Key test for re-healable concrete

30 October 2012 Last updated at 07:57 ET By Paul Rincon Science editor, BBC News website

Experimental concrete that patches up cracks by itself is to undergo outdoor testing.

The concrete contains limestone-producing bacteria, which are activated by corrosive rainwater working its way into the structure.

The new material could potentially increase the service life of the concrete - with considerable cost savings as a result.

The work is taking place at Delft Technical University, the Netherlands.

It is the brainchild of microbiologist Henk Jonkers and concrete technologist Eric Schlangen.

If all goes well, Dr Jonkers says they could start the process of commercialising the system in 2-3 years.

Concrete is the world's most widely used building material. But it is prone to cracks, which means that structures need to be substantially reinforced with steel.

"Micro-cracks" are an expected part of the hardening process and do not directly cause strength loss. Fractures with a width of about 0.2mm are allowed under norms used by the concrete industry.

But over time, water - along with aggressive chemicals in it - gets into these cracks and corrodes the concrete.

Longer life

"For durability reasons - in order to improve the service life of the construction - it is important to get these micro-cracks healed," Dr Jonkers told BBC News.

Bacterial spores and the nutrients they will need to feed on are added as granules into the concrete mix. But water is the missing ingredient required for the microbes to grow.

So the spores remain dormant until rainwater works its way into the cracks and activates them. The harmless bacteria - belonging to the Bacillus genus - then feed on the nutrients to produce limestone.

The bacterial food incorporated into the healing agent is calcium lactate - a component of milk. The microbes used in the granules are able to tolerate the highly alkaline environment of the concrete.

"In the lab we have been able to show healing of cracks with a width of 0.5mm - two to three times higher than the norms state," Dr Jonkers explained.

"Now we are upscaling. We have to produce the self-healing agent in huge quantities and we are starting to do outdoor tests, looking at different constructions, different types of concrete to see if this concept really works in practice."

The main challenge is to ensure the healing agent is robust enough to survive the mixing process. But, in order to do so, says Dr Jonkers, "we have to apply a coating to the particles, which is very expensive".

The team is currently trying to reduce the cost this adds to the process. But he expects an improved system to be ready in about six months.

The outdoor tests should begin after this; the team is already talking to several construction firms that could provide help.

The concrete will then have to be monitored for a minimum of two years to see how it behaves in this real-world setting.

"Then, if everybody's happy, we can think about trying to commercialise the product," said the TU Delft researcher.

Even if the healing agent adds 50% to the concrete cost, this makes up just 1-2% of the total construction cost. Maintenance is a much higher percentage of this total cost, so Dr Jonkers expects big savings through extending the concrete's service life.

Paul.Rincon-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20121303#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

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GM cuts European jobs, shares spike

This July 8, 2012 , photo shows the Chevrolet logo at an auto dealership in Springfield, Ill. A turnaround in South America and a rosier outlook in Europe helped push General Motors shares up Wednesday, July 31, 2012, even though the company's third-quarter net profit fell 14 percent. GM said it earned $1.48 billion from July through September, down from $1.73 billion a year earlier, as European pretax losses widened and North American profits fell. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

This July 8, 2012 , photo shows the Chevrolet logo at an auto dealership in Springfield, Ill. A turnaround in South America and a rosier outlook in Europe helped push General Motors shares up Wednesday, July 31, 2012, even though the company's third-quarter net profit fell 14 percent. GM said it earned $1.48 billion from July through September, down from $1.73 billion a year earlier, as European pretax losses widened and North American profits fell. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

This July 8, 2012 , photo shows the Chevrolet logo at an auto dealership in Springfield, Ill. A turnaround in South America and a rosier outlook in Europe helped push General Motors shares up Wednesday, July 31, 2012, even though the company's third-quarter net profit fell 14 percent. GM said it earned $1.48 billion from July through September, down from $1.73 billion a year earlier, as European pretax losses widened and North American profits fell. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

DETROIT (AP) ? Shares of General Motors surged Wednesday after the company announced big job cuts in Europe and reported third-quarter earnings that were far better than Wall Street expected.

The Detroit company said it has cut 2,300 jobs in Europe this year and wants to trim 300 more, part of a larger plan to reduce costs and raise revenue in the struggling region with new vehicles that are more appealing to buyers.

Despite the moves, General Motors Co.'s net profit fell 14 percent as European losses widened and North American earnings dropped due to falling pension income and higher warranty costs.

But investors looked past the decline because GM's earnings far exceeded expectations. GM's stock rose $2.12, or 9.1 percent, to $25.40 in afternoon trading.

The company rode North American profits, big improvements in South America and strong earnings in international areas outside of China to make $1.48 billion, or 89 cents per share for the quarter. That's down from $1.73 billion, or $1.03 per share, a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, the company made 93 cents per share, beating analysts' estimates by 33 cents.

Still, there are signs of trouble. Profit in North America, GM's most lucrative market, fell 17 percent from July through September. The company's U.S. market share dropped more than two percentage points to 17.6 percent, and its U.S. sales increase of 3.4 percent for the year lags overall market growth of 14.5 percent. In Europe, where GM hasn't made money in a dozen years, it lost $478 million before taxes. That's $186 million worse than a year earlier.

Yet GM said its third-quarter performance shows that steps it has taken to fix troubled business units are working. Four of the company's five units were profitable, with Europe the only exception. "It stems from our geographic diversity, strong brands and the financial rigor we are instilling in the business," Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson said.

Fourth-quarter pretax earnings should be about the same as last year's $1.1 billion, the company said.

In Europe, GM made rosier predictions than other automakers. The company expects to break even before taxes by the middle of the decade. Losses this year are expected to run from $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion, about double the figure from 2011. Next year, losses should be slightly less.

The job cuts, which have come mainly through voluntary departures and early retirements, are part of a plan to cut $300 million in costs this year and an additional $500 million from 2013 to 2015, said Vice Chairman Steve Girsky, who is leading the restructuring. More job cuts could be made in the future depending on sales.

GM also is cutting inventory and low-profit rental car sales in Europe, and it plans to eliminate a third shift now working at its Eisenach plant in Germany next year. It's also reviewing whether its transmission plant in Strasbourg, France, will stay open. It's negotiating the closure of its Bochum plant in Germany, and it plans to cut Opel Astra production from three plants to two.

But cost reductions, Girsky said, aren't the only way the company plans to fix Europe. It has changed leadership, bringing in outside executives and several from North America. The company plans 23 new models and 13 new engines by 2016 in an effort to raise sales, including the Opel Mokka small SUV and the Opel Adam small car due out later this year. GM has 45,000 orders for the Mokka, far more than it can fill this year, Girsky said.

Girsky said all of this is being done with no expectation for improvement in Europe's economy, which has been hit hard by government debt problems.

"We're developing a plan that is not highly dependent on (the) external environment dramatically improving over the next several years," he said.

In North America, GM's pretax profit fell 17 percent to $1.8 billion. But in South America, the company swung from a $44 million loss last year to a $114 million profit on the strength of new models. And GM's international operations, fueled mainly by areas outside of China, nearly doubled its pretax profits to $689 million.

GM also acknowledged that its third-quarter North American pretax profit margin of 7.8 percent was far below rival Ford Motor Co.'s 12 percent. GM plans to close the gap in part with higher revenues when new products, including pickup trucks, roll out. GM now has the oldest North American model lineup in the industry, but it plans to revamp 70 percent of its models in the next two years.

The company also said 12,600 ? about 30 percent ? of its U.S. salaried retirees took lump-sum payments instead of monthly pension checks. It also expects to close a deal next month to shift liability for its salaried pension plan to an annuity managed by The Prudential Insurance Co. The actions will cut GM's pension liability by $29 billion, $3 billion more than the original estimate of $26 billion, the company said.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-10-31-Earns-General%20Motors/id-384e2eb7da7d41f9baddbcbac42adec3

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Josh Koscheck, Nick Diaz?s camp hoping for a bout

Josh Koscheck's last fight was a loss in May to Johny Hendricks. An injury knocked him off UFC 151 before it was canceled. Now that he is healthy again, he is looking for an opponent. Luckily, Nick Diaz's camp made it easy for Koscheck to come up with someone.

Cesar is calling 4 me the fight Diaz in Feb. Super Bowl weekend! What you guy think? I am DOWN! Don't be scared Homie! #559 lol

? Josh Koscheck (@JoshKoscheck) October 29, 2012

UFC president Dana White said that when Diaz comes off suspension, he will need to win a fight before getting a chance at the belt. Diaz lost a tight decision to Carlos Condit for the interim welterweight belt, then was later suspended when his drug test was found positive for marijuana metabolites.

The suspension means a Super Bowl weekend fight is unlikely. Diaz's suspension ends on Feb. 3, the day after the Feb. 2 date of the event that is normally a huge event for the UFC. But even if it's not that weekend, this is an intriguing fight. The amount of trash talking alone will make it fun, as will watching Diaz try to handle Koscheck's wrestling skill.

Do you want to see this fight? Speak up in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/josh-koscheck-nick-diaz-camp-hoping-bout-141328465--mma.html

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How I got an iPhone 5 fast, no waiting in line

4 hrs.

Joel Johnson

Apple stores are getting new shipments of iPhone 5s almost every day. And there's a way you can get one without waiting in line.

When the iPhone 5 first came out, I decided to skip it and stick with my perfectly useful iPhone 4S. But when a family crisis made putting my sister on my family plan, I decided to give her the 4S and upgrade to the 5. Just one problem: every store in town was sold out, and an iPhone 5 that?I ordered online from Apple wouldn't ship for a projected three-?to four weeks.

Because I wanted to have my iPhone 5 in hand before traveling home to Kansas City in early November to help my sister get her farm readied for winter, I couldn't wait that long. After calling nearly every Radio Shack, Best Buy, AT&T store, and Apple store in the NYC metro area for days, I stumbled on a?way that let me buy online and waltz into an Apple store less than 24 hours later and walk out, iPhone 5 in hand.

High sales of the iPhone 5 (not to mention production problems?have yet to catch up demand. It's still taking Apple about a month to produce and ship an iPhone from China directly to a customer in the United States.

But Apple is also shipping out iPhone 5 units to Apple stores almost every day, most of which are snapped up by people waiting in line or picking up online orders.

That's right: picking up online orders.

The problem, of course, is that if you go to Apple.com right now and put an iPhone 5 in your cart, then select "In-Store Pick up" ??or "Personal Pickup," as Apple calls it?you'll see all the stores in area showing "Out of Stock."

But Apple updates their in-stock information each evening at 10. And if you time it right???and you're lucky and a little flexible about how far you're willing to travel to pick up your phone???you can snap up that stock in just a couple of minutes, leaving you with an email by the morning saying your phone is ready to be picked up.

Here's what you do:

1. ?Before 10 p.m., go through the process at Apple's online store?to add a new iPhone 5 to your account. Select your model, carrier, and plan, then make sure it's actually in your online shopping cart. (But don't check out yet.)

2. ?A few minutes before 10 p.m., open up your cart and switch the shipping toggle to "In-Store Pick-Up." A pop-up window will appear, allowing you to input your ZIP code. Go ahead and do that to see which Apple stores are in your area ??and which ones you consider too far away for travel.

3. ?Right at 10 p.m., start hitting the "Update" button in the pop-up window next to the form field where you put in your ZIP code. It might not update as quickly as it did before 10 p.m. (You're not the only one trying to snag an iPhone 5.) Keep hitting update periodically to refresh the stock information. Be sure to page through all the stores listed each time to check all the local stores; it won't automatically push a store that has iPhones in stock to the top. Obviously, the more stores you have in your area, the more chances you have of snagging a phone.

4. ?Once ??if???you've found a local store with the model you want in stock, select it and pay. Be patient. I started refreshing my search at 10 p.m., and had a unit show up around 10:07 p.m..

Congratulations. You should have an email from Apple in the morning telling you when your iPhone is ready for pickup.

A little flexibility in travel helps. (I rode my motorcycle 25 miles out of New York City to a New Jersey mall to get mine.) And there's no guarantee this will work, since you're competing with anyone else trying to do the same thing online. In fact, it took me two nights to figure out the best procedure. The first night Apple's website keep giving me errors, causing me to accidentally put more than one iPhone 5 in my shopping cart, which then caused *more* errors. I didn't realize my mistake until it was too late.

Even if you don't get one, you can always try again the next evening when new stock arrives. Even if it takes a day or three for luck to fall your way, it still beats waiting in line???or waiting three to four weeks.

Joel Johnson is a technology reporter in Brooklyn. He has decided he is okay with all mayonnaise, artisinal or otherwise.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/how-i-bought-iphone-5-under-24-hours-without-waiting-1C6709154

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A/C Repair Specialists

Air Conditioning Aurora CO If you need to install a updated heating or air conditioning system in your house, the most important things to think about are purchasing high quality products and trusted service. There are many brands of furnaces that all have various advantages and disadvantages. Depending on your home and location, your home temperature and utility bill can improve dramatically if you purchase the right furnace. Cooling systems are also very unique and it is essential to use a system that is the most effective. When you hire a heating and cooling professional, they will analyze your home and help pick the tools that best meets your needs. These specialists are also skilled in completing all varieties of heating and cooling repairs. Experience a large difference in your year-round comfort with quality heating and cooling specialists by your side. Home Efficiency Solutions

Source: http://www.seaykopitiam.com/ac-repair-specialists/

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Is the Internet Crashing Across America? (Update: Probably Not!)

Don't break out your shotgun, gas mask, and emergency rations, but make sure you know where they are: it looks like an enormous chunk of the Internet in North America is dead. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/NdMqaqOP9c0/is-the-internet-crashing-across-america

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With boost from Adelsons, Restore Our Future rakes in $20 million (Los Angeles Times)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/258317795?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Jelly Bean rolling out to Samsung Galaxy S III on Sprint beginning today

Sprint's the first US carrier to get the long-awaited Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S III. Featured as an OTA update, your device may start seeing it as early as today. Don't worry too much if this doesn't happen right away; experience has shown us that these large-scale OTA rollouts can be a lengthy process spanning the course of a couple weeks. Feel free to shout out in the comments if your device has already prompted you for the update. The press release is found below.

Continue reading Jelly Bean rolling out to Samsung Galaxy S III on Sprint beginning today

Jelly Bean rolling out to Samsung Galaxy S III on Sprint beginning today originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Sprint  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/sAjR9twVscE/

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Chemical makers fall on DuPont weak results

The shares of a number of chemical companies fell Tuesday after DuPont Co., one of the largest in the industry, reported disappointing third-quarter earnings and said it will cut 1,500 jobs.

DuPont reported that it made $10 million, or a penny per share, for the quarter versus $452 million, or 48 cents per share, a year ago. After adjusting for one-time items, it earned 44 cents per share. That fell short of the 46 cents per share that analysts expected.

DuPont cited a number of reasons for the weak quarter, including softer demand for a specialty chemical and an unstable solar products market. The company said it will cut jobs and take other cost-cutting measures to increase its competitiveness.

DuPont helped send the broader market into a major dive. The Dow Jones industrial average was down nearly 2 percent in afternoon trading.

DuPont shares fell $4.46, or 9 percent, to $45.30 in afternoon trading. That puts it at the low-end of the 52-week trading range of $43.06 to $53.98.

Dow Chemical Co.'s shares fell $1.07, or 3.6 percent, to $28.67. Huntsman Corp. shares fell nearly 7 percent, down $1.07 to $14.61. And Kronos Worldwide Inc. shares fell 61 cents, or 4.2 percent, to $13.91.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chemical-makers-fall-dupont-weak-results-175853426--finance.html

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Square launches in Canada, streamlines payments on the world stage

For all of Square's fast growth, it's been exclusively the domain of US shopkeeps; others had to scrounge for an alternative, if there was one at all. The payment pioneer clearly isn't content to isolate itself or anyone else, as it's making its international debut with support for Canada. Locals can immediately request the free Mobile Card Reader and swipe credit cards with an Android or iOS device at the same flat, 2.75 percent rate that more experimental American stores know very well. Complete equality isn't available to Canucks just yet, as Square Wallet won't be available until 2013, but the access remains a step forward for Canadian merchants that don't want to be tied down to a terminal any more than their southern neighbors.

Continue reading Square launches in Canada, streamlines payments on the world stage

Square launches in Canada, streamlines payments on the world stage originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch  |  Square  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/uln-SPBOB8A/

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Taliban leader says insider attacks will increase

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) ? Taliban insurgents will increase the number of insider attacks against coalition and Afghan forces, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 52 foreign troops so far this year, the movement's reclusive leader said Wednesday.

In an emailed statement congratulating Muslims as they prepare to celebrate the Eid al-Adha holiday, Mullah Mohammad Omar urged "every brave Afghan in the ranks of the foreign forces and their Afghan hirelings ... to strike them."

"Jihadist activities inside the circle of the state militias are the most effective stratagem. Its dimension will see further expansion, organization and efficiency," he said. "Increase your efforts to expand the area of infiltration in the ranks of the enemy."

Also Wednesday, NATO said in a statement that two of its soldiers died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan. It did not provide further details about the attack or the nationality of the victims.

The surge in insider attacks is throwing doubt on the capability of the Afghan security forces to take over from international troops ahead of a planned handover to the Afghans in 2014. It has further undermined public support for the 11-year war in NATO countries.

The attacks have not been limited to members of the NATO-led international coalition. More than 50 Afghan members of the government's security forces also have died this in attacks by their own colleagues.

The Taliban leader also claimed his fighters were winning the war and vowed to continue the struggle "against the invaders who have invaded our country until the occupation ends completely."

"We told the enemy 11 years ago that their coming (to the country) will be easy but their presence and exit will be full of complications," he said.

Omar also exhorted his fighters to "pay full attention to the prevention of civilian casualties," saying the enemy was trying to blame them on the insurgents.

Last week the United Nations called on the Taliban leadership to stop the use of homemade roadside bombs and mines. The Taliban say they use only remote-controlled roadside bombs which ? unlike the mines automatically activated by pressure-plates ? allow a bomber to choose the time of the blast and specifically target coalition troops and their Afghan allies.

But the world body says that insurgent-placed homemade bombs, also known as improvised explosive devices or IEDs, continue to be the deadliest weapon for civilians. IEDs killed 340 civilians and injured a further 599 over the past nine months, an increase of almost 30 per cent compared to the same period last year, the UN said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/taliban-leader-says-insider-attacks-increase-170535713.html

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Magic moments at the Luxembourg royal wedding

It was a weekend filled with fun and romance, spectacular gowns, and music and excitement as

married his sweetheart.

Countess Stephanie de Lanoy became Luxembourg's new princess as the tiny country took centre stage amidst the celebrations of the wedding of their heir to the throne.

Royals and dignitaries from across the globe gathered to see the couple plight their troth at the Our Lady of Luxembourg cathedral on a weekend that thrilled royal watchers and wedding fans alike.

A guard collects handmade cards and posters from the public before the couple are legally joined in Friday's civil ceremony?

Thousands of locals filled the streets of the town to watch the religious ceremony on giant screens?

Sharing in the excitement were royal guests including Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel, Denmark's Crown Princess Mary and Prince Frederik and Mette Marit and Haakon of Norway?

Wellwishers are feeling the love as the couple conduct a walkabout after being legally married. They were so busy meeting and greeting that they took an hour to travel the short 500 metre stretch between the Town Hall and Palace?

The man of the moment Elie Saab with his wife and son. The designer made two gorgeous dresses for the bride and many more for the high profile guests?

At the reception following the civil ceremony Grand Duke Henri gave a heart-felt speech to his son and new daughter-in-law saying he and his wife, Maria Teresa are "happy and proud" that the couple are "embarking on this journey together through life"?

Stephanie's bridesmaids tend to the magnificent 14ft train of her beautiful Elie Saab gown. With her 90-year-old father in ill health the 28-year-old's brother Count Jehan walked her down the aisle?

In the absence of her mother ? who died two months before the ceremony - Stephanie's emotional father, Count Phillipe de Lannoy?sheds a tear after giving his little girl a kiss as she arrives at the altar?

All eyes were on the bride as she made a grand entrance in her custom Elie Saab gown, which featured 50,000 pearls and took 4,000 hours to make?

The groom gets the first glimpse of his bride in her stunning dress?

Wellwishers cheered as the newlyweds share a kiss on the balcony of the Ducal Palace. They embraced a total of six times?

Princess Stephanie gets a kiss from her new mother-in-law, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa?

The 'just married' car was waiting to whisk the royal couple away to see the fireworks display after their wedding reception?

A romantic moment as Guillaume and his wife take in the breathtaking pyrotechnics mounted in their honour?

Appropriately, part of the display was a burning heart. It also featured fireworks which exploded in the shape of their wedding rings?

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Source: http://royalweddings.hellomagazine.com/guillaume-luxembourg-stephanie-lannoy/news/201210221225/best-moments-wedding/

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Nat your average girl...: Motherhood Monday's

Busy weekend! Our CAbi party was a huge success and lots of fun. We also went to Oak Glen with some friends and got to experience fall! It's funny because in Southern California when it gets below 80 we all get out our boots, and sweaters, and fur vests in my case. :)

weight
18 pounds 6 ounces. I think she may finally be slowing down in this category... (thank goodness!)

health
Oy, last week was rough. B goes through teething phases without any results! I know she's teething because she swats at her ears and grinds her gums together. Last week she was just kind of discontent and wasn't napping as well as she normally does (see below). I gave her teething tablets and an occasional does of Tylenol. Poor babe. Gramma did confirm she's gettin something on her top gums! sleep
As mentioned B has been having teething discomfort. Her naps have only been lasting 30-45 minutes and sometimes she wakes up grouchy (which is unlike her). I always try to see if she will go back to sleep but after 30 minutes of her rolling around of her crib I get her up. This is killing me though because I don't feel like I'm getting anything done and I can tell she isn't fully rested. UGH. Make up your mind, teeth! Either come or don't! clothes
6-12 month. We are finally busting out some warmer gear. I feel like whenever I dress B in something long sleeved or pants she is telling me, "Mom, quit trying to make fall happen." social
This weekend B saw lots of friends and family at a CAbi party that I hosted for my Aunt. If she was available for purchase everyone would have been getting out their wallets! JK :) diet
Still nursing every 3-4 hours (except night) and eating 2 ounces of baby food two to three times a day. Last week it was green beans and carrots. Next week asparagus and white potato. Funny story: so my mom was feeding her carrots while I was out and decided to try some. She realized about a spoonful too late that we make all our baby food with my breast milk, not water. Muahahaha. I bet those were the best carrots she's ever had! ;) crying
A general fussiness has set in due to teething. Also, whenever any men say hi to her around 5 pm she has a FIT. It has happened to my dad, my father-in-law, and my brothers. Poor guys. It's close to her bed time and she is just not in the mood I guess... milestones
Rolling like crazy! Also, getting very close to a crawl. She puts her head down and pushes off her back legs. Once she learns to pick her head and midsection up she will be unstoppable! She also spins around on her tummy to reach toys in other directions. Every time she rolls over she looks at me to clap for her. It's so cute. :)

post partum
I signed up for a bootcamp last week and went on Thursday and Saturday. OMG I was SO sore! Let's just say running ten miles and lifting weights are two totally different things! I think this is going to be really good for me though. Time to tone this beezy up!

?

Source: http://natyouraveragegirl.blogspot.com/2012/10/motherhood-mondays_22.html

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2011 Ford Fiesta SES - $13,995

Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.

Source: http://www.carpages.ca/used/2011/Ford/Fiesta/Chilliwack/British_Columbia/1073885

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Number of New Condos for Sale in Tokyo Declines ? Real Estate ...

A research agency monitoring the performance of the real estate market in Japan, has reported that the number of new condominiums for sale in Tokyo fell 9.3 percent from a year earlier. including three other neighboring prefectures, condo units for sale dropped to only 3,366 units.

According to the Real Estate Economic Institute, the average unit price of new condos in Tokyo fell 3.4% from the year before, to 41.20 million yen. The number covers Kanagawa, Saitama and Chiba prefectures. Only 69.3% were bought in the reporting month in the said areas, a number which is down 8.4% points from a year earlier.

Meanwhile, new condo supplies for the month of September in the Osaka area increased 1.2% to 1,981 units.

?

Original Article: Japan Times OnlinePhoto Credits: Jasmin????*: via Flickr Creative Commons?

Tokyo Apartments For Sale | Tokyo Apartments For Rent | Real Estate Japan

Source: http://www.realestate.co.jp/2012/10/22/number-of-new-condos-for-sale-in-tokyo-declines/

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Duenweg Volunteer Firefighter Tornado Grant

DUENWEG, MO.--- Directors with the Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri presented the Duenweg Volunteer Fire Department with a $9,000 grant this evening. The money is part of the Joplin Recovery Fund and will help all 27 firefighters at the station receive new boots. Volunteers responded to over 450 homes and businesses in Duquesne the first 3 days?after the tornado. That caused?excessive wear-and-tear on the boots.?The grant will help purchase new footwear at more than $300 per pair.
"If it wasn't for places like Community Foundation of Southwest Missouri, we may not be able to go through and replace all the boots because we're on a limited budget. And to do something like that is almost impossible at times," says Jeff Littrell, Driver and Firefighter.

The Duenweg Fire Department is also waiting to here about a grant for a new fire truck to add to their fleet. They should hear the result any day now.

Source: http://fourstateshomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=332392

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With Wis. spa shooting suspect still at large, police release photo

Police are searching for Radcliffe Franklin Haughton, the man they suspect of wounding multiple people in a?shooting at a spa Sunday near a Brookfield mall in Wisconsin.

By Dinesh Ramde,?Associated Press / October 21, 2012

Police and swat team members respond to a call of a shooting at the Azana Spa in Brookfield, Wis. Sunday. Multiple people were wounded when someone opened fire at the spa near the Brookfield Square Mall. Deputies are still looking for the gunman.

Tom Lynn/AP

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Deputies searched Sunday for a man suspected of wounding multiple people in a shooting at a spa near a suburban Milwaukee shopping mall.

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Police released a photograph of the man they identified as Radcliffe Franklin Haughton, 45, of Brown Deer. They said he was still at-large and the public's help was needed in tracking him down.

Brookfield police told WTMJ-AM the shooting happened about 11 a.m. Sunday at a spa across the street from the Brookfield Square Mall. The mall and a country club adjacent to the spa were locked down, local media reported.

Brookfield Police Lt. John Beth said a bomb squad from the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department was at the spa. He wouldn't say why the unit was there but said it was not routine to have it respond to a shooting.

Spokesmen for the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said their agencies also had agents participating in the investigation.

Milwaukee FBI spokesman Leonard Peace said his agency sent a SWAT team and hostage negotiators, among others.

Online court records showed a temporary restraining order was issued against Haughton in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on Oct. 8 because of a domestic abuse complaint.

Beth Strohbusch, a spokeswoman for Froedtert Memorial Hospital, said four shooting victims were taken there, and three more were expected. She said none of the four already received were in critical condition.

The shooting took place at Azana Day Spa, a two-story, 9,000-square-foot building across from the mall in a middle- to upper-class community west of Milwaukee.

It was the second mass shooting in Wisconsin this year. Wade Michael Page, a 40-year-old Army veteran and white supremacist, killed six people and injured three others before fatally shooting himself Aug. 5 at a Sikh temple south of Milwaukee.

The shooting at the mall took place less than a mile from where seven people were killed and four wounded on March 12, 2005, when a gunman opened fire at a Living Church of God service held at a hotel.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/c6TmSU8eoCg/With-Wis.-spa-shooting-suspect-still-at-large-police-release-photo

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Fishy physics: Adaptation lets silvery fish reflect light without polarization, may help them evade predators

ScienceDaily (Oct. 21, 2012) ? Silvery fish such as herring, sardine and sprat have evolved special skin that gets around a basic law of physics, according to new research from the University of Bristol published Oct. 21 in Nature Photonics.

Reflective surfaces polarize light, a phenomenon that fishermen or photographers overcome by using polarizing sunglasses or polarizing filters to cut our reflective glare. However, PhD student Tom Jordan and his supervisors Professor Julian Partridge and Dr Nicholas Roberts in Bristol's School of Biological Sciences found that these silvery fish have overcome this basic law of reflection -- an adaptation that may help them evade predators.

Previously, it was thought that the fish's skin -- which contains "multilayer" arrangements of reflective guanine crystals -- would fully polarize light when reflected. As the light becomes polarized, there should be a drop in reflectivity.

The Bristol researchers found that the skin of sardines and herring contain not one but two types of guanine crystal -- each with different optical properties. By mixing these two types, the fish's skin doesn't polarize the reflected light and maintains its high reflectivity.

Dr Roberts said: "We believe these species of fish have evolved this particular multilayer structure to help conceal them from predators, such as dolphin and tuna. These fish have found a way to maximize their reflectivity over all angles they are viewed from. This helps the fish best match the light environment of the open ocean, making them less likely to be seen."

As a result of this ability, the skin of silvery fish could hold the key to better optical devices. Tom Jordan said: "Many modern day optical devices such as LED lights and low loss optical fibres use these non-polarizing types of reflectors to improve efficiency. However, these human-made reflectors currently require the use of materials with specific optical properties that are not always ideal. The mechanism that has evolved in fish overcomes this current design limitation and provides a new way to manufacture these non-polarizing reflectors."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Bristol.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. T. M. Jordan, J. C. Partridge, N. W. Roberts. Non-polarizing broadband multilayer reflectors in fish. Nature Photonics, 2012; DOI: 10.1038/nphoton.2012.260

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_science/~3/7_bS-SJCv4w/121021133911.htm

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Job Vacancy: Communications and Outreach Officer with ...

For more information, or to apply, please follow this link:?http://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/about/vacancies/current-vacancies/vac_coo19...

The Communications and Outreach Officer will play a key role in developing and implementing a strategy for IMI?s research communications. IMI?s aim is to communicate its research methodologies, findings, and publications to a wide range of individuals, institutions and organisations. The communications strategy will include continuous publication and dissemination of programme reports, research papers, databases and policy briefs, and media exposure via online and offline tools.? The postholder will also take responsibility for the IMI website and liaise closely with the Directors and senior researchers, attend the regular team meetings, and contribute substantially to IMI?s overall activities as a team member.? The post is full-time for two years, to start as soon as possible.

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Applicants should have a higher degree in a communications or development-related topic (or equivalent professional experience), substantial experience of developing, updating and maintaining an evolving international website, significant experience in managing communications work, preferably in an international development context, extensive experience of overseeing editing, copy-editing, and proof-reading and a good understanding of, or proven interest in, international migration issues.

Only applications received before 12 noon (UK Time) on Wednesday 14 November 2012 can be considered.

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For more information, or to apply, please follow this link:?http://www.qeh.ox.ac.uk/about/vacancies/current-vacancies/vac_coo19...

Source: http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/xn/detail/780588%3ATopic%3A780427?xg_source=activity

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Correction: Romney-Russia story

WASHINGTON (AP) ? In a story Oct. 20 about Russia in the U.S. presidential campaign, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Moscow abstained in a U.N. Security Council vote allowing military intervention in Syria. That vote was on military intervention in Libya, not Syria.

A corrected version of the story is below:

Romney rips Russia, at least on campaign trail

Romney rips Russia on campaign trail, but if elected may need to seek compromise

By DESMOND BUTLER

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney calls Russia the No. 1 foe of the United States and promises to stand up to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But if he's elected president, he might find that he'll need Moscow's help.

Russia plays a critical role in facilitating the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. The United States also needs Moscow's cooperation on keeping nuclear materials away from terrorists and American adversaries, and preventing gridlock at the U.N. Security Council, where both countries have vetoes.

While Romney has criticized President Barack Obama's "reset" ? his administration's policy for improving relations with Russia ? he has not said what exactly he would do differently beyond taking a tougher approach. Given U.S. interests in a cooperative relationship with Russia, some analysts think Romney may have to tone down his rhetoric if wins the White House.

"He may discover the value of Russia as a partner on some issues," says Andrew Kuchins, the head of the Russia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

U.S.-Russian relations, like international affairs in general, have not been major issues in a presidential campaign dominated by the economy. But they are an area of sharp disagreement between the candidates and could be an issue in Monday's presidential debate, which will focus on foreign policy.

Obama administration officials see improved relations with Russia as a foreign policy success after years of tension during George W. Bush's presidency. They cite the opening of a supply corridor to Afghanistan, the signing of a major arms control treaty, known as New Start, and progress on trade issues, including Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization.

While Russia has often blocked Western initiatives in the U.N. Security Council, it has gone along in key instances. Last year, Moscow abstained in a vote allowing military intervention in Libya, though Russian officials later accused the U.S. and allies of abusing the council's mandate. In 2010, Russia also backed new sanctions against Iran after a compromise. However, it has opposed further sanctions aimed at curbing Iranian nuclear ambitions.

Recent heated disputes over Syria and Iran and missile defense show that the relationship remains testy and may be getting tense. In a sign of faltering ties, Russian officials said recently that they would not extend a 20-year-old program for U.S. help securing Russia's nuclear stockpile unless it was substantially overhauled. The Nunn-Lugar program is considered one of the hallmarks of post-Cold War cooperation.

Also, last month, Russia ordered U.S. foreign aid workers out of the country, charging that they were inciting unrest by supporting government opponents.

Romney advisers say Obama has conceded much to Russia and received little in return. They accuse Obama of being weak with Putin, whom they see as bent on undermining democracy at home and abroad and harming U.S. interests wherever he can. They cite Russian opposition to U.S. and European efforts to reign in Iran's nuclear ambitions and to bring down the Syrian government.

"On every major issue, we have received nothing but intransigence, obstruction, counterproductive behavior," says Romney foreign policy adviser Alex Wong.

Romney has criticized Obama's decision to scrap a Bush administration plan for a European missile defense system and replace it with one that was less threatening to Russia. He says this offended important allies like Poland and the Czech Republic, which were to host the original system, and won nothing from Moscow. Indeed, Moscow continues to oppose Obama's missile defense plans.

Romney also says the New Start treaty accomplished little because Russia's arsenal was already below treaty limits. The Obama administration says the agreement allowed a resumption of U.S. inspections of Russian weapons facilities that had ceased when a previous treaty expired.

If elected, Romney "will reset the reset," his campaign website says.

Obama's backers say Romney's comments are overblown and reflect his lack of foreign policy experience. For instance, they say, in naming Russia as the worst U.S. foe, Romney skipped over al-Qaida and Iran.

"The goal of the reset was to not let our disagreements with Russia prevent us from working together on our shared interests," says Spencer Boyer, a national security adviser to the Obama campaign. "That has been a success."

For all his tough talk, it's not clear what Romney would change, especially considering the potential consequences. A rupture in relations with Russia could prevent a smooth exit from Afghanistan. A supply corridor that runs through Russia and Central Asia is one of only two possible routes for the millions of tons of military equipment that the U.S. needs to bring home. The other one runs through Pakistan, which once closed it after a NATO airstrike killed Pakistani soldiers.

Advisers say Romney would proceed with the Obama administration's missile defense plans if they are effective, while retaining the option to revert to the Bush administration plan. In a foreign policy speech this month, Romney said he wouldn't allow Putin any flexibility on missile defense, a jibe at Obama, who was caught on a microphone telling then-President Dmitry Medvedev last March that the U.S. would have more flexibility to work on missile defense issues after the election.

Romney's campaign website says he would review the New Start treaty. When asked what that means, Wong said that Romney will review everything when he gets into office.

It's not unusual for presidential candidates to talk tough about an adversary during a campaign only to become more pragmatic in office. In fact, Putin stoked anti-American sentiments in his presidential campaign. Yet one of his first moves was to approve a transit facility for NATO at a Russian airbase.

Still, Romney's blunt talk has been noticed in Moscow. Putin said in a TV interview last month that it justified his opposition to U.S. missile defense plans, which he says could undermine Russia's nuclear deterrent.

But he also said he could work with Romney.

"We'll work with whichever president is elected by the American people," Putin said. "But our effort will be only as efficient as our partners will want it to be."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/correction-romney-russia-story-193922113--election.html

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3 SEO content ideas for the blogging blocked | Small Business ...

Posted on 22. Oct, 2012 by Laura in Blog, Small Business Internet Marketing, Small Business Marketing, Tips and techniques

Greetings and welcome back! Today Heather discusses three SEO content ideas for those of you who may be ?blogging blocked.?

If you?ve been blogging awhile, eventually you?ll probably hit the point where you?re not sure what to write about anymore. It can be very frustrating to sit there, looking at a blank page, thinking, I need to come up with a post, what am I going to do?

So here are some ideas for those folks who may be stuck because they?ve been blogging for a while, or for those who are just starting to blog and they?re looking for different avenues in which to do it?

1. Weekly ?best of? roundup posts ? Content curation

• List the best blog posts, articles and cutting-edge information.

One thing I would recommend is content curation, such as a weekly ?best of? roundup post that lists the best blog posts, articles, and cutting edge information in your industry.

• Warning! These may be easy to write, but take a lot of research time.

While these content curation posts and articles are easier to write, in that you?re mostly gathering information and writing a short summary, know that they are time-consuming as well.

My blog editor, Laura Crest, published a great article illustrating all that she does to come up with the weekly SEO Content Marketing Roundup posted here each Wednesday. So definitely check that out!

2. Post interviews

The second thing I?d recommend is to post interviews. People love reading interviews! You can chat with other folks in your industry, and they don?t necessarily have to be the big, well-branded folks.

• Review other interviews in your industry ? then come up with a different slant.

You?ll want to check out what other folks are doing in your industry ? you don?t want to regurgitate the same interviews that are being posted in other places.

• Include a mp3 with a transcript ? or just a written interview.

You can include an mp3 with a transcript, so people can listen to the interview as well as read it. And if you have video, you can add video!

• Interviews with market leaders are always interesting ? but consider interviewing other people in the field too.

Sometimes just interviewing someone who?s doing something relevant in your industry on a day-to-day basis can provide your readers with an interesting perspective ? and that is good! Folks like reading those kinds of interviews as well.

The big tip here is to have fun! Infuse a little bit of your personality when you?re interviewing folks ? don?t be afraid to add a quirky question, because your interviewee?s really appreciate and respond to that. It makes the interview seem much more human.

3. Run a ?best of? post

Finally, there?s the option of doing ?best of? posts.

• Review your analytics. Summarize and link to your most popular posts.
• Another idea: List the posts with the most comments, the most controversial ? even the posts with the best pictures!

Besides those posts with the most comments or those that prove most controversial, I listed here the posts with the best pictures because people really loved the ?dog mullet? post, and I hear a lot about it ? so I included it in the slides.

• These posts are especially good to write at the end of the year.

These are prime posts to write up at the end of the year, as they tend to be really popular and people tend to link to them a lot! Try it out!

Thanks for tuning in! And remember, if you?d like more SEO copywriting information, you to sign up for my weekly newsletter that will arrive in your inbox every Tuesday. You?re also welcome to sign up for our daily blog updates!

And as always, you?re welcome to email me with your comments or questions at any time via heather@seocopywriting.com, or via Twitter @heatherlloyd.

photo thanks to Steve Jurvetson

If you?re wondering what is going on with your site ? if you?re not sure why it?s not positioning or converting as well as it should, or if you?re not using the right voice for your readers ? I invite you to check out my new SEO Content Review service. I can diagnose your sticky SEO problems and help you find some solutions!

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Make sure you pick up your copy of our FREE Business Acceleration Report! Simply enter your info on the form to the right and I'll send it right out! -->> Thanks for visiting!

Tags: blog writing, Small Business Internet Marketing

Source: http://www.frontlinemarketingsystems.com/blog/small-business-marketing/3-seo-content-ideas-for-the-blogging-blocked/

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