NBCOT Study Cards Flashcards

Primitive reflexes
Terms Definitions
abnormal reduction
bronchus (airway)
Running 10mph
17 MET
eat or swallow
fascia (a band)
inability to read
Level VII
Automatic-appropriate: response robot-like, judgment and problem solving lackingcommunity reentry activities

under fluoroscopy, surgical dilation of a blood vessel using a small balloon-tipped catheter inflated inside the lumen
exaggerated fear or sensitivity
Developmental Levels of Grasping(External Link)
Knee flexion measurement
0 to 145º
Cranial nerve 6

purely motor

turns eye laterally
wrist controlno hand functionwrist extenders
speech impairment?
swallowing impairment?
examples to use for airway protection?
1. dysarthria
2. dysphagia
3. gag reflex (expels bolus), volitional/spontanous cough ( clear pharynx of matter) , vocal fold adduction ( close airway to prevent food from entering larynx), reflexive inhibition of respiration ( prevents inhaled food entering airway)
C7 Feeding
Rancho Los Amigos Cognitive Scale(External Link)
Hip external rotation measurement
0 to 45º
Cranial nerve 7

mixed sensory and motor

controls most facial expressions
secretion of tears & saliva
Central cord
resulting from hyperextension injuries and presenting as more UE deficits vs. LE
intravascular stent

an endoprosthesis (pliable wire mesh) implanted postangioplasty to prevent restenosis and occlusion in coronary or peripheral arteries
If an OTA demonstrates service competency, do they become independent and no longer require supervision by an OTR/L?
"goal directed actions"testing: able to imitate whip stitch, 3 stitchesability to carry out simple tasks through completionrelies heavily on visual cuesmay be able to perform established routines but cannot cope with unexpected events
unawareness of motor deficitmay be related to lack of insight
Infraspinatus (origin, insertion, function)

origin: infraspinatus fossa

insertion: greater tuberosity

function: external rotation
Landau Reflex
Onset: 3-4 monthsIntegration: 12-24 monthsStimulus: hold infant in horizontal prone suspensionResponse: complete extension of head, trunk, and extremitiesRelevance: breaks up flexor dominance, facilitates prone extension
Galant Reflex
Onset: 32 weeks gestationIntegration: 2 monthsStimulus: hold infant in prone suspension, gently scratch or tap alongside the spine with finger, from shoulders to buttocksResponse: lateral trunk flexion and wrinkling of the skin on the stimulated sideRelevance: facilitates lateral trunk movements necessary for trunk stabilization
Suck-swallow Reflex
Onset: 28 weeks gestationIntegration: 2-5 monthsStimulus: place examiners index finger inside infant's mouth with head in midlineResponse: strong, rhythmical suckingRelevance: allows ingestion of nourishment
Project Groups
Consist of common, short-term activities requiring some interaction and cooperation
Precautions for thermal agents
EdemaDiminished sensationCompromised circulationuse of anti-coagulations
Forearm radial deviation (ABduction) measurement

0 to 20º
Cranial nerve 5

mixed motor and sensory

chewing, face and mouth, touch and pain
C7 (location, muscles, function)
location: middle fingermuscles facilitated: triceps, extensors of wrist and fingersfunction: wrist flexion, finger extension
Blood Flow pattern

systemic circulation to RA
from RA to RV
from RV to lungs for oxygenation

LA receives oxygenated blood from lungs
from LA to LV

LV pumps blood to body via aorta
optimal respiration
occurs when ventilation and perfusion (blood flow to lungs) are matched
normal heart rate for an infant
120 bpm
T9 to T12
What shoulder flexion muscles are innervated by the axillary nerve?
Anterior deltoid
Cognitive Disabilities Model
** dx: psychosocial dysfx, neurological impairments, dementia **cognition perceived to be on a continuum: 1 = profoundly impaired 6 = normalafter functional level is established: practice routine tasks that CAN be performed or ADAPTED tasks so they can be performedfocus: adaptive approaches strengthening residual abilities
Sideward Parachute (protective extension sideward) Reflex
Onset: 7 monthsIntegration: persistsStimulus: quickly but firmly tip infant off balance to the side while in seated positionResponse: arm extension and abduction to the sideRelevance: protects body to prevent a fall; supports body for unilateral use of opposite arm
Palmar Grasp Reflex
Onset: 37 weeks gestationIntegration: 4-6 monthsStimulus: place examiners finger in infants palmResponse: finger flexion, reflexive graspRelevance: increases tactile input on the palm of the hand
Spinal Accessory
CN 11- Sensory/motor fibers for sternocleidomastoid, traps, muscles of soft palate, pharynx, and larynx; movement of neck and shoulders- Sterno and trap muscle testing
CN 6- Motor and proprioceptor fibers to/from lateral rectus muscles, lateral eye movements- Tested in conjunction with cranial 3 relative to moving eye laterally
What muscles does T1 innervate?
T1: Hand intrinsics
Thoracic and lumbar spine lateral flexion measurement

0 to 40º
a brief and rapid contraction of a muscle or group of muscles
C8 (location, muscles, function)
location: little finger, ulnar forearmmuscles facilitated: flexor of wrist and fingersfunction: C8 finger flexion
Poor plus (P+)
2+part moves through incomplete ROM (less than 50%) against gravity ORpart moves through complete ROM with gravity decreased against slight resistance
hetertropic heart transplant

involves leaving natural heart and piggy-backing donor heart
reprimand (definition)
a formal expression of disapproval of conduct communicated privately and retained in the individual's certification file
Extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) (origin, insertion, function)

origin: lateral epicondyle

insertion: 5th MCP

function: extension of wrist and ulnar deviation
C7 Dressing
Early Neurologic Recovery components
resolution of cerebral edemathe absorption of damaged tissueimprovement on local circulation
Subscapularis (origin, insertion, function)

origin: anterior surface of scapula

insertion: lesser tuberosity

function: internal rotation
C-P tx of decreased alertness/arousal
increased environmental stimuligross motor activitiesincreased sensory stimuli
Advanced level OT
- Refining specializing skills with ability to understand complex issues affecting role functions- Supervision not required, min supervision by another advanced OT recommended- Supervises everyone
Egocentric cooperative groups
Require joint interaction on a long-term tasks; however completion of the task is not the focus. The members are beginning to express their needs and address those of others
Spinal Segment T1
Dermatome: axilla and proximal medial armMuscles facilitated: hand intrinsicsFunction: abduction and adduction of fingers
What is medial epicondylitis?
-AKA Golfer's Elbow-Caused by forceful and repeated flexion of the wrist and fingers
What is spinal shock?
Transient physiological reaction to depression of the cord below the SCI level. Associated loss of sensorimotor function and flaccid paralysis. Flaccid paralysis symptoms last several days.
What characterizes severe spastic CP?
Characterized by:-Severe increased tone-Flexion and extension cocontraction-High tone always-More proximal than distal
What are orthosis?
Orthosis are permanent devices that replace or substitude for loss of muscle function
At what Ranchos level are patients aware of the month and year?
Level VI
lateral central fissure (Sylvian fissure)

separates temporal lobe from frontal and parietal lobes
C7 to T1
can straighten arms but may have dexterity problems with hands and fingersC7: tricepsC8: hand dexterity
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (etiology, onset, prevalence, prognosis)
etiology: manifested by loss of voluntary, bu preservation of reflexive eye movements, bardykinesia, rigidity, axial dystonia, pseudobulbar palsy, and dementiaonset: later middle lifeprevalence: affects 6.5/100,000prognosis: death occurs approximately 15 years after onset
Cranial Nerve V (location, muscles, function)
location: anterior facial regionmuscles facilitated: masticationfunction: ingestion
Zero (0)
0no muscle contraction can be seen or felt
Who may supervise OTR Level Is?
entry-level OTR/Ls and OTAs
What extrinsic flexors are innervated by the ulnar nerve?
Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)
normal respiratory rate for an adult
12 to 18 breaths/min
Symptoms of facial paralysis
incomplete closure of mouthloss of bolus out of front of oral cavity
Contemporary Task-orient approach
based on systems model of motor control and contemporary motor learning theories. The application in rehabilitation emphasizes that effective therapeutic intervention depends on identification of the system that is critical to controlling the occupational performance at a specific time.
Rancho Los Amigos Level VII
Automatic-Appropriate - Follow set schedule- ADL routine with help- Have problems planning, starting, and following through with activities- Have trouble paying attention in distracting or stressful situations- Not realist how his thinking and memory problems may affect future plans and goals- Continue to need supervision due to decreased safety awareness and judgment- Think slower in stressful situations- Be inflexible, stubborn, or rigid- Be able to talk about doing something, but will have problems actually doing it
Muscle grade 5
Normal - part moves through complete ROM against gravity and full resistance
Tonic Labyrinthine - Prone Reflex
Onset: >37 weeks gestationIntegration: 6 monthsStimulus: place infant in proneResponse: increased flexor toneRelevance: facilitates total-body flexor tone
What is lateral epicondylitis?
-AKA Tennis Elbow-Insertion point of the extensor carpi radialis brevis becomes inflammed-If left untreated, can tear requiring surgical repair
What are the normal ROM limits of cervical rotation?
0-60 degrees
What are protective splints?
Protective splints are static splints used to:- immobilize a joint or limb following trauma are fracture and some post-surgical conditions
Describe the RAPS assessment: components and population appropriate for using
Evaluates performance in: work, education, household tasks, relationships, leisure, hygiene, and ADL performance.Appropriate for treatment planning with adult psychiatric population
Intervention strategies for spatial relations deficits
*use activities that challenge underlying spatial skills (up/down, front/back, over/under)*utilize tasks that require discrimination for right/left
When should sensory testing be avoided?
-Receptive aphasia-Atrophic (aptropy) skin
Cauda equina syndrome
injury at the L1 level and below resulting in a lower motor neuron lesion; flaccid paralysis with no spinal reflex activity
Motor Free Visual Perception Test (MVPT-3)
(focus, method, scoring/interpretation, population)
- STANDARDIZED, quick eval
- assesses visual perception: spatial relationships, visual discrimination, figure-ground, visual closure, and visual memory
- items 1-40 for ages 4-10
- items 14-65 for ages 10 and older
- children and adults 4-95 yrs old
Close supervision (definition)
daily, direct contact at the site of work
Extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) (origin, insertion, function)

origin: supracondylar ridge of humerus

insertion: 2nd MCP base

function: extension of wrist and radial deviation
C5 Grooming
A with setupcan be I in brushing teeth and hair with splint with universal cuffI with electric shaver that fits around handAble to use shoulders and bicepsNO WRIST OR HAND CONTROL
LE treatment for disarticulations
wrapping to shape residual limb and decrease swellingdesensitizationstrengthening (UE) with the focus on tricepstransfer training, stand pivotADL training (LE dressing is most difficult)standing tolerancew/c mobility
Muscle grade 4
Good - part moves through complete ROM against gravity and moderate resistance
What is visual agnosia?
Lack of ability to recognize common objects and demonstrate their use in an activity.
What is the focus of the Rivermead Behavioral Memory test?
Alterations with memory
What is olecranon bursitis?
-When the olecrenon bursa of the elbow becomes inflammed due to contact pressure or overuse
What are the methods used to treat hyposensitivity?
-Sensory retraining-Compensation (Such as testing hot water with the other hand, padding objects)
What is De Quervain's Syndrome?
-Tendonitis of the first dorsal compartment near the anatomical snuffbox-Caused by overuse of the thumb-Tested with finklestein's
Downward parachute reflex (onset age, integration, stimulus, response, relevance)
4 months -- persistsstimulus: rapidly lower infant toward supporting surface while suspended verticallyresponse: extension of LErelevance: allows accurate placement of LE in anticipation of a surface
spina bifida with myelomeningocele
protrusion of a sac through the spine, containing cerebral spinal fluid and meninges as well as the spinal cord or nerve roots
Hawaii Early Learning Profile, Revised (HELP)
(focus, method, scoring/interpretation, population)
- NON STANDARDIZED SCALE of developmenatal levels
- assesses 6 areas: cognitive, language, GM, FM, social-emotional, self-help
- administered in child's natural environment, in context of family and during typical routines
- warm up with structured play and snack time is recommended
- dev age range levels can be APPROX. in each of the 6 areas
- dev structuring of skills is provided in the form of a sequence; therefore, skills needed as a foundation of more advanced skills are provided
- birth - 3yrs with dev delay, disabilities, or at risk
- another form for 3-6 yrs with and without delay
what are pecific techniques directed at agonist and reversal of antagonist
* Repeated contractions: increase ROM and endurance
* Rhythmic initiation: improves mvt initation
* Slow reversal: gains ROM
* Rhythmic stabilization: promotes stability
Stage VI (ADL and mobility, recreation)
ADL and mobility:standing = showering in hot water, hanging and/or wringing clothes, mopping, stripping and making beds, rakingrecreation:swimming (no advanced strokes)slow dancing ice or roller skating (slowly)volleyballbadmintontable tennis (noncompetitive)light calisthenics
Therapy strategies during flaccid phase
- proper positioning- support of the arm within a wheelchair throughout sitting- PROM to all affected joints at least x1/day* traction should be avoided when moving patient in and out of bed *
Rancho Los Amigos Level III
Localized Response- Be awake on and off during day- Make more movements- React more specifically to what he sees, hears or feels- React slowly and inconsistently- Begin to recognize friends/family- Follow some simple directions - "look at me"- Begin to respond inconsistently to simple questions with yes or no head nods
Typical Developmental Sequence of Toileting at 1 year
- Indicates discomfort when wet or soiled- Has regular bowel movements
What is trigger finger?
-Caused by a nodule or thickening of the flexor tendons of the finger or thumb as they pass through the digital pulleys-Hinders gliding motion, resulting in catching or "triggering" during flx/ext
What is functional skill training?
Focuses on mastery of a specific task. Requires client to repeatedly practice the substeps of a task with the # of cues for each task gradually faded out.
What is the Allen Cognitive Level Number 2?
"postural reactions" Testing: unable to imitate running stitch movement is associated with comfort some
awareness of large objects in environment may assist caregiver with simple tasks
Parkinson's Progression - Hoehn & Yarh's Stage V
confined to a wheelchair or bed, maximally assisted
Revised Knox Preschool Play Scale (RKPPS)
(focus, method, scoring/interpretation, population)
- observations of play skills to differentiate developmental play abilities, strengths, and weakness, and interest areas
- administered in natural indoor and outdoor env with peers
- 2, 30 min periods of observation
- 4 dimensions assessed: space management, material management, pretense/symbolic play, and participation
- 0-6 yrs
- useful for children whom standardized testing may not be appropriate
Who may supervise OTA Level IIs?
OTAs with 1 year of practice experience
symptoms of clinical aspiration
food enters airway: 1. person can clear airway by coughing (reflex intact) 2. person silently aspirates - bolus enters lung and person does not react - bolus enters lung and person experiences respiratory distress - person coughs too weakly to raise bolus in order to expel it
Cranial Nerves I, II, VIII
Pure sensory - carry special senses of smell, vision, hearing, and equilibrium
What functionality does a person with C1-C3 SCI have?
-Individuals required to use a respirator-Individuals might have limited head and neck movement-Able to use "sip and puff" wheelchair-Completely dependendent in ADLs and transfers
Asymmetric tonic neck relfex (ATNR) (onset age, integration, stimulus, response, relevance)
37 weeks gestation to 4 to 6 monthsstimulus: fully rotate infant's head and hold for 5 secondsresponse: extension of extremities on the face side, flexion of extremities on skull siderelevance: promotes visual hand regard
symptoms of weakness of tongue/base of tongue structures
inefficient propulsion of bolus at an efficient rate of speed past the base of tongue to pharyngeal cavitylack of closure @ cricopharyngeal junction: 1. sub-optimal propulsion of bolus 2. interference with normal timing of swallow sequence 3. failure to trigger closure of vocal folds during swallow (aspiration)
What is Ranchos Los Amigos Cognitive Scale Level I?
NO RESPONSEPerson does not respond to sounds, sights, touch or movement.
neck righting reflex (NOB) (onset age, integration, stimulus, response, relevance)
4 to 6 months -- 5 yearsstimulus: place infant in supine and fully turn head to one sideresponse: log rolling of entire body to maintain alignment with the headrelevance: maintains head/body alignment; initiates rolling (first ambulation effort)
Play/leisure skills at SCI level C8-T1
Can do the same as C7 but performance is easier due to good functional use of both upper extremities
What is a FIM level of "Supervision or setup," or level 5?
The person only needs someone to standby and cue or coax him/her (without physical contact) so that he/she can do a task.
2 to 3 MET (occupational activities; recreational activities)
occupational: auto repair radio, TV repair janitorial work typing, manual bartendingrecreational: level walking (3.25km or 2mi/hr) level bicycling (8km or 5mi/hr) riding lawn mower billiards, bowling skeet, shuffleboard woodworking (light) powerboat driving golf (power cart) canoeing (4km or 2.5mi/hr) horseback riding (walk) playing piano and many musical instruments
At what Ranchos Los Amigos level do individuals begin to begin to remember events before the accident better than their daily routine?
Level V. At this level, patients also confabulate in order to fill in gaps in memory
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HOME > BLOG > Home Loan Advice > Your Borrowing Power Explained

It is important to gain a good understanding of what your borrowing power is in the beginning as this will help determine the property you can afford to buy.

Your borrowing power or borrowing capacity is the amount of money a lender will loan to you.

Just because you have a large deposit and lots of assets does not automatically mean that you have the cash flow to make repayments on a new loan. Some people confuse this with borrowing power. There are two parts to the overall calculation that lenders go through, one is to ensure that you have the funds upfront for the deposit and other expenses, and the second in being able to afford the repayments going forward. The second one is all about borrowing power.

So how does a lender calculate your borrowing power? It is basically a detailed look at your income and your commitments and then how much you have left over to make further loan repayments.

The types of things that are taken into consideration include:

• Income from working, rent from investment properties, family tax income and income from share investments
• Number of applicants and dependants to help give an estimate of living expenses
• Credit card limits
• Personal/car loan repayments and payments on other mortgages
• Other commitments like maintenance, HECS/HELP debt etc.

If you are shopping around for a home loan and want to compare lenders, then online home loan calculators are a great tool to get a general idea of your borrowing power. However, to get a more accurate answer on how much you could borrow, it is best to speak with a lender directly. You may have certain unique exceptions that the calculator doesn’t take into account, that are better explored in person.

After doing your own research and speaking with lenders you find that you are not able to get the loan amount you want, there are ways to improve your borrowing power. This can be done either by increasing your income, decreasing your commitments or saving more so that you don’t need to borrow as much. Some examples include:

Show you can save: Saving more will not only mean you will have a bigger deposit to put towards your property purchase, but lenders may regard your application highly as they can see you have the willpower to save.

Get out of debt: Credit cards, store cards, interest free facilities and other personal loans can have a huge impact on your borrowing power. If these are restricting the amount you can borrow, focus on paying these off. Also, if you have any unused credit cards, cancel them. Even if you don’t have any money owing on a credit card, lenders will still include these credit limits in their calculations regardless.

Improve your credit report: If you know you’ve missed a few repayments on other financial commitments, now is the time to get organised. These defaults will show up on your credit report and can affect your borrowing power. Make an effort to ensure you meet repayments on time. If you can show a lender that you are making a conscious effort to right your repayment history, it could improve your borrowing capacity.


At school, I was fascinated by sciences, mathematics and philosophy as knowledge techniques. Studying law later at University, I became interested in comparative law. I felt that comparative methods replicate the movements of life and showed me new possibilities to perceive and understand the world, and construct what we maybe name ‘objectivity’. I started to compare everything, as in a mental game.

 Artistically, works of Giambattista Della Porta and Charles Le Brun on comparative anatomy show physical and psychological similarities between man and animal.

Scientifically, comparative anatomy allows common principles between living systems and helps to understand species specificities, and by extension finding a key role for the organ.

From comparative law to comparative anatomy, from comparative perception of signals and comparative imaginary, comparative process is developed as a neuro-plastic key technique for moving thought.


Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2017: What is blood cancer, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Cancer cells flowing inside a vein with blood cells (Picture: Getty)

Hundreds of volunteers are working to raise awareness of blood cancer this month.

The disease, which includes cancers affecting the body’s blood, bone marrow and lymphatic system affects a huge amount of people in the UK every year.

‘I was suicidal’: Linda Nolan opens up about her heartbreaking cancer diagnosis

The disease is said to be diagnosed in 25,000 people each year with one person diagnosed with blood cancer every 20 minutes, according to the Anthony Nolan Trust. That is 70 people a day.

The condition includes leukaemia, lymphoma and Myeloma and this month – September 2017 – is Blood Cancer Awareness Month.

Here is everything you need to know.

What is blood cancer?

Leukaemia blood cells (dark purple) in the liver of a patient with lymphocytic leukaemia (Picture: Getty)

The first type of blood cancer, Leukaemia, affects your white blood cells, which are designed to fight infection as part of your body’s immune system.

White blood cells are made in your bone marrow and if you have leukaemia it usually means that your body is producing an abnormal amount, making it difficult for other blood cells to move about.

There are four main types of leukaemia: Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), and Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

However, there are other types that include: acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), hairy cell leukaemia (HCL), large granular lymphocytic leukaemia (LGL), t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML).

Acute leukaemia needs urgent treatment as it can progress very quickly while chronic leukaemia develops a a much slower rate.

The second type, Lymphoma, affects your lymphatic system, which is designed to protect your body from infection and usually mean your body is producing too many lymphocytes, which is a white blood cell..

If you have lymphoma it means you make too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, causing problems in the body’s immune system. Lymphoma can develop in lymph nodes, bone marrow, blood, the spleen and the organs.

The two main types are Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and Hodgkin lymphoma.

The third type of blood cancer is Myeloma, which is a cancer affecting plasma cells in bone marrow. Plasma cells usually produce antibodies to help the immune system, but when myeloma occurs it usually means there is an abnormal amount that can block the immune system.  It typically affects the spine, skull, pelvis and ribs of the body.

What are the symptoms and how is it diagnosed?

Embargoed to 0001 Tuesday February 9 File photo dated 23/01/16 of a volunteer donating a spit sample during the Anthony Nolan Match4Lara 'spit drive' in London. A mixed-race student diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia has found a stem cell donor against the odds. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Tuesday February 9, 2016. Lara Casalotti, 24, from Hampstead in north London, inspired a global campaign to find a match due to her mixed Thai and Italian heritage. See PA story HEALTH Lara. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
A spit sample  (Picture: PA)

While some forms have no symptoms, those with Leukaemia may feel: fatigue, breathless, dizzy, a fever and night sweats, red bumps on your skin, pain in your bones and joints, swollen lymph nodes, a swelling or tender lump on your abdomen (tummy), pale skin, weight loss, lots of infections, bleeding or bruising easily. Diagnosis is often by blood test.

Lymphoma symtoms include: swelling in the neck, groin or armpit, night sweats, unintentional weight loss, fever, a persistent cough or feeling of breathlessness, persistent itching of the skin all over the body. Diagnosis is usually by biopsy.

Myeloma may not cause any symptoms in the early stages and is only diagnosed with a routine urine sample or blood test. But once symptomatic, those affected may feel: a persistent dull ache or specific areas of tenderness in the bones, weak bones that fracture easily, Fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, anaemia, repeated infections, bruising and unusual bleeding – such as frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums and heavy periods.

How is blood cancer treated?

Chemo drug bag used in delivering drug treatment to a cancer patient.
Chemo drug bag used in delivering drug treatment to a cancer patient (Picture: PA)

Blood cancers are usually treated with either chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.

Chemotherapy is a process that involves taking drugs – either one or multiple – that destroy cancer cells. This may slow down the disease or even put it into remission. Cancer cells grow quicker than normal cells and chemotherapy is designed to identify these and attack them, however it can make someone feel very ill as healthy cells can be taken out as well. This may cause nausea, fatigue and hair loss.

Radiotherapy meanwhile, which is sometimes combined with chemotherapy, uses X-rays to kill cancer cells.However, the radiation needs to be concentrated in exactly the right area, often with a machine called a linear accelerator. Again, radiotherapy can damage healthy cells leading to some nasty side affects – and with radiotherapy these can be long lasting.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy may also be used for patients receiving bone marrow or stem cells to stop the body rejecting the foreign cells.

The treatment chosen for a person will usually depend on what type of blood cancer it is as well as how advanced and how aggressive it is. A person’s health generally may also be taken in to account.

MORE: Ronnie Wood returns to stage for the first time following his battle with lung cancer

MORE: Mum who battled breast cancer gets beautiful optical illusion bra tattoo


Bohley, K; Joos, O; Hartmann, HEK; Sage, RF; Liede-Schumann, S; Kadereit, G: Phylogeny of Sesuvioideae (Aizoaceae) - biogeography, leaf anatomy and the evolution of C4 photosynthesis, Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics, 17(2), 116-130 (2015), doi:10.1016/j.ppees.2014.12.003
Stichworte: Carbon isotope values; Character evolution; Kranz anatomy; Sesuvium; Trianthema; Water storage tissue
Sesuvioideae (Aizoaceae) form a small subfamily of drought-tolerant plants exhibiting leaf succulence, halophytic ecology, and the C4 photosynthetic pathway. Sesuvioideae are sister to the species-rich subfamilies Ruschioideae, Mesembryanthemoideae and Aizooideae that contain many CAM lineages. This close relationship of CAM and C4 taxa identifies the Sesuvioideae as an important clade to address hypotheses of photosynthetic pathway evolution. This study presents a molecular phylogeny of Sesuvioideae based on five markers (atpB-rbcL spacer, rps16 intron, trnL-trnF spacer, petB-petD spacer, ITS) and 51 accessions representing all genera and 37 species. We determined carbon isotope data of 103 samples and examined the leaf anatomy of 25 species. A RASP (Reconstruct Ancestral State in Phylogenies) analysis was used to reconstruct the ancestral biogeography of Sesuvioideae and trace its current worldwide distribution. Maximum likelihood character optimization was conducted for six traits related to photosynthetic type and leaf anatomy to characterize the evolution of leaf types in Sesuvioideae. The well-resolved molecular phylogeny revealed an African/Arabian origin of the subfamily with Tribulocarpus as sister to a clade containing Trianthema, Sesuvium, Cypselea and Zaleya. Intercontinental dispersal occurred within Trianthema (to Australia and South America) and Sesuvium/Zaleya (to Australia and North/Central America). Character optimizations favoured a single origin of C4 photosynthesis with two reversions to the C3 state, one within American Sesuvium and the other in Trianthema subgenus Trianthema. However, biochemical diversity of the C4 syndrome in Sesuvioideae might indicate multiple origins of the C4 pathway. Two C3 and four C4 anatomical types (atriplicoid, salsoloid, portulacelloid and pilosoid) are present in the subfamily, based on differences in water storage tissue, vascular bundle arrangements, and chlorenchyma structure. Ancestral state reconstruction indicates multiple losses or reduction of water storage tissue in the subfamily and frequent shifts in leaf anatomical traits.
Aktuelle Termine

Do. 14.12.2017 aktuell
Do. 21.12.2017
Silicon in biogeochemistry
Ökologisch-Botanischer Garten:
So. 07.01.2018
Stärk´ anlaufen: Winterspaziergang im ÖBG
So. 07.01.2018
Musikalischer Jahresbeginn mit den Rockin´ Dinos
Do. 14.12.2017 aktuell
Workshop on synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy
Wetter Versuchsflächen
Luftdruck (356m): 951.0 hPa
Lufttemperatur: 4.3 °C
Niederschlag: 4.1 mm/24h
Sonnenschein: <1 h/d
Wind (Höhe 17m): 16.6 km/h
Wind (Max.): 32.0 km/h
Windrichtung: SW

Globalstrahlung: 1 W/m²
Lufttemperatur: 0.9 °C
Niederschlag: 2.9 mm/24h
Sonnenschein: <1 h/d
Wind (Höhe 32m): 23.4 km/h
Wind (Max.): 50.4 km/h


 Edward M. Wysocki, Jr. - My New Book
My New Book

My new book, An ASTOUNDING War, looks at the connections between Science Fiction and World War II. To begin, the effects of the war upon the pulp science fiction magazines of the late 1930s and early 1940s are explored. Then the focus is shifted to Astounding Science-Fiction, the leading magazine of that time. How was the content of Astounding, both fiction and non-fiction, influenced by the war? It was also possible to look in the other direction. What contributions were made to the war effort by those people associated with Astounding? What influence did science fiction have on military and naval technology?

What topics are discussed in An ASTOUNDING War? Consider the following example:
Most people who are a bit familiar with the history of science fiction know about “Deadline.” The story by Cleve Cartmill appeared in the March 1944 issue of Astounding. It involved a war on another planet, in which the combatants were meant to correspond to the Axis and Allies. To be quite frank, it was not a very impressive story. Its claim to fame was its mention of an atomic bomb employing U-235. This naturally attracted the attention of government investigators who were wondering where the author got his information.

What is not generally known is that another vital wartime technology appeared in a story in Astounding in 1943. The story had been written, purchased and scheduled for publication during a period when severe restrictions existed on the publication of such information. Fortunately for the author of the story and the editor of Astounding, by the time that the story appeared, the restrictions had been relaxed somewhat. Consequently, there was no visit from government investigators such as would occur the following year with “Deadline.”  No fuss about a story that was just concerned about sending an important message in space.

To purchase either the print or e-book version of An ASTOUNDING War from AMAZON, just use the link below.  The Kindle version is only $7.99!!

The price of the print version of An ASTOUNDING War has been lowered from $21.95 to just $19.95!!

Well-researched, self-published study of how John W. Campbell's Astounding dealt with WWII in both its fiction and nonfiction, as well as the wartime activities of its major authors.

             Science Fiction Studies
             November 2015

For so long in science fiction there has been a connection of World War II and science fiction but no one has ever written about how the two are connected until now. Wysocki delves into the subject and shows how World War II influenced science fiction and the impact of science fiction on the war. The work is fascinating in how it shows the development of magazines of the genre and how stories came from the war or how they affected the war effort. Included are names of many established writers and others that are not as well known that readers should add to their list of authors. The writing is as if the author is directly talking to readers and has a very nice flow to the very end. "An Astounding War: Science Fiction and World War II" is a wonderful history of science fiction and World War II that no history buff or science fiction fan can afford to miss.

             Midwest Book Review
             MBR Bookwatch
             Gary's Bookshelf
             August 2016
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Wednesday, July 2, 2014

How to deal with Notice from the IRS ?

Each year the office mails variant notices.

Here’s what you must do if you receive a notice from the IRS:

1. Don’t ignore it. you'll reply to most office notices quickly and simply. And it’s vital that you just reply promptly.

2. office notices typically wear down a selected issue regarding your instrument or tax account. as an example, it's going to say the office has corrected miscalculation on your instrument. Or it's going to raise you for additional info.

3. scan it fastidiously and follow the directions regarding what you would like to try to to.

4. If it says that the office corrected your instrument, review the data within the notice and compare it to your instrument.If you agree, you don’t have to be compelled to reply unless a payment is due.

If you don’t agree, it’s vital that you just reply to the office. Write a letter that explains why you don’t agree. make certain to incorporate info and any documents you would like the office to think about. embody all-time low tear-off portion of the notice along with your letter. Mail your reply to the office at the address shown within the lower left a part of the notice. enable a minimum of thirty days for a response from the office.

5. you'll handle most notices while not line or visiting the office. If you are doing have queries, decision the telephone number within the higher right corner of the notice. make certain you have got a duplicate of your instrument and therefore the notice with you once you decision.

6. Keep copies of any notices you get from the office.


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We have lost a tireless champioin for human rights and all that is good in humanity.  Let us ensure that his work has not been in vain.


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    Guarantee of Origin (GO)

Guarantee of Origin (GO)

The Guarantee of Origin (GO) is the tracking certificate, that labels electricity attributes/ technology behind generated electricity, as regulated in the article 15 of the European Directive 2009/28/EC.  In short, a GO is a "green label" which ensures that one MWh of electricity has been produced from a particular energy source. If the electricity customer buys power which has been certified with GOs, they can be certain that the equivalent amount of electricity has been produced from the energy source stated on the GO.

The GO is further standardized through the European Energy Certificate System (EECS) provided by the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB). The EECS makes trade, cancelation and use of GOs standardized across AIB members.

The value of a GO is the extra price an electricity consumer is willing to pay for the attributes of the electricity i.e. value of a wind GO is given by how much a consumer is willing to pay more for electricity from wind when compared to undisclosed electricity. The price of a GO is affected by the supply and demand of the GO market.

Important Terminology

Production Period

Refers to the month and year when the electricity was produced.

GOs created in a month for electricity produced in an earlier month.

Transfer is the delivery process of GO from one party to another.

Import – export

GOs can originate from another country than the country of consumption. GOs can be imported (exported) from another country either via import (export), or via cancellation.

Cancellation of GO

Cancellation is analogous to physical ‘use’ of a GO certificate and is the method for allocating the attributes of the electricity to the single end-user.  Cancelling a GO is the only way to redeem its benefits while ensuring that the certificate will not be traded, given, sold, or used by another end-user. Consumer information and avoidance of double counting is the main objective of this system.

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Media painting Obama healthcare plan bleak?

The traditional US media has been painting a picture of President Barack Obama’s healthcare plan as a lot worse than it is and may be ignoring the positive things about the reform, according to author Michael Lux.

Political battles over Barack Obama’s healthcare reform are now gaining momentum in the United States.

The plan would see more protection for people with insurance, affordable coverage for those without and reduced costs for families, businesses and government.

However, Republicans are calling Obama a ‘socialist’ due to his proposals.

On Thursday, the president delivered his much-anticipated speech to Congress on the issue that seems to be dividing all Americans.

“If you look at the overnight polls and the focus groups that were done the night of Obama’s speech, you’ll see that people loved it,” said Michael Lux, CEO of Progressive Strategies.

“I think they liked that the president was very clear about the basic things that are in the package, and there’s nothing scary in it,” he noted.


- The Washington Times - Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Not all surveillance tools were lost to the FBI after the expiration of several Patriot Act powers on Sunday.

The national law enforcement agency still operates an air force of low-flying planes that can identify individuals thousands of feet below by the cellphones they carry, and all without a judge’s approval.

The spy planes capture video, and at times, are equipped with cellphone surveillance technology, but none bear the FBI’s insignia, instead are hidden behind names of fictitious companies used as a front for the FBI. The surveillance is captured without a judges approval and used in ongoing investigations, the FBI said.

The spy planes are one tool in the FBI’s arsenal to track down suspected terrorists not included in the Patriot Act debate. On Sunday, lawmakers let the Patriot Act expire, and with it the FBI’s use of roving wiretaps, which allow agents to follow suspects as they switch phones, and the “lone wolf” provision which allowed the agency to spy on non-U.S. persons, even if they had no established connection with a terrorist group.

But the FBI still has its spy planes.

The spy planes are sometimes used to collect evidence and, at other times, to ensure the safety of those police officers who have been sent to disrupt a criminal operation in a remote area, said Jon Adler, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

FBI agents and police typically work together in a task force when they crack down on large-scale drug trafficking operations or terrorist threats, which means that when they do opt to conduct a pricey surveillance flight, they use federal funds to pay for that service, Mr. Adler said.

The FBI has single- and multi-engine fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters which its 56 domestic field offices can access at any given time, according to a 2012 Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General audit of the FBI’s aviation operations.

“The FBI’s aviation program is not secret; specific aircraft and their capabilities are protected for operational security purposes,” FBI spokesman Christopher Allen said in a statement. “FBI routinely uses aviation assets in support of predicated investigations targeting specific individuals. The aircraft are not equipped, designed, or used for bulk collection activities or mass surveillance. The FBI uses all tools and equipment, and conducts all investigations, in accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines and the FBI’s Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide.”

Additionally, the federal agency’s resources are finite, said Ron Hosko, president of Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund and the FBI’s former assistant director.

“There’s a limited number of planes,” he said. “Most field offices have a Cessna, a high-wing surveillance plane, and their regional resources can always call Quantico and say, ‘Hey, we need more help.’”

Quantico is a U.S. Marine Corps base in Virginia where the FBI has a training academy and other operational facilities.

Although there is public concern about misuses of the spy planes, law enforcement agents refrain from using them to violate privacy rights — especially because the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General keeps an eye on the covert program, Mr. Adler said.

“There is no roving FBI eye in the sky that is indiscriminately peeping into citizens private lives,” he said. “In order to even be at the point where you can utilize aerial surveillance, you have to have a criminal investigation or a national security investigation.”

Privacy advocates say the spy planes raise concerns because they carry new technologies that did not exist until just a few years ago. Now, those planes sweep up various bits of information about large portions of the population.

“The scale and scope of this program is surprising,” said Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst for the American Civil Liberties Union. “And the fact that the aircraft are often spotted circling over particular spots for hours on end raises questions about what kind of technologies are being deployed.”

The FBI and various other intelligence agencies should held accountable for how and when they use the spy planes, Mr. Stanley said.

“We think that Congress should engage in vigorous oversight of how agencies are using surveillance,” he said.

Congress apparently agreed with that assessment, as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley began pushing the FBI to provide details on its largely secretive use of its covert aircraft fleet.

“It’s not a secret that the FBI is operating in the skies above our nation’s cities and towns, but what’s unclear is precisely what the Bureau is doing and what legal framework is being used to guide its activity,” the Iowa Republican said Monday in letter to FBI Director James Comey. “It’s important that federal law enforcement personnel have the tools they need to find and catch criminals, but whenever an operation may also monitor the activities of Americans who are not the intended target, as several media reports suggest, we must make darn sure that safeguards are in place to protect the civil liberties of innocent Americans.”

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sábado, 8 de marzo de 2014

Here are a few reviews featuring Quintus Arrius:

Judah spends three years shackled to an oar of a Roman flagship.
During a battle in which their ship is rammed, Judah escapes,
but not before he saves the life of the Roman commander, Quintus
Arius. Thankful to Judah for saving his life, Arius frees Judah and
adopts him as his son.

The Roman fleet encounters the Macedonians. Arrius orders all the rowers except Ben-Hur to be chained to their oars. Arrius' galley is rammed and sunk, but Ben-Hur unchains the other rowers, and rescues Arrius from the sinking wreckage. In despair, Arrius wrongly believes the battle ended in defeat and atones in the Roman way by "falling on his sword", but Ben-Hur prevents him from committing suicide. Ben-Hur and Arrius are rescued, and Arrius is credited with the Roman fleet's victory.

In the next post, I will compare the respective character arcs of Tilly and Arrius with each other.

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Capreolus capreoluswestern roe deer

Geographic Range

The roe deer is found throughout Europe and Asia Minor, except in the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, Lebanon, Isreal, Ireland and the eastern margin of eastern Europe. Their distribution was reduced and their range fragmented on account of hunting and other types of human interference between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. (Danilkin, 1996; Sempere et al., 1996; MSW Scientific Names)

Roe deer prefer forest steppe and small insular forests among croplands. They also like high-grass meadows with some shrubs. They prefer burns and cutovers in forestlands and croplands that serve the purpose of revegetation. Human modifications, i.e. felling of trees and formation of croplands and meadows, as well as intensive agricultural methods, have historically been beneficial in regions with little snow. (Sempere et al., 1996)

Physical Description

Capreolus capreolus is classified as a telemetacarpalian. It is a small deer with a long neck minus a mane, relatively large ears (12-14 cm), a rudimentary tail (2-3 cm) and no preorbital glands. In the winter the coloration ranges from grayish-brown to dark brown. A large white caudal patch is present. In summer, they are reddish to red-brown. Males develop a thickened skin on their head, neck and anterior portion of the trunk. The caudal patch mentioned previously is either absent or less pronounced than in the winter. The top of the head is gray or brown and the metatarsal glands are brown or dark brown. Roe deer molt twice a year in spring and in autumn. The kids of this species are spotted.

Antlers are present and are shed annually in October and November. They regrow immediately afterwards. Males are slightly larger than females and have tuberculate, three tined antlers. The basal rosettes are well-defined.

Roe deer's hooves are narrow and short with lateral digits well-developed.

An analysis of 11 different populations gave a mean total length of 107-125.7 cm, shoulder height of 66-83.3 cm, body mass of 22.6-30 kg, maximum skull length of 191-212.2 mm and maximum skull width of 84.3-91.5 mm. The skull is small but somewhat elongated. Lacrimal bones are shorter than the orbital cavity diameter. The preorbital glands are rudimentary and the tympanic bullae are small. Anterior ends of the nasal bones are forked and touch admaxillary bones. Orbits are medium sized. The maxillary bone is comparatively high and is equal in length to the molar row. The dental formula is 0/3 0/1 3/3 3/3=32. (Danilkin, 1996; Prior, 1968; Sempere, et al., 27 December, 1996)

  • Range mass
    22 to 30 kg
    48.46 to 66.08 lb
  • Range length
    107 to 126 cm
    42.13 to 49.61 in
  • Average basal metabolic rate
    46.347 W

Males are sexually mature by the end of their first year. However, they are not likely to begin breeding until their third year of life. They are physiologically capable of reproduction from March to October, but the rutting season is largely restricted from June to August. Only in a few individuals does it occur earlier or later.

Breeding activity in females begins when they are 14 months old. They are monestrous, and the duration of estrus is typically 36 hours.

Roe deer are the only ungulate that has a latent period of pregnancy, and consequently their reproductive cycle differs from those of even closely related species. Implantation of the embryo usually occurs in January. The fertilized ovum at morula stage penetrates into the uterus where it divides. This is followed by a 4-5 month period with minimal miotic activity. Delayed implantation is not a function of photoperiod, as in weasels. It is controlled by the development of the blastocyst. The gestation period is between 264 and 318 days. Fawns are born between April and July. There are usually two fawns, possibly one or three. They weigh 1-1.7 kg, have their vision and are furred. They are practically helpless during the first few days of life and are easy victims to predators. The female nurses the fawns during the early months of life. During the first month, they are nursed five to nine times a day, two to four times in the second month and one to two in the months afterward. Lactation declines in August and stops completely in early autumn, but sometimes occurs through December. Fawns feed completely on vegetation at weaning. Their growth is rapid, and they double their birth mass at two weeks of age. By autumn 60-70% of the body mass of adult individuals has been attained. (Danilkin, 1996; Sempere et al., 1996)

  • Key Reproductive Features
  • gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
  • sexual
  • Average number of offspring
  • Average gestation period
    10 months
  • Average gestation period
    153 days
  • Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
    Sex: female
    413 days
  • Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
    Sex: male
    655 days

Roe deer are either solitary or live in family groups, i.e. the female with her offspring, in the summer months. However, in the winter, almost all live in family groups. The basis for population social organization is the family group. The composition of large groups changes; it may have 40-90 members in open biotopes or have only ten-15 members in forest biotopes. The organization of the population depends on the abundance and distribution of food resources and cover. In the summer, deer are dispersed throughout the territory, and in winter they concentrate in their foraging areas. The right to hold territory by male deer results in fights every year, usually between an adult male in one territory and a young male that wants the neighboring territory.

The life span of an individual roe deer is approximately ten years, however, some may reach 15-17 years. They are mainly preyed upon by wolf (Canis lupis), lynx (Lynx lynx) and fox (Vulpes vulpes). Fox typically only prey on fawns. (Sempere et al., 1996)

Communication and Perception

Food Habits

Roe deer consume apporximately 1,000 plant species in their range. Of these species, the percentage breakdown of plant type is as follows: 25% woody plants, 54% herbaceous dicotyledons and 16% monocotyledons. They may eat the needles of coniferous trees, but this usually only happens in winter when all other food sources are scarce. They are selective feeders, with a preference for energy-rich foods that are soft and contain large amounts of water. Due to their small stomach size and rapid digestion process, they require frequent food intake. They normally have between five and eleven separate feeding periods in a day. They may feed at hour intervals during periods of optimal food availability.

Plant types and individual species vary with the seasons and habit. However, one study has shown that variation in diet composition is more closely correlated with habitat than season. Forage reserves decline in the winter and their diet becomes less diverse. Consequently, metabolic rate and food consumption decrease. In the spring, metabolic rate, energy requirements and the process of digestion all increase. They prefer concentrated foods (seeds and fruits) in autumn. (Cornelius et al., 1999; Danilkin, 1996; Sempere et al., 1996)

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

The roe deer is important as a game animal. The combination of this fact along with their widespread distribution and high levels of abundance make them a popular subject of scientific study. (Danilkin, 1996)

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

Roe deer are the most abundant wild ungulate species in Europe, and their populations in some countries are excessive. This can lead to negative interactions with humans, such as motor vehicle accidents. Game management is often necessary. (Sempere et al., 1996)

Conservation Status

Attempts at conservation and more rational game management of the roe deer resulted in an increase in numbers, with their range being restored as well as extended. (Danilkin, 1996)

Other Comments

The genus Capreolus is in need of taxonomic revision. The European roe deer is currently considered a monotypic species or one with several subspecies. However, evidence has been presented that shows the subspecies are different enough to be considered separate species. (Danilkin, 1996; Sempere et al., 1996)

World Map

bilateral symmetry

uses smells or other chemicals to communicate

having the capacity to move from one place to another.

native range

sexual ornamentation

associates with others of its species; forms social groups.

uses touch to communicate

tropical savanna and grassland

temperate grassland

1993. "MSW Scientific Names" (On-line). Accessed October 14, 1999 at

Cornelius, J., J. Casaer, H. Martin. June, 1999. Impact of season, habitat and research techniques on diet composition of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): A review. Journal of Zoology, 248(2): 195-207.

Danilkin, A. 1996. Behavioural Ecology of Siberian and European Roe Deer. London: Chapman & Hall.

Prior, R. 1968. The Roe Deer of Cranborne Chase. London: Oxford University Press.

Sempere, A., V. Sokolov, A. Danilkin. 27 December, 1996. Capreolus capreolus. Pp. 1-7 in Mammalian Species. American Society of Mammalogists.


Barcelona Part lll

Welcome to the last part of this Barcelona adventure! Where did we stop last time? right: La Sagrada Familia. This time around i have some pitures from the inside! that thing is amazing! It's beautiful! I know it might look like much, but mind you, the whole construction inside is made of grey stone, or cement, whatever, important is: all the color comes from the huge stained glass windows. It's the most beautiful church i've ever been in.

Barcelona Part l

We're back! We spend 7 wonderful days in the beautiful city of Barcelona. Since we took like a zillion pictures i'll be posting some of them in parts and it might take some time. Please excuse my lack of words, but i thought i just let the pictures speak for themselves ;-)

Short Trip to Austria


The history

Since starting in Frankfurt in 1988, "Dialogue in the dark" has run in 100 cities in 17 countries, so far including Europe, Canada, Israel, Mexico, Japan and Brazil. Over 4 million people let themselves be guided through the dark by more than 4,000 blind guides, to discover realistically designed environments with other eyes.

Every exhibition is based on the same concept: visitors, immersed in a new and destabilizing situation, learn to see in a different way. Nevertheless, every edition differs in its dimensions, sets, duration and cultural pattern behind the exhibition. Over the years, "Dialogue" has been both a few-day event with one dark set, the bar, and for longer exhibitions created to stay for months or even years, a longer path with many scenarios such as a park, a city, a boat, a market, a sound room, always ending in the dark bar, like in → Hamburg, → Holon (near Tel Aviv), → Frankfurt, → Milan, → Denmark, → Vienna and very soon in London.

In Italy, with → the special edition for the Cultural Olympiad Torino 2006, "Dialogo nel buio" is being presented for the sixth time, after Rome, EUR (1997); Milan, Palazzo Reale (2002-2003); Rovereto (Trento), MART (2003-2004); San Giorgio Piacentino (Piacenza), Castello (2005) and again Milan, Istituto dei Ciechi (open since December 2005).

The historyThe autorDialogue on tour


Old Testament Prophecy

The Old Testament Prophets were not crystal balls or oracles. Most of the time, they were exhorting the people of Israel to return to their covenant relationship with God through dependence on and devotion to God. When they did predict, it was almost always to provide hope through revealing truth about the Messiah [Christ] or to forewarn of pending national disaster because of the failure of the nation to heed their calls to repentance.

Many prophets spoke of the coming Messiah. We are sitting on the first century south steps of the Temple Mount, on which Jesus likely walked.

Ancient Near East Prophets and Israelite Prophets [1 page]
A summary of what we can learn about Israelite prophets from the archaeological evidence of other ancient near east cultures

Author of Isaiah [2 pages]
The evidence for the real Isaiah being the one author of Isaiah

Dating the Prophecy of Daniel [2 pages]
The evidence for Daniel being written the sixth century before Christ

False Teaching of Malachi 3.10 [2 pages]
A short essay explaining why it is wrong to use Malachi 3.10 to encourage tithes and offerings

Habakkuk Notes [2 pages]
Brief summary of Habakkuk

Obadiah Notes [4 pages]
Brief summary of Obadiah

Isaiah 40.1-11 Analysis [11 pages]
A technical analysis of Isaiah 40.1-11


Farmland seized in Shan State from villagers

Loi Kung village in northern shan state

Since 1992, the Burmese government has been resettling Kachin, Palaung, and Chinese people in Pan Kai village group besides the Union Highway.

Some of the local residents left to work in their old villages. Some residents also left the village due to the ongoing fighting going on in the area, explained Sara num Doi Ling, a local teacher.
U Min Aung, headmaster at Pan Kai village's elementary school has started planting corn on land in the village since 2014 without consulting the village elders and despite objections from local residents, the teacher said.

When the original residents who had left returned, the village elders attempted to negotiate with the headmaster but they were unable to reach an agreement. The headmaster also filed trespassing charges against the land owners for working on their own land.


Hamilton, The Waterfall Capital of The World

  • 0
  • 4 months ago

Niagara Falls might be the most visited waterfalls in North America but the true ‘Waterfall Capital’ of the world lies 50 miles to the west, in the Canadian city of Hamilton. Situated in the heart of the most highly industrialized region of the country, Hamilton is also a place of great natural beauty. Its most famous natural feature are its waterfalls.

Hamilton is home to more than one hundred waterfalls—one of the highest in any urban area of its size. The abundance in waterfalls is due to the city’s location along the Niagara Escarpment, an arc-shaped ridge that passes through the middle of the city as it runs from New York, through Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Any river, creek or stream that flows towards the Great Lakes over the Niagara Escarpment results in one or more waterfalls.

Typical of a large industrial city focused on making steel, Hamilton’s waterfalls went largely unnoticed by its half million residents until 2008, when Chris Ecklund, a Hamilton native, founded the City of Waterfalls, a non-profit initiative aimed at promoting the city’s cascades. The locals knew about some of the city’s larger falls and visited them on the weekends as swimming holes and picnic sites, but nobody knew the true extent of Hamilton’s watery asset.

Even today, nobody can give a true count of Hamilton’s waterfalls. Chris Ecklund’s website mentions by name some 130 waterfalls, but some sources claim figures as high as 150-plus. The uncertainty could be due to the fact that only about 50-60 of the waterfalls flow year round, so the count could vary depending on the season of the year. Then, some waterfalls are on private property whose count might have or have not been accounted for. Furthermore, many waterfalls in central Hamilton has slowly been vanishing with the rise in population and construction.

Hamilton has no rivers, thus the size of the waterfalls are nowhere near the magnitude of Niagara Falls. Instead, Hamilton’s waterfalls are small, quite and serene, and there is a huge variety in them. There are cascades, ribbon-type (falls of great height and small width), the classical variety (where height and crest width are nearly equal), and curtain-like (falls of small height and very wide crest).

The most scenic waterfall in Hamilton is the Webster's Falls. The highest waterfall is Tew’s Falls at 41 meters, and the shortest, Little Davis Falls, is just 3 meters high.

Webster’s falls.

Albion Falls.

Upper Princess Falls

Sherman falls

Tews falls

Tiffany Falls

This article is only publisher's viewpoint.

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the US

How Gymnastics Can Lead to Lifelong Learning November 28, 2016

How Gymnastics Can Lead to Lifelong Learning, ,

Gymnastics encourages the development of many essential values—including discipline, determination, and dedication. For children in particular, practicing competitive or recreational gymnastics prepares students for anything life can throw at them. The expert instructors at The Victors Gymnastics in Rochester, New York, are poised to instill self-confidence and a strong work ethic in your child through an engaging gymnastics training program.

3 Life Skills Learned From Gymnastics

1. Grit

A sport as physically and mentally demanding as gymnastics requires true grit. Even pursuing this discipline as a pastime requires a significant degree of perseverance and commitment. With gymnastics training, children will improve their focus and learn to tough things out. They will learn more about themselves, their limits, and their internal source of motivation. Even if they decide to move on from the sport, this introspective knowledge can be applied to many other areas of life.

2. Consistency

gymnasticsAnyone attempting gymnastics must achieve personal equilibrium, as this sport demands more than just physical stamina from its participants. Learning how to safely and effectively push your body to achieve desired results is essential. Since the body is an instrument, a gymnast must consistently take care of herself by stretching, eating well, and getting enough sleep. Young gymnasts must also balance rigorous practice with school, social commitments, and other responsibilities.

3. Sportsmanship

Gymnastics training breeds respect for fellow athletes, many of whom have sustained the same formidable physical and mental routine. Although competitions can be solo affairs, young gymnasts can support each other by training in teams. Participating in something as physically exacting and rewarding as gymnastics also encourages friendships and strong social bonds with teammates, coaches, and fellow gymnasts.

Gymnastics has far-reaching benefits, and the sooner training begins, the sooner those advantages will manifest. Explore gymnastics classes for your child today to start reaping the rewards of gymnastics training. The Victors Gymnastics offers tumbling classes, trampoline lessons, and gymnastics training for children as young as preschool. Find out more online or call (585) 663-4810 today.

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Azerbaijani Submitted Surnames

Azerbaijani names are used by the Azeri people of Azerbaijan and northern Iran.
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ABDULLAYEV     Uzbek, Azerbaijani
Uzbek and Azerbaijani of Abdulayev.
ƏFƏNDIYEV     Azerbaijani
Means "son of the effendi", from the Ottoman title افندي (efendi) meaning "lord, master", of Greek origin.
ALIYEV     Azerbaijani, Russian, Kazakh
Derived from the given name Ali. This surname is of Arabic origin and is used throughout Central Asia and the Caucasus.
ALIZADE     Persian, Azerbaijani
Azerbaijani variant of Alizadeh.
GADZHIEV     Dagestani, Avar, Lak, Azerbaijani
Means "son of Gadzhi" or "son of the pilgrim".
GÜLIYEV     Azerbaijani
Derived from Azerbaijani gül meaning "rose" or "flower"; ultimately from Persian.
GULIYEV     Azerbaijani
Variant transcription of Güliyev.
HAŞIMOV     Azerbaijani
Means "son of Hashim" in Azerbaijani.
HÜSEYNOV     Azerbaijani
Means "son of Hüseyn".
HUSEYNOV     Azerbaijani
Variant of Hüseynov.
IBRAGIMOV     Uzbek, Russian, Azerbaijani, Tatar, Turkmen
Means "son of Ibrahim". It is a commonly used Central Asian and Turkic surname.
İBRAHIMOV     Azerbaijani
Azerbaijani variant of Ibragimov.
IMANOV     Azerbaijani
Derived from the given name Iman.
JALILOV     Azerbaijani
Means "son of Jalil".
KARIMOV     Uzbek, Tajik, Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tatar, Bashkir
Common Central Asian surname meaning "son of Karim". A notable bearer is Islam Karimov (1938-2016), the former president of Uzbekistan.
KAZIMOV     Azerbaijani
Means "son of Kazım".
ƏLIYEV     Azerbaijani
Azerbaijani variant of Aliyev.
MAMMADOV     Azerbaijani
Means "son of Mammad", from the name Mammad and the patronymic particle -ov. It is estimated to be the most common name in Azerbaijan.
MUSTAFAYEV     Azerbaijani
Derived from the given name Mustafa.
NABIYEV     Azerbaijani, Tajik, Russian
Derived from the Arabic given name Nabi.
NƏBIYEV     Azerbaijani
Azerbaijani form of Nabiyev.
OMAROV     Kazakh, Dagestani, Avar, Dargin, Azerbaijani, Turkmen
Variant transcription of Umarov.
QARAYEV     Azerbaijani
Azerbaijani form of Garayev.
QASIMOV     Azerbaijani
Means "son of Qasim", written with a dotless i (ı).
SALIMOV     Azerbaijani
Russified version of the Arabic surname Salim/Selim/Saleem. The feminine variation of this name is Salimova. Those carrying this name most likely come from the predominantly-Muslim former Soviet states.
SHARIFOV     Azerbaijani
Anglicized version of Şərifov.
ŞƏRIFOV     Azerbaijani
Means "son of the Sharif". Sharif is an Arabic title meaning "noble". Sunni Arabs refer to the Sharifs as the descendants of Hasan ibn Ali.
SÜLEYMANOV     Azerbaijani
Means "son of Süleyman".
SULEYMANOV     Azerbaijani
Variant transcription of Süleymanov.
SULTANOV     Uzbek, Kazakh, Azerbaijani, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Turkmen
Turkic surname meaning "son of Sultan".
VALIYEV     Azerbaijani
Variant of Vəliyev.
VAZIROV     Azerbaijani
Anglicized form of Vəzirov.
VƏZIROV     Azerbaijani
Means "son of the vizier"; derived from the Azerbaijani word vəzir meaning "vizier". A vizier is a high official in Muslim countries such as Turkey.
41 results


Antique Toy FAQs

Antique toys are a special niche in the marketplace and so it's only natural there are lots of questions regarding them. We've answered below a few of most frequently asked questions relating to buying, selling, and collecting antique toys. If you're new to this hobby, it our hope that this information will help make your journey into antique toy collecting a most enjoyable one.

What constitutes an “Antique Toy” versus a “Vintage Toy”?

Antique toys can be defined in various ways given someone’s personal background understanding of the niche. For instance, someone who grew up playing Nintendo may consider the “older” electronic games like Battleship to be “antique toys”. Generally, no one will chastise you if you refer to a toy as “antique” if it was produced in an earlier era and is no longer in production.

So what then should we say about “vintage toys”? Well, there are no hard and fast rules distinguishing “antique toys” from “vintage toys”, but typically, “true” antiques are those dating back several generations. For more modern toys that are no longer made yet are in high demand, the term “vintage” is generally considered a more accurate description. Of course, the term used has no bearing upon the toy’s value. A vintage Star Wars toy mint in the box from the 70’s may be much more valuable than a much older “antique” toy. As with an collectibles, it’s all about supply versus demand when determining value.

Why do people collect antique and vintage toys?

Many people find that toys from their childhood take them back to that innocent, careless time in their life that was filled with fun. That joy of getting that new Big Wheel for Christmas, that Chatty-Cathy doll for a birthday, or Red Rider rifle under the tree brought such joy that we love to relive those joyful memories. Actually owning a special toy from our childhood brings us closer to making those memories true reality.

Do you know how I can determine the value of my antique toy?

While there are various antique toy price guides on the market that may list your specific toy, a fast and free way to get an idea of it’s current value and verify if there is a market for it is to simply use our Search feature on this site. To do so, simply enter in some keywords that best describe your antique toy into the search box on the left side of this page. You will then be given a list of results. If you’ve chosen your keywords carefully, the search results should include some items very similar to yours (unless it is a particularly rare or obscure item). Check out these listings and compare them with your item as far as condition, original packaging included, etc. From this you should be able to obtain a quick ballpark idea of your specific toy’s current value in the marketplace. If you see no results matching yours, try searching eBay’s completed auctions.

Where can I go online to determine the value of my vintage toys?

Again, this site’s search functionality is a great tool for making quick estimations in this regard. If the search results don’t return anything or don’t include your item, try refining your search terms. If you still have no luck, try searching eBay’s completed auctions. If all else fails, you may want to try one of the industry price guides on the market.

I have an antique toy truck and am curious as to its value. Can you help?

It's value greatly depends on whether it is truly old and long out of production or is it simply just one of those modern diecast models of an old truck (or, a modern replica of an actual old toy truck). If it is of the latter variety, don’t expect much. If it’s a genuine antique, it will depend on a variety of factors such as the truck model (is it a popular one?), condition, etc. To ascertain an idea of it’s value in this case, plug in an identifying keyword of your specific truck along with the term “truck” into the search box on the left of this page. You just might find similar trucks returned in the results to compare yours with. If that fails, try searching eBay’s completed auction listings. If you still have no luck, you can try locating it in one of the specialized price guides on the market. If you don’t wish to buy one, check your local library to see if they have it or can get it for you on an inter-library loan.

Can you help me identify this antique toy?

Your best bet is to post a photo of it in our community section along with any information you can provide as to its description and origin and see what feedback you receive. You never know who else is online that might just be an expert on your particular item! It’s free to join, create your profile, upload photos and videos, and post. What’s more, it’s fun and we’ll all learn together!

What’s the best way to go about selling an antique toy on eBay?

Perhaps you’ve inherited some old toys from Grandma and want to sell them. Or, perhaps you’ve decided to make money by educating yourself about these wonderful collectibles and then scouring flea markets and yard sales for good buys to resell on venues like eBay. Good thinking!

Ok, well, if you bought the toy without really knowing much about it, the first step should be to accurately identify it. If it came with it’s original packaging, you’d already know all about it so we’ll presume it came “loose” (without its box). Inspect it carefully to see if you can spot an identifying marks on it. These could be very tiny and hidden in unsual places so look carefully. But not all old toys had such marks or, if they ever did, they’ve long been worn off.

It’s worthwhile trying to identify it as accurately as possible because detailed listings tend to bring higher bids than generic ones, especially if buyers determine yours is that exact, hard-to-find piece needed to complete their collection! Also, it helps prevent “buyer’s remorse” and to preserve your feedback rating when the buyer feels they got exactly what was described.

To begin your research, first try browsing relevant categories on this site using the left menu. If no luck there, try our search box. Click on the various listings that come up containing an item that look similar to yours. If you find one, contact the seller! After all, they already have one and may know all about it (though it could be they are just a reseller or selling on behalf of someone else and may know nothing about it, but it’s worth asking!) There are also a variety of antique toys reference books you can consult to research your antique toy. These can be found within this site, but if you don’t want to buy one, just check with your local library.


Leaves and Flowers: Dry leaves or flowers for a few hours, and then place in white or red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar for mineral vinegar) depending on the herb and use, in a jar for a month or so; strain and use in recipes - vinaigrettes, meat dishes. I make vinegars of: chives, chive blossoms, lavender,and lemon, sweet and purple basils.

Some examples of vinegars - chive blossom, cinnamon basil, purple basil are completed; and 'mineral' vinegar, tarragon and more chive blossom vinegar still steeping.


CF760                           FEDERAL AND STATE GRANT STATUS REPORT
The Federal and State Grants Status Report provides information on current year
grant records.  Report fields are defined as follows:
                     New York State contract number will be listed.
FUNDING SOURCE     - The name of the grant program.
SCHEDULED/         - The total amount of payments processed including scheduled
                     approvals before being released for processing. The project will
                     continue to show as UNDER REVIEW until the Program Office either
                     approves the application and forwards the budget to Grants Finance
                     or disapproves the budget (disapproved projects are not displayed on
                     this report) or all required approvals are received.
SED CODE:     020601040000
AGENCY NAME:  ANDOVER CSD                                              RUN DATE: 12/13/17
                                     2018 PROJECTS
  PROJECT #  CONTRACT #  FUNDING SOURCE         BUDGET     PAID TO DATE    START     END
  0021180080             TITLE I A&D IMPROV       112,916        22,583  09/01/17  08/31/18
  0032180036             IDEA-PART B, SECTI        87,687        17,537  07/01/17  06/30/18
  0033180036             IDEA-PART B, SECTI         4,915           983  07/01/17  06/30/18
  0147180080             TITLE IIA,TEACH/PR        16,708         3,341  09/01/17  08/31/18
  0187187134             21ST CENTURY COMMU       238,570        47,714  07/01/17  06/30/18
  0409187017             UNIVERSAL PRE-K           59,517        29,758  07/01/17  06/30/18
  0644180042             TEACHERS OF TOMORR        10,200         5,100  07/01/17  06/30/18
  TOTAL                                           530,513       127,016
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Red Priest's Annina

I nodded warily.

Book Review: Vivaldi’s Muse

When I first come into possession of a book, whether novel or text for a class, I am in the habit of exploring it, savoring the cover art or the book’s girth, even sometimes flipping through and smelling the pages in anticipation of the deliciousness of turning each one, periodically registering my awareness that I still have a huge, fat section in front of me to read. Joy will go on.

In this case, the pattern was not different: I admired Lefebvre’s “Young Woman With Morning Glories in Her Hair” for quite some time and took a few moments to allow myself to absorb the epigraph. The story actually opens in a later time period and we journey back, at the end returning to this latter period when Annina has a personal conversation with someone we, as we come to learn, already know.

Though I studied a small portion of this period in school, little of it was devoted to art or music–mostly to what then was within the boundaries of what was considered “history.” Warfare, Habsburgs, archdukes, and so on. And so “Baroque” to me had a tendency to be somewhat shadowed, even complicated and incongruous.

Accompanying Antonio and Annina on their journey, however, I felt anything but, and soon came to understand why, unlike many other works of historical fiction, Sarah Bruce Kelly really has little need of a glossary (often one of the first elements I look for) or lengthy afterward, because so much of what a reader needs to know or even finds helpful is embedded in the text. Better, even those passages are not lengthy, nor do they distract from the narrative. Kelly has a talent for telling us bits of information without us being aware we’ve just absorbed instruction–and she does it succinctly, leaving no trail behind.

The only regret I have following finishing this book is that I have finished it. In discussion with my nine-year-old son I mentioned that there is an earlier book, The Red Priest’s Annina, which is sort of an abridged version of Antonio and Annina for younger readers, and invited him to read it with me. The smaller book is a great idea, and can provide an introduction to younger readers that they otherwise might have to wait a few years for. Moreover, given that, as it has been shown, boys’ reading starts to level off at a particular age and they fall behind girls in their skills, I am attracted to the idea that they can read about something that interests them and expand upon it later with the same author.

So for anyone with children, younger or older, or who themselves enjoy historical fiction, music, a heartfelt story, language (as in delicious sounds that come from the combination of particular letters or phrases, such as chiaroscuro), or playing with the understanding of foreign words (and speaking of Italian, delicious is the right word!), do yourselves or someone you love a favor: Get it.

Vivaldi’s Muse

by Sarah Bruce Kelly

Recipient of the Readers Views Literary Award for Historical Fiction (2011)

While at least one of Chiara’s early setups is almost amateurish in its transparency, Kelly brings us better to appreciate and understand how it is Annina could fall for it, by first introducing us to her world. Although Mantua and Venice share a common language, where the young girl comes from couldn’t be more different. Her family’s breakdown nonwithstanding, Annina loves her distant and now-absent mother, whose energy is drawn from music. “The only times [Bartolomea] came to life were when she sang her beloved opera arias…[s]he was happiest when she sang, and Annina would joyfully sing along with her.” The girl is looked after by her elder half-sister who acts as surrogate parent, as well as her pushover French father whose largesse towards his adult sons angers Annina’s mother. Now, however, despite Paolina’s company in the first hours of her new Venetian life, and the promise of what the future holds, Annina no longer has at least a loving family in which to find comfort.

Having at an early age been mesmerized by the great maestro Vivaldi, Annina determines her own destiny: to become an opera singer—and how could she not, if the way the author describes her experiences captures even a small portion of how the young girl sails through those few moments.

The music of the small orchestra billowed beneath the singer’s shimmering voice like a surging tide…She shifted her gaze to [Vivaldi, who] was filling in the pause between the aria’s two major sections with a violin solo that sparkled with fire. She watched his fingers fly like lightning over the strings as his swift bow thrusts brought the music to unimaginable melodic heights…Her rapture grew as the music of the violins blended with the singer’s voice and flooded the theater with exhilarating sound.

A brief meeting with Vivaldi, her mother’s abandonment, death of an empress and her family’s poverty pave the way towards a tuition sponsorship for Annina to study music in Venice, the city in which her sponsor’s protégée and she come together in the rivalry that starts long before Annina’s own awareness of it. While many of us modern readers tend to believe nothing could surprise us, and certainly not the cruelty of an older singer towards a twelve-year-old girl, Kelly masterfully leads us from event to event as we find ourselves lamenting Annina’s foolish act of writing her feelings in a letter just waiting for Chiara to rummage through her trunk in search of anything damaging to use against her, or the satisfaction rising when Annina’s matured intuition prevents a wicked plan from coming to fruition.

Perhaps one of the most outstanding scenes in which the author displays her gifts is that in which Chiara comes to show Vivaldi, by now aware of her destructive jealousy, a music score she has set up as Annina’s undoing, one the newer student had been instructed to copy, yet allegedly butchered. Vivaldi’s coolness towards Chiara, the way he holds back on telling all he knows or doles out with deliberate timing, his sparse sentences that nevertheless cause the singer to sputter and over-explain herself—all are done with words that ring off the page like the musical notes to a hypnotic and flowing melody that captures our emotions with the ups and downs not unlike the ones that had first enthralled Annina. As elements of the natural world had been displayed then, so too is this scene infused with fiery tension, thrust to and fro as the dangerous electricity within Chiara grows like the ribelle Annina recognized at that first opera, until at last her departure is in sync with “the sinister echo of the seagulls’ cries, an echo that resounded in the emptiness of her heart.”

Kelly’s treatment of Chiara’s character saves that particular role from sinking into a mere “bad person” stereotype, and allows for the focus on the reality of Venetian opera at this time—a perilous world in which young boys were mutilated to retain their voices, women would destroy one another for the privilege of being owned by the one in power and politics persuaded it all to occur in a back and forth manner, events that fed off of each other for the pleasure and ambition of the characters in an opera larger and more shadowy than any they could possibly imagine.

It is perhaps this growing awareness, as well as her love for priest and maestro Antonio Vivaldi that saves Annina from the darker side of this world, though to be sure she is required to develop clever management skills to avoid the pitfalls and traps, without falling foul of those she needs to avoid offending. Her refusal to part ways with him and endure the vicious slander surrounding her relationship with her mentor creates a support of its own as the two learn to trust each other despite the larger attachment they can never have.

At various points in the novel Kelly approaches the topic of sexuality with a method this reviewer wishes were employed more often: she utilizes words with grace that imparts the dignity of such attachments, without falling into coyness, avoidance or the removed language of a distant and staid century. Young adults will be able to relate to what the characters endure because many of them, too, are just beginning to approach the emotions and questions of this nature presented in the novel.

It must be stated clearly that opera as a backdrop should not frighten those unfamiliar with the topic or any of the players, many of whom really lived. For starters, we all know Vivaldi’s music without knowing we do. In a way this is a new sort of shame (following how history nearly forgot him until the 1927 discovery of many of his original manuscripts) because making the connection between the music and the man disposes of many of the operatic memes that tend to turn people away. Listening to Four Seasons just once brings on recognition and even a sort of joy that we have been part of this world all along.

Further, the book indeed is a novel, and tells a story with a cast of characters that rivals most Hollywood movies. People in all cultures and throughout history have always wanted to hear stories; it is one reason opera itself developed. The movie industry, really, is simply another form of storytelling, though one would be hard pressed to create on film the kind of tension, aura and magic that results from the merging of this novel and one’s own imagination and internal conflicts. Given the powerful effect music tends to have on human emotion, adding that element creates a greater strength to the story. Having said this, it should be added that while it is a novel, the book presents a journey, and not just a story, which always makes for a more rewarding read.

It is easy to see why Vivaldi’s Muse is an award-winning novel: bringing together music and the passion of human interactions (for better or worse) in a format accessible to a rather wide audience—a young-adult novel that is absolutely suitable for adults of all ages—brings to mind the thought that Sarah Bruce Kelly loves us. Meticulously researched, she has brought her expertise to bear on the lives of people who lived and loved, and who likely wanted to be remembered, as do we, amongst the creations we leave behind for progeny. Annina knew this as well.

At that instant, she became aware that there was something much bigger at stake than her personal fears or desires—even bigger than her relationship with Antonio: His music. The music he’d been moved to compose so furiously and prodigiously all his life would outlive its creator. It would outlive them all. She smiled as she realized she’d known that all along.

By 1930 all Vivaldi’s original manuscripts had been recovered, thanks no doubt to the collection and cataloguing work that had been done before they disappeared for two centuries, likely in preparation for their archival. Getzinger and Felsenfeld, in Antonio Vivaldi and the Baroque Tradition, tell of an oral tradition known to Alberto Gentili, which spoke of a Piedmont monastery in possession of Vivaldi’s works. In the late 1920s, as Kelly also addresses in her Afterward, following two decades of searching for this part of a music library hidden during the Napoleonic wars, the works were found. The painstaking efforts of Gentili and others brought Vivaldi and his works back into the public consciousness, and there they stay.

With Vivaldi’s Muse Sarah Bruce Kelly continues this noble pursuit by bringing to us a portrait of Vivaldi as seen through the eyes of Annina Girò, in historical fiction written with such style readers feel as if they have stepped into the story, such is the sensory integration, emotional impact and depth of detail following a journey that lasts almost a lifetime, as we meet Annina as a little girl and bid our farewell following Antonio’s death many years later. Kelly’s hope is realized when, as Vivaldi’s music touches a special place in our hearts, so close we never knew it at one time wasn’t there, so too has this journey.

Vivaldi’s Muse by Sarah Bruce Kelly

2011, Bel Canto Press

ISBN 978-0-9836304-0-1

A copy of Vivaldi’s Muse was furnished to the blogger in exchange for an honest review.

Image courtesy Sarah Bruce Kelly.

This entry has been updated to include information about the novel’s status as award-winning historical fiction.


Why Do We Do It?

Conceal & Carry, INC. grew from a realization that Americans would not prepare unless it was simple, easy and convenient for them to do so. Preparation, just like anything else in the United States, is too often a chore, something you can put off until tomorrow.  So our task became, how can we get Americans to take up the task of a little preparation, specifically, training to obtain their CCW Permit, without the stigma that they were driving hell-bent on the path to be a “Gun Nut,” Survivalist or Doomsday Prepper? We needed a mainstream path to preparation and survival that can serve all citizens no matter what their preparedness goals may be.

Is it an issue for one to wish to be a little prepared for a crisis? It shouldn’t be. The United States has a history of civil defense and the utilization of firearms is part of that history. For many, we have just forgotten that it just makes sense. If one looks at the literature and proclamations being distributed from our nation’s capital, our government is telling us preparedness is a good idea. In a crisis, it might take a little bit of time to get to us. So with a little effort, we can dictate the circumstances within which we may have to survive. The government just likes to leave out the portions about guns, that guns are very important part in self-defense and emergency planning.
But if one sees the headlines that dominate the airwaves, there is not a day that goes by that another incident does not illustrate to us the effects of not being prepared. One cannot prepare for every scenario and no one wants to live in fear, yet it seems that we exist in a constant state of “willful ignorance.”
So accepting this, Rob and Jim, the founders of Conceal & Carry, INC., realized that many common sense people were thinking, maybe you need to make some preparations that include a firearm. They saw a need for a reasonable alternative to be placed in front of the American people. They saw a need for a venue for common sense CCW Training, training that breaks the mold of what is currently out there. With a long history in law enforcement, they could provide this venue, specializing in personal protection.  Thus, we created Conceal & Carry, INC. a venue to serve the local population in the basic training of firearms. With our unique view on how to help the average American prepare, stay safe, through quality firearms training, we strive to help our fellow citizens improve their preparedness profile with our “survival through education” theme.
We created the term Survival Management. Survival Management acts as a guide to “manage” one’s preparedness profile. Thus, one can continuously improve their mindset and preparedness level over time with both firearms training and periodic purchases of gear and equipment. With Survival Management as a guide, Americans can systematically and methodically improve their ability to sustain themselves and weather a crisis with confidence, no matter the scope.  Preparedness is a major focus of the Department of Homeland Security and Conceal & Carry, INC. is promoting what DHS wants us all to do….encouraging Americans to become more prepared and more involved with the security and preparedness for themselves and the status of their country.
Conceal & Carry, INC. removes the guess work when it comes to Conceal & Carry Training. We will provide the answers to all of your questions and give you the gift of confidence, self-reliance and a sense of control that is often absent when a disaster strikes. Embrace the personal responsibility to be prepared and to get training in emergency skills so that you can support yourself and your local first responders. We have to remember that the first responder on the street may not be the police or fire; it’s the guy who’s there when the crisis occurs.