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Film Review 30th July 2018 26th August 2018
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT (2018)
Ethan Hunt and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission goes wrong...
Ageless and unstoppable as ever, Tom Cruise returns in Mission Impossible: Fallout, the sixth instalment of the spy movie adaptation of the 1960s TV series. This 22-year-old franchise seems to gain more momentum with each sequel, as the set-pieces grow bigger and the stunts ever more insane. Returning director Christopher McQuarrie is the only filmmaker to accept the mission of making two Mission Impossible's… but will it be a success, or will it self destruct?
Fallout opens two years after the events of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, catching up with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) as leader of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), still working alongside reliable pals Benji (Simon Pegg) and Luther (Ving Rhames). After an operation to apprehend black market nuclear warheads backfires, due to Hunt making a moral judgement call, the team are forced to ally with CIA watchdog agent August Walker (Henry Cavill) to ensure they don't fail again.
As the IMF go on a mission to track down the missing nukes, they meet with the enigmatic White Widow (Vanessa Kirby), who gives them vital intel about a potential buyer of the warheads: elusive John Lark, an anarchist that wants to create a new world order and reign destruction on the world. Along the way, demons from Hunt's past resurface as he again finds himself face-to-face with maniacal Solomon Lane (Sean Harris), who soon escapes Hunt's grasp. Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), who's been shadowing Hunt for an unknown company, then agrees to join the IMF as they try to find the warheads before Lane unleashes the largest terror attack the world's ever seen.
Sprinting like Usain Bolt, driving like Mad Max through the streets of Paris, and leaping from building to building (resulting in a real-life broken ankle), Cruise once again gives it his all as Ethan Hunt. He displays some of the most impressive physical performances of his career, and after seeing Fallout it'll be hard to argue Cruise isn't the enduring figure in the action genre right now. Not only did Cruise perform the majority of these dangerous stunts himself, he also gained a helicopter pilot's license in the space of six weeks during filming!
Cruise delivers one of his best performances as Hunt, partly because there's a healthy balance of physical and emotional pain to explore this time. He conveys pure exhaustion over his crazy exploits, showing an emotional turmoil that wasn't apparent in the previous five movies. Realising the sacrifices Hunt's had to make helps enrich the character and his dynamics with others, and brings to light why Hunt would sacrifice the safety of the world for a member of his team.
Now 56-years-old, Cruise allows his character to show a bit of age—both emotionally and physically. He humanises Hunt, who stumbles several times, as his punches don't land with the force they once did. He presents a more realistic, downbeat version of Hunt, eschewing the superhuman we've known until now. However, while definitely allowing a new vulnerability to shine through, Cruise continues to make Hunt a remarkable force of sheer determination.
Henry Cavill's CIA agent August Walker is a magnificent addition, and while most viewers will know him as Superman, Fallout lets Cavill stretch out in a role that's more dangerous. Using his acting and physicality to his advantage, Cavill becomes this movie's secret weapon. It wouldn't be a surprise if this role opens up plenty of new opportunities for Cavill, straying away from his nice-guy image.
Another impressive addition is Vanessa Kirby as The White Widow, femme fatale of the criminal underworld. Walking straight on to the set of Fallout from playing Princess Margaret in Netflix's The Crown, Kirby demonstrates unexpected range here.
For the first time in the Mission Impossible franchise, McQuarrie returns to the director's chair for what's essentially a sequel to his Rogue Nation. He thus drops audiences straight into the narrative, wasting no time in getting important plot details out of the way so the action can begin.
The heart-racing set-pieces boasts some of the most stunning cinematography and choreography I've seen on the big screen. Despite being the sixth instalment, its meticulously planned action eclipses those of its predecessors. McQuarrie puts audiences amongst the action at the most visceral perspective, using the camera to capture sequences from inside a car during a demolishing extraction scene, or tightly following a motorbike racing through Paris. There's less of the standard wide angle or long shots to capture high adrenaline moments. He embraces the knowledge that he can place his camera in these positions during the action, making audiences closely follow the characters by adding an extra layer of authenticity to every set-piece.
Just like the airplane take-off sequence from Rogue Nation, there are many moments in Fallout where the franchise's preference for doing things practically ensures the action feels real and fresh.
However, for everything Mission Impossible: Fallout does perfectly, it's not completely airtight. The same plot device returns as several nuclear warheads are held to ransom and Ethan must track them down and re-obtain them. However, this isn't the only reoccurrence. Fallout is the most continuity-driven Mission yet. There are several deep cut references to the previous instalments, particularly in relation to Faust and Lane from Rogue Nation. Newcomers may not pick up on the references at first, and have difficultly understand the full breadth of the narrative.
It's not enough to lose the structure of the story entirely, however. Unlike the previously straightforward storytelling one could expect, Fallout does feel slightly too busy and might be difficult to grasp at times if you didn't see the previous outing.
Fallout also falls victim to overstaying its welcome slightly. For a movie that delights in draining audiences with white knuckle action sequences, sitting through this epic becomes exhausting itself. There's a sense that certain scenes could've been shortened or cut entirely to tighten the narrative, like many of The White Widow's scenes, an additional fight following an intense bathroom brawl, and an awkward kiss that didn't add or create any depth for its characters. This is the longest Mission Impossible movie we've had, and it might have become the best with 30-40 of the flabbier minutes removed.
Although McQuarrie's story and script isn't as memorable as his Oscar-winning The Usual Suspects (1995), audiences will be distracted by the sheer amount of spectacle, as Cruise cheats death several times for our entertainment. With stunts that could put Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) to shame, and car chases that leave Baby Driver (2017) stalled at the traffic lights, Mission Impossible: Fallout benefits from a combination of thrilling and insane practical stunts that will leave one breathless.
It's knowing how much time and effort was put into the practical stunts that gives Fallout added must-see appeal. If the mission was to create an intense thrill ride of a summer blockbuster, consider this mission accomplished.
director: Christopher McQuarrie.
writer: Christopher McQuarrie (based on the TV series created by Bruce Geller).
starring: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, Michelle Monaghan, Angela Bassett & Alec Baldwin.
2010s, 2018, ALEC BALDWIN, ANGELA BASSETT, CHRISTOPHER McQUARRIE, GENRE: ACTION, GENRE: SPY FILM, HENRY CAVILL, MICHELLE MONAGHAN, REBECCA FERGUSON, SEAN HARRIS, SIMON PEGG, TOM CRUISE, VING RHAMES
When a pharmaceutical company's illegal experiments inadvertently create a zombie, a strange...
THELMA (2017)
CUJO (1983)
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HEATHERS (1988)


A Los Angeles stand-up comedian died from injuries sustained in a car accident, according to KTLA News. Police say the driver who caused the collision on January 3 that took 26-year-old Angelo Bowers' life was under the influence. In fact, the 21-year-old driver caused two collisions late at night just minutes apart.
Fellow comedian Josh Adam Meyers, riding with Bowers at the time, sustained serious injuries as well. Bowers was the passenger in the car. Both drivers suffered serious injury. Bowers died at the hospital and Meyers is still recovering.
The drunk driver caused a separate collision previously; he fled the scene of that accident and, minutes later, caused the collision that killed Bowers. There is no excuse for operating a vehicle under the influence or for fleeing the scene of an accident. A young man lost his life and another was seriously injured.
"The driver of the Toyota is expected to be booked for murder once his medical condition improves," read a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Bowers was an admired and loved comedian on the scene in Los Angeles.


Revered as one of the ancient forms of Indian classical dance forms, Bharatnatyam or Bharatanatyam is the most synonymous with the art and culture of India. Bharatnatyam is said to be originated in the southern reaches of the peninsular Indian sub-continent with the modern day state of Tamil Nadu as its epicentre. It is essentially a unique style of dancing art that was invented keeping in mind the movements of women, but nowadays it is performed by artists of all genders.
Bharatanatyam is believed to be the earliest form of Hindu dance as the main concept of the dance is to express the mythological tales and spiritual nuances of the Hindu religion. The dance form is mainly dedicated to the Saivite sect of Hinduism as Lord Shiva is also known as the Lord of Dances or the Nataraja. Through the passage of time, Bharatnayam is also performed to express the religious beliefs of Shaktism sect and Vaishnavism sect. The name of Bharatnatyam comes from - Bha (bhava or emotions), ra (raga or melody), ta (tala or rythm) and natyam (dance). This dance is incomplete without a musical story arc, for which it is often regarded as a stage dance.
The history of inception of the Bharatnatyam dance form dates back to pre-Christ age, when a certain sage, Bharat Muni theorised the dancing style in the Sanskrit scriptures of Natya Shashtra. The development of the dance was completed in the 1st millennium of Common Era. The proof of the fact lies in the writings of 2nd century CE Silappatikaram, Tamil epic and the sculptures of different south Indian establishments. As Bharatnatyam is a religious prayer dance it was confined within the sanctums of Hindu temples but due to the Colonial ban place on the dance, the activists made efforts to expand the reaches of this traditional Hindu Indian dance. Nowadays Bharatnatyam is performed with fusion and non-religious themes also.
Get quick answers from travelers who visit to Bharatnatyam Classical Dance.


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Alex Fountain Memorial Lecture – Kent Monkman: "Miss Chief in the Museum"
Alex Fountain Memorial Lecture - Kent Monkman: "Miss Chief in the Museum"
2019 Alex Fountain Memorial Lecture
Miss Chief in the Museum
Kent Monkman
Artist Kent Monkman will present the Alex Fountain Memorial Lecture in Alumni Hall, University of King's College, on February 27, 2020.
History is subjective. The dominant version of history upheld in museums on this continent is told from the perspective of the colonial settler cultures who projected their values and ideals onto the Indigenous people and landscape of North America. Cree artist Kent Monkman discusses his interventions in museums that have taken form as commissioned paintings, curated exhibitions, videos, and site specific performances. Monkman will also discuss his recent commission for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York – two monumental history paintings for the Great Hall and the creation of a new performance piece.
About the Alex Fountain Memorial Lecture
Fred and Elizabeth Fountain and their daughter Katharine established the Alex Fountain Memorial Lecture in 2011 to honour Alex, who died in August 2009. This exceptional gift to the college enables the King's student body to invite a speaker of their choosing to the university each year. Previous lecturers include author Michael Ondaatje, Governor General Michaëlle Jean and Experimental vocalist and artist Tanya Tagaq.
The lecture is free and open to the public, but please note that King's students will receive priority seating and space is not guaranteed to the general public.
Image Credit: Wladyslaw [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)]
Alumni Hall, University of King's College, 630 Coburg Rd., Halifax, NS

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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IndiaCLEN
Original article| Volume 8, ISSUE 2, P519-525, June 2020
Estimation of prevalence and screening of communication disorders in North and Middle Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Prashanth Prabhu
Corresponding author. All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Manasagangothri, Mysore, 570 006, India.
All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Manasagangothri, Mysuru, India
Sreeraj Konadath
Vimala Jayakrishna Kasturi
Vivek Arumugam
Malavi Srikar
Ashique Rahman
Ashiq Abdul Rahman
Aswathy Pulimootil Biji
Published:November 22, 2019DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2019.11.006
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Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a union territory in the Indian sub-continent. Though housing a highly diverse and large population, there is very limited data regarding the prevalence of communication disorder in this region. This information would play a crucial role in creating awareness amongst the people of the islands regarding communication impairments, providing rehabilitation services, and improving policies and facilities for the affected individuals.
The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved a door to door survey. The survey was carried out across towns in North and Middle Andaman by NSS student volunteers and staffs of All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru. During this phase, individuals with communication disorders were identified and referred for a two-day camp. The second phase involved diagnosis and rehabilitation of these referred individuals in a campsite set in a well accessible point in the city of Mayabunder.
3.38% of the surveyed population was referred for the camp. Hearing impairment was found to be more prevalent than language and speech disorders. It was also found that delayed birth cry, low-birth weight and pre-mature delivery were the major risk factors of communication disorders in the region. Amongst the referred individuals who attended the camp, 46.8% of ear-related issues and 53.2% of speech and language disorders was estimated. It was also observed that males were more affected by communication disorder than females.
The high prevalence values indicate the need for immediate action in terms of facilities and infrastructure in these regions for enabling a better quality of life of individuals with communication disorders.
North and Middle Andaman
Communication is the act of sending and receiving information between two or more individuals. This information exchange can occur broadly in two modes: verbal (Speech, writing) and non-verbal (gestures, body language). Successful communication is important for an individual's positive integration into society and overall emotional wellbeing. Any disruption in an individual's ability to detect, comprehend, or apply language and speech to effectively engage in discourse can be termed as a communication disorder. ASHA stated that communication disorder is "an impairment in the ability to receive, send, process and comprehend concepts or verbal, non-verbal and graphic symbol system".
Definitions of Communication Disorders and Variations. 2019
https://www.asha.org/policy/RP1993-00208/
It is important to obtain epidemiological data related to speech, language, and hearing issues to understand the holistic status of communication disorders. Epidemiology provides information regarding the incidence, prevalence, and distribution of diseases and other factors relating to health. Prevalence is a measurement of all the individuals of a given population with specific characteristics at a particular point of time. Availability of such data can aid health care professionals in planning service delivery, checking the efficacy of existing rehabilitation programs, and making comparisons between typical and atypical development. It can also influence the policy makers into framing policies that help integrate persons with communication disorders into society, promote their independence, and enable them to live a full and dignified life.
The prevalence of disability percentages across populations in selected countries around the world has been published in the World Report on Disability - 2011. Literature has revealed that hearing impairment is the most common cause of communication disability around the world. India is the second most populous and geographically, the seventh largest country in the world. Hence, obtaining epidemiological information is of high importance. It is a developing country, has shown to have a higher prevalence than other developed countries.
Organization WH
World Report on Disability 2011.
The World Health Organization 2009, reported that around 63 million people suffer from hearing impairment in India.
Organization WH. State of Hearing and Ear Care in the South East Asia Region. WHO Regional Office for South East Asia. WHO-SEARO. SEA/Deaf/92009.
According to the National Sample Survey Organization 2011, the population of disabled persons with hearing impairment was reported to be 19%, 7% with speech handicap and 6% with intellectual disability.
Census2011.co.in
Literacy Rate of India-population Census.
http://www.census2011.co.in/literacy.php
India is also a country with a highly diverse population. Socio-economic, cultural, and geographical factors influence the prevalence of communication disorders across various parts of the country. A small number of area-specific prevalence studies are previously conducted within India.
Konadath S
Prabhu P
Kasturi VJ
Prevalence of communication disorders in Port Blair-Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health. 2019 Aug 3; (in press)
Sinha S.K.
Shivaswamy J.
Barman A.
Seth D.
Seshadri D.
Savithri S.
Prevalence of communication disorders in a rural population at taluq level of Gujarat, India.
Clin Epidemiol Glob Health. 2017; 5: 73-78
Mishra A.
Verma V.
Shukla G.K.
Mishra S.C.
Dwivedi R.
Prevalence of hearing impairment in the district of Lucknow, India.
Indian J Public Health. 2011; 55: 132
Das S.
Biswas A.
Roy T.
A random sample survey for prevalence of major neurological disorders in Kolkata.
Indian J Med Res. 2006; 124: 163
Ganesh K.
Das A.
Shashi J.
Epidemiology of disability in a rural community of Karnataka.
Indian J Public Health. 2008; 52: 125-129
Bhagya B.
Ramakrishna A.
Prevalence of mental retardation among children in Mangalore.
Nitte Univ J Health Sci. 2013; 3: 63
Konadath S.
Suma C.
Jayaram G.
Sandeep M.
Mahima G.
Shreyank P.
Prevalence of communication disorders in a rural population of India.
J Hear Sci. 2013; 3: 41-49
These indicate a difference in the proportion of the population affected per area. A survey conducted by Sinha et al.
in the rural population of Gujarat reported an overall 4.09% prevalence of communication disorders. A higher prevalence of ear-related than speech and language related communication disorders was found. Mishra et al.
on the other hand, reported a much higher prevalence (15.14%) of communication disorders in the rural areas of Lucknow district. A study conducted by Das et al.
in the rural areas of Kolkata district, reported a high prevalence of stroke leading to communication impairments.
Ganesh et al.
and Bhagya et al.
carried out survey studies that indicated a high prevalence of mental disability in different communities of Karnataka. Konadath et al.
reported that among the 15,441 individuals surveyed in a rural district of Karnataka, the prevalence of communication disorders was found to be around 6.07%. On the other hand, Konadath et al.
reported a prevalence of communication disorders to be 3.63% in the Lakshadweep group of islands.
The difference across regions could be due to a variety of reasons like cultural differences,
Chatni S.
Lakshmi M.
Saini J.K.
Prevalence of communication disorders in a group of islands in India.
lifestyle,
Paniagua F.A.
Culture-bound Syndromes, Cultural Variations, and Psychopathology. Handbook of Multicultural Mental Health.
habits, literacy rates,
Ziglio E.
Currie C.
Rasmussen V.
The WHO cross-national study of health behavior in school-aged children from 35 countries: findings from 2001–2002.
J Sch Health. 2004; 74: 204-206
economic status, living conditions (urban vs rural), and geographical location, including availability and access to health care. Understanding these factors and their influence on communication disorders is important to help contribute to the overall development of the country and improve the quality of life of persons with communication disorders. Hence, the data from the previous studies indicate an urgent need to carry out more such studies on a larger scale to predict the spread of communication disorders across the country.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory in India is one such area with limited access to services and facilities related to communication disorders, when compared to the mainland. The Census on India-2011 reported that the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands are inhabited by a population of 379944 people.
Though smaller by area, these islands have a highly diverse population with more than six languages being spoken, five religions being practiced, and multiple cultures, including those from the mainland and some native tribal populations. The North and Middle Andaman has shown to have a population of 105597, of which 54861 were males, and 50736 were females.
Although a few studies have reported a higher prevalence of communication disorders across different regions of India, there are limited studies which have indicated the status of communication disorders in these remote islands away from the mainland. Konadath et al.
Campbell T.F.
Dollaghan C.A.
Rockette H.E.
Risk factors for speech delay of unknown origin in 3‐year‐old children.
Child Dev. 2003; 74: 346-357
attempted to study the prevalence of communication disorders in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They reported that 4.12% of the population that was surveyed got referred for the camp. Amongst the referred individuals who participated in the camp, the prevalence of ear-related problems was estimated to be 47.76%, and that of speech and language disorders came up to 52.24%. However, the data of Port Blair is from an urban population who are esposed to multiple-languages and have better facilities. The north and middle Andaman region is mostly rural and further separated from the mainland. The main occupation is agriculture and are from a low socio-economic status. Most of the people from north an middle Andaman speak only one language (mother tongue). Considering all the above mentioned differences, it is essential that estimation of prevalence and screening for communication disorders has to be carried out in North and Middle Andaman regions. Hence, the current study aimed to document the prevalence of communication disorder in the Middle and North regions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In addition, it is also attempted to screen individuals for communication disorder in the Middle and North regions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The present study was carried out in two phases. Phase one included a door to door survey. The survey was carried out using a High-risk Register (HRR)
Anitha T.
Yathiraj A.
Modified High Risk Registers (HRR) for Professional and Non-professional Formulation and its Efficacy.
to identify individuals with communication disorders. The survey was conducted in the towns of Diglipur, Mayabunder, and Rangat.
Phase two included a two-day camp held at Mayabunder, a place at the center of middle and North Andaman. This was held for two consecutive days and remained open for 8 h per day. Here, the identified individuals were evaluated and advised regarding the next best course of action. All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SMSA), Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, National Service Scheme (NSS), University of Mysuru and Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), Secunderabad, provided the resources for the door-to-door survey, evaluation and intervention services delivered.
3. Participants
A total population of 30307 from Middle and North Andaman was surveyed for communication disorders, making up the participants of the study. These were native residents of the Andaman Islands. The required information was collected from adults in the household. Using the HRR,
those individuals identified as 'at risk' for communication disorders were considered as the participants for the second phase of the study.
4. Procedure
In Phase 1, the door-to-door survey was conducted by 96 NSS volunteers and four staffs from AIISH. The volunteers belonged to two units and were further divided into smaller groups for more efficient coverage of the population. The survey was carried out for five consecutive days across the towns of Diglipur, Mayabunder, and Rangat. The volunteers comprised of undergraduate students of Speech and Hearing and postgraduate students of Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. The staff comprised of qualified audiologists or speech-language pathologists, with at least a master's degree. Before commencing the survey, an orientation was given to the volunteers by the staffs accompanying the volunteers. This included instructions regarding the what and how of the information to be collected during the survey.
A question and answer-based interview using a general questionnaire (Appendix I) were carried out at each household to identify individuals with communication disorders. This questionnaire provided information such as demographics, the total number of persons in each household, presence of any communication disorders in these persons and further information regarding the person with the disorder (age of onset, progression, etc.). The individuals identified as having communication disorders were referred to the camp for further evaluation and guidelines for the management of the same. A total population of 30307 was surveyed across five days, and 1026 individuals were referred to attend the camp.
In phase two of the study, a two-day screening camp was carried out in Mayabunder. Here, evaluation and habitation or rehabilitation were carried out for the two hundred and twenty individuals who reported to the campsite. Each of them was first registered and then referred to the different sectors of services in and around the campsite as per their need. The volunteers provided directions to the individuals at each step or upon completion at each sector for the smooth functioning of the camp.
First, the HRR developed at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing
was administered on each reporting to the campsite. The gathered information included age, gender, region, educational history, and socio-economic status of the individual. The presence of any causative or risk factor such as any medical and familial history was noted. The medical history and possible causative factors were divided into three segments: Prenatal, Natal, and Post-natal history. It was administered particularly in the case of children.
The prenatal history checked for excessive vomiting (after the first trimester), elderly pregnancy (>35 years of age), the occurrence of viral/bacterial infections, hyper/hypotension or high/low blood sugar level during the gestational period. It also looked for a history of abortions, Rh incompatibility, the habit of alcohol consumption or smoking, and intake of ototoxic medication. The natal history posed queries regarding the low birth weight of the infant (<1.5 Kg), premature delivery, birth asphyxia, delayed birth cry (>20 s), infantile jaundice, NICU admission, APGAR scores, abnormal delivery or any other associated complications. The post-natal history checked for the presence of any craniofacial anomalies, syndromes, bacterial/viral infections, convulsions, history of acute/chronic suppurative otitis media (ASOM/CSOM), decreased vegetative skills, trauma to head/neck, cancer/tumours, cerebrovascular accidents, presence of any degenerative diseases or functional/psychological disorders, voice abuse/misuse and history of noise exposure. Depending on their complaint and history the individuals were directed to the different services set up at the campsite such as speech and language evaluation, psychological evaluation, ENT consultation, audiological evaluation, hearing aid trial and ear mold fitting.
The individuals reporting ear-related problems were directed to an ENT evaluation. The ENT specialist took down a detailed case history, carried out an otoscopic evaluation and hence prescribed any medications necessary. Wax clearance was also done if it was required. The individuals were then directed for audiological evaluation, if necessary. Pure tone audiometry was carried out by volunteers in a closed room away from major noise sources. The thresholds for air conduction were obtained for 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz and bone conduction were measured across 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz pure tones. Testing was carried out using a portable type II audiometer. The type II audiometer has the facility of carrying out AC and BC at the frequencies of for 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz. The Modified Classification System
was employed to arrive at a diagnosis for the degree of hearing loss. Immittance audiometry (tympanometry and reflexometry) was employed to examine the middle ear status of the patient using a Type III Immittance Meter. Type III immittance meter had the facility of recording tympanometry and automatically record acoustic reflexes at 0.5 kHz. Pure tone audiometer and immittance were calibrated according to the International standards specified by the manufacturer.
Upon completion of the audiological evaluation, appropriate referrals were made for the individuals. This included hearing aid trial and speech-language evaluation. The individuals received a trial with digitally programmable hearing aids. This was carried out by programming the aid in accordance with the NAL-NL1 prescriptive formula. Performance with the hearing aid, subjective preference, and opinions regarding audibility and comfort were considered for recommending the use of the hearing aid. The aid was prescribed to all individuals fitting into the criteria of hearing disability as per the R-PWD Act.
Clark J.G.
Uses and abuses of hearing loss classification.
Asha. 1981; 23: 493-500
Finally, counseling regarding the usage, maintenance, and realistic expectations from the aid was provided.
Individuals with speech and language complaints were referred for a speech and language evaluation. This was carried out by volunteers under the supervision of a qualified speech-language pathologist. For persons with complaints related to speech, an oro-motor examination was carried out. Standardized tools were administered to check for any articulation (Hindi articulation test), fluency (Stuttering severity index), dysarthria (Frenchay dysarthria Assessment) or voice (Consensus of auditory-perceptual evaluation of voice) related problems. They were also assessed for any swallowing issues. Individuals presenting with language related complaints were screened using tools such as the Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language Scale or 3-Dimensional Language Acquisition Test. Those individuals who reported complaints relating to mental abilities were further recommended a psychological evaluation. Qualified clinical psychologists carried out the evaluation using Vineland Social Maturity Scale-Indian adaptation and Developmental Screening Test. Those individuals with maxillo/craniofacial anomalies or voice complaints were referred to the ENT specialist for a consultation.
The individuals were provided a detailed counseling here any queries they had were answered. They were informed regarding the nature of the disorder, the appropriate intervention strategies to be used at home, and about different methods of generalization for achieved goals or responses. During the counseling, relevant home training materials for hearing, language, fluency, voice, and articulation disorders were distributed and explained. All the individuals requiring a detailed evaluation were referred to the mother institute: All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru for further investigations and management.
A total population of 30307 was surveyed across the three towns of Diglipur, Mayabunder, and Rangat. Among the population surveyed, 1026 (3.38%) were identified to be at risk for communication disorders using the High-Risk Register. Among the 1026 individuals, 533 (52%) were males, and 493 (48%) were females. The gender wise distribution of hearing impairment, language disorder and speech disorder from the survey data is provided in Table 1. The results show that hearing impairment was found more followed by speech disorder and language disorder in both males and females.
Table 1Gender-wise distribution of communication disorders from the survey data.
Males 243 132 158 533
Females 198 141 154 493
Total 441 273 312 1026
The age wise distribution of communication disorders are provided in Table 2. The results show that hearing impairment was reported to be more in the age group of 16–60 years. Langauge disorders were found to be more in the age group of <15 years. However, speech disorder was more in the age group of 16–60 years.
Table 2Age-wise distribution of communication disorders.
Impairment <15 years 16–60 years >60 years Total
Males 53 123 67 243
Females 37 101 60 198
Language Disorder <15 years 16–60 years >60 years Total
Males 73 37 22 132
Females 67 55 19 141
Disorder <15 years 16–60 years >60 years Total
An item analysis of risk factors was carried out based on the survey data. The results showed that the item-total correlation was found to be more for the risk factors namely pre-mature delivery, low-birth weight and delayed birth cry. However, the risk factors such as history of abortions, consanguinity and neonatal jaundice contributed less for the communication disorders. The result of item analysis are provided in Table 3 which shows the item total correlations.
Table 3Results of item analysis of risk factors for the survey data.
Item total correlations
Pre-matured delivery 0.27
Low birth weight 0.26
Dealyed Birth cry 0.38
History of abortions 0.02
Consanguinity 0.02
Neonatal jaundice 0.05
Following the survey, an assessment camp was held for two consecutive days. Among the 1026 individuals referred, 357 individuals reported to the campsite. 187 (52%) of these 357 individuals were found to have ear-related issues like reduced hearing sensitivity, itching, ear pain, ear discharge, blocking sensation or fullness of the ear, and tinnitus. 139 (39%) of the reported population indicated some speech and language related issues such as articulation, voice or fluency issues, maxillofacial anomalies, motor speech disorders, language delays, and/or academic difficulties. 31 (9%) of the individuals attending the camp reported to have some ear related and speech and language problems. Further, 99 individuals belonged to the pediatric population (<15 years of age), 175 were adults (between 15 and 60 years of age), and 83 belonged to the geriatric population (>60 years of age). This classification was based on the HRR
Cruickshanks K.J.
Wiley T.L.
Tweed T.S.
Prevalence of hearing loss in older adults in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin: the epidemiology of hearing loss study.
Am J Epidemiol. 1998; 148: 879-886
used during the survey.
5.1 Ear-related problems
Individuals with ear-related problems were first directed to an ENT investigation. A total of 187 individuals were evaluated by the ENT specialist. Among these individuals, 77 (41.8%) were found to have otorrhea, and other ear infections, 7 (3.7%) reported otalgia, 5 (2.7%) were found to have eustachian tube dysfunction, 3 (1.6%) complained of tinnitus and 15 (8%) were found to have other issues such as imparted wax, and 80 (42.8%) reported hearing loss not attributed to outer/middle ear issues. The occurrence of otalgia, otorrhea, and the ear infection was found to have a higher prevalence in the adult age group followed by the pediatric age group, with a lesser prevalence in the geriatric age group. The individuals identified with these ear related problems were provided with appropriate medical services such as clearance of wax or ear discharge and appropriate medication. The occurrence of sensorineural hearing loss was found to be highest in the geriatric age group followed by the pediatric group. Refer Fig. 1 for the age-wise distribution of the different ear-related issues among the reported individuals.
Fig. 1Age-wise distribution of ear-related disorders evaluated in North and Middle Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
As a rehabilitative measure, 98 (53.26%) individuals were given medications according to their need for treatment. These individuals were further recommended for an audiological examination. A total of 77 individuals were found to have hearing loss, of which eight belonged to the pediatric population (<15 years of age), 36 were adults (between the ages of 15 and 60), and 33 belonged to the geriatric population (>60 years of age).
5.2 Speech and language disorder
Speech and language evaluation was done for 170 out of the 357 individuals. It was found that 139 of them had problems only related to speech and language skills. Four of the reported individuals were found to have clinically normal speech and language skills. It was also found that 31 of these individuals reported both, ear related and speech-language problems. Of the 139 individuals with speech-language issues, 75 (53.95%) of the evaluated individuals were identified as having language and 64 (46.05%) as having speech-related disorders.
Among these 75 individuals, 66 (88%) belonged to the pediatric population, and 9 (12%) individuals were adults. It was found that among the 75 individuals with language disorders, 10 (13.3%) were diagnosed with a pure spoken language disorder (SLD), 39 (52%) with intellectual disability (ID), 3 (4%) children were diagnosed to fall under Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), 1 child (1.3%) was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), and 13 (17.3%) children were found to have academic difficulty, with the risk of learning disability (LD). It was found that among the 31 children reporting ear related and speech-language issues, 21 had spoken language disorder with hearing impairment (HI) and 10 had both hearing impairment and intellectual disability. The gender distribution of the language disorders identified is represented in Fig. 2.
Fig. 2Gender distribution of language disorders evaluated in North and Middle Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Note: SLD - spoken language disorder, ID - Intellectual disability, HI - Hearing impairment, LD - Learning disability, ASD - Autism Spectrum disorder, ADHD - Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Among the 64 individuals reporting speech related issues, 10 (15.62%) were found to have voice disorders, 35 (54.68%) having issues with fluency, 10 (15.62%) with speech sound disorders (SSD), 2 (3.12%) with motor speech disorders (MSD), 4 (6.25%) having maxillofacial anomalies (MFA) and 3 (4.68%) individuals were evaluated to have multiple speech and language disorders (multiple SLD). The gender distribution of speech disorders evaluated in North and Middle Andaman is represented in Fig. 3.
Fig. 3Gender distribution of speech disorders evaluated in North and Middle Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Note: MSD - Motor Speech Disorder; SSD - Speech Sound Disorder; MFA - Maxillofacial Anomalies; Multiple SLD - Multiple speech and language disorder.
Among the 170 individuals reporting for a speech-language evaluation, 104 (61.2%) were referred for a psychological evaluation. Adequate counseling and training strategies were provided to these individuals by a qualified psychologist. For those with speech and language issues, approximately 148 individuals attended speech therapy and counseling. Appropriate therapy techniques were demonstrated for adults and children in the presence of their caretakers. Home training programs were also handed out and explained.
A total population of 30307 was surveyed by the NSS student volunteers during the door-to-door survey, among which 1026 (3.38%) were identified to be 'at risk' for communication disorder and were referred to the camp. The delayed birth cry, low birth weight and pre-matured delivery were the major risk factors for communication disorders. The results are in consensus with previous studies which also report that these risk factors can lead to communication disorders.
Park Y.H.
Shin S.-H.
Byun S.W.
Kim J.Y.
Age-and gender-related mean hearing threshold in a highly-screened population: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2012.
The lack of appropriate medical facilities and low socio economic status might have lead to these risk factos causing communication disorders. Consanguinity is not common in North and Middle Andaman and it was not a major risk factor.
A total of 357 individuals reported at the campsite to avail the various evaluation and rehabilitation services. 139 (38.9%) were found to have speech and language related issues, 187 (52.3%) reported with ear-related issues, and 31 (8.6%) were found to have both speech language and ear related issues. The prevalence of communication disorders in North and Middle Andaman Islands (3.38%) almost mirrored that found in the Lakshadweep Islands (3.63%) by Konadath et al.
and Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (4.12%) by Konadath et al.
It also showed a similar prevalence rate to some parts of the Indian mainland, like some rural parts of Gujarat (4.09%) and Karnataka (6.07%) as reported by Sinha et al.
and Konadath et al.,
respectively. These findings could be attributed to the similarities in living conditions, awareness or access to health care found in the island territories and various rural parts of the mainland.
An age-wise comparison of the ear-related problems concerning hearing abilities was found to be more in the geriatric population.
Huang Q.
Tang J.
Age-related hearing loss or presbycusis.
Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol. 2010; 267: 1179-1191
This could be attributed to well-established age-related changes in the hearing mechanism. A gender wise comparison of ear-related issues revealed that more men were affected than women. This is in par with findings from various other studies.
Pearson J.D.
Morrell C.H.
Gordon‐Salant S.
Gender differences in a longitudinal study of age‐associated hearing loss.
J Acoust Soc Am. 1995; 97: 1196-1205
Helzner E.
Cauley J.
Pratt S.
Wisniewski S.
Zmuda J.
Talbott E.
Race and sex differences in age-related hearing loss: the health, ageing and body composition study.
Noise Health. 2006; 8
One contributing factor could be noisy work environments that are primarily male dominant. Hence, a higher incidence of hearing loss in males could be attributed to noise exposure during this phase. Literature also reports higher incidence rates in males when compared to females even in participants with no noise exposure,
hence resonating with the present study. Hence, the combination of two factors: aging and prolonged noise exposure may add up to present more deleterious effect as seen by the male geriatric population.
Kujawa S.G.
Liberman M.C.
Acceleration of age-related hearing loss by early noise exposure: evidence of a misspent youth.
J Neurosci. 2006; 26: 2115-2123
6.2 Speech and language problems
An age-wise comparison revealed a higher prevalence of speech and language disorders in the pediatric population than the adult population. A gender wise comparison revealed a higher prevalence rate in males than females. An overall higher rate in the occurrence of language (55.5%) when compared to speech (45.5%) disorders were observed.
Considering language disorders, a higher rate of prevalence of Intellectual disability (52%) was observed followed by academic difficulties (17.3%), and hence by pure spoken language disorders (13.3%). The restricted number of rehabilitative services available in these islands offers a reduced scope for prevention at the primary (awareness activities), secondary (identification), and tertiary (rehabilitative services) levels. The poor availability of adequate rehabilitative services could be an attributing factor for this prevalence high rate. Poor availabilities of special educators/special school for these children could be another contributing factor.
Considering speech services, a higher prevalence rate of voice disorders (58.33%) was observed, followed by that of fluency disorders (16.7%). Poor awareness regarding vocal hygiene and voice use, coupled with reduced availability of voice therapists and ENT specialists could be a factor contributing to the higher prevalence of voice disorders. Studies have reported that the effort put forth for language dominance may result in errors in a fluent speech that may further manifest as fluency disorders.
Lim V.P.
Lincoln M.
Chan Y.H.
Onslow M.
Stuttering in English–Mandarin bilingual speakers: the influence of language dominance on stuttering severity.
J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2008;
The six languages spoken by the population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as reported by the Census of India 2011,
could hence act as a contributing factor for the higher prevalence rates of fluency disorders.
The present study revealed a gradual decrease in the prevalence of speech and language disorder with an increase in age as reflected by the results of various other studies in the literature.
Some studies have also reported that, as age increases, young children tend to outgrow their communication difficulties and improve their speech and language skills.
Owens R.
Metz D.
Farinella K.
Introduction to Communication Disorders.
Pearson Education, UK2015
7. Summary and conclusions
The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of communication disorders in North and Middle Andaman, of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The study was carried out in two phases. Phase one included a door to door survey across areas around three major towns of the Andaman Islands. Phase two involved a two-day camp providing diagnostic and rehabilitative services to individuals with communication disorders. The estimated prevalence of communication disorder in the towns of North and Middle Andaman was found to be 3.38%. This percentage of communication disorders was found to be similar to the prevalence data obtained from the Lakshadweep Islands and some rural parts of the Indian mainland. The increased prevalence rate of communication disorders stresses the need for better awareness among the population and increase the availability of rehabilitative services by implementing primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention for persons with communication disorders.
Authors have no conflict of interest.
The authors acknowledge the Director of All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Dr. M Pushpavathi, for permission to conduct this camp and providing adequate support through approvals, grants, and inspiration.
The authors express gratitude to the staffs of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SMSA), Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the NSS office, the University of Mysore for providing the necessary amenities and other facilities required to conduct this camp.
The authors also extend their warm gratitude to all the 96 NSS volunteers, a batch of 2018–19, from All India Institute of Speech and Hearing for participating in the data collection and compilation procedures.
Appendix A. Supplementary data
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([Internet]. Asha.org)Definitions of Communication Disorders and Variations. 2019 ([cited 11 May 2019]. Available from)
2011 (Accessed 05.05.19)
2001 (Independent Project submitted to Univ. of Mysore, as a part fulfillment of M. Sc.(Sp. & Hg.))
Received in revised form: September 20, 2019
Received: June 19, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2019.11.006
© 2019 INDIACLEN. Published by Elsevier, a division of RELX India, Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved.


Ulianovsk Automobile Plant is the largest Russian manufacturer of all-wheel drive cargo-passenger vehicles, light trucks and ambulances. Production capacity of the plant amounts to 120 000 units per year.
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Taking into account market demand the plant is currently modernizing old models and launching new ones upgrading their technical characteristics in conformity with international standards.
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TO ORDER SERVICE or GET INFO CALL 435-655-1022
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SALT LAKE CITY TAXI
The History of Park City
History of Park City - Continues
Events in Park City | Saturday, June 3, 2017 | Cesar's Last Fast | Park City Library
Free Sundance Screening: Cesar's Last Fast
Location: Park City Library 1255 Park Ave, Park City, UT 84060
Screening presented in collaboration with the Christian Center of Park City's Latino Arts Festival
No tickets are needed. Seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive early.
Directed by Richard Ray Perez and Lorena Parlee 1h 40 min, color & b/w, U.S.A. English and Spanish with English subtitles 2014 Sundance Film Festival Official Selection
Inspired by Catholic social teaching, Cesar Chavez risked his life fighting for America's poorest workers. The film illuminates the intensity of one man's devotion and personal sacrifice, describes the birth of an economic-justice movement, and tells an untold chapter in the story of civil rights in America. Director Richard Ray Perez will attend for a post-screening Q&A.
Film not rated.
Come for the 2nd Annual Latino Arts Festival and stay for the film! The Arts Festival starts at 3 PM. Both events are free and open to the public.
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Jameis Winston makes Pro Bowl as alternate
By: JCDeLaTorre, SB Nation
It took 5 quarterbacks saying thanks but no thanks but Jameis Winston is headed to Hawaii to play in the Pro Bowl.
Winston becomes the 5th Buc in the game, joining Doug Martin, Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David and Logan Mankins.
Winston had a phenomenal rookie season, becoming the third rookie in NFL history to throw for over 4,000 yds and accounting for 28 touchdowns (22 passing). Winston becomes the first Bucs QB since Jeff Garcia named to the game and the first Bucs QB drafted to earn a spot in the game since Trent Dilfer in 1997.
While the game is a glorified scrimmage, Winston will get a chance to hang with the game's elite and maybe even get a chance to do a little recruiting.
Once you're named to the Pro Bowl, it counts as part of your career tally - even if you made as an alternate.
Congrats to Jameis and all of the Bucs headed to Hawaii.
This story originally appeared in Bucs Nation: http://www.bucsnation.com/2016/1/25/10831688/jameis-winston-makes-the-pro-bowl-as-an-alternate


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Bristol - a leading green city
Marvin Rees is the Mayor of Bristol. He tweets at @MarvinJRees.
This article was originally published in SERA's magazine New Ground (Winter 2018)
Earlier this year, Jeremy Corbyn highlighted the 'first shoots of the renaissance of local government for the many, not the few'. Perhaps nowhere are these shoots greener than in Bristol.
Bristol was one of the first local authorities to own a wind turbine, amongst the earliest to set up a council-owned energy company providing 100% green tariffs, and the only UK city to spend a year as European Green Capital. And, now, with a majority for the first time since 2003, we are building on Labour's legacy in Government, including implementing the Kyoto Protocol through the Climate Change Act. With a Green Party in name only here – one which votes with Tory councillors against some £14 million of our capital investment in clean energy while supporting developments which would have worsened already illegal air quality for some of the poorest Bristolians – my all-Labour administration are at the forefront of action against climate change.
No more immediately do these causes of social and environmental justice intertwine than in the case of fuel poverty. My administration has installed district heating systems and is progressing plans for heat networks. We have placed new insulation in 20,000 council properties and are promoting fuel poverty projects across the city, which are saving Bristolians money and helping the environment. Solar power is being installed on new council houses as part of work which will see our ambitious pledge to build 2,000 new homes – including 800 affordable – per year by 2020 exceeded by almost 50%.
Since the local is also global, it's worth saying the recent report from the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change has highlighted just how pressing the challenge of climate change is for our planet. Few people still doubt the proven science which conclusively shows just how much humans have contributed to what's happening and the scale of the emergency we face. That's why we have led efforts for the Avon Pension Fund to see climate change as a threat and better consider other environmental, carbon, and social risk through a comprehensive and long-term sustainable investment strategy.
At the recent Global Parliament of Mayors summit in Bristol, city leaders from six continents gathered with networks like the C40 Climate Cities Leadership Group to support the Bristol Declaration. It calls on national governments and international organisations to recognise that, without a fundamental shift of global governance to empower and include cities and regions, challenges like climate change will most likely go unresolved.
"Bristol is one of very few cities where bus use is growing, and we have placed the largest biogas bus order in the country to clean up our public transport"
I also used the GPM conference to bring together the leaders of all core cities and the metro mayors in one room for the first time. This produced a clear joint position across party lines, lobbying the Government for a £2 billion Clean Air Fund to equip local leaders with what's needed to improve air quality. This builds on the record of local Labour councillors and community campaigners, who fought through every stage of the planning process to stop 48 diesel generators being built next to a nursery school in the city. New plans for a STOR plant in the same community will no doubt face similar opposition, backed by Bristol Labour. We are working on a range of options for a Clean Air Zone for Bristol, all of which will deliver compliance with the required standards within the shortest possible time. An Outline Business Case with a preferred scheme will be submitted later this year, followed by a consultation. At the same time, further bids to Government to implement a scheme and fund mitigation measures that will reduce the impact on specific groups. With responsibility already shifted from Westminster to town halls to address illegal air quality, the required resources need to follow in a package ten times larger than that which the Government announced in the Spring.
Bristol is one of very few cities where bus use is growing, and we have already placed the largest biogas bus order in the country to clean up our public transport while also retrofitting the oldest, most polluting vehicles to improve standards. We are leading regional work worth more than £7 million to invest in Low Emissions Vehicles, and have invested almost as much again in bringing the council's own fleet of vehicles to standard. This was a key manifesto commitment and part of our progressive budget, which the so-called Green Party opposed along with the Tories and Lib Dems.
We are also leading efforts to deliver an underground/overground for Bristol, part of a philosophy which says that reliable, affordable, and convenient public transport is needed to reduce congestion on our roads. My administration is also exploring an expansion of rapid transit options, including on key arterial routes into the city. Alongside this, through MetroWest planning with partners, we are reopening old suburban train stations and building new ones across the city and region to give people more options for how to get around, starting the work of undoing the Beeching cuts. And, as a Cycling City, we are investing in 12 segregated cycling routes covering some 75 miles; facilitated the spread of hire bikes; and, to encourage cycling and also highlight our commitment to sport, brought the Tour of Britain to Bristol.
"As a council we met our carbon emission reduction target early and have upped it"
And, after successful soft market testing, Labour-run Bristol City Council has garnered almost £1 billion of interest in pioneering projects to transform how Bristol generates, stores, and utilises energy. 180 investors from all around the world, from the Japanese national bank to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway investment vehicle, have sent in expressions of interest in the exciting City LEAP programme. As a council we met our carbon emissions reduction target early and have upped it and I am confident that, as a city, LEAP will enable the city of Bristol to be run entirely on clean energy by 2050, in line with our manifesto commitment. If Government steps up to provide the resources and powers we need – and only then – then we may well be able to bring this date forward by at least a decade.
I agreed with three-quarters of Bristolians that litter was a big issue for our city. Making our streets measurably cleaner was a key commitment of mine and has led to the Clean Streets campaign. This project has worked with scores of local primary schools and community groups to mobilise over 3,000 volunteers on litter picks. We have raised awareness, strengthened communities' pride in where they live, and saved the council money all in one go. Campaigns on the city's bus shelters have highlighted good work while also publicising increased enforcement efforts around littering, dog fouling (one of the cornerstone of local government work), and other environmental crimes. Offenders are now subject to new £100 on-the-spot fines, with 10,000 already issued since last year. Meanwhile, Council-owned Bristol Waste Company has installed covert CCTV cameras at fly-tipping hotspots, 'spy bins', and issued dozens of fly-tipping fines in the last month alone.
Bristol is also home to Kerry McCarthy, easily Parliament's greenest MP. With her, we are working on a pollinator action plan for the city's bees, pulling together an action plan around single-use plastics, and are exploring alternatives with other councils so that we can be able to phase out the use of glyphosate. Kerry's pioneering work in Westminster around food waste and plastic pollution was ahead of its time, and has been backed here in Bristol by our administration. Bristol Waste's award-winning pilot campaign saw the amount of food waste collected for renewable energy generation in parts of south Bristol increase by 87%, and has since been rolled out across the city. Alongside this, the Feeding Bristol pilot has achieved charity status and our efforts with city partners around food poverty saw 13,000 meals distributed to children this summer that might otherwise go without due to holiday hunger.
All of this good work is only possible because of the financial rigour which we have brought to the local authority. Just as there are no jobs on a dead planet, as we've seen from Northamptonshire and may well see from other Shires given the continued austerity agenda from national government, there can be scant investment in local services and projects without a financially sustainable council. Doing the boring well has enabled our administration to support and work with the city, and the green shoots of municipal socialism flourish.
More widely, we have been accredited as a Living Wage employer and reduced senior management by £1.6 million, again despite the opposition of all other parties. Labour-run Bristol is the only core city with a 10:1 pay ratio, a 100% council tax discount for our poorest residents and care leavers up to their 25th birthdays and full council tax on second/empty homes. Our pioneering Children's Charter is inspiring cities the world over, and our transformation of adult social care will deliver the support which people want despite central Government passing the buck. With this, and the environmentally sound policies we have already delivered, across the board Bristol is up there amongst the most progressive local authorities in the country.


The proposal of radical democracy that has been promoted by the philosopher Chantal Mouffe, can find in Colombia a "test laboratory" that offers important challenges.
This paper presents the results of an investigation that inquire the adequacies that would be generated in the Colombian democratic system with the political participation of the FARC (guerrilla group) in the next post-conflict period.
It is argued that in the colombian case there is an application of the theory proposed by Chantal Mouffe, with a different theoretical-empirical that could lead to a "radicalized version" of radical democracy: called enlarged democracy.
Author: Guillermo Duque Silva y Javier Cadavid Ramírez.


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We offer an expert service in drafting and registration of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Home visits are available if you or your relative cannot visit our office.
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Communication is the Key! At Tyson Properties, we believe that the key to a successful management relationship is communication and the key to a successful rental property is education. We communicate with our Home Owner's as often as possible and one way we keep in touch with is through our Newsletters. We typically email these out on a quarterly basis and store them here so that all of our Owners may access and refer back to them.


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Equal Time Soccer
Can the benefits of the World Cup trickle down to Minnesota?
The United States World Cup win pushed their fan support on the field to a whole new level. And because of how they won — as outspoken and fearless champions for equal pay and representation — they also built a groundswell of support off the field. As the World Cup champs return to their club teams in the National Women's Soccer League, they're bringing record breaking crowds with them. Yet their equal pay dispute with the US Soccer Federation is far from resolved. And even less certain is how or if the benefits of a new contract for national team players will trickle down to the rank and file in the NWSL.
Still, it's clear that the conversation has shifted. And for a breakout star like Rose Lavelle, part of the battle is using her new platform in a way that brings real progress.
"We obviously have a unique platform and us using our voice inspires more people to use theirs. Even just pushing the conversation past just talking and more towards action has helped more female athletes feel like they have the power to do that too."
Can Minnesota be next?
At the same time, with only nine NWSL teams across the country, it remains to be seen how much the World Cup bump will impact places like Minnesota. With a brand new stadium and a Major League Soccer ownership group with connections and experience in so many other professional leagues, does Minnesota have the right ingredients to be an expansion team?
Carli Lloyd, who has experienced the ups and downs of not only this league but its predecessors, knows it's not always that simple. But the potential is there.
"There's obviously tricky things, other than just saying 'it'd be great to have a women's team here," Lloyd said. "But a place like Minnesota I think would probably offer an amazing setup for a team."
Minnesotan and NWSL veteran Kassey Kallman agrees. Especially if the investment is there.
"I think Minnesota is doing all the right things to have a women's team at this point. You see the teams that are coming in that are affiliated with MLS teams that are doing so well. The teams that are struggling are the people that are more independent owners that have smaller stadiums. If they put in the resources the same as the do for the men, if they do the marketing the same as the men, it can succeed. People love women's soccer here."
Early proof of concept
The highest level women's soccer team in the state are the Gophers at the U of M. Since current Head Coach Stefanie Golan started in 2012, they've won one regular season Big Ten Championship, two Big Ten tournament championships, and had four trips to the NCAA Tournament. The Gophers worst season in that span has still been over .500. That sustained success has led to some of the best attendance in the country for college soccer.
In fact, I'd wager the Gopher Soccer program has sent about as many players into the pro ranks as the football and basketball teams, who receive infinitely more coverage and attention from local media. For more than a decade, Gophers have been going on to have successful careers in Norway (Kelsey Hood) and Germany (Jenni Clark), and while others have made stops in the pro leagues of Sweden, Czech Republic, Iceland, Serbia, Israel, Puerto Rico, and more.
Outside the Twin Cities, high quality programs at the DII and DIII levels. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference is largely made up of Minnesota state schools and the MIAC and UMAC feature many of the state's small liberal arts colleges. And players of all levels are featured in the WPSL, a massive semi-pro summer league with six teams in Minnesota and Fargo.
Fans can make a difference
It's easy to forget when you watch the national team suit up in red, white, and blue at the immaculate Allianz Field, but the world class soccer we get to experience now is really thanks to years of support for lower level soccer up in Blaine. When finances were tight, and it looked like the Stars (formerly the Thunder) might fold, it was the outstanding fan support and game experience at the National Sports Center that helped convince this ownership group to invest in the Stars, and bring them to MLS as the MN United we cheer for today.
So if we want the chance to see these incredible women play soccer week in and week out for a professional team based right here in Minnesota, and not just for one special night, we need to start by showing our support for the fantastic women's soccer we already have. Check out a Gopher game. Watch a WPSL game online. And tell your friends and family about your experience. Rather than letting the visit from the women's national team be a one time high that leads to emotional hangover, let's use this World Cup win as our gateway drug into the wonderful world of Minnesota women's soccer.
Video & Podcast: LIVE from the Blackhart USWNT night before party with Jen Larrick, Stefanie Golan, Kassey Kallman
Thanks to everyone who showed up to the fantastic night before party at Blackhart to celebrate the USWNT coming to town. Any party that involves Lori Lindsey (shown above with monthly supporter Brynn Sias) is a success.
If you want to watch our chats with Jen Larrick, Stefanie Golan, and Kassey Kallman about expanding access to soccer, representation, the Gophers, NWSL expansion, and more, it's embedded in the tweet below (albeit with some pretty hot lighting. I'll place the phone better next time). Or you can listen to it as a podcast both below and on iTunes,Google Play, or Stitcher.
We're LIVE from @BlackHartSTP for a @USWNTPlayers night-before party featuring @jenlarrick, @MNCoachGolan, and @kasseykallman! https://t.co/Oe6gdgNi7d
— Equal Time Soccer (@EqualTimeSoccer) September 3, 2019
VIDEO & PODCAST: Simone Kolander
(Photo credit: Jeremy Olson)
We caught up with former Gopher Soccer star, and Czech League vet Simone Kolander after her return to the professional ranks in Iceland. Simone talks about her recruitment to Iceland, adapting to a new country, the level of play, and our first edition of "the internet said it."
You can watch the video embedded below or listen to it as a podcast in iTunes,Google Play, or Stitcher.
Supporters giving $10/month and up
Jeff Rueter
Kate Sophia
Chad Flynn & Mary Lahammer
Jean Privratsky
Samantha Privratsky
Jeremy Olson
Scott Privratsky
Dan Flo
Salvo Soccer Club
David Olson
Jim & Kristen Gray
Kristen Nielsen
Erik Allen
Long Che
Bernhard Kuehn
Michelle Chmielewski
College Snap Shot


Your resume is your only tool to showcase who you are as a person. Make sure you put much thought into it and include relevant experience to the job you are applying for. Some candidates have different resumes reflecting different experience.
Bringing talent into your organization is probably the most important facet of building a strong company. Building strong relationships with your talent providers helps to identify best cultural and technical fits for your team.
I love to experience restaurants with amazing atmospheres and delicious food. I enjoy hiking, sipping lemonade on a deck with a view and friends.
Hotel Del Coronado. So beautiful to sit at the beach and enjoy the history of the hotel from 1888.


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Why more than doubling Census Bureau's budget isn't enough for 2020 count
Jory Heckman@jheckmanWFED
Subscribe to Federal Drive's daily audio interviews on Apple Podcasts or PodcastOne.
The Trump administration's proposal to more than double the Census Bureau's current budget next fiscal year sounds more impressive than what the increase will really mean for the agency, census experts warn.
Under President Donald Trump's spending proposal for fiscal 2019, the Census Bureau stands out as one of the few federal nondefense agencies that would receive an increase in funding — and by quite a lot. The budget proposal would increase the bureau's funding to $3.8 billion, an increase of more than $2.3 billion from current spending levels.
Insight by Sonatype: Stephan Mitchev, acting CTO at USPTO, discusses how USPTO is looking at supply chain issues to address cybersecurity concerns. Dr. Stephen Magill, VP of product innovation at Sonatype, provides an industry perspective.
While the spending increase fits a well-rehearsed pattern for the Census Bureau, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that this ramp-up for 2020 pales in comparison to the spending trends of previous population counts.
In preparation for 2010 count, Arloc Sherman, a senior fellow at CBPP, found that Congress increased spending on the Census Bureau by 79 percent between 2006 and 2008.
Similarly, CBPP found that ahead of the 2000 census, lawmakers increased the agency's budget by 143 percent between 1996 and 1998.
But for the 2020 count, the think tank found that spending between 2016 and 2018 only increased by 23 percent.
For these comparisons, Sherman used Trump's proposed $1.68 billion budget for Census in FY 2018, but said the president's FY 2019 spending plan also "falls well short" of what the agency needs to ensure a successful count.
Phil Sparks, the co-director of the Census Project, told Federal News Radio that ongoing continuing resolutions have put the agency in a tough position that the president's FY 2019 budget doesn't fully alleviate.
"You can see it's short already coming into this fiscal year, and we're worried that a fair and accurate census is jeopardized if the planning and funding for the decennial census in 2020 is shortchanged," Sparks said Tuesday.
In order to fully achieve its mission of a census count driven by new technology, Sparks said the Trump administration's fiscal 2018 budget should have been $160 million higher, and the fiscal 2019 budget should have been $400 million higher.
Read more: Management
Decreases in funding have already forced the Census Bureau to reduce the scope of its field tests, which it will conduct this April. The agency originally meant to test its new Census Enterprise Data Collection and Processing program (CEDCaP) in rural West Virginia and suburban Washington state, but had to cut those tests due to the budget shortfall.
Instead, it will hold its one and only large-scale field test in Providence, Rhode Island.
"If it doesn't go well, there's really no way to make this up. They're not going to be able to do any more tests because the test results themselves won't be available for six or eight months, until the next fiscal year," Sparks said.
In planning for the field test, Sparks said the Census Bureau intends to test its new IT programs, but won't be able to test the effectiveness of its advertising, community partnerships or outreach on "hard-to-count" areas, which he said could lead to significant undercounting of African-American and Hispanic populations.
"It's not only a one-time test, but it's also foreshortened because they're not doing the full test," Sparks said.
If the Providence test goes well, Census will be able to report its level of confidence with its new IT to Congress and the Trump administration. But if the test doesn't go well, Sparks said the agency will have little choice but to revert back to paper forms, and would serve as a repeat of the 2010 census.
Around this time in the 2010 ramp-up, Sparks said the Census Bureau tried testing handheld electronic devices to help enumerators take the census, but ultimately scrapped the project.
Want to stay up to date with the latest federal news and information from all your devices? Download the revamped Federal News Network app
"Frankly, it was a complete failure, and a billion-dollar failure at that," Sparks said, adding that in terms of the last count, Census remains ahead of the curve in testing its new IT.
However, the 2020 count still remains on the Government Accountability Office's list of high-risk federal programs.
Sparks said the reason the Census keeps pushing new technology for its decennial counts ultimately comes down to two things — money and accuracy. A digitally driven census count, if properly orchestrated, could save the agency billions of dollars, he said.
"It should be good news for the American taxpayer if it works out, but we've got to make sure that our national policymakers come up with enough money in order to make it work. And so far, the signs are not good, that the Congress and the president have shortchanged the census ramp-up process," Sparks said.
After former Census Bureau Director John Thompson abruptly resigned last June, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has taken an increased role in overseeing the 2020 count. But Sparks called on the Senate to fill the void in political leadership.
"[Ross] has a large department with many bureaus, not just the Census Bureau, and although this may be a top priority, what we really need at the Census Bureau is established, well-managed officials who are working there to make sure that the census works. Having no political leadership at the Census Bureau comes at absolutely the worst time in the process of planning for the census," Sparks said.
Last week, Mother Jones reported that Thomas Brunell, Trump's pick for deputy director, withdrew his name from consideration.
Jory Heckman
Jory Heckman is a reporter at Federal News Network covering U.S. Postal Service, IRS, big data and technology issues.
Follow @jheckmanWFED
Trump budget proposes staff cuts within IRS, NIST, EPA; gives windfall to Census
Census Bureau, in home stretch for 2020 count, lacks permanent leadership
Budget, staffing shortages at Census could threaten 2020 count in rural areas
2019 budget 2020 Census All News Census Bureau Phil Sparks


I was paroosing Etsy last week (as I often do) and came across these adorable lemon shaped bookends.
So, I pinned it. I'm trying desperately to pin more. I've been a member of Pinterest for a little while now (HERE is my pinterest page if you'd like to take a peak), but I'm pretty delinquent at keeping up with my boards. The bookend was a good add to my "A Colorful Home" board. It is the "pop of color" that Brad Goreski won't shut up about and it reminds me of summertime, which I am so looking forward to.
I decided to let this beautiful bookend inspire a mood board for a lemonade themed baby shower. I immediately loved the idea, which was reinforced by all the fantastic stuff I found.
What an adorable theme!! I love it!


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Francis William Steer, OStJ, FSA (10 August 1912 – 23 September 1978) was an English antiquarian, archivist, and herald.

From 1953 Steer was archivist and librarian to the bishop, dean, and chapter of Chichester. In 1956, he became archivist and librarian to the Duke of Norfolk at Arundel. Though he had never attended university, in 1959 Steer was awarded a Lambeth degree by Archbishop Geoffrey Fisher in recognition of his work, and subsequently received both an MA from the University of Oxford in 1974 and a doctorate from the University of Sussex in 1978. The Duke of Norfolk appointed him Maltravers Herald Extraordinary.

Among Steer's many publications is the catalogue of the archives of New College, Oxford, which he had ordered for many years.

A memorial plaque in New College recognises Steer's work for the college. An oil painting of him by Audrey Jennings can be seen in the West Sussex Record Office.

References

English antiquarians
English archivists
1912 births
1978 deaths
Alumni of the University of Sussex
20th-century antiquarians

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Oracle Corporation, Medidata Solutions, PAREXEL International Corporation, BioClinica, and OmniComm Systems are some of the major players of e-clinical solution software market.
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/16/2019 -- According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research "Global Market Study on E-Clinical Solution Software: Asia to Witness Highest Growth by 2020", the global e-clinical solution software market was valued at US$ 3,005 Mn in 2014 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 13.8% from 2014 to 2020, to reach US$ 6,515.3 Mn by 2020.
The global e-clinical solution software market is witnessing significant growth due to increasing clinical trials and R&D investments in pharmaceuticals and life science sectors. Increasing prevalence of diseases across the world is leading to rise in number of clinical trials. Various lifestyle-associated diseases and genetic disorders in the Middle East and North Africa have also led to increase in clinical trials in the respective regions. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry is facing immense pressure to reduce the time consumed to conduct clinical trials and increase effect of drugs. Presence of various end users such as pharmaceuticals, clinical research organizations (CROs), and healthcare providers has increased the demand for e-clinical solution software. The global e-clinical solution software market was valued at US$ 3,005 Mn in 2014 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 13.8% from 2014 to 2020 to reach US$ 6,515.3 Mn by 2020.
In North America, the average cost of research and development for a successful pharmaceutical drug continues to increase from pre-clinical stage i.e. initial development stage of drug till FDA approval i.e. launch of the drug in the market. According to Oracle Corporation – an e-clinical software company – the share of global clinical trials conducted in North America has reduced from 30% in 2006 to 19% in 2010. This was due to complex regulatory and legal frameworks in North America, which led to shifting of the clinical trials market to developing countries such as India and China. This may lead to sluggish growth of clinical trials in the region.
Countries in Central and Eastern Europe provide abundant opportunities to life science companies for clinical development. According to Oracle Corporation – the percentage of clinical trials conducted in Western Europe has decreased from 25% to 19% and in Eastern Europe; the percentage has increased from 10% to 13% during 2006-2010.
However, Asia has become one of the fastest-growing markets for pharmaceutical products. Improved industry regulatory laws and patent expiration laws in various countries such as Japan, China, and India, have led to the expansion of the clinical trials market in Asia. Cost of conducting clinical trials in Asia is lower compared to that in Europe and the U.S.


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Features Segments
Shortages of Basic Products have Cubans Worried
February 22, 2020 Circles Robinson	9 Comments
Line in front of a Havana supermarket. Photo: IPS/Cuba
The Cuban government has said that it will be forced to prioritize three important sectors, given pressure from abroad: food, medicine and fuel.
By IPS Cuba
HAVANA TIMES – Shortages in Cuba have everyone's attention again with long and chaotic lines in Havana and other provincial cities. When products that are in shortage finally appear, long lines form so people can buy them. Brawls are constantly on the verge of breaking out and people harshly criticize both the government and hoarders.
Some stores have established limits on how much people can buy to prevent hoarding and reselling. However, corrupt sales assistants tell friends in advance, or resellers who give them a nice cut.
This isn't news in recent decades. The only problem now is that this has become a recurring problem, due to the weak response from inefficient state-run companies, financial restrictions on imports and the US tightening down on its economic embargo.
The government has explained in official media channels that they have been forced to give priority to the three most important export sectors: food, medicine and fuel, because ships carrying raw materials have been delayed due to pressure from the US.
As a result, shortages are hitting personal hygiene items this time… at least until March, although there are also shortages of the abovementioned too.
Ministry's statement
Earlier this month, the minister of Domestic Trade, Betsy Diaz, announced to official media in the central province of Villa Clara, that the national demand for personal hygiene items won't be met, at least until the fourth month of 2020.
"Right now, budgets have to go towards navigating the problems the harsh blockade [embargo] imposes, as well as allowing us to purchase fuel in other places (…). Fuel and food are the main priorities that available funds are going towards," she explained.
Her statement led to confusion in the beginning. She called alleged "people without principles" who had "spread fake news maliciously" about the shortage of personal hygiene items "Imperialism's lackeys".
According to the statement that was published on the ministry's website, "the truth" is that "demand and stability won't be met until March, because they don't have enough stock to meet this demand, but availability and stock will return to satisfactory levels as of April."
An internet user identified as Luisa Cecilia commented: "Saying that there will be problems with personal hygiene items until the end of March is the same as saying that there won't be any until April."
Anyhow, the news made the population worry. Immediately after, many went to state-run markets and so-called "shopping" centers (which sell items in foreign currency) in search of these products, but social media and alternative media platforms also filled with tense comments from concerned citizens.
People remembered that the range of "missing" products (as sales assistants normally say to customers) reached its peak in 2019, when cooking oil, chicken, wheat flour and its derivatives were in shortage.
Goverment announces better stock
Executives of the domestic trade portfolio told Granma newspaper (which belongs to the Cuban Communist Party), that personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, liquid soap and toilet paper, etc.) won't completely disappear, but the thing is that demand won't be met right now, like it has in previous years.
According to Francisco Silva, the general sales managers of this sector, products that enter in the basic family rations will continue to be available, although grain production has fallen, and coffee and powdered milk will be distributed in bulk because packaging is in shortage.
IPS Cuba reached out to a dietitian who said that the powdered milk container situation will have to be resolved as soon as possible because this product is easily contaminated, and is consumed by children mostly and people with special diets, and the rest is sold to the population at a very high price.
Like in the last quarter of last year, long lines at gas stations across the entire country are the telling sign of this new period of shortages, where some customers have complained that managers are apparently playing favorites with drivers of state-owned cars.
Lines for medicine
Medicines are pretty much a whole 'nother story. On Thursdays or Fridays every week, dozens of people (mostly the elderly) crowd together in front of pharmacies with the hope of being able to buy painkillers, antihistamines, skin cream, etc. before their medical prescriptions run out.
The list of "missing medicines" is long and pharmacies have bare shelves. However, the State is trying to ensure medicine for chronic diseases (especially high blood pressure) which is distributed via the so-called "card", although stock has its ups and downs.
In spite of the "temporary" situation with fuel that President Miguel Diaz-Canel declared in September 2019, the Government has managed to guarantee the rationed family basket every month for a subsidized price, in spite of it relying on imports. Rationed items only cover some of people's most basic needs for a third of a month.
In January, the population was called upon to "adopt saving measures and the efficient use" of liquefied gas which many homes use to cook, and rationing was announced.
Cuts in liquefied petroleum gas imports for domestic use in Cuba affect the supply to more than 1.7 million customers, which is the result of US sanctions, according to state-led company Union Cuba-Petroleo (CUPET).
On the eve of this declaration, CUPET announced that it was working towards normalizing liquefied gas distribution on the island and that they hoped to increase delivery to the population and the public sector by mid-February, thereby alleviating fuel shortages.
Water supply also in times of crisis
In addition to the fuel crisis and shortages of personal hygiene items, there was also an announcement by Aguas de La Habana that this precious liquid will begin a new cycle of distribution every three days, in certain areas of the Cuban capital, as of Monday February 10th.
The reason? A conductor that draws out the water supply service in areas of the city center has broken, due to contamination of fuel that had leaked into the network in the heavily-populated Diez de Octubre municipality.
Leonel Diaz Hernandez, the company's general director, announced to the weekly paper Tribuna de La Habana that the contamination took place in the water of the Vento canal, in the Capdevila area. This conductor supplies the central system in the Plaza de la Revolucion, Diez de Octubre, Central Havana, Old Havana and Cerro municipalities.
Residents in this capital (2.1 million inhabitants in total) could finally take a deep breath after Friday when Aguas de La Habana released a statement in which it announced that the water supply was gradually returning to normal in many areas, after decontamination work had been completed and repairs were made to the affected conductor.
← Caridad Bermudez, a Cuban Woman, Mother and Survivor
Man in Artemisa, Cuba – Photo of the Day →
9 thoughts on "Shortages of Basic Products have Cubans Worried"
Cuban government is very corput. The tourists will not rush back to Cuba. A complete change of the economy in Cuba is needed.
I'm from Romania and during the communism was the same, shortages for common goods, and we didnt have sanctions imposed, in fact Romania had relatively good relations with the west, in the 70s they even got some technology from them. USSR also had shortages for basic producs. Ive seen some videos from Cuba, it seems so similar to communist romania, to the level of the involuntary comic of these regimes, I mean for Gods sake, the only products that you find in communist shops are those nobody needs, like toilet floaters. Its the planned economy, corruption and pillage of the communists. Of course in Cuba the sanctions just add up, and its their fault, nobody asked them to place themselves against the USA so aggressively, and they had a lot of time after the missile crisis to improve things. If there were communist countries like Yugoslavia (who got some marshal plan funds after ww2), or vietnam who had realatively good relations with the US, why not cuba? Blame your communist leaders for their bankrupt foreign policy and the rest.
Maria Tarleton
Jennifer Klaus. The money will never get to the people. The government will take it and Cuba, Jennifer Klaus , has been communist since Fidel Castro fooled all. Go live there. Experience that socialism. Go loose weight. Let your teeth rot out. Have Diabetes. Loose a leg because there's no medicine. I was born in Cuba. My family read the writing in the wall and left.
Once again, Ms Klaus.
Moses Patterson
Managed economies always provoke shortages. Nonetheless, the Castro lacks the hard currency to meet domestic need with foreign purchases and that means shortages. Solution? Free market forces to meet demand with a flexible supply chain. In the short run? High prices for certain items and losses taken on other goods. But before long, supply will meet demand. In short, CAPITALISM.
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Cuba: The Decline of a Country Running Out of Food
Cuba's Restrictions, Airlines' Silence, Creates Chaos
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