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Highlights from the 2007 HUG Symposium
Our E-Show Daily coverage of this year's event in Phoenix includes reports on the presentations, case studies and panel discussions given during the technical conference for industry professionals.
Honeywell introduced its long-awaited wireless system today at the Honeywell Users Group Americas Symposium in Phoenix. Dubbed OneWireless, the offering from Honeywell is a mesh network that supports multiple wireless-enabled applications and devices within a single environment. OneWireless supports multiple industrial protocols (e.g., HART, Modbus, OPC) simultaneously, providing a single wireless network that is simple to manage and efficient to operate.
"This is what customers have been requesting," said Honeywell Director of Business Development Dave Kaufman, "because they want to both protect their investment in multiple legacy application protocols and benefit from the latest technology and wider range of applications." Kaufman went on to say, "Honeywell is committed to complying with the SP100 standard as it emerges and to providing an easy migration mechanism to the final standard for customers who deploy the current version of OneWireless."
"This is a global launch," added Jeff Becker, director of global wireless business. "These products have been certified for shipment and use anywhere, in any country."
Videocast: OneWireless solutions
This brief video shows how companies such as Nucor Steel already are using OneWireless architecture to satisfy application needs in the most demanding of process environments.
» View Now
Bolick outlines company vision for Honeywell faithful
Amid sound, lights and patter from a semi-virtual emcee named "Franz" (self-described as the brother of "The Governator"), Honeywell Process Systems President Jack Bolick this morning opened the 32nd annual Honeywell U.S. User Group meeting at the Arizona Biltmore resort and hotel in Phoenix.
Bolick began his presentation by describing Honeywell's vision in terms of "four key things that I've seen evolving since industry has moved away from proprietary distributed control to more open systems architectures."
First, said Bolick, "Start with customer-required outcomes, not the hardware. We have to think of what issues are keeping customers awake at night." Focusing on these customer needs requires a global enterprise solution enabled by an open architecture, he said. "As we have come to the open systems of the Internet and intranets, we see all kinds of new opportunities developing. This kind of system can open up facilities, not just from top to bottom, but also across multiple facilities and the entire enterprise."
Safety, reliability, efficiency keynote Honeywell deliverables
Introduced as a very powerful former engineer who had gone over to the Dark Side (as in marketing), Jason Urso presented the annual Honeywell Process Solutions Technology Update and Roadmap at this morning's plenary session of the Honeywell User Group Americas 2007 Symposium.
His theme this year was how Honeywell products, systems, software and services ensure safety, increase reliability and improve efficiency for their customers. He called these three issues the fundamental pillars to achieve operational excellence, and said that this was Honeywell's mission.
Urso talked of safety, and pronounced that Honeywell's safety systems are designed to improve emergency response, reduce human error, reduce unexpected equipment failures as well as maintain stable control. "Process safety incidents are usually preceded by events which can be detected and prevented," he noted.
Process safety: From failure problem to control problem
Increasing levels of automation, combined with increased system complexity, is leading to new types of safety problems—and the need for new ways of dealing with them, said Dr. Nancy Leveson, MIT professor of aeronautics, astronautics and engineering systems, in her keynote address to the Honeywell User Group Americas 2007 Symposium this morning.
"Increasingly, accidents are occurring even though nothing failed," she explained. "Instead, problems arise in the system design and in the interaction of system components."
Leveson attributed the growing problem to interactive complexity and increasingly tight coupling of system components—which is further compounded by computers and software.
Creative thinking streamlines cut-over at Frontier refinery
All in all, it was a good problem to have. Frontier's El Dorado refinery in Kansas was setting production records even as plans to add capacity kicked into gear. The problem was that the current rack room, filled with 1980s-era TDC 2000 I/O and controllers, had to be upgraded and relocated to make room for a new vacuum tower.
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text:
Mail: Thanks for helping Aiden
Brewer at the Legislature: Mob rule
More opinion
Robertson and Delsing re-elected chair, vice chair of NWB
Goat Expo set first October weekend
More Ag News
Sept. 20 was another special day for me. I drove to Grand Island early in the morning so that I arrived at the Veterans Home about 4 a.m.
My friend was already up so we went to his room and visited about old times we had spent together. We then toured the lobby and the dining room in the Anderson wing. I was so impressed with the facility that I asked the staff how I could check-in so that I could just live there. They chuckled at me and said I would have to file papers in the headquarters building.
Soon there were other residents waking up and I met a man that was gung-ho about our University of Lincoln. After we had visited for a few minutes, he went back to his room and brought me a large notebook filled with pictures of football players from UNL that had played for Tom Osborne and Bo Pelini. He even had several personal letters he had received from Dr. Osborne and Coach Pelini. The three of us had a great morning together.
As I was leaving the building, I promised to send my friends some letters that I would write and send from North Platte. Several of the residents and staff told me to hurry back for other visits. So my day started with a bang.
I picked up my passenger (the reason I had driven to Grand Island) and we headed home. My passenger and I visited about politics most of the way home.
Another friend and I shopped at Tractor Supply and Menard's before we went to eat supper at Village Inn.
Sitting to the side of me and slightly behind me was a stranger that could hear me tell about my day which began at the wonderful Veterans Home. The stranger also noticed I was wearing my cap indicating I was a Vietnam Veteran. A few minutes later our waiter came to our table and said that the stranger had paid for our meals.
The reason for this letter is my way of saying thank you to the veterans living at the Vets Home in Grand Island for making my day a great one and to thank the stranger who paid for my meal.
The stranger wrote me a short note, Thanks for your service.
I hope he reads this letter in the Bulletin.
By David C. Olson, Cdr., DAV Chapter 3, North Platte
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
1300 E 4th St., Suite F
North Platte, NE 69101

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mark Ellis wrote:PMantle wrote:You're probably right, but that's one more thing to carry. I don't need a stool otherwise. Most of the time, we can't even see another player. Disc golf is new to this area, and I've never had to wait. I don't think any of our 3 courses are over 1 year old yet.
I have used a stool for years. I seldom sit on it except for backups in tournaments.
The stool is a perch for the bag. Once you put the bag on your back the stool can be slipped through one backstrap while you walk and its out of your way.
Played my first 18 at lunch with the pack. Result?
Ordered another bag.


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Montero out to prove he belongs in big leagues
PEORIA, Ariz. -- The transformation of Jesus Montero into a first baseman and reliable Major League hitter is a work in progress, and both he and Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon know these are just the first steps of that project.
The former catcher smacked two homers in Saturday night's split-squad game and has gone 6-for-10 with two doubles and five RBIs in his last three games, so at least he's headed in the right direction.
"I'm just trying to hit the ball hard every single time," Montero said Sunday morning. "I want to show that I can be in the big leagues, and I'm working hard every day."
McClendon sees positive steps the last few days, although he used a less flattering pastoral adjective to describe how Montero had performed previous to that. The manager knows the transition to first isn't easy, but he expects the 24-year-old Montero to put in the effort to make it happen, while showing he has the dedication required to rekindle a once promising career.
"He was better the last few days. We'll see how it goes," McClendon said. "He's doing better. He knows what he's got to do. The ball's in his court and he's starting to play a little better. He's still got to get himself in better shape, and he's still got to drop some weight."
McClendon acknowledges that first base is not the easy position to learn some would suggest it is, and Montero says he has to balance finding his way around first with making noise at the plate.
"This is a new position for me but I don't want to forget about my hitting, so I'm making sure I'm working hard at that every day," Montero said. "At first base, I've been learning from [Justin] Smoak and Logan Morrison and the coaches. They teach me something every single day."
John Schlegel is a national reporter for MLB.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @JohnSchlegelMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Technology makes a lot of things possible these days. The Baby Born Dance with Me Baby doll interacts with your iPod or MP3 player and dances to the music on there- or to her own song. Its lots of fun to watch this baby get her groove on no matter what the music selection is. This doll responds to music it "hears" and dances in tune to the beat! She makes it fun for everyone to dance and allows little girls to be silly and outrageous!
As fun as this little cutie is, she's going to be donated for another family to love and enjoy this holiday season. You can see a video of this doll in action, and we did press her belly button many times (Baby B adores the song that plays in demo mode) to see her get her baby groove on!
14″ doll
Doll dances to the beat of all kinds of music!
Dances from side to side and up and down!
She stops dancing when the song ends
Removeable outfit for fashion play!
Comes with her very own special song!
Includes audio cable to connect to an MP3 player and listen to your own music
Vinyl body and surface is washable!
4x AA Batteries Required (Included)
One reader will win a Little Tikes BABY born Dance with Me Baby Doll!
I received a sample of this product in exchange for my post. Opinions are my own.


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New city employees will pay more of their pension costs and receive less generous benefits under a reform package that is expected to be approved next week by the Mill Valley City Council.
The cost-cutting measures are calculated to save the city 40 percent annually in pension-related expenses for new hires. Labor costs for the city's 145 employees, including salary, pension, medical insurance and other benefits, consume 77.5 percent of the city's operating budget. Under the new plan, pension costs will drop from 12.4 percent of the general fund operating budget to 10.5 percent, according to City Manager Jim McCann.
"It's significant," he said when the issue was taken up at the April 15 City Council meeting.
The recommendations come from a council subcommittee that studied the issue for nearly three years. They are in line with the state Public Employees Pension Reform Act, which took effect in January. It reduces the number of retirement plans, diminishes retirement benefits and requires employees to pay more of their pension costs.
"This is not fluff," said Mayor Andrew Berman, a member of the subcommittee.
Under the new policies, new hires will pay 100 percent of the employee's portion of pension costs. They will also receive less at an older retirement age. Their pension formula — based on age, years of service and compensation — will be calculated at 2 percent at age 62. It had been 2.5 percent at age 55.
For police officers, firefighters and other public safety personnel, the formula will be 2.7 percent at age 57. It had been 3 percent at age 55.
The new formulas will not affect "prior existing employees," although they will have to pay 100 percent of their pension costs. But that will be offset by a one-time salary hike.
That arrangement was questioned by Councilman Kenneth Wachtel.
"We don't have a saving if we give them the money to pay for it," he said, calling the deal "sleight of hand."
But Councilwoman Stephanie Moulton-Peters, a member of the pension reform subcommittee, assured him that this was only a "one-time thing."
"It levels the playing field," she said.
Medical benefits will also be limited to the employee only, with no coverage for a spouse. The city will contribute two-thirds of the insurance premium. It had picked up the entire 100 percent.
City Manager McCann proudly pointed out that the city's pension management efforts over the years have given it the highest pension funded level in the county — 90 percent. The average for governments in Marin is 76.4 percent.
"Mill Valley is in very good shape in regards to pension practices," he said.
The pension reforms will be taken up at the council's May 6 meeting.
Contact Paul Liberatore via email at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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As West Contra Costa voters prepare to cast ballots on two property tax increases, they might consider that they already pay the highest rates in the county, and nearly the top in the entire East Bay.
This coming week, voters should mail in ballots that must be received no later than May 6 for a special West Contra Costa Healthcare District election. At issue is a measure that would more than triple an assessment for a typical home to about $309 a year.
It's a desperate attempt to keep Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo open. If Measure C passes, it still wouldn't provide enough funds to sustain the facility. It would be a permanent tax that would remain in effect even if the facility is acquired by another health care system, and would end only if the hospital and emergency room close.
Then, in the June 3 election, West Contra Costa voters will be asked to approve the seventh school construction bond measure in 17 years. In the prior six, voters authorized borrowing more than $1.6 billion. Measure H would bring the total to $1.9 billion.
Of that, the district has already borrowed more than $1 billion. No other K-12 district in the state, except the much-larger Los Angeles and San Diego districts, has borrowed more since 1999.
Repaying those bonds has proved very costly. Property owners paid $282 this year for every $100,000 of assessed valuation. That rate would increase to $341 next year if Measure H passes.
One wonders if West Contra Costa voters will say "enough." Property owners feel the pinch paying their tax bills, and renters cover part of the cost in monthly checks to landlords.
It's understandable that voters are confused. Property tax bills are complicated and ballot information from the two districts and County Counsel Sharon Anderson hides the full cost of the multiple taxes. It's deliberately deceptive.
So let's put West Contra Costa property tax rates in context. They start with the basic levy of 1 percent of the assessed property value that all owners must pay. Then, additional taxes for cities, counties, schools, and water, sewer, park, transit and hospital districts drive up the cost.
Some of the extra taxes are based on the value or size of property; others are flat fees for each parcel. The flat fees hit lower-value properties proportionately harder than those assessed at higher levels. They also make comparisons between cities difficult.
To understand the combined effect of the two types of taxes, I asked Contra Costa and Alameda counties' auditors for a single-family home tax bill from each city for a property assessed at about $330,000, roughly the average for Contra Costa.
Comparing the bills reveals:
Keep in mind that this simple analysis compares tax rates, not actual dollars. Owners of pricey homes in Orinda or Pleasanton, for example, will pay more in actual dollars even though their tax rates are lower.
But this sample indicates that West County, with some of the county's poorest neighborhoods, already proportionately taxes those who can least afford it the most. That's something voters should consider.
Daniel Borenstein is a staff columnist and editorial writer. Reach him at 925-943-8248 or email@example.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/BorensteinDan.


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Mission Bay Collection by Maxim
The transitional style of the Mission Bay Collection by Maxim makes these fixtures versatile enough to work with almost any design scheme. With an heirloom brass finish, these lights are distinctive and shapely. The frost lichen shades conceal the bulbs with elegance. Browse this collection to find a light that bring an updated look to any home.
There are no products matching the selection.


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Baltimore Ravens quarterback and Super Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco was honored at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Monday.
Flacco was the guest of honor in an afternoon parade at the Magic Kingdom that featured Mickey Mouse wearing a football costume, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
On Sunday night, Flacco became the latest athlete to utter the phrase, "I'm going to Disney World" after winning the Super Bowl.
Flacco was also a guest on CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman" on Monday night.
On the show, Flacco was asked if he had spoken to Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti about a new contract.
"Well, you know, actually, I only talked to him a little bit before this game, but before the New England game, you know, he just came up to me and said, 'Listen, this is our time, and go get 'em. We have all the faith in you, and this is going to be your team for a long time,'" Flacco said.
Flacco told Letterman he turned down an extension offer from the team last year.
"Well ... when I wasn't signing what they wanted me to sign, (Bisciotti) said, 'Listen, when the time comes, I mean, you come and beat on my desk,' and I said, 'All right, I'll take you up on that,' and I think the time has come."
Flacco was sharp in the postseason, throwing 11 touchdowns with no interceptions. He threw three touchdowns and passed for 287 yards in his MVP-winning performance as the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31.
With The Associated Press


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Review: Logitech® Harmony® Link
Finally, the missing Link
James Ralston is Crutchfield's Web Editor for Home Audio/Video. He joined the company in 1994 as a member of the sales department and began writing about A/V gear in 1999. James attended the University of Virginia, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. Since arriving in the Charlottesville area, he has been active in the local music scene, playing drums in a variety of musical projects ranging from world beat, to blues, to instrumental improv.
Heads up!Welcome to this article from the Crutchfield archives. Have fun reading it, but be aware that the information may be outdated and links may be broken.
If I had a buck for every time I've wanted to use my smartphone as an A/V remote, I could easily afford Logitech's new Harmony Link, which retails for $99.99.
This discreet little oval sits on your TV stand or shelf and acts as a translator, fielding Wi-Fi® commands from your favorite Apple iOS device or Android™ phone, and sending out infrared blasts to control your TV, cable box, Blu-ray player, and practically any other device you may have connected.
I was psyched to try the Harmony Link with our living room TV and its various connected sources. For years, I've experienced — and I'm not overstating this — the sheer joy of using a Harmony remote with my 7.1-channel home theater system in my rec room...so I'm no stranger to the elegance of its one-touch commands and easy programming.
However, upstairs in the living room, remote chaos reigns. Whatever remote I need never seems to be there for me. They hide beneath chairs. They end up in the wrong room (thanks, kids). And there are too darn many of 'em — one for the TV, one for the cable box, one for the Blu-ray player...you get the picture. However, I can always lay my hands on my Android phone. And my wife's iPhone® is never far from her reach, either.
Goof-proof setup, care of Harmony's web magic
Setting up the Harmony Link is remarkably similar to setting up any of Logitech's Harmony remote controls. You plug the device into your computer, enter info about your components and connections, and sit back while Harmony's web-based software loads it up with all the necessary settings.
With the Harmony Link, though, there are a couple of extra steps: entering your Wi-Fi network's login password, and downloading a free app for your iOS device or Android phone.
Works with iPhone, iPod touch®, and Android...
My wife and I tried out the apps for iPhone and Android on our respective handsets. These two apps are quite similar. One-touch on-screen activity buttons turn on your system and get all the necessary components fired up and set to the correct inputs.
For me, these one-touch commands are what make Harmony remotes so special. They don't require any complicated step-by-step programming (the software does it for you), and they let you get straight to your activity of choice quicker and easier. The Harmony Link's one-touch screen lets you add individual soft "buttons" for each of your favorite channels, too, for super-easy access.
On my Android-based HTC Inspire™, the "Watch TV" activity came with two screen's worth of buttons for various controls, like accessing my list of DVR recordings, pulling up the cable box's program guide, or adjusting the volume. You can also drill into a more comprehensive list of each device's functions, if you need to get to more obscure commands.
The Harmony Link didn't take up much room on my TV stand.
We had a few minor gripes with the Harmony Link iPhone and Android apps: my wife and I couldn't find the number pad for the cable box immediately. It was there, but you had to swipe your finger across one of the control screens to bring it up.
Also, there were other important buttons, like "Accept" and "Cancel" for recordings, that I felt should have been readily accessible along with the basic controls. The interface feels a bit Spartan at this point, but it's logically laid out and pretty easy to use.
I was expecting a little more in the way of customizable options...why not let me decide which controls show by default? Maybe that'll come in the next update. I have a feeling these apps will be seeing new versions in the near future, because overall the system works great, and it's a golden concept.
...but made for iPad®
A screen shot of the Harmony's iPad app, which features a TV program guide.
I hear from the folks at Logitech that the Harmony Link offers a much better experience if you use it with an iPad. From what I've seen, the iPad app uses all the extra screen real estate to include a more robust and eye-catching program guide, and the controls look even slicker and more polished.
I can easily imagine people using the Harmony Link and a dedicated iPad as a killer control interface for high-end A/V systems. (Keep in mind, you can operate a maximum of eight devices with the Harmony Link.)
I'm hoping one of my co-workers who owns an iPad will take the Harmony Link for a spin and share their impressions about this more advanced app, because it looks downright impressive.
The Harmony Link wirelessly connects your TV to your smartphone.
Powerful infrared signals mean easy placement...
I placed the Harmony Link on the top shelf of my TV stand, near the TV itself. The unit's IR signals were strong enough to control components sitting two shelves below.
Full disclosure: my TV stand has glass shelves, so maybe that helps? Anyway, I didn't have to break out the additional plug-in IR blaster that's included in the package, but this would be a useful item for folks who keep their gear in an enclosed cabinet.
...and Wi-Fi means serious range
Since your smartphone or iPad communicates with the Harmony Link via Wi-Fi, it gives you much greater range than an infrared remote. Anywhere you can access your wireless network, you can control the components you've set up with the Harmony Link.
To test this theory, I paused a TV show my wife was watching while I was typing away on this review in a different room. (Then I apologized and explained I was conducting a test for work.) It's not hard to imagine how useful this extra range would be in a multi-room A/V setup: You could, for instance, control the volume of a pair of speakers installed in a second listening room, or change TV channels in a multi-room video setup.
The bottom line
If you've adapted to the smartphone lifestyle, and if you've got an A/V system that uses several remotes, the Harmony Link is easily worth the price of admission. Even more so if you're an iPad owner.
After having a Logitech Harmony Link in my home for a couple of weeks, I'm going to miss being able to pull out my phone to mute the commercials or change the channel. But at least I know one thing I can put on my holiday gift list this year.


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This is a playoff game. This game may decide who gets the 3 seed in the AFC, which is big, because I don't want to play KC first round. Going to be a tough game. I think Luck shows up big time and the defense can hopefully get some stops early. Going to be a defense battle to the end.
Colts 24
Bengals 23


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text:
Death decides to take a holiday from his usual business to see what it is like to be a mortal. Posing as Prince Sirki, he spends 3 days with Duke Lambert and his guests at his dukal estate. Several of the women are attracted to the mysterious prince, but shy away from him when they sense his true nature. But Grazia, the beautiful young woman whom the Duke thought was to marry his son, loves him even when she knows who he is..............................................
Thursday, Friday, Saturday:
Owing to Enormous Success at Scala,
GRACIE FIELDS in
"Love, Life and Laughter"
Gracie's greatest film, with five great song numbers
Book Your Seats Early!
Don't be disappointed this time
No Extra Charge for Booking
Gracie Fields stars in this charming, fairytale romance that proved a big hit at the box office.
Gracie plays Nellie, the daughter of a pub landlord, who meets Prince Charles of Granau at a charity fancy dress ball. Disguised as Nell Gwynn, Nellie steals Prince Charle's heart. He decides to turn away from his royal life and his forthcoming arranged marriage to Princess Grapfel and the two fall in love.
Tragically, the King of Granau dies and Charles has no choice but to resume his royal duties and ascent the throne. Nellie goes to Granau to see him only to find a very different man. Charles has decided that he must marry Princess Grapfel after all and there can be no place in his life for the humble publican's daughter.
Here's a few clips from the Gracie film for those interested:
Film opening and title song:
Comedic court room scene
Gracie sings 'Cherie' -a Romantic number:
Seb Lassandro
-Dame Gracie Fields Appreciation Society
The Alexandra
Picture supplied by Dave
The Alexandra, Corporation Street, Hyde, is now known as the Festival Theatre. Gone is the beautiful façade show in the picture above from 1954 which was shown in our local paper. The doorways marked Billiards and Pictures are no more. Looking at this picture of the buildings, the Post Office, Alexandra and the Theatre Royal it shows how well Hyde was doing at that time... and how well the town must have been doing when these buildings were built.


text:
Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lens Clinical and Comfort Benefits With a Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution
This study has been completed.
Alcon Research
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Alcon Research
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
First received: March 8, 2013
Last updated: June 25, 2014
Last verified: June 2014
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- Study Results
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Detailed Description:
The purpose of this study was to compare lens comfort on Day 30 for Air Optix® lenses cared for with OPTI-FREE® PureMoist® (OFPM) Multi Purpose Disinfecting Solution (MPDS) compared to Acuvue® Oasys® lenses cared for with habitual MPDS.
|Refractive Error Myopia Hyperopia Astigmatism Presbyopia
|Device: Lotrafilcon B contact lenses Device: Senofilcon A contact lenses Device: OPTI-FREE PureMoist Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution (MPDS) Device: Habitual Multi-Purpose Solution (MPS)
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
|Official Title:
|Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lens Clinical and Comfort Benefits With a Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution
Resource links provided by NLM:
MedlinePlus related topics: Eye WearU.S. FDA Resources
Further study details as provided by Alcon Research:
Primary Outcome Measures:
- Likert Scale Questionnaire Item: "I Can Comfortably Wear my Lenses" [ Time Frame: Day 30; after 4 hours of lens wear ]Response of subject to a questionnaire item using a 5-point Likert scale, where 5=strongly agree and 1=strongly disagree.
|Study Start Date:
|April 2013
|Study Completion Date:
|July 2013
|Primary Completion Date:
|July 2013 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Experimental: Air Optix/OFPM
Lotrafilcon B contact lenses (sphere, toric and multifocal), worn on a daily wear basis for 30 days, with OPTI-FREE MPDS lens care system
Device: Lotrafilcon B contact lenses
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses for near/far-sightedness, astigmatism, and/or presbyopia, replaced per manufacturer's instructions
Other Names:Device: OPTI-FREE PureMoist Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution (MPDS)
Multi-purpose disinfecting solution for contact lens care, used per manufacturer's instructions
Other Name: OPTI-FREE® PureMoist™
Active Comparator: Acuvue Oasys/Habitual MPS
Senofilcon A contact lenses (sphere, toric and multifocal), worn on a daily wear basis for 30 days, with habitual MPS lens care system
Device: Senofilcon A contact lenses
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses for near/far-sightedness, astigmatism, and/or presbyopia, replaced per manufacturer's instructions
Other Names:Device: Habitual Multi-Purpose Solution (MPS)
Multi-purpose solution for contact lens care according to subject's habitual brand, used per manufacturer's instructions
Detailed Description:
Prior to the 30-day study period, subjects were fitted with study lenses in a masked manner and underwent a run-in period of 4-8 days to adjust to the randomized lenses.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Sign informed consent.
- Currently wearing weekly/monthly contact lenses on a daily wear basis, as specified in protocol.
- Willing to wear contact lenses on a daily wear basis for the duration of the study.
- Currently using a multi-purpose solution, as specified in protocol.
- Vision correctable to 20/30 (Snellen) or better in each eye at distance at Visit 1.
- Willing to follow the study procedures and visit schedule.
- Other protocol-defined inclusion criteria may apply.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Currently wearing Air Optix, Acuvue Oasys, or Acuvue Advance brand of lenses.
- Currently using any Opti-Free brand of multi-purpose solution.
- Must wear contact lenses on an extended wear (overnight) basis during the study.
- Known sensitivity or intolerance to POLYQUAD® or ALDOX preserved lens care products.
- Monocular (only one eye with functional vision), fit with only one lens, or monovision modality of wear.
- Use of additional lens care products other than a multi-purpose solution within 7 days prior to Visit 1.
- Use of topical ocular over-the-counter (OTC) or prescribed topical ocular medications, with the exception of contact lens rewetting drops, within 7 days prior to Visit 1.
- Any abnormal ocular condition observed during the Visit 1 slit-lamp examination.
- Current or history of ocular infections (i.e., microbial keratitis, conjunctivitis) or severe inflammation (i.e., iritis, infiltrates) within the 6 months prior to Visit 1.
- Ocular surgery within the 12 months prior to Visit 1.
- Any systemic diseases at Visit 1 (including allergies, respiratory infections or colds) that affect the eye and could be exacerbated by use of contact lenses or contact lens solutions.
- Participation in any clinical study within 30 days of Visit 1.
- Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria may apply.
Contacts and Locations
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below. For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01809197
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01809197
Sponsors and Collaborators
Alcon Research
|Study Director:
|Jessie Lemp, PhD
|Alcon Research
More Information
Keywords provided by Alcon Research:
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017
|Responsible Party:
|Alcon Research
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01809197 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|March 8, 2013
|Results First Received:
|June 25, 2014
|Last Updated:
|June 25, 2014
Keywords provided by Alcon Research:
Refractive error
Contact lenses
Contact lens solution
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Refractive Errors
Eye Diseases
Pharmaceutical Solutions
Salicylic Acid
Anti-Infective Agents
Antifungal Agents
Keratolytic Agents
Dermatologic Agents
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


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The lights are out. The music's low. The sun is down. The moon's aglow.Night, night, baby.We laughed and played. We ran and smiled. And now it's time to rest a while.Night, night, baby.Sing your child to sleep with these precious poems in Bedtime Love Stories, the third book of Randall's Rhymes and Toddler Treats.
©2012 Tate Publishing (P)2012 Tate Publishing
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The United States is blessed with a great variety of awe-inspiring landscapes from coast to coast. National Wildlife Federation is working to protect these extraordinary places that are critical to the survival of America's wildlife.
The Arctic is a region of extremes: extreme cold, extreme seasonal changes in daylight, and extreme winds. It sits at the top of world, covered in sea ice--a seemingly unwelcome place for life. Find out more about the Arctic >>
The Bristol Bay region in southwest Alaska--covering 40,000 square miles--is pristine wild country stretching across tundra and wetlands, crisscrossed with rivers that flow into the Bay. Find out more about the Bristol bay >>
Established in 1936 by President Roosevelt, the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (CMR) is considered by many to be the crown jewel of the National Wildlife Refuge system. Find out more about Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge >>
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It runs north-south from the mouth of the Susquehanna River to the Atlantic Ocean. Find out more about the Chesapeake Bay >>
The Everglades is a two million acre wetland ecosystem that reaches from central Florida, near Orlando, all the way south to Florida Bay. Find out more about the Everglades >>
The Great Lakes--Michigan, Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario--form the largest surface freshwater system in the world. Together, they hold nearly one-fifth of the earth's surface freshwater. Find out more about the Great Lakes >>
About 40 percent of the coastal wetlands in the lower 48 states are found in the Mississippi River Delta in Louisiana. Find out more about the Mississippi River Delta >>
The Northern Forest is one of the nation's great forest landscapes, well known for its charismatic wildlife, breath-taking autumn foliage and outdoor recreational opportunities. Find out more about the Northern Forest >>
Each spring, the skies over Nebraska's Platte River fill with birdcalls. Ten million ducks and geese, half a million sandhill cranes, and many other birds--big and small--fly in to eat and rest during the long migration to their northern breeding grounds. Find out more about the Platte River >>
Sweeping across five Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces, North America's prairie potholes are an important habitat and natural resource of the Great Plains grasslands. Find out more about the Prairie Potholes >>
The Puget Sound is the second largest estuary in the United States. Its numerous glacier-carved channels and branches are fed by freshwater from over 10,000 rivers and streams. Find out more about the Puget Sound >>
The Red Desert of southern Wyoming is one of the last high-desert ecosystems in North America. Its varied landscape of buttes, dunes, sagebrush steppe, mountains and rocky pinnacles is home to some of the continents most hidden treasures. Find out more about the Red Desert >>
The Red River of the North (Red River), in part, forms the boundary between North Dakota and Minnesota. The river flows north through the Red River Valley and empties into Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Find out more about the Red River of the North >>
Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is America's first National Park. Located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it is home to a large variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Find out more about Yellowstone >>
Enter a zip code, city or state and Nature Find will show you parks, campgrounds, nature centers, zoos, and other places to explore the outdoors.


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It is a toilet cleaner, plain and simple. Its intended to provide complete hygiene for your toilet, leaving it fresh and clean, well, But one of the best things about this particular toilet cleaner is the twisted nozzle, which means you no longer have to be double-jointed or hang upside down like a bat when using it, because the unique angled neck makes squirting the product under your loo rim that much easier. Stand the pack on its side, and sure enough, there is some resemblance to a duck, complete with red beak.
California's Proposition 65 Warning: May This item contains chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Reference by California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) at: www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/Newlist.html.
Johnsons 2 In 1 Formula Detangling Shampoo For Fine / Normal Hair - 18 Oz
Our Price:$5.68
Johnsons No More Tears Baby Shampoo, Original - 20 Oz
Our Price:$5.25


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Merry-Go-RoundScience brain teasers require understanding of the physical or biological world and the laws that govern it.
Jeff and I were playing on the Merry-Go-Round at the local park. It was very large. We stood on opposite sides and spun the Merry-Go-Round counter-clockwise. I threw a ball to Jeff. From my perspective, did the ball go to Jeff, or did it go to the right of him or the left of him?
AnswerSince the Merry-Go-Round has moved while the ball is traveling to Jeff the ball will go to the right of him.
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Batgirl and Emma Frost...
For a great selection of superhero action figures and collectibles, check out fine sponsors BigBadToyStore.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, PastGenerationToys.com, Urban-Collector.com, ZoloWorld.com, SmallJoes.com, HobbyLinkJapan.com, and Sekaido.com.
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As revealed at Comic-Con, Kotobukiya had renewed their partnership with DC Comics to bring the lovely DC superheroines (and villains) to life as part of their beautiful BISHOUJO statues series. The first in the new DC x BISHOUJO series will be Batgirl based on original character art by world famous illustrator Shunya Yamashita.
Sculpted by Atelier Bamboo, Batgirl is constructed of high-quality PVC plastic and stands approximately 9 inches tall (in an increased 1/7 scale for DC X Bishoujo statues) with the exclusive Gotham City gargoyle base.A fantastic beginning to the DC X Bishoujo line, Batgirl stops bad guys in their tracks with her sexy costume and alluring pose. Every element of her classic gray, blue, and gold bodysuit has been recreated, from her tall boots to her bat-symbol, utility belt, gloves, cape, and cowl. Barbara stands with one foot resting on a gargoyle, accentuating her long legs, while she slyly spins her cape in front of her. Batgirl's long flowing red hair is a striking contrast to her dark blue cape, especially as they both frame her beautiful Bishoujo-styled face.
Available in December priced at a SRP of $59.99.
In addition to their new DC x BISHOUJO statues, Koto continues to expand their Marvel X BISHOUJO series. Next in line is one of the hottest and most popular mutants ever, EMMA FROST.
Sculpted by Takashi "GILL GILL" Tsukada, Emma Frost stands approximately 8 inches tall (in 1/8 scale with the other Marvel x Bishoujo statues) atop an exclusive environmental display base and is constructed of high-quality PVC plastic.As any X-Men fan can tell you, Emma Frost is hot! It's no wonder then that the powerful mutant makes for one sexy Marvel X Bishoujo beauty. Standing her ground with a wide stance, the former White Queen smiles slyly as she reaches out with her left hand, no doubt manipulating your mind even as you take in her beauty. Frost's well known skimpy costume is in full effect, with particular attention paid to the details on her tightly knit top. The mutant's amazing sculpt is highlighted by a striking Bishoujo-styled face and billowing hair and cape that add a dynamic flair to an already eye-catching pose!
Available in December priced at a SRP of $59.99.
Check out our gallery below for tons of new images of both these super-powered beauties.


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What is the best way to communicate to a User which characters are allowable in a Form?
If space wasn't an issue, then you could write a book to eliminate ambiguity. However that is rarely the case!
Here are some different Error messages all trying to susinctly communicate the same thing...
$errors['username'] = 'Username must be 8-30 characters (A-Z0-9_- )';
$errors['username'] = 'Username can only use Letters, Numbers, Underscore, Hyphen, Period.';
$errors['username'] = 'Username can only use: a-z A-Z 0-9 _ - .';
$errors['username'] = 'Invalid Username. ([u]see valid characters[/u])';
The last one could take them to a page with LARGE FONT spelling things out.
As a developer, I think #1 is the best, however it may not be intuitive to your average person.
As Jane User, #2 is the clearest, but it also is really l--o--n--g, and if you had 8-10 special characters you allowed, then you would have wrapping issues!!
Anyways, what do you think?!
The messages should be extremely specific to what the problem is instead of being generally instructive. That is, you should first process the input, and then you should respond specifically.
No user wants to read a book just to sign up. Chances are he'd find it so bizarre he'd be spooked off by that. So the best way to do it is to refrain from giving too much (probably unwanted and unnecessary) info until it's needed, and to keep out any irrelevant info from your error messages when you display them.
If, for example, the username is too short or too long, say that: 'Username too short, 8 chars minimum', 'Username too long, 30 chars maximum'. If it has a character you don't approve of: 'The character "x" is not allowed in username'.
Messages like 'must', 'can only', 'Invalid Username' should be avoided. Positive attitude helps you more with the user instead of trying to procure him with a coronary event.
And trying to make him look at a table of approved characters ('see valid characters') is quite the opposite of yummy delicious chocolate taste: he won't remember any!
Interesting response...
Pardon me for getting technical here for moment...
In the past I have been big on Regular Expression because they validate data in a "one-stop-shop"!
However, the down side is that you can't provide customized error messages. Just like you mention above.
I'm not sure how to easily program the last one of "The character "x" is not allowed" but I can see your first two points.
So please provide more examples of what wording you feel is "positive"...
Hmm... okay.
I don't agree. It takes a little more programming time, that's it.
For the user to perceive it like a simple and easy interface it asks for complex developer work.
So I'm not saying it's done easily. However I do propose that a developer has to work harder to make it easier for the user. At least, that's what I try to do.
A user, much like an employer, doesn't care much for your struggles. He's strongly judges your results though. And it must appear so simple and easy to him that he'd go and say: "I could've done the programming on that myself".
That said, this is a simple untested, incomplete solution:
$illegal = implode( ", ", preg_replace('/[a-zA-Z0-9]/', '', $username) );
if ($illegal) {
$errors['username'] = 'These characters you\\'ve used are not allowed in username: ' . $illegal;
I'll follow my own advice and wait for you to provide input first, analyze it, and get back to you with specific answers.
But as a general picture, no strong wording that suggests strict boundaries or grave errors.
Re examples of what wording I feel is "positive"...
$illegal = implode( ', ', preg_replace('/[a-zA-Z0-9]/', '', $username) );
if ($illegal) {
$errors['username'] = '[B]Please provide a username without the following characters:[/B] ' . $illegal . '. [B]Thank you[/B].';
$illegal = implode( ', ', preg_replace('/[a-zA-Z0-9]/', '', $username) );
if ($illegal) {
$errors['username'] = '[B]We\\'re sorry, but characters like [/B]' . $illegal . '[B] are not allowed in username.[/B]';
$illegal = implode( ', ', preg_replace('/[a-zA-Z0-9]/', '', $username) );
if ($illegal) {
$errors['username'] = '[B]Characters like [/B]' . $illegal . ' [B]make for a hard to remember username. Thank you for not using them.[/B][/B]';
Chances are less savvy users wouldn't use fancy chars anyway while savvy users would understand from the specifically short list of illegals in their input from the message above what chars are out. All that from a specific message, without using full tables of permitted chars or complicated guides.
Aside from error messages, you could also suggest corrected usernames, based on the user input, stripping off fancy chars and converting UTF-8 to US-ASCII too, if you don't care for i18n.
I personally like letting people know what's expected before telling them they're wrong, but that's me.
That is, for a password field I'd want to generally tell them what I'm looking for. I think Mitică's tactic works a bit better when you have client-side validation (since you can give the response right away instead of the user being told their Submission didn't work, which'll lose you people with form abandonment), but I steer as much away from trial-and-error with forms as possible. Every time someone's told they are wrong, they see hassle and are that much more likely to walk away.
That said, as Mitică mentioned, nobody wants to read a book to fill out a form. I find long explanations don't belong in a form. In an ideal world, people would actually read the instructions or the explanations for what questions mean before filling out the form. In reality, people don't. So you guide them to get it right as much as you can with how you build your form, word your labels and deal with your help/error text.
He's also correct in that ideally, any error messages should be as specific as you can get away with. Tell people what the problem is, and how they can fix it.
There's nothing wrong with your example messages above generally. You could do like:Username:
Username can be any combination of letters, numbers, underscores, hyphens and periods."
<input aria-describedby="usernamehelp" ... or<input id="username" name="username" pattern="[-a-zA-z0-9_\.]{8,30}" placeholder="(any combination of letters, numbers, underscores, hyphens and periods)">(though I know people who, strangely, do not know what - _ and . are called. One friend of mine calls each of those "dash" "underline" and "dot".)
This explanation is not uncommon on most forms, including signing up for things like Gmail. At least for passwords, which is where it matters the most. For usernames, you know what most people want to know is okay? A space. And for a label who just says "Username" where spaces aren't allowed, that'll be your biggest error I'll betcha. As Mitică mentions, this could be an ideal place to simply silently allow - and _ and . and disallow & or % purely via error messages (because they are unlikely), but I'd tell people up front about no spaces for the reason I mentioned. If the username is taken, when people get that error message ("This name is taken, please choose another"), this is a good time to let them know that extra characters are allowed. Because at this point, people are thinking "how can I keep my username mine now?" So for something like an online username, I'd just have the hint tell people "No spaces in username please." or similar. And be aware of unusual possibilities like last names beginning with apostrophes.(example: Marie van 't Hof. Marie is the first name. Van is called a tussenvoegsel (inbetween addition thingie). 't Hof is the last name. Though Anglicised people would tend to lump the tussenvoegsel with the last name.) Can she use her last name as a username? No. She would have known that if there was a hint, but now she needs to find out via an error message.
Of course, user testing will really tell you what you "need". You can try a form with minimal or no hints (so, a clutter-free version) and a version with some hints, and see which forms get filled out the fastest and most successfully.
Mitică is right on the ball with this. Even if a user made a clearly stupid and obvious mistake, and even if the user sees it and immediately realises it was them being stupid, "friendly" error messages are the way to go if you can finagle it.Sorry these are in Dutch, but the examples should still be readable:No idea what the pic of the woman is doing there, she's useless to the article (and not the writer of it).The Hyundai example tells the user they are at fault, and say in bad Dutch for example "Initials is not correctly filled in". Would that not piss you off, as a user?
Translated:"An error message is a crisis moment. For the customer, because he can't go further (and in a hurry). And for you, because you run the risk that your client quits.
Speak then in a human, patient tone. During a crisis moment, you don't want the client to get robotic comments thrown at their head!"
Also (English): http://webusability-blog.com/user-friendly-error-messages-7-tips/
For things like postal codes, names, addresses and birth dates, it's good to avoid telling people they put in the "wrong" information. People tend to know their birthdates and the such, and usually what they got "wrong" was just the format (or you don't allow their correct information! Like when I can't fill in a "state" or a certain format postal code on a form that expects 'Merkins but actually can do international shipping). Correct their format then.
So when they type in the date as 21/04/2012 instead of "You entered the wrong date" you can try "Use this date format: mm/dd/yyy". Because it's possible to have a date like 21/04/2012 though I would definitely tell people how you expect the date! Or, try an input that only allows selection of months, or forces the month to be written out (we used select dropdowns though I'm generally not in favour of those. But they did enforce correct formats! Also possible, the HTML5 input type="date" as well).
However unlike Mitică I would rather state this in the label or as additional text (be aware, additional text that is not in a form control ought to have at least an aria-describedby attached to the input or label though, like in my example above). That is, when presented with a date input, I'd like to know myself before spending my Sweet Precious Time how you would like the date entered.
The other option is a very complex back-end validation system that accepts many many many date variants, and converts all these valid dates to whichever version your back-end uses. This is most user-friendly, but due to Americans being silly about date orders, I would still tell users which format up-front anyway. It doesn't have to be wordy, and this could be the place where placeholders (as in, HTML5 placeholder attributes) shine.
What I try do is this:
Beside short labels, I set tooltips (title attribute) for the fields in the form and an informative hint at the top of the form about those tooltips.
I return very explicit error messages from server side.
By progressive enhancement (Javascript), I display the tooltip automatically with the focus and add client side validation and helpers for field validation, like calendars for date fields.
You could increase chances of tooltips showing on focus with CSS too.
input[title]:focus:after (or :before) { content: " " attr(title);}or similar, and style for more readability.
Nice tip. Thanks!
Stomme poes and itmitică,
Good conversation. Thanks for the tips. But this went too deep for me right now. (Gotta get my site done first and then come back to these issues.)
I'll pick up on this as soon as I can...
Don't overly stress over this. Common sense and letting someone else with a fresh eye take a look will do wonders.


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We depend on your tax-free contributions. To make one, please send a check to: American Friends of IDC 116 East 16th Street 11th Floor New York, NY 10003. The check should be made out to IDC and on the lower left you write: For GLORIA Center.
The two Arab journalists I most respect have written of the fear in Arabic-speaking countries about Iran's having nuclear weapons. They explain persuasively why a U.S. containment policy of reassuring Arab states and Israel against direct nuclear attack is totally inadequate.
Listen to what they're saying as it is much more accurate in warning about the coming strategic shift in the region than what's being written in the West.
Both Abd al-Rahman al-Rashid and Ahmad al-Jarallah are close to elements in the Saudi regime yet also maintain personal independence and support liberal reform. Rashid (often transliterated, Rashed) is a Saudi who is former editor of al-Sharq al-Awsat, probably the best Arabic newspaper, and is now director-general of the al-Arabiya network, possibly the best satellite television network. Writing in al-Sharq al-Awsat on February 21 (translated by MEMRI) he explained:
"An Iranian bomb…will not be put to military use; it will be used as a way to change the rules of the game. What we are afraid of is Iran's policy, that uses all means to force its existence [as a regional power], and nuclear weapons is only [one of these] means." For example, if pro-Iranian militias "take over southern Iraq, no superpower will dare to use military means to stop it."
"We fear the logic of the current regime in Tehran, which spent the country's funds on Hizbullah, Hamas, the extremist movements in Bahrain, Iraq and Yemen, and the Muslim Brotherhood, and supported every extremist in the region. The Ahmadinejad regime aspires to expansion, hegemony, and a clear takeover on the ground, and to do this he needs a nuclear umbrella to protect him from deterrence by [any] superpower.
"The Gulf states, that built giant cities and factories all along the coast, will, when Iran possesses nuclear weapons, become hostage to the caprices of Ahmadinejad and his extremist government…."
Precisely right. Iran's bomb will change the strategic balance, inspire revolutionary Islamist movements, lead Arab and Western states toward appeasement, and thus shift power in the region decisively toward Tehran.
Jarallah, editor of the Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassa, has survived several assassination attempts which he attributes to Syria. He wrote on February 7:
"The entire region has become hostage to fears of [possible] rash actions by Iran that could cause nuclear catastrophes that neither Iran nor the world will be able to bear. After all, examples of such catastrophes, some of which were the result of unexpected events, are still etched in memory, and the world continues to pay for them."
He adds, "The current Iranian position is reminiscent of the stands taken by Saddam [Hussein], the Iraqi dictator who was the last regional leader who sought hegemony in the area. Clearly, the political path taken by the Tehran regime is controlled by imperialist aspirations; this inspires much fear…not only due to [Iran's] support for several extremist groups of various kinds, but also due to the nuclear issue and the real intentions that the Iranian leadership is concealing….
"Now more than ever, the entire international community must stop Iran's rashness and bring it back to the right path – particularly in light of the obvious signs of the beginning of a nuclear arms race in the region. Beyond the economic cost, this race will affect all areas of life, and will drown the region in a quagmire of chaos and [evoke] reactions that none can predict."
As an extra bonus, take a look at Fouad Ajami's piece on Afghanistan in the Wall Street Journal. It is a brilliant analysis–ok, it sounds like what I've been saying but it's still brilliant–about how as Obama shows his weakness and unreliability U.S. allies are running for cover. Isn't it funny how people who really know or live in the region understand this perfectly.
Yes, bland assurances that all will be ok because the United States will stop Iran from firing off nuclear missiles at its neighbors are very much beside the point.


text:
LES MISERABLES to Open Exit 7 Players' 30th Anniversary Season, Begin. 9/27
The Exit 7 Players have announced their fall musical, LES MISERABLES, which opens their 30th season.
LES MISERABLES is an award winning musical based on the novel of the same name by French Poet and playwright Victor Hugo. The 1862 novel is considered by many to be one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. This international smash-hit may be the most popular musical in the world.
In 19th century France, Jean Valjean is released from 19 years of unjust imprisonment, but finds nothing in store for him but mistrust and mistreatment. He breaks his parole in hopes of starting a new life, initiating a life-long struggle for redemption as he is relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert, who refuses to believe Valjean can change his ways. Finally, during the Paris student uprising of 1832, Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of the student revolutionary who has captured the heart of Valjean's adopted daughter. Epic, grand and uplifting, LES MISERABLES packs an emotional wallop that has thrilled audiences all over the world for years.
Show dates are September 27, 28, October 4, 5, 11 & 12, 2013, at 8pm and September 29, October 6 & 13, 2013, at 2pm.
This show is directed by Jeffrey Flood and musically directed by Dan Monte. It is produced by Sue Crowther and Rebecca Johnson. Tickets prices are $19 (preferred), $17 (adult) and $15 (seniors over 62/children 12 and under) and are available through the Exit 7 Players Theater website at www.exit7players.org or via phone at (413) 583-4301. You may visit the Box Office on Sundays from 2-5pm or Mondays from 6:30-8pm.
LES MISERABLES Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com


text:
Hi everyone
I have a question concerning restrictions on whether a man can ordain as a Buddhist monk. I recall watching the film 'Amongst White Clouds' recently where a monk spoke about being happy that he had a brother who could look after his parents following ordination as otherwise he would not be able to have become a monk. I'd never heard of this before. Although he was likely coming from a Chinese Mahayana perspective, I am wondering whether there are any rules in Thai Theraveda Buddhism that prevent a man from ordaining if they have parents who are likely to need financial and emotional assistance in old age and for whom he does not have siblings who could shoulder this responsibility.
I ask this question as over the past twelve months I have been seriously considering ordaining. However I have parents who are financially not well off and although not dependent upon me at the moment, I am conflicted between my concern for their future welfare and my wish to ordain which they have expressed their support for in the past.
Thank you for any insight you can provide


text:
Our shelter provides a temporary home for unwanted birds. The goal is to place these birds in forever homes.
We have a speaker every third Friday of the month. All are welcome to come! please check location!
Thank You!
Your message has been sent to Greater Chicago Cage Bird Club.
You'll receive a copy, too, at to help you keep track of which pets you've inquired about, and which shelters and rescues you've emailed.
NOTE: Some shelters have physical locations you can visit; some of these shelters may only have pets for a limited time, so please do not wait for a reply—just go visit the shelter! Other organizations are rescue groups run by busy volunteers who may take a while to reply. You can find information about the shelter or rescue group caring for this pet, and their adoption procedures, on the pet's details page on Adopt-a-Pet.com.


text:
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- In triple-digit heat, the Pittsburgh Pirates played it cool.
Clint Barmes, pinch-hitter Alex Presley and Garrett Jones each homered in a four-run sixth inning that snapped a tie, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 14-5 in a game that began with the temperature at 101 degreees Friday night.
''It's warm for both teams,'' Jones said. ''You've just got to suck it up, dunk your head in some cold water and just go for it. You get that good sweat going, you feel good out there, and after the first few innings you kind of forget about how hot it is.''
Andrew McCutchen had four of the Pirates' season-high 19 hits, the last a three-run homer off Marc Rzepczynski in the ninth. McCutchen also robbed Allen Craig of a third extra-base hit with a running catch near the center field wall in the fifth.
''They're following McCutchen,'' losing pitcher Adam Wainwright said. ''He's probably going to carry them, he's a great player.''
The Pirates' previous high hit total for the season was 14, just two days earlier at Philadelphia in an 11-7 victory.
''We have the capability to do it,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ''The guys connected the dots. We were able to stretch the starter's pitch count out a little bit and then we were able to pile on a little bit.''
The Pirates have 38 homers this month, one off the franchise record set in 1975, and the run total was the franchise's best since they also scored 14 on Aug. 31, 2010, at the Chicago Cubs. The three-homer inning was their first since July 22, 2009, against the Brewers and Presley's pinch shot was the first of his career and the Pirates' first pinch-hit homer since last August.
''I do like the way our offense has thrown some punches back this month,'' Hurdle said.
Carlos Beltran got his 2,000th career hit on an RBI single in the third against Kevin Correia (4-6), also his NL-leading 60th RBI of the season and giving him an RBI in seven consecutive games. Craig hit a three-run homer and doubled. He is a career .394 hitter (26 for 66) against the Pirates with four homers and 14 RBIs.
''I don't know how to approach or embrace milestones like that,'' Beltran said. ''I don't show a lot of emotions, but inside my heart, God knows I'm happy and pleased with everything I've done in this game.''
Pittsburgh won its third straight after entering the night one game back of Cincinnati for the NL Central lead and a half-game ahead of the Cardinals. The Pirates, who have homered in a season-best seven straight games, can match their longest winning streak of the year on Saturday with Jeff Karstens opposing Cardinals 10-game winner Lance Lynn.
The Pirates had a pair of big two-out hits earlier, Walker's two-run single in the first and a bases-clearing double by Pedro Alvarez that tied it at 5 in the fifth that Hurdle thought ''took the crowd out of it.''
They homered in consecutive at-bats for the second straight game when Barmes and Presley connected to start the sixth and chase Wainwright (6-8).
''Kind of frustrating, very disappointing,'' Wainwright said. ''I just didn't make pitches when I needed to, kind of a mixture of bad luck with some poor pitches.''
Correia was lifted after 90 pitches and five innings, with the temperature down only to 96 degrees. He has surrendered 13 homers in his last 11 starts after giving up just one in his first four outings.
Reliever Brad Lincoln allowed one hit in three scoreless innings and struck out four in a row in the seventh and eighth.
Craig provided much of the Cardinals' early offense. He doubled and scored on David Freese's groundout in the second and his 10th homer came the next at-bat after Beltran's 2,000th hit, had given them a 5-2 cushion.
Wainwright struck out seven, fanning leadoff man Drew Sutton twice. He didn't allow a homer his previous four outings and pitched seven innings each of his previous three starts.
Two weeks ago, the 35-year-old Beltran became the first switch hitter in major league history to accumulate 300 homers and 300 stolen bases.
NOTES: Cardinals 3B coach Jose Oquendo missed the game due to illness. Chris Maloney moved from 1B to 3B and John Mabry filled in at first base. ... The gametime start was the hottest in St. Louis since it was also 101 degrees on Aug. 2, 2006, against the Phillies, according to information provided by the Cardinals from the Elias Sports Bureau. ... The Pirates have hit back-to-back homers four times, including Casey McGehee and Alvarez off the Phillies' Kyle Kendrick in the second inning Thursday. Cardinals pitchers have allowed consecutive homers the last two games, with the Marlins' John Buck and pinch hitter Logan Morrison connecting off Fernando Salas in the seventh inning Wednesday.... McGehee had a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth and is 6 for 11 with three RBIs in that role. ... Pirates C Rod Barajas returned to the lineup after missing time with a left knee bone bruise on Monday and was 0 for 4. ... Matt Holliday had two singles and is batting .489 (23 for 47) with two homers, 12 RBIs and eight doubles. ... McCutchen is a career .429 hitter (9 for 21) against Wainwright.


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Influence of Pacifiers on Breastfeeding Duration
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- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Sudden Infant Death
|Behavioral: offer a pacifier
|Phase 3
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
|Official Title:
|Influence of Pacifiers on Breastfeeding Duration: a Multicentre, Randomised Controlled Trial
- The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for three month old infants between groups randomised to pacifier and no pacifier exposure. Pacifier introduction is delayed until 15 days to ensure that breastfeeding is firmly established. [ Time Frame: Three months ]
- To evaluate the effects of the pacifier's introduction when breastfeeding is firmly established at 15 days on the duration of breastfeeding [ Time Frame: one year ]
- To evaluate the median breastfeeding duration in months in relation to the frequency of pacifier use [ Time Frame: one year ]
- To test whether pacifier use is causally related with muguet, otitis and sore nipples [ Time Frame: one year ]
- Compliance with group assignment [ Time Frame: one year ]
|Study Start Date:
|March 2006
|Study Completion Date:
|May 2008
|Primary Completion Date:
|August 2007 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
|Assigned Interventions
Experimental: A
Recommendation to offer a pacifier to 15 days old newborn infants with successful breastfeeding
Behavioral: offer a pacifier
To offer a pacifier to normal newborn infants at 15 days of age
Active Comparator: B
Recommendation not to offer a pacifier to normal newborn infant with successful breastfeeding at 15 days of age
Behavioral: offer a pacifier
To offer a pacifier to normal newborn infants at 15 days of age
Detailed Description:
The incidence of Sudden infant death syndrome in developing countries is comparable with that of developed countries. Two important risk factors with implications for prevention are prone sleeping position and the association with smoke. Also, breastfeeding has been reported to be protective against SIDS.
In accordance with WHO/UNICEF recommendations, lactation consultants and other health professionals within "Baby-Friendly" institutions typically discourage the use of pacifiers in breastfed infants. The recent American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement, however, recommends pacifier use, during periods of sleep as a potential method to reduce the risk of SIDS. Previous observational studies had been unanimous in reporting an approximate doubling of the risk of early weaning with daily pacifier use. However, randomized controlled trials in developed countries, have not shown that giving pacifiers results in shorter breastfeeding duration, except when pacifiers are given in the first 5 days. It has therefore been seen that practically every author of a major study on the association between breastfeeding and pacifier use has proposed that the question can only be fully and completely answered by randomized studies. To date there are no large randomized studies evaluating the influence of pacifier use on breastfeeding duration.
Our Primary outcome is to compare the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at three months in infants between groups randomised to pacifier and no pacifier exposure once breastfeedings have been fully established.
Second outcome: to evaluate the effects of the pacifier's introduction when breastfeeding is firmly established at 15 days on the duration of breastfeeding.
Recruitment to the trial will take place in several public and private hospitals.
Those mothers who do not show a strong preference in regards to the introduction of the pacifier, will be randomised during the postpartum visit at 2 weeks (if well established breastfeeding is present) on two arms:
- No pacifier,
- Pacifier introduced at 15 days.
Structured telephone interviews will be conducted at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months and every 60 days thereafter until the breastfeeding has ended to record breastfeeding duration and type (exclusive or not) and pacifier use.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|up to 18 Days (Child)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
The following patients will be invited to participate before hospital discharge:
- Women who agree not to introduce the pacifier before 2 weeks
- Intention to exclusively breastfeed their infants for at least 3 months
- Breastfeeding exclusively at discharge
- Delivered a healthy singleton newborn
- 37 completed weeks and at least a 2.5 kg birth weight
- Possibility of contact by telephone
Patients will be randomized at age 15 days if:
- They are exclusively breastfeeding
- They have no existing breastfeeding problems
- Babies use no pacifiers.
- Breastfeeding is well established
- No maternal risk factors for lactation problems
Exclusion Criteria:
- Extremely or persistently sore nipples
- Presence of mastitis or abscess formation.
- Medical situations contraindicating breastfeeding
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00306956
|Hospital Privado del Sur
|Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 8000
|Hospital Diego Paroissien
|Isidro Casanova, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1765
|Hospital Municipal Materno Infantil de San Isidro "Dr. Carlos Gianantonio"
|San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
|Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires
|Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1181ACH
|Sanatorio de la Trinidad
|Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1425
|Principal Investigator:
|Alejandro Jenik, M.D.
|Jefe de Recién Nacido Normal, Hospital Italiano, Buenos Aires
|Responsible Party:
|Alejandro Jenik, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00306956 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|March 23, 2006
|Last Updated:
|September 18, 2008
Keywords provided by Fundacion para la Salud Materno Infantil:
Sudden Infant Death
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Infant Death
Sudden Infant Death
Pathologic Processes
Death, Sudden
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


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Posted 6 years ago
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This large map outlines the Invasion beaches for Operation Dragon. Dragon consisted of about 200,000 Allied troops of the US 7th Army and 1st Airborne Task Force.
LCI 220 participated in this operation and the map came in a large LC! 220 grouping that I own.
The map is very detailed and is marked "Top Secret- Bigot".
One side has approach recognition points to aid ships in navigation, while the other side contains details on each landing beach.


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The Office of the Registrar is part of the Academic Affairs division. The office is responsible for registration and academic records.
The office provides a variety of services to meet the needs of students, faculty and alumni. To find out more about which services each area provides, please click the appropriate link on the left.
Tips for Corresponding with the Office of the Registrar
Our office will be better able to serve you if you can provide the following information when talking with staff members in the office, on the telephone or over email.
- Your name
- Your E# or date of birth if you do not know your E#
- Approximate dates of attendance
Please have these items available when you contact us.


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Samoas Bars
Hubby loves girl scout cookies. Specifically Samoas. I grew up in the Midwest, and we always called them Caramel Delights. Whatever you call them, everyone loves them. I saw this recipe come up and I knew I had to make these.
These bars do take a little bit of time because each step requires some wait time before you can move on to the next step. In the end, they're definitely worth the effort. Hubby did comment that the cookie part tasted a bit off. I think there's just a higher ratio of the cookie part than in the girl scout version.
Homemade Samoas Bars – from Baking Bites – makes 30 barsCookie Base:
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
First, make the crust.
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan, or line with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter, until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Working at a low speed, gradually beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly, like wet sand. The dough does not need to come together. Pour crumbly dough into prepared pan and press into an even layer.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until base is set and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack before topping.
3 cups shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened) – I used sweetened
12-oz good-quality chewy caramels – I used the Kraft caramel bits
1/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp milk
10 oz. dark or semisweet chocolate (chocolate chips are ok)
Preheat oven to 300. Spread coconut evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet (preferably one with sides) and toast 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until coconut is golden. Cool on baking sheet, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
Unwrap the caramels and place in a large microwave-safe bowl with milk and salt. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes, stopping to stir a few times to help the caramel melt. When smooth, fold in toasted coconut with a spatula.
Put dollops of the topping all over the shortbread base. Using the spatula, spread topping into an even layer. Let topping set until cooled.
When cooled, cut into 30 bars with a large knife or a pizza cutter.
Once bars are cut, melt chocolate in a small bowl. Heat on high in the microwave in 45 second intervals, stirring thoroughly to prevent scorching. Dip the base of each bar into the chocolate and place on a clean piece of parchment or wax paper – I used a spoon to spread some melted chocolate on the bottom of each bar. I then laid them chocolate side up to set the chocolate.
Transfer all remaining chocolate into a piping bag or a ziploc bag with the corner snipped off and drizzle bars with chocolate to finish.
Let chocolate set completely before storing in an airtight container.
Makes 30 bar cookies.
14 Responses to "Samoas Bars"
Those look so good, now we don't have to wait unitl the GS are selling there cookies again 🙂
Yum! They look delicious and your pictures are great.
I made these a while back and loved them too! It's nice to be able to make your own any time you want!
Beautiful photos. You did an awesome job on these.
I'm so glad you made these! I noticed these on another blog and had them on my "to make" list. Your pictures may motivate me to make them this weekend!
They look terrific and I've never been one to eat girl scout cookies.
Now these look amazing!! Great job!
Ive been wanting to make these – they look crazy tasty!
Thanks for sharing! Yum!
Great job – my hubby's hoping I will give these a go.
Samoas are my favorite too! I'm totally making some this weekend!!
What a great way to enjoy Samoas when there are no cookies left!
These look great!! Although I don't eat coconut, I'll have to make them for my hubby and coworkers sometime.
Not sure if you got my email last weekend but I was wondering if you know of any must-visit bakeries or eateries in Boston. We will be vacationing in Boston in a couple weeks. Thanks!!!
Thanks for emailing me, Jen. I emailed you back to the address you gave me. Hopefully that worked :o)


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PLEASANT HILL — A 56-year-old homeless man who tried to keep warm by lighting a candle inside a nylon tent was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition early Monday morning after the tent went up in flames, police said.
Police were called to the corner of Contra Costa and Taylor boulevards at 4:19 a.m. after witnesses reported seeing a nude man who appeared to be crawling on the sidewalk, police said.
Police said they found his encampment, and that the man had apparently tried to light a candle, which ignited the flammable nylon.
No structures were damaged, and the flames had been extinguished by the time fire crews arrived to help the victim, police said. The man was burned severely on his legs, torso and arms, and he was airlifted to the UC Davis' Firefighters Burn Institute Regional Burn Center, where he remains in critical condition.
A man who called 911 to report the injured victim said he was on his way to the gym just after 4 a.m. when he spotted a dark figure near a rock wall at the corner. The man was bloody and caked with mud, said the caller, a man named Leo who declined to give his last name. The man's eyes stood out in the dark, reflecting off the car's headlights as he passed him on the street.
When the driver flipped a U-turn to confirm what he saw, the man had crawled into the bike lane and was reaching his arms into the street as if to ask for help.
"He stretched his hands out, kind of like a zombie," Leo said. "That early in the morning, I didn't know what to expect. All I knew is that he needed help."
Lavonna Martin, Contra Costa County's acting director of homeless services, said that the county expands its capacity at its Richmond and Concord shelters by 20 beds to 184 during the winter months. During particularly cold snaps, such as this weekend, the shelters receive and grant additional requests to shelter people.
"We don't want to see anyone risking their health and dying on the streets, we want to be sure people are safe and aren't out there exposed," said Martin, adding they do not want to see incidents such as Monday's "sad and tragic" burning.
In Pleasant Hill, the temperature was 31 degrees at 4 a.m., about the time the incident took place, according to the National Weather Service. The overnight low, about an hour before sunrise, was 28 degrees. The forecast is for the low 30s Monday night.
Martin said workers focus on spreading the word that there are available beds or space.
Advocates also try to provide tips for the homeless who prefer to stay outdoors to wear layers, hats and scarves and wrap themselves in extra blankets.
"There's help if people want to get help," she said.
Staff writer Paul Burgarino contributed to this report. Contact Rick Hurd at 925-945-4780. Contact Erin Ivie at 925-847-2122.


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African Americans have participated in every war in U.S. history. We talk about the impacts, both good and bad, for veterans and their families. Sunday, September 24 at 6:30 PM
On Second Thought is a one-hour, daily news talk show that airs at 9 a.m. ET weekdays.
"Nobody wins here and you won't either"!! It was a comment that was left beside the job listing for a new head football coach at Meadowcreek High School in Norcross.
Your gift in any amount now will make all the difference. We're counting on you to show your support. Make your secure online donation today!
I Never Draw Noses
Written and Illustrated By.
Gina J. Kang


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'"That's the good thing about (sports)," Ray said. "When guys move on or get traded to other teams or whatever, it's not as if somebody dies. Your friendship still stays alive and you still stay in contact with each other. Ever since he's left he's come back for a month or so; his wife's family's from here….We talk probably once a week."'
You are here: Home / SabresBeat / Ray pulling for old pal Parker in Super Bowl


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Puig, Ellis, Gonzalez sit with minor injuries
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers had a trio of regulars out of Saturday's lineup due to injuries -- though none are believed to be serious.
First baseman Adrian Gonzalez, center fielder Yasiel Puig and catcher A.J. Ellis all sat out, replaced by Justin Turner, Scott Van Slyke and Drew Butera, respectively.
For Gonzalez, who suffered a right knee contusion sliding home Friday night, Saturday was a scheduled off-day, regardless, against Cubs left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada.
"Adrian's good today," Mattingly said. "He was getting a day today, anyway. I'm pretty confident if I had to use him to pinch-hit, double-switch him into a game, I'm pretty confident he'd be available."
The same held true for Puig, who exited Friday's game in the seventh with mild left hamstring soreness.
"We're going to be cautious with him today," Mattingly said. "Probably be able to use him to pinch-hit."
Ellis took a foul ball off of his right knee for the second consecutive night Friday and had a wrap around the swollen knee before Saturday's game, saying he was "pretty sore."
"A.J., after taking that shot off his knee the other day, took another one last night," Mattingly said. "He's probably good to go, too, in an emergency situation, but he's going to be a down a day, maybe two."
Michael Lananna is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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I know he's not everybody's cup of tea, especially after that Boston series, but you have to admit, his impersonations are dead on.
By Bill Simmons
Page 2 Here's how I think tonight's Game 7 goes down:
8:00 EST TNT kicks off the telecast with goose bump-provoking slow motion footage of Dwyane Wade walking onto the court for the pregame warm-ups, accompanied by a song that was released at least 20 years ago.
8:04 Our first ad for "The Closer," premiering June 13 only on TNT!
8:04 Guys in their 30s across the country mutter to themselves, "Man, what happened to Kyra Sedgwick?"
8:10 TNT's "Inside the NBA" crew makes their predictions. Magic takes Miami because, "When it's winnin' time, you need the big fella on your side, and when the big fella's on your side, it's winnin' time!" Kenny takes Detroit because of "playoff experience these guys have been here before." And Charles takes Detroit because "Number one, they have another gear. First of all, that's the most important thing in a Game 7, because number one, you need that second gear. And if you don't have that second gear, then first of all, you better have your best players healthy, and number one, Dwyane Wade isn't healthy."
8:20 With Wade limping onto the court in the starting lineup, Marv Albert pulls the "Maybe this doesn't have the same significance as Willis Reed in the 1970 Finals but you can't help but think of Willis as we see Dwyane Wade trying to gut his way through this do-or-die Game 7 "
8:35 Miami jumps out to an early 9-4 lead on 3s from Damon Jones, Eddie Jones and Wade (which brings down the house). Larry Brown calls a quick timeout and contemplates sneaking out of the building like D.C. Dacey in the middle of the final game in "Fast Break."
8:45 Doug Collins remembers the time he was playing for Philadelphia and tried to play hurt in a big playoff game: "When the crowd gets behind you, the adrenaline takes over and you stop thinking about the injury altogether."
8:50 Shot of Darko laughing on the bench at one of Antonio McDyess' jokes.
8:55 With the Pistons behind 17-10, the first round of Detroit fans start making snide, "Man, it would have been nice if Ben Wallace showed up for this series" comments.
9:00 Wade goes coast-to-coast with a gorgeous finish he has nine points as the Heat lead by 13. The nation prepares for a Tuesday of sportswriters screaming: "Dwyane Wade is the next Michael Jordan!" on various TV and radio shows.
9:05 With Miami leading by 16 and shooting 73 percent, we see our first shot of Larry Brown making his "To Do List" for his Cleveland move. By the way, you're not going to believe this, but Alonzo Mourning just blocked someone's shot, then pumped his fist a few times and acted like an idiot.
9:07 Rasheed Wallace gets a technical for arguing a charge call from referee Dick Bavetta, who high-fives Jamie Foxx on his way back up the court.
9:10 Shot of Darko laughing on the bench at one of Carlos Arroyo's jokes.
9:15 With 5:00 to go in the first half, Miami's bench extends the lead to 19 as the crowd goes bonkers, followed by Mourning doing 37 different Hulk Hogan-like muscle flexes.
9:25 Wade gets knocked down hard on a drive to the basket, then takes about three minutes to get up. High drama. Doug Collins immediately remembers the time he was knocked down during the 1977 Finals by Maurice Lucas, adding, "I felt like I had been steamrolled by a freight train."
9:30 Our halftime score: Miami 56, Detroit 38. The Pistons are shooting 29 percent from the field and have a "if we lose this game, last year's championship still counts, right?" glow about them. Meanwhile, Craig Sager and Shaq have this exchange:
Sager: "Shaq, you're up by 18, what went right for you guys in that first half?"
Shaq: "Before I answer that, I want to send my respects out to Mark Felt, the guy who turned out to be Deep Throat and helped end Richard Nixon's presidency. Mr. Felt, we all appreciate what you did for this country. Thanks for the sacrifices you made."
Sager: "Thanks for those thoughts, Shaq."
Shaq: "I'm a huge Gatewater buff."
9:40 During TNT's halftime show, Barkley breaks down the series as so: "First of all, I can't believe the Pistons didn't come out with more intensity. I mean, number one, they look flat. If you can't get fired up for a Game 7 first of all, they should have to give back last year's trophy. And second of all, I can't believe those boys are the defending champs! When I was playing well, number one, you practically had to cut Magic and Larry's heads off to take their titles from them. Because, first of all, those guys were great players "
9:47 Our 30th promo for "The Closer," premiering June 13 on TNT!
9:54 An inspired Pistons team rattles off a 7-0 run at the beginning of the third, forcing Miami coach Ron Jeremy to call timeout.
10:03 Shot of Darko laughing on the bench at one of Darvin Ham's jokes.
10:10 Shaq simply takes over the game after Ben Wallace's fourth foul two dunks and two jump hooks over Elden Campbell, the last one followed by his thing where he staggers back upcourt in the little happy half-crouch. Down by 20 again, Larry Brown quickly calls timeout and looks like he ate a bad egg sandwich.
10:13 Isolated on the right side, Tayshaun Prince effortlessly takes Wade off the dribble for a lefty layup, prompting everyone around the country to ask the same question: "Why doesn't Tayshaun Prince average 25 points a game? What are we missing here?"
10:16 Albert: "Here's Wade in transition ohhhhhhhhhhh! What a move by Dwyane Wade who doesn't look like he's feeling the effects from that debilitating rib injury "
10:16 Doug Collins remembers the time when he played for the Sixers and Doctor J. dropped 44 on the Celtics despite suffering from a painful charley horse.
10:25 Down by 24 heading into the fourth, the Pistons have officially packed it in leading to the inevitable Rasheed Wallace second technical/meltdown/rip-off-his-jersey-as-he's-storming-off sequence. That's right, you can take Rasheed out of Portland, but you can't take the Portland out of Rasheed.
10:29 Craig Sager interviews Jamie Foxx, who seems incredibly pleased with himself and uses the word "Man" a lot. Did you know he's filming "Miami Vice" right now? Were you aware of this?
10:33 Alonzo Mourning rams home a follow-up rebound, then reenacts the Ultimate Warrior's entrance for the main event of WrestleMania VII as the Pistons glance at one another thinking, "We can't cheap-shot him because he only has one kidney, right?"
10:43 With 4:00 minutes to play, leading by 20, Jeremy removes Wade from the game who gets a big hug from Shaq and a standing O from the 3,000 Miami pseudo-fans who didn't sprint for the exits at the end of the third quarter.
10:46 Here comes Darko!
10:48 Darko from 3 no good!
10:49 Shot of Shaq and Damon Jones performing some sort of organized rap song/dance routine on the bench in the final minute as Marv Albert says, "Shaquille O'Neal and his buddy Damon Jones enjoying themselves as the clock winds down to the final minute."
10:53 Our final score: Miami 101, Detroit 73. Miami is headed to the Finals.
10:56 Sager interviews Wade (25 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds), who tells him that, "The rib was bothering me, but it's a Game 7, you just have to gut it out." He's being heavily guarded by four Converse execs who are trying to keep him away from anyone wearing a Nike hat.
11:00 The TNT Crew sums it up best
Kenny: "Too much Dwyane Wade, too much Shaq, not enough energy from the Pistons. That's the bottom line."
Barkley: "Number one, I thought Dwyane Wade was fantastic. That boy can play. And first of all, nobody understands how hard it is to play hurt, because number one, the other team knows you can't do the stuff you normally do "
Magic: "Here's the thing though, here's the thing for Dwyane Wade, it was all about winnin' time. When it's winnin' time, superstars play like superstars. Injuries don't matter. Ribs don't matter. Winnin' time is winnin' time."
Ernie: "And speaking of winnin' time, don't forget about the world premiere of 'The Closer,' June 13 on TNT!"