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We greatly appreciate our customers that have taken the time to acknowledge a job well done and let us know they are
happy with our Hot Tub Covers.
Just this week, we got an email like this... "Any Recommendation for finding and sealing an air leak in my 3 chamber SpaCap?" So we asked for more information to see if we could help. His response went like this, "Well, I have to admit my SpaCap is about 18 years old, so it is showing it's age. There are some holes in the outer Sunbrella fabric from where it comes in contact with the fence around the hot tub when we remove it from the spa. I'm using Nature2 Spa Cartridges, Enhanced Spa Shock once a week. Plus I shock the spa once or twice a week depending on use of the tub. I don't see any effect of the chemicals on the underside of the cover. I have treated the Sunbrella several times over the years with Sunbrella fabric protectant which I assume has added some life to it... I'm amazed how little I have heard about your covers since it's inception, because it really is the best invention I've seen for a hot tub cover. I hope your business is doing well and growing since I bought my SpaCap! I'm going to try and squeeze a couple more years out of it and replace it when it turns 20 years old."
Ken, Oregon
I just needed to write to let you know that I am extremely pleased with our new SpaCap. It has already proven itself as it withstood strong winds that would have sent our old spa cover sailing. It's light enough for my wife to handle, easy to install (thanks for the video which helped), and just exactly what we ordered from the color to the size. I have already recommended your product to other spa owners as well as a future spa owner who asked about ours. I will certainly drum up business your way as you gave us a great item at a reasonable price. Keep up the good work!
Dave, Los Lunas, New Mexico
I was just using my hot tub and it occurred to me that I needed to contact you. A while back, I can't remember when exactly, I purchased one of your spa caps. I was fed up with conventional covers and all the drawbacks associated with them. I had just had back surgery and I could not get the cover off my hot tub. The cost of the spa cap seemed quite high, but it appeared to be a better idea for covering a tub. It was and that is the reason for this letter. Rarely can one purchase a product that actually meets, much less exceeds, its claims, but the spa cap does just that. I no longer have any trouble gaining access to my tub. I can remove the spa cap effortlessly by myself. It is durable and really looks quite unique on the tub. I believe it insulates better than a conventional cover. In short, although the cost seemed high when I purchased the spa cap, it has proven to be worth every penny spent. I know that you already know all these facts, but when a job is done well, the people who do that job deserve to be recognized. So, congratulations and thank you for a great product. Keep up the good work. I wish you continued success.
I am 100% pleased with my SpaCap. I found the SpaCap while searching the web for a new spa cover. This product is available directly from the manufacturer. It is an expensive item, right up there with the most expensive spa covers available. I took a chance and ordered one. I am certainly happy I did. This product (SpaCap) is far superior to the commonly available hard foam covers. It is lighter in weight, cannot saturate with water, and most importantly it is very highly energy efficient. I am saving the extra cost of the cover in energy savings. My spa runs for only a fraction of the time that it used to with the old foam cover. Several times a year at my location we have winds with gusts reaching 70 miles per hour. This cover stays put. The old hard foam cover would break its tethers and blow a quarter mile away. I highly recommend this product. You can fully believe all the statements on the manufacturer's web-site.
Hey guys! Just thought I'd let you know...We Love our SpaCap!!!! So does my grand baby ! I think she'd nap there if we let her ! We are VERY pleased with our new SpaCap cover. I've invited a neighbor over to check it out when he goes to replace his busted up, dog chewed standard top ! Hope he'll get one too ! I don't think his dog will chew it up! May bounce on it though !!!! Thanks again for making a quality product......We had 2 weeks of below zero weather and our temp never varied nor did the heater run constantly ......Super SpaCap is all I have to say! Thanks again,
I am extremely pleased with your product. Its light weight and excellent heat and moisture retention have exceeded any other cover we have used. I can now use the spa whenever I like, and I am much more comfortable. I love to slip in about 2 AM. AAAAhhhhhh Thank you and I wish you great success.
Mrs Roger M
FYI, it's been very, very windy here for the past 48 hours and I've been pleasantly surprised that my new spa cap hasn't budged an inch! Yes, it is secured down, but during the first 24 hours it was not....and it stayed exactly where I put it. So far, I'm a very happy customer. :-)
Valerie P
We've had our SpaCap for only a month or so, but we are very happy with it. Our foam cover was not even a year old and I couldn't open it alone. Fortunately, I didn't have to because the rainwater pooling up in the middle contorted the thing so, that I didn't even need to lift it to test the water... I just reached in the gap! Not so good for insulating, though. If I could lift the old cover, I'd take it in and leave it in front of the shop that sold it to us. Thanks for making a product that works. Lynn C
Just wanted to send you folks a big thanks from a 3+ "year old"customer. My last hot tub cover was the highest quality, graduated slant foam hard cover. After 3 1/2 years, it took 2 men to lift the tub cover. It weighed nearly 400 pounds when we pulled it off the last time!! I have a very bad back and was very upset to think that I would be spending $400-$500 every 3 years for a new cover. Then one day I was looking for a new cover via the internet and got really lucky!! I stumbled onto your site. Once I read the info, I called and placed my order. Now, nearly 4 years later, it still works like a charm. I can use my spa anytime I want to - I don't have to wait until the "guys" get home. And since your cover only cost me what the old hard cover did, I am now going into "profit" time - I have already gotten more use out of yours than I did from my hard cover and there is no sign of deterioration or problems so I expect to get at least 4 more years out of it. I tell everyone I know who is thinking about getting a tub - go to Another Company and get a GOOD one!!! Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Quick note to tell you how happy we are with the new SpaCap. We live in a really windy location and have always had problems with our foam covers blowing off. We have had no problems at all with the SpaCap. It's great to have a light weight cover to remove as well, we just threw out our second water logged foam cover and are relieved to not have to worry about doing that again. It was worth the wait. I'm sure your business will continue to grow. I will be spreading the word here in Vermont. Ken H
Just wanted to drop a line and say the cover is great and made just as if you measured the tub yourself. I love it and thanks to your team. Randy D, TX
About a year ago I ordered a spa cap from you. It has weathered rain, snow, and hurricane force winds in that time. It performs exactly the way you said it would and we are so pleased with your product! We use our spa so much more now that we are able to easily get the cover off. Thank you!
Diane and Ray R.
My husband and I were in the hot tub with the foam spa cover propped up against the wall...It suddenly fell hitting my husband on the head..hard enough to push him and me under the water.. A couple of days later the left side of his face suddenly went DEAD..no feeling no movement...(freaked him out...he thought he had a stroke!)..he went to the doctor immediately..and the doctor diagnosed him with Bells Palsy ..which can be caused by stress and or trauma..we feel the heavy foam hot tub cover hitting him on the head was the cause.. He has since fully recovered!
We love our SpaCap! The only problem we have is the occasional neighborhood cat that thinks it is it's own personal hot water bottle! Have you made any improvements since we bought ours?
We were just out in the tub and talking about the SpaCap. We did not remember how long we've had it. It is still working excellent. Everyone that sees it is amazed at how it works. I don't know of any way to determine the energy usage for sure but know it is low, and that's great considering the really cold weather we get here in the winter ie -10-20 degrees. It is wonderful not to have to worry about the cover getting heavy with moisture penetration like the old foam one. It is easy for me to take off and put back on by myself each usage. I do some minor adjustment of the air pressure with the changes of outside temperature and clean it once in a while inside and out, but other than that its maintenance free. It is getting a little wear spot on one corner and will need to be replaced one of these days. I'll definitely be getting another Spa cap.
I bought my SpaCap about six months ago, and I love it. I have had my hot tub for almost 15 years and this is completely superior to any of the covers I have tried. Easy, looks great, stays on, better insulation - all that you promised is true.
Teri M
I thought it was great. Much better than old style covers that absorb moisture. Had two of those. Unfortunately I no longer own the home or spa. I am building new in St. George Utah, and may want one there,. Do you have any outlets there or in Las Vegas?
It has been great. We have had the SpaCap for almost 10 years. We purchased it after our hard cover cap that came with our spa became waterlogged and my wife could not remove it without help. She can easily remove (fold back) the SpaCap. Also, our dog, a lab, loves to stand on top of the SpaCap and bark at stray cats. The SpaCap has been very durable.
We were just talking about our spacap cover. The old spa is going to be retired and a new one will be taking its place. I have enjoyed the trouble free use of your product and will miss it when we install our new spa. I plan to replace the spa cover with your spacap.
J.K. Spokane, WA
This thing friggin' rules - you can quote me on your marketing stuff. Wow, was this thing worth the wait! In these cold winters in Buffalo, I use my hot tub almost everyday... for the past 4 years my cover has been so water logged that I could only use 1/2 the tub and just flooding it in 1/2 was such a pain... I didn't want my kids to use it because I was afraid they would get caught under it... That meant my wife wouldn't go in either... I didn't want to buy another foam cover, they just don't last and was sick of shelling out the $ ... we get a lot of rain/snow and the foam just wasn't cutting it... Sooo... for 4 years I struggled with that damn cover (I need an army to help me move it) and only used 1/2 the tub... If I struggled enough I could get to the one jet that moves up and down. I have a pretty tough schedule being a full-time musician so the hot tub therapy big time...For 4 years I really didn't have anyone over to use the hot tub because I was afraid they'd hurt themselves helping me lift it off... and only using half of it was weak, plus the damn thing friggin reeked! I'm so glad I took a chance on you guys, I was nervous and skeptical... but this thing delivers in every way...it was so light I almost threw it too fast, took me about 5 seconds to lift it back over by myself and secure it in place... I didn't hurt my myself or smell that awful cover... What a feeling it was yesterday to actually use the whole tub and have my family in as well!!! I know this is over the top, but I am just so happy. Thanks so much!!!!
I just wanted to write to let you know how amazed I am with my SpaCap. First of all I was very challenged with covering my spa since my gazebo top and spa fit very tightly with very little side space. We are talking two to three inches tops. I needed something lightweight and maneuverable, and one person operated. Add to this it needed to keep my spa well insulted since I live in PA and it gets fairly cold.
I will say I was very skeptical with the insulating properties of the SpaCap, but after a few nights well below freezing (15-17 degrees at night and low 30's in daytime) I have heard my spa running less and have not lost an ounce of water to evaporation and I keep it at 102.
I am thoroughly impressed and couldn't be happier with my choice of the SpaCap for my spa. In my opinion everyone should be using these on their spas.
Seth E PA
The Incredible Man Eating Hot Tub. How dangerous is an overweight foam Spa Cover? In late March, I I was checking the chemicals in my spa. Rather than removing the entire cover, I was bent over and supporting the heavy cover with my left arm while I attempted to fill a sampling bottle with water from the spa to check the pH, Bromine content, and total alkalinity. As I leaned over further, the weight of the water logged spa cover dislocated my left shoulder and allowed the cover to hit me on the back knocking me into the spa. I was now face down in the spa with my legs pinned to spa by the spa cover. My shoulder was dislocated and unlike Mel Gibson's character in Lethal Weapon, I was in agony because of a dislocated shoulder. I tried to move but I was unable to move the weight of the waterlogged cover. I swallowed water and tried to rise up but could barely get my head out of the water. With a last breath, I screamed for help. Luckily I left the door from the house to the deck open. My daughter and her boy friend heard the scream and looked out to see my legs sticking out of the spa cover. My daughter and her boy friend were able to lift the cover off of my legs. My daughter's boy friend jumped into the tub and pulled me up from the water. They took me to the emergency room where they put my shoulder back in the socket and treated me for shock. A friend of mine who has given birth to two daughters has a shoulder that is dislocated periodically. This lady friend describes the pain of dislocating a shoulder as more intense than childbirth. I just know the pain is excruciating. I have owned a hot tub for 12 years and have replaced 3 conventional foam core covers. While the life on the foam covers have gone from 2 to 4 years, regardless of manufactures claims, all the covers become waterlogged. I now have a Spa Cap that insulates with air. While I do not know what the life of the SpaCap will be, I am certain that the SpaCap will not help the hot tub try to kill me as the other foam cover did.
James R
If so, contact us. We have answers.


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Top 25 team preview: No. 21 UCLA Bruins
|UCLA's 2013 schedule
The Pac-12 title game is Dec. 7.
Can Alabama make a run at a third straight national title? Can Ohio State replicate last year's 12-0 campaign? Can Oregon maintain its standard of success under new leadership? With the college football season approaching, Sports Illustrated unveils its preseason Top 25.
For more college football preview content, check out SI's 2013 schedule guide, four teams that can beat Alabama package, preseason All-America Team, media roundtable and much more.
The case for
The Bruins have entrusted quarterback Brett Hundley with leading the team's no-huddle scheme. As a freshman last year he set school records for passing yards (3,745) and total yards (4,095). The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Hundley knows a lot of pressure will be on him to lead the attack, which averaged 466.5 yards last season but lost star running back Johnathan Franklin, who graduated. As good as Hundley is, the player coach Jim Mora is touting as a Heisman contender is 6-4, 245-pound senior linebacker Anthony Barr. A running back until 2012, Barr had 131⁄2 sacks and 211⁄2 tackles for loss last year, which ranked second and fourth in the nation, respectively. Having passed on the NFL (and a likely first-round signing bonus) last spring, Barr is back for one more year. And with Hundley possibly also going pro in 2014, this is UCLA's year to make a title run.
The case against
"Replacing a player who broke the school's single-season rushing record and the career rushing mark is not easy to do," Mora said of Franklin. "I think the whole team [needs] to fill that void." The onus is on Jordon James, Malcolm Jones and Paul Perkins to invigorate the ground game and take pressure off Hundley. If they can't, the offense will be a one-man show.
Schedule analysis
The Bruins will be tested on the road -- again and again and again. A Sept. 14 game at Nebraska will be followed by trips to Stanford (Oct. 19) and Oregon (Oct. 26). And on Nov. 30, UCLA will travel across town to try to do something no Bruins team has done since 1998: defeat USC for a second straight year.
Key stat
46.5: Running back Franklin and Y-back Joseph Fauria were responsible for 46.5 percent of UCLA's touchdowns last year. Now that both have graduated, the Bruins need new players to make up for those lost points.
Breakout player
WR Devin Lucien: Lucien had 10 catches for 188 yards before breaking his clavicle in late September. Now healthy, the 6-foot, 195-pound sophomore seems likely to earn a starting spot alongside No. 1 receiver Shaq Evans.
Freshman to watch
CB Priest Willis: Graduation and injuries took a toll on last year's mediocre secondary, but help will arrive in the form of Willis, a five-star cornerback from Tempe, Ariz. Willis recorded 55 tackles and two interceptions during his senior year, piquing college coaches' interests with his combination of size (he's 6-2) and speed (he posts a 4.42 40 time). Willis received offers from LSU, Florida, Notre Dame and every Pac-12 school but Stanford, so UCLA fans' expectations are high.
Xavier Su'a-Filo: Franklin delivered an unforgettable 2012 senior season -- but he got plenty of help from offensive tackle Su'a-Filo. The 22-year-old lineman, who served a two-year Mormon mission, will have three important responsibilities this fall: protecting Brett Hundley, opening holes for the running backs and taking since-graduated Jeff Baca's mantle by becoming a leader on the offensive line. If Su'a-Filo can build on his first-team All-Pac-12 performance from last season, first-team All-America honors could await.
2013 stat projections (By RotoWire.com)
QB Brett Hundley: 3,525 passing yards, 25 TDs; 465 rushing yards, 9 TDs
RB Craig Lee: 560 rushing yards, 7 TDs; 115 receiving yards, 0 TDs
WR Devin Fuller: 500 receiving yards, 3 TDs; 120 rushing yards, 2 TDs
Coach speak: Jim Mora
SI: How has it been different to work with your players now that you've had a year to get to know them and they've had a year to play under you?
JM: [Last year] everything was new. This year they understand the expectations, they know how we like to practice, how we like to do things. But it's still important that we continue to push them. They understand the routine, but we can't allow anything to become routine.
SI: What impresses you most about quarterback Brett Hundley?
JM: You're not going to find a guy who is more committed to his team. He doesn't feel like a sophomore to me. He seems like a pro to me. He understands his mistakes, and he doesn't make them again.
SI: How happy were you when you heard that Anthony Barr was coming back for his senior year?
JM: I was happy because he's scratched only the surface of what he can be as a linebacker. He can have a tremendous impact nationally. He realized that he needed another year [with linebackers coach] Jeff Ulbrich. I commend him for that.

subset: commoncrawl


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Kelly Brook and Laura Aikman, the leading ladies of Keith Lemon - The Film, were both in scarlet for the after-party of the premiere in London last night.
The pair, along with Lemon, the creation of comedian Leigh Francis, were among the stars at the premiere of Lemon's debut film at the Odeon West End. And both changed into red for the after-party.
Lemon, a failed businessman, has appeared on TV in shows from Bo' Selecta! to Celebrity Juice.
Earlier the comedian had stripped off on the red carpet in London and revealed underwear plastered with his own picture.
Keith Lemon - The Film shows Lemon trying to become an entrepreneur, and he becomes involved with Kelly Brook.
Also appearing in the film are Gary Barlow, Vernon Kaye, Fearne Cotton, Ronan Keating, Tinchy Stryder, some of the Spice Girls and David Hasselhoff.
Keith Lemon - The Film opens on Friday, August 24
- More about:
- Cinema
- David Hasselhoff
- Fearne Cotton
- Gary Barlow
- Kelly Brook
- Lemon
- Radio
- Ronan Keating
- Television
- Tinchy Stryder


text:
All come with 30 day money-back guarantee
All listed prices are one-time fee. Pay just once and use Visual Watermark for PC and Mac as long as you need it. You can upgrade edition to Plus or Premium when you need more power.
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Any questions?
What does 'Personal use only' mean?
The Basic edition is a discounted version of the Visual Watermark. It provides the same feature set as the Plus and Premium editions, however we restrict its use for commercial purposes, such as advertising, professional photography, selling pictures online, auctions and online portfolios.
What does '60 days key recovery' mean?
If your computer crashes or you buy a new one, you can request us for a new activation key within 60 days after the purchase. This option is available to you free of charge.
Can I return Visual Watermark if I don't like it?
Absolutely. We provide a 30 day money-back guarantee. If you don't like the program, e-mail us and describe the problem. We will return your money on the next business day.
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Willits painter Betty Hansen had an unexpected surprise in her email recently: an inquiry about a painting of hers that was stolen from the lobby of Willits City Hall back in 1998.
A gentleman from Seattle emailed to ask about a painting signed "Betty Hansen."
"Can you tell me if you are the original artist on this painting?" he wrote. "I love it, and am wondering if you can tell me anything about it. Is it an original?"
Hansen was "utterly shocked," she wrote in her reply. "It was stolen from city hall years ago. Where have you seen it? Who has it?"
The painting, "Summer Lake in Winter," was being offered for sale on Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire's online auction site, www.shopgoodwill.com.
The 16-by-20-inch oil painting features Hansen's grandson, Jay Hansen, who was 5 or 6 years old at the time. Later that day, Hansen received another email from a different man who had won the auction for the painting, asking if she had any information or history about the painting. After Hansen told them the painting had been stolen, both men contacted Goodwill Industries to inform them that it was stolen property and it should be taken off the auction site.
The Santa Rosa Goodwill store, Hansen said, was very cooperative, and sent Hansen's painting up to the Goodwill store in Willits, where she retrieved it last week.
Hansen wanted to thank Brian Lee, who offers a free website for Mendocino artists, artisans and craftspeople, www.mendocinoartists.com, to give them greater exposure online. In addition to Hansen, Willits artists T.L. Suttles, Cynda Valley and InSpiral are also featured on the site.
It was through that website that both potential buyers of Hansen's painting found her email contact information.
A second painting done by Hansen was also stolen, later in 1998, from the then-Stagecoach Restaurant, now the Imagination Station preschool, to the east of Willits City Hall. That painting, called "Brooktrails Creek," is also a 16-by-20-inch painting, depicting a green and yellow tree canopy over rocks and water, with a 3-inch gold-colored frame, and signed "Betty Hansen."
Hansen is thrilled to have her "Summer Lake in Winter" painting back, and will put it up again at the Brooktrails Community Center, with her series of paintings of lakes and ponds of Willits currently being displayed there. Hansen's paintings are also on display at the Blue Sky Gallery and The Willits News office.


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Amazon does a lot to shield its customers from the complexity of creating their own highly distributed systems on AWS infrastructure, but Amazon itself can't internally avoid complexity or the certainty that systems fail. Despite its global scale and many redundancies, Amazon has a less-than-perfect record of keeping its systems up and running.
Amazon suffered two significant outages in 2011 alone, with one multi-day incident in April that took out services on the U.S. East Coast, and another multi-day incident in August that impacted multiple availability zones in Europe after power was lost and backup generators failed at Amazon's data center in Dublin, Ireland. The biggest concern in the August incident was that a problem in one Availability Zone ended up taking out another Zone. That's not supposed to happen if you have a highly distributed, fault-tolerant architecture.
Game site Zynga, which relies heavily on AWS, avoided disruption during these outages because it also has its own private-cloud capacity, further distributing and adding separation and redundancy to its available compute capacity. Zynga also determined it was better to own than rent, so it has flipped from 80% dependence on AWS to 20% dependence, with public-cloud usage focused on scaling up new games before taking them in house.
Amazon: Era Of Data Centers Ending
Microsoft Answers Amazon With Azure Cloud Price Cuts
Why Infrastructure As A Service Is A Bad Deal
Cloud Computing Is Still In Its Adolescence
Does The Cloud Keep Pace With Moore's Law?
Inside Zynga's Big Move To Private Cloud
Amazon Issues Post Mortem On Cloud Outage
HP, Dell Create Clouds For The Rest Of Us
Cybercriminals Used Amazon Cloud Services To Spread Financial Malware
Zappos, Amazon Sued Over Data Breach
Analytics Drives Next Generation Of Moneyball In Sports
Will Google Big Query Transform Big Data Analysis?
Microsoft SQL Server 2012: Big Data Power Incomplete


text:
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(SACRAMENTO, CALIF.) -- UC Davis scientists have restored or improved eyesight in 10 of 14 patients suffering from severe corneal damage, using a new technique in which replacement cornea tissue is grown in a laboratory dish. The cornea is the transparent outer coating of the eye that covers the iris and pupil.
Before treatment at UC Davis Medical Center, all of the patients had damage to their ocular surface, many with poor vision, and had failed standard treatments, including conventional cornea transplants. After the new treatment, 10 of the patients regained some or most of their sight.
Only two other bioengineered tissue replacements are currently commercially available: Bioengineered skin is widely used to treat burns and chronic skin wounds, and bioengineered cartilage is increasingly used to treat certain knee injuries. UC Davis researchers believe that bioengineered cornea could very well become the third type of bioengineered replacement tissue for humans that's available.
"We learned about skin and then used that knowledge to create biological skin replacement for burn victims," says Dr. R. Rivkah Isseroff, a professor of dermatology at the UC Davis School of Medicine and Medical Center. "Now we have transplanted that knowledge to the eye. In the future, we hope to translate it to the lung, gastrointestinal tract, bladder and other epithelial tissues throughout the body."
Dr. Isseroff, who directs a laboratory that develops skin replacements, and Dr. Ivan R. Schwab, a professor of ophthalmology who specializes in disorders of the cornea, spent 10 years perfecting the new technique. They report their procedure in the July issue of the journal Cornea.
Ultimately, Dr. Schwab says tissue engineers may be able to produce readily available, "off-the-shelf" cornea replacements that can be easily transplanted into with severe damage to the cornea, "This is a unique and important step toward that goal," he says.
James Beebe, 78, a retired securities trader who lives in Brookings, Ore., began losing his sight a decade ago due to a rare reaction to the medicated eye drops he used to control his glaucoma. The reaction severely scarred his corneas, leaving him unable to drive a car or see a computer screen. He could read only with the help of a large magnifying glass, and could recognize faces only up close. He consulted ophthalmologists around the country, but none could help.
"I was practically unable to function before," says Beebe, who finally received a bioengineered corneal tissue transplant in his right eye at UC Davis Medical Center in August 1998. The two-hour procedure was performed under general anesthesia.
Today Beebe's vision in his right eye is 20/40 with a contact lens, enabling him to once more drive, read, and use his computer to write freelance feature articles for magazines and newspapers.
George Norman, 69, lost most of his vision in a 1973 chemical accident in which ammonia splashed in both his eyes. Over the next two decades Norman underwent six corneal transplants, all unsuccessful. "I saw everything like through a dark, cloudy fog," the Colusa, Calif., grandfather says. "Anything I'd see was brownish colored."
Last fall, Norman received yet another corneal transplant in his left eye, this time supplemented with corneal stem cells donated by his son, Robert, 38. Although Norman still doesn't see well enough to drive, the vision in his left eye is now better than it's been in almost 30 years. "Everything is bright again," he says. "More people need to know about this procedure."
Son Robert, who lives in nearby Sutter, was in his early teens when his dad lost his sight. "Watching him struggle with patches over his eyes all those years was hard," says Robert, who has 20/20 vision in both eyes. "I would have done anything to help him. He was totally against it at first -- he didn't want to see someone else lose sight for him. But I was all for it."
Donating the cells was painless and did not affect his 20/20 vision, says the younger Norman, who works for the Colusa County roads department. "It took five minutes. I was awake, watching everything out of my other eye. There was no pain whatsoever, and I'm kind of a sissy when it comes to pain."
Researchers at several other centers around the world are also exploring methods of producing bioengineered tissue to repair damaged corneal surfaces, but only one other group thus far has reported success in treating humans. That group, from Taiwan, reports its results in the July 13 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Drs. Isseroff and Schwab are authors of an editorial accompanying the article.
In the technique pioneered by Drs. Isseroff and Schwab, a few corneal stem cells are first removed from a healthy cornea. If a patient has one good cornea, the stem cells are removed from that cornea. If both of a patient's corneas are damaged, stem cells are taken from the cornea of a related donor.
Corneal stem cells are the "mother" cells of the cornea; they lie deep within a protected area adjacent to the cornea, continually giving birth to new corneal cells to replace aging corneal cells, and to repair corneal injuries. (Note: Corneal stem cells are distinct from fetal stem cells. Fetal stem cells possess the unique ability to develop into any tissue in the body. Corneal stem cells, in contrast, can produce only corneal cells).
Severe injuries to the cornea, such as a chemical, fire or radiation burn, can destroy corneal stem cells. So can certain diseases that affect the eye, including some tumors and a handful of rare disorders such as pemphigoid, an autoimmune condition, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which results from a severe allergic response. Without its stem cells, the cornea loses its ability to repair itself, and can become scarred and opaque, causing blindness.
Conventional corneal transplantation, in which a superficial layer of donor cornea is placed over a damaged cornea, does not transfer enough stem cells to be sufficient in these cases.
In the UC Davis technique, the harvested corneal stem cells are divided among multiple laboratory dishes. In the dishes, the stem cells produce a fragile film of corneal cells just one cell thick. Scientists transfer the corneal cells, including the surviving stem cells, to the surface of a matrix of sterile amniotic membrane.
Some cells from the other dishes are frozen and banked for possible later use.
On the matrix, the corneal cells grow into a layer 5 to 10 cells thick, forming a sturdy composite tissue that combines the elasticity and resilience of amniotic membrane with the biological properties of corneal tissue. This bioengineered composite tissue is then stitched onto the patient's eye, after the abnormal corneal tissue has been removed.
Amniotic membranes have been widely used in tissue engineering and corneal repair for many years. The membranes, which are acquired by donation from mothers after babies are born, make an ideal matrix because they do not trigger an immune reaction in the recipient.
The Taiwanese group reports using a slightly different approach from the technique developed at UC Davis. The Taiwanese group seeds harvested corneal stem cells directly onto an amniotic membrane, rather than first expanding the corneal cells laboratory dishes. Another difference is that the Taiwanese group so far has used its technique only in patients who have one healthy cornea; the group has not yet tried cells harvested from related donors.
"One potential advantage of our approach is that we can bank cells in the freezer for later use, so that if a transplant fails, or if we want to treat the other eye, we do not need to subject the patient or related donor to a repeat procedure to harvest additional stem cells," Dr. Schwab says.
Of the 14 patients treated at UC Davis, four received a transplant of composite tissue grown from cornea cells donated by a sibling or child, including Beebe, whose sister donated cells. All four of these patients experienced improved or restored eyesight, and none of the donors experienced complications.
The other 10 UC Davis patients, who each had one healthy cornea, received transplants of composite tissue cultivated from corneal stem cells harvested form their good eye. Of these 10 patients, six had a successful outcome.
The stem cells are harvested by corneal biopsy in a quick, painless procedure that poses minimal risk to the donor eye.
Dr. Schwab emphasized that the transplants remain investigational, and for now are appropriate only for patients with corneal problems that have not responded to more conventional therapies. More needs to be known about the transplants' long-term success and risks before the procedure can be considered as a first-line treatment, he says.
The number of patients who might benefit from corneal stem cell transplant in this country is relatively small. Only a few thousand people in the United States suffer diseases or injuries each year that cause devastating cornea damage leading to vision loss. The numbers are much greater in developing nations, however, where infectious diseases of the eye remain common.
But the technique may have exciting applications outside ophthalmology. Corneal tissue, like skin, is an example of epithelial tissue, or epithelium. In fact, more than 60 percent of the cell types in the human body are epithelial cells.
"We learned about skin, and used that knowledge to create biological skin replacements for burn victims," Dr. Isseroff says. "Now we have transplanted that knowledge to the eye. In the future, we hope to translate this knowledge to the lung, the gastrointestinal tract, the bladder and other epithelial tissues throughout the body."
"The really exciting thing is where this can take us," Dr. Schwab agreed. "Replacing diseased tissues and organs with bioengineered tissue is rapidly moving from the realm of science fiction to reality."
The research on stem cell corneal transplants was funded by UC Davis Health System.
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Materials provided by University Of California, Davis - Medical Center. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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The president of the NRA has famously said "The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun." Let us say for just one minute that he is correct. The next question is then who constitutes being a "good guy?" In most circumstances of criminal activity, most people would say that the police are supposed to be the good guys.
He also has said that criminals should not be allowed to own firearms. That is something that most reasonable people would agree with. So, to sum it up simply, only "good guys" without criminal records should be allowed to own firearms in the U.S. I believe that is a fair analysis of Mr. La Pierre's stance.
Then there are the "open carry" groups around the country toting their guns everywhere the go. They argue that people should not be afraid of "law-abiding citizens carrying guns." According to them, everyone you see openly carrying a gun is a "law-abiding citizen" and you have nothing to fear from them.
That brings us to a small very underreported story in Georgia. Being that Second Amendment Rights state that it is, they recently approved the "stand your ground" laws to allow people to carry firearms into airports, libraries, churches, and nightclubs. Now they have gone one step further in the Dennis Kraus affair.
For a little background, Krauss, an ex-cop who was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in 1999, regained his gun rights — despite the fact that he initially attempted to rape the woman with his gun! Ian Millhiser at Think Progress Explains:
According to the record in Krauss' trial, the former officer was dispatched to the home of a woman who called 911 alleging that her husband had hit her. Rather than arresting the husband, however, Krauss asked the victim to ride with him in his police car. Once she was in his car, "Krauss told the victim that he could take her to jail if he wanted to" or, if she did not want to be arrested, she could have sex with him instead. Krauss' words, according to the court opinion, were "[w]e can go to the motel or you can go to jail."
At the motel, Krauss drew his service weapon and told the woman that he wanted to anally penetrate her with the gun. When she refused, and began to cry, "Krauss then pushed her back, pulled off her pants, and had sex with her." And then he drove her home to the same husband that led her to call the police in the first place.
In addition to his conviction for sexual assault, Krauss was also charged with several other instances of harassment or disturbing physical violence, including beating a prisoner "so severely the man's brain bled" and threatening to file false charges against another man in order to have sex with his wife, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. But neither those allegations nor his sexual assault conviction have permanently prevented Krauss from owning firearms; he regained that right in 2013.
Kraus isn't alone in getting his guns back either. The state has reinstituted gun ownership privileges to some 400 convicted felons. Included in those numbers 44 had committed sex crimes and 32 had killed another person. Whether those crimes were committed with firearms is not noted, but it also is not relevant. Murder is murder regardless of how you killed someone.
Which brings us back to La Pierre and the "Open Carry" groups around the country. Who constitutes a "good guy with a gun?" According to Georgia, Kraus and the other violent convicted criminals apparently are considered "good guys with a gun." If these people fall under your definition, I would hate to see what a "bad guy with a gun" is all about. We can thank Georgia for having the foresight to shed light on the utter stupidity of how states define "a good guy with a gun." Without their bravery, this definition would never have come to light.
But then, Georgia must be correct in their actions. Mr. La Pierre and the Open Carry groups have been absolutely mute about this situation. It can be construed, in this case, that silence from them means they agree with the rulings.


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Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › Packs with great load transfer
Apr 25, 2012 at 8:12 pm #1289179
nathan matthewsMember
@nathanmLocale: Bay Area
Since 2004, my primary pack has been a Jam. It's still a great pack, but it carries most of the weight on my shoulders. This wasn't a problem for most of its career with loads of less than 25 lbs, but because of a shoulder injury I'm now looking to move more weight to my hips. I'm sure this question has been answered before, but I'm looking for recommendations. I'm interested in packs that don't add any features other than a "real" hip belt (my 2004 jam just has webbing) and a stiffer frame. I also need something tall–I'm 6'6" with a 21+" torso, so some packs are so short that even if they have a good hip belt and frame, I can't get the hip belt on my hips while properly adjusting the shoulder straps.
The only other feature I'm looking for is durability. For a few years I wasn't getting out as much as I liked, but my Jam has been on a lot of trips and, despite a few patches, is holding up well. I already feel bad replacing it before it's completely worn out, so whatever my next pack is needs to last a while as well.Apr 25, 2012 at 8:42 pm #1871295
Heath PittsBPL Member
@heathpittsLocale: Nashville
I am extremely happy with the MLD Exodus FS. Particularly with load transfer to the hips. They do have a model listed with a 21.25 torso as the large model. However, it is listed only for users up to 6 feet 3 inches.Apr 25, 2012 at 9:20 pm #1871305
Rakesh MalikMember
@tamerlinLocale: Cascadia
Of your budget allows, McHale is worth a look. A better suspension would be hard to find, and you can be sure of a proper fit :)Apr 25, 2012 at 9:20 pm #1871306
Stephen BarberBPL Member
@grampaLocale: SoCal
My ULA Catalyst and Ohm 2 both do very well with weight transfer. I've got some back issues, which prevents me from even thinking about a pack that doesn't put nearly all the weight on my hips. I went through a bunch of packs, and the ULA packs did the best job. I am very happy with them! (I did not try the MLD Exodus – just saying!)Apr 25, 2012 at 9:23 pm #1871307
Ken T.BPL Member
I have a long torso as well and have found the offerings available from ULA to be long enough with good load transfer. I have had both the Circuit and currently use an Ohm. Both transfer the load quite effectively, especially at 25 pounds.Apr 25, 2012 at 9:51 pm #1871318
Peter GriffithBPL Member
@litesmithLocale: Litesmith.com
+1 on the ULA Ohm. No weight on my shoulders. The shoulder straps simply keep the pack from falling away from your back. All the weight is transferred to your hips.Apr 25, 2012 at 10:13 pm #1871320
Stephan DoyleMember
Hyperlite Mountain Gear makes an XL size called large/tall.Apr 25, 2012 at 11:52 pm #1871353
Eric BlumensaadtBPL Member
@danepackerLocale: Mojave Desert
Try a loaded Osprey EXOS 58 and see what you think.
That pack will, if necessary, carry 40 lbs. comfortably B/C it's designed ON a frame, not with a frame as an afterthought. The comfort is worth the slight extra weight.Apr 26, 2012 at 4:35 am #1871395
Simone ZmoodBPL Member
@sim1ozLocale: Melbourne, Australia
I use a Jam for short walks but I love my Aarn Featherlite Freedom and am sometimes tempted to take it even when I don't need so much carry space because it is just so incredibly comfortable and convenient.
I just used the Aarn FF for an 8 day walk in Tasmania. I'd never carried that much food before and the adjustability of the pack allowed me to move the weight around easily. Most of the time I carried the weight on my hips but I could pop a bit on my shoulders if I felt like it.
The Aarn body packs have front pouches (if you pack properly they counterbalance with the back pouch) and lots of adjustment straps which could drive some people nuts. But now that I know how to use it, I sure miss its features when I walk with anything else. Those front pouches are amazing, I never need to take my pack off. Everything I need for the day is right before my eyes.
Now that I think about it, I think I will get a second smaller 36L Aarn pack for weekenders and give the Jam to my kids!
One word of warning, I wouldn't buy one for the first time without being able to try it on and play with it because it is really different from anything you will have seen before. Also, a good salesperson should be able to help you choose the right size and adjust all the fittings to fit you. (I never let anyone else use my FF – it's all mine!).
It is not widely stocked in Australia, and the same is probably true in the USA, so for more details see: http://www.aarnusa.com/Apr 26, 2012 at 6:51 am #1871425
Ty TyMember
@tylerdLocale: SE US
Nathan, I wonder if it is an issue with an older model Jam? I have a 2010/11 Pinnacle and if I pack it right I can put the hip belt on and have no weight on my shoulders. When packed right and put on correctly (for me) I can have the shoulder straps completly loose and the pack stays put it is just hanging too far from my back. I only use the shoulder straps to bring the pack up against my back. I have heard that the hip belts have gotten better over time on the GoLite packs so maybe that is the issue. (I have no experience with the older packs myself, this is my first GoLite pack).Apr 26, 2012 at 7:58 am #1871444
David UreMember
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter.
Carries extremely well, has been functionally very durable, is under 2lbs, and can carry 30 lbs in absolute comfort.
Alternative to that would be the ULA OHM, although I have limited experience with the 1.0 version.Apr 26, 2012 at 11:59 am #1871549
Rick AdamsBPL Member
I'm in my 40's, can't stand up straight and have serious shoulder problems…..I feel your pain. I've tried REI stuff, ultralight stuff and modifying or making things. I now use either a beefy aarn pack, filled with light gear, or an aether 60 with argon belt and straps plus hardware store aluminum bars attached the the hip belt and bolted thru the framesheet of the pack. For any load more than 10lbs it's one of these. Even day hikes. 99% of the wieght is on the hips, it helps a ton.
I think, if your loads light enough, you could modify any internal frame pack to add direct and sturdy load tranfer between the belt and pack. If you want to buy a pack, Aarn is the way to go, Dana at Aarn USA was very helpful, just tell him what you want to acomplish. the other thing I noticed was that I needed to pack differently, keeping the heavier items closer to my back.
Happy trailsApr 26, 2012 at 12:48 pm #1871563
christopher smeadBPL Member
@hamsterfishLocale: San Jose, CA
I used to use granite gear packs (nimbus, vapor trail, etc) since they had so much squishiness to them.
But a while back I went out on a limb and got a ULA Catalyst. Despite the lack of squishiness, the pack is at least twice as comfortable due to the amazing suspension. The only thing I miss is the stretchiness of the side pockets on the granite gears. Oh well.Apr 26, 2012 at 5:49 pm #1871687
nathan matthewsMember
@nathanmLocale: Bay Area
Thanks everybody for the thorough and prompt responses.
McHale is out of my league. Aarn doesn't look like what I'm looking for either. Here are a couple questions about the other packs folks have mentioned, but really, if anybody in the bay area has a tall Exodus, Porter, or Circuit I could see in person, that'd be great–PM me.
The new Jams look to have much more going for them than my old one, both in terms of a stiffer hipbelt and with it apparently being placed inside from the edges of the pack. On the original Jam the hipbelt wings are sewn into the seams at the very edges of the backpanel. This is fine when the bottom of the pack contains a mostly-lofted sleeping bag and the whole pack can wrap around me, but works less well with a fuller, more rigid pack. I'm a little worried, though, about whether that change would be enough to bump it up to carrying 25-30 lbs comfortably.
Relatedly, for the MLD packs, I'm worried that the hipbelt, although more than webbing, has the same issue as my old Jam. Although maybe with the extra rigidity being attached at the outside edges isn't such a big deal. I have an MLD bivy and love the quality of Ron's work.
On the HMG pack, since Cuben is new to me, I'm worried about it's longevity. Also, how is the construction quality on these packs? I haven't seen any HMG gear, but some of the BPL review pictures have what looks to be pretty irregular stitching. https://dpcr19kltm61a.cloudfront.net/backpackinglight/images/hyperlite-mountain-gear-porter-pack-review-4.jpg
I don't know anything about the ULA packs. As I said, if anybody has one nearby me, I'd love to see it.
Thanks again everyone.Apr 26, 2012 at 6:32 pm #1871700
Stephen BarberBPL Member
@grampaLocale: SoCal
Nearby to what???Apr 26, 2012 at 10:31 pm #1871761
Sam FarringtonBPL Member
@scfhomeLocale: Chocorua NH, USA
The only suspension I know of that comfortably takes nearly all the load off the shoulders is the Jackpack design. I have posted pix of one on MYOG, and hope to have another much lighter one posted there by sometime in July. Unfortunately, as far as I know, the design is not currently available anywhere commercially.Apr 28, 2012 at 11:38 am #1872197
Adan LopezSpectator
@lopezLocale: San Gabriel Valley
If you're 6'6" then most likely your torso is 24" or more. I think your primary consideration should be an internal framed pack made long enough for your torso. The only one i have found (my torso is 24" also) is the ULA Circuit with XL torso size, which is a very popular, internal framed pack. It's not the lightest, but weight should be secondary to fit in my opinion. I am considering finding an internal framed pack as well for carrying large amounts of water on my desert hikes. I'm in Socal, probably too far for me to let you try my ULA CDT unless you end up this way some time. One other consideration comes to mind which might seem farfetched but… http://www.thecleanestline.com/2011/08/on-tumplines.html.
Good Luck!Apr 28, 2012 at 11:48 am #1872199
Ken T.BPL Member
You can try some ULA packs at Down Works in Santa Cruz.Apr 28, 2012 at 7:09 pm #1872289
Anthony WestonBPL Member
@anthonywestonLocale: Southern CA
I have an injured spine and I can't take any weight on my shoulders.
I've been using the Zpacks Exo, it's the lightest pack at 12.8 oz that carries
25 lbs comfortably with the weight where I want it on my hips.
this is the Zpacks Exo on the right, along side the Nimbus Ozone.
The Exo is wide and narrow and this also helps keep the load close to your back.Apr 28, 2012 at 8:37 pm #1872316
carl beckerMember
@carlbeckerLocale: Northern Virginia
You should not dismiss Aarn packs. Even if they have extras on them the pack itself probably has the best load transfer ability made today. I have tried many different packs and types from old Kelty framed to Six Moons ultralite's. Not sure about your size as I am only 6'1".Apr 28, 2012 at 9:03 pm #1872317
Luke SchmidtSpectator
@cameronLocale: Idaho Falls
If you have a bad shoulder I would avoid all frameless packs. I'd also avoid some of the lighter internal frame packs unless your weight will always be under 30 pounds.
Since you are also taller this will limit your options a bit. If you don't like the ULA packs check out Chris Zimmer's custom built packs. He could make one with any torso length you want.
I'd ask for the following things.
1. A sturdy hipbelt that is firmly anchored to the frame. All other things being equal a pack with a better hipbelt is going to carry better. This is not a place to skimp on ounces.
2. Load lifters might be good for you. They can fine tune fit and helpt take a bit of extra weight off your shoulders.
Edit – I just remembered someone saying the new Jams have a better hipbelt. I agree they probably do. I just made two packs with similar hipbelts. Its better but there are still two problems with frameless packs for you.
1. No matter how I pack, the pack is still more flexible than a pack with an internal frame. This means as you move it will occassionally put more weight on your shoulders.
2. Packing with a pad as a "virtual frame" works but the fit is not as precise. So the pack will probably move around more and again it will probably put weight where you don't want it. I'd stay away from all frameless packs in your sitution.Apr 28, 2012 at 9:12 pm #1872321
James McDanielSpectator
ULA just makes sense(I'm repeating if I say more). Buy a Circuit, be happy, see the earth.May 2, 2012 at 8:40 pm #1873812
Ryan DornMember
I'm not sure about the Exos 58 carrying 40lbs comfortably comment.
Sure, you can pack that much weight in it, but once you pass 30 lbs, there's nothing comfortable about it. The frame my be made for it, but the narrow shoulder straps with little padding certainly aren't nor is the hip belt.May 3, 2012 at 3:08 am #1873872
Susan PapugaSpectator
@veganalohaLocale: USA
+1 on the new Jams or the 2011 Jam or Pinnacle.
I have the 2011 Jam and Pinnacle, the only difference is really the size. Both have good hip belts that carry the load very well. I routinely back off my shoulder straps to shift to change things up and give my shoulder adn upper back a break. Both also carry 30 lbs comfortably when needed. Especially the Pinnacle.
The 2012 Jam looks similar as 2011. It come sin differnt sizes, wiht the 50L size being the same as the old Pinnacle.May 3, 2012 at 7:34 am #1873909
David UreMember
Unfortunately, in adding things like load lifters and a wider belt yet trying to keep the pack weigh down they minimized the padding on the shoulder straps. It is abysmal.
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Angelina Jolie Looks 'Malnourished' & Her Body Is 'Eating Itself' Says Fitness Expert! See Pics
Angelina shocked everyone when she debuted skeletal arms and twig-like legs at the premiere of her new film 'Kung Fu Panda' — reports say she weighs 99 pounds!
Angelina Jolie needs help — fast! The mom-of-six began to look emaciated at the Cannes Film Festival and it became even more noticeable on May 23 when she and Brad Pitt attended the LA premiere of her new animated flick. Angelina's black Michael Kors ensemble hung on her frail frame and showed off her veiny arms. HollywoodLife.com spoke to LA based trainer Steve Jordan and owner of Acceleration Gym, who says Angelina looks "gaunt and malnourished."
"She looks like she is not eating enough protein and her body is in a Catabolic state which means her body is eating its own muscle tissue to supply a protein source," Steve who is also known as "America's Fitness Expert" says. "You may notice some Catabolism if you do not intake a sufficient amount of calories from other sources. Your body will basically eat at itself and deteriorate. But in the long run, you'll notice a loss of muscle tissue."
Star reports that Brad was so worried with Angie's dramatic weight loss on her five-foot-eight frame that he tried to stage an intervention and begged Angelina to get help. In some photos, you can see the veins bulging out of Angie's hands and arms. Steve reveals that this is due to having an "incredibly low body fat percentage."
The reports go on to say that Brad is doing everything he can to get Angie to eat, and he's even leaving food out all over the house in hopes that she'll snack more. Steve says the best thing for Angie is consume as much protein as possible and she can get this from: fish, and lean meat like lamb or chicken. Overall, Angie needs to make sure that she is eating at least 1,000 calories a day — no less.
But Angie can still workout, she just shouldn't do cardio for long periods of time.
"She should cut out the long cardio bouts and stick to short (5-10 min) intense intervals where she gets her heart rate up quick and recovers quick," Steve explains.
Do you think Angelina looks scary skinny?


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Rihanna Offers to Set Katy Perry Up
Rihanna is a good girlfriend to have during a breakup. Not only did RiRi plan a girls trip with bestie Katy Perry when news of Perry's divorce hit, she's now offering to set Perry up with eligible bachelors!
A source told Hollywood Life (via SkyNews) that Perry is bummed about her split, despite the brave face she shows in public. "Katy has been very upset about the divorce. She never expected it to end and now she's dealing with the aftermath," a source said. "But her friends are telling her to get back out there and date. They don't want her to waste time being upset over Russell."
One of those pals is the 'Birthday Cake' singer herself. "Rihanna wants to help Katy in any way she can," the source dished. "She is telling her that she'll start setting her up!"
RiRi's been there for Perry since the beginning. In January, a source said,"Katy's friends are doing everything they can to help keep her happy and just be there to listen to her. Rihanna has been unbelievable and checks up on her every day."
We love that these girls have each other's backs! But we'd be careful of who Rihanna sets Perry up with … Rihanna's taste in men has been pretty questionable lately!


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Bakers - Nationwide
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Opportunities nationwide
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Fresh, tempting, fulfilling. Our bakery opportunities have rather a lot in common with the array of breads, pastries and cakes you'll be producing. And if you're keen on wowing our customers with mouth-watering aromas and spectacular displays, you'll be right at home from the start.
As an M&S baker you'll enjoy being part of a small team – but you'll be just as happy to work alone. You'll be practically-minded, have the same energy at 6am as you do at 4pm, and thrive on letting customers know about the great products we offer. You'll be as proud of the environment you work in as you are of the products you bake; never compromising on quality and only displaying those things you'd be tempted to buy yourself.
To turn your love of food into your latest career move with one of the UK's most respected retailers, please apply below.


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2,200 is a big number, especially if you happen to be one of the 2,200 people Virgin Media plans to ditch from its workforce. Okay, so the cuts are planned over a four year period, but even so once completed they will mark a a 15 per cent reduction in staff numbers at the company.
The announcement probably won't surprise anyone; it's not as if we aren't all aware of the current negative financial climate. Although that's unlikely to be any comfort to those 2,200 soon-to-be-ex-employees - you're fired, but at least it's not that surprising!
Of more reassurance; the cuts aren't actually scheduled to start until Q4 next year, so there's even a chance the decision could be reversed. Virgin Media has labelled them as a critical part of a Virgin-wide overhaul to improve competitiveness.
Still, at least you can get the iPlayer on Virgin Media, right?


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You are herecontent / A Very Shia Christmas?
A Very Shia Christmas?
By Larry Johnson
If you've paid attention to the right wing flapping about the so called "war on Christmas" (i.e., the apparent plot of politicians and merchants to substitute the phrase "Happy Holidays" for "Christmas") you are getting an inkling of the future of Iraq. With the likes of Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity railing against those who don't want to bow the knee to Jesus, we are getting a taste of what life in the new Iraq will be like. The religious extremists in our country, who insist that there is no compromise when it comes to Jesus, capture perfectly the mentality of the folks who are poised to take the reins of power in Baghdad. Note, even some of the President's most stalwart supporters among evangelical Christians have made quite a show of throwing away the "Holiday" card sent by the White House. Welcome to the American Taliban.
Next week's elections in Iraq will come off successfully in those parts inhabited by a majority of Shia and Kurds. Even in the Sunni heartland the vote will take place, but Shias will receive a disproportionate share of the vote. Following the December 15 election the Shia will consolidate their power in Iraq. Don't be surprised if the Shia purge the Defense Ministry of Sunni influence as one of their first acts.
More importantly, the Shia will establish an Islamic state. They are not inclined to accept a secular state. They will rule according to their interpretation of the Quran. The pressure President Bush confronts from his supporters to toe the line in honoring and worshipping Jesus is miniscule compared to what awaits the new Iraqi leaders, who will be expected to adhere to the strictest tenets of Islam. One nettlesome issue is that the Sunnis have a different view of what constitutes appropriate religious observance. And, from the Shia perspective, the Sunnis are heretics. This religious tension will drive the future of Iraq over the next several years and the results will be deterimental to the United States.
We also should not be surprised when the Shia militia turn their full fury on Sunni enclaves. They are going to consolidate their control with us or without us. The ultimate irony here is that we are enabling the Shia, who are heavily backed by Iran, to consolidate their power in contrast to our policy of the previous 20 years, when we backed Saddam to contain the spread of the Islamic extremism supported and spread by Tehran. We are the midwife of a new Shia state. You're doing a heck of a job Bushie.
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Ah yes indeed. For me Bush has been quite effective in relocating the axis of evil. Now if only he could bring a democratic secular government to America.
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Arbeter: Time to Head for the Hills?
We thought we had a selling capitulation in the financial sector two weeks ago. Guess again. Last week it was Citigroup (C). No matter who it is this week, the financial indexes and bond yields that we have been talking about are breaking the wrong way, and we think this has serious implications for the overall stock market. We see this as a good time to head for the hills for awhile and enjoy the refreshing fall weather and clear our head of all these crosscurrents. It feels like we are at a crossroad and there are signs pointing in 10 different directions. Then again, no one said predicting the future would be easy.
The S&P Financial SPDR (XLF) broke down on Friday, Nov. 2, as the recent closing low of 32 could no longer hold. This is the lowest close for the XLF since July 2006. With the break of support at 32, the index is susceptible to losses to the next layer of chart support down in the 27 to 30 range. This support is from a price consolidation from back in 2004 and 2005. The 50-day exponential average is below the 200-day exponential average, a bearish crossover, and both averages are declining. More importantly, the 17-week is below the 43-week average, suggesting the index has entered a bear market.
The KBW Bank Index (BKX) fell sharply last week, breaking to a new closing low. This index has actually been weaker than the XLF, as it fell to new lows during the middle of October, before meekly recovering major chart support around the 100 area. There was no doubt about it on Thursday, Nov. 1, however, when the index plunged 5.36%, its worst one-day decline since September, 2002. With the 2% loss on Friday, the index is now down 21% from its February high. The next major chart support for the BKX is in the 93 area.
The 10-year Treasury yield looks like it is hanging on by a thread, as it once again tests the important 4.3% level. On Friday, the yield dropped to 4.28% on an intraday basis but rose from there to finish right at important resistance. We believe that with the breakdown in the financials and the appearance that bond yields will follow, it will be very difficult for the overall market to make much headway, and we think that a wide trading range is the most optimistic forecast at this time. We also think that with sentiment having gotten so rosy, that we could eventually see an 8% to 12% correction in the intermediate term.
Market speculation can come in many forms and affect many different markets. We were surprised, after the beating the market took this summer, that bullish sentiment would rise so quickly and strongly. Sometimes sentiment moves in a slow, grinding process, and other times investors seem to turn on a dime. Not all of the sentiment indicators we monitor are showing extreme optimism, unfortunately, the majority are with some that measure what the individual is doing moving quickly into the "get me in at all costs" camp. Many times, this is when it is dangerous to be overweight equities.
The ISEE sentiment index jumped to 191 on Oct. 29, the highest reading since August, 2006. During the correction this summer, this index got as low as 51. This index is a call/put ratio based on opening trades by individuals. Recently, it has shown that individuals are rushing to buy calls relative to puts, a sure sign of bullish speculation. The most recent high for this index was at 187 on October 8, right before the slide into the middle of October. Prior to that, the index peaked at 186 and 181 during the early part of July, right before the downdraft last summer.
A second indicator we like to use to measure speculation in the marketplace is the ratio of Nasdaq volume to NYSE volume. The 3-week average of Nasdaq volume to NYSE volume hit 163% on October 19, the highest level during a bull market since early 2000. Prior highs during the current bull market ranged from 136% to 158%. Following each of these speculative readings, the market had a pullback or correction in the next four to eight weeks.
If we look at this ratio on a 5-day basis, it reached 176% on Oct. 29, also the highest during the present bull market, and a clear indication, in our view, that the speculative juices are flowing.
Another way to measure speculation, at least these days, is to monitor the emerging markets. We think the price action of these markets makes it very obvious that emotions are running hot and that some air has to be let out of the bubble. The Hang Seng Index has taken out the psychological 30,000 level; unfortunately, we think the index is in a clear upside blowoff phase. We therefore advise caution. On a weekly chart, besides being extremely overbought, the price structure since 2003 looks very similar to the price structure of the U.S. stock market from 1982 to 1987. While it is tough to call a major decline, as they don't happen very often, we think the Hang Seng is susceptible to major damage, as the first piece of major support is over 8000 points below current prices, or about 26% to the downside.
As of the Oct. 29 close at 31,638.22, the Hang Seng index had risen 11,251 points since Aug. 17, or 55.2%. What we see as a parallel is that the U.S. stock market had a major blowoff in 1987, the fifth year of the bull market that propelled the S&P 500 39% in 8 months. The Hang Seng is in the fourth year of its bull market, but the charts look very similar. Both bull markets started off very strong, with the S&P 500 rising 67% in nine months off the '82 low, and the Hang Seng rising 68% in 10 months off the 2003 low. During the middle phase of the bull markets for each of these indexes, both grinded higher for a couple years, until they started going asymptotic. There is another similarity: the '82-'87 bull market advanced 229%, and, as of Monday's close, the Hang Seng had increased 279% from the '03 low.
The Hang Seng remains extremely overbought, and this suggests to us that we are closer to the top of an intermediate-term advance than to the bottom of the next correction. When looking at the spread between the 1-week and 50-week simple averages, the percentage difference as of Monday was almost 44%. This is the widest that these two averages have been apart since early 1994. The 14-week RSI is almost at 85, the highest since late 1993.
The iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (FXI), at its recent high, had risen 82% since its Aug. 16 closing low. The index is very overbought and like the Hang Seng, we think it is much closer to an intermediate-term peak than the next corrective low. We believe the index is in the midst of a speculative blowoff and would advise taking profits.
It is possible that the FXI is tracing out a bearish double top. The problem is that there is very little chart support near current prices. There is minor support in the 187 area, but real strong support does not exist until the 140 to 155 zone. A move back to this zone of support would represent a considerable correction from current prices. The third Fibo extension, one that is very rarely reached, seems to have provided a ceiling for the index. This is based on a 423.6% extension of the most recent correction and lies at 218.
The 14-day RSI has traced out a negative divergence, and has also put in a lower low. The 14-week RSI is up near an all-time high of 85, and may be working on a very small but potentially damaging negative divergence. Many times, because of the speed of the FXI to the upside, weekly divergences do not have time to develop.
Another way to illustrate how overbought the FXI is, and to show that we are in potentially dangerous territory, is to take the difference between the 1-week and 50-week moving average. It is currently near 70%, or the highest difference in the history of the index. We believe this is quite rare for any index, and certainly is a warning that a top is probably near. Remember, these indexes can go down at least as fast as they went up.


text: I'm going to be traveling to Thailand in a couple of weeks to attend a wedding, and I was wondering what suggestions people had for a casual/business casual light jacket or coat that would work in the tropics, yet not look like I'm going on a safari? Looking for advice on fabrics to look for, styles of jacket/coat, etc. Since it's still winter, most of the stuff I've seen in stores right now seem like they're either too thick/too heavy, and when I do find a "light" jacket it's usually just a windbreaker.


text:
Stochastic chemical kinetics and the quasi-steady-state assumption : application to the stochastic simulation algorithm and chemical master equation
Macnamara, Shev, Bersani, Alberto M., Burrage, Kevin, & Sidje, Roger (2008) Stochastic chemical kinetics and the quasi-steady-state assumption : application to the stochastic simulation algorithm and chemical master equation. Journal of Chemistry Physics, 129(9), 095105-1.
Published Version
(PDF 445kB)
View at publisher (open access)
Recently the application of the quasi-steady-state approximation (QSSA) to the stochastic simulation algorithm (SSA) was suggested for the purpose of speeding up stochastic simulations of chemical systems that involve both relatively fast and slow chemical reactions [Rao and Arkin, J. Chem. Phys. 118, 4999 (2003)] and further work has led to the nested and slow-scale SSA. Improved numerical efficiency is obtained by respecting the vastly different time scales characterizing the system and then by advancing only the slow reactions exactly, based on a suitable approximation to the fast reactions. We considerably extend these works by applying the QSSA to numerical methods for the direct solution of the chemical master equation (CME) and, in particular, to the finite state projection algorithm [Munsky and Khammash, J. Chem. Phys. 124, 044104 (2006)], in conjunction with Krylov methods. In addition, we point out some important connections to the literature on the (deterministic) total QSSA (tQSSA) and place the stochastic analogue of the QSSA within the more general framework of aggregation of Markov processes. We demonstrate the new methods on four examples: Michaelis–Menten enzyme kinetics, double phosphorylation, the Goldbeter–Koshland switch, and the mitogen activated protein kinase cascade. Overall, we report dramatic improvements by applying the tQSSA to the CME solver.
Impact and interest:
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|Journal Article
|Stochastic analysis, Dynamics, Chemical kinetics, Chemical reactions, Chemical systems
|Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > CHEMICAL SCIENCE (030000) > PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (INCL. STRUCTURAL) (030600)
|Past > QUT Faculties & Divisions > Faculty of Science and Technology
Past > Schools > Mathematical Sciences
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|Copyright 2008 American Institute of Physics
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text:
Russia Stocks Gain After Four Days of Losses as Rosneft SurgesKsenia Galouchko
Russian equities snapped the longest losing streak in three weeks as OAO Rosneft climbed to a five-week high after Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin raised his stake in the nation's biggest oil producer.
The Micex Index added 0.2 percent to 1,371.89 by the close in Moscow after tumbling to the lowest since Aug. 8 yesterday. Rosneft increased 1.9 percent to 243.31 rubles with volume at about 101 percent of the three-month daily average. The stock has a 5.1 percent weighting on the Micex, the fifth-biggest. OAO Moscow Exchange jumped to the highest level since its February initial public offering, closing up 2.5 percent at 60.51 rubles.
Sechin boosted his stake in Rosneft to 0.0849 percent from 0.0075 percent, according to a regulatory filing from the company. The main Russian bourse posted a 57 percent gain in second-quarter net income to 3.3 billion rubles, according to a statement today. The Micex gauge lost 1.9 percent in four days of declines after Russia cut its 2013 economic-growth forecast for the second time this year to 1.8 percent from 2.4 percent.
"We're seeing equities bounce back today after a selloff," Sergey Fundobny, head of research at Arbat Capital, said by phone from Moscow. "We saw a significant outflow from riskier assets earlier this week."
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index added 1.3 percent, the first increase in three days. The U.S. and the U.K. said yesterday that they are prepared to take military action against Syria without authorization from the United Nations Security Council after Russia objected to a resolution granting action to protect civilians.
'Significant' Risks
Russia's economy expanded 1.2 percent in the second quarter, the Federal Statistics Service reported on Aug. 9, missing the median forecast of 2 percent of economists surveyed by Bloomberg. That may mean the nation has entered its second recession in five years, according to London-based Capital Economics Ltd.
The central bank refrained from cutting interest rates for an 11th month on Aug. 9, while highlighting "significant" risks to growth.
OAO M.video, Russia's biggest electronics retailer, gained 3.5 percent to 260.51 rubles, the most since Aug. 5 and the second-biggest gainer. Sales in the first half jumped 14 percent from a year earlier to 78.5 billion rubles ($2.4 billion), the company said yesterday in a statement.
OAO Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port was the biggest advancer, rising 4.3 percent to 3.4999 rubles. The company posted net income of $13.9 million in the first half.
Cheapest Valuations
Russian equities have the cheapest valuations among 21 emerging economies tracked by Bloomberg at 5.2 times 12-month estimated earnings, compared with a multiple of 9.8 for the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The dollar-denominated RTS Index was little changed at 1,300.67.
Crude oil futures lost 0.6 percent to $109.40 a barrel in New York. Brent retreated 0.5 percent to $115.98 a barrel in London. Russia receives about half of its budget revenue from oil and natural-gas sales.
The volume of shares traded on the Micex was 43 percent below the 30-day average today, while 10-day price swings subsided to 10.6, the lowest since July 31, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
The Bloomberg Russia-US Equity Index of the most-traded Russian stocks in New York fell 0.6 percent today, while the Market Vectors Russia ETF, the largest dedicated Russian exchange-traded fund, added 0.7 percent to $26.03.


text:
|Thread Tools
|#1 (permalink)
Name: Denise
Dog's Name: Bennington
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Orange Beach, AL
Posts: 56
poodle feet?? / lose the top knot?
Bennington's feet a a mess!
Here is my situation. I do not have a fenced yard. I live in a townhouse/condo that is VERY dog friendly...EVERYONE has a dog, and we have big open grassy areas all around the complex. I have been taking Benni out every couple of hours for potty time, and when he poo's rewarding him with a nice long walk He LOVES walks!!
We both are enjoying the time, and its great socialization as we have everything from Great Danes to Pom's for Benni to meet and be friends with.
I just can't keep his feet clean....he comes in a wet, grassy, pine straw hauling mess. I already took him to a groomer and had a puppy cut done, but she left his legs long (she said his coat was so pretty she couldn't bear to cut it )
I was thinking about doing poodle feet on him...but wanted advice on keeping him clean.
also...i am thinking of cutting the top knot...I just cant keep the hair out of his eyes...I keep putting it up 3 to 4 times a day...his eyes are tearing and now staining. could it be the food I am feeding him or the stress of a new home??? We just want to play and have fun...not keep messing with the top knot
|#2 (permalink)
Maltese Guru
Name: Deborah
Dog's Name: Laurel (maltese), Dewey, Violet and Hardy and Dewey
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 15,818
I think that Benni would look cute no matter what coat length! They sure do get dirty outside! We'll see in the spring, when we're out in the yard everyday, if Laurel and Dewey get to keep their coats long???
Deborah and my Fluffs, Laurel, Violet , Hardy and Dewey!
|#3 (permalink)
Maltese Guru
Name: Tori
Dog's Name: Grace -maltipoo, Gus - poodle mix
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 4,174
Would you have a groomer do it?
I don't know which poodle feet you are talking about ... Just where they only shave the foot but leave the leg alone?
or the entire leg?
I think just the foot shaved would look cute
We often give Gus "poodle feet" in the summer because of his allergies.... It is def. easier to care for!
Grace (Dec. 4, 2011) & Gus (Dec.15, 2009)
my lyme journey blog: faith, water, & yoga
my lyme video (updated link):
Tick,tick,tick... Time to see Lyme
|#4 (permalink)
Maltese Guru
Name: Marisa
Dog's Name: Obi (Bellarata's You Better Believe It) & Owen (Aria Maltese)
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Southern California
Posts: 4,446
No topknot is much easier to care for if the dog is constantly trying to get the topknot out! I would make sure the hair between the paw pads is as short as possible on the underside of the foot as this really keeps it easier it wash the foot. You can use shears or clippers to do so. As for the completely shaved "poodle-foot," it's up to you-- some people like it, but I really don't like that look because it reminds me of bony toes. I prefer Maltese to have fluffy feet everyone has his or her personal preference! When I went to Asia recently, I saw many Maltese with shaved toes (i guess its a common style there) and I still thought it looked strange. BUT, It's really what will make you happy and Benni happy :-)
|#5 (permalink)
Maltese Guru
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,288
Roo often has shaved feet. It makes it much easier to treat his nail bed infections when they occur. It grows on you.
JMM - JaMi Maltese, Home to Performance Maltese
Becoming a Follower on our Blog!!!
|#6 (permalink)
Maltese Guru
Name: Celeta
Dog's Name: Steve (a rescue)
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Allen, TX
Posts: 2,120
I love malts to have longer hair on their legs and "fluffy feet", but I totally get you on the dirty feet! I've washed Steve's twice today already!!! If you do it, post a pic, maybe I'll do it too. Sometimes it's function over form! I can't help you on the topknot since we've never had one, but I can assure you he'll be adorable either way, and if he's always looking messy from trying to rub it out, then what's the point, right?
Celeta & Steve
|#7 (permalink)
Maltese Guru
Name: Barbie
Dog's Name: Zoe (Kyra my Angel in Heaven)
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 5,480
It really is hard to keep the feet clean when they go out in wet weather. I use something called Bio Groom Waterless Shampoo. Its a spray and you just rub it in and wipe with a towel. It works pretty well. Also, I don't know how old Benni is but his tear staining could be from teething.
|#8 (permalink)
Maltese Guru
I'm not sure what poodle feet are, but I understand how you feel about the messy feet!
I gave up on keeping Cici's feet looking white between baths, as long as she doesn't have mud or something nasty I'll just wipe her paws with a wet wipe. She doesn't get too dirty though.
I'm not sure how long the hair on the legs of your fluff are, but you don't have to shave them all the way I think. When I take Cici to the groomer I ask for "teddy bear" style, and her legs/paws are left fluffy but short. They're short enough so she doesn't get tangles there or twigs/grass pieces, but long enough to look "fluffy" and not pink with skin showing through. I'm bad at estimating but I think it's around 1.5-2inches.
As for the top knot, I'm in the same boat currently of having to do hers constantly but she still gets hair in her eyes, and has also been getting tear stains. Maltese loook super cute with or without top knots, it's just personal preference. If you like the look and want to be able to do top knots with bows then don't cut it because it will take quite a white to grow back out if you change your mind. I really like how top knots look so I'm going to keep "battling" with Cici over it, but it's getting much better.
For her tear stains I'm washing her face every day with Biogroom (super easy), spa lavish once a week, and cutting the hair around her eyes so a least that hair doesn't get in her eyes. I also ordered some eye drops and I'm sure that will make an improvement also.
Let us know what you decide to do, and post pictures!
Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App
|#9 (permalink)
Maltese Guru
Name: Carole
Dog's Name: Giovanni & Manny-Guiseppe
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 1,280
If I were you, I would try to keep him out of the pine straw, as that often has sticky resin. Also keep out of stained mulch. As for wet feet, just keep a towel handy when you come in, use the waterless shampoo, and keep some cornstarch on hard to maintain dryness. I use a large make-up brush, dip in cornstarch, and apply to feet legs, then brush!
Carole, Giovanni & Manny
|#10 (permalink)
Maltese Guru
Dog's Name: Ivy
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 766
We live on a farm and I kept my first Maltese Holly in poodle feet. I always thought they looked very cute on her and they made it so much easier to clean her feet when she came in from romping outside. The rest of her legs were still fluffy and she was otherwise kept in a couple inch all over puppy clip. When I took her to the groomer, they always gave her a little top knot with a bow but Holly always hated those and we took it out as soon as we got home. Otherwise she would spend all her time rubbing it on the rug and couch trying to get it out. Sadly, she passed away in August at the ripe old age of 17. I had her since she was a puppy.
I now have a new super adorable (aren't they all?!) 5 month old Maltese baby named Ivy. So far I have not trimmed her coat at all except to keep some hair out of her eyes. But I wouldn't hesitate to give her poodle paws too if I start having trouble keeping those toesies clean.
Now if someone could just come up with a sure-fire safe cure for tear stains... *sigh*
|Thread Tools


text:
Prospects Brighten for Republicans to Reclaim a Senate Majority
Strong GOP Candidates, Obama's Sagging Approval Expand Party's Map
With 100 days to go until the midterm election, unexpectedly strong bids by several Republican candidates and President Barack Obama's continued sagging approval ratings are boosting GOP chances of capturing a Senate majority.
A battery of recent polling shows Republican candidates mounting competitive bids for at least 10 Senate seats now held by Democrats, including in Iowa and Colorado, states that have been leaning Democratic in recent years. Many Republican candidates have narrowed their opponents' fundraising advantage, according to the latest campaign-finance reports. And a series of international crises has dealt the president some of the lowest approval marks of his second term, weighing on his party's candidates.
"A lot of times, a party has to run an inside-straight to win the majority," said Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report who handicaps congressional campaigns. "Instead of having five cards in their hand, the Republicans have about 10."
The GOP needs a net gain of six seats for a majority in the Senate, which now has 55 Democrats and allied independents. Republicans have long been expected to contest seven Democratic-held seats in states that voted for Mitt Romney in 2012. But now the GOP is also waging solid campaigns in at least three states that backed Mr. Obama.
Still, Democratic incumbents have remained resilient after weathering millions of dollars in negative advertising. North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan, for example, holds a narrow lead in publicly available polling after absorbing $18 million in negative ads, far more than the amount spent on ads supporting her, her campaign said. Democratic prospects also are making serious bids for Republican seats in Georgia and Kentucky, the only two GOP-held seats that are thought to be possible Democratic pickups this year.
But Republicans are favored to win Democratic seats in Montana, South Dakota and West Virginia, and GOP challengers are pushing incumbent Democrats to the brink in Alaska, Arkansas and Louisiana, as well as North Carolina. Races for Democratic seats in Colorado and Iowa are now genuine tossups, with some analysts saying the same of Michigan.
This year's map clearly favors the GOP even as Democrats continue to lead on the question of which party Americans would rather see control Congress, according to a compilation of polls by the website Real Clear Politics. The Republican Party also remains far less popular than the president or the Democratic Party, public-opinion surveys show, particularly among women.
But Republicans this year are betting on an anti-Obama message, linking Democratic candidates to a president who is unpopular in many of the battleground states. Democrats, meanwhile, are doing what incumbents typically do when facing a negative election environment: building campaigns around local issues and reminding voters of all the things they do in Washington to help people back home.
Republicans have been here before. In each of the past two elections, the party failed to capitalize on a favorable map to recapture the majority. And to win this year, Republicans would likely have to do something the party hasn't done since 1980: beat more than two incumbents.
Sitting Democratic senators in the four most competitive battlegrounds—Alaska, Arkansas, Louisiana and North Carolina—remain at risk but carry financial advantages and, in three cases, family names that are identified with long service to the state. Polls show close contests in each race, and all four Democrats ended June with more money in their campaign accounts than the Republicans running against them, according to Federal Election Commission data.
"All of these red-state Democrats knew they would have difficult campaigns. They've prepared for difficult campaigns, and they're all experienced politicians," said Democratic pollster Mark Mellman, who is working for Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu. "They all have a path to win."
By the end of June, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee had raised $25 million more than its Republican counterpart, allowing the committee to spend freely on television ads and turnout operations. Democrats in seven of the 10 most competitive races also ended June with more money than their Republican rivals.
But the edge is diminishing in some states. In Colorado, where Democratic Sen. Mark Udall is defending his seat, Republican Rep. Cory Gardner trails in cash on hand by $2.3 million, according to campaign-finance reports. That gap is smaller than the $3.8 million lead that Mr. Udall held at the end of March.
Some Republicans are outraising their opponents, including GOP Rep. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who drew nearly $1 million more in the second quarter than Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor. Similarly, Republican Rep. Steve Daines outraised Democratic Sen. John Walsh in Montana in the quarter.
Democrats will need money to counter conservative outside groups that already have spent tens of millions of dollars pummeling Democratic Senate candidates, including more than $35 million by various entities funded by billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch and their network of fellow donors, according to campaign operatives who track outside spending. Meanwhile, Senate Majority PAC, a Democratic group whose major funders include unions and billionaire Tom Steyer, has spent nearly $23 million, mostly attacking Republicans.
Colorado and Iowa are states that didn't look competitive for the GOP at this time last year. In Iowa, Republicans have benefited from some unexpected stumbles by the Democratic nominee, Rep. Bruce Braley, who was caught on camera at a fundraiser belittling farmers. And the race in Colorado is tight thanks, in large part, to Mr. Gardner's decision to run.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has already reserved more than $35 million worth of air time in eight states starting in August, including $8 million in North Carolina to defend Ms. Hagan and $6.3 million to protect an open seat in Michigan, according to a Democratic official. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has reserved $11 million worth of air time in five states, according to an aide.
—Rebecca Ballhaus contributed to this article.
Write to Patrick O'Connor at email@example.com


text:
Homespun Tales HTML version
11. "The Open Door"
On the Saturday evening before the yearly Day of Sacrifice the spiritual heads of each
Shaker family called upon all the Believers to enter heartily next day into the
humiliations and blessings of open confession.
The Sabbath dawns upon an awed and solemn household. Footfalls are hushed, the
children's chatter is stilled, and all go to the morning meal in silence. There is a strange
quiet, but it is not sadness; it is a hush, as when in Israel's camp the silver trumpets
sounded and the people stayed in their tents. "Then," Elder Gray explained to Susanna, "a
summons comes to each Believer, for all have been searching the heart and scanning the
life of the months past. Softly the one called goes to the door of the one appointed by the
Divine Spirit, the human representative who is to receive the gift of the burdened soul.
Woman confesses to woman, man to man; it is the open door that leads to God."
Susanna lifted Eldress Abby's latch and stood in her strong, patient presence; then all at
once she knelt impulsively and looked up into her serene eyes.
"Do you come as a Believer, Susanna?" tremblingly asked the Eldress.
"No, Eldress Abby. I come as a child of the world who wants to go back to her duty, and
hopes to do it better than she ever did before. She ought to be able to, because you have
chastened her pride, taught her the lesson of patience, strengthened her will, purified her
spirit, and cleansed her soul from bitterness and wrath. I waited till afternoon when all the
confessions were over. May I speak now?"
Eldress Abby bowed, but she looked weak and stricken and old.
"I had something you would have called a vision last night, but I think of it as a dream,
and I know just what led to it. You told me Polly Reed's story, and the little quail bird had
such a charm for Sue that I've repeated it to her more than once. In my sleep I seemed to
see a mother quail with a little one beside her. The two were always together, happily
flying or hopping about under the trees; but every now and then I heard a sad little note,
as of a deserted bird somewhere in the wood. I walked a short distance, and parting the
branches, saw on the open ground another parent bird and a young one by its side darting
hither and thither, as if lost; they seemed to be restlessly searching for something, and
always they uttered the soft, sad note, as if the nest had disappeared and they had been
parted from the little flock. Of course my brain had changed the very meaning of the
Shaker story and translated it into different terms, but when I woke this morning, I could
think of nothing but my husband and my boy. The two of them seemed to me to be
needing me, searching for me in the dangerous open country, while I was hidden away in
the safe shelter of the wood--I and the other little quail bird I had taken out of the nest."


text: Home > Digital ICs > Microprocessors, Microcontrollers, DSPs This article was posted on 02/08/2013 Performance without Compromise: Implementing Real-time Control and Communications with a dual-subsystem microcontroller With the growing importance of energy efficiency and smart grid technology, there is an increasing need for reliable silicon that supports real-time control with an interface capable of connecting to a wider network. Many robotic and automation applications, for example, have drive systems managing multiple motors that need to coordinate with a larger subsystem to enable intelligent monitoring and remote control. Similarly, a wide range of green applications such as solar inverters are using communication links to increase the individual operating efficiency of an array of devices. Communications are also required to increase the safety and reliability of many other embedded and industrial systems. Learn more about Texas Instruments Related Articles Why the Qualcomm Snapdragon is no longer a processor, but a platfor... TI expands and unifies its wireless microcontroller portfolio Multiprotocol Geckos take the worry out of wireless choice by letti... Flemish Government increases support of imec's pioneering role for ... Add Comment Text Only 2000 character limit Please login to comment on the article