Pursuing financial independence is one of the few ways you can attempt to control your own destiny; it provides freedom from so many of the world's forces over which you have absolutely no control. In Lessons on the Road to Financial Independence, financial advisor and author H. Michael Finkle addresses the goal of seeking personal financial independence by sharing his own background and story as well as his investment experiences, values, and advice. In this guide, Finkle takes a chronological journey through his life and career. He shares some of the key life experiences that shaped his values and worldviews and how they helped determine both his life and investment career. Lessons on the Road to Financial Independence presents big-picture observations of the investment world and provides insights into the decision-making process on the journey to major financial and life rewards. Lessons on the Road to Financial Independence shows that through perseverance, planning, discipline, and dedication to the journey, financial independence can be attained. Pursued correctly, seeking financial independence can lead to a life more fully lived and can open doors to an even more rewarding life experience.

Based on the international workshop GPCRs: From Deorphanisation to Lead Structure Identification, held in Berlin in May 2006, the book highlights the following topics: Structure of GPCRs, Design of GPCR Ligands, GPCR Signalling, Deorphanization and Assay Development. All chapters are written by leading experts in the field, discussing the most recent state of the art. They give insight into the approaches taken by industry and academia to address GPCRs and depict how mature this target class-oriented research has become in the last decade. The book reflects the actual trends in the fast-emerging field of GPCR research in academia and industry.

This is a story about Bella, a beautiful tale of caring, trust and emotional healing. It begins when Dr. Zal, a first-year resident in Psychiatry, meets a 20-year-old in the throws of a severe psychotic episode. It chronicles thirty-seven years of psychiatric treatment. Focusing on family relationships, he tells how both Bella and he resolved issues with a significant parent. Although his life was quite different, he was able to draw parallels that allowed him to empathize with some of her life events. Bella was a role model of strength, endurance and caring for her children and husband. She survived childhood abuse, molestation and a dysfunctional family background. In the end, mental illness did not ravish her life. Rather it was a physical disease. The book also shows how Dr. Zal changed from an inexperienced, anxious, psychiatric resident and become a wiser, more empathetic therapist. It illustrates how he learned to balance personal angst, the biologic basis of psychiatric illness and the uniqueness of the individual patient into a therapeutic tool. This balancing act, illustrated through Bella's story, is the dance with medusa that has occupied the core of his life in psychiatry. Dr. Zal is able to weave a 40-year history of psychiatry through this story, including sweeping changes in treatment, mental health laws and the role of the psychiatrist. Using Haverford State Hospital, he tells the story of the transition to community mental health. Bella's story is about hope, overcoming the stigma of mental illness and the role that determination can play in life success. Her accomplishments reinforce Dr. Zal's firm belief that although psychiatric medications can facilitate improvement in mental disorders, it is people working with people, on a sustained long-term basis, that is equally or even more important, in maintaining recovery and producing emotional growth.

If one were forced to use a single key word to describe the decade of the 1980's, a very prominent one would be "technology. " Leading the forefront of tech nology advancement were breakthroughs in electronics. Devices that were uncommon or unknown in 1980 became commonplace, and almost indispens able, by 1989. This trend has continued into the 1990's and it does not seem to be abating in any way. Microwave ovens, video recorders, telephone answer ing machines, compact disc players, computers, and a host of smaller or less sophisticated devices now appear in most households. The development of small and inexpensive computers, i. e., personal computers, has placed computing resources within reach of many more people. In addition, many traditional, and largely mechanical devices, have been enhanced by electronics. For example, specialized microprocessors are combined with arrays of electronic sensors to control and monitor sophisticated engineering components in most new auto mobiles. In this and many other ways, we are touched by the new electronics in almost every aspect of our daily lives. Initially, personal computers were little more than toys. They contained only a small fraction of the computing power of their immediate ancestors, the mini computers and mainframe computers. However, rapid improvements in integ rated circuit design and chip manufacture produced regular reductions in size and cost of computer components. During the same time, processor speed and sophistication increased."

This volume illustrates the sweeping changes in Cuban foreign policy under Raul Castro. Leading scholars from around the world show how the significant shift in foreign policy direction that started in 1990 after the implosion of the Soviet Union has continued, in many ways taking totally unexpected paths-as is shown by the move toward the normalization of relations with Washington. Providing a systematic overview of Cuba's relations with the United States, Latin America, Russia, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, this book will be invaluable for courses on contemporary Cuban politics.

BACnet is a data communication protocol for building automation and control systems, developed within ASHRAE in cooperation with ANSI, CEN, and the ISO. This new book, by the original chairman of the BACnet committee, explains how the BACnet protocol manages all basic building functions in a seamless, integrated way. The book explains how BACnet works with all major control systems-including those provided by Honeywell, Siemens, and Johnson Controls, among many others-to manage everything from heating to ventilation to lighting to fire control and alarm systems. BACnet is used today throughout the world for commercial and institutional buildings with complex mechanical and electrical systems. Contractors, architects, building systems engineers, and facilities managers must all be cognizant of BACnet and its applications. With a real "seat at the table," you'll find it easier to understand the intent and use of each of the data sharing techniques, controller requirements, and opportunities for interoperability between different manufacturers' controllers and systems. Highlights include: A review of the history of BACnet and its essential features, including the object model, data links, network technologies, and BACnet system configurations; Comprehensive coverage of services including object access, file access, remote device management, and BACnet-2012's new alarm and event capabilities; Insight into future directions for BACnet, including wireless networking, network security, the use of IPv6, extensions for lifts and escalators, and a new set of BACnet Web Services; Extensive reference appendices for all objects and services; and Acronyms and abbreviations

This book focuses on the Caribbean policies of the major contenders for power, analysing the evolution of each country's policies. It looks at the rivalry for Caribbean influence from the perspectives of eastern Caribbean and Central American governments.

This book explores the nature and development of Castro's foreign relations and Cuban globalism, with primary attention devoted to nationalism's influence on Havana's policies toward the United States, the Soviet Union, and the developing African, Asian, and Latin countries of the Third World.

Cuban International Relations at 60 brings together the perspectives of leading experts and the personal accounts of two ambassadors to examine Cuba's global engagement and foreign policy since January 1959 by focusing on the island's key international relationships and issues. Thisbook's first section focuseson Havana's complex relationship with Washington and its second section concentrates on Cuba's other key relationships with consideration also being given to Cuba's external trade and investment sectors and the possibility of the island becoming a future petro-power. Throughout this study due attention is given to the role of history and Cuban nationalism in the formation of the island's unique foreign policy. This book's examination and reflection on Cuba as an actor on the international arena for the 60 years of the revolutionary period highlights the multifaceted and complex reasons for the island's global engagement. It concludes that Cuba's global presence since January 1959 has been remarkable for a Caribbean island, is unparalleled, and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Scholars of international relations, Latin American studies, and political science n will find this book particularly interesting.

From its inception, Fidel Castro's revolution has exerted an impact on the international scene far out of proportion to Cuba's modest size and limited resources. This phenomenon became more pronounced in the mid-1970s as Havana's foreign policies took on truly global parameters that involved the dispatch of large combat forces to Angola and Ethiopia, the initiation of ambitious military and developmental aid programs for Third World nations, and the assumption of leadership of the Nonaligned Movement. Today Cuba remains a significant actor on the world scene, giving top priority to Caribbean and Central American affairs. Critics, especially in the United States, have insisted that Cuban globalism is not a nationalist expression, that Cuba is but a surrogate for the Soviet Union. Such charges, however, ignore or seriously underestimate the role that nationalism has always played in the Cuban Revolution. This book explores the nature and development of Castro's foreign relations in general and Cuban globalism in particular, with primary attention devoted to nationalism's influence on Havana's policies toward the United States, the Soviet Union, and especially the developing (mostly nonaligned) African, Asian, and Latin countries of the Third World. To give the reader an in-depth Cuban perspective on crucial international issues, excerpts from Castro's major speeches and press interviews are included. Erisman concludes that the nationalistic dimension of Havana's foreign policies has definitely not been fully appreciated, and this omission obscures the complexity and true essence of Cuban globalism.

Percutaneous lumbar discectomy is a new surgical method for treating lumbar disc diseases. The goal of the procedure is decompression of the spinal nerve root by percutaneous removal of the nucleus pulposus under local anesthesia. Probably 20 % of all patients requiring lumbar disc surgery can be successfully treated by this method. During the past two years, percutaneous discectomy has spread rapidly, and it is now performed in most clinical departments engaged in spinal surgery. The first International Symposium on Percutaneous Lumbar Discectomy, held in Berlin in August 1988, covered all current procedures known as "percutaneous discectomy" and the entire range of percutaneous techniques, both clinical and experimental. Its publication is important because of the recency of this new surgical procedure, the outstanding experience of the speakers - including the Japanese, American, and European "pioneers" of the technique - and last but not least the gaps in the knowledge of physicians concerning this topic. This procedure opens up new perspectives in the surgical treatment of degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine.

If one were forced to use a single key word to describe the decade of the 1980's, a very prominent one would be "technology. " Leading the forefront of tech nology advancement were breakthroughs in electronics. Devices that were uncommon or unknown in 1980 became commonplace, and almost indispens able, by 1989. This trend has continued into the 1990's and it does not seem to be abating in any way. Microwave ovens, video recorders, telephone answer ing machines, compact disc players, computers, and a host of smaller or less sophisticated devices now appear in most households. The development of small and inexpensive computers, i. e., personal computers, has placed computing resources within reach of many more people. In addition, many traditional, and largely mechanical devices, have been enhanced by electronics. For example, specialized microprocessors are combined with arrays of electronic sensors to control and monitor sophisticated engineering components in most new auto mobiles. In this and many other ways, we are touched by the new electronics in almost every aspect of our daily lives. Initially, personal computers were little more than toys. They contained only a small fraction of the computing power of their immediate ancestors, the mini computers and mainframe computers. However, rapid improvements in integ rated circuit design and chip manufacture produced regular reductions in size and cost of computer components. During the same time, processor speed and sophistication increased."

Based on the international workshop GPCRs: From Deorphanisation to Lead Structure Identification, held in Berlin in May 2006, the book highlights the following topics: Structure of GPCRs, Design of GPCR Ligands, GPCR Signalling, Deorphanization and Assay Development. All chapters are written by leading experts in the field, discussing the most recent state of the art. They give insight into the approaches taken by industry and academia to address GPCRs and depict how mature this target class-oriented research has become in the last decade. The book reflects the actual trends in the fast-emerging field of GPCR research in academia and industry.

Joint replacement is a logical step in the treatment of severe joint pathologies with irreversible lesions resisting conservative therapy. At the spinal level, arthrodesis became, very early, the gold standard of treatment for severe intervertebral disc pathologies. The next logical step was to envision functional replacement, and this step was taken as early as 1956, when the first intervertebral implant was described. However, it took many more years and a great variety of proposed implant designs before clinical applications could be attempted.

In recent years the powerful and long-standing influence of the United States in the Caribbean and Central America has been challenged directly by Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela and--many think--indirectly by the USSR. This struggle for dominance, which has altered and still is significantly changing the power configuration in the Caribbean Basin, is examined in detail in Colossus Challenged. The book contains seven chapters by prominent area specialists. Five of the chapters focus on the Caribbean policies of the major contenders for power, analyzing the evolution of each country's policies, the main variables affecting its definition of interests and its decision making, and its prospects for exerting regional influence in the foreseeable future. The other two chapters look at the rivalry for Caribbean influence from the perspectives of eastern Caribbean and Central American governments.

The Spine: Medical and Surgical Conditions is a complete, two volume, evidence based study edited by an internationally recognised team of spine surgeons based in the USA, China, Canada, Germany, Japan, Brazil, Egypt and India. The two volumes are divided into 137 chapters, across fourteen sections. The first section covers general topics in spinal medicine, including anatomy, biomechanics, physical and neurological examination, interventional diagnostics and therapeutics, and anaesthesia. This is followed by sections on the development of the spine, metabolic disorders, and bone grafting. Subsequent sections focus on surgery for particular parts of the spine, including cervical, lumbar and thoracic, as well as sections on spinal cord injuries and motor preservation. Later sections in the book provide information on the spine in paediatrics, adult deformity, tumours, vascular malformations and infections, complications of spinal surgery, and a final section on minimally invasive techniques. Enhanced by 1500 full colour images, The Spine: Medical and Surgical Conditions is also made available online, complete with text, images and video, with each physical copy. Key Points Comprehensive, two volume guide to spinal medicine Covers anatomy, biomechanics, examination, diagnostics, therapeutics, anaesthesia, surgery and complications Enhanced by 1500 full colour images Includes access to online version with complete text, images and video

In this book, leading international specialists in the field join forces to discuss topics, issues and approaches that are of key importance in the optimal treatment of lumbar degenerative disk disease. The coverage is wide ranging, from current understanding of physiopathology and genetics and modern imaging techniques through to the diverse minimally invasive, non-fusion, and fusion surgical techniques. Detailed attention is drawn to the most important aspects to be considered when approaching the patient and making treatment decisions. The role of conservative management is appraised, and surgical techniques and their indications are carefully described. In the concluding section, some of the top specialists from across the world reflect on the lessons that they have learned during lifetimes in spinal surgery. Advanced Concepts in Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease will be an instructive and fascinating source of information for all spine surgeons and other spine care providers.

Don t miss it The second, completely revised and expanded edition of the successful surgical manual on minimally invasive spine surgery includes 51 chapters (including more than 20 new chapters) covering all current minimally invasive techniques in spine surgery. A complete survey of all microsurgical and endoscopic techniques with a special focus on semi-invasive injection techniques for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in low back pain is given. The clear chapter structure with terminology, history, surgical principles, advantages/disadvantages, indications, access principles, complications, and results facilitates navigation through the manual. Topics include the principles of microsurgical and endoscopic treatment, spinal navigation and computer-assisted surgery, minimally invasive reconstruction, fusion, dynamic stabilization in fractures, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, low back pain and deformities. The didactic presentation of surgical steps makes the reader familiar with all types of new minimally invasive techniques in clinical use or still in ongoing clinical trials such as minimally invasive spine arthroplasty."

Guide to Freedom: Rediscovering the Underground Railroad In One United States County reveals Underground Railroad sites of Frederick County, Maryland, which lies amidst a major group of Underground Railroad routes just to the east of the Appalachians. Frederick County, a border county in a border state during the Civil War, directly adjoins the slave state of Virginia and the free state of Pennsylvania. Despite the geographic centrality of this county to Underground Railroad activity, most of its fascinating Underground Railroad history had nearly been lost to time. The recently rediscovered history of the Underground Railroad in the county presents one of the very few detailed pictures of the Underground Railroad in any border or southern state. Guide to Freedom lists all confirmed or suspected Underground Railroad safe-houses and routes in the county and rates each according to the likelihood that its oral tradition or documentation is authentic. What has emerged is a network of six confirmed routes, more than fifty confirmed or suspected safe-houses and a number of Underground Railroad safe-house operators and conductors. Of high interest to readers will be the stories of freedom seekers identified by name who passed through Frederick County including several who were sheltered at the author's own safe-house.

One of the most influential professional groups on the 21st Century world of work has been the Electrical Engineering Occupation. This book deals with aspects of power, knowledge, status and technology as they are found in the American electrical engineering profession and occupation as it has evolved from the early 1880s through the 1990s. The primary foci of this discussion are the professionalizing of the American Electrical Engineering occupation, its quest for status and power, its creation and stewardship of knowledge, its control of technology, and its marriage with capitalism and industry. It addresses three questions of sociological importance: Is the American electrical engineering group an occupation or a profession; what has been the influence of technology on the group; and how has the elite leadership of the group influenced it ?