Advise
AF and stroke: a dangerous link
AF adversely affects cardiac hemodynamics, resulting in a loss of atrial contraction and a rapid irregular ventricular rate.1 AF puts patients in real danger of stroke. AF affects a significant number of people in the United States—estimated at more than 2 million.2-4 One out of every 5 strokes occurs in a patient with AF.1
Compared with patients with non–AF-related stroke, patients with AF-related stroke are likely to have greater stroke severity.*5
Comorbidities and other risk factors in patients with AF increase the level of risk for stroke. These factors include congestive heart failure (CHF), hypertension, advanced age, diabetes, prior stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), vascular disease, and obesity.3,6,7
*Based on a literature review, including studies comparing stroke outcomes in patients with or without AF, studies providing long-term cost-of-stroke analyses, and studies modeling the cost-effectiveness of oral anticoagulation in AF patients. All included studies reported primary data analysis, economic models, or cost-of-stroke data with at least 1 year of follow-up. Impairment was determined on a modified Rankin Scale. Dependency was measured on the Barthel Index
Manchester United the first team worth $3 billion, according to Forbes Magazine
Written by Longe Magazine Staff Writer
A recent surge in the club's shares after a poor start when they were offered on the New York Stock Exchange last year has boosted Manchester United's value to $3.3 billion, a report on Forbes's website said on Monday.
The increase has United, English champions a record 19 times, comfortably ahead of the world's second-most valuable sports team, the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys, worth $2.1 billion.
Forbes put the surge in United shares down to brighter earnings prospects from new sponsorship deals and said the demand could continue given the team's potential for lucrative payouts in the EPL and Champions League.
United, who claim to have 659 million followers worldwide, are owned by the American Glazer family who retained a tight grip on the club after the flotation on the New York Stock Exchange.
By Scholarsip America
Posted 2012
Navigating the college financial aid process can be daunting even for the most highly educated among us. What are the differences among grants, scholarships, and loans? What does FAFSA stand for and who should complete it? And how does work-study actually work?
Your college education is an extremely important—and often extremely expensive—investment. Before you shell out thousands of dollars for an advanced education, give yourself a basic education of postsecondary financial aid. To help, we've put together a quick reference guide on common—and often confusing—financial aid terms. From award letters to tuition reimbursement, we've got you covered.
Award letter: Arriving in your mailbox around mid- to late April, your award letter basically outlines your financial aid package from the college(s) to which you applied. But be careful: Colleges aren't required to follow a standard format for award letters, and crucial information is sometimes missing or misleading—such as the cost of attendance! Colleges sometimes vastly underestimate the cost of transportation and textbooks, or make the financial aid package look more generous than it actually is. (To find out how much you'll end up paying for tuition at your college, U.S. News offers a list of net price calculators.)
[Download a Free Financial Aid Guide and FASFA Form Now]
Expected Family Contribution (EFC): This is the measure of your family's financial strength, and how much of your college costs it should plan to cover. This is calculated based on a specific formula, which considers taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits, as well as the size of your family and the number of family members attending college during the year. Your expected family contribution is calculated based on your FAFSA results.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): You've probably heard of the FAFSA, but do you know what it is and just how important it can be for you and your family? Filling out the FAFSA is one of the first steps in the financial aid process, and determines the amount that you or your family will be contributing to your postsecondary education. The results of the FAFSA determine student grants, work-study, and loan amounts. We recommend that everyone fills out the FAFSA; it only takes about an hour to complete, and you may be surprised with the results.
Federal student aid: The largest form of student aid in the country, federal aid programs come in the form of government grants, loans, and work-study assistance and are available to students at eligible postsecondary institutions (colleges, vocational schools, and graduate schools).
Financial need: This is the amount of a student's total cost of attendance that isn't covered by the expected family contribution or outside grants and scholarships. A student must demonstrate financial need to be eligible for need-based financial assistance programs.
Grants: Did someone say free money? Unlike loans, grants—which can come from the state or federal government, from the college itself, or from private sources—provide money for college that doesn't have to be paid back. We'll take this opportunity here to remind you again to fill out the FAFSA; many grants determine eligibility by looking at your FAFSA results.
Loans: If scholarships and grants don't cover the entire cost of your tuition, you may have to take out a student loan to make up the difference. Federal student loans don't have to be paid while you're in college, and there are also a variety of loan forgiveness programs out there post-graduation. The rates and terms are generally more flexible than private loans.
Room and board: Everyone needs to sleep and eat. If you plan to do it on campus, those fees are part of your total cost of attendance.
Scholarships: There really isn't much difference between a scholarship and a grant, though the general consensus is that scholarships are primarily awarded for academic merit (good grades) or for something you have accomplished (volunteer work or a specific project); however, there are many need-based scholarships out there, as well. Like grants, scholarships don't have to be repaid.
Tuition: College tuition is the "sticker price" of your education, and does not include room and board, textbooks, or other fees. Colleges often calculate tuition based on the cost of one credit, or "unit." For example, a college may charge $350 per credit for an undergraduate class. Many times colleges will simplify this by providing a flat fee for tuition; you're often required to take a minimum amount of credits and cannot exceed a maximum amount of credits. "True cost" is a little misleading, since there are other costs on top of tuition.
[Browse Accredited Online Universities and Degree Programs Now]
Tuition reimbursement: Tuition reimbursement, also sometimes called "tuition assistance," is increasing in popularity. Some employers will refund you the cost of your tuition if you're studying a work-related area. Tuition reimbursement can cover as little as one or two courses, or can cover up to the entire cost of your education.
Work-study/work award: The Federal Work Study program provides funds to eligible students (see FAFSA above) for part-time employment to help finance the costs of postsecondary education. In most cases, the school or employer has to pay up to 50% of the student's wages, with the federal government covering the rest. You could be employed by the college itself; or by a federal, state, or local public agency; a private nonprofit organization; or a private for-profit organization.
Originally published at USNews.com on July 19, 2012.
Michelle Showalter joined Scholarship America in 2007 and is an alumna of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
Views on homosexuality have changed drastically throughout history. It may actually surprise many to know that in some cultures, homosexuality is seen as a blessed state.Even in history, ancient Greeks considered male homosexuality to be perfectly the norm. Several Native American cultures even believe in multiple genders rather than just two. Western and modern views on homosexuality in general have expanded and have evolved more towards acceptance, away from the discrimination and shame of the past. Today, many educated people recognize that homosexuality is not a disgracefully state one chooses, rather it is simply a biological and genetic factor not unlike eye color or height. One interesting point to further enforce the scientific findings concerning homosexuality is the fact that homosexuality occurs at the same rate or frequency throughout every human culture and ethnicity.
Regardless of how society continues to move toward acceptance, homosexuals still face discrimination and are often labeled with ridiculous stereotypes. Because of this truth, many parents naturally become concerned if they feel one of their children may be exhibiting homosexual tendencies or behaviors. In order to truly know whether or not this is the case, parents must first be aware of how sexuality and sexual identity evolves during childhood. Typically, by age one or two, children will display a preference towards one gender or another. They will experiment and role-play with the opposite gender. As kids get older, pre-adolescence, peer groups and adult expectations can dictate whether a child expresses themselves as heterosexual or homosexual. As a child reaches puberty, they will more clearly feel and exhibit whether they are homosexual or heterosexual; this is because they are simply growing to understand their sexuality.
Today, there are many school clubs and support groups for young adults who are homosexual so they can be themselves comfortably and securely just as heterosexual young adults. These support groups reinforce that homosexuality is not something to be stigmatized, criminalized, or discriminated against. These groups can also help young adults feel more comfortable with their parents and family in general.
Once the child or young adult feels completely secure and comfortable with living according to the sexual preference they are born with, it may be the others in their lives who have the toughest time accepting or embracing homosexuality. For a child to come to his or her parents and proclaim they are homosexual involves a lot of trust. It is never easy when a child does not know what the response from their family will be. Luckily there are support groups and resources for parents to turn to that simply did not exist not too long ago. One of the most successful and most often turned to resource for families and friends is PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). This group currently has over 400 chapters. The group’s mission is to help those who love a homosexual deal with how they feel about it. For parents, this group has been a lifesaver when they have felt confused or unsure of how to deal with a child who has come out.
Aside from this phenomenal group, there are many books and online support for families trying to accept or understand the fact that their child is gay. One great book that clearly and correctly answers over 300 questions for parents is “Is It a Choice” by Eric Marcus. “Loving Someone Gay” by Don Clark, PhD, is also a great book for parents. Stories by other parents of gay children have also been compiled into a book called “My Child is Gay” by Bryce McDougall. This book instantly helps parents realize their story is not as unique as they may feel.
Once you do realize or are told your child is gay and you check out any resources out there to answer questions they may not be able to, you ultimately still have the same child in front of you that you have always loved. They are literally the same person, only more of who they truly are and more honest about what they want out of life. Also understand that the fact that they are homosexual is not about you. They have trusted you enough to come out or even if you have discovered it on your own, they will always need and want your love and support as they seek the same happiness in this life that each heterosexual craves and desires.
Last Updated on Sunday, 12 February 2012 16:32
What to Do With Your Spare Time Once You Reach Millionaire Status?
Written by Longe Magazine Staff WriterOnce the day finally rolls around where you realize you can now claim the right to be referred to as a “millionaire”, it can be surreal. For most people, this dream never becomes a reality or even remotely attainable. There are a growing number of people out there who have put in the time and energy needed to achieve this once rare and coveted title. They have also saved and invested suavely enough to see it happen while they are young enough to enjoy it. This is a fast growing population even during these tough economic times. They made their money smartly and typically by doing something they loved. Now that they are set money wise, they can find themselves wondering what to do now.
In stark contrast to the old money club which still holds power and influence throughout the world, the new millionaire literally holds steadfastly onto his or her middle class roots and values. You may picture a new millionaire sailing off in a 50 foot yacht toward the island sunset the day after he sees the bank statement confirming his initiation into the millionaires club. However, this is turning out to be a misleading and incomplete stereotypical visual. Most millionaires don’t just sit back and count their money as the years roll by, they need something to do.
While almost anyone who reaches millionaire status does so through hard work and intellect, they also have statistically done being happy. They have not spent their years slaving away in a suit and tie day after day hating the office. If you are a new millionaire, chances are you have been doing a job you love to show up for. Most new millionaires have a zest for their career choice and excel at it by loving it. This naturally means for most new millionaires they are not really looking to throw in the towel once they reach a certain dollar mark. They truly want to stay involved in the line of work which made them millionaires. They just may take the time to enjoy the perks more than they would have while working their way up. Look at the worlds billionaires for example. Even the richest of the rich still go to work each day in one way or another, staying involved in the day to day activities of their companies. Therefore, staying involved in the industry that made you rich will typically keep you rich and busy.
Regardless of how much the new millionaire stays involved in the work that made them rich, they do have to come to terms with the freedom and leisure time this new found financial freedom brings. For some, this can be the first time in their work life where they can literally do what they want. Their families may also be able to enjoy this way of life for the first time. Some of these leisure activities are exactly what you would expect of the millionaire sect. For some, enjoying service at high end restaurants and boutiques can be liberating and eye opening. Going to exclusive theater events and art shows will let you mingle with others in your financial bracket. Luxury resorts are catering to the new millionaire. They can be found in virtually every corner of the country. At these resorts, the wealthy can enjoy extensive spa services for men and women. Specialty services like experimental mud baths and hot stone treatments are just a few of the extra ways millionaires can indulge themselves at these exclusive resorts.
Travel has always been a treasured leisure activity of millionaires. New millionaires are no exception. The desire to see countries and exotic lands you could never afford to travel to before will always be a tempting way to spend money.
New millionaires still like to spend their money on objects just as much as luxury experiences. Such objects are also investments. The new millionaire will undoubtedly want to buy a summer home or second property on the opposite coast. The new millionaire will always want to buy the car of their dreams also. Spending new money on fail safe items like jewelry is also still a favorite indulgence.
Even when you reach new millionaire status and have more free time, there are still responsibilities one must pay attention to. In these hard economic times, it is not unusual to find millionaires spending their time giving back in one way or another. Despite status, using your spare time to volunteer and make a positive difference in your community is perhaps the most beneficial way to spend your new leisure time.
Regardless of how you make your millions and how much you stay involved with the job that made you rich, you are sure to want to indulge a little. Spend your leisure time doing all of the things you felt you could never do before, or would’ve felt guilty about doing. Remember, part of wanting to reach millionaire status was the desire to enjoy life in your own way.
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