The following are annual numbers from 2008 for preventable medical errors. The first one is usually from not turning patients in bed.
1. Pressure ulcers - 374,964 errors, $10,288 per error, $3.86 billion total.
2. Postoperative infections - 252,695 errors, $14,548 per error, $3.68 billion total.
3. Mechanical complication of a device, implant, or graft - 60,380 errors, $18,771 per error, $1.13 billion total.
Aug 31, 2010
US Employment Numbers
Much talk lately about jobs saved, jobs created, company hiring, etc., but there is one number that is without politics. How many people actually have jobs is answered below. Does not show how many have entered the workforce since 2004, but are currently unemployed. Three tenths of one percent increase since last year.
Employed Americans per US Bureau of Labor Statistics (not seasonally adjusted)
Jun 2004 - 139,861,000
Jun 2007 - 153,072,000
Aug 2008 - 154,853,000
jul 2009 - 139,817,000
jul 2010 - 139,860,000
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Employed Americans per US Bureau of Labor Statistics (not seasonally adjusted)
Jun 2004 - 139,861,000
Jun 2007 - 153,072,000
Aug 2008 - 154,853,000
jul 2009 - 139,817,000
jul 2010 - 139,860,000
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Aug 27, 2010
How Many Books
How many books have ever been published in all of modern history? According to Google’s advanced algorithms, the answer is almost 130 million books. Yes, that number includes my books.
In order for Google Books to successfully catalog the world’s supply of printed knowledge, the company needed an estimate of the amount of books it needs to scan. That’s why Google set out to find the number.
First it had to define what a book is and agreed on ‘tome', an idealized bound volume. A tome can have millions of copies, like a bestseller or can exist in just one or two copies, such as a rare 'Tom Sawyer' first edition. ISBN, or International Standard Book Numbers, are designed to be unique identifiers for books but have only been around for about 40 years and are mostly used in Western countries.
The company poured over a billion raw records and used many and various algorithms to determine and discard duplicates. Of course the absolute number needs to be constantly, because new books are being published every day. In fact, I have a new one that should be out within about a month. "Flowers, Foreplay, Facelifts, Flatulence - A humorous romp through the four stages of relationships."
In order for Google Books to successfully catalog the world’s supply of printed knowledge, the company needed an estimate of the amount of books it needs to scan. That’s why Google set out to find the number.
First it had to define what a book is and agreed on ‘tome', an idealized bound volume. A tome can have millions of copies, like a bestseller or can exist in just one or two copies, such as a rare 'Tom Sawyer' first edition. ISBN, or International Standard Book Numbers, are designed to be unique identifiers for books but have only been around for about 40 years and are mostly used in Western countries.
The company poured over a billion raw records and used many and various algorithms to determine and discard duplicates. Of course the absolute number needs to be constantly, because new books are being published every day. In fact, I have a new one that should be out within about a month. "Flowers, Foreplay, Facelifts, Flatulence - A humorous romp through the four stages of relationships."
Raleigh Bar
It features a layer of bacon, salt, and fresh caramel on top of pecan nougat, all wrapped up in a thin coating of delicious dark chocolate.
The bacon flavor is subtle and blends deliciously with the salted caramel. Yummm!
The bacon flavor is subtle and blends deliciously with the salted caramel. Yummm!
Portland Bacon Fest
The second annual Portland Bacon Fest was held on August 21 and was a huge success with all things bacon available. Another city catches the bacon wave.
Global Warming Explained
Finally we have a simple explanation of a global warming cause. The following is from then US Department of State Report - KEY UNCERTAINTIES AFFECTING PROJECTED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
"Any projection of future emissions is subject to considerable uncertainty. In the short term (less than 5 years), the key factors that can increase or decrease estimated net emissions include unexpected changes in retail energy prices, shifts in the competitive relationship between natural gas and coal in electricity generation markets, changes in economic growth, abnormal winter or summer temperatures, and imperfect forecasting methods.
Additional factors may influence emission rates over the longer term, notably technology developments, shifts in the composition of economic activity, and changes in government policies." My summary, they still have no idea.
"Any projection of future emissions is subject to considerable uncertainty. In the short term (less than 5 years), the key factors that can increase or decrease estimated net emissions include unexpected changes in retail energy prices, shifts in the competitive relationship between natural gas and coal in electricity generation markets, changes in economic growth, abnormal winter or summer temperatures, and imperfect forecasting methods.
Additional factors may influence emission rates over the longer term, notably technology developments, shifts in the composition of economic activity, and changes in government policies." My summary, they still have no idea.
Vice President Song
There is only one song written by a US Vice President. "Melody in A Major" was written in 1911 by Charles Dawes, who became vice president under Calvin Coolidge. Of course that is not the famous part. Words were added in 1951 and it became a hit when it was re-recorded in 1958. If you were not listening to music back then, you can stop here, but if you were - go to the link to find the answer. LINK Hint, the singer's first name was Tommy.
Johnny Carson
Carson Entertainment Group, which owns the archive of the late-night host's 30 years on "The Tonight Show," is set to announce that it has digitized all 3,300 hours of existing footage from the program and created a searchable online database for producers and researchers.
The library will initially be available just for professional clip-licensing purposes, but the company also plans to release 50 full-format shows on DVD and post a rotating series of historic clips for public viewing on http://www.johnny carson.com There are some clips on the site now for your viewing pleasure.
The library will initially be available just for professional clip-licensing purposes, but the company also plans to release 50 full-format shows on DVD and post a rotating series of historic clips for public viewing on http://www.johnny carson.com There are some clips on the site now for your viewing pleasure.
Aug 25, 2010
Cleveland Recycles
The city plans to sort through curbside trash to make sure residents are recycling and fine them $100 if they don't. The move is part of a high-tech collection system the city with new trash and recycling carts embedded with radio frequency identification chips and bar codes.
The chips will allow city workers to monitor how often residents roll carts to the curb for collection. If a chip show a recyclable cart hasn't been brought to the curb in weeks, a trash supervisor will sort through the trash for recyclables.
Trash carts containing more than 10 percent recyclable material could lead to a $100 fine. It plans to roll out to nearly all of the city's 150,000 residences.
The city stepped up enforcement of ordinances governing trash collection last year by issuing 2,900 tickets, nearly five times more tickets than in 2008. Those infractions include citations for people who put out their trash too early or fail to bring in their garbage cans from the curb in a timely manner. The Division of Waste Collection is on track to meet its goal of issuing 4,000 citations this year. Fines for excessive trash will range from $250 to $500 depending on the amount.
The Washington, D.C. suburb of Alexandria, Va., earlier this year announced it would issue carts to check whether people are recycling.
The chips will allow city workers to monitor how often residents roll carts to the curb for collection. If a chip show a recyclable cart hasn't been brought to the curb in weeks, a trash supervisor will sort through the trash for recyclables.
Trash carts containing more than 10 percent recyclable material could lead to a $100 fine. It plans to roll out to nearly all of the city's 150,000 residences.
The city stepped up enforcement of ordinances governing trash collection last year by issuing 2,900 tickets, nearly five times more tickets than in 2008. Those infractions include citations for people who put out their trash too early or fail to bring in their garbage cans from the curb in a timely manner. The Division of Waste Collection is on track to meet its goal of issuing 4,000 citations this year. Fines for excessive trash will range from $250 to $500 depending on the amount.
The Washington, D.C. suburb of Alexandria, Va., earlier this year announced it would issue carts to check whether people are recycling.
English School Lunches
The chairman of England's School Food Trust (part of the Department of Education), said parents are hampering efforts to cut obesity in children by sending them to school with crisps (chips), fizzy drinks, and biscuits. He also suggested chocolates, crisps, and sugary drinks could be banned in packed lunches altogether by tightening the rules on what children can bring into school.
The chairman said the best solution would be for parents to pay for their children to eat healthy hot meals in canteens rather than giving them lunch boxes. Stricter measures on what can be included in school dinners were implemented by the Trust five years ago, but he said many middle class parents remain unconvinced that packed lunches are less healthy than canteen meals.
Parents' groups, however, said the Trust and the government should "get off our backs" and stop attempting to prescribe to parents what they can and cannot feed their children.
The chairman said the best solution would be for parents to pay for their children to eat healthy hot meals in canteens rather than giving them lunch boxes. Stricter measures on what can be included in school dinners were implemented by the Trust five years ago, but he said many middle class parents remain unconvinced that packed lunches are less healthy than canteen meals.
Parents' groups, however, said the Trust and the government should "get off our backs" and stop attempting to prescribe to parents what they can and cannot feed their children.
Ring Finger
The Chinese have a good explanation for what the fingers represent.
The Thumb represents your Parents
The Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
The Middle finger represents your Self
The Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner, and
The Last (Little) finger represents your Children
First, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers down and hold them together - back to back.
Second, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip.
Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents). They will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you (or you with them) forever.
Join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings). They will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will lead their own separate lives.
Now join the Index fingers and separate your little fingers (representing your children). They will open too, because the children also will get married and leave.
Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).
You cannot do it, because husband and wife should remain together all their lives.
The Thumb represents your Parents
The Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
The Middle finger represents your Self
The Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner, and
The Last (Little) finger represents your Children
First, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers down and hold them together - back to back.
Second, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb - tip to tip.
Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents). They will open, because your parents are not destined to live with you (or you with them) forever.
Join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers (representing siblings). They will also open, because your brothers and sisters will have their own families and will lead their own separate lives.
Now join the Index fingers and separate your little fingers (representing your children). They will open too, because the children also will get married and leave.
Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring fingers (representing your spouse).
You cannot do it, because husband and wife should remain together all their lives.
Cream Cheese
This American invention was developed in 1872 in New York state. Cream cheese is similar to French Neufchatel in that it is made from cow's milk, but differs in that it is unripened and often contains emulsifiers to lend firmness and lengthen shelf-life. USDA law requires standard cream cheese must contain at least 33 percent fat and no more than 55 percent water, although there are low-fat and nonfat varieties now on the market.
What's in a Name
Iowa and DOA: The state changed the name of its Department of Elder Affairs to the Department on Aging, or DOA, in 2009. It has since learned the unintended consequences of the acronym and changed to IDA, for Iowa Department on Aging.
Sioux City and SUX: The Sioux City Iowa Gateway Airport has the FAA moniker of “SUX.” Airport authorities petitioned for a new code, and the FAA (not a joke) offered them “GAY” recognizing the “Gateway” part of the airport’s name. The city declined. Other contenders are Fresno’s "FAT", and Perm, Russia’s is "PEE."
Seattle and SLUT: In 2007, Seattle opened a new streetcar line connecting the South Lake Union neighborhood to downtown. The project was officially called the South Lake Union Streetcar, but local residents began calling it the South Lake Union Trolley, or SLUT. The city tried to change the opinion, but residents still refer to it as the SLUT. Some local places sell t-shirts that read, “Ride the SLUT.”
Sioux City and SUX: The Sioux City Iowa Gateway Airport has the FAA moniker of “SUX.” Airport authorities petitioned for a new code, and the FAA (not a joke) offered them “GAY” recognizing the “Gateway” part of the airport’s name. The city declined. Other contenders are Fresno’s "FAT", and Perm, Russia’s is "PEE."
Seattle and SLUT: In 2007, Seattle opened a new streetcar line connecting the South Lake Union neighborhood to downtown. The project was officially called the South Lake Union Streetcar, but local residents began calling it the South Lake Union Trolley, or SLUT. The city tried to change the opinion, but residents still refer to it as the SLUT. Some local places sell t-shirts that read, “Ride the SLUT.”
Aug 20, 2010
Graham Crackers
The namesake of the graham cracker is a Presbyterian minister who claimed that overeating could not only make you fat, it could make you lecherous, too. Sylvester Graham ran health retreats during the 1830s for like-minded parishioners featuring a strict meat-free, bland diet. It must work, because you do not see many lechers running around eating graham crackers. Although I love them with peanut butter and jelly. Mmmm!
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