How many 1st year grad students will get their Ph.D. in chemistry?

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A little evening tidbit: Dan Drezner is a professor of international political economy and a longtime foreign policy blogger. He's been involved in an interesting debate about whether or not a Ph.D. is required for going into policy in the Washington, D.C. area. He is pushing back strongly against any encouragement of a doctorate as a terminal degree. Here is a tibdit from his latest long post about it that I found stunning:

Furthermore, not finishing a Ph.D. is not exactly uncommon.  Click on this slide show about Ph.D. attrition rates from the Council of Graduate Schools, and note the following three facts: 

1)  Only 46% of all entrants finish their Ph.D. after seven years in a program.
2)  For social science Ph.D.s, that figure is even lower -- 41%
3)  If you extend it out to ten years, the lowest completion rate among the social sciences is political science -- only 44% complete a doctorate after a decade.  In other words, entering a Ph.D. program and then not finishing is the modal outcome. 

From that report (written in 2008, collected from data before then) the 10-year completion rate was 62% for a doctoral degree in chemistry. (I wonder what that number is now? To SESTAT!)

Age discrimination in Silicon Valley

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I don't really know very much about age discrimination, but I assume that it does happen. (My short experience observing large pharma layoffs tells me it might, in its weird legal fashion.) The San Jose Mercury News has an interesting article about it, with plenty of quotes about investors and executives ideas that young software developers are more knowledgeable about modern software protocols and have more time on their hands:

Some technology recruiters say unequivocally they see bias at work. Marta Fuentealba, a principal at start-up specialist Talent Farm, says she's encountered it many times. 

She recalls a meeting at a software company a few years ago, when the human-resources executive told her he would like to find somebody "around age 26 or so" to fill a job. An age requirement along those lines would violate both state and federal laws on discrimination, California labor lawyers say. 

"You mean, somebody less jaded?" Fuentealba recalls asking, hoping to jolt the executive back into legal territory. "And he said, 'No, I mean somebody young, probably no older than 26.'" Back at the office, she sent the executive resumes from a variety of candidates. 

..."I am just an incredibly enthusiastic fan of very talented 20-somethings starting companies," Sequoia Capital's Mike Moritz, 58 years old and a top VC, once said at a conference, echoing similar comments he has made over the years. "They have great passion. They don't have distractions like families and children and other things that get in the way of business." He was 49 at the time.

Yikes. Remind me not to try to become a Silicon Valley entrepreneur anytime soon; seems like being a husband and a father could be a liability.

I've never really worked with older chemists as peers for an extended amount of time; I've mostly had them as bosses. I don't really think there's a significant creativity difference between younger and older chemists.*

This bit in the article about certain cosmetic changes during job hunting I found particularly distasteful:

Silicon Valley veterans try to adapt as best they can. Adams of Socialdial ticks off a list of faux pas that he believes peg older jobseekers as outsiders. "You can't have an AOL email," he says. "That's horrible. A Gmail address is okay. What's really cool is an email with your name on it," as part of the domain. 

In person, older job applicants should carry a backpack, not a briefcase, he says. Avoid Blackberries and Dell laptops in favor of Android phones and Apple products. And above all, steer clear of wristwatches, which most younger people have replaced with the clocks on their phones. "The worst would be a gold Rolex," he says. "Tacky, and old."

I wonder if similar (and stupid) age-related cosmetic issues are at work in the chemistry world -- I tend to think not, but I dunno. It seems that we have a culture that values wisdom and experience (relative to Silicon Valley, anyway). But I haven't been in the big world of the pharma/chemical industry very long. Readers, please feel free to correct me.

*I have, on occasion, found older chemists who have failed to keep up with the chemical literature in any serious fashion. (Around the time of Suzuki's Nobel prize, I was amused to talk to one manager who found palladium-catalyzed chemistry to be a cute academic oddity, as opposed to a technology that should be seriously considered.) I don't think that's really age-related, so much as it is about failing to exercise an important prerogative of a Ph.D. chemist's life: to keep current with important, job-relevant literature. I assume that these mental discipline issues are found in both the young and the old.

Things to Do in San Diego's Balboa Park

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There are many well-known San Diego attractions that you will want to consider when you are planning a visit to this popular Southern California city. Whether you are in the city for business or pleasure, or even if you're a local that needs to entertain out-of-town visitors, you definitely won't run out of things to see. One of the best places you could go -- especially if you like the outdoors -- is Balboa Park.
Although there are plenty of attractions to see, Balboa Park is unique in that it offers a lot of diversions to keep you and your guests busy. Among the various attractions you can see on the park, there are some must-see locations which you should visit to make your sightseeing excursion complete.
One of these "must-see" attractions is the Star Trek exhibition. It contains all the original costumes and props as well as the sets that were used in all series and films of Star Trek. If you are going to get an admission ticket, you would also be granted access to other exhibits on the Air and Space Museum.
If flowers are more to your taste, then the poinsettia display will rank as your number one among the San Diego attractions. The display can be found on the Botanical Building and features more than five hundred poinsettias that were arranged in harmony with the rest of the botanical wonders around which came from all over the world. You do not have to spend anything to see the display because it is for free.
If you are searching for IMAX film among the San Diego attractions, then you can have a single ticket so that you can be admitted to one of the new films on IMAX that are shown on a seamless dome screen which is very modern. If you know of the zoo in San Diego, you would probably visit it too; but if you are going to go there, it is advisable that you go early so that you can avoid the business of the day. One of the unique things to see in the zoo is the Panda Research Station and perhaps you could go there directly.
You may have a long list of other San Diego attractions that are worth seeing, just be sure to save at least a few days of your vacation for exploring Balboa Park and all the sites it has to offer. You won't be disappointed.


Romel have been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit his blogs more often for tips and advice that helps people with the interest for short sales in San Diego and great passion and knowledge for San Diego Coastal and all the different options & providers available in the market today. Find out for more info also here sandiegorealestatecafe.com

Study links diabetes to Alzheimer's

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It seems fitting that November is not only National DiabetesMonth but it is also National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. There is evidencethat a link between the two diseases does exist. 

In a new study published in Aging Cell, researchersat the Salk Institute for Biological Studies show that diabetes enhances thedevelopment of aging features that may underlie early pathological events inAlzheimer's. The researchers at Salk Institute found increases in two hallmarksof Alzheimer's-accumulations of amyloid beta (Abeta) and tau protein-in thebrains of diabetic mice, especially in cells surrounding blood vessels,according to a press release from Salk Institue.  Click HERE to read the full article as it appeared on Examiner.com today.

Daily Writing Prompt ...

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Daily Writing Prompt

While driving to pick up lunch, you accidentally bump into the car in front of you—a light fender bender—that pops open the other car’s trunk. When you get out to assess the damage, you notice that the driver of the other car is none other than your favorite actor. More important, you notice a dead body in the trunk. Who is the actor and what elaborate excuse does he give you to explain the dead body in his trunk?

I have pizza on the brain and not just any pizza either. I sold an article and as a treat to myself I stopped at Pizza Hut and picked up a stuffed crust pizza with extra cheese, peperroni and sausage. My mouth was already salavating as I turned the corner into the strip mall where the pizza shop was located. Still thinking of giving in - I am trying to avoid carbs - to temptaion, my mind wandered to the movie my best friend bought me for Christmas - The Hunt for Red October!

When we were in college we bagged a study night and the night before our final exams we drove to Williamsport to see The Hunt for Red October with Sean Connery. Oh that man is gorgeous. Wondering what he looked like in real life, I heard a crunch as I lerched forward in the car. Instead of paying attention, I had been daydreaming.

I got out of the car shaking. The accident had not done any damage to my car but it had caused his trunk to pop open. I was only half listening as he apologized for stopping short. He followed my gaze to his trunk. I was in shock looking at what appeared to be a middle aged man. I was not sure what to make of it and was still shaking when I realized the driver was speaking with a Scottish accent. He sounded as confused as I felt. I turned to face him and the driver was Sean Connery!


I fainted. When I came to, he explained the gentleman in the trunk - who was sitting in the back of a ambulance at this point - was a friend of his. His friend was running from some guys he owed money too for his gambling loses. He had gone to Sean's house but he did not want to disturb the actor. The car was sitting out and the trunk was ajar so he climbed in to hide and rest safely. A few hours later, when Sean Connery came out to leave, he noticed the trunk ajar and reached over to shut it. His friend had fallen asleep in the trunk and it was not until our "meeting" that Connery was aware of what happened.

His friend was taken to the hospital for observation - and a lack of oxygen! No charges were filed against anyone.

Note: Photo was taken off of www.good-wallpapers.com

A passage that has stuck with me for a while now

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This Paul Krugman blogpost on economic insecurity rings really true to me:

Every time you read someone extolling the dynamism of the modern economy, the virtues of risk-taking, declaring that everyone has to expect to have multiple jobs in his or her life and that you can never stop learning, etc,, etc., bear in mind that this is a portrait of an economy with no stability, no guarantees that hard work will provide a consistent living, and a constant possibility of being thrown aside simply because you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

There are a lot of political responses to this paragraph (Krugman argues for stronger state benefits in his post), but that's not what I am focused on. I do this that it is a remarkably apt counterpoint to Professor Whitesides' call for chemical entrepreneurship, or Madeleine Jacobs' comments about "thriving in the global workforce."

I think that this sentence says something true about industrial chemistry as an enterprise, and what the future might hold. Best wishes to all of us. 

Gray absorbent pads

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A long list of small, useful things (links):

• Stories of scientists in East Germany, from Sarah Everts. 
• Welcome, "Not the Lab", to the chemblogosphere! This post on utility in federally-funded research has stuck with me. 
• Jess writes about carbon capture technology; I think there's real work here for organic chemists. 
• Which celebrity would you like to be in your lab photo shoot? 
• 10 nitrogens in a row!
• I loved this post on a flame by Th'Gaussling.
• C&EN's Christmas gift guide, including elemental Uncle Goose blocks. (Very sturdy, high quality.)
• Chemical-free food (yikes!)
• A great article on polonium-210 by Deborah Blum
• Milkshake's post on ultrafiltration in polymer chemistry was excellent. 
• Looking forward to answers from Dr. Freddy's AMA.
• John thinks about reshoring, and whether it will happen. I am skeptical, but hopeful. 
• This Dennis Curran commentary in Nature Chemistry (subscription needed) was very pointed, I thought, and only sort of jokey . It came with a fun picture from the journal's hard working staff. 
• Via Liberal Arts Chemistry, this story of a young woman who just wanted her B.Sc. in chemistry is really lovely. 

Did I miss anything? Readers, let me know in the comments. 

Why You Should Be Buying Apartments in Today's Market

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1. 1031 Exchange Opportunity - If you have a low basis property you can utilize IRS tax code 1031 to defer tax on the sale and acquire a replacement property that can enhance cash flow and provide a higher return.

2. Attractive Purchase Prices - Prices are down some 10-30% from the "bubble market" of (2003-2006).

3. Historically Low Financing Costs - The federal government's stimulus efforts have kept interest rates extremely low, making the cost of debt service exceptionally attractive. Qualified investors can take advantage of today's low interest rates to bolster cash flow and lock in better long-term investment returns.

4. Inflation Hedge - With lead economists predicting that inflation will increase at some point in the future, hard assets, like apartments, can provide a hedge against the declining value of money in an inflationary environment. Historically, rental rates tend to rise in inflationary periods.

5. Yield - Financial Institutions are paying very low yields on money market accounts and other conservative investments. In contrast, many apartment complexes are generating returns in 6-9% range, providing considerably better yields than many other competing investments.

6. Less Competition- Foreign ownership of U.S. Investment in real estate is increasing. The lower value of the dollar has made U.S. real estate an even more attractive bargain. These trends increase demand, which will drive up prices.

7. Most Desirable Product Class - Demand for multi-family rentals has increased as foreclosures have mounted and there is little new multi-family construction in the pipeline to meet such increased demand. As a result, multi-family rents are increasing and many experts project this trend to accelerate.

8. Real Estate is Local - Despite national statistics about real estate, investors should be aware that real estate is local and supply/demand and investment returns are determined by local market conditions. San Diego County's geography is ideal for apartment buildings. The county is surrounded by borders; to the south is Mexico, to the north is Camp Pendleton, to the west is the Pacific Ocean and mountains to the east. With that being said, add the political red tape and the high cost of development in California. With San Diego's geography, political landscape and socioeconomics it is clear why demand consistently rises. The result is restricted supply with an enormous demand for housing.

**PricewaterhouseCoopers and Reis survey showed San Diego to have the lowest vacancy rate (3.9%) of any metropolitan area in the United Stated in June 2011.

APARTMENT REALTY GROUP (ARG) is a leading multi-family property investment sales team in SAN DIEGO COUNTY and the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Region. We offer a unique blend of teamwork, experience and an innovative marketing platform allowing us to deliver customized investment real estate solutions. Because we are 100% focused on multi-family investments all of our efforts and resources are spent brokering, underwriting, researching and maintaining the most effective database of multi-family property owners, operators, managers, brokers and capital sources in the industry. Because of our specialization we understand the market and are more responsive to market trends in order to meet the needs of investors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anastasia_Duboshina
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-You-Should-Be-Buying-Apartments-in-Todays-Market&id=6866984

EWaste By The Numbers - How Much Isn't Disposed of Properly

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Electronic waste or eWaste is basically any piece of electrical equipment that is discarded improperly. That is very vague and broad, but you get the picture. The amazing thing about this term is that it was something that was rarely discussed years ago. Even going back further, it didn't even exist! But now as we are entering into a new generation and a future where eWaste is going to continue to grow unless we learn to control it, it is becoming more critical to properly dispose of this waste. Not that people aren't aware of the fact it should be recycled but I think the problem lies in the lack of information about peoples disposal. When was the last time you knew what to do with your old laptop? I don't know about you but I still have one sitting in my closet. Oh not to mention my four cell phones too...

The amount of eWaste disposed of improperly at a glance is extremely overwhelming. Now I wish I was able to tell you something to make you believe otherwise. But until people become more aware of what to do with eWaste or where to dispose of various types of electronic waste, these numbers will not change.

Let us take a look at some of the numbers published by the http://www.epa.gov a few years back that outline how much electronic waste was discarded and not recycled properly:

- 41.1 million desktops and laptops
- 31.9 million computer monitors
- 400 million total units
- Over 3 million tons total
- 20-50 million tons worldwide
- Only 13.6% was recycled

To paint a picture let us take a look at the two cities where I have resided for the majority of my life, San Diego and New Jersey (I choose the whole state because my home town is so small). I began by performing a Google search to see what options for eWaste recycling are available in San Diego County. To my knowledge there are approximately 42 electronic waste recycling facilities in the San Diego area. These facilities will allow you to properly dispose of the following types of waste:

- Cell phones, PDAs, pagers
- Computer monitors
- Computer software disks
- Computers/CPUs
- Laptop computers
- Photocopiers
- Printers/scanners/fax machines
- Stereos/radios/MP3 players or iPods
- Telephones/answering machines
- Televisions (including plasma and LCD)
- VCRs/DVD players
- Video game consoles

Now in my home state New Jersey, let us look at the results that Google provided. In the entire state there are only 9 electronic waste recycling facilities! That is only 21% of what just San Diego County alone has. Not even the entire state! I found that completely astonishing being that NJ is one of the most populated states in the United States. Now I am not going to claim that my hometown state is one of the most forward thinking states but I am sure it is leaps and bounds above many others. So if San Diego is on the progressive forward side of the spectrum and NJ is on the lower end imagine how many other states, cities, or counties out there have even less options for eWaste recycling? This needs to change and hopefully in due time it will!

Please feel free to share the initiatives and efforts of your local town. I'd love to hear what others are doing in taking steps forward.

To find out more information visit at MSS, Inc

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Myles_Vives
http://EzineArticles.com/?EWaste-By-The-Numbers---How-Much-Isnt-Disposed-of-Properly&id=7201790

Things to Do in Southern California: Visiting the J. Paul Getty Museum

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Hubby and I love to do little day trips on the weekend to make it feel like we're really "getting away from it all" - like the all the dishes and laundry and other household chores. One of our recent escapes was to the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

It's about a 1.5 hour drive north of the San Diego area - and well worth it to visit. The museum hosts a variety of European paintings, artifacts and sculptures, as well as both American and European photography.

























The building and grounds themselves are also very impressive to behold - with amazing gardens and views clear to the ocean.
 Perhaps best of all, entry to the museum is FREE! If you drive to the location, all you have to pay is a $15 parking fee per car. That's probably the best deal you'll ever get for an afternoon's worth of entertainment in LA.  And if all that wasn't enough, there is one last cherry to place on the top of the sundae:  Jelly & Nutella Sandwiches in the Museum Cafe!! (That was my first Nutella & jelly sandwich - but I can guarantee you, it won't be my last. Absolutely delicious!)

Ivory Filter Flask: 11/27/12 edition

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Good morning! Between November 20 and November 26, there were 32 academically connected positions posted on C&EN Jobs. The numbers:

Total number of ads: 32
- Postdocs: 3
- Tenure-track faculty:  26
- Temporary faculty: 0
- Lecturer positions:  1
- Staff positions:  2
- US/non-US: 28/4

Johnstown, PA: The University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown is looking for an assistant professor of physical chemistry.

CJ learns something: Last Tuesday, I posted a quizzical comment about electrical engineering (semiconductor design, really) and its connection to chemistry. A passionate anonymous commenter wrote in to correct me, for which I am eternally grateful. So thanks, anon.

Manhattan, KS: Kansas State is looking for a M.S./Ph.D. chemist to run its undergraduate teaching laboratories.

Asheville, NC: Warren Wilson College is looking for an assistant professor of biochemistry.

Champaign, IL: The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is (once again) searching for chemical safety and chemical waste professionals. I feel like this is a once-a-year occurrence, for which I am a little confused. The turnover must be high-ish.

Morgantown, WV: West Virginia University Research Corporation is looking for a postdoctoral fellow in carbon capture technology.

Daily Pump Trap: 11/27/12 edition

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Good morning! Between November 20 and November 26, there were 103 new positions posted on C&EN Jobs. Of these, 32 (31%) were academically connected and 62 (60%) were from Kelly Scientific Resources.

Berkeley, CA: Lawrence Berkeley National Labs is looking for a postdoctoral fellow for a project titled "Simulating the generation, evolution and fate of electronic excitations in molecular and nanoscale materials with first principles methods." Huh.

Taylorsville, MI: This manufacturing optimization position is weirdly posted to C&EN Jobs, especially when it desires "plywood process knowledge". But it's interesting nonetheless.

Bridgewater, NJ: Henkel is looking for a senior development chemist for polyurethane work; I think they would take the right M.S.-level recent graduate in polymer chemistry.

Malvern, PA: Teva is looking for a B.S./M.S. chemical engineer with 5+ years experience with reaction engineering and process hazard analysis.

Ahh, you guys: Shamrock Technologies (yes, them) is looking for a salesperson; there's some wonderful language, including "This careeer (sic) should be an exciting and rewarding experience for someone who can handle adversity by overcoming it. Research and Sales have this in common." and "Requirements: Ability to retain and apply knowlege. (sic) /Drive to accomplish. / Willingness to take rejection (temporarily). / Background in chemistry. / Like people."

UNC physics professor falls victim to romance scam

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This has probably been covered in a number of places already, but the relevant Argentinian court has ruled in this case, so it's worth covering in full:

The 68-year-old UNC-Chapel Hill physics professor arrested in Argentina early this year after being caught with more than 4 pounds of cocaine hidden in a suitcase has been convicted by an Argentine court. 

Paul Frampton, the Oxford-educated Louis D. Rubin Jr. Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, told investigators he was duped into unknowingly carrying the drugs after being lured first to Bolivia with a promise of meeting a famous bikini model. 

He was sentenced to four years and eight months of confinement Monday afternoon after three days of hearings. He expects to serve his sentence under house arrest at a friend’s apartment in Buenos Aires.

It sounds like the prosecution has him dead to rights, with the drugs in hand. However, it's pretty clear that he thought that he was communicating with the bikini model in question.* (N.B. Google searches will be guaranteed to be Not Safe For Work.) From my perspective, it's kind of sad. I suspect (although I could be completely wrong) that someone younger/more-Internet-savvy or someone with somewhat stronger family/community ties would not have fallen for this classic confidence trick.

Naturally, his salary and tenure are at risk, which is generating its own little controversy.

What I find worthwhile for discussion is that Professor Frampton appears to be serving his role as a professor while in legal trouble in Argentina:

Frampton contends that he has been doing his job while incarcerated, including writing research papers and advising students by telephone and email.

I would be interested to hear from readers about professors who have been similarly out-of-pocket (overseas? on sabbatical? in space?), and whether or not they have continued to carry out their duties as professors.

*As I said on Twitter, if Christina Hendricks** e-mailed me and asked me to smuggle some drugs for her, I might consider it. (And then, being reminded of the faithful love of my wife and the smiles of my children, I would decide against it.) But first, I would ask myself -- why is Christina Hendricks e-mailing me? 

**perhaps wise not to Google her at work, either. 

Why You Should Be Buying Apartments in Today's Market

To contact us Click HERE

1. 1031 Exchange Opportunity - If you have a low basis property you can utilize IRS tax code 1031 to defer tax on the sale and acquire a replacement property that can enhance cash flow and provide a higher return.

2. Attractive Purchase Prices - Prices are down some 10-30% from the "bubble market" of (2003-2006).

3. Historically Low Financing Costs - The federal government's stimulus efforts have kept interest rates extremely low, making the cost of debt service exceptionally attractive. Qualified investors can take advantage of today's low interest rates to bolster cash flow and lock in better long-term investment returns.

4. Inflation Hedge - With lead economists predicting that inflation will increase at some point in the future, hard assets, like apartments, can provide a hedge against the declining value of money in an inflationary environment. Historically, rental rates tend to rise in inflationary periods.

5. Yield - Financial Institutions are paying very low yields on money market accounts and other conservative investments. In contrast, many apartment complexes are generating returns in 6-9% range, providing considerably better yields than many other competing investments.

6. Less Competition- Foreign ownership of U.S. Investment in real estate is increasing. The lower value of the dollar has made U.S. real estate an even more attractive bargain. These trends increase demand, which will drive up prices.

7. Most Desirable Product Class - Demand for multi-family rentals has increased as foreclosures have mounted and there is little new multi-family construction in the pipeline to meet such increased demand. As a result, multi-family rents are increasing and many experts project this trend to accelerate.

8. Real Estate is Local - Despite national statistics about real estate, investors should be aware that real estate is local and supply/demand and investment returns are determined by local market conditions. San Diego County's geography is ideal for apartment buildings. The county is surrounded by borders; to the south is Mexico, to the north is Camp Pendleton, to the west is the Pacific Ocean and mountains to the east. With that being said, add the political red tape and the high cost of development in California. With San Diego's geography, political landscape and socioeconomics it is clear why demand consistently rises. The result is restricted supply with an enormous demand for housing.

**PricewaterhouseCoopers and Reis survey showed San Diego to have the lowest vacancy rate (3.9%) of any metropolitan area in the United Stated in June 2011.

APARTMENT REALTY GROUP (ARG) is a leading multi-family property investment sales team in SAN DIEGO COUNTY and the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Region. We offer a unique blend of teamwork, experience and an innovative marketing platform allowing us to deliver customized investment real estate solutions. Because we are 100% focused on multi-family investments all of our efforts and resources are spent brokering, underwriting, researching and maintaining the most effective database of multi-family property owners, operators, managers, brokers and capital sources in the industry. Because of our specialization we understand the market and are more responsive to market trends in order to meet the needs of investors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anastasia_Duboshina
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-You-Should-Be-Buying-Apartments-in-Todays-Market&id=6866984

EWaste By The Numbers - How Much Isn't Disposed of Properly

To contact us Click HERE

Electronic waste or eWaste is basically any piece of electrical equipment that is discarded improperly. That is very vague and broad, but you get the picture. The amazing thing about this term is that it was something that was rarely discussed years ago. Even going back further, it didn't even exist! But now as we are entering into a new generation and a future where eWaste is going to continue to grow unless we learn to control it, it is becoming more critical to properly dispose of this waste. Not that people aren't aware of the fact it should be recycled but I think the problem lies in the lack of information about peoples disposal. When was the last time you knew what to do with your old laptop? I don't know about you but I still have one sitting in my closet. Oh not to mention my four cell phones too...

The amount of eWaste disposed of improperly at a glance is extremely overwhelming. Now I wish I was able to tell you something to make you believe otherwise. But until people become more aware of what to do with eWaste or where to dispose of various types of electronic waste, these numbers will not change.

Let us take a look at some of the numbers published by the http://www.epa.gov a few years back that outline how much electronic waste was discarded and not recycled properly:

- 41.1 million desktops and laptops
- 31.9 million computer monitors
- 400 million total units
- Over 3 million tons total
- 20-50 million tons worldwide
- Only 13.6% was recycled

To paint a picture let us take a look at the two cities where I have resided for the majority of my life, San Diego and New Jersey (I choose the whole state because my home town is so small). I began by performing a Google search to see what options for eWaste recycling are available in San Diego County. To my knowledge there are approximately 42 electronic waste recycling facilities in the San Diego area. These facilities will allow you to properly dispose of the following types of waste:

- Cell phones, PDAs, pagers
- Computer monitors
- Computer software disks
- Computers/CPUs
- Laptop computers
- Photocopiers
- Printers/scanners/fax machines
- Stereos/radios/MP3 players or iPods
- Telephones/answering machines
- Televisions (including plasma and LCD)
- VCRs/DVD players
- Video game consoles

Now in my home state New Jersey, let us look at the results that Google provided. In the entire state there are only 9 electronic waste recycling facilities! That is only 21% of what just San Diego County alone has. Not even the entire state! I found that completely astonishing being that NJ is one of the most populated states in the United States. Now I am not going to claim that my hometown state is one of the most forward thinking states but I am sure it is leaps and bounds above many others. So if San Diego is on the progressive forward side of the spectrum and NJ is on the lower end imagine how many other states, cities, or counties out there have even less options for eWaste recycling? This needs to change and hopefully in due time it will!

Please feel free to share the initiatives and efforts of your local town. I'd love to hear what others are doing in taking steps forward.

To find out more information visit at MSS, Inc

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Myles_Vives
http://EzineArticles.com/?EWaste-By-The-Numbers---How-Much-Isnt-Disposed-of-Properly&id=7201790

I don't understand what this guy is saying

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From this week's C&EN, Rick Mullin interviews Ian Shott, the head of AMRI's European operations on his business improvement philosophies:

“Yes, I think of myself as a process engineer,” Shott said, reminiscing about his efforts to combine process development R&D with contract manufacturing at Rhodia ChiRex. Shott also challenged his peers to rewrite the organic chemistry playbook by exploring the use of special catalysts, continuous reactors, and “greener” processes. These days, however, his interest in process design reaches further upstream to basic laboratory chemistry. 

“I think the whole road map from discovery to mature manufacture needs to be rethought,” Shott said. “I am quite interested in things like network analysis.” Applied in other fields of R&D, notably electronics and computers, network analysis is an engineering discipline used to predict interactions between components of a system or network. In drug discovery, for example, researchers are beginning to use chemoproteomic data to develop mathematical models for analyzing protein networks. It is a matter, he argued, of interjecting principles of engineering in an environment that is dominated by traditional chemistry. 

“People have been talking about systems biology, which tries to model and predict every chemical reaction, whereas network analysis isn’t going to that level of detail,” Shott said. “It is focused more on the outcome, rather than simulating the interaction, and so it is intrinsically simpler and intrinsically cheaper, using data that are available.” 

Shott sees the increased emphasis on data analysis as a revolution in drug research that will bring the chemical engineer into the process earlier. In drug discovery and development, “you have your classic paradigm in which first you have the discovery chemist, then you have the organic synthesis chemists, and then, very late in the day, you get chemical engineers involved,” Schott said. “But chemical engineers can actually be involved at any one of these stages. They’ve got the mathematics, they’ve got the statistics, and they’ve got the chemistry. If they are biochemical engineers they have biology as well. This is really a hot topic for me.”

I confess (not a surprise) to some level of territoriality, but this set of statements really confuses me. I am not sure what Mr. Shott means, other than that smart engineers can help chemists do math (which, I admit, is not a strong suit of chemists.) Is that the difference? That chemistry projects need more mathematics to guide their decisions? I dunno.

In case you missed it: Day 4 of the #SheriSangji hearings, Baudendistel cross-examined partially

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In case you missed it, Jyllian Kemsley and Michael Torrice of C&EN have posted their summary of Day 4 of the preliminary hearing of Professor Patrick Harran on charges stemming from the death of Sheharbano (Sheri) Sangji in January 2009.

Included in the summary is Mr. Baudendistel's comments on the interactions that the postdoc assigned to Ms. Sangji had with her, regarding safety. Friends/readers, would your mentorship relationships survive such scrutiny, with regards to chemical safety?

If you want to get into the inside baseball of the legal maneuvering, there's a little bit after the jump:

The defense revealed a little more of their strategy with their questions on the differences between industry and academia. They also went on an interesting little tangent about the qualifications of Professor Harran and Ms. Sangji:

O’Brien: Mr. Baudendistel did you read any of the articles published by Professor Harran?
Baudendistel: No.
O’Brien: Is it safe to say you don’t have a deep technical understanding of the type of work that Dr. Harran does?
Baudendistel: I think it’s very safe to say that.
O’Brien: Very safe. I join you in that, sir. You understand that Professor Harran joined the faculty you said in the summer of 2008, the inaugural Donald J. Cram chair?
Baudendistel: Yes.
O’Brien: You realize that the professor was recruited by UCLA? In other words, UCLA approached the professor and not the other way around?
Baudendistel: I believe that’s correct.
O’Brien: Can you tell us what the Donald J. Cram chair is?
Baudendistel: I just know that it’s an endowed chair. I don’t know much about it.
O’Brien: Do you know who Donald J. Cram was?
Baudendistel: I believe he was a… I think he was a Nobel prize-winning chemist.
O’Brien: At UCLA?
Baudendistel: I think so.
O’Brien: You realize that the purpose of the chair was to locate one of the most outstanding organic chemists in the world…
Hum: I’m going to object at this point, I think that lauding Dr. Harran has gone on long enough, this is [unintelligible] .
Judge Lisa B. Lench: Just the legal objection, Mr. Hum. Objection sustained. 

O’Brien then turned to Sangji’s qualifications as a chemist, referring first to her resume and Pomona College transcript. Baudendistel said that Sangji spent three summers doing lab research, besides the normal chemistry curriculum at Pomona. O’Brien then started to ask Baudendistel to go through the lab classes on Sangji’s transcript. Hum objected several times as to relevance, with O’Brien arguing that it addressed the question of training. Judge Lench asked O’Brien whether he could do so solely by listing classes and not discussing what went on in the classes. Lench let O’Brien go through the transcript for a bit but eventually commented, “Going class by class and grade by grade isn’t, I don’t think, going to get you to where you want to go.” 

O’Brien moved on to asking Baudendistel briefly about Sangji’s senior thesis and a recommendation letter from her Pomona adviser to Harran. O’Brien used Pomona student personnel records to establish that Sangji worked as an organic chemistry tutor and in the stockroom. O’Brien had just gotten to the two papers on which Sangji is an author when the judge decided to break.

Again, I don't really understand the defense strategy here. Is the tack that Mr. O'Brien taking that Professor Harran is really well-qualified and therefore would not have neglected basic laboratory safety? Also, it's fairly apparent that Mr. O'Brien is attempting to snow the judge into thinking that Ms. Sangji's undergraduate training would have been enough to equip her with enough to work with tBuLi, which is an interesting and common belief (and wrong, in my opinion.)

Readers, what say you?

Things to Do in San Diego's Balboa Park

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There are many well-known San Diego attractions that you will want to consider when you are planning a visit to this popular Southern California city. Whether you are in the city for business or pleasure, or even if you're a local that needs to entertain out-of-town visitors, you definitely won't run out of things to see. One of the best places you could go -- especially if you like the outdoors -- is Balboa Park.
Although there are plenty of attractions to see, Balboa Park is unique in that it offers a lot of diversions to keep you and your guests busy. Among the various attractions you can see on the park, there are some must-see locations which you should visit to make your sightseeing excursion complete.
One of these "must-see" attractions is the Star Trek exhibition. It contains all the original costumes and props as well as the sets that were used in all series and films of Star Trek. If you are going to get an admission ticket, you would also be granted access to other exhibits on the Air and Space Museum.
If flowers are more to your taste, then the poinsettia display will rank as your number one among the San Diego attractions. The display can be found on the Botanical Building and features more than five hundred poinsettias that were arranged in harmony with the rest of the botanical wonders around which came from all over the world. You do not have to spend anything to see the display because it is for free.
If you are searching for IMAX film among the San Diego attractions, then you can have a single ticket so that you can be admitted to one of the new films on IMAX that are shown on a seamless dome screen which is very modern. If you know of the zoo in San Diego, you would probably visit it too; but if you are going to go there, it is advisable that you go early so that you can avoid the business of the day. One of the unique things to see in the zoo is the Panda Research Station and perhaps you could go there directly.
You may have a long list of other San Diego attractions that are worth seeing, just be sure to save at least a few days of your vacation for exploring Balboa Park and all the sites it has to offer. You won't be disappointed.


Romel have been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit his blogs more often for tips and advice that helps people with the interest for short sales in San Diego and great passion and knowledge for San Diego Coastal and all the different options & providers available in the market today. Find out for more info also here sandiegorealestatecafe.com

Why You Should Be Buying Apartments in Today's Market

To contact us Click HERE

1. 1031 Exchange Opportunity - If you have a low basis property you can utilize IRS tax code 1031 to defer tax on the sale and acquire a replacement property that can enhance cash flow and provide a higher return.

2. Attractive Purchase Prices - Prices are down some 10-30% from the "bubble market" of (2003-2006).

3. Historically Low Financing Costs - The federal government's stimulus efforts have kept interest rates extremely low, making the cost of debt service exceptionally attractive. Qualified investors can take advantage of today's low interest rates to bolster cash flow and lock in better long-term investment returns.

4. Inflation Hedge - With lead economists predicting that inflation will increase at some point in the future, hard assets, like apartments, can provide a hedge against the declining value of money in an inflationary environment. Historically, rental rates tend to rise in inflationary periods.

5. Yield - Financial Institutions are paying very low yields on money market accounts and other conservative investments. In contrast, many apartment complexes are generating returns in 6-9% range, providing considerably better yields than many other competing investments.

6. Less Competition- Foreign ownership of U.S. Investment in real estate is increasing. The lower value of the dollar has made U.S. real estate an even more attractive bargain. These trends increase demand, which will drive up prices.

7. Most Desirable Product Class - Demand for multi-family rentals has increased as foreclosures have mounted and there is little new multi-family construction in the pipeline to meet such increased demand. As a result, multi-family rents are increasing and many experts project this trend to accelerate.

8. Real Estate is Local - Despite national statistics about real estate, investors should be aware that real estate is local and supply/demand and investment returns are determined by local market conditions. San Diego County's geography is ideal for apartment buildings. The county is surrounded by borders; to the south is Mexico, to the north is Camp Pendleton, to the west is the Pacific Ocean and mountains to the east. With that being said, add the political red tape and the high cost of development in California. With San Diego's geography, political landscape and socioeconomics it is clear why demand consistently rises. The result is restricted supply with an enormous demand for housing.

**PricewaterhouseCoopers and Reis survey showed San Diego to have the lowest vacancy rate (3.9%) of any metropolitan area in the United Stated in June 2011.

APARTMENT REALTY GROUP (ARG) is a leading multi-family property investment sales team in SAN DIEGO COUNTY and the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Region. We offer a unique blend of teamwork, experience and an innovative marketing platform allowing us to deliver customized investment real estate solutions. Because we are 100% focused on multi-family investments all of our efforts and resources are spent brokering, underwriting, researching and maintaining the most effective database of multi-family property owners, operators, managers, brokers and capital sources in the industry. Because of our specialization we understand the market and are more responsive to market trends in order to meet the needs of investors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anastasia_Duboshina
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-You-Should-Be-Buying-Apartments-in-Todays-Market&id=6866984

EWaste By The Numbers - How Much Isn't Disposed of Properly

To contact us Click HERE

Electronic waste or eWaste is basically any piece of electrical equipment that is discarded improperly. That is very vague and broad, but you get the picture. The amazing thing about this term is that it was something that was rarely discussed years ago. Even going back further, it didn't even exist! But now as we are entering into a new generation and a future where eWaste is going to continue to grow unless we learn to control it, it is becoming more critical to properly dispose of this waste. Not that people aren't aware of the fact it should be recycled but I think the problem lies in the lack of information about peoples disposal. When was the last time you knew what to do with your old laptop? I don't know about you but I still have one sitting in my closet. Oh not to mention my four cell phones too...

The amount of eWaste disposed of improperly at a glance is extremely overwhelming. Now I wish I was able to tell you something to make you believe otherwise. But until people become more aware of what to do with eWaste or where to dispose of various types of electronic waste, these numbers will not change.

Let us take a look at some of the numbers published by the http://www.epa.gov a few years back that outline how much electronic waste was discarded and not recycled properly:

- 41.1 million desktops and laptops
- 31.9 million computer monitors
- 400 million total units
- Over 3 million tons total
- 20-50 million tons worldwide
- Only 13.6% was recycled

To paint a picture let us take a look at the two cities where I have resided for the majority of my life, San Diego and New Jersey (I choose the whole state because my home town is so small). I began by performing a Google search to see what options for eWaste recycling are available in San Diego County. To my knowledge there are approximately 42 electronic waste recycling facilities in the San Diego area. These facilities will allow you to properly dispose of the following types of waste:

- Cell phones, PDAs, pagers
- Computer monitors
- Computer software disks
- Computers/CPUs
- Laptop computers
- Photocopiers
- Printers/scanners/fax machines
- Stereos/radios/MP3 players or iPods
- Telephones/answering machines
- Televisions (including plasma and LCD)
- VCRs/DVD players
- Video game consoles

Now in my home state New Jersey, let us look at the results that Google provided. In the entire state there are only 9 electronic waste recycling facilities! That is only 21% of what just San Diego County alone has. Not even the entire state! I found that completely astonishing being that NJ is one of the most populated states in the United States. Now I am not going to claim that my hometown state is one of the most forward thinking states but I am sure it is leaps and bounds above many others. So if San Diego is on the progressive forward side of the spectrum and NJ is on the lower end imagine how many other states, cities, or counties out there have even less options for eWaste recycling? This needs to change and hopefully in due time it will!

Please feel free to share the initiatives and efforts of your local town. I'd love to hear what others are doing in taking steps forward.

To find out more information visit at MSS, Inc

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Myles_Vives
http://EzineArticles.com/?EWaste-By-The-Numbers---How-Much-Isnt-Disposed-of-Properly&id=7201790

Day 4 of the #SheriSangi preliminary hearing

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Jyllian Kemsley and Michael Torrice have written up their notes from Day 4 of the preliminary hearings, which included Brian Baudendistel's partial cross-examination by Professor Harran's defense attorney, Thomas O'Brien:

O’Brien: Are you aware that the standards of care for safety in academic laboratories differ from the standard of care in industrial laboratories?
Baudendistel: I don’t agree with that.
O’Brien: You’re not aware of that, sir?
Baudendistel: I think there is a difference in universities’ compliance with applicable regulations, so in that sense, yes. Is there an accepted difference? I don’t agree with that.
O’Brien: Do you agree that there’s a difference in how safety is conducted in academic universities versus safety conducted in industrial universities?
Baudendistel: Industrial universities…
O’Brien: I’m sorry, industrial laboratories.
Baudendistel: I think that there is less compliance with applicable regulations in the university setting as there is in industry.
O’Brien: Would you agree that there is a difference also in how employees are trained in terms of academic university lab workers versus industrial laboratories?
Baudendistel: Yes.
O’Brien: Would you agree that in industry employees are trained at a much higher standard?
Baudendistel: Yes.

If you read the whole thing, you can get to Mr. O'Brien's attempt to get Ms. Sangji's undergraduate education (classes, etc.) as training towards laboratory safety. (I think.) I think December 17 and December 18 are going to be very interesting days...

More in the morning.

Why You Should Be Buying Apartments in Today's Market

To contact us Click HERE

1. 1031 Exchange Opportunity - If you have a low basis property you can utilize IRS tax code 1031 to defer tax on the sale and acquire a replacement property that can enhance cash flow and provide a higher return.

2. Attractive Purchase Prices - Prices are down some 10-30% from the "bubble market" of (2003-2006).

3. Historically Low Financing Costs - The federal government's stimulus efforts have kept interest rates extremely low, making the cost of debt service exceptionally attractive. Qualified investors can take advantage of today's low interest rates to bolster cash flow and lock in better long-term investment returns.

4. Inflation Hedge - With lead economists predicting that inflation will increase at some point in the future, hard assets, like apartments, can provide a hedge against the declining value of money in an inflationary environment. Historically, rental rates tend to rise in inflationary periods.

5. Yield - Financial Institutions are paying very low yields on money market accounts and other conservative investments. In contrast, many apartment complexes are generating returns in 6-9% range, providing considerably better yields than many other competing investments.

6. Less Competition- Foreign ownership of U.S. Investment in real estate is increasing. The lower value of the dollar has made U.S. real estate an even more attractive bargain. These trends increase demand, which will drive up prices.

7. Most Desirable Product Class - Demand for multi-family rentals has increased as foreclosures have mounted and there is little new multi-family construction in the pipeline to meet such increased demand. As a result, multi-family rents are increasing and many experts project this trend to accelerate.

8. Real Estate is Local - Despite national statistics about real estate, investors should be aware that real estate is local and supply/demand and investment returns are determined by local market conditions. San Diego County's geography is ideal for apartment buildings. The county is surrounded by borders; to the south is Mexico, to the north is Camp Pendleton, to the west is the Pacific Ocean and mountains to the east. With that being said, add the political red tape and the high cost of development in California. With San Diego's geography, political landscape and socioeconomics it is clear why demand consistently rises. The result is restricted supply with an enormous demand for housing.

**PricewaterhouseCoopers and Reis survey showed San Diego to have the lowest vacancy rate (3.9%) of any metropolitan area in the United Stated in June 2011.

APARTMENT REALTY GROUP (ARG) is a leading multi-family property investment sales team in SAN DIEGO COUNTY and the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Region. We offer a unique blend of teamwork, experience and an innovative marketing platform allowing us to deliver customized investment real estate solutions. Because we are 100% focused on multi-family investments all of our efforts and resources are spent brokering, underwriting, researching and maintaining the most effective database of multi-family property owners, operators, managers, brokers and capital sources in the industry. Because of our specialization we understand the market and are more responsive to market trends in order to meet the needs of investors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anastasia_Duboshina
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-You-Should-Be-Buying-Apartments-in-Todays-Market&id=6866984

EWaste By The Numbers - How Much Isn't Disposed of Properly

To contact us Click HERE

Electronic waste or eWaste is basically any piece of electrical equipment that is discarded improperly. That is very vague and broad, but you get the picture. The amazing thing about this term is that it was something that was rarely discussed years ago. Even going back further, it didn't even exist! But now as we are entering into a new generation and a future where eWaste is going to continue to grow unless we learn to control it, it is becoming more critical to properly dispose of this waste. Not that people aren't aware of the fact it should be recycled but I think the problem lies in the lack of information about peoples disposal. When was the last time you knew what to do with your old laptop? I don't know about you but I still have one sitting in my closet. Oh not to mention my four cell phones too...

The amount of eWaste disposed of improperly at a glance is extremely overwhelming. Now I wish I was able to tell you something to make you believe otherwise. But until people become more aware of what to do with eWaste or where to dispose of various types of electronic waste, these numbers will not change.

Let us take a look at some of the numbers published by the http://www.epa.gov a few years back that outline how much electronic waste was discarded and not recycled properly:

- 41.1 million desktops and laptops
- 31.9 million computer monitors
- 400 million total units
- Over 3 million tons total
- 20-50 million tons worldwide
- Only 13.6% was recycled

To paint a picture let us take a look at the two cities where I have resided for the majority of my life, San Diego and New Jersey (I choose the whole state because my home town is so small). I began by performing a Google search to see what options for eWaste recycling are available in San Diego County. To my knowledge there are approximately 42 electronic waste recycling facilities in the San Diego area. These facilities will allow you to properly dispose of the following types of waste:

- Cell phones, PDAs, pagers
- Computer monitors
- Computer software disks
- Computers/CPUs
- Laptop computers
- Photocopiers
- Printers/scanners/fax machines
- Stereos/radios/MP3 players or iPods
- Telephones/answering machines
- Televisions (including plasma and LCD)
- VCRs/DVD players
- Video game consoles

Now in my home state New Jersey, let us look at the results that Google provided. In the entire state there are only 9 electronic waste recycling facilities! That is only 21% of what just San Diego County alone has. Not even the entire state! I found that completely astonishing being that NJ is one of the most populated states in the United States. Now I am not going to claim that my hometown state is one of the most forward thinking states but I am sure it is leaps and bounds above many others. So if San Diego is on the progressive forward side of the spectrum and NJ is on the lower end imagine how many other states, cities, or counties out there have even less options for eWaste recycling? This needs to change and hopefully in due time it will!

Please feel free to share the initiatives and efforts of your local town. I'd love to hear what others are doing in taking steps forward.

To find out more information visit at MSS, Inc

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Myles_Vives
http://EzineArticles.com/?EWaste-By-The-Numbers---How-Much-Isnt-Disposed-of-Properly&id=7201790

Study links diabetes to Alzheimer's

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It seems fitting that November is not only National DiabetesMonth but it is also National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. There is evidencethat a link between the two diseases does exist. 

In a new study published in Aging Cell, researchersat the Salk Institute for Biological Studies show that diabetes enhances thedevelopment of aging features that may underlie early pathological events inAlzheimer's. The researchers at Salk Institute found increases in two hallmarksof Alzheimer's-accumulations of amyloid beta (Abeta) and tau protein-in thebrains of diabetic mice, especially in cells surrounding blood vessels,according to a press release from Salk Institue.  Click HERE to read the full article as it appeared on Examiner.com today.

Cyber Monday deals diabetics can enjoy

To contact us Click HERE
Retailers have offered up many special deals today - Cyber Monday. Diabetics can enjoy many of these deals. In fact, several are directed specifically at us.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is offering 20% off orders of $65 or more today at their online store. Shoppers who spend $75 or more will receive a free hot pad and towel set if they enter the holiday code. Items include holiday décor, holiday cars, photo gifts, kitchen and entertaining items, books, calendars and more.
Click HERE to read the full article - including links to some great deals - as it appeared this monring on Examiner.com.

Why You Should Be Buying Apartments in Today's Market

To contact us Click HERE

1. 1031 Exchange Opportunity - If you have a low basis property you can utilize IRS tax code 1031 to defer tax on the sale and acquire a replacement property that can enhance cash flow and provide a higher return.

2. Attractive Purchase Prices - Prices are down some 10-30% from the "bubble market" of (2003-2006).

3. Historically Low Financing Costs - The federal government's stimulus efforts have kept interest rates extremely low, making the cost of debt service exceptionally attractive. Qualified investors can take advantage of today's low interest rates to bolster cash flow and lock in better long-term investment returns.

4. Inflation Hedge - With lead economists predicting that inflation will increase at some point in the future, hard assets, like apartments, can provide a hedge against the declining value of money in an inflationary environment. Historically, rental rates tend to rise in inflationary periods.

5. Yield - Financial Institutions are paying very low yields on money market accounts and other conservative investments. In contrast, many apartment complexes are generating returns in 6-9% range, providing considerably better yields than many other competing investments.

6. Less Competition- Foreign ownership of U.S. Investment in real estate is increasing. The lower value of the dollar has made U.S. real estate an even more attractive bargain. These trends increase demand, which will drive up prices.

7. Most Desirable Product Class - Demand for multi-family rentals has increased as foreclosures have mounted and there is little new multi-family construction in the pipeline to meet such increased demand. As a result, multi-family rents are increasing and many experts project this trend to accelerate.

8. Real Estate is Local - Despite national statistics about real estate, investors should be aware that real estate is local and supply/demand and investment returns are determined by local market conditions. San Diego County's geography is ideal for apartment buildings. The county is surrounded by borders; to the south is Mexico, to the north is Camp Pendleton, to the west is the Pacific Ocean and mountains to the east. With that being said, add the political red tape and the high cost of development in California. With San Diego's geography, political landscape and socioeconomics it is clear why demand consistently rises. The result is restricted supply with an enormous demand for housing.

**PricewaterhouseCoopers and Reis survey showed San Diego to have the lowest vacancy rate (3.9%) of any metropolitan area in the United Stated in June 2011.

APARTMENT REALTY GROUP (ARG) is a leading multi-family property investment sales team in SAN DIEGO COUNTY and the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Region. We offer a unique blend of teamwork, experience and an innovative marketing platform allowing us to deliver customized investment real estate solutions. Because we are 100% focused on multi-family investments all of our efforts and resources are spent brokering, underwriting, researching and maintaining the most effective database of multi-family property owners, operators, managers, brokers and capital sources in the industry. Because of our specialization we understand the market and are more responsive to market trends in order to meet the needs of investors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anastasia_Duboshina
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-You-Should-Be-Buying-Apartments-in-Todays-Market&id=6866984

EWaste By The Numbers - How Much Isn't Disposed of Properly

To contact us Click HERE

Electronic waste or eWaste is basically any piece of electrical equipment that is discarded improperly. That is very vague and broad, but you get the picture. The amazing thing about this term is that it was something that was rarely discussed years ago. Even going back further, it didn't even exist! But now as we are entering into a new generation and a future where eWaste is going to continue to grow unless we learn to control it, it is becoming more critical to properly dispose of this waste. Not that people aren't aware of the fact it should be recycled but I think the problem lies in the lack of information about peoples disposal. When was the last time you knew what to do with your old laptop? I don't know about you but I still have one sitting in my closet. Oh not to mention my four cell phones too...

The amount of eWaste disposed of improperly at a glance is extremely overwhelming. Now I wish I was able to tell you something to make you believe otherwise. But until people become more aware of what to do with eWaste or where to dispose of various types of electronic waste, these numbers will not change.

Let us take a look at some of the numbers published by the http://www.epa.gov a few years back that outline how much electronic waste was discarded and not recycled properly:

- 41.1 million desktops and laptops
- 31.9 million computer monitors
- 400 million total units
- Over 3 million tons total
- 20-50 million tons worldwide
- Only 13.6% was recycled

To paint a picture let us take a look at the two cities where I have resided for the majority of my life, San Diego and New Jersey (I choose the whole state because my home town is so small). I began by performing a Google search to see what options for eWaste recycling are available in San Diego County. To my knowledge there are approximately 42 electronic waste recycling facilities in the San Diego area. These facilities will allow you to properly dispose of the following types of waste:

- Cell phones, PDAs, pagers
- Computer monitors
- Computer software disks
- Computers/CPUs
- Laptop computers
- Photocopiers
- Printers/scanners/fax machines
- Stereos/radios/MP3 players or iPods
- Telephones/answering machines
- Televisions (including plasma and LCD)
- VCRs/DVD players
- Video game consoles

Now in my home state New Jersey, let us look at the results that Google provided. In the entire state there are only 9 electronic waste recycling facilities! That is only 21% of what just San Diego County alone has. Not even the entire state! I found that completely astonishing being that NJ is one of the most populated states in the United States. Now I am not going to claim that my hometown state is one of the most forward thinking states but I am sure it is leaps and bounds above many others. So if San Diego is on the progressive forward side of the spectrum and NJ is on the lower end imagine how many other states, cities, or counties out there have even less options for eWaste recycling? This needs to change and hopefully in due time it will!

Please feel free to share the initiatives and efforts of your local town. I'd love to hear what others are doing in taking steps forward.

To find out more information visit at MSS, Inc

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Myles_Vives
http://EzineArticles.com/?EWaste-By-The-Numbers---How-Much-Isnt-Disposed-of-Properly&id=7201790

Interesting Fairs & Parades In November In San Diego

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This is a taste of the trip we just took to San Diego. San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Legoland and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as well as Mission Beach. This is for personal use only, I do not own the rights to the songs used. This is not for monetary gain.

Lots of fun-filled fairs, parades and interesting events are set to take place in the beautiful city of San Diego. Here are some of the most popular fairs and a parade event which you must attend if you are coming on a San Diego vacation in November:

Carlsbad Village Faire

Want to check out arts and crafts and items from around the world? Then you must attend the upcoming Carlsbad Village Faire which is going to take place at the Grand Avenue in Carlsbad on 6^th November, 2011. Regarded as the largest street festival in the county, Carlsbad Village Faire offers something for everyone. There will be more than 850 vendors selling clothing, antiques, arts and crafts and various unique items from all over the world. In addition, there will be fun rides for children to keep them busy while you are shopping. Once you are done with shopping, you can enjoy delicious food at the international food center, and check out specialty shops, and cafes at the Carlsbad Village Faire.

Del Mar Antique Show

Celebrating its 51^st year, Del Mar Antique Show brings you the finest artifacts, antiques, heirlooms and arts and crafts. If you are fond of arts and crafts, then Del Mar Antique Show is the event you should not miss. It will take place at the O'Brien Pavilion in the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds from 18^th to 20^th November, 2011. Apart from arts and crafts, there will also be people to repair and restore damaged items. So if you want to revive the old shine on your antique furniture or repair all types of jewelry, glass, pottery, crystal; you can get it done at the Del Mar Antique Show.

Mother Goose Parade

The annual Mother Goose Parade is the event which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Considered as the largest parade in the San Diego area and the largest in west of the Mississippi, the Mother Goose Parade takes place on the Sunday which comes before Thanksgiving. This year, it will be held on 20^th November, 2011 from 9am to 3pm at El Cajon. If you are planning a San Diego family vacation in November, make sure to spare some time to be a part of this wonderful event. There will be performing artists, marching bands, floats, equestrians, drill units, clowns celebrities and Santa on his special float. If you plan to attend the Mother Goose Parade, do not forget to bring some snacks, water, and a folding chair to sit and watch the parade conveniently.

With so many interesting events happening in San Diego, it is better to stay in a San Diego accommodation from where you can commute easily to El Cajon, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Carlsbad and other tourist places easily. Since a luge number of tourists come to San Diego in November, lots of hotels in San Diego offer good discounts and deals. You can check on the net to look for a good affordable lodging in San Diego which offers attractive vacation packages and rentals.

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Article Source: ArticlesAlley.com