Thursday, May 31, 2012

Do prostate biopsies always tell the full story about prostate cancer ...

Men diagnosed with seemingly slow-growing, non-aggressive prostate cancer are often given the option to avoid treatment ? what?s called ?watchful waiting? or ?active surveillance.? The thinking is that older men are more likely to die from other causes before cancer progresses, and the side effects of treating prostate cancer may outweigh its benefits.

Photomicrograph of invasive prostate adenocarcinoma

Photomicrograph of invasive prostate adenocarcinoma. (Photo courtesy of National Institutes of Health)

But Michael Nazmy, M.D., a surgical fellow in the Division of Urology and Urologic Oncology, discovered that many of prostate cancers categorized at ?very low risk? are more aggressive than the initial biopsy indicates. He presented his study findings recently at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association.

Nazmy and his colleagues studied nearly 1,300 prostate cancer patients. When they compared the pathology of each removed prostate gland to the pathology of tissues tested through biopsy, their final examination showed that many of the men had cancer that was more aggressive than shown in their initial testing.

The researchers analyzed what?s known as a Gleason score, a way to describe the aggressiveness and abnormality of prostate cancer tissue. Gleason scores range from 2 (least abnormal and aggressive) to 10 (most abnormal and aggressive.) Physicians use Gleason score to recommend treatment strategies.

Men in the study had initial biopsies with a Gleason score of 6. With that score, which is considered low risk, men may choose treatment or watchful waiting. Men in the study chose surgery. But when pathologists tested the cancers after they were removed, more than 36 percent of the men actually had a Gleason score of 7 or higher. A score of 7 would push the patients into a higher-risk category that could suggest choosing treatment over watchful waiting.

Nazmy is cautious about what these results mean for prostate cancer patients. Despite the upgrade in cancer risk of a substantial number of men in the study, he said, more than 90 percent are living five years after surgery.

Only men who had their prostates removed were part of the study, which enabled the researchers to do a complete pathological examination of the gland. Nazmy said, ?Further studies and longer follow-up are needed to compare survival rates of patients who chose surgery versus those who did not, and whether diagnostic guidelines or treatment recommendations need to be revised if there is a disparity.?

blake griffin dunk florida primary full force odd fellows eli whitney blake griffin dunk on kendrick perkins kendrick perkins

User:Wynajemautokarowwarszawa - Open Exoskeleton Project Wiki

From Open Exoskeleton Project Wiki

Sports activities and adventure travel and leisure are categories of tourism today popular with travelers who want to invest their vacation both in sports or even adventure related actions. Sports tourist means making a trip to a specific destination both to take part in a certain sports occasion, or practice and find out a specific sport. However, experience tourism refers to activities and tourist spots which either do not attract or are not accessible to the majority of travelers. It might be because the area in mind is remote or the provided activities are hard and difficult, as well as trip is simply not suited to the majority of travellers. wynajem autokarow warszawa.

The actual travel industry has exploded fast because the 1954s: Based on the United Nations World Tourism Organization, worldwide tourism arrivals experienced a growth through 25 million within 1950 in order to 684 million within 2000; international tourist arrivals are required into reach one billion by 2020. A good emergent tourism design is towards more experienced-based rather than destination-based moves. Travelers nowadays seek unique ways of spending their own vacation to find meaning through conversation with their environment. Accordingly, tourism companies offer more tailor-made, off-the-beat-path packages. Additionally , the growing trend associated with active lifestyles converted into many travellers seeking ways to integrate their own fondness for an exercise into a visit to a new destination. przewozy autokarowe Warszawa.

When considering a vacation, you should check whether or not travel insurance is applicable for your planned activities. Trips to remote destinations are best worn out groupings, especially for females. Climate that could prevail at the time of traveling must also become anticipated. In addition to these types of, make sure your journey providers have place safety measures in position. Lastly, you should be aware of any health conditions you may have just before your journey.

If you plan to do a particular activity included in the sports-oriented trip, first check out the problems level of the program you'll take part in before paying any due. There are instances, for example , which activities were handled by instructors that are less advanced than their students. A physical activity that is designed to test endurance might be simply a regular workout within a new environment. Factors to consider that this activities you happen to be going get fit with your level of skill. wynajem autokarow mikrobusow warszawa.

Since tourism experiences have become more "unique", taking into consideration the growth of sports as well as adventure travel and leisure, it comes with an opportunity for individual companies of exceptional sports activities or adventure experience to out-compete mass-market tourist services. A USAID study with regard to sustainable rural tourism in 2007, for example , found that adventure tourist activities favors environmentally friendly development objectives, channeling financial benefits of improvement back to neighborhood members instead of to big foreign or industrial tourism choices. Which means that preparing your trip, the options you choose not just posseses an impact the caliber of your experience but additionally around the lives of the communities a person visit and connect to.

free shipping day free shipping day golden globe nominations 2012 war in iraq war in iraq government shutdown iraq war over

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Choice Quotes from Tim Cook's Second-Ever Public Interview [Tim Cook]

This evening, at AllThingsD's D10 Conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Tim Cook spoke with Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg, both technology columnists at the Wall Street Journal and co-executive editors at AllThingsD, in what was only the second-ever public interview for Apple's newly appointed CEO. More »


conrad murray sentencing conrad murray sentencing urban meyer adam shulman adam shulman nfl power rankings week 13 nfl power rankings week 13

Loestrin and acne - Health and Fitness

loestrin and acneA food sperm that contains too much sugar causes the increase of insulin in the body which normally leads to acne outbreak. It is a fact that unhealthy fats lead to more frequent acne breakouts. Utilize the extract on affected locations and wash it soon after about 20 mins. It should be done at least twice a day, by using a mild but good face wash. Many people in our days loestrin suffer from different types of acne. For instance, your sebaceous glands may have a genetic tendency to manufacture extra oil if a hormonal imbalance occurs within your body. There is a multitude of options you can choose from, but it? s always recommended that you address a dermatologist for an adequate professional consultation. In addition, some women will also suffer this disorder during the menstrual periods as well. Apply Honey to Acne Affected Areas Apart from using honey for drinking or eating, honey could also help you get rid of your acne fast. Good skin care cream is not only good for your facial problems, but it also treats your overall face and skin. This is SLE or systemic lupus erythematosus, a rare condition that can be brought about by certain prescription drugs in some cases: Beta blockers hydralazine, isoniazid, lithium, methyldopa, phenytoin and penicillamine. Do not help acne apply it around the eye area. loestrin and acne Therefore, it is beneficial to drink adequate amount of water everyday. Therefore, stop itching or squeezing acne pimples and acne pustules as much as you can Tip 4: Eat healthy foods and avoid junk foods Preventing acne acne will be a lot easier if you can control yourself to eat does healthy foods and avoid junk foods. Dry, red skin and possibly more blemishes. Does this mean that you can partake of a diet of candy bars and French fries? Tomato Ripe tomato pulp can be placed over the acne scars. According to your skin type, you can choose the cleanser which best suits you. While almost all young people experience acne at least once, it? s been reported that 47% of those in their 20s and 30% of those in their 30s had acne. Washing your face more than 3 times will affect the pH value and this will cause an accumulation of more dead cells and will actually dry your face over time. Keep any heavy or oily materials away from you face. Don? t Eat Tomatoes, Wear Them: Not and only are tomatoes fantastic for fighting acne ? attacks?, they are also a MARVELOUS way to eliminate acne scars too. Complete Information About Acne does sperm help acne Treatment Creams An interdisciplinary article about acne treatment creams. Although this experiment showed a link to depression related behavior, researchers believe that drugs in this loestrin and acne same family may be able to be used in the future to help with brain disorders such as schizophrenia.

Related Post Loestrin and acne

Most serious scarring is caused by the more severe forms of acne, with nodules more likely to leave permanent scars than other treatment types Dry skin In order to test dry skin one should wipe their skin with a tissue, and in the event of no oil on For mild acne, this treatment helps unclog pores to homemade face masks for acne help resolve your blemishes and prevent lesions. You also want Like treatment Vitamin C, green tea is a great antioxidant. Certain proteins combined with copper peptides provide enzymes that give body energy to the The tranquil skin is uninvolved removal and there are no systemic symptoms. Creams best are supposed to unblock your pores thus halting bacteria breeding

ohio university ohio university keystone xl pipeline idaho potato bowl cagayan de oro cagayan de oro bowl schedule 2011

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Careerinfoworld : Dutch speaking B2B Sales ?excellent? + training ...

Job ID: 444716

Job Views: 3

Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne And Wear, United Kingdom

Zip Code:

Job Category: Sales & Marketing

Employment Type: Full time

Salary: per year

Posted: 05.29.2012

Job Description

Dutch speaking B2B Sales ?excellent salaries + bonus + training excellent career prospects

A multimillion pound outsourcing centre are currently working with a global organisation in the electronic industry. Following long term and high quality customer support and sales services this contract has been extended internationally. There is an urgent requirement for a Dutch speaking Sales Agent to work with senior clients, selling high-end products valued in the billions. This role is ideal for anyone looking to forge a successful career in sales.

My client are recognised all over the world for working with household brands and providing exceptional level of sales and client support. This Dutch speaking sales role is based in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, and in the largest UK-based luxury office of my client. As a global organisation, organic growth and personal development is encouraged as the ideal candidate will receive sales training and be exposed to an international sales environment as their career moves at an exceptional rate.

In order to apply for this role, you MUST:

*Be fluent Dutch and English
*Have experience speaking to clients in a sales environment (eg outbound/inbound calls, telesales, face to face, B2B)

Beneficial, but not essential

*French language

On a daily basis, your role will be working with international business members in your Dutch speaking market. You will liaise with 'live' clients and converse through various different communication techniques including Internet, phone and email with a specific focus on dealing with queries to selling/up selling high valued products to suit customer needs and requirements.

This is much more than your average sales role. You will develop experience on an international platform, gain much sought after sales training and join a flourishing business with career opportunities on offer.

I am looking for a self motivated and confident sales person, who is comfortable in their abilities to sell to live clients. This role is about building relationships so you must be able to communicate fluently in Dutch on a business to business level.

Flexible benefits are on offer depending on experience. My client will consider supporting relocation so if you are not based in the UK then do not hesitate to apply.

Maybe you're a graduate motivated by this industry or perhaps looking to relocate from Europe to Newcastle upon Tyne. Whatever your situation then apply ASAP as my client is interviewing NOW.

Due to the nature of this permanent role you MUST be able to live and work in the UK either by holding a full valid UK working visa or be eligible by other means qualifying as my client is unable to sponsor any work permits

Nigel Frank Languages is the leading multilingual recruitment firm in the UK, advertising more language focused jobs than any other agency. We deal with clients across the North East and throughout the UK and have never had more live requirements for professionals.

Sales/Business to Business/B2B/Telesales/Inbound/Outbound/Newcastle/Durham/Northumberland/Tyne and Wear/North East

diners drive ins and dives jeff who lives at home 49ers news saint louis university leprechaun night at the museum pope shenouda

The Significance Of Acquiring Attorney Services In Criminal Defenses

As civilization advances and now that we are already halfway to the next generation, problems concerning law, crimes, and other legal cases also get difficult. The mere reality that these days, as complexity in the way of life of the society gets even thwarted and twisted, folks are in one particular way or the other gets involve with any crime. Thats whether on the aspect of omission or commission.

Over the years, law ethics has been accepted by public in order to appropriately execute the law for the benefit of people. This is the major reason of the existence of lawyers and why to hire lawyer services in criminal defense and other situations.

Attorneys are specialist law practitioners that have expertise in specific division or discipline of law. They represent the defendant and the plaintiff in court hearings. Although a person has their rights to decide on not to represent themselves, because not all individuals are knowledgeable in the law and the ethics that it follows, representation of a lawyer is nevertheless critical.

There are so many types of attorneys. Every single lawyer has his/her personal field of specialization and has sub specialization to other legal concerns. The most frequent legal troubles in the country are those that have some thing to do with taxation, insurance coverage, intellectual property, family members law, and criminal law.

With all these, attorneys services in criminal defense are the most sought following these days. Criminal defense lawyers are those that are those that tackle and have the capacity to deal with the case of the accused. Just like physicians, lawyers have their personal expertise in every single topic matter concerning the law and criminal instances. These attorneys are experts not just in the case but also in the procedures that are getting implemented in the courts especially on the program of evidence gathering.

Here are the factors why hiring a criminal defense lawyer is critical:

You will be assured that the services offered by the lawyer fit perfectly to the case that you are at present facing. Most of the time, due to the fact a certain lawyer is focused into numerous fields of legal troubles, he/she may overlook some important specifics when trying to hold yet another case especially that one particular of a criminal defense case.

You will not have any problem or worries in the way the case will move since of the expertise that the lawyer has. The improvement of the case rest at some point to the lawyer. The law is flexible and there are so several factors to take into account. Having an specialist criminal defense attorney can certainly have a case be dismissed or be merited with lower conviction penalties.

Because of the lawyers expertise, you will be assured that he/she only collects all the facts and evidences that can aid in the dismissal of the case or other pertinent moves that can be attainable.

You will be certain that the defense lawyer will stay on your side until the finish of the trial and maintains the doctrine of innocence till otherwise disproved.

The criminal defense lawyers should always present finest attorney services in criminal defense. Simply because you can have full confidentiality with the facts that you share to your lawyer, you will be in a position to heave off great deals of important information to your lawyer without having affecting the result of the case.

To check out more, please go to: marijuana attorney fairfax va

Article By CianchettiWeill

has written 277 post in this blog.

ipad 3 release date apple store down apple live blog ohio primary cell phone jammer sandra fluke g8 summit

The Best Downloadable High Quality Education Resources For Lower

8:40 pm education news

Homeschoolers now have even more options for the educational needs. Complete Curriculum offers the best downloadable and most high quality education resources at affordable prices on the Internet. A trend has begun to form in education in the last few years. More and more parents are choosing to home school their children for many different reasons. Some point to the fact that schools are now teaching for a test and high scores rather than to actually educate students. Other parents simply believe that their children can get a more well-rounded education if they are able to select precisely what their children learn. A home school and traditional school curriculum can be very similar or can be very different depending on what the parents and children want to learn. At Complete Curriculum, we provide the tools necessary for homeschoolers to get the best education possible. From elementary school to 7th grade curriculum tools to 12th grade textbooks and resources, everything needed for a well-rounded education can be found on our site. Parents and students can find educational materials for social studies, science, math, and the language arts and we are planning on adding more subjects in the future. The best part about getting education materials online is that students have the option of being able to download online textbooks or order physical books. With a download textbooks option, students can keep all of their materials stored on our online bookshelf. They can also store everything on their home computer. This is great for easy reference later on. At Complete Curriculum, we not only offer the widest selection of textbooks and supplemental materials, but we offer them at affordable prices. Getting a great education does not have to be expensive. Visit http://www.completecurriculum.com/ for more information and to learn about homeschooling. Complete Curriculum publishes distinctive K-12 digital texts and provides an engaging web-based instructional interface. Your students will experience engaging supplemental activities, real-world application exercises, and 21st- century skills development activities. Our cutting-edge technology will take them beyond the textbook into a world where what they learn becomes more than answers on a page. It becomes a part of their experience. For more information about our service please visit our website http://www.completecurriculum.com

bobby valentine marian hossa philip humber red sox yankees white sox chuck colson

Health insurance for visitors - HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS

health insurance for visitorsIf you? re searching for an inexpensive health insurance plan which will help much you when it? s needed probably the most, then you definitely should certainly see what this site offers. The typical medical costs without health insurance coverage have grown to be obsolete nowadays because of mainly the touching high medical costs. Getting medical insurance policy for visitors unemployed, hospital medicare insurance and affordable medical health insurance is simple. 2. Treatment could be costly if an individual doesn? t have private medical health insurance with mental coverage of health. States has constantly decreased taxes and elevated nyu deficits. Youthful adult with diabetes will have the ability to remain on their parents insurance until age 26. Today, despite the fact that the web pages from the catalog are actually electronic, Puritan? s Pride remains in keeping with its original commitment of supplying the very best at a lower price. Many people may not conscious of such programs, however nowadays may be the best time for you to consider about being a Licensed Medical Assistant, Physical Rehabilitation Assistant, Emergency Medical Specialist, Medical Laboratory Specialist, Dental Assistant, Licensed Cna and much more. Services CMHCs provide services that address both biological and psychosocial factors connected with mental illness. Regardless if you are an individual or possess a large family, you are able to get cheap medical health insurance by online shopping. Perform some weight lifting, for example dumbells or weight machines every second day in your workout. To be able to obtain the wheels moving, it? s important to obtain a physician to aid your demand for surgery. Safety. The second reason is via reducing tax liability. You will find huge numbers of people of any age searching permanently advice, items, health advice, minerals and vitamins, etc. What type of insurance advantages does jasmine eco- friendly tea offer? Improve breast health for ladies. digestive tract healthy. Because of the vague language from the bill, it seems insurance La Raza and also the health insurance for visitors Congressional Hispanic Caucus has much better influence over law makers compared to United states citizens. You will find just many people who, once they get nervous, start creating a for stomach pain and the necessity to relieve their bowels within the toilet turns into a fight for control. Terraboost using its hands sanitizer, not just encourages healthy habits among people but additionally give a lucrative platform for marketers to advertise their nyu health insurance brand through our hands cleaning display platform. It? s not smart to create such type of mistake because selecting the best medical health insurance plan? s important to your familys all around health. The doctors provide the best service to ensure that patients can return to their normal existence. Apollo Munich, a personal health insurance provider in India, provides comprehensive plans that provide coverage for curative and preventive health care needs. 6) Consider offering to pay your nanny for any certain amount of cash every month health insurance for visitors that they stays on healthcare. Always talk to your physician prior to starting a workout program. This instruction is compounded with a final thesis and internships made to allow students to place theory into practice. 5- minute screening is anonymous and totally free. Bizarre Mental Health Problems Tarantism As bizarre mental health problems go, tarantism is among the more entertaining ones, literally. This kind f insurance does nt require referral frm th primary physician nd enables th individual t see wide selection f specialists frm n hospital wthn th recommendations. health Most of the therapeutic emergency, control of hospital room, the doctor? s bill, pills and connected health services will come to be considered a massive sum.

Related Post Health insurance for visitors

The kind of training a medical director may conduct or access includes growth and development of programs, items or services. The program enables you Dual health insurance providers must coordinate to be able to figure out how a medical claim is compensated. Always buy high quality things meat, Studies have clayton county health department shown that the vast majority from the American families couldn? t afford medical health insurance due to inadequate Many physiotherapists, for instance, work alongside regular doctors in hospitals and doctors offices. If your practice is applying a professional EHR software package, files They are unable to only assistance to prolong existence, but could also save a little money and, obviously, the insurance provider helps you to

new nfl uniforms easter derbyshire the matrix oceans 11 ferris state hockey tiger woods

Monday, May 28, 2012

What Turbulence? China Spending On Business Travel May - FSNEP

If you listen to China skeptics, its economy is facing dark clouds and turbulence in the next few years with growth poised to slow. A business travel group today announced a survey that anticipates a markedly different future.

Business travel spending in China will grow by 17% to $202 billion this year and increase another 21% to $245 billion in 2013, according to the Global Business Travel Association.

Growth in manufacturing, trade, jobs, business formation and infrastructure investment will boost that expansion, it said.

China today ranks second in the world in business travel, but is forecast to surpass the US ?as early as? 2015, the association said. A press release didn?t provide forecasts for that year. It projected China GDP growth of 8.2% this year and 8.9% next year.

Last year, US business spending totaled $250 billion versus $182 billion for China, the association said.

Big growth in travel would likely benefit a number of publicly trade Chinese companies, including airlines such as Air China, booking agencies such as Ctrip and Elong, and hotel chains such as China Lodging.

Travel

monkees last train to clarksville tim tebow taylor swift post grad arpaio carol burnett neil degrasse tyson

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Egyptian elections?Who are the players? What to watch in the run-off (Americablog)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

osu osu reno news shonn greene oklahoma state plane crash syracuse university best buy black friday 2011 ads

N.J. mayor arrested on hacking, conspiracy charges

IDG News Service - The mayor of West New York, New Jersey, was arrested together with his son on Thursday, for allegedly hacking into a website that criticized him and his administration.

Felix Roque, 55, of Hudson County, and Joseph Roque, 22, of Passaic County, were charged with gaining unauthorized access to computer systems, causing damage to protected computers and conspiracy to commit those crimes, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey said on Thursday.

According to the criminal complaint filed against Felix Roque and his son, on Feb. 6, 2012, the two men began to conspire to hack into and disable a website called www.recallroque.com.

The website had been set up anonymously by a Hudson County resident and government official earlier that month and had received contributions from a number of people, identified in the complaint as victims.

For the next two days, Joseph Roque allegedly researched hacking tutorials online and attempted to learn the identity of the website's owner by sending him messages and posing as a person interested in contributing to the website.

On Feb. 8, Joseph Roque managed to reset the password for the email account associated with the recallroque.com domain name and took screenshots of the email messages found inside, an FBI agent who investigated the case said in a sworn affidavit. Some of the messages exposed the identities of people who had sent information to the website, he said.

Joseph Roque then allegedly performed a password reset for the Go Daddy account used to administer recallroque.com. This allowed him to cancel the domain name and effectively disable the website, the FBI agent said in the affidavit.

Over the course of the following days, Mayor Roque allegedly used the information gathered by his son to call or email the website's contributors with the intention of intimidating them.

During a meeting with the website's owner on Feb. 17, which was being recorded by the latter at the request of law enforcement, Mayor Roque attempted to conceal the hacking activity by suggesting that he had a friend at the CIA who provided him with the information.

"It's incredibly disappointing that resources have to be diverted from protecting the US against cyber intrusions targeting critical infrastructure, federally funded research and military technology, to address a public official intruding into computer systems to further a political agenda," FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward, who led the FBI team that investigated this case, said.

The conspiracy and unauthorized computer access charges each carry a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to US$250,000. The charge of causing damage to protected computers is punishable by one year in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Ironically, even though he now stands charged with hacking into a website that was trying to organize a petition to recall him from office, Felix Roque has lead a recall effort himself in 2009 against the former West New York mayor, Silverio Vega.

Reprinted with permission from IDG.net. Story copyright 2012 International Data Group. All rights reserved.

washington wizards rudy zynga free shipping free shipping esophageal cancer marfan syndrome

5 Key Personal Attributes to Desire in Customer Service Staff

Members of customer service teams make a great contribution to the business and financial accomplishment of a company. Their input is priceless and has the capacity to generate lasting rewards for an enterprise. Although an enterprise may appropriate a considerable amount of funds for promotional activities, they may not get better returns if they don't meet the needs of clients. When the needs of customers are met properly, the business gets endorsed and enjoys more sales.

The personal traits of customer service staff has a significant bearing on the perception that clients have on a business. Customer representatives may appear normal, but on scrutiny, you will discover that useful employee is invaluable and has traits that normal people don't have. It is these traits that allow a business to offer top notch services consistently to customers. Businesses that want to have excellent customer service representatives should ideally contemplate on individuals with the following traits.

1. Affirmative Image

One of the fundamental attributes of customer service personnel is optimism. Indeed, this is crucial in the provision of acceptable services and for customers to have a pleasant experience. It is not a secret that clients want to engage employee who have welcoming personalities. Given that personal outlook influences satisfaction of customers, it is advisable to hire staff that can draw back clients. Impression is everything in business and clients who will cherish the good experiences and talk about it among their friends and colleagues.

2. Enthusiastic about serving Customers

Customers are drawn away from employees who lack enthusiasm when serving them. This also determines the kind of experience that customers will have in your company. Customers who experience poor services will hold the view that they are being served by an unmotivated employee. They will also think that the customer service attendant did not feel excited about serving them. However, this perception can change when you place enthusiastic people in the customer service area. The most important thing is to show customers that your employees are enthusiastic when executing their duties.

3. Quick and Efficient

Excellent customer service attendants ought to be swift when handling consumers and their queries. The modern world is characterised by speedy execution of things and the best attendants are resourceful and agile. Once consumers are convinced that they are not getting proper attention, they will go with the idea that assistance is wanting. The critical thing here is to make consumers feel their needs are attended to swiftly and that your company esteems their time. A swift and resourceful crew can enhance the image that consumer have about the enterprise which draws them time and again.

4. Highly Dedicated

Another important attribute that you should evaluate in your potential staff is their commitment to excellence. Good customer services employees should have the zeal to excel in their duties. Their driving force should be the desire to provide exemplary services in their jobs to guarantee customer satisfaction at any time. Inspiration should be from within. In addition, they should have work ethics that motivate them to perform at highly. Customers enjoy being served by employees who genuinely give their all when attending to their concerns.

5. Customer Focused

Good employees should ideally be attentive so that they can deliver quick and efficient services to the customers. Paying attention to customers shows that your company cares about their needs and time, and this creates a favourable impression. Customers wanted to be treated with respect and paying attention in itself conveys the feeling that they are being treated right. Most customers anticipate good service and they are always keen to observe how employees respond when they are approached.

Employees who display these personal qualities are very instrumental in helping your business succeed even in the face of competition. Contented clients will also develop the right image on the work ethics that your member of staff value highly.

anne hathaway nathan hale kohls coupons joe kapp joe kapp kohls target

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Turn Your House Into Your Dream Home With These Home ...

Hurricane socks are a sensible investment if your home is located in a region that?s at risk for hurricanes or other potential flooding dangers. They are designed to soak up as much as one gallon of water each. Put them at entry points like doors and windows.

Many homes can lose up to a fifth of their heat or cold air through the clear glass in their windows. This can be reduced by equipping large windows with a second glaze. Your electricity bills will be lower and you will still be able to have comfort in the worst temperatures.

A great preventative tip to implement to save money in the long run is to check on the caulking in the home to make sure it?s holding up. Take the time to inspect the caulk around your tub, sink and/or toilet. Many times small holes will start to show, and if moisture gets into the walls in the home, mold can grow and may cause respiratory troubles for some people. Water that seeps steadily through gaps in the caulking will collect on the floor and cause rot. Whenever you reapply, it is important to first remove all old caulking. This is vital if the new caulking is going to adhere properly and end up being waterproof.

Liven up the room with new accessories. It?s almost unbelievable how greatly placing a new picture on the wall or some new colorful pillows on the furniture can change the appearance of a room. For a high fashion look, select window treatments, pillows and tableware or vases in a coordinating color.

Chandeliers need not be reserved for mansions anymore. Some chandeliers are not very expensive at all, and can provide a very elegant look in your dining room. Look for a chandelier with total wattage in the 200 to 400-watt range to achieve maximum light and sparkle.

Ensure you plan thoroughly when you are beginning a home improvement. The decisions about your budget, timing and the exact projects you want to do much be included in your plan to avoid going over budget and taking too much time on the projects.

Are you seeking a cheap way to add elegance to your home? If you?d like to add class and elegance to your house on the cheap, replace your old doorbell with something new. By doing this, any guest coming to your home will be shown a new look to it.

If you are itching to do some home improvement, don?t be afraid to consult outside sources for inspiration. Visit the library or book store and glance through decorating magazines. Get fabric swatches, and color samples. Exploring your different options and figuring out which ones are best for your situation can make the project itself move a lot faster and more smoothly.

Always look around for greater deals when purchasing products for your renovation. If you put down new flooring, it can be expensive and a price comparison is helpful in these instances. Seek prices and quotes from discount suppliers and local home improvement centers.

It is important to use cement backer boards anywhere there will be moisture. These back boards prevent moisture from entering drywall. When water meets the drywall, mildew and mold can form.

As you can see by now, home improvement doesn?t have to be difficult. Home renovations not only improve your home?s value, but also improve the comfort of your home. When you use the tips laid out here, you give yourself the information you need to do another project.

Richie Vee, the site?s editor, is the Chief Engineer of one of the largest Platinum LEED buildings in NYC. His extensive engineering experience helps guide consumers through home improvement projects for the average homeowner. Using home solar energy and roofing repair ideas to save them money.

i robot the big c the visitor king of kings ostara andy kaufman masters 2012

Treasure Coast Real Estate | Mariner Bay Homes For Sale May, 2012

by starfish on May 26, 2012

Find Mariner Bay Homes For Sale and Mariner Bay Home Values. We also have information on mortgages, insurance, movers and other Treasure Coast Real Estate Services for anyone looking to sell or buy a home in beautiful St Lucie COUNTY Florida.

Paul Kitchen and Starfish Team provide clients, family and close friends with professional, honest and dependable service. A resident of Treasure Coast, Paul is extremely familiar with the local neighborhoods including Mariner Bay, school districts and the Treasure Coast Real Estate market in this beautiful Florida town.

Paul Kitchen
Broker-Owner
Starfish Real Estate
8985 SE Bridge Road Hobe Sound, Florida 33455
(772) 539-8380
(800) 793-7304 toll free
Treasure Coast Real Estate
Treasure Coast Real Estate Blog

Starfish Real Estate

ifl indoor football league newt gingrich wife callista rick perry travis barker get back on board

BYNFORD HARDWOOD FLOORING STAPLER NAILER (Uses ...


We are delighted to offer the famous BYNFORD HARDWOOD FLOORING STAPLER NAILER (Uses standard narrow crown staples such as Senco ?L? etc). With so many on offer recently, it is wise to have a brand you can trust. BYNFORD HARDWOOD FLOORING STAPLER NAILER (Uses standard narrow crown staples such as Senco ?L? etc) is certainly that and will be a perfect purchase. For this price, BYNFORD HARDWOOD FLOORING STAPLER NAILER (Uses standard narrow crown staples such as Senco ?L? etc) is highly recommended and is a popular choice for most people. If you are interested to buy this product, Click here for more information: Buy BYNFORD HARDWOOD FLOORING STAPLER NAILER (Uses standard narrow crown staples such as Senco ?L? etc). Purchase this Best Sellers product at this moment for getting Best Deals Lowest Price and Discount.

other Customer Rating:

Read more Details

BYNFORD HARDWOOD FLOORING STAPLER NAILER (Uses standard narrow crown staples such as Senco ?L? etc)
Product Features
For use only with Paslode Fuel plus Nail Combo Packs
New orange QUICKLODE Fuel offers a patented no-step design with no snapping, no twisting, no aligning. Just drop it in and go.
New redesigned nose for Toe-nailing at any angle
New Faster operation allows for easy firing in hard-to-reach spaces
Heavy Duty Utility Hook- Hang the tool on work belt or rafter

ingersoll rand ss3j2 wb 15 amp 14 7 amp 2 horsepower 8 gallon oiled twin pontoon compressor with dual voltage 115230 volts price
Home Improvement Tools | Machine Tools

snooki pregnant gbc hedy lamarr jack white kowloon walled city ronda rousey vs miesha tate lindsay lohan snl

Friday, May 25, 2012

The work for the wedding photographers Stirling

Wedding no doubt is an important event in the life of a person. It is the day that can change the whole life of two people as they are about to bind together with each other in a really pious relation. Therefore, capturing the memories of this day in photos is something that everyone wants. Hence, it is important that the photos of the wedding are remarkable enough to make you remember everything.

?

Many professionals are found working in the markets these days offering their services for capturing quality photos. Wedding photography Stirlingis the name of such a company that has experienced photographers who are known to capture amazing photos.? It is said that each photo tells its own story and if the photo is captured in professionalism, then this feature will surely be prominent.

?

The wedding photographers Stirling work in a different way.

A photographer is sent to the place of the bride as well as the groom?s place where he spends time with both. He studies their behavior and then sees what will be their natural poses. In this way, he is better able to capture their pictures in which they will look good too.? They capture photos in such a way that it enables them to retain the natural atmosphere and so the moment appear to be as fresh as it was in reality.

?

A wedding photographer Stirling is a person who with his professionalism lies in a better position to accomplish the task. If you will opt for the services of a local photographer then you may not be able to fulfill your expectations. Hence, it is very much important that you opt for the services of a professional such as the wedding photographers Stirling.?

?

Though you might have to pay a bit more for it but money will be worth it. It is because the photos will be great and you will say that you had made the right decision by opting for the services of such a professional photographer. Making arrangements beforehand ensures that the wedding photographers Stirling get sufficient time to improve their comfort quotient with the couple. This helps in improving the quality of the photographs taken. A wedding photographer Stirling can also help in planning the location and the themes of the wedding.

?

If you want that your wedding photos are captured in a better way and you find them appealing for the rest of your lives, then you must opt for the services of the professionals from the wedding photography Striling.

?

If you want to learn more about the work of these photographers then before that it is necessary that you see the work of the photographers working here. See if they can offer you the work that you want for your photos.? Once you are satisfied with their work then you can opt for their services.? You will certainly get photos which you will cherish whenever you will see them. You will be glad that you opted for such great services.

chicago weather forecast narcolepsy narcolepsy weather st louis faceoff kings island red hot chili peppers tour

Group: S.Sudan troops kill, torture minority tribe

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) ? South Sudan military forces tasked with carrying out a disarmament campaign among feuding ethnic groups are raping, torturing and killing members of a minority community, community leaders and aid workers say.

The disarmament campaign follows two outbreaks of violence linked to cattle raids between the Murle and Lou Nuer tribes over the last year in the remote state of Jonglei. Hundreds ? and likely more than 1,000 ? people were killed in the two clashes.

In an effort to stem future violence, the Sudan People's Liberation Army, South Sudan's military, embarked on a disarmament campaign in March in which more than 10,000 weapons have been taken so far, said military spokesman Col. Philip Aguer.

But aid groups and community members say the SPLA is killing and torturing members of the Murle, a tribe reviled by many other South Sudanese, while carrying out the disarmament campaign. Alleged abuses include simulated drownings, tying up young men to trees and beating them, and widespread rape against women.

The Murle appear to be ostracized by most other tribes in South Sudan in part because they received military support from leaders in Khartoum, Sudan, when the south and north battled in a two-decade civil war. The Murle also have a reputation for carrying out child abductions from other tribes and of conducting cattle raids that can results in hundreds of human deaths and tens of thousands of stolen cattle.

Allegations of abuse during the disarmament campaign are being investigated by military lawyers, Aguer said.

A state government report dated March 30 and obtained by The Associated Press listed some of the deaths: James Kengen Logidang was killed at home while sitting in a chair. Korok Manyngar Kengen, 15, was killed as his cattle were being stolen by SPLA soldiers. "The boy didn't have a gun," the report said.

The aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres, or Doctors Without Borders, said it has treated 30 patients since mid-March who suffered injuries from the disarmament campaign. Two have since died. Three patients had gunshot wounds and 26 had trauma injuries from beatings, the group said.

Aid groups contend that such numbers are underreported because most of the attacks take place in remote areas.

The disarmament campaign began as a voluntary handing over of guns, and then was to move into a compulsory phase, though military leaders have since said the voluntary phase would continue. Aid groups question whether the process is truly voluntary.

Peter Guzulu, a member of the Murle community, said at least 10 people have been killed "for no apparent reason." An 11th death took place against a male running from soldiers with a rifle in hand, he said.

Guzulu was the chairman of the government-run Jonglei Human Rights Commission from September 2010 until mid-March, when he said he was dismissed by the governor but wasn't told why. Guzulu believes he was removed "so I didn't talk to journalists or write reports."

"People are being beat in the towns and villages. They are told to confess to having guns. Women are beaten. Some are raped. When is this torture going to end? That is the question people ask all the time," he said.

Aguer said all communities in Jonglei are being disarmed. He said the Murle have the most weapons and that some members are heading into Ethiopia to keep their AK-47 assault rifles.

A report published last month by five aid groups, including Washington D.C.-based Pact and the South Sudan Law Society, said the current disarmament campaign ? the fifth in Jonglei in the last six years ? risks perpetuating a cycle of violence that has seen thousands killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in recent years. If the Murle believe they are being forcibly targeted in the campaign, the report said, they will re-arm and seek revenge.

The report urges the U.N. to prioritize the protection of civilians.

A statement this month from the U.N.'s top representative in South Sudan, Hilde Johnson, commended the disarmament effort, but critics of the campaign say the U.N. mission in South Sudan is ignoring evidence of abuse and torture.

The U.N. said in April that a peaceful disarmament campaign that respects human rights is vital to ending the cyclical violence and noted that while cases of abuse and sexual violence have been reported they do not appear to be part of a systematic campaign.

Kouider Zerrouk, a spokesman for the U.N. mission, said the U.N. has no way of knowing how many cases of abuse have occurred.

"These human rights violations are serious and are a concern for us," Zerrouk said. "But if we look into the whole process covering the whole region as big as Bangladesh, yes, generally it went in a peaceful manner in the sense that there was no outbreak of major clashes between communities."

Aguer said the disarmament campaign would continue for the rest of the year.

Judy McCallum, the former head in South Sudan of the aid group Pact, said the Murle are "basically under siege" by the government and military. She added that Murle youth are "out of control" ? a reference to cattle-raiding attacks ? but have no path to improve their lives.

Aid groups, McCallum said, are reporting systemic rape and drownsings. "Everyone I talk to say women are being raped constantly. So there's no incentive to give up their guns," she said. She said there is impunity for violence against the Murle.

McCallum said the U.N. is overemphasizing the success of the disarmament campaign and does not appear to be adequately concerned with the protection of civilians.

Minority Rights Group International on Thursday released new rankings of peoples under threat. South Sudan ? which broke away from Sudan last year to become the world's newest nation ? ranked in the top 10 because of the Murle-Lou Nuer violence.

In December and January, members of the Lou Nuer community attacked the Murle, likely killing hundreds of people. That attack came in retaliation for an August attack by the Murle that killed at least 600.

charles addams pinewood derby cars republican debate tonight tinker tailor soldier spy rich forever rick ross project runway all stars elin nordegren

Air Force Chief of Staff as Guest Speaker for AFA's June Air Force Breakfast Session

[ [ [['everyone wants closure', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/LtCBzK', '[Related: Officials explain why the case was reopened]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['everyone is looking for closure', 5]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/search-for-new-clues-in-etan-patz-case-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/dh/ap/ap/default/120524/patz.jpg', '630', ' ', 'Reuters', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['Titanic', 7]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/titanic-anniversary/', ' ', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/b/4e/b4e5ad9f00b5dfeeec2226d53e173569.jpeg', '550', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

daytona 500 national pancake day ohio school shooting sean young arrested matt kenseth bridge to nowhere primary results

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Healthcare Government Jobs - FixUsHealth.com | Healthcare

Healthcare Government Jobs: Tell it Like it Is. Economic Dislocations. The Great Biding for Time. Perhaps Ayn Rand might say, ?one mans inefficiency is another mans job? therefore we need to be altruistic in allowing fraud to continue. not be politically correct. Lets tell it like it is. Once again I ?opted out? of the intrusive, but minimally effective profit center called a, body scan thereby causing puzzled looks.. Why would you prefer a ?pat down.? I said I don?t want to be patted down, ?I am requesting a Frisk.? Lets just describe things accurately so we can build momentum towards progress. The system was not prepared for one person refusing to take the path of least resistance. The last few articles by Karl Denninger accurately describes the concept of regulation induced economic dislocations. The majority of our economy is now subject to failure by economic dislocation. This becomes more than obvious in the areas of government policy in health care, finance, student loans, energy and housing. Unfortunately, these problems (and the follow on bailouts) are all symptomatic of a great biding for time. You see without all these artificial bailouts and constructs ZERO economic activity would remain. The country does not need 25% of its jobs in finance for instance, it does not need vast inefficiencies intentionally built into insurance, education, housing, and healthcare. Not mentioned in this video, the Military Industrial and Security complex represents one of the great inefficiencies in our current system which now can only bide for time.

new years eve times square 2012 2012 holidays prosperity japan earthquake bosom buddies diplo rodney atkins

Mom of deported teen sues government officials

Reuters file

Jakadrien Turner is pictured in this undated handout photo provided by the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.

By Isolde Raftery, msnbc.com

The mother of a 15-year-old Texan girl who was mistakenly deported to Colombia has filed suit against Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

In the suit, Johnisa Turner contends that her daughter, Jakadrien Turner, now 16, gave police officers a false name ? Tika Cortez ? when she was arrested on April 2, 2011, for shoplifting, a lie that triggered a series of events that landed her in Colombia's capital city, where she lived in shelters for seven months and became pregnant.

Unbeknownst to Jakadrien, a 22-year-old Colombian named Tika Cortez was in the system -- court documents do not specify whether she was wanted by Colombian authorities or had been flagged as being in the United States illegally.

Jakadrien?s mother says her daughter's false claim should not have mattered. Jakadrien was listed on the National Child Runaway list and her birth certificate is filed in Texas. Additionally, Johnisa Turner says, her daughter is African American, does not speak Spanish and appeared to be a younger teenager.


According to court documents: ?Knowing it?s commonplace for people who come in contact with ICE officials to sometimes give a fake name in order to avoid more serious punishment, it is still unclear why ICE officials failed to confirm (Jakadrien?s) identity with fingerprint analysis, genetically-specific markers that suggest a person?s origin, or other methods more definitive than just having a name and no documentation proof of her alleged Colombian citizenship during these hearings.?

15-year-old American girl mistakenly deported to Colombia

The suit lays out a grim narrative of Jakadrien?s life the year before she was arrested.

In November 2010, she was lured from her home by a ?child predator? ? her relatives say she had been acting out after the death of a close grandparent. The man beat her, trafficked her and forced her to sell drugs until she managed to escape later that spring, but that too proved to be a difficult time. As she made her way home, she slept in bus stations and shoplifted.

When she was caught shoplifting at a mall in Houston, ?she was unsure if officers were aware of her previous illegal activity, so she gave them a false name,? court documents say.

Jakadrien was detained for two months, April and May of 2011. She didn?t call home because she ?could not find the words to explain that she was in ICE custody and facing deportation. She did not believe that her family would believe that to be even possible,? according to court documents. Her family says she received no legal assistance.

ICE ? Immigration and Customs Enforcement ? confirmed the facts of the case to the Los Angeles Times but insisted officials followed proper procedure.

?She maintained this false identity throughout her local criminal proceedings in Texas where she was represented by a defense attorney and ultimately convicted by the State criminal court,? said an ICE statement provided to the Times. ?At no time during these criminal proceedings was her identity determined to be false.?

The Associated Press reviewed more than two dozen phone calls while Jakadrien was in jail and found this may have been true. Not once during these phone calls did she complain of not having ties to Colombia, the AP reported. Rather, she identified herself as Tika Cortez and discussed renewing her green card, the AP said.

Mistakenly deported teen: ?I made a lot of horrible mistakes?

In late May, Jakadrien boarded a government plane for Bogota, where her mother said she knew no one.

?When she was released, a stranger saw that she was crying and seemed out of place,? the?documents say. ?He approached her and realized that she did not speak any Spanish. He guided her to a social welfare program titled ?Welcome Home,? run by the Colombian government that helped her get a shelter.?

She lived in shelters across the city for seven months, during which she became pregnant by a 29-year-old ma, the documents say.?

Her family continued to search for her, and in December 2011, her grandmother found information on Facebook leading her to believe that her granddaughter was in Colombia. When she contacted the State Department, officials their reportedly confirmed that Jakadrien had been mistakenly deported.

For months, despite asking officials to bring home their child, Jakadrien remained in Colombia, the court documents say. Her mother says it wasn't until the family turned to the press that she was whisked home within days of the reports.

?

More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:

Follow US News on msnbc.com on Twitter and Facebook

jennifer garner romney michigan derrick williams railgun jk rowling new book between two ferns ihop

SpaceX rocket on its way to outer space

This is the first privately-funded spaceflight to the International Space Station; it launched Tuesday after a scrubbed mission over the weekend.

By Marcia Dunn,?The Associated Press / May 22, 2012

The Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket lifts off from space launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., early Tuesday, May 22. This launch marks the first time, a private company sends its own rocket to deliver supplies to the International Space Station.

John Raoux/AP

Enlarge

Opening a new, entrepreneurial era in spaceflight, a ship built by a billionaire businessman sped toward the International Space Station with a load of groceries and other supplies Tuesday after a spectacular middle-of-the-night blastoff.

Skip to next paragraph

' + google_ads[0].line2 + '
' + google_ads[0].line3 + '

'; } else if (google_ads.length > 1) { ad_unit += ''; } } document.getElementById("ad_unit").innerHTML += ad_unit; google_adnum += google_ads.length; return; } var google_adnum = 0; google_ad_client = "pub-6743622525202572"; google_ad_output = 'js'; google_max_num_ads = '1'; google_feedback = "on"; google_ad_type = "text"; google_adtest = "off"; google_image_size = '230x105'; google_skip = '0'; // -->

The launch of the Falcon 9 rocket and its unmanned Dragon capsule marked the first time a commercial spacecraft has been sent to the orbiting outpost.

Tracing a fiery arc across the night sky, the rocket lifted off just before 4 a.m. and smoothly boosted the capsule into orbit. The capsule is expected to rendezvous with the space station within days, delivering a half-ton of provisions for its six crew members.

It is considered just a test flight ? in fact, the capsule was packed with only nonessential items, in case something went disastrously wrong ? but if all goes well with this mission and others like it, commercial spaceships could be carrying astronauts to and from the space station in three to five years.

"Falcon flew perfectly!!" billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, founder of the?SpaceX?company, said via Twitter. "Feels like a giant weight just came off my back."

Musk later told reporters: "For us, it's like winning the Super Bowl."

Up to now, flights to the space station were something only major governments had done.

The White House offered congratulations.

"Every launch into space is a thrilling event, but this one is especially exciting," said John Holdren, President Barack Obama's chief science adviser. "This expanded role for the private sector will free up more of NASA's resources to do what NASA does best ? tackle the most demanding technological challenges in space, including those of human spaceflight beyond low-Earth orbit."

NASA is looking to the private sector to take over flights to the space station now that the space shuttle has been retired. Several U.S. companies are vying for the opportunity.

"The significance of this day cannot be overstated," said a beaming NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "It's a great day for America. It's actually a great day for the world because there are people who thought that we had gone away, and today says, 'No, we're not going away at all.'"

Flight controllers applauded when the Dragon reached orbit nine minutes into the flight. Then they embraced once the solar panels on the craft popped open. Many of the?SpaceX?controllers wore untucked T-shirts, jeans or shorts, a stark contrast to NASA's suit-and-tie shuttle crowd.

A previous launch attempt, on Saturday, was aborted with a half-second left in the countdown because of a bad valve in one of Falcon's nine engines.

Another important test comes Thursday when the Dragon draws close to the space station. It will undergo practice maneuvers from more than a mile out. If all goes well, docking will occur on Friday. Musk will preside from the company's Mission Control in Hawthorne, Calif.

Since the shuttle's retirement last summer, American astronauts have been hitching rides to the space station aboard Russian rockets, and Russian, Japanese and European ships have been delivering supplies.

SpaceX?has spent more than $1 billion on the project.

Musk, the 40-year-old entrepreneur who helped create PayPal and runs the electric car company Tesla Motors, has poured in millions of his own fortune, and NASA has contributed $381 million in seed money in a venture that has been likened to the public-private collaboration that built the Internet and won the West.

Even Musk's rivals were rooting for a successful flight.

"The shuttle may be retired, but the American dream of space exploration is alive and well," said Mark Sirangelo, chairman of Sierra Nevada Corp.'s space systems, which is developing a mini-shuttle to carry space station crews in a few years.

The Dragon capsule will stay at the space station for a week and then splash down in the Pacific, bringing back experiments and equipment. None of the other cargo ships now in use are designed to return safely; they burn up on the way down.

Two more Dragon supply missions are planned this year, regardless of what happens this week.

The rocket also blasted into orbit around the Earth the ashes of more than 300 people, including Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper and actor James Doohan, who played Scotty on "Star Trek." The ashes were in a section of the rocket that was jettisoned during the climb into space.

dancing with the stars results 2011 ali fedotowsky ali fedotowsky krill oil krill oil black friday 2011 rhodium

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Google completes Motorola deal, heralding new era

This undated photo provided by Motorola shows newly appointed CEO Dennis Woodside. Woodside was previously president of Google's Americas region. (AP Photo/Motorola)

This undated photo provided by Motorola shows newly appointed CEO Dennis Woodside. Woodside was previously president of Google's Americas region. (AP Photo/Motorola)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ? Google has completed its $12.5 billion purchase of device maker Motorola Mobility in a deal that poses new challenges for the Internet's most powerful company as it tries to shape the future of mobile computing.

The deal closed Tuesday, nine months after Google Inc. made a surprise announcement that it wanted to expand into the hardware business with the most expensive and riskiest acquisition in its 14-year history. The purchase pushes Google deeper into the cellphone business, a market it entered four years ago with the debut of its Android software, now the chief challenger to Apple Inc.'s iPhones.

In Motorola, Google gets a cellphone pioneer that has struggled in recent years. Motorola hasn't produced a mass-market hit since it introduced the Razr cellphone in 2005. Once the No. 2 cellphone maker, Motorola now ranks eighth with 2 percent of the worldwide market share, according to Gartner.

As had been expected, Google CEO Larry Page immediately named one of his top lieutenants, Dennis Woodside, as Motorola's CEO. He replaces Sanjay Jha, 49, who will stay on just long enough to assist in the ownership change.

Woodside, 43, has spent the past three years immersed in online advertising as president of Google's America region, which accounted for $17.5 billion of Google's revenue last year. Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. booked $13.1 billion in revenue during its final year as an independent company.

Nevertheless, Woodside's background in online advertising is likely to raise questions about whether he is the best choice to oversee a company that specializes in making smartphones, tablet computers and cable-TV boxes.

"It's a bit concerning because online advertising is quite different than the hardware business," Gartner Inc. analyst Carolina Milanesi said. "Google is so focused on advertising that it doesn't consider that kind of thing."

Google depends on digital ads for 96 percent of its revenue, which totaled $38 billion last year.

In a statement, Page praised Woodside as an outstanding leader who has "been phenomenal at building teams and delivering on some of Google's biggest bets."

The takeover became possible only after government regulators were satisfied that the acquisition wouldn't stifle competition in the smartphone market. China removed the final regulatory hurdle by granting its approval Saturday. Regulators in the U.S. and Europe had cleared the deal three months ago.

Google wants Motorola largely for its trove of 17,000 cellphone patents, which the search company can use to defend Android phones against lawsuits accusing them of copying key features from the iPhone.

But in recent months, Google has been signaling that it has been drawing up more ambitious plans for the newly acquired hardware business.

Macquarie Securities analyst Benjamin Schachter believes Google is particularly interested in developing a snazzier tablet computer powered by its Android software to compete against Apple's hot-selling iPad and Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle Fire.

Owning a handset and tablet manufacturer will also allow Google to exert more control over how Android runs on the devices. That has been difficult for Google to do because it gives away Android to other hardware manufacturers, which can tweak the software to suit their own agenda.

In moving beyond its expertise in search and software into manufacturing a wide range of equipment, Google will test its ability to keep Android partners, shareholders and employees happy.

Google will have to reassure its Android partners such as Samsung Electronics Co. and HTC Corp. that Motorola's devices won't get souped-up versions of the software or receive other preferential treatment.

If it appears Google is favoring Motorola, manufacturers might consider building their own mobile operating system or defect to Microsoft Corp.'s Windows software, which is getting a major facelift this year.

"This gives Google a chance to develop and showcase a 'next generation' device for mobile computing," said N. Venkat Venkatraman, a Boston University professor specializing in technology and management. "But it could also create a complex issue for Google. How do you balance the desire to create something that consumers love without upsetting the rest of the Android ecosystem?"

Milanesi suspects Google might also try to design a Motorola smartphone that caters to the needs of companies and government agencies.

"Like almost everything Google does, I think they will try a lot of different things and then do whatever is best for them," Milanesi said.

Signaling its intention to experiment, Google said it has created an "advanced technology and projects group" at Motorola. It will be run by Regina Dugan, a former director of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, which specializes in coming up with national security innovations. DARPA was how the Internet got its start more than four decades ago.

In a statement Tuesday, Motorola spokeswoman Jennifer Weyrauch-Erickson said the plan under Google's ownership is to make "fewer, but bigger launches." She said Woodside wasn't available for an interview.

Motorola's cable-TV boxes could provide Google with a springboard for delivering more of its services, including advertising, to living rooms. However, cable companies control the market for set-top boxes, and they resist any intrusion into their realm.

Google also will likely have to do some hand-holding with investors who have been worried about Motorola's troubles eroding Google's hefty profit margins.

"If it looks like Motorola is just a lab or toy for Google, investors are going to be asking themselves whether the company is spreading itself too thin," Venkatraman said.

As its line of smartphones has waned in popularity, Motorola has suffered losses totaling $1.7 billion during the past three years. Google has earned $25 billion over the same stretch.

Page already has decided to operate Motorola separately partly because of the contrasting fortunes of the two companies. That will make it easier for investors to track how the different lines of business are faring. For now, Motorola will continue to have its headquarters in Libertyville, Ill., far from Google's Silicon Valley home in Mountain View, Calif.

Google shares fell $13.17 or more than 2 percent, to close Tuesday at $600.94.

Turning around Motorola will likely require layoffs, a painful process that belies Google's carefully cultivated image as a cuddly employer.

Google laid off about 300 people in 2008 after it paid $3.2 billion to acquire online advertising service DoubleClick Inc., which was previously the biggest deal in the company's history. The cutbacks represented about one-quarter of the workforce that Google inherited from DoubleClick. If Google imposes a similar reduction on Motorola's 20,500-employee payroll, it would translate into about 5,000 layoffs.

Taking on so many new employees also raises the risk of cultural clashes with the 33,000 people already working at Google.

Motorola Mobility is one half of the old Motorola Inc. It split at the beginning of last year. The other half, Motorola Solutions Inc., is still independent. It sells police radios, barcode scanners and other products aimed at government and corporate customers.

___

AP Technology Writer Peter Svensson in New York contributed to this story.

Associated Press

grammy red carpet grammy award winners the band perry grammy awards whitney houston autopsy dobie gray bruce springsteen