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The Importance Of Music In Education
Music is arguably the most life-enriching academic subject of them all. A universal language that triggers emotional responses and kickstarts creativity like no other, music is a fundamental pillar of arts education.
This article outlines the far-reaching benefits of music that stretch way beyond the subject itself and why music is an indispensable part of any academic programme.
The Importance Of Music Education
The arts in education campaign has been ongoing for some years now and will always be a controversial topic for many. Should we or should we not provide our students with an opportunity to explore the arts in school? Should we include the arts in the school day or make them extracurricular? Should we incorporate arts education lessons and activities in the general classroom? Will the arts have a great effect on academic excellence?
These are all questions that have crossed several great minds in the past, but the real question I have is, âwhy the controversy?â After all of the scientific research that has been collected, is it not proof enough that the arts and music in the classroom has a tremendous effect on world-wide academic achievement and cultural value?
Here is a list of the 5 most important reasons why music education is so beneficial to our students:
Other Benefits Of Music Education
Music education promotes improved coordination, specifically hand-eye coordination. Musicians must multitask! They must do multiple things all at once, all of which improves coordination and further develops the brain. Student musicians must read music, interpret it, and physically initiate the music through the playing of their instrument. These steps are repeated continuously throughout any performance of a piece of music, and even the youngest of learners slowly develop their coordination skills through continued music practice.
Music education fosters greater work ethic and discipline in children. Students of music learn from an early age that hard work, determination, and a positive mindset are all you need to succeed, but with those characteristics, continual practice is required. Students learn that improving musical skills does not come easy, as it requires hours of study and practice. Through this, students gain a greater concept of work ethic and learn to discipline themselves to reach goals. Work ethic and discipline are huge factors of music education, and it is important to note that those life skills will positively impact a student when entering the work force, completing tasks, etc.
Also Check: How To Add Music To Your Instagram Stories
Bring About A Sense Of Achievement
When your child does achieve a musical goal, they get the incredible satisfaction that comes from working hard to attain something. In that sense, music is a great confidence builder. Creating something as expressive and loved as music and seeing audiences on stage or family members at home enjoy it can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
Confidence is one of the most valuable skills a child can have and music is one of the best ways to allow it to flourish in your child.
Take A Trial Online Instrument Lesson At Lucy Moses School
Have you always wanted to learn an instrument, or return to one you used to play? Would you like to introduce your child or grandchild to instrument lessons and help them start building a lifetime of music?Nows the perfect time! Sign up for 1, 2 or 3 trial online lessons with an expert and supportive faculty member at Lucy Moses School, Manhattans largest community arts school, and learn safely at home. All ages, instruments and skill levels are welcome, including beginners! Call us at 212 501 3360 or email to get started today!
Music Education in THE News
Music Training Strengthens Children’s Brains, Decision-Making NetworkUniversity of Southern California, MedicaXpress, 11/14/17If the brain is a muscle, then learning to play an instrument and read music is the ultimate exercise. Two new studies from the Brain and Creativity Institute at USC show that as little as two years of music instruction has multiple benefits. Music training can change both the structure of the brain’s white matter, which carries signals through the brain, and gray matter, which contains most of the brain’s neurons that are active in processing information. Music instruction also boosts engagement of brain networks that are responsible for decision making and the ability to focus attention and inhibit impulses.
Tom Barnes, Music.Mic, 6/3/15Every time you listen to a piece of music, you’re actually giving yourself a deep, full-brain workout.
mUSIC Education Studies
Kaufman Music Center
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Finding The Right Instrument: Individual Preferences
For many young children, singing is a fun and appropriate way to learn music. Many children want to learn an instrument – follow the child’s lead and allow them to learn the instrument that appeals to them. Upper elementary school aged children often have access to a school band, and will have a wide array of instruments available with lessons through the public school.
Finding the right instrument can be more difficult for younger children. My six-year-old son was desperate to learn an instrument, but simply couldn’t decide what he would like to play. We read many books about different instruments, and he would simply declare, “I love ALL of them!” After some discussion, we decided to pursue the piano for several reasons: it can be played by a young child, it teaches the child to play from both music clefs , and it helps children coordinate both hands. My son was extremely excited to learn to play!
Determining the right methodology is important, too. A three-year-old child would be better suited to a Suzuki methodology than the traditional “John Thompson Piano Course” my son is taking. Find a teacher and method that fits your child’s personality, developmental level, and temperament.
Why Music Education Actually Matters
We favor the inclusion of music in the curriculum on an equality with other basic subjects. We believe that with the growing complexity of civilization, more attention must be given to the arts, and that music offers possibilities as yet but partially realized for developing an appreciation of the finer things of life.First Resolution of the Dallas Meeting of The Department of Superintendence, 1927
Public music education has seen better days.
In 2001, the No Child Left Behind Act identified music as a core subjectjust not one worthy of testing. This meant that schools struggling to improve math and reading scores in order to retain funding found that their arts programs were the easiest ones to divert resources from, or to cut altogether.
A 2012 report from the U.S Department of Education optimistically declared that In the 2009-10 school year, music education was almost universally available in the nations public elementary schools. But buried in that DOE report were huge differences in the availability of music education between large and small schools, as well as significant percentages of teachers who rated their time and resources as either not at all adequate or minimally adequate.
Lara Pellegrinelli of NPR writes of the report: Even if one simply uses the DOEs enrollment numbers to calculate the number of students in schools without music instruction at all, thats over 2.1 million children across the country likely a conservative estimate.
Read Also: How Do I Get Music On My Phone
What Are The Five Reasons Why Music Education In School Is Important
There are many reasons that show that music education in school is important, keep reading to know more.
Inspires creativity: Learning music can help a child to improve his/her creative skills. If they learn an instrument, they can build unique tunes and give their creativity skills a boost.
Improved study habits: Music is a great way to enhance the study habits of children. As kids grow, they are exposed to more complex study material, and to achieve success in life, retaining this material is essential. Learning music is an art of patience and practice that children can also use in their curriculum.
Boosts problem-solving: One of the most beneficial yet overlooked benefits of music is its impact on the problem-solving abilities of young minds. Music requires the learners to assess situations and find solutions accordingly.
Builds relationships: Music is a great way to create and enhance bonds. Musicians are provided with training that helps them learn the art of listening to others, sense their emotions, and in return, react with a great depth of understanding that helps them form/improve their relationships.
Instills confidence: When your child learns a skill like playing a musical instrument, they get incredible satisfaction. Performing in front of friends and family helps them gain confidence and get rid of stage fear. In a way, music can help the children develop their overall personality.
Music Is A Way To Connect With Other People
Music education is also important because it will give students a way to connect with other people. Children are naturally very social, and its important to encourage them to build relationships by providing them experiences to share with each other. Creating a school band or small ensemble, or encouraging participation in a chorus will allow children to work together towards a final product . This encourages bonding and will provide students with something to reminisce on together in the future.
It has been proven time and again that having people of all ages play or listen to music together will help to create bonds. Having an impromptu drumming circle or listening to and enjoying a piece of recorded music can connect people through sound, singing and even movement or dance. Musical experiences such as these can bring back a fond memory or create new ones!
Recommended Reading: Listen To Christian Music Online
Class Is Chance To Actively Engage
In my music class, I make sure students have their microphones on as much as possible. I encourage them to get up, move around, get out of the screen for a moment, sing loudly and clap with joy. It’s a positive experience for them and for me, too.
For many students, my class is their first experience with music in school. An astounding 55% of New York City public schools dont have a music educator on staff. Thats why I joined Education Through Music, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing music to schools across New York City.
If were serious about keeping our students mentally healthy, we need to be equally serious about letting students experience music. That can begin by reversing last year’s devastating cuts to arts education.
As someone with a language-based learning disability, I know how transformative music class can be. As a teen, knowing I could attend band class in high school got me through the day.
Intelligence comes in many varieties, but some can be hard to demonstrate through traditional exams. When student achievement is measured using tests, poor test-takers but smart students are at risk of never experiencing a sense of achievement in school.
Instruments In The Home
Before signing your child up for music lessons, ensure you have access to an instrument in the home. Kids who take band lessons at school often have the option to rent instruments. This can be an affordable option, particularly if parents are unsure whether the child will continue with the instrument for a prolonged period of time. It is unwise to purchase an expensive instrument if the child is going to stop playing it a few months later! Renting instruments allows a child to try playing the flute without having to invest a lot of money in an instrument.
The child must have access to the instrument in the home, as nearly every method of music instruction requires daily practice. Having an instrument in the home also allows the child to play music in a free-form method – learning to gain enjoyment from making music outside the confines of the lesson.
Since our son was learning piano, it was vital to have a piano in the home. We briefly considered renting a piano, but ran across some incredibly good luck when our neighbors mentioned they wanted to get rid of their piano. We jumped on the opportunity and ended up with an upright Baldwin in our living room… for free! Our son practices his lessons on the piano, plays memorized songs, and sometimes simply makes up his own “compositions.”
Keeping the schedule free for practice is vital – a child cannot learn an instrument without sufficient practice time!
Leah Lefler, 2012
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Brings More Discipline To Life
A great deal of discipline is needed when it comes to practicing a concept again and again and mastering it. This whole process demands a lot from the children in emotional and mental terms at such a young age. At times, they may get frustrated with the complicated concepts that might take away their desire to learn. Music is one element that can help them learn patience, perseverance, and how to hold onto something long term to get desired results.
Additionally, music requires children to develop a schedule and stick to it if they truly want to master the skill. This allows them to practice balance in their everyday schedules as they try to include curriculum, co-curriculum, and social activities in their routine.
With the help of this, children slowly grasp the art of time management and discipline, the two concepts that even several adults fail to achieve throughout their professional life.
Learn An Enviable Life Skill
How many times have you met an adult who says their biggest regret is not learning a musical instrument as a child? Musical skills they didnt learn as a child become some of the most sought after in adulthood. Help your child to develop their skills in music from an earlier age and youll be giving them a gift that will bring them, and others, joy for the rest of their life.
At Nord Anglia Education, we understand the importance of creative arts like music, harnessing the subject to bring benefits that span our entire academic programme. Find out more about our music curriculum, or head to our schools page to a Nord Anglia Education school near you.
Don’t Miss: Free Slideshow Maker With Music And Effects
Reasons Music Education Is Important
Helps Children Find Their Passion
The most common complaint we hear of the schools in contemporary day and age is that their curriculum is restricted to only a few subjects. There is very little scope for sports, arts, and communication skills. With musical education, children can find their passion and make careers in different fields.
Academic Entertainment Virtual Music Technology
For instance, if a child isnt scoring well in other subjects and scores well in music, they will gain confidence that they can do something in life. This confidence is very important in the initial phases of life.
Music can also improve communication skills. Music can be a great way to show their creativity and skills. Who knows, these skills may help them gain confidence to learn other subjects as well.
Kids who were exposed to music early on in life can eventually use those skills later in college to excel academically in this field and gain a more practical, real-world exposure.
Along with this, music can help the children foster creativity, develop teamwork, engage, and stimulate their minds. All in all, music is a great way to build positive habits in children as they are most likely to enjoy the whole learning process.
Social Benefits Of Music Education
The mental benefits of music education are extremely advantageous to students in schools however, the social benefits are just as wonderful! Music education requires teamwork and collaboration. While playing instruments together, students develop listening skills. They must listen to others to better gage volume levels, the implementation of dynamics, and so much more. Teamwork and collaboration is also required when completing simple musical tasks such as rhythmic and melodic notation. Students quickly learn to value the opinions and ideas of others and how to efficiently combine those thoughts to complete the task at hand.
In addition to teamwork, music education creates long lasting friendships and relationships. Students involved in band or choir bond over their love and enjoyment of music. They share exciting moments together through music, help develop one anothers abilities, and become a support system for each other. This special bond also increases student engagement in school.
Music education allows students an opportunity to experience different cultures. In early music education, the use of songs and games from other countries is extremely prevalent. Students learn how other children play and compare that knowledge to their own lives. In addition, students develop an understanding of other cultures, which leads to a beautiful acceptance of others. Students realize that recognizing differences is good, and it creates a greater respect for others.


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Travel insurance can be up to 211% more expensive if bought through an airline, tour operator or travel agent, says price comparison website moneysupermarket.com.
Research has found travel insurance premiums can be a staggering 211 per cent more expensive when bought as an add-on to airline tickets or a holiday bought through a travel agent.
Bob Atkinson at moneysupermarket.com says, "Airlines, tour operators and travel agents are known to try and lure customers into taking out their preferred travel insurance policy. These policies can be wildly uncompetitive and might not suit individual circumstances. By taking the time to shop around for travel insurance, you can jet away with the peace of mind that you know exactly what your policy covers you for while abroad.”
moneysupermarket.com recommends at least the following level of cover:
- £2m for medical expenses
- £1m personal liability
- £3000 cancellation
- £1500 baggage
- £250 cash
- Policy excesses under £100
- Cover for scheduled airline failure and end supplier failure
- Delay cover

domain: travel


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|LEGO → System → Kingdoms|
|Kingdoms Chess Set|
|This is a description taken from LEGO.com. Do not modify it. (visit this item's product page)|
Play chess with minifigures in regal LEGO® Kingdoms’ style!
Build all 32 royal characters, then the black and white baseplate board! Put your army in place with their weapons and accessories, then battle with your opponent in a classic game of chess – LEGO® style! Includes a storage box!
- This was the last set from Kingdoms line produced.
- The Dragon Wizard is varies slightly in appearance from the one in 7955 Wizard.
- The Dragon Queen is exclusive to this set.
- LEGO Shop
- See a price and investment guide on BrickPicker.com
- See a 360º view of the set on BrickFile.com
|view · talk · editCastle sets|
|[ full list ]|

domain: entertainment


1. This fashion reflective raincoat is designed for children, which provides maximum visibility and wet weather protection for children who have possibility to get wet on roads and other outdoor area.
2.This children raincoat comes in 2 colors, red and black, and would be perfect in your high-vis collection.
3.The raincoat hood designed with draw strings and two snaps avoid your children getting wet.
4. Suitable for children at the height between 120cm~130cm, with super bright reflective pattern and pipings, rainy days will travel be safer.
5. Made of environmental friendly material, no smells and no harm for children’s health.
6. Different from normal PVC raincoat, this raincoat has better waterproof farbic, which is soft, light weigth, and more durable.
7. Both fashion design and easy wearing&remove are popular with children.
8. Logo imprint is available! You can also customize your own raincoat by changing the color, reflective pattern, fabric or adding pockets etc. We keep stock for regular styles, and can send out as soon as possible.
9. Storage bag included.
Size Body length(CM) Sleeve length(CM) Bottom width(CM) S 70 50 120 M 75 52 126 L 80 54 130
Note: All sizes are customizable.
Recommended washing cycles and washing temperature for the safety garments tested and approved for: 25x40°C.
1. When do machine wash, you may use a mild detergent, but No Bleach or Fabric Softener!
2. Try to avoid wash the safety garments with your work jeans or any clothing with rough fabric or edges. The microscopic glass beads on the retro reflective fabric can be worn off by rough texture.
3. Try to line dry your garments. If you choose to machine dry, try to remove the garment immediately. The added heat can damage the reflective fabric.
4. Try to wash your garment inside out.
5. Try not to wash reflective garment with other dark garments that might bleed. Stained fluorescent material may cause a reduction in its performance. Our fluorescent materials do not bleed, rest assured to wash them with light color garments.
ExperienceAs the largest reflective material and safety clothing manufacturer in China, our decade of experience allow us to know deeper about your demands, and provide you with professional suggestions towards international standards and popular styles.DesignOur design team has learned over decade of experience how to combine fashion with safety， and design products that not only have good performance but also look fashionable . Customization is available for each product.Q&COur products are manufactured in accordance with international standards using qualitative raw-material sourced from the famed vendors. Certifications we have: Oeko-Tex 100, EN ISO 20471:2013, ANSI/ISEA 107-2010, NFPA 701 etc.Trade ShowWe attend various international trade shows. Our customers include: Volvo, SAAB, Michelin, Opel, Toyata, Bosch, BMW, Chevrolet, Renault, Coca Cola, NYPD, Lufthansa, Emirates, Fortis Bank and many other well known brands.


In June I’m challenging you to reeeeeach into the creative side of your brain. Write a mix of the straight-edge business blog posts that you’re used to writing with imaginative blog posts that you may not be used to writing. That means you get to paint pictures or deconstruct your favorite song or…
June Blog Post Ideas Start Now
1 – Images get shared on social media more than any other type of post. Consider taking a 30-day photo challenge and discuss it on your blog. Here is a site dedicated to photo ideas.
2 – What do you want to learn? Go crazy. Why not take up knitting or pickling or car maintenance? Chronicle your progress.
3 – The Webby Awards are announced in May. Find sites that inspire you and share.
4 – Are you a member of an association or do you sit on any boards? Talk about that work.
Tim Esterdahl of TE Creative Services has two great sources of blog post inspiration. Here’s what he has to say:
“First, find a forum related to your niche. Write a post about a forum topic with a lot of comments. If forum posters are talking about it, odds are others are searching for that topic, too. Second, look for the corporate media sites in your industry. I use automotive media sites like Toyota’s Press Site, but heck, even Walmart has a media news page. You never know when a new product or idea will be announced.” Read More »
Most successful business bloggers talk about the people around the office and the inter-workings of the organization. It’s the job of a blogger (or bloggers if you have several people managing your company blog) to connect with the reader, and you’re not going to do that with dry, impersonal blog posts. So…
…let’s get creative! Check out these 31 daily blog post ideas for May.
1 – May 1 is May Day and National Law Day. If you don’t feel like giving your readers a basket of candy and flowers, why not tell them about the laws that dictate your industry or business? Never ever give legal advice, but touch on the laws that matter.
2 – Donate the money you would’ve spent on a week’s worth of lattes to a creative project. Visit Kickstarter.com to find a project you can get behind. Don’t forget to write about it.
Read More »
The blog post ideas I’m sending out each month may be geared toward businesses that blog, but other types of bloggers are taking advantage, too. Check out the Urban Moo Cow’s Wordle and the Time-Lapse Blog’s Jargon Dictionary to see what I mean.
And, hey, if you decide to use one of these ideas on your blog, tell me about it. I’ll link to you in an upcoming blog post.
Enough of the chit chat. Let’s get to it! Here are your 30 blog post ideas for April.
1 – April 1 is April Fool’s Day. You know what to do.
2 – Remember that infographic you made earlier in February? Summarize how you created the infographic and how you promoted it. Think of it like a marketing case study.
Read More »
This is the third list in a series of 12 lists offering blog post ideas for every day of the year. If you like what you see, look at what was given away in January and February.
And by the way, many of these blog post ideas might make great newsletter article ideas, e-book topic ideas, and social media posts, too. As I mention in tip #9, it’s wise to re-purpose your best content.
Time to Start Blogging. Here’s Your 31 Blog Post Idea Starters for March.
1 – Make a Wordle.
2 – March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, Hemophilia Awareness Month, March to Health Month, National MS Education and Awareness Month, National Nutrition Month, and Red Cross Month. March is also Women’s History Month. If any of these issues matter to you, write about them.
3 – What objections do you commonly hear during the sales process? Write a blog post addressing each objection.
4 – Watch a documentary. Write a movie review.
Read More »
1 – Go for a walk. Take an object you see on your journey and relate it to your business. For example, “10 Ways Our Product Is Like a Stop Sign.”
2 – February 2nd is Groundhog Day. Whether you care or not, expound on that.
3 – Look back through your emails. Any long-winded responses to client inquiries? Any extensive instructions to the “new guy” in the office? Take these emails and turn them into blog posts.
Read More »
1 – Send holiday greetings to your readers in a blog post.
2 – What can your blog readers look forward to this year? Summarize what you’ll be writing about (or hope to be writing about) in the coming months.
3 – How can you help your readers reach their New Year’s goals?
4 – This is typically a slow news time. What news can you announce on your blog and in a press release?
BONUS! BONUS! BONUS!
Bonus tip: Make an idea tree. Get your hands on a big piece of paper. Draw a straight line for the tree trunk. Write down every blog post idea that comes to mind where the branches and leaves should be. Keep the idea tree on your wall and add to it as ideas come to you.
Read More »


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Youth political dialogues and Young Leaders Forum
In Uganda, young people make up the majority of the population. Behind this numerical advantage lies the potential to influence the political direction and support democratic change in the country. Paradoxically, youth participation in many political organisations is minimal and insignificant due to nepotism and undemocratic structures. The lack of possibilities for participation and limited perspectives often result in political apathy and a retreat into private engagements instead of voluntary public activity that pursues the common good.
To support a more active role of the youth, FES-Uganda in 2008 developed the Young Leaders Training Programme (YLTP) where youths were trained on various aspects of leadership and current political and socio-economic affairs. Many of the graduates are now actively involved in politics and are shaping the direction of their institutions and communities. In 2014 the YLTP was renamed the Young Leaders Forum (YLF) and the curriculum was revamped after evaluating the previous intakes. The reworked YLF offers eight multidisciplinary, mostly thematic and participatory modules that cover areas of politics, constitutionalism and human rights, public administration, economics, social affairs, media and communication. Each year the programme brings together around 25 competitively selected young adults from different backgrounds such as political parties, governmental offices, NGOs, and trade unions. The main objective of the programme is to broaden and deepen the knowledge and skills of young adults in support of their involvement in the political, social or socioeconomic affairs of the country. The aim is to promote capable and responsible leaders who play a significant role in the democratic and socially just transformation of their institutions and their country. In addition, the programme intends to further networking among current participants and YLTP/YLF alumni.
In addition to the YLF, FES from time to time runs and support political youth dialogues and forums for young people to reflect upon and debate political topics. The annual Uganda Press Photo Award (UPPA) offers an opportunity for young (photo) journalists and journalism students to critically and innovatively debate the societal role of the media, improve their skills and showcase their work.

domain: sociology


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The Dex Podcast #10: Mega!!! is the tenth episode of The Dex Podcast series. It's hosted by Alex, Jimmy, and Pokekellzl. It covers The News, Top 5, The Community Segment, and Fanswers. Published April 5, 2014.
The News Edit
- Mega Evolution Act 3 aired, Act 4 soon to be released.
- Online battle competition announced for Japan


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While some dogs nonetheless have existence that require work, many reside a sedentary life without a lot stimulation. Giant canine and sturdy chewers will want a dimension-acceptable toy that they can’t swallow, and perhaps one thing further sturdy in the event that they’re robust chewers. It’s a bummer when it’s essential to cease your playtime just because the sun has gone down. However not anymore, as Nite Ize has offer you this ultimate LED Ball known as the GlowStreak LED Canine Ball.
Deciding Upon Easy Plans In dog puzzle feeder
And in case your pooch loves to swim, give that little Michael Phelps a floating toy. Certain, you are not the one one which like a duck floating in your bathtub! Dogs love to fetch floating toys within dog toy puzzle the pool as properly. Do try that out. An effective technique to coach a canine to unravel a puzzle is by treating them with their favorite meals.
The toy will be enjoyed in two fun methods: you can use it to play fetch or fill it with treats for impartial play. A pet food puzzle feeder is usually a actual blessing for canines that tend to gulp down their dinner and choke or expertise digestive upset consequently.
This ball could be loaded with kibble or treats that may fall out as your dog rolls the toy around and bites at it, or you’ll be able to fill it with one or just a few very giant biscuits or different treats that your dog will need to break up, so as to get out of the toy.
This interactive deal with ball dispenses food or treats more slowly than some other treat-shelling out interactive dog toys, making this a great option to assist preserve pets busy. The first draw back is that canine can nudge the slider that adjusts the opening and by chance shut or open the outlet all the best way.
Uncomplicated dog treat toy puzzle Solutions Described
The Dog Twister by Nina Ottosson and Outward Hound has a problem degree of advanced – this one is for dogs and canine homeowners who’re experienced avid gamers click for source. First comes a bored dog, then comes bother. Save your pillows, footwear, and yard from complete destruction with these mentally stimulating puzzles.
The distinctive design of the toy is carried out in ABS plastic materials, which is both durable and secure to make use of. The gradual shelling out of the treats prevents your pup from overeating, and the difficult mechanism of getting the treats out makes your dog work for every bit.
Merely insert the meals into the center of the toy. It’s going to grasp the item tightly, requiring your canine to pull it out. Discover top 10 best interactive dog toys to maintain your canine busy and study what dogs interactive toys are good for and what kind of interactive dog toy is true to your canine.
The StarMark Bob-A-Lot offers intense psychological stimulation in your canine’s cognitive features as well as provides him the each day advisable train he needs. His searching instincts are vastly enhanced whereas having to chase” for his meals. These toys work exceptionally successfully for canines puzzle toy who suffer from canine anxiousness Users recognize the reality that the Bob-A-Lot could be utilized on every carpets as well as tile and wooden flooring. On the draw back, nonetheless, this toy when used with kibble or laborious treats will get very noisy.
The toy has been designed to be perfect for medium to massive dogs that aren’t aggressive chewers. Also, it is machine-washable, making cleaning it straightforward for you and hygienic on your pooch. Energetic canines will love Chuck it! extremely balls – no other ball comes shut. Your only disappointment will be in the event you lose it. We love the KONG wobbler – a firm favorite in the dog world, providing hours of enjoyable.

domain: pet


text: I was at SEA the other day and I went to my usual spot of the UAL Cargo parking lot. However, for the first time ever, I was asked to leave by the Port of Seattle. They never used to care. Anyways, I couldn't go to any of my other airside spots because I had been warned, so I ended up driving to this baseball field on the approach. When it was about time to leave, I went looking fir this sewage plant that I always hear mentioned on this forum. I found it, but made no attempt to get into the parking lot as it was time for me to go. However, I did see several FAR warning signs on the fence. My question: do you need some kind of pass to get into this lot, and basically how do you get in? Thanks!

domain: geography


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Delivery within Luzon only. Minimum purchase of P1,500. Free shipping with P5,000 purchase. Limited product availability.
Woodstock Farms Organic Pecan Halves are a perfect garnish for desserts or baked goods. These are non-GMO, a good source of fiber and does not contain sodium.
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domain: food


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The rollout of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has decreased mortality in HIV-infected individuals in sub-Saharan Africa.1 Despite this, mortality remains high due to late HIV diagnosis, inadequate access to ART, and lack of diagnostic certainty with respect to opportunistic coinfections.2,3 Reliable information on the causes of death of HIV-infected individuals is needed to evaluate clinical management algorithms, to guide research, inform policy, and trace newly emerging diseases.4,5
Although a complete autopsy is the undisputed gold standard for establishing the cause of death, its practice is limited due to the need for well-trained staff and well-equipped health facilities, low acceptance rates, its mutilating nature, and the risk of disease transmission among others.6,7 Medical death certificates completed by the health care worker are often used as an alternative. However, the reliability when compared with complete autopsies is suboptimal and is expected to be worse in settings where access to diagnostics before death is limited.8,9
Therefore, other alternatives are studied including needle autopsy: postmortem percutaneous sampling of organs with a biopsy needle. This method overcomes some of the disadvantages of complete autopsy.10 In non–HIV-infected populations, needle autopsy accurately ascertained the cause of death in 43%–68% of cases when compared with complete autopsy.11,12 In HIV-infected patients, needle autopsies have been performed; however, a comparison with complete autopsy has never been published.13–15 In sub-Saharan Africa, needle autopsies have been mainly used in HIV-infected children to sample single organs and led to an organ-specific diagnosis in 62%–78%.16,17
A potential issue with needle autopsy is the lack of macroscopic evaluation. This could lead to sampling error, both of the target organ and any target lesion.11,14,15,18 Adding ultrasound guidance might overcome this. A South African study used ultrasound guidance to biopsy the spleen, kidneys, and heart, which led to successful biopsies in 87%, 100%, and 100%, respectively.13 However, HIV-infected individuals often die of disseminated infections and the likelihood of finding the cause of death in any of the sampled organs may be high.6,19
We sought to investigate needle autopsy, both blind and ultrasound guided, as a method to establish the cause of death in HIV-infected hospitalized patients in Uganda. We evaluated the agreement in cause of death between blind needle autopsy and complete autopsy and determined the added value of ultrasound guidance.
Setting and Population
The study was conducted from February until June 2013 in Mulago hospital, a tertiary level hospital in Kampala, Uganda. HIV-infected adults (aged >18 years) who died on one of the medicine wards were actively recruited by seeking written informed consent for study participation from their next of kin. In case an autopsy request reached the mortuary for a patient fulfilling the eligibility criteria from another hospital ward than the medicine wards, the next of kin was also approached for written informed consent. Patient inclusion took place from Monday to Saturday during working hours. For eligible patients dying outside this time frame, an attempt was made to reach the next of kin to ask consent. Postpartum deaths and deaths after trauma were excluded. The HIV serological status was based on documentation in the hospital chart. For feasibility reasons, a study period of 18 weeks with an anticipated number of 5 autopsies per week was used.
The needle autopsy took place within 4 hours after consent was granted in the hospital mortuary. One automated biopsy needle 14 G × 16 cm (Bard Max-Core disposable core biopsy instrument, Bard Inc., Covington, GA) was used per patient. The objective of the needle autopsy was to obtain adequate tissue for histological examination for each organ. The operator was free to perform as many punctures as needed; however, a minimum of 3 attempts and a reasonable maximum of approximately 10 attempts was set.
First, a blind needle autopsy was performed. Surface marking points and palpation were used to biopsy the brain, heart, liver, spleen, right and left kidneys, and right and left lungs. Then, an ultrasound-guided needle autopsy was performed using a pocketsize, portable ultrasound scan (Vscan V1.2; GE Healthcare, Horten, Norway) to biopsy the heart, liver, spleen, and both kidneys. The ultrasound scan was used for real-time guidance to the target organ. However, if ultrasound identified any lesion(s) within or outside the target organ, an attempt was made to also puncture that lesion. Finally, a complete autopsy was performed, including evisceration of the brain. After completing all study procedures, the body was embalmed. All tissue samples were fixed in 10% formalin, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slides were made from each tissue section.
Two teams of pathologists reviewed the H&E-stained slides. Per individual patient, 1 team read the slides from the blind needle autopsy followed by the slides from the ultrasound-guided autopsy. The other team read the slides from the complete autopsy. Whether the team read the slides of the needle or the complete autopsy depended on who had performed the complete autopsy; if a member of team A had performed the complete autopsy, those slides were allocated to team A (Fig. 1). The pathologists were blinded for any information obtained during needle autopsy when judging the complete autopsy slides and vice versa. The pathologists could request additional stains, including Ziehl Neelsen, Grocott silver, periodic acid–Shiff, Giemsa, Gram, and immunohistochemistry as indicated for complete diagnosis. Criteria for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis were the presence of acid-fast bacilli after Ziehl Neelsen staining or granuloma formation with the presence of giant cells or remarkable (caseous) necrosis not otherwise explained.
Each team agreed upon a maximum of 3 major diagnoses for the diseases directly contributing to death and a maximum of 5 minor diagnoses for the diseases not directly contributing to death. Ultrasound guidance was not used to biopsy the brain and the lungs. Therefore, the histological findings of the tissue obtained during ultrasound-guided autopsy were combined with the histological findings of the blind autopsy for brain and lungs. For example, if the major diagnosis was established in brain tissue, this diagnosis was also noted for the ultrasound-guided autopsy, even if the ultrasound-guided slides did not contain brain tissue. The pathologists were provided with the available clinical information. If a diagnosis was clinically established but not confirmed with autopsy, this diagnosis was not noted as outcome in any of the autopsy procedures.
Outcomes and Statistics
The primary outcome was concordance in major diagnosis between blind or ultrasound-guided needle autopsy (index test) and complete autopsy (gold standard). A major diagnosis was concordant if the exact disease was identified with the index test, for example, blind needle autopsy identifying pneumonia of unknown origin as major diagnosis and the complete autopsy identifying an Aspergillus pneumonia was considered as no concordance. We report both the proportion of major diagnoses that were identified with needle autopsy and the proportion of patients in which 1 or more major diagnoses were identified. We did subgroup analysis for the different disease categories: infections, malignancies, and other noncommunicable diseases.
When assessing the reason for not identifying the major diagnosis, 6 categories were defined (Box 1). When reporting the falsely identified major diagnoses, only diagnoses that were a different disease were considered. For example, if blind needle autopsy identified pneumonia of unknown origin as major diagnosis and the complete autopsy identified an Aspergillus pneumonia, we did not consider this a falsely identified major diagnosis.
- Sampling error organ: the needle autopsy did not obtain sufficient tissue for histological review of a target organ.
- Sampling error lesion: the needle biopsy did obtain sufficient tissue for histological review of a target organ but the tissue did not contain the major diagnosis involved.
- Major diagnosis in tissue not sampled in needle autopsy: the major diagnosis established with complete autopsy was identified in an organ that was not a target organ of the needle autopsy, for example, digestive tract in the case of gastrointestinal Kaposi's sarcoma.
- Difference in interpretation of histological findings: histological assessment of the tissue obtained with needle autopsy did show abnormality but the major diagnosis that was established with complete autopsy was not identified, for example, the blind needle autopsy identified pneumonia of unknown origin as major diagnosis and the complete autopsy identified Aspergillus pneumonia.
- Major diagnosis based on macroscopic evaluation: the major diagnosis established with complete autopsy was mainly based on the macroscopic evaluation, for example, a saddle pulmonary embolus.
- Minor diagnosis in needle autopsy: the major diagnosis established with complete autopsy was identified as a minor diagnosis in the needle autopsy.
Data were analyzed using STATA version 11.0 (Stata Corp, College Station, TX). Proportions are reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). To compare proportions, a χ2 test, McNemar's test, or a Fisher exact test was performed when appropriate. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
The study received ethical approval from the Joint Clinical Research Center Research and Ethics Committee (Uganda), the Mulago Internal Review Board (Uganda), and the Institute of Tropical Medicine Institutional Review Board (Belgium). The study received final approval and registration by the Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (HS 1300).
We obtained informed consent for 99 patients and performed 96 complete and blind needle autopsies and 95 ultrasound-guided needle autopsies. The median duration between death and autopsy procedures was 7 hours [interquartile range (IQR), 4–12]. Fifty-seven percent of patients were female, the median age was 35 years (IQR, 29–40), the median CD4 cell count was 47 cells per microliter (IQR, 17–165), 78% used cotrimoxazole prophylactic treatment, and 61% used ART. Complete autopsy revealed infections as a cause of death in 91% of patients, malignancies in 14%, and other noncommunicable diseases in 22% of patients (Table 1). TB was the main major diagnosis and was identified in 44% of patients.
Concordance Complete and Blind Needle Autopsy
Complete autopsy identified 121 major diagnoses in 92 patients; in 4 patients, no cause of death was identified. Concordance in the major diagnosis between blind needle and complete autopsy was 50% (95% CI: 40 to 59). No significant difference in concordance between the different disease categories was identified; concordance in infections was 54% (95% CI: 43 to 65), in malignancies 31% (95% CI: 9 to 61), and in other noncommunicable diseases 43% (95% CI: 22 to 66) (Table 2). TB, Cryptococcus neoformans infection, and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia were the diagnoses with the highest concordance, in respectively, 71% (95% CI: 55 to 84), 69% (95% CI: 39 to 91), and 100% (95% CI: 29 to 100), with significantly higher concordance for TB when compared with all other diagnosis (P < 0.01).
Complete autopsy identified 2 major diagnoses in 27% of patients and 3 major diagnoses in 2%. In 46% (95% CI: 35 to 56) of patients, there was complete concordance for all major diagnoses and in 60% (95% CI: 49 to 70) for at least 1 major diagnosis. In patients with multiple major diagnoses, the second diagnosis was identified significantly less frequently than the first (19% versus 59%, P = 0.002).
The main reason for lack of concordance between the complete and blind needle autopsy was sampling error of the lesion (36%, 95% CI: 24 to 49) (Table 2). Thirty percent (95% CI: 19 to 43) of major diagnoses were missed because the major diagnosis was in an organ that was not sampled with the needle autopsy or because the macroscopic examination was needed to establish the major diagnosis.
Added Value of Ultrasound Guidance
Ultrasound-guided needle autopsy identified 4 additional major diagnoses; 3 true-positive diagnoses of TB and 1 false-positive diagnosis of hepatic failure. Therefore, concordance between ultrasound-guided needle autopsy and complete autopsy was 52% (95% CI: 42 to 61) for all major diagnoses, 57% (95% CI: 46 to 68) for all infectious major diagnosis, and 79% (95% CI: 63 to 90) for TB. In 46% (95% CI: 35 to 56) of patients, there was complete concordance for all major diagnoses. At least 1 major diagnosis was identified in 62% (95% CI: 51 to 72) of patients. None of these outcomes were significantly different compared with blind needle autopsy.
The 3 additional TB diagnoses were made in tissue of organs that were also successfully sampled in the blind needle autopsy, but did not contain the pathologic lesions. The false-positive diagnosis hepatic failure was identified as minor diagnosis in complete autopsy.
Blind needle autopsy identified 12 false-positive major diagnoses. Five of these (42%) were diseases that were considered a minor diagnosis in the complete autopsy: renal failure (n = 2), hepatic failure (n = 1), chronic aspecific meningitis (n = 1), and bacterial pneumonia (n = 1). In 3 patients (25%), blind needle autopsy identified 2 major diagnoses: bacterial pneumonia plus TB (n = 2) and plus Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 1). Complete autopsy confirmed the TB and Kaposi's sarcoma, but not the bacterial superinfections for these cases. In 2 patients (15%), blind needle autopsy missed the major diagnosis pulmonary TB, but falsely identified a bacterial pneumonia. Two diagnoses, intracerebral hemorrhage and bacterial pneumonia were identified with blind needle autopsy while complete autopsy did not identify any pathological lesion in the involved organs for these patients. For none of the bacterial pneumonias, Gram staining was requested.
Yield per Organ
Major diagnoses identified with complete autopsy were mainly present in the lung (63%, 95% CI: 54 to 72), the liver (44%, 95% CI: 35 to 53), and the spleen (34%, 95% CI: 25 to 43), excluding the 7 major diagnoses that needed macroscopic examination for confirmation (Table 3). This was the same for the different disease categories, although other noncommunicable diseases showed a trend to appear more often in the liver compared with the other categories (65%, 95% CI: 39 to 90, P = 0.06). TB was mainly present in the lungs (83%, 95% CI: 72 to 95), the liver (71%, 95% CI: 57 to 86), and the spleen (69%, 95% CI: 54 to 84).
Blind needle autopsy was most successful in identifying those major diagnoses that were evident in the liver (76%, 95% CI: 62 to 87) and the spleen (82%, 95% CI: 66 to 92). Only 40% (95% CI: 29 to 53) of the major diagnoses located in the lungs (Fig. 2) were identified. TB located in the lungs was identified with blind needle autopsy in 40% (95% CI: 24 to 58), in the liver in 73% (95% CI: 54 to 88), and in the spleen in 79% (95% CI: 60 to 92).
This is the first study to evaluate the concordance in cause of death between (ultrasound guided) needle autopsy and complete autopsy in HIV-infected adults. Blind needle autopsy identified half of the major diagnoses. For TB, the most prevalent cause of death, the concordance was significantly higher. The addition of ultrasound guidance did not improve the performance of needle autopsy. Most major diagnoses were located in the lungs; however, needle biopsy most successfully identified major diagnoses in the liver and spleen.
The concordance we found is comparable with the results obtained with blind needle autopsies in HIV-uninfected adults; however, 1 study found concordance in 67% of all major diagnoses.11,20,21 In this study, needle biopsies of heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys were combined with cultures of spleen and lungs for all patients and bone marrow biopsies on indication. Without these additional tests, concordance was 51%.20
The main reason for discordance was the absence of disease in the tissue obtained with needle biopsy. This can be the result of too few samples per organ, too little variation in sampling location within the organs and/or the lack of visual evaluation to guide the sampling. The addition of ultrasound guidance was intended to overcome this last issue. Portable ultrasound machines are increasingly available at relatively low costs and are therefore the imaging mode most easily applied in a resource-limited setting.22 However, we did not find a significant increase in concordance with ultrasound guidance. Other imaging modalities including computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging have been studied, mainly as a noninvasive replacement of complete autopsies.23,24 For now, these modalities seem a long way from being feasible in resource-limited settings.
Another way to increase the performance of the needle autopsy could be the addition of microbiology. A South African study that combined (ultrasound guided) needle autopsy with microbiology identified 7 of 101 diagnoses exclusively with cultures, and a definite etiologic pathogen was found in another 5 patients.13 A study from Zimbabwe sampled lung tissue of 24 children and found 9 positive long tissue cultures (6 times gram-negative and 3 times gram-positive bacteria). The blood culture identified the same bacteria in 4 cases. Agreement with the histology and the clinical findings were not reported.17 Even in complete autopsy series, microbiology revealed diseases that remained histologically and clinically undiagnosed like Salmonella sp. sepsis.25 However, obtaining cultures postmortem also has disadvantages; adding extra tests offsets the simplicity and noninvasive nature of the needle autopsy, overgrowth of endogenous bacterial flora may render the microbiology results difficult to interpret and their yield might be limited in a setting where many patients receive broad-spectrum antibiotics in the 24 hours before death.
An important proportion (30%) of major diagnoses were missed because of reasons intrinsic to the procedure as we performed it; macroscopic findings were needed or the major diagnosis was established in tissue not sampled in the needle biopsy procedure such as the meninges, gastrointestinal tract, and lymph nodes. These organs are not easily obtained with blind needle autopsy. To improve the method, needle biopsy protocols that include clinical symptoms could be formulated to guide the sampling. For example, in a patient with symptoms of meningitis, an effort should be made to obtain meningeal tissue.
The majority of false-positive diagnoses were bacterial pneumonias. In bedridden, hospitalized patients defense mechanisms of the upper airway are less functional. Therefore, some degree of pulmonary inflammation is probably present in a large proportion of patients. The presence of a small mixed inflammatory infiltrate with neutrophilic granulocytes will prompt a pathologist immediately toward a diagnosis of pneumonia. However, because the extend of the pneumonia is difficult to estimate in small tissue cores as obtained with needle biopsy this may lead to false-positive results.
Although the groups were small and the differences were nonsignificant, there seems to be a trend that macroscopic judgment is most important in the diagnosis of other noncommunicable diseases. In a global transition period where noncommunicable diseases become more important, both in non–HIV-infected and (treated) HIV-infected patients, this could be of importance.4,26
Concordance in the second major diagnosis was significantly lower than in the first. We know that hospitalized HIV-infected patients often have multiple diseases when they die.19,25,27 Therefore, a high suspicion for more than 1 major diagnosis is needed in these patients, also in histopathological review.
Our study has several shortcomings. To prevent carryover effect, per individual patient, the slides of needle and complete autopsy were read by different teams. Although both teams consisted of experienced pathologists, differences in pathological judgment rather than differences in the tissue obtained cannot be ruled out. Moreover, the differentiation between major and minor diagnosis is subjective and further complicated by limited availability of clinical information. The large proportion of discordances in major and minor diagnosis reflects this. Finally, we used relatively stringent criteria to decide if concordance was present, and we took major diagnosis like unspecified pulmonary congestion into account. Therefore, our estimates of concordance are conservative.
We have determined the diagnostic value of needle autopsy in HIV-infected adults in Uganda. With a concordance rate of approximately 50%, one may question if this method is of value. This will depend on the setting and the aim of the needle biopsy. In settings where complete autopsy is not available, currently, cause of death is based on death certification and/or verbal autopsy. The accuracy of death certification is poor when compared with complete autopsy in HIV-infected patients.6,28,29 Verbal autopsies have so far only been validated against medical certificates.30,31 Needle autopsy increased accuracy and improves diagnostic certainty by providing histologic evidence for a certain disease. For example, in the case of TB, we found that 50% (n = 21) of the complete autopsy confirmed TB cases were not on TB treatment premortem. Needle autopsy identified 76% (n = 16) of these untreated TB cases. This indicates the high yield of needle autopsy for a frequent disease like TB when compared with clinical diagnosis.
In conclusion, blind needle autopsies are more accurate than clinical diagnosis but do not approach the accuracy of complete autopsies. Targeted needle biopsy protocols based on clinical symptoms or the addition of microbiology might improve the diagnostic yield. However, when adding extra steps, one must keep in mind that needle autopsies should remain easy to perform, acceptable, and safe to be a valid alternative for complete autopsy.
The authors thank all the relatives who provided consent for study participation. Moreover, they thank Moses Kamya, Head of the Department of Medicine, Makerere University, and the staff of the medicine wards of Mulago Hospital. They also thank Dr. Male-Mutumba, Dr. Asafu Munema, and Dr. Eva Mbwilo, the staff of the Mulago Hospital mortuary, in particular Mr. Edrisa Katende and the staff of the Makerere University Pathology laboratory, in particular Miss Betty Namwase. They thank prof. Lammens, head of the Pathology Department of the University of Antwerp and Christophe Hermans.
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from 235 causes of death for 20 age groups in 1990 and 2010: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet. 2012;380:2095–2128.
5. Vogel G. Global health. How do you count the dead? Science. 2012;336:1372–1374.
6. Cox JA, Lukande RL, Lucas S, et al.. Autopsy causes of death in HIV
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8. Shojania KG, Burton EC, McDonald KM, et al.. Changes in rates of autopsy-detected diagnostic errors over time: a systematic review. JAMA. 2003;289:2849–2856.
9. Thurnheer R, Hoess C, Doenecke C, et al.. Diagnostic performance in a primary referral hospital assessed by autopsy: evolution over a ten-year period. Eur J Intern Med. 2009;20:784–787.
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with conventional autopsy in neonates. Fetal Pediatr Pathol. 2009;28:139–150.
13. Wong EB, Omar T, Setlhako GJ, et al.. Causes of death on antiretroviral therapy: a post-mortem study from South Africa. PLoS One. 2012;7:e47542.
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domain: medical


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Let’s talk about some annoying questions that are posed by straight and LGT folks to those of us who are bi.
“What is the first thing that attracted you to women?”
I dunno, what was the first thing that attracted YOU to women? Maybe it was my desire to be constantly asked stupid shit like, “Why do you like women?” or “If you like women why are you married to a man?” Perhaps it was the activist in me getting an early start on fucking with heteronormativity. Or maybe–just maybe–it’s my fucking sexuality and that is why I’m attracted to women.
“How many women have you had sex with?”
Normally I would just say “None of your fucking business,” but for the purposes of this post I’ll go for it. 0. I have never had sex with a woman.
“How do you know you like women if you’ve never had sex with them?”
The same way I knew I liked men before I had sex with one. The same way you knew who you were attracted to when you were still a virgin.
“But you’re married to a man.”
Yes. I fell in love with a man. If I had fallen in love with a woman I’d be married to her.
“Bisexuality isn’t real, you just can’t make up your mind.”
Uh, thanks. Pro-tip: I fucking exist so yeah, bisexuality is real. Telling people who they are, what they believe, or how they feel is really fucking obnoxious. Your lack of understanding of something does not negate its existence.
“Isn’t bi just what girls say so guys will want to have sex with them?”
No. No, it really isn’t.
“So do you have sex with anyone?”
No, I have sex with people I am attracted to and want to have sex with. That narrows down the field considerably. Hint: if you’re asking any of these questions, you’re probably not on that list.
“So you’re still in the closet.”
No. I came out a few years ago. I am very firmly out of the closet and open about my sexuality. I am physically and emotionally attracted to men and women.
“Do you prefer one over the other?”
Yes! This is one of the things I don’t think a lot of people understand about bisexuality. I prefer men to women. I really love penises. But I think women are beautiful and there are some women I would looove to be with, sexually and/or relationship-wise. I am more picky about women than men.
“It’s just a phase/you’re just experimenting.”
Yeah, no, I’m really not. Unless it’s a 24 year phase…no. It’s my sexuality, deal with it.
“You’re just a slut.”
Okay. Wait…is that supposed to be a bad thing? “You get sex!” YES. I consider that to be a pretty damn amazing thing! I do get sex! And I love it! Thank you for reminding me how great my life is 🙂
There you go. There are some common questions/statements I and some of my other bi friends have dealt with. Don’t like it? Don’t date someone who’s bi! Easy-peasy. Oh, and also stop fetishizing us. We’re not your fantasy. We aren’t going to jump into bed with you and/or your partner just because we’re bi.


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Investor fears about profit deterioration deepening as a consequence of a worsening worldwide recession, as government efforts to revive the credit markets sputter, pushed down the prices of all your stocks. The stock market as measured by the S&P has declined 16% since the start of the year. Managements’ cautionary statements about declines in sales and profits rendered even good fourth quarter results inconsequential. All your companies stocks are selling at prices that make them good values. In our judgment a crucial test of these, and other companies of comparable quality that we know well, is management’s ability to cut costs to preserve cash, maintain profitability and position the business to profit from new opportunities emerging when the economy starts expanding. Getting rid of the vestiges of promising initiatives that failed to perform is one of the keys to revitalizing a business and the sign of undaunted, realistic management. We are in the midst of asking companies about the actions taken to reduce costs and are deferring purchases until we complete our assessment. The insights from the able managers we know well helps us understand and evaluate what others tell us. We believe these investigations will save and make money for you. This process reinforces our determination to invest on the basis of facts about the businesses we would own and not on macroeconomic forecasts. Your portfolios hold significant cash reserves which has helped buffer the decline in market value resulting from the punishing fall in stock prices.
State Street Corporation
A fourth quarter increase of $5.5 billion in State Street’s unrealized loss on $100 billion of asset-backed securities held in the company’s portfolio and in four funds it administers and guarantees for mutual fund customers diverted investor attention from the company’s good fourth quarter operating results. Fears then and wariness now, of the effect these escalating losses might have on State Street’s required regulatory capital have rattled investors. Management’s decisions to book a $302 million fourth quarter restructuring charge, to pay for staff cuts, and its payment of $450 million to restore most of the market value lost in fixed-income funds managed by SSGA wiped out all but 15¢ per share of State Street’s fourth quarter earnings. Negligible earnings, rising portfolio losses and fears about capital adequacy drove State Street’s stock price down 60% on January 20 when earnings were reported and commented upon by management. On February 5, the day of its scheduled annual analyst meeting, State Street’s management announced it had rescinded $278 million of employee incentive compensation, cut its quarterly dividend to 1¢ per share, saving $99 million annually and committed to shrink the size of its investment portfolio by almost $4 billion a quarter during 2009. It will accomplish that by investing the proceeds from scheduled maturities of asset-backed securities in State Street’s account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The company already has deposited $8 billion received from securities maturing at year-end. State Street’s stock price improved in response to these actions, demonstrating management’s commitment to strengthen the company’s capital position. The way these decisions were taken, however, indicates that management may be daunted by all that has happened. The stock price, after rebounding from its low, is down 39% from the beginning of the year.
The CME Group
CME’s pro forma revenues of $692 million and $3.1 billion in the fourth quarter and for the full year 2008 rose 1% and 11% respectively. Pro forma earnings of $3.58 and $16.17 per share during the quarter and the year were flat and rose 16% respectively. These are respectable results considering that during the fourth quarter average daily volume declined 14% to 10.4 million contracts. Transaction volume reached a low point in December 2008 when 8.2 million contracts traded per day. In January and February 2009, 9.5 million and 10.8 million contracts per day traded, down 41% and 28% respectively year-over-year, but up 16% and 32% respectively from the December nadir. March volumes to date are 11.8 million contracts per day.
Consolidation of trading platforms and integration of common functions after the 2007 combination with the Chicago Board of Trade and 2008 acquisition of the New York Mercantile Exchange led to a 2% decline in pro forma operating expenses to $1.1 billion, resulting in an operating margin of 65% versus 60% the prior year. CME’s compensation as a percent of revenue has declined to 12% in 2008, down from 14% in 2007 and 17% in 2006. (It is 27% at the New York Stock Exchange and 49% at Goldman Sachs.) In the fourth quarter of 2008, 82% of CME revenues came from clearing and transaction fees with 28% from equity index products, 21% energy, 19% interest rate, and 14% from commodities and foreign exchange products. CME shares are 3% below the price at the start of the year.
Automatic Data Processing
Revenues of $2.2 billion during ADP’s fiscal second quarter rose 5.5% before a 3% reduction from foreign exchange. Earnings of 59¢ per share from continuing operations rose 11%. During the quarter the company acquired 5.1 million shares at $37.25 per share, after purchasing 6.1 million shares during its fiscal first quarter for $42.50 per share. Revenues generated from core U.S. payroll and payroll tax filing increased 3% while add-on services rose 10%. Employees per existing client payroll have begun to decline, falling 0.6% during the quarter. ADP’s Professional Employer Organization (PEO) increased average worksite employees by 13% to 193,000, generating quarterly revenues of $283 million, up 14%. Reflecting weaker new sales activity ADP is reducing operating expenses while continuing to invest in products and client-facing resources. ADP’s annual dividend of $1.32 generates a current yield of 4%. ADP shares have declined 11% since the beginning of the year.
EnCana reported fourth quarter earnings of 60¢ per share, 40% lower than the $1.17 earned in the year ago quarter. Cash flow from operations declined 32% to $1.73 per share from $2.56 realized in the fourth quarter of 2007. The declines in earnings and cash flow are primarily attributable to a 30% drop in the price realized for the heavy oil produced by EnCana’s integrated oilsands joint venture with Conoco, along with refining margins for the joint venture 30% lower than last year. Gains realized on natural gas hedges enabled EnCana to realize a price of $7.18 per thousand cubic feet (mcf) comparable to the price realized a year ago without any hedge benefit. Absent hedges, EnCana would have gotten a price of $5.54 per mcf. Gas production increased 4% quarter-to-quarter. During the year, EnCana added 2.5 trillion cubic feet to its proven natural gas reserves, raising the total to 13.7 trillion cubic feet. EnCana has hedged two-thirds of its 2009 natural gas production at an average price of $9.13 per mcf, substantially above a current price of $3.87 per mcf. These valuable hedges are not just a lucky happenstance, but instead are an example of EnCana’s determination to prudently lock in returns, and thereby, protect the capital commitments it must make to sustain production on its properties. The company has prepared a flexible, but disciplined capital spending program for 2009 which permits it to curtail or increase drilling expenditures in its most promising fields if depressed natural gas prices keep profit margins
tight or production costs fall, widening margins. EnCana’s stock price has declined 16% since the start of the year, while natural gas prices have fallen 31%.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.
CH Robinson’s growth slowed in the fourth quarter as a result of the sustained slow freight environment. Fourth quarter net revenues and earnings of $344 million and 52¢ per share rose 6.6% and 6.1% respectively. Full year 2008 net revenues and earnings of $1.4 billion and $2.08 per share rose 10.5% and 11.8% respectively. Despite a 4% decline in truckload volumes in the fourth quarter, Robinson’s truck business generated 3% profit growth as a result of a lower cost of hire for trucks. Robinson continues to expand its services to meet customers diverse supply chain needs. Its freight forwarding and transportation management business rose 26% in the fourth quarter and for the full year. Truckload volumes deteriorated during the fourth quarter and through the start of 2009 with volumes down 8% in January. Robinson has stopped replacing voluntary and performance-based attrition which will reduce personnel costs. Robinson’s variable-cost business model results in lower expenses when revenues fall, protecting profitability. Cash generated from operations rose 45% during 2008 with a significant improvement in working capital accounting for one-half of the year over year increase. The company has nearly $500 million in cash on its balance sheet and no debt. Robinson’s stock is down 23% since the start of the year.
Express Scripts, Inc.
Express Scripts reported fourth quarter and full year 2008 earnings of 83¢ and $3.13 per share, increases of 28% and 36% over the same periods last year. Operating earnings per claim increased 16% during the quarter and the year to $2.90 and $2.72 respectively. Generic drug utilization rates reached new highs of 67.3% for the quarter and 66.1% for the year. The 2008 generic drug utilization rate rose 4.3 percentage points over the rate for 2007. As the economy weakened, both plan sponsors and members turned to Express Scripts’ programs to save money. Members lowered their total co-pays for the second year in a row by taking advantage of the opportunities to save money by using more generic and low-cost branded drugs. The company’s stock price is down 14% since the beginning of the year. It declined 10% since Express Scripts reported its fourth quarter results on February 26 because of the uncertainty of the impact of the administration’s health care reform proposal on the future profitability of the company.
IDEXX Laboratories is the leading provider of diagnostic and information technology products and services to veterinarians that care for pets. The company reported fourth quarter and 2008 revenues of $243.3 million and $1.0 billion, increases of 6.5% and 9% in local currencies. Foreign exchange offset revenue growth by 5% during the quarter. Earnings per share were 44¢ and $1.90 for the quarter and the year, increases of 10% and 20% respectively. Revenues from diagnostic instrument consumables declined 5% to 6% during the quarter because pet-owners deferred annual check-ups and elective procedures such as teeth-cleanings for their pets. Sales of consumable products for IDEXX Lab’s installed base of diagnostic instruments account for 60% of total revenue.
The decline in consumables’ sales was offset by sales of new products. In addition to the launch of new diagnostic tests for both cats and dogs, IDEXX Labs placed 500 Catalyst Dx machines, bringing the installed base to 750. The Catalyst Dx, IDEXX Labs’ new chemistry analyzer, automates sample preparation, reducing the time to run routine tests on blood and urine samples to the time it takes to prepare a sample to send to an outside lab. The company expects to place 2,000 instruments in vet clinics in 2009. The chemistry analyzer is the most widely used diagnostic instrument in the clinic, and IDEXX Labs has an installed base of 30,000 chemistry analyzers worldwide. The company also reported fourth quarter revenue growth of 15% for its practice management and digital radiography systems. IDEXX Labs continues to invest in better connectivity of its instruments and its practice management system to improve the efficiency of vet practices and to capture revenue for all of the services they perform. Vets that use paper forms to record tests and procedures miss as much as 15% of the billable revenues. IDEXX Labs’ stock is down 13% since the beginning of the year.
Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
Varian Medical Systems reported strong fiscal first quarter results with revenues, orders and earnings all growing more than 10% over the first quarter of 2008. Revenues rose 13% to $509 million and earnings grew 14% to 56¢ per share. Oncology Systems, X-Ray Products and Security and Inspection products posted order growth of 11%, 21% and 15% respectively. RapidArc continues to drive the growth of Oncology Systems. During the quarter hospitals and clinics accessed credit to place at least 125 orders for radiation systems capable of performing RapidArc treatments, bringing total orders for the last twelve months to 425. More than 70 systems are being used to treat patients. Revenues for the X-ray Products business rose 23% to $86 million with strong growth in both x-ray tubes and flat panels for filmless x-ray imaging. Net orders for Security and Inspection products increased 15% because of a bulk order for units that will be installed in the Middle East. Varian’s stock price has fallen 16% since the beginning of the year. Investors sold the stock in the days after the announcement of the administration’s health care reform proposal sending the stock price down 7.5%.
Stryker reported fourth quarter and 2008 revenues of $1.7 billion and $6.7 billion, increases of 7.7% and 12% in constant currency. Foreign currency reduced the quarter’s sales in U.S. dollars by 4.1% and annual sales by 1.5%. The company reigned in costs quickly by stopping sales force expansion and curtailing some projects as sales deteriorated at the end of October. This action contributed to earnings of 74¢ per share for the quarter and $2.78 per share for the year, increases of 12.1% and 18% respectively.
Fourth quarter Orthopaedic Implant sales of $1.0 billion rose 8.9% with knees, spine, trauma and CMF (head and jaw) implants delivering double-digit revenue growth. MedSurg revenues rose 6% during the quarter to $701 million. Declining hospital capital expenditures in the U.S. slowed the revenue growth of the U.S. endoscopy and medical businesses. Endoscopy sales also fell in expectation of the launch of a higher resolution camera and a wireless 26 inch high definition TV monitor. Double-digit growth in the international endoscopy and medical businesses offset some of the weakness in the U.S. businesses. The instrument business delivered strong sales growth in the U.S. and weaker growth internationally.
Stryker spent $50 – $55 million on its global compliance initiative in 2008 and expects to spend $60 – $90 million in 2009, the second year of its three year effort. This initiative remains a work-in-progress as demonstrated by the recall of a cranial implant because the vendor received an FDA warning letter. Stryker’s compliance program includes validating vendors to ensure that they are compliant with FDA regulations. While Stryker had twice as many uneventful FDA inspections in 2008, they want the three FDA warning letters lifted in 2009. Stryker’s stock price has fallen 18% since the beginning of the year. It has dropped 11% since February 27 because investors sold health care stocks in light of the uncertainty of the administration’s health care reform proposal on Stryker’s future profitability.
SGS reported strong results for the second half and the full year 2008 with revenues in constant currency up 18% and earnings per share up 14% during each period. Cash flow from operations of $750 million during the year was used to fund capital expenditures of $265 million, shares repurchases of $210 million and fourteen acquisitions at a cost of $175 million which added 3% to revenue growth. Cash flow also contributed $255 million toward dividend payments. During the year, SGS received $108 million after-tax from the Government of the Philippines related to unpaid receivables from work completed in 2002 enabling SGS’ Board to declare a dividend payment 40% above its ordinary amount. On March 26 shareholders will receive their pro-rata share of this $365 million payment which represents a dividend yield of 4.5% at the current share price. SGS Minerals, Industrial and Consumer Testing Services businesses each rose 20% or more during 2008. The sharp fourth quarter decline in commodity prices will reduce exploration and project spending by SGS customers in 2009, slowing revenue and profit growth. SGS management focus on the capital expenditures, working capital and operating expenses of each of their ten business divisions. Reductions implemented in the second half of 2008 continue in 2009. Labor costs, which accounts for 54% of revenue will fluctuate with revenue changes at each division, protecting margins. SGS shares have declined 7% since the start of the year.
Mettler-Toledo’s fourth quarter sales were $509.7 million, a decrease of 4%. Foreign currency declined 5% offsetting 1% growth in local currencies during the quarter. Annual sales of $2.0 billion rose 10% over 2007 with 6% growth in local currencies and a 4% benefit from foreign exchange. Earnings per share for the quarter and the year were $1.98 and $5.76, increases of 15% and 22% respectively. Performance during the quarter was mixed with Laboratory revenues down 2%, Industrial revenues up 2% with strong sales from the product inspection business and Food Retail sales up 6% with strong sales growth across all regions.
Mettler-Toledo has approached the economic downturn with the realistic outlook and attention to detail that characterizes their day-to-day management of the business. The company began implementing a cost-cutting initiative during the fourth quarter as sales began to soften. The company will reduce its workforce by 5% to save $40 million in operating expenses annually. This initiative, which will cost $15 to $20 million, enabled the company to deliver 6% growth in operating income during the fourth quarter. The company’s stock price dropped over 9% the day after they announced the fourth quarter results, the cost-cutting program and their response to a precipitous decline in sales in the month of January. On March 12, CFO Bill Donnelly reported to investors that the company drew down its $650 million credit line because of concerns that their lenders would pull it. The company is managing the businesses quarter to quarter and plans to inform investors about a second cost-cutting initiative when they report first quarter earnings in April. Mettler-Toledo’s stock price is down 32% since the beginning of the year.
We sold your Amdocs shares on January 22, the day after the company reported its fiscal first quarter results. Revenues for the quarter rose 1.6% to $754 million over the same period a year ago, while earnings declined 1% to 43¢ per share. Sales were 6% lower than the company projected. While service providers did not cancel any projects during the quarter, they delayed signing contracts for new projects. These projects account for 30% of the company’s annual revenue. Amdocs’ management expects that it will be more difficult to get deals signed during fiscal year 2009, especially large deals that require board approval, and thus cannot forecast 2009 revenues. The company reduced operating costs by $60 million in the first quarter to maintain the operating margin they delivered in the previous quarter. Management continues to reduce operating expenses in preparation for a possible revenue decline of 9% to 12%. While Amdocs’ telecom customers have cut their investment in new projects, the cable and satellite business remains strong with increased revenue from Comcast and the signing of a major deal with Rogers Communications, a leading cable and wireless provider in Canada.
Donaldson Company, Inc.
Donaldson experienced a sharp broad-based decline in orders during its fiscal second quarter with sales down 10% to $461 million and operating profits down 37% from the prior year. The company has reduced its workforce by 1,850 and is implementing restructuring and cost reductions to cut annual operating expenses by $85 million. Donaldson’s Engine Products business suffered the sharpest decline while aerospace and defense, retrofit emissions and gas turbine filter sales remained strong. Geographically, sales in the Americas were flat, Europe was down 7% and Asia down 14%. On highway truck filter sales to OEM’s (original equipment manufacturers) dropped 43% to $16 million during the quarter, while filter sales to OEM’s of off-road vehicles fell 12%. Demand from aerospace and defense customers offset weak demand from global construction, mining and light industrial applications. Replacement filters, which account for 54% of engine filter sales declined 11% as lower equipment utilization reduces replacement sales. Industrial filter sales fell 8% during the quarter while gas turbine filter sales rose 38% to $57 million. Fiscal 2009 will mark the first year-over-year decline in Donaldson’s earnings in 19 years. Its stock price has declined 25% since the beginning of the year.
PepsiCo reported fourth quarter and full year 2008 revenues of $12.8 billion and $43.3 billion, increases of 3% and 10% over the same periods last year. Earnings per share were 88¢ and $3.67 per share for the quarter and the year, up 11% and 9% respectively. The earnings results do not include mark-to-market losses on commodity hedges or restructuring charges from the Productivity for Growth program or from the Pepsi Bottling Group. In 2008 global snack and beverage volumes were both up 3% with international beverages up 10% and international snacks up 5.5%. Frito-Lay North America held volume virtually flat during the year despite implementing unprecedented price increases to offset commodity price inflation. Revenue in grocery and convenience stores rose almost three times as fast as average revenue growth in the total store. Frito-Lay delivers snacks to stores once a week and gives them thirty days to pay. The local sales force continually adjusts the products delivered to respond to changes in consumer demand. The three-week float provides retailers with cash.
Performance of the North American beverage business remained weak during the quarter. Net revenue fell 10% and operating profit fell 16% as a result of lower volumes and higher input costs. The brand revitalization program began at the end of the fourth quarter with the successful re-launch of 1,200 items. Pepsi will launch new value items such as 18-packs and a sixteen ounce can of soda priced at 99¢. The company also recently introduced zero calorie SoBe Light water and Tropicana50, orange juice which has half the calories of regular orange juice. These beverages are the first to be sweetened with the natural sweetener stevia. PepsiCo’s stock price is down 12% since the beginning of the year.
Intel drastically reduced chip production to meet the steep declines in demand for microprocessors and chipsets after sales of notebooks and PC’s declined precipitously in mid-October. Revenues for the fourth quarter of $8.2 billion fell 23% below the fourth quarter of 2007. Earnings for the quarter and the year were 4¢ and 92¢ per share. Both include a $1 billion or 23¢ per share charge for writing down Intel’s investment in Clearwire, an internet services provider that uses a WiMAX network. Fourth quarter sales of Atom processors were $300 million, a 50% increase over the third quarter. The Atom microprocessor is about half as powerful as the lowest-end Celeron chip that is used in low-cost notebook computers and is more profitable. Atom processors have about one-fourth the capabilities of the Centrino chips used in higher-end notebooks. The 32 nanometer manufacturing process will allow Intel to combine the Atom microprocessor and its chipset into a system-on-a-chip. Intel expects these new chips to remain profitable as the cost of the final products, netbooks and other consumer electronic products, decline. Intel’s stock price has held up well since the beginning of the year, declining 4.5%.
Western Union’s fourth quarter and full year 2008 revenues of $1.3 billion and $5.3 billion declined 1% and rose 8% respectively. Fourth quarter and full year earnings of 34¢ and $1.24 per share rose 6% and 12% respectively. The company’s 2008 cash flow from operations of $1.25 billion less capital expenditures of $154 million exceeded net income by 20%. Western Union’s consumer-to-consumer money transfers rose 9% in the fourth quarter and 12% during 2008 to 49.1 million and 167.7 million respectively. Agent locations reached 375,000 at year end, up 12% or 40,000 from the prior year. In 2008 the company handled $67 billion of cross-border transfers, up 17% from the prior year, though the average amount of each transfer declined in the fourth quarter, reducing revenues and profit per transfer. The decline in the average amount transferred and the associated reduction in profit per transfer is continuing in 2009. The company’s cost per transfer declines as well as 65% of expenses are variable. Western Union is reducing its fixed operating costs by consolidating or closing certain call center and IT facilities, incurring $83 million of restructuring expenses during 2008. These actions will reduce annual operating costs by $40 million beginning in 2009. Western Union shares have declined 16% since the start of the year.
Exxon-Mobil reported fourth quarter earnings of $1.55 per share, 27% below last year’s quarterly results. The earnings decline is almost entirely attributable to oil price realizations 40% below the year ago price on production volumes 1% lower as a consequence of production sharing agreements with host country governments. Quarterly earnings from the company’s refining operations were 6% higher than during the comparable year ago period. This improvement was achieved through efficiently operating the company’s well-planned and constructed overseas integrated refinery and petrochemical facilities which can quickly adapt to process as many as 135 different crudes. This flexibility lowers costs and boosts margins. The company’s U.S. refineries produced a loss. During the quarter, the company announced plans to invest $1 billion to produce low sulfur diesel at three refineries in the U.S. and Europe. At year-end, Exxon had $31 billion in cash on its balance sheet. Its stock price is 18% lower than it was at year-end.

domain: economics


George Zimmerman father speaks out
Father is revealed as retired magistrate court judge; causing questions of preferential treatment in son’s past criminal cases.
By Danielle Canada
The father of 28-year-old George Zimmerman is speaking out in his son's defense. Robert Zimmerman of Lake Mary, Fla., wrote a letter last week to The Orlando Sentinel calling the depiction of his son in the media "cruel and misleading." He also added that his son who is Hispanic, grew up in a multicultural home and is in no way a racist.
"He would be the last to discriminate for any reason whatsoever. The media portrayal of George as a racist could not be further from the truth."
Robert Zimmerman also challenged reports that his son followed Trayvon and adds that when the truth comes to light everyone should be "outraged" by his treatment. "At no time did George follow or confront Mr. Martin. When the true details of the event became public, and I hope that will be soon. Everyone should be outraged by the treatment of George Zimmerman in the media."
As previously reported, Robert Zimmerman has been revealed as a retired magistrate judge and his wife, Gladys Zimmerman, a former court clerk.
The occupations of Zimmerman's parents are causing many to wonder whether he received preferential treatment in 2005 when he was arrested for resisting an officer with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer.
The charge was later reduced to resisting an officer without violence and dismissed when he entered an alcohol education program.
Zimmerman was also accused of domestic violence by his ex-fiancee in 2005, who filed a restraining order against him.
+ Top Story
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