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USGS Release: Veterans Hospitals Stay Safe with a Healthy Dose of Earthquake Monitoring (5/9/2012 4:40:26 PM)

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1337372108 69 USGS Release: Veterans Hospitals Stay Safe with a Healthy Dose of Earthquake Monitoring (5/9/2012 4:40:26 PM)

Being in a hospital is tough enough without having to worry about how the building will hold up during an earthquake. Now veterans in Memphis, Tenn. can rest assured knowing that their medical center, even though it is located in the most active earthquake zone in the Eastern United States, has the most sophisticated seismic structural monitoring system in the country. 

The U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of Veterans Affairs have equipped over 70 VA medical centers across the country with seismic monitoring systems that monitor in real time what happens to buildings during and after earthquakes._Most recently, the agencies installed 36 sensors in two buildings at the Memphis VA Medical Center. these sensors provide information that can be used to see what happens to the buildings during an event, to judge the safety of the buildings afterwards, and to design safer hospitals in the future. 

“Modern hospitals are immense investments in state-of-the-art facilities, high-tech equipment, highly-educated medical professionals, as well as recovering patients, all of which need the very best protection in the event of an earthquake,” said USGS Director Marcia McNutt. “We are grateful for the partnership of the Department of Veterans Affairs in helping the USGS to record very detailed building performance data that will ultimately reduce risk to life and property from natural hazards.”

Hospitals are just one piece of the Nation’s critical infrastructure threatened by the shaking that comes with earthquakes. The USGS monitors more than 250 structures nationwide including fire stations, emergency operation centers, major bridges, nuclear power plants, offshore drilling platforms and airports.

These monitoring stations are part of the implementation of the USGS Advanced National Seismic System, which is modernizing and expanding earthquake monitoring around the Nation to improve the overall understanding of earthquakes and their behavior. this allows for better preparation for earthquakes and can minimize damage by designing safer structures that protect vulnerable citizens and resources.

USGS structural monitoring provides information about how buildings act during shaking, and how damage occurs. this can lead to improved earthquake-resistant design techniques, as well as predict how buildings will withstand different levels of shaking. Data from the sensors demonstrate whether the buildings behaved as designed by recording:

  • the swaying and twisting of the buildings,
  • the time it takes seismic waves to travel from the foundations to the roofs, and
  • how the frame of the buildings changed during the earthquake.

Other sensors located away from the building record overall ground shaking to feed USGS Shakemaps. these graphics show ground motion and shaking intensity after significant earthquakes, giving a visual representation of a quake’s behavior and impact for rapid situational awareness.

The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program  is part of the four-agency National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Earthquakes pose significant risk to 75 million Americans in 39 States. The EHP provides information and products for earthquake loss reduction, including hazard and risk assessment, and comprehensive real-time earthquake monitoring.

Learn more about the Memphis VA Hospital Center’s real-time seismic monitoring system in this USGS Factsheet.

USGS Release: Veterans Hospitals Stay Safe with a Healthy Dose of Earthquake Monitoring (5/9/2012 4:40:26 PM)

The Making of “Tomorrow Never Knows,” The Beatles’ Song That Aired on an Historic Episode of Mad Men

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1337368509 45 The Making of “Tomorrow Never Knows,” The Beatles’ Song That Aired on an Historic Episode of Mad Men

On Sunday night, the Beatles made history again when Don Draper slipped a copy of Revolver onto his turntable and started listening to “Tomorrow Never Knows.” according to Matthew Weiner, the creator of Mad Men, this marked the first time a Beatles song appeared on a television show (excluding the band’s live TV performances during the 1960s). and the privilege of playing a Beatles tune came at a cost — a reported $250,000.

If you’re not familiar with “Tomorrow Never Knows” (listen below), we’ll tell you a few simple things about it. according to Steve Turner, author of A Hard Day’s Write, this was John Lennon’s “attempt to create in words and sounds a suitable track for the LSD experience” (John discusses his first encounter with the drug here), and it was also the “weirdest and most experimental piece of music to appear under the Beatles’ name at the time.” without a doubt, this psychedelic tune would have fit hand-in-glove with Mad Men’s fifth episode of the season, when Roger and Jane drop acid at a psychiatrist’s dinner party. But it sits comfortably too in Episode 8. Just as the song marked a tuning point in the band’s sound, so too does it presage a turning point in Mad Men’s narrative. We begin to see individual characters moving in new personal directions and the show itself entering the later radical 60s.

Above, we’ve included a clip where Paul McCartney, George Harrison and George Martin talk about the making of “Tomorrow Never Knows.” Wikipedia actually offers some more good details on the song’s structure and recording. Below you’ll also find the original track.

The Making of “Tomorrow Never Knows,” The Beatles’ Song That Aired on an Historic Episode of Mad Men

‘The Avengers’ Passes The $1 Billion Mark Worldwide

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1337364911 24 ‘The Avengers’ Passes The $1 Billion Mark Worldwide

After demolishing the domestic opening weekend box office record, Disney and Marvel’s The Avengers has officially passed the $1 billion mark worldwide.

The movie accomplished the feat in just 19 days, having been released internationally a week or so earlier than it was domestically. Overseas its grand total now sits at $627.3 million, while here in the States it’s now at $373 million.

The milestone also puts the Avengers in the exclusive billion-dollar club, only the 12th movie to ever pull the accomplishment off. the 11 movies before it? the Dark Knight, Alice In Wonderland, Star Wars: Episode I – the Phantom Menace, Pirates of the Caribbean: on Stranger Tides, Toy Story 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2, Titanic, and Avatar.

It’s also Disney’s 5th title to enter the billion-dollar club, joining Alice, the third Toy Story, and the two Pirates movies.

According to Box Office Mojo, the Avengers will most likely be situated as the worldwide fourth highest-grossing movie of all time by the end of next weekend, behind only Deathly Hallows 2 and James Cameron’s Titanic and Avatar.

‘The Avengers’ Passes The $1 Billion Mark Worldwide

Empty future for some mothers

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1337361319 45 Empty future for some mothers

Reconstruction work in the quake-hit areas of Sichuan province has finished, now it’s time to focus on how well people have recovered emotionally, especially those mothers who lost their only child in the disaster, says an article in Youth Times. Excerpts:

The day before Mother’s Day was the 4th anniversary of the Wenchuan earthquake; the two days coming together highlighted a cruel reality: one-third of the mothers who lost their sons and daughters as a result of the earthquake cannot have children anymore.

Renewal is an inevitable topic for Wenchuan, and although the quake-ruined areas have been renewed and some mothers have given birth to new babies, for those too old to bear children the pain remains the same.

Moreover, they may face an empty future trying to answer the questions of how and who they live for, especially on the quake’s anniversary.

For these mothers that have survived, we must confess that they may have to live with these questions for the rest of their lives. For their sake, we should move our focus from rebuilding infrastructure and construction to people’s emotional status every time the quake’s anniversary brings back sorrowful memories.

These mothers and their disintegrated families should be taken into account in the reconstruction work, and special attention should be given to rebuilding their confidence and enabling them to live. Pension programs, medical treatment insurance and other social security programs should be specially adjusted and strengthened in their favor.

Across the country, the number of families who have lost their only child is more than 1 million. what they’ve been suffering needs concern and care from all society members.

(China Daily 05/17/2012 page9)

Empty future for some mothers

1960s Theme Party – The Age Of Miniskirts And Protest Songs

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1337357707 50 1960s Theme Party The Age Of Miniskirts And Protest Songs

Planning a party with a 1960′s theme is probably one of the easiest things to do because many of the styles from that decade are beginning to resurface, making it easier to locate party items you need. If you’re not a child of the decade, your parents probably are, which makes it easy to find out what you need for your party and how your guests should dress to be in tune with your theme.

The decade that encompassed the 60′s saw a great many changes in both fashion and music. What started out as an overflow from the 1950′s close with artists such as the Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley, Paul Anka, and others, took a complete 360 degree turn by the middle of the decade – or more appropriately, by 1962-1963 when the first wave British Invasion began to hit United States airwaves beginning with the Beatles and their most popular competitors, the Dave Clark five. by the mid-60′s, there was the first sound of bubblegum music, followed by the first hard rock music. The close of the decade took us into protest music and folk rock music.

The way you want your guests to dress will depend upon which part of the decade you wish to base your theme. Of course, if your guests are of varying sizes, you may wish to open the theme for the whole decade since many may not wish to wear the mini-shirts that were prevalent at the last half of the decade. Of course, the alternative to that is bell-bottom jeans and slacks, which can still be found in some stores, though not the bell-bottoms that were worn extensively in the 60′s.

You may choose to vary your musical selections to cover the decade or you can choose the last half of the decade with the more prominent changes. whatever way you choose, make certain that your guests are aware of exactly how you are directing your theme.

1960s Theme Party – The Age Of Miniskirts And Protest Songs

Info: LEARNING JOURNEY IN TOHOKU, AUG. 20-26, FOR JAPANESE AND OVERSEAS UNDERGRADUATES

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1337354112 52 Info: LEARNING JOURNEY IN TOHOKU, AUG. 20 26, FOR JAPANESE AND OVERSEAS UNDERGRADUATES

Anbei eine Info aus einer Mailingliste:

Achtung: Deadline ist bereits am 20. Mai 2012!!!!

_______________________________

LEARNING JOURNEY IN TOHOKU, AUG. 20-26, FOR JAPANESE AND OVERSEAS

This project aims to offer students from both Tohoku and other parts of theworld a learning journey, to observe change in the aftermath of the GreatEast Japan Earthquake and today. They will meet and listen to people whoexperienced the disaster and are working for the recovery of thedisaster-affected area. At the end of the journey, there will be anopportunity to report what they have learned in the disaster area, and topresent their hopes and dreams for creating a sustainable society in thefuture.

If you know of any students, who might be interested, please ask them toemail Oda-san at:by may 20, and Oda-san will try to somehow extend the application deadline.

http://www.japanfs.org/tohoku/ja/journey/pages/031939.html (JPN)http://www.japanfs.org/tohoku/en/journey/pages/031864.html (ENG)

Application Instructions for Overseas Students

The program runs from Monday, August 20 to Sunday, August 26, 2012.

August 20 (Mon): Arrival at Tokyo. Program starts (Tokyo)August 21 (Tue): Tour of the quake-hit areas and reconstruction efforts(Miyagi)August 22 (Wed): Tour continues (Miyagi)August 23 (Thu): Tour continues (Miyagi)August 24 (Fri): Review and preparation for debriefing session (Miyagi)August 25 (Sat): Preparation/debriefing session (Tokyo)August 26 (Sun): Program ends (Tokyo) Departure from Tokyo.

2. Destinations of the Learning Journey

During the Learning Journey, we will visit coastal areas in the Tohokuregion that suffered the greatest damage from the tsunami that followed theearthquake, focusing on sites in Miyagi Prefecture. We will meet with localpeople who experienced the disaster, and talk about their reconstructionefforts and the challenges they face. (Note that we will not be travelingin or close to any restricted areas, to avoid any risk of radiation.)

Applicants must fulfill all of the following requirements:1. Age.

Applications must currently be undergraduate/graduate studentsenrolled at a college, university or school of an equivalentlevel, and be 18 to 24 years of age.

2. Contribution to Society. Applicants should intend to positivelyparticipate in the program. afterwards, they will be expected toengage inactivities that contribute to the creation of a sustainablesociety using their experiences from the program.

3. Physical and Mental Condition. Applicants should be in goodphysical and mental health as well as have a cooperative attitude.They should also be able to work in a group in a disciplined mannerwhile following the project program.

4. Experience in Social Activities. Applicants will ideally have atleast two years of experience in activities relating to the creation of asustainable society. (Please provide descriptions on theapplication form.)

5. Communication and Writing Skills. Applicants are expected to beexperienced in gathering information, able to deepen their understandingwith other participants, and are required to write about their learningexperience and hopes for the future. if you have publishedanything on the web, please include the title(s) and URL(s) on yourapplication form.

6. Interest in and Understanding of Japan. Applicants should havean interest in and basic understanding of Japan.

7. English Proficiency. Applicants must be able to have a normaleveryday conversation in English, engage in discussions, andwrite report in English. for non-native English speakers, pleaseprovide your TOFEL score or an equivalent qualification todemonstrate your English language proficiency.

8. Participation in the Program. Participants must be able toparticipate in the entire scheduled program.

9. Japanese Visa. Please check with the relevant authorities to seeif a short-term visa is required for your stay in Japan (JFS willnot arrange this). if a visa is required, please start the visaapplication process soon after you receive the results of theapplication to participate in the program.

10. Scope of Responsibility in Case of Sickness, Accident, orInjury. Participantsare responsible for arranging their own insurance to cover any sickness,accident, or injury, etc., while in Japan and traveling to andfrom Japan. during the program itself (from the start of groupactivity to the end) group insurance will be provided by Japan forSustainability.

11. Expenses and Services provided by Japan for Sustainability- Meals for any group activity during the program period- Accommodation during the program period- Transportation for group activities during the program- Round-trip airline ticket (discount economy class) to and fromthe international airport nearest participant’s home residence.

Note: Participants are responsible for any personal expenses outsidethe project group activity (e.g., food/drink, telephone charges,cleaning, excess baggage charge, travel expense to the nearestinternational airport).

12. Behavior and Safe Conduct. during the program, participants areexpected to carefully follow the instructions of group leaders.Participants are also expected to follow instructions, besafety-conscious, and be aware of the potential for more earthquakeaftershocks in the affected region.

4. Application Deadline

May 20, 2012 (in Japan)

5. Number of Student Participants

6. Application Instructions

1. Documents to be Submitted1. Application form (1 copy) Please download the file*here*.

2. Essay1. Title: What I want to learn, think about, and communicateduring the Learning Journey program2. Length: 500-600 words in English3. Format: Essay title and applicant’s name must be clearlywritten. Document must be in .doc or .rtf file format.

3. Letter of recommendation from an academic/professionalsupervisor at your college/university or high school (nolonger than 500words, 1 copy).Recommendations should include:- Brief description in the context of their interaction withthe applicant.- Applicant’s performance compared to other individuals intheir class.- Description of the most important piece of constructivefeedback given the applicant, including the circumstances, and theapplicant’s response.- Statements about the applicant’s performance, potential, orpersonal qualities that would be helpful to the program.

2. Applications should be submitted to Japan for Sustainability(tohokuproject[at]japanfs.org) via e-mail (with application form andthe other required documents attached.)

3. Deadline:Sunday, may 20, 2012 (in Japan)

7. Screening and Results

Japan for Sustainability will screen the applications. Applicants willbe notified of the results via e-mail by may 31, 2012.

Note that any personal information provided to JFS by applicants willnot be shared with any third party without prior consent from the personconcerned.

Info: LEARNING JOURNEY IN TOHOKU, AUG. 20-26, FOR JAPANESE AND OVERSEAS UNDERGRADUATES

Cop resigns over alleged red-zone theft

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1337350509 29 Cop resigns over alleged red zone theftRACHEL YOUNG

a police officer has quit amid allegations he stole sunglasses from Christchurch’s red-zone.

a police spokesman confirmed the officer resigned late last year after being investigated for theft in the aftermath of the February 22, 2011 earthquake in Christchurch.

it was alleged three sets of sunglasses were taken from a cordoned-off suburban shop by the North Island police constable.

Assistant commissioner south Dave Cliff said the matter was investigated as soon as it was brought to police notice.

An inquiry was conducted by senior police investigators and the constable was suspended once evidence of his involvement emerged. but, he did not admit the theft of the sunglasses.

“We are very clear that any allegations against police must be investigated thoroughly and promptly.”

Cliff said there was not enough legal evidence to prove a charge of theft.

“Fingerprint evidence was not able to be put to the court. Officers’ fingerprints are recorded for elimination purposes, but it is not lawful for these to be used for any other purpose.  as a result the decision was made, reluctantly, that charges could not be brought against the constable.”

Cliff said police then started a disciplinary process, which culminated in a disciplinary hearing. However, the constable resigned before the process was finished.

“The officer was the subject of a full investigation and his police career is now over.”

he was satisfied the police had investigated the incident “promptly and fully”.

Cliff condemned the actions of the police officer for tainting the efforts of thousands of other officer from New Zealand and overseas who helped in Christchurch.

he called it a “tragedy”.

“We demand the highest ethical standards from all police officers and police employees.”

– © Fairfax NZ News

Cop resigns over alleged red-zone theft

McClain sentenced to 180 days in jail

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1337346910 25 McClain sentenced to 180 days in jailStaff Report Published: Thursday, may 17, 2012 at 3:11 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, may 17, 2012 at 3:11 p.m.

Former Alabama linebacker and current Oakland Raider Rolando McClain has been found guilty on all charges stemming from his December 2011 arrest on assault, firearms and other charges after a fight in Decatur, his hometown. he has been sentenced to 180 days in jail,

McClain, 22, was charged with third-degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm inside city limits after the fight.

In a statement following the arrest police said, “The victim in the assault reported that he had been at a residence on Skyview St. SW in Decatur when he got into a fight with another individual, identified as Jerradius Willingham. during the fight, the victim sustained injuries to his head and face. he was bleeding from the nose and mouth when speaking to the responding officers. the victim told officers that following the fight, he crawled to his car. he said that when he reached his car, Rolando McClain produced a pistol and aimed it at him. he said that while he was still on the ground, McClain walked over to him and put the gun to his head. the victim reported that he begged McClain not to shoot him and that McClain took the gun away from his head, held it next to his ear and fired it. Even though the initial report was of “shots” fired, investigators believe this was the only gunshot fired.”

McClain sentenced to 180 days in jail

Masturbation is mostly a common and natural function that's practiced by individuals coming from all sexual orientations, genders, and ages despite almost universal agreement by physicians and health care gurus.

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1337343315 48 Masturbation is mostly a common and natural function that's practiced by individuals coming from all sexual orientations, genders, and ages despite almost universal agreement by physicians and health care gurus.Not just this, it also make you look younger by always keeping your HGH production located at an optimum level.

4. certain Foods

Certain foods are also able to help enhance sex dr in men.

Foods who are rich in zinc which includes oysters, red meat, plums, nuts and beans etcetera., can also boost sexual interest.

Besides this, those which are rich in Omega 3 efas can also give a good boost to your libido. this is largely as they increase blood flow in addition to enhance testosterone production at the same time.

NATURAL OR HERBAL SEX DRIVE BOOSTERS

There is nothing that will beat such herbal supplements on the subject of enhancing sex drive for men. Such supplements are a solid concoction of herbs as well as other natural ingredients that in concert work to increase flow of blood to the penis and increase testosterone production by the body processes.

Some of the natural ingredients used in such supplements include companies ginkgo biloba, muira pauma, panax ginseng, tribulus terrestris, l-arginine, gaba, l-glutamine, and so forth.

They not only boost libido and testosterone but actually supplies a complete body makeover by stimulating human growth hormone production.

Top of the collection supplements are clinically approved and don’t have any side problems.

No wonder, they are immensely popular among men! .Female sexual interest enhancers can help fix a woman’s lost libido. Dealing with a lost libido are often difficult. it is not unusual for girls to lose their need for sex just when their mate is revved up in addition to particularly amorous. the loss of sex-related compatibility can complicate and even threaten the fitness of a relationship.

If there’s an underlying problem which may be blocking the flow from natural sexual relations then that ought to be dealt with first. whether it’s hurt feelings from a spat or an emotional growth spurt which includes you momentarily celibate you want to make certain the issue itself is without a doubt addressed. Enhancement only works when there isn’t different things going on that is without a doubt preventing the physical and emotional connection that precedes sex.

Once you have considered and controlled potential issues you might easily still be feeling a loss in intimate care. some people will tell you that this is the time when you give high on the relationship and proceed onto something new. others will tell you to locate an alternative answer.

Using enhancement products can be just what you must put the spark programs the bedroom. Stress, weariness, and even the weather could easily affect a woman’s sexual desire. A simple enhancement product can help release the natural the that inspire desire. the life style that wear you downwards can block the flow of those hormones. getting a little assistance in the deal of reigniting them makes perfect sense.

Once your hormone circulation is back in balance we have a much greater likelihood you will regain interest in your spouse and other things to a sexual nature. when the hormonal stability is right you not just feel healthier but you additionally feel happier and more ready try new things. Well-balanced hormones promote adventure seeking along with desire to live completely.

A well-rounded lifestyle includes one’s sexuality. Causes of Low Libido or Diminished Sex Desire in Men

Masturbation is mostly a common and natural function that's practiced by individuals coming from all sexual orientations, genders, and ages despite almost universal agreement by physicians and health care gurus.

Jenny McCarthy to strip for Playboy again

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People News

may 18, 2012, 8:01 GMT

image2 1337328098 Jenny McCarthy to strip for Playboy again

Jenny McCarthy is posing nude for Playboy again – almost 20 years since the first time she appeared in its pages.

The 39-year-old blonde beauty will feature on the July/August cover of the famous men’s magazine and will strip for a naked pictorial.

A representative for the publication has confirmed Jenny’s spread.

The model-and-actress started her career with a shoot in Playboy’s October 1993 issue and she went onto to be named Playmate of the Month and later Playmate of the Year and has appeared in Hugh Hefner’s magazine several times.

Jenny turns 40 in November and she previously admitted she wanted to bare all in the magazine one more time before she reached the landmark age.

She said: ‘I would absolutely pose for Playboy. I would be so flattered if they asked me. It’s probably not going to happen but I think I want to do it again.’

Jenny – who has a nine-year-old son Evan – also recently confessed she relies on the wrinkle-smoothing powers of Botox to stay looking young.

She said: ‘I’m an obvious Botox user. I tell everyone.

‘I get Botox in my forehead. I just have my doctor do a little shot. But I also just take good care of myself.’

Jenny McCarthy to strip for Playboy again