LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian Seth MacFarlane said on Tuesday that he would not host the star-studded Academy Awards ceremony again, after TV critics panned Sunday's show. "Family Guy" creator and star MacFarlane was asked on Twitter whether he would host the Oscars a second time after making his debut in Sunday's show, and replied: "No way. Lotta fun to have done it, though." MacFarlane's response came after TV critics slammed the telecast, in which 40.3 million Americans saw Iran hostage thriller "Argo" take home the top prize for Best Picture. ...
Feb. 27, 2013 ? Sports-related head injuries are a growing concern, and new research suggests that even less forceful actions like 'heading' a soccer ball may cause changes in performance on certain cognitive tasks, according to a paper published February 27 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Anne Sereno and colleagues from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
The researchers tested the effects of non-injurious head-to-ball impacts on cognitive function using a tablet-based app. They found that high school female soccer players were significantly slower than non-players on a task that required pointing away from a target on the screen, but showed no difference in performance when pointing to the on-screen visual target.
According to the study, tasks that involve pointing away from a target require specific voluntary responses, whereas moving toward a target is a more reflexive response. Based on their observations, the authors conclude that sub-concussive blows to the head may cause changes specifically linked to certain cognitive functions.
The authors say that the app used in their research may be a quick and effective way to screen for and track cognitive changes in athletes. They add that a tablet-based application for such quick screens may also have broader applications in the clinic or the field.
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Journal Reference:
Marsha R. Zhang, Stuart D. Red, Angela H. Lin, Saumil S. Patel, Anne B. Sereno. Evidence of Cognitive Dysfunction after Soccer Playing with Ball Heading Using a Novel Tablet-Based Approach. PLoS ONE, 2013; 8 (2): e57364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057364
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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
Any serious music fan would agree that there is nothing more disappointing than being shut out of a live show from a lack of tickets and venue space. The inextinguishable activity of scalpers, enthusiasm of pre-sale fanatics, and other special offers ?all these conditions make getting access to any concert like a race with a ?survival of the fittest? type mentality.
This being said, the thought of such almost makes the internet and digital streaming the perfect solution, as they offer ?infinite? audience space! A concept not likely to stay untapped for very long, creatives in the entertainment and music industries began taking to this idea and forming companies focused on broadcasting shows, either for free or for reasonable prices, for which consumers can pay online.
EVNTLIVE, a standalone concert streaming service, is another newcomer to the live streaming market and although it is far from the first of its kind, its co-founders, David Carrico, Alex Beckman, and Jonathan Beckman, along with an experienced team of high profile investors, (Troy Carter (CEO of Atom Factory), Yogen Dalai (Mayfield Fund partner) amid many others), believe there are still plenty of angles either unused or under utilized by existing players that will bring EVNTLIVE to the forefront of the digital concert and social music experience. The company has been in planning and development for over a year and is presently in beta launch, due to officially launch in the next few months.
David Carrico and business veteran Judy Estrin, the latter who is the Executive Chair of EVNTLIVE, chatted with me about their vision for the company and some of their thoughts on the general landscape of the music industry.?
SoundCtrl: First off, I would like to say congratulations on everything you have managed to put together for the imminent launch of EVNTLIVE. It is clearly difficult to penetrate most facets of the music business in general and you two have prepared a solid staff and strong business objective in a relatively fresh entertainment segment ?and there aren?t as many of those left these days!
Given that one of the major, and immediately noticeable, benefits to home streaming is ?infinite seating,? I am curious as to whether there is a personal experience for either of you, that prompted pursuing this business model. Are you currently, or were you previously, frustrated by the physical limitations of live music ? or was this an idea born simply out of wanting to expand the industry for the sake of creative change?
David: I spent several years running a boutique music management firm, and my experience on the road showed me both how tiring and costly touring can be for artists and how many fans in different parts of the world deeply desire to see an act but are unable to gain access to that experience for any number of reasons. With artist?s revenue streams dwindling in other categories we saw a real opportunity to create a newfound source of capital infusion from the monetization of streaming live concerts on the web. My co-founders and I are all passionate about live music and as our lives have gotten busier we have realized that we can?t attend as many shows as we would like ? EVNTLIVE is the service we wanted to exist.
SoundCtrl: Clearly, as is evident by EVNTLIVE?s wide offering objective of live music, archived content, real time social interaction and show background information, you have confidence EVNTLIVE will not plateau for users at simply, ?watch concert and leave site.? Still, as broad as this list of offerings is, do you feel maybe there is some potential for a double edged sword to form in expanding the live music segment through a concept that takes the very idea of ?live and in-person? out of the picture ?much like the continuous appeal of services like Instagram, that promote digital sharing and widening connections but, when appreciated in excess, almost disconnect people from being in the real present?
David: At EVNTLIVE we believe that there is no replacement for going to a live concert. Attending a live music performance for me personally is a social, communal, and sometimes spiritual experience. We have no intention of replacing that experience. Instead we we?re creating an online concert venue that offers the best user interface possible for individuals who can?t access the show in person. By creating a virtual social conversation, merch booth, and giving the user access to the story behind the show, we?re creating content that provides a unique look into an intimate performance experience but, we don?t believe it will ever replace the feeling of being in the front row with your friends around you feeling the vibrations of the music.
SoundCtrl:The both of you have quite the track records and impressive business ?resumes.? What are some, if any, of the specific facets to your previous business experiences that you have applied to the creation and fine tuning of EVNTLIVE?
Judy: Being involved in the creation of EVNTLIVE has leveraged many facets of my career.? Recruiting top engineers, developing large scalable systems, video streaming, building new companies, evangelizing new technologies; building business models to create new markets all draw from my entrepreneurial experience in starting seven companies. My board seats, especially, being a member of the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company has given me an understanding of the entertainment industry, digital media, copyright licensing issues and consumer marketing that are all critical to the success of EVNTLIVE.
SoundCtrl:Let?s say EVNTLIVE catches on with vigor in post-launch. As I stated earlier, limitless seating is a big part of live streaming appeal. High profile artists like Lady Gaga for example, sell out even the biggest of arenas with no hard effort needed, so being able to ?expand the arena? would be perfect for die hard fans that get left out of the ticket line. This being the hypothetical case, can you talk at all about how EVNTLIVE plans to deal with the topic of technical overload, which can be a common problem with any digital stream?
David: A key asset of the company is the depth of our technical team that has years of experience developing large scale systems and infrastructure. We have not taken the approach of rushing a system to market with the notion that we can fix it later? we have invested the time and resources in building a service that can scale to meet the demands of the most popular artists.
SoundCtrl:Simply put, after launch, what kind of a music consuming world do you see EVNTLIVE existing in, even just five years down the line, and what will its place in that world be like?
David: Looking out five years, we hope to see the worlds of physical and online concerts coexisting as a standard way of doing business in the music industry.? The fan experience online will become increasingly interactive as we leverage new technologies. We see promise in 3D and 360 degree interactive filming as well as new ways of viewing from large screens to wearable devices. All of these advances add new connectivity for fans to interact with each-other and the artists they love. We would love to be the premier destination site leading the market in providing ever improving fan experiences and ever growing revenue streams for artists.
SoundCtrl: As a last creative question, I am wondering if you would ever consider partnering with an audio hardware company ? more specifically, the speaker market. If someone loves music overall and they know they cannot get to every single concert they want to see in person, although still not ?the real thing,?? the experience could be further emulated with a combined high quality audio and visual experience. Any thoughts?
Judy: We?re very interested in forming relationships with a variety of partners. Whether that be audio hardware or perhaps device makers, we think EVNTLIVE has the potential to find synergies with many existing brands that make up the backbone of the music world.
SoundCtrl: Thanks for the chat. We?ll be excited to see how everything turns out for your launch!
Details are still to come for EVNTLIVE but you can keep in-the-know by signing up to receive news announcements on their website here.
Kira is an old school music nerd with a love for all things creative; always searching for music?s common ground. She graduated with an M.A. in Performing Arts Administration from New York University. Drop her a tweet?@shadowmelody1
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When we dream of living the high life, we tend to dream big. And more often than not, the dream, for many of us, is to live like a rock star. Not a musician a rock star. Because (and this is something we acknowledge from childhood, when our great big dreams start to form), the key difference between the two career paths is the lifestyle. In essence, the musician will often be found carting their own gear in and out of venues, busking on the street and trying to make a break, while the rock star will be living up a lavish life with luxury surroundings and tonnes of adoring fans. Let's face it; everyone wants to live it up like a rock star. Think about it the fancy hotels, plush room service, flashy cocktails and worldwide travel... being able to write a good lyric has little to do with it, at the end of the day. And this, of course, is good news because it means anyone can have a taste of the rock star lifestyle! Just book your holidays wisely, be prepared to splash out and spoil yourself, and enjoy the comforts of superstardom...
To really get a taste of the rock and roll dream, your best bet is to take a trip to the United States of America, where rock n' roll was born, back in the heyday of the 1940s and 50s. This is the country of Elvis and Little Richard, Aerosmith and Kings of Leon. The land of the extravagant, the extreme, and the super-sized. To really get the show on the road, head to Orlando for a night or two to live out your dreams of rock stardom with all the mod cons, room service at your beck and call, and of course, hanging out by the pool with your entourage.
Frankly, theme parks and rock n' roll go hand in hand (just ask the Red Hot Chili Peppers who wrote the song Love Rollercoaster) this is where thrills, excitement and fun are the main draw, and if you're looking for a place that merges the two on one site, you want Disneyland. Here, right at the end of the park's Sunset Boulevard, you'll find the super-fast Rock n' Roller coaster, in which riders will follow the rock band Aerosmith (who rewrote their biggest hits for the ride's soundtrack the rock and roll seal of approval) through fictional recording studio sessions, limo rides, and then on to a live gig. The rollercoaster goes from 0 to 57 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds that's sure to give you the thrill of life in the fast lane.
Certainly, life doesn't get much crazier than in Las Vegas, where the stakes are high and the hotels higher, with some of the world's biggest hotels and casinos located here on The Strip. Many a rocker has let loose on the City of Sin over the years, rolling dice in the casino, playing gigs, or simply having a blow out at one of the huge resorts. Some big name bands even hail from the Nevada city, such as The Killers, proof that Las Vegas is not only a great party spot for the rock and roll lifestyle, but it can also spawn some of the industry's biggest acts. Hotels here allow you to experience luxurious accommodation with king-sized beds, sprawling flat-screen televisions and oversized showers. Enjoy more space than you'd ever really need, without even leaving your hotel room.
If you're more of a laid-back rocker or a chilled-out roller, than perhaps the Big Apple is more your bag. Living the life of a superstar doesn't necessarily mean being in the spotlight - subtle opulence might be more your thing, in which case New York is the place to go. As the song goes, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. After all, living the rock and roll dream is not about the music it's all about the lifestyle, baby!
About the Author: Steve Alexander has been writing about some of the most lavish holidays around. Visit Hotels4U for great deals on hotels in Orlando, or take a look here for more information on accommodation in Disneyland.
Young Small Business Person of the Year: David ?Boze? Kapoi (Pride Ink Tattoo).
By Sonia Isotov
A tattoo artist, two restaurants, a zip lining activity, and a transportation company were among the top winners at the annual 2013 Mayor?s Small Business Awards celebration held at the King Kamehameha Golf Club last week.
Sponsored by Maui County Office of Economic Development and produced by the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the event was attended by members of the Maui County small business community, representatives of key business organizations,
Exceptional Small Business (10 or fewer employees): Paris Nabayi (Cilantro Mexican Grill).
government and friends and family of award nominees and winners.
?Small business is Maui County?s most important economic engine, and we should never forget the sacrifices that business owners make every day to keep their businesses operating,? said Mayor Arakawa, in a public statement yesterday.
?They [small business owners] take on risk, work long hours, and put their personal assets on the line while providing jobs, services and goods to our community. We are fortunate to have such a strong small business community in Maui County and are privileged to honor them.?
Exceptional Small Business (11-25 employees): David & Ululani Yamashiro (Ululani?s Hawaiian Shave Ice LLC).
The winners in each category are as follows:
Outstanding Non-Profit Business: Habitat for Humanity Maui.
Lifetime Achievement Award: The Late Douglas Wayne ?Butch? Akina & Sandra Akina (Akina Aloha Tours).
Interactive Advertising Bureau CEO Randall Rothenberg gave an at times stirring exhortation to the group?s membership, and the broader industry, to look beyond the efficiencies of direct response ads and finally make the Internet safe for brand building. The irony is the biggest chunk of his audience was those who are firmly in the direct-response business.
For all the talk of new video display ad standards and the rise of ?native? advertising, the IAB?s annual meeting at times looked like a direct-marketing convention. After all, Web advertising is still primarily a response channel. One industry veteran, noting how the promised consolidation of ad tech never happened, predicted the industry would mostly remain the preserve of direct marketers. Driving home that point: a town hall on ?native? advertising had plenty of open seats; the one on programmatic ad buying was overflowing.
Rothenberg notes the risk of an ?efficiency spiral,? where margins are compressed on all sides and value creation is minimal. For all the talk of shifting TV money, the Web remains still a response medium, as much as it was when the click was first put on a banner back in 1994.
?I worry we?re entering a new dark ages of advertising,? Rothenberg said. ?What if we are merely bringing bad science to our industry.?
A useful warning, but mostly an interlude before talk of ?zetabytes? of data. The ad industry seems to have gone from mostly ignoring data, in favor of gut, to absolutely fetishizing it. The more data, the better. Yet ask closely what repeatable outcomes that surfeit of data can provide, and you?ll hear ?it?s early.? The truth is most online data is worthless after 30 days. And the idea that brands and agencies have handle on actually using that data is laughable. One ad tech exec noted to me that even storing and sorting it remain out of the reach of most brands. And agencies? They don?t sniff most of their clients? data.
That doesn?t stop ad tech players from braggin how much data they process. The banner ad industrial complex is fueled by data, much of it collected through cookies. One industry leader sounded a cautionary note when discussing the move by Mozilla to block third-party cookies. This exec predicted Microsoft, ever the fast follower, would soon do that same. It could throw much of the data collection the industry relies on into doubt. The industry doesn?t seem worried. The discussion of privacy implications of the era of ?big data? was shunted off to the last session on the last day of the meeting.
After the final installment of The Twilight Saga was released in November, we finally had to say goodbye to the characters of Bella (Kristen Stewart) Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob (Taylor Lautner) -- but it's not quite over yet!
Coordinator of Instruction provides leadership in the organization and direction of the Library?s Information Literacy programs. The Coordinator of Instruction collaborates with Library faculty and discipline faculty to provide course-related instruction and is responsible for scheduling the instruction and assigning Library faculty to teach classes. Administers the credit-bearing instruction program. Teaches both course related classes and credit-bearing courses. Responsible for formal assessment of the instruction programs. Participates in the development of new courses and teaching pedagogy, makes recommendations for the development of new courses instructional programs, and mentors librarians new to teaching. Investigates and keeps current with developments in information literacy instruction, pedagogical theory and practice, and assessment of instruction. Communicates with Library faculty about instruction issues, learning outcomes, goals and objectives at Instruction meetings or by other means. Responsible for liaison work with subject-departments and represents the Library on the College-wide Curriculum Committee. Supervises support staff. Participates in the Library?s Reference services programs. Reports to Library Department Chair.
Supports a college library through providing in-depth consultation with students and faculty and collaboration for the ongoing improvement of instructional programs and practices. Pursues an active scholarly agenda, performs supervisory duties, and participates in college-and university-wide programs and committees as assigned.
LaGuardia Community College located in Long Island City, Queens, was founded in 1971 as a bold experiment in opening the doors of higher education to all, and we proudly carry forward that legacy today. LaGuardia educates students through over 50 degree, certificate and continuing education programs, providing an inspiring place for students to achieve their dreams. Upon graduation, LaGuardia students? lives are transformed as family income increases 17%, and students transfer to four-year colleges at three times the national average. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), LaGuardia is a nationally recognized leader among community colleges for boundary-breaking success educating underserved students. At LaGuardia, we imagine new ideas; create new curriculum and pioneer programs to make our community and our country stronger. Visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.
QUALIFICATIONS ALA accredited MLS degree plus second Master?s degree or doctorate required for an appointment as an Assistant Professor. Candidate should have two years of working experience in an academic library. Should also have a minimum of two years of teaching experience at the college level and be familiar with theory and practice of information literacy instruction. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills a must. Ability to work with a diverse faculty, staff and students and to work as part of a team also a must. Experience with course development, assessment of instruction, and mentoring will be a plus. Supervisory experience also a plus.
COMPENSATION CUNY offers faculty a competitive compensation and benefits package covering health insurance, pension and retirement benefits, paid parental leave, and savings programs. We also provide mentoring and support for research, scholarship, and publication as part of our commitment to ongoing faculty professional development. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ? We are committed to enhancing our diverse academic community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women to apply. We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion. EO/AA Employer.
Salary Range: $42,873 ? $81,645
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A spectator, center, is transported from the grandstands by emergency personnel after Kyle Larson's car hit the safety wall and fence along the front stretch on the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. Several fans were injured when large chunks of debris flew into the grandstands. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
A spectator, center, is transported from the grandstands by emergency personnel after Kyle Larson's car hit the safety wall and fence along the front stretch on the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013. Several fans were injured when large chunks of debris flew into the grandstands. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) ? The attorney for three NASCAR fans injured last weekend during a race the day before the Daytona 500 says they are exploring a possible lawsuit, but some experts say they could face tough obstacles in winning damages.
Matt Morgan, the Orlando-based lawyer for the fans, said at a news conference Tuesday than any suit would focus on the safety fence used along the track at Daytona International Speedway. He said he hopes to reach a settlement with NASCAR to avoid a lawsuit.
More than 30 people were injured last Saturday after a horrific wreck in a second-tier NASCAR series race sent chunks of debris, including a heavy tire, into the stands. Morgan declined to provide the identities of his clients, but said two of them were seated directly in front of the crash and sustained injuries ranging from a fractured fibula to abdominal swelling. All have been released from the hospital.
Some experts say there could be grounds for a lawsuit, and that courts have looked past liability waivers written on the backs of sporting event tickets. Others maintain the ticket is a legal contract that could be hard to overcome in court.
"Ultimately, I believe it would be gross negligence," Morgan said. "We all know that when you go to a race you assume a certain amount of risk. But what people don't assume is that a race car will come flying into the stands... That's why they make the fences."
Asked to comment on the fans' retention of a law firm, NASCAR spokesman David Higdon wrote in a statement, "We are unaware of any lawsuits filed."
Daytona International Speedway is owned by International Speedway Corp., a NASCAR sister company. Spokesman Andrew Booth said, "As per company policy, we do not comment on pending litigation."
Donnalynn Darling, a New York-based attorney who has been practicing personal injury law for 30 years, said there is a theory that a spectator who buys tickets to a sporting event assumes the risk of objects coming out of the field of play, such as a foul ball at a baseball game.
But she said there is also a foreseeable risk question that promoters of events also accept.
"Did the sporting event promoter take action to prevent that specific risk?" Darling asked. "In terms of this fence...it was put up to prevent people from being hurt. You have people who were not only injured by falling debris, but by the failure of the fence."
Others say such restrictive clauses on the back of tickets are generally disfavored by Florida courts.
"If it's just something written on the back of the ticket and not called to the attention of the person purchasing, there's reason to believe many courts in Florida won't hold that they consented efficiently," said University of Florida emeritus law professor Joseph Little.
Still, Paul Huck, an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law, said contract law could take precedence.
"A ticket to one of these events is like a contract ? and its provisions limiting liability are generally enforceable," he said. "We enter into these types of contracts on a regular basis, and we often don't give it a second thought that we may be limiting or even giving up certain legal rights when we do so."
Darling also said that the fence's manufacturer at Daytona would likely be "very much responsible" because of it being foreseeable that debris could go through a fence that has holes in it.
That seems to be theory that Morgan is adopting. He referenced a 2009 crash at NASCAR's racetrack in Talladega, Ala. in which a car that launched into the catch fence sent debris into the stands and injured several fans.
"At that point in time a group of engineers got together and they said 'It's time for us to manufacture a safer fence,'" Morgan said. "To my knowledge, that was done. But what we have to investigate at this point in time is what was done...If you can ever point to monetary considerations being put ahead of people, then there's a big problem."
Darling predicted that NASCAR would try to settle with the injured fans.
NASCAR "had an obligation to protect the fans that are so loyal, and it is bad from a public relations standpoint," Darling said. "So they're going to do something."
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AP Auto Racing writer Jenna Fryer contributed to this report.
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Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower.
February 21, 2013-The international law firm Bryan Cave LLP announced today that Sonia Kaur Bain has joined the firm?s New York office as a partner. She will practice within the Real Estate Group.
Bain has nearly 20 years of experience representing developers in all types of real estate transactions. She has a focus on commercial real estate, handling the preparation and negotiation of leases, purchase agreements, joint venture agreements, transactions in the hotel, retail, development and office sectors, condominium offering plans, property management and leasing agreements, easement and restriction agreements, and development agreements. She also handles acquisitions dispositions, financings and building conversions including residential, commercial and mixed-use properties.
?We are thrilled to welcome Sonia to the firm,? said New York Partner Andy Auerbach, who is the Deputy Leader of Bryan Cave?s Real Estate Client Service Group. ?Her extensive experience will further strengthen the firm?s versatile Real Estate Practice and is a tremendous asset to our New York office.?
Bain is recognized as a ?rising star? in the 2012 Special Annual Edition of New York?s Sokol Media Inc.?s ?Top Women in Real Estate? issue. She received her J.D. from New York Law School in 1994 and her B.A. from Stony Brook University in 1991.
Bain will add further depth to Bryan Cave?s substantial New York Real Estate Practice. Bryan Cave?s Chambers USA-rated New York Real Estate Group handles some of the largest and most complex real estate transactions in the country. Identified as one of the 10 largest real estate and land use practices in New York, the group provides comprehensive legal services addressing all facets of real estate ownership, development, use, investment and financing.
Bryan Cave LLP has a diversified international legal practice. The firm represents a wide variety of business, financial, institutional and individual clients, including publicly held multinational corporations, large and mid-sized privately held companies, partnerships and emerging companies. Subsidiary Bryan Cave International Consulting provides trade and customs consultancy. Aided by extensive investments in technology, Bryan Cave?s more than 1,100 lawyers and other professionals in over 30 offices across the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Asia efficiently serve clients? needs in the world?s key business and financial markets.
The Michigan GOP backed a measure on Saturday that would allocate the state's electoral college votes by congressional districts, reviving energy for a plan considered by Republicans in several states after the inauguration but one that seemed dead about a month ago.
At the state's party convention in Lansing, members backed a resolution to take away Michigan's winner-take-all system by a 1,370-132 margin. The proposal -- introduced by state Rep. Pete Lund (Shelby Township) -- would allocate 14 of the state's 16 votes by district, and the remaining two to the statewide winner. That system is similar to Maine and Nebraska, the only states to allocate by district.
If the plan had been in effect in 2012, 10 of Michigan's electoral college votes would have gone to President Barack Obama, while six would have gone to Mitt Romney.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R), however, threw cold water on the idea, saying that it was "not the appropriate time" to discuss the plan, according to the Detroit News. Addressing the initiative before a census and in a bipartisan way would be more fitting, he said.
Following Obama's second inauguration, Republicans in several blue states -- backed by RNC Chairman Reince Priebus -- considered changing their state's electoral college allocation to allocate votes by congressional district. A Huffington Post analysis showed that such allocation in all 50 states would have given us a President Romney in 2012. Republicans retained a majority in the House but lost the House popular vote, thanks largely to gerrymandered districting.
However, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Ken Cuccinnelli oppose such a move and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) has since voiced concerns about it after being initially open to the idea. Thirteen Pennsylvania Republican legislators proposed another bill to change the state's allocation earlier this month.
One of the biggest advantages of holidaying in this part of Thailand is that there is something for someone always. Whether you are on island or off it, whether its sunny or its drizzling, you will always have something to cater you. Phuket has plentiful fruits in its basket to endow you with an unforgettable holiday experience. Just, go for it!
Over the years, the island has been attracting tourists and is experienced in putting on a good show for all who visit. What makes the island an amazing and popular destination, is not only its beaches and coastlines, but also a variety of attractions and locations. Onboard any of the Phuket flights and get set for a memorable holidays. Onshore, you will have plentiful activities and leisure options to indulge in, but do you know offshore too there are numerous options? The fact is that a day tour to offshore islands is a must-do activity. The Phi Phi islands are stunning, with their cliffs and incredible beaches. And, then there is the remarkable Pha Nag bay, with the best examples of seascapes. You will have plenty of adventure options to indulge in, when here.
For all the adventure lovers, there are plentiful options to indulge in. You can participate in bungee jumping, go karting and rafting. Thats not all; you can also indulge in the diving and surfing experience. And there is more fun! Once you are off water, you can enjoy Thai boxing, either as a viewer or join the camp and learn few moves. If you want more, then, you can also enjoy the famous elephant trekking, which is available across the island.
With all this, what has been a major lure for the vacationers and travelers here is the amazing and absolutely vivacious nightlife of the city. The island houses numerous pubs, bars and nightclubs, where you can just dance the night out. You will have the most pulsating time here. Thus, make sure that you take out time once the sun sets and enjoy partying until the sun is all set to come out again!
The fact is that Phuket has been a major tourist attraction for various reasons. What makes the place all the more unique is the fact that it has remarkably preserved its culture and pastimes. You will be allured by the warmth and hospitality of the people here. So, why wait any longer! Book your tickets on any of the cheap Phuket flights and get set for an enchanting vacation.
About the Author: Abhishek Kumar started his content writing service in 2007 and he is having expertise in field's like Travel, Finance, Legal, Automotive, Computer.
In this technical age there are myriad kinds of software and web applications that are out there on the market and online for people and companies to download. When your business is ready to get online it is essential to download these web applications however, it?s similarly vital to run web application testing and software performance testing. By doing this, it guarantees that your company is safe, protected, and is ready for your business to be on the Internet and get the most from your software programs. Some things to do to get your business off the ground and online is by performing web application load testing, software security testing, and performance testing web applications. All of these tests are imperative to conduct in the early phases of your company so that you can respond to work without having to bother with software safety and all your web applications will run as smoothly as possible. When you do a web application load test, you are essentially making sure that your business?s computer systems can take care of several connections at the same time when working on different databases at the same time. This is necessary because possibilities are you will be doing a great deal of work on various databases to get the most from your business?s online efforts. Databases can reduce your work efficient for that reason, by performing a web application load test you can go about your day not needing to fret about slow software and programs. Since we are living in a connected and online world where information is so readily available and simple to gain access to, safety is an absolute necessity. Luckily, a software testing company could help you with software security testing that highlights any threats or possible dangers that your business may encounter in the future. Preventative measures should be taken with any and all hazards that could occur with the safety of your online business. If these hazards are not taken care of it can negatively impact your company and livelihood for that reason, do not take this lightly. Take for example, a doctor office that uses software that homes the information for thousands of their patients. If software security testing did not occur on all the workplace computer systems there?s an increased possibility that a hacker could infiltrate the software and get their hands on classified details such as doctor records, and account and billing information. functional software testing To keep your company running efficiently and efficiently it is very important to perform efficiency testing for web applications. Testing for web applications looks deep into the efficiency of the software to see why software is running slow and ways to make it run quickly and properly. By preventing any bottlenecks that could decrease the work you must never have problems with your software. Overall, by contacting a software testing company, you will optimize your business from day one. These specialists will make certain that your software, safety, and web applications are taken care of. After that, your company will be ready to take on your workload with convenience.
In: Aparitii editoriale | | Link ????? 24 vizualizari
It is known for its scenic postcard beauty. The city has been a vacationers delight for numerous reasons. It is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also is one of the most advanced cities. Rome has every possible thing that you would need for a fun filled and exotic vacation. The historic monuments, museums, mouth watering cuisine and the gardens that the city boasts of have been attracting tourists to the city for decades now.
One of the oldest cities in the world, the Italian capital has ranked quite high on the tourism map for numerous reasons. Onboard any of the Rome flights and get set to witness some of the finest monuments in the world. From the renowned Coliseum and the Roman Forum and from the Piazza Venezia to various museums, parks and absolutely cheerful nightlife, everything will take your holiday experience to the next level. The city is so splendid that you would never ever get bored here.
Everything about the Italian capital is fascinating and enthralling. And, what makes the place all the more likable are the splendid lodging options of the place. It is a stunning city, and the convenience and lodging in the city makes the city all the more favorite tourist hotspot. There are various types of hotels and lodges in the city and whatever your liking is, you will definitely get something. The city has numerous two and three star accommodations, which offer various kinds of amenities and services that you need for a comfortable and pleasing stay. The best part is that these lodgings have deals and discounts from time to time, so you might get to stay amongst the premium comfort and lavishness without burning a hole in your pocket.
If you want an economical stay without being too heavy on your pocket and want to spend more while shopping and sightseeing, then, you can opt for the budget motels or the bed and breakfast inns. If you think that by compromising on the price, you will also have to compromise on the amenities and services, then, you are mistaken, you will be surprised by the facilities and services here. The rooms are hygienic and the breakfast is delicious. You will have a different experience staying in these.
The fact is that whether you choose to stay in a five star lodging or budget lodging, you will get the value of your money. So, onboard one of the Rome flights and get set for one of the most alluring holidays and get ready to gather some of the priceless moments with your friends.
About the Author: Abhishek Kumar started his content writing service in 2007 and he is having expertise in field's like Travel, Finance, Legal, Automotive, Computer.
HP has formally announced their entry into the Android tablet space with this, the HP Slate 7. The 7-inch Slate 7 isn't intended to be a high end, bleeding edge tablet, but it is only $169. So, spec wise, what do we get for that low, low price.
Feb. 25, 2013 ? In a recently published study in the journal Biological Trace Element Research, Arizona State University researchers report that children with autism had higher levels of several toxic metals in their blood and urine compared to typical children. The study involved 55 children with autism ages 5-16 years compared to 44 controls of similar age and gender.
The autism group had significantly higher levels of lead in their red blood cells (+41 percent) and significantly higher urinary levels of lead (+74 percent), thallium (+77 percent), tin (+115 percent), and tungsten (+44 percent). Lead, thallium, tin, and tungsten are toxic metals that can impair brain development and function, and also interfere with the normal functioning of other body organs and systems.
A statistical analysis was conducted to determine if the levels of toxic metals were associated with autism severity, using three different scales of autism severity. It was found that 38-47 percent of the variation of autism severity was associated with the level of several toxic metals, with cadmium and mercury being the most strongly associated.
In the paper about the study, the authors state "We hypothesize that reducing early exposure to toxic metals may help ameliorate symptoms of autism, and treatment to remove toxic metals may reduce symptoms of autism; these hypotheses need further exploration, as there is a growing body of research to support it."
The study was led by James Adams, a President's Professor in the School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, one of ASU's Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. He directs the ASU Autism/Asperger's Research Program.
Adams previously published a study on the use of DMSA, an FDA-approved medication for removing toxic metals. The open-label study found that DMSA was generally safe and effective at removing some toxic metals. It also found that DMSA therapy improved some symptoms of autism. The biggest improvement was for children with the highest levels of toxic metals in their urine.
Overall, children with autism have higher average levels of several toxic metals, and levels of several toxic metals are strongly associated with variations in the severity of autism for all three of the autism severity scales investigated.
The study was funded by the Autism Research Institute and the Legacy Foundation.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Arizona State University.
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Journal Reference:
James B. Adams, Tapan Audhya, Sharon McDonough-Means, Robert A. Rubin, David Quig, Elizabeth Geis, Eva Gehn, Melissa Loresto, Jessica Mitchell, Sharon Atwood, Suzanne Barnhouse, Wondra Lee. Toxicological Status of Children with Autism vs. Neurotypical Children and the Association with Autism Severity. Biological Trace Element Research, 2012; 151 (2): 171 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-012-9551-1
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
Feb. 24, 2013 ? A new method of harvesting the Sun's energy is emerging, thanks to scientists at UC Santa Barbara's Departments of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials. Though still in its infancy, the research promises to convert sunlight into energy using a process based on metals that are more robust than many of the semiconductors used in conventional methods.
The researchers' findings are published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
"It is the first radically new and potentially workable alternative to semiconductor-based solar conversion devices to be developed in the past 70 years or so," said Martin Moskovits, professor of chemistry at UCSB.
In conventional photoprocesses, a technology developed and used over the last century, sunlight hits the surface of semiconductor material, one side of which is electron-rich, while the other side is not. The photon, or light particle, excites the electrons, causing them to leave their postions, and create positively-charged "holes." The result is a current of charged particles that can be captured and delivered for various uses, including powering lightbulbs, charging batteries, or facilitating chemical reactions.
"For example, the electrons might cause hydrogen ions in water to be converted into hydrogen, a fuel, while the holes produce oxygen," said Moskovits.
In the technology developed by Moskovits and his team, it is not semiconductor materials that provide the electrons and venue for the conversion of solar energy, but nanostructured metals -- a "forest" of gold nanorods, to be specific.
For this experiment, gold nanorods were capped with a layer of crystalline titanium dioxide decorated with platinum nanoparticles, and set in water. A cobalt-based oxidation catalyst was deposited on the lower portion of the array.
"When nanostructures, such as nanorods, of certain metals are exposed to visible light, the conduction electrons of the metal can be caused to oscillate collectively, absorbing a great deal of the light," said Moskovits. "This excitation is called a surface plasmon."
As the "hot" electrons in these plasmonic waves are excited by light particles, some travel up the nanorod, through a filter layer of crystalline titanium dioxide, and are captured by platinum particles. This causes the reaction that splits hydrogen ions from the bond that forms water. Meanwhile, the holes left behind by the excited electrons head toward the cobalt-based catalyst on the lower part of the rod to form oxygen.
According to the study, hydrogen production was clearly observable after about two hours. Additionally, the nanorods were not subject to the photocorrosion that often causes traditional semiconductor material to fail in minutes.
"The device operated with no hint of failure for many weeks," Moskovits said.
The plasmonic method of splitting water is currently less efficient and more costly than conventional photoprocesses, but if the last century of photovoltaic technology has shown anything, it is that continued research will improve on the cost and efficiency of this new method -- and likely in far less time than it took for the semiconductor-based technology, said Moskovits.
"Despite the recentness of the discovery, we have already attained 'respectable' efficiencies. More importantly, we can imagine achievable strategies for improving the efficiencies radically," he said.
Research in this study was also performed by postdoctoral researchers Syed Mubeen and Joun Lee; grad student Nirala Singh; materials engineer Stephan Kraemer; and chemistry professor Galen Stucky.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of California - Santa Barbara, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
Syed Mubeen, Joun Lee, Nirala Singh, Stephan Kr?mer, Galen D. Stucky, Martin Moskovits. An autonomous photosynthetic device in which all charge carriers derive from surface plasmons. Nature Nanotechnology, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2013.18
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson (7) scores over Milwaukee Bucks forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) with time expiring for a 113-11 overtime victory in their NBA basketball game at Barclays Center, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013 in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson (7) scores over Milwaukee Bucks forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) with time expiring for a 113-11 overtime victory in their NBA basketball game at Barclays Center, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013 in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Brooklyn Nets guards C.J. Watson (1) and Joe Johnson (7) celebrate after Johnson scored with time expiring for a 113-111 overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in their NBA basketball game at Barclays Center, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Milwaukee Bucks guard Monta Ellis (11) shoots over Brooklyn Nets forward Gerald Wallace (45) in the first half of their NBA basketball game at Barclays Center, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) steals the ball from Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (8) as Nets guard Joe Johnson (7) and Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) watch in the first half of their NBA basketball game at Barclays Center, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) pulls in a pass as Brooklyn Nets forward Kris Humphries (43) defends in the first half of their NBA basketball game at Barclays Center, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
NEW YORK (AP) ? Joe Johnson came through twice with big shots and helped the Brooklyn Nets end a long losing streak to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Johnson hit a tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter and then his buzzer-beating jumper at the end of overtime lifted the Nets to a 113-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.
"It's an unbelievable feeling," said Johnson, who finished with 24 points. "Regardless of the situation, whether it's regular season or playoffs, it's always a great feeling. And, just to see everybody kind of explode with excitement is probably the best feeling."
Brook Lopez and Deron Williams added 19 points each as the Nets snapped a 13-game skid against the Bucks dating back to March 30, 2009.
"The first game after (the All-Star break) is usually pretty sloppy," Williams said. "For us to get a win against a team that we lost 13 straight against is a good win for us."
The Nets were aware of their long losing streak but insist they weren't thinking about it during the game.
"(Coach P.J. Carlesimo) mentioned the streak before the game, but I don't think anybody took that out there with that on their mind," Brooklyn's Gerald Wallace said. "It wasn't anything about their streak. It was about us as team. It shows the fight we have."
Brandon Jennings scored 34 points to lead the Bucks. Ersan Ilyasova had 21 points, Monta Ellis added 18 and Larry Sanders 14.
Luc Mbah a Moute had given the Bucks a 111-108 lead with 2:58 left in overtime. The Nets tied the game on Keith Bogans' 3-pointer with 1:02 left.
Jennings, who scored 23 points after halftime, saw his short jumper go in and out with 15 to go. After a Nets timeout, Johnson was intentionally fouled by Mbah a Moute with 5 seconds left. The Nets inbounded again and Johnson won the game with his foul line jumper over Mbah A Moute.
"Joe Johnson makes big shots," Bucks coach Jim Boylan said. "It wasn't a shock that Brooklyn went to him. We knew that's where they'd be looking. Luc played him tough and Joe just made a great shot."
Johnson sent the game into overtime with a 3-pointer with 1.3 seconds left in regulation.
"Joe has been doing this his whole career," Carlesimo said. "The other guys did a good job with the execution and putting us in a good position, particularly the 3 at the end of regulation."
The Bucks trailed 61-51 at halftime, but outscored the Nets 30-19 in the third quarter to take an 81-80 lead.
Ekpe Udoh gave Milwaukee its biggest lead, 87-82, with 9:57 left in the game. However, Brooklyn's 10-4 run capped by a long jumper from Andre Blatche gave the Nets a 92-91 lead with 6:24 left.
Blatche scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Sanders' tip-in of Jennings' missed layup attempt gave the Bucks a 103-102 lead with 10 seconds left in regulation. After Williams was called for an offensive foul with 7 seconds left, Jennings was fouled and made both free throws.
That set up Johnson's tying 3.
The Nets took a 56-41 lead ? their largest of the game ? on Lopez's jumper with 2:29 left in the first half.
The Nets led 31-24 after the first quarter, having made 7 of 8 free throws while the Bucks didn't attempt any.
"We've got to turn it on right from the very beginning," Boylan said. "We're not Oklahoma City or Miami or something like that. We've got to play hard for 48 minutes."
C.J. Watson added 11 points for Brooklyn.
NOTES: The Nets had lost seven straight at home to the Bucks. Their last victory on their home floor came on Feb. 3, 2009, by a score of 99-85. ... The Nets are 5-0 in overtime this season and are on a NBA-best 10-game winning streak in overtime games. ... The Bucks are now 27-17 all-time in games immediately following the All-Star break. ... The Nets improved to 18-8 under Carlesimo, the second-best start under any of their previous 21 coaches. Lawrence Frank's team started 19-6 in 2003-04.
Contact: David Glickson david.glickson@nrel.gov 303-275-4097 DOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory
It was a nail-biter of a finish at the 2013 Colorado High School Regional Science Bowl, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), as a record 42 teams including 10 schools participating for the first time competed for a chance to challenge for the national title. The winner of the Colorado Science Bowl travels to Washington, D.C., for the National Science Bowl in April.
After a full day answering rapid-fire questions in physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth and space sciences, and energy and general sciences, Lakewood High School (Lakewood, Colo.) scored a dramatic victory in the final elimination round to claim the Colorado championship and advance to the national competition. They defeated an experienced Cheyenne Mountain High School (Colorado Springs) team, which had made it to the final round of the competition for the third year in a row.
Lakewood Takes First Colorado Title
"This is pretty exciting," Lakewood team captain Tommy Fan said. "I felt that we were well prepared, but the competition here is so tough. I was just hoping we'd make it out of the morning elimination round. I'm thrilled that we won and will have the opportunity to represent Colorado at nationals."
Four teenage boys sit behind a table during the 2013 Colorado High School Science Bowl, discussing the answer to a question in the final round of the competition. Enlarge image
Lakewood High School competes in the finals of the 2013 Colorado High School Regional Science Bowl. The team took first place at the event. From left: Peter Kim, Eli Veal, Tommy Fan, and Tyler Middleton.
Credit: Dennis Schroeder
Lakewood won the competition for the first time after participating for 11 years. They came from behind to defeat the Cheyenne Mountain team in the final round with a score of 38 to 16.
Members of the winning Lakewood team will begin their journey for the national title in Washington, D.C., on April 25. DOE and NREL sponsor the Science Bowl program to provide an opportunity for students to embrace science, technology, engineering, and math studies as a primer for collegiate success and future careers.
"NREL is pleased to support the Colorado Science Bowl," said NREL Deputy Director for Science and Technology Dana Christensen. "It is important that we are actively encouraging the next generation of scientists and engineers, and programs like this act as a catalyst to help students make their decisions on what they want to study in the future. Our hope is that based on the positive experience of participating in Science Bowl, a lot of these students will make the decision to pursue a course of study in science or engineering."
More than 15,000 students across the United States compete for a trip to participate in the National Science Bowl. Only about 600 make it. The Lakewood team knows they will need to be at the top of their game as they prepare to go up against the best in the nation.
"We're going to need to study a lot more between now and April and go really in depth," team member Jacob Stufflebeam said. "For this competition we were mostly relying on the science we already knew and focusing on how to apply it to this type of competitive format. But now we are really going to need to step up our knowledge base to be ready for nationals. It's an exciting opportunity to learn more and test our knowledge against the best."
Competition Sees New Teams, Fresh Faces
Four team members are shown sitting at a table listening intently to a question during the competition. Enlarge image
South Park High School's team was a first-time competitor at the 2013 Colorado High School Regional Science Bowl. From left: Josh Robison, Shannon Hessler, Lou Clark, and Garrett Copeland (Joey Wilson not pictured).
Credit: Dennis Schroeder
In addition to an exciting finish and first-time champion, the Colorado competition this year was also notable for an explosion in new participation from schools around the state. Ten schools participated in the completion for the very first time.
First-time participants from Ellicott High School (Ellicott, Colo.) were very much in the spirit of the competition with their highly recognizable tie-dyed lab coats. Though they were eliminated in the morning round, the team thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of Science Bowl.
"There are a lot of awesome people here, and we're so glad to have a chance to participate," Ellicott team captain Adam Moser said. "It's great to see so many kids out there that are interested in the same topics we are and to have a chance to test our skills against them. We've learned a lot from the experience and look forward to coming back next year."
One first-time school acquitted themselves particularly well in the completion. Tiny South Park High School (Fairplay, Colo.) has just over 130 students in the high school portion of their combined middle and high school. They struggled to find enough students to round out their team. Yet, they performed well enough to come out of the morning competition and win a couple of double-elimination rounds before ultimately being eliminated all while competing against much larger urban and suburban schools with years of experience in the competition.
"We were really terrified in the first round, and our performance was not very good as a result," South Park High School team captain Shannon Hessler said. "Then we settled down and won the next round, which boosted our confidence. There are some really smart people here, and it felt good to know that we could hold our own with them. And we had a lot of fun, too."
The influx of new participants into the Science Bowl gave more experienced hands an opportunity to mentor the new students. Cheyenne Mountain High School senior Sara Volz has participated in Science Bowl all four years of high school, and her team made it to the final round three of those years. Volz will graduate this year and head off to MIT to study biochemistry, but first offers some advice to new students coming into the Science Bowl program.
"A lot of success in Science Bowl is about what you know," Volz said. "But even more of it is about working with your teammates and helping each other improve. The most important thing is not to get discouraged if you have a bad round or miss a few questions, and to just stay focused on the next one."
NREL Staff Pleased to Nurture Next Generation Scientists
A member of one high school team shakes hands with a member of an opposing team. Several other student participants look on. Enlarge image
Cheyenne Mountain High School senior Sara Volz, right, shakes hands with Cherry Creek's Karthik Vishwamitra after a semifinal match at the 2013 Colorado High School Regional Science Bowl.
Credit: Dennis Schroeder
Seeing students like Volz engaged in the sciences inspires NREL volunteer Carolyn Elam, manager of NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility. "Competitions like this really help to motivate kids around these topic areas, and it's really important for us to support this because they are the next generation of scientists and engineers."
The Colorado Science Bowl is a large undertaking for NREL staff. It takes nearly 70 volunteers to run the competition on the day of the event, and many staffers return year after year. "This is my fourth year volunteering at Science Bowl," said Ian Metzger, an engineer in NREL's Integrated Applications Center. "It's a great experience, and I wish that there was a similar program where I went to high school."
NREL staff continue to participate in the event year after year as an opportunity to support and mentor students to excel in math and sciences.
"This is such a valuable program because it encourages the brightest young men and women in the country to pursue academic paths related to science," Metzger said. "It is really important that NREL and DOE get behind this type of program and encourage these students. We will be counting on them to someday continue the work we have begun in advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies as we strive to overcome present and future energy challenges."
###
Learn more about NREL's Education Programs for middle school, high school, and college internships.
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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.
Contact: David Glickson david.glickson@nrel.gov 303-275-4097 DOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory
It was a nail-biter of a finish at the 2013 Colorado High School Regional Science Bowl, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), as a record 42 teams including 10 schools participating for the first time competed for a chance to challenge for the national title. The winner of the Colorado Science Bowl travels to Washington, D.C., for the National Science Bowl in April.
After a full day answering rapid-fire questions in physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth and space sciences, and energy and general sciences, Lakewood High School (Lakewood, Colo.) scored a dramatic victory in the final elimination round to claim the Colorado championship and advance to the national competition. They defeated an experienced Cheyenne Mountain High School (Colorado Springs) team, which had made it to the final round of the competition for the third year in a row.
Lakewood Takes First Colorado Title
"This is pretty exciting," Lakewood team captain Tommy Fan said. "I felt that we were well prepared, but the competition here is so tough. I was just hoping we'd make it out of the morning elimination round. I'm thrilled that we won and will have the opportunity to represent Colorado at nationals."
Four teenage boys sit behind a table during the 2013 Colorado High School Science Bowl, discussing the answer to a question in the final round of the competition. Enlarge image
Lakewood High School competes in the finals of the 2013 Colorado High School Regional Science Bowl. The team took first place at the event. From left: Peter Kim, Eli Veal, Tommy Fan, and Tyler Middleton.
Credit: Dennis Schroeder
Lakewood won the competition for the first time after participating for 11 years. They came from behind to defeat the Cheyenne Mountain team in the final round with a score of 38 to 16.
Members of the winning Lakewood team will begin their journey for the national title in Washington, D.C., on April 25. DOE and NREL sponsor the Science Bowl program to provide an opportunity for students to embrace science, technology, engineering, and math studies as a primer for collegiate success and future careers.
"NREL is pleased to support the Colorado Science Bowl," said NREL Deputy Director for Science and Technology Dana Christensen. "It is important that we are actively encouraging the next generation of scientists and engineers, and programs like this act as a catalyst to help students make their decisions on what they want to study in the future. Our hope is that based on the positive experience of participating in Science Bowl, a lot of these students will make the decision to pursue a course of study in science or engineering."
More than 15,000 students across the United States compete for a trip to participate in the National Science Bowl. Only about 600 make it. The Lakewood team knows they will need to be at the top of their game as they prepare to go up against the best in the nation.
"We're going to need to study a lot more between now and April and go really in depth," team member Jacob Stufflebeam said. "For this competition we were mostly relying on the science we already knew and focusing on how to apply it to this type of competitive format. But now we are really going to need to step up our knowledge base to be ready for nationals. It's an exciting opportunity to learn more and test our knowledge against the best."
Competition Sees New Teams, Fresh Faces
Four team members are shown sitting at a table listening intently to a question during the competition. Enlarge image
South Park High School's team was a first-time competitor at the 2013 Colorado High School Regional Science Bowl. From left: Josh Robison, Shannon Hessler, Lou Clark, and Garrett Copeland (Joey Wilson not pictured).
Credit: Dennis Schroeder
In addition to an exciting finish and first-time champion, the Colorado competition this year was also notable for an explosion in new participation from schools around the state. Ten schools participated in the completion for the very first time.
First-time participants from Ellicott High School (Ellicott, Colo.) were very much in the spirit of the competition with their highly recognizable tie-dyed lab coats. Though they were eliminated in the morning round, the team thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of Science Bowl.
"There are a lot of awesome people here, and we're so glad to have a chance to participate," Ellicott team captain Adam Moser said. "It's great to see so many kids out there that are interested in the same topics we are and to have a chance to test our skills against them. We've learned a lot from the experience and look forward to coming back next year."
One first-time school acquitted themselves particularly well in the completion. Tiny South Park High School (Fairplay, Colo.) has just over 130 students in the high school portion of their combined middle and high school. They struggled to find enough students to round out their team. Yet, they performed well enough to come out of the morning competition and win a couple of double-elimination rounds before ultimately being eliminated all while competing against much larger urban and suburban schools with years of experience in the competition.
"We were really terrified in the first round, and our performance was not very good as a result," South Park High School team captain Shannon Hessler said. "Then we settled down and won the next round, which boosted our confidence. There are some really smart people here, and it felt good to know that we could hold our own with them. And we had a lot of fun, too."
The influx of new participants into the Science Bowl gave more experienced hands an opportunity to mentor the new students. Cheyenne Mountain High School senior Sara Volz has participated in Science Bowl all four years of high school, and her team made it to the final round three of those years. Volz will graduate this year and head off to MIT to study biochemistry, but first offers some advice to new students coming into the Science Bowl program.
"A lot of success in Science Bowl is about what you know," Volz said. "But even more of it is about working with your teammates and helping each other improve. The most important thing is not to get discouraged if you have a bad round or miss a few questions, and to just stay focused on the next one."
NREL Staff Pleased to Nurture Next Generation Scientists
A member of one high school team shakes hands with a member of an opposing team. Several other student participants look on. Enlarge image
Cheyenne Mountain High School senior Sara Volz, right, shakes hands with Cherry Creek's Karthik Vishwamitra after a semifinal match at the 2013 Colorado High School Regional Science Bowl.
Credit: Dennis Schroeder
Seeing students like Volz engaged in the sciences inspires NREL volunteer Carolyn Elam, manager of NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility. "Competitions like this really help to motivate kids around these topic areas, and it's really important for us to support this because they are the next generation of scientists and engineers."
The Colorado Science Bowl is a large undertaking for NREL staff. It takes nearly 70 volunteers to run the competition on the day of the event, and many staffers return year after year. "This is my fourth year volunteering at Science Bowl," said Ian Metzger, an engineer in NREL's Integrated Applications Center. "It's a great experience, and I wish that there was a similar program where I went to high school."
NREL staff continue to participate in the event year after year as an opportunity to support and mentor students to excel in math and sciences.
"This is such a valuable program because it encourages the brightest young men and women in the country to pursue academic paths related to science," Metzger said. "It is really important that NREL and DOE get behind this type of program and encourage these students. We will be counting on them to someday continue the work we have begun in advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies as we strive to overcome present and future energy challenges."
###
Learn more about NREL's Education Programs for middle school, high school, and college internships.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
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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.
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Public release date: 19-Feb-2013
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