Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Kate Upton GQ Italia Cover: Molto Caldo Donna!


Kate Upton covers the Italian issue of GQ - GQ Italia if you will - and the photo shoot has us wondering how to say "very hot woman "in Italian.

We looked it up on Google. Hopefully the above headline is right.

Either way, she's hot, despite wearing more clothing than she has in a long time. At least in magazines. Check out Kate on the cover ...

Kate Upton GQ Italia Cover

Other things we need translated? "The skinny blogger who criticized her weight is an idiot." Well, we don't actually need that translated. But it is true and bears repeating.

In her last few spreads, Kate's gone away from the Terry Richardson method - showing as much skin as possible - and proven she looks great in clothes as well.

Click to enlarge more Kate Upton photos from GQ Italia below ...

Kate Upton's HairKate Upton Hot PictureKate Upton in GQ ItalyKate Upton's Body

[Photos: GQ Italia]

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/07/kate-upton-gq-italia-cover-molto-caldo-donna/

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Unnatural Selection: Muscles, Genes and Genetic Cheats

Features | Health

Can specific genes cause muscles to grow faster or stronger, and can genetic tampering give athletes an unnatural edge?


olympics,genes,musclePEAK PERFORMANCE: Olympic athletes competing in London this summer earned their place through countless hours of training and single-minded commitment to their sport. Yet their genetic makeup may be the greatest contributor to their success. Image: Courtesy of PeskyMonkey, via iStockphoto.com

Showcasing more than fifty of the most provocative, original, and significant online essays from 2011, The Best Science Writing Online 2012 will change the way...

Read More??

Take a close look at the athletes competing in this year's Summer Olympic Games in London?their musculature will tell you a lot about how they achieved their elite status. Endless hours of training and commitment to their sport played a big role in building the bodies that got them to the world's premier athletic competition. Take an even closer look?this one requires microscopy?and you'll see something else, something embedded in the genetic blueprints of these young men and women that's just as important to their success.

In nearly all cases, these athletes have realized the full potential laid out by those genes. And that potential may be much greater to begin with than it was for the rest of us mortals. For instance, the genes in the cells that make up sprinter Tyson Gay's legs were encoded with special instructions to build up lots of fast-fiber muscles, giving his legs explosive power out of the starting blocks. In comparison, the maximum contraction velocity of marathoner Shalane Flanagan's leg muscles, as dictated by her genes, is much slower than Gay's yet optimized for the endurance required to run for hours at a time with little tiring. Such genetic fine-tuning also helps competitors in basketball, volleyball and synchronized swimming, although the impact might be much less because effective teamwork and officiating also influence success in those sports.

When the gun goes off for the 100-meter sprint, when swimmers Michael Phelps and Ian Thorpe hit the water, when Tom Daley leaps from his diving platform, we will be seeing the finest that the world's gene pool has to offer, even though scientists are still trying to figure out which genes those are. Unfortunately, history dictates that we may also see the finest in gene manipulation, as some athletes push for peak performance with the help of illegal substances that are becoming increasingly difficult to detect.

The skinny on muscles
The human body produces two types of skeletal muscle fibers?slow-twitch (type 1) and fast-twitch (type 2). The fast-twitch fibers contract many times faster and with more force than the slow-twitch ones do, but they also fatigue more quickly. Each of these muscle types can be further broken down into subcategories, depending on contractile speed, force and fatigue resistance. Type 2B fast-twitch fibers, for example, have a faster contraction time than type 2A.

Muscles can be converted from one subcategory to another but cannot be converted from one type to another. This means that endurance training can give type 2B muscle some of the fatigue-resistant characteristics of type 2A muscle and that weight training can give type 2A muscle some of strength characteristics of type 2B muscle. Endurance training, however, will not convert type 2 muscle to type 1 nor will strength training convert slow-twitch muscle to fast. Endurance athletes have a greater proportion of slow-twitch fibers, whereas sprinters and jumpers have more of the fast-twitch variety.

Just as we can alter our muscle mix only to a certain degree, muscle growth is also carefully regulated in the body. One difference between muscle composition and size, however, is that the latter can more easily be manipulated. Insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is both a gene and the protein it expresses that plays an important role during childhood growth and stimulates anabolic effects?such as muscle building?when those children become adults. IGF-1 controls muscle growth with help from the myostatin (MSTN) gene, which produces the myostatin protein.

More than a decade ago H. Lee Sweeney, a molecular physiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, led a team of researchers who used genetic manipulation to create the muscle-bound "Schwarzenegger mice". Mice injected with an extra copy of the IGF-1 gene added muscle and became as much as 30 percent stronger. Sweeney concluded that it is very likely that differences in a person's IGF-1 and MSTN protein levels determine his or her ability to put on muscle when exercising, although he admits this scenario has not been studied widely.

Slow-fiber muscle growth and endurance can likewise be controlled through gene manipulation. In August 2004 a team of researchers that included the Salk Institute for Biological Study's Ronald Evans reported that they altered a gene called PPAR-Delta to enhance its activity in mice, helping nurture fatigue-resistant slow-twitch muscles. These so-called "marathon mice" could run twice as far and for nearly twice as long as their unmodified counterparts.

This demonstrated ability to tinker with either fast- or slow-twitch muscle types begs the question: What would happen if one were to introduce genes for building both fast- and slow-twitch muscle in an athlete? "We've talked about doing it but have never done it," Sweeney says. "I assume you'd end up with a compromise that would be well suited to a sport like cycling, where you need a combination of endurance and power." Still, Sweeney adds, there has been little scientific reason (which translates into funding) to conduct such a study in mice, much less humans.

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=36429277bec0e41f8f8ee0ed1d1a4373

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Arab health - HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS

arab healthWho are able to make that type of payment? Unfamiliar arab to a lot of, the potential effect of the decision to prevent possessing a medical insurance plan is potentially more disastrous. The tax credit only is applicable to ? employees? and excludes proprietors as well as their groups of smaller businesses. However, quiet murders for example Aids along with other std? s affect a sizable area of the population which lives in conditions of squalor and filth. In public places schools, a teaching certificate is generally needed, while you might get an emergency waiver that enables you to definitely begin teaching while working towards your certification. Courses Licensed health training is offered with the Spencer Institute, HealthCoach Training and also the National Society of Health Coaches. I? m thinking about understanding and my niche is health ? 4 decades experience as some kind ( Team, LPN and Physician Assistant) of Healthcare Provider. Increase in Healthcare Treatment centers Reveals Administrative Employment Possibilities The arab health amount of hospitals in america has continued to be relatively stagnant during the health last decade, while more compact private practice and physician partnership treatment centers are increasing. You think about football player for instance, when the football player isn? t in good physical shape odds are they wont have the ability to take care of the other gamers. This tea includes metabolic process- growing characteristics and you will securely consume around four cups each day. Even though it may appear like nobody is having to pay for that without insurance they? re. Additionally they take proper care of many other functions like taking x- ray, refer patients to science numerous specialists and so forth. But many people just don? t wish to exercise or eat well, and even when health someone drags these to the big event, who? s to express they will not just walk on through and block everything out? The lengthy deep inhalations ought to be incorporated thoughout your entire day when emotional interruptions happens. However, excessive use of articles any alcohol may ultimately cause more health issues of computer solves. If you? re not using organic celery, it is best to peel them which means you consume less pesticide sprays. 2.) Tufts Connected Health Maintenance Organization Score: 90. 8 Serves: Massachusetts, Nh, Rhode Island 705 Mount Auburn Street Watertown, MA 02472- 1508 617- arab health 972- 9400 In 1979, Tufts was founded like a not- for- profit and health maintenance organization. You will find situations where your dog includes a uti due to the litter you utilize. Together, these components create conversion architecture. So you can have a look around. Heavy- duty, non- slip mitts health and science articles will enhance your grip around the machinery as well as safeguard both hands simultaneously.

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Source: http://curryrecipe-jp.net/health-2/arab-health/

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TS Monday - Sports and dotted technique tutorial!

***You can view my CAS guest designer card HERE***


Hi all and happy Monday! ?This week over on the Totally Stampalicious blog, we are challenging you to make a sports themed card or project. ?For my card, I've used one of the images from the A+ Bears?set. ?Yep, I used that "dotted" technique again and that tutorial I've been promising is below - but please bear (ha, pun not intended!) with my Instagram pics! ?I did not have my camera handy and didn't want to wait to make the tutorial on a later date. ?Some die-namics, brads and piercing are all the details this card needed. ?The sketch is from the DTGD12Blondie090277 challenge on SCS. ?
Now for the tutorial:

I like to do one section at a time, so I started with his head. ?I use the lightest, or in this case, the second to lightest color(E33) that I plan to work with and start a "base".


Next, I take the next darkest color(E25) and add it where I want more shadows. ?It's always best to know which direction your "light source" is coming from! ?As you can see, I hardly added any of this color on the right side of his face because, for me, that's where my "light source" was hitting him.
Then I add an even darker color(E37). ?I try to stay light handed so that my dots don't look like big blotches.
And yet, an even darker color(E29)!
Finally, I go back with the first color I started with and start filling in still using a dot motion (not brush strokes). ?For this one, I went with an even lighter color (E31) to fill any spots that were left. ?I just keep dotting away until I'm happy with the shading.
And here he is all done before I added to my card...
I hope you found my tutorial easy and inspiring enough to give this technique a try! ?It's fun to color using different techniques!

Have a fabulous week!!!

Source: http://angelsworld94.blogspot.com/2012/07/ts-monday-sports-and-dotted-technique.html

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Monday, July 30, 2012

Video: Road test: Self-driving car heads into city

Tiny Tokelau to be world's first solar-powered country

??A project to convert the tiny island nation of Tokelau to all solar power is nearing fruition, as workers finish the first of three major panel arrays. Once activated, the installations should provide more than 90 percent of the power used by the islands' 1,711 residents. Full story

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43384144/vp/48303608#48303608

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Raising Two Little Reds: Plastic Surgery

Are you for or against people getting plastic surgery?

Would you ever get anything done?

I am in desperate need of boobs. ?Yep, I said it. ?The evidence is here:


I'm surprised that bathing suit even stays up without the strap. ?Well, it kind of had to because Annika ran off with the strap one day calling it a necklace and now it's gone forever.

Anyway I'm starting to research doctors and save up the money for implants. ?I would like to pay cash because the thought of paying interest on implants seems dumb to me. ?Plus if I pay cash up front I'm more likely to pay less than if I try to finance or pay with a credit card. ?I went to a consult years ago for a local doctor but didn't like his portfolio, I'll probably go up to Tampa since that area seems to have better plastic?surgeons.

I've never really had boobs, I've always been a 32A. ?After Annika my 32A's from the women's bra section got a little loose so one of my friends at work told me about the bras in the kids section at Target. ?I've been wearing those ever since (and yes, one of them has glitter on it...). ?My issue now is that the 32A is pretty much the smallest size I've found and now after having Annabel it is loose. ?Well, it's not really loose it totally doesn't fit. ?My boobs are sort of floating around in it, the small about of boob tissue I do happen to have.

So that's my story and I'm sure I'll blogging about the entire thing. ?Most doctors make you wait an entire year after having a baby so I won't even go to a consult until at least early January. ?I will not be getting LARGE boobs either, I'm thinking C-cup or even a full B. ?I just want to not look like a 12 year old when I wear shirts and bathing suits!

Source: http://raisinglittlered.blogspot.com/2012/07/plastic-surgery.html

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Sunday, July 29, 2012

Britain, USA pounce as China, Japan wobble

The United States and hosts Great Britain exploited error-strewn displays from Japan and defending Olympic champions China to set the pace in men's artistic gymnastics qualifying on Saturday.

Two Chinese men slipped off the pommel horse and one of them fell on his face in the floor routine, while Japanese superstar Kohei Uchimura fell twice as Japan finished the second qualifying session in third place overall.

The USA were the chief beneficiaries, finishing with a total score of 275.342 that put them above Britain (272.420), with China (269.285) down in fourth.

Britain are now set to feature in their first final since 1924, ahead of the day's final qualifying session later on Saturday.

China were particularly disappointing on the pommel horse, with Guo Weiyang and Zhang Chenglong both falling, while Zou Kai also failed to convince.

Guo, a late replacement for the injured Teng Haibin, also produced a poor floor display, with a clumsy face-first fall in his final tumble contributing to a dismal score of 12.266.

"One of the gymnasts is a substitute, and he made quite a few mistakes due to a lack of experience," said Chen Yibing of team-mate Guo's display.

"We think that we should beat Britain, but because of the substitute and various other things, we didn't perform as we should have."

Three-time world champion Uchimura has been tipped to sweep all before him in London, but he came off the high bar and earned a score of just 12.466 on the pommel horse following a fall and an incomplete dismount.

He was nonetheless awarded a mark of 15.766 on the floor, a 16.033 on the vault, and a 15.533 on the parallel bars to finish the second session in fourth place in the individual all-around standings.

His Japan team-mates endured similarly mixed afternoons, with Kazuhito Tanaka also falling twice and almost sliding off the mat during his floor exercise.

"There were a couple of mistakes that happened at different stages, notably on the high bar, and that created a bit of uncertainty," said Uchimura.

On his own errors, he said: "I'll try not to make any more mistakes. We'll practice tomorrow (Sunday), so I'll try to improve."

Britain were solid throughout, and saw Kristian Thomas and Daniel Purvis make the early running in the individual standings.

Olympic bronze medallist Louis Smith delivered an impressive 15.800 routine on the pommel horse, prompting huge cheers from the home crowd that brought tears to the British star's eyes.

"I knew that if I got through my routine I'd break down, because it's been such an emotional four years," he said.

On the reaction of the supporters, he said: "It was magical, it really was. When they announced us and the crowd erupted, it blew your socks off."

American fans replaced their British counterparts in the afternoon session and they, too, had plenty to cheer about.

Jonathan Horton made up for falls on the pommel horse and the parallel bars with a fine 15.566 routine on the high bar, while Danell Leyva and John Orozco claimed first and second place in the individual all-around standings.

"I didn't see China's score, but I was aware that Japan was having a rough day," said US team captain Horton.

"I watch routines all the time and I see Kohei struggling and some other guys struggling, but I wasn't really focusing on that at all.

"We did a good job and managed to stay within our own little team container."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/slick-brits-shock-china-gymnastics-165617814--oly.html

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Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. being treated in Mayo Clinic

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. has been admitted to the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to be evaluated for depression and gastrointestinal ailments, the congressman's office said on Friday in a statement released by the clinic.

The statement came more than two weeks after the Illinois Democrat, son of civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, was said by his doctor to be undergoing treatment for a "mood disorder."

The younger Jackson, 47, announced in late June that he had taken a leave from office two weeks earlier for treatment of what was then described as exhaustion.

Amid mounting political pressure to disclose more information about his medical condition, Jackson said on July 5 through a statement that his problems were more serious than previously believed, adding he needed extended in-patient treatment for unspecified "physical and emotional ailments."

On July 11, his physician said the congressman was receiving intensive care for a "mood disorder" and was expected to make a full recovery.

The statement on Friday marked the first time that Jackson, who is seeking re-election to a 10th term in the House of Representatives in the November 6 election, acknowledged he was being evaluated for depression.

"Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. has arrived at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for extensive inpatient evaluation for depression and gastrointestinal issues," the statement said without elaborating.

The statement did not say whether the gastrointestinal issues being evaluated were connected to a gastric bypass surgery Jackson underwent in 2004 for weight loss.

It said further information would be released as Jackson's evaluation proceeded.

Jackson's Republican opponent in November, Brian Woodworth, said in early July that Jackson had an obligation to clarify his situation. Woodworth could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday night.

Jackson has been the subject of a congressional ethics committee probe over an alleged bribe offered to former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich by a Jackson supporter in 2008.

The offer was intended to entice Blagojevich into appointing Jackson to President Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat. Jackson has admitted to lobbying for the seat but has denied knowing about any money offered to Blagojevich, who was convicted of public corruption charges and is in prison.

Two fellow Illinois Democrats, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and U.S. Representative Luis Gutierrez, said this month that Jackson owed voters from his South Side Chicago district an explanation.

They compared the congressman's situation with those of stricken Illinois Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk and Illinois Democratic U.S. Representative Bobby Rush.

After Kirk suffered a stroke in January, his doctors held news conferences about his condition, and the senator later provided a video depicting his rehabilitation and showing him speaking and struggling to walk on a treadmill.

Rush had surgery for throat cancer, and Gutierrez said at the time, "We knew where to find him."

(Reporting and writing by David Bailey; Editing by Steve Gorman and Peter Cooney)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/rep-jesse-jackson-jr-being-treated-mayo-clinic-025456362.html

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Best Home Based Internet Businesses ? The ... - Network Marketing

The internet has become so powerful that people can now earn money through the use of it. This is actually the common trend nowadays. A lot of successful online entrepreneurs can testify to the huge potential of online businesses. There are actually tons of profitable opportunities on the internet. here I have listed some of the best home based internet business opportunities individuals can start with.

1. Become An Affiliate Marketer

Affiliate marketing involves promoting the products of companies on the internet. as an affiliate marketer, you have to market these products through your website. This is a commission-based business, meaning that for every recorded sale from your site, you will earn a commission. The more sales you make, the more commissions you are paid. To be successful in this field, you need to master web marketing skills and pay-per click marketing strategies.

2. Engage in Freelance Writing and Blogging

Freelance writing is the most popular means of earning money online. This is one of the best home based internet businesses because articles are widely used in promoting all products and services online. There are tons of websites that offer this kind of opportunity. You may opt to make your own blog and turn it into your own money making instrument.

3. Answer Online Surveys

This is could be the easiest job to earn money online. You can earn money just by answering surveys. To get qualified on paid surveys, you have to register on a paid survey company website which usually requires a membership fee. once a member, this internet business will definitely bring you earnings.

4. Sell Goods On eBay

eBay is a favorite site for the best home based internet business where thrifty buyers usually check for the best deals online. You can either sell your personal goods or look for clients who require assistance in selling their goods on eBay. Try putting your goods in auctions for a better potential for profit.

5. Become a Data Entry Expert

Data entry is probably the easiest business in the internet. as long as you are computer literate, then you can work for any data entry job. Since data entry is common online, expect to have bigger competition, but don?t worry, it is still in high demand.

The chances of earning money from these ventures is not questionable; however before deciding to pursue any of these home based internet businesses, take time to reflect on how prepared you are to engage in the business. although some people may have earned a fortune in these different areas, not all who tried succeeded. Your success depends on you. Do the work and reap the benefits

Best Home Based Internet Businesses ? The Top 5 Today

Source: http://mynetworkmarketingadventure.com/best-home-based-internet-businesses-the-top-5-today/

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Saturday, July 28, 2012

Agreement: ListedBy & National Real Estate Business Insurance ...

Post image for ListedBy & NREBIG Forge Marketing Agreement

ListedBy, the first free real estate marketplace and social network with integrated live bidding and online auction functionality, announced a co-marketing agreement with National Real Estate Business Insurance Group that will give to ListedBy.com members timely, convenient access to NREBIG?s deep national expertise and products in the areas of residential and commercial insurance, and at privileged ListedBy member prices.

The deal expands the Approved Service Provider (ASP) network on ListedBy.com, extending to subscribers yet another key service to help optimize their real estate acquisition experience on the site.

NREBIG.com will also be featured in ListedBy?s outbound property auction winning bidder confirmation emails, to give buyers timely exposure to NREBIG services, including contact information and the ability to initiate quote requests.

?We could not be more excited to begin this long term partnership with someone of Kent Littlejohn?s caliber and the entire NREBIG team,? said Stephan Piscano, ListedBy?s founder and CEO. ?Kent and his group have been pioneers in the way that real estate investors purchase insurance to protect their investments. We see our partnership with NREBIG as a huge benefit to the ListedBy.com member base.?

Added Piscano: ?Consumers are increasingly going online for their purchases, even real estate. By partnering with providers of critical solutions to the industry, especially of NREBIG?s grade, we can put virtually everything ListedBy.com members need to support their buying or selling objectives, attheir fingertips!?

?We are extremely excited to be partnering with?ListedBy.com?as a preferred provider,? said Kent Littlejohn. We believe that this partnership will gain us valuable exposure to the consumers that need our services the most, and that our track record will provide ListedBy and their member base with high level services at a discounted rate.?

Under the deal, NREBIG also becomes a ListedBy.com advertising partner, giving NREBIG round the clock exposure to ListedBy.com?s rapidly growing global subscriber base and visitors. NREBIG will also promote ListedBy.com through its various client communications channels, including social media.

NREBIG?s insurance portfolio and partner real estate insurance programs cover more than $10 Billion in real estate assets across the United States.

Built to accelerate the real estate buying and selling process, ListedBy.com puts buyers and sellers in direct contact, with the ability for finance-ready buyers to make a buying commitment on the spot, through the site?s revolutionary free live online bidding and auction platform.

Real estate professionals, investors and bulk asset holders, and consumers may register to network, post homes for sale, buy and sell properties on ListedBy.com, all free of charge with no transaction premiums or participation fees. The site features residential and commercial Multiple Listing Service (MLS), For Sale By Owner (FSBO), pre-foreclosure, foreclosure listings, Real Estate Owned (REO) assets and Notes, and timeshares.

?

Advertising Partner

Source: http://www.propertyportalwatch.com/2012/07/listedby-nrebig-forge-marketing-agreement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=listedby-nrebig-forge-marketing-agreement

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Phils beat Brewers with six-run eighth - CBS Sports by pelkobarin

How to Break Through Fear and Self-Doubt - NBCNews.com endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 Classifying prospects Sox would part with - ESPN endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 Special Report How Spain dumped a bad bank on the little guy - Reuters endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 Kristen Stewart Apologizes For Cheating On Robert Pattinson I Love Him, Im So Sorry - Huffington Post endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 Underlying reason for violence in poorest Congressional district is poverty - New York Daily News endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 Garrett offers support for troubled WR Bryant - Abc Local Web endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 Eagles taking a look at veteran tight ends - YAHOO! endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 More sexually active US teenagers using condoms over past 2 decades, AIDS conference told - Washington Post endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 Soldier Talked of Suicide Over Hazing, Friend Says - New York Times endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 GMA host may take medical leave late next month - YAHOO! endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 Whales Tail - Uvita, Costa Rica - CNN endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 Geithner failed to tell Congress about LIBOR - FOX News endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 Lewis Black to rant on politics on Broadway - Businessweek endorling

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08:20 AM Jul 27 2012 Reader QA Mark Gonzales White Sox mailbag - Chicago Tribune endorling

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08:19 AM Jul 27 2012 West Ham offer 17m for Carroll - FOXSports.com endorling

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08:19 AM Jul 27 2012 Chamber of Commerce takes on Angus King of Maine - Washington Post endorling

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08:19 AM Jul 27 2012 VA secretary vs. Obama and his lousy record on vets - Washington Post endorling

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08:19 AM Jul 27 2012 Facebook second-quarter revenue increases 32 percent - CNBC endorling

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08:19 AM Jul 27 2012 VA secretary vs. Obama and his lousy record on vets - Washington Post endorling

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Source: http://www.englishbaby.com/blog/pelkobarin/view_entry/77016

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Friday, July 27, 2012

Understanding the Violence in Tajikistan ? Registan.net

[NOTE: This is cross-posted from my website, www.sarahkendzior.com, at Nathan's request.? The original entry is here.]

A lot of people have been asking me about the outbreak of violence in Tajikistan so I decided to put together a list of sources and coverage.

The best writer on Tajikistan, in my view, is?Christian Bleuer, a Central Asia expert who is, unlike most academics, a thoughtful and engaging writer.?Here is his blog. Be sure to check out his most recent post,?What?s going on in the mountains of Tajikistan?

Christian also runs?Tajikistan Research Resources, which is an online portal for scholars, researchers, students, journalists, policy-makers, NGO/humanitarian workers, travelers, and others who want to better understand Tajikistan.

Tajikistan has been studied much less than other Central Asian countries, but has been a key research site for a younger generation of Central Asia scholars. Besides Christian, I recommend?Brent Hierman?(political science), Christopher Whitsel (sociology),?Zohra Ismail-Beben?(anthropology) and?Daniel Beben?(history) as sources on Tajikistan. Zohra and Daniel did research in Gorno-Badakhshan, the province where the violence is taking place.

News coverage on the conflict has been better than expected given the difficulty of gathering information in the region. Communications have been cut in Gorno-Badakhshan, a mountainous region which is notoriously difficult to access. Here are a few highlights:

Eurasianet:?Tajikistan: Will Ceasefire End Deadly Conflict in Gorno-Badakhshan?

Economist:?Violence in Tajikistan: The Strongman Cometh

Radio Free Europe:?Explainer: Violence In Tajikistan?s Badakhshan Province A Legacy Of The Civil War

Eurasianet:?Tajikistan Blocks YouTube, Steps Up Info Restrictions After Clashes

On YouTube,?PamirTV?has been uploading video of clashes and television news reports.

I?ll try to update this post as more information comes in.


This post was written by...

Sarah Kendzior ? author of 19 posts on Registan.net.

Sarah Kendzior is an anthropologist who studies politics and the internet in the former Soviet Union. She has a PhD in cultural anthropology from Washington University in Saint Louis and an MA in Central Eurasian Studies from Indiana University. Her research has been published in many academic journals and media outlets, including American Ethnologist, Central Asian Survey, Demokratizatsiya and the Atlantic. She is currently an instructor at Washington University, where she teaches a course called "The Internet, Politics, and Society." Follow her on Twitter.

For information on reproducing this article, see our Terms of Use

Source: http://registan.net/index.php/2012/07/26/understanding-the-violence-in-tajikistan/

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Yoga may help stroke survivors improve balance

ScienceDaily (July 26, 2012) ? Group yoga can improve balance in stroke survivors who no longer receive rehabilitative care, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Stroke.

In a small pilot study, researchers tested the potential benefits of yoga among chronic stroke survivors -- those whose stroke occurred more than six months earlier.

"For people with chronic stroke, something like yoga in a group environment is cost effective and appears to improve motor function and balance," said Arlene Schmid, Ph.D., O.T.R., lead researcher and a rehabilitation research scientist at Roudebush Veterans Administration-Medical Center and Indiana University, Department of Occupational Therapy in Indianapolis, Ind.

The study's 47 participants, about three-quarters of them male veterans, were divided into three groups: twice-weekly group yoga for eight weeks; a "yoga-plus" group, which met twice weekly and had a relaxation recording to use at least three times a week; and a usual medical care group that did no rehabilitation.

The yoga classes, taught by a registered yoga therapist, included modified yoga postures, relaxation, and meditation. Classes grew more challenging each week.

Compared with patients in the usual-care group, those who completed yoga or yoga-plus significantly improved their balance.

Balance problems frequently last long after a person suffers a stroke, and are related to greater disability and a higher risk of falls, researchers said.

Furthermore, survivors in the yoga groups had improved scores for independence and quality of life and were less afraid of falling.

"For chronic stroke patients, even if they remain disabled, natural recovery and acute rehabilitation therapy typically ends after six months, or maybe a year," said Schmid, who is also an assistant professor of occupational therapy at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis and an investigator at the Regenstrief Institute.

Improvements after the six-month window can take longer to occur, she said, "but we know for a fact that the brain still can change. The problem is the healthcare system is not necessarily willing to pay for that change. The study demonstrated that with some assistance, even chronic stroke patients with significant paralysis on one side can manage to do modified yoga poses."

The oldest patient in the study was in his 90s. All participants had to be able to stand on their own at the study's outset.

Yoga may be more therapeutic than traditional exercise because the combination of postures, breathing and meditation may produce different effects than simple exercise, researchers said.

"However, stroke patients looking for such help might have a hard time finding qualified yoga therapists to work with," Schmid said. "Some occupational and physical therapists are integrating yoga into their practice, even though there's scant evidence at this point to support its effectiveness."

Researchers can draw only limited conclusions from the study because of its small number of participants and lack of diversity. The study also didn't have enough participants to uncover differences between the yoga and control groups. The scientists hope to conduct a larger study soon.

Researchers also noticed improvements in the mindset of patients about their disability. The participants talked about walking through a grocery store instead of using an assistive scooter, being able to take a shower and feeling inspired to visit friends.

"It has to do with the confidence of being more mobile," Schmid said. Although they took time to unfold, "these were very meaningful changes in life for people."

Co-authors are Marieke Van Puymbroeck, Ph.D., C.T.R.S.; Peter A. Altenburger, Ph.D., P.T.; Nancy L. Schalk, R.Y.T.; Tracy A. Dierks, Ph.D; Kristine K. Miller, P.T.; Teresa M. Damush, Ph.D.; Dawn M. Bravata, M.D.; and Linda S. Williams, M.D. Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

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Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/MiFkm0zFtoQ/120726180301.htm

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Developing Online Business enterprise Idea | Ladies Shop

Posted by Kelly Brown on July 27, 2012 in Beauty with Comments Off

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Source: http://ladiesshop.co/developing-online-business-enterprise-idea

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Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Best of #romneyshambles (Atlantic Politics Channel)

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

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/238369329?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Google updates YouTube, Nexus Q and Play Movies & TV apps in one fell swoop

Google updates YouTube, Nexus Q and Play Movies & TV apps in one fell swoop

As software updates go, this Mountain View hat trick scores low on the excitement scale. Starting today, a trio of version bumps are slated to rollout, bringing minor bug fixes to Play Movies & TV and YouTube, while also giving owners of older, non-ICS handsets the ability to control that latter app remotely. Additionally, tweaks have been made to improve the Nexus Q's guest mode, which should come in handy as support for that odd peripheral has now been bolstered to include devices running Gingerbread and up. Sure, this trine of refreshed Google apps won't necessarily set your pulses racing, nor will it satisfy your Jelly Bean cravings. But, hey, you take what you can get.

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Google updates YouTube, Nexus Q and Play Movies & TV apps in one fell swoop originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jul 2012 20:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Droid-Life  |  sourceGoogle Play, (2), (3)  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/25/google-updates-youtube-nexus-q-and-play-movies-and-tv-apps-in-one/

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Facebook revenue growth skids, shares plunge

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Facebook Inc reported a drastic slowdown in revenue growth and failed to offer financial forecasts to quell fears about its ability to boost advertising growth, sending its shares plummeting to a record low.

In its inaugural earnings report since becoming the first American company to debut with a value of more than $100 billion, Facebook reported revenue increased 32 percent in the second quarter to $1.18 billion, in line with average forecasts.

But it offered no outlook for the current period as some investors had hoped.

Shares of Facebook, which has shed a third of its value since its haphazard May debut at $38, hit below $24 in frenzied after-hours trading.

Mark Zuckerberg, the 28-year-old Chief Executive who created Facebook in his Harvard dorm room, said that the company was seeing encouraging results from newly-introduced advertising services and that Facebook now has a "clear path" to building a strong mobile business.

Facebook has raced through eight years of break-neck growth that was to have culminated with its May coming-out party.

Instead, its share price has headed south as investors questioned its valuation of more than 50 times earnings, and its longer-term ability to sustain growth with users migrating to mobile devices.

Monthly active users grew to 955 million at the end of the second quarter, up from 901 million at the end of March. But mobile monthly active users surged 67 percent year-on-year to 543 million users, adding further pressure on Facebook's business, which only recently began to offer limited forms of mobile advertising.

"They beat, but the Street was looking for more and that's why I think shares turned lower after an initial bounce," said Michael Matousek, a senior trader at U.S. Global Investors Inc, which manages about $3 billion. "The big question with the stock is how it will monetize its billion or so users. A lot of people think they can't convert those users to money.

"It doesn't look good with this new information out there. I don't want to say the story is broken, but the story is kind of broken."

The company said that its capital expenditures more than tripled to $413 million in the second quarter.

A CHALLENGE ANEW

Facebook's growth rate in the second quarter was the slowest since the first three months of 2011, when it began disclosing that information.

In past years, it has steadily challenged established Web powers Google Inc and Yahoo for consumers' online time and advertising revenue. Now, as mobile devices like smartphones and tablets penetrate deeper into consumer markets, the company is struggling to drive advertising revenue off them.

"The fact that there's no guidance in the press release likely has people concerned about the achievability of people's full year expectations," said BTIG analyst Richard Greenfield.

"Growth is clearly slowing on both the user and revenue basis, and without guidance to make people believe it's growing, you have a large part of investor fear."

Facebook Finance Chief David Ebersman told Reuters in an interview mobile represented a great opportunity for Facebook in the long run.

On Wednesday, social games leader Zynga - which accounts for over a 10th of Facebook's revenue and faces the same challenge of earning off mobile users - stunned investors after slashing its 2012 earnings forecasts.

That helped wipe 9 percent off Facebook's value during regular trading on Thursday.

Zynga and Facebook were among a bevy of hot tech prospects that went public in 2011 on the back of renewed dot-com mania gripping Wall Street. They, along with fellow 2011 debutante Groupon Inc, have since gone into a tailspin.

On Thursday, Facebook posted a net loss of $157 million, or 8 cents a share, in the second quarter after taking hefty stock compensation charges related to its IPO. That compared to net income of $240 million, or 11 cents, in the year-ago quarter.

Excluding the charges, Facebook said it earned 12 cents a share, in line with Wall Street's forecast.

Revenue in the three months ended June 30 was $1.18 billion, compared to $895 million in the year-ago quarter.

Executives told analysts on a conference call that the company will keep investing to build out and enhance its mobile application, with an eye to closer integration with popular gadgets such as Apple Inc's iPad and iPhone.

Zuckerberg dashed widespread reports that it would try and design its own smartphone, saying it made little sense to dive into hardware but adding that he was constantly looking to improve the mobile experience.

Shares of Facebook are now down 37 percent from its $38 offering price. The stock dived to $23.83 in extended trade, from a close of $26.85 on the Nasdaq.

About 15.9 million shares changed hands, vaulting the stock to the top of the Nasdaq's most-active list after hours.

(Writing by Edwin Chan; Editing by Bernard Orr)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/facebook-second-quarter-revenue-increases-32-percent-201431153--sector.html

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Lace plants explain programmed cell death

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a highly regulated process that occurs in all animals and plants as part of normal development and in response to the environment. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Plant Biology is the first to document the physiological events in the lace plant (Aponogeton madagascariensis) which occur via PCD to produce the characteristic holes in its leaves.

The aquatic lace plant, endemic to Madagascar, uses PCD to generate holes in its leaves. Researchers from Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, used long-term live cell imaging, time-lapse micro-photography and detailed staining to see what actually happens inside individual cells of the lace plant leaves during this process.

PCD always begins in the centre of areoles (areas surrounded by veins) and works its way out, finally stopping four or five cells away from the vein. Within these areoles the stage of PCD can be visually determined by pigmentation. Non-PCD cells contain anthocyanin which is pink. As PCD progresses (early-PCD) the anthocyanin disappears but green chlorophyll remains. By late-PCD, both of these pigments have been lost.

Arunika Gunawardena, who led this research, described what actually happens in more detail, "After the loss of anthocyanin, we saw a reduction in the number and size of chloroplasts concurrent with changes in the actin cytoskeleton, which normally supports the cell from the inside. Actin cables became thicker, but their arrangement became more haphazard (until late-PCD when they began to disappear)."

As PCD progressed chloroplasts and mitochondria (the energy centres of the cell) began to aggregate together and were brought into the acidic vacuole to be degraded - a process that was confirmed using 3D image analysis. Additionally, the researchers found evidence of autophagy (where the cells literally begin to 'eat' themselves from the inside) and discovered organelle-like remnants inside vesicles.

Dr Gunawardena continued, "For each cell we observed, eventually the tonoplast ruptured, and the plasma membrane surrounding the cell collapsed. It only takes 48 hours from the first noticeable loss in chlorophyll until the plasma membrane shrinks, and by 24 hours after this event the cell wall disappears."

This is the first research to use such a variety of visual techniques to look at a process that affects almost every cell type at some stage of an organism's life. These pictures and videos provide a fascinating insight into how the lace plant has high-jacked PCD to produce its quirky, yet beautiful, leaves.

###

BioMed Central: http://www.biomedcentral.com

Thanks to BioMed Central for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/122017/Lace_plants_explain_programmed_cell_death

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USA: Integrated Voice and Data Communications for 'Carnival Breeze'

USA - Integrated Voice and Data Communications for 'Carnival Breeze'

MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), the global provider of communications, connectivity and content services to remote locations around the world and Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), the world leader in cellular service to the cruise line and ferry industry, yesterday announced unprecedented services to Carnival Cruise Lines? newest ship, Carnival Breeze, during her first month in service.

Carnival leveraged the telecommunications expertise of MTN and WMS to deliver a ?shore-side? experience to more than 4,000 passengers and nearly 1,800 crew members on each sailing. Carnival Breeze began a summer schedule of European cruises June 3 and will launch year-round Caribbean service from Miami starting November 24, 2012.

MTN?s VSAT services exceeded the connectivity demands of the crew, passengers and corporate communications requirements during its inaugural month. Carnival Breeze also leveraged MTN?s Internet Caf? solution delivering access to passengers and crew on mobile devices such as tablets, smart phones and laptops as well as fixed PCs to stay connected while at sea. Additionally, MTN integrated this seamless connection with Carnival?s FunHub portal to provide passengers with immediate digital access to all of the Breeze?s ship services, facilities, daily activities and social media.

?New services introduced to the Carnival Breeze created unique challenges to provide ship-wide coverage for telecommunication services, and we knew there would be a heavy demand for onboard cellular and Internet, especially in our inaugural month,? said Eric Merz, Carnival?s Director of Guest Technology. ?During all phases, from the yard, to testing, to having onboard support, both MTN and WMS have proven to be critical partners. The integration of our FunHub to the Internet, the call management and calling solutions has truly brought a full telecommunications solution to Carnival, our guests and crew.?

Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), a joint venture of AT&T and MTN, launched cellular calling, texting and data services for guests and crew onboard the Carnival Breeze. ?We are delighted to be Carnival Cruise Lines? exclusive cellular service provider on their entire fleet of 24 vessels. During Carnival Breeze?s first month in service, WMS carried tens of thousands of voice calls to and from the ship. In addition, on June 20th a live Twitter chat session was held onboard Carnival Breeze inaugural highlighting the cellular voice, text and data services available to passengers and crew. Stewart Chiron, cruise expert, known in the industry as ?The Cruise Guy(?),? fielded live questions while sailing in the Mediterranean Sea. The session resulted in over 2.6 million impressions which helped spread the word about Carnival?s newest ship and the communication services available onboard,? said Jim McKenna, Vice President of Customer Support and Product Management for WMS.

?There is clearly a demand by users to access data from their personal mobile devices as well as having the ability to surf the Internet while at sea,? said Brent Horwitz, Senior Vice President and General Manager for MTN Cruise and Ferry Services. ?The number of Internet and mobile minutes used on the inaugural sailing of the Carnival Breeze underscores the importance of today?s society of staying connected even while on vacation. MTN is proud of our collective success with Carnival over the years, and will be introducing more exciting technology innovations to the maritime market later this year.?

Through MTN?s exceptionally reliable VSAT solutions, a comprehensive portfolio of onboard revenue opportunities is offered to cruise line partners. The products and services, which add to the overall cruising experience, include remote access for Internet, fixed and mobile phones, MTN Worldwide Television, OceanPhone crew calling, a payroll solution for crew and other enterprise solutions.

The WMS solution delivers seamless cellular connectivity to guests and crew members just as they would on land, at sea beyond any land based towers. Connectivity is activated when the ship leaves port and turned off when in range of land based providers. WMS provides uninterrupted service to guests and crew so they can stay in touch with family, friends or business associates back home while they enjoy the experiences of their cruise. Guests and crew can make and receive calls, send text messages, access email and surf the Internet at rates similar to roaming internationally.

Source: MTN, July 24, 2012

Source: http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/62017

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Making the Most of Your Backyard's Size - Future House Now

YIP: 06.23.09 - FDTIf you have a large backyard, then making the most of it seems far more sensible than leaving it as just a lawn that you have to mow. Your backyard will either remain as wasted space or become a focal point of entertainment, depending on how you utilise the space. This article considers some ways in which you can make the space more exciting and more useful than just an expanse of grass.

Install Decking

It is possible to extend your home out into the garden with the installation of a decking feature. Installing decking will provide you with a place to work in the sun and relax after a busy day. Decking can provide a wonderful entertainment area, and will become a focal point of parties too.

To increase the impact of decking, you can install glass doors or roller blinds at the back of your house so that the space can be completely opened up and enjoyed, as though it were a part of your home. With an open area at the back of your home, entertaining guests and family members will be both easy and enjoyable.

Install a Pool

Installing a swimming pool in your garden is an expensive decision, but it is entirely worth the cost. In the summer, when it is really hot, being able to jump into a pool in your garden is a fantastic opportunity, and one that will help you to relax and unwind in the heat.

Pools do not need a lot of maintenance if you look after them properly from the outset. Covering the pool after use will keep leaves and detritus out of the pool, whilst automatic pool cleaners will maintain clear water. Installing a pool will require some large initial investment, but it can turn your backyard into an exciting area of entertainment.

Install Games

If you have young children, then installing games and play areas is a great way to make your garden more fun. Play areas can provide endless entertainment foryoung children, and are also a great element to have for entertaining children during parties. Other games like football goals also provide a good source of entertainment for children, and will likely see some entertaining participation by parents too.

Install a Barbeque

Living in Australia provides the perfect climate for having barbeques, and installing one is a fantastic way to make the most of the summer weather. A barbeque can be added to your patio, or kept in a covered area elsewhere in the garden. Using the barbeque as the central feature of your garden is a good idea, as this will be the focal point during parties.

Surrounding the barbeque with tables will enable the easy distribution of food, as well as provide a wonderful place to stand and converse with a few beers whilst the food is cooking. In a covered area, adding speakers and a sound system can also have a big impact and turn your gathering into a real party.

Source: http://www.futurehousenow.com/making-backyards-size/

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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Unidentified bodies, missing cases mount in Mexico

FILE - In this May 16, 2011 file photo, the hand of a corpse hangs from a bed with a syringe being used by forensic experts at a makeshift morgue inside a refrigerated container as they try to identify hundreds of bodies found in mass clandestine graves in Durango, Mexico. The count of unidentified dead in Mexico is growing. Many say the country's police are simply overwhelmed by the number of drug war casualties as they struggle with poor forensic capabilities and the reluctance of some witnesses and victims' relatives to help. That apparent futility is drawing increasing criticism from Mexicans weary of the government-led offensive against drug cartels, who are also fighting among themselves. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills, File)

FILE - In this May 16, 2011 file photo, the hand of a corpse hangs from a bed with a syringe being used by forensic experts at a makeshift morgue inside a refrigerated container as they try to identify hundreds of bodies found in mass clandestine graves in Durango, Mexico. The count of unidentified dead in Mexico is growing. Many say the country's police are simply overwhelmed by the number of drug war casualties as they struggle with poor forensic capabilities and the reluctance of some witnesses and victims' relatives to help. That apparent futility is drawing increasing criticism from Mexicans weary of the government-led offensive against drug cartels, who are also fighting among themselves. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills, File)

FILE - In this May 13, 2012 file photo, federal police escort three forensic vans carrying bodies found along a highway connecting the northern Mexican metropolis of Monterrey, Mexico, to the U.S. border. Two months after police found 49 dismembered bodies strewn on a Mexican highway leading to the Texas border, authorities have not identified a single victim. (AP Photo/Christian Palma, File)

FILE - In this May 13, 2012 file photo, forensic experts examine the area where dozens of bodies, some of them mutilated, were found on a highway connecting the northern Mexican metropolis of Monterrey, Mexico, to the U.S. border. Two months after police found 49 dismembered bodies strewn on a Mexican highway leading to the Texas border, authorities have not identified a single victim. (AP Photo/Christian Palma, File)

(AP) ? After police found 49 dismembered bodies strewn on a Mexican highway leading to the Texas border, it took the army just a week to parade an alleged drug trafficker before journalists as the man who purportedly oversaw the body dump.

Yet two months after the grisly discovery in Nuevo Leon state, authorities have not identified a single victim.

The 49 bodies now appear headed for an increasingly common fate in this drug war-wracked country: They could join the growing ranks of the unidentified dead.

That group has become legion as nearly 16,000 bodies remain unidentified, says the National Human Rights Commission, an independent government agency. In total, 24,000 people have been reported missing. Many say the country's police are simply overwhelmed by the number of drug war casualties as they struggle with poor forensic capabilities and the reluctance of some witnesses and victims' relatives to help.

That apparent futility is drawing increasing criticism from Mexicans weary of the government-led offensive against drug cartels, who are also fighting among themselves. The violence in total has claimed at least 47,000 victims since President Felipe Calderon launched his anti-cartel campaign in late 2006.

"The level of violence we're living with reflects the critical condition our institutions are in, and it reveals a corrupt government," said Blanca Martinez of the Fray Juan de Larios human rights center in the northern border state of Coahuila. Hundreds of people have gone missing in Coahuila since 2009, when violence started to erupt in northeastern Mexico.

The most recent discovery of corpses shows just how hard it is to put names to often heavily mutilated bodies.

Although the 49 corpses all lacked heads, hands and feet, police performed DNA tests on them and compared the results, without luck, to hundreds of Mexicans reported missing.

The authorities captured Daniel Elizondo, the alleged cell leader for the hyper-violent Zetas drug cartel, and pinned the atrocity on him. But he and two other suspects arrested in the case apparently haven't offered any information that could help investigators. The army has said Elizondo claims he was given the bodies by someone else.

The bodies of the 43 men and six women remain at a morgue in the industrial city of Monterrey where they're marked "N.N." ? the Spanish initials for "No Nombre," or No Name. They've also been given numbers as IDs, a state police spokeswoman said. Authorities believe the bodies were signs of yet another battle between the Zetas and their rival Gulf and Sinaloa cartels.

Now it's up to the lead investigator to decide how long the bodies will remain at the morgue before they're wrapped in blankets and buried side by side in common graves in cemeteries throughout Monterrey's metropolitan area, said the police spokeswoman, who would not allow her name to be used under official policy. The bodies can stay in the morgue for a maximum of four months. By custom, Mexicans usually bury their dead within 48 hours.

Anguished relatives of the missing said they suffer in limbo awaiting any information about their loved ones.

"When they took my son, they destroyed me," said Maximina Hernandez, a 44-year-old maid from the Monterrey suburb of Santa Catarina whose police officer son was taken by gunmen minutes after ending a work shift in 2007. "The only thing I ask God is for some news, to know where he is. But there is no progress; there is nothing."

Hernandez has joined other people with missing relatives to push authorities to investigate the cases but said she's been disappointed by the results so far.

She said police took DNA samples from her and her son's father but never followed up on her suspicion that her 23-year-old son's commander was involved in his disappearance. Last year, authorities detained the police commander along with more than 40 Santa Catarina police officers for allegedly working for the Zetas.

Luis Garcia, an investigator with the National Human Rights Commission, said the number of unidentified bodies continues to grow, as has the number of missing persons. The commission listed 8,898 unidentified bodies from 2000 to 2005; that number had since jumped by 80 percent as of June. The number of missing people reported in the earlier period, 5,397, has grown even more dramatically, by nearly 350 percent.

No one knows exactly how many of those unidentified bodies were killed in drug-related violence or how many people are missing at the hands of cartels because such a study has never been done, Garcia said.

"There needs to be an investigation in each case, to put a first and last name (on each victim) so that there is no impunity," he said. "The issue here is that there is no effective investigation."

Government efforts to tackle the monumental problem have produced mixed results. Calderon has tried to reform and professionalize the federal police force, which has tripled in manpower to 35,000 officers, but has had little success improving local and state forces. The government proposed creating a national database with information on missing persons that could be accessed by investigators in all 32 states but is still trying to get it up and running.

Crime victim relatives have long complained that requests for help are often ignored and say it's not uncommon for them to be harassed to stop pushing for an investigation.

Unlike Nuevo Leon, the majority of Mexico's 32 states don't even have the technology to do DNA profiles, and few investigators are trained on how to process a crime scene.

In many cases, overwhelmed police have to identify dozens of bodies, dumped in abandoned mine shafts, left in the middle of busy avenues or buried in mass graves.

In Durango state, authorities found five bodies in a clandestine mass grave in mid-July, raising the total of corpses unearthed in the state since April 2011 to 336, said state prosecutor Sonia de la Garza. More than 600 families have turned over DNA samples to state authorities, who have to send them to neighboring Chihuahua state for processing.

Police around Durango initially were using backhoes to dig out bodies from mass graves before investigators intervened because that was destroying evidence.

"The fact that so many bodies remain unidentified tells you about the enormous scale of the violence in some parts of the country where the cartels have fought each other and also ravaged the civilian population in the process," said Andrew Selee, director of the Mexico Institute, a Washington-based think tank.

The widespread corruption among Mexico's police, particularly in small local forces, complicates identifications. As a result, many people with missing relatives don't approach authorities out of fear of being targeted should the officers be in collusion with criminals.

Hernandez said state investigators once told her they were afraid to look into the disappearance of her son, Jesus Everardo Lara Hernandez, because it was a "tough situation."

"They told me to understand them because they, too, had families." Hernandez said.

Hernandez, who has three other children, ages 7 to 14, said she was petrified when her son was taken, but her drive to find him was stronger and she began her own investigation and talked to her son's colleagues.

"It was very difficult because I stopped paying attention to my little ones to be able to look for him," she said. "It has been a horrible five years, but the hope of finding him keeps me strong."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-07-23-Drug%20War-Mexico-Unidentified%20Bodies/id-9119a2a9f2ce484dba038bf3bfaabdcd

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