I think there are some very interesting features like the spike at about 580 AD but I need some more experienced individuals to check the graph.  Also, any help in separating proxy from measured data as well as bad proxies for removal would be appreciated.

If we can trust the proxies I think this graph shows the magnitude of the temperature change from past to present more reasonably than the Mann paper.  In order to complete this though I need to remove any directly measured data (which ones are they) and data which is known to have problems.  After that I want to do smoothed and raw plots and correlations.  It should be interesting.

This is very preliminary data, i haven't had time to confirm every calculation but I think it is good.

This seems to me to be a more reasonable way to view long term trends.  After the few incorrect (contaminated) records are removed we should be able to make some conclusions from this.  Also, I need some help getting the regional temerature curves imported if someone can, I would like to reproduce the Mann calcs as well.

He's bringing in democracy, but this quote from a supporter kind of troubled me:

«"We want him to save Pakistan from becoming Iraq and Afghanistan. We are a nuclear power and he should not bow to international powers."»

I hope they will do better under him than Musharraf, but I also hope we don't have any problems come up because of this.  If you can recall, Musharraf was Bush's ally but he wasn't the best for the Pakistani people.

Since Al Gore has not done this, he can not be taken seriously.

As long as Cap and Trade is on the table the Marxists are running the show and again we can ignore global warming. Cap and Trade is a communist redistribution of wealth plan. It is a plan to tax industrious rich nation for breathing and to give the money to lazy, inefficient Marxists nations. Moreover, all such communist redistribution schemes are trying to retard the west so that China and India can surpass the west.

You can safely ignore global warming until those who say they believe in it abandon our large, industrial cities and go out into the desert and build their own green communities. The use of non-renewable fossil fuels must be completely banned in their green habitats. And their habitats must be completely off the grid.

When you have seen the signs and wonders I have prophesied then be afraid. Be very afraid. For it means that the communists have left the building, true greenies have taken over, and the new boss actually believes in Global Warming. He isn't just using it to tax us for breathing and to destroy Capitalism in general and the US in particular.

This is an interesting graph that anyone interested in climate change should know. Most scientists don't believe that solar variance causes all of the change we see, yet most also will tell you that this is some of it. In reality nobody really knows.

-- A commentor on the blog Mudflapper, hat tip to the website 23/6.  This is probably in response to Sarah Palin's condescending comments toward Obama's orgins as a community organizer.  For those of you that don't know, Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate, the roman appointed governor to the region, and Pilate did not grant him a reprieve from his crucifixion.  Instead, Pilate symbolically "washed his hands" of the situation and left him to the angry mob.

The terrorists used 9/11 to weaken our nation and destroy us. The Republicans use 9/11 to keep us voting out of fear and hate.  I am disgusted, but not surprised.

Keith Olbermann called them out on it on the air.

I can not in clear conscience continue to support this regime or its regime change.

Navegador Chrome de Google

Tecnología

Google desafía a Microsoft con un nuevo navegador
Browser Google Chrome
"Google lanza en más de 100 países su navegador Chrome, intensificando la guerra entre los grandes de la tecnología."
Fuente/sourse: INFORMADOR.com.mx

Aprovechan atacantes lanzamiento de nipper
Tips to help recognize phishing scams
"Un nuevo fraude de phishing circula en Internet."
Fuente/sourse: Netmedia.info

Se acerca la "nube" para acabar con virus cibernéticos
New antivirus within the remote server
"El desarrollo informático se denomina CloudAV y consiste en un antivirus que se pretende esté ubicado en un servidor remoto."
Fuente/sourse: La Cronica.com.mx

Conozca Microsoft Office Excel 2007
How to Get help from  Microsoft office excel 2007 ?
"Aprenda a insertar fórmulas en hojas de cálculo y realizar cálculos sencillos."
Fuente/sourse: Microsoft Office Online.com

Dan a conocer "medidas de seguridad" para redes sociales
Dangerous social networks
"El presidente de la Asociación Mexicana de Internet (Amipci), Fernando Solcá, exhortó a los jóvenes a tomar mayores medidas de seguridad en las redes sociales en línea."
Fuente/sourse: El Economista.com.mx

Dell, listo para presentar mini computadora portátil
 Dell Mini Inspiron, Their first mini Laptop
"La "mini" de Dell será una computadora de precio bajo y de dos tercios del tamaño de una portátil normal."
Fuente/sourse: Yahoo/News.com

RFID, la nueva tecnología que hace posible identificar los productos a distancia
With new technology it's possible to identify products distance
"RFID es un término que se utiliza para definir un novedoso sistema que transmite la identidad de un objeto o persona a través de ondas de radio."
Fuente/sourse: INFORMADOR.com.mx

Secretaría de Cultura del DF comienza radio por internet
New radio station government in Internet
"El próximo jueves 4 de Septiembre se podrá sintonizar "Código DF", la nueva estación de radio por internet de la Secretaría de Cultura del Distrito Federal."
Fuente/sourse: SPUTNIK.com.mx

De todo un poco

Ocultan cigarreras presencia de elemento radioactivo en tabacos
Radioactive element in cigarettes
"El Polonio 210 (210Po) es un elemento radioactivo altamente peligroso y cancerígeno que requiere técnicas y precauciones especiales de manejo."
Fuente/sourse: starMedia.com

El deporte nos hace inteligentes
The sport enhance our capabilities brain.
"Un nuevo estudio científico que afirma que hacer deporte -o incluso ser sólo aficionado- mejorar nuestras capacidades."
Fuente/sourse: BBC.MUNDO.com

Descubrieron una grabación inédita de Marilyn Monroe
Recording secret of legendary  hollywood actress
"Una grabación casera de la legendaria actriz de Hollywood Marilyn Monroe durante el rodaje de "Con faldas y a lo loco" ha aparecido en Australia."
Fuente/sourse: Mundo52.com

Hallan en Francia cráneo casi intacto de mamut de hace 400 mil años
Mammoth, dating from about 400 thousand years ago, was discovered
"El cráneo fosilizado "extremadamente raro" de un mamut de estepa, que data de hace unos 400 mil años, fue descubierto en el sur de Francia."
Fuente/sourse: El Universal.com.mx

So how did this all come about?

Over the past several months things in me have been changing. Many of my desires and dreams were all focused on me and how I could have a happier life. Not too much Matthew 16:24 going on with that mentality; so as you could expect, the inward thought process made me frustrated and miserable. This is where God started directing me and changing my perspective.

Proverbs 31.8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. - NIV (UK)

In response to God's Word, I changed my focus by turning the arrow outward and looking for ways to help those in need. There's plenty of opportunity out there, my biggest hurdle is that I'm here in the States. Not only that, I have very few resources; however, there are those that have lots of resources and that's where this blog comes into play. My hope is that you are someone that can make an impact now and just need someone to encourage you to do just that. So until I have those resources and can spend some time outside the US, I'll be active doing what I can to help here.

Now I know this blog isn't all together yet, but I didn't want to continue putting it off just because I didn't have some wonderfully written "Mission Statement" or some customized CSS with cool images (which are coming soon btw). So...

This is the beginning. This is me "thinking huge". I'm believing God is going to use this blog as a vehicle to impact the world as a place where others can see different needs and help meet those needs. The arrow is pointing out.

One Million Can

This is an effort growing from the Do Something Now campaign titled onemillioncan by the Passion Movement. The 268 group is wanting to impact the globe by rallying others around various causes from clean water for Africa, scripture for different people groups, and homes in Uganda, just to name a few.

Louie and friends are fired up as they've been trekking across the globe spreading the fame of Jesus Christ to a generation of college students world wide. Let's join them by supporting these causes at onemillioncan and help change the world!

JP

The Proper Villains Collective website is on it's way...more to come.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disease that affects about 1% of the population worldwide. Women are affected almost 3 times as often as men. The prevalence increases with advancing age, and 4% to 6% of the white population older than 65 years may have RA. Although the cause is unknown, evidence suggests an association between severe RA and HLA, particularly to alleles coding for a shared epitope on the HLA-DRB1 molecule.

Major features of active disease include symmetrical polyarthritis with joint swelling and tenderness and morning stiffness lasting for an hour or longer. Subcutaneous nodules, presence of rheumatoid factor (in about 80% of patients with RA), and radio graphically evident erosions or juxta-articular osteoporosis in or adjacent to the involved joints are further characteristics of RA.

The onset and clinical course of RA are variable. Gradual onset is most common. About 20% of patients will have a monocyclic course, which will abate within 2 years, whereas the rest will have a polycyclic or progressive course.¹ The long-term prognosis of patients with abrupt onset of disease is similar to that for patients with gradual onset of disease.²

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common causes of disability. After 12 years of disease, more than 80% of patients with RA are partially disabled, and 16% are completely disabled.³ Life expectancy is shortened by an average of 7 years in men and 3 years in women, an outcome equivalent to the increased mortality of patients with Hodgkin disease, diabetes, and stroke.⁴ Factors contributing to the poor prognosis include the presence of extra-articular disease and infections, as well as complications of treatment such as gastrointestinal (GI) toxic effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

The goals of therapy for RA are to alleviate pain, control inflammation, preserve the ability of the patient to function in activities of daily living and work, and prevent joint destruction. Appropriate and timely therapeutic intervention after accurate diagnosis diminishes not only the symptoms but also the progress of RA. The primary care physician has a crucial role in this process by early recognition of the symptoms of RA, leading to its diagnosis and use of the resources necessary to establish a successful treatment program to achieve these goals, and by participating in the ongoing management of the patient with RA.Early in the course of RA, education on the disease and vocational, lifestyle, and family counseling must be provided. Patients are best served by a multidisciplinary team that includes a rheumatologist and other specially trained medical personnel, including nurses and occupational and physical therapists skilled and knowledgeable about RA. Physical modalities such as joint protection, orthotics and other adaptive devices, and exercises improve the symptoms, function, and well-being of the patient. Adequate rest reduces the fatigue associated with active RA, and resting the involved joints lessens the symptoms of inflammation.

THERAPY

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce inflammation and help relieve pain but seldom completely eliminate signs and symptoms of active arthritis. They inhibit 1 or both types of cyclooxygenase (COX). Cyclooxygenase-1 is constitutively expressed in the GI mucosa, kidneys, platelets, and vascular endothelium. Cyclooxygenase-2 is functionally expressed and promotes the elaboration of prostaglandins in inflamed tissues.

Selective blockage of COX-2 may lead to an improved safety profile for these agents. Celecoxib and rofecoxib are the first such agents available in the United States that selectively block COX-2. Rofecoxib is withdrawn from the market due proven increase in cardiac risk.  Of importance, the efficacy of these COX-2 inhibitors does not differ substantially from that of conventional NSAIDs. Their putative advantage is principally because of a reduced rate of adverse events, especially upper GI bleeding.⁵ Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors should be considered in patients at high risk of GI bleeding, including those older than 65 years and those with a previous history of GI bleeding. Despite advantages, these drugs may be associated with important adverse reactions, including allergy and fluid retention, and like other NSAIDs should be used with caution in patients with renal insufficiency.

Glucocorticoids are the most potent suppressors of inflammation and may be needed to control severe polyarticular disease until disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been added and become effective. At that point, the glucocorticoids should be tapered and discontinued. Glucocorticoids should not be used alone in the management of RA. Oral prednisone or an equivalent is given in dosages typically ranging between 2 and 15 mg/d, often in divided doses (eg, 2 mg twice a day). A split-dosing regimen is frequently necessary because the anti-inflammatory effect is relatively short. It is preferable, but often not possible, to avoid long-term glucocorticoid therapy in patients with RA because of the well-appreciated adverse effects of these drugs. Systemic extra-articular manifestations such as rheumatoid vasculitis may require treatment with initial prednisone dosages of 40 to 60 mg/d, tapering according to response.⁶ Intra-articular injection of glucocorticoids is an effective means for reducing pain and inflammation in individual recalcitrant joints.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality in patients with RA.⁷ It should be used when the diagnosis of RA has been established and before erosive change appears. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are usually given with NSAIDs and glucocorticoids, if needed. The DMARDs currently in use are listed in Table 1. The mechanism of action of most of these agents is diverse and to a variable extent overlapping. For many of the agents, the mechanism of action is defined incompletely, whereas for some, including the new class of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, it is better understood.

For patients with mild disease, hydroxychloroquine is often the first drug of choice because of ease of use and its favorable toxicity profile. Retinopathy due to hydroxychloroquine rarely develops when appropriate dosages are used. The onset of antirheumatic disease activity occurs in about 3 to 4 months in almost 50% of patients, although 6 months may be needed for the full benefit to be realized. For patients with moderately active or severe newly diagnosed disease, methotrexate or sometimes sulfasalazine is a preferred initial choice. In patients with continuing active established disease, methotrexate may be used in combination with other agents including hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, or both or cyclosporine, azathioprine, and the more recently available DMARDs.⁹

For patients with acute and severe disease, a combination of DMARDs, prednisone, and an NSAID may be initiated; the dose of prednisone should be tapered during the ensuing weeks to months as disease control improves.

Because of its favorable efficacy and toxicity profile, methotrexate is regarded by many rheumatologists as the anchor therapy for RA. The initial dosage is usually 7.5 to 10.0 mg/wk, titrated upward to an average dosage of 12.5 to 15.0 mg/wk, although dosages of 20 to 30 mg/wk (if tolerated) may be necessary to realize this drug’s therapeutic potential before the response is deemed “inadequate.” Methotrexate may be given in tablet or liquid form; the liquid form is substantially less expensive than tablets, and injection may be associated with less stomatitis and GI upset. Appropriately managed, methotrexate can be used effectively for long periods to control RA. Although generally well tolerated, methotrexate can cause GI upset and hepatotoxicity including liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Concomitant alcohol use is an important risk factor for methotrexate-related hepatotoxicity, and thus alcohol should not be used by patients taking this drug. Methotrexate can also cause a syndrome of pulmonary hypersensitivity manifested by dyspnea, cough, and fever and should not be used in patients with hepatic or renal insufficiency or severe lung disease. Supplemental folate (usually 1 mg/d) seems to reduce the occurrence of other adverse effects, including stomatitis, hair thinning, and bone marrow suppression. In patients taking methotrexate, physicians should avoid prescribing antifolate drugs such as sulfamethoxazole for sinusitis or cystitis, which may precipitate pancytopenia.

Use of DMARDs has substantially improved disease control and the long-term outlook for patients with RA. Their use may be associated with a lower incidence of extra-articular disease manifestations such as systemic vasculitis. In a series of more than 3000 patients monitored for up to 20 years, patients who had received DMARD therapy had a 30% reduction in long-term disability and improvement in survival compared with patients who had received NSAIDs alone.⁷ Despite these successes, major challenges exist. For example, DMARDs are becoming more accepted among practicing physicians and their patients¹⁰ however, adverse effects or failure of the drug to produce long-term disease control often leads to a change in DMARD treatment.

To improve disease control, therapies that contain combinations of DMARDs are often used. About 50% of patients with RA treated by rheumatologists are prescribed combination therapies with either 2 or 3 DMARDs. The combination of methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine is among the most popular regimens. Methotrexate is often combined with other DMARDs including cyclosporine, but many other combinations of DMARDs have also been used.

In addition to hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate, other traditional DMARDs include penicillamine, gold, and sulfasalazine. Sulfasalazine was among the first drugs to be developed for the treatment of RA and may be chosen as the initial DMARD for patients with no allergy to sulfa, rather than hydroxychloroquine or methotrexate. The use of gold or penicillamine is seldom recommended because of the limited efficacy and the pronounced incidence of adverse effects associated with these drugs.

Three to 6 months may be needed before agents such as gold, hydroxychloroquine, and even sulfasalazine are effective. If the response is inadequate after 6 months of treatment, a second DMARD should be added or the DMARD regimen should be changed.

In the past year, 3 new DMARDs, etanercept, infliximab, and leflunomide, have been approved for the treatment of patients with RA.^11,12 Etanercept and infliximab are TNF-α antagonists that have powerful anti-inflammatory effects in patients with RA. Tumor necrosis factor is a potent inflammatory cytokine expressed in increased amounts in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with RA. It promotes the release of other proinflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin (IL) 1, IL-6, and IL-8 and stimulates protease production. Etanercept consists of fusion monoclonal antibody composed of 2 identical chains of recombinant human TNF-α receptor fused with the Fc portion of human IgG1. In vitro it binds to soluble TNF. About 70% of patients receiving subcutaneous etanercept at dosages of 25 mg twice a week have substantial improvement in the extent of joint inflammation, often within 1 to 2 weeks after initiation of therapy. This improvement can be enhanced by combination with methotrexate. Adverse effects of etanercept are influenza-like symptoms and reactions at the injection site, which usually abate after the first few injections. The efficacy of infliximab, a recombinant TNF receptor fusion protein, seems to be roughly equivalent to that of etanercept. Infliximab is given intravenously once every 8 weeks, a regimen that may be more convenient for some patients. Potential long-term risks of these TNF-α antagonists have not been established. Infliximab may be associated with development of autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibodies. To date, neither drug has an increased risk of malignancy, autoimmune disease, or infection, issues that are the subject of ongoing postmarketing surveillance. The cost of these drugs is about $10,000 to $12,000 a year, generally higher for etanercept than infliximab. The available TNF-α antagonists should be considered in patients with recalcitrant disease not controlled by methotrexate.

Leflunomide is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor with clinical efficacy generally equivalent to methotrexate.¹³ Adverse effects reported include rash, alopecia, allergy, weight loss, thrombocytopenia, and diarrhea. Diarrhea often occurs early in the course of treatment and may abate, but discontinuation of the drug is necessary when the diarrhea cannot be ameliorated with dose reduction or concomitant use of antidiarrheal agents.

Serious extra-articular disease manifestations including vasculitis, scleritis, and recalcitrant serositis generally require systemic glucocorticoids and may necessitate the use of immunosuppressive agents such as cyclophosphamide. In my opinion, the only indication for cyclophosphamide in the treatment of RA is severe extra-articular disease, especially vasculitis.

Of importance, the decision about the use and aggressiveness of DMARD therapy should not be based solely on the presence or absence of the rheumatoid factor. Early in the course of RA, the rheumatoid factor may be absent, whereas in patients with established poly articular arthritis, absence of the rheumatoid factor is not invariably associated with mild disease and good disease outcome. Treatment must be tailored to the disease manifestations and needs of the individual patient. Consultation with a rheumatologist is helpful for patients who are pregnant or considering pregnancy because many antirheumatic drugs have severe fetal toxic effects including teratogenicity. Management suggestions for several clinical scenarios involving patients with RA are listed in Table 2.

When the symptoms of RA are well controlled, the glucocorticoids should be tapered, and the NSAIDs may also be tapered or used as needed. As a generalization, DMARD therapy should be continued indefinitely; however, if the patient does well and has no signs of active disease for at least 1 year, DMARD therapy could be carefully tapered. With combination DMARD therapy, one of the DMARDs could be tapered if the patient has been in remission for at least 6 months. Methotrexate can be considered as an “anchor” therapy and generally continue this drug for the longest period. Of note, less than 5% of patients with bona fide seropositive RA remain in long-term disease-free remission.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease. Follow-up early in the course of disease and in patients with poorly controlled disease should be every 2 to 6 weeks. Patients with well-controlled disease may be seen every 3 to 6 months. The primary care physician has an important role in the management of RA and can effectively guide and monitor routine therapy, with periodic consultation by a rheumatologist as needed. Assessment of disease activity and treatment efficacy is enhanced substantially with serial use of standard outcome measures, including duration of morning stiffness, severity of fatigue, presence and degree of joint pain and stiffness including joint counts, global and disease-specific health assessment instruments such as the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and radiographs of involved joints.

Appropriate medical care for patients with RA includes immunization and prompt treatment of infections. Patients with RA have a high risk of infections even if they are not taking DMARDs but particularly when they are taking immunosuppressive drugs. Several medications used to manage RA, including NSAIDs, cyclosporine, and glucocorticoids, may cause or exacerbate hypertension. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an increased incidence of pulmonary disease, and patients who smoke have an especially high rate of lung disease. In patients at high risk of GI bleeding, including elderly women and those with a previous history of GI bleeding, prophylaxis is achieved with agents such as proton pump inhibitors and misoprostol. As a general principle, use of NSAIDs should be avoided when possible and certainly discontinued when symptoms diminish. Virtually all patients with RA have or develop osteoporosis as a complication of the disease or its treatment. Adequate intake of calcium (1200-1500 mg/d) and vitamin D (400 IU/d) is important. In all patients receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy, including men, an antiresportive agent such as bisphosphonates or calcitonin should be considered. In postmenopausal women, estrogen replacement therapy or agents such as raloxifene may be considered. Finally, mouth and eye moisturization is necessary for patients with sicca complex symptoms.

Understanding the relationship of disease susceptibility and severity with genetic factors may provide an avenue for individualized treatment of patients with RA in the future. It may be possible to treat patients lacking genetic markers of severe disease with milder agents, while those with markers of severe disease may be treated more aggressively. More than 80 drugs are currently being developed for treatment of RA; thus, further advances in the management of the disease are forthcoming.

Questions About Treatment of RA

1. Which one of the following would be an acceptable therapeutic program for a patient with early mild RA?

1. Hydroxychloroquine with an NSAID
2. Hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, and an NSAID
3. Methotrexate and prednisone at 5 to 15 mg/d
4. Etanercept and prednisone
5. Leflunomide and sulfasalazine

2. Which one of the following regimens would be appropriate for a patient with RA and new-onset systemic vasculitis?

1. Azathioprine, hydroxychloroquine, and prednisone at 10 to 15 mg/d
2. Prednisone, 20 mg/d, and methotrexate, 25 mg/wk
3. Prednisone, 40 to 60 mg/d, and cyclophosphamide
4. Cyclosporine and prednisone at 20 to 30 mg/d
5. Prednisone, 40 to 60 mg/d, and immunoabsorption column treatment

3. Which one of the following situations is not a relative contraindication to the use of etanercept?

1. Patient with history of tuberculosis exposure
2. Patient with history of lymphoma
3. Patient with active chronic infection
4. Patient with newly diagnosed RA
5. Patient with established RA receiving hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate

4. Which one of the following statements about the clinical course of RA is false?

1. The median life expectancy of patients with RA is the same as that for the general population
2. Most patients with RA have some disability after 12 years of disease
3. Predictors of poor outcome in patients with RA include the extent of radiographic erosions, female sex, and functional class
4. Patients in whom the rheumatoid factor is present have a worse prognosis than those with seronegative disease
5. Disease-free remission is unusual

5. Which one of the following statements about COX is true?

1. Cyclooxygenase-1 is constitutively expressed in the gastric mucosa, kidney, and platelets
2. Use of the currently available selective COX-2 inhibitors is safe in patients with renal failure
3. Currently available selective COX-2 inhibitors have been proved in multiple clinical trials to be safe in patients who are taking warfarin
4. Cyclooxygenase-1 is functionally expressed and promotes the elaboration of prostaglandins important in the inflammatory cascade
5. Selective COX-2 inhibitors are not associated with risk of GI bleeding Correct answers: 1. a, 2. c, 3. e, 4. a, 5. a

REFERENCES

1. Masi AT. Articular patterns in the early course of rheumatoid arthritis. Am J Med. 1983;75(suppl 6A):16-26.
2. Jacoby RK, Jayson MI, Cosh JA. Onset, early stages, and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis. BMJ. 1973;2:96-100.
3. Sherrer YS, Bloch BA, Mitchell DM, Young DY, Fries JF. The development of disability in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1986;29:494-500.
4. Mitchell DM, Spitz PW, Young DY, Bloch BA, McShane DJ, Fries JF. Survival, prognosis, and causes of death in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1986;29:706-714.
5. Wolf MM, Lichtenstein DR, Singh G. Gastrointestinal toxicity of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. N Engl J Med. 1999;340:1888-1899.
6. Matteson EL, Conn DL. Extraarticular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis. In: Weisman MH, Weinblatt ME, eds. Treatment of the Rheumatic Diseases. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 1995:52-67.
7. Fries JF, Williams CA, Morfeld D, Singh G, Sibley J. Reduction in long-term disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-based treatment strategies. Arthritis Rheum. 1996;39:616-622.
8. American College of Rheumatology Ad Hoc Committee on Clinical Guidelines. Guidelines for monitoring drug therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1996;39:723-731.
9. Borigini MJ, Paulus HE. Rheumatoid arthritis. In: Weisman MH, Weinblatt ME, eds. Treatment of the Rheumatic Diseases. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 1995:31-51.
10. Ward MM, Fries JF. Trends in antirheumatic medication used among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 1981-1996. J Rheumatol. 1998;25:408-416.
11. Weinblatt ME, Kremer JM, Bankhurst AD, et al. A trial of etanercept, a recombinant tumor necrosis factor recepton:Fc fusion protein, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving methotrexate. N Engl J Med. 1999;340:253-259.
12. Moreland LW, Baumgartner SW, Schiff MH, et al. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with a recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor (p75)-Fc fusion protein. N Engl J Med. 1997;337:141-147.
13. Mladenovic V, Domljan Z, Rozman D, et al. Safety and effectiveness of leflunomide in the treatment of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1995;38:1595-1603.

Yes, people, this is the reality. And we need to do something about it. Even if the annual temperature increases by a couple of degrees, the polar ice caps will completely melt. That means that most of the costal cities all around the world will flood. Well, at least this'll solve Australia's water problem.

Die Otto Benecke Stiftung e.V. setzt sich besonders für russischsprachige Akademiker ein und unterstützt diese mit spezifischen Weiterbildungsprogrammen. Im Auftrag der Bundesregierung tätig, bietet sie eine Fülle von Kursen für die berufliche und kulturelle Integration dieser Personengruppe.

Für den Bereich der kulturellen Integration hat IKUD Seminare ein spezifisches Konzept entwickelt, das bereits seit 2005 etwa 3-4-mal jährlich durchgeführt wurde. Diese Schulung führt die russischsprachigen Akademiker in die Grundlagen interkultureller Kommunikation ein und schafft so eine Sensibilisierung für potentielle Konfliktsituationen. Besonderes Augenmerk liegt auf Integrationsthemen, der Reflexion eigener Erlebnisse und der Bildung und Verwendung von Stereotypen. Es werden Handlungsempfehlungen entwickelt. Es soll den betreffenden Personen ermöglicht werden sich nicht nur sprachlich, sondern auch kulturell in der neuen Umgebung zu orientieren und die Handlungsweisen ihres Gegenübers zu verstehen. Eine besondere Schwierigkeit ist hier die Integration in den Arbeitsmarkt im Hinblick auf die Anerkennung von im Ausland erlangten Qualifikationen.

Das Seminar kann sich nach jeder Durchführung über positive Bewertungen seitens der Teilnehmer freuen. Eine der Ursachen hierfür ist sicherlich das multikulturelle Trainerteam von IKUD Seminare. Es ist auf diese Weise möglich alle Perspektiven aus erster Hand zu beleuchten und so auch den Teilnehmern eine gewisse Sicherheit zu vermitteln.

Für weitere Informationen: Integrationskonzept für russischsprachige Akademiker

Der Arbeitsalltag ist heute häufig durch Umstände geprägt, die aus dem internationalen Kontext resultieren, in dem wir uns präsentieren und bewähren müssen. Dies erfordert nicht nur Flexibilität, sondern auch eine hohe Sensibilität und vor allem das Wissen über die Dinge, die eine Zusammenarbeit fördern können. Es handelt sich hierbei nicht nur um sprachliche, sondern auch um interkulturelle Kompetenzen. Unterschiedliche kulturelle Hintergründe sind etwa die Ursache für unterschiedliche Arbeitsweisen und müssen daher für eine erfolgreiche Kooperation  berücksichtigt werden.

Im Juli dieses Jahres konzipierte IKUD^® Seminare das Trainingskonzept „Internationale Handlungskompetenz in globalen Arbeitsgruppen", um international tätige Experten der IG Metall bei ihrer Arbeit zu unterstützen. Bei Begegnungen auf europäischer Geschäftsebene kommt neben der sprachlichen, die Schwierigkeit der kulturellen Vielfalt hinzu, welche zu einer großen Herausforderung für alle Teilnehmer werden kann. Es existieren neben unterschiedlichen Arbeitsweisen auch verschiedene Präsentationstechniken oder Arten von Konferenzverhalten. So ist allein die Art und Weise ein Treffen zu beginnen vielfach andersgeartet und vom baldigen Beginn mit inhaltlichen Themen bis hin zum gemütlichen Kennenlernen vieles möglich. Des Weiteren ist zu klären, ob die Konferenz von der Person mit dem größten Fachwissen oder derjenigen mit dem höchsten Status begonnen werden sollte. Hauptziel der Veranstaltung war daher die Erarbeitung allgemeiner Richtlinien für internationale Projekte.

Besonderen Dank geht von unserer Seite auch an Petra Wlecklik, Ressort Migration IG Metall Frankfurt, die Ihnen bei Rückfragen gerne auch zur Verfügung steht.

Dieses Konzept bieten wir sowohl als offene Veranstaltung sowie als Inhouse-Seminar an.

Für weitere Informationen: Interkulturelle Handlungskompetenz- IG Metall

IBC SOLAR macht sich seit 1982 für Solarstrom stark. Das Unternehmen entwickelte sich von einem kleinen Familienunternehmen zu einem Unternehmen, welches heute Standorte weltweit und Tochterfirmen im Ausland besitzt. Die globale Expansion stellte IBC SOLAR vor neue und vor allem internationale Herausforderungen.

Im Zuge dieser Entwicklung stiegen auch die Anforderungen an die Personalentwicklung des Unternehmens. IKUD Seminare unterstützte daher Hartmut Kuehn und Dusanka Nikolic von IBC Solar bei der Entwicklung eines internationalen Weiterbildungsprogramms für die Mitarbeiter. Diese sollten auf die Herausforderungen der globalen Expansion vorbereitet werden. Themen waren hierbei: interkulturelle Zusammenarbeit und Teambildung  sowie Diversity Management. Die Zugehörigkeit zu unterschiedlichen Kulturen bedeutet nicht nur, dass die Mitarbeiter unterschiedliche Sprachen sprechen, sondern auch, dass sie unterschiedliche Auffassungen über Pünktlichkeit, Hierarchie oder Arbeitsweisen besitzen.  Der Abteilung Personalentwicklung sollte ein Werkzeug für weitere selbstständige Schulungen in die Hand gegeben werden. IBC Solar sollte selbst in der Lage sein, ihre Mitarbeiter zu schulen und diese vor möglichen Missverständnissen mit ausländischen Kollegen sowie vor Stress im Zusammenhang mit dieser neuen Situation zu schützen.

Eine erste interne Weiterbildung bei IBC Solar fand bereits mit großem Erfolg statt. Mögliche Problemstellungen im Rahmen der Zusammenarbeit von Mitarbeitern mit unterschiedlichem kulturellem Hintergrund konnten angesprochen und diskutiert werden. Die Weiterbildung wurde von den Mitarbeitern positiv aufgenommen und später als besonders hilfreich bewertet.

Für weitere Informationen: Weiterbildung im interkulturellen Bereich- IBC Solar

Der Arbeitsalltag der Polizei hat sich in den letzten Jahren erheblich verändert. Verstärkt benötigen die Mitarbeitenden nun interkulturelle Handlungskompetenzen, um in oft angespannten Situationen angemessen auf kulturelle Besonderheiten eingehen zu können. Dies ist im polizeilichen Kontext von besonderer Dringlichkeit, da Fehlinterpretationen schnell zu Vorverurteilen und falschen Reaktionen sowie rechtlichen Folgen führen können.

Diesem Umstand folgend nahm sich die Polizei der Fachhochschule Brandenburg vor, ein nachhaltiges interkulturelles Ausbildungskonzept zu entwickeln. Sieben AusbilderInnen der Fachhochschule wurden daher bei IKUD Seminare als Tutoren für das Fünf-Kulturen-Spiel ausgebildet. Das von Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Karl-Heinz Flechsig entwickelte Fünf-Kulturen-Spiel ist eine komplexe Kulturkontaktsimulation, die es ermöglicht, das Zusammentreffen unterschiedlicher Kulturen und somit unterschiedlicher Denk- und Verhaltensweisen zu simulieren und somit Teilnehmenden Handlungsperspektiven zu ermöglichen und diese zu reflektieren. Im Kontakt mit Menschen, die einen anderen kulturellen Hintergrund besitzen gelten auch andere „Spielregeln". Diese zu kennen, erleichtert die Kontaktaufnahme erheblich und beugt Missverständnissen, Konfliktsituationen und Stress vor. Es kann beispielsweise zu Problemen führen, weibliche Beamte als führende Vermittler in einem Konflikt zwischen Personen aus stark Männer dominierten Kulturen einzusetzen.

Die Veranstaltung war ein voller Erfolg und führte dazu, dass das Fünf-Kulturen-Spiel nun ein fester Bestandteil der Ausbildung an der Polizei Fachhochschule Brandenburg ist

Wir danken den AusbilderInnen der Polizei Fachhochschule Brandenburg für die gute Zusammenarbeit. Besonderer Dank geht von unserer Seite aus auch an Ausbildungsleiter Herrn Bernd Kruse, der Ihnen bei Fragen auch gerne zur Verfügung steht.

Auch das Team von IKUD® Seminare ist natürlich jederzeit bereit, Ihnen weitere Auskünfte zu unseren Projekten zu geben und Sie individuell zu beraten.

Für weitere Informationen: Interkulturelle Kompetenz in der Polizeiausbildung

Die Vermittlung von Sprachkenntnissen sollte Hand in Hand mit der Vermittlung interkultureller Kompetenzen gehen. Denn was nützt die sprachliche Ausdrucksfähigkeit, wenn man die kulturellen Gewohnheiten einer Kultur nicht kennt?

Um diese Inhalte in geeigneter Form in den Unterricht integrieren zu können, bedarf es jedoch einer sorgfältigen didaktischen/methodischen Herangehensweise. Aus diesem Grund bot IKUD^®-Seminare in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Zentrum für Sprachen und Interkulturelle Kompetenz der Fachhochschule Kiel im Juli 2008 das Seminar "Interkultureller Trainer im Bereich Sprachenausbildung" an.

Den Kern der Veranstaltung bildete die Vermittlung grundlegender interkultureller Kompetenzen für TrainerInnen und Lehrende, die im Sprachbereich tätig sind oder sein wollen. Dies beinhaltete die theoretischen Grundlagen interkultureller Kommunikation, als auch die Selbstreflexion im Hinblick auf die eigene kulturelle Prägung. Es sind nicht nur Sprachprobleme, die verhindern, dass Menschen sich verstehen können, sondern auch etwa Meinungen darüber, wie man sich anderen Menschen gegenüber verhält oder auf welche Art und Weise Arbeiten erledigt werden. Die gesamte Veranstaltung fand vor dem Hintergrund der methodischen Umsetzung der Themen statt. Weitere Inhalte waren: die Bedeutung von Sprache im interkulturellen Kontext, das Design interkultureller Trainingsmodule, der sichere Umgang mit der Zeitplanung und der Einsatz unterschiedlicher Techniken im Bereich der methodischen Umsetzung der erlernten Inhalte.

Das Seminar war ein voller Erfolg und wurde von alle Teilnehmern als hilfreich und sehr gut bewertet. Auch Frau Victoria Regensburg, tätig im Bereich Deutsch als Fremdsprache an der FH Kiel und Fiona Bubbers, Leiterin des Lehrgebiets Englisch zeigten sich sehr erfreut über den positiven Verlauf des fünftägigen Seminars.

Für weitere Informationen: Interkultureller Trainer im Bereich Sprachenausbildung

Die MitarbeiterInnen der Diakonie Mülheim treffen in ihrem Arbeitsalltag täglich auf Personen mit einem Migrationshintergrund. Ihre Arbeit findet somit in einem internationalen Kontext statt. Folge dieser Situation ist eine erhöhte Anforderung an die Kompetenz der MitarbeiterInnen. Dies meint jedoch nicht nur die kommunikative, sondern auch und vor allem die interkulturelle Kompetenz der beteiligten Personen.

Die Mitarbeiterschulung im Jahr 2007 führte aus diesem Grund in die Methoden interkultureller Handlungskompetenz ein und gab den Teilnehmern den nötigen Einblick in den Bereich der interkulturellen Kommunikation. Anhand von Fallbeispielen und Simulationen wurden Handlungsstrategien aufgezeigt und so eine Sensibilisierung für unterschiedliche kulturelle Kontexte erzeugt. Nicht nur Sprache, sondern auch kulturelle Hintergründe können zu Missverständnissen und Konflikten führen, die einer erfolgreichen Kooperation im Wege stehen. So ist beispielsweise die Art und Weise, wie Menschen unterschiedlichen Geschlechts oder Alters miteinander kommunizieren können für viele Migranten von Bedeutung.

Im zweiten Teil der Veranstaltung wurde die Einbindung der vorgestellten Elemente in den beruflichen Alltag der MitarbeiterInnen behandelt. Dies gelang durch einen praktischen Bezug der vorher erlernten Methoden auf die spezifischen Arbeitskontexte der Diakonie. Durch die praktische Umsetzung wurde es den Teilnehmern ermöglicht eigene Erfahrungswerte zu bilden.

Besonderer Dank geht von unserer Seite aus an Frau Ioanna Zacharaki, die Ihnen bei Fragen auch gerne zur Verfügung steht.

Möchten auch Sie Ihre MitarbeiterInnen für den komplexen internationalen Alltag schulen? Sprechen Sie uns an!

Für weitere Informationen: Interkulturelles Training- Diakonie Mülheim

The Live Machinima Theatre cross-reality event 'Club Goodbye Dollar' was a great succes! Please check Lauren Weyland's blogpost and here are some images:

flickr.com/photos/tags/clubgoodbyedollar

Do you know more sites who reported about this event? Please add the links in the comments. Did you also take snapshots or make video? Please upload them to the web and add the URLs here.

Für einen Kunden, der gerade mit einem US-amerikanischen Unternehmen fusionierte, sollte ein internationales Event organisiert werden. Ziel der Veranstaltung war es, die oberste Führungsebene beider Unternehmen miteinander „bekannt zu machen".

IKUD Seminare unterstützte den Prozess, unterschiedliche Führungsebenen und -stile zusammenzubringen. Eine Planspiel-Simulation mit dem Titel „What are you all about" bot Gelegenheit zum Nachdenken und zur Reflexion. In dem Planspiel ging es um das Bewusstwerden der eigenen Kultur und das Herausarbeiten der unterschiedlichen Denk- und Interaktionsweisen der anderen Kultur. Unterschiedliche kulturelle Hintergründe bedeuten auch unterschiedliche Arbeits- und Führungsstile, Hierarchieverständnisse und Verhaltensweisen. Diese Unterschiede können unberücksichtigt zu Missverständnissen und erheblichen Kooperationsproblemen führen, die eine Zusammenarbeit unmöglich machen.

Die spielerische Herangehensweise sagte allen Beteiligten sehr zu und wurde als äußerst hilfreich und konstruktiv für den darauf folgenden Umstellungsprozess empfunden.

Besonderer Dank geht von unserer Seite aus an Herrn Harald Jacob von Circ Corporate Experience, der maßgeblich an der Implementierung des Projekts beteiligt war.

Das Team von IKUD^® Seminare unterstützt gerne auch Sie bei der Konzipierung und Durchführung von Workshopelementen für interne Events.

Für weitere Informationen: Interkulturelles Planspiel- CIRC Corporate Experience