text:
Now Discounting Weeks at the Grande
EP899 – Grande Ritz Palm, Soundfront,
NOW DISCOUNTING for 2016! $2000 off the weeks of 4/29, 5/6, 6/3, 7/15, 7/22, 8/12, 8/19, 9/16, 10/30, 10/7 & 10/14!... More »
There is always something fun and exciting to do on the Currituck Outer Banks! There are many popular annual events throughout the year like the renowned 4th of July Festival. There are also a host of events on a weekly basis. Don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of some great events during your vacation this year. Check back with us often as we are continuously adding great events to the calendar. Have a great vacation!
EP899 – Grande Ritz Palm, Soundfront,
NOW DISCOUNTING for 2016! $2000 off the weeks of 4/29, 5/6, 6/3, 7/15, 7/22, 8/12, 8/19, 9/16, 10/30, 10/7 & 10/14!... More »
EP204 – Grande Ritz Paradise, Oceanfront
NOW DISCOUNTING the weeks of 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 11/28, 12/5, and 12/12 now $5900!... More »
Southern Shores Realty offers savings on Outer Banks vacation rental homes to active and retired military members. Discounts vary by home and typically range from $100, 200, 5%, 10%, etc.
Thank you for your bravery, courage and service to our country!
Does not expire. No date restrictions. May not be combined with other... More »
Southern Shores Realty offers savings on OBX vacation rental homes to seniors. Discounts vary by home and typically range from $100, $200, 5%, 10%, etc.
These discounts were meant to be redeemed -- book your vacation today!
Does not expire. No Date restrictions. May not be combined with other discount offers. Valid... More »
Stay in a WHOLE HOUSE for less than the cost of a HOTEL ROOM! Southern Shores Realty offers various Rent 3 Get 1 FREE night promotions that cut the cost dramatically for holiday / event long weekend stays. Please follow the Offer Link to see the most current holiday Rent 3, Get 1 FREE special.
Holiday and Event weekends vary. ... More »
This is the page for Southern Shores Realty's discounts and rate reductions. Save HUNDREDS of dollars of regular advertised rates and look for other incentives on pool heat, bonus days and more!
May not be combined with other discount offers.More »
Visit Outer Banks Blue's list of homes with reduced rates. With all of our homes you only pay the listed rent plus tax. You don't pay extra for linens, dogs, pool heat, etc. And best of all no hidden fees.More »
The photographers of Beach Portraits have been capturing stunning moments for over 30 years on the Outer Banks. Our highly trained photographers, will work closely with you in telling your very own story through posed and candid images. When young children are apart of your group, an assistant is used with puppets to capture smiles. Equipped with... More »
Deborah Sawyer has photographed over 3500 weddings on the Outer Banks. Equipped with Professional, Full-Framed over 21 mega-pixel cameras, we comply with the style requested by our clients. Free consultations.More »
The planners of 4 Seasons Events have been helping couples with all their Outer Banks wedding decisions for over 3 decades. We can pair you with venues and vendors within all budgets as we have for thousands of couples.
Call our office, 252-305-7444, and we can schedule and begin your informative tour from our Currituck Mainland office to... More »
We'll let you in on one of the OBX's best kept secrets -- Fall is the best time to visit!!
The water is still warm, the crowds and traffic have gone, there are lots of fun events, not to mention the Fall sunsets are spectacular!
Fall will be here before you know it and we have some great Off Season Specials that will allow you to save on a Fall... More »
Now Discounting KD1 The Hammock Cottage, Oceanside
Discounting weeks of 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 12/27 now $695More »
Check out this link for 15% specials on full week stays booked for September and October. Get the promo code here: http://www.atlanticrealty-nc.com/special/save-15-full-weeks-september-and-octoberMore »
OR560 – Duck Inn NOW DISCOUNTING the weeks of 10/17 and 10/24!More »
MB2 – Sound Bight NOW DISCOUNTING the weeks of 10/18 and 10/25!More »


text:
Photo by Todd Coleman
YIELD: Makes 4
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large rolls, preferably teleras, Portuguese, kaiser, or ciabatta, split
- Generous 1/4 cup Refried Black Beans, homemade or canned
- 6 ounces Chihuahua cheese or provolone cheese, shredded
- Generous 1/2 cup Pico de Gallo with Lemon Zest
Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 500°F.
Heat a large pan over medium heat until it's nice and hot. Spread the butter over the cut sides of the roll halves. Place them, cut sides down, in the pan and cook until they are lightly golden brown and crispy, a minute or two.
Spread a thin layer of beans over the toasted side of each roll. Top with a thin layer of cheese. Cook the molletes (open-faced) in the oven just until the cheese has melted and turned golden brown in a few spots, 3 to 5 minutes.
Serve the molletes beside a bowl of the pico de gallo and let everyone top the molletes with pico de gallo themselves.
Reprinted with permission from Tacos, Tortas, and Tamales by Roberto Santibañez with JJ Goode, © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
my notes
Nutritional Info
- Calories283
- Carbohydrates21 g (7%)
- Fat17 g (26%)
- Protein13 g (26%)
- Saturated Fat10 g (50%)
- Sodium560 mg (23%)
- Polyunsaturated Fat1 g
- Fiber2 g (10%)
- Monounsaturated Fat5 g
- Cholesterol52 mg (17%)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Every day our dedicated and knowledgeable team members come to work and ensure you have a successful day. Whether you are planning a large group event, hosting a small meeting or planning a social event our team is here to help.
We are about building rewarding and lasting relationships with all of our meeting and event planners and our event delegates. Because we value our relationships we will make sure every detail is taken care of so your event runs like clockwork.
Just a few of the advantages of meeting with us are:
Same day response time to RFPs.
Our dedication to Yes I Can!SM service means we're committed to exceeding your event expectations
Our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
If there's anything at all you are not completely satisfied with, just let us know during your event and we'll either make it right, or you won't pay.
You can count on Radisson to provide an experienced and knowledgeable team to provide excellent service and attention to detail. We want your event to be a success.
To find out more and get specific hotel information to fit your event requirements, call us in the US and Canada at:
+1 (800) 447-7011
direct at:
+1 (402) 501-5030


text:
|Turkey Trot 5K a success
|Written by Richard Anderson
|Thursday, 22 November 2012 10:37
The Hospitality House annual Turkey Trot was in full swing this morning at the Greenway trail in Boone. There were over 500 participants on hand for the 5K and the fun run. Among the runners I observed a 3 legged dog, a dog in a back pack and a full grown man in a turkey suit.
The turkey suited runner was actually the Hospitality House Director of development Todd Carter. This is the second annual run and the second Thanksgiving that Hospitality House has observed in their new facility. Todd said he was especially thankful for the commercial kitchen that enables them to better serve their clients. The lady ambassadors, Hearts of Hospitality, led by Emily Stalling, provided support services for the run. Hospitality House will feed over 200 people a hot Thanksgiving meal.
|Share This Article:


text:
Your cart is empty!
Please read all label information carefully on delivery and prior to use.
Excellent transaction. Very satisfied.
This product contains essential nutrients to heal, moisturize and protect all types of skin. It is very good and keep skin soft and smooth during hard winter.
This cream dense but not greasy, this is the best moisturizer i have used. It contain no harmful fragrance, it is very mild and low scent but it makes skin so soft and smooth. I would highly recommend this product.
The Reviva body lotion smells softly of pink gray fruit. It also keeps my skin moisturized. This lotion absorbs well and do not leaves any residue. It leaves my skin really soft, this is the best lotion i have ever used. It has arrived very quickly and the price is good.
This moisturizing lotion smells like perfume, it does not make my skin feel any dry. It no only softens skin but reduces pain in my legs and feet .


text:
Pencil Skirts
Fitted, flattering and fierce, here at Missguided we're mad about slick pencil skirts. The beauty of this style lies in its simplicity, for such a straightforward style, the pencil skirt makes a big impression. From office friendly tailored styles, perfect when worn with a smart blazer, a crisp white shirt and skyscraper courts; to chic printed numbers and stretchy tube skirts, we have a massive variety so you can find the one. Work it in the new season with stripes, geometric prints, monochrome and tie waist details.
There are no products matching the selection.


text:
Connecticut v Notre Dame
Kayla McBride of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish holds the ball as... News PhotoAdult,Ball,Basketball - Women's College,Connecticut Huskies,Defending,Indiana,Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis,Kayla McBride,NCAA,Notre Dame Fighting Irish,South Bend,Sport,USA,University of Connecticut,University of Notre Dame,Vertical,Women,Women's BasketballPhotographer Michael HickeyCollection: Getty Images Sport 2013 Michael HickeySOUTH BEND, IN - MARCH 04: Kayla McBride #21 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish holds the ball as Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis #23 of the Connecticut Huskies defends at Purcel Pavilion on March 4, 2013 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Connecticut 96-87 in triple overtime to win the Big East regular season title. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)


text:
Submission Eolas Sues Again - This Time, Facebook, Disney And Wal-Mart->
judgecorp writes: "Eolas, which claims to have patented key aspects to web browsers, is suing again, this time targetting Facebook, Disney and Wal-Mart for infringing hypertext patents. Eolas settled with Microsoft and has sold licences to other players — but two of the four patents in this case have previously been delcared invalid."
Link to Original Source
Link to Original Source


text:
Pro-family and religious leaders are strongly imploring leaders in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) not to cave in on the organization's longtime policy banning homosexuals from serving as scout leaders. A BSA spokesman said that the move could come as early as the first week in February. "The policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic, or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue," said BSA spokesman Deron Smith in a statement. He explained that the Boy Scouts "would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members, or parents. This would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, and the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with each organization's mission, principles, or religious beliefs."
If the change occurs, it would represent an about-face to the BSA's decision last year that, following a two-year study, it would continue with the ban on homosexual leaders that has been in place since the organization's founding in 1910. In explaining that 2012 decision, the BSA's chief executive officer, Bob Mazzuca, explained that the "vast majority of the parents of youth we serve value their rights to address issues of same-sex orientation within their family, with spiritual advisers, and at the appropriate time and in the right setting."
The shocking proposed policy change also comes following the release last year of thousands of BSA files from 1965 to 1985 that revealed the organization's unceasing battle to stop sexual predators from infiltrating the ranks of Scouting leadership in order to prey on boys.
The expected change to allow homosexuals is seen by many observers as a reaction to intense pressure that has been placed on the organization over the past several months, including the announcement by major donors UPS and Intel to pull their funding. Those companies succumbed to a pressure campaign led by former Eagle Scout Zach Wahls, founder of the pro-homosexual group Scouts for Equality. On his group's site Wahls applauded the BSA's proposed move as "an important step forward." But noting that the decision on whether or not to allow gay leaders will be left in the hands of state and local Scouting programs, he complained that "discrimination — whether it's at the national level or the local level — sends a harmful message to all youth, gay or not, and has no place in Scouting." He promised to mount a campaign to pressure individual BSA councils to drop their prohibition of homosexual leaders.
Click here to read the entire article.
Photo of Boy Scouts: AP Images


text:
Opening Remarks and Panel 1: The Evolving Int'l Development Landscape (part 1)
The international development landscape is evolving in ways that impact how development is conceived and implemented around the world. This panel brings together representatives from development finance and knowledge producing institutions to discuss the how these changes are evolving both institutionally and on the ground. International institutions are evolving and restructuring their partnerships with developing countries, shifting their focus from the national to the municipal scale, even moving from traditional financing to innovative knowledge sharing and production, including the facilitation of South-South exchange. Yet some of the persistent development challenges remain, and their urgency is more immediate with rapid urbanization in much of the developing world, the ongoing deficits in basic services for the informal poor, the impacts of human-induced natural disasters, and more. How is knowledge shared between these international institutions and among developing countries, especially in an era when many middle-income countries are financing their own development and even translating their resources and knowledge to lower-income countries?
Moderator: Peter Houtzager, Institute of Development Studies
John Briscoe, Harvard University
Nora Libertun de Duren, Inter American Development Bank
Liz McKeon, formerly Ford Foundation and USAID
Jill Pike, Millennium Challenge Corporation
Chris Williams, UN HABITAT
Comments (0)
It looks like no one has posted a comment yet. You can be the first!
You need to log in, in order to post comments. If you don't have an account yet, sign up now!
- Created
- April 30, 2012 13:03
- Category
- Tags
- License
- All Rights Reserved (What is this?)
- Formats
- H.264 Video (mp4), m4v
- Additional Files
- Viewed
- 2888 times
More from IDG Conference 2012
Panel 3: MIT's Interdisciplinary Ap...
Added over 3 years ago | 01:12:48 | 2717 views
Panel 4: IDG Foundation to Future
Added over 3 years ago | 01:03:17 | 2842 views
Panel 1: The Evolving Int'l Develop...
Added over 3 years ago | 00:55:04 | 2865 views
Panel 2: Social Movements and Devel...
Added over 3 years ago | 01:19:15 | 3146 views
Keynote Address: Antanas Mockus
Added over 3 years ago | 01:11:27 | 3076 views


text:
Mountain Hardwear
Hunker Down Jacket (Men's) (out-of-stock)
Out of Stock Product Number: 30635
The men's Mountain Hardwear Hunker Down Jacket feature durable 50 denier fabric, and plenty of lightweight down make this jacket a rugged go-to cold weather favorite.
* This product does not qualify for shipping to all countries.
- New design
- Fleece-lined handwarmer pockets
- Adjustable cuffs for fit options
- Interior water bottle pocket
- Dual hem drawcords for quick fit adjustments
- Interior zip pocket stores ID, keys, other small essentials
- Center Back Length: 28 "; 71 cm
Gender: Men's
Weight: 1 lb. 5 oz.; 595 g.
Material: 50D Rip, 650-Fill Goose Down
Fit: Relaxed
Season: F12
Vendor ProductId: OM5093
Review ProductId: 30635


text:
I have to think that these type of initiatives are doomed to fail as long as the high-end industry continues to try to adapt new customers to the products they make, rather than making products that new customers want to buy. Look at the new products made by Bluesound, recently reviewed at Audiostream. Bluesound's product line includes small, attractive, inexpensive components that perform very well and can be controlled from a tablet or smartphone. This is the way to get new people interested in the hobby, not nebulous "action plans." When the high-end industry wakes up to this, they'll start attracting new people to the hobby.
You Really Can Help Save the Stereo
As White explains on the website's "About Us" page, he alternates his time between publishing Truck Camper magazine, whose avid readership includes Gene Rubin of Gene Rubin Audio, and heading to his basement, where he listens to LPs and digital files of everything from Vivaldi to Daft Punk through "tubes, tubes, and more tubes." He developed Save the Stereo's website with the assistance of his music-loving wife, Truck Camper magazine editor, web developer and "social media expert" Angela White. Given that Angela is "not an audiophile," Gordon has worked hard to develop a project that speaks to the entire music loving community.
"I've been a music lover and passionate audiophile since my early '20s," he explained during one of two intense phone chats. "Based on everything I've read in Stereophile and other publications since 1992, including your recent essay, 'As We Listen, So We Are,' I realized something has to be done to reach the next generation of music lovers. I'm doing this for fun. I love the challenge, and I want to give back to a hobby that has been an important part of my life ever since I was a teenager."
Before launching Save the Stereo, Gordon devoted three months to researching challenges to the survival of high performance, component-based stereo. While asking what the solutions might be, he constantly confronted the questions, "Why is high-end audio important? Why not let it die? Why is it relevant to music lovers who are not currently audiophiles?" These concerns and more he attempts to address on the page, "Why Save the Stereo?" While his rationales for the importance of music mostly emphasize the practical and merely hint at its spiritual import, there is no question that White hits much of the nail on its head.
Nor does he pretend he has all the answers. "I'm asking people to take a look and give me their feedback," he says. "I know the site isn't perfect, and I really want to hear from everybody with ideas. I want to get everyone on a single page so we can move forward collectively."
Gordon White's goal is to receive enough responses and suggestions from community and industry members alike to put together an action plan. After that, Gordon and his friend, electrical engineer and Lancaster Audio Club founder Rob Czetli, hope to move the ideas forward.
"First we need to figure out if everybody thinks Save the Stereo is a good idea," he says. "Then, we need to integrate new ideas and feedback. This is why we must gather ideas from as many people as possible before proceeding. Finally, after an action plan evolves and we vote on it, it will be up to the industry to fund the project.
"The biggest challenge I think we face is that most music lovers who have been walking around with Beats headphones have never experienced great sound, and don't have a lot of opportunities to access that experience," he laments. "The $4 million ads for Beats and Sonos during the SuperBowl show that interest in music has not diminished. But it seems these companies are the only ones reaching out to music lovers."
The next step is up to you. There are no dues involved. White asks that you simply take the Save the Stereo survey and spread the word. As he writes, "Somewhere out there are young music lovers starving for a deeper connection to recorded music . . . We need to do what we can to reach these young music lovers and share our incredible hobby with them. They are looking for us, even if they don't know it yet. Let's give them the opportunity to experience the magic of recorded music on a component-based high-fidelity stereo system . . . Component-based high-fidelity stereo is important and worth fighting for."
You must package hi-rez and quality into convenience, other wise no dice. This may be computer driven audio into high quality powered speakers. Mass of wires have to go.
Maybe time for some powered floor standers? This could eliminate the sub and more connections.
A poll is not going to work. This industry for the most part has killed itself with outrageously priced compoents. Everthing from the power cable to room tuniing devices are way overpriced. The industry seems to be fine to catering to the wealthy. $1K for a decent power cable, $2K for a power conditioner, have you looked at preamp, amp, and speaker pricing (holy sh!t) lakely?
Don't give me the line that you can buy an entry level set with good speakers and and integrated for relatively little money. This may be true, but what happens when one wants to move upe to large floor standing speakers and separates? Look at what is being reviewed and marketed and try to honestly tell me the average working man can afford this stuff.
Don't tell me either that quality costs money. I've learned over the years that some high priced components actually perform to their price, but one needs to be experienced enought to pick out the real deal from the imposters. Most infuriating is that some high end stuff is made in China, but excessively priced (that's you Classe) which gives the impression that the manufacturer is more concerned with making a profit than manufacturing a quality product overseas to sell at a more reasonable price. Isn't that the whole point of moving production overseas? To make the produce more affordable? Seems like in the high end, that answer is no.
My favorite power cable is a Shunyata Anaconda and my favorite interconnect is the Kimber Silver Streak. At retail pricing, those cables cost $2.5K - juist for the cables! I got sick of the high prices, sold my amp and preamp, and got a good surround sound receiver and descent "mid fi" speakers. Audiophiles would look down at my system, but let me tell you from owning components from Proceed, Classe, VTL, and B&W that my Onkyo receiver and Polk speakers give me more pleasure than those other components ever did. Why? Because I knew given the pricing that I was not going to get top tier performance and I could listen without analyzing and just enjoy the music or movie. I get almost all of the performance of the megabuck stuff without the high cost. Sure my receiver is not as controlled and powerful as a separate amp, sure my receiver is not as transparent as a good preamp, but then I spent a fraction of what I would have on the hi end stuff, and guess what? That Onkyo receiver actually can put out some kick ass bass, tonality is good, and the imaging is very good. Sure I can get more controlled bass, higher frequency extension, and more transparncy with separates, but those modest improvements are gong to cost A LOT more money.
My impression is that the high end looks to the snob appeal to get sales. Before the onset of home theater, one would be willing to spend more on components because only 2 channels were needed. With the advent of home theater, one must must pay for 5,7, or 9 channels. Add up the pricing for that with the traditional hi end companies and home theater receivers and "mid fi" hi efficiency speakers become much more attractive.
Unless I win the lottery or start makinig a lot more money, goodbye separates and hello Onkyo, Oppo, Polk, etc.
I don't know why the industry won't listen to their target audience. I am the industry's target audience. I got the high end bug at 18 and I am currently 44. I am not confusing the symptom for the cause. The prices of high end products are too bloody expensive. That is the reason the industry is failing. Not the sole reason, but the main reason. Want the number 2 reason? #2 - high end dealers refuse to negotiate on price. I have been able to dicker on pricing since I bought my first pair of Klipsch KG3 speakers in 1987. I learned in the late 90s and 2000s that hi end dealers would not negotiate on pricing and guess what? During that same time, the internet as a marketplace exploded so I started buying hi end stuff off the internet from reputable people that would dicker on price. This has led to the demise of the brick and mortar store. Raising two kids, with a mortgage, two car payments, and a studen loan, saving 10 to 30% had a tangible effect on the household budget. I would go listen to hi end stuff at the local dealer and if I liked something, I tried to buy from the dealer. When the dealer would not negotiate (hi end pricing is like car pricing - negotiable), I went to the internet. Siimple economics at play.
Back to point #1 - I have been reading Stereophile since 1995. Back then one could buy a pretty good amp for $1,500. In 2002, a pair of 1 meter Kimber Silver Streak cost $240. Now, they cost $510. I happen to think Kimber Silver Streak is a very good product, but the price causes one to pause. The market is proliferated with $10K amps and $25K+ speakers. Only doctors, lawyers, seasoned airline pilots, executives, etc. can afford this hobby.
Sorry, but the increasing fixed costs argument does not hold water. What increased fixed costs? Labor? I doubt those working for Classe (made in China) or Bryston (made in Canada) are earning a descent middle class wage assembling components. Material costs? The cost of raw materials may have increased, but not to the order of magnitude hi end pricing has increased. Advertising costs?
I think you hit the nail on the head with fewer sales. Manufacturer: We are not selliing as many widgets as we used to! What to do? Aha, raise prices in the hopes that each theft, er I mean sale, will keep us in business. Minions: Yeah, that is a good idea and will work. Do it! I want to point out a particular example in the industry, Classe. At one time, Classe used to be made in Canada. Their stuff was expensive, but of good quality. A purchase led to one owning a fine piece of electronics. I waited for the day I could buy a high power Classe amp. I was shocked to learn Classe now manufacturers in China, but they still ask an ultrapremium price for their stuff. From a consumer standpoint, the whole point of buying something made in China is to buy something that cost less money. So why is it that Classe, which still makes good products, moved manufacturing to China but still charges Nort American or EU pricing for their products? Is it because they want to keep their old profit margin with fewer sales? Or do they just want to make more profit per unit? The consumer sees it as Classe wanting to make more profit per unit. If Classe's goal is to keep their profit margin with fewer sales, why not think about manufacturing a less expensive product or if the dealer network is keeping the retail pricing high, rethink the dealer network. Traditional marketplace rules indicate that if demand goes down, so should pricing, but the hi end is a niche market so the traditional rules don't apply so it seems. I think the high end is killing itself through high pricing and they have only themselves and their dealer network to blame. It's about time the hi end ACCEPTS this fact. Their really is no reason a Magico Q1 speaker with a single 7" driver should cost $26,500.
As the consumer, I can spend my money on whatever I want. If I really want that pair of B&W Diamond speakers or a Krell (now made in China) integrated, I will find a way to do it. However, the outrageously hi pricing of hi end components minces that motivation to almost zero. Lexicon dropped an Oppo player complete with the Oppo chasis in fancy Lexicon casework and had the nerve to ask a boat load of money for the Oppo with a Lexicon badge. This act amounted to fraud in consumers' eyes.
"If you, as an audio manufacturer or retailer, have to gross a certain amount of revenue each quarter to cover your fixed expenses and enable you to meet your payroll, you have three choices of how to do it: 1) sell a very small number of very expensive products; 2) sell a larger number of midpriced products; or 3) sell a very large number of inexpensive products. With an impoverished middle class no longer able to find the scratch for $5000/pair speakers and the large amount of capital required to make or sell large quantities of beer-budget products not being available to small businesses (as 80% of high-end audio companies are), the only viable business strategy is Option 1: move upmarket to service the very small number of very rich customers." Enough is enough. If I can afford a $3400 plasma TV, I can afford a $5,000 pair of speakers. Problem is that the $3400 plasma TV reprsents the pinacle of design and good value for what you get, whereas the $5,000 gets you a two way speaker with a 5" or ^'6 woofer that does not represent the pinacle of design or good value from the aspect of performance. If the hi end wants to cater to the megabuck crowd, let them do so, but don't lament the downturn in the hi end industry. Good luck with your ultra-niche market and congrats to those who can afford it. I will stick with my mid fi stuff and I suspect the majority of Americans will too. Thank you Oppo, Emotiva, Golden Ear, Def Tech, SVS, etc for bringing excellent products at sane pricing to the hi end target consumer.
The paradigm is changing. Sick of reading about the same products in the mags that I can never afford. Sick of having companies like Nordost which used to have high, but yet attainable pricing move their upper end products into defense department pricing. $1K for 4 footers with a laser level (wow, a laser!) or $4,599 for a meter pair of Tyr speaker cable! Odin save us!
That, plus a Grace m903 DAC/HPA ($1,895.00 street price), a TASCAM broadcast-duty CD player as a transport ($216.00 street price), and a pair of ATC SCM19s ($3,699; coverage in the works) plus entry-level Cardas cables plus a pair of 20" stands will total under $10,000 and be an amazing system. And another $1,600 buys you Grace's improved newly DSD-ready m905, review next issue.
What about Winslow Burhoe's Direct Acoustics SIlent Speaker II, at well under $1,000 a pair--a loudspeaker that surprised JA for how listenable it was, and how canny engineering from a lifetime of lessons learned (my words not his) resulted in a bargain loudspeaker that was greater than the sum of its parts (his words).
This is a Golden Age of Value for Money in audio.
So, when you tell me that you are sick of reading about products you can never afford, I suppose I can only conclude that neither Stephen Mejias nor I can count you among our loyal readers.
My coverage of affordable gear is not window dressing and it is not a hush-puppy; it is central to my mission as an audio evangelist.
John Marks
Yes, I read that amp review. Your examples are more of the exceptions than the rule. Walk into a retailer and try to find the products you quoted. Good luck. Walk into a high end store and tell me the brands you are likely to find. Look at the prices for Kimber, Cardas, Nordost, Audioquest, Shunyata, Synergistic Research, Classe, Simaudio, Mark Levinson, Krell, Bryston, VTL, Plinius, Lamm, Luxman, Parasound, Esoteric, YG Acoustics, Rockport, Joseph Audio, Thiel, etc and you want to tell me that this stuff is affordable? Don't even get me started on phono cartridges. That's the problem, even reviewers stick their head in the sand about the high prices. The hi end is doomed if even their reviewers argue the hi end is affordable. Remember this is a response to the save the stereo campaign. I'm giving you my two cents from a consumer standpoint why the high end is in the doldrums, yet you want to make the argument the high end is affordable. Golden Age of Value for Money in Audio? Are you still drunk from the cocktail you were drinking? Have you looked through a Music Direct catalog or an Audio Advisor catalog lately to peruse pricing? If so and you think the hi end is affordable, keep sticking your head in the sand and wish your industry friends good luck.
I used to subscribe to Stereophile and was a "loyal" reader for years. You know how many times Musical Fidelity was covered as opposed to say the likes of Lindell Audio? Way too many. I liked the writing of Corey Greenberg, Sam Tellig, and Michael Fremer, but come on...it was more of a fantasy read than anythng based in reality given the price of stuff you guys reviewed, especially the items Mikey reviewed. I found I could get better value form my money in the home theater arena and started reading Stereophile's home theater mag among others. I dropoed the Stereophile mag because of too much coverage of stuff I could never afford, DCS for example. Yes, there was coverage of more affordable products, but the VAST majority of coverage wnet to the big $ manufacturers. Sooner or later, when you want to buy something, you drop the Du Pont Registry for Car and Driver. Get it?
By the way, I outfitted my home theater for way less than your $10K stereo set up. Samsung 64" F8500 plasma, Oppo 105D, Onkyo receiver, Polk LSI speakers, and I can buy a great bluray for $7.99 to $9.99 vs. $24+ for some audiophile recording. You see, the whole family can enjoy 2 hours of a hi rez bluray in full surround sound vs. only me sitting by myself listening to Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, or Sibelius which brings up another issue. Most of America watches TV and goes to the movies. America is used to watching video and audio together. When was the last time you saw your grandma listening to the stereo? When was the last time you saw your kid listen to a stereo system? TV has taken over listening to music as a pastime. The high end has an awesome opportunity to integrate thier products into the living room of America, yet they squander this opprtunity with outlandish pricing. Simaudio has a home theater receiver priced at $19K that is essentially a Denon. The Lexicon bluray player I previously gave is an example of outright fraud.
If you are an audio evangelist, you better start preaching to the high end manufacturers and stop making excuses for their high prices and the sorry state of the industry. Amen.
Maybe the high end manufacturers need some much needed sobriety when it comes to market penetration, expansion of market share, developing new markets, etc. They sure need some help because they are failing. I'm for hire on a consultant basis .
I undnerstand your arguments. I obviously read your essay because I quoted from your essay in ane earlier post. We both have valid points. You are correct in that the disposable income of the working class American has shrunk, but you must realize that increasing a product's price to make up for decreased sales is a strategy that caters to those who have more disposible income. Hi end manufacturers are intelligent people that have consciously chosen their market strategy. Based on market forces, no poll is going to influence manufacturers to change their strategy. The only action plan that is going to work is one that hi end manufacturers are going to embrace. Given where the industry is now, I seriously doubt the vast majority of hi end manufacturers are going to adopt a strategy that will entail more sailes at a lower price point to meet revenue objectives because the action plan would be so radical compared to what exists in the he end marketplace today. The only hi end manufacturer that I have seen trying to adopt to market economics for the benefit of the average consumer is Martin Logan. At one time, Martin Logan could only be found at a hi end botique. Now I can find Marfin Logan at my local big box store. I am not going to find their top of the line electrostaic speaker at this store, but I can find the entry level electrostatic panel speakers and their cone speakers as well. Unless other manufactures embrace the same strategy, their products will remain a niche available only to the few or these manufacturers will eventually go out of business.
I do want to make some comments about your price point example because I think the issue is important. First, if a company can't sell 2000 pairs of speakers at $800 per pair a problem exists. Either the product doesn't represent good value for the price, ie its crap, or the manufacturer doesn't have the needed number of retailers to sell 2000 pairs and needs to increase their dealer network. A reasonable person will be willing to spend $800 for a pair of speakers that perform well. However, Joe the plumber is not going to spend $8000 on a pair of speakers because no demo is going to illustrate that spending 10 fold more on the new model of speaker is worth the performance increase over the $800 speaker. A slick brochure, audio jewelry looks, and marketing the spoeaker in a hi end botique gives the illusion that the $8,000 speker is actually worth $8,000 when the performance of the speaker more often than not can not come close to the 10 fold increase in price.
I don't think the TV comparison is wholly invalid. If the wholesale and resale margins on TVs are so little, how can my local electronics store sell a Sharp 70" top of the line 1080p (857 series) for $1,999 on sale when the regular price is $3,299? Look at the Sharp Elite brand that modeled itself after the hi end audio industry. The Sharp Elite was the best LED panel in the consumer market, but Sharp priced it at botique levels. Not too many people chose to buy a $6,000 60" LED TV, which led to Sharp dropping the product line. Even with the marketplace failure of Elite, Sharp could have chosen to apply their R&D knowledge to their lessor models and made up the losses by selling a lot of superior displays at slightly higher price points than their competitors. I would gladly pay $500 more for Quattron and Elite like performance over a Samsung or Sony LED display.
What about the botique amp manufacturer who makes their stuff in China, but sells at outrageous prices in US dollars? Can't that manufacturer lower the prices of their products and make up any difference increased sales due to the lower labor costs of manufacturing in China?
When the hi end consciously chooses to move their price points upward to offset decreased sales rather than critically analyzing how to adapt to the marketplace, don't lament the disappearance of the hi end. I really wanted a Sharp Elite and even at closeout priciing, the cost of a Sharp Elite was more expensive than all of its competitors. I was sad the Sharp Elite went away from the marketplace, but realized the disappearance was due to their pricing and marketing stragety and got over the sadness.
Dear Mr. Atkinson, you wrote:
Now (and disregarding the increase in parts cost to keep the numbers simple) they only have to sell 200 pairs at the wholesale price of $5000/pair each year to cover their overhead.
Well, this is exactly where the whole thing becomes crappy: the $5000/pair speakers won't have commensurably more expensive parts or technology, so this is an increase in pure profit!
As a guy with a Master Degree in electronics I can tell you a Boulder amp or a MSB DAC deserves the list price, and so are speakers such as Wilson Audio, Magico or Raidho. But paying premium money for what amounts to little more than off the shelf drivers nicely packed in glossy furniture... well, thanks but no, thanks!
It is good to see John Atkinson here defending his points, and I do agree that he has something there with the shrinking disposable income of the middle class. That said...
I always thought that audiophiles came more from at least the upper-middle class. People who even in down times have more disposable incomes than working class folk.
I do see the point of those who decry the $80,000 amplifier and speaker manufacturers. I always thought that those 'statement' products were their way of showing what is technically possible given no restrictions on budget, practicality, or even a market. And trickle-down technology from these statement products benefits everybody, eventually... or so I'd like to hope.
Let's face it: good, high quality gear is EXPENSIVE by your average American's standards, even used and if it is represented good value used. I'm not talking 1/2" aluminimum faceplates and gold plated tuning knobs.
Two manufacturers in particular whom I think have sold out recently under new management are Thiel and especially Krell. Though their products were considered very expensive by the mainstream, what you got was essentially a hand-made, high quality, no-frills piece of audio equipment that REALLY PERFORMS. Anyone who has opened the hood and looked at complex crossovers, thick baffles, or the giant toroidal transmformers and massive capacitor rows would know that. And those things weren't readily apparent by looking at the products' exterior. Sure, Thiel's beautiful wood veneers also definitely lended a feeling of American-made, handmade luxury. And you paid for it. But given all that went into them, I don't think that you would say that Thiels or Krells were overpriced in a way that an $80,000 amp might be.
I understand that if the volumes aren't there, then you get an inflated per-unit price. But the idea is to build a brand, then gradually offer lower-end, more affordable models with some of the trickled-down technology. Magico started off that way with some stupendously expensive models, and now they are finally getting near to prices on their lower models that I might consider... used... $.02
Really not a fan of this message board format. Sorry for all the repostings. Doesn't seem to confirm that it got posted, and I didn't want to waste all that typing...
using this message board on a mac mini is absolutely painful.
I agree with many of the points above, but I do not believe products are the complete answer, nor are they completely to blame for the problem.
Excellent products that are marketed poorly fail. Average products that are marketed well often succeed.
No matter what marketplace we're discussing, high quality affordable products, by themselves, are only part of the solution.
I also believe the high-performance audio industry already offers some excellent affordable products, but could certainly do a lot better.
Complete the survey on SaveTheStereo.com. Get involved. Offer constructive feedback. Things are just getting started.
- Gordon White, Save The Stereo Project
I am an Audiophile and have some nice entry level audiophile equipment and essentially love music of almost every genre. However apart from my longest standing friend and myself I don't know anyone who shares my obsession.
It's not actually about equipment anymore there's a whole generation out there that loves music every bit as much as their Mothers and Fathers however they don't spin vinyl Frisbees (the only choice when I was young) or stick shiny silver discs in a magic box.
They stream music over the net and have access to vast libraries of music totally for free via Spotify they just have to put up with some cheesy adverts every so many plays. They also carry around in their pockets portable players that have replaced the wrist watch the camera the radio, the Walkman oh and it makes phone calls and sends e-mails pretty neat huh. I think the younger generation has more access to music than I ever did at the same age just the way it's delivered has changed.
Yes they have sacrificed quantity for quality and availability. The future as I see it will be streaming services delivering vast libraries of music to people over high speed internet connection wired or wireless to either higher quality streaming devices linked to home entertainment centres which will most likely serve as home communications TV and video phones and play music as well or to mobile smart phones or tablets for people on the move. I have by most people's standards a huge CD collection but It does not even begin to scrape the surface of the staggering amount of music you can access over Spotify and the like.
No it does not sound as wonderful as my Hi Fi system,yet. However I am sure as bandwidth increases and hi definition files become available the reasons for not downloading or streaming will disappear. It might not save the Stereo as we know and love it but the Music has not died just the delivery system is evolving.
The stereo might need saving but its all about the Music.
Okay, so another article comes on CNN claiming the death of the traditional hi-fi component system...
Big deal. It doesn't mean it's true nor should anyone go alarmist over it.
IMO, there will always be high-performance audio equipment just as there will always be upscale watches, fancy cars, top-of-the-line anything! I'd like to see some stats as to what "issue" is being addressed here; otherwise this is all hot air signifying nothing.
As an aside, what's with "walking around with those Beats headphones have never experienced great sound"? Seriously? What Beats models did Mr. White listen to? While I agree that for the price, one could get better Sennheisers (for example), and one should avoid the Beats Solos like the plague, some of the lineup like the Studios aren't bad IMO and certainly enhances enjoyment for some kinds of music. To say something like this without further qualification just highlights the absurd elitist opinions held by some audio ethusiasts, unfortunately. (And this in itself does a disservice to promoting quality audio.)
Look at computer software companies, for example those who make accounting and manufacturing systems. They've been scrambling to get as much functionality from their systems to run on mobile devices as they can, with Cloud functionality being just a part of that. Audio companies need to follow suit. They've already lost a generation to the 'Beats' sound and their pricy headphones, not to mention the many years of bass-heavy audio systems for cars. But there are a few people working to make high fidelity a reality for mobile users. Harman and Philips have recent projects running, and Dirac has been providing DSPs for use in cars. The numbers are mostly in mobile, even though there's a core of big-ticket sales to non-mobile users.
Here's the thing about Stereo vs. mutichannel. You can focus your energy (money) on 2.1 speakers vs. who knows how many. Its a pure sport. Nobody does multi channel well, well 98% anyway. Headphones - another debateable issue. Personally I like speakers. Can you get 'better' sound from headphones for the same coin - sure. Who cares. Do you want to FEEL the sound as well. - Bottom line 'stereo' is alive and well. Nothing to sweat. I lived through quad and all the other shit. Aint going to happen.
Save the Stereo? That's not my job. My job is to listen to music. But if you really want advice to save the stereo? Stop with the snake oil and admit that the $10,000 amplifier is just a way to separate a fool from his money. There is no perfect sound, there is no reproducing sound "as the artist intended". To believe otherwise is ludicrous. The problem is that too many people depend on fleecing the rubes to make a living.
When I buy a car with 250HP and a top speed of 150mph I know that what I get will be pretty close to those figures. Or else, all car magazines will boo and that specific model will rust in peace (or be heavily discounted).
Why is it the same does not apply to stereo equipment? Some of it costs as much as a decent car, so customers should be entitled to the same respect. But nope: I still remember reading a rave review in Stereophile about a pair of tubed monoblocks selling for $275,000 and miserably failing to deliver even 10% of the stated power. Or of a $20,000 DAC that could not credibly reproduce any frequency below 50-60Hz.
I understand "shit happens" but my expectations would be:
- for the reviewer, to spell it loud and clear, without being affected by PC (that's Publicity Correctness);
- for the manufacturer, to offer a full buy-back and apologies for selling lowly junk at the price of gold bullion;
- for the legal system, to enforce the same customer protection rules as for any other product, including penalties for misrepresentation.
Now don't get me wrong: I'm not talking about sound (which is subjective) or fiability (most high end products come with usage restriction, whether it's a Lamborghini or a Patek Philippe) but about measurable things. And I won't fret over a difference of 5-10%, but in sone cases the silly box with a silly price delivers less than 20% of what it claims to do.
So this is it: manufacturers should be much more dependable, or else...
However, what happened next? Did the manufacturers offer to buy back their pieces of crap? Did the unsuspecting owners get any relief? Are the laws protecting customers somewhat "suspended" when it comes to hi-end audio?
And then, how comes the "golden ears" at stereophile did not figure out the pile of crap? Suppose I'm a lawyer or a brain surgeon and as such don't understand more than 10% of your "measurements" page, wouldn't I have parted with my money based on some high-praise comments bestowed by "experienced" reviewers? Should I remind you Michael Fremer's high praise of the Zanden harmonic generator (oops, I mean Signature D/A converter)? Or the (not faint) praise of the Wavac SH-833 monoblocks - that were reviewed, incidentally or not, by the same MF?
Time to retire some golden ears: they just got rusted! And BTW, I remember your listening impressions of some gear I can't remember (I quote from memory): "...since I do not hear much over 9kHz anymore I enlisted the help of a younger friend..." Now, THIS is respect for your readers, and part of the things I do appreciate in life! Just vacuum-clean the rest of the team: I guarantee Stereophile will once again become what it was, and even more! Until then...
...should be to reproduce with maximum accuracy whatever is on the medium.
Since a piece of gear with poor measurements cannot do this, it doesn't deserve the high-end moniker.
And BTW, I'm not in the "measurement rulez" camp: I heard too many components that measure great but sound like junk. Also, I studied enough to know that there is no audible difference between 0.005% THD and 0.01% THD (I'd say that the distribution of those harmonics is more important), but even my mother can hear 23% THD... And measuring this figure in a DAC (not some SET amp pushed into overdrive or minimonitor scrambling to reproduce Mahler at concert levels) just spells poor engineering.
As to
To my enormous surprise, sales of the Wavac amplifier went up after our review was published.
And still, my question stands: how did Wavac/Zanden/others treat previous buyers who decided to return their gear based on unsubstantiated claims?
Don't tell me it never happened, or I'll believe that a lot of disposable income does not an audiophile make.
Winslow Burhoe, former conservatory pipe-organ student and later research assistant to Edgar Villchur for the Acoustic Reseaerch AR-4, has authorized me to pass on his take on what I call the Entropic Heat Death of Audio Retailing:
Three things killed the component market: the CD put a ceiling on quality; the economy tanked; computers created a competitive market for leisure time and disposable income.
John Marks
A. The CD put a ceiling on quality
Not with the advent of SACD (faltering in the U.S., I know), hi-res downloads (gathering momentum), and blu-ray discs (either audio-only or hi-res audio with video, and also gathering momentum).
B. The economy tanked
Not enough, at this point, to prevent the sale of high-quality components in the US. Economic issues in China and other Asian countries, and the change in value of the US dollar, may be the most relevant factors at this time.
C. Computers created a competitive market for leisure time and disposable income.
There is also this new-fangled stuff called computer audio, which makes possible playback of hi-res content. There are also music servers that operate via iPad and iPhone apps.
What I'm getting at is simple: Awhile back, all three of these factors may have put a major dent in the high-quality component market, but the availability of hi-res content via computer download and blu-ray has the potential to both turn things around and open a huge new youth market to the benefits of hi-res audio played through quality components, including plug-and-play USB DACs and high-quality headphones.
The sky does not need to continue falling if the high performance industry can unite around a mass education campaign that makes the links between new ways of listening and new technologies and components that can both enhance the listening experience and better convey musical truth.
So they won't accept being shortchanged by the "industry", and no mass education campaign can convince them it's OK to fund the life standard of people who don't seem to care about delivering what they promise.
How many time has a high-end box fail while being reviewed by the Stereophile staff? Whith this kind of track record, a company manufacturing goods in any other field would have deceased long ago, but high-enders seem to get away with it without as much as an apology!
If Ford Motors would have a failure rate of 5 to 10% (something considered to be natural according to some high end manufacturers - I won't name names unless prompted to do so) US graves would need to be double-decked and Obamacare would go bankrupt.
So I suggest some people clean up their act and just deliver on their promises!
P.S. If your ISP fails to provide service with 99.9% availability I'm sure most of you would cry out loud. Why is it that high end manufacturers are not held to the same standards?
In spite of progress on some fronts - hi-res downloads one of them, the aftereffects of what Burhoe described are still being felt, particulary the first and last points. The economy is mostly voodoo today, so I don't know how we can factor that in.


text:
dash rear wheel guards
Replacement guards to protect wee fingers from the rear wheels of your dash stroller.
This product has been discontinued - once we've sold the last in the last color, it's gone for good (we're sorry!).
Not currently available in this region.
These rear wheel guards are sold as a pair and are compatible only with phil&teds dash strollers.


text:
We'll respond shortly.
No help
If you are using capybara-webkit gem that you should install QT 4.7+, if you need to use pushState/replaceState. Also defining those functions with mock implementations is another good solution.
The gem term-ansicolor has been removed from the heroku gem. It is still a dependency of foreman which is used by the lastest Heroku stack. The license on gem term-ansicolor is gplv2.
Guard with spork takes away a lot of the pain of using spork. Use the gem guard-spork which takes care of building you a sample guardfile. It takes care of restarting the appropriate framework you have in use be it test unit, rspec or cucumber.


text:
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - President Barack Obama on Friday afternoon formally nominated Sen. John Kerry for the position of secretary of state. Obama said he was proud to nominate Kerry for the position, adding that the Massachusetts Democrat did not need any on-the-job training. "I am confident that the Senate will confirm you quickly," Obama said. Kerry is currently chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The nomination has been widely expected.
Market Pulse
Obama: 'Proud' to announce Kerry for sec. of state
More News from MarketWatch
Top Stories


text:
User Guide
Local Navigation
Create a text entry field
- On the toolbox, click the Text Area Form tool.
- On the workspace, drag the pointer until the text field is the size that you want.
- To display text by default , on the Inspector, click the Properties tab and in the Text Area field, type the default text.
- To create a form with more than one field for users to type in, select the Multiline check box.
- In the Field Name field, type a reference ID for the field. The reference ID associates the field with the text that the user types into the field.
Next topic: Create a drop-down list
Previous topic: Creating user input fields


text:
Quarter tax payments extended to July 31
As motor vehicle, real estate and tangible tax bills won't be in the mail until the beginning of next week, Mayor Scott Avedisian announced yesterday that the first quarter payments are being extended until July 31.
No interest will accrue on payments hand-delivered to the Tax Collector's Office by July 31 or on bills that are postmarked by July 31.
The delay was due to a computer upgrade, which will ultimately allow tax payments to be processed more quickly by the Tax Collector's Office.
Post a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment. Click here to log in.


text:
Peripheral Dopamine in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
The purpose of the proposed research is to determine how changes in kidney dopamine (DA) activity influence urinary sodium excretion. We will decrease DA activity in the kidney by inhibiting DA synthesis via carbidopa administration. We want to compare findings in normal volunteers and in patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). We will test the null hypothesis (Ho) that the effects of oral carbidopa administration on urinary sodium excretion will not differ between patients with POTS and healthy volunteers.
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Orthostatic Intolerance
Drug: Carbidopa
Drug: Placebo
Phase 2
Phase 3
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single Blind (Subject)
|Official Title:
|Kidney Dopamine Effects on Urinary Sodium Excretion in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
- The primary outcome is the urinary sodium concentration normalized to creatinine. [ Time Frame: 24 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Blood pressure [ Time Frame: 8 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Plasma catecholamines [ Time Frame: 8 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Urinary catecholamines [ Time Frame: 24 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Plasma renin activity [ Time Frame: 2 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Plasma sodium [ Time Frame: 8 hours ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
|Estimated Enrollment:
|Study Start Date:
|May 2008
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|May 2015
|Estimated Primary Completion Date:
|May 2015 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Experimental: 1
Carbidopa 200 mg every 6 hours orally
Drug: Carbidopa
200 mg every 6 hours for 5 doses given orally
|Placebo Comparator: 2
Drug: Placebo
every 6 hours for 5 doses, given orally, and matching Intervention 1
Detailed Description:
We will determine whether inhibition of renal dopamine formation by carbidopa administration leads to a decrease in urinary excretion of dopamine and sodium and whether the response differs in POTS and control populations. Carbidopa effects will be compared to those of a matching placebo, and the sequence of treatments (carbidopa before placebo or placebo before carbidopa) will be randomized.
Each subject will undergo a complete history and physical examination, including an electrocardiogram (EKG).
- After achieving sodium balance on a 200 mEq/day sodium diet, subjects will collect urine over 24hr for baseline assessment of sodium and catecholamines.
- On this day, the subjects will be admitted to the CRC.
- An 18 gauge intravenous catheter will be inserted in order to draw blood.
- The subjects will fast from 7 pm until after the next morning's testing.
- In the morning, while still supine after the overnight sleep, heart rate and blood pressure will be recorded, and blood will be drawn. The subjects will then stand for 10 minutes. Heart rate and blood pressure will be measured at intervals, and an upright blood sample will be collected.
- The subjects will be asked to collect their urine to end the 24hr urine collection. Another 24hr urine collection will be started.
- Treatment A (Carbidopa 200mg or placebo) will be given orally following the void, at approximately 7 am. Additional doses will be taken every 6 hours with the last dose at 7 am the following morning.
- Subjects will be free to follow their normal routine during the day until returning to the CRC for the night. However, they will need to consume the 200 mEq/day study diet for each meal, collect all urine, and take study medication on schedule
- After returning to the CRC, the subjects will fast after 7 pm.
- In the morning, supine and standing heart rate and blood pressure will be recorded, and the subjects will be asked to collect their urine to end the 24hr urine collection.
- The final dose of study medication (Carbidopa 200mg or placebo) will be given orally following the void, at approximately 7 am.
- Supine heart rate and blood pressure will be measured and supine blood samples will be collected hourly for 4 hours after the treatment and at 8 hours after the treatment. Subjects must rest supine for at least 30 minutes before each blood draw.
- At 2 hours after treatment, subjects will stand for 10 minutes for upright blood pressure and heart rate measurements and collection of an upright blood sample, as described above. Participants will be asked to rate the severity of common orthostatic symptoms while supine and upright.
- Urine will be collected for two 4-hour periods after treatment and from 8 hours to 24 hours after treatment.
- Fixed-sodium study diet will be provided after the 4-hour measurements and in the evening.
After at least a 1 day washout period, the study will be repeated with Treatment B
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years to 60 Years
|Genders Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients diagnosed with POTS by the Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center based on the following stringent criteria: 1) history of daily orthostatic symptoms for at least 6 months; 2) increase in heart rate (HR) of at least 30 bpm with standing or a standing HR of at least 120 bpm; 3) absence of orthostatic hypotension (defined as a fall in blood pressure (BP)>20/10 mm Hg); and 4) absence of conditions, such as dehydration, substantial weight loss, or systemic illnesses, that could provoke orthostatic intolerance
- Upright plasma NE at least 600 pg/mL in patients
- Non-smoking
- Free of medications with the potential to influence BP
- Able and willing to provide informed consent -
Exclusion Criteria:
- Overt cause for postural tachycardia (such as acute dehydration)
- Significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, or hematological disease by history or screening results
- Positive urine b-hcg pregnancy test
- Evidence of cardiac structural disease (by clinical examination or prior echocardiogram)
- Hypertension defined as a BP>145/95 (off medications) or need for antihypertensive medications
- Evidence of significant conduction system delay (QRS duration >120 ms) on electrocardiogram
- Inability to give, or withdraw, informed consent
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00685919
|United States, Tennessee
|Vanderbilt University
|Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232
|Principal Investigator:
|David Robertson, MD
|Vanderbilt University
Additional Information:
|Responsible Party:
|Emily M. Garland, Research Associate Professor, Vanderbilt University
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00685919 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|May 27, 2008
|Last Updated:
|December 16, 2014
|Health Authority:
|United States: Institutional Review Board
United States: Food and Drug Administration
Keywords provided by Vanderbilt University:
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Mitral Valve Prolapse
Neurocirculatory Asthenia
Orthostatic Intolerance
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
Anxiety Disorders
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases
Heart Diseases
Heart Valve Diseases
Heart Valve Prolapse
Mental Disorders
Nervous System Diseases
Neurologic Manifestations
Pathologic Processes
Primary Dysautonomias
Signs and Symptoms
Dopamine Agents
Anti-Dyskinesia Agents
Antiparkinson Agents
Autonomic Agents
Cardiotonic Agents
Cardiovascular Agents
Central Nervous System Agents
Enzyme Inhibitors
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on October 09, 2015


text: No. 24 Ducks rally on Beavers again to sweep Civil War Share this story email Share this story «Previous 3 of 6 Photos Next » Read the story « » Oregon St Oregon Basketball Oregon guard Johnathan Loyd, left, and Oregon State guard Challe Barton wrestle on the floor for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Eugene, Ore., Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)


text:
Genetic Factors Affecting the Severity of Beta Thalassemia
Recruitment status was Recruiting
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Patients with genetic diseases can have widely differing severities. We are looking for genetic factors which influence the severity of beta thalassemia.
Beta Thalassemia
|Study Type:
|Official Title:
|Identification of Novel Genetic Modifiers in Beta-thalassemia
DNA isolated from peripheral blood
|Estimated Enrollment:
|Study Start Date:
|July 2004
|Estimated Study Completion Date:
|April 2012
The understanding of the phenotypic variability of genetically homogeneous disorders represents a major challenge. In beta thalassemia, the beta globin gene is affected by a variety of mutations. The group of patients to be analyzed here is homozygous for a splice site mutation that is common in the Middle East. In contrast to this genetic homogeneity, the spectrum of the clinical phenotype ranges from mild anemia to most severe, transfusion dependent anemia. We will use a genetic linkage approach to identify modifying factors and by analyzing the efficiency of an mRNA surveillance mechanism that is referred to as nonsense-mediated decay and represents a candidate genetic modifier of beta thalassemia and other genetic disorders.
|Genders Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
|Sampling Method:
|Non-Probability Sample
Patients analyzed for beta thalassemia in our laboratory in Hadassah.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Identification of homozygous IVS1 nt 6 beta thalassemia mutation
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00159042
|Contact: Deborah Rund, MD
|00 972 2 6778712
|Contact: Hadas Lemberg, PhD
|00 972 2 6777572
|Hadassah Medical Organization
|Jerusalem, Israel, IL91120
|Contact: Arik Tzukert, DMD 00 972 2 6776095 email@example.com
|Contact: Hadas Lemberg, PhD 00 972 2 6777572 email@example.com
|Principal Investigator: Ariella Oppenheim, PhD
|Sub-Investigator: Deborah Rund, MD
|Sub-Investigator: Dvora Filon, PhD
|Principal Investigator:
|Ariella Oppenheim, PhD
|Hadassah Medical Organization
|Responsible Party:
|Deborah Rund, Hadassah Medical Organization
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00159042 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|September 9, 2005
|Last Updated:
|June 22, 2011
|Health Authority:
|Israel: Israeli Health Ministry Pharmaceutical Administration
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Anemia, Hemolytic
Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital
Genetic Diseases, Inborn
Hematologic Diseases
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on October 13, 2015


text:
Bring True HD to Life
The name Canon has always meant photographic and broadcast television cameras with optical excellence, advanced image processing, superb performance, and the latest in technological advancements. Canon's new High Definition video camcorders are no exception. Add to that our Canon Exclusives- Canon has long been a leader in bringing advanced features to its products, taking advantage of our superiority in optics and image processing. Thanks to a continuing effort to make better video easier to create and you'll find a host of features only available in a Canon camcorder.
The stylish Canon HV20 gives you the ultimate in HD video and digital photo quality with advanced features for the knowledgeable and demanding videographer. Among the Canon Exclusive features on the HV20 are Canon's own Full HD CMOS sensor and advanced DIGIC DV II image processor, ensuring meticulous detail and superior color reproduction. More exclusives are, SuperRange Optical Image Stabilization and Instant Auto Focus. With the Genuine Canon 10x HD video zoom lens and a host of other advanced features the HV20 is the right choice in High Definition camcorders. And, with its HD and Standard Definition recording modes, you can make the move to HD without making your SD equipment obsolete.
The HV20 is easy to use and delivers the high level of performance you've come to expect from Canon. It's the premium quality High Definition camcorder that sophisticated and discerning videographers have been waiting for.


text:
Freedom Spas (Master Spas)
The patriotically named and proudly American owned and made Freedom Spas from Fort Wayne Indiana are a hot tub Beyond Nice Spa & Hot Tub Covers is equally pleased to supply American made replacement hot tub covers for you. Whether your sinking down into a Jefferson Spa or strechting out in the Franklin Spa series, Beyond Nice has the hot tub cover and the features you need to ensure that you get the most out of which ever Freedom Spas model you have proudly chosen to own. We have thought of nearly every option to make life in your hot tub truly more enjoyable, relaxing and even easier, including internal hardware for a Hot Spring lifter.