Monthly Archives: August 2012

Tropical Storm Ernesto Nearing Windward Islands

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Tropical Storm Ernesto churned over open waters early Saturday on a path toward Jamaica and Mexico after dumping heavy rain on islands in the eastern Caribbean.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Ernesto was expected to approach Jamaica on Sunday and strengthen into a hurricane on Monday on a route that would take it to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula by mid-week.

AP

On Friday, Dominica closed its international airport for a second day, while St. Lucia ordered businesses to close for half the day as Ernesto swept through the area. A ferry that travels to Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique and St. Lucia also temporarily suspended service.

No damage or flooding was reported on islands affected by the storm. Gusts of up to 50 mph (85 kph) were reported in some areas.

The hurricane center said Ernesto was about 795 miles (1,280 kilometers) east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, late Friday and was moving westward at 18 mph (30 kph).

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Tropical Storm Ernesto Nearing Windward Islands

London 2012 Olympics: Faroe Islands swimmer Pal Joensen 'flops horribly' but still revered as country's greatest

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It was a sad experience, he told Danish reporters afterwards. It felt really good the first 500 metres, I had to hold close to Sun Yang [the current world champion] in his waves, but then I could just not keep up anymore.

The others withdrew from me really quickly, I could not keep up, and both technique and strength did not work and then there was not much more I could do.

This week, Joensen has had a TV crew and two radio stations following his every move at the Aquatics Centre. There has, though, been a stumbling block for the small media circus. As they are not IOC accredited, theyve had to wait for coach and swimmer to sneak out of the venue so that interviews can be catered for.

Considering the Faroe Islands' penchant for losing European football encounters by a country mile, Joensen is naturally revered in his country. Despite his failure here, he still will be on his return.

Things are looking good and we havent prepared for anything other than this, so it better work out, Joensens coach and trainer, Jon Bjarnason, told The Telegraph before the 1500m heats.

When a Faroes' sportsman of the year award was inaugurated a few years ago, public popularity saw him win it three years in a row. But organisers soon spoilt the party and scrapped the award. Comically, a footballer of the year award was instilled in its place.

Joensen trains in a 25m pool at his local club Suuroyar Svimjifelag in Vgur. So how come Joensen is in a position to race for a medal at these Games when he trains in the smallest pool to compete at the sports longest event?

People always say that, said Bjarnason. We had 14 days of long course training before Shanghai and Pal came fourth. So it can be done.

Bjarnason is referring to his fourth place at the World Championships in China last year. It was a breakthrough swim and he narrowly missed out on a medal despite being third with only 100m left. No one was expecting it and the commentators had no idea who he was, Bjarnason, 42, adds.

You have to have certain physical attributes at this level. His buoyancy (ability to float on the water), mental strength and muscle fibre combination is essential.

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London 2012 Olympics: Faroe Islands swimmer Pal Joensen 'flops horribly' but still revered as country's greatest

Ernesto targets Barbados, Windward Islands

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Published: Aug. 3, 2012 at 9:38 PM

MIAMI, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Watches and warnings were lifted in Caribbean nations Friday as Tropical Storm Ernesto churned away from land, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

Ernesto, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, was about 210 miles west of St. Lucia and about 340 miles south-southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, traveling west at 21 mph, the center said in its 5 p.m. EDT advisory.

All tropical storm warnings and watches were discontinued.

Ernesto was expected to stay on its westerly path for the next few days with a gradual decrease in forward speed, the center said.

On its projected track, Ernesto's center will move across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea during the next 48 hours.

Between 2-3 inches of rain could fall across the Windward Islands through the day, with isolated amounts of up to 5 inches of rain.

Large waves generated by Ernesto will affect the islands and gradually subside, the center said.

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Ernesto targets Barbados, Windward Islands

Tropical Storm Ernesto threatens Windward Islands

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MIAMI (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Ernesto formed in the Atlantic Ocean near the Windward Islands on Thursday and could strengthen into a hurricane as it races westward across the Caribbean Sea, forecasters said. The storm was expected to hit the southern Windward Islands and cross into the Caribbean early on Friday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Island governments issued storm warnings ...

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Tropical Storm Ernesto threatens Windward Islands

Body Tremors Have A Genetic Cause

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Editor's Choice Main Category: Genetics Also Included In: Neurology / Neuroscience Article Date: 03 Aug 2012 - 15:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Body Tremors Have A Genetic Cause

5 (1 votes)

Researchers and clinicians have investigated for years as to why this shaking occurs, but have so far remained unsuccessful. Even though scientists know that the problem is related to parts of the brain that control certain muscles, they have been unable to identify the exact cause for this malfunction in the nervous system of those affected by ET. Strong evidence of years of research suggested that the disease is due to genetics but until now researchers have been unable to identify the actual genetic link.

The fact that mutations in a gene called FUS (Fused in Sarcoma) cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a nerve cell disease in the brain and spinal cord that controls voluntary muscle movement, is already known amongst scientists. However, the new study was able to successfully identify mutations that cause ET in FUS, and also managed to provide evidence that the disease mechanisms for ET and ALS FUS mutations are different.

Leading author Dr. Nancy Merner, explained:

Her clinical focus is shared by her other team members. Dr. Guy Rouleau declared:

Dr. Patrick Dion, another key researcher on this project, added: "There is currently a lack of consensus on the diagnostic criteria of ET thus a genetic diagnosis can be beneficial, especially for familial cases. Transitioning to a genetic diagnosis would cut down on ET misdiagnosis."

37-50% of individual cases are misdiagnosed.

Affected individuals usually feel embarrassed or annoyed at the tremors that impact their everyday tasks like eating, writing, working, or drinking as these tremors most often affect the hands and make it difficult for those affected to hold or use small objects.

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Body Tremors Have A Genetic Cause

GOP Lawmaker Compares Free Contraception to 9/11, Pearl Harbor Attacks – Video

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02-08-2012 13:40 Watch: Follow Rep. Tim Huelskamp, a Kansas Republican, claimed the measure reintroduced "anti-Catholic bigotry" to American life. Though churches and houses of worship are exempt from the mandate, 24 lawsuits have been filed against it, and it remains one of the most contentious aspects of President Obama's Affordable Health Care Act. Calling the contraception mandate an act of war on America may win support from religious conservatives, but GOP men may also be opening another can of worms.... accusations they are waging a war on women.

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GOP Lawmaker Compares Free Contraception to 9/11, Pearl Harbor Attacks - Video

Letter: Health care law has benefits

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Future uncertain for St. Mary’s Hospital after deal falls through

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The anticipated takeover of Passaic Countys three hospitals by the nations first for-profit Catholic health care system fell apart on Friday after the board of trustees representing two of the hospitals rejected a proposal from Ascension Health Care Network.

The vote by St. Josephs Healthcare Systems board, which controls hospitals in Paterson and Wayne, also derailed the sale of St. Marys Hospital in Passaic, raising questions about the future of the sole hospital serving a city of 70,000. Although St. Marys had previously approved its sale, Ascension did not want the Passaic hospital without the Paterson hospital.

The surprising developments, after months of negotiations, left officials in Passaic scrambling and some hoping that St. Josephs board would reconsider its decision.

The finances at St. Marys are precarious, with less than a weeks cash on hand, according to several sources. The hospital emerged from bankruptcy just two years ago, and received $9.5 million in state aid this year. One-third of its patients have no insurance or are underinsured.

State health officials will meet with St. Marys soon to discuss their options as they work to address the health care needs of their community, according to a statement from Dawn Thomas, a spokeswoman for the department.

Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer, a Democrat representing the city of Passaic, who is also its City Council president, said he was concentrating on getting this deal done, and hoped the St. Josephs board would reconsider its unfortunate decision.

I do believe its to St. Josephs benefit, as it is to St. Marys benefit to recognize the advantages of partnership under the Ascension banner, he said. This will be better for everyone. In the long term, this is a necessary step.

Ascension had hoped to create a network of seven for-profit Catholic hospitals in New Jersey, and planned to start with St. Josephs Regional Medical Center in Paterson, St. Josephs Wayne Hospital and St. Marys. It had promised in its presentations to the boards at St. Marys and St. Josephs to pay off the bonds of both institutions, totaling more than $278 million. It had also pledged to fully fund their underfunded pension liabilities and invest hundreds of millions of dollars in their physical plants, sources said.

Tax revenue

The change to for-profit status would have brought millions in new tax revenues to Paterson, Passaic and Wayne, as well as the Passaic County government.

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Future uncertain for St. Mary’s Hospital after deal falls through

Three Extendicare Health Centers Earn National Recognition for Providing High Quality Care in 2012

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN--(Marketwire -08/03/12)- Announced today, Extendicare Health Services, Inc. received three 2012 American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living's (AHCA/NCAL) Silver - Achievement in Quality, National Quality Awards in recognition of outstanding performance in the health care profession. The three health centers awarded this recognition include Tendercare Mt. Pleasant Health and Rehab Center in Mt. Pleasant, MI, Cedar Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cedarburg, WI and Medco Center of Hardinsburg in Hardinsburg, KY. These centers are three of only 52 centers to receive this prestigious award this year, joining the only 232 across the nation to have been awarded this achievement since the program's inception.

"This award is a benchmark of distinction in the journey to providing high quality care," said Governor Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. "The long term and post-acute care community applauds these three centers and Extendicare on this great achievement."

The AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards - comprised of three levels, Bronze - Commitment to Quality award; a more rigorous Silver - Achievement in Quality award; and a comprehensive Gold - Excellence in Quality award - are an independently judged, criteria-based, award program considered to be the most prestigious recognition of quality within the long-term and post-acute care profession. This Silver - Achievement in Quality award highlights select centers across the nation that serve as models of excellence for providing high-quality care. Applicants for the award must first receive the Bronze award to become eligible and must demonstrate a level of quality achievement through good performance outcomes that have evolved from the center's ability to embrace the core values and concepts of visionary leadership, a focus on the future, and resident-focused excellence.

"Receiving this award is evidence of the staff commitment and successful leadership at Tendercare Mt. Pleasant, Cedar Springs and Hardinsburg and their ability to apply rigorous standards to operations and service," says Chick Stepahin, Chair, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers. "These three centers have been consistent in their performance and dedication to providing high-quality care."

"Extendicare centers across the country are focused on providing high-quality, person-centered care for every person they serve and I attribute the success of these three health centers to their strong leadership team and innovative approach to care. We are very proud of this accomplishment and thank the entire team for their dedication," said Tim Lukenda, Chairman and CEO of Extendicare Health Services, Inc.

A team of trained Examiners reviews each Quality Award application and determines recipients based on a set of rigorous criteria. As recipients of the Silver - Achievement in Quality award, Tendercare Mt. Pleasant, Cedar Springs and Hardinsburg may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the criteria required for the Gold - Excellence in Quality award, which requires them to address the Baldrige Program's Health Care Criteria in its entirety. These three centers will be presented with their awards during AHCA/NCAL's 63rd Annual Convention and Exposition, October 7-10, 2012 in Tampa, FL.

Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and is designed to support both continuous quality improvement efforts in long-term care by promoting quality awareness and education and recognizing quality achievements.

About Extendicare

Extendicare Health Services, Inc. located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Extendicare Inc., or Extendicare, (TSX symbol "EXE"). Extendicare is a leading North American provider of long-term and short-term senior care services through its network of owned and operated health care centers. We employ 36,100 qualified and experienced individuals dedicated to helping people live better through a commitment to quality service that includes post-acute care, rehabilitative therapies and home health care services. Our 244 senior care centers in North America have capacity for approximately 26,500 residents.

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Three Extendicare Health Centers Earn National Recognition for Providing High Quality Care in 2012

Freedom, bondage hand-in-hand for Kashmiri designer

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New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) There is beauty as well as violence in the Kashmir Valley. The stark contrast in atmosphere led designer Sajid Dhar to reflect the pain, suffering and urge for freedom among his people through his collection "Bondage", said to be also inspired by late international pop star Amy Winehouse, who lived life on her own terms.

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Freedom, bondage hand-in-hand for Kashmiri designer

Freedom of Edinburgh for Olympian

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3 August 2012 Last updated at 14:03 ET

Sir Chris Hoy is to be awarded the Freedom of Edinburgh in recognition of his Olympic achievements.

Edinburgh City Council is putting in place plans to give the five times gold medallist its highest honour.

There are only five other recipients: The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, Sean Connery, Nelson Mandela, and Aung San Suu Kyi.

It will mean Sir Chris will be exempt from tolls and charges in the city.

Royal Mail have also painted a post box in the Olympian's home city gold to celebrate his medal win.

The Scots cyclist won the men's team sprint, along with Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny, on Thursday.

A post box in Hanover Street in the capital has been transformed in his honour.

The cycling trio also features on a new stamp.

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Freedom of Edinburgh for Olympian

Freedom Shut Out Boomers to Win Series

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August 2, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom Florence, KY - The The Florence Freedom(37-32) got another outstanding start from Brandon Mathes as he guided the Freedom to a 3-0 victory and a series win Thursday over the Schaumburg Boomers(41-28). Mathes pitched 7 shutout innings while striking out a season high 6 batters as he improved to 2-0 on the season. Mathes has now thrown 16 consecutive scoreless innings dating back to his last which was a complete game shutout against Evansville.

Boomer starter Robby Donovan(7-4) had retired the first nine of the contest, as the game was scoreless heading into the 5th inning. Donovan walked Drew Rundle. Jim Jacquot drove Rundle in on an RBI double to left center to give the Freedom a 1-0 lead. Two batters later it was John Malloy ripping an RBI double to make it 2-0. Junior Arrojo then followed with a two-out RBI double of his own to give Florence a 3-0 advantage.

With the Freedom ahead 3-0 they turned to their bullpen which kept the shutout intact. Jose Velazquez worked a scoreless 8th, and Brennan Flick worked a 1-2-3 9th to pick up his third save of the season.

The Freedom will now have Friday and Saturday off, before the Road Warriors visit Florence on Sunday night. RHP Sheng-An Kuo(0-1, 3.18) will start for the Road Warriors while LHP Brent Choban(0-1, 4.82) gets the ball for the Freedom. Sunday's game can be heard starting at 5:50 with Steve Jarnicki on Real Talk 1160 AM and realtalk1160.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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Freedom Shut Out Boomers to Win Series

High bacteria levels close 5 beaches

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Four beaches in Quincy and one in Hingham have been closed to swimming due to high levels of bacteria.

Belair Beach in Hingham was closed after the water tested at almost 11 times the maximum limit considered safe. The water was retested Thursday morning and results should be in Friday afternoon, The Patriot Ledger reported.

The Channing Street, Milton Street, Rice Road and Sachem Street beaches were all closed as a precaution, although the water tested within safe limits.

Hingham health officials said they can't be sure exactly what caused the elevated levels, but said retesting usually shows adequate results.

All other beaches on the South Shore are open.

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High bacteria levels close 5 beaches

Civil servants, beaches and lycra

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3 August 2012 Last updated at 02:30 ET By Ed Davey BBC News, London

Two civil servants. On a beach. In Camden.

Could it get more surreal?

Yes, clearly. Because in the world of Olympic London these are but the undulating foothills of the bizarre.

And beyond them lie the far-off, snow-capped, mad-as-a-box-of-frogs peaks of the downright peculiar.

For what had this pair of valued governmental workers descended on north London's Roundhouse to witness?

A collection of lycra-clad superheroes with heads shaped like blobs of ice cream in a wind-tunnel zooming around a track made of imported Siberian Pine.

"I'd like to think we'll win," said Steve Aherne, 30, one of the civil servants. "But you never know..."

The lads were not to know the day would end in triumph for Chris Hoy and the rest of the men's sprint team.

But even before Team GB added its second cycling gold, Chris Bell, 32, was in awe.

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Civil servants, beaches and lycra

Bay State beaches close due to increased bacteria

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LYNN, Mass. (WHDH) -- Beaches across the Bay State have reopened after they were closeddue to increased bacteria in the water.

According to the Globe, beaches in Quincy, New Bedford, Eastham, Wellfleet and Nantucket were closedThursday due to the elevated levels of bacteria.

Nantucket had 10 beach closures.

Some of the beaches were allowed to reopen Thursday evening.

The exact cause of the increase in bacteria is not known but officials believe heavy rain may have been a factor.

Affected beaches will reopen to swimmers once the levels in the water are back to appropriate levels. State officials test all of the beaches that are open to public swimming once a week for bacteria levels.

(Copyright (c) 2012 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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Bay State beaches close due to increased bacteria

Area beaches closed due to high bacteria

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LYNN A pair of area beaches were closed Friday due to high bacteria levels, according to Anne Roach, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

King's Beach in Lynn and Grace Oliver Beach in Marblehead were both closed as of 3:30 p.m. Friday, said Roach.

Roach said there are a number of factors that contribute to high bacteria counts.

"Typically, it can be attributed to a heavy rainfall and the resulting surface water runoff that washes contaminants such as animal waste into beach water," said Roach. "Nearby sewer lines that overflow or leak have also been known to contribute to a high level."

She said beaches with high bacteria levels have warning signs informing beachgoers that swimming could cause illness.

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Area beaches closed due to high bacteria

Crowds shun Italian beaches as umbrella men strike

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ROME (Reuters) - Italian beaches were devoid of their usual August crowds on Friday as beach clubs staged a short strike, the latest chapter in an emotive conflict over right of access to the Mediterranean country's sun-soaked coast. The strike - organized by the beach workers' union during peak season - was called to protest against a government plan that would see the right to operate patches ...

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Crowds shun Italian beaches as umbrella men strike