(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Michael Chambers lives with his foster mom Patti Jiordano in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Due to the lack of services for children with autism, a small number of families are turning their children, like Chambers, over to the child welfare system each year desperate for the services they can get in state custody.
Asperger?s syndrome ? Child says his foster mother is ?the one that brought me back home.?
For some autistic children in state custody, leaving their parents means finding a new home with a foster family.
"The thing that made me come here is I almost burned the house down," 12-year-old Michael Chambers said recently, sitting in his foster home in Eagle Mountain.
He was upset that he couldn?t watch TV and lit a paper airplane on fire, not thinking about the consequences. Then he tried to stomp it out and threw it in a closet, where it burned out.
"I was so mad I was not focusing on what I was doing," he recalled.
But it was far more than that one incident, said his mom, Melissia Chambers. He choked his younger brother, hit his older sister and hid things from his parents, even stealing from them. They couldn?t control him.
"We told him that Mommy and Daddy and his brother and sister, we loved him, but we needed a break from his behavior," she said. "We needed to know that he was safe and we were safe."
A 2008 stay at the University Neuropsychiatric Institute ? the first of his three visits ? led to his diagnosis with Asperger?s syndrome. His family turned him over to state custody in 2010.
His foster mom, Patti Jiordano, 61, said she has not let Michael dwell on the diagnosis during his more than two years in foster care.
"I tell him he?s a nice little boy who thinks a little different," she said. "He has to learn to think right ? I don?t let him use it as an excuse." He receives both weekly counseling and medication, which his family couldn?t afford.
Michael credits Jiordano for much of his growth, whether it?s learning not to slam doors or practicing how to stay calm with deep breathing.
story continues below
After Michael moved into her house, she taught herself everything she could about autism by talking with friends who are teachers, and reading books and the Internet. Through trial and error, she figured out what worked for Michael.
The skittish kid who showed up at her house, unable to make eye contact, can now show a stranger a composition book filled with his drawings of superheroes.
"I?ll remember Patti all my life," he said. "She?s the one that brought me back home."
Michael wants to live with his family again but acknowledges he?s gotten used to his new life. His mother hopes to see them reunited by the end of the year.
The Chambers have learned techniques from Jiordano and family therapy that they hope will help Michael succeed at home.
"It was the hardest decision that we ever had to make," his mother said, "but I know now without a shadow of a doubt it was the best decision we ever made."
Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A mysterious seed fern, Lepidopteris, discovered from the Upper Permian of ChinaPublic release date: 30-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Zhang Yi zhangyihzlmh@synu.edu.cn Science in China Press
Recently, a mysterious seed fern, Lepidopteris baodensis sp. nov., dating to more than 251 million years ago (Ma), was discovered at the Baijiagou of Baode, Shanxi, China, from the Upper Permian Sunjiagou Formation. This discovery completely changed the understanding of the stratigraphic distribution of the genus Lepidopteris in China and promoted the taxonomic study of late Paleozoic plants.
Since Schimper erected the genus Lepidopteris in 1869, its epidermal structure of subepidermal swellings (formerly called "blisters") had long been an unsolved mystery. Excitingly, we found subepidermal swellings not only on the lower surfaces of the ultimate rachis and midrib, but also on the lower surfaces of secondary veins. In addition, the unique epidermal structures of subepidermal swellings on the ultimate rachis, midrib and secondary veins were revealed. The epidermis of a subepidermal swelling on an ultimate rachis was composed of ordinary epidermal cells and stomatal apparatuses forming longitudinal rows and numerous groups. The epidermal cells and stomatal apparatuses in each group were set in a concentric pattern. The epidermis of a subepidermal swelling on the midrib was also composed of ordinary epidermal cells and stomatal apparatuses that formed only 3? groups, and were set in a concentric pattern. The epidermis of a subepidermal swelling on a secondary vein was composed of ordinary epidermal cells and stomatal apparatuses, forming a concentric pattern. Because, unlike the lower surface, the upper surface lacked subepidermal swellings, the difference in epidermal structures between the upper and lower surfaces is remarkable. This situation is very rare in plants.
This research was carried out by Dr. Zhang Yi, Associate Professor at the College of Paleontology, Shenyang Normal University, Mr. Zheng Shaolin, Adjunct Professor at the College of Paleontology, Shenyang Normal University, and Dr. Naugolnykh, Professor at the Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences. This article was published as a cover article on Chinese Science Bulletin (Chinese Edition) 2012, 57(24) and Chinese Science Bulletin (English Edition) 2012, 57(27).
In 2004, the noted paleontologists and biostratigraphers Rong Jiayu (Academician Professor of NIGPAS) and Fang Zongjie (Professor of NIGPAS) pointed out in the book "Mass Extinction and Recovery" that the Earth experienced a mass extinction and recovery between the Late Permian and the Triassic, traced back to 260 Ma. The climate became extremely hot and arid at the end of the Permian. The mass extinction, which was the largest in Earth's history, destroyed most terrestrial and marine ecosystems. On land, coal-forming floras, represented by Lepidodendron and Cordaites, went extinct. The Euramerican, Cathaysian, Gondwanan and Angaran floras disappeared, and a new flora, represented by Pleuromeia, flourished after the disaster. The recovery of coal-forming floras on a large scale did not begin until the Late Triassic.
Although the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of the Earth experienced their largest mass extinction in the Late Permian, the seed fern Lepidopteris became an important element of remnant vegetation and persisted through the Triassic. Thus, the study of Lepidopteris plays a very important role in understanding this mass extinction and recovery.
Which adaptations allowed Lepidopteris to survive the harsh environment? The authors believe its persistence was probably related to the subepidermal swellings, which were special tissues unique to Lepidopteris. Based on analysis of the cuticle, the lower surfaces of the ultimate rachis, midrib and secondary veins, which are related to conducting tissues, were covered with subepidermal swellings. These subepidermal swellings were probably small water storage features that absorbed water during high flows in conducting tissues and released it during low flows, like an irrigation system. In this way, Lepidopteris, a seed fern that originally needed much water to live, probably survived the hot and arid environment. Of course, subepidermal swellings are likely to have had other functions as well.
Although Lepidopteris was a typical element of the Late Permian Euramerican flora, the species L. ottonis was considered to be an index fossil for the Upper Triassic in China. As a result, the stratigraphic distribution of this very important genus in the Upper Permian of China was long neglected. The new species L. baodensis not only expands our knowledge of the biology and taxonomy of Lepidopteris and the stratigraphy of the Upper Permian of China, but also provides an opportunity to understand the relationship between Euramerican and Cathaysian floras in a paleoclimatic, paleoenvironmental and paleogeographic context.
The experimental works were accomplished in the newly established laboratory of the College of Paleontology, Shenyang Normal University, Liaoning Province, China. Specimens are housed at the College of Paleontology, Shenyang Normal University. The Baijiagou of Baode, Shanxi, China, the locality where Lepidopteris baodensis was discovered, has become an area of intense research for Chinese and foreign geologists.
###
This study was supported by the Project 111 of China (B06008), the Scientific Research Operating Expenses, Jilin University Base Platform Construction Project, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40972001), and RFBR No. 11-05-92692-Ind_a.
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
A mysterious seed fern, Lepidopteris, discovered from the Upper Permian of ChinaPublic release date: 30-Sep-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Zhang Yi zhangyihzlmh@synu.edu.cn Science in China Press
Recently, a mysterious seed fern, Lepidopteris baodensis sp. nov., dating to more than 251 million years ago (Ma), was discovered at the Baijiagou of Baode, Shanxi, China, from the Upper Permian Sunjiagou Formation. This discovery completely changed the understanding of the stratigraphic distribution of the genus Lepidopteris in China and promoted the taxonomic study of late Paleozoic plants.
Since Schimper erected the genus Lepidopteris in 1869, its epidermal structure of subepidermal swellings (formerly called "blisters") had long been an unsolved mystery. Excitingly, we found subepidermal swellings not only on the lower surfaces of the ultimate rachis and midrib, but also on the lower surfaces of secondary veins. In addition, the unique epidermal structures of subepidermal swellings on the ultimate rachis, midrib and secondary veins were revealed. The epidermis of a subepidermal swelling on an ultimate rachis was composed of ordinary epidermal cells and stomatal apparatuses forming longitudinal rows and numerous groups. The epidermal cells and stomatal apparatuses in each group were set in a concentric pattern. The epidermis of a subepidermal swelling on the midrib was also composed of ordinary epidermal cells and stomatal apparatuses that formed only 3? groups, and were set in a concentric pattern. The epidermis of a subepidermal swelling on a secondary vein was composed of ordinary epidermal cells and stomatal apparatuses, forming a concentric pattern. Because, unlike the lower surface, the upper surface lacked subepidermal swellings, the difference in epidermal structures between the upper and lower surfaces is remarkable. This situation is very rare in plants.
This research was carried out by Dr. Zhang Yi, Associate Professor at the College of Paleontology, Shenyang Normal University, Mr. Zheng Shaolin, Adjunct Professor at the College of Paleontology, Shenyang Normal University, and Dr. Naugolnykh, Professor at the Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences. This article was published as a cover article on Chinese Science Bulletin (Chinese Edition) 2012, 57(24) and Chinese Science Bulletin (English Edition) 2012, 57(27).
In 2004, the noted paleontologists and biostratigraphers Rong Jiayu (Academician Professor of NIGPAS) and Fang Zongjie (Professor of NIGPAS) pointed out in the book "Mass Extinction and Recovery" that the Earth experienced a mass extinction and recovery between the Late Permian and the Triassic, traced back to 260 Ma. The climate became extremely hot and arid at the end of the Permian. The mass extinction, which was the largest in Earth's history, destroyed most terrestrial and marine ecosystems. On land, coal-forming floras, represented by Lepidodendron and Cordaites, went extinct. The Euramerican, Cathaysian, Gondwanan and Angaran floras disappeared, and a new flora, represented by Pleuromeia, flourished after the disaster. The recovery of coal-forming floras on a large scale did not begin until the Late Triassic.
Although the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of the Earth experienced their largest mass extinction in the Late Permian, the seed fern Lepidopteris became an important element of remnant vegetation and persisted through the Triassic. Thus, the study of Lepidopteris plays a very important role in understanding this mass extinction and recovery.
Which adaptations allowed Lepidopteris to survive the harsh environment? The authors believe its persistence was probably related to the subepidermal swellings, which were special tissues unique to Lepidopteris. Based on analysis of the cuticle, the lower surfaces of the ultimate rachis, midrib and secondary veins, which are related to conducting tissues, were covered with subepidermal swellings. These subepidermal swellings were probably small water storage features that absorbed water during high flows in conducting tissues and released it during low flows, like an irrigation system. In this way, Lepidopteris, a seed fern that originally needed much water to live, probably survived the hot and arid environment. Of course, subepidermal swellings are likely to have had other functions as well.
Although Lepidopteris was a typical element of the Late Permian Euramerican flora, the species L. ottonis was considered to be an index fossil for the Upper Triassic in China. As a result, the stratigraphic distribution of this very important genus in the Upper Permian of China was long neglected. The new species L. baodensis not only expands our knowledge of the biology and taxonomy of Lepidopteris and the stratigraphy of the Upper Permian of China, but also provides an opportunity to understand the relationship between Euramerican and Cathaysian floras in a paleoclimatic, paleoenvironmental and paleogeographic context.
The experimental works were accomplished in the newly established laboratory of the College of Paleontology, Shenyang Normal University, Liaoning Province, China. Specimens are housed at the College of Paleontology, Shenyang Normal University. The Baijiagou of Baode, Shanxi, China, the locality where Lepidopteris baodensis was discovered, has become an area of intense research for Chinese and foreign geologists.
###
This study was supported by the Project 111 of China (B06008), the Scientific Research Operating Expenses, Jilin University Base Platform Construction Project, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40972001), and RFBR No. 11-05-92692-Ind_a.
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
The residence of Alexis Scocozza at 7 Meetinghouse Hill Circle is seen in New Fairfield, Conn., Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Scocozza's brother and next door neighbor, Jeffery Giuliano, fatally shot a masked teenager in self-defense during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning, then discovered that he had killed his son, state police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The residence of Alexis Scocozza at 7 Meetinghouse Hill Circle is seen in New Fairfield, Conn., Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Scocozza's brother and next door neighbor, Jeffery Giuliano, fatally shot a masked teenager in self-defense during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning, then discovered that he had killed his son, state police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Visitors arrive at the home of Jeffrey Giuliano in New Fairfield, Conn., Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Giuliano fatally shot a masked teenager in self-defense during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning, then discovered that he had killed his son, Tyler, state police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
The home of Jeffrey Giuliano is scene here in New Fairfield, Conn., Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Giuliano fatally shot a masked teenager in self-defense during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning, then discovered that he had killed his son, state police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Students leave New Fairfield High School where in New Fairfield, Conn., Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. Tyler Giuliano, a student involved in Civil Air Patrol at the school was killed by his father Jeffrey Giuliano during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning. Giuliano fatally shot a masked teenager in self-defense, then discovered that he had killed his son, state police said. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
A blue tent protects the scene of a fatal shooting in New Fairfield, Conn., Thursday, Sept, 27, 2012. Police say Jeffrey Giuliano shot a masked teenager in self-defense during what appeared to be an attempted burglary early Thursday morning, then discovered that he had killed his son, Tyler. (AP Photo/The News-Times, Carol Kaliff) MANDATORY CREDIT
NEW FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) ? Tyler Giuliano had no trouble with the law. The teenager loved flying small planes as a Civil Air Patrol cadet and seemed happy as he played an online game with friends Wednesday night. But hours later, authorities say, Tyler was outside wearing a black ski mask and wielding a knife when he was shot by his father, who thought he was a prowler.
No immediate charges were brought against Jeffrey Giuliano, a popular fifth-grade teacher, in the slaying of 15-year-old Tyler, who was gunned down in his aunt's driveway next door to his own home in New Fairfield around 1 a.m. Thursday.
"It's something out of a Hollywood script," said John Hodge, the first selectman, or top elected official, in the town of nearly 14,000 people about 50 miles from New York City. He said he couldn't recall another killing in his eight years on the job.
State police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said the boy had never been in trouble with the law, and some of those who knew him described him as a good kid with an easygoing personality. Investigators and acquaintances said they were at a loss to explain what he was doing outside dressed all in black and carrying a weapon.
"Certainly, that is the major question we are trying to answer at this point," Vance said.
State police said the shooting happened after Jeffrey Giuliano got a call from his sister next door saying that someone might be trying to break into her home in their neighborhood of attractive colonial-style houses. Giuliano grabbed a handgun and went outside to investigate, troopers said.
He confronted someone in a ski mask and opened fire when the person came at him with something shiny in his hand, police said.
When police officers arrived, Tyler was lying dead in the driveway with a knife in his hand, and his father, in a T-shirt and shorts, was sitting on the grass. Detectives informed the elder Giuliano several hours later that he had shot his son, Vance said.
"All in all, it's a tragedy," Vance said.
Police were investigating whether the father's gun was registered.
No one answered the door at Giuliano's home or his sister's.
Tyler was a student at New Fairfield High School and a Civil Air Patrol cadet. Some of those who knew him said he enjoyed spending time with his family and flying gliders and small planes. He was adopted by Giuliano and his wife a few years ago, friends said.
One classmate said many students were baffled by what happened.
"I just thought it was so weird when I heard because I knew Tyler, not very well, but he was just a sweet person and he always made everyone laugh. I met him in the chorus room, actually, and he just wasn't the type to do what happened," said Erin Pallas, 16. "So it didn't make sense to us. It doesn't make sense to the student body."
Brett Rasile, a 14-year-old friend, said he and Tyler were playing an online game called Minecraft while talking and laughing together via Skype until about 10 p.m. Wednesday, when Tyler said he had to go to bed. Brett said Tyler wasn't in any trouble that he knew of, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
"Same old Tyler. He was perfectly fine," Brett said. "He didn't really leave any evidence, any hints towards what he would do."
Alicia Roy, New Fairfield superintendent of schools, said the elder Giuliano grew up in the town, holds summer music and zoology camps for his students and plays guitar in a local rock band that raises money for charity. He is affectionately known as "Mr. G" around Meeting House Hill School.
"He was the teacher you requested in the fifth grade. He was a great teacher. All the kids loved him," said Rosemary Rasile, Brett's mother.
Brian Wyckoff, 17, said Mr. G "was always walking around with a smile on his face. He always says hi to everyone."
The high school stayed open late to provide grief counseling for students and parents.
"The community is deeply saddened, and our hearts go out to all the family members," Roy said.
___
Associated Press reporter Dan Sewell reported from Cincinnati. Pat Eaton-Robb and Stephen Singer reported from Hartford, Conn. AP video journalist Ted Shaffrey also contributed to this story.
The University of Western Sydney?s newly-formed Institute for Culture and Society (which incorporates the Centre for Cultural Research) invites applications for PhD Scholarships by the deadline of Oct. 22, 2012.
About the Project The ICS (Institute for Culture & Society) encourages theoretically-directed empirical research on the transformations in culture and society in the global era. The Institute is home to a number of internationally renowned scholars, contributing to the University of Western Sydney receiving the highest ranking for research quality?well above world standard?in Cultural Studies (Excellence in Research for Australia 2010).
Headed by Director, Distinguished Professor Ien Ang, and Research Director, Professor Tony Bennett, the ICS is especially interested in projects in the following areas:
? Cities and Urban Cultures ? Intercultural Dialogue and Transnational Culture ? Institutions, Governance and Citizenship ? Cultural Economy and Globalisation ? Heritage, Environment and Society ? Digital Research and Cultural Transformation ? Australian Cultural Fields ? Culture and Education
Candidates with backgrounds in cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, human geography, cultural history, media and communication studies, Asian studies and other disciplines are encouraged to apply. International applications are welcome.
Essential Criteria
? Good Bachelor Honours degree (Class 1 or 2.1), or equivalent qualifications and/or experience ? Research or professional experience in a relevant field of humanities or social science
What does the scholarship provide? Tax-free stipend of AUD33,728 per annum (with an increase for 2013) and a funded place in the doctoral degree.
Need more information? ? To discuss a project please contact Associate Professor Gregory Noble: g.noble(at)uws.edu.au ? Contact the Research Scholarships Development Officer, Ms Tracy Mills to discuss enrolment and scholarships: t.mills(at)uws.edu.au ? Find out more about the research being undertaken in ICS at http://www.uws.edu.au/ics
How to apply ? Submit an application form, research proposal and CV by the closing date. The application form can be downloaded from the web: www.uws.edu.au/research/scholarships
She'll knock you out with the cute. Boom. Flat on your butt.
Okay, so I?m a tad bit late in getting a project finished. Shocking I know with the amount of crafting, cooking/baking, and DIY?ing that I do. Pinterest, for example, is a fantastical place to be inspired and get ideas for all of the aforementioned.
Except at the rate that I (and all others it would seem) am ?pinning,? the reality of making all of those Pins happen? Doing all those projects? Not happening. I would much rather waste my time in the dark recesses of video editing; cutting and snipping and gathering and knitting together a fabric of show-stopping magnificence.When I say ?show-stopping magnificence,? this is not to be attributed with my mad video editing skillz. Not in the least! I?m referring, rather, to the little?people?that I have born. The ones who my make my everyday a huge event. It?s in their company that I want to savour every moment in the present and capture enough memories to savour when I?m old and grey. To share with them and their children in the years to come. To share with their friends, g-rents, extended family all other adoring fans who aren?t lucky enough to savour the everyday.
It?s important to build up all of the gooey, golden moments and treasure them like the huge shining beams of awesome that they are. It?s what helps us (me anyways), get through the less than savoury moments of which there are a plenty.?I?ve posted the video on my personal blog today. This was a project that I had meant to publish in honour of Abby?s 1st birthday. So while I may be a couple of months late, who?s really counting??Surely, not she.
Selena is a crafty, culinary mom. Creative Director. Social Media & Branding Consultant. Regular writer on?Disney Baby. Part-time big-mouth & frequent foot-eater. Proud of her?Anishinaabe?roots.
Elsewhere on the internets?
Via my humble?beginnings, mastering in general mayhem:?le petit r?ve Of guilty pleasures, geekery and badassery: on the?Twitters Connect to my hand-made personna on:?Facebook Join me in my?Pinterest?or?Instagram?addictions
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) ? What first appeared to be an isolated problem in one Florida county has now spread statewide, with election officials in nine counties informing prosecutors or state election officials about questionable voter registration forms filled out on behalf of the Republican Party of Florida.
State Republican officials already have fired the vendor it had hired to register voters, and took the additional step of filing an election fraud complaint against the company, Strategic Allied Consulting, with state officials. That complaint was handed over Friday to state law-enforcement authorities.
A spokesman for Florida's GOP said the matter was being treated seriously.
"We are doing what we can to find out how broad the scope is," said Brian Burgess, the spokesman.
Florida is the battleground state where past election problems led to the chaotic recount that followed the 2000 presidential election.
The Florida Democratic Party called on the state to "revoke" the ability of state Republicans to continue to register voters while the investigation continues. Oct. 9 is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 6 presidential election.
"It is clear that the Republican Party of Florida does not have the institutional controls in place to be trusted as a third-party, voter registration organization," said Scott Arceneaux, executive director of the Florida Democratic Party.
The Republican Party of Florida has paid Strategic Allied Consulting more than $1.3 million, and the Republican National Committee used the group for work in Nevada, North Carolina, Colorado and Virginia.
The company said earlier this week that it was cooperating with elections officials in Florida. It said the suspect forms were turned in by one person, who has been fired.
"Strategic has a zero-tolerance policy for breaking the law," Fred Petti, a company attorney, said Thursday.
An email request to the company seeking additional comment, following the company's instructions, was not immediately returned Friday.
In Florida, it is a third-degree felony to "willfully submit" any false voter registration information, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
In recent years, Florida's Republican-controlled Legislature ? citing suspicious voter registration forms turned in by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN ? has cracked down on groups holding voter registration drives.
The League of Women Voters filed a federal lawsuit against some of the restrictions and Florida agreed earlier this month to drop a new requirement to turn in registration applications within 48 hours after they are signed. The state has reinstated a 10-day deadline.
The questionable forms tied to the Republican Party have showed up in South Florida, including Miami-Dade, as well as counties in southwest and northeast Florida as well as the Florida Panhandle.
Election officials in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties on Thursday handed over more than 100 suspect forms to local prosecutors. They did so days after officials in Palm Beach County also alerted prosecutors.
Ann Bodenstein, the elections supervisor for Santa Rosa County, said her staff started raising questions after an employee saw a form that changed the home address of a neighbor.
Paul Lux, election supervisor for Okaloosa County, said questionable forms in the Florida Panhandle appear to have all come from Strategic's effort based at the local Republican Party headquarters. He said his office has turned up dozens of suspect forms.
Lux said there have been forms that listed dead people and were either incomplete or illegible. He met with local prosecutors on Friday, but added that his staff was still going through hundreds of forms dropped off by Strategic employees.
Lux, who is a Republican, said he warned local party officials earlier this month when he first learned the company was paying people to register voters.
"I told them 'This is not going to end well,'" Lux said.
But Lux added that he did not blame the Republican Party of Florida.
"I can't place the blame on RPOF if they hired a firm and that firm wasn't following the rules they were given to follow," Lux said.
The state party filed the complaint against Strategic Allied Consulting with state election officials, who late Friday handed the case over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
An FDLE spokeswoman said the agency would not automatically open a criminal investigation, but would review to see if there were "possible criminal acts."
___
Follow Gary Fineout on Twitter: http://twitter.com/fineout
Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA and Alexandra Williams, MA
Ever heard of adaptogens and what they do? We recently caught wind of them, so asked longtime Fun and Fit supporter and herb expert, Sara Beth Watson of Kroeger Herb Products (aka Hanna?s Herbs) to fill us in. Her reply was so helpful we asked her to share it with you in a guest post. Can you sense her excitement? (Read to the end to to enter a giveaway).
Guest post by Sara Beth Watson
Ah, herbs. You?re so cool, especially adaptogens, which offer so many benefits. Clearly I?m excited to talk about these little bad boys in capsules so let?s just get adapt-tastic, shall we?
Adaptogenic herbs have been used for thousands of years worldwide and are only now really gaining momentum in the west as we begin to accept herbs as medicine and not just as flavoring. Schizandra, Ginseng, Licorice Root, and Rhodiola are examples of adaptogens. Each adaptogenic herb is unique to a specific organ or bodily function. And each performs under the umbrella of boosting the immune system.
Getting to the (Licorice) Root of what Adaptogens Can Do For You
When we?re learning to deal with things, we?re adapting to them, which is what adaptogens help us to do really. As our bodies adapt to our surroundings, we become less sick, fatigued, and stressed. And that?s just the bare bones of what these amazing herbs can do. Overall, adaptogens are subtle rejuvenators. If you are trying to improve your sleep, alertness, mental acuity, or resistance to illness, for example, these herbs will help. We are not always talking dramatic change, but a general uplift. (I?m not sure if you can tell but I?m really trying to calm down as I am typing this because, legitimately, I?m in love with adaptogenic remedies).
Rhodiola is specific to brain and mood health. People who suffer from depression, other mood disorders, or memory loss can look to improve their conditions with this natural remedy. When our company decided to introduce Rhodiola and began formulating our capsules, I bought some from another company to test the effects. After a month I found myself writing and thinking more clearly.
Schizandra is a Chinese berry that has been useful in addressing sexual dysfunction and liver health, mostly in women, though great improvements for Erectile Dysfunction have also been noted in men. Over a year ago when Hanna?s Herbs introduced Schizandra I thought, ?what the hey,? and took that to see how I felt. I?m already an energetic, happy gal but I?m here to tell you?I felt like a million bucks.
Yup, you get the scoop here on adaptogen herbs!
Adaptogens can work well for everyone, but the positive effects can become less noticeable over time. Say you decide to take Schizandra because you?re feeling fatigued. After a month you?ll see and feel the difference but after about 3 months the effects won?t be as noticeable. That?s the time to switch to another adaptogen and enjoy the benefits it can provide.
Quite a bit of skepticism surrounds adaptogenic herbs, mostly because of tricky marketers trying to make these herbs seem like a cure-all or a wonder drug. They?re not. You will not experience a miraculous event from taking adaptogens. But people who suffer from mood disorders, depression, sleep disorders, fatigue, social anxiety, sexual dysfunction, or memory loss should notice an evening out or lessening of symptoms. Even fun and fit, happy, adorable, outgoing, brilliant women can benefit from adaptogens!
Ok? I?ll make myself stop there. Hopefully I?ve gotten you interested with this brain dump. I?ve included a link to ?Adaptogens?You Never Knew You Could Feel THIS Good? if you want to learn more. Or email me with your questions, as I love answering them (as you probably could tell). sarabeth@kroegerherb.com
Bio: Sara Beth Watson has been part of the herbal world as Marketing and Social Media Director for Kroeger Herb Products./ Hanna?s Herbs. When she?s not researching natural wellness you can find her watching college football, being a vegetarian foodie, or enjoying the Rocky Mountains with friends.
Hanna?s Herbs has been gracious enough to offer 5 bottles of the Anti-Fatigue tablets to five of you! Just tweet out this message: I want to win a free bottle of Anti-Fatigue tablets from @HannasHerbShop via @AlexandraFunFit & @KymberlyFunFit, then leave the tweet url in the comments below. We?ll randomly select five winners on Friday, Sep. 28th. If you want to check out the Anti-Fatigue tablets, click on the ad in the right sidebar.
Do you have an agreeable, adaptable outlook? Heck, even if you don?t, boom chicka keystroke click on our links and subscribe to?our YouTube channeland our?blog. Follow us on Twitter:?KymberlyFunFit?and?AlexandraFunFit. Please also follow us on Instagram: KymberlyFunFit and AlexandraFunFit. Or click on the icons in the right sidebar ???>
About Fun and Fit
We bring accessible, accurate, achievable advice to people seeking a healthier life through exercise. We have taught, written, edited, presented, spoken, mentored, and lived fitness for almost 30 years, and want to share our knowledge and love with you! Little steps turn into big paths. Move a little more than the day before.
The founder of a national antihunger organization has been charged with bilking the charity of more than half a million dollars and is expected to plead guilty in the coming days, according to The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky.
Prosecutors allege Hugh Vanderbilt ?Stan? Curtis stole $183,354 directly from Louisville-based USA Harvest, cashing donor checks or depositing them in his own bank account, and charged the organization for more than $370,000 in personal expenses.
The 63-year-old stockbroker founded USA Harvest in 1989 and has received numerous national honors for philanthropy, including a President?s Volunteer Action Award presented in 1987 by President Clinton. The charity collects leftover items from restaurants, hotels, and stores to feed the hungry and says it has distributed more than 457 billion pounds of food.
Mr. Curtis faces federal charges of mail fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns. His lawyer, Scott C. Cox, said, ?I expect the case to be resolved quickly with the government.?
Visit with Mario Martinoli from Mario?s Cooking for Friends,? the fondly remembered Beverly Boulevard Italian restaurant, caf?, deli and gathering spot in Hollywood. Mario is a professional chef with over thirty years of hands-on experience which has taken him some very interesting and unexpected places!
Robby Benson joins Flashback With Carey Fisher. Robby is an accomplished actor, singer, director and author. He will be discussing his book "I'm Not Dead...Yet!" and what he was told by the publishing industry that made him decided to go the independent route!
Part two: The Scarlet Woman; Jet Noir Interview. Jet has a haunting and powerful voice and is an amazing instrumentalist, having studied guitar, violin and piano. Jet Noir's musical style is very eclectic and popular in the Goth scene.
Enjoy this dramatic thirty-minute suspense and mystery series, The Clock, written by Lawrence Klee. The Clock was first broadcast in November 1946. The story always began the same; ?Sunrise and sunset, promise and fulfillment, birth and death.
Toni Gibson joins Kenneth Hieber LIVE from New Zealand tonight. Toni will be talking about her upcoming new album and her passion for the Classical-Crossover genre of music.
Melissa Bel is an up and coming Indie artist with a soulful voice that is rich and deep like that of a seasoned veteran. She has been compared to Janis Joplin and Joss Stone, she has amassed a huge throng of fans from all over the world. Tune to hear about her new album.
Jammin Jukebox Radio welcomes Nathin Butler! Nathin, who plays Dr. Ewen Keenan on General Hospital, will be talking about his band "The Sugar" and discussing their newest self-titled release, tour dates and a little General Hospital too.
Actress and Fashionista LisaRaye McCoy stops by to chat with Olivia Wilder about her hit VH1 show, "Single Ladies," and her role as "Keisha," plus her many entrepreneurial endeavors.
IFBB Pro Bodybuilder and Mr. Olympia competitor Mark Alvisi speaks about his career, his new product line- Pro Sports Nutrition & his journey to date as he reaches for the Olympia title
E GEMZ Radio welcomes X Factor contestants Willie Jones, Panda Ross, Jeff Gutt and Julia Bullock! They will be speaking about their life, music, and their X Factor experiences. Fan calls will be taken during the interview.
Visit with Samsung Global Blogger Armando Pizzutigot his first big job in the 2006 Italian blockbuster movie "Notte Prima DegliEsami (The Night Before The Exams), and its sequel the following year, Notte Prima DegliEsami OGGI (The Night Before The Exams TODAY).
Contemporary author Christine Nolfi stops by Best Ever You to talk about her third book, Second Chance Grill.
Worried about that upcoming meeting or conversation? Collaboration Soup co-author Delia Horwitz explains why effective collaboration is as simple to accomplish as making soup on the Conversation Crossroad radio program.
Current Cleveland Browns Running Back Chris Ogbonnaya will be joining Weigh In Sports for an in depth interview on his career playing for coach Mack Brown and the Texas Longhorns and also his current season with the Cleveland Browns.
ScienceDaily (Sep. 25, 2012) ? Biologists at New York University have uncovered one way that biological clocks control neuronal activity -- a discovery that sheds new light on sleep-wake cycles and offers potential new directions for research into therapies to address sleep disorders and jetlag.
"The findings answer a significant question -- how biological clocks drive the activity of clock neurons, which, in turn, regulate behavioral rhythms," explained Justin Blau, an associate professor in NYU's Department of Biology and the study's senior author.
Their findings appear in the Journal of Biological Rhythms.
Scientists have known that our biological clocks control neuronal activity. But not previously understood is how this process occurs -- that is, how does information from biological clocks drive rhythms in the electrical activity of pacemaker neurons that, in turn, drives daily rhythms?
To understand this mechanism, the researchers examined the biological, or circadian, clocks of Drosophila fruit flies, which are commonly used for research in this area. Earlier studies of "clock genes" in fruit flies allowed the identification of similarly functioning genes in humans.
In their study, the researchers focused on eight master pacemaker neurons located in the central brain -- these neurons set the timing of the daily transitions between sleep and wake in the fly. Specifically, they were able to isolate these neurons from animals and identify sets of genes differentially expressed between dawn and dusk.
In a series of follow-up experiments, they concentrated on one gene, Ir, whose expression was found to be much higher at dusk than at dawn and much more highly expressed in pacemaker neurons than in the rest of the brain. Ir encodes a potassium channel that helps set the resting state of neurons -- and so its rhythmic expression makes it an excellent candidate to help link the biological clock to pacemaker neuron activity. High levels of Ir expression at dusk should make it much harder for pacemaker neurons to signal than the low levels seen at dawn, a finding that fits with earlier studies showing that pacemaker neurons fire more at dawn than at dusk.
The authors also found that genetic manipulations that either increase or decrease Ir levels affect behavioral rhythms. Perhaps more interestingly, these were also associated with changes in the timing and strength of oscillations in the core clock.
"Biology is never as simple as we imagine it will be," explained Blau. "We were looking for an output of the biological clock that would link the core clock to neuronal activity. Ir seems to do this, but it also, remarkably, feeds back to regulate the core clock itself. Feedback loops seem to be deeply engrained into the biological clock and presumably help these clocks work so well."
The study's other co-authors were: Marc Ruben, a doctoral candidate; Mark Drapeau, a former postdoctoral researcher; and Dogukan Mizrak, a doctoral candidate. The study was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by New York University.
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Journal Reference:
Marc Ruben, Mark D. Drapeau, Dogukan Mizrak, and Justin Blau. A Mechanism for Circadian Control of Pacemaker Neuron Excitability. Journal of Biological Rhythms, 2012; 27: 353-364 DOI: 10.1177/0748730412455918
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
Since being launched in the U.K. last year, second-screen TV app Zeebox* has gradually been making its way to other geographies. About a month ago, I reported that Zeebox would be coming to the U.S. market with investment from Comcast, and today that's finally happening. The Zeebox companion TV app is now available to iOS and Android users in the U.S., and it's launching with strategic investment not just from Comcast, but also from NBC Universal.
When it comes to optimizing your local business for search, you know that directories play a significant role in building authority for a company. But we know you?re cooler than that. You want more from your local search optimization strategy. You want to get SOCIAL!!!
Why You Can?t Ignore Social Optimization
You can?t afford not to create a social media strategy for three reasons:
1. Reputation Management
As a rule, you should claim as many social media listings as you can now, so someone else can?t do it later. Even if you never make an update, controlling your business name on a social account will prevent someone posing as your brand.
Use Knowem or Namecheck to see what you might have available.
2. Search Engine Optimization
We?ve said this many times before, but Google and Bing both confirm that Twitter and Facebook influence SEO. So do Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and others.
When customers search for brand names, social profiles create more opportunities for clicks and traffic because they occupy valuable space on search engine results pages.
This is a personalized search result. If you?re logged into Google+, you may see something similar.
If you don?t create and optimize these profiles, you?re leaving referral traffic (and money) on the table.
3. Secondary Contact List
Social media fans are a valuable commodity. If you can make your brand interesting and create an active social media routine, you can foster an engaged audience that will willingly allow you to advertise to them FOR FREE.
Social Audience + Social Strategy = Referral Traffic/Assisted Conversions/More Money
Align Your Social Networks with Your Website Information
There?s a lot of information out there about optimizing each individual social network, but the main rule to follow is to never leave an information section blank. When filling out your profiles, you should focus on including the following information:
Try to use your official business name as it would appear in the phonebook. Also, don?t include keywords or city names, unless it?s a part of the official name.
This should be a local phone number. If you don?t see a spot to include your phone number, add it into your business description as a call-to-action.
When you add a link to your website, make sure you include the ?http://.? Most of the time, this will activate the link in a social network description.
Take any opportunity to include your complete address. Social networks like Facebook, Google+ and Foursquare provide map listings for business locations. If there isn?t enough room for your address, include your city, even if it?s in the profile description.
Link to other social networks
When possible, link to your other social accounts. For instance, certain social networks will have a field where you can enter your Twitter handle. Always make sure these fields are filled in if they are presented.
Where to Start Your Local Social Optimization Strategy
If you?re just getting started, I took the liberty of highlighting the location information in each of the most popular social networks. I recommend the average business owner create the following business accounts:
Facebook
Everyone has a Facebook personal account. Facebook Pages are different because they represent a company, organization or public figure. Most importantly, Facebook pages allow you to advertise your company on Facebook.
Google+ Business Pages
Just like Facebook, Google+ for Business is different than a Google+ personal profile. Google+ pages do not have advertising yet, but page listings do often appear as blended Google search results.
Google+ Local
If you created a Google Places account, you now have a Google+ Local account. It might be the most important local/social account because Google+ Local pages display Zagat reviews, which pits them head-to-head against Yelp.?Google is slowly integrating Google+ Local with Google+ Business pages, so keep a close eye on your business page over the next few months.
LinkedIn
This is the current LinkedIn Company Page, but keep an eye out for changes that should be rolling out soon.
Twitter
Twitter is a must for most businesses. At the very least, you can add your location and website to your bio.
Pinterest
For businesses, it?s simple to connect your Twitter account to your Pinterest profile. However, it currently isn?t possible to link a Pinterest account with a Facebook Page.
Foursquare
Here?s a look at the web-based version of Foursquare. This information will also show up in the mobile app.
You might have noticed we?ve been answering questions about local SEO this month. Do you have any questions about optimizing your social networks for local SEO? Post them in comments and we?ll answer them on October 2nd in our Local SEO Q&A blog post!
News has emerged that Kim Dotcom, notorious businessman and founder of MegaUpload.com, is reviving the service. Back in January the U.S. Department of Justice seized the domain names and sites over copyright infringement issues. According to reports, coding work for the new MegaUpload is nearly finished, servers have been ordered, and investors are lining up.
Dotcom has faced a series of legal issues since the initial seizure and arrest; however a recent development revealed that the prosecution in the case against Dotcom relied on what amounts to illegal government intelligence agency surveillance by the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB).
?I?m now a real life James Bond villain in a real life political copyright thriller scripted by Hollywood & the White House. I welcome the inquiry by [the Prime Minister] into unlawful acts by the GCSB. Please extend the inquiry to cover the entire Crown Law Mega case,?
New Zealand law prohibits such surveillance on its citizens and permanent residents. The matter is a significant threat to the case. With this failed prosecution about to be cashed in, Dotcom can essentially put that behind and operate once again. He also appears to be doubling down, adding:
?We are building a massive global network. All non-US hosters will be able to connect servers & bandwidth,?
Reported additional features include encrypted file transfers and other security measures.
Ever defiant and always willing to focus attention on himself , Dotcom is seldom at a loss for statements and has become sort of a folk hero to the pirate community. This new venture toes the line between hacktivist and capitalist, playing both roles in what is perhaps a winning strategy towards a quickly revived service. While the criminal case is ongoing, he has purportedly drummed up investors and partners in this and that marks some outside bets that the service will be a success in spite of the disintegrating legal troubles. The legalities may continue for some time, but with a significant part of the case in question, it appears that Dotcom will break free of existing charges. He has reported spent millions on legal counsel already. Dotcom also vehemently objects to the U.S. actions against his empire, placing square blame against President Obama and his administration.
The net effect of the MegaUpload.com seizure and prosecution has done little to stem the amount of internet piracy. There have always been alternatives for file sharing, and the truly determined find ways of getting this information out there. Recent events have taken down the bit torrent site Demonoid and arrested founding parties from The Pirate Bay. Neither action has slowed or stemmed the sharing of files significantly for very long. Dotcom no doubt sees this opportunity and is planning to step right in, and use this newfound notoriety to bring MegaUpload.com back with a vengeance.
Cloud. Security. Big Data. Analytics. Mobility. Navigating what these leading technologies mean to the enterprise. No compromise and no apologies- The latest in technology put in perspective and making sense of it. John Casaretto, author, consultant, architect and weightlifting addict has been with SiliconAngle since the beginning, and prior work with the founders of the site.
Copywriting Tips For A Fruitful Online Career | Writing and Speaking ? | beehieness.com
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Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has ordered all military branches to review policies and procedures in an effort to curb sexual assaults in basic training and to improve how officers and senior enlisted leaders are educated and respond to reported incidents.
The goal of the latest initiatives, Pentagon press secretary George Little said, is more uniform and comprehensive training across all armed forces.
"It is clear that the department must continue to do more to prevent sexual assault, especially in initial military training environments," Little said. "Our newest service members are the most vulnerable and most likely to experience a sexual assault."
Panetta directives, which come less than six months after the Pentagon revised how sexual assaults are reported, includes an assessment of how new recruits are trained, who trains them and oversight of instructors. In addition, the department intends to improve training for prospective commanders on sexual assault prevention and response.
Related: Air Force relieves training commander at Lackland over sex scandal
Last year, 3,192 sexual assault were reported across all branches of the military, though the Defense Department says the true number of incidents was closer to 19,000 because most sexual assaults go unreported.
The announcement comes after a number of reports on sexual assaults within the military.
Lackland Air Force Base trainers are under investigation for sexual assaults against 31 recruits. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski speaks with one victim from another case who said she was drugged and raped by a recruiter in Maine, but she felt powerless to fight back.
At Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, at least a dozen instructors were accused of sexually assaulting at least 31 recruits and 35 instructors have been removed from their posts during the investigation. The Lackland cases were considered in the latest initiatives, Little said.
?The Invisible War?,?? a documentary film released this summer, unveiled more chilling stories from service members who describe a pattern of assault, intimidation and retaliation, and a failure by the military to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes. The film is highly critical of the military, and in particular the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, which oversees Defense Department policy on sexual assaults.
The review of training will also assess the potential benefits of increasing the number of female instructors.
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"That review will assess initial training in several areas," Little said, "including the selection, training and oversight of instructors and leaders who directly supervise trainees and officer candidates; the ratio of instructors to students; and the ratio of leaders in the chain of command to instructors." It is to be completed by February 2012.
In April, Panetta ordered that sexual complaints be handled by higher ranked officers -- a colonel or officer of equal rank -- to improve accountability. In the past, a service member?s local unit commander would evaluate charges and decide whether to pursue disciplinary action.?
Service members who report a sexual assault also were given the option to quickly transfer from their unit or installation to get away from an alleged assailant.?
Greg Jacob, policy director for the Service Women's Action Network (SWAN), an advocacy group for women in the military, told NBC News that the latest Pentagon moves are a step in the right direction, but fall short of having unbiased lawyers determine whether sexual assault cases should be prosecuted.
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"We're really excited to see the secretary stepping out with leadership, saying 'OK I want to get a snapshot to see what's going in these schools'," Jacob said of the training review. "But as long as commanders are making those decisions you're never going to have completely unbiased dispositions coming out that command -- unless they kick it over to a criminal prosecutor."
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Public release date: 30-Sep-2012
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Ah, herbs. You?re so cool, especially adaptogens, which offer so many benefits. Clearly I?m excited to talk about these little bad boys in capsules so let?s just get adapt-tastic, shall we?
Since being launched in the U.K. last year, second-screen TV app 
News has emerged that Kim Dotcom, notorious businessman and founder of MegaUpload.com, is reviving the service. Back in January the U.S. Department of Justice seized the domain names and sites over copyright infringement issues. According to reports, coding work for the new MegaUpload is nearly finished, servers have been ordered, and investors are lining up.