California Air Quality Benefiting From Clean Diesel Advancements

WASHINGTON--Aug. 23, 2012: The California Air Resources Board (ARB) and Port of Los Angeles have reported dramatic improvements in air quality in recent years due to new clean diesel technology and they predict more improvements in coming years. However, in an opinion piece in The Los Angeles Times (Aug. 13), former Sierra Club executive Carl Pope downplayed these major accomplishments and was critical of California enforcement and the diesel industry work in the state.

Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, issued the following statement outlining the significant progress in California's air quality programs and advancements in clean diesel technology.

"In seeking to make a simple point to urge the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to enforce its own regulations, Carl Pope's piece "Cracking down on Diesel" ignores the significant improvements in clean diesel technology during the past decade. It also diminishes the efforts of thousands of California truckers, contractors and others who have upgraded their equipment and invested in new clean diesel technology.

"Together, these accomplishments have dramatically benefited California's air quality and officials at the highest levels of California government have called diesel advancements a success story.

"The gains in clean diesel technology are largely due to the regulations and standards created by the ARB and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and have resulted in new diesel fuel, engines and equipment that today emit near zero emissions."

New Diesel Trucks and Buses Have Reduced NOx Emissions By 99% And PM Emissions By 98%

"Over the last 10 years, emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses have been reduced by 99 percent for nitrogen oxides (NOx) - an ozone precursor - and 98 percent for particulate emissions to meet California and EPA requirements, making them near-zero emissions vehicles. Off-road engines and equipment are now in the final phase of the same transition. Critical to this progress has been the availability of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel, which has reduced sulfur emissions by 97 percent --from 500 PM to 15 PM - enabling advanced emissions control devices.

"No other sector has done more to improve California's air quality in the last decade than diesel. According to the ARB, particulate emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks have declined from 7.5 percent of the overall state inventory in 1990 to 3.8 percent in 2008, and by 2020 it will be just 1.6 percent. The ARB projects that from 2008 to 2020, while emissions of all sources of PM are expected to increase by 3.2 percent, PM from all diesels will decline by 58 percent."

Port of Los Angeles Has Seen Diesel Particulate Matter Decrease by 71%

"For example, the Port of Los Angeles, which instituted a landmark equipment upgrade and replacement program reports that as of January 2012, 100 percent of the drayage trucks hauling containers are now 2007 or newer models and particulate emissions from diesel use in the ports fell by 71 percent between 2005 and 2011. That translated into a reduction of diesel share of particulate emissions from 7 to 3 percent in the South Coast Air Basin.

"While the World Health Organization chose to focus on retrospective studies of 50-year-old diesel engines, the Health Effects Institute, ARB, EPA, diesel engine manufacturers and others have studied and found post-2007 newer diesel engines are cleaner and emit even fewer emissions than anticipated. As for adoption of this new technology, Mr. Pope says the problem is getting worse on the basis that growth in diesel truck use will offset the emissions gains from new technology diesel engines. That premise is faulty. It would take 60 of today's near-zero emission diesel trucks to equal the PM emissions from a single 1988 truck.

"Recent data from R.L Polk and Diesel Technology Forum estimates suggest that, nationally, more than a third of all the trucks on the road today are 2007 or newer clean diesel technology, and California is very likely ahead of that. Sales of new heavy-duty clean diesel trucks are up by 20 percent over last year in large part because of the 5 percent gains in fuel economy from the new technology that not only translates into cost savings for truckers, but fewer emissions of greenhouse gases and near zero particulate and smog-forming emissions.

"There are more verified and effective diesel retrofit technologies available today than ever before. From the very beginning, the diesel industry has been an active and strong supporter of important government efforts such as California's Carl Moyer Program and the federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Act.

"Today the diesel industry continues to work closely with users, environmental, community and public health groups to support these valuable programs. We'd welcome Mr. Pope's help in this effort."

Source: http://www.pheedcontent.com/click.phdo?i=637e661c6e8b7a7e4fdd1e3d6446a257

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Complete Guidelines to Health and Fitness: AMRIX, A New Once ...

Cephalon, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEPH) announced the pooled analysis of two
pivotal randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials showing that AMRIX?
(cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride extended-release capsules), a new
once-daily extended-release skeletal muscle relaxant, was superior to
placebo. AMRIX had similar efficacy to cyclobenzaprine immediate-release
(CIR) taken three times a day in alleviating acute muscle spasm
associated with lower back and neck pain. In addition, less daytime
drowsiness was observed with AMRIX compared to CIR, although such a
comparison was not pre-specified in the statistical analysis plan.
These results were presented today at the 24th Annual Meeting of the
American Academy of Pain Medicine in Orlando, FL.

"Typically, muscle relaxants are taken multiple times a day, which can make it difficult for some of my patients with acute muscle spasm associated with lower back and neck pain to adhere to their treatment regimen," said Arnold J. Weil, MD, of Non-Surgical Orthopaedics in Atlanta, GA, and the lead investigator in these studies. "With data supporting AMRIX as an effective once-daily treatment, health care professionals now have an easy-to-administer treatment option to offer their patients who are suffering from acute muscle spasm."

The data, which were the basis for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of AMRIX, were pooled from two identical 14-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies, evaluating a total of 504 adults across four study arms (AMRIX 15 mg, AMRIX 30 mg, placebo, and CIR 10 mg three times daily). These participants had moderate-to-severe muscle spasm of cervical or lumbar origin associated with local pain, tenderness, limitation of motion, and restrictions of daily living. In these studies, patients and physicians assessed how helpful the medication was in the treatment of acute muscle spasm. Primary endpoints of the clinical trials were Patient's Rating of Medication Helpfulness at day four of treatment and Physician's Clinical Global Assessment at day four.

Study results of the Patient's Rating of Medication Helpfulness, a measure of efficacy, showed that a higher proportion of patients (p<0.025) taking AMRIX 15 mg (56.0 percent; n=116) and AMRIX 30 mg (56.7 percent; n=120) reported "good" to "excellent" responses compared with the placebo group (40.0 percent; n=115) at day four. The distribution of responses for AMRIX and CIR was similar. The trials did not demonstrate significant differences among the study groups on the Physician's Clinical Global Assessment at day four.

In a scale of Patient-Rated Daytime Drowsiness at day four, more patients in the AMRIX groups (15 mg, 50.4 percent, and 30 mg, 42.1 percent) had "no to very little" drowsiness compared with the CIR group (28.8 percent). As expected, more patients in the AMRIX groups had daytime drowsiness compared with placebo.

The majority of all adverse events reported in these trials were mild in intensity. The most common side effects of AMRIX (greater than or equal to three percent) were dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and constipation. Somnolence (a state of drowsiness) was the most common adverse event leading to discontinuation (two patients in the AMRIX 30 mg group and eight in the CIR group).

About AMRIX

AMRIX is indicated for short-term use (up to two or three weeks) for relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. The first and only once-daily muscle relaxant, AMRIX is available in 15 and 30 mg dosage strengths.

AMRIX is contraindicated with concomitant use of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or within 14 days after their discontinuation; in patients during the acute recovery phase of myocardial infarction; in patients with arrhythmias, heart block conduction disturbances, or congestive heart failure; and in patients with hyperthyroidism. AMRIX may enhance the effects of alcohol, barbiturates, and other CNS depressants. AMRIX should not be used in elderly patients or in patients with impaired hepatic function. AMRIX should be used with caution in patients with a history of urinary retention, angle-closure glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, and in patients taking anticholinergic medication.

http://www.amrix.com

About Cephalon, Inc.

Founded in 1987, Cephalon, Inc. is an international biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative products in four core therapeutic areas: central nervous system, pain, oncology and addiction. A member of the Fortune 1000, Cephalon currently employs approximately 3,000 people in the United States and Europe. U.S. sites include the company's headquarters in Frazer, Pennsylvania, and offices, laboratories or manufacturing facilities in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Salt Lake City, Utah, and suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company's European headquarters are located in Maisons-Alfort, France.

The company's proprietary products in the United States include: PROVIGIL? (modafinil) Tablets [C-IV], FENTORA? (fentanyl buccal tablet) [C-II], TRISENOX? (arsenic trioxide) injection, AMRIX, VIVITROL? (naltrexone for extended-release injectable suspension), GABITRIL? (tiagabine hydrochloride), NUVIGIL? (armodafinil) Tablets [C-IV] and ACTIQ? (oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate) [C-II]. The company also markets numerous products internationally.

Cephalon, Inc.

Source: http://guidelines-to-health-fitness.blogspot.com/2012/08/amrix-new-once-daily-extended-release.html

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Video sizes up iPhone 5 parts with iPhone 4S and Galaxy S III, Apple's new USB cable surfaces

Hey! Ho! Let's go! For today's round of leaked iPhone 5 parts, we have prepared a special video edition. As they say in "From Dusk till Dawn" - "Come on in, iPhone lovers! We have white iPhone 5, we have black iPhone 5, and we have smaller iPhones!".The alleged components for the sixth generation iPhone, about to be unveiled in three weeks or so, even get sized up with the iPhone 4S and the archenemy Samsung Galaxy S III. Actually this purported next iPhone is larger than the 4S, but when sized up with the SGSIII it cuddles tight, nestled on the giant 4.8" display of Samsung's beefy handset.The main take, besides the larger 4" display, and the rearranged internal design to make more room for a battery to power it, is again the shrunk 8-pin dock connector, and the headphone jack, which are on one flex cable, suggesting a bottom placement for the audio jack, just like on the iPod touch.?Meanwhile, the alleged USB cable that will come in the box to take a good use of that new dock connector, has also leaked, and since we have 8 contact plates there on both sides, it won't matter what side do you insert it in the iPhone connector, another time-saver.?If we were Apple, and the influx of part leaks for our next bunker-busting gadget is legit, we'd be very annoyed at all those phone repair shops displaying them for the world to see, and ruining the element of surprise for the September 12 announcement. Still, we haven't seen a fully assembled unit so far, so that's a small consolation, that keeps the guessing game alive, and that might be the whole point.

Source: http://www.phonearena.com/news/Video-sizes-up-iPhone-5-parts-with-iPhone-4S-and-Galaxy-S-III-Apples-new-USB-cable-surfaces_id33595

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Exclusive: Iran looks to Armenia to skirt bank sanctions

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - With international sanctions squeezing Iran, the Islamic Republic is seeking to expand its banking foothold in the Caucasus nation of Armenia to make up for difficulties in countries it used to rely on to do business, according to diplomats and documents.

Iran's growing interest in its neighbor Armenia, a mountainous, landlocked country of about 3.3 million people, comes at a time of rising international isolation for Tehran and increasing scrutiny by Western governments and intelligence agencies of Iranian banking ties worldwide as they attempt to stifle the country's nuclear program.

The most recent example is British bank Standard Chartered, which has been in the spotlight due to U.S. charges that it hid from U.S. regulators and shareholders some $250 billion of transactions tied to Iran.

An expanded local-currency foothold in a neighbor like Armenia, a former Soviet republic which has close trade ties to Iran and is working hard to forge closer links to the European Union, could make it easier for Tehran to obfuscate payments to and from foreign clients and deceive Western intelligence agencies trying to prevent it from expanding its nuclear and missile programs.

Armenian officials denied illicit banking links to Iran. The country's central bank issued a press release in response to this article, stating that it requires all banks to scrutinize their transactions to avoid dubious financial exchanges.

"The Central Bank of Armenia will follow its supervision over the behavior and transactions of all financial institutions and their customers in ... Armenia, in order to safeguard its financial system from any destabilizing effects," it said.

While the four rounds of U.N. sanctions remain limited, with only two Iran banks blacklisted by the Security Council, the United States and European Union have implemented much tougher restrictions, sanctioning dozens of banks and other firms and making it increasingly difficult for Tehran to conduct business in U.S. dollars and euros.

A U.N. panel of experts that monitors compliance with the sanctions against Tehran recently submitted a report to the U.N. Security Council's Iran sanctions committee that concluded Iran was constantly searching for ways to skirt restrictions on its banking sector.

"One state bordering Iran informed the Panel of requests from Iran to open new financial institutions," the report said. "The requests were not pursued apparently because of that country's burdensome legislation."

Several U.N. diplomats familiar with the panel's work confirmed that the unnamed state was Armenia, where Iran already has banking ties.

Despite Armenia's denials of illegal banking arrangements, Iran has not given up trying to expand in the country, the diplomats said, and U.S. officials have repeatedly cautioned Armenian colleagues to tighten financial controls.

REPORTS AND DENIALS

Iran's trade with Armenia, including an oil pipeline that Armenian news reports say should be finished in 2014, requires some form of cross-border banking. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that Iran's annual trade with Armenia is around $1 billion, according to Iranian news reports.

Engaging in transactions with Iranian banks is not a violation of international sanctions as long as it is not linked to Iran's nuclear or missile programs or companies or individuals under U.S., EU or U.N. sanctions.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and refuses to shut it down. It says the sanctions are illegal.

But Washington has made clear to governments around the world that trading with Iranian firms that are sanctioned by the United States could lead to a U.S. blacklisting.

A Western intelligence report shown to Reuters, and dated May 2012, said that Iran was searching for "convenient" locations to develop alternative banking relationships away from spy agencies and other international monitoring bodies. It said an expanded presence in Armenia was one of Iran's goals.

"The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has been operating for years to establish and develop concealed infrastructures to enable Iran to continue trading with foreign countries, particularly in countries convenient for Iranian activity, such as the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and Turkey," the report said.

"The increasing pressure on the banks in some of these countries has forced CBI economists to seek financial alternatives in countries that do not work according to the dictates of the West," it said, naming Armenia as a target.

In addition to Turkey and UAE, diplomats say Iran has been trying to develop financial channels elsewhere to avoid sanctions, focusing on countries like Malaysia, China, India, Brazil and, according to a report in the New York Times last weekend, Iraq.

Iran has used Iraqi banks to move large amounts of cash into the international banking system, prompting private U.S. protests to Baghdad, the Times reported.

Regarding Armenia, the Western intelligence report cited Armenian bank ACBA Credit Agricole Bank, a full-service institution that does business with individuals and companies and had some $574 million in assets last year, as one of Iran's principal targets.

A Western U.N. diplomat who closely follows the sanctions on Tehran confirmed that ACBA was "a bank that has come up in connection with Iran." He declined to provide details of any potentially illicit ACBA transactions linked to Iran.

Ashot Osipyan, chairman of the Union of Armenia's Banks, said it was impossible ACBA had any ties with Iran. "Armenian banks are financing only Armenia's economy," he said.

ACBA Chief Executive Officer Stepan Gishian was similarly categorical in his denial of helping Iran skirt sanctions.

"We finance exclusively the economy of Armenia," he said. "We don't have any relationship with Iran. We never have, we don't now and furthermore we don't plan on becoming a channel for financing Iran. What you're saying is complete nonsense."

The central bank statement said that "banks in the Republic of Armenia, including 'ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank' CJSC, hold no correspondent accounts with banks and financial institutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Washington recently raised its concerns with Armenian officials about the possibility that Iran could exploit Armenia to bypass sanctions. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the issue with President Serzh Sargsyan during a June meeting in Yerevan, a senior State Department official said.

The precise content of the discussions and the outcome were unclear.

CLAMP DOWN

Diplomats and intelligence officials told Reuters that Turkey and the UAE remain Iran's principal banking connections, while China and India are becoming areas of concern as Tehran now finds it difficult to conduct transactions in U.S. dollars and euros. As a result, it has turned increasingly to doing business in less-traceable local currencies.

But Turkey and the UAE, they say, are not as welcoming these days. The two countries are under intense pressure from Washington and the European Union to clamp down on illicit Iranian commerce connected to a nuclear program that the Western powers and their allies suspect is for producing weapons - a charge Iran denies.

Another bank that has long concerned Western powers is the Armenian branch of Iran's Bank Mellat, which has been under U.S. sanctions since 2007. While Mellat is not under U.N. sanctions, the Security Council cited it as a problematic bank in the text of its fourth sanctions resolution, passed in June 2010.

"Over the last seven years, Bank Mellat has facilitated hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions for Iranian nuclear, missile, and defense entities," the resolution said.

Mellat is still functioning in Yerevan, though its activities have drastically decreased due to U.S. and EU sanctions, according to Arakel Meliksetyan, deputy head of the financial intelligence unit at Armenia's central bank.

The central bank statement said that Mellat's Armenian assets decreased more than 50 percent from $88 million to $40 million between December 31, 2010 and July 1, 2012.

Mellat is cut off from the U.S., European and other financial markets and has virtually no business with other Armenian banks, Meliksetyan said. Since it was disconnected from the SWIFT system earlier this year, Mellat Armenia is no longer able to send or receive international wire transfers, he added.

He said the bank's small customers were mainly Iranians doing business in Armenia, Armenians exporting to Iran, Iranians with Armenian backgrounds and students.

The Mellat Armenian branch's website (www.mellatbank.am) has photos of a brightly lit, ordinary-looking bank with the words "Accuracy, Courtesy, Efficiency" at the top. It lists two men with Iranian names as the general manager and deputy general manager and gives a P.O. box for an address.

Reuters contacted the bank for responses to questions about its activities. After initially agreeing to a face-to-face discussion, the officials said they wanted written questions and have not provided further comment.

Turkey was in a similar position to Armenia's once. Reuters reported in 2010 that Turkey was becoming a safe haven for Iranian banks. In response to heavy U.S. pressure to cut banking ties with Tehran, Western envoys say, Turkish banks have become much more cautious about doing business with Iranian clients.

U.S. concerns about Armenia's commitment to implementing sanctions against Iranian banks are not new, according to previously secret U.S. diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks.

A May 2007 cable from the U.S. embassy in Yerevan, entitled "Armenia Slow To Implement Bank Sepah Asset Freeze," said that Sepah, an Iranian bank which has been under U.N. sanctions since March 2007, maintained correspondent accounts with the Armenian branch of Mellat in breach of U.N. restrictions.

Another cable from 2008 made clear Washington was still worried: "Poloff (Political Office) requested that the Armenian MFA (ministry of foreign affairs) advise the Central Bank of Armenia to employ extra vigilance in monitoring the financial transaction of the Iranian owned Bank Mellat in Yerevan."

(Additional reporting by Thomas Grove, Steve Gutterman and Nastassia Astrasheuskaya in Moscow, Andrew Quinn in Washington, Hasmik Mkrtchyan in Yerevan and Andrei Makhovsky in Minsk. Editing by Warren Strobel and Jim Loney)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-iran-looks-armenia-skirt-bank-sanctions-050253715.html

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Inactivity Is US Kids&#39; Biggest Health ProblemChildren&#39;s Health and ...

From Fox News?..

Lack of exercise tops the list of the biggest concerns about kids? health, according to a new survey of American adults. The plight of young couch potatoes outranked teen pregnancy and drug abuse as problems that adults are concerned about, according to the survey.

Not getting enough exercise was ranked a ?big problem? by 39 percent of adults surveyed, followed closely by childhood obesity (38 percent) and smoking and tobacco use (34 percent), according to the findings from the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children?s Hospital National Poll on Children?s Health.

In last year?s survey, childhood obesity topped the list, while ?not enough opportunities for physical activities? didn?t even make the top 10. The jump in the adults? concern about exercise may be due recent public health messages focused at this topic, researchers said.

?Childhood obesity remains a top concern, and adults know it is certainly linked to lack of exercise,? Matthew Davis, director of poll, said in a statement. ?But exercise offers many more benefitsother than weight loss or preventing obesity ? such as better attention and learning in school and improved sense of well-being,? Davis said.

To read the full story?..Click here

This entry was posted in Health / Fitness Articles and tagged Childhood Obesity, Inactivity, Len Saunders by Len Saunders. Bookmark the permalink.

Source: http://www.lensaunders.com/wp/?p=3536

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FOR KIDS: Elephant songs

Scientists figure out how elephants make their low, low rumble

Web edition : 12:01 pm

Elephants are well known for their trumpetlike sounds, but they can ?sing? superlow songs, too. You?ll never hear these tunes in full, though. That?s because elephant songs include notes too low for the human ear to hear.

Some scientists had suggested that elephants make these low sounds in the same way that cats purr ? by squeezing muscles near the voice box, or larynx. But elephants don?t need to use throat muscles to go low, say scientists in a newly published?study.

Visit the new?Science News for Kids?website?and read the full story:?Elephant songs

Found in: Science News For Kids

Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/343140/title/FOR_KIDS_Elephant_songs

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Electrifying success in raising antioxidant levels in sweet potatoes

ScienceDaily (Aug. 20, 2012) ? Already ranked by some as number one in nutrition among all vegetables, the traditional sweet potato can be nutritionally supercharged ? literally ? with a simple, inexpensive electric current treatment that increases its content of healthful polyphenols or antioxidants by 60 percent, scientists said at a conference in Philadelphia August 20.

Their report on the first electrical enhancement of sweet potatoes, a dietary staple since prehistoric times, was part of the 244^th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. "Many people don't realize it, but sweet potatoes are one of the world's most important food crops," said Kazunori Hironaka, Ph.D., who led the research team.

More than 95 percent of the global sweet potato crop grows in developing countries, where it is the fifth-most important food, and malnutrition is a serious problem," he said. "Our discovery offers a way to further increase the sweet potato role in relieving hunger and improving nutrition and health."

Hironaka and colleagues at the University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan, previously discovered that passing an electric current through white potatoes increased the polyphenol levels by 60 percent. Polyphenols are a family of chemical compounds found naturally in fruits and vegetables that may help protect people from diseases and the effects of aging.

The electric current apparently stresses the potatoes, and they produce more polyphenols as a protective measure. The team suspected that the same effect would occur with sweet potatoes, but until now, nobody had tried.

In the new study, Hironaka and colleagues used the same approach, putting sweet potatoes into a salt solution that conducts electricity, and then passing various amounts of electric current through the water and the potatoes for 5 minutes. The best results came with 0.2 amps of current, which increased antioxidant activity in the potatoes by 1.4 times and total polyphenol content by 1.6 times compared to untreated potatoes. He noted that untreated sweet potatoes already are high in antioxidants, with 7 times more polyphenols than other potatoes.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest once ranked the baked sweet potato number one in nutrition of all vegetables. With a score of 184, the sweet potato outscored the next-highest vegetable (a baked white potato) by more than 100 points. Points were given for content of dietary fiber, naturally occurring sugars and complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins A and C, iron and calcium. Points were deducted for fat content (especially saturated fat), sodium, cholesterol, added refined sugars and caffeine.

Hironaka also noted that the electrical zapping seems to have no effect on the flavor, and that steaming is the best method of cooking to retain the most antioxidants. The electrical treatment method is inexpensive and simple enough to be used on small farms or in food distribution centers, he noted.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Chemical Society (ACS).

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

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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/strange_science/~3/S2tu0ikH3Ps/120820152104.htm

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Aleppo reflects on losses during holiday lull

ALEPPO, Syria (AP) ? A brief lull in fighting for a Muslim holiday Sunday allowed residents of Aleppo to take stock of their losses after three weeks of intense battles left many in Syria's largest city strapped for cash, separated from loved ones and scared of more violence ahead.

In the capital Damascus, President Bashar Assad prayed at a mosque in his first appearance in public since a bomb attack killed four of his top security advisers on July 18.

Thousands across the country marched against Assad in mosques and cemeteries after special dawn prayers marking the start of the three-day Eid al-Fitr holiday, which caps the holy month of Ramadan. The holiday ? usually a joyful time to remember the dead, dress up in new clothes and visit family ? followed a particularly bloody Ramadan when fighting erupted in Syria's two largest cities, bringing large civilian populations under fire and causing a spike in the death toll.

"There is no holiday," said Mohammed Radwan, 34, standing near an apartment building in Aleppo's Tariq al-Bab neighborhood, which was hit by an airstrike the day before. "The electricity comes and goes, the jets fire on us and no one has any work. All we'll do today is clean up the rocks and rubble."

Nearby, a group of men coated in gray cement dust searched the wreckage of the strike for the bodies of two young girls, aged 2 and 14.

The fighting in Aleppo has marked the first time that Assad has relied heavily on air power to bomb and strafe rebel forces who have grown adept at challenging ground troops. The poorly armed opposition fighters are largely helpless against near-daily airstrikes by attack helicopters and fighter jets, and the attacks often kill or terrify civilians. As many as 200,000 have fled Aleppo, either to nearby villages or to refugee camps in Turkey.

But after three weeks of battle, the government has still not managed to defeat the rebels ? a sign of the regime's loosening grip on the country.

An airstrike on Wednesday that killed more than 40 people cast a pall over holiday prayers in the town of Azaz near the Turkish border. Only about 100 men showed up to pray in the Hadideen mosque with its salmon-colored minaret bearing the scars of a shell blast.

Residents said many families fled the town after the strike. Others packed up blankets and mats to camp out in the olive groves around town, fearing another attack on the holiday.

"We should all be wearing new clothes and be freshly groomed, but look at us," said Abdullah Sayid, pointing to his own stubbly chin and the glum faces of the men around him. "Nobody feels like it."

His younger brother Abdel-Hafiz, 32, was killed in the airstrike.

A similar mood permeated rebel-held neighborhoods of Aleppo, many of which have been subjected to heavy shelling and bombings that have damaged buildings and forced civilians to flee.

The airstrike in Tariq al-Bab that killed the two girls also collapsed part of Zakariya Qadi's apartment. He stood on the street while men upstairs salvaged what they could of his belongings, throwing mattresses, rugs and bundles of clothing from the balcony onto the pavement.

The 28-year-old barber said he had sent his wife and two young boys to a village outside the city and was staying at his father's house to protect it from thieves.

"Last year, we were able to eat and be together and celebrate," he said as a friend slowly lowered his microwave, hanging from a rope. "Now we are separated and our home is wrecked."

Many Aleppo residents say the huge changes have left them confused. Aleppo, a city of some three million people spread around a cobblestone old city and medieval citadel, has long been considered one of the most beautiful spots in what was a very safe country.

Some were torn between their distrust of the mostly rural rebels and their anger at the government for its shelling and airstrikes.

"The events have really hurt the people, especially the poor," said Fares Munir, a 39-year-old tailor sitting with friends in one of the few open shops in the Shaar neighborhood. "We hoped that the government would protect us when the armed groups came in. But it didn't, and now it is shelling us along with them."

In the working class Sukari neighborhood, neighbors gathered around as one family emptied their apartment into the back of a pickup truck to move to a safer area.

One joked that the war had make Syrians like soccer fans, "with some people cheering for these guys and others cheering for the other guys."

But no one in the group had much good to say about either side.

A 24-year-old laborer who gave his name as Abu Zubeir said the unrest had kept him out of work for two months and that he'd been moving from place to place for three weeks to avoid the fighting.

"I'm stuck in the middle," he said. "I don't trust either of them really."

Syrian state media continued to try to project an image of normalcy despite the violence that anti-regime activists say has killed more than 20,000 people since the uprising started in March 2011.

State TV showed Assad praying in a small mosque in Damascus' al-Mihajireen district, near the presidential palace. He sat cross-legged on the floor in a suit and tie and later shook hands with officials.

In a marked difference from past years, it did not show Assad's convoy leaving or arriving. Damascus residents said security forces blocked streets and encircled several mosques, probably to confuse people about the president's whereabouts.

Assad last appeared in public on July 4 during a speech to parliament.

International powers are still stalemated over how to stop the bloodshed in Syria. While the U.S. and other countries have called for Assad to stand down, Russia and China have repeatedly blocked resolutions condemning Assad's government in the U.N. Security Council.

Lakhdar Brahimi, the new U.N. special envoy to Syria, acknowledged in an interview with The Associated Press that brokering peace in Syria will be difficult without international consensus. When asked if he had any specific ideas on how to achieve that consensus, he responded, "No."

Brahimi, a former Algerian foreign minister, was named to replace former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, who resigned in frustration last month after his peace plan failed.

___

Associated Press writers Zeina Karam in Beirut, Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, and Greg Keller in Paris contributed reporting.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/aleppo-reflects-losses-during-holiday-lull-185105700.html

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5 Processes to Get Backlinks With Backlink Building

Aug, Sun 19th, 2012 Posted in : Uncategorized By : Sam 0 Comments

Right now it ought to be clear that you want to acquire back links via a backlink structure campaign. Keep in mind that in order to earn money online you will certainly require web traffic to your web site so when you obtain backlinks it comes to be an essential aspect for rating in the search engines. The primary perk of online search engine web traffic is that it simply isn?t going to cost almost anything as well as it might be very sweeping. Search engines are aiming to provide best content highly related the search by the individual. Quality content comes to be the preliminary major bearing for having back links by having a backlink building campaign.

Approach # 1 ? Building High quality Content

Material that is definitely helpful, compelling, as well as grabs the audience?s focus with targeted key phrases offers quality for back links. Keywords are a phrase or word people utilize to explore on a certain topic. Offering quality subject matter gains the attention of other site managers, several individuals, in addition to browse engines. Investigating targeted key words as well as positioning them with your content is a necessary action to get backlinks in your backlink building campaign. The search engine acknowledges these key words and your internet sites rating is depending on them. Start the whole entire procedure to get back links by composing an unique article followed by posting it in to the site. After uploading the report to your website it is essential that you turn the content to provide to numerous report directory sites in order to begin backlink building.

Strategy # 2 ? Emailing Webmasters

Receive a listing of webmasters in a particular niche market that resembles your field and request with e-mail that they bring your link to their internet site. Understand that you desire to discover internet sites with higher web page rank as well as trust with Google. Many are easily located by categorizing through the top 10 to 40 internet sites within the search results for a certain key words. Merely being uncomplicated in the e-mail with webmasters showing that you wish to develop a bigger cake to share a portion in the results can easily obtain back links.

Method # 3 ? Social Media

Listing your hyperlink on social media websites is a good way to get back links that are high top quality from your backlink building campaign. Social network sites allow you to generate a profile as a great spot to put a hyperlink to your site. There is great opportunity to get hold of the passion of fans that can easily share content as well as links for even more backlinking.

Tactic # 4 ? Opinion on post

Blogs within your niche are obtaining website traffic which could be directed to your web site by leaving a comment with your hyperlink. This method offers you the back links along with some web traffic. Commenting on article lets you to increase presence online. Be careful concerning not being organic in the comment s you are making by not participating in the talk.

Strategy # 5 ? Visitor Posts

Blog managers are regularly attempting to incorporate useful subject matter to their articles. Searching for blogs that could possibly take advantage of a report you have composed as a guest blog post certainly raise your links. Communicating to these blog site managers is straightforward as well as can easily be really successful to get back links.

Source: http://www.seomagnify.com/5-processes-to-get-backlinks-with-backlink-building/

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West Nile Virus Spreads Faster In Texas and Indiana - NewsOXY

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By: Jennifer Hong, NewsOXY Reporter
08/19/2012 04:16 PM ET

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas is suffering from the West Nile Virus the most, which is carried by mosquitoes and appears to be spreading faster than it has in years.

Health officials say states are reporting more cases than usual in the state of Indiana and the number of cases nationwide has just about doubled since last week. While the outbreak is expected to get worse, experts say most people never realize they have the virus symptoms.

"It's very concerning," John Carpenter said. "I wasn't aware of it."

That is what is concerning to Dallas County Health Department Director Zachary Thompson.

The department launched its West Nile Watch where you can track West Nile activity where you live.

"It's not a scare tactic," Thompson said. "It's a public health concern."

In 2006 Dallas County had 100 confirmed human cases.

Dallas County health officials said fighting West Nile is a community wide effort. if you clear standing water from your home and your neighbor doesn't you haven't really accomplished much.

"You've got to fight the bite," Thompson said. "Mosquito proofing yourself will do that."

City code enforcers are looking for standing water at vacant and foreclosed homes while health officials urge people to wear mosquito repellant with DEET and wear clothing with long sleeves.

As for the Carpenter family, the confirmed human case in their zip code hits home. Next trip to the lake John said he'll make sure the wife and kids are mosquito proof.

"I won't be so negligent next time."

Source: http://www.newsoxy.com/health/texas-west-nile-virus-84418.html

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Duke of Edinburgh misses church service on fifth ... - BBC World News

The Duke of Edinburgh has missed a church service attended by the Queen and other members of the royal family as he spends a fifth day in hospital after suffering a recurrence of a bladder infection. The Queen was accompanied by the Earl and Countess of Wessex for the service at Crathie Kirk, near Balmoral. The Duke of Edinburgh spent five nights in hospital in June (Picture: AFP/Getty) Prince Philip was admitted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary last week for a recurrence of the bladder infection that saw him spend five nights in hospital in June. He has remained in close contact with his family via telephone after doctors advised him to not receive any visits. The 91-year-old was admitted to King Edward VII hospital in London in June after braving wet and windy conditions on a barge for several hours during the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the river Thames, meaning he missed several events marking the Queen?s 60 years on the throne. He also spent four nights in hospital last December for a procedure to clear a blocked coronary artery. It is unknown whether the duke will be able to accompany the Queen on their next official engagement at the opening of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on August 29.

Source: http://bbc-worldnews.net/2012/08/duke-of-edinburgh-misses-church-service-on-fifth-day-in-hospital/

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Pastel online introduction

This Oil Pastel Set has 36 assorted luminous colors, all packed in to a foam-lined wood box that is great to shield the sticks on a holiday. A fantastic oil pastel set is really a wonderful thing to work with. This pastel set is handy for plein-air painting and travel, which is compact and light-weight. I managed to get the 200 soft round pastel set. A major Word of Caution about your Oil Pastel Set: Usually do not get forced out with your car during summer. Get a student-grade oil pastel set if you're simply looking to experiment.

Pastels are fantastic for drawing flowers since you also can blend the crooks to create soft tones and edges with your drawings. Pastels are essentially powdered pigments compressed using a binder to manufacture a drawing stick. Pastels are an expressive and fun medium for drawing hearts. For oil pastels, I take advantage of Pentel for sketching and working out color composition. Brilliant colored pastels apply smoothly and blend easily for subtle shades, tints and color mixtures. This boxed variety of Rembrandt soft pastels offers color choices way beyond principle set at a far better value than per-stick purchasing. Oil pastels could be a very fun and versatile medium to work with for artwork. Hi. I'm rather new at pastels (2000) but formerly won a Better of Show, a People's Choice (PSO), inclusion in International Artist's 100 ways to paint a Landscape book (#99) and several beginning ribbons and others! I feel I've discovered my element.

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Tape the 12 by 18-inch bit of black paper to the drafting board and sketching within the general shapes with the floral composition you could have made up of the dark gray content crayon. It isn't really just sunlight that involves fugitive pigments to fade. Although I am sufficiently fortunate to have large teams of several brands of pastel, We are using Mt. Vision more and more lately. A fantastic medium for the creative mind. Brilliant colored pastels apply smoothly and blend easily for subtle shades, tints and color mixtures. To be sure with Diane. That's relief for a time! :D Thanks . I teach seniors the other of my student ordered this product. Oil pastels could be an extremely fun and versatile medium to make use of for artwork.

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Mitt Romney says Obama 'robbed' Medicare of $716 billion. True?

Mitt Romney is hammering President Obama with the allegation that he's robbed Medicare to pay for Obamacare. But analysts suggest that's not an accurate appraisal of Obama's plan.

By Peter Grier,?Staff writer / August 16, 2012

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney writes on a white board as he talks about Medicare during a news conference at Spartanburg International Airport Thursday in Greer, S.C.

Evan Vucci/AP

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The Mitt Romney campaign has a new talking point that it?s hitting hard: President Obama ?robbed? Medicare of $716 billion to help pay for his health-care reform legislation. Is this assertion accurate?

Skip to next paragraph Peter Grier

Washington Editor

Peter Grier is The Christian Science Monitor's Washington editor. In this capacity, he helps direct coverage for the paper on most news events in the nation's capital.

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Well, it is true that the Affordable Care Act ? known to some as Obamacare ? would reduce spending on Medicare by $716 billion from 2013 to 2022, according to a Congressional Budget Office analysis. It is also true that this reduction is used to offset spending on other ACA provisions.

However, the ACA does not literally lop this figure off Medicare?s bottom line. Most of these reductions would occur due to the fact that the law makes changes meant to lower future costs for the big health-care program for seniors.

For instance, the ACA cuts many of the payments Medicare makes in its fee-for-service system to hospitals, nurses, and other health-care providers. (Doctors would not be affected by this payment squeeze.) According to CBO, over the 10-year period it measured, Medicare payments for hospital services would go down by $260 billion, for instance. Payments for skilled nursing services would go down by $39 billion and for home health services by $33 billion.

The other big category of ACA Medicare reductions is aimed at Medicare Advantage, a sub-section of Medicare plans run by private insurers. Medicare Advantage began as a pilot program under President George W. Bush, who pushed it as a means to save money by pitting private insurers against each other in a competition to cover Medicare beneficiaries.

This approach has not worked out as intended. Currently Medicare Advantage plans cost the government more on a per-person basis than traditional fee-for-service Medicare.

?The Affordable Care Act gives those private plans a haircut and tethers reimbursement levels to the quality of care administered, and patient satisfaction,? writes Washington Post Wonkblog writer Sarah Kliff in her analysis of the $716 billion reductions.

In essence, the Medicare cuts contained in Obama?s health-care reforms reduce the pay of providers within the system. That?s why restoring them could actually make the program less fiscally sound in the longer term. If the reductions are reversed Medicare?s cost structure would suddenly be higher, and it would be paying out cash faster well past the 2022 period, bringing its day of insolvency closer as a result.

Does all this mean Obama has looted Medicare? On ?60 Minutes? last Sunday, Mr. Romney said: ?There?s only one president that I know of in history that robbed Medicare, $716 billion to pay for a new risky program of his own that we call Obamacare.?

Citing this sentence, the fact-checking site Politifact.com judges it ?Mostly False.?

?The only element of truth here is that the health-care law seeks to reduce future Medicare spending and the tally of those cost reductions over the next 10 years is $716 billion,? writes Politifact. ?The money wasn?t ?robbed,? however, and other presidents have made similar reductions to the Medicare program.?

However, on Thursday the Romney campaign released a video of the presumptive GOP presidential candidate in which he charged that Obama?s reductions would have a real effect on beneficiaries.

Due to the cuts, 4 million people would lose Medicare Advantage plans, Romney charged. (They would presumably still be eligible for the regular Medicare system). Plus, ever-shrinking payments to health care providers would cause them to drop Medicare patients, said Romney.

?The Medicare actuary estimates that 15 percent of hospitals and nursing homes will stop taking Medicare patients,? Romney said.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/DwVZ7A3nnNs/Mitt-Romney-says-Obama-robbed-Medicare-of-716-billion.-True

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Team India's new cricket jersey unveiled

Indian cricketers at the unveiling of team India?s new cricket jersey.

(L-R) Indian cricketers Virat Kohali with Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virender Sehwag during the unveiling of a new innovative T20 kit for Team India by Nike at Taj Lands Hotel at Bandra in Mumbai.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/slideshow_team-india-s-new-cricket-jersey-unveiled_1729324

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Source: http://twitter.com/LisaSabinWilson/statuses/236478163637649408

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To Get Suit Nowadays Nike Air Jordan By Using These Superb Advice!

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Exclusive: White House studying potential oil reserve release

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House is "dusting off old plans" for a potential release of oil reserves to dampen rising gasoline prices and prevent high energy costs from undermining the success of Iran sanctions, a source with knowledge of the situation said on Thursday.

U.S. officials will monitor market conditions over the coming weeks, watching whether gasoline prices fall after the September 3 Labor Day holiday, as they historically do, the source said.

It was too early to say how big a drawdown would be from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and, potentially, other international reserves if a decision to proceed was taken, the source said.

Oil prices have surged in recent weeks, with Brent crude prices closing in on $120 a barrel, up sharply from around $90 a barrel in July. The United States and other Group of Eight countries studied a potential oil release in the spring but shelved the plans when prices dropped.

With prices high again, U.S. officials were now collecting information from the market about potential needs and studying futures, production numbers and data on Iranian oil exports.

"The driving force in this is both impact on the economy and impact on the Iran sanctions policy," the source said, noting that Washington did not want rising oil prices to create a windfall for Iran while oil embargo and international sanctions were having an effective impact.

The United States has not yet held talks with international partners about a coordinated move. The source noted that Britain, France, Germany and other partner nations in the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) were receptive to a potential release a few months ago when conditions were similar.

Those countries were concerned about the impact of high oil prices on the global economy and Iran then, and those concerns remain equally relevant now.

"The logic behind a potential release in the spring is at least if not ... more true today," the source said.

Domestically, tapping reserves could spark criticism from Republicans, who would cast it as a political move to boost Democratic President Barack Obama's chances in the November 6 election.

The source said the White House had not discussed political ramifications because a decision on a release had not been made.

A White House spokesman declined to comment.

GATHERING SUPPORT

Gathering support from partner nations is likely to be the next step as Washington studies its options.

In May the G8 put the IEA -- the West's energy adviser responsible for coordinating reserves -- on standby for action, a sign at the time that Obama was winning support for tapping government-held oil stocks for the second time in two years.

Some IEA nations could object to a release now because market conditions are less tight than they were in the spring, the source said. Saudi Arabia and Iraq were producing more and the supply disruption related to Libya was resolved.

Germany and some other European nations have generally resisted using government-held oil inventories in the absence of a sharp and deep disruption in supplies.

Although the loss of over half Iran's oil exports is about equivalent to the drop in Libyan shipments that prompted IEA action last year, the decline has been relatively gradual and global commercial oil inventories remain relatively well-supplied for this time of year.

Last year on the day, the United States and the IEA announced a coordinated drawdown of 60 million barrels in response to outages in Libya and other places, Brent oil prices fell 6 percent, or nearly $7 a barrel, to about $107 a barrel.

A week later the prices were back to about where they had been, though analysts say the drawdown could have stopped prices from going even higher.

"As long as the Brent price stays up, and there are still problems with the North Sea (oil production) and there is still geopolitical risk, I think this creates a buying opportunity for every speculator in the world," said Richard Ilczyszyn, chief market strategist and founder of iitrader.com LLC.

"The market will drop initially, people will then buy that dip, as they did last year."

(Additional reporting by Timothy Gardner and Matthew Robinson; Editing by Russ Blinch and Sandra Maler)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-white-house-dusting-off-plan-potential-oil-183107228--business.html

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VA Loan Basics - Home Inspection

by Nick Gromicko and Rob London

A VA loan is a mortgage loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Like FHA loans, VA loans are backed by the federal government in order to protect lenders against default, an assurance that removes barriers to home?buying for?prospective homeowners when they attempt to get a mortgage. This loan guarantee has its origins in the Servicemen?s Readjustment Act (more commonly known as the G.I. Bill), passed by U.S. Congress in 1944 to provide a wide range of benefits for soldiers returning from WWII. Eligibility for VA loans ? as well as unemployment compensation, vocational training, and other offerings?of the G.I. Bill ? have since been?made available to?veterans of subsequent wars and peacetime service.

VA loans serve two primary purposes:

• to finance loans for?eligible veterans in regions where private financing is not available, which are generally rural areas, and small cities and towns far from metropolitan?and?commuting areas of large cities; and
• to help eligible veterans who lack sufficient funds for a down payment to purchase properties.

VA loans offer eligible veterans a number of benefits that are not available to recipients of conventional loans. Note that not all of the following?features are?available to those receiving FHA loans. VA loan benefits include:

• 100% financing on purchases and refinances. Loans are available up to $417,000 (as of 2009), although this amount is higher in some areas with a higher cost of living and/or inflated real estate markets, such as Hawaii, Alaska and California;
• no Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). PMI is money paid to a lender to offset losses in the event that the borrower defaults and the lender cannot recover?its investment after foreclosure;
• fixed, competitive interest rates;
• the loan is assumable, meaning that borrowers can sell their homes to non-veterans and?pass along the benefits of?the VA loan to the buyers;
• forbearance,?in which?the federal government can extend leniency to veterans experiencing temporary financial hardship;
• no prepayment penalty. Penalties are applied to conventional loans when?borrowers choose to pay off?their mortgages?early,?which then gives them?the option?of refinancing at a lower interest?rate;
• easy credit and low income standards, compared with conventional loans;
• the builder of a new home is required to give the purchasing veteran a one-year warranty, protecting the borrower against construction that conflicts with VA-approved specifications. Also, the VA will compensate the borrower for correction of structural defects in the home within four years of the loan guarantee if the defects seriously affect livability. An InterNACHI inspector should be hired to inspect for structural defects;
• the borrower may be charged only?the fees and other costs that the VA considers appropriate;
• the down payment may be financed. Closing costs and funding fees still apply, however; and
• in California, veterans may be eligible to receive additional benefits from a Cal-Vet Home Loan, such as reusability (you can receive a new Cal-Vet loan whenever you purchase a property as long as you have paid off previous Cal-Vet loans), and earthquake, fire and mudslide protection plans.

In order to be eligible for a VA home loan, the borrower must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility by completing the VA Form 26-1880. Veterans, active-duty, guard, reserve, and military spouses potentially qualify for this certificate. Veterans and active military personnel need to have served for a designated duration, depending on war- or peacetime, in order to be considered eligible.?The certificate states the?entitlement amount, which is the portion of mortgage that the VA will guarantee for each serviceperson. Keep in mind that the Certificate of Eligibility, while necessary for the loan process, only allows an eligible individual to apply for a home loan, but it does not guarantee loan approval.

In summary, VA loans offer eligible veterans a variety of benefits that are not available to recipients of conventional or even FHA loans.

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Today&#39;s Step-Parenting Links for August 14, 2012

By Emily Bouchard on August 14, 2012

• Congratulations Betty Ryan! Giving Credit to a Nation of Strong Single Mothers Social Security doesn't count parenting as "work." The tax code doesn't count parenting as "work." The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't count parenting as "work." Those statutory distinctions don't matter to wealthier parents like Ann Romney. She's ?
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• Parenting: Taking vacations without the kids
• 5 Parenting Decisions to Make From Your Gut When I was pregnant with my first child (before I knew I had twins on the way), my friend Dorothy sent me a parenting advice book. The book talked about something called the Family Bed. I got through two or three chapters before the twins arrived ?
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• Heading off into the great unplugged ?Should,? tends to be an elusive goal in my parenting world so instead they are huddled in front of an episode of ?Busytown,? and I sit a few feet away huddled in front of you, dear reader. The reason is a good one. . .well, there's always a good reason.
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• Behind the Cover Story: Ruth Padawer on Parenting Boys Who Dress Up As Girls
• Grab the Good: Five habits of happy families Let's face it, when it comes to difficult jobs, parenting is as hard as it gets. It can be lonely, isolating and frustrating, while filled to the brim with love, laughter and blessings every day. Refresh your parenting skills by implementing these ?
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• Frugal Parenting: Homeschool rooms or not? What do you do? Frugal Parenting: Homeschool rooms or not? What do you do? Published: Monday, August 13, 2012, 8:24 AM. Christie Dedman ? The Birmingham News By Christie Dedman ? The Birmingham News The Birmingham News Follow. 0. Tweet. Share close ?
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• Because i said so Perspectives in parenting Because i said so Perspectives in parenting. Kids' lunch boxes are a statement of cool. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World Rod Walton, Father of four | Colleen Almeida Smith, Mother of two | Michael Baby has no respect for time, not even this Target alarm clock.
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Posted in Parenting

Source: http://www.blending-families.com/blog/parenting/todays-step-parenting-links-for-august-14-2012/

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Farley Semour set to open his account in Nottingham&#39;s Caffreys ...

Farley Semour set to open his account in Nottingham?s Caffreys Puppy Classic - Heat 3

Ballymac Eske to destroy his opposition in Caffreys Puppy Classic - Heat 4

Farley Semour shaped very well on his debut, and would be the one to beat in Caffreys Puppy Classic - Heat 3, being held at Nottingham on Monday, August 13, 2012.

After making a few very good trial races, the blue dog made his debut earlier this month, and did not disappoint his supporters. Despite getting crowded in the beginning, the son of Hondo Black ran very well, and missed the glory only by half a length.

His performance was solid enough to believe that he can do an equally good job this time around. Among his opponents are: Killieford Deal, Droopys English, Teejaysblackhawk, Romeo Gallant and Rainham Tiger. The 500 metres event is going to be kicked off at 20:22 GMT.

Droopys English can show his skills from a good make up on the rails. Rainham Tiger appears to be flying a little high tonight. Teejaysblackhawk is from an in-inform kennel, but needs to ride his lucky in order to fancy some chances. It is a terrible draw for Romeo Gallant, who needs something extra special.

Killieford Deal produced a career-best show here earlier this month, and would be full of spirit. According to our calculations, it will be a tough battle between Killieford Deal and Farley Semour.

Heat 4 will see Ballymac Eske blitzing his opposition tonight. Other hounds in the pack are: Skywalker Flash, Agile Joker, Holbeins Champ, Norman Intrepid and Pop The Crystal. The ?150 clash is scheduled to begin at 20:37 GMT.

Ballymac Eske is coming off runner-up spot in the Wimbledon Puppy Derby. The fawn dog missed the glory only by a head?s distance. After such a classy act, he is in great position, and holds a very good chance tonight.

Pop The Crystal seems to be making up the numbers in hot heat. Norman Intrepid is making a huge jump in class, and not trustworthy. Skywalker Flash will probably have to wait for a better opportunity to open his account. Nothing suggests that Holbeins Champ can win tonight.

Agile Joker looks to be the second best after Ballymac Eske. The latter is in such a great shape that he can easily top the table. Good luck to all the runners.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.Com?s editorial policy.

Source: http://blogs.bettor.com/Farley-Semour-set-to-open-his-account-in-Nottinghams-Caffreys-Puppy-Classic-Heat-3-a180205

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