Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Warren Buffett Says He'd Buy a Couple ... - Real Estate Insider News

By Katherine Tarbox, Senior Editor, REALTOR? Magazine

Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, said yesterday on CNBC?s ?Squawk Box? that buying single-family homes is such a great investment right now, if it were practical, he?d buy a couple hundred thousand of them. Given how low rates are for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgages (3.95 percent, according to the Freddie Mac Mortgage Index), Buffett told CNBC?s Becky Quick that homes, held over the long term, provide a better investment than stocks. If you factor in that prices in some areas are at a 10-year low and inventory levels are high, the conditions are? ideal for buying.

QUESTION: Why do 1% of the agents make 99% of the money??Answer: They are making money NOW doing REOs and BPOs. Why aren?t you??Watch the FREE Agent REO Secrets video and grab the NEW FREE REO/ BPO Book.NOTICE: Free book guaranteed for the first 100 agents only.

While the ?Omaha Oracle? has been right about a lot of investments, his opinion on housing hasn?t always been on the mark. At last year?s annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting, he said 2011 was going to be the year that housing prices were going to rebound.?In a letter to his shareholders sent last weekend, he apologized for being ?dead wrong.? He explained his belief that housing is a sound investment at least in part the inventory of new homes isn?t growing at a rate that will satisfy future demand. People living with their in-laws to save money, he quipped, will find that attractive for only so long.

You have to give Buffett credit for putting his money where is mouth is. Home Services of America Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate, is one of the largest independent residential real estate and settlement servicing companies in the U.S. While Buffett wouldn?t comment completely on Berkshire Hathaway?s stake with each of the banks, the fund actively invests in them. He says if he could own only one bank stock right now, it would be Wells Fargo.

Source: http://realestateinsidernews.com/nar-2/warren-buffett-says-he%E2%80%99d-buy-a-couple-hundred-thousand-homes/

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Monday, February 27, 2012

The Basics Of Real-Time Real Estate Marketing | India Real Estate ...

In the environment of cut-throat competition which exists in the Indian real estate market today, developers without a forward-looking marketing plan for their projects often lose out. Wherever one looks in the larger cities, commercial and residential property projects with dozens of unsold and un-leased units are evident.

One tends to assume that this state of affairs comes from a lopsided demand-supply scenario. While this is largely true, some of it can be attributed to skewed marketing, as well.?Some interesting ? if disheartening ? real estate marketing insights:

  • Many newly-launched real estate projects in good locations are losing out on sales because of faulty marketing vision

Coming from an exaggerated perception of the demand for trendy new concepts (?lifestyle quotient?, ?green living?, ?smart workplaces?) the advertising agencies of such developers have hyped these projects off the market. Confronted with the highbrow amenities and specifications featured on hoardings, banners and advertisements, potential buyers often assume that the project is clearly beyond their means.?This ?marketing disconnect? seems to happen quite frequently in our larger cities, for either or both of two reasons:

  1. These developers have not fathomed what marketing touch points will work with their target clientele.
  2. The creative agencies retained for the marketing of these projects have not been able to fathom the developer?s vision, resulting in a fatal Chinese Whisper syndrome.

In both cases, sales and leases take an ?inexplicable? and terminal beating.

  • An erroneous assumption that long-standing market reputation alone will ensure sales

This fallacy, based on an obsolete truth of the Indian real estate sector?s boom periods, has caused a number of very respectable real estate banners of yesteryears to hang limp in the winds of change that are blowing today.

During the boom time of 2007-?08, a developer?s brand was often sufficient to ensure property sales and leases. The market back then was largely driven by speculators who had very little insight into the true nature of real estate. For these players, a developer?s brand was often the only yardstick, and apartments and offices in newly launched projects were snapped up on that basis alone.

Today, even end-users and occupiers know exactly what they want from the spaces they buy and lease. They will patronize a project because it gives them what they want within their budgets ? not because the developer has a long-standing brand. ?In short, players who fail to adopt real-time marketing strategies for their projects are falling by the wayside.

  • Developers tend to believe that real estate marketing can be safely entrusted to an advertising company

Because they cater to a wide band of business genres and product categories, generic advertising agencies lack the capabilities to deliver effective real estate marketing plans. In fact, most agencies tend to use a standard ?cookie cutter? methodology to address real estate marketing needs. In other words, they use large-format press ads, larger-than-life hoardings, radio jingles and kiosks without much thought to customization.

Today, real estate marketing is clearly a domain for real estate experts who are deeply involved in and informed about the Indian real estate market.

WHAT REAL ESTATE MARKETING WORKS TODAY?

In many instances, revitalizing a developer?s marketing strategy has required us to scrap the previous plan altogether. It is not uncommon to find a developer?s balance sheet burdened down by exorbitant promotion spends that are yielding zero results.

A professional real estate marketing approach requires research-based insights into market demand, micro and macro-economic market influences and the study of historic sales graphs of a particular project typology in a given location. These insights can give an accurate and predictive road map of what the market wants now and will want in the future.

This kind of approach is extremely important from the standpoint that marketing of a project invariably begins much before construction begins. It is imperative to have a marketing plan which factors in real-time demand drivers as well as those that will prevail when the project nears completion.

In short, real-time real estate marketing consists of:

  • Studying every facet of the project
  • Juxtaposing it against prevalent and future market requirements
  • Developing accurately targeted promotion collaterals and advertisements
  • Allocating marketing funds in a highly focused, result-oriented manner

Interestingly, such an approach can often result in a 25% decrease in marketing spend and yield with a 20-30% increase in market response.

Shajai Jacob, Head ? Marketing & Communication, Jones Lang LaSalle India

Source: http://www.joneslanglasalleblog.com/realestatecompass/real-estate/2012/02/real-time-real-estate-marketing-tips/

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Sheila E. Brings Funky Drumming To Oscars House Band

The Prince protégé was spotted at the Academy Awards along with composer Hans Zimmer, another bridge to the Pac-Man decade.
By Jason Kaufman


Sheila E. arrives at the 2012 Oscars
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

It was no surprise that the Oscars wanted to go back to the past in 2012. After all, the show's producers brought Billy Crystal back to host for a ninth time. But it appears that those producers also wanted to travel back to the 1980s for a music flashback, hiring legendary drummer Sheila E. for the Oscars house band.

Yes, the same Sheila E. who rocked the charts in 1984 with her funky single "The Glamorous Life" and taught children of the '80s that the coolest way to play a drum kit was standing up.

Sheila E.'s hit came after years of performing with Prince. He had met E. (real name: Sheila Escovedo) in the late '70s after performing with her father, percussionist Pete Escovedo. Years later, he would invite E. to take part in the Purple Rain recording sessions. She would also perform vocals on "Erotic City," the B-side to Rain's first single, "Let's Go Crazy."

Later in 1984, E. broke off on her own to record "Glamorous Life," which would shoot all the way to #7 on Billboard's Hot 100. She followed "Life" up with another chart hit, "A Love Bizarre," in 1985.

E. wouldn't remain away from Prince for long, returning to join his band the New Power Generation and performing on his late '80s albums Sign 'O' the Times and Lovesexy.

Her appearance at the 2012 Academy Awards may seem a far jump from these milestones of funk pop, but E. has proved versatile over the years, with appearances ranging from jazz festivals to the NAACP Image Awards to a performance on the "American Idol" season 10 finale. She has also jumped into the reality judging ring, lending her voice to the panel on the 2007 season of "Australian Idol."

Sheila E. was not the only musician with connections to the '80s in the Oscars band on Sunday night. Alongside her was film composer Hans Zimmer, who collaborated on the music for the Oscars ceremony with super producer Pharrell Williams. Zimmer provided the score to 1989 Best Picture "Rain Man" and had a connection the music-video decade that goes back further than Sheila E's. He worked with the new wave band the Buggles, reportedly appearing in the video for "Video Killed the Radio Star," was the first clip ever shown on MTV.

The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com all night and beyond for updates on the night's big winners and the best red-carpet fashion. Join the live conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.

Related Videos Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679962/oscars-2012-sheila-e-house-band.jhtml

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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Unearth A Number of Inexpensive Special Education Schools ...

As the name signifies online higher education degree from online special education schools is meant for training deserving teachers that are ready to improve their abilities and needing to make job in special education ( ordinarily college students with special education specifications and requirements). As you can imagine, making career in this profession is pretty difficult as educators have to take proper care of their students with special educational needs. In contrast to other traditional teachers this work demands much more from mentors and educators but when it comes to benefits and remunerations they can expect to see far better pay packages and other positive aspects.

you?ll find several types of modules available in special education university for example Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in schooling or special education. Most online special education institution modules are devised to train young and aspiring minds based on Response to Intervention approaches since most students would have special requirements to be addressed by them. Depending upon your convenience and choice you can select a particular type of program from various courses available. Most schools, for instance St. Joseph University, University of Phoenix, Ashford University, Liberty University among a number of others. For eligibility requirements, selection approach and fee details you should check with the relevant web site vigilantly and in case of any doubt you have to speak to them privately before getting yourself enrolled.

Another essential point in online special education schools is that you need to possess special character traits and bent of mind so that you can enjoy working with university students with special needs and disabilities. If you feel you?ve got such characteristics and temperament to manage such college students and you?re self enthusiastic, well-organized, cool minded, in the position to encourage others and capable to recognize those who need you, then there is a great news that you can find thousands of vacancies available even in the US itself. In United States all state governments necessitate that you should be licensed to teach children with special requirements. Quite a few states require you to have a bachelors higher education degree while others specially expect you to have at least a Master?s degree, so you should check all these details comprehensively.

If you?re already working in any other job, or have family issues due to which you can?t show up at programs full time at the university, you may then think about obtaining your Higher education degree online. you can find quite a few schools and schools which offer online college diploma training programs. If you?re already an educator and must get your diploma so that you can be registered to teach in your subject area, then too, receiving a college degree online will come in handy for you.

You can begin off by receiving an Undergraduate Diploma in learning and continue with a Master?s or even a Doctorate College degree with an learning major. When you study for these degrees online, you can work while you?re studying. The plans can be extremely adaptable and you can pace yourself as you study. It is possible to work through the program at a reduced rate as well, if that makes balancing your life a lot easier .

These days the majority of the top colleges and schools offer programs online. You will be offered modules in the form of online training courses and presentations which you can access online. You will probably have to refer to many standard text book and reference books. You will normally be provided with the list of the books necessary for your study at the start of the certification from online special education schools

Find all the data as well as entry requirements relating to special education schools here.

Source: http://wp.cyberlady.pl/?p=2760

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Giving some light to foreign exchange and currency trading?

Very basic and for beginners.

No new information, only what has been and what can ?be seen?, like the last 3 Yen candles are red. I can see that on my own. What does it mean? Does it mean the trend will continue? Is the momentum just beginning or oversold? Any support levels comining up? How much farther can it fall?

I can hear everything you say on CNBC, so why would I want to go to your website?

Source: http://www.financelearning.org/forex/giving-some-light-to-foreign-exchange-and-currency-trading/

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Saturday, February 25, 2012

El Paso Corp. to sell oil, gas assets for $7.15B (AP)

[unable to retrieve full-text content]AP - El Paso Corp. said Friday that it is selling its oil and gas exploration and production business to an investor group for $7.15 billion.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/energy/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120225/ap_on_bi_ge/us_el_paso_corp_asset_sale

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LinkedIn Founder Shares Advice: 'Take Intelligent Risk'

Suggesting they think like entrepreneurs, Reid Hoffman has a strong message for college seniors: 'If you don't keep evolving, you start dying.'
By Benjamin Wagner


LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman
Photo: Michelle Crowe/MTV

Heads up, college seniors. Graduation's right around the corner, college debt's hanging over your head, and that career track you were promised is f'd.

The good news? Reid Hoffman, who launched LinkedIn, says hope is not lost. Hoffman is the guy who invented social media. No, not Zuckerberg. Hoffman invented SocialNet while the Facebook billionaire was still in middle school. Hoffman then went on to play key roles in PalPay and Zynga before launching LinkedIn.

In his new book, "The Start-up of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career," he shares key advice for the class of 2012: In a nutshell, approach your career like an entrepreneur.

"You have to think about, 'OK, how do I invest in myself?' " Hoffman explained as part of MTV's Pioneers Speakers Series. " 'How do I build soft assets? Skills, relationships, but also, how do I take an intelligent risk?' Small gambles, things that could lead to a breakout for you."

"Start-up of You," co-written with Ben Casnocha, breaks entrepreneurial thinking down into byte-sized bits, and provides examples from the brains behind Twitter, Flickr and more. The headlines? Be nimble ("permanent beta" in Silicon Valley speak), and build a better network.

"You are not a finished product. If you don't keep evolving, you start dying," Hoffman explained. "And your network is key to how do you find opportunities and how do you get access to the right kinds of people and opportunities.

"It is no longer guaranteed that you will have a career when you graduate from college," he added. "You actually have to live and work entrepreneurially."

This from the billionaire at the helm of a social network half the size of the United States.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679880/linkedin-founder-shares-advice-take-intelligent-risk.jhtml

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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Strategies for Packing Race horses ? French Vietnamise Site

Farm pets needs to be educated to weight through an early age group so they really turn out to be employed to the actual van Or trailers.top rated brand Foals will most likely follow the mare to the container as well as small new mounts will usually feel more at ease pursuing a mature more knowledgeable friend. Foodstuff can also be used in exchange when within the container / truck to chill your moose when inside. Space they 1st enter ought to be since vast and creatively large as possible. Top unloading trailers could also contain the entrance ramp lower and so the space appears less enclosed. The method regarding going for walks farm pets in to the field / trailer, relaxing and being paid inside, next leaving behind ought to be a thing that is done many periods, practically in order that the mount considers nothing at all unexpected with all the procedure. When you are peaceful at the outset of a first trip it?s going to develop a more calm much more comforting circumstance in the first place.

To the 1st trip a brief sleek trip needs to be arranged, if in the moose field an individual can stick to your horse; this can be unlawful inside a movie trailer. There are many theories that recommend the absolute best means of travelling farm pets. What exactly is arranged is farm pets needs to have sufficient place to distribute their own thighs extensive and find their own stability. Period expended instruction any equine to be able to insert without strain ?s time by no means wasted.

This will save time, frustration worry and also probable harm in the future any time wanting to check out or perhaps abandon through competitive events.

A rough process of loading the mount which has a drejer sig and assistant is really as follows;

? Prepare everything had to make certain you may keep right away, prior to your equine from the dependable.
? Your assistant should endure calmly at the side of the particular slam, seen for the horse, but powering your race horses eyesight as he taking walks within.
? The particular owner need to get up on the particular near aspect in the equine by his make and look for the field And movie trailer instead of in the moose.
- It is useful to begin outside the box Per movie trailer, stroll the particular horse over a little circle then because of this eliptical, up on towards the slam.
: It is vital that your owner will not draw your equine up the bring while he may well withdraw away from you and stress can then start to rise.
? It is far better to use supply in order to tempt him up the incline instead of combat using the horse, if he does pull out choose your pet looking to stay sideways of your ex in the no confrontational way.

Source: http://la-semaine-francaise-au-vietnam.biz/?p=2581

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Sometimes, less is more: Bump 3.0 trims the feature fat (Digital Trends)

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Digital Trends - Bump has some veteran app status. It???s been around since 2009, and has been thrilling users with its so-easy-it???s ???stupid sharing tool. When it all got started, Bump was solely a way to transfer contact information between iOS devices. But as all apps do, it grew and launched Android integration, and upped its feature inventory: recent versions of Bump added the ability to share photos, schedules, music, and other apps.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/personaltech/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/digitaltrends/20120217/tc_digitaltrends/sometimeslessismorebump30getstrimsthefeaturefat

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Ara parrots ? why to have them as pets


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A pair of? Ara parrots always fascinates anyone, not just birdAra parrots-lovers. They manage to create you that feeling of happiness because they are already well-known for the intensity of their feathers? colours. Unfortunately ,they are mostly found in zoos. This is the only way they can color our lives. Their species has many subspecies, some of which being extremely common and in a large number others, on the verge of extinction.

Why are these? Ara parrots so interesting, leaving aside their color, fact I have already mentioned? Well they have a? large size, most of them heaving the performance to touch even a length of 1 m. Much of that, the tail is longer than their body. They originate from Mexico and Central America to the south of Brazil. Ara macao is one of those subspecies which can reach also a length of 80 cm and live up to 50 years because it is a gregarious bird. It seems that it can learn to speak only if it gets enough attention and time for socializing. But on the other hand it is loud and gets attention and if it doesn?t receive it, it gets bored, so its time must? be filled somehow? ( you can buy toys). Not at last , these Ara parrots have unique feathers, which again shows how special they are.

For those who want to have one at home, specialists suggest us that is that very important to observe? which kind of bird best fits you. For exemple, the most common Ara in captivity is Ararauna, already known as? Ara with the yellow chest, native from? Amazon.

It is extremely beautiful, mentally developed, a good observant and affectionate, fact which recommends choosing it as a pet bird. Its behavior reminds of a dog?s habit. Which of those incredible Ara parrots are not recommended as a pet-bird? Well it?s the red-blue one! Firstly it is less-loving and it has the bad habit to break and chew everything made of wood.

Continuing the list which does not recommend it? as a pet bird, we add the fact that it?s a noisy one, and it?s silent only when it needs to climb using its beak for this. Looking at those sounds which these birds use in one way or another, it is a modality to decide if we want them as pet birds or not because despite of their beauty ,this habit may not make pur live simpler. We we may end up being negligent to the bird by fixing the cage in a remote place and try to prevent it of screaming.

Regarding the strong sounds when we talk about Ara subspecies, we really want to acquire and look after it, we must be careful and analyse the significance of their screams.For these birds it?s a modality to communicate with the wilderness in them, but in captivity they add and use this kind of languge to speak with us. Ara flyingSo they can make certain sounds if someting is missing(food)or if they don?t have the fruits neccesary-in such a way to determin the owner to offer the thing they want the most-because in their wild-life they can procure it alone. They also can ?scream? if someone strange appears in the house, considering that his presence is a danger, trying to atract attention on this.Their scream must be a modality of crying overr the disappearance of the pair if this often happens and it?s also a modality to draw the attention when it gets bored. Play with it, keep it busy in such a way to make it not make noise and you? ll feel happy with it?s company.

If these parrots can?t be kept? in your appartement or you have another posibility, they prefer also the loft life. In this way they have much space, more posibilities to play, and not last its feathers won?t be? affected. Beside the fact that they ceerful, they relax us when we are in their company. The stunning Ara parrots can be used in a great way and not last they can play an important role like animals like dogs and cats ,being? used as a? therapy pet. Through the fact that these parrots are sociable,? they can help us release the stress, preventing the diseases which affect the nervous system, like depression. So you shouldn?t hesitate to aquire them, because life? will definitely have a different colour.

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Source: http://whatafy.com/ara-parrots-why-to-have-them-as-pets.html

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Friday, February 17, 2012

Google+ iOS update brings instant upload for photo and video (Appolicious)

Google updated its iOS app to add a new search tool and some minor tweaks, but the big news is the introduction of a service Android users already love: instant upload. If there?s one thing almost all smartphone users have in common, it?s that we use the camera and our social networks to share snaps and video. Doing so on Google+ is now a lot easier for iPhone users.

Apple introduced iCloud with PhotoStream last fall which shunts photos taken from any iOS device to all other associated devices and iPhoto. It?s great, but it has storage limits and the pictures are locked into your Apple gear.

Google?s instant upload has no storage cap or 30-day expiration date (as yet) so images are really hanging in the cloud. Another big G plus ? instant upload also stores video.

iPhone 4 and older model shutterbugs will not lose resolution, but 4S photographers will have to part with some of those 8 megapixels. Video length is limited to 15 minutes.

The service works only when the Google+ app is running or has been recently put into the background, so forgetting to launch the app will frustrate forgetful converts. But, that?s more than offset by the fact that it?s genuinely cross-platform.

Photos are kept private until you choose otherwise, and the whole process is easily set up in seconds. Just be sure to choose uploading by Wi-Fi only unless you have the rare unlimited data plan.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/tech/*http%3A//us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/external/appolicious_rss/rss_appolicious_tc/http___www_appolicious_com_articles11094_google_ios_update_brings_instant_upload_for_photo_and_video/44567097/SIG=13cvadflj/*http%3A//www.appolicious.com/tech/articles/11094-google-ios-update-brings-instant-upload-for-photo-and-video

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Writer's Fun Zone ? Blog Archive ? Writing to Make a Difference ...

Welcome to today?s guest, Dalya Massachi, author and publisher of?Writing to Make a Difference. Dayla has a passion for working with nonprofits, helping them raise money and get the word out about their causes. She?specializes in helping social change professionals advance their missions through outstanding marketing and other written materials.?I met with Dalya over coffee in Berkeley and had a great time getting to know her, so we did this Q&A together. Enjoy!

***

Dalya, Welcome! Thanks for agreeing to be interviewed. What can you tell us about your book?

Where should I start?!

My book, Writing to Make a Difference: 25 Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Community Impact,?is full of wisdom on professional writing for fundraising and marketing. And because writing books are traditionally somewhat dry, I worked to make my book a particularly fun, friendly, and accessible resource.

Writing to Make a Difference includes over 500 examples and exercises at the end of each chapter called the ?Writing Workout.? ?I especially enjoyed sharing my own stories in the ?Personally Speaking? tidbits.

One reviewer called my book, ?The Elements of Style for the grassroots fundraising and marketing world.?

Nice! What inspired you to write the book?

As I say in the preface, this is the book I wish had been around when I first started as a writer. In time, as I improved and needed deeper guidance, I would have re-read it more than once. I have worked for socially responsible organizations for over 20 years and I feel it?s time to share my insights and techniques more broadly than I can ever do in person.

While I continue to craft messages and tidy up language for my clients, my not-so-hidden agenda is always to build their own writing abilities and confidence. This is one of the ways I can ?pay it forward.?

Who do you imagine is your ideal reader?

I think the book is especially relevant for those who want to use their writing to make a difference in the world ? and that includes accidental, emerging, and seasoned writers. They might be working through an organization, such as a nonprofit or a green business, or they may be an individual activist or social change agent. I hope the book will serve as a key part of their active libraries.

What was your journey as a writer?

I like to say that I became a writer the day I learned to hold a pencil. I remember writing poems, short stories, and letters as early as first grade. By middle school, my political consciousness was starting to develop, and I wrote letters to the editor of my city?s newspaper ? and they got published.

{Congrats!}

But at age 13, a serious bicycle accident landed me in the hospital for eight weeks with a head injury. I lost everything. I could not walk, talk, feed myself, control my hands. My father, however, knew that my writing self was trapped in there somewhere. In my wobbly and barely legible scrawl, I was to record the name of every person who entered my room: each doctor, nurse, family member, and friend. That visitor list got me back into writing, and a couple of weeks later a crucial moment imprinted itself on my memory.

That special day I looked out my hospital window and wrote a poem entitled Sunshine. It was only a few lines. That day I cried tears of joy, not pain. Though I could barely walk and my speech was slow and garbled, I could still write!

Soon afterward, when I was on my feet again, I plunged back in. I entered essay contests and led my high school newspaper. I published poems in the school literary magazine and was asked to contribute to an article for a national teen magazine. In college my love for writing expressed itself in my research papers and student publications.

After graduation I was determined to pursue my passion for writing in the public-interest sector. I started freelancing for local, national, and even international publications. During graduate school, I landed a gig as a guest columnist at the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch.

I have concentrated on fundraising and marketing writing ? with a journalistic touch ? ever since.

What is your writing process?

I generally start by gathering the basic information I need. That means reviewing things I might have written before, interviewing others, and noticing things in my environment that may give me ideas. I also think about a general plan for my piece.

Then I just start wherever feels right ? at the beginning, middle, or end.

The important thing is to start and keep writing and get the creative juices flowing. That creative process could take a while, and I have to let it develop. I even keep a lighted pen next to my bed to help capture my night-time inspirations.

Then I switch gears and put on my editor?s hat to take it to a more polished level. I never write anything with only one draft. Even an email!

Patience and perseverance are keywords here. My book actually goes through a lot of this, including writer?s block.

One of my favorite topics! What authors most inspire you?

You know, I read a lot of different materials, and can?t really identify a specific author or even a specific genre that most inspires me. I think great ideas can come from anywhere, as long as you keep an open mind.

How have you marketed and promoted your work?

I?ve used online channels, personal presentations/webinars, and direct outreach the most, so far. Other opportunities for book marketing are everywhere! For example, my new business card includes a tiny flyer about my book.

Fun! Why did you decide to indie publish?

I considered going with a traditional publisher but I was convinced that, due to my independent nature, I wanted to strike out on my own. I like not having to find an agent, not having to give up control over my own work, and not having to settle for a tiny fraction of the book?s sale profits. I also understand that traditional publishers expect authors to do almost all of their own marketing, which is what I?m doing anyway! I also learned a lot about book publishing, which I now am sharing with others.

So glad you are! What advice would you give to a first-time author thinking of self-publishing?

Publishing your own book has never been so easy! I recommend making sure you have the 5 basics down:

1.??A great story to tell: Most people have a book inside them and I bet you do, too!

2. ?Time: Some people take a sabbatical to work on a book. Others work on it during their free time, before or after their jobs. And some people find that retirement is the best time.

3.?Perseverance: The entire process takes months or even years. If you return to your initial motivations, you?ll be able to get through the tough times, again and again.

4. ?Some money (but less than you might think!): Depending on many factors, we could be talking about only a few hundred or a couple thousand dollars. The money doesn?t even have to come from your own pocket!

5. The right team:?You?ll need to be able to trust in the professionalism of those you work with: your editor,?your graphic designer, and so on. You?ll have to be confident that they have your best interests at heart.

Thanks Dalya for sharing about your book and expertise with us!

***

Dalya F. Massachi, founder of Writing for Community Success, specializes in helping social change professionals advance their missions through outstanding materials. To learn about her blog, workshops, free e-newsletter, and other services go to: www.dfmassachi.net.

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Tags: Dalya Massachi, editor, fundraising and marketing, nonprofits, professional writing, writing coach, Writing to Make a Difference,
Categories: Author Interviews

Source: http://www.writersfunzone.com/blog/2012/02/16/writing-to-make-a-difference-indie-author-interview-with-dalya-massachi/

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Obama takes fresh aim at China, touts "insourcing" (Reuters)

MILWAUKEE (Reuters) ? President Barack Obama kept up his attack on Chinese trade practices during a campaign-style visit on Wednesday to a Midwest factory, where his call to bring jobs back home was intended to resonate with voters in an election year.

The day after meeting China's leader-in-waiting, Vice President Xi Jinping, at the White House, Obama cited America's chief rival a number of times in a speech to promote the potential of "insourcing" jobs back to America from overseas.

"I'm not going to stand by when our competitors don't play by the same rules," he told workers at Master Lock, a company he lauded in his State of the Union address last month for having moved back about 100 union jobs from China since mid-2010.

"So I directed my administration to create a Trade Enforcement Unit, and it's only got one job: investigating unfair trade practices in countries like China," he said at the start of a three-day swing to promote his reelection message.

Obama took a firm line over trade on Tuesday during his Oval Office meeting with Xi, who is in line to assume the Chinese presidency in March 2013. Xi is visiting the United States this week and urged greater cooperation between Beijing and Washington on Wednesday.

Obama's tough stance should appeal to voters in election battleground states like Wisconsin, which have witnessed many factory closures over the years as manufacturing shifts abroad, and where Beijing is often blamed for killing American jobs.

How to cope with a rising China - and compete against cheap Chinese exports - is one of the challenges the president must navigate as he seeks reelection, with polls showing rising U.S. voter frustration with the Asian economic powerhouse.

He proposes closing tax breaks for companies that move U.S. jobs overseas, while providing incentives to firms that bring work home, particularly in high-tech manufacturing. Republicans say that adding extra rules will not spur U.S. job creation.

"The best thing the president can do to prevent outsourcing is pull back on the destructive policies - like his health care law and regulations - and threat of tax hikes," said Brendan Buck, spokesman for House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress.

Attacking his economic stewardship, Republicans cast Obama as a tax and spend liberal as they seek to deny him a second White House term and Mitt Romney, the party's front-runner to confront him in November, also says he is too soft on China.

Master Lock, a unit of Fortune Brands Home & Security, says its Milwaukee plant is running at full capacity for the first time in 15 years - an example the White House is eager to replicate as the November 6 election nears.

"More and more companies (are)...deciding that if the cost of doing business here isn't too much different than the cost of doing business in places like China, then why wouldn't you rather do it right here in the United States," Obama said.

It was his first event in a three day campaign-style swing that will also include fund-raising stops in California and a visit to aircraft maker Boeing in Washington state.

(Additional reporting by Alister Bull and Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Editing by Anthony Boadle)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/obama/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120215/ts_nm/us_obama_jobs_manufacturing

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Pajero Sport to hit Indian shores by March 2012 | ArticleGoes - Free ...

The changing lifestyle and brand consciousness of buyers in India has bent the trend towards SUV?s. In past two years, Indian car industry witnessed a number of SUV launches and recently held 11th Indian auto Expo 2012 also stamped the flurry of unveiling and showcasing of SUVs. Last fiscal year estimates shows that it was sports utility vehicle which recorded high number of sales in Indian automotive industry. Almost all the global as well as domestic auto giants introduced their SUVs in India and all gearing up to launch various new SUVs in India. Among the upcoming SUVs Pajero Sport is the most awaited one. Earlier it was Mitsubishi India who did not participate in the Auto event in the capital.

Earlier Mitsubishi India planned to introduce the all new Mitsubishi Pajero sport in Indian automotive market during 11th Indian Auto Expo but company changed its plans. This back step is due to the unfortunate natural calamity in Thailand which forced the firm to withdraw its decision. Meanwhile the Japanese auto giant, Mitsubishi India, has decided to introduce the newly designed Pajero sport in the Indian car market by the end of 1st quarter which is just a month and a half away.

It is expected that the new Mitsubishi Pajero sport has the potential which will help the company to ramp up its market position in Indian car market. Despite being a high end sporty vehicle Pajero did not manage to grab huge market sales. Earlier Pajero was launched through CBU route which made it costlier. Now Mitsubishi has decided to assemble Pajero sport locally at the Hindustan Motor?s assembly line, which allows them to price Pajero sport competitively in India. This step provides the new Mitsubishi Pajero sport an edge over its prominent competitors in India like the Honda CR-V and Renault Koleos which are CBU?s because of which the price tag is almost double than Pajero.

The noticeable change or features of the upcoming SUV Pajero sport which is available in global market is a massive turbocharged diesel engine churning out 135 PS of maximum output power and amazing torque value of 320 Nm. The diesel engine of the global SUV is linked with five speed manual/automatic transmission gearbox. It would be quite interesting to see if the Japanese auto major brings in the automatic version of Pajero in the Indian car market. Recently its biggest rival Toyota India reintroduced a modified version of Toyota Fortuner with automatic transmission at the Auto Expo 2012. The company is required to re-schedule its plans for Indian market because the Pajero SUV has a higher demand in the country when compared to the Mitsubishi Outlander. Additionally, the Japanese auto biggie needs to improve the facilities and the standard of the service centers, as these are some of the major issues which turn out to be a major factor which cater buyers.

Get more information on Toyota Fortuner only on India?s # 1 Auto Portal Cardekho.com. Also read the original Article at: Pajero Sport to hit Indian shores by March 2012

Source: http://articlegoes.com/pajero-sport-to-hit-indian-shores-by-march-2012.html

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Source: http://cerwinwixen.posterous.com/pajero-sport-to-hit-indian-shores-by-march-20

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Oprah Begs Viewers to Ditch Grammys For OWN, Nielsen Far From Pleased


Oprah Winfrey took to Twitter last night to ask Nielsen viewers to watch her cable network OWN instead of the Grammy Awards, a pathetic move that drew criticism from her OWN followers and the market research company alike.

“Every 1 who can please turn to OWN especially if u have a Nielsen box,” she tweeted Sunday at the start Oprah’s Next Chapter and the mega-rated Grammys.

She later added, “Commercial Grammy people... u can turn to OWN.”

Big O

The tweets caused a backlash on the social networking site, with some readers - fans of O, no less - accusing her of “begging for viewers” and being “desperate.”

Oprah followed up with a flurry of defensive replies that were apparently in response to reader criticism: “The word ‘please’ is used as courtesy not a beg."

"'Desperate’ not ever a part of my vocabulary" … "'Unethical' us a little harsh don’t u think? Seemed like it made sense to me. Sorry if you’re offended.”

The original tweet has since been deleted.

Networks are not allowed to specifically target Nielsen subscribers. Policy prohibits “attempts to single out panel members … to change their viewing habits.”

“In accordance with our policies, Nielsen is reviewing this with our clients and may withhold, breakout and/or make a note in the ratings,” a Nielsen rep told EW.

“We take any violation of our policy seriously.”

Given that 39.9 million people watched the 2012 Grammys, a more effective punishment might be simply releasing OWN’s miniscule ratings instead.

Oprah Winfrey has since released this statement: “I removed the tweet at the request of Nielsen. I intended no harm and apologize for the reference.”

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/02/oprah-begs-nielsen-viewers-to-ditch-grammys-for-own/

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Saturday, February 11, 2012

Park Service to remove inscription on MLK Memorial

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2012 file photo, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial stands in Washington. The National Park Service plans to remove an inscription from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington and replace it with a full quotation from the civil rights leader. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2012 file photo, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial stands in Washington. The National Park Service plans to remove an inscription from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington and replace it with a full quotation from the civil rights leader. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

(AP) ? The National Park Service announced plans Friday to remove an inscription from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and replace it with a full quotation from the civil rights leader ? a move the memorial project's architect said would "destroy" the monument.

Critics including the poet Maya Angelou, had said the paraphrase didn't accurately reflect King's words. It reads, "I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness."

Removing the inscription now will amount to "defacing it or scaring it for life" because any new granite added to the memorial would be a noticeably different color, said Ed Jackson Jr., the executive architect of the $120 million memorial project.

"There is no way you can match the existing stone and color," he said. "It will continue to age differently, even if you went to the same quarry."

He compared it to the Washington Monument, which has a visible line where the color of the white stone changes because construction of the memorial was halted for years during the Civil War.

Jackson said he proposed adding words to the beginning of the existing inscription to place it in the context of King's 1968 sermon known as the "Drum Major Instinct." But in the past 10 days, he said federal officials had decided on a different plan without any further discussion.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the plan Friday to remove the inscription entirely and replace it with the full quotation, which seems more modest.

It reads: "Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter."

In a statement, Salazar said the change was necessary for the memorial.

"With a monument so powerful and timeless, it is especially important that all aspects of its words, design and meaning stay true to Dr. King's life and legacy," he said.

Park service officials consulted with stone masons and with the King family in making the decision, said Carol Johnson, a spokeswoman for the National Mall and Memorial Parks.

King's daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, thanked officials for consulting with the family in a statement released by the park service and said the "proposed correction" was the right decision.

Jackson, the architect who oversaw the memorial's development for years, said he hopes the matter will be sent back to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts for a fuller discussion on how to preserve the memorial's granite in one piece.

"The expertise that is required to even consider this has not been brought to the table," he said. "I think people are speculating what they can and cannot do."

Asked whether there could be any way to remove the inscription, Jackson said, "without destroying it, no."

___

Follow Brett Zongker at http://twitter.com/DCArtBeat

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-02-10-King%20Memorial-Quote/id-1e66ffa3b37b4b8281ab231c23dc589b

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Friday, February 10, 2012

Taking The Arc To The White House - Creve Coeur, MO Patch

You'll have to excuse Kathy Meath if she's a little busier than usual this week. Meath heads The St. Louis Arc, a non-profit agency just outside Creve Coeur which serves the needs of thousands of St. Louis children and adults with developmental disabilities. She won't be in the office Friday. But she'll be working.

Meath, a University City resident, is one of 150 people invited to the White House for the day as part of an effort to talk about issues concerning those with developmental disabilities

She told Patch this is the first time in this kind of organized setting, where representatives from hundreds of service providers and grass roots advocates for the developmentally disabled will have an audience Friday with policymakers and administration officials. She wasn't sure if that audience would include President Barack Obama.

Meath said the day would include breakout sessions covering topics including family support, health care, education and community living. She said she would be paying particular attention to any discussion around medicaid, citing it as the "lifeline" and only funding source for families of those with developmental disabilities.

Nationally, Meath said The Arc of the United States was working to ensure that choice, proper services, and treatment are available under the Afordable Health Care Act.

Source: http://crevecoeur.patch.com/articles/taking-the-arc-to-the-white-house

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Forex News ? How Can It Effect Currency Trading? | Foreign ...

Article by Korbin Newlyn

Regardless of whether you are simply playing around in Forex or doing a full-blown Forex trading situation, it is critical that you remain on top of the Forex news around the globe that could potentially effect your investments. As a matter of fact, some of the day traders around the globe say that following the news throughout the world can be somewhat addictive. With the globalization and decentralization of the news each and every day, it appears there is constantly something of interest that is happening.

Financial News

Just to give you a few examples that are interesting from recent Forex news stories that FX day traders have encountered. Forex currencies are always traded in a pairs type of situation, so stories typically refer to two different currencies. These forex news stories directly are correlated to finance and currency.

- A recent story that indicated that traders had just tipped to a net short position right on the same day that the British pound increased to a 200 plus point rally.

- Forex trader carefully monitors the U.S. housing slump, trying to estimate the market for the mortgage futures.

- When the United States federal reserve made it?s latest rate cut, one Forex news service indicated that the overall expectations for the U.S. Dollar were ?falling like a rock?.

- Fears of a recession within the United States might drive the US dollar even lower than it already it is. (In Forex tradig, the reality that the dollar falls is not thought of as a negative, provided that the trader leverages the fall when making a trade for higher priced, higher value currencies around the world).

Political News

Financial and currency news are not just the only stories of news of interests to Forex traders as well as investors. Forex traders also have a lot of interest in political news that may have an impact on different countries currencies.

- Events that are tragic such as a political leader getting assassinated can effect the currency futures in the nation where the events happen and can also have a trickle down effect to the surrounding areas; for instance, the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan.

- Disasters of the natural kind, such as a hurricane or typhoon or even an earthquake has the capability of consuming a great deal of a nations resources. Hence, Forex traders watch news of these types of natural disasters.

- Political events, such as the U.S. presidential election cycle has substantial consequences on the valuation of currency; hence, Forex news incorporates updates on presidential candidates, general elections, primary elections.

Listen to Korbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the field of finance. If you would like to learn more go to Forex Trading education and at Automated Forex Trading tips.

More Forex News Articles

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Foreign Exchange. :: Blessed are these which can be specialists in forextrading. They know all of the nuances of the money market and play with their cash in order to maximise their profits. But the inhabitants of those individuals is relatively less. The majority of people that indulge in forextrading undergo foreign exchange brokers who?re thought of the [...]

Forex News and Forex Analysis. :: There are two types of analyzing forex movements.? There?s fundamental and technical analysis. Some traders prefer the technical while others the fundamental.? There?s no sense arguing which is better. The choice depends on which the trader thinks can help him earn money from forex trading. The best naturally will be the combination of the two. [...]

Forex News ? How The Worlds News Effects Currencies. :: Article by Korbin Newlyn Either you are simply starting in Forex or have a expertise in it, but it?s very important you stay on top with all the Forex news happening in the industry. Staying intact with what happens around the world within your industry can be really addictive at times. Moreover with a globalized [...]

Automated Forex System Trading Can Be Made Easier!. :: With an Automated Forex System Trading system of the currency in the currency market may be easier by providing tools to help you. A system of automated Forex trading can be the tool you need to get the advantage of forex trading. Here are some reasons why you need an automated currency to help with [...]

Make Money from Home Using Smart Forex Trading Strategies. :: Article by Forex Trading Strategies 101 Do you play poker? You know why I ask? I want you to know that trading with stocks and Forex is very much like playing poker and I?ll explain. This has nothing to do with gambling, your trading is calculated, you come prepared to each trading day, knowing what [...]

forex trading online ? free forex trading ? forex trading software ? mb trading forex. :: Article by forex trading business Forex currency trading is booming around the world and is quickly becoming the preferred choice of many online and offline investors, but what is Forex and how can you get involved in this attractive new investment arena. First of all lets explain what Forex actual stands for and what it [...]

Source: http://foreignexchange.net16.net/forex-news/forex-news-how-can-it-effect-currency-trading/

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10 Secrets to a Fit Family | GYAN GURU


You are using an insecure version of your web browser. Please update your browser!

Using an outdated browser makes your computer unsafe. For a safer, faster, more enjoyable user experience, please update your browser today or try a newer browser.

Source: http://greatbloggertips.com/2012/10-secrets-to-a-fit-family/

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Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Operative Word is Social ? Communicate effectively.

The operative word in Social Media Marketing is Social. The more attention you pay to the social aspect of Social Media Marketing, the more you will get in return.

Managing your social media relationships is similar in many ways to managing your personal relationships ? The ones you spend the most attention fostering are the ones that thrive and ultimately bring the most benefit to both parties.

With that in mind, it is a good idea to treat your social media presence like you would a quality relationship. All things that make up a good relationship are the things that feed a good social media network. So be consistent, constant, loyal, honest, and authentic, and you will get the same in return.

Communication is important in a relationship, just as it is important in social media. This does not mean only that you communicate, but that you communicate effectively. It is important to listen, to respond to what you?ve heard, and to communicate in a way that is understood.

For a relationship to exist, you must show up. Let?s say you are maintaining a long-distance friendship. Your friend calls every now and then, you send emails back and forth or even <gasp> send something by snail mail? social media responds to attention the same way. Show up verbally in order to be ?seen? so that your audience ? your network ? knows you are there.

And just like any good relationship, distance and time should not deter you. If you?ve wandered away, don?t hesitate to wander back! Pick up right where you left off ? like you might with a best friend. Good friends are very forgiving.

Tags: Communication, friends, manage, relationship, Social Media, social media marketing, thrive

Source: http://www.mycommcoach.com/2012/02/the-operative-word-is-social/

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New procedure bests standard of care for fixing damaged cartilage

New procedure bests standard of care for fixing damaged cartilage [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 8-Feb-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Phyllis Fisher
phyllis.fisher@gmail.com
212-606-1724
Hospital for Special Surgery

A new study has demonstrated that a procedure wherein healthy cartilage is transplanted to fix an area of damaged cartilage (osteoarticular cartilage transplantation or OATS procedure) is superior to the standard of care for repairing cartilage defects. It is thought that fixing such lesions may ultimately help to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis, and get athletic individuals back to sporting activities reliably. The study by Hospital for Special Surgery researchers was reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Feb. 7-11.

"Studies have shown that there is only about a 40% return to sport after the microfracture procedure which is the standard of care treatment in the U.S. Over 90% of patients return to sport with the OATS procedure, said Riley J. Williams, III, M.D., a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City and senior investigator of the study. "For those who have isolated cartilage lesions of the femur and are interested in a return to sport in a timely and predictable fashion, the OATS procedure, relative to microfracture, represents a better option."

For years, researchers have known that erosion of articular cartilage, the soft lining or cushion at the end of bones, can lead to symptomatic osteoarthritis. The cartilage can be damaged from normal wear and tear or from a traumatic injury. Once the cartilage is damaged, it continues to deteriorate. Athletes with progressive osteoarthritis are often forced to stop playing their sport of choice.

Over the years, researchers have developed a number of procedures for repairing cartilage in patients who range from roughly 16 to 50 years of age. The current standard of care is microfracture, an arthroscopic procedure that involves using a tiny pick to punch holes into the base of the damaged cartilage area. This promotes bleeding and allows bone marrow cells to come to the surface of the damaged tissue. As a result, the cells then change into fibrocartilage cells and heal the defect. A study from the HSS Cartilage Registry showed that only about 40% of athletes return to sport after this procedure. "40% is such an abysmal rate of return to sport, which is why we keep looking for other repair methods to help our patients," said Dr. Williams, who is also director of the HSS Institute for Cartilage Repair.

Another more recently developed procedure is OATS, which involves transferring healthy cartilage tissue from one part of a person's knee to the damaged area. The transplanted graft includes cartilage and underlying bone and can be performed arthroscopically. A single plug of cartilage may be transferred or multiple plugs may be transferred in a procedure called mosaicplasty. Each plug is a few millimeters in diameter, and when multiple plugs are moved to the damaged area, it creates a mosaic appearance.

Several European studies have shown that the OATS procedure provides a higher return to sport and a longer lasting result, but HSS researchers wanted to verify the results in the U.S. population. "There is an essential difference between American sports and European sports. When you talk about European sports, you are really talking about soccer," said Dr. Williams, whereas most U.S. patients mostly participate in American football, basketball, running, as well as soccer.

To test the two procedures in the U.S. population, HSS investigators recruited 48 patients who had "potholes" in their cartilage in the area known as the femoral condyle, an area located at the end of the thighbone in the upper half of the knee. For the control group, the researchers identified 48 patients in the HSS Cartilage Registry who were matched for gender and underwent microfracture for a similar cartilage repair, same lesion size and location.

Clinicians evaluated patients prior to surgery and at one, two, three and five years of follow-up. They used a variety of tools commonly used to measure outcomes in patients undergoing these types of procedures. They used the short-form (SF)-36 health survey, a 36-question scale that includes a gamut of questions about general health and is widely used across all fields of medicine. They used two knee specific questionnaires: the international knee documentation committee (IKDC) scores and the Knee Outcome Survey (KOS). And they used the Marx Activity Level that is scored on a scale from 0 to 16 and gauges a person's ability to do four activities: running, cutting, decelerating, and pivoting.

They found no difference in the knee outcome surveys or SF-36 form, but they did identify significant differences in the Marx Activity Level. Patients who underwent the OATS procedure had higher scores than patients who underwent microfracture at one year from baseline (score 5.21 vs. 4.11), two years (7.29 vs. 3.71), three years (7.75 vs. 2.91) and five years (8.55 vs. 2.89).

"The Marx activity rating scale correlates directly to the amount of physical activity that you can do at the time of the assessment," said Dr. Williams. "Patients who underwent the OATS were able to do more sports and more athletic activities compared to the microfracture group at the same time point. We now have another procedure which is likely to result in a return to sport more predictably."

He said the results are not surprising given that the OATS repair results in a natural cartilage repair whereas microfracture results in a repair comprised mainly of fibrocartilage that has been shown to be biomechanically inferior to articular cartilage.

Dr. Williams is the head team physician for the Nets NBA basketball team and the Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls.

###

Other investigators involved in the research are Thomas Wickiewicz, M.D., Russell Warren, M.D., and Scott Rodeo, M.D., from Hospital for Special Surgery; Heather Harnly, M.D., a former HSS fellow who is now at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, East Brunswick, New Jersey; and Aaron Krych, M.D., a former HSS fellow who is now at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Higher Activity Level after Mosaicplasty than Microfracture for Cartilage Defects of the Knee (Paper 282)
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2:54 p.m.3:00 p.m. Moscone West, 2024

About Hospital for Special Surgery

Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics, No. 2 in rheumatology, No. 19 in neurology, and No. 16 in geriatrics by U.S.News & World Report (2011-12), and is the first hospital in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center three consecutive times. HSS has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. From 2007 to 2011, HSS has been a recipient of the HealthGrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award. HSS is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College and as such all Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are faculty of Weill Cornell. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. Hospital for Special Surgery is located in New York City and online at www.hss.edu.

For more information contact:
Phyllis Fisher
212-606-1197
FisherP@hss.edu

Tracy Hickenbottom
212-606-1197
HickenbottomT@hss.edu


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share 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.


New procedure bests standard of care for fixing damaged cartilage [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 8-Feb-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Phyllis Fisher
phyllis.fisher@gmail.com
212-606-1724
Hospital for Special Surgery

A new study has demonstrated that a procedure wherein healthy cartilage is transplanted to fix an area of damaged cartilage (osteoarticular cartilage transplantation or OATS procedure) is superior to the standard of care for repairing cartilage defects. It is thought that fixing such lesions may ultimately help to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis, and get athletic individuals back to sporting activities reliably. The study by Hospital for Special Surgery researchers was reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Feb. 7-11.

"Studies have shown that there is only about a 40% return to sport after the microfracture procedure which is the standard of care treatment in the U.S. Over 90% of patients return to sport with the OATS procedure, said Riley J. Williams, III, M.D., a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City and senior investigator of the study. "For those who have isolated cartilage lesions of the femur and are interested in a return to sport in a timely and predictable fashion, the OATS procedure, relative to microfracture, represents a better option."

For years, researchers have known that erosion of articular cartilage, the soft lining or cushion at the end of bones, can lead to symptomatic osteoarthritis. The cartilage can be damaged from normal wear and tear or from a traumatic injury. Once the cartilage is damaged, it continues to deteriorate. Athletes with progressive osteoarthritis are often forced to stop playing their sport of choice.

Over the years, researchers have developed a number of procedures for repairing cartilage in patients who range from roughly 16 to 50 years of age. The current standard of care is microfracture, an arthroscopic procedure that involves using a tiny pick to punch holes into the base of the damaged cartilage area. This promotes bleeding and allows bone marrow cells to come to the surface of the damaged tissue. As a result, the cells then change into fibrocartilage cells and heal the defect. A study from the HSS Cartilage Registry showed that only about 40% of athletes return to sport after this procedure. "40% is such an abysmal rate of return to sport, which is why we keep looking for other repair methods to help our patients," said Dr. Williams, who is also director of the HSS Institute for Cartilage Repair.

Another more recently developed procedure is OATS, which involves transferring healthy cartilage tissue from one part of a person's knee to the damaged area. The transplanted graft includes cartilage and underlying bone and can be performed arthroscopically. A single plug of cartilage may be transferred or multiple plugs may be transferred in a procedure called mosaicplasty. Each plug is a few millimeters in diameter, and when multiple plugs are moved to the damaged area, it creates a mosaic appearance.

Several European studies have shown that the OATS procedure provides a higher return to sport and a longer lasting result, but HSS researchers wanted to verify the results in the U.S. population. "There is an essential difference between American sports and European sports. When you talk about European sports, you are really talking about soccer," said Dr. Williams, whereas most U.S. patients mostly participate in American football, basketball, running, as well as soccer.

To test the two procedures in the U.S. population, HSS investigators recruited 48 patients who had "potholes" in their cartilage in the area known as the femoral condyle, an area located at the end of the thighbone in the upper half of the knee. For the control group, the researchers identified 48 patients in the HSS Cartilage Registry who were matched for gender and underwent microfracture for a similar cartilage repair, same lesion size and location.

Clinicians evaluated patients prior to surgery and at one, two, three and five years of follow-up. They used a variety of tools commonly used to measure outcomes in patients undergoing these types of procedures. They used the short-form (SF)-36 health survey, a 36-question scale that includes a gamut of questions about general health and is widely used across all fields of medicine. They used two knee specific questionnaires: the international knee documentation committee (IKDC) scores and the Knee Outcome Survey (KOS). And they used the Marx Activity Level that is scored on a scale from 0 to 16 and gauges a person's ability to do four activities: running, cutting, decelerating, and pivoting.

They found no difference in the knee outcome surveys or SF-36 form, but they did identify significant differences in the Marx Activity Level. Patients who underwent the OATS procedure had higher scores than patients who underwent microfracture at one year from baseline (score 5.21 vs. 4.11), two years (7.29 vs. 3.71), three years (7.75 vs. 2.91) and five years (8.55 vs. 2.89).

"The Marx activity rating scale correlates directly to the amount of physical activity that you can do at the time of the assessment," said Dr. Williams. "Patients who underwent the OATS were able to do more sports and more athletic activities compared to the microfracture group at the same time point. We now have another procedure which is likely to result in a return to sport more predictably."

He said the results are not surprising given that the OATS repair results in a natural cartilage repair whereas microfracture results in a repair comprised mainly of fibrocartilage that has been shown to be biomechanically inferior to articular cartilage.

Dr. Williams is the head team physician for the Nets NBA basketball team and the Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls.

###

Other investigators involved in the research are Thomas Wickiewicz, M.D., Russell Warren, M.D., and Scott Rodeo, M.D., from Hospital for Special Surgery; Heather Harnly, M.D., a former HSS fellow who is now at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, East Brunswick, New Jersey; and Aaron Krych, M.D., a former HSS fellow who is now at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Higher Activity Level after Mosaicplasty than Microfracture for Cartilage Defects of the Knee (Paper 282)
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2:54 p.m.3:00 p.m. Moscone West, 2024

About Hospital for Special Surgery

Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics, No. 2 in rheumatology, No. 19 in neurology, and No. 16 in geriatrics by U.S.News & World Report (2011-12), and is the first hospital in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center three consecutive times. HSS has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. From 2007 to 2011, HSS has been a recipient of the HealthGrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award. HSS is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College and as such all Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are faculty of Weill Cornell. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. Hospital for Special Surgery is located in New York City and online at www.hss.edu.

For more information contact:
Phyllis Fisher
212-606-1197
FisherP@hss.edu

Tracy Hickenbottom
212-606-1197
HickenbottomT@hss.edu


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Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-02/hfss-npb020612.php

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