Rate on US 30-year mortgage hits record 3.31 pct.

This Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, photo, shows a home for sale in Leucadia, Calif. Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell to fresh record lows this week, a trend that is boosting home sales and aiding the housing recovery. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, that the average rate on the 30-year loan dipped to 3.31 percent, the lowest on records dating back to 1971. That's down from 3.34 percent last week, the previous record low. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

This Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012, photo, shows a home for sale in Leucadia, Calif. Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell to fresh record lows this week, a trend that is boosting home sales and aiding the housing recovery. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, that the average rate on the 30-year loan dipped to 3.31 percent, the lowest on records dating back to 1971. That's down from 3.34 percent last week, the previous record low. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages fell to fresh record lows this week, a trend that is boosting home sales and aiding the housing recovery.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Wednesday that the average rate on the 30-year loan dipped to 3.31 percent, the lowest on records dating back to 1971. That's down from 3.34 percent last week, the previous record low.

The average on the 15-year fixed mortgage also dropped to 2.63 percent. That's down from 2.65 percent last week and also a new record.

The average rate on the 30-year loan has been below 4 percent all year. It has fallen further since the Federal Reserve started buying mortgage bonds in September to encourage more borrowing and spending.

Home sales and construction are rising, providing a much-needed boost to the economy. Home prices are also increasing, which makes consumers feel wealthier and more likely to spend.

Lower rates have also persuaded more people to refinance. That usually leads to lower monthly mortgage payments and more spending. Consumer spending drives nearly 70 percent of economic activity.

Still, the housing market has a long way to a full recovery. And many people are unable to take advantage of the low rates, either because they can't qualify for stricter lending rules or they can't afford the larger down payments that many banks require.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country on Monday through Wednesday of each week. The average doesn't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.

The average fee for 30-year loans was 0.7 point, unchanged from last week. The fee for 15-year loans also remained at 0.7 point.

The average rate on a one-year adjustable-rate mortgage ticked up to 2.56 percent from 2.55 percent. The fee for one-year adjustable-rate loans rose two-tenths to 0.5 point.

The average rate on a five-year adjustable-rate mortgage 2.74 percent, the same as the previous week. The fee was unchanged at 0.6 point.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-11-21-US-Mortgage-Rates/id-b99086850244430ab682e5f32ff52069

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Catching Fire Motion Poster: Share the Spark!

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/11/catching-fire-motion-poster-share-the-spark/

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Turkey's Kurds Want More Freedoms, Autonomy (Voice Of America)

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The Stoner Channel: Tame Impalas Going Backwards, Dragon Houses Doing the Robot, and a Very Special EMT Thanksgiving

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Adult Desserts with Baileys Irish Cream | Intoxicology 101 | Drinks ...

It?s Holiday time again. Is it snowing around you yet? Ready to exchange gifts? Can?t wait to see family? This time of year brings out the best of so many things. One of my favorites is the food and drinks that we create. So many wonderful desserts, so many festive drinks. I?m getting hungry just talking about this. One thing Lori likes to do is combine our love for drinking, with her passion for baking and making desserts. So I thought, it?s time we feature some fun desserts using some tasty spirits. Baileys was?practically?MADE for this type of an?occasion?so we thought it only right to start with them. ?Below you can find some tasty dessert recipes you?ll probably be stealing for your holiday party, but just remember to keep it away from the kids!

Baileys Turtle

• 3 oz. Baileys Original Irish Cream
• Chocolate ice cream
• Caramel
• Chopped pecans or walnuts

Pour Baileys Original Irish Cream?with a Hint of Caramel over chocolate ice cream. Garnish with chopped pecans or walnuts.?This recipe contains no more than 0.6 fl. oz. of alcohol per serving?

Baileys Mint Truffles ?

• 11 oz. dark chocolate
• 8 tbsp. heavy cream
• 1/ 3 cup Baileys^??with a Hint of Mint Chocolate
• 1/ 3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, Dutch process

Place chocolate and heavy cream in a heat-proof bowl over (not on) simmering water.?Let chocolate and cream heat up for 3 minutes untouched.?After 3 minutes whisk mixture until fully incorporated.?Remove bowl from heat and let cool for 20-30 minutes.Stir in Baileys Hint of Mint Chocolate until fully incorporated.?Pour finished mixture into a flat casserole pan.?Cover the surface with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, about 3 hours.Remove chilled truffle mixture.?Using a melon-baller, scoop out chocolate rounds. Finish forming truffles by hand and place on parchment-lined baking sheet.?Dust truffles with unsweetened cocoa powder to finish.?This recipe contains no more than 0.6 fl. oz. of alcohol per serving.

Baileys Salted Caramel Chocolate Pie

• 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 4 tbsp. Baileys^??with a Hint of Caramel
• 1 chocolate cookie pie crust
• coarse salt for sprinkling
• shaved chocolate, caramel sauce for drizzling

Melt chocolate chips according to package directions.?Let cool slightly.?Whip cream and sugar.?When soft peaks begin to form, gradually add Baileys with a hint of Caramel.?Gently mix in the melted chocolate.?Spread mixture into pie crust and sprinkle top with coarse salt.?Refrigerate for 4-6 hours.This recipe contains no more than 0.6 fl. oz. of alcohol per serving.

Follow us on?Twitter,?Facebook, or?StumbleUpon?to get our latest cocktail?recipes, spirit?reviews, and drink related news. For any questions, comments or concerns please email us at info@intoxicology.net*

?

Source: http://intoxicology.net/adult-desserts-with-baileys-irish-cream/

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Hostess with the mostest (Unqualified Offerings)

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Coast Guard: Body found near burned Gulf oil rig

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Divers hired by the owner of an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico that caught fire recovered a body near the site Saturday evening, according to the U.S. Coast Guard and the rig's owner.

Coast Guard spokesman Carlos Vega said late Saturday that the unidentified person was found by divers hired by Houston-based Black Elk Energy who were inspecting the platform. Vega said the Coast Guard was turning over the remains to local authorities.

John Hoffman, the president and CEO of Black Elk Energy, said in an email late Saturday that the body is apparently that of one of two crew members missing since an explosion and fire on the oil platform Friday morning. Hoffman said the body was found by a contracted dive vessel at 5:25 p.m. CST.

"Divers will continue to search for the second missing worker," Hoffman wrote. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."

Hoffman said the body was found close to the leg of the platform, near where the explosion occurred, in about 30 feet of water. He said the missing men were employees of oilfield contractor Grand Isle Shipyard.

"We have notified next of kin of all individuals involved, but in respect for their families and their privacy, we will not be releasing their names," GIS CEO Mark Pregeant said in a statement, according to WWL-TV in New Orleans.

The news came shortly after the Coast Guard suspended a 32-hour-long search for the two missing workers that covered 1,400 square miles (3626 sq. kilometers) near the oil platform, located about 20 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Grand Isle, La.

"We have saturated the search area several times ? the 1400-square-foot area," Vega said. "We saw no signs of life. We have suspended the search and it is pending further development. If we receive any credible information that there are signs of life, we can resume the search at any time."

Four other workers who were severely burned remained at Baton Rouge General Medical Center on Saturday night.

Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Bobby Nash said the Guard's search was ended early Saturday evening. Helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft had been searching by air, while cutters and boat crews searched the sea.

The blaze erupted Friday morning while workers were using a torch to cut an oil line on the platform, authorities said.

Pregeant stressed in his statement that the cause of the fire and explosion is unknown, and said "initial reports that a welding torch was being used at the time of the incident or that an incorrect line was cut are completely inaccurate."

Four workers were severely burned, though Black Elk Energy spokeswoman Leslie Hoffman said their burns were not as extensive as initially feared.

Officials at Baton Rouge General Medical Center said Saturday that two men remained in critical condition, while two men remained in serious condition. The four, being treated in a burn unit, are also employees of Grand Isle Shipyard and are from the Philippines. The hospital said it and Grand Isle Shipyard are trying to reach the men's families in the Philippines.

Grand Isle Shipyard employed 14 of the 22 workers on the platform at the time of the incident, WWL-TV reported. A man who answered the phone at the company's Galliano, La., office on Saturday said no one was available to comment.

Meanwhile, officials said no oil was leaking from the charred platform, a relief for Gulf Coast residents still weary two years after the BP oil spill illustrated the risk that offshore drilling poses to the region's ecosystem and economy.

Friday's fire sent an ominous black plume of smoke into the air reminiscent of the deadly 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion that transformed the oil industry and life along the U.S. Gulf Coast

James A. Watson, the director of Louisiana's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, said in a statement Saturday that his agency had begun "an investigation into the explosion and fire aboard a Black Elk Energy production platform offshore Louisiana."

"BSEE is committed to determining the direct and indirect causes of the explosion and will take appropriate enforcement action," he said.

The Deepwater Horizon blaze killed 11 workers and led to an oil spill that took months to bring under control. Friday's fire came a day after BP PLC agreed to plead guilty to a raft of charges in the 2010 spill and pay a record $4.5 billion in penalties.

There were a few important differences between this latest blaze and the one that touched off the worst offshore spill in U.S. history: Friday's fire was put out within hours, while the Deepwater Horizon burned for more than a day, collapsed and sank.

The Black Elk Energy facility is a production platform in shallow water, rather than an exploratory drilling rig like the Deepwater Horizon looking for new oil on the seafloor almost a mile (1.6 kilometers) deep.

The depth of the 2010 well blow-out proved to be a major challenge in bringing the disaster under control.

The Black Elk Energy platform is in 56 feet (17 meters) of water ? a depth much easier for engineers to manage if a spill had happened.

A sheen of oil about a half-mile (800 meters) long and 200 yards (180 meters) wide was reported on the Gulf surface, but officials believe it came from residual oil on the platform.

"It's not going to be an uncontrolled discharge from everything we're getting right now," Coast Guard Capt. Ed Cubanski said.

Leslie Hoffman, the Black Elk Energy spokeswoman, said Saturday that there were still no signs of any leak or spill at the platform site.

BP's blown-out well spewed millions of gallons (liters) of oil into the sea, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River on the east side of the river delta. The crude fouled beaches, marshes and rich seafood grounds.

After Friday's blaze, 11 people were taken by helicopter to area hospitals or for treatment on shore by emergency medical workers.

The production platform is on the western side of the Mississippi River delta. The Coast Guard said more than 20 people were aboard the platform at the time of the fire.

"This platform was not in operation and had been shut in since mid-August," Black Elk officials said in a news release Saturday.

Cubanski said the platform appeared to be structurally sound. He said only about 28 gallons (106 liters) of oil were in the broken line on the platform.

David Smith, a spokesman for the Interior Department's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement in Washington, said an environmental enforcement team was dispatched from a Gulf Coast base by helicopter soon after the Coast Guard was notified of the emergency. Smith said the team would scan for any evidence of oil spilling and investigate the cause of the explosion.

Black Elk Energy is an independent oil and gas company. The company's website says it holds interests in properties in Texas and Louisiana waters, including 854 wells on 155 platforms.

___

Associated Press Writers Kevin McGill in New Orleans and Jeff Amy in Jackson, Miss., contributed to this story.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/coast-guard-body-found-near-035506963.html

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London Knights appreciate the faith coach Dale Hunter has shown

Everyone?s been patting Max Domi on the back for spurring the comeback win Thursday night against Oshawa.

Bo Horvat has received a ton of plaudits for forcing overtime against the Generals with 22 seconds left.

But the biggest compliment, at least in the high-profile forwards? minds, was simply the faith London Knights head coach Dale Hunter showed in putting them out there when the game was on the line.

?It was unbelievable for me,? Horvat, the 17-year-old Rodney native, said. ?Every kid wants to be out there to be that guy and fortunately, I got the chance and it happened for me.

?I like to get that opportunity at the end. That?s what you play for.?

Everyone quests after crunch time duty.

Domi and Horvat, no ordinary sophomores, are getting the same opportunity Sam Gagner and Pat Kane, extraordinary rookies, did in their lone season with the Knights in 2006-07 when they were basically the same age as these two.

Kane and Gagner had the ability to thrill right out of the gate.

Nothing has prepared Domi and Horvat for centre stage better than the run to the Memorial Cup last spring in Shawinigan.

When you?ve been through good minutes in big games and remember what it?s like, the game slows down just that extra split second.

?I was a little bit shocked but when you get the puck, you?ve got to make a decision as quickly as you can,? Horvat said. ?You don?t have a lot of time and fortunately, I made the right one to hold onto it for a bit and shoot when I could.?

The goal was nice. It was likely his biggest as a Knight and helped keep a six-game win streak alive heading into Friday night?s battle of the titans with Owen Sound at Budweiser Gardens.

The opportunity, though, was sublime.

Hunter won?t soon forget the success he had and not hesitate to put him out again in similar dire circumstances.

A character win, of course, but the real measure is in how the Knights chose to respond to it.

?Of course, we were all pretty excited but we have three games this weekend,? Horvat said. ?We?ve got to be ready for the next game. We?ve got a mature group here and I think we?ll be just fine.?

It wouldn?t have meant as much if they didn?t follow up against the Attack, who they owned last season, or Kitchener on Sunday at the Aud ? one of the most difficult places in junior hockey to win.

There is one thing noticeable about the Knights in recent weeks. They are presenting a more physical, in-your-face brand of puck.

Josh Anderson has been the inspirational ringleader.

?I?m just trying to use my size, try to be that power forward I want to be,? the Columbus prospect said. ?Scoring will come along when I bring that physical game. I feel like I get more chances when I?m hitting and the goals will come from that.?

Anderson hammered Oshawa veteran defenceman Matt Petgrave, who fractured his wrist and is out for the next two months.

?I didn?t know he was hurt right away, but I saw him in our training room after, and I felt real bad but it?s part of the game. I just hope all the best for him.?

Hockey is about creating space ? not necessarily knocking guys out of the lineup ? and Anderson has done it effectively.

?You want to have that edge, you want to know every time you step on the ice, guys are going to be scared of you,? Anderson said. ?It opens up extra space for you on the ice and have better scoring chances.?

He went through a recent stretch where he dropped the gloves three times in little more than a week.

?The first one against Belleville, I didn?t really fight in a long time (since preseason),? Anderson said. ? It was to get the guys going, It was an energy thing. The Sudbury one, I had to stick up for myself after taking a big hit in the first period and (last) Saturday against big Tom Wilson in Plymouth, I had to stick up for (Scott Harrington), who was hit from behind.?

ryan.pyette@sunmedia.ca

Source: http://www.lfpress.com/2012/11/16/london-knights-appreciate-the-faith-coach-dale-hunter-has-shown

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Fantasy-reality confusion a primary cause of childhood nighttime fears

Thursday, November 15, 2012

From monsters under the bed to bogeymen in the closet, most children experience nighttime fears at some point in their development. And while most grow out of them without any professional intervention, others contend with persistent and extended periods of these fears, with a risk of developing anxiety problems later in life.

As part of a large-scale project on nighttime fears funded by the Israeli Science Foundation, Prof. Avi Sadeh of Tel Aviv University's School of Psychological Sciences is exploring how these fears fit into the normal developmental process ? and when they become a problem. Together with Dr. Jonathan Kushnir, who completed his Ph.D. studies in the field in Prof. Sadeh's lab, MA student Tamar Zisenwine, and Ph.D. student Michal Kaplan, he discovered that a child's ability to differentiate fact from fiction has a huge impact on overcoming terror of things that go bump in the night.

In their study, published in Child Psychiatry and Human Development, the researchers found that preschoolers with persistent nighttime fears were far less able to distinguish reality from fantasy compared to their peers. The research will help clinicians and parents alike to develop interventions that can better soothe fretful children, he says, noting that a strong imagination can ultimately be used to the child's psychological advantage.

Separating fact and fiction

For young children undergoing significant development in their ability to differentiate reality from fantasy, bedtime can be a major challenge. In many cases, it is the only time of the day when they're left to face their thoughts, feelings, and fears alone, explains Prof. Sadeh. This is when imagination can run wild.

To test their hypothesis that fantasy?reality confusion has a strong impact on nighttime fears, researchers evaluated four-to-six-year-old children ? 80 of them diagnosed with severe nighttime fears and 32 with more normal development ? on their ability to separate fact from fiction based on parental reports and a standardized interview. For example, children were presented with the character of a fairy, then asked a series of questions to determine whether or not the fairy was fictional, including whether or not they could call the fairy by phone or the fairy could visit them at home.

Children with more intense nighttime fears were significantly less able to differentiate reality from fantasy. As expected, younger children of the group also scored lower on these evaluations than their elders, a result attributable to the children's developmental stage. The lower the score, the more severe the child's nighttime fears.

The power of imagination

According to Prof. Sadeh, the fantasy-reality confusion that causes nighttime fears can also be used to help children to overcome these fears. Parents and clinicians can use this affinity for the imaginary to the child's benefit.

"We send children mixed signals by telling them that monsters aren't real while we tell them stories about the tooth fairy," he explains. Simply telling a child that their fear isn't realistic doesn't solve the problem, he says. Prof. Sadeh recommends using the child's strong imagination as a treatment. For instance, parents might help their children view an imaginary monster as a non-threatening entity, perhaps by writing it a letter to extend an offer of friendship or reading the child a book in which a threatening figure turns out to be friendly.

One treatment that Prof. Sadeh has found highly effective is a toy called a "huggy puppy." In this therapy, children are presented with a stuffed dog and told that the once happy puppy is now sad. They are given the responsibility of being the puppy's friend, caring for him, and ensuring that he is not afraid at night. Because this intervention depends on the child's willingness to believe the huggy puppy's story and embrace their new compassionate role, it works best for children with stronger imaginations, he says.

###

American Friends of Tel Aviv University: http://www.aftau.org

Thanks to American Friends of Tel Aviv University for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Walking, cycling may ease cancer-related fatigue: Study

Last updated at 9:17 am

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Jobs Vice President Sales Project Financing

Search job opportunities in world are highest paying jobs. List of jobs opportunties in world are top jobs in world 2012, search latest jobs and apply online free to all. The main keywords to this page are job opportunities, jobs opportunities, jobs opportunities in world, job opportunities by country, jobs by countries, jobs by country, jobs in country, jobs in 2011, jobs in 2012.

Source: http://www.jobsinworld.com/jobs-search.php?Jobs-Vice-President-Sales-Project-Financing-China&jid=4008971

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10 Soft Skills every Business Analyst Needs | IT Management Skills

If you are in a typical business analyst role you live in two worlds. You have one foot in the specified business area you are supporting and the other foot in IT.? Even worse, often you have to keep the peace when IT and your business users don?t get along.

That said, there are a number of soft skills that would be well worth your while to master. These include the following:

1. Negotiation skills: This will be of value when facilitating negotiations between IT and business users, you and IT regarding development resources, and you and the business users trying to minimize project scope creep.
2. Active listening: This will be of great value when trying to collect business requirements, provide quality internal client service, and when gathering information for status reports.
3. Dealing with conflict: This will be of value when IT and users disagree and/or when deadlines are being missed and tensions are running high.
4. Quality client service techniques: </strong> As a representative of the IT community, providing quality client service to the business users you support is critical to your job performance and career advancement.
5. Decision making: There are many formalized decision making techniques, such as a decision matrix, that can help you make quality, business appropriate, and defendable decisions that can help you to best service your internal clients and maximize your job performance.
6. Problem solving: Like decision making, there are formalized problem solving techniques, such as Five Whys and Brainstorming that can help you discover a problem?s root cause and define potential solutions.
7. Strategic thinking: Very often a business analyst must think outside-the-box to find innovative business solutions that meet their internal client?s needs. An understanding of strategic thinking techniques can help facilitate this process.
8. Technical writing: A key role of business analysis is the creation of business requirement specifications and other forms of documentation. Your ability to develop coherent, informative, and usable documents is a requirement for professional success.
9. Presentation and public speaking: Don?t underestimate the value of creating and delivering quality presentations on topics such as application designs, project status, and business requirements.? Generally speaking, the people listening to your presentations are senior IT and business management people. Your ability to impress them with your presentation could have a significant effect on your career growth.
10. Team building: s a business analyst, you may be required to lead formalized and/or ad hoc teams.? Your ability to structure, coordination, and lead these teams can not only make you more successful in your current role, but position you for future IT senior positions.

This blog is based on a column I wrote last year, as part of my weekly blog in IT World. For my most recent IT World blogs, go to http://www.itworld.com/blogs/eric-bloom.

Until next time, work hard, work smart, and continue to grow.

Best wishes,

Eric Bloom

President and founder of Manager Mechanics, LLC, Eric is also a nationally syndicated columnist, entrepreneur, speaker, award winning author and trainer in IT management skills. By pioneering IT leadership education in traditional classroom settings, as well as online platforms and advanced virtual worlds, Eric's team provides strategic education to firms who value superior IT leadership, a strong teamwork ethic, IT innovation for competitive advantage, and planned succession to consciously control recruiting and retention.

Source: http://managermechanics.com/blog/10-soft-skills-every-business-analyst-needs/

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Medical Devices Powered by the Ear Itself

For the first time, researchers power an implantable electronic device using an electrical potential ? a natural battery ? deep in the inner ear.

Deep in the inner ear of mammals is a natural battery ? a chamber filled with ions that produces an electrical potential to drive neural signals. In today?s issue of the journal Nature Biotechnology, a team of researchers from MIT, the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST) demonstrate for the first time that this battery could power implantable electronic devices without impairing hearing.

The devices could monitor biological activity in the ears of people with hearing or balance impairments, or responses to therapies. Eventually, they might even deliver therapies themselves.

In experiments, Konstantina Stankovic, an otologic surgeon at MEEI, and HST graduate student Andrew Lysaght implanted electrodes in the biological batteries in guinea pigs? ears. Attached to the electrodes were low-power electronic devices developed by MIT?s Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL). After the implantation, the guinea pigs responded normally to hearing tests, and the devices were able to wirelessly transmit data about the chemical conditions of the ear to an external receiver.

?In the past, people have thought that the space where the high potential is located is inaccessible for implantable devices, because potentially it?s very dangerous if you encroach on it,? Stankovic says. ?We have known for 60 years that this battery exists and that it?s really important for normal hearing, but nobody has attempted to use this battery to power useful electronics.?

The ear converts a mechanical force ? the vibration of the eardrum ? into an electrochemical signal that can be processed by the brain; the biological battery is the source of that signal?s current. Located in the part of the ear called the cochlea, the battery chamber is divided by a membrane, some of whose cells are specialized to pump ions. An imbalance of potassium and sodium ions on opposite sides of the membrane, together with the particular arrangement of the pumps, creates an electrical voltage.

Although the voltage is the highest in the body (outside of individual cells, at least), it?s still very low. Moreover, in order not to disrupt hearing, a device powered by the biological battery can harvest only a small fraction of its power. Low-power chips, however, are precisely the area of expertise of Anantha Chandrakasan?s group at MTL.

The MTL researchers ? Chandrakasan, who heads MIT?s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; his former graduate student Patrick Mercier, who?s now an assistant professor at the University of California at San Diego; and Saurav Bandyopadhyay, a graduate student in Chandrakasan?s group ? equipped their chip with an ultralow-power radio transmitter: After all, an implantable medical monitor wouldn?t be much use if there were no way to retrieve its measurements.

But while the radio is much more efficient than those found in cellphones, it still couldn?t run directly on the biological battery. So the MTL chip also includes power-conversion circuitry ? like that in the boxy converters at the ends of many electronic devices? power cables ? that gradually builds up charge in a capacitor. The voltage of the biological battery fluctuates, but it would take the control circuit somewhere between 40 seconds and four minutes to amass enough charge to power the radio. The frequency of the signal was thus itself an indication of the electrochemical properties of the inner ear.

To reduce its power consumption, the control circuit had to be drastically simplified, but like the radio, it still required a higher voltage than the biological battery could provide. Once the control circuit was up and running, it could drive itself; the problem was getting it up and running.

The MTL researchers solve that problem with a one-time burst of radio waves. ?In the very beginning, we need to kick-start it,? Chandrakasan says. ?Once we do that, we can be self-sustaining. The control runs off the output.?

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Source: http://www.innovationtoronto.com/2012/11/medical-devices-powered-by-the-ear-itself/

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Former Creedence frontman Fogerty gets book deal

NEW YORK (AP) ? Add one of rock 'n' roll's most admired and most uncompromising stars to the list of memoir writers: John Fogerty.

The former frontman for Creedence Clearwater Revival has a deal with Little, Brown and Co., the publisher announced Monday. The book is scheduled for 2014 and is untitled. Fogerty, 67, is known for writing and singing such classics as "Proud Mary" and "Bad Moon Rising" and for his clashes with band members and record executives.

"I want to tell the story of how I fought ? hard ? to maintain my artistic integrity in the face of opposing forces," Fogerty said in a statement issued through Little, Brown and Co., which in 2010 published Keith Richards' million-selling "Life."

Creedence Clearwater is widely regarded as one of the great American rock bands, defying the trend of long jams in the late 1960s and early '70s and turning out an amazing run of tight, top 10 singles. But the righteous edge to Fogerty's vocals and lyrics was matched by his determination to have his own way, including with his brother and fellow Creedence performer, Tom Fogerty. By the mid-'70s, the band had broken up and Fogerty would spend years battling his former music label, Fantasy Records.

His solo career has been sporadic, but he has had hits with "Centerfield" and "The Old Man Down the Road." Fogerty has an album scheduled for next year and plans collaborations with the Foo Fighters and Keith Urban among others.

"The kid from El Cerrito (Calif.) wanted to be the best musician in the world ? my promise to myself," Fogerty said in his statement. "I accomplished that goal against all odds, only to have it fall apart on top of me. The songs and the music stopped; you didn't hear from John Fogerty for years. All of this took its toll on me. I couldn't write a song, sing a song. And it was so hard on me, all of the lawsuits and betrayals. I was personally fading away. My story will share the ups and downs and how it all affected me. The road back was a bumpy one, and I knew that it would take years to come out of it, but I did. Happily, I did, with my dear wife, Julie, by my side.

"I have come to a place where I can look back and reflect on those stories and share what really happened. I am the guy who lived it, and you will hear me tell the story for the first time."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/former-creedence-frontman-fogerty-gets-book-deal-230617937.html

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Group Sales Manager ? Russia Market (120014BA) - London ...

Group Sales Manager ? Russia Market (120014BA)

Salary:?
Location:?London
Job Reference:?Caterer/120014BA
Employer Type:?Hotel
Date Posted:?11/11/2012 18:00:22

JOB SUMMARY? The Group Sales Manager Russia Market is responsible for managing the relationship of assigned Key accounts located in the Russian market and sourcing new business as directed. The primary intent is to drive sales for the market sales hotels to pre-agreed new business and business growth goals from all business segments. The Group Sales Manager Russia Market will also facilitate group opportunities for outbound hotels at the customer?s request.? Proactively manages relationships with multiple stakeholders. ? The following are specific responsibilities and contributions critical to the successful performance of the position: ? Sales and Marketing

• Maintains and grows business of existing accounts based on targets set in conjunction with key stakeholders involved.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required to the designated market.
• Account leader/owner for key Market accounts; creates sales strategy for account penetration. Coordinates and completes sales activity and follow-up with account team members, where applicable (eg. Global Sales, GSA?s, LSO).
• Executes sales activity and strategy to achieve agreed transient group and catering account targets for all hotels in market sales and brand where appropriate. (Sell International Hotels where customer requires subject to International Booking Fee conditions).
• Work in harmony with LSO to support business closure of key accounts managed to the benefit of stakeholder hotels.
• Communicates group details throughout organization after opportunities are booked.
• Identifies and develops new markets/segments from accounts managed, including International where applicable.
• Proactive Sales ? Saturates and penetrates assigned accounts for group, extended stay, catering and transient business.? Maintains current business relationships and networks for new business within accounts.
• Executes sales strategy to achieve goals for all assigned hotels.
• Develops contracts and correspondence, manages opportunity details and proactively develops customer solutions.
• Works independently or centrally, depending on account, with Corporate Business Travel Segment to establish appropriate business transient pricing for assigned accounts. Coordinates pricing process for Market hotels
• Account Team Leadership ? Creates sales strategy for account penetration for all accounts managed.? Coordinates activities, follows up with and directs account team members.? Utilizes sales organization resources as needed in account saturation.
• Proactively manages relationships with multiple contacts in assigned market accounts.
• Hotel Communication ? Coordinates with hotels for site inspections and entertainment.? Updates hotels on the status of their accounts and pending business and ensures follow-through and property ?buy in? on customers service needs.
• Strategic Direction ? Works with Director London Market Sales on account productivity, opportunities and strategic direction.
• Assumes leadership role, as requested by Director London Market Sales, on ad hoc task forces and special projects, including developing processes to identify potential new accounts.
• Maintains accurate and up to date account data and reporting using account management system.
• Participates on Global Sales Organization and GSA account teams as needed.
• Assists with new hire orientation and appropriate new hire training to ensure associates can successfully perform their job.
• Manage and create new demand from other potential accounts allocated by Market Director, with new growth goals agreed.
• Manages relationships with multiple contacts in assigned market accounts.
• Proactively communicates with key stakeholder groups (General Managers, Property Sales Leaders, GSO, National Sales).
• Maintains accurate and up to date account data and reporting using account management systems.
• Utilizes Shared Outlook folders to update stakeholders of key activity / strategic accounts plans.?

Guest Satisfaction

• Displays leadership in guest hospitality; exemplifies customer service and creates a positive example for guest relations.
• Establishes clear expectations for customers and properties throughout the sales process.
• Transfers accurate, complete and timely information to operating departments at the properties.
• Effectively resolves guest issues that arise as a result of the sales process.? Brings issues to the attention of property leadership team as appropriate.
• Participates in guest satisfaction review sessions to identify areas of improvement.? Takes ownership of results and shares recommendations to address guest service issues.

? Marriott International offers you the opportunity to find the hospitality job and career journey that's right for you. With more than 1100 managed properties and 18 brands you'll find us in your neighborhood and in more than 74 countries across the globe. Find Your World? at Marriott. ? Candidate ProfileExperience?

• Minimum 2 years proactive sales experience.

? Skills and Knowledge

• Fluent Russian speaker essential.
• In depth knowledge and current relationships within the Russian Market preferred.
• Excellent selling skills and understanding of sales processes; can effectively up sell products and services; can bring a sale to closure
• Possesses excellent telephone sales skills
• Strong customer development and relationship management skills
• Knowledge of group, extended stay and transient business
• Knowledge of all Marriott Lodging products, culture and brand strategies
• Knowledge of contractual agreements and legal implications
• Ability to develop and implement successful sales strategies for individual accounts
• Knowledge of operations and associated challenges for all brands
• Knowledge of food trends, food and beverage composition and menu planning
• Knowledge of need time strategy as developed by Revenue Management
• Understands revenue management functions and account profitability
• Financial management skills e.g., ability to analyze P&L statements, develop operating budgets, forecasting and capital expenditure planning
• Strong communication skills (verbal, listening, writing)
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Effective decision making skills
• Effective conflict management skills
• Ability to influence others
• Strong organization skills
• Good negotiation skills
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships e.g., associates, customers, vendors
• Strong customer and associate relation skills
• Ability to use standard software applications and hotel systems including SFA, NGS, Delphi, etc.

? Education or Certification

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor?s Degree in Hospitality Management preferred

? Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture.

At Marriott we recognise and celebrate the diversity of all parts of society, and strive to promote and reflect that diversity within our working practices and values. We recognise this in our approach to recruitment, reward, promotion opportunities, training & development of our people, on merit and without reference to their gender, marital status, ethnic or national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any disability.

Find Your World. Marriott Careers.
We invite you to discover our world and plan your Marriott career journey. To find out more about Marriott careers, please click the 'Apply Now' button.

Source: http://www.caterer.com/JobSeeking/Group-Sales-Manager--Russia-Market-120014BA_job55026741

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Israel fires warning shots into Syria for first time

Errant fire from Syria into the Israeli-held Golan Heights prompted the retaliatory move and warnings from Israel.

By Amy Teibel,?Associated Press / November 11, 2012

Smoke rises after shells exploded in the Syrian village of Bariqa, close to the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria, near Alonei Habashan on the Israeli occupied Golan Heights November 7. On Sunday, Israel fired warning shots into Syria.

Baz Ratner/Reuters

Enlarge

Israel?was drawn into the Syrian civil war for the first time on Sunday, firing warning shots into the neighboring country after a stray mortar shell from across the border hit an Israeli military post.

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The Israeli military said the mortar fire caused no injuries or damage at the post in the Golan Heights, which Israel?captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and then annexed. But in recent weeks, incidents of errant fire from Syria to the north have multiplied, leading?Israel?to warn that it holds Syria responsible for fire on Israeli-held territory.

"A short while ago, a mortar shell targeted an IDF (Israel?Defense Forces) post in the Golan Heights," said army spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich. "We answered with a warning shot toward Syrian areas. We understand this was a mistake and was not meant to target?Israel?and then that is why we fired a warning shot in retaliation."

The Israeli military also said it filed a complaint through United Nations forces operating in the area, stating that "fire emanating from Syria into?Israel?will not be tolerated and shall be responded to with severity."?Israel returned fire with an anti-tank missile.

Nineteen months of fighting and the mounting chaos engulfing the regime of President Bashar Assad have already spilled across borders with Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan. The danger of drawing in?Israel?as well to a wider regional conflagration is one of the worst-case-scenarios for the civil war.

Violence also flared Sunday on Syria's northern border with Turkey, a common flashpoint. Syrian army forces backed by helicopter gunships and artillery attacked a border area with Turkey after rebels captured a crossing point, activists said.

The Britain-based activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Ras al-Ayn border area in Syria's northeast was "under siege" as dozens of rebels tried to hold onto the border crossing.

The upheaval has largely had no direct impact on Syria's bitter foe?Israel, and their shared border has remained mostly quiet, as it has been since a 1974 cease-fire.

Still,?Israel?worries that Syria's civil war could spill across into the Golan ??a concern made more immediate by multiple cases of errant fire in recent weeks and?Israel's?claim that three Syrian tanks entered the demilitarized zone on the plateau this month for the first time in 40 years.

Israeli officials do not see PresidentAssad trying to intentionally draw?Israel?into the fighting, though they have raised the possibility of his targeting?Israel?in an act of desperation. Israeli officials have repeatedly said it is only a matter of time before Assad's regime collapses.

Over the weekend, Vice Premier Moshe Yaalon said?Israel?recently conveyed several messages to Syria and Damascus had "conducted itself appropriately." He did not elaborate.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet that?Israel?is "closely monitoring" the border with Syria and is "ready for any development."

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/IgTU_SRvRio/Israel-fires-warning-shots-into-Syria-for-first-time

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Vatican vows to fight gay marriage after gains in U.S., Europe

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/vatican-vows-fight-gay-marriage-gains-u-europe-215302141.html

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KEOLABS Provides CIPURSE Certification Solution

Paris, France, November 09, 2012 ?(PR.com)? At the 2012 Cartes trade show for the smart card industry, KEOLABS announced availability of services and solutions for validating and certifying smart card products that implement the CIPURSE? standard for transportation fare collection. KEOLABS? end-to-end offer for CIPURSE certification includes validation solutions for customers? in-house development and testing, debugging services and conformance certification. This complete offer allows KEOLABS to accompany customers through their full product development cycle from product conception to conformance certification.

KEOLABS? CIPURSE certification solutions are available to customers in two editions to meet their in-house testing needs: Express Edition ? allowing test execution, results analysis and reporting, Developer Edition ? allowing modification/creation of tests, test execution, result analysis, reporting. The Express Edition is intended for strict execution of the CIPURSE test plan without modifications. It allows users to assess their products? compliance in-house before embarking on conformance testing with an external laboratory. For users who require the flexibility to test more complex or out of specification scenarios during their product development, the Developer Edition allows modification and creation of test scripts.

KEOLABS service offer includes both debugging and conformance testing for end-user contactless devices, packaged devices, embedded integrated circuits, and applets. Compliance with the CIPURSE specification is evaluated according to the OSPT Alliance Test Plan which is managed by KEOLABS, and which is implemented in their CIPURSE certification solutions. ?By providing a test solution that corresponds precisely to the CIPURSE test standards, we can accompany our customers through their complete development cycle, from prototyping to certification of the final product,? explained St?phane Jobard, Director of KEOLABS Certification Solutions. ?As the OSPT Alliance?s choice of testing labs, we are committed to helping the Alliance fulfill its mission by providing and maintaining support our full range of solutions and services for CIPRUSE conformance validation and certification.?

CIPURSE is an open security standard promoted by the Open Standard for Public Transport (OSPT?) Alliance, which addresses the need of transit authorities for future-proof fare collection systems with more advanced security than what is currently in use. Because it is an open standard, CIPURSE promotes vendor neutrality, cross-vendor system interoperability, lower technology adoption risks, higher quality and improved market responsiveness, all of which result in lower operating costs and greater flexibility for transport system operators.

KEOLABS certification laboratory is an ISO17025 accredited testing center offering the complete range of consulting and services to accompany customers through the certification of their smart card and NFC products. The Center's expertise encompasses validation of secure components including smart cards, mobile phones ePassports, electronic drivers licenses and smart card readers in accordance with a range of industry standards and covering all levels of product validation including durability testing, electrical / analog, protocol / digital and application levels. More information about the CIPURSE test solutions and services is available on the KEOLABS? web site at http://www.keolabs.com/cipurse.html .

About KEOLABS
KEOLABS is a leading provider of tools and services for testing microcontroller and secure component implementation. KEOLABS smart card validation activity provides an end-to-end product and service offer for verifying and certifying smart cards and related technologies in accordance with industry standards. KEOLABS participates in all major certification processes for the secure ticketing, transaction and identity sectors. The company offers a comprehensive range of solutions for validation of all layers of contact and contactless secure components from the electrical to the digital and application layers. KEOLABS service branch includes the ISO17025 accredited Certification Center offering test services to all stakeholders in the secure component sector for smart cards, handsets, ePassports, electronic driver?s licenses and card readers.

About the OSPT Alliance
The OSPT Alliance is an international association chartered to define a new open standard for secure transit fare collection solutions. It provides industry education, creates workgroup opportunities and catalyzes the development and adoption of innovative fare collection technologies, applications and services. The OSPT Alliance was founded by leading technology companies, and membership is open to technology providers, transit operators, consultants, solution vendors, government agencies and other stakeholders in the transit ecosystem. For additional information, please visit www.osptalliance.org.

For additional information about KEOLABS:
Fabien Pollet
Smart Card Account Manager
KEOLABS
contact@keolabs.com

For additional information about OSPT:
Patrick Corman
OSPT Alliance
(650) 326-9648
Patrick.corman@osptalliance.org
patrick@cormancom.co

Contact Information:
KEOLABS
Steve Gussenhoven
+33 4 76 61 02 35
Contact via Email
www.keolabs.com

Click here to read the full story: KEOLABS Provides CIPURSE Certification Solution

Press Release Distributed by PR.com

Source: http://tech.rambergmedia.com/keolabs-provides-cipurse-certification-solution/

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Assistant Professor- Philosophy ? Rivier University (Nashua, NH)

This is a syndicated post from CatholicJobs.com. [Read the original article...]

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR- PHILOSOPHY
Education: University/College, FT Employee
Rivier University (Nashua, NH)

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
PHILOSOPHY
(Full-time, 9 month contract)

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Rivier University invites outstanding teachers and scholars to apply for one tenure-line position in Philosophy. The successful candidate will teach seven courses over the academic year and be responsible for developing and implementing new junior-level Philosophy courses for non-majors as part of Rivier?s innovative new Core Curriculum, ?Journeys of Transformation.? These courses will be developed under the rubric of ?Ethics, Values, and Moral Choices.? Because of the relationship of Religious Studies and Philosophy in the Core, the University is particularly interested in candidates with expertise in philosophy of religion and Catholic thought.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The ability and willingness to support the mission of the University, in all daily activities.

The successful candidate will be able to articulate why he or she is particularly interested in teaching religious studies at a Roman Catholic University whose core mission is to ?transform hearts and minds to serve the world.? Ph.D. required.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested individuals are invited to apply. Submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and the names and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references to: Office of Human Resources, RIVIER UNIVERSITY, 420 S. Main Street, Nashua, NH 03060-5086 or [email?protected]
No agencies please. EOE.

ABOUT RIVIER:
Rivier University has the advantage of a central New England location in a thriving small city less than 50 miles from metropolitan Boston. With a student population of 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students, the University is recognized for academic excellence, a strong liberal arts program, and professional career preparation in various fields. (9)

Source: http://www.dfwcatholic.org/assistant-professor-philosophy-rivier-university-nashua-nh-81570/.html

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X Factor Fashion Face-Off: Britney vs. Demi vs. Khloe!

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/11/x-factor-fashion-face-off-britney-vs-demi-vs-khloe/

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