A year after the Glivec saga and looks like Novartis is leaving no stone unturned to protect its blockbuster anti-diabetic vildagliptin. According to news reports, Novartis filed a suit seeking an injunction against Biocon Ltd. at the Delhi High Court for infringement of the vildagliptin product patent. During the hearing on March 28, 2014, the court recorded a statement according to which Biocon will not manufacture, sell or export Vildagliptin for commercial purposes till the next court hearing. Details of the order can be accessed here (CS (OS) 891/2014). This is for the second time that Novartis has been embroiled in a patent litigation issue over Vildagliptin in India. On March 5, 2014, Novartis was granted a preliminary injunction by the Delhi High Court against the generic Wockhardt for infringement product patent. Our post regarding the Novartis-Wockhardt issue can be accessed here.
Factual matrix and Quia-timet suits:
It all started when Novartis received a notice from IPAB informing them about a revocation petition filed by Wockhardt. Shortly thereafter Novartis filed an RTI with the DCGI (Drug Controller General of India) seeking information regarding regulatory approvals issued for Vildagliptin. The RTI response provided them with a list of manufacturers to whom approval was issued (Wockhardt and presumably Biocon).
Subsequently Novartis filed a suit against Wockhardt and Biocon alleging patent infringement. Vildagliptin is protected by Indian patent no. 212815(mail-box application no. IN/PCT/2001/779/CHE-subsequently matured into product patent).
Quia timet suits aimed at preventing possible future injury are nothing new. Previously in an excellent post, Shamnad had blogged about quia-timet actions and big Pharma’s strategic use of RTI information to sue, given that there is no other credible way of knowing if a generic manufacturer intends to launch a patented drug.
In the patent infringement suit initiated by Novartis, at a later stage if the generics counterclaim and allege invalidity of the patent in the high court, an interesting scenario would arise wherein the validity of the same patent will be challenged at two separate forums i.e. IPAB and high court.
In Dr. Aloys Wobben vs Yogesh Mehra & Ors, the courts respondents considered the question of whether defendants can be permitted to continue the prosecution of proceedings for revocation of patents instituted by them, before the IPAB when they have elected to prosecute their counter claims for revocation of the very same patents, in the suits for infringement, filed by the appellant, who is the original plaintiff. In this case the court made some interesting observations:
- Parallel proceedings in two separate forums for revocation of the very same patents could not proceed if, they were found to be inconsistent with each other.
- Where the nature of the challenge in the two forums was materially different, it was quite possible to contend that proceedings could continue concurrently both before the IPAB and the High Court.
- The mere fact that proceedings which are concurrent in nature are instituted before two separate and distinct forums would not trigger in, the doctrine of election unless, they are also inconsistent with each other.
In the US, however if validity of a patent is contested at two separate forums via ex-parte reexamination at PTAB and high court, the Director of the USPTO shall determine whether or not to suspend the reexamination.
Anti-diabetic drugs: trending?
Recently there has been a spike in litigation involving anti-diabetic drugs especially gliptins/ dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4). I am not surprised though, since in India the gliptins market share is estimated at about 500 crore! Also owing to obesity and lifestyle changes, India has acquired the dubious distinction of becoming world’s diabetic capital followed closely by China. Emerging markets like India offer huge untapped potential and opportunity for anti-diabetic drug launches. No wonder everyone wants a piece of the gliptin pie.
Interesting times ahead!


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UK-based electrified powertrain engineering consultancy Drive System Design (DSD) announced a strategic expansion of its test facilities, adding two further test cells for high-performance hybrid axles and e-machines. The move reflects a growing demand for outsourced test capacity suitable for electrified powertrains, as the industry prioritizes its development in response to global emissions concerns.
The first of the new facilities can deliver input torque up to 2,500 N·m at 2,100 rpm, 525 kW at 7,000 rpm, and 350 kW 1,100 V of battery emulation, with the second for e-machines up to 350 kW and 25,000 rpm. The new cells complement existing DSD facilities, which include a 450 kW highly transient ETPS machine (Engine Torque Pulse Simulator) and three battery emulators.
According to David Kelly, Director, Drive System Design, even the largest established vehicle manufacturers are struggling to accommodate the upsurge in test requirements using solely in-house facilities, and the situation is likely to become even more acute in future.
We are in the middle of a sea change in the industry, as the major players allocate more of their manufacturing to electrified vehicles. Companies like DSD can provide vital additional resource to help satisfy short-term peaks in testing demand as this change in policy takes effect.—David Kelly
DSD is continually developing its automation capabilities within the facility to help speed up testing. This has proven particularly effective in the case of hot and cold environment testing. According to Kelly, tests that previously took six weeks to complete can be finished in half the time with suitably configured automatic control.
DSD intends to have the new test cells operational in December this year.

domain: economics


Earth, population 7 billion, faces changes that its residents can only describe as existential threats. The changes are unpredictable. Sea levels are rising faster than they used to, but no one can say how high they will rise. Global temperatures could rise 2°F by 2100—or they could rise 11.5°F. Even if Earth's 7 billion residents could put their hands on the levers to control some of these changes today, the outlook will be different in 2100, when the world's population is half again larger than it is today.
So you can see the logic behind the work of Bimal Mendis and Joyce Hsiang, researchers who are designing a city with a population of 7 billion people. With "The City of 7 Billion," Mendis and Hsiang, researchers at Yale University's School of Architecture and co-founders of Plan B Architecture & Urbanism, plan to simulate population crisis at a global level—but one situated within the framework of a city, a level at which people can in fact put their hands on the levers.
For their effort, the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows has recognized Mendis and Hsiang with the 2013 Latrobe Prize, a $100,000 award for research that leads to advances in architecture. Mendis and Hsiang plan to build a multi-scalar model of the world in which every dataset—demographics, finance, geography, infrastructure, and resources—is applied to an urban framework. It's Sim Earth meets Sim City, an open-source analysis of a city facing a world's worth of population strain and environmental stress.
The 2013 Latrobe Prize jury includes John T. Regan (chair) of Texas A&M University; Harold Adams, FAIA, of RTKL; Wayne Drummond of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Henry Green, Hon. AIA, of the National Institute of Building Sciences; Laura Lee, FAIA, of Carnegie Mellon University; Monica Ponce de Leon of the University of Michigan; Ronald L. Skaggs, FAIA, chancellor of the AIA College of Fellows; and William J. Stanley III, FAIA, vice chancellor of the AIA College of Fellows.


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Their response to the coronavirus has been different too, with Idaho Gov. Brad Little locking down Idaho far later than Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee and loosening restrictions much more quickly.
But according to a new poll, they share something in common: In both states, 67 percent of their residents gave their respective governor a thumbs-up grade for their response to the coronavirus. The SurveyMonkey online poll surveyed more than 120,000 adults across the country, and weighted the sample to reflect age, population density, race, and education levels in each state.
Since the polling was conducted between April 30 and May 13, it gives us a taste of how residents in both states have responded to Little's decision to start opening up, and Inslee's comparative reluctance.
In both states, the fight to slow the spread of the virus has shown remarkable progress. The first examples of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. being identified came from Washington state, as horror stories of deaths in a Kirkland nursing home riveted the nation. But today, the numbers are low enough to put the state's per-capita number of total infections in the bottom half of the states.
And Idaho? Despite being on the border of Washington state, Idaho has the ninth least per-capita number of cases in the nation. While differences in testing supply can radically skew the numbers, the evidence remains: Washington state and Idaho have escaped the nightmare scenario plaguing states like New York and New Jersey.
A vocal band of protesters in both states have been furious about the dramatic measures their governors have taken to combat the virus, alleging the damage to the economy and
liberty has been too steep.
But those supporting the stay-home measures are more likely to, well, stay at home, giving an inaccurate sense of how the public feels about the measures.
In recent weeks in Spokane, however, local leaders have been increasingly critical of Gov. Inslee. Spokane Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, a Republican, condemned the governor's ongoing stay-home order as "draconian" and charged that the governor is "either blind or doesn't care about the economic epidemic that's coming."
"There's some sort of middle ground that we're not striking in Spokane County, that we can get to that is safe," Riccelli said earlier this month. "I haven't been super public about it, because I've been trying to work behind the scenes with the governor's staff."
Last week, the Downtown Spokane Partnership's Mark Richard expressed further irritation that the governor had declined to consider Spokane's variance request earlier than the governor had originally asked.
"That's just completely irresponsible when you have people's entire livelihoods on the line," Richard says. "We believe the governor needs to treat us with more respect and honor his own word and manage this using the data."
But this week, Inslee did layout a new standard, announcing that Spokane had a slow enough infection rate to allow it to apply to move to stage 2 early. And it's important to recognize that the voices of business owners, raring to reopen, don't always match the views of their employees.
A recent public records dump of complaints accusing nonessential businesses of defying the governor's stay-home order reveal that a significant number of the complaints come, not from finger-wagging neighbors or frustrated competitors, but from many of the accused businesses' own employees.
"I am being forced to use my [personal time off] to stay compliant with the ban and safely take care of my daughter who has an autoimmune disease," one local Spokane employee complained.
"Employees have tried to reason with them," another complainant alleged about a company, charging their management "doesn't care about them or their health, quarantine, or anything going on around them! Please help us."
In fact, a SurveyUSA poll, conducted over the past week on behalf of KING 5, found that only 19 percent of Washington state respondents said that the response from state health officials to the coronavirus has been an overreaction and only 15 percent said that Washington's stay-home order should be lifted immediately. Most supported a modified order, with some parts of the state opening up before others.
It's possible, of course, that Inslee's approval rating has lost ground recently. His approval rating on his coronavirus response isn't quite as high as the 75 percent of respondents to an Elway poll conducted a few weeks earlier, a supermajority of residents still appear to support him.
But as for Inslee opponent Tim Eyman's claim to the Inlander that "the people, regular voters, are just spittin' mad right now"? There's not much proof of that right now.
In fact, the SurveyUSA poll found that, in the span of 10 weeks, Inslee's net job approval rating in Washington lept by 28 points. The people in deep-red Idaho, of course, are of a different sort.
In Idaho, you have legislators like Heather Scott calling Gov. Little, "Little Hitler." You have Little's own Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin proudly appearing at the openings of an Idaho bar defying the governor's order, and writing op-eds saying that, "I lose sleep at night because the heavy hand of our government is hurting so many Idahoans."She and Little haven't spoken in three weeks.
And you have groups like the influential Idaho Freedom Foundation leading "Disobey Idaho" rallies, urging residents that they "have to disobey" the governor's orders.
Interviewed by the Inlander last month, before Little began reopening parts of Idaho, Idaho Freedom Foundation's Wayne Hoffman gave the governor a mixed review.
"I've found his staff to be very accessible. We've had very candid conversations all throughout this. And that's been a refreshing change from his predecessor," Hoffman said. "Where I have a criticism is that he's being led by the health experts. And I think he needs to do more to weigh the economics and his constitutional obligations as he considers health matters."
Hoffman's argument was primarily one about liberty and the economic impact, rather than a medical calculation. Asked if he believed that COVID-19 is more dangerous than the flu, Hoffman said, "I have no idea."
"COVID-19 could kill you, but the government's actions could also kill you," Hoffman said. "We know when it's COVID-19, but do you know when it's a person who put a gun to their head and pulled the trigger, because they were upset about what's happened to them financially?"
"South Dakota seems to be doing just fine," Hoffman told us last month. "Iowa is doing fine. Arkansas is doing fine. Sweden is doing just fine."
But today, the percent of infections in South Dakota and Iowa is more than three times than in Idaho — though South Dakota's death rate remains low. In Arkansas, where residents did try to shelter in place, the numbers have been relatively low, but have rebounded recently. And Sweden? It's done better overall than hotspots like the U.K. and Italy, but far, far worse than its Scandanavian neighbors like Norway. Over the past week, it's had the highest number of deaths per capita in Europe.
Still, Hoffman argues that Sweden's "herd immunity" strategy will pay off in the long run. And conservatives have been happy to point to the example of Florida, where the predictions of doom and disaster after Gov. Ron DeSantis began opening up the state have so far failed to manifest. Yet for all the influence that the Freedom Foundation's arguments have had on the Idaho Legislature over the years, the influence they have on the Idaho public is a little shakier. After all, the Freedom Foundation and the Legislature fought tooth-and-nail against Idaho's Medicaid expansion initiative — but over 60 percent of the voters approved it.
"Since you can’t play to the middle well in Idaho, the Legislature tends to be more extreme than the electorate is," says Moscow-based Sen. David Nelson, one of Idaho's rare Democrats.
The positive polling around Little's coronavirus response appears to bear that out.
And lately, even some fairly conservative legislators, like Idaho Sen. Greg Chaney, have been pushing back against the Freedom Foundation and McGeachin, referring to them as manipulative "snake oil salesmen."
Chaney, like the majority of residents who were recently polled, argued that Little managed to get it right.
"Everybody could always say, we should have moved earlier, we should have moved slower," Chaney told the Inlander last month. "I think that Gov. Little did his best to find the precise point. He's been careful to follow the advice of experts that he's assembled to advise him on the science and the economics."
Chaney expressed sympathy for the constitutional concerns expressed by protestors but argued that even if you legally can take risks with your health, that doesn't mean you should.
"Look, you can believe — and maybe I'll agree with you — that the government has no right to tell you that you're not allowed to drink bleach, but that doesn't make drinking bleach is a good idea," he said.
Chaney said this not knowing that, just hours after the interview, President Donald Trump would stand up and muse about the possibility that an "injection" of disinfectant could be used to knock out the coronavirus, nor that the company would soon force Lysol to put out a warning that, no, they shouldn't drink bleach. (Trump later attempted to argue that he was being sarcastic.)
And that segues to another discovery from the SurveyMonkey poll: As much as people praise their governors, they sure aren't impressed with the president. Only 43 percent of respondents gave Trump a solid rating for how he's handled the coronavirus — lower than every governor in the country but Georgia's.
Not only that, but according to the KING 5 poll, only 29 percent of Washington residents say Trump is doing a better job at handling the virus than Inslee. Even 21 percent of Republicans say Inslee is doing a better job.

domain: politics


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Backstory to this, my mother cheated on my father about 4 yrs ago and now they are divorced. As a result, needless to say, my family is strained. My father and mother are civil with each other but I still have anxiety about how my whole wedding day is going to pan out, having my mother in the same room as my dad and his family...(siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins etc)
Anyway, my mother is still dating the guy she cheated on my father with. My fiance and I have already decided that the boyfriend is not invited, out of respect to my father and the rest of my family, and also because I do not like the guy nor do I condone the situation that happened.
I know how my mother is (incredibly immature) and she is going to flip out when she finds out I'm not inviting her boyfriend. But I don't really care. It's my wedding, my fiance and I are paying for it, and she should have no say.
Has anyone else run into this situation and done the same thing? Or am I sounding like a brat? I'm just trying to make sure there is no drama at my wedding and I love my dad so much I wouldn't want anything to ruin his time or make him uncomfortable either.
Am I doing the right thing by not inviting the boyfriend?

domain: sociology


Made in South Carolina: Flavors only found in Greenville
On a recent warm autumn night, I stepped out of the raucous din of Ink n Ivy, one of Greenville’s newer bar/restaurants, to get some air. I was immediately drawn into the Addys Dutch Cafe & Restaurant next door, a 25-year-old Dutch-themed throwback to the days before downtown Greenville was a bastion of food and drink. A lot has changed in Greenville, S.C. over the past 20 years, inspiring the city’s hashtag “yeahTHATgreenville” to differentiate it from the many other Greenvilles around the country.
The downtown area, which locals say was once decrepit and unsafe, has been revitalized, with almost 100 bars and restaurants lining the pedestrian-friendly Main Street.
“By the 1970s, Greenville's...once thriving downtown was largely abandoned after the large department stores moved to the rural malls,” says John Nolan, local historian and proprietor of Greenville History Tours. “Fortunately, Greenville had some great visionary leaders (government and private sector) that began planning some ambitious long-term goals and began following a master plan that helped show how to get there.”
Nowadays, you can find old-school haunts, craft beer pubs, sushi restaurants, barbecue joints, fancy coffee shops and even a distillery showroom along the city’s main artery that crosses over the Reedy River.
The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 21-mile bike and walking path that connects Greenville, S.C. to nearby towns like Traveler’s Rest, with excellent food and drink options along the way. Falls Park, once an overgrown, unattended mess, is now a beautiful green space that highlights the waterfall below the pedestrian bridge.
Hotels and new construction have sprung up everywhere, and future plans include a 100-acre park on the north side of town that Nolan says will be “Greenville’s Central Park.”
Greenville, S.C. is a perfect example of the new south; a small town where locals and tourists alike flock to enjoy new flavors, riffs on traditional southern cooking, and craft beer and spirits.
Browse the gallery above for food and drink experiences you can only have here, and see more from the Only In series below.


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Ron Agulnick has practiced law since 1961. Since 1971, he has practiced exclusively in the fields of real estate, municipal law and land use litigation. He is an adjunct professor at Villanova University Law School, where he teaches Land Use Law. He is a member of the Real Property Advisory Committee to the Pennsylvania Legislature's Joint State Government Commission, is a member of the Legal Action Committee of the National Association of Homebuilders and sits on the Board of Directors of the Brandywine Valley Association. He is a frequent lecturer for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute on land use and real property
-Land use litigation
Pennsylvania, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania and U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit, 1961
U.S. Supreme Court, 1988
-Temple University, J.D.
-Villanova University, MS (transportation engineering)
-University of Pennsylvania - Wharton School, BS economics
Associations and memberships:
-American College of Real Estate Lawyers (Former Vice-Chair, Land Use Committee)
-Chester County, Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations
-Member - Arbitration Panel, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Lecturer: "Land Use and Municipal Law," Pennsylvania Bar Institute. Adjunct Professor: Land Use, Villanova University Law School, 2002; Forensic Engineering, College of Engineering, Villanova University. Member: Steering Committee, LANDS; Advisory Committee on Real Property Law, Joint State Government Commission of the Pennsylvania Legislature; Legal Action Committee, National Association of Home Builders.
1st Lt., U.S. Army, 1954 - 1957

domain: law


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"Very happy with everything. "
"We are repeat clients of Amanda. Our dog loves the time he spends with her and her family. We..."
"Samantha was busy this wknd and put me onto her sister heather who looked after my dog squid and..."
"Maegan did a fantastic job looking after my 17 y/o cat, including giving her a tablet twice a day. ..."

domain: pet


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Artha and I kept in touch while I was at the seashell beach and after some days, I picked her up again and we headed south to chase the sun.
When we met again, it felt all so familiar and I enjoyed driving around with her in Rosinante while we kept deepening the relationship between us with deep conversations.
We found a fantastic beach, which should become my favorite beach in Bulgaria later. It was a very long beach with sand dunes and a vast area of nature. On one side was the ocean and on the other the woods and we lived in Rosinante right in between. When we arrived, the waves were pretty intense and high and we had so much fun letting us roll around by the waves.
Artha and I went for long walks, enjoyed talking and being in silence. And I felt that something was getting closer between us. One evening, we were walking along the beach and the sun was just about to set when we came along a small bench. Like pulled by a magnetic field, we sat down close to each other on that bench, witnessing the sunset, I turned my head towards Artha, and when our eyes met so did our lips. As strong and deep our connection felt from the first moment when we had met at Beglika, as strong and pure felt our kisses. We danced slowly under the light of the moon and the stars, got closer and closer and everything felt as natural and familiar as it could be.
After some days living in Rosinante at that big beach, we continued our journey south and visited the ancient site of Beglik Tash. We hiked and had a good time and after some days we headed further south and found a small and beautiful beach. We moved into Arthas tent and again, enjoyed the minimalistic beach tent life. We picked herbs, fruits, and firewood when we were taking long walks along the coastline, lived outside, met lovely people, and had great conversations. I enjoyed how we dealt with the change in our relationship. When we both recognized, that we overdosed some parts of it, we talked honestly and openly about it and everything kept feeling natural and authentic. We were flowing together.
One day while walking along the coast, we found that one part of the cliff looked very nice for climbing. After having a closer look, Artha was the first to go up. It was not an easy climb but it was about five meters high and when I saw Artha trying different approaches on the party slippery and crumbly sandstone, my heart was beating so strongly, that I had to concentrate and focus strongly before taking the climb by myself. In the end, we made it and were completely ecstatic about it.
After nearly a week on the beach, we went into the magical Bulgarian mountains and found an awesome spot there. We spent the days in the woods, picking mushrooms and nuts, listening to nature, and having a magical and spiritual time. We visited the nearby village and talked with the people there for hours. I could not understand the Bulgarian but Artha translated parts of it. It was a lovely time. The people in the village seemed to be very grateful for the time we spent with them and gifted us a lot of fruits.
It was nice and interesting to observe and feel how the relationship between Artha and me was changing and how we were together when there were other people and of course when we were alone. For me, it felt like the pure and unconditional love between us got enriched by another form of love. A love that was less deep but, more vivid and in a way stronger. Like a love that was pulling us close to each other. That love satisfied something inside of me. And all the time something between us was changing. We were opening up more and more toward each other and I started thinking if that process would ever gonna stop. There was a strong, powerful dynamic between us that manifested itself in all kinds of ways. It was magical, felt authentic and loveful, and strong.

domain: travel


How do you direct one of the most iconic and best know musicals of all time and present it as something completely reinvented? You do as director Crispin Taylor has done with WAAPA’s final third year musical theatre student’s production of Chicago – take it back to its vaudeville roots and turn it on its head…. Read more.
Western Australia’s Black Swan State Theatre Company’s newest Artistic Director, Clare Watson, launched her first season for 2018 to an eager and excited crowd Monday night. The 2018 season will deliver three mainstage shows in the Heath Ledger Theatre and a record five shows in the Studio Underground. This includes three world premieres, two co-productions… Read more.
42nd Street is a toe tapping extravaganza presented by a proficient and polished cast of second and third year musical theatre WAPPA (Western Australian Academy of Perfroming Arts) students. The production will have you dancing out of the theatre humming the tunes in your head. It has been a while since I have seen 42nd… Read more.
Perth, your wish has been granted! Following on from successful magical seasons in Sydney and Melbourne Disney’s Aladdin will extend the magic carpet ride West. The production will play at the Crown Theatre, Burswood from July 2018 and is sure to be as successful as Disney’s previous Perth productions, Mary Poppins and The Lion King…. Read more.
Check out our photo feature from Black Swan State Theatre Company’s Once in Royal David’s City. Images captured by Philip Gostelow A co-production with the Queensland Theatre Company this powerful piece of Australian theatre, written by Michael Gow, is performed by an exceptional cast led by Jason Klarwien and includes Adam Booth, Penny Everingham, Emma… Read more.
The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) third year musical theatre students give a comical, heartfelt and highly energetic performance in this musical based on the 80’s cult classic film Heathers. Like the 80s film, Heathers the Musical is a black comedy full of laughs and a serious message about trying to make it through high… Read more.
In what is looking like a desolate musical theatre scene for Perth in 2017 (Matilda which opens at the end of the month, is the only major production announced for 2017!) WAAPA (The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) continues to present some of Broadway’s best as part of this years season. Thanks goodness for… Read more.
Check out the photos from Black Swan State Theatre Company’s Clinton The Musical captured by Daniel James Grant. Starring Lisa Adam, Simon Burke, Matt Dyktynski, Brendan Hanson, Luke Hewitt, Megan Kozak, Clare Moore this fast paced hilarious, irreverent look at the two terms of Bill Clinton’s Presidency will be one of the funniest nights… Read more.
Black Swan State Theatre Company’s Clinton The Musical is a fast paced hilarious, irreverent and wild ride through the two terms of the (Bill) Clinton Presidency. And it will have you on your knees with laughter. Written by two Australian brothers, Michael and Paul Hodge, Clinton The Musical is witty and clever with a toe… Read more.
I’m always blown away by the talent exposed in the major mid year WAAPA musical and this years offering, Bring It On The musical, did not disappoint. As the audience enters the theatre they are greeted by a giant digital screen that invites them to upload their photos via #bringitonwaapa. The audience is then whipped… Read more.


Hogan endorses Ramaphosa, addresses Zuma remarks on Kathrada letter
Former ANC NEC member Barbra Hogan is attending the party's conference at Nasrec as a non-voting delegate.
JOHANNESBURG - Former African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee member Barbara Hogan says she believes Cyril Ramaphosa will be able to unite the party should he emerge victorious and become the ANC's new president.
Hogan is attending the conference at Nasrec as a non-voting delegate.
She says between Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Ramaphosa, she believes Ramaphosa will fare better in bringing the party together.
“I must say my preference is for Cyril Ramaphosa. He has always been in his history an incredible, smart negotiator.
Hogan has rejected suggestions by President Jacob Zuma last week that an open letter by her late husband Ahmed Kathrada addressed to the outgoing ANC leader was fake.
Zuma made the remarks during an interview on the SABC last week.
“I can show you the computers he was working on. He spent months crafting this letter because it was one of the most painful things he had ever felt he ought to do.”
Hogan has described Zuma’s remarks as shocking.
Meanwhile Dlamini Zuma's campaigner Carl Niehaus says he's convinced she’ll be the next president.
“We respect delegates and I don’t believe, contrary to what many people are saying that our delegates will allow themselves to be bought or will allow themselves to be persuaded differently. Delegates come here with mandates from branches, and we expect from them to carry out those mandates.”


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Testosterone is a male hormone, aside from advertising libido, it’s various other important characteristics such as preserve being developed bone and muscle mass, and regulating cholesterol and heart muscle. It may also help to boost the oxygen amounts throughout the body as well as controlling blood sugar and strengthening the immune system. In this post, we will discuss what causes low levels of testosterone.
As we pointed out in the other articles, human the aging process is definitely the biological and pathological processes that differ for Get started (www.jpost.com) every person which are controllable to some degree. Starting at age forty, levels of testosterone begin to diminish, the amounts of the by product prolactin of testosterone of males increases, stimulating the generation of the enzyme 5 alpha reductase that causes the transformation of testosterone to gihydro-testosterones DHT hence triggering low levels of testosterone.
2. DHEA deficiency
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a material made by the adrenal gland. It’s the precursor of the sex steroids estrogen as well as testosterone. DHEA has some male hormone consequences as well as deficiency of DHEA plays a role in fatigue, poor concentration and reduced overall body operates.
Zinc is an all natural aromatase enzyme inhibitor. It helps you to block the transformation of testosterone into surplus estrogen. Inadequate zinc levels block the pituitary gland from releasing lutein as well as follicle stimulation of hormone which stimulates the production of testosterone.
Aromatase is an enzyme of the cytochrome P450 superfamily, whose function is to always aromatize androgen and produce estrogen. As men age they create higher amounts of aromatase enzymes that can cause the transformation of testosterone in estrogen resulting in male hormone deficiency.
5. Liver disease
Harm to liver causes additional estrogen as well as sex-hormone binding globulin resulting in lower amounts of testosterone.
6. Regular sexual activity
Typical sexual activity enables you to increase the yang qi in the kidney in accordance with Chinese herbalists(that is the reason why many kings in Chinese history have some energy sources of sexual dysfunction). Frequent sexual activity(more than as soon as 1 day along with each day) may cause the depletion of yang qi resulting in low levels of testosterone, sexual dysfunction as well as libido down the road days.
I am hoping this info can help. Should you need even more info of the aforementioned subject, please visit my main page at:

domain: medical


Drydocks World (DDW) has ordered the full Wärtsilä package for its new harbour tug, which will be the first in the Middle East to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The 29 metre long tug is the first of nine vessels to be constructed and managed by DDW as part of a ‘green’ initiative organised by the Dubai government.
Wärtsilä will provide a full scope of solutions for the tug including the ship design, two 9-cylinder 20DF dual-fuel engines, steerable thrusters, compact thrusters, automation equipment and the LNGPac system.
“We are happy to work with Wärtsilä to promote a green image for our harbour work. Wärtsilä is a solution provider with vast experience and expertise in gas fuel systems. The company has a strong local presence and is capable of providing the support needed,” says Khamis Juma Buamim, chairman DDW.
Ibrahim Behairy, sales director, Middle East, Wärtsilä Ship Power added: “The shift towards the use of LNG fuel is building up speed across the world. We at Wärtsilä feel proud that we have been at the forefront of this movement, first through the development of dual-fuel engine technology, and then by developing a full range of integrated solutions serving the complete gas value chain. This will be the first harbour tug in the Middle East to operate on gas, which indicates the growing importance of environmental issues everywhere.”


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Reston Multicultural Festival
Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Residents of Reston and the surrounding areas are invited to dress in clothing that represents their individual cultural history. Food, live music, games and artwork from across the globe including Japan, India and Russia will all be at the Lake Anna Plaza on Sept. 23. Other popular events include an international book fair and 3-D art exhibit that features ceramics, sculptures and more. // Lake Anne Plaza, Reston
Prio Bangla Multicultural Street Festival
Sept. 23, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Arlington is holding its sixth annual multicultural street festival on Sept. 23 organized by Bangladeshi nonprofit Prio Bangla. Vendors selling traditional ethnic food, clothing and jewelry from around the world will line the streets at this celebration of diversity. While the festival aims to educate the local community about Bangladeshi culture in particular, it’s a festivity for all ethnic backgrounds. // Arlington
Loudoun County International Festival
Sept. 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Loudoun County International Festival, held rain or shine, celebrates all cultures with family activities, local food trucks and a diverse range of shows, including the Joe Falero Band and Carpathia Fold Dance Ensemble. Children 12 and under get in free. There will be over 10 different moon bounces, a rock-climbing wall, camel rides and more for kids of all ages to enjoy. // Douglass Community Center Park, Leesburg
Manassas Latino Festival
Sept. 24, noon-5:30 p.m.
Celebrate the rich history of Latino culture with everything from Zumba and traditional dances to a mariachi band. With the goal of bringing NoVA residents together, the Manassas Latino Festival encourages preservation of culture. The biggest entertainment event of the day will be a Las Chicas Sabor Tropical concert on the main stage. // Harris Pavilion, Manassas


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Four years ago. . .
Ena Marquez Villaurel Point of View
"Mommy! I'm hungry! Wake up! Rick is crying!"
My eyes widened when I heard a shout and a crash outside the door of Cedrick and I's room. I looked at my husband when he moved a little.
He opened his eyes slowly and looked for me. His eyes are full of love and eagerness. He smiled at me, and he grabbed me for a tight hug.
He brought his lips close to my ear and whispered, "Good morning, sweetie. I thought you left me. I love you always, my wife."
I slapped his chest because of the flutter I felt. I giggled and smiled without escaping his eyes.
"I love you, my sweetie. I won't leave you. Remember that. I love you and our kids. Is there any reason for me to leave you?" My eyebrows rose and I looked at him closely. Instead of answering me, he just hugged me and kissed me on the cheeks.
"Mama! Papa! Are you awake?! I'm hungry and Rick too!" Cedrick and I looked at each other and then laughed at the same time.
Our kids are calling for their breakfast.
Cedrick and I have two kids which are twin; a girl and a boy. Their name is Cedrena and Rick Villaurel; four years old. I never thought that it would happen, and I am happy with what I have now.
I got up from my bed. “Get up, sweetie. Our babies are calling, they're hungry."
He pouted and I know what he's asking for. A good morning kiss. I approached him and brought my face close to his. He waited for my kiss but I didn't do it. I put my lips close to his ear and whispered.
“Later, sweetie. Let's take care of the kids first. Okay?" I winked at him while grinning. I know he's disappointed. But I will put the children first. Maybe later, Cedrena and Rick hungry. Because when Cedrick and I started kissing each other, maybe we can go somewhere else.
I opened the door. Cedrena and Rick— my two babies are in tears.
"We've been calling one hundred times, Mama. Why you came out now? Where is papa? Rick and I are very hungry." Cedrena exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, babies. Mama and Papa were tired last night at the company. So Mama woke up late. Sorry babies." I turned my back on Cedrick as he spoke. He followed me.
"Are we going to Grandpa and Grandma's house?" Rick asked as we sat down in the chair to eat breakfast. He is referring to Cedrick's parents.
"Yes, baby. So eat now so we can go to Grandpa and Grandma's house. Then, we will go for a walk in the mall." Cedrick replied to Rick. Cedrena suddenly shouted 'yey' and Cedrick kissed her on the cheek.
Sometimes children are naughty.
"How's that, sweetie? We can't continue going to Medel? Maybe next time?" Cedrick asked me as he raised and lowered his eyebrow while looking at me.
"As always, yes, maybe next time. Besides, it's okay, I miss Aunt Federia and Uncle Fedrilo, too. No problem with that."
The time had passed quickly. I am in the room of my two children, I help them get dressed.
I have a companion, her name is Kida. She is the personal nanny of my son— Cedrick.
"Ma'am, shall I still come with you? Or will I just stay at home?" I looked up at her when she asked me. I smiled.
"Do you want to come or you want to stay here?" I asked her, ignoring what she asked.
She put her hand on her head. It has been a long time, that she wanted to go to Hacienda Villaurel.
"Come with us, I know you want it too. Don't be embarrassed,” I said.
"Ma'am? Really?" she consulted in surprise.
I just shook my head while smiling. "Do you want me to take ut back?"
"No, Ma'am. I'm coming." She said then quickly left the twin's room.
I held the twin with my hand. We left their room and went to the living room, where Cedrick was waiting for us.
"I'm so lucky to have a beautiful wife and adorable kids.” he greeted with a grin.
"Is that a compliment or other than that?" I pleaded.
"It's a compliment, sweetie." He answered immediately and pinched my waist. I shook my head because of his idiosyncrasy.
"Are we leaving? Grandma and Grandpa are waiting for us!" Cedrena frowned.
Cedrick and I looked at her in awe. She pouts then crosses her two arms above her chest. We laughed because of her reaction.
I bent down and messed up her hair. "Our baby is excited. Sorry for that. Come on."
I pulled the two of them over and followed behind Cedrick to the garage where the car was. But I stopped when I remembered something.
"Nanny Kida! Come on! We're leaving!" I shouted as we left the house.
I heard Kida's footsteps as if running in our direction. "Sorry ma'am, it took me a while to fix the equipment."
I looked at her and I gaped at what she was wearing. Her attire is fashionable today. She dressed like going to the beach.
"Where are you going, Kida? At the beach show or the hacienda? You even beat me for what I was wearing."
"Ma'am? Let me be. It's only for once,” she replied while laughing. I just shook my head. She is wearing black sunglasses, high heels, and a floral red dress.
"Hey, let's go! Hop in, so we can leave.” I commanded her, as I entered the black Everest car.
"IT'S good that you and Cedrick were able to visit in this house. We thought you would never visit again. We already missed this twin," said mommy Federia, as we sat in a chair at the dinner table.
We are already eating lunch.
"If you know, Lola. If Rick hadn't asked earlier, they would not have remembered that we are coming here today,” Cedrena reported.
Cedrick and I looked at each other and whirled our heads.
Daddy Federilo and mommy Federia raised an eyebrow. "If it weren't for these two kids, you wouldn't remember that you will visit here,” daddy Federilo brought out.

domain: literature


text:
The bottom is organic, grass-fed ground beef and
any organic veggies.
Use your choice of grass-fed beef - ground is easiest for me.
Cook the ground beef until there is no more pink then sauté the veggies with the cooked ground beef.
Transfer beef and veggies to a baking dish. To the skillet add raw cream, oregano, and thyme. Thicken the sauce with a little arrowroot powder and add sea salt to taste.
Combine the beef mixture and the sauce and top with mashed cauliflower or sweet potatoes . Add 3-4 teaspoons of grass-fed butter on top and bake at 350º for about 20 minutes until heated through and top is golden.

domain: food


MOHEGAN LAKE, N.Y. -- The road was blocked after two vehicles were involved in an accident just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on Route 6 and Barger Street, according to the Mohegan Lake Fire Department.
Two ambulances were called to the scene after the fire department received a report of injuries and people trapped in at least one vehicle, fire department representatives said Tuesday.
Check back with The Daily Voice for more information.
- 1 Police Warn Residents To Be On Lookout For Bear In Yorktown
- 2 Father Charged After Incident With Varsity Lacrosse Coach At Mahopac HS
- 3 Multi-Vehicle Accident Closes Taconic State Parkway
- 4 Serious Accident Takes Out Two Lanes On Taconic In Jefferson Valley
- 5 Daughters Of Edgemont Driver Of SUV In Fatal Crash Will Be On 'Today' Show


I have been riding my new bicycle for the past week with my rear derailleur not properly adjusted. I am pretty sure it's a problem with the b screw since my hanger rides too close to the cassette and makes a convulsive click. It only happens when I am on the lowest gear. what are possible solutions to have my rear derailleur ride correctly? I have already tried flipping the B screw as was mentioned in a thread I found regarding similar issues but it did not give enough adjustment. Are there any other possible problems I may have that I am missing?
By the way my rear derailleur is a Shimano Sora


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Scotch & Soda
Scotch & Soda - Printed Swim Shorts in Coral Reef AOP
Make a splash with our Mid-Length Printed Swim Shorts. Made from quick-drying fabric, these swim shorts feature a vibrant and eye-catching print that adds a stylish element to your beach or poolside look. The comfortable fit and adjustable drawstring waist make them perfect for a day of fun in the sun. Whether you pair them with a t-shirt or tank top, these swim shorts will keep you looking cool and confident.
Pickup available at 237 Main St N
Usually ready in 24 hours

domain: design


text:
Two beach libraries are opening in Barcelona for the 6th consecutive year. They can be found at two different points on the city’s shoreline: the Bac de Roda breakwater and the Beach Centre (in the Barceloneta arcade, next to the beach and level with Hospital del Mar). They offer beach and library users the chance to borrow or consult books, magazines and the daily papers for free during the summer months.
The Beach Centre library hours are from 10 am to 7 pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and 11 am to 2 pm on Sundays, whereas the Bac de Roda library is open every weekday from 11 am to 2 pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm. The Bac de Roda library will be open until 31 August and the Beach Centre library till 30 September.
The loan service includes 16 newspapers, 18 magazines and 418 short novels, comics, books for children and teenagers and foreign literature.
It is a free service, aimed at all Barcelona beach users, organised by the Environment and Urban Services and Barcelona Libraries for the high season.

domain: library


text:
Emergency Dentist Appointments in Englewood, NJ
$99 Emergency Exam & X‑Ray
Our dentists prioritize fast, emergency care, so you'll never have to wait in the case of a painful dental emergency! When you need urgent care, contact us right away for your $99 emergency dental exam and x-ray!
If you experience a dental emergency, contact East Madison Dental Englewood right away for fast treatment! Our team is available around the clock to provide you with the immediate attention you need. If you need urgent dentistry after hours, call our emergency phone number and our on-call staff member will help you!
Our Englewood, NJ dental team is here to help you through your dental emergency — when your health is at risk, we will do everything we can to ensure you're treated as soon as possible! While dental emergencies are rare, they can happen to even the healthiest of patients, and it's important to know how to take care of your teeth no matter what.
At East Madison Dental Englewood, common dental emergencies include:
- Broken tooth
- Cracked tooth
- Broken jaw
- Knocked-out tooth
- Object trapped between teeth
- Severe toothache
- Broken dental restorations
Knocked-Out or Broken Teeth
When left untreated, broken or knocked-out teeth can lead to infections and other complications. Contact our emergency dentists in Englewood, NJ immediately if you or your child experience tooth loss due to a dental injury.
Persistent tooth pain could signal a more serious dental health concern, so it's essential to seek prompt attention. Our emergency examinations include a thorough consultation and digital x-rays to accurately diagnose and treat the problem.
Broken Dental Restorations
Even the most durable dental restorations can become susceptible to damaged over time. If your dental filling or crown breaks or comes loose, schedule an urgent dental care appointment to prevent further issues or injury.
Substantial injury affecting the mouth or jaw, such as fractures, dislocations, or deep lacerations, demands immediate dental attention to evaluate and address the damage's extent adequately. Prompt treatment from a qualified dentist is crucial to ensure proper healing and optimal health.
If you've suffered a dental emergency and need same-day care, contact us right away for the fast, gentle treatment you deserve!


United Nations Web TV Live Schedule for Friday, 18 August 2017
All indicated times are New York time (GMT-4), (Approximate ending time)
Watch the latest videos published on UN Web TV: http://webtv.un.org/search?term=2017-08-17&sort=date
Friday, August 18, 2017
09:45 AM - 10:45 AM Security Council Media Stakeout.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Security Council: The situation in the Middle East - 8027th meeting.
10:00 AM - 01:00 PM (CR.3) 30th session of the UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM (Stakeout 3) World Humanitarian Day 2017: "Staff Stand Together"
With the participation of the Secretary-General, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN staff
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM Daily Press Briefing by the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General.
03:00 PM - 06:00 PM (CR.3) 30th session of the UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names.


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Former police officer indicted on domestic assault charges
WATE 6 Knoxville
April 28, 2008
A grand jury has indicted a former Knoxville police officer on 30 counts related to a domestic assault last summer. Brian Hoover is indicted on counts that include aggravated assault, domestic assault and especially aggravated kidnapping. According to the police report, in August 2007, Hoover held a woman captive for up to five hours, threatened her with a shotgun and hit and kicked her. Hoover resigned from the police force last fall. [Source]
Police Officer Involved Domestic Violence. Lighting a candle of remembrance for those who've lost their lives to domestic violence behind the blue wall, for strength and wisdom to those still there, and a non-ending prayer for those who thought they had escaped but can't stop being afraid.
PINNED POST. CLICK HERE: Keeping these 3 videos of officer-involved domestic violence fatalities on top from now on...
Officer-Involved Domestic Fatalities - 1 Officer-Involved Domestic Fatalities - 2 [WA] Tragedy Will Occur If They Don't Have ...
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
[TN] Officer Hoover indicted for domestic assault
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domain: news


text:
Facts about Akagera National Park
Facts about Akagera National Park: Akagera national park is located is eastern part of Rwanda along Rwanda’s border with Tanzania. The national park was established in 1934 which makes it one of the oldest national parks in Africa and it covers a total land area of 1,122 square kilometers which is comprised of savannah grassland, woodland, swamps and thick bushes which act as habitats for different wildlife species including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, bushbucks, roan antelopes, leopards, impalas, Oribi, Topi, hippos, primates like vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, bush babies and variety of bird species such as pied crow, grey crowned crane, open billed stork, giant kingfisher, papyrus gonolek, hadada ibis among others.
Top things to do and see in Akagera national park (Facts about Akagera National Park)
Game drives in Akagera national park
Game drives in Akagera national park can either be done early in the morning or in the afternoon in a 4WD safari vehicle with a professional safari guide. Morning game drives are however more rewarding because you will be able to view different animals when they are more active. During the game drives you will follow different game tracks in the park where you will be able to view animals like elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, zebras, impalas, oribi, topi, klipspringer, elands among others which will be grazing in open plains with due, view predators like lions, leopards, hyenas looking for a morning hunt, view various bird species among others.
Night game drives in Akagera national park
Akagera national park also offers night game drives where you will get a chance to explore the park at night with spotlight torches for clear viewing. During the night game drive you will be able to view nocturnal animals like lions, leopards, hyenas, bush babies, mongoose, civets, hippos hunting and other animals like impalas, bushbucks, elands among others.
Bird watching in Akagera national park
The national park is a home of more than 550 recorded bird species including savannah birds, endemic bird, migratory birds and water birds which make it one of the best birding destinations in Rwanda. During bird watching in Akagera national park which can either be done during the game drives or boat cruise you will be able to view different bird species including the elusive shoebill stork, papyrus gonolek, Ross’s turaco, swamp flycatcher, red faced barbet, slate colored boubou, tabora cisticola, brown crested lapwing, blue shouldered robin chat, western reef heron, fischers lovebird, lilac breasted roller, grey hornbill among others.
Sport fishing in Akagera national park
Sport fishing is one of the interesting activities in Akagera national park that shouldn’t be missed during your safari. Sport fishing is carried out on Lake Shakani and visitors who take park in the activity get an opportunity to catch different fish types such as tilapia, cat fish among others. During the sport fishing activity visitors will also be able to interact with the local people and learn about various fishing methods such as the spearing and shoot arrow, the cast net method, the gill net method, the hooking method and the scoop net method.
Boating safaris in Akagera national park
Boat cruises in Akagera national park are done on Lake Ihema which is the largest lake in the park and they give visitors an opportunity to view different wildlife species including large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes drinking water along the shores, view aquatic bird species like the rare shoebill stork, herons, papyrus gonolek, malachite kingfisher, bee-eaters, fish eagles among others.
Nature walks in Akagera national park
Akagera national park also offers guided nature walks where visitors will get a chance to explore the park on foot with the company of an experienced park guide and an armed park ranger to protect you from danger. During the guided nature walk you will get up-close and personal with different animals, insects, colorful butterflies, birds, different plant and tree species among others.
Best time to visit Akagera national park
Akagera national park can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best time is during the dry season also known as the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February. During the dry season there is less rainfall in the park therefore access roads and hiking trails will be passable and vegetation in the park will be thin which gives you an opportunity to clearly view different animals.
Akagera national park can also be visited in the wet season also known as the low season in the months of March to May and October to November because that’s the best period for bird watching.
Accommodations in Akagera national park
There are a number of accommodation facilities in Akagera national park where you can stay during the safari and they range from luxury, midrange, budget and camp sites. The accommodations include Akagera game lodge, Ruzizi tented camp, Karenge bush camp, Magashi camp, Mutumba Akagera campsite, Shakani Akagera campsite, Muyumba campsite
For more information about Akagera national park or safari bookings you can contact Achieve Global Safaris.

domain: geography


|Footnotes for this article are available at the end of this page.
On the same day that the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced the filing of criminal charges against 36 defendants for alleged schemes involving more than $1.2 billion in fraudulent telemedicine claims, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) published a Special Fraud Alert (“Special Alert”) advising healthcare providers to “exercise caution and use heightened scrutiny” when entering into arrangements with companies purporting to provide telehealth, telemedicine, or telemarketing services.1 The simultaneous announcements reflect the government’s sharpening focus on the potential for fraud stemming from the rapid expansion of telehealth services during and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, Medicare paid for telehealth services by a limited number of providers in limited circumstances (generally, in rural areas); the Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services (“CMS”) estimated that only 15,000 fee-for-service beneficiaries each week received a Medicare telemedicine service.2 On March 6, 2020, the government expanded the covered telehealth services to include common office visits, mental health counseling, and preventive health screening. By December 2020, the government had added 144 telehealth services to the list of covered services, and a preliminary review by CMS showed that between mid-March and mid-October 2020, over 24.5 million out of 63 million Medicare beneficiaries and enrollees had received a telemedicine service.3
The July 20, 2022, OIG Special Alert identifies seven “suspect characteristics” of a fraudulent telehealth scheme.
- The purported patients for whom the practitioner orders or prescribes items or services were identified or recruited by the Telemedicine Company, telemarketing company, sales agent, recruiter, call center, health fair, and/or through internet, television, or social media advertising for free or low out-of-pocket cost items or services.
- The practitioner does not have sufficient contact with or information from the purported patient to meaningfully assess the medical necessity of the items or services ordered or prescribed.
- The Telemedicine Company compensates the practitioner based on the volume of items or services ordered or prescribed, which may be characterized to the practitioner as compensation based on the number of purported medical records that the practitioner reviewed.
- The Telemedicine Company furnishes items and services only to federal healthcare program beneficiaries and does not accept insurance from any other payor.
- The Telemedicine Company claims to furnish items and services only to individuals who are not federal healthcare program beneficiaries but may, in fact, bill federal healthcare programs.
- The Telemedicine Company furnishes only one product or a single class of products (e.g., DME, genetic testing, diabetic supplies, or various prescription creams), potentially restricting a practitioner’s treating options to a predetermined course of treatment.
- The Telemedicine Company does not expect the ordering practitioner (or another practitioner) to follow up with purported patients, nor does it provide ordering practitioners with the information required to follow up with purported patients (e.g., the Telemedicine Company does not require practitioners to discuss the results of genetic testing they ordered with each purported patient).
In addition to informing practitioners of the risks, the Special Alert pointedly noted that the OIG and DOJ have investigated numerous criminal, civil, and administrative fraud cases involving kickbacks from telemedicine companies to practitioners. As well as personal liability under the Anti-Kickback Statute, improper arrangements with telemedicine companies may lead to civil, criminal, or administrative liability under other federal laws, including the OIG’s exclusion authority, the Civil Monetary Penalties Law, the criminal healthcare fraud statute, and the False Claims Act.
Given these risks, as well as the OIG’s explicit warnings, healthcare providers should exercise care in entering into agreements to provide telehealth services. In particular, they should perform due diligence on the telehealth company, including by seeking references from other providers and evaluating the expectations for the provision of services in light of the OIG’s “suspect characteristics.”


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MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The city has received a $250,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to build a state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center.
City officials say they hope to open the new center by late 2012 or early 2013.
“Quite frankly it’s a minor miracle,” said city manager John Caulfield. “This greatly enhances our ability to respond to disasters and localized and regionalized events.”
These events include snow and ice conditions and accidents on the freeway.
Roughly $14 million in grant funding was distributed nationally, said Curt Brees, the city’s public works director. As part of the grant application, the city offered $100,000 to match grant funds.
Brees said the city was a strong contender for the grant because of its dense population and proximity to busy I-5. The city’s partnership with the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency — which coordinates emergency responses in south Snohomish and north King counties — also helped bolster their application.
The Emergency Operations Center is to be built inside vacant office space at city property located at 6204 215th St. The Public Works, Parks Services and Fleet Management departments are housed there.
“It will increase the speed of our response and place more resources in the field,” Brees said. “In a disaster, we’ll get resources here faster.”
The center was included in earlier estimates for the proposed Civic Campus that voters rejected in November 2010. Earlier this summer, the City Council mulled revised costs to the tune of $25 million, or $12.5 million less than what was submitted to voters last year.
The center is expected to serve as a central command and control post for managing emergencies and ensuring people continue to receive government services. Staff will have access to communications equipment to connect with 911 dispatch and state officials, supplies and data.
“We’d unlock the door and have everything ready to use,” Brees said. “If an earthquake hit we’d be operating within 30 minutes from walking inside, that’s the goal.”
The center also would serve as backup to the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency, and a place for neighboring officials to meet needs in south Snohomish and north King counties, Brees said.
During events, such as intense snowstorms, staff operated out of the Mountlake Terrace Library’s multipurpose room, which involved setting up equipment before staff could use it.
The next steps involve forming a project group made up of Brees, members from the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency, Fire District 1, and the city’s police, IT and Facilities Maintenance departments to flush out project objectives.
Mountlake Terrace is one of 10 cities which partners with Emergency Services Coordinating Agency to coordinate emergency responses during disasters. Other partners include Lynnwood and Edmonds.


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CEDAR RAPIDS – Hope has been growing in the northwest Cedar Rapids Time Check neighborhood that was ravaged by floods nearly five years ago.
Matthew 25 began planting seeds for the idea of an urban farm shortly after floodwaters receded and now the 2-acre gardens near Ellis Boulevard and F Avenue NW have become a source for locally grown produce for the neighborhood and beyond.
Touted as Iowa’s only urban farm, the non-profit plans a new initiative this year with educational tours, said the group’s Matt Mayer.
The farm uses sustainable methods of agriculture that include composting and water conservation. Farm tours will give youths an opportunity to learn about agriculture and environmental stewardship.
Children will learn about plant life cycles, healthy soil and more during the one-hour sessions.
Here is more about the Matthew 25 Urban Farm and information about the tours:
The farm connects people with small-scale farming, teaches them about growing and cooking their own food and builds community via active and fulfilling labor.
Through its Local Food Education in Schools program, Matthew 25 provides hands-on education and learning activities that build community among classmates and empower students to make meaningful and long-term contributions to their own health and to their community through gardening.
Educational Tour Information: Fun tours are offered Monday through Friday 9:30-10:30 am and 1:30-2:30 pm. Groups must have a minimum of ten participants with at least two adults in attendance and one adult per 10 children for a tour.
Fees: $3 per person.
Arrangements may be made for other tour times not listed. Tours last about one hour.
The learning objectives of farm tours include:
Children will be able to correctly order the life cycle of a plant
Children will be able to identify a plant from its appearance in the growing bed
Children will be able to identify gardening tools and its use
Children will be able to determine what creates healthy soil, differentiate soil types, and recognize compost.
Tours of the Urban Farm will include:
History of the urban farm
Fun hands-on activities teaching children about plant life cycles, seeds, and soil
Seasonal games and crafts
Take-home learning activities
Follow-up class activities
For more information, see www.hub25.org To arrange a tour, contact Matt Mayer at the Matthew 25 Ministry Hub, 225 K Ave. NW Suite G, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 or call (319)-362-2214.

domain: agronomy


Having missed last year’s event, as I was away at the time, I was glad to be able to cover it once again and this year the weather was also much better than what I remember it being last year. I can’t quite remember where I was last year, but I suspect that it was on another High Country Cruise. I was also under the impression, earlier in the year, that the event had been cancelled for some reason, but that rumour turned out to be untrue. I’m not sure where that rumour came from, but when I did some checking it was clearly just a rumour. And just so that I didn’t forget, I made sure that it was entered in my calendar as a reminder. It’s not the first time that I’ve forgotten something, only to remember at the last moment, or not.
Finding new ways to photograph existing subjects is always a challenge and when you revisit regular events several years in a row, it becomes increasingly difficult to find a new ‘angle‘ for a story. So with the Berryden Sheep Dog Trials on once again this year, I was really pondering what I could do that was different from last year and the year before. Ironically, several weekends prior prior to the trials, we were asked to baby sit a neighbour’s 13 week old Border Collie pup, which we of course were quite happy to do. After a weekend of experiencing a small, four-legged, hurricane around the house and two completely worn out Labradors, there was a surreal stillness that followed when she went home. Though she did pop up at our front gate later that day (not unexpected) and had to be escorted back home.
Following on from last year’s Berryden Sheep Dog Trials I thought I’d do something similar to what I did with this year’s Blessing of the Bikes story, that is, give greater coverage to the people that attend these events, where they come from, what attracts them to these events and anything else that will shine some light on those who make these events so typically Australian and so enduring. Yes, I know that sheep dog trials are held around the world, but Australia is unique and that makes such things equally unique; call me parochial. I’m not going to go into excruciating detail on each person that I spoke to, but just provide a simple brief on their background. As I mentioned last time, people come from far and wide to attend these events and this year was no exception, with some from as far away as Queensland, dogs included.
The Australian working dog comes in many breeds, shapes and sizes, with the Border Collie and Kelpie being two of the most well-known and considered synonymous with sheep farming. These dogs are clever, loyal and just love doing what they do and, for them, life is ruff. And nowhere is that more evident than when working dog trials are held, as they were this month at the 10th Annual Berryden Sheep Dog Trials on Jean Moir’s property just south of Mirboo North. The event draws in competitors (including 120 or so dogs) from all over Victoria, as well as interstate, with attendees this year travelling from as far afield as South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales. The event is run by the South Gippsland Working Dog Group in affiliation with the Victorian Sheep Dog Association.


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iYogi’s skilled and expert technicians can resolve the issues encountered when installing the Xerox printer as well as printers of other brands including Dell, Brother, Canon, Samsung, HP etc.


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Walmart India fires 56 executives, 8 from senior management
Walmart said on Monday it has laid off 56 of its executives in India. President and CEO of Walmart India, Krish Iyer, said the fired executives included eight from senior management
Walmart said on Monday that it has laid off fifty-six of its executives in India. President and the Chief Executive Officer of Walmart India, Krish Iyer, said the fired executives included eight from senior management, according to news agency Reuters.
Krish also said that a press report of a second round of layoffs in April was baseless, Reuters reported citing an emailed statement.
Earlier, Reuters had reported citing sources that the world's largest retailer had fired around 50 of its India executives as part of its restructuring in the country.
According to a report in The Economic Times, Walmart plans to halt new-store expansion in India and will continue to cut staff. The report cited anonymous people familiar with the matter.
The officials already laid off include vice presidents across sourcing, agri-business and fast-moving consumer goods, and the real estate team responsible for finding new store locations has been disbanded, said the report.
If reports are to be believed then it’s apparent that the company sees no future in its physical operations in the country and is very likely to sell it or merge it with e-commerce platform Flipkart, it bought for $16 billion in 2018.


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Gluten Free Rolled Oats Organic | Gloriously Free | 500g
Certified Organic Gluten Free Oats are uniquely grown and processed in certified facilities that are free from the contamination from the gluten found in wheat, rye, spelt and barley grains.
They are sourced from the Glorious Free Harvest in the USA where they use minimal impact growing techniques and crop exclusion zones. The oat seed is sourced from a heritage seed and has a unique roasted creamy flavour that comes from their unique shelf stable mill processes and production line that is free of the top 8 allergens.
One of our top selling lines and an amazing product.
100% Aussie Certified with ACO Organic Steamed Rolled GF Oats.
Store in a dry cool place. For longer life refrigeration storage recommended.


EMERGENCY RELEASE SYSTEM
The MIB hydraulic Quick Connect/Disconnect Coupler is a quick and easy method to connect and disconnect a rigid marine arm to and from the vessel manifold.
Available for The Emergency Release System is a safety system that provides protection to the loading/offloading installation and the environment by isolating the product flow and providing quick release under extreme or emergency situations.
The system is hydraulically activated and includes specially developed interlocking system.
The system consists of two Valves held together at their mating flanges by an externally fitted Emergency Release Coupling (ERC). When an emergency disconnection is activated, the two valves close and the emergency release coupler holding the valves together disconnects, allowing the two unit halves to separate. Upon disconnection the upper valve remains part of and isolate the marine loading arm. The lower (ship side) valve remains attached to the tanker flange isolating the tanker’s manifold. Spillage of product is thus prevented from both the marine loading arm and tanker’s manifold.
For LNG or cryogenic application, MIB ERS design is by explosion forming light-weight ball valves technology.
For low temperature or ambient application, other ERS design concepts are available, such as with butterfly valves.
ASME B16.5 Class 150, 300, 400 and Customized
Cryogenic, Low, Ambient, High
from 2″ to 20″


The Financial Services Council says the tax burden and very conservative default funds eat into KiwiSaver nest eggs to a far greater extent than the fees fund managers charge.
Council chief executive Peter Neilson says tax on KiwiSaver contributions, as well as on the investment earnings those contributions achieve, can reduce the resulting nest eggs by 50% or more.
Mr Neilson says if a saver who is currently invested in a very conservative default fund were to move to a more balanced fund, they could boost their retirement nest egg by about $150,000.
If that saver moved to a growth fund, which typically invests only in riskier but high-returning shares, they could boost their nest egg by about $250,000.
"Typically fees being currently paid are somewhere between 1% and 1.5% - much lower than the impact in each particular year of those two impacts of the tax and where you invest your money."
New Zealand First plan
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters announced a Government-guaranteed KiwiFund scheme which would invest substantially in New Zealand at the party's national conference.
He says his proposed alternative to KiwiSaver would provide much better returns for savers.
Mr Peters said the fund would be offered alongside the private providers, but would have a much higher return, a government guarantee of capital, and would slash costs and fees.
Mr Peters told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme the present KiwiSaver scheme allows fund managers to take far too much money from people, which means reduced returns.


By Mike Tighe | email@example.com
Easter signals a new beginning unlike any other, and it takes on additional meaning this year, as the Catholic Church enters the season with a new leader.
Much has been said about the firsts for the cardinal from Argentina: the first pope from the Western Hemisphere, the first Jesuit, the first Francis.
As speculation swirls about what Pope Francis’ first actions might be as he settles into the Vatican, the Tribune surveyed some Coulee Region residents on what they expect from the new pontiff.
Pope Francis must address the Vatican’s sexual abuse and financial scandals to restore people’s faith in the Catholic Church, theology professor Michael Lopez-Kaley says.
“He has got to clean up the scandals of the church first,” said Lopez-Kaley of Viterbo University in La Crosse.
“I think there is a lack of confidence that the bishops are really serious” about the clergy’s sexual abuse cases, he said. “The pope definitely needs to state: You guys have to get serious about this and turn in the priests who are involved.”
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.


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INSTITUTO DE QUIMICA, FISICA DE LOS MATERIALES, MEDIOAMBIENTE Y ENERGIA
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Understanding Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cyclopropane methyltransferases (CMAs) structure-function relationship
DEFELIPE, LUCAS ALFREDO; MARTI, MARCELO ADRIÁN; TURJANSKI, ADRIAN GUSTAVO
Congreso; V Congreso Argentino de Bioinformática y Biología Computacional; 2014
A serious concern in Mycobacterium tuberculosis treatment is the emergence of MDR (Multi-drug resistant) and XDR (Extensively drug-resistance) stains. Choosing new relevant drug targets is prioritary to fight MDR and XDR TB. We developed TuberQ  a protein druggability datatabase to highlight relevant drug targets based on structural druggability and gene expression experiments done in different environments mimicking the stresses TB faces during infection[2,3]. Cyclopropane methyltransferases (CMAs) are shown as a potential targets. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cyclopropane methyltransferases (CMAs) are responsible for the modification of mycolic acids by the transfer of a methyl group to the olefin, making CMAs attractive drug targets. This protein family is composed of 9 proteins (mmaA1-4, cmaA1-2, pcaA, uma A and ufaA). Mycolic acids are long chain (60-80 carbon atoms) modified fatty acids which are major components of mycobacterial cell wall and these modifications modulate properties of the cell wall (such as drug permeability) and the immune response of the host. Although CMAs are methyltrasnferases with the typical Rossman fold  they are not only able to cyclopropinate but also to introduce keto and metoxy modifications to the same olefin. In the present work we have used comparative modelling and molecular dynamics simulations to understand the different reaction mechanisms present in this protein family. We also performed a comparative druggability study of the family to develop a phamacophore model to aid in the search of drug-like compounds with the ability to bind to several members of CMAs (cmaA1, cmaA2, pcaA and umaA), an approach known as polypharmacology.

domain: chemistry


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The Sonoma Developmental Center Parent Hospital Association is sponsoring a march and rally from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in the Sonoma Plaza to demonstrate public support for keeping the Sonoma Developmental Center open.
Rally organizer Mary O’Riordan said, “The march and rally are a way for families of SDC clients and our supporters to express how tragic it would be if the state were to close SDC. SDC has the expertise, professionally trained staff, and specific services needed to care for California’s most frail and severely developmentally disabled residents.” O’Riordan is a past president of the Parent Hospital Association.
The state has been reducing the populations at its four remaining developmental centers by moving clients into community care homes. However, as O’Riordan points out, not all developmentally disabled people can function in community care homes.
“I have heard from so many heartbroken parents whose developmentally disabled children ended up in jail, because their community care home could not handle their challenging and dangerous behaviors,” O’Riordan said. “Developmental centers provide the safety net for those whose emotional, mental and behavioral issues, or medical frailty, make them inappropriate for community homes.”
O’Riordan’s son lived at SDC for 20 years, until he passed away two years ago.She believes he got excellent care, of which she believes could not have been matched in the community, and she continues to advocate for keeping SDC open.
The Sonoma Developmental Center has been in Sonoma Valley for 122 years. Over the last several years it has gone from a population of 2,000 to less than 500. It has 1,200 employees.
The march around the Sonoma Plaza begins at noon in front of city hall and ends in the Grinstead Amphitheater for a rally featuring speeches by parents. Sonoma Mayor Ken Brown will also read a city council resolution in support of keeping SDC open.
For more information, call O’Riordan at 415-827-2262 or visit parenthospitalassociation.org.


Meanwhile, Trump has done little other than to complicate the Republicans efforts to make good on a seven-year-old pledge to repeal and replace Obamacare. Now the plan is to strike deals over the Congressional recess and reconsolidate in August.
Conservatives said they opposed the idea, along with the chairmen of Congress' two tax-writing committees: Senate Finance chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and House Ways and Means chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas. The Senate version would still cut Medicaid, only not as much as the version House Republicans passed. Republicans have discovered they can't fix health care without paying for it, and keeping Obamacare's 3.8 percent surtax on investment income would provide $172 billion in extra funding over 10 years.
The Kentucky Republican was adamant about the timing of the vote, right up until he wasn't anymore.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who was one of the Republican senators that rejected the Senate's latest proposed bill, sent a tweet supporting the President's strategy.
"The bill is just being lit up like a Christmas tree full of billion-dollar ornaments, and it's not repeal".
Paul, who re-tweeted Trump on Friday morning, later fired off a second tweet saying he had spoken to Trump and the Senate GOP leadership "about this and agree". Last January, even before taking office, Trump insisted that repeal and replace legislation be approved nearly simultaneously - within hours or days of each other - despite a preference by many congressional leaders to pass repeal legislation but postpone its effective date for a year or more while a new approach is developed.
Health industry officials have warned that overturning the existing law, which has extended insurance to roughly 20 million Americans and changed the rules under which insurance is offered across the country, would create chaos in a sector that accounts for one-sixth of the USA economy. We can do much better than this shameful GOP plan.
Another round of strong storms on tap for the QCA Thursday
The evening storms carry the potential for strong wind gusts and some hail, said Corey Mead, another Valley-based meteorologist. An enhanced risk for severe storms Tuesday night was expanded slightly to cover northwest Lancaster County including Lincoln.
Treasury announces new sanctions to increase pressure on North Korea
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the US has sanctioned two Chinese citizens, a shipping company, and a bank. It cited a United Nations expert panel as saying the company has violated a ban on trade in luxury goods with the North.
Chile gear up for tough Confed Cup semi-final against Portugal
The 30-year-old Monaco player made his 100th worldwide appearance with Portugal in the team's win over New Zealand on Saturday. Stefan Marinovic was kept busy against Portugal at the Confederations Cup .
As Donald Trump's health secretary fended off questions about whether the president is too distracted by Twitter to focus on healthcare reform, the White House's top legislative liaison official said the Senate was "getting close" to agreement on a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, Barack Obama's signature legislative achievement.
Short told "Fox News Sunday" the White House's hope is to pass a repeal-and-replace bill. That's what we think needs to be done.
"Middle-class families are getting hammered", he said.
"McConnell's trying to achieve a 50-vote Venn diagram between some very competing factions", said Rodney Whitlock, a veteran health policy expert who worked as a Senate GOP aide during passage of the Democrats' Affordable Care Act. "We think that helps solve numerous problems that America faces".
On Tuesday, a revolt of republican senators has forced the majority to postpone to July, the debates and votes scheduled for this week.
But they have not settled on how they would finance all these changes, since conservatives oppose the centrists' push to preserve one of the bill's current taxes as a way of funneling more money to those who can not afford health coverage on their own.


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All parents and advocates should read the 65 page PDF decision (at the bottom of this post) in the Alex Williams vs Fulton County School District decision regarding horrific physical and mental child abuse by a special education teacher at Hopewell Middle School and years of school cover-up by the Principal and County officials. In this case, had this teacher been fired when abuse was first noted by school personnel and reported to Special Education County staff and Principal, Alex would not have been abused and allowed to be tormented.
As parents and advocates, this case teaches us we must all work together to change Mandatory Reporting practices for all educators. NO longer can we allow what happened in this case. No longer can we allow Principals ALL power. This impacts ALL children, not just special needs.
It also teaches us we must continue to advocate for Inclusive and Non-segregated classrooms. Special Education classrooms should NOT be isolated alone down one hall, but intermingled amidst general education classes. Where are your classrooms?
Here are related articles published this week regarding this decision:
AJC - Alex Williams Was Denied a FAPE http://www.ajc.com/news/judge-fulton-schools-owes-1327242.html#.Tyn0BGXVcCI.email
WSB - http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/fulton-schools-ordered-pay-tuition-after-abuse-tea/nHSHD/
Thanks to parents of Alex Williams and attorney Chris Vance, this case was open to the public. Myself and many special education advocates and attorneys attended daily to support the Williams family. Additionally, the media was present daily and I want to personally thank Jeff Chirico at CBS for his excellent coverage of the case I’ve posted at http://iepadvocate4you.blogspot.com/2011/08/abuse-cover-up-on-spec-needs-students.html . Mike Petchenik with Channel 2 news is also covering this decision and doing a terrific job keeping it in the spotlight. None of us must ever forget.
Fulton County residents should be furious this case was allowed to be litigated wasting your tax payer dollars. There needs to be an Open Records investigation to find out the entire cost of this case. You need to hold your School Board accountable for this tragedy. Two Fulton County school attorneys quit because they refused to litigate for the firm. The school district already had a shocking internal investigation documenting years of abuse and cover-up between 2004-2007, which has been previously posted on my blog at http://iepadvocate4you.blogspot.com/2011/08/fulton-county-report-of-investigation.html . Additionally there was a report by the GPSC posted at http://iepadvocate4you.blogspot.com/2011/08/gpsc-investigation-report-of-melanie.html . These are must reads for all parents, esp. parents in Fulton County. School Board President, Linda Schultz testified she was aware there was an investigation report documenting abuse by one of their teachers, but she had never read it. If you even believe that, you must ask WHY? Even if she hadn’t read it but knew about it, WHY had she not taken action? Should she still be your school board President?? Five years later, WHY has the teacher who abused the children and the Principal who covered it up never been prosecuted? Tough questions that need to be answered!
What is even most shocking is the school districts response to CBS regarding the decision in this case:
“This situation never should have happened and our hearts go out to the family for what their child has experienced.
It is in no way an indication of the character or culture of Fulton County Schools. We are pursuing criminal charges against the former teacher in this case.
We hope that this brings some sense of closure to this unfortunate circumstance.”
If their hearts went out to this family, WHY did they put them through this Due Process hearing stating their school district provided this child FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education)? Why did they never apologize? Why did they not notify the parents when they discovered abuse occurred? Why did they not share the internal investigations reports with these parents? Why did they continue to not provide all educational records?
How can any parent ever trust Fulton County School District again in light of this case?
Advocacy & Consulting Services - IEPadvocate4you
Carol Sadler, Special Education Consultant/Advocate
GA Advocacy Office PLSP I Graduate
1105 Rock Pointe Look
Woodstock, GA 30188
IEPadvocate4you also now on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter
"There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people." ---- Thomas Jefferson
“Refrain from Restraining, Secluding and Corporal Punishment & Aversives are Abusive and Dehumanizing” ---- Carol Sadler, Advocate
GNET=GetNoEducation/Therapy=PsychoNOed=Jail without Jury or Trial=Imprisonment without Legal Representation
CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVILEGED
Information contained in this communication is confidential and privileged. It is not meant to represent legal or medical advice, but rather advice given based on my knowledge as a trained Parent Advocate by the GA Advocacy Office, Council of Parent Advocates & Attorneys, CHADD, LDA, the GA DOE Parent Mentor program as an invited guest and the special education attorneys that I often work with on educational matters. Please do not forward without my permission.


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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fitch Ratings has affirmed the 'AA-' rating on approximately $34.2 million of parking facility revenue bonds issued by the State of Florida Board of Governors and Florida Education System on behalf of the University of Central Florida (UCF).
The Rating Outlook is Stable.
Parking facility revenue bonds are secured by the net revenues of UCF's parking system (the system), which include a mandatory student transportation access fee. Certain expenses, including those related to the campus shuttle system, are subordinate to debt service on the parking bonds.
KEY RATING DRIVERS
SOUND COVERAGE: The 'AA-' rating reflects strong legal (before subordinate expenses) coverage over 3.5x maximum annual debt service (MADS) and sound Fitch-calculated net coverage of 2x MADS, largely supported by a mandatory student fee. The system has good capacity at the current rating level to support likely additional debt over the next year for a new garage.
MANDATORY STUDENT TRANSPORTATION FEE: UCF's mandatory transportation access fee generates over 60% of the system's annual receipts. The fees provide continued stability to pledged revenues.
STRONG ENROLLMENT BASE: UCF's large and stable enrollment base ensures ample demand for parking facilities and supports the system's ability to adequately service debt and maintain sound financial performance.
UCF'S CREDIT STRENGTH: Although the university's resources are not pledged, the parking facility bonds benefit from UCF's strong demand and enrollment, generally positive operating performance, diverse revenue streams, healthy balance sheet, and moderate debt burden.
WEAK COVERAGE: Fitch expects the University of Central Florida (UCF) parking system's debt service coverage from pledged net revenues to remain around 2x or better including additional debt plans. However, substantial weakening of debt service coverage from pledged parking system net revenues below historical levels could negatively pressure the rating.
UCF OPERATIONS: While not expected, a deterioration of the university's credit profile or enrollment trends could negatively pressure the rating.
UCF was founded in 1963 and is one of the 12 universities in the State University System of Florida. The university serves over 63,000 students on its main campus, hospitality campus, and health sciences campus in Orlando, FL and its 10 regional locations.
MANDATORY FEE AND STRONG DEMAND DRIVE COVERAGE
The mandatory transportation access fee accounts for the majority of pledged revenues and is a key credit factor supporting the rating. The fee is assessed on materially all students per credit hour. The fee has been steady at $9.10 per credit hour since fiscal 2013. UCF has the legal ability to increase the fee if necessary, but the fee will likely remain flat in the near term due to a focus on affordability and existing debt capacity from strong pledged coverage at the current fee rate.
UCF's large enrollment base supports generation of fee revenues and demand for parking services and facilities. Headcount enrollment has grown from 58,698 in fall 2011 to 63,373 in fall 2015. Enrollment is expected to continue moderate growth as the university builds out capacity and programs at the downtown Orlando campus.
Debt service coverage is sound and has improved in recent years due to positive enrollment trends and good expense management. Legal MADS coverage from pledged net revenues was a strong 3.6x in fiscal 2015, up from 2.9x in fiscal 2011. Legal coverage excludes certain subordinate expenses such as shuttle service costs from pledged net revenues. Fitch also calculates coverage including those subordinate costs. Economic MADS coverage was also sound at 2x and has generally been 1.5x or better.
The system plans to build a new 600-space parking garage for its campus in downtown Orlando over the next couple of years. The project will likely cost around $15 million and will be largely debt-funded. UCF does not intend to raise the mandatory fee in advance of the new debt, as it has historically done. However, the system has sufficient capacity at the current rating level to cover the additional debt from existing pledged net revenues. Fitch expects legal coverage will remain around 2x or better including the additional debt.
HIGH LEVERAGE AND LIMITED BALANCE SHEET STRENGTH
Reserves are sound and currently exceed internal targets of 30% of operating revenues. However, reserves are periodically spent down to fund capital projects. The system's high leverage, which is typical of standalone university auxiliaries, is also reflected in its high debt burden, with MADS of $5.1 million consuming a high 24.1% of operating revenues. However, Fitch recognizes that the system's purpose and capital-intensive nature will constrain its ability to amass significant reserves.
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
The university's credit profile is characterized by a very large enrollment base, with over 63,000 students and solid demand. UCF continued its general trend of positive GAAP-based operating results in fiscal 2015 reflecting enrollment growth and improving state support. The university is well-positioned for continued growth in state appropriations based on its top scores under Florida's performance funding framework. Balance sheet resources are healthy, with available funds (cash and investment less certain restricted net assets) equal to 46.6% of operating expenses and 77.8% of debt (including debt of component units and closely affiliated entities). In addition, UCF maintains a low debt burden, with MADS consuming only 2.2% of fiscal 2015 operating revenue. Including all component unit and affiliated organization debt, UCF's debt burden remains moderate at 4.4%, with strong coverage from operations typically above 2x.
Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'.
Revenue-Supported Rating Criteria (pub. 16 Jun 2014)
U.S. College and University Rating Criteria (pub. 12 May 2014)
Dodd-Frank Rating Information Disclosure Form

domain: finance


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By keeping track with the market development, we are engaged in offering Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate. This chemical is an essential component of various enzyme systems for energy production and protein synthesis. We provide this chemical in diverse packaging options according to the needs of customers. In addition to this, our offered Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate is also utilized to supply zinc in animal feeds, fertilizers, and agricultural sprays.
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