The effect of the lower NCAA ceiling has been "to help spread the players around, " says Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor at Smith College who studies athletics.

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In the U.S., uncertainty over the near-term, with a looming fiscal cliff and the potentially nefarious effect of a new debt ceiling debate still to come, have kept investors on edge.

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This effect allows geckos to walk on the ceiling, using tiny hairs on the soles of their feet.

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At the same time, the spending cuts agreed upon as part of the debt ceiling deal of 2011 will begin to go into effect.

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One of those past agreements -- to increase the debt ceiling in 2011-- included the forced spending cuts taking effect Friday.

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Biden is also expected to be one of the key players in coming fiscal fights: automatic spending cuts set to take effect in a month, funding the government and the debt ceiling.

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So this may have a spinoff effect -- maybe more blacks will break through the glass ceiling in corporations, more blacks may, because of their newfound confidence, become more civically engaged, run for office.

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To add style in a room with a low ceiling, select a style that is wider than it is tall for best effect.

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