analyze troupe

Sunday, August 4, 2013

60 suspended in military sexual assault review

Shawn Thew / EPA file

Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, pictured at right with former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in 2012, told Congress in June that the U.S. military has 'inadequate protections' for screening out enlistees with criminal records.

By M. Alex Johnson and Jim Miklaszewski, NBC News

Military officials confirmed Friday that 60 service members have been dismissed or suspended this year as recruiters, drill instructors or sexual assault counselors because a review of their records found previous violations for offenses from public drunkenness to sexual assault.

"The purpose of this review was to remove anyone with any blot on their service record, no matter how minor, to ensure the trust that comes with these positions," a military official told NBC News.

That trust has been called into question by a reported 35 percent rise in sexual assaults within the military from 2010 to 2012.

Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified before Congress in June that "there are currently, in my judgment, inadequate protections for precluding" people with histories of sexual misconduct from enlisting in the military.

The review, which was first reported Friday by USA Today, was ordered in May by Defense Decretary Chuck Hagel in May as part of a Pentagon push to address sexual assault in the military. It took a second look at the records of about 35,000 recruiters, drill sergeants and sexual assault recruiters, the newspaper said, citing military sources.

So far, 60 have been dismissed or suspended from their jobs, military officials told NBC News ? 55 in the Army and five in the Navy. The Air Force and the Marines reported that none of their personnel were disciplined, according to USA Today.

Neither the Army nor the Navy broke down what specific offenses that led to the disciplinary actions against their personnel, who would represent 0.17 percent of those whose records are under review. The U.S. military reported a total active-duty roster of slightly more than 1.4 million in its 2010 census.

Pentagon officials said the offenses covered in the review included not only sexual assault but also public drunkenness ? the most common violation among young service members.

Courtney Kube of NBC News contributed to this report.

Watch US News videos on NBCNews.com

Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/02/19840937-pentagon-suspended-60-personnel-for-criminal-records-after-sexual-assault-review?lite

New Pope

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Brad Evans' Goal Lifts U.S. Soccer Over Jamaica In World Cup Qualifier (VIDEO/PHOTOS)

Brad Evans

United States' bench players congratulate teammate Brad Evans, who lies on the pitch, after scoring the winning goal in the second half of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. The US won 2-1. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

United States' bench players and Graham Zusi (19) pile up on top of teammate Brad Evans, obscured, to congratulate his for scoring the winning goal in the second half of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. The US won 2-1. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Brad Evans

United States' Brad Evans covers his head with the shirt to celebrate after scoring the winning goal in the second half of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. The US won 2-1. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Clint Dempsey, Rodolph Austin, Daniel Gordon

United States' Clint Dempsey, center, is challenged by Jamaica's Rodolph Austin, left, and Daniel Gordon during their 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Jozy Altidore, Graham Zusi

United States' Jozy Altidore, right, celebrates with teammate Graham Zusi after scoring in the first half of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Graham Zusi, O'Brian Woodbine

United States' Graham Zusi, left, is challenged by Jamaica's O'Brian Woodbine before passing the ball to teammate Jozy Altidore, unseen, who scored in the first half play of their 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Jozy Altidore

United States' Jozy Altidore celebrates after scoring in the first half of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Jozy Altidore, Donovan Ricketts, Alvas Powell

Jamaica's goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, right, fails to block a shot by United States' Jozy Altidore, second from left, as Jamaica's Alvas Powell, left, looks on in the first half of a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Jozy Altidore

United States' Jozy Altidore celebrates his goal against Jamaica in the first half of a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Jozy Altidore, Graham Zusi

United States' Jozy Altidore, right, celebrates with teammate Graham Zusi after scoring during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Jozy Altidore

U.S. soccer fans cheer before the start of the 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match between Jamaica and the United States in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A Jamaica soccer fan waves his national flag before the start of a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match between Jamaica and the United States in Kingston, Jamaica, Friday, June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Marvin Elliot #4 of Jamaica battles for a ball with Graham Zusi #19 of the USA during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Teammate Jozy Altidore #17 celebrates with Graham Zusi #19 of the USA after Zusi assists on a goal to Altidore during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Teammates Clint Dempsey #8 and Graham Zusi #19 of the USA celebrate after Zusi assists on a goal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Jozy Altidore #17 of the USA scores a goal against Jamaica during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Marvin Elliot #4 of Jamaica battles for a ball with Clint Dempsey #8 of the USA during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Fans react in the stands before the USA takes on Jamaica in the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Brad Evans #6 celebrates after scoring the game winning goal to beat Jamaica 2-1 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Teammates pile onto Brad Evans #6 after scoring the game winning goal to beat Jamaica 2-1 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Clint Dempsey #8 of the USA celebrates after defeating Jamaica 2-1 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Clint Dempsey #8 of the USA watches as Donovan Ricketts #1 and Adrian Mariappa #19 of Jamaica try to stop a shot at the goal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Teammates Michael Bradley #4 and Graham Zusi #19 celebrate with Brad Evans #6 of the USA celebrates after scoring the game winning goal to beat Jamaica 2-1 during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Tim Howard warms up before the team takes on Jamaica in the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: A fan waves a flag before the USA takes on Jamaica in the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: A young fan watches on from the stands before the USA takes on Jamaica in the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: A group of men prepares to sell goods outside the stadium before the USA takes on Jamaica in the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JUNE 07: Clint Dempsey of the USA warms up before the team takes on Jamaica in the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier at National Stadium on June 7, 2013 in Kingston, Jamaica. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/07/brad-evans-goal-us-soccer-jamaica_n_3406443.html

masters winner

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Christopher Meloni splits his pants on 'Fallon'

Ashley Majeski TODAY contributor

2 hours ago

Christopher Meloni got into a sticky situation on Thursday night when he suffered a wardrobe malfunction during an appearance on ?Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.?

The man behind "Law & Order: SVU's" beloved Det. Stabler, who was visiting "Late Night" to promote his upcoming movie ?Man of Steel,? agreed to play Sticky Balls with his host. The game, which Fallon has played with former guests including Channing Tatum and Elijah Wood, is a form of dodgeball in which Fallon and his guest don Velcro suits and attempt to peg each other with foam balls and get them to stick to the other man?s suit -- sometimes in rather private areas.

Thursday's game got so intense that Meloni didn?t even seem to notice that he had split his pants midgame! The actor, who starred on "True Blood" last season pummeled Fallon with balls and ended up winning by a landslide. Afterward, he proudly showed off his split pants to the crowd.

Before the game, the Emmy-nominated actor traded ?stitches? stories with Fallon during the interview portion of the show. Meloni regaled the audience with the tale of how he once had to get stitches after being bit on the head by a St. Bernard as child. Fallon revealed he recently required stitches after accidentally cutting himself while making salsa.

Meloni 2, Fallon 0. Game, set, match.

Source: http://www.today.com/entertainment/christopher-meloni-splits-his-pants-playing-sticky-balls-fallon-6C10245218

2013 Oscars

'Long-awaited explanation' for mysterious effects in high-temperature superconductors

June 7, 2013 ? A German-French research team has constructed a new model that explains how the so-called pseudogap state forms in high-temperature superconductors. The calculations predict two coexisting electron orders. Below a certain temperature, superconductors lose their electrical resistance and can conduct electricity without loss.

"It is not to be excluded that the new pseudogap theory also provides the long-awaited explanation for why, in contrast to conventional metallic superconductors, certain ceramic copper oxide bonds lose their electrical resistance at such unusually high temperatures," say Prof. Dr. Konstantin Efetov and Dr. Hendrik Meier of the Chair of Theoretical Solid State Physics at the Ruhr-Universit?t Bochum. They obtained the findings in close cooperation with Dr. Catherine P?pin from the Institute for Theoretical Physics in Saclay near Paris. The team reports in the journal Nature Physics.

Transition temperature much higher in ceramic than in metallic superconductors

Superconductivity only occurs at very low temperatures below the so-called transition temperature. In metallic superconductors, this is close to the absolute zero point of 0 Kelvin, which corresponds to about -273 degrees Celsius. However, crystalline ceramic materials can be superconductive at temperatures up to 138 Kelvin. For 25 years, researchers puzzled over the physical bases of this high-temperature superconductivity.

Pseudogap: energy gap above the transition temperature

In the superconducting state, electrons travel in so-called Cooper pairs through the crystal lattice of a material. In order to break up a Cooper pair so that two free electrons are created, a certain amount of energy is needed. This difference in the energy of the Cooper electrons and the so-called free electrons is called an energy gap. In cuprate superconductors, compounds based on copper oxide bonds, a similar energy gap also occurs under certain circumstances above the transition temperature -- the pseudogap. Characteristically the pseudogap is only perceived by electrons with certain velocity directions. The model constructed by the German-French team now allows new insights into the physical inside of the pseudogap state.

Two competing electron orders in the pseudogap state

According to the model, the pseudogap state simultaneously contains two electron orders: d-wave superconductivity, in which the electrons of a Cooper pair revolve around each other in a cloverleaf shape, and a quadrupole density wave. The latter is a special electrostatic structure in which every copper atom in the two-dimensional crystal lattice has a quadrupole moment, i.e. two opposite regions of negative charge, and two opposite regions of positive charge. d-wave superconductivity and quadrupole density wave compete with each other in the pseudogap state. Due to thermal fluctuations, neither of the two systems can assert itself. However, if the system is cooled down, the thermal fluctuations become weaker and one of the two systems prevails: superconductivity. The critical temperature at which this occurs can, in the model, be considerably higher than the transition temperature of conventional metallic superconductors. The model could thus explain why the transition temperature in the ceramic superconductors is so much higher.

Cuprates

High-temperature copper oxide superconductors are also called cuprates. In addition to copper and oxygen, they can, for example, contain the elements yttrium and barium (YBa₂Cu₃O₇). To make the material superconducting, researchers introduce "positive holes," i.e. electron holes into the crystal lattice. Through these, the electrons can "flow" in Cooper pairs. This is known as hole doping. The pseudogap state only sets in when the hole doping of the cuprate is neither too low nor too high.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/matter_energy/electricity/~3/tprmx5rD294/130607085301.htm

pro bowl

Friday, June 7, 2013

Bangladesh spurns garment industry in budget

By Ruma Paul and Frank Jack Daniel

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh's finance minister promised on Thursday to improve working conditions in the garment industry after a deadly factory collapse, but he spurned calls for new public money to construct safer buildings.

Abul Maal Abdul Muhith's 2013/14 budget aims to bolster faltering economic growth to 7.2 percent after political unrest and strikes for better pay and conditions in the clothing industry hit output this year.

The government will raise public spending by 16 percent to 2.22 trillion taka ($28 billion), he said.

A senior finance ministry official suggested this week that some of those funds would go towards addressing a critical shortage of building inspectors and buying land to relocate dangerous garment factories to a planned industrial park.

The industry said it had requested $40 million in the budget to improve safety standards.

But Muhith announced no new spending for factory safety, drawing strong criticism from an employers' representative.

"I am disappointed," said Mohammad Fazlul Hoque, the president of Bangladesh Employers' Federation. "Norway and Britain committed to assist the sector, but our government has no feelings."

Britain announced 18 million pounds for worker safety and training in Bangladesh on Wednesday, two days after Norway said it would donate $2.5 million.

The collapse in April of the Rana Plaza complex killed 1,129 people, making it one of the world's worst industrial accidents.

It put the government, industrialists and the global brands that use the factories under pressure to reform an industry that employs four million and generates 80 percent of Bangladesh's export earnings.

A fire in another factory last year killed 112.

"In order to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future, we pledge to take all possible measures for improvement of working conditions and safety standards in factories in conjunction with all stakeholders," Muhith told parliament.

LOWER IMPORT DUTIES

The minister did pledge a 20 percent cut in import duties on woven fabrics, a significant boost to the garment sector.

The combination of opposition-led political protests and worker strikes have hurt the garment industry, the main driver of the economy. GDP growth was about 6 percent in the current financial year which ends on June 30, the lowest since 2009/10.

Clashes between anti-government and Islamist activists and police have also claimed dozens of lives this year.

Bangladesh is to elect a new government by next January and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina needs to keep the economy growing to offset the rising anger at poor working conditions in the garment sector.

On Wednesday, police used tear gas and fired rubber bullets to disperse former Rana Plaza workers who were protesting to demand compensation, local media reported.

The April 24 collapse of the building, constructed on swampy ground outside Dhaka with several illegal floors, has galvanized brands to look more closely at their suppliers.

Very low labor costs and, critics say, shortcuts on safety, makes the country of 160 million the cheapest place to make large quantities of clothing.

Companies are split over how to improve conditions. Big European names signed an accord that would make them legally responsible for safety. U.S. firms like Wal-Mart Stores Inc have broken ties with non-compliant factories.

Inspections of about 150 buildings housing garment factories since the disaster found many with serious faults, such as cracks and floors built without permits, said Mujibur Rahman, who leads a team of 30 civil engineers at the Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology.

"There are buildings that have approval for six floors, but then they built one or two more, this is an overload problem," Rahman said. "We are recommending that they should immediately relocate their industries."

Plans to move factories crammed along Dhaka's teeming streets to an industrial park to the south have foundered as suitable land is scarce in low-lying and flood-prone Bangladesh.

Other initiatives include plans to raise the monthly minimum of $38, and to make it easier to form trade unions.

(Additional reporting by Serajul Quadir; Editing by Ron Popeski, John Stonestreet)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bangladesh-spurns-garment-industry-budget-163155298.html

clay matthews

Friday, March 15, 2013

Good Reads: Amazon mysteries, Africans step up, state of the states, knowing voters

This week's round-up of Good Reads includes a look at elusive and isolated Amazon tribes, signs of progress across Africa, the well-being of Americans, and the savvy of US voters.

By Marshall Ingwerson,?Managing editor / March 15, 2013

A couple runs at dusk along the shore of Lake Hefner, outside Oklahoma City.

Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman/AP

Enlarge

The Amazon Basin is often cited as a global repository of biodiversity. But it?s also the last bastion, perhaps, of human cultural diversity. In Smithsonian magazine, Joshua Hammer recounts the recent spotting of what may be the last two isolated tribes in the Colombian Amazon: the Yuri and the Pass?. They were spotted from airplanes by experts seeking to confirm their existence and to strengthen protections against outside intrusion.

Skip to next paragraph

Where Africans make strides

Meanwhile, one continent over, Africa has been shedding its isolation posthaste. The Economist takes a survey of the growing dynamism in the region that still populates the bottom of development rankings.

Life expectancies have increased by 10 percent. Foreign investment has tripled in the past decade. In the next 10 years, consumer spending is expected to triple. Average growth of gross domestic product is running about 6 percent, more African children than ever are in school, cellphones are everywhere, and the countries hit worst with the AIDS crisis have seen infections fall by three-quarters.

The Economist gives the main credit to African people themselves. ?They are embracing modern technology, voting in ever more elections and pressing their leaders to do better. A sense of hope abounds.?

One sign that governance is improving, too: The correspondent visited 23 African countries to research the survey and wasn?t once asked for a bribe ? ?inconceivable only ten years ago.?

?Hey America, how ya doin???

Back in these United States, every year Gallup asks hundreds of thousands of Americans to rate their own well-being from emotional and physical health to their work environment and overall life evaluation. The top-ranked state? Hawaii, for the fourth year in a row. (And Gallup didn?t even ask about the weather. The next two states, after all, are Colorado and Minnesota.) Hawaii residents were most likely to ?experience daily enjoyment and least likely to have daily worry or stress,? says Alyssa Brown in Gallup?s new report. They also most often rated their lives as ?thriving.?

West Virginians were the least ?thriving? in the nation, and ranked lowest in overall well-being. Hawaiians also rated their work environments more highly than did residents of any other state. The lowest? Rhode Island. When it comes to healthy eating, getting exercise, and not smoking, Vermont rules and Kentucky takes the hindmost position. For access to basic services, from affordable food to a safe place to exercise, Massachusetts leads and Mississippi lags.

What the pundits don?t know

If you are tempted to argue with TV political pundits, you?re in good company. Morris Fiorina, a prominent political scientist at Stanford University, says his wife hates political season because of his running argument against what he sees as misinformed cable commentators. In The Forum, a political science quarterly, Professor Fiorina outlines what he, as a political scientist, wishes media talking heads could learn:

?US voters are not becoming more polarized. Congress is. Cable TV and talk radio are. But the moderate middle among voters is not shrinking. ?Most Americans are not ideologues and do not hold extreme views.? Voters have re-sorted themselves: Conservatives have left the Democratic Party for the GOP and liberals have fled the other way. But that?s a shift of parties, not a shift of views.

?The US electorate is closely divided, but there is little evidence that the divide has grown deeper. Fiorina suspects that when the data is available, the 2012 election will prove to have been less intensely divided than the elections in 2008 or 2004.

?The hundreds of millions of dollars spent on political advertising ?probably does not make much difference.? You would never know it from watching TV, but scholars find little evidence of any impact.

?Finally, voters are not stupid. They may be often uninformed and distracted. ?Yet the collective electorate manifests a degree of knowledge and wisdom that gives those of us who have studied that electorate for decades some cause for optimism.?

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/csmonitor/globalnews/~3/dt4aqhP0fA8/Good-Reads-Amazon-mysteries-Africans-step-up-state-of-the-states-knowing-voters

tu pac hologram shuttle

Heidi Kleinbach-Sauter: Path to Innovation: Women, Mentors and STEM Success

When I was named as one of the 100 Women Leaders in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in 2012, I was thrilled by the honor of being named to the list, but troubled by the need for the list itself. Sadly, women are vastly underrepresented in the ranks of STEM professionals. In general, we aren't graduating enough qualified professionals in STEM in the United States, and women are an even smaller percentage of this group. While this is a complex problem, I believe that one of the biggest challenges is a lack of credible mentors in the field to excite and inspire students and young employees about the myriad career opportunities that can result from a STEM education.

For me, as a high school graduate, I didn't have a clear picture of what I could do with a math or engineering degree as I was trying to decide on the right education to fit my passions and talents. When I think about the amazing experiences and opportunities I've had working on innovation in highly scientific and technical environments throughout my entire career, it strikes me how lucky I am to have taken this career path. But I had no idea what was possible as I was making big life decisions 20 years ago.

Before I started university, I did a two year on-the-job training as a lab technical assistant at a large food company in Germany. A female mentor encouraged me and helped me make the connection between science, technology and innovation. She explained how my work could help companies grow the top and bottom line and build a sustainable future. We had weekly meetings where she showed me the eventual impact of the work I was doing. This hands-on experience and close working relationship with my mentor made clear the dynamic path ahead of me with my degrees in food science, food technology and nutrition.

Mentors play a critical role in bringing new people -- and particularly women -- to careers in STEM. Female leaders must be role models to advocate for the possibilities of STEM education and support programs that inspire more of our best and brightest students, especially those from underrepresented or disadvantaged groups, to study in STEM fields. In my role, I am able to mentor young employees and encourage students to see STEM in a different light.

I lead teams of food scientists, engineers, inventors, statisticians, nutritionists and product designers, so I know the critical importance of continuing to fill our talent pipeline with high caliber STEM-educated talent. My team develops new, delicious and innovative snacks that consumers enjoy every day. When I talk to students, they are excited by the idea of working on our brands, but they don't make the connection to the need for science, math and engineering to make and deliver foods that are convenient, shelf-stable, safe, and most importantly, taste good. This is the role that mentors in the industry must play: encouraging students to pursue STEM by showing the creative, diverse and unexpected career paths that can result from degrees in these fields.

Industry mentors -- particularly women in positions of influence - are one important link to increasing the pipeline of talent. To encourage more mentors and to help solve the pipeline issue, I -- along with other leaders -- am working to create a STEM Innovation Taskforce. The taskforce is comprised of some of the most experienced and talented professionals in innovation. Members of the taskforce will be asked to act as champions for their focus areas and to help mentees understand the process behind innovation. We are building a network so that connectivity will be a driver of success as young people advance through the program. With the proper resources and the passion driving our members, we believe the task force will create programs that unlock the change needed to develop future STEM leaders.

Throughout my career I have seen the importance of innovation as way to improve many aspects of our everyday lives. And I know from my experience that a STEM education is the foundation of my success. My colleagues and I must return the favor and help develop future generations of leaders by helping them connect the dots from a STEM education to rewarding and impactful careers.

"; var coords = [-5, -72]; // display fb-bubble FloatingPrompt.embed(this, html, undefined, 'top', {fp_intersects:1, timeout_remove:2000,ignore_arrow: true, width:236, add_xy:coords, class_name: 'clear-overlay'}); });

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/heidi-kleinbachsauter/stem-girls-mentors_b_2881058.html

shamrock slainte the quiet man yellow cab

Sunday, August 4, 2013

60 suspended in military sexual assault review

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Brad Evans' Goal Lifts U.S. Soccer Over Jamaica In World Cup Qualifier (VIDEO/PHOTOS)

Brad Evans

Brad Evans

Clint Dempsey, Rodolph Austin, Daniel Gordon

Jozy Altidore, Graham Zusi

Graham Zusi, O'Brian Woodbine

Jozy Altidore

Jozy Altidore, Donovan Ricketts, Alvas Powell

Jozy Altidore

Jozy Altidore, Graham Zusi

Jozy Altidore

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

United States v Jamaica - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Christopher Meloni splits his pants on 'Fallon'

'Long-awaited explanation' for mysterious effects in high-temperature superconductors

Friday, June 7, 2013

Bangladesh spurns garment industry in budget

Friday, March 15, 2013

Good Reads: Amazon mysteries, Africans step up, state of the states, knowing voters

Recent posts

Where Africans make strides

?Hey America, how ya doin???

What the pundits don?t know

Heidi Kleinbach-Sauter: Path to Innovation: Women, Mentors and STEM Success