Smileband General News

One day in July 2001, Larry Page decided to fire Google's project managers. All of them.

It was just five years since Page, then a 22-year-old graduate student at Stanford, was struck in the middle of the night with a vision. In it, he somehow managed to download the entire Web and by examining the links between the pages he saw the world's information in an entirely new way.

What Page wrote down that night became the basis for an algorithm. He called it PageRank and used it to power a new Web search engine called BackRub. The name didn't stick.

By July 2001, BackRub had been renamed Google and was doing really well. It had millions of users, an impressive list of investors, and 400 employees, including about a half-dozen project managers.

As at most startups, in Google's first year there were no management layers between the CEO, Page, and the engineers. But as the company grew, it added a layer of managers, people who could meet with Page and the rest of Google's senior executives and give the engineers prioritized orders and deadlines. Page, now 28, hated it. Since Google hired only the most talented engineers, he thought that extra layer of supervision was not just unnecessary but also an impediment. He also suspected that Google's project managers were steering engineers away from working on projects that were personally important to him. For example, Page had outlined a plan to scan all the world's books and make them searchable online, but somehow no one was working on it. Page blamed the project managers.

Some dramatic streamlining was called for, he resolved. Instead of the project managers, all of Google's engineers would report to one person, a newly hired VP of engineering named Wayne Rosing, and Rosing would report directly to him.

Google's human resources boss, a serious woman with bangs named Stacey Sullivan, thought Page's plan was nuts, according to "I'm Feeling Lucky," Douglas Edwards' inside view of Google's early years. Sullivan told Page so. "You can't just self-organize!" she said. "People need someone to go to when they have problems!"

Page ignored her.

Sullivan took her concerns to Eric Schmidt. In March, Schmidt had become the chairman of Google. Everyone assumed he'd be CEO as soon as he could leave his full-time job as CEO of Novell.

Schmidt agreed with Sullivan. So did Page's executive coach, Bill Campbell. Everyone called Campbell "Coach" because he'd once been Columbia University's football coach. He still walked and talked like he was pacing a sideline. But Page was determined.

Schmidt in particular may have been the worst person for Sullivan to turn to for help back then. Page had never been behind hiring him - or any CEO, for that matter. Google's investors made him do it.

Before long, Schmidt might have presented an obstacle to Page's plan. But not yet. It was July 2001 and Schmidt hadn't officially become CEO. So Page went ahead.

Smileband Health issues

She was the size of a grape in the womb when doctors diagnosed a rare condition and put her chances of survival at 'next to zero'.

But baby Vanellope Hope – whose beating heart grew on the outside of her body – has defied eight-in-a-million odds and is three weeks' old. It took an incredible team of 50 doctors, midwives and nurses to safely deliver her in an operation rarely successfully performed in Britain.

And her joyful parents – who had dismissed early advice to terminate the pregnancy – showed off the miracle daughter they never thought they would have.

Vanellope is recovering from three extraordinary operations to relocate her heart from outside her chest to inside her body.

Her condition, ectopia cordis, was discovered during a scan at nine weeks into pregnancy. 

Expectant mother Naomi Findlay, 31, recalled: 'I burst into tears. The condition came with so many problems.  Her partner Dean Wilkins said: 'We were told our best bet was to terminate and my whole world just fell to bits.'

Miss Findlay added: 'All the way through it, it was 'the chances of survival are next to none, the only option is to terminate, we can offer counselling', and things like that.

'In the end, I just said that termination is not an option for me. If [death] was to happen naturally, then so be it.'

The parents were warned their baby might have chromosomal abnormalities, potential damage to her heart and circulation, and was unlikely to even survive until birth. But hope began to return when Frances Bu'Lock, consultant paediatric cardiologist at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, conducted further scans at 13 and 16 weeks and discovered that – apart from her heart being in the wrong place - Vanellope 'appeared essentially normal'.

Mr Wilkins, 43, said: 'When she starts moving her arms, you feel like, 'That's a life in there, she is there'.'

Undeterred in their fight for their baby, The couple, from Nottingham, paid for a special blood test to check for chromosomal problems. 

Mr Wilkins said: 'When the results of that test came back as low risk of any abnormalities, we jumped up and down in the living room and cried. At that point we decided to fight to give our daughter the best chance of surviving. Doctors began drawing up a hugely complex plan, conducting ultrasound and MRI scans on the baby's chest wall, lungs and brain.

Dr Bu'Lock said: 'We came together as a team of fetal medicine doctors, obstetricians, anaesthetists, cardiac and abdominal surgeons and cardiologists to review all of the available information and discuss how best to plan for a delivery, surgery and subsequent care. 'It was decided that delivery by caesarean section would be best to reduce the risks of infection, risks of trauma or squashing of the heart during delivery, and that surgery to provide some sort of covering to the heart would be needed immediately after baby was delivered.'

When she was 35½ weeks' pregnant, at 9am on November 22, Miss Findlay was wheeled into a cardiac theatre at Glenfield Hospital.

She met the 50 doctors, midwives and nurses who were split into four teams to deliver the baby, keep the mother safe and carry out the complex heart surgery. At 9:50am, baby Vanellope was born. Miss Findlay recalled: 'I started to panic. I actually felt physically sick, because I thought there was a big possibility I wouldn't be able to see her, or hear her, or anything really. 

'But when she came out and she came out crying that was it - the relief fell out of me.'

Mr Wilkins said: 'When she cried, we cried. I felt hopeless and just held onto Naomi and was staring into her eyes praying that it was all going to be ok.'

Vanellope - and her exposed beating red heart – was immediately wrapped in a sterile plastic bag and was whisked to the next team in an adjoining theatre. Her head was kept outside the bag, with a woolly hat to keep warm.

Consultant Neonatologist Jonathan Cusack said: 'The bag keeps the organs sterile but also keeps the tissues moist. We inserted a breathing tube into her mouth and gave medications to sedate her and stop her moving.

'Vanellope was born in good condition. She cried at birth and coped well with the early stabilisation and her heart continued to beat effectively.'

Around 50 minutes after birth, Vanellope was stable enough to be transferred back to the main theatre - where surgical teams began the task of putting her entire heart back inside her chest.

They carefully stretched apart a tuppence-sized chest hole to create more space for the heart, and installed a protective membrane over the beating organ.

Over the next nine days, lying on her back in intensive care, Vanellope's heart gradually sank into the hole in her chest.

Smileband Health issues

• Colds and flu. Although they can occur in warm weather too, your risk of contracting these viral diseases goes way up during the winter months. To prevent them, wash your hands often, avoid work or family environments where others have colds or the flu, and if you get sick yourself, stay home. Don’t “tough it out” and go to work and spread the virus.
• Sore throats. These symptoms are more prevalent in cold weather, and there is some evidence that they are triggered by sharp changes in temperature, such as going in and out from warm, heated homes and offices to cold weather outside. If you feel that scratchy sensation in your throat, treat it immediately by gargling with salt water.
• Asthma. If you already suffer from symptoms of asthma, cold weather may trigger more attacks than usual, including wheezing and shortness of breath. So try to stay indoors on cold, windy days and keep your rescue inhalers handy.
• Norovirus. Otherwise known as the “winter vomiting bug.” It’s not fatal, but if you catch it you may wish you were dead. This is an infectious disease that is transmitted via contact, so avoid public places if you’re susceptible to it.
• Arthritis and joint pain. Yes, your mother and grandmother were correct that you can “feel the effects of cold weather in your bones.” Maintaining your daily exercise regimen can help to prevent outbreaks of joint pain when the weather gets cold.
• Cold hands and feet. No, it’s not just your imagination. Cold weather affects your circulation, and your fingers and toes can literally “turn blue” in cold weather. To limit this, try to avoid caffeine, smoking, and drinking alcohol, all of which restrict circulation.
• Depression. Although technically not a transmittable disease per se, about 5% of Americans (75% of them women) experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which causes them to become clinically depressed, socially withdrawn, fatigued and sleepy, to crave carbohydrates, and gain weight. An additional 15% of the public has a milder form of the condition. Spending more time in sunlight or using full-spectrum light bulbs in your house and office can help to stave off depression.
• Dry skin. It’s even more important to stay hydrated and keep your skin moisturized during the winter months than it is during the hot summer months. A tip to be aware of is that “moisturizers” and skin lotions aren’t really absorbed through your skin. What they do is act as a sealant to keep moisture from evaporating, so the best time to apply them is right after a bath or shower.
• Heart attacks and stroke. We’ve saved this one for last, because it’s the most important winter health risk that you should be aware of. Your blood vessels constrict in cold weather, which can raise your blood pressure and trigger stress reactions that place additional burdens on your heart and circulatory system. Numerous studies have shown that the incidence of heart attacks and stroke go up dramatically during cold weather, and that the greatest periods of risk may be when the temperature changes rapidly during the day. One recent study showed that each 5-degree fluctuation in temperature increased stroke hospitalizations by 6%, and that each additional fluctuation increased the risk by an additional 2%. So don’t over-exercise when the temperatures get cold, or are fluctuating wildly. Take it easy while shoveling snow (one of the biggest winter weather sources of heart attacks) and while performing winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing.

Smileband Health issues

NORMAL MOLES are common small brown spots or growths on the skin that appear in the first few decades of life in almost everyone. They can be either flat or elevated and are generally round and regularly shaped. Many are caused by sun exposure.

MELANOMA, one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, most often appears as an asymmetrical, irregularly bordered, multicolored or tan/brown spot or growth that continues to increase in size over time. It may begin as a flat spot and become more elevated. In rare instances, cancer meaning it does not have any of the skin pigment (melanin) that typically turns a mole or melanoma brown, black or other dark colors. In these cases, it may be pink, red, normal skin color or other colors, making it harder to recognize as a melanoma. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between an atypical mole and an early melanoma. (Some melanomas begin within an atypical mole.) The degree of atypical features in the mole can determine whether it is harmless, or at moderate or high risk of becoming a melanoma. Many physicians examine such moles with a dermoscope, a handheld magnifying device that allows visualization of internal skin structures and colors not seen by the naked eye. The doctor may also opt to remove the entire mole or a portion of it for examination in a lab.

Certain factors can be clear warning signs that an atypical mole is actually a melanoma or in danger of becoming a melanoma. These include itching, pain, elevation, bleeding, crusting, oozing, swelling, persisting open sores, bluish-black color and other features that may go right up to the edges of the mole. If you or a loved one has any of these warning signs, consult a dermatologist or another physician with experience in skin disorders.

Physicians can often identify an atypical mole by the same classic “ABCDE” characteristics used to identify a possible melanoma:

Asymmetry: Unlike common moles, atypical moles are often asymmetrical: A line drawn through the middle would not create matching halves.

Border: While common moles usually have regular, sharp, well-defined borders, the borders of atypical moles tend to be irregular and/or hazy — the mole gradually fades into the surrounding skin.

Color: Common moles are most often uniformly tan, brown or flesh-colored, but atypical moles have varied, irregular color with subtle, haphazard areas of tan, brown, dark brown, red, blue or black.

Diameter: Atypical moles are generally larger than 6 mm (¼ inch), the size of a pencil eraser, but may be smaller.

Evolution: Enlargement of or any other notable change in a previously stable mole, or the appearance of a new mole after age 40, should raise suspicion. Other factors besides the ABCDEs may also indicate an atypical mole:

Surface: Central portion often is raised, whereas the peripheral portions are usually flat, sometimes with tiny “pebbly” elevations.

Varying Appearance:Atypical moles can be greatly varied, often looking different from one another. Don’t wait for more serious warning signs of melanoma to appear, such as:

• Itching
• Pain
• Elevation
• Bleeding
• Crusting
• Swelling
• Oozing
• Ulceration
• Bluish-black color

Smileband General news

A grooming gang are feared to have used a McDonald's to meet teenage girls for sex abuse.

Scotland Yard detectives are investigating claims four girls aged between 13 and 15 were raped after being picked up by the grooming ring around the fast food branch in Stratford, east London. 

But it is thought there could be many more victims of the gang, possibly more than 30 girls. It is thought younger boys may be being used as 'hooks' to meet schoolgirls, who are then abused by older men.

A Met Police spokesman said: 'A safeguarding operation, Operation Grandbye, has been running since the beginning of November in response to increased issues relating to child sexual exploitation (CSE) in and around the Stratford Mall in Newham.

'Groups of young girls have been seen congregating with older males.'

Police said they have referred some girls to social services over grooming fears.

'Some girls felt they were in a relationship but others were there to either make money or do a job in relation to drugs,' Detective Inspector Laura Hillier told the independent. A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and possession with intent to supply drugs.

Four others, a 16-year-old, two 15-year-olds and a 21-year-old - have been arrested on suspicion of other offences by officers working on the same operation.

A 21-year-old, Peter Maynard, was given a conditional discharge for possession of cannabis after he was arrested by officers working on the probe. Police say a variety of methods will be used to tackle drug dealing and child sexual exploitation in the area against girls as young as 13.

In a press statement, Detective Inspector Laura Hillier added: 'A common feature of child sexual exploitation is that the child or young person does not recognise the coercive nature of the relationship and do not see themselves as a victim of sexual exploitation.

'As a result they are unlikely to report the abuse, meaning the issue remains seriously under reported.

'It is therefore essential that not only police and partners, but also the wider community, are alert to the warning signs.

'We all have a responsibility to keep our children and young people safe from harm and getting the local business sector on board will assist in the prevention, detection and safeguarding of those at risk.

Smileband Health issues

Heart palpitations are heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable.

Your heart may feel like it's pounding, fluttering or beating irregularly, often for just a few seconds or minutes. You may also feel these sensations in your throat or neck.

Palpitations may seem alarming, but in most cases they're harmless and aren't a sign of a serious problem.

Sometimes you may feel an extra or missed beat. These are known as ectopic beats and are also usually nothing to worry about.

Causes of heart palpitations

Causes of heart palpitations include:

• lifestyle triggers
• emotions and psychological triggers
• medication
• hormone changes
• heart rhythm problems
• heart conditions
• other medical conditions  

  Lifestyle triggers

  Common triggers of heart palpitations include:
  • strenuous exercise 
  • not getting enough sleep 
  • drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea and energy drinks 
  • Alcohol 
  • Smoking 
  • illegal drugs such as cocaine, herion amphetamines, ecstasy and cannabis 
  • rich or spicy foods 
  In these cases, the palpitations should go away on their own. Avoiding these triggers may help stop them coming back.

Smileband Health issues

What is Syphilis?

Syphilis is a common bacterial infection that’s spread through sex. Syphilis is easily cured with antibiotic medicine, but it can cause permanent damage if you don’t get treated.   

Syphilis is serious — but it can be cured.

Syphilis is a really common STD. Syphilis is spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Syphilis causes sores on your genitals (called chancres). The sores are usually painless, but they can easily spread the infection to other people. You get syphilis from contact with the sores. A lot of people with syphilis don’t notice the sores and feel totally fine, so they might not know they have it.  

Syphilis is very easy to give to other people in the beginning, when there are sores. But lots of people don’t even know they have syphilis because they don’t notice the sores. Using condoms every time you have sex is one of the best ways to help prevent syphilis — even if you and your partner seem totally healthy.

Syphilis isn’t spread through casual contact, so you CAN’T get it from sharing food or drinks, hugging, holding hands, coughing, sneezing, sharing towels, or sitting on toilet seats.