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Visionaries to Discuss "Framing the Future" at the New World Center
(October 18, 2012) —
Four University of Miami professors will help frame the future at a TEDx event in Miami Beach on October 23.
Shelly Berg, dean of the Frost School of Music, will speak about "the study and performance of music as a metaphor for life; how to find meaning in daily activities, meld with others and provide leadership. The talk explores the balance between the spiritual and technical components of almost everything we do," he said.
Svet Stoyanov, a professor of instrumental performance and director of the percussion department in the Frost School of Music, will also speak and perform "Musique de Table" by composer Thierry de Mey (also known as a "Ballet for Three Sets of Hands"). "This is a theatrical musical work for three players," Stoyanov said. "In it every musician performs on a small wooden amplified board, using their hands for various gestures, motions, and rhythms. Each of these possesses a particular audible DNA, thus creating an immersive and extraordinary universe of sounding theatrical motions. This effect is further amplified by dramatic lighting focusing on the hands."
What can people learn from sharks? A lot, according to Neil Hammerschlag, a professor at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Hammerschlag will be speaking about sharks at TEDx, focusing on "sharing my unique experiences working up-close with sharks and providing strategies for conserving these magnificent, yet threatened predators."
The Bionic Woman may be closer than you think. The College of Engineering's Justin Sanchez, a neural engineer who works with next-generation brain interfaces, believes that it will happen sooner than expected, and that it will happen in Miami. Sanchez will discuss his vision for going beyond bionics and the future impact of brain interfaces in medicine and everyday life.
"Miami has a unique blend of the elementary pieces to fulfill these grand ideas," Sanchez says. "The TEDx talks are about grand visions and big ideas, but we have the building blocks right here, right now: the biomedical engineering research, the UM Miller School of Medicine, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, the startup industry. This is a special place, and this is where it can happen."
TEDxMIA will present its annual conference at the New World Center from 7 to 10 p.m., Tuesday, October 23, with a pre-event "meet and mingle" at 6 p.m., also at the New World Center, located at 500 17th Street, Miami Beach.
Prepare to be inspired by ideas about what the future might be during TEDxMIA 2012's annual conference at the New World Center. This year's program will bring together speakers who have been chosen based on their intuitive, creative, and appealing thoughts and projects. From creating the bionic human, to conflict resolution, environmental solutions, and social good, this year's conference will be one where ideas are exposed and conversations encouraged in order to create alternative strategies for the common future of the multicultural, ever changing Miami tribe.
In line with TEDxMIA's mission to "Meet.Inspire.Act" and connect communities by spreading ideas worth sharing, the 2012 conference will share stimulating ideas from thought-provoking presenters and explore a world where crippling disabilities are cured, consumption and carbon mitigation work together, and businesses profit from leaving the world a little better than they found it.
Under license from TED, TEDxMIA is a nonprofit, independent organizer of events connecting the community and spreading ideas in and around South Florida.
Early registration is encouraged as space is limited. Tickets are $75. To register and purchase tickets, please visit http://tedxmia.com/framingthefuture.
« Back to News Releases


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After a series of teasing footages and pictures of Two Face could not really give idea about the future villain, a number of cut out images from 'Dark Knight' revealed exactly how he looks like.
For months, reports coming from the forthcoming summer blockbuster "The Dark Knight" have literally made fans ecstatic with the so-called footages of Batman's ally turned foe, Two Face. And, throughout those period of time, the reports proved to be misleading putting fans in great disappointments. But, now, fans can rejoice as a number of Two Face's pictures leaked out.
Appeared to be cut out directly from the movie, the images display the horrible look of District Attorney Harvey Dent after half of his face was disfigured. Three of four photos expose Dent laying on hospital bed with a gruesome face while Joker stands beside him admiring his work on Dent. Another bootleg image let out Two Face standing behind a bar counter with a liquor in his left hand. All of Two Face pictures can be seen at Photobucket.com (Sorry, the pictures have been removed!).
Reuniting once again the actor and director team behind "Batman Begins", Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan, "Dark Knight" follows another story of the bat-themed superhero as he tries to rule in justice in Gotham. Gathering support from Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Dent, he sets out to bring down the organized crime. But, to his surprise, his new enemy is not an ordinary criminal, he is a psychotic Joker who is able to force Batman to the edge.
The Warner Bros.' tidbit also stars Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and others. It is ready to blow out the theaters on July 18.

subset: commoncrawl


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In mid-2011,
In 2006, when Fortescue was a little-known explorer in desperate need of cash, Cumming's hedge fund Leucadia put $400 million for a 9 per cent stake and a $100 million unsecured note that would pay a 4 per cent royalty once Fortescue's mines went into production.
Within two years, the iron ore price had soared and Fortescue's projects were producing more than anyone, even Forrest, had imagined. The Leucadia note was costing Fortescue hundreds of millions of dollars a year, and Forrest's latest attempt to lower the company's payments had landed it in court.
In LA, Wylie, Lazard's Australia boss, and former prime minister Keating, who is Lazard's chairman, had set aside an afternoon for what they imagined would be protracted negotiations: the note was not something the 71-year-old billionaire Cumming, a legend among value investors, would give up easily.
Leucadia's astute investments had earned it the nickname "the mini-Berkshire" (after
Cumming arrived at Lazard's LA offices via a private jet. The meeting did not go as Wylie and Keating expected. Cumming listened politely to their proposal for a few minutes but instead of engaging the two bankers, he bid them good day, then flew back to New York.
Wylie and Keating now found themselves with several hours to kill before their return flight to Sydney. Wylie suggested Keating might enjoy a visit to the museum in honour of another great financial deregulator,
It was a moment salvaged from an otherwise pointless trip. This was the second time in less than six months Wylie and Keating had failed to cut a deal with Leucadia.
Leucadia was introduced to Fortescue in 2006 by US broker Jefferies. It was in Australia looking for a leveraged play on China's growing demand for resources. Fortescue was an explorer with promising tenements and an 80¢ share price.
Fortescue's then chief financial officer, Chris Catlow, was impressed by the Leucadia team and the thoroughness of their due diligence. He said at the time Leucadia had asked the smartest questions of any group the company had ever met.
Soon after Leucadia and Fortescue struck a deal in August 2006 the iron ore price started to rise.
Fortescue used Leucadia's equity injection to go around the world and raise another $2.1 billion of debt through the largest ever high-yield bond issue by an Australian company. Over the next 21 months, Fortescue built its Cloudbreak mine, a huge ore processing facility, a train loader, 280 kilometres of railway, and a giant sorting yard. It also bought 15 rail engines, 976 Chinese ore cars, a rotary train unloader and a massive ship loader on a newly built dock.
In May 2008, Fortescue shipped its first ore and by June that year was trading at about $12 per share. The share price fell sharply during the financial crisis, but Fortescue continued to produce ore at an astonishing rate. By 2010, annual shipments had reached 40.9 million tonnes with revenue of $3.9 billion, and the company had plans to expand to 155 million tonnes a year.
That year, Leucadia sold 30 million shares for $121.5 million and received royalty payments of $227.8 million. Its remaining shares were valued at $1.7 billion. In Leucadia's 2010 annual report, Cumming boasted "this is, has and will remain a delicious investment".
The exorbitant interest payments put a strain on the relationship, however, and by September 2010 the pair were embroiled in a legal battle after Fortescue tried to issue additional royalty notes to its subsidiaries that would have diluted payments to Leucadia.
By July 2012, Leucadia was no longer a Fortescue shareholder (Cumming had left the board the previous September). Its original $344 million equity investment had been sold for a profit of more than $1 billion.
The same month, a year after the ill-fated LA meeting, iron ore prices started to tumble sending shockwaves through the mid-tier players whose cost of production is much higher than the likes of Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. By September the spot price had shed 35 per cent to below $US90 a tonne. At that price Fortescue's mines were uneconomic and there were fears the company might breach its debt covenants. Fortescue's share price crashed 35 per cent in a month. The company began to cut employees and even cancel staff barbecues.
If that wasn't enough drama, Fortescue CEO Nev Power and chief financial officer Stephen Pearce were desperately trying to refinance part of the company's $10 billion debt.
Wylie went to Forrest and said if there was ever a chance to buy Leucadia out of its royalty note, this was it. Forrest agreed, but warned Wylie only a wimp would offer Leucadia anything above $400 million.
Wylie flew to San Francisco this time, leaving Keating behind. He met Cumming at the Park Hyatt Hotel on Sunday, September 16, where Cumming had attended a wedding the evening before.
Wylie stayed at the Hyatt on the Saturday night and the wedding party had kept him awake until the early hours of Sunday morning.
Wylie and Cumming met for breakfast at 7am. Over a muffin, Wylie told Cumming Fortescue was about to negotiate a huge secured debt facility that would put a long line of creditors ahead of Leucadia if the company was ever wound up. Wylie said Fortescue was willing to pay $US715 million (then $681 million) for the note if Leucadia dropped the litigation and agreed to retract every negative thing it had ever said about Forrest (the note was valued on Fortescue's books at $US897 million).
Fortescue would need an answer within 24 hours.
Wylie got back on the plane. By 5pm California time the response came; Leucadia would accept the offer. Wylie swallowed hard before delivering Forrest the news that the note had been bought for almost twice what Forrest had wanted to pay. Forrest thought for a moment, then smiled broadly. "Good deal!" he beamed.
It was also great news for Power and Pearce who had been key in putting the proposal together and were on the verge of signing off on a huge new debt package. Two days later, Fortescue announced a $US4.5 billion refinancing facility underwritten by Credit Suisse and JPMorgan, part of which it used to pay out Leucadia.
By the time it was sold, the $100 million note had reaped Leucadia a profit of $1.2 billion (an 1100 per cent return), taking the total return on its $444 million investment to about $2.7 billion, or six times its money.
The note could have cost Fortescue a lot more had it extended to 2019. A week after the deal, iron ore prices started rising sharply and on Friday closed at $US145.50, 35 per cent above the September spot, while production at Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak has started to ramp up.
Fortescue and Lazard timed their move perfectly. Not only did they turn the uncertainty around the iron ore price and the company's future to their advantage, but unbeknown to them, Leucadia wanted cash.
Within a month the hedge fund had liquidated two other major investments and used the proceeds to fund a merger with Jefferies, the broker that provided the Fortescue tip six years earlier.
From Cumming's perspective, he was preparing to retire in two years and as he noted in his 2011 annual report, Fortescue had "already been a succulent investment".
The $100 million, 13-year unsecured note at 4 per cent interest had been Leucadia's greatest ever deal.
Getting out of it six years early may have been Fortescue's.
■ Parties fossick in Fortescue data room


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East Ayrshire, United Kingdom
NoMen FM is an eclectic, free form cloudcast playing sounds from the past 50 years of rock, psyche, beat, punk, krautrock, prog, post-punk, reggae, ska, dub, country, rockabilly, electro, folk, bluegrass, metal, dance and pop! It is compiled by members of the band The NoMen who's own material can be found at - http://thenomen.bandcamp.com/
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Take Mixcloud on the go
This playlist is empty! Here's hoping they add something soon. How exciting!


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How much will my Oregon contractor license bond cost?
Oregon contractor bonds are required by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. Depending on the specific classification of the contractor's work and license type, different bond amounts are required. These bonds ensure that contractors stay true to their contractual agreements and lawfully abide by all laws stated in the Oregon Revised Statutes.
To ensure that you can legally work upon obtaining your bond, it is crucial that the correct bond be posted. Check out the list of contractor bond amounts located in the Additional Resources section of this page.
These bonds are subject to underwriting, which means the amount an applicant will pay is directly related to his or her credit report. Clients with excellent credit could pay as low as 1% of their total bond amount!
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Commercial specialty contractor bonds in Oregon are also split up into Level 1 and Level 2 categories. 8 years of experience and a $50,000 bond is required for Level 1 contractors, and 4 years of experience and a $20,000 bond is required for Level 2 contractors. Specialty contractors can only work on 1 or 2 commercial projects at any given time.
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Residential general contractor bonds in Oregon allow contractors to supervise and perform residential construction work. General residential contractors must post a $20,000 bond.
Oregon residential specialty contractors must post a $15,000 bond. Specialty contractors in a residential setting can only work on 1 or 2 unrelated projects. However, if they work on a single property, they may work on 3 or more buildings as long as labor and material costs amount to less than $2,500.
Residential limited contractors in Oregon can supervise an unlimited number of building projects only if the following criteria is met:
- applicant expects gross sales to be less than $40,000
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If all of these requirements are met, the necessary bond amount is $10,000. This classification is also necessary for part-time contractors.
Oregon residential developer bonds must be posted in the amount of $20,000. In order to obtain this bond and license classification, the following criteria must be met:
- applicant owns properties
- applicant intends to sell properties
- applicant works with 1 or more general contractors who oversee job site building
- applicant performs no work on the site
Residential restoration contractors must file a $10,000 bond by January 1, 2016. Section 2, Chapter 701 of the Oregon Revised Statutes defines the following services for residential restoration contractors:
- non-routine cleaning, water removal or personal property inventory
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Oregon contractor bonds are continuous until canceled. If the surety decides to cancel this bond, the surety must provide the Oregon Construction Contractors Board with written notice 30 days prior to termination.
Once the bond form is filled out, the bond must be sent to the contractor, not the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. The bond must be submitted with the license application. If the bond is not filed with the application to the Board within 60 days of the sign and seal date, the bond will no longer be considered valid.
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Additional Resources
Oregon Chapter 701 Construction Contractors and Contracts
Oregon Amends Existing Law for Contractor's License Surety Bonds
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Pretty noisy mask
This mask is very noisy. It seals pretty well but the weight of the hose is a problem that can break the seal. Since it has no parts to lose and is fold-able into a small space I carry it as a spare just in case. But it's too noisy for every day use. By bshand, Ohio
Very Comfortable for Sleeping
I've been using nasal pillows for the last couple of years and my nostrils were always irritated no matter what I used as a lubricant , Ayr Gel, Vaseline, aloe I tried everything. I liked the concept of a cloth mask, even though my durable medical supply provider said they don't work if you have facial hair. I wasn't about to give up my moustache. Bad advice. The Elan works great with a moustache. The lower part of the cloth mask rests on my moustache and protects my skin from irritation.
Being made of cloth makes the Elan so light and comfortable. Your nose goes through the nose shaped hole. Once I adjusted the straps for a loose fit, I was comfortable. Once you turn on the machine you can pull slightly on the little
tab on the bottom of the cloth to fine tune the fit.
The straps can leave a mark on the side of your face so I use a 2" square gauze pad which does the trick and helps me save face. The Elan is without question the most comfortable and least dorky CPAP mask I've ever used. By Michael W, Honey Brook PA
Sleepweaver elan soft cloth nasal CPAP/BIPAP
So comfortable and works great By Jane, Snowflake
CPAP soft mask
This is my 2nd soft mask. This one does not "work" as well as the first one, although they are the same product. Not sure why. This one seems to fit different, maybe bigger or something. It hits me in the eyes, and the seam by my mouth rubs a bit. I manage as well as I can with it, though. (The fact that I hate wearing a Cpap at all doesn't help much!) By Sue Mitchell, Lynnwood, WA
Best mask & company ever
This company is always very helpful if I have questions. Things I buy are exactly described, I receive them timely & in excellent shape. I would highly recommend them. The elan mask is the best I have ever used. This is probably my 8th or 10th one. I won't use anything else! By Pamela, York
elan mask
I found it to be of poor quality. The straps are flimsy and I couldn't tell if I had a good seal or not. It was noisy which was ok because I like white noise when I sleep. It fell apart during the night probably because I am a restless sleeper. I will be returning it. By Ms Ann, Louisiana
Did not fit well
It was lightweight, but I did not like that fact that it left lines on my face and leaked. Sent it back. By Gail K, NC
Poor quality!
I love this mask, but the seam holding the hose to the mask tore the third night I wore it. Now I am woken throughout the night when the hose pops out of the mask. By Josh R., Nebo, NC
Sleepweaver Elan Soft Cloth Nasal CPAP Mask
I'm struggling to find a mask that is comfortable for me. This is the 4th mask I've tried. I am sensitive to latex & silicone so its been a challenge. I decided to try the soft cloth mask to stay away from latex/silicone. Unfortunately, I find the cloth material scratchy under my nose and therefore not very comfortable. I think I have run out of options. By Cindy L, Ontario, Canada
Sleep better at a lower cost
Was very pleased to find your web page. Provided all the options I was looking for. Will only purchase my cpap products with you in the future. By Jeff, Indiana
Worst ever!!!
Nothing about this contraption was as advertised. By Michael, Tucson
Great mask
So much better than the other types of mask. Good for side sleeping. This fits me very well, but it is all about fit. By Susan, Rogersville
Disappointed Sleepweaver Elan
I recently purchased the Sleepweaver Elan mask and am very unsatusfied with the product. The hose keeps falling out of the mask and it leaks. The first night I wore it my husband actually slept on the couch because it leaked so bad. I tried changing the size of the mask but the small one was to small and the large was one was way to big. I usually use the Sleepweaver advance but thought I would try something different but I will definitely be going back to that mask. By Becky, Monroeville, PA
Is okay, but could be better.
My wife and I each ordered one, and things started off bad but never improved. My wifes did not fit comfortably and the pillow tore off of the hose connection. Mine was uncomfortable at first, but has improved. The problem I have is it states it is good for people with facial hair, but that is false. The bottom of the pillow, which has an exposed elastic band, gets pressed into the septum and rubs it raw. In 3 months we will be looking for new ones to try. By Matthew J., Michigan
best mask
I tried a lot of mask over the years. and this one by far is the best I ever used. sure it leaks sometimes but every mask does at times. most comfortable . I sleep on back and side. By Ron m, Broadway nc
My favorite mask after 29 years experience.
As a CPAP user since 1987 (yes that is correct) I can say this is one of the most comfortable masks ever!!! 😀 Fits well, was easy to adjust it so it did not leak. Glad I got the mask with the swivel for a few more dollars. It took a few nights to get used to the fact that with no mask support on the forehead it is not immediately obvious which side goes up when putting the mask back on in the dark. Now I can tell by feeling for the strap that goes over the top of the head.😴
Time will tell if is durable or not. I reserve the right to award fewer stars if it is not durable enough to last at least 6 months. At least I know it will not turn rock hard like my masks did in the late 1980's! And there is no silicone to melt or turn soggy if it is transported in a hot suitcase left all day in a car trunk in the summer time. 🏖
By David W Mc, Lancaster
1.8 AHI Beat that!
As with all the SleepWeaver masks I own, I can get the lowest AHI's possible. After wearing them for a few days, it seams like I have a problem getting a seal but I have found that if I reset the straps to like I just received it and then tighten it up again I can get back to great results. The masks do seem to wear out after 3 or so months but they are really economically priced. I own 10 hard masks most that I purchased some paid by insurance, none of them perform like the Elan and Advance by SleepWeaver. I have a top pressure of 16 and sleep on my side alot, if you haven't tried a soft mask, you should, they have free return insurance too. By Thomas, Madera
SleepWeaver Elan
I purchased this sleepweaver elan a few weeks ago and I found out that I can rely on it. After using silicon masks for more than 10 years, I've decided to seek other masks that don't have silicon on it. As I am getting itchy on my nose and face. Now I have this cloth mask, i can sleep well without scratching my nose and my face in the middle of the night. I can now sleep better without waking up. I think this will be my mask for the rest of my life. By Ynnam, Texas
Good deal
This is the most comfortable and easiest to clean mask I've ever had. No plastic or gel touching my face and it stays cool! By Erin, LOUISVILLE
A tent does the trick
The devise works very well, period. Only need to solve one problem; the seal on the zone of the septum of the nose is achieved by a thin cord which also causes a problem irritating that part of the face/nose. Other than that, it is the best solution I have found in 15 years. By AJ, Coral Gables
SleepWeaver Elan
Leaky Cloth Nasal Mask By J Randall, Ashland City
Cloth c-pap mash
I love it, very soft on my face, doesn't leave mark on my face, like the hard one. By Peggy G, Florida
SleepWeaver Elan Rocks
I have been using the SleepWeaver Advance for almost three years and have been happy with it but decided to try out some other masks. Got the Elan and have been using it for two weeks now and I love it!! Soft, comfortable, flexible! Nothing to complain about! You owe it to yourself to give this mask a try! By Johnny Five, Passaic County, NJ
Nice support around the head. By CDK, NM
Circadiance Elan Mask
After two weeks of use I am very pleased with the performance of the Elan mask. The fit is comfortable and fairly easy to adjust. If I have had a leak, following the manufacture instructions to adjust usually eliminates the leak right away. My nights of sleep have been so much better. I won't be going back to the older Circadiance Advance mask. By RM, IN
I got my CPAP 7 months ago and tried a few different styles of mask due to nothing seems to fit right and leaks. When I seen this one I was hoping that it was going to work and not leak air. I really don't like it as it leaks air worse than any other mask I tried. Not satisfied at all. By Tom, Cokato, MN
Elan soft cloth nasal CPAP mask
Can be difficult to adjust. Works well once adjustment are made. Hard to sleep on side. Mask moves and leaks. By Tony, Maryland
Amazing fit
I was kinda skeptical when it came in, but it feels great on, and no soreness in the morning like my nasal pillar did By Damien, chatom Alabama
It worked well, but they should say what the cloth is made of because my ears were red from the straps By Janet , Plymouth, WI
sleep weaver elan ehhhhh
It's a quiet mask once you get it right, the headgear is funky, so if you move it has to be adjusted again and needs to pull from the top more, it's poorly designed, it has left a raw spot where my nose and upper lip meet that will hopefully go away after my face adjusts or the mask hunt will continue By Tank, Williamsburg
Amazing mask
Thanks for the amazing fast delivery. The mask is awesome. Fits so good. So much better than all the other masks I have. Very quite and comfortable. By Jessi, Plainville
Great Product
I bought two masks, the SleepWeaver Elan (100727) and the SleepWeaver Advance (101224), on the 30 day trial. I tried both and love the Elan. I'll be keeping that one and return the other. The Elan works very well and I have fewer lines on my face when I wake up. Most important it doesn't leak and keep my husband awake at night. This is a very good product. I'm still waiting for one that doesn't leave my face marked in the morning. That's why I only gave it 4 stars but for a good night's sleep, comfort and no leakage, it gets 5 stars. Thank you for a good product. By Lorrie, Palo Alto, California
great mask!
Best mask I've ever used! By lisann, NM
great head gear
i like this mask. it is a good transition from the hard plastic type By Buzz K., Mason ohio
I AM SENSITIVE TO LATEX, I USED TO ADD PAPER TAPE TO MY FACE FOR 8 YEARS. THIS IS A GOD SEND, FOR ME! IF YOU DO NOT GET A GOOD FIT, YOU MAY NEED A SMALLER SIZE MASK. By LARRY H., GREEN BAY WI.
thank you
Excellent...Thank you. By Danielle,
If it werent for this mask my huaband couldn't use his CPAP
This is the only mask my husband can wear because every other mask he has tried whether it is nasal pillows, nasal mask or full face mask he ends up with blisters wherever the mask touches him. Doctors say he is allergic to latex and soul asylum. By Heidi, Denver
Very comfortable!
This is my first cloth mask. Love it! Took a couple nights for it to get broken in to my face shape but it's great now. No squeaky noise when I move like the plastic masks. By Will H, Idaho
I like the fact that this is material instead of silicone. But I could not get this mask to not leak. By Eve, texas
Do not buy
I purchased this several months ago and it did not live up to expectations. The fabric leaks around the edges and it does not feel comfortable around the nose.
A waste of money. I only use it if my new mask wears out until a new one comes which is rare. By Paperboy52, Spring, TX
Nice Improve
Really like the new design with different sizes. I'm using the small now but use to use the normal SleepWeaver original By Tony, Buffalo
Absolutely Love the Sleep Weaver Elan!! So comfortable this will be the only mask that I will wear for now on!!! By Sean, Colorado
The mask feels nice but I had lots of leaks during the night. The nose hole was too small for me and I had the largest one. I had 38% leakage each night no matter how tight I made it. I get maybe 5% with my old one. By Dale, Washington
Sore nose
very good mask but the elastic cuts into my nose. had to add a small piece of felt on the elastic. fits great and is now comfortable. By Mike, Florida
I really had high hopes for this one, unfortunately I could never get it to stop leaking! I did everything they said to do in the enclosed cd but to no avail. Really wanted to like this but perhaps the shape of my face doesn't lend well to this design. Have to send it back. :'( By Terry, PA
Sleep Weaver Elan
No CPAP mask is perfect. They all have their pros and cons but without reservation I have to say that "cloth" masks are far superior to plastic masks. (imo) The ResMed Swift FX "pillow" nasal mask was extremely uncomfortable, especially for my nostrils.The straps were also way too close to my eyes.The Respironics Comfort Gel Blue leaked like crazy and was extremely uncomfortable. To prevent air leakage the straps had to be so tight I thought my head would explode. I almost gave up on CPAP. I even considered surgery, but then I discovered the SLEEP WEAVER ELAN and it changed my life. The pros are that it is soft and comfortable against my skin and the head gear doesn't have to be overly tight, just snug. There is no pain or pressure on the nose. It's light weight and you can sleep in any position without a problem. The cons are that it has to be washed regularly and it does need frequent strap adjustment before you find the "sweet spot" for your face, But once you find it, it will hold that shape for quite a while. No mask is totally leak proof but with patience and effort, you can reduce leakage in this mask to the point where it works extremely well most of the time. You have to be patient with it but it's worth the work. Sleep Weaver makes another cloth mask called the Sleep Weaver Advance and I may try that one too just to have an alternative mask. When you accept that you have to wear these darn things every night for the rest of your life, you realize that a little variety can good be a good thing. The Advance has a slightly different design which could have some advantage over the Elan but I'll let you know when I try it. In any case "cloth" masks are where it's at for me personally. I didn't give the Elan 5 stars because there is always room for improvement, but by far it's the best mask I've used. It's worth the extra effort. In my opinion, the pros of this mask far outweigh the cons.I know people with sleep apnea who gave up on CPAP and accepted the health risks because they could not stand the discomfort of the one mask they tried. My advice is DON'T GIVE UP after one bad mask experience. Try different masks until you find the right one for you. CPAP Xchange has great deals on masks and very good customer service. Sleep tight! By Richard, NY
not what I expected
this mask is a piece of cloth with a nozzle attached. Did not fit well and gave pain below my nose no matter what I did. By bk nuts 57, MN
Too small
This really isn't a review of use of the SleepWeaver Elan, because I couldn't use it. I ordered the larger of the two sizes, but was unable to use it because it was too small. It wouldn't fit over my nose enough to seal. I have used a CPAP for over 15 years and all the masks I order are medium, so I know I don't have an over sized nose. This is just to let prospective buyers know how small this unit is. By Tim S, Los Angeles
Do NOT buy into the hype about the good feeling mask. Its a piece of cloth. No support what so ever. The weight of the hose from the machine to the mash pulls the mash from the face. And when you turn over...whew. What a nightmare. By Gerald , Georgia
This purchase was for my wife who has an allergy to latex and has not been able to use her CPAP for several months. We ordered the regular (which is a bit large for her) and it is working great with no allergic reactions at all. We are going to order a small for her to use and I will use the regular that she has now. We can't say enough about how good this product works. By Audie J, Texas
The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread
Due to my allergy to silicone, I have found that I can't do the (plastic, gel and silicone) nasal masks anymore. The SleepWeaver Elan Soft Cloth Mask has solved all my problems. It is comfortable, pliable, and no skin allergy reactions. I highly recommend it to those with a similar condition. By Marian, Pennsylvania
Very pleased with my New Mask !!
I've had a plastic masks for the last year and didn't know there were other types of masks until I stumbled upon the elan soft cloth mask.. What a difference!! No more cracked plastic masks for me, I'm hooked!! I sleep EVEN better!!
By JP, Las Vegas, Nv
Soft Cloth nasal cushion
The soft cloth nasal cushion is the absolute most comfortable mask you can use. The design is brilliant, the fabric soft and non-scented and lasts a very acceptable length of time. Good value for the money. By Eileen D., Irvine
Not at all what I thought it would be. Totally dissappointed By Jerry, Wilson N C
The face piece is wonderful. I love the face mask. By Eugene W, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY
By far the most comfortable, mustache friendly
I ordered this for me, but I ordered a large size mask, hoping my husband would try it and like it and wear it. He is not going to cut of the mustache, his other masks including full face, he wouldn't wear. I made him try this mask, he loves it , he wears it every night, no complaints. So now I have to order a new headgear for mine. This was my second order of this mask for me, and now my husband with the mustache can wear his with the air leakage which is so annoying. By Cathy,
elan soft nasal cpap mask
the mask fell apart as i was using it By j g hughes, Norfolk va
Can't use anything else
I have a reaction to the silicone off gasses that causes congestion in my nose, so I found this. I had to watch the video to learn how to adjust it for the best fit, and then it was literally a dream. I recommend adjusting the top straps first and then the lower. The seal takes a minute or two to warm up and make a good seal -- then it should be fine. Better than fine. By MJF, Oakland, CA
Good for Movember
I just got my new elan cpap mask. It works great and I have a beard and mustache for Movember! By Glenn, California
Elan Soft Cloth Nasal...
I was not comfortable with the fabric or the head gear (too big for me). By JJS, SC
Not to my liking
I had high hopes for this mask but found it disappointing. It was hard to find a fit that worked. Keeping the mask in place without creating a "hot-spot" was impossible. I abandoned it after three nights. It is far inferior to the standard sleep-weaver mask. By John, Los Angeles
Comfortable, but had fitting issues
I like how comfortable this mask is, I sleep in many different positions, and didn't have to fight a plastic monstrosity. I tried the different sizes that came with the kit and had different experiences with all of them. the downfall was no matter which size I tried there was always a little puff of air directed at my right eye, and the part that lays against the nose to seal has IMO rough edges and caused some minor skin abrasions. If they would put a finish hem on all the cut out pieces, maybe a rubberized edge, it would help seal and reduce irritation caused by the fabric edge. By Peter C, Salt Lake City
Elan Soft Cloth
I hesitated, but then relented and bought this mask. Hesitating meant I lost weeks of wonderful sleep. This mask, out of my collection of about 8, ranks number ONE. I love it. It took about two days to get used to using, now I can't imagine ever going back to those bulky, plastic, claustrophobic, uncomfortable CPAP masks. I use the lowest setting of air pressure and the mask stays inflated. I am a side-sleeper who moves a lot. The mask stays in place, doesn't leak and is very comfortable. Well worth buying. If the makers of this mask read this, I would ask for two upgrades: first, a piece of Velcro and material to keep the hose on top of the head for us side-sleepers; and a quick release mechanism even if it is on the head gear and not the mask. Even without these two things (I improvised and made these fixes myself), I still rate this the best mask ever. By PH, Freeport
doesn't work for me
this did not work for me; it took a while to adjust for leaks. this was especially problematic when one gets up in the middle of the night and then has to readjust when you get back into bed. By dave, Honolulu
This was easy to purchase online and was delivered quickly. I don't like this style mask as much as the one that has a strap that goes over the nose, but it's still pretty comfortable. By Tisha, USA
Good idea, unfortunately
Thought this was a good idea and although the mask was comfortable had several problems with it. First, it rode up blocking vision which makes it unacceptable. Secondly, it leaks most of the time. It was relatively noisy when compared with other Cpap masks. And lastly my nose was cold whenever I tried it. This may not be the masks fault since I use a nasal pillow mask. By Obie13, Ormond Beach
I wanted to love this
I really wanted this to work. It was very comfortable, but I woke up several times during the night with leaks and noise. I am a side sleeper, and when I rolled over it would shift. I tried both sizes, thinking that would help, but it didn't. I love the idea, but they need to make it more stable. By Linda, Wisconsin
Sleep weaver soft cloth nasal Capp/bipap mask
The elon sleep weaver mask is light weight and doesn't stick to your face or make you perspire. The main problem is the mask strapping leaves bad impressions on my face in the morning. That was what I was trying to get away from. I am not all that pleased with my new mask. By John, Auburndale florida
SleepWeaver Elan
I like th e SleepWeaver concept and did well with the first model I tired but the 'advanced' model provided when I needed to replace it did not fit my face well and leaked badly. So I went outside of my insurance plan and purchased the SleepWeaver Elan here with high hopes but was disappointed since I can not get it to stop leaking either. Since the original design worked for me, I believe that the SleepWeaver concept is a good one - very comfortable and quiet. However, the recept adaptations are not working well for me. Will keep pursuing to find out if the original design is still available anywhere since it worked well for me. By Sharon, Mullica Hill
Please redesign this!
The idea behind this product is excellent. The application falls far short of the mark. You breathe into an inflated cloth bag that has an inner lining. The pressure keeps the mask secure in the face. It's lightweight and comfortable. The problem is, the hose too easily snaps off and the retainer ring that keeps the hose connected to the cloth mask isn't secure. The mask 'blows' right off the mask during the night, every night. Also, the retainer ring is made of such cheap plastic that snapping it back on breaks it. I've had this product for less than 2 weeks and am ordering a replacement already. By Robert T, Chicago
Not for the restless sleeper
Used a used a variety of nasal masks since 1995. Thought this style might relieve some of the pressure on my upper teeth. Found that the soft inflatable nasal mask was perfect as long as I didn't move. My supply hose feeds over our headboard, allowing me to rollover easily. With this particular mask, I found the "L" fitting constantly tugged the mask from my face breaking the very comfortable seal. I am a restless sleeper which caused constant leakage. By Alan S., Newark, DE
Elan model sleep weaver mask
Best mask I've ever used By Frank, Spring Hill, Fl.
Elan from SleepWeaver
I have always used the Swift LT for women and have always wanted a nasal mask also. I have tried everyone possible and all others really hurt my nose for days and are very uncomfortable. I have tried the older models of the Sleep Weaver and the leaks were terrible and I ended up sending them back
Well this one didn't leak, my nose isn't sore and I am a side sleeper and it worked just fine. I still have marks on my cheeks, but they fade. I am glad that finally I have found a nasal mask that I can wear. By Amy B, White Lake
Elan mask
I have been using masks for years. I have been using the sleep weaver but this new model is the best yet. The headgear stays in place the best and the mask is more comfortable then the original one. By Frank, Spring Hill, Fl.
Elan model sleep weaver mask
I have the original sleep weaver mask and thought I would try the Elon model. The headgear is more comfortable aand the mask is more comfortable than the original design. I would recommend this to those people who don't care for the rubber type masks. By Frank, Spring Hill, Fl.
SleepWeaver elan
It's not as comfortable as I was hoping it would be. I still experience air leaks that wake me up. I'm hoping that as I continue adjusting the straps that I will finally get it just right and the leaks will disappear. By Shari, Arnaudville, LA
Not as good as the original model
I am a big fan of the Sleepweaver cloth masks over nasal prongs or other styles. I thought I would try the new elan but I am not impressed. The "envelope" does not seem to fill up with as much air as the original and the hose port seemed to pull down and cause the cloth to come into contact with my nostril and block off the air flow. I may need to adjust the straps a little more and do a little scissors surgery to see if I can fix the issues. By Jere, Radford
Works well - Follow the directions
You must watch the DVD and follow the directions. Otherwise, you will overtighten or misalign the gear. It is somewhat counterintuitive to leave it so loose. But that is what makes it comfortable. I use a relatively low pressure, so can't vouch for those who need much higher. But I suspect it can work for those as well. By slimjim, Winter Park, FL
Very comfortable
Those having trouble using may be tightening too much. Watch the DVD and do just what it says. I think it is better than original Sleepweaver. By Sleepy32, Orlando
An idea whose time has not yet come
I very much liked the idea behind this mask. When it works well, it has a light fit, low noise, and has less of that alien-face-hugging feeling than most masks. When it doesn't work (you get the mask slightly out of kilter as suggested in another review, or the hose adapter pops out), it leaks, it can be loud. There is much to love here. Truly, I think some of the issues with the leaking could be addressed by something like a breathe-rite strip sewn in around the nose interface. The real problem here, the one harder to deal with, I think, is that this is NOT an economical solution, in my opinion. It's basically an entirely new mask. Over the long haul, I don't think this product holds up. In summary, I love the idea of this mask. To succeed,the leaking needs to be dealt with and the price needs to come down. By Mike, Dallas
love it
Been using it for 3 months, no air leakage with or without the extra hose, don't use tether. I have pressure of 11 and absolutely love it. Better than the previous mask and headgear 10 times better than the advantage or generation 2 headgear. Is it possible those having difficulty aren't tightening straps correctly? Unfortunately my supplier can't get it for me! By Barbara, Monroe Township, NJ
Comfortable but leaks like a sieve
The mask is fairly comfortable, but it leaks like a sieve. I can sometimes get the leaks stopped, but any movement at all and it is leaking again. By Greg, Houston
Circadiance �lan soft cloth mask
Extremely comfortable like its predecessor the Sleepweaver Advance, and easy to forget you're wearing a mask at all. I find no difference in the comfort (superb!) or need to adjust for occasional leaks. The plastic adapter may pop out of the mask unexpectedly but easy to put back. It's not necessary to buy the Circadiance Feather Weight connector tube if you use Lightweight White Tubing instead of the standard hose. Overall 5 stars for comfort but 4 stars because I don't find this mask to be an improvement over the previous model. By Deborah B., Burlington
Not my Favorite
After about 2 weeks of constant adjustment I finally gave up trying to get an acceptable seal.
Very difficult to take off and put back on in the dark. Be prepared to spend a couple of minutes trying to adjust it every time you put it back on.
Cleaning takes some long range planning. By Bill, Las Crices, NM
Not worthy of consideration
I was eager to receive the SleepWeaver elan Soft Cloth Nasal CPAP/BiPAP Mask as an alternative to travel lighter. To my disappointment I could never get this mask to fit and not leak. It would be a good emergency mask but not worth any more than that. Very disappointed. By Charles, Oregon
I really wanted this mask to work, I have tried for two weeks and no luck. I will be returning and will keep looking for that perfect mask. By Dawn, florida
Still Searching
Could not use this mask due to the hose attachment seems to pull mask down (even with the lightweight hose being used) and air will leak into eyes. Still searching for a mask to be able to use machine as prescribed to finally get a full nights rest. By Teresa G., Thomasville
Worst ever!
This mask is a flimsy piece of junk! The weight of the tubing pulls the mask down, leading to loss of mask seal and a huge upward air leak, right into the eyes. Even with the tubing supported, the inflated mask is like breathing into a paper bag, with much difficulty exhaling, since it has no real outflow ports; instead, outflow is supposed to circulate through the scratchy, not soft, cloth that makes up the mask. Don't waste your money on this new product--I'm planning to send it back! By 7carpileup, Michigan
Not my favorite
I was unable to achieve a good seal because of the angle the headgear held the soft mask to my face. I also did not care for the feel of the hot air when I exhaled. Because of the design it swirled around my nose and mouth. It is well made and I sure wanted it to work, but it is not for me By Kevin, Palm Desert, CA
Sleepweaver Elan Soft Cloth Nasal Mask
This mask is very confortable. It allows me to sleep thru the night and wake up without my nose being sore from air leaking around the old pillows Iwas using. By Fantanstic Nasal Mask, Summerville ,SC
couldnt sleep with this
this mask kept sticking to my nose and I would wake up gasping for air i went back to my old mask By Jim, Omaha Ne
Sleepweaver Soft Cloth Mask
I was excited when I first saw this advertised and gave it a try. It didn't take long for me to be greatly disappointed. After carefully reading the instructions I couldn't get a good seal no matter what I tried. Air kept blowing into my eyes.
{:~( By Al P., Chicago
does not fit as well as the original sleep weaver mask By dr_roy, Houston
I give it a 4+ and my wife gives it a 4.5
First of all as usual, delivery was quicker than the tracking ability. The Elan arrived in 3 business days.
I have used the Elan now for 6 nights.
As noted above, I rate it at this time a 4+. It is much more comfortable than my ResMed* Mirage FX, which sadly was the most comfortable Cpap mask I have used in about 15 years.
I use the ResMed CPAP S9* with the metal humidifier and the heat adjusting air hose.
My wife said the Mirage FX mask could come loose if I turned anyway, and she would have to wake me to adjust it.
The Elan only comes loose when I turn over on my left shoulder, probably due to the weight of the heated hose and the extra comfort hose needed for the Elan. One night I tried not using the comfort hose, and it made the coming loose worse. So I'm back to using the comfort hose to connect to my Resmed Heated Hose.
I had to use the Gecko Pads with any maske. Has, anyone priced those pads lately since Resmed bought them? Yet, my nose and areas around the nose would be a little tender each morning. To keep the Mirage FX mask from leaking even more, I had to really tighten the straps. That left strap marks on my face for a couple of hours each morning.
I have no marks in the morning after using my Elan or tenderness over or around my nose and no need for the Gecko pads.
My first mask, years ago came close to putting me into plastic surgery to repair the abrasions on my nose. The Elan has to be the best relack of side effects.
I need the large, and inspite of the web site showing how to replace the mask with the large size, it was a little challenging. They should simply mark the bottom as BOTTOM.
The Elan is much warmer and stays warmer than any other mask, so I start my S9 out with a mid 70 degree heat.
I had to start the Mirage at 81-82. We live in Wino Country in Northern California and even in late June our outside temps can dip into the mid 40's at about 4 am. We prefer to sleep with the windows and doors open until we notice frost outside and inside.
The cold dry temps at night makes most cpap machines not worth the pain and effort.
The ResMed S9 with the heated humidifier chamber and the auto heat hose handled most of the cold at night.
With the FX, I would wake up snoring or my wife would wake me up and I would kick the humidifier temp up to the Max of 86.
With the Elan, I never put the humidifier temp over 80 degrees.
If things continue alone the same path, in a few months I will give the Elan a 4.5 to 5, unless:
*ResMed buys them out and doubles the price and enforces their thuggery one price not really fair trade policy for the users and real customers, us. By Grampa S., Winocity, California
By far the most comfortable mask.
I just received my elan mask 1 week ago, and I love it. Extremely comfortable, no leakage, much better than the original sleepover mask which I originally thought was the best until I received the elan. Perfect for side sleepers. I would totally recommend this product. Thank you for creating something so comfortable so I can remain compliant with my cpap machine. Most people do not stay compliant because of the discomfort they experience every night. I wake up refreshed every morning. By Renee A, Carle Place, NY
This is quite simply the greatest mask ever developed for CPAP users. I have struggled for year and never found one that was quite right. This was COMPLETELY comfortable from the first minute I put it on. Simply put...Fantastic! A God-send!
It did take a while to get it adjusted right because there is no frame or rigidity to it whatsoever. It was well worth the time though. By ericinspring, spring
revolution in mask design
There are hundreds of masks on the market today. All of them made of plastic until Sleepweaver soft cloth. I have the Elan. In my view this one mask instantly renders all others obsolete. Especially useful for side sleepers. By Kurt, Corpus Christi
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cpapXchange offers online support through our website, toll free and live web chat support during normal business hours, and email support 24-hours a day. cpapXchange.com sells and ships products exclusively to end-users residing in the United States, we do not ship to other third parties or businesses. Respironics recommends that new patients purchase their devices, masks and initial accessories from a homecare company that can provide an individualized patient equipment set-up, clinical and after-sale support, and a program to assist patients with therapy success. All products and services advertised on this site are provided by cpapXchange.com or its designates. Proposition 65 Warning: Some products on this site may contain a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Selected product materials are used with the permission of the copyright holders. ResMed Product Materials © ResMed, Used with Permission. Philips Respironics Materials © Philips Respironics, Used with Permission. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Materials © Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Used with Permission. Due to manufacturer's advertising policies some ResMed, Respironics and HDM products may be excluded from some promotions. August 21, 2017


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Kittens are only kittens for a year, but this short time is the most significant stage of a cat's development. It's important for kitten owners to recognize how impressionable these animals are and arm themselves with tools and expert advice to ensure their kittens the best start in life.
In order to raise a well adjusted kitten to become a healthy, happy and well-mannered adult cat, it is best if owners prepare themselves for their new pet. This includes Kitten-proofing their household, slowly introducing resident pets, determining the best way to manage children and kitten interactions and coordinating a plan for litter box training.
These tips and more are covered in a series of 13 webisodes dubbed the "The Kitten Connection." These videos are designed to provide kitten owners tips, tricks, and advice that allow them to make the most out of
the lives they share with their kittens. Certified Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Karen Sueda guides owners through easy steps to help enrich their relationships with their kittens and create foundations for many years to come.
The videos can be found at YouTube Kitten Connection.


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London - I have a problem with drink. I don't want people to give it up for January. And all around me this is exactly what everyone is doing.
"Nope, can't come out. Doing Dry January." As if you couldn't possibly go out and have a non-alcoholic drink. Because this would contravene the dictionary definition of "going out".
"Sorry I'm in a bad mood. Dry January." So you're telling me you use drink to manage your stress levels and cope with depression? Hmm. Go tell that to your GP.
"No fizz for me. Dry January." Please someone make it stop.
What, though, apart from the sensation of being surrounded by smug people drinking sparkling mineral water – in itself an extremely painful affliction – could possibly be harmful about Dry January? Surely it's just the tonic (pun not attempted) for a nation with 1.9 million "problem drinkers" who cost the NHS £3.5 billion (R62-trillion) a year? Anything that makes people more aware of their drinking must be good, right?
Wrong. The idea that a month off alcohol means everything is fine plays into the dangerous mentality we have developed in this country about drink. That it's all or nothing. That you're either teetotal and totally in control, or you love a drink and you're off your head a few times a week. That you're either "dry" and "saintly", or you're drinking – shed loads.
I say this as someone who has not had an uncomplicated relationship with alcohol (and food and cigarettes and generally anything addictive and/ or fun). I'm not teetotal and I don't label myself an alcoholic. But after drinking way too much in my twenties, I am cautious around drink and (mostly) give it the respect it deserves.
I worry that the attitude surrounding this holy "month off the booze" encourages an alcoholic mentality: "You're either drinking or you're not." What would be a lot healthier? Damp January. Drinking half a glass now and then.
Yes, I know, researchers from University College London are all over the health benefits: "reversal of liver damage, improved brain function, weight loss".
"What's really startling," they add, excitedly, "is that we have measurable changes within a month." But it would be far more useful to know what happens to your body as soon as Dry January ends and you revert to your previous regime.
This whole idea of "liver recovery" in four weeks is meaningless. What matters is what happens in the long term, not what your body's like when you're "dry" but what your attitude is to alcohol over a lifetime.
Aren't we just getting into the same complicated situation with alcohol as we have with food – where most people think they can eat what they want most of the time, then panic and go on a diet, then go back to eating unhealthily, then diet again… And every time the diet is less successful. We all know the damage diets have done to our collective health. We all know it's better to have (mostly) good habits most of the time rather than use diets as a corrective. Why do we think "drink diets" will be any more successful?
The truth about alcoholics is that they don't have a problem with not drinking. They have a problem with drinking. Loads of people with an alcohol problem could manage Dry January. It's being constantly around alcohol and incorporating it into your life that causes problems.
It would make a lot more sense not to give up but to drink one, two or three units a week.
Dry January is for wimps. Either drink in a way you're happy with (when you are completely honest with yourself) or face up to a long-term issue and give up properly.
Here are some more useful "damp" solutions. Every time you drink, have one or two drinks (not triples, please) and then stop. Have some days off alcohol. And let's impose a nationwide ban on the expression "wine o'clock". Because it is almost as annoying as – possibly more annoying than – Dry January. And it lasts all year round. – Mail On Sunday


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England wrestler Yana Rattigan had to settle for Commonwealth Games silver when she was beaten by Vinesh of India in the freestyle 48kgs in Glasgow.
Rattigan recovered from going behind early on to lead 4-2, but trailed 6-4 at the end of round one.
Scotland's Fiona Robertson, beaten by Rattigan in their quarter-final, fought for one of the bronze medals against Rebecca Muambo of Cameroon.
Muambo controlled the contest, beating the 45-year-old 2002 Judo Commonwealth Games medallist 10-0 in less than two and a half minutes.
In the men's 57kg, Bolton wrestler Craig Pilling took bronze for Wales when he beat English teenager Omar Tafail 8-5.
The gold went to Amit Kumar of India, who defeated Nigerian Ebikweminomo Welson 6-2.


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Are you interested in getting your GED in Denton KS? The General Education Development (GED) examination is for adults who have not received their high school diploma. The certification that you receive upon passing the Kansas GED examination is accepted as an equivalent credential to a high school diploma by employers and colleges throughout the United States.
The GED examination covers basic subjects that students learn about in high school. Topics covered in GED classes include writing, reading, social studies, math, and science. Those are the subject areas that make up the General Education Development (GED) exam in Kansas.
Usually GED programs in Denton KS are offered at:
- Denton Adult Education Sites
- Denton Community College
- Denton Volunteer Organizations
- Denton High Schools


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"You need to learn the mechanics of how to co-ordinate a capture. You need to learn a different type of map awareness," says Design Director Tom Cadwell, who previously worked on Warcraft 3. The pace of the game is incredibly quick, with matches now coming in at the twenty-minute mark. The hope is that this will appeal to new players after a quick gaming fix, as well as LoL�s existing community. LoL players will certainly recognise the feel of their favourite characters and Riot has nudged rather than tipped the scales.
Though it�s a fast game, Tom and his team have spent a long time poring over the minutiae of Dominion. Over the last nine months it has been endlessly re-tweaked and redeveloped in what he calls a "constant, iterative process." Wanting to incorporate all the old LoL characters and abilities into a new framework was a challenge.
"We tried several map layouts. We started with an X-shape, we tried a figure 8 pattern, we tried a bunch of different spawn rules, we tried twelve different versions of a reward in the centre. We really kicked the tyres on this one. We made sure that all character types are effective. We made sure that teams can�t snowball to a victory."
The rewards he speaks of are speed power-ups in the centre of the map, while the new spawn rules cover a modification to the traditional minions, which now spawn from any locations your team has captured that are near enemy bases. If left unchecked, they can and will capture those locations for you.
Both Tom and Marc have a lot to say about the endless iterations that LoL and Dominion have gone through, seeing the finely honed and repeatedly re-balanced gameplay as the game�s strength. It�s also an area its rivals, including Newerth and Demigod, have been accused of falling down on.
It�s this rigorous testing of an endlessly evolving game, complimented by an enormous community�s endless feedback, that has Riot seeing any competition almost as an irrelevance.
"We do think we�re in the leadership position in this genre," says Marc, "Our goal always was, and always will be, to deliver value to players, and I think we�re winning in the people�s court, that the approach is working." On paper, Riot�s business model may look a little loony: the game is entirely free to play and players gain no bonuses through buying extras that they couldn�t earn in the game anyway, yet the game is very profitable and a lack of subscription costs allows for an enormous player base, meaning anyone anywhere can find opponents or allies at any time of day. Dominion, like the rest of LoL, won�t punish casual players who hop in for the occasional game, an example of what Tom describes as "reaching our player base in as many ways as we can."
This broad, all-inclusive approach means Marc doesn�t expect to lose players to Valve or, indeed, anyone else, and certainly isn�t losing sleep over the competition. "We�re really focused on our future and on just continuing to evolve," he says. "We�re focused on trying to develop these great relationships so that, when people do go elsewhere, they recognise that many of those other experiences are not firing on all the same cylinders, and so they want to come back. I think that�s some of the pattern we�ve been seeing."
Valve�s trademarking of "DotA" caused some controversy, and many DotA players felt it was unfair to trademark what was a fan-made and community-supported mod. The former DotA developer on the Valve team is known as Ice Frog, and took over development of DotA in 2005, before joining Valve in 2009. His predecessor, Steve Feak, is now at Riot, alongside another key DotA figure, Steve Mescon. When I ask Marc if he or any of his colleagues feel disappointed, even betrayed by Ice Frog�s decision not to work with them, but for a company who now own the name of their not-for-profit inspiration, he�s guarded with his answer.
"I have a lot of thoughts about that," he says, but he doesn�t want to talk about personalities. "At the end of the day, we�ll see what shakes out. You�re going back seven years of all the different relationships. There�s a lot of history there and it�s a pretty complicated situation. Our philosophy is we�re all about the players; we�re all about the community."
It�s that community he wants to return the discussion to as he focuses on a DotA team member he has, rather than one he hasn�t: Steve Mescon, also known by his handle "Pendragon".
"I think that guy is an absolute prodigy. I think he, more than any other individual, is the reason DotA was as successful as it was." Steve was just a teenager when he effectively created the DotA community website that, as Marc puts it, "centralised the community, that allowed it to reach critical mass. He defined and drove the values-oriented approach that this is by gamers, for gamers."
It certainly looks like Riot has kept Steve�s values close to their heart. Dominion is also by gamers, for gamers, and previewing to the press is a little uncharacteristic of Riot - its enormous community usually gives its game more than enough momentum. Ultimately, it�ll be that community response it will be most interested in and, should any rivals want to encroach on their territory, it won�t just be the game itself they�ll be challenging. It will also be the loyalty of an enormous and very content fanbase.


text:
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) -- Deputies from two counties are searching for two hunters who have been missing for more than a day.
Mesa County deputies say they were notified by campers Tuesday night that two hunters were missing on Grand Mesa. Volunteers and deputies found one elderly man who appeared to be exhausted, but they have not been able to locate the other man.
According to KREX-TV (http://bit.ly/tYEYXr ), searchers are still looking for Jim McCarthy, a Garfield County resident.
The Delta County Sheriff's Office spent Wednesday searching for a missing hunter in the Hotchkiss area. He has been identified as 73-year-old Terry Baughn, of Howard, Ohio.
Information from: KREX-TV, http://www.krextv.com/


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Dretzka called my name along with about 100 others yesterday so I did not get to my office to do the scores. When I did get home to do them . . . I realized I was going to "REWORK" the payout table for the Open Division. I had been using the theory of 50% of the field getting paid out so that it did not discourage people from playing if they never were able to cash, but I realized that is really only good to do with the amateur divisions. Once you get to Advanced/Open level play you want to be rewarded for your best play and not just scraping by for last cash, so I switched the payouts in Open to approximately 30-40% of the field getting paid out depending on how many people attend. All other divisions will continue to payout 50% of the division because it gives everyone a fair chance to win something when they have a good week.
I would be open to an Advanced level field with people that will shoot in the (-4 to -7) range at Estabrook, Dretzka, and Valley View if that means anything to the people who are currently in Open. We have never really had an Advanced division because those players typically just play Open so they can win cash. I understand the rationale and am totally fine with it, but do not feel like you are locked into Open if you do not think it is the right spot for you. With that said I expect many more Amateurs this coming week because many of the regulars at my leagues were playing at the Cold Turkey yesterday.
With that said, you can also expect to have some different things worked into this league. While $4 went to payout this week for all divisions I plan to do some CTP's, a skins game, a possible birdie club, or things like that from time to time. $1 from your entry fee will be taken from the $4 payout to accomodate those extra games so on weeks we do something special by division . . . only $3 will be going to payout. Since I do not think I announced how all of the funds are being used I will do that now.
$6 base entry fee is broken down into this: $1 goes directly to Valley View or the GLDGC (for Dineen, Estabrook, and Dretzka) based on how many people play those rounds at those courses. This is to ensure that we can keep running leagues and to help improve our courses and also put in new courses. $1 goes to the season ending trophies and other awards (depending on attendance). Trophies are based completely on attendance and we need 20 rounds played to have 1 trophy, 40 for 2 trophies, and 60 for 3 trophies, but in order to win a trophy you need to play in at least 50% of the weeks. $4 goes to payout . . . on weeks we have no side game (like this week) all $4 goes to the weekly payout, but on weeks we do a side game $1 will be put towards the weekly side game leaving $3 for the weekly payout.
$1 optional ace pool that carries over from week to week. If there is money left in the ace pool after the final round of the league . . . we will do a 50/50 contest for that money by division where 50% of the funds will be split up into divisional contests based on total attendance, and the other 50% will be donated to my "Disc Golf Course Development Fund" where I plan to use donate money to SE WI course development projects to help us get more courses in the area.
$1 optional Mulligan . . . I normally do not like mulligans in league play, but as many of us saw . . . winter can be tough at times and will more than likely cost usat least one bad throw per round. It might be an icy teepad, it might be a bad skip because of frozen ground . . . either way you can use the mulligan at any time and YOU HAVE THE CHOICE TO THROW YOUR NEXT SHOT FROM EITHER DISC (which I forgot to say this week, hopefully that didn't cost anyone the farm) . . . in case your mulligan put you in a worse spot. 100% of the money raised from mulligans will be put into the "Disc Golf Course Development Fund" again. So while it might save you a throw or two . . . it might also lead to another course being put into the ground locally, so you are helping yourself and the disc golf community
21 people in attendance was a solid start to this league, especiually considering my loyal Amateur attendees were at the Cold Turkey yesterday. I expect there to be a good range of 5-10 people in Intermediate any given week and Recreational will likely 3-6 people every week.
Next week should be fine as planned at Dretzka. You will be playing in small groups of 3 or at the most 4 people to make sure things move along quickly. There was even a request for a couple people who need to play a little bit early because of prior obligations. I am totally fine with that, I simply ask that whoever does start early starts their round on Hole #6 or 7 and gets onto the golf course quickly (and finishes with the rest of the top 9 after wards) so that it does not slow anyone down at the normal start time, as many of those upper holes will be taken up by league players and some casuals at the 09:00 AM start time.
I will also not be at league this coming week as I will be in Minnesota, but Patrick Brah will be running the show. He will have scorecards, pencils, and the cash for change. I will also give him the cash and funny money payouts from this past week (unless I see some of you at my Wednesday Night league at Valley View). Please be sure to tell Pat your full name if you do not already know each other so he can write it down properly, or so that he will know who you are and what division you are playing.
Any other questions . . . let me know. 262 894 3404
hey Mike did you want ne to play intermediate or advanced in your league remember you told me something
Dan, you would most likely be playing Intermediate. It changes with every league I do but based on how the scores played out this week, I think Intermediate would be an appropriate division for you. You were borderine Rec/Intermediate last year, and I would like to give the new guys who enter the Rec division a chance to be competitive.


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Closure of minor skin wounds with sutures
- Author
- David deLemos, MD
David deLemos, MD
- Assistant Professor
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Section Editors
- Anne M Stack, MD
Anne M Stack, MD
- Section Editor — Pediatric Procedures
- Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
- Harvard Medical School
- Allan B Wolfson, MD
Allan B Wolfson, MD
- Section Editor — Adult Procedures
- Professor of Emergency Medicine
- University of Pittsburgh
- Deputy Editor
- James F Wiley, II, MD, MPH
James F Wiley, II, MD, MPH
- Senior Deputy Editor — UpToDate
- Deputy Editor — Adult and Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Deputy Editor — Primary Care Sports Medicine (Adolescents and Adults)
- Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine/Traumatology
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine
Laceration repair with sutures will be discussed here. Information concerning wound preparation and irrigation, topical and infiltrative anesthesia, and tissue adhesive and staples is found separately. (See "Minor wound preparation and irrigation" and "Topical anesthetics in children" and "Minor wound repair with tissue adhesives (cyanoacrylates)" and "Closure of minor skin wounds with staples".)
The basic principles of laceration repair have not changed significantly in the last century, but the therapeutic options now available are more innovative and rigorously studied. The development of topical anesthetics, tissue adhesives, and fast-absorbing sutures has made the management of lacerations less traumatic for the patient. In addition, the use of procedural sedation for difficult lacerations or for the extremely anxious child has made the experience more tolerable for the patient, family, and physician. The goals of wound management are simple: to avoid wound infection, assist in hemostasis, and to provide an esthetically pleasing scar [1]. The majority of studies now are focusing on the esthetic nature of wound healing rather than infection rates, because infection rates remain low, regardless of management.
The epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous layer, and deep fascia are the tissue layers of concern in wound closure [2]:
●The epidermis and dermis are tightly adhered and clinically indistinguishable, and together constitute the skin. Dermal approximation provides the strength and alignment of skin closure.
●The subcutaneous layer is mainly comprised of adipose tissue. Nerve fibers, blood vessels, and hair follicles are located here. Although this layer provides little strength to the repair, sutures placed in the subcutaneous layer may decrease the tension of the wound and improve the cosmetic result.
Subscribers log in hereTo continue reading this article, you must log in with your personal, hospital, or group practice subscription. For more information or to purchase a personal subscription, click below on the option that best describes you:Literature review current through: Jul 2017. | This topic last updated: Nov 22, 2016.The content on the UpToDate website is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your own physician or other qualified health care professional regarding any medical questions or conditions. The use of this website is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use ©2017 UpToDate, Inc.References
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- Kanegaye JT. A rational approach to the outpatient management of lacerations in pediatric patients. Curr Probl Pediatr 1998; 28:205.
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- Terminology
- Absorbable sutures
- - Catgut
- - Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl)
- Vicryl Rapide
- - Poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl)
- - Polyglycolic acid (Dexon)
- - Polydioxanone (PDS)
- - Polytrimethylene carbonate (Maxon)
- Nonabsorbable sutures
- Percutaneous skin closure
- Dermal closure
- Alternative suture techniques
- - Running suture
- - Subcuticular running suture
- - Vertical mattress
- - Horizontal mattress
- Dressing and bathing
- Prophylactic antibiotics
- Suture removal
- Follow-up visits
- Anxious parent
- Anxious and uncooperative patient