Stretchable, serpentine lithium-ion battery works at three times its usual size

While we've seen more than a few flexible batteries in our day, they're not usually that great at withstanding tugs and pulls. A team-up between Northwestern University and the University of Illinois could give lithium-ion batteries that extreme elasticity with few of the drawbacks you'd expect. To make a stretchable battery that still maintains a typical density, researchers built electrode interconnects from serpentine metal wires that have even more wavy wires inside; the wires don't require much space in normal use, but will unfurl in an ordered sequence as they're pulled to their limits. The result is a prototype battery that can expand to three times its normal size, but can still last for eight to nine hours. It could also charge wirelessly, and thus would be wearable under the skin as well as over -- imagine fully powered implants where an external battery is impractical or unsightly. There's no word yet on whether there will be refined versions coming to real-world products, but we hope any developments arrive quickly enough to give stretchable electronics a viable power source.

Filed under: Wearables, Science, Alt

Comments

Via: ScienceDaily

Source: Nature

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/27/stretchable-serpentine-lithium-ion-battery-works-at-3x-size/

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Ohio court hearing arguments in school Bible case

FILE - In this April 16, 2008 file photo, John Freshwater, center, addresses a crowd on Mount Vernon's public square in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The Ohio Supreme Court is ready to hear arguments in the case of Freshwater, a fired public school science teacher who kept a bible on his desk and was accused of preaching religious beliefs in class. (AP Photo/Mount Vernon News, Pam Schehl, File)

FILE - In this April 16, 2008 file photo, John Freshwater, center, addresses a crowd on Mount Vernon's public square in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The Ohio Supreme Court is ready to hear arguments in the case of Freshwater, a fired public school science teacher who kept a bible on his desk and was accused of preaching religious beliefs in class. (AP Photo/Mount Vernon News, Pam Schehl, File)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) ? Attorneys for a fired public school science teacher who kept a Bible on his desk plan to argue before the Ohio Supreme Court that the teacher's dismissal was unconstitutional.

The Mount Vernon School Board dismissed John Freshwater in 2011 after investigators reported he preached Christian beliefs in class when discussing topics such as evolution and homosexuality and was insubordinate in failing to remove the Bible from his classroom.

Freshwater also was accused of using a science tool to burn students' arms with the image of a cross, but that allegation was resolved and was not a factor in his firing.

Two lower courts previously upheld Freshwater's dismissal, but the state Supreme Court agreed to hear a portion of his claims over his firing. The hearing was to be held Wednesday.

The court said Freshwater can argue it is unconstitutional to fire someone without clear guidance on what teaching materials or methods are acceptable. Freshwater also can argue it is unconstitutional to fire someone over the mere presence of a religious text such as the Bible in a classroom.

As an eighth-grade science teacher, Freshwater tried to encourage his students to examine facts and theories and hypotheses and then question them and differentiate between them, his attorney said in a court filing last year.

A voluntary discussion of creationism or "intelligent design" as part of the mandatory discussion of evolution is unquestionably part of a secular education program, attorney Kelly Hamilton wrote.

"Freshwater did not engage in religious proselytization ? he discussed a scientific theory that happens to be consistent with the teachings of multiple major world religions," Hamilton wrote.

The board's actions, he concluded, were nothing less "than the censorship of ideas."

Freshwater is getting legal backing from the Charlottesville, Va.-based Rutherford Institute, a civil liberties group.

Attorneys for the school board countered that Freshwater had long tried to push religion in the classroom.

As far back as 1994, a middle school principal told Freshwater to stop distributing an "Answers in Genesis" pamphlet with information about a creationist organization's upcoming seminar, according to a filing by board attorneys asking the court to uphold Freshwater's firing.

Freshwater also used a handout titled "Survival of the Fakest," to teach his students to doubt science, the board's attorneys said.

"Whenever Freshwater was told by a superior to cease using an inappropriate handout in class, he would simply find another one to use," the board's attorneys said in a filing last fall.

Science education and humanist and secular groups have joined the side of the school board.

The board once concluded Freshwater had used a high-frequency generator, which other teachers have used to demonstrate electrical current, to burn a cross onto a student's arm. The cross lasted a few weeks.

The student's family settled a federal lawsuit against the district in an effort to move on.

___

Andrew Welsh-Huggins can be reached at http://twitter.com/awhcolumbus

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2013-02-27-US-Teacher-Bible/id-003a20033ae94fa38c63de8f0f4b7842

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Dow closes within 100 points of all-time high

JeeYeon Park , CNBC ? ? ? 16 hrs.

Stocks soared for a second day to finish near session highs Wednesday, with the Dow within less than 100 points of an all-time closing high, boosted by upbeat earnings and economic reports and as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke reaffirmed his support of the central bank's stimulus policy.

"It would not be shocking to see a final push through, but I want to point out that seasonality is not necessarily on our side, which keeps us from going pedal to the medal," said Josh Brown, financial advisor at Fusion Analytics. "We had a very similar market environment in early 2011 and last year. So it would not shock me to see a sprint close to the highs of the year, have our typical pullback, and when people realize that sequestration is not the end of the world, we could resume. That would be a better moment to load on new longs."

The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 175.24 points, or 1.26 percent, to close at 14,075.37, propelled by JPMorgan and Caterpillar. The Dow is now less than 100 points from hitting its all-time closing high of 14,164.53.

The S&P 500 jumped 19.05 points, or 1.27 percent, to finish at 1,515.99. And the Nasdaq advanced 32.61 points, or 1.04 percent, to end at 3,162.26.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, tumbled below 15.

All 10 key S&P sectors finished firmly in positive territory, led by materials and industrials.

Read More: Cramer: These Stocks Are 'Rising From the Ashes'

"So much for last week's Fed Minutes; did the market forget who the chief cook and bottle washer is?" wrote Elliot Spar, market strategist at Stifel Nicolaus. "If they did, Ben has set them straight and the market loves it. Those that bailed last week and again on the worry over the elections in Italy now find themselves underperforming."

In his second day of testimony before Congress, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said that the nation's unemployment rate probably won't reach the 6 percent level until 2016, giving further support for the central bank's easy monetary policy and warned Congress against letting looming spending cuts take place.

Stocks recovered their losses from earlier this week after being rocked by Italy's election results. All three major averages are now in positive territory for the week.

"We're in a sideways process with the Dow around 14,000 and we'll probably be around here for a while," said Jeff Kleintop, chief market strategist at LPL Financial. "Profit and economic growth may be softer in Europe and we're probably due for a pullback, but I don't think it's going to be a big one. You want to buy into the dips and put capital to work."

Read More: Why You May Suffer From the 'Sequester Blahs'

Apple remained in the red as tech giant's CEO Tim Cook dismissed hedge fund manager David Einhorn's lawsuit against the company as being a "silly sideshow," but said the iPhone maker is "seriously considering" ways to return cash to shareholders. Apple is currently sitting on more than $137 billion in excess cash.

Read More: Apple $800? What Was I Thinking?!

"I don't like it either," Cook said of Apple stock's 35-percent plunge since hitting an all-time high last September, but urged shareholders to focus on the longer term, adding that 2012 had been "an incredible year of innovation" at the company.

Flower Foods climbed after the packaged bakery goods company won the bid for Hostess Wonder bread in a deal worth $360 million, CNBC learned.

Among retail earnings, Target posted quarterly results that topped expectations for the holiday quarter. But shares gave up their initial gains amid investor concern over the company's ability to reach its forecast, given its large-scale expansion plans in Canada.

Dollar Tree soared to lead the S&P 500 gainers after the discount retailer posted earnings and revenue that edged past expectations. And TJX rose after the parent company of TJMaxx reported quarterly results that beat Wall Street expectations. In addition, the company announced a dividend hike and a new share repurchase program.

Coach jumped amid unconfirmed reports that the upscale retailer is exploring a sale of itself. Separately, the retailer said it has hired a former Nike executive to oversee the transformation of its stores.

First Solar plunged nearly 15 percent after the solar panel maker posted revenue and outlook that fell short of Wall Street expectations. In addition, Baird cut its rating on the company to "neutral" from "outperform" and lowered its price target to $25 from $30.

Groupon, Limited Brands and JCPenney are among notable companies slated to post earnings after the closing bell.

European shares closed higher, thanks to a successful bond auction in Italy.

On the economic front, pending home sales jumped in January, hitting its highest since April 2010, according to the National Association of Realtors. Meanwhile, weekly mortgage applications declined for a third-consecutive weekeven as rates eased, according to the the Mortgage Bankers Association.

(Read More: Housing May Not Be as Healthy as It Looks: NAHB Pro)

Durable goods orders declined in January, according to the Commerce Department. But excluding transportation, durable goods orders posted its biggest gain since December 2011.

Treasurys remained flat after the government auctioned $29 billion in 7-year notes a a high yield of 1.26 percent. The bid-to-cover ratio, an indicator of demand, was 2.65.

? 2013 CNBC LLC. All Rights Reserved

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/dow-closes-within-100-points-all-time-high-1C8585251

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Bernanke defends Fed's low-interest-rate policies

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Facing criticism from Republican lawmakers, Chairman Ben Bernanke stood behind the Federal Reserve's low-interest-rate policies Wednesday and sought to reassure members of Congress that the central bank has a handle on the risks.

In his second day of testimony on Capitol Hill, Bernanke told members of the House Financial Services Committee that the Fed's bond purchases are needed to boost a still-weak economy and that they have helped create jobs for average Americans.

The bond purchases are intended to lower long-term interest rates. That encourages more borrowing and spending, which generates growth.

Still, some Republicans warned that by continually pumping more money into the financial system, the bond purchases could eventually ignite inflation.

"We have gone too far in monetary policy and the monetary easing, and it is in this member's opinion time to pull back," said Rep. Gary Miller, R-Calif.

Bernanke said the Fed is weighing the costs and benefits of its bond purchases. He noted that the Fed has a dual mandate: to both maximize employment and maintain low inflation.

His remarks during his semiannual monetary report to Congress largely repeated comments he made a day earlier to a Senate panel.

The Fed chairman argued that the Fed's low-interest-rate policies are giving crucial support to an economy still burdened by high unemployment. He also acknowledged the risks of keeping rates low indefinitely. But he expressed confidence that such risks pose little threat now and gave no signal that the Fed might shift away from those policies.

The aggressive program to buy $85 billion a month in Treasurys and mortgage bonds had kept borrowing costs low, he said. And that, in turn, has helped strengthen sectors such as housing and autos, he said. Still, unemployment remains high at 7.9 percent.

Bernanke rejected a suggestion by Rep. John Campbell, R-Calif., that the Fed's policies were mainly helping the federal government with its borrowing needs and big banks and foreign governments.

"This is very much focused at the average American citizen," Bernanke said. "Our estimates are that we've helped create many private-sector jobs. ... People are able to buy houses at very low mortgage rates, refinancing at low mortgage rates. People are able to get car loans at low rates."

The low borrowing rates have boosted demand, Bernanke said, and that has helped to lift home prices, making home owners feel more financially secure.

"In a lot of dimensions, we have, I think, benefited Main Street and that's certainly our objective," Bernanke said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bernanke-defends-feds-low-interest-180917382.html

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Wii-playing surgeons may improve performance on laparoscopic procedures

Feb. 27, 2013 ? Laparoscopic surgeons may improve certain aspects of surgical performance by regularly playing on a Nintendo? Wii, according to research published February 27 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Gregorio Patrizi and colleagues from the University of Rome, Italy.

Considering the technical skills required to perform laparascopic procedures, several studies aim to evaluate and improve training for surgeons outside the operating room. Previous studies have assessed the effect of playing video games on hand-eye coordination and spatial attention. In the current research, the authors combined these two aspects by analyzing how a four-week training regimen on the Nintendo? Wii impacted the laparoscopic skills of post-graduate residents in the first or second year of their surgical training. Half the surgeons were assigned to a training regimen on the Wii while the other half were not. Before and after the regimen, all the participants' performance was tested on a laparoscopic simulator.

The study found that participants in both groups improved their skills over the four week period, but those who had been trained on the Wii showed a significant improvement over the other group in their performance on several specific metrics like economy of instrument movements and efficient cautery. The study concludes, "The Nintendo? Wii might be helpful, inexpensive and entertaining part of the training of young laparoscopists, in addition to a standard surgical education based on simulators and the operating room."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Public Library of Science.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Domenico Giannotti, Gregorio Patrizi, Giorgio Di Rocco, Anna Rita Vestri, Camilla Proietti Semproni, Leslie Fiengo, Stefano Pontone, Giorgio Palazzini, Adriano Redler. Play to Become a Surgeon: Impact of Nintendo WII Training on Laparoscopic Skills. PLoS ONE, 2013; 8 (2): e57372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057372

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/TPR-SEe5As0/130227183500.htm

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Dog Shoots Owner, Unlikely to Face Criminal Charges

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2013/02/dog-shoots-owner-unlikely-to-face-criminal-charges/

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development stage or start up company valuation - Securities Law ...

The question:

As the economy has been gaining strength, so have the number of entrepreneurs seeking private equity investments through pre-packaged structured private placement offerings, and negotiated venture and angel capital sources.? A question that arises almost daily in my practice is how to determine a valuation for a development stage or start-up venture.? Determining a valuation is instrumental to answering the overriding questions of what percentage of a company is being sold and at what price.

The Answer:

For business entities with operating history, revenue, profit margins and the like, valuation is determined by mathematical calculations and established mathematically based matrixes.? For a development stage or start-up venture, the necessary elements to complete a mathematical analysis simply do not exist.

In the case of a pre-packaged private placement offering for a development stage or start up venture, valuation is an arbitrary guess, a best estimate.? In the case of a negotiated investment with a venture capital or angel investor, valuation is a negotiated guess or best estimate.? The guess and best estimate is based on in-depth due diligence, market studies, competitive analysis, and perhaps most importantly, an assessment of management ability.

In determining valuation a company must consider both pre and post money valuation.? That is, what is the business worth prior to an investment and what will it be worth after the private placement taking into consideration the use of proceeds from the private investment.? The Company will want the investment to be finalized at the higher post money valuation and the investor will want it at the lower pre money valuation.

Discussion:

Establishing valuation for a development stage or start up entity ultimately comes down to an investor?s perception of risk vs. reward.? Risk is easy to determine, if $xx are invested, $xx dollars can be lost.? Reward on the other hand is an elusive prospect based on the potential success of a business.? In the case of an investment by a venture capital or angel investor, such investor will conduct an in-depth due diligence and review of the business and determine the valuation they are willing to invest at, as a result of their findings.? I advise clients preparing a private placement offering memorandum to conduct that same due diligence review and present the results to potential investors, in the form of a private placement memorandum and business plan that supports the offering price and percentage.? Moreover, doing your homework upfront will ensure the best chance of success in the long run.

As further discussed below, in setting value, an analysis (due diligence) should be conducted on a minimum of the following: market data; competition; pricing and distribution strategies; assets and liabilities; hidden liabilities; inflated assets; technology risks; product development plans; legal structure; legal documentation; corporate formation documents and records; and management, including backgrounds on paper, and face to face assessments.

Whether preparing a private placement memorandum or negotiating with a venture investor, it will be the Issuer (company seeking the money), that will propose a valuation which may or may not be in sync with the valuation proposed by the investor.? It is important that this proposed valuation be grounded in reality and supported by research, or investors will not take you seriously and will not believe in management?s ability.

Areas of Consideration in Determining Valuation

The following areas should be researched and considered in determining a pre-money, development stage or start-up valuation.? The below list is in no particular order.

1.??????????? Investment comps:? have other investors, either private or public, recently funded similar companies and if so on what terms and conditions and at what valuation;

2.??????????? Market Data:? who what is your product market; what is the size of the market; how many new players enter the market on a yearly basis and what is their success rate;

3.??????????? Competition:? who are the major competitors; what is their valuation; how do you differ from these competitors;

4.??????????? Uniqueness of product or technology:? how is your product or technology unique; can it easily be duplicated; patent, trademark and other intellectual property protections;

5.??????????? Pricing and Distribution Strategies:? what are the major impediments to your successful entry into the marketplace; what is your plan for successful entry into the marketplace; have you considered order fulfillment including transportation costs; connections to end users for your product or service; what are profit margins and will the margins increase as the business grows and scales;

6.??????????? Capital investments to date: what capital investments have been made to the Company to date, including both financial and services; remember that you must believe and invest in your entity before others will;

7.??????????? Assets and liabilities:? what does the balance sheet look like; are their hidden liabilities; any off balance sheet arrangements; how are assets valued; are any assets either over or under valued; is their clear title to all assets;

8.??????????? Technology Risks:? what technologies do you rely upon; what is the state of evolvement of those technologies; can you keep up;

9.??????????? Product Development Plans:? do you have a model and samples; have they been tested; have you established manufacturing channels; exclusive contracts with manufacturers; what is your overall plan to bring your product to market and subsequently become a competitor in the industry;

10.????????? Legal Structure:? type of entity ? LLC, C Corp, partnership..; legal structure of current outstanding equity ? just common equity or common and preferred and if preferred what rights are associated therewith (redemption rights; liquidation preferences; dividends; voting rights..);

11.????????? Legal documentation:? not only whether corporate records are in order but are all contracts and arrangements properly documented;

12.????????? Future financing needs: ?Will significant future financing be necessary to achieve the business plan; what is the risk of a future down round (note that a down round is a future financing at a lower valuation resulting in dilution to the current investors);

13.????????? Exit strategies:? is the company planning on going public; is it or will it be a good buyout candidate; is the offering structured to include payback via either a debt instrument or dividend distribution;

14.????????? Management:? this is perhaps the most important consideration for the investment community; does the management team have a proven history of success; prior business experience in this and other industries; work ethics; general management skills; organization skills; presentation skills; research skills; coachability; ability to attract others with strong credentials who believe in the business and are willing to work to make the business a success; does management present well in meetings and face to face discussions;

15.????????? Flexibility: how flexible is management in structuring the deal and considering outside advice

16.????????? Developmental milestones:? has the Company achieved is developmental milestones to date;

Conclusion

Valuation is only one piece in the overall determination of an offering structure.? Regardless of a Company?s pre or post money valuation, the investor must make an ultimate decision regarding risk vs reward.? Valuation will help determine the offering price per share or unit, but another very important piece of the puzzle is the investment vehicle being offered.? The company and investor have a broad range of options including common stock; preferred stock with varying rights and preferences and debt instruments.? A follow up blog will discuss these various investment vehicle options.

The Author

Attorney Laura Anthony,
Founding Partner, Legal & Compliance, LLC
Securities, Reverse Merger and Corporate Attorneys

Securities attorney Laura Anthony provides ongoing corporate counsel to small and mid-size public companies as well as private companies intending to go public on the over-the-counter market, including the OTCBB and OTCQB. For nearly two decades, Ms. Anthony has dedicated her securities law practice to being ?the big firm alternative.? Clients receive fast and efficient cutting-edge legal service without the inherent delays and unnecessary expense of ?partner-heavy? securities law firms.

Ms. Anthony?s focus includes, but is not limited to, crowdfunding, registration statements, PIPE transactions, private placements, reverse mergers, and compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K, as well as the proxy requirements of Section 14. Moreover, Ms. Anthony represents both target and acquiring companies in reverse mergers and forward mergers, including the preparation of deal documents such as Merger Agreements, Stock Purchase Agreements, Asset Purchase Agreements and Reorganization Agreements. Ms. Anthony prepares the necessary documentation and assists in completing the requirements of federal and state securities laws and SROs such as FINRA and DTC for corporate changes such as name changes, reverse and forward splits and change of domicile.

Contact Legal & Compliance LLC for a free initial consultation or second opinion on an existing matter.

Follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn

Source: http://securities-law-blog.com/2013/02/26/structuring-the-private-placement-investment-%E2%80%93development-stage-or-start-up-company-valuation/

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Health Insurance NOT the Same As Access to Health Care | Coyote ...

February 26, 2013, 8:43 am

Most of the Left wants to measure access to health care by the percentage of people who have health insurance,?implying?that those without insurance have no access to care. ?But in fact the uninsured in the US have access to better health care than most other people in the world.

And it will soon become apparent that the converse is not true either - even with insurance, in a top-down rules-driven government-controlled?health care system, one may not have access to health care. ? ?For example, one of my employees was complaining that she was having trouble with workers comp getting care for her injury. ?This is a follow-up email I?received?today from my insurance agent (redacted only for privacy issues):

I talked to [valued employee of my company, call her Jane] this morning regarding her lack of attention from [our workers comp insurer].

I then followed up immediately with [representative of workers comp insurer] working on her account, in Sacramento, CA.

It seems the problem is her injury occurred in CA and she's now in MO.? The doctors in MO don't want to see her due to the paperwork and issues required under the CA laws.?

Jane advises she gets relief from going to a chiropractor.? I told her to keep going and I would get [insurance company] to approve those visits, which [workers comp insurer rep] said she would.

So, it comes down to [our insurance company] trying to find an Orthopedic Doctor who will take her and comply with the CA requirements, which the Drs. don't like.

There is no issues on coverage, it's a political issue.

Already, Medicare and Medicaid patients have trouble finding doctors to treat them. ?Enjoy the cozy feeling of being "insured" via Obamacare. ?Let's hope that when you are sick, there is a doctor who will see you.

Tags: CA, california, Health Care, insurance, MO, Obamacare, Orthopedic Doctor, US, Workers comp, workmans comp
Category: Health Care, Regulation ?|??Comment (RSS)

Source: http://www.coyoteblog.com/coyote_blog/2013/02/health-insurance-not-the-same-as-access-to-health-care.html

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What We Read- WSA Reading List | Web Success Agency Blog

You?re not just going to wake up one day and magically know everything there is to know about building a strong social media presence for your brand. Besides, even if you did, it?s an ever-evolving game and changes almost daily.

So, you will have to learn about social media and its trends to truly stay on top of your game. But how do you that? The same way you learn about any other topic: you study from people who know more about it than you. And those people have blogs and websites.

Get your bookmark button ready because I?m going to share what we read here at Web Success Agency to stay in the know.

KISSmetrics Blog

Just as the name would imply, Kissmetrics is all about analytics. It?s not just about the numbers, it?s the message hidden behind the numbers. ?Google Analytics tells you what happened. KISSmetrics tells you who did it.?

Its blog focuses on analytics, marketing and testing. They?re known for their infographics. They break down the information for even common folks like us to understand. Though its focus is on social media, they also keep an eye trained on web trends. If you?re only going to bookmark one, make it this one.

Check ?em out: blog.kissmetrics.com

Hubspot Blog

Covering all things inbound internet marketing, Hubspot boasts 145,000 subscribers to its blog. Hubspot asserts that inbound marketing is a collection of SEO, blogging, social media, lead generation, email marketing, lead nurturing and management. Oh, and don?t forget analytics. Yes, the blog covers a lot of ground.

Check ?em out: blog.hubspot.com

Copyblogger

Content is king with Copyblogger. By now, as a reader of our blog, you know that content is SEO fuel. Without fresh and original copy, you?re not going to get far with SEO. Copyblogger offers tutorials on copywriting, content marketing, SEO copywriting and keyword research, and how it all plays into Internet marketing.

Its blog ? Online Marketing Advice ? covers a wide range of topics, from Google+ optimization to tips on blogging.

Check ?em out: copyblogger.com

Search Engine Land

The site acts more like a news site. It calls itself a ?must-read hub? for news and information about search engines. There are features and analysis as well as search news briefs.? The site also has several bloggers who delve deeper into search engine topics.

It also has a great how-to section. There, you can learn about SEO, SEM/paid search, analytics, link building and social media marketing.

Check ?em out: searchengineland.com

Search Engine Journal

The site offers news on search marketing, blogs and Web 2.0. It?s full of contributing editors who are experts in their field, whether they?re in-house or independent Internet marketers themselves. They discuss topics ranging from social media/Internet news, SEO, link building, search marketing, and more.

Check ?em out: searchenginejournal.com

Mashable

Just as its name would imply, Mashable is a little bit of everything. It?s almost sensory overload when you first log on. From social media to tech news to business to entertainment to lifestyle news, Mashable covers just about every base there is.

For our purposes, we?ll obviously stick to social media. Two items worth keeping an eye out for are ?The Next Big Thing? and ?What?s Hot.?

Check ?em out: mashable.com

Unmarketing

?Stop marketing. Start engaging.? From the homepage, you instantly know what you?re getting into with this site. Unmarketing, from the mind of best-selling author Scott Stratten, is a site that tells it like it is.

There?s a lot of bad marketing out there, and Stratten is more than happy to point it out to you, especially if you?re the one producing it. It?s a lot of good information, and if nothing else, it?s a great read.

Check ?em out: www.unmarketing.com

A final thought

Constantly reading about social media will keep you fresh in your own efforts. You now have plenty of homework to do.

Thanks for reading,

-Drew Larison

Source: http://www.websuccessagency.com/blog/2013/02/25/what-we-read-wsa-reading-list/

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SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS | Freedom and Roam Uganda ...

The use of social media is an important aspect in communications especially in the hostile environment in which we organize. It is hard to break into mainstream media and we have to depend a lot on social media to inform.

Freedom and Roam Uganda (FARUG) seeks to engage you all in participation and discussions in our various social media platforms in the following ways:

????????????????????????????????????????????????? Facebook

There will be topics of discussions on our facebook page: Friends of Freedom and Roam Uganda from Monday to Sunday.

Monday: It is a day when everyone is seeking to better themselves financially be it through job searching or business. It?s on this day that topics will be based on professionalism and business. You can post a job advertisement, how to prepare for interviews, business plans etc.

Tuesday: FARUG as well as the entire Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community has many trials and tribulations and it?s a high time that we started telling our own stories. Be it hate crimes, discrimination or the Anti Homosexuality Bill (AHB). Email us topics or stories so that we can share them.

Wednesday: ?FARUG is an LBTI organization at the same time a feminist organization. Do you have related pictures and stories or videos; you can post these on Wednesday or just email us.

Thursday: FARUG has social gatherings every Friday where members meet to discuss a wide range of topics. We have put Saturday aside to discuss a wide range of topics from which we shall select one outstanding one that will top the social Friday topics.

Friday: Its Fridays that is dedicated to a topic that stood out on Thursday. We however have a twist in the discussions. They will be posted solely by the Administrator, just as they are being discussed during social Friday. We shall post people?s comments and questions and live tweet as it goes on.

Saturday: This day is dedicated to well being and general social life. Be it Fashion, sex, relationships and what is happening on the social scene in the LGBTI community, nationally and internationally.

Sunday: Sundays are dedicated to faith and religion. Do you have a religious quote, a word of inspiration, or you just want to share what your pastor preached about? Email us. Moslems, orthodox, African Traditional Religion and any God that you believe in, please don?t feel left out.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Twitter

?

There will be daily tweets on different topics everyday. Find us on @Far_Uganda, #tag us your tweets and please be a part of our tweet ups and live discussions when they have been announced.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ??YouTube

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Impact Investing: Turning a Profit and Changing the World ...

Impact investing, a rapidly growing sector of?socially responsible investing (SRI), represents the nexus of philanthropy and traditional finance: It expands the definition of return on invested capital to include both financial and social returns ? and is?a way to use the tools of finance and investing to create social change. If a?survey of financial professionals conducted last year by the First Affirmative Financial Network?is any guide, impact investing will likely be the number one growth area in?the SRI field in 2013.

At the same time, awareness of this emerging area of finance is growing. In a 2011 survey, JPMorgan found that?the number of institutions and high net worth individuals who were familiar with impact investing had doubled since 2010. JPMorgan predicts that by 2020 there could be?between $400 billion and $1 trillion dollars directed toward impact investing.

So how does it work? The fundamental assumption underlying impact investing is that the creation of economic value and social value are not mutually exclusive. Therefore, a unified market-based approach can be used to develop long-term sustainable solutions to social and environmental problems. Impact investors include public pension funds, foundations, corporations, governments, and individual investors. Their common objective is to invest in companies or securities that will provide a return on investment while also alleviating poverty, creating affordable housing, building needed infrastructure, or conserving natural resources.

Of course, the concept of investing in a socially responsible manner dates back to biblical times, and faith-based investors continue to capitalize on their roles as shareholders to serve social causes. According to the Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment, the number of US mutual funds that use environmental, social, or corporate governance (ESG) criteria, grew from 12 in 1995 to 333 in 2012 (a 2,675%? increase) while assets under management grew from $12 billion to $640 billion (a 5,233% increase) during the same period. The performance of these funds illustrates that it is possible to achieve both financial and social objectives. (Though it should be noted that a recent overview of studies on the returns for SRI found that results tend to be mixed.)

Impact investors have taken the concept of SRI one step further. Instead of just avoiding companies whose products and services are incongruent with their values, impact investors seek out and invest in companies, securities, and funds that are actually helping to combat societal issues of hunger, homelessness, disease, and environmental degradation. As a result, new and unique investment products have been introduced that not only address specific social issues, but offer competitive market returns.

The AdvisorShares Global Echo ETF (GIVE), for example, focuses on sustainable and impact investment opportunities. A portion of its management fee goes to the Global Echo Foundation, which provides funding to charitable organizations and development programs around the world.

Social impact bonds, also known as pay-for-success or social benefit bonds, are used to finance organizations that provide social services and programs to individuals and communities that were once provided by the governments. The government pays the interest and principle on these bonds out of the savings it receives, if the outside organization is able to provide the same services at a lower cost. Returns may also be contingent on social outcomes. In the United Kingdom, for example, the proceeds of a social impact bond are being used to fund an organization that provides comprehensive assistance to men released from prison. Bondholders will only receive interest and principal payments if the services provided by this new organization reduces recidivism to a specified rate.

Developments in recent years have addressed several critical challenges facing the impact investing industry ??and should facilitate this forecasted growth.?In 2009, for example, the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), an independent nonprofit organization, was formally established to foster the growth and effectiveness of impact investing by providing a forum to address ?systemic barriers to effective impact investing by building critical infrastructure and developing activities, education, and research that attract more investment capital to poverty alleviation and environmental solutions.? One of its most important projects has been the development of Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS). These standards provide a ?standardized taxonomy and a set of consistent definitions? that investors can use to measure and assess the social, environmental, and financial impact of their investments. In addition, IRIS maintains a database that contains performance data from funds and mission-driven organizations.

There has been a global trend among governments to support impact investing. In 2011, the UK government established Big Society Capital, a social investment bank with a mission ?to catalyze the growth of a sustainable social investment market, making it easier for social ventures to access the finance and advice they need?? at all stages of their development.? In the United States, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), whose mission is to ?mobilize private capital to help solve critical world challenges,? provided $285 million in financing for six new impact investment funds. In Australia, the government provided $20 million to establish the Social Enterprise Development and Investment Funds (SEDIF).

Although some view impact investing as a new asset class or investment strategy, I believe that it will become an investment philosophy. Who wouldn?t want help the world and make money at the same time? After all, as Amy Domini says in her book, Socially Responsible Investing, ?The way we invest creates the world we live in.?

---

Please note that the content of this site should not be construed as investment advice, nor do the opinions expressed necessarily reflect the views of CFA Institute.

Photo credit: ?iStockphoto.com/kimberrywood

Source: http://blogs.cfainstitute.org/investor/2013/02/25/impact-investing-taking-responsibility-for-your-money-and-its-impact-on-the-global-community/

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Advanced breast cancer edges up in younger women

In this Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 photo, Dr. Rebecca Johnson, a cancer specialist at Seattle Children's Hospital, poses in an exam room at the hospital in Seattle. Johnson is the lead author of a new study that shows that advanced breast cancer cases have increased slightly among young women, a 34-year analysis suggests, raising many questions about possible reasons even as the disease remains uncommon in women younger than 40. Johnson herself was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer at age 27, 17 years ago. Unlike women in the study, Johnson?s cancer was caught early. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

In this Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 photo, Dr. Rebecca Johnson, a cancer specialist at Seattle Children's Hospital, poses in an exam room at the hospital in Seattle. Johnson is the lead author of a new study that shows that advanced breast cancer cases have increased slightly among young women, a 34-year analysis suggests, raising many questions about possible reasons even as the disease remains uncommon in women younger than 40. Johnson herself was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer at age 27, 17 years ago. Unlike women in the study, Johnson?s cancer was caught early. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

In this Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 photo, Dr. Rebecca Johnson, a cancer specialist at Seattle Children's Hospital, poses in her office in Seattle. Johnson is the lead author of a new study that shows that advanced breast cancer cases have increased slightly among young women, a 34-year analysis suggests, raising many questions about possible reasons even as the disease remains uncommon in women younger than 40. Johnson herself was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer at age 27, 17 years ago. Unlike women in the study, Johnson?s cancer was caught early. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

In this Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 photo, Dr. Rebecca Johnson, a cancer specialist at Seattle Children's Hospital, poses in her office in Seattle. Johnson is the lead author of a new study that shows that advanced breast cancer cases have increased slightly among young women, a 34-year analysis suggests, raising many questions about possible reasons even as the disease remains uncommon in women younger than 40. Johnson herself was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer at age 27, 17 years ago. Unlike women in the study, Johnson?s cancer was caught early. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

CHICAGO (AP) ? Advanced breast cancer has increased slightly among young women, a 34-year analysis suggests. The disease is still uncommon among women younger than 40, and the small change has experts scratching their heads about possible reasons.

The results are potentially worrisome because young women's tumors tend to be more aggressive than older women's, and they're much less likely to get routine screening for the disease.

Still, that doesn't explain why there'd be an increase in advanced cases and the researchers and other experts say more work is needed to find answers.

It's likely that the increase has more than one cause, said Dr. Rebecca Johnson, the study's lead author and medical director of a teen and young adult cancer program at Seattle Children's Hospital.

"The change might be due to some sort of modifiable risk factor, like a lifestyle change" or exposure to some sort of cancer-linked substance, she said.

Johnson said the results translate to about 250 advanced cases diagnosed in women younger than 40 in the mid-1970s versus more than 800 in 2009. During those years, the number of women nationwide in that age range went from about 22 million to closer to 30 million ? an increase that explains part of the study trend "but definitely not all of it," Johnson said.

Other experts said women delaying pregnancy might be a factor, partly because getting pregnant at an older age might cause an already growing tumor to spread more quickly in response to pregnancy hormones.

Obesity and having at least a drink or two daily have both been linked with breast cancer but research is inconclusive on other possible risk factors, including tobacco and chemicals in the environment. Whether any of these explains the slight increase in advanced disease in young women is unknown.

There was no increase in cancer at other stages in young women. There also was no increase in advanced disease among women older than 40.

Overall U.S. breast cancer rates have mostly fallen in more recent years, although there are signs they may have plateaued.

Some 17 years ago, Johnson was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer at age 27, and that influenced her career choice to focus on the disease in younger women.

"Young women and their doctors need to understand that it can happen in young women," and get checked if symptoms appear, said Johnson, now 44. "People shouldn't just watch and wait."

The authors reviewed a U.S. government database of cancer cases from 1976 to 2009. They found that among women aged 25 to 39, breast cancer that has spread to distant parts of the body ? advanced disease ? increased from between 1 and 2 cases per 100,000 women to about 3 cases per 100,000 during that time span.

The study was published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

About one in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, but only 1 in 173 will develop it by age 40. Risks increase with age and certain gene variations can raise the odds.

Routine screening with mammograms is recommended for older women but not those younger than 40.

Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, the American Cancer Society's deputy chief medical officer, said the results support anecdotal reports but that there's no reason to start screening all younger women since breast cancer is still so uncommon for them.

He said the study "is solid and interesting and certainly does raise questions as to why this is being observed." One of the most likely reasons is probably related to changes in childbearing practices, he said, adding that the trend "is clearly something to be followed."

Dr. Ann Partridge, chair of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's advisory committee on breast cancer in young women, agreed but said it's also possible that doctors look harder for advanced disease in younger women than in older patients. More research is needed to make sure the phenomenon is real, said Partridge, director of the breast cancer center at the Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The study shouldn't cause alarm, she said. Still, Partridge said young women should be familiar with their breasts and see the doctor if they notice any lumps or other changes.

Software engineer Stephanie Carson discovered a large breast tumor that had already spread to her lungs; that diagnosis in 2003 was a huge shock.

"I was so clueless," she said. "I was just 29 and that was the last thing on my mind."

Carson, who lives near St. Louis, had a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments and she frequently has to try new drugs to keep the cancer at bay.

Because most breast cancer is diagnosed in early stages, there's a misconception that women are treated, and then get on with their lives, Carson said. She and her husband had to abandon hopes of having children, and she's on medical leave from her job.

"It changed the complete course of my life," she said. "But it's still a good life."

____

Online:

JAMA: http://jama.ama-assn.org

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/index.htm

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-02-26-Breast%20Cancer-Young%20Women/id-356d2232f600473f90de590061d43d38

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Trial Against BP To Begin Over 2010 Rig Explosion

Some are calling it "the trial of century." In New Orleans Monday, dozens of lawyers will pack into a federal courtroom to argue over BP's civil liability from the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Millions of barrels of oil fouled beaches from Texas to Florida. Billions of dollars are at stake.

Copyright ? 2013 NPR. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

It's MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. I'm Steve Inskeep.

The worst environmental disaster in American history is the subject of a trial that is beginning today. It's a big and complicated civil lawsuit stemming from the 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico - and, of course, the spill that followed that.

We're going to talk about this with two NPR correspondents who've been covering this story for years. The first is NPR's Debbie Elliott. She's on the Gulf Coast. Debbie, Good morning.

DEBBIE ELLIOTT, BYLINE: Morning, Steve.

INSKEEP: You know, this oil spill - which captivated all of us in 2010 - is starting to feel rather distant in time. Does it feel like a long-ago event, though, on the Gulf of Mexico?

ELLIOTT: Certainly not for the people on the Gulf and who live along the Gulf Coast. You know, a lot of people have seen these ads that BP has been running that say come back to the Gulf. We've cleaned everything up, and everything is great. And the reality is, is that there are still 200 miles of oiled shoreline in Louisiana, for example, wetlands that are still covered in oil. The reality on the Alabama Gulf Coast is that every time there's a thunderstorm or a hurricane or a tropical storm or the surf gets turned up, there are tar mats that are submerged out in the Gulf of Mexico, and that surf churns up those tar mats, and tar balls come back on the beach and have to be cleaned up again. So this is an ongoing event that people have been living with for nearly three years now.

INSKEEP: OK. So this is a story that has faded a little bit from national attention, but is still happening where Debbie Elliott is. And let's bring in now NPR's Carrie Johnson, our justice correspondent. She covers the Justice Department. And let's talk about the case here, Carrie. What does the government have to prove in order to get BP to pay up billions of dollars in damages?

CARRIE JOHNSON, BYLINE: One of the central questions in this trial is whether BP engaged in gross negligence, causing - or helping to cause - an explosion that led to the fouling of the Gulf in April 2010. And BP, as you may remember earlier this year, has admitted to a criminal charge. But BP is still going to argue that it made some mistakes, but the blame should be shared with its contractors, like Halliburton and Transocean, the owner of that Deepwater Water Horizon rig. The Justice Department says it intends to prove that BP acted with recklessness and willful disregard for the safety of workers.

Remember, Steve, 11 people died on that rig. And the Justice Department says through expert witness testimonies, emails from BP officials in which they talk in the days before the spill about flying by the seat of their pants, that they were putting profits over employee safety. That's a huge question worth a huge amount of money, because if the Justice Department can only prove that BP engaged in simple negligence, BP is on the hook for about four-and-a-half billion dollars.

INSKEEP: A lot - but?

JOHNSON: A lot - but almost four times as much if the Justice Department can prove that BP engaged in gross negligence.

INSKEEP: Well, let me just ask: Is it surprising at all to either of you that this has come to trial, rather than BP simply settling out of court, as so often happens with civil lawsuits?

ELLIOTT: You know, I think a lot of observers did expect that this would likely settle, because BP has settled a lot of other cases. They settled with private plaintiffs, the individuals and businesses who were harmed by the oil spill economically and who might have medical claims. BP agreed to pay at least $7.8 billion - could be higher - to cover those claims. BP has admitted its role in the accident and settled criminal charges with the Justice Department.

But last week, we heard BP general counsel Rupert Bondy say the company had been faced with demands that were excessive and not based on reality. And we think that those demands are coming mostly from the states. The two lead states in this litigation, Alabama and Louisiana, have said they are not willing to agree to any settlement unless BP pays enough to cover any long-term damage to the Gulf, damage that we may not know about right now.

INSKEEP: Well, let me ask about that, because when the still happened, it seemed like just an unimaginably bad event. Then there was a round of stories some months later about how maybe the oil spill was not that devastating after all. A lot of the oil seemed to have vanished. Now, Debbie Elliott, you're telling us that years later, oil is still washing ashore. How long is it going to take before we know the true scope of the devastation here?

ELLIOTT: You know, some people will say it could take 10 years, 20 years. Nobody really can answer that question.

JOHNSON: That's right. Many environmental groups and many government scientists are trying to figure that out right now, and it has a huge implication for how much BP must ultimately pay under violations of the Oil Pollution Act.

INSKEEP: Carrie Johnson, thanks very much.

JOHNSON: Thank you.

INSKEEP: She's NPR's justice correspondent. And NPR's Debbie Elliott will be covering the civil trial against BP in New Orleans. Debbie, thanks to you.

ELLIOTT: Thanks, Steve.

Copyright ? 2013 NPR. All rights reserved. No quotes from the materials contained herein may be used in any media without attribution to NPR. This transcript is provided for personal, noncommercial use only, pursuant to our Terms of Use. Any other use requires NPR's prior permission. Visit our permissions page for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by a contractor for NPR, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2013/02/25/172858139/trial-against-bp-to-begin-over-2010-rig-explosion?ft=1&f=1007

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Video: Jindal, Patrick on gun control

A Second Take on Meeting the Press: From an up-close look at Rachel Maddow's sneakers to an in-depth look at Jon Krakauer's latest book ? it's all fair game in our "Meet the Press: Take Two" web extra. Log on Sundays to see David Gregory's post-show conversations with leading newsmakers, authors and roundtable guests. Videos are available on-demand by 12 p.m. ET on Sundays.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3032608/vp/50927915#50927915

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andre gomes replied to Andre Gomes 02/24 Work: Prime Time Sunday in NBA .

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Bryant outscores Nowitzki as Lakers top Mavs

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) looks toward the bench after scoring a 3-pointer against the Dallas Mavericks late in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Dallas. Bryant scored 38-points in their 103-99 win. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) looks toward the bench after scoring a 3-pointer against the Dallas Mavericks late in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Dallas. Bryant scored 38-points in their 103-99 win. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (41), of Germany, shouts at an official looking for a foul call in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Dallas. Nowitzki was charged with a technical foul for the outburst. The Lakers won 103-99. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks' Vince Carter (25) leaps at Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Dallas. Bryant scored 38 points in their 103-99 win. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (41) of Germany is fouled on a shot attempt by Los Angeles Lakers' Earl Clark (6) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives against Dallas Mavericks' O.J. Mayo, left, and Shawn Marion, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

DALLAS (AP) ? Kobe Bryant was just a little better than Dirk Nowitzki in a spirited game befitting Western Conference leaders ? not teams battling for ninth place.

Bryant had 38 points to win a scoring duel with Nowitzki, and Steve Nash helped beat his former team by getting 20 points for the first time with the Los Angeles Lakers in a 103-99 victory against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

Nowitzki finished with a season-high 30 in a game that had a playoff feel from the start, even though both teams still have plenty of ground to make up to even qualify for the postseason. They trail eighth-place Houston by several games, but they are the franchises that have the last three NBA titles won by teams from the West.

Bryant and Nowitzki had 16 points apiece in the first half and were still even at 24 after the third quarter before Bryant scored 14 in the fourth, including seven in the last 3 minutes. They were a combined 8 of 9 from 3-point range and hit 24 shots and 12 free throws between them.

"It's fun," said Bryant, who also had 12 rebounds and seven assists. "He's one of my all-time favorites. He's a throwback type of player. He doesn't mind the physicality. He made some incredible plays down the stretch."

Bryant, who went past the 31,000-point mark, was playing in Mark Cuban's building two days after the outspoken Dallas owner suggested in a radio interview that the Lakers might have to consider dumping the five-time NBA champion through the amnesty clause.

The Lakers responded by calling the comment inappropriate, and Cuban defended himself before the game.

"Amnesty THAT," Bryant tweeted after the game.

"I'm sure if he wants to amnesty Dirk, that's something we'll be willing to entertain," Bryant told reporters.

The Mavericks were so frustrated trying to guard Bryant, O.J. Mayo got called for a foul and a technical when he jumped around wildly after the whistle blew on a drive to the basket by Bryant. Nash made the technical shot, and Bryant hit his pair of free throws for a 94-90 lead.

"He's been the best player in my decade," said Nowitzki, who also had his season high with 13 rebounds after missing the first 27 games following knee surgery. "I've been in the NBA a long time and he's the one player I love to watch. It was a big game on the national TV stage. It was a fun one. We just came up a little bit short."

Nowitzki was called for a technical earlier in the fourth quarter after a display similar to Mayo's when he missed a shot during a physical sequence with Metta World Peace.

"It was very intense," said Mavericks rookie Jae Crowder, who spent his share of time trying to guard Bryant. "From the crowd standpoint, from the player standpoint, from the officiating. You could tell."

Three times in the final 3 minutes, Bryant put the Lakers up four after the Mavericks had pulled within two. The last gave Los Angeles a 101-97 lead with 46.9 seconds left.

Nowitzki scored to make it a two-point game, and World Peace missed a free throw to give Dallas a chance to tie. Mayo missed a 3-pointer with about 5 seconds left, and Bryant clinched it with a free throw that made it a two-possession game.

"That's why he's Kobe Bryant," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He's not John Smith. No disrespect to John Smith, whoever he is. That's what does. That's what he loves. That's what he trains for."

Nash had 13 of his 20 points and three of his four 3-pointers in the second half, including one that answered Mayo's only bucket from long range and put the Lakers up 99-95.

"He came on in the second half and really gave us a big boost," Bryant said. "He was very aggressive and it forced them to make changes defensively. He's extremely clutch."

Dwight Howard had three big free throws in the fourth, including one that put Los Angeles ahead for good at 91-90, and finished with nine points and 13 rebounds.

The Lakers had the biggest lead at six ? several times ? and the Mavericks erased each one through three quarters. Nowitzki's 3-pointer from the top of the key late in the third made him 4 of 4 from long range and capped a 7-0 run for a 71-70 Dallas lead, but Bryant scored twice on drives after a timeout to put the Lakers in front again.

In the first half, Nowitzki was 5 of 8 from the floor, made both 3-pointers and all four free throws and led everyone with eight rebounds. Bryant, meanwhile, was 3 of 4 from long range, including a pair from well behind the arc, but just 1 of 6 inside the line. He had a game-high six assists before halftime.

NOTES: Bryant got a technical in the first quarter when he gestured at referee Ken Mauer after Darren Collison stole ball. It was his league-leading 13th technical ? one ahead of DeMarcus Cousins of Sacramento. A one-game suspension is in order when a player reaches 16 technicals. ... Mavericks C Chris Kaman entered the game in the second quarter after missing 10 straight games with a concussion. ... The Mavericks scored at least 30 points in the first quarter for the fifth time in six games.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-02-24-BKN-Lakers-Mavericks/id-58edf2ee43c84730a46b5a6baa5a103f

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Canada thrashes Nicaragua, advances to CONCACAF U-20 quarters

Canada must go through a familiar foe to earn a spot in this summer's FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Caleb Clarke led the way with two goals as Canada advanced to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF under-20 championship with a 5-1 win over Nicaragua on Friday.

Canada must now defeat the United States on Tuesday to return to the World Cup in Turkey for the first time since 2007. The Americans beat Costa Rica 1-0 earlier in the night to win Group A and assure a match with the Canadians, who finished runner-up in Group B behind Cuba.

"We were quite comfortable at 3-0 and obviously with the penalty at halftime [Nicaragua] made it 3-1, but with a man down it was always a difficult task for them," said head coach Nick Dasovic. "We've got a massive game against the United States and we have a few days to prepare for it."

Samuel Piette opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Clarke doubled the lead in the 24th minute and added his second in the 54th minute.

Mauro Eustaquio scored from the penalty spot in the 38th minute to put Canada up by three goals before Eulises Pavon scored Nicaragua's lone goal on a penalty in first half stoppage time.

Ben McKendry scored Canada's fifth goal in the 64th minute.

Piette got Canada started with a sensational goal from 25 yards away. Defender John Dollery ? who plays with Crawley Town in England's League One ? played a free kick along the ground from the right side toward Piette. He then hammered a right-footed effort that had pace and swerve over the helpless Nicaraguan goalkeeper.

"We have worked on a few things on the training ground but I saw he was open," said Dollery. "To be fair to him, he had to hit it as well as he did."

Clarke's first goal came on another set piece when Canada had a corner kick. The Vancouver Whitecaps striker made a run to the near post and tapped in Ben Fisk's well-placed corner.

Clarke also hit the crossbar with a left-footed shot in the first half and was the beneficiary of some stellar passing all night.

"Fantastic crosses by [Fisk] and [Dollery]," said Clarke. "They were great crosses on a silver platter and all I had to do was pass them in."

Canada's third goal came from the penalty spot when Piette's shot struck Cristian Gutierrez's arm. Gutierrez was sent off for his second yellow card and Eustaquio scored by putting the ball in the corner to his right.

The game wasn't without controversy as Canada's Alessandro Riggi was struck in the face by a Nicaraguan player, an offence that carries an automatic red card offence.

Not only was there no red card, but Nicaragua won a penalty just seconds later on what was a marginal call, at best. Piette admitted after the game that the penalty call was on him but it was largely due to some expert theatrics by the Nicaraguan player.

"I was marking him and I was standing right there and he dove," said Piette. "I give him 10 on 10 on the dive but things happen and fortunately we won the game."

Pavon made no mistake with his penalty but the game was put beyond all doubt when Clarke got on the end of Dollery's cross in the second half for his second goal of the night and McKendry scored from close range with 25 minutes remaining.

Canada had gotten off to a shaky start at the tournament, losing 2-1 to Cuba on Monday. Cuba won the group with a 3-0 victory over Nicaragua on Wednesday.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2013/02/23/sp-concacaf-canada-soccer-nicaragua-120222.html?cmp=rss

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