Thursday, April 11, 2013

Thank Goodness Kids Do Belong to Their Parents (Atlantic Politics Channel)

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

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/298004145?client_source=feed&format=rss

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New free app brings Samsung?s ?Smart Pause? functionality to iPhone

"I like small penises," said no women interviewed for an actually scientific study released Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, or PNAS. Yes, PNAS is a funny sounding acronym, and, yes, PNAS has found that size does matter ? and that women prefer "showers" to "growers."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/free-app-brings-samsung-smart-pause-functionality-iphone-144507300.html

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Burner: The Single-Serving Phone Number App Is Now for Android

You may already be familiar with the iPhone version of this disposable phone number app, but Burner has just opened up its brave, new, anonymous world to Android—use it wisely. More »
    


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/njYfX7nG6ps/burner-the-single+serving-phone-number-app-is-now-for-android

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Saturday, April 6, 2013

University of Miami athletes depend on former Staten Islander Vinny Scavo

The first one to notice was Tammy Scavo.

It was the night before the University of Miami?s Sept. 22 football game at Georgia Tech, and the Hurricanes? head athletic trainer, Vinny Scavo, and his wife of 22 years were sitting in the hotel lobby as a film camera lurked nearby.

?She says, ?What?s that camera doing following you??? the former New Dorp HS pitcher said. ?I said, ?I don?t know.? So I asked around.?

It turned out the camera, at the direction of filmmaker Madison Murr of 3Pennyfilms, was recording Scavo for its next installment of ?Raising Canes,? an internet series shown on Youtube.com and Hurricanes.com which has become a vital part of the Hurricanes? recruiting program. This particular episode dealt with the return of junior defensive end Shayon Green from an ACL injury.

As an instrumental part of Green?s rehab as Miami?s director of athletic training, Scavo was tabbed to make his computer-screen debut after 30 years of taping, flexing and fixing athletes in various organizations. Green had given Murr the go-ahead to film Scavo applying the layers of Hurricane-colored green and orange athletic tape from mid-shin through thigh in the otherwise private confines of the training room.

Scavo, whose sister Maryanne still lives in their childhood home in Grant City, was called on to offer his version of the Green?s rehab and recovery, sanitized of course.

?I said, ?This is beautiful,?? the 52-year-old said. ?I had no idea that was going to happen. I usually drop a few F-bombs in there, but I didn?t do that, or my wife and sister would have yelled at me.

?But it wasn?t uncomfortable. I just went about my business. I didn?t think about it. We usually don?t allow press in there to protect the privacy of our players, but Shayon agreed to do it.? ?

LOTS OF ENTHUSIASM? ?

Scavo?s enthusiasm for his job and his school show through loud and clear on film.

?He was a good sport,? Murr said. ?The trust factor was there. We wanted to get his own story. He said, ?Whatever you need.? He was a great interview. He?s been there so long and is very passionate about the program, so that was a great positive.?

It wasn?t as if Scavo carved out a section of schedule for some face-time. He doesn?t have many leisurely minutes in Coral Gables. Since becoming director of the school?s entire athletic training program last year after head football coach Al Golden hired him to be the his team?s head trainer in 2010, Scavo has overseen the treatment and rehabilitation of the university?s 400 athletes.

As if that hasn?t kept him busy enough, he also tends to U of M alumni who live in the area such as the Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed and New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, and one former local baseball player of note.

The one who name adorns the school?s baseball stadium.

?We?ve had Alex Rodriguez in here,? Scavo said. ?Our doctor (Dr. Lee Kaplan) operated on him and we?ve had him in. He?s talked to me about different ideas he?s had for his rehab. I have no idea whether he used them or not, but he worked very hard in our strength rooms down the hall.

?He was very nice, very pleasant. To me, he?s just A-Rod, and he needs rehab.?

Scavo has provided those services to every level of athlete since he graduated New Dorp in 1977 after four years playing baseball, his true love, and one playing football. After a semester at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, he ventured south to pitch at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla. There, he became interested in athletic training.

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A meeting with future Yankees manager Dick Howser led to temporary stops at Florida State, where Howser was the baseball coach, and the minor league Oneonta Yankees once Howser accepted the Yankees job. Then it was back to college and ?The U,? for stints as assistant football trainer under national championship winners Howard Schnellenberger and Jimmy Johnson.

Upon marrying Tammy in 1991, he took a job at Coral Gables HS that paid more money.

?Believe it or not, I couldn?t afford to be a college trainer,? he said.

The downward step proved no impediment to his being named to the Olympic Trials staff. After that, he directed the minor league training operations for the upstart Florida Marlins from 1992-96. Then it was back to high school until, in 2006, Dr. Kaplan asked him to direct the sports medicine clinic he set up at the University of Miami Hospital. ?

EYE FOR TALENT? ?

He moved on-campus in 2011 when Golden pushed through the construction of a facility dedicated solely to strength, conditioning, and athletic training.

Despite his nearly year-round residence in Florida, Scavo said he remains a Staten Islander at heart. What little vacation time he gets is spent up here, visiting family and old friends and teammates. He bled, right along with his Island brethren, when Superstorm Sandy struck.

?I have (FOX) Five on my satellite and I watch it every night,? Scavo said. ?I told my sister what was happening before she even knew it.?

He also reads The Advance every day to keep up on hometown news. That?s where he learned about Augustus Edwards, Tottenville?s 6-foot-1, 230-pound running back with 4.5 speed. Golden?s staff hadn?t even looked at Edwards until Scavo brought his name up.

A discussion with the school?s recruiting coordinator led to a visit not long ago.

?I met him coming out of the hotel, and he had a Yankees hat on,? Scavo said. ?I said, ?Good move. Good move.??

Edwards committed to the Hurricanes in early February.

If Scavo has his way, Edwards won?t be the last recruit from his old borough.

?We need more Staten Island kids down here,? he said. ?

Source: http://www.silive.com/colleges/index.ssf/2013/04/university_of_miami_athletes_d.html

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Boston Dynamics' Petman robot successfully wears clothes (video)

Boston Dynamics' Petman robot successfully wears clothes video

Boston Dynamics has been releasing video after video of its Petman humanoid robot performing a variety of tests, but something has always been missing: clothes. No longer. The company has today released a new video that demonstrates the robot can not only wear clothes, but make you never look at a hazmat suit the same way again. As the company notes, the testing isn't just for Petman -- thanks to some DoD funding, it's using the robot to test suits like this in hazardous conditions, with an array of sensors on the robot itself able to detect chemicals leaking through the suit. Sit down, and head on past the break to see the video for yourself.

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Source: Boston Dynamics (YouTube)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/05/boston-dynamics-petman-robot-successfully-wears-clothes-video/

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Friday, April 5, 2013

Roger Waters, Israel: Jewish Group Pressure Organizers to Cancel His NYC Appearance

Roger WatersJason Kempin, Getty

Amid pressure from a Jewish group, a cultural center in Manhattan has reportedly canceled an interview with Roger Waters following the musician's recent statements regarding Israel.

According to Jewish Daily Forward, "An Evening With Roger Waters" was slated for the Theresa L. Kaufmann Concert Hall in New York City for April 30. The interview, which was to look at the musician's career and current projects, was then reportedly rescheduled to June 19 but now is not happening at all.

"It's absolutely outrageous that Jewish community funds are going to help Roger Waters spread his anti-Semitic message," Richard Allen of JCC Watch said in a statement found on the organization's site. Allen also added Jewish donors to the JCC were essentially "helping to provide Waters with a facility, marketing, and respectability, so he can win over more people with his anti-Israel lies."

The ticket link to the event says, "This event has been cancelled. We will be issuing refunds to all ticket-holders."

As previously reported Waters has been quite vocal in his stance imploring musicians to boycott Israel, comparing it to the "apartheid regime" in South Africa.

"They are running riot and it seems unlikely that running over there and playing the violin will have any lasting effect," Waters said, adding he encouraged Stevie Wonder to nix a gala dinner performance last December for the Israeli Defense Forces.

Tickets for the event, which started at $75, will be refunded by organizers. Waters will launch yet another leg of The Wall world tour in Europe starting July 18 in the Netherlands. The trek is slated to conclude in Paris on Sept. 21.

Watch Roger Waters Give a Speech at the U.N.Video



Source: http://www.spinner.com/2013/04/04/roger-waters-israel-new-york-cancel/

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Thursday, April 4, 2013

Daily stress takes a toll on long-term mental health, UCI-led study finds

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Our emotional responses to the stresses of daily life may predict our long-term mental health, according to a new study led by a UC Irvine psychologist. The research, which appears online in the journal Psychological Science, suggests that maintaining emotional balance is crucial to avoiding severe mental health problems down the road.

Susan Charles, UC Irvine professor of psychology & social behavior, and her colleagues conducted the study in order to answer a long-standing question: Do everyday irritations add up to make the straw that breaks the camel's back, or do they make us stronger and "inoculate" us against later tribulations?

Using data from two national, longitudinal surveys, the researchers found that participants' negative emotional responses to daily stressors ? such as arguments with a spouse or partner, conflicts at work, standing in long lines or sitting in traffic ? predicted psychological distress and self-reported anxiety/mood disorders 10 years later.

"How we manage daily emotions matters to our overall mental health," Charles said. "We're so focused on long-term goals that we don't see the importance of regulating our emotions. Changing how you respond to stress and how you think about stressful situations is as important as maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine."

The results were based on data from 711 men and women between 25 and 74 who had participated in the Midlife Development in the United States project and the National Study of Daily Experiences.

According to Charles and her colleagues, the findings show that mental health outcomes aren't affected by just major life events; they also bear the impact of seemingly minor emotional experiences. The study suggests that the chronic nature of negative emotions in response to daily stressors can take a toll on long-term psychological well-being.

"It's important not to let everyday problems ruin your moments," Charles said. "After all, moments add up to days, and days add up to years. Unfortunately, people don't see mental health problems as such until they become so severe that they require professional attention."

###

University of California - Irvine: http://www.uci.edu

Thanks to University of California - Irvine for this article.

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

This press release has been viewed 46 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127568/Daily_stress_takes_a_toll_on_long_term_mental_health__UCI_led_study_finds

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Next iPhone due this summer, report says

A new iPhone, one that looks the same as the iPhone 5, may be released this summer.

Apple plans to start production on the new phone in the second quarter of this year, said The Wall Street Journal, citing "people familiar with the device's production."

The phone ? presumably the "iPhone 5S" ? could be ready in time to be available in the summer, the time of year used to launch the original iPhone in 2007, and the three subsequent models from 2008 through 2010. The iPhone 4S was released in October 2011, and the iPhone 5 in September 2012, a move some thought was timed to better position sales to holiday shoppers.

Apple also may have a less-expensive iPhone available that "could be launched as soon as the second half of this year," the Journal said, citing the same sources.

Apple declines to comment on reports about future products.

There has been speculation for a few years that Apple would come out with a cheaper iPhone. It would make more sense now than ever for the company to do so with the continuing success of Android phones, available from a variety of manufacturers and with a range of prices.

However, Android fans also speak of the appeal of larger screen sizes; yet even the high-end iPhone will likely have the same 4-inch screen, small compared to the Samsung Galaxy S 4's 5-inch screen.

Check out Technology, GadgetBox, TODAYTech and InGame on Facebook, and on Twitter, follow Suzanne Choney.

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/653377/s/2a446e93/l/0L0Snbcnews0N0Ctechnology0Ctechnolog0Cnext0Eiphone0Edue0Esummer0Ereport0Esays0E1C9184964/story01.htm

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32: Taylor Swift Video Parody Looks Ahead 10 Jaded Years

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/04/32-taylor-swift-video-parody-looks-ahead-10-jaded-years/

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Six thing you should know about the bird flu virus

A new strain of bird flu in China has sickened nine people, including three who died, according to news reports.

Two of the deaths were in Shanghai, and one in the Zhejiang province, the BBC says.

Here are six things to know about this new bird flu strain, called H7N9:

Has there ever been an outbreak of this H7N9 flu strain in the past?

No, before these cases in China, the H7N9 flu strain was not known to cause illness in humans. The strain has mainly been seen in birds.

Most strains of bird flu do not infect people, although the H5N1 flu strain has caused more than 600 human illnesses in 15 countries since 2003, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Have similar strains infected people?

Strains from the H7 family of flu viruses have caused more than 100 cases of human infection in the past decade, according to a recent study in the Journal of Virology. A 2003 outbreak of the H7N7 strain in the Netherlands caused 89 infections and one death, according to CNN.

The "H" and "N" in the virus' name refer to proteins on the surface of the virus, called the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. There are 16 types of hemagglutinin and nine types of neuraminidase that can come in pretty much any combination, said Dr. Richard Webby, a bird flu expert and infectious disease researcher at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

What symptoms do people with H7 flu infections have?

Three of the people infected in China experienced respiratory tract infections that progressed to pneumonia and breathing problems, according to the World Health Organization.

Many of H7 flu virus infections seen in the past caused conjunctivitis (or eye infections) that were not transmissible between people, Webby said.

Does the H7N9 virus spread person-to-person?

At this time, there's no evidence that the new H7N9 strain spreads between people, WHO says. The first three cases, which occurred in Shanghai and China's Anhui province (both near the country's east coast), did not appear to be connected, and people in close contact with those who got sick were not found to be infected. An investigation into the source of the infection is ongoing, WHO says.

One infected woman reportedly worked with poultry, according to CNN.

A concerning feature of the virus is that it has a genetic marker thought to increase the likelihood that it can infect humans, Webby said. It's possible this marker only shows up once the virus infects people. But if viruses in the animal population have this marker, then we could expect to see a lot more cases, Webby said. However, this marker is likely not sufficient to allow the virus to transmit between people, Webby said.

How is the virus spread if it's not person-to-person?

It's likely that the H7N9 has a source population, but whether that population is birds or another organism remains to be seen. "There's a lot of something infected with it," Webby said, and a small percentage of cases are hopping over to humans.

What will health officials look for in the coming weeks?

Besides trying to identify the source of the virus, health officials will be looking for more cases, Webby said. The cases we're seeing now may be on the extreme end of the spectrum, in terms of symptom severity, and there may be more people with less severe infections, Webby said.

Follow Rachael Rettner @RachaelRettner. Follow MyHealthNewsDaily @MyHealth_MHND, Facebook & Google+.

Copyright 2013 MyHealthNewsDaily, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bird-flu-virus-6-things-know-181826735.html

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Friday, March 22, 2013

Lili Balfour: How to Think Like a Winner When You Feel Like a Loser

This post originally appeared on www.atelieradvisors.com/think

A winner is a loser who was relentless in his or her pursuit of success.

Life is hard. Eighty percent of companies started today will fail. As entrepreneurs, we must constantly arm ourselves with the tools needed to maintain our sanity and thrive. We must constantly remind ourselves that the darkest hour is just before the dawn. We must think like a winner when we feel like a loser.

When We Think Like a Winner We See The Opportunity, Not the Obstacle.

A winner prepares his or her mind and body for success:

Meditate -- Thoughts create actions, actions create reality. Begin each morning focused on gratitude for what you currently have and visualize the world as you would like to see it. Winners are grateful, not resentful. Winners pour their energy into the good in their life and visualize all the possibilities the world could potentially offer.

Tip: Meditate for (at least) five minutes every morning or whenever you need a mental reset.

Connect -- We become the people we spend the most time with, so select your circle carefully. Surround yourself with inspiring people. Kindly eliminate negative people from your life.

Tip: Build a circle of people who inspire you to be your best and provide a platform for you to honestly express your fears and concerns about life.

Exercise -- Exercise helps to clear the mind and stimulate creativity. If you are stuck on a difficult problem, take a walk. New ideas will flow through your mind, your energy level will increase and you will be more productive when you get back to work.

Tip: Find time to exercise, whether it is walking or biking to work or visiting the gym during lunch or playing sports in the evening.

Laugh -- Laughter is proven to decrease stress and increase your immune system. Try this right now: smile. A smile turns into a laugh. A laugh distresses your mind and energizes your body. In fact, a doctor in India, Dr. Madan Kataria, created laughter yoga to combine two powerful tools -- laughter and stretching -- and people around the world have incorporated his approach.

Tip: The next time you are feeling tied down to your computer, take a second to read Buzzfeed and stretch.

Eat -- Food can give us energy or take it away. The opposite of a food coma is a well-fed, active mind. Develop an eating plan based on foods that stimulate your body and mind. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grain, and water are a good start. Reduce or eliminate; sugar, alcohol, fried and processed food.

Tip: Utilize free tools, such as MyFitnessPal, to analyze your food intake.

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Stress, depression, and anxiety are normal parts of life. When handled correctly, they are harmless. If left untreated, they can lead to self-destructive behavior including substance abuse and suicide.

According to a study completed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration in 2004, approximately 10 percent of Americans were dependent on alcohol and/or drugs. Nearly a decade later this problem persists as people turn to prescription drugs and alcohol to solve their problems, leading to an increase in drug overdoses and alcohol related deaths.

The Ugly Truth

The World Health Organization conducted a study in 2009, concluding that the current average world suicide rate was 10.07 per 100,000 people, while the U.S. rate surpassed this rate with 11.10 per 100,000 people. To put this in perspective; Peru held the lowest rate at .85 and Belarus claimed the highest rate at 36.8. An elementary understanding of each culture makes the contrast crystal clear. Existing in a system with excessive stress and limited resources leads many to deep despair.


Image courtesy of Chartbin

If you're feeling stuck, please know that you are not alone. It is natural to feel overwhelmed while you are building a company. You are not the first person to feel this way.

  • There are 20 failed suicide attempts for each successful attempt.
  • Every 40 seconds somebody dies by suicide.
  • Worldwide suicide rates increased by 60 percent in last 45 years.

There are several organizations that can guide you through a rough patch. I've listed the most well known below. Feel free to add any I have missed in the comments.

http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
http://twloha.com/

https://www.save.org

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Follow Lili Balfour on Twitter: www.twitter.com/atelieradvisors

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lili-balfour/how-to-think-like-a-winne_b_2920018.html

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A Dongle Joke That Spiraled Way Out Of Control

pycon_logo-300x109In an age of blogs, tweets, Hacker News, Reddit and Anonymous, an off-the-cuff joke can spin wildly out of control. At least it appears that’s what happened with PyCon this week when a sexual joke led to some very public firings, a virulent debate about women in technology, another virulent debate about public shaming, and now, an apparent DDOS attack (although we haven’t been able to confirm it with the company). So here’s what happened: 1) While sitting in the 10th row of a Python programming conference, a developer who used to work for mobile monetization startup Playhaven apparently made a joke about ?big? dongles and “forking someone’s repo.” 2) Adria Richards, a developer evangelist sitting in front of them, called them out on Twitter and in a blog post for making the conference environment unwelcoming toward women. PyCon then escorted them out to the hallway. Not cool. Jokes about forking repo's in a sexual way and "big" dongles. Right behind me #pycon http://t.co/Hv1bkeOsYP— Adria Richards (@adriarichards) March 17, 2013 “Women in technology need consistant [sic] messaging from birth through retirement they are welcome, competent and valued in the industry,” she explained in a blog post. 3) Shortly afterward, Playhaven said it had fired the developer. CEO Andy Yang explained, “As a company that is dedicated to gender equality and values honorable behavior, we conducted a thorough investigation. The result of this investigation led to the unfortunate outcome of having to let this employee go.” He added that the employee wasn’t Alex Reid, who is the guy looking straight at the camera in Richards’ tweeted photo. Reid still works for Playhaven. 4) The unnamed fired employee showed up on Hacker News by the name of “mr-hank” and apologized for the joke. I really did not mean to offend anyone and I really do regret the comment and how it made Adria feel. She had every right to report me to staff, and I defend her position. However, there is another side to this story. While I did make a big dongle joke about a fictional piece hardware that identified as male, no sexual jokes were made about forking. My friends and I had decided forking someone’s repo is a new form of flattery (the highest form being implementation) and we were excited about one of the presenters projects; a friend said “I would fork that guys repo” The sexual context

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/X_o41g2yNlc/

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Saturday, March 16, 2013

Samsung partners with Mobeam to offer scannable bar codes on the Galaxy S 4

Samsung partners with Mobeam to offer scannable bar codes on the Galaxy S IV

For over a year, mobile commerce startup Mobeam has been looking for OEM suitors willing to embed its bar code scanning tech into phones -- and it's found an ideal partner in Samsung. The tech, which Mobeam calls light based communications (LBC), will be embedded in the manufacturer's latest flagship, the Galaxy S 4. LBC makes it possible for point-of-sale scanners to pick up digital 1D bar codes. So how does it work? Mobeam takes advantage of the phone's proximity sensor to beam pulses of light which mimic your standard black-and-white code. The option should be available for any third-party developer that wants to use it, but unfortunately the tech is only launching -- for now, at least -- on the GS 4, though we've been told that it will eventually be ready to go for more devices down the road. Head below to scan through the full press release for yourself.

Check out our event hub for all the action from Samsung's Galaxy S 4 event.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/14/samsung-mobeam-galaxy-s-4/

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Friday, March 15, 2013

10 Tallest Apartment Buildings In The World (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

It doesn't take a city dweller to appreciate the idea of living in a magnificent skyscraper. Not only are the views from high-rises often breathtaking, but the amenities that accompany the structures are usually equally as extravagant. To satisfy our curiosity about the best and the biggest, we did a little research on the tallest apartment buildings in the world -- and it turns out that one city in particular has quite the monopoly of them. Can you guess which one? Click through the slideshow below to see the ten tallest apartment buildings in the world, and here's the view from the top of the Princess Tower in Dubai's Marina district.

  • 1. The Princess Tower

    As of 2012, The Princess Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates stands as the world's tallest residential skyscraper at 1,358 feet. With 101 floors (according to <a href="http://www.emporis.com/building/princesstower-dubai-unitedarabemirates">Emporis</a>), the tower is located in the city's Marina district -- the only area in Dubai where Western Europeans form the majority.

  • 2. 23 Marina

    Also in Dubai's Marina district is 23 Marina, and at 1289 feet, it stands as the world's second tallest residential building. The 23 Marina boasts a 6-story entrance hall to receive residents, 8 elevators and 57 swimming pools among other lavish amenities. Check out this promotional video to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibo-la26Luw">learn more about the skyscraper</a>.

  • 3. Elite Residence

    The third largest apartment building (at 1248 feet) is in the same one-mile radius of the first two. Elite Residence stands at number three in Dubai's Marina district. Though the floor count stops at 87, this building's exceptional view over the man-made island Palm Jumeirah makes it just as desirable.

  • 4. The Torch

    If you couldn't already tell, Dubai has amassed quite a few of these incredible architectural sites. And the city caps off our list's top four spots with 'The Torch', a high-rise that stands at 1105 feet. Also in the Marina district, 'The Torch' joins Dubai's impressive line-up and solidifies the city as the leading developer of residential skyscrapers.

  • 5. Queensland Number One (Q1)

    At number 5 is Australia's 'Queensland Number One' (1058 feet), or simply Q1. Located in Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast, Australia, Q1 is the tallest building in both the country and the Southern Hemisphere.

  • 6. HHHR Tower

    Returning to Dubai, number 6 on our list goes to The HHHR Tower (1042 feet), designed by <a href="http://www.alhashemi.ae">Al Hashemi</a> (a UAE-based architectural firm.) Watch the accompanying video for more details on this building.

  • 7. Ocean Heights

    The final residential skyscraper from Dubai goes to Ocean Heights, an unusual structure with a slight curve that stands at 1017 feet. Be sure to watch the promotional video for an inside look at the building.

  • 8. The Gramercy Residences

    Named 'The Gramercy Residences', the building is modeled after New York City's Gramercy Park. Projected to be the 8th tallest residential building, the exclusive complex is located in Makati, Philippines. Still in-progress, construction plans are explored in greater detail in this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4ThSNKFsSs">promotional video</a>.

  • 9. The City Of Capitals

    Moscow, Russia makes the list with its multi-complex named 'The City of Capitals.' 'Moscow', the tallest of the buildings, stands at 1016 feet. Together, the structures symbolize the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

  • 10. We've The Zenith Towers

    'We've The Zenith' of Busan, South Korea is a multiplex of 3 residential towers. Tower A stands tallest among them at 988 feet, while Tower B and Tower C stand at 924 feet and 869 feet, respectively. The complex is the second tallest building in South Korea.

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Do you have a home story idea or tip? Email us at homesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com. (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/14/tallest-apartment-buildings-in-the-world_n_2867064.html

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The Best Redecorating Ways To Get The Most From Your Assignments

The Best Redecorating Ways To Get The Most From Your Assignments

Whether you?re boosting your house?s benefit or perhaps beautifying it, you have to be conscious that a good deal can go incorrect. This has the redecorating territory. It will require expertise to be a skilled carpenter. The novice handyman isn?t always your best option for your venture. The following tips will help you out.

It is essential to make certain you check for signs and symptoms of damage on your roofing each spring. Be on the lookout for curling or blistering from the shingles, then substitute them when they are broken. If you take good care of injuries, it will help you if you need to correct significant issues down the road.

A cash low cost offered by a service provider is prohibited, and this particular individual is greatest avoided. You won?t have any pieces of paper trail by paying with money, so you as a result won?t have recourse if he will take your money and leaves you without any home improvements done.

Flooring should be eliminated in higher-website traffic regions like foyers and hallways. In the initial rainy year, your carpet rich in traffic locations present considerably more put on and grime than other parts of your carpet. It will have to be changed quicker, way too. Rather than carpet, look into soil resilient resources like linoleum or floor tile.

For those who have some wallpaper, you could make a great searching bookcase. Initially, choose a style which you like. Put the wallpapers on the back of the bookcase, so glimpses of this are apparent when publications are saved to the shelves. Voila! You?ve received a charming, original focal point to your room!

An air conditioning unit is not one of most desirable appliances. In certain areas, however, air conditioning is undoubtedly an complete requirement. It is easy to include the unit by using a trellis or bamboo stand up. Elaborate grasses like pampas grass are another option be sure that you abandon approximately one foot of space between your origins along with the edge of the device.

Use some varnish and wallpapers to generate a again splash in the kitchen area. Purchase a wallpaper you like. Measure the room then reduce the papers just a little greater than the room. Once you use the wallpaper mixture towards the surfaces, give it time to stay for many a few minutes to get a little bit tacky. Hang your wallpapers then smooth out bubbles. Toned the sides for the ideal fit. Right after the wallpaper is dry you can brush with a slender layer of varnish to water resistant the wallpaper you?ve applied to your wall. Then relax and enjoy the seem of your thrifty, but new, back-splash.

You might easily find more temperature by placing a source of heat beneath a tiled flooring. It is actually specially smart to speak to a specialist about setting up radiant heating if you are already about to change a ground with tile. When you feel the warmth within your ft you will be so satisfied you moved this option. Radiant warming is actually a characteristic most home buyer will appreciate.

While you start off almost any home improvement project, keep in mind never to ignore the quantity of try to be achieved. Sit down and take note of a misplaced of the things that you should do. Also, it may be a good idea to get another person to have a look at it, in case you forgot about something. It gives you a whole plan of the will likely be carried out and permit you to get a full idea of what it will look like after completion.

Some home remodeling projects are harder as opposed to others. It may even be less difficult than you believed. Nonetheless, when you don?t know know what you will be doing, you could potentially turn out leading to far more injury to your house. Everything you have just read through previously mentioned offers some great advancement ideas. Have fun applying them.

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Olivia Wilde Targeted By ?Beliebers? On Twitter (VIDEO)

Olivia Wilde Targeted By “Beliebers” On Twitter (VIDEO)

Olivia Wilde on Jay LenoOlivia Wilde is being targeted by angry Justin Bieber fans, after she suggested he put on a shirt in the cold London weather. Wilde has since been bombarded with hateful messages by Beliebers, responding to a few of the messages with humor when she appeared on Jay Leno’s show. Olivia Wilde, who said she was ...

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Source: http://stupidcelebrities.net/2013/03/olivia-wilde-targeted-by-beliebers-on-twitter-video/

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Movie Review: ?Oz the Great and Powerful? ? Somewhere, Sort Of ...

2 & ? popcorns


Find tickets and showtimes on Fandango.


Oz_-_The_Great_and_Powerful_PosterBy Michael S. Goldberger,?film critic

Sam Raimi?s ?Oz the Great and Powerful,? being hawked as a prequel to L. Frank Baum?s ?The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,? is filled with so much goodness that it almost compensates for its lack of greatness. Which, ironically, mirrors the moral message of the film. PG-rated, the fantasy provides Junior a good bridge to more sophisticated viewing.

After attempting to duck a wave that nearly made me spill my party mix, I concluded that this colorful and convivial film vaunts the best use of 3D since ?Avatar.? Finding out you can still be fooled and made to feel a little silly is always a nice surprise, providing it doesn?t cost too much. Our title character has devoted his life to leveraging that emotion.

Problem is, for all his grandiose dreams, Oscar Diggs, nicely portrayed by James Franco, has never been able to catapult his magic act beyond the dim horizons of the fleabag traveling circus where he works his petty cons and seductions. Pooh-poohing convention, he regales each new female conquest with tales of the grandeur he is sure awaits him.

However, in doing so, we sense a slight self-effacement. Aware that he occupies a moral netherworld somewhere between charlatan and petty fraud, at times he allows a little hint of conscience. But then, after a split second of such soul-searching, he gathers himself and chuckles at his choice of deception over honesty. Yep, he?s all for the big trick.

Never mind that Annie, the rural Kansan lass he perennially leaves behind, sees more potential in him than even he could conjure. Portrayed by Michelle Williams, she is the epitome of hope, and will reappear in a more regal persona after a tornado, this fable?s segue of choice, brings us from black and white reality to the rainbow spectrum of Oz.

It?s the Emerald City before we knew it, before Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and The Cowardly Lion. But uh, oh, don?t breathe too easy. For you know very well who is here, my pretty. Problem is, because of some chicanery and intrigue that?s all about establishing the rulership of Oz, we?re not exactly sure just which witch is which.

There?s no easily identifiable Margaret Hamilton here. That?s the rub. All the ladies are quite pretty, especially Mila Kunis as Theodora, the first person Oscar meets after his hot air balloon tumbles to terra firma. Apparently hardwired to his lothario ways, he instantly picks up where he left off and swears his undying love to the pulchritudinous hostess.

In-between Oscar?s demonstrations of what we called smooth talk back in the hood, Theodora fills him in on all the political skullduggery at home. The throne is currently vacant, the ugly work of the Wicked Witch of the West. But you see, there?s a prophecy about a king, and our man seems to fit it. P.S.?Theodora would just love to be his queen.

It?s all very nice and good natured save for intermittent tinges of scariness meant to caution Taylor and Britney that life isn?t all peaches and cream, especially in the tension filled catastasis. But the amusement quotient withers when the novelty of exposition runs into the weak last third of the story?when wonders give way to the same old, same old.

Still, part blowhard, part ordinary guy thrown into extraordinary circumstances, James Franco is a presence the under 13 gang might liken to a funny, enigmatic uncle. Whereas grownups and folks even older than them may find his oscillation between cowardice and artifice comically reminiscent of Bob Hope, always the hero despite himself.

Now, bearing in mind the film?s claim of prefigurement, it?s initially difficult to imagine that Mr. Franco could evolve into good old Frank Morgan?s Wizard of Oz. Yet, a look back at myself at 30 tempers such implausibility. All the same, a careful, symbolic splicing of elements from the 1939 classic might have better anchored the connection.

Otherwise, David Lindsay-Abaire and Mitchell Kapner?s screenplay does a fairly good job of pre-creating the Oz we all know, right down to the Yellow Brick Road, a horde of Munchkins and a coven of witches both bad and good. And while there could never be a substitute for sweet Toto, sidekick flying monkey Finley (Zach Braff) adds some humor.

But too bad the reverse extrapolation doesn?t develop a more fantastical genesis. Leaning on established lore, the movie lacks the sort of imaginative adventure that could stand on its own. Hence, when we pull away the curtain of advertising that?s been touting ?Oz the Great and Powerful,? what we actually find is ?Oz the Nice and Somewhat Pleasant.?
?
?Oz the Great and Powerful,? rated PG, is a Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures release directed by Sam Raimi and stars James Franco, Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams. Running time: 130 minutes

Source: http://njtoday.net/2013/03/14/movie-review-oz-the-great-and-powerful-somewhere-sort-of-near-the-rainbow/

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Thursday, March 14, 2013

Steubenville, Ohio, high school rape trial enters second day

By Drew Singer

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (Reuters) - The judge deciding the fate of two high school football players in Ohio accused of raping a drunk classmate last summer will hear more testimony on Thursday from prosecution witnesses - and more sharp questioning from defense attorneys - as the trial enters its second day.

Prosecutors are expected to call three members of Stuebenville's storied "Big Red" football team who already testified against their two teammates in a preliminary hearing after receiving assurances they would not be charged for their actions that night.

On Wednesday, both sides presented brief opening statements in the non-jury trial before the prosecution began to present its evidence. The case went viral on social media when photos and a video of the alcohol-fueled party were posted.

Steubenville quarterback Trent Mays, 17, and wide receiver Ma'lik Richmond, 16, are accused of raping the girl as she lay naked on the basement floor, too drunk to move or speak. The girl told police she did not remember what happened, but reported the incident the next day.

It is Reuters policy not to name rape victims.

On the first day of the trial in Jefferson County Court, prosecutor Marianne Hemmeter told the judge the girl was too drunk to make a decision about her welfare and promised to present evidence of the alleged rape culled from social media pictures and online postings.

"You will have to piece it together much in the way (the victim) had to piece it together," she told the court.

Lawyers for the boys say the sex was consensual and that the victim had told friends in advance that she wanted to have sex with the players.

If convicted, Mays and Richmond could have to stay at a juvenile detention facility until they turn 21 and then have to register as sex offenders.

(Writing by James B. Kelleher; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/steubenville-ohio-high-school-rape-trial-enters-second-050136579.html

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HTC One Developer Edition announced, $649 with SIM and bootloader unlocked

HTC One Developer Edition announced, $649 with SIM and bootloader unlocked

HTC is getting into the Developer Edition trend -- a compromise necessary since CEO Peter Chou's plan to stop locking bootloaders entirely didn't stick -- as it's announced tonight that a variant of its new One that will be available with both SIM and bootloader unlocked. Due to arrive in the US at the same time as the standard carrier versions, it will keep the same powerful specs and slick design (no, the case is not transparent) we loved in our review, but without the restrictions. One thing it's missing? AWS HSPA/WCDMA access, which should limit its opportunities on T-Mobile until it rolls out LTE service. The price is $649 up front and it will ship in "limited quantities," so we'd figure that's just one more thing to keep in mind before the next Galaxy S is announced on Thursday.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/13/htc-one-developer-edition-unlocked-sim-bootloader-649/

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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

How Japan's 'flammable ice' breakthrough could revolutionize the energy industry

The country may have found the successor to fracking

On Tuesday, Japan became the first country to ever successfully extract natural gas from underwater deposits of methane hydrate, a frozen gas sometimes referred to as "flammable ice." The breakthrough could be a boon to the energy-poor nation, which imports almost all of its energy. And if the technology proves commercially viable, it could benefit other countries ? including Canada, the U.S., Norway, and China ??that are also seeking to exploit methane hydrate deposits.

Japan has reportedly spent hundreds of millions of dollars in pursuit of flammable ice, a Holy Grail that could satisfy the country's future energy demands as Japan weans itself off nuclear power in the aftermath of the leak at the Fukushima Daichii plant. Japanese officials are virtually giddy at the prospect. "Japan could finally have an energy source to call its own," proclaimed Takami Kawamoto, a spokesperson for the Japan Oil, Gas, & Metal National Corp. (Jogmec), the government-run company that is leading the effort.

According to The New York Times, "Methane hydrate is a sherbet-like substance that can form when methane gas is trapped in ice below the seabed or underground." Jogmec says there are at least 1.1 trillion cubic meters of the stuff in the trough where it is currently drilling, just off the Pacific Coast. If Japan can perfect its extraction technique, the area would provide the country with enough natural gas to last 11 years. Japan's waters reportedly contain a total of 7 trillion cubic meters of flammable ice, which would supply the country with natural gas for many, many decades to come.

How does the drilling process work exactly? "Japan used depressurization to turn methane hydrate to methane gas," says Reuters, "a process thought by the government to be more effective than using the hot water circulation method the country had tested successfully in 2002."

The technology, however, is still in its infant stage. At the moment, it's far too expensive to be sustainable, though Japan hopes to have a commercially viable model in place by 2019. Furthermore, flammable ice remains something of a mystery, which could result in technical glitches and setbacks in the future. "We are studying many things that are not yet known about methane hydrate," according to Kawamoto.

Still, Japanese officials point to the U.S.'s recent natural gas boom as evidence that technologically complex drilling processes can result in an energy bonanza. The U.S.'s production of natural gas has skyrocketed due to hydraulic fracturing ? or fracking ? of shale rock, an intensive process that has become widespread in recent years.

Fracking remains a controversial technique, with environmentalists claiming that it could do significant damage to the environment. So far, scientists know little about the impact flammable gas extraction could have on the environment.

SEE MORE: What it's like to cover the papal conclave

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/japans-flammable-ice-breakthrough-could-revolutionize-energy-industry-162000154.html

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Sorry, But Bananas Won't Calm Your Caffeine Jitters

Some baristas swear that bananas can cure your coffee jitters, but the science just doesn't add up.

Daniel M.N. Turner/NPR

Some baristas swear that bananas can cure your coffee jitters, but the science just doesn't add up.

Daniel M.N. Turner/NPR

It happens to the best of us. You drink one too many cups of coffee and, for the next few hours, you end up acting like a hyper preschooler who just can't sit still.

Which can be pretty inconvenient if it's, say, noon and you're at the office, or if it's midnight and you can't fall asleep.

Wouldn't it be nice if there were something quick and easy that you could take to combat the effects of over-caffeination? Something like ... a banana?

Last week, food blog Serious Eats floated the idea that eating a banana might indeed be an effective way to remedy over-caffeination. This, based on advice solicited from baristas like Simon Ouderkirk of SPoT Coffee.

"Folks, science has proven that bananas will stop the jitters and get your eyesight right after too many espressos," he told Serious Eats.

As far as we can tell, the "scientific" argument for why bananas might tame an unwanted caffeine jolt rests on the fact that caffeine is a diuretic. If you consume too much of it, you risk depleting your levels of important electrolytes like potassium. Eating foods rich in potassium, like bananas, can help to counter this effect.

It's a plausible theory, but is it correct?

Unfortunately not, says Dr. Randy Eichner, professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

According to Eichner, drinking a few too many cups of coffee will not have any noticeable effect on potassium levels.

"The only cases of low potassium from caffeine I know of were flukes," he writes in an email to The Salt.

He points to the case of a 44-year-old Australian ostrich farmer who experienced severe muscle weakness after drinking 10 liters of Coca-Cola during a wild and crazy night of kangaroo hunting. Turns out, he'd been following that kind of cola-heavy diet on a daily basis for the previous three years.

But even if you did manage to consume enough caffeine to significantly deplete potassium levels, Eichner adds that eating just one banana wouldn't help you out much.

For example, in order to restore the potassium lost from a severe bought of diarrhea, he says you'd have to eat the equivalent of a 5-foot-long banana.

Sorry, folks, but it looks like bananas aren't a caffeination cure-all after all.

And until the day when mega bananas do become available for purchase, Eichner suggests a more practical, if less whimsical, way to treat over-caffeination: "Just let it wear off."

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/03/11/174021648/sorry-but-bananas-wont-calm-your-caffeine-jitters?ft=1&f=1007

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MacBreak Weekly 341: Drop it Like it's Hot

Leo Laporte, Andy Ihnatko, Alex Lindsay and I talk iPhone 5S rumors, is Apple maps getting better, Apple debuts 2013 as top US smartphone maker, and more.

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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Stocks turn higher; Dow extends all-time high?

Stocks turned higher Monday, with the Dow extending its all-time high, as investors seemed to shrug off earlier worries over disappointing economic data from China and weakness in Europe.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average drifted higher following a weak open, led by Boeing and UnitedHealth, extending its gains after closing above 14,400 for the first time last week.

The blue-chip index is up more than 10 percent for the year and on track for its biggest quarterly gain since the fourth quarter of 2011.

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq also poked into positive territory. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, dipped below 12 for the first time since April 2007.

(Read More: The Big Bet That the S&P Will Soon Make an All-Time High)

Among key S& sectors, financials traded higher, while telecoms held modest losses.

General Electric chief Jeff Immelt said the conglomerate plans to return $18 billion to investors through dividends and buybacks, adding that dividend growth is a top priority for the company. Meanwhile, Nomura downgraded its rating on GE to "neutral" from "buy."

Citigroup edged higher after RBS upgraded the bank to "buy" from "neutral."

Dell gained after Icahn Enterprises said it had entered into a confidentiality agreement with the computer hardware maker and looked forward to commencing a review of the company.

BlackBerry soared following news the company's highly anticipated BlackBerry Z10 will be sold through AT&T by March 22. The U.S. launch of the company's newest smartphone was delayed due to a longer carrier-testing phase.

Genworth rallied to lead the S&P 500 gainers after a Barron's article over the weekend said the mortgage insurer's stock could almost double in the next year, thanks to gains in mortgage and health-care pricing.

(Read More: Why Italy Could Be the Next 'Bad Boy of Europe')

"We're in unchartered territory, but the higher this market goes without a pullback, the more investors have to be concerned that underneath the surface, risk begets risk," said Quincy Krosby, market strategist with Prudential Financial. "Last week was impressive and investors want to see the S&P 500 similarly make new highs. But the market's resting right now and it's waiting for further confirmation to move higher."

Among earnings, Dick's Sporting Goods tumbled after the sporting goods retailer missed quarterly expectations. The company said lower-than-expected sales of outerwear and cold weather accessories offset some positive trends in areas such as athletic footwear and apparel.

Apparel retailer Urban Outfitters is scheduled to post earnings after the closing bell.

China's Shanghai Composite declined after data showing industrial production and retail sales in China for the January and February period missed expectations. In addition, inflation rose in February, igniting worries of potential monetary tightening. Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei hit a new four-and-a-half year high, fueled by weakness in the yen.

European shares traded lower, pulling back from four-year highs, dragged by banks on the heels of Italy's credit downgrade from Fitch to BBB-positive last Friday. The downgrade follows a week of political haggling after no party gained sufficient votes in a national election to form a government.

?By CNBC's JeeYeon Park (Follow JeeYeon on Twitter: @JeeYeonParkCNBC)

? 2013 CNBC LLC. All Rights Reserved

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/stocks-turn-higher-dow-extends-all-time-high-1C8780233

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The orphans of Japan's nuclear meltdown

When it comes to radiation exposure from the triple meltdown at Fukushima?s Daiichi nuclear power plant two years ago, the 91 boys and girls at the Fukushima Aiikuen orphanage are probably some of the most closely-watched kids in the prefecture.

Their food is tested daily for contamination. Their living environment has been cleaned to remove as many lingering radionuclides as possible. Their time outside is strictly monitored. And their health is regularly checked.

?[In the general public] the level of awareness about these issues varies from family to family. Here, once we decide something is necessary, each child receives the same attention,? says Hisao Saito, who directs the sprawling wood-and-concrete facility perched on a hillside in southern Fukushima City, about 35 miles from the destroyed reactors.

In some cases, the prefectural government ? which is charged with overseeing Fukushima?s eight orphanages ? is providing this special care. In other cases, however, children at orphanages are falling through bureaucratic cracks and must rely on other sources for help reducing and tracking their exposure to radiation.

RECOMMENDED: Think you know Japan? Take our quiz to find out.

The prefecture paid to clean up the grounds at six orphanages. At Aiikuen, concrete was power-hosed, trees were chopped down, and grass was scraped off hillsides to remove contaminants like radioactive cesium-137, which has a half-life of 30 years. This February the prefecture also supplied each Fukushima orphanage with a device for testing food and a staff member to operate it.

For these measures, Mr. Saito says he is grateful. But, he insists, ?It?s not enough ... Government support comes slowly. The private sector is faster.?

He has relied on an outpouring of domestic and international aid for things like summer trips out of the prefecture, food with zero contamination, and detailed monitoring of radiation exposure.

'HOW WERE WE SUPPOSED TO JUDGE OUR SAFETY?'

At Iwaki Ikueisha, a different Fukushima orphanage located 21 miles from the damaged plant, problems with the official disaster response began immediately after an explosion sent radionuclides flying into the air on March 12, 2011.

?The evacuation zone was expanding, from 10 kilometers to 20 [6 miles to 12]. How were we supposed to judge our safety?? recalls Seiko Ichikawa, who at the time was assistant director of the facility caring for 23 children (today she is director).

The size of the evacuation zone was controversial ? the United States urged citizens living up to 50 miles from the plant to evacuate ? and many families in the neighborhood fled. The tsunami and earthquake that set off the nuclear disaster also wiped out infrastructure: food, gasoline, and other supplies were running low, and banks were closed. Water lines had broken, so Ms. Ichikawa and the other staff collected water from springs in the mountains.

But on March 14, a second explosion rocked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and a city official came to warn remaining residents against drinking the spring water.

?At that point I called the prefecture [to request we be evacuated]. They said, ?You?re outside the official evacuation zone. If you want to leave, you can do so on your own,?? Ichikawa says.

The staff found several places willing to shelter the children but hesitated to leave without more gas and cash.

On March 15, residents within 19 miles of the plant were asked to stay inside. Ichikawa kept calling the disaster-swamped prefecture to ask for help. Finally on March 18, officials agreed to evacuate the children for two weeks ? because of the food shortages, not the radiation.

?I understand that a calm [government] response was impossible. Everyone was a disaster victim, everyone was panicked. But there was a group of small children living here, and I wanted the prefecture to make an independent decision based on that fact, regardless of numbers set by the national government," says Ichikawa.

A representative of the prefecture?s child welfare office was not able to confirm the exact details of post-disaster events, but says that the prefecture?s policy was to follow evacuation instructions from the central government.

THE OTHER PROBLEM

As it turned out, winds carried a comparatively small amount of radioactive cesium to the city of Iwaki, where the facility is located, so long-term environmental contamination is less of a concern there than it is for Saito in Fukushima. On the other hand, fallout maps suggest that the children may have been exposed to short-lived iodine-131, which doctors say can cause cancer.

When it came time to screen the children for radiation-related health problems, however, Ichikawa says she ran into another problem. The prefectural government is providing free health screenings to all Fukushima children. In the case of some of the children she cares for, the notices for these exams never arrived.

That?s because many orphans in Japan actually have at least one living parent. Though they live away from home because of abuse, neglect, or other reasons, their official addresses remain unchanged. For this reason the health screening notices went to parents, some of whom didn?t pass them on to the orphanage.

?We get information on where each child lives from the municipal governments. If the municipalities don?t have the child?s [correct] address, it?s hard for us, within this system, to reach them. We want to contact the orphanages [directly] but that is something we still need to work on,? a press officer at the Fukushima Health Management Survey?s oversight center says.

Ichikawa says ultimately, she had the children screened through a nonprofit organization rather than through the prefecture.

At Fukushima Aiikuen, lowering radiation exposure remains a daily concern.

The cleanup reduced radiation below the officially-targeted level of 0.23 microsieverts per hour on most concrete surfaces, but where runoff collects, hotspots more than 50 times that level remain. For that reason Saito has nearly eliminated outside playtime for toddlers and reduced it to two hours per day for elementary-aged children.

One 9-year-old girl who lives at the orphanage with two younger siblings says she worries about the contamination.

?I?m the big sister. I try to tell my little brother and sister not to touch anything when they are outside,? she says.

For his part, Saito is focused on the future. He devoted the past year to working with Fukushima?s other orphanages to develop a disaster response plan in case the still-unstable reactors release radiation again. He has also carefully recorded exposure levels and health data in a file for each child.

?These kids will have no one to support them when they leave here,? he says. ?I hope they never need this data, but I think it?s likely that lawsuits will happen down the line. If they develop cancer, and someone says, ?How can you prove what caused it?? they?ll be able to come to the orphanage and get this file. We have a responsibility to do this.?

RECOMMENDED: Think you know Japan? Take our quiz to find out.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/two-years-japans-nuclear-meltdown-happened-fukushimas-orphans-140300750.html

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