Autism symptoms could arise from unreliable neural responses

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Contact: Elisabeth (Lisa) Lyons
elyons@cell.com
617-386-2121
Cell Press

Diverse symptoms associated with autism could be explained by unreliable activity of neurons in the brain in response to basic, nonsocial sensory information, according to a study published by Cell Press on September 19th in the journal Neuron. The new findings suggest that autism is a disorder of general neural processing and could potentially provide an explanation for the origins of a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders.

"Within the autism research community, most researchers are looking for either a dysfunctional brain region or inadequate connections between brain regions," says lead study author Ilan Dinstein of Carnegie Mellon University. "We're taking a different approach and thinking about how a general characteristic of the brain could be different in autismand how that might lead to behavioral changes."

Autism is a developmental disorder marked by social deficits, communication problems, and repetitive behaviors. Two previous studies suggested that the neural responses of individuals with autism are more variable than those of control subjects during visual and motor tasks. Building on this past evidence, Dinstein and his collaborators have now shown that multiple sensory systems within these individuals show noisy responses, suggesting that widespread behavioral abnormalities could arise from a basic dysfunction in neural processing that emerges during development.

In the study, adults with autism participated in functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments in which their brain activity was measured under three different conditions: while they watched moving dots on a screen, listened to tone beeps, and felt air puffs on their hands. The neural responses to all three types of sensory information were less reliable across trials in individuals with autism than in control subjects.

The findings suggest that autism could result from fundamental defects in general neural processing rather than a collection of independent problems that affect different brain regions. "Unreliable neural activity is a general property that could have a profound impact on the function of many brain systems and could underlie a range of cognitive and social abnormalities," says study author Marlene Behrmann of Carnegie Mellon University. "So we think that this problem could play a role not only in autism, but also potentially in other disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia."

###

Dinstein et al.: "Unreliable evoked responses in autism."

Video: Marlene Behrmann, Professor of Psychology, and IIan Dinstein, Postdoctoral Researcher, from Carnegie Mellon University's Department of Psychology discuss their study "Autistic Adults have Unreliable Neural Sensory Responses" publishing in Neuron.



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[ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 19-Sep-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Elisabeth (Lisa) Lyons
elyons@cell.com
617-386-2121
Cell Press

Diverse symptoms associated with autism could be explained by unreliable activity of neurons in the brain in response to basic, nonsocial sensory information, according to a study published by Cell Press on September 19th in the journal Neuron. The new findings suggest that autism is a disorder of general neural processing and could potentially provide an explanation for the origins of a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders.

"Within the autism research community, most researchers are looking for either a dysfunctional brain region or inadequate connections between brain regions," says lead study author Ilan Dinstein of Carnegie Mellon University. "We're taking a different approach and thinking about how a general characteristic of the brain could be different in autismand how that might lead to behavioral changes."

Autism is a developmental disorder marked by social deficits, communication problems, and repetitive behaviors. Two previous studies suggested that the neural responses of individuals with autism are more variable than those of control subjects during visual and motor tasks. Building on this past evidence, Dinstein and his collaborators have now shown that multiple sensory systems within these individuals show noisy responses, suggesting that widespread behavioral abnormalities could arise from a basic dysfunction in neural processing that emerges during development.

In the study, adults with autism participated in functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments in which their brain activity was measured under three different conditions: while they watched moving dots on a screen, listened to tone beeps, and felt air puffs on their hands. The neural responses to all three types of sensory information were less reliable across trials in individuals with autism than in control subjects.

The findings suggest that autism could result from fundamental defects in general neural processing rather than a collection of independent problems that affect different brain regions. "Unreliable neural activity is a general property that could have a profound impact on the function of many brain systems and could underlie a range of cognitive and social abnormalities," says study author Marlene Behrmann of Carnegie Mellon University. "So we think that this problem could play a role not only in autism, but also potentially in other disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia."

###

Dinstein et al.: "Unreliable evoked responses in autism."

Video: Marlene Behrmann, Professor of Psychology, and IIan Dinstein, Postdoctoral Researcher, from Carnegie Mellon University's Department of Psychology discuss their study "Autistic Adults have Unreliable Neural Sensory Responses" publishing in Neuron.



[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-09/cp-asc091412.php

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Japan opposition candidates vow to protect islands

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/japan-opposition-candidates-vow-protect-islands-065911211.html

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O's tighten AL East, White Sox pad AL Central edge

Here's how the pennant races look with barely two weeks left:

? ORANGE SQUEEZE: The Orioles tightened the AL East race, romping 10-4 at Seattle and closing within a half-game of the first-place Yankees. Nate McLouth gave Baltimore a quick start, hitting a leadoff home run.

? DENTED DETROIT: The White Sox opened a three-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central, topping the Tigers 5-4. They don't meet again and the way the standings are shaping up, only one of them will reach the playoffs. Alex Rios made the play of the game in Chicago, barreling into second baseman Omar Infante and forcing a bad throw.

? PHILLING BETTER: The Phillies moved within 3? games of St. Louis for the second NL wild-card spot, beating the Mets 3-1 behind Cliff Lee's 10 strikeouts. It's a scramble for that final spot ? the Dodgers are one game back, Milwaukee trails by 2?.

? DIMMING RAY OF HOPE: Tampa Bay's chances took another hit with a 5-2 loss to Boston. Pitcher Alex Cobb and catcher Jose Molina argued in the dugout after the Red Sox took the lead. The Rays are five games behind Baltimore for the last AL wild-card slot.

? WEATHER OR NOT: What's a little rain when the playoffs are at stake? The contending Pirates waited more than 3? hours before starting Monday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

? NEXT UP: The Yankees hope to get a big boost when Andy Pettitte rejoins the rotation for the first time since a line drive broke his left leg in late June. The 40-year-old ace starts against Toronto in the Bronx.

? CHASE CHATTER: "I honestly don't really know what the argument was about, still. We'll work things out. We'll talk about it tomorrow, or whatever, and leave it behind us." ? Rays pitcher Alex Cobb.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/os-tighten-al-east-white-sox-pad-al-074819239--mlb.html

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Judge holds off order to end Chicago teacher strike

As the Chicago teachers strike entered its second week, disappointment is starting to grow. NBC's Rehema Ellis reports.

By NBCChicago.com and wire services

Updated at?7:09?p.m. ET: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's effort to use the courts to end a strike by thousands of public school teachers stalled on Monday as the contentious walkout moved into a second week.

During a short meeting, Judge Peter Flynn of Cook County Circuit Court postponed until Wednesday a request to hold an immediate? hearing on an injunction to stop the strike,?city law department spokesman Roderick Drew said.?

Striking teachers are due to meet on Tuesday to decide whether to end the strike after delaying a decision on Sunday. Picketing at dozens of schools by teachers continued on Monday but was thinned by the Rosh Hashanah holiday.


Scott Olson / Getty Images

Striking Chicago public school teachers picket outside of the Jose De Diego Community Academy on Sept. 17, 2012.

The Chicago Public Schools filed a complaint in circuit court against the Chicago Teachers Union seeking a preliminary injunction "to end the strike immediately." It cited?two reasons: danger to "public health and safety" of the students and alleged violation of Illinois state law that prohibits strikes except for wages and benefits.

"State law expressly prohibits the CTU from striking over non-economic issues, such as layoff and recall policies, teacher evaluations, class sizes and the length of the school day and year," the school district said in a statement. "The CTU's repeated statements and recent advertising campaign have made clear that these are exactly the subjects over which the CTU is striking."

Deepening rift
Emanuel's move took the dispute into uncharted territory as no injunction request has been filed in an Illinois education labor dispute since 1984, when the state gave Chicago teachers the right to strike. It also deepens the rift between the Democratic mayor, a top fundraiser for President Barack Obama's campaign, and organized labor, which generally backs Democratic candidates.

John Gress

Chicago Teachers Union members leave a House of Delegates meeting on the seventh day of their strike in Chicago, September 16, 2012.

The dispute between Emanuel, a former top White House aide to Obama, and the union had been close to resolution on Sunday when the union bargaining team recommended to a meeting of union activists that the five-day strike be suspended.

But a majority of the 800 or so union delegates, wary of promises made by Emanuel and the Chicago Public Schools, ignored the leadership and extended the strike until at least Tuesday.

The famously short-tempered Emanuel immediately issued a statement saying he would go to court to try to have the strike declared illegal.

"We are done negotiating," Chicago Board of Education President David Vitale said on Monday.

View NBCChicago.com for more coverage on the Chicago strike

Only a fraction of the 350,000 elementary, middle school and high school students affected by the strike have been using 147 schools manned by principals and non-union staff who have provided meals and activities for part of the school day.

About 80 percent of Chicago public school students qualify for free meals due to low family incomes. Churches, community centers and park facilities have also tried to provide help for parents.

For some Chicago parents, patience?was wearing thin.

"I'm very frustrated that it's taken this long," said Renee Edwards, a mother whose son attends Ray Elementary School on Chicago's south side. "Parents were not told until 10 p.m. last night what the outcome would be, so it's just frustrating."

City council members also have been getting an earful from constituents.

"They feel that the negotiations have been taken to a personal level instead of negotiating on the best interests of our kids in the school," said Ray Suarez, a Chicago?alderman.

?Parents are very concerned,"?said Walter Burnett Jr., another alderman.?"There's a lot of concern about their kids. A lot of parents are leaving their kids at home."

'Not happy'
Delegates from the Chicago Teachers Union told their bargaining team Sunday that they want to meet with the schools they represent before making a decision about whether to end their strike.

"They?re not happy with the agreement and would like it to be a lot better for us than it is," Union President Karen Lewis said in a news briefing Sunday evening, adding that they are returning to their schools with the proposal because they do not want to feel rushed to make a decision.

A union bargaining team and city officials had worked?out a proposed contract that would move away from merit pay and allow teachers to appeal their evaluations.?

A faction of the union sees it as a "backroom deal" that does not have unified support. A source close to the union told NBC Chicago that Lewis' caucus shouted obscenities at her and other leaders late Saturday night, saying, "You sold out" and, "Rahm's getting everything they wanted, what the hell did we get?"????

At the heart of those who oppose this new deal are those who feel the negotiating team did not fight for paraprofessionals and special education teachers and students.

Some delegates shouted at Lewis there was "no way to vote on something we haven't seen."

Read full coverage at NBCChicago.com

Teachers revolted last week against sweeping education reforms sought by Emanuel, especially evaluating teachers based on the standardized test scores of their students. They also fear a wave of neighborhood school closings that could result in mass teacher layoffs. They want a guarantee that laid-off teachers will be recalled for other jobs in the district.

The contract includes what Lewis called victories for the 29,000 union members, which she outlined on the union?s website:??

As the Chicago teachers strike enters its second week, Mayor Rahm Emanuel hopes to get students back into schools by heading to court. City lawyers are seeking an injunction to force teachers back into the classroom as soon as possible.

PAY: The teachers union wants a three-year contract that guarantees a 3-percent increase the first year and 2-percent increases for the second and third years. The contract also includes the possibility of being extended a fourth year with a 3-percent raise. A first-year teacher earns about $49,000,?according to the National Council on Teacher Quality; the highest-paid teacher earns $92,227.

Chicago Public Schools would move away from merit pay for individual teachers.

EVALUATION:?Teachers would be evaluated 70 percent in terms of how they teach (?teacher practice?) and 30 percent in terms of how their students improve (?student growth?). Evaluations will not affect tenured teachers during the first year, and teachers may appeal their evaluation.??

HIRES:?Responding to parent demands, Chicago Public Schools would hire more than 600 teachers specialized in art, music, physical education and foreign languages, among other teacher specialties. More than half of large school districts rehire laid-off teachers,according to The New York Times; the Chicago school board has pushed to leave control to principals.

Those new hires will allow for the longer class day --?which will be seven hours for elementary school students, up from five hours and 45 minutes. Chicago had been known for one of the shortest school days in the country -- a point that became a sticking point for Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Of those new hires, half must be union employees who were previously laid off. (Higher-rated teachers would have a better chance at being rehired,?the Chicago Tribune reported.)

BULLYING:?The contract demands ending bullying by principals and managerial personnel to ?curtail some of the abusive practices that have run rampant in many neighborhood schools.? Principals, however, will continue to exercise power over hiring teachers,?the Tribune reported.

In one instance,?according to CBS Chicago, dozens of complaints were made about a principal at Josiah Pickard Elementary School during his five years on the job. A union representative told CBS Chicago that the volume of complaints was not normal for a principal.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/17/13915011-chicago-teachers-not-happy-with-proposed-contract-strike-enters-second-week?lite

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Hispanic Heritage: Top Latino Contributions To American History (PHOTOS)

The United States is a melting pot -- a stew concocted from different flavors found around the world; a dish made to be savored. And Hispanic Heritage Month is a time when the country celebrates one of those ingredients: Latin flavor. So what's there to celebrate?

How about the answer to a prehistoric mystery, an 'America's pastime' legend, or simply the tortillas or arroz y habichuelas that await you back home?

Latinos have done many things throughout American history and this is the time to celebrate them en grande! The slideshow below is but a place to start, a short list of some of the top Hispanic contributions. Think we missed one that you're particularly proud of? Let us know in the comments!

  • 18 Geniuses

    The MacArthur Fellows Program, nicknamed the "Genius Grant," is given to U.S. citizens and residents that "show exceptional merit and promise of continued creative work." In other words, these individuals are awarded funds not based on their past merits but because they are likely to contribute to the world in a positive way in the future. Currently, 18 Hispanics have received the coveted grant including writer Sandra Cisneros (pictured), cuban-born anthropologist Ruth Behar, and playwright Luis Alfaro. Check out the full list of these 'MacArturos' and their impressive resumes.

  • Salsa Music

    Of course Salsa originates from Cuban rhythms like son and rumba (among others) fused with Puerto Rican, Colombian beats. But the truth is that the term "salsa" was born in New York during the 1970's, where Latin American immigrants and musicians came together and brewed this new collective sound that has evolved through the decades. From "nuyorican" Willie Colon to cuban legend Celia Cruz up to present day salsa stars like Marc Anthony -- the genre continues to <em>play</em> an important role in the American music industry. Pun intended. Photo shows: Some of the greatest salsa musicians ever, members of the Fania All-Stars, including Yomo Toro, Roberto Roena, Papo Lucca, Adalberto Santiago, Johnny Pacheco, Reynaldo Jorge, Ismael Miranda, Puchi Boulong, Luigi Texidor, Leopoldo Pineda, Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz, Cheo Feliciano and Pete 'El Conde' Rodriguez.

  • Helped Prevent World War III

    The tension of the Cold War came to a climax during the October 1962 "Cuban Missile Crisis" -- an event that could have very well led to nuclear war. That's when Puerto Rico-born Vice Admiral Horacio Rivero came (or navigated) into the scene. On October 15, Rivero was given command of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's amphibious force, which helped set up the naval blockade in the Caribbean. Rivero's long career with the U.S. Navy included rising to be the first-Hispanic four-Star Admiral, and serving as the NATO Commander In Chief of Southern Europe and as U.S. Ambassador to Spain during the Nixon administration.

  • What happened to the Dinosaurs?

    That's right, Hispanics are behind the extinction of dinosaurs -- well, the theory actually. <strong>The Alvarez Hypothesis</strong> In 1980, physicist Luis Alvarez and his son, geologist Walter Alvarez, (both of Spanish descent) teamed up on an expedition to Italy, where they found a layers of sedimentary rock with high levels of iridium. Long story short, the father-son duo came up with the theory that 65 million years ago an asteroid hit earth and brought about the end of the giant lizards! Now just think how different your sixth-grade science class would have been if the Alvarez family hadn't answered the giant question on everyone's mind: What happened to the Dinosaurs?

  • Greatest Hitter Of All Time

    Yes, Ted Williams was Hispanic. Williams' mother was Mexican, but truth be told he wasn't very vocal about his heritage. As the Baseball Hall Of Fame best put it: "[Williams'] 521 Home Runs place him 4th on the all time list. There are many who insist that Ted Williams ranks with Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb as the greatest hitters who ever lived. While Ted's life-time figures are taught by only a few, there is no telling to what heights those figures would have reached had he not given nearly 5 full years of his baseball career to the US Marines." A legendary baseball player and a U.S. Marine... need we say more?

  • Latin American Cuisine

    The brand that brings you all your Latin American guilty pleasures--otherwise nearly impossible to find in the United States--Goya Foods is the largest hispanic owned food company in the United States. What started as a small Lower Manhattan business set up by Spanish-Puerto Rican Immigrant Prudencio Unanue Ortiz now distributes over 1,500 products originating from every corner of Latin American. If you grew up watching Spanish-language TV, you never forgot their slogan, 'Si es Goya, tiene que ser bueno.' In 2012, Goya Food partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture and First Lady Michelle Obama in promoting healthy eating and wellness with the "My Plate" or "Mi Plato" program.

  • Coolest Iconic Christmas Song

    Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad, Prospero A?o Y Felicidad These are iconic lyrics to Puerto Rican singer Jos? Feliciano's Christmas songs, a tune that has warmed the hearts of U.S. Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike during the season of giving season. But perhaps these first verses sound a little mumbled when sung by non-Spanish speakers, who clearly and loudly belt out the song's second part in English. I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas From the bottom of my heart.

Also on HuffPost:

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/16/hispanic-contribution-to-america_n_1885724.html

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More than 100 Occupy Wall Street arrests in NYC

NEW YORK (AP) ? Occupy Wall Street protesters celebrated the movement's anniversary on Monday by clogging intersections in the city's financial district, marching to the beat of drums that were a familiar refrain last year.

Protesters roamed around the lower Manhattan financial district all morning in groups of a few dozen each, from one intersection to another and back again, chanting loudly about the ills of Wall Street. In total, there were a few hundred protesters scattered throughout the city. More than 100 of them were arrested by midafternoon, mostly on disorderly conduct charges.

The day's events lacked the heft of Occupy protests last year, when protesters gathered by the thousands. But Occupiers were upbeat as they spread out in their old stomping grounds, giddy at the prospect of being together again. They brushed off any suggestions that the movement had petered out.

"This is a movement. It's only been a year," said protester Justin Stone Diaz, of Brooklyn. "It's going to take many years for it to develop and figure out exactly who we are."

But the movement is now a shadow of its mighty infancy, when a group of young people harnessed the power of a disillusioned nation and took to the streets chanting about corporate greed and inequality.

A familiar Statue of Liberty puppet was back, bobbing in the crowd above protesters' heads. Protesters in wheelchairs blocked a road and chanted "All day, all week, occupy Wall Street!" before they were steered off the road by police.

Zuccotti Park, the former home of the encampment, was encircled by metal police barricades lined with police officers standing watch.

Hamza Sinanaj, a 30-year-old airplane mechanic who works in upstate New York as a security guard, said he was among the first Occupy protesters last September.

"I felt that protest was long overdue, and I'm back today," he said, holding up a sign that read, "America Rise Up."

He was staying at his sister's home in the Bronx but wasn't sure he'd be there Monday night because he was "ready to be arrested, to sit on the street and be arrested."

Events were planned in more than 30 cities worldwide.

In San Francisco, local Occupy groups planned to occupy 10 banks across the city and then hold an evening rally honoring foreclosure fighters, people who've been helping residents stave off foreclosures by squatting or holding sit-ins, outside the Bank of America building in the Financial District, the site of previous protests. They then planned to march.

Last year, hundreds of protesters camped out for weeks at Justin Herman Plaza across from the city's Ferry Building, a magnet for tourists and in the heart of the Financial District, where nearby businesses were affected.

In Oakland, Calif., a metal fence surrounds the City Hall lawn that was the hub of several violent clashes between demonstrators and police during fall Occupy-inspired protests that attracted international attention.

Banks including Citigroup and Wells Fargo have said they're committed to having open dialogue and working with their customers during difficult economic times.

___

Associated Press writer Verena Dobnik contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/more-100-occupy-wall-street-arrests-nyc-204439414.html

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Campaigns push forward as Mideast unrest spreads

BOSTON (AP) ? As Election Day nears, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is looking to recover from a tough week dominated by foreign policy as President Barack Obama balances campaigning for a second term with the duties of the Oval Office in the face of spreading anti-American violence in the Muslim world.

It is a delicate balance of politics and policy for Obama as the world watches. For his part, former businessman Romney is working to refocus attention on the nation's economy and broaden his appeal with polls giving the Democratic incumbent a narrow, but stubborn, lead.

The election is little more than seven weeks away.

A day after he honored four Americans slain in Libya, Obama on Saturday unveiled a new television ad questioning Romney's repeated suggestion the U.S. is not better off after nearly four years of Obama's leadership.

The ad highlights news reports from 2008 that describe the "worst financial collapse since the Great Depression." The narrator reminds voters that there have been 30 months of private-sector job growth resulting in 4.6 million new jobs since.

"We're not there yet, but the real question is, whose plan is better for you?" the narrator asks.

As Obama pushes his new message across seven swing states, Romney is trying to reassure concerned conservatives he has a winning strategy that hinges, at least in part, on strong performances at next month's debates. But he will also unveil an aggressive push to expand his support among women and Hispanics, key groups that both sides are courting heavily.

Obama and Romney will be on the campaign trail in the coming week after a largely quiet weekend.

White House officials said there were no plans to pull back on his extensive campaign travel next week, which includes rallies in Ohio on Monday, a fundraiser in New York on Tuesday and a two-city Florida swing on Thursday. The president is also expected to campaign Saturday in Wisconsin, the home state of GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan and one that Romney is working to turn competitive.

A high-ranking national security aide travels with Obama on all of his campaign trips, and officials said he would continue to be briefed on events in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world while on the road.

If the situation escalates, officials said Obama's travel plans could be changed quickly.

Romney, too, is expected to begin receiving intelligence briefings in the coming days and may amend his plans based on world events.

The Republican challenger is scheduled to campaign in Colorado on Sunday before Monday appearances in California and Texas. He'll spend Wednesday and Thursday campaigning in Florida, a stop punctuated by a forum Wednesday hosted by the influential Hispanic television outlet Univision. Obama will appear at the same forum on Thursday.

Romney aides concede they're hoping for a shift away from foreign policy, which is not the longtime businessman's strength. While Romney tried to use the week's events to question Obama's global leadership, he drew criticism from Democrats and some Republicans for his initial response to violence in Libya.

Anti-American protests have spread to around 20 countries. Demonstrators on Friday scaled the walls of embassies in Tunisia and Sudan, while Egyptian police fired tear gas to keep protesters away from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

Obama assumed the role of consoler in chief for families of the four slain Americans on Friday.

"They didn't simply embrace the American ideal. They lived it," Obama said of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans who died when the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi was overrun this week. Four flag-draped containers holding the remains rested nearby, attended by Marines as the president vowed, "We will bring to justice those who took them from us."

Romney and running mate Paul Ryan also paid tribute to Stevens and fellow Americans Sean Smith, Glen A. Doherty and Tyrone S. Woods. But their text for the day added disapproval of an American foreign policy that they said lacked resolve.

Ryan offered the sharpest words. "Amid all these threats and dangers, what we do not see is steady, consistent American leadership."

For much of the week, the campaign-long struggle over the economy was shunted to the sidelines but not wholly suspended.

One day after Romney unveiled a television ad accusing Obama of "failing American workers" and ignoring unfair trade practices by China, the president's campaign responded in kind.

"He invested in firms that specialized in relocating jobs to low-wage countries like China," said the announcer in a commercial, referring to Bain Capital, the private equity firm Romney founded.

"Even today, part of Romney's fortune is invested in China," the narrator added. "Romney's never stood up to China. All he's ever done is send them our jobs."

The day's events unfolded a little more than seven weeks before Election Day, and as a spate of national and battleground-state polls pointed to modest gains for the president following the two parties' political conventions. Both campaigns say they expect the race to be decided by eight or nine states.

___

Online:

Obama ad: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiVe_7kTTdQ

___

Associated Press writer Julie Pace in Washington contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/campaigns-push-forward-mideast-unrest-spreads-072312609.html

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Bring Off-Key Screeching To Your Living Room With This Smartphone Karaoke Machine [Gadgets]

Of course your smartphone (or tablet) can handle Karaoke, but you don't want to have to hold a screen while you're rocking out and driving the neighbors insane; you want a microphone, to add to the ridiculous fantasy that you're worth listening to. Enter the AppToyz AppSing, complete with scorpion-like phone holder. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/vpO5evRjx2Y/bring-offkey-screeching-to-your-living-room-with-this-smartphone-karaoke-machine

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Good Advice for Learning about Personal Finance | Akira Daily News

Article by Sr.savaj

If you were to ask a thousand people what they would most want to change in their lives, the majority of answers will have something to do with personal finance. Money does not buy love or happiness but it does so much for your ability to enjoy life with greater ease and less stress. Read on for great advice on how to improve the personal finances of your own life.

Making your money stretch is important when dealing with personal financial issues. One way in which you can work to save money is to start looking at used items instead of new items. If that stove breaks, check out a place like Craigslist for some deals on quality items. You can save upwards of 80%.

Shop the dollar stores. You can often buy the same products in dollar stores for a fraction of the price you would pay in bigger department stores. Whether you are buying toothbrushes, over-the-counter medicines, cosmetics or any one of hundreds of other products there are big savings to be had in dollar stores.

To improve your personal finance habits, keep track of your actual expenditure in comparison to the monthly budget that you plan. Take time at least once a week to compare the two to make sure that you are not over-spending. If you have spent more that you planned in the first week, you can make up for it in the weeks to come.

Sell some of your belongings. This accomplishes two things. First, you are forced to take a look at what you have spent on items that you don?t really use. Hopefully, it will prevent you from buying frivolous items. Secondly, you can make some money on those items at a yard sale or through an online auction site.

Choose a broker whose ethics and experience you can trust. You should, of course, investigate reviews of a broker thoroughly enough to determine whether he or she is trustworthy. Moreover, your broker needs to be capable of understanding your goals and you should be able to communicate with him or her, as needed.

Get a savings account with a higher yield. The idea is to be liquid and safe while receiving some interest. Chances are that you?ll get better rates from online banks, so start searching the web for the higher-yielding, FDIC-insured savings accounts. Bankrate.com may help. You will periodically transfer money from your emergency savings or checking into this account.

Splurge every now and then. No one likes the feeling of deprivation, and if you know that you have the freedom to have one big meal or one pair of shoes every now and then, you will have a feeling of mastery over your finances. Don?t overdo it, but a small luxury purchase periodically is worth it.

Accurate information is key to developing and implementing any good strategy. Given the above advice you should be a bit more prepared to go after your personal finance goals and attain some peace of mind. Having control over your personal finances takes some training and discipline but in the long run you will find it very rewarding, in more ways than you can imagine!

About the Author

Shailesh Savaj is passionate writer and loves writing about Retirement and Financial Planning. These days he is writing on Sempra Retirement.

Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines

whereby the original author?s information and copyright must be included.

Shailesh Savaj is passionate writer and loves writing about Retirement and Financial Planning. These days he is writing on Sempra Retirement.












Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines

whereby the original author?s information and copyright must be included.

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Personal FinancePersonal FinancePERSONAL FINANCE, Tenth Edition, offers a practical, student-friendly introduction to personal financial management. Using a structured, step-by-step approach, this market-leading text helps students learn how to save and invest, manage student loans, file taxes, decrease credit card debt, and plan for the future. Throughout the text, real-life scenarios covering a wide range of financial challenges enable students to appreciate the relevance of key concepts, while useful advice from personal finance experts helps them apply those concepts in their own lives. Many math-based examples also clearly illustrate the critical importance of achieving long-term financial goals through investing. Building on the success of previous editions, the new Tenth Edition continues to engage students' interest and focus their attention on the critical concepts they need to succeed in class--and to manage their finances wisely for a lifetime.

Source: http://www.akiranews.com/2012/09/15/good-advice-for-learning-about-personal-finance/

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Kate Middleton to Sue Over Topless Pictures, Breach of Privacy


Within hours of Kate Middleton topless pictures burning up the Internet and the pages of French tabloid Closer, the Royal Family is reportedly planning action against the magazine behind these images.

A rep for St. James's Palace just released a statement saying that "legal proceedings for breach of privacy have been commenced today in France" by Kate and William. No further details were included.

Kate Middleton Smirks

The move does not come as a shock, considering the family's swift and forceful reaction to the photos in question.

"The incident is reminiscent of the worst excess of the paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, and all the more upsetting to the Duke and Duchess for being so," said a spokesman for Clarence House, the Prince of Wales' office, early this morning.

But that's not how Laurence Pieau of Closer sees it. This editor doesn't see why there's any fuss being made over the shots at all.

"These photos are not in the least shocking," he told the Agence France-Presse. "They show a young woman sunbathing topless, like the millions of women you see on beaches."

If Pieau actually believed this, of course, it would raise the question: Why run the supposedly mundane pictures in the first place?

Fortunately, this scandalous hullabaloo does have a silver lining for the Royals: There's no talk anymore about Kate Middleton pregnant rumors, is there?

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/09/kate-middleton-to-sue-over-topless-pictures-breach-of-privacy/

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