Maricopa County ballots from the 2020 general election are examined and recounted by contractors hired by the Arizona Senate in an “audit” at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix on May 24, 2021. David Wallace/Arizona Republic/pool photo
WASHINGTON — When the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee holds a hearing Thursday to probe the so-called election “audit” in Arizona, the CEO of the company hired to conduct that controversial review will be absent.
Doug Logan, CEO of Cyber Ninjas, was asked to testify but told committee officials ahead of the hearing that he is refusing to participate, according to a press release from the panel Wednesday.
Logan’s unwillingness to testify comes after he and his company repeatedly refused to produce documents sought by the Oversight Committee, which is controlled by the Democratic majority in the House, as part of its investigation into the Arizona election review.
A spokeswoman for the House Oversight panel declined to comment on whether the committee will subpoena Logan, a step that is within the committee’s authority.
The result of the months-long review of ballots in Maricopa County was the same as the official outcome: President Joe Biden defeated former President Donald Trump in the county and in Arizona.
But election experts across the country have expressed alarm that the ongoing unsubstantiated claims of voting impropriety have undermined confidence in elections across the country.
In Georgia, ten Fulton County voters are suing in superior court trying to prove the baseless claims that widespread fraud factored in Biden’s Nov. 3 Georgia general election victory by requesting an in-depth inspection of absentee ballots. The group behind the suit, led by VoterGA, peddles the same conspiracy theories common among the Trump supporters behind the Arizona counting. Among the demands of the VoterGA group is a chance to examine individual ballots with high-powered microscopes.
Both Georgia Republicans and Democrats are on record criticizing the ongoing conspiracies spun about the 2020 presidential election as harmful to the faith voters have in their elections, a sentiment echoed on Capitol Hill.
“Consistent with Congress’s constitutional authorities, the committee is investigating the extent to which your company’s actions have undermined the integrity of federal elections and interfered with Americans’ constitutional right to cast their ballot freely and to have their votes counted without partisan interference,” wrote Democratic Reps. Carolyn Maloney of New York and Jamie Raskin of Maryland in a letter last month directing Logan to appear before their panel.
Thursday’s hearing will include testimony from two Republicans on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors who opposed the “audit,” Chairman Jack Sellers and Vice Chairman Bill Gates.
Other witnesses will include a pair of election experts: David Becker, founder and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, and Gowri Ramachandran, senior counsel at The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School.
A final witness, invited by the panel’s Republican members, will be Dr. Shiva Ayyadurai, an MIT-trained engineer and entrepreneur who has a history of promoting discredited and debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, according to the Arizona Mirror.
Georgia Recorder Editor John McCosh contributed to this report.
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text: The house stands at the entrance of the village, only few minutes away from the center where you can find typical bars and restaurants and traditional celebrations. It's 3 KM away from the most beautiful beach on the island, Colona. It offers two double bedroom and three sofa beds, two equipped kitchens with ovens, cooking plates, refrigerators, coffee machines, washing machine and two bathroom (one italian shower). The sheets and towels are included. Beautiful terrace, it will make your day.

domain: travel


text:
Reference List: Other Print Sources
APA (American Psychological Association) style is most commonly used to cite sources within the social sciences. This resource, revised according to the 6th edition, second printing of the APA manual, offers examples for the general format of APA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the reference page. For more information, please consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (6th ed., 2nd printing).
Contributors: Joshua M. Paiz, Elizabeth Angeli, Jodi Wagner, Elena Lawrick, Kristen Moore, Michael Anderson, Lars Soderlund, Allen Brizee, Russell Keck
Last Edited: 2018-02-21 02:56:19
An Entry in an Encyclopedia
Bergmann, P. G. (1993). Relativity. In The New Encyclopedia Britannica. (Vol. 26, pp. 501-508). Chicago, IL: Encyclopedia Britannica.
Work Discussed in a Secondary Source
List the source the work was discussed in:
Coltheart, M., Curtis, B., Atkins, P., & Haller, M. (1993). Models of reading aloud: Dual-route and parallel-distributed-processing approaches. Psychological Review, 100, 589-608.
NOTE: Give the secondary source in the references list; in the text, name the original work, and give a citation for the secondary source. For example, if Seidenberg and McClelland's work is cited in Coltheart et al. and you did not read the original work, list the Coltheart et al. reference in the References. In the text, use the following citation:
In Seidenberg and McClelland's study (as cited in Coltheart, Curtis, Atkins, & Haller, 1993), ...
Yoshida, Y. (2001). Essays in urban transportation. Dissertation Abstracts International, 62, 7741A.
Lastname, F. N. (Year). Title of dissertation (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from Name of database. (Accession or Order Number)
Lastname, F. N. (Year). Title of dissertation (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Name of Institution, Location.
National Institute of Mental Health. (1990). Clinical training in serious mental illness (DHHS Publication No. ADM 90-1679). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
For information about citing legal sources in your reference list, see the University of Nebraska, Kearney page on Citing Legal Materials in APA Style.
Report From a Private Organization
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Practice guidelines for the treatment of patients with eating disorders (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Schnase, J. L., & Cunnius, E. L. (Eds.). (1995). Proceedings from CSCL '95: The First International Conference on Computer Support for Collaborative Learning. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
This LibGuide is to help you use the American Psychological Association (APA) style guide, which is frequently used for the social sciences including education, management, psychology, and the health sciences.
This guide can help you with the more fundamental tasks including:
1. Reference Formats - examples and explanations for citing your sources in the various formats for your References list
2. Formatting Your Paper - how to set up your paper including the margins, font, and your References list, and view a sample paper
3. In-text citations - also known as parenthetical notation - how to cite your references in the text of your paper
4. EndNote - bibliographic citation software, which can help format your citations and is freely available for download to CSS faculty, staff, and students
5. Ethically Use Sources - information on the College's academic honesty policy and turnitin, an online tool to detect where sources need to be cited
NOTE: This guide is in no way a replacement for the actual manual, which is several hundred pages long, and can be found in the Library on reserve or at a bookstore near you. Please consult the APA 6th edition manual for authoritative information in greater detail. Also feel free to talk with a librarian for more help.

domain: library


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Regional Bond Fund Expansion Finalized
June 5, 2015
Gail Paul, Director of Communication Strategy
Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority
Regional Bond Fund Expansion Finalized
Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority and Dayton/Montgomery County Port Authority partner on expanded financing tool
CINCINNATI, OH – The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority today announced it has become an eligible issuer of economic development revenue bonds for the Southwest Ohio Regional Bond Fund, created from the expansion of the Dayton-region Port Authority bond fund.
The Cincinnati Port Authority joins Dayton/Montgomery County Port Authority as issuing agency for the bond fund. The two port authorities recently finalized a cooperative agreement that defines their respective roles, determines what kinds of job-creating projects are eligible and establishes a credit committee to develop underwriting standards used for all projects under consideration.
Dayton’s Port Authority established its Dayton Regional Bond Fund in 2004 as a vehicle for financing economic development projects. The two port authorities agreed in 2014 to allow the Cincinnati Port to participate in the Dayton bond fund through a $3.5 million addition to the Bond Fund’s reserves Combined with Dayton’s existing $10 million in reserves, the new fund now has approximately $13.5 million in reserves, creating capacity to issue $80 million in bonds. The bond fund reserves include a $5 million letter of credit from 5/3 Bank, in which both Ports partner.
A bond fund is a credit-enhancement vehicle supported by a system of common program reserves and designed to achieve an investment grade rating. The Southwest Ohio Regional Bond Fund gives companies and organizations access to long-term, fixed-rate financing to fund facility expansion, make energy efficiency investments, and purchase new equipment.
Four other Ohio port authorities operate bond funds. The effort to create a bond fund in Cincinnati began several years ago, in response to demand for innovative financing strategies that foster growth. As an alternative to pursuing the lengthy process to create its own bond fund, the Cincinnati port authority sought guidance from Dayton/Montgomery County. The two port authorities agreed to continue to work collegially to support and strengthen one another’s business attraction and retention efforts. Collaboration not only increases the debt capacity of the bond fund, but also creates operating efficiencies for the bond fund.
Companies and municipalities increasingly rely on Port Authority finance tools to fund expansion and capital investment. Port Authorities have unique and broad development powers and expertise.
The port authorities are working to grow the program so that the fund is able to achieve investment grade rating by credit rating agencies.
Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley: “I have great admiration for Mayor Whaley and how she has led the charge for building business in the City of Dayton. Through our friendship and shared commitment to economic development, we have developed a united network to support businesses, attract new investment and create jobs. The new bond fund expands upon those opportunities.”
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley: “This is another great example of partnership between Dayton and Cincinnati. I applaud the expansion of this important economic development resource designed to facilitate and finance economic development projects. Much like our cities’ continued cooperation with the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership designation that created the 27-county aerospace corridor, the new Southwest Ohio Regional Bond Fund will have beneficial economic impact across the broader region.”
Hamilton County Commission President Greg Hartmann: “This is great news for Hamilton County and for the entire Dayton/Cincinnati business corridor. Expanding resources to growing businesses through a Port Authority bond fund is another growth and development tool.”
Deborah Lieberman, Montgomery County Commission President: “The Cincinnati-Dayton super-corridor is focused on creating a superb environment for growth and innovation. The Regional Bond Fund aligns perfectly with Montgomery County’s philosophy of investing in people and progressive projects. This joint venture is an important tool to help finance these investments.”
Laura Brunner, President & CEO of the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority: “We are very excited to bring this important financing option to 14 counties within our region and give credit to our Dayton peers for working out a way for us to buy into their bond fund and rebrand it. We have received wonderful support from Hamilton County, which provided a $1 million grant and Ohio Development Services Agency, which made a $2.5 million loan that enabled us to participate.”
Jerry Brunswick, President & Executive Director of the Dayton/Montgomery County Port Authority: “The broad development powers afforded to port authorities allow us to issue taxable or tax-exempt bonds through these bond funds to finance a variety of economic development projects. The Southwest Ohio Regional Bond Fund can offer very attractive terms on project capital and can be combined with other public finance programs. This is an easy program to use – simply call us to discuss your project.”
Johnna Reeder, president & CEO, REDI Cincinnati: “Creating a bond fund has been a regional economic development priority for a long time. The Southwest Ohio Regional Bond Fund will now fund expansion for dozens of companies. At the Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Cincinnati, we look forward to offering this attractive incentive for companies re-locating to our area. It is well suited for manufacturers and will help us develop manufacturing sites and infrastructure to invigorate the economic vitality of the region.”
Jeffrey Hoagland, President & CEO, Dayton Development Coalition: “The Dayton region has seen tremendous growth over the past few years and having another funding opportunity will only strengthen the growth in the Dayton region. We are fortunate to work closely with the Cincinnati community as we see both regions contributing to the overall growth in the State of Ohio.”
About the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority:
The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority is an economic development agency that initiates projects to improve property value and promote job creation throughout Hamilton County. It is governed by business and community leaders that comprise its board of directors. For more information, visit www.cincinnatiport.org.
About the Dayton/Montgomery County Port Authority:
Dayton/Montgomery County Port Authority facilitates economic development through project financing vehicles and real estate ownership and by offering its own long-term fixed rate financing program. It is governed by a board of business and community leaders. It was created by the City of Dayton and Montgomery County, in cooperation with the Dayton Development Coalition, to facilitate economic development in the Dayton Region. For more information, visit www.daytonport.com.

domain: news


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Teenage dating may benefit or harm a student, but sadly the latter is usually true
In a new study published in the Journal of School Health, researchers found that adolescents who were not in a romantic relationship had good social skills and low depression, and fared better or equal to peers who dated.
A prior study identified trajectories of dating from sixth to twelfth grade and describes the academic performance (teacher-rated study skills and high school dropout) and self-reported drug use associated with these trajectories, in a diverse sample randomly selected in sixth grade. Using a group-based, semiparametric procedure, the researchers identified four dating trajectories: low (16%), increasing (24%), high middle school (22%), and frequent (38%).
The earlier study said, students in these latter two groups had significantly worse study skills, were four times more likely to drop out of school, and reported twice as much alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use than students in the low and increasing dating groups. This study highlights the diversity of dating trajectories and some of the risks associated with early dating.
The current study included 594 10th graders. Investigators compared the four dating groups using teacher ratings and student questionnaires.
The results refute the notion that non-daters are maladjusted. Efforts in schools that promote health should include non-dating as one option of healthy development.
“In the end, school health educators, mental health professionals, and teachers should affirm social norms that support adolescents’ individual freedom to decide whether to date or not, indicating that both are acceptable and healthy options,” said lead author Brooke Douglas, of the University of Georgia.
Teenage dating may benefit or harm a student; but sadly, the latter is usually true. Some student couples may encourage each other to study and these are known as healthy relationships. But the amount of time spent dating comes at the expense of their studies. When relationship problems surface, teenagers may not have the emotional maturity to deal with them and may make wrong decisions.
One of the many problems dating teens may face which they may be unable to cope with is that of premarital sex. A recent report in The Straits Times said that teens in Singapore were starting to have sex earlier. The report said that although fewer than 3 per cent of all the babies born to teens had mothers who were aged under 15, social workers said they are noticing that some teens are starting to have sex at a younger age and have multiple sexual partners.

domain: psychology


No matter how many weird bicycles that The Q comes up with, he never seems to run out of ideas. This time, he created a bike that rolls on slip-on shoes instead of tires. He made each wheel from 16 metal fins, then fitted them with Jake the Dog slippers. It makes an appropriately goofy sound rolling down the road.
Awesome The Q
To follow up on his bicycle that runs on diagonally-mounted tracks instead of wheels, The Q is showing off another unusual bike design. This one rolls along the ground on tracks that lie flat on the surface. It looks more stable than the first design – but there’s more rolling resistance, so it needed a huge center gear to provide enough torque to move it.
People who keep fish as pets can go overboard with their aquariums. Not one to ever be subtle, The Q got to work building a custom aquarium that looks like an actual house. The two-story home has art on the walls, glass tanks with a connecting tube, and a garage with a tiny BMW in case any fish learn how to drive.
After building a hubless bicycle, inventor and maker The Q used his skills to create a similar pair of roller blades. He created their wheels using large ball bearings, which he wrapped with tire rubber and sandwiched between layers of steel to create a frame for each boot. They kind of look like tiny TRON lightcycles attached to his feet.
While it’s possible to build a hubless bicycle, it’s a mechanically complex feat. Builder The Q came up with a similar look that does away with the spokes instead, replacing them with thick polyacrylate sheets. We’re not sure how durable they are or how they affect ride quality, but it’s a really cool illusion.
Inspired by the expensive airless tires seen on construction equipment and concept vehicles, The Q set out on a mission to make his own shock-absorbing, puncture-proof bike tires using a similar design. What’s even more impressive is that he built them using only PVC pipe, nuts, bolts, and the tread from a standard bike tire.
After building a bicycle that rides on square wheels using tank-like tracks, The Q applied his creativity and engineering skills to create a bike that has no wheels at all. Instead, it rolls around on skinny, angular tracks with a very small contact point with the ground. We’re impressed he can balance on this thing.
After showing off his square-wheeled bicycle, maker, The Q is back with another bike with oddly-shaped geometry. This model features triangular wheels with a slight curve. The trick to maintaining contact without huge bumps is a flexible suspension and a pair of conveyor belts that press against the tires as he pedals.
Maker The Q has a thing for modifying bicycles. For this unusual bike mod, he took an ordinary 2-wheeler and chopped its frame into a series of links with cables that hold them together. The idea is that its segments can be loosened and wrapped around a pole like a cable lock, then tightened to form a stiff frame for riding.
The Q is here to fix another problem we didn’t know needed solving – mechanically wrapping things with tape. To build his single-purpose machine, he gathered up some spare bike parts he had lying around his shop and linked them together to spin a reel of tape as he moves an object through its open center.
There’s a good reason that wheels are round: friction. But basic physics are never going to stand in the way of mad builder The Q. His latest creation is a standard bike frame with one major modification – it rolls on custom-made square wheels. It rides pretty smoothly, but it also doesn’t work how we assumed it would.
The Q shows off the Big Boy, a teensy bicycle he created that’s fully functional. It has a custom-built steel frame and handlebars, rides on inline skate wheels, and has tiny pedals. And somehow, despite being a normal-size human, The Q managed to ride the thing.
This wouldn’t be the best use of tennis balls that we’ve seen, but we have to hand it to The Q for his creativity. For no reason other to prove that it could be done, he created a bike tires which never need air because they ride on a cushion of tennis balls. The trickiest part of the build was the rig that crams tennis balls into PVC rings.
The Q has a love for Formula 1 racing. But we’re guessing from his past projects that he can’t afford to own a real F1 race car. He does however have a single F1 wheel and tire, so he got to work building a custom electric skateboard that rolls on it. It works much like the Onewheel, though it’s a bit trickier to straddle.
Each time The Q makes a new bicycle, we think he couldn’t possibly get outlandish. Well, he’s back with another unusual and creative bike build. This time, he arranged and welded together 147 nuts to create a functional bike frame. The structure is weight-bearing and could be used to screw in accessories if he wants to.
The Q couldn’t decide what color tires to put on his bicycle, so he attached RGB LED light strips and diffusers inside of his wheels, wired them up, then modified his airless bike tires to fit around the lights. after adding a battery pack hub to the wheel, he was all set with his amazing bike tires that can change colors on demand.
Are your fingers not long and creepy enough? Perhaps you could use some finger extensions. Maker The Q took a bunch of wooden popsicle sticks and glued them together to make a sort of plywood that he cut into claw shapes. He then cut out a cavity for his fingertips, and added a hinge mechanism to make them move.
The Q typically spends his time building things that aren’t particularly useful. But this time out, he came up with a design for a saw that can cut through tree limbs twice as fast as usual. The saw uses a pair of blades and a spring to clamp down against the wood to double cutting speed.
After showing us it was possible to ride a bike with its rear wheel split in half, Sergii from The Q came up with an even more radical build. Starting with the split rear wheel, he modified the front of a bicycle with an extension arm and split the wheel into thirds. He had to experiment with configurations to make it work, though.
If you split a wheel in half, you shouldn’t still be able to ride on it, right? Well, watch this video from The Q, in which he cut two bike wheels and tires down the middle, connected them with a long chain and positioned them so one half is always touching the ground. Miraculously, the bike rides just fine.
We’ve seen how industrial machines are used to make large sections of chain-link fencing quickly. The Q built a tabletop version of such a device, but his machine is hand-cranked and makes only one zig-zag of wire at a time, so we imagine fencing in his whole backyard this way could take some time.
One of the main benefits of a pocket knife is that it fits in your pocket. That didn’t stop The Q from making a folding knife big enough for Paul Bunyon. The enormous knife measures more than 47″ long when opened and has a hefty steel blade and a rather terrifying automatic mechanism.
Electric scooters usually have tiny wheels, which makes them agile but not exactly grippy. The Q’s oversize scooter has a bit more contact patch thanks to its Formula One wheels, wrapped in slick Pirelli P-Zero tires. It’s powered by a 25kw brushless electric motor and has a battery pack under its riding deck.


The Sunburnt Country, the one down under, in the South; it used to be a land of free speech and prosperity. But what happened? When did it all go left of center and into the rabbit hole of Big Brother? When did the censorship really hit; the registering for protests at certain events to have your name recorded, or told you’re not permitted; the new laws of Internet data collection? And the list goes on.
In the last five years, Australia has seen five Prime Ministers. There was Rudd in 2007, Gillard in 2010 (leadership spill), Rudd again in 2013, Abbott in 2013, and Turnbull in 2015 (another leadership spill). Not bad for a country that gives their leader a 3 year term, huh?
The leadership spills’ were the tip of the iceberg. The then Communications Minister, Mr. Turnbull – the one who introduced and whole heartedly propagated and supported the Internet fascist laws – sorry ‘reforms’ – that came into effect last week – perhaps rubbed his hands in delight as he saw his chance hover in near horizons. He’s not unfamiliar to the terms ‘dirty laundry.’ The soon to be Prime Minister had his sights set to add to his offshore tax haven Cayman Islands accounts’ with a Prime Minister’s salary.
I had discussed in an earlier article, that “…Communications Minister Malcom Turnbull wants to enforce the retaining of consumers metadata for two years, which include IP addresses, dates, locations and various details ASIO and other security agencies would see fit to seize without a warrant.”
A handful of weeks into parliament, and Turnbull’s wish list of Internet wants are now laws officially enforced.
Small Internet Providers are unable to abide by the new laws. Local radio alone interviewed a handful, some of which were tearful as they announced their livelihood as a thing of the past. They have no choice, comply with the massive and costly outlay to run independent Internet provision, or close shop.
The new privacy laws are a kicker, too. These laws were made early in 2015 to aid with the collection of personal data.
“There is a loophole in this principle that could give some wiggle room on this – the act also allows organisations to provide notification of data collection [to private citizen] after it has actually been collected, “as soon as possible after,” according to The Guardian. Loopholes and wriggle room? You’ve got to be kidding, mate!
How about the free media in Australia print the cons of what is happening with the latest laws? Instead, there is barely a scratch mentioned. Journalist Andrew Bolt, from the Herald Sun, is the only one to come close to reality of what this country has become. “LIBERALS are restless. Malcolm Turnbull has been Prime Minister for four weeks, and I’m getting complaints,” he states. The commentary receiving polite requests for Bolt to step down from his comments on the newly elected leader.
But never mind, with the track record of PM’s, Malcolm Turnbull shouldn’t last more than the next cricket season and Christmas Eve sing-a-long of Carols By Candlelight. If I’m lucky, my next overseas holiday may see in another PM I never voted for.
his Article (No longer the ‘Lucky Country.’ The Orwellian State of Australia) is a free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to the author and AnonHQ.com.


text:
Originally Posted by djones520
Even Gallup is showing a more Republican slant.
While Dems have a one point lead in that, it's because those unlikely to vote are weighing it. Republicans are dominating "Ethusiastic Voters" which are more likely to show up at the polls.
Um. the one point lead for dems is specifically looking at "likely voters"
I wonder what Face-book employees do to waste time at work?
Yep. Same old, same old but in a dress and minus the creeper mustache.
I suspect the new AG will just be a continuation of the bad policies of O and Holder. But it will be good to not have to see his face as much on the news.
He's so painfully incompetent that they have to counter it by their fake priase. We've become a nation that gives trophies to little kids for doing nothing athletics wise to make them feel good. I...
Oh, there are many other reasons.

domain: sociology


text:
LAMP Poetry Collection
Nightstands feel empty without a lamp, a lamp feels lonely without the warmth of the perfect poetry book
LAMP Anthology Vol. 1 is a collection of 130 poems handpicked from over 1,500 submissions.
We believe in the universal love for words that heal a broken day. LAMP tie readers with a single string made entirely of our shared love for poetry, this string is vast enough to connect the entire world by including brilliant works of people from all walks of life. From an innocent crush of a school boy, to the brilliant word plays of an emeritus English professor.
Poems aren’t just simply read; they spark reflection and retrospection. LAMP is an anthology of poems which ignites them
The best 2 poets from this Volume of LAMP Anthology is awarded LAMP Most Promising Poet Award 2020. The award includes a poetry book contract from Dots Publications.
All the instructions of submission to LAMP Anthology Volume 2 (to be published by the end of 2021) have been provided in the book.
We have included the first few poems of LAMP Anthology here for you to enjoy! more poems inside await for you to discover


text:
Everything is cheese…
In order to be able to participate in the fifth Invictus Games in The Hague (Netherlands), Duchess Meghan (40) and Prince Harry (37) dare to embark together for Europe for the first time since 2020. Hopefully the couple royal has already booked a hotel. This is what he will need after the bitter basket of the Dutch royal family.
It’s actually a tradition that Dutch royal couple Willem-Alexander (54) and Máxima (50) provide foreign royals with a comfortable place to sleep in the palace. At least so far. But Harry and Meghan not only have to do without a royal bed, but even a personal audience during their weekend visit, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Dutch royal family.
A slap for Harry and Meghan!
A small drop of bitterness: Apparently the Dutch Royals are responsible for personal protection. According to the Daily Mail, Harry and Meghan should receive “VVIP status” (Very Very Important Person). This means that your safety during the trip is ensured by a private security team and direct communication with local authorities.
” data-zoom-src=”https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/2018-die-hochzeit-von-harry-und-meghan-in-london—seitdem-kommt-eine-klatsche-nach-der-anderen-24fe35326ea74591961d105d35bad849-79774766/Bild/13.bild.jpg”/> Harry and Meghan tied the knot in London in 2018. A lot has happened since then – the couple haven’t just made friendsPhoto: photo alliance / empics
Harry and Meghan tied the knot in London in 2018. A lot has happened since then – the couple haven’t just made friendsPhoto: photo alliance / empics
The circumstances surrounding the Invictus Games are likely to weigh heavily on Prince Harry in particular, as he himself initiated the games in 2014. The games are a sporting event for soldiers with disabilities. A special affair of the heart – because Harry is a former soldier.
And it was at the Toronto 2017 Games that Harry and Meghan formalized their love story. Whispering and holding hands, the young couple celebrated their romantic exit. And the whole world fell in love with it! The dream wedding followed in 2018, two years after ‘Megxit’, where they announced their retirement from the top tier of Britain’s Royals.
” data-zoom-src=”https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/sie-wagten-ihr-liebes-outing-meghan-und-harry-bei-den-invictus-games-2017-in-toronto-f0d50feb3ae84f69962ffbd64547c18c-79774036/Bild/13.bild.jpg”/> They dared their romantic outing: Meghan and Harry at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto Photo: photo alliance / empics
They dared their romantic outing: Meghan and Harry at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto Photo: photo alliance / empics

domain: celebrity


Switch Administrable Gigabit HUAWEI S5700-28P-PWR-LI-AC de 24 puertos 10/100/1000 Mbps, 4 puertos SFP+ de 1000 Mbps, PoE.
|Puertos||24x10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet ports, 4 xGE SFP ports|
|Memoria||256 MB SDRAM|
|Tabla de Direcciones MAC||16K MAC address entries MAC address learning and aging, Static, dynamic, and blackhole, MAC address entries, Packet filtering based on source MAC addresses, Interface-based MAC learning limiting|
|Seguridad||Hierarchical user management and password protection DoS attack defense, ARP attack defense, and ICMP attack defense Binding of the IP address, MAC address, interface number, and VLAN ID Port isolation, port security, and sticky MAC Blackhole MAC address entries Limit on the number of learned MAC addresses IEEE 802.1x authentication and limit on the number of users on an interface AAA authentication, RADIUS authentication, HWTACACS+ authentication, and NAC SSH V2.0 Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) CPU defense Blacklist and whitelist|
|Administración||Virtual Cable Test (VCT) Remote configuration and maintenance using Telnet SNMP v1/v2c/v3 RMON eSight and web-based NMS HTTPS System logs and multi-level alarms 802.3az EEE Dying Gasp (excluding battery LAN switches)|
|VLAN||4K VLANs, Guest VLAN and voice VLAN, GVRP, MUX VLAN, VLAN assignment based on MAC addresses, protocols, IP subnets, policies, and interfaces, 1:1 and N:1 VLAN mapping|


The Starbuck City Council declined to award a bid for a new bike path next to Lake Minnewaska.
The city engineer estimated the cost of the path would be about $36,000 dollars. City Clerk Calvin Benson says bids came in considerably higher…
“Our lowest bid was $64,965, which is why we’re re-bidding it,” said Benson. “We may have to slightly change up the timeframe that we’re hoping to get it done during. But we don’t expect that the actual plans will have to change much.”
Property owners next to the bike path will be assessed for the improvement when completed.
Benson adds he has been pleased with the progress of the road construction on Highways 29, 114, and 28 saying the project is ahead of schedule and trucks are using the designated detours around town.


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Bogotá is the capital district of Colombia and the country's most populated city. It is the most important political, financial, educational, cultural city in the country. It is located at an altitude of 2640masl on a plateau known as the Savanna of Bogotá on the eastern range of the Andean Mountains. It was founded on August 6, 1538 originally named Santa Fe by the 'Conquistador' Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada who arrived in pursuit of 'El Dorado' gold legend and defeated the native Chibcha in Bacatá, which meant capital of the Zipa confederation. In 1717 the kingdom of New Granada was established here, and in 1819 Simon Bolivar chose it as the capital of the Grand Colombia. Today, Bogotá is a modern city with a bubbling cultural scene and vibrant social life.


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Food For Fines program to benefit Loaves and Fishes
The Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library is excited to announce the Food for Fines food drive program that will allow library customers to exchange canned goods and other select foods for library overdue fines.
Food for Fines benefits Loaves and Fishes food pantry and will be held Monday through Dec. 18 at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library. This is the second Food for Fines event this year following the success of the first campaign held by the library in May.
“The success of our first Food for Fines campaign has allowed us to make this a regular program that we hope to repeat twice per year,” said Annie Herlocker, assistant director of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library. “We donated 882 pounds of food in May from waived fines donations and hope to go above that number this month. This is a very timely way to help clear some of your fines and give back to the community.”
Library card holders may have $1 of eligible fines waived for each of the following items brought in during the drive: canned soups, canned beans, canned vegetables, canned fruits, canned meats, peanut butter, mac and cheese, boxed meals, and full-size boxes of cereal. No glass items will be accepted. Fine waives will not apply to lost items. Expired or opened packages will not be accepted. A maximum of $30 in fines will be eligible for waiving.
People can bring items to help the food drive even if they have no fines, but credit will not be applied to library accounts for future fines.
For more information contact Annie Herlocker at email@example.com or 931-648-8826, ext. 61402.

domain: food


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Figures released by Reuters showed that South Korea’s imports of oil from Iran over the period stood at below 180,000 barrels per day (bpd).
The decline was mainly attributed to lower production of condensate – an ultra light fuel – by Iran.
As a result, the cumulative import decline for the first five months of the year came in at 33 percent to 5.45 million tons, Reuters added.
Imports from Saudi Arabia also declined in May, by 23.6 percent to 763,620 bpd.
Saudi Arabia is South Korea’s largest crude supplier.
While Iranian and Saudi imports declined, shipments from the United States and Russia increased. Imports from the US rose threefold to 95,800 bpd, and imports from Russia jumped 78 percent to 218,165 bpd, the report added.
South Korea is the world’s fifth-largest crude oil importer, and diversity of supplies is vital. The last time there were sanctions against Iran, South Korea managed to score a waiver by pledging to cut the amount of crude it buys from Tehran.

domain: politics


By Mitchell Labiak2019-04-16T10:25:00
Legal & General has invested £44.6m in a partnership with Croydon Council to provide 167 homes for families on the housing waiting list.
The homes are a mixture of houses and apartments in Croydon and neighbouring boroughs and will be let to Croydon Council on a 40-year term with rents set at local housing allowance levels.
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Jaw Joints - TMJ Awareness Month Published in Congressional Record
The Congressional Record of October 3, 1997 reported what JJAMD considers a momentous event - that of the US congress "recognizing" TMJ. The Congressional Record, which is the official record of the proceedings of the Congress of the United States, reported that Mr. Barney Frank, Massachusetts House of Representatives 4th District, proclaimed this November and all future Novembers as "Jaw Joints-TMJ Awareness Month." Mr. Frank stated "Temporomandibular Joint Disorders are among the more painful, yet least well understood disorders affecting people today. While estimates of the number of people in this country affected by TMJ disorders run into the millions, these disorders are often mistaken for other ailments or presumed to be psychological in nature. In light of the difficulties that exist in diagnosing and testing TMJ disorders, it is clearly very appropriate to establish an awareness month, and I applaud the Jaw Joints & Allied Musculo-Skeletal Disorders Foundation [JJAMD] for helping organize this effort. This foundation, based in Boston was created and is presided over by two extremely dedicated Massachusetts residents - Renée and Milton Glass. They have been an excellent source of information to me over the years about TMJ and related matters, and, although this November is officially Jaw Joints-TMJ Awareness Month, it is also in many ways a tribute to their dedication and hard work in the cause of helping those who suffer from this disorder." The Record published our complete explanation of TMJ as well as the mission and vision of JJAMD. " [If you would like a copy of the complete 2-page article, send a self-addressed stamped envelope]
TOPJJAMD TMJ Proceedings Published…Finally
JJAMD's 1995 TMJ Conference Proceedings have now been published by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health with additional funding provided by EDS Federal and Oral-B division of the Gillette Company. The book runs over 200 pages and contains talks by over 25 speakers. Topics run the gamut of economics, ethics, alternative medicine, TMJ patients' perceptions, treatment, and a review of the health care system by presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. The Proceedings would make an excellent "gift" to family members, treaters and others who wonder that "TMJ" is all about. Due to the high cost of printing and postage, some of which JJAMD must absorb personally, we must charge $25 for the Proceedings which will be sent by priority mail.
TOPHealthtouch® Usage Continues to Grow
Statistics reported to JJAMD by Medical strategies, Inc., a division of Cardinal Health -- sponsors of the Healthtouch® interactive health communication system continues to show remarkable increases from one period to another. JJAMD's TMJ information may be accessed for free in two different ways. One is through kiosks located in pharmacies, shopping malls and health centers. By following the instructions on the kiosk, the user can access TMJ and receive our information in printouts or can read the material on the screen. The printout can be made in English or in Spanish, and in regular size type or in large type for those who have vision problems. The second way of accessing our free information is through the Internet under the Healthtouch® home page (http://www.healthouch.com)/
The most recent kiosk report covering March 1997 through June 1997 shows that 5,812 people accessed the system. The report for the Internet during July-October 1997 showed 17,129 accesses. JJAMD's information is contained on 7 different leaflets which explain the different aspects of TMJ from the patient's perspective. While JJAMD does not provide specific medical advice nor does it provide doctor referrals, the material covers a wide-ranging scope of user friendly information about TMJ and useful self-help tips. Importantly, it demonstrates that the patient is not alone with his or her symptoms, but is suffering with a "mainstream" disorder. One leaflet contains a Patient Survey, which can be downloaded, filled out and sent to JJAMD directly. We receive many letters from patients who tell us that the information we provide is helpful in their understanding of what they are going through. In addition the Patient Survey is very helpful in allowing patients to articulate their own experiences. JJAMD will be preparing a research study based on these Patient Surveys in the near future. We will attempt to publish the results in a Journal article, and perhaps factor in these responses into the TMJ Registry, which is being planned.
TOPJJAMD PARTICIPATES IN THREE WOMENS' HEALTH CONFERENCES
On October 22, 1997 the Heinz Foundation, chaired by Teresa Heinz, [who is also the wife of Massachusetts Senator John Kerry] sponsored a Women's Health Conference in Boston entitled Women, Health & the Environment 1997. Attendance exceeded 1,000 participants from all over New England. The agenda covered primarily environmental issues relating to women's health. While TMJ was not a specific agenda item, there is a distinct relationship between the environmental health problems covered and some of the problems being experienced by TMJ patients we come into contact with. For example, many TMJ patients suffer also from chemical sensitivity.
On October 30, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts hosted a national meeting on the subject of women's health issues and the Health Insurance Industry titled Women's Health Leadership Conference. Milton, as Blue Cross Chairman, kicked off the meeting by welcoming the audience. He used TMJ as an example of a health problem often considered a woman's issue due to the fact that most patients presenting with TMJ happen to be women. He stressed the difficulty imposed on TMJ patients because treatments are often not covered due to the controversial nature and the lack of generally accepted scientifically proven efficacy. He emphasized that the industry has to get around these problems somehow and assume a leadership role in resolving the issues that deny TMJ patients their rightful entitlements, for which they are paying premiums. Renée had an opportunity to discuss TMJ with many of the attendees, and was able to increase the awareness of this difficult situation among leaders in the health insurance industry.
On November 1, again in Boston, JJAMD participated in a conference attended by over 500 women, entitled "Women Taking Charge: A Healthy Challenge. Every attendee had our Educational self-help Tips Pamphlet in their packet of conference information. JJAMD was provided a booth in the exhibition hall, where we ran our educational video and distributed some additional materials. The flood of visitors to JJAMD's booth once again demonstrated that TMJ is a mainstream disorder with which many people suffer. The conference was sponsored by the Healthcare and Policy Institute, which was founded by Evelyn Murphy Ph.D., former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, which Milton chairs and Renée is a director. Milton again kicked off the meeting and included TMJ as an example of the troubling issues involved in women's health. He gave Renée case as an example of the neglect of women's issues by the healthcare establishment. The lack of research, the trivializing of the patient, the bouncing around of women TMJ patients from one practitioner to another were given as TMJ examples which mirrors in most way those affecting women's health issues in general. Renée, however, always says that the big difference between TMJ and all other women's health disorders is that at least other disorders are accepted as "legitimate" by the medical establishment -- meaning that there is at least health insurance coverage in most cases. The TMJ sufferer is indeed an orphan, cast out wrongly between two health professions and considered as something less than a legitimate health disorder.
TOPPLANNING STARTED ON REGISTRY FOR TMJ
A subcommittee on TMJ Registry Project, consisting of two directors, Dr. Richard Pharo, and Lisa Lessard, have prepared a TMJ concept paper to be studied by the full committee. A registry has been a fond hope of JJAMD almost from the beginning. As the paper says "registries for diseases are not uncommon in the United States. Therefore establishing a registry for TMJ need not entirely re-invent the wheel of registry technology. Much can be learned from studying other registries to avoid pitfalls and to take advantage of the knowledge and experience of those who have gone through the process of creating effective disease registries."
There are, of course, many problems associated with constructing a medical registry for TMJ, not the least of which is identifying those care givers who provide diagnosis and treatment of TMJ. This would involve dental practices as well as any number of medical offices as well. Contact would have to be made with a large number of practitioners to determine who will provide the basic input into the registry. Patient follow-up would also have to be made in order to determine the outcome of treatment. As the concept paper points out, it might be advantageous to link TMJ with other medical indications, such as sports injuries or other pain/dysfunction disorders which are already included in a medical registry. Additionally, the use of the data has to be communicated so as to prove the rationale for such a registry. A successful registry output could result in published research, information to the government [CDC] and/or the public health sector.
JJAMD is fortunate to have had a successful introduction to the Internet through its association with the Healthtouch® interactive medical information system. This gives us a ready access to the millions of people who access the "net" looking for information on TMJ. Many of these people are anxious to cooperate on a registry so as to advance the cause of science and information sharing.
TOPLINK BETWEEN FIBROMYALGIA, TMJ AND OTHER DISORDERS STRENGTHENED
DR. SLAVKIN CITES REPORTS THAT 75 PERCENT OF FIBROMYALGIA PATIENTS ALSO HAVE MYOFASCIAL TMD.
Writing in the November 1997 Issue of JADA [Journal of the American Dental Society], one of a series of excellent articles authored by Dr. Harold Slavkin, Director of NIDR [National Institute of Dental Research, Dr. Slavkin further establishes the link between Fibromyalgia [FMS] and TMJ. Reader's of the JJAMD UPDATE will recall that JJAMD has remarked on this relationship as well as the relationship of TMJ to a number of overlapping medical conditions, for years -- even at a time when Fibromyalgia "experts" were denying that such a link existed. Typically, these experts would insist that "tender points" used to diagnose fibromyalgia, do not exist above the shoulders, and that is why TMJ had no connection with fibromyalgia. Evidence is now increasing that TMJ and fibromyalgia are linked along with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in a range of disorders with related symptomology. Dr. Slavkin writes "In FMS, the symptoms can vary from person to person and may include more generalized discomfort (and dysfunction) beyond the chronic and widespread craniofacial and skeletal muscular pain with specific tender points." He goes on to say "Of course, in the absence of a definitive biological marker[s], it is reasonable to assume that FMS may describe more than one disease with closely related or shared symptoms." He further states "As FMS can be found in -association with a wide variety of conditions, the concomitant diagnosis of FMS may be obscured by an underlying entity such as TMD [sic TMJ Disorder], chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. Likewise, in new patients presenting with symptoms suggesting FMS, a search should be made for an underlying condition." [i.e. TMJ].
As to the relationship of TMJ Disorders [Dr. Slavkin consistently uses the term "TMD"] to FMS, Dr. Slavkin writes, "A number of conditions are regularly reported to be associated with FMS or to mimic its symptoms....... Two conditions that are of particular interest to those of us in dentistry include Sjogren's syndrome, or SS, and TMD. [sic TMJ Disorders]. .In the past few years, there have been a number of research articles addressing the relationship of these dental, oral and craniofacial conditions with FMS....... The relationship between FMS and TMDs is a matter of interest and investigation. Both include chronic pain primarily affecting women, although TMD is reported in a younger population of women [20 to 40 years old] and appears to decrease in prevalence with age. It has been reported that a small proportion of patients with TMD [18.4 percent] also has FMS, but that most individuals with FMS [75 percent] also have myofascial TMD. TMD is often considered to be a local or facial disease or disorder, whereas FMS is essentially a generalized syndrome with clinical signs and symptoms of pain in multiple craniofacial and skeletal regions. Patients with FMS further appear to have generally lower pain thresholds and more intense manifestations of pain, fatigue and sleep loss. A recent survey indicates that the features that best differentiate FMS from TMD are functional disability, reports of work disability, and a general dissatisfaction with health." [This article is one of a series of articles that Dr. Slavkin continues to publish in JADA. You may receive a copy of the full article by writing to Dr. Harold Slavkin, Director of National Institute of Dental Research, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2290, Building 31, Room 2C39, Bethesda, Md. 20892-2290. We suggest that you also send a personal letter to Dr. Slavkin describing your efforts to get well and urging that research on TMJ be expanded and communicated to the patients. Please send us a copy of your letter.]
TOPAlternative Medicine and Therapies for TMJ: Do They Exist?
Ed. Note: The following paper was presented by Dr. Thomas Delbanco M.D. to the JJAMD TMJ Conference on June 23, 1995. It reflects, in our opinion, some of the skepticism we see in most "traditional" physicians. In fact even the current director of the Office of Alternative Medicine, who is a M.D. said that research must be done to prove the efficacy and safety of alternative therapies. While JJAMD does not provide specific medical or treatment advice, nor do we endorse any allopathic or alternative medicine, it is only fair to point out that most "traditional therapies" have not withstood the rigors of scientific validation. This includes even many surgical procedures in common usage. If every one of the tens of thousands of herbal, homeopathic, naturpathic, acupuncture or other alternative therapies were required to be proven effective scientifically, it would be a long time indeed before they were utilized. Additionally, who would pay the cost of such research? As of now, certainly not the NIH. So the controversy will continue to rage. Accounts of bad results from herbs or other remedies will continue to be written about and the public will continue to be confused and frightened. In the meantime many patients will be harmed by side effects or disastrous results from medicines and therapies already approved by the FDA, which will continue to be funded in ever increasing amounts by our tax dollars.
There is no question but that the public's interest in alternative medicine is growing. The over-riding question is, however, how confused are our citizenry about what we scientists in medicine are teaching, about traditional medicine, and what we are thinking about alternative medicine?
There are good and sufficient reasons why we have a confused citizenry. One of the reasons that I would postulate as to why people are turning increasingly to "non-traditional" therapies, is that we--with our science-too often turn to sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. We avoid some of the common sense indications along the way. We conduct tests that turn out differently than expected. This confuses people. Last month women were supposed to take estrogen and progesterone to protect them. This month, the New England Journal of Medicine may say that is dangerous. Next month, you know it may say something different. People are understandably very confused about what is the best thing to do.
Dr. Daniel Eskinazi referred to some headlines from a newspaper. They actually referenced a paper that David Eisenberg and I wrote along with some others. It was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and has had more response than almost anything I have ever written. It was basically intended as a minor paper. All we did was call up 1500 people and say: "What do you do when you do not feel well?" We learned that an awful lot of patients do things that their traditional medical doctors do not know about. The most striking way to summarize it is that there are as many visits per year to non-traditional therapists as there are to all the primary care doctors combined in this country. And 70% of those who go to a non-traditional therapist do not tell their doctors about it. People do not only go to a non-traditional therapist when they have diabetes, cancer, or some other life-threatening illness, they go to their traditional doctors as well. They do both. So basically, one could say that people are smart. They play it safe. So right now it is clear that there are really two parallel tracks to medicine or health care in this country. One of the problems with this is that "never the twain shall meet." Physicians do not seem willing to talk to one another about alternative medicine. Similarly, even patients seem reluctant to talk to one another about non-traditional therapies. They are embarrassed to bring it up with me as a traditional doctor. It is only after they have gone for non-traditional therapies that the Pandora's box opens and we have a frank discourse and colloquia about these matters. There is more discourse now, and there is starting to become more openness. There is also more inquiry as the subject gains more media attention. We doctors are very nervous about things that cannot be "scientifically substantiated." If many of my colleagues whom I have trained as epidemiologists and decision scientists were listening to this conference discussing TMJ, where doctors cannot agree on how to make a diagnosis and how to treat it, they would say that they were in a very strange place. They would want to get out of here straight away. It is not that different in other areas of traditional medicine. If, for example, you think we know whether Chronic Fatigue Syndrome exists or not, you are wrong. We do not know. We do know that there are people who have a constellation of complaints that some physicians put together as A, B, or C. There is an awful lot we do not know. And that in a way is what makes science so wonderful. It is the "spirit of inquiry," because there is so much that we do not know. Where we get nervous and start to sharpen our little scientific hatchets, is when people claim they know something when, in fact, they may not. What upsets us is when people say this treatment or that medicine works for "such and such" without having any scientific evidence to back up their assertions. For instance, one might declare that an MRI must be done for TMJ when the TMJ complaint is accompanied by low back pain. Then we scientists get out our little diagnostic hatchets and say, "Did you ever look at the low back pain study which showed just as high a prevalence of TMJ in those people whose backs do not hurt as those who do hurt?" And then we get into nasty arguments about what is good medicine, what is wasteful, and what is non-efficacious. And that happens traditionally in many of these settings. I repeat, that is what makes us nervous. At this time, there are an awful lot of claims flying around in this area that we do not comprehend and which are not yet scientifically justified.
Do you know what Homeopathy is? Homeopathy was invented by a highly esteemed Doctor, named Hahnemann, in Germany. There is a museum in Stuttgart dedicated to him, financed by Robert Bosch Tifton, the manufacturer of Bosch spark plugs. Bosch had a lot of money and he loved Homeopathy, so he built a museum, which I would recommend you visit. I had the chance to read through the hand written files, in German, of Dr. Hahnemann. I happen to be a violinist, and I came across a two page encounter which he had with Paganini, who came to him complaining that he was having difficulty with his violin playing, because he was in the state of constant sexual excitement. Pretty neat stuff. I would like to write a paper about that too sometime. Hahnemann basically decided that there was a new way of treating illness. He began by grinding up spiders. He diluted them with water and he shook the compound a certain amount of time per unit. He then administered the potion to patients, and amazingly they got better. And that was the birth of Homeopathy. Now we "scientific-types" have trouble with that, because--as far as we can see--they dilute those spiders so much that there is barely a molecule of spider left in the water. Yet they claim the "stuff' works, and there is anecdotal evidence that it does. On the other hand, we scientists should be very humble in our doubts, because if we claim to understand the world and how the world works, then we are being silly. The world is a mysterious place and the scientific method goes just so far. It is when someone comes out and says, "I have evidence that Homeopathy works more than placebo, more than patient expectation, more than this or that," that we begin to get very anxious and we get out our methodological hatchets. I would argue that most alternative therapies, maybe all, so far as I have reviewed the literature, cannot go beyond placebo or expectation and suggest that there is an active ingredient in A, B, or C that is bigger than placebo.
Now one might well say: "You are probably wrong, Tom, because I read three papers that said it does." And I might say: "Is that so terrible?" That is the really important point to this discussion. The important question is that we always underestimate the placebo effect. We always underestimate the power of patient expectation. We always underestimate the ability of people probably to get better on their own. Then we get out our scientific hatchets and get everybody confused.
I would suspect that having heard about the huge range of literature involving TMJ Disorders, it might be a good time to do a study utilizing new techniques where data can be pooled. This comes in handy when there is such an enormous database that you cannot really look at it all. We now have statistical techniques that are reasonable to use. We can take 50 studies that seem somewhat different, pool them, look at them, and then decide what the story is. I suspect that if this were done, you would find that there is no one therapy that works better than any other for TMJ. And, in fact, you may find that there is little consensus on most of what is going on in The TMJ World.
You then get into this awkward circumstance: What do we do about it? This brings you into what I call "the return of magic to America," which I think is a good idea. Let me finish this point on that note. Look at what is happening in Europe. Alternative therapies are sweeping depressed, sad, and unhappy countries. "Healing in the Mind," a program that Bill Moyers recently did on PBS, is a program that captured the American imagination. The New York Times had articles almost every day on some different kind of alternative therapy. And we have all these different debates about what is safe and effective, and what is pure nonsense or even harmful. In the meantime, alternative medicine has become an enormous industry. Insurers must decide whether or not they should pay for it. They probably have big fights about it with their subscribers, as well as with the corporations who are paying for a big part of the health insurance bill.
I think part of the answer is a return to a more common sense medicine, as is reflected in what is happening culturally in our country. We loved that movie "The Piano." The portrait painter is back in vogue. Abstraction is not the only thing that is ruling. In art, we are going back to the representational figure even though they may be bizarre portraits, such as by Lucien Freud. In music, the loudest and the fastest does not always hold sway anymore. Now we want the more peaceful, so-called original instruments, and the baroque early music movement has had an enormous impact. Look at "The Age of Innocence" going back to Wharton. Right? We all went to see those movies. The Irish are holding supreme in the movies these days--the romantic, the "good old days," and those wonderful and colorful things. Even "Schindler's List"--that awesome movie on one level--black and white with a little flash of red at one point--that is the return to realism for which Americans are calling. And that again resonates well with alternative therapies. If your jaw joints hurt or cannot function properly, maybe the best treatment--if you can afford it--is a stay at the Ritz, a long trip, or just a walk on the beach. That may be just as powerful medicine as an alternative therapy or some of the tests and some of the manipulations to which the patients are subjected, even though that may offend some treaters or hurt some of their pocketbooks.
What is happening in American medicine? I think there is a call that is a mixture of fright and hope. People are scared. We clinicians and scientists scare them. Thalidomide scared a lot of people. Here was a medicine that was unavailable in America, because the FDA would not approve it, so it was obtained in Europe. It was a great sleeping pill and muscle relaxant. Suddenly we had malformed babies emerging out of women. That was probably a turning point. Indeed some argue that this was the signal event, which pushed people away from the kind of traditional medicine that I practice. People do not always trust the doctor anymore and that is part of the change in mentality of the consumer in America. To illustrate this change, my mother bought all her appliances from Mr. Wallins. She got her dishwasher and her other equipment from him because she trusted him. Now when I buy something, or my kids buy something, we comparison shop. That is part of our new realism mentality. And when we get old, we will still comparison shop. It now applies to health care, too. For instance, your jaw or your jaw joints hurt or do not function properly--you comparison shop for diagnoses, treatments, cure-sometimes we make the decision to buy services based on whoever offers the best price and delivery. You run all over the world trying to find the thing that works, rather than sticking with one person whom you trust--the person who says that this is the way we approach this thing. I am sure that is true in the field of TMJ. It is certainly true in my experience in general medicine.
People regret the loss of being regarded as a "whole" person by the health care providers. Twenty years ago, when I was interested in going into primary care, I was considered "nuts." Now I am terribly fashionable. The worm turns in that sense. People are running away from the fragmentation of care and coming back for whole body care. Why?--because time has slipped away. Everyone has robbed us of it. Computers, I think, have robbed us of it, as have the fax machines. I used to be able to send you a letter and know that I would not hear from you for ten days, right? Now I hear from you in 20 minutes. I hate that machine. It is not funny. Mr. Gates says that his computers are going to give us more leisure time. I think his machines are robbing us of any sense of breathing. You do not have time with your doctor. You do not have time with your dentist. That is slipping away. And the health insurers could care less, as long as the bottom line profit is OK. It is not because they are mean spirited; they are not. It is because that is what marketplace competition is all about. Insurers must cover their costs; otherwise they will go bust, and then Milton will be held accountable because he is the Chairman of the Board of Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts. You have these omnipresent problems under which we all labor. And then the patient says, "Tom, you and the other traditional doctors do not care anymore. Why do you not spend more time listening to me whether it is about my jaws, joints, or something else." We are in terrible trouble here, and I think that may well have become the genesis of a flight away from traditional medicine and traditional dentistry to something "Magical."
The point I want to make is that "Magicians" spend more time with their patients. When you go to a chiropractor or to a massage therapist, or to a homeopath, you get more time with that treater. It is that quality time and personal attention that has powerful healing properties. Time is that common denominator which all of you and I deplore losing.
Finally, should we be doing alternative/complementary medicine research or experiments at all? The Office of Alternative Medicine has been appropriated some money to invest and hopes to get more in the future. Dr. David Eisenberg, my colleague at Beth Israel Hospital, is starting a Center for this study of non-traditional therapies. It will feature scientific randomized control studies, clinical trials--all the jargon with which I grew up and from which I received my promotions in traditional medicine. The really interesting question is whether it is worth studying and spending millions of dollars, or should we just try to help people? If you do not rip them off, maybe you should just help them, put your arm around them, say it will get better and hope it will. That line between quackery, charlatans, well-meaning good healers, and scientifically based people, is a continuum.
There is a gray zone and no one can always clearly define one from the other. And that is the nub of what we are wrestling with here. Just keep in mind, as you think about this and about the scientific inquiry that we are entering--where does it lie on the spectrum of medical science? Where do you think it should be on the spectrum, and is it even worth studying? Would we have been better off not being here today, but rather taking care of some people back in the office? Or is it important to conjure and come up with a consensus about TMJ and go on with more inquiry? I know I am being difficult, but I am being difficult on purpose because I want us all to think deeply about these challenges.
Dr. Thomas L Delbanco is currently Professor of Medicine at Harvard MedicaI School and is the Chief, Division of General Medicine and Primary Care at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He is a graduate of Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. Dr. Delbanco has been a fellow of the American College of Physicians since 1980 and is a member of the Council of Academic Societies, Association of American Medical Colleges, representing the Society of General Internal Medicine. One of his major research interests lies in developing general medicine and primary care delivery, education, and research programs at academic health centers. He is Chairman of the Picker Institute, an organization sponsored by Boston's Beth Israel Hospital and the Commonwealth Fund, with the goal of bringing the patient's Perspective into sharper focus in health care delivery.
New directions in Pain Research Really?
On November 20 and 21, 1997, Milton and Renée attended an NIH conference at the NIH campus in Bethesda Maryland. The conference, entitled "New Directions in Pain Research" was sponsored by the NIH Pain Research Consortium of which NIDR is an important member. The proceedings were highly technical and definitely oriented towards the scientific community. Although there were a significant number of patients and patient advocates of both TMJ and other disorders - and their attendance was noted by Dr. Slavkin [director of NIDR] no attempt was made to "translate" the scientific proceedings for lay person understanding on any level. Even the breakout session on Musculoskeletal Pain, which was attended by all of the TMJ participants, was so much mumbo-jumbo of six syllable scientific words that it left the lay audience with the feeling that even the presenters probably had little idea of what they were talking about. In all fairness we must admit that we did not attend the second day of the conference because the agenda seemed, if anything, more technical than the first day. It may have been, however, that day two was more patient friendly.
In any case, any help from this end of the research spectrum seems very distant indeed. Renée noted that she had attended many technical lectures presented by Milton before business groups and university classes, and even the least sophisticated member of the audience could understand the presentation. Researchers, physicians and even some dentists seem to need to fall into the technical jargon habit perhaps as a defense mechanism. We notice that when most doctors speak to support/self help groups they use technical words that they must know are indecipherable by the audience. We wonder why this is so?
I Don't Know What YOU Want From Me, Says NIDR Director
Renée had an opportunity to speak to Dr. Slavkin very briefly. He greeted her, as always, most cordially and affectionately and asked how she was doing. Renée said that she was doing ok but is not happy with NIDR. He asked if she felt that the world did not understand her. She replied that she felt that the world understood her - it was NIDR that did not. He said, "I don't know what you want from me." Renée replied that the two of them had discussed the "what" many times and have not gotten very far. She reminded Dr. Slavkin that she did not seek him out at this point. The conversation had to be terminated because the meeting was about to start. Renée would have replied the she wants only a few things from Dr. Slavkin and NIDR, none of which are all that foreign to the mission of a tax supported health research agency, accountable in the final analysis to the voters.
1. Help educate the public on prevention of TMJ.
2. Provide meaningful help to those already suffering with TMJ by providing information and advice.
3. Do research now on the myriad of diagnoses and treatments being provided to millions of TMJ patients to determine scientifically what works--what does not [and should be discontinued]--what helps, and what hurts.
4. Do the basic research that will some day unlock the mystery of TMJ and related disorders.
We are obviously a long way off -- maybe another millennium -- before basic scientific research will unlock the gene that can be switched off and on, like a light switch, to cure TMJ. While we should not discontinue this barely emerging basic scientific TMJ research, we need help now to prevent others from falling victim, especially children, and to help those who are now suffering.
Just think about it. The are no national programs for TMJ. The Arthritis Foundation, which embraces every aspect of arthritis that can be treated with drugs, will not touch TMJ with a ten-foot pole. Perhaps this is because there is no pay-day for the drug companies or for the foundation which labels its own analgesics. There is no national March of Dimes or Cancer Society for TMJ. There is no natural constituency for TMJ since drug companies have no financial interest, medical foundations view it as "suspicious," and health insurers are still waiting for some shreds of evidence that treatments they are constantly asked to pay for are something other than modern voodoo. Where are we to turn for help if it is not the NIH?
In the meantime, the work of the NIH Technology Assessment Panel of May 1996 languishes. You will remember that this was the panel that decided that essentially all of the TMJ research to date is unscientific and therefore essentially worthless. They came up with such specific "hard hitting" conclusions such as the one which said that there is no credible evidence that orthodonture either causes TMJ or cures TMJ. About the best thing they said was that the ridiculous and hurtful anagram "TMD" [rather than "TMJ"] [which we think is used so as to classify women as crazy,] is emotionally charged and should be discontinued. Except for money poured down the rat hole of trying to prove all TMJ women patients as mentally deficient, where is the new research that a future NIH panel can say is scientifically valid?
"What we have here," as the chain gang boss said to Paul Newman just before he clobbered him, "is a failure to communicate." We're talking, but nobody is listening -- and NIDR, FDA, Congress, the Arthritis Foundation and all the others say, "I don't know what you want from me."
What ever happened To The TMJ Association Ltd. Relationship?
What should have been a relationship made in heaven has turned distinctly earthly. You will recall that we told you that the newly formed working relationship with the TMJ Association, Ltd., whose efforts complement those of JJAMD perfectly, was developing very well. Since this was not the first time that it seemed we could work together -- and failed -- we were apprehensive but hopeful. As it turned out, this attempt has failed as well and there will not be another attempt in the future. The basic problem this time turned out to be their total lack of recognition of JJAMD as a force for change. For example, all the work we did to get congress to recognize a "Jaw Joints-TMJ Awareness Month" was not even mentioned in the Association's annual meeting agenda. Further, while we were invited to participate and to lecture at their annual meeting in Washington, at the eleventh hour we were told to attend, but that we were not invited to speak at the annual meeting--instead to submit one page of notes on the health insurance situation. Obviously, our idea of cooperation is quite different from theirs. You should be aware that this is not uncommon among advocacy organizations that continue to have founders at their helm. The sense of loss of control is so marked in founders that they rarely give up power without a "revolution" among their members or boards. We were told recently by a distinguished research scientist who is involved with several advocacy groups that our fierce desire to share or even surrender our control is unique. Having observed other organizations for many years, we agree with this characterization. We are disappointed and unhappy that the TMJ cause has been set back by this and wish the very best for the patient/members. They increasingly rely upon the efforts of this disparate and widely separated group of advocacy organizations who could be a powerful force if only they could get together in the spirit of cooperative sharing. Without such a powerful coordinated groundswell, advancing the cause of TMJ becomes infinitely more difficult and problematical.
TOPWhy "TMJ" and Not "TMD"
You no doubt have noticed our frequent "corrections" when other people use the term "TMD" instead of "TMJ." We use only "TMJ" or "TMJ Disorders" in our work for what we consider to be good reasons. TMD was invented some years ago by members of the American Dental Association and picked up for usage by NIDR and others. It is still not used by a significant number of dentists and researchers, and virtually never by the media.
The term, we have been told, is used to describe a range of cranio-facial conditions involved not only with the TM Joint but with the musculature as well. Additionally, the term incorporates the psychosocial factors and psychosomatic issues involved in the disorder as well.
JJAMD believes the condition we are working with involves the TM Joint, the musculature and the connective tissue and facial structures involved. We believe psychosocial and psychosomatic issues are a matter of mental health and not of TMJ Disorder. We believe that the basic drive to change the name to TMD was for the purpose of including mental health factors into the classification. We have no argument with those who maintain that pain and dysfunction may produce psychosis, or that behavioral problems may cause the onset of myofascial conditions. Our argument is that to include mental health aspects into the definition of the disorder is pejorative, anti-woman and counterproductive. We believe that "TMJ Disorder/s" is a perfectly good, time honored and medically acceptable term. It even is a much better term for health insurance purposes, which discriminate against mental illnesses. Therefore, we urge you as patients, NIDR, ADA and all care givers, to use the term TMJ Disorder [abbreviated as TMJ if desired] to describe the medical condition with which our members suffer. As the NIH Technology Assessment Panel concluded, "When sufficient data are available, a multidisciplinary classification system based on measurable criteria should be developed as the first step in a rational approach to developing diagnostic protocols and appropriate treatment modalities. This approach should lead to a labeling of 'subtypes' that could permit the elimination of the term TMD, which has become emotionally laden and contentious."
TOPJADA ARTICLE ON HEALTH PROMOTION---- A REVIEW
Published in the January 1996 edition of The Journal of the American Dental Association [JADA] Dr. Harold C. Slavkin, Director of NIDR, authored an article entitled "Placing Health Promotion Into the Context of Our Lives." The subject is one that JJAMD has campaigned for over these many years, but which has received little attention from any governmental agency to date. Unfortunately, JADA is not the popular press to which the population at large looks to for information about health promotion. Instead, the article is positioned to dentists who make up the readership. Although the computer indexes pick up the subject reference, it is doubtful that many researchers, health practitioners, public health personal or the general lay public will ever have the interest or opportunity to read the article.
Dr. Slavkin begins his discussion with the statement that dentistry has been in the forefront of health promotion by incorporating prevention into theory and practice. He states "Results of these efforts have become increasingly apparent over the past 50 years, as previously debilitating dental, oral and craniofacial conditions have decline in prevalence and as better management has followed the introduction effective clinical and community-based preventative services. We have made a difference!" If TMJ is considered a part of craniofacial conditions we would like to see the evidence that TMJ has declined in prevalence or has been the subject of better management. In fact, we would like to see any study, registry or census that shows this effect.
The author continues in his praise for the print media, radio and television, and major national and state health agendas for their increased efforts for health education, health promotion and disease prevention. Again, we TMJ patient advocates challenge the good doctor to demonstrate a single incidence of such increased efforts by any of the parties referenced to promote prevention and health promotion in the field of TMJ.
Dr. Slavkin goes on to warn that 60 percent of the burden of disease faced by Americans, is attributable to behaviors such as poor diet, smoking, etc. He remarks that such behaviors influence oral health as well as general health. He challenges the dental profession to become more effective in promoting health-seeking behaviors...."Imagine a future for the entire American population nearly 270 million people-with reduced prevalence of early childhood dental caries, cleft lip and plate, gingivitis and periodontal diseases, oral and pharyngeal cancer, temporomandibular joint disorders, chronic facial pain and oral bone loss due to osteoporosis. There is reason for such optimism." He goes on to explain his reason for such optimism in the form of smarter" vaccines, investment in biomedical research and behavioral research and training. His optimism carries the reader into the next millennium when we will all become senior citizens with" complete denotations, without pain or discomfort, and without oral, dental or craniofacial diseases." Tell that to the 10 million Americans suffering with TMJ, for whom the problem only gets worse for so many as they age, and hopelessness and despair accompany their journey into the next millennium.
The article goes on to document the many advances that have been made because of fluoridation of our public drinking water and advances in saving dentition. Doctor Slavkin encourages the profession to use the dental visits as an opportunity to provide effective motivational interventions to enhance self-care and health care decisions, particularly in children. In the community context, he urges professionals to engage in school, community, and population based oral health programs or in programs for disadvantaged individuals or family units. He talks about sealants for children and caries prevention. This is the stuff of which distinguished thinkers such as Dr. Slavkin can lead a nation into better health. Unfortunately, again where TMJ is concerned, such health promotion is virtually absent. We still do not see even a recommendation that TMJ screening be routinely coupled with scoliosis screening of school-age youngsters. We still do not see a recommendation that EMT personnel be trained to recognize potential TMJ damage in accident victims and adjust neck braces accordingly. These are the things that JJAMD has urged but are still missing, even in an excellent discourse such as this article.
The article concludes with a litany of "Barriers To Health Promotion And Disease Prevention." The list is all too familiar and discouraging. Included is the caveat about the downside to the incredible scientific research that is going on -"however, science transfer, or knowledge dissemination, to health professionals remains a formidable task." Therein lies the nub of what JJAMD has been campaigning- for years. Disseminating information, whether from scientist to health professional or from health professional to the public is a formidable task. Even translating Dr. Slavkin's thoughtful article to the public at large is a formidable task. How does this information flow from JADA to the public? Isn't NIDR honor bound to find a mechanism where it can communicate Dr. Slavkin's expertise to the public? What is the proper role of the media in disseminating information. Must it always be in 30-second sound bites on the evening news which misinforms more than it informs? How can we hold our government accountable after spending our hard earned tax dollars on research, to communicate the results of this research in a user-friendly and informative fashion. Finally, how can we, as TMJ patients, advocates, and future TMJ victims, convince NIH that we deserve even a modicum of time, attention, and effort to have Health Promotion Placed Into the Context of Our Lives.
[This article is one of a series of articles that Dr. Slavkin continues to publish in JADA. You may receive a copy of the full article by writing to Dr. Harold Slavkin, Director of National Institute of Dental Research, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2290, Building 31, Room 2C39, Bethesda, Md. 20892-2290. We suggest that you also send a personal letter to Dr. Slavkin describing your efforts to get well and urging that research on TMJ be expanded and communicated to the patients. Please send us a copy of your letter.]
ANNUAL MEETING HELD
The annual meeting of the Jaw Joints & Allied Musculo-Skeletal Foundation, Inc. was held in Boston on October 7, 1997. Attended by 20 directors and advisors, the meeting agenda included reports of committees and the presidents, as well as the election of the Boards for the ensuing year. Directors were informed by an official of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, that the Department intends to continue the excellent cooperation started several years ago. The financial report included the announcement of a $25,000 gift from an anonymous source, to be used for TMJ research. Dr. Shimshak reported on his continuing work on Phase II of the research on the insured medical costs of TMJ, which will be ready for publication in the near future. Phase I was published in "Cranio" in July 1997. A vote was taken to appoint a committee to study the development of a TMJ Registry. Substantial discussion of TMJ matters in general ensued with much good advice and encouragement supplied by the attendees.
PREVENTION OF TMJ: FOCUS ON SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN
The following article was prepared by Oral Health/Public Health professionals under the auspices of the Jaw Joints & Allied Musculo-Skeletal Disorders Foundation [JJAMD] through our participation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. JJAMD's mission is to bring awareness to the jaw joints [TMJ ]to the public at large and to help in the prevention of this common disorder, known as "TMJ" [Temporomandibular Joint Disorders]. This article was written for publication in the "Massachusetts School Health Newsletter." It informs School Personnel about how they can help to prevent TMJ disorders in students through awareness and detection of early signs and symptoms.
The disorder to the TemporoMandibular Joints [i.e. in layperson's term Jaw Joints] is usually referred to as "TMJ." TMJ disorder can spread pain and dysfunction throughout the entire body. This medical disorder is one of the most pervasive, least understood, and most controversial health disorders in existence today. TMJ is now also acknowledged as a component in other health disorders. The following are common sights around the school yard: a student misses a catch, and grimaces; another child impresses friends with her gum-chewing skills; a student is seen biting his lip nervously; another runs outside without hat and gloves on, and immediately tenses and clenches. In each situation, the unique temporomandibular joints [TMJ] are being utilized and often misused in innocence. TMJ injury in school children can be prevented by heightening awareness and education. This target population has the greatest potential to develop attitudes and habits that will ensure the long-standing health of their jaw joints. Why focus on the TMJs? They are the most frequently used joints in the human body. Every time we talk, swallow, or chew, they are being used. They act as a pathway through which all motor and sensory nervous information travels between the brain and the spinal cord. They are in close proximity to the ears, eyes, nose, throat, sinuses, muscles of mastication, and cervical spine. They are unique joints because they must work on both sides at the same time; one side is dependent upon the other side. Trauma during stages of growth may leave permanent damage [e.g. facial asymmetry]. Injury to these joints is complex in its etiology. Efforts must be made to identify and remove risk factors. Chronic TMJ can spread pain and dysfunction throughout the entire body and can often result in depression and anxiety, which are not uncommon sequelae to initial injury. How can you help? Early screening and detection of TMJ problems increases the likelihood of successful interventions. Observe those students displaying any of the "P's", as outlined below:
Parafunction - an important etiologic factor! Look for signs such as grinding or clenching [AM and PM], chewing on pencils, gum, and nails, tongue thrusting, lip biting, playing musical instruments
Posture - avoid head forward [e g. while studying], proper carrying of book bags, sleep positioning, breathing, telephone [teens!]
Protection - intraoral sports guards, helmets, proper diet, exercise, chew evenly, avoid hard chewy foods and oversized sandwiches
Personal injury - contact sports, car accidents [including airbag injuries], playground accidents, tomfoolery play to the head and face, abuse, falls
Pain and dysfunction - audible pops and clicks, jaw locking, range of opening [normal is approx. 2-2 1/2 finger widths] and closing jaw, cheeks, temples, chewing, headache, earache, yawning, talking, jaw muscles, bite
Problems, smiling, laughing.
Pressure - classes, homework, peers, family, lifestyle
Arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, migraines, depression, tinnitus [ringing- in the ears], allergies, orthodontic work, joint hyper- or hypomobility, lyme disease, sinus, viral infections [ i.e. mononucleosis, mumps, measles], hereditary abnormalities
Finally, early detection of the "P's" in schoolchildren will go far in the overall prognosis of TMJ. In many adult TMJ cases, direct cause has been attributed to an initial childhood factor [e.g. trauma]. Statistics reveal that, when detected early, successful treatment of TMJ is most likely. This has many economical benefits, not withstanding the physical ones. Furthermore, the treatment modality at this stage is most likely to be conservative and reversible.
If you notice any of the above signs and symptoms, be aware and informed. If the student presents with pain in the jaw joints. or dysfunction, e.g., inability to open the mouth freely, or difficulty in chewing and swallowing refer him or her to a primary care health professional who is qualified to diagnose and treat the TMJ disorder, and/or to refer the patient to an appropriate clinical source. Your early intervention could aid in prevention of further injury and create a healthier outcome for the future of these children.

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What’s in Season?
As our roadside stands and tailgate markets start to open up for the season keep an eye out for fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season or coming soon:
* Radishes, * Snow Peas, * Spinach, * Strawberries, *Turnips, * Romaine, * Broccoli, * Collards, * Greens, * Lettuce, * Mushrooms.
Combine some of this healthy produce with quinoa and almonds for a protein and create a wholesome meal.
Quinoa Strawberry Salad
Quinoa is a popular grain thanks to its quick cooking time, high protein content, and nutty taste. The quinoa really soaks up the dressing in this recipe. Wait to dress the salad until right before serving.
- 1/2 cup dry quinoa
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
- 2/3 cup strawberries, halved
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
- 1 handful of fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
- Prepare quinoa according to package directions. Remove from heat when done.
- Combining all dressing ingredients in a bowl or jar.
- Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl.
- Add and toss in dressing just prior to serving.


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After two straight one-sided victories against Sentinels and Luminosity Gaming in the upper bracket of the NA VCT Challengers One main event, The Guard find themselves just one win away from attending an international VALORANT LAN at Masters Reykjavík.
Even with an upset victory over Version1 under their belts from the day prior, Luminosity were considered the underdog against The Guard. Luminosity held their own in a tightly contested 6-6 first half of Bind before The Guard did enough on defense via some impressive retakes to take away Luminosity’s Bind pick by a 13-10 scoreline. JonahP, net, and Sayaplayer each produced over 21 kills for their side.
On Icebox, some heroic playmaking from Luminosity’s dazzLe and bdog ended up not being enough to slow down another stellar Jett game from Sayaplayer. He had 17 kills after only 10 rounds, and ended up with 23 kills total in a 13-5 win, punctuated by an astonishing one-vs-three from trent to put The Guard on match point.
The Guard’s win against Luminosity today comes on the heels of their monumental upset over Sentinels from the day before. Despite The Guard’s stellar play throughout the group stage alongside Sentinels’ slow start, very few expected NA’s new hot team to defeat the dominant roster from last year so decisively, capped off with a 13-1 rout on Icebox.
This moves The Guard within one series win away from reaching Masters Reykjavík. They can accomplish this against a new opponent in OpTic, who stunned the undefeated Cloud9 earlier in the day. The two teams will meet in the upper bracket final on Friday, March 25, at 3pm CT, with the winner securing a playoffs grand final spot and a trip to Iceland.
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