Pharmaceutical companies: An $84 million marketing effort in the District of Columbia

Public release date: 1-Mar-2013
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Contact: Kathy Fackelmann
kfackelmann@gwu.edu
202-994-8354
George Washington University

12 doctors received more than $100k in 2011, according to new report

Washington, D.C.Drug companies spent nearly $84 million marketing pharmaceuticals in the District of Columbia in 2011, including an outlay of nearly $19 million for gifts given to physicians, hospitals and other health care providers, according to a report by researchers at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS). The report notes that 12 physicians in the District received gifts (including consulting payments) that totaled more than $100,000 apiece that one year alone.

"There is nothing inherently wrong with such gifts," said Susan F. Wood, PhD, lead researcher and an associate professor of health policy and of environmental and occupational health at SPHHS. "However, this report draws attention to the amount being spent on marketing drugs and raises questions about whether some heavily marketed drugs may be prescribed more extensively than is appropriate."

The report fulfills the requirement of a 2004 law in the District of Columbia that requires all pharmaceutical companies to file annual reports describing their prescription-drug marketing activities in the District. The AccessRx Act also requires analysis of these reports to determine how pharmaceutical marketing may affect healthcare services in the District.

In fact, a previous study by Wood and her colleagues showed that drug companies making antipsychotic drugs gave a disproportionate amount of gifts and payments to District psychiatrists who treat Medicaid patients. Close ties between the drug companies and psychiatrists might have led to inappropriate prescribing for Medicaid patients, and particularly for children, according to D.C. Council Member David Catania, who held a hearing on the issue last November.

"Antipsychotics are often prescribed to children who are not in fact psychotic but have behavioral problems," said Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD, a co-author on both reports and an associate professor of pharmacology and physiology at Georgetown University Medical Center. "These powerful drugs also act as sedatives and might lead to less disruptive behavior, but at what cost?" Antipsychotics are also associated with health problems including obesity and Type II diabetes, she said.

The current report doesn't single out specific drugs or name any doctors or other providers but it does give an overview of the money that drug companies spent on marketing their products in the District. The report notes that drug companies spent a total of $83.7 million for advertising, gifts and aggregate expenses in 2011slightly less than 2010. Still, the report found that a small number of companies23 out of 158reported marketing expenditures of more than $1 million apiece. "That is an astonishing amount of money being spent on marketing prescription drugs in the District," said Wood.

The report also found that 22 percent of total marketing expenditures, or $18.9 million, went to "gifts"a category that included grants, speaker's fees and food. Drug companies may treat a select group of doctors to dinner and a sales pitch at a local restaurant, as well as provide delivered meals to medical practices, Wood said.

Hospitals, clinics and other organizations received gifts totaling $9.7 million, and individuals received $9.2 million. Some nurses and pharmacists received gifts in 2011 but most of the pharmaceutical company largesse, nearly 82 percent went to doctors. Most gifts to doctors were described by the drug companies as speaking fees and were paid in the form of cash or checks, the report said.

Other findings of the report include:

• Out of nearly 3,400 physicians in the District who received at least one food gift, 444 received ten or more meals from pharmaceutical companies during 2011 and 33 physicians got 52 or more of these food gifts. This finding suggests some physicians are dining with drug reps on a weekly basis.
• The top ten professional organizations (representing health professionals in a specific specialty or demographic group) received a total of $3.5 million, with half of those gifts valued at $20,000 or more.
• The top ten Disease-Specific Organizations based in the District received $2.1 million in gifts such as cash or checks from drug companies. These organizations often represent and advise patients, and the concern is that large gifts could sway such groups to favor or recommend the company's products, the report said.

The report, which was commissioned by the Department of Health (DOH) in the District of Columbia, notes that under the Affordable Care Act pharmaceutical companies will begin publicly reporting gifts to physicians and teaching hospitals in September 2014. At that time, the authors say that the District could publically release the names of all gift recipients, a step that would allow patients to have information about the financial relationship between drug companies and all of their health care providers.

###

About the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services:

Established in July 1997, the School of Public Health and Health Services brought together three longstanding university programs in the schools of medicine, business, and education and is now the only school of public health in the nation's capital. Today, more than 1,100 students from nearly every U.S. state and more than 40 nations pursue undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral-level degrees in public health. http://sphhs.gwu.edu/

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Public release date: 1-Mar-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Kathy Fackelmann
kfackelmann@gwu.edu
202-994-8354
George Washington University

12 doctors received more than $100k in 2011, according to new report

Washington, D.C.Drug companies spent nearly $84 million marketing pharmaceuticals in the District of Columbia in 2011, including an outlay of nearly $19 million for gifts given to physicians, hospitals and other health care providers, according to a report by researchers at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS). The report notes that 12 physicians in the District received gifts (including consulting payments) that totaled more than $100,000 apiece that one year alone.

"There is nothing inherently wrong with such gifts," said Susan F. Wood, PhD, lead researcher and an associate professor of health policy and of environmental and occupational health at SPHHS. "However, this report draws attention to the amount being spent on marketing drugs and raises questions about whether some heavily marketed drugs may be prescribed more extensively than is appropriate."

The report fulfills the requirement of a 2004 law in the District of Columbia that requires all pharmaceutical companies to file annual reports describing their prescription-drug marketing activities in the District. The AccessRx Act also requires analysis of these reports to determine how pharmaceutical marketing may affect healthcare services in the District.

In fact, a previous study by Wood and her colleagues showed that drug companies making antipsychotic drugs gave a disproportionate amount of gifts and payments to District psychiatrists who treat Medicaid patients. Close ties between the drug companies and psychiatrists might have led to inappropriate prescribing for Medicaid patients, and particularly for children, according to D.C. Council Member David Catania, who held a hearing on the issue last November.

"Antipsychotics are often prescribed to children who are not in fact psychotic but have behavioral problems," said Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD, a co-author on both reports and an associate professor of pharmacology and physiology at Georgetown University Medical Center. "These powerful drugs also act as sedatives and might lead to less disruptive behavior, but at what cost?" Antipsychotics are also associated with health problems including obesity and Type II diabetes, she said.

The current report doesn't single out specific drugs or name any doctors or other providers but it does give an overview of the money that drug companies spent on marketing their products in the District. The report notes that drug companies spent a total of $83.7 million for advertising, gifts and aggregate expenses in 2011slightly less than 2010. Still, the report found that a small number of companies23 out of 158reported marketing expenditures of more than $1 million apiece. "That is an astonishing amount of money being spent on marketing prescription drugs in the District," said Wood.

The report also found that 22 percent of total marketing expenditures, or $18.9 million, went to "gifts"a category that included grants, speaker's fees and food. Drug companies may treat a select group of doctors to dinner and a sales pitch at a local restaurant, as well as provide delivered meals to medical practices, Wood said.

Hospitals, clinics and other organizations received gifts totaling $9.7 million, and individuals received $9.2 million. Some nurses and pharmacists received gifts in 2011 but most of the pharmaceutical company largesse, nearly 82 percent went to doctors. Most gifts to doctors were described by the drug companies as speaking fees and were paid in the form of cash or checks, the report said.

Other findings of the report include:

• Out of nearly 3,400 physicians in the District who received at least one food gift, 444 received ten or more meals from pharmaceutical companies during 2011 and 33 physicians got 52 or more of these food gifts. This finding suggests some physicians are dining with drug reps on a weekly basis.
• The top ten professional organizations (representing health professionals in a specific specialty or demographic group) received a total of $3.5 million, with half of those gifts valued at $20,000 or more.
• The top ten Disease-Specific Organizations based in the District received $2.1 million in gifts such as cash or checks from drug companies. These organizations often represent and advise patients, and the concern is that large gifts could sway such groups to favor or recommend the company's products, the report said.

The report, which was commissioned by the Department of Health (DOH) in the District of Columbia, notes that under the Affordable Care Act pharmaceutical companies will begin publicly reporting gifts to physicians and teaching hospitals in September 2014. At that time, the authors say that the District could publically release the names of all gift recipients, a step that would allow patients to have information about the financial relationship between drug companies and all of their health care providers.

###

About the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services:

Established in July 1997, the School of Public Health and Health Services brought together three longstanding university programs in the schools of medicine, business, and education and is now the only school of public health in the nation's capital. Today, more than 1,100 students from nearly every U.S. state and more than 40 nations pursue undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral-level degrees in public health. http://sphhs.gwu.edu/

---

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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/2013-03/gwu-pca022713.php

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This Emergency Bear Will Provide More Than Comfort in a Natural Disaster

The second anniversary of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami is quickly approaching, and the country—public and private sectors alike—is doing everything it can to be prepared for the next disaster. Simply being prepared for the worst is vitally important, and, while stuffed animals are often handed out as a way to comfort children, this particular bear—chock full of emergency supplies—is far more useful. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/dn6SsFHS6JA/this-emergency-bear-will-provide-more-than-comfort-in-a-natural-disaster

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Pundits Are Terrible: 5 False Assumptions They Make All the Time (Atlantic Politics Channel)

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GOP's Pat Anderson: I support gay marriage; Republicans should, too (Star Tribune)

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White House will soon revive cybersecurity legislation push

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A senior adviser to President Barack Obama said the White House will soon renew efforts to push cybersecurity legislation through Congress, though he foresaw an uphill battle given the failure of the last attempt.

Daniel said the White House has begun drafting "key legislative principles" for a new bill that it believes can pass both the House and Senate this time.

"We very much want a bill," White House cybersecurity coordinator Michael Daniel told Reuters while in San Francisco to meet industry experts and business leaders at a security conference. But he added: "I don't want to leave anybody with an impression that we underestimate the challenges."

"We will do our best to work with Congress," he added. "You will see that develop over the next couple of weeks to months," he said.

Cybersecurity legislation backed by the Obama administration died in the Senate in November amid fierce opposition from businesses that complained about over-regulation.

That bill would have increased information-sharing between intelligence agencies and private companies, with some privacy protections. It also would have set voluntary standards for businesses that control electric grids, water treatment plants and other essential facilities.

In the absence of overarching legislation, the Obama administration will pursue other means to improve cybersecurity, he said. Those included implementing an executive order the president signed this month that seeks to better protect critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks.

The order directs federal authorities to improve information-sharing on cyber-threats - including some that may be classified - with companies that provide or support critical infrastructure.

"It would be a mistake to assume you can't make any progress in the absence of legislation," he said.

The principles that the White House will support in new legislation include requiring that a civilian agency must be in charge of information-sharing, Daniel said.

Last year's Senate plan likewise would have put the Department of Homeland Security squarely in charge, though it could turn to the military's National Security Agency for assistance.

(Additional reporting by Joseph Menn and Deborah Charles; Editing by Eric Walsh)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/white-house-soon-revive-cybersecurity-legislation-push-011024890.html

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Gorgeous weather brings blooming beauties

Posted: 7:55 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, 2013

By Evan Borders - KTVU.com

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. ?

The weather in February recently has been beneficial to Tulips, as is evident at the bountiful bunch that are blooming in San Francisco at Pier 39's annual 'Tulipmania'.

The pier has been importing bulbs from Holland for years now and puts on walking tours for guests. They were planted this year in November and December since they thrive in temperate climates and need a period of cool dormancy to bloom.

Even though the pier ended their ?Tulipmania? walking tours on Feb. 24^th, they are still expected to be in bloom for about two or three weeks.

Pier 39 is located at 2 Beach Street in San Francisco. For more information, go to pier39.com.

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Source: http://www.ktvu.com/news/entertainment/gorgeous-weather-brings-blooming-beauties/nWZWn/

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Biden: Washington frozen by partisanship

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Vice President Joe Biden says Washington is frozen by intense partisanship ? but he's hoping it's just temporary.

Biden told governors gathered at the White House for an annual meeting Monday that they're more disciplined than Congress. He chided Washington lawmakers, asserting that they are preventing a solution to the automatic spending cuts set to kick in on March 1.

Biden says Democratic and Republican governors alike ask him how he can deal with gridlock in Congress. He says people may disagree on solutions, but everyone agrees the so-called sequester should be addressed.

The White House has warned the $85 billion budget mechanism could affect everything from commercial flights to classrooms to meat inspections. They would slash domestic and defense spending, leading to furloughs for hundreds of thousands of workers.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-02-25-US-Budget-Battle-Biden/id-39f199e57b704491987e4aebcddb881b

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Samsung's Galaxy S IV: Everything we know so far

Circle your calendars for March 14, Android fans

The Galaxy S III is the best-selling Android smartphone ever. So it was awfully big news on Monday when Samsung announced a special press event on March 14 to announce what's probably going to be the Galaxy S IV. Will the new Galaxy tout an even bigger screen? Will nifty new hardware upgrades lead to the iPhone 5's obsolescence? (Kidding.) Here's everything we know about Samsung's next flagship phone:

1. It'll be announced in the U.S. first
Last year, Samsung announced the Galaxy S III in London, but this time, the company's pulling the curtains off in New York City as confirmed at the Mobile World Congress tech show in Barcelona, Spain. Then the company sent this tweet:

March 14. Ready 4 the show? #UNPACKED twitter.com/SamsungMobile/?

SEE MORE: Michelle Obama: Does the first lady belong at the Oscars?

? Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) February 25, 2013

Why New York??"We introduced the Galaxy S III in London last year, and this time we changed the venue (to New York) ... as we were bombarded with requests from U.S. mobile carriers to unveil the Galaxy S IV in the country," said J.K. Shin, the head of Samsung Mobile.

2. Its screen probably won't be "unbreakable"
Before the Consumer Electronics Show, a few tech blogs reported that the S IV would be the first handset to use flexible AMOLED screens ? a really tough, malleable material that makes a display virtually?crack-proof. Unfortunately, it looks like that's no longer the case, and the screen will be similar to the ones we're used to. "Flexible screens are still a while off," one source told The Verge.?So what will its next-gen display look like? It's expected to have a higher resolution, at?1080p. And according to some sources, it may even see a slight size bump to 4.99 inches.

SEE MORE: How much will the sequester hurt?

3. It might have a swanky new camera
The S IV will reportedly use Samsung's new Orb technology, which allows users to better capture 360-degree snapshots. Essentially, the camera will automatically compress big, landscape photographs for an easier time uploading to sites like Facebook. A few days ago, unnamed users apparently testing the S IV's cameras uploaded some photos to Google+. (The shots have since been deleted.)?EXIF data revealed large pixel resolutions at 4128 x 2322 (9.6 megapixels), which, based on its 16:9 aspect ratio, seems to suggest that the Galaxy S IV will be a 13-megapixel shooter.

4. It'll be pretty fast
Here's a quick rundown of the purported specs, according to a leaked spec sheet:
? Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
? 1.9GHz Qualcom Snapdragon 600 processor
? 2GB RAM
? 16/32/64GB storage options
? Removable SD card slot (up to 64GB)
? 13MP rear-facing camera
? 4G LTE support
? Multi-purpose / Dedicated camera button
? Bluetooth 5.0
? 3100 mAh battery

SEE MORE: The 85th annual Academy Awards: Watch the 7 most memorable moments

5. It might have touch-less touch
The Galaxy Note II has a new feature called Air View that allowed users to begin new actions by hovering over something with their S Pen stylus. Here's what it looks like:

SEE MORE: Today in business: 5 things you need to know

According to a few tech blogs, the S IV is rumored to employ similar technology for a "floating" touch feature, which would introduce a new dimension to all the typical pinches and swipes. ?

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/samsungs-galaxy-iv-everything-know-far-161000544.html

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Macy's CEO to testify in fight over Martha Stewart

NEW YORK (AP) ? Macy's Chairman, President and CEO Terry Lundgren is scheduled to testify in New York State Supreme Court on Monday in a trial that pits the department store chain against rival J.C. Penney Co. over a partnership with home diva Martha Stewart.

The trial focuses on whether Macy's has the exclusive right to sell Martha Stewart-branded products in such categories as cookware, bedding and bath.

Other key witnesses expected to take the stand this week include Martha Stewart and Penney's CEO Ron Johnson.

Macy's has argued in court documents that Martha Stewart Living breached a long-standing contract when it penned a deal with J.C. Penney in December 2011 to open Martha Stewart mini shops in most Penney stores beginning this spring.

Macy's renewed its 2006 pact in January 2012 but then sued Martha Stewart Living almost immediately, saying that it had exclusive rights on certain of its products until 2018. Macy's says it has invested heavily in the name and built the brand into the No. 1 business in the company's home area. In a separate suit, Macy's sued Penney, saying that it had no regard for Macy's agreement when Johnson "set out to steal the Martha Stewart home business away from Macy's."

The two suits were consolidated for the bench trial, over which Supreme State Court Judge Jeffrey Oing is presiding. The trial started last Wednesday and is expected to last for nearly three weeks,

Macy's lawyers outlined in documents that it later found that Penney "knowingly and purposely demanded and received confidential information" from Martha Stewart Living about the contract of Macy's and crafted a deal that was more lucrative than the Macy's agreement.

Penney has seized on what it considers a loophole in the agreement with Macy's. It's a provision that allows Martha Stewart to sell goods in categories like bedding in Martha Stewart Living stores. And because, according to Martha Stewart, the Macy's agreement doesn't say that goods under dispute can be sold only in "stand-alone" Martha Stewart stores, the mini shops in J.C. Penney stores do not fall under the exclusivity clause. Macy's disagrees.

Macy's, based in Cincinnati, has claimed in court documents substantial damages and said the maneuver by J.C. Penney "threatens to inflict incalculable further harm on Macy's. Billions of dollars of sales are involved." Macy's is also trying to stop Martha Stewart from providing designs to J.C. Penney even if it gets rid of the Martha Stewart moniker.

Last summer, Macy's won a preliminary injunction against Martha Stewart Living that would prevent it from selling housewares and other exclusive products at J.C. Penney. Judge Oing did grant Penney permission to open Martha Stewart shops, as long as the items under the exclusive contract with Macy's are not sold in them.

J.C. Penney plans to open shops featuring designs from Martha Stewart on May 1, but Daphne Avila, a Penney spokeswoman, said that the products which include bedding and cookware have been stripped of the home maven's moniker and instead feature the label JCP Everyday.

According to a memo filed by J.C. Penney, Macy's rights to Martha Stewart aren't nearly as sweeping as it suggests. Under Macy's interpretation of the contract, according to J.C. Penney, Martha Stewart Living is "little more than an in-house designer for Macy's."

In court documents, Martha Stewart Living said it will prove that it was Macy's Inc. that breached the contract because it didn't "use commercially reasonable efforts to maximize net sales of Martha Stewart Collection products."

The stakes are high for both retailers as well as for Martha Stewart.

Martha Stewart Living is trying to fatten merchandising revenue as it struggles to offset declines in its broadcast and publishing business, a segment that accounts for more than 60 percent of its total business. And the deal with Martha Stewart is part of J.C. Penney's plan to reinvent the struggling department store under Johnson, who became CEO of the Plano, Texas, company in November 2011 after helping to create the look and feel Apple Inc.'s iconic stores.

Penney has struggled with mounting losses and sharp sales declines since early last year after shoppers were turned off by a new strategy that eliminated most sales in favor of lower prices every day.

J.C. Penney began adding shops featuring new hip brands last year and plans to overhaul the home department this spring with new names like Jonathan Adler and Michael Graves.

Martha Stewart, however, is at the center of the retailer's home products revamp.

As for Macy's, having another major department store sell Martha Stewart towels, pots and other merchandise could dilute its business.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2013-02-25-Macy's-Penney-Trial/id-ca113b46282043fcab7aab37c2661ba6

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Oscar Pistorius Brother Faces Murder Trial (Voice Of America)

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Pope Benedict assures faithful he?s not abandoning church

Pope Benedict XVI gave his pontificate?s final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter?s Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn?t abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer.

The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to lead the world?s 1.2 billion Catholics.

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But while he has lately looked tired and frail, the crowd filling the cobblestone square seemed to energize him, and he spoke in a clear, strong voice, repeatedly thanking the faithful for their closeness and affection as they interrupted him, again and again, with applause and cheers. Police estimated some 100,000 people turned out.

Benedict told the crowd that God is calling him to dedicate himself ?even more to prayer and meditation,? which he will do in a secluded monastery being renovated for him on the grounds behind Vatican City?s ancient walls.

?But this doesn?t mean abandoning the church,? he said, as many in the crowd looked sad at his departure from regular view. ?On the contrary, if God asks me, this is because I can continue to serve it [the church] with the same dedication and the same love which I have tried to do so until now, but in a way more suitable to my age and to my strength.?

The phrase ?tried to? was the pope?s adlibbed addition to his prepared text.

Benedict has one more public appearance, a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter?s Square.

Benedict smiled at the crowd after an aide parted the white curtain at his window, telling the people, ?thank you for your affection.?

Heavy rain had been forecast for Rome, and some drizzle dampened the square earlier in the morning. But when Benedict appeared, to the peal of church bells as the clock struck noon, blue sky crept through the clouds.

?We thank God for the sun he has given us,? the pope said, sounding cheerful.

As cheers continued in the crowd, the pontiff simply turned away from the window and stepped back down into apartment, which he will leave on Thursday, taking a helicopter to the Vatican summer residence in the hills outside Rome while he waits for the monastery to be ready.

A child in the crowd held up a sign on a yellow placard, written in Italian, ?You are not alone, I?m with you.? Other admirers held homemade signs, saying ?Grazie.?

No date has yet been set for the start of the conclave of cardinals, who will vote in secret to elect Benedict?s successor.

One Italian in the crowd seemed to be doing a little campaigning, hoisting a sign which mentioned the name of two Italian cardinals considered by observers to be potential contenders in the selection of the next pontiff.

Flags in the crowd represented many nations, with a large number from Brazil.

The cardinals in the conclave will have to decide whether it?s time to look outside of Europe for a pope.

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/pope-benedict-assures-faithful-hes-not-abandoning-church/article9008681/?cmpid=rss1

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Pope's last blessing from window draws crowd

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Archbishop Georg Gaenswein closes the window of Pope Benedict XVI's studio overlooking St. Peter's Square from where the pontiff delivered his last Angelus noon prayer, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer. The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

A large sign with writing in German reading "Danke!!!" (Thank you) is displayed in front of faithful prior to Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus noon prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. The last chance for a Sunday blessing from Pope Benedict XVI from his studio window is drawing a crowd to St. Peter's Square. Benedict, 85, steps down on Thursday, the first pontiff to resign in 600 years. He'll hold his last public audience in the square on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Nuns pray prior to Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus noon prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. The last chance for a Sunday blessing from Pope Benedict XVI from his studio window is drawing a crowd to St. Peter's Square. Benedict, 85, steps down on Thursday, the first pontiff to resign in 600 years. He'll hold his last public audience in the square on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

VATICAN CITY (AP) ? Pope Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer.

The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.

But while he has lately looked tired and frail, the crowd filling the cobblestone square seemed to energize him, and he spoke in a clear, strong voice, repeatedly thanking the faithful for their closeness and affection as they interrupted him, again and again, with applause and cheers. Police estimated some 100,000 people turned out.

Benedict told the crowd that God is calling him to dedicate himself "even more to prayer and meditation," which he will do in a secluded monastery being renovated for him on the grounds behind Vatican City's ancient walls.

"But this doesn't mean abandoning the church," he said, as many in the crowd looked sad at his departure from regular view. "On the contrary, if God asks me, this is because I can continue to serve it (the church) with the same dedication and the same love which I have tried to do so until now, but in a way more suitable to my age and to my strength."

The phrase "tried to" was the pope's adlibbed addition to his prepared text.

Benedict has one more public appearance, a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Benedict smiled at the crowd after an aide parted the white curtain at his window, telling the people, "thank you for your affection."

Heavy rain had been forecast for Rome, and some drizzle dampened the square earlier in the morning. But when Benedict appeared, to the peal of church bells as the clock struck noon, blue sky crept through the clouds.

"We thank God for the sun he has given us," the pope said, sounding cheerful.

As cheers continued in the crowd, the pontiff simply turned away from the window and stepped back down into apartment, which he will leave on Thursday, taking a helicopter to the Vatican summer residence in the hills outside Rome while he waits for the monastery to be ready.

A child in the crowd held up a sign on a yellow placard, written in Italian, "You are not alone, I'm with you." Other admirers held homemade signs, saying "Grazie."

No date has yet been set for the start of the conclave of cardinals, who will vote in secret to elect Benedict's successor.

One Italian in the crowd seemed to be doing a little campaigning, hoisting a sign which mentioned the name of two Italian cardinals considered by observers to be potential contenders in the selection of the next pontiff.

Flags in the crowd represented many nations, with a large number from Brazil.

The cardinals in the conclave will have to decide whether it's time to look outside of Europe for a pope.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-02-24-Vatican-Pope/id-7df4fec004ef4ee5870bcb2847077c19

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Calgary Web Design and Small Business Marketing Opportunities ...

A Calgary web design company must have the expertise to advertise your corporation or business by means of a digital description, available for every one to view. A website is not to be mishandled, or it can be looked at as an inaccurate depiction of your company and its high principles! A web site is the only true representative available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, and all around the globe where internet access is obtainable. If you do not have an intelligent image and an accurate company representation on your website, it is time to look into change. A good web site is not rushed, it is not thrown together for the sake of having a digital impression, and it is handled with carefulness and designed in a company's best interest, but that is not all that a Calgary web design company can do. Online marketing and Search Engine Optimization services are quite similar in nature to that of the chicken and egg mentality. Calgary web design organizations will have private opinions, but having a strong site can only be accented by SEO services, and SEO services are only effective if the website can lock down user attention in order to advertise the web pages goal. This piece of writing will explain the benefits of utilizing a Calgary web design corporation or business, and how the calgary web design company can aid to meet your small businesses marketing needs.

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How do you search the online world? Are you using the Computer, Tablet or mobile phone? A Calgary web design company can put your small company in touch with all these devices, and believe it when you read it, this is totally essential. Calgary web design gives you a chance to get at the forefront of your small businesses competition and become 100% fluid on all devices. Calgary Online Marketing

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Source: http://crew.valkry.com/blog/82537/calgary-web-design-and-small-business-marketing-opportunities/

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The European Union (EU) wants an independent investigation and evaluation into t...

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Researchers 'nanoweld' by applying light to aligned nanorods in solid materials

Friday, February 22, 2013

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a way to melt or "weld" specific portions of polymers by embedding aligned nanoparticles within the materials. Their technique, which melts fibers along a chosen direction within a material, may lead to stronger, more resilient nanofibers and materials.

Physicists Jason Bochinski and Laura Clarke, with materials scientist Joe Tracy, placed specifically aligned gold nanorods within a solid material. Gold nanorods absorb light at different wavelengths, depending upon the size and orientation of the nanorod, and then they convert that absorbed light directly into heat. In this case, the nanorods were designed to respond to light wavelengths of 520 nanometers (nm) in a horizontal alignment and 800 nm when vertically aligned. Human beings can see light at 520 nm (it looks green), while 808 nm is in the near infrared spectrum, invisible to our eyes.

When the different wavelengths of light were applied to the material, they melted the fibers along the chosen directions, while leaving surrounding fibers largely intact.

"Being able to heat materials spatially in this way gives us the ability to manipulate very specific portions of these materials, because nanorods localize heat ? that is, the heat they produce only affects the nanorod and its immediate surroundings," Tracy says.

According to Bochinski, the work also has implications for optimizing materials that have already been manufactured: "We can use heat at the nanoscale to change mechanical characteristics of objects postproduction without affecting their physical properties, which means more efficiency and less waste."

The researchers' findings appear in Particle & Particle Systems Characterization. The work was funded by grants from the National Science Foundation and Sigma Xi. Graduate students Wei-Chen Wu and Somsubhra Maity and former undergraduate student Krystian Kozek contributed to the work.

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North Carolina State University: http://www.ncsu.edu

Thanks to North Carolina State University 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/126975/Researchers__nanoweld__by_applying_light_to_aligned_nanorods_in_solid_materials

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Glasgow University students vote no in mock Scottish referendum ballot

A MOCK referendum by university students has found almost two thirds against an independent Scotland.

Organisers of the Glasgow University poll said 63 per cent voted No when asked the question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

The remaining 37 per cent voted in favour of independence.

The university's Dialectic Society, which ran the mock vote, said 2,589 students voted, with eight spoiled ballots.

Polling took place throughout the day at three university sites.

The result was announced following a debate at the student union with Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins and Labour MSP Jackie Baillie.

Mr Jenkins said: "The students who worked hard for a Yes vote fought a very positive, optimistic and efficient campaign.

"While I am disappointed for them, we have to remember that some 2,500 out of 20,000 students actually cast votes and this undoubtedly reflects the fact that a large section of the student and general population has yet to make up their minds.

"We have made considerable progress in recent polls and we will continue to work tirelessly to convince people, including our students and younger citizens who have the biggest stake in securing a better future, that we have nothing to fear and everything to gain from being a normal, independent country."

Carys Hughes, a representative of the Glasgow University Better Together campaign, said: "Our campaign was led by the students and wasn't consumed by party politics.

"We talked about the issues. The other side seemed to think that having (Deputy First Minister) Nicola Sturgeon on the campus for a whole day would win them the day.

"I think the opposite happened. It was because they did this, because they took the campaign away from the students, that they lost."

Duncan Crowe, who is on a law conversion course at the university, voted yes.

The 27-year-old from Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, said: "At the moment the debate is pretty balanced.

"Voting maybe wasn't an option so I thought I'd vote the way that would be most efficacious for furthering the discourse."

Catriona Boyd, 21, from Peebles voted against independence.

The law student said: "My vote could change, it is still really early.

"I think we do well being part of the UK, but I'm going to put in some research before the vote next year.

"It's such a big decision."

During the debate Ms Baillie faced booing and shouting from some of the around 300 students packed into the gallery of the debating chamber, while Mr Jenkins received several rounds of applause and cheering as he spoke.

Mr Jenkins told the students that the vote constituted a "fantastic opportunity" for the younger generation and that the best future for Scotland was as an independent country.

"This is an opportunity to think about what kind of country we could be and should be," he said.

Heather Whiteside, 20, from Glasgow and student Michael Gray who organised the ballot.

HEMEDIA / SWNS Group

In her speech Ms Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, spoke out against the SNP, telling the audience the party had no consistent economic policy.

A man in the gallery shouted: "It's not about the SNP, it's about independence."

When the politician went on to list the achievements of Scotland as part of the union, others in the gallery shouted "Iraq" and "Afghanistan".

Also taking part in the debate were independent MSP Jean Urquhart, who underlined the importance of discussing a national constitution for Scotland in the run-up to the 2014 vote.

She said: "If people in this country are to have a say politically and change Scotland for the better, then I'd be voting yes."

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Labour MP William Bain and journalist Lesley Riddoch also gave their views in the debate.

Speaking after the results, Ms Baillie said: "The Glasgow University students have spoken quite emphatically and said that yes they prefer a strong Scotland, but one that is firmly within the United Kingdom.

"I think tonight's result is actually mirrored in most communities across Scotland."

She said of the heckling: "I am used to being shouted down in parliament by the SNP.

"Perhaps Holyrood is slightly more sedate than this evening but I have to say that I loved every minute of it."

Liberal Democrat MP Charles Kennedy, who is rector of the university, said: "First and foremost, the real winners today are the democratic process itself and the historic reputation of the University of Glasgow in the lineage of the national debate down the generations.

"So my congratulations to the student bodies who showed such a lead here - and to the 2,500 students who voted.

"The real lesson is the extent to which students wanted to hear more of the detail and the arguments involved. Both sides need to campaign positively."

Source: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/glasgow-university-students-vote-no-1724233

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