Wednesday, December 18

Month: October 2014

New Motorcycles Look Like Giant, Robotic War Machines
Lifestyle

New Motorcycles Look Like Giant, Robotic War Machines

Earlier this year, two Japanese automotive manufacturers unveiled the designs for new motorcycles. Now, keen-eyed observers, especially those who are anime fans, have noticed that the bikes' designs look a lot like the titular giant robotic war machines of the anime and manga series Mobile Suit Gundam. Honda made a big splash this past summer at the 30th Osaka Motorcycle Show when it revealed the plans for its new bike, the NM4 Vultus. With a sleek exterior and dramatic angles, it was very obvious that the bike was influenced by -- as the automotive manufacturer itself said -- the "futuristic machines seen in the anime and manga television and film styles." Looking at the bike from the front, the influences become much more obvious. Its inverted triangular shape, with its glass windshiel...
Portland Police “Protect and Serve” Pizza After Delivery Person Gets in Accident
Local

Portland Police “Protect and Serve” Pizza After Delivery Person Gets in Accident

When a hungry Portland, OR resident named Steve Huckins ordered a pizza, he expected a Pizza Hut delivery person to show up at his door, not two Portland police officers with the pizza in hand. The couple had ordered their dinner, and found themselves waiting longer than expected. They decided to call the Pizza Hut to tell them that they never received their order. "So [my wife] goes, 'well we didn't get the pizza,' so [the manager] says, 'well we'll make one and I'll hand deliver it and give it to you for half price," said Steve Huckins. Just as the couple sat down to eat the replacement pizza, there was a knock at the door. Huckins answered, and found two Portland police officers standing on his doorstep, with the original pie in hand. The officers explained that the pizza delivery pe...
Walmart Blames Tracy Morgan For Injuries He Received in Accident It Caused
Lifestyle

Walmart Blames Tracy Morgan For Injuries He Received in Accident It Caused

Retail juggernaut Walmart has allegedly blamed comedian and actor Tracy Morgan for the serious injuries he received when one of Walmart's truck drivers crashed into his limousine van, because Morgan was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt. According to the legal documents, the actor's injuries were "caused, in whole or in part, by plaintiffs' failure to properly wear an appropriate available seat belt restraint device," and that the actor and his entourage had "acted unreasonably and in disregard of [their] own best interests." The monolithic retailer has reportedly not only refused to comment on whether or not it's laying any blame on the driver, but has even gone so far as to refuse to acknowledge whether Kevin Roper -- the truck driver -- was in fact a Walmart employee, noting the possi...
USPTO Shows Off Rare Lucasfilm Trademark Filing on Twitter
Business

USPTO Shows Off Rare Lucasfilm Trademark Filing on Twitter

The characters of the Star Wars film series are all iconic for one reason or another: Luke Skywalker's lightsaber, Princess Leia's hair, and Chewbacca's growl come to mind. And when it comes to villain Darth Vader's characterization, perhaps what is even more widely known than his mask and cape is the sound of his mechanical breathing. That sound is something that Lucasfilm, the company run by Star Wars creator George Lucas, protects from infringement thanks to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This type of trademark is referred to as a non-visual mark or "soundmark" by the USPTO. Like a trademark, the soundmark is also used to protect intellectual property from infringement. The USPTO showed off the application for Vader's signature breathing, filed in 2008, on its Twitter...
Mixing Botox Injections and Alcohol — Why People Are Doing It, And Why Experts Advise Against It
Lifestyle

Mixing Botox Injections and Alcohol — Why People Are Doing It, And Why Experts Advise Against It

There are many reasons why you may want to find a local expert dermatologist to help you with your skin care routine. One of the most common reasons for someone seeking out advanced skin care treatments has to do with fear of developing or having confirmed cases of skin cancer. If you have skin cancer or you are considered high risk for developing it down the line, you will want to be extra careful with your skin and what you put on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOq3cEtVw2s A dermatologist can help you protect your skin from damage from every product sand items such as soaps, detergents, lotions, makeup, and more. If you come to them with a product and are wondering, are these ingredients safe for me to use, they can help you determine the answer based on your unique skin care needs....
Adult Entertainment Store’s Auction Brings Controversy to Kansas State Lawmakers
Business

Adult Entertainment Store’s Auction Brings Controversy to Kansas State Lawmakers

A business owing the state of Kansas more than $163,000 in taxes is going to auction -- but the items up for bid are raising some eyebrows among the state's lawmakers. The state originally raided five shops, all of which were owned by United Outlets LLC, property of Larry Minkoff. Minkoff was guilty of nonpayment of income, withholding and sales taxes, according to officials. So what's all the fuss? Minkoff's shops, located in four different cities, sold adult entertainment products. After negotiating with Minkoff, the state agreed to return the merchandise under the condition that he would auction it off to pay back the state. The issue caused quite a stir among the state's legislators, especially among Kansas's Democrats. They accused the Republican-led state Senate and Governor Sam ...
New Brain Study from Boston University Strengthens Link Between Football and Neurological Disease
Sport

New Brain Study from Boston University Strengthens Link Between Football and Neurological Disease

A new report from the Boston University CTE Center provides what could be damning evidence in the ongoing case of the National Football League (NFL) versus many of its former players. According to the report, 76 out of the 79 brains of deceased former players dissected by Boston University scientists showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, more commonly referred to as CTE. CTE has had many names over the years, but the most apt for the condition is likely "punch drunk." As detailed in a study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine titled Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: A Potential Late Effect of Sport-Related Concussive and Subconcussive Head Trauma, CTE is caused by repeated trauma to the brain, concussive or subconcussive. The term "punch drunk" refers to the tra...
North Carolina Dentist’s License Suspended After Patient Death
Local

North Carolina Dentist’s License Suspended After Patient Death

A dentist from Williamston, North Carolina recently had his license revoked after over-sedation ultimately led to a patient's death, reported the South Carolina newspaper The State. The N.C. Board of Dental Examiners announced that Zachary J. Harrison will not be allowed to practice for a period of one to 10 years. Before performing a dental procedure on 71-year-old James T. Williams, Harrison gave his patient 10 milligrams of Midazolam, a drug used for sedation. However, the board found that Harrison failed to take into account a number of critical factors before administering sedation, including the patient's age, weight and medical history. They also found that he did not gradually increase the dose of Midazolam, which is a requirement in North Carolina. It was not until over 20 minut...
Ariana Grande’s Alleged Diva-like Attitude Causes Her Life Coach to Resign
Lifestyle

Ariana Grande’s Alleged Diva-like Attitude Causes Her Life Coach to Resign

Recently, 21-year-old pop sensation Ariana Grande has been plagued by rumors. Just as quickly as she shot to fame, so have rumors developed regarding her alleged diva-like behavior and bad attitude. This time, instead of leaving a hopeful fan disgruntled, she may have lost a member of her entourage because of her antics. Celebrity news outlet Page Six reported that Grande's life coach, whose job it was to keep the songstress balanced, focused, and healthy, reportedly quit months ago due to her bad attitude. According to a close source, Isaac Calpito just couldn't take it anymore. He also claimed that all the rumors regarding Grande's poor behavior are indeed true. “There is a fine line in the world of "celebrities" between the roles of a coach and image consultant. The "difficult" characte...
Increasingly Favorable Conditions Drive Multinationals to Vietnam for Production Needs
World

Increasingly Favorable Conditions Drive Multinationals to Vietnam for Production Needs

China and India have long been the epicenters of cheap, rapid production for companies in the industrialized world looking to keep costs down. According to a new report from the digital newspaper The Establishment Post, however, both countries are quickly losing their grip over the globalized manufacturing sector, with Vietnam looking increasingly attractive to foreign investors and multinational corporations. The last five years have seen a growing number of companies move their manufacturing from the Middle Kingdom into Vietnam. The move has been so pronounced that manufacturing has boomed, and now accounts for 25% of Vietnam's economy. Cooling Chinese Economy, ASEAN Boom Play a Big Role The loss of manufacturing is particularly noticeable for China. Vietnam offers far more competitiv...