text:
"Cheap has always been cool"
Katy Krause of Scituate never thought she'd shop at BJ's Wholesale Club – but there she was last week, pushing a mostly full cart of children's drinks and other items to her minivan.
Krause, 40, runs a Boston retail shop. Her husband works in financial services. She didn't pay much attention to prices until gas shot up to $4 a gallon this summer. In September – as the Wall Street meltdown intensified – she finally took her sister's advice and signed up at the discount superstore.
"Everybody's talking about the economy," Krause said. "It's affecting everyone now."
With multiplying layoffs and other signs pointing to a deep recession, the search for bargains seems to have become fashionable again for those like the Krauses, who are financially secure but increasingly cautious.
BJ's membership has shot up. Shoppers arrive at the Weymouth store in a Mercedes or Saab as well as aging American cars. Local consignment shops are getting visits from customers less willing to pay for a brand-new wardrobe.
Boston University sociology professor Charles Lindholm thinks the coming hard times could inspire fresh interest among many to pursue a pared-down lifestyle that's "ethical and spiritual," as Lindholm puts it. But other analysts say the early stage of this recession is simply highlighting a longstanding American tendency to look for the cheap deal, whether the economy is flush or tight.
"A long recession would reinforce that, but we've been through this before," said Boston College marketing professor Kathleen Seiders.
Seiders – a former food-service executive who has commented for CBS and other national media – points to the perennial popularity of Filene's Basement as but one example.
"Cheap has always been cool," she said.
Quincy secretary Lorraine Hughes doesn't think of herself as cool when she shops at the Wollaston consignment shop Finders Keepers. She's there to stretch her budget, picking up designer-brand apparel for a fraction of department-store prices.
"I used to come occasionally," she said, as she browsed for shoes and jackets. "Now I'm here all the time."
Hughes half-joked that cutting up credit cards might be the next thing she and her high school teacher husband do. But Seiders doesn't think such drastic changes are likely to be widespread, unless the U.S. falls into a full-blown depression.
She expects most Americans will continue "fine tuning" their budget, driving the same car and wearing the same clothes longer, and saving what they can while they shop at cost-cutting stores like BJ's and Walmart.
"Many people don't have to do that now, but they're worried," Seiders said. "So much consumer behavior is out of fear."
Randoph parent and Simmons College basketball coach Tony Price sees that reaction, too. While he and his family trim their spending, like everyone else, he also wishes his fully-employed friends and co-workers would take the current crisis as a learning opportunity – about the financial system and their own livelihood.
"This is a wake-up call," he said. "People who see that will make it a way to make this situation positive."
Lane Lambert may be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
GDP drop: 33 percent
Unemployment rate: 24 percent
Dow drop: 89 percent
GDP drop: 18 percent
Unemployment rate: 19 percent
Dow drop: 49 percent
GDP drop: 5 percent
Unemployment rate: 6 percent
Dow drop: 45 percent
GDP drop: 10 percent
Unemployment rate: 10 percent
Dow drop: 24 percent
GDP drop: 2 percent
Unemployment rate: 7 percent
Dow drop: 21 percent
GDP drop: 1 percent
Unemployment rate: 5 percent
Dow drop: 30 percent
GDP drop: 0.3 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.5 percent
Dow drop: 40 percent
Source: About.com; Wall Street Journal; infoplease.com; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis


text:
The CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act - first passed in November of 2008) has been in the news lately because there have been requests for clarifications from some classifications of manufacturers. This act calls for sweeping change and further protection on products for children 12 and under.
You may have read that the CPSC (the Consumer Product Safety Commission which enforces this new Act) has issued a "stay of enforcement" (basically a postponement) for parts of the Act. Don't worry though, you still are protected.
What does it all mean?
More From Good Housekeeping
The "stay" does not excuse manufacturers of children's products from complying with statutory limits for total lead content and phthalates and if the product is a toy, it still must meet the mandatory toy standards. The "stay" also does not affect the lead ban on existing inventory. As of Feb 10, 2009, products already on store shelves need to comply with lead limits. It also does not postpone the testing and certification requirements which have already been implemented, namely, those for: lead paint; cribs and pacifiers; small parts; and metal jewelry. What the "stay" does call for a delay on the testing and certification of certain clothing articles that do not have any metal components.
So, not to worry, any children's products on the market should be safe for your children. For more information, go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsia

subset: commoncrawl


text:
In this page, you can find the English translation of the Holy Qur'an.
You can get information on the translation of the surah of the Holy Quran.
On the right menu, all the surah of the Holy Qur'an are listed and all surahs are linked to individual pages.
You can share the English translation of the Holy Quran verses on facebook, twitter and other social media using the share links.


text:
Table of Contents:
Agenda for jobs and workers' skills
Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Agenda for jobs and workers' skills
These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.
Employment and social policy > European Strategy for Growth
Agenda for jobs and workers' skills
Document or Iniciative
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 23 November 2010 – An agenda for new skills and jobs: A European contribution towards full employment [COM(2010) 682 final – Not published in the Official Journal].
The Commission establishes a flagship initiative in the area of participation in labour markets and vocational skills. In the context of the Europe 2020 strategy this initiative contributes to the joint efforts of the Member States aimed at increasing by 75 % the employment rate of women and men for the 20-64 years age group by 2020.
It is essential to meet this target in order to ensure the sustainability of the welfare systems, economic growth and public finances of EU countries.
Improving the functioning of labour markets
The effective implementation of the common principles of flexicurity contributes to the proper functioning of labour markets and the reduction of structural unemployment. The principles of flexicurity must be strengthened in order to reduce divisions in labour markets and to support their transition.
To this end, this initiative favours:
- a joint approach by EU institutions, Member States and social partners, to strengthen policy and establish principles of flexicurity;
- the development of workers' skills throughout their working life, in particular by means of adapted financing;
- social partners' participation at European level.
In addition, the Commission proposes to involve all stakeholders in order to monitor and manage flexicurity, particularly public and private employment and training services and civil society organisations.
Upgrading workers' skills
Workers' skills must be adapted to the changes in European society, particularly in the sectors of innovation, new technologies, the environment and health. Education and training systems must respond to these changes, cooperating with business and developing work-based learning.
In this context, the European Commission recommends a series of key actions:
- creating an online skills Panorama, presenting changes in, and the needs of, the EU labour market;
- establishing the European Skills, Competences and Occupations classification (ESCO);
- reforming systems for the recognition of professional qualifications;
- launching an Agenda for Integration of third country nationals, to valorise their skills and training;
- encouraging geographical mobility, by improving the enforcement of the principle of free movement of workers in the EU.
These actions must be accompanied by an assessment of school curricula, the employability of students and the development of some professional sectors, as well as support for informal learning.
Improving the quality of work and working conditions
The quality of working conditions enables workers' potential to be developed and business competitiveness to be enhanced.
The Commission therefore proposes to re-examine in particular:
- European legislation on employment, health and social security, and information and consultation of workers;
- the 2007-2012 health and safety strategy, so as to propose a follow-up strategy for the period 2013-2020.
The joint action taken by the Commission, Member States and social partners should support the fight against undeclared work and discrimination in the world of work.
Fostering job creation
National and European employment policies should take into account business needs. Such policies should be accompanied by measures to support entrepreneurship and the creation of innovative firms.
In order to create a job-friendly environment, the Commission proposes to adopt guiding principles to simplify administrative and legal procedures for hiring and firing, business creation and self-employment, to reduce non-wage labour costs, and combat informal or undeclared work.
Furthermore, measures should be adapted to support business creation and management, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that represent 99 % of European firms.


text:
Rocket Folio/NXT
Rocket® Folio, an application based platform, provides robust search, content management, and publishing from the desktop or delivered via CD/DVD/USB. Folio converts files into the Folio-Views format for use or editing.
Rocket NXT, a server-based search and publishing platform, provides an integrated solution for both structured and unstructured data―from any device, anywhere, anytime.
Why Rocket Folio/NXT?
- Controlled content access for smarter sharing
- Simplified, scalable enterprise search
- Manage growing amounts of data without adding overhead


text:
Kill It With Fire: A Pyromaniacal Mage Flowchart
I have to thank Runzwithfire for the idea of making a flowchart – although I hear he's more Runzwithfrost these days. I didn't want to make a frost chart, so I made a fire one instead.
Read this with a few caveats.
- This is primarily for single target fights. The chart does mention adds in a roundabout way, but they are not prioritized. This changes for special cases, e.g. Halfus Wyrmbreaker's heroic mode. Because of the debuff on Halfus and the nature of Impact procs as well as the need to DPS the whelps, Impact becomes much more important in this fight. But for the majority of boss fights, this is what you'll do.
- I've never made a flowchart before so it may not work in a perfect loop. When in doubt, cast Fireball, and never stop casting something.
- The initial "rotation" works because it's stuff you can do as you are moving into position. Scorch on the move, put up LB, summon your orb and your mirrors and then go to town. Always keep as many dots as possible. Never cast Combustion without Ignite. If you've been very unlucky with hot streak you may cast it without Pyroblast, but never without all your other buffs!
- I assume any on-use trinkets will be used along with your main nuke. It's beneficial to refresh DoTs when a trinket procs to give you more Int/Spellpower but that's beyond the scope of a flow chart.
- Combustion Helper is an excellent addon for fire specs to easily manage all those DoTs, I highly recommend it.
So there you have it, my first flow chart! Thanks to Voss for help with Visio thing (ridiculously easy to use). They're fun! It got a little bit silly at the end there.


text:
The following is a question I've been pondering for a while. I was reminded of it by a recent dicussion on the question How to tell $i$ from $-i$?
Can you find a field that is abstractly isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}$, but that does not have a canonical choice of square root of $-1$?
I mean canonical in the following sense: if you were to hand your field to one thousand mathematicians with the instructions "Pick out the most obvious square root of -1 in this field. Your goal is to make the same choice as most other mathematicians," there should be be a fairly even division of answers.


text: The Owatonna Police Department, with the assistance of underage operatives, conducts alcohol and tobacco compliance checks with retailers. Compliance checks provide a proactive effort to keep alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of our youngest community members. These checks are done at least two times per year and operatives are trained, photographed, and equipped with electronic listening devices so officers can monitor the conversations.


text:
PHOENIXVILLE – Pope John Paul II and Phoenixville both got a taste of playoff-atmosphere boys basketball action Monday night in the windup game of the Pioneer Athletic Conference regular season schedule.
A large and loud crowd came out to watch the Golden Panthers and Phantoms battle it out for the PAC-10 Frontier Division title.
Pope John Paul II roared to a 12-0 start at the outset and then staved off Phoenixville's comeback bid to come away with a 71-62 victory at the Phoenixville Area School District gymnasium.
Brent Mahoney fired home 27 points, including 10-for-10 shooting at the free throw line, to lead the Golden Panthers to victory. Mahoney, a left-handed shooter, tallied 12 in the first half as PJP took a 26-20 halftime lead.
Jamel Stinson added 12 second-half points and 10 rebounds for the Golden Panthers (9-4, 13-8), and James Bleming finished with 11 points with two first-period treys and 5-for-6 foul shooting.
PJP swept the season series from Phoenixville (8-5, 11-10) after taking the first-half meeting 61-53 in overtime at the Upper Providence court.
PJP clinched the top seed from the Frontier Division for Friday night's Final Four playoffs at Spring-Ford High School and will take on Perkiomen Valley, the second seed from the Liberty Division, in the first game at 6 p.m. Phoenixville, which had its five-game winning streak snapped, will be the second seed from the Frontier and will face Liberty leader Methacton in the nightcap at 7:45 p.m.
Marcus Howell poured in a game-high 28 points with three triples for the Phantoms and DeAndre Gadsden produced 18 with one trey. Howell also had six steals, three rebounds and two steals while Gadsden totaled 10 rebounds, three steals and one blocked shot.
'We were coming off a good game the last game we played and we wanted the same start,' said Mahoney. 'They (Phantoms) were hyped up.'
Mahoney drained a jump shot for the first basket of the contest and Bleming followed with a trey from the left wing. Mahoney made a layup. Then Mike Cianciulli turned a steal into a layup, and Bleming nailed his second trey from the top of the key following a Stinson steal to make it 12-0 in favor of the Golden Panthers with 4:29 remaining in the first quarter.
PJP made its first five shots from the field while Phoenixville strugged with three misses and two turnovers in its first five possessions.
Howell scored all nine Phantom markers as Phoenixville cut the deficit to five points at 14-9 by the end of the opening period.
'You can't start 12-0 at this time of the year,' said Phoenixville coach Randy Reber. 'We said before the game we were very excited early , and it reflected in our play, especially offensively with the way we handled the ball and our shots.
'They (Golden Panthers) are a good team and they made their first five shots, and it is tough to work back from that. I am proud of the way we hung in there and fought, but we just made too many mistakes, and not offensively. Marcus and DeAndre were a two-man game to keep us in it. Again, size gets us. Mahoney really impressed me with the takes he had and the drives. We contested and he finished strong, and they missed one foul shot all night.'
PJP shot 25-for-44 from the field and 17-for-18 at the foul line. Phoenixville shot 23-for-54 from the floor and 10-for-11 at the foul line. PJP also had the edge in rebounds, 26-23.
The Golden Panthers kept a 10-point lead at 50-40 after three quarters and sustained their advantage in the fourth quarter.
'The teams we've played lately have tried to take away Jamel,' said PJP coach Jack Flanagan. 'Right now other guys have to step up. We knew James (Bleming) and Michael Cianciulli would be one of them.'
Cianciulli ended the game with seven points, including one third-period trey.
Alex Plate, Tim Tadros and Nick Demeno chipped in with four points each and Paul Tagliatela had one second-period bucket for two points.
The Phantoms' Greg Hughes got into foul trouble and finished with six points iwth one trey. C.J. Lindsay had all five of his points in the third stanza. Victor Bozzelli made one third-period trey, and Ian Harrigan had one basket in the third quarter.
'I was concerned with their energy early in the game,' said Flanagan. 'I knew coach Reber would have them ready to play. He is an icon in this league. He's a great coach. They are going to be back in the Final Four and districts.'
Flanagan applauded Phoenixville for its 'beautiful facility' at the new middle school building after the Golden Panthers' first trip to the new gymnasium.
'Folks in Phoenixville do things first class,' said Flanagan.
Phoenixville pulled to within 44-40 with 1:21 left in the third period after Gadsden scored with an assist by Howell. But that was the closest the Phantoms got in the second half. The Golden Panthers used a six-point run to close the third quarter and then another at the start of the fourth to create a 56-41 cushion with 5:32 showing in regulation time following two free throws by Mahoney and two layups by Stinson off feeds from the PJP guards.


text: Redskins owner and shrewd businessman Daniel Snyder ceased control of Six Flags late last year. Snyder and his hand-picked CEO Mark Shapiro took over the reigns of the nation's largest theme park chain with promises to turn the struggling company around. While guest spending is up, overall attendance is down. Shapiro blames bad weather, including floods and three-digit temperatures for the downturn in attendance. Full story


text: These computers are equipped with reading, writing and magnification software that enables people with disabilities to create and read printed material. Individuals can also access the San Francisco Public Library's online catalog databases and the Internet. A limited number of workstations are located throughout the Main Library and are available to patrons who have a valid San Francisco Public Library card and have registered with a librarian at the Library for the Blind & Print Disabled or the Access Services Manager. Contact the Library for the Blind & Print Disabled at 557-4253 or the Access Services Manager at 557-4557.


text:
Most years about this time, northern Illinois farmer Monty Whipple, like so many Midwest growers, would be riding high in his monstrous planter, kicking up dust while sowing corn in hundreds of acres. But this spring has kept him sidelined, and he's anything but alone.
Spring planting across much of the nation's Corn Belt is sputtering, foiled by rainy and chilly conditions that in broad stretches have left the ground either too soggy or too cold for effective seeding.
As of Sunday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says, just 3 percent of the U.S. corn crop was sown, half the dismal pace of last year, when one of the wettest springs on record got farmers in many states off to the slowest start in decades.
In Illinois, just 1 percent of this year's corn has been planted — one-tenth of the average pace of the previous five years. Farmers in other key corn-producing states — Iowa, Nebraska and Indiana — were equally idle, the USDA says. Missouri has 9 percent of its crop in the field, down from 16 percent this time a year ago.
Still, Whipple and other growers in Illinois and Missouri aren't sounding alarms, noting that today's bigger, more efficient planting machines can make up for lost time. Such was the case last year, when more than 40 percent of Illinois' corn crop got planted in just one week in mid-May. The USDA says corn sowing traditionally begins about this time, with that task typically in full swing from April 21 through May 23.
And the agency notes that even with last year's frustratingly slow start to planting, U.S. farmers still reaped a record 13.9 billion bushels of corn and the third-biggest soybean crop on record.
"There's really not any need to be concerned," Illinois Farm Bureau spokesman John Hawkins said.
At least not yet, as Whipple waits for spring to stop acting like winter. With a fresh batch of snow on his roughly 800 acres of farmland near Utica in LaSalle County, he spent Tuesday hauling stored grain to a barge and felt productive.
"I can't be in the field, so this is a good job to get done while waiting," he said, though he admitted he's "starting to get a little frustrated." He guessed it will be another week before he can begin planting corn. "We just haven't had that week or two of good weather, and there's a lot of work to be done."
But he said he has resisted the urge to rush in a crop when the soil is marginal, saying "you only get one shot at this."
Near Missouri's Warrenton, west of St. Louis, Keith Witt said only one or two local farmers have any corn planted — for bragging rights, if anything. But with 3,500 acres soaked by six inches of rain over the past 10 days or so, Witt guesses he'll have to wait until the end of next week to start planting.
Expectations of more rain within days soured any hope of getting in the fields now to plant half of his acreage with corn, then the other half later with beans.
"It's hard to find something to do, realizing you want to be out there and getting it done but can't," said Witt, a former Missouri Corn Growers Association president. "But we still have plenty of time. Last year (with the delayed sowing), we planted everything in four days. So what difference does it make?"
Back in central Illinois, near Auburn, Garry Niemeyer feels lucky. Simply to test his equipment, the 65-year-old farmer has sown 100 of the roughly 1,200 acres he'll devote to corn this year.
The reason: His turf has been relatively dry, though that may change with the considerable chance for rain by Friday.
"I know there's nervous tension, but you have to go with the weather cards you're dealt," he said.


text:
Jerry Tsai, DuPont Performance Polymers
Thermoplastics for Electronics and Handheld Devices
Engineering thermoplastics for electronics play an increasingly vital role in the production of electronic components and devices. Rather than seeking a one-size-fits-all solution, polymer producers such as DuPont are tailoring materials to the specific application with the goal of increasing performance and processing efficiency while lowering costs.
One such product group is the DuPont™ Zytel® HTN family of semi-aromatic polyamides, which offers a combination of properties that make them ideal materials for use in handheld devices.
With built-in shielding, excellent flow, dimensional stability, toughness and strength, Zytel® HTN can reduce the total system cost of thinner and lighter housings for laptop computers, tablet PCs, cell phones and other devices. Zytel® HTN also delivers the right property set for the many electronic connectors, relays, light-emitting diode components and various other electrical and electronic parts contained within these devices. It can withstand high-temperature circuit assembly methods, including those using lead-free solder, has good strength, stiffness and toughness over a wide temperature and humidity range, and is now also available as a halogen-free grade providing conformity with recycling programs for discarded electronic products.
A thinner, lighter laptop housing
A recent testimonial of the design flexibility afforded by Zytel® HTN in handheld devices is provided by the redesigned housing of the Lenovo IdeaPad U550. Weighing in at just 5.3 lbs (2.4 kgs) and measuring just over one inch (2.5 cm) in height, it is remarkably thin and light for a 15.6-inch (40 cm) multimedia notebook. This is partly due to the use of a non-halogen, flame retardant grade of Zytel® HTN for the LCD rear cover assembly (the so-called A cover) and the bottom cover assembly (the D cover). Both covers had been previously produced using a polycarbonate (PC)/ acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blend, but by changing to Zytel® HTN it has been possible to reduce their wall thickness from 1.8 mm—the thinnest thickness possible with PC/ABS—to 1.3 mm, a reduction of more than 25 percent.
"Material stiffness is one of the critical requirements for the mechanical stability of a laptop's A cover, which has to protect the sensitive electrical components inside the laptop as well as the LCD screen," explains Aric Dai (Huafeng), research and development director of the IdeaPad product group at Lenovo. "The improved flexural modulus (approximately 17GPa) and flexural strength (approximately 300 MPa) of Zytel® HTN makes it the material of choice for the production of these thinner, lighter and more cost effective covers."
Drop and pressure tests were used to confirm the protective attributes of the laptop housing, including the placing of loads of up to 25 kg (55 pounds) on the A cover. During hands-on consumer reviews, the laptop chassis and lid are described as exhibiting only mild flex when grabbed by the corners and twisted, whilst pushing on the back of the lid does not yield any ripples in the LCD screen—an impressive performance considering its reduced thickness. As well as improved strength, stiffness and impact resistance, the specified Zytel® HTN grade also demonstrates excellent flame retardancy. Whereas a UL-94 V0 rating at 0.8 mm was specified by Lenovo for the application, the halogenfree, flame retardant grade of Zytel® HTN achieves this at just 0.4 mm.
The switch to Zytel® HTN also saw Lenovo adopt Rapid Heat Cycle Molding (RHCM) technology for the production of the highly visible covers. This process can be used to maximize the surface appearance of injection molded parts with a minimal effect on cycle time. Part costs can be reduced using this technology by eliminating the need for secondary operations to hide surface defects, whilst it can also be used to obtain glossy surfaces even with glass-filled materials. The adoption of RHCM technology was made possible by the higher glass transition temperature (around 115°C or 240°F) of Zytel® HTN than that of the previously used PC/ABS blend.
Support in line with the customer's needs
Comprehensive technical support by DuPont assisted Lenovo in its switch to the higher performance and more cost effective material solution, as Aric Dai of Lenovo recalls: "DuPont was able to offer a unique business package including access to its CAE capability during the design phase, on-site technical support, tool and customized gate design and mold-flow simulation, as well as a decoration solution which was in line with our design needs." Indeed, patterns and texture are a defining element of the Lenovo IdeaPad aesthetic, and the U550 is no exception. An extremely fine checkerboard pattern molded onto the A cover makes it feel almost like the texture of knurled metal to the touch. The covers are painted and subsequent adhesion and warpage tests ensure conformity with production standards.


text:
Astronauts are the coolest possible human beings, and no movie has ever nailed it quite like this one. Watch and aspire to be as awesome as these guys. Oh, and tear up about space glory.
Who's in it?
Some very talented people: Sam Shepard as Chuck Yeager, Scott Glenn as Alan Shepard, Ed Harris as John Glenn, and Dennis Quaid as Gordon Cooper.
What's it about?
The film follows the envelope-pushing birth of America's manned space program, from its explosion-prone start to the consummation of the Mercury Program, detailing the struggle to build a machine that could take humans into space, and to find the right humans for that machine.
Apple MacBook Air Laptop
Powerful performance
The M1 chip delivers 3.5x faster performance than the previous generation all while using way less power. Get up to 18 hours of battery life.
Why do we like it?
As it's based on a Tom Wolfe novel by the same name, the film examines the astronauts beyond any documentary or museum exhibit—they're cocky, accomplished, tall glasses of ego, and they're all thrown through the same gauntlet of tech and nationalism. It's easy to think of these guys as just faces on stamps, but the psychology of an astronaut is pretty compelling. Sure, it's a movie about the Mercury team, with actors, but the flick really pushes its feat on you like nothing else.
The Right Stuff (1983), 193 Minutes — Netflix


text:
Hoodwink Summary
Hoodwink Review
24 July 2012 | By Kyri Patarou
A dystopian sci-fi noir adventure that throws out the rulebook… when maybe it should have given it a closer read.
Latest Updates
E-One Studios announces point-and-click adventure Hoodwink
12 June 2012 | By #author
Kuala Lumpur-based developer E-One Studio has announced a new point-and-click adventure game, Hoodwink. The adventure is set in the future where the world is ruled by "the last surviving corporate giant."


text:
Message Board
Lauren Willig Message Board
Talk about the novels, new and used books that Willig has written!
Author Willig's Book Reviews
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
Eloise Kelly, a young student working on her Phd dissertation, is visiting England to assertain the true identity of the "Pink Carnation", a fictional spy during the reign of Napolean Bonaparte. While searching through the journals of the "Purple Gentian", another fictional spy of the same time period, she is drawn into the personal story of Amy Balcourt, an aquaintance of the "Purple Gentian". The story then follows the story of Ms. Balcourt, a young ...


text:
Many of us go into marriage wanting to share everything — bank accounts and all. But there are parts of your financial life that should not be pooled when you tie the knot and that ought to be pulled apart if they are currently combined. Here's the scoop, whatever the stage of your union:
Your Credit Reports and Scores
• What to keep SEPARATE: When you get hitched, you don't have to "marry" your partner's credit. Your credit (or FICO) scores and history are always yours and yours alone — and that's a good thing. Think of your credit report as your grown-up GPA: It's how everyone from lenders to employers gauges you as a financial risk. (And if you and your spouse ever split up, having your own credit will mean having the freedom to build a new, solo life.) If you've just been an authorized user on your spouse's cards, it's time to get credit under your own name. If you have no credit history or a low credit score, get a secured card (you deposit money to activate it) like those at nerdwallet.com.
• What to MERGE: Many couples want to buy big things — say, a home or a car — jointly, and this is a time your credit scores do get connected. When both of you have great credit (especially numbers close to or over 760), there is little credit-related reason to apply jointly, because you'll qualify for the best rates. But if, say, your spouse wants to buy a new car and has a cringe-worthy credit score while yours is A+, your good credit may help. Let's say you have a median (the score in the middle of the three) FICO score of 815, and your partner's is 650. If you apply together, lenders will look at both those scores and probably go with the lower of the two. But since yours is particularly stellar, they may just offer a rate that's a bit better than what a score of 650 would get you, which would in turn ratchet down your monthly payment somewhat. Every penny counts!
That said, beware of cosigning loans you can't pay on your own, in case you divorce or someone loses a job. Need third-party advice on navigating this? Contact a local nonprofit credit counselor via the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (nfcc.org).
Your Wills
• Keep them SEPARATE: You and your husband might have gotten a joint will when you had kids, but these documents have fallen out of favor over the years — they make things more complicated in this era of divorce and remarriage. If you wed today, a lawyer will almost certainly recommend individual wills, which are more flexible down the road (his and your plans for your estate can be identical or entirely dissimilar; it's your call!).
A special shout-out to those contemplating remarriage: We've all heard of those situations where someone passes away and either their kids from marriage number one or those from marriage number two are unwittingly left out of any inheritance, and much bickering and heartache ensue. It's easy enough to avoid that. If you are widowed or are remarrying, work closely with a lawyer, considering each family member, and draw up a new will. For more free help on wills, trusts, and marriage, go to nolo.com and, under the Get Informed tab, choose Wills, Trusts & Probate.
Bank Accounts and Credit Cards
• What to keep SEPARATE: It's vital to keep money in your own name and have access to your own credit for two key reasons. First, autonomy: You're a grown-up who doesn't need every dollar supervised. And second, safety: If there ever came a time when you needed to leave your marriage, having funds and credit in your name would be crucial to your newly single life.
If you and your spouse have only joint accounts, open a checking or savings account (with access to a debit card) and a credit card under your name only. Make sure you're not doubling up on maintenance and ATM fees — shop for low- or no-fee bank accounts at bankrate.com or at a local credit union (find one at ncua.gov), or set up a free checking account at Simple (simple.com).
No need to do this on the sly; make it about the importance of building your own credit to buoy the household and, frankly, so that you can take care of yourself not only if there's a split, but also in case something happens to your spouse.
• What to MERGE: A joint household account for bills and shared goals is, of course, a useful budget-wrangling tool. And a joint debit card and/or rewards credit card can be a savvy money move, too. A family gas-and-groceries card can not only help keep you on budget, but also treat you to some great rewards. One no-annual-fee favorite is the American Express Blue Cash Everyday card, which gets you 3% cash back at grocery stores and 2% at gas stations and some department stores. Shop and compare more cards at lowcards.com.
Be Careful!
Keep beneficiaries updated on retirement accounts. If there's a discrepancy between who's named on your 401(k) and in your will, guess what? The person on the retirement account usually gets it all!
Do I Share My Spouse's Debts If We Divorce?
Not necessarily, if he acquired the debt and it's only in his name — in most states, that is. If you live in a community property state (CA, WA, NV, NM, AZ, TX, WI, LA, ID), the debt he's racking up is generally deemed a shared responsibility no matter whose name it's in.
Have a question? Send it to Carmen at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Skelton Industrial Estate
double glazing, double glazing company, double glazing installers, glaziers, upvc windows, upvc doors, window repair, glass replacement, glazing work, window company, handles & hinges, misted or broken glass units, upvc windows & doors
Report a problem with this listing
Welcome Double glazing services available in the North East area. Call for more information .
Business Profile I cover all aspects of Double Glazing repairs, including: Replacing misted up glass, replacing broken hinges, handles, locks to doors and windows. Double Glazing Repairs also fit new Windows and Doors.
About Us Locks, handles & hinges, Misted or broken glass units, Door realignment catflaps & letterplates. Conservatory leaks & energy glass upgrades. We also install windows doors & conservatories. We offer a fast friendly service with 25 years experience. FENSA registered installer.


text:
Suit: Fired staffer doubted 9/11 memorial safety
NEW YORK - A former manager at the Sept. 11 memorial was fired for raising health and security concerns at one of the most security-conscious places in the world, he said in a lawsuit Friday.
Thomas Cancelliere maintained he was fired from his job as director of the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum in retaliation for alerting his bosses to numerous problems.
But a memorial spokesman called Cancelliere's claims untrue and said his firing was the result of bad performance on the job. He said Cancelliere was trying to leverage a large financial settlement.
"Tom Cancelliere was terminated because of his documented failure to live up to the performance standards of our organization ... We assure that the memorial is a safe, secure place," spokesman Michael Frazier said.
Cancelliere said he told his bosses of illness-causing bacteria in the memorial's signature fountains, too-narrow exit gates that could hinder an evacuation, and a lack of security checks at a public parking garage directly below the off-site room where the memorial's millions of visitors are screened.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Cancelliere's concern for the safety of visitors was not shared by his supervisors," who told him the issues weren't his responsibility or were being addressed, even though they weren't, his lawsuit said.
Cancelliere, 67, was fired last month. At the time, his bosses cited cost-cutting, the suit said.
The suit was filed in a Manhattan state court, and seeks unspecified damages under the state whistle-blower-protection law.
The nonprofit memorial foundation spent about $28 million last year and is ramping up to lay out $60 million a year once an accompanying museum opens, including about $12 million a year on security.
Cancelliere is well versed in the security concerns that envelop the memorial site: He's a retired plant and facilities manager for the World Trade Center, where the memorial plaza now stands. He left the government agency that runs the trade center in 1996, held other jobs and then started in November 2010 as facilities chief for the privately run memorial, which has drawn more than 4.5 million visitors since its outdoor plaza opened in September 2011.
The next summer, he noted to his boss that no one was examining cars at the garage under the memorial's "welcome site," where visitors go through security checks in a residential building down the block from the memorial itself, the lawsuit said. An elaborate vehicle security center is being built at the trade center site itself, where a truck bomb in an underground garage killed six people and injured nearly 1,000 in a 1993 terrorist attack.
Police have a heavy presence throughout the area near the trade center site.
His boss told him it wasn't his job to worry about security at the screening room garage, according to the lawsuit.
"Here he is, as the director of facilities, and has a right to be concerned about the issues," said his lawyer, Douglas H. Wigdor.
This year, Cancelliere told his supervisor the fountains' disinfecting system wasn't built properly, and the water contained bacteria that cause Legionnaire's disease, Cancelliere's lawsuit said.
People can get the disease from breathing in contaminated water vapor, though most people exposed to the bacteria don't become ill, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cancelliere's boss said the issue would be handled, but nothing was done, the suit said.
Frazier said Legionnaire's bacteria was never found in the water. He said an algae problem was resolved and posed no danger. "The water is perfectly safe," the spokesman said.
As for the exit gates, Frazier said they had passed muster in a roster of regulatory reviews.
Cancelliere's troubles came to a head after two memorial security guards complained this fall that the screening room was overcrowded and badly ventilated, the lawsuit said. Cancelliere says he told superiors the complaints were on-target, and he recommended air tests, crowd control and other measures.
He was told the issue was being resolved and he shouldn't worry about it, according to the suit. When Cancelliere pressed, he was chastised that he needed to "get along better" with his colleagues, his suit said. He was fired about two weeks later.
Through his lawyer, Cancelliere declined to be interviewed.


text:
Good morning - it's Helen here to announce the winner and top 3 of our 'traditional Christmas colours' challenge.
Our sponsor for the challenge was the wonderful:
and the winner of a digi stamp of their choice from the Sasayaki Glitter store, chosen by Randon.Org is:
70. Irene M
Congratulations, Irene - please e-mail me to claim your prize: email@example.com
And now our top 3 - a very difficult choice as we had over a hundred entries!
In order of entrance:
Congratulations to you all - don't forget to take a badge for your blog!
Our current challenge is a month long 'anything Christmas goes' challenge - we've had lots of great entries already!
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and we'll see you next year!
Helen x


text:
Boston Marathon marks second chance for runner, family
"And then out of nowhere, the weirdest silence."
Waltham, Mass., resident Steven Tashjian Jr. was 26 miles into his Boston Marathon last year when he heard the deafening quiet.
"Nobody said anything at that point but I knew something was wrong. It was real, real spooky," said Tashjian, 32. "Then the only thing you could hear was sirens."
Tashjian, who was running the Marathon to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a place that helped him beat leukemia when he was a young boy, had actually heard someone a little while earlier yell that a bomb went off at the finish, but he didn't believe it. Spectators along the road were still cheering at that point.
Tashjian's family was among the spectators – with a spot right at the finish line. So when it started to sink in that something was very wrong up there, he got worried and started to break down. Freezing and aching, Tashjian took a knee in the middle of Commonwealth Avenue, when a man come over, put a hand on his shoulder and asked if he was OK.
Tashjian was able to use the man's cell phone to get in touch with his father, found out his family was fine and told them to leave. As soon as he heard his father's voice, he was mentally better, but was still physically in need of help.
Tashjian was sitting on the steps of a condominium building when a man who lived there offered help, bringing him inside to the warmth and giving him water, fruit and a jacket. Then, Tashjian started walking.
Tashjian walked over to Dana-Farber, about two miles away. A woman there gave him food, water and $40. A friend met him and they used Uber to get a car. He didn't get home until 10 p.m. "I never ate pizza so fast in my life," Tashjian said.
Before he was stopped, the day was going well. He was having fun and it looked like he was going to beat his personal best time by more than 20 minutes. But later, after he was stopped, he felt ill because he was so hungry and dehydrated. He was also angry.
But it didn't take long for Tashjian to start running again. He took just a week off.
"I run regularly just to stay healthy," Tashjian said.
He eventually returned the jacket to the man at the condo building and the $40 to the woman at Dana-Farber. He also got his medal.
And on April 21, he's planning to get another one.
Tashjian started training late last year for the Marathon and says he'll probably run it faster this year. He's improved his diet and lost weight.
Tashjian admits, though, that the training has been a little harder this time because he's been so busy – he's studying exercise and health sciences at UMass-Boston five days a week and working a couple of days a week in construction.
"Saturdays aren't Saturdays anymore," said Tashjian, who works on those days.
Sometimes he doesn't feel like running and will do his long run on a different day. And he'll take to the treadmill if it's too cold.
And while he can understand if people are scared about being at the finish line, he respects the fact that his parents are planning to be there.
Steven Tashjian Sr. and his wife Delia are actually looking to sit in the same spot as last year. Tashjian Sr. says he is just a little nervous.
"Last year was quite a scare," he said. "There's a little anxiety."
The family was right across the street from where the first bomb went off.
"Everyone's doing their job to prevent anything from happening [this year]," Tashjian Sr. said. "I'm really proud of the way the city is handling the situation."
Tashjian Sr. is looking forward to seeing his son cross the finish line. He's actually crossed the line himself, having completed the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk twice, once when his son had leukemia.
"It really is a great feeling when you finish that course," he said.
Tashjian Sr. likes how last year's Marathon and the ensuing year created a stronger bond in the city of Boston.
"I think this is going to be one of the most important marathons that's ever been run," Tashjian Jr. said. "I'm psyched to be part of it."


text:
The time has once again come when a beautiful project we have been working on for quite some time has reached its completion. With happy feelings I look back om making my Demelza blanket using Scheepjes Stone Washed yarn.
The Demelza blanket is designed by Catherine Bligh and is accompanied by a photo tutorial in English and Dutch. There is also an update available with UK terms. The design is inspired by the character Demelza from Poldark, a series of novels written by Winston Graham in the 20th century and adapted for television by the BBC.
- Free Pattern by Catherine Bligh on Ravelry
- All video tutorials in one YouTube playlist
- Color Chart for Demelza in Scheepjes Stone Washed
- KIT: Demelza in Stone Washed
Video tutorials
You can find all the videos for making each of the squares, the join and the border for the Demelza series on my YouTube channel.
Colorway and Yarn amounts
I used 13 colors of Scheepjes Stone Washed yarn with a 3.5mm hook to make my Demelza blanket. All details for when I used which color for the squares as well as the join and border are given in my color chart.
I used 28 balls of Stone Washed in the following colors:
- 3 x Moonstone (801),
- 3 x Boulder Opal (804),
- 2 x Canada Jade (806),
- 2 x Red Jasper (807),
- 2 x Corundum Ruby (808),
- 2 x Deep Amethyst (811),
- 1 x Lemon Quartz (812),
- 3 x Amazonite (813),
- 2 x Green Agate (815),
- 2 x Coral (816),
- 2 x Citrine (817),
- 2 x Lilac Quartz (818), and
- 2 x New Jade (819).
You can buy Scheepjes Stone Washed from Wool Warehouse (UK/Int), Bol.com (NL), or your local Scheepjes Stockist.
My Demelza
If you would like to look back on the road we have traveled to make Demelza; we started with 16 small corner squares, flowed by 8 flat flower squares in first one and then a second design, after which we then made 4 3D flower corner squares, the rectangular panels and finally the center square. Joining all the pieces was a lot of work and the cherry on the cake was the border.
This brings us to the end of another beautiful project. For the short term I have no new CAL's planned, but I am working on several projects for the new year. When the time is right I will tell more.
With love,
Follow me on
Facebook, YouTube, Ravelry, Instagram
This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure and copyright policy. All opinions are my own and I only link to products I use or would use. Thank you for using the links on my blog and supporting my work.


text:
Carl Hester famously got his start in the equestrian world aboard a donkey on the tiny Channel Island of Sark, located 80 miles off the British coastline, where there are no cars. His big break came in 1989 when he began working for Dr. Wilfried Bechtolsheimer, who provided Hester with Grand Prix horses. In 1990, Hester went to the first World Equestrian Games on Rubelit von Unkenriff in Stockholm, Sweden. He rode in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games on Georgioni at the age of 25, the youngest British rider to ever compete in the Olympics. Since then he's competed in two additional Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004, as well as numerous WEGs, World Cup Finals and European Championships. He earned historic team gold at the 2011 FEI European Championships (the Netherlands) and two individual silver medals with Sasha Stewart's Dutch Warmblood stallion Uthopia, who will be competing again in London. He also owns Valegro with Rowena Luard, and the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding is scheduled to represent Great Britain at the London Games with Hester's assistant trainer Charlotte Dujardin.
Name: Carl Hester
Age: 45
Home Base: Gloucestershire, England
Name the best thing about becoming an equestrian celebrity.
The number of people who want to talk to you.
The worst?
The number of people who want to talk to you. There is nothing "worst" about being an equestrian celebrity. What you learn is that people are fascinated with what you do and where you come from. I think my own story or Charlotte's story is a story anyone can aspire to. We both came from nothing, from non-horsey backgrounds. It's helpful for people who think they'll never make it because they don't come from horsey families or have loads of money behind them.
What is your drink of choice?
A spritzer. I used to be far too big a wine drinker. I'm from the Channel Islands, tax-free, where booze is cheap, and they always describe the island I live in, which is 600 people, as 600 alcoholics clinging to a rock. It was going to happen at some point. The way that I've managed to temper that is to drink spritzers. I try never to drink straight wine anymore, just spritzer, half-half.
What characteristic do you value most in a horse?
Work ethic. I think the environments that we put them in are really exhausting for them. A great work ethic and a pair of good hind legs.
In a human?
It's quite simple. Somebody who doesn't encroach on my space and yet can be my best friend. That is a hard thing to be able to differentiate.
What do you find to be the most ridiculous aspect of the dressage world?
Being from England, it's the amount of travel we put our horses through. That's ridiculous. It's a shame, and I hate having to do all the traveling.
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
I don't have a greatest love. I have several. All the animals that are around me that are alive now. I care about all of them.
Looking back on your career so far, what advice are you glad you never took?
Somebody will buy you a horse. I'm glad I never waited for that to happen. It doesn't happen. You have to prove yourself. So that's what I did. So that means the best bit of advice I ever got was train your own.
What three things are most likely to be found in your refrigerator at all times?
Blueberries, natural yogurt and cream. I love cream in everything.
Jack Russells. Yes or no?
Yes, I have two of them, tan colored, and they're both called Lulu. I thought it was easier to give them one name. I just open the door and shout Lulu, and they both come running.
What horse, other than your own, would you like to take a turn on?
Paragon. That, to me, looks like the star of the future.
What changes would you like to see in the dressage industry?
I don't think there's much you can change. People are too individual. I think it would be nice if you could match up the right people with the right horses and not always have everybody thinking, "Buy that. It's a winner." It's got to be a match.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the world today?
In England it's the euro versus the pound. That's a huge issue because over the years we've gotten poorer and poorer and poorer. If you're talking about a world crisis, I'm sure that famine is probably the most horrendous thing for anybody to have go through. Things like UNICEF, which we all know about through the dressage, are obviously fantastic.
What was the last book you read?
Hotel Babylon, which has been made into a series in England, which is just fantastic.
What one item from your wardrobe best personifies you?
My Hugo Boss suit. I love that. I cherish it. I've had it for years. It fits; it makes me feel smart. That suits me.
What is your biggest self-indulgence?
It was the wine, so staying off that has been really hard. I've done two years of spritzers now. I'm obviously going to be an addict at some point, so I try not to go too near anything for too long.
What do your musical freestyle choices say about you?
I think the Tom Jones one that I did was very me. I like to be a little bit different with the freestyle. I knew it wasn't going to be a winner from an artistic point of view, but it does make the crowd happy. I actually plumped for a crowd pleaser rather than a winner.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I would work in the hotel trade because I love dealing with people. I worked tourism before I came to live in England and took on dressage. I would be in tourism.
What word or phrase do you overuse?
That's it. When I teach, I say, "That's it, that's it, that's it."
What is the best feeling in the world?
The British team winning a gold medal last year. I never thought that was a possibility in my lifetime. The number of years I've waited to see that happen made it the best feeling ever.
Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
In 10 years I still hope to be competing, teaching. Certainly [the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro] is something I would be able for. I've got some nice new horses coming up, so I'll be thinking about that. Then retiring back to the Channel Islands where I come from. Peace and quiet, no cars. Become an alcoholic clinging to a rock again, I suppose!
If you enjoyed this article and would like to read more like it, consider subscribing. The original version of "Free Rein With: Carl Hester" ran in the July 23 & 30, 2012, Olympic Preview issue. Check out the table of contents to see what great stories are in the magazine this week.


text:
Spotlight:Genre: Action, Drama, HorrorSummary:Students are stunned by the sudden outbreak of a zombie attack. Takeshi, Rei, and the rest of the living student body must find a way to fight the undead onslaught and escape to safety. more >
Latest Posts:
High School of the Dead Episode: 10 The Dead's House Rules
The gang is safe from harm at Saya's mansion. But that doesn't mean that they're free from conflict. Massage boobies vs. Marikawa-sensei and Saya vs. her parents! Continue reading →
High School of the Dead Episode 09: The Sword and Dead
You like the way I inform you of new reviews eh? 😉 In this episode, Takashi Komuro and Saeko Busujima! Continue reading →
Anime Conji 2011 – Wat I Don't Even…
Welcome to Anime Conji 2011, strongest 30 minutes of my life. (strongest 2 hours if you count the drive there) Continue reading →
All Reviews:
Tag Archives: Sex Pistols
Detroit Metal City Episode 06: Punk
Posted on August 22, 2010 by michael in Detroit Metal City
Transfer all your evil to Krauser-san! It's the Demon Jewel!!!! In this episode, it's D.M.C. vs. the Kintama Girls! Don't miss it! Continue reading →
Posted in Detroit Metal City | Tagged Anti-Male, Black Penis, camus, CPR, Demon Jewel, Demon King, detroit metal city, Dezumu, dmc, Drumming, Drums, Emperor, Faggot Manager, Fire, Giva, Grotesque, gura, guri, Huzzah, jagi, Johannes, Johannes Krauser, Kintama Girls, krauser, Leotard, negishi, Nina, nishida, President, Scum-Scans, Sex Pistols, Sid, Sid Vicious, Souichi, Souichi Negishi, Spitting, Torrent | Leave a comment


text:
Mobile, Modular and Manufactured Home Value and Price Reports in Seconds!
The Basic Used
Home Value Report
Home Value Report
Developed for:
- Consumers to buy and sell with confidence
Complete this Basic Version of the Online Request Form and receive a standard value report for a used manufactured home in seconds.
- Includes a limited set of home features to choose from
- Not intended for appraisers using the 1004C/70B
appraisal form
- View a sample report
- Prefer to fax your request form?
The Professional
Used Home Value Report
Used Home Value Report
Developed for:
Use this Professional Version of the Online Request Form to generate an in-depth value report and get the most complete and accurate representation of what a Manufactured Home is really worth.
- Includes a comprehensive set (350) of home features to choose from
- Compatible with the 1004C/70B appraisal form
- View a sample report
- View a tutorial for the 1004C/70B appraisal form
The New
Home Price Report
Home Price Report
Developed for:
Generate a detailed retail price report for a new manufactured home in seconds.
- Cost-effective solution for HPML Appraisal Rule compliance
- Adds transparency to the home selling process
- Assists home valuation professionals
- Provides peace of mind during the home buying process
- View a sample report
Mobile, Modular & Manufactured Home Appraiser Center
Below are items intended to assist appraisers in the manufactured home appraisal process.
Manufactured Home Resources
The links below provide help with identifying manufactured and modular homes, as well as contact information for national, regional and state manufactured housing associations, HUD and modular code agencies and home manufacturers.


text:
Pop princess Britney Spears dropped her new single "Work Bitch" yesterday, after a version of the song leaked online. Though this definitely wasn't the way the Grammy winner planned to debut her new track (Spears tweeted on Sunday morning, "Woke up today and saw that a low quality version of 'Work Bitch' had leaked :( "), she shouldn't be too upset. The song—which has an awesome beat and some very BRITish vocals—is definitely going to be the power anthem of fall.
We can't wait to see what amazing dance moves Spears busts out in the video.
Listen to the full track below and tell us what you think. Is this the new "Hit Me Baby One More Time?"


text:
Services on Demand
Related links
- Cited by Google
- Similars in Google
South African Journal of Occupational Therapy
On-line version ISSN 2310-3833
Print version ISSN 0038-2337
S. Afr. j. occup. ther. vol.42 n.3 Pretoria 2012
The sources of professional confidence in occupational therapy students
Kathy HollandI; Lyn MiddletonII; Leana UysIII
National Diploma: Occupational Therapy (Vona du Toit College, Pretoria), B(Hons), Occupational Therapy (University Pretoria), M.Education (Higher Education) (University of Natal). Dept of Occupational Therapy, University of KwaZulu-Natal
IIHonours (Nursing) (University Natal), PhD (University KwaZulu-Natal). Dept of Nursing, University of KwaZulu-Natal
IIIB Nursing (University of Pretoria), M Nursing (University of the Free State), PhD (University of the Free State). Professor Dept of Nursing, University of KwaZulu-Natal
INTRODUCTION: While undergraduate training in South Africa places an emphasis on ensuring the competence of occupational therapy graduates, very little attention has been paid to exploring their professional confidence, despite the fact that this has been highlighted as an issue for students. The foundation for professional confidence is laid during student years, and is influenced by a number of determinants, which this study aimed to identify.
METHODS AND MATERIAL: Qualitative methodology was used with a purposive sample of nineteen final year occupational therapy students. Students were invited to participate voluntarily in focus group interviews and/or submit their reflective journal. Five lecturers and six clinical supervisors at the University concerned also participated in focus group interviews. Deductive thematic analysis of the data was undertaken.
RESULTS: Two broad themes emerged. The first theme, external determinants, included clinical experience, relationships with peers, staff and patients, and the changing environment in which they worked. The second theme, internal determinants, included certain identified personal characteristics and influencers. The external and internal sources of professional confidence beliefs were either within the control of the student, or the lecturer/clinical supervisor or the profession.
DISCUSSION: A number of recommendations ranging from re-thinking clinical practicals and supervision are made. These findings have implications for student selection, teaching methodology and experiences, and the professional identity of the profession. Greater formal emphasis needs to be placed on confidence building during the undergraduate experience.
Key words: Professional confidence, occupational therapy students, occupational therapy education, clinical practical, reflective journaling, supervision
"Full text available only in PDF format"
1. Brown B, O'Mara L, Hunsberger M, Love B, Black M, Carpio B, et al. Professional confidence in baccalaureate nursing students. Nurse Education in Practice, 2003;3(3):163-70. [ Links ]
2. Crooks D, Carpio B, Brown B, Black M, O'Mara L, Noesgaard C. Development of professional confidence by post diploma baccalaureate nursing students. Nurse Education in Practice, 2005;5(6):360-7. [ Links ]
3. Hecimovich M, Volet S. Importance of building confidence in patient communication and clinical skills among chiropractic students. The Journal of Chiropractic Education, 2009;23(2):151-64. [ Links ]
4. Hecimovich M, Volet S. Development of professional confidence in health education. Research evidence of the impact of guided practice into the profession. Health Education, 2011;111(3):177-97. [ Links ]
5. HPCSA. Regulations pertaining to the Registration of Occupational Therapy Students and the Minimum Standards for the Training of Occupational Therapy Students. Form 124. Pretoria: Health Professions Council of South Africa; 2003. [ Links ]
6. Tryssenaar J. The lived experience of becoming an occupational therapist. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1999;62(3): 107-12. [ Links ]
7. Rodger S, Clark M, O'Brien M, Martinez K, Banks R. Mapping the Future of Occupational Therapy Education in the 21st Century. Strawberry Hills NSW: The Australian Learning and Teaching Counci11td.; 2008. [ Links ]
8. Tryssenaar J, Perkins J. From student to therapist: Exploring the first year of practice. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2001;55(1):19-27. [ Links ]
9. Méthot D. Capacity and competency, collaboration and communication: A road map for the future. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2004;71(4):197-8. [ Links ]
10. Adamson BJ, Hunt AE, Harris LM, Hummel J. Occupational therapists' perceptions of their undergraduate preparation for the workplace. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1998;61(4):173-9. [ Links ]
11. Robertson LJ, Griffiths S. Graduates' reflections on their preparation for practice. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2009;72(3):125-32. [ Links ]
12. Spiliotopoulou G. Preparing occupational therapy students for practice placements: Initial evidence. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2007;70(9):384-8. [ Links ]
13. Derdall M, Olsen P, Janzen W, Warren S. Development of a questionnaire to examine confidence of occupational therapy students during fieldwork experiences. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2002;69(1):49-56. [ Links ]
14. Toal-Sullivan D. New graduates' experiences of learning to practice occupational therapy. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2006;69(1):513-24. [ Links ]
15. Crouch RB. Courage, Conviction and Confidence: Fundamental elements for the survival of occupational therapy in the new South Africa. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1994;24(1):5-10. [ Links ]
16. Hodgetts S, Hollis V, Triska O, Dennis S, Madill H, Taylor E. Occupational therapy students' and graduates' satisfaction with professional education and preparation for practice. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2007;74(3):148-60. [ Links ]
17. Mulholland S, Derdall M. An early fieldwork experience: student and preceptor perspectives. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2007;74(3):161-71. [ Links ]
18. Quick L, Forsyth K, Melton J. From graduate to reflective practice scholar. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2007;70(11):471-4. [ Links ]
19. Atkinson K, Steward B. A Longitudinal Study of Occupational Therapy New Practitioners in their First Years of Professional Practice: Preliminary Findings. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1997;60(8):338-42. [ Links ]
20. Martin M, Morris J, Moore A, Sadlo G, Crouch V Evaluating Practice Education Models in Occupational Therapy: Comparing 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 Placements. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2004;67(3):192-200. [ Links ]
21. Tan K-P, Meredith P, McKenna K. Predictors of occupational therapy students' clinical performance: An exploratory study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 2004;51(1):25-33. [ Links ]
22. Björklund A, Svensson T. A longitudinal study on the transformation of 15 occupational therapist students' paradigms into occupational therapists' paradigms. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 2006;53(2):87-97. [ Links ]
23. Holland KE, Middleton L, Uys L. Frofessional Confidence: A Concept Analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2012:19:214-224 [ Links ]
24. Haffer AG, Raingruber BJ. Discovering confidence in clinical reasoning and critical thinking development in Baccalaureate nursing students. Journal of Nursing Education, 1998;37(2):61-70. [ Links ]
25. Mulholland S, Derdall M, Roy B. The Student's Perspective on What Makes an Exceptional Practice Placement Educator. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2006;69(12):567-71. [ Links ]
26. Goldenberg D, Iwasiw C, MacMaster E. Self-efficacy of senior baccalaureate nursing students and preceptors. Nurse Education Today, 1997;17(4):303-10. [ Links ]
27. Gaitskell S, Morley M. Supervision in Occupational Therapy: How are We Doing? British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2008;71(3):119-21. [ Links ]
28. Pillay AL, Harvey BM. The experiences of the first South African community service clinical psychologists. South African Journal of Psychology, 2006;36(2):259-80. [ Links ]
29. Morley M. Moving from Student to New Practitioner: the Transitional Experience. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2006;69(5):231-3. [ Links ]
30. Sutton G, Griffin MA. Transition from Student to Practitioner: the Role of Expectations, Values and Personality. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2000;63(8):380-8. [ Links ]
31. Tompson M, Ryan AG. Students' perspective of fieldwork; Process, purpose and relationship to coursework. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 1996;43(3/4):95-104. [ Links ]
32. Urban B. Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy in a Multicultural Society: Measures and Ethnic Differences. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology, 2006;32(1):2-10. [ Links ]
33. Earley PC. Self or group? Cultural Effects of Training on Self-efficacy and Performance. Administrative Science Quarterly, 1994;39:89-117. [ Links ]
34. Klassen RM. Optimism and realism: A review of self-efficacy from a cross-cultural perspective. International Journal of Psychology, 2004;39(3):205-30. [ Links ]
35. Fitzgerald MH, Mullavey-O'Byrne C, Clemson L. Cultural issues from practice. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 1997;44(1):1-21. [ Links ]
36. Stake R. Qualitative Case Studies. In: Denzin NK, Lincoln YS, editors. The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications; 2005. p. 443-66. [ Links ]
37. Flyvbjerg B. Making Social Science Matter. Why social inquiry fails and how it can succeed again. Cambridge: University Press; 2001. [ Links ]
38. Salminen A-L, Harra T, Lautamo T. Conducting case study research in occupational therapy. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 2006;53(1):3-8. [ Links ]
39. Vaughn B, Schumm J, Sinagub J. Focus Group Interviews in Education and Psychology. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications; 1996. [ Links ]
40. Braun V Clarke V Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 2006;3(2):77-101. [ Links ]
41. Miles MB, Hubermans AM. Qualitative Data Analysis. An Expanded Sourcebook. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications; 1994. [ Links ]
42. Cresswell J, Miller DL. Determining Validity in Qualitative Inquiry. Theory into Practice. 2000;39:124-30. [ Links ]
43. McLaughlin K, Moutray M, Muldoon OT. The role of personality and self-efficacy in the selection and retention of successful nursing students: a longitudinal study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2008;61(2):211-21. [ Links ]
44. Derdall M, Urbanowski R. Clinical education in Saskatchewan: A needs assessment. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1995;62(3):148-53. [ Links ]
45. Duncan M, Buchanan H, Lorenzo T. Politics in occupational therapy education: A South African perspective. In: Kronenberg F, Algado S, Pollard N, editors. Occupational Therapy without Borders. Learning from the Spirit of Survivors. Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchil11ivingston; 2005. p. 390-401. [ Links ]
46. Duncan M, McMillan J. A responsive curriculum for new forms of practice education and learning. In: Lorenzo T, Duncan M, Buchanan H, Alsop A, editors. Practice and Service Learning in Occupational Therapy. Chicester: Johan Wiley and Sons; 2006. p. 20-35. [ Links ]
47. Watson RM. Being before doing: The cultural identity (essence) of occupational therapy. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 2006;53(3):151-8. [ Links ]
48. Whiteford GE, McAllister L. Politics and complexity in intercultural fieldwork: The Vietnam experience. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 2007;54:S74-S83. [ Links ]
Kathy Holland
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
This paper is submitted as a partial requirement for the degree of PhD (Health Sciences) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.


text:
Please wait a moment ...
Please wait a moment ...
OverviewBlueTec, CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and BlueTec HYBRID – The future of the compression-ignition engineDebut of diesel engines in tractors and trucksDiesel engines in Mercedes-Benz commercial vehiclesDiesel engines in Mercedes-Benz passenger carsDiesel in motor sport, research and record-breaking carsDiesel landmarks and Mercedes-BenzFrom prechamber to BlueTEC HYBRIDProsper L'Orange and the modern diesel engineRudolf Diesel and his invention
Feb 21, 2011
1923 – Truck test trip from Stuttgart to Berlin and back
The new truck of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) needed ten days for its test drive in September 1923. The commercial vehicle with the new air-injection diesel engine (29 kW/40 hp at 1000 rpm) demonstrated its practical usefulness on a journey from Berlin to Stuttgart and back. The trip between the DMG factories lasted from 20 to 30 September 1923.
1954 – Test drive through the USA
Bill Carroll undertook a test drive straight across the USA in 1954 in a Mercedes-Benz 190 D. The journey of 8243 kilometres (5122 miles) took the motor sport journalist from Seattle to New York. The diesel fuel for the ride across the continent cost the tester all of 32 dollars and 27 cents. "For Americans this fuel consumption is utterly sensational," a German report on the journey said. And the journalist's conclusion was an unequivocal recommendation to buy: "For anyone who has to drive long distances, the Mercedes-Benz 190 D is the best car."
Mercedes-Benz bet on the publicity value of the test drive from Pacific to Atlantic. Rightly so: "The huge interest in this achievement of Bill Carroll and the general admiration for it permit us to assume, without exaggeration, that Mercedes-Benz diesel passenger cars will now continue their triumphal march through the United States." Such was the resume of a report of the Stuttgart company on the American diesel marathon.
1955 – Triple victory in the Mille Miglia
The 180 D wrote racing history too: in 1955, at the Mille Miglia, Mercedes-Benz dominated not only in the overall rankings, with Stirling Moss/Denis Jenkinson and Juan Manuel Fangio in the 300 SLR scoring a double victory. Stuttgart was also successful in the diesel ranking: Helmut Retter and Wolfgang Larcher won their class in a Mercedes-Benz 180 D. Their average speed was 94.6 km/h. Karl Reinhardt and Wulf Wisnewski came in second, followed by Arturo Masera and Pasquale Cardinali. In the general classification the three 180 D's took the places 201, 214 and 220. This outstanding victory in their class impressively demonstrated the capabilities of the diesel engines in the Stuttgart-built saloons.
1959 – Victory in the Africa Rally
In 1959 Mercedes-Benz racing driver Karl Kling again showed that the diesel engine can deliver a good sporting performance: with Rainer Günzler as navigator, he won the Africa Rally over 14,045 kilometres from Algiers to Cape Town in a 190 D. His average speed: 80.6 km/h. Former Grand Prix driver Kling had succeeded the legendary Alfred Neubauer as racing manager at Mercedes-Benz – a position he held from 1956 until 1968.
1959 – Diesel record in the 190 SL
A private rally team set a world record for diesels in 1959 in a Mercedes-Benz 190 SL. The small roadster was specially fitted with a revised OM 621 engine. The four-cylinder unit displaced two litres and had an output of 44 kW (60 hp). That sufficed to set a 24-hour record averaging a speed of 124.1 km/h in a 190 SL which, apart from the engine, was a stock car.
In 1961 the private rally enthusiasts repeated their attempt. This time the two-seater was thoroughly prepared to undertake the record run: all trim had been removed, and there was only a small, semicircular pane as windshield. With a 48 kW (65 hp) diesel engine under the bonnet, this time the record-breaking car averaged 142.3 km/h over five kilometres from a flying start.
1972 – Across the USA in a 220 D
11,000 kilometres from New York through the United States in a Mercedes-Benz diesel – the customer magazine Mercedes-Benz in aller Welt described this journey in 1972. The red saloon drove through big cities and across prairies, mountains and deserts on its way from coast to coast. The 220 D proved a reliable vehicle; on the Bonneville Flats in Utah it even dashed to 140 km/h for the travel diary.
1975 – Dieselstar
A Mercedes-Benz five-cylinder diesel engine with turbocharger powered the "Dieselstar" experimental car of motor journalist Fritz B. Busch in 1975. Busch built the record-breaking vehicle on the basis of a Formula 2 racing car. On 16 November 1975, on the test track in Ehra-Lessien (Lüneburg Heath) it established a world record for diesel cars, attaining a top speed of 253.7 km/h. This was all the more remarkable in view of the fact that the existing diesel records had been established on straight-ahead stretches of the salt flats in Utah, USA. Busch, by contrast, also had to negotiate bends and brake the car on the test track. The Mercedes-Benz engine for the record attempt was fitted with an AiResearch turbocharger and a special Bosch injection pump and was slightly modified: smaller cylinder bores reduced the displacement to 2,999 cubic centimetres; to handle the high loads the unit was also provided with a nitrided crankshaft, a heavy-duty oil pump and special injection nozzles. All said and done, the engine developed 138 kW (187 hp) at 4500 rpm.
A year later, Mercedes-Benz themselves set as many as three world records for diesel cars: based on the C 111 concept car, a diesel racer took shape which was used on record-breaking runs in Nardo, Italy. Among other things Stuttgart secured itself the best times for 5000 miles (average speed 252.540 km/h), 10,000 kilometres (252.249 km/h) and 10,000 miles (251.798 km/h). In all, the C 111-II D posted 16 world records – 13 for diesel cars only, and three absolute record times. The C 111 actually originated as a test car for the rotary piston engine. But the end of the Wankel project after the second stage of development put this beautiful 1969 coupé on ice for the time being. Now the three-litre compression-ignition engine from the 240 D 3.0 gave the breathtaking sports car a new lease on life. The power unit got the racer running with 140 kW (190 hp).
Two years later a new version of the C 111 with diesel engine again took aim at a world record. This time, the record-breaking coupé was much changed from the original design: narrower, with a longer wheelbase, full fairings and extremely sophisticated aerodynamics, including tailfin. The three-litre diesel engine now developed 169 kW (230 hp) thanks to a turbocharger and intercooler; the torque of the diesel racer had been boosted to 402 Newton metres. On 30 April 1978 the car maintained an average speed of 315 km/h on the twelve-kilometre circuit at Nardo for over twelve hours. Its consumption was only about 16 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres. That in itself should have earned it a world record. This time the C 111-III established nine absolute speed records, irrespective of engine type and displacement.
1992 – Biodiesel test with Mercedes-Benz taxis
The diesel engine also plays an important role in the application of alternative fuels. As early as 1992, Mercedes-Benz took part in a large-scale test in Freiburg in which diesel taxis ran on rapeseed oil methyl ester instead of diesel for one whole year.
2003 – F 500 Mind research car
At the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz presented a diesel hybrid drive in the new F 500 Mind research car. The engineers combined the high-torque V8 diesel engine of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class with an electric motor arranged between the internal combustion engine and the modified automatic transmission. Pairing the two produced the most powerful, torquiest hybrid drive for rear-wheel-drive cars in 2003. While the V8 diesel developed 184 kW (250 hp) and attained a maximum torque of 560 Newton metres, the electric motor contributed an additional 50 kW (68 hp) and 300 Newton metres maximum torque. The classic division of labour between the two drive systems, depending on the situation, and the recuperation of energy from braking allowed the diesel hybrid drive to reduce fuel consumption in the European driving cycle by about 20 percent versus a comparable production vehicle.
2003 – Synthetic diesel fuel
In 2003 Mercedes-Benz presented an alternative diesel fuel. It is obtained synthetically from vegetable matter, which makes this fuel neutral with respect to carbon dioxide. The CO2 blown out the tailpipe during combustion equals exactly the amount which the plants extract from the atmosphere during the growth process.
2004 – GST 2 concept car
The Vision GST 2 displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2004 had a diesel hybrid drive. The Grand Sports Tourer concept car was thus more than a successor to the petrol-engined Vision GST of 2002. The pioneering hybrid consisting of a V8 diesel and an electric motor was similar to the one already used in the F 500 Mind. But now the hybrid operated in a vehicle with four-wheel drive and six-speed automatic transmission. The Vision GST 2 with diesel hybrid afforded ample dynamism and driving pleasure. The two power units with their total output of 300 kW (408 hp) propelled the concept car from standstill to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds; the top speed was electronically limited to 250 km/h.
2005 – S-Class Hybrid
In Detroit in 2005 Mercedes-Benz showed the S-Class Hybrid with the so-called P1/2 drive system. It combined a powerful CDI diesel engine with two electric motors. The eight-cylinder CDI developed 191 kW (260 hp) and a maximum torque of 560 Newton metres. The two electric motors together generated 50 kW (68 hp) so that the vehicle had maximum power of 241 kW (340 hp). This made the S-Class sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds – tops for hybrid vehicles.
2005 – E 320 CDI on the way to a world record
The V6 diesel engine in the E 320 CDI underwent an extraordinary endurance test in May 2005: three E 320 CDI production cars were put through a 30-day long-term test in Laredo, Texas, at the end of which the Mercedes-Benz diesels not only had demonstrated their reliability, but also secured three diesel world records recognised by FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile): over 100,000 kilometres (average speed 225.903 km/h), 50,000 miles (225.456 km/h) and 100,000 miles (224.823 km/h).
2005 – Economical travelling in a long-distance test through the USA
The world-record-setting diesel saloons again showed what they can do during a long-distance journey carried out under everyday conditions. In the summer of 2005 this test took place on highways in the south of the United States. The E 320 CDI saloons made do with an average five litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres on their trip through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. In another six-day test drive through the USA from Las Vegas to Chicago in the summer of 2005, despite differences in altitude of altogether 23,000 metres, the E 320 CDI merely required an average 7.1 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres on the selected route.
2005 – Bionic research car
The company launched its BlueTEC initiative for passenger cars in 2005 at the Innovation Symposium in Washington by presenting the bionic car. The bionic mobile is a research vehicle whose exterior shape makes use of the aerodynamic principles of nature. But the drive also had to be maximally environment-friendly, and so the engineers introduced the SCR technology for passenger cars in this vehicle. The engine of the bionic car is a four-cylinder turbodiesel with common rail direct injection and a displacement of two litres. This diesel engine develops 103 kW (140 hp) and consumes 4.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in the standardised European driving cycle. An impressive feature is the more than 80 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides versus production vehicles. This is made possible by the first-time use of SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology in a car. In the bionic car the designers opted for AdBlue® injection; the reservoir is space-savingly accommodated in the spare wheel recess of the concept car. Its filling suffices to cover a distance equal to the servicing interval of an up-to-date diesel engine from Mercedes-Benz.
2005 – S 320 BlueTEC Hybrid
At the 2005 Frankfurt International Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz presented the S-Class S 320 BlueTEC Hybrid as a luxury-class vehicle in which the low-emission BlueTEC diesel with SCR technology provided the basis for an ultramodern hybrid drive. The electric motor of the hybrid vehicle was integrated into the drivetrain.
2006 – GTL Demonstrator
In 2006 Mercedes-Benz created the GTL Demonstrator test car on the basis of the
E 320 CDI. It offered extremely clean combustion thanks to a tailor-made fuel manufactured from liquefied natural gas (gas to liquid, GTL). Even without aftertreatment of the nitrogen oxides, the car achieved emission levels far below any of the current limits. However, GTL diesel in larger quantities will not be available at filling stations until some time in the future.
E 320 CDI. It offered extremely clean combustion thanks to a tailor-made fuel manufactured from liquefied natural gas (gas to liquid, GTL). Even without aftertreatment of the nitrogen oxides, the car achieved emission levels far below any of the current limits. However, GTL diesel in larger quantities will not be available at filling stations until some time in the future.
2006 – Synthetic fuel
To further expedite the use of synthetic fuels, in March 2006 DaimlerChrysler, Renault, Royal Dutch Shell, Sasol Chevron and Volkswagen formed the "Alliance for Synthetic Fuels in Europe" (ASFE). The synthetic fuels include SunDiesel, obtained from organic matter (biomass to liquid, BTL), and synthetic GTL diesel, obtained from natural gas. Synthetic fuels are already contributing to the reduction of emissions. The aim is to better utilise this potential with more advanced technology.
2006 – E-Class SunDiesel
At the Challenge Bibendum in Paris, besides other vehicles Mercedes-Benz showed an E-Class which operates on the BTL fuel SunDiesel. The use of such biogenic fuels causes no additional carbon dioxide to be released, as combustion produces only as much carbon dioxide as was absorbed by the plants during their growth. BTL diesel thus improves the CO2 balance by as much as 90 percent compared with conventional diesel fuel. And there are no technical limits to the use of SunDiesel.
In addition, in Paris the company displayed a concept car – the smart fortwo cdi hybrid – in which a diesel engine and electric motor work together. The consumption of the smart fortwo cdi hybrid is expected to be about 2.9 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, obtained with a sprightly driving style.
2006 – Paris—Beijing with BlueTEC
In the "E-Class Experience Paris–Beijing", a long-distance journey covering 13,600 kilometres, undertaken by a fleet of 36 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloons, three 320 BlueTEC models also took part in late autumn 2006. The 26-day run was in memory of the legendary long journey of 1907 that started out in the opposite direction, from Beijing to Paris. Some 50,000 applicants wanted to take part in the modern-day journey – 360 persons from 35 countries were selected and drove sections of the route with different lengths on the way from France to China.
The unique long-distance trip from Europe to Asia led through France, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia and Kazakhstan to China. The daily legs were up to 750 kilometres long and had to be negotiated at low temperatures, in ice, snow and with short daylight periods, travelling through partly almost impassable terrain and crossing mountain passes up to 2900 metres high. On 17 November the vehicles arrived in the Chinese capital. The three E 320 BlueTEC impressively demonstrated the potential of advanced diesel technology during the journey.
Do you really want to delete the data record?
Please wait a moment ...
Please wait a moment ...
Please wait a moment ...
Crop and add to the Download Center
Please wait a moment ...
Set as main picture
Do you want to set this media object as main picture?
Short Link:


text:
Do not show this message again.
Expand sets?
Use promo code?
Promo Code:
Export/Print Options
Select the product information you'd like to include in your Excel file and click [Export to Excel].
(ISBN, Title, Type, Quantity, Unit Price, and Amount are automatically included)
Please login to use lists
You have not viewed any products recently.
Crawl underground with Ants! This title covers everything from what ants look like to what they like to eat. Complete with a More Facts section, bolded ...
© Capstone. All rights reserved.


text:
Mr. Smilez (From The Group Smile & Southstar) - Jockin Jay-Z Remix
SMILEZ from smilez and southstar is back with a freestyle on the jockin jay-z joint .He got a brand new single coming called "AUTOMATIC" thats bubblin in FLA right now stay tuned
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
College Holds Classes At Midnight To Meet Demand
College Holds Classes At Midnight To Meet Demand
A community college in Maryland has joined a growing trend nationwide: midnight classes.
Inside a brightly lit classroom, professor Paul Vinette stands near a chalkboard making comical noises. He is trying to keep his "Introduction to Psychology" class engaged and awake.
His class begins at midnight and ends at a yawn-inducing 3 am. Kory Fox-Ponting is 1 of 10 students taking the Wednesday course.
"I'm young. I'm always up at this hour anyway, either playing video games or doing work or working on something. It's just an hour [when] my mind's not resting, which is what most people are doing," Fox-Ponting says.
'A Bunch Of Night Owls'
Located in suburban Maryland by the Chesapeake Bay, Anne Arundel Community College has about 17,000 students. Like many community colleges, its enrollment has increased as the economy has tightened.
Bunker Hill Community College in Boston and several Midwestern schools have led the way with midnight and 5 a.m. courses, according to Norma Kent, a spokeswoman for the American Association of Community Colleges, which represents 1,200 institutions across the country.
"[Other community colleges] have seen [late-night courses] as a viable way to serve students. And so if students are going to come at those hours, we're gonna be there for them," Kent says.
To keep his students alert, Vinette uses everything from sound effects to a buffet with coffee and snacks. The class gets a 15-minute break, although he says most students do not need it.
"It was the complete opposite of what I feared," Vinette says, "which was going to be trying to drag a dozen students as if they were dead bodies through the mud at 1 in the morning. And it's quite the opposite. No one's tired. No one's sleepy. I got a bunch of night owls in here."
Late-Night Studying
The students have different reasons for taking a class at this time of night. Cynthia Marshall, a homemaker in her late 40s who travels several hours commuting each way on mass transit, hopes to re-enter the job market.
Ashley Beck, 25, is married with two small children. Her husband attends the police academy by day, while she pursues her degree at night.
"There's not a lot of kids in the class, so the teacher-to-student ratio is a lot better," Beck says. "And you don't have to, like, raise your hand and wait for 50 million people to ask questions. It's easier to get the information you wanna get."
Related Story From NPR's 'Planet Money'
Zachary Herd, 19, admits he takes naps to handle the class. Psychology is a required course, but Herd is selective about what subjects he would tackle at this hour.
"I wouldn't take any math class at midnight. It's just not something I wanna do at midnight," Herd says.
Other late-night considerations include driving home around the same time as "last call." While driving home late one night, Kory Fox-Ponting was pulled over by a police officer.
"And I said [to the police officer], 'Hey, you won't believe me, but I just came out of class.' [It was] 3 in the morning," Fox-Ponting recalls.
Local police and campus security may soon see more students in the wee hours. If demand continues, college officials are considering additional midnight courses in the future.


text:
Pre-Market Movers (NuPathe, Life Tech, Research In Motion, Rio Tinto, Carnival Corp, Intel Corp, Finisar, Cliffs Natural, AT&T)
NuPathe, Life Technologies, Research In Motion, Rio Tinto, Carnival Corp, Intel Corp, Finisar Corp, Cliffs Natural Resources and AT&T Inc. are among the companies whose shares are moving in the pre-market trading Friday.
NuPathe Inc. (NASDAQ:PATH) stock rallied 41.09 percent to $4.67 in pre-market trading. The company announced Thursday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved Zecuity for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.
Life Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:LIFE) stock climbed 7.33 percent to $59.00 in pre-market trading. The company will report its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012 financial results Feb. 4, after market closes.
Research In Motion Ltd. (NASDAQ:RIMM) stock surged 5.30 percent to $15.70 in pre-market trading. The company stock was upgraded to "buy" rating from "hold" rating at Jefferies with a price target of $19.50.
Rio Tinto Plc (NYSE:RIO) stock gained 2.06 percent to $55.95 in pre-market trading. The stock has a 52-week low of $41.59, a 52-week high of $63.18 and $101.25 billion in market capitalization.
Carnival Corp. (NYSE:CCL) stock advanced 1.60 percent to $38.80 in pre-market trading. The company announced Thursday that it has renewed its authorization for the buyback of up to $1 billion of its common stock and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share.
Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC) stock plunged 5.07 percent to $21.53 in pre-market trading. Its fourth quarter net profit declined to $2.61 billion or $0.51 per share from $3.52 billion or $0.67 per share in the same period last year. Quarterly revenue declined 3 percent to $13.48 billion from last year and also fell short of analysts' estimation of $13.53 billion. Currently, Intel expects first quarter revenue to be around $12.7 billion, plus or minus $500 million, compared to analysts' estimation of $12.92 billion.
Finisar Corp. (NASDAQ:FNSR) stock plunged 4.69 percent to $14.85 in pre-market trading. The stock has a 52-week low of $10.95, a 52-week high of $23.50 and $1.45 billion in market capitalization.
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE:CLF) stock plunged 2.43 percent to $35.80 in pre-market trading. The stock has a 52-week low of $28.05, a 52-week high of $78.85 and $5.23 billion in market capitalization.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) stock declined 1.36 percent to $32.75 in pre-market trading. The company warned Thursday that it will take a fourth quarter charge of about $10 billion related to actuarial gains and losses on pension and post-employment benefit plans.
© Copyright IBTimes 2023. All rights reserved.