Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Boreal bird species of conservation concern affected by climate change

Dec. 17, 2012 ? A protected area network should ensure the maintenance of biodiversity, but climate is changing rapidly, thereby creating further demand for the protected area network to be efficient in preserving biota. Due to climate change species ranges are expected to move polewards, which poses challenges to the protected area network.

Population changes of different bird species groups according to their habitat preferences in boreal protected areas in Finland were studied on the basis of large-scale bird censuses carried out in 1981 and in 2000. Mean temperatures rose clearly between the two time slices in Finland, for example, mean April-June temperature by 0.7 ?C.

The study "Preserving species populations in the boreal zone in a changing climate: contrasting trends of bird species groups in a protected area network" by Raimo Virkkala from the Finnish Environment Institute and Ari Rajas?rkk? from Mets?hallitus was published in the open access journal Nature Conservation. Bird censuses were compiled and organized by Mets?hallitus, which governs the stated-owned protected areas in Finland. Tens of competent ornithologists carried out the censuses, which included altogether over 11,600 km of line transects.

According to the study, population densities of common forest habitat generalists remained the same between the two periods, while densities of species of conservation concern showed contrasting trends: species preferring old-growth or mature forests increased, but those living on mires and wetlands, and species of Arctic mountains decreased.

"These trends are most probably connected with climate change, but successional changes in protected areas and regional habitat alteration should also be taken into account," says Dr Virkkala, the leading author of the study. Of species preferring old-growth or mature forests, a larger proportion are southern than among species of mires and wetlands, or of Arctic mountains, most or all of which, respectively, had a northerly distribution.

In general, northern species have decreased and southern species increased. It is suggested that climate change effects on species in natural boreal and Arctic habitats most probably are habitat-specific with large differences in response times and susceptibility. Open mires and mountain heaths change more rapidly in consequence of climate warming than old-growth forests, for which reason populations on mires and mountain heaths may also be more affected by climate change.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Pensoft Publishers, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

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Journal Reference:

  1. Virkkala R, Rajas?rkk? A. Preserving species populations in the boreal zone in a changing climate: contrasting trends of bird species groups in a protected area network. Nature Conservation, 2012; 3: 1 DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.3.3635

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/most_popular/~3/TEKS2YScAr4/121217110724.htm

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Top 10 Reasons I Love Being A Stay-At-Home Mom (Part 2)

Being a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) is not something I had ever considered?ever. I?didn?t?have anything against SAHMs, I just knew that it?wasn?t??for me?. I knew I wanted to continue working to climb the ?corporate ladder? (or so I thought). ?Now that?I?ve?been a SAHM for almost two years, I can?t imagine spending my days any other way.

Below, we are continuing with the top 10 reasons I love being a SAHM. We?ll pick up where we left off, but you can click here to see part 1 if you missed it.

6. Being able to save money

Picture 1 of 5

My husband and I have a somewhat unique situation in that we?ve never had to pay for child care. When I was pregnant with our son (now five), we decided that my husband would start working the overnight shift so that he could stay home with him during the day while I went to work. I was initially nervous about what that would mean (having to fend for myself at night), but it definitely gave me a peace of mind when it was time for me to go back to work. Now that we have three kids, my paycheck would be paying for childcare if I were still working outside of the home. Being a SAHM has allowed us to not only save money on childcare, but also on gas, food and dry cleaning.

Being a SAHM has changed my life for the better in more ways than one. It?s not a job I ever envisioned for myself, but a job I am grateful that God has entrusted me with.

BMWK: There are so many benefits and rewards from being a stay at home parent. ?But we also realize that it requires a lot of sacrifice?especially?financially. ?If you are (or were) a SAHM or SAHD, what has this experience taught you? ?If?you?ve?never wanted to Stay at home?please share with us why?

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About the author

Christine St.Vil helps moms across the country feel good and have self-care without the guilt. Through her coaching and training, she?s taken her corporate background and is helping people fulfill the most exciting position of all: a stay-at-home mom. Christine is a wife and proud mother of three.


Source: http://blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2012/12/top-10-reasons-i-love-being-a-stay-at-home-mom-part-2/

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Monday, December 17, 2012

Ohio governor commutes obese killer's sentence to life in prison

CLEVELAND (Reuters) - Ohio Governor John Kasich on Monday commuted the death sentence of an inmate who had sought mercy because he is obese, saying the man's legal representation was not adequate and he should spend the rest of his life in prison.

Ronald Post, 53, who weighs more than 450 pounds, was scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on January 16 for the aggravated murder in 1983 of motel desk clerk Helen Vantz. A parole board panel recommended on Friday that his death sentence be commuted to life in prison.

"Regardless of the heinous nature of their crime, a criminal defendant is entitled to an effective defense, especially in a death penalty case," Kasich said in a statement. "The Parole Board's conclusion is that Ronald Post did not come close to receiving such a defense. After my own careful review, I agree."

Kasich said the decision to commute Post's sentence "should not be viewed by anyone as diminishing this awful crime or the pain it has caused."

(Reporting by Kim Palmer; Writing by David Bailey)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-governor-commutes-obese-killers-sentence-life-prison-195719030.html

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Dems signal Obama flexibility on spending in talks

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Republican House Speaker John Boehner is offering to let taxes rise on wealthy Americans' investment income and dividends as part of a deal to avert the "fiscal cliff," officials said Monday amid signs that President Barack Obama is ready to make a key concession of his own in urgent, high-level negotiations.

On a day the two men met for about 45 minutes at the White House, officials said they detected a receptiveness by the administration side to proposals to slow the growth of annual cost-of-living benefits paid to recipients of Social Security and other government retirement programs.

If so, it would show Obama's willingness to move toward Boehner in the secretive talks that are unfolding against a year-end deadline. Without legislation to the contrary, tax rates will rise for nearly all wage earners and spending cuts will begin at the Pentagon and in domestic programs across government.

Economists inside and outside the government have warned that the combination of the two could send the economy into recession.

Other major issues are part of the negotiations. Without action by Congress, for example, long-term unemployment benefits will expire for millions at the end of the year, and doctors will face a cut in the payments they receive for treating Medicare patients.

Democrat Obama has also called for assistance for hard-pressed homeowners as well as fresh economist stimulus measures, and some Democrats want to include a sizeable amount of disaster aid in any legislation to offset the cost of Superstorm Sandy.

Officials who disclosed developments in the cliff talks insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly describe the secret negotiations.

At the White House, spokesman Jay Carney sidestepped when asked about curbing cost-of-living increases for benefit programs. The president "is prepared to make tough choices. He also understands that his bill will not, as written, likely be what the final compromise, if there is one, looks like," he said.

"But he insists and will insist before he signed anything that there is the balance that he seeks that is fair and that seniors aren't bearing the burden so that the healthy bear less ? those who can afford it most bear less."

A spokesman for Boehner declined comment on the tax proposals.

Obama and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner met with Boehner and his top aides at the White House for less than an hour during the day. While neither side provided significant details, Republicans have made it clear in recent days that it is the president's turn to propose savings from Medicare and other benefit program following Boehner's agreement last week to let tax rates rise at incomes higher than $1 million.

Officials familiar with the talks said that under the Ohio Republican's proposal, the top tax rate on capital gains would go to 20 percent, up from the current 15 percent. The top rate on dividends also would climb, although it was not known what the new level would be, and the estate tax would also be adjusted to produce more government revenue.

Under current law, the top capital gains tax rate would rise to 20 percent automatically at the end of the year if the cuts enacted during George W. Bush's White House tenure were allowed to expire.

The tax on dividends would also rise. The estate tax would be 55 percent on estates after allowance for a $1 million exemption.

As the talks progress, Republicans across the party's spectrum are eager to turn public attention toward spending cuts, rather than remain bogged down in a politically debilitating debate about tax increases.

"Our problem isn't that we tax too little. It's that we spend too much! We must have serious spending cuts for a debt ceiling increase," tweeted Rep. Tom Price., R-Ga.

That was a reference to the third ingredient under negotiation as part of deal to prevent the economy from reaching the fiscal cliff ? an increase in the government's borrowing authority.

After a brush with the first-ever default by the Treasury in 2011, Obama is demanding that any fiscal cliff compromise give him authority to raise the current $16.4 trillion cap without a prior vote by Congress. Officials say that Boehner's most recent proposal would grant an increase equal to the size of any spending cuts, roughly $1 trillion under his own recommendations.

The speaker made his offer to Obama late last week, dropping his blanket opposition to the president's call for an increase in the tax rate paid on upper incomes. Obama, however, wants rate increases to begin at income levels of $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples.

Officials have said Boehner offered a total of $1 trillion in higher revenue, less than half of which would come this year, and the balance in 2013 as part of a bill to overhaul the tax code.

Some of the increased revenue to be provided immediately would come from setting the tax rate on income over $1 million at 39.5 percent, up from the current 35 percent. The balance would come from higher taxes on capital gains, dividends and other provisions.

The proposal to scale back cost-of-living increases is a regular at deficit reduction talks.

Obama tentatively agreed to back it more than a year ago in talks with Boehner that eventually collapsed, although he sought steps to shelter the lowest-income beneficiaries from its effects.

Democrats have said they would object much more strongly if the president would to accept a plan to raise the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67. He was ready to embrace that proposal in the earlier round of talks, but he would face opposition from congressional Democrats and the AARP as well as other groups in the current political climate.

The new inflation adjustment would create government savings of an estimated $168 billion over a decade, according to a recent estimate by the Congressional Budget Office. It also would raise tax revenue by $54 billion by affecting the adjustment in income tax brackets that occurs annually to take inflation into account, CBO said.

___

Associated Press writers Ben Feller, Andrew Taylor and Stephen Ohlemacher contributed to this story.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/dems-signal-obama-flexibility-spending-talks-214336288--finance.html

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Sunday, December 16, 2012

Children Keep Active In Science - Reference and Education

December 10th, 2012 by admin

At my high school reunion last week, I ran into an old friend. He and I had a biology class together when we were young. He told me that summer activities were a wonderful activity for youngsters, and that the best activities were science summer camps. He said that his children had attended some that were very enriching to their knowledge of science. He said that they were well worth the money that they cost, and they could meet others there.

Posted in Latest News About Education

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Source: http://www.forefrontcurriculum.com/latest-news-about-education/children-keep-active-in-science/

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Source: http://microeconomics-shortcake.blogspot.com/2012/12/children-keep-active-in-science.html

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Modest Andre Johnson Jersey Enterprise Loans: Qualification and ...

Posted by HugleOlaya on December 16, 2012 in Articles with No Comments


If you?re beginning a new enterprise, a modest company loan might help you get began by offering working capital to create a retailer, acquire inventory, or promote your business. But how does a modest company loan advantage you in genuine terms, and do you even qualify to get a loan

What?s a Tiny Enterprise Loan

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You?ll find many kinds of tiny Andre Johnson Jersey organization loans. Unsecured business loans are issued by a lender based on your credit alone with no any sort of collateral. Typically, you?ll need a high credit score along with a quite very good credit history at the same time as have a stable personal finance scenario.

There is certainly also business financing that could be according to collateral such as actual estate collateral, a car or property which is free and clear of debt, and so forth. Then, there is certainly a commercial true estate finance loan for which cash is granted for any commercial property that is certainly to be utilized for enterprise. There is also an enterprise line of credit, that is a fixed, predetermined amount of credit that an organization can borrow against as demands arise. The borrower will only be required to spend interest on the amount employed.

Benefits of Modest Enterprise Loans

Acquiring a small enterprise loan for the new organization can bring relief in several ways. It could provide you with working capital to help create your business, promote it, and keep inventory. It might also help together with the expenses of hiring workers if required at the start off. A small organization loan allows you to grow your new company without having the financial stresses of a new enterprise. Also, the interest on a tiny business loan is tax deductible.

Little Organization Loan Qualifications

After you comprehend how enterprise financing operates, you have to take into account whether or not or not you may qualify. It?s excellent to know this prior to you apply so that your credit background won?t show several credit checks and inquiries from lenders, which can lower your credit score for the future.

Initial, be certain your private credit background is in order. Learn your credit score by requesting a copy of your credit report. There are numerous on the internet resources obtainable to examine your personal credit history. Also, make certain your private bill and loan payment histories have already been Andre Johnson Jersey constant and on time over the previous two years or a lot more. Little company lenders are most likely to base your approval in your personal credit history, particularly in case you don?t provide collateral.

Subsequent, ask the lender directly about their company loan qualifications. This can get rid of any queries inside your thoughts ahead of applying.

Locating a Lender

Do some study to locate a tiny company lender that is appropriate for you personally. Verify around on-line for rates of interest, modest business loan plans and qualifications, and for flexibility. Some lenders will supply creative tiny business loan alternatives to operate together with your specific scenario. Some lenders make it straightforward to acquire approved even though other individuals make it almost impossible. Look J J Watt Jersey to get a lender which is easy to work with from the start. Ask about early pay-offs, lines of credit, versatile financing, guaranteed rates of interest, and any fees you may incur by employing their services.

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Source: http://darululoomnewcastle.co.za/?p=24825

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Most Recommendable Cellphone Accessories | Buy New Mobile ...

During the last decade, tons of cool and innovative cell phones have been flooding the market immensely. Call it a domino effect-cellphone accessories have been also invading shops everywhere. But no one can prevent such good stuff to spread, as these cheap cell phone accessories are very functional and can easily add glamour to one?s mobile device.

Determine below some of the most recommendable cellular phone accessories worth checking out:

Travel Chargers - These portable chargers, such as car chargers are truly a must have for anyone with on-the-go personality. If you want uninterrupted connectivity, get one of these to juice up your cell phone battery whenever it runs out. And since these cell phone chargers are very affordable, you can throw one in your car and in your purse to never miss an urgent call or message again.

Bluetooth Wireless Headsets - Big tango to Bluetooth technology, people can enjoy freedom from wires and cables. One of the most crucial factors to consider on having a Bluetooth headset is that it allows you to simultaneously talk to someone while both your hands are on the wheel because of its hands-free feature. Providing a crystal clear sound, it also lets you listen to your favorite music, which is a definite plus for music junkies.

Cell Phone Protectors - Available in smart designs and styles, these cellular phone covers are not only meant for artistic purposes; they also protect your valuable device from dirt, dust and nicks. Many heavy-duty and high quality cellphone protectors and cases can as well guard your mobile against wear and tear. You can select from a broad range of protectors made up of leather, plastic, silicone, and other materials to complement your personal requirements and preferences.

Cell Phone Holsters - These belt clips or cellphone holsters conveniently keep your phone in place while reducing the chance of dropping or losing your device.

Say goodbye to bulky pockets; just slip your phone into the holster and snap it onto your belt or pocket. For women who love to carry totes, these holsters will easily clip onto your purses or totes, as well as onto your car?s sun visor-making it accessible but not obstructive.

These are the most sought after and essential cellphone accessories you should consider. No need to worry about the price, as there are numerous online cell phone accessories shops that offer premium quality and discounted cell phone accessories for every mobile device brand or model. You can invest on one or all of them to further boost your mobile communication experience.

Source: http://buynewmobilephone.com/2012/12/16/most-recommendable-cellphone-accessories/

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Saturday, December 15, 2012

Wall St Week Ahead: Holiday "on standby" as clock ticks on cliff

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The last two weeks of December are traditionally quiet for stocks, but traders accustomed to a bit of time off are staying close to their mobile devices, thanks to the "fiscal cliff."

Last-minute negotiations in Washington on the so-called fiscal cliff - nearly $600 billion of tax increases and spending cuts set to take effect in January that could cause a sharp slowdown in growth or even a recession - are keeping some traders and analysts from taking Christmas holidays because any deal could have a big impact on markets.

"A lot of firms are saying to their trading desks, 'You can take days off for Christmas, but you are on standby to come in if anything happens.' This is certainly different from previous years, especially around this time of the year when things are supposed to be slowing down," said J.J. Kinahan, chief derivatives strategist at TD Ameritrade in Chicago.

"Next week is going to be a Capitol Hill-driven market."

With talks between President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner at an apparent standstill, it was increasingly likely that Washington will not come up with a deal before January 1.

Gordon Charlop, managing director at Rosenblatt Securities in New York, will also be on standby for the holiday season.

"It's a 'Look guys, let's just rotate and be sensible" type of situation going on," Charlop said.

"We are hopeful there is some resolution down there, but it seems to me they continue to walk that political tightrope... rather than coming up with something."

Despite concerns that the deadline will pass without a deal, the S&P 500 has held its ground with a 12.4 percent gain for the year. For this week, though, the S&P 500 fell 0.3 percent.

BEWARE OF THE WITCH

This coming Friday will mark the last so-called "quadruple witching" day of the year, when contracts for stock options, single stock futures, stock index options and stock index futures all expire. This could make trading more volatile.

"We could see some heavy selling as there is going to be a lot of re-establishing of positions, reallocation of assets before the year-end," Kinahan said.

RETHINKING APPLE

Higher tax rates on capital gains and dividends are part of the automatic tax increases that will go into effect next year, if Congress and the White House don't come up with a solution to avert the fiscal cliff. That possibility could give investors an incentive to unload certain stocks in some tax-related selling by December 31.

Some market participants said tax-related selling may be behind the weaker trend in the stock price of market leader Apple . Apple's stock has lost a quarter of its value since it hit a lifetime high of $705.07 on September 21.

On Friday, the stock fell 3.8 percent to $509.79 after the iPhone 5 got a chilly reception at its debut in China and two analysts cut shipment forecasts. But the stock is still up nearly 26 percent for the year.

"If you owned Apple for a long time, you should be thinking about reallocation as there will be changes in taxes and other regulations next year, although we don't really know which rules to play by yet," Kinahan said.

But one indicator of the market's reduced concern about the fiscal cliff compared with a few weeks ago, is the defense sector, which will be hit hard if the spending cuts take effect. The PHLX Defense Sector Index <.dfx> is up nearly 13 percent for the year, and sits just a few points from its 2012 high.

(Reporting by Angela Moon; Additional reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak; Editing by Jan Paschal)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/wall-st-week-ahead-holiday-standby-clock-ticks-001750921--finance.html

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Fulerma: Commercial Aviation from the 1920?s-1930 | Travel ...

Aviation

Commercial Aviation from the 1920?s-1930

The start of scheduled passenger services in the United States was not known, according to Roger Bilstein an aviation historian. Passengers were transported by Silas Christofferson via hydroplane from San Francisco to Oakland harbors in 1913. A Benoist flying boat successfully flew passengers from Tampa to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1914.
Lawson C-2 was the first multiengine airplane designed for commercial air travel. Alfred W. Lawson built it in 1919. Since there are cheaper military airplanes available the Lawson C-2 did not become successful. Lawson built another model called L-4; this can carry 34 passengers and about 6,000 pounds of mail. It crashed on its test flight and discouraged the development of large planes.

Inglis Uppercu a Florida entrepreneur began scheduled international passenger flights in 1920, initially from Key West, Florida to Havana, Cuba. Soon other routes were added such as, between Miami and the Bahamas, between New York and Havana. There is also a Midwest, between Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan. His company was named ?Aeromarine airways? it has 15 flying boats and made 2,000+ flights with 10,000 passengers. A plane crash killing four people made Aeromarine Airways lose business in 1924.

The birth of U.S. commercial air transportation and United Airlines was when Walter T. Varney began contract airmail services from Pasco, Washington, and Elko, Nevada, through Boise, Idaho.

Seven years after the first official airmail flight, 1925, U.S. Post Office airplanes sent 14 million letters, packages a year. Airmail was very popular with bankers and businessmen.

It was in 1926 when Air Commerce Act was implemented, this authorized the Secretary of Commerce to plan air routes, build up air navigation systems, test and license pilots and aircrafts, and investigate accidents. The carriers were then obliged by law to base pay to the weight of mail. This all started with the appointment of Dwight Morrow to develop a national aviation policy.

In the 1920s, Harry Guggenheim a multimillionaire and aviation enthusiast started a foundation, which aims on teaching aeronautical engineers and developing flight instruments. He gave funding to the Western Air Express to check if airlines can live on passenger fares alone, but the company barely made enough money without airmail.

Investments in aviation stocks significantly rose between 1927 and 1929. This was brought about by Charles A. Lindbergh?s solo flight to Paris.

Travelers could cross the country faster by train than by air at the end of 1920s. It was not comfortable to travel by plane because of the un-insulated thin sheets of metal that made noise in the wind. The cabins were not pressurized. In spite of this, airline passengers in the U.S. grew in number from 6,000 to 173,000 in the span of 1926 to 1929. Majority were businessmen.

U.S. Airlines? planes have enough capacity for 15 passengers. Fuselage has a corrugated design and the plane depends on a Ford Trimotor 5-AT.

In the 1920s, manufacturers transferred near airports. There were aeronautical schools that taught airplane engineering, design, and operation. New technologies were being developed that gave potential for commercial aviation expansion.

Harry Guggenheim set up a full flight laboratory, which developed very helpful navigational tools like the barometer, artificial horizon and gyroscope and radio direction beacon for landing. In September 1929 James Doolittle a U.S. army lieutenant benefited from these tools when he had to land the plane without his vision.

Huge progress as it may seem still did not make passenger travel exclusive airlines profitable up to the 1930?s.

PPPPP

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Tags: 1920's1930, Aviation, Commercial, From

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 13th, 2012 at 5:20 am and is filed under Aviation. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback.

Source: http://www.datcagolmarotel.com/commercial-aviation-from-the-1920s-1930/

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Source: http://fulermaa1.blogspot.com/2012/12/commercial-aviation-from-1920s-1930.html

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Poker is investing, not gambling!

Billy Baxter, a "man about town" in Las Vegas, is a very successful 63-year-old professional gambler. He?s a sports-betting expert and well-known high-stakes poker player who has seven World Series of Poker bracelets to his credit, trailing only Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and Phil Hellmuth in that category. Many know him as the guy who staked Stu Ungar when he captured his third world championship in 1997. Baxter is renowned for his gambling expertise and poker accomplishments. His greatest achievement, however, came not on the green felt, but in the courtroom, where he stood up to the IRS (William E. Baxter Jr. vs. the United States) in a case that became a landmark decision for professional poker players. That case, decided in 1986, grew out of an earlier IRS ruling that Baxter?s $1.2 million in gambling winnings from 1978 to 1981 was "unearned income," in the same category as dividends and interest.

Under the tax laws that applied for those years, "unearned income" was taxable at the maximum rate of 70 percent. Baxter, who was in the 50-percent tax bracket (and paying that rate), claimed the money was earned income, like a salary, and shouldn?t be in the 70-percent tax bracket. The IRS didn?t see it that way. It claimed his gambling income was luck, and said he owed $178,000 more.

His CPA (E.J. Maddocks) advised Baxter to pay the money to the IRS (inasmuch as penalties and interest could pile up considerably), but to pay it under protest. Baxter did so, and then sued for return of the money. To him, it was earned income, and he was willing to fight the IRS (which had never lost a case like this) to get his money back. Baxter strongly believed that when he went to work to play a poker tournament, it was no different than when Jack Nicklaus went to work to play a golf tournament ? and they should pay the same tax.

The case was heard in Reno, Nevada. The judge listened to the IRS? side and then to Baxter?s side. In ruling, the judge said, "I find the government?s argument to be ludicrous. I just wish you had some money and could sit down with Mr. Baxter and play some poker." He ruled that the government should give Baxter his money back with interest.

The government appealed the ruling, and the case then went to a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Again, the court ruled in Baxter?s favor. And again, the government appealed and said it was were going to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

After due consideration, the government apparently thought it might not win there, and wanted to make a deal with Baxter. He held his ground and emphatically said, "No!" The government later dropped the case and Baxter got all of his money back with interest. (The interest barely covered his attorney?s fees, but it was a sweet victory, which was all Baxter wanted.) He had stepped up to the plate and hit a home run off the government.

In poker terms, the government was bluffing when it said it wanted to go to the Supreme Court ? and Baxter called the bluff. Numerous articles were written about the case (including in TIME and Sports Illustrated), as it was historical in significance. Poker winnings are now considered "earned income" because of Baxter vs. the United States. This means that poker players can pay taxes on earned income, deduct expenses and losses, put money into retirement funds, and so on. If you?re a professional poker player, the next time you see Billy Baxter, go up to him and thank him for fighting the IRS 20 years ago. Your life is better because of him.

I knew this for years now. I looked it up on the internet to get the exact wording. So after reading this does anyone consider poker gambling?

Source: http://www.cardschat.com/f13/poker-investing-not-gambling-217297/

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Friday, December 14, 2012

SuperPop Project develops game for children with motor skills impairments, aided by Microsoft's Kinect (video)

SuperPop Project develops game for children with motor skills impairments, aided by Microsoft's Kinect (video)

The tools available to therapists tasked with helping children with motor skills impairments improve their range of motion are definitely helpful. But the Human-Automation Systems Lab at Georgia Tech is looking to make said tools even better (specifically for those with cerebral palsy) with the SuperPop Project. With the use of a Kinect and display -- two items that may already be in many homes -- what children will see as a game is actually helping to build upper-arm motor function. The setup is fully customizable on the back end, which allows the therapist to tailor sessions to each patient and to his or her individual progress. During the course of play, the software tracks the coordinates of the user's joints, collecting loads of data for analyzing progression / regression and the like during the course of the rehabilitation. Head on past the break for a quick look at the setup in action.

Continue reading SuperPop Project develops game for children with motor skills impairments, aided by Microsoft's Kinect (video)

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/14/superpop-project-ga-tech-kinect/

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Bruno Mars Gives Us Chills With 'Young Girls' Performance: Watch Here!

Mars performs the soulful Unorthodox Jukebox track to close out our unprecedented, eight-hour 12.12.12 live stream.
By James Montgomery


Bruno Mars
Photo: MTV

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1698831/bruno-mars-young-girls-live-performance-watch-now.jhtml

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Leading conservative says Obama will win tax fight (The Arizona Republic)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/270465964?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Windows Store starts accepting PEGI 18-rated games, gives Europeans a deeper catalog

Windows Store starts accepting PEGI 18rated games, gives Europeans a deeper library

If Europeans are irked by the Wii U's odd time-based shopping rules for mature content, they'll at least have Windows 8 as their refuge. As of today, Microsoft is accepting Windows Store submissions for PEGI 18-rated games: the move will let Grand Theft Auto IV, The Witcher and future adult-focused titles come to Windows' official shop in countries where PEGI holds sway. European players undoubtedly reap short-term rewards by getting quick access to the releases they'd previously had to locate in other channels. We're more interested in the long run, however -- when developers no longer have to guess at whether or not games will pass Microsoft's certification gauntlet in Europe, they're more likely to welcome Windows 8 with open arms instead of running in the opposite direction.

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Source: Windows Store for Developers

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/x4FJBuPw3FI/

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AlaskaDispatch.com: Redistricting Leaves Alaska Legislature 'Awfully White'

Two Alaska Native legislators were at the peak of power during the last legislative session in Juneau.

Even though they weren't serving as Senate President or House Speaker, they held two of the four Finance Committee co-chair positions. Those are the less visible but perhaps more powerful positions where spending decisions on operating and capital budgets are made. Sen. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, held one of those positions in the Senate, while Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, held a similar spot in the House.

It will be much different in the upcoming session.

Following election defeats and a shift of power to urban legislators, a shrinking Alaska Native delegation will largely be on the outside looking in to when decisions are made.

'Awfully white'

"You have a legislature that's turning awfully white," said Albert Kookesh, co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives. "What you are ending up with is something that's not very diverse in terms of opinion."

Kookesh, also a state senator from Angoon, lost his re-election bid following redistricting. So did Thomas, who narrowly lost to newcomer Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. That leaves the Legislature with just five Native members, Sens. Hoffman and Donny Olson, D-Golovin, and Reps. Bryce Edgmon, D-Dillingham, Neal Foster, D-Nome and Benjamin Nageak, D-Barrow.

There is one Asian legislator, Japanese-American Rep. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks. Kookesh pointed to the defeat of Sen. Bettye Davis, D-Anchorage, the Legislature's only African-American, as further evidence of the lawmaking body becoming less diverse.

The result: A state that is 67 percent white is governed by a legislature that is 90 percent white.

According to the latest U.S. Census ...

Read the complete story only at Alaska Dispatch.

?

Follow AlaskaDispatch.com on Twitter: www.twitter.com/alaskadispatch

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alaskadispatchcom/redistricting-leaves-alas_b_2289965.html

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Employer Health Insurance Costs Increased 62 Percent Since 2003

The average premiums paid by employer-sponsored family health insurance plans rose ?from $9,249 to $15,022 per year between 2003 and 2011 - a 62 percent increase, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report. The new report by the advocacy group tracks state trends in employer health insurance coverage and shows that health insurance costs rose faster than incomes in all states.?

Workers are also paying more out-of-pocket costs; as employer costs rose, employee payments for their share of health insurance premiums also rose, by 74 percent on average, and deductibles more than doubled, up 117 percent between 2003 and 2011, they say.

The report finds that total health insurance premiums now amount to 20 percent or more of annual median family incomes in 35 states, affecting 80 percent of the U.S. working-age population. States in the South and South-Central U.S. had the highest costs relative to household income?in West Virginia, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas, average total health insurance premiums amounted to more than 25 percent of median incomes.

They wrote the report to show that the Affordable Care Act lays the groundwork for lowering cost growth and improving and expanding insurance coverage. The law's intent is to put pressure on private insurance plans to lower their overhead and focus on the underlying costs of health care, setting standards for how much of each premium dollar must go to health care instead of administrative costs. Other reforms provide private insurers with a platform for further cost-reduction efforts.?

"The Affordable Care Act has put the United States on a path toward a high performing health care system, where everyone has access to high-quality, affordable, and secure health care," said Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis. "As we implement the law's reforms, it will be crucial to stabilize cost growth by holding care systems and private insurers accountable for better outcomes and lower costs."

"Wherever you live in the United States, health insurance is expensive, and for many middle- as well as low-income families it is becoming ever less affordable," said Commonwealth Fund senior vice president Cathy Schoen, lead author of the report. "Workers are paying more for less financial protection when they get sick. The steady increase in health care costs over the past decade underscores the urgent need to build on the groundwork laid by the Affordable Care Act to slow the growth in private insurance costs."

In 2011, average annual premiums for family plans ranged from about $12,400 to $13,500 in the lowest-cost states (Arkansas, Alabama, Iowa, Tennessee, Idaho, Mississippi, Utah, and North Dakota), to more than $15,000 a year in 21 states. Premiums averaged from $16,000 to nearly $17,000 in Delaware, Alaska, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, the District of Columbia, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, which have the highest average family premiums.

Paying More for Less

Premiums rose far faster than incomes across the country from 2003 to 2011. While average family premiums jumped 62 percent during that time, median family income rose just about 11 percent. The increase in premiums ranged from 42 percent in the lowest-growth state, Tennessee, to 76 percent in the highest-growth state, New York. Twenty-seven states had increases of 60 percent or more.

The report finds that deductibles and employees' premium shares grew, leaving employees with more out-of-pocket expenses and less protective health insurance benefits. The average annual amount an employee paid toward a family health insurance plan rose from $2,283 in 2003 to $3,962 in 2011?a 74 percent increase. Looking state-by-state, employee contributions ranged from about $3,300 in Indiana, Hawaii, West Virginia, Ohio, and Wisconsin, to more than $4,600 in Arizona, South Carolina, New Mexico, Colorado, and Mississippi.

Deductibles more than doubled from 2003 to 2011, increasing an average of 117 percent per person during the eight years the report studied. In 2011, 78 percent of workers faced deductibles, up from 52 percent in 2003. In 2011 average deductibles exceeded $1,000 in 35 states, compared to none in 2003. Deductibles have been rising for employees working for large as well as small firms. However, workers in small firms with fewer than 50 employees typically face higher deductibles than those working for larger firms. Deductibles in small firms were highest in North Carolina, Texas, and Vermont, exceeding $2,200 per person.

If historical trends continue, family premiums will reach $24,740 by 2020, an increase of 65 percent from 2011. The analysis also shows that slowing the rate even modestly would make a significant difference for families and businesses. For example, reducing the annual growth rate by one percentage point would lead to $2,029 in savings for families by 2020. Slowing annual cost growth by 1.5 percent would yield savings of $2,986 per family.


Report: "State Trends in Premiums and Deductibles, 2003-2011: Eroding Protection and Rising Costs Underscore Need for Action" - Commonwealth Fund

Source: http://www.science20.com/news_articles/employer_health_insurance_costs_increased_62_percent_2003-98812

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Monday, November 12, 2012

Essential Advice For Any Home Business Owner - PDF

Essential Advice For Any Home Business Owner

Sometimes life can throw you some curve balls. You may find yourself unemployed,
suddenly, and then unsure of what exactly to do next. Have you contemplated starting a
home-based business? The tips laid out in this article can help give you the start you need to
running a successful home business.

All the expenditures of your business should be accounted for. Expenses, such as Internet
service, business mileage and office supplies, should all be kept track of. When you are a
business owner you can make these deductible. To avoid these unnecessary tax obligations,
just remember to keep up with all of your business related expenses.

Keep all of your home business contracts in one place, so you can find them easily if you
need to discuss a point with a client. Also keep your other contracts so that you can deal with
companies like your phone service and internet providers.

Take the time to select a good name. Because your brand name serves as an ambassador
to your products, you should make sure that your name is recognizable in order to assist your
customers in relating to you. The name you choose could have a unique story behind it. In
time, this creates stronger brand recognition and builds more intense customer loyalty.

Keep records that document all expenditures you make for your home business on a day-by-
day basis. This can save you when you get audited. Also, while filing taxes, this can help
resolve any kinds of issues with tax deductions.

Start up a grocery purchasing/delivery service or a meal service that busy people can use.
There are no limits to what kind of business you can start.

You may feel tempted to offer your new customers unbelievable deals on products to help
build a customer base, but ultimately, this will be detrimental to your profitability. Establish
clear payment terms on all invoices and documents, including a reasonable penalty (start
with eight percent) over the invoice amount, if the total is not paid within the standard
payment terms.

Home Business Tips That Will Help You Make More Money No More Driving In The
Elements! Work From Home Home Business Tips That Will Help You Make More Money
Anyone who plans to launch a home business must secure the blessing and cooperation of
their friends and family members. Managing a home business can be tough, a bit stressful
and very time consuming. Your family must not only support you, but they must also allow
you time alone for your work.

As was mentioned earlier in this article, a home business can be both appealing and
intimidating. Hopefully you have gleaned some good information and advice from the tips


shared in this article. Put that advice into action, and watch as things begin to work more
smoothly for your home business.

Source: http://pdfcast.org/pdf/essential-advice-for-any-home-business-owner-2

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All About Heating And Cooling St. Louis : Home Improvement

Heating and cooling are two opposite phenomenon but both of them have solved our various problems. Weather is known for its changing behavior. If it is extremely hot today then it will be cold enough tomorrow, this is the best as well as the worst thing about weather.

Everyone likes change but sometimes change comes with some problem. I have one question here. Can you enjoy the summer without an air conditioner and winter without heaters? I know your answer is NO. People spend huge amount of money first on buying and installing heating and cooling systems at their home or office and then on repair of these systems. This is strange but true.

Although, you cannot decrease the cost on buying or installing these systems but you can decrease in fact cut the cost of repairing all heating and cooling equipments by just finding a reliable firm that has a team of professional technicians. After you have found such a firm then repairing will not be a big issue for you.

I have myself wasted a lot of money and time searching for a right technician for my heating and cooling system but t the end I found a firm that not only have an extraordinary staff but also offers reasonable fee. This firm is based in St. Louis so if you live in St. Louis or its surrounding and you need an efficient firm for heating and cooling St. Louis then I may help you.

St Louis is a great place not only for living but also for establishing a business. According to my knowledge, it comes in the second number among largest cities of United States. Its population is increasing day by day due to attractive business opportunities available here. Harster heating and cooling company based in St Louis, is my first and the only choice. It has a huge history. It has been in this business since 1950.

The best thing is that it offers its services 24 hours a day and 7 days a week so even if you need any help at holidays then still you can call them. What you need is to give them a call and their team will reach you in less than 90 minutes. Not only this, you can also get HVAC coupons in order to get discount non all their services. So whenever you need help regarding the heating and cooling equipments of your home or your office then feel free to call the team of Harster.

Source: http://www.theyellowads.com/home_improvement/all-about-heating-and-cooling-st-louis

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First noiseless single photon amplifier

First noiseless single photon amplifier [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 11-Nov-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Helen Wright
Helen.wright@griffith.edu.au
61-755-529-250
Griffith University

Griffith Uni researchers lead light breakthrough

Research physicists have demonstrated the first device capable of amplifying the information in a single particle of light without adding noise.

The research collaboration, involving Griffith University, The University of Queensland and University of Science and Technology of China, was able to amplify the noisy quantum state of a single photon subjected to loss, without adding noise in the process; in fact, their amplification reduced the noise in the quantum state.

The results have been published today in "Heralded noiseless amplification of a photon polarization qubit", on the Nature Physics website.

Team leader, Professor Geoff Pryde from Griffith University's Centre for Quantum Dynamics said the breakthrough would provide a new tool for all sorts of new quantum technologies.

"This is the first time the information stored in a single photon has been amplified," Professor Pryde said.

"The technique works by combining the noisy quantum state with a 'clean' single photon in the amplifier, and using quantum teleportation to transfer the information onto the new photon.

"The most obvious application for this work is in improved quantum cryptography; secret messaging which is guaranteed secure by the laws of physics."

It is expected the results will stimulate further interest in the fundamental laws that govern how well amplifiers can work and in developing uses of noiseless amplification techniques for other quantum information technology applications.

Research into such applications is being pursued in Australia's Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, as well as around the world. ?

Fellow team member Professor Tim Ralph from the University of Queensland said this breakthrough was the culmination of years of research.

"We have been developing the ideas and experimental techniques that led to this breakthrough for the past 4 years," Professor Ralph said.

"Quantum information is useful but very fragile and normal amplification techniques destroy it.

"The key feature of our photon amplifier is that it preserves the quantum information and may help overcome the current distance limitations of quantum communication."

###

The next step for the research team will be to build additional quantum teleportation into the experiment, which will make the noiseless amplifier more directly useful for long-distance communication.

The Advance Online Publication (AOP) of 'Heralded noiseless amplification of a photon polarization qubit' can be found on Nature Physics's website.

Participating research organisations: Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (Australian Research Council), Centre for Quantum Dynamics, Griffith University (Brisbane), Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


First noiseless single photon amplifier [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 11-Nov-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Helen Wright
Helen.wright@griffith.edu.au
61-755-529-250
Griffith University

Griffith Uni researchers lead light breakthrough

Research physicists have demonstrated the first device capable of amplifying the information in a single particle of light without adding noise.

The research collaboration, involving Griffith University, The University of Queensland and University of Science and Technology of China, was able to amplify the noisy quantum state of a single photon subjected to loss, without adding noise in the process; in fact, their amplification reduced the noise in the quantum state.

The results have been published today in "Heralded noiseless amplification of a photon polarization qubit", on the Nature Physics website.

Team leader, Professor Geoff Pryde from Griffith University's Centre for Quantum Dynamics said the breakthrough would provide a new tool for all sorts of new quantum technologies.

"This is the first time the information stored in a single photon has been amplified," Professor Pryde said.

"The technique works by combining the noisy quantum state with a 'clean' single photon in the amplifier, and using quantum teleportation to transfer the information onto the new photon.

"The most obvious application for this work is in improved quantum cryptography; secret messaging which is guaranteed secure by the laws of physics."

It is expected the results will stimulate further interest in the fundamental laws that govern how well amplifiers can work and in developing uses of noiseless amplification techniques for other quantum information technology applications.

Research into such applications is being pursued in Australia's Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, as well as around the world. ?

Fellow team member Professor Tim Ralph from the University of Queensland said this breakthrough was the culmination of years of research.

"We have been developing the ideas and experimental techniques that led to this breakthrough for the past 4 years," Professor Ralph said.

"Quantum information is useful but very fragile and normal amplification techniques destroy it.

"The key feature of our photon amplifier is that it preserves the quantum information and may help overcome the current distance limitations of quantum communication."

###

The next step for the research team will be to build additional quantum teleportation into the experiment, which will make the noiseless amplifier more directly useful for long-distance communication.

The Advance Online Publication (AOP) of 'Heralded noiseless amplification of a photon polarization qubit' can be found on Nature Physics's website.

Participating research organisations: Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (Australian Research Council), Centre for Quantum Dynamics, Griffith University (Brisbane), Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-11/gu-fns111112.php

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