Fiat Industrial 4Q profits soar 20 pct

MILAN (AP) ? Italian heavy-duty vehicles maker Fiat Industrial said Thursday that solid sales of tractors and combine harvesters offset lower performance of its truck business to push fourth-quarter earnings up 20 percent.

Based in the northern city of Turin, Fiat Industrial SpA reported net profit in the period of ?148 million ($200 million), up from ?123 million a year earlier. Revenues were ?7 billion.

Sales of farm equipment were up 20 percent, which offset a more difficult business conditions for the construction business everywhere but North America and eastern Europe. The Iveco truck business, however, saw a 7 percent decline in revenues due to the economic crisis in Europe and falling demand in Latin America.

For the full year, net profit grew 30 percent to ?810 million on revenues of ?25.8 billion.

Fiat Industrial, which is in the process of a full merger with its U.S.-based CNH farm and construction subsidiary, forecast a 5 percent increase in revenues this year, and recommended a total dividend payment of ?275 million, or ?0.225 a share.

The merger deal will create the world's third-largest capital goods company by sales, after Caterpillar and Volvo.

Fiat Industrial had aggressively pursued the full merger of the 12 percent of CNH that it didn't already own, making a pitch in the spring and then raising the value of the offer by more than 25 percent after CNH advisers refused to endorse the deal. The new company, which has yet to be named, will be based in the Netherlands and listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The merger is expected to close in the second quarter of next year.

Besides CNH, Fiat Industrial, based in the northern Italian city of Turin, comprises Iveco truck and heavy vehicle company and FPT Industrial powertrains. CNH, which is based in the Chicago suburb of Burr Ridge, Illinois, sells farm and construction equipment under the Case and New Holland brands in 170 countries.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/fiat-industrial-4q-profits-soar-20-pct-111826333--finance.html

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CP Rail profit falls on restructuring charges

(Reuters) - Canadian Pacific Railway reported a 93 percent fall in fourth-quarter profit as it took charges related to labor restructuring and an impairment, but said it expects 2013 adjusted earnings per share to rise more than 40 percent.

CP, the No. 2 Canadian rail carrier behind Canadian National Railway Co, said it expects 2013 revenue growth in the high single digits and an operating ratio in the low 70s.

Chief Executive Hunter Harrison is pushing to improve the railway's industry-lagging efficiency to the mid-60 percent range in 2016 by slashing costs and exiting poorly performing businesses.

To that end, the railroad veteran is cutting 4,500 of CP's 19,500 jobs by 2016. Harrison was picked by CP's biggest shareholder, Pershing Square Capital Management, to replace Fred Green, who resigned during a bruising proxy battle last year.

CP's operating ratio, a key measure of a railway's productivity, improved to 74.8 percent, excluding items, in the quarter from 78.5 percent a year earlier. The lower the ratio, which calculates operating costs as a percentage of revenue, the more efficient a railway.

Net profit fell to C$15 million ($14.86 million), or 8 Canadian cents per share in fourth quarter from C$221 million, or C$1.30 per share, a year earlier.

Revenue rose 7 percent to C$1.50 billion.

Results were hurt by a C$53 million labor restructuring charge and C$185 million impairment related to its investments in the Powder River Basin in northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana.

Shares of the company, which has a market value of C$19.59 billion, closed at C$112.77 on Monday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

They have soared more than 45 percent since Green's exit last May, reflecting high hopes for Harrison's turnaround. ($1 = 1.0092 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Susan Taylor in Toronto and Bhaswati Mukhopadhyay in Bangalore; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/cp-rail-profit-falls-forecasts-higher-2013-adjusted-124328496--finance.html

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Sigma unveils three new MFT and Sony E-Mount lenses

Despite the raves that recent micro four-thirds and Sony E-Mount cameras have received of late, there's still a dearth of lenses for the fledgeling systems compared to their more entrenched counterparts. Luckily, Sigma's just added to the pool of autofocus-equipped models for each system: updated 19mm F2.8 DN and 30mm F2.8 DN models along with an all-new 60mm F2.8 DN telephoto lens. Each Japan-made model has a "telecentric" optical design to minimize CMOS color issues, a metal exterior with silver or black color options, and a linear autofocus motor that Sigma claims is quiet enough to use for video. Meanwhile, the imaging outfit also announced an updated 30mm, F1.4 DC HSM model for Canon APS-C, Nikon DX and its own Sigma mount. All that's great news, though we're still waiting for an AF/electronic F1.4 or faster lens for E-Mount (there's only one on MFT as well) -- though this might tide us over, in the meantime. See the PR after the break for more info.

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Sigma Corporation announces four new lenses at CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013
January 29, 2013

Sigma Corporation announces four new lenses at CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013

APS-C format, E-Mount and Micro Four Thirds lenses feature sleek new 'Art' product line design

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Jan. 29, 2013-Sigma Corporation of America a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced the release of four new lenses for the ART product line, including three lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and one lens for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors. This announcement comes at the start of the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show 2013 this week in Yokohama, Japan.

The new and updated Sigma lenses include the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM, which will be available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts, and the 30mm F2.8 DN, 19mm F2.8 DN and 60mm F2.8 DN lenses, which are available for both Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-Mount camera systems. Pricing and availability on all of these lenses has yet to be announced.

The 60mm F2.8 DN lens is entirely new to the Sigma lineup, while the 30mm F1.4 DC HSM and the 30mm F2.8 DN and 19mm F2.8 DN lenses are existing focal lengths that have been redesigned with enhanced optical performance and included as part of Sigma's new Global Vision category restructuring. All three DN lenses incorporate telecentric optical designs and a linear, auto focusing motor that ensures accurate and quiet focusing for video recording. They also boast metal exteriors and a simply shaped focus ring, with varying textures to distinguish each part of the lens. In addition, DN users can choose between a black or silver finish to match their favorite equipment.

"We're really proud of the super sharp lenses we've produced in the past year and these new Art lenses will continue to impress our fans and critics alike. They're ideal for the landscape, portrait, still-life, close-up and casual photographer who values creative, dramatic outcomes above compactness and multifunction," said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. "The lenses are entirely made in Japan and they boast the new product line's sleek design and enhanced quality control. We're quite proud of these changes - and additions - to our lens lineup; they're further evidence of Sigma's forethought in this fast-moving industry."

Here are more details on these new lenses from Sigma:

· 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Sigma's new USB Dock, which will enable firmware updates and focusing adjustments, is expected to be available in coming months.- Sigma pioneered the large-aperture, APS-C format, standard lens category with its 30mm F1.4 lens in 2005. With new optical configurations of nine elements in eight groups, as well as rounded aperture blades, this updated lens delivers pleasing sharpness and a beautiful bokeh background. Its angle of view is equivalent to 45mm on a 35mm camera (which is similar to that of human vision), its minimum focusing distance is 11.8 inches and its maximum magnification ratio is 1:6.8. The lens' optimized power distribution helps to minimize field curvature, prevent a loss of image quality at the edges of photographs and produce outstanding image quality. Its double-aspheric lens minimizes spherical distortion, astigmatism and coma, and its rear focus system prevents focus-dependent variation in aberration. Together, the new optimized auto focus (AF) algorithm and rear focusing system ensure smooth and accurate focusing. The new 30mm F1.4 is also compatible with Sigma's new USB Dock, which will enable firmware updates and focusing adjustments, is expected to be available in coming months.

· 60mm F2.8 DN- Featuring the natural perspective of mid-range telephoto lenses, together with a shallow depth of field, this lens allows the photographer to capture a single part of a subject with great bokeh effects. It has an angle of view equivalent to 120mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 90mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). The minimum focusing distance is 19.7 inches; the maximum magnification is 1:7.2. This lens also contains Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, which helps minimize axial and transverse chromatic aberration.

· Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN - This high-performance, wide-angle telephoto lens has an angle of view equivalent to 38mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 28.5mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). As a wide-angle lens with excellent mobility, it is ideal for studio photography, architecture and starry skies. Its minimum focusing distance is 7.9 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:7.4.

· Sigma 30mm F2.8 DN - This high-performance, standard telephoto lens has an angle of view equivalent to 60mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 45mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). This lens, which is perfect for casual and formal portraiture, documentary photography, travelogues and everyday shooting, includes a double-sided aspherical lens that enhances its optical performance. Its minimum focusing distance of 11.8 inches and its maximum magnification is 1:8.1.

For information about Sigma Corporation of America, visit www.sigmaphoto.com. For the full press releases for each of these new lenses, visit Sigma's news section at www.sigmaphoto.com/sigma-news.

About Sigma Corporation
For more than 50 years, Sigma Corporation's expertise and innovation has driven the company's core philosophy of "knowledge, plus experience, plus imagination,"with anemphasis on producing high-quality, high-performance photographic technology. This family-owned organization is the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than more than 45 lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax. Sigma Corporation also produces digital SLR cameras and high-definition digital compact cameras. The company is headquartered in Japan, with offices strategically located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. For information, please visit www.sigmaphoto.com.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/29/sigma-unveils-three-new-mft-and-sony-e-mount-lenses/

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The Most Sadistic Apps That Force You to Get Stuff Done

Sometimes willpower is hard to muster up without a little poking from exterior sources. Thankfully, if you prefer a little masochism or negative reinforcement from your apps, you have plenty of options for getting into shape, waking up, and breaking bad habits.

While we certainly prefer a more non-sadistic approach to getting things done, that doesn't work for everyone. Sometimes, the best way to get yourself into a good habit it is to do it publicly, with a little shame on top. If you prefer a slap on the wrist to a high-five, here are the apps that'll give it to you.

Alarm Clocks That Shame You Into Getting Out of Bed

Getting out of bed is incredibly hard for many of us, and when a loud alarm clock (and a good night's rest) don't do the trick, it's time to dig into more extreme measures. Here are a few of our favorites.

BetterMe

BetterMe (free) is incredibly simple iPhone app, but it's based entirely in public humiliation. Can't get up in the morning? Every time you hit snooze, BetterMe post a message to your Facebook timeline telling your friends you were too weak to get out of bed. BetterMe doesn't even disguise itself inside a game structure?it's entire purpose is to shame you into getting up, and it does it amazingly well. If you're more of a Twitter-user, Okite (iPhone, free), might be more up your alley.

Wake N Shake

Wake N Shake ($1.99) bills itself quite literally as an "evil alarm clock" for a reason: it forces you awake by making you shake your phone to shut off the alarm. If that wasn't enough, a recent update also adds a competitive layer to challenge your friends to get up earlier, earn achievements, and includes a leaderboard. It might not sound that evil to have to shake your alarm clock in the morning, but once you try it you'll realize how annoying (and effective) it actually is.

Morning Routine

Morning Routing (free) for Android might be the most sadistic alarm clock we've seen. While Wake N Shake requires a little effort, Morning Routine doesn't turn off its alarm until you actually get out of bed and scan the barcode of items around your house. That means you have to get up, grab your phone, and walk to the kitchen (or wherever) to scan that carton of milk to turn off the alarm. It's almost as sadistic as when your parents would flip on the light, tear back the covers, and yell at you to get up for school. If scanning barcodes is too boring for you, Sleep If U Can forces you to take pictures.

Fitness Apps That Guilt (or Threaten) You Into Getting Into Shape

Getting into shape is hard, and motivating yourself to do it is tough. You have plenty of non-sadistic options out there to help you get into shape, but if you need an evil kick in the pants, here are your best bets.

Zombies, Run!

On the surface, Zombies, Run! (iPhone/Android/Windows Phone, $7.99) is just a fun game that turns a jogging routine into a game of survival. By itself, it's mildly sadistic, but it has a trick up its sleeve for the truly masochistic: interval mode. We've mentioned interval training before, but Zombies, Run! has a twist. Out of nowhere, the app will inform you of a zombie chase, and you have to run as fast as you can to get out alive. If you don't make it, it's game over, and you lose the supplies you've gathered. Combine this with a nighttime run in an empty park (if it's safe, of course) and you have a terrifying (but amazing) experience.

Gym Pact and Fitsby

Gym-Pact (iPhone/Android, free) and Fitsby (Android, free) might be the most sadistic apps on this list.

Gym-Pact is pretty straightforward: attach your bank account to Gym-Pact, and when you don't go to the gym (and check in), Gym-Pact takes money out of your account. The money it collects is then redistributed to other users who actually went to the gym.

Fitsby works in a similar way, but instead of giving the money to complete strangers, it gives the bulk of it to your friends who are also on the service. Yes, what we're saying is that both of these apps will take real money from your bank account and give it away when you don't go to the gym. No, that doesn't sound like fun, but it certainly is bigger motivator than a wasted gym membership. If that's all a little too extreme for you, GymShamer connects to your Foursquare account and sends out a tweet every time you skip the gym.

The Sadistic Apps that Force You to Change Behaviors (or Get Things Done)

Motivating yourself to get your to-do list done or change your behavior (for the better, hopefully) is never easy. For those amongst us who like a punch in the gut every morning, here are some of the apps that shame you into getting everything else in your life done.

CARROT

CARROT (iPhone, 99?) is pretty much the only sadistic to-do list out there. While it won't shame you publicly for not mowing the lawn, it will sound very disappointed in you. CARROT is a to-do app with the personality of a crazed computer. When you don't do the tasks you're supposed to, CARROT gets upset. When you fail to do anything, CARROT gets even more upset. It's a minimalist experience, but it's pretty much the only to-do list out there that's willing to call you out for being the slacker that you are.

Getupp

If you want to really make your commitments public, and force yourself to actually complete them, Getupp is one way to do it. Make a commitment in the app (or webapp) of a place you need to be at a certain time. Check in there, or else Getupp shows your friends when you didn't make it. This can include anything from the gym to church to the dance club. While it's not openly shaming you, Getupp still broadcasts your failures to the world. It's probably enough to make most people actually show up.

Aherk!

Aherk doesn't have a mobile app, but it's easily one of the more sadistic ways to reach your goals. Aherk is designed to help you blackmail yourself. You provide Aherk with embarrassing pictures of yourself, and then a goal (say lose 10 pounds) you want to meet. If you don't meet it by the deadline, that embarrassing photo is released onto your social networks. Self-blackmail is a little tough, but once you set Aherk up, you can't back out, so you'd better accomplish those goals.

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/MhpWTUTL6fY/the-most-sadistic-apps-that-force-you-to-get-stuff-done

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University, city team up to build new recreation center | The ...

Construction is underway on a new athletics facility that will feature a track and field, softball and soccer facilities, and recreation center. The venue, named Rock Chalk Park, will be located in northwest Lawrence.

The University teamed up with the City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department for the project. The City Commission approved the KU portion of the park in a Jan. 8 meeting, and grading and groundwork are moving forward. However, the city has not yet approved the plan for the new recreation center. Ernie Shaw, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said there is a possibility it could be approved in the Feb. 19 meeting.

Both Shaw and Kevin Loos, vice chair of the Parks and Recreation Department advisory board, said this project has been in the works for well over a decade.? Shaw said the lack of recreation facilities on the west side of town has been a hindrance for the city and the residents living in the area.

?It will give us a lot more opportunity for programming and give the people in the west an actual facility in their neighborhood. That?s our number one goal: to meet the needs of our citizens,? Shaw said. ?It?s also an opportunity to host outside and regional tournaments and bring dollars into the city.?

Loos, who has been on the board for six years, said the recreation center has been a discussion since his first day, but that KU has helped push the process along by bringing in more support, as well as financial assistance.

?You get more bang for your buck,? Loos said of partnering with the University. ?The developer has offered financing for less for everybody, including the city.?

According to a press release issued by KU Athletics, the track and field stadium will be able to seat up to 10,000 people, the softball stadium 1,500 and the soccer stadium 2,500. The total cost will be $39 million, spread out over 30 years instead of an estimated $50 million, thanks to the partnership with the KU Endowment Association and Thomas and Dru Fritzel of Bliss Sports.

?By partnering and coming together, we can build in one location and save some on that infrastructure cost,? Shaw said. ?We?re being able to share resources without duplicating in separate locations.?

Loos thinks the project will benefit the University as well as the entire city by drawing in tourists for KU events and youth athletic tournaments, and in turn, more revenue from retail.

?We?re continuing to develop a better relationship between KU and the city,? Loos said. ?It?s really been driven not only from a growth standpoint but also an economic standpoint, and bringing more into the city.?

Although the two projects are separate, Kansas athletic director Sheahon Zenger shares Loos?s belief in the joint effort bringing prosperity to Lawrence.
?If all the facilities are together, it will be a more vibrant park and it will be more of an economic engine for Lawrence,? Zenger said.

Zenger?s intention in building the park is to bring the track and field, soccer and softball facilities up to par not only with those in the Big 12, but with universities nationwide.

?Now more than ever, you have to stay at a certain level, not just with the competitiveness of your teams, but your facilities,? he said.

By increasing the prestige of the arenas and changing the game day atmosphere, having state-of-the-art facilities will also aid in competing for recruits. Women?s soccer coach Mark Francis said the affect of the new stadium on recruiting would most likely be the biggest difference.

?It?s going to be like night and day. It will put us on an even playing field with the rest of the conference from a facilities standpoint,? he said.

Francis said every athletic director in his 14 years of coaching at the University has told him that soccer would receive a new facility.
?I?m grateful to them that they?ve made it happen and it?s a reality now,? Francis said. ?That?s very reassuring and I?m appreciative.?

Emma LeGault is a freshman from Emporia majoring in journalism. Read more from Emma LeGault.

Source: http://kansan.com/news/2013/01/23/university-city-team-up-to-build-new-recreation-center/

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Music Box art installation could become permanent fixture - NOLA.com

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Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2013, 3:35 PM

Watch as artists Caledonia ?Swoon? Curry and Delaney Martin discuss their plans to make the Music Box: A Shantytown Sound Laboratory a permanent New Orleans fixture. The Music Box was an enchanting installation of musical sculpture on Piety Street that was used to produce splendidly strange experimental concerts in 2011 and 2012. Even before the sold-out concerts and national critical acclaim, Curry, Martin and their cast of talented collaborators imagined a fanciful architectural building to house the odd instruments permanently. Now they?d like to make that dream a reality.

Source: http://videos.nola.com/times-picayune/2013/01/music_box_art_installation_cou.html

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Planning for bacteria in cancer patients may help hospitals fight infections

Jan. 23, 2013 ? What cancerous conditions lead to what kinds of bacterial infections? If doctors knew, they could predict which patients would likely benefit from pre-treatment with certain kinds of antibiotics. A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in this month's issue of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases shows the answer: E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are especially prevalent in patients with lung and GI cancers, more so for Klebsiella if these patients have been treated previously with aminopenicillins.

"These are really dangerous infections. You think about Klebsiella -- it can develop resistance really quickly. And these patients have generally been in and out of hospitals. If you can't treat the infection early, it can quickly become a serious and life threatening condition," says Andr?s Felipe Henao-Mart?nez, MD, clinical fellow in infectious diseases at the CU Cancer Center and University of Colorado Hospital.

His study looked at 462 patients with bacterial blood stream infections who were admitted to hospitals for treatment. Of these patients, 203 had cancer and 259 did not, allowing Henao-Mart?nez and colleagues to explore the clinical and microbiological differences between these populations. Interestingly, Henao-Mart?nez could show that most infections existing in cancer patients were acquired in hospital settings and not in the community, while non-cancer patients typically had community-acquired infections.

"Normally every hospital has a spreadsheet, an antibiogram, listing the bacteria and their rate of antibiotic resistance they've found in their patient population. But if you can predict ahead of time what bacteria you're likely to encounter, you can prescribe more targeted antibiotic therapy before infections create complications," Henao-Mart?nez says.

For example, previous treatment with aminopenicillins, like amoxicillin, and the presence of cancer seemed to significantly increase the likelihood of Klebsiella infection .

"Klebsiella pneumoniae is largely resistant to amoxicillin -- with the immune system compromised by the cancer and by chemotherapy, and with other bacteria largely wiped away by the amoxicillin class of antibiotics it appears that Klebsiella is left to flourish with little competition in patients with cancer" Henao-Mart?nez says.

The group recently submitted a paper detailing genetic differences in outcomes in this population of bacterially infected patients admitted for treatment.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Colorado Denver. The original article was written by Garth Sundem.

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Journal Reference:

1. Andr?s F. Henao-Mart?nez, Guido R. Gonz?lez-Fontal, Jos? R. Castillo-Mancilla, Ivana V. Yang. Enterobacteriaceae bacteremias among cancer patients: an observational cohort study. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2013; DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2012.11.030

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

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/BeQhqGu-3qk/130123165105.htm

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Daily Chronicle | KishHealth launches home care program

DeKALB ? Everything and nothing changed Jan. 1 for Lisa Hardcastle.

When the new year came, Hardcastle was still the director of a home care division, but it was no longer for the DeKalb County Health Department. Instead, Hardcastle assumed the same position under the KishHealth System banner, completing a transfer of the program that had been discussed for months.

Some of the 16 home care employees laid off by the county, including Hardcastle, were hired by KishHealth System to create a seamless transition for the roughly 70 home care patients in the program. Hardcastle said it has been an exciting process moving from an agency with fewer than 100 employees to an organization with more than 1,500 employees and immense resources.

The potential for growth is starting to be realized, she said, with plans to expand to communities surrounding DeKalb and Sandwich. Hardcastle said there also are opportunities to integrate other hospital resources such as dietitians in the home care experience.

?Nursing is nursing is nursing no matter where you go and those core services are going to stay the same,? she said. ?But there are a lot more resources here at the hospital and the challenge now is learning to navigate that.?

Home care services provide skilled nursing, home health aides, physical, occupational and speech therapy, and medical social workers to those with chronic illnesses or who are recovering from surgery.

The county health department decided to end the home care program, which it had operated since 1966, to help reduce its deficit.

The program served 772 people in 2011 with county staff making 13,162 visits. It generated $1.9 million in fee revenue but ran a deficit. By shedding the program, the health department is expected to reduce its estimated deficit of $340,500 to about $56,500 in 2013.

Cost drivers such as cuts to Medicare compensation and changes to health care laws that hurt the county program are more easily absorbed by larger organizations, said Pam Duffy, president of KishHealth System?s home care division.

She said there has already been resource shifting to handle the cost of adding the program.

?We just have more resources,? she said. ?It?s a lot easier on us than a smaller facility.?

KishHealth System?s addition of the home care service also provides an opportunity for Kishwaukee Community Hospital and Valley West Community Hospital to reduce hospital admissions, which saves the patients and agency money, Hardcastle said.

Hardcastle, who also serves as president of the Illinois Home Care and Hospice Council, said a home visit is about $150 a day compared to the more than $1,000 a day for hospital and nursing home stays.

?There is such a push with health care reform ... to decrease hospital admissions,? she said. ?If we can prevent patients from going to the hospital that?s great. Home is where patients want to be.?

There are 26 hours, 57 minutes remaining to comment on this story.

Source: http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2013/01/15/kishhealth-launches-home-care-program/aywisbf/

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Water Activities To Enjoy In Japan

Are you looking for adventurous water activities? There are plenty of interesting and exciting water activities to enjoy in Japan. As it is surrounded by ocean and lined with 32,000 rivers, streams and lakes, this island nation offers challenging activities to indulge. Some of the popular activities are listed below:

Canoeing and kayaking:

Canoeing and kayaking are very popular water activities among visitors. Each year, hundreds of visitors enjoy canoeing and kayaking on wilderness lakes and rivers. There are not so many rivers for canoeing in Japan, so you need to identify the rivers before planning canoeing. If you need to enjoy calm canoeing with your family, you need to choose Namato and Okutone lakes. As these lakes originate from several large dams, the river looks calm and safe for a canoe tour.

Experienced people can rent rafts, kayaks and canoes to enjoy canoeing. Usually, kayaking is performed on the Lake Biwa and Lake Aoki. If you need to indulge in challenging and adventurous kayaking, choose places nearby Hime River. Canoeing and kayaking activities lets you to witness the beauty of Kushiro Shitsugen National Park and Matsushima Bay. For sea kayaking, Shizuoka area is a well known destination.

Kayaking trip lasts just one day for beginners, while experienced people can enjoy kayaking for more than two days. During multi day tours, visitors can camp on islands.

Diving and Snorkeling:

For diving and snorkeling, southern islands of Okinawa, Ogasawara Islands and Izu Islands are popular destination. As these islands have crystal clear water and moderate climate, a large number of visitors enjoy diving and snorkeling. You can witness the beauty of underwater marine life and coral reefs, while diving and snorkeling in these destinations.

White water rafting:

Tone River is a best destination to enjoy white water rafting. Usually, white water rafting seasons lasts from April to October, so plan your visit accordingly to enjoy rafting. To get a challenging experience, try to visit during June when the river gets filled with water from rain spring melt.

Surfing:

As the waves are aggressive in some regions, you need to identify the best spots for surfing. Hokkaido, Sendai, Ibaraki, Chiba and Izu Islands are some well known spots for surfing.

Fishing:

Fishing is a popular water activity among visitors who indulge in fishing with their family. In its 32000 rivers, streams and lakes, you can enjoy bass, salmon and trout fishing. Due to construction of concrete river banks and dams, you might not be able to enjoy fishing in some rivers, so choose the best spots for fishing before planning your trip.

About the Author:
To enjoy all the water activities, you need to visit Japan during the best season. The author has immense knowledge on Japan tour and has written many articles regarding places to visit Japan and Japanese destinations in the past.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Water-Activities-To-Enjoy-In-Japan/4393409

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Ga. man sentenced to 15 years in Army militia plot

HINESVILLE, Ga. (AP) ? A 22-year-old ex-soldier has pleaded guilty to more than 30 charges for his involvement with a group of Army soldiers who authorities say planned acts of domestic terrorism.

Prosecutor Isabel Pauley says Timothy Joiner pleaded guilty Tuesday to burglary, theft, violations of the street gang terrorism and prevention act and financial transaction card thefts among other offenses.

Officials say Joiner stole various items to provide bond for a jailed leader of FEAR. It is a self-described anarchist group led by soldiers who authorities say plotted to bomb a Savannah park fountain, poison apple orchards in Washington state and assassinate the president. Joiner served in Iraq.

Pauley says Joiner pleaded guilty as a first offender and is sentenced to five years in prison and 10 years of probation.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ga-man-sentenced-15-years-army-militia-plot-203404608.html

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Ultra-small devices for energy-efficient electronics

Jan. 21, 2013 ? A team of scientists from Tyndall National Institute?at University College Cork and the National University of Singapore have designed and fabricated ultra-small devices for energy-efficient electronics. By finding out how molecules behave in these devices, a ten-fold increase in switching efficiency was obtained by changing just one carbon atom. These devices could provide new ways to combat overheating in mobile phones and laptops, and could also aid in electrical stimulation of tissue repair for wound healing.

The breakthrough creation of molecular devices with highly controllable electrical properties will appear in the February issue of Nature Nanotechnology. Dr. Damien Thompson at the Tyndall National Institute, UCC and a team of researchers at the National University of Singapore led by Prof. Chris Nijhuis designed and created the devices, which are based on molecules acting as electrical valves, or diode rectifiers.

Dr. Thompson explains, "These molecules are very useful because they allow current to flow through them when switched ON and block current flow when switched OFF. The results of the study show that simply adding one extra carbon is sufficient to improve the device performance by more than a factor of ten. We are following up lots of new ideas based on these results, and we hope ultimately to create a range of new components for electronic devices." Dr. Thompson's atom-level computer simulations showed how molecules with an odd number of carbon atoms stand straighter than molecules with an even number of carbon atoms. This allows them to pack together more closely. Tightly-packed assemblies of these molecules were formed on metal electrode surfaces by the Nijhuis group in Singapore and were found to be remarkably free of defects. These high quality devices can suppress leakage currents and so operate efficiently and reliably. The device can be cleanly switched on and off purely on the basis of the charge and shape of the molecules, just like in the biological nanomachines that regulate photosynthesis, cell division and tissue growth.

Tyndall Electronic Theory Group leader Prof. Jim Greer explains: "Modern electronic devices such as telephones and tablets in manufacture today rely on tiny switches approaching molecular sizes. This provides new challenges for electronics but opens up exciting opportunities for blending molecular properties to be used to advantage. Dr. Thompson?s work is an exciting new avenue to exploit molecular design to achieve new ways to perform information processing." A key enabling feature for nanoscale electronics will be the ability to use molecules as rectifiers and switches. By demonstrating the rational design of molecules that rectify current with a large and highly-reproducible ON/OFF ratio, the study provides a key advance towards the creation of technologically viable ultra-small device components. Fifty thousand of the rectifier molecules strung end to end would fit across the diameter of a human hair. Advances in computing, synthesis and characterisation means scientists can now understand and control material at the scale of atoms and molecules.

The study was funded on the Irish side by a Science Foundation Ireland Starting Investigator award to Dr. Thompson. The computer simulations were performed on Science Foundation Ireland-supported computing clusters at Tyndall and at the Irish Centre for High End Computing. The combined experiments and simulations show for the first time that minute improvements in molecule orientation and packing trigger changes in van der Waals forces that are sufficiently large to dramatically improve the performance of electronic devices. Dr. Thompson explains: "These van der Waals forces are the weakest of all intermolecular forces and only become significant when summed over large areas. Hence, up until now, the majority of research into ultra-small devices has used stronger "pi-pi" interactions to stick molecules together, and has ignored the much weaker, but ubiquitous, van der Waals interactions. The present study shows how van der Waals effects, which are present in every conceivable molecular scale device, can be tuned to optimise the performance of the device."

The devices are based on molecules that act as diodes by allowing current to pass through them when operated at forward bias and blocking current when the bias is reversed. Molecular rectifiers were first proposed back in 1974, and advances in scientific computing have allowed molecular?level design to be used over the past decade to develop new organic materials that provide better electrical responses. However, the relative importance of the interactions between the molecules, the nature of the molecule-metal contact and the influence of environmental effects have been questioned. This new research demonstrates that dramatic improvements in device performance may be achieved by controlling the van der Waals forces that pack the molecules together. Simply changing the number of carbon atoms by one provides significantly more stable and more reproducible devices that exhibit an order of magnitude improvement in ON/OFF ratio. The research findings demonstrate the feasibility of boosting device performances by creating tighter seals between molecules.

"The development of molecular scale electronics is heavily reliant on simulation and high performance computing", commented Prof. Greer. "The continued support for research infrastructure in Ireland allows for the scientific advances that lead to enhanced interaction with global industry leaders, and positions Ireland to be a key provider of research with impact."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Tyndall National Institute.

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

---

Journal Reference:

1. Nisachol Nerngchamnong, Li Yuan, Dong-Chen Qi, Jiang Li, Damien Thompson, Christian A. Nijhuis. The role of van der Waals forces in the performance of molecular diodes. Nature Nanotechnology, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2012.238

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

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

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_technology/~3/Tgk2qV_ckqA/130121083025.htm

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Who Needs Black Friday When You Have myDealCompass ...

Black Friday has quickly become advertised as the ?biggest shopping day of the entire year.? It gained this title due to thousands of people venturing out into the wee hours of the morning to catch that amazing deal that is offered at their local store. These deals have been hyped as once a year savings that you can?t miss. However, if you are a myDealCompass user, you know that you can receive awesome, hype-worthy savings each day of the year with this innovative, easy-to-use platform.

The best part of myDealCompass savings is that they are local. You put in your location and the site brings the savings of your local stores and shops straight to you. This is what truly sets this site apart from all the other couponing sites that are available. No more finding sales and coupons that are relevant to you; they are brought to you. Businesses literally fight for your business by offering the biggest and most notable coupon or deal. However, this is not just a winning site for consumers. Businesses who use this platform also reap amazing benefits.

Featured, hot, perpetual, persistent. These are just a few of the words you will become familiar with when you use myDealCompass to advertise your business?s savings. The persistent deal is a concept that is unique to myDealCompass. By utilizing this method of offering savings, you are enticing your customers to shop the day they find the savings. No waiting like traditional paper coupons require. myDealCompass is a win-win coupon and deal site targeted to a local audience who is eager to save and spend. Black Friday beware! myDealCompass is here to stay!

Source: http://mydealcompass.com/blog/index.php/black-friday-have-mydealcompass/

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Melissa Rycroft Tricks Her Daughter (and Husband!) at the Dinner Table

"She pushes my buttons like nobody else on this earth can do," Rycroft, 29, tells PEOPLE.

Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/HtyeeNgklJw/

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SecureIT Plus (2013)

Working in the Microsoft Malware Protection Center must be tough. Here your company is among the biggest in the world, yet a little (but well-regarded) antivirus testing lab in Germany says your antivirus software doesn't cut the mustard. Not just once but twice in the last few months, Microsoft failed to receive certification from AV-Test.

Joe Blackbird, Program Manager at the Center, explained in a blog post that failing this test does not mean Microsoft's user aren't protected.

Transparency in Testing
In accord with principles of the AMTSO, AV-Test makes no secret of the methodology used in conducting their ongoing certification tests. That means Blackbird could check and verify exactly why Microsoft Security Essentials didn't pass.

The test gives equal weight to three elements of security: protection (keeping new malware from infesting a clean system), repair (clearing out malware that's already present), and usability (doing the job without slowing the system or falsely accusing valid programs). Microsoft did OK in the repair and usability areas but got just 1.5 of 6 possible points for repair.

Not Real-World?
Blackbird's main contention is that this test doesn't mirror the real-world experience of Microsoft's customers. According to AV-Test, Microsoft missed 28 of 100 zero-day threats. However, Microsoft's telemetry shows that "99.997 percent of our customers hit with any 0-day did not encounter the malware samples tested in this test." Note that he's not talking about 99.997 percent of all customers. He's saying that, of those who encountered a zero-day threat of some kind, only 0.003 percent encountered one that AV-Test actually used.

But is this necessarily an indictment of the testing method? Let's look at it the other way around. Zero-day attacks occur constantly, in huge numbers. If the 0.003 percent represents just one customer, then 300,000 customers have encountered such an attack. Of course, the number could be larger. AV-Test picked a random sample of 100 and just happened to find 28 that Microsoft can't detect. That sounds kind of bad, doesn't it?

Microsoft also missed 9 percent of the 216,000 files in the "recent malware" collection, but, said Blackbird, the missed samples "don't represent what our customers encounter. When we explicitly looked for these files, we could not find them on our customers' machines."

Customer-Focused Prioritization
"In December 2012,", Blackbird continued, "we processed 20 million new potentially malicious files, and, using telemetry and customer impact to prioritize those files, added protection that blocked 4 million different malicious files on nearly 3 million computers. Those 4 million files could have been customer-impacting if we had not prioritized them appropriately." In other words, Microsoft fared poorly in this test due to their emphasis on prioritizing files that would actively impact their customers.

It's an interesting point, but other vendors manage to protect their users and also earn top scores from AV-Test. Bitdefender, F-Secure, and Trend Micro all received 6 of 6 possible point in the protection test.

I grant the point that AV-Test didn't use all of the malware actually encountered by Microsoft's users for their test. That would be impossible. Antivirus testers must do their best to use representative samples. However, my own hands-on testing with Microsoft Security Essentials, using samples that are far from zero-day, suggests that it's just not as effective as the best antivirus products.

For more from Neil, follow him on Twitter @neiljrubenking.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/sqoIF8DgWIU/0,2817,2414448,00.asp

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Terrific Tips And Advice For Anyone Interested In Self Improvement ...

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

If you?re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

When considering finding the path to personal development, you must remember that every individual is going to find things that work better for them, so you must find what works best for you. You should do research into the different methods and techniques that are used for self improvement. The following article gets you started by providing you with advice that is beneficial to you and your personal growth.

You should be comfortable promoting and working within the boundaries of your strengths. Every person is an individual with different talents, and we are not all going to be good at everything. Cultivating your existing skills will always be more effective than complaining about a skill you have never acquired.

You may experience excess stress when you overreact to difficult situations. When you learn how to cope with stress, you will carefully consider options and calmly handle problems stress free. If you make a mistake, own up to it, fix it, and move on. Always look at what you still have instead of what you lost.

Always carry something you can record your ideas on. Carry paper and a pen around with you. If an idea grabs you while you are on the subway, write it down, then do something about it when inspiration strikes.

Eliminate all unnecessary stress from your life. Reacting too strongly to negative events will just make you more stressed, which is the last thing you need. Sometimes, circumstances will be not be in your complete control. Taking time to come up with reasonable resolutions will afford you peace of mind.

Go out of your way to give other people compliments. Resist the urge to focus on the negative and instead speak out in kindness to others and you will find yourself being kinder to yourself, as well.

You deserve to have only the best in life, and until you realize this, you can?t really move forward. You should understand that you owe yourself your best effort. Ultimately, you can be confident that you worked as hard as possible to achieve your goals.

Those who want to succeed often look to mentors for help. Every champion has a great coach; the advice of a knowledgeable mentor is priceless. Everyone should be able to help others find the way. It would be difficult for anyone to do their best in any field without any guidance. Each champion had a wonderful coach.

Realize that a gap exists between where you want to be and where you are now. This is the first step to actually starting the journey of where you want to be. If you cannot see this need, you can not better yourself.

When trying to achieve personal development, failures can dampen and hurt an individual?s ego and self esteem. Failure though, is one of our greatest teachers. Failure is sometimes a way of finding out where your true strengths are. In that sense, every failure should be a point of pride for you, as you have uncovered another piece of your personal puzzle.

The first step in changing is making a decision to change. It is important to make any changes that are necessary for growth.

If you have extensive self improvement goals, consider enlisting the help of a therapist. Books can be very helpful to help you understand your problems, but they tend to lack the insight and knowledge which a therapist can give you. For some people, they have much more success when they can talk openly about their problems. A psychiatrist can have a discussion with you, where a book cannot.

To keep from increasing the amount of debt you owe, start putting money into an emergency fund. Most of us depend on credit cards to pay for unexpected expenses. Putting a few dollars a week into an emergency fund will add up over time. This ?rainy day fund? gives the security of knowing we can manage our expenses and pay off our debts.

Let go of your worries. Many times, worry is about a scenario that has yet to occur, and may never occur. Instead of worrying endlessly about what might happen, start preparing for those scenarios. You will then feel ready for anything, which will allow you to continue with your daily activities.

Advice has little meaning if it goes unused. You must implement these tips into your every day life if you would like to see an effect. No one can be successful without trying. After you have applied this information, reevaluate your development and pay attention to any differences that may arise.

P.S.-If you love personal development and would love to make an extra $1000/day blogging with it, find out how my 2 friends are helping thousands of people make money about their passions === Discover why this game-changer is the most bad-ass personal development plan in the industry?s history!

View the original article here

Source: http://brianelrod.com/terrific-tips-and-advice-for-anyone-interested-in-self-improvement

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Hundreds honor information activist Swartz in NYC

NEW YORK (AP) ? Portraying his suicide as the product of injustice, friends and supporters at a memorial Saturday for free-information advocate Aaron Swartz called for changing computer-crime laws and the legal system itself.

At a New York City ceremony that was part tribute and part rallying cry, Swartz ? who killed himself this month as he faced trial on hacking charges ? was painted as a precocious technologist, erudite activist and hounded hero. One speaker called him nothing less than an "Internet saint."

To prosecutors, the 26-year-old Swartz was a thief whose aims to make information available didn't excuse the illegal acts he was charged with: breaking into a wiring closet at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and tapping into its computer network to download millions of paid-access scholarly articles, which he planned to share publicly.

But Swartz's girlfriend said the case drove him to his death.

"He was so scared and so frustrated and so desperate and, more than anything else, just so weary. I think he just couldn't take it another day," Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman told the hundreds of people who gathered to remember Swartz. ". In the end, he couldn't allow (prosecutors) to control him, either."

Friends attending the memorial remembered Swartz as a crusader for the open exchange of information ? an "Internet saint," in the words of Quinn Norton, a journalist who writes about hacker and online culture.

Doc Searls, 65, a columnist and advocate for making computer code publicly accessible, said he met Swartz when the tech prodigy was a teenager and noted that the two "were often generational bookends at conferences we went to."

"When we're young we think our cause is a sprint, and when we're middle-aged we thing is it's a marathon," Searls said. "But when we're old we think it's a relay race. And Aaron was the one you wanted to hand it off to."

A grandson of activist folk singer Pete Seeger, Kitama Jackson, read a note from his grandfather that said: "These modern times are filled with such contradictions that experts are not agreed on what the future of the human race will be. But we can agree today that it was a tragedy for this brilliant young man to be so threatened that he hanged himself."

Swartz was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment on Jan. 11 as a trial in Boston loomed in his future. Federal prosecutors said he planned to make the paid-access articles obtained via MIT's network available for free.

Whatever he aimed to do with the data, "stealing is stealing, whether you use a computer command or a crowbar," Boston U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said before Swartz's death.

But his family, admirers and some legal experts blasted the case as overreaching that drove Swartz to his death. His father, Robert Swartz, has said his son "was killed by the government."

The digital archive that holds the articles, JSTOR, has said it regretted being drawn into the criminal case and didn't pursue any claims against Swartz after he returned the data in 2011. Days before his death, the nonprofit JSTOR announced that it planned to make more than 4.5 million articles available for free.

Swartz had pleaded not guilty to some 13 felony charges. They carried the potential for decades in prison and enormous fines, though prosecutors have said they never intended to seek the maximum penalties.

A shaken Ortiz said this week she was "terribly upset about what happened," appearing near tears at one point as she spoke about the case. But she said her office handled it fairly and appropriately.

Swartz was a young teenager when he helped create RSS, technology for gathering updates from blogs, news sites and elsewhere on the Web. He later co-founded the social news site Reddit and Demand Progress, a group that campaigns against online censorship.

"He was trying to hack the whole world, in the best way." Demand Progress Executive Director David Segal told memorial attendees at the Great Hall at Cooper Union.

Roy Singham, founder of the software company Thoughtworks, said Swartz "deeply wanted to protect humanity's intellectual treasures" and keep them part of the public domain, and to ensure that technology was a tool for promoting democracy, rather than for amassing profit and power.

Glenn Otis Brown, director of business development at Twitter, remembered the precocious 15 or 16-year-old he met while working as the executive director of Creative Commons, which provides a way for people to license their code or online work for public use.

Swartz's role there was to translate legal software-licensing agreements into computer-readable code ? a job he peppered with humor, such as reframing the complex legal concepts as haikus. For example, "Public domain: Do what you feel like / Since the work is abandoned / the law doesn't care," or "If you touch this file / my lawyers will come kill you / so kindly refrain."

Brown recalled a blog post Swartz once wrote about spending 30 days offline: "I felt like I was in control of my life, instead of the other way around."

___

Follow Jennifer Peltz at http://twitter.com/jennpeltz

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hundreds-honor-information-activist-swartz-nyc-223202827.html

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The Personal Finance Thread

Hello,

I just finished reading "Personal Finance for Dummies." I have let my finances go because they always scared the shit out of me. I am in debt about 250k with loans and credit card debt.

I always used to just spend money justifying that I needed to have stuff to live, but have recently seen the error of my ways. I figured the only way to get rid of this fear was to embrace my finances and it has worked. Although, now I am realizing just how big of a hole I blew!

I recently just started budgeting, I can see that light at the end of the tunnel even though its still years away.

Anyone in similar or have been in similar circumstances in the past?

Source: http://www.rollitup.org/black-briefcase/614212-personal-finance-thread.html

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49ers strike gold in Atlanta

QB leads 4 TD drives and Gore runs for 2 scores as Atlanta blows big lead again

Streeter Lecka / Getty Images

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick celebrates on the field after the victory.

By CHARLES ODUM

updated 6:51 p.m. ET Jan. 20, 2013

ATLANTA - Make way Joe Montana and Steve Young. Colin Kaepernick is leading a brash new group of 49ers to the Super Bowl.

Frank Gore scored a pair of second-half touchdowns and San Francisco, after falling behind 17-0 by the first play of the second quarter, pulled off a record rally for a 28-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC championship game Sunday.

Helped by the defense in the final minutes, Kaepernick didn't put up the same dazzling numbers he did in the divisional playoff against Green Bay. But he was solid enough to justify coach Jim Harbaugh's decision to bench Alex Smith and go with the youngster.

San Francisco (13-4-1) moves on to face either New England or Baltimore at New Orleans in two weeks. The 49ers will be trying to join Pittsburgh as the only franchises with six Super Bowl titles.

"This is what we play for. We play for this moment," 49ers tight end Vernon Davis said. "We put in all the hard work and get the opportunity to play on the big stage. So, it's not about me. It's all about the team."

Montana led the 49ers to four Super Bowls wins and Young took them to No. 5. It's up to Kaepernick to get No. 6 when the 49ers play in the NFL title game for the first time since 1995.

The top-seeded Falcons (14-4) tried to pull out another season-saving drive at the end, but Matt Ryan's fourth-down pass for Roddy White with 1:13 remaining was knocked down by San Francisco linebacker NaVorro Bowman.

The 49ers (13-4-1) will meet the winner of the AFC title game between New England and Baltimore.

The victory was sweet redemption for the 49ers, who lost an overtime thriller to the New York Giants a year ago in the NFC title game.

The 49ers pulled off the biggest comeback victory in an NFC championship game, according to STATS. The previous NFC record was 13 points - Atlanta's victory over Minnesota in the 1999 title game, which sent the Falcons to what remains the only Super Bowl in franchise history.

In the AFC, the record is 18 points, when Indianapolis rallied New England in 2007.

Gore's 9-yard run midway through the fourth quarter completed the comeback from a 17-0 first-half deficit. The run came at the end of a short 38-yard drive set up by Ted Ginn Jr.'s 20-yard punt return.

Gore had a 5-yard touchdown run to cap an 82-yard drive to open the second half.

The high-scoring pace of the first half continued as the 49ers began their run of points. Colin Kaepernick had passes of 21 and 17 yards to Randy Moss in the drive. The 17-yarder moved the 49ers to the Falcons 5, setting up Gore's scoring run.

Matt Ryan threw three touchdown passes in the first half, including a 10-yard toss to Tony Gonzalez with 25 seconds remaining in the half. The score answered San Francisco's two straight touchdowns as Atlanta led 24-14 at halftime.

Ryan also threw touchdown passes of 20 and 46 yards to Julio Jones.

Ryan was hurt by two third-quarter turnovers. His pass for Roddy White was intercepted by cornerback Chris Culliver early in the third quarter. The 49ers couldn't take advantage of the game's first turnover when David Akers' try for a 38-yard field goal hit the left upright.

Later in the third quarter, Ryan fumbled a shotgun snap. Again the 49ers were denied when receiver Michael Crabtree fumbled at the goal line when stripped by Dunta Robinson. William Moore helped on the hit and Stephen Nicholas was credited with the recovery.

The Falcons led 17-0 following Ryan's 20-yard touchdown pass to Jones on the first play of the second quarter.

Kaepernick threw a 4-yard scoring pass to Davis and LaMichael James had a 15-yard touchdown run as the 49ers charged back.

Trailing 17-0, the 49ers answered with a long drive that consumed almost 7 minutes. The drive began with four straight runs by Gore.

On third-and-7 from the Falcons 42, Kaepernick completed a 27-yard pass to Davis to the 15. Following an incomplete pass on first down, James ran right behind a block by Davis for the touchdown.

The 49ers then went on an 82-yard touchdown drive. Big plays included Kaepernick's 19-yard pass to Davis and a 23-yard run by the dual-threat quarterback.

Falcons linebacker Nicholas helped the 49ers with a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness.

On first down from the Falcons 4, Kaepernick rolled right before throwing to Davis for the touchdown.

Ryan opened the game with three straight scoring drives, including two touchdown passes to Jones. Ryan capped the Falcons' opening drive with a 46-yard touchdown pass to Jones.

Matt Bryant's 35-yard field goal capped the Falcons' second drive.

Ryan moved the Falcons 80 yards on seven plays on Atlanta's opening drive. Ryan completed passes of 13 yards to Jones and 16 yards to White on the drive.

On second-and-9 from the 49ers 46, Ryan faked a handoff to Jacquizz Rodgers. San Francisco safety Dashon Goldson bit on the fake, allowing Jones to run past Goldson. Jones was open for the deep pass as safety Donte Whitner trailed on the play.

Ryan completed a 27-yard pass to Jones to set up Bryant's field goal to end the Falcons' second drive. Jones beat Goldson on the catch.

On the first play of the second quarter, Ryan threw to Jones in the left corner of the end zone. Jones was closely covered by 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown. Jones made the catch over Brown and then looked down as he made sure he touched the end zone with both feet.

Jones' second foot was close to the back of the end zone, but the officials' review confirmed the touchdown.

Ryan completed 18 of 24 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns in the half. Jones had seven catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns.

The Falcons had a strong start for the second straight week of the postseason. They led Seattle 20-0 at halftime in last week's divisional playoff game and lost the lead before winning 30-28.

? 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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49ers strike gold in Atlanta

Colin Kaepernick rallied San Francisco from a 17-point deficit and the defense stopped the Falcons deep in their territory late to win the NFC championship 28-24 and reach Super Bowl XLVII.

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/50528580/ns/sports-nfl/

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10 Things to Know for Monday

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Chief Justice John Roberts after Obama was officially sworn-in in the Blue Room of the White House during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, as first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha watch. (AP Photo/Larry Downing, Pool)

President Barack Obama shakes hands with Chief Justice John Roberts after Obama was officially sworn-in in the Blue Room of the White House during the 57th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, as first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha watch. (AP Photo/Larry Downing, Pool)

In this Friday, Jan. 18 2013 photo, Emilio Palaguachi, center, speaks during a rally at New York's City Hall to call for immediate action on paid sick days legislation in light of the continued spread of the flu. An unusually early and vigorous flu season is drawing attention to the cause that has both scored victories and hit roadblocks in recent years: mandatory paid sick leave. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Colin Dwyer competes during heat 4 of the Mavericks Invitational big wave surf contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Monday:

1. OBAMA'S AMBITIOUS AGENDA FACES THAT DC GRIDLOCK

The 17th president to win re-election has goals that a divided Washington could thwart.

2. ALGERIA DEATH TOLL TOPS 80

Dozens more bodies are found at the natural gas plant in the Sahara, a day after special forces stormed the facility.

3. WHY MLK'S 'CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER' QUOTE STILL SPURS DEBATE

Liberals and conservatives use the civil rights leader's words to support opposing views on politics, affirmative action and programs for the disadvantaged.

4. MALIAN FORCES ADVANCE ON AL-QAIDA STRONGHOLD

Backed by French airstrikes, government troops push toward Diabaly, where militants had taken over a military camp.

5. HOW 'BRAIN PACEMAKERS' MIGHT SLOW ALZHEIMER'S

Currents from tiny wires inserted into holes drilled in a patient's skull could offer hope for staving off dementia.

6. WHERE THE MAKER OF BUSHMASTER RIFLES IS EMBRACED

Residents of Ilion, N.Y., a blue-collar stretch of the Mohawk Valley, defend their 200-year-old Remington plant.

7. US FLU OUTBREAK SPREADS TO POLITICS

New York City weighs mandatory sick leave in the private sector to match San Francisco and the District of Columbia.

8. WHAT'S TARNISHING US MILITARY BRASS

At least 30 percent of commanders fired over the past eight years lost their jobs because of sex offenses.

9. WHERE BIG WAVES DRAW BEST SURFERS

Swells of at least 20 feet greet competitors in the Mavericks Invitational at a break off Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco.

10. COACHING BROTHERS TO BATTLE IN SUPER BOWL

Ravens coach John Harbaugh will face off against his sibling, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh in the NFL title game on Feb. 3.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-01-20-10%20Things%20to%20Know-Monday/id-70c25ad287454276a5f8b85df5fcfaeb

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Tips For Eating A Balanced Diet ? Back To Basics For ... - Ayushveda

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We have been through the basics of eating a balanced diet since enjoying the primary school days. Yet, how many of us really adhere (or at least try) to a balanced diet? Unless adversity (in the form of ill health) gives warning signals, we can have a long list of the excuses to take health for granted.

Learning, as eating a balanced diet, should come spontaneously and not through forceful tools. Most of us have been gifted with a?healthy body which should be preserved through simple efforts and healthy choices. What we eat today is certainly going to impact us tomorrow (and today as well).

A balanced diet consists of energy giving, body building and protective foods. With ample food choices around us, all we have to do is to choose wisely among these to get the most out of them. Eating should be for the body, not against it.?Here is a brief summary of various useful components of eating a balanced diet.

Main Elements of a Balanced Diet

Energy Giving Food

Since you need energy to do every day activities, you should be very careful while choosing energy giving foods. These foods should constitute one-third of your diet which can mainly be in the form of carbohydrates.

Unrefined carbohydrates, which contain the whole of grain, are better options than refined carbohydrates. Wholegrain foods, which are high in fiber and other nutrients, provide many healthy outcomes for the body like reducing risk of cancer,?heart disease and diabetes.

Bread, rice, potatoes and pasta are some of the main constituents of this group of food. It is very important to restrict quantity when consuming energy giving food, as this makes way for the more important food categories ? body building and protective food.

Food high in fat and/or sugar should constitute the smallest portion of your diet. Even though these foods provide important energy for the body, they are poor in nutrients and are often known to provide ?empty calories?.

Food can be rich in unhealthy components like saturated fat, trans fatty acids, sugar and salt. Since these are associated with an increased risk of developing several diseases, occasional treats in this category of food can be acceptable. They can be used to increase the palpability of other food items like a sprinkling of sugar on tart fruits.

Body Building Food

The starchy foods like bread, cereals, pasta, maize and cornbread form an important part of a balanced diet, being a good source of energy and the major source of various nutrients in our diet. Wholegrain varieties, such as brown rice, whole wheat pasta and other food items containing fiber (roughage) can be good sources of vitamins and minerals.

Beans, lentils and peas are also good sources of fiber. Milk and dairy food items are also body building food; these should, however, be taken in limited quantity owing to their saturated fat content.

Since these are essentially important for providing a variety of nutrients (like calcium for healthy bones), they should not be compromised with. To keep the fat intake under check, you can switch to the low-fat versions of the dairy products.

Meat and fish, which provide animal proteins, have an important role in the body in terms of growth and repair. Meat also provides vitamins and minerals, and is the primary source of vitamin B12. When consuming meat, cook it thoroughly. Prefer lean cuts and skinless poultry to restrict fat intake.

Fish provides several vitamins and minerals; the oily ones are particularly rich in omega-3 fatty acids. You may have two portions of fish distributed over a week and chosen from fresh, frozen or canned varieties. However, canned and smoked fish can provide more salt and should be taken with care.

This category also includes eggs, pulses, nuts and seeds. These are great sources of protein and fiber. Although these have high levels of fat, they can be used as a good alternative to ?unhealthy snacks?. Plant protein is also important for the body and should be obtained from vegetarian sources.

Also Read

Benefits Of Balanced Diet
How To Improve Health With A Balanced Nutritional Diet
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What to Look for in Diet Plans

Protective Food

Fruit and vegetables are the main sources of protective food which are vital sources of vitamins and minerals for body. Eating five portions of various fruits and vegetables every day is a significant part of a balanced diet. Protective food can protect us from a variety of illnesses including obesity, heart disease and cancer.

Fruits and vegetables can easily fit into vivid recipes; eat a banana with the morning cereal or add a salad to your lunch. Besides adding a portion of vegetables to dinner, you can also snack on dried fruit. It is not difficult to make fruits and vegetables a third of your daily diet. They provide unique nutrients and plant compounds and can serve as the first choice for a snack.

Food Which May not be a Good Choice for Balancing Diet

With so many food choices, distinguishing between a ?good? food and a ?not-so-good? food can be difficult and confusing. Generally, we know what to eat and categorized as ?good? food.? There are some food and drinks which should either be consumed to the minimum or not consumed at all.

Saturated fat, found in cheese, butter, cakes, biscuits, etc, can raise blood cholesterol level and the risk of heart disease. Food high in saturated fat should be restricted. Trans fat is another fat to be avoided to prevent high cholesterol and keep the body healthy.

Naturally occurring sugar, such as in fruits and milk, may not be harmful and you need not cut down on these. Added sugar, which can be found in sugary fizzy drinks, chocolate, pastries, jam and pasta sauces, should be avoided.

Some Basics of Arriving at a Balanced Diet

It is recommended to eat lesser food than you feel hungry or can actually eat. The idea is not to burden yourself with so much eating that your body cannot utilize it for good. When there is an imbalance between calorie intake and calorie burnt, you get an imbalance in the body. Excessive calorie intake can cause weight gain, which is a harbinger of a host of many other outcomes (mostly unfavorable for the body).

Be Colorful

Create a colorful palate by including the greens, oranges, and yellows. Broccoli, citrus fruits and carrots are some ingredients of a colorful palate. They provide antioxidants and nutrients which can keep your body protected from the ever attacking ?invaders?.

Be Moderate

Portion size is another important part of a balanced diet. Keep portion size moderate, particularly when consuming high-calorie food items. This can be really tricky when dining out. Keep company when dining out or choose a starter when you plan to eat out.

Be Positive

It is important to have variety in eating for getting diversified nutrition from food sources. Many of us eat more than required instead of eating correctly. This can be major factor behind excess weight and related illnesses including?diabetes and heart disease. Changing habits is not an overnight job. Give yourself time and motivation for making healthy choices in living.

Back To Basics For Eating A Balanced Diet, 5.0 out of 5 based on 1 rating

Source: https://www.ayushveda.com/magazine/back-to-basics-for-eating-a-balanced-diet/

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