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Now the IF/AF part is working, it's time for the next part of the receiver: HF amplifier, Local Oscillator and Mixer. That is located on the second subchassis, so it's time for some more sawing, drilling and soldering.
Again the subchassis is made from double sided printed circuit board, that can be obtained cheap at radio-markets.
Building the second subchassis
The tuning capacitor is not mounted on the platform, but on the side. I used rings to bring the capacitor to the correct position. I had to drill the holes in the rings a bit larger, becaus it was an English capacitor and thus the diameter was not 3mm but slightly more. Fortunately I had two bolts in my Strange Metrics Drawer that fitted...
The platform does not run through to the frontpanel, as you can see. Probably to give the 6x3 2-deck switch some space. At the top and the bottom you see the supports for the strips that will carry the trimmers and coils for the three bands.
Bottom view of the second subchassis.
At the top side of the platform, the copper was removed from the holes for the IF-transformer with a large drill, and a grinder was used on the other side to separate the connections to the transformer. Here also the supports for the trimmers/coils can be seen.
Let's have a look at the schematic for this part:
Schematic of the receiver part. Click HERE for a large version.
On the left are the tuning coils with the trimmers, with both the coupling winding and the resonating winding connected to the bandswitch. That signal is routed to a grid of the valve for HF amplification. On the right you see the part of the circuit that makes the local oscillator. It is a Hartley oscillator which means that the cathode is connected to a tap of the coil. There is no information on the number of turns of the coupling winding and the position of the tap, so that means calculating and experimenting. The valve also acts as a mixer, which means it fulfills 3 functions. The resulting products are filtered by the IF transformer and routed to the IF/AF part.
The capacitors in series with the tuning capacitor in the Local Oscillator are Padders which take care of the synchronisation between receiving and LO-frequencies. But their values were way off according to my calculations. So I used values that are more like what I calculated.
Soldering has started...
Chassis painted, more parts in place
Now some mechanical work. The gear wheels had to be prepared; a scale had to be glued to one of the gear wheels, and a spindle extender had to be glued to the other gear wheel that will be the connection between the knob and the capacitor, and will drive the tuning scale wheel.
Prepared gear wheels. On the left with spindle extender, on the right with tuning scale.
After preparing the gear wheels and the drilling of the hole for reading the scale, the receiver front was painted with non-ferro primer:
Painted frontpanel
One of the challenges was making the coils. Because there is no information on the coils whatsoever, I had to calculate the values from the value of the tuning capacitor and the desired frequency range. Without boring you all with the formula's, take for granted that the value of the coil at the antenna side has to be about 19uH. I bought a bag of Neosid coilsets for 1-5 and 5-15MHz. They consist of a coil former with core, a ferrite bus that covers the windings and a copper housing. The Al-value of the coil for 1-5MHz was given as 13nH. You can use that to calculate the number of turns for a certain inductance using this formula:
L = N2 x Al
and that means about 39 turns are needed. So far the easy part. But the number of turns on the antenna side is a bit of a gamble. I used 6 turns, which means a impedance ratio of about 42. And that results in a 2000 Ohm impedance on the valve side using a 50 Ohm antenna. Whether that will turn out to be correct has to be seen...
The first coil ready for use.
As soon as the paint on the front had dried, I started mounting the controls. First the vernier dial, that had to be taken apart before mounting. This because the hole was made just large enough for the knob's base. But then the knob itself does not fit and so I had to take it apart. The areal input is made from a pertinax banana-plug receptable that I found in a dump store.
First items mounted..
The white stains above the knob is glue which I used to fasten a hair from my paintbrush that will function as reference for reading the scale and is glued across the looking hole.
Finally the scale was printed and glued to the disk that in turn was glued to one of the gear wheels. Because the gear ratio is 40:45, the tuning capacitor's range of 0 - 180 degrees is extended to 202,5o on the scale. That's why just over half the circle is used, which increases readability.
Bandswitch and scale with gear wheels in place.
Now is the time to mount the two subchassis to the frontpanel, using 5mm spacers. In spite of all layers of paint, everything fitted. The assembly really looks like the original:
Subchassis mounted. Look at the first coil mounted to the upper strip with trimmers.
I found some bakelite rectangular knobs on Ebay and those are used now for the receiver. The tuning scale is not very clear on the picture; at the lower right corner you can see the hole for the future power cable.
The result so far.
Also the antenna receptable is clearly visible now, and the connector for the headphones. The finger plates are of course still missing, but now it is time to connect everything together and see if it works.
I use a nice little program called FrontDesigner to design the finger plates. Anyone who wants the sources: drop me a line... Accuracy is needed, because the finger plates have to cover the holes very precise. To check that, I printed them on paper and cut them with a pair of scissors, just to see if I did not make any mistakes. Besides I put the required texts on the knobs. The result:
I ordered photopositive lacquer from ELV which I will use to make brass sheet light-sensitive, similar to making PCB's. The idea is to use some corrosive chemicals that will blacken uncovered parts of the brass, and when removing the lacquer, leaves the shiny parts. I don't own the necessary parts for making PCB's, but Hugo PA2HW does... And again he offered to help me.


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April 30, 2007
Name: @WR
Posting date: 4/30/07
Returned from: Iraq
Milblog url: walterreed.blogspot.com
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
1. Always have a notepad, pen, watch, knife, and flashlight on hand.
In life, as in the Army, there are always unforeseen events. An important note needs to be taken, you need the precise time, something needs to be fixed, or you just can't find your way. All these items are small and cheap; lifesavers when you have them, deal breakers when you don't.
2. Have a copy of everything. If it's important, have two copies.
If it has your name on it, then you need a copy. If it affects your health, paycheck, or other element of well-being, then you need two copies. Records get lost, computers crash, and sometimes people just need to see a piece of 80 bond under their noses to get anything done.
3. Make friends wherever you go.
It doesn't matter if you are there for 20 minutes or 20 months, make friends. Inevitably, you will see them again. You will go to where they are. They will go to where you will be. And at the end of the day friends are the only ones covering the front of your position.
4. Make an SOP. Know the SOP. Work the SOP.
Civilian. Military. It doesn't matter. There should be a Standard Operating Procedure for daily life. Often we don't have fulfilling days or lives because "we just don't have time" and that is because we often don't have good processes. On the battlefield there is a place for everything, and everything in its place. There is a rote routine (often personal) for everything from showering in the morning to they way we check our gear. We do this because often there are times when there is no time, but the task still needs to get done. Routine accomplishes this, and we accomplish more when we have a routine.
5. Sleep.
Sleep is one of the things in life we don't appreciate until we aren't getting it. Sleep recharges us, heals us, and lets us put a new perspective on the world. If it was bad when you went to sleep and it's still bad when you wake up, well then I guess you weren't missing anything. If by chance it's better when you wake up, then apparently the world doesn't rest upon your shoulders. So take a nap, Atlas.
6. Don't go cheap.
I didn't grow up with money. I have learned to make due with what is available. There are times, however, that you can't afford to go cheap. Whether it be getting the brakes fixed on your HUMVEE or your Ford, get it done, get it done by a professional, and get the warranty. If you are buying shoes (speaking from personal experience) don't get them because they are cheaper. Get them because they are comfortable and durable. If you don't, it'll be more than your wallet that will hurt.
7. Find humor everywhere.
I have been in some pretty crappy places, some pretty crappy situations, and yet forced myself to find some humor, somewhere. It helps you cope. It takes the sting out of the painful, awkward, or otherwise difficult moments in life. And humor is one of those conversations you can have with yourself, because you always get your own jokes. As a side note, as much as it may pain you, never ridicule someone for their dark sense of humor. We aren't them and they aren't us, and we are all just trying to get by. I think Plato put this in perspective best by saying, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle."
8. Don't tolerate oppression.
To quote someone more intelligent than myself: "First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me." Stand up for what you think is right. In the end if you were wrong, so be it.
9. Tell your Story.
Battles are decided not only by the Soldiers on the field, the armament, or the weather. They are also won and lost by the lessons learned from prior battles. We learn these lessons because someone told their story. As a young Soldier I was a sponge for knowledge; it was before the current age of mass communication. Older Soldiers told their stories in hopes that a single silver strand of wisdom would be gleaned and be passed on. It is part of what we contribute to society. When we can glean wisdom from the lessons others have learned, we can avoid repeating the hardships by which they gained that knowledge. And by sharing our lessons we are helping someone else. That is one of our greatest contributions to humanity.
10. Never forget.
Never forget who you are. Never forget what you have done. Never forget where you are. Never forget what it is you want from this one life we have. Never forget the people that stood behind you in support, beside you in camaraderie, or in front of you in adversity. Never forget to write home. Never forget that someone is missing you. Never forget what you have learned. Never forget to share what you have learned. Never forget anything; lest you forget everything.

subset: commoncrawl


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The giant ö for the Lokönenie tarp.
History of the project
Box project started back in 2004 and has undergone various changes under way from The Travellers Secret Box to The Sandwich Box for new inscription in form of The Travellers Box which includes The International Box and The Local Box. Behind the box project is a working group, several co-curators and a lot of artists who have contributed and continue to contribute to the project with art works. The box project was founded by Danish Artist and curator Lars Vilhelmsen.


text: Back Tips for Staying Healthy and Safe at Work As we go to work every day, we often think about the tasks we need to do and our interactions with co-workers. Most of us may not think much about our health and safety on the job, but we probably should. Colds and other viral infections can spread quickly and can affect productivity, and more than 3 million disabling accidents occur in American workplaces every year. To avoid being sidelined by an illness or injury, start taking action today. Protect yourself against infection Colds and flu are caused by viruses that can pass easily from one person to another when you sneeze, cough, or handle objects contaminated with a virus. Some viruses can live up to three hours on phones, doorknobs, and desks. Because most adults average about two to four colds a year, there's a good chance that germs may abound in many workplaces. You can help limit your exposure with these tips: Wash your hands frequently. Be sure to scrub them with soap and warm water for 15 to 20 seconds. The scrubbing action removes germs so that you can wash them away. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based gel or wipe. Try not to touch your face. Once a virus gets on your hands, it still has to get inside your body. Touching your eyes, nose or mouth gives it easy access. Use a disinfectant. Clean surfaces such as telephones and keyboards regularly, especially if you share them with others. If you do get sick, should you still go to work? Sometimes staying at home is a better idea, especially if you: Are coughing, hacking and sneezing, all of which can spread a virus Have a fever Feel nauseous, are vomiting, or have diarrhea Are so sick that you can't do your job If you feel well enough to go to work, try to prevent infecting others. Avoid shaking hands with anyone, always use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands or use an alcohol-based gel or wipe afterward. Make routine tasks safer Repeatedly clicking a computer mouse or turning and lifting can take a toll on your body. In fact, about half of injuries that occur in the workplace are related to frequent repetition of everyday movements such as these. You can help reduce your risk of injury: Vary your activities. It's important to give your body a break now and then while you're at work. It's a good idea when you're off the clock, as well. Check your computer setup. If you spend a lot of time working at a computer and it isn't positioned correctly, you may experience wrist, elbow, shoulder, or neck problems. To check your computer's position, stand in front of your chair. The backs of your knees should be about two inches above the seat. When you're sitting down, the top of the monitor screen should be at about eye level. Position your keyboard so that your elbows are at an angle of at least 90 degrees. This may help relieve stress on your wrists. Avoid overreaching. Whether or not you work at a desk, it's important to keep frequently used materials and tools within reach. When sitting, you shouldn't have to reach more than 15 inches. When standing, items should be no more than 14 inches away if you're reaching for them with both hands. If you're using just one hand, 18 inches is okay for most people. Listen to your body. Minor aches and pain may signal an injury. If you start having these types of symptoms, call your doctor. Be prepared for emergencies Ask your supervisor if your company has an emergency action plan in case of fire, natural disaster, or another emergency. Then, read it so that you'll be prepared. If your employer doesn't have a plan, consider volunteering to help develop one. The American Red Cross can help you learn more about preparing your workplace for an emergency. Practice safe lifting Try not to lift more weight than you're used to carrying. How much you can handle safely depends in part on your level of conditioning. Technique also makes a difference. To help avoid back injury, remember to lift with your legs. Here's how: Bend your knees. Keep your back straight, even when you're putting down the load. Hold the load close to your body and use a slow, steady lifting motion. Don't twist while carrying something. Instead, turn your feet and your body in the direction you want to go. If you need to move something that's too heavy for you to lift, ask someone to help you. Or, if you're authorized to use a forklift or other device, use it to move the object.


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Well, here we are in the rain on Friday recording cannons. Today's master class is all about understanding cannons – their history of use, construction and how to record them archaeologically. We started off with a lecture in the nice dry lab and then headed out to the field. Did you know that there are two cannons at the Old Gum Tree in Glenelg? The OGT is where Capt John Hindmarsh proclaimed the establishment of the South Australian colony in 1836.
We are first sketching the cannons and then taking specific measurements to draw them to scale. Unfortunately we had to bring Mylar to write on even though we aren't working underwater. The rain is spoiling our parade but that hasn't stopped some good work from happening.
Does anyone know where there are cannons around town? Post a comment because we want to practice our recording skills.


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- Science
- Not Exactly Rocket Science
How the turtle got its shell through skeletal shifts and muscular origami
The turtle's shell provides it with a formidable defence and one that is unique in the animal world. No other animal has a structure quite like it, and the bizarre nature of the turtle's anatomy also applies to the skeleton and muscles lying inside its bony armour.
The shell itself is made from broadened and flattened ribs, fused to parts of the turtle's backbone (so that unlike in cartoons, you couldn't pull a turtle out of its shell). The shoulder blades sit underneath this bony case, effectively lying within the turtle's ribcage. In all other back-boned animals, whose shoulder blades sit outside their ribs (think of your own back for a start). The turtle's torso muscles are even more bizarrely arranged.
This body plan – and particularly the odd location of the shoulder blades – is so radically different to that of all other back-boned animals that biologists have struggled to explain how it could have arisen gradually from the standard model, or what the intermediate ancestors might have looked like. Enter Hiroshi Nagashima from the RIKEN Center; he has found some answers by studying how the embryos of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) shift from the standard body plan of other vertebrates to the bizarre configuration of adult turtles.
By comparing the embryos to those of mice and chickens, Nagashima showed that all three species start off with a shared pattern that their last common ancestor probably shared. It is only later that the turtle does something different, starting of a sequence of muscular origami that distorts its body design into the adult version.
Initially, the embryos of all three species have shoulder blades that sit outside the ribs. In the mouse and chicken, the blade starts to grow backwards, extending down the trunk across the developing ribs. The ribs themselves have extended down the embryos' flanks and are surrounded by a layer of muscle called the muscle plate (or myotome). These elements – the ribs, the shoulder blade and the muscle plate – stay in much the same formation as the animals grow into adults.
In the turtle, early embryos share the basic plan as those of mice and chickens, but there are subtle differences. The shoulder blade is positioned further forward and the ribs themselves are much shorter, never reaching down into the embryo's flanks. As it grows, things change dramatically.
The muscle plate in the lower half of the turtle's body folds inwards along a line that runs down the turtle's body. This line will eventually form the edge of the shell and it's called the carapacial ridge. Meanwhile, the second pair of ribs (r2 in the image below) grows outwards and swing forwards over the shoulder blade (sc in the image below). A similar thing happens over the animal's hips. These two crucial events – the folding of the muscle plate and the growth of the second ribs – bring the shoulder blade within the confines of the ribcage. Both steps are possible because the turtle's ribs stop growing early on in its development and no one yet know why this happens.
The muscle that connects the shoulder blade to the second pair of ribs – the serratus anterior – becomes twisted in the process but keeps its ancestral attachment to both bones (see above). Other muscles, particularly those that power the limbs, form very different connections.
In mice and chicken, the large latissimus dorsi muscle (which connects the top of the forearm to the back) initially grows out from the embryo's limb bud, attaches to its trunk, and starts expanding backwards to cover the back. In the turtle embryo, the growing muscle attaches to the front part of the developing shell, near the neck. Likewise, the pectoral or chest muscles of chickens and mice grow from the limbs into the sternum, but those of turtles connect to the plastron – the bottom half of the shell. These new connections account for the bizarre differences between the musculature of adult turtles and other vertebrates.
Nagashima also suggests that his findings secure the place of a recently discovered fossil turtle – Odontochelys – as an intermediate form between shell-less turtles and modern versions. Odontochelys was a turtle in a half-shell, whose armour had a lower half (a plastron) but not a top one (a carapace). Its discoverers suggested that it was a sign that turtles evolved via a half-shelled form, but other scientists claimed that it could equally be a descendant of fully-shelled turtles that had itself lost half its shell.
Odontochelys also had short ribs on its back that seem to have stopped growing early. Its second set of ribs, however, never grew to cover its shoulder blade, which still sat in front of the entire rib cage. That matches the body plan of modern turtle embryos in the early stages of development, which supports the idea that this extinct turtle represented an ancestral pattern.
The short ribs of Odontochelys suggests that like modern turtles, it had a carapacial ridge and was on the way to completing the top half of its armour. Nagashima suggests that the ridge only extended down its flanks but didn't meet at the front and back (note the dotted red line in the image below). It may have been this simple step that provided the impetus for the movement of the second pair of ribs to cover the shoulder blade, the evolution of the carapace, and the completion of the turtle's armour.
Reference: Science 10.1126/science.1173826
Images: from Singeru Kuratani, Hiroshi Nagashima and Science/AAAS
More on turtles: Heroes in a half-shell show how turtles evolved


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Welcome to the
Vision for Independence
The Vision for Independence Center (VIC) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, located in Yakima, Washington. It is operated by volunteers. Its mission is to offer hope and maximize quality of life for people with vision loss.
VIC offers a low vision clinic where an optometrist trained in low vision assists patients with finding devices, which enable them to make the most of their remaining vision. Such devices include magnifiers, lamps, glare shields and sunglasses.
VIC also has a low vision store where magnifiers, talking devices and devices with large buttons and displays can be purchased.
Please continue reading to discover more about this exciting organization serving people who are visually impaired or blind. A generous grant from the Northwest Lions Foundation enabled us to develop this website.
Help Brings Hope
- Adjusting to vision loss caused by eye diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa brings about life- changing challenges to individuals and their families.
- An increasing number of people worldwide and in our community are affected by vision loss.
- VIC was formed to meet the needs of these individuals and their families.


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A haggard Philip Seymour Hoffman knew he was trapped in a downward spiral, readily admitting, "I'm a heroin addict,'' to a stranger two weeks ago.
The Oscar-winning actor made the bizarre admission to magazine publisher John Arundel at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, after the businessman didn't immediately recognize him and asked what he did for a living.
"He said, 'I'm a heroin addict,' " the Washington Life Magazine associate publisher recalled for The Post on Monday.
Arundel said Hoffman then took off his "sloppy hat" and the publisher realized his mistake and said, "Oh, you're Philip Seymour Hoffman."
"Bingo!" the actor replied, according to Arundel.
Before Hoffman walked away, Arundel recalled, the "Capote'' actor added, "I just got out of rehab."
"Obviously, he wanted people to know he was in recovery mode,'' Arundel said.
Or at least think he was. In reality, Hoffman — who had struggled with drug and alcohol addiction since his early 20s — was in the middle of a relapse that claimed his life at age 46 on Sunday.
His addiction had gotten so bad that Hoffman's girlfriend of 14 years, costume designer Mimi O'Donnell, had kicked him out of the Jane Street pad in Greenwich Village where they lived with their three young kids, pals said.
"It was known that he was struggling to stay sober, and his wife had given him some tough love and told him he needed some time away from the kids and to get straight again,'' a Hollywood source told The Post.
The screen and stage star began renting a $9,800-a-month pad on Bethune Street, less than three blocks away, around three months ago, neighbors said.
Hoffman was found dead of an apparent heroin overdose in a bathroom of that apartment, with a hypodermic needle still sticking out of his left forearm.
Cops recovered more than 20 empty heroin envelopes from the apartment, a plastic cup with 20 used syringes in it, at least 50 more envelopes of heroin and bags of fresh needles, sources said. A charred spoon was found in the sink.
"He was apparently in the throes of a major heroin addiction,'' a law-enforcement source said.
The actor — known for his vivid portrayals of troubled souls — had said he had been clean for more than 20 years before suffering a relapse in 2012 and entering rehab for 10 days last year.
A source who was on the same 5:30 a.m. flight as Hoffman out of Los Angeles International Airport last month said the dad of three was in first class knocking back bloody marys.
And three days ago, Hoffman was spotted looking "drunk and disheveled" in a bar in downtown Atlanta, sources told TMZ.
The star was making "multiple trips'' to the bathroom, a source said. On the flight home from Atlanta, he was spotted passed out in his seat.
Hoffman was supposed to be at the Jane Street pad at 9 a.m. Sunday to pick up son Cooper, 10, and daughters Tallulah, 7, and Willa, 5, sources said.
O'Donnell told cops she last saw the actor on the street Saturday afternoon, then talked to him by phone at 10 p.m. — and he seemed high, sources said.
When he failed to show the next morning, she got worried and started calling around.
Hoffman's playwright pal, David Bar Katz, and the actor's personal assistant, Isabella Wing-Davey, discovered his body in the bathroom, sources said.
Hoffman, a native of upstate Fairport, was discovered in his underwear lying on his right side on the bathroom floor.
"He was cold" and had been there "for hours," sources said.
Katz and Wing-Davey told cops they didn't know how often Hoffman used drugs or where he got them, sources said.
Neither responded to requests for comment.
Wing-Davey was spotted Monday afternoon coming out of the Jane Street home.
Actress and family friend Cate Blanchett, who appeared with Hoffman in 1999's "The Talented Mr. Ripley," also showed up there laden with toys for the three children.
Blanchett exited a black Cadillac XTS carrying two huge bags from FAO Schwarz and a telescope under her arm. Her driver carried in a third bag of toys. She declined comment.
A pastor named Dan Martin showed up minutes later to counsel the family.
Hoffman's body remained at the morgue Monday, an autopsy still incomplete, officials said.
Broadway will dim its lights in his memory Wednesday night.
Additional reporting by Kevin Sheehan, Lorena Mongelli and Kate Sheehy


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I hugely enjoyed this week's conference 'Cosomolgy and the Constants of Nature' at Cambridge University. There were some truly great talks by John Barrow, John Ellis and Thanu Padmanabhan among others, not to mention Joao Magueijo describing his famous 'variable speed of light' theory in person. The icing on the cake was that my visit coincided with this week's announcement of the detection of gravitational waves from the infant universe by the American BICEP2 experiment. If correct, the signal gives very significant experimental support for the theory of cosmic inflation, as well as the phenomenon of gravitational waves predicted by general relativity…..a double whammy if ever there was one.
Yesterday, I was priviliged to attend a seminar on the new results given by George Efstathiou and Anthony Challinor, team leaders on the rival Planck experiment (EU). There's nothing like hearing a new observation dissected by a rival group and the seminar certainly didn't disappoint. Both Cambridge physicists concluded that the BICEP 2 result is very robust, at least at face value, with the caveat that the signal needs to be reproduced at more than one frequency. The other caveat is that although the sensitivity of BICEP2 is up to ten times that of Planck, there is a certain tension between the BICEP2 data and last year's published data from Planck. I was particularly interested in Professor Efstathiou's comment that the differing data of the two experiments may be a genuine effect, i.e., may represent some new physics at wide angles (Planck) that doesn't affect the BICEP2 (small angle) measurements . The next few months should be very interesting indeed for cosmology…(see here for a rigorous discussion of the BICEP2 data by Peter Coles).
I had my own private excitement when I was introduced to Stephen Hawking for the first time. It was a very moving encounter, Professor Hawking remembered my father and his work. Stephen was also very interested in our recent discovery of Einstein's unpublished attempt at a steady-state model of the cosmos. Indeed, his first remark to me was that steady-state cosmic models were the dominant cosmic paradigm when he started his research career at Cambridge all those years ago. He asked me to send him a copy of Einstein's paper and I had a stressful evening trying to do so as my college email chose that day to block me for not changing my password often enough – of all days for that to happen!
I can't quite believe this photo
All in all, it was yet another hugely productive visit to Cambridge University. Every time I come here something dramatic happens but I'm also looking forward to going home, I could do with a rest!
Farewell to Clare college
The American National Pubic Radio ran a piece on our Einstein discovery on today's Morning Edition. I think it's quite nice, apart from the usual emphasis on Einstein's 'blunders' (why do journalists always see explorations as blunders?) Still, I'm learning not to be too precious about media stuff…


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Rep. Brian Bilbray concedes to Scott Peters
In another blow to California Republicans, Rep. Brian Bilbray has conceded his race against Scott Peters for the San Diego-area seat, ending the Republican's second go-round in Congress.
U-T San Diego has the story:
Bilbray called Peters Friday to offer his congratulations (and some Beltway housing tips), according to a Bilbray spokesman.
The San Diego Republican trails the Democratic port commissioner by 3,877 votes, a gap that has continued to widen since Nov. 6. He leads 50.7 percent to 49.3 percent, with 120,000 ballots remaining countywide and an unspecified amount left to be counted in the 52nd Congressional District.
Peters, a former president of the San Diego City Council, had all-but declared victory, traveling to Washington this week for freshman orientation and to meet with party leaders. Bilbray, who served two six-year stints in the House, also was in Washington for the lame-duck session.
Peters was able to overcome a roughly 2-point Republican registration advantage in the redrawn district, which stretches from Poway though La Jolla, Clairemont, downtown San Diego and Coronado.


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Ubisoft confirms 'Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag'
The next chapter of Ubisoft's popular adventure series Assassin's Creed is embracing the pirate's life.
The publisher confirmed Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, launching on Oct. 29 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii U. A version for Sony's upcoming PlayStation 4 is also in development.
Black Flag will focus on the "golden age of piracy," as players explore the Caribbean as a buccaneer during the 18th century.
"This was a really fantastic time period, and what we want to do is tell the mature version of it," says game director Ashraf Ismail.
Black Flag follows the exploits of Edward Kenway, the grandfather of Assassin's Creed III hero Connor, who comes from a poor family to embrace the riches the pirate life offers. Ismail says Edward also serves as the Kenway family's gateway into the larger battle between the lineage of assassins and Templars fighting for world domination.
"He's very selfish, but the Assassin's Creed is a selfless ideology," says Ismail. "The story is really this inner turmoil he has figuring out who he's really like."
The big change in Black Flag is an expanded push toward naval combat, first introduced in Assassin's Creed III last year. Players will have their own pirate crew and ship, the Jackdaw, to navigate around the Caribbean in search of enemy ships and islands. Cities such as Havana, Kingston, Jamaica and Nassau will feature prominently.
"This is really one of the biggest worlds we've built in Assassin's Creed," says Ismail.
The action will be "seamless," Ismail describes, as players can steer their ship, hop off to explore a location, then return with little interruption. This also applies to boarding enemy vessels, as players must weaken the ship before making their moves to take over. Players can upgrade the Jackdaw over the course of the adventure, bolstering its defenses and adding items such as cannons. "It's your Millennium Falcon," he says.
Black Flag will add a fresh twist to action, taking players underwater for the first time. "Players can explore (and) find treasure," says Ismail. "There's going to be a lot of challenge down there."
The Assassin's Creed franchise has been a massive hit for Ubisoft since its arrival in 2007. The publisher has sold more than 55 million copies to date. The most recent release of Assassin's Creed III has shipped 12 million copies since its October launch.
The core elements of Assassin's Creed such as free running and other land-based missions will still appear in Black Flag, and classic figures such as Blackbeard and Calico Jack will make cameos.
For the Ubisoft development team, Black Flag fulfills their longstanding wish to explore the swashbuckling lifestyle. "Pirates have been romanticized in media or any form of entertainment, because of Treasure Island (and) Disney," says Ismail. "We see an opening to do a much more mature version, like the HBO version of pirates."


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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
"Hack, Cough, wheeze, on your left"
On a more pleasant note, two happy surprises courtesy of the City of Cambridge Public works!
They filled the enormous, bike eating pothole at Broadway and Galileo Galilei road, and the less gaping, but more entrenched one half a block east. This morning, I was treated to a freshly swept bike lane- so fresh I could still see the wet track the sweeper left behind- ah bliss!
I sent the CPW two "thank you" emails- positive conditioning and all that.
big bad bike building post still in the works- but since I just got home at 9pm, I'm gonna eat dinner and sleep instead of blog.
5 comments:
I'll bet they don't get a lot of "thank you" emails. It's probably posted on their bulletin board and they're walking with just a touch more of a lilt.ReplyDelete
ahh yes... street sweeping; the true sign that Spring is springing!ReplyDelete
Feel better; I had that horror in Feb. Kept me off the bike for 2 weeks!
I'm sick too. It almost messed up my weekend but I got just well enough to enjoy it just in time. Still my cough comes on at 9pm sharp each night.ReplyDelete
blech on sickness! feel better soon!
Steve- I email them pretty regularly with both complaints and complements, and in general I think they do a good job.ReplyDelete
They are more likely to write me back when I send kudos
sorry to hear about the persistent cough :-(ReplyDelete
but i'm excited to hear about this upcoming bike build (even though i have an inkling as to some of the details)... oh, the suspense!


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Synopsis: Newly opened pg near Manyata tech park. Ladies pg with all facilities. walkable to manyata tech park. MSR Elements mall is just 5 min walkable from this paying guest. See all original pics below
Furnished cots and cupboards
Daily housekeeping, Sofa, Lift, CCTV
South/North Indian food - 3 times food
Attached bathroom | Hot water geyser
TV (common/individual) ? LED/LCD with DTH/Cable
Drinking mineral water
Power backup Refrigerator | Washing Machine | WI-FI internet
Parking ( 2 wheeler)
Security | CCTV installed common area | Lift
Sharing : single sharing rooms |two sharing rooms | three sharing | 4 sharing rooms
New Luxury Balaji (Gents pg) :#18, 4th main, Vyalikaval HBCS Layout, Nagawara, Munivenkatappa Layout, Bangalore 560045
Landmark : Infront of Manyata Tech park gate (Outer ring road) PG can be seen
Ad id : UP15jul18EXP15dec18
Today's women are confident and have specific career goals for themselves.One of the biggest steps on their path to turn into a strong independent self is to m ove out of their comfort zone for shifting to different states and cities having more lucrative academic and career options. Perhaps the most challenging task for them after relocating to another city is to find a suitable paying guest accommodation for themselves. It becomes really important to keep certain things in mind before finalizing a living space.
Safety and Security With an ever increasing rate of crimes against women,especially in the metros, the first important thing to consider is safety and security. Choose a locality which has a good record in terms of security. The Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) of good localities hire security guards who keep a check on every person entering or leaving the area or building. They keep proper records of outsiders coming into the locality and are always on guard. Never live in an area not having such tight security measures.
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Mostly women step out of the comfort zones of their homes in order to study in colleges or go to work elsewhere. Whatever you need on a regular basis, just make sure that it is not far away from the PG.You will have to ensure that different modes of transport like buses, metro, local trains, auto rickshaws are easily available from the area that you are residing in.Check for things that cause inconvenience, like not getting a conveyance on time when you need to reach someplace urgently.
For women, it becomes really important that the staff members should include only females or at least one female. In the absence of the owner, one or two female staff members should be present 24/7 for the security of the tenants. Never start living in a PG which does not have female staff members. Make sure that the female staff is hired only after a thorough background check. Your security is in your hands, you should be confident that the house-owner and the staff members have a clean-chit. Properly look into their credentials before you decide whether that particular PG is the perfect choice for you or not helps.
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Budget and Needs
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Proper Space and Facilities - Before starting a PG, it is best to check if you have the right space and basic facilities nearby. Is there any point in opening a PG accommodation center totally out of the city? Find a location, prefer the residential surroundings, where all the basic facilities like hospitals, schools, colleges are at a walking distance. Moreover, the facilities might differ as per the nature of tenants. Understand the group that you want to accommodate - college students, bachelor office going boys or families. Make up your mind about the tenants and then think about the facilities.
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You will need proper staff for cleaning rooms and bathrooms, cooking food, a watchman for locking the main door after specific time at night and a care taker for managing discipline. If you have young girls as tenants, you will need to take all the security measures. A marketing manger will also be required to advertise about your PG both online and offline to attract new tenants. A staff member to answer the queries of people looking for accommodation over phone should also be appointed. Keep contact with nearby institutes to get new students as tenants.
A paying guest accommodation should be started with an aim of providing a home away from home. Make sure to behave politely with the tenants and advise your staff to do the same. Alwaysprovide good-quality food and clean-hygienic rooms. Maintain a good relationship with the tenants and solve their problems or complaints right away. Provide exclusive facilities like internet connection, washing machines and TV etc. to attract more tenants.
Keep the rules and restrictions in written form and paste it on the notice board near the front desk. Keep the prices genuine and discuss each rule out of the list with every new tenant to avoid any type of confusion. Make sure to expel the paying guest if he or she is creating a nuisance and disturbing the peaceful environment of your Paying Guest accommodation center.
Copyright © 2011 - 2019 www.payingguestinbangalore.com All rights reserved.


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Indiana General Assembly: The good, the bad, and the could have been worse
In a state facing major economic, educational and quality-of-life challenges, the Indiana General Assembly's 2014 session as a whole lacked vision and focus. Still, lawmakers did push through several measures that will help propel the state forward, including a pilot preschool program, higher standards for day care centers and a bill that will allow Central Indiana voters to decide whether to expand mass transit.
Although a few misguided bills passed as well, legislators had the good sense to keep HJR-3, a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage, off the ballot this year.
With the 2014 session now history, here's a review of what legislators did right and what they missed:
The Good
It starts with preschool. Child advocates for years tried, without success, to persuade legislators to invest in early childhood education. It took Gov. Mike Pence's leadership this year to finally accomplish the goal. Granted, it's a small start — a maximum of 4,000 low-income children in five counties will be served initially. But it's an important milestone because a majority of lawmakers now have accepted the argument that state government has an important role to play in early childhood education.
Transit finally is on track. For years, Central Indiana leaders have trooped to the Statehouse asking for permission to build a regional mass transit system. For years they were turned away. But this time around, state legislators agreed to allow six counties to have referendums on whether to fund transit projects. The debate over transit now moves to the local level, where it really has always belonged.
Children will be safer. In many cases over the years, unlicensed day cares in Indiana have proven horribly inadequate in protecting children in their care. Lawmakers, prompted in part by an Indianapolis Star investigative series last year, finally approved a bill that will tighten standards for more than 1,200 unlicensed centers that receive federal dollars. It's much-welcomed legislation that was long overdue.
Compromise found on tax cuts. In a victory for the governor's agenda, legislators agreed to reduce the state corporate income tax to 4.9 percent over the next six years. Counties also will be able to exempt equipment from the business personal property tax, a move that eventually should enable more operations to have the margin to create jobs and further invest in new technology. It's not the complete phase-out that Pence wanted, but it's a reasonable compromise on a poorly designed, outdated tax. Still needed, however, is a thorough review of Indiana's overall tax structure.
The Bad
Fight over Common Core is a distraction. The seemingly never-ending argument over academic standards continues in Indiana. Lawmakers in this session peeled back Indiana's commitment to the Common Core, a set of new standards designed to ensure that expectations for student performance are consistent across states. It leaves open the question of what standards the state will now use and ensures that the arguments will continue for months, if not years, to come. Meanwhile, the need to dramatically improve Indiana's 42nd in the nation ranking in workers' education attainment is more urgent than ever.
State steps back on energy efficiency. Lawmakers approved a bill that blocks an energy efficiency program launched by the Mitch Daniels administration. The program in its early years, without question, saved ratepayers money and reduced pollution because less coal was needed to generate electricity. Utility executives insist that harder-to-obtain standards in the future would have wiped out those savings. Regardless, a sudden moratorium on the program is a drastic step, one that should have been considered only after more review and more time for public reaction.
Guns in school parking lot are unnecessary: A strong gun lobby in the Statehouse continues to wield its influence. A few years ago legislators told business owners that they had to permit employees to keep guns in their cars while at work. Now, legislators have approved a measure that allows guns in school parking lots. Although guns must be kept out of sight and vehicles locked, it's hard to make the case for why this potentially disastrous measure is needed.
It could have been worse
A bruising fight was avoided. Although the session began with legislative leaders insisting that the argument over a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage would not become a distraction, the debate over HJR-3 dominated the first weeks of the session. Ultimately, legislators had the good sense to drop the amendment's second sentence, a potential ban on civil unions, which ensured that HJR-3 will not appear on ballots in November. That move spared Hoosiers an ugly, almost yearlong debate over an amendment that actually would not have changed anything. Lawmakers could resurrect this debate next year; let's hope they have the good sense to leave it alone.


text:
Police investigating teeth found at New Hampshire coast
Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott's body dumped near Peirce Island
Police in Portsmouth, N.H., are investigating the discovery of four teeth on Peirce Island, an area that police searched last year for the body of a University of New Hampshire student.
The Portsmouth Herald reports police have not connected the discovery of the teeth with the Oct. 9 disappearance of 19-year-old Elizabeth "Lizzi" Marriott of Westborough, Mass.
Investigators believe her body had been dumped on or around Peirce Island by Seth Mazzaglia, who's been charged with killing Marriott during an attempted sexual assault. Her body has not been recovered.
Police said they were notified about the teeth Saturday night. A Somersworth resident said he and his family found four teeth "that appear to be human."
Police Chief Stephen DuBois said further review would be sought be a forensics expert.


text:
11910 Abbeytown Drive Cincinnati - Colerain Township, OH 45251One : 4209715,
Two : 521257924,
Three : 2097152,
Four : 536870912,
Five : 0,
Code : 1
- 4 ##Beds##
- 3 ##Baths##
- 3,127 ##sqft##
- Single-Family
To manage reports, go to your Dashboard.
Listing information is provided in part by the Multiple Listing Service of the REALTORS® Association of the Dayton Area Board of Realtors. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Such information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity™ program of the Multiple Listing Service of Greater Cincinnati. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Huff Realty are marked with
the Broker Reciprocity™ logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.
This data is up-to-date as of 03/20/2023 06:02 PM PST.


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Sitchin, sumerians and Nibiru
Sitchin was born in Russia, was raised in Palestine, graduated from the University of London with a degree in economic history. He worked for years as a journalist and editor in Israel before settling in New York.
Sitchin, like Velikovsky and Däniken, presents a compelling and entertaining story based on belief about ancient visitors from other worlds. Zecharia Sitchin's key ideas are based on the assumption that ancient myths are not myths but historical and scientific texts. According to Sitchin, ancient Sumerian clay tablets reveal that gods from another planet (Nibiru, which orbits our Sun every 3,600 years) arrived on Earth some 450,000 years ago and created humans by genetic engineering of female apes.
Old sumerians and the solar system in the top left, between the two people.
Events Before the Deluge
450,000 years ago,
On Nibiru, a distant member of our solar system, life faces slow extinction as the planet's atmosphere erodes. Deposed by Anu, the ruler Alalu escapes in a spaceship and finds refuge on Earth. He discovers that Earth has gold that can be used to protect Nibiru's atmosphere.
Led by Enki, a son of Anu, the Anunnaki land on Earth, establish Eridu -Earth Station I – for extracting gold from the waters of the Persian Gulf.
Earth's climate mellows. More Anunnaki arrive on Earth, among them Enki's half-sister Ninhursag, Chief Medical Officer.
As gold production falters, Anu arrives on Earth with Enlil, the heir apparent. It is decided to obtain the vital gold by mining it in southern Africa. Drawing lots, Enlil wins command of Earth Mission; Enki is relegated to Africa. On departing Earth, Anu is challenged by Alalu's grandson.
Seven functional settlements in southern Mesopotamia include a Spaceport (Sippar), Mission Control Center (Nippur), a metallurgical center (Shuruppak). The ores arrive by ships from Africa; the refined metal is sent aloft to orbiters manned by Igigi, then transferred to spaceships arriving periodically from Nibiru.
Gaining the support of the Igigi, Alalu's grandson attempts to seize mastery over Earth. The Enlilites win the War of the Olden Gods.
The Anunnaki toiling in the gold mines mutiny. Enki and Ninhursag create Primitive Workers through genetic manipulation of Ape woman; they take over the manual chores of the Anunnaki. Enlil raids the mines, brings the Primitive Workers to the Edin in Mesopotamia. Given the ability to procreate, Homo Sapiens begins to multiply.
Life on Earth regresses during a new glacial period.
Climate warms again. The Anunnaki (the biblical Nefilim), to Enlil's growing annoyance marry the daughters of Man.
The "accursation of Earth" – a new Ice Age-begins. Regressive types of Man roam the Earth . Cro-Magnon man survives.
Enki and Ninhursag elevate humans of Anunnaki parentage to rule in Shuruppak. Enlil, enraged. plots Mankind's demise.
Realizing that the passage of Nibiru in Earth's proximity will trigger an immense tidal wave, Enlil makes the Anunnaki swear to keep the impending calamity a secret from Mankind.
Events After the Deluge
Enki breaks the oath, instructs Ziusudra/Noah to build a submersible ship. The Deluge sweeps over the Earth; the Anunnaki witness the total destruction from their orbiting spacecraft.
Enlil agrees to grant the remnants of Mankind implements and seeds; agriculture begins in the highlands. Enki domesticates animals.
The descendants of Noah are allotted three regions. Ninurta, Enlil's foremost son, dams the mountains and drains the rivers to make Mesopotamia habitable; Enki reclaims the Nile valley. The Sinai peninsula is retained by the Anunnaki for a post-Diluvial spaceport; a control center is established on Mount Moriah (the future Jerusalem).
Ra/Marduk, Enki's firstborn son, divides dominion over Egypt between Osiris and Seth.
Seth seizes and dismembers Osiris, assumes sole rule over the Nile Valley.
Horus avenges his father Osiris by launching the First Pyramid War. Seth escapes to Asia, seizes the Sinai peninsula and Canaan.
Opposed to the resulting control of all the space facilities by Enki's descendants, the Enlilites launch the Second Pyramid War. The victorious Ninurta empties the Great Pyramid of its equipment.
Ninhursag, half-sister of Enki and Enlil, convenes peace conference. The division of Earth is reaffirmed. Rule over Egypt transferred from the Ra/Marduk dynasty to that of Thoth. Heliopolis built as a substitute Beacon City.
The Anunnaki establish outposts at the gateway to the space facilities; Jericho is one of them.
As the era of peace continues, the Anunnaki grant Mankind new advances; the Neolithic period begins. Demi-gods rule over Egypt.
Urban civilization begins in Sumer as the Anunnaki reestablish there the Olden Cities, beginning with Eridu and Nippur.
Anu comes to Earth for a pageantful visit. A new city, Uruk (Erech), is built in his honor; he makes its temple the abode of his beloved granddaughter Inanna/lshtar.
Kingship on Earth
Mankind granted kingship. Kish is first capital under the aegis of Ninurta. The alendar begun at Nippur. Civilization blossoms out in Sumer (the First Region).
Primacy in Sumer transferred to Nannar/Sin. Marduk proclaims Babylon "Gateway of the Gods." The "Tower of Babel" incident. The Anunnaki confuseMankind's languages.
His coup frustrated, Marduk/Ra returns to Egypt, deposes Thoth, seizes his younger brother Dumuzi who had betrothed Inanna. Dumuzi accidentally killed; Marduk imprisoned alive in the Great Pyramid. Freed through an emergency shaft, he goes into exile.
3,100-3, 350
years of chaos end with installation of first Egyptian Pharaoh in Memphis.Civilization comes to the Second Region.
Kingship in Sumer transferred to Erech. Inanna given dominion over the Third Region; the Indus Valley Civilization begins.
Sumer's royal capital shifts about. Kingship deteriorates. Enlil loses patience with the unruly human multitudes.
Inanna falls in love with Sharru-Kin (Sargon). He establishes new capital city. Agade (Akkad). Akkadian empire launched.
Aiming to rule the four regions, Sargon removes sacred soil from Babylon. The Marduk-Inanna conflict flares up again. It ends when Nergal, Marduk's brother, journeys from south Africa to Babylon and persuades Marduk to leave Mesopotamia.
Naram-Sin ascends the throne of Akkad. Directed by the warlike Inanna, he penetrates the Sinai peninsula, invades Egypt.
Inanna usurps the power in Mesopotamia; Naram-Sin defies Nippur. The Great Anunnaki obliterate Agade. Inanna escapes. Sumer and Akkad occupied by foreign troops loyal to Enlil and Ninurta.
Sumerian civilization rises to new heights under enlightened rulers of Lagash. Thoth helps its king Gudea build a ziggurat-temple for Ninurta.
Terah, Abraham's father, born in Nippur into a priestly-royal family.
Egypt divided; followers of Ra/Marduk retain the south; Pharaohs opposed to him gain the throne of lower Egypt.
As Enlil and Ninurta are increasingly away, central authority also deteriorates in Mesopotamia. Inanna's attempts to regain the kingship for Erech does not last.Anunaki bird
The Fateful Century
Abraham born in Nippur.
Enlil entrusts the Lands of Shem to Nannar; Ur declared capital of new empire. Ur- Nammmu ascends throne, is named Protector of Nippur. A Nippurian priest-Terah, Abraham's father – comes to Ur to liaison with its royal court.
Ur-Nammu dies in battle. The people consider his untimely death a betrayal by Anu and Enlil. Terah departs with his family for Harran.
Shulgi ascends the throne of Ur, strengthens imperial ties. As empire thrives, Shulgi falls under charms of Inanna, becomes her lover. Grants Larsa to Elamites in exchange for serving as his Foreign Legion.
Theban princes loyal to Ra/Marduk press northward under Mentuhotep I. Nabu, Marduk's son, gains adherents for his father in Western Asia.
On Nannar's orders, Shulgi sends Elamite troops to suppress unrest in Canaanite cities. Elamites reach the gateway to the Sinai peninsula and its Spaceport.
Shulgi dies. Marduk moves to the Land of the Hittites. Abraham ordered to southern Canaan with an elite corps of cavalrymen.
Amar-Sin (the biblical Amraphel) becomes king of Ur. Abraham goes to Egypt, stays five years, then returns with more troops.
Guided by Inanna, Amar-Sin forms a coalition of Kings of the East, launches military expedition to Canaan and the Sinai. Its leader is the Elamite Khedor-la'omer. Abraham blocks the advance at the gateway to the Spaceport.
Shu-Sin replaces Amar-Sin on throne of Ur as the empire disintegrates.
Ibbi-Sin replaces Shu-Sin. The western provinces increasingly to Marduk.
Leading his followers, Marduk marches on Sumer, enthrones himself in Babylon. Fighting spreads to central Mesopotamia. Nippur's Holy of Holies is defiled. Enlil demands punishment for Marduk and Nabu; Enki opposes, but his son Nergal sides with Enlil.
As Nabu marshals his Canaanite followers to capture the Spaceport, the Great Anunnaki approve of the use of nuclear weapons. Nergal and Ninurta destroy the Spaceport and the errant Canaanite cities.
The winds carry the radioactive cloud to Sumer. People die a terrible death, animals perish, the water is poisoned, the soil becomes barren. Sumer and its great civilization lie prostrate. Its legacy passes to Abraham's seed as he begets -at age 100- a legitimate heir: Isaac.
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Kalypso has released the very first screenshots for its upcoming horror game The Dark Eye: Demonicon. The company is known best for publisher bright n' breezy games such as Tropico, but as you can see, this particular offering takes a turn for the grisly.
According to the publisher, Demonicon "takes place in The Shadow Lands, Aventuria, a location from the 'Dark Eye' universe which portrays a dark fantasy setting where demons and the undead roam free." Sounds charming.
Demonicon is scheduled for console and PC, and it's due out some time in 2012.


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Thursday, April 5, 2012
Board Game Review - Dragon Valley
Some games are just not born sexy. Life is not fair. For instance, I was not born sexy. It took me years of hard work to get that way, and now that I am officially over the hill, I am once again not the least bit sexy. That might explain why I am so bitter and angry. It might also explain why my credit card statements shows thousands of dollars billed to massage parlors.
Anyway, games. Not sexy, or sexy. Dragon Valley - not sexy. But like me, Dragon Valley is built for durability and power (actually, wait, that's not accurate. Neither of us is all that powerful, either. But I am magnificently durable). It's a good game, smart and fun, with multiple effective strategies and some really interesting decisions to make. It's just a shame that a game with this much to offer is going to be overlooked because it is not at all easy on the eyes.
It is, however, pretty darn clever. Each player is in charge of a keep that is getting overrun by monsters, and you have limited resources to repel those monsters and ask politely if they would return to their homes and take up macrame. If that doesn't work, you will be forced to stab them repeatedly or throw them off cliffs (for some reason, throwing a flying dragon off a cliff is an effective way to kill it, because these dragons don't just fly away). And if you're feeling especially adventurous, then on top of fending off waves of invading marauders, you can also venture out of your completely unsafe homeland and go take over the monsters' houses.
The monster segment of the game is interesting, but the part that makes Dragon Valley particularly cool is how you get your resources. Every turn, you get a random draw of cards, buildings and troops (including bad guys), and one guy divides those up into as many piles as players. Except he doesn't get to choose who gets what - he has to wait while everyone else picks piles, and he takes what's left. It becomes exceptionally important to divide the piles according to what everyone wants. You may even poison one pile with all the monsters and worthless cards, just so that you can add that one building you need to complete your masterpiece of monster destruction.
This divvying up means that you have to be flexible in your winning strategy, and at the same time, not tip your hand. If you're planning on building a line of magic monster flushers, it might be best not to do it one at a time. Wait for it, survive a few rounds of villainous crotch-punching, then blast out all at once and watch everyone look dismayed. I think Conan would agree that the wailing and lamentation is the best part of beating your friends.
Dragon Valley is a fun game, but I wouldn't say it's flawless. It's not hard, through some really stupid card distributions, for one player to wind up running away with the game while everyone else is just trying not to have dragons fly up their asses. Sitting to the left of the guy who can't figure out how to split the take every turn is virtually guaranteed to make you happy, because he'll do a bad job and then you will get all the awesome stuff and everyone else will get screwed. And sitting to the left of the guy who is ridiculously good at this game means you will routinely get hosed while everyone else benefits from the ignorance of their fellows. This can have the unhappy effect of making the game kind of suck.
Probably the biggest strike I have against Dragon Valley is that, in a game where I will be doing this much violence, I can't do any of it to the other guys at the table. Club orcs like baby seals? Sure, all day long, but I can't even flick boogers at my actual opponents, and that makes it tough to control the guy who is winning the game. You couldn't play it solo, because you need the interaction of the split (plus you're going to win every time), but at times, it kind of feels like you might as well.
However, despite a few slight hiccups, I did have a good time playing Dragon Valley. If the new Space Hulk is a Maserati, then Dragon Valley is a boxy Volvo with a faded paint job, but it works OK even if it's a little homely. There's not much interaction, and your seat at the table can determine how well you'll do. But it does have some neat concepts, even if it is flawed, and it can get you to work. No, wait, the work thing is just the Volvo.
2-4 players
Interesting resource division
Flexible strategies combine with good long-term planning
Multiple ways to win make this a pretty cool concept
Not enough interaction
Unbalancing potential in seating order
Not sexy
Dragon Valley is currently only sold online through Game Salute, so if you want it, this is about the only place you'll find it (unless you go to a store):
Posted by Matt Drake at 6:07 PM
3 comments:
- ccTheToph said...
San Marco meets D&D?
Is it at least as good as San Marco which was, like Dominion, a mechanic in search of a worthy game?
- April 8, 2012 at 8:43 AM
- Matt Drake said...
I don't know if the mechanics of the game would make it all that interesting. It worked OK, with some flaws, and was decent without being particularly memorable. I'm not sorry I played it, but it's not the kind of instant-win that stays in my office for more than a year.
- April 8, 2012 at 8:27 PM
- Unknown said...
The seating arrangement is only used for tie-breakers when choosing. The player with the lowest score picks first (gets the best choice for player catchup).
- April 24, 2012 at 8:12 AM
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text: Image: imagoUS-Germany spy tensions07/07/2014July 7, 2014US officials have vowed to resolve tensions after a German intelligence employee allegedly acted as a double agent for Washington. Chancellor Angela Merkel has said such behavior, if true, would contradict mutual trust.https://p.dw.com/p/1CXm4Advertisement White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Washington was aware of the report that a German double agent had spied for the US, but said he could not comment on intelligence matters. "We are committed to making sure that we resolve this issue with the Germans appropriately," Earnest said. "This is an intelligence matter," Earnest said. "It's a matter that is under investigation by the German law enforcement authorities, so I'm not in a position to comment on it from here." US-German relations were put to test last year by the revelation that the National Security Agency had been spying on the mobile phone of Chancellor Angela Merkel. On Friday, the US ambassador to Berlin was called to a meeting at the Foreign Ministry over reports that a 31-year-old employee of the German foreign intelligence agency had been feeding information to a spy agency for two years. Though Earnest would not confirm or deny the allegations, he sought to limit any diplomatic damage by stressing the importance of the "close partnership" between Germany and the US. "The relationship that the US has with Germany is incredibly important," Earnest said. "That partnership is built on respect. It is based on decades of cooperation and shared values." 'Clear contradiction of mutual trust' Merkel addressed the matter earlier on Monday, saying that "if the reports are correct, it would be a serious case." "It would be for me a clear contradiction as to what I consider to be trusting cooperation between agencies and partners," she added. Over the weekend, the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung am Sonntag reported that the suspect, who was arrested last Wednesday, had also made contact with Russian authorities. Government spokeswoman Christiane Wirtz said Germany was waiting until a prosecution report on the claims had been completed before giving a detailed response. rc/mkg (AFP, Reuters, dpa)Advertisement


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No developers, no plans, and maybe not enough money
Nordic who? After announcing publisher Nordic Games gained rights to THQ's Darksiders and Red Faction, I saw many ask who Nordic Games is and what its plans are for these series. I'd reference you to Wikipedia for the first part. As for plans, it seems not even Nordic knows at this point.
In an interview with Game Informer, Nordic CEO Lars Wingefors made clear that the company has no intention to develop sequels. Rather, the company wishes to act as a middleman for these properties, licensing out and greenlighting projects for other developers to carry out, much like LucasArts' recent transition. Perhaps we shouldn't call off a Crytek USA Darksiders 3 just yet.
"I am a business man within the games industry. We are not the creative, talented developer that brings out new versions in house," Wingefors told Game Informer, which pointed out that Nordic Games may not have the funds to create Darksiders on the same scale of the last (DSII allegedly cost $25 million).
"I'm sure we can find a solution for at least one of the IPs, or a few of the IPs, this year. Potentially this summer," Wingefors said. "There will be a lot of discussions at E3, but it's hard to say. I'm very open minded and flexible. I trust a handshake. I just need to find the right people."
Certainly a candid response, but not one that inspires a great deal of confidence in the future of Darksiders or Red Faction. With limited funds and no set plans, there can be no guarantee that we'll see another Darksiders or Red Faction any time soon, or that they'll resemble the scale and quality of previous entries if they do come about.
Nordic Games interview [Game Informer]


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Lawsuit seeks to allow sports betting nationwide
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- From March Madness brackets to Super Bowl pools to illicit back room wagers, people bet on professional sports games every day. But they can do it legally only in four states, and only two states currently offer state-sancti...
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- From March Madness brackets to Super Bowl pools to illicit back room wagers, people bet on professional sports games every day. But they can do it legally only in four states, and only two states currently offer state-sanctioned sports wagering.
With Atlantic City casinos in a financial free fall and New Jersey's budget in shambles, a state lawmaker filed a federal lawsuit Monday against the Justice Department that seeks to overturn a U.S. ban on sports betting. The casinos and their political allies say letting people bet legally on sporting events would let all 50 states in on a lucrative revenue source.
State Sen. Raymond Lesniak, D-Elizabeth, said sports betting already exists, and will continue to whether states tax it or not.
"As Captain Renault said to Rick, 'I'm shocked -- shocked -- to find that gambling is going on in here!" he said, quoting from the movie "Casablanca."
"Gambling is going on here, sports gambling," Lesniak said. "Rather than supporting thousands of jobs, economic activity and tourism, the federal ban supports offshore operators and organized crime."
Estimates of illegal sports betting in the United States vary widely, but range as high as $380 billion a year, according to the National Gaming Impact Study Commission.
A consultant hired by one of the lawsuit's plaintiffs, the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association, estimated that sports betting could become a $10 billion-a-year industry in New Jersey by 2011 if it were permitted in casinos, at racetracks, online and by telephone. That could generate nearly $100 million a year in tax revenues for the state, according to the group's CEO, Joseph Brennan.
Lesniak's lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Newark, seeks to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The 1992 law restricts sports betting to the four states that met a deadline to sign up for it: Nevada, where Las Vegas sports books determine the odds for sporting events across the country; Delaware; Montana; and Oregon.
The law carved out a special exemption for New Jersey, giving it a chance to decide if it wanted legal sports betting. The state failed to enact a law that would have done so, and the exemption window closed.
The lawsuit argues that the U.S. law is unconstitutional because it treats four states differently than the 46 others.
It names U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Ralph Marra Jr., New Jersey's acting U.S. attorney, as defendants. A U.S. Justice Department spokesman said the government will review the lawsuit but declined further comment.
Professional and scholastic sports leagues vehemently oppose legalized sports gambling, arguing that the integrity of the games must be free of suspicion. They cite a long history of gambling-induced scandal, from the 1919 Black Sox, who threw the World Series at the behest of gamblers, to numerous college point-shaving schemes.
Nevada allows numerous types of sports betting.
Montana allows what's going on illicitly in most other states this month: NCAA basketball tournament pools at bars that register with the state lottery. The state also allows betting on fantasy sports leagues.
Oregon ended its sports lottery, which brought in about $2.5 million a year in tax revenues, in 2007. The National Basketball Association had sued the state over the lottery and the NCAA had vowed not to hold any postseason games there as long as sports betting was allowed.
Delaware is considering taking advantage of its exemption and could have a sports betting lottery in place in time for the fall football season. It would involve combination, or parlay, bets to make it more difficult to win.
States across the country are turning to gambling as a new or expanded source of money amid the economic meltdown. Proposals to allow or expand slots or casinos are being considered in at least 14 states, tempting legislators and governors at a time when many must decide between cutting services and raising taxes.
Atlantic City's casinos have endured months of declining revenues. Joe Corbo, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey, said the casinos would benefit from a modest new revenue stream of about $50 million or so, plus secondary economic activity at gambling tables, restaurants, spas and hotels.


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E.W. Scripps sheds off newspaper division
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Journal Communications Inc. of Milwaukee and E.W. Scripps Co. of Cincinnati have an agreement to merge broadcasting operations while spinning off newspaper holdings into a separate public entity, the companies announced late Wednesday.
The newspaper component, Journal Media Group, will be headquartered in Milwaukee and operate in 14 markets, according to news releases from the companies. It will combine Journal Communications' Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, community publications and digital products with Scripps' daily newspapers, including the Memphis Commercial Appeal, plus community and digital products.
Meanwhile, Journal Communications' broadcast assets will be folded into Scripps, with headquarters remaining in Cincinnati. The company will own and operate TV and radio stations serving 27 markets, making it the fifth-largest independent TV group in the country, according to the releases.
"On both sides of this transaction we feel there is great value, great logic and a great cultural fit," Steven J. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Journal Communications, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Smith will serve as the non-executive chairman of Journal Media.
Tim Stautberg, senior vice president of newspapers for Scripps, will become president, CEO and a director of Journal Media. Richard A. Boehne will remain as board chairman, president and CEO of Scripps, the releases said.
The companies say both boards of directors have approved the deal, which is expected to close in 2015. Shareholders and regulators must also approve it.
Scripps shareholders will own 69 percent of the combined broadcasting company and 59 percent of Journal Media Group. Journal Communications shareholders will own 31 percent of the broadcasting company and 41 percent of the newspaper group. Scripps shareholders will also receive a $60 million cash dividend.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee will remain under Scripps' stewardship, according to the releases.


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Today, which happens to be the four year anniversary of the bank guarantee, also happens to be a fantastic day for transparency in Ireland as finally we have real residential property prices and transactions. Not asking prices, not just mortgage transactions, but real prices for real property. This blogpost examines what the information tells us and how we can use it.
1. Its use. Most people will seek the transaction data for their immediate locality to see what property comparable to theirs might be worth or what a prospective property to purchase might be worth. There will also be natural curiosity as to what a property fetched, particularly compared with asking prices. So alongside the data on the property register, you might be interested in the history of asking prices which you can find on a website like Collapso.net. No doubt in coming days some website, probably DAFT.ie will link the transaction price with the original listing so that you can get a better idea of the specification. Some recent buyers might conclude that they overpaid for their property and they might have some robust questioning – at the very least! – for their valuer. Because the data only goes back 33 months, it will be some time before there are sufficient multiple sales of the same property to create a true index and even then there might be deterioration or improvement between two dates, but with some clever matching with estate agent details, we might see an index emerging more quickly.
2. Effect on prices. I would expect the register to have a negative effect on prices generally, because we generally have what would be characterised as a buyers' market with mortgage credit restrictions, a general oversupply of property and a shaky outlook for the economy, not to mention the imminent introduction of a property tax and water charges. In some areas and for some property there might exceptionally be a sellers' market, but across the board I would expect prices to decline to below the lowest recent transaction level and for there to be a 5-10% decline in October 2012 alone and a 10%-plus decline in the next three months. After that, who knows, the concensus amongst economists and ratings agencies seems to be that a 60% decline from peak is in prospect and that would indicate a further 20% decline from today as measured by the CSO. But who knows – ultimately property will reach a price where buyers and sellers strike deals. And you should take forecasts from whatever quarter – including from on here – with a pinch of salt and remember that forecasts are for the market generally and individual properties with individual buyers, sellers and circumstances may deviate from "the market"
3. Effect on sales transactions. I would expect the register to have a positive effect on generating transactions because both buyer and seller can see what comparables actually fetch in the market, and although each property will be different as will the buyer and seller and the circumstances of the sale and purchase, the gap between both sides should be narrowed to allow realistic bargains to be struck more quickly. In that sense, the register should boost a recovery in transaction volumes.
4. Trends from the data published today. There were 53,000 residential property transactions in the past 33 months, so the market has not been exactly moribund in the sense of volumes being transacted. Unfortunately the data only goes back to January 2010 so unless the same property has been sold more than once in the past 33 months then it is difficult to establish price pattern. Overall the volumes of sales declined in 2011 by 13% compared with 2010 but volumes nationally look set to increase by 6% in 2012 if you assume the 2012 data published relates to nine months and then gross that up to 12 months. The value of transactions on the other hand declined by 27% in 2011 compared to 2010 and it looks as if there will be a 5% decline in 2012. The first table below shows the volume of transactions by county by year, the second shows the values.
5. Errors. The data has errors, and with 53,000 individual records, that shouldn't come as a surprise. Some addresses lack sufficient detail to identify the property. Some amounts are wrong with a house on an estate in Limerick showing a sale price of €125m! These should be corrected in due course and I know that moves are afoot to better specify some addresses.
6. Cash and the accuracy of the CSO index. It would appear that by comparing the transactions for the first six months of 2012 with the number of mortgage approvals as reported by the Irish Bank Federation, that around 40% of the market by volume is cash. Are properties sold to cash buyers showing greater declines than the CSO mortgage-only transaction index? Difficult to know, because the register doesn't tell us if a transaction was cash- or mortgage-based. The view on here is that there shouldn't be a huge difference between the two, otherwise valuers acting for mortgage companies would block mortgages on property where the agreed sale price was significantly higher than cash-only transactions would suggest.
All in all, it is a great day for transparency and we should thank the IMF for frogmarching this Government into finally delivering the price register, though it should be said that government parties of all hues have failed in this regard over the last four decades. Three cheers for Ajai!


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Diana Boggia: Taking the rivalry out of a sibling relationship
When I was a teenager, I learned how powerful a strong sibling relationship could be. My closest friend and her sister were the best of friends. They trusted, protected and constantly showed acts of kindness toward each other. It was then I decided that whenever I had children, I would make it my mission to help them become the best of friends.
Throughout the years, sibling rivalry has often been a topic of concern with families. Siblings are in competition for attention; they tease, argue, instigate and blame. They hit and say hurtful things to keep each other in their place. It's typical sibling behavior, if it is allowed.
I found three things to be very successful in promoting healthy, loving sibling relationships.
1. Build a team.
When talking to a child about a sibling, refer to the sibling as "your brother" or "your sister" rather than using his or her name. With more than one brother or sister, say, "your brother, Ben" or "your sister, Eliza." Continually replacing "your sister" or "your brother" sends a strong familial message. It helps siblings attach to each other, work together as a family unit, and learn to be a team player rather than fight to be the star of the team.
Some families refer lovingly to one child as "the baby" long into toddlerhood. Babies are taken care of and get lots of attention, something every child wants. So identifying one child as "the baby" may build jealousy or resentment. A child's perception is their reality.
2. Set the stage.
When my three were little, I continually told them how much the other missed them throughout the day. I'd say, "Your brother is going to love to see your picture when he comes home from school." When picking one up from preschool, I'd say, "Your sister missed you so much, and can't wait to show you her picture!" My mantra to all three was that friends come and go, but you'll always have your brother or sister.
I also set them up for successful playtimes, so that their time together was positive. I encouraged sharing and cooperation with each activity, and monitored closely so I could intervene quickly before arguments started.
3. Promote acts of kindness.
Inspiring children to participate in acts of kindness increases self-esteem, which, in turn, diminishes their need to misbehave for negative attention. Children don't naturally hold a door for a stranger, pick up something that someone has dropped, or help a sibling zip a jacket, but a little encouragement from us can help them to feel those successes.
I'm currently working with three children, ages 6 through 9, who are in constant competition, arguing often and functioning as individuals rather than as a team. I suggested the parents describe various acts of kindness, and offer a child five minutes "in the bank" each time someone displays an act of kindness.
The children earn "minutes" until 30 to 60 minutes are accumulated, when they can "cash them in" for an activity with a parent. Baking cookies, going for a walk or bike ride, playing a board game or spending time with a parent are rewards. The child who "cashes in" chooses to do the activity just with a parent or invite all the sibling(s) to join. The inclusion of siblings helps to make the one feel very special (since she had the power to include) and fosters better relationships.
Some might feel that earning minutes for acts of kindness is an unnecessary form of bribery. However, babies are born as self-centered beings (ask any 2-year-old to share!) and learn from their experiences how to share and be kind.
It definitely is worth the effort to teach our children to be the best of friends. Everyone wins.
Diana Boggia, M.Ed., is a Repository contributor and parenting educator in Stark County, Ohio. Send your child-rearing questions to firstname.lastname@example.com or The Repository, c/o Family Matters, 500 Market Ave. S, Canton OH 44702.


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Dissecting Dyslexia
Genetic differences in the brain make learning to read a struggle for children with dyslexia. Luckily, most of our brain development occurs after we're born, when we interact with our environment. This means that the right teaching techniques can actually re-train the brain, especially when they happen early.
Genetic causes and educational solutions
Children who do not learn to read fluently by age 10 or 11 are often thought to be lacking in intelligence or motivation. In most cases, however, they are neither stupid nor lazy. They have dyslexia, a learning disability that makes it very difficult for them to understand written language, despite having a normal—or higher-than-normal—IQ. Depending on the diagnostic criteria used, dyslexia affects 5 to 17 percent of people in the United States.
Recent studies suggest that the reading difficulties people with dyslexia experience are caused by "faulty wiring" in certain areas of the brain, and there are indications that this faulty wiring is due, at least in part, to identifiable genetic defects or variations. Early screening for such variations would make it possible to provide timely and appropriate remedial training, some experts suggest, allowing children with dyslexia to overcome their disability and learn to read at an acceptable level.
Dyslexia gene identified
Scientists have known for decades that genetics plays a very important role in dyslexia, with estimates of heritability ranging from about 40 to 70 percent. Over the years, several candidate genes have emerged as possible contributors to dyslexia, but only recently have researchers been able to establish a strong link between one specific gene and this common learning disability.
In a study published in the November 22, 2005, issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a research team led by Jeffrey Gruen, an associate professor at Yale School of Medicine , found several lines of evidence indicating that reading ability is influenced by a gene called DCDC2, which is located on chromosome 6. By studying 153 families with children who are dyslexic, the investigators were able to identify unique genetic patterns, or variations, within the DCDC2 gene that were strongly associated with dyslexia. One of the most interesting findings was the discovery of a deletion (a missing stretch of DNA) in DCDC2, which strongly correlated with severe reading disability.
In order to further investigate the role of DCDC2 in dyslexia, the researchers analyzed postmortem brain tissue samples and found that the DCDC2 gene is highly active in areas of the temporal cortex that are thought to be involved in reading.
The scientists also performed an experiment using 14-day-old rat embryos, some of which were injected with a substance that inhibits the expression of DCDC2. The rat embryos were then allowed to grow inside their mothers for another four days, after which their brains were removed for analysis. The investigators found that, while the control animals' brains developed normally and showed typical "neuronal migration," this migration was arrested in the brains of animals with reduced DCDC2 expression.
These results indicate that the DCDC2 gene plays a role in the development of dyslexia, Gruen says. He adds, however, that other genes are probably involved as well: "It's very likely that dyslexia is caused by a mixture of some DCDC2 alleles, as well as mixtures of alleles from some other genes."
Different brain regions used
Neuroimaging studies of children and adults with dyslexia consistently show that the underlying genetic variations that appear to be present in many of these individuals are manifested in observable differences in brain structure and function.
"Most of the available evidence points to the fact that the way the brains of children with dyslexia are wired is different from the typical brain organization in children who never experience difficulties in learning to read," says Panagiotis Simos, an associate professor at the University of Crete in Greece . Simos, in collaboration with scientists at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston , recently has conducted a series of studies that looked at brain activation patterns of children with dyslexia during various reading tasks.
Using magnetic source imaging (MSI), a technique that records tiny magnetic impulses generated by the electrical activity of neurons inside the brain, the researchers found that the brain circuit that children with dyslexia used when they attempted to read did not include an area (located in the left temporal lobe) that is typically used by nondyslexic readers. Children with dyslexia instead used the corresponding region in the right hemisphere, as well as certain areas in the frontal lobes, which are not normally used during reading.
These findings were in line with several previous studies that employed positron emission tomography (PET) or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare brain activity between dyslexic and nondyslexic readers. But because MSI (also known as magnetoencephalography, or MEG,) can record not only the spatial arrangement of brain activity but its timing pattern as well, Simos and colleagues were also able to detect—in real time— very fast changes taking place in neuronal activity during the performance of various reading tasks.
When the investigators analyzed these "spatiotemporal activation" profiles of children with dyslexia, they found that even when these subjects used the same brain regions that nonimpaired readers typically use, the time it took for different areas to become activated, as well as the order in which they became active, was markedly different between the two groups. However, the results of their latest study indicate that, with appropriate training, these differences can be can be minimized or, in some cases, completely eliminated.
Intensive intervention
In their most recent study, Simos and colleagues gave 15 children with dyslexia, ages 8 and 9, 16 weeks of intensive training aimed at improving reading skills. Phonological awareness, the awareness of speech sounds, was taught for two hours per day during the first eight weeks. The second half of the program emphasized recognition of words, comprehension, and fluency for one hour per day.
The researchers compared the pattern of brain activation during reading tasks before and after the intervention and found that the intensive training resulted in increased activity in a region that is normally used by nondyslexic people. They also saw that the timing of the activity in the temporal and frontal cortices shifted to a pattern similar to the one seen in nonimpaired readers.
Tests of reading performance before and after the 16-week program showed that this apparent normalization of brain activity was accompanied by significant improvements in word recognition and decoding, as well as fluency and comprehension.
Simos says these results show that even if the brains of children with dyslexia are functionally and/or anatomically different from those of other children, these differences do not prohibit the retraining or "rewiring" of the brain circuit for reading. He admits, however, that some children with the disorder may not be able to become good (or even average) readers, despite extensive training.
"Our recent work has shown that children whose brain circuit for reading rewires in such a way as to become very similar to the brains of nonimpaired readers are those who show the greatest benefits from remedial instruction," he says. "Children who continue to use compensatory brain circuits do not generally respond well to intervention."
What about adults?
Although some people become dyslexic during their adult years (as a result of a stroke, for instance), in most cases dyslexia is a developmental (i.e., childhood) disorder. Yet the majority of people with dyslexia are adults who have had it since childhood, points out Guinevere Eden, a neuroscientist at Georgetown University in Washington.
"One of the assumptions early on in neuroscience research, based on animal work, was that plasticity occurred only in the young brain," she says. Although it may be easier to "rewire" the brains of children, Eden 's research shows that there is plasticity in the adult brain, too.
In a study published in October 2004 in Neuron, Eden 's research team looked at brain activation patterns (using fMRI) in a group of adults with dyslexia while they were performing reading-related tasks. The investigators also tested a matched group of nondyslexic adults and found that, compared to these control subjects, individuals with dyslexia exhibited less activity in certain areas of the left side of their brains.
Half of the subjects who had the disorder were then given an eightweek, intensive (three hours per day) training program aimed at reinforcing the relationship between sounds and printed letters and words.
A comparison of fMRI recordings done before and after the intervention showed that the training sessions resulted in increased activity in the left hemisphere (in the same region the control subjects used), and in the right hemisphere as well, indicating the use of compensatory mechanisms by subjects with dyslexia. Tests also showed that the intervention program resulted in significant improvements in phonological awareness and paragraph reading accuracy.
Eden says these data suggest that remedial training can be beneficial for adults with dyslexia, too, although improvements in phonological awareness and reading accuracy do not necessarily translate into improvements in reading speed and/or comprehension. "But once you have improved phonological awareness and reading accuracy, you can start working on fluency," she says. "And once you bring up fluency, you probably improve comprehension."
Reprinted from BrainWork, March-April 2006, with permission from the Dana Foundation.