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With the season well underway, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources would like to remind the public of proper rules for recreational shrimp baiters. Recent cases have been made by law enforcement officers with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for violations to shrimp baiting regulations, which are set forth in the Marine Fisheries and Related Laws of South Carolina. DNR Law Enforcement Officers Gregg Brown, William Ladue and Greg Garner charged two individuals for shrimp baiting without a permit, a penalty that incurred a fine of $465 for each offender and forfeiture of the shrimp, baiting equipment and a night imprisonment. According to Brown, one of the individuals charged has a history of violating DNR regulations. The offenders have been convicted of a misdemeanor. Shrimp baiting season remains open until noon, Wednesday, Nov. 13. Resident licenses cost $25, and non-resident licenses cost $500. The catch limit is 48 quarts of shrimp measured heads-on (29 quarts heads-off) per boat or set of poles per day, and each boat is limited to a set of 10 poles. The DNR asks that recreational shrimp baiters heed the following regulations before their nets hit the water over the course of the season: A complete listing of the rules and regulations can be found in the South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 50-5-1100. Anyone with specific questions regarding marine resources rules and regulations may contact: Report violations of saltwater recreational and commercial fishing laws by calling the Coast Watch hotline number, 1-800-922-5431, toll-free, 24 hours a day.

With the season well underway, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources would like to remind the public of proper rules for recreational shrimp baiters. Recent cases have been made by law enforcement officers with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for violations to shrimp baiting regulations, which are set forth in the Marine Fisheries and Related Laws of South Carolina. DNR Law Enfor

ECDC’s goal is to prevent and control infectious diseases across Europe. Although this is a big and challenging task we look to achieve this in partnership with EU Member States and partners. In particular ECDC offers support and pays special attention to health inequalities and vulnerable populations across Europe, for example, the Roma population. ECDC was, therefore, very pleased that the Government of Romania extended an invite to meet health care workers who are working with the Roma population. ECDC Director, Marc Sprenger, as head of the delegation concluded three lesson: Extremely complex issues Public health issues in Romania are very complex, and have many non-health related aspects. For example the access to health care and preventive services for the population who is not official registered. In order to enable change and make a difference, an integrated strategic approach is required, and investment is needed in areas other than health, especially in education and social services. In this respect, Roma mediators have represented a success in meeting health and social needs of this population group. This underscores again the important statement of the Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO, that every minister is a minister of health! TB a priority issue in Romania Trust is an essential ingredient of a successful relationship between patient and physician, an issue which is enhanced if working with Roma population. It is when trying to assure that TB services remain uninterrupted and access to continuous treatment is ensured for all TB patients to stop further transmission of TB in general and in particular its resistant forms (M/XDR-TB). Trust between medical care team and patients is a key ingredient which enables successful treatment completion. Trained staff and efficient functioning of diagnostics laboratories and treatments centres at all levels of the national TB system are of paramount importance for diagnostic and treatment success. After visiting TB dispensary and seeing the amount of daily pills, the ECDC Director observed, “I understand the importance of Direct Observed Therapy even more!” Public health system It is essential that the two key components of the national public health system - epidemiological surveillance and microbiology - continue to have appropriate human resources as well as direct lines of responsibility and communication, including during times of health reform. This represents the prerequisite of a sustainable, efficient public health system. In-country postgraduate training – “Member States track of the EPIET training” – could be of consistent added value for professional development of the staff in both epidemiology and microbiology. Sustainable funding from the Ministry of Health for all levels, including the National Institute of Public Health and District Public Health Authorities, would enable Romania to survey and control communicable diseases and face challenges in public health in the future. Romania has made significant advances in public health and has benefited from of a wealth of projects in public health funded from external sources. Nevertheless, to continue the positive trends, sustainable funding is needed from public sources to further build on achieved results and to continue the strengthening of Romanian public health system. See our video on childhood TB in Europe

ECDC’s goal is to prevent and control infectious diseases across Europe. Although this is a big and challenging task we look to achieve this in partnership with EU Member States and partners. In particular ECDC offers support and pays special attention to health inequalities and vulnerable populations across Europe, for example, the Roma population. ECDC was, therefore, very pleased that the Gover

Watch IGARSS live from Munich Watch the opening of one of the biggest conferences on geoscience and remote sensing via live web stream on 23 July at 09:00-12:30 CEST. The 2012 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) is being held in Munich, Germany, on 22–27 July. It will be the 32nd annual IGARSS event, continuing the tradition of providing a forum for world-class scientists, engineers and educators to obtain up-to-date information about the latest developments in remote sensing, exchange ideas and identify research trends and make contacts with the international remote-sensing community. On Monday, 23 July, the live stream will begin at 09:00 CEST with the opening session. Starting at 10:50, the plenary session will include presentations by Prof. Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center, and Prof. Volker Liebig, Director of Earth Observation Programmes at ESA. Director of the World Climate Research Program, Ghassem R. Asrar, will also deliver a keynote speech about recent progress and future opportunities in Earth observation. The morning session will close with a symposium introduction and review of the technical programme. The full agenda of the opening can be found on the symposium website. Registration for the symposium is possible onsite, during the event. For more information and fees, visit the registration page. IGARSS is jointly organised by the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society, the DLR German Aerospace Center and ESA.

Watch IGARSS live from Munich Watch the opening of one of the biggest conferences on geoscience and remote sensing via live web stream on 23 July at 09:00-12:30 CEST. The 2012 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) is being held in Munich, Germany, on 22–27 July. It will be the 32nd annual IGARSS event, continuing the tradition of providing a forum for world-class scientist

Bond release occurs when the required public improvements have been satisfactorily completed. Two conditions must be met before the county will release the bond: - Public infrastructure must meet minimum county and state codes and construction standards and obtain a final inspection. A county site inspector will ensure the public infrastructure meets the minimum county and state standards. If not, the inspector will provide a list of deficiencies, or “punchlist.” Learn more about minimum inspection items. - Other agencies must accept the infrastructure they are responsible to maintain. For example, the Virginia Department of Transportation must accept the streets, sidewalks and traffic signals. Once the county and associated agencies have approved and/or accepted the construction, the bond is released by the Bonds and Agreements Center, and the developer is not obligated to perform any additional work. From that point forward, county or state agencies maintain the public infrastructure and owners or homeowners associations maintain any private infrastructure, such as landscaping, private streetlights, etc.

Bond release occurs when the required public improvements have been satisfactorily completed. Two conditions must be met before the county will release the bond: - Public infrastructure must meet minimum county and state codes and construction standards and obtain a final inspection. A county site inspector will ensure the public infrastructure meets the minimum county and state standards. If not,

To view or print PDF content, download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. |U.S. Department of The Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Survey on Costs of Filing Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and the Use of the Exemption Process On August 23, 2002, FinCEN launched a survey of a statistically valid sample of banks, savings and loans and credit unions to gather information on the costs of filing CTRs and SARs, as well as the use of the exemption process for CTR filings. Sampled institutions were notified via email and faxes that highlighted the importance of the survey and their responses to it in helping to improve the effectiveness of Bank Secrecy Act reporting requirements to the benefit of financial institutions, as well as the federal governmentís anti-money laundering efforts. The survey is in response to requirements in Section 366 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the National Money Laundering Strategy directing the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a study of the exemption process as well as the related costs of filing CTRs and SARs and to report findings to Congress by the end of October 2002. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) received over 12 million CTRs last year. Our best estimate indicates that over 30 percent of the CTRs filed were filed on recurring customer transactions that were eligible for exemption from CTR filing under existing rules. These millions of excess forms have little value for law enforcement purposes and, we believe, impose substantial compliance costs upon financial institutions. Also, excess filings burden our intelligence analysis and impede timely targeting of money laundering, terrorist financing and other vulnerable transactions. The FinCEN survey, developed with the assistance of the firm of Deloitte and Touche and with input from the federal banking agencies, is intended to address concerns expressed by the financial services industry in connection with current Bank Secrecy Act reporting requirements. Questions regarding the survey may be directed to the firm of Deloitte and Touche, FinCENís contractor, at (202) 378-5073.

To view or print PDF content, download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. |U.S. Department of The Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Survey on Costs of Filing Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and the Use of the Exemption Process On August 23, 2002, FinCEN launched a survey of a statistically valid sample of banks, savings and loans and credit unions

FRAMES offers website hosting and services for wildland fire researchers and managers. These Partner Sites are developed and maintained by partners using FRAMES tools. Some Partner Sites are available to the public, while others are Intranet sites where information and tools are shared within a select group. A JFSP regional consortium formed to promote communication between managers and scientists and to provide a science delivery platform. Publications related to wildland fire behavior and fire danger rating authored or co-authored by Dr. Martin E. Alexander. JFSP-funded project investigating the spatial variability in fire effects and to explore relationships between burn severity and fuels, fire behavior, local weather, and topography. Partner-sponsored site providing access to information about smoke and emissions from wildland fire, including the online Smoke Management and Air Quality for Land Managers online tutorial. The Extreme Fires Portal is a source of information about the ongoing NASA-funded research project, "Quantifying the characteristics and investigating the biogeoscientific and societal impacts of extreme wildland fires in the United States northern Rockies region." FFI is a monitoring software tool designed to assist managers with collection, storage and analysis of ecological information. FFS assessed the effects of fire and fire surrogate fuel treatments, specifically, quantifying the costs and ecological consequences of alternative fire and fire surrogate restorative treatments in a number of forest types and conditions across the US. FHAES is the result of an effort to redevelop and enhance components of the FHX2 computer program, considered to be the standard for fire history analysis. FHAES is a web-based design that is user-friendly and easily accessible to a broad range of users. Fire Effects Monitoring and Inventory Protocol (FIREMON) is an agency independent plot level sampling system designed to characterize changes in cosystem attributes over time. The Fire Severity Mapping System Project (FIRESEV) provides fire managers with critical information about the potential ecological effects of wildland fire at multiple levels of thematic, spatial, and temporal detail. FIRETEC simulates the dynamic processes that occur within a fire and the way those processes feed off and alter each other. FRAMES is cataloging and archiving videos, webinars and other presentations hosted by its various partners, including the Wildland Fire Science Partnership, the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, Joint Fire Science Program regional consortia, and the International Association of Wildland Fire. Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) is an interagency, standardized tool for determining the degree of departure from reference condition vegetation, fuels and disturbance regimes. The goal of the HDFSS project is to provide social science fire managers can use. The Interagency Fuels Treatment Decision Support System (IFTDSS) is a framework that organizes and makes available numerous models through a single online interface. This site was developed to showcase the results of the JFSP-funded project "A Review of Available Economic and Financial Biomass Information and Tools for Federal Land Managers in the West." The National Interagency Fuels, Fire, and Vegetation Technology Transfer (NIFTT) project is chartered by NIFCG, and assists in fulfilling its purpose of developing and implementing an effective interagency fuels management program. This goal of this JFSP-funded project was to identify the past, present, and future climate drivers of regional fire and fuel dynamics in the Northern Rockies. The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) is supporting the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station and Pacific Southwest Research Station in the development of a database that contains emissions information related to prescribed burning. This JFSP-funded SRFSN was formed to facilitate collaboration between science practitioners and communities of science information users in Colorado and Wyoming.

FRAMES offers website hosting and services for wildland fire researchers and managers. These Partner Sites are developed and maintained by partners using FRAMES tools. Some Partner Sites are available to the public, while others are Intranet sites where information and tools are shared within a select group. A JFSP regional consortium formed to promote communication between managers and scientists

Resources for Teachers List of Instructional and Information materials for loan. Information sheets, brochures and coloring books are free to keep while supplies last. All other materials may be borrowed from our library with the exception of bird and bat houses. For guidance on picking up materials or borrowing from our library please contact Sandra Silvey or Tammy Bilbrey. Backyard Habitat for Wildlife:

Resources for Teachers List of Instructional and Information materials for loan. Information sheets, brochures and coloring books are free to keep while supplies last. All other materials may be borrowed from our library with the exception of bird and bat houses. For guidance on picking up materials or borrowing from our library please contact Sandra Silvey or Tammy Bilbrey. Backyard Habitat for W

Libby Scott, Oregon Coast Aquarium, (541) 867-3474, ext 5217 Laura Todd, Oregon Coast Refuges, (541) 867-4558, ext 237 Joan Jewett, PIO USFWS, (503) 231-6211 On August 21, 2012, Oregon Coast Aquarium and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff will deliver a threatened Pacific green sea turtle to SeaWorld San Diego staff, who will accompany the turtle from Eugene, Oregon, to San Diego, California, on a U.S. Navy airplane. The Navy’s Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 (VRC 30) will use the event as a training opportunity to transport the turtle aboard a C-2A “Greyhound” cargo aircraft. The mature male Pacific green sea turtle was found stranded on a beach the evening of June 18, injured and comatose, by Moolack Shores Motel guest Nadine Fuller. Franklin and Yvette Brooks, the motel managers, reported the turtle to the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and Stranding Coordinator Jim Rice quickly arranged transport to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. “Franklin and I were so excited to hear our turtle was ready to return home, and Frank was particularly excited to hear the Navy would be bringing him back to San Diego,” Yvette Brooks said. “Nadine is a regular visitor to our motel and will be so thrilled to hear she made such a difference.” This turtle was saved by conscientious members of the public who informed Rice and Aquarium staff of its stranding. One individual literally carried the large turtle on his back to a waiting vehicle to get the animal the care it needed. The turtle has quickly improved under the round-the-clock care of veterinarians and caretakers at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Weighing in at 133 pounds when found, he now weighs 155 pounds. He is eating and swimming well and is ready to complete his rehabilitation in San Diego, where SeaWorld will return him to the ocean as soon as they have confirmed his suitability for release. “If not for Nadine, those who called the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, the dedicated Oregon Coast Aquarium staff, and now, the Navy and SeaWorld, this turtle would have met his demise on that beach,” said Laura Todd, Supervisor of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Newport, Oregon, office. “It shows how the efforts of just one person and the combined response of a dedicated team can make the difference in saving imperiled species.” This is the third hypothermic sea turtle to strand on Oregon’s beaches in two years, and the Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency responsible for stranded sea turtles, has been working with the Aquarium, the Marine Mammal Stranding Network and others to improve response and care for these listed species when they are sick or injured. The last pair of turtles left Oregon in 2010 and has since been returned to the Pacific Ocean, where they continue to be tracked with GPS equipment. “The Aquarium’s role in the sea turtle’s rehabilitation has been triage, urgent care and stabilization with the end goal of transportation to a facility closer to the animal’s range, where it can eventually be released back into the wild,” said Jim Burke, Director of Animal Husbandry at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. “The Oregon Coast Aquarium rehabilitates wildlife to mitigate human impact and help with the stabilization of threatened and endangered populations when called upon. If we can utilize our resources and expertise to help our various partners reach their goals we will do so.” The Oregon Coast Aquarium receives no on-going governmental support and relies on visitor-related revenues, grants, and donations to finance its annual operations, including its wildlife rehabilitation activities. Funding for these projects comes directly out of the money budgeted for the care of the Aquarium’s 15,000 marine animals. To help support the Aquarium’s rehabilitation efforts, please call (541) 867-3474 ext. 5228. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/pacific/. Connect with our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/USFWSPacific, follow our tweets at http://twitter.com/usfwspacific, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USFWSPacific, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/USFWSPacific, watch our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific

Libby Scott, Oregon Coast Aquarium, (541) 867-3474, ext 5217 Laura Todd, Oregon Coast Refuges, (541) 867-4558, ext 237 Joan Jewett, PIO USFWS, (503) 231-6211 On August 21, 2012, Oregon Coast Aquarium and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff will deliver a threatened Pacific green sea turtle to SeaWorld San Diego staff, who will accompany the turtle from Eugene, Oregon, to San Diego, California, on

Ballistic Missile Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Training Integration and Increase Transparency of Training Resources GAO-11-625, Jul 18, 2011 Since 2002, the Department of Defense (DOD) has spent over $80 billion on developing and fielding a Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) comprised of various land-and sea-based elements employed by multiple combatant commands and services. Since the time available to intercept a missile is short, integrating training among all organizations involved is important to connect seams where commands and elements must work together. In response to House Report 111-491 which accompanied H.R. 5136, GAO assessed the extent to which DOD has (1) developed a plan for integrating ballistic missile defense training across and among commands and multiple elements, and identified training roles, responsibilities, and commensurate authorities; and (2) identified and budgeted for the resources to support training. To do so, GAO analyzed DOD training instructions, plans, exercises, and budgets and assessed the extent to which the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the services have agreed on training cost estimates and funding responsibilities. DOD has identified roles and responsibilities and developed training plans for individual ballistic missile defense elements and combatant commands, but has not developed a strategy for integrating training among ballistic missile defense organizations and elements in a manner that requires them to operate as they would in an actual engagement. A Joint Staff Instruction sets out tenets of joint training including "train the way you operate" and DOD guidance requires synchronization of training among the services and combatant commands. The services and combatant commands are conducting some integrating training--training across and among combatant commands and services--but our analysis of exercises shows that there may be some training gaps. For example, although some exercises included more than one combatant command, few included multiple live elements. GAO's guide for assessing training programs states that a training program should include an overall training strategy and an organization that is held accountable for achieving training goals. However, DOD has not developed an overall strategy that includes requirements and standards for integrating ballistic missile defense training because DOD has not clearly designated an entity to be responsible for integrating training across and among all organizations involved and provided it with the authority to do so. Without an overall strategy that includes requirements and standards for integrating training, DOD runs the risk that the organizations that need to work together may have limited opportunities to realistically interact prior to an actual engagement. DOD lacks visibility over the total resources that may be needed to support ballistic missile defense training since the funds are currently dispersed across MDA and the services, and some of the services' budget estimates do not separately identify ballistic missile defense training. A further complication is that agreements between MDA and the services on funding responsibilities and life-cycle cost estimates--which include training--have not been completed and approved for all elements. GAO compiled budget documents and data from various sources and estimated about $4 billion has been planned for ballistic missile defense training from fiscal years 2011 through 2016. However, some of the services' resources for ballistic missile defense training are not easily identifiable since some training is funded as part of a more comprehensive training program. GAO found examples of gaps between training requirements and budgeted resources, such as a $300 million requirement in the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense program that is not included in MDA's budget plans. DOD and MDA policies identify the need to complete cost estimates and funding responsibilities for elements as they are developed; however, there are no procedures or deadlines in place requiring that MDA and the services agree on funding responsibilities and complete training cost estimates before elements are fielded. As a result, DOD and congressional decision makers do not have a full picture of the resources that will be needed over time and risk training gaps. GAO recommends that DOD designate an entity with authority to develop a strategy for integrating training, and set a deadline to complete training cost estimates and funding agreements and report total BMDS training cost estimates. DOD generally concurred with the merits of our recommendations but did not commit to a timeframe for implementation. - Review Pending - Closed - implemented - Closed - not implemented Recommendations for Executive Action Recommendation: To enhance DOD's ability to identify and resolve issues in integrating ballistic missile defense training across and among combatant commands and services and to improve training realism, the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, should issue guidance that designates an entity to be responsible for integrating training across and among combatant commands and elements and provide that entity with the authority to develop an overall ballistic missile defense training strategy which includes specific requirements and standards for integrating training and identifying and resolving any gaps in capabilities to enhance integrating training across and among all tiers (or combatant commands and elements). Agency Affected: Department of Defense Comments: As of June 2012, The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, in collaboration with the Joint Staff J-7, U.S. Strategic Command and the Services, had drafted a memorandum designating U.S. Strategic Command as the entity responsible for integrating and synchronizing joint BMD for the Department. This memorandum is still in draft and has not yet been signed by the Secretary of Defense. Recommendation: To improve the transparency of the resources to support ballistic missile defense training requirements and to inform budget development, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and the Director of the Missile Defense Agency to set a firm deadline to complete training cost estimates and element-specific agreements for elements already fielded and establish procedures that require the training cost estimates and element-specific funding agreements delineating funding responsibilities between MDA and the services be completed before additional elements are fielded. Agency Affected: Department of Defense Comments: DOD indicated that in June 2011 the department issued a memorandum on "Funding Responsibilities for Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Elements," to clarify its life cycle management guidance, but this guidance does not set specific deadlines for completing training cost estimates or element specific agreements and does not specify that agreements should address training responsibilities or costs. Recommendation: To improve the transparency of the resources to support ballistic missile defense training requirements and to inform budget development, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and the Director of the Missile Defense Agency to establish procedures that require annual development and reporting of the total BMDS training budget (i.e., all Missile Defense Agency and service costs for individual, unit, and sustainment training and combatant command and service exercise costs). Agency Affected: Department of Defense Comments: As of August, 2012 no action has been taken.

Ballistic Missile Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Training Integration and Increase Transparency of Training Resources GAO-11-625, Jul 18, 2011 Since 2002, the Department of Defense (DOD) has spent over $80 billion on developing and fielding a Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) comprised of various land-and sea-based elements employed by multiple combatant commands and services. Since the

About Site Map Contact Us |A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine®| On this page: Reviewed January 2012 What is the official name of the FANCA gene? The official name of this gene is “Fanconi anemia, complementation group A.” FANCA is the gene's official symbol. The FANCA gene is also known by other names, listed below. Read more about gene names and symbols on the About page. What is the normal function of the FANCA gene? The FANCA gene provides instructions for making a protein that is involved in a cell process known as the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway. The FA pathway is turned on (activated) when the process of making new copies of DNA, called DNA replication, is blocked due to DNA damage. The FA pathway is particularly responsive to a certain type of DNA damage known as interstrand cross-links (ICLs). ICLs occur when two DNA building blocks (nucleotides) on opposite strands of DNA are abnormally attached or linked together, which stops the process of DNA replication. ICLs can be caused by a buildup of toxic substances produced in the body or by treatment with certain cancer therapy drugs. The FANCA protein is one of a group of proteins known as the FA core complex. The FA core complex is composed of eight FA proteins (including FANCA) and two proteins called Fanconi anemia-associated proteins (FAAPs). This complex activates two proteins, called FANCD2 and FANCI, by attaching a single molecule called ubiquitin to each of them (a process called monoubiquitination). The activation of these two proteins, which attach (bind) together to form the ID protein complex, attract DNA repair proteins to the area of DNA damage so the error can be corrected and DNA replication can continue. Does the FANCA gene share characteristics with other genes? The FANCA gene belongs to a family of genes called FANC (Fanconi anemia, complementation groups). A gene family is a group of genes that share important characteristics. Classifying individual genes into families helps researchers describe how genes are related to each other. For more information, see What are gene families? in the Handbook. How are changes in the FANCA gene related to health conditions? Where is the FANCA gene located? Cytogenetic Location: 16q24.3 Molecular Location on chromosome 16: base pairs 89,803,958 to 89,883,064 The FANCA gene is located on the long (q) arm of chromosome 16 at position 24.3. More precisely, the FANCA gene is located from base pair 89,803,958 to base pair 89,883,064 on chromosome 16. See How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene? in the Handbook. Where can I find additional information about FANCA? You and your healthcare professional may find the following resources about FANCA helpful. You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for genetics professionals and researchers. What other names do people use for the FANCA gene or gene products? See How are genetic conditions and genes named? in the Handbook. Where can I find general information about genes? The Handbook provides basic information about genetics in clear language. These links provide additional genetics resources that may be useful. What glossary definitions help with understanding FANCA? You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary. See also Understanding Medical Terminology. References (6 links) The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.

About Site Map Contact Us |A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine®| On this page: Reviewed January 2012 What is the official name of the FANCA gene? The official name of this gene is “Fanconi anemia, complementation group A.” FANCA is the gene's official symbol. The FANCA gene is also known by other names, listed below. Read more about gene names and symbols on the About page. What is

Mines and Minerals The ownership of minerals in the Isle of Man is vested in the Department of Economic Development under the Minerals Act 1986. The Department permits operators/developers to extract minerals via mining leases, mining licences and mining permissions and the Minerals Act 1986 broadly sets out the circumstances and procedures by which these Agreements are granted. The system of mineral ownership on the Isle of Man differs significantly from that in the UK. Mineral ownership in the UK is generally linked to the ownership of the surface of the land. The Minerals Act 1986 was introduced to clarify the position and vested all mines and minerals in the then Department of Industry, with minor exceptions. Individuals are required to obtain working rights from the Department. Quarry operators wishing to apply to extract minerals or any developers (where minerals need to be extracted incidental to development) in the Isle of Man may make an application for a: - mining lease - intended for extracting significant quantities of mineral over a specified period of time; - mining licence - intended for extracting mineral over a short period of time e.g. 6 - 12 months; - mining permission - for a very short period of time e.g. 3 months or where the amount of mineral extracted is very small; - prospecting licence - for prospecting on a specific piece of land over a short period of time; and - mining facilities permit - to permit a specified piece of land to be used in accordance with an acquired ancillary right to facilitate the working of mines and minerals. Mineral operators/developers needing to extract minerals will need to complete and submit to the Department of Economic Development the 'Application form to search for or work minerals in the Isle of Man' which can be downloaded by clicking on the link below. Quarry operators/developers are expected to have, or have applied for, planning permission for land which is the subject of a minerals extraction application or an application for development which involves ancillary mineral extraction. If you would like advice on making an application or regarding the process of an application, please contact the Department of Economic Development. Overall, the Department of Economic Development has a duty to ensure that finite mineral resources are exploited as necessary and in a sustainable and controlled manner.

Mines and Minerals The ownership of minerals in the Isle of Man is vested in the Department of Economic Development under the Minerals Act 1986. The Department permits operators/developers to extract minerals via mining leases, mining licences and mining permissions and the Minerals Act 1986 broadly sets out the circumstances and procedures by which these Agreements are granted. The system of mine

State Health Commissioner Novello, Comptroller Announce Changes in System Tracking Accidental Deaths, Injuries in Hospitals & Clinics Reforms Aimed at Improving Comprehensiveness, Accuracy, Timeliness of Reporting Albany, September 28, 2004 - New York State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., and State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi today announced changes in the State's system for tracking accidental deaths, injuries and other adverse medical incidents at hospitals and other health care facilities. The reforms will improve the comprehensiveness, accuracy and timeliness of information reported to the state, helping to guide DOH's surveillance and health care facilities' quality of care decisions in a collective effort to further prevent adverse medical incidents. The announcement was made as the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) released an audit of DOH's database of critical incidents at health care facilities around the State, known as the New York State Patient Occurrence Reporting and Tracking System (NYPORTS). The Reporting System, which has achieved national recognition and provided a model for other States, was created in 1998 and continues to be improved. Dr. Novello said, "New York's hospitals and health clinics have steadily increased their reporting of adverse patient incidents to the State in recent years, thereby assuring greater quality assurance oversight and quality health care for patients. I commend the leadership efforts of Governor Pataki to further protect the health and well-being of New Yorkers. We can always do more and our coordination with the State Comptroller's Office on this critical issue will help further strengthen New York's world-class health care system into the future." "New Yorkers look to DOH to ensure that hospitals and other health care facilities are operated safely and lawfully, and NYPORTS is an important tool for us to address the public's concerns," Comptroller Hevesi said. "NYPORTS data is critical for DOH and individual facilities to help them make quality of care decisions, and to address and prevent medical incidents. Without accurate and complete information, it is not possible to effectively pinpoint and address problems. That is why I am pleased that DOH chose to respond immediately to our audit and make needed changes." The changes in NYPORTS include tighter and more carefully monitored timelines for reporting incidents and analyses of their causes, and increased potential for sanctions against facilities that submit late or incomplete reports. Using criteria described in Department guidelines, the audit found that 84 percent of 5,777 deaths and other serious medical incidents reviewed were reported more than 24 hours after the occurrence. While reporting requirements do provide hospitals with additional time to determine if an event is reportable, there were delays in making these determinations. With regard to less serious patient incidents, which must be reported within 30 days, auditors found 89 percent (1,032 out of 1,166) of such occurrences were reported on time. Clarification has been issued to facilities to report serious occurrences within 24 hours or one business day of when the incident occurred or when the hospital had reasonable cause to believe that such an incident had occurred. Changes are being made to NYPORTS that will allow the facility to enter both the date of occurrence and the date of determination that event was reportable. NYPORTS includes data from 263 hospitals and 1,350 clinics around the State. An occurrence is defined as an adverse and undesirable development in an individual patient's condition that was not caused by the natural course of illness, disease or proper treatment. Unexpected patient deaths and equipment malfunctions that result in patient harm are classified as most serious occurrences in NYPORTS. Less serious occurrences include patient falls resulting in fractures or second- and third-degree burns. OSC auditors noted that DOH officials had taken action in recent years to improve NYPORTS reporting. In fact, DOH reported that total incidents reported increased by 62 percent from 1999 to 2001. Medical facilities are required to investigate all of the most serious occurrences, and to submit a report within 30 days to DOH and enter it on NYPORTS, although extensions can be granted. Auditors found that 11 percent of the investigation reports (264 out of 2,505) during the audit period had not been submitted, with nearly half of the late reports overdue by more than one year. OSC auditors looked at the period January 1, 2001 through May 21, 2003, during which a total of 65,822 occurrences were reported on NYPORTS. A hospital or clinic that fails to comply with reporting requirements can be fined as much as $2,000 per violation. DOH also issues citations for noncompliance, which do not carry a fine but require facilities to submit a written corrective action plan. However, auditors determined that DOH did not have formal criteria to determine when hospitals and clinics should be fined or cited for failure to report incidents, and that different DOH field offices around the State responded differently to reporting violations. Auditors found that, during the 29-month period covered in the audit, only two facilities were fined and only 20 citations were issued. Hospitals enter information directly into the NYPORTS system through a statewide computer network. Clinics do not have access to this network, so they report information to DOH field offices where it is then entered into NYPORTS. Auditors reported that DOH officials at field offices in Buffalo, the Hudson Valley and Long Island stated that they do not enter clinic information into NYPORTS because they do not have adequate staff or because NYPORTS has not been programmed to include data on certain clinics. Soon after the draft audit was presented to the Department of Health, guidelines were clarified and a communication plan was implemented to inform hospitals, clinics, DOH central office and regional staff of the audit findings and plans to address problems that were identified. Specific changes in NYPORTS reflect recommendations outlined in the OSC audit including: expanding DOH efforts to identify unreported occurrences to enable more systematic analysis of the data; developing written guidelines for enforcement of all NYPORTS reporting requirements so they more effectively reflect DOH expectations and will be the same throughout the State; and creating a system to identify medical facilities that consistently fail to report occurrences on time. Comptroller Hevesi noted that OSC will conduct a follow-up audit to assess the effectiveness of the new NYPORTS policies and procedures once they have been implemented. Office of State Comptroller Dan Weiller (518) 474-4015

State Health Commissioner Novello, Comptroller Announce Changes in System Tracking Accidental Deaths, Injuries in Hospitals & Clinics Reforms Aimed at Improving Comprehensiveness, Accuracy, Timeliness of Reporting Albany, September 28, 2004 - New York State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., and State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi today announced change

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information. Allison Transmission Visitors' Book 1 mss box Return to the Alphabetical List of All Online Finding Aids Processed by: Benjamin Clark, March 2006 James A. Allison was born in Niles, Michigan on August 11, 1872 to Noah and Myra Allison. The Allison family moved to Indianapolis in 1880. James A. Allison was a founding partner of the Concentrated Acetylene Company, later known as the Prest-O-Lite Company, with Carl G. Fisher in 1909. James A. Allison established the Allison Speedway Team Company in 1913. It was renamed the Allison Engineering Company in 1917 and was then located on the Westside of Indianapolis. Allison died of pneumonia on August 4, 1928, whereupon the company was sold to General Motors. Allison was one of the founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500 mile race. The Allison Transmission Division underwent several name changes before arriving at its present name in 1987, but the company was always known for its quality, innovation, and manufacturing support of the military during World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam Conflict. To this day the company continues to manufacture transmissions for tanks and buses. Bodenhamer, David J. and Robert G. Barrows, eds. Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Bloomington, IN: IU Press, 1994. Indiana State Library. "Indiana Biography Series." v.74.p.82.c.3. This collection contains the visitors’ book of Allison Transmission. The notes in the book were written by former employees who had joined the military for the war. Most of the notes contain the name and address of the individual, a brief note explaining what the individual is doing for the military, a greeting to his former co-workers, and the Allison Transmission department number where he had worked. 1. Allison Transmission visitors’ notes, Feb. 22-July 1, 1943 2. Allison Transmission visitors’ notes, July 2-Oct. 4, 1943 3. Allison Transmission visitors’ notes, Oct. 4, 1943-Jan. 12, 1944 4. Allison Transmission visitors’ notes, Jan. 13-May 17, 1944 5. Allison Transmission visitors’ notes, May 18-Nov. 21, 1944 6. Allison Transmission visitors’ notes, Nov.21, 1944-July 10, 1945 7. Allison Transmission visitors’ notes, July 11, 1945-Dec. 1, 1947 Size of Collection: 1 manuscript box Lawrence E. Dewey, Indianapolis, IN, 23 September 2005 Access: This collection is open for research. Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript Section, Indiana State Library. Possession of a reproduction from an Indiana State Library collection does not constitute permission for use. Language Materials are entirely in English Manuscript materials CANNOT be photocopied or digitized in their entirety. Photocopies and/or digital images cannot exceed 25% of a collection or a folder within a collection. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item. Check with a Manuscript Librarian for other options.

Note: This message is displayed if (1) your browser is not standards-compliant or (2) you have you disabled CSS. Read our Policies for more information. Allison Transmission Visitors' Book 1 mss box Return to the Alphabetical List of All Online Finding Aids Processed by: Benjamin Clark, March 2006 James A. Allison was born in Niles, Michigan on August 11, 1872 to Noah and Myra Allison. The Allison

The Intramural Research Program (IRP) is the internal research program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), known for its synergistic approach to biomedical science. With 1,200 Principal Investigators and more than 4,000 Postdoctoral Fellows conducting basic, translational, and clinical research, the IRP is the largest biomedical research institution on Earth. Its unique funding environment means the IRP can facilitate opportunities to conduct both long-term and high-impact science that would otherwise be difficult to undertake. More than 50 buildings on NIH campuses are devoted to the research enterprise, from state-of-the-art animal care facilities to homes for 7-Tesla MRIs and confocal microscopes, to a neurosciences cluster designed to foster collaborations across disciplines. Our 240-bed research hospital is devoted to clinical research protocols. With rigorous external reviews ensuring that only the most outstanding research secures funding, the IRP is responsible for many scientific accomplishments, including the discovery of fluoride to prevent tooth decay, the use of lithium to manage bipolar disorder, and the creation of vaccines against hepatitis, Haemophilus influenzae (HIB), and human papillomavirus (HPV).

The Intramural Research Program (IRP) is the internal research program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), known for its synergistic approach to biomedical science. With 1,200 Principal Investigators and more than 4,000 Postdoctoral Fellows conducting basic, translational, and clinical research, the IRP is the largest biomedical research institution on Earth. Its unique funding environment

|In 1906 the first International Radiotelegraph Conference gathered 29 states in Berlin to sign the ´International Radiotelegraph Convention´ establishing the principle of compulsory intercommunication between vessels at sea and the land. The annex to this Convention contained the first regulations governing wireless telegraphy. These regulations, which have since been expanded and revised by numerous radio conferences, are now known as the Radio Regulations . Centenary of the ITU Radio Regulations In 2006, ITU membership has good reason to celebrate the centenary of the Radio Regulations. The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) process has been instrumental in providing for timely and effective international regulatory frameworks for the establishment of advanced new wireless services and applications, while safeguarding the interests and rights of existing radiocommunication users. One hundred years after 1906 we are witnessing innovative technological solutions, using radio transmission, setting the grounds for a wireless world. From Radiotelegraph to the Wireless World Radio has become pervasive in our lives - from devices and appliances (such as personal mobile phones, radio-controlled watches, radio headsets); home and office networking (such as wireless access to networks, PC radio connection devices, remote control); navigation (radio positioning systems); intelligent transportation systems (toll control, collision avoidance, etc.); broadcasting (radio, TV and data); emergency communications (comprehensive radio disaster warning and relief systems), and object identification (e.g. RFID tags) as well as other more conventional applications. We are now observing the full deployment of cellular systems of the third generation (3G), based on ITU standards know as IMT-2000 and the adoption of steps towards the implementation of digital broadcasting systems within the framework of ITU-based regulations (see Regional Radiocommunication Conference (RRC-06)). The next 100 years of itu radio regulations

|In 1906 the first International Radiotelegraph Conference gathered 29 states in Berlin to sign the ´International Radiotelegraph Convention´ establishing the principle of compulsory intercommunication between vessels at sea and the land. The annex to this Convention contained the first regulations governing wireless telegraphy. These regulations, which have since been expanded and revised by nume

Education in Israel begins at a very young age in order to provide children with an augmented head start, particularly in terms of socialization and language development. Many two-year-olds and almost all threeand four-year-olds attend some kind of preschool framework. Most programs are sponsored by local authorities, some within day-care centers operated by women's organizations; others are privately owned. The Ministry of Education allocates special resources for preschool education in disadvantaged areas. Kindergarten for five-year-olds is free and compulsory. The curriculum aims to teach fundamental skills, including language and numerical concepts, to foster cognitive and creative capacities, and to promote social abilities. The curricula of all preschools are guided and supervised by the Ministry of Education to ensure a solid and well-rounded foundation for future learning. Courtesy of the Jerusalem Foundation/H. Mazor

Education in Israel begins at a very young age in order to provide children with an augmented head start, particularly in terms of socialization and language development. Many two-year-olds and almost all threeand four-year-olds attend some kind of preschool framework. Most programs are sponsored by local authorities, some within day-care centers operated by women's organizations; others are priva

"Austria is not a member of NATO but it is an active and strong member of the Partnership for Peace and is also active within the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council," said Lord Robertson, "Today was an opportunity for me to thank Austria for its participation in that partnership, for its participation in NATO's peace support operations for which we are extremely grateful. " Among other issues, Lord Robertson and Dr Klestil discussed military reform in the Euro-Atlantic area, co-operation between international organisations dealing with security issues and Austria's contribution to maintaining international peace and stability. "I have assured the Secretary General that we will participate fully in the establishment of a European common security and defence policy and [that] we will go on to participate in all peacekeeping and peace-enforcing activities," Dr. Klestil said. He added that the new Austrian defence doctrine, recently adopted, welcomes the enlargement of NATO as a further contribution to security and stability in Europe. Austria's cooperation with NATO began in 1991 with the establishment of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (replaced by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council since 1997) and it joined the NATO Partnership for Peace Programme in 1995.

"Austria is not a member of NATO but it is an active and strong member of the Partnership for Peace and is also active within the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council," said Lord Robertson, "Today was an opportunity for me to thank Austria for its participation in that partnership, for its participation in NATO's peace support operations for which we are extremely grateful. " Among other issues, Lord

New Media Tools - To help ensure you select the right tools, read the basics of Social Media 101 (PDF - 290KB), and take a copy of these Social Media Considerations: Questions to ask before jumping in (PDF – 106KB) to your planning meeting. - When you are ready to begin planning your strategy, review What’s In a Plan (PDF – 69KB) and the HHS Standards and Policies Checklist (PDF – 89KB). - Be prepared for the tough issues and learn When and How to Engage over New Media Platforms (PDF - 60KB). - Watch the video below and learn more about using social media in government. View the list of tools/providers that offer federal-compatible terms of service. Online communities that connect with stakeholders, colleagues, family, and friends who share common interests. Photo and Video Networks Online services that allow individuals and organizations to upload photos or video clips and easily share them. Websites with entries in chronological order that typically combine, text, multimedia, and links to other webpages to tell a story and encourage dialogue. Audio or video files released in a series to those that choose to subcribe to the podcast. Podcast is a blend of the terms “iPod” and “broadcast.” Information related to the following applications and tools can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/web/tools/index.html. WCD makes enterprise-wide tools available for Department-wide use. - HHS 508 Lab - Google Maps API Premier - Enterprise Portal - Use of Persistent Cookies for Website Performance Measurement - Accenture Digital Diagnostics Compliance Monitor - Web Content Management System (WCMS) <•>Google Search Appliance (GSA) - New Media Tools - Web Site Development, Web Crawler, 508 and Graphics Support BPA - 508 Web Support Services Agencies and programs can contact a WCD consultant regarding experiences with specific Web management tools. - Email Subscription Management - Web Metrics - OMB-Approved Fast Track Online Customer Satisfaction Survey - Search Engine - FAQ Database

New Media Tools - To help ensure you select the right tools, read the basics of Social Media 101 (PDF - 290KB), and take a copy of these Social Media Considerations: Questions to ask before jumping in (PDF – 106KB) to your planning meeting. - When you are ready to begin planning your strategy, review What’s In a Plan (PDF – 69KB) and the HHS Standards and Policies Checklist (PDF – 89KB). - Be prep

May 15-16, 2006 Michael Rich, Harvard University Identifying Gaps and New Directions in Media Research Among the conclusions reached by workshop participants was that clearly children and adolescents are the earliest adopters of media technology and are perhaps most vulnerable to it. Because television has become a dominant childhood activity, and because it is the most ubiquitous form of electronic media, parents, educators, and researchers must pay particular attention to the effects of media content on the developing child, with violence and advertising being of most immediate concern. New media forms and new uses for and combinations of existing media are constantly being devised. Different media are utilized in distinct patterns depending on user’s gender and age. The networked, interactive, multimedia world presents both opportunities, in the form of increased access to information and connectivity, and risks, in that young people are increasingly the main targets for both marketing of foods and other health-affecting products and entertainment that seeks their attention by exceeding that which has gone before. Media in the home, school, and family Child development and media use appears to be nested in a concentric ecological system, with the child at the center. The child is immediately surrounded by family, then by friends, school, and community, and finally by the larger world. This configuration places limitations on the technological fixes and recommendations rooted in just one of the systems that influence child development. Media must be studied and responded to within and across systems, over time, and in a variety of contexts. The “democratizing effect” of TV being easily available to all cuts both ways; it can be both helpful and harmful to its all users. Despite widespread discussion and research into the subject and many unfounded claims made by producers of “educational media”, there is in fact neither quality control nor quantifiable standards for educational media. Unfortunately, most parents feel comfortable with media, more so when it is labeled educational, and expose even infants with little concern. Form and content matter, and the scientific community has done a poor job communicating the importance of media influence to the general public. Learning from media Aspects of the educational value of media are still largely undefined. It is not clear, for instance, at what age the infant attains particular cognitive abilities with respect to learning from media. Cognitive stimulation vs. overload is an issue that must be elucidated and stratified by age, to determine both the immediate and the cumulative effects of media exposure. Some research supports the existence of a “video deficit” phenomenon in which young children can learn to imitate what they see on a screen, but it may take many more repetitions on screen than is required with a “real life” demonstration. Further research must be conducted in order to determine what types of media support learning, and how best to use interaction and contingency in the media-based educational product. More needs to be learned about the effect of media exposure on imagination, creativity and empathy, as well as how learning occurs and where in the brain different types of information are processed and stored. The mechanism of persistent unconscious fear must also be examined in light of the current historical trend of increased anxiety (1 standard deviation in 40 years) and the unprecedented prevalence of psychotropic medications currently being prescribed to children. Attention and cognitive development There have been mixed findings with respect to pacing vs. content of media and their effects on attention and cognition. To date, attention to media has been described in largely qualitative terms, such as the “traveling lens” phenomenon, and the familiarity to novelty reaction. Some observations have identified the salience of media content as a means of attracting the viewer’s attention, while others have described feature sampling as a response to background exposure. It has been shown that effective educational TV programs can be associated with better school performance. Special groups, such as autistic students and English as a Second Language (ESL) populations, have derived special benefits from media designed to address their specific learning needs. Age-specific educational effectiveness has been demonstrated when the educational media used is developmentally appropriate for the learners. The Flynn effect, an improvement in mean Intelligence Quotient (IQ) since the 1930s, has been theorized to be linked to the penetration of media into American homes and lifestyles. Above all, evidence indicates that content is critical to effective learning from media. It has been observed that interactivity with media, such as TV characters asking viewers to respond with words or actions, increases attention. Action video games have been found to increase visual attention. Interactive media may have a “built-in traveling lens” demanding the user’s attention in directed ways. Interactivity provides a reward (and sometimes punishment) structure for learning, but is not as effective for visual or verbal learning as it appears to be for learning physical responses. Interactive media improves task-switching, but computers/video games provide limited contingency, so creative and prioritizing activities are not challenged. Of concern is a race-specific “digital divide” of familiarity and facility with such media. There is an ongoing debate as to the definition and effects, neurological and otherwise, of “multitasking” Among media and/or between media and other tasks. When one attends to media while simultaneously performing other tasks, what is truly going on? Is the individual rapidly “toggling” their full attention or truly multitasking, by maintaining some level of attention to all activities and prioritizing attention as the activities or media demand? Different media, e.g., music versus visual presentations, work in different ways on different parts of the brain—does this affect multitasking capabilities? Another question is whether the tasks themselves suffer when one’s attention is not focused on a single task. Do finite cognitive resources limit the brain’s capacity to attend, absorb, and respond to multiple inputs? Does structural interference, the demand for specific resources to perform certain cognitive functions, affect multitasking? Does attentional interference, one media type or activity distracting from a second task, play a role? If true multitasking occurs, with multiple media inputs being perceived, attended, and responded to simultaneously, is a new medium being created by the individual, personalizing the experience? Research must also distinguish between the effects of background versus foreground media: background media, which is usually adult fare, attracting children’s attention and distracting them from play and other more developmentally optimal tasks. Moreover, background media distracts the parent from awareness of the needs of the child and from interacting with the child. It has been observed that reading and memorization ability suffers when teenagers are multitasking, and that specific types of media, particularly dramas or lyrics in the user’s language, are more distracting than music or well-known videos that do not demand constant verbal or visual attention. Media use recommendations Both the research evidence and practical consideration of media use as a public health issue would suggest that the child development community reconsider the perspectives and phraseology of current media-related policy statements. At present, recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics are all prescriptively phrased “pediatricians should…” and take a restrictive or prohibitive stance, “…discourage use of screen media under the age of two years…not use television as an electronic babysitter.” It must be acknowledged that these assertive statements are, in fact, the results of risk-benefit analyses made by health professionals informed by incomplete data. More effective and useful recommendations could avoid prohibition or blame, acknowledging the limited evidence base and giving parents the tools to make individual, informed decisions instead of choosing between blindly following or rejecting recommendations that they may not understand or agree with. Child development experts and health professionals must be realistic and pragmatic about the nature of families and the parent-child interaction. They might be more successful to model media recommendations on those used to pursue other health goals, such as the avoidance of junk food or reduction of smoking. It is clear that pediatricians are failing to get either the information or effective strategies out to the general public. Future research in the area of media effects on children and adolescents should move beyond the limitations of self-report to a more objective and reproducible measurement of media exposure. Media use should be studied in situ for ecological validity, requiring that researchers move beyond the home to the larger world. Because media are now highly portable, with cellular telephones functioning as mobile platforms for TV, music, and the Internet, research must be conducted anywhere and everywhere media are used. Measurement should include accurate duration of exposure, but also rigorous and comprehensive description of content, context and salience of media use. Research must be as agile and flexible as the media technologies it studies. Multiple measures, time-use diaries, momentary/experience sampling, and direct or video observation should be considered as research components; these methods can simultaneously provide context, content, and background versus foreground data. Future strategies for dispensing recommendations to parents should move beyond blame and shame, discard the good/bad values paradigm, and recognize the importance of media to our shared culture. It must be recognized that children and youth will continue to define themselves with their media diets. Historically, concern about media effects has gotten bogged down in a debate of values, a debate that will always result in stalemate. In order to move forward, the powerful presence of media in everyday life must be recognized and media should be approached as a potent environmental influence on child development and health. Learning for the 21st century and beyond must discard assumptions and preconceptions, focus on the public health implications of research findings, and build a consensus of understanding and response to media as a public health issue. Reducing the political charge by reframing the issue as a health concern may open up both public interest and funding opportunities for researchers. Establish a coherent field The first step in establishing a coherent field of study is to assess objectively what is known. Citing old and narrowly focused research narrows and limits the field. In an effort to vault the field to the next level, the Center on Media and Child Health (CMCH) has established a common library of what is known about media effects on health. Scientists and practitioners in this field using and contributing to the CMCH Database of Research (http://www.cmch.tv) will be critical to establishing a timely and useful database for all. At least 13 academic disciplines have done media research. By bringing their methods and findings together and establishing common language and methods, it is possible to achieve a more complete and holistic view of the quantity, quality, and context of what we know about media effects. The CMCH Database of Research features free access for both academics and consumers and uses standardized abstracts, a natural language search engine, and lay language synopses. Once nomenclature, methods, and variables are standardized, the research community must work to define learning, establish protocols, pursue multicenter studies, and move from multidisciplinary to interdisciplinary efforts. Breaking out of academic “silos,” active, truly interdisciplinary collaboration will increase the rigor of the research and the generalizability of its results. Evolving methodology in media studies will require methods that are responsive to actual media use. Multiple methods can “triangulate” on findings, and these methods must be flexible enough to follow evolving media. Such research may find user-generated websites or user blogs to be valuable for self-assessment studies. Media-savvy methods can also increase the speed of research “turnaround” so that findings can be applied in timely ways. The key will be to follow the data: find what is there and facilitate the development of translational research, bringing information from the laboratory to the family room. What do we need to investigate? Media studies possess a wide scope. Research must focus first on the physical, mental, and social health outcomes of greatest interest: overweight; learning (especially early childhood); attention and school function; anxiety; connectedness; empathy; creativity and imagination; and behavior, including violence, substance use, sexual activity, body image, and risk-taking. To increase understanding, researchers must move beyond cross-sectional studies and toward more prospective longitudinal studies, à la the Framingham Heart Study. Moving from theory to laboratory to applied research is also important. For the vulnerable birth to age two years group, the community must strive to optimize gain and minimize risk of media exposure. Informed by the descriptive research, graduated media use for different needs and demands at different developmental stages must be examined and developed. The effects of pervasive background media, the rise of multitasking, the effects and utility of interactive media must be elucidated. Media literacy and reduction techniques must be explored as potential interventions on negative effects of media exposure. Media benefits and risks must be specifically considered for sub-groups such as extremely heavy media users, individuals with function-limiting physical or cognitive disabilities, autism, attentional problems, and those for whom English is a second language. Neurobiological correlates to observed behavioral responses can be identified, not only for their intrinsic research value but to also help to reframe media exposure as health issue. The role of the senses and limbic system must be explored. Finally, researchers must evaluate interventions by pediatricians and teachers, provide strategies for parents, and take advantage of a window of opportunity for resetting attitudes and expectations. What do we do with the findings? Future findings will assist in developing and evaluating positive uses for media rather than solely negative recommendations. Positive messages are more motivating and may lead to improved applications of media, and better public education. The research community must address the artificial education/entertainment dichotomy, make evidence-based, feasible recommendations, use data to face the status quo, and “call it as we see it.” Funding opportunities include the Children and Media Research Advancement (CAMRA) bill, the National Children’s Study, and the media industry itself. It will be essential to make do with what is available, collaborate to leverage resources, and create a nidus around which people and research can come together to develop new perspectives and strategies for raising healthy and smart children in the Media Age. Back to Electronic Media Conference main page

May 15-16, 2006 Michael Rich, Harvard University Identifying Gaps and New Directions in Media Research Among the conclusions reached by workshop participants was that clearly children and adolescents are the earliest adopters of media technology and are perhaps most vulnerable to it. Because television has become a dominant childhood activity, and because it is the most ubiquitous form of electron

The National Park Service (NPS) recognizes private philanthropy as both a noble tradition for national parks and a vital element of the success oftoday's National Park System. Some national parks exist only because motivated citizens contributed time, talent and funds to create them. Gifts of land or easements have enlarged many parks. Donated artifacts are found in visitor centers and museums across the nation. The NPS actively engages the help of park-oriented philanthropies and supporters and enthusiastically welcomes them as partners in the stewardship of the properties entrusted to our care. Donations come to the NPS from individuals, families, organizations, foundations, corporations, businesses, and other entities purely as expressions of support, as a result of a donor's awareness of needs, or in response to an organized fundraising campaign by others. Donations are used to enhance NPS programs and to help achieve excellence. Donations are not to be used as offsets to appropriated funds or to meet recurring operational requirements. The NPS appreciates the generosity of those who donate directly, and those who work through authorized non-profit organizations that raise funds for the benefit of the park units and programs. The NPS is appreciative of private sector contributions that aid in the accomplishment of its mission and will thank all donors in an appropriate fashion. Specific forms of donor recognition may include letters of acceptance and appreciation, press releases, public events, mementos, certificates, and other items that commemorate the gift. The NPS will, at minimum, acknowledge all direct donations in writing through a letter of acceptance that will note the amount of the cash donation and will serve as a record the donor may use to verify their charitable contribution. Persons wishing to make a cash donation to Fort Scott National Historic Site may do so by using the donation box in the visitor center or may send a check made out to the National Park Service to the following address. People wishing to donate artifacts or other items should contact the chief ranger at the above address or by phone, 620-223-0310. Did You Know? All supplies had to be strictly accounted for at Fort Scott. Upon discovery of 31 barrels of pork that had turned "soft and rusty", Lt. George Wallace, post quartermaster, recommended selling it to the Indians at $4.00 a barrel rather than disposing of it.

The National Park Service (NPS) recognizes private philanthropy as both a noble tradition for national parks and a vital element of the success oftoday's National Park System. Some national parks exist only because motivated citizens contributed time, talent and funds to create them. Gifts of land or easements have enlarged many parks. Donated artifacts are found in visitor centers and museums acr

October 6, 2010 New instruments and exhibits installed at Happy Isles The wraps came off a new streamgage and interpretive station at a popular streamside location in Yosemite National Park today. The station includes a new streamgage for the Merced River – where the U.S. Geological Survey has measured streamflow since 1915 – as well as a complex array of National Weather Service instruments, a webcam, and a special series of interpretive panels and video displays. The displays will give visitors new insights into how government agencies measure streamflow and the weather. The exhibit panels detail why the information is important for flood hazard warnings and for scientific research on topics such as climate change. The panels were jointly developed by the USGS, NWS and the Park. “The streamgage program is a wonderful example of how your government works together to enhance science and emergency management in order to protect and improve the lives of all Americans,” said Deanna Archuleta, U.S. Department of the Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, as she began the dedication ceremony. Archuleta was joined at the ceremony by Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher, Eric Reichard, Director of the USGS California Water Science Center, Niki Nicholas, Chief of Resources Management and Science in Yosemite National Park, and Rob Hartman, the Hydrologist in Charge of the Colorado-Nevada River Forecast Center of NOAA’s National Weather Service. After brief remarks and a ribbon cutting, USGS Hydrologist Jim Bowers, and Hydrologic Technician Travis Hiett gave a streamflow measurement wading demonstration. The new streamgage station is near the Nature Center at Happy Isles, a popular stop in the eastern end of Yosemite Valley, just across the Merced River from the trailhead for Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall and the John Muir Trail. The National Weather Service has also installed new meteorological instruments for measuring weather conditions such as air temperature, precipitation, barometric pressure, and wind. The information can be viewed on a flat-panel monitor inside the station, which houses the streamgage equipment. Pressure sensors in the water detect river levels and send the information through an underground conduit into the streamgage station for recording and transmission. The USGS and the National Park Service have partnered for 95 years to measure flow in the Merced River at Happy Isles. In 1915, USGS installed a staff gage — a permanent, vertically-mounted, ruler-like device — and began reading water height manually. The following year, the USGS built an automatic streamgage on the east side of the Merced River, approximately 50 feet downstream of today’s location. The water height and all river fluctuations have been recorded continuously since then. The new location, within a few steps of the Nature Center and the walking trails of Happy Isles, provides better access not only to the public, but for maintenance and technology connectivity as well. Streamgages provide continuous scientific data about water height and flow, and chemistry and temperature in the nation’s rivers. This information is critical for activities as diverse as flood forecasting and recreational planning. It helps water agencies assess the availability and quality of water supplies, and helps scientists understand how streams are affected by human activities and climate change. The Happy Isles streamgage is one of about 7,500 gages operated and maintained by the USGS in collaboration with other agencies across the country. The station was selected to be part of the National Hydrologic Benchmark Network in 1965 because of its location in a national park on a stream largely unaffected by human activities. Detailed information about this historic streamgage and the data it collects is online at http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/circ/circ1173/circ1173d/chapter03.html and http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/uv/?site_no=11264500 . On the roof of the streamgage station is a new USGS webcam that provides anglers, rafters, scientists and other river enthusiasts with live views of the Merced River on their web browser. The camera can be accessed at http://ca.water.usgs.gov/webcams/happyisles/ . The camera operates 24 hours a day, year-round.

October 6, 2010 New instruments and exhibits installed at Happy Isles The wraps came off a new streamgage and interpretive station at a popular streamside location in Yosemite National Park today. The station includes a new streamgage for the Merced River – where the U.S. Geological Survey has measured streamflow since 1915 – as well as a complex array of National Weather Service instruments, a we

ExxonMobil Corporation (State of Texas) This site description was provided by the cognizant Agreement State, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) makes no claim regarding the validity of the information provided. See our Site Disclaimer for more information. 1.0 Site Identification |Type of Site:||Unknown| |Project Manager:||Mahesh Vidyasagar| 2.0 Site Status Summary The Ray Point Mill Site was originally developed and operated as a mill for surrounding conventional surface mines. The site consisted of a mill complex with an approximately 50 acre tailings impoundment. A radioactive material license authorizing processing of uranium ore was issued to Susquehana-Western, Inc. in March of 1970. Exxon Company, U.S.A. acquired the site from Susquehana-Western in September of 1973. Subsequently, the name of the entity to which the license is issued changed numerous times over the years, but always with it being some entity with the name Exxon. In 1986 the license was amended to specify its issuance to Exxon Corporation, and is currently issued in the name of ExxonMobil Corporation. At the time of the license transfer to Exxon in September of 1973 the authorization on the license was changed from "processing of uranium ore to uranium concentrate" to "storage only" and a condition added specifying the plan for stabilization of the tailings. Exxon decommissioned the facility, including dismantling of the mill site structures, and completed closing the tailings impoundment. The tailings impoundment has been capped and a vegetative cover established for approximately 20 years. The licensee has performed radon flux testing on the capped impoundment to demonstrate compliance with the 20 pCi/m2-sec requirement. Subsequently, contaminated soil was discovered at the site that was missed during decommissioning. The licensee applied for and was approved to dispose of the contaminated soils by opening a trench in the side wall of the impoundment. Later, additional contamination was found at the site and on adjacent properties. The volume of the contaminated material was such that placement in another trench was not considered to be prudent. The licensee applied and was approved to construct a disposal cell adjacent to the tailings impoundment for placement of the additional contaminated material. Both the tailings impoundment and the adjacent disposal cell are being monitored for performance. Since all structures and equipment have been removed from the site, there will be no release of equipment and materials to unrestricted use. The criteria for release of the site/termination of the license includes demonstration that the tailings impoundment does not exceed the radon flux limit of 20 pCi/m2-sec; gamma levels are indistinguishable from background; radium-226 concentration in soil does not exceed 5 and 15 pCi/g of radium-226 in the first 15 centimeters, and subsequent 15 centimeter soil horizons, respectively; natural uranium in soil does not exceed 30 pCi/g; demonstration that the tailings impoundment and disposal cell have stabilized; and either demonstration that the groundwater does not exceed the limits specified in a table that is comparable to Paragraph 5C in 10 CFR 40, Appendix A, or does not exceed alternate concentration limits, if so established. 3.0 Major Technical or Regulatory Issues Potential off-site contamination and groundwater impacts. In order to fully assess the off-site contamination and extent of groundwater impacts the licensee must gain access to adjacent property. Efforts at gaining access have been unsuccessful to date. Until access to the adjacent property can be obtained progress towards termination of the licenses is stymied.

ExxonMobil Corporation (State of Texas) This site description was provided by the cognizant Agreement State, and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) makes no claim regarding the validity of the information provided. See our Site Disclaimer for more information. 1.0 Site Identification |Type of Site:||Unknown| |Project Manager:||Mahesh Vidyasagar| 2.0 Site Status Summary The Ray Point Mill

On January 24, 1995, at 0100 central standard time, a passenger in a Cessna A152, N4892A, was fatally injured during ground operations near Houston, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane sustained minor damage. Use your browsers 'back' function to return to synopsisReturn to Query Page According to the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot performed a "normal" preflight of the aircraft. "The pilot and passenger got into the plane, and the pilot started the engine." As he attempted to taxi, he realized that the nose wheel chocks were still in place. The pilot stated that the passenger "volunteered" to remove the chocks. He further stated that he "reminded the passenger to stay clear of the propeller." The passenger then exited the right door and proceeded around the rear of the aircraft. According to the pilot, she kneeled down to remove the chocks. "Then she stood up and turned towards the propeller." Subsequently, the passenger was struck in the head by the propeller.

On January 24, 1995, at 0100 central standard time, a passenger in a Cessna A152, N4892A, was fatally injured during ground operations near Houston, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane sustained minor damage. Use your browsers 'back' function to return to synopsisReturn to Query Page According to the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB F

From the cooling of equipment to cleaning bottles to washing delivery vehicles, bottling companies can use significant amounts of water in many different ways. Fortunately, this variety of water use can lead to a number of water saving opportunities. Conduct a facility water audit - A water audit identifies the quantities, characteristics, and uses of water at a site. By conducting an audit, a water balance can be created which to help decide where to focus their water-efficiency efforts. Consider water recycling or reuse options After determining the quantities and characteristics of water used for various processes in your facility, determine what water discharges are appropriate for recycling or reuse. Flow rates, piping costs, and water quality are some of the considerations to take into account. Potential sources of water for recycling or reuse include: - Final rinses from tank cleaning, keg washers, crate washing and fermenters. - Bottle and can soak and rinse water. - Cooler flush water and filter backwash. - Pasteurizer and sterilizer cooling water. Potential recipients for recycled or reuse water include: - First rinses in wash cycles. - Can shredder, bottle crusher. - Filter backflush. - Caustic dilution. - Boiler makeup. - Refrigeration equipment defrost. - Equipment cleaning, floor and gutter wash. Evaluate Clean-Up Procedures Employee education in water-efficient clean-up procedure scan go a long way in the effort to reduce water use. Consider the following: - Sweep and shovel solid materials from the floor; do not use hoses for this purpose. - When hoses are used make sure they have spring-loaded nozzles that are in good condition. They should emit the appropriate spray pattern for the intended use. - Use pressure washers where possible. - Provide an adequate number of receptacles for collecting solids. - Inventory all cleaning equipment (such as hoses) provided in the plant: Determine the number and types of units provided. - Inventory all cleaning chemicals used in the facility to determine if they are being used correctly and if they are water efficient. - Use hand sweeping, squeegees, or other dry methods of removing waste materials rather than large volumes of water. The bottling line can be a significant source of water consumption. Consider these strategies for reducing water consumption: - Using compressed air instead of water for interior bottle cleaning. - Install an electric eye to shut off the bottle wash when the bottles are not in close proximity. - Review nozzle spray patterns for optimum application. Fan, cone, hollow cone, are a few examples of spray patterns. - Replace worn nozzles that lead to poor spray patterns and excessive water consumption. Worn nozzles are sometimes hard to see. A regular replacement schedule should be observed. - Maintain conveyer system within manufacturer’s specifications and monitor for excessive water consumption. Eliminate single pass cooling Single pass cooling uses water once and then discharges it to the sewer. Single pass cooling can use up to 40 times more water then a closed loop-cooling tower. Consider: - Installing a cooling tower. See the Heating and Cooling section of this site for more information. - Replacing single pass water-cooled equipment with air-cooled units. - Reusing single pass water in other processes as long as water quality is acceptable.

From the cooling of equipment to cleaning bottles to washing delivery vehicles, bottling companies can use significant amounts of water in many different ways. Fortunately, this variety of water use can lead to a number of water saving opportunities. Conduct a facility water audit - A water audit identifies the quantities, characteristics, and uses of water at a site. By conducting an audit, a wat

Foster Systemic Growth The first step to improving Idaho's economy is to make the Gem State's business climate more attractive by taking care of our existing workers, cultivating a highly skilled workforce, establishing a method to get research from the Idaho National Lab and our universities to the consumer market, and improving our statewide infrastructure. Business Retention and Expansion Keeping our existing businesses in Idaho is a top priority for systemic growth. We must do everything we can to assist our Idaho companies in maintaining a healthy bottom line. Maintaining a skilled, highly trained workforce is essential for growth. The current economic climate has created real financial hardship for thousands of Idaho citizens. It has also created a significant pool of highly skilled workers who can immediately provide bottom-line value to any new or expanding business. Our first line of defense is to support those workers that have been impacted by layoffs through cross department cooperation with Labor, which provides access to unemployment insurance, job searches, opportunities for training, and retraining or vocational education. Read more about Workforce Development. Highly skilled workers, such as engineers, are in demand from many of our Idaho companies. Existing business is increasingly high tech and Idaho has a shortage of qualified, skilled labor to fill immediate needs. The recruitment effort will be a public/private partnership. Read more about Idaho's career opportunities. In 2007, the Kauffman Foundation ranked Idaho #6 in "Innovation Capacity," but only 38th in venture capital investment. Hence, while Idahoans are inventing and advancing innovative ideas, they are not easily taking those innovations to market. Tech-transfer is the processes by which this intellectual property developed in a research institution is moved out of that facility, turned into a product, marketed, and monetized in the global marketplace. The transfer of these innovative ideas is a complex endeavor that depends on the cooperation of many individuals and institutions. As a part of Project 60, The Idaho Innovation Council is working easing this transition. Read more about Tech Transfer.

Foster Systemic Growth The first step to improving Idaho's economy is to make the Gem State's business climate more attractive by taking care of our existing workers, cultivating a highly skilled workforce, establishing a method to get research from the Idaho National Lab and our universities to the consumer market, and improving our statewide infrastructure. Business Retention and Expansion Keepi

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - Detroit on the Canadian border and Laredo, TX, on the Mexican border were the top ports for the value of trade moved by truck in 2006, according to a new special report on North American freight transportation from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). BTS, a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that Detroit was the gateway for $64 billion in merchandise carried by truck to Canada and $51 billion from Canada . The merchandise transported through Detroit in 2006 was almost double the value of the goods that passed through Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY, the next-ranking port on the Canadian border. Port Huron, MI, was the third-ranking port. On the Mexican border, $34 billion in merchandise was exported and $44 billion was imported through Laredo by truck, almost double the value of the goods that passed through El Paso, TX, the next-ranking port on the Mexican border. Otay Mesa, CA, was the third-ranking port. Other findings of the BTS report: The special report on North American freight transportation provides analysis of recent activity and trends in U.S. merchandise trade with Canada and Mexico from a transportation perspective. It is available at http://www.bts.gov/publications/bts_special_report/2007_05/ The report uses BTS Transborder Freight Data, released monthly on the BTS website at http://www.bts.gov/transborder/ For press releases on monthly TransBorder data, see http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/north_american_surface_freight_data.html.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - Detroit on the Canadian border and Laredo, TX, on the Mexican border were the top ports for the value of trade moved by truck in 2006, according to a new special report on North American freight transportation from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). BTS, a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration, report

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice; however, the Government took action against groups that it considers "harmful sects." There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report, and government policy continued to contribute to the generally free practice of religion. There are generally amicable relations among different religious groups in society; however, several religious groups complain of discrimination, particularly groups that have not been accorded official "recognized" status by the Government, and those associated primarily with immigrant communities. The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the context of its overall dialog and policy of promoting human rights. Section I. Religious Demography The country has a total area of 12,566 square miles and its population is approximately 10.3 million. The population is predominantly Roman Catholic. Approximately 75 percent of the population nominally belongs to the Catholic Church. The Muslim population numbers approximately 350,000, approximately 90 percent of whom are Sunni. Protestants number between 90,000 and 100,000. The Greek and Russian Orthodox churches have approximately 100,000 adherents. The Jewish population is estimated at 40,000, and the Anglican Church has approximately 21,000 members. The largest nonrecognized religions are Jehovah's Witnesses, with approximately 27,000 baptized members, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), with approximately 3,000 members. According to the Government, nonconfessional philosophical organizations (or "laics") have 350,000 members; however, the laics claim 1.5 million members. Unofficial estimates indicate that approximately 10 percent of the population does not identify with any religion. According to a 1999 survey by an independent academic group, only 11.2 percent of the population attend weekly religious services. However, religion still does play a role in major life events--65 percent of the children born in the country are baptized; 49.2 percent of couples opt for a religious marriage; and 76.6 percent of funerals include religious services. Section II. Status of Religious Freedom The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. The Government accords "recognized" status to Roman Catholicism, Protestantism (including evangelicals), Judaism, Anglicanism, Islam, and Orthodox Christianity (Greek and Russian). These religions receive subsidies from government revenues. The Government also supports the freedom to participate in laic organizations. These secular humanist groups serve as a seventh recognized "religion" and their organizing body, the Central Council of Non-Religious Philosophical Communities of Belgium, receives funds and benefits similar to those of the six other recognized religions. By law each recognized religion has the right to provide teachers at government expense for religious instruction in schools. The Government also pays the salaries, retirement, and lodging costs of ministers and subsidizes the construction and renovation of church buildings for recognized religions. The ecclesiastical administrations of recognized religions have legal rights and obligations, and the municipality in which they are located must pay any debts that they incur. Some subsidies are the responsibility of the federal government while the regional and municipal governments pay others. According to an independent academic review, government at all levels spent $523 million (23 billion Belgian francs) on subsidies for recognized religions in 2000. Of that amount, 79.2 percent went to the Catholic Church, 13 percent to secular humanist groups, 3.5 percent to Muslims, 3.2 percent to Protestants, 0.6 percent to Jews, 0.4 percent to Orthodox Christians, and 0.1 percent to Anglicans. During 2001, the Muslim Executive Council applied for the first time for subsidies, and the Government announced that in 2002 it would recognize 75 mosques and pay salaries to imams assigned to these mosques. The Council, which is recognized by the Government, received funding; however, specific mosques and religious schools, which have not yet been proposed by the Council and thus are not recognized by the Government, received no funding. Taxpayers who object to contributing to these subsidies may initiate legal proceedings to challenge their contributions. The Government applies the following five criteria in deciding whether or not to grant recognition to a religious group: 1) the religion must have a structure or hierarchy; 2) the group must have a sufficient number of members; 3) the religion must have existed in the country for a long period of time; 4) it must offer a social value to the public; and 5) the religion must abide by the laws of the State and respect public order. The five criteria are not listed in decrees or laws. The law does not define "sufficient," "a long period of time," or "social value." A religious group seeking official recognition applies to the Ministry of Justice, which then conducts a thorough review before recommending approval or rejection. Final approval of recognized status is the sole responsibility of the Parliament; however, the Parliament generally accepts the decision of the Ministry of Justice. A group whose application is refused by the Ministry of Justice may appeal the decision to the Council of State. The lack of recognized status does not prevent religious groups from practicing their faith freely and openly. Nonrecognized groups do not qualify for government subsidies; however, they may qualify for tax-exempt status as nonprofit organizations. Restrictions on Religious Freedom In response to a number of highly publicized mass suicides and murders in France, Switzerland, and Canada by members of the Solar Temple cult (including some Belgian citizens who were leaders and members) in the mid-1990s, the Parliament in 1996 established a special Commission to examine the potential dangers that sects may represent to society, especially children, and to recommend policies to deal with those dangers. The Commission's 1997 report divided sects into two broadly defined categories. The Commission considered as the first category of sects (defined as "organized groups of individuals espousing the same doctrine with a religion") to be respectable and to reflect the normal exercise of freedom of religion and assembly provided for by fundamental rights. The second category, "harmful sectarian organizations," are defined as groups having or claiming to have a philosophical or religious purpose whose organization or practice involves illegal or injurious activities, harms individuals or society, or impairs human dignity. Attached to the report was a list of 189 sectarian organizations that were mentioned during testimony before the Commission (including groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Church of Scientology, and the Young Women's Christian Association). Although the introduction to the list clearly stated that there was no intent to characterize any of the groups as "dangerous," the list quickly became known in the press and to the public as the "dangerous sects" list. The Parliament eventually adopted several of the report's recommendations but never adopted the list itself. Some religious groups included in the 1997 parliamentary list continue to complain that their inclusion has resulted in discriminatory action against them. For example, in November 2001, the Church of Scientology was informed on the morning of a scheduled press conference that it could not use the International Press Center to announce its suit against the Commission's 1997 sect list. A representative of the Center reportedly cited the presence of the Church of Scientology on the list as a reason for the cancellation. However, several months later, the Center reviewed the refusal and decided that in the future the Church of Scientology could use the facilities. In October 2001, a non-profit bank, Fonds du Logement des Familles Nombreuses de Wallonie, rejected an application for a low-interest, government-subsidized home loan from a devotee of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna group. The bank's rejection letter cited ISKCON's financial interest as the seller of the home, ISKCON's inclusion on the parliamentary Commission's sect list, and a fear of financing the ISKCON movement as reasons for the loan refusal. In November 2001, according to press reports the City of Liege canceled an ISKCON permit to distribute free vegetarian food under the "Hare Krishna Food for Life" program, a weekly practice begun in 1997. The City reportedly cited disturbance of public order as the basis for the withdrawal of the permit. Some courts in the Flanders region continued to stipulate, in the context of child custody proceedings and as a condition of granting visitation rights, that a noncustodial parent who is a member of Jehovah's Witnesses may not expose his or her children to the teachings or lifestyle of that religious group during visits. These courts have claimed that such exposure would be harmful to the child; however, other courts have not imposed this restriction. One of the primary recommendations of the 1997 parliamentary report was the creation of a government-sponsored Center for Information and Advice on Harmful Sectarian Organizations. The Center was open to the public in July 2000. The Center collects publicly available information on a wide range of religious and philosophical groups and provides information and advice to the public upon request regarding the legal rights of freedom of association, privacy, and freedom of religion. The Center's library is open to the public and contains information on religion in general as well as on specific religious groups including information provided by various groups. The Center is authorized to share with the public any information it collects on religious sects; however, it is not authorized to provide assessments of individual sectarian organizations to the general public and despite its name, the regulations prohibit it from categorizing any particular group as harmful. The law creating the Center stipulates that the harmful nature of a sectarian group is to be evaluated in reference to principles contained in the Constitution, orders, laws, decrees, and in international human rights instruments ratified by the Government. The Center is required by law to publish a report on its activities every 2 years. In December 2002, the Center released its first report, covering the period from 1999 to 2000. The report reviewed the laws creating the Center, meetings in which the Center participated, and its projects. The report identified two responses by the Center to specific government requests: a "favorable" opinion of the European Center for Research and Information on Sectarianism in response to an inquiry from the Foreign Ministry and a "favorable" opinion of the Mormon Church in response to an inquiry from the Ministry of the Interior. The report also recommended that the Ministry of Justice draft a law to prohibit the abuse of a situation of "weakness." An interagency coordination group designed to work in conjunction with the Center to coordinate government policy meets quarterly to exchange information on sect activities. The Government also has designated a national magistrate and 1 magistrate in each of the 27 judicial districts to monitor cases involving sects. The 1997 parliamentary report also recommended that the country's municipal governments sponsor information campaigns to educate the public, especially children, about the phenomenon of harmful sects. A 1998 law formally charges the country's State Security with the duty of monitoring harmful sectarian organizations as potential threats to the internal security of the country. This law uses the same language as the Parliamentary Commission's report and defines "harmful sectarian organizations" as any religious or philosophical group that, through its organization or practices, engages in activities that are illegal, injurious, or harmful to individuals or society. A subgroup of law enforcement officials meets bi-monthly to exchange information on sect activities. Most law enforcement agencies have an official specifically assigned to handle sect issues. The Government permits religious instruction in public schools; however, students are not required to attend religion classes. Public school religion teachers are nominated by a committee from their religious group and appointed by the Minister of Education. All public schools have a teacher for each of the six recognized religions. A seventh choice, a nonconfessional course, is available if the child does not wish a religious course. Private Catholic schools receive government subsidies for working expenses and teacher salaries. In February 2001 the Church of Scientology took legal action to force the return of documents including parishioners' confidential spiritual counseling folders seized in a 1999 police raid of church facilities and the homes and businesses of approximately 20 members. No arrests were made or charges filed against church members as a result of the original raid. The Church of Scientology also filed a complaint asserting that the Prosecutor's Office provided prejudicial statements to the press in violation of the country's secrecy laws regarding investigations. A second, smaller raid on the Church of Scientology's Brussels headquarters took place on February 8, 2001 and additional documents were seized. Most of the seized computer equipment was returned to the Church; however, the investigating magistrate continued to hold the documents from both raids at the end of the period covered by this report. On March 6, 2001, the Church filed a complaint against the Government with the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance. On January 30, 2002, the Brussels Appellate Court ruled that the personal files were held lawfully by the investigating magistrate, that the Church compiled and maintained personal information in violation of privacy laws, and that the court was under no obligation to return the files. After having suspended issuances from April to July 2000, the Government again suspended the issuance of visas to Mormon missionaries in November 2001. Although similar visas had been processed for decades without problems, the Government attributed the change in policy to the Foreign Worker's Act of 1999 requirement that religious workers obtain work permits before applying for a visa to enter the country for religious work. Mormon missionaries were told that they should reapply for visas after obtaining the appropriate work permits. However, since Mormon missionaries are strictly volunteers who pay their own way and receive no salary or subsidy from the Church, they do not qualify for the required work permit. Negotiations between representatives of the Mormons and the Ministry of Interior, facilitated by the U.S. Embassy, led to a resumption of the issuance of visas in July 2000 under special temporary procedures. The Government halted the issuance of visas to Mormon missionaries under these temporary procedures in November 2001. After further meetings with Embassy and Mormon Church representatives, in June 2002, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs agreed to exempt volunteer Mormon missionaries from the certificate requirement and to process all 85 pending visa applications. In February 2002, police detained five American volunteer workers at an Assemblies of God school and media center for working without employment permits; four were deported shortly thereafter. The law requires employment permits, even for volunteers. However, since Assemblies of God volunteers pay their own way and receive no salary they do not qualify for the required work permit. The church leaders closed the school for the spring term in the wake of the deportations. The Assemblies of God is a member of the Evangelical Synod which in turn is represented on the officially recognized Protestant Synod. The Assemblies of God also is included on the parliamentary Commission's 1997 sect list. At the end of the period covered by this report, church officials continued to work with the Government to satisfy employment and immigration law requirements. There were no reports of religious prisoners or detainees. Forced Religious Conversion There were no reports of forced religious conversion, including of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or of the refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States. Section III. Societal Attitudes There are generally amicable relations among different religious groups in society; however, several religious groups complain of discrimination, particularly groups which have not been accorded official "recognized" status by the Government and those associated primarily with immigrant communities. In the spring of 2002, several anti-Semitic incidents directed at Jewish communities occurred, including a pro-Palestinian riot in Antwerp in April and firebombings of synagogues in Brussels and Antwerp. Unknown persons fired automatic gunfire at a synagogue in Charleroi. Government officials strongly criticized the attacks on the Jewish community and increased security around synagogues and Jewish community buildings. The President of the Muslim Executive Council reported increased anti-Islamic sentiment after the Fall of 2001. For example, a clearly deranged man attacked his Muslim neighbors in Brussels before committing suicide. The President of the Muslim Executive Council reported that women and girls wearing traditional dress or headscarves in some cases face discrimination in private employment even though the law does not prohibit such dress. In January 2001, the Court of Cassation, the nation's highest court, ruled that municipal authorities could not deny an identification card to a woman wearing a headscarf. At the national level, there is an annual general assembly of the National Ecumenical Commission to discuss various religious themes. The Catholic Church sponsors working groups at the national level to maintain dialog and promote tolerance among all religious groups. At the local level, every Catholic diocese has established Commissions for interfaith dialog. Section IV. U.S. Government Policy The U.S. Government discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the context of its overall dialog and policy of promoting human rights. U.S. Embassy representatives discussed the issue of religious freedom throughout the period covered by this report with officials from the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs, and Interior, as well as with Members of Parliament. Embassy officials also expressed concern regarding anti-Semitic incidents. There is an ongoing dialog between the Embassy and the Ministry of Justice at the cabinet level regarding the implementation of recommendations of the 1997 parliamentary report on sectarian organizations. Embassy officials also met regularly with the Director of the Center for Information and Advice on Harmful Sectarian Organizations and closely monitored the Center's activities. Embassy officials continued to monitor the Government's progress toward implementing a permanent solution to the Mormon visa problem and the issuance of work permits for volunteer religious workers. Embassy officials met with representatives of both recognized and nonrecognized religions that reported some form of discrimination during the period covered by this report.

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice; however, the Government took action against groups that it considers "harmful sects." There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report, and government policy continued to contribute to the generally free practice of religion. Th

Two storms swirled simultaneously in the eastern Pacific Ocean in mid-September 2012—close enough to each other to be captured in a single overpass. At 11:45 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on September 16, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this natural-color image of Kristy and Lane. At 2:00 p.m. PDT on September 16, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Kristy was a tropical depression, with sustained winds of just 35 miles (55 kilometers) per hour, and Lane was a tropical storm with winds of 65 miles (100 kilometers) per hour. Whereas Kristy was forecast to weaken over the next 48 hours, Lane was expected to strengthen, which it did. By 8:00 a.m. PDT on September 17, the NHC reported, Lane had strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane. At the time of that bulletin, however, no coastal watches or warnings were in effect. - National Hurricane Center. (2012, September 17) Tropical Storm Kristy Advisory Archive. Accessed September 17, 2012. - National Hurricane Center. (2012, September 17) Hurricane Lane Advisory Archive. Accessed September 17, 2012. NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC. Caption by Michon Scott. - Terra - MODIS

Two storms swirled simultaneously in the eastern Pacific Ocean in mid-September 2012—close enough to each other to be captured in a single overpass. At 11:45 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on September 16, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite acquired this natural-color image of Kristy and Lane. At 2:00 p.m. PDT on September 16, the U.S. National Hurrican

U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Tips for Producing Videos Clean Cities coordinators often find success building support for their coalitions through videos they post on their websites and share with the public. Complete the Clean Cities video production process to include your video on the Clean Cities YouTube channel. Follow these tips developed by MotorWeek to create successful videos. Tell a Story - Tell a brief story (with beginning, middle, and end) focused on one topic. - Choose stories with action (e.g., vehicles moving or being fueled). - Answer the traditional who, what, where, when, why, and how questions. - Tell stories as if viewers are interested but not experts. - Create a simple storyboard to mock up your visual and audio ideas. - Find a professional videographer if it fits your budget. - Shoot your own video with a digital camera if you have a limited budget; amateur footage can be as effective as professional footage. - Produce high-quality videos using these recommended accessories: - Microphone (example: Audio-Technica Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier Microphone) - Remote control (example: KODAK Remote Control) - Memory card (example: Transcend 16- or 32-GB SDHC Memory Card) - Tripod (example: Digital Concepts TR-60N Camera Tripod) - Dashboard camera mount (example: Delkin Fat Gecko Mini Single Suction Cup Camera Mount) - Create movement with controlled zooming and panning for inactive objects. - Shoot videos in well-lit locations with good background-to-foreground contrast. - Use simple, still backgrounds (e.g., a wall or building); add a potted plant for flavor. - Use the interviewee release form to obtain and document permission to record people. - Conduct "off camera" interviews where interviewees look at you instead of the camera. - Write interview questions before; take notes while interviewing if possible. - Ask interviewees to repeat your questions in their answers. - Avoid fine lines, stripes, and major contrast in clothing, and look professional. - Get business cards from interviewees to identify in the video.

U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Tips for Producing Videos Clean Cities coordinators often find success building support for their coalitions through videos they post on their websites and share with the public. Complete the Clean Cities video production process to include your video on the Clean Cities YouTube channel. Follow these tips developed by MotorWeek to

Manuals Related to Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Treatment Facilities |EPA Number: ||N/A| |Date of Publication:||October, 1977| |Audience||concerned citizens, industry| The manual is a guide for establishing the initial guidelines for the operation of a new municipal wastewater treatment plant, a new addition to an existing plant or a change in the mode of a plant's operation. More... Water Treatment Plants Operation and Maintenance

Manuals Related to Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Treatment Facilities |EPA Number: ||N/A| |Date of Publication:||October, 1977| |Audience||concerned citizens, industry| The manual is a guide for establishing the initial guidelines for the operation of a new municipal wastewater treatment plant, a new addition to an existing plant or a change in the mode of a plant's operation. More... Wa

In Australia, all three levels of government provide funding for cultural activities, facilities and services. Total government funding for cultural activities was $4,676.8m in 2001-02. Of this, the Australian Government contributed $1,619.6m (35%), state and territory governments contributed $2,215.2m (47%) and local governments provided $841.9m (18%). Total government funding for cultural activities, facilities and services increased by $238.8m (5%) in 2001-02. While funding from the state and territory governments increased by 16%, funding from the Australian Government and local governments fell by 2% and 4% respectively. There was a greater increase in total government funding in 2000-01 ($376.8m or 9%) when compared with funding in 1999-2000, with increases reported for all levels of government. In 2001-02, funding of almost $1b ($988.9m or 21% of total cultural funding) was allocated to broadcasting and film activities by the Australian Government, and state and territory governments. While local governments may also have provided funds to these activities, it is not possible to determine their contribution as comprehensive funding details for local governments are not available for 2001-02. The other major recipients of government funding were nature parks and reserves ($977.4m), 'other museums' (which consists of museums other than art museums) ($493.7m), and libraries and archives ($466.7m) (table 12.26). Local governments are significant providers of library services to the community. For 2000-01, when more details of local government funding were available, libraries and archives received more than half of the cultural funding provided by local governments ($458.7m out of a total of $872.4m). This was 55% of the total funding provided to libraries and archives by all three levels of government. The ABS conducted a Business Generosity Survey in respect of 2000-01. During that period, businesses gave $1,447m to organisations or individuals, of which arts and culture activities (namely the performing arts; the creative arts; museum, art gallery and library activities; and zoological or botanical parks and gardens operation) received $70m. This comprised $40m of sponsorship, $23m of donations and over $6m of 'business to community projects' funding. Sport and recreation activities received 43% of the total given by businesses to organisations or individuals. For additional information see the section Funding for sport and recreation. Other activities covered by the survey were community service and welfare, health, education and training, and environmental activities. 12.26 CULTURAL FUNDING, By government - 2001-02 Level of government |Nature parks and reserves| |Zoological parks, aquaria and botanic gardens| |Libraries and archives| |Literature and print media| |Performing arts venues| |Public halls and civic centres| |Visual arts and crafts| |Broadcasting and film| |Community cultural activities| |Administration of culture| |Other arts n.e.c.| |Source: Cultural Funding by Government, Australia, 2001-02 (4183.0).| This page last updated 24 March 2006

In Australia, all three levels of government provide funding for cultural activities, facilities and services. Total government funding for cultural activities was $4,676.8m in 2001-02. Of this, the Australian Government contributed $1,619.6m (35%), state and territory governments contributed $2,215.2m (47%) and local governments provided $841.9m (18%). Total government funding for cultural activi

Legislative finding — Policy — Intent. The legislature finds that the present and predicted growth in energy demands in the state of Washington requires the development of a procedure for the selection and utilization of sites for energy facilities and the identification of a state position with respect to each proposed site. The legislature recognizes that the selection of sites will have a significant impact upon the welfare of the population, the location and growth of industry and the use of the natural resources of the state. It is the policy of the state of Washington to recognize the pressing need for increased energy facilities, and to ensure through available and reasonable methods, that the location and operation of such facilities will produce minimal adverse effects on the environment, ecology of the land and its wildlife, and the ecology of state waters and their aquatic life. It is the intent to seek courses of action that will balance the increasing demands for energy facility location and operation in conjunction with the broad interests of the public. Such action will be based on these premises: (1) To assure Washington state citizens that, where applicable, operational safeguards are at least as stringent as the criteria established by the federal government and are technically sufficient for their welfare and protection. (2) To preserve and protect the quality of the environment; to enhance the public's opportunity to enjoy the esthetic and recreational benefits of the air, water and land resources; to promote air cleanliness; and to pursue beneficial changes in the environment. (3) To provide abundant energy at reasonable cost. (4) To avoid costs of complete site restoration and demolition of improvements and infrastructure at unfinished nuclear energy sites, and to use unfinished nuclear energy facilities for public uses, including economic development, under the regulatory and management control of local governments and port districts. (5) To avoid costly duplication in the siting process and ensure that decisions are made timely and without unnecessary delay. [2001 c 214 § 1; 1996 c 4 § 1; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 108 § 29; 1970 ex.s. c 45 § 1.] | Severability -- 2001 c 214: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [2001 c 214 § 33.]| Effective date -- 2001 c 214: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 8, 2001]." [2001 c 214 § 34.] Findings -- 2001 c 214: See note following RCW 39.35.010. Severability -- Effective date -- 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 108: See notes following RCW 43.21F.010. Nuclear power facilities, joint operation: Chapter 54.44 RCW. State energy office: Chapter 43.21F RCW.

Legislative finding — Policy — Intent. The legislature finds that the present and predicted growth in energy demands in the state of Washington requires the development of a procedure for the selection and utilization of sites for energy facilities and the identification of a state position with respect to each proposed site. The legislature recognizes that the selection of sites will have a signi

EREN Network News May 16, 2001 News and Events - President Bush: Energy Efficiency to be Part of Energy Plan - Pennsylvania Slated for 50-Megawatt Wind Power Plant - U.S., European Union to Cooperate on Energy Research - DOE Honors Leaders in Alternative Fuel Vehicle Use - Hybrid Electric Buses Coming to California, New York, Ohio Energy Facts and Tips About this Newsletter - World Energy Production Down in 1999; Renewables Increased News and Events President Bush: Energy Efficiency to be Part of Energy Plan Investment in new energy-saving technologies will be part of the administration's energy plan, President Bush said on Saturday. The President's weekly radio address focused on the benefits of energy efficiency, which he referred to as "a new kind of conservation, a 21st-century conservation that saves power through technological innovation." President Bush said the energy plan, to be released Thursday, will require improved efficiency standards for appliances as well as incentives to encourage industry to replace outdated equipment. See (or listen to) the President's address on the White House Web site. The address is also available in Spanish on the White House Web site. A poll by the Gallup Organization, released yesterday, found that the President's emphasis on conservation is likely to appeal to the public. According to the Gallup poll, "Americans express widespread support for several measures to deal with the current energy situation, including both new production and conservation initiatives, but when asked to make a trade-off between the two approaches, more Americans choose conservation than new production." The poll found the U.S. public to be most supportive of investing in new sources of energy, such as solar, wind, and fuel cells 91 percent favored these investments. The poll also showed strong support 85 percent of more for mandating more energy efficient appliances, buildings, and cars. To produce highly efficient cars, a partnership between government and industry is favored by 76 percent of the U.S. public. See the Gallup press release. Pennsylvania Slated for 50-Megawatt Wind Power Plant Exelon Power Team and Waymart Wind Farm, LLC announced last week their plans to build a 50-megawatt wind power plant near Scranton, Pennsylvania. The facility is the fourth major wind farm announced for Pennsylvania, and it will be the largest yet, comprising 40 turbines, each rated at 1.3 megawatts. Exelon Power Team will buy the wind power from the project, called the Moosic Mountain wind farm, and resell it to commercial and residential customers throughout the state. Community Energy, Inc. and Exelon Power Team will jointly market the power. See the press release. Exelon Power Team is also involved with marketing power from the Mill Run Wind Farm and the Somerset Wind Farm, announced earlier this year. Combined, the three projects will total more than 74 megawatts of wind capacity. See the April 25th edition of the EREN Network News. U.S., European Union to Cooperate on Energy Research DOE Secretary Spencer Abraham and European Union (EU) Commissioner for Research Philippe Busquin signed agreements on Monday to conduct joint research in energy, including renewable energy and energy efficiency research. According to the European Commission, the EU has strengths in fusion energy and energy efficiency and is mainly interested in fuel cell technology, hydrogen production technologies, solar energy and biomass. See the DOE press release. See also the European Commission press release. DOE Honors Leaders in Alternative Fuel Vehicle Use One potential solution to tight gasoline supplies and high prices is to switch some of the demand to alternative fuels, such as ethanol, natural gas, and electricity. For their efforts to do so, 18 organizations and communities were recognized with DOE awards on Monday. The awards, part of DOE's Clean Cities Program, went to ten Clean Cities Coalitions across the country and to eight "Clean Cities National Partners" companies and organizations that help the program meet its goals. See the DOE press release. The Clean Cities Program helps build local, voluntary, government-industry partnerships to reduce oil consumption, achieve cleaner air and stimulate local economic activity through the use of alternative fuel vehicles. More than 80 local coalitions comprise the nationwide Clean Cities network, in which more than 4,400 Clean Cities coalition members and partners are working to put alternative fuel vehicles on the road today. See the Clean Cities Web site. One example of a Clean Cities National Partner is American Airlines, which was awarded for its commitment to replace 80 percent of its fossil-fueled ground service vehicles in the United States with electric vehicles in the next ten years, at a cost of $400 million. The company has already converted its entire ground service vehicle fleet at El Paso International Airport to electric vehicles. See the American Airlines press release. The company also introduced two solar-powered fueling carts at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in April the first of 13 that are being deployed in Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. See the American Airlines press release. Promoters of alternative fuels received good news early this month, when DOE announced that biodiesel fuel now qualifies as an alternative fuel. The new rule allows fleet owners to use biodiesel fuel in existing diesel vehicles, rather than purchase special alternative fuel vehicles. Biodiesel is a clean-burning, biodegradable fuel for diesel engines produced from animal, plant or waste oils such as soybean oil, rapeseed oil or waste from french fry oil. See the DOE press release. Hybrid Electric Buses Coming to California, New York, Ohio Hybrid electric buses are proving to be a popular approach to mass transit. BAE Systems announced last week that two California transit systems the Fresno Area Express and the city of Torrance will each introduce two buses this month that use its hybrid electric drive system. Two more buses will be delivered to the San Francisco Municipal Railway in late May. Meanwhile, New York City Transit, which has logged 300,000 miles on the hybrid electric buses, plans to add 325 more of the buses to its fleet by 2004. The buses use an electric drive with a diesel-powered electric generator. See the BAE Systems press release. Hybrid electric buses are also coming to Cleveland, Ohio, through an innovative approach called Bus Rapid Transit. After facing opposition to stringing power lines for a trackless trolley-style system, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) chose last week to pursue hybrid electric buses as an alternative. The buses will travel most of Euclid Avenue a major traffic corridor on Cleveland's East Side along bus-only lanes in the median of the road. The RTA expects to save $38 million by not installing overhead electric wires. Construction of the new Bus Rapid Transit line is expected to begin in 2003, and it should be up and running by the end of 2006. See the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project press release (and also see the home page for photos) For more information about Bus Rapid Transit, see the Web site from the Federal Transit Administration. Dr. E’s Energy Lab Kids will enjoy this new site on EREN, which rounds up the best Web sites for them to learn about energy efficiency and renewable energy. The site provides links to information on wind, solar, geothermal, and alternative fuels, as well as links to general sites on renewable energy and energy efficiency. And to keep it fun, an elastic trail of bouncy spheres follows your cursor wherever it goes! For this and other recent additions to the EREN Web site. Energy Facts and Tips World Energy Production Down in 1999; Renewables Increased The world's production of energy decreased by 0.7 percent in 1999, according to DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA). Coal production dropped the most, by 5.0 percent, while petroleum production decreased by 1.4 percent. Gains were seen in the production of natural gas, which increased by 2.2 percent, hydroelectric power (up 1.5 percent) and nuclear power (up 3.4 percent). But the largest gains were seen in the production of energy from non-hydro renewable energy sources, which increased by 7.6 percent over 1998. The world's consumption of energy actually increased slightly, by 0.5 percent. The most obvious difference between the production and consumption figures is that the world's use of petroleum increased by 1.6 percent, even though production decreased. The world energy data is summarized in EIA's "International Energy Annual 1999," published in February. See the report on the EIA Web site. See especially the tabulation of world energy production. See also the tabulation of world energy consumption. The worldwide growth in renewable energy use shouldn't be a surprise, according to a recent report by Clean Edge, a market-intelligence firm. The report projects that what it calls the "clean energy" market including fuel cells, microturbines, solar, and wind power will grow by 28 percent annually, from approximately $7 billion in worldwide revenues in 2000 to more than $82 billion in revenues by 2010. The report also projects a growth in the market for clean vehicles -- including cars, buses, and trucks -- from about $2 billion in 2000 to $48 billion by 2010. See the Clean Edge press release. The full 17-page report is posted in Adobe PDF format. About this Newsletter You can subscribe to this newsletter using the online form at: This Web page also allows you to update your email address or unsubscribe to this newsletter. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) home page is located at http://www.eren.doe.gov/. If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, please contact the editor.

EREN Network News May 16, 2001 News and Events - President Bush: Energy Efficiency to be Part of Energy Plan - Pennsylvania Slated for 50-Megawatt Wind Power Plant - U.S., European Union to Cooperate on Energy Research - DOE Honors Leaders in Alternative Fuel Vehicle Use - Hybrid Electric Buses Coming to California, New York, Ohio Energy Facts and Tips About this Newsletter - World Energy Producti

This item is available under a Creative Commons License for non-commercial use only This contribution critically analyses the teaching and assessment strategies used on the core Electrical Systems subject in the first year of a three-year, Level 7, degree programme in Electrical Engineering at Dublin Institute of Technology. The author has the responsibility for development and instruction in the subject since 2004. In the 2004-5 and 2005-6 academic years, the didactic teaching approach and the assessment strategy ensured good educational outcomes. This was not the case in the 2006-7 academic year. The contribution will analyse the reasons for this, taking an evidence-based approach (i.e. analysing the assessment data in detail). Two conclusions that are drawn are that students have reasonable breadth of knowledge of the basic material, but knowledge depth is limited, and that students perform better in laboratories and project work than in examinations. Subsequently, the actions taken to improve student learning in the 2007-8 academic year will be detailed, and some preliminary analysis of the resulting assessment data will be provided. O'Dwyer, Aidan : Teaching and assessment of students taking a first year, Level 7 subject: analysis and actions. Proceedings of the All-Ireland Society for Higher Education (AISHE) Conference, NUI Maynooth, August.

This item is available under a Creative Commons License for non-commercial use only This contribution critically analyses the teaching and assessment strategies used on the core Electrical Systems subject in the first year of a three-year, Level 7, degree programme in Electrical Engineering at Dublin Institute of Technology. The author has the responsibility for development and instruction in the

|Library of Congress| STEVENSON, Adlai Ewing, (great-grandfather of Adlai Ewing Stevenson III), a Representative from Illinois and a Vice President of the United States; born in Christian County, Ky., October 23, 1835; moved with his parents to Bloomington, Ill., in 1852; attended Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington and Centre College, Danville, Ky., studied law; admitted to the bar in 1858 and commenced practice in Metamora, Woodford County, Ill.; master in chancery 1860-1864; presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1864; district attorney 1865-1868; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1875-March 3, 1877); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1876 to the Forty-fifth Congress; elected to the Forty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1879-March 3, 1881); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1880 to the Forty-seventh Congress; First Assistant Postmaster General 1885-1889; elected Vice President of the United States on the Democratic ticket headed by Grover Cleveland in 1892; was inaugurated March 4, 1893, and served until March 3, 1897; was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Vice President of the United States in 1900 and for governor of Illinois in 1908; retired from public and political activities and resided in Bloomington, Ill.; died in Chicago, Ill., June 14, 1914; interment in Bloomington Cemetery, Bloomington, Ill. BibliographyBaker, Jean H. The Stevensons: A Biography of an American Family. New York: W.W. Norton Co., 1996.

|Library of Congress| STEVENSON, Adlai Ewing, (great-grandfather of Adlai Ewing Stevenson III), a Representative from Illinois and a Vice President of the United States; born in Christian County, Ky., October 23, 1835; moved with his parents to Bloomington, Ill., in 1852; attended Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington and Centre College, Danville, Ky., studied law; admitted to the bar in 185

Real Food Farms used EPA’s Brownfields Program to reclaim 6 acres in downtown Baltimore. Once the land was ready for production, Real Food Farms accessed USDA funds to build a greenhouse. Now, the farm grows food for the neighboring communities. Photo by MD Department of Agriculture In Waterbury, Connecticut, vacant lots are becoming community greenhouses – growing jobs and growing food. Roanoke, Virginia is planning to build raised beds in empty lots to become community gardens that increase healthy food access. In Missoula, Montana, asbestos abatement is allowing a local food coop to expand its footprint to include a café and community kitchen and to increase their capacity to work with local farmers and schools. Read more » It may be spring time, but the staff of Northern Girl already has big plans for fall, when their new vegetable processing facility officially opens in Van Buren, Maine. Funded in part through a USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG), the new 4,000 square foot facility will allow for the potential for year round processing of locally-grown vegetables. This project is a really valuable asset – not only does it support a growing Maine business and 12 rural northern Maine farms, but it also puts fresh, locally-grown vegetables, “bounty from the county,” on the shelves for consumers in Maine and other parts of New England to enjoy. It reflects USDA Rural Development’s solid commitment to support local and regional food systems. Read more » Rossie Fisher, co-owner of Brookview Farm in Manakin-Sabot, VA. March 8 is International Women's Day. Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. What better day to recognize the incredible achievements of women in agriculture? Women have always played a key role on the farm or ranch. Traditionally, women often kept the books and ensured the solvency of the business while men ran the day-to-day production operation. Read more » Did you know Feb. 24 through March 2 is Bird Health Awareness Week? USDA’s Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS) invites you to celebrate by joining poultry experts on a webinar called, “Growing Chicks Into Healthy Chickens: Getting Ready for Spring,” to be held on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. This webinar is hosted by the Chicken Whisperer, an Extension veterinarian and an APHIS veterinarian. Registration is required and details are here. The Chicken Whisperer raises backyard birds in rural Georgia. He started years ago with a few hens and ducks, and this year is starting a new flock of 40 birds at his new home. Andy Schneider (the Chicken Whisperer’s real name), has helped countless bird lovers with their own flocks, has a radio show about backyard bird care, and runs the Atlanta Backyard Poultry MeetUp group which has over 1,600 members. Read more » Three years ago this fall, Secretary Vilsack and I launched the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative (KYF2). Since then, we’ve seen interest and participation in local and regional food systems grow beyond anything we expected: whether I’m meeting with buffalo ranchers from the Great Plains or with members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, I hear about efforts to connect producers and consumers locally and interest in how USDA can help. In meetings of the White House Rural Council, which has representatives from across the federal government, regional food systems have been a key part of discussions. Read more » In an historic Cedar Rapids, Iowa, neighborhood devastated by floods in 2008, Secretary Tom Vilsack joined local leaders Saturday, October 27 for the dedication of a year-round local foods market. He called it a testament to neighbors and visionary leaders who saw a need for locally-produced foods, opportunities for entrepreneurs and a chance to rebuild local pride after the floods. The NewBo City Market is located in Cedar Rapids’ New Bohemia district, home to generations of Czech and Slovak immigrants. Not far away is the Czech Village and the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library. Up and down the Cedar Rapids neighborhood brick buildings from the late 19th century are being restored. A new coffee shop and bookstore are housed across from the market in the national register-listed Czech-Slovak Protective Society (CSPS) building. A mile to the north, a new library and a convention center complex will open next year. Four years removed from the floods, there is no doubt about it, Cedar Rapids is back. Read more »

Real Food Farms used EPA’s Brownfields Program to reclaim 6 acres in downtown Baltimore. Once the land was ready for production, Real Food Farms accessed USDA funds to build a greenhouse. Now, the farm grows food for the neighboring communities. Photo by MD Department of Agriculture In Waterbury, Connecticut, vacant lots are becoming community greenhouses – growing jobs and growing food. Roanoke,

Related BLS programs | Related articles December, 2001, Vol. 124, No. 12 A first look at employment and wages using NAICS David R. H. Hiles Chief of Current Data Analysis, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Program, Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics. With the release of the North American Industry Classification System data, a new view is introduced, one which better reveals the inner workings of the U.S. economy Read excerpt Download full article in PDF (66K) Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Related Monthly Labor Review articles Introducing the North American Industry Classification System.—July 1998. Within Monthly Labor Review Online: Welcome | Current Issue | Index | Subscribe | Archives Exit Monthly Labor Review Online: BLS Home | Publications & Research Papers

Related BLS programs | Related articles December, 2001, Vol. 124, No. 12 A first look at employment and wages using NAICS David R. H. Hiles Chief of Current Data Analysis, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Program, Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics. With the release of the North American Industry Classification System data, a new view is introduced

The Development of Flat Foot After Ankle Fractures In this study we are trying to determine the incidence of flat foot (also called pes planus) among patients who have had an ankle fracture. As compared to the general population, it is predicted that the incidence of pes planus will be higher among people who have fractured their ankle. |Study Design:||Observational Model: Cohort Time Perspective: Prospective |Official Title:||Pes Planus After Weber B and C Ankle Fractures| |Study Start Date:||December 2006| |Study Completion Date:||December 2010| |Primary Completion Date:||December 2010 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)| Pes planus may develop following ankle fractures due to additional injuries that are sustained at the time of ankle fracture. If this study can demonstrate an association, further research would investigate how to effectively treat the pes planus early to prevent it from becoming a symptomatic problem.

The Development of Flat Foot After Ankle Fractures In this study we are trying to determine the incidence of flat foot (also called pes planus) among patients who have had an ankle fracture. As compared to the general population, it is predicted that the incidence of pes planus will be higher among people who have fractured their ankle. |Study Design:||Observational Model: Cohort Time Perspective:

Primary Care-Based Interventions to Reduce Alcohol Use Among HIV Patients This randomized clinical trial uses a health plan's electronic medical record (EMR) alcohol screen; and examines innovative behavioral interventions, and their cost effectiveness, for hazardous drinking within a large HIV primary care clinic. We will compare Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Email Feedback (EF) to usual care; and evaluate the effect of the interventions on hazardous drinking, enrollment in substance use treatment programs, and HIV outcomes including antiretroviral therapy adherence, HIV RNA control, and unsafe sex. Given the well-known adverse effects of hazardous drinking on HIV care and outcomes, the proposed study has the potential to make a significant impact in the care of HIV patients. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Behavioral: Motivational Interviewing Behavioral: Email Feedback Other: Usual Care |Study Design:||Allocation: Randomized Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment Masking: Single Blind (Subject) Primary Purpose: Treatment |Official Title:||Primary Care-Based Interventions to Reduce Alcohol Use Among HIV Patients| - Impact of motivational interviewing on hazardous drinking and alcohol related problems [ Time Frame: 3 Years ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ] - Impact of e-mail feedback on hazardous drinking and alcohol related problems [ Time Frame: 3 Years ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ] |Study Start Date:||March 2013| |Estimated Study Completion Date:||August 2017| |Estimated Primary Completion Date:||August 2016 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)| Experimental: Motivational Interviewing The intervention consists of one 45-minute in-person session followed by two 20-minute telephone sessions.The first telephone MI session will occur approximately 10 days after the in-person session. The second call will occur 30 days after the first call. The same research clinician will conduct both the in-person session and phone sessions. The calls will include a review of material covered in the initial session, questions on alcohol use, open-ended questions regarding patients' current motivational level, and a review of the patient's initial goals regarding alcohol consumption and will last about 20 minutes. If after six months hazardous drinking is noted, three more motivational interviewing phone sessions will be delivered by the research clinician. |Behavioral: Motivational Interviewing| Experimental: Email Feedback Each participant will receive three detailed emails. The initial and subsequent emails will be brief in length, and will include specific information on hazardous drinking levels, standard drink size; as well as advice to reduce drinking to non-hazardous levels. Each email will conclude with contact numbers for patients to receive further information and assistance if needed, including information on how to easily access SU treatment; and will encourage participants to respond to the research clinician with questions. If after six months hazardous drinking is detected, 3 more detailed emails will be delivered to the participant. |Behavioral: Email Feedback| Participants in this arm will receive routine primary care services |Other: Usual Care| This application responds to RFA-AA12-009, Interventions to Improve HIV/AIDS and Alcohol-Related Outcomes (U01). The proposed study takes place in a HIV primary care clinic and uses the health plan's electronic medical record (EMR) for screening; it has the potential to provide a significant benefit to HIV-infected individuals by reducing hazardous drinking and the associated complications. Prior studies have identified high rates of co-occurrence of HIV and hazardous drinking (defined as drinking over threshold limits, i.e., 5+ daily or 14+ weekly drinks for men and 4+ daily or 7+ weekly drinks for women). Drinking at these levels can compromise antiretroviral (ART) treatment, and increase rates of depression, unsafe sex, and mortality. The proposed randomized trial examines the comparative effectiveness of two highly implementable behavioral interventions for reducing hazardous drinking, each with an adaptive, stepped-care component: 1) Motivational Interviewing (MI), consisting of one in-person session with a study clinician and two phone sessions, with three additional phone sessions for those who report hazardous drinking at 6 months; and 2) Interactive Email Feedback (EF) on hazardous drinking risks using a secure messaging system integrated into the Electronic Medical Record (EMR), with additional emailed feedback for those who report hazardous drinking at 6 months. A third arm will be usual care. We will also evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the two interventions which have the potential for wide adoption in other similar healthcare settings. The two proposed interventions, MI and EF, are promising approaches for reducing hazardous drinking in the setting of behavioral health and/or primary care. EF also uses secure messaging, an emerging technology that has been tested in other health, behavior change and mental health treatment settings, for problems including alcohol use but not among HIV-infected individuals. In this trial, 600 patients (200 in each arm) will be recruited from Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) San Francisco. The study population and clinic are ideal to examine such interventions since NIAAA-based screening questions are recorded in the EMR, and comprehensive data are available on health care utilization, ART adherence, and HIV clinical outcomes, including the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) index, a recently validated prognostic index based on routine clinical laboratory measures. The research team is well-qualified with complementary expertise in clinical psychology, drug and alcohol abuse treatment, HIV epidemiology, and biostatistics. Thus, the team and study setting provide the ideal environment to test MI and EF, two innovative approaches for reducing hazardous alcohol use in this population, and may provide powerful, and generalizable tools for assisting individuals with HIV infection. |Contact: Michael J Silverberg, PhD||510-891-3801||Michael.J.Silverberg@kp.org| |United States, California| |Kaiser Permanente Northern California San Francisco Medical Center; 2238 Geary Blvd||Recruiting| |San Francisco, California, United States, 94115| |Contact: Michael J Silverberg, PhD 510-891-3801 Michael.J.Silverberg@kp.org| |Principal Investigator:||Derek Satre, PhD||Associate Professor, University of California, San Francisco and Adjunct Investigator, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Northern California| |Principal Investigator:||Michael J Silverberg, PhD||Research Scientist II, Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Northern California|

Primary Care-Based Interventions to Reduce Alcohol Use Among HIV Patients This randomized clinical trial uses a health plan's electronic medical record (EMR) alcohol screen; and examines innovative behavioral interventions, and their cost effectiveness, for hazardous drinking within a large HIV primary care clinic. We will compare Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Email Feedback (EF) to usual car

CONSUMER ALERT: Parents Advised to Slow Down, Use Caution in Filing FAFSA Forms Online March 23, 2012 Parents Advised to Slow Down, Use Caution in Filing FAFSA Forms Online (PDF) Contact: Jerad Albracht, Communications Specialist, 608-224-5007 Jim Dick, Communications Director, 608-224-5020 MADISON – Parents looking to file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form through the free federal FAFSA website are advised to double-check that they are actually on the government site before submitting personal information. The free federal site is www.fafsa.ed.gov. Searching for “FAFSA” through a search engine like Google may lead parents to a third-party website rather than the federal domain. There are a number of third-party sites that provide consultation and advice on student aid applications, and their website addresses are similar to the federal site’s address. While you may be able to file the form through those websites, their services are not free and you may not be able to confirm the safety of your submitted information. Wisconsin’s Office of Privacy Protection (OPP) offers the following advice for parents who are filing FAFSA forms online: - www.fafsa.ed.gov is the official federal site. You can file your child’s FAFSA form for free through this website. Remember: if you’re looking for a federal site, the web address will always end in “.gov” - Slow down! Take your time to make sure the information you are submitting is accurate and that you are comfortable submitting sensitive information through the website you are using - Search the site for privacy statements, security notifications and details on who runs the site - Look for any disclaimers on the nature of the site before you enter any personal information. If you believe you may have submitted sensitive information through a suspicious website: - You should monitor your free credit report closely. Request your free report at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling toll-free (877) 322-8228. - The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires all three major credit bureaus to provide a free credit report every 12 months to consumers who request it. The Office of Privacy Protection recommends that consumers request a free report from one of the credit bureaus every 4-5 months to spread out the monitoring of your report. - You may also wish to place a free fraud alert on your credit reports. A fraud alert notifies creditors if someone attempts to open an account in your name. - The "Identity Theft Consumer Tips" brochure on the Office of Privacy Protection website (privacy.wi.gov) includes contact numbers for each of the three major credit reporting agencies. This document is located on the "Fact Sheets and Statistics" page. - If you call one of the credit reporting agencies to add a fraud alert to your account, they are required to notify the other two to place a fraud alert on those reports as well. The fraud alert will be active for 90 days and can be renewed after the 90 days has expired. For more information, visit the Office of Privacy Protection website at privacy.wi.gov or contact the OPP at 608-224-5163 or through the Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128.

CONSUMER ALERT: Parents Advised to Slow Down, Use Caution in Filing FAFSA Forms Online March 23, 2012 Parents Advised to Slow Down, Use Caution in Filing FAFSA Forms Online (PDF) Contact: Jerad Albracht, Communications Specialist, 608-224-5007 Jim Dick, Communications Director, 608-224-5020 MADISON – Parents looking to file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form through the free f

17 March 2008 International Design Competition for the International Criminal Court Australian architectural firms are encouraged to compete against the world's leading designers for construction of the new International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, The Netherlands. The aim of the competition is to produce three award-winning designs, one of which will be selected to house the Court. The construction cost of the premises has been budgeted at €103 million. The ICC is an independent and permanent court that prosecutes those accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, including genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The establishment of the Court was a substantial achievement in furthering international law and enhancing the fight against impunity for those guilty of these serious crimes. The design and construction of a permanent building for the ICC is an important step in the development of the Court as an international judicial institution. It is hoped that the new building will enable the Court to discharge its duties effectively whilst also appropriately reflecting the significance of the institution. The Australian Government is a strong supporter of the ICC and would welcome Australian-based architectural firms submitting designs to the competition. Australian architects are well qualified to submit innovative designs to the competition that provide suitable working conditions, functionality, security and ecological fit for the Court. The competition process will comprise several stages – a call for candidates and pre-selection, a design stage, and a review, negotiation and selection stage. A jury comprised of the Chief Government Architect of The Netherlands and representatives from the ICC, States Parties to the Court, the host city and government, and architects will decide on the selection of candidates and the winning designs. Further information on the design competition, and details on how to seek pre-selection, can be found on the ICC website. Prospective candidates have until 1 April 2008 to submit their applications for pre-selection.

17 March 2008 International Design Competition for the International Criminal Court Australian architectural firms are encouraged to compete against the world's leading designers for construction of the new International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, The Netherlands. The aim of the competition is to produce three award-winning designs, one of which will be selected to house the Court. The con

Scientists use the near detector to verify the intensity and purity of the muon neutrino beam leaving the Fermilab site. | Courtesy of Fermilab, photo by Peter Ginter Blink! The split-second choice: Each of us makes them, but how much of a difference do they really make? If you’re a tiny particle known as a neutrino, those instant decisions might add up, and make all the difference in the world . . . and the universe. Neutrinos are among nature’s most abundant, but least-visible actors. Virtually without mass and carrying no electrical charge, they flit across the stage of the universe at nearly the speed of light, barely interacting with any of the other actors as they pass through them, whether stars or planets or people. But those same ghostly particles -- trillions of which are passing through you right now -- could actually be clues that help explain why there are people . . . and planets . . . and stars. And it would be related to the neutrino’s ability to change not just their minds, but their entire identities, in the blink of an eye. In a sense, this story began at the Energy Department’s Brookhaven National Laboratory in 1962. That’s where a group of scientists detected that there was more than one type, or flavor, of neutrino. They received the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physics for their discovery of the muon neutrino. Other scientists had already discovered another flavor, the electron neutrino. And the discovery of the third and final flavor of neutrino, the tau, was announced at Illinois’ Fermi National Accelerator Lab in 2000. For the last six years, researchers at Fermilab have been studying neutrinos and how they might change, or oscillate, between their three different identities via an experiment known as MINOS (the Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search). In the experiment, a beam of muon neutrinos is created at Fermilab and sent through solid earth some 450 miles to a 5,000-ton detector located half-a-mile below the ground in Minnesota’s Soudan Underground Laboratory. The trip takes the blink of an eye -- about four-hundredths of a second -- which is more than enough time for them to change their minds and switch their identities. These changing events are rare, but scientists are quite certain they happen. In fact, Fermilab scientists recently (June 24th, 2011) announced that they have seen candidates for muon neutrinos changing into electron neutrinos. The finding is significant for two reasons. First, it’s consistent with a finding announced earlier this month (June 15th) by Japan’s T2K experiment, which also showed evidence of muon neutrinos changing into electron neutrinos. Second, if these rare transformations hold true, if muon neutrinos do change into electron neutrinos, it could be the reason that we’re surrounded by stars . . . and planets . . . and people. Scientists believe that in the beginning of the universe (the big bang), the amounts of matter and antimatter were equal. However, most of what we see around us is matter. The neutrino’s ability to change identities instantly could be a great part of the reason why some matter remained, even as the antimatter was annihilated. That’s why Fermilab scientists are continuing to study the elusive neutrino and its sudden transformations. In fact, they’re leading a collaboration of some 180 scientists and engineers from some 28 institutions in a new experiment called NOvA. The scientists will analyze the phenomena in more detail to discover more about the tiny masses that neutrinos have, which will help them better understand the evolution of the early universe. It’s worth considering the next time you’re faced with sudden choice: A tiny particle . . . an instant decision . . . and an immense difference. For more information on the Department's Office of Science, please go to: http://science.doe.gov/.

Scientists use the near detector to verify the intensity and purity of the muon neutrino beam leaving the Fermilab site. | Courtesy of Fermilab, photo by Peter Ginter Blink! The split-second choice: Each of us makes them, but how much of a difference do they really make? If you’re a tiny particle known as a neutrino, those instant decisions might add up, and make all the difference in the world .

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has initiated an education outreach program to secondary schools called "You Be the Scientist." Various scientific topics are broadcast live through the web to classrooms across the country. On May 11, 2000, using MLO's network, a live web cast was done from the Hilo office. The program featured with interviews with John Barnes and Steve Ryan. The majority of the discussion regarded ozone instruments at MLO.

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has initiated an education outreach program to secondary schools called "You Be the Scientist." Various scientific topics are broadcast live through the web to classrooms across the country. On May 11, 2000, using MLO's network, a live web cast was done from the Hilo office. The program featured with interviews with John Barnes and Steve Ryan. The majority of the d

National Alliance for Research On Schizophrenia and Depression The National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) funds, educates, and recognizes exemplary brain disorder research. It is the largest nongovernmental organization of its kind, having awarded 2,629 grants totaling more than $175.7 million to 2,067 scientists in 329 leading universities and medical research institutions since its inception in 1987. NARSAD raises funds; publishes a free quarterly research newsletter and informational brochures (in both English and Spanish); sponsors an annual symposium; and awards the Lieber Prize for outstanding research in schizophrenia, the Falcone Prize for outstanding research in affective disorders, the Jay and William Ruane Prize for Children and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, and the Patricia Goldman-Rakic Prize for outstanding research in cognitive neuroscience. Type of Resource: Great Neck, NY

National Alliance for Research On Schizophrenia and Depression The National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) funds, educates, and recognizes exemplary brain disorder research. It is the largest nongovernmental organization of its kind, having awarded 2,629 grants totaling more than $175.7 million to 2,067 scientists in 329 leading universities and medical research ins

2010 Public Announcements Tropical Storm Matthew, Update #1 September 24, 2010 To: All American Citizens From: American Citizens Services Unit, Consular Section The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa informs American citizens residing in or visiting Honduras that U.S. Government employees in the departments of Colon, Atlántida, and Yoro are moving to a central location and have been advised to avoid travel on September 25. The Honduran Government declared a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch from the Honduras-Nicaragua border west to Limon, including offshore islands. The Embassy strongly encourages American citizens in Honduras to closely monitor the path of Tropical Storm Matthew, and to make appropriate emergency preparations. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Storm Matthew may produce high winds and large quantities of rain. Tropical Storm Matthew, which currently has maximum sustained winds of 85 km/hr (about 50 mph), is projected to reach the Mosquitia coast of Honduras at about 8pm this evening. The projected path of the storm is along the north coast of Honduras. About 80-100mm (3-4 inches) of rainfall is projected for the north coast, and 40-60mm (1.5-2.5 inches) for central, southern and western parts of the country. As with any high amounts of rainfall, this could produce the possibility of flash floods and mudslides. The Honduran Comisión Permanente de Contingencias (COPECO) has issued a Yellow Alert for the entire country, and is expected to issue a Red Alert this afternoon for the north coast. American citizens are discouraged from travelling to these areas. If U.S. citizens choose to travel to those areas, they are encouraged to take extreme caution. U.S. citizens in the path of Tropical Storm Matthew are encouraged to seek shelter and move to higher ground. U.S. citizens should also make adequate preparations to have sufficient food and clean water. Flights into and out of airports may be suspended as the storm approaches. Travelers should contact airlines for the latest updates. The storm could similarly affect access to ferries and cruise ships. Citizens should monitor local and international media reports, and follow the instructions of local emergency officials. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe hurricane may not be available to all who may choose to stay. Visitors should review and follow their hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. U.S. citizens who plan to stay in their homes or hotels should make preparations in the event that communications, power, and transportation systems are affected. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all times (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture ID's, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that American citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts. For the most-up-to-date information on Tropical Storm Matthew, please visit The National Hurricane Center's website at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov Further information on hurricanes and hurricane preparedness is available on the State Department's website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_2915.html Also visit Consular Affairs' website on "Natural Disasters" at the following link: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1207.html For information from the Honduran Comisión Permanente de Contingencias (COPECO), including the national alerts from the Honduran government, please visit: http://www.copeco.gob.hn/c/ U.S. citizens living or traveling in Honduras are strongly encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website (https://travelregistration.state.gov), and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Honduras. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Honduras and the latest Travel Alerts and Warnings and Worldwide Caution at the State Department's website: http://travel.state.gov Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenida La Paz in Tegucigalpa; telephone (504) 238-5114, after hours telephone (504) 236-8497; Consular Section fax (504) 238-4357; E-mail: email@example.com; Webpage: http://honduras.usembassy.gov

2010 Public Announcements Tropical Storm Matthew, Update #1 September 24, 2010 To: All American Citizens From: American Citizens Services Unit, Consular Section The U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa informs American citizens residing in or visiting Honduras that U.S. Government employees in the departments of Colon, Atlántida, and Yoro are moving to a central location and have been advised to avoid trav

November 14, 2008 KCC Completes Framework for Energy Efficiency Programs The Kansas Corporation Commission today issued an order that provides a comprehensive energy efficiency framework. This is a collaboration bringing together the efforts of the Kansas Corporation Commission and the utility companies. In general, costs will be recovered through a bill rider mechanism. Throughout its order, the Commission emphasized its belief that Kansans will best be served by its ongoing work with individual utilities on a case-by-case basis. Today's action is the culmination of two earlier proceedings. In October 2007, the KCC determined it has the broad general authority and discretion to approve energy efficiency and conservation programs and program costs recovery or incentives. Recognizing that for energy efficiency programs to be a success, they must be cost effective and efficient. Subsequently, in June 2008, the KCC established the means it will use to assess the costs and benefits of a program before it is implemented and the effectiveness of a program as it progresses. The Commission is mindful that Kansas now enjoys relatively low energy costs and an absence of capacity restraints. These conditions make a strong focus on energy efficiency by utilities and Kansans more difficult, but these conditions will not last and it is important to build the framework now for successful energy efficiency programs in the future. The Commission is also aware that economic conditions are deteriorating and balances its review of energy efficiency program cost recovery with the knowledge that raising short term energy costs would be a hardship for many Kansans at this time. In this light, the Commission believes a cost recovery rider provides the best approach to program cost recovery, at least initially. This straight-forward method reduces regulatory risk for utilities because it provides rapid and assured recovery of program costs. A rider also reduces the need for carrying costs and regulatory assets, lowering costs for customers. This approach is used by other states, and the Commission may benefit from their experience. The Commission recognizes that successful energy efficiency programs may result in reduced sales for utilities thereby reducing utilities' willingness to implement beneficial energy efficiency programs. To address this concern, the Commission will consider proposals by utilities to separate (or decouple) a utility's margin recovery from its sales volume. These proposals are to be made in connection with new or existing energy efficiency programs. The Commission believes decoupling also reduces risk for a utility and this change in risk will be addressed in setting rates. The Commission is reluctant to give utilities performance incentives for energy efficiency programs, but is willing to consider shared savings, the sharing of some percentage of the net benefits of an energy efficiency program with the utility, as an incentive mechanism because this approach is most consistent with the collaborative approach favored by the Commission. Shared savings incentives would provide a return on the utility's investment that would benefit both the utility and the customer. Tom Wright, Chairman of the KCC said, "I am pleased by the fact this important project was a collaborative effort of the electric and gas utilities, the Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB), consultants, representatives of industry and commercial interests, several citizen groups, and the KCC Staff. This policy framework represents the best thinking of all stakeholders and provides an excellent foundation to make energy efficiency a key tool in meeting our future energy needs." Docket No. 08-GIMX-441-GIV

November 14, 2008 KCC Completes Framework for Energy Efficiency Programs The Kansas Corporation Commission today issued an order that provides a comprehensive energy efficiency framework. This is a collaboration bringing together the efforts of the Kansas Corporation Commission and the utility companies. In general, costs will be recovered through a bill rider mechanism. Throughout its order, the

Attorney General Sam Olens announced today that the State of Georgia has moved to join a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the constitutionality of the federal takeover of the financial industry known generally as Dodd–Frank. The lawsuit, originally filed by a small Texas community bank in June 2012, requests that the Court invalidate the law because it gives the federal government unprecedented, unchecked power, and it violates the Separation of Powers Clause by creating an unaccountable agency to exercise those powers. “Dodd-Frank was sold to the American people as a silver bullet to prevent another financial crisis and safeguard consumers,” said Olens. “In reality, it is a bureaucratic nightmare that puts Georgia taxpayers at risk and introduces more uncertainty into the economy. This is just another example of a power grab by the federal government attempting to dictate the operations of an entire industry.” The passage of Dodd-Frank created government agencies with virtually unlimited bureaucratic power that can be imposed on the American people without any checks and balances. These agencies will, literally, be able to decide who can get a home loan, who can get a credit card, and who can get loan for college. One of these agencies, the Consumer Financial Protection Board (CFPB) is run by one director alone, who is unaccountable both to the President and Congress. The CFPB’s budget is completely out of Congress’s control and power of the purse. Instead, the agency’s budget comes from the Federal Reserve and amounts to 10-12% of the Fed’s operating expenses. That is $400 million controlled, essentially, by one person with minimal oversight. The President cannot veto actions by the CFPB and can only remove the director for specific cause. The state attorneys general are challenging Title II of Dodd-Frank, which gives the Treasury Secretary the ability to liquidate financial companies with only 24 hours notice. There is no meaningful legal recourse for the company, there is an immediate gag order placed on all parties and it carries criminal penalties if violated; in short, this creates death panels for American companies. The private plaintiffs also are challenging the Financial Stability Oversight Council (Title I), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Title X), and the validity of the Bureau Director’s appointment. “Dodd-Frank violates basic principles of separation of powers and government that is accountable to the people. It also gives the federal government the power to pick winners and losers, putting the State of Georgia’s financial assets at risk,” added Olens. “By joining this lawsuit, we are standing up for the Constitution, standing up for our local communities, and protecting our State’s finances.” In addition to the community bank, original plaintiffs include the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the 60 Plus Association. Attorneys General from Michigan, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, are also plaintiffs, and Alabama, Montana, West Virginia, and Texas are also part of Georgia’s motion to join the lawsuit.

Attorney General Sam Olens announced today that the State of Georgia has moved to join a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the constitutionality of the federal takeover of the financial industry known generally as Dodd–Frank. The lawsuit, originally filed by a small Texas community bank in June 2012, requests that the Court invalidate the law beca

February 2013, Volume 5, Issue 2 Check Your Calendars!! Digital Learning Day Read Across America Day Teen Tech Week PLA Virtual Spring Symposium School Library Month National Library Week World Book Night Featured e-Resources of the Month Power search with ProQuest Rotunda celebration – 100 years and counting By Daria Bossman, Interim State Librarian Recently, we celebrated two events at the Capitol Rotunda. It was a windy, cold January day, but that didn’t keep 80 librarians, citizens and legislators from gathering at the Rotunda to see seven South Dakota libraries receive their Public Library Accreditation awards. Four of them were honored for reaching the Essential level, two at the Enhanced level and one at the Exemplary level. All of these public libraries set a goal to serve their communities and reach above and beyond the minimum standards for a public library in South Dakota. I spoke at this ceremony, and I took the occasion to review a bit of South Dakota State Library history in recognition of our 100th year anniversary. In November of 1913, the State Legislature established the South Dakota Free Library Commission. Yes, do the math; the SD State Library (our modern name) is 100 years old this year! We will be doing more to commemorate our birthday closer to July 1, but for now I’d like to point out a few highlights of our past years of service. In researching the formation of state libraries, I discovered that a few of the original 13 states disagree about who established the first state library. New Jersey's started in 1796, but they had a colony library of sorts as early as 1704; Pennsylvania got theirs started with the help of – who else, Ben Franklin, in 1745. But New Hampshire’s in 1717 is “generally considered to be the oldest (legislatively established) State Library institution.” So there you have it! Well, the point is, as our country expanded and folks moved west, various groups of people sought legislative approval to establish a state library. South Dakota was no different. It was the South Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs which is credited with taking the initial steps to place before the legislative bodies the need for a state library so “that books and reference materials be made available to the people of the state.” Our state was established in 1889, and by 1909, the Women’s Club had begun their lobbying efforts. It took several years, but they got it done. In 1913 the State Library Commission was born with a $3,000 budget. It moved to new quarters in the new Capitol Annex in 1932; in 1940 Mercedes McKay was hired, the first State Librarian (then called a Director) to stay for more than a few years. In 1957 they moved to a warehouse downtown and federal funding began through the National Library Service Act. In 1968 the federal Library Service and Construction Act further enhanced the State Library’s responsibilities and services to the local libraries. The year 1973 saw the creation of the SDIN—South Dakota Information Network (I assume that was a precursor to our SDLN today). And in 1976 the State Library moved into its own newly constructed building on Governor’s Drive. In 2009 we moved into our newly remodeled first floor of the McKay Building. And here we are – 2013! One hundred years of service to state government and our local libraries have passed. Many things have changed dramatically over the years. Could our predecessors have even imagined computers, online systems, databases, wireless access, e-readers and e-books? However, despite all the changes, some things have stayed the same and sound strangely familiar. For instance, in the early years, "courses were given at county Institutes on 'library methods' and 'children's reading.'" In a 1929 account the State Library reported an increased demand in their services because "public libraries and schools were requesting assistance in organization and reorganization problems." A 1966 report stated that among the purposes and function of the State Library was "preparation of reading lists for schools…granting of scholarships to promote professionally trained librarians, workshops for librarians and trustees and consultation services for public and school libraries." Then I found this great quote from former State Librarian Vincent Anderson: "The librarian who does nothing but sit behind a desk won’t last long. You have to be interested in people and in information." That was in 1974, nearly 40 years ago. Sound familiar? Some things change…other things stay the same, don't they? In closing, as we kick off our 100th birthday year, I'd like to again quote our former State Librarian Vince Anderson: "We prod and we encourage, all without charge to the community." Has a truer word ever been spoken? We here at the State Library lovingly prod and encourage our libraries to be all they can be for their communities. We do research for them, we train their staffs, keeping them abreast and up-to-date on the latest trends. We do indeed prod but we mostly encourage! This brings me to the seven public libraries which were recognized for their achievements this past week. They needed no prodding to strive toward excellence, and we commend them for that. Our SD Public Library Standards were rewritten, strengthened and revised in 2009 by a statewide taskforce of public librarians. We instituted a tiered system: Essential, Enhanced and Exemplary. This is a voluntary system administered by the State Library. Many states have a mandatory certification/accreditation system. We "encourage" (here is that word again) all of our libraries (large or small) to take a look at the standards – to use the standards as benchmarks in their goals and improvement plans. It is a great planning document for local library boards and a wonderful tool in communicating with their governing bodies what they need: 1) to remain legal and 2) to serve the 21st Century informational, archival and recreational needs of their individual communities. We want to congratulate the seven public libraries and their boards as well as the other public libraries which have attained accreditation in the past several years. If you are interested in seeing how your library measures up, take a look at the standards. They are located on our website at library.sd.gov. You can also contact our Development Staff if you have questions or need assistance with implementing your goals or a specific improvement plan. Call 1-800-423-6665. - "Librarians must be 'interested,'" The Brookings Register [Brookings] 19 Aug. 1974: n. pag. Print. - South Dakota State Library Commission. South Dakota Library Bulletin Anniversary [Pierre] Issue 49 (1963): n. pag. Print. - "State Library Has Problems." Argus-Leader [Sioux Falls] 30 Jan. 1966: n. pag. Print. - "State Library Needs 'twice as Much Money'" Rapid City Journal [Rapid City] 16 Mar. 1975: n. pag. Print.

February 2013, Volume 5, Issue 2 Check Your Calendars!! Digital Learning Day Read Across America Day Teen Tech Week PLA Virtual Spring Symposium School Library Month National Library Week World Book Night Featured e-Resources of the Month Power search with ProQuest Rotunda celebration – 100 years and counting By Daria Bossman, Interim State Librarian Recently, we celebrated two events at the Capit

Quick Draw System the morning of the hunt. This arrangement – commonly called the “poor line” drawing – is part of the current drawing system. Wildlife Division Chief DeeCee Darrow said the trial is part of a larger effort to re-examine how the Conservation Department does business and to use every technological means at its disposal to improve services. “Our current daily drawing system for assigning waterfowl hunting opportunities has been around for a long time,” said Darrow. “However, it does have some drawbacks. We had no way to address those shortcomings in the days before the Internet. We think Quick Draw will make hunting at our wetland areas more practical for more hunters.” The current drawing system assigns hunting opportunities in two ways. Each September, Missouri residents apply for hunting reservations at wetland areas. Those reservations can be from late October into January. The reservation system assigns half the hunting slots available at each wetland area each day. The other half are assigned in drawings – the so-called “poor line” – held early each morning at each wetland area. The three areas where Quick Draw is being tested will not be included in the reservation system this year. Daily “poor line” drawings allow Missouri residents who do not have reservations and nonresidents to drive to the wetland areas of their choice for a chance at drawing one of the unreserved hunting slots. This feature is retained under Quick Draw. Having a reservation under the current system is not always good for reservation holders. Reservation dates are locked in weeks or months in advance, and and do not always coincide with those days when large numbers of ducks and geese are present. Under the present system, the only way to concentrate your hunting efforts on the best days of the year is to stand in the “poor line.” The new system gives hunters more flexibility by letting them try for guaranteed hunting slots on the hottest hunting days of the year. Driving to wetland areas to stand in the “poor line” is a costly gamble for those who live far from their favorite hunting areas or who must take a day of vacation for a hunt. It also creates a quandary for parents who want to hunt with their children but hesitate to take them out of school without any assurance they will get to hunt. Quick Draw’s twice-weekly drawings will increase the number of hunters who have guaranteed slots when they arrive at wetland areas. It also will enable hunters to focus their efforts on the best hunting days. Under Quick Draw, the computer drawing will determine the order in which successful applicants get to select hunting spots. It also will determine where successful hunters in the ‘poor line” fit in the selection of hunting spots. On any given day, the No. 1 spot can be in either the Quick Draw or “poor-line” portion of the draw. Darrow said the new system will reduce the number of hunters turned away from wetland areas onsite each morning. Furthermore, she expects it to speed up the process of getting hunters to their hunting spots. “We think hunters will find a lot to like about this system,” said Darrow. “We know from past surveys that lack of time is one factor that prevents people from enjoying outdoor activities. This will help Missourians make better use of their time.” Darrow noted that high fuel prices make fruitless trips to distant hunting areas expensive. Quick Draw will save waterfowl hunters money. “No system can please everyone,” said Darrow, “but we hope this new arrangement will make it easier and more affordable for people to take advantage of waterfowl hunting at state wetlands. If it lets more people enjoy hunting, it will be a success.” Darrow said the Conservation Department is interested in finding out what hunters think of Quick Draw, both before and after this year’s trial. She said the new system is still in development, with time for fine-tuning to make the test run as convenient as possible for hunters and as useful as possible in post-test evaluation. Hunters interested in providing suggestions about Quick Draw can contact the nearest Conservation Department office or send written comments to Wildlife Division, Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180.

Quick Draw System the morning of the hunt. This arrangement – commonly called the “poor line” drawing – is part of the current drawing system. Wildlife Division Chief DeeCee Darrow said the trial is part of a larger effort to re-examine how the Conservation Department does business and to use every technological means at its disposal to improve services. “Our current daily drawing system for assig

NIH Research Matters September 29, 2008 Bisphenol A Blocks Growth of Brain Connections in Monkeys Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical widely used to make plastic food containers, can prevent connections from forming between nerve cells in the brains of monkeys, a new study suggests. Although similar findings have been seen in studies of rats and mice, this is the first to show that BPA may impair brain function in nonhuman primates. The results add to growing concerns about how widespread exposure to BPA may affect human health. BPA has been used since the 1950s to manufacture a hard, often clear plastic called polycarbonate. Today a wide range of items—including water cooler bottles, baby bottles, plastic coatings inside food cans, dental sealants and medical devices—are made with BPA. Many studies have shown that trace amounts of BPA can leach out of containers into foods. But it's unclear how this exposure affects the human body. Dozens of animal studies, mostly in rodents, have shown that BPA can influence behavior and harm the development of the brain and reproductive organs. But rodents differ from humans and other primates in how they process BPA and how hormones affect brain development. In the new study, published in the September 16, 2008, issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Csaba Leranth of Yale University School of Medicine and his colleagues looked at how BPA might affect estrogen activity and the formation of nerve cell connections, or synapses, in the brains of nonhuman primates. Their research was funded in part by NIH's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The researchers studied female African green monkeys that lacked ovaries and so produced little estrogen. Some of the animals received infusions of estradiol, a major form of the hormonal estrogen that promotes synapse growth in the brain. To mimic the effects of constant human exposure to BPA, some of the animals also received continuous infusions of BPA via an under-the-skin pump for nearly a month. The daily dose of BPA, adjusted for weight (50 μg/kg), was at the level considered safe for human consumption by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Compared to a control group that received no active compounds, animals given estradiol alone showed significant synapse formation in the brain's hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. But these estradiol-induced neuron connections did not form in monkeys that also received BPA infusions. Essentially, BPA appeared to block the synapse-forming effects of estradiol in those 2 brain regions, which both contribute to mood, learning and memory. One limitation of the study is that BPA was infused beneath the skin and not given orally, which is the most common route of human exposure. The researchers note that more studies are needed to clarify the effects of BPA, especially considering the widespread use of the compound. Earlier this month, the U.S. National Toxicology Program, headquartered at NIEHS, reported the results of its 2-year review of available data on BPA. The report cited “some concern” for the effects of BPA on development of the brain and prostate gland and for behavioral effects following fetal or childhood exposure to BPA. The review authors also called for additional studies help clarify how BPA exposure affects human health. —by Vicki Contie - Bisphenol A: - Safety and Food Packaging (FDA): NIH Research Matters Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B64A, MSC 2094 Bethesda, MD 20892-2094 About NIH Research Matters Harrison Wein, Ph.D., Editor Vicki Contie, Assistant Editor NIH Research Matters is a weekly update of NIH research highlights from the Office of Communications and Public Liaison, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health.

NIH Research Matters September 29, 2008 Bisphenol A Blocks Growth of Brain Connections in Monkeys Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical widely used to make plastic food containers, can prevent connections from forming between nerve cells in the brains of monkeys, a new study suggests. Although similar findings have been seen in studies of rats and mice, this is the first to show that BPA may impair brain

Effective Date: October 06, 2009 Expiration Date: October 06, 2014 || TOC | ChangeLog | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | Chapter4 | Chapter5 | Chapter6 | Chapter7 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD | AppendixE | AppendixF | ALL || 7.1.1 The NASA Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer (OCHMO) conducts Occupational Health (OH) reviews and defines OH "requirements" as mandatory elements for programs or functions. Requirements include NASA Policy Directives (NPDs), NASA Procedures and Requirements (NPRs) and external regulations and consensus standards applicable to NASA. This chapter establishes a method for performing and documenting the results of, and delineating the requirements for, Agency OH reviews conducted at NASA Centers/Facilities (hereinafter Centers), including NASA Headquarters (HQ) and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to the extent required in their contract. 7.1.2 The goal of the OCHMO is to ensure the protection and promotion of NASA workforce health, to improve workers' capabilities and abilities, and to ensure the maintenance of their safe and healthy working environment. Regular reviews of OH components are required to accomplish this goal, which includes verification of compliance with other Federal, state, local, and Center regulations. OH reviews help identify and mitigate risk, provide a consistent, high level of health care, and identify best practices and innovative solutions that provide greater operational effectiveness and efficiency. Achieving and maintaining sufficient resources commensurate with the Center's size, population, and mission are within the scope of OH reviews. 7.1.3 OH reviews provide a forum for NASA Center/Facility personnel and OCHMO to discuss OH-related issues for which OCHMO may be able to assist. The OCHMO OH Review Team members are advocates and provide technical help; guidance on best practices; support for Agency OH initiatives; facilitation of specialized training for emerging health threats and new requirements; and enhancement of the competency of OH employees. 7.1.4 Periodic OH program reviews shall include assessment of medical care provided at each Center's Occupational Medicine Clinic (including emergency care capability and coordination with other departments, medical quality assurance, health clinic environment of care, and childcare facility health aspects); preventive health and wellness activities; Employee Assistance Programs; Federal Workers' Compensation; fitness facilities; industrial hygiene; health physics; and food safety. 7.1.5 OCHMO Review Team Members shall be qualified to conduct review in their specific program area per NPD 1210.2, NASA Surveys, Audits, and Reviews Policy, paragraph 5 (2). 7.1.6 Each member of the OCHMO Review Team shall: a. Maintain the standards and ethics expected of a NASA civil service or contractor employees; b. Always act in the interest of the health and safety of workers; c. Base judgments on scientific knowledge and technical competence, seeking specialized expert advice when necessary; d. Refrain from any judgment, advice, or activities that may endanger the trust in their integrity or impartiality; e. Maintain full professional independence; f. Observe confidentiality in performing duties; g. Treat coworkers and other individuals equitably and without any form of discrimination in accordance with NPR 2081.1, Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted and Conducted Programs; h. Establish and maintain clear channels of communication among the team members, OCHMO management, Center points of contact, Center management, and others; i. Maintain high-quality review records, with the appropriate degree of confidentiality, for identifying OH findings at Centers; and j. Provide objective evidence including, but not limited to, surveillance of working environments, personnel interviews, documentation and records, and verification of personnel certifications. 7.1.7 Appendix E contains the current Center review schedule. Due to the potential for change to accommodate coordination with the OSMA and environmental review schedules, the latest schedule of Center reviews shall be maintained on the OH Web site at www.ohp.nasa.gov. 7.2.1 The Chief Health and Medical Officer (CHMO) shall be responsible for: a. Ensuring that planned program reviews of NASA facilities are conducted; b. Determining the value and adequacy of Center OH programs; and c. Determining if Centers are providing adequate OH program resources. 7.2.2 The Director of Occupational Health shall be responsible for: a. Assuring overall occupational health review process efficacy; b. Appointing the team lead for Center reviews; and c. Reviewing and approving occupational health review reports. 7.2.3 The OH Review Team Leader shall be the Agency's primary representative for the review process and shall be responsible for: a. Implementing overall, the Agency's occupational health review process, including pre and post review aspects, real-time problem coordination and resolution, and briefing presentations; b. Initiating contact with each Center prior to review; c. Coordinating and exchanging information with each Center primary Point of Contact (POC); d. Establishing each Center's review schedule and associated meetings; e. Consulting with the Agency's Director of Occupational Health, as needed during the review, regarding nonconformance findings; f. Providing the Center POC or Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) with a listing of nonconformance findings; and g. Continually improving the occupational health review process. 7.2.4 Center Directors shall be responsible for the following: a. Appointing a Center POC, with sufficient authority and OH knowledge to coordinate Center onsite reviews with the OCHMO, and to provide ready access to facilities and other logistical support; b. Providing the review effort with adequate resources and personnel; c. Attending the out-briefing or designating an alternate if he/she is unavailable; d. Assuring the corrective action plan addresses all nonconformance findings; e. Providing a corrective action plan to the OCHMO; f. Providing adequate resources to resolve corrective actions; g. Ensuring implementation of the requests for actions designated in the review; and h. Notifying the OCHMO; Office of Safety and Mission Assurance's Safety Assurance Requirements Division, and OH Director of other Center reviews, audits, or visits from outside regulatory bodies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), or state or local government organizations. 7.2.5 The Center primary POC shall be responsible for the following: a. Coordinating and exchanging information with the OCHMO Team Leader: (1) Providing a discipline-specific POC list to the OCHMO Review Team Leader, including names, mail and e-mail addresses, and phone numbers. (2) Distributing review questionnaires from the Review Team Leader to Center personnel. (3) Providing completed questionnaires and requested documentation to the Review Team Leader on time and in a concise electronic format. b. Providing and coordinating support requirements: (1) Arranging for badges and escort of the review team, where needed. (2) Coordinating property and set up requirements for equipment use (e.g., laptop PCs, cameras, PDAs, wireless Internet access, etc.). (3) Arranging for a private work area and a private interview room for the Agency Review Team. (4) Arranging rooms and meeting announcements for in-briefings and out-briefings. c. Supporting the onsite review: (1) Supporting the in-briefing, out-briefing, and finding coordination meetings. (2) Providing access to Center internal locations subject to the scope of the review. (3) Providing onsite access to additional Center documentation, as needed. (4) Providing wireless remote Internet access. (5) Coordinating real-time issues and problems, as they arise, during the review process. d. Providing postreview support: (1) Coordinating nonconformance findings with Center Management, as needed. (2) Overseeing preparation of the corrective action plan. (3) Tracking Centers' nonconformance findings to closure. 7.2.6 Center discipline-specific points of contact shall be responsible for: a. Being available during all parts of the review for their Agency Review Team counterparts; b. Coordinating and exchanging OH discipline information with the appropriate OCHMO Review Team counterpart; c. Supporting the review in-briefing and finding coordination briefings; d. Providing objective evidence (e.g., documentation, all necessary records, licenses, etc.) as requested; e. Escorting Agency Review Team personnel; f. Reporting real-time issues and problems to the Center primary POC, as they arise, during the review process; g. Coordinating and verifying with the Agency Review Team all specific discipline findings prior to the finding coordination meeting; and h. Representing the Center at the finding coordination meetings, as applicable. 7.2.7 Mandatory requirements and responsibilities or individual OCHMO Review Team members and the OCHMO Secretary/Administrative Assistant to the OH Director are located in Appendix C. 7.3.1 OH reviews shall be performed in accordance with the requirements of NPD 1210.2, NASA Surveys, Audits, and Reviews Policy, and shall compare NASA Center policies, procedures, and practices to (1) regulatory and other compliance requirements, (2) NASA Agency policy requirements, and (3) consensus standards. 7.3.2 A written report and program rating shall be prepared by OCHMO based on the OH review findings. The report and rating shall be provided to each Center, with a copy to the appropriate Mission Associate Administrator, Institutional Corporate Management, and Safety and Mission Assurance Directorates. 7.3.3 Centers are responsible for tracking and closing all nonconformance findings. 7.3.4 Table 1 provides the tasks and associated timelines for the OH review process. |1||Memo to Center Directors with annual OH review schedule for upcoming year||By November 1 of the previous year||OCHMO| |2||Electronic communication to Center COTR(s); provision of OH review questionnaires and a request for documents for OCHMO review||Approximately 60 days before OH review visit is scheduled to take place at the Center||OCHMO| |3||Memo to Center Director announcing OCHMO's upcoming OH review||Approximately 30 days before OH review visit is scheduled to take place at the Center||OCHMO| |4||Center-completed OH review questionnaires, requested documents, and discipline-specific POC information provided to OCHMO||30 days or more before OH review takes place or by the due date indicated in OCHMO's previous communication||Center POC/COTR| |5||Written list of nonconformance findings provided to Center review POC/COTR||OH Review Formal Out brief||OCHMO| |6||Memo and report to Center Director with the results of the OH review and a rating of the OH programs||Approximately 60 days after the last day of the OH review||OCHMO| |7||Off-year OH self-reviews with supporting documentation, and status of previous nonconformance findings||During the off-years in the same month as the last onsite OCHMO occupational health review||Center Director| 220.127.116.11 Task 1: OH reviews are conducted, by either OCHMO or the Center, annually and are set by the OCHMO, and are conducted (to the extent possible) during the same month at each respective Center. Also see Paragraph 7.1.8. 18.104.22.168 Task 2: Each Center COTR shall distribute the OH discipline-specific questionnaires and request for documents to the appropriate Centers' OH representatives. The Centers' OH representatives shall provide completed questionnaires and/or the documents requested by OCHMO to their COTR or other Center designated POC. The COTR or other Center-designated primary POC shall review the questionnaires, determine their viability, and return the questionnaires to the OCHMO Review Team Leader. Concurrently, or before the submittal of documents to OCHMO, the Center COTR or other designated POC shall also provide OCHMO with a list of OH disciplines technical POC's, Center security requirements and badging, in-brief and out-brief locations and any other logistical information needed for the OH review. All information shall be provided via e-mail or other electronic method, where feasible. 22.214.171.124 Task 3: A memo shall be sent from OCHMO to the Center Director to announce the upcoming OH review, including copies to the Center's Associate Administrator, Institutional Corporate Management, and Safety and Mission Assurance Directorates. The memo to the Center Director shall include OCHMO's detailed report of the OH review findings, including details about recurring nonconformances. 126.96.36.199 Task 4: Centers shall provide comprehensive answers to questions on questionnaire; documentation, discipline-specific POC's information, and other requested information in a concise and well organized electronic format. Questionnaires shall be in electronic format and inclusive and representative of all Center contractor and NASA activity under each OH discipline-specific questionnaire. 188.8.131.52 Task 5: A written listing of all nonconformance findings shall be provided to the Center POC or COTR at or before the out-briefing to Center management, in accordance with NPD 1210.2, NASA Surveys, Audits, and Reviews Policy. 184.108.40.206 Task 6: A memo, executive summary and comprehensive report containing the results of the review shall be provided to the Center Director. 220.127.116.11 Task 7: During years when an OCHMO-led review is not conducted at a Center, the Center shall perform an OH self-review during the same month of the regularly scheduled OCHMO onsite review and submit the review findings to the OCHMO Review Team Leader. The minimum elements of the self-review shall include: overall or general account of what was physically evaluated in each OH discipline are reviewed, names and qualifications of Center individual(s) conducting the reviews, dates and locations of each program or area reviewed, verification of compliance with other Federal, state, local, and Center regulations, a status and assessment of the previous OCHMO findings, and a corrective action plan for the nonconformance findings from the self-review. The Center report shall also describe any substantial improvement and/or degradation in each OH Program area. The Center self-review team members shall be qualified to conduct reviews in their specific program area per NPD 1210.2, NASA Surveys, Audits, and Reviews Policy, paragraph 5 (2). 7.3.5 The nonsubmittal of an OH self-review from the Center during an off-year shall be referred to the CHMO for decision on further action and reflected in the Center's subsequent onsite OH review detailed report. 7.3.6 Onsite OH Reviews 18.104.22.168 The OH review shall include an in-briefing, including introductions, the scope of the review, explanation of the mechanisms and review results, and coordination of other necessary details. The Center component of the in-briefing shall include introductions, a statement of open findings from previous reviews, and a summary of significant Center aspects affecting OH Programs since the last on-site OCHMO review. Those in attendance shall include at least one senior management representative with responsibility and authority over Center OH Programs. 22.214.171.124 The Center shall provide multidisciplinary coverage for the entire review period. The in-brief shall provide a forum for exchange of questions, information, and details regarding the review. It shall be an opportunity for the OH Review Team to offer expert information and advocacy, and to provide an opportunity for Center feedback on OH review process improvements. The Center shall present their top OH concerns and a status of any open or unresolved nonconformance findings from previous OH reviews. 126.96.36.199 Each OCHMO Team member shall coordinate with their OH discipline counterpart to confirm or clarify details of their parts of the review, discuss Center OH programs and processes, and plan area visits. OCHMO Review Team members shall collect pertinent objective evidence of their findings including, but not limited to, documentation and verification of facts through interviews, tours of work areas, observation of activities and the surrounding work environment and conditions, record reviews, and documentation accessibility and availability. Centers shall make all necessary records available to the OCHMO Review Team for review and assessment. 188.8.131.52 Center Directors shall ensure that adequate and professionally appropriate technical points of contact for each OH program are available and can participate in the OH review. 184.108.40.206 Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) situations found during the OH review shall be addressed as follows: 220.127.116.11 The issues shall be immediately reported to the onsite Center supervisor responsible for the area. Subsequently, it shall be immediately reported to the OCHMO Review Team Leader and Center Team Leader. The OHMO reviewer shall not commence the review until the issue has been resolved and the situation is no longer IDLH. 18.104.22.168 The Out-briefing shall be presented by the OCHMO Review Team to the Center Director or his or her representative in a verbal executive summary format. OCHMO's presentation shall focus on the strengths, weaknesses, and significant nonconformance findings. Any best practices found during the OH review shall also be highlighted. Per NPD 1210.2, a written list of nonconformance findings shall be provided by the OCHMO Review Team Leader to the Center COTR at or before the out briefing. 22.214.171.124 A detailed written report shall be provided to the Center within approximately 60 days of the Out-brief. The written review report shall be a reiteration of the issues expressed in the Center Out-brief, including details of all review findings. The Center shall have approximately 60 days after receipt of the written report to reply to the OCHMO Review Team Leader with a corrective action plan describing remedial actions for the nonconformance findings. Center corrective action plans shall be approved and signed by the Center Director, and shall follow the narrative format and numbering system of the original OCHMO report. 126.96.36.199 The Center shall keep the OCHMO Review Team Leader informed of the status of corrective action report if a delay is anticipated. Corrective actions shall only be "closed" when the anomalous condition associated with the nonconformance no longer exists. 188.8.131.52 Findings shall be categorized as follows: a. Commendation: A practice that exceeds requirements or is a time or cost-saving measure, without sacrificing OH objectives or requirements; b. Recognition: The acknowledgement of a significant improvement or progress toward required Center OH program requirements or other positive noteworthy accomplishment not attaining levels commensurate with those of a commendation; c. Opportunity for Improvement: A condition that meets compliance requirements but could or should be improved. Opportunities for Improvement are accompanied by "Recommendations" in the written report. Recommendations are not required to be addressed in the Center's corrective action plan or subsequent status reports; and d. Nonconformance: A divergence from a compliance requirement (Federal, state, local, NASA Agency, NASA Center, etc.) or an applicable consensus standard (the American National Standards Institute, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, etc.). These findings require Center response in the corrective action plan and subsequent status reports. 184.108.40.206 Working documents, reports, and results shall be permanently retained on file or in the Agency Health Electronic Database for use and future examination, unless deemed otherwise by the Director of Occupational Health. | TOC | ChangeLog | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | Chapter4 | Chapter5 | Chapter6 | Chapter7 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD | AppendixE | AppendixF | ALL | || NODIS Library | Organization and Administration(1000s) | Search ||

Effective Date: October 06, 2009 Expiration Date: October 06, 2014 || TOC | ChangeLog | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | Chapter4 | Chapter5 | Chapter6 | Chapter7 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD | AppendixE | AppendixF | ALL || 7.1.1 The NASA Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer (OCHMO) conducts Occupational Health (OH) reviews and defines OH "requirements" as m

This view of the largest crater on Eros -- a mosaic of NEAR Shoemaker images taken Sept. 10, 2000, from an altitude of 62 miles (100 kilometers) - offers a new perspective on the feature known as Psyche. The images were taken as the spacecraft flew directly over the 3.3-mile (5.3 kilometer) wide crater and its smaller sister craters, which align its rim and create a paw-like appearance. Providing additional clues to the history of Eros, the image shows several troughs and scarps that appear to cut through the crater. These structural features occurred after the crater was formed, perhaps resulting from a large impact elsewhere on the asteroid. The low light coming from the right of the photo highlights the crater's raised rim. Bright patterns on the crater wall likely come from dark material moving downslope and revealing fresher material underneath. A large boulder perched on the crater wall illustrates Eros' unusual gravity; because of its elongated shape the gravity "lows" on Eros are not necessarily in the lowest parts of craters. In this section, the boulder seems to rest on the wall, instead of rolling down to the floor. Built and managed by The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland, NEAR was the first spacecraft launched in NASA's Discovery Program of low-cost, small-scale planetary missions. See the NEAR web page at http://near.jhuapl.edu/ for more details.

This view of the largest crater on Eros -- a mosaic of NEAR Shoemaker images taken Sept. 10, 2000, from an altitude of 62 miles (100 kilometers) - offers a new perspective on the feature known as Psyche. The images were taken as the spacecraft flew directly over the 3.3-mile (5.3 kilometer) wide crater and its smaller sister craters, which align its rim and create a paw-like appearance. Providing

Some Democrats never stop looking for new taxes. While Americans are already struggling in the Obama economy, Senators Bernie Sanders and Barbara Boxer have recently introduced legislation that would put a tax on carbon emissions. Their intentions are clear and we must stand in firm opposition to yet another tax on American families and businesses, the effects of which would be disastrous to our already struggling economy. The higher costs of natural gas, coal and petroleum products would be felt throughout the economy in the form of higher production costs. In fact, this new tax will not only translate into higher prices on everything made and sold within the U.S., it will also cost American jobs by sending many industries overseas due to higher production costs. The people at greatest risk are low- and middle-income families, blue collar workers, the elderly, and those whose jobs will be destroyed if we adopt a carbon tax policy. We need a return of common-sense in Washington, not more of the liberal tax, regulate, and spend agenda. Our energy policy should encourage continued private sector innovation and development, not increase the tax burden on America’s job creators. That’s why more than 85 Members of the RSC joined an introduced H.Con.Res. 24 which expresses the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to American families and businesses.

Some Democrats never stop looking for new taxes. While Americans are already struggling in the Obama economy, Senators Bernie Sanders and Barbara Boxer have recently introduced legislation that would put a tax on carbon emissions. Their intentions are clear and we must stand in firm opposition to yet another tax on American families and businesses, the effects of which would be disastrous to our a

The Southern Hemisphere Marine Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE-1) of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Project (IGAC) was the first of a series of experiments that will quantify the chemical and physical processes controlling the evolution and properties of the atmospheric aerosol relevant to radiative forcing and climate. The objectives of this series of process studies are to provide the necessary data to incorporate aerosols into global climate models and to reduce the overall uncertainty in the calculation of climate forcing by aerosols. The goal of ACE-1 was to document the chemical, physical, radiative and cloud nucleating properties and determine the controlling processes of the aerosol in the remote marine atmosphere. ACE-1 was successfully completed on 15 December 1995. The experiment involved the efforts of over 100 research scientists from 11 countries and included coordinated measurements from the NCAR C-130 aircraft, the NOAA research vessel Discoverer, the Australian fisheries research vessel Southern Surveyor, and land based stations at Cape Grim and Macquarie Island, Australia and the western coast of New Zealand.

The Southern Hemisphere Marine Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE-1) of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry Project (IGAC) was the first of a series of experiments that will quantify the chemical and physical processes controlling the evolution and properties of the atmospheric aerosol relevant to radiative forcing and climate. The objectives of this series of process studies are

Mars Rover Carries Device for Underground Scouting 20 Oct 2011 An instrument on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity can check for any water that might be bound into shallow underground minerals along the rover's path. "If we conclude that there is something unusual in the subsurface at a particular spot, we could suggest more analysis of the spot using the capabilities of other instruments," said this instrument's principal investigator, Igor Mitrofanov of the Space Research Institute, Russia. The Mars Science Laboratory mission will use 10 instruments on Curiosity to investigate whether the area selected for the mission has ever offered environmental conditions favorable for life and favorable for preserving evidence about life. "The strength of Mars Science Laboratory is the combination of all the instruments together," Mitrofanov added. The Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons instrument, or DAN, will scout for underground clues to a depth of about 20 inches (50 centimeters). The Russian Federal Space Agency contributed it to NASA as part of a broad collaboration between the United States and Russia in the exploration of space. Sergey Saveliev, deputy head of the Russian Federal Space Agency, emphasized that the cooperation on this project serves as a continuation of the joint activities associated with the study of Mars to enhance the scientific return to the international community in the areas of Mars exploration and Mars knowledge. The accommodation and integration of the Russian DAN in the U.S. Mars Science Laboratory flight and mission systems give evidence of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in space endeavors. DAN will bring to the surface of Mars an enhancement of nuclear technology that has already detected Martian water from orbit. "Albedo" in the instrument's name means reflectance -- in this case, how original high-energy neutrons injected into the ground bounce off atomic nuclei in the ground. Neutrons that collide with hydrogen atoms bounce off with a characteristic decrease in energy, similar to how one billiard ball slows after colliding with another. By measuring the energies of the neutrons leaking from the ground, DAN can detect the fraction that was slowed in these collisions, and therefore the amount of hydrogen. Oil prospectors use this technology in instruments lowered down exploration holes to detect the hydrogen in petroleum. Space explorers have adapted it for missions to the moon and Mars, where most hydrogen is in water ice or in water-derived hydroxyl ions. Mitrofanov is the principal investigator for a Russian instrument on NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter, the high-energy neutron detector (HEND), which measures high energy of neutrons coming from Mars. In 2002, it and companion instruments on Odyssey detected hydrogen interpreted as abundant underground water ice close to the surface at high latitudes. That discovery led to NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander going to far northern Mars in 2008 and confirming the presence of water ice. "You can think of DAN as a reconnaissance instrument," Mitrofanov said. Just as Phoenix investigated what Odyssey detected, Curiosity can use various tools to investigate what DAN detects. The rover has a soil scoop and can also dig with its wheels. Its robotic arm can put samples into instruments inside the rover for thorough analyses of ingredients. Rock formations that Curiosity's cameras view at the surface can be traced underground with DAN, enhancing the ability of scientists to understand the geology. The neutron detectors on Odyssey rely on galactic cosmic rays hitting Mars as a source of neutrons. DAN can work in a passive mode relying on cosmic rays, but it also has its own pulsing neutron generator for an active mode of shooting high-energy neutrons into the ground. In active mode, it is sensitive enough to detect water content as low as one-tenth of one percent in the ground beneath the rover. The neutron generator is mounted on Curiosity's right hip. A module with two neutron detectors is mounted on the left hip. With pulses lasting about one microsecond and repeated as frequently as 10 times per second, key measurements by the detectors are the flux rate and delay time of moderated neutrons with different energy levels returning from the ground. The generator will be able to emit a total of about 10 million pulses during the mission, with about 10 million neutrons at each pulse. "We have a fixed number of about 10 million shots, so one major challenge is to determine our strategy for how we will use them," said Maxim Litvak, leading scientist of the DAN investigation from the Space Research Institute. Operational planning anticipates using DAN during short pauses in drives and while the rover is parked. It will check for any changes or trends in subsurface hydrogen content, from place to place along the traverse. Because there is a low possibility for underground water ice at Curiosity's Gale crater landing site, the most likely form of hydrogen in the ground of the landing area is hydrated minerals. These are minerals with water molecules or hydroxyl ions bound into the crystalline structure of the mineral. They can tenaciously retain water from a wetter past when all free water has gone. "We want a better understanding of where the water has gone," said Alberto Behar, DAN investigation scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "DAN fits right into the follow-the-water strategy for studying Mars." Mars Science Laboratory Project Scientist John Grotzinger of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena said, "DAN will provide the ability to detect hydrated minerals or water ice in the shallow subsurface, which provides immediate clues as to how the geology of the subsurface might guide exploration of the surface. In addition, DAN can tell us how the shallow subsurface may differ from what the rover sees at the surface. None of our other instruments have the ability to do this. DAN measurements will tell us about the habitability potential of subsurface rocks and soils -- whether they contain water -- and as we drive along, DAN may help us understand what kinds of rocks are under the soils we drive across." Information from DAN will also provide a ground-truth calibration for the measurements that the gamma-ray and neutron detectors on Odyssey have made and continue to make, all around the planet, enhancing the value of that global data set. The team leader of Odyssey's gamma-ray spectrometer suite, William Boynton of the University of Arizona in Tucson, is a co-investigator on the DAN investigation, with the major responsibility to provide DAN data products to NASA's Planetary Data System for usage by scientists everywhere. Besides heading the team that developed and will operate DAN, Mitrofanov is the principal investigator for a passive neutron-detector instrument to check for hydrated minerals on Mars' moon Phobos as part of the Phobos Soil Return mission that Russia plans to launch in November 2011. "Measurements by DAN on the Mars surface will be useful for the interpretation of Phobos data," he said. The DAN instrument was developed by the Space Research Institute, Moscow, in close cooperation with the N. L. Dukhov All-Russia Research Institute of Automatics, Moscow, and the Joint Institute of Nuclear Research, Dubna. A Russian-language website is available at http://l503.iki.rssi.ru/ . The Mars Science Laboratory is managed by JPL, a division of the California Institute of Techology, Pasadena. For more information on the mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl and http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/. Guy Webster 818-354-6278 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

Mars Rover Carries Device for Underground Scouting 20 Oct 2011 An instrument on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity can check for any water that might be bound into shallow underground minerals along the rover's path. "If we conclude that there is something unusual in the subsurface at a particular spot, we could suggest more analysis of the spot using the capabilities of other instruments," said this ins

Coventry and Warwickshire Connexions Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire mapping and planning the promotion of the active involvement of Children and young people. Connexions Coventry and Warwickshire have taken the Hear by Right standards and adopted their own style of mapping and planning with the aim of ensuring that standards are met to enable children and young people to .Have a Voice, Make a Change & See Things Happen. Their aim is to achieve established level of Hear by Rights Standard by April 2007 to ensure that young people are involved, in meaningful ways, in the design, planning, delivery, evaluation and governance of the service. Local Network Details Coventry and Warwickshire Connexions has not contributed an entry for the Hear by Right local network map. If you are from Coventry and Warwickshire Connexions and you would like to be included on the local network map, contact us with your details. Mapping and Planning Tool Hear by Right is based around the Mapping and Planning tool. This website provides a space for organisations to share their maps and plans using the tool, both in order to share details of what they are doing locally, and to promote learning between organisations. Downloadable Map and Plan |Evidence||Young People Reviewing the Strategy|

Coventry and Warwickshire Connexions Connexions Coventry & Warwickshire mapping and planning the promotion of the active involvement of Children and young people. Connexions Coventry and Warwickshire have taken the Hear by Right standards and adopted their own style of mapping and planning with the aim of ensuring that standards are met to enable children and young people to .Have a Voice, Make a

Office of Public Information The Arizona Department of Health Services' Public Information Office, as part of the Office of the Director, is committed to providing the public and the media with health information in a timely, accurate and helpful manner. All media inquiries should be directed to (602) 542-1094. The Department provides immediate information on disease outbreaks, rabies alerts, health indicator trends, mental health issues, and other topics. News release are archived on the website for three years. Media Cheat Sheets Note: Information provided in PDF files. The Department produces a variety of publications for the medical community, health officials, and the general public. - ADHS Annual Report - AHDConnection Newsletter - Arizona EHDI Connection Newsletter - Newborn Screening - Arizona Vaccine News - Bureau of Women's and Children's Health Newsletter - Extreme Weather and Public Health Newsletter - Health Updates - Recovery WORKS Health Agency Resources Additional information on a variety of topics is available from the following national health organizations:

Office of Public Information The Arizona Department of Health Services' Public Information Office, as part of the Office of the Director, is committed to providing the public and the media with health information in a timely, accurate and helpful manner. All media inquiries should be directed to (602) 542-1094. The Department provides immediate information on disease outbreaks, rabies alerts, heal

Do you have the most popular pure breed of dog or cat in Bankstown? Bankstown Mayor, Councillor Khal Asfour, said a total of 32,072 dogs and cats have homes in Bankstown. “Our residents own 23,949 dogs and 8,123 cats,” Mayor Asfour said. “This means around one in six residents owns one of these pets.” Residents are encouraged to visit Council’s website at www.bankstown.nsw.gov.au and go to the latest news section under Community News on the home page to find out where their pet sits in the pecking order. Mayor Asfour said he expects a lot of owners to be surprised by what are the most popular pure breeds in Bankstown. “As far as dogs are concerned, the most popular breed is not the German Shepherd, Chihuahua, Bull Terrier or Australian Cattle Dog - it’s the Maltese,” Mayor Asfour said. “When it comes to cats, it’s not Persian or Himalayan but Burmese.” DOGS Maltese - 1,212German Shepherd - 1,150Staffordshire Bull Terrier - 996Jack Russell Terrier - 764Labrador Retriever - 762Rottweiler - 550Chihuahua - 536Pomeranian - 494Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - 419Shih Tzu - 357American Staffordshire Terrier - 350 Burmese - 161Persian - 139Ragdoll - 123Siamese - 87Himalayan - 85Birman - 77British Shorthair - 59Half Persian - 27Tonkinese - 27Russian Blue - 27Oriental - 23

Do you have the most popular pure breed of dog or cat in Bankstown? Bankstown Mayor, Councillor Khal Asfour, said a total of 32,072 dogs and cats have homes in Bankstown. “Our residents own 23,949 dogs and 8,123 cats,” Mayor Asfour said. “This means around one in six residents owns one of these pets.” Residents are encouraged to visit Council’s website at www.bankstown.nsw.gov.au and go to the lat

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 August 5, 2010 In Reply Refer To: 1703/9100 (280/854) P EMS TRANSMISSION 08/10/2010 Instruction Memorandum No. 2010-175 To: All Field Officials From: Assistant Director, Business and Fiscal Resources Subject: Energy and Water Conservation at Bureau of Land Management Facilities Program Area: Engineering, Property, Procurement and Resource Protection Purpose: This policy provides energy and water conservation guidance for all of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) facilities. This policy addresses the efficient use of energy and potable water for the BLM’s facilities as mandated in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005); Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007); Executive Order 13423; and Executive Order 13514. Policy/Action: Field officials shall conserve energy and water by incorporating conservation principles, practices, and technologies to the maximum extent practical. Field officials are requested to: Timeframe: Effective upon issuance. Background: The BLM tracks the use of energy and water through a centralized utility billing process. The energy and water usage is reported to the Department of the Interior (DOI) on an annual basis and is monitored by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) via Agency energy management scorecards. EISA 2007 and EO 13423 require building energy intensity to be reduced 3% annually through FY2015 or a 30% total reduction by 2015 (baseline 2003). In addition, EO 13514 calls for reduced energy intensity in buildings to achieve GHG reductions. The BLM continues to make significant progress in terms of reducing energy intensity within new and existing facilities. Recent Energy Saving Performance Contract (ESPC) work, as well as other sustainable practices, has led to the BLM being one of the leading agencies within the DOI in terms of reductions in Energy Intensity (energy use per square foot). In Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, the BLM spent $9.15 million for energy in over 4.5 million gross square feet of buildings. Energy consumption in the BLM’s buildings in FY 2009 decreased approximately 22% from the 2003 base year. The BLM is doing well by exceeding the established reduction goal of 18% for FY 2009, but there is room for improvement. Executive Orders EO 13423 and EO 13514 both require 2% annual reduction in potable water consumption (through FY 2015 & FY 2020 respectively) relative to a 2007 baseline. In addition, Executive Order 13514 requires agencies identify, promote, and implement water re-use strategies that reduce potable water consumption within their facilities. To date, the BLM’s water consumption efforts have primarily focused on establishing the 2007 baseline for comparison. Ongoing reduction strategies include the use of low flow fixtures and controls (through maintenance renewal as well as a part of new construction). Budget Impact: Budget impacts are variable, depending upon the extent of energy and water efficient technologies to be installed. Using payback calculation principles, costs associated with energy and water conservation should be recovered by the energy and water savings in a reasonable time period. Manual/Handbook Sections Affected: None. Coordination: This IM has been coordinated with BLM WO-280, WO-800, and the DOI’s Office of Acquisition and Property Management. Contact: David Campbell at (202) 912-7043, David_Campbell@blm.gov or Chuck Svoboda at (303) 236-6661, Charles_Svoboda@blm.gov. Signed by: Authenticated by: Ann DeBlasi Robert M. Williams Acting, Assistant Director Division of IRM Governance,WO-560 Business and Fiscal Resources |Last updated: 08-10-2010| |USA.GOV | No Fear Act | DOI | Disclaimer | About BLM | Notices | Social Media Policy|

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 August 5, 2010 In Reply Refer To: 1703/9100 (280/854) P EMS TRANSMISSION 08/10/2010 Instruction Memorandum No. 2010-175 To: All Field Officials From: Assistant Director, Business and Fiscal Resources Subject: Energy and Water Conservation at Bureau of L

Created by the CMAP Board to make recommendations on state and local tax policy matters addressed in GO TO 2040, the Regional Tax Policy Task Force met from April 2011 to January 2012. It was charged with advising the CMAP Board on issues central to state and local fiscal policy, viewed through the lens of the regional economy, sustainability, equity, and the connections between tax policies and development decisions. The task force existed to advise the CMAP Board, and had no statutory or independent authority. After ten meetings and extensive staff-supported research, the task force prepared an advisory report, which the CMAP Board received at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on February 8, 2012. (See the bottom of this page for earlier drafts of the report.) As recommended by GO TO 2040, the task force evaluated policy issues such as existing state and local revenue sharing arrangements, the connection between the sales tax and development decisions, the connection between the tax base and tax rates, the property tax, the state income tax, and the divergences in local tax capacity across northeastern Illinois. The GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan states that: "Tax policy should encourage local decisions that make effective use of land, generate good jobs, and trigger sustainable economic activity. It should set high standards of transparency and predictability for the taxpayer. And it should not create large inequities across households, businesses, and local governments. By reforming state and local taxation, the region would benefit from new policies that help to advance rather than undermine GO TO 2040's goal for sustained regional economic competitiveness." Now that the task force has completed its work, the CMAP Board is guiding additional research into the issues raised by the task force report and by GO TO 2040. Watch the CMAP Policy Updates blog for information about significant developments. Task Force Members The CMAP Board ensured a balanced membership made up of representatives from state, county, and municipal government, academia, civic organizations, and business. The Board approved the appointment of Frank Beal, Executive Director, Metropolis Strategies, as chair of the Regional Tax Policy Task Force. On behalf of the region, CMAP is grateful to each of the task force members for their service. Zahra Ali, Director, Cook County Department of Revenue Paul Braun, Mayor, Village of Flossmoor Barry Burton, County Administrator, Lake County Karen Darch, President, Village of Barrington Paul Fisher, President, CenterPoint Properties Trust Larry Hartwig, Mayor, Village of Addison Tom Johnson, President, Taxpayers' Federation of Illinois Mike Klemens, Manager, Office of Policy & Communications, Illinois Department of Revenue Dan Long, Executive Director, Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability Daniel McMillen, Department of Economics and the Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois Laurence Msall, President, Civic Federation Chris Nash, Assistant Budget Director, Office of Budget and Management, City of Chicago Michael Pagano, Dean, College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, University of Illinois at Chicago Donovan Pepper, Senior Manager, Government Relations, Walgreen Co.

Created by the CMAP Board to make recommendations on state and local tax policy matters addressed in GO TO 2040, the Regional Tax Policy Task Force met from April 2011 to January 2012. It was charged with advising the CMAP Board on issues central to state and local fiscal policy, viewed through the lens of the regional economy, sustainability, equity, and the connections between tax policies and d

Guest blog post by John Bryson, Secretary of Commerce. Cross-posted at Chamber Post. Today, the President announced his plan to ask Congress for the authority to reorganize and consolidate the government so we can provide more effective, efficient services to the American people. He wants this authority, which Presidents had until it lapsed in 1984, so that we can modernize our structure to better compete in the global economy and maximize services for the American people. And the first priority would be to strengthen the ways that American businesses – large and small – can work with the government to compete, export, and grow. There is not a federal agency that can't be better or smarter in accomplishing its mission. That's why this consolidation authority is so critical. Many of the structures in place right now are outmoded and More specifically, today the President also announced that he would use such authority to organize all of the business and trade related functions into a new department, including many functions of the Currently, there are six major departments and agencies that focus primarily on business and trade in the federal government, including: U.S. Department of Commerce’s core business and trade functions, the Small Business Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Trade and Development Agency. Consolidating these agencies will create one new Department with one mission: to spur job creation and expand the U.S. economy.

Guest blog post by John Bryson, Secretary of Commerce. Cross-posted at Chamber Post. Today, the President announced his plan to ask Congress for the authority to reorganize and consolidate the government so we can provide more effective, efficient services to the American people. He wants this authority, which Presidents had until it lapsed in 1984, so that we can modernize our structure to better

“Creative Commons is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others, consistent with the rules of copyright.” The Creative Commons website provides free licenses and other legal tools to mark creative work with the freedom the creator wants it to carry, so others can share, remix, use non-commercially, commercially, or any combination thereof - (adapted from: http://creativecommons.org/about/) So if you want to share your own work with other students or anyone else, the Creative Commons website enables you to choose a licence (which is explained in easy to understand language and symbols) appropriate to how you want to make it available and attach to your work. Choosing a Creative Commons licence only means you have chosen to make your work available in a particular (non-exclusive) way and does not assign copyright to any user, who must abide by the terms and conditions of the licence you have chosen. See http://creativecommons.org/choose/ Similarly if you come across any works on the internet with a Creative Commons Licence attached, you will be able to share this work with others in accordance with the licence and conditions attached. However a word of caution – occasionally, you may find works with a Creative Commons licence attached (in-copyright artwork for example) which right to licence would not wholly rest with the photographer who may have taken the picture of the image. So keep a watchful eye and if something strikes you as not quite right, then probably best not to share and keep for use for your own personal use only, if appropriate. Licence symbols and conditions Creative Commons licensing terms are constructed so that they are easily understood and users do not get hampered by long drawn out ‘ ‘legal’ language which leaves people baffled and scared to interpret. These licensing terms are explained at http://creativecommons.org/choose/. So if you decide to make your work available on the basis that it may be used for non-commercial purposes, and may not be adapted, then you would choose http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/ and attach this URL to your work online. Ensure you name is on your work as the author and you have the © symbol beside your name also. If you have a particular acknowledgement you would like people to see when they use your work under the Creative Commons Licence, then place that on your work also: eg, (title of your work (2010) by John Brown, © John Brown, made available under Creative Commons Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/. That makes it easier for others to credit appropriately and also links directly to the licence terms. If you use works under Creative Commons licensing terms, please ensure you credit appropriately also. All uses of Creative Commons licensed works require attribution. Please visit the Creative Commons website for further information: http://creativecommons.org/

“Creative Commons is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others, consistent with the rules of copyright.” The Creative Commons website provides free licenses and other legal tools to mark creative work with the freedom the creator wants it to carry, so others can share, remix, use non-commercially, commercially, or any combination th

An Overview of the Ethnography Program Muriel 'Miki' Crespi, National Park Service February 25, 2003 Abstract: In one of her last presentations before her death April 2003, Miki Crespi gave an overview of the National Park Service Program in Applied Ethnography. The overview included, first, how the program started, with the development of Native American Relationship Policy in 1979, Crespi's arrival in 1981. Second, it addressed the Program's integration into the National Park Service through applying legislation such as the National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 and the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978. Third, it described the changes to the resource management culture of the National Park Service itself necessary to dealing with American Indians and other peoples in modern-day, rather than historical, contexts. Fourth, it outlined the policy changes needed to define peoples traditionally associated with particular NPS resources, and develop strategies toward consulting with them as part of resource management and planning. These definitions and strategies revolved around the concept of ethnographic resources, i.e. resources NPS manages as seen from the viewpoint and lives of peoples traditionally associated with them.

An Overview of the Ethnography Program Muriel 'Miki' Crespi, National Park Service February 25, 2003 Abstract: In one of her last presentations before her death April 2003, Miki Crespi gave an overview of the National Park Service Program in Applied Ethnography. The overview included, first, how the program started, with the development of Native American Relationship Policy in 1979, Crespi's arri

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service Cooperative Preservation of Architectural Records (COPAR) A national center for information on architectural records throughout the United States. COPAR directs researchers to repositories in all states. Historic American Buildings Survey/ Historic American Engineering Record (HABS/HAER) Records for more than 25,000 historic buildings and structures. The HABS/HAER collection is reproducible and copyright free. Records are accessible at, and may be ordered from, the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, DC, 20540. |National Register Home | Publications Home | Previous Page | Next Page|

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service Cooperative Preservation of Architectural Records (COPAR) A national center for information on architectural records throughout the United States. COPAR directs researchers to repositories in all states. Historic American Buildings Survey/ Historic American Engineering Record (HABS/HAER) Records for more than 25,000 historic buildings and stru

Rumsfeld: Reagan Legacy Present in Iraq Today By John D. Banusiewicz American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2003 Former President Ronald Reagan's legacy is present in Iraq today, as many nations freed from the grasp of tyranny now are helping the coalition bring freedom to the Iraqi people, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said today. Speaking at the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif., Rumsfeld named 19 of the 32 countries that now have military forces in Iraq -- Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine and noted they're all nations Reagan helped to make free. "Why are so many of these nations many small, most not very wealthy sending their forces, their young men and women put at risk halfway around the world, to help bring freedom to the Iraqi people?" the secretary asked. "I suspect it's because so many of them have just recovered their own freedom, and they're eager, they're proud, to help the Iraqi people recover theirs." Rumsfeld said the participation of these nations demonstrates that "the seeds of freedom, when planted, can do more than simply take root where they're sown. They can have the power to spread freedom across the globe to other countries." The secretary quoted from a reply Reagan wrote by hand to Leonid Brezhnev after the Soviet leader wrote to him, accusing the United States of destabilizing the world with its "territorial ambitions and imperialistic designs." Reagan noted that after World War II, the United States had the only undamaged industrial power in the world, a military force at its peak, and a monopoly on the nuclear bomb and the ability to deliver it anywhere in the world. Reagan wrote that no one could have stopped the United States at that time if world domination was on the nation's agenda. Instead, he wrote, "we used our power and wealth to rebuild the war-ravaged economies of the world, including those nations that had been our enemies." Freedom took root in Japan, Germany, Italy and across Europe, Rumsfeld said, because of U.S. efforts after the war, and the liberated nations of Europe joined with the United States to form the NATO. "Together, we stood up to the forces of communist tyranny, and by the end of the 20th century, liberty had spread across the entire continent of Europe and beyond," Rumsfeld said. He noted remarks President Bush had made at the Reagan library, pointing out that in 1941 the world had only about a dozen democracies, and by the end of the 20th century, more than 120 democracies were in place. "Many of those recently liberated nations are now at the forefront of the effort to help Iraq and Afghan peoples recover their freedoms and maintain them," Rumsfeld said. "And if we are steadfast, free societies can take root in those countries, and we will have still new allies in the battle for freedom and moderation in the Middle East." Rumsfeld noted that the post-World War II Marshall Plan that Reagan referred to in Brezhnev letter cost about $90 billion in today's dollars. "That $90 billion investment helped transform a region that had been a source of violent war and instability for centuries and turn it into a place of peace and posterity and, I would add, mutually beneficial trade," Rumsfeld said. He said some American taxpayers might understandably ask why the United States should spend $20 billion to help bring stability, democracy and self-government to Iraq. "The reason, I would submit, is because it's in our interest, and the interest of the Free World," Rumsfeld said. "And I also suspect that that's what Ronald Reagan would say. "Today, America carries on the mission that animated President Reagan's life and his presidency -- very simply, the defense of human freedom," Rumsfeld continued. "And looking at what has been accomplished in the past two years tyrannies defeated, nations rescued, millions of people liberated I suspect he would approve."

Rumsfeld: Reagan Legacy Present in Iraq Today By John D. Banusiewicz American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2003 Former President Ronald Reagan's legacy is present in Iraq today, as many nations freed from the grasp of tyranny now are helping the coalition bring freedom to the Iraqi people, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said today. Speaking at the Ronald Reagan Library and Museu

According to comScore, the U.S. mobile social media audience grew by 37% over the past year, a significant increase by anyone's standards. But what does it really mean? "Social media is one of the most popular and fastest growing mobile activities, reaching nearly one third of all U.S. mobile users," says Mark Donovan, comScore SVP for mobile. "This behavior is even more prevalent among smartphone owners with three in five accessing social media each month, highlighting the importance of apps and the enhanced functionality of smartphones to social media usage on mobile devices." It seems only logical that smartphone users access social media more regularly--after all, they aren't paying those high fees for data plans just to read the occasional email Peggy Ann Salz, chief analyst and publisher of Mobile Groove, says, "I think what's interesting about this is how it's so reflective of our evolving relationship with mobile." comScore, however, is more interested in what this means for businesses. "Advertisers and marketers should take note - mobile users are not only engaging with their friends through social networking, but a majority are also interacting with brands in these social media environments," said Donovan. "Knowing that fans and followers engage with branded content on mobile devices opens the door to a world of opportunity for location-based services." "What I'm really into is not that we use mobile more but that we trust mobile more...The fact that it reaches and influences us at every step of the purchase funnel," says Salz. Does reading a post from The Gap on your Facebook feed really translate to wanting the store to track your location in order to send you discounts? "I would say that is probably true if we're talking about local content," says Salz. The bookstore on the corner and the restaurant on the other side of town may see some opportunities when it comes to mobile social networking and location-based services, but Salz doesn't see a place for more global brands in this arena. In other words, does anyone really want Coke sending them coupons every time they drive by a supermarket? "American analysts are just much, much more bullish and upbeat about the location aspect of mobile," says the German-based Salz. "What I'm much more excited about is context... There's a lot more to context than location." For example, Salz says, the weather channel has recently started using information about location and weather to deliverable applicable content and advertising to mobile users. When people are interacting with brands on social media-whether through mobile devices or on a desktop-Salz says the most important message for those brands to take away is this: "Brands need to be listening in and answering back." (Photo from lulemon athletica, Flickr Creative Commons.)

According to comScore, the U.S. mobile social media audience grew by 37% over the past year, a significant increase by anyone's standards. But what does it really mean? "Social media is one of the most popular and fastest growing mobile activities, reaching nearly one third of all U.S. mobile users," says Mark Donovan, comScore SVP for mobile. "This behavior is even more prevalent among smartphone

U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis Today in Energy Many wind projects are planning to come on line before the end of 2012, in advance of the possible expiration of a federal incentive, the wind production tax credit (PTC). It appears that wind developers are pushing to complete projects in 2012 to qualify for the PTC. Under current law, projects that begin operating prior to the end of 2012 are eligible to receive a 2.2-cent PTC for each kilowatthour of generation over a 10-year period. Similar behavior in the face of previous PTC expirations was discussed in an earlier Today in Energy article describing the history of the wind PTC. EIA collects monthly updates on modifications, retirements, and additions to the nation's fleet of power plants, including the planned date of commercial operation for new generators. Wind plant developers reported increasing amounts of new capacity scheduled to enter commercial operation in 2012 as the year progressed. Even as completed projects accumulated during 2012 (see chart, dark blue bars), the amount of capacity expected to come on line before the end of the year continued to increase (light blue bars plus dark blue bars). As of November 30, 2012, the wind capacity planned to come on line by the end of December would account for approximately half of the total 2012 wind capacity additions. Wind generators accounted for a significant portion of capacity additions since 2007 (see chart below), and were the largest source for generating capacity additions in 2008 and 2009. If all planned wind generators for 2012 come on line, as reported by industry participants, wind capacity additions could top 12,000 MW for this year. This would account for 45% of total additions and exceed capacity additions from any other fuel source, including natural gas, which was the leading fuel source for electric generating capacity additions in 2010 and 2011. *Note: 2012 data include both completed and planned projects, with data as of November 30, 2012. Detailed data on each generator addition and retirement are available in the Electric Power Monthly (in tables ES3 and ES4, respectively). These data represent responses to EIA's monthly update survey of existing electric generators. An annual survey will collect final data from all industry participants early next year.

U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis Today in Energy Many wind projects are planning to come on line before the end of 2012, in advance of the possible expiration of a federal incentive, the wind production tax credit (PTC). It appears that wind developers are pushing to complete projects in 2012 to qualify for the PTC. Under current law, projects that

What is urban Stormwater? Stormwater is pure rainwater plus anything the rain carries along with it. In urban areas, rain that falls on the roof of your house, or collects on paved areas like driveways, roads and footpaths is carried away through a system of pipes that is separate from the sewerage system. Unlike sewage, stormwater is not treated. In some cases it's filtered through traps, usually located at the end of the pipe system, but it still flows directly from streets and gutters into our rivers, the harbour and the ocean. Straight from your street to waterways inhabited by fish, frogs and other aquatic animals and plants. If you live near a waterway or often spend time in or near the water you are probably familiar with what happens after rain. Polluted stormwater spreading out into the surrounding clean water can be clearly seen because it's a muddy colour, and often carries litter with it. You may be advised not to swim for a couple of days, because the pollution carried along with the rainwater may pose a significant health risk. Stormwater pollution can be controlled if everyone plays a part in managing the drains in the streets where they live and work. In other words, if you look after your local drains, you can dramatically improve what happens in the harbours, on the beaches and in the rivers. The most effective way to reduce stormwater pollution is to stop it entering the system in the first place. Do you know where the water goes? What happens to the water that runs off your roof? What happens to the water that runs off your driveway, or escapes from garden beds? Where does the water go when it goes down the drain? Click the image for a larger view There are various types of stormwater pollution traps, but they all act like filters. They catch pollution before it has a chance to enter the waterways. They have to be cleaned or emptied regularly, and their contents are carried away to landfill. Types of pollution traps include: - artificial wetlands - oil and litter booms - gross pollutant traps - trash racks - sediment traps. The most effective way to reduce this problem is to prevent pollution entering the stormwater system in the first place. The traps don't catch all the silt or litter, and they don't stop chemicals. Page last updated: 26 February 2011

What is urban Stormwater? Stormwater is pure rainwater plus anything the rain carries along with it. In urban areas, rain that falls on the roof of your house, or collects on paved areas like driveways, roads and footpaths is carried away through a system of pipes that is separate from the sewerage system. Unlike sewage, stormwater is not treated. In some cases it's filtered through traps, usually

MTBE Handling And Use These resources provide information on the handling and use of MTBE. For other MTBE topics, please return to the MTBE main page. [ DISCLAIMER ] - Alternative Fuels Research Strategy. Review Draft (PDF) (520 pp, 2.44MB, About PDF) 1992. EPA 600/AP-92/002. Prepared by EPA's Office of Research and Development, this report lays a foundation for developing the scientific information needed to compare the benefits and risks of various motor vehicle fuels, especially alternative and reformulated fuels, in relation to conventional gasoline and diesel fuels. MTBE, ETBE, and ethanol are discussed. - Chemical Fact Sheet CAS Number: 1634044 Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether Undated. Prepared by Spectrum Laboratories, this fact sheet presents information on MTBE, including its properties, use, consumption, environmental fate, and impacts. - Chemical Profile for Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (CAS Number: 1634-04-4) 2005. Provided by Scorecard, an online resource for information about pollution problems and toxic chemicals, this Web page provides basic MTBE-related information and links to other resources. - Information on Reformulated Gasoline (RFG) Properties and Emissions Performance by Area and Season Undated. These tables and graphs are based on EPA's analysis of data generated from surveys conducted by the RFG Survey Association, an association of refiners, importers, and blenders. Users are encouraged to read the Methodology and Explanation of the survey information. For more information, contact Stuart Romanow, phone: (202) 564-9296. - International Chemical Safety Card: Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether 2000. This fact sheet, prepared by the National Institutes of Health in partnership with other agencies, provides basic safety and handling information related to MTBE. - Leak History of New and Upgraded UST Systems (PDF) (8 pp, 20K, About PDF) 1999. This Advisory Panel report presents the results of a review of existing data on underground storage tank (UST) contamination sites to determine if there is a leak history associated with UST systems meeting the 1998 federal and state standards. - Leak Source and Leak Detection Data Collection and Analysis (UST Team 3 Report) (PDF) (27 pp, 90K, About PDF) 1999. This UST Team 3 report examines whether the standards for new and upgraded UST systems are adequate to protect water resources from MTBE contamination. - MTBE Fact Sheet #3: Use and Distribution of MTBE and Ethanol (PDF) (3 pp, 17K, About PDF) 1998. EPA 510-F-97-016. Published by EPA, this fact sheet provides information on factors related to MTBE and ethanol use and distribution, including pricing, tax incentives, and convenience. - MTBE Resource Guide 2005. Prepared by the European Fuel Oxygenates Association, this guide provides information on MTBE, including its use and handling, the prevention and remediation of spills, and links to online resources, reports, and studies. - Oxygenate Compatibility and Permeability Report (UST Team 1 Report) (PDF) (18 pp, 61K, About PDF) 1999. This UST Team 1 report presents the results of a literature review and industry survey to explore the compatibility of oxygenates, including methanol, ethanol, MTBE, ETBE, TAME, and DIPE, with materials used in UST systems.

MTBE Handling And Use These resources provide information on the handling and use of MTBE. For other MTBE topics, please return to the MTBE main page. [ DISCLAIMER ] - Alternative Fuels Research Strategy. Review Draft (PDF) (520 pp, 2.44MB, About PDF) 1992. EPA 600/AP-92/002. Prepared by EPA's Office of Research and Development, this report lays a foundation for developing the scientific informati

SMART-1 celebrates its first year in space ESA PR 54-2004. One year after its launch on 27 September 2003, the SMART-1 spacecraft is in excellent health and preparing for the manoeuvres that will bring it into orbit around the Moon mid-November. The first mission phase, the aim of which was to test several innovative technologies, has been successfully completed. It included, in a first for Europe, testing of primary solar-electric propulsion and of a miniaturised payload for cruise science experiments, telecommunications and spacecraft navigation. The ion engine went into action three days after launch and slowly placed SMART-1 safely above the radiation belts that surround the Earth. From there, SMART-1 started spiralling around our planet to eventually come closer, through ever wider orbits, to the so-called ‘Moon capture’ point. During this transfer phase, the ion engine fired its thrusters for periods of several days to progressively raise its apogee (the maximum altitude of its orbit) to the orbit of the Moon. So far, the SMART-1 ion engine has operated for about 3300 hours and covered a distance of some 78 million kilometres, with only 52 kilograms of propellant. With this successful demonstration, SMART-1 is paving the way for future deep-space missions, using a solar- electric engine as primary propulsion. It will be applied to long, energy-demanding interplanetary missions in the Solar System, reducing the size and cost of propulsion systems, while increasing manoeuvrability and the mass available for scientific instrumentation. ESA plans to use primary solar-electric propulsion for its future BepiColombo and Solar Orbiter missions. During its first year in space, SMART-1 has also successfully tested new space communication techniques. For the first time, SMART-1 has used very short radio waves (called Ka band at 32 Gigahertz, with the KaTE instrument) to communicate with Earth. These enable far more information to be transmitted over deep space than the commonly used frequencies and in a shorter period of time. Another SMART-1 achievement is the successful testing of a laser communication link experiment with ESA’s optical ground station in Tenerife, Canary Islands in February of this year. This laser technology, in which Europe is a leader, has already been applied to telecommunications satellites, but this was the first time a laser link had been used to communicate with a distant, rapidly moving spacecraft. Both techniques will be crucial for future science missions where huge amounts of scientific data have to be transferred back to Earth over large distances in space. During its cruise, SMART-1’s miniaturised payload, consisting of seven instruments weighing only 19 kilograms in total, has been tested. All instruments onboard SMART-1 were operated and performed successfully in a number of science experiments. This was excellent preparation for the next phase of the SMART-1 mission: an unprecedented scientific study of the Moon, exploring in-depth the mysteries of our Earth’s natural satellite. With all these achievements to celebrate after its first year in space, SMART-1 is now preparing for the next big milestone, the lunar capture which is expected to take place less than two months from now. Note for editors: SMART-1 was launched on 27 September 2003 from Kourou, Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana, onboard an Ariane-5 rocket. It is the first in a series of ‘Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology’, designed to demonstrate innovative and key technologies for future deep-space science missions. In addition to its technological objectives, SMART-1 is Europe’s first lunar mission and will perform a detailed scientific study of the Moon. For further information please contact: ESA SMART-1 Project Manager Noordwijk, The Netherlands Tel: + 31 71 565 4618 ESA SMART-1 Project Scientist Noordwijk, The Netherlands Tel: + 31 71 565 5647 ESA Media Relations Division Tel: +33 1 5368 7155 Fax: +33 1 5369 7690

SMART-1 celebrates its first year in space ESA PR 54-2004. One year after its launch on 27 September 2003, the SMART-1 spacecraft is in excellent health and preparing for the manoeuvres that will bring it into orbit around the Moon mid-November. The first mission phase, the aim of which was to test several innovative technologies, has been successfully completed. It included, in a first for Europe

Sommaire: 19 April 2012, Geneva - Opportunities abound, demand is strong, salaries are high - so what's holding young women back from studying technology? To propel the issue to the forefront of the political agenda worldwide, ITU is organizing a high-level global 'Girls in ICT Day' panel debate in New York on 26 April. The event will feature European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes, as part of a strong panel of top-level speakers from government, UN agencies, prominent ICT companies, and of course girls themselves. Back in the 1980s, the percentage of young women earning computer science degrees was more than twice what it is today. Girls are increasingly excelling at sciences, and in many countries now make up the majority of students earning bachelor's degrees. But when it comes to career choice, they're opting for fields like medicine and bio-tech, rather than computing and communication systems. As the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for information and communication technologies (ICTs), ITU is championing the catalytic role a technology career can play in creating exciting, far-reaching opportunities for women and girls and empowering them to meet their goals and aspirations. We also understand the importance of encouraging more girls into the technology field as ICT professionals to help meet projected skills gaps in this fast-expanding sector. With ICT jobs consistently ranked among the top 20 careers with the best pay and best long-term prospects, and with the technology sector still growing strongly in a climate of economic downturn, we believe girls around the world should be encouraged to expand their horizons and look at the many exciting possibilities open to them in this domain. To propel the issue to the forefront of the political agenda worldwide, ITU is organizing a high-level global 'Girls in ICT Day' panel debate, to be held in New York City on 26 April. The event will feature a strong panel of top-level speakers from government, UN agencies, prominent ICT companies, and of course girls themselves. It will also comprise a high level of interactivity from a specially-invited audience of experts and leaders in the field, and the chance to chat to panelists and experts after the session during an informal lunch. Full event details and programme can be found here. What: 'Girls in ICT Day' High-Level Panel Debate When: 09:30am - 12:30pm, 26 April, 2012 Where: Edgar J. Kaufmann Conference Facility, Institute of International Education, New York City Who: In order of speaking: Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director, UN Women; Melanne Verveer, United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues; Mignon Clyburn, FCC Commissioner; Neelie Kroes, VP European Commission/Commissioner, Digital Agenda; Jasna Matić, State Secretary for Digital Agenda, Serbia; Emiko Iwasaki, manga creator and WIPO prize winner 2010; Nidhi Tandon, gender report author; Alethea Lodge-Clarke, Programme Manager, Public Private Partnerships, Microsoft; Monique Morrow, CTO Asia Pacific & Distinguished Consulting Engineer, Cisco Systems; Juliana Rotich, Executive Director, Ushahidi; and special guest Joanne O'Riordan, who will speak on how she uses technology the limitations of Total Amelia Syndrome. Joanne's recent appearance on Ireland's Late Late Show can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/vmx5Sd. Registration to attend this event is essential. Journalists are requested to confirm their attendance to firstname.lastname@example.org by close of business Tuesday 24 April. The event can also be viewed via live and archived webcast at: www.itu.int/en/action/women/Pages/default.aspx. Broadcast-quality footage of the debate will be available for download from 16:30 EST at: http://girlsinict.org/what-girls-ict-day. Video from the event will be available for viewing on ITU's YouTube Channel at: www.youtube.com/itutelecommunication Photos from the debate will be available for download from ITU's Flickr site at: www.flickr.com/photos/itupictures/ For more information please contact: In New York: Gary Fowlie, Head, ITU NY Liaison Office +1 917 367 2992/+1 917 679 5254

Sommaire: 19 April 2012, Geneva - Opportunities abound, demand is strong, salaries are high - so what's holding young women back from studying technology? To propel the issue to the forefront of the political agenda worldwide, ITU is organizing a high-level global 'Girls in ICT Day' panel debate in New York on 26 April. The event will feature European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes, as par

Year of the Gangster, Part 1 Dillinger Crosses a Line The Year of the Gangster, Part 1 An early Dillinger wanted flyer. An elderly janitor walked into the cell block of the Lake County Jail at Crown Point, Indiana. The date: March 3, 1934. It was a relatively new facility, built onto the back of the sheriff's house in 1926, easy to clean, impossible to escape from. The addition of a notorious prisoner—John Dillinger—would prove that. Or so the sheriff thought. As the janitor entered the cell, the prisoner jumped him and jammed a gun—actually a piece of wood carved in the shape of one—into his ribs. Quickly, through a combination of bravado and desperation, Dillinger tricked half a dozen guards back to the cell block, confiscated their weapons, and jailed the jailors. On that day, Dillinger was 30 years old. He was of medium build and average height, with brown, thinning hair. His most distinguishing feature was a roguish smile, which he had put to good use in a series of press photos with the prosecuting attorney Robert Estill and the sheriff upon his extradition to Crown Point. The chummy nature of the photos contributed to both these officials losing their jobs that year. And Dillinger's charm had already begun to captivate the American people, who began to see him as part Robin Hood, part vicious thug. This photograph and similar ones taken that day helped lead to the firing of Lake County prosecutor Robert Estill (to Dillinger's left) and the sheriff (not pictured, but her arm is holding Estill's). AP photo. The notorious gangster had been captured in Arizona two months earlier. He was wanted in connection with the murder of an East Chicago, Indiana police officer named William O'Malley. At the time Dillinger was not on our radar; he had committed no federal crimes. But we had been assisting Ohio law enforcement in their search for him after he was freed from a Lima jail by his confederates in the fall of 1933. A telegram from Chicago Special Agent in Charge Now Dillinger had escaped once more. In making the break, he'd stolen the sheriff's car and driven it to Chicago, 50 or so miles northwest of Crown Point. In the process, he crossed the Indiana/Illinois border and violated the National Motor Vehicle Theft Act, commonly called the "Dyer Act." John Dillinger was now a federal fugitive and an FBI subject. Over the next several months, the Bureau tracked Dillinger and a wide array of violent criminals who worked with him—making mistakes along the way, but ultimately bringing these violent criminals to justice. This year marks the 75th anniversary of that chase. More importantly, it is the 75th anniversary of the emergence of the FBI as an organization of national and international stature. The Bureau's success in dealing with the gangsters led to significant changes in the FBI and law enforcement nationwide. Over the next few months, we will spotlight what we are calling "The Year of the Gangster" on this website through stories, photographs, and multimedia presentations, along with some new case details. We will tell how we went after such desperados as Bonnie and Clyde, "Pretty Boy" Floyd, "Baby Face" Nelson, and more. We will examine the social and political changes that arose from these criminal threats, bring to light long-forgotten historical sources, and consider the role that the Gangster Era played in the evolution of the FBI and its portrayal in American popular culture. Next month, look for a story on the Bureau and Bonnie and Clyde, including a newly released field office file on the notorious crime couple.

Year of the Gangster, Part 1 Dillinger Crosses a Line The Year of the Gangster, Part 1 An early Dillinger wanted flyer. An elderly janitor walked into the cell block of the Lake County Jail at Crown Point, Indiana. The date: March 3, 1934. It was a relatively new facility, built onto the back of the sheriff's house in 1926, easy to clean, impossible to escape from. The addition of a notorious pris

QCGC Research is the research branch of QCGC and is an academic (non-profit) institution situated at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (Herston, Brisbane). Its research funds are administered through The University of Queensland, School of Medicine and the Gynaecological Cancer Society. The Director of QCGC Research is Professor Andreas Obermair. QCGC Research's mission is to develop the best standard of care for women experiencing gynaecological cancer. This may include finding causes for and preventing gynaecological cancer or finding better treatment options to cure women affected by gynaecological cancer. Our research is funded partly by competitive grants and by the generous support from individual and corporate donors. Ovarian cancer patients are often at risk of malnutrition because of weight loss, lack of appetite and reduced food intake. Being malnourished can contribute to the incidence and severity of cancer treatment side effects and increase the risk of infection. Currently patients with advanced ovarian cancer do not receive early nutrition using a feeding tube. The purpose of this study is to compare enteral nutrition plus standard post-surgery care with current standard post-operative care alone. This study will see if early nutrition using a feeding tube has an impact on length of hospital admission, recovery from surgery, complications from surgery, nutritional status and ultimately a reduction in treatment costs in people with Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC). Primary Peritoneal Cancer (PPC) or Fallopian Tube Cancer. Nutritional support has been shown to: LACE - Laparoscopic Approach to Carcinoma of the Endometrium. An International Multicentre Randomised Phase III Clinical Trial. Endometrial cancer, also known as cancer of the uterine corpus, is the most common invasive gynaecological cancer in Australia. It affects approximately 1 in 75 Australian women by the age of 75 years, and there are about 1700 new cases and 230 deaths from the disease every year. Most affected women are aged between 50 and 70 years, and the total number of cases is increasing each year, due to increasing population age. The problem may be further magnified in the future, with increasing rates of obesity, a known risk factor for the disease. Current standard treatment of endometrial cancer involves open surgery to remove the uterus, and both tubes and ovaries. The Laparoscopic Approach to Cancer of the Endometrium (LACE) trial as designed to assess equivalence of performing this in a total laparoscopic (keyhole) approach. The LACE trial began recruitment in 2005 and completed the recruitment of 760 women with endometrial cancer from 22 hospitals across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Scotland in July 2010. LACC - A Phase III Randomized Clinical Trial of Laparoscopic or Robotic Radical Hysterectomy versus Abdominal Radical Hysterectomy in Patients with Early Stage Cervical Cancer Primary treatment for early stage cervical cancer is a total abdominal radical hysterectomy (TARH) and removal of the pelvic lymph nodes. While this is the current standard of care. Laparotomy involves a large incision and abdominal wound which is associated with significant pain, wound infections and the complications associated with major surgery. Laparoscopic techniques have proved feasible and safe with previous retrospective studies. In a number of retrospective and prospective, non-controlled series the incidence of treatment-related morbidities was less in patients who had a laparoscopic hysterectomy compared with patients who underwent an abdominal hysterectomy. This study will also assess disease-free survival at 4.5 years postoperatively amongst the group of patients who had a Total Laparoscopic (TLRH) versus those who had the Total Abdominal Radical Hysterectomy (TARH). LEGS - Prospective Evaluation of Lymphoedema among Patients with Gynaecological Cancer LEGS is the first study world wide to find out how many women develop swelling of the legs (in medical language called lymphoedema) after treatment for a gynaecological health issue. The LEGS study also hopes to shed light on risk factors why some women develop swelling and others don’t even if they have the same treatment. Centre for Gynaeoncological Cancer Research

QCGC Research is the research branch of QCGC and is an academic (non-profit) institution situated at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (Herston, Brisbane). Its research funds are administered through The University of Queensland, School of Medicine and the Gynaecological Cancer Society. The Director of QCGC Research is Professor Andreas Obermair. QCGC Research's mission is to develop the bes

NAICS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) NAICS (rhymes with "lakes") stands for the North American Industry Classification System. With the release of data in March 2003, NAICS replaced the current Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system and now serves as the new structure for classifying business activity in the United States. NAICS codes are organized hierarchically. The highest category, Domain, is divided into Goods-Producing and Service-Providing. These two sub-categories then split into Supersectors such as Leisure and Hospitality and Financial Activities, which break down into Sectors, such as Accommodation & Food Services and Finance & Insurance, and ultimately branch out into Industries such as Hotels and Insurance Carriers. NAICS codes extend to 6 digits. For example: |NAICS Code||2002 NAICS Description| |3111||Animal Food Manufacturing| |311111||Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing| |311119||Other Animal Food Manufacturing| A more thorough description of the NAICS hierarchy can be found in the NAICS Aggregation chart. The Current Employment Statistics (CES) Program and the Covered Employment and Wages (ES-202) Program have undergone the greatest changes. Since data classified according to NAICS is not comparable with data based on the SIC, the SIC-based CES and ES-202 time series have ended. In addition, historical SIC-based CES employment data are no longer available. To allow historical comparisons, the historical CES time series was reconstructed on a NAICS basis for the period 1990 to 2000. Currently, historical NAICS-based CES data are available for the state, metropolitan areas, and counties outside metropolitan areas for the period 1990 to present. NAICS-based ES-202 data, extending back to 2000, as well as SIC-based data from the ES-202 program for the period 1975 to 2000, are available on the Department of Labor's Web site. The SIC was developed in the 1930s, when the U.S. economy was manufacturing-dominated. Today’s services-centered economy has rendered the classification structure of the SIC system obsolete, as the SIC often failed to adequately account for new and emerging service industries. NAICS rectifies this shortcoming and, moreover, establishes consistent classification standards, meaning that, for the first time, industry data from Canada and Mexico can be compared with U.S. industry data. Process, not product orientation — NAICS establishes a unified economic concept for defining industries, by grouping firms together based on their use of similar raw material inputs, capital equipment, and labor, or how they produce an end product or provide a service. For example, software publishers are grouped in the same NAICS subsector as magazine publishers, newspaper publishers, etc. because all are engaged in issuing copies of works for sale to the general public in one or more formats, including print, CD-ROM, or online. In contrast, under the SIC, firms were grouped in industries based on what end product they produced or service they provided: software publishers, therefore, were grouped with other firms engaged in data processing and computer programming services, reproduction of software, and other computer-related services. This “process”-oriented classification methodology yields industrial groupings that are more homogenous, and thus better suited for economic analysis than SIC groupings. Increased relevance — NAICS recognizes over 150 new and emerging service-providing industries that lacked a satisfactory categorization structure under the SIC. For example, NAICS has an Information sector that includes software publishers, telecommunications resellers, satellite telecommunications, paging, and cellular telecommunications. NAICS also reorganizes the SIC’s Services division into four Services supersectors: Professional and Business Services, Educational and Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Other Services. Increased industry precision — NAICS uses a six-digit classification system (compared with the four-digit system of the SIC) with 20 sectors (as opposed to the 10 divisions of the SIC), providing the coding structure with both increased flexibility and more room for expansion and revision. Data comparability — Since our NAFTA trading partners, Canada and Mexico, are also converting to NAICS, it will be much easier to compile economic statistics for regions that straddle international borders (e.g. the Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Area and the St. Catherines-Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada Metropolitan Area). More timely updates — NAICS industry lists will be updated every five years, whereas the SIC was updated every 10-15 years (its last revision took place in 1987). No, except at the total nonfarm employment level (since the actual number of jobs isn’t changing, only the composition of the industries into which they are categorized). In fact, the non-comparability of data is one of the most significant aspects of the shift in classification systems. Please see the above FAQ on historical data for more information on the impact of this change. The New York State Department of Labor has addressed aspects of the impact NAICS will have on New York State in three issues of its newsletter, Employment in New York State. The relevant material from these issues has been combined into a single article, The Implications of NAICS for New York State. Yes. Some sectors or industries that share the same name under the SIC and NAICS will not have the same employment levels (see figures below). For example, most publishing employment, which was classified as manufacturing under the SIC, has moved into a new NAICS supersector called Information. Similarly, manufacturing headquarters, which were classified under manufacturing in the SIC, are classified under Management of Companies and Enterprises under NAICS. Consequently, manufacturing represents a smaller share of the economy under NAICS than under the SIC. In another major change, the category of food services and drinking places has shifted from retail trade, where it accounted for one-third of that sector’s employment, to the NAICS supersector of Accommodation and Food Services. |Figure 1. Distribution of Change, Manufacturing, March 2002 |Figure 2. Distribution of Change, Retail Trade, March 2002 Are there sources for more information about NAICS?Yes. The Census Bureau Web site has a section on NAICS that includes tables that compare NAICS and the SIC. Also, the Bureau of Labor Statistics devotes a section of its Web site to explaining changes related to NAICS. Thanks for the feedback! It will help us improve your experience.

NAICS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) NAICS (rhymes with "lakes") stands for the North American Industry Classification System. With the release of data in March 2003, NAICS replaced the current Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system and now serves as the new structure for classifying business activity in the United States. NAICS codes are organized hierarchically. The highest category,

There are five causes of deaths in mines in this report. They are given at the top of the five columns. What are they? at the 'sundries' column. What causes of death are included here? Look at the details given on the left of the report. Which was the most common cause of death in 1851? 1c The report states that 15 miners were killed in falls of coal and stone. Is he correct? Count up the number of recorded 1d How many miners were killed altogether in this period?

There are five causes of deaths in mines in this report. They are given at the top of the five columns. What are they? at the 'sundries' column. What causes of death are included here? Look at the details given on the left of the report. Which was the most common cause of death in 1851? 1c The report states that 15 miners were killed in falls of coal and stone. Is he correct? Count up the number o

The Huntington is an independent research center with extensive holdings in British and American history, literature, art history, and the history of science and medicine. These collections range chronologically from the eleventh century to the present. The Library contains seven million manuscripts, 413,000 rare books, 275,000 reference works, and 1.3 million photographs, prints, and ephemera. Catalogues of the Library’s book and manuscripts collections can be found on our website. Further details can be obtained from the curatorial staff. The Art Division holds 75,000 British and American paintings, drawings, watercolors, and fine prints. There are separate reference libraries in the Art and Botanical Divisions. The Art Reference Library also contains microfilm records from the Smithsonian Archives of American Art. The Research Division supports an extensive fellowship program to fund long-and short-term fellows and sponsors a number of conferences, lectures, and seminars. Up to three NEH fellowships are available for 2013-2014. Fellowship Programs at Independent Research Institutions Receipt Deadline: November 30, 2012 Phone: (626) 405-2194 Fax: (626) 449-5703 About NEH Fellowship Programs at Independent Research Institutions The National Endowment for the Humanities provides grants to independent centers for advanced study and international research organizations to support fellowship programs for humanities scholars through its Fellowship Programs at Independent Research Institutions (FPIRI). NEH fellowships provide scholars with stipends, a collegial environment, and access to resources that might not be available at their home institutions. Fellowship programs may be administered by independent centers for advanced study, libraries, and museums in the United States, or American overseas research centers or other organizations that have expertise in promoting research on foreign cultures. The centers and organizations establish their own peer review procedures for the selection of NEH grant recipients and administer the awards. NEH provides funding for humanities fellowships of four to twelve months. Amount of Award Amount of the award will vary by the number and length of the fellowships offered by the host institution. Centers and organizations applying for these grants may not be affiliated with an institution of higher education and must be independently governed, financed, and administered. In addition, they must have a pre-existing fellowship program maintained with non-NEH funding. Eligibility for NEH fellowships at these research institutions is limited to United States citizens and foreign nationals who have been residents in the United States for the three years immediately preceding the application deadline for the grant. NEH research opportunities are intended for persons who have already completed their formal academic training. Consequently, persons seeking support for work in pursuit of a degree are not eligible for NEH fellowships and research grants. How to Apply For more information and application instructions, please visit the program website listed above.

The Huntington is an independent research center with extensive holdings in British and American history, literature, art history, and the history of science and medicine. These collections range chronologically from the eleventh century to the present. The Library contains seven million manuscripts, 413,000 rare books, 275,000 reference works, and 1.3 million photographs, prints, and ephemera. Ca

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Boston Public Library partner to present the first major exhibition on the Guastavino Company and its architectural and historical legacy. Rafael Guastavino–a Spanish immigrant, innovative builder, and visionary architect–and his son Rafael Jr. contributed to the design and construction of structural tile vaulting in over 1,000 major buildings across the United States, including the Boston Public Library, Ellis Island, and Grand Central Station. In addition to the gallery exhibition, a dedicated website, public programs, walking tours, lectures and family activities will be available to the public. For more information about the project, visit www.guastavino.net. This exhibition, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, will also travel to the National Building Museum in Washington DC and the Museum of the City of New York.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Boston Public Library partner to present the first major exhibition on the Guastavino Company and its architectural and historical legacy. Rafael Guastavino–a Spanish immigrant, innovative builder, and visionary architect–and his son Rafael Jr. contributed to the design and construction of structural tile vaulting in over 1,000 major building

Polish composer Henryk Gorecki scored a huge hit in 1992 when his Symphony No.3 topped the classical charts in both the UK and the USA. Bemused by the overwhelming success of this single work, which takes its inspiration from the words scratched onto the wall of her Gestapo prison cell by an 18-year old Polish girl, Gorecki wondered "perhaps people find something they need in this piece of music." British pianist Joanna MacGregor who stunned audiences with her performance of Messiaen's vast Vingt regards in 2008 Hong Kong Arts Festival, returns for a further celebration of the French composer's centenary. Petites esquisses d'oiseaux Symphony No.3 - Symphony of Sorrowful Songs Photos: Peter Williams 1.11.2008 (Sat) 8pm Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall $250$200$150$100 Approx 2 hours with an intermission The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is financilly supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Polish composer Henryk Gorecki scored a huge hit in 1992 when his Symphony No.3 topped the classical charts in both the UK and the USA. Bemused by the overwhelming success of this single work, which takes its inspiration from the words scratched onto the wall of her Gestapo prison cell by an 18-year old Polish girl, Gorecki wondered "perhaps people find something they need in this piece of music."

Background and reference layers: - GEBCO_08: TheGEBCO_08 Grid is a 30 arc-second global bathymetry/topography grid. Released: January 2009, updated November 2009. Copyright Text: IOC, IHO and BODC, 2009. Centenary Edition of the GEBCO Digital Atlas, published on CD-ROM on behalf of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the International Hydrographic Organization as part of the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans, British Oceanographic Data Centre, Liverpool, U.K. Shaded-relief visualization by J. Varner, CIRES, University of Colorado at Boulder and NOAA/NGDC. - ETOPO1:ETOPO1 Global Relief Model - Amante, C. and B. W. Eakins, ETOPO1 1 Arc-Minute Global Relief Model: Procedures, Data Sources and Analysis. NOAA Technical Memorandum NESDIS NGDC-24, 19 pp, March 2009. Shaded-relief visualization by J. Varner and E. Lim, CIRES, University of Colorado at Boulder and NOAA/NGDC. - Simple background: GSHHS version 2.0 (Global Self-consistent, Hierarchical, High-resolution Shoreline Database) - Imagery: ESRI World Imagery - World Maritime Boundaries:VLIZ Maritime Boundaries Geodatabase (version 5.0, 2009) - U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone:NOAA Office of Coast Survey - World City Locations:ESRI Data and Maps DVDs - Geographic/marine region labels, country boundaries, state/province boundaries, rivers, lakes:Natural Earth Data Map projection:WGS84 Web Mercator (Auxilary Sphere); EPSG:3857. Disclaimer: All international boundaries, maritime boundaries, and placenames are shown for general orientation and reference only; they do not necessarily represent official U.S. policy.

Background and reference layers: - GEBCO_08: TheGEBCO_08 Grid is a 30 arc-second global bathymetry/topography grid. Released: January 2009, updated November 2009. Copyright Text: IOC, IHO and BODC, 2009. Centenary Edition of the GEBCO Digital Atlas, published on CD-ROM on behalf of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the International Hydrographic Organization as part of the General

Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety Call for Presentations! NIJ is hosting a call for presentations competition to find the most innovative ideas and cutting edge research that will help make this conference a success. Winners will present at the 2013 IACA Conference. Geography has a major influence on crime. The features and characteristics of cityscapes and rural landscapes can make it easier or more difficult for crime to occur. The placement of alleys, buildings and open spaces, for example, affects the likelihood that a criminal will strike. Combining geographic data with police report data and then displaying the information on a map is an effective way to analyze where, how and why crime occurs. Computerized crime maps became more commonplace with the introduction of desktop computing and software programs called Geographic Information Systems (GIS) . Analysts map where crime occurs, combine the resulting visual display with other geographic data (such as location of schools, parks and industrial complexes), analyze and investigate the causes of crime, and develop responses. Recent advances in statistical analysis make it possible to add more geographic and social dimensions to the analysis. NIJ's Role in Mapping NIJ's Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety (MAPS) program supports research that helps agencies use GIS to enhance public safety. The program examines: - How to use maps to analyze crime. - How to analyze spatial data. - How maps can help researchers evaluate programs and policies. - How to develop mapping, data sharing and spatial analysis tools.

Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety Call for Presentations! NIJ is hosting a call for presentations competition to find the most innovative ideas and cutting edge research that will help make this conference a success. Winners will present at the 2013 IACA Conference. Geography has a major influence on crime. The features and characteristics of cityscapes and rural landscapes can make it easier

Kids & Teachers Thanks for visiting this section of our website! We have tons of interesting and exciting material about Beringia here, and you can find information on a wide variety of subjects. Whether you are interested in animals, glaciers, history, geography, plants, native dancing, or sports; this is the place to learn. In this section you will find information, teaching materials, maps, videos and other interesting things related to Beringia. You can also find fun and interesting information about the Shared Beringian Heritage Program; you can learn about what the program does and how you can get involved. This section is designed to provide teachers and students with materials about the history and environment in Beringia on both sides of the Bering Strait. Here you can find past and current facts, figures, and explanations of cultural and scientific research in Beringia. There is also material about current issues facing the region in areas like climate change, subsistence hunting, Native culture, and relations with Russia. It is also a place where you can learn about projects that the Shared Beringian Heritage Program has sponsored involving youth. There are several youth-centered projects featured here, and you are encouraged to view their progress, results, and activities. You are encouraged to take a look at some of them, projects like the "Lost Dances" involving kids from Kotzebue; the Nome Community Center Youth Exchange; the West High School "Expedition Anadyr"; and GoNorth!'s "What's Climate Change to You" project. The Beringia Program plans to sponsor several more projects like these, on subjects like climate change, archeology, subsistence hunting, and native singing and dancing. Youth involvement and education remain important goals of the National Park Service and the Shared Beringian Heritage Program. The program is committed to broadening outreach and expanding the "Kids and Teachers" part of the website. You don't have to be from Alaska to get involved, so please check out our section on the 2011 Youth Forum project ideas and contact staff to get more information. Hopefully this section will get you more interested in Beringia, answer your questions, or maybe even inspire you to get involved! The Beringia Program staff members are always available if you have any questions, have suggestions, or need more information. Thanks for visiting, and enjoy!

Kids & Teachers Thanks for visiting this section of our website! We have tons of interesting and exciting material about Beringia here, and you can find information on a wide variety of subjects. Whether you are interested in animals, glaciers, history, geography, plants, native dancing, or sports; this is the place to learn. In this section you will find information, teaching materials, maps, vid

Senator Dilan Urges Women to Schedule Mammograms during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Senator Martin Malavé Dilan (D-Brooklyn) is partnering with the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program to remind women about the importance of early detection. “I hope this month women will take the time to schedule an appointment for a mammogram,” said Senator Dilan. “By calling New York State’s official toll-free breast cancer hotline, women can ask trained volunteers questions about breast cancer. They can also find out how to get a low-cost or free mammogram.” A project of the Adelphi University School of Social Work on Long Island, New York’s breast cancer hotline has been helping women for 29 years. To find a nearby accredited mammogram facility, please call the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer & Support Program at (800) 877-8077. Callers can ask questions or receive emotional support from the hotline’s specially trained volunteers—most of whom are women who have had breast cancer. For more information about the hotline and program, click here or contact Senator Dilan’s district office at: 786 Knickerbocker Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11207, (718) 573-1726.

Senator Dilan Urges Women to Schedule Mammograms during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Senator Martin Malavé Dilan (D-Brooklyn) is partnering with the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program to remind women about the importance of early detection. “I hope this month women will take the time to schedule an appointmen

Using money from the Recovery Act, Blue Mountain Hospital replaced one of its 1950s crude oil boilers with a wood-pellet boiler -- saving the hospital about $100,000 a year in heating costs. | Photo courtesy of the Oregon Department of Energy. With help from the Energy Department’s State Energy Program, an Oregon hospital is saving approximately $100,000 a year after replacing its old, 1950’s-era boilers with a new, energy-efficient biomass system. Blue Mountain District Hospital, in John Day, Oregon, was using two crude oil-fired boilers and one heating oil boiler to provide heat and hot water to its 50,000-square-foot facility. Using money from the Recovery Act, the hospital replaced one of the crude oil boilers with a wood-pellet boiler, finishing the project in the summer of 2011. The second crude oil boiler was converted to burn regular heating oil -- leaving the hospital with two regular heating oil boilers and one wood-pellet boiler -- thus fulfilling the federal and state requirement to have two types of heating available at any time. The payback period for this project is expected to be five years or less. In addition to cutting the hospital’s heating bills by two thirds, the environment and local economy are benefiting from the upgrade. A3 Energy Partners, a Portland-based company, along with R&W Engineering, a northwest firm with three offices, was called in for the planning and design of the new wood-fuel heating system. The wood pellets for the new boiler system are sourced from the Malheur Lumber Company, the local sawmill, which acquires the pellets through forest thinning, a selective tree removal process that improves the health of the remaining trees. As interest in biomass has grown, the company has added 13 jobs. This is a great example of Recovery Act funds resulting in multiple benefits. The Oregon Department of Energy, which administers Recovery Act funds for the state, hopes to continue converting thermal energy resources throughout the state to renewable resources.

Using money from the Recovery Act, Blue Mountain Hospital replaced one of its 1950s crude oil boilers with a wood-pellet boiler -- saving the hospital about $100,000 a year in heating costs. | Photo courtesy of the Oregon Department of Energy. With help from the Energy Department’s State Energy Program, an Oregon hospital is saving approximately $100,000 a year after replacing its old, 1950’s-era

Posted by Sen. Reid's Staff 7/26/2011 - 10:34 AM Below are Senator Reid's remarks as delivered on the Senate floor: "Mr. President, every day, people from across this great nation and around the globe come here – to visit the Capitol – to see the seat of American democracy. "Every day, those of us who are fortunate to have been elected by our homes states to serve in Congress also come here to represent this nation and the American people in that democracy. "And every day, a brave and dedicated group of men and women come here to serve as Capitol Police Officers, to ensure that whether we’re here to work or to visit we are safe from harm. "In 1998, two of those dedicated police officers gave their lives while protecting the Capitol. They were Special Agent John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut. "Thirteen years ago yesterday, a man entered the House side of the Capitol Building with a gun and shot Officer Chestnut at point blank range. Agent Gibson warned tourists and staff to take cover and then confronted the gunman. Although Agent Gibson was also shot, he prevented anyone else from being killed. "Both officers died that day. They served a combined 36 years on the force, protecting their fellow men and women. "When I first came to Washington, D.C., I worked the night shift – the swing shift – as a Capitol police officer. That's why, Mr. President, I feel a particular closeness to the Capitol Police. "When I worked I was never in danger. I was never called upon to put my life on the line. I only hope I would have shown the bravery that Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut displayed that afternoon they were killed. "I was a member of the Senate when Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut gave their lives to save the lives of others. I know nothing can make up for the loss of a cherished loved one, but I hope their families and friends take some comfort knowing that those of us who were here that day hold them in our memories and in our hearts. "And while I know it's little solace to their families, the tragedy of that day made the Capitol a safer place. It led to the construction of the Capitol Visitor Center, which prevents a mad man, like the one who shot Agent Gibson and Officer Chestnut, from entering the Capitol. " Return to Main Blog Page

Posted by Sen. Reid's Staff 7/26/2011 - 10:34 AM Below are Senator Reid's remarks as delivered on the Senate floor: "Mr. President, every day, people from across this great nation and around the globe come here – to visit the Capitol – to see the seat of American democracy. "Every day, those of us who are fortunate to have been elected by our homes states to serve in Congress also come here to rep

Panelists at SAMHSA’s special session, “Behavioral Health is Essential to Health—A New National Communication Opportunity,” included (left to right) Lynn Cooper, David W. Price, Saul M. Levin, Mary Jane England, SAMHSA’s Mark A. Weber, and session moderator Thomas E. Backer. SAMHSA’s Special Session: Behavioral Health is Essential to Health To help highlight the important connection between physical health and behavioral health, SAMHSA presented a special session at the Atlanta conference, “Behavioral Health is Essential to Health—A New National Communication Opportunity.” Five panelists, including SAMHSA’s Mark A. Weber, M.B.A., Director of the Agency’s Office of Communications, were introduced by session moderator Thomas E. Backer, Ph.D., President, Human Interaction Research Institute. In addition, SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D., offered her comments from the audience. How does a key message from SAMHSA, particularly “Behavioral Health is Essential to Health,” make its way to primary care physicians and their patients? According to Dr. Backer, health care and behavioral health care providers, employers, insurance companies, Government agencies, health communications professionals, and the media all need to work together “to deliver messages that change minds and change behaviors.” Each panelist discussed gaps in the health care system and ways improved communications could address those gaps. The following comments are a sample of their responses. Focusing on primary care and screening. “We need to communicate to health practitioners that substance abuse and mental health screening needs to take place as a routine practice in almost every medical setting,” said Lynn Cooper, Deputy Director, Pennsylvania Community Providers Association. Ms. Cooper framed her response through her experiences as a person in recovery. “In my medical health care treatment, we never got to the fact that alcohol was my biggest problem,” she said. “I was sent for brain scans for headaches, sent to gastro-endocrinologists for stomach problems. Nobody ever asked how much alcohol I was drinking every day. If my doctor had known I was drinking six or seven goblet-size glasses of wine every day, he might have had a different referral for me.” Integrating behavioral health. “I believe mental health and substance abuse issues are exactly like any other primary care illness or disorder that you may have,” said Saul M. Levin, M.D., M.P.A., Vice President, American Medical Association. “It’s just like diabetes; it’s just like hypertension, and it should be treated as such.” Physicians need to understand that no matter what specialty—surgeons, pediatricians, family practice doctors, internists, psychiatrists—they should be asking the same questions of everyone who comes into their practices. Dr. Levin added: “Ask, how much do you smoke? How much do you drink? What’s your food intake like? Are you depressed? What are the signs and symptoms of depression? Are you anxious? What drugs may you be on, both prescription and illicit drugs?” Communicating this message. “It’s our problem,” said David W. Price, M.D., Medical Director, Kaiser Permanente National Continuing Medical Education Program. “It’s not just the psychiatrist’s or the social worker’s problem.” Dr. Price addressed ways of communicating to the average primary care practitioner this message of universal screening for mental health and substance use. “We have to incorporate into our medical education strategies to help doctors. Number 1: screen efficiently. Number 2: help doctors do this in a time-efficient manner, because they have a waiting room full of patients.” Saving money. “I was privileged to chair the Institute of Medicine’s Quality Chasm Report on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders,” said Mary Jane England, M.D., President, Regis College, Weston, MA. “The conclusion in that study says we will never have quality health care until we integrate mental health and substance use disorders into primary care.” In most cases, employers are willing to provide measures for integrated care if they see it is cost effective, Dr. England added. Meeting the unmet need. “Marketing is all about identifying an unmet need and then developing a strategy to meet it,” said SAMHSA’s Mark Weber. He emphasized that his role as a panelist was to listen to the concerns of Agency stakeholders who could inform the direction of SAMHSA’s communication efforts. “What we’ve just heard from each of our panelists is that there’s clearly an unmet need here.” Mr. Weber welcomed the panelists to help SAMHSA develop a strategy and respond to this challenge. “It is critically important to advance the health of our Nation,” he said.

Panelists at SAMHSA’s special session, “Behavioral Health is Essential to Health—A New National Communication Opportunity,” included (left to right) Lynn Cooper, David W. Price, Saul M. Levin, Mary Jane England, SAMHSA’s Mark A. Weber, and session moderator Thomas E. Backer. SAMHSA’s Special Session: Behavioral Health is Essential to Health To help highlight the important connection between physic

The law provides broad rights of association for workers in the private sector but places restrictions on organizing among public sector workers. Workers in the private sector formed and joined unions of their choice without previous authorization or excessive requirements. The law stipulates that 10 or more workers have the right to form a union, with membership open to all workers, regardless of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, or gender. The Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration records, rather than approves, the formation of a union, federation, or confederation and provides it with a registration number. To remain registered, unions must keep the government informed about changes in their governing bodies. The law allows the government to petition the courts to dissolve a union if it conflicts with the state ideology (Pancasila) or the constitution. A union also may be dissolved if its leaders or members, in the name of the union, commit crimes against the security of the state and are sentenced to at least five years in prison. Once a union is dissolved, its leaders and members may not form another union for at least three years. There were no reports that the government dissolved any unions during the year. Although the law recognizes civil servants’ freedom of association and right to organize, employees of several ministries may only form employee associations, with more limited rights. Union organizations sought to organize government employees, as well as state-owned enterprise (SOE) employees, although they encountered resistance from enterprise management, and the legal basis for registering unions in SOEs remained unclear. The law prohibits employment discrimination against union organizers and members and provides penalties for violations. The law also requires employers to reinstate workers fired for union activity. The right to strike is recognized but substantially restricted under the law. Under the Manpower Development and Protection Act (the Manpower Act), workers must give written notification to the authorities and to the employer seven days in advance for a strike to be legal, specifying the starting and ending time of the strike, venue for the action, reasons for the strike, and including signatures of the chairperson and secretary of the striking union. The law does not extend the right to strike to most civil servants or to workers in SOEs. A 2003 ministerial regulation declares illegal all strikes at “enterprises that cater to the interests of the general public or at enterprises whose activities would endanger the safety of human life if discontinued.” Although this wording recalls the definition of an “essential industry,” the regulation does not specify the types of enterprises affected, leaving this determination to the government’s discretion. The same regulation also classifies strikes as illegal if they are “not as a result of failed negotiations.” Before workers can strike, they must engage in lengthy mediation with the employer and proceed to mediation facilitated by a government mediator or risk having the strike declared illegal. In the case of an illegal strike, an employer may make two written appeals within a period of seven days for workers to return. Workers who do not respond to those appeals are considered to have resigned. The law provides for collective bargaining and allows workers’ organizations that register with the government to conclude legally binding collective labor agreements (CLAs) with employers and to exercise other trade union functions. The law includes some restrictions on collective bargaining, including a requirement that a union or unions represent more than 50 percent of the company workforce to negotiate a CLA. External observers note that this excessive requirement adds additional barriers to enjoying the right to collective bargaining. The Manpower Act, which regulates collective bargaining, and general employment conditions, does not apply to workers in SOEs. On November 17, The Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration issued implementing regulations on the right to organize and bargain collectively. According to the Manpower and Transmigration Ministry, approximately 25 percent of companies with more than 10 employees had CLAs. Although most of these agreements went beyond the legal minimum provisions set by the government, more than a third of employers reportedly violated the terms of the CLA with relative impunity. Enforcement of CLAs varied based on the capacity and interest of individual regional governments. In practice, the government did not effectively enforce laws protecting freedom of association and prohibiting antiunion discrimination. Some unions reported local ministry offices prejudicially recommended denial of registration. Antiunion discrimination cases moved excessively slowly through the court system, sometimes taking up to six years. Bribery and judicial corruption in workers’ disputes continued, and courts rarely decided cases in the workers’ favor. While dismissed workers sometimes received severance pay or other compensation, they were rarely reinstated. Companies sometimes transferred union leaders to jobs where they could not continue their union activities. Managers in some locations reportedly employed thugs to intimidate and assault trade union members who attempted to organize legal strike actions, and at times, the police intervened inappropriately and with force in labor matters, usually to protect employers’ interests. Labor activists continued to claim that companies orchestrate the formation of multiple unions, including “yellow” unions, to weaken legitimate unions. Activists reported that there were stronger antiunion sentiments and actions by employers in special economic zones (SEZs). For example, employers in the Batam SEZ tended to hire labor on two-year contracts and favored workers under 24 years of age, in part to inhibit union formation. Employees at the Surabaya Zoo established a labor union in June 2010. However, the zoo management attempted to stop the union from operating. Police and forest rangers threatened the labor union members and tore down the labor union’s signboards. Labor activists received threats if they continued to assist with unionization. One employee was fired for her role in the establishment of the union. Management reduced the salary and benefits of those who joined the union. The union was informally disbanded when the zoo’s managing body refused to extend the contract of the labor union’s activists, arguing that members participated in an illegal strike in 2010. While the union was legally intact at year’s end, none of the members were active. The City of Surabaya Industrial Court asked zoo management to reemploy the 30 fired union activists; zoo management has appealed this to the Constitutional Court. At year’s end, the appeal was still pending and the union activists had not been reemployed. In practice, the cumbersome process required for a legal strike, as well as the government regulations included in the Manpower Act provided employers a clear means to obstruct a union’s move to legally strike. Therefore, strikes tended to be unsanctioned or “wildcat” strikes that broke out after a failure to settle long-term grievances or when an employer refused to recognize a union. The primary reasons for strikes during the year were 1) demand for an increase in salary, 2) suspension of overtime payment and/or regular salary, 3) unjust dismissal of workers, and 4) the illegal use of contract workers. Employer retribution against union organizers, including dismissals and violence, was not prevented effectively or remedied in practice. Employers commonly used intimidation tactics against strikers, including administrative dismissal of employees through use of the appeals process described above. Some employers threatened employees who made contact with union organizers. Management singled out strike leaders for layoffs when companies downsized. A notable series of strikes occurred at Freeport’s copper and gold mine in Papua Province. Between July and December there were a series of negotiations and mediations punctuated by strike actions. Workers initially demanded a significant increase in minimum wages across the pay scale, reported to be in the range of 600 to 1,200 percent. Freeport responded with an 11 percent annual increase over two years. Freeport workers established roadblocks blocking access to Freeport’s main road on October 11. Freeport and the union reached a labor agreement on December 23, and workers removed the roadblocks on December 25. Union leaders reported that they faced intimidation from mine operators, including withholding of wages of striking workers. Management at Freeport Indonesia also reported cases of intimidation, including pressure on contract workers by union members to join the strike. During the strike, an increased police presence near Timika aimed to prevent unrest. On October 10, one miner died during a clash between police and protestors. During the clash, police fired live ammunition at protesters. During the year workers staged protests in major cities demanding companies pay into the national social security system, put an end to corrupt business practices, and that the government pass the social-safety-net bill. Parliament passed the demanded legislation on October 28. In recent years employers have repeatedly filed criminal complaints against union officers following failed collective bargaining negotiations or lawful strikes. In a number of cases, union officers were prosecuted and even served prison time for destruction of property and interference with profits as a result of complaints brought by employers. Some provisions in criminal law have aided these tactics, such as a crime of “unpleasant acts,” which creates criminal liability for a broad range of conduct. There were credible reports of the police investigating or interrogating union organizers. The increasing trend of using contract labor directly affected unions’ right to organize and bargain collectively. Under the Manpower Act, contract labor is to be used only for work that is “temporary in nature.” However, according to an International Trade Union Confederation report, many employers violated these provisions, sometimes with the assistance of local offices of the Manpower Ministry. In these cases, companies declared bankruptcy in order to avoid severance payments provided for under law, closed the factory for several days, and then rehired workers as contract labor at a lower cost. Union leaders and activists usually were not rehired. Labor courts have ruled in favor of workers who filed either for compensation or to be rehired. In most cases, however, the company has appealed to the Supreme Court where the labor court’s decisions have been overturned.

The law provides broad rights of association for workers in the private sector but places restrictions on organizing among public sector workers. Workers in the private sector formed and joined unions of their choice without previous authorization or excessive requirements. The law stipulates that 10 or more workers have the right to form a union, with membership open to all workers, regardless of

I found this great sample on the .NET Framework 3.0 community site showing how to create and use a dynamic proxy using Windows Communication Foundation (WCF). The DynamicProxy allows you to create the dynamic WCF client at runtime by specifying the WSDL URI of the service. The DynamicProxy does not depend on the precompiled proxy or configuration. The DynamicProxy uses the MetadataResolver to download the metadata from the service and WsdlImporter to create the contract and binding at runtime. The dynamic proxy can be used to invoke the operations on the service using reflection. All content is Copyright (c) 2010 Jorgen Thelin. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed here represent my own views and not necessarily those of my current, prior or future employer(s). Content is provided "as-is", without any representations or warrenties of any kind. Contents of the Weblog Feed are licensed under a Creative Commons License.

I found this great sample on the .NET Framework 3.0 community site showing how to create and use a dynamic proxy using Windows Communication Foundation (WCF). The DynamicProxy allows you to create the dynamic WCF client at runtime by specifying the WSDL URI of the service. The DynamicProxy does not depend on the precompiled proxy or configuration. The DynamicProxy uses the MetadataResolver to down

In 1995, the United States trade deficit with Hungary was $252 million, $91 million greater than that in 1994. U.S. merchandise exports to Hungary in 1995 were $295 million, 4.5 percent less than those in 1994. Hungary was the United States seventy-third largest export market in 1995. U.S. imports from Hungary totaled $547 million in 1994, an increase of $77 million from those in 1994. The stock of U.S. foreign direct investment in Hungary totaled more than $5 billion in 1995. Hungary, the first of the former Communist Central and Eastern European countries to experiment with economic reform, continues to push forward economic restructuring and the establishment of a market economy. In 1995, GDP rose by two percent, a slight drop from the 2.9 percent growth of 1994, but the second year of growth after having declined dramatically in 1990-1993. Industrial growth was up 5.8 percent, and unemployment near 10 percent in all four quarters of 1995. Since 1989, Hungary has attracted more than half of all foreign investment in the region, to a total stock of over $12 billion. An aggressive economic stabilization program was launched in March of 1995. Hungary's current account deficit declined from $3.9 billion in 1994 to about $2.5 billion in 1995. The consolidated budget deficit for 1995 equaled 6.5 percent of GDP, versus an original trend of over 10 percent of GDP. A four percent deficit/GDP ratio is projected for 1996. Hungary's reserves at the end of 1995 swelled to over $12 billion, and 1995 privatization income of $3.5 billion was partly used to prepay debt principal, further reducing the debt service burden of the government. The macroeconomic picture began to show signs of improvement by late 1995, with the growth of exports proportionally higher than that of imports. The impact of privatization and direct foreign investment will have positive multiplier effects throughout the economy. Continued growth in foreign investment will depend on the government's ability to maintain current economic stability, reduce inflation and successfully pursue its goal of privatizing 80 percent of GDP by the end of 1997. Privatization boosted the private sector from about 60 percent to 70 percent of GDP at the end of 1995. Imports have been progressively liberalized in an effort to encourage competition and to allow imports of materials necessary for restructuring. Over 93 percent of products can be imported without an import license. (Exclusions include energy, fuels, precious metals, military goods, and certain pharmaceutical products.) Hungary's state monopoly on foreign trade has been Hungary's 1996 import quota on certain consumer and industrial goods will be around $500 million, versus $520 million in 1995, and $750 million in 1994. Hungary plans to eliminate quotas on cars, footwear and household detergent over the next two years. Under an agreement with the WTO, Hungary will eliminate quotas on textiles, clothing, and other industrial products by 2004. The quotas have been filled each year, and some U.S. companies have complained that the quotas restrict their access to the Hungarian market. Uncertainty about future quota levels also concerns importers. Hungary's average import duties have been cut from 50 to 13 percent over the past three years. Under the terms of the Uruguay Round, Hungary will cut its tariffs even further, to an average of eight percent. In March 1995, Hungary introduced an eight percent surcharge for all imports, including agricultural imports. This surcharge will likely be terminated in 1997. The Hungarian government announced its new EU Harmonized Tariff Schedule for 1996 wherein tariffs for imports from the EU and CEFTA were lowered, effectively making exports from the U.S. less competitive. The Hungarian government is expected to grant import licenses for 85,000 new cars and 56,000 used cars in 1996, up seven percent from 1995, but well below the 200,000 cars imported in 1991. Half of each category was reserved for imports from the EU. The customs duty law of 1995 forbids the importation of used cars over four years old. Specialized older vehicles may still be imported after passing a special technical test. However, these regulations, combined with standards for used cars which tend to exclude older U.S. models, will effectively curb most U.S. imports in this category. Customs fees for 1996 have dropped from the 1995 level of five percent to two percent. This ad valorem fee now includes a one percent statistical fee and a one percent customs clearance fee. These fees are scheduled to be eliminated by January 1, 1997. In January 1995, Hungary increased its border protection by raising many agricultural tariffs to Uruguay Round ceiling bindings, and introduced numerous tariff rate import quotas that are assigned to MFN or preferential suppliers. The quotas could impede imports given the complex nature of their management. As part of its Association Agreement with the EU, Hungary will phase out import fees on EU products through 1997. In late 1994, the U.S. Trade Representative launched a review of Hungary's reverse tariff preferences to the EU. The review was part of a review of all GSP beneficiaries mandated by a Statement of Administrative Action attached to the Uruguay Round Act. Hungary maintained agricultural export subsidies in excess of its WTO commitments during 1995 and is budgeted to exceed its commitments again in 1996. Hungary has sought agreement to have its WTO commitments modified. Most recently, Hungary proposed a revised schedule which would substantially increase its ability to subsidize exports above current expenditure levels. G-8 countries (New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Japan, European Union, Canada, Thailand and the United States), as well as Uruguay, have been conducting informal consultations on the Hungarian export subsidies issue under the sponsorship of the Chairman of the WTO Committee on Agriculture since the fall of 1995. Despite encouragement from its trading partners to adjust policies, Hungary has insisted on modifying its obligations. Extensive bilateral and multilateral consultations have failed to resolve the problem. LACK OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION Protection of U.S. intellectual property in Hungary was strengthened following the conclusion of a comprehensive bilateral intellectual property agreement in July 1993. Under the IPR agreement, the Republic of Hungary agreed to provide product patent protection; under prior law, patents were limited to industrial processes. Because of this change, Hungary was removed from the "Special 301" "priority watch list" in 1994. Legislation to provide the protection called for in the IPR Agreement was passed by the Hungarian Parliament and entered into force on July 1, 1994. The IPR agreement also provides transitional protection for U.S. pharmaceutical products otherwise ineligible for new product patents in Hungary; provides that patents are available and patent rights are enjoyable regardless of whether products are imported or locally produced; and provides limitations on the use of compulsory licenses. Hungary has copyright laws which largely conform to international standards. The 1993 U.S.-Hungary IPR Agreement should strengthen copyright protection in Hungary. The Agreement requires an exclusive right to authorize the public communication of work, including to perform, project, exhibit, broadcast, transmit, retransmit or display; it also requires that protected rights be freely and separately exploitable and conferrable (contract rights), and requires an exclusive right to authorize the first public distribution including importation for protected works. In previous years, some U.S. companies complained about widespread video piracy in Hungary. In May 1993, Hungary added stiff penalties for copyright infringement to its Criminal Code. Despite numerous enforcement actions taken against film and video pirates since that time, limited law enforcement resources and a thriving underground economy ensure that piracy continues. U.S. firms estimate their losses at approximately $25 million annually. A media law passed in late 1995 links broadcast transmission licenses to respect for intellectual property rights. The 1993 IPR Agreement also requires Hungary to protect all types of computer programs as literary works under the meaning of the Berne Convention; protect collections or compilations of data where the selection and arrangement of the contents constitute copyrightable authorship; and grant an exclusive right to authorize or prohibit the commercial rental of a computer program. Protection is also provided for sound recordings, trademarks, semiconductor layout designs, and trade secrets. U.S. industry continues to report problems with sales of counterfeited U.S. trademarked products in Hungary, such as blue jeans imported from third countries. Counterfeited computer software is reported to be widely used in Hungary. A liberalized currency convertibility law took effect on January 1, 1996. Hungary prohibits bank branching and maintains screening of investments in financial institutions and in insurance, although a large number of bank subsidiaries and insurance companies with foreign ownership operate in Hungary. Screening of most investments will be eliminated under Hungary's Uruguay Round services schedule. The Parliament is expected to pass in 1996 a revised law on financial institutions that should address some of these concerns. The Hungarian government has promised to allow bank branching by the end of 1997. While there are currently no film quotas for private television, private national and regional television must fill 15 to 20 percent of their air time with Hungarian-made productions, excluding films, advertising, news, sports, and game and quiz shows. Hungarian film quotas in the 15 to 20 percent range apply to public television. Excluding advertising, news, sports, game, and quiz shows, after 1997, public television will also be required to fill 70 percent of its air time with European production, 51 percent of which must be Hungarian. If one were to assume that 30 to 40 percent of all broadcast time is spent on the excluded categories, then the maximum amount of time available for non-European, non-film programming on public television is in the 20 percent range. Although these quotas are not currently seen as cutting actual U.S. market share, they could hamper future U.S. market share growth in the public sector. Nonetheless, further privatization of the television industry should boost the overall U.S. The Hungarian Government passed a new privatization law in May 1995, that reduces to 25 percent from 50 percent the average amount of permanent ownership the government would retain in the 163 companies it has identified as requiring permanent state participation. This opened a significant number of companies to foreign investment. Small portions of other privatized firms are being reserved for Hungarian citizens, for employee stock ownership programs (ESPOS) and/or management buyouts. Potential investors have complained that some regulations surrounding privatization are non-transparent subject to abrupt change. U.S. and U.K. companies involved in power station tenders in late 1995 complained of being allowed limited time to prepare their bids, although continental European firms did not complain about the same time limits. Privatization advanced substantially in late 1995, most notably in the energy, telecommunication and banking sectors. A law on simplified privatization facilitates the process for acquiring companies with less than 500 employees, and valued at less than $4 Hungary terminated its blanket tax incentives on foreign investment as of January 1, 1994, and replaced them with incentives open to all large investors, based on export promotion, reinvestment of profits, and job creation in areas of high unemployment. The new customs law passed in late 1995 eliminates duty free importation of capital goods by foreign-owned companies, although companies were allowed to register previously planned investments and extend duty free status to these items. The new law was intended to level the playing field for domestic investors, but it eliminated an incentive to investment in Hungary. Foreign access to government-funded construction and service or supply contracts is regulated by the new Act on Public Procurement that took effect in November 1995. Tenders must be invited for the purchase of goods worth over HUF 10 million. However, bids with more than 50 percent Hungarian content will be considered equal to bids up to 10 percent lower in price. Purchases deemed to be of state secrecy, as well as purchases of gas, oil, and electricity, remain exempt from these new regulations. Import animal and plant health (APH) regulations of Hungary: Some import regulations limit or delay imports of breeding animals, semen, and planting seeds. Relevant authorities (Institute for Agricultural qualification and Ministry of Agriculture) set minimum breeding value limits to import sires and semen, and require repeated tests before distribution of the import shipment. These measures may restrict the import, increase costs, and expand the duration of the import process. The process of registration and testing of new plant varieties imported is time-consuming and costly as well.

In 1995, the United States trade deficit with Hungary was $252 million, $91 million greater than that in 1994. U.S. merchandise exports to Hungary in 1995 were $295 million, 4.5 percent less than those in 1994. Hungary was the United States seventy-third largest export market in 1995. U.S. imports from Hungary totaled $547 million in 1994, an increase of $77 million from those in 1994. The stock o

Hydel Generation Salient Features Power Stations Performance Mangla Dam Tarbela Dam Warsak Dam Chashma Hydropower Project Chashma Hydropower Project is located on the right abutment of Chashma Barrage. The barrage is located on the Indus River near the village Chashma in Mianwali District, about 304 k.m. North West of Lahore. The project has been estimated at Rs17, 821.77 million including foreign exchange component of Rs 9264.25 million. The installed capacity of power Station is 184 MW comprising of 8 bulb type turbine units each of 23 MW capacity. The bulb turbines have been installed for the first time in Pakistan. The first unit was commissioned in January 2001, while final commissioning of all units was completed in July 2001. Salient Features/Principal Data of Main Components of Chashma Hydropower Project Updated: September 30, 2009 [power wing [power generation [power transmission [power distribution [ongoing / future projects [news & media

Hydel Generation Salient Features Power Stations Performance Mangla Dam Tarbela Dam Warsak Dam Chashma Hydropower Project Chashma Hydropower Project is located on the right abutment of Chashma Barrage. The barrage is located on the Indus River near the village Chashma in Mianwali District, about 304 k.m. North West of Lahore. The project has been estimated at Rs17, 821.77 million including foreign

The Pioneer Venus Project The Pioneer Venus Project's main objective was to investigate the solar wind in the Venusian environment, map the planet's surface through a radar imaging system and study the characteristics of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. Image right: An artist's rendition of an atmospheric probe descending through the clouds of Venus. Image credit: NASA. Pioneer Venus consisted of two spacecraft: the Orbiter and the Multiprobe. The Orbiter carried an assortment of instruments for investigating plasma in upper Venusian atmosphere, observing reflected sunlight from the cloud layers at a variety of wavelengths, in addition to a surface radar mapper, and was launched on the May 20, 1978. It reached orbit around Venus on Dec. 4, 1978. Although originally intended to operate for one Venusian year, most of the Orbiter's instruments were still operating when the spacecraft entered the atmosphere on Oct. 8, 1992. The Pioneer Venus Multiprobe, which was launched on Aug. 8, 1978 and reached Venus on Dec. 9, 1978, was made of 5 separate probes: the probe transporter (referred to as the Bus), a large atmospheric entry probe (called Sounder), and three small probes. The Sounder released from the Bus on Nov. 15, 1978. The three smaller probes released on Nov. 19, 1978. The probes sent data to Earth as they descended toward the surface. Read More About the Pioneer Venus Mission + Pioneer Venus Orbiter + Further Reading

The Pioneer Venus Project The Pioneer Venus Project's main objective was to investigate the solar wind in the Venusian environment, map the planet's surface through a radar imaging system and study the characteristics of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. Image right: An artist's rendition of an atmospheric probe descending through the clouds of Venus. Image credit: NASA. Pioneer Venus consisted

CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed Senate Bill 2015 into law, designed to provide an economic stimulus for Illinois in these difficult financial times. Senate Bill 2015, sponsored by State Senator James F. Clayborne Jr. (D- East St. Louis) and Representative Arthur L. Turner (D-Chicago), establishes a new state incentive for investment entities that have been approved for the federal New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program. The law will support small and developing businesses by making capital funds more easily available and will make the state more attractive to possible investors. “During this national recession, we need to take every opportunity to promote economic development in our state. With the signing of this law, we will create jobs, spur investment, and promote new and innovative businesses here in Illinois,” Governor Rod R. Blagojevich said. The Illinois New Markets Development Program, which is created by SB 2015, will provide state tax credits to investors against their state income tax liability to help drive at least $125 million into small businesses in Illinois low-income communities. In order to qualify, the investor must make investments into federally approved Community Development Entities (CDE) which in turn make investments in eligible projects located in low-income areas of Illinois. Many of these small businesses would be unable to qualify for development or expansion loans from large lending institutions because they lack credit history or necessary collateral. With the anticipation of the future tax credit, CDEs are able to make these loans available. To qualify as a CDE, an organization must demonstrate a primary a mission of serving, or providing investment capital for low-income communities or low-income persons and maintain accountability to residents of low-income communities through representation on a governing board of or advisory board to the entity. The credit is claimed over a seven-year allowance period. The federal NMTC program was enacted by Congress in 2000 and extended for future years in both 2006 and 2008. It authorizes up to $23 billion of investment in low-income areas nationwide. “We are always seeking innovative ways to promote Illinois as a place to do business. Illinois’ New Market Tax Credit will provide incentives for small business and investors to develop businesses and create jobs in low-income and under-served communities. This program will help strengthen Illinois’ economy and create needed jobs during these tough economic times,” Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Jack Lavin said. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is responsible for qualifying the CDEs and ensuring that the total tax credit liability of the state does not exceed the $10 million cap in any year. The Illinois Department of Revenue is responsible for monitoring CDE commitments. Senate Bill 2015 is effective immediately.

CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed Senate Bill 2015 into law, designed to provide an economic stimulus for Illinois in these difficult financial times. Senate Bill 2015, sponsored by State Senator James F. Clayborne Jr. (D- East St. Louis) and Representative Arthur L. Turner (D-Chicago), establishes a new state incentive for investment entities that have been approved for the feder

Associations between Indicators of Livestock Farming Intensity and Incidence of Human Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli Infection James E. Valcour, Pascal Michel†, Scott A. McEwen, and Jeffrey B. Wilson‡ Author affiliations: University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; †Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; ‡University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, and Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; The opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.

Associations between Indicators of Livestock Farming Intensity and Incidence of Human Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli Infection James E. Valcour, Pascal Michel†, Scott A. McEwen, and Jeffrey B. Wilson‡ Author affiliations: University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; †Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada; ‡University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, and Centre for Infectious Di

Definition: A data structure that is partially composed of smaller or simpler instances of the same data structure. For instance, a tree is composed of smaller trees (subtrees) and leaf nodes, and a list may have other lists as elements. See also iteration, recursion, recursive. If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul E. Black. Entry modified 17 December 2004. HTML page formatted Fri Mar 25 16:20:35 2011. Cite this as: Patrick Rodgers and Paul E. Black, "recursive data structure", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed., U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. 17 December 2004. (accessed TODAY) Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/recursivstrc.html

Definition: A data structure that is partially composed of smaller or simpler instances of the same data structure. For instance, a tree is composed of smaller trees (subtrees) and leaf nodes, and a list may have other lists as elements. See also iteration, recursion, recursive. If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul E. Black. Entry modified 17 December 20

Open Woods Days Set for Forever Wild’s Sipsey River Swamp Recreation Area April 07, 2005 The Alabama State Lands Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announces that April 16, May 14, and May 28, 2005, are designated as Open Woods Days at the Forever Wild Land Trust’s Sipsey River Swamp Recreation Area and Nature Preserve. The beautiful 3,000-acre tract consists of bottomland forest along the SipseyRiver in TuscaloosaCounty near Buhl. The SipseyRiver watershed is named as one of Alabama’s 10 Natural Wonders. For these three spring Saturdays, the Main Gate will be open from until During Open Woods Day, the public is welcome to drive into the tract along the designated Main Gravel Road leading from the Jack’s Drive Parking Area to the South Gate. During these events, the public will have easier access for public fishing and canoeing on the SipseyRiver. ATV use is prohibited on this tract except when associated with a hunting activity during hunting season only. Visitors can enjoy canoeing, birding, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife photography during Open Woods Days. Because of the vehicular traffic on the Main Road, hiking, bicycle riding and horseback riding are discouraged during these days. These Open Woods Days are subject to river conditions. If the SipseyRiver is out of its banks and flooding the roads on the Sipsey Tract, the event will be canceled and rescheduled for a later date. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, StateLands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

Open Woods Days Set for Forever Wild’s Sipsey River Swamp Recreation Area April 07, 2005 The Alabama State Lands Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announces that April 16, May 14, and May 28, 2005, are designated as Open Woods Days at the Forever Wild Land Trust’s Sipsey River Swamp Recreation Area and Nature Preserve. The beautiful 3,000-acre tract consists of botto

- About Rob - Constituent Services - Legislative Center Congressman Andrews Votes to Hold Down Interest Rates on Federal Student Loans Jul 5, 2012 WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, Congressman Andrews voted to halt the increase of interest rates on federal student loans, keeping down the costs of a college education for students and their families. According to the White House, maintaining current interest rates will collectively save college students up to $7 billion and allow them to graduate with significantly less debt. Shortly after the vote, President Obama signed this bill into law. Federal student loan interest rates were set to double from 3.4% to 6.8%, which would place an unnecessary financial burden on over seven million students already plagued by the high cost of tuition. New Jersey would have been struck particularly hard by this increase, as over 140,000 students are borrowers of Stafford Loans. However, by staving off this increase, New Jersey students will save an average of $982 over the life of their loans. “By maintaining the current interest rates on federal student loans, more students will have the means to further their education, effectively laying the cornerstone of prosperity for the next generation,” said Congressman Andrews. “This will not only help lessen the financial burden on working-class families, but also strengthen America’s workforce by allowing our students to remain competitive in an increasingly globalized job market.” As a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions sub-committee, Congressman Andrews continues to support the next generation of American workers. He remains strongly committed to aiding South Jersey students looking to pursue a college education.

- About Rob - Constituent Services - Legislative Center Congressman Andrews Votes to Hold Down Interest Rates on Federal Student Loans Jul 5, 2012 WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, Congressman Andrews voted to halt the increase of interest rates on federal student loans, keeping down the costs of a college education for students and their families. According to the White House, maintaining current int

Q.1. How can a person apply for the selection to a post? One can apply for the selection to a particular post when the selection is notified by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission in the Arunachal Pradesh Gazette or in the PSC Bulletin, News papers etc. The applicant’s candidature in the said selection is valid only if he/she satisfies all the eligibility criteria specified for the selection as well as the modalities for applying for the said selection. The application forms designed and printed by the Commission are available in the office of the Commission. Q.2. When does the Commission notify a selection? The Commission notifies the selection to a post after vacancy for the post is reported to the commission by the respective Appointing Authority. Q.3. What are the conditions to be satisfied by a person for applying to a selection to a post? A person applying for a selection shall satisfy all the eligibility criteria given under the Notification concerned and General Conditions. Q.4. What are the age limits prescribed for the selection to posts conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission? The age limits (upper & lower) for a particular post are given in detail under the selection/Notification for that post. Normally, 5 years relaxation is given to SC/ST Candidates and 3 years to OBC Candidates. Q.5. Which is the date based on which the age of an applicant is calculated? The day of reckoning age of an applicant for a selection is as per the date mentioned in the notification published by the Commission. If the applicant is found under aged/over aged as on the date aforesaid he will be ineligible for he selection. Q.6. If an applicant acquired the Qualifications prescribed subsequent to the last date of receipt of application for the selection concerned, will his application be admitted for the said selection? No, the applicant shall acquire all the prescribed educational qualification for the post within the last date fixed in the notification for the receipt of the Q.7. How many years will a Ranked List published by the Commission be alive? The Ranked Lists published by the Commission remain in force for a period of one year from the date on which it was brought into force provided that the said list will continue to be in force till the publication of a new list after the expiry of the minimum period of one year or till the expiry of 3 years whichever Q.8. Give the details of percentage of Reservation given to APST Candidates? The Reservation Ratio maintained in the Commission is 80:20. 80% of the seats are reserved for APST Candidates and 20% is for open competition. Q.9. How are the Ranks of candidates in a selection assigned while preparing the Ranked List concerned? The Ranks are assigned based on the descending order of total marks secured in the written Test and interview by each candidate. If more than one candidate secures equal mark, then respective Rank position of such candidates are assigned in the descending order of their age. If the age is also same, then their names are arranged in the Ranked List alphabetically. Q.10. Which are the documents to be attached with the application? No documents need be attached along with the application. Further questions of general nature may be addressed to the Under Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission, Vidhan Vihar, Itanagar,

Q.1. How can a person apply for the selection to a post? One can apply for the selection to a particular post when the selection is notified by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission in the Arunachal Pradesh Gazette or in the PSC Bulletin, News papers etc. The applicant’s candidature in the said selection is valid only if he/she satisfies all the eligibility criteria specified for the sel

This information is for reference purposes only. It was current when produced and may now be outdated. Archive material is no longer maintained, and some links may not work. Persons with disabilities having difficulty accessing this information should contact us at: https://info.ahrq.gov. Let us know the nature of the problem, the Web address of what you want, and your contact information. Please go to www.ahrq.gov for current information. A growing number of Americans have no usual source of care, perhaps reflecting declining access to care Individuals with a usual source of care, either a physician's office or outpatient clinic, typically have better access to care and are more likely to receive needed medical services ranging from immunizations to cancer screening. They also are more apt to be diagnosed early, receive appropriate care, and report satisfactory outcomes. However, compared with 1987, 4 percent fewer individuals in 1992 had a regular source of care, and it was more likely to be a hospital outpatient department rather than a physician's office, finds a study by Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research and her colleagues from the Association of American Medical Colleges and the University of Maryland. This may reflect deteriorating access to care, notes Dr. Clancy. The researchers analyzed data from the 1987 and 1992 National Health Interview Surveys and found that from 1987 to 1992, the estimated number of adult Americans who did not have a usual source of care rose from 30 to 39 million (17 to 21 percent). Identification of doctors' offices as a usual source of care decreased from 66 to 59 percent, whereas identification of health maintenance organizations and hospital outpatient departments increased. In fact, nearly twice as many patients were likely to identify a hospital outpatient department rather than a doctor's office as a usual source of care in 1992 compared with 1987. Hospital outpatient departments typically offer less continuity of care than doctors' offices. Identification of hospital emergency rooms and other sites as usual sources of care did not change. Every population group experienced an increase in the lack of a usual source of care. However, Hispanics, individuals with less education or lower income, those in worse health, and residents of the South or rural areas experienced particularly large increases in the odds of not having a usual source of care from 1987 to 1992. The authors conclude that barriers to care are no longer reserved for the socioeconomically disadvantaged but are felt by Americans in every walk of life. See "Changes in usual sources of medical care between 1987 and 1992," by Ernest Moy, M.D., M.P.H., Barbara A. Bartman, M.D., M.P.H., Dr. Clancy, and Llewellyn J. Cornelius, Ph.D., in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 9(2), pp. 126-138, 1998. Reprints (AHCPR Publication No. 98-R071) are available from the AHCPR Publications Clearinghouse. Return to Contents HMO enrollment not associated with delayed ER access for patients with heart attack symptoms There is growing concern that by attempting to limit unnecessary care in hospital emergency departments (EDs), health maintenance organizations (HMOs) may be creating financial hurdles that discourage or delay their enrollees from seeking needed emergency treatment. As of 1993 at least, HMO insurance did not delay patients with symptoms of acute cardiac ischemia (ACI, heart attack or angina) in seeking emergency care. They were as likely to summon an ambulance and arrive at the hospital as soon after symptom onset as indemnity-insured patients, concludes a study supported in part by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (HS07360 and National Research Service Award training grant T32 HS00060). A delay of even 1 hour in treating heart attack patients can reduce by half the effectiveness of thrombolytic (clot-busting) therapy in preventing death, explains Harry P. Selker, M.D., M.S.P.H., of the New England Medical Center (NEMC). Dr. Selker and his colleagues from NEMC and Tufts University used data collected prospectively on 6,604 HMO- and indemnity-insured patients arriving at EDs of 10 adult care hospitals in 1993 within 24 hours of ACI symptom onset (left arm, jaw, or upper abdominal pain; dizziness; nausea or vomiting; or labored breathing). The hospital-matched sample of HMO-insured and indemnity-insured patients showed no difference in the rate of ambulance use (which was associated with a nearly 2 hours shorter time-to-treatment) or duration of time from symptom onset to ED arrival. However, since 1993 HMOs have erected more barriers to emergency services—for example, by establishing substantial copayments for ED visits or, in some parts of the country, paying for ambulance services on a capitated basis. In addition, indemnity plans have added their own systems or preauthorization requirements, copayments, and selective reimbursement. The researchers conclude that caution should be used in applying their results to current HMOs and that access to 911 and emergency services needs ongoing monitoring. See "Insurance type and the transportation to emergency departments of patients with acute cardiac ischemia: The ACI-TIPI trial insurance study," by Harold A. Picken, M.D., Deborah R. Zucker, Ph.D., M.D., John L. Griffith, Ph.D., Joni R. Beshansky, R.N., M.P.H., and Dr. Selker, in the June 1998 American Journal of Managed Care 4(6), pp. 821-827. Return to Contents Many people who suffer chronic headache pain are unable to participate fully at work Like chronic back pain sufferers, people who have chronic headache pain often are unable to work. Pain can impair work performance through its impact on physical functioning, such as the ability to lift, walk or sit, or perform movements required by a work task. Pain also can impair work performance through its effects on cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal capacities required to be effective at work, such as concentration, motivation, energy, and the ability to engage in positive interactions with others. According to a study supported in part by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (HS06168), over one-third (36 percent) of those who suffer from moderate to severe headache pain, compared with 48 percent of people who suffer from moderate to severe back pain, were unable to obtain or keep full-time work at some time during a 3-year period. Only 4 percent of headache patients who had low-intensity or no pain reported that their work was similarly affected during that timeframe. Study participants were interviewed three times over a 2-year period; about 13 percent of all headache patients reported at one or more of the interviews that they were unable to obtain or keep full-time work in the prior year because of their pain condition, compared with 18 percent of all back pain patients who were unable to do so. Migraine sufferers were nearly twice as likely as headache patients without migraine and depressed patients were twice as likely as nondepressed patients to report being unable to obtain or keep full-time work because of headaches. The findings from this comparison of headache and back pain patients surprised Michael Von Korff, Sc.D., of Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, and his colleagues because headache, especially migraine, is an intermittent disorder while back pain is more persistent. This study included 662 headache patients and 1,024 back pain patients who visited a primary care physician at a large Seattle-area health maintenance organization at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years. For more details, see "Reduced labor force participation among primary care patients with headache," by Paul Stang, Ph.D., Dr. Von Korff, and Bradley S. Galer, M.D., in the May 1998 Journal of General Internal Medicine 13, pp. 296-302. Most primary care practices will need help in using quality improvement techniques Over the past decade, the application of quality management techniques to health care institutions—better known as continuous quality improvement (CQI) or total quality management—has motivated considerable efforts to refocus how we approach the collective challenge of improving health care delivery. CQI has been attempted most often in large institutions and nonclinical settings. However, research has shown that most people prefer to obtain their care in small scale practice settings. Thus, a recent study supported by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (HS08091) attempted to apply CQI principles to address clinical problems in small practice settings and to involve physicians in the process. Despite a mostly favorable attitude toward CQI, the study found that clinicians participating in the study had a limited depth of understanding or involvement, and that there was considerable room for improvement. The study, described here, was conducted by Leif I. Solberg, M.D., of HealthPartners Research Foundation, Minneapolis, MN, and colleagues. In an editorial accompanying Dr. Solberg's article, Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., Acting Director of AHCPR's Center for Primary Care Research, points out that knowledge is not enough; improvements in care must be linked with incentives and strategies for change. Solberg, L.I., Brekke, M., Kottke, T.E., and Steel, R.P. (1998). "Continuous quality improvement in primary care: What's happening." Medical Care 36(5), pp. 625-635. The researchers conducted three surveys of the clinicians, nurses, and other staff in 44 primary care clinics in the metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN. The surveys addressed attitudes about quality improvement, previous efforts by the clinics to use process improvement teams, and the extent to which the clinics' organizational cultures were perceived as supporting quality. The surveys showed that primary care providers appear to have mixed attitudes and a limited understanding of CQI. Although they generally have a positive attitude about CQI, they aren't necessarily sure that reducing variation in care is desirable or that clinic leaders are committed to CQI. Although about half (20) of the 44 participating clinics reported that there had been at least one process improvement team at their clinic, 60 percent of clinicians had never been involved with such a team. Many of the teams did not complete the quality improvement actions, especially the actions that should make the most difference to success, that is, those involved in evaluating the implemented plan's success. Only five teams had completed a process improvement cycle—that is, they developed an evaluation plan and used data to evaluate the plan's implementation. That may explain in part why only 7 of the 12 teams (58 percent) reported improvements in the problem that they had been formed to address, such as reducing waiting time, increasing patient satisfaction, or improving urgent care arrangements. Dr. Solberg and his colleagues conclude that despite relatively favorable attitudes and some CQI activities, clinics will need help to build skill and experience to achieve improvements in care. Clancy, C.M. (1998). "Continuous quality improvement and primary care." Medical Care 36(5), pp. 619-620. According to this editorial, the results of the study by Dr. Solberg and colleagues suggest a striking contrast between clinicians' perceptions of the "problem" of clinical performance and the basic assumptions of CQI. The findings also underscore the collective need for additional information on organizational and clinician factors that motivate sustained and successful efforts at quality improvement, notes Dr. Clancy. This information could help explain why a group of motivated clinicians apparently were unmoved by a need to reduce variations in practice. It may be that primary care clinicians take tremendous pride in customizing their approach to individual patients. The unspoken inference may be that reducing variations will require elimination of aspects of daily practice that are both rewarding and valued by patients. If clinicians are not persuaded that reducing variations in practice based on good evidence is desirable, no quality improvement strategy is likely to succeed for very long, explains Dr. Clancy. The long-term prognosis for CQI in primary care—or any setting—will depend on clinicians and those involved in quality improvement reaching consensus on which variations should be reduced or eliminated and which should be celebrated because they are responsive to patients' preferences. Dr. Clancy concludes that the historical roots of quality assessment, focused on the hospital, will require extensive transformation to be useful in small practices. Conference participants examine organizational issues in delivery of primary care to the elderly The massive restructuring of American health care is bound to have a lasting impact on how primary care is delivered to the elderly. To examine this issue, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research and the National Institute on Aging cosponsored a national invitational conference, "Aging and Primary Care: Organizational Issues in the Delivery of Health Care for Older Americans." About 50 attendees with expertise in geriatrics, nursing, the social and behavioral sciences, and health care management and policy met in Washington, DC, in 1996. The underlying goal of the conference was to examine the potential of an organizational research perspective for expanding the current knowledge base on the determinants of different health care structures and their consequences for older people. Overall, the conference examined the structure, culture, and process of health care organization; the mix, capacities, values, and role played by various health care professionals and agencies; and the interaction between providers and the people they serve. Participants examined the impact of managed care organizational, economic, and structural characteristics on both the delivery of health care to the elderly and their responses to and outcomes of that care. Attendees explored research linking key internal organizational characteristics, such as size, mission, ownership, and managerial communication and control structures, to patient outcomes. Another focus was on the nature and extent of relationships among multi-institutional systems, insuring organizations, and other organizations that deliver health care to older Americans. How elderly individuals' decisions, behaviors, and preferences may change in response to health care system changes, and whether the altered health care system will be responsive to the needs of older clients were also examined. And finally, attendees examined methodological problems and barriers in performing research on organizational and patient factors related to the delivery of primary care to older Americans and identified research priorities. Following the conference, six primary working papers were reworked for publication in a special supplement to the journal Health Services Research: - Ory, M.G., Cooper, J., and Siu, A.L., "Toward the development of a research agenda on organizational issues in the delivery of health care to older Americans," pp. 287-297. - Sofaer, S., "Aging and primary care: An overview of organizational and behavioral issues in the delivery of health care services to older Americans," pp. 298-321. - Wholey, D.R., Burns, L.R., and Lavizzo-Mourey, R., "Managed care and the delivery of primary care to the elderly and the chronically ill," pp. 322-353. - Zinn, J.S. and Mor, V., "Organizational structure and the delivery of primary care to older Americans," pp. 354-380. - Kaluzny, A.D., Zuckerman, H.S., and Rabiner, D.J., "Interorganizational factors affecting the delivery of primary care to older Americans," pp. 381-401. - Counte, M.A., "The emerging role of the client in the delivery of primary care to older Americans," pp. 402-423. - Fennell, M.L., and Flood, A.B., "Key challenges in studying organizational issues in the delivery of health care to older Americans," pp. 424-433. For more information, see "Organizational issues in the delivery of primary care to older Americans," Special Supplement to Health Services Research 33(2, Part II), June 1998. Return to Contents Health Care Delivery Treating suspected TB pending lab results often minimizes both the risk of death and health care costs Even with commonly available rapid laboratory culture tests to diagnose Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB), it takes 2 or 3 weeks to obtain results. While waiting for these results, the average patient's risk of death and health care costs can be reduced by treating all patients suspected of having TB who have a positive acid-fast bacillus (AFB) sputum smear or are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV-positive patients should be treated even if the AFB smear is negative, since they are at high risk for TB. The potential for deaths from drug toxicity in treating many people without TB is slightly outweighed by the potential deaths of not treating those with smear-negative disease pending culture results, according to a study supported in part by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (National Research Service Award F32 HS00079). The researchers found, for example, that treatment of HIV-infected patients who have AFB-negative smears decreases deaths by 2 percent on average at an additional cost of $8,000 per life saved. This is still lower than costs per life-year-saved for other medical interventions such as HIV screening of blood donors. When the prevalence of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) in a community exceeds 9.6 percent, drug-resistant therapy for AFB smear-positive patients (prior to results from culture and drug-resistant tests), rather than the initial four-drug regimen recommended for much of the United States (INH, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol), minimizes both the risk of mortality and costs. A quinolone drug is added to the regimen for MDR-TB. This decision analysis by Timothy F. Brewer, M.D., M.P.H., and his colleagues at Harvard Medical School was based on the most recently available U.S. survey data on percentage of TB infections and MDR-TB. The decision model incorporated an average baseline mortality risk, mortality risks from drug toxicity, treated drug-sensitive or drug-resistant TB, and untreated TB. For more information, see "An effectiveness and cost analysis of presumptive treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis," by Dr. Brewer, S. Jody Heymann, M.D., Ph.D., Mary Ettling, Sc.D., and others, in the American Journal of Infection Control 26(3), pp. 232-238, 1998. Expert panels are being used to gauge the appropriateness of medical procedures The cornerstone of good care is sound clinical judgment—an ability to determine which interventions (or decisions not to intervene) will consistently benefit individual patients. The problem, of course, is defining and measuring appropriate care and evaluating clinical judgment. Two recent studies, supported by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (HS07185 and HS08071) and briefly summarized here, address these issues. Both assess what is arguably the most respected approach to defining appropriate care—the RAND-University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Delphi panel method, for evaluating appropriateness of medical procedures. In this method, researchers develop hundreds of case scenarios based on combinations of clinical factors that could affect patients' net benefits from a given procedure. A multidisciplinary panel of expert clinicians independently rates the scenarios on a nine-point appropriateness scale and then rates them again after discussing areas of disagreement. Analysts use the ratings to categorize each procedure as appropriate, of uncertain appropriateness, or inappropriate. Shekelle, P.G., Kahan, J.P., Bernstein, S.J., and others (1998, June). "The reproducibility of a method to identify the overuse and underuse of medical procedures." New England Journal of Medicine 338(26), pp. 1888-1895. In this study, the authors employed the RAND-UCLA method using expert panels stratified for balance in specialty, geography, and type of practice. Three panels rated noncancerous indications for elective hysterectomy; three other panels rated indications for coronary revascularization (angioplasty or bypass surgery). Final panel ratings were used to classify the procedure in each scenario as necessary or not necessary and appropriate or inappropriate. The rates of agreement among the three coronary-revascularization panels were 95, 94, and 96 percent for inappropriate-use scenarios and 93, 92, and 92 percent for necessary-use scenarios. Agreement among the three hysterectomy panels was 88, 70, and 74 percent for inappropriate-use scenarios. Scenarios depicting necessary use of hysterectomy were not assessed. Application of individual panels' criteria to real populations of patients resulted in a 100 percent variation in the proportion of cases classified as inappropriate and a 20 percent variation in the proportion of cases classified as necessary. Also, the proportion of procedures that would be deemed inappropriate varied between panels by a factor of two. For example, one panel categorized 7.3 percent of coronary-revascularization procedures provided at 15 New York hospitals as inappropriate compared with 3.8 percent by another panel. Inappropriate elective use of hysterectomy in seven managed care organizations varied from 24 to 52 percent. The authors conclude that although appropriateness criteria may be useful in comparing levels of appropriate procedure use among populations, these criteria should not by themselves be used to direct care for individual patients. Ayanian, J.Z., Landrum, M.B., Normand, S-L, and others (1998, June). "Rating the appropriateness of coronary angiography—Do practicing physicians agree with an expert panel and with each other?" New England Journal of Medicine 338(26), pp. 1896-1904. These researchers asked 1,058 internists, family practitioners, and cardiologists in five States (California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas) to rate the appropriateness of coronary angiography after acute myocardial infarction for 20 common indications. Nine clinical experts also rated these indications using the RAND-UCLA Delphi method. Overall, surveyed physicians agreed with clinical experts about the appropriateness of coronary angiography after myocardial infarction for most indications. This suggests that well-designed expert panels can closely reflect the views of practicing physicians. Cardiologists rated angiography as significantly more appropriate than did primary care physicians for complicated indications. For uncomplicated indications, cardiologists who performed invasive procedures rated angiography as more appropriate than did cardiologists who did not perform such procedures, and primary care physicians and physicians from hospitals providing coronary angioplasty and bypass surgery rated angiography as more appropriate than did physicians from other hospitals. Physicians from New York and those employed by health maintenance organizations rated angiography as less appropriate than other physicians. More than 50 percent of primary care physicians and cardiologists reported that patient or family requests were an important influence on their decisions, and almost 50 percent of each physician group said on-site availability of angiography was an important consideration in their decision. Understanding differences among practicing physicians in their views about appropriate medical care can help ensure that clinical guidelines and evaluations encompass the views of a range of relevant types of physicians. Return to Contents Researchers examine treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia Evaluation and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, enlarged prostate) in the United States changed rapidly between 1991 and 1995, with a sharp decline in invasive therapy for BPH. The two studies described here examine the diagnostic procedures and care provided to BPH patients in the early 1990s. The first study, conducted by researchers at the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, compares changing patterns of care for BPH with the recommendations set forth in the AHCPR-sponsored clinical practice guideline on BPH which was issued in 1994. The second study shows that men with moderate symptoms of BPH who undergo transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) have fewer genitourinary problems 5 years later than patients who are simply monitored (watchful waiting). This study was conducted by the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program. It was supported in part by AHCPR (HS08397, the Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) on prostatic diseases). The AHCPR Prostate PORT is led by Michael J. Barry, M.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital. Baine, W.B., Yu, W., Summe, J.P., and Weis, K.A. (1998, September). "Epidemiologic trends in the evaluation and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly male Medicare patients from 1991 to 1995." Journal of Urology 160, pp. 816-820, 1998. This study of trends in the use of BPH-related procedures shows that transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for elderly men with BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms declined 43 percent from 1991 to 1995, with even steeper reductions for open prostatectomy. In addition, the proportion of transurethral resections performed on hospitalized patients decreased from 96 to 88 percent. Age-specific rates for this surgery were highest in the ninth decade, and during the 5-year study period operative rates generally declined more among white than among black men of the same age. Many of the changes in use of BPH-related diagnostic tests for men with BPH and lower urinary tract symptoms were consistent with the recommendations of AHCPR's BPH practice guideline, but the changes were often already under way before publication of the guideline. Thus, the guideline may have simply codified ongoing modifications to clinical practice rather than eliciting them, according to the researchers. For instance, according to the guideline, filling cystometry, urethrocystoscopy, and imaging of the urinary tract are "tests not recommended" to evaluate BPH. Use of filling cystometry showed an overall decrease from 1991 through 1993 with no perceptible change thereafter. Urethrocystoscopy and excretory urography (an imaging test) performed specifically in cases of BPH declined steadily with overall declines of 35 percent and 60 percent, respectively, during the 5-year study period. Also, the guideline categorized uroflowmetry, post-void residual urine, and pressure flow studies as "optional diagnostic tests." Use of uroflowmetry increased during the first 3 years, and pressure flow studies increased throughout the 5 years studied, with the former test being performed more frequently than the latter. These findings are based on an analysis of a 5 percent sample of the Health Care Financing Administration's database of Medicare beneficiaries. Reprints (AHCPR Publication No. 98-R087) are available from the AHCPR Publications Clearinghouse. Flanigan, R.C., Reda, D.J., Wasson, J.H., and others (1998, July). "5-year outcome of surgical resection and watchful waiting for men with moderately symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: A Department of Veterans Affairs cooperative study." Journal of Urology 160, pp. 12-17, 1998. Men with moderate symptoms of BPH who undergo transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) have fewer genitourinary symptoms 5 years later than those who are simply monitored (watchful waiting). While many men do well on watchful waiting, those who undergo TURP after a trial of watchful waiting have less improved bladder functioning than men initially treated with TURP, according to this study by Prostate PORT researchers. They randomized 556 men with moderate symptoms of BPH at nine Veterans Affairs Hospitals to either TURP or watchful waiting and followed them for up to 5 years. Men who underwent TURP had significantly better outcomes across the board than those in the watchful waiting group. For example, they had half the treatment failure rates (10 vs. 21 percent). Also, 36 percent of men in the watchful waiting group, usually those with the most bothersome genitourinary symptoms, had to cross over to surgery at 5 years. Overall, men who underwent prostatic resection had less genitourinary bother and fewer symptoms, and the rates of acute urinary retention and high residual urinary volume were much less than in men in the watchful waiting group. Only 1.2 percent of men who underwent surgery had persistent incontinence compared with 2.9 percent of those assigned to watchful waiting. These results underscore the fact that watchful waiting, with or without medication, is a safe treatment choice for many men with moderate symptoms of BPH. On the other hand, for some men delay of surgical resection may have some negative effects on symptom resolution, peak flow rates, and residual urinary volume. The researchers conclude that men whose genitourinary symptoms are bothersome are most likely to benefit from resection. Medical consultants play a key role in improving outcomes of hip fracture patients Within a year of hip fracture, 24 percent of elderly Medicare patients die, only 54 percent of those who survive can walk unaided, and only 40 percent can independently perform all physical activities of daily living. The medical consultant has a key role in improving the care and outcomes of hip fracture patients by providing state-of-the-art care and managing preoperative conditions and postoperative complications, according to a recent literature review conducted by researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and supported in part by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (HS09459). Despite the involvement of medical consultants in the care of most hip fracture patients, many internists have no formal training in this condition, and they may be unfamiliar with optimal management of its complications, according to the researchers. They reviewed studies on clinical interventions to improve care of conditions typically encountered by medical consultants in the care of hip fracture patients. The studies show that surgical repair of hip fracture for medically stable patients within the first 24 to 48 hours lowers 1-year mortality rates and the incidence of confusion and pressure ulcers. Prophylactic antibiotics given for about 24 hours can substantially reduce the risk of deep-wound infections and should probably be administered 0 to 2 hours before surgery. Strong evidence also supports the use of heparin to prevent deep, venous thrombosis starting at hospital admission. As many as 20 percent of hip fracture patients are severely malnourished. Oral protein supplementation seems to reduce minor postoperative complications, preserve body protein stores, and reduce overall length of hospital stay. Postoperative delirium occurs in up to 61 percent of patients with hip fracture, but it can be prevented by identifying and correcting risk indicators for delirium, such as electrolyte and metabolic laboratory abnormalities. Finally, more than one physical therapy session per day is probably beneficial, note the researchers. Details are in "The medical consultant's role in caring for patients with hip fracture," by R. Sean Morrison, M.D., Mark R. Chassin, M.D., M.P.P., M.P.H., and Albert L. Siu, M.D., M.S.P.H., in the June 15, 1998, Annals of Internal Medicine 128(12, Pt. 1), pp. 1010-1020. Return to Contents Proceed to Next Section

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Conservation staff regularly devise unique solutions and techniques to allow large contemporary art works to be safely and elegantly displayed. Here is an insight into the behind-the-scenes work that went towards successfully displaying one of the special acquisitions for GOMA’s 5th Birthday celebrations. The arrival of the tapa was greatly anticipated, not only due to its majestic style and size but also because it was arriving just a week or so before the opening of ‘Threads: Contemporary Textiles and the Social Fabric’. Due to time constraints, conservators needed to carry out detailed planning to ensure the tapa could be installed as safely and efficiently as possible. Prior to this, Conservation staff prepared all the necessary materials and equipment needed for the install and display of this work, including heavy-weight Japanese tissue, acid-free blotting paper, wheat starch paste, velcro (without a self-adhesive backing), conservation-grade adhesive to adhere the velcro to the paper, thick pressing felts, weights, foam and flannelette sheeting. When the tapa arrived, it was moved into the GOMA Conservation laboratory for treatment, during which we attached paper and velcro support tabs to help spread the weight of the tapa evenly for the duration of its display. (The tabs prevent excessive and uneven pressure being exerted on the art work, which can cause its deformation and even tearing.) The GOMA Conservation lab is designed to accommodate large contemporary works, but the tapa was too long to be fully unrolled, so we worked on sections at a time. The hinges were made by our Conservation Technician, using Japanese paper conservation techniques. Although tapa is not paper, it has similar properties and so paper conservation methods can be also used for tapa conservation. The hinges, made with heavy-weight Japanese tissue paper and velcro, were constructed before the tapa arrived because they take time to make. A conservation-grade adhesive was used to adhere the velcro to the paper, and then starch paste was applied to adhere the hinges to the back of the tapa. Although the paper and starch paste are very strong, the hinges can be easily removed by being slightly moistened with water. Once the hinges are in position, they are covered with weights — this ensures a strong bond, and that the tapa remains flat. They are left to dry overnight. Hinges are used because they prevent the tapa looking like it has been directly attached in a line down the wall. They allow the natural undulations in the material to remain, so it appears supported but unrestrained. The final step was to attach a long, narrow paper casing to the end of the tapa that would hang freely. Our plan was that, if required, once the tapa was installed, a flat Perspex bar could be inserted into the casing. This was to provide some weight to the lower edge to prevent it from moving, just in case the air-conditioning — which comes from vents in the floor — caused it to billow. This was done as a precautionary measure, since we couldn’t be sure how the work would drape once it was installed. The casing couldn’t be attached after the work was installed because the treatment needs to be done with the art work in a flat, horizontal position. Our next post will show the installation of Ngatu tā’uli 2011. Photographs: Liz Wild and Natasha Harth

Conservation staff regularly devise unique solutions and techniques to allow large contemporary art works to be safely and elegantly displayed. Here is an insight into the behind-the-scenes work that went towards successfully displaying one of the special acquisitions for GOMA’s 5th Birthday celebrations. The arrival of the tapa was greatly anticipated, not only due to its majestic style and size

The Montana Department of Commerce has severy programs that provide techinical assistance services to individuals and businesses: For an individual that is looking to start a new business or expand their existing business, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network is usually the best place to start. The SBDC also provides intensive business development programs and courses through Entrepreneur Montana. The entrepreneurs starting a business and the business owner growing and professionalizing his or her businesses find these programs very useful. Technical assistance is also provided in applying for federal research & development grants through the Montana Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The Montana Technology Innovation Partnership (MTIP) is a Montana Department of Commerce initiative created to promote technology commercialization as a viable economic development strategy for the State of Montana. The Montana Indian Equity Fund is a program that focuses on developing the capacity of Indian organizations on the Reservations to mentor and support Indian business owners through classroom training, workshops, counseling and lending. For an individual or business interested in export trade, the Trade and International Relations Bureau is a good resource that can also connect you to many other resources in this category of assistance. For those individuals or companies interested in using the Made in Montana logo for their product marketing, the Division maintains a contract with a Montana printer to provide those logos for qualifying Montana made products. Export Montana, through the Office of Trade and International Relations, is committeed to helping Montana companies pursue commercial opportunities abroad. The BEAR program pulls together local business and community leaders to form a volunter assessment team to address local needs. Local area businesses who request the free service are visited by interviewers from the Team to conduct on-site sureys of the issues and needs of their local business. CRDCs are local development offices responsible for helping local officials, communities, and businesess assess, plan and facilitate action within their regions. There are 10 CRDCs in Montana. The STEDC works with Native Americans to expand economic development opportunities on eah of the seven Indian reservations in partnership with tribal governments and the federal government.

The Montana Department of Commerce has severy programs that provide techinical assistance services to individuals and businesses: For an individual that is looking to start a new business or expand their existing business, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network is usually the best place to start. The SBDC also provides intensive business development programs and courses through Entre

Remote Manipulation of a Capsule Endoscope (Remote capsule) The purpose of the study is to learn about the feasibility of moving a pill-sized camera (Givens Capsule) remotely in the esophagus and stomach using an external hand held magnet. |Study Design:||Observational Model: Case-Only Time Perspective: Prospective |Official Title:||Remote Manipulation of a Capsule Endoscope in the Esophagus and Stomach of a Human Volunteer Using an External Hand-held Magnet| |Study Start Date:||April 2008| |Study Completion Date:||April 2008| |Primary Completion Date:||April 2008 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)| Magnetic remote manipulation: A simple and inexpensive method for manipulation of capsule endoscopes has been developed and successfully tested in survival studies in pigs. This has involved modifications of capsules which are in clinical use in patients as follows. One of the two imagers in esophageal capsules have been removed and replaced with three small magnets which are fixed within the capsule casing. This does not alter the dimensions of the capsule which can be reconstituted in a conventional casing. The magnetic reed switch which turns the capsule on and off is removed and is replaced with a thermal switch which will turn the capsule on if placed in hot water above 60 degrees centigrade for 60 seconds. The capsule can be manipulated using an external hand held paddle shaped magnet measuring approximately 20 x 20 x 5 centimeters which is held and rotated close to the back of the subject when the modified capsule is in the esophagus or the anterior abdominal wall when the capsule is in the stomach. The magnets used are of neodymium iron boron (quaternary ion magnets). The capsules are modified from FDA approved devices by Given Imaging (the company that makes these capsules). The outside of the capsule is unchanged but internal modifications, the changing of the switch and the inclusion of the magnet, are not FDA approved and are experimental. Planned experiment in a human volunteer: This study is for one, currently identified healthy volunteer only. The volunteer for this study is one of the inventors of the capsule endoscope technology (Paul Swain, MD) Dr. Swain will be consented in the usual manner with the current IRB approved consent. Dr. Rothstein will perform a physical exam to ensure that he is in general good health, has no esophageal or bowel disease or conditions that would contraindicate participation in the present study. He will then swallow a magnetically modified capsule as follows. He will be fasted overnight for the experiment which will be conducted in the designated endoscopy unit following standard endoscopic practise. A cannula will be placed for suitable intravenous access if needed, and D5/half normal saline infused to keep the vein open. The experiment will be performed with no sedation if possible or light sedation using benzodiazepines and/or narcotics (standard medications for endoscopy) at the discretion of the principal investigator and the volunteer. Topical anesthetics will be applied in the customary fashion for upper endoscopy. The volunteer will lie in the left lateral position and will swallow the capsule in a recumbent posture and may aid swallowing by sipping water from a glass through a straw. A flexible endoscope will be passed into the esophagus by the endoscopist. Another person who is not the endoscopist will manipulate the external paddle-shaped magnet. This involves moving and rotating the polarities of this magnet adjacent to the back and abdomen of the volunteer. A real-time viewer displaying images obtained from the capsule will be placed in a position so both the endoscopist and the paddle-magnet manipulator can view and react to the images. The images from the flexible endoscope, room images showing the movements of the paddle magnet and the real-time images acquired from the capsule will be recorded. The volunteer will be asked to indicate if he can feel the magnet moving the capsule in the esophagus and stomach and whether it is at all painful (real-time and via follow-up visual analog scale - pain 1 to10, 1 no pain and 10 worst pain). The capsule will be manipulated in the esophagus and stomach with both flexible endoscopic and real time capsule imaging. Once manipulations in the esophagus have been completed the volunteer will be elevated (tilt table, sit or stand) to see if the magnet can hold the capsule in the esophagus against gravity. The capsule will then be allowed to pass into the stomach where it will be magnetically manipulated. Once the examination is completed the capsule will be removed using a Roth snare, a standardly employed accessory with a net which can be closed over objects for retrieval and is commonly used for polyp retrieval.

Remote Manipulation of a Capsule Endoscope (Remote capsule) The purpose of the study is to learn about the feasibility of moving a pill-sized camera (Givens Capsule) remotely in the esophagus and stomach using an external hand held magnet. |Study Design:||Observational Model: Case-Only Time Perspective: Prospective |Official Title:||Remote Manipulation of a Capsule Endoscope in the Esophagus and S