THE HOLDING SET : TRIED & TESTED

The Independent (London, England) January 29, 1995 | STELLA YARROW GLAMOUR, according to that expert source, Hair magazine, is the key-note for this year’s hairstyles for women. Big hair is back, while the flat, lanky locks of grunge have been discarded into fashion’s waste bin like so much crumpled tissue paper.

If you’re planning to follow this trend towards more elaborate styles, re-viewing your collection of hair styling products could be a wise move. Mousses add volume to your hair and help control it; gels give body and hold it in place, while hairspray ho lds the hair together. Some products, such as gels and creams, can also give your hair gloss and shine.

We’ve taken a look at some examples of the innumerable products you will find in the shops. They range from a traditional hairspray to new all-in-one products which, following the trend set by the two-in-one shampoo and conditioner (now out of favour with the experts), combine the qualities of individual styling pro-ducts such as gels and sprays. Hair-dressing students at the College of North-East London tried the products out for us.

THE PANEL Maria Gambin, Sharon Bailey, Tau Nguyen and Yolanda Clarke, all students on a one-year course in hairdressing at the College of North-East London, Tottenham. here hairstyles for women

THE TEST The panel tried out the products on models. They gave them marks for how easy they were to use, how effective they were in styling the hair, how well the products dried on the hair and whether they washed out easily, their perfume, packaging andvalue for money.

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**L’OREAL STUDIO LINE STYLING CREAM pounds 2.89 for 150ml The panel thought that this product, which only achieved average ratings, was best used to create a textured rather than a smooth and silky look. “Not suitable for blow-drying, better for a stiffer look. Use only a minimum for the best effect – too much leaves the hair looking lank,” said Tau Nguyen. “OK to use on short to medium hair, suitable for scrunch-drying, but a little sticky for blow-drying. Gives maximum volume to fine hair,” said Maria Gambin. “Sweet-smelling,” commented Sharon Bailey .**BODY SHOP SLICK STYLING CREAM pounds l.85 for 100ml This is ideal for the slicked-back, wet look style that never seems completely to have had its day. The panel voted it fairly easy to use and very good value for money. “It’s similar to Brylcreem. You need only a small amount to create a sharp fashionable style, so it’s a cost-effective product,” said Yolanda Clarke. “Not good for a firm hold, but has a good light or medium holding-power,” said Sharon Bailey. “A pump-action dispenser would be good for this product,” commented Tau Nguyen. From its packaging, the product is probably aimed at men, too. If there are any guys out there who aspire to look like the luscious lead from Strictly Ballroom, this one’s for you.

***ALBERTO V05 FLEXIHOLD 3 IN 1 MOUSSE, GEL AND STYLING SPRAY (NATURAL HOLD) pounds 2.69 for 200ml This is the Swiss Army knife of hair- styling products – handy, the manufacturers say, for slipping into your handbag so that you don’t have to carry three separate products around with you all the time. Flexihold is supposed to work equally well as a mousse to lift hair and give it body, as a gel to define it, and as a fixing spray. The panel rated its convenience highly: “It saves time and space”, commented Sharon Bailey. However, the panellists gave mixed reports on its performance, warning that it tends to become sticky and difficult to brush out if applied with too heavy a hand. “When I used it as a mousse it made the hair too sticky, but when it was used as a gel on fine hair it stayed in wonderfully,” said Yolanda Clarke.

***VIDAL SASSOON VOLUMISING MOUSSE FOR FIRM CONTROL pounds l.95 for 150ml This was one of the most popular products, the panel finding it very easy to use and effective at styling hair. The panel particularly liked its perfume. “This mousse adds volume, bounce and lift to all hair types,” said Yolanda Clarke. Maria Gambin found it a little soft, so she had to use extra for the hair to hold its style: “It’s not suitable if you want a really firm hold, but it doesn’t flake and it brushed out well,” she said.

**WELLA SHOCK WAVES SOFT WAX pounds 1.85 for 50ml The students thought that this block of pink, pleasantly scented, wax would be most useful as a finishing product. “Good on curly or permed hair, or on texturised cuts,” said Tau Nguyen. “Nice smell and good value for money. You must not use too much, orit will make the hair greasy,” said Maria Gambin – a warning echoed by the others. website hairstyles for women

***BOOTS HAIRSPRAY 89p for 100ml A basic, “no-frills” product that looks as if it has changed little since hairspray was invented in the Fifties. Nonetheless, the panel liked it: “It gives a strong hold and is very good value for money. It also brushes out easily, although it’s a littlesticky,” said Maria Gambin. According to Tau Nguyen: “The cap doesn’t re-lease very easily, but the spray itself is good, lifting the roots of the hair well.” (This gives body).

**DANIEL FIELD CACTUS STYLING GEL pounds 2.85 for 240g The panel thought this pale-green gel, which follows the well-worn trend for “natural” ingredients by including cactus syrup and myrrh in its formula, would be good for styles that need a firm hold, or for moulding and sculpting hair. “It’s good for European hair that is flyaway and needs to be managed, and on coarse hair to reduce frizz,” said Yolanda Clarke. But the panel did have a couple of criticisms: “It’s too watery”, said Tai Nguyen, while Sharon Bailey thought it became sticky very quickly ****SORBIE LIFT-IT BODIFIER MEDIUM HOLD SPRAY GEL pounds 4.29 for 300ml The panel’s top-rated product, the pump sprays out a slightly viscous fluid, more liquid than an ordinary gel. “It gives a good `lift’ to the hair,” said Tau Nguyen. “A very nice product, expensive but looks as if it will last for many applications,” said Maria Gambin. “It was very good for giving fine hair body, although you can use it on any hair type. The spray had a pleasant smell and wasn’t sticky,” commented Yolanda Clarke.

STOCKISTS: Daniel Field cactus styling gel is available from Daniel Field salons (phone 071-439 8223 for local salons) or from Boots. Body Shop and Boots products are available from branches of the respective chains. The other products are available fromBoots and other chemists, and from some supermarkets.

STELLA YARROW

Proper stylish – the barbers’ that know how to get ahead ; Shop of the week: Headz Up, Redruth [Edition 4]

West Briton, The April 26, 2012 A BARBERS’ shop in Redruth has just celebrated its first successful year in business in premises at the top of the town.

Headz Up opened at 58a Fore Street on April 18, 2011, after a short spell in a unit in Market Way. go to website men s haircuts

“It was a little quiet in Market Way, so we moved to this bigger and better location in Fore Street,” said Clare Penberthy, who coowns the business with Kayte Muirhead.

Front of house is a traditional barbers’ shop, providing all styles of men’s haircuts. To the rear is a specialist studio offering all aspects of modern hair styling, but specialising in hair extensions. The salon has three other members of staff – Claire Ward, Emma Symons and Joanne Congdon. “It’s been brilliant here,” said Ms Penberthy. web site men s haircuts

The customers are lovely.

“In Redruth, people always have time to stop and talk in the street.

“We have clients who come to us from Truro, because they say it’s easier to park in Redruth and people are much friendlier here.

“This end of the town is doing well at the moment. New shops have opened and new signs have gone up.” Headz Up can be contacted on 01209 699153 or by visiting http://www.longlockshair.co.uk

Bulging belly buttons in babies usually go away after year

Chicago Sun-Times January 30, 1992 | Dr. Paul Donohue; Paul G. Donohue (STANDARD) Q. My daughter had a baby boy, who is now about a month old. He has a herniated belly button. It is about the size of a golf ball. I’ve had four children of my own and three other grandchildren and never experienced this. Should something be done? Please offer your opinion. see here strep throat contagious

A. After birth, the stomach muscles surrounding the umbilical-cord entrance close naturally. When that closure is delayed or incomplete for one reason or another, a hernia, a bulge in the weakened area, occurs. This is very common in babies of low birth weight and more so in black infants than others.

Most umbilical hernias that appear before six months disappear by the end of the baby’s first year. Surgery is indicated only if the hernia has not disappeared between the ages of 3 and 5, if it shows progressive enlargement between ages 1 and 2, or if a piece of intestine has become trapped and cannot be freed.

Q. Just recently I found out that a young friend has a rare disease called Alport’s. Please tell me about this.

A. Briefly, Alport’s syndrome is an inherited illness with two important signs – deafness and kidney disturbance. Although there is no cure, both the deafness and kidney disturbance can be helped. web site strep throat contagious

Q. Is it possible to eat shellfish all one’s life and then have anaphylactic reaction to it?

A. Yes. In fact it is the usual thing to have a sudden allergy to something you have eaten with impunity in the past. This happened to me with penicillin.

However, anaphylaxis is an intense and dangerous reaction – breathing loss and great drop in blood pressure, for example. It is, fortunately, a rare allergy manifestation. You have piqued our imagination. Would you like to expand on just what happened to you?

Q. Is a strep throat contagious to others? I am a young mother who will probably have reason to understand strep throat.

A. Yes, it is contagious. This is why a youngster should be kept home until 24 hours after starting antibiotics and until fever has subsided.

Dr. Paul Donohue; Paul G. Donohue (STANDARD)

Ocean mining

Sea Technology December 1, 2001 | Cruickshank71, Michael J This year’s Underwater Mining Institute (UMI 2001) was held in Hilo, on the big island Hawaii at the beginning of November. The 31st in a series of international conferences on marine mining sponsored by the International Marine Minerals Society (IMMS) and hosted by the University of Hawaii’s Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL), it was attended by about 40 marine mining aficionados from 13 countries. The program chair was Dr. Charles Morgan, a former president of the IMMS. go to site big island hawaii

The UMI draws on the expertise of researchers, industry professionals and environmental, resource and policy managers worldwide to provide the latest information relevant to the development of seabed minerals. Since the first UMI, the institute’s primary goal has been to encourage prudent and responsible development of marine mineral resources through technical presentations in venues that promote informal and free exchange. The theme and location of the conference varies each year and no proceedings are published, to allow free discussion of the subject matter that is frequently of a proprietary nature. Presentations are chosen or requested to ensure that the content and interactions of the UMI remain stimulating and fresh; and international participation is promoted and supported. This multi-disciplinary approach is attributed to the late Dr. J. Robert Moore, founder of the institute.

The IMMS is a professional society-founded in 1987-it now includes a worldwide membership of individuals from industry, government agencies and academic institutions representing more than 25 nations. The objectives of the society are: to promote and improve the understanding of marine mineral deposits within the province of the global ocean; to aid in the interchange of information among members through networking and formal symposia; to encourage the prudent development of marine mineral resources, including concern for the environment; to encourage and assist young professionals in their study of marine minerals; and to encourage research in all aspects of marine minerals development. The IMMS is a cosponsor of the UMI and holds its annual meetings at that time.

The Moore Medal, struck in honor of the founder, is awarded on an “as appropriate” basis to individuals who have contributed notably to the goals and initiatives of the society. This year the award was presented in absentia to Dr. Peter Halbach of the Dept. of Raw Materials and Environmental Geology at the Free University of Berlin.

During the past several years, commercial exploration for hydrothermal deposits has been undertaken in the territorial waters of Papua New Guinea, while scientific interest has led to discoveries of promising seabed deposits worldwide. Significant new insights into the processes that form this major class of ore-forming minerals have been made. During the same period, studies of the biology and biochemistry of hydrothermal vent communities associated with the deposits have led to extensive commercial interest in the potential contributions that these ecosystems hold for biotechnology. This has led to questions relevant to the theme of the UMI and the IMMS: How can commercial interests develop these widely disparate resource types in an efficient and integrated manner? What are the technical and political conflicts between mining the sulfide minerals and exploiting the hydrothermal vent community genotypes? How can exploration for sulfide mineral deposits benefit extremophile bioprospecting, and vice versa? in our site big island hawaii

“Going to Extremes: Seabed Mining and Biotechnology,” was the main theme of the 2001 conference. The first session on marine sulfide deposits and extremophile biological communities was chaired by Dr. Alexander Malahoff, director of the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory, and included eight papers. These were entitled: Finding and Proving Seafloor Massive Sulphide Resources; Establishment of the Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents Marine Protected Area; Extremophile Exploration: Geothermal and Hydrothermal Systems; Hydrothermal Fields in Oceanic Fracture Zone Settings: an Example From the Blanco Fracture Zone, North-East Pacific Rise; Physiology, Geology and Sulfide Deposits of the Southern Explorer Ridge Seafloor Hydrothermal Site Using an Integrated GIS Database and 3D Modeling; Geochemistry of Fluids from Southern Kermadec Frontal Arc Hydrothermal Systems; Visible Gold in Massive Sulfides from Escanaba Trough, Southern Gorda Ridge; and Hydrothermal Sulfide Deposits in Lakes.

The second session was devoted to other topics of timely interest, chaired by Dr. James Hein, senior research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, and included ten papers addressing, among other things, developments related to ferromanganese nodules and crusts, trends in deep seabed mining technology, sub-seabed minerals mapping with induced polarization (IP) and mine tailings disposal in the marine environment.

Cruickshank71, Michael J

Two Ventura County, Calif., hospitals honored for cardiac care.

Ventura County Star (Ventura, CA) July 8, 2005 Byline: Allison Bruce Jul. 8–Two Ventura County hospitals have been recognized by Blue Shield of California for high quality cardiac care facilities.

Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura and Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks were selected by the healthcare company along with 26 other facilities based on certain measures of quality, such as the number of procedures performed, outcomes and care. go to web site los robles hospital

Hospital officials said third-party recognition brings public awareness of what they have accomplished and helps patients make more informed decisions.

“We think patients do want to know, in a transparent manner, ‘How good are these hospitals?’” said Dr. Michael-Anne Browne, regional medical director for Blue Shield of California. The not-for-profit corporation has more than 3.3 million members in the state.

The intent of the list is to highlight hospitals that provide a high level of cardiac care and to compel hospitals that did not make the list to have some serious discussions about making changes, she said.

Participation in the survey was voluntary. Ninety-five hospitals requested surveys, 75 completed them and Blue Shield selected 28 as top facilities for cardiac care.

Dr. Lamar Bushnell, a cardiovascular surgeon at Community Memorial Hospital, applauded efforts that provide patients with information that gives them a sense of the actual quality of a program.

“More and more consumers and patients have this information available to them, and that’s good,” he said.

Too many patients come in and don’t ask any questions, he said. “They research less the hospital and program than the new washing machine they’re going to buy,” he said.

Bushnell said patients need more objective information, like the Blue Shield list, to help them make informed decisions. A third-party report also can help patients get past information they may receive through hospital advertising when making their decision, he said.

The state is now requiring mandatory reporting that soon will mean more information for the public, said CMH cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Dominic Tedesco. That also should drive more hospitals to do better tracking against standards, he said.

“If you don’t follow results, track patients, there’s no way to determine if you’re doing a good job,” he said. “If you’re not doing it — you have to do it.” The Blue Shield list also builds up public confidence, said Kris Carraway-Bowman, vice president of marketing at Los Robles Hospital.

“It’s saying to residents, ‘You don’t have to leave this area for quality cardiac care,’” she said. “It’s right here in your own backyard.” Jan Olivas, registered nurse and cardiovascular product line director, said Los Robles Hospital focuses on bringing procedures to the community hospital that are usually found in a university setting. It already has set high standards. go to web site los robles hospital

“When Blue Shield comes knocking at our door and requesting information we welcome it, because we have a good story to tell,” she said.

Both hospitals emphasized the teamwork that goes into a quality program.

A cardiac clinical advisory committee developed the criteria Blue Shield used to select the facilities on the list. The committee is made up of cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons from academic and community medical centers throughout the state.

Blue Shield plans to extend the model to other treatment areas, moving next to bariatric surgery.

Browne said hospitals are often judged as a whole, but a strong cardiac unit does not necessarily translate into a strong maternity unit.

“By taking a service line approach, we can differentiate which hospitals are truly good in which services,” she said.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

EA to Purchase PopCap Games.

Entertainment Close-up July 15, 2011 Electronic Arts announced an agreement to acquire PopCap Games, a provider of games for mobile phones, tablets, PCs and social network sites.

With titles like Plants vs. Zombies, Bejeweled, and Zuma, and a ability to create new hits, the Company said PopCap is a leader in the market for casual digital games.

“EA and PopCap are a compelling combination,” said EA CEO John Riccitiello. “PopCap’s great studio talent and powerful IP add to EA’s momentum and accelerate our drive towards a $1 billion digital business. EA’s global studio and publishing network will help PopCap rapidly expand their business to more digital devices, more countries, and more channels.” “We picked EA because they have recast their culture around making great digital games,” said David Roberts, CEO of PopCap. “By working with EA, we’ll scale our games and services to deliver more social, mobile, casual fun to an even bigger, global audience.” “PopCap has a proven financial trajectory with sustained revenue growth and double-digit operating margins,” said EA CFO Eric Brown. “On a non-GAAP basis, this deal is expected to be at least ten-cents accretive in fiscal year 2013.” According to a release, PopCap is digital and social gaming company with more than 150 million games installed and played worldwide on platforms such as Facebook, RenRen, Google, iPhone, iPad and Android. In calendar year 2010, approximately 80 percent of PopCap’s revenue was on high growth digital platforms. here google iphone app

EA will pay approximately $650 million in cash and $100 million in shares of EA common stock to be issued to certain stockholders of PopCap. In addition, the PopCap sellers are entitled to additional variable cash consideration, contingent upon the achievement of certain non-GAAP earnings before interest and tax (“EBIT”) performance milestones through December 2013, EA’s third fiscal quarter end.

At the upper end of the earn-out, the performance targets for EBIT are approximately $343 million in total PopCap standalone EBIT generated over the two-year period through December 2013. The exact earn-out calculation is subject to adjustments. EA will also provide up to $50 million in long-term equity retention awards to PopCap employees to be granted over the next four years.

Transaction and financial highlights, as described by the Company, include:

-The transaction is expected to close in August 2011, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

-On a non-GAAP basis, the acquisition is expected to be EPS neutral to EA’s fiscal year 2012 results, as a result of one-time transaction costs, and at least $0.10 accretive to EA’s FY 2013 non-GAAP EPS.

-For the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, EA is announcing preliminary results of approximately:

-$500 million to $525 million in non-GAAP revenue versus guidance of $460 million to $500 million of non-GAAP revenue.

-($0.40) to ($0.37) in non-GAAP diluted loss per share versus guidance of ($0.49) to ($0.44) in non-GAAP diluted loss per share.

-EA is reaffirming its full year fiscal year 2012 non-GAAP guidance of $0.70 to $0.90 diluted earnings per share. EA is also increasing its full year non-GAAP revenue guidance to a range of $3,800 million to $4,025 million to account for the inclusion of PopCap for a portion of FY12.

-EA is announcing preliminary guidance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 of non-GAAP diluted loss per share ranging from ($0.15) to ($0.05).

-EA has executed a commitment letter for a $550 million senior unsecured bridge facility with Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., UBS Securities, and UBS Loan Finance, that EA may choose to draw upon prior to closing the acquisition. EA expects to explore permanent financing options in connection with the funding of this acquisition. Morgan Stanley & Co. provided EA’s board of directors valuation advice in connection with the transaction. EA was also assisted by UBS Investment Bank. see here google iphone app

In addition, the Company noted that the $600 million share repurchase program that EA announced in February, remains in effect. As of July 1, EA has repurchased 7.1 million shares for a total of $149 million under this program. EA is not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares under the program and the repurchase program may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.

Electronic Arts will host a conference call on July 26, at 2 pm PT (5 pm ET) to review its results for the first quarter ended June 30, and its outlook for the future. During the course of the call, Electronic Arts may disclose material developments affecting its business and/or financial performance. Listeners may access the conference call live through the following dial-in number: 773-799-3213 (domestic) or 888-677-1083 (international), using the password “EA” or via webcast at investor.ea.com.

Electronic Arts is a company focused on digital interactive entertainment.

PopCap is a global developer, publisher and operator of casual video games.

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