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Nood Regattas Editor's Letter: The Main Ingredient
Editor's Letter: The Main Ingredient
J/24 sailors get it done at the NOOD Championship: Dan Borrer, Robby and Karen Brown, Kelly Holleran, Stephanie Karidas, and Nate Vilardebo.
By Dave Reed
Robby Brown, a tall, slim sailor with a sun-baked complexion ambles toward our race committee boat, a big white charter catamaran at the end of the dock. He moves slow enough to not break a sweat in the searing heat of Tortola's Road Town Harbour.
"Hey guys," he says, leaning against a stanchion with a look of purpose.
"Hey Robby, how's it going?" the race committee responds in unison.
I have a hunch something's not right.
"Ah, yeah, listen … I know this is an informal event with informal rules and all," he says matter-of-factly, "but I need clarification on using equipment that doesn't come with the boat." One of his competitors, he says, has either borrowed or imported a whisker pole.
Stumped by the query, the race committee looks around at each other, hoping someone has an answer, but no one does.
"Is that even allowed?" Brown continues. "Because, if I knew it was, I would have brought one down, too."
"Well, technically, in the spirit of the event, anything is allowed," the principle race officer finally answers. There's nothing about equipment in the notice of race or the sailing instructions of the Sailing World Caribbean NOOD Championship, which is a vacation-ish regatta ("vagatta") we host in the British Virgin Islands every November as an official NOOD-concluding, winners-only invitational. Sunsail provides a Sunsail 44i fleet for four days of racing free to our competitors, but one catch is that there's no spinnaker gear on any of the boats. They're supposed to be one-design, with smooth bottoms and an equal number of cushions and towels. That said, it's a lottery every year—you must race what you get.
In years past we've encouraged competitors to improvise if they want better flow with their wing-on-wing. They can use the boathook or their deck brush, or they can scavenge parts from the derelict boatyard across the street from the base.
This year, however, one competitor has done his homework and brought an old carbon windsurfing mast to use as a whisker pole. It was a wise move, indeed. Brown's equipment concern is a non-issue for the race committee, however, and after another pause they say they'll consider the matter.
"If it becomes too much of an advantage, we'll just tell them not to use it," they tell Brown as he turns to leave. It's the answer he probably expected. Not the one he wants. But that's the end of that.
I'd never met Brown until this moment. All I knew of him was that he was a J/24 skipper who'd won the Sperry Top-Sider NOOD in St. Petersburg, Fla. I'd heard he's meticulous with his J/24, that he likes to win, and does win when he sets his mind to it. I can tell he's seriously out to dominate this thing so his concern is valid. Fair is fair, and yes, it's supposed to be fun, but it is the championship after all.
A few hours later we're on Sir Francis Drake Passage for the first day's buoy races. There are five competitors from their respective NOODs, and racers being who they are, their charter boats are dismantled as much as possible: dodgers down, stack packs neatly stowed, some of the biminis stripped to bare frames. It's jib-and-main action, but trust me, racing a 44-foot charter boat laden with water, provisions, and baggage requires talent, and an understanding of momentum.
In winds that barely peg 8 knots, we complete three races. Brown and crew stun the fleet with duck-and-go port-tack starts and flawless sailing. It's obvious that getting away from the fleet is a sure way to win. A legitimate whisker pole would help, but he apparently doesn't need it. Instead, he's got a young and supremely talented crew: his wife Karen, trimmers Nate Vilardebo and Dan Borrer, Kelly Holleran, and Stephanie Karidas. They finish a leg ahead in most races.
At the Cooper Island Beach Club bar later that night I ask Holleran what their secret is to being so fast.
"It's Robby Brown," she says with a big grin and a twinkle in her eye. "He's the man!"
The following day the competitors are at it again, but this time it's a 12-mile beat to Virgin Gorda Sound. The Floridians breeze away at the start again. They've engineered an adjustable backstay system that pinches the fixed split backstay, working the rig as if it were a J/24. As the wind builds, however, Viper 640 skipper Dr. Jim Sears and his team from San Diego pass Brown and crew before the finish. Sears has a mothership from which he's enlisted bikini-clad rail riders, another wise move.
San Diego's righting-moment advantage doesn't sit well with Brown, however, and there's a protest flag streaming from his backstay as he finishes, protesting his rivals for stacking the rail with extra crew.
This protest, too, is a first for the committee, but the sailing instructions state nothing of crew swaps. In fact, it's encouraged. Still, an informal inquiry is held ashore, and again, Brown gets an answer he likely expected.
Meanwhile, his crew is preparing the coup of the regatta. As the SIs do state, competitors must submit a Mount Gay Rum-based cocktail to the race committee before sundown. Vilardebo later appears with an offering of boat-baked cookies and a divemask box full of "The Zayda" (shown above). Vilardebo has done his pre-regatta research, too, and imported ingredients to make his Grandma Zayda's secret drink (rum, ginger ale, truffle oil, and basil). Here, too, they crush the competition, perhaps knowing full well the importance of winning over the race committee.
After two more days of races, Brown's USA 799 prevails, and at the awards party he confesses that his boat's new sails and smooth bottom helped. But after all the fretting about poles and crew, he's finally relaxed and smiling. He has the trifecta: good sails, a fast boat, and an outstanding crew, and that's really all it takes. That, and the will to win.
Welcome to your new Sailing World. We changed our appearance, but our DNA remains unchanged, as it has for over 50 years. we'll keep bringing you the competition, the experience, and the authenticity that has always made Sailing World the authority on performance sailing. Enjoy. —Dave Reed
Click here to read more from Sailing World editor Dave Reed.
The Zayda Cocktail
Dave Reed
NOOD Champion Team Photo
J/24 sailors get it done at the 2013 NOOD Championship: Dan Borrer, Robby and Karen Brown, Kelly Holleran, Stephanie Karidas, and Nate Vilardebo. Dave Reed
More editor's letter, Helly Hansen Caribbean NOOD Championship, Helly Hansen NOOD Regattas, Sailboat Racing


If you asked me what my favorite style of pizza is, it would not be deep dish. I am a true die-hard Chicagoan who loves thin crust pizza...the thinner the better. That said, every once in awhile, I like a pizza with a little more beef to it. I bought a cast iron pan, watched Lou Malnatti in a battle with Bobby Flay over the best deep dish pizza about a dozen times, and voila....a great knockoff. The prep work is what takes the most time here, but once you have everything ready, it comes together very quickly....the biggest expense is a cast iron pan.
In your mixer bowl, Kitchenaid preferably, with the dough hook, dissolve the yeast in the water. Add the oils, cornmeal and the flour. Beat for about 10 minutes. Use a large rubber spatula to help it along. Dough should be elastic and soft, but not overly soft. Put dough in large greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise until double in bulk. I put the bowl in my oven that I heated to 180, then turn off. Punch down and allow to rise again. Punch down a second time and the dough is ready to make pizza. Grease a 12" cast iron pan...if you don't have a cast iron pan, a oven-proof pan will do.
* I sometimes buy Italian sausage already cooked, then just slice it. If you buy raw, you can cook and then slice it, or buy bulk and crumble it up while cooking.
**you want to make sure your sauce is nice and thick...you may want to put in a large sieve over a larger measuring cup so the excess liquid drains off.
Heat oven to 325 and line two large baking sheets with sides with parchment paper. In small saucepan, heat the oil, honey and maple syrup on low just for a few minutes. In a large bowl, add the oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans and both brown sugars, (see below). I mix with my hands. Add warm honey, syrup and oil into dry mixture, and mix with hands until well incorporated (this also feels great on your hands). Spread mixture between two pans, (see below) and place in oven, baking for 40-45 minutes. If you want chunky pieces of granola, do not stir, just bake. If you want a loose granola, stir 2-3 times during baking to make sure everything is baking evenly. Remove from oven and cool on sheets. For chunky granola, let cool a little on baking sheet. Place granola in a large bowl, add fruit, and stir. Place in a tight container. Should be eaten within 2-3 weeks, but trust me, it goes down real easy with milk or on top of yogurt. Bon appetit!
I'm a sucker when it comes to any type of Danish...eating it, that is. Making a good Danish is a tedious process at best, and sometimes the results are not worth all the ingredients, two rises and prep work. This recipe is the longer version...I will also be posting one where I have cheated and started with one of my favorites...puff pastry dough. I'm sure some of you will look at the recipe below, and promptly say "forget it!" I don't blame you, but then you don't have the benefit of enjoying these wonderful delights.
Beat sugar, butter and salt in a bowl with a mixer (I use a hand mixer for this). Add the warm milk and after adding, mixture should be pourable, not spreadable. Add more milk if you need to. Spoon glaze over rolls a few minutes after they come out of the oven. You can top with sanding sugar, or sprinkles, or nothing...bon appetit!
I have always loved corn...canned corn, creamed corn, frozen corn, corn on the cob...I love it all. That said, I also love bacon...fried bacon, bacon sandwiches, bacon and eggs. I have made this recipe many times over, tweaking it so it was just right. The first time around, I thought using the same proportion of bacon to corn was going to work out great, but the bacon really overpowered the corn, (how could that be?) and corn is really the star of the show. Also, a corn chowder recipe usually calls for red potatoes. In my recipe, I use a combination of red and sweet potatoes, and the sweet potato gives another sweetness aside from the corn. The longer you cook this soup down, the thicker it will be. And yes, you can absolutely use frozen corn. I like to use fresh, because it's fresh. That's not to say it's always the best, depending on the year. Enjoy!
In large dutch oven, saute onion, celery and the 2 pieces of bacon in the olive oil for about 8-10 minutes, or until softened and turning translucent. Add corn, potatoes, stock, salt, pepper and paprika. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer on medium-low for 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender. In a food processor (I use my nutri-bullet) puree 1 cup of chowder with the tbsp flour. Whisk pureed mixture back into the chowder. Add half and half (or milk), thyme and chives. Simmer, uncovered, for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chowder is the thickness that you like. Crumble the 6 pieces fried bacon into the soup and give it a stir. Bon appetite!
I first had these muffins at the Boardman House, a lovely B&B in Townshend, Vermont, probably 15 years ago. Boardman House is right on the green, surrounded by a gazebo, church, general store and a few lovely houses. The setting is, of course, Americana at its best. Sarah runs the B&B, and is an excellent host, cook and baker. When she had this recipe out the night before, I was rather perplexed by the use of ginger and lemon together, but the flavors really work. I have made these again and again, as they are simple, and not overly sweet or rich. Over the years I have stepped up the recipe a bit by also adding ground and crystallized ginger. You may think that's an abundance of ginger, but it doesn't overpower, and along with the lemon zest, becomes a muffin with the most delicate of flavors. The finer you chop the crystallized ginger, the less distinct it will become.
Preheat oven to 375. Grease 12 cup muffin tin and an extra muffin tin (this makes 13...I tried 12 but the muffins baked over the side of the tin, making it hard to get them out) or line with cupcake liners. Cut the fresh ginger into large chunks. Chop fine in food processor (I use my mini Kitchenaid). Scrape ginger out and put into a small skillet along with 1/3 cup sugar. Cook over medium/low heat until sugar has melted and mixture is hot (a couple of minutes). Remove from stove and let cool. Put lemon zest, crystallized ginger and 3 tbsp sugar into ginger mixture. Stir and set aside. Place butter in mixing bowl and add remaining sugar. Beat until smooth. Add the lemon/ginger mixture, then the eggs, one at a time. Combine flour, salt and baking soda in a bowl. Add alternately with the buttermilk mixture, ending with the flour. Beat just until the whole thing comes together. Fill 13 cupcake cups evenly (I use a scoop to start with). Bake 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. In a small bowl, put a few scoops of sugar. As quickly after you get the muffins out of the oven as you can, release them from the tin and rub face-down in the sugar (this may take a few minutes depending on how much heat your fingers can stand). Place muffins on cooling rack. Bon appetit!
Recipe #58: Morton's Caesar Salad Dressing...Look Ma, No Eggs!!!
* I use one tube Napoleon brand anchovy paste. Pictured is reese, but not all grocery stores carry Napoleon. It is, though, by far, the best anchovy paste. Yes, you use the whole tube, as the flavor is not as sharp as anchovies themselves.
** I also add the Worcestershire which is not in the original recipe. It is, though, part of a traditional Caesar dressing.
*** This recipe makes enough salad to use 2 heads of romaine, although the original recipe calls for only one.
Blend all ingredients except for parmesan and romaine in a food processor or blender. Add the parmesan and blend for another minute. Place lettuce in a large bowl and add just enough dressing to coat the romaine. Do not overdress. Top salad with croutons, fresh cracked black pepper and more parmesan. Bon appetit!
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 pan or something of about the same size. Melt 4 tbsp butter in a large skillet. Saute the mushrooms until tender, and then put juice and all in a bowl. In the same skillet, melt the stick of butter and saute the onion until tender. Stir in the flour, cooking for 2-3 minutes, or until all the flour and butter are incorporated. Slowly add the 3 cups of chicken broth into the flour/butter mixture, stirring the entire time. Add the half and half and cook until the mixture is thickened. I use a whisk to make sure the white sauce, which this really is, does not burn on the bottom of the pan. After the mixture is thickened, add the white wine and stir. If your pan is large enough, you can proceed, but I dump the whole mixture into a very large bowl. Add the mushrooms, chicken, rice, toasted almonds, salt, water chestnuts and dried cherries. Mix well and then pour into the prepared casserole. Bake uncovered about 25-35 minutes, or until the top is just starting to brown. You don't want the casserole to be dry, so if not sure, err on the side of the casserole being too creamy...everything is already cooked anyway. Bon appetit!


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È stato senatore degli Stati Uniti dal 1971 al 1989. Ha inoltre servito come 41º governatore della Florida dal 1991 al 1998. Era un veterano della guerra di Corea.

Biografia

Note

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

Politici del Partito Democratico (Stati Uniti d'America)
Senatori statunitensi eletti dalla Florida
Governatori della Florida

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home > For Advocates > Human Rights model of disability
Human Rights model of disability
or log in to view this course.
The concept that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights is not new. However, it has taken time for that concept to translate to how we treat and include people with disability in everyday life.
In this course we will:
Explain the concept of human rights
Introduce the human rights model of disability and how it advances the rights of people with disability
Explain how the human rights model builds on and extends the social model of disability
Explain some of the key differences between the human rights model and the social model of disability
Explain why the medical and charitable models of disability are not consistent with human rights principles.
How do the rights of people with disability fit in?
In the decades since the Universal Declaration, the United Nations has established nine core international human rights treaties. One of these is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of…
Models of disability
The models of disability developed as a way of describing how attitudes, prejudices and barriers impact on the lives of people with disability, and provide some social and historical context.…
The human rights model of disability
Thanks Elly and Kev. That has really helped give the models some perspective.We now know that the human rights model is based on human rights principles that recognise that: Respect…
The social model was a game changer
The social model of disability says that people are disabled by barriers in society, such as buildings not having a ramp or accessible toilets, or people's attitudes, like assuming people…
How does the human rights model differ from the social model?
The human rights model: Acknowledges the impact of impairment in the lives of people with disability Recognises impairment as a natural aspect of human diversity that governments have a responsibility…
Problems with the medical model of disability
The medical and charitable models of disability are both inconsistent with human rights principles. As advocates, we should aim to challenge these outdated methods in all aspects of our work.…
Problems with the charitable model of disability
The charitable model is based on similar principles to those that underpin the medical model. It grew out of the emergence of charitable organisations that aimed to provide assistance to…
How do the four models compare in practice?
Let's use a real life scenario to compare these four models of disability. Scenario: A child who uses a wheelchair is unable to attend their local school because most of…
Which model is it?
The models of disability are a useful way of understanding prevailing attitudes towards people with disability, and also to realise when the rights of people with disability are being upheld…
Congratulations, you have completed the Human Rights Model of Disability course. In this course you learnt: How long it has taken for human rights to become established as universal How…
How to be disability inclusive
Ableism: What it is and what we can do about it

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Visit Georgia - Mezzo-soprano Ketevan Kemoklidze Joins the Campaign
Prominent Georgian Mezzo-soprano Ketevan Kemoklidze has joined the campaign #spendyoursummeringeorgia.
At her request, after the successful performance of "Carmen" at the opera house Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi, the creative group made a video address directly from the stage and advised the travelers worldwide to visit Georgia.
The relevant video has been published on Facebook by the Embassy of Georgia to Italy. The embassy notes that Maestro Oleg Caetani is heading the video address.
The campaign #spendyoursummeringeorgia started after Russian President Vladimir Putin's travel embargo, namely, the decision to ban Russian airlines from flying to Georgia and vice versa. In response to the tourist embargo, citizens and well-known individuals began to invite foreign tourists to Georgia, to save the country's economy.
Georgian Mezzo-soprano Ketevan Kemoklidze is in high demand by major theaters of the world for her extraordinary vocal and stage skills. She received a Master degree at the V. Sarajishvili State Conservatoire. Having been awarded Special Prize of Teatro alla Scala at H.G. Belvedere competition she was admitted in the Academy of Teatro alla Scala without an entrance exam. She is a winner of prestigious international voice competitions including the P. Domingo's Operalia, the Concourse International de Chant de la Ville de Toulouse, the F. Viñas Competition of Barcelona, the H.G. Belvedere International Competition in Vienna, the E. Obraztsova International Vocal Competition in Saint-Petersburg and the Georgian Musicians National and Youth Competitions.


When you are in charge of setting up lighting for an event, it is important that you practice the right safety measures. This will ensure you have effective lighting for the event without additional risks.
Before you plug any type of lighting fixture in for your event, make sure the lights and their cords are in good condition. This can reduce a lot of your electrical risks, as using a cord that is frayed, cracked or damaged can lead to an electrical shortage or worse hazards. Look closely at the lighting fixture, making sure the light bulb is in good condition. Check the cord, looking at it closely for any signs of wear or damage. You should never plug in a cord that has cracks, broken plastic coating to reveal the wire underneath or if the plug itself looks severely damaged.
The wiring in the venue itself also needs to be in good condition. Whether you are having the event in your own home, a reception hall or other venue, make sure you look for signs of faulty wiring. For example, if you notice that when plugging in multiple lights or appliances, there is a shortage each time, then you probably have faulty wiring. Some other signs of faulty wiring include having outlets or switches that feel hot to the touch, dimming lights, or flickering lights. Contact an electrician if you notice any of these things.
A common mistake made when setting up accent lighting for an event is trying to use too many lights in any given area. You need to make sure the outlets and surge protectors are capable of handling the amount of lighting you intend to plug in. You might want to consult an electrician before plugging anything in, if you're adding more than a few strands of twinkle lights. If you try to plug too many lights into one circuit, it is going to overload and you will be left with no power at all.
When hanging the lights, make sure they are not placed near other heat sources, as this becomes a fire hazard. Lights should never be used or plugged in near a working fireplace, furnace, hot water heater, barbecue grill, or other heat sources. You can consult an electrical contractor if you think your lights are a little too close to a heat source at the event.


Cotton and linen upholstery with broad indigo stripe.
27"W x 31"D x 41"T. Seat, 22"W x 20"D x 18"T; arms, 25"T.
Cotton and linen upholstery with narrow indigo stripe.
Set includes Michael chair with broad indigo stripe and Madison chair with narrow indigo stripe.
Each, 27"W x 31"D x 41"T. Seat, 22"W x 20"D x 18"T; arms, 25"T.


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Episcleritis in a patient with mucosal melanoma treated with interferon alfa-2b and radiotherapy: a case report
Li Yang1,
Shaofei Ji2,
Liping Wang3 &
Yi Zhang1,3
Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck is a rare malignant tumor associated with a poor prognosis. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and biotherapy are common strategies for treating mucosal melanoma of the head and neck. Episcleritis is an idiopathic, immune-mediated disease, and is classified into two types: simple episcleritis and nodular episcleritis.
In this case report we describe ocular changes involving simple episcleritis in a 65-year-old Chinese man with mucosal melanoma of the head and neck after treatment with interferon alfa-2b and radiotherapy. On the third day of interferon alfa-2b treatment, he began to develop simple episcleritis in his left eye. Moreover, the percentage of CD3+ T cells in lymphocytes from blood was increased after interferon alfa-2b treatment. After approximately 6 days, the symptoms of eye pain, hyperemia, and edema disappeared gradually. Then, after radiotherapy was performed three times, he again developed episcleritis in his left eye. The same symptoms of hyperemia and edema occurred again; CD3+ T cell frequency was also at a higher level. After approximately a week, all the symptoms disappeared completely. Simple treatment involving topical ofloxacin and phenylephrine was administered during the two periods of episcleritis.
Episcleritis in this patient might have been due to the treatment with interferon alfa-2b and radiotherapy, leading to an increase in the level of CD3+ T cells and activation of immune system cells, which provides the guide for clinical clinicians.
Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck (MMHN) is a rare malignant tumor with a poor prognosis [1, 2]. Resection with a clear margin is the most important factor for good local control and better prognosis [3]. However, radical surgery is not possible in certain cases because the tumor may be located near important structures. Effective chemotherapy has not yet been established, and a common therapeutic strategy has not been clarified excluding curative surgical resection.
Currently, interferon alfa-2b (IFN-α2b) and radiotherapy are used to treat patients with MMHN in clinic. Many studies have reported that IFN-α2b and radiotherapy have little effect on the melanoma cells themselves, but instead activate immune-system cells to fight the disease [4, 5]. Episcleritis can occur as an isolated condition confined to the eye or it can also be associated with an idiopathic, immune-mediated disease [6]. We report the case of a patient with MMHN who developed episcleritis after adjuvant treatment with IFN-α2b and radiotherapy.
A 65-year-old Chinese man was hospitalized in November 2012 for epistaxis since the previous month. Indirect nasopharyngoscopy revealed a scarlet mass with a rough surface in his left nasopharyngeal cavity. A clinical examination revealed no lymph node enlargement. He underwent surgery. A pathological examination indicated a mucosal melanoma in his left nasopharyngeal cavity. The results of computed tomography (CT) and MRI examinations showed that there was no metastasis to other organs.
This patient was hospitalized again in March 2013 to undergo adjuvant treatment, including IFN-α2b treatment, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. A high dose of IFN-α2b (20 MIU/m2 per day) was administered for 5 days, then radiotherapy was performed 14 times (total 28 Gy), followed by a low dose of temozolomide (75 mg/m2 per day) for 3 weeks.
On the third day of IFN-α2b treatment, our patient began to develop simple episcleritis in his left eye. He experienced symptoms of severe eye pain, hyperemia, and edema on the lateral sclera and conjunctiva of his left eye. The redness was diffuse, and it covered a pie-shaped area confined to the outer quadrant (Fig. 1). We performed the phenylephrine blanching test to diagnose episcleritis. Episcleritis may be differentiated from scleritis by using phenylephrine eye drops, which cause blanching of the blood vessels in episcleritis, but not in scleritis. The percentage of CD3+ T cells in lymphocytes from blood was increased after IFN-α2b treatment (Fig. 2). After approximately 6 days, the symptoms of eye pain, hyperemia, and edema disappeared gradually. The treatment of IFN-α2b had been stopped when the symptoms disappeared. After radiotherapy was performed three times, our patient again developed episcleritis in his left eye, but it was limited to the inner quadrant. The same symptoms of hyperemia and edema occurred again (Fig. 3); CD3+ T cell frequency was also at a higher level (Fig. 2). After approximately a week, all the symptoms disappeared completely, and the treatment with radiology was still on-going. Simple treatment involving topical ofloxacin and phenylephrine was administered during the two periods of episcleritis. Whether the occurrence of these two episodes of episcleritis is associated with treatment of IFN-α2b and radiotherapy is of interest and worth studying.
Photos of simple episcleritis in a patient after treatment with IFN-α2b. Simple episcleritis was visible on the lateral sclera and conjunctiva in the left eye of a patient with MMHN after treatment with IFN-α2b. The symptoms of severe hyperemia and edema were present in the outer quadrant of the left eye
The percentage of CD3+ T cells before and after treatment with IFN-α2b and radiotherapy. CD3+ T cell frequency in lymphocytes from blood of this patient was analyzed by flow cytometry before and after treatment with IFN-α2b and radiotherapy. IFN-α2b interferon alfa-2b
Photos of simple episcleritis in a patient after treatment with radiotherapy. Simple episcleritis was visible again in the left eye from this patient with MMHN after treatment with radiotherapy. The symptoms were similar to which were treated with IFN-α2b, but were limited to the inner quadrant
This patient was followed up to detect late metastasis or recurrence for the first 2 years after surgery and the adjuvant therapy, and no metastasis or recurrence was found.
Melanoma has become one of the most prevalent cancers in fair-skinned populations and is now regarded as the fifth most common cancer in men and the sixth most common cancer in woman in the USA [7]. The highest recorded incidence of melanoma worldwide is in Queensland (Australia) with an annual incidence of 55.8 cases per 100,000 men and 41.1 cases per 100,000 women. Along with the increased incidence rate, there has been an increase in melanoma-related mortality.
Men are approximately 1.5 times more likely to develop melanoma than women are [8]. The most common sites of occurrence of cutaneous melanoma are sex-dependent: the back for men and the arms and legs for women. The most important and potentially modifiable environmental risk factor for developing malignant melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet rays because of their genotoxic effect [9]. The most important host risk factors are the number of melanocytic nevi, familial history, and genetic susceptibility [8]. Clinical staging is based on the history and a physical examination that includes the locoregional area and draining lymph nodes, complete skin examination, histopathologic microstaging, imaging, and sentinel lymph node biopsy [9].
MMHN is a rare malignant tumor with a poor prognosis [1]. It usually arises in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and oral cavity [10]. The most common cause of death is distant metastasis. T stage, neck lymph node status, and surgical margins are independent prognostic factors for the overall survival in patients with MMHN [11]. Multimodality treatment may improve survival [12]. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are common strategies for treating MMHN, but the control of metastasis is difficult. An accepted therapeutic strategy has not yet been developed for treating patients with MMHN after excluding the possibility of curative surgical resection. The use of immunotherapy remains uncommon for MMHN. Bartell et al. [13] reported that biochemotherapy for advanced MMHN should be considered a systemic treatment option for patients with this aggressive malignancy.
Episcleritis is a benign recurring condition; it is a self-limiting inflammatory disease affecting part of the eye called the episclera [14]. Episcleritis is classified into two types: simple episcleritis and nodular episcleritis [14]. Simple episcleritis lesions are flat. Nodular episcleritis lesions have raised surface. Jabs et al. [15] suggested that episcleritis was most often a mild ocular disorder, unassociated with ocular complications, and that it responded to topical medications.
No clear conclusions have been drawn as to the etiology of episcleritis [15]. Episcleritis can occur as an isolated condition confined to the eye or it can also be associated with an idiopathic, immune-mediated disease [6]. The diagnosis of episcleritis is based on the history and a physical examination. Episcleritis may be differentiated from scleritis by using phenylephrine or Neo-Synephrine® (phenylephrine) eye drops, which causes blanching of the blood vessels in episcleritis, but not in scleritis [14]. Treatment is unnecessary in episcleritis, because episcleritis is a self-limiting condition.
IFNs are low-molecular-weight glycoproteins that possess antiviral, antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic or anti-apoptotic, and immunomodulatory properties [16]. We distinguish between type I IFNs, which include several proteins called IFN-α and a single protein, IFN-β (which binds to the same specific receptor), and type II IFN-γ (which binds to multiple receptors). Type I IFNs stimulate the activity of natural killer and T cytotoxic cells, and increase the expression of the major histocompatibility complex class I. In addition, they stimulate the development of type 1 T helper cells, especially in humans [16]. IFN-α is mainly produced by plasmacytoid dendritic cells in response to viral infection [17].
Recent studies have shown that IFN-α, an important drug used in the treatment of malignant melanoma, has little effect on the melanoma cells themselves, but instead activates immune system cells to fight the disease [4, 18]. IFN-α is used to clean up microscopic tumor cells that may remain in the body following surgery for the disease, and is the only drug that is currently approved for this purpose. In our study, the activation of immune system cells by IFN-α2b treatment appears to have induced the development of episcleritis, which was associated with an idiopathic, immune-mediated disease in this patient.
Radiotherapy is an important treatment for cancer. For a considerable time, it was thought that the main mode of action of radiotherapy was irreversible damage to tumor cell DNA, along with some immunosuppressive effects; however, evidence from recent animal studies suggests that radiotherapy supports local anti-tumor immune activity [5, 19]. There is increasing evidence that radiotherapy leads to alterations in the tumor microenvironment, particularly with respect to the immune infiltrate [7, 19]. Gupta et al. [20] found that radiotherapy promotes the activation of tumor-specific effector CD8+ T cells via dendritic cell. Our patient's second episode of episcleritis was closely correlated with the administration of radiotherapy, which appears to have activated the immune system.
Taken together, these data strongly suggest that the two episodes of episcleritis in this patient with MMHN are due to treatment with IFN-α2b and radiotherapy, which increased the level of CD3+ T cells and activated the immune system. However, the molecular mechanism of the effect of IFN-α2b and radiotherapy on episcleritis is still unclear, which is why it is necessary to study further in the future.
IFN-α2b:
Interferon alfa-2b
MMHN:
Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck
Lourenço SV, Fernandes JD, Hsieh R, Coutinho-Camillo CM, Bologna S, Sangueza M, et al. Head and neck mucosal melanoma: a review. Am J Dermatopathol. 2014;36:578–87.
Ascierto PA, Accorona R, Botti G, Farina D, Fossati P, Gatta G, et al. Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2017;112:136–52.
Lahaye MJ, Engelen SM, Nelemans PJ, Beets GL, van de Velde CJ, van Engelshoven JM, et al. Imaging for predicting the risk factors--the circumferential resection margin and nodal disease--of local recurrence in rectal cancer: a meta-analysis. Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2005;26:259–68.
Tarhini AA, Kirkwood JM. Clinical and immunologic basis of interferon therapy in melanoma. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009;1182:47–57.
Sharma A, Bode B, Moch H, Moch H, Okoniewski M, Knuth A, et al. Radiotherapy of human sarcoma promotes an intratumoral immune effector signature. Clin Cancer Res. 2013;19:4843–53.
Chatziralli IP, Kanonidou E, Chatzirallis A, Dimitriadis P, Keryttopoulos P. Episcleritis Related to Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus following Infliximab Therapy: A Case Report. Case Rep Med. 2011;2011:696285.
Rastrelli M, Alaibac M, Stramare R, Chiarion Sileni V, Montesco MC, Vecchiato A, et al. Melanoma m (zero): diagnosis and therapy. ISRN Dermatol. 2013;2013:616170.
Rastrelli M, Tropea S, Rossi CR, Alaibac M. Melanoma: epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis and classification. In Vivo. 2014;28:1005–11.
Sera F, Gandini S, Cattaruzza MS, Pasquini P, Picconi O, Boyle P, Melchi CF. Meta-analysis of risk factors for cutaneous melanoma: II. Sun exposure Eur J Cancer. 2015;41:45–60.
Mendenhall WM, Amdur RJ, Hinerman RW, Werning JW, Villaret DB, Mendenhall NP. Head and neck mucosal melanoma. Am J Clin Oncol. 2005;28:626–30.
Amit M, Tam S, Abdelmeguid AS, Roberts DB, Raza SM, Su SY, et al. Approaches to regional lymph node metastasis in patients with head and neck mucosal melanoma. Cancer. 2018;124:514–20.
Sun CZ, Li QL, Hu ZD, Jiang YE, Song M, Yang AK. Treatment and prognosis in sinonasal mucosal melanoma: A retrospective analysis of 65 patients from a single cancer center. Head Neck. 2014;36:675–81.
Bartell HL, Bedikian AY, Papadopoulos NE, Dett TK, Ballo MT, Myers JN, et al. Biochemotherapy in patients with advanced head and neck mucosal melanoma. Head Neck. 2008;30:1592–8.
Tappeiner C, Walscheid K, Heiligenhaus A. Diagnosis and treatment of episcleritis and scleritis. Ophthalmologe. 2016;113:797–810.
Jabs DA, Mudun A, Dunn JP, Marsh MJ. Episcleritis and scleritis: clinical features and treatment results. Am J Ophthalmol. 2000;130:469–76.
De Andrea M, Ravera R, Gioia D, Gariglio M, Landolfo S. The interferon system: an overview. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2002;6 Suppl A:A41–6. discussion A55–8
Colonna M, Trinchieri G, Liu YJ. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells in immunity. Nat Immunol. 2004;5:1219–26.
Anonymous. IFN-alpha found to act on immune-system cells rather than melanoma cells. Future Oncol. 2007;3:505.
Yoshimoto Y, Suzuki Y, Mimura K, Ando K, Oike T, Sato H, et al. Radiotherapy-induced anti-tumor immunity contributes to the therapeutic efficacy of irradiation and can be augmented by CTLA-4 blockade in a mouse model. PLoS One. 2014;9:e92572.
Gupta A, Probst HC, Vuong V, Landshammer A, Muth S, Yagita H, et al. Radiotherapy promotes tumor-specific effector CD8+ T cells via dendritic cell activation. J Immunol. 2012;189:558–66.
The authors would like to thank this patient for agreeing to participate and for suggestions.
This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81171986, No. 81602024), funding from State's Key Project of Research and Development Plan (No. 2016YFC1303501), research grant from the Ministry of Public Health (No.201501004), and funding for Creative Research Team of Henan Province and Creative Research Team of Higher Education of Henan Province.
All of the data and materials will be available upon request to the corresponding author.
Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 1 Jianshe East Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
Li Yang & Yi Zhang
Department of Radiology, Orthopedics Hospital of Zhengzhou City, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
Shaofei Ji
Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
Liping Wang & Yi Zhang
Li Yang
Liping Wang
Yi Zhang
LY collected patient data and drafted the manuscript. SJ drafted the manuscript. LW collected patient data. YZ revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to Yi Zhang.
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in Chief of this journal.
Yang, L., Ji, S., Wang, L. et al. Episcleritis in a patient with mucosal melanoma treated with interferon alfa-2b and radiotherapy: a case report. J Med Case Reports 12, 388 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-018-1913-7
Mucosal melanoma of the head and neck (MMHN)
Immune-mediated
Anti-tumor immunity
Tumor immunology


text:
Home » Activism » STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY CONVINCE GEORGETOWN TO RENAME BUILDINGS NAMED AFTER SLAVEOWNERS
STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY CONVINCE GEORGETOWN TO RENAME BUILDINGS NAMED AFTER SLAVEOWNERS
Dec 6, 2015 by Casey Coates Danson
by Casey Quinlan THINK PROGRESS
CREDIT: Jacquelyn Martin, AP
Georgetown University will rename two buildings on campus — Mulledy Hall and McSherry Hall — that are currently named after slaveowners, following protests and sit-ins from students demanding increased awareness about the institution's racial legacy.
Georgetown students argue that the university needs to acknowledge the ways the university was built on slavery and to foster more discussion on the university climate for students of color. A group of 250 students recently gathered in solidarity with students at Yale University and the University of Missouri, who have also been asking their administrators to acknowledge a racist climate on campus.
Mulledy Hall was named after a Georgetown president, Thomas F. Mulledy, who sold hundreds of slaves to eliminate Georgetown's debts. McSherry Hall was named after a Georgetown president, William McSherry, who advised on the sale and also sold slaves. While the university decides on new names, the buildings will use the interim names "Freedom Hall" and "Remembrance Hall."
The Working Group on Slavery, Memory and Reconciliation — a 16-member panel of administrators, students, and faculty appointed in September by Georgetown President John J. DeGioia — put together the recommendation for the name changes. This won't be the end of the group's work, since they will be hosting conversations on how to continue the work of acknowledging the university's history of slavery this week and during the first week of December. They're also working on a symposium for Emancipation Day on April 16, the day slavery was abolished in Washington D.C.
Of course, students are also acknowledging that discussions about race shouldn't be confined to building names. Georgetown students have spoken candidly about what it means to be black on campus and to reside in Georgetown, where there was a recent controversy over the police and business improvement district's partnership with the mass-messaging app GroupMe, which many business owners used for racial profiling against black customers.
Georgetown isn't the only university where students are grappling with the history of some of the campus buildings. Students at Yale University, Dartmouth College, and other Ivy League universities have asked that buildings named after white supremacists and slaveowners be renamed.
In addition to these campaigns, there has been a recent wave of protests across the country demanding administrators do something about racist incidents on campus. At a small college in California, Claremont-McKenna, students protests along these lines led the dean of students to step down last week. Only days earlier, the president of the University of Missouri resigned from his position after failing to respond to several racist acts against students, including an incident where a student drew a swastika with feces in a university bathroom.
Four facts to remember on the 4th of July:
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Q: Dataframe to pivot table I am working with a dataframe in Jupyter Notebook and am wondering how to pivot my data using the Python pandas library.
Please see the dataframe/table I am working with:

Pivot table I created in Excel that I would like to replicate using pandas:

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


LSU running back Leonard Fournette broke Alley Broussard's school record for rushing yards in a single game with a run in the third quarter against Ole Miss.
Fournette finished the game with 16 carries for 284 yards and three touchdowns. His 17.8 yards per carry broke his own LSU record for highest yards-per-carry average for a rusher with a minimum of 15 carries.
He set that mark against Auburn last year when he ran 19 times for 228 yards (12.0 per carry).
"I've never been a part of a player like Leonard to be honest with you," LSU coach Ed Orgeron said following the game. "But yeah, he's dynamic. I believe he's the best player in the country."
It took Broussard 26 carries. It took Fournette just eight to break the record.
Fournette made the record-breaking carry on a 5-yard gain. He already had rushes of 78, 76 and 59 yards on the night. Immediately after, Fournette's next two rushes went for minus-2 and no gain and he finished the drive with 10 carries for 251 yards.
Broussard set the mark at 250 yards in 2004 against the Rebels.
It was the fifth 200-yard game of Fournette's career, breaking a tie with Kevin Faulk for the most such games in LSU history.
The record-breaking night for Fournette capped off a return to the field for the Tigers after he missed the last two games with an ankle injury.
Fournette picked up his 16th career 100-yard rushing game, fourth all-time at LSU.


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Guns for Beginners
Facts About Guns
The Truth About Guns
Home Contest Gun Review: SIG SAUER P226 TACOPS
Gun Review
Gun Review: SIG SAUER P226 TACOPS
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(This is a reader-submitted review as part of our gun review contest. See details here.)
By Michael Perry
This won't be one of those stuffy historical or scientific reviews. I'm not here to gloat, brag, or convince you of anything. I'm not going to compare the SIG SAUER P226 TACOPS to a GLOCK G17 because the two don't compare. That's a Red Sox – Yankees comparison. Since you're here anyway, let's talk about the merits and drawbacks of a TACOPS model to any of the other P226 choices available, and some SIG siblings. My opinions here have been formed after about 2000 rounds of various ammo through the TACOPS, and uncountable sums through other models.
Before finding SIG SAUER, I had owned several 1911s, a Beretta 92FS, some .22 pistol I learned to shoot on as a kid, and I had fired dozens of others. I had professional instruction on an M9 after shooting the 92FS as a teenager as well. My first ever purchase was a Springfield XD-45. I've owned a GLOCK G19 Gen3, several Walther PPK/s models, an FN FNP-9, and probably a few others I can't recall. So accuse away that I'm a SIG SAUER fan. I just so happen to find SIG works well for me. When I stray from the brand, it's usually for good cause.
Since my TACOPS is a 9mm, it came with four 20-round magazines. It has a false 'magwell' made of extended handguards. The front sight is TRUGLO TFO instead of a SIGLITE. I grew to hate that.
It has a beavertail and front cocking serrations, both of which I'm grateful to have. It seems like it's got the best of the options unless you want the E2, piranha G10, or some hardwood grips. Maybe you didn't want a beavertail but still craved those front cocking serrations. Maybe you had to have that UID and anchor engraving with an extra fancy anti-corrosion finish because you live near the coast. Maybe SAO is your deal.
Whatever, there's a P226 that fits your fancy. And you can pretty much endlessly customize your chosen model. That's just one awesome aspect about the P226 platform. The TACOPS was my choice. But would I choose it again?
I bought my TACOPS as a 30th birthday present to myself in 2014. I had been overseas with OEF for just about four years. A month after settling back to life in the states again, I found it laying on a gun show table in Houston for a cool $1000 (with some negotiation). It was love at first sight.
This would be a purchase I could justify for home defense, a bugout bag gun, and as a beautiful antique to be buried with when it's my time. Sure, maybe it's heirloom quality, but it's mine. Fifty years from now it'll still have that classic look, but the technology will be 'classic' by contemporary standards too. Maybe in those 48 years to come I'll find a holster for it too.
Speaking of classic, did I mention it has a classic look? There are a few oddities though, but they're the type you learn to love instead of finding fault. I have no qualms with the fit and finish. It's flawless in those respects. The manual of arms is as intuitive as any, and my preferred operation. I could fieldstrip and reassemble it blindfolded after minimal exposure. And I have. You can too, give it a shot. It sure cleans up nice. Like any SIG, it likes to run wet. Best of all you can dress it up with an unending line of aftermarket gadgets if you want. I keep a surefire X300 on mine. You know, because rails.
Wow, all of that sounds great! SIGn me up for one (or 3 police trade in GLOCKs for that price)! Not so fast. If you're considering a P226, I really encourage you to test fire a few models before you commit to a TACOPS. The grips feel chunky and cheesy. They're grippy but they're no G10s by any measure. Sure you can buy extended magwell G10 grips from Hogue, or you can buy a P226 Extreme and some 20 round mags. Or maybe you have self-diagnosed "small hand syndrome" and you just HAVE to have E2 grips. What a dilemma… If I had my way, they'd ship these with Pirhana G10 'magwell' grips instead of these plastic toy-like things.
The TRUGLO front sight is meh, and that's being polite. I really prefer a SIGLITE, or even Trijicon. One reviewer (link: https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2016/07/daniel-zimmerman/gun-review-SIG-SAUER-p220-sao-elite-10mm-jwts-truck-gun-series/) claimed the TRUGLO "screams on night vision", but since I don't have NVGs just laying around, it doesn't fit that purpose for me. Yeah I can find it at night, but to my eye, a traditional night sight is more appropriate. So maybe I bought the wrong model? Probably not, because the TRUGLO on my, now departed, P238 Equinox was equally as unimpressive and it died within 1 year. (Side note, SIG replaced it for free, but I had them put a SIGLITE on it instead. More on the TRUGLO below.)
The 20 round magazines are both cool and cumbersome. I'm glad I have them loaded with Hornady Critical Duty 9mm +P in hopes I never need them. They stick out a little more than flush mags but unless you're Ser Gregor Clegane, your hands won't get any extra purchase off the extensions. As the weakest part of the gun, these magazines have been flawless. I've never experienced a single failure with them. That said, I've actually never experienced a single failure to fire with this pistol to date.
This is not a gun for concealed carry. I've read that people have carried them concealed (links: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/03/foghorn/gun-review-SIG-SAUER-p226/ & http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/10/matt-in-fl/gun-review-SIG-SAUER-p226-elite-sao/). A snarky troll may point out that the P226 is concealable because the Navy hides their model on SEALs every day. ("NU UH, they use GLOCK 19s now!"… shut up). For us civies though, the microgun has been all the rage for six years now. The concealed carry option closest to this manual of arms, accuracy, reliability, and general sexiness is the P239. For me, they shoot about the same. The TACOPS offers 20 rounds mags, and can take smaller. The P239 can launch 8+1 or 10+1. That's a true trade off. But the trigger and manual of arms are nearly identical. Yep, some government agencies conceal P229s. You're welcome to try. You'll come to want the P239 after a while. I promise. That's probably why the P239 is deSIGnated as an alternate duty weapon to some agencies.
To me, the DA/SA SRT is a little squishy. In either setting it feels like it has a long, but smooth travel like a Kahr, but not quite as buttery. I wish it was more crisp like my Wilson Combat 1911 CQB Tactical LE, or the Geissele in my mall ninja DD M4A1, but with practice you get used to it. Compared with a GLOCK or Springfield XD, you don't get that "wall". If you overcompensate you'll push right through the trigger's arc of travel and you'll have some outliers on your target. With 20 rounds per magazine, you run the risk of psyching yourself up if you notice an error and then suddenly your magazine is empty. It can get EXPENSIVE. Instead of wasting ammo and range time, get snapcaps and dryfire the hell out of it till you figure it out. The same goes for practicing your draw. The slide is a little longer than you'd expect. It's fantastically balanced though, and it has a very intuitive point of aim. Find what works for you.
For the DA/SA complainers out there, my advice to you is VERY simple. Try it. You have a decocking lever in easy reach of either thumb. Every time you go to the range, one warmup magazine should be shot exclusively on DA. Then transition on the next magazine to a series of DA to SA follow up shots in alternating succession. Practice all you want on SA because that's how most of your shots will be over the lifetime of your gun. A real word of caution on DA: Practice with it or risk life, limb, or lawsuit over a possibly miss in a use of force scenario. That is a part of the commitment you make when considering a DA/SA manual of arms and a SIGnificant reason behind my recommendation to test fire the P226 before purchase. You may not have that extra split second to roll the hammer back to SA in the real world.
Practice Practice Practice
Despite any recommendations, there are always those few who gripe… "DA can be tough on your hands". Thank god Nick Irving (of Reaper33 fame) recommended using a grip strengthener (link: http://loadoutroom.com/8074/improving-pistol-skills/) to improve your grip, aim, and trigger pull. This inconspicuous gadget can be used anywhere. I've had one on my desk at work since 2011. It's also great if you have a boxer's fracture (guilty as charged) or for general grip strength. For less than $15 bucks (link: https://www.amazon.com/Gripmaster-Exerciser-XX-Heavy-Tension-13-Pound/dp/B00KH3L7KC/), you can really improve yourself on and off the range.
For the sake of consistency with TTAG's reviews, I shot 20 rounds at TTAG's prescribed target at 20 feet. Before showing how bad of a shot I am, it's worth noting that the P226 TACOPS is capable of accuracy that my skill cannot (yet) match. In the hands of a true professional, this is a capable personal safety device. The target below was fired at in under one minute from an unexaggerated modern isosceles stance. No bench rest or aids were used. I had one buffer lane on either side of me at the time. Two lanes to my left, some guy was doing magdumps with his 30 caliber ghost clips using a spooky black assault rifle model 15 (AR-15); which we all know was clearly deSIGned as a weapon of war. /SarcasmOff. Two lanes to my right was an older fellow with a large caliber revolver. Dianne Feinstein would have been in cardiac arrest. I, however, am rather used to the ambient noise and overpressure, as annoying as it is.
Submitted for public criticism and general internet shaming:
Guess which one was the first shot on DA?
I didn't bother to get out the calipers because the shots speak for themselves. It's not the single hole I can produce with 16 rounds from a P239 (below), but this grouping of 20 rounds of American Eagle 115gr at 20 feet indicates supreme accuracy. I could foresee the 10 ring gone with this gun in the hands of a professional using match grade ammo.
P239 vs P238
Range Report
The P226 TACOPS is supposed to be combat tough. After taking this gun to the range to review and putting another 80 rounds through it, the TRUGLO TFO pipe came loose. The major drawback on this gun, as far as I can tell, isn't the trigger or the hokey handles, but the sights.
I've barely used this gun. It's only got about 2000 rounds through it, a lot of rest on my nightstand, and a few cross Texas and cross country trips padded in a go-bag. I have zero confidence in the TRUGLO front sight whatsoever and I would NEVER trust my family's safety to it, nor would I consider a TRUGLO sight as my optic of choice in a SHTF scenario. But hey, maybe if you've got NVG's and you want screaming sights, then the TFO is your thing.
Loose pipe and surefire X300
It wouldn't travel all the way back in, it stopped here.
To the exalted credit of SIG SAUER's customer service team, Chris took care of me within minutes of my initial email. I can't say enough about that. SIG's CS team is a shining example of how customer service should be handled. For the cost of shipping, they're replacing my front sight with a SIGLITE at my request. Xrays would have been $160 to cover the cost of the hardware. Should I have had to send my slide back to SIG after 2 years and 2000 rounds because of a faulty deSIGn? Probably not. Does it degrade my trust in SIG?
The answer there is a resounding no. SIG trusted a 3rd party vendor and clearly tested the product before marketing it. I took the chance that it would last. It's an error on both our parts, but they stood by their warranty and they're taking care of it. If anything, the customer service process makes me more confident in the product. SIGLITEs on my returned slide will make me even more confident.
Given my inventory, some of which I've included throughout the review, I'd still turn to my P226 TACOPS in a pinch. With modern 9mm self-defense rounds, 4 20 round magazines, SIGLITES, and an inherent accuracy above my skills, I think my initial bug out gun thoughts are validated. Is it my favorite? No. Is it the best? That's debatable. Is it worth $1000+ ($1329 MSRP)? No.
With a few more upgrades this would be a $1000 gun. If you have to have one, look for a used model if they ever creep out on the market. Do your research though. Do you want your front Sight to pop out in a defensive situation? Maybe you absolutely have to upgrade to G10 grips but you still lust after that engraved anchor… Damn those pesky options.
If I had to do it again, I'd have compared the 1911 TACOPS to the P226 TACOPS. Either way I would have waited to find a model in 357SIG.
Specifications: SIG SAUER P226 TACOPS
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Barrel: 4.4″
Overall: 8.2″
Weight w/Mag: 34.0 oz.
Capacity: 20/10 (factory)
MSRP: $1329
Ratings: (out of five stars)
Accuracy: * * * * *
It can produce tighter groups than my current skill level.
Ergonomics (Handling): * * *
Plastic-y fake magwell. Plastic-y clunky grips. Protruding extended magazines. Trigger may be a little long to reach if you have smaller hands. Fit and finish is beyond question though.
Ergonomics (Firing): * * * *
There are better triggers. There are alternative manuals of arms. Compared to the holy grail custom SAO 1911, it's a 4 out of 5. This is a gun that will take some practice to master. It is achievable with the proper determination.
Reliability: * * * *
The P226 TACOPS is an enviable handgun with a flawed front sight. I knocked a star off because the shooter sort of needs to see what they're pointing at. It's one of those rules that some three-letter group reminds us about all the time. I heard about it on South Park or something.
Customization: * * * *
You can go as ninja as you want with this. The aftermarket options are almost endless. I knocked a star off because the rails don't fit everything perfectly and your choice of accessories might strain your search for a perfect holster.
Overall: * * * *
With the right sights, I'd use this as the last line of defense for my family and myself or as my only grab-and-go pistol in a real world disaster scenario. You might ask, you'd trust your life to something you gave only four stars? Yes. I don't expect perfection. Perfection is for safe queens and Austrian marketing. This is a tool and a safety device, not a toy.
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Anonymous August 29, 2016 At 11:17
Tactical Ops! Tacops! Operationally operational for tactical operations!
Tactical!
tdiinva (now in Wisconsin} August 29, 2016 At 11:51
That's what I was thinking although i will cut Mr. Perry some slack since he was an operator operating operationally at one time. But let's face it, SIG knows there are a lot wannabes out there who buy anything called tactical,
Agreed. My psychotic conniption was completely not aimed at Mr. Perry, but at SIG for actually selling a gun with "TACOPS" in the name. I just thought it was comical and I couldn't help myself.
Brian Clark August 29, 2016 At 17:49
Do you even Operate Bro ?
jwm August 29, 2016 At 11:25
Colt. Sig. H&K. All over priced, relying on fanbois to make their money. See how well that's going for colt.
Having said that, I would take a p239in a heartbeat. But I don't think they're still sold in CA. And a glock 19 works just as well for a couple of hundred less.
See, that's the biggest thing about glock. Not the perfection, it doesn't exist. But the fact is you can get a murphy proof, or near enough, pistol that will do what is needed for a blue collar price tag.
Glock proved that a reliable, user friendly gun that just plain works doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.
I think Ol' Doc Murphy loves Glocks because he can find all sorts of ways to make the user screw up. Murphy acts on humans as well machines.
Hoth August 29, 2016 At 13:55
My thoughts as well. And in this case it could indeed "cost you a leg".
PPGMD August 29, 2016 At 12:21
Overpriced based on what?
Metal framed guns like SIGs and Colts will be more expensive than polymer frame guns unless it is produced in the quantities that Beretta M9s are produced in (Beretta non-DOD contract guns are inline with SIG). Not only are the materials more expensive, but they require machine time that polymer guns don't. You will notice that SIG's polymer offering are inline with other polymer guns.
And the Hk US assembled guns are in line with their polymer counterparts. Only the German made guns with the exchange rate, proofing requirements, and more expensive European labor are more expensive than their polymer counter parts.
CarlosT August 29, 2016 At 14:36
So why are CZs nearly half the price? Labor in the Czech Republic isn't half the price as German labor. And I think you'll have a hard time convincing people that a Sig is twice the gun that a CZ is.
Except it isn't CZ aren't half the prices. A plain jane CZ 75 goes for around $550, a plain jane SIG can be had for $750.
Yes I might have a slight biased being sponsored by SIG, but the quality of the machining on SIG is much much better than an average CZ 75. Even my CZ Custom SP-01 has machining marks on parts and the slide that would be unacceptable for SIG. And if you look back on my past posts I've said as much long before I had a sponsor relationship with SIG.
Now if you start comparing apples to apples, CZ's premium pistols are also in the $1,000+ range.
Now don't take my criticism above as that I believe that they are bad guns. Just that there is a reason why they are able to make the pistols cheaper.
Scoutino August 30, 2016 At 06:34
Average pay in Czech Republic isn't half of average pay in Germany. It's about FOUR times less. Czech workers make 980 Euro a MONTH on average while Germans pull over 4,300 Euro.
RockOnHellChild August 29, 2016 At 16:23
Works for Harleys and Jeeps.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Glock 9mm is the base model, gasoline engine, 3/4 ton truck of the gun world.
Keith Mercer August 31, 2016 At 07:11
Please explain…
Vitsaus August 29, 2016 At 17:29
As an owner of SIGs, HKs, and formerly several Glocks, I can say that fanboyism has little to do with it. SIG and HKs shoot consistently better, have many more desirable features, better ergonomics, and are at least as reliable when exposed to realistic abuse/daily carry conditions as Glocks. While I could easily say that Colt is hanging their hat on a name, 1990's SIG Sauers, and any vintage of HK are hands down my most trusted pistols.
I purchased an HK45 for home defense that became my carry gun after a trip to the range. Hands down best pistol I have ever shot.
Steve August 29, 2016 At 11:28
Nice felony pic with the vertical grip…
Joe R. August 29, 2016 At 11:41
That's FWP – 'Fun With Photoshop', but thanks for keeping people legal.
Yep. That is correct. You would need your paperwork and tax stamp for that.
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/open-letter/all-ffls-may2006-open-letter-adding-vertical-fore-grip-handgun/download
ATF has long held that by installing a vertical fore grip on a handgun, the handgun is no longer
designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand.
Not that it is logical or makes any FXXXXXX sense at all. Everyone is trained to hold a pistol with two hands.
They got slapped down on a case. The judge didn't agree with their logic that putting a readily available part on a purchased gun was "manufacturing" or "remaking."
Good. More judges should.
To my knowledge, however, the ATF is still pursuing arrests/prosecution for these cases.
Jeremy in AL August 29, 2016 At 11:44
NorincoJay August 29, 2016 At 11:48
Yep, TTAG should have picked that up before posting.
MP August 29, 2016 At 13:02
Author here – and Joe R is right: its Fun with Photoshop. The knob is intentionally out of view and the pistol is its resting on a helmet because otherwise the whole thing would just fall apart. There actually wasn't a physical way to install it, it just doesn't fit. Glad to see TTAG readers are, as always, fully aware of all laws and regulations necessary for legal ownership.
The beavertail alone is worth the cost of admission. I wish more Sigs had them, hell, I wish more of all semi's had them, but you can really tell the difference between the TACOPS and other P226 configs.
I like the magwell grips except that, with anything other than the large-based magazines, if you have any slight hang-up of the mag on drop-attempt, you feel like (have the feeling like) you'll have to go at it with a fingernail.
I haven't had any sight problems, and [the one I lost in the fiery boat wreck] was in .40 S&W and I was taught to empty a few magazines before even trying to aim [NRA says you'll statistically waste the first 5 shots in a gun fight anyway, may as well lay down some covering fire for yourself while the adrenaline focuses your attention on the smell of your nose hair]. I did put a later gen STL-900 Sig light/laser on it and (admittedly) just forget about the sights. I could do a review just on the STL-900, it is a weapon in itself and really makes whatever firearm it's strapped to a more useful one.
I agree with the holster issue. Sig supplies one with the TACOPS, but it seems a bit ~ chunky? Paddle for it is nice but I never made it 'work'. Kydex is your friend, they even have nice soft liner stuff for it now.
You SHOULD HAVE NVG'S "just laying around", at least a Russian Gen 1 monocular set up with head rig, I've seen them go for $174, and it's worth it. Convince yourself, convince the kids, the wife, the dog, whoever. Just go get them. : )
DJ August 29, 2016 At 15:59
That's funny. I have a TACOPS and the beavertail is the only thing I don't like. Guess it's all about what you're used to. Other than that, I love it.
Hannibal August 30, 2016 At 00:02
I have one of those early gen Russian monoculars. It's not worth it.
Gilbert August 29, 2016 At 11:51
Have/carry the P226 Enhanced Elite
Love the beaver tail (it's why I bought it)
18 round Mec-Gar mags are nice.
Only change I made was to grips – E-2 way too small, so went with standard panel grips.
Thinking of changing front site to contrast rear tritium sites.
6,000 rounds + and never a problem.
Most rounds through gun without cleaning was 499 – still no problems whatsoever.
+1 for the Mec-Gar's I have them for my 226 and 229. Great mags.
waffensammler98 August 29, 2016 At 13:02
I read that way too fast and thought it said Sig P226 TACOS. I'll refrain from further comment, as I am a devoted Sig fanboy and would be unable to hide my bias.
jimmy james August 29, 2016 At 14:25
I finger fondled one of these for at least 30 minutes when they first came out. I came as close to buying it as I ever have anything that I ultimately didnt buy. The sight package in total (front and rear) is AWFUL. Really laughable when evaluating the rest of the gun which is almost AWESOME. This is a big beefy combat 9 that needs big beefy combat sights. A terrible miscue from Sig. The rear sight looks like it would fall off and break in 2 pieces if you sneezed on it real hard. Sig are you listening. Buy or make better sights and put on this gun. Then I will buy it.
Accur81 August 29, 2016 At 20:14
I really enjoy my 226 TacOps. I agree with most of the points. I did CC this pistol some, but it's a pain. I got a 229 Legion, and that thing is tough to conceal also. There's definitely some mush in the triggers.
One thing I'd definitely advise: use the TW25B lube on the lower slide rails. The upper is so much harder than the aluminum lower that frame wear can be accelerated at the contact points.
I'd love to have this as a duty gun, with the addition of a more robust front sight. I've got about 3,000 rounds through mine, and the sight is still doing fine. Yet it clearly is a weak point. If you'll pardon my saying so, my group are noticeably tighter at 7 or 10 yards with 124 grain HST or Federal AE 124 grain. I haven't tried the Critical Duty +P 9mm.
No pardons necessary. I don't practice with it enough. I focus more attention on my P239 than the P226. Despite the on-paper similarities, they're very different in the hand. My groupings above are shoddy by my own standards. I'm eager to take it out for another session now that SIG has replaced the front sight.
gargoil August 31, 2016 At 12:29
they are good products, but they are definitely over priced, some times. you just have to shop around and know what you are buying.
Joatmon September 3, 2016 At 22:24
I love mine. It had been sitting under the glass for 3 years so I got a smoking deal on it.
About the most accurate pistol I have. Grips don't bother me and I love the sights.
To each his / her own.
andre January 24, 2021 At 16:23
One thing erked me about this review which was you comments about how far you have to reach for a trigger pull.. i feel it was an attempt to knock the grips but with ignorance to the fact that the tacops has the SRT trigger, or short reset trigger, reducing the reach greatly. also you failed to mentioned the fact it has that trigger at all, which is kind of one of the biggest features of this whole model. these few things make it hard for me to take your word on any of this at all as it seems you were trying to knock the gun intentionally.
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The 2016 Nissan Versa sedan has long held the title of the cheapest brand new automotive in America, for a time even dropping underneath the $10k threshold in a bid to attract new prospects. Whether you need a car in London , Birmingham or Brighton, or your sights are set on Orlando , Sydney or Los Angeles , if you book car rent with TravelSupermarket you get to look wider, plan smarter and Travel Super. This means that you can drive a brand new automotive for a similar or less money than you might spend on a late mannequin used automobile. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage – When added to low-cost automotive insurance policies, this coverage helps pay for damages to your automobile brought on by an accident with an underinsured, uninsured or unidentified driver. Booking a rental car wherever on this planet couldn't be less complicated with Travelocity.
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The Damlataş Cave in Alanya is not only an impressive visual spectacle but also subject to a widespread belief that its distinct air is able to cure asthma. We take a look at the details of this peculiar cave as well as Alanya's other fascinating grotto, the Dim Cave.
Located west of the famous Alanya Castle (built in the 13th century under the Seljuq Sultanate), the entrance of the Damlataş Cave faces the Mediterranean Sea. Discovered by accident during the construction of the Alanya Harbor in 1948, the cave was first inspected by geologists before opening to the public as a tourist attraction. Damlataş (which translates to Dripping Stone) has two levels with a cylindrical cavity leading visitors to the lower section. The mysterious cave is full of stalactites, icicle shaped formations that hang down from the cave wall and are produced through the mineral precipitation as water drips down from the cave ceiling. The other formations are stalagmites, which are rounded or flattened mounds that grow upward due to the mineral deposits that have precipitated from the water dripping down onto the cave floor. These formations are believed to be thousands of years old, and with addition of artificial lighting, they take on a rather eerie disposition.
As for the air within the cave, there is a high percentage of carbon dioxide (around 10 to 15 times more than the air outside) with 95% humidity and a constant temperature of around 22 to 23 degrees no matter what the season. Since its discovery, the cave has come to be known as an asthma cure due to the special conditions of the air within. People have come to believe that Damlataş is able to cure asthma and other respiratory diseases and in 2014 the Alanya municipality calculated that, within seven months, more than 4,000 people suffering from respiratory problems visited the cave with its purported healing powers. As such, officials have come up with a special program for asthma patients who arrive for a treatment that includes a stay of 21 days with four hours in the cave on a daily basis. Every day between 10am and 2pm the cave is open to visitors with respiratory illnesses only.
With around 3,000 caves discovered and studied all over Turkey, it's no surprise that Alanya has another attraction: the Dim Cave. The cave, which was formed through the erosion of landscapes underlain by limestone, is around 360 meters long with many stunning stalactite formations as well as a beautiful lake that is around 17 meters away from the entrance. Before the cave became a tourist attraction, some parts of it were used as shelter by local hunters and shepherds. It was only in 1986 that it was discovered and studied by speleologists (cave and karst feature scientists) and by 1996 it was opened to visitors as the first cave as a tourist attraction.


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Baahubali the conclusion which is a sequel to the blockbuster 2014 film Baahubali the beginning is all set for a grand release on 28th of April. The movie is getting dubbed and released in all major languages. While the movie is said to be simultaneously made in Tamil and Telugu it is being dubbed in Malayalam, Hindi and other major languages. The distribution rights of the Hindi version of the movie has been bagged by director Karan Johar under his Dharma Productions banner.


1989: The first compressed natural gas (CNG) bus is unveiled by Southern California Rapid Transit District.
Twenty-five of the buses go into service in mid-July.
More information can be found in the August, 1995 issue of Running Times, the Metro Bus and Metro Rail Operations employee news magazine.


text:
Home Technology Farming for Tomorrow 4 useful phone apps and technology for herd management
4 useful phone apps and technology for herd management
By Gerhard Uys
The latest herd management apps and associated technology can make a livestock farmer's life considerably easier. Amongst other features, these digital marvels monitor cow health, reduce paperwork, provide accurate record-keeping, and even warn when a cow is about to calf. All this means more than just greater convenience; it ensures improved productivity and cow health.
The non-invasive sensor is attached to the tail. Photo: Supplied by Moocall
Email22
HerdWatch app
The HerdWatch phone app enables a user to manage the full breeding cycle and keep track of heat checks, inseminations and gestation scanning. According to the company, the 5 000 producers who make use of its technology have, on average, a 26-day shorter calving interval than other farmers.
The app can be used across multiple devices, and is currently being configured so that data can be sent to Breedplan. Among its many functions, the app can record cattle weights and calculate the average daily gain of an animal after multiple weighing.
It can also work out withdrawal periods from medication, record feed purchase dates, and provide reports on feeding. All reports can be printed. After initial download, the app does not require an Internet connection.
Some of the tools are solely for overseas users (such as updates sent to Irish breeding federations), but with most data relevant to any farm, it is an app that could also work in South Africa.
Price: about R1 800/year.
For more information, visit herdwatch.ie.
Moocall calving sensor and app
This non-invasive, tail-mounted sensor (pic above) can accurately predict when a cow is most likely to give birth by measuring tail movement patterns triggered by labour contractions.
When the movements reach a certain level of intensity over a period, the sensor sends an SMS alert to a pre-programmed cellphone number. The alert is usually sent an hour before calving starts, helping to ensure safer calving.
The sensor works under all weather conditions, and even in areas where cellphone coverage is poor.
According to Moocall, one sensor per 30 cows is enough for producers who have breeding seasons that result in mass calving over four to six weeks. Producers whose cows calve all year round need one sensor for every 80 cows.
The sensor is mounted opposite the vulva on the tail, and Moocall advises producers to place it two to three days before calving is expected.
Price: about R4 700.
For more information, visit moocall.com.
Cow Call calving monitor
The Cow Call from Farmofy, a new Ireland-based technology company specialising in innovative technical solutions, alerts the farmer when calving begins.
The sensor is small, compact and temperature-sensitive, and is inserted into the cow's vagina up to 14 days prior to the projected calving date. Insertion takes only 15 seconds, and the device is activated by the press of a button. It is connected to a base station installed at a key location on the farm.
Cow Call will alert up to five cellphones the moment when the calving process begins. When a cow's membranes rupture, the device is pushed out. As soon as the sensor detects external light, it sends a message to the base station, where the data is analysed. The device will shut down 20 seconds after being expelled.
Detecting the rupturing of membranes allows the farmer to assess the situation and allow nature to take its course or intervene if necessary.
Inserts can be washed, sterilised and reused for up to two years.
The company claims that the Cow Call will increase productivity, reduce the rate of calving difficulties and mortality, and result in increased profitability.
For more information, visit cowcall.com.
MooMonitor+ wireless sensor
MooMonitor+ is a wireless sensor on a collar that allows a farmer to detect individual cows coming on heat and potential health problems. It monitors the animal daily, and the data gathered can be viewed on an app on a cellphone, tablet or PC.
The device uses movement generated by rumination and time spent resting as indicators of health. Rumination tells the farmer how the cow is feeling, while adequate resting times indicate good health. If a cow spends more time lying than normal or less time ruminating, an alert is transmitted.
The battery lasts up to 10 years, and the MooMonitor+ system is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. With a range of 1km (line-of-sight), it enables the majority of a farm's herd to be monitored from a single point.
The system sends back data on each cow every 15 minutes. These short feedback intervals provide more information about the onset of a cow coming on heat, which allows for more timely insemination.
Costs: one base station, including mounting bracket: R53 000; collars: R1 344 each.
For more information, visit moomonitor.dairymaster.com.
At time of publishing prices are correct.
Gerhard Uys


text:
Senior Executive Pathways: Part I
Blake Scates April 25, 2018
I am always amazed when I hear of those employees being honored in my work unit for 20, 30 even 40+ years of service. These individuals have left a lasting impression on their agency and very big shoes for millennials and generation-y feds to fill. This also means that there will be more Senior Executive Service (SES) vacancies and Senior Level (SL) equivalent positions available and a need to fill mission critical support positions throughout the federal government.
Many of us have set our sights on helping to bridge that gap, with lofty goals of serving in the elite corps of senior executives. We are self-described change agents or agents for change, myself included. I knew when I first began my federal career in January 2010 that I wanted to join this elite corps of executives to inspire innovation, promote dialogue and connect with others like me wanting to make government better. We're aspiring leaders in our own right, whether it's leading a small team on the agency home front or steering a larger scale interagency initiative. For SES consideration, every career step counts.
I'm a big believer that if you want to achieve something you can absolutely make it happen. Dreams don't have to be dreams, but you can make them your reality. That's my motto. On my desk I have a printed copy of OPM's Guide to Senior Executive Qualifications (somewhat coffee stained) that I look at each and every day. It may sound a bit juvenile, but that little pamphlet is my inspiration and hope for getting there. It's always there waiting to meet me when I come in to the office each morning.
The reality, of course, is that there's a lot more work to do first before you or I can compete for that SES vacancy on USAJOBS. In a recent interview with Suzanne Logan, Director, OPM's Federal Executive Institute, I found out more about the SES program and qualifications that I wanted to share with my readers who desire a similar career path. Suzanne and I explored the SES program in depth, unpacking many of the key ingredients that lead to a successful career appointment. This post is part one of a two-part series on senior executive pathways.
What is the Federal Executive Institute and what services does it provide?
The Office of Personnel Management's Federal Executive Institute (FEI) is an executive and management development center for senior governmental leaders located on a 14-acre (57,000 m2) campus near the center of Charlottesville, Virginia, less than a mile from University of Virginia. Founded in 1968 and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018, FEI offers learning and ongoing leadership development for senior leaders at its Charlottesville, Virginia campus, and at agency sites throughout the U.S. and the world. FEI improves the performance of government agencies by working with federal executives who are exceptional leaders, understand their constitutional role, possess a broad corporate view and take pride in serving the American people. In addition to custom programs, FEI's core programs include the following: The Lab at OPM, International Leadership Development Programs, SES Leading EDGE (Senior Executives Delivering Government Excellence), and Leadership for a Democratic Society, the flagship program for GS-15/SES.
How would you describe the Senior Executive Service?
The Senior Executive Service (SES) is an executive personnel system created by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 to "ensure that the executive management of the government of the United States is responsive to the needs, policies and goals of the nation and is otherwise of the highest quality." Members of the SES are federal executives who serve in key agency positions just below the top Presidential appointees. SES members are the major link between these appointees and the rest of the federal workforce. They oversee and operate nearly every government activity in approximately 75 federal agencies. At any one time, approximately 7,000 SES employees occupy SES positions across the U.S. government with most being career SES. Individuals are selected for SES positions for their leadership qualities as defined by OPM's Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).
There are also several other executive personnel systems which are substantially equivalent in rank and pay to the SES such as senior-level executive positions and senior professional and technical executive positions. Some federal agencies have SES equivalent executive personnel systems.
According to OPM, there is an official SES certification process. Tell us what that's like.
For the purpose of this conversation, I will speak only to the career Senior Executive Service. This is a two-step process. Agencies first hold a merit-based competition for each career SES position. Agencies establish an Executive Resources Board (ERB) to oversee and participate in the merit staffing process. The ERB recommends best qualified candidates to the Agency's selecting official. Once the appointing authority chooses and certifies the candidate, the agency submits the candidate's application package to an OPM-administered Qualifications Review Board (QRB). The QRB review and certification is the last critical step in the SES selection process. The QRBs are OPM-administered independent boards consisting of senior executive service members who assess the Executive Core Qualifications of SES candidates. All SES candidates must have their executive qualifications certified by an independent QRB before being appointed as career members of the SES. QRBs certify that an SES candidate possesses broad leadership skills.
Once the QRB certifies the agency-level selection, this allows for the appointment of the SES candidate. For details, visit the Senior Executive Service Selection Process webpage.
There are many benefits of joining the SES ranks, but what would you say are some of the drawbacks?
I would not cite anything as a drawback, but there are aspects of the SES responsibilities some may find difficult or frustrating. The most significant aspect is sometimes referred to as "life in the fishbowl." Those in SES positions are very visible as strategic leaders in the federal government. Actions or decisions of an SES are open for evaluation and criticism. Working effectively with the political leadership of the government (regardless of party) can also be challenging. Finally, the complexities and challenges of modern governance often mean leading across traditional organizational and institutional boundaries.
What should a resume with Senior Executive Service potentially look like?
An SES resume must demonstrate mastery of technical and executive core qualifications for the advertised position. OPM published a Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications, which includes guidance on writing executive qualifications statements with specific examples. It also covers what the QRB is reviewing to validate its decision.
I've heard of career development programs (CDPs). How would participating in one of those help prepare me for a career in the SES?
SES Candidate Development Programs or CDPs are one succession management tool agencies may use to identify and prepare aspiring senior executive leaders to meet their organizational missions. An SESCDP is designed to further develop SES candidates' competencies in each of the ECQs. Agencies generally design their SESCDPs to provide candidates with government-wide leadership challenges, various developmental opportunities, interaction with senior-level employees and senior executives, and mentorship.
Graduates of SESCDPs, who are certified by OPM's Qualifications Review Board, may receive an initial career SES appointment without further competition. Note that completion of an SESCDP nor QRB certification does not guarantee placement in the SES, and SESCDP participation is not required for selection into the Senior Executive Service. For details, visit the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Programs webpage.
My thanks and gratitude go out to Suzanne Logan, OPM's Office of Human Resources Solutions, and OPM's Office of Communications for their contributions to this article.
Check out next week's post for a continuation of my conversation with Suzanne Logan, Director, OPM's Federal Executive Institute!
For more reading on Senior Executive Service, check out these articles:
Senior Executive Service GovLoop Posts
Blake Scates is part of the GovLoop Featured Contributor program, where we feature articles by government voices from all across the country (and world!). To see more Featured Contributor posts, click here.
Tags: Business of Government, career, development, Featured Contributor, FEI, leadership, management, opm, SES, Suzanne Logan, training
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Virtual Summit: The Intersection of Management and Technology
Nicole Blake Johnson April 30th, 2018
Very informative interview. Thanks for sharing, Blake!