Kiwi, an Android-focused gaming studio from an experienced team that made titles at Playdom, just raised $9 million in round led by Sequoia Capital. The company is run by Omar Siddiqui, who oversaw games like Gardens of Time and City of Wonder at Playdom, the social game maker that Disney bought for around $750 million including earnouts back in 2010. Siddiqui, who has had stints at McKinsey and Bain Capital, joined Playdom after he and his co-founder Shvetank Jain built and sold their startup Trippert Labs to the company. Kiwi is their next gaming company and it is laser focused on the Android platform with casual simulation titles like Shipwrecked. Siddiqui has quietly built up a 160 person company with employees in both Bangalore and Palo Alto. They have five titles on Google Play’s top grossing charts for the U.S. right now. They decided to focus on Android back in 2011, when it wasn’t clear at all that the platform could or would close the monetization gap with iOS. But that gap is gradually closing as Google has stepped up efforts to get Android users to register with credit cards. Siddiqui said that the amount of revenue a top 10 grossing game makes on the platform appears to have doubled in the last year. While I’ve written that venture capitalists are a little more skeptical than they used to be about gaming investments, it looks like Sequoia made this bet on the strength of Siddiqui’s track record and their relationship with him. Sequoia’s Alfred Lin, who was the COO of Zappos before joining the firm, is leading this deal, while another investment partner, AdMob founder Omar Hamoui, also already sits on the board as an earlier personal investor. Guitar Hero co-creator Charles Huang and SV Angel also participated. “Everyone likes to pick on Zynga,” Siddiqui said. “But the reality is that there are very few kinds of companies that can go from 0 to $1 billion in revenue inside of five years. We’ve been doing games and game-related stuff for years and we thought — if we had a chance to do it all over again, what could we do to create the best of what a games company could be?” Sequoia has one other bet in a first-party mobile game developer through Pocket Gems, which also competes with Kiwi on Android through titles like Tap Paradise Cove.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]Professor Stocking was a historian of science who chronicled the norms, customs and tribal beliefs of modern anthropologists, documenting a history of racial bias and ethnocentrism.
Like many other new devices that are being released nowadays, Google?s Chromecast has already been rooted.
It was less than a week ago that the name Chromecastfirst appeared on the Internet, and hackers have already found a way to gain root access to the hardware.
There?s an exploit package online that erases the existing system partition and installs a new system image.
While GTVHacker notes that the current exploit is unlikely to come to use for regular people, it creates a foundation that allows researchers to investigate the environment.
Developers will also get a chance to build and test software on their Chromecasts. This basically means that we could get custom apps for the device quite soon.
They have also learned that Chromecast runs a modified version of a Google TV release and not an offshoot version of ChromeOS.
[unable to retrieve full-text content]A new study finds a strong link between heavy cell phone users and higher oxidative stress to all aspects of a human cell, including DNA. Uniquely based on examinations of the saliva of cell phone users, the research provides evidence of a connection between cell phone use and cancer risk.
Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Charles Barkley, representing the 1992 USA Olympic "Dream" Team, speaks during the enshrinement news conference in August 2010 at the Hall of Fame Museum in Springfield, Mass. Barkley recently was critical of the Philadelphia 76ers coaching search. (AP File Photo | ELISE AMENDOLA)
Charles Barkley is never afraid to express his opinion.
He made some headlines again recently when he made the following comments on Comcast SportsNet's "Philly Sports Talk" about the Philadelphia 76ers coaching search or lack thereof:
"I think that's one of the silliest things that I've seen in sports in a long time," Barkley said. "I'm in Philly during the summer as you know, and I'm watching and reading every day -- to not have a coach under contract by now, I think that's a joke. I don't know what they're waiting on. You're playing summer-league games, people need to know who's in charge. They got players who are playing in the summer league, they got assistant coaches coaching the team. You just can't bring somebody in, and him have instant credibility -- he has to build rapport with the players."
I don't always agree with Sir Charles but he nails it on this one.
What in the world are the Sixers doing? It's July 29 and the team still doesn't have a head coach. The summer league is over and the preseason isn't too far away. But the team's management continues to drag its feet on bringing in a coach.
Doug Collins resigned April 18. That's more than three months ago. You would think after Collins left, the team would be determined to have a coach in place by the June 27 NBA draft. It seems absurd in today's sports world for a team to hold a draft without a coach. Do you ever think you will see that in the NFL? A coachless team navigating its way through the critical draft without any insight from the man who will actually be coaching the players.
Oh, but it's not that big of a deal. It's not like the Sixers made any critical trades or anything during the draft. If they were trading one of their star players for a rookie, insight from the coach would have been crucial. But it's not like that happened or anything.
Maybe Sixers General Manager Sam Hinkie is searching the entire globe for that perfect coach that all of Philadelphia will embrace. Or maybe the Sixers organization is just having that hard of a time finding someone who will coach a team that looks destined this season for the cellar of the Eastern Conference.
NEW YORK (AP) ? Derek Jeter returned to the New York Yankees' lineup ? again ? with customary flair, making an immediate impact on a team desperate for power.
Jeter homered on the first pitch he saw from Tampa Bay's Matt Moore, connecting Sunday soon after being activated from the disabled list for the second time this month.
"It was fun ? I'm tired," Jeter said. "I worked hard to try to get back on the field."
The captain's drive ended the Yankees' nine-game homerless drought and helped them beat the Rays 6-5 to avoid a three-game sweep. It was New York's first long ball by a right-hander since June 25.
Jeter received a loud ovation and came out for a very quick curtain call, waving his cap from the next-to-top step of the Yankees dugout.
"Derek provided a lot of spark for them," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.
The 13-time All-Star played shortstop for the first time this season and went 2 for 4 with an intentional walk and two runs scored. He was on base for Alfonso Soriano's two-run drive in the third and for his game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth.
"A lot of great memories here with Sori," he said of his teammate from 1999 to 2003, "and it was almost like old times."
To make room for Jeter, the Yankees placed designated hitter Travis Hafner on the disabled list with a right rotator cuff strain. Hafner has slumped to a .205 average. He hit the last of his 12 homers on June 25, a span of 67 at-bats.
Jeter had his much-anticipated return July 11 ? as the designated hitter ? after missing the Yankees' first 91 games because of a twice broken ankle. He was first injured during the opener of the AL championship series in October.
But he sustained a Grade 1 strain of his right quadriceps running out a groundball against Kansas City and went right back on the DL.
Fourth in the AL East, the Yankees went 4-8 during his second absence and are 55-50. New York has scored fewer runs than all but three teams in the American League this season.
"Hopefully I can help in any way, but we need contributions from a lot of people," Jeter said beforehand. "It's not like I'm some savior coming in here all of a sudden we're just going to start winning."
Manager Joe Girardi hopes he'll be penciling the Yankees' career hits leader in the batting order nearly every day from now on.
"It changes our lineup. There's no doubt about that," he said. "And just his presence is important to this club. It's been important for such a long time."
A favorable schedule should help keep Jeter playing every day at the start. The Yankees have off days Monday and Thursday next week, then only play six games before their next open day.
Girardi said he's been preaching a cautious approach for Jeter when he runs the bases, at least in the first few games of his comeback, to protect the leg.
And despite having difficulty embracing the concept before the game, Jeter appeared to hold back a bit running out to grounders.
Jeter still wasn't endorsing the style of play afterward.
"I don't want to learn how to do it. I understand I have to do it, especially the first week or two," he said. "I feel awful doing it. I don't like doing it. I hope nobody watches me do it."
A career .313 hitter, Jeter was eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday but the Yankees instead had him participate in a simulated game that was shrouded in secrecy.
The location of the workout was not disclosed until after the Yankees' 1-0 loss to the Rays.
"I don't know, it wasn't my idea. They needed to see some things," Jeter said. "Evidently they saw what they needed to see."
NOTES: RHP David Phelps (forearm strain) said he will make his second rehab start Tuesday, for Double-A Trenton. ... Injured INF 3B Jayson Nix (strained right hamstring) should be activated when the Yankees visit the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Archbishop Theodosios (Atallah) Hanna: Israel seeks to control the Middle East.
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Those who bear arms against Syria serve Israel
Edited by Elias Harb ?? ? Intifada -Palestine.com
Archbishop Theodosios ( Atallah) Hanna of Sebastia, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a new statement that all those people who bear arms against the Syrian people and? the? Army are only tools who serve the Israeli project , their aim is to divide and control the Arab states in the Middle East.
Archbishop Theodosios (Atallah) Hanna also said that it does not matter who these people are, and what are the names and affiliations of those, who bear weapons against the Syrian Army and the Syrian people, they all are just mere pawns that serve Israel and its plan to divide and conquer the control above the Arab region.
The new interview with the Archbishop Theodosios (Atallah), was broadcasted by the al-Mayaaden television station yesterday. In this interview, the well known Archbishop also stated that all the people on Syrian soil who murder, abduct, and slaughter between its borders are ?the enemies of the Arab nation?. Archbishop Theodosios added that these people would be just like the Israeli regime with which they share the aims as well as the criminal nature.
Archbishop Theodosios, also stressed in this new interview by al-Mayaaden TV that the violence and terrorism against the Syrian people and the Syrian nation has nothing to do with just demands for reforms from the Syrian government , but that the violence and terrorism merely seeks to destroy the secular state of Syria.
The Archbishop also warned about a foreign attack or military intervention in Syria and stated further that the true national opposition of Syria is the one who ?that commits to its country?s principles and flies its flag?, and not ?the flag of the French mandate.? In the opinion of the, Archbishop Theodosios ( Atallah) Hanna, any true national opposition does not receive orders by foreign powers.
The Archbishop also warned that some granting of visas by Western governments into the hands of displaced Syrian Christians in Lebanon under humanitarian pretexts would be another part of the plan by the Israeli regime in order to drive the Christians out of the Middle East.
Archbishop Theodosios appealed to all Arab Christians that, whether they are living in Syria or in another Arab state, they should stay in their country and defend their Arab state alongside their Muslim brothers and sisters at the end of the interview by al-Mayaadin TV.
Article in Arabic: SANA
SEE ALSO
Elias Harb exclusive Interview with his Eminence Archbishop Theodosios ?Atallah Hanna? Greek Orthodox Patriarchate Of Jerusalem
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?Biography of Archbishop Theodosis
Born in 1965 in the Galilean village of Al Rameh, Theodosios (Atallah) Hanna attended local primary and secondary schools before entering the Clerical Patriarchate School in Jerusalem.
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In 1983 he matriculated at Thessalonica University in Greece in the Faculty of Theology.? After graduating with honours, he went on to complete a master?s degree and doctorate.
In 1991 he was ordained as a deacon and priest in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.? The late Patriarch Diodoros invested him as Archimandrite, and thereafter he was appointed Head of the Arabic Department for the Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem in which office he acted as a spokesman for the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. In addition to these commitments and responsibilities, he also served as preacher in the Patriarchate churches.
Impressed by his remarkable performance in these offices, the late Patriarch Diodoros appointed him Secretary General of the Clerical & Lay Joint Council of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Jerusalem.
Thereafter he was appointed professor of Church History and Arab Civilization at the Arab Teachers College in Haifa; and contributed much to the establishment and development of the faculty for seven years.
As the founder of the Orthodox Youth Movement in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, he is considered to be the godfather to many of the Christian youth groups in Palestine.
As a member of the Composition Committee, he raised the topic of Christian religious education in Arab schools in Israel and participated in the establishment and development of curricula for Palestinian schools.
He also supervised the Orthodox religious radio channel known as the Voice of Palestine Radio.
Theodosius is a well-known author, and his articles have been periodically published in various newspapers as well as in local and international magazines.
He is an active and an effective member of the international ecumenical movement both at local and the regional level who enhanced dialogue in bringing various churches together to work towards Christian unification. In addition, he actively participated in Christian-Muslim dialogue to help foster the spirit of cooperation and unity in Palestine.
He participated in the work of the Christian-Islamic group in the Middle East Council of Churches; in this capacity he represented the Jerusalem Patriarchate for this council?s Heritage Committee.
When the Jerusalem Committee convened in Morocco under the auspices of its President, King Mohammed VI, Theodosius delivered an important speech on behalf of the Christian churches in the Holy Land.
As a representative at the Geneva-based World Council of Churches, he participated in a conference held by the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in which he gave a detailed account on the suffering and violations of human rights inflicted on the Palestinian people.
As a participant in the Islamic summit held in Qatar?s capital city of Doha, speaking before an assembly of Arab kings, princes, and presidents, he gave an eloquent and historic speech on behalf of the churches of the Holy Land.? This speech is still regarded as one of the most memorable events of the conference.
He was a major participant in the Christian ? Islamic meeting in the United Arab Emirates for the well being of Jerusalem as well as in numerous other regional and international meetings on this issue. He has acted as an eloquent and tireless advocate for the Palestinians and for the preservation of their rights in Jerusalem.
In several visits to the US, he has represented the suffering of the Palestinian people before Christian Associations and Human Rights Organizations; in these meetings he has defended Palestinians? right to freedom and self-determination.? He has carried the same message to several American universities.
As a representative of the Orthodox Church he attended the Arab Summit held in Amman, Jordan, and also participated in meetings of the Islamic Organization and meetings of foreign ministries held in Qatar.? For his passionate commitment and sense of mission he has emerged as an acknowledged authority and respected figure by the Arab League in Cairo.
As a member of the Arab National Unity, he represented Palestine in the conferences held in Beirut and Bahrain.
In his visits to Arab and Islamic countries, he has repeatedly and emphatically represented the Palestinian cause as a regional issue of fundamental and urgent importance.
In appreciation for his steadfast and indefatigable efforts and the pioneer role he has played over the years in promoting national unity, he was awarded the Palestine Prize.
He has received numerous honours and awards from many Arab and Islamic countries as well as from the city of Barcelona where he participated in the jubilee celebrations.
He was a founding member of the General Secretariat of Jerusalem in Beirut, which directs the activities of the Palestinian Welfare Committee of Jerusalem.
Throughout the Holy Land he is regarded as one of the most prominent religious and spiritual leaders and he has inspired personal admiration as well for his practice of Christian virtues and his compassion and devotion to the service of humanity.
He served as the chief aide to the late Patriarch Diodoros during his official visits.
Through his emphasis on the true national and cultural traditions of Christianity to educate both visitors and residents alike, he has steadfastly carried out his mission to maintain Palestine?s Christian heritage.
As a member of the Palestinian National Committee he helped create a better understanding about Palestine?s status in the international law.
On August 22, 2002, he was detained by the Israeli police and brought to Al-Maskobiya prison in Jerusalem for extensive interrogation.? Since then for three years, he has been prevented from traveling and he regained his freedom of movement only in 2006. Prior to this arrest, he had been several times interrogated by the Israeli police on suspicion of his political attitudes and activities.
As a member of the Secretaries? Council in Jerusalem, he promoted the idea of developing language institutions for multicultural setting of the Holy Land.
He has remained an active member of Christian Islamic Discussion Forum in Palestine and has also held membership in many other organizations:
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-??????? The Jerusalem Christian Heritage Society
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-??????? National Palestinian Committee Against Apartheid Wall
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-??????? Palestinian Political Prisoners Solidarity Committee
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-??????? Jerusalemite Handicapped Society, the Board of Trustees
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-??????? General Secretariat of Ajjial Foundation.
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-??????? The Palestine Committee at Al Quds University.
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-??????? The World Vision International Foundation, Jerusalem Branch advisory
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committee
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-??????? Secretaries? Council of Al Liqa? Traditional Studies Centre in the Holy Land
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-??????? General Secretariat of the Christian schools in the Holy Land, representing
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the? Orthodox church
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-??????? General Secretariat of the Al-Razi Foundation for Society and Culture,
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Jerusalem
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-??????? Secretaries? Council of Faisal Al-Husseini Foundation in Jerusalem
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-??????? General Secretariat of Bialara Foundation (the Palestinian organization
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for youth education in media)
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-??????? Ilia? Social Development Association, Jerusalem
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-??????? Friends of Children Society
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-??????? Finally he also performed his role as a priest and preacher in St James
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Cathedral in
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On 1st of December 2005 he was unanimously elected by the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem as Archbishop of Sebaste. On 24th of December 2005 his investiture was celebrated in the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
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Many people also utilize the kitchen for dining purpose along with cooking. In case people don?t have a separate dining room in their residence, they can either dine in the kitchen or anywhere else. In modern civilized world, it doesn?t makes a sense to dine anywhere except joinery kitchens and dining room. By dining in any part of the house creates deposition of food particles around various furniture of the home which makes those materials prone to the attack of bugs which may destroy your carpet and furniture.
For families with young children, simple shaker wholesale kitchens with minimal detailing on the doors tend to be favored to allow for easy cleaning and kitchen islands with stools are often appreciated, to give children somewhere to sit and eat snacks or do their school work. Granite has always been the worktop material of choice for families given its practicality and easiness to clean, however with recent advances in sealant technology, beautiful stone such as York or Belgian Fossil can now be equally considered. You need to give that area top priority which requires immediate renovation. Your cabinets may be in the worst condition possible for which you may immediately require a designer providing Custom Made Joinery in Sydney. The renovation should be such that your kitchen should become more functional than before.
You need to cook properly in your kitchen so that you get what you are working so hard for every month i.e. food. You need to update those kitchen appliances which are not working properly by simply replacing them with good small kitchen designs. For those who like to entertain, the use of space and the practicality of the design have to blend seamlessly with the aesthetic element of the kitchen. Frequent entertaining needs lots of workspace and storage, as well as extra appliances, so housing them can be a challenge. ?
Tags: appliances, Small kitchen designs, wholesale kitchens
As the NFL season approaches, I?m looking at the rising stars in each position. Rather than focusing on rookies (which I?ve already done) or rehashing familiar stories about veterans and established stars, I?m turning my attention to players for whom 2013 might be their best season ever.
Here are 6 cornerbacks to watch out for this season:
Brandon Boykin (Philadelphia Eagles) It?s hard to imagine a more versatile cornerback than Boykin. While he doesn?t rack up the tackling stats that some others do, he?s indispensable on special teams as a kickoff returner. His ability to switch back and forth between these two roles, and to contribute consistently in both, is a rare gift. Because he relies on quickness and not on bulk, he?ll improve dramatically as he masters the rhythms of the NFL. If he?s allowed to take some chances this year, in his second pro season, he?ll shine.
Ron Brooks (Buffalo Bills) Brooks is the longest long shot on my list, and he?s here for one main reason. In a single game against Jacksonville last year ? a game in which the then-rookie didn?t start ? he recorded ten tackles and three blocked passes, many of them while enduring an mid-game injury. One amazing game doesn?t make a star, but Brooks has other things going for him, especially the fact that he played quarterback in high school, which has given him an instinct for where passes and receivers are going to travel. If the Bills give him the opportunity to develop, he could have a breakout season.
Nolan Carroll (Miami Dolphins) Carroll is most familiar as the guy who got intentionally tripped on the sidelines by a Jets coach, but it?s time to start recognizing him as one of the quickest-thinking cornerbacks in the NFL. While he?s not as hard of a hitter as others in the position, his speed and his ability to read an offense help him take opponents by surprise. The Dolphins promoted him to a starting role last season, and he excelled so much that they?ll almost certainly keep him there.
Janoris Jenkins (St. Louis Rams) It?s hard to believe this is only Jenkins?s second season in the NFL, because he already talks and plays like a veteran. He?s stepped up as a leader on the Rams? defense, mentoring rookies and admirably setting aside past struggles with the law. As cornerbacks go, he?s the perfect package: he?s a reliable tackler and a showstopping pass defender. This season, it?s unlikely he?ll score two touchdowns in the same game like he did against Arizona, but he?ll probably bring a more well-rounded game and contribute more to the Rams in between highlight reel appearances.
Captain Munnerlyn (Carolina Panthers) A short, swift fireplug of a player, Munnerlyn returned from injuries to own the left cornerback position for the Panthers last season. He?s benefited hugely from the consistency of four seasons in Carolina. He might get lost on another team, but the Panthers recognize his talent for defending passes. He scored two spectacular touchdowns off of interceptions last season. It?s such a delight to see him pick off a pass and run, and we?ll likely get to watch him do it a few times this year.
Sean Smith (Kansas City Chiefs) Smith is one of the many reasons why the Chiefs are shaping up to become one of the most formidable teams in the NFL this year. When Kansas City lured him away from Miami with a sweet contract, the wisdom looked questionable, but I think Smith is a better fit for the Chiefs than the Dolphins. He?s a big, athletic player, the kind who can knock an unsuspecting wide receiver down with his little finger. And what some people call inconsistency, I see as the potential for making huge plays, especially on a team where his body type and catching ability are unique among cornerbacks.
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You can contact Sarah Rasher on Twitter?@pas_dechat
At Smart Partners, we want to add value to your business and bring a unique approach to solving your human resource issues. We are recruiting for one of our clients to fill the position of:
Job Title: Real Estate Sales and Marketing Professionals Location: Lagos Requirements
A good first degree from a reputable University. Good communications and Presentation Skills
A convincing personality to engage clients in transaction
Good knowledge of Lagos Real Estate Market especially the Lekki Ajah/Victoria Island/Ikoyi
property developments
Job Description:
Listening to customer requirements and presenting appropriately to make a sale;
Maintaining and developing relationships with existing customers in person and via telephone calls and emails;
Responding to incoming email and phone enquiries;
Creating detailed proposal documents, often as part of a formal
bidding process that is largely dictated by the prospective customer;
Liaising with suppliers to check the progress of existing orders;
Checking quantities of goods on display and in stock;
Recording sales and order information and sending copies to the sales office, or entering into a computer system;
Acting as a contact between a company and its existing and potential markets;
Negotiating the terms of an agreement and closing sales;
Gathering market and customer information;
Representing the organisation at trade exhibitions, events and demonstrations;
Negotiating on price, costs, delivery and specifications with buyers and managers;
Challenging any objections with a view to getting the customer to buy;
Advising on forthcoming product developments and discussing special promotions;
Mode of Application Interested candidate residing in Lekki Ajah/Lagos Island environs should apply in confidence by sending detailed resume with photograph to: jobs@smartpartnersng.com
The same emotions a golfer feels on the course after making a double bogey is similar to the feelings investors get when they see an investment holding take a big one-day decline. Recent massive drops from Microsoft and Boeing , when those stocks fell more than 11% and 7% during a single day, are just two recent examples.
But as in golf, not acting on those emotions, letting the one bad hole roll off your back, and simply playing your game and sticking to a long-term mind-set is usually the best path to take.
Fool contributor Matt Thalman has more in the following video.
The price of becoming the world's greatest investor is that Warren Buffett can no longer make many of types of investments that made him rich in the first place. Find out about one such opportunity in "The Stock Buffett Wishes He Could Buy." The free report details a sector of the economy Buffett's heavily invested in right now and exactly why he can't buy one attractive company in that sector. Click here to keep reading.?
The article What Golf Can Teach Investors originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Matt Thalman?owns shares of Microsoft.?Follow Matt on Twitter: @mthalman5513.?The Motley Fool owns shares of Microsoft. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Copyright ? 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson says he is certain that NFL players use HGH. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings?running back?Adrian Peterson?has heard all the chatter about his near record-breaking season after coming back from a devastating knee injury.
Peterson wants to silence the critics raising questions about how he came back so strong and welcomes being tested for human growth hormone to prove he is clean.
He also said that he is certain that NFL players are using HGH and wants the league to establish a testing program to start ?evening out the playing field.?
KING: Adrian Peterson?s quest for 2,500 yards
?You?ve got HGH, something that doesn?t show up on a test, and you?ve got guys out there trying to provide for their families,? Peterson said to ESPN.com. ?They?re going to try to get that edge, get that advantage, especially if they?re not worried about trying to get caught. Yeah, it?s being used.?
Peterson was back on the field less than?nine months after his knee surgery. He capped off the season by rushing for 2,097 yards, 12 touchdowns and was named the league?s Most Valuable Player.
This Saturday at 7p.m., the Best of the Best Pro Stock 150 highlights racing action at Speedway 660 in Geary, New Brunswick. In addition to one of the biggest pro stock races of the season, fans will also see competition in four other exciting divisions.
"The Best of the Best 150 is one of our most exciting events of the year and there will be a strong field of competitors from our RE/MAX Group Four Realty Pro Stock Division, plus this race always generates interest from the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour and Pro All Star Series race teams" said Speedway 660's Michelle Roy.
"The winner gets more than a trip to the Riverview Ford Lincoln Victory Lane on Saturday night, they'll get an guaranteed starting position in the Auto Value 250, coming up on SpeedWeekend."
There will also be racing in the Martins Home Heating Sportsman, DMR Auto Sales and Service Street Stock, Fredericton Gun Shop Sharp Shooter and West Wood Estate apartments Bandolero Divisions. Street Stock, Sportsman and Pro Stock heat races gets underway at 7PM, while the Bando and Sharp Shooter heats are scheduled for 6:20pm.
"Our drivers, in all five divisions, and our fans are looking forward to a great night of racing" said Roy. "After the Best of the Best 150, we'll take our annual break for the August holiday weekend so we expect some awesome action in every division this Saturday night."
Recent winners of the Best of the Best Pro Stock 150 include: Ben Rowe (2012); Greg Fahey (2011 & 09); Dave O'Blenis (2010) and; Kirk Thebeau (2008). O'Blenis and Thebeau are also former Auto Value 250 champions.
Adult ticket prices for the Best of the Best Pro Stock 150 are $20 ? Youth tickets, for kids between 8 and 15 years of age are $15? our family Pass for two adults and two youths is $65- and - as always admission is absolutely free for Speedway 660's youngest race fans - seven and under.
The rain date for this race is Sunday at 2p.m. If the weather is unsettled on Saturday morning, fans and race team members are encouraged to call the race line at 506-454-7223 or visit www.speedway660.com for race day status updates.
CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian security forces shot dead dozens of supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on Saturday, witnesses said, days after the army chief called for a popular mandate to wipe out "violence and terrorism".
The bloodshed, near the military parade ground where President Anwar Sadat was assassinated in 1981, plunged the Arab world's most populous country deeper into turmoil following two turbulent years of transition to democracy since veteran autocrat Hosni Mubarak was swept from power.
Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood, braced for a military crackdown, said men in helmets and black police fatigues had fired on crowds gathered before dawn on the fringes of a round-the-clock sit-in near a mosque in northeast Cairo.
Activists rushed blood-spattered casualties into a makeshift hospital. Some were carried in on planks or blankets. One ashen teenager was laid out on the floor, a bullet hole in his head.
The United States, treading a fine line with an important Arab ally and recipient of over $1 billion a year in U.S. military aid, urged respect for the right to peaceful protest, and warned that Egypt was at a "pivotal moment".
Brotherhood spokesman Ahmed Aref said 66 people had been killed and another 61 were "brain dead" on life support machines. More than 4,000 were treated for the effects of tear gas and gunshot or birdshot wounds, he told reporters.
"Innocent blood was spilled," Aref said. "We have gone back 10 years."
The Health Ministry reported a total of 65 dead, while the head of the ambulance service, Mohamed Sultanm, said later that 72 had died.
"They are not shooting to wound, they are shooting to kill," another Brotherhood spokesman, Gehad El-Haddad, told Reuters early on Saturday. "The bullet wounds are in the head and chest."
Egypt's Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim denied that police had opened fire, saying local residents living close to the Rabaa al-Adawia mosque vigil had clashed with protesters in the early hours after they had blocked off a major bridge road. He said police had used teargas to try to break up the fighting.
Well over 200 people have been killed in violence since the army toppled Mursi on July 3, following huge protests against his year in power. The army denies accusations it staged a coup, saying it intervened to prevent national chaos.
SISI'S CHALLENGE
Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians had poured onto the streets on Friday in response to a call by army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for nationwide demonstrations to give him backing to confront the weeks-long wave of violence.
His appeal was seen as a challenge to the Brotherhood, which organized its own rallies on Friday calling for the return of Mursi, who has been held in an undisclosed location since his ousting and faces a raft of charges, including murder.
Ibrahim said Mursi was likely to be transferred shortly to the same Cairo prison where former leader Mubarak is now held.
Leaders of the Brotherhood, a highly organized movement with grassroots support across Egypt, appealed for calm on Saturday, but activists at the vigil voiced fury.
"The people want the execution of Sisi," a cleric shouted to the crowd from a stage by the mosque. "The people want the execution of the butcher."
Interior Minister Ibrahim said the pro-Mursi sit-ins would "God willing, soon ... be dealt with" based on a decision by a public prosecutor, who is reviewing complaints from local residents unhappy with the huge encampment on their doorstep.
The European Union and major European powers deplored the violence. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged dialogue and restraint.
"At this critical juncture, it is essential that the security forces and the interim government respect the right of peaceful protest," he said. "This is a pivotal moment for Egypt."
The Pentagon said U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel had spoken by phone with Egyptian army chief Sisi and urged steps "to prevent further bloodshed and loss of life."
Washington has delayed delivery of four F-16 fighters, part of the $1.5 billion in aid it provides every year, mainly in military hardware, but says it does not intend to cut off aid to a country seen as a vital ally and which has a peace deal with neighboring Israel.
Turkey, a vocal supporter of Mursi, accused the West of turning a blind eye.
"Those who were silent when Egypt's national will was massacred are silent again when people are massacred," Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who has faced down large protests against his own government this year, said in televised comments. "What happened to the EU (and) European values, where are those who go around giving lessons in democracy?"
"BULLETS WHIZZING"
Witnesses said police first fired rounds of teargas at Brotherhood protesters gathered on a boulevard leading away from the Rabaa mosque, with live shots ringing out soon afterwards.
"There were snipers on the rooftops, I could hear the bullets whizzing past me," said Ahmed el Nashar, 34, a business consultant, choking back his tears.
"Man, people were just dropping."
Dr. Ibtisam Zein, overseeing the Brotherhood morgue, said most of the dead were hit in the head, some between the eyes.
The bodies were wrapped in white sheets and laid on the floor, their names scrawled on the shrouds. A cleaner busily mopped the floor, washing away pools of blood.
Haddad said the Brotherhood remained committed to pursuing peaceful protests, despite Saturday's deaths - the second mass shooting of its supporters this month by security forces, who killed 53 people on July 8.
Brotherhood activists at Rabaa said they would not be cowed and warned of worse bloodshed if the security forces did not back down. "We will stay here until we die, one by one," said Ahmed Ali, 24, helping treat casualties at the field hospital.
Egyptian-born Youssef al-Qaradawi, one of the most prominent Sunni clerics in the Middle East, urged Egyptians to join the Brotherhood vigil, according to a statement on his website.
"People must come out of their homes to stand in the face of the criminal murderers with all bravery," he said.
(Additional reporting by Shadia Nasralla, Yasmine Saleh, Tom Finn, Maggie Fick, Omar Fahmy, Edmund Blair, Michael Georgy, Noah Browning and Ahmed Tolba in Cairo, Abdel Rahman Youssef in Alexandria, Arshad Mohammed in Washington, Sami Aboudi in Dubai and Ayla Jean Yackley in Istanbul; Writing by Crispian Balmer and Matt Robinson; Editing by David Evans and Sonya Hepinstall)
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, Spain (AP) ? The injured driver of the Spanish train that derailed at high speed, killing 78 and injuring dozens more, was released from the hospital Saturday, but he was still being held in a police station as authorities increasingly focused on his culpability.
Francisco Jose Garzon Amo was to appear before a judge by Sunday evening, a hotly awaited opportunity for him to give his explanation for Spain's deadliest train crash in decades.
Garzon has been under the microscope, with the country's railway agency saying it was his responsibility to brake before going into the high-risk curve where the train careered off the rails and smashed into a wall. It's still not clear whether the brakes failed or were never used, and Garzon has remained mum so far.
"There is rational evidence to lead us to think that the driver could have eventual responsibility," Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz told reporters at the crash site near the Catholic pilgrimage town of Santiago De Compostela.
He said Garzon was now being held on suspicion of negligent homicide. Authorities had previously said he was detained on suspicion of recklessness.
Speaking later at the police station, the minister also said that if Garzon were to choose to give a statement to the police before testifying in front of a judge, his lawyer would be called.
So far the driver has opted to use his constitutional right to remain silent, "although he may change his mind on that," Fernandez Diaz said.
The wreckage still remained near the site on Saturday, as passenger trains passed by. Black ribbons of mourning dotted the Santiago de Compostela and flags flew at half-staff. Makeshift shrines drew mourners to the city's cathedral.
Someone placed flowers on a bridge above the railroad tracks, with a note reading, "We are all in solidarity with the city of Santiago."
Garzon had been expected to give a preliminary statement to judicial police as early as Thursday, but that process was delayed, reportedly due to health reasons. Earlier Saturday, the justice department said Garzon's first appearance before a judge had been postponed until Sunday.
A blood-soaked Garzon was photographed after the Wednesday crash being escorted away from the wreckage, at first by civilians who had hurried to the scene of the accident and then by police, but it is not clear just what his medical status is.
Unconfirmed media reports said that Garzon had injured ribs.
The train's eight passenger carriages packed with 218 passengers blazed far over the speed limit into a curve and violently tipped over. Diesel fuel sent flames coursing through some cabins.
Investigators are examining recording devices from the train but have not officially said how fast it was going when it derailed.
An American passenger, Stephen Ward, said he was watching the train's speed on a display screen in the carriage ? and it indicated it was going 194 kph (121 mph), more than double the 80-kph speed limit.
The president of Adif, the Spanish rail agency, said that the driver should have started slowing the train 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) before the dangerous bend. He said signs clearly marked this point when the driver must begin to slow.
Normally, police take a first statement that is then examined by an investigating judge who must then take testimony within 72 hours of the arrest. That deadline is 7:40 p.m. Sunday.
Although that initial court hearing would be closed, it would give hints about the status of the investigation. The judge would decide whether to jail the driver as an official suspect, release him on bail, or release him without charges. If a judge finds sufficient evidence for a criminal trial, the suspect will be charged and a trial date set.
??? Beaufort County Community College has been approved to offer course work in the field of Health and Fitness Science, a field that will provide many job opportunities for area residents, college officials announced this week.
??? Courses in the new Health and Fitness Science Program are scheduled to begin in August through BCCC's Allied Health Division.
??? "The Health and Fitness Science Program will provide a new career path for those in our area who are interested in a health services career," said Dr. Barbara Tansey, BCCC president. "As in other health services careers, jobs are in high demand for health and fitness science workers in several settings."
??? The Health and Fitness Science Program will be part of the Allied Health curriculum at BCCC that includes Associate Degree and Practical Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology and Speech Language Pathology Assistant. BCCC also offers Emergency Medical Technician basic through paramedic, Health Unit Coordinator, Therapeutic Massage, Pharmacy Technician and Nurse Aide courses through its Division of Continuing Education.
??? The program will prepare graduates to be fitness trainers, aerobics instructors, corporate wellness directors, personal trainers, recreation workers and wellness coaches, among other positions.
??? "There is a real need for these professionals in many settings locally and statewide," said Ron Baldwin, lead instructor for the program. "As more attention is being paid to health issues - including the increase in childhood obesity nationwide - there is an increased interest among businesses and industry in wellness programs and an increase in the number of commercial fitness clubs. This has led to an increased need for professionals to work in this field."
??? Students in the program will need two years to complete the course work, after which they receive an associate in applied science degree in health and fitness science. An associate's degree in the program requires 66 credit hours and includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, exercise science, group exercise instruction, health and fitness law and prevention and care of exercise-related injuries, among other courses.
??? The first classes offered in the program are expected to be Exercise Science and Spa and Fitness Management, according to Baldwin.
??? More information about Health and Fitness Science is available by contacting Baldwin at 252-940-6278 or by email at ronaldb@beaufortccc.edu. Registration for Health and Fitness Science classes for Fall Semester 2013 will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 14. The first day of class will be Thursday, Aug. 15.
??? For more information about enrolling for classes at BCCC or to schedule a placement test, contact the Admissions Office at 252-940-6237. Applications are available on the BCCC website at www.beaufortccc.edu.
??? Beaufort County Community College is a public comprehensive community college committed to accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training, and lifelong learning opportunities for the people served by the College.
Many of Houston?s public energy companies spent more in the first quarter this year than last, but overall investment growth slowed compared to previous years.
Many of Houston?s public energy companies spent more in the first quarter this year than last, but overall investment growth slowed compared to previous years.
Industry observers say flat commodity prices have slowed growth in cash flows and, in turn, investment levels for many of Houston?s exploration and production companies ? some of the city?s biggest companies.
A slowdown in investment growth isn?t terrible news for the local economy, though. It could impact the region?s consumer spending, salary and job growth, but capital project spending comes in cycles.
It?s normal to see investments grow fast in one year and then take a breather in another, said Marcial Nava, an economist at BBVA Compass in Houston.
?It might slow down, but there are no signs of a downward trend,? he said. ?Oil prices are not going up now, but they seem to be pretty stable. It?s hard for me to think about oil prices following a downward trend for a long period of time while all these emerging economies continue (to demand) a lot of energy. That?ll keep prices from falling significantly, though we might see short-term cycles.?
Scroll down and take a deeper look at the net cash Houston?s public companies used in investing in the first quarters of 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010. Or read the full story from our print edition this week.
Collin Eaton covers banking, finance and securities for the Houston Business Journal. For his breaking stories and industry insights, follow him on Twitter.
Dozens of people were killed and injured in what is suspected to have been an accidental train derailment in the northern Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela?on Wednesday. The city?is in mourning and events related to a festival in honor of Saint James were cancelled.
By Miguel Vidal,?Reuters / July 24, 2013
Emergency personnel respond to the scene of a train derailment in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, on Wednesday. Dozens were killed and dozens more injured when the train twisted and cars piled on top of one another.
AP Photo/ El correo Gallego/Antonio Hernandez
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SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, Spain
At least 56 people were killed and 70 injured when a train?derailed on the outskirts of the northern Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela on Wednesday in one of?Europe's worst rail disasters.
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Bodies covered in blankets lay next to the overturned carriages as smoke billowed from the wreckage. Firefighters clambered over the twisted metal trying to get survivors out of the windows, while ambulances and fire engines surrounded the scene.
The government said it was working on the hypothesis the derailment was an accident - although the scene will stir memories of 2004's?Madrid train?bombing, carried out by Islamist extremists, that killed 191 people. Sabotage or attack was unlikely to be involved, an official source said.
The train?operated by state rail company Renfe with 247 people on board derailed on the eve of the ancient city's main festival in honour of Saint James when thousands of Christian pilgrims from all over the world pack the streets.
"It was going so quickly. ... It seems that on a curve the train?started to twist, and the wagons piled up one on top of the other," passenger?Ricardo Montesco?told Cadena Ser radio station.
"A lot of people were squashed on the bottom. We tried to squeeze out of the bottom of the wagons to get out and we realised the train?was burning. ... I was in the second wagon and there was fire," he added.
Prime Minister Mariano?Rajoy, who was born in Santiago de Compostela, will visit the site on Thursday morning, his spokeswoman said.
"In the face of a tragedy such as just happened in Santiago de Compostela on the eve of its big day, I can only express my deepest sympathy as a Spaniard and a Galician,"?Rajoy?said in a statement.
Santiago de Compostela's tourism board said all the festivities, including Wednesday's traditional High Mass at the centuries-old cathedral, were cancelled as the city went into mourning.
'Dante-esque'
Clinics in the city were overwhelmed with people flocking to give blood, while hotels organised free rooms for relatives.?Madrid?sent forensic scientists and hospital staff to the region on special flights.
The head of the surrounding Galicia region, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, said at least 56 people were killed and about 70 injured, more than 20 of them seriously.
"The scene is shocking, it's Dante-esque," he said in a radio interview.
The train?was travelling from?Madrid?to?Ferrol?on the Galician coast when it derailed, Renfe said in a statement.
The disaster happened when?Spain?is struggling to emerge from a long-running recession marked by government-driven austerity to bring its finances into order. Firefighters called off a strike to help with the disaster, while hospital staff, many operating on reduced salaries because of spending cuts, worked overtime to tend the injured.
The city's main festival focuses on St James, one of Jesus' 12 disciples whose remains are said to rest in the city and who is patron saint of Galicia.
The apostle's shrine there is the destination of the famous El?Camino de Santiago?pilgrimage, followed by Christians since the Middle Ages.
The derailment happened less than two weeks after six people died when a train?came off the tracks and hit the platform at a station in?central France.
That accident may have been caused by a loose steel plate at a junction, French train?operator?SNCF?said.
An official source said no statement would be made regarding the cause of the Spanish derailment until the black boxes of the train?were examined, but said it was most likely an accident.
"We are moving away from the hypothesis of sabotage or attack," he said.
It was one of the worst rail accidents in?Europe?over the past 25 years.
In November 2000, 155 people were killed when a fire in a tunnel engulfed a funicular train?packed with skiers in?Austria.
In?Montenegro, up to 46 people were killed and nearly 200 injured in 2006 when a packed train?derailed and plunged into a ravine outside the capital, Podgorica.
In?Spain?itself, 41 people were killed the same year when an underground train?derailed and overturned in a tunnel just before entering the Jesus metro station in?Valencia.
(Reporting by Inmaculada Sanz, Sonya Dowsett, Sarah White, Andres Gonzalez, Blanca Rodriguez and Julien Toyer; Writing by Sonya Dowsett; Editing by Sarah White, Andrew Heavens and Peter Cooney)
EA Sports has now released a brief trailer for NBA Live 14. How does it stack up against NBA 2K14?
The new NBA Live 14 trailer gives us a first glimpse of actual in-game footage of the game. It announces that the Cleveland Cavilers? Kyrie Irving will be the cover boy for the game too. NBA Live 14 will be released in 2014 only for the PS4 and Xbox One.
Back in June, 2K Sports released the first next-gen trailer for NBA 2K14. This game revealed LeBron James plus showed some of the gameplay footage so far. I gotta say, both games are looking great.
If you?d like to compare the two games, look at the trailers yourself below. Which one do you think looks better?
Best-selling novelist Jonathan Franzen has fallen in love...with birds. Writing for the July issue of National Geographic magazine, Franzen describes how migrating songbirds are being hunted in high numbers in Egypt, Albania, and other places along the Mediterranean. Franzen tells SciFri about the songbirds' plight and how his passion for birds has evolved.
Educators explore innovative 'theater' as a way to help students learn physicsPublic release date: 25-Jul-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: James Riordon riordon@aps.org 301-209-3238 American Physical Society
By role-playing how energy flows and changes, learners achieve rich insights about this central, globally relevant concept
In a newly released study, education researchers report that personifying energy allowed students to grapple with difficult ideas about how energy works. Contrasted with more traditional lectures and graphs, this innovative instructional technique may be useful for teaching about other ideas in physical science, which commonly deals with things that change form over time.
Energy is a very important concept across many fields of science, and is a key focus of the new national science standards. Energy is also a central player in several global issues, such as climate change and fuel economy. However, energy is a challenging concept to fully understand. While energy can be precisely defined mathematically, it is often difficult to grasp intuitively. Energy can change form a ball held at some height has energy due to the pull of gravity, which gradually becomes energy of motion as the ball falls. However, no energy is lost in the process, a property called "conservation of energy." These basic ideas may seem straightforward, but when applied to real world situations (like fuel economy), they become very challenging to think about.
"Existing representations [such as bar charts] don't emphasize the thing that we care most about energy in physics, which is that it's conserved," said lead author Rachel Scherr, of Seattle Pacific University. These other instructional methods also don't show how energy moves among different objects in a system.
In the current study, the researchers report their ongoing examination of an activity that they have created, called "Energy Theater." Energy Theater is specifically designed to help learners visualize energy and how it dynamically changes form and location. In Energy Theater, learners (K-12 science teachers in this study) each play the role of one "chunk" of energy, and indicate with hand gestures what form that energy has (e.g., chemical, motion, gravitational, thermal). Different objects are represented by loops of rope on the ground, and learners can move from object to object, demonstrating energy moving between those objects. While energy is not actually a material substance, this metaphor can help learners think about how a fixed amount of energy can flow between different objects.
For example, the group may be given the problem of, "Show what happens when a hand pushes a box across a table." Participants would first stand in the area representing the hand, making the gesture for "chemical energy." One by one, they would move to the area representing the box, changing their gesture to "energy of motion." Other scenarios might include how energy flows when an incandescent light bulb is turned on. The group must work together to decide how the "theater" will play out for a particular situation, making complicated decisions about just where and when the energy will flow and take different forms.
"These elaborate stories about energy dynamics are not usually told," said co-author Hunter Close of Texas State University. "In order to tell [these stories], we have to act them out, because they are so complicated." The authors note that the specific attributes of Energy Theater help support this deeper learning: "I think the important message is that diverse learners can figure out all kinds of sophisticated energy scenarios once they have a representation for doing so," said Scherr. Energy Theater automatically keeps track of how much energy is located in different places, emphasizing conservation. It also serves as a visual "memory" for the group, helping them to keep track of the different moving parts. "It's also kind of fun and enticing," said Scherr. "It's an opportunity to interact. It's easy to feel very involved in what the group is doing."
Current evidence for the effectiveness of the activity is that learners are able to generate very detailed energy tracking diagrams after the activity. Analysis of the groups' conversations as they work to script out the "play" also demonstrates the complexity of the ideas that the group is working to understand.
The team suggests that Energy Theater is a useful addition to more traditional instruction, enriching the student's development of ideas about energy. This approach might also be fruitfully applied to other areas of science involving dynamic processes for example, people might represent atoms in a substance, which can change state from solid to liquid to gas. The authors report that teachers typically appreciate the tactile nature of the activity, its appropriateness for English language learners, and the fact that all students have to participate.
Energy Theater also gives students an authentic, broad repertoire of problem-solving strategies. "Learning is done by people, not by brains in jars," said Close. Added Scherr, "In normal life, when we're trying to figure out something together, we do it using our words and tone of voice and gestures or body and we might act something out. Energy Theater legitimizes all those things and uses them to solve sophisticated problems."
###
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Educators explore innovative 'theater' as a way to help students learn physicsPublic release date: 25-Jul-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: James Riordon riordon@aps.org 301-209-3238 American Physical Society
By role-playing how energy flows and changes, learners achieve rich insights about this central, globally relevant concept
In a newly released study, education researchers report that personifying energy allowed students to grapple with difficult ideas about how energy works. Contrasted with more traditional lectures and graphs, this innovative instructional technique may be useful for teaching about other ideas in physical science, which commonly deals with things that change form over time.
Energy is a very important concept across many fields of science, and is a key focus of the new national science standards. Energy is also a central player in several global issues, such as climate change and fuel economy. However, energy is a challenging concept to fully understand. While energy can be precisely defined mathematically, it is often difficult to grasp intuitively. Energy can change form a ball held at some height has energy due to the pull of gravity, which gradually becomes energy of motion as the ball falls. However, no energy is lost in the process, a property called "conservation of energy." These basic ideas may seem straightforward, but when applied to real world situations (like fuel economy), they become very challenging to think about.
"Existing representations [such as bar charts] don't emphasize the thing that we care most about energy in physics, which is that it's conserved," said lead author Rachel Scherr, of Seattle Pacific University. These other instructional methods also don't show how energy moves among different objects in a system.
In the current study, the researchers report their ongoing examination of an activity that they have created, called "Energy Theater." Energy Theater is specifically designed to help learners visualize energy and how it dynamically changes form and location. In Energy Theater, learners (K-12 science teachers in this study) each play the role of one "chunk" of energy, and indicate with hand gestures what form that energy has (e.g., chemical, motion, gravitational, thermal). Different objects are represented by loops of rope on the ground, and learners can move from object to object, demonstrating energy moving between those objects. While energy is not actually a material substance, this metaphor can help learners think about how a fixed amount of energy can flow between different objects.
For example, the group may be given the problem of, "Show what happens when a hand pushes a box across a table." Participants would first stand in the area representing the hand, making the gesture for "chemical energy." One by one, they would move to the area representing the box, changing their gesture to "energy of motion." Other scenarios might include how energy flows when an incandescent light bulb is turned on. The group must work together to decide how the "theater" will play out for a particular situation, making complicated decisions about just where and when the energy will flow and take different forms.
"These elaborate stories about energy dynamics are not usually told," said co-author Hunter Close of Texas State University. "In order to tell [these stories], we have to act them out, because they are so complicated." The authors note that the specific attributes of Energy Theater help support this deeper learning: "I think the important message is that diverse learners can figure out all kinds of sophisticated energy scenarios once they have a representation for doing so," said Scherr. Energy Theater automatically keeps track of how much energy is located in different places, emphasizing conservation. It also serves as a visual "memory" for the group, helping them to keep track of the different moving parts. "It's also kind of fun and enticing," said Scherr. "It's an opportunity to interact. It's easy to feel very involved in what the group is doing."
Current evidence for the effectiveness of the activity is that learners are able to generate very detailed energy tracking diagrams after the activity. Analysis of the groups' conversations as they work to script out the "play" also demonstrates the complexity of the ideas that the group is working to understand.
The team suggests that Energy Theater is a useful addition to more traditional instruction, enriching the student's development of ideas about energy. This approach might also be fruitfully applied to other areas of science involving dynamic processes for example, people might represent atoms in a substance, which can change state from solid to liquid to gas. The authors report that teachers typically appreciate the tactile nature of the activity, its appropriateness for English language learners, and the fact that all students have to participate.
Energy Theater also gives students an authentic, broad repertoire of problem-solving strategies. "Learning is done by people, not by brains in jars," said Close. Added Scherr, "In normal life, when we're trying to figure out something together, we do it using our words and tone of voice and gestures or body and we might act something out. Energy Theater legitimizes all those things and uses them to solve sophisticated problems."
###
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Kiwi, an Android-focused gaming studio from an experienced team that made titles at Playdom, just raised $9 million in round led by Sequoia Capital. The company is run by Omar Siddiqui, who oversaw games like Gardens of Time and City of Wonder at Playdom, the social game maker that Disney bought for around $750 million including earnouts back in 2010. Siddiqui, who has had stints at McKinsey and Bain Capital, joined Playdom after he and his co-founder Shvetank Jain built and sold their startup Trippert Labs to the company. Kiwi is their next gaming company and it is laser focused on the Android platform with casual simulation titles like Shipwrecked. Siddiqui has quietly built up a 160 person company with employees in both Bangalore and Palo Alto. They have five titles on Google Play’s top grossing charts for the U.S. right now. They decided to focus on Android back in 2011, when it wasn’t clear at all that the platform could or would close the monetization gap with iOS. But that gap is gradually closing as Google has stepped up efforts to get Android users to register with credit cards. Siddiqui said that the amount of revenue a top 10 grossing game makes on the platform appears to have doubled in the last year. While I’ve written that venture capitalists are a little more skeptical than they used to be about gaming investments, it looks like Sequoia made this bet on the strength of Siddiqui’s track record and their relationship with him. Sequoia’s Alfred Lin, who was the COO of Zappos before joining the firm, is leading this deal, while another investment partner, AdMob founder Omar Hamoui, also already sits on the board as an earlier personal investor. Guitar Hero co-creator Charles Huang and SV Angel also participated. “Everyone likes to pick on Zynga,” Siddiqui said. “But the reality is that there are very few kinds of companies that can go from 0 to $1 billion in revenue inside of five years. We’ve been doing games and game-related stuff for years and we thought — if we had a chance to do it all over again, what could we do to create the best of what a games company could be?” Sequoia has one other bet in a first-party mobile game developer through Pocket Gems, which also competes with Kiwi on Android through titles like Tap Paradise Cove.
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Public release date: 25-Jul-2013
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