turnover
Parkinson Disease - Study finds limited role for DJ1 in PD susceptibility
Pediatric Leukemia - FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee to review clofarabine
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Metformin being evaluated for improving PCOS symptoms
Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis - Microarray analysis of fetal DNA in amniotic fluid identifies sex, aneuploidy
Product Licensing - Licensing agreement reached for oral formulation of human growth hormone
Prostate Cancer - Patient enrollment commences in U.S. prostate cancer study of Modrenal
Psychology - Preadolescents' body image concerns need attention
Reproductive Biology - Circadian Clock mutation disrupts estrous cyclicity, maintenance of pregnancy
Sexual Desire Disorder - FDA grants priority review to testosterone transdermal system for HSDD
Sexual Dysfunction - Positive results reported on phase II study of LibiGel
Sexual Health - Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida adds sexual medicine service
Sports-Related Injuries - Motion DNA launches high school sports testing programs
Stem Cell Research - Model transforms stem cells to express breast cancer estrogen receptor
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Detoxification deficiency linked to increased oxidative stress in SLE etiology
Trichomoniasis - Xenostrip-Tv is rapid and accurate test for Trichomonas vaginalis
Urinary Tract Infection - A glass of cranberry juice a day may keep bladder infection away
Urinary Tract Infection - Gatifloxacin regimens as effective as oral ciprofloxacin for UTI
NewsRx also is available at LexisNexis, Gale, ProQuest, Factiva, Dialog, Thomson Reuters, NewsEdge, and Dow Jones.


In a (strain) mouse [or rats
or other acceptable mammalian species] bone marrow micronucleus
assay (MRID if avalable), (number/sex/dose) were treated [route] with Chemical
name (% a.i. ) at doses of 0, x, x, x
mg/kg bw. Bone marrow cells were harvested at (list
hours) post-treatment. The vehicle was (state
vehicle) . (Note the route of exposure
and if acute or multiple dosing)
There were (no) signs of toxicity (list
if present) during the study. [Note, the
signs of cytotoxicity, if present, and the quantitative evidence for a positive
micronucleus response, if any]. Chemical
name was (not) tested at an
adequate dose (based on ) . The
positive control induced the appropriate response. There was (not) a significant increase in the frequency of
micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in bone marrow after any treatment
time.
This study is
classified as [acceptable or unacceptable(why)] .
This study satisfies (does not satisfy)
the requirement for Test Guideline OPPTS 870.5395; OECD 474 for in vivo
cytogenetic mutagenicity data.
[If
it does not satisfy the requirement, concisely list only major deficiencies or
refer to deficiency section.]


Do you or members of your team “think” these relationships are true or do you all “know” them to be true? How would “knowing” improve decision-making? How would measuring the impact among these relationships help guide focus and resource allocation? Workforce Analytics is the answer to these and other questions, and doing it well serves as a sustainable, hard-to-replicate competitive advantage. This is true of leading organizations, and it can be true in yours as well. It not as hard as it may seem. What it takes is focus and expertise, and we have both.


This image is a scaled-down version of the actual pathway image. It does not contain any links to the protein information pages.
Description
The marine unicellular Cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus is the smallest-known oxygen-evolving autotroph. It numerically dominates the phytoplankton in the tropical and subtropical oceans, and is responsible for a significant fraction of global photosynthesis. Prochlorococcus marinus lacks phycobilisomes that are characteristic of Cyanobacteria, and contains Chlorophyll b as its major accessory pigment. This enables it to absorb blue light efficiently at the low-light intensities and blue wavelengths characteristic of the deep euphotic zone. It contributes 30-80% of the total photosynthesis in the oligotrophic oceans, and thus plays a significant role in the global carbon cycle and the Earth s climate. Prochlorococcus marinus MIT9313 is a member of Prochlorophytes The genome of MIT9313, a low-light-adapted strain consists of a single circular chromosome and encodes 2,275 [...]
References:
1.
Genome divergence in two Prochlorococcus ecotypes reflects oceanic niche differentiation.Rocap G, Larimer FW, Lamerdin J, Malfatti S, Chain P, Ahlgren NA, Arellano A, Coleman M, Hauser L, Hess WR, Johnson ZI, Land M, Lindell D, Post AF, Regala W, Shah M, Shaw SL, Steglich C, Sullivan MB, Ting CS, Tolonen A, Webb EA, Zinser ER, Chisholm SW.Nature. 2003 Aug 28;424(6952):1042-7. Epub 2003 Aug 13. 2.
Effects of high light on transcripts of stress-associated genes for the cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Prochlorococcus MED4 and MIT9313.Mary I, Tu CJ, Grossman A, Vaulot D.Microbiology. 2004 May;150(Pt 5):1271-81.


Hall lab
HallRichardW@uams.edu
Preterm delivery affects 8% of the
total deliveries in the United States. Of the preterm deliveries, 1.5%
(60,000) are Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW), weighing less than 1,500 gm.
These neonates require prolonged intensive care and 51% of VLBW neonates
suffer major disability later in life. Many of these Ex-Preterm
children develop cognitive deficits and abnormal behaviors during
childhood. Quantitative measures of pre-attentional, attentional
and frontal lobe processes were compared to evaluate quantitative
measures of these deficits in Ex-Preterm
vs. Ex-Term adolescents. We compared 43 Ex-Preterm with 26 Ex-Term
adolescents using the P50 auditory potential, the Psychomotor Vigilance
Task (PVT), a reaction time (RT) test, and Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS).
The mean amplitude (+ SE) of the P50 amplitude was similar in the
Ex-Preterm (1.8+ 1.4 microV) vs. Ex-Term adolescents (1.8+0.6
microV), but the Ex-Preterm group showed a trimodal distribution in
amplitude (High, 3.3+ 0.4 microV, p<0.01; Medium, 1.7+ 0.1
microV, p=0.53; Low, 0.7+ 0.1 microV, p<0.01) suggested by
statistically significant variance between populations. Mean RT was
longer in Ex-Preterm (250+8 msec) vs. Ex-Term subjects (200+ 5 ms,
p<0.001). PVT lapses were increased in Ex-Preterm subjects, and varied
inversely with P50 amplitude (Overall Mean 17+ 5 lapses, p<0.05;
Low P50 amplitude, 25+ 10, p<0.01; Medium, 21+ 11, p<0.05;
High, 6+ 2, p<0.01) vs. Ex-Term subjects (2+ 0.4 lapses,
p<0.01). NIRS levels did not differ statistically, but tended to
correlate with P50 amplitude in the Ex-Preterm group. These findings
suggest differential pre-attentional, attentional and frontal lobe
dysfunction in ex-preterm adolescents. These measures could provide a
means to objectively assess differential dysregulation of arousal and
attention in Ex-Preterm adolescents, allowing optimization of
therapeutic designs.


Acquire This package, developed jointly by The ACQUIRE Project and Promundo, a Brazilian nongovernmental organization, can be used by individuals, organizations, and donors to carry out needs assessments to identify gaps in male engagement programming related to HIV and AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and support.
Designed for trainers of health workers, this manual offers skills-building sessions on developing more “male-friendly” health services. Utilizing participatory and experiential activities, the manual examines attitudinal and structural barriers that inhibit men from seeking HIV and AIDS services (both from the client and the provider perspectives), as well as strategies for overcoming such barriers. The manual is designed for all workers in a health care system: frontline staff, clinicians, and administrative, operational, and outreach workers.


To the Editor:
This is regarding the recent article concerning copper in the diet and its potential for being a key to reducing the risk of heart disease. The use of copper, like many nutrients, often places us in a Catch-22 situation. The study referred to suggests that the diets of laboratory animals deficient in copper contributed to the increased risk of coronary heart disease. While this may indeed turn out to be true, it was also correctly cautioned that improper supplementation could be toxic, thereby causing serious problems.


This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual mandate provision. The individual mandate provision requires most Americans to obtain health insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty.
The Court ruled that the Medicaid provision is limited but is not invalid. The provision makes states choose between complying with the ACA or losing federal funding for Medicaid programs.
Stay tuned: Our legal editors are reviewing the Supreme Court’s opinion, and we're also planning an in-depth webinar on these breaking developments.


Spider Veins Spider veins are similar to and often associated with underlying varicose veins, but there are some major differences. Spider veins are smaller in size, beginning as tiny red capillaries that lie close to the surface of the skin and are easily visible. Spider veins are most commonly found on the thighs, calves, ankles or face, where they often become a cosmetic concern. They can also cause physical symptoms ranging from aching, heaviness and itchiness to night cramps.
Not all spider veins require treatment, particularly if they are not causing pain or other physical symptoms. However, some people decide to have them removed for cosmetic reasons, and treating these veins early could prevent worsening symptoms associated with venous reflux disease.


After planting a front garden that required little irrigation, my client John and I were interested in using his household greywater to irrigate the backyard. Hoping to lower his water usage, we looked for where changes could be made to reduce his water consumption without a large investment of time, or money (it’s widely held that the average american uses 150 gallons of water a day, 60% of this outdoors).
Initially I assumed we would use the washing machine greywater on the second floor. These systems, which are permitted by recently amended California plumbing codes, are the


ELECTRONICS: Hermetic Switch Inc. has introduced two new cylindrical (tubular) proximity sensors. Hermetic’s PRX+3800 (Form B) and PRX+3900 (Form C) magnetic sensors deliver all the advantages of reed switch sensing technology but with smaller physical dimensions than previously available. These new sensors respond to the market need for components with smaller footprints, as size reduction trends continue in the systems and devices utilizing proximity sensors. These new sensors from Hermetic can be used in automation, control, or detection in a broad array of applications - including safety, security, alarm, equipment, machinery, manufacturing and processing systems - in industrial, commercial, medical, corporate, government or military settings.
Specific applications vary widely and include any number of situations - including extreme environments - where reliable and potentially long-term proximity monitoring is desired but physical contact must be avoided (between the sensor and the object being sensed).
The PRX+3800 is a Form B (Single Pole Single Throw Normally Closed) reed switch contained in a temperature resistant cylindrical (tubular) housing which has a nominal size of 0.125 inch (3.18 mm) diameter and 0.750 inch (19.05 mm) length. The PRX+3900 is a Form C (Single Pole Double Throw) or change-over reed switch with similar housing and dimensions. Both sensors are based on the company’s HSR-502R reed switch technology and operate using a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic coil.
These new sensors have an operating distance of .250 inches (6.35 mm) and are rated at 2W. The maximum operating temperature is 105C while the storage temperature range is -40 to 105C. The sensors are insensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD) which makes them ideal for applications where ESD is a concern. Custom wire and connector configurations are available upon request.
Pricing for the PRX+3800 and PRX+3900 is in the range of $5 to $7 each (US Funds) depending on quantity. Pricing is also affected by additional options such as custom sensitivity, custom configuration and special wiring or connectors.
- Edited by Liz Taurasi


USAID policy, under Automated Directives System (ADS) 203.3.2 on performance management, states that USAID missions and their assistance objective teams are responsible for measuring progress toward the results identified in the planning stage to achieve foreign assistance objectives.
Further, ADS states that collecting and analyzing performance information is a principal step in performance management, and missions should be reporting on results in addition to outputs in the later years of an assistance objective. Finally, ADS 203.3.4.2 calls for indicators that are practical and timely.
Performance targets are a critical part of managing for results. ADS 203.3.4.5 states that missions should be willing to be held accountable for targets, and that targets should be ambitious but achievable given USAID and other donor inputs. As stated in USAID’s Performance Monitoring and Evaluation TIPS No. 8, “Establishing Performance Targets,” once a program is underway, targets serve as guideposts for judging whether progress is being made on schedule and at the levels originally envisioned.
For performance data to be useful in managing for results and credible reporting, ADS 203.3.5.1 states that USAID missions should ensure that performance data for each assistance objective meet the data quality standards of validity, integrity, precision, reliability, and timeliness. Additionally, ADS 203.3.5.2 states that data reported to Washington, DC, or externally on agency performance must have had a data quality assessment within the 3 years before submission.
Source: AUDIT REPORT NO. 9-000-10-008-P June 15, 2010
This information is derived from audit reports of the Office of the Inspector General. The source refers to the audit report, which is available on this site as part of the Audit Database Project: an educational tool for compliance with USAID regulations. Please see the disclaimer of this site before using this information.
←Previous Performance Indicators and Targets Did Not Facilitate Program Management - ADS 203.3 Thorough Site Visits Not Conducted - ADS 202.3 - Performance Management Toolkit Next→
Indicators to Measure Higher Level Results - ADS 203.3 Program’s Indicators, Targets and Goals Should Be Revisited - ADS 203 Reported Results Did Not Meet Data Quality Standards - ADS 203.3 Baseline Data, Indicators, and Targets Needed to Measure Progress and Achievement - ADS Chapter 203 Indicators Do Not Effectively Measure Program Impact - ADS 203.3.2.2 - ADS 200.2.b Performance Data Lacked Support - ADS 203.3 Performance Indicators and Targets Did Not Facilitate Program Management - ADS 203.3 Thorough Site Visits Not Conducted - ADS 202.3 - Performance Management Toolkit Data Quality Assessments Not Completed - ADS 203.3.5 - Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (Public Law 103–62) - Performance Management Toolkit Performance Management Plan Not Completed - ADS 203.3 - Performance Management Toolkit Performance Indicator Definitions Not Consistently Applied - ADS 203.3 - GAO Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government Reported Results Were Not Verified – ADS 203.3.5.1. - ADS 202.3.6. Partner Implementation Plans Lacked Vital Information – ADS 200.6 Lack of a Current Performance Management Plan (PMP) - ADS 203.3.3 Thorough Site Visits Were Not Conducted - ADS 202.3.4.6 - ADS 202.3.6 Data Quality Assessments Were Not Completed - ADS 203.3.5.2 - Performance and Results Act of 1993 Performance Management Plan Was Not Completed - ADS 203.3.3


Intentionally introduced dsRNA must first be processed into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) which are 22nt in length and analogous to miRNA. Fire and Mello directly injected dsRNA into a nematode and saw a response, but sophisticated mechanisms targeting the long RNA duplex made it ineffective in mammalian cells.
In 2003, Gregory Hannon and coworkers reported in Nature Genetics a very successful method to apply RNAi to an in vivo mammalian system. They developed a system of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) expressed from viral vectors whose stem-loop structure allowed them to effectively enter the miRNA pathway in the same way as pre-miRNA. In order to test the efficacy of shRNAs in mice, the authors targeted Trp53, a previously identified tumor suppressor gene. In transgenic mice, the deletion or inactivation of Trp53 will eliminate p53 expression and accelerate tumor formation. This approach represents a straightforward loss-of-function experiment to compare gene silencing by shRNA to standard gene deletions known as knockouts.


Inspections, Compliance, Enforcement, and Criminal Investigations Sparkle Spring Water Inc. 7/1/09 Department of Health and Human Services Public Health ServiceFood and Drug Administration
Atlanta District Office60 8th Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
July 1, 2009
VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS WARNING LETTER (09-ATL-05) Charles R. Waterloo, CEO Sparkle Spring Water Inc. 9064 Hwy 225 North Chatsworth, Georgia 30705 Dear Mr. Waterloo: On February 20-27, 2009, representatives of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected your bottled water manufacturing facility located at 9064 Highway 225 North in Chatsworth, Georgia. Their findings revealed violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations for Manufacturing, Packing, Or Holding Human Food, Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 110 (21 CFR Part 110), and for Processing and Bottling of Bottled Drinking Water (21 CFR Part 129). By virtue of these violations, the bottled water processed at your facility is adulterated within the meaning of Section 402(a)(4) of the Federal Food Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) [21 U.S.C. 342(a)(4)], because the product has been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby it may have become contaminated with filth, or whereby it may have been rendered injurious to health. In addition, the findings revealed violations of the bottled water standard, 21 CFR Part 165. By virtue of these violations, bottled water at your facility is misbranded within the meaning of Section 403(h) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 343(h)], because the product fails to bear a statement that its quality falls below the quality standard for bottled water. We have also reviewed your March 5, 2009 response to the FDA 483. You may find the Act and the CGMP regulations through links in FDA's Internet home page at www.fda.gov. The violations found during the inspection include the following: 1. You failed to provide source water that is of a safe, sanitary quality, as required by 21 CFR 129.35(a)(1). Our review of 39 of your firm's weekly outside test laboratory reports dated between 10/19/07 and 1/26/09 revealed that 31 of the samples were positive for total coliforms and 15 of those samples were also positive for E. coli, an indicator of fecal contamination. In addition, another outside test laboratory reported your source water sampled on 8/8/07 as positive for total coliforms. The annual testing conducted on the source water on 11/19/08 reported total coliforms as "TNTC [too numerous to count]" and the presence of fecal coliforms. There was no indication that these positive results had been noted by firm officials and no documentation was available of any corrective actions being taken in response to these results (e.g., determine the source of the contamination). In your response, you stated that you have changed the procedure for taking a sample. We agree that your firm's collection method procedure should be adjusted to an aseptic sampling technique. However, your response does not address the lack of documentation of any corrective actions taken when the spring source water tests positive. You have not determined the source of the spring's contamination in order to prevent future contamination and ensure the water supply is of a safe, sanitary quality. 2. Both the 2007 and 2008 annual finished product testing reports indicate that your product failed to meet the quality standard for bromate. The allowable level for bromate is 0.01 mg/L [21 CFR 165.110(b)(4)(1)(H)]. However, the 8/7/07 analysis indicated a bromate level of 0.017 mg/L and the 11/18/08 analysis indicated a bromate level of 0.019 mg/L. You failed to take corrective actions to address the elevated bromate levels. You failed to include a statement of substandard quality on the product's label as required by 21 CFR 165.110(c)(3). In your response, you stated that you had adjusted the ozone levels. However, your firm does not have a method that can determine the specific level of ozonation needed to produce water that complies with the bottled water quality standard. In those instances where your finished product testing reveals excessive bromate levels, you have not provided any documentation of corrective action relating to the adjustment of the ozonation system or other actions taken pertaining to finished products produced during these time periods. We note that no apparent action has been taken by your firm to address these issues other than to submit another sample for retesting in 2008. 3. You have failed to take and analyze for chemical, physical and radiological purposes at least annually a representative sample from a batch of each type of bottled drinking water produced during a day's production run as required by 21 CFR 129.80(g)(2). Specifically, in 2008, no testing was performed of the purified water produced via reverse osmosis. We acknowledge that your response states that you are no longer producing purified water via reverse osmosis. 4. You failed to maintain records pertaining to the physical inspection of equipment used for treatment of product water, to include the type and date, conditions found, and performance and effectiveness of equipment, as required by 21 CFR 129.80(a). No records were maintained of your firm's ozone system as to performance and effectiveness. No records were maintained of the inspection, maintenance and cleaning of the UV systems, filtration systems, ozonation system, distillation system or reverse osmosis system. With your response, you provided invoices showing the purchase of filters and UV bulb replacements. However, the invoices do not provide assurance that the filters or UV light bulbs were appropriately installed to ensure their effectiveness. This will be verified during our next inspection. 5. You have failed to inspect your mechanical washers to ensure adequate performance, and to maintain records of physical maintenance, inspections and conditions found, and performance of the washers, as required by 21 CFR 129.80(b)(1). Your Quality Manager indicated that no inspection of the mechanical washers used for the finished product containers was being conducted. The only monitoring records that could be located were dated 1/19/09 - 2/3/09. Your response stated that you put into place a procedure to inspect the mechanical washers on a regular basis, however, you did not include any documentation of this procedure being performed. 6. You have failed to sample and test cleaning and sanitizing solutions utilized to ensure adequate performance in the cleaning and sanitizing operations, and to maintain records of these tests, as required by 21 CFR 129.80(c). Your Quality Manager indicated that no sampling or testing of these solutions was conducted. Your employees were not following established procedure for preparing these solutions. There were no methods or equipment available which could measure the strength of these solutions. Your response states that you will put into place a procedure to sample and test sanitizing solutions; however, you did not describe the intended procedures. 7. You have failed to treat source water in a manner so as to be effective in accomplishing its intended purpose, as required by 21 CFR 129.80(a). Specifically, you informed the FDA inspector that in response to the positive sample found by the Georgia Department of Agriculture you "shocked" the source water with chlorine and tested it for residual chlorine on February 20-21, 2009. There are no records available of how that was performed or that this process was safe and effective. 8. As described above, you treated your source water with a chlorine-based disinfectant when you "shocked" the source water with chlorine. However, you failed to test the chlorine-treated source water for the disinfection byproducts listed in 21 CFR165.110(b)(4)(iii)(H) likely to result from such treatment, and to maintain records of these tests, as required by 21 CFR 129.35(a)(4)(iii). 9. You have failed to take product water samples after processing and prior to bottling as required by 21 CFR 129.80(a). According to your Quality Manager, the samples were being obtained only after bottling.
Your response states that your employees were instructed by the state inspector in the proper method to capture a finished product sample. However, your response did not address the specific method you intend to use to capture the finished product sample.
10. Your employee failed to wash their hands thoroughly in an adequate hand washing facility after each absence from the work station, as required by 21 CFR 110.10(b)(3). Although your procedures require that your employees wash and sanitize their hands each time they enter the clean room, FDA observed one of your employees not washing his hands before entering the processing room. Your response states that employees had been retrained. However, your response does not document how the employees were trained. 11. You have failed to ensure that all plant equipment and utensils are suitable for their intended use, as required by 21 CFR 129.40(a)(1). Our investigators observed five pipes leading from the spring house to the outside that did not contain back-flow prevention devices. In addition, four of those pipes did not contain a screening device to prevent the entry of extraneous materials or pests into your source water. Your response provided a diagram from a consultant's report showing where backflow preventers are required. However, the diagram does not address the remaining pipes that drain water from the spring to the outside of the spring house. The above-identified violations are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. The investigators issued a list of their Inspectional Observations (FDA 483) to you at the conclusion of their inspection. Although not listed on the FDA 483, the investigators also discussed their concern over several of the laboratory collection and testing methods not being performed correctly or according to the test kit manufacturers' recommendations. You are responsible for ensuring your firm operates in compliance with the Act, the bottled water standard regulations, and CGMP regulations. You should take prompt action to correct these violations. Failure to promptly correct these deviations may result in regulatory action, including seizure and/or injunction without further notice. Please respond in writing with fifteen (15) working days of your receipt of this letter outlining the specific steps you have taken to bring your firm into compliance with the law. Your response should include each step taken to correct the violations and prevent their recurrence. If you cannot complete all corrections within 15 working days, we expect you to explain the reason for the delay and state when any remaining deviations will be corrected. In addition, we have the following overall comments regarding your response: • In your response, you stated that the bottling equipment is a self-contained unit. However, this equipment was observed with several side panel doors removed and stored directly on the floor when the equipment was not in operation. • During the inspection, you stated that the candidates for the quality assurance position had extensive textile manufacturing experience. Due to the critical nature of the position, it is important that this person receive appropriate food manufacturing training. Your reply should be sent to the attention of Philip S. Campbell, Compliance Officer, at the address noted in the letterhead. Sincerely, /S/Barbara A. Wood, Acting Director Atlanta District


Aseptic spray drying offers a number of advantages over traditional methods of aseptic drying such as lyophilisation. More specifically, by allowing precise control of the drying process, spray drying gives far greater command over the shape, density and morphology of the final product. What’s more, with lower running and capital costs, these advantages are obtained while reducing overheads.
Production of dry sterile dosage forms often involves mixing of the API with one or more excipients. To achieve a homogeneous mixture, the particle size distribution of the excipient(s) must match that of the API. In a one-step-operation, spray drying can turn a sterile solution into sterile particles of the required size with no risk of introducing impurities - a well-known problem if milling is used.


NSWIS Sport Psychology assists athletes to develop the mental skills required to manage high intensity situations and deliver personal best performance on demand. Key areas of an athlete's mental game that a sport psychologist can assist an athlete to master for best results in selection events and finals at major competitions include: Performance planning, performance in the moment, and performance debriefing.
These areas assist athletes to:
- Improve confidence and focus for consistent high performance
- Use strengths to create a positive outcome when training and competing
- Enhance mental preparation to deliver peak performance on demand
- Adapt to any performance venue or situation
- Review performance to gain meaningful learning and continuous improvement
- Mentally rest and recover more effectively
- Develop leadership and team harmony skills
- Resolve issues and improve communication with the coach and other athletes
- Deal positively with injuries, non - selection and major decisions like retirement
- Balance life / sport priorities and commitments
- Develop personally and achieve enrichment through your sporting experiences
Click here for a complete list of NSWIS Sport Psychology network providers.
For further information regarding Sport Psychology services please contact the NSWIS on (02) 9763 0222 or email sportpsychology@nswis.com.au.


Preventing Youth Access to Tobacco Published November 27th 2002 by Routledge – 118 pagesLearn to develop and assess comprehensive youth tobacco interventions!Preventing Youth Access to Tobacco examines the components of a preventive public health intervention directed at reducing the rate of youth tobacco use. This valuable book describes this innovative intervention, which involves making tobacco more difficult for young people to acquire and also calls for fines for possession of tobacco. It illustrates the rationale for this intervention and reviews the literature on the topic, pointing to findings that indicate that this kind of comprehensive intervention has been shown to be effective.From the editors: “The amount of human pain and suffering caused by tobacco use is immeasurable. Preventing youth smoking initiation of the most effective way of reducing long-term mortality from heart disease, chronic lung disease, and other tobacco-related disorders. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing over 400,000 people each year. This is more people than die of AIDS, homicide, suicide, automobile accidents, illegal drug use, and fires combined. Despite these facts, 22.9 of adult Americans and 13.8 of Americans under 18 smoke cigarettes.”This essential book can provide some much-needed answers, showing you:


Borders In an era of globalization, national authorities are increasingly challenged by balancing the economic necessity of active borders with the desire to maintain security and protect national interests.
AGT International understands that border authorities require cutting-edge security and management solutions to provide for the continued flow of goods, services, and people - while ensuring high-level security and operational efficiency. Our tailored platforms integrate intelligence, physical obstacles, and inputs from sources such as sensors, databases, and open-source information to generate a Unified Situation Awareness Picture that triggers alerts, recommends actions, and provides decision-makers with intuitive status visualizations.
Our solutions protect borders against illegal incursions and ensure that only properly vetted persons, goods, and freight enter and leave sovereign nations - while simultaneously collecting and updating associated information for intelligent use by national authorities.


VARANASI: Walking in the lane with overflowing sewage in Lallapura area is a common feature due to choked sewerline and drains. "We are bound to live in such a pathetic condition despite repeated complaints made to the local administration," said Rajeev Srivastava, a local native.
The natives of Lallapura are not alone, residents of many other localities of the city like Jaiprakash Nagar, Nirala Nagar and Ghasiari Tola are also bound to wade through filthy water. This despite the city being funded by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for strengthening of its drainage system.
Since there is no separate system for storm water drainage, it causes havoc during the rainy season. Though, a significant part of the city has open drains used for carrying waste-water, during monsoon season they carry both waste-water and storm water, thereby putting more pressure on the sewer network. The open drains carry a mix of storm and waste-water and empty into the sewer lines, increasing the load on sewage pumps and sewage treatment plants (STPs), especially during the rainy season. Apart from this, some storm water drains also discharge directly into the Ganga and the Varuna.
According to the city development plan (CDP) of JNNURM, most of the open drains are unlined and contaminate the ground water, owing to the porous nature of alluvium. These drains carry the grey water discharged from the settlements along their path and are also used as dumps for solid waste. The Asi nallah also acts as a major outlet for the city's storm and waste-water. The drains and nullahs of the city are prone to choking owing to the unregulated solid waste dumping by the citizens. This leads to stagnant puddles of water, which lead to health hazards, unhygienic conditions and act as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The existing drain network cannot be used for water harvesting owing to the heavy siltation, quantum of grey water and solid waste in the drains. It is felt that there is a need for dedicated storm water network for the city, which would not only be instrumental in avoiding waterlogging during monsoons, but would also provide a scope for water harvesting along these drains.
Under the JNNURM, a fund of Rs 191 crore has been allocated for creating and strengthening the storm water drainage system in the city, deputy municipal commissioner SN Singh told TOI. The project would be executed in phase-wise by 2011-2012. According to Singh, besides rehabilitation/ renovation of existing drains and separation from sewerage system, new drains would also be constructed.
The process of cleaning the existing drains is still lingering when the monsoon is about to knock the doors after summer. However, the health department of Varanasi Nagar Nigam started the process with the cleaning 25 drains out of 163. Now, the engineering department of VNN has been asked to take up the task that should be completed by May 30. But, it seems that the drain cleaning may be delayed as the engineering department is yet to begin the process.
Key issues
The main issues, which need to be addressed for storm water drainage, are: # Lack of lined drainage in the city leading to contamination of ground water.
# Frequent clogging of drains due to dumping of waste in the drains which leads to unsanitary conditions.
# Siltation reduces the carrying capacity of drains, leading to waterlogging, particularly during monsoons.
# Need for a dedicated storm water network to reduce the load on sewer network.
(Source: CDP JNNURM)


Scanning cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy and imaging were usedto study the effect of post-growth processing on the CL efficiency ofmetal–organic vapour phase epitaxy-grown Mg-doped GaN. In this work,two treatments, thermal annealing in high-purity gaseous atmospheres(N2, O2 and H2(5%)/N2) and low-energy electron beam irradiation (LEEBI), have been investigated. Post-growth annealing in a H2/N2 atmosphere followed by LEEBI leads to a significant enhancement of the free electron-to-bound Mg-acceptor (e, Mg) CL emission and a reduction of nonradiative centres involving native defects. The presented results demonstrate that the combination of post-growth annealing in a H2/N2atmosphere and LEEBI dissociation of Mg–H complex acceptorssignificantly improves the light emitting efficiency of Mg-doped p-type GaN. Conversely, the samples annealed in a N2 or O2 atmosphere exhibit a reduced (e, Mg) emission after both annealing and LEEBI treatment.


This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Committee on Design and 2013 NAAB Accreditation Review Conference ARC Preparation .
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I've been distracted by course lists and claims that architectural education does not need reform. I'm returning to "Core Issues: Part 1" and "Harnessing the Architectural Curriculum: Part 1" to get back on track. I don't believe my comments represent a final solution, but hope they expose new avenues of approach to the issue. It comes down to our goal. As an example, if the goal is to build a high rise, structure and detail follow. I've been suggesting that our architectural goal is symbiotic shelter within sustainable geographic limits. Educational structure and detail follow, but we must build institutional, educational, business and professional models that provide a decent return on this investment in an architectural goal.
My suggestion has been to structure architectural course consideration around a three tier educational format that leads to versatile employment opportunities. The format emphasizes joint educational programs. It begins with a joint Bachelor's degree in civil engineering and architecture that leads to PE qualification. It continues with a joint Master's degree in business and architecture that leads to management and leadership qualification. It ends with an interdisciplinary doctoral degree in arts and science that focuses on adapting our cities, buildings, and behavior to the fundamental ecological laws of survival. It also includes an internship program that begins with formal education and extends beyond, but does not withhold licensing qualification and designation as an architect after graduation. It assumes employment agreements that respect the qualifications acquired.
Architecture as I've known it has been a monumental challenge. I haven't simplified things. I've attempted to focus the effort on a goal with clearly understood public benefit that increases demand, credibility, and the chances of human survival.
We can't do it alone. Doctors depend on nurses. Lawyers depend on paralegals. We cannibalize our profession because architects, including graduate architects, need work. It's a source of increasing frustration. We turn architects into draftsmen and direct them into specialties that were never an interest. We have to sort this out before education has a chance. One focus is not the answer. Too many expectations end in disappointment. This is why I suggested joint educational programs within a three tier structure, but I didn't address technical support. This is a parallel issue that I have rarely seen discussed because manpower is so plentiful, but an office full of architects can be full of frustration.
I still believe the goal is symbiotic shelter within sustainable geographic limits, but have become increasingly aware that it is not simply a political, planning, and scientific issue. Unfortunately, architects are not organized, mobilized or trained to address a threat that is still below the horizon of awareness for many. This means the first goal is awareness. The second is direction. The third is training, and the fourth is benefit. You could label awareness, direction and training as "education", but benefit will require leadership. -------------------------------------------
Walter Hosack
Author
Walter M. Hosack
Dublin OH
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There is a larger absolute increase in mortality after a bone fracture among Canadian First Nations peoples (Canadian Indigenous) compared to non-First Nations people according to a researcher from Deakin University who has been working closely with a Canadian researcher in bone density.
The findings are important because Canada has publically accessible health-care options, which is similar to the Australian health-care system, the researcher noted.
The data highlights there’s much work to be done in Australia to examine wellness post-fracture, especially for the Australian Indigenous peoples, she added.
The findings have clear implications for re-prioritising health-care service delivery.


ASSESSMENT PROVIDERS Because of the complex medical nature of ADHD, students must have their disability verified by a diagnostician with expertise in the diagnosis of ADHD. The diagnostician must have comprehensive training in differential diagnosis of ADHD and pertinent psychiatric disorders and direct experience with adult learners.
ASSESSMENT DOCUMENTATION
Students seeking accommodations for ADHD must provide a comprehensive assessment battery which indicates a specific diagnosis and how it substantially limits some major life activity, including learning. Current documentation (within last 3 years) is important because reasonable accommodations and services are based on the assessment of the current impact of the disability on academic performance. If the documentation is not adequate in content or does not address the individual’s current level of functioning and need for accommodation(s), additional documentation may be requested. The assessment must include:


Absence of the dens is rarely described in large breed dogs. In this rottweiler, mild neurological deficits seen at 6 mo of age did not progress for the 9.5 y of the dog's life despite lack of surgical intervention. This finding underscores the marked differences between small and large breeds.


A recent tracking study conducted by the NPD group, Entertainment Trends in America, reveals that most American consumers intend on spending as much or even more on entertainment in 2009.
While music digital downloads took the top slot, with 75% of consumers surveyed indicating that they would spend the same or more on music as they did in 2008, 65% of those surveyed said that will spend the same amount or more on video games. Indicating a favorable nod to downloadable content, in this case, specifically music, only 60% of respondents indicated that they would spend the same or more on physical CD’s. Although spending on theatrical movies did not take the top slot, tracking at 73%, this entertainment sector appears to be in the best position for growth, as the same question in the previous years’ survey logged only a 66% response from those polled.
Theatrical release films look like the big winner for ’09, over half those surveyed 51%, indicated that they’d purchased a DVD or Blu-ray disk during the previous three months. Console or portable video games took the number two spot in recent purchased with 36%, and CD purchases clocked in a 31%.
“Even in the face of a down economy, entertainment remains a popular spending category,” said Russ Crupnick, entertainment industry analyst for NPD. “Most consumers say they’ll continue to purchase at least the same amount of many entertainment categories in the coming year.”
According to the NPD survey, the current per capita entertainment budget is $160 per month. However, this number is slightly misleading, as a majority of this spend is applied to dedicated television and internet access subscriptions. While we’ve all heard/seen/read predictions that consumers would start to trim the entertainment fat during the current economic downturn, the NPD study finds the only noticeable decline in magazine and newspaper subscriptions. Bad news for an industry already in turmoil.
These numbers clearly indicate that the entertainment industry as a whole may be far better positioned to ride out the current economic storm, NPD’s Russ Crupnick advises caution, “There is anxiety about the economy among entertainment buyers, increasing use of unpaid digital options for entertainment and competition for the entertainment dollar, but consumers have clearly shown that compelling content will get them back into the stores or theatres.”
Tags: american consumers, Console, economic downturn, entertainment budget, entertainment categories, entertainment industry, industry analyst, newspaper, newspaper subscriptions, noticeable decline, npd group, Russ Crupnick, Trends


Radiation-Emitting Products What are appropriate charges for the transfer of mammographic records? Can I include the cost of making copies of the films? Appropriate charges for transfer of mammographic records could include items such as administrative time costs incurred in logging-in the request, retrieving the mammography films and reports, having the patient sign a release, packaging and mailing charges for the materials, and photocopying costs incurred in making copies of reports.
Facilities may, but are not required by MQSA to, make copies of the mammographic films. If these copies are requested by the patient or are mandated by State regulations, then the cost of making the copies can be charged to the patient. If the facility wishes to keep copies for its own benefit, the cost cannot be charged to the patient. If requested by the patient, facilities must produce documentation (e.g., itemized bill) that shows the charges do not exceed the costs associated with this service.


As it becomes increasingly difficult to obtain public or private funding, collaboration may become absolutely vital to some nonprofits' continued existence. Effective grant collaborations always comprise a critical attribute: they are led by individuals who not only understand the benefits and barriers affecting collaborations, but are highly skilled in managing them. This reference text explains the nature of the collaboration and a critical examination of the role of the grant leader, giving nonprofit fundraisers a competitive edge in collaborative grantseeking, especially for those individuals without previous experience in this complicated arena. No other book comprehensively explains every step in a successful collaborative grantseeking effort, nor provides real-world strategies and proven practices. Readers of COLLABORATIVE GRANTSEEKING: A GUIDE TO DESIGNING PROJECTS, LEADING PARTNERS AND PERSUADING SPONSORS will also better grasp the humanistic aspects of designing and leading successful collaborative projects and be able to write more persuasive proposals.
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This IDC study provides residual value forecasts for IBM's Power servers. The study explains the current market conditions that are affecting the value of used hardware on the secondary market and what future technological changes will further impact these values. We explore the factors impacting the server market and the price/performance increases expected over the next several years. This information helps those that invest in hardware assess their risk and provides guidance on the amount of residual value that is expected to be realized at the end of lease term.
"IBM's Power server line remains a solid performer within the STG organization and the server market as a whole." — Jennifer Koppy, research manager, IDC's Technology Valuation Service


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.


Exosome complexes are composed of 10 to 11 subunits and are involved in multiple facets of 3' → 5' RNA processing and turnover. The current paradigm stipulates that a uniform, stoichiometric core exosome, composed of single copies of each subunit, carries out all RNA metabolic functions in vivo. While core composition is well established in vitro, available genetic, cell biological, proteomic, and transcriptomic data raise questions about whether individual subunits contribute to RNA metabolic functions exclusively within the complex. Here, we recount the current understanding of the core exosome model and show predictions of the core model that are not satisfied by the available evidence. To resolve this discrepancy, we propose the exozyme hypothesis, a novel model stipulating that while exosome subunits can and do carry out certain functions within the core, subsets of exosome subunits and cofactors also assemble into a continuum of compositionally distinct complexes--exozymes--with different RNA specificities. The exozyme model is consistent with all published data and provides a new framework for understanding the general mechanisms and regulation of RNA processing and turnover.


Under a rules change set to take effect on March 4, the Obama Administration will for the first time allow certain spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens to remain in the country while a portion of the paperwork for their green cards is processed. To qualify, the U.S. citizen must show "extreme hardship" if forced to remain separated from a spouse or child. Typical examples include U.S. citizens who are sick or disabled and are being cared for or supported by their immigrant spouse or parent.
The move could affect some 1 million undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. "The administration deserves credit for moving ahead in the absence of comprehensive immigration reform from Congress," said SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer Eliseo Medina.
The new rule, which requires the family members to briefly return to their country of origin to finalize the process once the waiver has been approved, makes a small but significant change and removes a bureaucratic hurdle that has deeply hurt citizens facing hardships. The risks, uncertainties and delays that come with applying for the visa from abroad create unnecessary burdens on families in hardship cases.
While a welcome step forward in the right direction, the waiver is nonetheless a limited change. "We are disappointed that the rules change does not apply to spouses of legal permanent residents and adult children of U.S citizens, as they often are caregivers," said Medina. "We hope that as the changes are implemented, the administration will see the wisdom in expanding the hardship waivers to these critical family members."
Learn more here. More news coverage of the waiver at the Santa Cruz Sentinel andABC News/Univision .


31 January 2013: A review document by the Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT) considers megatrends in transport, the Partnership’s effectiveness towards realizing its objectives, and future directions. The review document was prompted by the 2009 Partnership mandate to review progress within three years of its establishment.
Regarding megatrends in sustainable transport, the document, titled "Where Does SLoCaT Stand in Realizing Sustainable Transport?", outlines key global developments including the: rapidly growing motorization in the developing world; increased rate of motorcycle use; growth of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT); renaissance in cycling; and enhanced awareness of the importance of freight transport for its contribution to economic development.
The review document compares megatrends with the 2009 SLoCaT objectives, concluding that successful activities have been undertaken while unfinished agendas still remain. The promotion of transport at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and successful engagement with the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20) were cited as two instances of successful activity for SLoCaT.
Regarding future directions, the document identifies the need for a larger critical mass to engage in awareness raising and to move away from the loose network structure with limited secretariat capacity. The document concludes that a more defined organizational structure can enhance the ability for the Partnership to engage with the relevant global, regional and national policy making on sustainable, low carbon transport.
SLoCaT is a voluntary multi-stakeholder initiative that contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, Rio+5 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI). The SLoCaT Partnership, an initiative of over 65 organizations, is a registered partnership with the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).
[Publication: Where Does SLoCaT Stand in Realizing Sustainable Transport?]
Source: http://climate-l.iisd.org/news/slocat-reviews-megatrends-in-transport-and-future-directions/


When I was pregnant with Luke, I received so much advice on what I needed as a newly pregnant mama. From belly bands to nursing bras to prenatal massages, everyone told me what I needed. The best advice, though, came from my mom, who said, "Are you going to get a doula?" I did, and it was honestly the best money spent while pregnant. Although I had a weird situation where I hired one doula, yet had another at Luke's birth, due to the doula I hired being with another laboring mom (my babies like to come at inconvenient times, what can I say?), the prenatal support alone was worth it. Before I was pregnant with Luke, I had never seen a birth, not even on video. Our doula, Robin, showed up videos of moms in labor, moms giving birth, and so, Shane and I both knew what to expect. Shane said that it helped him understand that the noises I made while laboring were normal, and it helped him feel better about the pain I was experiencing. When I went into labor and Robin couldn't make it, she arranged for Louise to be there. In my family, many women have had c-sections. I had a long, hard labor with Luke. I had back labor, my labor stalled at 8cm, and his head wasn't at all engaged until I was 9cm. Simply put, he was not in the right position. My doula and midwife both had me contorting into different positions to help Luke turn the right way, and it worked. Without a doubt, I would've had a c-section without their help. Even with their help, I still came very close to that, and while the end result would have still been the same, I know the recovery would've been much harder. Do you see how I'm totally leaning closer to Louise than Shane? It's because she gave better back rubs while I was in labor, but don't tell him. This time around, I hired Louise from the start, simply because I felt connected to the woman who was there when Luke was born. I was so excited to have her at this birth, but as we know, Tommy had other plans. Still, having her there meant the world to Shane and me. She helped me latch Tommy for the first real feed, and then she fed me bites of a sandwich while I nursed him for the first time. When I passed out on the toilet at 3AM because I totally had an OMG I JUST HAD A BABY ON THE STAIRS panic attack, I came to with my head resting on Louise's stomach and her arm around me. She stayed with us until 4:30 in the morning, after my parents, Luke, and all the nurses had left the room. She's part of our first quiet moments, when the world was still spinning. To have someone we knew there, so full of goodness and light and calming energy meant the world to both of us. Now, I know you could be thinking, "But Erin, if I'm not an accidental freebirthing, dirty hippie like you, do I really need a doula?" Honestly, YES. Even if you're signing up for that epidural in the parking lot, I still feel like there's so much a doula can offer. If your husband is like mine and struggled with how he'd react to labor, a doula can help. My husband now tells everyone that we wouldn't do it without a doula. If you struggle with breastfeeding, you will have someone to help you. If you struggle postpartum, you will have someone to help. If you struggle during your pregnancy, you have your very own pregnancy expert on call. And when you go into labor and you're maybe a little scared, you have someone there to hold your hand.