text:
A Novel Phytantriol-Based Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Gel for Efficient Ophthalmic Delivery of Pilocarpine Nitrate
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The purpose of this paper was to investigate the potential of liquid crystalline (LC) gels for ophthalmic delivery, so as to enhance the bioavailability of pilocarpine nitrate (PN). The gels were prepared by a vortex method using phytantriol and water (in the ratio of 73:27 w/w). Their inner structures were confirmed by crossed polarized light microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectrum, and rheology. The in vitro release studies revealed that PN could keep sustained release from the gels over a period of 12 h. The ex vivo apparent permeability coefficient of the gels demonstrated a 3.83-folds (P < 0.05) increase compared with that of eye drops. The corneal hydration levels of the gel maintained in the normal range of 79.46 ± 2.82%, hinting that the gel could be considered non-damaging and safe to the eyes. Furthermore, in vivo residence time evaluation suggested that a better retention performance of LC gel was observed in rabbit’s eyes compared to eye drops. In vivo ocular irritation study indicated that LC gel was nonirritant and might be suitable for various eye applications. In conclusion, LC gels might represent a potential ophthalmic delivery strategy to overcome the limitations of eye drops.
KEY WORDSphytantriol liquid crystalline gel cubic phase ophthalmic delivery pilocarpine nitrate
The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81803831, 81873019, 81573615), Key University natural science research project of Anhui province (KJ2018A0301), Anhui Provincial Talents Project for youth in Universities (No. gxyq2018025), Exploratory Research Projects of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine (RD18200130), and Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation (No. 1408085QH183). The authors express special thanks to Dr. Xiaoqin Chu for useful communication.
Compliance with Ethical Standards
All animal studies were carried out in accordance with the guidelines for assessment and approval by the ethics committee of Anhui University of Chinese medicine (Hefei, China).
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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domain: chemistry


Moderna vaccine claims at least 3 months of immunity with the lastest COVID-19
A study on Thursday revealed that the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, which the company reports is 94 percent effective recently, produces powerful antibodies to the human immune system, which remain at least three months long term.
The immune response of 34 young and old adult participants in the first stage of a clinical trial was studied by researchers at the National Institute for Allergic and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which developed the drug jointly.
Writing in the New England Medicine Journal they said that, “slightly over time, as expected, antibodies that stop the invasion of human cells by the SARS-CoV-2 virus deteriorate, but remained elevated 3 months after the booster vaccination.”
The mRNA-1273 vaccine is administered in two 28-day injections.
Though the number of antibodies in the study subjects has faded over time, there is no need to worry about that.
Director of NIAID Anthony Fauci et al. said the immune system will most likely remember the virus when reexposed and produce new anticorps later.
The study has shown encouragingly that the vaccine activated a type of immune cell that is supposed to aid in the memory response but that this will only be confirmed by a longer-term study.
The virologist Benjamin Neuman, a Virologist at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, said that the positive results of the study are evidence that a relatively strong antibody response remains after 90 days of the second dose of the vaccine.
“The number of antibodies made by the vaccine in younger patients was higher than in older patients, but even patients aged up to 70 years had reasonably strong immune responses.”
On December 17, the Moderna vaccine would be examined by the Food and Drug Administration’s advisory committee (FDA) and could soon after be lit green for emergency approval.
It bases on a new technology using genetic material in the form of mRNA, like another vaccine produced in Pfizer and BioNTech (messenger ribonucleic acid).
The mRNA injected into the arm is covered in a lipid molecule whereby cells within our muscles build the coronavirus surface protein.
This leads to the belief that the immune system has been infected with a microbe and trains it to make the correct antibodies if it is confronted with the real virus.


BoSS stands for safety and innovation.
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Selecting the most suitable working at height equipment
When it comes to working at height, it’s crucial that tradesmen are using the correct equipment to help minimise the risk of accidents. Jamie Brassington, Product Manager at WernerCo, talks through some of the different types of work at height equipment builders should be using for specific jobs.
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text:
This Seven Days of Creation Wheel helps kids re-tell the Biblical creation story. Teach kids about the stories in the Bible with Sunday school crafts for kids like this amazing colored wheel that reminds kids of the stories they read.
Best sweer and sour sauce! This came from Taste of Homes Quick Cooking and is much better than anything Ive created on my own. The sauce is thick and gooy and goes well with so many things.
Paint is relatively cheap, easy to apply, and makes a big impact. The hardest thing about paint? Picking colors! It's hard to even know where to begin, but I know I want a subdued, neutral/natural feel, with colors that flow from room to room. Since I don't have the house yet, I've been experimenting digitally with paint colors. Last week I created a whole house paint scheme that was soothing and sophisticated. I really like it, but this time I wanted to go for something just a little bolder…
Patriotic wreath Patriotic burlap wreath Patriotic decor Memorial day wreath July 4th wreath labor day Americana wreath flag wreath RTS
This is a handcrafted one of a kind wreath that Ive created using a 14 wreath form and generously looping alternating burgundy and tan burlap around it resulting in the final dimensions being approximately 16. Ive then added a wide (4) navy star printed ribbon bow for accent. This
The Best Sweet and Sour Sauce
This came from Taste of Homes Quick Cooking and is much better than anything Ive created on my own. The sauce is thick and gooy and goes well with so many things.

domain: artistic


text: Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterised by the use of a substance or act to the point of compulsion. There are a number of medical treatments available for the intervention of these disorders, however, the effectiveness of current therapeutics is far from adequate. Neuropeptides are known to modulate addictive behaviours and may provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of substance abuse. Accumulating evidence has suggested galanin as a potential important neuromodulator of addiction. Both human genetic studies and animal models have highlighted a role for this neuropeptide in affective disorders, as well as alcohol, nicotine, and opiate dependence. This review highlights the role of galanin and other primary neuropeptides implicated in modulating addiction to different drugs of abuse. Orexin, relaxin-3, corticotrophin-releasing factor, dynorphin and enkephalin, are also discussed given their involvement in mediating reward-seeking behaviour.

domain: biology


text:
Vacation rentals apartment Rio de Janeiro. Special retes on request.
Daily rate valid for 30 days minimum until December 20th of each year. Rates for shorter periods will be informed on request.
Studio luxury apartment divided in 2 ambients, bathroom, kitchen. Front side, 10th floor, 30m˛, located 1 small block from Leme beach (beginning of Copacabana).
Living room ambient with sofa bed and table with chairs.
Bedroom ambient with double bed, TV, closet and air conditioner.
Bathroom with shower.
Fully equipped kitchen with stove, refrigerator, cabinets, microwave and all kitchen utensils.
Bed linen and towels (maid cleaning service and linen changing once a week already included).
Ideal accommodation for 1, 2 or 3 people. Safe building with doorman 24 hour.
Excellent location, 1 block from Leme beach with all facilities in the neighbourhood (bars, restaurants, supermarkets, stores and easy transport to the whole city 24 hours a day).
Available for short and long term. Rental prices vary according to the length of stay and season.

domain: travel


text:
Western Fairytale - Black - Paparazzi necklacePaparazzi Accessories by Awnya
Regular price $5.00
A blackteardrop swings from the uppermost chain above a silver ring and a vintage blackpendant. The layered display flawlessly falls down the chest in a Southwestern inspired fashion. Features an adjustable clasp closure. Sold as one individual necklace. Includes one pair of matching earrings.

domain: design


text:
Trucking has been a hot topic in Minneapolis these last few months after the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock closed for the last time in early June. With the lack of barges following the Mississippi, the number of companies turning to trucking is expected to pick up in the next year which may bode well for Minnesota-native companies such as Bay & Bay transportation.
What few may realize is that trucking has been around for a very long time (since the late 1800’s in fact), and this coming uptick in trucking activity certainly isn’t the first time the industry has made the Minneapolis news. In fact, in the early days of trucking, Minneapolis was home to a volatile strike that is seen as a historical turning point for workers’ rights in Minnesota.
Compared to then, the trucking industry has expanded and developed into a modern marvel of long distance transportation. When you’re driving along I35 and you’re next to a large semi with another up ahead, it might be easy to write them off as overbearing road-hogs, but doing so would be a disservice to what they’re really accomplishing. The stores you shop at, the groceries you buy, and even the carnivals you attend all share a common characteristic; they had to get their stock somewhere. And some flatbed transportation units can carry around 24 tons of material which can be an incredible asset to farms and amusement parks alike.
Plus, thanks to early innovations such as refrigerated transportation, fresh food can be transported across the state, which is quite the feat in the Midwest where sometimes you can feel eons away from civilization. It’s also worth noting that the inventor of refrigerated transportation, Fred Jones, was living in Minnesota when he developed the technology in the 1930’s…a lucky thing considering the average Minnesota summer. Jones made a deal with Minneapolis native Joseph A. Numero and the two of them worked on securing the patent by 1940.
The history of Minneapolis nicely intertwines with that of trucking, and it’s impressive to consider that the industry has been up and running for over a century. The next time you pass a semi on the interstate, it may be worth making a note of what they’re carrying, or issue a passing guess of where it’s going. It’ll make those long trips in bad traffic just a little more historic.
If you’re in Minneapolis and are interested in joining a long-running tradition, or looking for transportation freight services, contact Bay & Bay transportation at 888.801.3026 or visit our website.

domain: economics


text:
Topic: Neurovascular and neuroinflammation mechanisms associated with bipolar disorder
Neuroinflammation has been proposed as a strong biological factor underlying the development of neuropsychiatric diseases. A role for dysregulation of the immune system was initially suggested in depressive disorders and subsequently extended to other illnesses, including bipolar disorder (BD). Indeed, there is growing evidence confirming the presence of a generalized pro‑inflammatory state in BD patients, involving alterations in cytokine, acute‑phase proteins, and complement factor secretion, white blood cell differentiation, microglial activation, arachidonic acid signaling pathways, and...
Published on: 15 Oct 2015

domain: medical


Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Department of Justice
DEA’s rule, “Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances” revises DEA’s regulation to provide practitioners with the option of writing prescriptions for controlled substances electronically. The regulations will also permit pharmacies to receive, dispense, and archive these electronic prescriptions. DEA’s discussions with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) were instrumental in the development of this rule. DEA also worked closely with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the General Services Administration (GSA).
To learn more about the federal rulemaking process and to view these documents, visit http://www.regulations.gov.


SimplySourceful is accepting orders, but to ensure safety, delivery may be delayed. We will provide regular order updates.
We carry fully compatible Anthony cooler door parts to help you keep your refrigeration units in good repair and properly sealed for peak efficiency. Whether you’re replacing a broken handle for cosmetic reasons or a worn bolt that makes it harder to open your cooler, our replacement Anthony refrigeration door parts will help upgrade your unit. They’re a must-have for proper maintenance without breaking the bank or getting caught in an endless series of wrong-part returns.


text:
SCRI Launches the Master Clinical Trials Agreement for clinical trials to begin sooner in Singapore
SCRI is pleased to launch the Master Clinical Trials Agreement (MCTA) at the Clinical Research Roundtable held on 15 November 2022. The MCTA provides a legal template that will shorten the initiation of clinical trials in Singapore by reducing the turnaround time in reviewing trial agreements between industry sponsors and public healthcare institutions.
The template would be especially useful for companies looking to conduct multi-centre trials but do not have prior agreements with the institutions, as it cuts the time needed for drafting up a new document from scratch.
The launch of the MCTA represents a key pillar of a series of initiatives by SCRI to advance the quality and efficiency of clinical trials in Singapore by working with key stakeholders in public healthcare institutions and government agencies. These initiatives range from implementing a national dashboard to track clinical trials efficiency to increasing public awareness on clinical research in Singapore.
Increasing Efficiency and Cutting Red Tape to Spearhead Clinical Research
Over eight months, the SCRI team facilitated discussions among SingHealth, National University Health System (NUHS), National Healthcare Group (NHG), and the Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (SAPI) which represents 42 pharmaceutical companies operating in Singapore. SCRI worked together with the legal representatives from SAPI and public healthcare clusters to revamp the operational aspects of the MCTA as well as provide a budget template.
In particular, the team ensured that the opinions and concerns of the healthcare clusters and SAPI were considered and facilitated the development of the common clauses in the MCTA.
The MCTA is an important step in the right direction because as disease patterns constantly evolve, new drugs will need to be developed and trailed at a quicker pace. Increasingly, hospitals and research institutes are also collaborating through more public-private partnerships to develop and embark on clinical trials for new drugs and treatment techniques to combat evolving disease patterns and bring hope of new treatment to patients.
Bolstering Singapore’s Reputation for Running Clinical Trials in the Region
At the Roundtable, Executive Director, SCRI and CEO, CRIS A/Prof Danny Soon also moderated an insightful panel on ways to enhance public-private partnerships in clinical research.
The panel comprised distinguished speakers from the healthcare clusters and SAPI:
- Mr Louis Ang, Director, Group Research, National Healthcare Group
- Dr Shuwen Koh, Deputy Group Chief Technology Officer, National University Health System
- Ms Sue Tee, Director, Investigational Medicine Unit, SingHealth
- Ms Hwee Tee Poh, President, Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries and Country President, Novartis (Singapore) Pte Ltd
- Ms Yeoh Ying Ying, Director, Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries and General Manager, Roche Singapore Pte Ltd
The panel shared a common vision to bolster Singapore’s reputation for running clinical trials in the region by building trust, establishing win-win solutions and holding space for open dialogue.
They also shared their future aspirations for the industry to continually forge ahead, stay ahead of the curve in the next five years and drive access to life-saving therapeutics for patients.
Senior Director, SCRI Dr Eugene Gan also shared new strategic initiatives which SCRI has been working on to boost the efficiency and quality of clinical trials conducted in Singapore.
Following the launch of the MCTA, SCRI will continue to monitor the usage and efficiency of the MCTA in helping both pharmaceutical companies and public hospitals cut the time spent on establishing agreements and improve the document based on further input received. The team will also continue to work with SAPI and the public healthcare clusters to create sub-templates for different types of clinical trials. The event was attended by more than 70 partners from the Singapore Economic Development Board, Enterprise Singapore, National Medical Research Council, Biomedical Sciences Industry Partnership Office, representatives from the healthcare clusters, alongside members from SAPI.
Click here to find out more about the MCTA.


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ORLANDO – Valencia College will host an exhibition of artwork by Valencia graduate, ad agency executive and artist Chris Robb from June 13 through Aug. 1 at Valencia College’s East Campus, in the Anita S. Wooten Gallery.
To kick off the exhibition, Valencia will host a reception for Robb on Friday, June 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the gallery. Robb will talk about his artwork at 7:30 p.m. in room 3-113.
The exhibition, titled “The Truth or Something Like It,” showcases the colorful abstract paintings created by Robb, who is a surfer, artist and chief creative officer at Push, an Orlando advertising agency.
In Robb’s paintings, “colors jockey for dominance and cast their auras about; pedestrian reds and blues, brassy yellows and deep-throbbing pinks and magentas. Robb works spontaneously applying numerous layers, obsessively obliterating negative space until we are left with an impenetrable plane of interlocking and overlapping shapes,” says Jackie Otto Miller, curator of Valencia’s Wooten Gallery.
The Anita S. Wooten Gallery is located in Building 3, room 112, on Valencia’s East Campus, 701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando.
Admission to the gallery is free. The opening night reception is free and open to the public.
The gallery is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. During summer, the gallery is open 8:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays. For more information, please call 407-582-2298 or 407-582-2268.


text:
Memberships looking healthy at The Gym Group
By Sarah Wood | 5th August 2022
Half year sales have soared at The Gym Group, with a 10 per cent increase in memberships.
The no-contract chain, which has gyms in Gloucester and Cheltenham, saw sales increase by 187 per cent, to £84.2 million, compared to £29.3 million a year ago.
Revenues at The Gym have now reached 90 per cent of pre-Covid levels and losses have reduced from £21.8 million a year ago to £4.2 million, as reported by The Sun.
The business has 790,000 members and 215 gyms. It plans to open a further 28 gyms this year and aims to reach 300 sites by 2025.
Picture credit: Google Maps, 2021
Copyright 2022 Moose Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content is strictly forbidden without prior permission.


text:
K8. Framing Matters. How Comparisons to Ideal and Anti-Ideal Reference Points Affect Brand Evaluations.
We test how comparisons to ideal and anti-ideal reference points affect brand evaluations in political and consumer context. The results support the negativity effect, showing that negative comparisons have a stronger effect than their positive counterparts.
Magdalena Zyta Jablonska and Andrzej Falkowski (2018) ,"K8. Framing Matters. How Comparisons to Ideal and Anti-Ideal Reference Points Affect Brand Evaluations.", in NA - Advances in Consumer Research Volume 46, eds. Andrew Gershoff, Robert Kozinets, and Tiffany White, Duluth, MN : Association for Consumer Research, Pages: 911-911.
Magdalena Zyta Jablonska, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities
Andrzej Falkowski, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities
NA - Advances in Consumer Research Volume 46 | 2018
Featured papersSee More
Product Complexity as a Barrier to Consumer Financial Decision-Making
Timothy Dunn, University of Colorado, USA
Philip M. Fernbach, University of Colorado, USA
Ji Hoon Jhang, Oklahoma State University, USA
John Lynch, University of Colorado, USA
M4. How Consumption Experiences Create Value
Gia Nardini, University of Denver
Melissa Archpru Akaka, University of Denver
Deborah MacInnis, University of Southern California, USA
Richard J Lutz, University of Florida, USA
Q7. Desire in Performed Consumption: Examining the Case of Korean Beauty Vlogging
Marie-Eve Jodoin, HEC Montreal, Canada
Marie-Agnès Parmentier, HEC Montreal, Canada

domain: library


Google has said that its infrastructure was hacked in an apparent effort to get at Chinese dissidents’ GMail accounts. The implication is that the Chinese government was behind the attacks. The company has taken a laudable and very strong stand and said it will no longer comply with Chinese government censorship. It also said that if it cannot operate in an uncensored way going forward it may exit the market entirely.
According to the Google blog post:
These attacks and the surveillance they have uncovered–combined with the attempts over the past year to further limit free speech on the web–have led us to conclude that we should review the feasibility of our business operations in China. We have decided we are no longer willing to continue censoring our results on Google.cn, and so over the next few weeks we will be discussing with the Chinese government the basis on which we could operate an unfiltered search engine within the law, if at all. We recognize that this may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China.
China is the world’s largest mobile market with 700 million subscribers, more than twice as large as the US population as a whole. The Internet advertising market in China is less mature than in the US and Europe, but over time it would be worth many billions off dollars. Baidu currently dominates search on PCs with roughly 65% – 80% market share.
This is a very gutsy move on Google’s part. There’s no reason to believe the Chinese government will allow Google to operate on an uncensored basis. So that may mean — if Google is true to its public word here — that it must say goodbye to the world’s largest Internet market.
Presumably Android handsets would still be available in China (e.g., the Dell Mini 3) but they would likely have to be stripped of Google Search and other services.


American Pastime is the fourteenth album by American rock band Three Dog Night, released in 1976. Their only studio album not to feature the band’s three founding vocalists (Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron, and Cory Wells) backed up by their long-time band, it sold poorly and the band broke up soon afterwards. Danny Hutton was only present in one of the songs in the album. No wonder they broke up after this album, this album did not sound like a Three Dog Night album. They went on this one to pop to disco to who knows whatever. There were three songs that was fair and they were Everyone is a Masterpiece, Hang On which their attempt to do a disco sound and Dance the Night Away which was the best cut off this album. The only reason I even own this one is to have a complete Three Dog Night vinyl collection.


text:
With that standoff, we may see what the Trump Administration is made of.
Here's a quote curated from the Act Blue website:
The new administration has sent hundreds of law enforcement to Standing Rock over the last 48 hours and the oil companies have matched them with over 300 new and aggressive security staff. Over the weekend, a water protector was run over by a snowmobile and the North Dakota legislature is about to pass a law allowing drivers to run over Water Protectors without charges! Help us match these acts of violence with non-violent protests and prayer. We need food, medical care, and legal support more than ever.
A big problem with the DAPL is that it is to pass under a freshwater lake that serves as the main source of water for the local population -- hence the name, "Standing Rock Water Protectors". A fracture or leak of the DAPL at that location would contaminate that water. Such has already occurred, recently, in Pennsylvania.
On the side of the DAPL are the mass of Stupids who believe that the highest accomplishment of a man is to acquire money. That includes the new President, President Donald, a man whose time has come -- and gone -- long ago -- a relic of a previous mentality now inhabited primarily by young people starting out, the poverty-sticken, immigrants, and those in a state of arrested development.
The Stupids believe that the risk of contamination of the lake is an acceptable price to pay for their profit, even at the cost of the health of thousands, as occurred in Flint, Michigan.
The standoff, which may go in a number of directions, may, I believe, set the tone for this administration's handling of all manner of civil disobedience.
Click to download and listen.
Today, I was asked to leave the senate gallery of the New Mexico legislature in Santa Fe because I refused to remove my hat. One of the attendants called the police to have me removed and one told me that I might be arrested. I suggested that he tell them that I had refused to remove my hat.
I left before the police arrived and walked in a leisurely way to the door -- followed by two police officers. One officer told me that to remove my hat was a sign of respect; I countered that it was not a sign of respect, but of obedience. He told me that to remove my hat was a rule of the building; I countered that rules do not deserve respect merely because they are rules, but because of the legitimate function they serve. He said that he was not there to engage in a discussion; I responded I wasn't asking him to, but rather that I was starting a line of thought. All this, over a hat. I pointed to the larger political climate and cited this encounter as an ominous development.
That was an abbreviated accounting of the encounter. I left.
Think on that.
Then, think on larger matters.
There comes a time when both the police and the military should exercise intelligent judgment, confine themselves to enforcing THE LAW and not the arbitrary will of those in power.
Don't you think?
Resistance?? What good are protests if they bring out the police and the military?
How about countless acts of civil disobedience, small and large, that bring oppressive actions so frequent and so repressive, so counter to the American spirit of freedom, that even Trump's supporters repudiate him?

domain: law


text:
What is pulmonary rehabilitation?
Melissa Egts, Inventor
NASAL CANNULA COVER
Your patient is afraid of pulmonary rehabilitation. Or maybe you are? The decision to get moving again in an exercise program can be scary. It can seem impossible, especially when you get short of breath showering or walking to the mailbox. So what is pulmonary rehabilitation? A full pulmonary rehabilitation program is more than exercise. A well-thought out pulmonary rehabilitation program gives you comfort, support, socialization, and a sense of normalcy and control while also guiding you to make physical gains!
Why should you go to pulmonary rehabilitation? Well, physical gains, of course! But another good reason is it feels so good to move your body. It’s what our bodies are designed for. Moving helps bring a sense of normalcy back into life. And the decision to go to pulmonary rehabilitation is a positive step that will improve your mental health and mood.
You can do it!
Pulmonary rehabilitation Equipment
Imagine walking into a gym full of exercise equipment and full of people you don't know. Scary, right? But don't worry, kindness and comfort is ahead.
The first step - deciding to go to pulmonary rehabilitation - has already been made. For so long you've been struggling to breathe and feeling alone with your disease. The respiratory therapist who greets you will guide you through the process, and the paperwork, develop a program just for you, and train you on each machine. There is no need to fear being judged for being out of shape. The respiratory therapists who run the programs make sure patients are comfortable with the exercises and are there to adjust oxygen levels or suggest rest as needed. You will never be asked to do anything extreme. Most of the machines are non-weight bearing and you can sit while you exercise. And you'll likely rotate among exercise machines. That means you'll never have to plod along on a machine you hate.
Pulmonary rehabilitation exercises
Personally, I get a lot of comfort from exercise during pulmonary rehabilitation. I get a lot of air trapping because my lungs can get air in but they can’t get all the air back out. It's like how a balloon feels right before it pops. Exercise helps empty my lungs of the “bad” air so I can take deeper breaths and eliminates the discomfort.
Specifically, though, I've been through two pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Treadmills are available, but I don't see many people using them. My favorite, and hardest, is the arm crank. You know how pedals on a bike rotate? Imagine a machine like that, chest high, but for your arms instead.
It is a challenge, but a good one. When I first went on oxygen just moving the laundry from the washer to the dryer made me severely short of breath. Many people who use oxygen have trouble cleaning a bathtub, for example. That's because when you add arm movement it can be very aerobic. This machine as part of your pulmonary rehabilitation helps.
Does pulmonary rehabilitation work?
Does pulmonary rehabilitation therapy work? Yes, it does! This spring my family and I were able to climb 1,190 steps during the American Lung Association Fight For Air Climb!
During pulmonary rehabilitation, I usually use a rowing machine and exercise bike. Unlike most people, I do use the treadmill as a challenge. I crank an oxygen tank all the way up to 8 liters per minute and go as fast as I can for a mile. Weight machines are available, too. I've used them but I've had to ask. I think the preference is for patients to do aerobic exercise but I love lifting weights and it is aerobic, too!
Once you start to make consistent gains, your respiratory therapist might ask you to increase your level of effort by increasing the exercise machine's resistance or asking you to go faster. That's ok! Remember communication is important. Pulmonary rehabilitation is for you. If what they ask you to do is not comfortable - talk to them and adjust your program!
Pulmonary rehabilitation near me
The supportive atmosphere and the ability to exercise with other people using oxygen at a pulmonary rehabilitation program is great. I know the first time I went through pulmonary rehabilitation it was a relief to be around other oxygen users and not feel like everyone was looking at me and the nasal cannula running across my face. Plus, the respiratory therapists running the pulmonary rehabilitation exercise session check your blood pressure and oxygen levels before and during your your exercise session. For me, this reduced the fear that I was exercising with low oxygen levels, which I know can hurt my heart. The level of care is extraordinary and I made a lot of friends.
I found my pulmonary rehabilitation program through my doctor. He prescribed it, the office organized it, and my insurance paid for it (yay!). So, the best place to find a recommendation for pulmonary rehabilitation starts with asking your physician.
If you live in a small town where there isn't a pulmonary rehabilitation program, then what can you do. I know of two choices. You can make your own pulmonary rehabilitation program by finding and watching videos you can find on-line. There are also companies that offer a full program of exercises, breathing techniques, nutrition, and information you can subscribe to on-line. I've used joinexhale.com and recommend them!


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Is Mike Huckabee Warming to Mitt Romney?
Frontrunner Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his onetime rival Mike Huckabee appeared on Fox News, smiling and laughing as they discussed controversial social issues.
Former Arkansas Gov. Huckabee invited former Massachusetts Gov. Romney to his Fox News show, “Huckabee,” Saturday to talk about issues that matter to socially conservative voters. The conversation was cordial, a stark contrast to their sharp exchanges during the 2008 campaign when Huckabee was also a candidate.
The two would have found themselves competing with each other once again had Huckabee not opted out of the race. On his Fox News show in May, Huckabee declared he was not in the race. “I don’t expect everyone to understand this, but I’m a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ. And that relationship is far more important to me than any political office.”
On Friday, Huckabee denied a Reuters report saying he was reconsidering his run for president.
“I do not see a path for me, either financially or organizationally,” Huckabee told Neil Cavuto on Fox News. A day later, Huckabee invited Romney onto his show, giving him an opportunity to reach out to socially conservative voters.
“There’s still concerns that some of the social conservatives have,” Huckabee told Romney. “Would you be a pro-life president and what would that mean for you? How would you give some assurance that that’s not something they have to worry about if Mitt Romney is president?”
Romney said he was for conservative Supreme Court justices and said he was pro-life. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone in the country agreed with you and me that life begins [at] conception and that there’s a sanctity of life that’s part of a civilized society and that we’re all going to agree there should not be legal abortion in the nation? That’d be great,” Romney said.
“But I don’t think that’s where we are right now,” he added. “I do think where the majority of the American people would go is [to] say let the states make the decisions.”
Defending his Massachusetts health care plan, Romney said he would have supported an amendment to the state constitution so abortion was not subsidized.
Romney also told Huckabee that he could see a problem with his previous campaign. “Well you know, someone said to me, at the end of that campaign, ‘Write down in one word what Barack Obama stood for – change or hope,’” he said. “How about Hillary Clinton? Can’t come up with anything. How about Mitt Romney? Same thing. … I talked about a lot of issues but it wasn’t clear what I stood for.”
In this race, Romney added, “I wanted to make sure … win or lose … people know I’m the guy to put Americans back to work.” He also said what matters most to him this time is to defeat President Obama, and therefore he is not too concerned about more candidates joining the fray.
While Huckabee has reiterated he is not running for president, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to jump in to the race this week. Romney said he didn’t “begrudge” that.
“Come on in, let us take a look at you, put you under the microscope and see who has the best shot of replacing President Obama and getting the country on the right track again,” Romney said.
He told Huckabee, “If you were in it, it would be a different race and you probably don’t think about that a lot. But I am sure a lot of people say, ‘Why isn’t Mike in? That’d be terrific.’ So, they’re looking at all the field and I think in the final week or two people will settle down and make their final decision.”
Huckabee acknowledged his interview with Romney was out of ordinary. “You know, a lot of people are watching this interview because they really were wondering, would you and I would be able to sit in the same room and be civil to each other?” he said jokingly. “I mean, it was exactly four years ago we were kinda going through it. I think we’ve proven that people can be civil.”
The apparent Huckabee-Romney camaraderie is perhaps not good news for the other frontrunner, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Romney’s rival in the race. Perry has yet to be invited on the Huckabee show.

domain: sociology


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Following the Environment Agency Chairman’s comment on choosing to protect town or countryside from flooding, the Country Landowners’ Association has said flood management must be looked at urgently as “we simply cannot carry on like this”. Read more on the story here.
Live Flood Update
Severe Flood Warnings
It's good to have affordable insurance but care is needed so that it does not deter people from protecting their pr… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…
Of course it would have been better not to build in a flood zone in the first place twitter.com/SP_Simonovic/s…

domain: news


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We said goodbye to the group of walkers from Tasmania and headed off for a walk to Squally Cove.
We had the usual for breakfast and leftovers for lunch: hummus and crackers for me. My last batch of ginger beer was a smashing success. The Easter Bunny found us and we’ve been snacking on chocolate.
Dinner was grilled pork chops with applesauce, peas and potato latkes. Dessert was oatmeal cookies.
Breakfast was toast and yogurt. Lunch was sausage and pasta for Tim. I had a fresh bagel with melted cheese and tomato.
Dinner was Bobotie, a South African meat stew. I relied in a combination of two recipes and improvised a lot. It was awesome. I served it with brown rice and raita. Tim opened a pack of Tim Tams because he finished the apple pie for lunch.
I substituted canned peaches for apricots, mixed dried fruit for raisins, apple cider vinegar for wine. I’ve never had it before so don’t know what it’s supposed to taste like but my version was delicious.

domain: food


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Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers are coming to Sacramento this summer.
The iconic rock band will bring its 40th anniversary tour to the Golden 1 Center on Aug. 25, the arena announced. It was one of three Northern California performances added to the tour list Monday, following two dates at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley.
The Shelters, a rock band out of Los Angeles, will also appear as a special guest.
Members of the Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Highway Companions Club can buy pre-sale tickets starting 10 a.m. Wednesday.


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Explore the bush and forestland; discover remote villages as well as colonial style houses in the beautiful Aburi or Busua area. With a mountain bike or by foot you can choose one out of many guided tours on single trails, dirt and tarred roads with different landscapes which require different levels of physical strength and skills. We offer 1hour to 10 days biking tour as well as 2hours onwards walking or trekking.
01/01/2019 @ 08:00 am - 01/01/2019 @ 08:00 am
01 Jan 08:00 am - 08:00 am


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Tips For Effectively Filing The Right Way For BankruptcyDuring difficult economic times, many people find themselves struggling to keep their heads above water. Too often, faced with mounting debt and unpaid bills, people make the choice to file for personal bankruptcy. While this can often prove to be the right choice, anyone who is thinking of doing so, should read the tips in this article first.
Trying to exclude family members you owe money to before filing for personal bankruptcy can get you into serious hot water. The court will look into who you pay-off as far as a year back, and if they find you showing favor to family over other creditors, they could invalidate your filing completely.
When it comes time for you to hire an attorney to deal with your bankruptcy, be sure to find one that has a ton of experience with personal bankruptcy. Learn about the charges you will have to pay, and how many of their associates will be working on your case.
Many times, when a debtor files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, their home can be protected. This is because of the homestead exemption. This exemption can protect the home, if the debtor owes below a certain threshold. Laws concerning this exemption do vary between states. Be sure to consult with a bankruptcy attorney before, assuming your home is safe from liquidation.
If you've considered the pros and cons involved with choosing bankruptcy, and you feel that this is the only option you have left, be sure to consider all the personal bankruptcy laws. Don't just sit back for the ride; be sure to work together with your lawyer so that you can get the best outcome possible.
After your bankruptcy has been discharged, or finalized, a good way to begin re-building your credit is to obtain a pre-paid credit card. This type of card is usually available at your local bank. The card is secured by the amount of money you load onto it. You can not charge more than what you have loaded onto the card, so over-spending shouldn't be a problem. It works like a regular credit card, with monthly statements and payments. After you have kept this card in good standing for a period of time, you may be able to have it switched into a regular, revolving credit card.
Remember to understand click for more between Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is intended to wipe out all outstanding debts. All of your financial ties to the people you owe money to will disappear. Chapter 13 bankruptcy though will make you work out a payment plan that takes 60 months to work with until the debts go away. It's imperative that you know the differences among the various categories of bankruptcy so that you are able to choose the wisest one for you.
Look at all of the options. Although bankruptcy can be highly damaging to your credit score when you file, it may actually help you in the future. It will remain on your credit report for ten years, but if filing for bankruptcy helps you overcome your debt now, it will be better for your credit score than making late credit card and loan payments for the rest of your life.
Talk to other professionals before talking to a bankruptcy lawyer. Talk to financial advisers and credit counselors to see if bankruptcy is, in fact, your best option. A bankruptcy lawyer has a conflict of interest, so they are less likely to dissuade you from filing for bankruptcy. Finding an impartial, knowledgeable thirty party will give you the complete picture.
Learn about adversarial proceeding. This is what results when you take out cash advances or make big ticket purchases on credit cards within ninety days of your filing date. You could very well be held responsible for the funds that have been withdrawn or purchases made once the bankruptcy is final.
Be honest. Don't try to hide debts or money, because if you are found out, your entire bankruptcy filing can be revoked, and you could face jail time. Just be honest about what your financial life is like, and your lawyer should be able to help you make smart choices.
Be completely up front and honest about your situation and assets to avoid courts from dismissing your case. If the court catches you deliberately hiding assets or income, it can bar you from filing and even refilling for bankruptcy on debts that you have listed within the petition. This makes it impossible to remove debts.
Prior to filing for personal bankruptcy, take care to not make withdrawals from your retirement accounts, IRA's, or 401k's. You may think you are doing the right thing to free up money, but often these types of accounts are protected from any bankruptcy proceedings. If you withdrawal the money, you may be opening it up to any bankruptcy action.
If you are going through a divorce and your ex-spouse files for bankruptcy, there are debts that cannot be discharged. Child support, alimony, many property settlement obligations, restitution, and student loans, are all not allowed to be discharged in a bankruptcy from divorce. In very rare cases, some property settlement agreements are allowed to be discharged. Consult with an attorney to find out which ones can.
Do not assume that declaring bankruptcy will leave you homeless, or without transportation. Depending on how your bankruptcy is set up, you may be able to stay in your home or keep your automobile, so long as you continue to make payments on your car loan or your mortgage.
If you have many non-dischargeable debts, filling for bankruptcy may not be very beneficial or advisable. Non-dischargeable debts include student loans, taxes, child support payments, fraudulent debts, and alimony payments. Filing for bankruptcy will not dissolve any of those debts and will only make it harder for you to secure credit in the future.
Regardless of how dire your situation may be, candor is critical. Lying about debts and assets is a huge mistake. This activity is illegal. If simply click the following website page lie in the recording of your debts and assets, you may end up in prison for quite some time.
You should now be better prepared for the time before, during and after bankruptcy. The information that has been provided to you has been known to help many other debtors in the same situation that you are in. Use it to your benefit and make the right choices with such a big life choice.

domain: finance


The DEMATRON DM-430 electronic bar-tacker direct drive is the ultimate bar-tacker. Over 65 preset programs for bar-tacking, line-tacking, box-x patterns, in multiple sizes and configurations. Ideal for sewing webbing, Velcro, vinyls, denim, knits, and other composite type materials. The DM series is the fastest electronic bar-tacker in the industry, with maximum speed of 3200 RPM. The DM-430 is also supplied with programming software to configure any desired sew pattern within the sewing area of 40mm X 30mm. The USB input makes it easy to import and edit programs seamlessly. Because of it's exceptional track record and performance the DEMATRON warranty exceeds any other warranty manufacturer in its class, offering a 2 YEAR standard warranty on all the major components.


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Pedro Artieda Santacruz (Quito, 1964) is a psychologist, novelist, short story writer, journalist, essayist, literary critic, and professor. In 2003, he published a study titled “La homosexualidad masculina en la narrativa ecuatoriana” [Male Homosexuality in Ecuadorian Narrative], which received the Manuela Saénz Prize in 2004. His first novel, “Nadie sabe con certeza” [Nobody Knows For Sure], was published in 2001, followed by the psychological science fiction novel “La última pared roja” [The Last Red Wall]. In 2011, he released a collection of short stories titled “Lo oculto de la noche” [The Hidden Night], and in 2013, his third novel “Bajo el hábito” [Beneath the Habit] received an honorable mention at the Joaquín Gallegos Lara Prize for Best Novel of the Year. This novel tells the story of a transgender Franciscan living in a monastery in Quito. Pedro Artieda Santacruz has contributed to newspapers such as El Comercio and Hoy, and his articles on literature, cinema, and gender have been published in various magazines including Diners, El Búho, and Vistazo, among others.
Pedro Artieda Santacruz, born in Quito in 1964, is a versatile and accomplished writer, psychologist, journalist, and professor. With an impressive body of work that spans various genres and themes, he has made significant contributions to Ecuadorian literature and intellectual discourse. Artieda Santacruz’s exploration of male homosexuality in Ecuadorian narrative, his captivating novels, and his thought-provoking essays have garnered critical acclaim and accolades.
Exploring Male Homosexuality in Ecuadorian Narrative
In 2003, Pedro Artieda Santacruz published a groundbreaking study titled “La homosexualidad masculina en la narrativa ecuatoriana” [Male Homosexuality in the Ecuadorian Narrative]. This seminal work delves deep into the representation and portrayal of male homosexuality in Ecuadorian literature. Recognized for its scholarly rigor and insightful analysis, the study earned Artieda Santacruz the prestigious Manuela Saénz Prize in 2004. Through his exploration of this theme, he shed light on important social and cultural issues, challenging conventional narratives and fostering a greater understanding of diverse sexual identities.
Notable literary works
Pedro Artieda Santacruz’s talent as a novelist is evident in his captivating narratives that blend different genres and perspectives. In 2001, he made his mark with his debut novel, “Nadie sabe con certeza” [Nobody Knows For Sure]. This work showcases his ability to delve into the complexities of human existence and relationships with a nuanced and empathetic approach.
Following the success of his first novel, Artieda Santacruz ventured into the realm of psychological science fiction with his novel “La última pared roja” [The Last Red Wall]. Published in 2011, this intriguing work pushes the boundaries of imagination while delving into the depths of the human psyche. Through his masterful storytelling, Artieda Santacruz offers readers a thought-provoking exploration of the intersections between psychology and science fiction. Also in 2011, he released “Lo oculto de la noche” [The Hidden Night], a collection of short stories that delves into the enigmatic and mysterious aspects of human existence.
In 2013, Pedro Artieda Santacruz unveiled his third novel, “Bajo el hábito” [Beneath the Habit], which earned honorable mention at the Joaquín Gallegos Lara Prize for best novel of the year. Within the pages of “Bajo el hábito,” readers are transported into a world where an aging Franciscan monk embarks on nocturnal escapades, peeling back the layers of Quito’s historic center to expose its hidden darkness. This emotionally resonant tale delves into themes of passion, suffering, and the quest for love as the monk undergoes a transformative journey, assuming the persona of a sensual and sensitive woman—revealing his true soul. Alongside the protagonist’s own well-guarded secrets, he uncovers other hidden truths that deepen his understanding of human frailties. Intertwined with this exploration is a captivating quest for a long-lost colonial relic, adding an element of intrigue and urgency. Artieda Santacruz’s masterful storytelling seamlessly weaves these interconnected plotlines together, ensuring that readers are spellbound and captivated until the very last page.
Psychologist and Cultural Studies
Pedro Artieda Santacruz’s educational background includes a degree in psychology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. This foundational education has equipped him with a deep understanding of the human mind and behavior, enriching his writing with insightful character portrayals and psychological depth. In addition to his psychology degree, Artieda Santacruz holds a master’s degree in cultural studies with a mention in Latin American literature from the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar (Simon Bolivar Andean University). This interdisciplinary expertise allows him to approach literature from a sociocultural perspective, exploring the intricate relationship between literary works and the broader social and cultural contexts in which they emerge. By combining his psychological insights with his knowledge of cultural studies, Artieda Santacruz brings a unique and nuanced perspective to his writing, delving into the complexities of the human psyche and offering profound reflections on the human experience.
Journalism and Literary Criticism
Pedro Artieda Santacruz has not only made a mark in the realm of creative writing but also in journalism and literary criticism. He has worked for reputable Ecuadorian newspapers such as El Comercio and Hoy, where he has contributed insightful articles on literature, cinema, and gender. His thought-provoking analysis and commentary have enriched the intellectual discourse surrounding these topics. Furthermore, his articles have been published in prominent magazines, including Diners, El Búho, and Vistazo, among others.
Partial list of accolades
- Manuela Saénz Prize in 2004 for his study “La homosexualidad masculina en la narrativa ecuatoriana” [Male Homosexuality in the Ecuadorian Narrative].
- Honorable mention at the Joaquín Gallegos Lara Prize for best novel of the year for “Bajo el hábito” [Beneath the Habit] in 2013.
- Nadie sabe con certeza (2001, novel)
- La homosexualidad masculina en la narrativa ecuatoriana (2003, essay)
- La última pared roja (2011, novel)
- Lo oculto de la noche (2011, short stories)
- Bajo el hábito (2013, novel)
- Invertidos y marimachos: Ficciones queer en la poética latinoamericana (essay/literary-criticism) – expected to be published in 2022.


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Delta County Libraries is the recipient of a $35,000 grant from the State Historical Fund (SHF) to draft revised construction documents for Delta Library. The grant is an important step in an ongoing, multi-phase project to preserve the Delta Library, a site designated as historic by the State of Colorado.
According to its website, "The State Historical Fund is a statewide grants program that was created by the 1990 constitutional amendment allowing limited gaming in the towns of Cripple Creek, Central City, and Black Hawk. The amendment directs that portion of the gaming tax revenues be used for historic preservation throughout the state."
There are three types of grants made available to applicants: competitive, non-competitive (10k or under), and certified local government grants. The grant the library district applied for was competitive and categorized as an "acquisition and development" project. Delta County Libraries received the maximum amount for the type of grant it applied for and was one of only 15 applicants awarded in that category for last April's deadline.
The announcement of a successful grant provides a great opportunity to remember the rich history of Delta Library. Dating back to 1901, the Delta Federated Women's Club officially formed, making it a priority to build an Andrew Carnegie Library. Delta County Commissioners donated the land, the local community donated $3400, and Andrew Carnegie awarded $6,500 to the women's club for construction of the original building in 1911.
Since then, several additions, frequent improvements and regular maintenance have been necessary to preserve Delta Library's historic quality while also providing the community with library services. The effort to rehabilitate the building with assistance from the state started in 2011 when the library district completed a historic structure assessment to identify the deficiencies of the building.
Then, in 2012, Delta County Libraries and City of Delta received a SHF grant to rehabilitate the deficiencies ranked as critical by the assessment, primarily the foundation. Also rehabilitated at that time were the brick and sandstone walls, the portico and associated columns, the wood cornice and other exterior elements.
"Now, with the current grant, the construction documents will address the remaining serious and minor deficiencies," explains LaDonna Gunn, assistant district director of Delta County Libraries and writer of the grant. "Specifically, the funds pay for our architect, Dennis Humphries of Humphries Poli in Denver, to provide us with a revised set of drawings and design documents."
The revision process will focus particularly on ADA accessibility, mechanical and electrical systems, and the interior ceilings, walls, floors, doors and windows, all in light of maintaining the historic integrity of the building.
"I want our county residents to recognize that we -- Delta County -- have a Carnegie library," says Gunn. "Grand Junction does not have one; Montrose does not have one; none of our surrounding neighbors on the Western Slope have a Carnegie, but we do. That is something to protect and celebrate."
Lea Hart, district director of Delta County Libraries, could not agree more. "We are thrilled to be a recipient of this grant and we look forward to engaging with the community through the process so stay tuned for upcoming events."
The election results are in at the local, state and national level, and as expected, Democrats are doing well in state and national races. Colorado has elected Jared Polis as governor; nationally the Republicans appear to retain control of the Senate while Democrats now control the House of Representative.
With a ballot full of local and state measures, voter turnout in Delta County topped 71%, with 15,889 ballots cast. Statewide, voter turnout was just over 52%.
Of the three Delta County residents seeking state offices, Matt Soper won over Thea Chase in State Representative Dist. 54; Mike Mason lost to Julie McCluskie in State Representative Dist. 61; and Olen Lund lost to Kerry Donovan in State Senate Dist. 5.
Locally, in the City of Delta voters rejected a .5% sales tax increase to fund recreation, as well as recreational marijuana sales. The sale of medical marijuana and cultivation/manufacturing facilities was approved by a slim margin. Delta voters also gave the city the green light to move forward with selling or trading the Cottonwood and Riverbend Park, and to sell the old Municipal Light and Power Building.


This SDK provides the necessary tools to integrate the DOCOMO Trend Article Extraction API into Android applications. The API sources from an aggregation of news services and blogs throughout the internet to return trend analysis for high profile topics.
SwiftIQ has released a first-of-its-kind data mining API aimed at uncovering the deep associations previously hidden in large datasets. The Frequent Pattern Mining (FPM) API has wide potential for use across major sectors, government, and healthcare, with the ability to speed up big data analysis and identify the opportunities that "connect the dots" for suppliers and service providers across any number of industries. SwiftIQ -- which offers a range of predictive algorithm APIs that customers use in conjunction with their own datasets -- is making the FPM API available on a case-by-case basis at present. Jason Lobel, CEO and Co Founder of SwiftIQ, spoke with ProgrammableWeb to announce the API.
It's always exciting to see those outside the web industry using an API to improve their sites. NY Times First Look blog has a great example of what Dallas Public Library has done with the Best Sellers API.


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White sandy beaches line the Florida coast along the Gulf of Mexico. (Click Photo to Enlarge)
Resort style pools are common and plentiful in Florida. (Click Photo to Enlarge)
SEA VIEW CLUB interactive map (Click Map to Enlarge)
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The following information and douments are not guaranteed to be complete or accurate. It is provided as a guide and the information and documents should be verified. Bylaws were derived from the county website. Amendments to the bylaws for Naples are currently not present after Jan 1. 2013.
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Listings and sales listed on this website may not necessarily be those of Sun Coast Global, Inc.
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domain: geography


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school photos 72
‘Aye, I remember that well. Your mum always got her own way.’ John covered his mouth with his hand as he yawned. He grunted, his fingers winding behind his neck and stretching his chest and diaphragm he stood up. ‘Well, I’m a stranger in a strange world and that’s for sure. Music waits to be heard. Books wait to be read. And ghost are wailing that they’re not dead. There’s no use endlessly yakking about it.’ He enjoyed watching the growing disbelief in Jack’s face. ‘Let’s go.’
Jack scrambled out of the seat. ‘Where to?’
The boy shook his head and smirked at the Crombie coat John pulled out of the hall cupboard and put on. John had an old pair of gardening boots with steel toecaps, underneath the phone-table near the front door, he used Jack as a balancing post as he slipped them on. ‘Right, that’s us set.’
Outside rain droplets spangled the pavement and road with water sequins. ‘It’s no’ snow, but it’ll need to dae.’ John’s coat protected him from the worst of it. Jack’s leather jacket hung heavier on his shoulders. They walked close together. John stood for a few second at the shortcut, the young man at his elbow, he let his eyes wander over the changes wrought over the years: a tarmac pathway, where there used to be long grass and muck and clay; concrete slabs of stairs, leading down to Shakespeare Avenue, with a wooden fence backing onto the houses below. ‘This used to be all overgrown,’ John explained. ‘At one time I searched about here for my wee sister’s body. Needless to say I didnae find it.’
The revelation embarrassed him. John clattered down the stairs, the boy behind him. The rain eased and the sun came out from behind some clouds. ‘Shite. We didnae want that.’ He gripped onto Jack’s arm. Fir trees planted close together and trimmed horizontal at the top acted as a screen, preventing them looking along the street below. ‘This is where I first saw Lily,’ his voice had an edge to it, ‘the weather was terrible, deep snow. This is the coat I was wearing. I walk down this way every day to see if I can see her again.’ They kept walking, the double-storey houses, whitewashed boxes reflecting light against grey sky. John squinted. ‘Can you see anything?’
The grip on Jack’s arm tightened and the growing excitement made him squeal. ‘I see the same little girl I’ve seen countless number of times. Her name’s Ally.’
‘Where is she?’
‘Over there.’ Jack walked ahead, sure in his step.
‘I cannae see her.’ John sounded disappointed. He tugged at Jack’s sleeve to slow him down. ‘Whit does she look like?’
‘School uniform, blond hair.’
‘Hing on.’ John put his arm across the boy’s chest, stopping him from going any further. ‘You seen a picture of my missing sister?’
‘No.’ The boy was unflustered. Behind him a crow took off from the flat rooftop and cleared its throat with cawing.
‘Whit colour of anorak is she wearing?’
Jack looked down the street and then back at John’s face. ‘She’s wearing a bluish anorak and a school blazer is poking out beneath it.’ He turned back towards John. ‘That’s a trick question.’ He began to sing a French nursery rhyme, to the tune of Ba Ba Black Sheep, changing the words slightly, ‘Brother John, Brother John, where are you? Where are you?’
The recitation bushwhacked John. He crouched low, as if he was going to be sick, and locked his fingers round his knees to keep his balance. ‘How do you know these things?’
‘I just do. I can’t really explain it. Part of them is part of me and part of you too
’‘Can you tell her I love her?’
‘You can tell her yourself. She’s just over there.’ Jack beckoned with his head in the direction of a hedge. ‘But you better hurry. Any time I get close— ’
He broke away from John, as if scattering pigeons, dashing the last few yards. But rather than scamper away the girl stayed put. Waiting for them. She held her hand out for him to take her hand.
‘Where is she noo?’ John scuttled to the side of Jack, his eyes scanning the hedgerow.
‘She’s here. I’ve got her by the hand.’
John bent down and peered, but he couldn’t see her. He reached out to the side of Jack, patted the air around the hedgerow, but felt nothing. ‘Ask her whit happened that day?’
Jack spoke to Allison. ‘She can hear you, just as well as I can hear you and she said you look really old.’
John laughed. ‘That sounds about right.’
Jack cocked his head, listened to what Allison said and repeated it. ‘She said you’ve to take her hand and she’ll show you what happened.’
‘I would, but I cannae see her hand. I cannae see any part of her. I cannae feel any part of her. Ask her if mum’s alright?’
‘Come round this side and take her hand and ask her yourself,’ Jack swivelled sideways, his arm out like a flag pole and his hand capping air.
John’s stomach clenched, his throat choked and he bit back bile. He felt the stupidity of it all, his life a sham, full of don’t knows and make believe. He chuckled, but without humour. Hands were funny bones, just as likely to slap you as to tickle, so many separate pieces, all different. He took a stab at it, fingers fluttering and held on. Little Ally was a revelation standing between them, limply holding his hand and Jack’s. Bawling like a kid, his legs go soft and he pulled her close to him, lifting and squeezing his sister into his chest. Plastering her cheeks and face with sloppy salty kisses. She put up with it for a minute before her head reeled back from him and she accused him: ‘You left me alone with bad men’.
St Stephen’s school bell rang. John knew that was impossible. The shell of the main school building was all that was left. The planned construction of new houses on the land and bulldozing had been stopped because of a squabble about asbestos. Yet the insistent ringing was as much a part of his early childhood as Kellogg’s cornflakes. Unmistakable.
‘Hurry, or I’ll be late.’ Ally squirmed out of John’s hands and stood on the pavement between them, looking quizzically from one to another. She made the decision for them, nipped in front of them, her feet skipping towards the sound of the bell. They caught up with her, patting her on the back, making a game of it, but kept tucked in behind her.
The yells and yips of school children, penned behind the old-style iron railings, was a feast of playground noise. Ahead of them John recognised the lollipop man in his waterproof suit and hat. He stood in the middle of the road, the pole immovable, blocking a Hillman Minx, engine tickling like a cough, as kids ambled across the road. Allison’s legs worked like a filly in a wide-open field, she sprinted past the tree and jumped off the safety of pavement and kerb and onto the road fifteen yards from the school crossing.
‘Hi. Hi.’ The lollipop man shouted in his usual grumpy manner, but she waved good-naturedly at him, safely on the other side. He didn’t look across as they passed in front of him at the school gates.
In the playground John swerved round a boy in short trouser and black shiny shoes that was tiny, whooping as he jumped into a puddle, water splashing onto his boots. ‘You better watch you don’t get your feet wet, or you’ll get a bad cold,’ John warned.
‘Sorry.’ The tot looked up at him, a snail of snot running sideways from his nose, finding a path to his mouth, before he turned and galloped away from them on an imaginary horse.
The janny ambled past, going in the same direction as them. Allison flew up the four steps and into the main building where the younger pupils’ classroom were situated. He took the side-door into the gym hall. It was hushed inside. Further along the corridor a teacher’s heels could be heard tapping, going away from them. Duffle coats, blazers, balaclavas and anoraks hung low on hangers. The radiators on the wall clicked as the heat spread out slowly like school dust with the smell of damp. She tried to worm her way out of her anorak, but the zip stuck and she panicked and tried pulling it over her head. The second school bell rang. Before John or Jack could help the janny stuck his head in the door checking the corridors. Behind and to the side of him children were lining up in crocodiles outside. He watched her wrestling with the anorak and darted up beside her.
‘Wait a wee sec.’ He patting her head through the quilted material. She stopped struggling, the adult voice reassuring her. He tugged at the zip on the anorak, his hand hesitated before his fingers sneaked up under her dress.
‘Hi,’ shouted John, swinging for him, but his hand swept through the janny, clapping together.
Jack lunged across to help and his arms swept through the man. ‘Am I dreaming?’ he asked John, his voice soaring.
‘Nah, it’s a fuckin’ nightmare.’ John tried once more, clutching at the janny, but his hands grasped nothing but despair.
The janny pulled Allison’s hood further up and over her head like a sack and guided her out into the main corridor. ‘We’ll need to get a pair of pliers, for this,’ he explained to the girl, in a strained voice, his head flicking from side to side, checking out if there was anyone close by listening. He bundled her along and under the glazed stare of the statue of the Virgin Mary and took the little-used door out into the playground. Keeping close to the wall underneath the windows of the gym his hand dug into her shoulder, pushing her head down and her body close to him, he walked so fast she ran beside him to keep up. Jack and John pushed in beside them, but couldn’t interfere. The janny spoke out of the side of his mouth, in a reassuring and cajoling tone. ‘I think I’ve got a pair of pliers in the boiler-room.’ He nudged her down the first few steps, and his clattering feet followed behind her, the smile slipping from his face as he searched for his keys. He parcelled her inside and she stumbled and fell on the spill of coal for the boilers. One last look behind him, he banged the door shut behind them and unbuttoned the top button on his trousers and slashed his zip down. ‘Scream all you want,’ his mouth slabbering. ‘Nobody can hear you down here.’

domain: literature


text:
Coachella And Lollapalooza Ban Selfie Sticks
Among the many things festival goers are not allowed to bring to Coachella, added to the list this year is the notation "no selfie sticks/narcissists" (directly followed by "no stuffed animals").
Lollapalooza is a bit more specific, saying that "GoPro attachments like sticks, selfie sticks & monopods" will not be allowed. Looks like the hoards will have to take their selfless the old-fashioned way: with arms wide open. Read more here.
Radio.com is an official news provider for antiMusic.com.


text:
Don't want to buy full games? Looking for the best games for iOS 5.1 ? Free download is available at our site! It is very simple: if you want to download iOS 5.1 games, just select the game and click the "Download" button or the game screenshot. Every day we add latest games to our catalog of iOS 5.1 game apps. Download all files just in a few seconds, even without registration!
Please, specify your device, and we will select compatible games.
Select phone / tab
Fatty Maze’s Adventures. On finding a treasure map a Fatty sets off for treasure hunt without losing a second, but lost his way in a maze. You are to help the character overcome the most entertaining labyrinths you can easily get lost into. Move through a great number of mazes and find keys to open the lock at the exit. Be patient, concentrate, overcome all the obstacles and get to the treasures together with the Fatty.
- Qualitative graphics and animation!
- 3 missions: Jungles, Ice and Desert!
- More than 50 levels!
- Different game conditions: fog, sandstorm, day/night
- Lots of instruments: a hammer, a machete, a boat, markers, ball of yarn, poisonous mushrooms and other
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- 2 types of control
Views: 2 870|
Sudoku + is an interesting puzzle game, in which you can challenge your friends or strangers. Solve the task, make not more than three mistakes and win the prize!
- Excellent graphics
- Game Center achievements
- Diversity of squares
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Views: 4 517|
Pacific Rim is an action game based on Pacific Rim movie. You are surrounded by battle robots and horrific monsters from the depths of the ocean. Incredibly tensed battles in a splendid 3D world of Pacific universe are waiting for you!
- Staggering effects
- More than 30 levels
- Survival mode
- Individual equipment and technologies
- Weapon, armour, power and speed upgrade
Views: 71 850|
Popularity: 2 341
Dragon Returns: Martial Arts Warriors is a merciless contest in martial arts. A boss organizes fights, invites you and challenges you. Will you join the clash with other masters of martial arts from all round the world?
- Choice from 8 international masters of martial arts
- 9 exotic locations
Views: 5 977|
Fallen World. The action takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, which is under the reign of a detachment of machines. You are to play as a deadly Ninja-Cyborg, who saves the remains of a fallen world. Hordes of enemy robots will block your path. You are the last hope of mankind for survival.
- High performance graphics
- Fast-paced gameplay
- Game Center achievements
Views: 3 101|
Tiny Thief is a little agile hero, who decided to go for a treasure hunt, saving the Kingdom and Princess from unexpected dangers at the same time. Pirates, the Dark Knight and gigantic Robot try to stop him. Are you ready to accompany Tiny Thief in his adventure?
- 6 great adventures
- 6 epic episodes
- Countless surprises
- Interactive levels
- Unique humoristic visual style
Views: 7 311|
Popularity: 1 093
Sprinkle Islands is another series of amusing Sprinkle game. Control tiny fire mechanisms to put out the fire on islands. But remember that water is limited.
- Intuitive controls
- Various obstacles
- Funny gameplay
Views: 10 304|
Popularity: 1 237
300 Dwarves. Command the dwarves, lead them to battle and protect your Kingdom from attacks of a horde of green goblins.
- 12 beautiful hand-drawn levels
- Charming epic story
- 5 unique types of upgradable Towers
- 3 special abilities
- 32 varied techniques of protection upgrade
- Lots of enemies and varied environments
Views: 3 924|
Cube Rabbit is a stimulating puzzle game with intuitive gameplay. Consider every tap to achieve a more productive work and get the most meaningful award. Rabbits need treasures; help them!
- Compete with your friends
- Funny process
- Prize level
Views: 2 288|
Rolling Idols: Lost City. Stop the insidious plans of Nibiru, that has engulfed worlds’ elements. Help gods drive Nibiru out and restore peace on the ancient Mayan lands. Think over an original strategy of Armageddon prevention.
- Absorbing three-in-a-row journey
- More than 100 levels
- Amazing bonuses
- Restoration of the Lost City and Mayan calendar
- Bright graphics
Views: 4 216|

domain: entertainment


text:
When you have fussy eaters at home, it can be very easy to become frustrated and a little anxious. You want them all (the bigger kids and the little ones!) to eat food they enjoy, but you also know that sometimes you have to push the options that seal in the nutrients and vitamins - even if they might not be their favourites! And it isn't always easy to deal with when they do reject the food we give them but, as parents, it's how we deal with it that encourages a healthy, happy relationship with food for them. We've put together some tips to ensure even the fussiest of eaters aren't left hungry:
Introduce them to as many foods as possible, as early as you can
Even if you know they're on the fussy side when it comes to food, restricting their options will not only deprive them of essential nutrients and vitamins but encourage bad habits. You can try creatively 'hiding' the items you know they're likely to try and avoid but the veggies are always harder to disguise. The best thing is to be upfront about fruit and vegetables, tell them where they come from and why they are so good for you. Giving them facts could make them more interested about what they are eating.
Be sure to hide your frustrations
This one is really hard, especially if every mealtime feels like a battle, but be sure to praise them for the new foods they do at least try to eat - even if it means letting some of their more difficult 'moments' go. This will encourage them to feel positive when it comes to sitting down to eat - as opposed to it being something they dread. This will make mealtimes less stressful.
Get them involved with the cooking
Children who have no idea how the food on their plate is prepared are bound to be put off by some things - we can appreciate that even the most nutritious of food doesn't always look the most appetising! If, however, they are involved in 'helping' with the cooking and preparation process, they'll look forward to eating even more as this will stimulate their appetite. It also makes for lovely memories too; who doesn't look back and fondly remember cooking with mum?
Rewards (not bribes!) will help
Reward schemes like a sticker chart in the kitchen can work well. Give your child a sticker for eating new food and when they have collected a few stickers, reward them with a prize.
Have fun with food (and make it appetising for them)
While we spend most of the time encouraging our little ones not to play with their food, it doesn't mean you can't have fun with it. Even using crackers and fruit and encouraging them to 'draw' a smile on before eating can go down a treat. And don't be afraid to mix and match foods that they love with ones they're not so fond of to bump up the appetising factor - so the tasty Bird's Eye chicken fillets with the green beans on the side, for example - to make it easier on them. If you're trying to solely get them to eat the food they generally fight against, it'll be much harder. You can also introduce a fun 'starter' as an idea. So, put a small amount of the food you want them to try in a small dish and tell them to try it before the main meal. Salad 'lollipops' are also an excellent way for them to discover new flavours and textures.
Try the two-bite rule
If for example, a child won’t eat any green vegetables, using the two-bite rule you will include just two mouthfuls of a green vegetable with their dinner every night for at least 7 - 10 days running. It gets them used to seeing the food on their plate and hopefully, used to eating it! They can take a break for a day or two - as an incentive like we explained above - just be sure to keep it up and mix and match the veggies, so they don't get bored.