text:
News + PoliticsHousingNot one dollar of state rent-relief money has arrived in SF
News + PoliticsHousing
Not one dollar of state rent-relief money has arrived in SF
Hundreds of millions in federal funding is available -- but tenants aren't getting it.
By Tim Redmond
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Governor Gavin Newsom is talking about spending $12 billion on housing for homeless people and rent relief for tenants. It's a great picture.
But in reality, the existing state program to help tenants who can't pay rent because of the pandemic has not sent a single check for a single dollar to a single tenant or landlord in San Francisco, public records show.
The money that's gone to SF? Zero.
It's not much better on a statewide basis: Of the $403 million requested by landlords and tenants, only $4 million – that's one percent – has actually been paid out.
"It's just unacceptable," Molly Goldberg, staff director for the San Francisco Anti-Displacement Coalition, told me. "The state of the need is huge."
The story is a complex issue of federal, state, and local agencies, but the bottom line is simple:
California is leaving vast sums of federal money on the table because Newsom's administration can't seem to get it together to send the money where it's needed.
And time is tight: The state's moratorium on evictions linked to past-due rent ends June 30.
"This money should have gone already to struggling San Franciscans," Sup. Dean Preston told me. "With an eviction cliff around the corner, we cannot delay getting these funds out the door."
The problem is statewide.
The state's COVID rent-relief program was created in behind-the-scenes negotiations between the governor, a few legislative leaders, and the Apartment Association, and that sidelined tenants advocates. Under the state program, landlords get to choose whether to discount rent in exchange for federal rent relief dollars. If landlords refuse to discount back rent, they can turn down the federal money. Landlords can then take tenants to court to collect all the outstanding rent due.
Adding to this confusing process is a lengthy on-line tenant application. Tenants have to produce lots of documents and if you don't have access to the internet or speak English, the application is almost impossible to complete.
A few cities including San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose refused to adopt the state's rules and redirected their share of federal rent relief funds to create their own programs. But then the state held up essential agreements that delayed local programs.
The state launched their program on March 15 with about $26 million in federal funds set aside for SF. The San Francisco's local program with about $24 million in federal funds is expected to launch at the end of this month. Both state and local programs are about to receive a second round of federal funding.
The communication from the state, advocates say, has been terrible – tenants and landlords don't know that the program is available and how to access it.
"It's not oriented toward tenants," Goldberg said.
We are told that tens of thousands of tenants tried to start the online application and then gave up on it before completing it.
In total, 2131 San Franciscans have applied to the state program, and only 59 applications are even under review.
"We keep hearing that the money is coming, but we haven't seen it," Goldberg said. "I keep getting calls from tenant advocates who say their clients are in desperate situations and need that money, and all I can say is, I don't know when it's coming."
The state program is managed by the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. I sent emails to their communications people and have heard nothing back.
But there still may be some hope. San Francisco's local program with about $24 million in federal funds is expected to launch at the end of this month. While the city cannot excuse rent debt (that is something only the feds and state can do) the local application is said to be simpler and aimed to help tenants with both back rent and forward rent.
Whether the governor's proposed new rent relief program is going to do any better than the existing effort is yet to be seen.
Dean Preston
Newsom
48 Hills welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor, which you can submit here. We also invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Tim Redmond
Tim Redmond has been a political and investigative reporter in San Francisco for more than 30 years. He spent much of that time as executive editor of the Bay Guardian. He is the founder of 48hills.
Watching the cops, and recording them …
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The future of the Castro Theater, and its role in the LGBTQ community, now at City Hall
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Yesterday the House of Representatives voted down a $940 billion farm bill. The House leadership faced a revolt from both sides of the aisle. Conservative Republicans were angry over too much spending on subsidies, and liberal Democrats were upset over how much was cut from food stamps.
Speaker John Boehner was not able to keep his troops in line as 62 Republicans voted against the bill. Some conservatives are taking comfort in that fact, believing Boehner won't be able to keep them in line on the immigration bill or other key issues that stray too far from the conservative view.
Here's another reason the bill failed. Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL) offered an amendment that allowed states the option of adding a work requirement to receive food stamps. Every House Democrat but one voted against the Southerland amendment, and after it passed dozens of them refused to vote for the final farm bill.
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), the ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, said, "I had people that came up to me and said, 'I was going to stick with you, but this [Southerland amendment] is too much.'" Peterson later told reporters, "Because what they're upset about on the food stamps is the block granting that they did back in '96, and what the Southerland amendment does is exactly the thing that they're upset about."
Ever since Obama took office, Democrats have tried to reverse successful welfare reforms. On Obama's watch there has been such an explosion in the use of food stamps that Republicans are trying to apply a modest, common sense reform to the program -- work for welfare -- but liberals in Congress don't want reform!
The past week brought more bad news about Obamacare. Here is a brief summary with links to each story.
They've already got our phone records and emails. Now, thanks to Obamacare, government bureaucrats will have access to your health data.
Obamacare is hurting job growth and the economy. According to a recent poll conducted by the Gallup organization, 41% of business owners have stopped hiring because of Obamacare.
Thirty-eight percent said they had reduced "plans to grow their businesses," 24% said they were considering dropping their insurance coverage, 19% said they had "reduced the number of employees you have in your business as a specific result of the Affordable Care Act" and 18% said they had cut back on hours.
It's not just the private sector that is cutting back on workers' hours because of Obamacare. Local and state governments are finding that they can't afford it either.
Obamacare's state exchanges are supposed to be up and running as of October 1st. But the Government Accountability Office doesn't think that is very likely.


text:
One of Portland's most prolific homebuilders of the 1920s—Arthur J. "Matt" Matot—left his mark on the Alameda Park addition, building 20 homes here in a four-year period, including his own residence, the English cottage style home at 3817 NE 29th Ave.
During his homebuilding career, Matot (pronounced just as it looks: mah-tot) perfected what he referred to as "the Matot method" that allowed him to take his business to a higher level beyond the output of most other homebuilding contractors during those years. His business model was clearly focused on growth and production, and he thought big. In a 1928 article in The Oregonian, Matot proudly proclaimed that at the peak of business, he employed more than 80 carpenters.
Arthur J. "Matt" Matot, taken in the mid 1920s. Photo courtesy of Ann Matot Shorey.
"I believed that homebuilding could be merchandized on a unit basis," he told The Oregonian on December 2, 1928. "The cost of every square foot of flooring, every cubic foot of foundation, every square yard of plaster, of every bit of hardware and of all other things that go into the building of a house can be determined. That is what I did. To it I added a certain percentage of profit—and the customer knew what that percentage was, as he knew every other item in the estimate."
Born in Buffalo, New York on February 5th, 1887, Matot moved to Portland in 1910, taking a series of jobs as salesman for construction-related suppliers. The Polk City Directory for 1913 shows Matot and his wife Alice living at 359 E 13th Street North (present-day Irvington) and working as a salesman for Pioneer Paint. In 1914-1915, he worked as salesman for Central Door & Window, a manufacturer of house parts. From 1916-1920, he sold products for Monarch Paper and Zan Brothers & Co., until 1920, when he served as secretary-treasurer and then vice president for Mill Made Construction Co. During those years, he transitioned from living in a different rental property almost every year, to owning the Alameda home at 2847 NE Hamblet. He also met and married his second wife, Ella J. Matot.
3817 NE 29th Ave. One of the early homes built by Matot, was also his residence from 1923-1924. The home suffered fire damage in the summer of 2010 and is in the process of being restored.
In 1920, while living on Hamblet, the couple launched the Matot Construction Company and built one of their first houses right next door at 3817 NE 29th Ave., where they lived from 1923-1924 before moving to higher end properties in Portland's southwest hills as the homebuilding business took off.
Matot marketed himself as a builder of solid, quality, dependable homes and stood behind the work of his carpenters with a one-year written guarantee to repair or replace anything that wasn't right, something that distinguished him among other builders during the heavy growth 1920s. He also worked fast. Compared to many other homes, the time period between Matot initiating a building permit and gaining final inspection signature was short, sometimes as little as three months.
Matot's whimsical logo featured a bar of musical notes, singing birds, and a cartoon-like English cottage. Here it appears on the front of a catalog of home designs Matot offered to prospective clients, published in Portland in the mid 1920s. The home to the left was an actual design built by Matot.
Unlike homes built by Harry Phillips, Frank Read or Kenny Birkemeier, all of which have a distinctive look and their own family resemblances, Matot-built homes came in many varieties, shapes and sizes and are hard to distinguish as part of a Matot family. Most Matot homes derive from the pages of a plan book he published in the mid-1920s (which was a rebranded collection of house plans published first by Harry Boland's Portland-based Universal Plans Service, shown above). A high percentage of those homes were small Tudor-inspired cottages, English cottage-style homes, simple bungalows, and even some Mediterranean style homes.
During the rise of the company in the early 1920s, Matot's personal interest shifted from the actual residential construction challenges to finance, and he began a branch of the business that marketed mortgages and insurance to his homebuilding customers. By December 1928—after successfully building more than 1,000 homes in the Portland area—Matot was ready to move full time into the financial sector. On December 2, 1928, he announced his retirement from the construction business, and the launch of his new venture, A.J. Matot Insurance and Loans. Unfortunately, on the eve of the Great Depression, the timing could not have been worse.
This news story, from the December 2, 1928 edition of The Oregonian, chronicled Matot's retirement from homebuilding and launch of his mortgage and insurance business. Click the story for a larger view.
While no further news stories in The Oregonian chronicle the path of his financial services business, annual listings in the Polk City Directory tell the story. By 1930, the Matots are renting an apartment in a home on Cornell Road. By 1933, the insurance and loan company no longer exists and the couple is operating an electrical appliance repair shop on Northeast Broadway. In the mid and late 1930s, the couple lived on NE 36th north of Fremont and operated an oil burner manufacturing and supply business called Pacific Heating Equipment, located at 1928 W. Burnside.
In the late 1930s, Ella and Matt divorced and he moved to Petaluma, California where he married Letha Kirk, 25 years his junior, and the couple raised two daughters and a son. During these years, he worked as an executive for the Kresky Manufacturing Company, which built specialized oil burners for incubators used in the agricultural industry. In the 1950s, the family moved to Brookings for several years (where there is still a short section of road named Matot Street). In 1957, following a disabling head injury in a fall, he was divorced by his wife Letha, and moved to the San Francisco Bay area, where he lived with his daughter Lavola (from his first marriage), until his death in 1971.
Daughter Ann Shorey, born into Matot's third marriage, remembers her father as loyal, friendly, generous and a person who liked to laugh and to tell stories.
"I remember as a child sitting with him while he told about his Portland days, and the homes he built," Shorey wrote us in a recent correspondence.
Shorey also recalls that despite any unpleasant memories from the business-ending ordeal of the early 1930s, Matot always recalled his Portland years with satisfaction and with pride: "He was very proud of those homes, calling them 'some of Portland's finest.'"
A list of Matot's homes built in the Alameda Park addition (and their original cost of construction) include:
3115 NE Dunckley 1921 $10,000
3233 NE Skidmore 1921 $5,000
4414 NE 32nd 1922 $4,100
3723 NE 21st 1922 $3,500
2847 NE Hamblet 1922 $6,000
2827 NE Hamblet 1922 $12,000
4203 NE 26th 1922 $4,500
4031 NE 23rd 1923 $4,500
2852 NE Dunckley 1923 $4,700
3020 NE Alameda Terrace 1924 $15,000
2200 NE Gile Terrace 1926 $12,000
rue says:
I live in the searle home from this catalog, but the interior is for only one family inside and it's in Arizona. It makes me wonder how one of his designs ended up here.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


…finished my nyc journal – I am so pleased with how it turned out.
it's not quite as full as the one from paris (shown on the bottom), but for a week, I think I did fine. I also uploaded over 70 photos to costco so I can get them into an album. and I did all the laundry, cleaned up the house, bought yarn for my next project and worked a bit.
so now I'm really anxious for some knitting time – but that will have to wait til later – off now to meet my mom & dad for some shopping and lunch. we've got lots to do to prepare for sara's last bit of celebration tomorrow!
what a great way to wind down from a fantastic trip – reading a book and planting the seeds for the next one…works for me. your next project is going to be great. have fun at the party!
I'm really looking forward to looking through your journal and hearing about your trip! Your next project is going to be lovely. What color yarn did you choose?
getting a lot accomplished. look forward to seeing what you've completed.


This report assesses London's preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games, outlines their anticipated impact on a range of leisure and retail sectors and examines consumers' expectations of and attitudes towards our staging of the world's biggest sporting event.
"A broader range of consumers are willing to expand their interest horizons around the Games than they are around other sporting mega-events, but are less committed to appointment viewing and communal watching out of home. London 2012 presents an opportunity for brands to tap into these trends so long as consumers remain engaged with the event despite being limited in their opportunities to physically connect with it."
Consumers to cool as hot tickets make London 2012 a long-distance event?
How can the Games engage consumers beyond London and the South East?
How will the presence of the Games within the UK affect the way we follow them?
What impact will the Games have on consumers' purchasing and leisure habits?
How can brands without Olympic sponsorship rights legitimately associate with the Games?
How will consumers and businesses cope with the disruption to transport and trade the Games are expected to cause?
Olympic sports – Something for everyone?
LOCOG brands topped by IOC partners?
Paralympics – second-chance ticket sales?
What Will Consumers Do During the Games?
What Will Consumers Buy During the Games?
How Will Consumers Follow the Games?
Which Sports Will Consumers Watch?
Is participation a legacy we cannot afford?
Appendix – What Will Consumers do During the Games?
Appendix – What Will Consumers Buy During the Games?
Appendix – How Will Consumers Follow the Games?
Appendix – Which Sports Will Consumers Watch?


text:
'use strict';

/**
 * Module dependencies.
 */
var mongoose = require('mongoose'),
    Schema = mongoose.Schema;

/**
 * JenkinsParam Schema
 */
var JenkinsParamSchema = new Schema({
    created: {
        type: Date,
        default: Date.now
    },
    code: {
        type: String,
        default: '',
        trim: true,
        required: true
    },
    name: {
        type: String,
        default: '',
        trim: true,
        required: true
    },
    value:{
        type: String,
    	default: '',
    	trim: true
    }
});

/**
 * Validations
 */
JenkinsParamSchema.path('code').validate(function(code) {
    return code.length;
}, 'Code cannot be blank');

/**
 * Statics
 */
JenkinsParamSchema.statics.load = function(id, cb) {
    this.findOne({
        _id: id
    }).populate('user', 'name username').exec(cb);
};

JenkinsParamSchema.statics.findByCode = function(criteria, cb) {
    this.findOne(
        criteria
    ).populate('user', 'name username').exec(cb);
};

mongoose.model('JenkinsParam', JenkinsParamSchema);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q:  não é renderizado Tenho uma page chamada footer-tabs que deveria renderizar a tabs do ionic, mas ela não está sendo mostrada.
Meu footer-tab template:
<ion-tabs>
    <ion-tab tabIcon="list" tabTitle="Games"></ion-tab>
</ion-tabs>

Ts:
import { Component } from '@angular/core';
import { IonicPage, NavController, NavParams } from 'ionic-angular';
@IonicPage()
@Component({
  selector: 'page-footeer-tab',
  templateUrl: 'footeer-tab.html',
})
export class FooteerTabPage {

  constructor(public navCtrl: NavController, public navParams: NavParams) {
  }

}

No meu componente home, tento chamar através do seletor, mas nada é renderizado:
  <page-footeer-tab></page-footeer-tab>

Estou esquecendo de algo em especial?

A: Você pode chamar a página no app.component.ts usando this.nav.setRoot("FooteerTabPage");.

A: Acredito que fazendo essas modificações seu código ja funcione, você precisa especificar qual page você quer abrir com a tab.

import { Component } from '@angular/core';
import { IonicPage, NavController, NavParams } from 'ionic-angular';
@IonicPage()
@Component({
  selector: 'page-footeer-tab',
  templateUrl: 'footeer-tab.html',
})
export class FooteerTabPage {
  public tab1Root = "SUAPAGEAQUI";
  constructor(public navCtrl: NavController, public navParams: NavParams)   {

  }
}
<ion-tabs>
    <ion-tab [root]="tab1Root" tabIcon="list" tabTitle="Games"></ion-tab>
</ion-tabs>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Jo's Loaves: "Oh, The Good Life..."
our keen allotment keeper cannot manage. I've had marrows (in fact still one and half in the fridge) apples and my favourite was 9 cucumbers, some of which I turned into some delicious bread and butter pickles.
We are also deep in the heart of Sourdough September, a completely made up festival by the Real Bread campaign, to raise awareness and celebrate this massively under-rated Elixir of life. Hey, just look at me, I eat tonnes of the stuff (truly), I am never ill and I am not overweight. I don't even bother with the gym now (although I am still quite active, what with all the baking and cooking and stuff). My little family are never ill either. There has to be something in that, right??
And I was also working out a few figures on the back of a fag packet (metaphorically speaking) and I worked out that if the average family bought 2 loaves of sliced bread every week from a supermarket (the ones sold in plastic bags that are devoid of all nutrition) it costs around £200 per year. HOWEVER, if the same family baked their own bread, using quality organic flour, it would cost less than half of that amount. So what would you do if you were handed an extra £100??
Book yourself on a Real Bread Course with me, and I'll give you the means to never have to buy a loaf again. (Check my Power to the Flour page for information).
One final thought of the day, I also did a little thing on bought oven chips compared to buying actual potatoes and making your own oven chips using the tiniest bit of rapeseed oil; the percentage saving is pretty similar. Next time, I'll show you the cheese I made and my raspberry infused vodka...!


Around 250,000 buildings in the three major cities of Bangladesh—Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet—are extremely vulnerable to earthquakes, according to a recent survey.
Some 142,000 among 180,000 buildings in Chittagong; 24,000 out of 52,000 in Sylhet; and 78,000 out of 326,000 buildings in Dhaka were detected as risky.
"The survey results were very shocking," ASM Maksud Kamal, national adviser on tsunami, cyclone and earthquake risk of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP), said as the results were revealed on Thursday.
The results of the survey, carried out under Phase-1 of the CDMP, were presented at a national workshop on earthquake preparedness in Bangladesh, held at Sonargaon Hotel.
The study was conducted to detect 'highly vulnerable' buildings, using a new software called HAZUS, in the country's three major cities.
Kamal, a professor of geological sciences at Dhaka University, said, "We have faced two or three severe earthquakes within the last 150 years... But because of the long interval since the last major tremor, the possibility of a dangerous strike in the near future is rising."
Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, vice chancellor of BRAC University and president of the Bangladesh Earthquake Society, a multidisciplinary research-based group, said the CDMP survey made significant progress with a successful fault-line search aided by modern technology and foreign experts. "The survey is the first of its kind in our country," he said.
In course of the survey conducted from February 2008 to August 2009, a database of all the buildings and maps of roads, electricity, water and gas pipe lines were developed to assess possible damages that could occur during an earthquake.
The active fault studies under the survey revealed five different segments as potential to be source of earthquake in the future. Sylhet, for the Dauki fault, and Chittagong, for the Plate Boundary fault- 1, 2 & 3 in the Bay, are among the most vulnerable cities.
Dhaka too is vulnerable, even in a mid-level tremor, because of its high density population and highrise concrete structures, for the Madhupur blind fault.
Experts observed that though disaster assessment has moved ahead with the survey, there have been hardly any tangible measures taken by way of disaster preparedness.
On its part, the housing and public works ministry has initiated programmes to reactivate the building code, which was formulated 16 years back. A work order has been circulated and an advisory body formed to revise and update the existing code. Officials said the process will end sometime next year.
RAJUK, the city corporations and other concerned government agencies have to come forward in a coordinated move to ensure strict compliance with the building code, said Chowdhury.
He further said that earthquake will have to be included in the Standing Order of Disaster (SOD) to allow taking stringent legal steps against violation of building codes.
Volunteers are also being trained and equipment collected and distributed under the CDMP, said Chowdhury underlining that volunteers are the foundation to fight a "sudden" disaster like earthquake.
Directions on how hospitals, fire service and rescuers, including the armed forces, will respond to an eventual disaster will have to come soon, he said.
Food and disaster management minister Abdur Razzaque said the government has already started to build a 62,000-strong volunteer corps within the next few years while the fire service and civil defence department are being equipped with search and rescue tools under the CDMP.
The government has recently approved an additional Tk 70 crore to procure more sophisticated rescue equipment for the defence forces to handle any major earthquake disaster.
The minister said rescue training activities and advocacy campaigns among the decision makers, planners, teachers and school children are being conducted in the risky zones of Bangladesh—Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet—to reduce urban risks in the event of any major earthquake.
An Earthquake Contingency Plan has been developed through training programmes and exercises are being conducted to implement the plan effectively, Razzaque added.
The draft National Plan for Disaster Management 2008-2015 is underway, which will be finally approved by the government, containing an earthquake management plan.
Speaking at the workshop, ambassador and head of delegation of the European Commission Stefan Frowein said the risk of a major earthquake is looming large and urged for intensifying disaster preparedness through creating awareness among the city dwellers.
UNDP country director Stefan Priesner appreciated the success of CDMP in introducing the in-depth research towards building a database.
The CDMP is being supported jointly by UNDP, DFID and European Commission in collaboration with Bangladesh government.
Thanks Mr. Ansary for your time demand and thoughtful post.
Yes Mr. Ansary as a citizen of Bangladesh we should know this information very clearly. Your post will help us greatly. Thank you.
Bangladesh passing a very risky time..
What we should to reduce the risk of earth-quake in Bangladesh??
You are fully right. We are living in danger. So now this we can be awar this risk.
High rise buildings are posing threat to our survival as will worsen the critical situation of earthquake. Most of the cases people do not follow the rules and regulations recommended by RAJUK and as a result unexpected suffering befall us.
Mostakima was asking what to do to save ourselves? We must keep in mind that any time we can face this natural disaster( God save us).So don't get panicked. In fact panicking isn't going to help the situation. We'll think it over in some other way also. What do you think if all on a sudden we become very religious and start building our houses following the 'Building Code'?
It is true that you are in risky position and hope government will take proper step regarding this matter.
very informative and thoughtful post.


New and Worthy! Try Fitz 2 with explosive power-ups and Game Services features!
Spring is the time to color your life! Try out a brand new Fitz game with 4 startling power-ups, redesigned graphics and all new amazing match 3 levels. The new color solution makes it easier to find possible matches and brings surprising dynamics to online competitions in multiplayer mode. This free-to-play sliding puzzle is a fun and relaxing brain-teaser that appeals to kids, teens and adults.
January 15, 2018 Dear friends, thank you so much for your great feedback!
November 20, 2015 Dear Friends!
This update includes stability improvements and minor bugs fixed. Thank you for your loyalty and all your great feedback! We try to improve the game for you to enjoy it. Keep playing Fitz 2: Magic Match 3 Puzzle!
October 11, 2014 It's time to play our game on new iOS 8 and new iPhones! Thanks for your feadback: We continue to improve the game and hope you enjoy the new version!
March 8, 2014 Gamelay optimization and new pack added!
December 11, 2013 Enjoy New Christmas Pack!
Christmas gifts for all Fitz 2 fans!


When shopping for a blender, there are a lot of important considerations to keep in mind — even details that are seemingly small at first, like motor strength and materials. Small things tend to add up into big problems if a lot of them are overlooked. Fortunately, we're here to help with that.
First, decide on the type of blender you want. The most traditional kind is a countertop blender, staying true to the designs of decades past. Countertop blenders usually come with a large variety of speed settings, everything from "pulse" to "liquefy." Some models also have an ice crusher option for making smoothies or daiquiris.
Another type is an immersion blender. This handheld stick-shaped appliance is like having a rotating blade on the end of your mixing spoon. It can whip up smoothies in the glass, puree cooked vegetables, or mix sauces for a smoother texture.
Some companies also sell "duet" sets including both blender and food processor. It's a space-saving alternative to having two countertop appliances taking up space in your kitchen, since both the blender and food processor jars can use the same base.
Above all, one of the most important qualities in a blender is its motor strength. Even if you plan on using a blender once every few months, that won't stop a weak blender from sputtering out when trying to tackle a heavy task. A stronger motor extends the life of your blender, saving you money in the long run. Look for one that's 500 watts or more.
Blender jars are usually made out of one of two materials: plastic or glass. Glass jars are more durable and have the added advantage of being BPA-free, but plastic jars are more lightweight, easier to handle, and you don't have to worry as much about it shattering if dropped. Both are typically dishwasher safe.
Immersion blenders come in corded or cordless models. The corded models have access to more power for a longer period of time, but a cordless immersion blender is much more versatile.
For a workhorse that does it all, take a look at the Vita-Mix TurboBlend. It has a strong polycarbonate jar, stainless steel blades, and a motor over 2 horsepower that's thermally protected to prevent overheating. Another option is the Blendtec Professional's Choice blender, a digital machine that is powerful enough to work as both blender and juicer — especially for greens.
A less expensive option in the "mid-range" category is the KitchenAid 5 Speed Chrome Blender. It's not equally strong as a Vita-Mix, but 700 watts still holds up to most blending tasks, including an option for crushing ice.
And for a quality budget blender, the Oster Beehive is the way to go. This one gets consistently high reviews for a surprisingly steady functionality for the price. The Beehive has a polycarbonate jar, ice crusher, and a heavy base — which you'd miss if it wasn't there. Ever had to hold a blender together for fear of it rocking out of its base? Won't happen here.
There are three immersion blenders that we like, all for varying yet equally significant reasons. First is the KitchenAid Immersion Blender, great for all its attachments (electric whisk, food processor, chopper blade, and mixing beaker cup). Next is the Dualit Immersion Blender with a handy "Turbo Pulse" button. And last but certainly not least is the Cuisinart SmartStick, packing a lot of power into a rechargeable cordless model.
I am definitely into health food without the health food price. If you've walked through that specialty section in your local grocery recently, you know exactly what I mean. You'd think not adding preservatives and sugar was costly from a manufacturing standpoint.
The Vita-Mix TurboBlend is exceptional because of the commercial quality blade and motor design. The heavy duty motor provides 2+ peak horsepower operated by a two speed control. The motor is thermally protected. This machine actually pulls in ingredients for smooth, uniform blending. The unit comes with a five year warranty.
The Dualit comes in several styles; this model is in chrome. Its five hundred watt immersion blender offers variable speeds from nine thousand to sixteen thousand rpms and pulses at seventeen thousand rpms.
There's good reason to call this Blender Mixing System magic. It seems to do everything. Only as big as a coffee mug, this do-it-all wonder replaces the blender, food processor, and coffee grinder. Sounds like a dream come true, right?


text:
Peaches Biography
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Birthday: November 11, 1968
Nationality: Canadian
Age: 52 Years, 52 Year Old Females
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Also Known As: Merrill Beth Nisker
Born in: Toronto, Ontario
Famous as: Musician
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Height: 5'8" (173 cm), 5'8" Females
City: Toronto, Canada
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education: Jewish day school
"Peaches" is the stage name of popular Canadian electronic musician and performance artist Merrill Beth Nisker, who is known for her provocative and overtly sexual compositions and performances. She began her journey with a folk trio and eventually became an internationally famed artist. Her compositions have been used in many well-known films and TV projects, such as 'Ugly Betty,' 'Mean Girls,' 'Jackass Number Two,' 'My Little Eye,' Drive Angry, 'Lost in Translation,' 'Lost Girl,' 'The L Word,' 'South Park,' 'The Handmaid's Tale,' '30 Rock,' 'True Blood,' and 'Letterkenny.' However, Peaches has earned a fair share of notoriety, too. Some of her lyrics and performances have been rejected due to them being potentially offensive. A lot of her songs are themed on gender identity. For instance, the cover of her album 'Fatherfucker' showed her sporting a beard. Her costumes are often glamorous, futuristic, and bizarre, and they reflect her personality. She is also noted for her flamboyant and quirky sense of style that pushes the limits of gender identity. Peaches has always carried a persona that is admired by a certain group of people. However, she has mostly faced criticism for being bold and vocal about many taboo topics. Like her songs, her live performances, too, are loud yet thought-provoking. She receives inspiration from artists such as John Waters, Cindy Sherman, and Paul McCarthy. The films 'Tron,' 'Liquid Sky,' 'Grease,' and 'Phantom of the Paradise' have inspired her live shows. At a point in her life, Peaches suffered cancer and heartbreak, both at the same time, which later became the theme of her next album, 'The Teaches of Peaches.' The album later became a feminist classic. Despite all the criticism, the fact that her work propagates sexual freedom and reversal of gender roles cannot be denied.
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Peaches was born Merrill Beth Nisker, on November 11, 1966, in Toronto, Ontario, into a Jewish family. However, her family was not a staunch follower of Judaism. Her maternal grandparents were Polish immigrants settled in Canada, while her paternal grandparents were from Ukraine.
Peaches completed her schooling from a private Jewish school. At school, she was tagged as a "class clown." She loved entertaining people, but people around her always mocked her ability.
Growing up, Peaches had experienced antisemitism (discrimination against Jews). Students from a nearby Catholic school once threw stones at her, calling her a "dirty Jew." Peaches worked as a music and drama teacher at the 'Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto' before she became a celebrity.
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In the early 1990s, Peaches was a member of the folk trio 'Mermaid Cafe.' She released her debut solo album, 'Fancypants Hoodlum,' in 1995, under her birth name. The same year, Peaches started a noisy four-piece rock band named 'The Shit,' along with Chilly Gonzales, bassist Sticky, and Dominique Salole (aka Mocky). Following the release of 'The Shit,' Peaches was projected as an absurd, offensive, and highly sexual music artist. It was around this time that she adopted her stage name.
The name "Peaches" was taken from the song 'Four Women' by Nina Simone. Peaches completed a six-track EP titled 'Lovertits,' after which she moved to Berlin, Germany. In Berlin, she performed with Chilly Gonzales. She then earned a contract with the label 'Kitty-Yo,' which then produced and recorded her album 'The Teaches of Peaches.'
Back in Toronto, Peaches released 'Lovertits' in the summer of 2000, followed by 'The Teaches of Peaches' that fall. She had started writing 'The Teaches of Peaches' at the age of 33, while she was going through a terrible break-up. Following the release, Peaches signed a contract with 'Sony.'
Her outrageous sexuality on screen was met with rejection, and 'Sony' terminated the contract after the release of her big-budget video for the song 'Set It Off.' The video showed her growing her pubic and armpit hair. Following this, her performance on the British TV show 'Top of the Pops' was considered too racy to be aired. Peaches directed and starred in 'Chromezone XXX,' the 2001 Super-8 bike porn.
In 2002, Peaches made an appearance in the short 'Hideous Man.' She then released her self-composed third album, 'Fatherfucker,' through 'Kitty-Yo' in 2003. For 'Fatherfucker,' Peaches earned a 'GLAAD Media Award' nomination for 'Outstanding Music Artist.'
In 2004, Peaches featured in the documentary 'Clash of Cultures.' She also appeared in an episode of the miniseries 'Sex 'n' Pop' and in the TV documentary series 'Durch die Nacht mit...' (with Heike Makatsch and Marilyn Manson).
Peaches collaborated with a bunch of musicians for her fourth album, 'Impeach My Bush,' released in July 2006. Following this, she created a live backing band called 'The Herms' (short for "hermaphrodites"), which gained massive prominence for its overtly sexual themes.
In August 2006, Peaches did an advertisement campaign against seal culling, named 'Fur is Dead,' for 'People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA). She was then seen in 'Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey,' a documentary series aired in New Zealand, and in two episodes (2006 and 2007) of the weekly talk show 'The Henry Rollins Show.'
In 2007, Peaches did a print-ad campaign for 'Vestal' watches, which was featured in the magazine 'The Fader.' The same year, she received a 'GLAAD Media' nomination for 'Impeach My Bush.' Her song 'Boys Wanna Be Her' was chosen as the theme song for the 'TBS' series 'Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.' It was later used for the online teaser of the live-action feature film 'Bad Kids Go to Hell' (2012).
In May 2009, Peaches released her fifth album, 'I Feel Cream,' in Europe and North America. She and the band 'Sweet Machine' performed at the sold-out 'Big Day Out' (BDO) festivals while on their 2010 Australia tour. Peaches and Shunda K performed their collaboration, 'Billionaire,' at the 'BDO' festivals. Peaches hosted an episode of the 'MTV2' weekly music program 'Subterranean.'
On March 14, 2010, Peaches received the 'Electronic Artist of the Year' award at the 10th annual 'Independent Music Awards.' The same month, the copyright authorities of 'Jesus Christ Superstar' rejected her one-woman version of the musical. However, Peaches succeeded in performing the act from March 25 to 27, at Berlin's 'HAU1,' after the matter earned the attention of several media outlets and thus made the authorities agree.
Peaches appeared in the 2010 Canadian feature film 'Ivory Tower.' She was featured in the song 'My Girls' from Christina Aguilera's fourth studio album, 'Bionic.' Later that year, Peaches released her single 'Jonny' as part of her tribute series to 'Suicide' band member Alan Vega.
'Peaches Does Herself' is a semi-biographical musical/concert film featuring a bunch of songs by the band 'Sweet Machine.' It premiered at the 'Toronto International Film Festival' on September 13, 2012. The following month, Peaches released her digital single 'Burst!'
On September 25, 2015, Peaches released her sixth studio album, 'RUB,' which is also the name of her line of vegan, cruelty- and silicone-free massage oil launched in collaboration with 'Neighbourhood Botanicals,' a London-based skincare and massage oil brand. In May 2016, Peaches performed 'Bodyline' in a fourth-season episode of the Canadian TV series 'Orphan Black.' On April 29, 2017, she performed 'Boys Wanna Be Her' at the 'Not the White House Correspondents' Dinner.'
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'RUB' was produced by Vice Cooler at the Los Angeles garage owned by Peaches.
In 2001, famous artist Cynthia Plaster Caster, known for making molds of male rockers' genitalia, chose her 34AA bust for her next cast. With that, her bust became one of the first female busts to be cast by Cynthia.
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text:
Position Statement on the Impact of Obesity and Obesity Treatment on Fertility and Fertility Therapy
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Prepared by Michelle A. Kominiarek, M.D., Emily S. Jungheim, M.D., Kathleen M. Hoeger, M.D., M.P.H., Ann M. Rogers, M.D., Scott Kahan, M.D., M.P.H., Julie J. Kim, M.D.
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery issues the following position statement for the purpose of enhancing quality of care in metabolic and bariatric surgery. In this statement, suggestions for management are presented that are derived from available knowledge, peer-reviewed scientific literature, and expert opinion. This was accomplished by performing a review of currently available literature regarding obesity and obesity treatment and fertility and fertility therapy. The intent of issuing such a statement is to provide objective information regarding the impact of obesity and obesity treatment on fertility and fertility therapy. The statement may be revised in the future should additional evidence become available.
Prevalence of obesity in reproductive-age women
The World Health Organization stratifies body mass index (BMI) into 6 categories to define underweight, normal weight, overweight, and 3 classes of obesity [1]. Based on the 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the prevalence of obesity in women of reproductive age (20–39 years) in the United States is 31.8%, with the highest prevalence (55.8%) in non-Hispanic black women [2]. Furthermore, the prevalence of obesity increased from 28.4% to 34.0% in women ages 20–39 years from 1999–2008, highlighting the escalating role that obesity plays in women's health, including reproductive health [2,3].
Prepregnancy obesity
Obesity during pregnancy is typically defined as a prepregnancy BMI ≥30 kg/m2 in adult women. If a prepregnancy BMI is not available, then the maternal weight at the first prenatal visit is used to determine BMI [4]. Not only does obesity impact the health of every organ system, the combination of obesity and pregnancy introduces additional complications, such as birth defects, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, stillbirths, and cesarean deliveries [5]. Obese women are also at greater risk for menstrual irregularities, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and anovulation, all of which contribute to an increased risk of infertility.
Natural fertility and impact of lifestyle factors
The monthly fecundity rate, or the probability of obtaining a clinically recognized pregnancy in a menstrual cycle, is approximately 20–25% in couples not using contraception. Approximately 10–15% of couples experience delays in fertility or subfertility [6]. Fertility declines with age across all populations. Infertility is defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of appropriate, timed, unprotected intercourse. Earlier evaluation and treatment may be justified based on specific medical history and physical findings and is warranted after 6 months for women over the age of 35 years [7].
Fertility rates are decreased in women who are either underweight or overweight, with underweight women demonstrating a 4-fold longer time to pregnancy than normal-weight women. Obesity is also associated with a 2-fold longer time to pregnancy compared with normal-weight women for couples attempting pregnancy without intervention [8].
Several lifestyle factors may be associated with infertility. Although there is no evidence that specific diets are associated with improved fertility, diets that replace animal sources of protein and fat with vegetable sources may be associated with a lower risk of ovulatory infertility [9].
Smoking has a proven detrimental effect on the time to pregnancy, chance for conception, and success of fertility treatments. Smoking is also associated with an earlier age of menopause, suggesting an impact on follicular development [10]. There is no clear link between conception and alcohol consumption [11], although the amount of consumption may matter. In several series, heavy alcohol consumption was associated with decreased fertility [12,13]. Moderate caffeine consumption has not been shown to impair fertility, but increased intake (>500 mg/day) may delay time to pregnancy (Table 1) [14].
Table 1: Lifestyle factors and fertility
Smoking Associated with longer time to pregnancy, reduction in per-cycle pregnancy, and earlier age of menopause
Caffeine Possible reduction in fecundity with >500 mg/d
Alcohol Contradictory evidence, but increased consumption may be associated with longer time to pregnancy
Diet Possible reduced rate of ovulatory dysfunction with lower animal fat consumption.
Impact of obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, and insulin resistance on natural fertility
Obesity is independently associated with a longer time to pregnancy even in eumenorrheic women, despite similar coital frequency noted among normal-weight and overweight/obese women participating in studies of couples trying to conceive [15–17]. This delay may be due, in part, to abnormalities in oocytes or ovulation arising from decreased luteinizing hormone amplitude in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis of eumenorrheic obese women, a gonadotropin defect that is distinct from that noted in women with PCOS [18].
PCOS is a well-recognized and common endocrinopathy that affects 5–10% of women of reproductive age. It is defined by the presence of at least 2 of 3 conditions: irregular menses, hyperandrogenism, and the finding of polycystic ovary morphology on ultrasound [19]. PCOS has been associated with obesity since the original description of the condition; however, the disorder itself is independent of obesity, and many women with PCOS are not overweight or obese [20]. The prevalence of obesity in PCOS is highly variable, with rates ranging from 30–70%, and this variation is likely related to both genetic and environmental factors [21]. There is some evidence that the diagnosis of PCOS is associated with an increased risk of obesity [22], although not all studies support this [23]. The relative risk of obesity in women with PCOS in one meta-analysis was 2.77 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.80–4.10), with obesity prevalence highest in Caucasian women and lowest in Asian women [20]. PCOS is associated with infertility due to oligo-anovulation even in normal-weight patients; however, increased weight is known to exacerbate the symptoms of PCOS and is associated with significantly more reproductive dysfunction and abnormal bleeding and increased androgenic symptoms [15]. The symptoms of PCOS are remarkably sensitive to weight changes, and weight loss of as little as 5% can improve ovulatory dysfunction and restore fertility [16].
Obesity and excess adiposity are also associated with insulin resistance (IR) and significant metabolic perturbation. Specifically, increased abdominal fat mass may worsen the metabolic consequences of obesity and is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (hypertension, elevated fasting glucose, increased waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol) [17,18,24]. The metabolic disturbance associated with excess adiposity is likely due to lipotoxicity and increased production of excess free fatty acids, resulting in tissue inflammation and increased IR [25]. Women with PCOS have a high predisposition to IR, seen in both normal weight and obese individuals [26]. Abnormalities in the production of adipokines might play a main role in the development and progression of PCOS. In particular, reduced secretion of adiponectin has a critical role in IR. A systematic review demonstrated that adiponectin is lower in women with PCOS compared with non-PCOS controls with similar BMI. Lower adiponectin levels are associated with IR observed in women with PCOS compared with controls [27]. As such, it is possible that IR is specific to the pathophysiology of PCOS, although it is not a universal feature. Improvement in IR is associated with an increase in ovulation in women with PCOS [28].
Abnormal adipokine balance might also mediate the disturbance of sympathetic nervous system activity, postulated as one of the mechanisms of ovulatory dysfunction in PCOS [29]. Leptin, an adipokine mediator of long-term energy balance, plays a role in suppressing food intake. Obesity is paradoxically associated with increases in leptin, suggesting that obesity is associated with leptin resistance. Women with PCOS demonstrate increased leptin resistance and have been shown in many, though not all, studies to have increased leptin levels, which may in turn impact reproductive features. Increased leptin secretion may lead to increased sympathetic nervous system activity [30]. Disturbance of leptin secretion may act at central levels to modulate luteinizing hormone secretion, whose activity is altered in PCOS, but also directly at the ovarian level, where leptin has been shown to be expressed in ovaries of women with PCOS [31], and where direct leptin effects might contribute to dysfunction of follicular maturation and ovulation. Furthermore, it has been suggested that leptin contributes to the state of IR and hyperandrogenism seen in the majority of women with PCOS [32].
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of failure to achieve clinical pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF). This risk increases with increasing BMI. A 2011 study investigating 45,163 IVF cycles from data collected by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology demonstrated that this risk increased with increasing BMI. The relationship was stronger among women <35 years than older women, suggesting that after 35 years, age becomes a more important factor than obesity in infertility (Table 2) [33]. The underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood, but obese women undergoing IVF require more gonadotropin than normal-weight women and have fewer normally fertilized oocytes (fewer 2 pronuclei embryos and more 1 pronuclei and 3 pronuclei embryos) [34]. Overall, evidence from clinical practice suggests that obesity negatively affects both the oocyte and the endometrium, as indicated by studies of women receiving donor oocytes, where a normal-weight woman receives oocytes from an obese woman or an obese woman receives oocytes from a normalweight donor. In either case, obesity is associated with decreased chance of pregnancy and live birth [35,36].
Table 2: Risk of failure after IVF
Age group, years
BMI category
Adjusted OR
95% CI
Normal weight
Obese Class I
Obese Class II
Obese Class III
1.80 0.84–1.19
≥35 Underweight
Impact of medical and surgical weight loss on female fertility
Normal ovulation is critical in achieving pregnancy, and for obese women with abnormal or absent ovulatory cycles, weight loss frequently improves ovulatory dysfunction. Obesity has long been recognized as a risk factor for infertility, in large part due to changes in the insulin growth factor system, the opioid system, estrogens, and cytokines such as leptin, as mentioned earlier [37]. Such hormonal effects are understood to disrupt the normal ovulatory cycle. Regarding infertility in the setting of PCOS, the presentation of PCOS differs depending on whether or not the patient is obese. In obese patients with PCOS, androgen abnormalities can be more pronounced, particularly in those with central or abdominal obesity (measured by increased waist circumference). Even in patients with normal BMI, central obesity is seen in 460% of women with PCOS. For women with PCOS, weight loss is the first-line treatment. Second-line treatment includes clomiphene or letrozole to promote ovulation. Gonadotropin therapy may be added to (or substituted for) clomiphene/letrozole if those agents fail to achieve ovulation and, finally, possible surgical intervention with ovarian drilling [38]. As many as 70% of women with PCOS also have IR, and about 10% have diabetes [39]. Smoking cessation, exercise, and acupuncture have all been studied as therapies to reduce IR, but weight loss remains the most effective modality.
Guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommend addressing obesity and weight loss in obese women who are planning to conceive, even in those who have not experienced infertility [4,39–41]. Dietary and behavioral weight-loss interventions have been shown to improve oocyte parameters and increase the likelihood of spontaneous conception and decrease the number of cycles of fertility treatment needed to conceive. However, there is little evidence that this leads to improved fecundity [42,43]. These specific weight-loss interventions are of minimal intensity and include limited use of proven medical weight-loss strategies, thereby leading to a relatively small likelihood and magnitude of weight loss. Further study is needed to evaluate fertility outcomes using comprehensive, coordinated intervention, including intensive behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, and other medical weight-loss strategies. Of note, only orlistat, a lipase inhibitor that is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, has been studied in the context of infertility [44–47]. Studies that evaluate fertility outcomes consider fetal and maternal morbidity in addition to successful conception endpoints. Therefore, although pregnancy complications are not the focus of this position statement, there is evidence for improved gestational age at delivery and reduced overall maternal morbidity when weight loss is achieved before pregnancy [48–51].
As the most durable and effective route to significant weight loss, weight-loss surgery has been studied in regard to female fertility outcomes. Case-control studies have demonstrated improved fertility after weight-loss surgery [52]. Purely restrictive procedures such as vertical banded gastroplasty (no longer performed) and adjustable gastric band (less commonly performed) can improve fertility when weight loss is achieved. Some matched cohort studies have shown that adverse maternal outcomes in pregnancy are generally lower in women who have undergone any of a variety of bariatric procedures, and may approach the rates in normal weight pregnant women [53].
Contraception and bariatric surgery
The Centers for Disease Control identifies bariatric surgery in the past 2 years as a condition associated with an increased risk for adverse complications as a result of unintended pregnancy [54]. As a result, contraception education, counseling, and follow-up should be considered at the time of bariatric surgery for all women with the potential to conceive. The evidence regarding use of contraception after bariatric surgery, however, is very limited in terms of both overall utilization and optimal method. Based mainly on evidence from surveys, condoms and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) appear to be the most commonly utilized contraception methods in the United States, whereas intrauterine devices are the predominant method for women in the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry. Gaps in communication regarding contraception education and level of postoperative compliance were reported in all surveys [55–57]. Another survey of 574 bariatric surgeons, most of whom were men (89%), reported that the majority provided a consistent message to patients to delay pregnancy after bariatric surgery (87%); 52% of respondents required postoperative contraception and 64% provided referral to an obstetrician-gynecologist or primary care physician, but 35% were unaware of how or whether patients obtained contraception. This supports the need for better communication between bariatric surgeons and women's healthcare providers [58]. A 2010 systematic review that evaluated contraception after bariatric surgery identified only 5 relevant studies, 2 of which were on jejunoileal bypass, a procedure no longer performed. No randomized controlled trials or large prospective longitudinal studies were identified [59]. They included a small case series of 40 patients who had undergone biliopancreatic diversion and were advised to avoid pregnancy for at least 2 years. They reported 2 OCP failures at 9 months and 24 months postoperatively. Based on the 5% failure rate, which is higher than the 4% rate in the general population, the authors advised using contraception methods other than OCP and called for a large randomized controlled trial to determine the best method of contraception after bariatric surgery [60]. A single case series evaluated etonorgestrel-releasing implant (Implanon, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of MERCK & Co., INC., Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889, USA) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Three women received the implant 1–2 months before RYGB. Serum etonorgestrel levels decreased with weight loss but remained above the minimum concentration for effectiveness for at least 6 months after the surgery without resulting in unintended pregnancy [61]. Although there are conflicting data regarding the efficacy of OCPs in obese women, the failures attributable to OCPs are generally no higher than those of normal-weight women. The risk of certain complications such as venous thromboembolism or deep vein thrombosis, however, may be higher in obese women and should be considered during counseling on contraceptive methods, given that women can remain obese for some period after bariatric surgery or despite bariatric surgery [62]. Given the available evidence, it is unclear whether there is a difference in the efficacy of OCPs after bariatric procedures that involve some degree of malabsorption and/or the optimal method of contraception.
Impact of medical and surgical weight loss on the effectiveness of infertility treatment
Although obesity is associated with several aspects of infertility, including oligo- and anovulation, follicular development and oocyte maturation, endometrial development and implantation, and response to assisted conception treatments, there are limited data regarding the effects of nonsurgical weight loss on outcomes of infertility treatment [63]. Several studies suggest that weight loss may improve reproductive function [64], decrease the number of cycles of fertility treatment needed to conceive [65], and improve outcomes of fertility treatment in women both with and without PCOS [66–68]. However, the effects of these improvements on fecundity have been mixed [65–68]. Moreover, very-low-calorie diets, utilized in adult obesity treatment with variable success, have been shown to worsen infertility treatment outcomes [69].
Overall, there is also a paucity of literature regarding the specific impact of bariatric surgery on the responsiveness to subsequent treatments for infertility. The general findings on female fertility and PCOS after bariatric surgery have been very positive. The latest position statement on PCOS from the European Society for Endocrinology recommended including bariatric surgery as a treatment for PCOS in women with morbid obesity, particularly when metabolic syndrome is also present [70]. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of bariatric surgery on PCOS and identified 13 studies involving 2,130 patients. The preoperative incidence of PCOS was 45.6%, which decreased to 6.8% (P <.001) at 12 months postoperatively. Infertility decreased from 18.2% to 4.3% (P = .0009) between preoperative states and the end of the study. Similar significant improvements were found for hirsutism and menstrual irregularity [71].
There is only 1 published study that evaluated results of IVF cycle characteristics both before and after bariatric surgery. In this retrospective study, 18 out of 9,869 patients treated with IVF had bariatric surgery, 7 patients had IVF both before and after bariatric surgery (5 laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, 2 laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding), allowing for direct comparison. Despite a significant reduction in BMI (43.1 3.3 versus 29.6 7.33 kg/m2, P = .018), 3 of the 7 patients remained obese or morbidly obese. There was a significant decrease in the total number of gonadotropin ampules required during the IVF cycle following bariatric surgery (which was associated with reduced treatment cost and improved patient comfort from fewer injections), with no adverse effects on the number of follicles or oocytes retrieved [72]. IVF after bariatric surgery has also been reported in 5 patients (4 RYGB and 1 laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding) who conceived after their first or second IVF cycle without IVF complications, resulting in 4 term live births [73].
Impact of male partner's obesity and surgical weight loss on fertility and infertility treatment
As with women, men of reproductive age have a high prevalence of obesity [2]. Obesity in men is associated with decreased reproductive function and needs to be considered in the evaluation of the infertile couple. Obesity impacts sexual function because it is associated with erectile dysfunction and decreased quality of life [74]. Obesity impacts the endocrinology of reproduction in men by suppressing sex hormone–binding globulin and increasing aromatization of androgens to estrogen. This may reduce gonadotropin secretion [75].
In one meta-analysis, most studies indicated that obesity in men was associated with an increased incidence of abnormal semen parameters [76], but another study had contradictory findings [72–83]. Independent of sperm parameters, there is evidence to suggest that there may be some impact of obesity on sperm function, such as DNA damage, decreased mitochondrial activity, or oxidative stress [84–89]. In one study, paternal obesity was associated with decreased blastocyst formation and decreased pregnancy in couples undergoing IVF [90]. In another study of couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection during IVF, increased BMI of the male partner was associated with significantly lower odds of pregnancy in the female partner than for normal-weight men. This relationship was not seen in couples using IVF alone [91]. Both of these studies suggest that there is an increased miscarriage rate with male partner obesity.
Whether obesity treatment in male partners improves fertility in the couple is not entirely clear. Studies of low-calorie diets and bariatric surgery have demonstrated improvements in quality of life and erectile dysfunction as well as reproductive hormones [92]. In contrast, one case series on male fertility after RYGB surgery reported on 6 men with a mean age of 38.3 2.4 years, all with a history of 1 child with their partner before surgery. They presented for infertility evaluation after a minimum of 8 months of trying to conceive 412 months from the time of RYGB surgery. All men had secondary azoospermy with complete spermatogenic arrest. It was unclear whether these results were permanent or temporary, and although nutritional depletion was considered as a possible etiology, the study did not evaluate or discuss whether these men had any nutrient deficiencies [93]. Two additional case series reported on 5 men with similar declines in sperm parameters 3–18 months after RYGB. One patient had reversible effects after 24 months [76,94]. Although more data with longer follow-up are necessary to determine the true impact of bariatric surgery on sperm parameters, these findings highlight the role that male infertility can have on assisted reproduction outcomes [76,93,94]. More investigation is needed to fully understand the impact of surgical weight loss on fertility and infertility treatment in men.
Conclusion and summary recommendations
There is a very high prevalence of obesity among women of childbearing age. Obesity in women is associated with an increased risk of infertility and an increased rate of complications during every stage of pregnancy. Obesity is associated with PCOS and IR, which also negatively impact fertility. Overall, however, there is a paucity of high-level evidence regarding the impact of obesity and obesity treatment on fertility and infertility treatment. Ongoing investigation and randomized controlled trials are necessary to fully understand the role of obesity and the impact of medical and surgical treatments for obesity on male and female fertility and infertility treatment outcomes.
Obesity is associated with a significant delay in conception that is partly, but not entirely, due to an impact on normal ovulation.
Obesity reduces male fertility parameters and should be considered in the evaluation of a couple presenting with infertility.
The symptoms of PCOS, particularly with respect to fertility and metabolic disturbance, are exacerbated in the presence of obesity.
Weight loss can improve weight-associated causes for infertility such as PCOS and IR.
For some overweight and obese women, particularly with PCOS, weight loss may improve ovulatory function, leading to improved fertility.
Obese women have a lower probability of achieving live birth after in vitro fertilization.
Bariatric surgery is effective in achieving significant and sustained weight loss in morbidly obese women and has been shown in case-control studies to improve fertility.
Pregnancy is not recommended during the rapid weight-loss phase after bariatric surgery; therefore, counseling and follow-up regarding contraception during this period is important.
The specific impact of either medical weight-loss treatments or bariatric surgery on the responsiveness to subsequent treatments for infertility in both men and women is not clearly understood at this time.
This position statement is not intended to provide inflexible rules or requirements of practice and is not intended, nor should it be used, to state or establish a local, regional, or national legal standard of care. Ultimately, there are various appropriate treatment modalities for each patient, and surgeons must use their judgment in selecting from among the feasible options. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery cautions against using this position statement in litigation in which the clinical decisions of a physician are called into question. The physician, in light of all the circumstances presented, must make the ultimate judgment regarding the appropriateness of any specific procedure or course of action. Thus, an approach that differs from the position statement, standing alone, does not necessarily imply that the approach was below the standard of care. To the contrary, a conscientious physician may responsibly adopt a course of action different from that set forth in the position statement when, in the reasonable judgment of the physician, such course of action is indicated by the condition of the patient, limitations on available resources, or advances in knowledge or technology. All that should be expected is that the physician will follow a reasonable course of action based on current knowledge, available resources, and the needs of the patient to deliver effective and safe medical care. The sole purpose of this position statement is to assist practitioners in achieving this objective.
This position statement has been endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, May 2017, and should be construed as its clinical guidance.
The authors have no commercial associations that might be a conflict of interest in relation to this article.
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The Hand in Hand approach was developed and is supported by Hand in Hand Parenting, a not for profit based in Palo Alto, California, working world wide with parents, parent leaders and professionals who support parents.
Through Instructors around the world, we offer practical tools with which to build an authoritative approach to parenting – offering high warmth and clear, firmly and appropriately offered limits. The guiding principles of Hand in Hand are:
Children need a strong sense of connection in order to function well – co-operate, reason, learn, make friends, take initiative.
Parents want to be close to their children, but the current circumstances of parenting – isolation, lack of financial resource, lack of good support and information – make that hard.
Feeling disconnected or stressed causes children's behaviour to flare. Traditional responses to "behaviour problems" often fail to address the underlying emotional needs of children, or to take account of the state of their relationship with their parents and how that influences their ability to function effectively.
Feeling isolated and stressed causes parents' behaviour to flare. When emotional stress sends parents' behaviour off track, they need support and reliable ways to reduce the stress.
Parenting is emotional work. Parenting is also a relationship. Hand in Hand offers parents and carers tools for making sense of and resolving their own, and their children's, emotional tensions, and for strengthening and repairing the connection between adult and child.
We teach 6 Listening Tools, focusing on
Special Time and Playlistening are child-directed playtimes, where parents to follow children's lead in play with warmth and enthusiasm without trying to teach, give direction or make suggestions, and promoting laughter where possible. These tools build the parent- child relationship, allowing the child to show their concerns, struggles and interests, and facilitate healing of fears and embarrassments though laughter. In some circumstances, Playlistening also serves as a way to set limits lightly and without harshness.
Limit Setting:
Is central to parenting, and needs to address the underlying emotional tension driving children's "off track" behaviour. Effective limit setting seeks to build connection between adult and child, not damage it.
Once a child starts the emotional release process, adults can Staylisten, remaining close and attentive, without criticism or blame. When the child is finished, he can feel the caring the adult has offered, and he can relax, learn, and play well again. This empowers parents to meet their children's upsets without feeling they must always "fix the problem" or "settle" or "quiet" their children.
Parents also develop emotional resilience and build support networks around their parenting though Listening Partnerships and Parent Resource Groups. Each adult takes an equal turn to listen to the other without interruption, judgement or advice giving. This gives parents a chance to reflect on the challenges of parenting, playing with and listening to their children. Our short talks offer parents a chance to try a Listening Partnership, and our courses are structured around the Parent Resource Group.
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text:
DUCs Won't Save U.S. Oil Production
Oct 2, 2007, 05:00am EDT |
Former Sen. and actor Fred Thompson was born on Aug. 19, 1942, in Sheffield, Ala. Thompson grew up in nearby Lawrenceburg, a small town in Tennessee, and was the first member of his family to go to college. He studied philosophy and political science at Memphis State University, and then earned a law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1967.
After several years in private practice, Thompson worked as a federal prosecutor. He gained appointment as minority counsel on the Watergate hearings, where his questioning of former Nixon aide Alexander Butterfield lead to the disclosure of the existence of Nixon's White House tapes. Thompson later went on to forge a career as an attorney and lobbyist.
In 1994, Thompson campaigned in jeans, boots and a red pickup truck for the Senate seat vacated by Vice President Al Gore. Thompson defeated his Democratic rival, Nashville congressman Jim Cooper in a landslide, and he still maintains this rugged, populist image.
During his time in the Senate, Thompson emphasized his belief in federalism and the abilities of the free market. He has said, "In considering any action by the government, we must always ask two questions: Is the government better equipped than the private sector to perform the task? And, if so, what level of government [federal or state] ought to do it?"
Thompson's position on abortion illustrates. Although Thompson abhors abortion, he disapproves of a constitutional amendment banning it, preferring to allow individual states to make that decision.
Thompson represented Tennessee as a Republican in the Senate from 1994 through 2002. Since leaving, Americans have seen him star as District Attorney Arthur Branch on NBC's hit series Law & Order.
On Sept. 5, 2007, Thompson ended months of speculation and officially announced his bid for the White House.
The Thompson campaign did not participate in our survey. Forbes researcher Godwin Maidment compiled Fred Thompson's positions, described above, using material from the candidate's public statements, news reports, voting record, Web site and other sources.
The following members of our Forbes 400 list of wealthiest Americans have made donations to Fred Thompson:
Martha Ingram
Robert McNair
Thomas Pritzker
Web site: http://www.fred08.com


Today, WordPress and Joomla are the two major platforms (CMS) on which most of the websites are running. Both the platforms are search engine friendly and both have their own pros and cons. But still if we have to select either of the platforms, we can go on the basis of how easily an admin can configure the website for SEO.
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The developers who choose WordPress refers to the fact that the platform performs favorably in terms of SEO. WordPress is highly acclaimed because of the numerous helpful plugins. It actually has the most SEO friendly plugins available today.
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Fortune Softtech is an interactive web development company based in Indianapolis that focuses mainly on patrons' contentment. Our developers are highly enthusiastic and they give much preference for transparency so that the clients will also know the status of their projects. Please do get in touch with us for any requirements on web development.