text:
Gloria and Emilio Estefan Have Rhythm — and Lots of Romance
Five decades, 26 Grammys and $700 million later, the couple revel in hard work, determination and the power of love
En español | On the kind of glorious Miami day that puts picture postcards to shame, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, the city's most high-profile power couple, stand in the ornate, Moroccan-style entertainment room of their Star Island estate, posing for a photographer.
Playing in the background is The Standards, Gloria's new CD, a romantic, multilingual interpretation of the American songbook. The pair begin to sway, dancing in place. Suddenly, Emilio's hand, which a moment ago was wrapped around his wife's tiny waist, slips lower down her formfitting dress.
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"He's copping a feel!" Gloria exclaims in mock protest, her throaty tone instantly recognizable as the defining voice of the Miami music scene. (Don't miss the exclusive video, below, of AARP's visit to Gloria and Emiliio's home.)
In the mid-1980s, Gloria, now 56, and Emilio, 60, propelled themselves onto the national stage with their Latin crossover band, Miami Sound Machine, for which Gloria sang lead vocals and Emilio played keyboards. They cultivated a Cuban dance beat that sent songs "Conga" and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" to the top of the charts.
The Estefans' fusion of pop, disco and salsa sold 100 million albums and won Gloria seven Grammy awards. It also paved the way for the crossover explosion of Latin music, mostly through artists that Emilio (who has his own 19 Grammys) brought to the forefront, including Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Shakira.
It all made the Estefans — both Cuban immigrants who arrived in South Florida with next to nothing — rich beyond anyone's wildest imagination. Today their estimated net worth hovers around $700 million, not just from the entertainment business but also from commercial endorsements and shrewd real estate investments.
From Rags to Riches, Literally
Emilio and Gloria Estefan's story of personal and professional reinvention is so extraordinary, in fact, that this year they signed a deal to turn their lives into a Broadway musical.
"I'm so psyched!" Gloria enthuses, sitting in her writing den ("my lair"), where photographs crowd the walls. "There are so many story lines. It's a universal story, it's an immigrant story, and it's a love story. In the United States, if you believe in yourself and you're determined and persevere, you're going to succeed."
To be sure, the Estefans' gated mansion isn't just a testament to affluence. It's a house of love — for each other, for family and for the country the couple says allowed them to become all they are. Gloria insisted they wait to purchase the property until they had the cash in hand: "We've got that immigrant mentality. No mortgages."
"My success is not about money," explains Emilio, a gregarious man with an open smile. "But the real estate — as an immigrant, you always want to have a backup. Something happens to you, you don't want your kids to go through what you went through."
See also: AARP interview with Julio Iglesias
Emilio Estefan was 14 years old when he left Fidel Castro's Cuba. With his father, he flew to Spain, his mother's native country, to get a visa. A year later, in 1968, he relocated to Miami, where he, his dad and 15 cousins shared a cramped apartment. Skilled at playing several musical instruments, Emilio soon realized his talents could work in the family's favor.
"I saw a guy playing accordion in a local restaurant at night," he remembers. "I went in and said, 'Do you mind if I come for lunchtime? I play accordion, and you just give me food for me and my dad.' "
The job nourished body and soul. "Music took me away from the pain. It took me nine years to raise enough to bring my mom and older brother from Cuba to Miami. That was nine years apart from my family."
Castro came to power in 1959, when Glorita, as Gloria was known, was 18 months old. Until that time, her parents — Gloria, a teacher, and José Manuel Fajardo, a police officer who rode in the motorcade of the wife of then Cuban President Fulgencio Batista — enjoyed an idyllic life in Havana.
Fajardo, his family says, was a political idealist: incorruptible and devoted to Batista. So, at the first opportunity after the revolution, he flew with his wife and Glorita to exile in Miami. He secretly joined a U.S.-backed effort to overthrow Castro — the infamous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. Gloria Fajardo learned to make dinner from Spam, stood in line for government cheese and waited for news.
See also: The Mirabal Sisters, 50 years later
When Cuban armed forces defeated the invaders in 1961, José was jailed for almost two years before being released as part of an exchange between the U.S. and Cuba. His ordeal so affected his daughter that decades later it inspired political activism of her own.
In 1992, Gloria was part of a United Nations committee that produced the first human rights report on Cuba. And in 2010, she led a Miami march in support of a Cuban opposition movement.
"As an immigrant, I appreciate, far more than the average American, the liberties we have in this country," she says as she leads a guest into the kitchen for refreshments. "Silence is a big enemy of morality. I don't want our blunders in history to get repeated."
Gloria's impulse to right wrongs goes back to 1963, by which time her father had become an American citizen and an officer in the U.S. military stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Gloria was in first grade there, trying to fit in despite not being fluent in English. After a fellow student called her stupid, she quickly mastered her second language, illustrating the drive that would define her.
"Six months later," she says, beaming, "I stole the reading award from him."
When her dad was deployed to Vietnam, Gloria and her mom returned to Miami, where young Gloria began to blossom as a singer. She'd send her father tapes, and José responded with the promise "You are going to be a star."
But soon her father would be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. (The family believes his medical problems were caused by Agent Orange, the defoliant to which U.S. troops were exposed.) Gloria, barely a teen, was thrown into the role of caregiver while her mother worked and studied for a teaching credential.
"I wanted to be strong for my mom, but it was very tough for me," Gloria says. "If there's ever been a dark moment in my life … well, I wanted to check out. Music was a big escape."
Still, Gloria so excelled in high school and later at the University of Miami that she was accepted to study international law at the Sorbonne in France.
But a young man had come along.
Made for Each Other
Gloria had met Emilio Estefan in the spring she graduated from high school at a jam session at a friend's house. She was impressed: Emilio was in a band called the Miami Latin Boys and worked in marketing at Bacardi.
That summer, she ran into him again at a wedding reception, where he was performing with his band. "I stood there smiling and thinking, 'Damn, there's something about this guy that's charismatic!' "
During a break, Emilio invited her onstage to sing with him, and before the night was over, he'd asked her to join the band. Soon Gloria, who'd never had a boyfriend, was being seriously courted, over the objections of her mother, who was loath to let her daughter abandon her academic plans.
"Oh my gosh, Emilio — he's a dreamer who makes things a reality," Gloria says today of her one love.
The pair married in 1978. "I always felt," says Gloria, "that we were meant to be together."
Must-see video: Top 10 ridiculous 1980s music videos
After the ceremony, she and Emilio stopped by the hospital to visit José Fajardo, who hadn't recognized his daughter in years. The young couple in wedding attire stirred an old memory. "Glorita," he said, gazing at her.
Fajardo's illness would claim him in 1980, the same year the Estefans' son, Nayib, was born.
The Miami Latin Boys, now rechristened Miami Sound Machine, drew a loyal Hispanic fan base and, with Gloria behind the mike, recorded their first Spanish-language album in 1980. But when their record company refused to back a wider promotional effort, Emilio took their 1984 dance single "Dr. Beat" to mainstream radio stations himself. Soon the song exploded in England and the Netherlands. "We went to Europe and had thousands of people dancing!" Emilio says, standing on his patio on Biscayne Bay. "The reaction was so incredible."
On the plane back from the Netherlands, Miami Sound Machine drummer Kiki Garcia wrote "Conga," and two weeks after its release, it landed among the top 10 on U.S. charts. Miami Sound Machine was on its way. By the late '80s, the band's albums were selling multiplatinum, with billing changing to Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine and, later, to Gloria Estefan alone. Emilio, as her manager, strategically nurtured Gloria toward a solo superstar career. Simultaneously he launched his Crescent Moon label to record the next wave of Latin artists.
"The Estefans created the opportunity for pop music with Latin rhythms to have a permanent spot on the American musical landscape," says John Lannert, Billboard's former Latin American bureau chief.
Tragedy and Recovery
But in 1990, at the Estefans' commercial peak, tragedy struck. The family of three was traveling at night on their tour bus in a snowstorm near Scranton, Pennsylvania, when a speeding semitrailer slammed into them. Gloria, then 32, was thrown across the coach. Hearing the sickening sound of her landing, Emilio, uninjured, rushed to her side as she screamed, "I broke my back!"
Still emotional years later, Emilio remembers the scene. "Everything was so dark," he begins. "'No, no!' I said. Then, 'Where's my kid? Nayib! Nayib!' " Moments later, the 9-year-old — who broke his collarbone in the crash — cried out. Emilio scooped him up and snuggled him next to his mother. "Even with the amount of pain that she was in, she comforted him," he says. "'Everything will be OK, baby. It's just an accident.' She is a very strong woman."
Still emotional years later, Emilio remembers the scene. "Everything was so dark," he begins. " 'No, no!' I said. Then, 'Where's my kid? Nayib! Nayib!' "
Moments later, the 9-year-old — who broke his collarbone in the crash — cried out. Emilio scooped him up and snuggled him next to his mother. "Even with the amount of pain that she was in, she comforted him," he says. " 'Everything will be OK, baby. It's just an accident.' She is a very strong woman."
At the hospital Gloria was hooked up to life support. The doctors told Emilio that she had come within a millimeter of severing her spinal cord and that, if she lived, her days of wearing high heels and dancing were over. Later, at a New York City hospital where she was transferred, a more optimistic team of surgeons inserted two 8-inch-long steel rods to support her spine, and Gloria announced, "I'm going to fight with everything I can to go back to my life."
Today, wearing 4-inch heels, she jokes, "How do you pick up Gloria Estefan?" Pausing for comedic timing, she responds: "With a magnet."
But for the first weeks after the accident, Gloria was helpless, needing someone to turn her, dress her and bathe her. Get-well wishes came from fans worldwide. "I learned firsthand the power of prayer," Gloria says. "People will never realize how much their good thoughts helped me."
A year later, she was on stage.
Family Matters
At the time of the accident, the Estefans had been planning for another child, but due to internal injuries she suffered, Gloria began having trouble conceiving. Finally, after fertility treatments and surgery, she became pregnant, and Emily was born in late 1994. Today, her mother says, "I sit in awe of this little girl."
Now 18, Emily plays drums in a band called the Groove Dogz. (Gloria serves as their roadie.) She begins studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston this fall, and her mother calls her the family's best musician.
Nayib, now 32, writes songs and builds cases for electronic musical instruments. Like his father, who produced a documentary about the history of Cuban music, he's interested in filmmaking and hopes to one day make a movie of his own.
Both kids are proud of how their parents use their celebrity as a platform to help others. For example, in 1997 the couple started the Gloria Estefan Foundation to aid victims of spinal cord injuries and to support economically disadvantaged children. "My parents want to put good out into the world," says Emily, "to spread messages of love and hope."
As the Miami sun begins to set, Gloria and Emilio gather the family at their home.
"Ooh, Sasha!" proud abuela Gloria coos, pulling her 10-month-old grandson from the arms of Nayib, who lives across the street with his wife, Lara Coppola (of the Coppola film family).
See also: Volunteer with the AARP Experience Corps
With the dark-haired infant present, his grandparents pause to reflect on their remarkable journey. "Age gives you something that you cannot buy," says Emilio. "It gives you wisdom, balance and peace."
Gloria finds herself feeling liberated in a way she didn't expect. "This is the time in my life when I'm doing everything I want to do, when I want to do it," she says. "It's 'me time.' "
Giving Back
Much of what Gloria wants to do revolves around her civic-leadership role in Miami, where she and Emilio are regarded as not only accessible citizens but good neighbors. When the music business took a downturn 10 years ago and the couple were struggling to support their 3,000 employees, they found jobs for them in their hotels on South Beach and in Vero Beach, and in their restaurants in Miami, Hollywood and Orlando. Currently Gloria is campaigning to restore the Miami Marine Stadium, an engineering marvel that has been closed since 1992. Its architect, Hilario Candela, is from Cuba.
"Our culture, the culture of my parents and grandparents, is going to be wiped off the face of the earth if we don't save it," Gloria says, leaning down to pet one of the family's seven dogs.
She resumes speaking, her voice full of melancholy: "There's something that pulls me to Cuba and its plight, even though I've been here for more than 50 years. That love of a homeland that no longer is the same reaches into every aspect of who I am."
Emilio also feels drawn to call attention to his native culture. He sits on a commission exploring the creation of a national Latino museum in Washington, D.C., and is producing his first feature film, a comedy about acceptance and understanding of cultures and diversity. In addition, he wrote The Rhythm of Success — How an Immigrant Produced His Own American Dream, and collaborated on the book The Exile Experience: Journey to Freedom.
A paid ambassador for AARP, Emilio has emerged as the go-to guy for corporations seeking to reach the Hispanic market. "I'm doing the biggest things of my life right now," he says.
But, in the end, it's the smallest things that matter. In the couple's entertainment room, Gloria's rendition of "What a Difference a Day Makes" comes on the stereo. It's the first song she ever sang with Emilio's band, when no one could have foreseen how much was in store for these exiled Latin lovers.
"What a difference 30 years makes," Gloria says to her husband. She and Emilio put their arms around each other and finish their dance.
Alanna Nash is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to AARP The Magazine
Also of Interest
- Sex symbol Raquel Welch is aging beautifully
- Latinos in Baseball: Players in major league history
- Health Law Answers - Get your customized report about how the law works for you and your family.
Visit the AARP home page to see latest news and blogs


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Portal 2 is getting rave reviews from critics (including from us), but it is getting torn to bits by angry gamers over at the review aggregation site Metacritic. The Game of the Year? Not according to furious fans who have saddled the game with an average review score of 4.7 out of 10.
They're pissed, and they say they have good reason.
"This game is not worth the hype at all," raged one gamer on Metacritic. "The way Valve has been pushing this I was expecting the second coming of Christ but instead I got a niche, 4 hour long minigame. Worst of all is the cash shop... as if the $45 price tag for the game alone isn't enough."
Another groused: "I paid $45 for a full game, but what I got was a stripped-down game and the "opportunity" to buy the $80 worth of DLC [downloadable content] they have available on release day."
Fair complaints?
Here are some facts:
1) The game is short, but it's not a mere four hours long, as its critics are charging. The single-player campaign lasted about nine hours for me, though others may burn through it more briskly. A separate co-op campaign will exceed five hours for most gamers playing it the first time, bringing the overall playing hours easily over 10. The game costs $60 on Xbox 360 and PS3, $50 on PC and Mac, so you can judge whether the price is too high for that many hours. The quality of that time has to count for something, of course. Fans may be smarting from the reality that Portal 2, as a puzzle game, may be no more fun to play through a second time than solving a crossword puzzle again. (The game does include hidden easter eggs and comprehensive developer commentary to freshen up a return visit.)
2) The PC and Mac versions do include an in-game DLC store. This store is inaccessible in the Xbox 360 version (we're checking the PS3 version once we get our hands on it). All of the DLC is cosmetic and will visually alter the robots you can control in co-op. None grants a player a gameplay advantage or shortcut. The items cost a total of $85.64 though can be purchased in a bundle for $34.99. The items range from 16 $2 co-op gestures (the Atlas Faceplam, for example) to $5 skins for your robot .
The console versionof Portal 2 includes eight unlockable free gestures in its co-op campaign. Well, they're free as long as you take into account that the console version costs $10 more than the PC/Mac version.
The 16 gestures for the PC version are listed in the in-game's store, $2 a pop. Note the same Atlas disco ball icon in this store and in the console version, a sign that some of what's in the console version appears to cost money in the PC game.
The anti-Portal 2 gamers also complain that the new game is unoriginal and graphically unimpressive. Some seethe with the theory that Valve focused on making the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game, porting them to PC and Mac. We're checking with Valve about whether the porting theory is true, though in terms of the game's visuals and degree of originality, we must refer you again to our review. (For those afraid to click: I thought the game's visual design was superb and surprisingly lively; I didn't mind that the story wasn't as surprising as the first game's.)
Portal 2 will probably be ok, despite the Metacritic slams. Some of the barbs thrown at it may prove to be unjustified; others, especially the concerns about over-priced DLC, may stick. This game is better than a 4.7, but buyer beware if you're concerned about playing time or annoyed about how game companies try to profit from the kind of in-game garnish that used to be free or, in the minds of some, simply should be.
Metacritic image via NeoGAF.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Lead poisoning Definition Lead is a very strong poison. When a person swallows a lead object or breathes in lead dust, some of the poison can stay in the body and cause serious health problems.This article is for information only. Do NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. Alternative Names Plumbism Where Found Lead used to be very common in gasoline and house paint in the United States. Children living in cities with older houses are more likely to have high levels of lead.Although gasoline and paint are no longer made with lead in them, lead is still a health problem. Lead is everywhere, including dirt, dust, new toys, and old house paint. Unfortunately, you cannot see, taste, or smell lead.It is estimated that more than 3 million workers in the United States are at risk for toxic lead exposure.Lead is found in:Houses painted before 1978. Even if the paint is not peeling, it can be a problem. Lead paint is very dangerous when it is being stripped or sanded. These actions release fine lead dust into the air. Infants and children living in pre-1960's housing (when paint often contained lead) have the highest risk of lead poisoning. Small children often swallow paint chips or dust from lead-based paint.Toys and furniture painted before 1976Painted toys and decorations made outside the U.S.Lead bullets, fishing sinkers, curtain weightsPlumbing, pipes, and faucets. Lead can be found in drinking water in homes containing pipes that were connected with lead solder. Although new building codes require lead-free solder, lead is still found in some modern faucets.Soil contaminated by decades of car exhaust or years of house paint scrapings. Lead is more common in soil near highways and houses.Hobbies involving soldering, stained glass, jewelry making, pottery glazing, and miniature lead figures (always look at labels)Children's paint sets and art supplies (always look at labels)Pewter pitchers and dinnerwareStorage batteries Children get lead in their bodies when they put lead objects in their mouths, especially if they swallow those objects. They can also get lead poison on their fingers from touching a dusty or peeling lead object, and then putting their fingers in their mouths or eating food afterward. Children also can breathe in tiny amounts of lead. Symptoms There are many possible symptoms of lead poisoning. Lead can affect many different parts of the body. A single high dose of lead can cause severe emergency symptoms.However, it is more common for lead poisoning to build up slowly over time. This occurs from repeated exposure to small amounts of lead. In this case, there may not be any obvious symptoms. Over time, even low levels of lead exposure can harm a child's mental development. The health problems get worse as the level of lead in the blood gets higher.Lead is much more harmful to children than adults because it can affect children's developing nerves and brains. The younger the child, the more harmful lead can be. Unborn children are the most vulnerable.Possible complications include:Behavior or attention problemsFailure at schoolHearing problemsKidney damageReduced IQSlowed body growth The symptoms of lead poisoning may include:Abdominal pain and cramping (usually the first sign of a high, toxic dose of lead poison)Aggressive behaviorAnemiaConstipationDifficulty getting pregnantDifficulty sleepingHeadachesHearing lossIrritabilityLoss of previous developmental skills (in young children)Low appetite and energyReduced sensations Very high levels of lead may cause vomiting, staggering walk, muscle weakness, seizures, or coma. Home Care You can reduce exposure to lead with the following steps:If you suspect you may have lead paint in your house, get advice on safe removal from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at 800-RID-LEAD, or the National Information Center at 800-LEAD-FYI. Another excellent source of information is the National Lead Information Center -- www.epa.gov/lead at (800) 424-5323.Keep your home as dust-free as possible.Have everyone wash their hands before eating.Throw out old painted toys if you do not know whether the paint contains lead.Let tap water run for a minute before drinking or cooking with it.If your water has tested high in lead, consider installing an effective filtering device or switch to bottled water for drinking and cooking.Avoid canned goods from foreign countries until the ban on lead soldered cans goes into effect.If imported wine containers have a lead foil wrapper, wipe the rim and neck of the bottle with a towel moistened with lemon juice, vinegar, or wine before using.DO NOT store wine, spirits, or vinegar-based salad dressings in lead crystal decanters for long periods of time, because lead can get into the liquid. Before Calling Emergency Provide the following information to emergency assistance:The person's age, weight, and conditionThe name of the product or the object you think had lead in itThe date/time the lead was swallowed or inhaledThe amount swallowed or inhaled However, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available. Poison Control If someone has severe symptoms from possible lead exposure (such as vomiting or seizures) call 911 immediately.For other symptoms that you think may be caused by lead poisoning, call your local poison control center.Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.This is a free and confidential service. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What to Expect at the Emergency Room Except in severe cases where someone has been exposed to a high dose of lead, a trip to the emergency room is not necessary. Contact your health care provider or department of public health if you suspect possible low-level lead exposure.A blood lead test can help identify whether a problem exists. Over 10 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) or 0.48 micromol/L is a definite concern. Levels between 2 and 10 mcg/dL (0.10 to 0.48 micromol/L) should be discussed with your doctor. In many states, blood screening is recommended for young children at risk.Other lab tests may include:Bone marrow biopsyComplete blood count (CBC) and coagulation studiesErythrocyte protoporphyrinIron levelX-ray of the long bones and abdomen For children whose blood levels of lead are moderately high, identify all major sources of lead exposure and keep the child away from them. Follow-up blood testing may be needed.Chelation therapy is a procedure that can remove high levels of lead that have built up in a person's body over time.In cases where someone has potentially eaten a high toxic dose of lead in a short period of time, the following treatments might be done:Bowel irrigation (flushing out) with polyethylene glycol solutionGastric lavage (washing out the stomach) Outlook (Prognosis) Adults who have had mildly high lead levels often recover without problems. In children, even mild lead poisoning can have a permanent impact on attention and IQ.People with higher lead levels have a greater risk of long-lasting health problems. They must be followed carefully.Their nerves and muscles can be greatly affected and may no longer function as well as they should. Other body systems may be harmed to various degrees, such as the kidneys and blood vessels. People who survive toxic lead levels may have some permanent brain damage. Children are more vulnerable to serious long-term problems.A complete recovery from chronic lead poisoning may take months to years. References Velez LI, O'Connell EJ. Heavy metals. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 157.Woolf AD, Goldman R, Bellinger DC. Update on the clinical management of childhood lead poisoning. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2007;54:271-94. PMID: 17448360 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17448360. Read More Malnutrition Pica


text:
Many teachers have begun to use online polling or survey tools in their classroom. The clicker movement has become transformed into a multitude of e-polling tools such as those described in Web 2.0 Survey and Polling Tools.
Some general guidelines for a learning poll in a classroom.
1) Decide on the purpose of the poll. Is it a pre-assessment, in-progress assessment, or a final assessment?
2) Focus the poll on a single specific learning concept. Do not do a poll on all Spanish foods but on the subcategory of breakfast foods. Avoid sampling polls that cover many different learning concepts.
3) Ask critical essential material. Go for the truly important learning , instead of the trivial learning. It is more important to know what type poetry a poet wrote rather than how many husbands she had.
4) Ask higher level questions Which of the following sentences uses an analogy? or
5) Keep the wording simple. Avoid negative questions. Avoid long questions or statements. Avoid long multi-line possible answers. Although open-ended questions often allow the students more flexible in how they answer the question, these open-ended answers are hard to analyze for overall class performance.
6) Keep the poll to 10 or fewer questions. Make it a quick poll to take.
7) Decide whether to give the poll as homework or in-class. If done in-class, is it a review of yesterday (or the past few days)? Is a poll given after in-class instruction and some practice? Decide when it fits in the lesson to give you the best picture of students' learning?
8) Decide if the poll is anonymous or whether the students identify themselves. If students identify themselves, then you can keep track of their progress. If students identify themselves, make sure your poll program can store the data. Some poll programs have polls that disappear after a certain amount of time. Does the program allow you to manipulate the data such as sorting or ranking?
9) Decide if you will share the class results with the class or whether you will be the only one to look at the data. If you share the results with the class, does the poll program produce an overall graph with no names or identification of individual students? For example, the poll may show a graph of how many A, B, C, and D answers there were for an individual question and highlight the correct answer.
10) If you are using the poll for class improvement, do you provide new strategies for students to overcome the learning gaps shown in the poll? If you explain the "wrong" answer in the same way that you have previously explained it, then students who are presently confused will still be confused. Do you have a new different strategy for students to learn the material? How soon after giving the poll will you give the new strategy? (Research says the sooner, the more effective.) Do you have students practice the new approach?
11) If at least 20% of the students do poorly (below 80%) on the poll, do y0u re-poll students within a few days to see if they have overcome their learning gaps? Can they show that they are proficient?
12) Decide if your next online poll will be this subcategory of the learning goal at a higher learning level, another subcategory of this learning goal, or a new learning goal. Hopefully, students will see the polls as a logical progression of their learning.
How do you use polls in your class?
My modern language blogs are now at http://bit.ly/imprml
I have developed many Spanish activities that allow students to begin to express themselves and to begin to move toward spontaneous speaking as in a natural conversation at Teacherspayteachers: http://bit.ly/tpthtuttle
My three formative assessment books: http://is.gd/tbook


text:
Muscle spasms:
Indications for: ZANAFLEX TABLETS
Muscle spasticity (due to its short duration of action reserve for when relief is most important).
Adult Dosage:
Initially: usually 4mg, may increase by 2–4mg as needed every 6–8 hrs to a max of 3 doses in 24hrs; max 12mg/dose and 36mg/day. Renal impairment (CrCl <25mL/min): reduce dose. May sprinkle contents of capsules on applesauce (may affect absorption). Tabs and caps not bioequivalent under fed conditions. See full labeling.
Children Dosage:
Not established.
ZANAFLEX TABLETS Contraindications:
Concomitant fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin.
ZANAFLEX TABLETS Warnings/Precautions:
Hepatic dysfunction. Monitor ophthalmic and liver function (aminotransferases at baseline, 1, 3, 6 months, then periodically) and for orthostatic hypotension. Renal dysfunction. Cardiovascular disease. Avoid abrupt cessation. Elderly. Labor & delivery. Pregnancy. Nursing mothers.
See Also:
ZANAFLEX TABLETS Classification:
Alpha-2 agonist.
ZANAFLEX TABLETS Interactions:
Avoid other α2-agonists (eg, clonidine). Hypotension possible with other antihypertensives. Avoid concomitant use with other CYP1A2 inhibitors (eg, amiodarone, mexiletine, propafenone, verapamil, cimetidine, famotidine, other fluoroquinolones, oral contraceptives, acyclovir, ticlopidine, zileuton); if clinically necessary, use caution. May potentiate CNS depression with alcohol, baclofen, benzodiazepines, other CNS depressants.
Adverse Reactions:
Dry mouth, somnolence, asthenia, dizziness, UTI, constipation, liver injury or elevated liver enzymes, vomiting, speech disorder, blurred vision, dyskinesia, nervousness, pharyngitis, hypotension, bradycardia, hallucinations/psychosis.
How Supplied:
Tabs, caps—150


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Last term I gave a short talk to interested students within the School of Physics & Astronomy here at Cardiff University about postgraduate research in which I aimed to pass on some, hopefully useful, information about how to go about applying for PhDs in Physics and Astronomy. Since the time is rapidly approaching when applications need to be sent in, I thought I'd repeat here a few general remarks that might be useful to people elsewhere who are thinking of taking the plunge when they graduate. I'm aiming this primarily at UK students applying for places in the UK; special considerations apply for students wanting to do graduate research abroad.
What is a PhD? The answer to that is relatively easy; it's a postgraduate research degree. In order to obtain a PhD you have to present a thesis like that shown on the left (which happens to be mine, vintage 1988), typically in the range 100-250 pages long. A thesis has to satisfy two conditions for the award of the degree: it should contain original research, which is publishable in an academic journal; and it should present a coherent discussion of that original work within the context of ongoing work in the area of study. In Physics & Astronomy, the PhD is pretty much a prerequisite for any career in academic research, and it usually takes between 3 and 4 years to complete. After submission of the thesis you will have to undergo a viva voce examination conducted by two examiners, one internal and one external. This is quite a tough test, which can last anywhere between about 2 and about 6 hours, during which you can be asked detailed questions about your research and wide-ranging questions about the general area.
The Money Side. In the UK most PhDs are supported financially by the research councils, either EPSRC (most physics) or STFC (nuclear & particle physics, astronomy). These generally award quotas of studentships to departments who distribute them to students they admit. A studentship will cover your fees and pay a stipend, currently £14296 pa. That doesn't sound like a lot, but you should at least remember that it is a stipend rather than a wage; it is therefore not taxed and there is no national insurance payable. There is a fee (currently £4121) payable for a PhD course, but that only comes into play if you are planning to fund yourself. If you receive a studentship it will normally cover the fee as an additional component. What I mean by that is you don't need to pay it out of the stipend, it is separate. In top of that, research council funding also supplies a Research Training Grant which covers, e.g., travel and small items of equipment so you don't need to pay for those out of your stipend either.
How do I choose a PhD? During the course of a postgraduate degree you are expected to become an expert in the area in which you specialize. In particular you should reach the point where you know more about that specific topic than your supervisor does. You will therefore have to work quite a lot on your own, which means you need determination, stamina and enthusiasm. In my view the most important criterion in your choice of PhD is not the institution where you might study but the project. You need to be genuinely excited by the topic in order to drive yourself to keep through the frustrations (of which there will be many). So, find an area that interests you and find the departments that do active research in that area by looking on the web. Check out the recent publications by staff in each department, to ensure that they are active and to have something to talk about at interview!
Qualifications. Most universities have a formal requirement that candidates for admission to the PhD should have a "good honours degree", which basically means at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree. Some areas are more competitive than others, however, and in many disciplines you will find you are competing with a great many applicants with First Class degrees.
How to apply successfully. The application procedure at most universities is quite simple and can be done online. You will need to say something about the area in which you wish to do research (e.g. experiment/theory, and particular field, e.g. cosmology or star formation). You'll also need a CV and a couple of references. Given the competition, it's essential that you prepare. Give your curriculum vitae some attention, and get other people (e.g. your personal tutor) to help you improve it. It's worth emphasizing particular skills (e.g. computing). If you get the chance, make use of your summer vacations by taking on an internship or other opportunity to get a taste of research; things like that will undoubtedly give your CV an edge.
The Interview. Good applicants will be invited for an interview, which is primarily to assess whether you have the necessary skills and determination, but also to match applicants to projects and supervisors. Prepare for your interview! You will almost certainly be asked to talk about your final-year project, so it will come across very badly if you're not ready when they ask you. Most importantly, mug up about your chosen field. You will look really silly if you haven't the vaguest idea of what's going on in the area you claimed to be interested in when you wrote your application!
Don't be shy! There's nothing at all wrong with being pro-active about this process. Contact academic staff at other universities by email and ask them about research, PhD opportunities. That will make a good impression. Also, don't be afraid to ask for advice. Although we're all keen to recruit good PhD students for our own departments, we academics are conscious that it is also our job to give impartial advice. Ask your tutor's opinion.
How many places should I apply for? Some research areas are more fashionable than others so the level of competition varies with field. As a general rule I would advise applying for about half-a-dozen places, chosen because they offer research in the right area. Apply to fewer than that and you might lose out to the competition. Apply to many more and you might not have time to attend the interviews.
What's the timetable? Most applications come in early in the new year for entry to the PhD in the following September/October. The Christmas break is therefore a pretty good time to get your applications sorted out. Interviews are normally held in February or March, and decisions made by late March. STFC runs a deadline system whereby departments can not force students to accept or decline offers before the end of March, so there should be ample time to visit all your prospective departments before having to make any decisions.
That's all I can think of for now. I hope at least some of these comments are useful to undergraduates anywhere in the UK thinking of applying for a PhD. If there are any further questions, please feel free to ask through the comments box. Likewise if I've missed anything important, please feel free to suggest additions in the same manner…Follow @telescoper


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Home To Roost
How much are you loving Sale-a-bration (SAB) this year? I hope you're having as much fun as I am. There are so many products I'm enjoying – the By the Bay Stamp Set (my favorite!), So Hoppy Together Stamp Set, the Tea Time Framelits Dies that coordinate with the Occasions Catalog Tea Together Stamp Set. And let's not forget the Botanical Butterfly Designer Series Paper (DSP) and Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack. I just got the Grapefruit Grove & Lovely Lipstick Foil Sheets today, and I can't wait to open them and start playing.
Another set I just got today is the Home To Roost Stamp Set. Oh, how much fun that chicken is to color! I decided to use that set for my January thank you cards.
I think this sentiment should be, "just a tweet…" You have to watch the Disney movie Moana to totally understand this. That was one of our movies for our Sunday Sleepover. It's one of my favorites, and Mike hadn't seen it yet, so Amelia decided we could watch that instead of The Great Mouse Detective (one of her favorites). Here's the "tweet" clip from the movie.
This is another simple card, even though it costs a bit more than I'd like for a beginner. But you can make tons of cards with the products once you have them.
For me, nothing is easier for coloring an image than the Stampin' Blends. First, stamp the rooster in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink on a 2-3/4″ x 3-1/2″ piece of Whisper White Cardstock. Then, use a Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad to stamp the sentiment. The sentiment, rooster, and background grass are all included in the free Home To Roost Stamp Set from SAB.
Color the rooster's comb and outline the feathers with a Light Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blend. Then use Dark Pumpkin Pie and Dark Daffodil Delight to blend the Cherry Cobbler. Finally, add the breast, feathers, and dirt with a Light Crumb Cake Stampin' Blend. (If you're more advanced, you can use a Dark Crumb Cake for the feathers and breast, then blend with the Light Crumb Cake.)
Layer the Whisper White stamped piece to a 3″ x 3-3/4″ piece of Cherry Cobbler Cardstock. Before you layer that to the Crumb Cake card base, stamp the grass several times in Crumb Cake Classic Ink on the corner of the card base. If you a beginner, you'll want to add a VersaMark pad to one of your first orders. This is, as the name suggests, very versatile! Not only can you emboss with it, but you can also use it for a "tone on tone" look. So if you don't have all the ink colors, simply stamp the grass in VersaMark.
Add the stamped layers to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals and you've got a gorgeous card you can be proud to send to anyone. The best news, if you purchase the card stock, ink, and Stampin' Blends, you can get the Home To Roost (or any other SAB Level 1 product) free.
Don't forget, more SAB products will be added February 15. And in March, you can purchase products that coordinate with SAB products. So fun! I'll post more information closer to the dates you can purchase. Oh, who am I kidding? I'll post projects as soon as I get my preorder!
Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy! Have a lovely day!
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Foreign holdings of Treasury debt top $6 trillion
WASHINGTON — Foreign buyers of U.S. Treasury securities increased their holdings in June, topping $6 trillion for the first time.
Total foreign holdings rose 0.6 percent to $6.01 trillion, up from $5.98 trillion in May, the Treasury Department said Friday in its monthly report.
The increase came despite the fact that the two biggest foreign owners of Treasury securities reduced their holdings slightly.
China, the top foreign buyer of U.S. Treasury debt, trimmed its holdings by 0.2 percent to $1.27 trillion after a 0.6 percent increase in May. Japan, the second-biggest foreign buyer, saw its holdings slip a slight $600 million to $1.22 trillion.
Belgium, Brazil and Taiwan were among the countries increasing their holdings.
Foreign central banks are big holders of U.S. Treasuries, which are viewed as one of the world's safest investments. In June, foreign government holdings of Treasury debt totaled $4.1 trillion, two-thirds of the total foreign holdings.
Foreign demand for Treasury debt is expected to remain strong this year, helped by a congressional agreement to avoid a new fight over the U.S. debt ceiling until March 2015.
A standoff in August 2011 rattled financial markets and the political gridlock led the credit rating firm Standard & Poor's to downgrade its AAA rating of U.S. debt for the first time in history.


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About Juice Cubes Hack Cheat Tool
The application is scanned for viruses and helps you progress the game easy and safe, but in a fun and more diverting way. Hack tool can be used on both Android and iOS and it's working through the usb connection of the device. If you can't pass a level or you're stuck at some nasty tasks which are hard or require premium items, our app make things easier for your.
Use this Juice Cubes Hack to advance quicker and add as many Gold Bars as you want but of course without abusing the application. You can download it free from ZippyShare and use it as long as you want, the Juice Cubes Hack Cheat Tool is updated daily and tested for bugs and failures.
Juice Cubes Hack Cheat Tool Features
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How to use Juice Cubes Hack Cheat Tool
2. Open your game in your browser/device and let it run. Also connect usb cable to your device if you're using mobile devices.
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|Catalog No
|Quality Control
|5 (rApp) AGA TCG GAA GAG CGG TTC AG (ddC) 3
|Recommended Storage
|-20°C or below
|Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
Products are for research use only, not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures or for use in humans. Products are not for resale without express written permission of Seller. No license under any patent or other intellectual property right of Seller or its licensors is granted or implied by the purchase unless otherwise provided in writing.
TriLink does not warrant that the use or sale of the products delivered hereunder will not infringe the claims of any United States or other patents or patents pending covering the use of the product alone or in combination with other products or in the operation of any process. All and any use of TriLink product is the purchaser's sole responsibility.


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United States Returns as the Global Capital for Global Capital InvestmentJune 28, 2013
Aaron S. Brickman is the Acting Executive Director of SelectUSA.
Global investors are "rediscovering" the United States.
This week the consulting firm A.T. Kearney published its annual Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index. The Index surveys top executives from more than 300 leading global companies – representing more than $2 trillion in annual global revenue – on where they are directing their investment strategies. For the first time since 2001, the United States ranked #1 on this list, retaking the top spot!
The Department of Commerce's SelectUSA program has seen this trend coming through the work we conduct on a daily basis. Companies both large and small increasingly understand that the United States is the destination of choice for capital, and an unparalleled place to invest and do business.
Markets such as Brazil, Canada, China, and Europe will continue to receive significant cross-border investment. However, the survey suggests that the resurgence of investment in American manufacturing is not just a temporary trend but the new reality.
A.T. Kearney's survey reflects SelectUSA's core mission: to assist U.S. economic development organizations (EDOs) in their efforts to attract global investment, and to work with companies throughout the world seeking to establish or expand operations in the United States.
On October 31st and November 1st, SelectUSA will host its inaugural SelectUSA 2013 Investment Summit in Washington, DC. The purpose of this unprecedented two-day event is to connect investors – both foreign and domestic – with U.S. EDOs at the state, regional, and local levels to help promote and facilitate business investment in the United States. The Summit will bring together top-level corporate executives and investors, EDO representatives from across the country, senior White House and Administration officials, industry experts and service providers.
The Summit is generating great interest in the business community, further bolstering what A.T. Kearney's survey has told us: the United States is open for business!
To pre-register for the SelectUSA Investment Summit, please go to www.selectusasummit.com.


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February 28, 2010 – Delhi
His Holiness gave a Chenrezig empowerment and "Mani" transmission to a large gathering of people, mainly from Himalayan region and Tibetans, at Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi. The Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association of Delhi organized the public teaching.
March 2, 2010 – Dharamshala
Gyalwang Karmapa attended the Tenshug (long-life prayer offering) ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama on March 2nd, as a collective expression of gratitude and reverence for his leadership, organized by Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Kyabje Sakya Trizin conducted the ceremony that lasted for over three hours.
The ceremony was attended by Tibetan lamas, the Tibetan Prime Minister Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche and his cabinet members, speaker and deputy speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, heads of the autonomous bodies, and other officials of the Tibetan Government.
Gyalwang Karmapa will be attending the seven days teaching of Sangwa Due-pe Delwa Shidak from His Holiness Dalai Lama at Tsuklagkhang from March 3-9.
Delhi Teachings and Long Life Prayers for His Holiness The Dalai Lama


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Minn. House lawmakers ditch universal background checks
ST. PAUL — House lawmakers on Tuesday night stripped universal background checks for firearms sales from their push to revise the state's gun laws.
The Democrats leading that effort announced they are switching to a plan that would extend background checks to sales at gun shows but not to private sales. That issue has divided the Democrats on geographical lines, casting doubt on whether a bill with universal background checks could pass the House Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.
Rep. Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul, called the new plan a compromise between his bill and a fellow Democrat who supported an alternate package of less-restrictive gun measures. The National Rifle Association built up support for that bill, which aimed to improve — but not expand — the state's current background check system.
Republicans and gun rights advocates said that expanding those checks just to gun show sales would still burden law-abiding gun owners while having little impact in reducing gun violence.
First introduced earlier this month, the NRA-backed bill would require the state to send mental health commitment information to the national database of people who can't legally own a gun and to send all information to that database faster. It would also add to the parameters of what would disqualify someone from legally owning a gun and increase penalties for so-called straw purchases in which an eligible person buys a weapon for someone who legally cannot.
Paymar said he might use some of the provisions from that bill, authored by Rep. Debra Hilstrom, DFL-Brooklyn Center. He said the deal came after hours of negotiating at the urging of House Speaker Paul Thissen.
Thissen told The Associated Press earlier Tuesday that House lawmakers were still working to build enough consensus on a bill to pass but said it wasn't clear if universal background checks would be part of the final product.
"This keeps the discussion going," Paymar said. "Like any compromise, I think people will be disappointed on both sides."
Republicans and gun rights advocates said they will oppose the "watered-down" bill, which will need to be crafted and then passed by the House Public Safety Committee by the end of the week in order to beat legislative deadlines.
"The (background check exemptions for) gun shows and private sales were put in there for a reason," said Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Good Thunder. "The only way that we can put an end to this thing is to fight it all the way."
Heather Martens of Protect Minnesota, the lead group pushing for stricter gun control measures at the Capitol, said closing the so-called gun show loophole was an important step for lawmakers to take.
"It does not go nearly far enough," she added.
The committee had been expected to cast a vote Tuesday night on Paymar's bill with background checks, which he called "a minor inconvenience for a civilized society."
The Senate Judiciary Committee last week passed a bill with universal background checks on a party-line vote, with all Republicans opposed.
Sen. Ron Latz, the St. Louis Park Democrat who authored that bill, said the drastic change in the House's approach to tackling gun violence won't affect his own. He still plans to bring his bill to the full Senate floor.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk said Tuesday that he doubts Latz's bill has enough votes to pass.
Lawmakers in Colorado passed laws last week expanding background checks to private transfers and online gun sales and banning ammunition magazines with more than 15 rounds.
Legislative efforts to reduce gun violence in Minnesota, Colorado and New Mexico have drawn the eye of Vice President Joe Biden. Biden placed calls to elected officials in those states to discuss those efforts, according to an aide, who would not disclose which officials he had called. The aide was not authorized to discuss the calls publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Bakk said he got a call Friday from Biden, who asked about the move to expand background checks in Minnesota and how opponents of that measure were fighting it. Bakk said Biden didn't ask him to push lawmakers to support universal background checks.


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Magical mystery
It's already been a busy morning, as everyone is trying to figure out what our "magic number" is…
Technically, since the term magic number refers to a formula, it remains two, but in reality, if we win today's game, we will have clinched a tie for the division and based on head-to-head, we would therefore win the NL West. So, we would celebrate with champagne spraying and the whole nine yards.
If we lose, who knows what we'll do. So let's hope that doesn't happen. We might wait around in the clubhouse and see what happens to the Rockies, but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it.
One thing is certain – we're going to the playoffs for the third time in four years and fourth time in six years and no other NL team can say they've done that. That's a pretty impressive record no matter how you look at it. And the last time we went to the postseason three out of four years was in the early to mid 60s, so this is something to celebrate.
Here's the lineup:
Furcal, SS
Pierre, LF
Ethier, RF
Kemp, CF
Loney, 1B
Belliard, 3B
Martin, C
Hudson, 2B
Kershaw, P


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A Conversation With Shahid Naeem, Biosustainability Scientist
Usually, plants and animals are seen as innocent bystanders suffering in the face of global change, an unfortunate but necessary outcome of economic growth. Conservation biologists therefore focus primarily on finding ways to help out and protect these millions of species that are at risk of going extinct as the environment changes. But what if saving species is actually a way to stop erosion, clean up air and water, stabilize the climate, and much more? Naeem is one of the founders of a more modern view of biodiversity as the engine of our environment, not merely collateral damage of an increasingly unstable and unsustainable environment. Conserving biodiversity is not just a goal in and of itself, but a valuable way for solving environmental problems -- save the whales not just because we love them, but because they make our marine ecosystems more productive and more stable which, in turn, makes our lives better.
Here, Naeem discusses what it would be like if, all of a sudden, breathable air, potable water, equitable climate, fertile soil, pollination, and other products and services we've grown accustomed to were considered part of our economies; the radical shift away from traditional natural science that emphasized the role of evolution in understanding the diversity of life on Earth; and why we desperately need to finally get away from the same primitive carbon-based energy system used by cavemen.
What do you say when people ask you, "What do you do?"
I used to say I'm an ecologist, which is in fact accurate, but I noticed that people immediately assumed I was either an anti commerce tree-hugging pantheist liberal who would have us return to loin cloths and feed off insects and berries or a passionate lover of animals who would risk frostbite or death to radio collar a snow leopard in the Himalayas. So now I say I'm a professor knowing that will peg me as an academic and that immediately leads to the follow up question of, "so what is it you study?" It's then that I say I study what happens to nature when it is dismantled. Really interesting conversations always follow.
What new idea or innovation is having the most significant impact on the sustainability of our world?
Over the last few years, there has been a radical shift away from traditional natural science that emphasized the role of evolution in understanding the diversity of life on Earth to trying to understand what role such a diversity of species play in environmental processes. It's an admittedly utilitarian view of species -- what is their environmental function rather than their origin? -- and that does not sit well with many lovers of nature. This new emphasis is called "trait-based ecology" because it focuses on the traits of species, or what features of species tell us how they influence or respond to environmental change. Traditionally, the vast majority of work on species concerned how species evolve and figuring out where they are on the evolutionary tree of life. These approaches, such as phylogenetics, systematics, or taxonomy, are important fields in the natural sciences, but they are not terribly informative about why species matter. Once you start looking at what species actually do -- are they pollinators, do they remove nitrogen from the atmosphere, do they stabilize shorelines, do they degrade organic pollutants? -- suddenly all those species start to matter. Once we have a comprehensive list of species, their traits, their functions, and their connections to one another, we might actually begin to build a realistic blueprint of the biosphere and how it works. With the advent of the Internet and increasingly more powerful computers, we can embark on this greatest of all quests -- to build a working model of the Biosphere based on its species. Then, and only then, can we figure out how to achieve environmental sustainability. I like to call this view, "biosustainability," a contraction of "biologically based sustainability."
What's something that most people just don't understand about your area of expertise?
Two interrelated terms or concepts critical to my area are the devil to grasp. Even experts in our field sometimes get them wrong. The first is "biodiversity," which is almost always thought of as a collection of wondrous beasts and beautiful flowers. The second is "ecosystem," which is generally thought of as a wild place like a forest or prairie. In fact, biodiversity refers to all the elements of diversity of life on Earth, whether it is genetic, taxonomic, functional, structural, spatial, or temporal diversity, and it includes all living things, including the microbes, not just the plants and animals. Similarly, an ecosystem is also a complex term, referring to a system that produces and consumes biofuels (plants or algae) while cycling inorganic matter, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, to organic matter, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids like DNA, and back again. To make things worse, since you can never have biodiversity outside an ecosystem and an ecosystem always has biodiversity in it, each term doesn't make sense without reference to the other. I have an easier time explaining quantum mechanics and multivariate statistics than explaining what biodiversity and ecosystems are. Yet, to understand the fundamentals of living sustainably, one has to have a firm grasp of both biodiversity and ecosystems.
What's an emerging trend that you think will shake up the sustainability world?
An increasing trend encourages us to restructure environmental thinking around the idea of ecosystem services, a trend that I'm not entirely comfortable with. One reason our current way of living is unsustainable is that our economies are only tied to goods and services that we value and market. Most of our income, for example, no matter who we are, is used to pay for goods, like food, wood, and fresh water, and services such as electricity, telephone, banking, education, government, religion, and health, to name just a few. We do not recognize, however, that breathable air, potable water, equitable climate, fertile soil, productive fisheries, pollination, and many other services provided by ecosystems are critical to our well-being, yet they are simply not part of our economies. Economists and ecologists around the world are trying to change this by building ecosystem services into our economies. To illustrate the issue, I often ask that we imagine sorting through our mail at the end of the day and seeing that, in addition to bills for Internet services, gas and electric utilities, magazine subscriptions, and tax forms, there is, for the first time, a bunch of bills for air, climate regulation, pest control, and a dozen others that add up to tens of thousands of dollars per month, all sent by the fungi, bacteria, plants, and animals who somehow incorporated themselves and started charging us for their services. That would really shape how we spend our money and what we do in life and start us on a path of sustainable use of the natural resources that provide us the goods and services we depend on. My reservation about this trend is that it tends to view the whole world as a system designed only to serve one species -- us. I have a gut feeling this is not a good idea.
What's a sustainability trend that you wish would go away?
Biofuels. Look, thousands of years ago we cut and dried wood or dung and burned it to keep ourselves warm and cook and light the walls of our caves so we could paint. Later we would use the combustion of biologically produced organic matter, or biofuels, to power steam engines using wood, but eventually switching over to coal, oil, and gas as they proved much more convenient. These later fuels, or fossil fuels, however, are still biofuels -- just an ancient, highly concentrated form unlike seasoned wood. But really, when we turn the key in our car and it magically comes to life, no matter the sophisticated instrumentation and smooth, shiny, well engineered metallic and plastic surfaces, it's still the same old combustion of biofuels that powers the thing. It's like there are tiny, sweaty, soot-covered men shoveling wood into the engine as we move forward. Is this how we are going to live far into the future -- traveling to space on privately owned space ships that run on biofuels? I don't think so. There is nothing sustainable about producing biofuels and burning them save for the idea that we might be able to balance the carbon we spew into the atmosphere by extracting the same amount by growing plants and algae only to turn around and burn these and spew the carbon back into the atmosphere again. But analysis after analysis indicates that this is false thinking -- more than likely the amount of carbon we send up is still going to be greater than the amount of carbon we draw down. It's time to abandon carbon-based energy. Solar, wind, wave, hydroelectric, and (though I have reservations) nuclear and perhaps fusion energy, can provide energy without being tied into the carbon cycle. We desperately need to finally get away from the same primitive carbon-based energy system used by cavemen.
What's an idea you became fascinated with but that ended up taking you off track?
Biodiversity hotspots. The idea is that there are a few places in the world, like California and Madagascar that have so much biodiversity, that if we protected them we could save a huge percentage of the world's biodiversity and minimize how much land and sea surface we would have to set aside. I now realize that, as important as it is to protect biodiversity hotspots, it does nothing for achieving environmental sustainability. I'm all for the conservation of biodiversity hotspots, but really, if we want stabilize our planet, we have to start thinking about biodiversity all over the world, in cities, farms, and plantations as much as rainforests and coral reefs.
Who are three people or organizations that you would put in a Hall of Fame for your field?
Hal Mooney of Stanford University. He's small, avuncular, and fond of beer, but he is a powerhouse who has done more to keep biodiversity a part of global environmental thinking than any person I know. Jane Lubchenco, who went from studying obscure animals on rocks on the Pacific coast to being selected by President Obama to be the director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In the late 1980s and early '90s she prodded ecology to get off its butt and stop spending so much time on abstract science and lead the world into a sustainable future. And Edward Norton. Any actor of his talent and fame who is willing to be the U.N. Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity deserves a huge round of applause and recognition from all of us.
What other field or occupation did you consider going into?
Illustration. I don't do it so much anymore, but for many years I would gladly have given up science to be an artist whose inspiration was nature. To study and capture the essence of what inspires one about nature and to share it with others either by producing art or publishing scientific articles, is a deeply satisfying thing to do in life. In scientific publications the illustrations are mostly tables and graphs. Drawing, painting, and other forms of illustration are much more aesthetically appealing.
What website or app most helps you do your job on a daily basis?
Google News. I like the New York Times, the Week, and other news outlets, but the fast changing face of Google News helps me connect to what others find most interesting in current events. Only recently, for example, was science divided from science and technology in Google News. It seemed the only things science people cared about was the iPad, Facebook, and BlackBerry, but clearly there were enough people who wanted to keep basic science separate from technology. Now, I can see that people do care about science and not just about gizmos, though it seems they care more about health science and astronomy than the science of our living world.
What song's been stuck in your head lately?
"Mean," by Taylor Swift. Wish it was Scarlatti's "Il Pompeo, opera: O cessate di piagarmi," sung by Cecila Bartoli, so my fellow academics would not think less of me, but there you have it.


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Manta Survey at Komodo National Park
Depth: - m
Duration: - min
- Temp:
- - ℃
- Divers:
- 9
- Boats:
- 5
- Current:
- -
- Notes:
- -
Hawksbill Turtle
The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a critically endangered sea turtle belonging to the family Cheloniidae. It is the only extant species in the genus Eretmochelys. The species has a worldwide distribution, with Atlantic and Pacific subspecies. E. i. imbricata is the Atlantic subspecies, while E. i. bissa is found in the Indo-Pacific region. The hawksbill's appearance is similar to that of other marine turtles. It has a generally flattened body shape, a protective carapace, and flipper-like arms, adapted for swimming in the open ocean. E. imbricata is easily distinguished from other sea turtles by its sharp, curving beak with prominent tomium, and the saw-like appearance of its shell margins. Hawksbill shells slightly change colors, depending on water temperature. While this turtle lives part of its life in the open ocean, it spends more time in shallow lagoons and coral reefs. Human fishing practices threaten E. imbricata populations with extinction. The World Conservation Union classifies the hawksbill as critically endangered. Hawksbill shells were the primary source of tortoiseshell material used for decorative purposes. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species outlaws the capture and trade of hawksbill sea turtles and products derived from them.
Green Turtle
The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), also known as the green turtle, black (sea) turtle, or Pacific green turtle, is a large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in the genus Chelonia. Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The common name comes from the usually green fat found beneath its carapace. This sea turtle's dorsoventrally flattened body is covered by a large, teardrop-shaped carapace; it has a pair of large, paddle-like flippers. It is usually lightly colored, although in the eastern Pacific populations parts of the carapace can be almost black. Unlike other members of its family, such as the hawksbill sea turtle, C. mydas is mostly herbivorous. The adults usually inhabit shallow lagoons, feeding mostly on various species of seagrasses. Like other sea turtles, green sea turtles migrate long distances between feeding grounds and hatching beaches. Many islands worldwide are known as Turtle Island due to green sea turtles nesting on their beaches. Females crawl out on beaches, dig nests and lay eggs during the night. Later, hatchlings emerge and scramble into the water. Those that reach maturity may live to eighty years in the wild. C. mydas is listed as endangered by the IUCN and CITES and is protected from exploitation in most countries. It is illegal to collect, harm or kill them. In addition, many countries have laws and ordinances to protect nesting areas. However, turtles are still in danger because of several human practices. In some countries, turtles and their eggs are hunted for food. Pollution indirectly harms turtles at both population and individual scales. Many turtles die caught in fishing nets. Also, real estate development often causes habitat loss by eliminating nesting beaches.
Olive Ridley Turtle
The olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle, is a medium-sized species of sea turtle found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Leatherback Turtle
The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), sometimes called the lute turtle, is the largest of all living turtles and is the fourth largest modern reptile behind three crocodilians. It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys. It can easily be differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell. Instead, its carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh. Dermochelys coriacea is the only extant member of the family Dermochelyidae.
Flatback Turtle
The flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus) is a sea turtle endemic to the continental shelf of Australia. The flatback turtle belongs to the sea turtle superfamily Cheloniidae and is the only species found in the genus Natator. Its common name comes from its flattened carapace compared to other species of sea turtle. Adult flatback turtles have a low-domed carapace, with upturned edges, which is approximately 90-95cm long. The carapace is olive to grey coloured and the plastron is cream coloured. Flatback hatchlings have grey carapaces with the scutes distinctively outlined in black. The plastron and the edges of the carapace are white.
Loggerhead Turtle
The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), or loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around 90 cm (35 in) long when fully grown, although larger specimens of up to 280 cm (110 in) have been discovered. The adult loggerhead sea turtle weighs approximately 135 kg (298 lb), with the largest specimens weighing in at more than 450 kg (1,000 lb). The skin ranges from yellow to brown in color, and the shell is typically reddish-brown. No external differences in gender are seen until the turtle becomes an adult, the most obvious difference being the adult males have thicker tails and shorter plastrons than the females. The loggerhead sea turtle is found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. It spends most of its life in saltwater and estuarine habitats, with females briefly coming ashore to lay eggs. The loggerhead sea turtle has a low reproductive rate; females lay an average of four egg clutches and then become quiescent, producing no eggs for two to three years. The loggerhead reaches sexual maturity within 17–33 years and has a lifespan of 47–67 years. The loggerhead sea turtle is omnivorous, feeding mainly on bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Its large and powerful jaws serve as an effective tool for dismantling its prey. Young loggerheads are exploited by numerous predators; the eggs are especially vulnerable to terrestrial organisms. Once the turtles reach adulthood, their formidable size limits predation to large marine animals, such as sharks. Loggerheads are considered an endangered species and are protected by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Untended fishing gear is responsible for many loggerhead deaths. Turtles may also suffocate if they are trapped in fishing trawls. Turtle excluder devices have been implemented in efforts to reduce mortality by providing an escape route for the turtles. Loss of suitable nesting beaches and the introduction of exotic predators have also taken a toll on loggerhead populations. Efforts to restore their numbers will require international cooperation, since the turtles roam vast areas of ocean and critical nesting beaches are scattered across several countries.
Whitetip Reef Shark
The whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) is a species of requiem shark, family Carcharhinidae, and the only member of its genus. A small shark usually not exceeding 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in length, this species is easily recognizable by its slender body and short but broad head, as well as tubular skin flaps beside the nostrils, oval eyes with vertical pupils, and white-tipped dorsal and caudal fins. One of the most common sharks found on Indo-Pacific coral reefs, the whitetip reef shark occurs as far west as South Africa and as far east as Central America. It is typically found on or near the bottom in clear water, at a depth of 8–40 m (26–131 ft). During the day, whitetip reef sharks spend much of their time resting inside caves. Unlike other requiem sharks, which rely on ram ventilation and must constantly swim to breathe, this shark can pump water over its gills and lie still on the bottom. At night, whitetip reef sharks emerge to hunt bony fishes, crustaceans, and octopus in groups, their elongate bodies allowing them to force their way into crevices and holes to extract hidden prey. Individuals may stay within a particular area of the reef for months to years, time and again returning to the same shelter. This species is viviparous, in which the developing embryos are sustained by a placental connection to their mother. One of the few sharks in which mating has been observed in the wild, receptive female whitetip reef sharks are followed by prospective males, which attempt to grasp her pectoral fin and maneuver the two of them into positions suitable for copulation. Females give birth to one to six pups every other year, after a gestation period of 10–13 months. Whitetip reef sharks are rarely aggressive towards humans, though they may investigate swimmers closely. However, spear fishers are at risk of being bitten by one attempting to steal their catch. This species is caught for food, though ciguatera poisoning resulting from its consumption has been reported. The IUCN has assessed the whitetip reef shark as Near Threatened, noting its numbers are dwindling due to increasing levels of unregulated fishing activity across its range. The slow reproductive rate and limited habitat preferences of this species renders its populations vulnerable to overfishing.
Blacktip Reef Shark
Not to be confused with the blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus. The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is a species of requiem shark, family Carcharhinidae, easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins (especially on the first dorsal fin and the caudal fin). Among the most abundant sharks inhabiting the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, this species prefers shallow, inshore waters, and its exposed first dorsal fin is a common sight in the region. Most blacktip reef sharks are found over reef ledges and sandy flats, though they have also been known to enter brackish and freshwater environments. This species typically attains a length of 1.6 m (5.2 ft). Blacktip reef sharks have extremely small home ranges and exhibit strong site fidelity, remaining within same local area for up to several years at a time. They are active predators of small bony fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans, and have also been known to feed on sea snakes and seabirds. Accounts of the blacktip reef shark's life history have been variable and sometimes contradictory, in part reflecting geographical differences within the species. Like other members of its family, this shark is viviparous with females giving birth to two to five young on a biennial, annual, or possibly biannual cycle. Reports of the gestation period range from 7–9, to 10–11, to possibly 16 months. Mating is preceded by the male following closely behind the female, likely attracted by her chemical signals. Newborn sharks are found further inshore and in shallower water than adults, frequently roaming in large groups over areas flooded by high tide. Timid and skittish, the blacktip reef shark is difficult to approach and seldom poses a danger to humans unless roused by food. However, people wading through shallow water are at risk of having their legs mistakenly bitten. This shark is used for its meat, fins, and liver oil, but is not considered to be a commercially significant species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the blacktip reef shark as Near Threatened. Although the species as a whole remains widespread and relatively common, overfishing of this slow-reproducing shark has led to its decline at a number of locales.
Grey Reef Shark
The grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, sometimes misspelled amblyrhynchus or amblyrhinchos) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae. One of the most common reef sharks in the Indo-Pacific, it is found as far east as Easter Island and as far west as South Africa. This species is most often seen in shallow water near the drop-offs of coral reefs. The grey reef shark has the typical "reef shark" shape, with a broad, round snout and large eyes. This species can be distinguished from similar species by the plain or white-tipped first dorsal fin, the dark tips on the other fins, the broad, black rear margin on the tail fin, and the lack of a ridge between the dorsal fins. Most individuals are less than 1.9 m (6.2 ft) long.
Whaleshark Shark
Hammerhead Shark
The hammerhead sharks are a group of sharks in the family Sphyrnidae, so named for the unusual and distinctive structure of their heads, which are flattened and laterally extended into a "hammer" shape called a "cephalofoil". Most hammerhead species are placed in the genus Sphyrna while the winghead shark is placed in its own genus, Eusphyra. Many not necessarily mutually exclusive functions have been proposed for the cephalofoil, including sensory reception, maneuvering, and prey manipulation. Hammerheads are found worldwide in warmer waters along coastlines and continental shelves. Unlike most sharks, hammerheads usually swim in schools during the day, becoming solitary hunters at night. Some of these schools can be found near Malpelo Island in Colombia, Cocos Island off Costa Rica, and near Molokai Island in Hawaii. Large schools are also seen in southern and eastern Africa.
Other Shark
Oceanic manta Ray
Reef manta Ray
The reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae, the largest rays in the world. Among generally recognized species, it is the second-largest species of ray, only surpassed by the giant oceanic manta ray
Mobula Ray
Whale Mammal
Dolphin Mammal
Dugong Mammal
The dugong (/ˈduːɡɒŋ/, /ˈdjuːɡɒŋ/; Dugong dugon) is a medium-sized marine mammal. It is one of four living species of the order Sirenia, which also includes three species of manatees. It is the only living representative of the once-diverse family Dugongidae; its closest modern relative, Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), was hunted to extinction in the 18th century. The dugong is the only strictly marine herbivorous mammal.
Napoleon Other
The humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) is a species of wrasse mainly found on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. It is also known as the Māori wrasse, Napoleon wrasse, Napoleon fish, Napoleonfish, so mei 蘇眉 (Cantonese), mameng (Filipino), and merer in the Pohnpeian language of the Caroline Islands.
COTS Other
The crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci, is a large, multiple-armed starfish that usually preys upon hard, or stony, coral polyps (Scleractinia). The crown-of-thorns starfish receives its name from venomous thorn-like spines that cover its upper surface, resembling the biblical crown of thorns. It is one of the largest starfish in the world.


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Availability: In stock, leaves warehouse in 1-3 business days.Need to buy bulk?
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This Chrome Square Glass Shelf Bracket is very easy to install and keeps either glass, acrylic or wood shelves firmly in place. Works with glass thicknesses from 1/4" (6mm) to 3/8" (10mm) thick. Comes with one 2" brass screw, gasket, and one plastic wall anchor – (may need to change anchor depending on construction of wall-type). Waterproof and easy to install!
Can be used to secure shelf in both dry and wet environments, perfect for lightweight shower articles, displaying collectibles, organizing books, or showing off your latest treasures. Nylon tipped brass tension screws secure the glass. Premium Solid Brass metal will not rust for its lifetime -- perfect for use in bathrooms & showers.
Each package contains 1 Shelf Bracket
Color: Chrome Finish. Metal: SOLID BRASS. Width: 1-1/8 in (29 mm) Deep: 1 in (25.4 mm). Thickness: 1/8 in. Weight: 4 ounces. Minimum Order: 1 Each. 1 Year Warranty.


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(2012) Romantic Comedy (FilmDistrict) Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Uma Thurman, Dennis Quaid, Judy Greer, Noah Lomax, James Tupper, Abella Wyss, Grant Goodman, Grant Collins, Aidan Potter, Marlena Lerner, Iqbal Theba, Emily Somers. Directed by Gabriele Muccino
Making a connection with your own child isn't always easy, particularly when you haven't been around much. Connecting involves presence, and if you aren't present, there's nothing for your kid to connect with.
That's been the story with George (Butler), once a soccer star in Europe who eventually played in the MLS in its early days but after an ankle injury forced him to retire, George has been struggling to keep it together. He is staying in the Virginia suburbs of our nation's capital – not just because his last team was DC United, but because that's where his son Lewis (Lomax) lives with his mom Stacie (Biel). George and Stacie were together once but no longer; in fact, we learn early on she's engaged to marry her new boyfriend Matt (Tupper) who seems to be a much nicer guy than George; certainly he's more stable.
Thing aren't going terribly for George in any other facet of his life. He's broke, would love to be working a sportscasting job but can't find one to save his life, He lives in the guest house of a wealthy Indian man (Theba) and drives an Alfa Romeo which sounds posh until you realize that it was probably brand new at about the same time Frankie Goes to Hollywood was.
Soccer is really the only connection George has with his son. His son's coach spends more time on the phone than training his young players ("Kick it with your toes" is about his only advice) and soon George can't stand it and starts showing the youngsters a few pointers. The kids take to his instruction and soon by parental proclamation George is named the team's new coach which is just in the nick of time since they haven't scored a goal all season.
Things start looking up. The soccer moms, cougars all, start throwing themselves at George, among them redheaded Barb (Greer), a recent divorcee who has got a case of the hornies big time, brunette Denise (Zeta-Jones), a single mom who is an ex-sportscaster herself who thinks the way to George's heart might be through her career connections, and blonde Patti (Thurman), the wife of Carl (Quaid) who is an expansive Texas-style businessman who thinks nothing of loaning George his Ferrari nor using his fame to close a business deal with Brazilian soccer fanatics.
Best of all, Lewis and George are beginning to find some common ground and even Stacie is looking at George in an entirely different light. But this being a Hollywood rom com, that's just the calm before the storm. George's sexual escapades begin to catch up with him and just as he's ready to settle down, ESPN comes a'knockin'. George may have to choose between career and kid.
Muccino made his reputation as the director of the Will Smith hit Pursuit of Happyness and truth be told that was a much better film than this one. This is more or less standard Hollywood romantic comedy fare with few (if any) surprises. What keeps this from pure direct-to-video cheesiness is Butler whose easygoing Scottish charm make the movie. While his character really lacks inertia – things pretty much just happen to him rather than him making them happen – he gets by on a smile and an accent (not to mention a body that made most of the ladies in the auditorium sigh).
His chemistry with Biel is a bit bland to be honest; while I could see his appeal to her, her appeal to him wasn't as apparent. I would have liked to have seen more fire from Ms. Biel; she's shown it in plenty of roles so I know she possesses it. It's just not in evidence here. As a result the romance in the romantic comedy is sorely lacking.
The supporting cast are pretty big name and only Greer really shines among them, although Quaid makes a game try. Quaid has been one of my favorite actors for quite a few years now and this is the sort of role that he excels at. A bit stuffy and a bit unctuous and not necessarily a good guy (although Quaid does good guys pretty well), but a lot of fun to be around.
Unfortunately the movie has more faults than strengths. This is clearly a movie aimed at the female audience but the women in the film are mainly bedroom ornaments for George. If you're going to appeal to women, you need an appealing woman in the cast. All of the movies in the movie seem to be defined by their relationships with men. That's not going to make your target audience happy.
Still, Butler is going to make plenty of the target audience happy, particularly in those scenes where his shirt comes off (and there are a few). Ultimately this is pretty disposable but not real offensive, unless predictable plot points offend you. In a holiday movie season where there aren't a lot of rom com options to choose from, it will fit the bill but it doesn't really hold up against the better movies of the genre. In short, it ain't no Sleepless in Seattle.
REASONS TO GO: Gerard Butler is at his charming best.
REASONS TO STAY: No chemistry and no heat. Most of the women in the movie exist to bed Butler. A romantic comedy without romance.
FAMILY VALUES: There is a bit o' sexiness and some foul language.
TRIVIAL PURSUIT: Was formerly titled "Playing the Field."
CRITICAL MASS: As of 12/20/12: Rotten Tomatoes: 4% positive reviews. Metacritic: 27/100. The reviews are pretty pathetic.
COMPARISON SHOPPING: The Ugly Truth
SOCCER LOVERS: There's quite a bit of the Youth game variety but Butler has a few nice moves that he shows off at various times of the movie.
NEXT: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey


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Don't believe it when folks say that the Macworld | iWorld show floor is primarily filled with iOS accessories—the community of document scanner makers is quite well represented too. At least seven different companies have scanners on display at this week's event.
Continuing a trend that we saw last year, many scanner companies are relying on their cloud capabilities rather than their hardware to differentiate themselves. The Neat Company with its NeatReceipts and NeatDesktop products, Apparent with the Doxie Go scanners, and Fujitsu with its ScanSnap line all were promoting their portable document scanners and increased interaction with cloud-based storage.
The Neat Company (booth 635) was showing a preview of its NeatCloud subscription service that allows customers to sync their scanned receipts and documents from the desktop application to the cloud and access them from anywhere. NeatMobile will allow customers to scan using their smartphones and send directly to the cloud, possibly eliminating the need for dedicated scanning hardware like its $200 NeatReceipts for Mac and $400 NeatDesk for Mac scanners. NeatCloud and NeatMobile are expected to launch in this spring, with pricing to be announced upon release.
Fujitsu (booth 510) hasn't expanded its line of portable and desktop ScanSnap scanners, but has added a few new partners that its scanners can work with— SugarSync and Salesforce Chatter. Evernote support was previously available in the ScanSnap software.
Apparent (booth 542) was showing off its new Doxie Go ($199) and Doxie Go + WiFi ($239). These single-sheet, simplex scanners look much like the original Doxie ($149), but don't need to be attached to a Mac via USB in order to scan. Both flavors of the Doxie Go have a rechargeable battery and on-board flash memory that can hold up to 600 scans. If that's not enough, you can increase the Doxie Go models' capacity with a USB thumb drive or an SD Card inserted in the proper slots. The Doxie Go + WiFi ships with a 4GB Eye-Fi card that lets you send your scans directly to Evernote, Dropbox, or Flickr. You can sync scans wirelessly to an iPad or iPhone with a free app, or with the help of the iPad Camera Connection Kit ( ), you can scan to the SD card and transfer them onto your iPad.
Also at the show was Ambir, showing a couple of soon-to-be-released portable scanners for Mac. Sharing space with its software partner NewSoft (booth 309), Ambir's Mac versions of the TravelScan Pro and TravelScan Pro Duplex should debut in the next couple of months. NewSoft was showing its new Presto BizCard Xpress Mac software, which scans directly to OS X's Address Book and also syncs to Apple's iCloud.