Blood on the Pillow

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hola y’all! You know what would be really weird? You know how when you wake up in the morning usually the first thing you have to do is pee, right? Okay, so you get out of bed and you go do that and then you’re still not totally awake but you’re kind of staggering around the place. Then you go get on the computer to check email, Facebook, blog comments, Twitter and show stats or whatever it is you don online.<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay, so now you’re starting to wake up a bit and you’re loosening up and things are starting to flow so it’s time to do your morning bidness. You know what I mean, right? Yeah, shit, shower and shave. So, after that now you’re awake and thinking fairly clearly and you wander back into the bedroom to get dressed and whatever and then something catches your eye. You turn to inspect whatever it is and you see that .. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">You bled on your pillow last night! Weird, right? Kinda freaking out now, right? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHX0nIBOr0BKg-m_-Fn9l2Jqz01eOExOsqG-MLPlBgyoDNQ7EX6sIWVkDmn-EFL_E7rlMXO6hoxQOoF_OWg0Xkxku5ecXxt_JVAaN7tRiMDh59r1OVVLgSQ8vE_qcUpu6ELh-q_KWun0o/s1600/Bloody+Pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHX0nIBOr0BKg-m_-Fn9l2Jqz01eOExOsqG-MLPlBgyoDNQ7EX6sIWVkDmn-EFL_E7rlMXO6hoxQOoF_OWg0Xkxku5ecXxt_JVAaN7tRiMDh59r1OVVLgSQ8vE_qcUpu6ELh-q_KWun0o/s320/Bloody+Pillow.jpg" width="320" /></a>So now you have to figure out how you bled and where from. First thing you do is check to see if there is a horse’s head in your bed. Then you think of the obvious places to bleed from. That would be the holes in your head. Ears, nose and mouth. The worst of these would be the ears. Man, if you bled from the ears you are in GRAVE dangers. Nothing good could ever come of that. I mean, that would be your brain bleeding out your ears or some shit.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">But, you think about it for a few and realize it couldn’t have been the ears. You totally would have noticed if there was dried, crusty blood on or in one of your ears. That would just be … well, you would just notice it. It would feel like one of your ears had an earplug in it and no way you wouldn’t have investigated that weird feeling. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, now that you’ve eliminated the ears you’re feeling a little better because you’re PROBABALY not going to keel over today. Next you figure it was probably the nose. With your bad allergies nose bleeds aren’t that uncommon. But, then you realized that you blew your nose six times and sneezed eleven times and didn’t notice any big gross blobs of blood this morning, so that’s probably out. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">You guess your gums could have bled and it could have oozed out onto your pillow while you slept with your mouth open and snored up a storm. I mean, that’s conceivable. But, again, bloody teeth would have been something you would have noticed, right? This is getting really disconcerting guys. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">At this point the best thing to do is reassess the situation. Okay, there’s blood on the pillow. Your brain isn’t bleeding out of your ears so you’re probably not in any danger. You didn’t blow globs of blood and snot out of your nose and your teeth weren’t red and bloody either. You didn’t cut yourself shaving before going to bed and you didn’t have any big zits that were ready to pop. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">While doing this assessment of the situation you suddenly realized that you’re standing there scratching an itch on your back just below your neck. And then it hits you! THAT’S where the zit was that bled on the pillow while you were lying on your back <strike>masturbating</strike> sleeping! Oh man! Thank God that little mystery is solved! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/Jayman68" target="_blank">Facebook.com/Jayman68</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

Blood on the Pillow

Hola y’all! You know what would be really weird? You know how when you wake up in the morning usually the first thing you have to do is pee,...

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Alden's Ice Cream Review

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alden, son of Julie who is the maker of </span><a href="http://juliesorganic.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Julie's Organic ice cream</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> came up with his own delicious organic ice cream as well in family sized that you  could take home and enjoy with you're family.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Easy to scoop and a decadent treat that will sure to please!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Made with all natural ingredients and oh so delicious.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a huge fan of sweets especially ice cream, it's my favorite go to summer treat!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now as you may know I have reviewed Julie's products and thought that they were amazing!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They were so delicious and full of flavor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was ecstatic when I found out I was going to be doing another ice cream review, especially for the son of Julie's Organic!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was sent the coupons for review of this sweet and delicious ice cream from <a href="http://www.aldensicecream.com/">Alden's Ice Cream</a> I was shopping at Target one day and noticed they had some of Alden's on clearance marked down to just $2! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So being the smart shopper I am I just had to buy some, how can you beat that price?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took it home and tried it right away.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom and I had bought the Vanilla Bean and it was amazing!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was creamy and delicious!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We cut up a brownie from Protein Bakery and put it in the ice cream, I am telling you the flavors from the exotic vanilla and from the brownie was purely amazing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kjEYPdtsUHc/UVTyVXl8UOI/AAAAAAAAHVU/sVIfAYjtrso/s1600/Protein+Bakery+coconut+walnut+dark+chip+blondie+brownie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kjEYPdtsUHc/UVTyVXl8UOI/AAAAAAAAHVU/sVIfAYjtrso/s320/Protein+Bakery+coconut+walnut+dark+chip+blondie+brownie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I couldn't wait to go to the store again and pick out other flavors with my coupons that I have received.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I went to Whole Foods market the other day and just had to buy!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They had a bigger selection that Target that's for sure!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">More than just one flavor I mean.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-LqVmqUh3A/UVXwkzGuizI/AAAAAAAAHVs/LO2MNyneH38/s1600/Alden's+Chocolate+Chocolate+Chip+and+Strawberry+ice+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-LqVmqUh3A/UVXwkzGuizI/AAAAAAAAHVs/LO2MNyneH38/s320/Alden's+Chocolate+Chocolate+Chip+and+Strawberry+ice+cream.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom and I decided to mix it up and add a scoop of chocolate chocolate chip and strawberry it was super delicious, chocolaty, and fruity!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can add your favorite fruit on top, sprinkle on granola, blend it up for a delicious shake or smoothie or scoop it onto a cone!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>*Flavors I chose*</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cookies and Cream</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blackberry</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chocolate Chocolate Chip</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Strawberry</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Other flavors they offer</u></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peanut Butter & Chip</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Butter Brittle</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mint Chip</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have only tasted the cookies and cream so far of the ones I got with my coupons and it is so delicious, right amount of cookies through out the ice cream and great creamy taste!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PZXwG9JxhwM/UVTwa6NHeRI/AAAAAAAAHVE/OiJLBIVGAgY/s1600/Alden's+cookies+and+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PZXwG9JxhwM/UVTwa6NHeRI/AAAAAAAAHVE/OiJLBIVGAgY/s320/Alden's+cookies+and+cream.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have got to check out their ice cream!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Connect with them online!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twitter:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/AldensIceCream"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">https://twitter.com/AldensIceCream</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Face Book: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aldensicecream">https://www.facebook.com/aldensicecream</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Sold at these local retailers </u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Target</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whole Food's</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shaw's</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dave's Market</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and many more!</span></div>

Alden's Ice Cream Review

Alden, son of Julie who is the maker of  Julie's Organic ice cream  came up with his own delicious organic ice cream as well in family s...

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Sr Product development Engineer ( Optics | metrology | System alignment | Calibration | Testing) (#109000)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Title:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Sr Product development Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Milpitas, CA<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Duration:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Fulltime<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Job Description:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">The Product Development Engineer plays a central role throughout the different phases of the product life cycle.  This position is part of a team responsible for developing and supporting next generation optical critical dimension metrology systems as well as supporting and improving current systems. The candidate will initially take on responsibility for improvement projects and support of field and manufacturing issues for the current generation product line. This role will lead to responsibility for next generation product development, from technology evaluation and selection, specifications development, product validation, verification, transfer to manufacturing, and support of customer ramp. The ideal candidate will demonstrate leadership attributes and be able to lead high performing teams to achieve program objectives in a timely manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">The engineer must be able to complete the initial diagnosis of any system issue, uncover root cause and devise or drive a team to define solutions for complex problems. Must be able to support the detailed analysis and tradeoffs for the various solutions, develop plan of action, and effectively communicate plan to colleagues to execute. Must have the knowledge and experience to effectively work with experts in optics, electronics, mechanics, software, and algorithms as required to resolve issues. Some travel may be required for complex cases that require on-site support.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Additional details regarding responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">1.Drive team to resolve system issues at customer site or in manufacturing. This will require the candidate to learn alignment and calibration procedures, critically analyze these procedures and recommend improvements to solve issues in manufacturing or the field. Work with engineers at locations around the globe to solve issues escalated to engineering: establish root cause, develop plan of action (POA), guide local teams in execution of POA, and document issues and solutions to improve design and/or procedures so that they may be implemented across the fleet in a standard manner. Support of escalations may require travel to customer sites to efficiently and effectively resolve technical issues (< 25%).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">2.Develop concepts and designs for the next generation system. Investigate next generation opto-mechanical technology and analysis.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">3.Resolve inconsistencies between subsystems, conduct trade-off studies, identify high-risk areas, and develop risk mitigation strategies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">4.Ownership of creation and execution of prototype test plans for complex subsystems. This will involve integration of subsystems, testing against design tolerances and marketing specifications, analyzing test data, and generation of reports.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">5.Drive product or feature introduction. This includes preparation of first draft of system alignment, calibration and troubleshooting diagnostics for existing and new products, training of operations and field personnel, and solving technical issues that may impact production introduction.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">6.Train operations and service and manufacturing employees.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Preferred Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">1.PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">2.Strong background in engineering or the physical sciences with demonstrated analysis and problem solving skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">3.Hands-on experience constructing and aligning opto-mechanical system is highly desirable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">4.Experience diagnosing and driving solutions to complex problems across whole systems by applying appropriate problem solving techniques.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">5.Ability to communicate effectively to all levels of the division, customers, vendors and across cultures.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">6.Experience in the semiconductor capital equipment or manufacturing industry.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">7.Familiarity with Matlab and JMP.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">8.Project management skills (scoping, budgeting, and scheduling).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Minimum Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Bachelor's Level Degree with at least 5 years of experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">OR<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Master's Level Degree with at least 3 years of experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">OR<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: small;">Doctorate<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Please send in your resumes to vinod.sanker@kla-tencor.com</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div></div>

Sr Product development Engineer ( Optics | metrology | System alignment | Calibration | Testing) (#109000)

Job Title: Sr Product development Engineer Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Fulltime Job Description: Responsibilities: The Product Devel...

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Today's archidose #661

Here are some photos of the <a href="http://www.artez.nl/">ArtEZ Institute of the Arts</a> in Arnhem, Netherlands, by <a href="http://www.biermanhenket.nl/">BiermanHenket Architecten</a> (2004), photographed by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/schroeer-heiermann/">Chris Schroeer-Heiermann</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/schroeer-heiermann/8594943916/" title="Faculty of Theatre and Dance by schromann, on Flickr"><img alt="Faculty of Theatre and Dance" height="403" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8594943916_e0e303f6f4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/schroeer-heiermann/8584709801/" title="Faculty of Theatre and Dance by schromann, on Flickr"><img alt="Faculty of Theatre and Dance" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8584709801_21800c78bb_z.jpg" width="597" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/schroeer-heiermann/8587934053/" title="Faculty of Theatre and Dance by schromann, on Flickr"><img alt="Faculty of Theatre and Dance" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8587934053_ffc841ca6a_z.jpg" width="610" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/schroeer-heiermann/8591426295/" title="Faculty of Theatre and Dance by schromann, on Flickr"><img alt="Faculty of Theatre and Dance" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8249/8591426295_76ab460a98_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/schroeer-heiermann/8578826927/" title="Faculty of Theatre and Dance by schromann, on Flickr"><img alt="Faculty of Theatre and Dance" height="800" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/8578826927_daa8e4f5f0_c.jpg" width="591" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/schroeer-heiermann/8596463543/" title="Faculty of Theatre and Dance by schromann, on Flickr"><img alt="Faculty of Theatre and Dance" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8370/8596463543_8581882c4e_z.jpg" width="563" /></a><br /><br />To contribute your Flickr images for consideration, just:<br /><blockquote>:: Join and add photos to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/archi-dose/">archidose pool</a>, and/or<br />:: Tag your photos <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/archidose/">archidose</a></span></blockquote>

Today's archidose #661

Here are some photos of the ArtEZ Institute of the Arts in Arnhem, Netherlands, by BiermanHenket Architecten (2004), photographed by Chris...

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A delicate operation - Intelligent Life - The Economist

THE SCENERY WAS like nothing they had ever seen before. Last March, 47 cyclists had negotiated a 27km climb to the Puyehue Pass on the border of Chile and Argentina, passing forests and mountains, hot springs and glacial melt-water. At the summit one of them noticed a circling Andean vulture, and they joked that it might be a grim omen. Others noticed that one of their most experienced riders was looking distinctly grey. Roger Kirby, a 62-year-old professor of urology, was taking part to raise money for the Urology Foundation. He had been on similar rides in Malawi and Madagascar and prided himself on his ability to keep up with younger riders, but now he felt severely breathless. His father had died of a stroke following heart failure at the age of 49, and ever since he had been wary of the weight of genetics. So he resolved to have a cardiac check and some blood tests as soon as he returned to England.<br /><br><br /><br>The heart exam showed a little calcifying in the arteries, something fairly typical in men of his age, and the blood tests showed another common male attribute: a raised level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA produces the liquefying component of semen, and may ease the passage of male sperm within the uterus. It is a vital protein for conception, but when it enters the bloodstream in increasing amounts it may also indicate the growth of prostate cancer.<br /><br><br /><br>Roger Kirby had monitored his PSA level for more than a decade. At 50, it stood at 0.5, which was negligible. But it had risen gradually over the years, to 1.5 and then 3.3, which he regarded as a light flashing on the dashboard. Two weeks after getting back from South America, he took a second PSA test, and found it had gone down a little, which reassured him. Six months later, in September, he had another test and his PSA was 4.3, the highest it had ever been, so he underwent a high-resolution localised MRI scan. <br /><br><br /><br>The news wasn't good. There was a definite lesion on the right side, which his radiologist thought could be one of two things: prostatitis, an inflammation treatable with antibiotics, or a tumour. And so a biopsy was ordered, involving a local anaesthetic and a rectal probe, and the removal of 12 samples from the suspicious area.<br /><br><br /><br>The following day Kirby received a phone call from his pathologist. "Are you sitting down?" He was. "I'm afraid that three of the biopsies show Gleason 7." The Gleason scale is a grading system particular to prostate cancer, made up of two scores, each defining the advancement of a tumour and the risk of spread to other organs, with 10 as the worst prognosis. A combined score of 4 or 5 would prompt concern, and perhaps a policy of watchful waiting. But with a score of 7, Professor Kirby had a decision to make.<br /><br><br /><br>He looks boyish for his age, with a full mop of greying hair and a slightly Bunterish face, and he is not averse to wearing a rugby shirt in his leisure time. He likes to think of himself as a rather stoical, stiff-upper-lip type of Brit. But in the case of his illness his stoicism had both cause and irony: Kirby is one of the leading prostate surgeons in the world.<br /><br><br /><br>Prostate cancer—its prevalence and diagnosis, its virulence and treatment—has not been short of publicity recently, and Kirby is one of the reasons why. The fact that the disease is now regarded as both common and a common topic of conversation is partly thanks to Kirby's proselytising and fund-raising. He has written more than 200 research papers on the prostate and several books, including one called "The Prostate: Small Gland Big Problem". He estimates that he has removed more than 2,500 prostates since the mid-1980s.<br /><br><br /><br>As well as being Mr Prostate UK, Kirby has one other claim to fame: he was briefly Mr Viagra UK. As Viagra was being developed at the old Pfizer laboratories in Kent, Kirby conducted many of its safety trials (particularly on cardiovascular patients) from his base at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London. When Viagra was announced to an excited media in 1998, Kirby was on hand as an expert, dismissing claims that it would lead to the world's adult male population spending the rest of their lives walking around like tent poles.<br /><br><br /><br>More ...<br /><br><br /><br><a href="http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/ideas/simon-garfield/prof-roger-kirby?page=full&utm_source=Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=266acda8e6-Newsletter&utm_medium=email">http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/ideas/simon-garfield/prof-roger-kirby?page=full&utm_source=Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=266acda8e6-Newsletter&utm_medium=email</a>

A delicate operation - Intelligent Life - The Economist

THE SCENERY WAS like nothing they had ever seen before. Last March, 47 cyclists had negotiated a 27km climb to the Puyehue Pass on the borde...

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AUSTERITY THREATENS EU COMPETITIVE POSITION

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mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JojTTXloEpEnpI_rF817GopxMMoCNWk-YvgdL2aJHffz6Yo9cjO6NabqHxwgYZapZSaz8ih2a63jbY339Dm04m45AP__8lq0BuT1OExnYlbH33HbHHIwWEyP-8DtHGmlRDwCLYKc6y8K/s1600/infrastructure-montage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JojTTXloEpEnpI_rF817GopxMMoCNWk-YvgdL2aJHffz6Yo9cjO6NabqHxwgYZapZSaz8ih2a63jbY339Dm04m45AP__8lq0BuT1OExnYlbH33HbHHIwWEyP-8DtHGmlRDwCLYKc6y8K/s400/infrastructure-montage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">EUROPE WAS A LEADER IN TERMS OF QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Austerity is threatening the EU’s competitive edge and the region could fall behind other areas of the world if spending is not kept up on key infrastructure projects including aviation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Company executives, trade groups and even EUROPEAN UNION officials themselves say the region is in danger of falling behind competitors, with possibly irreversible consequences.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">EUROPEAN infrastructure spending rose just 1.5 percent last year to USD$741 billion, compared to global growth of 4.5 percent and a 7.1 percent rise in ASIA-PACIFIC, according to data compiled by Marketline, a business information provider.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spending in EUROPE will increase slightly over the next four years, to 4.3 percent growth by 2016, Marketline said, but will continue to significantly under-perform the world average. Only the UNITED STATES will do worse, with growth of just 1.8 percent seen in 2016.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Trade within EUROPE, which has a population of more than 730 million and represents roughly 22 percent of the world's cargo by value, is expected to double in the coming decade.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Brussels said in a policy paper released before the recent budget cuts that EUR€550 billion (USD$704 billion) in high-priority projects were needed by 2020 to create a core transport network to meet the increased demand.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CONCERNS THAT EUROPE RISKS LOSING ITS COMPETITIVE POSITION</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The investment would connect 120 major ports and airports to rail, upgrade 15,000 km (9,300 miles) of rail tracks to high speed and remove 35 key cross-border bottlenecks. The region's railways use seven different gauges and only 20 major airports and 35 major ports are directly connected to the rail network.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The upgrades would not only make the distribution of goods faster and cheaper, but also be required to meet EU targets to reduce carbon emissions by 60 percent, halve conventional car use and shift 50 percent of long distance freight onto trains and ships by 2050.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Airline executives have been among the most outspoken about concerns that EUROPE risks losing its competitive position if it fails to implement these plans.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport plans to spend EUR€2.1 billion between 2011 and 2015 on new facilities, for example, while Dubai said last year it plans to invest EUR€6 billion in airport expansion by 2018 to boost capacity by 50 percent.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"EUROPE was a leader in terms of quality infrastructure," Air France-KLM chief executive Jean-Cyril Spinetta told reporters. "I am very concerned about the future, especially airports. The amount of investment in other regions is incredibly high."</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Via Airwise.com </div>

AUSTERITY THREATENS EU COMPETITIVE POSITION

EUROPE WAS A LEADER IN TERMS OF QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE Austerity is threatening the EU’s competitive edge and the region could fall behind ...

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Senior Software Engineer (C++ , OOD, OOP, COM ) (#108980)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 5pt; margin-top: 5pt;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Position : </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Senior Software Engineer</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Location: </b>Migdal Ha’emek, Israel</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Duration: </b>Full time</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Business Unit</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Optical Metrology Division products are used for optical overlay metrology. The portfolio of products includes unique solution packages which are based on hardware and software systems to enhance yield and effectiveness. As a world leader in its field of expertise, the division’s products are the most advanced in performance (measurement accuracy of nanometers and below), reliability, ease of use and compatibility with other KLA-Tencor’s products. KLA-Tencor (Israel) controls over 80% of the world market sales in its field, and its products are used by every major Semiconductor manufacturer around the world.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Job Description</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The senior software engineer for our Optical Metrology Division will join a world-class team of software engineers to conceive, design, develop, optimize, and integrate advanced algorithms and software modules used in Optical metrology. The successful candidate will be working independently to design, develop, and debug complex computer software systems, requiring in-depth evaluation of analysis of various factors, exercising judgment within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. The successful candidate will work independently to design and develop software for current and next generations of Optical Metrology tools and applications.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> Required Qualifications:</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Good understanding of OOA/OOD/OOP and Design Patterns</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Proficiency in C++ programming</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Understanding of Windows OS internals (multi-threaded environment, memory management, ...)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Ability to understand and work with existing code base</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Must have at least 3-5 years of experience in C# & .Net</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Understanding basics of COM</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Signal/Image processing and scientific programming background</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Qualifications/Education Desired</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-BS degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Must have at least 5 years of experience in C# & .Net</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Hands-On knowledge in OOD, OOP, COM, Visual C++</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Experience in SW/HW systems integration</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-Previous experience in Image processing – an advantage</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kindly send your resumes to <b>vicky.palatnik@kla-tencor.com</b></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /><div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br /><div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>

Senior Software Engineer (C++ , OOD, OOP, COM ) (#108980)

Position : Senior Software Engineer Location: Migdal Ha’emek, Israel Duration: Full time Business Unit The Optical Metrology Division prod...

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Unfit for Work: The startling rise of disability in America | Planet Money - NPR

In the past three decades, the number of Americans who are on disability has skyrocketed. The rise has come even as medical advances have allowed many more people to remain on the job, and new laws have banned workplace discrimination against the disabled. Every month, 14 million people now get a disability check from the government.<br /><br><br /><br>The federal government spends more money each year on cash payments for disabled former workers than it spends on food stamps and welfare combined. Yet people relying on disability payments are often overlooked in discussions of the social safety net. People on federal disability do not work. Yet because they are not technically part of the labor force, they are not counted among the unemployed.<br /><br><br /><br>In other words, people on disability don't show up in any of the places we usually look to see how the economy is doing. But the story of these programs -- who goes on them, and why, and what happens after that -- is, to a large extent, the story of the U.S. economy. It's the story not only of an aging workforce, but also of a hidden, increasingly expensive safety net.<br /><br><br /><br>For the past six months, I've been reporting on the growth of federal disability programs. I've been trying to understand what disability means for American workers, and, more broadly, what it means for poor people in America nearly 20 years after we ended welfare as we knew it. Here's what I found.<br /><br><br /><br>More ...<br /><br><br /><br><a href="http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/">http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/</a>

Unfit for Work: The startling rise of disability in America | Planet Money - NPR

In the past three decades, the number of Americans who are on disability has skyrocketed. The rise has come even as medical advances have al...

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Google #20: Six useful ‘Google in the classroom’ posts

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are just so many posts about how to use Google in the classroom that it is quite mind-blowing. Today I thought I would list a few of them that I have found helpful. Four excerpts come from come from one of my favourite blogs, the TeachThought blog. .</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1) 5 Simple Ways To Use Google Docs In The Classroom</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (from the TeachThought blog)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIH5NBojq3KxevlO8DheFK5B24tIsdpOlFqdqbCshyF9KZHOAgB2uzYAY2EEm0cDOAYL6UUaZECPoFQSAPLTa_UZb-TmhD2xrlSuuhHHtGg0fKEiKdiknP0RtSWkKA_MUxPOhJ6D13iA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="400" /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from <a href="http://www.teachthought.com/technology/5-simple-ways-to-use-google-docs-in-the-classroom/" title="http://www.teachthought.com/technology/5-simple-ways-to-use-google-docs-in-the-classroom/">http://www.teachthought.com/technology/5-simple-ways-to-use-google-docs-in-the-classroom/</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a great post that you must read. It outlines:</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how to introduce collaborative writing using the integrated reference tools and smart spell checker </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how to use Google Forms as an inbox for collecting assignments from students, </span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how to use Google for online, collaborative brainstorming  sessions that provide students with opportunities to work together to develop ideas.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how to provide students with immediate feedback and increase motivation by creating a simple self-grading quiz with a Google Form.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How to use and create Google Doc templates as a virtual copy machine to save time.</span></li></ul><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2) 25 ways Google can help you to become a better teacher</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(from the TeachThought blog)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1h_fu7YzIWQhC_VFCtLdV84QJ9XTZ6wJdWQNp1L3ZFjCu-0giN9Ga7jSMWyV6_8OGeNk41KRB7oHFG79GYlgnj4-oLtdZcPu1U8e8jVRF479ER7wfZ-NWjMVWSwDS5Ocx1IO3CfqMiQ/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="400" /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from <a href="http://www.teachthought.com/featured/25-ways-google-can-help-you-become-a-better-teacher/" title="http://www.teachthought.com/featured/25-ways-google-can-help-you-become-a-better-teacher/">http://www.teachthought.com/featured/25-ways-google-can-help-you-become-a-better-teacher/</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post has 25 very useful tips on using Google in your daily teaching. It is definitely worth a read. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3) 21 Google Chrome Extensions For Increased Productivity</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (from the TeachThought blog)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Google Chrome is an amazing browser for both teacher and students for many reasons. One big plus is that you can sign into your profile from any compyter and have all your bookmarks, history, settings come up immediately. You’ll see all your extensions appear in a  shot and these make browsing an absolute breeze because everything is right there saving hours of time.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post highlights 21 really useful extensions for encouraging productivityin the classroom.   You need to take a read of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.teachthought.com/technology/21-google-chrome-extensions-for-increased-productivity/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21 Google Chrome Extensions For Increased Productivity</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>4) 20 Useful Google Search Tips You Probably Don’t Know </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(from the TeachThought blog)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Searching the Internet is such a vital skill these days. There is a lovely embedded plugin that shows the 20 useful lovely tips. (Would love to know which application was used to create this!)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhLeZwynat0Xb-ckANkpz1FFy_D4x3gJvoyDJxPK_ToV_uclxGtb1gX-9DF11cmwwUu2SaiYAjUXNuRpn5v_LjmlPaCJA8IEN1q8yEQDQxLe4laO84F6bmcZ91Nn4yGG4sfvyMWai_HM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="400" /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from </span><span style="color: #0000ee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;">http://www.teachthought.com/technology/20-useful-google-search-tips-you-probably-dont-know/</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>5) 52 Tips And Tricks For Google Docs In The Classroom </b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(from the TeachThought blog)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskZUpZX5dmUhfAXyi0DZvpBp-Uh-_eh5A5vtjGIVivFew7l-ZBcxDhOtXMMhzNx3evFZlFWrXuQCulbehqNCXxeqqPPN94Gv9JvHVKhOvWBzq3R9FM5PEezJSpZm_kkmBEaOa6JhbPQc/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="400" /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post raises the question ‘<i>Are you using Google to its fullest potential?</i>'  It outlines 52 great ideas for getting the most out of Google Docs including awesome ideas and tricks for collaboration, sharing, and staying productive. This post is definitely worth a read….</span><a href="http://www.teachthought.com/technology/52-tips-and-tricks-for-google-docs-in-the-classroom/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">52 Tips And Tricks For Google Docs In The Classroom</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>6) Paperless Classroom Series: Google Drive</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andy Marsinek shows how he moved from being a teacher who collected everything on paper, to introducing the paperless classroom. This is made possible with Google Drive. He says “<i>students and teachers can access, edit, and work on assignments almost anywhere. And I am certain these mobile device features for Google Docs will only get better</i>.” Take a read….</span><a href="http://www.bpsedtech.org/2012/11/27/the-paperless-options-series-google-drive/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paperless Classroom Series: Google Drive</a></div>

30 Days of Google Google #20: Six useful ‘Google in the classroom’ posts

There are just so many posts about how to use Google in the classroom that it is quite mind-blowing. Today I thought I would list a few of t...

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Take out the trash: get rid of the apps, to do's and activities that clutter your life.

Prom will be here tomorrow. It is a circus. No, literally, the theme is “A Night Under the Big Top,” a vintage circus theme that has turned out quite nicel even if I say so myself.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />But as I read the Psalms this morning, I was so taken by this phrase in Psalm 110:3a<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">“Your troops will be willing…”</blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9RcRzWk_y5b1G6PYXzTUPI7lm6kerQHxT-rWi6pfgSF3DPgnMBrTh_caWQFGU4ZslQdLU_b83Qa2hkmPQbyTnWMR1h4ILWLAzyF0-xLsh-lfSPQQBdal75qWQN0k_ese3sXSNqnyjOAu/s1600/Photo+Mar+26,+12+31+52+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9RcRzWk_y5b1G6PYXzTUPI7lm6kerQHxT-rWi6pfgSF3DPgnMBrTh_caWQFGU4ZslQdLU_b83Qa2hkmPQbyTnWMR1h4ILWLAzyF0-xLsh-lfSPQQBdal75qWQN0k_ese3sXSNqnyjOAu/s320/Photo+Mar+26,+12+31+52+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a>Well, sometimes, I've noticed that there is one job that when I ask for it to be done that no one wants to. The troops aren't willing. Since I've asked, only one student in the six times I've asked it, has been willing to take out the trash. I've seen them toy with the trash and move it around a bit in the auditorium, but only one picked up the bags and actually hauled it out. Why is that?<br /><br />Is it because it is beneath them? Is it because it isn't as fun as putting Christmas lights on the stage or as neat as suspending acrobats from the ceiling?<br /><br />Little do they realize that if the trash wasn't out, they wouldn't be able to see those acrobats, lights, or the billowing tent that has consumed the auditorium. The trash would cover it all.<br /><h2></h2><h3></h3><h3>Get rid of the apps that clutter and don't add beauty or function to your life</h3>Everyone wants a new tool, but who wants to get rid of one that doesn't work? I've been intentionally deleting apps off my ipad and iphone screen of late. If I don't use it, I'll send it into the ether of things that I own but aren't installed on my devices. <br /><br />Like a prom filled with trash, the trash fills up the space that you want to use for something beautiful and useful. So, take out the trash. It isn't glamorous, but it is necessary.<br /><h3>Mistaken identity</h3>There are times that you might delete something that is functional. Take a look at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://google.com/" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Google">Google</a>, they are spring cleaning right now. They've tossed <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/reader" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Google Reader">Google reader</a> into the dustbin and now, it is rumored, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/alerts" rel="homepage" target="_blank" title="Google Alerts">Google Alerts</a> will go the same way. They are “taking out their trash.”<br /><br />Sadly, sometimes people don't recognize the trash from the treasure. Like the person who throws away fine jewelry with the constume, mistakes happen. (In my opinion, <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2013/03/google-reader-fans-transition-to-feedly.html">Google has put the treasure</a> in the trash.)<br /><br />Gladly, if you delete an app off your phone or ipad, it isn't permanent. It is still there in uninstalled apps and it can return quickly. <br /><h3>What is your excuse?</h3>When installing a new app, challenge yourself to always delete one you haven't used lately. Cut the clutter and clear your mind. I always keep one empty spot on the homescreen of my iphone. It makes me feel like I have room for more and it is a signal to myself that I will have margin and leave room for new things in my life.<br /><br />There are times, my friends, we have to take out the trash. Not just to have room for more, but to have room to breathe and think. Do we really want our glass full all of the time or do we want to enjoy finishing the glass and being done for a while.<br /><br />Our to do lists, our phones, our computers are all full of more trash than we care to admit.<br /><br />Let's make a commitment today to remove the trash so we can enjoy the circus.<br /><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_c.png?x-id=63dc5ada-6507-44f5-9afc-5f9f52252213" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>

Take out the trash: get rid of the apps, to do's and activities that clutter your life.

Prom will be here tomorrow. It is a circus. No, literally, the theme is “A Night Under the Big Top,” a vintage circus theme that has turned ...

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Employers Adding Incentives to Health Programs - NYTimes.com

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Employers are increasingly trying to lower health care costs by using incentives to persuade workers to make better lifestyle choices, a new survey shows, but what remains less clear is whether a reward is better than a punishment — or whether the programs work at all.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><a title="The survey." href="http://aon.mediaroom.com/2013-03-25-Aon-Hewitt-Survey-Highlights-Important-Role-of-Incentives-in-U-S-Employers-Efforts-to-Improve-Workforce-Health-and-Performance" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">The survey</a>, of 800 large and midsize employers conducted by the human-resources consulting firm Aon Hewitt, found that the vast majority of companies, or 79 percent, use rewards like lower insurance premiums to try to nudge employees to improve their health. But increasingly, the survey found, employers are taking the programs a step further, by penalizing employees who do not make healthy choices and linking incentives to measurable results.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Employers are feeling the need to intensify their efforts to create an environment where people feel they are responsible for their own health," said Jim Winkler, chief innovation officer for health care at Aon Hewitt.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">While a little more than half, or 56 percent, of the companies using incentives required employees to sign up for programs like health coaching or completing a questionnaire, 24 percent tied their incentives to progress on measures like a person's blood pressure or body mass index. And the survey found that more than two-thirds of companies said they were considering taking similar steps in the future.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Programs that seek to impose consequences on workers by charging them higher premiums or requiring them to pay a surcharge for failing to take steps to lose weight or quit smoking <a title="Times article." href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/17/health/policy/smokers-penalized-with-health-insurance-premiums.html?pagewanted=all" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">have come under criticism</a> by those who have argued that the policies are invasive and can punish people for health problems that not are always easy to fix.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Although some employees have sought to challenge such policies in federal court, arguing that they are a violation of privacy or of the Americans with Disabilities Act, <a title="Reuters article on recent legal action." href="http://newsandinsight.thomsonreuters.com/Legal/News/2013/03_-_March/A_new_CVS_wellness_program_raises_privacy_concerns/" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">the cases</a> have so far failed to gain traction.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">The programs are likely to increase in popularity in the years ahead, in part because, as part of the new <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/health_insurance_and_managed_care/health_care_reform/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="Recent and archival news about healthcare reform." class="meta-classifier" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">health care law</a>, beginning in 2014 employers will be able to use as much as 30 percent of a worker's health care premiums on incentives programs, from 20 percent previously.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/cvscaremark_corporation/index.html?inline=nyt-org" title="More information about CVS Caremark Corporation" class="meta-org" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">CVS Caremark</a>, the large drugstore chain and pharmacy benefit manager, <a title="Boston Herald article." href="http://bostonherald.com/business/healthcare/2013/03/cvs_presses_workers_for_medical_information" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">recently said</a> it would require its 200,000 employees to report their weight, blood sugar and cholesterol or be forced to pay an annual penalty of $600. It also will require that smokers try to quit. Several other major employers, including PepsiCo and Wal-Mart, have also adopted such policies.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">While the popularity of workplace wellness programs appears to be on the rise, <a title="Article in The New England Journal of Medicine." href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1105966" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">there is less evidence</a> about whether they actually lower health care costs or make employees healthier. Programs that reward people for good behavior may be singling out those who were already practicing healthy habits, while those that penalize workers for bad behavior may be unfairly singling out the very people who need lower health care costs.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"These are really hard behaviors and decisions to move the needle on," said Michelle Mello, a professor of law and public health at Harvard. She cautioned against drawing too many conclusions from the Aon Hewitt survey, because the companies that participated may have been more likely to offer workplace wellness programs than those that did not. Aon Hewitt said the survey's 20 percent response rate was typical for the industry and the companies who completed the survey were a representative sample.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><a title="Abstract of an article in the journal Health Affairs." href="http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/32/3/477.abstract" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">One recent study</a> of a workplace wellness program, at a hospital system in St. Louis, found that the program decreased hospitalization of its employees for some conditions, but did not actually save the system any money.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Dr. Troy Brennan, the chief medical officer at CVS Caremark, agreed that the research into whether incentive programs worked was not yet conclusive, but said his company had already seen positive results. CVS is in the third year of an ongoing incentive program: in the first year, employees were asked to answer questions about their health, and in the second they were encouraged to undergo basic tests, like blood sugar and cholesterol, or face a $180 penalty. This year, the penalty was increased to $600.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Since the program began, Dr. Brennan said, employees' overall blood sugar has decreased, as have their cholesterol levels, while their so-called good cholesterol has increased. So far, employees do not receive rewards or penalties based on their improvements on these measures, but Dr. Brennan said it was possible.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">He said he understood that these policies created some discomfort, and said patients' individual data was kept private from the company. CVS contributes millions of dollars toward workers' health insurance, like most other employers, Dr. Brennan said, and thus has a stake in its employees' health. "Like it or not, in this country, employment and health insurance and health care are all intimately related," he said.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Several health groups, including the American Heart Association, have expressed concern over the growing popularity of incentive programs, saying they could be used by employers to transfer the higher costs of health care to sicker individuals.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Laurie Whitsel, director of policy research for the American Heart Association, said she was encouraged by a proposed rule by the Obama administration that would require employers to accommodate workers whose doctors concluded that certain goals, like losing weight in a short period, would be unhealthy.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 24px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); position: static; z-index: auto; ">Still, she said, many questions remained unanswered. "Ultimately it's really going to be a national experiment," she said.</p></div><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/business/companies-offer-workers-more-incentives-for-health-changes.html?&pagewanted=print">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/business/companies-offer-workers-more-incentives-for-health-changes.html?&pagewanted=print</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Employers Adding Incentives to Health Programs - NYTimes.com

Employers are increasingly trying to lower health care costs by using incentives to persuade workers to make better lifestyle choices, a new...

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Salesmen in the Surgical Suite - NYTimes.com

<base href="data:"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><nyt_text style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; "><div id="articleBody"><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">When Fred E. Taylor arrived at Harrison Medical Center in Silverdale, Wash., for a routine <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/surgery/prostate-removal/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="In-depth reference and news articles about Prostate removal ." class="meta-classifier" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">prostatectomy</a>, he expected the best medical care new technology had to offer: robotic surgery, billed as safer, less painful and easier on the body than traditional surgery.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">The operation, on Sept. 9, 2008, was supposed to take five hours. But it was marred by a remarkable cascade of complications and dragged on for more than 13 hours, leaving Mr. Taylor, who had been an active 67-year-old retiree, incontinent and with a <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/surgery/colostomy/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="In-depth reference and news articles about Colostomy." class="meta-classifier" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">colostomy</a> bag, and leading to kidney and lung damage, <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/sepsis/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="In-depth reference and news articles about Sepsis." class="meta-classifier" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">sepsis</a> and a stroke.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">Mr. Taylor survived his injuries but died last year. Now, his wife, Josette, is suing <a href="http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">Intuitive Surgical Inc.</a>, the company that makes the equipment and trained the surgeon to use it. As it turned out, the surgeon, Dr. Scott Bildsten, had never before used the robotic equipment without supervision.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">"We are the old school, where you trust the doctor," said Mrs. Taylor, who noted that her husband's life was so limited after the operation that he used to cry about being "trapped in this body."</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">It is not the first time patients have claimed they were harmed by Intuitive's robotic surgical equipment, called the da Vinci Surgical System. But the Taylor case, set for trial in April, is unusual. Internal company e-mails, provided to The New York Times by lawyers for the Taylor estate, offer a glimpse into the aggressive tactics used to market high-tech medical devices and raise questions about the quality of training provided to doctors before they use new equipment on patients.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">Intuitive, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., declined to comment on the lawsuit but said studies showed that its robotic equipment results in better outcomes than conventional open surgery. "The most objective and therefore best measure of efficacy for all of those involved in training — from Intuitive Surgical, the hospitals, the proctors and the surgeons themselves — is represented in the comparative clinical outcomes of da Vinci surgery," said Angela Wonson, the company's vice president for communications.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">According to Intuitive, 1,371 hospitals in the United States have purchased a da Vinci system, and many have purchased two. Nearly half a million procedures worldwide were performed robotically last year, including prostatectomies and <a href="http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/surgery/hysterectomy/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier" title="In-depth reference and news articles about Hysterectomy." class="meta-classifier" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">hysterectomies</a>, among other operations.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">A surgeon using the da Vinci system sits at a console with a camera that provides a high-definition, three-dimensional image of the surgical site. He or she manipulates miniaturized instruments; computer and robotic technology translates and scales the surgeon's hand movements.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">Hospitals are responsible for setting the credentialing standards, or training requirements, for physicians who will use the equipment on patients. But internal company e-mails suggest that Intuitive's sales representatives were intimately involved in the process, presenting themselves as experts and pressing for lower standards in order to ease the training path for busy surgeons, to increase use of the equipment and to drive sales.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">In an e-mail dated May 31, 2011, a Western regional sales manager for Intuitive noted that area surgeons had used robotic equipment only five times, although the company's goal was to see 36 robotic operations performed by the end of June. He urged sales staff to persuade surgeons to switch upcoming cases to robotic ones.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">"Don't let proctoring or credentialing" — shorthand for supervised surgery and hospital certification — "get in our way," the e-mail said.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">In December 2009, a sales representative urged a hospital in Billings, Mont., to ease up on its credentialing requirement, saying in an e-mail that requiring surgeons to do five supervised operations using the robot before going solo was "on the high side" and could have "unintended consequences." Hospital officials replied, saying, "We will review and most likely will decrease the 5 down to 3."</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">Ms. Wonson, the Intuitive spokeswoman, said the company does not get involved in determining who is qualified to operate its robotic equipment, which is the responsibility of the hospitals. "We do not make recommendations," she said in an e-mail.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">Dr. Bildsten was one of six doctors given free training by Intuitive, including one day of hands-on training at the company's facility in California. He also had done two practice runs on the equipment with a more experienced surgeon before operating on Mr. Taylor, he said in a legal deposition. Still, he said, no one warned him that a patient like Mr. Taylor, who weighed nearly 300 pounds, was not a good candidate for robotic surgery.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">He did not respond to telephone messages requesting comment.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">Company e-mails submitted in the Taylor case also suggest that members of the sales staff at Intuitive worked diligently to persuade surgeons to choose the da Vinci procedure for patients even when they were planning to use a different method.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">In one e-mail on June 28, 2010, a clinical sales director urged the sales team — whose compensation was linked to filling a quarterly quota of operations — to "scrub" doctors' schedules and get procedures moved up by a few days in order to make the quarterly goal. "Let's bring it home!" she wrote. "Be sure you scrub all schedules, identify cases on Thursday and Friday that can be moved up."</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">On Aug. 9, 2010, a clinical sales director wrote to his team: "Be proactive in finding cases to convert. Be prepared to challenge each trained surgeon every time you see a lap or open case. Be unsatisfied with the thought of ending a day without a converted case." ("Lap" refers to laparoscopic procedures, an alternate form of minimally invasive surgery.)</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">The sales representatives were often in the operating rooms, where they offered advice to newly trained surgeons who were having technical difficulties with the robot, according to legal depositions in the Taylor case. The representatives also appear to have had access to the operating room schedules and were urged to "partner" with surgical teams "to review and select appropriate cases," according to court documents.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">On March 3, 2011, a sales representative wrote in an e-mail to his team that he had met with a gynecologic surgeon in Utah who was trained a year earlier but had stopped doing robotic cases. The surgeon subsequently "agreed to convert the next two to da Vinci."</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">In depositions, some Intuitive sales representatives defended their involvement, saying that it was important for surgeons to use the robotic system frequently in order to maintain and improve their skills.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">The Food and Drug Administration allowed the sale of the da Vinci system in 2000 under a controversial process called "premarket notification," often used to bring medical devices to market without the rigorous trials of safety and efficacy typically required of new drugs. Manufacturers are able to exempt devices from the rigorous trials by claiming they are similar to existing devices already on the market.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">When devices are brought to market this way, the F.D.A. "cannot require training programs as a condition of clearance," said Synim Rivers, an agency spokeswoman.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">Before allowing this type of market clearance, the agency twice asked Intuitive for more information about how doctors would be trained to use company equipment. Intuitive provided details of a 70-item exam for surgeons and a three-day hands-on training protocol.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">By 2002, however, the company had revamped its training program, replacing the 70-item exam with a 10-question online quiz and reducing the time spent in hands-on training at Intuitive's facility to one day.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">The largest study to date of robotic hysterectomies has <a title="Times article about robotic hysterectomies. " href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/questions-about-a-robotic-surgery/" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">questioned the use of robot-assisted surgery</a> over more conventional forms of minimally invasive surgery. A study published in February in The Journal of the American Medical Association evaluated outcomes in 264,758 women who had laparoscopic or robotically assisted hysterectomy and found <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23423414" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">no overall difference in complication rates between the two groups</a>.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">But the researchers did find that robotically assisted surgery for hysterectomy costs on average about one-third more than laparoscopic surgery.</p><p itemprop="articleBody" style="color: black; font-size: 1.2em; margin: 0px 0px 1em; line-height: 24px; ">Last week, Dr. James T. Breeden, the president of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/100554849" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 153); text-decoration: none; ">publicly urged</a> patients "to separate the marketing hype from the reality" when considering a surgical method for hysterectomy. "Just because it's newer and higher technology," he said, "doesn't mean it's better."</p><nyt_correction_bottom><div class="articleCorrection" style="margin-bottom: 2.8em; "></div></nyt_correction_bottom><nyt_update_bottom></nyt_update_bottom></div></nyt_text><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline !important; float: none; "></span></div><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/health/salesmen-in-the-surgical-suite.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130326&pagewanted=print">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/health/salesmen-in-the-surgical-suite.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130326&pagewanted=print</a><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>

Salesmen in the Surgical Suite - NYTimes.com

When Fred E. Taylor arrived at Harrison Medical Center in Silverdale, Wash., for a routine  prostatectomy , he expected the best medical car...

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