Nationals vs. Brewers: Washington?s Gio Gonzalez wins 20th game this season

He had just handed his father, Max, one of the baseballs he used to earn the 20th win of his landmark first season in Washington, a 10-4 demolition of the Milwaukee Brewers. He allowed three hits and no earned runs in seven innings as three homers by his teammates paced him. Gonzalez has played in two all-star games, but to him his 20th win, the thing he had worked all those mornings for, surpassed anything he had done.

?This is like a dream,? Gonzalez said. ?I feel like I?m still sleeping in it.?

In the dead of winter, when the Nationals traded for him, a day like Saturday afternoon would have seemed too much to ask: his family in the stands, sun-splashed Nationals Park packed to the brim, a contending opponent made helpless as the Nationals pushed nearer to a division title. It would have seemed too much like a dream.

The Nationals, too, could not have envisioned such a moment. General Manager Mike Rizzo shipped four prospects to the Oakland Athletics for a 27-year-old with nasty stuff and a goofy streak. He has become their ace, a leading Cy Young award candidate, a cherished clubhouse cutup. He leads the majors in wins and moved into a tie for fourth in the National League with a 2.84 ERA. His five strikeouts Saturday brought his season total to 201, making him the first Washington hurler to surpass 200 since Walter Johnson 96 years ago.

?If he was anything like this in Oakland, it?s surprising they got rid of him,? first baseman Adam LaRoche said. ?Because this guy is electric.

?This is a big family to him. He cares about everybody. Fun-loving guy. Bulldog on the mound. Just tough not to root for him.?

After Gonzalez warmed up in the bullpen Saturday afternoon, he and pitching coach Steve McCatty walked to the Nationals? dugout. Manager Davey Johnson asked McCatty: ?How?s he feeling? How many do we need to score??

?He had an awful ?pen,? McCatty said replied. ?So that means we probably need one.?

McCatty?s instinct proved accurate. Gonzalez struck out the first batter he faced, Norichika Aoki, flailing at a boomerang curveball. His fastball zipped at 96 mph, ?just easy, effortless fuel coming out of his hand,? LaRoche said. The only runs he allowed came after a deep flyball that deflected off Bryce Harper?s glove, a tough play ruled an error.

The outcome was never in question after the third inning. The Nationals had 13 hits, including three-run homers from Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond in the fourth inning off old friend Livan Hernandez, now a Brewers mop-up reliever, in a span of four batters. LaRoche smashed his 32nd homer off Tyler Thornburg, matching his career high. The Nationals led, 9-0, after four innings, and Gonzalez was cruising to his milestone.

Source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=f99d7313bbf1affc61494a3bbca0759d

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Bostadskop i Turkiet A number of property firms will also be being a ...

Bostadskop i Turkiet The Real Estate Brokers in Dubai tend to be Annoy Occasion Help to Buy Dubai Home

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Bostadskop i Turkiet

Source: http://longlivethedj.com/bostadskop-i-turkiet-a-number-of-property-firms-will-also-be-being-a-partner-involving/

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COALITION | Agoura Hills Art & Entertainment and Music Events on ...

Formerly the Stage Door Theater, Center Stage Agoura?is a music store and theater. The facility is under new management and has been renovated, offering music classes and live performances on the stage. The music store holds workshops in various types of music and performance art. Instruction includes acting, improv, rock band, on-camera classes and workshops dedicated to casting. Open mikes, recitals, film festivals and performance parties are also held at this location.

Source: http://agourahills.patch.com/events/coalition

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Attack on US in Libya fuels anti-militia backlash

Libyan women protest against Ansar al-Shariah Brigades and other Islamic militias in front of the Tebesty Hotel, in Benghazi, Libya, Friday, Sept. 21, 2012. The attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans has sparked a backlash among frustrated Libyans against the heavily armed gunmen, including Islamic extremists, who run rampant in their cities. More than 10,000 people poured into a main boulevard of Benghazi, demanding that militias disband as the public tries to do what Libya's weak central government has been unable to.(AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Libyan women protest against Ansar al-Shariah Brigades and other Islamic militias in front of the Tebesty Hotel, in Benghazi, Libya, Friday, Sept. 21, 2012. The attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans has sparked a backlash among frustrated Libyans against the heavily armed gunmen, including Islamic extremists, who run rampant in their cities. More than 10,000 people poured into a main boulevard of Benghazi, demanding that militias disband as the public tries to do what Libya's weak central government has been unable to.(AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Libyan men protest against Ansar al-Shariah Brigades and other Islamic militias in front Tebesty Hotel, in Benghazi, Libya, Friday, Sept. 21, 2012. The attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans has sparked a backlash among frustrated Libyans against the heavily armed gunmen, including Islamic extremists, who run rampant in their cities. More than 10,000 people poured into a main boulevard of Benghazi, demanding that militias disband as the public tries to do what Libya's weak central government has been unable to.(AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Libyan followers of Ansar al-Shariah Brigades and other Islamic militias, hold a demonstration against a film and a cartoon denigrating the Prophet Muhammad in Benghazi, Libya, Friday, Sept. 21, 2012. The attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans has sparked a backlash among frustrated Libyans against the heavily armed gunmen, including Islamic extremists, who run rampant in their cities. more than 10,000 people poured into a main boulevard of Benghazi, demanding that militias disband as the public tries to do what Libya's weak central government has been unable to.(AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Libyan women protest against Ansar al-Shariah Brigades and other Islamic militias in front Tebesty Hotel, in Benghazi, Libya, Friday, Sept. 21, 2012. The attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans has sparked a backlash among frustrated Libyans against the heavily armed gunmen, including Islamic extremists, who run rampant in their cities. More than 10,000 people poured into a main boulevard of Benghazi, demanding that militias disband as the public tries to do what Libya's weak central government has been unable to.(AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

Libyan followers of Ansar al-Shariah Brigades and other Islamic militias hold a demonstration in Victory Square, against a film and a cartoon denigrating the Prophet Muhammad in Benghazi, Libya, Friday, Sept. 21, 2012. The attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans has sparked a backlash among frustrated Libyans against the heavily armed gunmen, including Islamic extremists, who run rampant in their cities. more than 10,000 people poured into a main boulevard of Benghazi, demanding that militias disband as the public tries to do what Libya's weak central government has been unable to.(AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon)

(AP) ? Tens of thousands of Libyans marched to the gates of one of the country's strongest armed Islamic extremist groups Friday, demanding it disband, as the attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and four other Americans sparked a public backlash against militias that run rampant in the country and defy the country's new, post-Moammar Gadhafi leadership.

For many Libyans, last week's attack on the U.S. Consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi was the last straw with one of the biggest problems Libya has faced since Gadhafi's ouster and death around a year ago ? the multiple mini-armies that with their arsenals of machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades are stronger than the regular armed forces and police.

The militias, a legacy of the rag-tag popular forces that fought Gadhafi's regime, tout themselves as protectors of Libya's revolution, providing security where police cannot. But many say they act like gangs, detaining and intimidating rivals and carrying out killings. Militias made up of Islamic radicals are notorious for attacks on Muslims who don't abide by their hardline ideology. Officials and witnesses say fighters from one Islamic militia, Ansar al-Shariah, led the Sept. 11 attack on the Benghazi consulate.

Some 30,000 people filled a broad boulevard as they marched along a lake in central Benghazi on Friday to the gates of the headquarters of Ansar al-Shariah.

"No, no, to militias," the crowd chanted, filling a broad boulevard. They carried banners and signs demanding that militias disband and that the government build up police to take their place in keeping security. "Benghazi is in a trap," signs read. "Where is the army, where is the police?"

Other signs mourned the killing of U.S. Amb. Chris Stevens, reading, "The ambassador was Libya's friend" and "Libya lost a friend." Military helicopters and fighter jets flew overhead, and police mingled in the crowd, buoyed by the support of the protesters.

Several thousand Ansar al-Shariah supporters lined up in front of their headquarters in the face of the crowd, waving black and white banners. There were some small scuffles, but mostly the two sides mingled and held discussions in the square.

The march was the biggest seen in Benghazi, Libya's second largest city and home to 1 million people, since the fall of Gadhafi in August 2011. The unprecedented public backlash comes in part in frustration with the interim government, which has been unable to rein in the armed factions. Many say that officials' attempts to co-opt fighters by paying them have only fueled the growth of militias without bringing them under state control or integrating them into the regular forces.

Residents of another main eastern city, Darna, have also begun to stand up against Ansar al-Shariah and other militias.

The anti-militia fervor in Darna is notable because the city, in the mountains along the Mediterranean coast north of Benghazi, has long had a reputation as a stronghold for Islamic extremists. During the Gadhafi era, it was the hotbed of a deadly Islamist insurgency against his regime. A significant number of the Libyan jihadists who travelled to Afghanistan and Iraq during recent wars came from Darna. During the revolt against him last year, Gadhafi's regime warned that Darna would declare itself an Islamic Emirate and ally itself with al-Qaida.

But now, the residents are lashing out against Ansar al-Shariah, the main Islamic extremist group in the city.

"The killing of the ambassador blew up the situation. It was disastrous," said Ayoub al-Shedwi, a young bearded Muslim preacher in Darna who says he has received multiple death threats because has spoken out against militias on a radio show he hosts. "We felt that the revolution is going in vain."

Al-Shedwi said some were afraid that if they don't act to rein them in, the U.S. will strike against the militias, pushing people to support the gunmen.

Leaders of tribes, which are the strongest social force in eastern Libya, have come forward to demand that the militias disband. Tribal leaders in Benghazi and Darna announced this week that members of their tribes who are militiamen will no longer have their protection in the face of anti-militia protests. That means the tribe will not avenge them if they are killed.

Activists and residents have held a sit-in for the past eight days outside Darna's Sahaba Mosque, calling on tribes to put an end to the "state of terrorism" created by the militias. At the city's main hotel, The Jewel of Darna, tribal figures, activists, local officials and lawmakers have been meeting in recent days to come up with a plan.

"Until when the tribes will remain silent," cried a bearded young man standing on a podium at one such meeting Thursday. "The militias don't recognize the state. The state is pampering them but this is not working anymore. You must act right now." Elders in traditional Libyan white robes stood up and shouted in support.

Militiamen have been blamed for a range of violence in Darna. On the same day Stevens killed in Benghazi, a number of elderly Catholic nuns and a priest who have lived in Darna for decades providing free medical services, were attacked, reportedly beaten or stabbed. There have been 32 killings over the past few months, including the city security chief and assassinations of former officers from Gadhafi's military.

Darna's residents are conservative, but they largely don't fit the city's reputation as extremists. Women wear headscarves, but not the more conservative black garb and veil that covers the entire body and face. In the ancient city's narrow alleys, shops display sleeveless women dresses and the young men racing by in cars blare Western songs.

And many are impatient with Ansar al-Shariah's talk of imposing its strict version of Islamic law. The group's name means "Supporters of Shariah Law."

"We are not infidels for God sake. We have no bars, no discos, we are not practicing vice in the street," said Wassam ben Madin, a leading activist in the city who lost his right eye in clashes with security forces on the first day of the uprising against Gadhafi. "This is not the time for talk about Shariah. Have a state first then talk to me about Shariah."

"If they are the 'supporters of Shariah' then who are we?" he said. "We don't want the flag of al-Qaida raised over heads," he added, referring to Ansar al-Shariah's black banner.

One elder resident at the Sahaba Mosque sit-in, Ramadan Youssef, said, "We will talk to them peacefully. We will tell them you are from us and you fought for us" during the civil war against Gadahfi. But "if you say no (to integrating into the) police and army, we will storm your place. It's over."

Officials in the interim government and security forces say they are not strong enough to crack down on the militias. The armed factions have refused government calls for them to join the regular army and police.

So the government has created a "High Security Committee" aimed at grouping the armed factions as a first step to integration. Authorities pay fighters a salary of as much as 1,000 dinars, around $900, to join ? compared to the average police monthly salary of around $200. However, the militias that join still do not abide by government authority, and critics say the lure of salaries has only prompted more militias to form.

Officials and former rebel commanders estimate the number of rebels that actually fought in the 8-month civil war against Gadhafi at around 30,000. But those now listed on the High Security Committee payroll have reached several hundred thousand.

"All these militia and entities are fake ones but it is mushrooming," said Khaled Hadar, a Benghazi-based lawyer. "The government is only making temporarily solutions, but you are creating a disaster."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-09-21-Libya-Militia%20Backlash/id-3ec97d8ea0b74292ab6c24b03f3dd95c

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El sue?o americano hoy depende de la educaci?n de los j?venes latinos

Continue reading page |1 |2

Exclusivo an?lisis de New Scientist revela importantes desigualdades entre j?venes latinos y adultos mayores blancos. El futuro dorado de Estados Unidos est? en peligro

English version: "America 2050: population change threatens the dream"

Estados Unidos est? en una encrucijada. Su futuro depende del destino entretejido de dos importantes grupos ?tnicos: una poblaci?n adulta mayor, de extracci?n europea y una creciente, y mayoritariamente joven poblaci?n de ancestros latinoamericanos. A menos que comiencen a ayudarse entre s?, advierten los dem?grafos m?s destacados, el ?xito econ?mico que sustenta el sue?o americano podr?a estar bajo amenaza.

El an?lisis de New Scientist de la informaci?n del US Census Bureau revela grandes y obstinadamente persistentes disparidades en riqueza y educaci?n. Si las diferencias no se estrechan, el cambio de poblaci?n previsto puede socavar la futura prosperidad estadounidense. Pero el pa?s a?n puede evitar este ciclo en baja, mejorando las oportunidades educacionales para los j?venes latinos.

En las convenciones Dem?crata y Republicana de este a?o, los candidatos presidenciales hablaron bastante sobre c?mo los votantes estaban eligiendo un futuro mejor. No dijeron mucho, eso s?, sobre los desaf?os planteados por la demograf?a.

Quiz? debieran haber asistido a la reuni?n anual de la Population Association of America, realizada en mayo en San Francisco. El presidente de la asociaci?n, Daniel Lichter de Cornell University en Ithaca, Nueva York, pronunci? un sobrio discurso donde advirti?: "Nuestra incapacidad para abordar con eficacia los cuestionamientos de las pol?ticas ante una persistente desigualdad econ?mica ?tnica y racial (?) puede derivar en una nueva fragmentaci?n cultural y econ?mica".

Algunos investigadores creen que el panorama de Lichter es excesivamente pesimista. Pero incluso los optimistas coinciden en que las decisiones de hoy tendr?n repercusiones al largo plazo. "Estamos en un momento decisivo para la sociedad estadounidense", dice Richard Alba, soci?logo de City University en Nueva York.

La transici?n demogr?fica ya est? en marcha. Al ilustrar las proyecciones para el a?o 2050 del US Census Bureau New Scientist escogi? un escenario relativamente bajo en futuras tasas de inmigraci?n. A pesar de las presiones pol?ticas en torno a este tema, un panorama similar se producir?, pase lo que pase, en la frontera estadounidense.

Gr?fico interactivo: "El rostro cambiante de Estados Unidos"

La inmigraci?n, especialmente desde M?xico, ha sido el principal motor del crecimiento de la poblaci?n latina en los Estados Unidos hasta ahora. Sin embargo, actualmente el movimiento neto a trav?s de la frontera Estados Unidos ? M?xico es cercano a cero. Incluso si la econom?a estadounidense repunta, la inmigraci?n no volver? a sus peak de los a?os noventa. Las pol?ticas de planificaci?n familiar en M?xico implicaron una dr?stica ca?da de la tasa de natalidad, es decir, habr? menos gente emigrando en busca de trabajo.

Con la mayor?a de los grupos de la poblaci?n estadounidense reproduci?ndose por debajo de la tasa necesaria para el recambio, las mayores tasas de fertilidad entre los latinos en los Estados Unidos debieran ser suficiente para conducir la transici?n hacia una poblaci?n cada vez m?s caracterizada por j?venes latinos y blancos no-latinos m?s viejos.

Una cosa de grados

Si los latinos en Estados Unidos disfrutaran de un ?xito similar al de sus colegas de ascendencia europea, no habr?a mayor problema con el cambio. Pero la realidad es distinta. El an?lisis de la informaci?n del US Census Bureau, realizado para New Scientist por Richard Fry del Pew Research Center en Washington DC, revela marcadas desigualdades. (Ver "Inequidad en los Estados Unidos").

Los latinos ganan menos, en promedio, que los blancos. Y la brecha es a?n mayor por la riqueza familiar acumulada, una medida clave ya que puede proteger contra el desempleo y otros reveces temporales de la fortuna. Esta brecha probablemente ser? exacerbada en el futuro por una concentraci?n de la riqueza en manos de los estadounidenses m?s viejos, predominantemente blancos.

En cualquier otra parte del mundo, diferencias tan marcadas podr?an provocar disturbios, pero se espera que el incentivo del sue?o americano ejerza una influencia tranquilizadora. "Una de las caracter?sticas sorprendentes de nuestra sociedad es que incluso los m?s desfavorecidos, los grupos marginados, miran el futuro desde una perspectiva de c?mo van a 'lograrlo'", dice el soci?logo John Logan de Brown University en Providence, Rhode Island.

La educaci?n ser? clave para que m?s j?venes latinos 'lo logren' en EE.UU. Nuevamente, los n?meros no son alentadores. Los inmigrantes m?s viejos sin educaci?n superior tiran para abajo las estad?sticas generales de los logros educacionales latinos. As?, Fry compara los latinos nacidos en Estados Unidos con otros grupos, fij?ndose en el porcentaje de personas entre 25 y 29 a?os que han obtenido un grado universitario. Desde mediados de los a?os noventa, no ha habido disminuci?n de la brecha entre blancos y latinos.

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US begins test flights of MV-22 Osprey in Japan

TOKYO (AP) ? The U.S. Marines conducted their first test flights of the MV-22 Osprey aircraft in Japan on Friday after months of protests over safety concerns.

The hybrid aircraft can take off like a helicopter and fly like an airplane. Flight operations were conducted at a base in southern Japan where they are temporarily deployed before being transferred to Okinawa.

Protesters held up signs opposing the deployment while the test flights were under way.

Following two recent crashes, tens of thousands of Okinawans have protested the deployment, saying that they are not safe to fly in Okinawa's crowded environment.

But Japan's central government gave the green light for operations to begin this week after a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who said Washington is confident in the safety of the aircraft. The planes are to head to Okinawa this month.

Japanese media reported that a man who defaced a monument at the Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park claimed he did so because he was upset over the Osprey deployment. The reports said the man had been drunk and was arrested on suspicion of vandalism.

Calls to Hiroshima police were not answered late Friday. The red paint that was sprayed onto the cenotaph for victims of the 1945 atomic bombing has been removed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/us-begins-test-flights-mv-22-osprey-japan-011242888.html

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Ten Questions: A B2B Online Community Readiness Checklist ...


A wide range of B2B firms are considering the need for creating and operating their own online customer communities. In the B2B information technology sector, customer support, knowledge-sharing and product enhancement communities are common. For example, nearly two-thirds (65%) of 207 firms surveyed in 2010 by the research firm ITSMA? said they participated in private online communities hosted by the companies which sell them computer hardware, software and related services.? However, a broader 2011 study by B2BMagazine found that only 22% of surveyed B2B firms had online customer care communities.

While the prospect of launching and running an online community for customers or partners makes good business sense, B2B firms are often daunted by the disparity between the attention garnered by popular consumer sites and the less-exciting reality that a B2B online community will never generate the traffic volume of a B2C community. But that?s as it should be. B2B customer communities are not destinations for chit-chat, sharing cat video links or collecting ?likes? for a dancing competition contestant. They?re not that kind of place.

Online communities & customer satisfaction B2B online communities serve their host organizations by offering key business constituencies ? customers, partners, suppliers ? even other firms in the same industry ? a private, gated virtual space where business information can be safely shared with other decision-makers. Most business-to-business companies depend on building relationships with their customers to create sustainable returns and a foundation for long-term growth. Customer satisfaction is essential to generating repeat business, and online communities help B2B companies learn about and respond to current and future customer needs ? the key to customer satisfaction.

How does a B2B online community do this? Consider these examples:

??????? Distributed customer support. Customers get more value from their product and service purchases through collaborative problem-solving, shared insights and expertise from outside experts ? other customers ? as well as from inside sources.

??????? Thought leadership and guidance. Listening to and discussing shared concerns with customers engages them in the ongoing process of building trust and sustaining the firm?s reputation. Online communities do this on a 7?24 basis across the globe ? no need to wait until the next trade show or customer summit.

??????? Customer-influenced product and service development. Many a B2B company has identified a promising market opportunity by listening carefully and understanding what customers are saying among themselves about what?s missing from existing products or services. Communities offer an excellent source of data to inform new product concepts and speed the research and development phase for in-house innovations and product development. Beta testing, preliminary market responses ? the list goes on.

For all these reasons and more, B2B companies often start to explore if an online community is right for them. But the truth is, despite their value, not every firm is ready to start, build and maintain a successful B2B online community.
Here?s a ten-question checklist any B2B firm should consider before embarking on an online customer community initiative.

About your customers or partners:

  • Are they willing to share information with other customers because they do not compete directly with each other?
  • ?Are you and your customers in a fast-moving industry, where access to up-to-date information is a burden or challenge?
  • Do they use a ?platform? or enabling product or service, and need to communicate with other users about how best to capitalize on it?
  • ? Are they willing to participate in off-line user groups or in-person customer summits?

About your customer?s business problem and how your product or service helps solve it:

  • ?Are the customer?s business issues critical, ongoing and ever-changing?
  • ? Does the knowledge for solving the business problems become obsolete quickly?
  • ?Do they gain major value by learning from the experiences of other customers and/or have an urgent need to share their experiences?

About your products & services

  • Do customers use your firm?s offering as a platform or a key part of a solution to bigger problems?
  • ? Do your customers need suppliers to make continual enhancements to your product?
  • Are product or service upgrades a key revenue generator for your organization?

If you said ?Yes!? to nine or all ten ? what are you waiting for? Get that B2B online community launched, pronto.? Four to eight positive responses suggests there?s some ?there? there. Under four positives may mean your current customer types and product mix does not require much ? if any ? customer relationship management. Perhaps you should ask them about this?

Source: http://www.business2community.com/b2b-perspective/ten-questions-a-b2b-online-community-readiness-checklist-0280456

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Feeding Responses of Pacific Snappers (genus Lutjanus) to the ...

ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE 5: 443-448 (1988) ? 1988 Zoological Society of Japan Feeding Responses of Pacific Snappers (genus Lutjanus) to the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake (Pelamis platurus) Paul J. Weldon Department of Biology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A. ABSTRACT ? Previous studies indicate that Pacific fishes refuse to attack the yellow-bellied sea snake (Pelamis platurus). Visual and non-visual cues are thought to be used to identify this snake. Three species of Pacific snappers -Lutjanus aratus, L. argentiventris, and L. guttatus -were tested for reactions to pieces or extracts of P. platurus. Snappers presented with carcass pieces of a variety of stimulus animals regurgitated P. platurus more than others; one experiment was inconclusive. Snappers presented in darkness with pieces of stimulus animals attached to clips removed fewer P. platurus pieces than those of other species. Pieces of P. platurus skin were regurgitated more frequently, and removed from clips less frequently, than were pieces of skinned carcass or control animals. Large pieces (5.0 g) of P. platurus were regurgitated and rejected more often than were small pieces (1.3 g). Snappers regurgitated and rejected fish pieces treated with a chloroform: methanol extract of P. platurus more than pieces treated with solvent alone. This study indicates that snappers detect chemicals from this snake. INTRODUCTION The yellow-bellied sea snake (Pelamis platurus) is found from the west coast of Central America to the east coast of Africa [1]. Although predation pressure in tropical Pacific waters is notoriously intense [2], no species has been observed to eat this highly venomous, pelagic serpent. A couple of presumed predators (rather than scavengers) have regurgitated P. platurus [3, 4], but stomach con- tent analyses of a variety of predatory fishes -457 fishes representing 25 species from Panama [1], 186 dolphins (Stenella spp.) and 79 tuna (Thunnus albacores) from the eastern Pacific [5], approx- imately 1000 sharks (mostly Carcharhinus falcifor- mis) from Baja California to Costa Rica (S. Kato, pers. comm.), and thousands of sharks from around Australia [6, 7] -failed to indicate this snake's remains. Heatwole [6] inspected 19 species of marine snakes in Australian waters for pre- dator-induced injuries and found that P. platurus was the only amply represented species that lacked any sign of attacks by fishes. Wounds in P. Accepted October 20, 1987 Received February 26, 1987 platurus from the eastern Pacific have been documented, but at least some of these appear to be man-made rather than caused by would-be predators [8]. Observations of the reactions of birds and predatory fishes to P. platurus indicate that this snake is avoided. Naive herons and egrets in Panama presented with several eels, a terrestrial snake, and P. platurus fled only from the latter [9]. A variety of teleost and elasmobranch fishes refused to attack P. platurus or regurgitated pieces of this snake if they were ingested [10]. The cues by which potential predators recognize sea snakes have not been studied systematically, but several authors suggest that the conspicuous yellow (ventral) and black (dorsal) coloration of P. platurus acts as an aposematic signal [1,6, 10, 11]. Rubinoff and Kropach [10] state that other cues also may be involved since snake pieces were rejected by Pacific fishes even after the snakes' color patterns had been modified with marking pens, when snakes were skinned, and when snake pieces were wrapped in squid flesh. Rubinoff and Kropach [10] suggest that fishes identify snakes by chemical cues. This study examines the feeding reactions of

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ZOOLOGICAL SCIENCE 5: 443-448 (1988) ? 1988 Zoological Society of Japan Feeding Responses of Pacific Snappers (genus Lutjanus) to the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake (Pelamis platurus) Paul J. Weldon Department of Biology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A. ABSTRACT ? Previous studies indicate that Pacific fishes refuse to attack the yellow-bellied sea snake (Pelamis platurus). Visual and non-visual cues are thought to be used to identify this snake. Three species of Pacific snappers -Lutjanus aratus, L. argentiventris, and L. guttatus -were tested for reactions to pieces or extracts of P. platurus. Snappers presented with carcass pieces of a variety of stimulus animals regurgitated P. platurus more than others; one experiment was inconclusive. Snappers presented in darkness with pieces of stimulus animals attached to clips removed fewer P. platurus pieces than those of other species. Pieces of P. platurus skin were regurgitated more frequently, and removed from clips less frequently, than were pieces of skinned carcass or control animals. Large pieces (5.0 g) of P. platurus were regurgitated and rejected more often than were small pieces (1.3 g). Snappers regurgitated and rejected fish pieces treated with a chloroform: methanol extract of P. platurus more than pieces treated with solvent alone. This study indicates that snappers detect chemicals from this snake. INTRODUCTION The yellow-bellied sea snake (Pelamis platurus) is found from the west coast of Central America to the east coast of Africa [1]. Although predation pressure in tropical Pacific waters is notoriously intense [2], no species has been observed to eat this highly venomous, pelagic serpent. A couple of presumed predators (rather than scavengers) have regurgitated P. platurus [3, 4], but stomach con- tent analyses of a variety of predatory fishes -457 fishes representing 25 species from Panama [1], 186 dolphins (Stenella spp.) and 79 tuna (Thunnus albacores) from the eastern Pacific [5], approx- imately 1000 sharks (mostly Carcharhinus falcifor- mis) from Baja California to Costa Rica (S. Kato, pers. comm.), and thousands of sharks from around Australia [6, 7] -failed to indicate this snake's remains. Heatwole [6] inspected 19 species of marine snakes in Australian waters for pre- dator-induced injuries and found that P. platurus was the only amply represented species that lacked any sign of attacks by fishes. Wounds in P. Accepted October 20, 1987 Received February 26, 1987 platurus from the eastern Pacific have been documented, but at least some of these appear to be man-made rather than caused by would-be predators [8]. Observations of the reactions of birds and predatory fishes to P. platurus indicate that this snake is avoided. Naive herons and egrets in Panama presented with several eels, a terrestrial snake, and P. platurus fled only from the latter [9]. A variety of teleost and elasmobranch fishes refused to attack P. platurus or regurgitated pieces of this snake if they were ingested [10]. The cues by which potential predators recognize sea snakes have not been studied systematically, but several authors suggest that the conspicuous yellow (ventral) and black (dorsal) coloration of P. platurus acts as an aposematic signal [1,6, 10, 11]. Rubinoff and Kropach [10] state that other cues also may be involved since snake pieces were rejected by Pacific fishes even after the snakes' color patterns had been modified with marking pens, when snakes were skinned, and when snake pieces were wrapped in squid flesh. Rubinoff and Kropach [10] suggest that fishes identify snakes by chemical cues. This study examines the feeding reactions of

Feeding Responses of Pacific Snappers (genus Lutjanus) to the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake (Pelamis platurus) : Behavior Biology

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Samsung ad: Apple makes 'the coolest adapters'

Featured

16 hrs.

iPhone 5

Every time an Apple product comes out, a select few reviewers get first dibs on testing it first. On Tuesday night, the iPhone 5 reviews wen... Read more

6 hrs.

Last year's iPhone launch brought an unexpected pleasure: some funny and understated ads from Samsung mocking Apple's dedicated fans for coveting features already available elsewhere. And now, just a week after the announcement of the iPhone 5, they've done it again.

It's light, good-natured humor, but it does hit a few tender spots. "I heard you have to have an adapter to use the dock on this one," says one person in the usual line waiting for the new iPhone. "Yeah, but they make?the coolest adapters," is the response.

Others like the 4G, larger 4-inch screen and other capabilities that Samsung's Galaxy S III users are quick to point out have been available for awhile on Android. Samsung wisely stays away from making outright jabs; the iPhone 5?is, after all, being received well and few would say it's poorly designed.

Perhaps the finest moment: One Samsung user is holding a place in the iPhone line for someone ? and to the horror of the cool kids waiting beside him, it turns out to be his parents. The looks on their faces suggest it may be time to reevaluate their hipness quotient.

Whether you're an iPhone or Android fan, it's a fun watch.?Check out "The Next Big Thing is Already Here" below:

Devin Coldewey is a contributing writer for NBC News Digital. His personal website is coldewey.cc.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/samsung-ad-ridicules-apple-they-make-coolest-adapters-1B5991939

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Travel Tuesday: Fall Family Getaways! | Black and Married With Kids ...

We love a good discount on family getaways here at BMWK, especially ones that are perfect for a family vacation/weekend getaway. Great Wolf Lodge wants you and your family to enjoy a fabulous fall getaway. If you book a vacation (minimum two night stay) at Great Wolf Lodge by September 21st you will save 20%! **

The kids are off to a great start at school or the family just needs a weekend getaway, Great Wolf Lodge is the perfect family destination. Known for their famous indoor waterparks, they?ve now added the exclusive ?Hollywood XD Theater? for your adventurous kids to enjoy. The new thrill ride is a motion simulated ride that transports riders thru space, time and imagination.

Want to celebrate Halloween differently this year? From October 11-31st, you can book the ?HOWL-O-WEEN? family suite for $199. Your kids will love the spooky costume parade and collect their favorite candy nightly during the exclusive ?Trick or Treat Trail.? They will also enjoy creating their own special holiday pumpkin at the daily pumpkin painting craft session, the monster bash dance parties (on Friday and Saturday) and spooky scary time story hour. As always, all access passes to the waterpark are also included with your vacation.

Fall is a fabulous season for a weekend getaway or family holiday vacation. With the Columbus Day holiday right around the corner, Great Wolf Lodge is a great weekend destination. Book your getaway today, prices will be going up for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Additional discounts and packages are available. For the location near you and more information please visit www.greatwolf.com .

Happy travels!

BMWK ? Have you ever been to Great Wolf Lodge? Did you enjoy your time there? ?Do you take fall or winter vactions? If so, where do you go?

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By The Travelin Diva (Kirstin N. Fuller)

Follow me on twitter?@thetravelindiva!

**Use promo code ?EARLY? to receive your discount. You must travel by December 20th.


About the author

Kirstin N. Fuller aka The Travelin Diva is a DC based travel journalist bringing fellow travelers the best deals on family vacations, couples retreats, spa getaways, the best travel gadgets and more in BMWK?s exclusive Travel Tuesday & Weekend Travel Guide columns. Check out her new travel blog daily for more deals & destinations www.passenger156.com.

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Source: http://blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2012/09/travel-tuesday-fall-family-getaways/

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