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Spears, Swords & Tusks: The Colossal History of War Elephants
On the battlefield, few sights must be more blood-curling than a furious elephantry charge. War elephants have been wreaking havoc in Indian, Chinese, Persian, and Roman armies since Ancient times; however that practice remains shrouded in mystery. Let's walk into the (large) footsteps of those colossuses.
Animals have been siding with armies for millenaries. From horses pulling chariots to messenger pigeons, from war bears to insect bombs, we have enlisted within our ranks numerous species ready for battle. The biggest terrestrial mammal is no exception to the rule.
Taming the elephant
The pachyderm was probably tamed at first by South-East Asian tribes, although the latter did not use it for warfare but rather for lifting heavy loads. In China, where the elephant has been domesticated since the 11th century BC, it is also a gala animal, parading through packed streets when local celebrations occurr. As proof of its complete integration, the (rather macabre) practice of execution by elephant – where the guilty person had his head crushed by a 5-ton mammal – spread across Asia from the 2nd century AD. Its executioner tasks would persist until the 19th century (yup, job security).
But where and when does the pachyderm really take up arms? Tricky question. In the 5th century BC, the Chinese state of Wu brutally attacked the neighboring province of Ch'u in what seems to be the first-ever occurrence of elephantry on the battlefield (torches had been tied to the pachyderms' tails as a motivator, but the trick did not work out). Ancient India certainly democratized the enlistment of elephants: Chandragupta Maurya, leader of the Maurya Empire which occupied the northern half of India in the 3rd century BC, is believed to have spearheaded an army of 9,000 war elephants… Even the 'invincible' Alexander the Great was put in full rout when his soldiers faced elephants on the banks of the Indus River (or perhaps was it in Mesopotamia against the Persian legions of Darius III – sources are unclear).
The traditional Eastern-born game of chess had an elephant-riding cavalier for bishop. (Credit: BnF, Monnaies, Médailles et Antiques – Ivoire 313 à 315)
From Eastern howdahs to Hannibal's tanks
Attesting the growing celebrity of elephantry on the battlefield, the animal has remained within Eastern and European ranks for at least a thousand years. War elephants' tracks can be found amongst Persian, Chinese, Egyptian and even Roman armies. Across time and geography, however, its equipment changed: it is often crowned with a howdah, sort of Eastern palanquin that could be home to thirty archers (much alike the 'oliphaunts' in the LOTR series). Archeologists have also unearthed metal blades that were attached to its tusks to maximize havoc. Sometimes the mammal also wore an extra-large armor to protect its flanks and vital organs. Such weapon-carrying elephants had devastating effects, ripping open the enemy frontline at the average speed of 25 kilometers per hour (15 mph)…
Battle of Zama (202 BC) by Henri-Paul Motte, 1890.
Hannibal's war elephants have gained incredible fame since the Carthaginian general had them to cross the Alps in 218 BC – an incredible tour de force that cost him dozens of elephants and hundreds of soldiers. Can you picture the colossal carcasses of pachyderms, frozen knee-deep into the snow? When Hannibal reached Italy, his starving and exhausted army could not keep pace with the fresh and well-trained Roman phalanxes. As a result, the Carthaginian leader was defeated, which (1) put an end to the Second Punic War and (2) convinced Rome to recruit elephants and deploy them later during the Macedonian and Syrian campaigns.
A great many elephant 'blade tusks' have been discovered by archeologists. This one dates back to 15th-17th century India: it is 24 inches long (61 cms) and weighs 4.5 pounds (2 kgs). (Credit: MET, 2015.103)
How To Train Your Elephant
Obviously, to enlist a 6-ton mammal into one's army turns into a real logistical and technical hardship. The animal has to be tamed, fed (a mere 300 kilos of fodder on a daily basis, plus mangoes and sugar canes) and trained into the arts of battle. Pliny the Elder acknowledged the difficulty of the latter task (Natural History, Book VIII, 9):
"Elephants, when tamed, are employed in war, and carry into the ranks of the enemy towers filled with armed men; and on them, in a very great measure, depends the ultimate result of the battles that are fought in the East. They tread under foot whole companies, and crush the men in their armour. The very least sound, however, of the grunting of the hog terrifies them: when wounded and panic-stricken, they invariably fall back, and become no less formidable for the destruction which they deal to their own side, than to their opponents."
So mice are okay, but pigs aren't? Throughout the never-ending wars that broke out following Alexander The Great's death, Greeks indeed smeared pigs with olive oil, resin, and tar before setting them on fire, leading the understandably screaming animals towards elephant lines… According to Ancient authors, this cruel strategy proved efficient at the siege of Megara (266 BC) since it terrified Macedonian elephantry which fled from the BBQ-smelling battlefield.
Illustration extracted from a 14th-century manuscript (Histoire ancienne: Les Faits des Romains) written by Wauchier de Denain. (Credit: Gallica – BnF, Département des Manuscrits)
Moreover, war elephants are not physically able to cross trenches or ditches (apart from the very small ones) which makes them particularly vulnerable when mounting an assault on enemy fortifications. The besieged would then counter-attack with arrows and spears and ultimately decimate those easy targets. As Pliny explained, the wounded animal can turn as dangerous to its enemies as to its allies… Hasdrubal, Hannibal's brother, usually gave the elephants' mahouts – "drivers" – a hammer and a chisel to drive through the animal's spine in case it got out-of-control.
Ultimate trumpetings
After centuries of stable employment in both Western and Eastern armies, war elephants started to fade away from the battlefield. The advent of gunpowder signed their death warrant, as those big targets could easily be knocked out with a single cannon blow. Nevertheless, elephants still worked for the military – carrying ammunition or heavy material throughout the major conflicts of the 20th century. (Green Berets notably employed them in Vietnam where roads were too impracticable and foliage too thick for motor vehicles.)
An elephant pulling ammunition on Sheffield dockyards (England), 1916.
Today the pachyderm is considered an endangered species, so it is no longer used as a workhorse; it seems like it is now our turn to come to its defense…
Pliny the Elder, The Natural History, Book 8 (1855 ed.) by John Bostock, M.D., F.R.S. H.T. Riley, Esq., B.A. London. Taylor and Francis, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street.
Edward H. Schafer, "War Elephants in Ancient and Medieval China", Oriens Vol. 10, No. 2 (Dec. 31, 1957), pp. 289-291, JSTOR.
Glover, Richard. "The Elephant in Ancient War", The Classical Journal, vol. 39, no. 5, 1944, pp. 257–269, JSTOR.
Luc Mary, Hannibal, l'homme qui fit trembler Rome (2013), L'Archipel.
Bill Deyoung Gainesville, "Elephant Airlift: The Story Behind 'Dumbo Drop' Is No Less Fantastic Than The Movie", The Spokesman, July 31, 1995.
Posted in Animals, History, Science, WildlifeTagged Ancient India, blade tusks, elephant, Hannibal, Hannibal crossing of the Alps, howdah, Persia, Punic War, war animals, war elephant
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matthewjrichardson says:
Really engaging and well-informed read. Enjoyed it.
the Storyteller's Hat says:
Thanks! Glad to hear that!


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hospitalist, thought leadership
Dr. Paulgun Sulur Finds Fulfillment and Balance in Telemedicine
Like hospital leaders, physicians are looking at ways they can solve challenges in care delivery while also maximizing patient outcomes.
Increasing ER throughput.
Managing hospital capacity.
Decreasing length of stay.
These challenges are at the center of hospital management, and often, high-quality hospitalists are needed to take the lead. But that need can conflict with physician shortages and other recruitment difficulties. As hospitals' pursuit of talented hospitalists intensifies, and hospitalists themselves look for meaningful work to provide high-quality care and improve patient experiences, many like Paulgun Sulur, M.D., are taking a new look at how to reach those goals.
Today, Sulur consults with patients and hospital-based clinicians from his home office in the San Francisco Bay area. Through his work with Access Physicians, he looks after patients across the U.S, allowing him to reach more patients with a wide range of needs across a broader geography. It's different … but better …. from what he envisioned when he imagined becoming a physician.
"When I transitioned to telemedicine, I worried I might miss the bedside interaction with patients and families," Sulur said. "But, I found the telemedicine screen between me and my patients melts away rather quickly, and our dialogue becomes very natural. I am able to build the same kind of close, trusting relationships as if I were physically at their bedside."
As health care evolves, and hospitals look at ways to maximize clinical quality and minimize cost inefficiencies, demand for hospitalists like Sulur grows. Hospital decision-makers realize they don't have to sacrifice patient experience or quality by investing in telehospitalists.
Through telemedicine, any community or hospital in the nation can have access to world-class physicians at the patient's bedside, 24/7, in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional on-call or coverage programs.
Sulur and his Access Physicians colleagues embody the best of everything that personalized, one-on-one medical care can and should be for every patient, even those in rural locales with traditionally limited access to care.
Board-certified in internal medicine, Sulur received his medical degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and completed a residency in internal medicine at the UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. He has worked as a hospitalist for Baylor Scott & White and St. David's Healthcare in Austin, and as a primary care physician and hospice medical director for A*MED Healthcare Group. Throughout his career, Sulur has found particular satisfaction in personally interfacing with patients and families—opportunities that can be limited in large hospital settings.
Sulur was inspired to transition from hospital care at the bedside to telemedicine after seeing his wife, an endocrinologist with Access Physicians, care for patients in rural Texas – all through telemedicine. He was impressed with the sophistication and reach of the technology, which utilizes a physician-designed cart equipped with high-resolution display HD camera and remote control to pan, tilt, and zoom; HIPAA-compliant video; and a digital stethoscope. Advanced beyond any telemedicine technology he had seen previously, it creates a true face-to-face experience, helping patients fully benefit from their physician's focused attention and personal perspective.
"But telemedicine is about much more than technology. It presents infinite opportunities to find real meaning in the care I deliver," Sulur says. "My interactions with patients now may be even more personal than they were in a hospital setting. Not being physically in the room with the patient and family, I take extra care and attention, ask more probing questions and am more alert to potential mitigating factors. All of this leads to more insightful, superior care."
Telemedicine has increased, rather than limited, his reach as a physician. Indeed, he covers hospitals coast to coast, concurrently caring for patients in many communities and time zones. The prevalence of certain diseases and conditions he encounters is as varied as the demographics and geography, continually presenting new challenges and learning opportunities.
Not only has Sulur's telemedicine experience proved tremendously rewarding, it also has positively impacted his life/work balance.
"I'm the happiest I've ever been in my career," he says. "Professionally, it's enriching to be continually presented with new challenges, new perspectives and new ways of doing things. Personally, I enjoy working in the home environment and having the flexibility to be available to my family."
By Stephanie Limb
hospitalist, infectious disease, pulmonary and critical care, thought leadership
Chris Gallagher, team accomplishment, thought leadership, Uncategorized
Video: How Access Physicians Brings Clinical Excellence to Telemedicine
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About Us | More than a Decade of Experience in Telemedicine
See how Access Physicians builds programs that inspire clinical excellence through a holistic workflow for hospital partners.
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News Release: Access Physicians CMO Appointed to Governor's Broadband Development Council

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"Although Enchanted Grounds has a convenient location in the middle of such a densely populated area, it still has the great..."
""Carino" in Spanish means, "tender", "caring"... and truly, this coffee shop lives up to its name! Alina and Terry are the..."
"I love the area that Paris is in. I have been visiting Paris since I was in high school which was over 7 years ago. I love..."
"Why should I just sit in a chain store and drink coffee--when I can come here, have great coffee and something yummy to eat..."


Among the techniques your team of expert renovators are likely to look at using will be an increase in light. Natural light is very important in all modern homes, but it is even more crucial when there's not a lot of space inside. Extra light pouring in through skylights and windows can help make your whole home feel much brighter and give the impression of being larger as a result.
Another technique used in London property is to actually open spaces up, physically. It's not uncommon for contemporary renovations to involve a little work on the walls, either to move them or remove them, open them up or to create half walls where they used to be. This allows light to flow from room to room, creating a much more positive atmosphere.
Hallways, landings and staircases always benefit from a extra natural light because they are the parts of the house that welcome you home every day. It's important to see what ideas your architect and builder can come up with together to see how you can open these areas up an make them feel more spacious. It is really useful for your residential architect and your local builder to work together from the very beginning of your renovation. This gives the most time for solutions to be created and opportunities explored. Often in this scenario, building expertise and design flair combine to make 1+1 add up to 3.
It's even possible for your architect and builder to work along side an interior desiger to boost your options further in terms of storage space and so on. This is an important consideration, particularly if your property has a relatively small footprint or limited storage space currently.


Hundreds of victims shot during the Las Vegas Mandalay Bay massacre are being sued by the hotel's owner, MGM Resorts.
MGM Resorts filed lawsuits variously in Nevada, California, New York and other states, claiming it has "no liability of any kind" to survivors or families of victims under an anti-terrorist law.
High-stakes gambler, Stephen Paddock, on October 1, 2017, fired on a crowd gathered for a country music festival at the Mandalay Bay, killing 58 people and injuring hundreds more before shooting himself.
Attorney Robert Eglet, who represents victims, derided the casino owner, saying the company is filing complaints nationwide in search of a sympathetic judge.
He said: "This is absolute gamesmanship. It's outrageous. It's just pouring gasoline on the fire of (the victims') suffering.
Victims with active lawsuits against MGM do not face the company's legal claim. MGM says a 2002 law limits liabilities when a company or group uses services certified by the US Department of Homeland Security and mass attacks occur.
The company says it is not liable because its security vendor for the concert, Contemporary Services Corporation, was federally certified at the time of the 1 October 2017 shooting.


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Nacionalni park Great Basin jedan je od 58 nacionalnih parkova smještenih na području Sjedinjenih Američkih Država.

Zemljopisni podaci
Ovaj se nacionalni park nalazi na središnjem istoku američke savezne države Nevada uz granicu sa saveznom državom Utah, oko 470 kilometara sjeverno od Las Vegasa. Great Basin se prostire na površini od oko 31.230 hektara. Park je nazvan po suhoj planinskoj regiji Great Basin ( Veliki bazen) u kojoj se nalazi, a koja se prostire između gorja Sierra Nevade i planina Wasatch.

Klima
Nacionalni park Great Basin se nalazi u sušnom području s vrlo malo godišnjih padalina kojih je u obliku snijega najviše tijekom zime, ili tijekom ljeta u vrijeme grmljavinskih oluja. Padaline vrlo brzo isparavaju ili nestaju u podzemnim tokovima te ne dolaze do oceana.

Zime su hladne, ljeta blaga do vruća. Moguće su brze i iznenadne promjene vremenskih uvjeta pogotovo u unutrašnjosti i na većim visinama. Temperature su u špiljama Lehman ujednačene i kreću se oko 10°C uz prosječnu vlažnost zraka od 90% tijekom cijele godine.

Biljni i životinjski svijet

Biljni svijet

Iako je većim dijelom pustinja s manje od 10 cm padalina godišnje, u nacionalnom parku Great Basin se može pronaći preko 800 vrsta raznih biljaka od kojih je 13 osjetljivih vrsta. Biljke su se prilagodile suhim pustinjskim uvjetima, a njihova je adaptacija omogućila da prežive u teškim uvjetima i osiguraju raznolika staništa za životinje pa tako mnoge biljke cvjetnice rastu, cvjetaju i proizvode sjeme samo tijekom vlažnog dijela godine, no sjemenke tih biljaka će biti neaktivne sve do prve sezone s dovoljnim količinama vlage, što može trajati godinama.

Neke druge biljke su se prilagodile tako što svoje korijenje rasprostiru u krug do 25 metara oko same biljke te na taj način crpe veće količine vlage. Dlakavo lišće onemogućava brzo isparavnje vode pa biljke mogu dugo opstati bez vode.

Životinjski svijet

Nacionalni park Great Basin obitavalište je i stanište za 71 vrstu sisavaca, 18 vrsta gmazova, 241 vrstu ptica, 2 vrste vodozemaca te 8 vrsta riba.

U nižim dijelovima park obiluje raznim vrstama sisavaca poput zečeva, vjeverica, raznih vrsta miševa, a u manjoj mjeri kojota, lisica ili jazavaca. Viši dijelovi parka stanište su planinskih lavova, crvenih risova, svizaca, planinskih ovaca, jelena, tvorova itd.

Izvori

Vanjske poveznice
http://www.great.basin.national-park.com/
Great Basin National Park gallery

Ostali projekti

Nacionalni parkovi u SAD-u

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FARMINGTON ? The 36th annual Farmington Strawberry Festival will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Farmington.
Friday?s highlights will be the prince and princes contest at 5:30 p.m. in the shelter house along the Des Moines River, followed by the junior queen and queen contests at 6:30 p.m. The art show registration is from 6:30-9 p.m. in the Farmington Event Center. The Band with No Name will play from 7-10 p.m. in the shelter house.
Weekend highlights include free strawberries and ice cream served from 2-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Other activities include a car show Sunday, a ?Berry Good Dog? show, and a children?s pedal pull, also on Sunday.
Food, bingo, a book sale, a cake walk, an arts and crafts flea market, cooking contest, go-cart races and more are planned.
For more information and a festival schedule, visit the website www.farmingtonstrawberryfestival.org.


Back in the days when Uri Geller and Jean Dixon (look them up) were making the talk show rounds, I once told my science classes that I was able to predict the future.
Of course, none of them believed me.
"You had to have special powers of some kind in order to do that" they told me. Some of them then gave me a long dissertation about Nostradamus, who was back in the news for one of his 400 year old wishy washy "predictions" that had appeared to have come true.
I created a lesson about critical thinking, and it took almost the entire year to complete. Early on we talked about people that said they could predict the future: Mediums, Psychics, Prophets, and the like. We discussed what percentage of predictions needed to come true in order for the students to be convinced that someone had true "psychic" skills.
They all agreed that 75%or greater was a pretty good indicator that someone had the ability to predict the future.
I then set up a demonstration: I told them that I would be able to predict the future with at least 75% accuracy. I made a set of predictions, sealed them in an envelope, even dramatically sealed the envelope with red wax, and put it on a shelf, not to be disturbed until the last week of school.
When the last week of school arrived, I took the envelope down and read my predictions. Amazingly enough, I was closer to 90% accurate! The students now all believed that I had some kind of power.
I remembered my father telling me that if you make enough predictions, just by chance, some of them will come true. Psychics, because of the full time scam that they practice, all they do is make predictions. Sheer volume would indicate that they have a chance of making a prediction come true.
Jean Dixon was famous for predicting that JFK would be assassinated. She also predicted that JFK would complete his term. Either way, the psychic will be right because you only hear about the prediction that came true.
The more dramatic the "prediction" the more famous the psychic becomes.
Prediction 1: UTEP football will have a losing season. Easy.
The basketball team, on the other hand, was usually pretty good, stacked early games of the season with patsies, and almost always had a winning season.
Prediction 2: UTEP Basketball would have a winning season.
Large snow storms come to the desert rarely, but light snow is very common in the winter, even if it only hangs around for a few hours.
And on it went until I had 25 predictions: A famous movie actor will die. A politician will be involved in a scandal. A plane will crash in a foreign country. A famous musician will be arrested. The price of gasoline will go up.
The stock market will NOT go up 10%.
A famous politician will not be assassinated.
My 25 initial predictions became 100 by the time I finished, sealed the envelope and in front of the students, placed it on top of a large glassware shelf.
When the last week of school came, most of the kids had forgotten about the envelope, but quickly remembered when I took it down. I had a student examine the seal to make sure it had not been tampered with. Another student opened the envelope up, to make sure I was not able to slip in a new set of predictions.
When I read them to the class, they were amazed at my abilities. Surely, I had some kind of mystical powers. I explained to them, I had the "power" of noticing trends, understanding statistics, hedging bets, and using language to make ambiguous statements that could be interpreted many different ways.
Math, English and Science – All in one, very extended lesson.
By the end, the students saw how predictions were made and how "psychics" were nothing more than flam flam artists out to make money off of unsuspecting rubes.
Your wife might be cheating on you.
You will someday find love.
James Randi, the famous magician, had a $1,000,000 challenge from 1964 to 2015 where he would have paid anyone that said they had "psychic powers" that amount if their claims could withstand scientific scrutiny.
Not a single person was able to claim the prize.
Critical thinking is important. Our students need to know how to think that way. Our teachers need to think that way as well. Otherwise, they will become victims of the film flam. Or they won't.
Either way, I am correct.


I have always been an avid reader. What I didn't realize about myself until recently, however, is that I also love to write. Writing can be used for numerous purposes. It can be a healthy outlet for working through an emotion. It can allow people to organize their thoughts and prove (or disprove) a point. It can be used to voice an opinion. It can also allow others to propel themselves into another world or to curb their curiosity about someone (or something) that they once knew nothing, or very little, about.
Consider the amount of books you read in a month, in a year. And then ask yourself–why not put your own thoughts, dreams, or opinions into print?
At first, I thought it a daunting task–to express myself on paper. But then I looked back at how much writing I had already done throughout my life–an innocent diary entry when I was in junior high; a thesis in college; a case brief in graduate school; an angry (and quite therapeutic) letter to someone to whom I couldn't express my emotions verbally.
If I have any desire to write, I should pick up a pen (or a keyboard) and just start. Perhaps you should, too!
I realize now that, if the writing is for me, I should not be concerned with how others will receive what I have to say. If I have any desire to write, I should pick up a pen (or a keyboard) and just start. Perhaps you should, too!
If you are anything like me, though, you will want to know where to start–whether you are writing just for you or for the public. Here are some online and local writing workshops in which you can participate, as a start.
Mondays and Thursdays, November 30-December 10, 4 p.m.
October 31, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
November 1, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
December 1, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Note: Here are two other Alabama colleges that do or will offer the same (and other) writing workshops.
The workshops at Shelton State take place this month, and there are none currently scheduled at the University of North Alabama. However, do keep checking back with them, especially if these locations are most convenient to you.
Whether you have already fallen in love with writing or just want to get your feet wet, these workshops are a good starting point. There are numerous classes out there, so be sure to ask for the complete list of available workshops.
As a last thought, do not let these classes be a one-time thing. Continue to participate in them, as they are good stepping stones to boost your confidence and to structure your thoughts. And, if and when you're ready, these classes will also teach you what to expect should you end up wanting to pursue writing as a career!


The Catalena earrings are gracefully elegant with their elongated tear drop shape. A lovely red orange carnelian adorns the surface for eye catching detail. I've provided a lush hammered texture for rustic appeal. All sterling has been oxidized and then brushed for a gorgeous satin finish.


he Kiss bassist said he doesn't consume any alcohol, even on social occasions. "I literally never drink," he said. "Privately or publicly. I simply don't like the taste or the smell of anything with alcohol in it. I have never been drunk in my life and have never taken more than a sip of anything, and hated it every time. I will toast just to be social, but that's it."


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Phone & Video Services
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We proudly serve all of Florida. Enjoy your appointment in office, or via phone or video. Call us (904) 302-5340 or schedule online.
Hi! I'm Dr. Tabitha Johnson. I'm a marriage and family therapist, author, speaker, and happily married wife to my husband, Derek. When I was 16 years old, all I thought about was getting married, and I was convinced that I would be married when I was 18. Well, things didn't go as I had planned (thank God). Since I wasn't married at 18, my parents convinced me to go to college. During my studies for a bachelor's degree in psychology, I fell in love with the field of marriage and family. I pursued both master's and doctorate degrees in the field, going straight through and completing nine years of school without any time off (if you're reading in between the lines, that basically means I had no life except for school). Finally, after multiple boyfriends, three college degrees and relocating to various states for school and jobs four times, I married the love of my life when I was 29.
Over the 18 years of being in the field of marriage and family, I've worked with thousands of individuals, couples and families. I've helped many marriages be mended and individual problems solved. I use proven methods and research-based methodologies, so that my clients can receive the treatment that is most likely going to provide improvements in the quickest, most efficient manner possible.
Since starting Family Therapy Associates of Jacksonville eight years ago, I have spent countless hours training and developing our team of therapists, and still continue to do so. I believe if you are struggling in life or relationships, we can help. Our mission is to help you experience optimal health and happiness in your life and relationships. We aim to serve you with the most research-based, innovative therapies, VIP-level care, and integrity at every interaction.
You deserve happiness. You can experience peace, fulfillment and connection in your relationships. If you're ready for change, our team has the experience and skill set to help you improve your life and relationship.
My Biography
I received a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Valdosta State University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy from The Florida State University. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in Florida (MT2673), licensed clinical supervisor, and clinical fellow in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. I have also served as a couple and family educator, professor, and early childhood specialist. I established the Healthy Marriage Initiative for the state of Mississippi, and was instrumental in shaping Mississippi's public policy, working alongside Mississippi's Department of Human Services and Mississippi Center for Public Policy. I also partnered in successful projects with Family Life and am recognized as a national authority in the field of relationships, with guest appearances on American Family Radio, Focus on the Family, WJEB TBN Affiliate, WJXT Channel 4, and on Fox30/CBS 47 Action News evening news shows as their marriage and relationship expert. I have also been featured in online posts and writings for the Huffington Post, Woman's Day, About.com newlyweds section, and mywedding.com. In 2016, 2017, and 2018, I was honored to be named one of Jacksonville's top three counselors by Three Best Rated. Now, my primary focus is training our clinical team members – and it's such an honor that two of our clinicians were named Jacksonville's top counselors by Three Best Rated in 2019 and 2020. I currently serve on The Florida State University's College of Health & Human Sciences Dean's Advisory Council.
I am happily married to my husband, Derek, who makes me laugh and makes sure that there's never a dull moment in life. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, international traveling (because guacamole is always better in Mexico), and shopping (shoes and handbags are my weakness).
If you're ready to schedule an appointment with one of the therapists on our team, click on the link below. Or, feel free to give us a call at (904) 302-5340 and our New Client Concierge will help you.
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Hunting Simulator Game
Hunting Simulator Game (MOD, Free Shopping)
Woodcock entertainment
Shopping is possible even if you don't have enough money.
Long ago, to get meat to eat, people had to go to the forests to hunt animals and get their meat. But after a lot of time, people did not do that anymore; now we know how to raise animals and many other ways to get meat. So hunting now is not just for food; people use it as a form of entertainment. If players want to experience the most realistic hunting feeling, the game Hunting Simulator Game is what will bring it. This game will give players a lot of excellent hunting experience for players to enjoy.
First of all, let's talk about the things that players will hunt in this game, which are things like deer, mallard, bears, and a lot of other things. The most important factor in deciding a player's success in hunting is calm and accurate. Players need to approach their goal slowly so they can not detect that someone is coming. When the player lets them know that the player is trying to reach them, they will run away, and the hunt will fail. When the player is close enough, use your gun to take out the animals that you are aiming for. But be careful with species like wolves and bears, because it is difficult to knock them down in one sale. And if the player does not quickly defeat them in the next shot, they will be attacked.
One of the most important tools for hunting is the shotgun. When players come to the game, they will be provided with many different types of guns for players to use. Each target will require a different type of gun to hunt, for example, to hunt mallards, players need shotguns, and retire players will need a sniper rifle. So before coming to the hunt, players choose for themselves a weapon most convenient to hunt offline. Also, if the player wants to experience something more interesting, then the bow or crossbow will also be provided by the game for players to use. When using these things, players will get exciting experiences, because these are rudimentary weapons that ancestors used to hunt.
Download Hunting Simulator Game (MOD, Free Shopping)
You are now ready to download Hunting Simulator Game for free. Here are some notes:


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← Reading Science Week 2016
East Reading Festival June 19th 2016 – "Be part of it!" →
45th AGM Saturday 18th June
Posted on June 13, 2016 by gbond
The 45th AGM is due Saturday 18th 2016
Members are invited to nominate themselves or others for the posts. Competition is good!
The usual form is that the meeting starts with the AGM and depending on length an entertaining talk is arrange for the second half.
This year: Who gets the fame for the BIG BANG?
Minutes of last year's meeting are below.
Minutes of the 44th Annual General Meeting of the Reading Astronomical Society, held at St. Peter's Church Hall, Earley at 2100 on Saturday 20th June 2015.
There were 39 members present, of whom 5 were serving officers of the Society.
1. Chairperson's welcome
The Chairman, John Talbot thanked members for attending. Some copies of the 2014 AGM and Agenda had been circulated prior to the meeting and had been emailed to members.
2. Apologies for Absence
Chis Menmuir (Sec), Anne Chadwick (Vice Chairman), Peter Tickner (Technical Officer), Sheila Jordan (Treasurer).
Present: – John Talbot (Chairman), Gerry Bond (Basics), Alun Halsey (Techincal Officer), Kenelm England (Librarian), Malcolm Brown (Asst Sec).
3. Minutes of the last AGM, and Matters Arising
There were no comments regarding the 2014 AGM Minutes which were accepted as a true record. There were no matters arising or actions.
4. Treasurer's report
The Treasurer provided copies of the 2014/2015accounts which are currently being audited. Income was reported at £2248.13 against expenditure of £1943.96, giving an excess of income over expenditure of £304.17. Society funds are £6438.41.
There are no proposals to change the current membership fees.
5. Librarian's Report
The Librarian reported that all books have been available for loan at the main Saturday Meetings. There have been some donations and gifts from members during the year. The Librarian welcomes any suggestions for new titles to be purchased. The Librarian reported that the internet is now a dominant source of information but books still had a place. The Librarian has compiled a Library catalogue which is in spreadsheet format on the Reading Astro Yahoo Group. Gerry Bond reported that he had also compiled a catalogue from photographing the books in their shelves which he has placed on the Internet using Librarything.com. All of the VHS video tapes have been disposed of, to be replaced as required by DVDs.
Club funds are always available for the purchase of books and other material. If any particular book is needed, advise the Librarian. A member from the audience enquired about obtaining literature which would appeal to the junior members of the Society.
6. Astro Basics Report
The Basics meetings were successful, with most meetings having an attendance in the range of 40 people.
Meetings are held on the 4th Friday of the month, with 9 meetings in the year and are open to all as part of the Society's Outreach programme. About half of the attendees are new to the society.
Some useful contacts have been made with Dr Antonio Portas of University of Reading Department of Meteorology, from which more co-operation is expected. GB's dream scenario is that there may be possibilities for storing some of the Society's larger kit at this campus, through the offices of Dr Portas, eg display boards and larger kit.
He would like to have heavy telescopes in the room for practical "hands on" session but we cannot have use of this room for the September meeting that Wayne, Alun and Peter were planning.
GB reported that two sessions in support to British Science Week were held at the UoR London Road campus, where use was made of a small lecture theatre and some visual observing for the public was conducted on the grass quad near the Great Hall. This was deemed to be a great success, a better site than the nearby MERL facilities because car parking was better.
7. Equipment Report
Alun Halsey reported that he looks after and maintains the Society's equipment. Photos of the equipment have been posted on the Yahoo group.
Alun co-ordinates most of the observing sessions held at our local dark sky site. We plan a session to observe the Perseid Meteor shower on night of 12/13 August, weather permitting. AH requested that if any one wished to go there at any other time to let him know so that the site owners can be advised.
8. Chairman's Report
The Chairman provided a summary of the year. We have 96 members. He thanked the main speakers and all the second half speakers for their excellent contributions. The 2015/16 programme is nearly complete and if any members have a favourite speaker or subject, please let the committee know so that we can slot them in.
The Chairman thanked those members who has given time and lent equipment at public events throughout the year which has ensured good promotion of the Society.
The Chairman's report is appended to these minutes.
9. President's Prize
The President's Prize is awarded annually at the discretion of the executive committee to a member or members who have in the opinion of the committee made a significant contribution to the society either by their observational astronomy or by the completion of a suitable project furthering the objectives of the charity.
GB reported that "John Paraskeva is to most people just a member of the Society who comes and listens to lectures. His astronomical interest is spectroscopy and he is better known outside the Society for that. The Yahoo group, whimsically called "Astrobodger" has 221 members and is based around the use of spectroscopy software known as BASS (Basic Astronomical Spectroscopy Software) which was written and has been maintained by John. Since July 2012, the site has been very active and John has been continually updating the programme since in response to his active followers.
John is awarded the President's Prize as recognition of this contribution to amateur astronomy, for the way spectroscopy is dedicated to collecting scientific data and in the way it underlies all the theories of the modern universe. John's contribution deserves this acknowledgement by the Society."
10. Election of Officers
The nominations for the committee for the next session are as follows:
ChairmanChairman John Talbot
Vice-Chairman Anne Chadwick
Treasurer Val Coney or Tracy Talbot (to be confirmed)
Secretary Chris Menmuir
Assistant Secretary Malcolm Brown
AstroBasics Section Gerry Bond
Librarian Kenelm England
Equipment Alun Halsey
Technical Peter Tickner
Ordinary Members Eddie Thorpe and John Paraskeva
John proposed that the new committee should be accepted en bloc. Marc Charron seconded this motion. A unanimous vote was in favour of the new committee.
11. AOB
a. August Imaging Workshop Saturday August 8th ,1200 – 1700 hrs
Alun Halsey, Peter Tickner, Gerry Bond and John Talbot will hold an imaging workshop open to all. Just come along, you ask questions, panel will try to answer. There will be demonstrations.
b. Society Observatory
A society member (don't know his name, keen radio astronomer, takes notes at meetings) asked about possibility of establishing a Society Observatory. GB reported that investigations have been made about getting a gate in the fence between the Church Hall and Sol Joel Park so that the space could be used for observations after any of our meetings are held. Parish Council are keen to make more use of the park. Formal application needs to be made to the Church Hall committee. An additional complication is that the Scouts may wish to expand their building which would affect the siting of the gate.
The question of establishing an observatory has been raised in the past. There are pros and cons, amongst which are finding the land, funds, security. The matter can be taken on board by the new committee. A show of hands indicated that a few people (8) may be interested in an observatory. GB reported that in the time he has been a member of the Society, technology has got improved so that today, members are making better observations in their own gardens than they would in a jointly owned observatory. JT commented that if we had a permanent set up at say Farley Hill, then a lot of members would use it. Martin Berger suggested investigating the possibility of establishing a shared facility with another society such as Newbury or Maidenhead. Tim Haynes said that he could visit Hampshire Astronomy Group to find out how they run their observatory at Clanfield.
c. Solar Observing.
Eddie Thorpe asked about practical solar observing sessions. GB said that we could investigate doing this at Farley Hill when the cricket club was playing. Any sessions are subject to weather permitting. Ah will organise a session.
d. Solar Eclipse Trip to USA 2017
A member (radio astronomer) asked about a society trip to USA to observe the 2017 Solar Eclipse. GB reported that the November speaker, David Philips, of Explorers Tours, TUI Group will talk about Eclipses and Tourism which should be interesting. GB reported that tours for the 2017 event are now sold out, so if anyone wishes to go, they should do it privately and do it at the last moment. The Chairman reported it is on the committee agenda to discuss a possible Society meet up for the eclipse in the USA and to watch this space
e. Future Meetings
A member asked if any talks had been lined up on current projects, for example Pluto New Horizons. GB reported that he was working on Rosetta but that people seemed to be busy at the moment! It was asked if we could have an professional speaker for a Friday meeting – we do have enough cash to support this. Chairman reported that we were trying to get someone to come and talk about Pluto.
There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 2145
Assistant Secretary, Malcolm Brown
Signed: John Talbot, Chairman; Chris Menmuir, Secretary
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'Border Stories' programme
Posted on: 8th January 2019
VR technology, an album launch; and a live multi-media event- Arts used to foreground South Armagh's troubled past
The Playhouse Theatre Peace Building Academy presents 'Border Stories' programme
Pioneering digital storytelling formatswill be used in a new programme of events exploring the testimony ofindividuals who have experienced violence during The Troubles in South Armagh and border counties.
Ground-breaking VR technology, music and live multimedia events will be used by The Playhouse Theatre Peace Building Academyto give artistic expression to the experience of living in Northern Ireland and memory of The Troubles.
Award-winning documentary filmmaker Declan Keeney will use ground-breaking VR technology to create an immersive documentary filmed in Virtual Reality in March 2019. The final work will be an immersive documentary filmed in Virtual Reality entitled 'Frictionless'.
Internationally critically acclaimed musician and vocalist Emer Kenny will then compose music inspired by interviews and experiences related to The Troubles, in a professionally produced and recorded album that will be launched in a live musical event in April 2019.
Renowned playwright, scriptwriter and filmmaker Laurence McKeown will create a multi-media, live event with focus upon the land and the landscape, to be staged in April 2019. Shared experiences and memories will be interpreted in 'Conflict Scars', the professional show involving film, sound, theatre, music, song, and narration.
BAFTA winning film and theatre maker Robert Rae has also carried out a six month residency in Newry as part of the programme to create a contemporary piece of theatre 'Blood Red Lines' to tour Newry, Dundalk and Belfast in February/ March. CLICK HERE to read more about Robert's residency.
In the play, survivors and former combatants wrestle with the complexity of how and what to tell the next generation, their individual rights set against the refusal of the state to share the truth, growing anxiety about the effect Brexit will have on peace… and the impact upon their own lives of the events they endured.
"Every border has two sides, every story has at least two sides in respect of our recent memory of the conflict and yet the idea of border acknowledges that this may not be a frictionless or uncontested process"filmmaker Declan Keeney said.
"Virtual Reality is a powerful new tool that can help humanise the story of the 'other' and brings the viewer into peoples lived experience, spaces and communities that they may not have engaged with in the past."
Laurence McKeown said: "The over-arching intention is not to interrogate the rights and wrongs of each shared story - but rather to present the different perspectives of those involved leading up to, during, after the event and the legacy for individuals today - in the spirit of promoting understanding by offering personal insight and in the context of Peace building. The key theme will be survival and retaining dignity in the face of adversity – this will be underpinned with an aim to show how South Armagh, an area designated as one of natural beauty, is rich in folklore, culture, and tradition but one also that has suffered great tragedy, strife and cycles of conflict."
The Playhouse will work in partnership with Holywell Trust, Thomas D'Arcy McGee Foundation and Queens University Belfast to deliver The Playhouse Theatre Peace Building Academy.
The PEACE IV Programme is an EU funded Programme designed to support peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border region. It is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Match-funding for the project has been provided by the Executive Office and the Department for Rural and Community Development.
DOCUMENTARY FILM TENDER
Celebrating 2019- Playhouse reflects on a year internationally recognised for peacebuilding, challenging new commissions and socially engaged arts!
Keep up to date with The Playhouse
news and events.
Subscribe to our newsletter and we'll send you all The Playhouse news straight to your inbox.
Tweets by @PlayhouseDerry
PRINCIPAL FUNDER
The Playhouse Theatre
5-7 Artillery St
Derry / Londonderry
BT48 6RG
Fax: 028 71 261884
info@derryplayhouse.co.uk
The Playhouse is registered as: North West Play Resource Centre
Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland No: NIC 100119
Company Registration: NI 26912.
a zoocreative website.


This Application Note offers an overview of several benchmarking tools that are available on the Linux® operating system. GMS uses some of these tools during development and testing on our small form factor (SFF), rack mount, and smart panel PC ("SmartView™") systems.
With years of experience in implementing SSDs into rugged embedded computers and servers, General Micro Systems (GMS) regularly provides vendor-neutral technical guidance to developers whose systems require non-volatile embedded or removable drives. In this paper, we examine the differences in SSD options and highlight key criteria that should be considered when choosing an appropriate embedded, flash memory-based SSD device to meet application-specific requirements.


Here is the answer for: Put in proper piles crossword clue answers, solutions for the popular game New York Times Crossword. This clue belongs to New York Times Crossword February 12 2019 Answers. In case something is wrong or missing you are kindly requested to leave a message below and one of our staff members will be more than happy to help you out.
Already solved Put in proper piles? Click here to go back to the main post and find other answers New York Times Crossword February 12 2019 Answers.


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Minnesota Duluth among No. 1 seeds in NCAA Hockey Championship
Josh Gold-Smith
Icon Sportswire / Getty
The defending champions from Minnesota Duluth, alongside Minnesota State Mankato, St. Cloud State, and Massachusetts will be the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Hockey Championship bracket.
For the second straight year, St. Cloud State is the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.
Here's the path to the NCAA Frozen Four, which will take place April 11 and 13 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo (all times ET):
Scheels Arena, Fargo, N.D.
1. St. Cloud State (30-5-3)
4. American International (22-16-1)
March 29, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
2. Denver (22-11-5)
3. Ohio State (20-10-5)
March 29, 4 p.m. (ESPNU)
SNHU Arena, Manchester, N.H.
1. Massachusetts (28-9)
4. Harvard (19-10-3)
March 29, 3 p.m. (ESPN2)
2. Clarkson (26-10-2)
3. Notre Dame (22-13-3)
March 29, 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, R.I.
1. Minnesota State Mankato (32-7-2)
4. Providence (22-11-6)
March 30, 1 p.m. (ESPNews)
2. Northeastern (27-10-1)
3. Cornell (20-10-4)
March 30, 4:30 p.m. (ESPNews)
PPL Center, Allentown, Pa.
1. Minnesota Duluth (25-11-2)
4. Bowling Green (25-10-5)
2. Quinnipiac (25-9-2)
3. Arizona State (21-12-1)
You can view the full bracket here.
The Fisherman returns: The redemption story behind the Isles' throwback
Canucks sign Kuzmenko to 2-year extension with $5.5M AAV
Trade candidate Gostisbehere out 4-6 weeks with upper-body i...
Makar returns vs. Ducks after 4-game injury absence
Wild make Hartman healthy scratch vs. Flyers
NHL Thursday best bets: Rivalries renewed and a desert 'dog
O'Reilly open to discount to stay with Blues: 'I hope I don'...
Kraken dominate to hand Tocchet 1st loss as Canucks coach


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How Our First Derm App Can Save Your Life
by Alexander Börve | Sep 15, 2020 | Blog, Skin Cancer, Teledermatology
Our Teledermatology service has been in action for many years now, we started research as far back as 2009 and we haven't looked back! Now that more of us are using online services we thought it would be great to share the progress teledermatology has made over the past ten years.
Firstly we'd like to share some stories that demonstrate how our service could save you and your loved ones… If you would like to jump to a specific section just click one of the links below.
A Friend Asks For Help
Our Study Saves a Mother
App Saves Entrepreneur
Why Choose First Derm
Peace Of Mind With First Derm
Try our FREE dermatology search engine and get peace of mind within a second.
Our CEO Saved His Best Friend
Dr. Börve and his Skin Cancer Surviving Friend
First is a fantastic story of our CEO, Dr. Alexander Börve, who in the early days of First Derm, managed to save one of his friends with our app.
As Dr. Börve says, friends are the litmus test if your idea will fly or not. Here is Dr. Börve in his own words:
Despite everything, execution is paramount, this is where a lot of ideas fizzle out or you go bankrupt down the road.
As a founder, the most rewarding moment, is when you receive feedback from your friends. This is only made better when friends use your service and have paid without your knowledge. For me, this is a key signal in that they support you and there is a proven business model.
I got the idea to start First Derm many years ago, after I observed friends asking my then dermatologist girlfriend for advice on their skin concerns at dinner parties and social events.
Awkward Encounters
Sometimes it could be awkward when there was a genuine concern…. Encounters like these developed into the creation of an anonymous, on-demand dermatology service. It was important that it could be used from anywhere, anytime and in any internet connected device. There are over 3000 skin diseases reported in research, however there is one main skin disease that kills if it is not discovered early. The skin cancer malignant melanoma has a more than 95% survival rate if caught early. However, if it is caught late there is a quite fast and painful death, which sometimes can be within months.
After all of this hard work, I felt it would only be a matter of time before a friend would show me scar on their chest after having used First Derm…
In the end it came from a good friend of mine. Swedish entrepreneur friend Christian Bagge runs a video editing platform called Cloudreel, when he was visiting the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona he told me:
Alex, I used your dermatology service last year and I think it might have saved my life!
He pulled up his shirt to reveal a 5 cm scar on his chest.
Chest Scar Tissue after Malignant Melanoma Treatment
A changing mole on his chest was concerning and that his wife encouraged him to get it checked out. Bagge is a technology enthusiast, conscious about his personal time and he remembered my dermatology service would give an answer within hours. After downloading the app and snapping two pictures: one overview and one close-up. The First Derm dermatologist responded promptly the same day.
Checking for Skin Cancer
Malignant melanoma skin cancer could not be ruled out and he was advised to see a dermatologist in person as soon as possible. At the clinic, they would then take a look with a dermatoscope (a magnifying glass with an LED light that dermatologists use to look at moles).
Potential Malignant Melanoma Assessment
Initially it was a little shocking to Bagge, but he followed the advice and booked an appointment at a dermatology clinic in his vicinity. The dermatologist confirmed that the mole looked suspiciously like a malignant melanoma and removed it with a 1 cm margin and sent it for a pathology lab. A pathology report showed that it was a malignant melanoma in situ, which is early stage malignant melanoma; when it is removed early, you are close to 100% cured from the disease.
Our Tele-dermatology Research
Before we dive into another positive story on our service. We'd like to show you some of the research we have put into teledermatology. This has helped us succeed at the level you can see today.
First Derm's founder, Dr. Alexander Börve, authored a teledermatology study that could change the way skin cancer patients are triaged worldwide. With 1,562 participants, this was the largest study of its kind to date.
In the study, participants were seen in primary care clinics for diagnosis of suspicious skin lesions. If referral to a dermatologist was warranted, primary care practitioners sent referral notification to local dermatology clinics in two ways:
For the control group (746 patients), physicians used paper referral forms and sent them through the regular channels.
In the study group (816 patients), physicians used a dermoscope connected to their iPhones to photograph lesions. They then completed a standardized query form, and sent both to the dermatology departments electronically.
The study's most important findings include:
For those requiring surgical treatment, the waiting time was significantly shorter using teledermoscopy for patients with skin cancer
Triage decisions were more reliable with teledermoscopy.
Over 40% of the teledermoscopy patients could potentially have avoided face-to-face visits.
Teledermatology reduces the median time for diagnosis and treatment for all skin cancer types
More patients referred via teledermoscopy were able to receive surgical treatment (when required) on their first face-to-face visit with a dermatologist.
What this research demonstrates is that our online dermatology app was able to shorten waiting times. It also aided dermatologists in making accurate and effective decisions for patients.
How Our Study Saved A Mothers Life
Our First Derm app hasn't simply saved CEOs in isolated cases. Our study even saved one of the patients directly.
Mother using her smartphone found potential skin cancer.
Her malignant melanoma was found at an early stage thanks to a clinical digital health study using a smartphone app conducted in the region of western Götaland, Sweden. A week later, the lesion was surgically removed, and today Susann is completely healthy.
"It is very likely that the mobile phone saved my life," Susann Samuelsson says, a 38-year-old mother of two from the west coast town of Kungsbacka. Thanks to the clinical study with our First Derm app, which found her malignant melanoma at an early stage, the lesion was surgically removed before it could spread. "I was extremely lucky" she says. For Susann, it all began with an irritated mole on her back, which had started to itch. Since Susann had recently read a newspaper article about skin cancer, she went to the primary healthcare centre in Kungsbacka to have it examined.
Discovered a lesion on the back of her thigh
"At the primary healthcare centre, I met a really good doctor. He concluded that the lesion on my back was harmless, but because he saw that I had many moles, he checked my whole skin."
The doctor noticed a mole on the back of her thigh, which Susann had not noticed before. It looked suspicious and asked Susann if she wanted to participate in an going research study using a smartphone app called First Derm with an attached dermascope – which is a magnifying glass with a light that amplifies a mole lesion and is used by dermatologist to diagnose skin cancer.
"I thought it sounded like a good idea that the family doctor would take two pictures of my mole and send them directly from a smartphone to a dermatologist at the dermatologist department of Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg. The study was very modern, since a patient would receive a response within 24 hours from a dermatologist using a smartphone."
Potential Melanoma
On the very next day, Susann received a call from her family doctor. Her birthmark was very likely to be a malignant melanoma and needed to be surgically removed. A week later she had a surgery appointment at the department of dermatology at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The suspicious skin lesion was surgically removed in local anesthesia and then sent to the laboratory for analysis. After the surgery, a few days of anxious waiting followed.
"I was told that it was indeed a malignant melanoma, but at an early stage and had not spread. My tears rolled down my chin of joy and relief, I knew it could have been so much worse. "Today Susann feels great. She will go for a yearly mole screening for the rest of her life. And she has now changed her sunbathing habits. "I have always loved the beach and sunbathe , but now I will change my habit and it will be the end of it. I want to see my kids grow up."
Saving the Life of an Entrepreneur
Finally, before we dig into how our service works we'd like to share another story.
Linkedin Message From Richard
Ricardo Ibarra, the founder and CEO of Auctio, met our CEO Dr. Alexander Börve at a 500 Startup meeting. It was a typical San Francisco Friday evening for the startup founders, until Ricardo heard about First Derm's tele-dermatology service and decided to send in a case. The next morning, he woke up to an answer from a board-certified dermatologist.
Ricardo Ibarra Malignant Melanoma Smartphone Image
Ricardo's advice for people who worry about moles and spots?
"I know there are many [people] like me who don't have time to take care of themselves. However, I want to tell my story to bring awareness to skin cancer," said Ricardo. "First Derm is a very simple product, that can be used by anyone, anywhere, and has the potential to save your life."
Prior to learning about First Derm, Ricardo suspected there might be something wrong with a changing mole on his left arm. But he didn't have the time to go to a doctor or a dermatologist. So when Alexander said, "We can check your mole on your smartphone!", Ricardo was relieved to hear that he could get care from a dermatologist right at his fingertips.
Running a startup meant long hours and flying back and forth between New York and San Francisco didn't leave much room for a doctor's appointment.
One of his best friends from Colombia had a metastasized malignant melanoma. And the thought of having something like that drove Ricardo into denial. In February, Ricardo went into a dermatologist's office as recommended, and the biopsy confirmed the answer from First Derm. Within a week, the dermatologist removed the malignant melanoma with 5mm margins. Ricardo now has a scar, but is fully recovered and is more aware of his health.
Ricardo's Post Surgery Scar
Remember: Skin cancer is one of fastest forms of cancer in the USA. But unlike other cancers, 95% of cases are curable if detected and treated early. Studies show that the accuracy on diagnosis of a skin condition is higher if it comes from a dermatologist via images. This is especially true when compared to visiting a medical center and meeting a general practitioner. Seeing how First Derm's technology saved Ricardo's life, Dr Börve said, "Tele-dermatology is a great and simple way to 'scale' saving lives.
Why Choose First Derm?
We hope that the stories in this article have demonstrated the importance of using teledermatology. It is a fairly new phenomena but has proven to be integral. So which app to use? Lets take a look…
Online dermatology user app
All Apps Are Not Created Equal
There are tens of thousands of medical apps available on the market right now. Developers are busy innovating health care as we've come to know it, trying to solve health issues in real time, where patients are. The result – at least in the field of online dermatology – is hundreds of apps that may appear similar on the consumer-side, but that work in different ways.
There are at least three different kinds of online dermatology user apps on the market:
Self-help apps in which you search through rash pictures for one that looks like yours
Automated algorithmic apps in which users photograph their skin issues with smartphones, and receive computer-generated diagnoses (rather than from board-certified dermatologists)
An app that sends user-generated photographs of skin issues directly to board-certified dermatologists who reply with a diagnosis or recommendations for next steps.
Scientific studies indicate that the third option, which uses smartphones to take and send images to certified dermatologists, provides the most accurate triaging of patients.
First Derm Won't Replace Your Physician – And Doesn't Want To
First Derm values doctors and believes that no current technology should replace in-person exams. Instead, First Derm helps to effectively triage skin issues by sending images to dermatologists. First Derm dermatologists review cases and recommend next steps that users can take to relieve their symptoms. In about 70% of cases submitted to First Derm, users receive information about self-treatment with over-the-counter medications, and the recommendation that they see a doctor if the issue does not improve in a week or worsens.
In the other 30% of cases, patients were instructed to see their physician for further testing, diagnosis, and treatment, as it is not always easy to see from a photograph if the skin issue is particularly concerning.
Approximately 15% of those cases referred to physicians result in prescription medications. The remaining cases tend to be possible cancers, which need to be ruled out in person.
How Much Is Peace of Mind Worth?
As mentioned with many of the lives saved, you can't put a price on detecting skin cancer early. So… Why should you choose First Derm as your online dermatology app with so many competitors out there?
We send your skin images to a board-certified dermatologist.
Our App isn't just about skin cancers; in fact, the majority of cases First Derm receives are about rashes and other skin-related issues.
Online Dermatologists are better than non-expert physicians at identifying skin issues, according to a study in the Archives of Dermatology.
Anonymity is key. We do not withhold your information. In a world in which companies are selling data to the highest bidder, anonymity is valuable and that is what we provide.
First Derm audits almost all cases on a monthly basis to ensure high standards.
Results in less than 24 hours while our competitors that use dermatologists can take up to 3 days
The average sensitivity and specificity rates are high. Our dermatologists refer anything that looks suspicious, but will also save unnecessary trips to the doctor's office.
Proven efficacy in terms of triaging patients. This liberates in-person dermatologists up to see the patients with potentially severe conditions faster.
First Derm gives back to the community. We work tirelessly to promote healthy skin habits, to teach parents how to care for and prevent their children's rashes, and raise skin cancer awareness at events across the USA and beyond.
We are significantly less expensive than our closest competitors. Each case costs $29.99 – about the cost of a copay for a non-specialist.
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A fond look back at Al Perlman's vision of the NYC in the 1960's through the creative camera of Bill Brennan.
Another Morning Sun railroad book with gorgeous well-reproduced color photos. The topic is the New York Central System in its later years under Alfred Perlman prior to merger. Most of the pictures are in the Hudson River Valley. The book talks about Brennan's photographic creativity. While there are some excellent night photos, many photos emphasize passenger trains and power, with the surrounding locals cropped from the edges. And, while the book centers around both sides of the Hudson Valley, we do briefly travel to Niagara Falls and Cleveland. If passenger trains, especially NYC during the 60's trip your trigger, this is your book.
Morning Sun Books, hardcover with dust jacket, printed in China, copyright 2010, 128 pgs., 8.5 x 11 x .5 in., abt. 300 color photos with captions. NYCSHS members who are signed into their accounts will see pricing at 20% off; Ohio residents must add 8% sales tax.


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Central Saanich gets priorities in order
Coun. Niall Paltiel focuses in on cenotaph, Keating corridor and skateboard park.
Carlie Connolly
Jan. 31, 2017 12:00 p.m.
Coun. Niall Paltiel, above, right, speaks with residents during a Keating Cross Road open house last year. Below, one proposed cenotaph design was rejected by the municipality.
The District of Central Saanich is taking a look at their strategic priorities for 2017.
"What we did just before the holidays was more of a check up to determine that we're still aligned between staff and council and our community," said Councillor Niall Paltiel.
Some of the priorities include the Keating Corridor Study, a new veterans memorial and a new skate park.
"I think it's important to have a large amount of ambitious priorities but it's better to do a few things well, as opposed to a lot of things not so well," said Paltiel.
He shifted away from the idea of having the skateboard park front and centre, due to the fact that there's been government funding that hasn't come through and there are other capital projects in the works. He said they aren't in a place at the moment to fully fund a large scale skateboard park.
In its place, and within the scope of parks and recreation, he made a motion at last week's committee of the whole meeting that council turn their attention to an upgrade to the lacrosse box in Centennial Park.
Whether it's Peninsula Lacrosse, First Nations or other local associations using it, he said there's a solid group of people who use and rely on it being in good form.
"I remember back to when my sister used it when she used to play lacrosse. For years now, it really hasn't been in very good shape, and while the rest of Centennial is growing and there's new playgrounds and everything, I did think it was important that we do spend some attention listening to the community and addressing some of those issues with the board…" said Paltiel.
Council then asked staff to report back on things that can be upgraded at the lacrosse box.
Another important item that came out of the strategic planning session was the ongoing study of the Keating Cross Road corridor. There will be a series of recommendations on zoning, Paltiel said, as well as others on how the Distirct taxes the area and how they address business concerns, such as the appearance of Keating Cross Road itself.
"The other thing we turned our attention to is separating the conversation between deliverables in the Keating industrial park for businesses that are existing, and to attract new businesses, but also with regards to transportation," said Paltiel.
For years, he said, it's been considered an advocacy piece that the District work on to lobby the provincial and federal governments for funds.
Those monies would be used for a proposed Keating overpass.
"In addition to that, what we've done in this new updated report is separate the two items between the study and then also investment that the District can be making on the Keating overpass."
He said as a District they need to get going on the overpass.
"It's both a commercial, but I would say, more importantly, I think it's a major safety issue, not just for the District, but for the entire south Island and we need to start showing some commitment on the District side in order to get those other levels of government to come to the table."
He said that means possibly acquiring property in the nearby area and actually turning their own attention towards concepts and designs for an overpass.
One of the other strategic priorities discussed includes one that is quite timely — the cenotaph project.
Paltiel said it's something important for Canada's big 150th birthday celebration this year.
"It maintains a priority and I couldn't think of a better time to get a shovel in the ground and deliver a cenotaph for the people in the District of Central Saanich than in Canada's 150th year."
He applauds the work Coun. Carl Jensen has been doing as Chair of the Cenotaph Committee in keeping conversations alive and reporting back to council.
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This house began with a desire for self-sufficiency on a tight urban lot in the centre of Ottawa. Off-grid living was not expected, but maximizing green space and natural light and minimizing energy use were the owners' top priorities. The site is heavily landscaped, with a vegetable garden, fruit trees and berry bushes in the front yard, green roofs on the garage and entry and a roof garden off the second floor. A trellis of galvanized steel and BC fir covering the south and east faces of the home extends the garden up three storeys from the ground, provides shade and privacy at the extensive south facing glazing and, when the garden is mature, will support three stories of living green on the south and east faces of the building.


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Miejscowości w USA:
 Cornish – miejscowość w stanie Maine, w hrabstwie York
 Cornish – miejscowość w stanie New Hampshire, w hrabstwie Sullivan
 Cornish – miejscowość w stanie Oklahoma, w hrabstwie Jefferson
 Cornish – miejscowość w stanie Utah, w hrabstwie Cache
Gminy w USA:
 Cornish (ang. Cornish Town) – gmina w stanie Maine, w hrabstwie York
 Cornish (ang. Cornish Township) – gmina w stanie Minnesota, w hrabstwie Aitkin
 Cornish (ang. Cornish Township) – gmina w stanie Minnesota, w hrabstwie Sibley
 Cornish (ang. Cornish Town) – gmina w stanie New Hampshire, w hrabstwie Sullivan


Twisting words to kick the wounded.
Twisting hate to bind us all.
Twisting rope into a noose.
Without love or truth, you maul.
Left to hang without liberty.
For the return of sanity.
This entry was posted in poetry, Writing and tagged Donald Trump, hate, justice, liberty, London, love, poem, politics by michellegflye. Bookmark the permalink.


This is an awesome, super hydrating lip balm that is perfect to carry around in your purse to use at all times! The sweet, subtle scent of orange will transcend you to the tropics or remind you of those delicious creamsicles you ate as a child! This lip balm or as some would call it, vegan chapstick, is much better for you than the chemical-laden variety you find at the store!
Directions: Apply to lips or any dry skin as desired. Also works great on dry cuticles!


MASK Prize is pleased to present Early 21st Century Young African Artists, a group exhibition of artists from Kenya. Twenty artworks - animations and prints of digital art, photographs, drawings, and paintings by 19 artists - will be on view and sale from 5 December 2018 to 12 January 2019 at the Saatchi Gallery in London. The show is curated by the MASK Prize founder, artist Alla Tkachuk.
Th vibrant and sophisticated artworks were selected for the breadth of approaches, artistic styles and medium. Skilful storytellers and observers, the artists captured the energy of youth, mirrored the life and commented on the human condition in modern Africa. They make their art because 'Art is where we express our creativity', they say. 'Art teaches us freedom and beauty. It helps us to look and understand what we see and to act on what we have learned. Art is a physical expression of our imagination, emotions and ideas. Art is the symbol of what is possible. We imagine things and make them a reality'.
In Africa, art has been limited or absent in schools. Art galleries and museums are scarce. This creates an unacceptable inequality in art participation and art production for the majority of young Africans. Most of them will never visit an art gallery, study at an art school, or have a career in the arts or creative industries. Moreover, the curtailed access to the arts threatens their creativity skill, a key skill to the successful employability and leadership in the 21st century.
However, with the help of MASK Prize, a unique creativity competition which provides the participation opportunities for all young Africans regardless of thier social status, ability and income, the creativity of young people stands to flourish and amaze.
The 'Early 21 Century Young African Artists' hopes to engage the audiences both in Africa and in the West and inform and educate them about creativity and artistic talent in Africa.
Pioneered in 2013 in Kenya by a UK creativity education charity MASK (Mobile Art School in Kenya, www.mobileartschoolinkenya.org), MASK Prize reaches thousands of youths from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Mauritius, Nigeria, Cameroon, and South Africa.
Participants enter their innovative and inventive artworks and ideas in several categories free online. Winners, selected by the panel of international judges, are awarded prizes at the Award Ceremony in Nairobi, and selected works get exhibited at leading cultural institutions in Kenya, UK and USA.


The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recommend that everyone enrolled in a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Insurance Plan review their insurance each fall to make certain their drug insurance for the following calendar year will cover their prescriptions.
Even if your medicines don't change, a plan that's right for you one year may not be your best plan the next year because of changes in Medicare prescription drug plan premiums and coverages.
During the Annual Open Enrollment, October 15, 2014 - December 7, 2014, you can shop and switch into a new Medicare prescription drug plan. Your new plan will take effect on January 1, 2015, as long as the plan gets your request by December 7. There is no fee or penalty for changing plans, but after the December 7 deadline, you'll have to wait a full year for the next open enrollment to switch plans.
If you prefer to talk with a person, you may get free assistance on how to compare the various options by using the Transamerica Part D Advisor program. While you can choose from multiple plans and carriers, Transamerica offers this free service as a convenience. You can reach the Transamerica experts at 1-800-235-9922, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. They will provide participating plan comparisons and rates to help you decide on the plan that fits your specific situation.
If you are first entering Medicare, you have a seven-month window to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan. For example, if you are entering Medicare at age 65, the window consists of the three months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday, and the three months after your 65th birthday.
If you do not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan when you are first eligible, you will have to pay a penalty when you do enroll. The late enrollment penalty is a percentage attached to the premiums of each Part D plan you enroll in thereafter. Also, if asked by your plan about other drug coverage you have had, be sure to provide a complete disclosure. Failure to tell the plan about your creditable prescription drug coverage can also cause you to pay a penalty.
Source: "Medicare and You 2014," Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.


Driving is a privilege that can make life much easier when it comes to getting around. However, it isn't uncommon for drivers to take advantage of the privilege and use their vehicles for racing on public roads. Did you lose a loved one and suffer a serious injury after a speeding driver collided with your car? Are you being wrongfully accused of causing the collision although the accident report points to the other driver being at fault? The content below will give you a few of the reasons why hiring an auto accident attorney is important.
No matter what the law enforcement officer wrote in the accident report that puts the other driver at fault, you must still prove your innocence. The other party has the right to do everything possible to prove that you caused the collision. An attorney is able to recreate the accident using charts and computer software to determine what happened. You will be given the chance to explain to the attorney what happened so he or she can incorporate your perspective into the accident scenario that is created. The attorney will perform several tasks at the accident location in an effort to obtain as much evidence as possible.
As the victim of the collision, you can obtain compensation for various things. If you want the fullest amount of compensation that the court allowed for such an incident in your state, help from an attorney is important. He or she can possibly obtain money for things that you are unaware of, such as handicap-accessible items that can be used at home if you need them. Depending on your relationship to the one that lost his or her life in the collision, pain and suffering damages can possibly be included in what you are compensated. For instance, if the person you lost was spouse who you relied on for your living expenses, this can be considered when the case is heard in court.
Depending on which auto accident attorney is hired, he or she may be able to handle the criminal aspects of your case as well. For example, the attorney can possibly assist with filing charges against the other driver for the death of your loved one. You can't bring your deceased loved one back to life, but you can find some peace by doing everything possible to get justice on his or her behalf.
Contact a company life Campbell, Dille, Barnett & Smith, P.L.L.C. for more information.


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Microsoft is turning the iPhone's camera into a 3D scanner
By Jacob Kastrenakes@jake_k Aug 24, 2015, 3:24pm EDT
Via Microsoft | Source Microsoft Research
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Microsoft wants the camera on the back of your phone to do more than take 2D photos. A new project from Microsoft's research lab is turning the average smartphone's rear camera into a 3D scanner — one that can automatically create 3D models that are supposed to be good enough for printing. In a demo video, researchers use an iPhone 5S to scan objects just by moving the phone around them. The phone tracks the object that's being captured and then builds up a model as the camera captures it from different angles.
Most smartphones should be able to do this
Some of the models created in the demo video look rough, but they're pretty impressive when you consider that the iPhone wasn't designed to make them. Microsoft says that no additional hardware is needed to turn the iPhone — or other modern smartphones — into a 3D scanner; computation is all done on the phone, too. That's a bit different from what Google is doing with projects like Tango, which use additional hardware, including a motion-tracking camera and a depth sensor, when mapping the world. Those additional sensors are likely to give Tango better results, but Microsoft says that just a single camera should be enough to make models for printing or use in augmented reality gaming.
Microsoft's project is called MobileFusion, and researchers are currently trying to get it running on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. There are no release plans yet, but the intention is to make it available to the general public eventually.


Approaching the idea of sustainable packaging not just from a material aspect but also by exploring ways to reduce the amount of packaging used in the process. This was done through exploring ideas utilizing a "Cut-Out" of material and exploring horizontal and vertical strap style alternatives, that allow multiple packages cut from the same sheet.
Packaging prototypes were made in two stages. Stage one (left image) involved creating rough mock-ups focused on dimensions.This allowed dimensions to be scaled for a full scale final version later. Stage two (right image) involved using CAD prototypes that mimicked the final packaging and also explored several different graphic treatments to test type scale and effect.