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Intimate beachfront condo in West Maui with views overlooking Molokai
Near Kaanapali Beach
Located in residential Honokowai, between the resort communities of Kaanapali and Kapalua, this casual hotel is a mile from Whalers Village and four miles from historic Lahaina.
Outdoor amenities
Aston Paki Maui's 3 low-rise buildings encircle a tropical courtyard with benches and a koi pond; guests enjoy a small outdoor splash pool with adjacent spa tub and pavilion with barbecues.
Furnished lanais
All 112 individually decorated condos at Aston Paki Maui offer complimentary high-speed Internet access, ceiling fans, phones, complimentary local calls, kitchens, and furnished lanais.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!
Aston Paki Maui
- At your hotel
Overlooking a reef beach, Aston Paki Maui in Kaanapali is adjacent to family-friendly Honokowai Beach Park. The golf courses and ocean activities of the Kaanapali and Kapalua Resorts are within 5 miles (8 kilometers).
In addition to an onsite outdoor splash pool and spa tub, guests have access to the facilities at a partner hotel located a quarter-mile (0.4 kilometer) away, including a fitness center and supervised children's program (surcharges).
Self-parking is available in an outdoor lot with overnight security. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas.
- Total number of rooms - 112
- Number of floors - 4
- Barbecue grill(s)
- Business services
- Complimentary newspapers in lobby
- Concierge desk
- Elevator/lift
- Exhibit space
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Designated smoking areas
- Laundry facilities
- Multilingual staff
- Free parking
- Picnic area
- Security guard
- Smoke-free property
- Spa tub
- Swimming pool - outdoor
- Tour assistance
- Use of nearby fitness center (discount)
- Park your car
Free parking
- In your room
- Lanai
- Access via exterior corridors
- Ceiling fan
- Phone
- Free local calls
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
- Coffee/tea maker
- Kitchen
- Shower/tub combination
- Complimentary toiletries
- Hair dryer
- In-room childcare (surcharge)
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- In-room safe
- Daily housekeeping
- Individually decorated
- Cable TV service
- Sofa bed
- Cookware, dishware, and utensils
- Dishwasher
- Stovetop
- Eat and drink
Aston Paki Maui does not have its own restaurant, but there are several dining options within the surrounding area.
Nearby restaurants:
Beach Club Restaurant
WM The Restaurant
Pizza Hut
- Play
Guests enjoy a small outdoor splash pool with an adjacent spa tub and a pavilion with barbecues and picnic tables. Snorkeling is available in the wading reefs just off the beach.
Popular with families, the adjacent Honokowai Beach Park has a swimming beach. Guests have access to the fitness center and children's program at a partner hotel a quarter-mile away (surcharges). Four miles south, Kaanapali Beach hosts ocean activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, catamaran cruising, and kayaking (surcharges). The five championship golf courses of the Kapalua and Kaanapali Resorts are within five miles. Sight-seeing and whale-watching cruises, deep-sea fishing excursions, and water-sports rentals are available at Lahaina Harbor, six miles away.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the hotel; fees may apply.
- Snorkeling on site
- Swimming on site
- Whale-watching on site
- Accessibility
To make requests for specific accessibility needs, complete the "Special or Accessibility Requests" section of "Trip Preferences" when you book your hotel.
- Accessible parking
The Fine Print for Aston Paki Maui
- When you arrive
Minimum check-in age is 18
Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Special check-in instructions:
The front desk is open from 7 AM until 11 PM (subject to change). Guests who require assistance outside these hours may use the telephone in the hallway behind the lobby, which connects to the front desk at the adjacent Aston at Papakea Resort.
A code will be given to the lock box next to the phone, where guests can find their room key. Guests may check-in in person the following day.
- When you leave
Check-out time is noon
- How you can pay
Accepted at this hotel: American Express, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB International, MasterCard, Visa
- You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
- We Should Mention
Children 17 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
Camp Kaanapali is offered to children ages 5 – 12. Camp activities include a variety of Hawaiian cultural and outdoor-based activities such as hula dancing, ukulele lessons, beach exploration, lei making, sand art, kite making/flying, swimming, scavenger hunts, games, arts, and crafts. Both day and evening sessions are available. One-time registration fee of $10 per child includes a t-shirt. Daily rate of $25 per child includes meals. Registration must be made 24 hours in advance upon arrival at the resort. Registration is held daily at 8 AM at the Camp Kaanapali Center in room 135. Camp Kaanapali hours are Monday – Friday (with the exception of major holidays), 8 AM – 2 PM. Friday evening sessions are 5 PM – 9 PM and include dinner. Space is limited to 16 participants per session. Children who are ill may not attend.
Note: Camp Kaanapali is located at the Aston Kaanapali Shores and is available to registered guests of all Aston properties on Maui.


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Franklin Square
Franklin Square is one of Philadelphia's five original squares. Yahoo.com recently ranked Franklin Square in the top five playgrounds in the United States.
Centered around its beautiful fountain, Franklin Square also features the Parx Liberty Carousel, a miniature golf course, and the renowned SquareBurger.
- March 1-22: Open daily from 10 am - 5 pm
- March 22 - May 22: Open daily from 10 am - 7 pm
- May 23 - September 1: 10 am - 9 pm (Sun-Thurs), 10 am - 10 pm (Fri-Sat)
- September 2-30: 10 am - 7 pm
- October 1-31: 10 am - 7 pm (Mon-Thurs), 10 am - 9 pm (Fri-Sun)
- November 1-12: 10 am - 7 pm
- November 13 - December 31: 10 am - 8 pm (Closed for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)
Franklin Square playground is open daily from 6 am - 9 pm.
Hours of operation are weather permitting and are subject to change without notice. Attractions are subject to availability.
Parx Liberty Carousel
Ride local racing legends like Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex. Or choose something unique like a bald eagle or sea dragon.
- $3.00 per person; children under 2 ride free.
- Children under 42'' must be accompanied by an adult.
Philly Mini Golf
Putt your way through Center City's only miniature golf course, featuring 18 holes designed after favorite Philly spots like Elfreth's Alley, the Ben Franklin Bridge and the Liberty Bell.
- Adults, $9; ages 12 and under, $7; children under 2, free.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Grab one of Philly's tastiest burgers and sip on our legendary Cake Shake, a yummy combo of ice cream and local fav, TastyKakes®. You'll be glad you did!
Franklin Square Birthday Parties
Stay cute. Wish big.
Franklin Square has become the premier spot for birthday parties, family picnics, and company outings. Parties come with golf admission and unlimited rides on the Parx Liberty Carousel!
The Pavilion features an all-season, climate-controlled building nestled between the Parx Liberty Carousel and the Franklin Square playgrounds!
Plan your child's next birthday party at Franklin Square.
Franklin Square Fountain
Built in 1838, after the City Council passed a resolution in 1837 calling for a fountain of grand scale. It has served as the centerpiece of the square into the 19th century. It is thought to be the oldest surviving fountain in William Penn's original squares.
In the late 1970s, the fountain fell into disrepair and ceased operation. During the park's restoration in 2006, great lengths were taken to preserve the fence surrounding the fountain and the stone work in its center, both of which date back to its original construction. The fountain remains the centerpiece of Franklin Square today, serving as a refreshing respite during hot summer days and a popular picture spot.
Franklin Square PlaygroundNamed as one of Philly's best play spaces by Philadelphia Magazine, this shady spot is a great place for kids to swing, twirl, climb and explore.
Cost: FREE!
Living Flame Memorial
Since 1976, Franklin Square has been home to this memorial centered on a sculpture by local sculptor Reginald E. Beauchamp. Dedicated to Philadelphia's Heroes, it is one of the few memorials in the country dedicated to both fallen Police Officers and Firefighters.
On September 7, 2011, a design competition was launched to create a design for a new memorial to replace the Living Flame Memorial. The competition is now closed and the winner will be announced soon. Those interested in contributing to the Memorial Fund to build and maintain the new memorial, or follow its progress should visit the Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund.
Great Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 20, Noon - 2 pm
Children 10 and under can hunt for eggs filled with candy and other surprises in the Franklin Square playground
National Mini Golf Day
Saturday, May 10, 10 am - 5 pm
Celebrate National Mini Golf Day with a buy one-get one FREE Philly Mini Golf ticket.
Mother's Day
Sunday, May 11, 11 am - 1 pm
Bring Mom and Grandma to Franklin Square for a brunch buffet, flower craft activity, and tickets for the Parx Liberty Carousel and Philly Mini Golf. Tickets: $25
An Evening in Franklin Square
Presented by Parx Casino
Thursday, May 15, 5:30 pm
Take part in an evening filled with dancing, food, and fundraising, all inone of the city's most beautiful settings.Details »
You Might Be Interested In...
Pictures from the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show
We sing. We toast. We drink! Cheers to the spirits of '76 on this Colonial pub crawl. Join us for a Thursday evening romp through Historic Philadelphia with appetizers and drinks!
Liberty 360 in the PECO Theater
Experience a 360-degree 3D journey through the symbols of our nation's freedom.
Featured Video
Group Information
Group Activities, Tours, and Unique Experiences
Plan your group trip to Historic Philadelphia with unique experiences from the Betsy Ross House, Franklin Square, Lights of Liberty, and Once Upon A Nation! From interactive Storytelling tours and Philadelphia-themed mini golf to performances by historic reenactors and dazzling 360 shows, it's all listed right here!
How was your visit? Tell us about it.
- Review Franklin Square

subset: commoncrawl


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Camping & BackpackingCamping and backpacking are two of the most popular ways to spend time enjoying the outdoors. We offer a wide array of outdoor cooking products everything from lightweight personal cook systems which are prefect for backpacking trips to larger table top and free standing models which are ideal for camp grounds or family picnics.
Rio Adventure Cozy Camp Bed - Black/Blue TweedItem #: RA-C327-40
List Price: $80.00
Price: $68.00
You Save: $12.00 (15%)
The RIO Adventure™ RA-C327 76 in (193 cm) cozy camp bed is constructed with sturdy steel legs and frame and polyester fabric. It's easy to set-up and fold and features a padded mattress, storage pocket and a carry/closure handle. Weighs 15.5 lb... Learn More
Out of stock


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AUSTIN -- Huge crowds are heading into Austin for the U.S. Grand Prix. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is expecting the largest number of arrivals on Thursday.
"It's a good thing for the Austin community and for Texas," said Randall Riley of Austin. Riley picked up a friend who flew in from Argentina to attend the race.
"Latin American people love the Formula 1 racing and they love fast cars," said Riley. "A lot of the Latin American people are going to be coming in for the race."
Airport spokesman Jim Halbrook says the airport is anticipating some 36,000 passengers to land on Thursday. Commercial flights are scheduled to land throughout the day. The first arrived around 7:30 a.m. with continuous service throughout the day. The last scheduled commercial flight comes in at 11:56 p.m.
The first flights of the morning brought in the first of the international tourists. It started off as a small group. Just a few at a time came down the escalator to baggage claim. Many came to Austin specifically for the race.
"The race itself, it's just, it's really hard to explain. You gotta experience it. It's a rush. It really is. It's just amazing how fast those cars are. You just gotta see it. There's really no words to put to it," said Dennis Ruswick from Washington.
The city is expecting hundreds of thousands of tourists for Formula 1. It's an international sensation and a rare opportunity not just for Austin, but the entire nation.
"It's been a long time. It hasn't been in the United States since 2007. I'm excited. A big, big fan. Finally got another one in the United States and we're here for it," explained Ruswick.
"It is the first time that there will be a Grand Prix in America again. We thought we should take this opportunity and watch it," added Bernhard Hengster of Austria.
ABIA began preparing for the crowds months ago. Not only will regularly scheduled commercial flights land on Thursday, but hundreds of private planes have also scheduled landings.The airport has extra staff on hand with TSA to process the crowds.
Rental car companies are also staffed for the onset. They've been processing visitors since the first flight landed. Taxis and Capital Metro are on hand as well. A Capital Metro spokesperson explained that shuttles will run to and from downtown Austin and the airport every 15 minutes.


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Wycombe and Northampton fight out a tense draw that does little to ease either club's League Two relegation worries.17:16 » BBC Sport
Team news for Good Friday's League Two clash between Wycombe Wanderers and Northampton Town at Adams' Park.17 Apr » SkySports.com
Northampton are still in the bottom two, and at this point are going down to non-league, but Ricky Ravenhill isn't concerned about things.16 Apr » Vital Football
John Marquis notched his first goal for Northampton on Saturday a goal that gave the Cobblers a potentially priceless win.16 Apr » Vital Football
Ricky Ravenhill says he would rather be in Northampton's team than any of their relegation rivals' for the run-in.16 Apr » BBC Sport
Skipper Stuart Lewis admits he and the rest of Wycombe's squad are 'playing for their futures' ahead of Friday's clash with Northampton.15 Apr » SkySports.com
Gareth Ainsworth has called on Wycombe to make home advantage count when they face relegation rivals Northampton on Good Friday.15 Apr » SkySports.com
As he battled against a potential career threatening injury, upon making his return for Northampton, Kelvin Langmead has admitted he feared his career was over.15 Apr » Vital Football
Northampton Town defender Kelvin Langmead says he thought he might never play again after an 11-month lay-off.14 Apr » BBC Sport


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Friends, family grieve for teen who drowned in West Milford
WEST MILFORD — Damell Mickens spent his final moments swimming with a group of friends during a Sweet 16 party in a pool house filled with dancing and blasting music.
But the 17-year-old New York City boy, invited with busloads of other teenagers, drifted away from the group, ending up in the 9-foot-deep end of the pool. That's where Damell, by all accounts not a strong swimmer, was found unconscious when police arrived just before 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to township police Lt. Keith Ricciardi. The boy died soon afterward.
As police continued to probe the circumstances of the boy's death, dozens of friends and family members gathered on Thursday to grieve and share their memories of the senior at the High School of Graphic Communication Arts in midtown Manhattan. Fellow students embraced each other and shed tears outside his wake at the Ortiz Funeral Home in Upper Manhattan. Many wore lanyards with collages of his photos and admired Damell's portrait taken in a J.R.O.T.C. uniform that was placed in his casket. Damell had planned to join the Navy after graduating.
"He was a good kid," said one student who declined to be named. "The most notorious kid in New York City, that's why so many people are here today."
Damell was one of dozens of teenagers who on Saturday were bused to a gated estate on Westbrook Road from New York City after fliers were distributed urging attendees to bring their bathing suits, said Andrew Laskin, an attorney for the Mickens family. Laskin has said there was no lifeguard or other adult present and described Damell's death as "an unsupervised swimming tragedy."
Ricciardi said there was no paid lifeguard, but it remained unclear if there were any adults present in the pool house, which is attached to the living quarters. Police are reviewing surveillance footage from that night and are continuing an investigation into Damell's death, he said. They found no evidence of drugs or alcohol at the party and no signs of foul play.
The owners of the 14.6-acre, $1.3 million estate at 850 Westbrook Road, Hector and Claudia Rojas, have retained a lawyer. They could not be reached for comment on Thursday.
Hector Rojas has gone to the police department twice for interviews and has been "exceptionally cooperative," Ricciardi said. Rojas told police that the Sweet 16 party was held for the daughter of one of his business partners.
"I know he is distraught over this. He is absolutely beside himself," Ricciardi said. "He has offered every bit of cooperation."
Damell's father, Damien Mickens, earlier had blamed his son's death on a lack of supervision at he party.
Evan Harris, a premises liability attorney who has practiced for 25 years, said in general that New Jersey law requires people who invite others into their homes to provide them certain levels of "reasonable care." In the case of a guest invited to use a swimming pool, that care would include protecting the person from drowning. Minors are especially owed a duty of appropriate supervision, he said.
"You can't just let minors run amok," Harris said.
Ricciardi said authorities were summoned to the property by numerous frantic 911 calls just before 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Damell was unconscious and unresponsive when they arrived, Ricciardi said. Police performed CPR before taking him to the hospital, where he died about an hour later.
Email: email@example.com
Twitter: Jeff_A_Green


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Hi all,
Any backup software for iphone. Thanks
Printable View
Hi all,
Any backup software for iphone. Thanks
I've heard of one but I'm not so sure. It's called iTones or uTunes or something like that. I heard it's hard to find though...
thanks. I'll see on it
LOL!!! The best post EVER!
iTones is useful for a *restore* using the factory image..
What my question would be.. Is it possible to run dd or g4u on the phone to create an image that has all the hacks and installed software. So restore, jailbrake, get the bsd subsystem going, then mount and restore the dd or g4u file back into the phone..
or would the theoritical dd include the mem. locations of the BB as well, thus making all this not possible... just wondering :p


text:
Hi Guys,
We've just purchased an AppleTV here for use at the school I work at - unfortunately before purchasing it wasn't researched that we couldn't add proxy settings directly to it in it's default form.
I've read around the web and have found out how to add proxy settings via /private/var/preferences/SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist but unfortunately I can't work out how to actually edit it to make it work using our proxy.
Could anyone give me a hand here and tell me if I'm missing something very obvious? I've found two locations that refer to proxies and I have no idea which one I would edit or how I would edit it.
Thanks in advance!


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ADM : Analysis & Opinions
ADM Appoints General Counsel - Analyst BlogJune 26, 2013Archer Daniels Midland Company named D. Cameron Findlay as the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.
Mixed 4Q for Andersons - Analyst BlogFebruary 8, 2013The Andersons Inc. (ANDE) reported fourth-quarter 2012 earnings of 80 cents per share, a decrease of 31% from the prior year ...
Optimism to Pick Up? - Analyst BlogFebruary 5, 2013The ISM report today will likely give stocks the reason to reverse some of the losses from Monday. But the relative dearth ...
Ahead of Wall Street - February 5, 2013 - Ahead of Wall StreetFebruary 5, 2013Tuesday, February 5, 2013 The ISM report today will likely give stocks the reason to reverse some of the losses from Monday. ...
ADM and Other Consumer/Non-Cyclical Stocks Making Big Moves on ...November 20, 2012The market is quiet so far today. The Nasdaq has been relatively flat; the S&P 500 has moved little; and the Dow is unchanged. ...
Stock Market News for October 31, 2012 - Market NewsOctober 31, 2012Markets remained closed for the second-straight day as hurricane Sandy threatened to affect 60 million lives. While many ...
Four Ways to Play Rising Food Prices with ETFs - ETF News And ...October 30, 2012Though global economic growth is still hinged on the crisis in Europe and the sluggish U.S. job markets, rising food prices ...
Archer Daniels Among Consumer/Non-Cyclical's Biggest MoversAugust 10, 2012The morning has been bad for the market. The Nasdaq is trading down 0.2%; the S&P 500 has fallen 0.2%; and the Dow has slipped ...
The Andersons Misses Expectations - Analyst BlogAugust 3, 2012The Andersons Inc.'s (ANDE) second-quarter 2012 earnings were $1.56 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.64 ...
Big Movers on the Consumer/Non-Cyclical Sector Today, Including ...July 31, 2012After the morning's trading, the Nasdaq has increased 0.4%, the S&P 500 has moved little and the Dow remains relatively unchanged. ...
Alliance Grain Traders Needs To Make Better Use Of Its AssetsJune 19, 2012Alliance Grain has the potential to do better, but potential won't move the stock.
Profit From AgricultureApril 30, 2012The agricultural industry hasn't experienced the full effects of the market surge, and its long-term fundamentals look stronger ...
DuPont On The UpswingApril 24, 2012Over the past three years, DuPont's sales are up less than 7% annually, but profits have jumped at a nearly 19% annual average ...
8 Ways to Grab Emerging-Market GrowthMarch 31, 2012RDM Financial CEO Ron Weiner explains why he advises individuals to use ETFs and mutual funds for emerging-world exposure. ...
Female CEOs: Women Leaving Workforce Over Past 20 YearsMarch 9, 2012There's a growing trend of well-educated women exiting the workforce, and the reason seems related to the faster-growing ...
Profit From AgricultureFebruary 28, 2012The agricultural industry hasn't experienced the full effects of the market surge, and its long-term fundamentals look stronger ...
Ag Still Looks Bullish Long TermFebruary 22, 2012With food prices rising due to an increase in global demand, investors should look into adding these Ag stocks to their porfolio.
The 10 Must-Know Market Forces for 2012February 14, 2012For the first time since 2007, investors have multiple ways to succeed this year. Understanding how the lingering effects ...
Cosan Could Look A Little Sweeter In 2012January 4, 2012Cosan could be looking at renewed interest in ethanol in 2012.
Slow Growth? No Problem For Mid-CapsDecember 26, 2011With many analysts predicting slow growth for the new year, investors may want to consider mid-cap stocks for their portfolios.
The Investment Case For CresudDecember 21, 2011Cresud is hard to value, but a great play on land values in Argentina.
How Green Are The Acres At Adecoagro?November 21, 2011Adecoagro's results are volatile, but the company owns valuable land.
Strategic Agriculture Stocks To WatchNovember 16, 2011The right assumption isn't always the obvious one when it comes to analyzing the news.
Can Sysco Sidestep The Squeeze?November 9, 2011Sysco is stuck between rising costs and powerful customers. Investors may want to wait on this one.
Kellogg's Diet CrashesNovember 7, 2011Always dependable Kellogg has faltered, but the stock is not a buy yet.
Farming ProfitsOctober 17, 2011Food production is a guaranteed winner as population and consumption increase. Agricultural related stock valuations should ...
Strategic Agriculture Stocks To WatchSeptember 26, 2011The right assumption isn't always the obvious one when it comes to analyzing the news.
Poor Crop Yields Prompt Some Strategic InvestingSeptember 19, 2011The right assumption isn't always the obvious one when it comes to analyzing the news.
When Markets Decline, Stock Prices Get BetterSeptember 16, 2011When prices are declining the opportunity to find businesses selling for less than intrinsic worth increases.
Profit From AgricultureAugust 30, 2011The agricultural industry hasn't experienced the full effects of the market surge, and its long-term fundamentals look stronger ...
Robust Demand For Deere EquipmentAugust 19, 2011Farm equipment maker Deere turned in a strong earnings report for its recent fiscal third quarter. But the market is concerned ...
Playing The 3 C's Of Chinese DemandJuly 21, 2011Chinese demand for a variety of natural resources continues to grow, but the trio of corn, copper and coal could be the best ...
Corn Will Rise Despite Subsidy WoesJuly 11, 2011The decision to end ethanol subsidies could be seen as a game changer for the industry. However, many long-term fundamentals ...
Bunge's Growth ContinuesJune 29, 2011Agricultural company Bunge has not only shown a powerful surge in earnings this year, but continues aggressive expansion ...
Now Is The Time For Latin AmericaJune 28, 2011The recent sell-off of riskier assets has given investors a golden opportunity to add Latin America to a portfolio.
Agriculture ETFs For EveryoneJune 15, 2011Whatever turn the economy takes, the demand for food may be the most certain aspect of an otherwise uncertain global economy.
Grains Hit The Repeat ButtonMay 26, 2011With weather and supply problems facing the grains complex once again, this quarter could be a repeat of higher prices.
The U.S. Ethanol Story Gets InterestingMay 11, 2011The corn ethanol sector has played second fiddle to Brazil's sugarcane dominance, but it is once again becoming attractive.
Bunge's Business SoarsMay 3, 2011Agricultural company Bunge had a high-growth quarter as profits soared from its grain merchandising business. The ag boom ...
Rail Traffic Suggests A Slower PaceApril 29, 2011Railroad data auggests a more moderate pace of economic growth as the recovery continues.
3 Low P/E StocksMarch 28, 2011A low P/E ratio is a great starting point for inquisitive investors.
Corn: A Hot Play With Staying PowerFebruary 15, 2011Despite their grumbling, companies that rely on corn and wheat are likely to benefit greatly from rising prices.
There's Value In BungeJanuary 4, 2011Agricultural commodity company Bunge, like many of the ag stocks, is rebounding from its cyclical lows.
Cal-Maine Lays An EggJanuary 3, 2011Egg producer Cal-Maine foods had lower earnings on slightly increased revenue. We'll look at the company's prospects going ...
Topping Off The Tank With Biofuels MomentumNovember 11, 2010The ethanol and biofuels sectors have recently been buoyed by both increased demand and a favorable operating environment.
Brazilian Ethanol Bounces BackOctober 11, 2010With the fate of the blender's credit and higher food costs plaguing the corn ethanol industry, Brazilian sugarcane is beginning ...
3 Companies You Can't Live WithoutSeptember 28, 2010These companies may not be sexy, but their slow-and-steady growth makes them irresistible all the same.
The Growth In Palm OilJuly 27, 2010With increasing populations, new solutions for how to feed and meet the energy requirements will have to found.
Ethanol Hits Another SnagJuly 22, 2010With concerns about rising budget deficits, the ethanol industry could be facing its toughest challenge - the end of its ...
Caterpillar Shines AheadApril 29, 2010Caterpillar's positive quarter lends strength to a market that looks ripe for a pullback.
The Shape Of Dry Bulk ShippingApril 19, 2010With the global economy recovering, is it time to set sail with shipping companies?
Monsanto Growing Slower This SpringApril 9, 2010Over time, Monsanto will be a profitable company, but investors hoping for significant growth over a short period will likely ...
Big Polluters Hurt By Carbon RegulationMarch 26, 2010Some companies will be hurt with carbon regulation reforms while others will prosper.
Bunge Looks Beyond FertilizerFebruary 10, 2010While the long-term fundamentals of the fertilizer business look quite compelling, it was not the focus for Bunge.
Biorefineries Get A BoostDecember 10, 2009The Department of Energy recently gave out $564 million in grant money to biofuels research.
Clean Energy Sector Facing AdversityNovember 4, 2009A preview of three green companies that will report their quarterly results in the days ahead.
Caterpillar Plows ThroughOctober 22, 2009Though its profits fell 53%, Caterpillar still blew away analysts' estimates.
Profit From AgricultureOctober 22, 2009The agricultural industry hasn't experienced the full effects of the market surge, and its long-term fundamentals look stronger ...
Multibaggers For The Patient InvestorJuly 16, 2009A fragile economy and rising unemployment will continue to pressure equity market returns. That's why the best investment ...
April Large Cap LosersMay 4, 2009The large cap loser list for April consists of former safe havens that have suffered from investor shifts to sectors that ...
Food Sector Seeks Hungry InvestorsMarch 31, 2009If the economy continues to slow, and/or the competition for mouths to feed stiffens, then these company could have a tough ...
Companies That Announced Dividend IncreasesMarch 10, 2009A look at companies that have actually raised dividends despite the slowing economy.
Low P/E Stocks For February 25February 25, 2009Companies that sport a low P/E ratio aren't necessarily a bargain. However, such companies can be a starting point for further ...
Bunge Stays Alive Despite Agribusiness BunglesFebruary 23, 2009Bunge reports solid full-year results despite termination of Corn Processing International merger and a weak Q4 due to industry ...
Great EggspectationsDecember 1, 2008Cal-Maine Foods acquired Tampa Farm Service to tighten its grip on the egg industry.
Five Ethanol Plays For August 22August 22, 2008Ethanol is touted as the alternative fuel that can cure our oil addiction. We examine five stocks to watch with a focus on ...
Bumper Corn Crop Will Fuel Pacific EthanolAugust 14, 2008Input costs crippled Pacific Ethanol in the second quarter, but the company should quickly rebound with corn and natural ...
Potential Home Run Stocks For July 31July 31, 2008Every investor dreams of a hitting one out of the park. We pitch five potential homers your way, with a focus on Abercrombie ...
Bunge's Product Mix GrowsJune 25, 2008Bunge acquires Corn Products International to diversify its product mix in the face of the world's growing population.
Five Ethanol Stocks To KnowJune 17, 2008Ethanol is touted as the alternative fuel that can cure our oil addiction. Learn which ethanol stocks investors should be ...
Corn Dogs (VSE)May 10, 2007Soaring corn prices are squeezing the margins of corn-based ethanol producers. Is the renewable energy revolution just a ...
Biodiesel Runs Clean and Green (ADM, BG)April 11, 2007Biodiesel: a clean fuel alternative getting attention from home growers, oil companies and venture capitalists alike.
At VeraSun Energy, V is for Value (VSE)December 5, 2006With oil prices possibly bottomed, ethanol producer VSE appears to be a good value play.
The Buzz Around EthanolFebruary 8, 2006A look at investment opportunities in the energizing ethanol marketplace.


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Oss/Firmware Tools/announce
From DellLinuxWiki
WHAT are we announcing
This announcement consists of three projects: firmware-tools; the Dell plugin to firmware-tools, called firmware-addon-dell; and dell-repo-tools.
The purpose of the firmware-tools project is to provide a new method to perform system BIOS and Firmware updates in a much more user-friendly way than current update methods. It provides infrastructure that can be used by multiple system vendors and device types. The firmware-tools project is located at http://linux.dell.com/firmware-tools/, and is available in the Dell yum repository at http://linux.dell.com/repo/software/. This project is dual-licensed under GPL and OSL. Source is available in the SRPM in the repository.
The purpose of firmware-addon-dell is to plugin to the firmware-tools infrastructure and provide update capabilities for Dell systems. Firmware-addon-dell is available as an RPM in the Dell yum repository, listed above. This project is available under a GPL/OSL dual-license. Source is available in the SRPM in the repository.
The purpose of the dell-repo-tools project is to create a repository of BIOS and Firmware payload RPMs. The primary tool here is mkbiosrepo.sh, which mirrors the public Dell FTP site to your local system and converts the firmware and BIOS images posted there into payload RPMs. dell-repo-tools is available as an RPM in the Dell yum repository, listed above. Today, the mkbiosrepo.sh script can create BIOS update RPMs for Dell PowerEdge Server systems, Dell Precision workstations, and most Dell desktop and laptop systems. It does not currently provide support for add-on PCI card firmware, such as RAID cards. The dell-repo-tools RPM is available in the Dell yum repository, listed above. This project is available under a GPL/OSL dual-license. Source is available in the SRPM in the repository.
HOW does it work
This new method of BIOS updates uses BIOS images packaged in RPM format. It separates out the tools used to install the updates into separate RPMs, and uses dependency information to ensure that all the relevant tools are installed to do the update. We provide all of these tools in a yum repository. This means that after you have the initial set of RPMs installed, further updates to BIOS can be made automatically along with the rest of your software maintenance.
Finally, we provide a master tool (firmware-tools) that provides the infrastructure for all this to work.
WHY are we releasing this
We are releasing this project in the hopes of moving the industry towards a more scalable and friendly way to update BIOS and Firmware for systems.
HOW do I get going
The steps to get up and running are simple:
- Bootstrap the Dell YUM Repository:
# wget -q -O - http://linux.dell.com/yum/software/bootstrap.cgi | bash
More details here: http://linux.dell.com/repo/software/
- Install firmware-addon-dell
# yum install firmware-addon-dell
This will automatically also pull in libsmbios, firmware-tools, and other necessary components.
Payload Repository
Now you have 2 choices. The actual BIOS and firmware payloads must come from somewhere. You can either use a tool to create your own local repository, or you can use the publicly available repository at fwupdate.com. At this time, the firmware-tools project and process is not officially Dell-supported, thus there is no payload repository hosted on a dell.com site. [edit] Creating your own local payload repository
- Install dell-repo-tools
# yum install dell-repo-tools
This provides the scripts necessary to create the mirror of ftp.dell.com, extracts the BIOS payloads, and creates payload RPMs.
- Create the mirror and RPM repository
$ mkbiosrepo.sh -m <mirror_dir> -o <output_dir> -d usage: -m <DIR> : directory to contain dell.com mirror (~8GB free space needed) -o <DIR> : output directory -d : enable debugging. -l <DIR> : dir to contain RPM repository when done if -l not given, it will use output_dir/repomirror
- Post the RPM repository to a web server somewhere
- Create a yum config file in /etc/yum.repos.d/yourserver.repo for your target systems, that looks like:
[fwupdate] name=Firmware updates baseurl=http://your-server/repo/firmware/cross-distro enabled=1 gpgcheck=0
Using the payload repository at fwupdate.com
Follow the instructions at http://fwupdate.com/ to configure your system to pull from that repository. fwupdate.com uses the dell-repo-tools package to create and maintain the repository, and has made it publicly available.
DISCLAIMER: The fwupdate.com is in no way supported by Dell. If it breaks, you get to keep both pieces. You have been warned. Questions should go to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Finishing the installation
- Install the BIOS Payload RPMs for your system
- For RHEL5 and other YUM-using systems:
# yum install $(inventory_firmware -b)
- For RHEL 3/4 and other up2date-using systems:
# up2date $(inventory_firmware -b -u)
- Apply the BIOS updates:
# apply_updates
- Reboot
A reboot is necessary, as the BIOS flash is actually done during POST following a reboot.
Please note that this method is unofficial and unsupported by official Dell Technical Support. The only support is via the website, http://linux.dell.com/firmware-tools/, the mailing list, firstname.lastname@example.com, and IRC channel #fwupdate at FreeNode. We hope that, by releasing this, we can get valuable feedback which we can take to our Engineering and Marketing teams to affect future project directions, but there is no guarantee associated with this.
WHO is behind this
This project was developed by Michael Brown and Matt Domsch at Dell.


text:
In the exhibition 'Schizophrenia', Halim Al Karim's works from his early period and works from his current series as 'Hidden Love' and 'Hidden Goddess' will be juxtaposed for the first time.
The exhibited works are part of a comprehensive monograph, which will be published parallel to the ART DUBAI fair in the end of March.
Opening April 1, 2012, 11.00 am - 4.00 pm


text:
September 2010
41 posts
August 2010
30 posts
"Last year I was pretty close to getting the part of Abed on Community. It was the only show I auditioned for that pilot season, and I was upset when I didn't get the part. Then I watched the show, and realized they got the right guy for it. Danny Pudi is fucking amazing in that role. You have to keep the whole thing in perspective. If you don't get the part, it's because they know what they're doing, and I'm just not right for it."—
Read the full A/V Club Chicago interview with Kumail Nanjiani, and see him at Bumbershoot next weekend with John Mulaney and Nick Kroll.


text:
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Writing with History: Early Modern Times
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|This guide includes 36 step-by-step lessons walking you through the concepts taught in the Institutes for Excellence in Writing curriculum, but breaking them down so that you can more easily lead the younger student through the lessons, while the older student can work more independently. This guide seemlessly integrates the history topics covered in the Early Modern history schedule with IEW's Teaching Writing: Structure and Style. Provided in each guide is a summary paragraph compiled from the history readings scheduled for the week, with the concepts taught in IEW's writing curriculum in mind.
Writing guide written to coincide with concepts taught in IEW's curriculum.
Step-by-step lessons to make teaching writing easier.
History summary paragraphs included in each lesson, written with IEW concepts in mind.
Appendix filled with over 20 pages of writing charts, sheets, and diagrams.
Each lesson is written to both the older and younger child.


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Low Price Guarantee - Find it Lower and We Match It!
We constantly search for the lowest prices so you don't have to. If you find a lower price, call us at 1.866.868.5855. Expert staff check prices daily.
Dropship item - ships from manufacturer.
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text:
Also available for : PS3"We were asked in April to do Stranger's Wrath on PC," says Stewart Gilray, who pulls triple duty as Oddworld Inhabitants' Development Director and Just Add Water's CEO and Creative Director. "We thought four months, maybe five at push." They were wrong.

Porting a five-year-old Xbox game to PC wasn't as easy as Gilray expected. Development took months longer than planned. What began as an attempt to bring an excellent but failed action/adventure/first-person/weirdo western game to a new audience did Stranger's Wrath more harm than good.

Just Add Water found out the hard way that PC gamers are a demanding lot. When wonky controls and problematic visuals don't have corrective settings, they get upset. The violent backlash was the exact opposite reaction he expected, naturally. "Rightfully so, we had our arses ripped a new one," Gilray says. It got under his skin. He didn't sleep for two weeks.

"I was terrified I'd killed Oddworld."

This is what the ire of PC fans looks like in action.

What happened, then? Turns out Just Add Water was the third company to take a stab at (and struggle to) bring back Stranger. Ripping an Xbox game over to PC was a technical nightmare. Gilray's team made it work. The flexibility of PCs caused some headaches, though; everyone has different hardware. Stranger didn't -- and still doesn't -- play properly with certain ATI cards. It released around Christmas, and, bundled with its three Oddworld predecessors in The Oddboxx, made a great Steam package. Stranger may have been a bit of a wreck on the tech side, but the bundle sold well enough. It proved there was interest. Good thing, too. Just Add Water was knee-deep in a bigger, more ambitious port.

It was a month into working on Stranger PC when Just Add Water decided to bring Oddworld back to the PlayStation platform. Gilray pitched the project to Oddworld Inhabitants, which was happy to see it if Sony said yes. Sony was ecstatic and gave Gilray the go-ahead a week later.

A straight port wasn't going to be enough this time around, though. Stranger's Wrath deserved better than its woeful first re-release, so it would receive the full high-definition treatment -- prettier character models, environments, and textures, improved audio, 720p resolution, 60 frames per second, and some swell  new features. This would take time, and once again it would take more time than expected. So much so, in fact, it would derail the production schedule Just Add Water laid out for the future of Oddworld.

 <object id="vid_502cc2d6125f386e7ae8331be4cd6e6e" class="ign-videoplayer" width="468" height="293" data="http://oystatic.ignimgs.com/src/core/js/../swf/IGNPlayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="movie" value="http://oystatic.ignimgs.com/src/core/js/../swf/IGNPlayer.swf"/><param name="" value="true"/><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"/><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"/><param name="flashvars" value="url=http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/12/22/oddworld-strangers-wrath-hd-video-review"/><param name="wmode" value="opaque"/></object> Still good after all these years.

Stranger's Wrath HD was meant to release on PSN in April 2011, but was delayed to August, and then again to December. Just Add Water became so absorbed that its Munch's Odyssey remake got bumped from fall 2011 to the New Year to spring 2012. Gilray intended to be well into the Abe's Odyssey HD remake by now.

Perfecting the PS3 Stranger redux became an obsession, so much so that Gilray and his team started changing old flaws. For instance, the latter half of the game, which is more action-oriented than the rest, received a massive balance overhaul to soften up some of its more brutal enemies (in addition to two new difficulty options).

On the tech side, Gilray says "we started with the Xbox project source assets and source code. We had everything as it was, comments, documentation, tools, everything." To make old Stranger's Wrath work with new hardware, Just Add Water had to use Maya 4.5, the 2004 version of a widely used 3D animation program. "We did some of the HD modeling in Maya 2011," he explains, "then we'd export it into 4.5, re-hook it up to the original skeletons and rigs, then do a final export." This meant the team was still limited. For instance, artists had to adhere to Stranger's original 64 bones -- but they could do whatever they pleased with his flesh and fur.

It's not exactly an elegant way of making the ol' beast look pretty, but it worked. Stranger's Wrath is done, gorgeous, available on PS3, and coming soon to Vita.

So where's the Xbox 360 version?

Stranger's cinematics look as good as the HD remake's in-game visuals.

"Unfortunately Microsoft have been inclined not to let us on the platform," Gilray says. The sting in his voice is clear: This is a sore spot.

Remember when Sony gave Just Add Water approval in just a few days? Even with Lorne Lanning, the creator of Oddworld, pulling some strings with Microsoft contacts, the studio didn't hear back about the Xbox 360 version for more than nine weeks. The response to its application was a rejection.

The game at the time was just above the 2GB Xbox Live Arcade size limit. A few months later Lanning and Gilray thought about taking the Games on Demand route; size wouldn't matter. Stranger HD, now some 3GB large, meets the usual requirements:

You have to include Achievements. "No problem," says Gilray.

You need to have HD textures and models. "Yep, no problem," says Gilray.

You have to have sold a million units at retail. "Oh," says Gilray, "that's a problem."

See, Stranger's Wrath wasn't successful at all. The publisher then was EA, whose focus wasn't on this peculiar, new-ish IP hitting the original Xbox. It had eyes on the Xbox 360, which was a mere few months from hitting retail shelves.

Lorne Lanning was so upset by the failure and crummy marketing that he shut down his studio and left the games industry just one month after Stranger's Wrath released. It certainly did not sell a million, so the Games on Demand route was out.

Getting Stranger's Wrath HD on the Xbox was "like trying to get blood out of a stone" for Just Add Water. Short of Microsoft almost doubling its current XBLA size limitations, don't expect to see Stranger's Wrath on 360 anytime soon. For now, the ground-up remake is exclusive to the PlayStation.

Munch's game, starring Abe here, running on Vita.

"One thing I've talked to Lorne about is we want to finish off the whole Oddworld Quintology," Gilray explains. After the Xbox talk, I can practically hear him glowing through the phone. "We've only seen two games of the five, Abe and Munch, and we want to do Squeek's Odyssey next...that's what it's all about." His aim also includes the revival of Hand of Odd, the strategy game initially put on ice after Munch's release.

Oddworld and Just Add Water aren't out to exploit our adoration for the old. It's about perpetuating "the love of the brand" and bringing it back from the dead. Gilray is adamant this is how HD remakes and revitalizations should be handled. If you want to see new entries in the universe you'd best be ready to show some love for the past. Fill up your PlayStation wallet, and throw some scratch at Stranger, Munch, and Abe.

You're helping breathe life back into the future of Oddworld.

<LINK REL="stylesheet" HREF="http://guidesmedia.ign.com/guides/uni/IGNE_style.css" TYPE="text/css">

Mitch Dyer is an Associate Editor for IGN's Xbox 360 team. He bought an Xbox for Stranger's Wrath in 2005. Read his ramblings on Twitter and follow him on IGN.

©2012-04-27, IGN Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved


text:
Um, Weird. Do you think the ban on selling rats has anything to do with Rat Island? I heard somewhere that an Alaskan island was overtaken by rats and only recently retaken by humans. Maybe someone was bitter and passed legislation to keep the rats from storming and taking Anchorage too.
I know Anchorage has a lot of strange laws about animals you cannot have here.
found it! http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...om.html?cat=40
|If you like the pics, you'll love her videos!
Thanks, I think she's pretty precious myself.


text:
TSA Changing Security Rules For KidsGRAND FORKS (WDAZ-TV) - TSA workers are going to ease airport screening for children. Parents are happy to hear that children will have a little more leeway before they board.
GRAND FORKS (WDAZ-TV) - TSA workers are going to ease airport screening for children.
Parents are happy to hear that children will have a little more leeway before they board.
The Transportation Security Administration is rolling out changes for passengers 12 and under this week, and shifting focus to passengers who are more likely a risk.
Melissa Johnson felt safe going through the gates before her recent trip to Arizona with her two young daughters, Grace and Molly.
"I think they were patient, they understood it would take a while with children that time," Johnson said.
This was the little ones' first trip on an airplane. Walking through security was a little hectic for the Johnsons, but some of that will change with the new TSA regulations.
For one thing, children 12 and under will no longer have to take off their shoes.
"I think that will help, it's hard enough to get our shoes off and their bags and our bags and everything. I think that will be one less thing to worry about," Johnson said.
Alternative screening measures will permit children multiple passes through the metal detector, or advanced imaging technology, which should lead to fewer pat downs.
"I think it is uncomfortable to have strangers, you know we warn them of strangers and then to have strangers touching them," Johnson said.
Security is implementing these changes to focus efforts on other areas.
"Well our job is security and we're always looking at the latest intelligence and assessing risk so this will allow our officers to better focus their efforts on other passengers that are more likely to pose a risk to aviation security," TSA Spokeswoman Carrie Harmon said.
Parents like Johnson are just happy their trip will be a little easier.
"Sometimes I just think it's too much," Johnson said.
TSA is starting to roll out changes starting Thursday, which will be implemented at all airports by the end of the month.
Tags: airport security, lezlie johnson, grand forks, reporter stories, your town, tsa, news, updates, aviation, security


text:
We provide recycling for older lamps and ballasts containing toxic PCBs subject to regulations.
Ballast Recycling
Lamp Recycling
This service is available to businesses in Massachusetts that are gas or electricity customers of these Program Administrators through the Direct Install Program:
This service is offered to commercial, industrial, and municipal customers participating in an energy efficiency retrofit lighting program.
For more information, contact your Program Administrator. For a list of recycling companies, visit LampRecycle.org.
Not sure who your Program Administrator is? The Program Administrator tool (on the right above) provides contact information for your service area.
Please keep me informed on Mass Save® updates related to:


text:
Earlier this week, we told you how Olivia Wilde has signed up for the final episode of House's eight year run. After 80 episodes, it only seems right that the actress returned for one final hurrah. However, it was said that another House alumni was in talks to return as well. Now, it seems that identity has been solved: Kal Penn. And interestingly enough, he may not be the only one.
EW reports that Penn is currently in talks with the series to return as Kutner in the series finale of the show. The only problem is just how Kutner left: the doctor committed suicide in the show's fifth season when Penn received a job at the White House. Kutner's appeared in a hallucination, but really that's all. Could Kutner be seen in flashback? Another dream-like sequence? Or, could it in fact be to usher someone to the afterlife?
Using that final speculatory question, TV Line has uncovered that the final arc of the upcoming episodes before the finale will be titled "The C Word". Now, there's no indication as to what exactly that C word is. For all we know, it could be "Cuddy". However, if someone is diagnosed with cancer, they may bite the big one in the finale, prompting Kutner's return.
Furthermore, other past cast members are currently in discussions to return, but talks could easily fall though, and the line up could change at any moment. Which means Penn may not have a place in the finale if they can't creatively find one for him. The final episode of House shoots in two weeks, meaning there will be plenty of time to iron out, or drop, returning cast members.
Interesting note, however, is that by the time House begins to film its final episode, Once Upon a Time should be done filming. Just a heads up Jennifer Morrison (Dr. Cameron) fans...
Who do you think should return for the finale? Let us know either in the comments below, or tweet us @FilmThrasher onTwitter!


text:
Solution for Error 1604
1. Uninstall iTunes 7.7 form your computer as well as Apple Mobile Device Support and then reboot your computer. Go to your Control Panel and use Add/Remove Programs or Programs and Features (Vista).
2. Before attempting to launch iTunes 7.5 for the first time you need to delete or rename the iTunes folder.
Rename the C:\Documents and Settings\**your user name**\My Documents\My Music\iTunes folder to iTunes Backup.
3. Install iTunes 7.5 onto your computer links for itunes 7.5 on this page" http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=1504 "
4. Put your iphone into DFU mode, and it should be detected by iTunes 7.5 (Instructions of putting iphone in DFU mode is on the above link at iclarified)
5. Restore your iphone to 1.1.4 with original file (iPhone1,1_1.1.4_4A102_Restore.ipsw) through iTunes 7.5. Once your phone is restored to 1.1.4, Unlock it with iLiberty (Why iLiberty to avoid the error through winpwng for now), iLiberty tutorial is on www.hackthatphone.com (" http://www.hackthatphone.com/114/iphone_iliberty_windows.html" at hackthatphone.com)
6. Now use winpwn 188.8.131.52 to penwag your phone
7. Upgrade your iTunes to 7.7 again.
8. Upgrade your winpwng to 126.96.36.199
9. Create a custom file "Custom-iPhone1,1_2.0_5A347_Restore" with winpwng 18.104.22.168
10. Open the iTunes 7.7, connect the iphone & put it in recovery mode. Once iTunes detect it upgrade the software to "Custom-iPhone1,1_2.0_5A347_Restore", by clicking "Shift" & "Restore"
I have tried it & it works.


text:
UW-Madison General Library System
Annual Report Highlights of 2001-2002
The principal management strategy of the library system in recent years has been to compensate for the weakness of the acquisitions budget by strengthening services to faculty and students. The past academic year witnessed the full maturity and success of these service programs. During the 2001-02 academic year, the UW-Madison Libraries completed the implementation of a campus-wide system of remote access and resource sharing. Enhanced resource sharing is one of the most important strategic directions of the CIC, UW System, and UW-Madison Libraries.
Another important achievement of the past academic year was documented by the assessment of the information literacy component in the Communication Requirement, Course A and Course B. Promoting information literacy among students has been a perennial strategic theme among UW and CIC libraries. We are especially proud of the UW Madison Library and Information Literacy program which now provides more than 2000 instructional programs for more than 25,000 students each year.
The strategic directions of the UW-Madison Libraries in 2001-02 were organized around the following goals:
- Expand resource sharing and document delivery
- Cooperate with other UW System libraries in managing journal collections and databases
- Promote change in scholarly communication
- Scale up UW digital collection in collaboration with faculty
- Upgrade interlibrary loan and document management software
- Complete conversion of the card catalog to improve access to print resources
Achievements in the 2001-02 Academic Year
(Quick Guide)
Resource Sharing, Access, and Document Delivery
- Cooperative Collection Management
- Nature Online
- Enhanced Book Transfer System
- "Live Help" Implemented
- Library Participation in My UW-Madison Web Portal
- Interlibrary Loan
- Library Express Expansion
- Improvements in the Online Catalog
- Electronic Reserves Expansion
- New Distance Library Services
- Wisconsin Technical Information Partnership


text:
Last day of summer
So today is the last day of summer guise. School is starting tomorrow. I am excited for I will get to meet my new classmates and I will see my best friends again. I am also sad for I will not get my complete freedom and I hate studying. I mean who likes studying for 10 months? I hope this school year will be a bomb (I doubt though for most of my classmates are like nerds and I am not). I'll just do my best to have fun and make this school year memorable. Goodbye Summer 2012!


text:
Rated 2 Teas
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Write a tea journal, see what others are drinking and get recommendations from people you trust. Sign Up or Learn More
We specialize in Japanese organic green and herbal teas as well as other traditional natural Japanese products. We are owned and operated by FineDay Corporation of USA. Our Japan office is located in Miyazaki, Japan.


text:
brikguy is a pretty cool guy, eh? Posts weird threads and doesn't afraid of anything!!
Moderator: Butthurt
Lego Company wrote:...At the same time, the purpose is for the LEGO brand not to be associated with issues that glorify conflicts and unethical or harmful behavior...
Natalya wrote::wtf:
Tzan wrote:Semaj Nagirrac wrote:Well, I took some land without checking if it was owned by a faction or not. I'm not going to be banned, am I? I can destroy everything if need be.
That's what Hitler said,
in 1938.
Zupponn wrote:I hope to offend everyone.
Warhead wrote:my head burns with War.
IVhorseman wrote:I came here to bitch about the giant emoticons.
But it's already fixed.
stubby wrote: And don't even get me started on what the full-sized icons did to trying to post by smartphone.
mr.duckie wrote:SirCheese wrote:I will be neutral. (Cuz I don't want to make enemies)
Get Him!!!!
Silverdream wrote:Gaze upon my cyan complexion
And fall in love with my flying perfection
I am a pegasus of awesomeness shaped by sonic rainbooms
Sonic Rainbooms
All over my sky.
Predator wrote:stubby wrote: And don't even get me started on what the full-sized icons did to trying to post by smartphone.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


text:
5 Memorable Mistakes and the Lessons I Learned
by John Deysher
As a mutual fund portfolio manager, once a year I review the stock market mistakes I made during the past year.
It's a useful exercise. Mistakes occur for a variety of reasons including greed, fear and errors in reasoning, facts and judgment.
Once you realize you've made a mistake, your objective is twofold—first, to try to salvage the position and, secondly, to minimize the damage.
...To continue reading this article you must be registered with AAII.
Already registered with AAII? Login to read the rest of this article.
to read this article and receive access to future AAII.com articles.
Curt from Georgia posted about 1 year ago:
Hind sight is 20:20. It always is easier to reflect on past actions and see how you could have acted differently. It is more difficult to visualize how to act when the problem/situation is out in front of you. That said, the author has made some excellent points that novice and even experienced stock investors should consider.
Harold from Missouri posted about 1 year ago:
Always be well diversified. The good part of portfolio can cushion the small percentage of mistakes.
John from Kansas posted about 1 year ago:
I would like to read more about 'thinking like a value investor' and 'thinking like a growth investor.'


text:
Background: Proponents of navigated knee arthroplasty stress its
potential to increase the precision of component placement. We conducted a
systematic review and meta-analysis to substantiate the validity and relevance
of this contention.
Methods: We searched major medical and publishers' databases for
randomized trials and any other studies comparing navigated with conventional
knee arthroplasty. Major periodicals were searched manually. We made no
restrictions for types of studies or language. Methodological features were
rated independently by two reviewers. After testing for publication bias and
heterogeneity was done, the data were aggregated by random-effects modeling.
We estimated the weighted mean differences of mechanical limb axes and
functional scales and the risk ratios of deviations from the straight axis
with 95% confidence intervals.
Results: We included thirty-three studies (eleven randomized trials)
of varying methodological quality involving 3423 patients with a mean age (and
standard deviation) of 67.3 ± 4.1 years (62.6% were women, and 83.7%
had primary osteoarthritis). The mean preoperative deviation from the
mechanical axis was 2.3° ± 5.1°. There was no evidence of
publication bias, but there was strong statistical heterogeneity. The
alignment of the mechanical axes did not differ between the navigated and
conventional surgery group (weighted mean difference, 0.2°; 95% confidence
interval, -0.2° to 0.5°). Patients managed with navigated surgery had
a lower risk of malalignment at critical thresholds of >3° (risk ratio,
0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.71 to 0.87) and >2° (risk ratio, 0.76;
95% confidence interval, 0.71 to 0.82). No conclusive inferences could be
drawn on functional outcomes or complication rates. Navigation lengthened the
mean duration of surgery by 23%.
Conclusions: Navigated knee replacement provides few advantages over
conventional surgery on the basis of radiographic end points. Its clinical
benefits are unclear and remain to be defined on a larger scale.
Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See
Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
To The Editor:
In their meta-analysis of the effectiveness of navigated total knee replacement, Bauwens et al.(1) found that navigation was associated with favorable results in terms of several radiographic parameters. The data were insufficient to evaluate effects on complication rates or functional outcomes. The article stimulated the above letter from Mason et al.(2) and a letter from Gregori and Holt(3), which prompted additional letters of clarification from Bauwens et al.(1).
Caught in the crossfire, readers might well ask why a meta-analysis led to such editorial dueling. Of note, controversy over meta-analysis is long-standing(4). The debates stem in part from the methodological complexity of meta-analysis, a powerful but challenging analytic technique that permits pooling of estimates across studies. We will discuss a few of the many methodological complexities of meta-analysis to put the correspondence about navigated total knee replacement in perspective.
Why Pool? Meta-Analysis Compared with Traditional Literature Review
If pooling raises so many questions, why bother to pool estimates quantitatively across studies? In many reviews, the authors simply array the findings of separate studies in evidence tables without attempting to synthesize them quantitatively into single estimates of effect. A key rationale for pooling is that the available evidence may consist of small studies that show positive (or negative) effects but lack power to establish the associations with significance. Pooling these smaller studies may avoid false-negative results due to Type-II error.
A useful example of this application of meta-analysis was provided by Felson and Anderson in a meta-analysis of the effect of cytotoxic therapy and corticosteroids compared with that of corticosteroids alone for patients with lupus nephritis(5). Prior small studies had suggested a beneficial effect of cytotoxic therapy. The meta-analysis overcame the small sample sizes of the component studies and illustrated the beneficial effect of cytotoxic therapy across studies.
Pooling also permits the investigator to examine whether particular study characteristics are associated with the principal outcome. This technique is termed metaregression. The investigator develops a regression model in which each study serves as a single observation, contributing a single estimate of outcome and of each covariate. The investigator can weight studies differentially in order to give greater importance in the regression to those that have larger sample sizes or that are of higher methodological quality. Metaregression can yield insights about sources of variability in outcome measures across studies. For example, it may be that trial designs are associated with larger effects and nonrandomized designs, with smaller effects, or vice versa.
Why Not Pool?
Pooling the results of separate studies into single estimates of effect involves several assumptions that frequently are not satisfied by the literature under review. Clearly, the outcome variable must be consistent across studies. This constraint poses no problem when the outcome is unambiguously defined, such as thirty-day all-cause mortality following hip replacement. However, when studies measure satisfaction, pain relief, functional status, and other such complex outcome variables, the task becomes more complicated. These domains are often measured with different tools in different studies, or different cutoffs are used to define success. For example, the authors of some studies of the outcome of total knee replacement might use the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) as the principal outcome measure whereas others might use the SF-36 (Short Form-36) or the Knee Society Scale. Attempting to synthesize results in these circumstances involves essentially combining apples and oranges and is not advisable. Standardization of outcome assessment and reporting in specific fields would assist investigators who wish to perform meta-analysis.
In addition, the underlying statistical methodology of meta-analysis assumes that each of the studies to be synthesized represents one observation from a single distribution of studies. This assumption is validated with tests of homogeneity of the odds ratios (or other effect estimates) across studies. If the group of studies to be synthesized appears to emanate from a single distribution, the homogeneity criterion is met and the studies may be synthesized in a meta-analysis. If, on the other hand, the assumption of homogeneity is not met, and the studies appear to be heterogeneous, then the investigators should be cautious about pooling. The investigators could simply choose not to pool the studies quantitatively. Alternatively, the investigators might wish to perform a metaregression to identify sources of heterogeneity. For example, it may be that higher-quality studies or a particular study design (e.g., trials) are associated with higher effect estimates.
What to Pool?
A meta-analysis is essentially an observational study of individual studies(6). As with all observational studies, the results are influenced by the selection criteria that dictate which studies are included in the meta -analysis and which are excluded. An issue that arises frequently, and was a major focus of contention about the paper by Bauwens et al.(1), is whether to include unpublished studies. Excluding unpublished studies risks publication bias, a form of selection bias in meta-analyses that arises because positive studies are, on the average, more likely to be published than negative studies. However, including unpublished studies that have not passed peer review risks the inclusion of studies with results that may not be credible.
Another important decision is whether to restrict the analysis to randomized controlled trials or to include observational designs. The advantage of restricting the analysis to randomized controlled trials is that randomization greatly reduces the risk of selection bias in each component study of the meta-analysis. Including observational studies permits the meta-analysis to simply propagate the biases inherent in the component studies. The disadvantage of restricting the sample to randomized controlled trials is that for many clinical problems, including navigated total knee replacement, there are few randomized controlled trials and most of the relevant literature includes observational designs.
Returning to Navigated Total Knee Replacement
Bauwens et al.(1) handled most of the above-mentioned issues with sophistication. They decided to pool because they were concerned that multiple underpowered studies would fail to establish an effect that might become apparent in a pooled analysis. They included nonrandomized trials because they were not comfortable restricting the analysis to randomized controlled trials. (An alternative approach would be to use metaregression to examine whether the magnitude of effect differed between randomized and observational studies; if it did, the meta-analysis could be done in subgroups.) The authors weighted the studies according to sample size and quality. They used appropriate analytic techniques to look for publication bias and, finding no evidence of such a bias, they restricted the analysis to published studies. In addition to stating the results of these analyses of publication bias, displaying the graphical evidence would have been helpful to readers.
Bauwens et al.(1) concluded that the studies that they wished to synthesize were heterogeneous. Having established heterogeneity, the authors could have simply decided not to pool the studies at all. Alternatively, they could have developed a metaregression model, which would have been useful in identifying and ultimately controlling for sources of heterogeneity. They could have stratified according to such characteristics and tested whether the stratified meta-analysis would have yielded less heterogeneity. The authors did indeed perform a metaregression, but they did not use it to identify strata in which studies were more homogeneous, as discussed here. By documenting heterogeneity and not doing anything about it, the authors in a sense, made a diagnosis without offering a remedy.
Data Sharing
Synthesizing the results of various studies is ultimately a collaborative activity. The investigator will often wish to contact other scientists who have access to original trial data or who themselves have attempted a data synthesis. These collaborations can help move the field forward. In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other research sponsors have developed specific provisions for facilitating data sharing in order to best leverage the precious data garnered in NIH-funded studies. In this regard, we were particularly impressed by the willingness of Bauwens et al.(1) to share their data and we were disappointed that Mason et al.(2) chose to communicate their observations in a letter to The Journal without discussing the findings with the original authors. Readers, and ultimately patients, were not served well by this failure to behave collaboratively.
Concluding Remarks
The meta-analysis by Bauwens et al.(1) prompted questions about selection of studies, choice of common outcome measures across studies, assessment and management of heterogeneity, interpretation of results, and approaches to collaboration. The lessons learned from these studies of navigated total knee replacement are that investigators should make individual studies as definitive as possible by using the most rigorous designs feasible, powering studies adequately, and using standardized measures of outcome. Pooling is a powerful method for aggregating information across studies, but it is ultimately a collaborative effort. Leaders in the field should designate standard measures of outcome to facilitate pooling, and investigators should work collaboratively with one another so that data syntheses move the field forward, bringing quality and value to patients.
The authors did not receive any outside funding or grants in support of their research for or preparation of this work. Neither they nor a member of their immediate families received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, division, center, clinical practice, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors, or a member of their immediate families, are affiliated or associated.
1. Bauwens K, Matthes G, Wich M, Gebhard F, Hanson B, Ekkernhamp A, Stengel D. Navigated total knee replacement. A Meta-Analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2007;89:261-269.
2. Bauwens K, Matthes G, Wich M, Gebhard F, Hanson B, Ekkernhamp A, Stengel D. Navigated total knee replacement. A Meta-Analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2007;89:261-269. [Letter to The Editor] J Bone Joint Surg Am. epub 25 Jul 2007. http://www.ejbjs.org/cgi/eletters/89/2/261.
3. Bauwens K, Matthes G, Wich M, Gebhard F, Hanson B, Ekkernhamp A, Stengel D. Navigated total knee replacement. A Meta-Analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2007;89:261-269. [Letter to The Editor] J Bone Joint Surg Am. epub 27 Mar 2007. http://www.ejbjs.org/cgi/eletters/89/2/261.
4. Goodman SN. Have you ever meta-analysis you didn't like? Ann Intern Med. 1991;114:244-6.
5. Felson DT, Anderson J. Evidence for the superiority of immunosuppressive drugs and prednisone over prednisone alone in lupus nephritis. Results of a pooled analysis. New Engl J Med. 1984;311:1528-33.
6. Kaizar EE. Metaanalyses are observational studies: how lack of randomization impacts analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005;100:1233-6.
We read with great interest the letter from Dr. Mason and colleagues. Since they raised substantial concerns about the validity of our findings, we carefully reviewed the dataset that formed the basis for all analyses and figures presented in the Journal.
We reviewed our references 2-5 and found that there was no data shift between the conventional and navigated groups. This was unlikely, since the forest plots consistently showed an advantage for the navigated cohort.
Mason et al. also claimed that they found additional errors of data extraction from our references 6 to 9, but unless they are more specific in their criticisms, we cannot respond properly.
We would refer the Dr. Mason et al. to the Methods Section of our paper, where we stressed that the numbers of patients were extracted from histograms whenever possible. This may explain most differences eventually noted between their and our dataset. Additional differences might be related to different handling of the unit of interest, that is, the patient or the knee. Indeed, Bolognesi and Hofmann(1) reported the alignment of the femoral and the tibial component rather than the mechanical axis. However, if navigation improves both femoral and tibial component alignment, it is very likely that the resulting mechanical axis will be optimized as well. Since the observed effects were consistent with others, we decided to include the study in our analysis. We definitely identified and excluded some kinship studies, but could not retrieve a dual publication published by Mielke and colleagues(2).
When posing a null-hypothesis it is important to define the accepted standard of care. Risk ratios and other relative measures are asymmetric. This was the reason why we also provided risk differences, that can be used for calculating the number needed to treat. Currently, navigation is an experimental add-on, and may either decrease the risk of malalignment, or increase the chance of alignment. It is, however, not justified to argue that conventional surgery would increase the relative risk of malalignment over navigated component placement. With regard to health policy decisions, this is a dangerous statement, since it would imply that all patients who are not operated on with computer assistance are at a higher risk of malalignment when compared to those who undergo conventional TKA by an experienced surgeon.
Importantly, our analyses and plots showed a significant advantage of navigated over conventional knee replacement in radiological surrogates, so we are in complete agreement with Dr. Mason. Yet, unless these advantages are consistent with improved outcomes, we feel that our conclusion "Navigated knee replacement provides few advantages over conventional surgery on the basis of radiographic end points" is valid.
Finally, we regret that Dr. Mason, after receiving our dataset (which shows our openness and willingness to engage in scientific debate), did not contact us again to compare both datasets, and to discuss, explore and resolve any possible differences jointly before submitting a Letter to the Editor challenging our scientific reputation. We are sorry that Dr. Mason's group could not publish their paper, but we are deeply disappointed in their behavior.
1. Bolognesi M, Hofmann A. Computer navigation versus standard instrumentation for TKA: a single-surgeon experience. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2005;440:162-169.
2. Mielke RK, Clemens U, Jens JH, Kershally S. Navigation in knee endoprosthesis implantation-preliminary experiences and prospective comparative study with conventional implantatioin technique. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb. 2001;139:109-116.
We read with interest and concern the article, Navigated Total Knee Replacement: A Meta Analysis by Bauwens et al.(1). We submitted a similar meta-analysis to the Journal of Bone Surgery over one year ago, which was appropriately rejected for publication due to the inclusion of abstracts and uncontrolled case series data. The reviewers and editors also expressed concern that our finding of an advantage for navigated total knee arthroplasty (TKA) versus conventional TKA based on radiographic alignment endpoints needed to be balanced against the lack of evidence comparing the two procedures on cost-effectiveness, complication rates, and long term outcomes.
We were in the process of updating our meta-analysis in light of more recent publications (excluding abstract and uncontrolled case series data), when the study by Bauwens et al.(1) was published. Having reviewed essentially the same database, we were perplexed by the authors' conclusions that "navigated knee replacement provided few advantages over conventional surgery on the basis of radiographic endpointsâ€, as our own meta-analysis revealed a significant improvement in radiographic endpoints with computer-assisted navigation.
Our concerns about the discrepancies between our findings and those of Bauwens et al. prompted us to investigate their source data. We contacted them, and they graciously provided us with the raw data for all studies included in their meta-analysis. Upon further review, we discovered multiple inaccuracies of data extraction and/or data entry in their analysis:
In four of the studies reviewed in the Bauwens article(2-5) the data for conventional techniques was entered into the navigated data set for analysis while the data for the navigated set was entered under conventional techniques.
In four additional studies(6-9) we were able to determine errors of data extraction, data entry, patient count or patient group assignment.
One paper(10) was included and counted as reporting mechanical axis data when this was not reported in the study.
A kinship study (i.e., a study sharing overlapping data with an already included study) was included that should have been excluded(11).
There were two additional studies (12,13) in which the numbers we extracted were slightly different from those in Bauwens et al; we note these only as discrepancies (not errors) in extraction.
Our further review of their paper also suggests that their labeling and description of results was misleading. Specifically, they describe their meta-analyses as those of "relative risk of malalignmentâ€, and label their figures accordingly. Yet, in the discussion, they state that "the available data suggest that navigation reduces the relative risk of 3 degrees of malalignment by 25%â€. This statement is in error, because their meta-analysis was not of the relative risk of malalignment, but rather the relative risk of alignment, (i.e., the chance that a patient has alignment after the procedure). It would, therefore, have been accurate for them to state that conventional total knee arthroplasty decreases the relative chance of alignment by 25%. When misfit is the outcome of choice, instead of fit, the results are quite different from those reported by Bauwens et al. Correctly stated, the risk of malalignment is approximately three times that with conventional replacement relative to CAS.
In conclusion, our findings of data extraction and entry errors cause us to challenge the conclusions in the article regarding the meta-analysis of radiographic endpoints in conventional versus navigated knee replacement surgery. A correct data analysis demonstrates overwhelming evidence of a much lower error rate with navigation. Reversal of some of the extracted data and misreporting relative risks for fit as risks of malalignment is partially responsible for the muted difference that Bauwens described between navigated and conventional total knee arthroplasty. These errors, however, do not obviate Bauwens' other discussion points regarding methodological limits of the available trials, including a dearth of evidence on long term outcomes, quality of life, and costs.
While we recognize and understand the challenges inherent in performing meta-analyses, our intent is to bring these errors to the attention of the readers of the Journal to correct any erroneous impression this work may have left with the readership.
In support of their research for or preparation of this work, one or more of the authors received, in any one year, outside funding or grants in excess of $10,000 from Depuy, and Johnson & Johnson. Neither they nor a member of their immediate families received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, division, center, clinical practice, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors, or a member of their immediate families, are affiliated or associated.
1. Kai Bauwens, Gerrit Matthes, Michael Wich, Florian Gebhard, Beate Hanson, Axel Ekkernkamp, and Dirk Stengel Navigated Total Knee Replacement. A Meta-Analysis J Bone Joint Surg Am 2007; 89: 261-269
2. Bathis H, Perlick L, Tingart M, Luring C, Zurakowski D, Grifka J. Alignment in total knee arthroplasty. A comparison of computer- assisted surgery with the conventional technique. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2004; 86: 682-7.
3. Perlick L, Bathis H, Lerch K, Tingart M, Grifka J. [Navigated implantation of total knee endoprosthesis in secondary knee osteoarthritis of rheumatoid arthritis patients as compared to conventional technique. Z Rheumatol 2004; 63: 140-6.
4. Saragaglia D, Picard F, Chaussard C, Montbarbon E, Leitner F, Cinquin P. [Computer-assisted knee arthroplasty: comparison with a conventional procedure. Results of 50 cases in a prospective randomized study]. Rev Chir ORthop Reparatrice Appar Mot 2001; 87: 18-28.
5. Sparmann M, Wolke B, Czupalla H, Banzer D, Zink A. Positioning of total knee arthroplasty with and without navigation support. A prospective, randomised study. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2003; 85(6): 830-5.
6. Chauhan SK, Scott RG, Breidahl W, Beaver RJ. Computer-assisted knee arthroplasty versus a conventional jig-based technique. A randomized, prospective trial. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2004; 86(3): 372-7.
7. Confalonieri N, Manzotti A, Pullen C, Ragone V. Computer- assisted technique versus intramedullary and extramedullary alignment systems in total knee replacement: a radiological comparison. Acet Orthop Belg 2005; 71: 703-9.
8. Kim SJ, Macdonald M, Hernandex J, Wixson RL. Computer assisted navigation in total knee arthroplasty: improved coronal alignment. J Arthroplasty 2005; 20: 123-31.
9. Perlick L, Bathis H, Tingart M, Perlick C, Grifka J. Navigation in total-knee arthroplasty: CT-based implantation compared with the conventional technique. Acta Orthop Scand 2004; 75: 464-70.
10. Bolognesi M, Hofmann A. Computer navigation versus standard instrumentation for TKA: a single-surgeon experience. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2005; 440: 162-9.
11. Mielke RK, Clemens U, Jens JH, Kershally S. [Navigation in knee endoprosthesis implantation—preliminary experiences and prospective comparative study with conventional implantation technique]. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb 2001: 139: 109-16.
12. Anderson KC, Buehler KC, Markel DC. Computer assisted navigation in total knee arthroplasty: comparison with conventional methods. J Arthroplasty. 2005; 20(7 suppl 3): 132-8.
13. Haaker RG, Stockheim M, Kamp M, Proff G, Breitenfelder J, Ottersbach A. Computer-assisted navigation increases precision of component placement in total knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2005; 27: 152-9.
We read with great interest the comments of Alberto Gregori and Graeme Holt on our meta-analysis. We believe all the issues they raise were clearly addressed in the printed article and the electronic appendix, but we will be happy to respond to their letter in a point-to-point fashion.
1. We do not agree that the conclusion of the abstract conflicts with current best evidence. Most trials focused on alignment, not function, quality of life, or cost. We feel that all would agree that higher precision in restoring the physiological limb axis is an advantage of navigated over conventional total knee replacement, but patient-centered and health-economic values have more weight in clinical and political decision making. In the Discussion, we stressed the need for high-quality trials aiming at investigating clinically relevant outcomes.
2. Meta-analyses (especially in orthopedics) are often criticized for including only RCT, thereby limiting the external validity of the results. We are very much aware of the discrepancy between methodological and clinical demands. In the methods section, we clearly pointed out that we conducted a meta-regression analysis to account for different study designs. There was no meaningful difference in effect estimates between RCT and other study settings.
All key features of our search strategy were mentioned in the methods section. Specifically, we (i) reported all databases searched, (ii) tried diligently to avoid a tower of Babel bias by including studies of all languages, (iii) did a manual search, (iv) reported the study selection in a QUOROM flow-chart, (v) assessed methodological features by two or more independent raters, (vi) tested for publication bias and statistical heterogeneity. If we had missed any important quality criterion of a valid meta-analysis (or a relevant paper that contradicts our findings), we would be pleased to be informed by Drs.Gregori and Holt.
4. In the Discussion, we admitted the limits of the chosen endpoints- however, as indicated in their letter, this was not a shortcoming of the quantitative summary, but the lack of reporting of other endpoints in the original manuscripts.
Dr. Gregori and Dr. Holt conclude that navigated total knee arthroplasty improves implant alignment, but consequent improved implant survival remains unproven. We are happy about this conclusion, since it perfectly agrees with the findings of our meta-analysis.
In their recent meta-analysis(1), Bauwens et al. concluded that "navigated knee replacement provides few advantages……on the basis of radiographic end pointsâ€. However, our analysis of this paper suggests that this conclusion is invalid.
While meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials represents the gold standard in validation of surgical interventions, overcoming the reduced statistical power of small sample sizes, it cannot compensate for poor scientific methodology in the analyzed papers. The authors (1) included not only randomised, but also quasi-randomized controlled trials, non- randomized cohort studies, studies with historical cohorts, and studies investigating the outcome of CT or image-free navigation systems for both unicompartmental and total knee arthroplasty.
A meta-analysis must use a predefined, documented search strategy allowing assessment of its completeness; this was not reported. "Mean straightness of mechanical axes†is an inappropriate outcome measure. The mean mechanical axis says nothing about the distribution of values that it represents without reporting standard deviations and range, though 95% confidence intervals were stated. However, two groups may have significantly different distributions of alignment values centered about similar mean values.
Navigation reduces the number of implants with a predetermined variance from the true mechanical axis, commonly defined as ±3o. The authors estimate a risk ratio of a deviation of >3° with navigated versus conventional knee arthroplasty at 0.79 and 0.76 for a threshold of 2o. Navigation reduced the relative risk of >3° malalignment by 25% thus avoiding one additional patient with unfavorable component positioning in any five patients managed with computer-assisted instead of jig-based methods.
The authors conclude that "the benefits of navigation diminished rapidly with increasing thresholds of proper implant positioningâ€. If we were to accept a deviation of up to 6 degrees from the true mechanical axis then both conventional jig and navigation based arthroplasty are almost equally efficacious; however, this degree of error is greater than most arthroplasty surgeons would accept.
Navigated total knee arthroplasty improves implant alignment, but consequent improved implant survival remains unproven. We are concerned that this meta-analysis(1) will be regarded by many as definitive evidence even though its methodological shortcomings and interpretation of results do not justify the conclusions reached.
The authors did not receive any outside funding or grants in support of their research for or preparation of this work. Neither they nor a member of their immediate families received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. A commercial entity (Biomet & BBraun) paid or directed in any one year, or agreed to pay or direct, benefits in excess of $10,000 to a research fund, foundation, division, center, clinical practice, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors, or a member of their immediate families, are affiliated or associated.
1. Bauwens K, Matthes G, Wich M, Gebhard F, Hanson B, Ekkernkamp A, Stengel D. Navigated total knee replacement - A meta-analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89(2):261-9.
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