text:
Bodycam Footage 'Proves Cop Was RIGHT to Shoot Armed Man'
Hannah Parry and Valerie Edwards, Daily Mail, August 15, 2016
Milwaukee's mayor and police chief announced Monday that body cam video supports the shooting of Sylville Smith–which sparked riots across the city.
At least one person was shot as police clashed with protesters during a second night of riots after Smith, 23, was shot dead by a police officer on Saturday.
But Milwaukee Police Chief Edward A Flynn insists the footage makes it clear that the shooting was lawful.
He said that Smith was shot after he turned toward an officer and raised his gun.
Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett, speaking at a press conference on Monday, added that a still from the cop's body camera shows 'without question' Smith had a gun in his hand.
Barrett said that Smith had 'more firepower than the officer', and his handgun was loaded with 23 rounds, which he refused to drop when ordered by police.
Flynn said that his officers had pulled over Smith after they noticed the driver was 'behaving suspiciously'.
Police wore their body cameras as they approached the vehicle and within 20 to 25 seconds Smith, who had a lengthy rap sheet, was dead.
After watching the officer's body camera footage, Flynn said Smith had run 'a few dozen feet' and turned toward the officer while holding a gun.
'It was in his hand. He was raising up with it,' the chief said.
He said the officer had told Smith to drop the gun and he did not do so.
It was unclear how many rounds the officer fired. Smith was hit in the chest and arm, Flynn said.
Flynn said his officer, who is black, feared for his life before shooting Smith, who was also black.
The officer involved has been on the force for three years, according to the department. He's been placed on administrative duty.
The police chief said he was hopeful that the body cam footage would be released soon which he hoped would help calm the riots.
He believes the shooting was a flashpoint for underlying tensions, adding that people outside the neighborhood were using the incident for their own agendas.
Milwaukee saw a second night of rioting Sunday which resulted in an 18-year-old man being shot in the neck during unrest on the city's north side. He is expected to survive his injuries.
Officers used an armored vehicle to retrieve the injured victim and take the person to a hospital.
A cop was also injured and taken to the hospital after a thrown rock broke the windshield of a squad car near Sherman Boulevard and Burleigh Avenue, the Milwaukee Police Department tweeted.
The National Guard had to be brought in to try and quell the unrest while today they imposed a 10pm curfew for teenagers.
The crowd of protesters marched through the neighborhood where Smith was killed by a 24-year-old officer Saturday afternoon.
Some two dozen officers in riot gear confronted the protesters who blocked an intersection near where Smith was fatally shot.
Police moved in to try to disperse the crowd and warned of arrests after protesters threw bottles and rocks at police.
Mayor Barrett has called for calm in the city as he pleaded with residents to 'not do further damage to this great neighborhood'.
In a press conference on Monday, he said authorities will not tolerate further violence and vandalism.
'We're going to make sure there's peace and order restored to this neighborhood,' he told reporters.
'The fact that you have some angry people that want to cause problems is something that we will not tolerate.'
Authorities had maintained a low key presence near businesses that were destroyed by fires on Saturday.
About a dozen officers guarded the BP gas station, while others stood in the shadows at a nearby park.
President Obama, who is on vacation at Martha's Vineyard where he was seen playing golf yesterday, has not yet commented on the shooting or subsequent unrest.
Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel issued a statement Sunday saying that his department would 'work expeditiously to ensure a thorough and transparent gathering of the facts'.
Meanwhile, Smith's father, Patrick Smith, said he blames himself for his son's death.
'When they see the wrong role model, this is what you get.
'Being on the street, doing things of the street life: Entertaining, drug dealing and pimping and they're looking at their dad like "he's doing all these things".
'I got out of jail two months ago, but I've been going back and forth in jail and they see those things so I'd like to apologize to my kids because this is the role model they look up to.
'Now somebody got killed reaching for his wallet, but now they can say he got a gun on him and they reached for it. And that's justifiable,' Patrick Smith told FOX 6.
According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Smith received the two charges following a shooting last year, but the details of that shooting were not immediately clear. The charges were later dismissed.
From jail Smith called his girlfriend and asked her to pressure a victim into recanting their previous statement, according to the Journal-Sentinel.
'When they get this letter, this (expletive) gone, then my case should be out of here,' Smith said in one call to his girlfriend.
Smith made several calls asking his girlfriend to stay on top of the victim. The victim later filed a statement recanting their previous identification of Smith as the perpetrator.
Despite the recorded phone calls prosecutors dropped the charges.
It is unclear why this decision was made.
Most of Smith's other charges were mostly for non-violent misdemeanors including speeding, retail theft and THC possession, the New York Daily News reported.
Smith's father Patrick Smith said: 'I don't know when we're gonna start moving. I've gotta start with my kids and we gotta change our ways, to be better role models.
'And we gotta change ourselves. We've gotta talk to them, put some sense into them.
'They targeting us, but we know about it so there's no reason to keep saying it's their fault.'
Mildred Haynes, Smith's mother, said she has been told very little about the death of her son, who was father to a two-year-old boy.
'My son is gone due to the police killing my son. I am lost,' Haynes said.
Haynes said her son had recently gotten his concealed carry license because he had been shot twice and robbed four times, the Journal-Sentinel reported.
During one robbery he was stripped of all of his clothing.
She said she doesn't think Smith pulled a gun on police but she does think he might have run from the officer and tried to hide.
Smith's godmother, Katherine Mahmoud, told the Journal Sentinel: 'I'm not going to say he was an angel. He was out here living his life.'
She said that the family had nothing to do with the overnight riots and they're 'not very happy about it'.
On Sunday, the Milwaukee County sheriff asked for help from the National Guard after violence broke out in Milwaukee in response to police shooting Smith.
Family and friends of Smith gathered on Sunday in the area where he was shot and killed.
Smith's younger sister, Sherelle Smith, 22, told the Journal-Sentinel that her brother carried a gun because he was scared and needed to protect himself, not because he was violent.
She said he was known around the neighborhood for his style and dance moves.
'He was a ladies' man. That's the worst thing about him,' she said.
Supporters surrounded 24-year-old Kimberly Neal, who is Smith's older sister, as she held a bouquet of blue balloons during the vigil held for her brother near the spot where he was killed.
She asked the crowd for donations for his burial. Neal said that she just hopes her family gets justice and wants prosecutors to file charges against the officer.
When she was asked about the violence on Saturday night, Neal said: 'People stuck together and they are trying to stand up,' for their rights.
After the vigil, protesters went across the street to the ruins of a gas station destroyed in the violence and began singing hymns.
Violent protests erupted in Milwaukee after more than 100 people gathered in a standoff with police following the shooting of Smith after a traffic stop and foot chase on Saturday.
Police said Smith was armed with a handgun, but Assistant Chief Bill Jessup told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that it wasn't immediately clear whether the man had pointed a gun or fired at the officer.
They described Smith as a suspect, but didn't say what led to the traffic stop.
The violence exploded near North Sherman Boulevard and West Burleigh Street after the traffic stop about a block away, on the 3200 block of North 44th Street.
Some people in the crowd wore riot gear as they stood in the standoff with police, several hours after the shooting, according to the Journal-Sentinel.
Officers got in their cars to leave at one point and some in the crowd started smashing a squad car's windows. Another police car was set on fire.
Several other vehicles were also set on fire.
The police department tweeted that one officer was taken to a hospital after he was struck by a brick thrown through his squad car window.
Police also tweeted that a BP gas station had been set on fire.
Initially firefighters were unable to extinguish the blaze because gunshots were being fired.
A total of six buildings were set on fire, including the gas station, according to WISN.
The shooting that sparked the tensions occurred about 3.30pm after officers stopped a car with two people inside.
Police Capt Mark Stanmeyer said in a news release that the two people in the car got out and ran and the officers chased them.
He said Smith, who was one of the people fleeing, was armed with a handgun and was shot by an officer during the pursuit. He said the man died at the scene.
Stanmeyer said he had an arrest record, and that the handgun he carried had been stolen in a March burglary in suburban Waukesha.
During the unrest a 16-year-old was shot and injured, four officers were injured and have been released from the hospital.
Seventeen arrests were made.
The shooting happened about one block from the scene of a Friday evening homicide, and about four blocks from a Saturday morning double homicide, according to the Journal-Sentinel.
Five people were killed in shooting-related homicides within nine hours between Friday night and Saturday morning.


text:
Phillips Andover Blazer Badge
Reminiscent of classic prep school style, this signature Philips Andover Blazer Badge embellishes any blazer with a bit of school spirit and commemorative pride. The badge showcases academy colors within school dress code and celebrates The Andover Shop's affiliation with Phillips Andover Academy since our opening in 1948.
Return Policy
The Andover Shop prides itself on providing the highest quality clothing and products. We want to make sure you love each and every item you purchase. However, if a product that is purchased from our store does not meet your expectations, we offer returns within 30 days after purchase for a refund or exchange. After 30 days, we offer store credit for any returned items. Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on items that have been worn, washed, altered, or purchased on sale.
Phillips Andover Blazer Badge

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Holding Space: Yoga and Meditation for All Bodies
April 04, 2022 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Organized By: The Compassionate Care Initiative
Hannah Crosby
(434) 924-1917
Explore a mix of gentle and yin yoga designed for all bodies with Benita Mayo of the Contemplative Sciences Center. Make a fresh start with a smart combination of movement and mindfulness in a safe class offering light strengthening, stretching, breathing and balance. This non-flow class is open to all shapes, sizes, abilities and gender, including beginners coming to yoga for the first time. Benita interweaves mindfulness meditation into her classes to help center you within your practice. This class is free and open to the public. It is open to all experience levels.
Click here to register: https://virginia.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvcu6gqTouGNFkWMIyiviPlXLdrM7VVo4a


text: Roles and Features Part 2 18. September 2008 Andy Schneider Comments (0) I have been playing with a tool called servermanagercmd which is a commandline tool which functions like ServerManager. It allows you to install different Roles, Features, and Role Services in Windows Server 2008. I mentioned in an earlier post that you can output it to an XML file and use Powershell to look at what is installed. There is an -inputpath parameter that takes an answer.xml file. You would think that you could go to one server, do a servermanagercmd -query role.xml and then take that file to another server and do a servermananagercmd -inputpath role.xml and it would install all the roles and services that were on the original server. Yeah.. that would be nice, but no such luck. They are two different XML Schemas that apparently have nothing to do with one another. <rant> To further complicate the issue, servermangercmd is used in the full version of Windows 2008. But what if you wanted to install or remove roles in Windows 2008 Core. Forget servermanagercmd, its not there. Instead you have to use two different commands, ocsetup and oclist. OC standing for "Optional Component" ? oclist in Core is the same as servermanagercmd -query ocsetup is servermanagercmd -install To screw things up even more, the aliases for the roles are not even the same between the two tools. Just an example, in the full version with servermanagercmd you add the feature called Failover-Clustering. In core, you use ocsetup to install FailoverCluster-Core. Completely inconsistent, no intuitive, and unnecessarily complex. </rant> Perhaps what would be cool is a PowerShell function that could at least convert the output of servermanagercmd -query query.xml and turn it into an xml file that could be used by servermanagercmd -input input.xml. Any PowerShell XML Ninjas up for the challenge ? Andy Tags:


text:
Changes in the Calcium-Parathyroid Hormone-Vitamin D Axis and Prognosis for Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Observational Study
PLoS One. 2013 Sep 20;8(9):e75441. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075441.
Jieyu Hu equal contributor,
Zuojie Luo equal contributor mail,
Xiaoqin Zhao,
Qiang Chen,
Zhaoyan Chen,
Hua Qin,
Yingfen Qin,
Xinghuan Liang,
Yingjun Suo
Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in critically ill patients and may contribute to suboptimal clinical outcomes, but little is known about alterations of the calcium-parathyroid hormone (PTH)-vitamin D axis and prognosis in these individuals.
Methods: prospective observational study was conducted on 216 patients admitted to a university-affiliated, tertiary-care medical intensive care unit (MICU) between June 2011 and December 2012. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ionised calcium and intact PTH were determined within 24 h of MICU admission. The primary end point was all-cause hospital mortality within 90-days of admission.
Results: 95 patients (44%) showed 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency. Patients deficient in vitamin D showed significantly higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, rate of positive blood culture, incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and 90-day mortality rate than did patients with vitamin D insufficiency or sufficiency (P<0.05), as well as lower levels of serum IgG. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D deficiency was identified as an independent risk factor for mortality (OR = 3.018, 95%CI 1.329–6.854, P = 0.008). Hypovitaminosis D in PTH-responders was associated with higher mortality than was the same condition in non-responders (P<0.05).
Conclusions: These results suggest that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among MICU patients, suggesting a significant derangement of the calcium-PTH-vitamin D axis in critically ill patients. Vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for 90-day mortality, and hypovitaminosis D in PTH-responders is associated with higher mortality than is the same condition in non-responders.
Citation: Hu J, Luo Z, Zhao X, Chen Q, Chen Z, et al. (2013) Changes in the Calcium-Parathyroid Hormone-Vitamin D Axis and Prognosis for Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Observational Study. PLoS ONE 8(9): e75441. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0075441
Editor: Andrzej T. Slominski, University of Tennessee, United States of America
Received: July 9, 2013; Accepted: August 15, 2013; Published: September 20, 2013
Copyright: © 2013 Hu et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Funding: The authors have no support or funding to report.
Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Vitamin D is now recognised as playing an important role not only in the regulation of calcium metabolism and bone health [1] but also in numerous additional processes in the immune system, in endothelial and mucosal tissues, and in glucose metabolism [2], [3]. In fact, vitamin D receptors are expressed in nearly all tissues and cells of the human body. Vitamin D deficiency, the most frequent medical condition in the world [1], has been associated with myocardial infarction, diabetes, autoimmune disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, and excess mortality in the general population [4]. A meta-analysis of 32 randomized controlled trials involving 74,789 participants, primarily elderly women, found that vitamin D3 supplementation decreased all-cause mortality by 6% [5].
Critically ill patients are at high risk of progressive vitamin D deficiency because they are less likely than other populations to receive adequate exposure to sunlight and adequate amounts of vitamin D in their diet [4]. Incidence of vitamin D deficiency among critically ill patients has been estimated at 23–82% [6], [7], [8], . This deficiency in critically ill patients is associated with several morbidities, including severe hypocalcaemia, hyperglycaemia, organ dysfunction, and increased susceptibility to nosocomial infection. Important gaps remain in our understanding of the effects of vitamin D deficiency on critically ill patients and their prognosis. For example, several studies have associated vitamin D deficiency with increased mortality among intensive care unit (ICU) patients [8], [10], [11], but other studies have found no such association [9], [12]. In addition, although calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D are known to interact, little is known about how this axis is altered in critical illness. Given the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in this vulnerable group of patients, understanding perturbations in this axis is important for optimising treatments.
The present study sought to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among critically ill adults, characterise changes in the calcium-PTH-vitamin D axis and assess the effects of these changes on disease severity and prognosis. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level served as the indicator of vitamin D status.
Materials and Methods
Study Design and Population
We performed a prospective observational study of 216 patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University in Nanning, China (northern latitude 22°49′) between June 2011 and December 2012. All patients 18 years or older who stayed more than 48 h in the MICU were included, as long as they did not satisfy any of the following exclusion criteria: age below 18 years, ongoing pregnancy, current breastfeeding, chronic kidney disease, parathyroid disease, fluid resuscitation, acute haemodilution, vitamin D supplementation prior to admission, or treatment with medications known to affect vitamin D or calcium metabolism.
The study was approved by the Research Review Board of the First Affiliated Hospital, according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was signed from the patient's legal guardians at the time of MICU admission.
Data Collection and Definitions
The primary end point was hospital mortality within 90 days of ICU admission. Data were collected at baseline on demographics, diagnosis, score on the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), and basic haematological and biochemical parameters. The APACHE II score for each patient was taken to be the worst score obtained within 24 h of MICU admission. Blood was drawn within 24 h of MICU admission, and levels of serum 25(OH)D, ionised calcium (iCa) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were determined. Levels of 25(OH)D were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HP1100, Agilent, USA; interassay CV 4.1–5.3%) and iPTH by radioimmunoassay (DiaSorin, Italy; interassay CV 7–9%), ionised calcium was determined with the GEM Premier 3000 critical care analyzer (interassay CV 0.9–1.8%).
Vitamin D status was determined based on the 25(OH)D level measured within 24 h of MICU admission. A level of 0–19.9 ng/ml (0–49.9 nmol/L) was defined as deficiency, 20–29.9 ng/ml as insufficiency, and ≥30 ng/ml as sufficiency [13]. Hypovitaminosis D was defined as a 25(OH)D level <30 ng/ml. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was defined as a serum iPTH level >75 pg/ml, corresponding to the upper limit of the laboratory reference range [14]. Hypocalcaemia was defined as an iCa level <1.15 mmol/L.
To evaluate changes in the calcium-PTH-vitamin D axis, patients were classified as PTH-responders or non-responders. PTH-responders were defined as patients who presented elevated iPTH (>75 pg/ml) together with hypovitaminosis D (<30 ng/ml) and/or ionised hypocalcaemia (iCa <1.15 mmol/L) based on measurements made within 24 h of MICU admission. Patients presenting with both impaired PTH response (≤75 pg/ml) and hypovitaminosis D were categorised as PTH non-responders.
Statistical Analysis
Data were analysed using SPSS17 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA). Continuous variables with a normal distribution were expressed as means ± SD; otherwise, they were expressed as medians with the first and third interquartile ranges (IQR1, IQR3). Categorical variables were reported as percentages. Differences between groups were assessed using the chi-squared test for categorical variables and Student's t-test or non-parametric test for continuous variables. Coefficients of partial correlation between variables were calculated using Pearson's or Spearman's analysis, depending on whether the data for the variables were normally distributed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of 90-day mortality. Two-sided p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Patient Characteristics
A total of 216 adult patients admitted to the MICU met our inclusion criteria during the study period (Table S1). The most frequent reasons for exclusion were an MICU stay <48 h, chronic renal failure, and fluid resuscitation. All 216 patients were xanthoderms; 120 (55.6%) were men, and 96 (44.4%) were women. Median age was 64 years (IQR1 50, IQR3 75) with a median APACHE II score of 21 (18, 26). The most frequent primary admission diagnoses were severe pneumonia with respiratory failure (47.2%), acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (19%) and intra-abdominal infection (15.3%). Most patients (185, 85.6%) required mechanical ventilation, and all-cause 90-day hospital mortality was 28.7% for the entire study population.
Vitamin D Status at MICU Admission
Of the 216 patients studied, 95 (44%) were characterised as deficient in 25(OH)D, 58 (26.8%) as insufficient, and 63 (29.2%) as sufficient. The lowest and highest observed levels of serum 25(OH)D were 11.2 and 55.7 ng/ml. No seasonal variability was observed in 25(OH)D levels. Characteristics of patients stratified by vitamin D status at admission are shown in Table S2.
Patients deficient in 25(OH)D had a higher APACHE II score (P<0.001), iPTH level (P<0.001), positive blood culture rate (P = 0.015), incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (P = 0.013) and 90-day mortality (P = 0.003) than did patients insufficient or sufficient in 25(OH)D. Patients deficient in 25(OH)D also had lower levels of Ig G (P<0.001) and iCa (P<0.001) than did the other two groups.
The three groups did not significantly differ in age, sex, length of ICU stay, number of days on ventilation, or levels of total calcium, serum phosphate or albumin. Patients deficient/insufficient in vitamin D showed a trend towards higher CRP levels than those sufficient in vitamin D, but this difference was not statistically significant.
Calcium-PTH-vitamin D Axis
Most patients (89.4%) presented at MICU admission with ionised hypocalcaemia, defined as iCa <1.15 mmol/L. Secondary hyperparathyroidism, defined as iPTH >75 pg/ml, was present in 56.6% of hypocalcaemic patients and 59.5% of hypovitaminosis D patients. PTH-responders had higher iCa levels than did non-responders (P<0.001), but the two groups did not differ in levels of total calcium or 25(OH)D (P>0.05; Table S3).
Relationships among Components of the Vitamin D Axis
Levels of 25(OH)D at MICU admission negatively correlated with iPTH levels (r = −0.232, P = 0.001), but they did not correlate with levels of iCa (r = 0.12, P = 0.152) or total calcium (r = 0.143, P = 0.108). Levels of iPTH at admission strongly correlated with levels of iCa (r = 0.682, P = 0.0001) and total calcium (r = 0.468, P = 0.0001).
Associations between Vitamin D Status and Illness Severity and Outcomes
Levels of 25(OH)D at admission negatively correlated with APACHE II score (r = −0.325, P<0.001) and hospital mortality (r = −0.276, P<0.001). Conversely, 25(OH)D level correlated positively with Ig G level (r = 0.31, P = 0.002). In contrast, levels of iPTH, iCa and total calcium did not show any relationship with APACHE II score or hospital mortality (P>0.05).
Multiple logistic regression in which vitamin D status was treated as a categorical variable identified APACHE II score, 25(OH)D deficiency, plasma lactate and age as independent predictors of 90-day mortality. Neither iPTH nor iCa was associated with mortality (Table S4). In addition, hypovitaminosis D in PTH-responders was associated with higher APACHE II score and mortality than was the same condition in non-responders (P<0.05, Table S3).
Our results demonstrate a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the critically ill patient population, with vitamin D deficiency observed in 44% of the patients in this study. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with higher disease severity and hospital mortality. It was also associated with higher incidence of positive blood culture and of MODS, as well as lower Ig G levels, all of which may worsen the prognosis of ICU patients.
Although our patients deficient in vitamin D fared worse than did our patients with insufficient or sufficient vitamin D for nearly all outcomes examined, the deficient group nevertheless did have a shorter ICU stay and fewer days on the ventilator than did the sufficient group. This is in contrast to recent work by Matthews [10] showing that the deficient group stayed longer in the ICU. This discrepancy may be due to the different type of study population: our study examined all-cause MICU patients, whereas Matthews et al. examined specifically surgical ICU patients. The discrepancy may also be due to high mortality among our patients deficient in vitamin D soon after MICU admission, resulting in overall shorter ICU stay and fewer days on the ventilator.
To our knowledge, ours is the first study to report a positive correlation between serum 25(OH)D concentration and Ig G levels in an ICU population. This relationship contrasts with the inverse relationship observed in chronic diseases that often involve vitamin D deficiency, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) [15] and cystic fibrosis [16]. In fact, cellular studies have shown that 1,25(OH)2D, the active form of vitamin D, decreases B cell proliferation, plasma cell differentiation and Ig G secretion [17]. Our observational study does not allow us to discern whether serum 25(OH)D levels are causally linked to Ig G levels. Further studies are needed to examine the correlation between these two factors in both critical illness and chronic disease.
Although serum levels of 25(OH)D are widely used as an indicator of vitamin D status, consensus is lacking about the cut-off values for defining deficiency and sufficiency. Serum 25(OH)D levels are inversely associated with PTH levels until the former reach 30–40 ng/ml, at which point PTH levels begin to level off [18], [19] and intestinal calcium absorption is maximal [20]. Therefore most experts suggest defining vitamin D sufficiency as serum 25(OH)D ≥30 ng/ml and deficiency as <20 ng/ml [1]. Our study adopted these thresholds to define vitamin D status in critically ill patients.
Hypovitaminosis D in critically ill patients is multifactorial and may arise from
- limited sunlight exposure,
- poor nutritional status,
- aging, obesity,
- liver failure,
- chronic kidney disease,
- interaction with medications, a
- bnormal gastrointestinal function and
- effects of fluid resuscitation [21].
Lee et al. [4] speculate that tissues require greater amounts of vitamin D during critical illness, leading to increased conversion of 25(OH)D into the active form 1,25(OH)2D, thereby lowering serum levels of 25(OH)D.
We observed a direct association between 25(OH)D deficiency and hospital mortality within 90 days of MICU admission. This association may have multiple causes, given the pleiotropic actions of vitamin D in immunity, endothelial/mucosal function, glucose metabolism and calcium homeostasis.
In fact, vitamin D deficiency may help explain many of the varied morbidities frequently observed among critically ill patients, including
- systemic inflammatory response syndrome,
- sepsis,
- organ failure and
- metabolic dysfunction [4].
In particular, the immunomodulatory actions of vitamin D may explain its observed effects on the prognosis of critically ill patients. In our study, rates of positive blood culture and of MODS were higher among patients with vitamin D deficiency than among those with vitamin D sufficiency; deficient patients also tended to have higher CRP levels. These findings are consistent with recent evidence that vitamin D enhances the innate immune response by inducing production of cathelicidin (LL-37), an endogenous antimicrobial peptide produced by macrophages and neutrophils [22]. This peptide can fight against a broad spectrum of infectious agents, including Gram-negative and -positive bacteria, fungi and mycobacteria [23]. Vitamin D has also been found to down-regulate production of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as T helper 1 cells and B lymphocytes in the adaptive immune system [24], [25]. At the same time, vitamin D up-regulates production of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10, shifting the overall immune phenotype to a T helper 2 subtype; and it promotes expression of T-regulatory cells, which turn off the adaptive immune response [26]. These cellular and molecular studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency dysregulates the innate immunity system and compromises the ability of critically ill patients to down-regulate the adaptive immune response. These effects may explain the association between vitamin D deficiency and increased mortality observed in our cohort.
Vitamin D is well known as a key participant in the calcium-PTH axis [1], which is responsible for maintaining calcium homeostasis, yet how the axis changes during critical illness is poorly understood. We found hypocalcaemia in 89.4% of our patients, at the upper end of the prevalence range of 15–88% reported for adult patients in the ICU [27], [28].
While hypocalcaemia can be caused by several morbidities frequently found in the ICU, such as
- sepsis,
- burns,
- pancreatitis and
- rhabdomyolysis,
it can also result from vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency. Normally the body avoids hypocalcaemia by boosting secretion of PTH, which increases renal calcium re-absorption and calcium release from the skeleton through bone resorption. The hormone also indirectly increases 1,25(OH)D levels, thereby increasing intestinal calcium absorption. In our cohort, serum 25(OH)D levels did not correlate with levels of ionised or total calcium, suggesting that the hypocalcaemia in our patients had multiple, complex causes. Hypovitaminosis D accounted for only a fraction of hypocalcaemia cases, suggesting that vitamin D supplementation by itself would not correct the problem.
Magnesium is also a major participant in the calcium-PTH axis, and in critical patients, nutritional deficiency and organ dysfunction can lead to magnesium deficiency. This may impair PTH response or result in target organ resistance to PTH, leading in turn to hypocalcaemia. Thus, magnesium deficiency may explain the hypocalcaemia in many of our patients, but we cannot be sure because magnesium levels were not recorded.
Among our patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, levels of ionised calcium were 25% lower than the normal range observed in patients with sufficient vitamin D. Such reduced levels may reflect severe deficiency of circulating 25(OH)D, age-related impairment of renal 1α- hydroxylation, and compromised calcium absorption.
Approximately 40% of our patients with hypovitaminosis D showed a reduced response to PTH. This proportion is similar to the 60% reported by Nair et al. [29] The potential causes and mechanisms of impaired PTH response to hypovitaminosis D remain unclear. They may include abnormalities in the parathyroid calcium sensing receptor, age-related impairment of renal 1α- hydroxylation, abnormal function of the 1,25(OH)2D receptor, abnormalities in the FGF23-Klotho axis and other genetic abnormalities [14]. Magnesium deficiency can also decrease the activity of magnesium-dependent enzymes, inhibiting PTH synthesis and regulation. Whatever the cause, impaired PTH response ironically appears to be associated with better prognosis for critically ill patients. In our study, hypovitaminosis D in PTH-responders was associated with higher APACHE II scores than was the same condition in non-responders. Similarly Nair et al. [29] found PTH-responders to have a higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II at ICU admission, leading them to speculate that the lack of PTH response may in fact indicate vitamin D sufficiency in tissues. A study of PTH response in elderly with hypovitaminosis D [30] showed that the simultaneous presence of secondary hyperparathyroidism was associated with increased bone turnover and fracture risk, as well as shorter survival. We further found that hypovitaminosis Din PTH-responders was associated with higher 90-day mortality than was the same condition in non-responders.
We did not find a correlation between mortality and PTH in our study, whereas several studies have suggested a direct association between the two variables [31], [32], [33] that was independent of vitamin D status and renal function [31]. Elevated PTH may increase mortality through its effects on cardiac muscle contractility and its ability to promote atherosclerosis and vascular calcification [34]. Elevated PTH may also suppress the immune system, in particular by compromising leukocyte function, which should make patients more susceptible to infection [35]. We speculate that the combined negative effects of hypovitaminosis D and elevated PTH are the most likely cause of increased mortality observed in our PTH-responders with hypovitaminosis D. In fact, the frequent co-occurrence of hypovitaminosis D and impaired PTH response among critically ill patients may reflect the body's efforts to protect itself from the adverse effects of the altered calcium-PTH-vitamin D axis, and increased expression of calcium sensing receptor in parathyroid glands would be compatible with a more efficient control of PTH synthesis and secretion by low serum ionised calcium.
Our work has several potential limitations. First, the sample size was small, and we did not monitor 25(OH)D, iPTH, and ionised calcium levels over time. Second, our study was conducted in an MICU and cannot be generalised to cardiac, surgical, or other types of ICUs. Third, we did not collect data on levels of 1,25(OH)2D, vitamin D binding protein (DBP), or magnesium, so we cannot exclude them as possible confounders. Finally, although our data are consistent with an association between vitamin D deficiency and severity of illness and hospital mortality, we cannot conclude a causative link. Randomised controlled trials to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation in critically ill patients can improve their clinical outcomes are warranted.
Despite its limitations, our study suggests the need for new lines of research. This study is, to our knowledge, the first to report a correlation between hypovitaminosis D and lower Ig G levels in an ICU population, which should be explored in greater detail in future work. We also found that hypovitaminosis D in PTH-responders is associated with higher APACHE II scores and mortality than was the same condition in non-responders. This raises the intriguing possibility that reduced PTH response in the presence of hypovitaminosis D is a protective mechanism, which should be explored further.
In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency and hypocalcaemia are highly prevalent in the critically ill population, and hypovitaminosis D accounts for only a small number of hypocalcaemia cases.
Critically ill patients often show significant dysregulation of the calcium-PTH-vitamin D axis, and vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for prognosis in serious illness.
Hypovitaminosis D in PTH-responders is associated with higher APACHE II score and mortality than is the same condition in non-responders. Our findings highlight the complex interactions between PTH and hypovitaminosis D, which merit further study. Our results also suggest that 25(OH)D and iPTH levels should be measured as part of the routine tests performed in the MICU. Future research should examine whether correction of 25(OH)D deficiency improves outcomes for ICU patients.
ICU Baseline
PDF is attached at the bottom of this page
See also VitaminDWiki
- All items in category Trauma and Surgery and Vitamin D
64 items
- Being vitamin D deficient in the ICU is not good - Feb 2012
- 5 days longer in ICU if low on vitamin D - April 2012
- Variations in Parathyroid Hormone Concentrations in Patients with Low Vitamin D – June 2012ICU reduces Vitamin D levels, deregulates PTH - Sept 2013
4527 visitors, last modified 28 Sep, 2013,This page is in the following categories (# of items in each category)Vitamin D and Calcium 212 Trauma and surgery 308
Attached files
ID Name Comment Uploaded Size Downloads 3057 ICU Baseline.jpg admin 28 Sep, 2013 14:47 68.92 Kb 1057 3056 MICU, vitamin D, PTH.pdf PDF 2013 admin 28 Sep, 2013 14:43 93.82 Kb 598


text:
By Steve Beauregard
The world's greatest poker player is a business owner, celebrity, former Full Tilt co-owner, and high stakes gambler who routinely wins millions of dollars in both cash games, and tournaments. So what is Phil Ivey's net worth?
While it's likely in the $50 million range, (more on that later), we really don't know. A cool, cutthroat professional who keeps his emotions in check at the poker table also keeps his cards to the chest when it comes to his personal financial matters.
One website (Celebritynetworth.com), that speculates in such things (and it is pure speculation), estimates Phil Ivey's net worth to be $100 million.
At first glance, this seems extraordinarily high and optimistic given the public record. Yet a further look reveals it is possible given the incredibly high stakes cash games Ivey seemingly seems to play non-stop. In other words, despite the rumors, Phil Ivey is not broke.
On top of that, boxing ring announcer and poker fan Bruce Buffer once told a radio interviewer (back in 2010) that he knew Ivey was worth "one hundred million."
There's not a lot of stone cold data available at Phil Ivey's net worth, but there are some tidbits.
Legal Clues into Ivey's Net Worth
In legal proceedings during the Phil Ivey/Luciaetta Ivey divorce in 2011, it was revealed that the couple's total community income in 2008 was $8 million.
During those same proceedings, it was also revealed that as part of the divorce settlement, Phil Ivey would assume "$15.1 million in gambling and other debt."
It's unknown if this $15.1 million consisted of casino markers, money owed to fellow Full Tilt co-owners, or was part of the "poker player's underground banking economy," in which high stakes bets on the felt or golf course involving hundreds of thousands of dollars are added up on cocktail napkins or on golf score cards.
On the plus side, Ivey has $23.8 million in live tournament winnings.
But that $23.8 million figure represents "winnings" and doesn't take into account taxes, travel fees, and entry fees. The entry fees alone could knock $5 or $6 million off of that $23.8 million – especially when realizing Ivey entered the WSOP One Drop tournament in 2012 and 2014, when the entry fee was $1 million dollars each time. (He also played the 2013 and 2015 One Drop when the entry fee both times was "just" $111,111.)
Ivey frequently plays in many high roller tournaments, which would seem to bump up the total entry fee expenses, however back in the day, Full Tilt presumably paid a lot of Ivey's entry fees during the company's glory days. So we'll be conservative and say of the $23.8 million in winnings, $6 million goes out the door for entry fees.
So given a top income tax rate of 39.6%, $6 million in entry fees, (along with a very roughly estimated $1 million and change in travel expenses), Ivey's live poker tournament profit could likely be in the $8 to $9 million range.
But then there are his online poker winnings.
Online Winnings
While playing under his real name on FullTiltPoker.com, he profited $19,242,744. With the re-launch of FullTilt, his new screen name is "Polarizing," and to date, he has lost over $6 million. (In 2015 alone he lost $3.7 million online). Still, this means his recorded online profit still comes out to over $13 million.
In addition to the poker room, Ivey has been known to visit other parts of the casino on occasion.
His huge monetary swings at the craps table have been well documented, and Ivey admits to a love of sports betting. While we'd like to assume the pit games would reduce Phil Ivey's net worth several million, we just don't know how much he has lost. And we are assuming he has lost in house-edge games in the long run.
We do know there is not a house edge when Ivey plays baccarat in certain places. Court papers in a lawsuit reveal Ivey won just over $21 million playing baccarat in 2012. This includes a $9.6 million dollar session in Atlantic City, along with a $10 million plus winning session in London. (Go here to read about the Phil Ivey cheating scandal).
After years of back and forth in British courts, Ivey lost the London case, meaning he did not collect the $10 million baccarat payday.
The Borgata case in New Jersy is still in legal limbo right now, with lawsuit and appeals going back and forth. Therefore we won't count that for now.
Summary of Phil Ivey's Net Worth
So to recap our estimation of Phil Ivey's net worth:
Live tournament poker profit: $8 million
Online poker profit: $13 million
Gambling and other debt revealed in the divorce settlement: minus $15 million.
That equates to $6 million that is fairly well documented. What it leaves out of course, are baccarat losses (and wins), along with loses in craps games, sports bets, and bets on the golf course.
More importantly, it also does not include the untold millions or tens of millions Ivey has made in the cash poker games, particularly in the lucrative cash games against the Chinese billionaires in Macau. There is simply no way to know how much Ivey has won or lost in those games.
And just how big are those games? Tom Dwan said he had his biggest loss ever at one of the Macau games recently, (his previous biggest recorded loss was $2 million, so we know it's more than that.)
For his part, Ivey shared with ESPN some info as to the stakes he plays: "You could play in a poker game where you could lose five, ten million."
Ivey's real net worth would also need to include the equity in his cars, homes, and business interests.
Ivey, for example, owns a home on the golf course in Las Vegas, and one in Cabo, Mexico. According to the great poker writer Michael Kaplan, Ivey owns two Rolls Royce "Phantoms" and a Mercedes McLaren – the latter of which costs nearly $500,000.
So given the documented online and live tournament poker profit and subtracting the divorce-related gambling debt, we have a base figure of $6 million. But Ivey's estimate poker net worth is surely higher. In 2015 alone, he had back-to-back losing weeks where he lost $600,000 each week.
In addition, who knows what Ivey's real estate, cars, business interests and portfolio is worth? Perhaps more significantly, who knows how much Phil is collecting from the Chinese billionaires in Macau? It has to be worthwhile for him, as he has a home in Macau.
Given the $6 million base figure before real estate, cars, jewelry, etc., (and of course, depending on how much Ivey wins or loses in sports bets, at craps, and in the cash games), it's not unreasonable to picture Phil Ivey's net worth in the $35 million to $50 million range, unless he is completely dominating the Macau game, in which case it could reach up to $60 to $70 million.


text:
A simple method for centering divs that I usually use is:
The CSS
#content { width: 800px; margin: 0 auto; }
The HTML
something here
What this does is creates a div 800 pixels wide then sets the top and bottom to 0 pixels then sets the left and right margins to be auto. This makes the browser give the div equal spacing on either side.
This should work in all major browsers including IE7, IE8, Firefox, Chrome and Safari.


text:
14 House and Garden Plants That Are Poisonous for Kids
When it comes to babyproofing your house, there are some obvious to-dos: Gate off the stairs, lock the cabinets, cover the outlets. But there's one thing you might have missed. "We don't usually think about the plants that live in and around the house and how they can pose a risk to our little ones," says Katie Friedman, MD, a Florida-based pediatrician and cofounder of Forever Freckled. "It's important to educate yourself on the different plant species in and around your home and whether they can be poisonous to your baby."
To learn which plants are poisonous, head to your local poison center, suggests Cathleen Clancy, MD, associate medical director of the National Capital Poison Center in Washington, DC. "Bring your plants to the poison center to learn which are poisonous, and also learn their names and teach them to your kids." Clancy says the best way to childproof your house when it comes to plants is to teach children not to put anything in their mouths that isn't food. Be sure to place any poisonous plants (as well as low-hanging plants in large pots) out of kids' reach.
The good news is that most houseplants are safe for infants and toddlers. "Even if they put a small piece of a poisonous plant in their mouth, it typically don't taste very good, so a child will usually spit it out and will very rarely go for a second helping," Friedman says. "Touching or ingesting a poisonous plant may lead to a simple skin reaction or upset stomach. However, there are certain poisonous plants that, if ingested in larger amounts, can result in life-threatening symptoms."
If you think your child has come in contact with or ingested any of the following poisonous plants, assess the situation. If she's experiencing any difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or swelling of the mouth or throat, your first call should be to 911, as she could be suffering from a life-threatening emergency, and time is of the essence. If she develops a skin reaction or upset stomach, call your child's doctor and have her evaluated. You can also call the poison control hotline (800.222.1222). The staff may not always be able to identify the plant over the phone, but they can advise you on what to do next, based on your child's symptoms and what the plant looks like.
Here's what you need to know about these common but poisonous plants that may be in or around your home:
Plenty of families have pots of philodendron scattered around the house, since they're among the easiest to care for. But beware: While not fatal, eating these poisonous houseplants can cause irritated skin, nausea, burning and swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat, vomiting and diarrhea.
Pothos is another highly popular houseplant, with pointed, heart-shaped leaves in white, yellow or pale green. Taking a bite won't kill you, but it can prove to be pretty irritating. If you think your child may have taken a nibble, keep an eye out for possible symptoms, including burning and swelling of the mouth, lips and tongue, difficulty speaking or swallowing, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
A fast-growing climber, English ivy is commonly found in people's homes, on building exteriors and under trees as a ground covering. But if eaten, these poisonous plants can irritate the mouth and cause soreness. In large amounts, it can cause severe swelling farther down the throat.
Known for their lovely white bulbs, Easter lilies are often brought home in beautiful bouquets. But keep in mind, these poisonous plants can irritate the mouth and throat and even cause nausea or vomiting when swallowed.
Sometimes planted in gardens around the home, this beautiful flowering shrub is known for its white, pink or yellow blossoms—and for being one of the most poisonous plants around the house. It has a lethal cardiac toxin that, if ingested, can cause nausea, vomiting, a slow heartbeat, low blood pressure (which can lead to sleepiness) and even death. If you suspect your child has eaten oleander, head to the emergency room immediately.
These trumpet-shaped flowers may seem perfectly innocent, but they can make your little ones sick. Though they're not very poisonous, they can do some harm if a lot are eaten. Depending on how much is ingested, they can irritate the mouth and throat and cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Also known as dumb cane or leopard lily, this houseplant's mix of of green, white and yellow leaves makes it stand out—as does the fact that it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate a child's skin and mouth and, if eaten in large quantities, lead to nausea and vomiting.
Peace lilies are hardy plants with dark green leaves and white flowers, and are popular among homeowners with less-than-green thumbs. But like dumb cane, these poisonous houseplants also contain calcium oxalate crystals, so ingesting them can lead to the same symptoms of irritated skin and mouth, nausea and vomiting.
It may be a universal symbol of joy and good cheer, but this holiday favorite is actually on the list of poisonous plants. Eating mistletoe can cause gastroenteritis, an intestinal infection that comes with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever. It can also lead to a drop in blood pressure, though the American mistletoe appears to be less toxic than the European species.
If eaten, this common holiday trimming can put a quick end to your family's merry mood. While the boughs don't pose a danger, the berries are toxic, and eating even just two can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and drowsiness. To protect your little ones from these poisonous plants, always remove the berries before decorating your home with fresh holly.
Caladium, also known as elephant ear, has leaves shaped like arrows, hearts or lances, in color combinations of pink, red, white, rose, green and chartreuse. Commonly kept in the home, these poisonous houseplants can irritate the mucus membranes in the mouth, nose, throat and stomach, and cause nausea and vomiting.
Thanks to their stunning, colorful blooms, azaleas decorate many home lawns and gardens. It's unlikely that your child will get serious poisoning from eating a small piece of the plant—mild symptoms, including mouth irritation, nausea and vomiting are more typical—but swallowing large quantities of these poisonous plants, whether it's the leaves, flowers or nectar, can be life threatening.
Morning glories are a cheerful flower that adorn many backyards. While the blooms aren't dangerous for kids, their seeds are—which is why they're on our list of poisonous plants. The culprit? A chemical similar to LSD, and if a child eats enough of them, they can lead to a variety of symptoms that require medical attention, from diarrhea to hallucinations. If you have a fresh packet of morning glory seeds from the nursery, keep the kids away until the flowers start to grow.
Foxglove is a beautiful bell-shaped flower that grows throughout the US, often cultivated in home gardens. Its white, yellow and pink spring blooms can catch the eye of small children—but they're actually poisonous plants kids should admire from afar. Foxglove is extremely toxic, and eating any part of the plant can cause the heart rate to become dangerously slow or irregular.
Published October 2017
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.


text:
Fortune Brands to invest in liquor business
on 14/04/11 at 2:04 pmIndustry
Fortune Brands Inc. plans to pour money into marketing its liquor brands like Jim Beam and Maker's Mark as it prepares to become a standalone spirits company.
A top executive also says it will keep an eye out for potential acquisitions.
Fortune Brands is spinning off its home and security business, including units that make Titleist golf balls, Moen faucets and MasterBrand cabinets.
Matthew Shattock, president and CEO of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, said earlier this week that the businesses will be shed by late this year.
The commitment to its spirits business comes amid signs of a rebound in U.S. liquor sales at bars and restaurants, Shattock said.
That crucial segment took a big hit during the recession as fewer people ventured out to drink.


text:
Mitt Romney doesn't deny he invested in companies that outsourced jobs to Mexico and China. Doesn't deny that he made a fortune when it happened. Romney only says there's "no evidence" that he was in charge at that point. But newly disclosed documents show Romney was: sole stockholder, CEO, and Chairman, when jobs were shipped overseas.
Here's the evidence, Mr. Romney. Your turn to explain.
Barack Obama Ad: Your Turn
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.


text:
Soil Requirements for Pink Lady Apples
"Crisps Pink" Pink Lady apple trees are a cross between the familiar "Golden Delicious" apple and the red blush "Lady Williams" variety. They are sweet to tart with firm, juicy inner flesh and red- to pink-blushed skin. Apple trees are not fussy about the soil they grow in, as long as it drains well and has the correct pH. Poor drainage quickly causes collar or root rot.
Soil pH
Soil pH is a function of its acid and alkali content, which determines the availability of nutrients for the growing tree. Most apple trees prefer a soil pH of 6.5, which is slightly acidic. Soil in many western state environments tends toward alkalinity and may need to be balanced by homegrown or purchased compost. Compost corrects both acid and alkaline soil pH. It may be added to the top of the soil after the apple tree is planted. Simple pH test kits are available at most home and garden centers.
Soil Amendments
Chemical fertilizer added to the planting hole burns the tree roots, and compost or other soil amendments cause a "clay pot" effect when added to a hole dug for planting. Add all amendments after the tree is planted, spreading them in diameter around the trunk to a point beyond the leaves and branches. Mature homemade or purchased compost nutrients are released slowly into the soil over time and are made available to the growing Pink Lady apple tree as needed.
Soil Drainage
Pink Lady trees are among the 7,500 known varieties of apple trees worldwide. All apple varieties grow and thrive in full sun and well-draining garden or container soil. When water stands in the tree root zone, soil nutrients are prevented from reaching the developing fruit, which results in poorly shaped apples and reduced productivity. Soil should be moist but not soggy to the touch 4 to 5 inches below the surface. Container-grown trees need to be watered daily, while apple trees in the garden get along on deep, weekly irrigation.
Mulching and Protection
Straw, chipped bark, aged pine needles or mature compost can be used to mulch the soil around the Pink Lady apple tree. A 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch helps soil retain moisture, prevents weed growth and provides additional nutrient value as it ages and decomposes. Researchers at the University of California at Davis advise home gardeners that "Organic matter and mulches are better used when applied to the surface of soil around trees after planting and periodically each year." Apply the mulch starting 2 to 3 inches from the tree trunk and extending outward to avoid excess moisture that may encourage fungus or rot problems.
Professional apple tree growers paint the tree trunk from the soil line to the first prominent branch, using white latex paint diluted by 25% with water. This protects the bark from sun damage and the tree from apple borers.
- University of California Master Gardener Program: The California Backyard Orchard: Site Considerations
- Trees of Antiquity: Planting Advice
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: How to Change Your Soil's pH
- Specialty Produce: Pink Lady Apples
- Ohio State University Extension: Growing Apples in the Home Orchard
- Washington State Department of Ecology: Why Compost?
- University of Illinois Extension: Apple Facts
Writer Bio
Joan Norton, M.A., is a licensed psychotherapist and professional writer in the field of women's spirituality. She blogs and has two published books on the subject of Mary Magdalene: "14 Steps To Awaken The Sacred Feminine: Women in the Circle of Mary Magdalene" and "The Mary Magdalene Within."


text:
Be like Xavier, be ready!Journal
Wedding bells are ringing, and there's not a moment to waste. It's time to decide how you and your groomsmen are going to dress to impress. After all, it's your day too!
As with many wedding preparations, it takes a minimum of 10 to 12 weeks from start to finish if you want to fit out your wedding party in made-to-measure tuxes or suits – but the resulting customized look is well worth the wait.
Don't worry – we'll help make it a stress-free experience. Just follow in the footsteps of Xavier Gosseye, a Surmesur client, and treat yourself and your groomsmen to a private evening of shopping in one of our boutiques.
Xavier had something standard, nice and comfortable in mind when he walked into the Surmesur boutique in Montreal. Charles, one of our style consultants, proposed something just a little different but perfectly suited to his needs. Together, they created a distinctive wedding ensemble tailored to Xavier's tastes and, of course, everyone's exact measurements.
The result: `The suit was an incredible success in Vegas,' he says. 'Literally everyone stopped me to say how great it looked.'
He adds: 'My wife and I both got an equal number of compliments. She for her dress, and I for my three-piece suit! It was really fun. I wasn't expecting so much from my wedding suit, but now I know I'll be wearing it for other occasions!'
His groomsmen, decked out in the same pattern, surely turned a few heads too!
And you? Do you see yourself and your groomsmen in classic tuxedoes, or maybe a two-piece or three-piece suit with a colourful tie or bowtie? Our style consultants will take care of you every step of the way to create the perfect outfit for your big day.
With more than 8,000 fabrics to choose from, and the inspiration you can get from our wedding lookbook onpinterest.com/SurmesurMan, the possibilities are limitless.
We'll look after you just like we looked after Xavier, no matter what your needs.


text:
Full Digital Photography Service
We offer you lots of options as far as photography is concerned, we will even take photos you have taken and do our magic to make them so much better.
- Connector.
Complete Digital retouching service
- Connector.
Compositing Work
Remove add and cleanup the image
- Connector.
Product Image Sourcing
Sourcing and Editing Images


text:
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
What are you doing with them?
While I was there a phone call came in on my cell. I sent it to voicemail, because I have that option even though I do not have a voice mail set up. But I could see the caller ID. Once I left the school I called the guy back. He is bringing us 15-20 telephone poles over in the next few days
Husband was all giddy. "Wasn't expecting that many!" I informed Husband that the guy said that was the minimum he would be bringing over, as soon as he finds out how many have already been spoken for, we could get more,
Husband's eyes then lit up. "you know what we can do with those? I said I could have a zombie proof fence. Have you seen telephone pole fences? We have some people in town that have one, pretty freakin cool looking, and nothing is getting over them.
Of course Husband nodded. He was thinking about the walipini, and the "ditch". If we get the "ditch" 6 ft deep we can keep my preferred flavor of fish. Husband is all excited about the possibilities right now. I have to get him to narrow his focus and pick one project at a time. These poles are 30 -35 ft a piece!
So I am feeling a bit defeatist this morning. 2 reasons. First we have come to the conclusion we need a bit of help launching the shop and have decided to go ahead a try using the site peerbackers. And the second is that we went and looked at a place, that was close to perfect, except for the carpeting. It was an old post office, everything was concrete blocks, including the floor. We offered to buy the carpet, so we could rip it out and be replaced later, but I got a phone call later with a no. Maybe something else will open up in the next few months.
Do you guys want my noodle recipes? I know you can find them anywhere, but thought I would ask if you wanted mine. Many go through the recipe page at the top of this blog. Well, I should be making noodles tonight, always looks like colorful streamers hanging from my kitchen ceiling.
9 comments:
- johnnyb said...
Don't feel defeated. Faith---faith---faith. Something will come along soon, I'm sure.
- January 10, 2012 7:50 AM
- Phelan said...
Thanks John. I am actually feeling a glimmer of hope now. I sent an email to the owners daughter, who is the one we met with. Thanking her for her time, and that if they change their mind in the next month to let us know, and that we are willing to pay for the carpet.
I got an encouraging email that basically said (I was gracious) that she wants us there, as she lives next door, and that she will work on convincing her mother to lease to us.
- January 10, 2012 8:32 AM
- HermitJim said...
Careful! You'll have all those kids spoiled if you're not careful!
Might force their mothers to try baking at home!
Good luck on the shop hunt!
- January 10, 2012 10:51 AM
- Kim said...
I do webdesign as a hobby if y'all need help. Email me and let me know. Lilac @ readlilawilliams.com. Without the spaces lol. Things have a way of working out!!
- January 10, 2012 11:26 AM
- Kim said...
Lila. Not lilac lol.
- January 10, 2012 11:27 AM
- macbew said...
I'm praying for you and your soon to be shop.I wish I could do more but in 7 days it will have been a year since I had a job.Great news about the poles.And I would love your recipes for noodles.
- January 10, 2012 7:06 PM
- Phelan said...
Hope you find work soon. I know it is hard. My husband was laid off a few years back, he did find work though. My partner was laid off in april, that's why we are starting our own business. And no worries. I was't asking you guys to do anything, I was merely telling you what was happening here.
- January 10, 2012 8:19 PM
Homemade is always better but in our school the new rule is anything brought to school to share has to come frome the store and be in the original package. Now doesn't that beat all. Guess they think folks are going to put something in the food to make the kids sick. Don't know which is worse thinking that a parent would do something like that or the school for being so suspicious that they believe it could happen. Maybe in a large city this might be a factor but in a tiny 202 pupil population where everyone knows or is related to everyone else I don't see it that way. Oh for the good old days.
- January 11, 2012 3:47 PM
- Phelan said...
I have heard of them doing that in the city. We get notes about what kids are allergic to so we know what not to bring up front.
- January 12, 2012 6:01 PM


text:
How I Stay Active in Each Season of the Year
Daylight saving time happened last weekend, and the changing of the clocks heralded in longer days and warmer weather. I am eagerly anticipating the first day of spring on March 20, and the new season cannot arrive soon enough for me.
Although my home city of Philadelphia wasn't hit by significant snowstorms this winter, the weather was very chilly. On some days, the temperatures were in the teens, and small snowstorms made the sidewalks slippy with slush. Living with Friedreich's ataxia (FA), I find the cold weather increasingly difficult to bear. Rollators and ice do not go well together.
I look forward to warmer days when I can go outside on my recumbent trike. I have the Villager model by Catrike. You can't miss me when I'm on it, as it's bright orange. I have named my trike "Nemo," after the eponymous character in the Disney Pixar movie, "Finding Nemo," because of the color. Nemo is a clownfish whose difficulties with swimming remind me of FA.
I am thankful for my trike. There is no better feeling than riding with the wind in my face and having a sense of being in complete control. Walking is becoming a challenge because of balance problems as my FA progresses. But when I'm on my trike, I can sit back and relax while my legs do the work without worrying about falling over. I believe that I can conquer anything I set my mind to.
The Friedreich's Ataxia News forums are a place to connect with other patients, share tips and talk about the latest research. Check them out today!
During the winter, I exercise on a stationary recumbent bike housed in my one-bedroom apartment. This equipment allows me to stay active and work out at my convenience without stepping outside my front door.
Being able to exercise despite my limitations means a lot to me. That's why I told my parents that I wanted a new workout tool for my last birthday. My previous stationary bike was on its last legs, so my parents gave me a Fitnation Flex Bike as a present.
This model is an upright recumbent bike that provides a total workout experience. I love that it has multiple magnetic resistance levels allowing me to personalize my routine. The pedals have straps attached so that my feet feel secure, and a bonus is its upper-body resistance bands. The bike folds up, which saves space in my small city apartment.
My recumbent stationary bike and trike help me to build up my strength as I battle this disease. These exercise sessions complement my physical therapy. Without them, I fear that my body will begin to deteriorate. I use my stationary recumbent bike five or six days a week for at least an hour at a time. My husband sometimes thinks I am a little obsessive about it. But the reason I push myself to stay active is to maintain my health and physical strength despite my disability.
Friedreich's Ataxia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.


text:
Mainstream media is sleeping on the most exciting WNBA free agency season in history
Here's our first official installment of #CoveringtheCoverage.
Hello, friends! Welcome to Power Plays. If you're new here, my name is Lindsay Gibbs, and I write this newsletter about sexism in sports three times a week. This work is only possible with your support, so please sign up and share:
Today, we're diving fully into our #CoveringtheCoverage mission, a mere two months after I announced the launch of the project! This newsletter is all about the coverage of WNBA free agency.
Okay, let's get right to it!
WNBA free agency began on Monday. Thanks to the new CBA — which increased the amount of cap space for each team, reduced the number of times a team can core a player ("coring" is like a franchise tag, essentially), and made max contracts much more enticing for elite players — it has been the most consequential free agency season in WNBA history, and we're only three days in.
I've been glued to my twitter timeline, eagerly awaiting updates from High Post Hoops, Winsidr's Rachel Galligan, and Women's Basketball 24/7, a site run by former WNBA All-Star Mo Currie. Matt Ellentuck at SB Nation has provided phenomenal coverage, as has The Athletic WNBA, and beat reporters around the country such as Madeline Kenney for the Chicago Sun Times, Jeff Metcalfe of the Arizona Republic, Ava Wallace at the Washington Post, Bria Felicien at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Alexa Philippou at the Hartford Courant, and many more.
If you're dialed in, and you wanted to seek out information about WNBA free agency, the information has been there. And it's been thrilling to follow. I agree with Matt Ellentuck when he says:
(The salary database maintained by Howard Megdal at High Post Hoops deserves a lot of credit for this uptick, too.)
But, as amazing as all of this coverage is, it still has a limited audience. To really figure out whether any of this excitement was breaking through, I wanted to look at how mainstream media was covering WNBA free agency. So, I watched seven hours of ESPN and looked at the print newspaper coverage of 14 papers — one big-time local paper in each WNBA team's market, plus USA Today and The Wall Street Journal — to see if casual fans were being exposed to the excitement of a free agency season involving moves or significant re-signings by Elena Delle Donne, Jonquel Jones, DeWanna Bonner, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Kristi Toliver, Angel McCoughtry, and more.
For this exercise, I was specifically looking for WNBA free agency coverage — and in the local markets, I was looking for coverage of their team. General women's basketball stories didn't count. Here's what I found.
ESPN talking heads ignored it completely
I was cautiously optimistic about how ESPN would cover free agency, because on Monday night during the UConn vs. South Carolina game on ESPN2, they had big free agency news running on the ticker, and after the game, they went to a studio where a group of hosts, including Rebecca Lobo, broke down some of the news.
But in the seven hours of ESPN I watched on Tuesday and Wednesday — including High Noon, Highly Questionable, Around The Horn, Pardon The Interruption, SportsCenter, Get Up, and First Take — WNBA free agency wasn't mentioned once. Instead, every single show recycled the exact same topics: Philip Rivers and Tom Brady's free agency options (NFL free agency is more than a month away), Joel Embiid's twitter account, and Zion.
I truly thought that at least one two-minute segment in at least half of those shows would be devoted to WNBA free agency. It was infuriating that the only time I heard it shouted out was when Rachel Nichols gave Elena Delle Donne props for signing a new four-year contract with the Mystics as The Jump was going off air.
There are so many talented people at ESPN who could talk about the WNBA free agency drama, and the storylines are so good that its biggest talents should want to engage with them. I promise if nothing else, it'll allow them to save one Brady take for a later show. They've got to be running out by now!
And need I remind anyone that ESPN is the WNBA's television partner?!
Gracing the cover: Las Vegas Review-Journal, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Washington Post, Arizona Republic
Let's start with the positive.
Free agency kicked off with Angel McCoughtry leaving the Atlanta Dream and signing with the Las Vegas Aces. The Las Vegas Review-Journal gave the deal the front-page treatment it deserved, and added a phenomenal headline to boot. This is the only newspaper that gave a WNBA free agency move front page, above-the-fold treatment with a photo. More of that, please.
(A screenshot of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2/11/2020)
Unfortunately, the LVRJ didn't publish any follow-up coverage of the big move on Wednesday, but there will be time for that.
Meanwhile in Atlanta, the McCoughtry move did make the front page of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, even though it was below the fold. The rest of the McCoughtry article continued on the second page, and included a little information about the Brittney Sykes and Marie Gulich trade for Kalani Brown. That was really nice to see.
(A screenshot of Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2/11/2020)
Like in Vegas, there was no follow-up in Wednesday's paper, but in their defense, the Dream haven't made any other moves yet.
The other huge news on Monday was Kristi Toliver leaving the Washington Mystics and going back to her former team, the Los Angeles Sparks. The Washington Post put a great story by Ava Wallace in a sidebar on the front page.
(A screenshot of The Washington Post, 2/11/2020)
I was more frustrated with the Post's story placement on Wednesday. On Tuesday, news broke that Elena Delle Donne — the reigning MVP and by far the most talented and accomplished basketball player in the city right now — had inked a four-year deal to stay with the team. Now, this wasn't exactly a surprise; all indications had been that she'd return. But still, locking up the city's best player for four more years seems like front-page news to me.
Instead, it was on the sixth page of the sports section. There was a very small note about the news on the front page, but it would be quite easy to miss. (In fact, I have drawn a beautiful arrow below so that you don't.)
(A screenshot of The Washington Post, pages D and D6, 2/12/2020)
To round out our front-page treatment, we have the Arizona Republic. Now, look. I honestly have a hard time giving them any props. DeWanna Bonner's free agency was one of the three biggest stories heading into this free agency season, and yet, on Tuesday, the Arizona Republic had absolutely zero coverage of it in the paper. None. No speculation, no analysis, nothing.
But on Wednesday, after it was announced that she was traded to the Connecticut Sun, Bonner's departure did get crammed onto the front page. Do I think this was good enough for a player that has meant so much to the franchise for so long? Absolutely not. But it's there.
(A screenshot of the Arizona Republic, 2/12/2020)
Now, if the Phoenix Mercury landing Skylar Diggins-Smith isn't the biggest front-page story in Thursday's paper, it's time to revolt.
Partial credit: The Hartford Courant
The Hartford Courant has some of the best women's basketball coverage in the nation, with a full-time reporter on the UConn women and the Connecticut Sun, Alexa Philippou. And I understand that they're pretty wrapped up in college season right now.
Still, the Sun were the finalists last year, and have had two of the biggest moves in WNBA free agency so far — re-signing Jonquel Jones, and trading for DeWanna Bonner. However, neither of those stories made it anywhere close to the front page of the sports section. In fact, they were both buried pretty far back in the sections.
(A screenshot of The Hartfod Courant, page C6, 2/11/2020)
It was slightly understandable on Tuesday, since UConn just suffered a big loss to South Carolina the night before. But on Wednesday, I mean, I've put the front page for you all below so you can see if anything could have been shifted back to accommodate the blockbuster Bonner news.
(A screenshot of The Hartford Courant, pages C and C5, 2/12/2020)
Barely scraping by: The Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times, and Dallas Morning News
The Seattle Storm have been relatively quiet in free agency so far, in part because they have such a talented squad in place. But you would need to be actively scouring the The Seattle Times to even know it's free agency season. There was nothing at all in Wednesday's paper, and in Tuesday's paper, the news about acquiring Morgan Tuck was buried in a bigger section about Swin Cash and Lauren Jackson being named to the Women's Basketball hall of Fame.
(A screenshot of The Seattle Times, page B3, 2/11/2020)
Given how big the story was, I was even more upset with how the Los Angeles Times handled Kristi Toliver returning to the Los Angeles Sparks. It was on the final page of the section, after at least three Philip Rivers features.
(A screenshot of The Los Angeles Times, page D6, 2/11/2020)
There was zero follow-up on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, while the Dallas Wings and pending Skylar Diggins-Smith trade was the x-factor hanging over the first two days of free agency, you wouldn't have even known there was any story there at all if you were just reading the Dallas Morning News.
(A screenshot the Dallas Morning News, page 2C, 2/11/2020)
It's not like they forgot about WNBA free agency altogether. In case you can't see it in the above screenshot, I've zoomed in for you, so you can see the cunning analysis.
The blurb doesn't even mention Skylar Diggins-Smith's name! How is that possible? And things weren't any better on Wednesday. It was relegated to the same bottom left corner round-up, this time all about Isabelle Harrison, with no mention of the face of the franchise awaiting a trade.
(A screenshot of the Dallas Morning News, page 2C, 2/12/2020)
I'm honestly flabbergasted by that. It's Skylar Diggins-Smith! I'll be curious if Thursday's paper will mention her, now that she's officially been traded to the Mercury. (I'm not holding my breath.)
Facing a failure: IndyStar, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, New York Times, Star Tribune, and Wall Street Journal
I'm not giving out final grades, because we're only a few days into free agency, and a few of these papers are in markets that haven't made any splashy moves yet.
Still, it's hard to imagine any of these papers being radio silent at the start of NBA free agency. So they're on thin ice.
(And, honestly, the New York Times and USA Today have zero excuses. They should be embarrassed.)
Main takeaway: So much bullshit is written and said about men's sports
Being immersed in newspapers and ESPN talk shows over the past two days has really hammered one thing home to me: Everyone is telling the exact same stories about men's sports, over and over again. There is a lot of space to fill, in papers and on television, and its being filled with so much meaningless bullshit.
Yes, I'm aware of ratings and popularity and the fact that men's sports are far ahead of women's pro sports when it comes to building fanbases. And I know the coverage of women's sports is moving, ever incrementally, in the right direction. But I also know that some of these free agency moves are objectively more important, short-term and long-term, for both individual markets and the sports landscape at large than a midseason NBA game, Tom Brady liking a Philip Rivers post on Instagram, or a 10-minute argument in early February about whether or not Zion Williamson can be the NBA's Rookie of the Year. I know that local and national audiences will give a damn if they're exposed to it. And I know that I am beyond done accepting the bare minimum.
Nobody is asking for 100% coverage equality overnight. But the Powers That Be must immediately stop actively burying significant women's sports stories. It's time to add a little water, step back, and watch them bloom.
Phew. That's all for today. Follow Power Plays on Instagram, where I will keep #coveringthecoverage.


text:
2011 Optima Open recap – part 2
Second part of my Optima Open recap. First part here.
Henri Leconte vs Carlos Moya
A really entertaining match, with the fanciful Leconte at his best: he interacts and jokes with the crowd and plays some incredible tennis. It was really Henri's one man show.
Moya wins in 2 disputed sets 7-6 (5) 7-5.
Mats Wilander vs Richard Krajicek
A tight match between Wilander and Krajicek, and a beautiful opposition of styles. Krajicek wins 7-6 (5) 4-6 10-1 and qualifies for the Sunday's final.
On Saturday, Forget won against Leconte and lost to Moya, and Wilander beat Borg in the battle of Sweden.
Krajicek lost to Moya in final in straight sets 3-6 2-6. Second title for the Spaniard on the Seniors Tour after his victory in Sao Paulo in May.
The third/fourth place play-off was won by Guy Forget, who beat former World No.1 Mats Wilander.
I really had a great time at the Optima Open and hope to come back next year.
Note for the tournament director: if you could invite Edberg, Rafter and Safin it would be even better!
Next stop of the Champions Tour: Chengdu, China for the third annual Chengdu Open at the Sichuan International Tennis Centre (October 27-30). The Trophée Lagardère was supposed to take place in Paris from September 30th to October 2nd but apparently it has been cancelled as it has completely disappeared from the ATP Champions Tour homepage.


text:
Why Diageo Is Up 22% This Year
LONDON -- Diageo (ISE: DGE.L) (NYS: DEO) has advanced 22% to 1,715 pence so far during 2012, making the share one of this year's best performers in the FTSE 100.
The drinks group, which boasts brands such as Guinness, Johnnie Walker, and Captain Morgan, has defied the wider economic gloom with a series of positive statements.
During February, Diageo reported half-year results that showed net sales up 7% to 5.76 billion pounds and underlying operating profit up 9% to 1.87 billion pounds. Progress in emerging markets was a particular highlight, with profit in such regions up 23%. The interim dividend was raised 7% to 16.6 pence per share.
During May, Diageo issued a trading statement that confirmed total sales had improved 11% during the group's third quarter.
Then in August, Diageo revealed that full-year sales had advanced 8% to 10.76 billion pounds, and operating profit had improved 9% to 3.2 billion. The greatest progress occurred in Africa, where sales gained 11%, and Latin America and the Caribbean, where sales increased 19%. The annual dividend was lifted 8% to 43.5 pence per share, too.
Paul Walsh, Diageo's chief executive, said at the time:
Diageo is a strong business, getting stronger and the results we released show that very clearly. We have increased our presence in the faster growing markets of the world, through both acquisitions and strong organic growth. We have enhanced our leading brand positions globally, through effective marketing and industry-leading innovation and we have strengthened our routes to market. 6% organic top line growth, 9% operating profit growth and 60 basis points of margin expansion is a strong performance and demonstrates our commitment to delivering efficient growth.
Diageo's first-quarter update will coincide with the group's annual general meeting on Oct. 17, and it may provide further positive news.
More blue-chip winners of 2012 are revealed in "8 Shares Held by Britain's Super-Investor," an exclusive Fool report that names the FTSE shares the market-trouncing City investor Neil Woodford is backing today and explains the investing logic behind them. You can discover the potential winners Woodford favors right now by downloading this free report while it remains available.
Are you looking to profit from this uncertain economy? "10 Steps To Making A Million In The Market" is the very latest Motley Fool guide to help Britain invest. Better. We urge you to read the report today -- it's free.
Further Motley Fool investment opportunities:
The article Why Diageo Is Up 22% This Year originally appeared on Fool.com.
Maynard does not own any share mentioned in this article.Motley Fool newsletter serviceshave recommended buying shares of Diageo. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days.
Copyright © 1995 - 2012 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


text:
The Bhut Jolokia / Naga Jolokia/ Ghost Chilli etc.
as it is known by different names is ranked by
The Guiness Book of Word Records as the hottest
chilli on earth. With an scoville rating of over
1,000,000 it is largely found in North-Eastern
states of Assam and Nagaland in India.


text:
This was cross-posted on The Asexual Agenda.
Some time ago, I did analysis of the 2011 Asexual Awareness Week Community Census. It is the largest asexual community survey (~3400 respondents) that we have. Now I find myself referring to it time and time again, because it is so relevant to virtually everything we talk about in the asexual community.
For example, a common dynamic in the asexual community (especially AVEN) is that people feel so alone, and want to find other people who are just like them. "Aren't there any other aces who experience _____???" The other day I reassured someone on AVEN that plenty of aces feel repulsed by sex. But I can say more than that. Repulsed people are in the majority in the community (55%). You may have felt alone, but that was just a matter of perception! A lot of times when people feel alone, it is just a matter of perception.
Of course, not all the things we talk about in the community are common. For example, many people doing visibility work are quick to tell people that aces can also have or enjoy sex. And that's true. But sometimes people complain that this is too confusing. If people who have sex and like it can be asexual, does the word even have any meaning?
But it isn't really that confusing, as long as you have a sense of perspective. Yes asexuals can like sex, but it's only a small minority (1% of asexuals, 4% of gray-As, and 11% of demisexuals, 4% overall). Doesn't it make sense that at least some asexuals would like sex? And even though I am among those 4%, I think it's perfectly sensible for people to frequently discuss things that are relevant to only 96% of the community.
Or consider the perpetual debate over whether heteroromantics and aromantics are queer. Did you know that only 22% of the community is heteroromantic? And only 13% of those people identify with the LGBT community? I'm not going to forsake queer heteroromantics just because they make up a measly 2% of the community, but it should give us a sense of perspective. When we argue that heteroromantics have the right to some space in LGBT communities, we should remember that most heteroromantics aren't interested in exercising that right. I'm more worried about aromantics, among whom 31% identify with the LGBT community.
Besides the critical perspective offered by the survey, there's a lot of stuff that's just plain interesting. For instance, you can see some of the differences between AVEN and tumblr, the two major asexual communities of today. Compared to tumblr, AVEN has more men (16% vs 11%), more heteroromantics (25% vs 17%), and fewer bi/panromantics (19% vs 27%). This isn't too surprising if you're familiar with the respective cultures of tumblr and AVEN.
Currently, even further analysis of the data is in the works (not by me). What other trends will we dig up?
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Why ace community demographics matter
Posted by trivialknot at 7:21 PM
Categories: asexuality, lgbta
2 comments:
- Wonktnodi said...
Sorry to be posting here, but comments are closed on the post I'm interested in : Asexuality is queer. Did you get my mail about translating this post ?
- November 12, 2012 at 2:09 AM
- miller said...
I just got it now, thanks for telling me.
- November 12, 2012 at 8:03 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
It's not so much that I want to shop, though I have been known to snap up old photos or postcards. Flea markets hold more anthropological than commercial appeal for me. They offer up randomly valued personal objects from previous lives, all displayed on folding tables for the eyes of strangers.
At the flea market in Vienna, Austria, you'll find traces of the once-thriving Jewish community and be blindsided by history. In Yakima, Washington, maybe a little deerskin bag embellished with a hummingbird comprised of tiny glass beads, so delicate among the used tools. In Everett, Washington, a collection of porcine ceramics, begging the question: Why would you bother collecting all these little pigs if only to sell them again in the dusty parking lot of a former drive-in movie theater?


text:
Decorative films can be cut into one-of-a-kind patterns and designs to fit your building's existing layout. This will create a unique atmosphere that welcomes customers and inspires employees.
Frost Matte by Madico decorative film can be used to increase privacy or for decorative design applications. Its translucent appearance mimics etched glass for a fraction of the cost and is removable.
Ideal for design applications in:
- office buildings
- bathrooms
- restaurants
- glass doors
- retail environments
- spaces where you may want to alter the opacity of glass
Frost Matte is a popular product for use in conference rooms to allow daylight into the space while maintaining privacy. The film also works great with film plotters such as MACS to create custom logos and designs.


text:
How to find unique style that represents you?
Today I'm going to talk about personal style, what is it and how to find it? When I was younger I was obsessed with fact that I need to have my own personal fashion style that people will recognize me for. To be honest finding your personal style might be one of those hard things…… Continue reading How to find unique style that represents you?


text:
Logbook Loans Shelton
Get easy, convenient cash with Shelton logbook loans
Need to borrow up to £50,000 whilst still driving your car? You can do this and receive money the same day!. You can even receive your money in under 24 hours if your car is free of finance and you meet the criteria.
Other loan types will have you jumping through hoops and undergoing credit checks which you won't have to do with Shelton Logbook Loans. If other loan types have refused your application recently, then this could be the answer to your money lending needs.
You can use the money you borrow on anything you want... why not clear some debts, book a holiday or simply give your cashflow a boost. Logbook Loans let you access the funds you require very quickly.
No-risk quotations: Your free logbook loan quote is completely obligation-free so there's no harm in finding out how much you could lend!
Refused loans before? If previous loan applications have been thwarted at the credit-check phase then you'll be pleased to know that may not be an issue!
Keep your keys: Your car remains in your possession so you can drive it as normal throughout your loan period.
60secs to apply: That's right! It only takes a minute to apply for your free Shelton Logbook Loan quote via our online form.
Any reason loans: Need a no-questions asked loan that you can spend however you like? A logbook loan gives you complete control over your money.
Personalise your loans: If you need a loan that can be tailored to your own individual circumstances then get in touch to discuss a Logbook Loan today!
It's not difficult to apply for Shelton Logbook Loan quotes either, just take a minute of your time to complete our short online application form with a few details, a Logbook Loan specialist provider will then contact you to discuss your lending requirements further.
Find out just how much you could borrow today with a free Shelton Logbook Loan quote.


text:
About Us
Adams Commercial Cleaning Inc. is a family owned and operated company serving the Greater Baton Rouge area since 2008. We take clean very seriously.
We require that all of our staff become certified through JanBid, a nationally recognized janitorial services training program. This means that our crews are well prepared and knowledgeable on:
Our Ethic
We provide our clients with superior and reliable service. All the staff members at Adams Commercial Cleaning takes a Pledge of Excellence. Our main goal is to ensure that your employees work in a safe and clean space.
We only use certified green cleaning products made by Melaleuca. Melaleuca combines science and nature for safe and effective cleaning.


text:
Debugging Embedded Linux Systems
Despite their limitations, the simple flat-memory models of legacy home grown and commercial embedded operating systems are usually easy to debug. Debugging an embedded Linux system, where MMU translations are enabled and context switches across user modes are permitted at any time, requires new methods. This paper will discuss the challenges of debugging multi-threaded embedded Linux applications as well as the Linux kernel and device drivers. Techniques for debugging individual threads, processes, loadable kernel modules, and new hardware will be presented.
Please disable any pop-up blockers for proper viewing of this Whitepaper.


text:
When Erik and Lindsay Curren, now husband and wife, first met, they discovered that they shared an interest. Ever since each of them was a kid, they loved solar panels and were fascinated by clean energy. So, in 2010 when they founded the Curren Media Group, they wanted to use communications to help spread clean energy around America.
Erik Curren, CEO and Co-founder
Erik has gotten coverage for his clients and his own businesses in national news media outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Orange County Register and Fast Company magazine.
After graduating from UC Irvine (Go 'Eaters!), a stint with international PR and public affairs agency Hill and Knowlton in L.A. and San Francisco brought Erik into the fast-moving world of Silicon Valley tech startups.
After relocating to the East Coast to run the Washington, DC office of a PR agency representing advocacy groups for clean energy and the environment, Erik found himself in Virginia as a salesman for the state's pioneering commercial solar developer, Secure Futures. There, Erik closed the deal for what would become, at the time, the state's largest PV array.
Since then, Erik has consulted with solar companies and independent solar sales representatives across the US, from California to Massachusetts, and also internationally, from the UK to India and West Africa.
His latest book, The Solar Patriot: A Citizen's Guide to Helping America Win Clean Energy Independence, came out in early 2018. His previous book The Solar Sales Leap, addressed to managers and salespeople at solar companies, was published in the fall of 2016.
Lindsay Curren, Creative Director and Co-founder
Energy Journalism and Marketing. Lindsay has three decades of experience in communications, including several years at the Washington Post's legendary Internet division.
Afterwards, she co-founded and edited an online magazine on energy and sustainability, Transition Voice. She has interviewed visionary thinkers on energy across the spectrum, from solar and energy conservation to oil and gas.
Lindsay works with clients to discover the passion and meaning behind their vision. She helps turn ideas into missions. Since she thrives on collaboration, this makes the process fun! Behind this is a strategy designed for results.


text:
"Empowering a creative and passionate community through innovation."
Monstercat's mission has most certainly come to fruition since its launch in 2011 as the independent label seeks to expose electronic music lovers to a range of genres and artists.
With over 1 million followers on SoundCloud alone, the Vancouver imprint continues to excel as a leading tastemaker and takes pride in its diversity. The genuine nature of the label has earned it much respect in the industry among fans and artists alike. Monstercat takes its role seriously, which is why we keep coming back for more.
Coming up on 2018 — we want to know what types of tracks you, personally, love to hear on Monstercat as the label continues to evolve. Is it the melodic, vocal driven tracks? The more experimental side? Or, perhaps you're there for the bangers!
Let us know in the poll below:
What type of tracks keep you listening to @Monstercat? 🤔
— Your EDM (@YourEDM) October 23, 2017
More on Monstercat here.