Use Learning Express to Support Your BTOP Project | Technology ...

Are you a TexShare library AND a BTOP partner?? If so- you are in luck! TSLAC is pleased to announce new database resources to support your BTOP project:

Learning Express Library

and

Job & Career Accelerator

(Both available at www.libraryoftexas.org/texshare)

These two?education and career development resources can?help your library support new computer users and job seekers!? They provide practice tests (GED, SAT, firefighting, EMS, health care, and many more); resume preparation; beginning computer and internet tutorials; and many more job and career resources. Patrons create their own personal accounts to track their goals, progress, and job searches.

This collection also includes these interactive multimedia tutorial collections: LearningExpress Popular Software Tutorials and LearningExpress Computer & Internet Basics.

How Can My Patrons Use These Tools?

LearningExpress Library

• Access over 800 online practice tests and interactive skillbuilding tutorials to help launch or advance their careers.
• Prepare for professional certification, licensing, and aptitude tests in civil service, law enforcement, firefighting, EMS, military, real estate, and healthcare, among others.
• Prepare for college and graduate school admissions tests including the SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, and MCAT.
• Successfully prepare for the GED? exam when working toward a high school diploma.
• Dramatically improve or refresh basic skills in reading, writing, and math.

Job & Career Accelerator

• Comprehensive career information: A fully integrated interest assessment, career exploration, and job search platform helps job seekers explore careers that match their interests and expectations and build a personalized occupation knowledge base.
• Powerful resume creation: The industry?s most powerful Resume Builder, packed with more than 120 model resumes, 750 action words, and nearly 25,000 keywords by specific job classification.
• Occupational exploration: Over 1,000 Occupation Profiles allow job seekers to explore and compare occupations in detail including up to date wage and salary data, expected growth, key responsibilities, education requirements, and more.
• Real-time job & internship opportunities: An integrated database of over 5 million up-to-date job and internship opportunities, aggregated from leading job boards, classified ads, and other websites allows job seekers to search job openings based on interests and locations.

Can I Access These Resources from the TexShare Databases Menu?

Yes! These new resources now appear in the ?Education and Career Development? section of the TexShare menu page. (Remember: you?ll need to either be IP-authenticated to see this page or key in your library?s TexShare username and password.)

Libraries with IP-authenticated access can use the following links right away:
LearningExpress Library: www.learningexpresslibrary.com
Job & Career Accelerator: http://jca.learnatest.com/lel

Note: If you?ve forgotten your library?s TexShare login and password, or would like to report the IP addresses of your library?s computers to enable automatic login, contact databases@tsl.state.tx.us.

Have questions or want more information ?! Read the full FAQ.

Source: https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/teal/?p=1571

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Staten Islanders walk for autism -- and raise $158,000! | SILive.com

(Gallery by Hilton Flores)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The specter of Hurricane Sandy didn't stop hundreds of Staten Islanders from heading to the beach Sunday, to take part in the first Staten Island Walk Now for Autism Speaks event.

"I think it's great. I didn't expect this many people," said Colleen Mahoney of Emerson Hill.

Ms. Mahoney was out walking in support of her nephew -- and she said it seemed many people she knew were related to or otherwise knew someone with autism.

"I think it's definitely more prevalent, especially in Staten Island," she said.

While many Islanders affected have taken part in Autism Speaks walks in Manhattan in the past, Sunday was the borough's inaugural walk. Though the sky was gray and bulldozers were building sand berms nearby, the mile-and-a-half walk went off without a hitch.

The event raised more than $158,000, according to the Autism Speaks website.

Maria Palazzalo of Great Kills was walking with family and friends in support of her son, Michael, 9, who has autism and is nonverbal.

"We just want to show support," she said. "We do have a lot of families on Staten Island affected by this and we want to get more services for them.

Ms. Palazzalo said it meant a lot to have the support of family and friends yesterday. "Even if there is a hurricane," she added.

Richard Potter of Richmond was walking for his grandson, Luke Horlebein, 4, of West Brighton, who has autism.

"It's wonderful," he said of being able to walk closer to home. "We kept asking for it here on Staten Island. Unfortunately (autism) is like an epidemic here on Staten Island."

Potter said autism -- the broad term for a spectrum of social and intellectual disorders -- affects the whole family.

"I think it brings out the family love even more than otherwise, if that's possible," he said.

And walking meant raising money and awareness, he said.

"We just keep praying, and raising money, and trying to do whatever we can do," Potter said.

Source: http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/10/despite_the_coming_storm_hundr.html

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Procter & Gamble 1Q beats expectations

FILE - In this Monday, July 16, 2012 file photo, Dawn, a Procter & Gamble product, is displayed at Target in Durham, N.C. Procter & Gamble?s cost-cutting plan helped its fiscal first-quarter results beat Wall Street expectations on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. That comes as a much-needed boost for CEO Bob McDonald, who has been criticized for not doing enough to turn around the world?s largest consumer products company. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

FILE - In this Monday, July 16, 2012 file photo, Dawn, a Procter & Gamble product, is displayed at Target in Durham, N.C. Procter & Gamble?s cost-cutting plan helped its fiscal first-quarter results beat Wall Street expectations on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. That comes as a much-needed boost for CEO Bob McDonald, who has been criticized for not doing enough to turn around the world?s largest consumer products company. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

NEW YORK (AP) ? Procter & Gamble's fiscal first quarter net income fell 7 percent on a stronger dollar and costs related to restructuring, but its results beat Wall Street expectations in a sign that a turnaround plan that it started in the spring is beginning to work.

The world's largest consumer products company, which has faced declining global market share, in May announced a plan to focus on its 40 top businesses, 20 biggest new products and 10 most profitable emerging markets as it undergoes a cost-cutting plan aimed at saving $10 billion by fiscal 2016.

The maker of well-known consumer goods such as Tide detergent and Pampers diapers said on Thursday that it's ahead of schedule with its planned job cuts, and that it might consider going beyond its $10 billion cost cutting plan. P&G also said it has created a new position called global productivity officer that will report to the CEO and monitor possibilities for cost cuts.

But perhaps most importantly, P&G said is beginning to grow market share. During the three months ending Sept. 30, the company said that it held or grew market share in businesses representing over 45 percent of its revenue during the quarter, up from 30 percent in the fourth quarter. That jumped to nearly 60 percent in the U.S., up from 15 percent in the fourth quarter. Its market share is still slightly down globally, but the company expects global market share gains by the second half of the year

The news comes as P&G has been facing increasing investor displeasure about its lack of global market share growth and pricing and product missteps. The pressure has grown since activist investor William Ackman disclosed that he has a 1 percent stake in the company. Ackman has agitated for change at other companies he has a stake in, such as J.C. Penney and Canadian Pacific Railway.

The results also are a much-need positive for CEO Bob McDonald, who has been criticized for not doing enough to turn around the company that makes well-known consumer goods such as Tide detergent and Pampers diapers. McDonald said the quarterly results show that the company is in the "early innings" of its restructuring plan and that it is showing progress.

"We're confident that this strategy will enable P&G to generate superior levels of shareholder return in both the short and long term," he said.

The results are a step in the right direction for P&G, which has admitted to missteps in balancing growth in emerging markets like China, which account for about 30 percent of its revenue, amid an uncertain global economy and lackluster market share growth overall. As growth in developed markets like the U.S. has slowed, consumer product makers have looked abroad for new customers.

But it's a tricky balancing act for all consumer product makers, particularly as the European economy remains under pressure and growth slows in China. Indeed, on Wednesday Kimberly Clark said it will exit its European diaper business. And on Thursday Colgate said it will cut 6 percent of its workforce by the end of 2016.

P&G also has admitted to making some mistakes in pricing in categories like laundry and oral care in the U.S., and has lowered some prices. And it has also suffered from supply chain problems, such as a delayed launch of its Tide Pods in February.

Citi Investment Research analyst Wendy Nicholson said the results show P&G's cost cuts and pricing steps are finally outweighing negative factors.

"First quarter results boost our confidence in the full-year outlook for Procter & Gamble, and we consider this a good 'checking of the box' in the first stage of this turnaround story," she wrote in a note. She kept her "Buy" rating on the stock.

During the quarter, Procter & Gamble's net income fell to $2.81 billion, or 96 cents per share. That's down from $3.02 billion, or $1.03 per share, last year.

Excluding restructuring and European legal charges, its so-called core earnings were $1.06 per share. Analysts expected 96 cents per share, according to FactSet.

Revenue fell 4 percent to $20.74 billion. Analysts expected $20.79 billion. The stronger dollar, which cuts into the value of overseas sales, hurt revenue by six percentage points, the company said.

For the fiscal second quarter, Procter & Gamble predicts adjusted core earnings of $1.07 to $1.13 per share with revenue ranging from down 1 percent to up 1 percent, implying revenue $21.88 billion to $22.32 billion. Analysts expect net income of $1.09 on revenue of $21.76 billion.

For the full year P&G kept its guidance for adjusted core earnings of $3.80 to $4 on flat revenue growth to up 1 percent. That implies $83.68 billion to $84.52 billion. Analysts expect net income of $3.90 per share on revenue of $84.38 billion.

On the news, shares rose $2.52, or 3.7 percent, to $70.60 in trading, after reaching a 52-week high of 70.74 earlier in the day. The stock had been up by about 2 percent so far this year.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-10-25-Earns-Procter%20and%20Gamble/id-39ee5a61f42840f69e488b50f6c55c84

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Light Quanta ? Hourly Book

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Source: http://javedshaikm.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/light-quanta/

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Iowa man loses dog to Humane Society mistake | WQAD.com ...

Stella (photo from WHO.com)

Boone, Iowa (WHO) ? A?little dog is causing a big battle in Boone, after she was mistakenly adopted.

Last month, Stella wandered away from home.? Her owner, Marc Riker,? called the Boone County Humane Society and reported the dog missing.? That was the last he heard from the agency until he spotted someone else walking Stella.? Instead of looking for Stella,? the Humane Society sold her to another family.

?You would think that the humane society would, if you call and give them a report of a lost pet and they tell you if they have any animals come in that meet the description, small white dog, they?ll get in contact with you, that would mean if a small white dog comes in that they?ll get in contact with you,? Riker said.

Jane Elsberry with the Boone Area Humane Society admits the agency made a mistake.

?During the time that this incident happened we were in a flux between staff and some of the staff were no longer there and so it just got lost in the shuffle,? she explains

The new owner is refusing to give Stella back.? Riker says he is considering legal action.? But with six children, he says, he doesn?t know how he?ll be able to afford a lawyer.

(Thanks to our sister station WHO-TV for this report)

Source: http://wqad.com/2012/10/25/iowa-man-loses-dog-to-humane-society-mistake/

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Extend the Life of Your Pavements, Driveways and Parking Lots

Few things look as shabby as a crumbling pavement or a potholed parking lot. If it has an asphalt surface then the chances of such happenings are quite high since the chemical makeup of asphalt provides easy access to weather, salts and chemicals that destroy the asphalt molecules. This can cause structural fatigue leading to cracks. You can avoid it if you live in or around San Antonio. Use San Antonio sealcoat services offered by a reliable company to prevent further deterioration. Sealcoating a driveway can prevent it from getting roughened or developing small cracks. Excessively rough areas usually require installing a new asphalt skin patch prior to sealcoating so that the sealcoat will last when being applied to these areas.

The sealers that the asphalt contractors use contain silica sand and/or slate which allow the seal to last about twice as long as the kind purchased at the store. The asphalt contractor uses a mixer machine to keep the aggregates agitated. Proper attention to cracks will prevent your driveway from breaking down further and will double the life of your asphalt. The kind of sealcoat in San Antonio which has rubber in it allows the crack to expand and contract without breaking open. The rubber crack sealer will flex with the movement of the asphalt and prevent water from seeping into the crack. Remember cracks should be sealed before you attempt to seal your crumbling driveway or pavement.

Depending on the geographic location, severity of crack and other related factors, the cost for asphalt repair may vary. Process of resurfacing is suggested if the pavement is fully cracked. The procedure involves cleaning and preparing of the area, which is then leveled to put asphalt paving directly over the existing pavement. The biggest damage done to parking lot surfaces is caused by trash trucks which usually weigh more than 18,000 pounds when full of garbage. If your trash truck damage is not too severe, you can have your damaged areas overlaid with a new layer of Petromat and asphalt. Well thought out maintenance plans can double the longevity and usability of driveways, pavements and parking lots.

Source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/1413704/extend-the-life-of-your-pavements-driveways-and-parking-lots.htm

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Latin American low-skilled labor flocks to Brazil's jobs

Brazil has become a magnet for high-skilled Europeans as well as low-skilled migrants from poorer neighboring countries like Peru and Bolivia who traditionally opted for the US or Europe in the past.

By Sara Miller Llana,?Staff Writer / October 23, 2012

The Maracana Stadium is under renovation in preparation for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, on September 18 in Rio de Janeiro. This public works project is creating many jobs. More than 5,000 construction workers are working two shifts to get it ready. The economy and job market in Brazil is booming with a rising and consuming middle class.

Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor/File

Enlarge

In the past 20 years, Jorge Ramos has migrated from the highlands of Ecuador to New York City, and Santiago, Chile. He has lived in Germany and the Netherlands, too ? always selling traditional Andean hats and scarves. But last year, when it was time to head on the road again to support his wife and three children back home near Otavalo, Ecuador Mr. Ramos heard about a new destination from friends and family: Brazil.

Skip to next paragraph Sara Miller Llana

Latin America Bureau Chief

Sara Miller Llana has been the Latin America Bureau Chief, based in Mexico City, since 2006.

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Without Portuguese, and with only a budding community of Ecuadorians, unlike the vast networks that have laid down deep roots in New York City or Madrid, Mr. Ramos moved to Rio de Janeiro last year. On a recent Sunday he hawked his cotton, hot pink, blue, and yellow scarves and shawls to tourists and a growing Brazilian middle class meandering through the muggy 80-degree (F) temperatures in one of Rio?s hillside bohemian neighborhoods ? and people were buying.

?Since 2005, more and more Ecuadorians have been coming to Brazil,? Ramos says, ?all because of the economy.? That includes his own family: Between siblings and cousins, seven of his family members now call Brazil home.

Low-skilled immigrants, mostly from Europe, flocked to Brazil in the late 19th and? 20th centuries. But by the 1960s it stopped, as military dictatorship took over and drew up restrictive, protectionist immigration policies.?

Since then, says Deisy Ventura, a professor of international relations at the University of Sao Paulo, ?Brazil has not been one of the principal immigration destinations.? Instead, waves of Brazilians headed out of the country, gaining footholds in places like the suburbs of Boston.

But now South American nations are eyeing their continent?s largest country. ?Brazil has to prepare itself to be once again a country of immigration,? Ms. Ventura says.

Brazil surpassed the United Kingdom as the sixth-largest economy in the world last year, according to some economists, and has become a prime destination for high-skilled European architects and engineers who are laying the foundations for the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 or helping extract vast reserves of oil found off the Brazilian coast. But with its rise, Brazil has also become a magnet for a new type of migrant: the low-skilled ones from poorer neighboring countries like Peru and Bolivia who had traditionally opted for the United States or Europe.

Mr. Ramos, who sets up his scarves on sidewalks across Rio, says he feels a warm welcome in Brazil, and certainly has fewer problems with the police than he would in New York. He says he entered on a tourist visa and when it comes time to leave, perhaps in a couple of years, he plans to pay his fine for overstaying.

Down at the packed beach of Ipanema, Peruvian Guillermo Martinez sells sarongs of the Brazilian flag, and he agrees that immigration policies are more lax than those in the US or Europe. (A policeman hassles him during the interview for setting up his wares on the beach, but he is just given a warning.)

Yet some migration experts worry that there could eventually be an immigration backlash, much like what has been seen in the US or Europe ? especially if the economy, which has cooled since 2011, does not reheat. This year, when 4,000 Haitians crossed from Bolivia and Peru into the Amazon looking for jobs, a fierce immigration debate ignited, leading to a controversial quota for them: 100 per month. At the same time Brazil is seeking to update immigration laws still in force from the era of the military dictatorship that erected bureaucratic hurdles for even the most skilled workers.

?There is some feeling that Brazil is importing poverty, that we should import European immigration, not black and poor immigrants from the Caribbean,? says Helion P?voa Neto, a migration expert at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/8KdXD-rIz4w/Latin-American-low-skilled-labor-flocks-to-Brazil-s-jobs

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