Monday, December 31, 2012

How To Set Off New Years Fireworks Without Losing a Hand

Every occasion is a good occasion for fireworks—The 4th of July, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Guy Fawkes Day, Chinese New Year, your birthday, your anniversary, a home run, a touchdown, graduation, Tuesday... Unfortunately, such an abundance of occasions also resulted in more than 8,000 fireworks-related injuries in 2011. Four of them fatal. Here's how to properly handle your celebratory explosives without hosting the after party in the ER. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/7Mbk3GFrzC8/how-to-set-off-new-years-fireworks-without-losing-a-hand

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Computer Network & Data Cable Wiring Installation Oak Ridge TN ...



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Cable Tv Broadcast Stations And Satellites That Circle The Earth

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326

Summary:
Even though you obviously know what a television is and what services it renders, I bet you might not know the fundamentals of how it functions.

Television is basically a public broadcasting medium which uses what is known as point-to-multipoint technology that is broadcast to just anyone that comes within range of the transmitter. Its main contents include news, information, and entertainment.

Are you a subscriber of cable television or do you think satellite televisio...

Keywords:
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Article Body:
Even though you obviously know what a television is and what services it renders, I bet you might not know the fundamentals of how it functions.

Television is basically a public broadcasting medium which uses what is known as point-to-multipoint technology that is broadcast to just anyone that comes within range of the transmitter. Its main contents include news, information, and entertainment.

Are you a subscriber of cable television or do you think satellite television is better in terms of quality and costs?

The concept called cable TV is a commercial service that links television to several forms of video programming using a cable known as coaxial.

So how does it work? A cable provider obtains coded signals or what is commonly known as scrambled programming from a communication satellite and from terrestrial links which include broadcast television stations. The major objective of the coded signal is pecuniary as it wards off unpaid access to the programming.

This is the reason why your cable provider electronically decodes the signal and supplies it to you and other paying subscribers through cable.

Other television users who have satellite dishes can also access satellite programming without a cable installation. And just like cable TV, satellite TV is also a subscriber service, because certain amount of money is paid to the network provider in return for access to satellite channels.

And if you are wondering how the whole thing works, communication satellites receive TV signals from the ground station, amplify them, and relay them back to the earth over an antenna that covers a specified terrestrial area.

These types of satellites circle the earth in a geosynchronous orbit. Alright, don't crack your brain over this term, what it means in simple language is that the satellites stay above the same place on the earth at all times.

Satellite TVs have now increasingly become very popular among users, but there are still many people that still dont use Satellite TV.


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21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn (Leading Edge ...

? Get now 21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn (Leading Edge) [Kindle Edition] with Secure Transaction Amazon now!?

21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn (Leading Edge) [Kindle Edition] Description :

James Bellanca, MA, is founder and CEO of International Renewal Institute, Inc., and acting director of the Illinois Consortium for 21st Century Skills. He founded SkyLight Professional Development in 1982. As its president, he mentored more than twenty author-consultants as he led SkyLight in pioneering the use of strategic teaching in comprehensive professional development. Bellanca coauthored more than twenty books that advocated the application of thinking and cooperating across the curriculum with the theme not just for the test, but for a lifetime of learning. Currently, Bellanca is building on the theories of cognitive psychologist Reuven Feuerstein to develop more effective responses to the learning needs of students whose academic achievement continues to lag. A longtime proponent of teaching that is aligned with the advocated best practices of 21st century skills, Bellanca s most recent publications include Designing Professional Development for Change: A Guide for Improving Classroom Instruction; Enriched Learning Projects: A Practical Pathway to 21st Century Skills; Collaboration and Cooperation in 21st Century Schools; 200+ Active Learning Strategies and Projects for Engaging Students Multiple Intelligences; and A Guide to Graphic Organizers: Helping Students Organize and Process Content for Deeper Learning. Ron Brandt, Ed.D., was editor of publications for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), Alexandria, Virginia, for almost twenty years before his retirement in 1997. During his career at ASCD, he was best known as executive editor of Educational Leadership magazine. In the 1980s, he promoted the teaching of thinking in elementary and secondary schools, collaborating with Robert Marzano and a team of other educators in development of a book, Dimensions of Thinking, and a related teacher training program, Dimensions of Learning. He is also the author or editor of numerous other publications. Before joining the staff of ASCD, he was a teacher and principal in Racine, Wisconsin; director of staff development in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and for eight years was associate superintendent of the Lincoln Public Schools in Lincoln, Nebraska.

More features from 21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn (Leading Edge) [Kindle Edition] :

  • File Size: 3132 KB
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  • Publisher: Solution Tree Press; 1 edition (April 19, 2010)
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Costumers reviews for 21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn (Leading Edge) [Kindle Edition]

21st Century Skills: Rethinking How Students Learn is a valuable contribution to the dialogue about the education of children and youth in the United States today. As longtime proponents of cognitive approaches to education, editors Jim Bellanca and Ron Brandt understand the importance of schools where students are engaged in important learning, becoming ever more self-directed. Their way of thinking about education connects well with the goals of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, which partnership president Ken Kay articulates in his foreword to this book as preparing students for citizenship, college and career. In addition to emphasizing core content knowledge taught in schools, he discusses the partnership?s perspective for the need for students to become globally aware and literate about financial, civic, health, and environmental issues. Furthermore, Kay discusses the need for youth today to be masters of the 4 Cs?Critical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation, Cooperation, and Communication?to prepare for adulthood.

This book does not suggest one road to implementation in schools today, nor is the intent to limit discussion only to the book?s contents; rather it aims to give educational leaders and those who create policy food for thought. For thirty years my career has been focused on helping more students reach their potential through motivational and cognitive approaches to learning. Therefore, through the years my work has been informed by many of the fine educators who contributed to this book.

The first chapter by Howard Gardner is a great way to set the stage for a dialogue about 21st century education. In what I consider to be some of his best work, Gardner discusses five types of minds that students today need to develop: disciplined, synthesizing, creating, respectful, and ethical. To frame this discussion, it seems timely to consider respectful and ethical character development as essential to the future of our country and world. Gardner offers a human framework as the driving energy for education rather than a more limited approach (i.e., what technology should schools apply, how should we test, which curricula pass muster?) to nurture our national treasure, our youth.

Within a human framework, we can then begin to discuss implementation, or how we provide a 21st century education for all our youth. In Chapter 2 Linda Darling-Hammond makes the case for policy that supports effective teachers and leaders and provides opportunities for professional learning. Understanding that effective instruction (including leadership and policy support) has been found to be the most important factor for increasing student learning is central as leaders rethink education today.

Personally, I found Bob Pearlman?s insights on designing new learning environments and Cheryl Lemke?s work on innovating through technology to be novel and informative. Both authors discuss the importance of reaching youth today through the use of technology, a strength for many students. Lemke discusses technology as a means to further (1) multimodal learning and critical and creative thinking, (2) democratization of knowledge so that online learning activities are available to individuals and groups without regard to where they are located geographically, and (3) participatory learning through social networking systems already familiar to many youth today.

In Chapter 6, Bob Pearlman shares frameworks for designing modern schools that provide spaces for various aspects of learning, including individual and small and large group learning spaces rather than the usual teacher desk at the front of the room with rows of desks for students. Pearlman gives examples of models in the United States and England where communities have put a high priority on education and educators have thoughtfully designed schools around student learning in the 21st century. As the author puts it, the aim is an integration of form and function. I think this chapter is important not only because it addresses an interesting topic, but also because when we are discussing new buildings, it brings front and center the need for the community to support courageous educational leaders in the re-creation of schools.

I believe now is a critical time for educational change, just as it was when leaders in the mid-nineteenth century developed a system to educate the masses in a way that would be appropriate in the Industrial Age. Today, we are long past that era, and our youth, as well as our effective educators, need support of policy makers, leaders, and the local community. It is unfair to students and to all of us as the American taxpayers to settle for less. It is critical (1) that effective teachers and administrators have opportunities to share what has been found to work, (2) that educators have a chance to participate in cutting-edge professional learning that may include a variety of experiences, one of which might be learning how to teach with new technologies, and (3) that local community leaders work hand in hand with school leaders and policy makers to re-create our educational system.

In terms of Amazon?s goal to reach both educators and others in the community who are supportive stakeholders in education, this book is a useful introduction to some ideas that can help inform those interested in using their influence, from inside or outside education, to support institutions for learning. The time is now. Our children and youth deserve the best, and with the predisposition that many millennials have to embrace key issues today and to use social networks, with the right educational and community experiences, they may be better equipped than any generation before them to make our world a better place!

Donna Wilson, Ph.D.
President, 21st Century Skills, LLC &
BrainSMART, Inc.

from your own site.

Source: http://alrevisacademy.com/21st-century-skills-rethinking-how-students-learn-leading-edge-kindle-edition-2/

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Sunday, December 30, 2012

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Fans to introduce Beyonce at Super Bowl halftime

NEW YORK (AP) ? All the single ladies ? and fellas ? will have a chance to join Beyonce on the field at the Super Bowl.

Pepsi announced Friday that fans will introduce the Grammy-winning diva when she takes the stage Feb. 3 at New Orleans' Mercedes-Benz Superdome. A contest that kicks off Saturday will allow fans to submit photos of themselves in various poses, including head bopping, feet tapping and hip shaking. Those pictures will be used in a TV ad to air ahead of Beyonce's halftime performance, and 50 of those who submit photos ? along with a friend ? will be selected to introduce the singer.

Photo contest details are at www.pepsi.com/halftime . The contest ends Jan. 19, but Jan. 11 is the cutoff date for those interested in introducing Beyonce.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fans-introduce-beyonce-super-bowl-halftime-023946319--spt.html

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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Eric Chua : Life, Business and Real Estate in Singapore ? Tips And ...

There are a lot of reasons many people invest in the world of commercial real estate. But these reasons must have something to do with a basic knowledge you have acquired about this particular business. The more information you have, the greater your earnings will be through your commercial real estate dealings. Below, you?ll find some great tips to help you start your commercial real estate career, or to add to your already wide breadth of knowledge.

When you begin to invest, it is wise to only have one investment in mind at a time. Pick out just one type of property to begin with and then give it all you?ve got. You want to be an ace investor in one property type rather than just OK at many different types.

Only work with companies that are sincerely interested in the success of their customers. If you don?t, you might wind up suffering over the long haul for an otherwise preventable error.

TIP! Prior to negotiating with the lease of your commercial real estate, try to decrease anything that could be a default as you can. The less behaviors you have that constitute default, the less likely it is that you?ll have to deal with a tenant?s default.

Think bigger when you are investing in commercial properties. Don?t let fear of managing a large building stop you from making the best investment possible. In reality, there?s no difference between managing a small number of units and a large number. Both sizes of buildings need commercial financing, but buildings with more units are cheaper per unit.

When you are setting up your home office or commercial property for selling purposes, consider the Asian art of feng shui. De-cluttering and open spaces are two key tenets, both of which are attractive to buyers.

Look out for any motivated sellers. You have to look for them, particularly the sellers who are willing to sell for less than the market price. Nothing happens until you come upon the deal made available by a very motivated seller.

TIP! There are different types of commercial real estate brokers. There are agents who only represent tenants and there are full-service brokers who work with both tenants and landlords.

Interest Rates

Be wary of fluctuating interest rates, as these can greatly affect not only your initial financing, but also your long-term investment. It?s completely unpredictable how the markets will be today or tomorrow, let alone a week or month from now, leaving investors vulnerable to changes in interest rates. Think about this when you are out shopping for a new property. Consider what your long-term options are.

Before you make a decision on which real estate broker to use, see how they negotiate. Ask about their training and experience. You can also double check that their methods are ethical, and that they have success in finding and negotiating the optimum deals. Ask for examples of successful and unsuccessful past negotiations.

TIP! Locate a lender prior to putting in an offer for a commercial property. Make a list of all of the most expert lenders locally.

Commercial rental buildings should feature sturdy construction and simple details. Tenants will be more likely to rent space in this type of building, as it looks taken care of. Not are the buildings more sturdy, there will be less maintenance issues for the owner and the tenant.

There are many websites available that offer information to investors; therefore, learn all you can before searching for commercial property. Learning is an ongoing process, and you can never know enough.

Pest Control

TIP! When hiring a real estate agent, read the disclosures completely before signing a contract with a realtor. It is important that you realize that you may be entering a dual agency transaction.

Bugs and rodents are always looking to ruin your property, so factor pest control into your business strategy when renting commercial property. It is a good idea to consult your rental agent for information on pest control policies, especially if the area your property is located in is known for a high population of insects and rodents.

When you write your letters of intent, start off by dealing with the larger issues, then move on to the smaller ones later. This lets you get the bigger issues out of the way first and makes small issues simpler to complete.

Compile a number of people to partner with financially. These can be professional lenders, friends and family. This will allow you to ascertain cash flow. Look into and set up contracts that offer you one of two options, either one that gives you an actual percentage from the income of the property you are dealing with, or fixed interest rate.

TIP! Keep in mind that a property will only last so long. Ignoring a property or deciding to wait too long can cause this lifetime to come to an unexpected end, especially if you aren?t willing to pay the fees for proper upkeep over the period of time.

You can save money on repair costs while cleaning up the property. First off, you may not be liable for cleanup expenses if you do not hold ownership interest, but if you do, you are on the hook. It can be incredibly expensive to dispose of waste that is not environmentally friendly. Get a report from an environmental assessment company. While these services are expensive, they may save you money in the long run.

Establish the needs of your business before looking at buildings. You should be aware of the exact specifications you will need for your office space. While prices are low, invest in a larger property that offers good growth potential.

Location is essential to the commercial real estate. For example, consider the surrounding area and local neighborhoods. Don?t forget to check out similar areas as well, in order to see how other neighborhoods are growing economically. The ideal location is situated in an area that can sustain economic growth for many years to come.

TIP! Thoroughly tour every potential property. Think about having a contractor as a companion to help evaluate the property.

Real Estate

Develop an eagle eye for excellent deals. Real estate professionals have an easier time finding deals. Their secret entails that they have an exit strategy, meaning that they know when to walk away from a deal. To be a professional real estate investor, you need to learn how to determine the risks inherent in every investment. Professionals can figure out the hidden costs of an investment, such as the need for extensive repairs, and only invest in properties that help them reach their financial goals.

As previously mentioned, you may want to invest in the commercial real estate market for a variety of reasons. However, no matter what your reason may be, you need to be knowledgeable about the subject. If you apply the advice you learned in this article to your own commercial real estate endeavors, you will be well on your way towards maximizing your profits.

TIP! Residential property transactions are much less intricate and protracted than are commercial transactions. Keep in mind though that the arduous nature of this process is just a stepping stone to better dividends yielded from the hours and money you invest.

Source: http://www.maynaseric.com/tips-and-tricks-for-successful-commercial-real-estate-transactions-2

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The Recipe for Successful 2013 Resolutions ? Swim Well and Live ...

Some interesting analysis of New Year?s Resolutions from statisticbrain.com:

The Top 10 Resolutions for 2012 were:

  1. Lose Weight
  2. Get Organized
  3. Spend Less . . . Save More
  4. Enjoy Life More Fully
  5. Stay Fit and Healthy (not always the same thing)
  6. Learn Something Exciting
  7. Quit Smoking
  8. Help Others Reach Their Dreams
  9. Fall in Love
  10. Spend More Time with Family

And some revelatory statistics about who makes resolutions and their success rate:

  • 62% of Americans make resolutions
  • 38% never do.
  • 8% of all resolutions made are achieved.
  • 39% of 20-something resolvers report success, while ? ouch ? only 14% of 50+ resolvers do.
  • However people who explicitly make a New Year?s Resolution are 10x more likely to achieve a goal than those who explicitly do not. (Huh?)
  • Self-improvement or learning resolutions are the most frequently achieved. Relationship resolutions rank lowest in success.

Takeaways.

  1. It?s better to resolve than not.
  2. Resolving to improve yourself or learn something improves your odds.
  3. Those who are 50+ (I?ve never taken a poll, but suspect the median age of those who follow this blog is probably around 50) probably need a more examined, strategic approach.

So for my final blog of 2012, some suggestions for making?and achieving?2013 resolutions. Naturally my advice will focus on improving your swimming?which can not only contribute to #s 1-4-5-6 in the list above, but also aid any self-improvement project.

Small is beautiful. ??The keystone of the TI Method is Kaizen, the philosophy of Continuous Improvement. Kaizen is rooted in the Taoist proverb: ?The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.? Kaizen is explicitly about incremental change?often so subtle you can?t sense it, yet never doubt it?pursued daily.

  • Some psychologists believe willpower is a limited resource: The more of it you require to make one change, the less you?ll have left over to make others. Or to sustain the first.
  • Researchers Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer asked hundreds of resolvers to keep diaries. After reviewing their entries, they concluded: ?Small wins, achieved regularly, contribute much more to happiness than occasional ambitious accomplishments. The satisfaction produced by a greater achievement isn?t proportionately larger nor longer-lasting.?
  • Ambitious goals often lead to procrastination, while small ones are less daunting.

Make modest resolutions, and renew them throughout the year, rather than set ambitious goals now.

Focus on process. This is a central precept in work by George Leonard on Mastery, Mihalyi Csikszentmihaly on Flow, Anders Ericsson and colleagues on Excellence and Daniel Coyle in The Talent Code. In the simplest of swimming terms, it means stop focusing on getting to the other end and focus instead on being conscious of each stroke along the way. Before long you?ll become aware of ?consequential nanoseconds? within each stroke.

Or if you?d like to improve your 1500m time by 10 percent?say from 30 to 27 minutes, do you understand how you ?construct? your current pace? Have you sought answers to questions like these?

  • How do you pace your 1500 now ? how do the middle and final 500s compare to the first? If you slow down, why? Do you add strokes (lose Stroke Length) or lose tempo? What is the ideal way to ?construct? your goal time? What SPL and Tempo combination will produce your goal pace (per 100) . . . with the least effort?
  • Is your SPL within the range of 2 to 3 counts that are appropriate for your height or wingspan?
  • If your SPL is above that range, how much of that is due to poor balance and streamlining vs ineffective propulsion? Have you examined your stroke on video, or had it analyzed by a TI Coach?
  • Are you practicing with a Tempo Trainer? Do you know your Tempo ?Sweet Spot? ? the tempo at which you can most easily maintain an SPL that?s efficient for your height? At what Stroke Rates do your ease and efficiency break down?both when you slow or increase tempo?

With this info, you can plan 100% personalized practices that target your primary improvement opportunities in your skill makeup and in combinations of SPL and Tempo.

Embrace the imperfect.

Don?t wait for any particular condition to be fulfilled or to feel strongly motivated. Emotional states, like motivation, are too often transitory. And the supposition that you require motivation undermines action. ?The belief that you need to feel motivated, or need the perfect situation, before taking action is the biggest barrier to actually getting things done.

Imperfection is indeed, the natural state of the Human Swimmer and means we have limitless Kaizen potential.

Japanese psychologist Shomo Morita writes: ?Begin taking action now, while being neurotic or imperfect or a procrastinator or unhealthy or lazy or any other label by which you inaccurately describe yourself.?

Be happier today.

New York Times health writer Jane Brody wrote in her article Changing our Tune on Exercise? ?For decades, [we?ve been] bombarded with messages that regular exercise is necessary to lose weight, prevent serious disease and foster healthy aging. And most people say they value these goals. Yet a vast majority of Americans ? two-thirds of whom are overweight or obese ? have thus far failed to swallow the ?exercise pill.? She described new research that says people are far more likely to exercise when they anticipate it will make today a better day, than for some possible future benefit.??People who exercise for quality of life exercise more over the course of a year than those who value exercise for its health benefits.???

I ride a bike for every feasible errand between April and November, neither to be green, nor to be fit. I do it because it makes me feel 15 again (I?m 61) and because, on a bike, I can feel a breeze on my face, smell the flowers and hear birdsong?none of which happens in a car. My swimming motivation is essentially the same. While I do swim in meets and and open water races?and am a very competitive person at heart?and I hope to be mobile, agile and graceful at 85?my main reason for swimming is I feel fantastic, physically and mentally, during and after.

Final Word

Any of these precepts could be resolutions themselves. Next week I?ll share my resolutions for 2012 and how they worked out, and those I?ve set for 2013 and how I?ve been guided by these precepts in setiing ? and re-setting ? them.

Until then, what will your swimming goals be for 2013? If you?d like to share, I?ve set up a special thread on the TI Discussion Forum. ?Look for ?What are your 2013 Swim Resolutions?? in the Links and References conference.

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Source: http://www.swimwellblog.com/archives/1830/

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Broader background checks and denial criteria could help prevent mass shooting catastrophes, experts say

Dec. 27, 2012 ? Garen Wintemute, a leading authority on gun violence prevention and an emergency medicine physician at UC Davis, believes broader criteria for background checks and denials on gun purchases can help prevent future firearm violence, including mass shooting catastrophes such as those that occurred at Sandy Hook, Aurora, Virginia Tech and Columbine.

"To reduce the number of deaths and injuries from firearms in the United States, we need to develop policies that require background checks for all firearm purchases, including private-party sales -- the most important source of firearms for criminal buyers and others who are prohibited from purchasing guns," said Wintemute, director of the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program and inaugural Susan P. Baker-Stephen P. Teret Chair in Violence Prevention at UC Davis.

"We need to prevent individuals with a previous conviction for a misdemeanor violent crime, such as assault and battery, from purchasing or possessing a firearm. We also need to develop better data and criteria that allow us to distinguish between those with a treatable mental disorder who do not have a history of violence from those with a history of violence or substance abuse," he said.

Wintemute's views posted on the Online First section of the New England Journal of Medicine website as a Perspective article, entitled "Tragedy's Legacy," on December 26, 2012. It also will appear in the journal's January 31, 2013 print edition.

According to Wintemute, the United States represents only 5 percent of the world's population, but it owns more than 40 percent of all firearms that are in civilians' hands. In addition, he believes that policies governing gun purchases and use have allowed the widest possible array of firearms to be available to the widest group of people, for use under the widest array of conditions. Wintemute specifically cites the "Stand Your Ground" laws, enacted at the state level, as dangerous experiments that have been used to legitimize shootings that once were considered to be murder.

Wintemute emphasizes taking a broad approach.

"It may be impossible to predict the next mass shooting incident, and we cannot expect interventions designed for specific circumstances to eliminate the risk of firearm violence. But we can change our firearms laws, based on existing evidence, to reduce harm and better ensure public safety," he said.

"Some 40 percent of all firearm transactions, for example, involve private-party sellers, who are not required to keep records and cannot obtain a background check," Wintemute said. "We need policies that prevent these quick, anonymous and undocumented sales. We also need policies that deny gun purchases to those who we know are at high risk for violence."

Wintemute's research has shown that among persons who purchase firearms legally, those with a previous conviction for a misdemeanor violent crime are roughly nine times as likely as those with no criminal history to be arrested for a violent crime later. For those with two or more such prior convictions, he found the risk increases by a factor of 10 to 15. In addition, studies have shown that firearm owners who abuse alcohol are more likely than other owners to engage in violence-related firearm behavior.

"We know that comprehensive background checks and expanded denial criteria are feasible and effective, because they are in place in many states and have been evaluated," Wintemute said. "In California, the denial policy reduced the risk of violence and firearm-related crime by 23 percent among those whose purchases were denied. But we need to broaden these and other effective state-level regulations to eliminate the flow of firearms from states where laws are lax to states where laws are stricter."

Wintemute also notes that proposals for comprehensive background checks and denials for misdemeanor violence and for alcohol abuse enjoy broad public support, including among firearm owners. Survey data come from Wintemute's own research as well as a series of public polls conducted for the Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

"While the individual circumstances of the mass shooting massacres in the U.S. are different, we can only change the outcome if we confront the challenge of unchecked and easy access to firearms," Wintemute said. "Strengthening our background check and denial policies for firearm purchases will not eliminate firearm violence, but they can reduce it."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of California - Davis Health System.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Journal Reference:

  1. Garen J. Wintemute. Tragedy's Legacy. New England Journal of Medicine, 2012; : 121226140059003 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1215491

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_health/~3/Q7KXLV85PdI/121227154701.htm

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Hunger strike pressures Canada PM, aboriginal protests spread

OTTAWA (Reuters) - A Canadian aboriginal chief in the third week of a hunger strike is urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper to "open his heart" and meet with native leaders angered by his policies as small impromptu protests spread beyond Canada's borders.

Chief Theresa Spence from the remote northern Ontario community of Attawapiskat has been fasting since December 11 and has vowed to continue until Harper personally commits to the talks on a litany of complaints, including new legislation that she says will harm native lands.

"He's a person with a heart but he needs to open his heart. I'm sure he has faith in the Creator himself and for him to delay this, it's very disrespectful, I feel, to not even meet with us," she said in an interview in Ottawa.

Spence is at the center of an unprecedented Canadian aboriginal protest movement called "Idle No More" that began with four women in the province of Saskatchewan raising awareness about the Conservative government's budget bill, which was passed earlier this month.

The bill, which has also been heavily criticized by opposition politicians for its broad reach, scales back environmental protections for lakes and rivers and makes it easier to sell reserve lands.

Aided by Facebook and Twitter, their protest proliferated faster than anyone had imagined and is now drawing comparisons to the "Occupy Wall Street" movement.

"Flash mob" protests with traditional dancing and drumming have erupted in dozens of shopping malls across North America. There have been rallies, marches and highway blockades by aboriginal groups across Canada and supporters have emerged from as far away as New Zealand and the Middle East.

The campaign aims to draw attention to the dismal living conditions faced by many of the country's 1.2 million natives, including poverty, unsafe drinking water, inadequate housing, addiction and high suicide rates.

'I'M WILLING TO DIE'

Camped out in a traditional teepee within sight of Ottawa's Parliament buildings, Spence appeared weak and short of breath but resolute on Thursday, Day 17 of her hunger strike, staying warm by a wood stove as a snow storm raged outside.

To critics who question her strategy and say her demands are too vague, Spence replies that she has run out of patience.

"I know it's hard for people to understand what I'm doing but it's for this pain that's been going on too long with our people," she said, sitting on her makeshift bed and flanked by supporters.

Blankets hung from the inside walls of the teepee and a faint aroma of cedar rose from branches spread on the ground. Spence is consuming only water, fish broth and a medicinal tea.

"It has to stop and I'm willing to suffer until the meeting goes on. Even if I don't make it, people will continue my journey. Like I keep saying, I'm willing to die for the people of First Nations because the suffering is too much," Spence said.

Spence was in the headlines last year when a severe housing crisis in her community forced people to live in tents in temperatures of minus 40 Fahrenheit (minus 40 Celsius).

The Canadian government suggested taxpayer funds were being squandered and appointed an outside adviser to oversee the town's finances, a move seen as insensitive and later rejected by the courts.

Harper met with native leaders in January but Spence says he had his own agenda and that this time the aboriginal leaders want to bring their issues to the table.

"Why are they so afraid to meet with us?" she said.

Harper's office declined to comment. A spokesman for Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan said the minister has tried repeatedly to reach Chief Spence with no success.

"We will continue trying to engage the chief and other First Nation leaders to discuss how we can build on the progress we have made since 2006," said the spokesman, Jason MacDonald.

MacDonald said Ottawa had built and renovated schools and homes, invested in safe drinking water, introduced legislation to protect the rights of women on reserves and settled over 80 land claims.

Harper also formally apologized in 2008 on behalf of Canada for having in the past forced 150,000 aboriginal children into residential schools, where many were abused.

SIMILAR TO 'OCCUPY' MOVEMENT?

Meanwhile, with the help of social media the Idle No More movement has taken on a life of its own in much the same way the first "Occupy Wall Street" camp gave birth to a multitude of "occupy" protests with no specific demand or leadership.

Events listed on the group's Web site for Friday include rallies in Los Angeles and London, where protesters plan to present Queen Elizabeth with a letter.

But organizers say they've lost track. Their initial Facebook page has 33,000 members and the Twitter hash tag was mentioned 40,000 times in a single day at its peak on December 21.

"This has spread in ways that we wouldn't even have imagined," said Sheelah McLean, an instructor at the University of Saskatchewan who was one of the four women who originally coined the "Idle No More" slogan.

"I don't think the hash tag is the most important thing that has happened," she said.

"What this movement is supposed to do is build consciousness about the inequalities so that everyone is outraged about what is happening here in Canada. Every Canadian should be outraged."

(Editing by Jeffrey Hodgson and Vicki Allen)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hunger-strike-pressures-canada-pm-aboriginal-protests-spread-151457991.html

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Friday, December 28, 2012

Ohio Health Insurance Predictions for 2013 and Beyond | Ohio ...

Healthcare policy was a key issue in the U.S. elections. The focus is now on implementing the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Here are some of the ways the Ohio health insurance scene is set to change in 2013 and the years ahead:

  • Focus on consumer-centric health insurance plans: As more people come under the health insurance umbrella, health insurers will compete to provide them with consumer-friendly plans.
  • Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) will become popular: Health insurance premiums are rising and people looking for affordable coverage will opt for HSAs. Offered along with a high deductible plan, HSAs allow people to save tax-free dollars for future medical expenses.
  • More wellness programs on the job: As the ACA creates new incentives and builds on existing wellness policies to promote employer wellness programs, more employers will reduce premium contributions or the deductible and copayment amounts for workers who join these programs.


Some statistics:

  • Rise in healthcare spending: Official data shows that the nation?s health spending will reach a rate of 5.5 percent by 2013 as a result of the expected improvements in the economy.
  • Out-of-pocket spending is predicted to increase 3.9 percent in 2013. The reasons for this are growth in household incomes leading to more spending on health care and also the increase in employee cost-sharing requirements in employer-sponsored insurance plans.
  • Persons under age 65 in families with income up to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level will become eligible for Medicaid in 2014. It is projected that Medicaid enrollment will increase by 19.5 million people.
  • Up to 13.9 million persons are expected to enroll in the plans offered by Health Insurance Exchanges in 2014, when the exchanges will begin operation. It is predicted that the insurance exchanges will lead to increased payments through insurance and reduction in out-of-pocket spending.

Have a healthy and safe 2013 and stay insured to minimize your risks!

Source: http://www.onesourcebenefits.com/blog/2012/12/28/ohio-health-insurance-predictions-for-2013-and-beyond/

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Thursday, December 27, 2012

Retailers lead Wall Street lower, "cliff" still a concern

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Wednesday, dragged lower by retail stocks after a report showed consumers were less enthusiastic about the holiday shopping season than last year.

Many investors said concerns about the "fiscal cliff" kept shoppers away from stores, suggesting markets may struggle to make any ground until next year.

Holiday-related sales rose 0.7 percent from October 28 through December 24, compared with a 2 percent increase last year, according to data from MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse. The Morgan Stanley retail index <.mvr> skidded 1.8 percent while the SPDR S&P Retail Trust slipped 1.5 percent to 61.24.

"With the 'fiscal cliff' hanging over our heads, it was hard to convince people to shop, and now it's hard to convince investors that there's any reason to buy going into year-end," said Rick Fier, director of trading at Conifer Securities in New York.

President Barack Obama is due back in Washington early Thursday for a final effort to negotiate a deal with Congress to bridge a series of tax increases and government spending cuts set to begin next week, the so-called "fiscal cliff" many economists worry could push the economy into recession if it takes effect.

Coach Inc fell 6 percent to $54.08 as the biggest decliner on the S&P 500, followed by Ralph Lauren Corp , off 4 percent to $144.99. Online retailer Amazon.com fell 3.1 percent to $250.52. Gamestop Corp , Urban Outfitters and Abercrombie & Fitch were also among the S&P's biggest decliners.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> was down 34.16 points, or 0.26 percent, at 13,104.92. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.spx> was down 6.57 points, or 0.46 percent, at 1,420.09. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.ixic> was down 18.82 points, or 0.62 percent, at 2,993.78.

Volume was light, with only 2.17 billion shares having traded at midday on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq and the NYSE MKT. Many senior traders were still on vacation during this holiday-shortened week and major European markets were closed for the day.

Still, Wednesday marked the third day of losses for the S&P 500 in its worst three-day decline since mid-November.

A Republican plan that failed to gain traction last week triggered the S&P 500's recent drop, highlighting the market's sensitivity to headlines centered on the budget talks.

During the last five trading days of the year and the first two of next year, it's possible for a "Santa rally" to occur. Since 1928, the S&P 500 has averaged a gain of 1.8 percent during that period and risen 79 percent of the time, according to data from PrinceRidge.

"While it's unlikely there could be a budget deal at any time, no one wants to get in front of that trade," said Conifer's Fier, who helps oversee about $12 billion in assets. "Investors can easily make up for any gains when there's more action in 2013."

The benchmark S&P 500 Index is up 12.8 percent for the year, and has recouped nearly all of the losses after the U.S. election, when the "fiscal cliff" concerns moved to the forefront. This is the best yearly gain for the S&P 500 since 2010.

Data showed U.S. single-family home prices rose in October, reinforcing the view that the domestic real estate market is improving, as the S&P/Case-Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas gained 0.7 percent in October on a seasonally adjusted basis.

In the energy sector, China's Sinopec Group and ConocoPhillips will research potentially vast reserves of shale gas in southwestern China over the next two years, state news agency Xinhua reported. Conoco's stock fell 0.8 percent to $57.99.

An outage at one of Amazon.com Inc's web service centers hit users of Netflix Inc's streaming video service on Christmas Eve and was not fully resolved until Christmas Day, a spokesman for the movie rental company said on Tuesday. Netflix rose 0.8 percent to $90.97.

(Editing by Dan Grebler)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stock-futures-edge-ahead-cliff-talk-resumption-122640296--sector.html

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Case Western Reserve University receives patient-centered research award

Case Western Reserve University receives patient-centered research award [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 27-Dec-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Bill Lubinger
william.lubinger@case.edu
216-368-4443
Case Western Reserve University

Project part of PCORI's effort to help patients make better-informed health decisions

CLEVELAND, OHIO Case Western Reserve University has been approved for a research award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to study ways that applying patients' strengths can help enhance their health care and well-being. The project is part of a portfolio of patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research that addresses PCORI's National Priorities for Research and Research Agenda.

Kurt C. Stange, MD, PhD, Professor of Family Medicine & Community Health at the School of Medicine will lead the research project, which departs from the typical care model focusing on patient challenges or weaknesses. Instead, researchers will explore how patient strengths can be integrated into assessment and treatment to improve patient outcomes. Strengths could include a patient's resilience or mindfulness, as well as relationships with family and friends and resources available within the community.

Case Western Reserve researchers will work with patients and clinicians in the Safety Net Providers' Strategic Alliancea Cleveland-area consortium (known formally as a Practice-Based Research Network) involving 17 community health centers and two free clinics. The project team also includes collaborators at the University of Oslo in Norway and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who will help develop an interactive online tool to assess patient strengths. The researchers will create computerized simulation models to compare outcomes from employing patient-identified strengths to deficit and symptom-focused care.

"Today marks a major milestone in our work as we build a portfolio of comparative clinical effectiveness research that will provide patients and those who care for them better information about the health care decisions they face," said PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby, MD, MPH. "These research projects reflect PCORI's patient-centered research agenda, emphasizing the inclusion of patients and caregivers at all stages of the research."

PCORI is committing $40.7 million in funding for a slate of 25 projects, which were approved by PCORI's Board of Governors following a competitive, multi-stage review process involving scientists, patients, caregivers and other stakeholders. Proposals were evaluated on the basis of scientific merit, engagement of patients and stakeholders, methodological rigor and fit within PCORI's National Priorities for Research and Research Agenda.

The awards were part of PCORI's first cycle of primary research funding and selected from among nearly 500 completed applications submitted earlier this year. All proposals were approved pending a business and programmatic review by PCORI staff and completion of a formal award contract. The amount of the award will be finalized after that process.

"This award will allow us to work with community and university partners to develop and evaluate an approach that brings patients' often untapped personal, family and community strengths into the process of health care, healing and health promotion," Stange said. "Instead of the usual approach of focusing primarily on deficits, this model has the potential to give patients and their partners a more fully informed and empowered role in advancing their well-being."

###

For more information about PCORI's Funding Announcements, visit www.pcori.org/funding-opportunities.

About PCORI

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent, non-profit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed health care decisions. PCORI is committed to continuously seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work. More information is available at www.pcori.org.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Case Western Reserve University receives patient-centered research award [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 27-Dec-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Bill Lubinger
william.lubinger@case.edu
216-368-4443
Case Western Reserve University

Project part of PCORI's effort to help patients make better-informed health decisions

CLEVELAND, OHIO Case Western Reserve University has been approved for a research award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to study ways that applying patients' strengths can help enhance their health care and well-being. The project is part of a portfolio of patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research that addresses PCORI's National Priorities for Research and Research Agenda.

Kurt C. Stange, MD, PhD, Professor of Family Medicine & Community Health at the School of Medicine will lead the research project, which departs from the typical care model focusing on patient challenges or weaknesses. Instead, researchers will explore how patient strengths can be integrated into assessment and treatment to improve patient outcomes. Strengths could include a patient's resilience or mindfulness, as well as relationships with family and friends and resources available within the community.

Case Western Reserve researchers will work with patients and clinicians in the Safety Net Providers' Strategic Alliancea Cleveland-area consortium (known formally as a Practice-Based Research Network) involving 17 community health centers and two free clinics. The project team also includes collaborators at the University of Oslo in Norway and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who will help develop an interactive online tool to assess patient strengths. The researchers will create computerized simulation models to compare outcomes from employing patient-identified strengths to deficit and symptom-focused care.

"Today marks a major milestone in our work as we build a portfolio of comparative clinical effectiveness research that will provide patients and those who care for them better information about the health care decisions they face," said PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby, MD, MPH. "These research projects reflect PCORI's patient-centered research agenda, emphasizing the inclusion of patients and caregivers at all stages of the research."

PCORI is committing $40.7 million in funding for a slate of 25 projects, which were approved by PCORI's Board of Governors following a competitive, multi-stage review process involving scientists, patients, caregivers and other stakeholders. Proposals were evaluated on the basis of scientific merit, engagement of patients and stakeholders, methodological rigor and fit within PCORI's National Priorities for Research and Research Agenda.

The awards were part of PCORI's first cycle of primary research funding and selected from among nearly 500 completed applications submitted earlier this year. All proposals were approved pending a business and programmatic review by PCORI staff and completion of a formal award contract. The amount of the award will be finalized after that process.

"This award will allow us to work with community and university partners to develop and evaluate an approach that brings patients' often untapped personal, family and community strengths into the process of health care, healing and health promotion," Stange said. "Instead of the usual approach of focusing primarily on deficits, this model has the potential to give patients and their partners a more fully informed and empowered role in advancing their well-being."

###

For more information about PCORI's Funding Announcements, visit www.pcori.org/funding-opportunities.

About PCORI

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent, non-profit organization authorized by Congress in 2010. Its mission is to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information needed to make better-informed health care decisions. PCORI is committed to continuously seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work. More information is available at www.pcori.org.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-12/cwru-cwr122712.php

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New insight into cell development and cancer

Dec. 27, 2012 ? Long-standing research efforts have been focused on understanding how stem cells, cells capable of transforming into any type of cell in the body, are capable of being programmed down a defined path to contribute to the development of a specific organ like a heart, lung, or kidney. Research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine has shed new light on how epigenetic signals may function together to determine the ultimate fate of a stem cell.

The study, published December 27, 2012 by the journal Molecular Cell, implicates a unique class of proteins called polycomb-like proteins, or PCL's, as bridging molecules between the "on" and "off" state of a gene. While all of these specialized types of cells share the same genetic information encoded in our DNA, it is becoming increasingly clear that information outside the genome, referred to as epigenetics, plays a central role in orchestrating the reprogramming of a stem cell down a defined path.

Although it is understood that epigenetics is responsible for turning genes "on" and "off" at defined times during cellular development, the precise mechanisms controlling this delicate process are less well understood.

"This finding has important implications for both stem cell biology and cancer development, as the same regulatory circuits controlled by PCL's in stem cells are often misregulated in tumors," said Dr. Greg Wang, senior author of the study and Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics in the UNC School of Medicine and a member of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The study, led by postdoctoral research fellows Drs. Ling Cai and Rui Lu in the Wang lab, and Dr. Scott Rothbart, a Lineberger postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Dr. Brian Strahl, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics in the UNC School of Medicine and a member of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, identified that PCL's interact with an epigenetic signal associated with genes that are turned on to recruit a group of proteins called the PRC2 complex which then turn genes off.

"In stem cells, the PRC2 complex turns genes off that would otherwise promote reprogramming into specialized cells of organs like the heart or lungs," said Wang.

In addition to its fundamental role in cellular development, elevated levels of PRC2 have been found in cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, and blood, and pharmaceutical companies are already developing drugs to target PRC2. Wang and colleagues determined that the same mechanisms controlling PRC2 function in stem cells also applies in human cancers.

"The identification of a specific PCL in controlling PRC2 in cancer cells suggests we may be able to develop drugs targeting this PCL to regulate PRC2 function in a more controlled manner that may maintain PRC2 function in stem cells while inhibiting it in the tumor," said Wang.

This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health grants (GM085394 and GM068088), the Department of Defense, the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and the University Cancer Research Fund, and was performed in collaboration with scientists at the University of California at Riverside, Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Study co-authors from UNC also included Bowen Xu, a student in the Wang Lab, and Ashutosh Tripathy, a Research Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of North Carolina Health Care.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/g5nZCwhyrsQ/121227130323.htm

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How to set up your new HDTV

1 day

It?s not possible for a TV to be set at the factory with the best settings possible for your home. Take 20 minutes or so on your end, and you can drastically improve the picture quality. If you just bought a TV, or just haven't found the time to mess around with your set,?here are tips for doing it right.?

If you really?want to nail it,?we suggest a?setup Blu-ray. They?re cheap, and the?Disney WOW?disc is especially helpful and easy to follow. (A step-up from that would be the $30?ISF HDTV?Calibration Wizard.)

Straight?out of the box
All HDTVs generally?have a start-up?screen that lets the user to choose between a home mode and a store demo mode.?This is extremely important. The store mode is designed to produce the brightest image ? at the expense of black level, contrast ratio and energy efficiency. To obtain the best picture select the home mode. You will still be able to make fine-tuning?adjustments to maximize image quality.

The screen will also ask you to choose your?language, and will ask about using over-the-air antenna or cable/satellite. If you don?t use an antenna, make sure you select cable/satellite.?You don?t want the TV to go into the tuner mode,?because?you won't see an image.

Special instructions for smart TVs
If your new HDTV has Internet connectivity for streaming movies and other content, the next step should be connecting to the Internet. All smart TVs have an Ethernet connection if you want to wire the TV directly. Many also have Wi-Fi for wireless set-up. Follow the on-screen instructions or the?owner?s manual for the proper steps.

Once completed, you should make sure you have the latest version of the TV's software, by performing a firmware update as per your TV's instructions. The update may add new features, Internet services and even apps, and will assure you have the latest and best version of your new HDTV. Don't skip this:?Nearly every TV we test has newer firmware waiting for it when we connect it to the Internet.

Picture modes
Nearly all TVs have picture modes that adjust multiple settings to create a certain look to the image. The best idea is to start with the most accurate setting, then adjust as you see fit. With nearly all TVs, this mode is called ?Movie,? ?Cinema,? or something similar. If these aren?t options, ?Standard? is likely closest.

If you?ve already?been watching your TV for more than a few minutes, switching to one of these modes is going to be a shock. It will seem red (warm) and soft. It isn?t, which I?ll explain as we go.

Contrast
This control adjusts the bright parts of the image: Clouds, white shirts, snow, etc. The idea is to set this control high enough that the image ?pops,? but not so high as to mask detail, like cloud?textures or shirt?wrinkles. All TVs have a maximum contrast setting, above which you?re not making the image any brighter,?you?re just making near-white objects totally white.

If you?re using a setup disc, the contrast pattern will have a ramp of progressively whiter bars. The idea is to be able see most of these (but not those labeled ?above white?).

If you?re not using a setup disc, find a TV show (ideally a live sporting event) that takes place outside. Skiing works great for this, though baseball does as well (fly balls, any shot of the sky). The idea is to be able to set the control so that you can still see detail in bright white objects. There should almost never be bright white blobs on the screen. If there are, turn the contrast control down until those blobs get their detail back.

There is no average number to use as a guideline for setting?contrast, but it?s almost never 100 percent,?or anything close. Start somewhere around 80 percent and go from there.

Brightness
This is the opposite of the contrast control. Despite its name, brightness control adjusts the dark parts of the image: Shadows, black hair, black leather jackets. The idea here is to set it low enough that the picture has lots of contrast (as in, the difference in the light and dark parts of the image), but not so far that there?s just huge swaths of blackness on screen during any night scene.

If you?re using a setup disc, the brightness pattern will have a ramp of progressively darker black bars. The idea is to be able see most of these (but not those labeled ?below black? or similar).

If you?re setting this by eye, any night or darkly lit scene will do. Set the control fairly low, down?past the point where you lose detail. Now gradually increase it until you see detail in the darkness. If the picture looks gray or washed out, you?ve brought your brightness too far up.

Color?and?tint
Generally speaking, you shouldn?t have to adjust these at all. These are holdovers from the old tube (CRT) TV days. With component and HDMI connections, the TV shouldn?t need adjustment to color or tint.

But so you know, color is color saturation. Set too high, people will look sunburned, and everything will seem cartoony. Tint adjusts the green/red in the image (Martian/lobster). Without specific color filters (that usually come with setup discs), you can?t adjust either of these settings these correctly. Skip.

Sharpness
This is a highly misleading control. Generally speaking, sharpness control adds enhancement to the image to make it appear sharp. Ironically, by doing so, it?s actually masking true fine detail in the image. This setting should be set as low as possible. Some TVs actually?soften?the image if you set it too low (bizarre, to be sure), so watch out for that. Look for dark lines on a bright background, like the?edges of buildings for instance. Lower this setting so there isn?t any ghost line next to the dark edge. This ghost line is called ?edge enhancement,? and goes a long way in making the image look artificial.

Once you get used to the naturalness of the image without edge enhancement, you?ll never go back.

Color temperature
This one is going to be tough. Not because it requires any labor on your part, it?s just going to do something to the image that at first is going to seem bad.

Color temperature is how bluish or reddish the image looks. Picture a typical scene of people walking down a street. Set the color temp too cool, and it will look like they?re walking down the street in winter, with that season?s normal bluish tones. Set the color temp too warm, and it will be a reddish warm day instead.

With most TVs, the ideal setting is ?warm? or ?low.? In some cases, this is too warm, and ?normal? is closer. If you?re changing the settings for the first time, and the TV was set in the ?cool? color temp mode, everything will look wrong, and even??normal? will appear to your eye as too warm. Give your eyes time to adjust. Watch on ?normal? for a few hours, and then ?cool? will seem incredibly blue.

Backlight
This is an LCD-specific control ??plasma TVs don?t have backlights.?Think of the backlight setting as a volume control for the image. Turn it up, and the entire picture (bright whites and dark blacks alike) get brighter. Turn it down, and everything gets darker.?

If you leave this turned all the way up, not only are you wasting energy, but at night your TV can be hard to watch. Modern LCDs are extremely bright, and watching such a small bright object in a dark room can create severe eye fatigue.

For critical viewing, or watching at night, the idea is to get the best black levels, while still creating a watchable image. Once you set contrast and brightness correctly, turn the backlight control all the way down. This will likely be too dark for most viewing. Turn it up to the point where it looks the best. Often, at night, this could be as low as 20 percent, depending on the TV.?During the day, you can?set this as high as you want.

Interestingly, no setup disc offers instructions on how to set this control.?Read more on this in our?buyer-beware article on TV backlights.

For more on what your HDTV?s controls do, read our?Guide to HDTV Settings.

You can catch up with?Geoff Morrison on Twitter at?@TechWriterGeoff. His novel, "Undersea," is now in paperback.

More?from HD Guru:

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/how-set-your-new-hdtv-1C7657756

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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Newport Beach REO Homes for Sale | Market Update | November ...

Newport Beach REO home buyers?face the challenge of competing with?multiple offers?on the properties. This is not only happening with REO property but with traditional sales as well. ?Also, Newport Beach REO ?or bank owned home buyers are competing with?cash buyers?when making an offer on the home.

Bayshores in Newport Beach

Newport Beach?currently has an?inventory of REO or bank owned homes. Currently there are 2 active listings, 0 in back up status, 4 in pending status, and 2 sales.

The average sales price over the past one year is $713,388 with a price per square foot of $390.00. T\

The highest priced Newport Beach REO home sold this past year was $2,030,000 (time frame from November 30, 2011 to November, 30, 2012).

Comparison from prior month is below.

2 active listings?compared to 0 active in October, 2012 ? up +2
0 back up listing?compared to 0 back up in?October,?2012 ? the same
4 pending listings?compared to 7 pending in?October,?2012 ? down -3
2 sold listings?compared to 6 sold in?October,?2012 ? down -4

There is a low?absorption rate ?of the REO property, especially now since there are zero active REO properties for sale.?Keep in mind banks will want fair market value and go to great lengths to obtain that value, including obtaining several BPO (broker price opinions) and appraisals.

Market absorption rate?is declining with the decrease in inventory.

Newport Beach REO Market Update

Past month?s market reports:

November, 2012
October, 2012
September, 2012
August, 2012
July, 2012
June, 2012
May, 2012
April, 2012
March, 2012
February, 2012
January, 2012

Search the MLS for Newport Beach REO property, and Newport Beach homes for sale.

Showing properties 1 - 2 of 2. See more Newport Beach REO Property for Sale.
(all data current as of 12/26/2012)

  1. 5 beds, 1 full, 4 part baths

    Home size: 6,000 sq ft

    Lot size: 10,450 sqft

    Year built: 2012

    Parking spots: 4

    Days on market: 13

  2. 3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,129 sq ft

    Year built: 1975

    Parking spots: 3

    Days on market: 15

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Sharon Paxson

I write about my passion of living the SoCal lifestyle in beautiful Newport Beach. I like to write about the local events, beaches, restaurants, and real estate updates in the area. Call or text me - 949.280.0681

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Source: http://newportbeachrealestatecafe.com/2012/12/26/newport-beach-reo-homes-for-sale-market-update-november-2012/

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No threat to game sales from Connecticut shooting, says analyst ...

No threat to game sales from Connecticut shooting, says analyst

Cowan & Company analyst Doug Creutz is convinced that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting incident will have little to no impact on the sales of video games, even the ones depicting violence.

He assured the worried investors that video games will continue to sell well in the market irrespective of a new legislation, which seems highly likely with West Virginia Democrat senator Jay Rockefeller introducing a bill in the Congress for investigation of effects of violent games on children and their well-being.

Creutz also stated that the consumer backlash in the wake of tragic Connecticut shooting would be minor at most and will therefore not result in significant losses at all.

?We have received many questions from investors about the potential impact of the recent tragedy in Newtown on our covered universe of video game publisher stocks,? Creutz said. ?While this is a difficult issue to address due to the intense emotions surrounding the incident, we have attempted to present a summary of the relevant facts herein.?

The Cowan & Company analyst noted that the Supreme Court?s ruling last week, which deemed sales of violent games to children is in direct violation of the First Amendment, has laid down a solid ground for any attempts to regulate sales of video game to be struck down immediately.

Addressing the bill introduced by Rockefeller in Congress, Creutz contended that majority of the adults have already established an opinion about the effect of video game violence and real world violence and these opinions will not change that easily.

The bill introduced in Congress would task the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to carry out a comprehensive study and investigation of the effects of violence in video games and other programming and their effects on the minds and well-being of children.

Creutz claimed that retailer checks with Amazon has revealed that first-person shooters such as Call of Duty: Black Ops II and Halo 4 are continuing to do really well in terms of market performance, thus making it quite obvious that the consumer behaviour has hardly been affected by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/No-threat-to-game-sales-from-Connecticut-shooting,-says-analyst-a210857

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