2012 grammy awards powerball results pebble beach golf beverly hilton roland martin whitney houston dead at 48 whitney houston dead 2012
বৃহস্পতিবার, ২৮ ফেব্রুয়ারী, ২০১৩
Spyware Implanted in PDFs Has Been Sneaking Into Government Computers Worldwide
Marcelo Giugale: Can Governments Create Industries?
It is an old debate. Back in the '50s and '60s, from Asia to Latin-America, an idea caught fire among development economists: governments should try to create industries. Typically, civil servants would pick industries that could employ lots of people or substitute imports, required huge upfront investments, were considered strategic, or just smacked of modernity. Those industries were then treated like "infants" -- in need of all kinds of support until they could survive on their own. They were given tax breaks, protection from foreign competitors, cheap credit, subsidized energy, public contracts, even capital injections courtesy of the taxpayers. Think of toys, trucks, refrigerators, cement, steel and petro-chemicals - -they were all going to be produced locally, whatever it took. (If you are over 50 and grew up in a developing country, fond memories of your family's car or TV set are surely coming to your mind: it carried a national brand, cost a fortune and broke down all the time.)
The experiment ended in tears. Yes, there were a few successes in East Asia that astonished naysayers. (Legend has it that one of the world's leading banks told Japan in the 1960's that it would never be competitive at making cars.) But in most cases, the infants failed to grow and dragged the economy down with them. Consumers were saddled with lower-quality products at higher prices, banks with unpaid loans, and governments with covering the losses of uncompetitive companies, year after year. Corruption added an ugly veneer to the whole thing -- after all, you were giving away benefits to a chosen few. By the late 1980's, countries were busy selling off their public enterprises, opening their economies, and letting markets decide what was produced where. That, we thought, would be the last we would hear about "industrial policy."
Well, you'd be surprised. Today, developing countries rich in oil, gas or minerals are desperately looking for policies to diversify their economies, not just because the price of natural resources could unexpectedly tank, but because the business of extraction does not create enough jobs. They have money to invest -- think Africa. Even in countries that are doing well, governments are searching for ways to make their industries more high-tech and avoid being trapped half-way up the technological ladder -- think Brazil. But everyone wants a new -- read, smarter -- industrial policy, one that avoids the mistakes of the past. They just might be on to something.
To start with, new industrial policy is not about bureaucrats picking products to manufacture domestically. If anything, it is about the private sector pointing out to policy-makers the obstacles that make it unable to sell abroad -- from a flickering electricity supply to corrupt customs officials. Far from closing the economy, the goal is to join the global market. Enterprises remain private. Everyone in the industry can compete for public support; it is not a privilege given to a favored firm or businessman. When public money is involved, it is mainly to improve logistics, infrastructure or technology. Obviously, regulations that restrict trade are done away with first. A good example: a $10 million a year public investment in controlling skin parasites in cattle could unlock Ethiopia's potential as a major exporter of quality leather, assuming the virtual ban on leather exports was lifted.
In fact, the new approach is really about information and coordination. If a public agency knows something that can help businesses prosper -- say, a better technique to get organic certifications -- it passes it along for free. If some regulation or procedure hurts investors -- say, customs clearances that take too long -- they have a friendly ear in a ministry to get it fixed quickly. The corrective actions usually call for coordination among many parties: it is not practical for hundreds of producers by themselves to try to negotiate free-trade agreements, build ports or draft laws. Instead, the government takes the lead on those initiatives. Of course, all this assumes that private business and public officials get along, share a common objective, and have a system in place to communicate. And it is almost impossible when the basics to operate an industry -- from a stable currency to respect for property rights -- are not in place. That's why industrial policy, new or old, no matter how well-intentioned, doesn't works when the rest of your economic policy is in shambles.
But how about new products? Who decides what else to export? There are some mathematical calculations that technocrats can make to sniff for markets where their country could do well, where it has "comparative advantage." (To get a sense of what comparative advantage means, ask yourself this: if you can mow the grass much better than your gardener but are also an attorney making $1,000 an hour, would you ever touch the lawnmower? Lawyering is your comparative advantage.) But, in general, it is better to let business-people do what they do best: to find opportunities to make money. You can help a bit by, for example, letting them locate close to each other -- in what are called "clusters." In Silicon Valley, Guadalajara or Seoul, creative people feed on each other. Still, don't expect that totally out-of-the-blue products will always emerge; more likely, your industries will branch out gradually into ventures where they can use some of the knowledge they already have -- from shoes to handbags, not satellites.
So, will this "new industrial policy," which sounds less exciting and less revolutionary than its previous version, work? Let's say that it cannot hurt. If done in the open, private-public collaboration is a win-win. But you are entitled to be skeptic, especially if your government has not been able to deliver simpler services -- like a teacher in every class, clean water and a decent police force. That is, if you live almost anywhere in the developing world.
?
Follow Marcelo Giugale on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Marcelo_WB
"; var coords = [-5, -72]; // display fb-bubble FloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, 'top', {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: 'clear-overlay'}); });
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcelo-giugale/can-governments-create-in_b_2781119.html
anthony davis palm sunday toure patti smith lottery winners lottery winners april fools day pranks
FW de Klerk speaks about cancer experience | Shout-Africa
??Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month ? Former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, F. W. de Klerk knows exactly how colon cancer can affect someone. He was diagnosed with this type of cancer in 2006 and has been in remission for seven years now. His surprise diagnosis has made him realise that this sensitive type of cancer needs to be discussed, and receive more public awareness.
Colorectal cancer is the cancer of the bowel, colon and rectum and is the fourth most common cancer in South Africa. While the disease is typically found in persons over the age of 50, colorectal cancer can affect anyone, regardless of gender or social status[i].
With this in mind, F. W. de Klerk is lending his voice in support of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place, globally, in March, and is observed in South Africa during the month of April. He has also endorsed the ?Ignoring a gut feeling?? campaign, which highlights the fact that physical gut feelings can be intuitive and should not be ignored.
Mr F. W. de Klerk was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006 when he visited his physician. ?I never knew that I was at risk for cancer. There was no cancer in my family. I went for my annual check-up just after I turned 70 and for the first time it was decided that I should have a colonoscopy. When I came out of the colonoscopy theatre, it was diagnosed, so it was like lightning striking out of the blue,? says de Klerk.
Listening to your body and getting tested regularly can go a long way to fighting and overcoming this type of cancer. This is why Be Cancer Aware launched the ?Ignoring a gut feeling?? campaign and each year strives to inform and change people?s attitudes towards this type of cancer, particularly during the months of March and April.
?I never had symptoms and when my colon cancer was discovered, I was advised that we should operate immediately,? F. W. de Klerk says. His operation was a success and has been declared cancer-free for seven years now.
?My experience has not been bad. I did take chemo and the side effects weren?t all that bad. I?m very glad I did it. My advice is don?t wait too long. Make sure you undergo regular colonoscopies at regular intervals after the age of 40,? says de Klerk.
Dr Demetriou, a practising oncologist at Wits Donald Gordon Oncology Centre in Johannesburg, agrees with F. W. de Klerk on this issue. ?Don?t put off screenings because of what you might have heard about the procedure, or fear that you might have cancer. If we can detect this type of cancer early, remission and a cure is possible. Today we also have access to newer types of cancer treatment such as targeted therapy, which also play a huge role in the successful treatment of colorectal cancer. Nobody is exempt from getting this disease, so make sure your physician or doctor books you for a screening sooner rather than later.?
The risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer begins at around age 50 and both men and women need to be screened. Risk factors can include poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, family history of colorectal cancer and age, but that being said, it can affect anyone of any age, gender or race[ii].
Some of the common symptoms include a change in bowel habit, blood in the stool and prolonged or ongoing pain but this isn?t always the case for everyone who gets colorectal cancer.
About Be Cancer Aware
Be Cancer Aware is a reliable source of information for those newly diagnosed with cancer. Together with resources such as a website, newsletter, and social media, Be Cancer Aware hopes to educate, support and encourage patients with appropriate information and resources.
On the Be Cancer Awareness website, you?ll find information, expert opinions, inspirational stories from patients and survivors and the latest news of local cancer activities.
Be Cancer Aware aim?s to offer quality cancer awareness and educational information to South Africans.
Awareness of cancer is vital in the fight to reduce the burden of the disease and improve the lives of patients.
BCA is supported by Roche Products (Pty) Ltd in the interest of cancer education and awareness.
About colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is a slow growing cancer that can be present for up to five years before showing symptoms[iii]. If diagnosed and treated early, colorectal cancer is treatable and, in many cases, is curable[iv].
Symptoms of colorectal cancer include a change in bowel habit that lasts for more than a few weeks; blood in the stool or rectal bleeding; cramps; prolonged or on-going pain and discomfort in the abdominal area during, before or after bowel movement; unexplained weight loss; weakness, fatigue or exhaustion and the feeling of not being able to empty your bowel properly[v].
Colorectal cancer can be treated with four types of treatments ? surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and biological therapy. Surgery is the most common treatment for all stages of colorectal cancer. Radiation is used to kill the cancer cells or stop them from growing. Chemotherapy forms one of the most widely used treatments and has the ability to shrink tumours. Finally, biological therapy is also used to treat cancer. This type of therapy uses the immune system to help fight a specific type of cancer. It identifies and attacks specific cancer cells without harming normal cells, and this is why it is also referred to as targeted therapy[vi].
Some types of biological medicine can also prevent blood vessels from reaching the tumour, which starves the tumour and causes it to stop growing and shrink. This particular type of treatment is referred to as tumour starving therapy[vii].
[1] Roche Background Information: Colorectal Cancer. [online] Available at: http://www.roche.com/colorectal_cancer_backgrounder.pdf
[1] Screen4coloncancer.org Colorectal Cancer: Myths and Facts. [online] Available at: http://www.screen4coloncancer.org/myths.asp
[1] Living with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Roche, p. 6.
[1] Cancer.org (2012) Treatment by stage of colon cancer. [online] Available at: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/detailedguide/colorectal-cancer-treating-by-stage-colon
[1] Living with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.
[1] Roche Background: Information
[1] Avastin.com (2012) How Avastin Treatment Works in Colorectal Cancer ? Avastin. [online] Available at: http://www.avastin.com/patient/crc/about/index.html
- Maersk Line South Africa: Trade growth in 2013 to improve but still remains somewhat subdued
- South Africa: Put the power back in your hands ? unlock your DNA
- South Africa: Gender pay gap widens
- South Africa: Stretch your medical savings funds and keep cash in your pocket
- International SOS marks 100,000 downloads of its travel assistance app with new on-line ?Spot the Risk? campaign
Related Posts
Source: http://www.shout-africa.com/health-lifestyle/fw-de-klerk-speaks-about-cancer-experience/
anna paquin warren buffett 2012 nfl schedule dishonored april 18 delonte west vanessa williams
3-D computing puts your hands inside the screen
Attendees of the latest TED conference got a look at a futuristic device called SpaceTop where the user views a 3-D workspace through a transparent display, manipulating the on-screen elements with just their hands. It won't be on shelves any time soon, but it does pique the imagination.
The demonstration was by Jinha Lee, an MIT graduate student who undertook an internship at Microsoft's Applied Science group to develop a 3-D desktop. Part of that project was creating a new method for users to interact with the computer.
Mice and touchscreens, of course, really only let one interact along two dimensions ? you can scroll left, right, up, and down, but going in and out must be done with 2-D gestures like pinches, whereas in real life you would just move your hand forward or back.
Lee's work focused on creating an interface though which one could move one's hand naturally and interact with familiar elements like windows and documents. The result is still rather rough, but it's promising.
The transparent display is equipped with a camera that tracks the user's head and adjusts the perspective on the 3-D desktop "under" it. Meanwhile, a second camera watches the user's hands and determines their position in three dimensions.
While it's still limited to a few demo applications, it's fascinating to watch: Grabbing a file from a stack is as easy as plucking it out, and when you need to type, just drop your hands onto the built-in keyboard.
Among the many challenges of developing such a system is that there is essentially no software written for it. Every operating system with which an average user might be familiar is built around the idea of a flat display navigated by a mouse or touchscreen. So Lee's had to be built from scratch.
As such, it's still very much just a concept or work in progress. His original work was done in late 2011, and the "core design and framework" were presented at Microsoft's TechForum in 2012. But this week's TED demonstration was much farther along and the first time it has been shown so publicly.
Whether this kind of interaction becomes commonplace or not (devices like the Oculus Rift and Leap Motion also present alternative input methods and are farther along in development), it's still a thrill to see something like this that seems to be science fiction made fact.
Devin Coldewey is a contributing writer for NBC News Digital. His personal website is coldewey.cc.
billy crystal oscar winners 2012 billy crystal oscars 2012 angelina jolie oscars chardon high school christopher plummer viola davis
Remains of the Day: Samsung Wallet Will Bring Passbook-Like Features to Samsung Phones
Samsung announces its own take on Passbook, Pandora introduces a 40-hour mobile listening limit, Amazon adds a new perk for Subscribe and Save customers, and Office 365 gets three new tiers, .
- Samsung Wallet API beta Samsung is launching its own ticket and pass management app. Much like Passbook on iOS, it will allow you to purchase and store tickets, boarding passes, membership cards and coupons displaying their scannable barcodes onscreen. No word on when it will actually be released into the wild, but Samsung will make the developer tools publicly available in May of this year. Expect to possibly hear more when Samsung unveils the Galaxy S IV on March 14th. [Samsung Developers]
- A note to our listeners Due to rising royalty costs, Pandora has instituted a 40 hour per month listening limit for free users. After you reach 40 hours, you'll be prompted to pay 99 cents to keep listening for the rest of the month (or subscribe to Panroda One for unlimited listening every month). Pandora notes that only 4% of its users ever listen to more than 40 hours per month, so chances are this change will not affect you. [Pandora Blog]
- NEW: The More You Subscribe, the More You Save Amazon has added a new perk for subscribe and save customers. Now when you have five or more subscriptions delivered in the same month, Amazon will give you a 15% discount on the entire delivery.
- Microsoft Launches Updated Office 365 for Business Users Microsoft's Office 365 has been expanded to offer three new packages for business users: ProPlus, Midsize, and Small Business Premium. Each tier is intended for a different number of users and work with a corresponding version of Microsoft Office. [ZDNet]
- Spotify's Social Network Arrives: New Follow Tab Is Now Gradually Rolling Out to Users Spotify is starting to roll out it's new Follow feature, which will replace the People tab on the desktop app. The new feature will allow for profiles independent of Facebook, allowing for a social experience not connected to the social network (and more like Rdio). [The Next Web]
- The New York Times Offers Enhanced Access to NYTimes.com Through Starbucks Digital Network The New York Times will now offer Starbucks customers increased access to NYTimes.com, allowing them to read up to fifteen articles per day as long as they access the website via the coffee chain's free AT&T Wi-Fi. However, there are some restrictions. Customers are limited to three articles across five sections. Four of these are set (Top News, Business, Technology, and Most E-Mailed), while the fifth will rotate based on the special section that runs in the print version that day. [The New York Times]
Photo by photastic (Shutterstock), a2bb5s (Shutterstock), and Feng Yu (Shutterstock).
weather forecast national weather service weather channel Rivals beyonce Kaepernick Eddie Vanderdoes
Sony SLT-A58: A Beginner DSLR for a Beginner Budget
pietrus cheney tori spelling marion barber marion barber syracuse ohio state
Diamond Gem Awards 2012 Awarded - With A Couple Of Surprises ...
Diamond Comic Distributors have announced their Diamond Gem Awards for 2012, voted on by comic book retailers in the direct market. The nominees are listed below, the winners highlighted in bold. In addition to the nominations, two ?Top Dollar? Awards have been added, both won by Marvel. Marvel has traditionally fared badly in the publisher category, despite usually bringing the most money into the marketplace. Could this be a way to make up for that?
Valiant are a notable win for small publisher in their first year of operation? first seven months even. And Image grabbed notable product categories with Walking Dead and Saga, though DC still dominated, as they did last year.
As for Best Magazine, it?s an honour to be nominated etc etc?
Bleeding Cool were the only website to cover the 2011 Gem awards? Maybe this year, they will get a little more coverage.
Comic Book Publisher of the Year ? Over 4%
- Dark Horse Comics
- DC Comics
- IDW Publishing
- Image Comics
- Marvel Comics
Comic Book Publisher of the Year ? Under 4%
- Archie Comics
- Avatar Press
- BOOM! Studios
- Dynamite Entertainment
- Valiant Entertainment
Top Dollar Comic Book Publisher of the Year
Marvel Comics
Best Comic Book of the Year Under ? $3.00
- Green Lantern #0 (DC)
- Hawkeye #1 (Marvel)
- Hellboy in Hell #1 (Dark Horse)
- Saga #1 (Image)
Best Comic Book of the Year ? Over $3.00
- Amazing Spider-Man #700 (Marvel)
- Batman #9 ? Night of Owls (DC)
- Mars Attacks #1 (IDW)
- The Walking Dead #100 (Image)
- X-O MANOWAR #1 (Valiant)
Top Dollar Comic Of The Year
Amazing Spider-Man #700
Best Licensed Comic of the Year
- Adventure Time #1 (BOOM! Studios)
- Hit-Girl #1 (Marvel)
- My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic #1 (IDW)
- Masks #1 (Dynamite)
- Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi Force Storm #1 (Dark Horse)
Magazine of the Year
- Bleeding Cool Magazine #1 (Avatar)
- DC Nation #1 (DC)
- DC Superhero Chess Figure Collection Magazine #1 ? Batman White King (Eaglemoss
- Publications)
- Marvel Super Heroes #1 (Marvel)
- Walking Dead Magazine #1 (Titan Publishing)
Best Backlist Publisher of the Year
- DC Entertainment
- Dark Horse Comics
- IDW Publishing
- Image Comics
- Marvel Comics
Best Original Graphic Novel
- Richard Stark?s Parker: The Score (IDW)
- Batman: Earth One HC (DC)
- Blacksad: Silent Hell HC
- Superman: Earth One Vol. 2 HC (DC)
- Spider-Man Season One Premiere HC (Marvel)
- Not My Bag GN (Image)
Best Reprint Trade Paperback or Hard Cover of the Year
- Walking Dead Vol. 2 Compendium (Image)
- Saga Vol. 1 TP (Image)
- Batman: The Court of Owls Vol. 1 HC (DC)
- Justice League: Origin Vol. 1 (DC)
- Scott Pilgrim Color Edition Vol. 1 (Oni Press)
- Deadpool Kills Marvel Universe TP (Marvel)
- Adventure Time Vol. 1 TP (BOOM!)
- Daredevil by Mark Waid Vol.1 TP (Marvel)
Best Licensed Trade Paperback or Hard Cover of the Year
- Avatar: Last of the Airbenders ? The Promise, Part 1 Vol. 1 TP (Dark Horse)
- Game of Throne Vol. 1 GN (Bantam/Spectra)
- Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Vol. 1 HC (DC/Vertigo)
- The Stand HC Omnibus with Slipcase (Marvel)
- Star Trek Next Generation / Doctor Who Assimilation Vol. 1 TP (IDW)
Best Manga Trade Paperback of the Year
- Sailor Moon: Kodansha Edition Vol. 3 TP (Kodansha Comics)
- Black Butler Vol. 8 TP (Yen Press)
- Tezuka: Message to Adolf Vol. 1 GN (Vertical Inc.)
- 21st Century Boys Vol. 1 GN (Viz Media)
- Fallen Words GN (Drawn & Quarterly)
- FLCL Omnibus (Dark Horse)
Best Manga Publisher of the Year
- Yen Press
- Kodansha Comics
- Seven Seas Entertainment
- Vertical Inc.
- Viz Media
- Dark Horse Comics
Best Anthology of the Year
- Best American Comics HC 2012 ( Houghton Mifflin)
- Marvel Firsts 1970s TP VOL 01 (NOV110636)
- Best American Comics HC (Houghton Mifflin) Marvel Firsts: 1970 Vol. 1 TP (Marvel)
- Womanthology: Heroic HC (IDW)
- Dark Horse Presents #13 (Dark Horse)
Best Indie Graphic Novel of the Year
- The Underwater Welder (Top Shelf)
- Charles Burns Hive GN (Pantheon Books)
- Tower Chronicles: Geisthawk Vol. 1 GN (Legendary Comics)
- Chris Ware: Building Stories HC (Pantheon Books)
- Anomaly HC (Anomaly)
- Are You My Mother: A Comic Drama HC (Houghton Mifflin Company)
Best Trade Book of the Year
- Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide Vol. 42 (Gemstone)
- Sonic the Hedgehog: Complete Comic Encyclopedia TP (Archie)
- The History of Sonic the Hedgehog HC (Udon)
- Avengers: Art of the Avengers HC with Slipcase (Marvel)
- Art of Mass Effect HC (Dark Horse)
- The Sky: The Art of Final Fantasy Boxed Set HC (Dark Horse)
- David Mazzucchelli Daredevil Born Again Artist ED HC (IDW)
- Art of Todd McFarlane Devils in the Details HC (Image)
Best Game Manufacturer of the Year
- Cryptozoic Entertainment
- Paizo Publishing
- USAopoly
- WIZKIDS/NECA
- Wizards of the Coast
Best Game Product of the Year
- DC Comics Deck Building Game
- Pathfinder RPG: Advanced Race Guide
- Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Edition Monopoly
- Marvel Heroclix Galactic Guardians Expansion
- Magic the Gathering: Return to Ravinca Expansion
Best Toy Manufacturer of the Year
- DC Entertainment/DC Collectibles
- Diamond Select Toys
- Kotobukiya
- Bowen Designs
- Hasbro
- TMP
Best Toy Product of the Year
- Marvel Select: Avengers Movie Hulk Action Figure (Diamond Select Toys)
- Marvel Select: Amazing Spider-Man Movie AF (DST)
- Batman Arkham Asylum Play Arts ~Kai~ Arm Batman AF (Square Enix)
- Justice League Superman Action Figure DC Entertainment /DC Collectibles
- We Can Be Heroes Justice League 7 Pack Box Set DC Entertainment/DC Collectibles
Best Toy Line of the Year
- Play Arts ~Kai~ (Square Enix)
- Mass Effect 3 Action Figures (Big Fish)
- Marvel Select AF (DST)
- Walking Dead Series 2 Assortment (McFarlane Toys)
- DC Justice League New 52 Action Figures DC Entertainment/DC Collectibles
- Batman Arkham City Series 3 DC Entertainment/DC Collectibles
Best Collectible Statue of the Year
- DC Harley Quinn Bishoujo Statue (Koto)
- Red Hulk PX Mini-Bust (Gentle Giant)
- Thor Classic Action Statue (Bowen)
- Dragon Age II: Flemeth Dragon Statue (Dark Horse)
- DC Comics Cover Girls Harley Quinn Statue DC Entertainment/DC Collectibles
- Batman Black and White Statue New 52 By Jim Lee DC Entertainment/DC Collectibles
Source: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/02/27/diamond-gem-awards-2012/
july 4th higgs boson Malware Monday First Row Sports American flag Happy 4th of July 4th Of July Desserts
After Cosmetic Surgery | Fitness and Beauty Tips
You have to understand that follow-up treatments are highly necessary to accommodate the possible existence of side effects after cosmetic surgery. The doctors will tell you different factors that determine the follow-up procedures necessary based on your personal data and any underlying medical condition. In many cases, some common factors such as age, lifestyle, and the type of cosmetic surgery you have done will be the main considerations. Indeed, almost all surgery will need follow-up treatments to bring the optimum results. Especially after cosmetic surgery, doctors and the patients will want to make sure that the results from the treatment will last longer and possibly for life.
Follow-Up Care after Cosmetic Surgery
You need to work closely with the doctors before and after cosmetic surgery. You have to understand the risk, the cost, and of course, the side effects. In terms of side effects, doctors will prescribe some medications or drugs to help you recover your fitness quickly. Normally, doctors will also recommend staying in a complete rest without any activity that can cause bleeding, swelling, or depending on the type of cosmetic surgery, anything that will probably tear the stitches. You may need a week or more to heal and have your stitches out.
Once again, depending on the procedures that have been done during the cosmetic surgery, the period of the recovery process or the length of time that you can see optimum result is different. Your doctors will inform you about the follow-up treatments necessary as well. However, patients must ask basic questions related to after cosmetic surgery follow up treatments. How long will the surgery last? Will you need to return for additional injections if you have had injections? Alternatively, how often you will have to return for treatments. Is there any additional surgery necessary? If you have had a face-lift, neck lift, or any facial work, will you have to have them again? What about your health insurance and your premiums, will the surgery affect these issues?
Many times, you also need to consult lawyers as well in order to understand the legal issues related to the insurance policies that you have.
Hiding Surgery Results
Normally, you cannot see the results after cosmetic surgery in an instant. The period of the healing procedures of the scars or side effects from the treatments may be a week or more depending on the types of surgical operation that you have had. If you want, you can cover, hide, or camouflage the swelling, bruises, or scars with cosmetics. Your doctors should be able to tell what kinds of cosmetic to use. Cosmetic can cover the bruises perfectly, but on the other hand, they can affect the length of time required for recovery process. You should remember is that some types of cosmetics are not very friendly to the skins especially after cosmetic surgery. In many cases, you need to clean up the cosmetics very carefully to make sure that the recovery process can go naturally. Clean the cosmetics at night or anytime you need to go to bed.
Consult doctors, professionals and dermatologist to determine the best follow-up treatment after cosmetic surgery to get optimum results. If you do the suggestions and recommendations from the licensed professionals properly, you get big possibility that the results last longer even for life.
You might also like
Source: http://makeufits.com/2013/02/after-cosmetic-surgery.html
terrell owens terrell owens neil armstrong little league world series us open tennis us open tennis Empire State Building shooting
POPE LIVE: Swiss Guards, 15th century, tweets
FILE - This Nov. 23, 2007 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI leading a session of prayer and reflection with the College of Cardinals, at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI promised his "unconditional reverence and obedience" to his successor in his final words to his cardinals Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, a poignant farewell before he becomes the first pope in 600 years to resign. (AP Photo/Christophe Simon, pool, file)
FILE - This Nov. 23, 2007 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI leading a session of prayer and reflection with the College of Cardinals, at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI promised his "unconditional reverence and obedience" to his successor in his final words to his cardinals Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, a poignant farewell before he becomes the first pope in 600 years to resign. (AP Photo/Christophe Simon, pool, file)
FILE - This Sept. 6, 2006 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI wearing a "saturno hat", inspired by the ringed planet Saturn, to shield himself from the sun as he waves to the crowd of faithful prior to his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito, files)
FILE - This Nov. 3, 2006 file photo shows Pope Benedict XVI's hand as he waves to faithful from his car at the end of his visit at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, files)
A nun clasps her hands in prayer during a Mass honoring Pope Benedict XVI at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Benedict made his final public appearance as pontiff in St. Peter's Square Wednesday. He thanked his flock for respecting his retirement, which takes effect Thursday. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Armando Martin Duenas shows replicas of the two pairs of hand-crafted loafers that were given to Pope Benedict XVI during his March 2012 visit to Mexico at the Ackerman shoe factory in Leon, Mexico, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. Benedict's title and what he will wear have been a major source of speculation since the 85-year-old pontiff stunned the world and announced he would resign Thursday, the first pope to do so in 600 years. (AP Photo/Alfredo Valadez)
"Pope Live" follows the events of the final day of Pope Benedict XVI's papacy as seen by journalists from The Associated Press around the world. It will be updated throughout the day with breaking news and other items of interest.
___
WAITING FOR THE POPE
People are starting to show up in the square in Castel Gandolfo to await the Pope's arrival, but they are still outnumbered by members of the media.
? Tony Hicks, AP Regional Photo Editor Europe & Africa ? Twitter http://twitter/com/hicksy663
___
SWISS GUARDS TO GET A REST
The pope's retirement means his famous Swiss Guards get a few days off before they have to protect the new guy.
Stern-face and standing as erect as the halberds they grasp, Swiss Guards rarely betray emotion on duty. But their storied history has its early roots in a bloody drama.
Nearly five centuries ago, 147 Swiss Guard died while protecting Pope Clement VII in his frantic dash to safety when Emperor Charles V's soldiers sacked Rome.
A few decades earlier, the Renaissance pope, Julius II, had asked Switzerland to supply the Vatican with soldiers because he was so impressed by the courage of Swiss mercenaries.
The Swiss Guards will go off-duty Thursday evening at 8 p.m. ? the exact moment when the man they serve, Pope Benedict XVI, resigns.
? Frances D'Emilio ? Twitter http://twitter.com/fdemilio
___
IN THE 15TH CENTURY
The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII, who stepped down in 1415 to end the Great Western Schism, a nearly 40-year split over leadership of Christendom. The disagreement was a major political struggle since the Church played a central role in politics, art and daily life in much of Europe, which was slowly transitioning into the Renaissance.
During that era:
? Heretics were burned at the stake, including Bohemian-born Jan Hus, a priest considered an inspiration for the Protestant Reformation, in 1415. Joan of Arc, who fought for France in the Hundred Years War against England, died at the stake in 1431.
? The Medicis were building the banking empire that would turn them into a political dynasty, make them influential art benefactors and eventually produce four popes, the first in 1513.
? Early Renaissance artists like Donatello were playing with perspective in sculptures of saints that adorned his country's ornate churches.
? Matt Surman ? Twitter http://twitter.com/apsurman
___
LAST PAPAL TWEET:
Update for the Twitter world:
The Vatican says retiring Pope Benedict XVI will send his last tweet as pope around 5 p.m. Rome time (1600 GMT, 11 a.m. EST). That's also about the time he's set to leave the Vatican by helicopter to the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo.
Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi says the pope's Twitter handle (at)Pontifex will then be "in abeyance" until the next pontiff is selected. He says it'll be up to the next leader of the Catholic Church as to whether or not he will use it.
? Joji Sakurai ? Twitter ? http://twitter.com/jojisakurai
___
QUICKQUOTE: CARDINAL PELL
Australia's Cardinal George Pell, one of those who will be voting for the next pope, is speaking in Rome about Pope Benedict XVI's retirement:
"He was well aware that this was a break with tradition, slightly destabilizing. But he felt that because of his weakness and sickness, which was only too evident today, that he just didn't have the strength to lead in church in these demanding times."
? Victor Simpson, AP's Rome bureau chief, who has covered the Vatican for decades.
___
POPE EYES GARDEN WALKS
Everyone looks forward to retirement for one reason or another. In Pope Benedict XVI's case, it might be having more time for walks.
Benedict took daily strolls through Vatican City's gardens. Now, awaiting his first months in retirement at Castel Gandolfo is a splendid expanse of manicured lawn, dotted by geometrically-shaped bushes for his afternoon walks.
The Holy See got a good deal on the castle and its grounds. It was acquired in the late 1500s in return for an unpaid debt owed by Italian nobles. But the estate didn't always appear so beautiful. For years, it was almost abandoned after the fall of the Papal State in 1870, as modern Italy took shape.
? Frances D'Emilio ? Twitter http://twitter.com/fdemilio
___
PAPAL CONTENDERS
One-hundred and fifteen cardinals will be voting in the next few weeks to choose Pope Benedict's XVI successor. Should they return the papacy to an Italian, stick with a pontiff from elsewhere in Europe, or follow the trends in the church and look to Africa or across the Atlantic? Here's a look at some possible contenders:
FROM EUROPE:
? Cardinal Angelo Scola, archbishop of Milan
? Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn, archbishop of Vienna
? Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, head of Vatican's culture office
FROM AFRICA:
? Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana, head of the Vatican's justice and peace office
FROM LATIN AMERICA:
? Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer of Sao Paulo
? Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina
? Cardinal Leonardo Sandri of Argentina
FROM NORTH AMERICA:
? Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Canada, head of the Vatican's office for bishops
? Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York
FROM ASIA:
? Cardinal Antonio Tagle, the archbishop of Manila
___
? Brian Murphy, AP's Dubai bureau chief.
_____
THE PONTIFF'S CAPE
Pope Benedict XVI, his dress soon to be limited to a simple white robe, has worn a ceremonial red cape for his final meeting with the College of Cardinals.
The short cape with ermine trim, known as a mozzetta, is worn for special occasions. And special this occasion was, coming just hours before Benedict becomes the first pope in 600 years to resign.
He looked out at the cardinals and said: "Among you is the future pope." And he promised his "unconditional reverence and obedience."
? Victor L. Simpson, AP's Rome bureau chief.
___
'LIKE AN ORCHESTRA'
The pope is leaving with a veiled warning to the men who will choose his successor: Work together.
In his final audience with the cardinals ? the so-called "princes" of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI urged them to set aside their differences as they elect the next pope. He says the College of Cardinals should be unified so it works "like an orchestra" where "agreement and harmony" can be reached despite diversity.
The Vatican in recent years has been famed more for its disharmony, with the pope's own butler leaking papal papers that showed feuds and intrigue at the top of the Vatican bureaucracy.
Benedict says he'll pray for the cardinals in coming days as they vote on his successor.
? Nicole Winfield ? Twitter http://twitter.com/nwinfield
_____
QUICKQUOTE: POPE BENEDICT XVI
"Among you is also the future pope, whom I promise my unconditional reverence and obedience."
? Pope Benedict XVI, in his final audience to his cardinals.
_____
CLEMENTINE HALL
The Clementine Hall where the pope greeted cardinals for the last time, pledging "unconditional reverence and obedience" to his successor, is a grand 16th century room built by Pope Clement VIII in honor of Pope Clement I ? the fourth pope. Covered in ornate marble tiles and Renaissance frescoes, it's basically the pope's reception room ? the place where he receives VIPs from around the world. It's also the place where the body of the pope lies in state for private respects by Vatican officials.
? Joji Sakurai ? Twitter http://twitter.com/jojisakurai
_____
UNCONDITIONAL OBEDIENCE
The pope has promised "unconditional reverence and obedience" to his successor.
Pope Benedict XVI made the pledge as he bade farewell to his cardinals at the Vatican this morning. He also left with a plea for the College of Cardinals to unite and work together "like an orchestra" where "agreement and harmony" can be reached.
The cardinals, who will be voting later this month to choose his successor, are lining up and kissing his hand in farewell.
______
WELCOME TO CASTEL GANDOLFO
Officials are expecting an enthusiastic welcome from the faithful in Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where Pope Benedict XVI will spend his first post-Vatican days and make his last public blessing as pope. Fitting for a man looking for a quieter lifestyle, the numbers won't compare to his hectic send-off from St. Peter's Square on the eve of his retirement.
Some 150,000 people flooded the piazza for his final speech as pontiff, with many others watching on giant TV screens set up along the main boulevard outside. The square in Castel Gandolfo is many times smaller ? though several thousand are expected to crowd in.
? Nicole Winfield ?http://twitter.com/nwinfield
_____
PAPAL ODDS
In betting-mad Britain, bookmakers have been busy taking bets on who will replace Benedict XVI since he announced his retirement earlier this month.
The favorite is Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, who would be the first African pope. He's the front-runner at bookies William Hill, at 5-2, and Ladbrokes, at 11-4. Other leading contenders include Italian cardinals Angelo Scola and Tarcisio Bertone and Cardinal Marc Oullet of Canada.
And for those wanting to gamble on a longshot, Ladbrokes has 500/1 odds on former British Prime Minister Tony Blair ? a Catholic convert from Anglicanism ? and Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is offering 1,000/1 on U2 lead singer Bono.
? Jill Lawless ? Twitter http://twitter.com/JillLawless
_____
KISSES GOODBYE
Cardinals are kissing Pope Benedict XVI's hand as they bid him farewell.
____
MEETING WITH CARDINALS
Pope Benedict XVI has just met with his cardinals in the Vatican this morning before heading off toward retirement later in the day.
He made brief remarks to them. More on what he said in just a bit.
_____
PAPAL VOTING
How does the Catholic Church even get a new pope?
Well, the current one either dies or resigns. Then the church holds a papal conclave and cardinals under the age of 80 vote on who they want to lead them. This time around, 115 cardinals will be voting.
The conclave begins with the cardinals in their red cassocks filing into the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, chanting the "Litany of Saints." Then they place their hand on the Gospel and promise to observe absolute secrecy during and after the conclave.
They also vow to vote independently ? a good way to guard against external interference.
During the conclave, the cardinals live in a Vatican hotel and have no contact with the outside world: no phones, no newspapers, no tweeting.
On Day 1, only one round of balloting is held; after that, the cardinals cast two votes in the morning and two in the afternoon until one man has a two-thirds majority.
The outside world only knows what is going on by seeing smoke from the Sistine Chapel each time the ballots are burned. Black smoke means no decision, white smoke means a pope has been chosen.
Soon afterward, the thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square will hear two Latin words announced from the balcony: "Habemus Papam! (We have a pope!)"
? Nicole Winfield ? Twitter ? http://twitter.com/nwinfield
___
LAST TASKS
The big speeches are done. It's almost time to go.
In just a few minutes, Pope Benedict XVI meets with his cardinals this morning on the day he heads into retirement. No major speech is expected during his morning farewell with his closest advisers, just a simple greeting to each one inside the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace.
Shortly before 5 p.m. local time, Benedict will leave the palace for the last time as pope, head to the helipad on the top of the hill in the Vatican gardens and fly to the papal retreat south of Rome. And there, at 8 p.m. ? the exact moment Benedict's resignation goes into effect ? the doors of the palazzo will close and the Swiss Guards in attendance will go off duty, their service protecting the pope now finished.
___
Follow AP reporters on Twitter where available.
Associated Pressthe Rumble 2012 Columbus Day 2012 carlina white Sam Champion Engaged Infield fly rule Taken 2 Venezuela Elections
Actor Dale Robertson dies in California hospital
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) ? Dale Robertson, an Oklahoma native who became a star of television and movie Westerns during the genre's heyday, died Tuesday. He was 89.
Robertson's niece, Nancy Robertson, said her uncle died at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, Calif., following a brief illness.
Dale Robertson had bit parts in films including "The Boy with the Green Hair" and the Joan Crawford vehicle "Flamingo Road" before landing more high-profile roles such as Jesse James in "Fighting Man of the Plains."
In the 1950s, he moved into television, starring in series such as "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957-62), "Iron Horse" (1966) and "Death Valley Days" (1968-70).
Robertson continued to work in TV in the 1970s, and in the 1980s he landed roles in the popular night-time soap operas "Dallas" and "Dynasty."
In 1993, he took what would be his final role, as Zeke in the show "Harts of the West," before retiring from acting to spend more time at his ranch in Yukon, Okla., where he lived until moving to the San Diego area in recent months, Nancy Robertson said.
Dale Robertson would want to be remembered as a father, a grandfather and an Oklahoman, she said.
"He came back a lot when he was in Hollywood, and he came back (to Oklahoma) after retiring," she said.
"I remember him as a larger-than-life fellow," she said. "When he was in town it was always very exciting. It always meant something magical was going to happen," such as another actor or performing artist accompanying him on his visits.
Born Dayle Lymoine Robertson to Melvin and Vervel Robertson in Harrah, on July 14, 1923, Robertson attended Oklahoma Military College at 17 and boxed in professional prize fights to earn money.
He joined the U.S. Army and fought in North Africa and Europe during World War II. Robertson was wounded twice and awarded the Bronze and Silver Stars and the Purple Heart.
While stationed at San Luis Obispo, Calif., he had a photograph taken for his mother. A copy of the photo displayed in the photo shop window attracted movie scouts, and the 6-foot-tall, 180-pound Robertson soon was on his way to Hollywood.
Will Rogers Jr., son of fellow Oklahoma-born actor and writer Will Rogers, once told Robertson to avoid formal training and keep his own persona.
Robertson received the Golden Boot Award in 1985, and was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers and the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.
He was married several times, most recently in 1980 to Susan Robbins, who survives him along with two children.
Nancy Robertson said her uncle will be cremated and that a memorial service will be held in a few weeks.
_____
Former Associated Press writer Rochelle Hines contributed to this report.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/actor-dale-robertson-dies-california-hospital-011301126.html
Chad Johnson London 2012 Soccer dwight howard Olympics closing ceremony PGA Championship 2012 John Witherspoon george michael
Using Facebook app may be cheaper than texting
Facebook has sweet-talked 18 cellphone operators in 14 countries to get discounted or free data for Facebookers who text and chat on Facebook's Messenger app.
When the details are ironed out and the deal kicks in, messaging via Facebook?s messenger service may turn out to be cheaper than texting in some countries. The feature will work on the Messenger app for Android or iPhone and the Every Phone service for basic phones.
While Facebook doesn't mention this in its announcement of the deal, The Atlantic brings up the possibility that the feature may make calling cheaper too.
That's an intriguing possibility. Facebook does have a calling service tucked within the Messenger app. But for now, this feature is limited to the Messenger app on iPhones. And, it's only available in the US and Canada--two countries that are absent from the Facebook's list of new mobile operator partners.
If the calling feature did roll out to non-iPhone phones globally, it could make Facebook an attractive mobile tool. In places like India, for example, mobile users go to elaborate lengths to avoid paying call fees on their cell phone, spawning a convoluted but surprisingly functional "missed call ecosystem." It's reasonable to assume that any free mobile service that carried a free (or discounted) calling feature tucked in could become a popular one among mobile phone owners.
Of course, this would depend on what price the "discounted" data plans were fixed at, and if, if ever, Facebook took its voice calling global. If we got that far, would mobile operators be willing to let Facebook up their data-based calling feature and let it benefit from a discounted data scheme? A Facebook spokesperson told NBC News Digital that "the length of the free/discounted data [would be established] at the discretion of the mobile operator." As to the nitty-gritty of the deals, they have no other details to share, so we'll just to wait and see. In the meanwhile, here are the operators involved:
- TMN in Portugal, Tre in Italy, Three in Ireland, Vivacom in Bulgaria, Backcell in Azerbaydzhan
- Airtel and Reliance in India
- Indosat, Smartfren, AXIS and XL Axiata in Indonesia, SMART in Philippines, DiGi in Malaysia, DTAC in Thailand
- Etisalat in Egypt , Viva in Bahrain, STC in Saudi Arabia
- Oi in Brazil
Nidhi Subbaraman writes about science and technology. Follow on Twitter, Google+.
pat summit brewers matt cain adastra holocaust remembrance day chesapeake energy dick clark death
Unions aim to soften impact of cuts on workers
WASHINGTON (AP) ? Federal employee labor unions are trying to soften the blow for more than 1 million government workers who may be forced to take unpaid time off if mandatory budget cuts kick in this week.
Union leaders have been working furiously to persuade agency managers to make other cuts that won't affect employee paychecks. But if agencies do insist on furloughs, unions say they can bargain over when they take place and other terms that could help workers in financial trouble.
"We plan to exercise those rights," said Jacqueline Simon, public policy director at the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents over 650,000 workers.
More than half of the nation's 2.1 million government workers may be required to take furloughs if automatic budget cuts, known as the sequester, take effect and agencies are forced to trim budgets. Agencies also may impose hiring freezes, release temporary employees or decline to renew contract workers.
The Defense Department has said it expects to furlough 800,000 civilian workers for 22 days each, spread across more than five months, which would mean a 20 percent pay cut over that period. The Pentagon also plans to lay off as many as 46,000 temporary and contract employees.
Other federal agencies are likely to furlough several hundred thousand more workers, according to a memo last month from the Office of Management and Budget.
Unions can't stop furloughs, but they can ask to examine the agency's budget documents and make managers show there is no other way to make the cuts without furloughs.
"Our position is that the Department of Defense and every other agency actually has a lot more discretion than they're letting on and that furloughs are entirely unnecessary," Simon said. "There's certainly plenty of low-paid federal employees for whom a 20 percent pay cut means they will not be able to pay their bills."
Besides receiving no pay, a worker on furlough would not accumulate vacation time and would receive a smaller match for their government retirement account. The worker's annual salary also would be lower when calculating pension benefits.
"The impact is going to be devastating, not just on the employees who are serving unpaid furlough days, but on the American public, who depend on the services these employees provide," said Colleen Kelly, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents about 150,000 workers at 31 federal agencies.
So far, Kelly's union has received only one official notice of intent to furlough workers. That came from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which plans to furlough all 60,000 employees for up to 14 days if the sequestration goes into effect. Kelly said other agencies are looking at furloughs but have not yet specified the cuts.
"We've reached out to agencies in an effort to work with them to find ways to cut spending so that the cuts don't come on the backs of employees on furlough days," she said.
The general expectation is that employees would serve one furlough day per two-week pay period. But the union can bargain on behalf of employees who may want to serve all the days together or delay them until later in the year for personal or financial reasons.
Negotiations can also resolve whether workers can swap furlough days with other employees, or whether some workers can volunteer to serve more furlough days so others don't have to. There also may be work deadlines to consider, since some workers remain accountable to complete projects even if they cannot be at work.
The federal Office of Personnel Management, which issues guidance on how agencies carry out furloughs, declined a request for comment. But in a memo to agencies, OPM states that government officials have duty to bargain "over any negotiable impact and implementation proposals" the union may submit regarding furloughs.
In a memo to Environmental Protection Agency employees on Tuesday, acting administrator Bob Perciasepe said the agency has been taking "aggressive action" to control costs over the past few months, such as reducing contract, grant and administrative spending. But even with those savings, he said, the EPA would still have to furlough workers.
"We are working to minimize the burden on employees and their families while still enabling the agency to meet its obligations and fulfill its mission," Perciasepe said. "We are also meeting with EPA's national unions to prepare a plan for implementation."
Every agency must provide notice at least 30 days before any furlough process begins. The earliest furloughs could begin is April 1.
A few agencies have said they expect to avoid furloughs, including the Social Security Administration, Small Business Administration and Smithsonian Institution. The Veterans Affairs Department has been excluded from sequestration cuts.
"Agencies can be creative and agencies can be uncreative," Simon said. "Our position is, don't come to us because we're the easy target."
__
Follow Sam Hananel on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SamHananelAP
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/unions-aim-soften-impact-cuts-workers-080424416--finance.html
kim kardashian pregnant chicago bears adrian peterson tony romo kennedy center honors boxing day george h w bush
Can Therapy Dogs Help Kids With Autism? - Health News and ...
By Amy Norton
HealthDay Reporter
TUESDAY, Feb. 26 (HealthDay News) ? For children with autism, trained dogs may offer not only a furry friend, but some therapeutic benefits, too, a new research review finds.
There is a ?substantial body of evidence? that dogs act as ?social catalysts,? even encouraging adults to be a little friendlier to each other, said senior researcher Francesca Cirulli, of the National Institute of Health in Rome, Italy. And the few studies that have focused on kids with autism suggest the same is true for them.
People have long turned to animals as a way to help with health conditions or disabilities ? either as part of formal therapy or to offer everyday assistance (such as guide dogs for the blind).
In some cases, ?therapy? or ?service? dogs are called into action to help children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) ? a group of developmental brain disorders that hinder a child?s ability to communicate and interact socially. ASDs range from the severe cases of ?classic? autism to the relatively mild form called Asperger?s syndrome.
In the United States, it?s estimated that about one in 88 children has some form of autism.
Yet there has been little research into whether trained dogs actually benefit those kids. The good news is, the existing evidence is promising, according to the new review, published in the February issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
However, ?it is early to draw final conclusions,? said Cirulli.
Specifically, Cirulli?s team found six published studies of dogs? effects on children with an autism spectrum disorder. Four of them looked at therapy dogs ? dogs that therapists use during formal sessions to help children settle in, get engaged and be more open to communicating.
Overall, the studies were positive, Cirulli and her colleagues found.
In one study of 22 children, for example, kids were more talkative and socially engaged during therapy sessions where a dog was present. In another study, of 12 boys, the children were less aggressive and smiled more when their therapy session included a canine companion.
Two studies focused on service dogs ? trained dogs that live with the family. The animals serve mainly to keep kids with autism safe; when the family goes out, the child will be literally tethered to the dog to keep from running off or getting hurt.
?That can be a huge relief for families,? said Dr. Melissa Nishawala, medical director of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinical and Research Program at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.
Parents? anxiety over their child?s safety can lead to social isolation in some cases, noted Nishawala, who was not involved in the study. ?Your world can get very small,? she said, ?because you limit where you go.?
So a service dog can make a big difference to the whole family, Nishawala said.
Cirulli?s team found that service dogs might also benefit children?s behavior. In the two studies they reviewed, parents generally said their children were better behaved and more attentive after the family got a service dog.
There are still plenty of questions, though ? about both therapy dogs and service dogs.
For one, children with an autism spectrum disorder vary widely in the types of issues they have and their severity. No one is sure which kids might benefit most from time with a trained pooch, Nishawala noted.
She said more studies are needed ? not only larger ones, but also ones with better ?definitions.? That means making sure the children involved have been formally diagnosed with a form of autism, defining what the ?therapy? is, and being clear about what outcomes the study is assessing.
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that a dog could help bring a child with autism out of his shell, said Nishawala, but scientific evidence is just coming in.
Cirulli agreed that better defined studies are key.
It?s possible, Cirulli noted, that a dog could have negative effects on some kids with an autism spectrum disorder. An animal might, for instance, increase ?hyper? behavior.
For parents wondering whether adopting a dog is a good idea, the answer seems to be, ?It depends.?
Cirulli pointed out that these studies focused on dogs trained to be around children with autism. So the findings cannot be assumed to apply to your average Fido.
You might first want to see how your child reacts to a friend?s or neighbor?s dog, Cirulli suggested.
?Getting a dog could be a nice thing for the family,? Nishawala agreed. ?It could be therapeutic for everyone.?
If you are interested in a trained service dog, be prepared for an investment. It costs about $20,000 to train a dog, and the family would have to foot much of that bill.
More information
Autism Service Dogs of America has more on which kids might benefit from a canine companion.
Source: http://news.health.com/2013/02/26/can-therapy-dogs-help-kids-with-autism/
rush limbaugh karl rove Election 2012 Results polling place washington post comedy central philadelphia eagles
Target sees solid year after weak holiday quarter
(Reuters) - Retailer Target Corp said it appears poised for a solid showing in the first quarter and forecast a higher profit for the year after a weak performance in the key holiday season.
Still, shares slid 3.6 percent to $61.77 in early Wednesday trading.
For the current year, Target forecast adjusted earnings of $4.85 to $5.05 per share, which would exceed the $4.76 it earned last year.
Target did not give a sales forecast, but Chief Executive Gregg Steinhafel said it faced a "highly promotional retail environment and continued consumer uncertainty."
It was not immediately clear how the company's results and forecasts compared to analysts' expectations.
Target rang up 1 percent fewer purchases in the fourth quarter, compared with a year earlier. But shoppers bought 0.7 percent more each time they shopped and the average spent was up 1.4 percent.
It was Target's weakest holiday season performance since 2008, and some strength in January helped prop up what could have been even weaker numbers, said Sandy Skrovan, U.S. research director at Planet Retail.
"Walmart proved the victor over Target for the 2012 holiday season," Skrovan said, pointing out that Walmart U.S. same-store sales rose 1 percent in the quarter. "But Target won the year overall since, unlike Walmart, its affluent shopper base tends to be more insulated from economic swings."
Target's holiday season included a disappointing showing for its collection of gifts sold in collaboration with high-end department store chain Neiman Marcus. The line that includes designer dresses and dishes launched on December 1, and Target sharply discounted the goods even before Christmas
Stronger sales of food and value-priced items only partially offset holiday weakness as shoppers held back from discretionary spending in an uncertain economy.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc said last week that Walmart U.S. same-store sales were likely to be flat this quarter as consumers faced higher gasoline prices and smaller paychecks after the expiration of the U.S. payroll tax cut.
At Target, more shoppers used its credit and debit cards. The cards offer a 5 percent discount to foster customer loyalty, but the discount can also pressure margins.
Target said 15.5 percent of sales in stores during the quarter were paid with its debit and credit cards, up from 14 percent in the third quarter and 10.8 percent a year earlier.
The fourth-quarter gross margin declined to 27.8 percent of sales from 28.4 percent a year earlier, due in part to markdowns on seasonal merchandise.
Target earned $961 million, or $1.47 per share, in the fiscal fourth quarter, down from $981 million, or $1.45 per share, a year earlier. Target had fewer shares outstanding in the latest period.
Adjusted earnings, excluding items such as costs related to Canadian store opening plans, rose to $1.65 per share from $1.49 per share a year ago.
Target tempered profit expectations back in early January, when it reported flat December same-store sales and forecast earnings per share to meet or somewhat exceed the low end of its prior view. Target's outlook was for net earnings of $1.45 to $1.55 per share and adjusted earnings of $1.64 to $1.74 per share.
Target previously said sales rose 6.8 percent to $22.37 billion in the fourth quarter, with same-store sales up 0.4 percent. Same-store sales missed analysts' average target of 0.8 percent, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
For the first quarter, Target forecast adjusted earnings of $1.10 to $1.20 per share versus $1.11 a year ago.
(Reporting by Jessica Wohl in Chicago; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/target-profit-slipped-winter-holiday-quarter-125132402--finance.html
nicki minaj grammy jason whitlock beach boys tony bennett joe walsh the civil wars duggar miscarriage
এতে সদস্যতা:
পোস্টগুলি (Atom)