text:
La Sociedad en forma de M (M型社會) la encontramos en los escritos de William Ouchi - "La Sociedad en forma de M: ¿Cómo el equipo estadounidense puede recuperar la ventaja competitiva."

Sociedad en forma de M (M 型 社會) es un término acuñado por el economista y estratega corporativo japonés Kenichi Ohmae (大 前 研 一) (1943–). Según su observación, Ohmae argumentó que la estructura de la sociedad japonesa ha emergido en una distribución en "forma de M". Se refiere a una sociedad polarizada entre los ricos extremos y los pobres extremos.

Teoría
En una sociedad moderna bien desarrollada, la distribución de clases se encuentra en un patrón de "distribución normal", y la clase media forma el grueso de la sociedad.

Sin embargo, en el surgimiento de la 'sociedad en forma de M', la clase media en una sociedad desaparece gradualmente. Con el avance y la consecuencia de la globalización (para bien o para mal), la clase media se asimila gradualmente a cada lado. El grueso de la sociedad ya no es la clase media. El nombre se deriva cuando se grafica la distribución de la clase, se forma una forma de M distinta para denotar los dos extremos, con la clase media reduciéndose y desapareciendo gradualmente. Muy pocas personas en esta clase media pueden ser capaces de subir la escalera y ser parte de la clase alta, mientras que la mayoría de la clase media irá gradualmente hacia el grupo de menores ingresos.

Lo que es peor, parece que la escalera social ascendente ha desaparecido: las oportunidades y la competencia justa son cada vez menos. Las personas de la clase baja ya no pueden subir en la escala: no pueden obtener un trabajo bien remunerado o tener un empleo estable, incluso si tienen un alto nivel de educación.

Cambio de época. Destrezas necesarias en el siglo XXI
En la segunda mitad del siglo XX, una vez que los padres o abuelos inmediatos habían hecho el trabajo de base necesario para crear las circunstancias y diseñar las oportunidades, la persona que nació en el lugar correcto y el momento adecuado con las circunstancias adecuadas aprovechó sus circunstancias para formar parte de la clase media, una teoría presentada por Alvin Toffler, autor de Future Shock. Para aquellos que nacieron aproximadamente entre 1980 y los primeros años de 2000, sus padres los criaron con creencias y una experiencia escolar adecuada para la Segunda Ola de la Era Industrial.

Educación inadecuada
Es posible que la escolarización de esta última generación del siglo XX no sea adecuada para la economía del siglo XXI. La compensación fue de autodirección por obediencia, juego por trabajo de memoria, pensamiento lateral por conformidad, por lo que los formados en esa época serán incapaces de producir los activos requeridos de la economía del siglo XXI como se describe en A Whole New Mind de Daniel H. Pink y El líder en mí de Covey y las Cinco mentes para el futuro de Howard Gardner. Aquellos que midieron su inteligencia únicamente en las aptitudes académicas se centrarían en desarrollar una aptitud para memorizar y calificar para los exámenes, descuidando otras habilidades innatas que puedan tener. Debido a que se necesitan años para adquirir una profesión o el dominio de cualquier habilidad, los nacidos entre 1980 y principios del siglo XXI pueden haber perdido la oportunidad de desarrollar talentos que se adapten mejor a sus vidas.

Uso de las nuevas tecnologías
Al mismo tiempo, el uso de la tecnología es muy desigual, por lo que les da a las personas de ciertas partes del mundo la ventaja de superar a otros en su propio dominio de sus talentos al aprovechar las herramientas y la información de Internet. Por ejemplo, un niño de clase media de 12 años en Taiwán, Corea, Japón o incluso Singapur tendría la ventaja de crecer pudiendo dar por sentado disponer de Internet de alta velocidad y poder pagarse una computadora portátil propia aparte de los juguetes electrónicos. Estos niños trabajarán en su competencia en el uso de la tecnología, pudiendo mantenerse al día mientras adquieren las habilidades de recopilación de conocimientos en Internet y aprenden mediante prueba y error cómo validar, aprovechar y resolver problemas con ese conocimiento.

Espíritu colaborativo
Además, al familiarizarse a temprana edad con las herramientas de colaboración (wikis, marcadores, foros), comunicación (Skype, Google Wave, Twitter) y redes sociales, obtendrán la madurez para cuando lleguen a la adolescencia y apreciarán la diferencia entre comportamientos arriesgados y beneficiosos al interactuar en un mundo transparente.

No es difícil imaginar que a medida que avanzamos hacia la personalización y nos convertimos en una sociedad prosumidora, aquellos que no tienen las habilidades o el conocimiento para producir algo de valor para la sociedad caerán en una gran desesperación económica. Un niño sin educación de la escuela del siglo XX pero que pasó su infancia siendo autodirigido, pensando, explorando y creando puede terminar con una gran ventaja sobre un niño que ve el trabajo no como creación sino como dificultades y que ha sido condicionado a ver el aprendizaje como memorización para puntuar por un título.

A medida que las sociedades del siglo XXI avanzan hacia un mundo donde la transparencia, la confianza, la credibilidad, la ética, la paz, la igualdad y el diseño son altamente valorados, existe la expectativa de que otros miembros contribuyan de igual manera. Para la mayoría de las personas nacidas en las últimas décadas del siglo XX, el aprendizaje no se trata de autodirigir o de hacer del mundo un lugar mejor. El aprendizaje consistía en calificar para los exámenes y derrotar a otros a menudo injustamente para poder avanzar en la vida. A medida que aumenta el ritmo de aprendizaje y cambio para aquellos que tienen las habilidades, es posible que no puedan dedicar tiempo o asociarse con personas que no poseen las mismas habilidades. La división entre los que tienen y los que no tienen será sobre la distribución de conocimientos y habilidades. Estos conocimientos y habilidades propician una mayor creación de riqueza para las 5 Mentes del futuro.

Se está formando rápidamente una nueva forma de red más poderosa, la Sabiduría de las Multitudes formada por individuos, no muy diferentes de los individuos que componen Wikipedia, quienes formarán el rostro del siglo XXI. Estas redes dan gran importancia a la meritocracia, la integridad, la autodirección, la creatividad y la transparencia. Ellos compartirán y enseñarán a personas como ellos, dentro de sus redes y comunidades virtuales y cara a cara, con o sin dinero como su motivación.

Para aquellos con creencias de la era industrial, hacer cosas gratis o aprender por aprender no tiene sentido. En un mundo futuro donde Libre es un nuevo modelo de negocio, el valor de la riqueza puede pasar del dinero físico a los intercambios percibidos de contribución o valor de una comunidad / individuo.

El mundo actual
La desigualdad de ingresos se mide por el llamado coeficiente de Gini (entre el valor de 0 y 1), y generalmente se considera que 0.2 y menos es más igualdad y 0.6 o más es más desigualdad, siendo 0.4 la "línea roja de advertencia".

Las personas en la mitad inferior de esta desigualdad de ingresos experimentarán un deterioro en el nivel de vida. Pueden enfrentarse al desempleo o salarios más bajos. Gradualmente, solo pueden vivir de la manera en que viven las clases más bajas: por ejemplo, tomar autobuses en lugar de conducir su propio automóvil, recortar su presupuesto para las comidas en lugar de comer en mejores restaurantes, gastar menos en bienes de consumo, etc.

El caso de Taiwán
En un artículo en el China Post, el 4 de septiembre de 2008, se informa que en TAIPEI, Taiwán, su sociedad ha avanzado hacia convertirse en una sociedad en forma de M en 2007, con los segmentos de ingresos más altos y más bajos del país creciendo a nuevos máximos, según un informe estadístico del gobierno.

El informe elaborado por la Dirección General de Presupuesto, Contabilidad y Estadísticas (DGBAS) del Gabinete dijo que el número de personas con un ingreso anual de al menos NT $ 2 millones (US $ 63.091) rompió la marca de 100.000 por primera vez. Para alcanzar un récord de 101.554.

Por otro lado, el número de personas que ganaron menos de NT $ 200.000 en 2007 alcanzó los 1,23 millones, un máximo de cinco años, según el informe de la DGBAS. Si bien solo 0,8 de cada 100 residentes locales ganaron NT $ 2 millones o más, el número de personas en este "club de hombres ricos" aumentó en un 12,5 por ciento, en comparación con el año anterior. Mientras tanto, 7.072 personas más tenían ingresos anuales inferiores a NT $ 200.000 que en 2007, un aumento interanual del 0,5 por ciento. Marcó el segundo año consecutivo en que aumentó el número de personas en el grupo con ingresos más bajos.

Al señalar que la creciente brecha entre ricos y pobres es una tendencia mundial general, un funcionario del DGBAS dijo que Taiwán no era una excepción. Cuando los 7,41 millones de hogares de Taiwán se dividieron en 10 niveles según el ingreso anual en 2007, los 740.000 hogares más ricos tenían un ingreso disponible de aproximadamente NT $ 1,67 millones, aproximadamente 5,2 veces el ingreso disponible promedio de NT $ 320.000 de los 740.000 hogares más bajos.

La brecha fue la tercera más alta, solo después de las 5,33 veces de 2001 y de 5,25 veces de 2006. Aún puede haber un progreso notable en el desarrollo económico, el PNB aún puede aumentar, todavía puede haber un crecimiento económico y el salario promedio nacional todavía puede aumentar. Sin embargo, el aumento de la riqueza en este crecimiento puede concentrarse en los bolsillos de las pocas personas ricas en la sociedad. De hecho, las masas no pueden beneficiarse del crecimiento, y su nivel de vida está en declive.

El consumismo
También el comportamiento más frecuente que contribuye a la brecha de ingresos es el consumismo. Con las redes sociales y la globalización, todos están más conectados que nunca, lo que permite que un determinado producto alcance su presencia masiva con mayor facilidad. Esto es especialmente cierto para las grandes corporaciones con un gran presupuesto para publicidad y marketing. Al condicionar la mente de todos a solo comprar cosas que se deprecian (productos de estilo de vida), pocos comprarán activos que crecerán en valor. Al cambiar la mentalidad de los consumidores a través de la publicidad, el mercado masivo seguirá instintivamente lo que se denomina normal. Por ejemplo, el oro tiene verdadero valor, pero debido a su alto costo, los productores de joyería mezclaron metales más baratos y lo comercializaron como la joyería más cara (es decir, el oro blanco).

En realidad, lo que está sucediendo es que el mercado masivo continuará comprando y contribuyendo a la riqueza de unos pocos. Estos pocos continuarán reinvirtiendo y el dinero continuará manteniéndose dentro de los ricos. Incluso para la clase media acomodada, si continúa comprando artículos sin valor, en el momento en que pierda su fuente de ingresos, se volverá pobre como lo haría si no tiene ahorro. Dicha tendencia es común en países bien desarrollados, donde los activos que lo harán rico (por ejemplo, la propiedad) ya se han vuelto demasiado caros para comprarlos. Un privilegio solo para los ricos. Entonces, en lugar de ahorrar para comprar tales activos, el mercado masivo ha optado por ignorarlos pero continúa comprando artículos de consumo de estilo de vida.

Referencias

Véase también

 William Ouchi
 Desigualdad de ingresos
 Distribución de ingresos
 Movilidad social
 Clase media
 Paro

Distribución de ingresos


text:
BITCOINCANNABISCRYPTOCURRENCYETFSEARNINGSFIXED INCOME
FUTURESOPTIONS
Goldman Charges Cast Cloud on Bank Rally
The rally in bank stocks has been snuffed out by the SEC's fraud charges against Goldman, leaving investors to ponder a fresh round of regulatory uncertainty.
Lauren LaCapra
NEW YORK (
) -- Just when bank investors started breathing a sigh of relief, the
(GS) - Get Report
-U.S. government cage match reached a new pitch, snuffing out a jubilant, weeklong rally.
charged Goldman with fraud on Friday morning for doing what Goldman does best: Making money and serving clients. In an odd state of affairs, regulator seems to be in cahoots with the media, or at least the
, which has published
harshly critical stories about Goldman's profiting from the subprime housing crisis.
But before the SEC story hit, bank stocks had been riding a wave of euphoria through Thursday's close. The broad KBW Bank Index ETF was up 2.5% for the week, and Goldman itself was up 2.9%. Some other large-cap names gained at least twice as much value, with Citigroup breaking through the $5 barrier. Stellar earnings reports from
(JPM) - Get Report
on Thursday and
(BAC) - Get Report
early Friday morning added more fuel to the fire, showing investors that credit costs were no longer the main concern.
Then came the SEC charge, and it all fell apart: Goldman plunged 14% in late-morning trading, with the other large-caps shedding 3% to 4%. The new concern was clear, and less predictable: Public anger, and the government's reaction to it.
The fraud charge stems from a transaction that Goldman negotiated for a large hedge fund run by John Paulson. Paulson has earned a reputation as the smartest hedge fund manager in the room ahead of the subprime crisis, because he made huge profits betting that the mortgage market would go south.
Goldman helped him make those bets.
The firm structured a "synthetic"
collateralized debt obligation that would pay Paulson if the subprime-mortgage market tanked, but hurt him if it kept going strong. At the same time, Goldman was structuring deals for other clients who were still bullish on the U.S. housing market.
The vehicle was structured in April 2007. In less than a year's time, 99% of the underlying mortgage securities had been downgraded. The bullish investors lost more than $1 billion, according to the SEC. Goldman received $15 million for structuring and marketing the product.
The SEC alleges that, because Goldman didn't disclose detailed information about its dealings with Paulson to investors and clients, it committed fraud. It's also targeting Goldman Vice President Fabrice Tourre, who allegedly structured the transaction for the CDO, which was called "ABACUS."
"Goldman wrongly permitted a client that was betting against the mortgage market to heavily influence which mortgage securities to include in an investment portfolio, while telling other investors that the securities were selected by an independent, objective third party," Robert Khuzami, the SEC's director of the division of enforcement, said in a statement.
In a statement, Goldman said the charges were "completely unfounded in law and fact" and pledged to "vigorously contest them and defend the firm and its reputation."
Indeed, it is odd that the SEC is targeting Goldman -- and only Goldman -- when thousands of these kinds of deals and vehicles were created in the heady days of subprime.
(AIG) - Get Report
paid Goldman $13 billion for the structured vehicles it insured, but it also paid tens of billions of dollars out to other banks as well, from Wall Street firms to foreign entities like
(DB) - Get Report
(UBS) - Get Report
and Societe Generale.
Furthermore, it isn't clear that Goldman had any obligation to report detailed information about a specific client to investors or other clients. Questions about what firms were or weren't obligated to disclose have surfaced, ever since a report about
Lehman Brothers'
demise was released a few weeks ago.
Another story in the
last weekend was critical of Lehman's use of off-balance sheet vehicles to funnel money through a third-party entity that investors weren't informed about.
The questions are legitimate, but the answers aren't clear. It's also unclear why the SEC and other regulatory agencies didn't take action when the deals were occurring, and the housing market bubble was fast inflating. Lots of banks had major off-balance sheet exposure, particularly
(WFC) - Get Report
, as do
(FNM)
(FRE)
. There was little disclosure about
what was in these vehicles, and no rules forcing banks to disclose such information.
Kenneth Lench, who heads the SEC's structured and new products unit, said the agency is looking into other banks' practices as well. But it's clear that, because Goldman's dealings have been so widely publicized -- particularly in not-altogether balanced articles in the
that have been panned by a vocal faction the investment community -- Goldman is being charged first.
As the bull's eye of populist rage, Goldman was taking the brunt of the selloff on Friday. But it's worth noting that heavy-handed government tactics won't stop there, and the SEC charge may be the least of the financial industry's concerns.
Congress is on the cusp of negotiating a huge financial reform overhaul, and the country is approaching midterm elections. The barometer of uncertainty is high, and new restrictions on bank operations -- from hedge funds and derivatives to savings and loans -- could crimp profits in a much more significant way.
-- Written by Lauren Tara LaCapra in New York
>>Goldman Saw SEC Coming
>>Stocks Plunge on Goldman Charges
>>SEC's Complaint Against Goldman
>>Goldman: 'Charges Unfounded'
>>SEC: Debt Product Was New, 'Deception Was Old'
>>Goldman Letter Has Whiff of Fear
>>Goldman Sachs: Financial Winners & Losers
StocksFinancial ServicesInvestingHedge FundsBanking

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Just received another great review for the new Christmas CD- "FROSTY THE STICKMAN". This one comes from Jim Reilly in British Columbia, Canada. Jim has recently taken the helm of the "StickNews" Online Digest and has, in the past, worked with the Chapman family at Stick Enterprises in Woodland Hills, CA. The review is in StickNews #269 published on 11/29/04. It has not yet been archived into the digest so I'll post it in the Guestbook for you to read now. Thanks to Larry Watkins for forwarding it to me from Bombay, India!


Hello, everybody. Today I am here with a new thing. It is Hottie Hair. With 1000's of happy clients, it's no wonder Hottie hair is the most reviewed salon in Las Vegas. You will know more from halo extensions reviews. With hundreds of stellar reviews, they strive to make your Hottie Hair experience great! A beauty hair professional says hair and fashion have been her passion since childhood. Hottie Hair became her online portfolio in 2006, then her salon 2010 and now the name of her newly launched product line. They proudly thank their clients for the success you have made them and continue to make them. For more details, you can go Wikipedia.
So friends, bye for today. Again we will come with a new thing.
Obviously, this is a great post.


This was a meal to say bye to a member of staff. Of the three people, one was vegetarian and one was gluten-free. There was a wide-range of options for all requirements and it was dealt with easily and confidently. the food was lovely and the service friendly and prompt.
Located in the vibrant city centre, Las Iguanas Newcastle serves excellent Latin American cuisine. Surrounded by shops and attractions, one can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the streets to enjoy happy hour.
In this central location, Las Iguanas restaurant in Newcastle is less than a 5-minute walk from Manors Rail Station.
Fantastic! And thank you for providing vegan cheese. Makes such a difference.
We love las iguanas & decided to try the £19 special menu. Very disappointed with the £19:00 special menu. It spoiled our dining experience. 3 pieces of chicke & four tortillas? If it wasn't for your excellent staff we wouldn't go back.
We had a lovely meal, excellent value with our voucher from Bookatable.com.
Great service from our friendly waiter Tom, the restaurant is a bit noisy ( like most nowadays ) we had a window seat and it seemed slightly quieter there.
I will definitely be coming back again.
Service was tip top. The food was delicious and the atmosphere terrific. I had veggie enchilada which was really tasty. I love the vegetarian choice in Las Iguanas mainly because you do have a choice, often there is only one option.
Good food, well presented, good service. Pity the 2 for 1 cocktails a bit lack lustre.
Great Dining experience with welcoming, helpful and attentive staff. Visited as part of party of six at 10am on a busy saturday to celebrate my wife and her best friends birthdays. Warm greeting and delicious complimentary cocktails complete with candle for birthday girls! Food was delicious too!
The fajitas were very tasty!


text:
Tax Reform Bill Passes in the Senate; Considerable Amendments Made to Secure Support
Republicans passed its tax reform bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, in an early morning Senate vote.
To garner support, Republicans made significant amendments to the bill, including increasing deductions on business income for passthrough entities and adding back in the Alternative Minimum Tax on individuals and corporations to help pay for some of the changes.
The House could take up the Senate bill and attempt to pass it with no modifications, or the two chambers can go to conference to reconcile their differences.
As the 2017 tax year wraps up, businesses should make decisions on how to best navigate the uncertainty of future rules.
Early on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, the U.S. Senate voted to approve its version of legislation to overhaul the American tax code. The legislation, referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed along party lines (51 to 49), with only one Republican senator voting with all Democrats against the measure. This vote comes just weeks after the House passed its version of tax reform legislation.
In a marathon session, Republicans made considerable amendments to the bill to garner support from various senators within the party. These included carve-out agreements that would satisfy individual lawmakers, but wouldn't alienate the rest of the caucus and still stay within the guardrails of the budget rules.
The following are highlights of the changes to the Senate's proposal, and how they compare to the House legislation:
Modifications to provisions
One of the more significant deviations from the previous version of the Senate bill is an increase in deductions for qualified business income for pass-through entities (partnerships, LLCs, sole proprietorships, S Corporations) for the individual taxpayer – from 17.4 percent to 23 percent.
The House bill deviates from the Senate approach. The House proposal caps the tax rate on pass-through income at no more than 25 percent. Although, considerable limitations apply to when an individual can apply the reduced rate. These different approaches for pass-through entities will need to be reconciled.
Another notable change is the property tax deduction, which was eliminated in the original proposal. It would allow a property tax deduction up to $10,000. This directly aligns with the House bill that contains the same cap.
Specific criteria and very detailed definitions were fleshed out for the proposed tax credit for employers that provide paid family and medical leave. The credit was originally inserted in the mark-up of tax reform in the Senate Finance Committee. One clarification specifically carve-outs the amounts employers are required to contribute to a paid leave policy under state or local leave laws. Consequently, these required amounts would not count toward the credit. It should be noted that this tax credit provision is not in the House version.
Minor corrections to individual tax tables. Keep in mind, these tables in the Senate bill deviate substantially from the House version. The two chambers must come to an agreement on the best approach to individual tax rates.
Provisions added
Reduced threshold for deduction of qualified medical expenses to pre-Affordable Care Act levels. Currently, individuals are only allowed to deduct qualified medical expenses that exceed 10 percent of adjusted gross income. This provision would move that threshold back to 7.5 percent, but only for 2017 and 2018. The House version eliminates this deduction entirely.
Although originally removed, the Alternative Minimum Tax was reinserted for both corporations and individuals, although the exemption amount for individuals was increased to offset some of the impact. The House version eliminated this provision entirely, which sets up future debate between the two chambers.
Reconciling Senate and House versions of tax reform
Given the deviations noted above, Congress must now reconcile the Senate and House versions of the legislation. There are two options: The House could take up the Senate bill and attempt to pass it with no modifications, or the two chambers can go to conference to reconcile their differences.
If they choose the latter, they must work through the thorny issues of the various constituencies in each chamber, and compromise with a piece of legislation that they believe could pass both chambers. The comingled legislation would have to go back to both the House and the Senate for an up or down vote.
All the while, legislators must keep a close eye on deviations that may run afoul with complex budget rules, including the CBO economic analysis of these changes. There is currently very little wiggle room for adding to the cost of the legislation. The CBO estimated the Senate bill will add over $1.47 trillion to the deficit in the next decade. The maximum the Senate can add to the deficit is $1.5 trillion over 10 years.
Given these budget considerations, adjustments may need to be made to the bill that previously were not considered in prior versions of either legislation. Nothing is off the table until the legislation is finalized.
In the meantime, what should businesses do?
There are no changes to the tax code until both chambers pass the same bill and President Trump signs it. Although it appears the tax overhaul legislation is moving rapidly through Congress, nothing is certain on the final product and whether the Republicans can marshal the votes while balancing competing demands. It's important to stay current with the progress of this legislation and evaluate the impacts it may have on your business. As this year's tax year wraps up, businesses will have to make decisions on how to best navigate the uncertainty of future rules.
Laurie Savage
Laurie Savage is a compliance professional and subject matter expert on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for Paychex Inc. specializing in Health Care Reform.
View More in ComplianceView All Categories
3 Ways to Manage Extended Personal Leave at Your Company
While individual businesses may be offering extended personal time off or supporting employees that want to take a sabbatical, it's important to have clear policies and procedures in place. Consider these three factors when deciding if extended personal leaves may be a good fit for your company.
Can You Still Enroll in a Health Care Plan for 2015?
Although the open enrollment period for health coverage for 2015 has passed, you may be eligible to enroll or make changes to your health plan. Qualifying events for a special enrollment period include loss of coverage or changes to household status or income.
Employee Discount Programs Can Offer a Range of Benefits, Low Cost to Employers
Employee discount programs are a popular benefit that can be well-utilized when offered. Discounts can range from below-market prices on company produced-items to reduced membership fees at local businesses, to nationwide programs administered by a third party. Here are some benefits to employers.
The CFO's Role in Improving Human Resource Utilization
CFOs and HR administrators can make a powerful team. How can a CFO who understands the value of HR showcase its importance throughout the organization? Consider some steps CFOs can take to help ensure HR is utilized to its fullest extent.


text:
Q: Command schedule in Laravel I'm trying to a execute scheduled command every five minutes in background. I use this code
protected function schedule(Schedule $schedule)
    {

        $schedule->command('read:mail')->cron('*/1 * * * * *')->sendOutputTo(storage_path().'/logs/output.txt')->withoutOverlapping();

    }

I suppose that this code is fine, when i use php artisan scheduler:run  command works, but doesn't work every five minutes in background. ¿Any idea?

A: If you want to use the scheduler you need to add a Cron entry in your server, this line will call the Laravel scheduler every minute and do the tasks.
There is the line you need to add to your Crontab:
* * * * * php /path-to-your-project/artisan schedule:run >> /dev/null 2>&1
In case you are using Ubuntu to edit your crontab you can run crontab -e and add the line on the bottom.
You can read more on the official docs about Scheduling.
If you are using Windows you can follow this Stackoverflow question to add a task to the Windows task scheduler.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Apart from the professional competitive program among choirs from different countries and you get a possibility to sing in the basilica of a monastic complex Montserrat together with a choir of boys Escalonia which is known all over the world. This competitive choir festival "Golden voices of Montserrat" is full of friendly meetings, master classes given by the conductors of the best world's choirs, round tables, specialized trainings which have no analogs in festival motions, final rehearsals, revelation of leaders, memorizable flash mob on one of the most beautiful Mediterranean coasts near the town Hall of Lloret de Mar. A unique audio track is made annually specifically for this contest, and upon the arrival of the choirs to the contest a joint recording is made. The final concert of the festival will become a vivid closing of this grand event because singing itself will become a crown of the final canticle, when thousands of voices will blend together.
The provider of the contest is a festival competitive organization Fiestalonia Milenio (Spain), production center Fiestalonia International (Great Britain), the town hall of Lloret de Mar, the ministry of tourism of Catalonia, Sant Roma Church, the monastic complex Montserrat, the charity fund Fundación SOS. The event is held for popularization of art of the choral and vocal singing, the organ music, developing of artistic connections among vocal ensembles and choral groups from different cities and countries, for broadening repertoire of the choral groups, creating new professional contacts and experience interexchange.
master classes will be held by one of the most outstanding conductors.
For homogeneous male or female choirs; mixed and partially mixed choirs: Optional musical composition with an accompaniment.
participants who received 100 points become winners of the grand prize of the contest "GOLDEN VOICES OF MONTSERRAT" (platinum diploma).
20:30 – beginning of the gala concert of the winners and giving out of the awards.
certificates and trophy cups from the contest providers.
special thank-you certificates in the form of engraving on a special base from the town authorities.
* All the rooms in these hotels are reserved as the applications for participation and payment are received. After these hotels are fully booked, you may be offered alternative options for hotels at higher prices. Don't miss the opportunity and arrange the trip now!


TDC announced today that the company has successfully completed a repricing of its outstanding EUR term loan B facility (the "TLB").
The TLB was repriced to reduce the margin by 25bps across the margin grid. Further, the 9-month margin ratchet holiday due to expire in March 2019 was removed with immediate effect. As a result, the TLB now bears interest at EURIBOR plus 2.75% p.a., which represents an immediate reduction of 75bps. The TLB was repriced at a price of 99.75%.
In connection with the repricing, TDC also successfully obtained the consent of the requisite lenders to certain technical amendments to the existing senior secured facilities agreement. The technical amendments include, among other things, increased flexibility for TDC to potentially implement a separation of TDC's infrastructure activities and customer-focused activities in separate legal entities (NetCo and OpCo).
Plesner acted as lead counsel to TDC on all aspects of the transaction, including the TLB repricing and consent process.


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Today we're traveling to the Pacific Northwest, where Gail Barnard gardens just south of Portland, Oregon. And we're going to step back in time to when, Gail says, she enjoyed an especially brilliant fall after a long, hot, dry summer. In addition to the usual brightly colored trees, Gail's garden gets fall interest from berries and perennials as well.
A beauty berry (Callicarpa dichotoma, Zones 5–8) is loaded down with berries. In a season that is dominated by reds, oranges, and yellows, beauty berries are a nice contrast with their brilliant purple. I love how in this planting, the purple of the berries is echoed by the purple heuchera growing below it.
We often think of fall color as being the domain of trees and shrubs, but some perennials put on a pretty good show too. Here Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, Zones 5–9) takes on a beautiful golden hue, perfectly complementing the gold chairs in the background.
Paperbark maple (Acer griseum, Zones 4–8) has great bark all year, but in the fall the fiery foliage takes it to a whole new level.
In this long view of the garden, Japanese forest grass makes bright puddles of gold, which looks all the brighter for the green foliage around it.
The paperbark maple looks even brighter as it catches the sunlight behind it. It is worth noticing the sun's position in your garden in the fall so that you can plant something brilliant like this and transform fall colors into nature's stained-glass windows.
Another view of the sun-soaked fall garden.
In autumn, as in the rest of the year, putting two contrasting colors together can make each of them shine all the brighter. Here a blood-red Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, Zones 6–8) enhances the bright yellow foliage around it.
Very beautiful - love those Japanese grasses!
I love your fall colors & especially love those golden yellow chairs.
You really do have an exceptionally beautiful garden, Gail. It not only sings with joyful harmonies but it also provides a wonderful stage for the outstanding soloists like the Paperbark maple and Beauty berry bush. I love the radiant luminosity your garden shines with during the fall months.
Gail, your photos could well be titled, "How to use color echos". Beautiful assortment, love your combinations, and your garden is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing these!
Beautiful pics and lots of info. What a great post! GPOD seems to be getting better all the time.
I believe I posted everyone of these images to my gardening Pinterest boards! So inspiring!
What a lovely garden! Beauty berry always wows me.
Thanks, Gail. Now I know what to plant along with my Beautyberry (still in a pot). Do you have deer? If so, how do you deal with them? And to they damage your Japanese maples? Thanks for the inspiration!!


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Q: Did Balrogs have their own language? As seen in the movie, Durin's Bane made rather unpleasant and irritated growls and roars when awoken.
During the early stages of the world when the Balrogs weren't in hiding, did they have their own dialects to speak like all other beings in Arda (Valar, Elves, Men, Dwarves and Hobbits) and communicate with each other, or were they just there for fearful purposes and have no communication capabilities?

A: They almost definitely could talk, probably Melkian.
Balrogs are corrupted Maiar.  We know that other Maiar can speak (e.g. Gandalf, Sauron).  If balrogs can't speak, it would mean they lost that ability in their transformation, which there would need to be evidence of.
Durin's Bane not speaking can definitely be taken as circumstantial evidence, but it needs to be weighed against the other things we know about Balrogs.

*

*Gothmog is called "high-captain of Angband".  Captains give orders.  Yes, it's possible that Gothmog communicated telepathically, but since there was a spoken language used by Morgoth's servants (Melkian1), it's simpler to assume that Gothmog commuicated via speech.

*When Gothmog captured Hurin, the text says  he "bound him and dragged him to Angband with mockery."  So he was mocking Hurin.  The most straightforward interpretation is that it was verbal.
Given those things, I don't see any compelling reason to believe balrogs can't speak.
Why didn't Durin's Bane say anything?  Maybe he only spoke Melkian, which he didn't think Gandalf would understand.  Maybe that particular Balrog went so long without talking to anyone that he lost the ability to speak.  Or maybe he just didn't care to talk.

A: We don't know
There are no instances in any of Tolkien's writings of a Balrog speaking, so it's not clear whether they could, or what language they would have spoken. They were, however, definitely able to communicate verbally in some fashion; at the very least, they were capable of making sounds, as Durin's Bane does in the text:

Gandalf lifted his staff, and crying aloud he smote the bridge before him. The staff broke asunder and fell from his hand. A blinding sheet of white flame sprang up. The bridge cracked. Right at the Balrog's feet it broke, and the stone upon which it stood crashed into the gulf, while the rest remained, poised, quivering like a tongue of rock thrust out into emptiness.
With a terrible cry the Balrog fell forward, and its shadow plunged down and vanished.
Fellowship of the Ring Book II Chapter 5: "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"

It seems somewhat unlikely to me that Maiar spirits, even ones locked in an incarnate form, would be completely unable to speak, especially given their position within Morgoth's forces; even Huan was capable of it, though only on special occasions.
That being said, it's possible that they didn't need the ability to speak; there's evidence that the Ainur were able to communicate telepathically with other creatures. Of course, whether the Balrogs would have retained this ability when locked in their incarnate forms is a question we cannot answer.

A: No: they don't talk at all.
From Tolkien's Letters, Letter #210:

The Balrog never speaks or makes any vocal sound at all. Above all he does not laugh or sneer. ... Z[immerman] may think that he knows more about Balrogs than I do, but he cannot expect me to agree with him.

A: Unclear, but probably
They're never described as talking in any of Tolkien's writings that I could find. However, they can certainly make noises. Some actions can be interpreted as being spoken and some events would be unlikely to have happened without speech, but most of it is circumstantial.
That being said, these are stories born out of a love of language and speech. You'd think Tolkien, a philologist, would have mentioned that a whole group of sentient beings were unable to speak or (worse!) had not developed a form of language.
So there's nothing really concrete, but here's what I found anyway.
Gothmog
Gothmog started as Kosomot, Son of Melko. He was "the 'marshal' of the hosts of Melko". A marshal is usually one of the highest ranks in a military, but it's not a very precise term as its definition has varied across time periods and locations. It would however be difficult to command an army without talking.
In an early name-list, the element -mog is said to mean "voice", as in "Voice of Goth (Morgoth)". This would later change to "strife and hatred", but there's also this footnote:

Nothing is said in any text to suggest that Gothmog played such a role in relation to Morgoth as the interpretation 'Voice of Goth' implies, but nor is anything said to contradict it, and he was from the beginning an important figure in the evil realm and in especial relation to Melko. There is perhaps a reminiscence of 'the Voice of Morgoth' in the Mouth of Sauron', the Black Numenorean who was the Lieutenant of Barad-dur.2 p.67

There are also several passages in the early drafts of The Fall of Gondolin that mention Gothmog bidding or ordering people:

But now Gothmog [...] gathered all his things of iron that could coil themselves around and above all obstacles before them. These he bade pile themselves before the northern gate[...]2 p.176
Then Gothmog Lord of Balrogs gathered all his demons that were about the city and ordered them thus[...]2 p.179

Finally, Gothmog is said to have "mocked" Húrin (mentionned by Ben Osborne above):

Gothmog bound him and dragged him to Angband with mockery.S p.231

Others
Balrogs are said to laugh at Húrin in early drafts of The Lay of the Children of Húrin:

and the Balrogs about him  brazen-handed
with flails of flame  and forgéd iron
there laughed as they looked  on his lonely woe3 p.99

An early draft of The Lord of the Ring has the Balrog hiss just before falling from the bridge:

With a gasping hiss the Balrog sprang up; it seemed to be [?half blind],
but it came on and grasped at the wizard.7 p.198

The final text has the Balrog scream:

With a terrible cry the Balrog fell forward[...]I p.434

The Balrog who kills Glorfindel in Gondolin also shrieks:

Then Glorfindel's left hand sought a dirk, and this he thrust up that it pierced the Balrog's belly nigh his own face (for that demon was double his stature); and it shrieked, and fell backwards from the rock[...]2 p.194

References starting with a number refer to a History of Middle-Earth volume, roman numerals to a Lord of the Ring volume and 'S' to The Silmarillion. Page numbers from the Harper Collins editions.

A: I think you will find this article helpful: http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/TAB1.html
As usual, we need to turn to the various drafts / sketches / unfinished versions of the legendarium to try to gain insight into what Tolkien was doing.
Various passages in The History of Middle-Earth series show that, indeed, Balrogs could communicate verbally. They were the lieutenants and officers of the orcish armies in the First Age.
A couple of such examples:

"But now Gothmog lord of Balrogs, captain of the hosts of Melko, took
  counsel and gathered all his things of iron that could coil themselves
  around and above all obstacles before them. These he bade pile
  themselves before the northern gate..."
"Then Gothmog Lord of Balrogs gathered all his demons that were about
  the city and ordered them thus..."

BoLT2, The Fall of Gondolin


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ERG PhD Student Jose Lara Receives 2021 Siebal Scholars Award
ERG PhD student Jose Lara was recently awarded the prestigious 2021 Siebel Scholars Award by the Siebal Scholars Foundation. Lara's new title as a Siebel Scholar demonstrates his ability as an exceptional student, and he is to join around 100 other top scholars to form the Siebel Scholars Foundation's Class of 2021. "'Every year, the Siebel Scholars continue to impress me with their commitment to academics and influencing future society. This year's class is exceptional, and once again represents the best and brightest minds from around the globe who are advancing innovations in healthcare, artificial intelligence, the environment and more,' said Thomas M. Siebel, Chairman of the Siebel Scholars Foundation. 'It is my distinct pleasure to welcome these students into this ever-growing, lifelong community, and I personally look forward to seeing their impact and contributions unfold.'" Read the official press release here: Siebel Scholars Foundation Announces Class of 2021
« ERG Kammen Talks "Climate Change and Economic Outlook" on KQED
ERG Alumna Barbara Haya on the Ins and Outs of Carbon Offsets »


For the launch of their brand new store, I created some fun chalkboard signage for Mailie Medina of Kataluma Chai. Mailie handed me a list of quotes that she wanted up on the wall, which I then designed by hand on the fly. The result is whimsical, fun, and quirky.


Want to volunteer for Health Partnership Clinic?
We have a list of non-clinical volunteer opportunities available that will meet your needs and schedule. Volunteer opportunities are open to individuals 16 and older.
Having a presence at health events lets people know we are in their community. We have many more event opportunities than we can attend. Be an ambassador and promote HPC!
HPC welcomes office volunteers with skills in data entry, organization, graphic design, writing/editing, mailings and much more to help promote and fundraise the clinic.
A virtual army of volunteers is needed to make our annual fundraising luncheon event truly special and memorable. Whether you register and welcome guests or help set up the event, your one day of service can help make a huge difference.
Most of our "behind the scenes" work is accomplished by individuals who can commit additional time and resources to organize fundraising events. We need leaders to chair committees for areas such as sponsorship, logistics and planning. We also form committees that work in special areas of Marketing, Communications and Development.
As a small business owner or professional, your skills and products can make a huge impact on Health Partnership's mission. You can make a gift of your printing or design services, contribute your photography skills, use your public relations firm to help get press for an event, or donate your services to help improve patient care or impact our patients and their families. The list is endless!
If you're a student who wants to intern at HPC but doesn't require academic credit for doing so, we can accommodate you!
If you would like to volunteer, or learn more, contact Catherine Rice at 913-730-3680, or complete the Volunteer Form.
Currently, we are not able to accept medical volunteers.


Information about the Wilshire Park Nieghborhood of the Mid-Wilshire Community in the Central LA region of the city of Los Angeles. Wilshire park is a small, historic community situated west of Downtown Los Angeles. The neighborhood was designated a historic preservation zone by the Los Angeles City Council on November 5, 2008.
Neighborhood association established in the 1990's to coordinate neighborhood activities and facilitate preservation through outreach programs and education.


I have been reading a book called Brain Lock by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D. It addresses OCD and the behaviors that are "locked" into a repeat mode. He discusses medication as an aid toward making changes, but primarily his focus is on four steps that a person can use to "unlock" their brain using a cognitive behavioral approach. I do not have OCD in the classic form of repetitive hand washing or rituals like this. I do, however, think a bit obsessively. I might "perseverate" on a particular thing: should I get the forsythia or arborvitae? should I have hydrangeas or roses? And then when I make a decision (often after many years!): why didn't I put the hydrangea there??? or The arborvitae was the right choice.
I have realized that not making choices keeps me in paralysis mode. But if I don't decide, then I haven't made a mistake. Of course, this is folly. If I don't decide, I don't move forward, regardless of whether it is the right or wrong choice, which really you can't know until afterward if there even is a right or wrong. The point is to decide something.
My last post was titled "To Depress or Anti-Depress; Is that the Question?" I've been thinking a lot about the question. I know that depression and behaviors like OCD are genetic. Yet, I think they are also facilitated by learning. If I didn't have a model that perseverated, or obsessed, or was depressed, perhaps I wouldn't have "learned" that approach. Let's forget momentarily that I have siblings who did not develop my tendencies, which would point to nature. Nature is strong, but nurture is vital. And if we lost out on some in childhood, might we nurture ourselves in adulthood?
In this book on "brain lock", the author shows through studies and brain scans that we can change our behaviors through a cognitive behavioral approach and thus change our actual brain function and that which allows obsession. In simple terms, if you smile you'll be happier. There is truth to this. At any rate, I know that doing and accomplishing …getting things done… makes me happy. Stagnating and not doing makes me unhappy. But the trick is forcing myself to do things. That is, instead of ignoring the pile of laundry or books on the floor, actually doing something about it. Instead of going to bed as in my favorite "Frog and Toad" story "Tomorrow", actually doing something today.
I don't want to simplify depression. It's not simple, and it comes in different forms. By all accounts, I should be happy. But sometimes, you can't get up to do stuff. Just like the flu can hold you back, depression can hold you back. But you can fight each of these by good nutrition, rest, and being good to yourself. It can also be fought by changing behaviors that have become poor habits.
To force myself out of my own self-imposed exile, today I did stuff. Not in the house. I went out! What a novel idea. When you are a stay-at-home-mom, it's easy to get stuck in the stuff you have to do at home. And there is so much to do! My two older children go to camp, and then I have the two younger children. It feels like so much energy to get the first two going, that I tend to hang back with the younger two. But today I signed no. 3 up for a morning sports camp and took my younger one to a toddler gym class, the library (where I met another mom!), and to the park before going back to get no. 3. Okay so no. 3 said he didn't like it (it seems he liked the class but not being dropped off), but still, he tried something new and so did I! I left my house for the entire morning! This may not sound big, but it is to me. I know this isn't a big deal to other people, but I tend to stay home a lot. Today I made a change. I did not allow myself to be "trapped" by all the trappings of my house, and let go and went out. This is big for me.
And yes, I did start a low dose of meds, which is not supposed to have kicked in yet. I tried it before and abandoned it because I hate the idea of it. I'm trying it again. It is not the answer; it is not a "cure". I'm hoping that it will help cut down on the obsessive thinking so I can stop being stuck. But I also know that doing is the main key. Doing and walking away from what holds us back is what ultimately unlocks our poor habits and the behavioral patterns that we don't want or need. Sure it's easy to say. And I say it to myself all the time. But I have to do too. Many years ago, I also did cognitive behavioral therapy, and it did work. But just like a diet, you have to keep doing it. Unless I sit down and write, the writing won't happen. Unless I get up and go, the couch is awfully accommodating.
Yes I can anti-depress with medication. But it levels out. I really believe that the ultimate anti-depressant is the doing. It's breaking old patterns and making new ones. Lots of bad habits are hard to stop. Some of mine are obsessing over people or choices, negative thinking and self-criticism. These may never go away, but I have to fight those tendencies. Today was one day on a good diet: I took a step away from my piles and toward my freedom. The piles are still there, but I didn't allow them to keep me home. I have to address the stuff, but I can 't allow the stuff to trap me. That is not living.
How about you? How do you get stuck? How do you anti-depress? How do you get down to the business of living?
Who is gonna put Me to bed?
To Depress Or Anti-Depress: Is That the Question?
Are You Really a Bad Mother?


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MRN Costs | The Costs Experts
Late Acceptance of a Part 36 Offer: When Should a Court Depart From the Usual Costs Order?
Knibbs -v-Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (23/6/2017)
This was a significant clinical negligence claim against three Defendants, which was ultimately compromised in the sum of £200,000, following acceptance of the Defendants' Part 36 offer, albeit one month out of time. The Defendants sought an order that the Claimant pay their costs of the action from a much earlier date than the date of expiry of the Part 36 offer. District Judge Truman presiding was therefore tasked with providing some much needed guidance as to when it is appropriate for a Court to depart from the usual Order for costs, in cases where a Claimant accepts a Defendant's Part 36 offer out of time.
In this matter, proceedings were issued on 9th April 2013 and the Schedule of Loss prepared at that time set out a number of heads of loss which were not yet capable of quantification. The Claimant's final Schedule of Loss was ultimately pleaded at in excess of £1.1 million, with the Defendants' Counter Schedules of Loss all totalling less than £20,000. Following disclosure of medical evidence on 10th July 2014, the Defendants made a joint Part 36 offer of £75,000, to which the Claimant did not respond. On 24th September 2015, the Defendants made a further joint Part 36 offer, this time in the sum of £200,000, which should have been accepted by 16th October 2015. The Claimant made a counter offer but then ultimately accepted the Defendants' offer on 12th November 2015.
The Defendants thereafter made an Application, seeking an Order that the Claimant pay the Defendants' reasonable costs on an indemnity basis from 11th July 2014 (the day after disclosure of the medical evidence) onward. The Defendants stated that the Claimant had over-exaggerated their claim and pointed to the fact that the Claimant had accepted an offer more than five times lower than their pleaded Schedule of Loss. It was the Defendants' further position that the Claimant's Schedule of Loss was so over-exaggerated that it made any real negotiations impossible and therefore prevented early settlement of the claim.
The relevant part of the CPR to be considered here is 36.13(4)(b), which states that where a Part 36 offer which relates to the whole of the claim is accepted after expiry of the relevant period, the liability for costs must be determined by the Court unless the parties have agreed the costs. CPR 36.13(5) sets out the burden that is on the party applying for an Order other than the "usual" Order in these situations:
(5): Where paragraph (4)(b) applies but the parties cannot agree the liability for costs, the court must, unless it considers it unjust to do so, order that
(a) the claimant be awarded costs up to the date on which the relevant period expired; and
(b) the offeree do pay the offeror's costs for the period from the date of the expiry for the relevant period to the date of acceptance.
(6): In considering whether it would be unjust to make the orders specified in paragraph (5), the court must take into account all the circumstances of the case including the matters listed in rule 36.17(5).
The relevant issue listed at CPR 36.17 (5) in this case is "the conduct of the parties with regard to the giving of or refusal to give information for the purposes of enabling the offer to be made or evaluated." Ultimately, the case pursued by the Claimant was one of acceleration, and the Defendants therefore sought to show that the Claimant must have known this when proceedings were issued and had therefore failed to plead their case properly. The Claimant refused to redraft his Schedule of Loss but it was made clear to the Defendants on a number of occasions that although the pleaded case remained the same, the Claimant was willing to discuss the matter and explore negotiations at a Round Table Meeting.
DJ Truman was of the opinion that the Claimant's schedule was "enthusiastic" but was quick to clarify that "being over enthusiastic is not the same as behaving improperly" and found that this was not a case where the Claimant had deliberately exaggerated his injuries or the resulting claim for damages. The Claimant's claim for loss of earnings was roughly £650,000 and, as Counsel for the Claimant set out, this was an "all or nothing" head of loss. DJ Truman accepted this as a sufficient and proper explanation of the discrepancy between the pleaded claim and the eventual settlement value.
Further, DJ Truman stated that "The Claimant's solicitors did what Claimant solicitors are supposed to do, which is to try and get an appropriate settlement for their client. They did not wish to settle at £75,000. When a higher offer was made they considered it and that was accepted." Reference was made to the fact that the Defendant had been aware of the Claimant's medical evidence since July 2014, and of the Claimant's quantum position since September 2014, and that it had therefore been open to them to make the offer of £200,000 at a much earlier juncture. DJ Truman therefore found that there was no need to depart from the usual Order in such cases, as the making of such an Order was not unjust.
By Helen Coates 17th October 2017
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Minimally Invasive and Med-Spa Face and Body Treatments On the Rise
Sheryl Kraft May 20, 2013
Popular Medi-Spa Procedures: get to Know Your Treatment
Questions Worth Asking Before a Medi-Spa Procedure
After 17 years practicing radiation oncology, Anca Tchelebi, MD, left the field in 2005 and began practicing cosmetic medicine. "Radiation oncology was getting too depressing," she says. "I was getting involved in many cases and suffered if I was not able to help. It was becoming difficult to detach and just remain a physician." Today, her work at the Park Avenue Medical Spa in Armonk offers her a different experience: Patients generally leave her office feeling happy and satisfied.
Dr. Tchelebi is not alone. Increasingly, physicians are abandoning their original fields of training and establishing a foothold in the world of beauty. They're administering aesthetic procedures that, though not medically necessary, require a doctor's supervision. With more sophisticated and targeted aesthetic treatments available today, the field of cosmetic medicine, a gray area hovering between health and beauty, is a growing one.
With growth and rising demand, it's not just plastic surgeons, facial surgeons, dermatologists, and ENTs who are in the appearance-changing game. Physicians from other fields are gravitating to the beauty biz.
Just a decade ago, that might have seemed unlikely. Today, however, demand is surging as more people chase beauty and near-perfection. Minimally invasive treatments like Botox, fillers, and chemical peels are fueling the growth of the plastic surgery industry for the third consecutive year, accounting for some 13 million procedures in 2012, according to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In 2012, Americans spent over $4 billion on non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Many of these treatments are performed in doctors' offices; others in something known as a "med" or "medi-spa", which are proliferating around the country. They offer everything from facials and hair removal to pharmaceutical injections and other medical procedures. They can be found in physicians' offices or other locations like shopping malls, storefronts, and beauty salons, with mandates on the level of licensed medical supervision varying by state, according to the International Medical Spa Association.
There are approximately 4,500 self-described US-based med or medi-spa centers in the International Medical Spa Association's database, says Allan Share, president of the Association. The overall growth of medi-spas has mirrored the evolution of cosmetic treatments: In 2008, just 800 existed.
Internists Doing Injections?
In the US, all doctors with state medical licenses, regardless of their specialties, may dispense all kinds of treatments. The rules of the game are tough to follow, as they vary from state to state. New York State does not limit the administration of injectables to physicians only, although industry organizations such as the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery maintain that only physicians should administer injectable dermal fillers and neurotoxins.
Dr. Joseph Sozio, a cosmetic surgeon who practices at Skin Center Advanced Medical Aesthetics in Hartsdale, says that, in his practice, only MDs administer Botox and fillers. In fact, the rules vary so widely that in New Jersey, Dr. Sozio says that only a physician can perform laser hair removal, while, in New York, a wide array of practitioners including electrologists, cosmetologists, aestheticians, or nurse practitioners may perform the procedure without a medical license.
After many years of practicing as a physician in general medicine, then managing and consulting at healthcare companies, Dr. Sozio re-assessed his goals and returned to practicing medicine, this time with a focus on beauty. Practitioners like Dr. Tchelebi and Dr. Sozio, whose original training was in another field, are known as "noncore" or "out of scope" physicians. It begs the question: Can a former radiologist, for example, understand the nuance of an arched brow; can an internist's training enable him to visualize how to best "lift" sagging cheekbones without surgery? And why would a doctor, trained in the most traditional sense, abandon her medical practice for the world of beauty?
Noncore physicians generally consider their traditional medical backgrounds an asset. Dr. Tchelebi has taken some of her former skills and parlayed them into treating a patient from an aesthetic view. "As a radiation oncologist, I knew a lot about skin and deleterious effects of the sun," she says. "I treated many skin cancers and had ample knowledge of anatomy. I also had to have knowledge of physics, as well as biology, so understanding lasers and any other energies is very easy for me." Likewise, "there's an art to cosmetic medicine," Dr. Sozio says. "When I look at a patient, I see their whole face, not just one line on their face."
Beauty Industry Backlash
Though it can be argued that delivering a baby via Caesarean section or performing heart surgery is much more risky and complicated than, say, erasing wrinkles, some "core" physicians resent the intrusion.
Julia Sabetta, MD, a practicing dermatologist in Greenwich and Westport, Connecticut, who did a fellowship in cosmetic, laser, and Mohs surgery (a specialized procedure to treat skin cancers), is not enthusiastic about the concept.
"These doctors may fulfill the letter of the law, but not the spirit of the law," she states. "Would you want me delivering your baby?" she asks. Dermatologists, she says, are trained to do these procedures. Their extensive instruction precisely informs them of the intricate structure of the face, the draping of the skin. And their patients benefit by having someone who can spot other medical problems that another doctor might not pick up on, like a skin cancer or a bleeding disorder, a "value-added" service, says Dr. Sabetta.
"It's important to have adequate training and take more than just a one-day course, for instance, on Botox and fillers," says Sharon DeChiara, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon who designed and built Spa Chiara in Mount Kisco, an 1,800-square-foot facility housed in the Saw Mill Club East. She's not in favor of the concept of things like "Botox parties that a lot of pediatricians do at people's homes."
Others take a different stance. Facial plastic and cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists are most appropriately suited for the field, but Dr. Sozio feels what is most important is a physician who is trained appropriately and has good medical insight. "The advances in medicine change very quickly," he says. "Once you get out of training, you have the basis of understanding to be a good practitioner." Education continues long after medical school, he says; doctors are constantly learning new techniques and new advances as medicine continues to evolve.
Adam Messenger, MD, who practices internal medicine in Greenwich, Connecticut, and is also the medical director of Eurolaser Services in Rye, agrees. As long as a medical professional goes the extra mile to learn the practical techniques—Dr. Messenger himself shadowed and worked alongside a number of experienced plastic surgeons to learn how to properly inject Botox and fillers—he or she can practice cosmetic medicine. "It's important to have proficiency, volume, and experience, as well as to have the patient's best interest in mind," he says.
What Doctors Prefer
Besides personal satisfaction, declining insurance reimbursements are another driving force behind the exodus to cosmetic medicine. No muss, no fuss: Since cosmetic procedures are generally not covered by insurance, there is virtually no paperwork, and doctors can enjoy same-day payment, rather than waiting weeks, or more likely, months, for their money. Frankly, crossover physicians can make more money, too. "I recently performed a skin biopsy and billed the insurance company for $200. Guess what I got reimbursed for? Eleven dollars. Reimbursements are so low," Dr. DeChiara says with a sigh. That's a big reason that non-core physicians are trying to do more cosmetic procedures, she says.
The culture of medicine is another added incentive. The world of managed care brings more patients but less time for valuable patient-doctor interaction. "It's an assembly-line model," says Dr. Messenger. "Medicine is set up as a very time-consuming venture, with little reimbursement for many procedures.
Doctors are leaving the field completely, or are leaving their area of specialty. We're losing good doctors—and it drives me crazy." Dr. Messenger continues to straddle both worlds. After peaking at 90 hours some weeks as an internist, his work got him down—literally. "My body started to break down; I found myself with an autoimmune disease, where my body literally got tricked into attacking itself," he says. It was that tragic turn of events that enabled him to reconcile his passion for medicine, a left-brained activity, with that of his artistic side, a right-brained one. After realizing that he needed better balance in his life, he channeled his frustration and passion for medicine into something new. While housebound for almost a year because of his illness, he dove into the study of dermatology and plastic surgery; once strong enough to leave his house, he gained practical, hands-on experience working one-on-one with skilled plastic surgeons and dermatologists, learning their injection techniques. He eventually created his own technique, and was asked by the manufacturers of the products to train other injectors.
Would Dr. Sabetta, who has a foot in both worlds, give up her medical practice to exclusively administer aesthetic treatments? "I love them both," she says. "When I remove a skin cancer, I feel like a real doctor; but it's also fun making someone pretty." Dr. Messenger acknowledges that had he chosen dermatology or plastic surgery exclusively, he would not have received the foundation in medicine that he wanted. "Ultimately, both made me a very well-rounded physician," he says. "Many times I end up assisting my cosmetic patients medically anyway."
Ultimately, practicing cosmetic medicine gives many noncore physicians an opportunity to have a significant impact on a patient's life by improving his or her appearance, which isn't trivial. The mild sting of a needle or the pulsed energy of a light can change their outlook, restore their confidence, and maybe even help them find a new job or mate. "People come to see us not because they're sick, but because they want to feel better about themselves," says Dr. Sozio. And, in the end, you never know what other kinds of positive, healthy changes a little extra vanity can have on a person.
Sheryl Kraft is a health and fitness writer based in Fairfield Country, Connecticut. Her work has been published in AARP, Prevention, Woman's Day, Weight Watchers and other print and online publications.
â–º For more from the 2013 Health and Fitness Supplement, click here.
How to Stay Motivated


Otis Hector netted a hat-trick as Bowman's Pharmacy Richland Park Pride and Joy hammered Freeland All Stars 8-nil yesterday in the First Division match of the Hairoun Beer/Kirk Da Silva Marriaqua Football Championship at the Cane End Playing Field.
The other goals were scored by Alson Castello, Orlando Trimmingham, Nalroy Peters, Dante Toney and Ray-Shawn Douglas.
Sea Operations Nar Fren Dem Greggs FC will meet Carriere United from a quarter past four this afternoon also at the Cane End Playing Field.


text:
Nicastro to head Dept. of Education
Chris Nicastro has been chosen by the State Board of Education to be the Missouri Commissioner of Education.
She replaces Kent King, who died in January after a long illness.
"Chris brings a strong background of experience in Missouri public schools and a successful track record in a challenging suburban environment," says David Liechti of St. Joseph, the president of the Board of Education. "She is well-known within the educational community and she recognizes the obstacles that we face in helping low-performing schools get better."
Nicastro comes from the Hazelwood School District in St. Louis County, where she has been superintendent since 2002. The Missouri Association fo School Administrators honored her last year as the Superintendent of the Year.
Nicastro says she thinks her experience in Hazelwood has prepared her to take this step and she says she looks forward to working with other state officials and the State Board of Education to sustain the progress Missouri has made over the past 15 years.
"Since the Outstanding Schools Act was passed in 1993, education in Missouri has improved significantly," she says. "Ongoing monitoring on every level ensures that instructional improvement takes place."
However, she says there remain districts that have shown little sign of improvement, serving some 68,000 students.
"We cannot afford over 7 percent of our student population to be at risk because of where they live," she says.
Nicastro, 58, is the fifth person — and the first woman — to serve as Missouri's top official for public schools. She begins Aug. 1 and her salary has been set at $185,400.
Chris Nicastro acceptance speech [Download/listen Mp3 – 6:45 min.]
Filed Under: Education Tagged With: DESE
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A gathering for those that are ready to utilize the Autumn Equinox as the turning point of balance in their life and business. It is a time of giving thanks for the things we have, whether it is abundant crops or other blessings. It is also a time of balance and reflection, following the theme of equal hours light and dark.
RSVP's will only be accepted until Saturday, September 22 at 3 pm.
Location: Private Residence, Pecos & McQueen, Chandler, AZ 85286, United States.
Disclaimer: All Angel, tarot, astrology, numerology and palm readings are for entertainment purposes only. All information given places you under no obligation to take action based on guidance given in a reading. Spiritual causes of ill health should not take the place of conventional medicine, please consult your General Practitioner.


Real talk. When was the last time you had a good movement? Are you regular? Do you want to be?
It isn't always pleasant to talk about, but good health means good gut health. And good gut health means a frank discussion about the quality of what you're flushing.
Maybe you already do the right things. You drink water and eat a lot of fiber. You could set a watch by your digestive tract. But sometimes, things aren't as great as they should be, right? And, as much as you hate to admit it, your medicine cabinet does betray your sometimes-upset stomach.
Don't worry - it doesn't have to be this way. There is an easy fix that can keep you right on track. That's where probiotics come in.
Before we get into probiotics, let's do a quick refresher on gut health. That's right; it's back to Biology 101.
Digestion. We all do it. And if you remember anything from Biology, you already know that digestion starts way before the food even hits the vat of acid in your stomach. In fact, digestion is one of the few bodily functions that has a definite start and end point.
It all starts with food. You cook it, you smell it, your mouth waters to provide saliva to break down the food as you chew, and then you swallow. That's step one, by the way. All that chewing and swallowing is called mastication, which is aided by enzymes in saliva that break starch down into polysaccharides and lipids into smaller lipids.
After swallowing, food moves down the esophagus, through the esophagus sphincter, and into the stomach. The stomach is full of corrosive acids that break down pretty much everything into smaller chemical compounds. The food broken down by gastric juices is then ushered through the pyloric sphincter where it then becomes chyme, or partially digested food.
Now in the upper small intestine, the pancreas secretes its own digestive enzymes that continue to break macronutrients down into basic chemical compounds. As chyme moves further into the intestines, bile secreted from the gallbladder enters into the equation to simplify fats.
The small and large intestine have little hair-like follicles called villi that absorb nutrients from the chyme as it moves through the digestive tract. These nutrients include vitamins, amino acids, cholesterol, and glucose. Water and sodium are removed from the digested food in the large intestine and the colon.
But the digestive tract isn't just a one-trick pony. Every stage also has safeguards to protect us from food poisoning and allergic reactions. As soon as any of the digestive organs detect something not right in digesting food, it immediately stops all nutrient absorption and immediately begins a purge.
That's right; you can pretty much guess where digestion stopped based on how your body decides to purge. If you are vomiting, then your stomach found something wrong in your food. If you're doing the do, then your intestines are responsible for finding something wrong.
Digestion fun fact! Contrary to popular belief, swallowed gum can be broken down by gastric acids, so that gum you swallowed in elementary school is long gone.
Now that you are refreshed on the basic anatomy of your gut, it's time to learn how to maintain your gut health.
Lesson #2: What Is A Probiotic?
Probiotics are thousands of good bacteria that are essential to good gut health.
Yes, you read that right. Good bacteria. Commonly referred to as helpful bacteria, probiotics are live cultures of bacteria that keep your gut health in balance. Probiotics aid in digestion and the immune system - and researchers are still trying to figure out why probiotics are so good for us.
What researchers do know is that there are two main types of probiotics: Lactobacillus, found in fermented foods, and Bifidobacterium, found in dairy foods. Taking or eating the right kinds of probiotics may help with lactose intolerance and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
What are probiotics specifically? They come in many forms, usually in foods we eat or supplements we take. Most of us are keeping up with our gut health by ingesting probiotics without even realizing it since probiotics are actually very common in many common foods.
Lesson #3: How Do Probiotics Work?
We're still figuring this one out, but researchers think our best bet to understanding is by observing cultures of bacteria that have been fed antibiotics.
Antibiotics are medications that drive away bacterial infections. We've all had a course of antibiotics that have thrown off our entire body systems. For women, it is very common for doctors to prescribe yeast infection medication alongside antibiotics for this very reason. Antibiotics basically fry the natural pH and bacterial balance of the human body - a steep price to pay to get rid of the flu.
But controlled studies have shown that probiotics replace the bacteria that antibiotics destroy. Hence the name probiotics. Antibiotics and probiotics are very much an example of yin and yang.
Lesson #4: What Else Do Probiotics Help With?
You might be wondering if probiotics are really all that helpful. What if probiotics are just the latest in many health fads? Well, while it's wise to take the benefits of probiotics with a grain of salt since probiotic research is still in preliminary stages, it also wouldn't be smart to write off the probiotic products that have been around for ages.
What probiotic products? Food, of course.
Many cultures - especially Asian and Slavic nations - have been packing their foods with probiotics for centuries. As it turns out, probiotics are a natural byproduct of food preservation in many cases. Read on to learn which foods have the most probiotics - and where to get them!
It's easier than you might think to manage your balance of probiotics because plenty of foods are packed with probiotics. That's right, by eating the right things, you can boost your gut health!
Probably the most basic probiotic-rich food. All yogurts have some amount of probiotics in them because all yogurts are fermented.
In the case of yogurt, it is the milk that is fermented during production, which produces lactic acid and boosts the culture of probiotics in the product. While any yogurt will do to regulate your intake of probiotics, this one seems to be the most popular.
Another dairy that undergoes fermentation to become a sold product. You've probably heard that all cheese is basically mold - and even some cheeses, like bleu cheese, boast more mold than others - and that's basically correct. But what you haven't heard is that probiotics in cheese. Just be careful not to eat too much!
A tart, tangy, cultured yogurt-milk smoothie with an origin in Russia.
Kefir is a unique food product overflowing with probiotics. Traditional kefir is made by fermenting cow or goat milk with kefir grains. Typically, the cow or goat is raised on a diet of kefir grains, and then more kefir grains are added during fermentation and strained from the product before being consumed. You can make your own from scratch, or use a starter kit to DIY this probiotic bombshell. Or you can simply buy it here.
Similar to traditional kefir, the coconut version is made with kefir grains. However, coconut kefir only uses coconut milk or coconut water, so this variation is completely dairy free for those who are lactose intolerant or just really enjoy coconut products.
The probiotics in sauerkraut also come from a fermentation process in which the sugars in the cabbage are converted by lactic acid — sensing a theme here? Any sauerkraut will do, but this one tastes amazing! Or take a look at this recipe!
A beverage from many Slavic countries made from rye bread or "black bread." The probiotics in kvass come from the fermentation process.
Are you wondering if kvass is beer? Well, while certainly related to the beer family of beverages, kvass is only slightly alcoholic at 1% of alcohol per glass. This traditional beverage is enjoyed by children and adults alike and is best compared to meade rather than ale. You can try this kvass, or make your own fruity batch.
A traditional staple in Korean cooking, kimchi is another case of fermented vegetables being probiotic holy grails.
Kimchi is typically made with salted napa cabbage and other Korean vegetables which are gloriously seasoned by garlic, ginger, scallions, and other Korean seasonings. Kimchi is an essential for healthy eaters, as in addition to being rich in probiotics, kimchi is also excellent for heart health and aiding in digestion. You can make your own kimchi by following this recipe. Or you can buy this kimchi!
Another Asian tradition good for your gut health, kombucha is rich in probiotics and antioxidants.
Kombucha is a fermented green tea with a vinegary, tangy, carbonated flavor. You can boost the health-giving in kombucha by adding fruits and juices to the blend after the 10-day fermentation process. Kombucha is thought to be good for preventing diabetes and heart disease, as well as boosting the immune system. When it comes to kombucha, you have the option of making your own at home or buying from a store.
Whether as a soup or as a spread, miso is a probiotic must!
Traditional Japanese miso is made by fermenting salted soybeans with a type of fungus called koji, though some variations include the addition of rice, barely, and seaweed. As a soup, miso is usually served with tofu and serves as a sort of side dish for many meals, including breakfast. You can make your own miso at home by purchasing a mix like this one.
Another probiotic champion from Japan, natto is another case of fermented soybeans.
Make no mistake; natto is an acquired taste. It's a bold smell and a sticky texture, usually served with soy sauce, karashi mustard and Japanese bunching onion over rice. Natto is typically a breakfast food that hasn't quite caught on in America yet. You have the option of tailoring natto to your tastes by using this recipe, or you can buy natto here!
Think of tempeh as fermented soybean cake from Indonesia that has more probiotics than your pinky finger.
A mainstay in many vegan diets, tempeh is somewhat similar in texture to tofu, though the tastes are not quite the same. Tempeh is easy enough to make with this recipe. Or, if you want to try it first, you can buy a bundle like this one. You might also consider tempeh starter packs!
Many cultures have taken a whirl with pickling cucumbers, but did you know pickled cucumber are positively piping with probiotics?
Unlike their cousin the plain pickle, pickled cucumbers are not exactly the gherkin on your burger. Traditional pickled cucumbers are made very simply with cucumber left in vinegar or brine, usually seasoned by salt, onions, and other seasonings. Try this recipe to pickle your own cucumbers! Or try a Swedish version that is slightly sweeter!
Specifically, brine-cured olives are bursting with probiotics. This is yet another example of how fermenting a vegetable in a brine brings all the probiotics to the yard. Unless you're a fan of pitting your own olives, you might just skip a step and buy these.
While apple cider vinegar has many purported beauty benefits, the reason it makes this list is because of how loaded it is with probiotics.
Apple cider vinegar is made from crushed and juiced apples. Many salad dressings, vinaigrettes, and food preservatives are made using apple cider vinegar. But don't be mistaken - apple cider vinegar does not taste anything like apple cider. And while it isn't the best idea to drink straight apple cider vinegar, putting a teaspoon in your water once a week is safe and has been known to aid in digestion and weight loss. It's better to leave the production of apple cider vinegar to the professions, so try this brand.
There are other foods that have a lot of probiotics in them, as well. Fruit and yogurt blend smoothies, for example, and even tofu or other soy-based foods have probiotics. But just remember that probiotics are usually more plentiful in foods that have been fermented!
Food isn't the only place to find probiotics. Boosting your gut health doesn't have to mean eating the right foods. Good gut health can also come from choosing the right supplements.
To be clear, supplements aren't the answer to all health issues. Supplements are only meant to supplement what your body has trouble absorbing during digestion, and that means that you need to be careful about mixing supplements. When in doubt, consult with a doctor and follow the recommended dosing.
So how do you choose the right supplement for you?
Remember Those Two Probiotic Types From Before?
First, you need to ask yourself what your primary goal is. What do you want the probiotic supplement to do for you? Depending on your answer, you'll need to be looking at one of two different types of probiotic strains.
Remember them from earlier? Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are two types that do two totally different things. So be aware of that when you're choosing a probiotic for yourself.
This type is great for boosting gut health and has a few different strains that do specialized work.
Keep in mind that acidophilus is probably the most common lactobacillus probiotic to find in supplements. The other strains are less common, but still available as supplements or in foods.
This type is a gut health superstar with many of its strains being dedicated solely to gastrointestinal support and boosting the immune system.
The bifidum strain is the most promising of this type of probiotic since studies have found that bifidum, in particular, prevent bacterial pathogens from flourishing in the gut.
What Are Some Trusted Probiotic Supplements?
There are hundreds of probiotic supplements to choose from, and some are more effective for some people than others. Here are the choicest for gut health!
Acidophilus Milk: Doctors have been recommending acidophilus milk since the 1920s. It's a tried and true means of introducing helpful bacteria into the gut.
GoLive: A flavorless probiotic blend that you mix into a drink. Fit for men, women, and children.
NOW: A combination of 8 million live cultures of acidophilus and bifidum in one supplement. Two birds with one stone.
Align: A bifidobacterium daily supplement. One swallow and your GI will be totally supported.
Dr. Ohhira's: A fermented probiotic formula that includes a fiber supplement. We all know how good fermented things are for gut health!
Probiotic SoftChews: A chewable, delicious berry-flavored probiotic to support digestive and immune health.
Probiotic Gummies: 1 billion probiotics in one gummy that the whole family can have!
Having good gut health is the cornerstone of having good health. When your gut health is bad, it's like a canary in a coal mine - the first sure sign that you aren't as healthy as you could be.
Caring about your gut health is the first step to making sure the rest of your health is good. It's important to pay attention to stomach pains and the regularity of your visits to the bathroom, as well as what you're producing when you go. Digestion is a long, continuous journey that doesn't end just because you flushed.
Probiotics are a good starting point to correcting your gut health - that's why they are the latest craze in health circles. Probiotics are good for managing your flora, pH balance, and the bacteria in your gut to keep your immune system strong. Probiotics are also a smart step to take when taking antibiotics so that your immune system isn't completely thrown off kilter.
Probiotics can come from many sources - although most of those sources are fermented. Eating foods rich in probiotics is a big step to managing a healthy diet that promotes good digestion and even managing your weight.
Probiotics can also come in the form of supplements. There are many supplements to choose from, so it's important to know what your goals are for taking probiotic supplements. Pay attention to labels and read the nutritional facts to make sure you're choosing the right probiotic for you.
You're now a master of probiotics!