kurbanirchamra: জানুয়ারী 2013

শুক্রবার, ২৫ জানুয়ারী, ২০১৩

Expect these topics to dominate Obama's second term

On Monday, President Obama shared his vision for the next four years with the nation in his second inaugural address. In the speech the president laid out an ambitious agenda for the next four years and there's been a lot of talk about how much can actually be accomplished. He touched on a series of issues including climate change, immigration reform, economic inequality and gay rights- becoming the first president in modern history to talk about gay rights in an inaugural speech. Many of you had questions about the president's speech and also about what we can expect in the second Obama term.

Renee Ferguson asked: After tackling gun violence, what will the president tackle next?

Zack East tweeted that he would like to know if the president would seek to change laws nationally regarding gay marriage and discrimination policies.

And Clark Johnson wondered: POTUS inaugural- how much is real and how much is fantasy?

Thanks for the great questions everyone and please keep them coming on Facebook and on Twitter. Be sure to tune into "Good Morning America" tomorrow morning and to "This Week" on Sunday, where we'll talk more about that speech and about the start of President Obama's second term.

Nokia ?Not Considering Android?, Plans Its Own Low-Cost Lumia Plus Asha Strategy

Despite recent suggestions that Nokia is at least keeping an open mind about adopting Google's Android platform, the company has reiterated that it is sticking to its guns with Windows Phone and its homegrown S40-based Asha devices. Speaking during its Q4 earnings conference call today CEO Stephen Elop said Nokia is working with Microsoft to drive the Windows Phone platform lower down the price spectrum.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/KQ2yALfdvuo/

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The AJC reviews LPC, Midtown | Food and More with John Kessler

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Since opening in the fall of 2008, La Pietra Cucina in Midtown had its fair share of growing pains.

For nearly nine months, diners walked through the vast, unfinished space that once was MidCity cuisine to sit in the temporary dining room in the small back bar. But, despite the unorthodox layout, Chef Bruce Logue turned out his progressive Italian cuisine to nearly unanimous critical fanfare. Even after the full remodeled dining room opened in May of 2009, the restaurant faced an obvious cohesiveness problem, but remained buoyed by the strength of Logue?s dishes. But when Logue left in March of 2012, it was time for La Pietra Cucina to adapt.

AJC Dining Team member Jon Watson writes about popular eats.

Enter Concentrics Restaurants. Under managerial control of their consulting arm, Concentrics oversaw La Pietra Cucina?s total overhaul. Rebranded as LPC, it reopened last fall with remodeled interior, a new chef, and a revamped, more approachable and affordable menu.

One obvious improvement is in the remodeling. Gone are the maroon and gold velvet-heavy walls and gaudy chandeliers, replaced with a brighter and more modern feeling dining room. The Johnson Studio teamed up with Concentrics to make the space more inviting, with sharper lines, more natural light, and the addition of a window into the kitchen, further opening up the space.

You may recognize new Executive Chef Russell Kook, if not from his time at The Florentine or CUT Steakhouse in Chicago, than from his runner-up finish on season 8 of Hell?s Kitchen. Of all of the players in the reinvention of LPC, I envy Kook the least. Given that Logue?s cooking was easily the best part of the old La Pietra Cucina, Kook is tasked with fixing one of the only things here that wasn?t broken. But to compare their food as apples-to-apples is unfair, as the new LPC focuses on a more casual take on refined Italian cuisine.

Credit: Becky Stein

Kook?s new menu focuses more on small, shareable plates, offering pasta dishes in half and full servings, and now includes a small selection of thin crust pizzas. The only holdover from the previous menu is the immensely popular squid ink spaghetti ($11/$19), but other than the purplish black pasta, little remains from the old dish. Instead of shrimp and Calabrese sausage, Kook features blue crab, Serrano, grapefruit, and sea urchin. While I may wish to taste Logue?s original again someday, I?m more than happy with the rich blend of fresh crab and sea urchin in front of me.

Though a little cumbersome, we thoroughly enjoy the bruschetta of the day ($7), topped with ricotta, sopressata, cannellini beans, garlic bread crumbs, and pickled onion. And the Brussels sprouts salad ($12) surprises, arriving more of a slaw of shredded Brussels sprouts tossed with hardboiled egg, pecorino, almonds, and a light lemon vinaigrette.

Credit: Becky Stein

But it is the pan fried octopus ($15) that steals my heart. I?d forgotten just how tender the usually tough cephalopod can be when prepared correctly. The thick fork-tender tentacle, lightly fried, arrives atop a nest of grilled frisee and pickled pearl onions, but it is the smoky and spicy arrabiata sauce that best accents the meat. This dish will convert many of the octopus haters among you.

I?ll admit to some skepticism over the addition of pizza to the retooled menu. It felt too much like a transparent attempt to class-down the menu, an obvious choice to show just how casual the new LPC would be. However, my fear was unfounded. Though it would make a perfectly fine meal for one, I suggest splitting the mushroom pizza ($13) as an appetizer. The thin-crust, sauceless pie packs a lot of flavor, all earthy fungus and funky taleggio punctuated by sweet caramelized onions and pungent garlic chips.

It isn?t until the entrees that I find the first real let-downs of the experience. A beautifully cooked, velvety-soft braised short rib ($25) promises a hearty and rich conclusion to my meal, only to come up under seasoned and a little bland. And I have to assume that Kook doesn?t intend his prosciutto swapped monkfish ($27) to arrive so overcooked that the pork turns leathery and the fish dry.

Overall, I would call LPC?s makeover a success, correcting many of the issues that once detracted from the dining experience. But I have to wonder if an injection of casual into a menu that once wowed us was the best call. Kook is an excellent chef, displaying brilliance in more than a few dishes, but there are still a few consistency kinks to work out, and I?d to see him push the envelope further than a ?casual take? might allow. Regardless, the new LPC is definitely one to watch.

LPC 1545 Peachtree St., Atlanta, 404-888-9709

Food: Upscale casual Italian Service: Ranges from acceptable to excellent, depending on the server Best dishes: Pan fried octopus, squid ink spaghetti, mushroom pizza Vegetarian selections: a few salads and pastas Price range: $$-$$$ Credit cards: all major credit cards Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.- 10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 5:30 p.m.- 10 p.m Saturdays. Closed Sundays. Children: older children should be fine Parking: Valet ($3) Reservations: yes Wheelchair access: yes Smoking: no Noise level: low to medium Patio: outdoor courtyard seating when weather permits Takeout: yes

ratings_key_febUSE

Source: http://blogs.ajc.com/food-and-more/2013/01/24/lpc-restaurant-review-midtown/?cxntfid=blogs_food_and_more

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Astronaut shares secret of Zero-G fingernail clipping

Life in space isn't easy. Even basic hygiene, like clipping your fingernails, is a cosmic challenge without gravity, one astronaut says.

A new video by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield shows exactly how complicated (and a little gross) it is to cut your nails in the weightless environment of space. Hadfield currently lives on the International Space Station, where astronauts are forced to devise inventive ways for dealing with basic bodily needs that many folks may take for granted on Earth.

"Now, if I just cut my fingernails here, fingernail bits are going to fly everywhere," Hadfield explained in the zero gravity nail-clipping video as he floated about inside the space station. "They won't fall to the ground. You can't sweep them up. They'll float everywhere. They get in your eyes, people breathe them. Not good. Got to figure out a plan."

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Hadfield's solution is to position his hand over an air duct where air is pulled in and filtered throughout the station. The nail clippings get sucked into the duct's mesh filter, making cleaning up relatively simple.

"So, there we go," Hadfield said. "Nails are ready for guitar playing. I'm going to vacuum this [the air duct] later in the week. It'll all clean up just fine."

There are many other ways astronauts tackle daily life without the pull of gravity. They attach strips of Velcro to all of their belongings since anything that isn't tied down can float away and get lost somewhere inside the International Space Station, which has the same habitable space as a five-bedroom house.

The astronauts share hair-cutting duty with their crewmates, using a vacuum to clean up clippings after each snip. A complicated procedure using hoses and airflow allows astronauts go to the bathroom in space. There are two toilets for the six astronauts living on the space station today.

Hadfield is a flight engineer representing the Canadian Space Agency on the station's Expedition 34/35 crew. Two American astronauts and three Russian cosmonauts round out the team. In March, Hadfield will take command of the station's Expedition 35 crew, to become Canada's first space station commander.

Hadfield has already developed a reputation for snapping amazing photos of Earth from space, writing and performing songs in space on the guitar, and Tweeting with celebrities like William Shatner, "Star Trek's" famed Captain Kirk, since arriving on the station last month.

Follow Miriam Kramer on Twitter @mirikramer or SPACE.com @Spacedotcom. We're also onFacebook & Google+.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50562498/ns/technology_and_science-space/

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Immigration fallout from saying no to 'Obamacare'

FILE - This Jan. 10, 2013 file photo show Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer in her office at the Capitol in Phoenix. Governors who reject health insurance for the poor under the federal health care overhaul could wind up in a politically awkward position on immigration: A quirk in the law means some U.S. citizens would be forced to go without coverage, while legal immigrants residing in the same state could still get it. Arizona officials called attention to the problem last week, when Brewer announced she would accept the expansion of Medicaid offered under Obama?s law. Brewer had been a leading opponent of the overhaul, and her decision got widespread attention. Budget documents cited the immigration glitch as one of her reasons. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Governors who reject health insurance for the poor under the federal health care overhaul could wind up in a politically awkward position on immigration: A quirk in the law means some U.S. citizens would be forced to go without coverage, while legal immigrants residing in the same state could still get it.

It's an unintended consequence of how last year's Supreme Court decision changed the Medicaid provisions of President Barack Obama's health care law. The overhaul expanded the federal-state program for low-income and disabled people. The Supreme Court made the Medicaid expansion optional for states, which complicated things.

Arizona officials called attention to the problem last week, when Republican Gov. Jan Brewer opted to accept the Medicaid expansion.

Brewer had been a leading opponent of the overhaul, and her decision got widespread attention. State budget documents cited the immigration glitch as one of her reasons.

"If Arizona does not expand, for poor Arizonans below (the federal poverty line), only legal immigrants, but not citizens, would be eligible for subsidies," the documents said.

That's because the immigrants would be eligible for government-subsidized private insurance, while low-income citizens would not. The Obama administration confirmed Arizona's interpretation.

The gist of what Brewer was saying is that "by rejecting the expansion, you are essentially rewarding the immigrant population at the expense of full citizens," said Matt Salo, executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors, a nonpartisan group that represents the states in Washington.

"The political optics of that could be crushing," he added.

It could take some explaining for Texas Gov. Rick Perry, steadfastly opposed to what foes dismiss as "Obamacare," and for Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who is reassessing his position. Both states have large numbers of uninsured citizens and legal immigrants.

"I think politicians will be under a lot of pressure not to create these sorts of inequities," said Jennifer Ng'andu, a health policy expert with the National Council of La Raza, one of the major Latino advocacy groups. Her group supports the health care law and is urging every state to accept the Medicaid expansion.

The quirk in the Affordable Care Act was not planned. It came about on the twisting route that laws follow from Congress to the president's desk and to the courts.

To be sure, no one is talking about the government buying health insurance for illegal immigrants. That's not allowed under Medicaid or Obama's law. Instead, the issue here is between U.S. citizens and legal immigrants, those who are lawfully present in the country.

Here's the convoluted background:

Starting Jan. 1, 2014, the health care law will offer health insurance to millions of people now uninsured. Middle-class uninsured people will be able to get taxpayer-subsidized private policies through new markets called exchanges. Low-income uninsured people will be steered to Medicaid, a government program jointly funded by Washington and the states.

Under previous laws, legal immigrants have to wait five years to qualify for Medicaid. Ng'andu said Hispanic advocacy groups wanted to lift that restriction during the 2009 congressional health care debate, but couldn't get political support. The Medicaid waiting period remained in place, but a compromise was reached that would allow low-income legal immigrants to get subsidized private coverage in the new health insurance exchanges.

The health care law expanded Medicaid to cover millions of low-income adults who are ineligible under current rules. As written, the law assumed that every state would accept the Medicaid expansion, with Washington paying for most of it. So the law stipulated that people below the federal poverty line ? $11, 170 for a single person, $23,050 for a family of four? could not get subsidies for private coverage in the exchanges. Medicaid was to be their only option.

Legal immigrants here for less than five years remained an exception.

Along came the Supreme Court. It upheld Obama's law, but ruled that states were free to accept or reject the Medicaid expansion. The court did not touch the issue of coverage for legal immigrants in the health insurance exchanges. That provision remained in place.

And that's how the immigration glitch came to be. Poor people in a state that turns down Obama's Medicaid expansion can only get government subsidized coverage if they are legal immigrants. U.S. citizens are out of luck.

So far 11 states have said they're not interested in the Medicaid expansion. Meanwhile, while 17 states and Washington, DC, say they are taking it. The rest are weighing their options. The immigration glitch is now one of those considerations.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-01-23-US-Health%20Overhaul-Immigration/id-9b36bb6bdc944abab65cc0c423ef00ee

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বুধবার, ২৩ জানুয়ারী, ২০১৩

Longer CPR improves survival in both chidren and adults

Jan. 21, 2013 ? Experts from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia were among the leaders of two large national studies showing that extending CPR longer than previously thought useful saves lives in both children and adults. The research teams analyzed impact of duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients who suffered cardiac arrest while hospitalized.

"These findings about the duration of CPR are game-changing, and we hope these results will rapidly affect hospital practice," said Robert A. Berg, M.D., chief of Critical Care Medicine at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Berg is the chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the American Heart Association's Get With Guidelines-Resuscitation program (GWTG-R). That quality improvement program is the only national registry that tracks and analyzes resuscitation of patients after in-hospital cardiac arrests.

The investigators reported data from the GWTG-Resuscitation registry of CPR outcomes in thousands of North American hospital patients in two landmark studies -- one in children, published January 2013, the other in adults, published in October 2012.

Berg was a co-author of the pediatric study, appearing online January 21 in Circulation, which analyzed hospital records of 3,419 children in the U.S. and Canada from 2000 through 2009. This study, whose first author was Renee I. Matos, M.D., M.P.H., a mentored young investigator, found that among children who suffered in-hospital cardiac arrest, more children than expected survived after prolonged CPR -- defined as CPR lasting longer than 35 minutes. Of those children who survived prolonged CPR, over 60 percent had good neurologic outcomes.

The conventional thinking has been that CPR is futile after 20 minutes, but Berg said these results challenge that assumption.

In addition to Berg, two other co-authors are critical care and resuscitation science specialists at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Vinay M. Nadkarni, M.D., and Peter A. Meaney, M.D., M.P.H.

Nadkarni noted that illness categories affected outcomes, with children hospitalized for cardiac surgery having better survival and neurological outcomes than children in all other patient groups.

The overall pediatric results paralleled those found in the adult study of 64,000 patients with in-hospital cardiac arrests between 2000 and 2008. Berg also was a co-author of that GWTG-R study, published in The Lancet on Oct. 27, and led by Brahmajee K. Nallamothu, M.P.H., M.D., of the University of Michigan. Patients at hospitals in the top quartile of median CPR duration (25 minutes), had a 12 percent higher chance of surviving cardiac arrest, compared to patients at hospitals in the bottom quartile of median CPR duration (16 minutes). Survivors of prolonged CPR had similar neurological outcomes to those who survived after shorter CPR efforts.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, via Newswise.

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

Journal References:

Matos et al. Duration of CPR and Illness Category Impact Survival and Neurologic Outcomes for In-Hospital Pediatric Cardiac Arrests. Circulation, Jan. 21, 2013
Zachary D Goldberger, Paul S Chan, Robert A Berg, Steven L Kronick, Colin R Cooke, Mingrui Lu, Mousumi Banerjee, Rodney A Hayward, Harlan M Krumholz, Brahmajee K Nallamothu. Duration of resuscitation efforts and survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest: an observational study. The Lancet, 2012; 380 (9852): 1473 DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60862-9

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_science/~3/GYLp06iu1oE/130121161749.htm

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মঙ্গলবার, ২২ জানুয়ারী, ২০১৩

10 Glorious Shake My Head Dad Moments

1. Disco Fieber

Click here to view this gallery.

[More from Mashable: 11 Pets With Real-Life Careers]

It starts with a fanny pack. Maybe the word "hip" or "rad" used in a misguided manner. If you're lucky, it stops there.

If not, you move on to the next round: cell phone clips, socks with sandals and tucked-in polos. Worst, of course, is the outdated dance moves in public ("Coolio Dogg -- that's a thing, right? -- I love his new CD cassette. It's totally fly, if you hear what I'm talking about, fellas. YOLMO!").

[More from Mashable: Go Home, Folks ? Joe Biden Won the Internet Today]

Sigh.

Dads try their best. To be fair, it's not easy keeping up with the latest youngin' trends. We're just happy that, when the brave ones do try to keep up, there's always someone filming it.

If anything, we can take solace in knowing we'll reach that point someday ourselves. Hopefully we'll be too comfortable in our sweatpants and Crocs to care.

What's your most embarrassing dad story? Relive those blush-worthy moments in the comments.

Image courtesy of Dave Fuller

This story originally published on Mashable here.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/10-glorious-shake-head-dad-moments-233521682.html

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রবিবার, ২০ জানুয়ারী, ২০১৩

Obama begins inaugural festivities by volunteering

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Pressing toward his second term, President Barack Obama touted "the importance of giving back" as he kicked off three days of inaugural celebrations Saturday with a National Day of Service.

The president, along with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha, joined hundreds of volunteers Saturday at Burrville Elementary in one of many projects taking place across the country marking the National Day of Service. Standing in a hallway, he pulled on a pair of rubber gloves, picked up a paint brush and helped stain a bookshelf.

Looking ahead to his swearing-in, Obama told volunteers that inaugurations were "a symbol of how our democracy works and how we peacefully transfer power."

"But it should also be an affirmation that we're all in this together," he said.

Obama added the day of service projects to the inaugural schedule in 2009 and hopes it will become a tradition for future presidents.

The president traveled to the service event in a black SUV carrying the District of Columbia's "Taxation Without Representation" license plate. The White House announced earlier in the week that the president's official vehicles would begin using the symbolic plates for the first time during inauguration weekend ? four years after Obama moved to Washington to assume the presidency.

Earlier Saturday, Vice President Joe Biden, his wife, Jill, and other members of his family spent the morning filling care packages for U.S. troops overseas, veterans and first responders.

"We've had too much of the coarsening of our culture," Biden said. "We've got to get back to reaching out to people."

Other inaugural activities sprang up across the nation's capital on a sun-splashed day in Washington.

Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton headlined a service summit on the National Mall, while crews finished preparations for Monday's ceremonial swearing-in in front of the flag-draped Capitol. Hotels and government buildings along the parade route were adorned with red, white and blue bunting. White tents, trailers and generators lined the Mall.

The president will be officially sworn in for his second term Sunday in a small ceremony at the White House. He'll take the oath of office again Monday before hundreds of thousands of people on the National Mall, followed by the traditional parade and formal balls.

Yet there is decidedly less energy surrounding Obama's second inauguration than there was in 2009. That history-making event drew 1.8 million people for the swearing-in of the nation's first black president.

This time, Obama takes the oath of office following a bruising presidential campaign and four years of partisan fighting. He's more experienced in the ways of Washington. He has the gray hair and lower approval ratings to show for it.

For at least the inauguration weekend, the fiscal fights and legislative wrangling will be put aside in favor of pomp and circumstance. Some Obama supporters said the president's second inaugural was no less historic than his first.

"There were people who said they'd never vote for an African-American president," said Julius Cherry, a Democratic activist from Sacramento, Calif., who brought his family to Washington for the inauguration. "Now they've voted for him twice, and he won the popular vote and the electoral vote. That says something about his policies and his team."

The White House sees the call to service as a way for Americans across the country to honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. The day Obama publicly takes the oath of office marks King's birthday, and 2013 is the 50th anniversary of the civil rights leader's March on Washington.

Following their service project, the first family returned to the White House. The president had no other public events planned, though Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden were hosting the Kids' Inaugural Concert, an evening event paying special tribute to military spouses and children.

The crowds pouring into Washington were expected to be far smaller than they were four years ago, and there will be fewer inaugural balls for the president and first lady to attend. Still, Obama's swearing-in at the Capitol is expected to draw up to 800,000 people, which would make it the largest second.

The president was still working on his inaugural address heading into the weekend. He isn't expected to delve deeply into the policy objectives he'll tackle in a second term, but the tone and theme of the speech will set the stage for the policy fights to come.

Aides said he will make the point that while the nation's political system doesn't require politicians to resolve all of their differences, it does require Washington to act on issues where there is common ground. He will speak about how the nation's core principles can still guide a country that has changed immensely since its founding.

Temperatures were forecast to fall throughout the weekend and be in the 30s on Monday when the crowds gather along the parade route that will take Obama from Capitol Hill to the White House.

Despite scaling back on some of the revelry, the inauguration will be a star-studded affair. Top acts including Beyonce, Katy Perry and Brad Paisley have signed on to perform at the weekend's events. Lady Gaga was also slated to perform at a staff ball Tuesday night.

The inauguration also is bringing thousands of Obama campaign staffers and donors to Washington, with many getting invitations for tours and other events at the White House. On Friday, the president and first lady held two private events for donors who helped finance his 2012 campaign.

___

Associated Press writers Darlene Superville, Laurie Kellman and Fred Frommer contributed to this report.

___

Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/obama-begins-inaugural-festivities-volunteering-164539653--politics.html

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Flu in U.S. still widespread, but starting to ease, CDC says

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Flu remains widespread in the United States and 29 children have died of complications from it, but there are signs the epidemic is easing, U.S. health officials said on Friday.

Forty-eight states reported widespread influenza infections last week, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden described this year as a "worse than average season, particularly for the elderly."

"Many parts of the country are still seeing high - and in some parts - increasing levels of activity while overall activity is beginning to go down," Frieden said in a teleconference.

This year's flu season has reached the midpoint, which means new cases of flu are beginning to fall, but Frieden said he expects both the number and rates of hospitalization and death to rise further as the flu epidemic progresses.

Thousands of people die every year from flu, but the elderly generally are the hardest hit, with 90 percent of all flu deaths occurring in people over age 65.

The CDC does not keep track of all flu-related deaths in adults, but during the second week of January, 8.3 percent of deaths reported to its 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System were due to pneumonia and influenza. That is up from 7.3 percent reported the previous week and exceeds the epidemic threshold of 7.2 percent.

In the first two weeks of January, nine children died of complications from the flu, bringing the death toll of children from this year's flu season to 29, the CDC reported.

That compares with a total of 34 child deaths for the entire 2011-2012 flu season, an especially mild one, and 282 during the severe 2009-2010 season.

Last week, the percentage of visits to healthcare providers for flu-like illness fell to 4.6 percent, down from a revised 4.8 percent in the prior week, the CDC said. By comparison, in the 2009 H1N1 "swine" flu pandemic, 7.7 percent of visits were for flu-like illness.

TAMIFLU IN SHORT SUPPLY

Despite continued reports of spot shortages, Frieden said it is not too late to get vaccinated.

Flu vaccine makers had expected to produce 135 million doses of vaccine, but they have been able to eek out an additional 10 million doses. So far, Frieden said, 129 million doses have been made available for distribution to doctors' offices, drug stores, clinics and other facilities.

"That means there is more vaccine out there for suppliers to order," he said.

To avert shortages of the antiviral drug Tamiflu, made by Roche Holding AG's Genentech unit, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said her agency has authorized the company to distribute 2 million doses of a 75 milligram capsule from its stockpile that contains an older version of the package instructions.

"This medication is fully approved. It is not outdated," she said. "To assure people have access, we took the necessary steps to allow Genentech to distribute its reserve without requiring them to repackage it, which would have taken months," Hamburg said.

Last week, Roche said the liquid form of Tamiflu, which is given to children who already have the flu to alleviate symptoms, was in short supply.

At the time, Roche said it had warned wholesalers and distributors that temporary delays in shipments were imminent.

Pharmacists can make a substitute by dissolving Tamiflu capsules in a sweet liquid.

(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Vicki Allen and Eric Beech)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/flu-u-still-widespread-starting-ease-cdc-says-191406674--finance.html

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What HuffPost Italy Readers Want From Obama In Second Term

ROME -- More courageous and determined in foreign and domestic policy. This is what readers of Huffington Post Italy said they want President Barack Obama to be in his second term, when asked earlier this month by editors here to submit their thoughts on the topic.

Italians realize that it won?t be easy for the president to work with a Republican majority in the House of Representatives, but many hope Obama will deal with some of the unresolved issues of the past four years. One reader expressed the wish that Obama will not betray the trust placed in him by the world when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 -- ?an award given to him on the basis of trust more than anything else,? jeanluc72 commented. A trust he must now earn.

On foreign policy, Italian readers said they want Obama to put more effort into finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ninetto Reinhart, for example, wants to see ?more dispassion when it comes to the Palestinian situation,? and therefore a position that is ?less unbalanced in favor of Israel.?

The situation in the Middle East concerns many commentators. Alfonso Tiberi hopes that Obama ?resolves the Israeli-Palestinian issue once and for all,? as well as the Syrian civil war. The same fears are shared by Antonio1972, who hopes that the president will manage to ?avoid the very concrete danger of a spreading conflict in the Middle East, from Israel to Iran, going through Syria and Libya, with high risk of involvement from Turkey and even Russia and China.?

One hope shared among readers is that Obama will have ?more courage in his choices when it comes to international politics,? said JeanLuc72, echoing the sentiment of many commenters. For Salvatore Sotgiu, the president will be responsible in his second term for ?making the United States a true example of democracy again, and address[ing] the remaining gray areas.?

Some reader requests are much more specific, such as the permanent closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and the release of the 200 Afghani children incarcerated in Bagram in Afghanistan, as denounced by Human Rights Watch.

Many Italian readers have clear opinions regarding politics in the United States. Asked what they would recommend if they could advise Obama on his agenda, several readers responded gun control would be a top priority to prevent the recurrence of tragedies like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. According to some commenters, Obama should provide a ?reform of the education system, with an increase in the quality standards of public schools.? The subject of welfare is very dear to HuffPost Italy readers: thungle03 hopes the president will make Americans understand ?the advantages of a social state, not to be confused with socialism.?

In general, readers expressed expectations for Obama to place greater emphasis on the rights of women and minorities, and make substantial efforts to reduce the gap between the super rich and the super poor. Jre11, for example, hopes the White House is capable of facing the social tensions and the crisis of values that are putting a strain on American society.

Regarding ?unkept promises,? HuffPost Italy readers expect something more regarding the environment. Luciano Castiello writes, ?For the future, I hope Obama will promote energy policies centered on renewable energy.?

Finally, regarding the economy, readers hope Obama will manage to avoid a fight over the debt ceiling, which still threatens the U.S. economy despite the last-minute compromise reached with the House of Representatives on New Year?s Day to avert the fiscal cliff. ?The global economy cannot reach stability until the United States settles its accounts and reduces the deficit,? writes Salvatore Sotgiu.

Many also told HuffPost Italy that they hope the president will be able to reduce the absolute power of big money and lobbyists who, according to thungle03, ?can do everything and buy anything.?

All in all, many readers hoped Obama won?t be afraid to keep his promises from four years ago: change America -- to change, at least a little, the world.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/18/obama-italy_n_2472036.html

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Maverick American jihadi faces Somali death threat

JOHANNESBURG (AP) ? An Alabama native who moved to Somalia to wage jihad alongside al-Shabab militants may soon find himself the one pursued by insurgents.

Omar Hammami ? whom the FBI named as one of its most wanted terrorists in November ? has engaged in a public fight with al-Shabab over nearly the last year. A Twitter account that terrorism analysts believe is run by Hammami or his associates announced Jan. 4 that al-Shabab fighters had given him 15 days ? until Saturday ? to surrender.

It's far from clear whether Hammami will be killed. But analysts who track militants agree that Hammami has become an al-Shabab PR problem.

Bill Roggio, editor of the Long War Journal, says Hammami may have signed his own death warrant with recent anti-al-Shabab rants.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/maverick-american-jihadi-faces-somali-death-threat-145429712.html

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Opera is working on ?Ice?, a new mobile browser for iPhone, iPad and Android

Opera is working on ?Ice? a new mobile browser for iPhone, iPad and Android Opera, the company behind the Opera mini web browser for iPhone and iPad is now working on a new browser which it is calling ?Ice?. The new browser will use WebKit and was shown off at an internal meeting just before Christmas. The guys from Pocket-lint managed to get a copy of a video from the meeting and some interesting information on this new browser.

In a video shown to us of an internal "all-hands" meeting held before Christmas, Lars Boilesen, CEO of Opera, outlined the company's strategy for 2013. Afterwards, product managers took to the stage to demo the new browser, which will be run on the WebKit, not Presto, platform.

The new Opera Ice browser will be based around hiding the technology as much as possible and embracing rich applications. It will ditch all buttons and instead use gestures to control key elements like forwards and backwards. "This is a full touch and tablet-focused browser," said the product manager in the video we've seen. "Most are taking a PC browser and squishing [it] into a tablet, or they are taking a mobile browser and blowing it up to fill the space."

The new offering from Opera will not replace its existing Opera mini mobile browser. The company sees that as still having an important role to fill in bringing new customers to its browser platform and then hopefully moving up to the new ?Ice? system.

The browser does look like a good option however for any alternative browser to be a permanent replacement for mobile Safari it needs to be able to be set as the default browser. Until Apple gives us that option it is always going to be hard to use it full time. Take a look at the Opera ?Ice? browser in action in the video below and let us know what you think! It should be formally announced at Mobile World Congress in February.

Source: Pocket-lint

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/1aVrmIY6piA/story01.htm

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Syrian FM calls on rebels to disarm and negotiate

In this Friday, Jan. 18, 2013 photo, a sniper takes position on a roof during combat in the neighborhood of Saif Al-Dawlah in Aleppo, Syria. Syrian troops fought intense battles on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013 against rebels who are trying to capture two military bases in the northwest and step up their attacks on army compounds elsewhere in the nation torn by civil war, activists said. (AP Photo/Andoni Lubaki)

This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows damage after a rocket slammed into a building, killing at least 12 people, in Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. In a spike in civil war violence that Syrian state media blamed on rebel fighters a rocket attack in the northern city of Aleppo occurred during a particularly bloody week nearly two years after an uprising began against Assad's regime. (AP Photo/SANA)

This photo released by the Syrian official news agency, SANA, shows rescue workers and bystanders at a building damaged by a rocket attack, that killed at least 12 people, in Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Jan. 18, 2013. In a spike in civil war violence that Syrian state media blamed on rebel fighters a rocket attack in the northern city of Aleppo occurred during a particularly bloody week nearly two years after an uprising began against Assad's regime. (AP Photo/SANA)

BEIRUT (AP) ? Syria's foreign minister invited the country's rebels on Saturday to lay down their weapons and take part in a national dialogue, saying everyone who participates will be included in a new Cabinet with wide executive powers.

Walid al-Moallem said in a live interview on state TV late Saturday that any opposition parties could join the Cabinet as long as they reject foreign intervention in Syria. The Syrian government has started contacting "representatives of the Syrian people," he added.

Earlier this month, President Bashar Assad dismissed calls that he step down, vowing to keep fighting the rebels. Assad also proposed a national reconciliation conference, elections and a new constitution ? concessions offered previously over the course of the uprising that began in March 2011. The opposition says that Assad can play no role in a resolution to the conflict.

"I tell the young men who carried arms to change and reform, take part in the dialogue for a new Syria and you will be a partner in building it. Why carry arms," al-Moallem said in the hour-long interview. "Those who want foreign intervention will not be among us."

He accused Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey of arming and financing the rebels in Syria. He said that Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaida-linked group which the U.S. has declared a terrorist organization but which fights alongside Syrian rebels, had brought fighters from 27 countries to fight in Syria.

Last month, the international envoy tasked with Syria's crisis, Lakhdar Brahimi, proposed a plan to end Syria's war with a cease-fire followed by the formation of a transitional government to run the country until new elections can be held.

Brahimi did not mention Assad by name, but said the transitional government would have "full executive powers" and would replace the Syrian leader. The plan was unveiled by world powers at an international conference in Geneva in June. Al-Moallem said that the Geneva conference does not require Assad to leave power.

The interview came as activists reported violence in different areas of Syria.

In the northern province of Idlib, Syrian troops fought intense battles Saturday against rebels who are trying to capture two military bases in the northwest and step up their attacks on army compounds elsewhere in the country, activists said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees said the rebels destroyed at least one tank near the town of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province. The rebels, who have been battling for weeks to take control of bases in Wadi Deif and Hamdiyeh, are working to cut off supply routes to the compounds, the Observatory said.

Attacks on government bases are a recent focus of fighting in Syria's civil war, which according to the United Nations has left more than 60,000 people dead since the conflict began in March 2011.

Last week, rebels captured the nearby air base of Taftanaz in a significant blow to President Bashar Assad's forces, who increasingly rely on airpower.

The rebels also have been trying to capture other air bases in the northern province of Aleppo, and, according to activists, were attacking the air base of Mannagh near the Turkish border.

In Turkey, state-run Anadolu news agency said Syria's air force targeted a mosque and a school building that was apparently sheltering displaced Syrians in the town of Salqin, some four miles (six kilometers) from the border with Turkey in Idlib province. Dozens of people were killed and wounded.

At least 30 people wounded in the attack were taken across the border to Turkey for treatment, and two died in Turkish hospitals, the news agency said.

The displaced Syrians were eating when the school was attacked, according to Anadolu, who interviewed witnesses who has crossed into the Turkish border province of Hatay. The wounded included women and children, the agency said.

Syria's official news agency SANA said troops had targeted rebel hideouts in Salqin, killing and wounding some of them.

Also in Turkey on Saturday, members of the newly-restructured Syrian opposition held a conference in Istanbul aiming to nominate representatives for a transitional government.

"We have some ideas, some proposals," said one opposition member, Abdul Ahad Astephoa, without mentioning any specifics.

The group, known as the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, was formed in Qatar in November amid international pressure to unite factions within the opposition.

Rami Abdul-Rahman, who heads the Observatory, said the government was sending reinforcements to the central city of Homs where rebels have controlled some neighborhoods for more than a year. Residents of Homs, Syria's third largest city, were one of the first to rise up against Assad and many refer to it as "the capital of the revolution."

"It seems they are preparing for a big attack on Homs," Abdul-Rahman said by telephone.

The Observatory and the LCC said troops attacked several suburbs of the capital, Damascus, as well as Homs and the southern rebel-held town of Busra al-Harir. The shelling and air raids targeted the Damascus suburbs of Douma, Daraya and Moadamiyeh where regime forces have been on the offensive for weeks, they said.

___

Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2013-01-19-ML-Syria/id-67cff7d4e4d445748e43be6092ae8ac1

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Some victims to attend ceremony at Colo. theater

AURORA, Colo. (AP) ? The Colorado movie theater where a gunman killed 12 people and wounded dozens of others reopens Thursday with a private ceremony for victims, first responders and officials ? an event boycotted as insensitive by some who lost loved ones in the massacre.

Theater owner Cinemark plans to reopen the entire 16-screen complex in Aurora to the public temporarily on Friday, then permanently on Jan. 25. Aurora's mayor, Steve Hogan, has said residents overwhelmingly support reclaiming what he calls an "important venue for Aurora."

Former neuroscience student James Holmes is charged with 166 felony counts, mostly murder and attempted murder, in the July 20 massacre at a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises." Holmes has until March to enter a plea.

Details about Thursday's ceremony ? which was to include the showing of an undisclosed movie ? were a closely guarded secret. Cinemark, of Plano, Texas, refused to comment on the remembrance, refurbishments to the theater, or security measures. Victims and invited officials also declined to comment.

Victims have filed at least three federal lawsuits against Cinemark alleging it should have provided security for the midnight "Dark Knight" premier on July 20 and that an exit door used by the gunman to get his weapons and re-enter should have had an alarm. In court papers, Cinemark says the tragedy was "unforeseeable and random."

Those invited to attend Thursday's event included victims, families, first responders, Hogan and Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Some victims said it's important to reclaim the theater. Others called its reopening insensitive and criticized Cinemark for not consulting with them about what should happen to the theater where their loved ones were killed.

"The community wants the theater back and by God, it's back," said Tom Sullivan, whose son, Alex Sullivan, was killed. "Nobody is going to stop us from living our lives the way that we lived our lives before. This is where I live."

Sullivan has said movies have long been a way for his family to gather together; his son's trip to the latest Batman movie was part of a 27th birthday celebration.

However, Alex Sullivan's widow, Cassandra Sullivan, has joined with those relatives who are boycotting the event. In a letter sent to Cinemark earlier this month, the group criticized the company for emailing an invitation to the event two days after Christmas without ever having met with them in person before or offered condolences.

"They can do whatever they want. I think it was pretty callous," said Tom Teves, whose son, Alex, was killed.

The mother of Jessica Ghawi, a 24-year-old aspiring sportscaster who was killed, also isn't going to the theater's reopening and doubts she'll ever go to any movie theater again.

As a businesswoman, Sandy Phillips, of San Antonio, Texas, said she understands the practicality of reopening it, but she wishes Cinemark would have asked families about how what their plans were for the theater and how they would have liked their relatives to be honored.

"They could have avoided a lot of ill feeling," she said.

Building plans filed with the city call for turning the theater into one of the company's "extreme digital cinema" sites that feature massive screens. It's not clear from the plans whether there will be a memorial to the victims.

Denver's Roman Catholic archbishop, Samuel J. Aquila, said he would attend the reopening because he was invited to pray with the community. But in an opinion piece in The Denver Post, he said was concerned about violence in movies, video games and TV shows.

"We cannot pretend that the impact of media has not contributed to the kind of violent behavior which is becoming commonplace in America," Aquila wrote. "Young men, raised on a brutality in Halo, 'Breaking Bad,' and the Batman trilogy are engaging in the kind of brutality they're consuming."

The orange, purple and teal neon lights that lit the sky the night of the shooting at the former Century 16 ? now the Century Aurora ? have been replaced. On the walls, a mural depicts a man and woman, a film reel, and popcorn.

A fence erected to block the ground-level view of the theater days after the shooting was removed Thursday morning as workers finished last-minute preparations.

Before Cinemark spent a reported $1 million on renovations, it allowed victims and families to visit the theater's auditorium No. 9, where the attack occurred. At least two people who escaped the shooting called it a good idea.

"It does help significantly," said Jacqueline Keaumey Lader, a U.S. Marine and Iraq war veteran who visited the auditorium last fall with her husband, Don. "It's taken the power away from the place."

Michael White Sr.'s son, Michael Jr., suffered a punctured lung and a broken rib and shoulder blade. He ultimately decided to stay away from the cinema.

"With me, it's like going to a cemetery and walking across somebody's grave," the older White said. "I think it's disrespectful to do that."

Mayor Hogan noted that the community grieves and heals in different ways.

"For those who don't want to be there, who can't be there, I understand and respect that," he said. "For us here, the larger community if you will, it is part of the healing process."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/victims-attend-ceremony-colo-theater-182838682--finance.html

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Google Image Reveals True Silver Surfer [Picture]

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Source: http://www.facebook.com/geeksaresexy/posts/517346681629596

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Wines for that special occasion quaff or obligatory gift

Almost seemingly, the easy and convenient way out for that obligatory token gift is a bottle of wine. For most people the school of thought is wine is wine, if the bottle looks good on the outside then you?re covered. Truth be told not all wines are created equal and not all sophisticated looking bottles have the same sophisticated taste on the inside.

There are?eight wines highlighted in this article ranging in price from $20-$75. Within its price range and style of being sourced and made each wine is impressive in its own right with regard to quality and taste. I personally have enjoyed each of these wines and while the best way to fully enjoy a bottle of wine regardless of price is to share it with like-minded people sometimes just splurging on a bottle or treating yourself to a new wine of the week is equally fanciful. The purpose of this article is to eliminate the guessing and agonizing indecision of purchasing a new wine. Each of the wines listed are detailed with background information and tasting notes to assist you in your decision making for that special quaff or obligatory token gift.

Local Fort Lauderdale residents, Lance and Neil Ellman are the vintners behind Ellman Family Vineyards, of Napa California. The Ellman Family Vineyards?(EFV) boutique wine portfolio is made up of Pinot Noirs and Bordeaux Blends. Sourcing their fruit from some of the finest vineyards in California lends itself to creating some rather exquisite wines. The production of EFV wines is top tier which has struck a chord with many small production wine enthusiasts, thus creating a covert demand for the EFV wines. The Alexis Skye Pinot Noir 2010 is rich in texture with a multiplicity of flavors and aromas; cherry cola, sweet oak, dark berries and jam all of which round out the complexities to ensure smooth and balanced tannins. Suggested retail price $49. Custom cases, gift packs and individual bottles are available for holiday gift purchases via ellmanfamilyvineyards.com.

La Follette Pinot Noir 2009 ?This wine boasts?classic Pinot?berries that exhibit sweet?fruit on the nose, accentuating a floral note. Earth tones?and savory aromas blossom as the wine breathes.?Silky on the palate, this wine?caresses and envelopes a?smooth?mouthfeel at first sip with lithe?tannins and?plump?and tangy?acids late on the?palate. Suggested retail price $40 via lafollettewines.com

Col Solare?is the joint venture between two wine producers who are prominent in their own regions; one producer hails from the old world, Marchesi Antinori from Tuscany, Italy and from the new world, Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington State. Col Solare has brought these two distinctive winemaking cultures together to produce a world-class Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from some of the finest Washington State fruit. The Col Solare 2006 is an elegant and silky wine with aromas of black fruit and reserved hints of vanilla and milk chocolate. This luscious wine has been rated 92 points from Wine Spectator. Suggested retail price $75. Individual bottles are available for holiday gift purchases via colsolare.com

Ch?teau de S?gri?s Tavel Ros? 2010 is a Rh?ne blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette, and Syrah that is sourced from 30 year old vines in the Tavel appellation of France. This crisp and dry Ros? derives its aromatic nose and classic Southern Rh?ne austere mouth-feel from the berry fruits of raspberry, strawberry, and cranberry. The Ch?teau de S?gri?s Tavel Ros? 2010 has been rated 91 points by Robert Parker?s Wine Advocate. Suggested retail price under $20.

La Spinetta Nebbiolo Langhe 2008 is a beautiful Nebbiolo from Piedmont Italy with a wafting fragrance of dried roses, currants, and black cherries. This wine is a wonderful introduction to the noble Nebbiolo grape due to its composition which allows the spices of the wine to interlace through the red berry flavors allowing for perfectly smooth tannins. La Spinetta Nebbiolo Langhe 2008 is an elegant wine that has been rated 90 points by Robert Parker?s Wine Advocate. Suggested retail price $25.

Shingleback, Sparkling Shiraz, NV Hailing from Down Under, this sparkling Australian is 100% Shiraz from the McLaren Vale wine region. This premium region boasts a Mediterranean climate with wet winters, dry summers and a lot of sunshine, which without fail produces high quality, abundantly flavored wines. Shingleback, Sparkling Shiraz, Non Vintage is best described as creamy, luscious and sweet; pervasive to the licorice, black currants, black cherries and? blackberries found within it tasting profile. The unique Shingleback ?Black Bubbles? wine is well on its way to becoming a ubiquitous sparkling wine for the whole world to taste. Suggested retail price $22.50 via shingleback.com.au

Pol Roger Champagne Brut Reserve NV is the quaff that caught the world?s attention when it was chosen to be served at the wedding reception of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and Catherine Elizabeth (n?e Middleton) Duchess of Cambridge. Pol Roger ?White Foil? is traditionally blended of equal parts of the three Champagne grapes; Pinot Noir for body and depth, Pinot Meunier for freshness and vigorous fruit and Chardonnay for elegance and finesse. In classic form this flowery wine, is brushed with yeasty and nutty aromas complimented by apple fruit and white flowers. Robert Parker?s Wine Advocate bestowed a 90 point rating upon the Pol Roger Champagne Brut Reserve Non Vintage. A stunning and beautiful wine with a long dry finish harmoniously balanced; suitably fit for royalty in any sense of the definition. Suggested retail price $50 via polroger.com

Biltmore Estate Blanc de Blancthis 100% Chardonnay wine has all the sparkle it needs to impress?complete with classic Champagne aromas of yeast, honey, and citrus. Biltmore Estate Blanc de Blanc is?produced in the m?thode champenoise style; the effervescence for more complex wines are produced by secondary fermentation in the bottle. This style of production?is used for Champagne and other quality sparkling wines. Suggested retail price $25 via biltmore.com

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we?d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Sign up for our weekly email updates via the Contact Us page for more *hospitality* goodness. There?s lots more where this came from!

Source: http://www.southfloridafoodandwine.com/2013/01/wines-for-thanksgiving-as-that-special-quaff-or-hostess-gift.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wines-for-thanksgiving-as-that-special-quaff-or-hostess-gift

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Past, present and future: What you told us about workplace change ...

Posted: January 18, 2013 at 12:47 pm

AXA PPP healthcare | AXA PPP Healthcare

Over the last century, huge changes have been made to the workplace, and we recently explored the ghosts of workplaces past, present and future in our three part blog series.

While exploring the workplaces of the past we discussed the realities of working in an office without technology, the traditional ?family friendly? 9 to 5 culture, and the popularity of smoking at your desk. The present workplace, however, is a completely different environment. With smoking being banned within public spaces, offices have become a much healthier place to be.? Technological advances have arguably made our lives easier, with emails replacing memos and bulky paper documents no longer necessary. However, the popularity in mobile technology and permanent access to the internet means many employees are constantly connected to the office, with one survey finding that 93% of employees continue to work when they have left the office. The mobile trend is continued in our future of the workplace with the possibility of offices becoming a thing of the past. Technology is expected to advance even further while employee wellbeing will probably become centre stage due to the aging workforce.?

To find out your thoughts on the past, present and future workplace we held a competition inviting Twitter followers to tweet us their opinions for the chance to win great prizes. So what did you have to say? Here are some of the submissions:

Workplace past
Many of our followers still feel nostalgic for their past workplaces, with more casual attitudes to alcohol and a more social environment being popular topics:

One thing our entrants didn?t miss however was the smoky offices before the smoking ban?

Another aspect of the past workplace that wasn?t very popular was the lack of technology, which according to @CathyLockie, was quite hard on the arms!
?Workplace present
The praise for technology continued into our discussion on today?s workplace, with many commenting that they couldn?t survive without it?
?
However it seems that the advances in technology has also led to some pitfalls, with some of you complaining about the lack of verbal communication and their workplace being unable to function should something go wrong with the computers?

It seems that there is also increased pressure in today?s workplace to impress. With increased competition for every job vacancy, many feel that they have to go over and above their job description to keep ahead?
?Workplace future
With mobile working becoming increasingly common today, it wasn?t surprising to find that many of you believe that the office will become a thing of the past with employees working from home?
?
Another common theme was the concept of complete globalization, with the ability to work from anywhere, any time!
?
There were plenty of suggestions for smaller changes around the office, too. From management style to energy saving, there were lots of great ideas to make working life less stressful and more efficient?

Overall it was clear that most of you long for your workplace to be less stressful and allow for a better work-life balance. Our stress centre has plenty of lifestyle articles and helpful guides to aid preventing and coping with anxiety and stress. Remember, if you are ever having any difficulties with stress at work, our experts are always available to help. Have any ideas on how to improve the workplace? Get in touch with us on Twitter, we?d love to hear your thoughts!

Meet our winners!
As a thank you for telling us your thoughts on workplace change we ran a competition on our Twitter, giving you the chance to win ?100 or ?50 Amazon vouchers. Congratulations to our winner, Kelly-Marie Dudley, who suggested an office personality map for the future workplace! And well done to our runners-up Stephanie Kerr, who thinks health and safety is a bit too much in the workplace present, and Jay Scales who does not miss smoking being allowed in the workplace past!

Source: http://www.axappphealthcarebusinessblog.co.uk/content/past-present-and-future-what-you-told-us-about-workplace-change/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=past-present-and-future-what-you-told-us-about-workplace-change

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Simple, Homemade Soup Recipes on Pinterest - Everyday Food Blog

January 16, 2013 Posted by Merritt Watts

I don't know about you all, but these cold, drizzly January days have me craving soup... and not the kind from a can. Homemade soup is always my preference because it's much, much lower in sodium and, more importantly, you get to smell it the whole time it's simmering on the stovetop -- you can't buy a home fragrance that delicious! Check out our Pinterest board for some of our favorite homemade soup recipes. Notice one we're missing? Post the link in the comments section, and we'll add it to our board!

Tags: black bean soup, chicken soup, creamy soup, onion soup, pinterest, soup, split pea soup, tortilla soup
Posted by Merritt Watts on January 16, 2013 in Dinner

Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this weblog until the author has approved them.

Source: http://everydayfoodblog.marthastewart.com/2013/01/simple-homemade-soup-recipes-on-pinterest.html

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Virtual heart sheds new light on heart defect

Jan. 16, 2013 ? A virtual heart, developed at The University of Manchester, is revealing new information about one of the world's most common heart conditions.

Researchers at the School of Physics and Astronomy used cutting edge technology to build an advanced computational model of an anatomically correct sheep's heart. It was made by taking a series of very thin slices of the heart, imaging them in 2D and then using a computer programme to render them into a 3D model.

The reconstruction includes details of the complex fibre structure of the tissue, and the segmentation of the upper chambers of the heart into known distinctive atrial regions. Single-cell models that take into account information about the electrical activity in different atrial parts of regions the heart were then incorporated into the model. The virtual heart was then used to investigate the condition atrial fibrillation (AF).

Professor Henggui Zhang led the research and explains why they wanted to study AF: "Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects approximately 1.5% of the world's population. In the UK more than 500,000 patients have been diagnosed with the condition which causes an irregular heart rate. It is also known to increase the risk and severity of stroke. Despite its prevalence very little is known about what causes AF. We hoped our model would allow us to understand the mechanisms of this condition to ultimately help create better treatments."

AF occurs when abnormal electrical impulses suddenly start firing in the upper chambers of the heart. These impulses override the heart's natural pacemaker, which can no longer control the rhythm of the heart. This desynchronises the heart muscle contraction and reduces the heart's efficiency and performance.

Professor Zhang and his team focussed on the pulmonary vein which is a common area that initially triggers AF. They simulated erratic electrical waves passing through the vein and the surrounding atrial tissue, and then studied the impact this had on the rest of the heart. What they found was that regional differences in the electrical activity across the tissue of the heart, known as electrical heterogeneity, is key to the initiation of AF. The largest electrical difference was between the pulmonary vein and the left atrium which may go some way to explaining why the pulmonary vein region is a common source of irregular heartbeats.

The scientists also identified that the fibre structure of the heart plays an important role in the development of AF. There were directional variations in the conduction of electrical waves along and across the fibres, this is known as anisotropy. The fibre structure in the left atrium is much more organised compared with the complex structures of the pulmonary vein region. The sudden variation in conduction at the junction between the left atrium and the pulmonary vein regions appeared to contribute to the development of AF.

Professor Zhang says: "This study has for the first time identified the individual role of electrical heterogeneity and fibre structure in the initiation and development of AF. It has not previously been possible to study the contribution of the two separately but using our computational model we've been able to clearly see that both electrical heterogeneity and fibre structure need to be taken into consideration when treatment strategies for AF are being devised."

The next step for Professor Zhang and his team will be to find a way to target the electrical conduction in specific regions of the heart to better protect against AF. They also want to use their virtual heart to gain a deeper understands of AF and to apply their findings to the development of more effective treatments.

Professor Zhang concludes: "We're really excited about the potential that our virtual heart opens up for research into this incredibly complex organ. By bringing together physics and biology we hope to unlock some of the unanswered questions about atrial fibrillation -- a condition which is only going to become more common as people live longer."