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Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an unsettling and poorly understood movement disorder affecting 3 - 15% of the general population. RLS can affect both children and adults. Although effective treatments are available, the condition often remains undiagnosed.
Symptoms of RLS. The core symptom of RLS is an irresistible urge to move the legs (medically known as akathisia ). Some people describe this symptom as a sense of unease and weariness in the lower leg, which is aggravated by rest and relieved by movement. Specific characteristics of RLS include:
Late-onset and Early-onset Forms. There appear to be two forms of RLS, early-onset and late-onset. Each form may have different characteristics:
The medical term for periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is nocturnal myoclonus. PLMD symptoms include:
Although 80% of RLS sufferers have PLMD, only about 30% of people with PLMD also have RLS. While treatments for the two conditions are similar, PLMD is a separate syndrome. PLMD is also very common in narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes people to fall asleep suddenly and uncontrollably.
Cramps that awaken people during sleep are very common, and they are not part of restless legs syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder. They can be very painful and may cause a person jump out of bed in the middle of the night. They typically affect a specific area of the calf or the sole of the foot.
Benign nocturnal leg cramps, sometimes known as a charley horse, are muscle spasms in the calf that can occur one or many times during the night. Cramping may also occur in the soles of the feet. They typically last from a few seconds to a few minutes. Some people experience them regularly, others only on isolated occurrences.
Causes of Nocturnal Leg Cramps. In most cases, the cause of nocturnal leg cramps remains unknown. Among the conditions that might cause leg cramps are:
Individuals at Higher Risk for Nocturnal Leg Cramps. Nocturnal leg cramps occur at all ages but peak at different times. They are particularly common in adolescence, during pregnancy, and in older age, affecting up to 70% of adults over age 50 at some point.
Pregnant women and those taking diuretics are also at risk for leg cramps because of low calcium levels and an imbalance in calcium and phosphorus.
Consequences of Nocturnal Leg Cramps. Nocturnal leg cramps, like restless legs syndrome, rarely have any serious consequences. However, they can be extremely painful and long lasting. In some cases, severe and persistent symptoms can cause chronic insomnia and considerable mental distress.
The main cause of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is unknown. Researchers are investigating neurologic (nervous system) problems that may arise either in the spinal cord or the brain. One current theory suggests that a deficiency in a brain chemical called dopamine causes restless legs syndrome.
RLS may often have a genetic basis, particularly in those who develop it before age 40. When the condition occurs in older adults, it is most likely due to a neurological problem.
People with restless legs syndrome (RLS) often have a family history of the disorder. Researchers have detected at least six genetic locations or factors that might be responsible for this condition. Two of the genes are associated with spinal cord development. None of the genes have been associated with dopamine or iron-regulating systems, though these are considered strong causal factors.
Neurologic Abnormalities
Dopamine and Neurologic Abnormalities in the Brain. A variety of studies support the theory that an imbalance in neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain), notably dopamine and serotonin, may play a part in RLS. Dopamine and serotonin cause numerous nerve impulses that affect muscle movement. The effect is similar to what happens in Parkinson's disease. Moreover, drugs that increase dopamine levels treat both disorders. However, Parkinson's disease itself does not seem to increase the risk for RLS. Nor does RLS early in life predispose a person to Parkinson's later on.
Neurologic Abnormalities in the Spine. Other research suggests that restless legs syndrome may be due to nerve impairment in the spinal cord. Researchers considered that such abnormalities were likely to start in nerve pathways in the lower spine. However, some patients with RLS have symptoms in the arms, indicating that the upper spine may also be involved.
Neuropathy. Some experts suggest that RLS, particularly if it occurs in older adults, may be a form of neuropathy, which is an abnormality in the nervous system outside the spine and brain. So far, there is no evidence of a causal relationship.
Iron deficiency, even at a level too mild to cause anemia, has been linked to restless legs syndrome (RLS) in some people. Studies suggest, in fact, that RLS in some people may be due to a problem with getting iron into cells that regulate dopamine in the brain. Some studies have reported RLS in 25 - 30% of people with low iron levels.
Some research suggests that low cortisol levels in the evening and early night hours may be related to restless leg symptoms. Some patients experienced improvement in symptoms with low-dose hydrocortisone injections.Causes of Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
The cause or causes of periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) are not clear. Some research suggests that it may be due to abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the involuntary actions of the smooth muscles, heart, and glands.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) may affect 3 - 15% of the general population. It is more common in women than in men, and its frequency increases with age. The disorder affects an estimated 10 - 28% of adults older than age 65. In about 40% of patients, RLS begins in adolescence.
An international study showed that 2% of children ages 8-17 have RLS symptoms. RLS may be more common than epilepsy and diabetes in children and teens.
As many as two-thirds of people with restless legs syndrome (RLS) have a family history of the disorder. If so, RLS is more likely to occur before they turn 40. (A family history of RLS is less likely in people who develop it as older adults.) RLS is also more common in people from northern and western Europe, giving added support for a genetic basis for some cases.
Restless legs syndrome and periodic leg movement disorder in children are strongly associated with inattention and hyperactivity. Up to a quarter of children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also have RLS, sleep apnea, and PLMD, and this may actually contribute to inattentiveness and hyperactivity. The disorders have much in common, including poor sleep habits, twitching, and the need to get up suddenly and walk about frequently. Some evidence suggests that the link between the diseases may be a deficiency in the brain chemical dopamine.
About 20% of pregnant women report having RLS. The condition usually goes away about a month after delivery. RLS in this population has been strongly associated with deficiencies in iron and the B vitamin folate.
Between 20 - 62% of people undergoing dialysis report restless legs syndrome. Symptoms often disappear after a kidney transplant.
Anxiety can cause restlessness and agitation at night. These symptoms can cause (or strongly resemble) restless legs syndrome.
The following medical conditions are also associated with restless legs syndrome, although the relationships are not clear. In some cases, these conditions may contribute to RLS, or they may have a common cause. In some cases, they may coexist due to other risk factors:
Several environmental and dietary factors can worsen or provoke restless legs syndrome:
Drugs that worsen or provoke RLS include:
About 6% of the general population has periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). Among the elderly, the prevalence increases to 25 - 58%. Studies suggest that PLMD may be especially common in elderly women. As with RLS, numerous conditions are associated with PLMD. They include sleep apnea, spinal cord injuries, stroke, narcolepsy, and diseases that destroy nerves or the brain over time. Certain medications, including some antidepressants and anti-seizure medications, may also contribute to PLMD.
Restless legs syndrome rarely results in any serious consequences. However, in some cases severe and persistent symptoms can cause considerable mental distress, chronic insomnia, and daytime sleepiness. In addition, since restless legs syndrome (RLS) is worse when resting, people with severe RLS may avoid daily activities that involve long periods of sitting, such as going to movies or traveling long distances.
Sleep deprivation, and the daytime sleepiness that follows, is increasingly recognized as a cause of mood disruption and a contributor to industrial errors and motor vehicle crashes.
Effect on Daily Performance and Activities. Studies suggest that sleeplessness worsens many waking behaviors. These include:
People with restless legs syndrome were more apt to be socially isolated, to have frequent daytime headaches or depression, and to complain of reduced libido or problems related to sleepiness.
RLS can contribute to insomnia. Insomnia itself can increase the activity of hormones and pathways in the brain that produce emotional problems. Even modest alterations in waking and sleeping patterns can have significant effects on a person's mood. Persistent insomnia may even predict the future development of mood disorders in some cases.
It is not clear if RLS is responsible for negative mood states or if anxiety or depression contributes to RLS. Anxiety can cause agitation and leg restlessness that resemble RLS, and depression and RLS symptoms also overlap. In addition, certain types of antidepressant drugs -- such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors -- can increase periodic limb movements during sleep.
A diagnosis of restless legs syndrome often relies solely on the patient's description of symptoms. In general, the recommended approach is first to take a sleep and personal history. The doctor may conduct an interview that includes the following questions:
Keeping a Record of Sleep. To help answer these questions, the patient may need to keep a sleep diary. Every day for 2 weeks, the patient should record all sleep-related information, including responses to questions listed above described on a daily basis. Recording sleep behavior using an extended-play audio or videotape can be very helpful in diagnosing sleep apnea.
A bed partner can help by adding their observations of the patient's sleep behavior.
Some high-risk patients may need to consult a sleep specialist or go to a sleep disorders center before their sleep problem can be diagnosed. At most centers, patients undergo an in-depth analysis, usually supervised by a team of consultants from various specialties, who can provide both physical and psychiatric evaluations. Centers should be accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Among the signs that may indicate a need for a sleep disorders center are:
Overnight polysomnography involves several tests to measure different functions during sleep. It is typically performed in a sleep center and may help rule out sleep apnea or confirm the effectiveness of restless legs syndrome (RLS) treatments.
The patient arrives about 2 hours before bedtime without having made any changes in daily habits. Polysomnography electronically monitors the patient as he or she passes, or fails to pass, through the various sleep stages. Polysomnography tracks the following:
Actigraphy uses a small wristwatch-like device (such as Actiwatch) to monitor sleep quality in people with suspected restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic leg movement disorder (PLMD), insomnia, sleep apnea, and other sleep-related conditions. Patients can wear the device on their wrists or ankles. It measures and records muscle movements during sleep. For example, with PLMD, actigraphy can provide information on the total duration of movements, the number of occurrences, whether PLMD occurs simultaneously in both legs, and its effects on sleep.
Actigraphy is not as accurate as polysomnography because it cannot measure all the biological effects of sleep. It is more accurate than a sleep log, however, and very helpful for recording long periods of sleep.
The Epworth sleepiness scale uses a simple questionnaire to measure excessive sleepiness during eight situations.
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Chance of Dosing
Sitting and reading
(Indicate a score of 0 to 3)
0 = no chance of dozing
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing
Watching TV
(Indicate a score of 0 to 3)
0 = no chance of dozing
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing
Sitting inactive in a public place
(Indicate a score of 0 to 3)
0 = no chance of dozing
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing
Riding as a passenger in a car for an hour without a break
(Indicate a score of 0 to 3)
0 = no chance of dozing
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing
Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit
(Indicate a score of 0 to 3)
0 = no chance of dozing
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing
Sitting and talking to someone
(Indicate a score of 0 to 3)
0 = no chance of dozing
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing
Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol
(Indicate a score of 0 to 3)
0 = no chance of dozing
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing
Sitting in a car while stopped for a few minutes in traffic
(Indicate a score of 0 to 3)
0 = no chance of dozing
1 = slight chance of dozing
2 = moderate chance of dozing
3 = high chance of dozing
Score Results
1-6: Getting enough sleep.
4-8: Tends to be sleepy but is average.
9 and over: Very sleepy and suggestive of sleep-disordered breathing. Patient should seek medical advice.
Because of the high association between restless legs syndrome and iron deficiency, a test for low iron stores should be part of the diagnostic workup in restless legs syndrome (RLS). There are two steps in making this diagnosis:
Determining if Iron Stores are Low: The following findings are important in determining that a person is iron deficient:
When iron deficiency anemia is diagnosed, the next step is to determine what causes the iron deficiency itself.
Certain laboratory tests may be helpful in determining causes of restless legs syndrome (RLS) or conditions that rule it out. They include:
EMG for neuropathy, radiculopathy, myelopathy
Central nervous system MRI for myelopathy or stroke
In addition to other sleep-related leg disorders, a number of other medical conditions may have features that resemble restless legs syndrome (RLS). The doctor will need to consider these disorders in making a diagnosis.
Peripheral Neuropathies. Peripheral neuropathies are nerve disorders in the hands or feet. Several conditions can cause these disorders, and they can produce pain, burning, tingling, or shooting sensations in the arms and legs. Diabetes is a very common cause of painful peripheral neuropathies. Other causes include alcoholism, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, amyloidosis, HIV infection, kidney failure, and certain vitamin deficiencies. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathies may mimic RLS. However, unlike RLS, they are not usually associated with restlessness, movement does not relieve the discomfort, and they do not worsen at bedtime.
Akathisia. Akathisia is a state of restlessness or agitation, and feelings of muscle quivering. A condition called hypotensive akathisia is caused by failure in the autonomic nervous system. Unlike RLS, it occurs at any time of the day and usually only when the patient is sitting -- not lying down. Drugs used to treat schizophrenia and other psychoses can cause akathisia, as can anti-nausea drugs. The condition also occurs when drugs to treat Parkinson's disease are withdrawn.
Painful Legs and Moving Toes Syndrome. A rare disorder affecting one or both legs, painful legs and moving toes syndrome is marked by a constant, deep, throbbing ache in the limbs and involuntary toe movements. The discomfort may be mild or severe. It gets worse with activity and usually stops during sleep. Usually, the cause is unknown, though it may arise from spinal injuries or herpes zoster infection. The condition is difficult to treat, although the drug baclofen, combined with either clonazepam or carbamazepine, has shown some success. Other treatments that may help include orthotics for the shoes and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Meralgia Paresthetica. An uncommon nerve condition, meralgia paresthetica causes numbness, pain, tingling, or burning on the front and side of the thigh. It usually occurs on one side of the body, and the cause may be compression of the thigh nerve as it passes through the pelvis. It typically occurs in people aged 30 - 60 years, but it can affect people of all ages. It often goes away on its own.
The first step in treating a patient who complains of sleeplessness and restless legs syndrome is to try to improve sleep and eliminate possible causes of restless legs syndrome (RLS). Doctors normally try to achieve these goals without the use of drugs, initially. A non-drug approach is a particularly important first step for elderly patients.
If the cause cannot be determined, it is best to first try better sleep habits and relaxation methods. These approaches may help, even if the patient needs medications later on.
Some people report help or relief from restless legs syndrome with the following behaviors or devices:
Some patients recommend alternative treatments for RLS, such as acupuncture and massage. To date, however, there is not enough data on the effectiveness of these treatments.
Because restless legs syndrome is associated with iron insufficiency, people with the condition should get enough iron from their diet. Iron is found in foods either in the form of heme or non-heme iron:
Iron supplements can significantly reduce symptoms in people with restless legs syndrome who are also iron deficient. Patients should use them only when dietary measures have failed. Iron supplements do not appear to be useful for RLS patients with normal or above normal iron levels.
Supplement Forms. To replace iron, the preferred forms of iron tablets are ferrous salts, usually ferrous sulfate (Feosol, Fer-In-Sol, Mol-Iron). Other forms include ferrous fumarate (Femiron, FerroSequels, Feostat, Fumerin, Hemocyte, Ircon), ferrous gluconate (Fergon, Ferralet, Simron), polysaccharide-iron complex (Niferex, Nu-Iron), and carbonyl iron (Elemental Iron, Feosol Caplet, Ferra-Cap). Specific brands and forms may have certain advantages. The following are some examples:
Regimen. A reasonable approach for patients with RLS is to take 65 mg of iron (or 325 mg of ferrous sulfate) along with 100 mg of vitamin C on an empty stomach, 3 times a day.
IMPORTANT: As few as 3 adult iron tablets can poison, and even kill, children. This includes any form of iron pill. No one, not even adults, should take a double dose of iron if they miss one dose.
Tips for taking iron are:
Side Effects. Common side effects of iron supplements include the following:
Interactions With Other Drugs. Certain medications, including antacids, can reduce iron absorption.
Iron tablets may also reduce the effectiveness of other drugs, including:
At least 2 hours should elapse between doses of these drugs and doses of iron supplements.
Exercise earlier in the day may be one of the best ways to achieve healthy sleep. Vigorous exercise and stimulation within 1 - 2 hours of bed time may worsen restless legs syndrome (RLS). A study found that people who walked briskly for 30 minutes, four times a week, improved minor sleep disturbances after 4 months. Regular, moderate exercise, healthful in any case, may help prevent RLS. Patients report that either bursts of excessive energy or long sedentary periods worsen symptoms.
Pneumatic compression devices wrap an inflatable cuff around the legs. This cuff is attached to a device which then increases pressure around the legs. It is worn for at least an hour, generally around the time symptoms usually begin. Smaller studies have shown it improve symptoms of restless leg syndrome in some patients.
Once a cramp begins, straighten the leg, flex the foot upward toward the knee, or grab the toes and pull them toward the knee.
Walking or shaking the affected leg, then elevating it, may also help.
If soreness persists, a warm bath or shower or an ice pack may bring relief.
Lifestyle Tips for Preventing Nocturnal Leg Cramps. Nighttime leg cramps are generally treated with lifestyle changes.
Quinine. Quinine had been widely used to prevent leg cramping. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned its sale over the counter because it reportedly caused some serious, although rare, side effects. These side effects include bleeding problems and heart irregularities. Other, less serious side effects include headaches, vision problems, and rash.
The FDA has since banned the marketing of most quinine drugs, cautioning against the off-label (non-approved) use of the drug to treat RLS. Only one form of the drug, Qualaquin, is approved for sale, for the treatment of some types of malaria. Pregnant women and those with liver problems should avoid quinine in any form.
Supplements. Some small studies indicate that the mineral magnesium, taken as magnesium citrate or magnesium lactate, may provide some benefit to people with leg cramps, including pregnant women.
In one small study, taking vitamin B complex was helpful. Other supplements tried for leg cramps include vitamin E, calcium, and potassium or sodium chloride, but these do not appear to be very effective. Sodium chloride (salt) may be helpful, but Western diets already contain too much sodium.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends medications for restless legs syndrome (RLS) or periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) only for persons who fit strict diagnostic criteria, and who experience excessive daytime sleepiness as a result of these conditions. (Excessive daytime sleepiness results from nighttime sleeplessness due to RLS or PLMD symptoms).
More research and physician training is needed to better diagnose and treat RLS in children and adolescents with medications. Little is known about the best way to treat RLS in general, but some experts suggest the following for adults:
Before taking stronger medications, people should try over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Rufen), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve), and ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Aktron).
Although NSAIDs work well, long-term use can cause stomach problems, such as ulcers and bleeding, and possible heart problems. In April 2005, the Food and Drug Administration asked drug manufacturers of NSAIDs to include a warning label on their product that alerts users of an increased risk for heart-related problems and digestive tract bleeding.
Dopaminergic drugs increase the availability of the chemical messenger dopamine in the brain, and are the first-line treatment for severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic leg movement disorder (PLMD). These drugs significantly reduce the number of limb movements per hour, and improve the subjective quality of sleep. Patients with either condition who take these drugs have experienced up to 100% reduction in symptoms.
Dopaminergic drugs, however, can have severe side effects (they are ordinarily used for Parkinson's disease). They do not appear to be as helpful for RLS related to dialysis as they do for RLS from other causes.
Dopaminergic drugs include dopamine precursors and dopamine receptor agonists.
Dopamine Precursors. The dopamine precursor levodopa (L-dopa) was once a popular drug for severe RLS. The standard preparations (Sinemet, Atamet) combine levodopa with carbidopa, which improves the action of levodopa and reduces some of its side effects, particularly nausea. Levodopa can also be combined with benserazide (Madopar) with similar results, but Sinemet is almost always used in America. (Levodopa combinations are well tolerated and safe.)
Patients typically start with a very low dose taken 1 hour before bedtime. The dosage is increased until the patient finds relief. Patients sometimes need to take an extended form or to take it again during the night.
Levodopa acts fast, and the treatment is usually effective within the first few days of therapy.
Serious common side effects of L-dopa treatment (and, to lesser extent, of dopamine receptor agonists) are augmentation and rebound. Many studies report that augmentation (worsening of symptoms that occur earlier in the day) occurs in up to 70% of patients who take L-dopa. The risk is highest for patients who take daily doses, especially doses at high levels (greater than 200 mg/day). For this reason, patients should use L-dopa only intermittently (fewer than 3 times per week). The drug should be immediately discontinued if augmentation does occur. Following withdrawal from L-dopa, patients can switch to a dopamine receptor agonist.
The rebound effect causes increased leg movements at night or in the morning as the dose wears off, or as tolerance to the drug builds up.
Dopamine Receptor Agonists. Dopamine receptor agonists (also called dopamine agonists) mimic the effects of dopamine by acting on dopamine receptors in the brain. They are now generally preferred to L-dopa. Because they have fewer side effects than L-dopa, including rebound effect and augmentation, these drugs may be used on a daily basis. About 30% of patients who take dopamine receptor agonists have reported augmentations symptoms. As the newer drugs are taken for longer periods and at higher doses, however, their augmentation rates may become closer to those of L-dopa.
Dopamine agonists have been shown to relieve symptoms in 70 - 90% of patients. Dopamine agonists can be ergot-derived (such as cabergoline) or non-ergot derived (such as pramipexole and ropinirole). The newer non-ergotamine derivatives may induce fewer side effects than ergot-derived drugs:
Rotigotine is a patch preparation. Common side effects include back or joint pain, dizziness, decreased appetite, dry mouth, fatique, sweating, trouble sleeping or upset stomach.
Other Dopamine Agonists. Other dopamine agonists that have shown some promise in small studies include alpha-dihydroergocryptine, or DHEC (Almirid), and piribedil (Trivastal).
Regimens. The effects of L-dopa are apparent in 15 - 30 minutes. Dopamine receptor agonists, meanwhile, take at least 2 hours to start working. Some doctors recommend regular use of dopamine receptor agonists for patients who experience nightly symptoms, and L-dopa for those whose symptoms occur only occasionally.
Side Effects. Common side effects of dopaminergic drugs vary but may include feeling faint or dizzy (especially when standing up), headaches, abnormal muscle movements, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, bloating, chest pain, and dry mouth. Nausea may be especially common. Adding the drug domperidone may help to relieve this side effect. In rare cases, dopaminergic drugs can cause hallucinations or lung disease.
Because these drugs may cause daytime drowsiness, patients should be extremely careful while driving or performing tasks that require concentration.
Long-term use of dopaminergic drugs can lead to loss of effectiveness (tolerance). Adding a drug called entacapone (Comtan) may prolong the duration of action of carbidopa-levodopa therapy (Sinemet), but it can cause nausea.
Rebound effect, augmentation, and tolerance can reduce the value of dopaminergic drugs in the treatment of RLS. Using the lowest dose possible can minimize these effects.
Withdrawal Symptoms. Patients who withdraw from these drugs typically experience severe RLS symptoms for the first 2 days after stopping. RLS eventually returns to pre-treatment levels after about a week. The longer a patient uses these drugs, the worse their withdrawal symptoms.
Benzodiazepines, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), are known as sedative hypnotics. Doctors prescribe them for insomnia and anxiety. They may be helpful for some patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) that disrupts sleep. Clonazepam may be particularly helpful for children with both periodic limb movement disorder and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The medicine also may be helpful for patients with RLS who are undergoing dialysis.
Side Effects. Elderly people are more susceptible to side effects. They should usually start at half the dose prescribed for younger people, and should not take long-acting forms. Side effects may differ depending on whether the benzodiazepine is long-acting or short-acting.
Interactions. Benzodiazepines are potentially dangerous when used in combination with alcohol. Some drugs, such as the ulcer medication cimetidine, can slow the breakdown of benzodiazepine.
Withdrawal Symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms usually occur after prolonged use and indicate dependence. They can last 1 - 3 weeks after stopping the drug and may include:
Rebound Insomnia. Rebound insomnia, which often occurs after withdrawal, typically includes 1 - 2 nights of sleep disturbance, daytime sleepiness, and anxiety. The chances of rebound are higher with the short-acting benzodiazepines than with the longer-acting ones.
Narcotics are pain-relieving drugs that act on the central nervous system. They are sometimes prescribed for severe cases of restless legs syndrome (RLS). They may be a good choice if pain is a prominent feature. Some evidence also suggests that narcotics reduce the frequency of periodic leg movements.
There are two types of narcotics, both of which have been used for severe RLS:
Although the use of narcotics for severe RLS is controversial, some studies have suggested that even when the treatments are long-term, they are rarely addictive for pain sufferers except among patients with a history of substance abuse.
The use of such drugs may be beneficial when included as part of a comprehensive pain management program. Such a program involves screening prospective patients for possible drug abuse, and regularly monitoring those who are taking narcotics. Doses should be adjusted as necessary to achieve an acceptable balance between pain relief and side effects. Patients on long-term opiate therapy should also be monitored periodically for sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing to stop for short periods many times during the night. Sleep apnea may worsen symptoms of RLS, insomnia, and other complaints.
Tramadol. Tramadol (Ultram) is a pain reliever that has been used as an alternative to opioids. It has opioid-like properties, but is not as addictive. (However, there are reports of dependence and abuse with this drug as well.) Withdrawal after long-term use (longer than a year) can cause intense symptoms, including diarrhea, insomnia, and even restless legs syndrome itself.
Antiseizure drugs -- such as gabapentin (Neurontin), valproic acid (valproate, divalproex, Depakote, Depakene), and carbamazepine (Tegretol) -- relax blood vessels and are being tested for restless legs syndrome (RLS). Gabapentin, a newer antiseizure drug, is showing particular promise for mild-to-moderate RLS. It may also be effective for periodic leg movement disorder. A new gabapentin product is in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of RLS. The new drug, known as XP13512, converts to gabapentin in the intestines, and therefore may reduce some of the side effects experienced by patients taking antiseizure medications. (Common side effects included mild sleepiness and dizziness.)
Side Effects. All antiseizure drugs have potentially severe side effects. Therefore, patients should try these medications only after non-drug methods have failed. Side effects of many anti-seizure drugs include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, increased appetite with weight gain, hand tremors, irritability, and temporary hair thinning and hair loss (taking zinc and selenium supplements may help reduce this last effect). Some antiseizure drugs can also cause birth defects and, in rare cases, liver toxicity. Gabapentin may have fewer of these side effects than valproic acid or carbamazepine.
Antidepressants. Bupropion (Wellbutrin), a newer antidepressant, may be helpful for restless legs syndrome (RLS). Bupropion is a weak dopamine reuptake inhibitor -- it causes a slight increase in the availability of dopamine in the brain. The drug is not addictive and does not have the severe side effects of other RLS drugs, but more research is needed to determine if it is useful.
Clonidine . Clonidine (Catapres), a drug used for high blood pressure, is helpful for some patients and may be an appropriate choice for patients who have RLS accompanied by hypertension. It also may help patients with RLS who are undergoing hemodialysis.
Baclofen . The anti-spasm drug baclofen (Lioresal) appears to reduce intensity of RLS (although not frequency of movements).
Alpha-2 Delta Blockers . Gabapentin and Gapapentin enacarbil appear to help RLS sufferers. Pregabalin is currently under study.
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Picchietti D, Winkelman JW. Restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movements in sleep, and depression. Sleep . 2005 Jul 1;28(7):891-8.
Picchietti D. Restless legs syndrome: prevalence and impact in children and adolescents--the Peds REST study. Pediatrics . 2007; 120(2): 253-66.
Stefansson H, Rye DB, Hicks A, et al. A Genetic Risk Factor for Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep. N Engl J Med . 2007;357:639-47.
Winkelman JW, Sethi KD, Kushida CA, Becker PM, Koester J, Cappola JJ, et al. Efficacy and safety of pramipexole in restless legs syndrome. Neurology . 2006 Sep 26;67(6):1034-9.
Winkelmann J, Schormair B, Lichtner P, et al. Genome-wide association study of restless legs syndrome identifies common variants in three genomic regions. Nat Genet (in press). [cited in: Winkelmann J. Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep - Endophenotype for Restless Legs Syndrome? N Engl J Med . 2007; 357:703-05.


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Jonathan Adler anger jar
I absolutely love this highly stylized vase. It's chic little tag tells you what's inside....and this one is for "Anger." Now anytime I get mad at someone (let's say my mom or my boss) I can write a little snippet about what's bothering me and drop it into the jar....and forget about it. DId I also mention that it's super cute too?

subset: commoncrawl


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Yang Tsin Su AcademySports Tai Chi Academies
90 Michigan Dr, Oxenford, QLD 4210
What a great atmosphere, I found too many martial arts classes were full of bravado. Such wonderful humble ...
YTS Tai Chi Gold Coast beginners course
From 13-08-2015 To 17-08-2017
Yang Tsin Su Tai Chi is for students who wish to learn far beyond just the basic movements. Learn the fundamental principles such as stances, posture & relaxation before moving onto the refined and more ...


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Thursdays at 7
Dr. Kim firstname.lastname@example.com
SUTV's purpose is to provide a means of entertainment and information for the student body and community, to train students in the field of television broadcasting on an informal, non-instruction oriented basis, to serve the public interest, and to be an instrument of expression for the university community, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.
SUTV News is Shippensburg University's student-produced weekly newscast covering Raider Nation and the surrounding community.
Join us every Thursday night at 7 p.m. for the news that is important
to campus and community. Plus catch the weather forecast, sports and
entertainment. Find us on Comcast channel 21 and Campus channel 82.
Meetings are in Grove 006 on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. Come get involved!
Shippensburg University and Shippensburg University Student Services, Inc. recognize more than 100 student-centered clubs and social organizations. The University provides web space for these sites, but the sites are created and maintained by the students.


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11.45pm: POLICE investigating a knifepoint robbery where two women were threatened in a York house earlier today have arrested a man.
North Yorkshire Police said a man in his twenties was arrested tonight in connection with the robbery and is currently in custody for questioning. However, detectives are still looking for anybody who saw the crime or a man matching the description of the robber to contact them.
9pm: A MANHUNT has been launched after a knife man broke into a York house today and threatened two women.
The robber struck in Layerthorpe between 4pm and 4.30pm today, forcing his way into the house past a woman in her 60s and threatening to tie her and her elderly mother up.
He forced the younger woman to go with him to the cash machine at the nearby Asda supermarket, where he made her withdraw a small amount of money before escaping on her red Raleigh bike. A dedicated squad of officers has been detailed to the search for the robber, with the area being searched on foot and by dog-handlers, CCTV being studied and door-to-door enquiries being carried out.
Detective Inspector Andrea Kell of York CID said: "This is an appalling crime against an elderly woman and her daughter and whoever is responsible must be caught.
"I am appealing for anybody who has any information to contact the police urgently. If you know who is responsible and know their whereabouts, please call us without delay. We also urge anybody who finds an abandoned red bicycle to contact us."
"Neither of the victims was physically injured, but they have been extremely shaken up and distressed by what happened."
The robber is white, in his 20s to 40s, with dark close-cut hair, and he spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a grey top with navy arms and shoulders, navy jogging trousers and white trainers.
Detectives have appealed for anybody who was in the area at the time, particularly on Layerthorpe or around the Asda store, and saw a man matching the description of the robber to contact them.
Tweets from the police earlier today initially said the force had begun a search for a man who was reported to be carrying a knife and had been seen in the Layerthorpe area, with full details of the robbery emerging tonight.
If you saw the crime or have any information about it, phone York CID on 101 or email firstname.lastname@example.com. Anybody who knows who the knifeman is should phone 999, and information can also be passed to Crimestoppers by phoning 0800 555111 and quoting reference number 12140049993.


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Last updated:
Bureau of Land Management
The public lands have long been a popular location for the motion picture industry. The western deserts, dry lakebeds, and mountain terrain are strong attractions to national and international television and film production companies. Many major motion pictures and television commercials have been filmed on public lands.
Special permits to use the public lands for commercial film production are issued by the BLM under Section 302(b) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. Regulations governing filming on public lands are covered in 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 2920, Leases Permits, and Easements.
On May 26, 2000, the President signed Public Law 106-206 (100KB PDF), authorizing land management agencies in the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to regulate commercial filming activities on Federal lands. This legislation gives the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service new authority to require permits for commercial filming and certain still photography activities on the Federal lands they manage. The Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management already had authority to do so, via the Organic Administration Act of 1897 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976, respectively.
Public Law 106-206 augments those previous statutes for authorizing commercial filming and still photography activities. In doing so, it clarifies policy on the requirements for commercial filming and still photography permits and establishes limitations on filming activities for the protection of resources. Bureau guidance implementing PL 106-206, was issued under Instruction Memorandum 2004-073.
For more information on film permitting, please contact Vanessa Engle.


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Lafayette falls to Orangewood Christian
Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 12:33 a.m.
MAITLAND - Ismeal Moreno scored Lafayette's only goal as the Hornets fell to Orangewood Christian, 7-1, in the Class 1A, Region 2 final on Tuesday.
The Rams (18-5-1) jumped on Lafayette early, as Nick Bonds scored two goals within the opening 11 minutes. Moreno's goal, assisted by Jose Diaz, closed the deficit to 2-1 at the half.
Down 3-1 in the second half, the Hornets' goalkeeper John Negrete went down and was taken out. The Rams quickly scored three goals within 15 minutes and cruised to the win.
Lafayette, which advanced to its second straight regional final, ended its season 16-6. The Hornets will lose three seniors, but will return a very talented team, including Diaz, the area's leading scorer, and Moreno, the area's top assists leader.
"They jumped on us early, in the first minute," said Hornet coach Danny Glover. "We hit the crossbar, had our goalkeeper out, didn't make the most of our opportunities and they did.
"Last year against St. Joseph, I felt we were overmatched. I didn't feel that way today. When our goalkeeper went down it was 3-1. When he went down, they took advantage."
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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AN ANTI-KNIFE campaign launched in the wake of Christina Edkins fatal stabbing has culminated in an amendment being passed in Parliament which will see second time offenders automatically jailed.
Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris, who met the tragic Halesowen schoolgirl's family after her killing, co-sponsored the amendment to the Criminal Courts and Justice Bill.
Adults convicted of possessing an illegal knife or other weapon for a second time will be sentenced to at least six months in prison and 16 and 17-year-olds will receive a youth Detention and Training Order of at least four months.
The amendment was passed by 404 votes to 53 in the House of Commons and the bill will now go before the House of Lords.
After the vote Mr Morris said he owed it to the family and friends of the 16-year-old Leasowes High School pupil to support tougher sentences on knife-crime.
He said: "I hope that the House of Lords will take notice of this overwhelming majority and make sure that this important measure becomes law as soon as possible.
"When I met with Christina Edkins's family shortly after her death, I asked them if there was anything that I could do to help and they told me that they wanted tougher sentences to make people understand the consequences of carrying a knife."
He added: "Christina's family, and the many police officers I have spoken to, were sure that mandatory prison sentences would reduce the number of knives on our streets.
"I was proud to be able to co-sign this amendment and am delighted that it has passed and will help to prevent other families from suffering the terrible loss of a loved one."
After meeting with Christina's family, Mr Morris spoke at Prime Minister's Questions to ask David Cameron to consider mandatory sentences for knife possession and recently raised the same issue with the Justice Secretary Chris Grayling.
On March 7 last year paranoid schizophrenic Philip Simelane, aged 23, fatally stabbed Christina Edkins on the number nine bus as she travelled to school. He had a history of knife-crime and pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility and was detained indefinitely in a secure mental health facility.


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Ryan Cowie
|Played matches
|2nd Yellow
|Red Card Total
|Own Goal
|Played matches
|2nd Yellow
|Red Card Total
|Own Goal
Fraserburgh defeated Deveronvale as Mark Cowie's side scored three free-kicks, with three different goal scorers. Three very different set-pieces were the only difference between the two sides, as they battled in a fairly close affair. Vale thought they should have taken the lead, but referee Graham Beaton never allowed Liam Forbes' effort to stand. The victory leaves the Bellslea side fifth, only two points away from Formartine who sit above them in the Highland League standings. Meanwhile,...
Graham Johnston scored the only goal of the game as Fraserburgh continued their good start to the season. Fraserburgh boss Mark Cowie felt his side "deserved it over the 90 minutes". Cowie was pleased with the way his team bounced back from their first league defeat last week to Lossiemouth. He added: "We've come out and out-fought Huntly and today we more hungry than Inverurie." Meanwhile, Locos boss Scott Buchan felt "one error and a good finish was the difference" between the two sides. Buchan...
Fraserburgh's cup heroics continued as they started their Aberdeenshire Cup defence by beating Formartine on penalties after a 3-3 draw. The home side took the lead twice in the regulation 90 minutes, but Mark Cowie's men fought hard and forced the game to extra-time. Dean Cowie then scored for the Broch, however it was cancelled out by Paul Lawson's free-kick. Ryan Cowie converted the decisive penalty as the visitors won the shootout 5-4. United started the game strongly and Connor Gethins...
Fraserburgh took the spoils against Strathspey and got off to the best possible start in this season's Highland League. The win gives the Broch a great confidence boost going into the campaign. However, for Strathspey, it's back to the drawing board for manager Brian Grant. It was a dream comeback for youngster Marc Lawrence, who re-joined the Broch on-loan from Peterhead this week and it only took 65 seconds for him to score on his return.
Turriff nicked a goal mid-way through the second half to all but secure a fourth-place finish. The match was decided by a free-kick from Lewis Davidson in a game where Fraserburgh's William West missed a penalty and was then sent off. The victory for Turriff all but secures fourth place as it would need a 23-goal swing and United to lose all of their remaining three matches for Inverurie to leapfrog them.
Huntly and Fraserburgh had to settle for a share of the points after an injury penalty miss from the hosts. Huntly went ahead on the stroke of half time when Glenn Murison played James Duguid in behind the home defence and the former Fraserburgh forward took a touch before driving a shot past joe Barbour for his fourth of the season. The Broch levelled in the 74th minute when good work from substitute Graham Johnston created an opening before the ball was played deep into the back post for...
Broch struck late to force penalties and club legend Willie West scored the winning penalty to send the visitors berserk. Mark Cowie admitted that it could be one of the best games in his short managerial career so far describing it as "brilliant for the neutrals". Mark was obviously delighted and never felt like his side were going to be beaten. Fraserburgh opened the scoring mid-way through the first half through West, but the goal was cancelled out seconds into the second half through a...
Russell McBride's acrobatic effort won Fraserburgh a point which takes them above Wick and Buckie into 7th place, while a point for the visitors leaves them 7 points behind league leaders Brora with two games in hand. McBride's effort on the 15 minute mark opened the scoring but was cancelled out on the half hour when Gary Wood controversially put the ball in the empty net after Fraserburgh goalkeeper Joe Barbour appeared to go down injured a good 10 seconds before the ball was turned in to...
Cove took the trip north to Bellslea Park to try and go within 3 points of leaders Brora. Cove went into the game as favourites, despite a draw and a loss to Fraserburgh already this season. The home side used the momentum of the previous two games and started the better of the two teams. They took the lead early on through John Chalmers only 11 minutes in and their lead was doubled when Ryan Cowie's cross found Marc Dickson and he headed home in the 29th minute. Cove got a goal back and...
Fraserburgh took on a good Falkirk side that plays four divisions higher than them, so it was always going to be a tough contest. Falkirk were the team with all the possession, but only had one goal to show for it through Lee Miller until the 67th minute when the Broch stunned them with the equaliser. However, minutes later Falkirk re-gained their lead and didn't look back.


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The entire list
Iftar Meal Under Hurricane in Haiti
Solidarity among Muslims, who are having great trouble due to hurricane in Haiti, 15 thousand km. away from Turkey, sets an example for all Muslims. Inspite of hurricanes and poverty they go through in their country, these Muslims do not accept aids offered to them, saying, "other masjids need more". They want these aids to be delivered to those who are in need more. Haiti people, who suffer from poverty, bring along what they have in their hands and enthusiastically come together around their iftar tables.
Iftar Meal Under Hurricane in Haiti
* fast-breaking meal in Ramadan
Everything is lost but humanity is alive


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We'll match your job to the relevant tradesmen in your area - those interested will pay to see your contact details and call you to quote.
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After the work is complete, return to the site and rate your tradesman based on their quality of work, reliability and value for money.
Added 18/07/2017
due to let down ,looking for a Tiler to tile my new office building floor , I have all the...
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Tile bathroom wall / floor Size - 20 square meters approx. We have tiles and one bag of ad...
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Tile kitchen floor tiles, 1 x floor Type of tiles: stone tiles floor tiles in kitchen floor...
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need floor tiling in dining room and conservatory
I rarely leave feedback on these forums, but these guys really deserve it. Our kitchen tiling and painting was done to an excellent standard. Our decorator put dust sheets on everything, taped up areas so nothing was painted that shouldn't have been. He hoovered, and placed everything back that he'd moved at the end of each day. He even sent us photos of progress! Would highly recommend and be happy to ask them to come back in the future. Thank you!
Sisi Property Ltd came to tile my shower at the drop of hat. First impressions were that they seemed a little slow, it quickly became apparent that they were in fact perfectionists.The end result was genuinely outstanding and I am delighted with their work. True craftsmen.They took their time because they were meticulous; not slow.The job manager was excellent, polite and friendly; and while the tilers were brilliant, I'd suggest John learns 'hello', 'thank you' and how to crack a smile though ;)
I highly recommend these guys first class work and an excellent team. On time as promised and very respectful in all ways.
Managing your job is easier with the Rated People Homes App, download it today.


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The Way to Wealth, originally a preface to the 1758 edition of Franklin's beloved Poor Richard's Almanack, presents a brief fable of a local wise man, Father Abraham, quoting Poor Richard to an eager crowd. In this inspiring tale, Franklin steps out of the past and shares with you his famed maxims about wealth, knowledge, virtue, and all other elements of business success.
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin offers Franklin's life story, at least the first few decades, as he died without finishing it, as he tries to identify and develop a formula for personal success. Included is the popular "Art of Virtue", in which Franklin lists the 13 qualities he hoped to possess.
An early and influential advocate of the idea that any of us can create in ourselves the greatness to which we aspire, Franklin speaks across the centuries to listeners as clearly and practically as ever.
(P)2006 Gildan Media Corp
"Good narration but appears incomplete"
I liked the narration (clear speech, good inflections that drew me in) and Ben Franklin's tales are, at least to me, very interesting.
However, I didn't realize that Franklin's autobiography ends suddenly with his arrival in London 1757.
He doesn't talk about his influence during the Revolution at all.
At first I thought Audible's version was faulty because after 7 hours or so, Franklin's tales all of a sudden stop and there seems to be SO MUCH left to say.
But alas, that's where the actual book ends too.
Other than that it's an interesting listen for Ben Franklin fans.
"Great for history buffs, but..."
When I purchased this audiobook, I was under the assumption that this was two books in one. Based on my hearing, it's Ben Franklins diary, describing various events in his life. There isn't a "Way to Wealth" anywhere within this audiobook if one ever existed. That doesn't make this a bad audiobook, but misinforming buyers I feel is immoral.
I've always been a fan of American colonial history. I enjoyed Franklin's view of events during this time. It's interesting how he became such "a pillar of the community", event being pushed into leading men into battle. It was also hearing his take on how the British should best defend the American colonies, utilizing local men instead of importing them from the mother land. The end of the book seem to cut the story short, as if the publisher ran out of diary entries to reproduce.
Overall I'm copasetic with this purchase. Mr Mackamy did a fine job as the narrator. I saw another audiobook that continues Franklin's life where his diary left off. Maybe I'll get that as well.
"Good principles but a boring unfinished listen"
I like the principles and what your taught about renewing your mind and mastering your weaknesses to become a better person. Other than that a lot of the stories are incomplete.
"excellent audiobook with great narration"
This is one of the best autobiographies I've ever downloaded. I've listened to it multiple times as his life story is very interesting and insightful. The audiobook starts out with the "The Way to Wealth" story from the Poor Richard's Almanack. I ended up buying that book after listening to the audiobook. The narration is first class!
"Masterpiece Ruined"
Truly disappointing and frustrating to listen to such a poor performance.
It seems the narrator had neither read nor prepared for the text and language used in Franklin's autobiography. There are too many awkward pauses (maybe during a page turn?) and the flow of the work is completely lost.
Save your money and look for a different version of this fine autobiography.
"Biography might be better"
I might grab the biography at some point judging from others reviews. Merits include historical perspective and a few timeless points.
Addicted to Audible since 2009
"Not that good"
I love Benjamin Franklin and most of his writings are great. I was really excited to listen to this book but overall, it's dry, dull and boring and not what I expected at all.
"The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin"
Slow... Boring...Ego Driven. A real disappointment.
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Australia and Japan will hold formal talks on economic co-operation, regional security and nuclear non-proliferation in Sydney - but whaling won't be on the agenda.
Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Sydney on Sunday morning as part of his first overseas trip since winning office on December 16 last year.
Foreign Minister Bob Carr said the visit, less than a month into the new government's term, demonstrated the importance of the two countries' relationship.
"Japan is the world's third-largest economy and a major contributor alongside Australia to issues including reducing nuclear stockpiles and restricting the international supply of weapons," Senator Carr said.
"Today's talks will include responses to issues such as North Korean rocket tests which endanger Japan, South Korea and the wider region."
Also on the agenda with Australia's second-largest trading partner on Sunday afternoon will be trade issues and the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty to restrict the supply of rocket-propelled grenades and ammunition.
However, a spokesman for Senator Carr said whaling would not be discussed at the meeting as it was an issue for Environment Minister Tony Burke.
"Australia is resolutely opposed to commercial whaling, Japan is well aware of our views and we are taking legal action against Japan in the International Court of Justice," the spokesman said.
"It's not on the agenda for this meeting but we are actively pursuing anti-whaling action against japan.
"It's a point of strong disagreement but it won't involve personal tension between the two."
The issue of Japan's controversial whaling program once again reared its head last month when Japanese ships left port for the Southern Ocean as part of their annual hunt of the marine animals.
The fleet plans to hunt up to 935 Antarctic minke whales and up to 50 fin whales through March, the Fisheries Agency has reported.
Both Australia and Japan have filed their detailed written arguments to the International Court of Justice and the case has been set down for oral hearing at The Hague, probably this year.
Australia-Japan two-way trade has more than doubled in the past decade to reach $75.6 billion in 2011-12.
Principal Australian exports to Japan are coal, iron, beef and copper, while major Japanese imports include passenger vehicles and engineering equipment.


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Posted 7 years ago
(26 items)
Lake Erie & Western RR brass top, bellbottom railroad lantern made by the Adams & Westlake Co., of Chicago, IL, in the early 1880's. This single-guard, no. 39 model, is boldly embossed on the lid reflector L. E. & W. R. R. The underside of the base is stamped with the A&W hallmark that includes several patent dates, the latest of which is 1882. The sun purple (clear), extended base globe is boldly embossed LE&WRR in very heavy relief. This globe is a gorgeous amethyst color in natural light, and has the most boldly embossed lettering I've ever seen on a RR globe.


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Plenty of fight left in local boxer Martinez
Updated 1:54 am, Thursday, April 18, 2013
By mid-morning Wednesday, the crowd that eventually would climb to more than 1,000 at Alamo Plaza was enthusiastic, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the star attraction.
But Raul Martinez seemed unfazed by the fact that most of the fans had come to see Mexico's Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and not him — the local guy.
Sporting a new faux hawk haircut, Martinez looked sharp as he cut the ring with his footwork and shadowboxed to the beat of Latin music.
"I've been to public workouts before," he said. "But nothing like this. It's pretty amazing."
At 31 and coming off a career-threatening injury, Martinez is just happy to be part of the show. Any show.
Sports Channel
The San Antonio bantamweight (29-2, 17 KOs) is scheduled to take on Shawn Nichol (7-13, 5 KOs) of Denver in a six-round bout Saturday at the Alamodome on the undercard of Alvarez-Austin Trout.
Had he not torn his left biceps in his last fight — a third-round knockout of Juan Jimenez in August in Mexico — Martinez likely would have been awarded a more visible spot on the card, perhaps even the co-main event.
But after undergoing successful surgery in September to reattach the tendon to the bone near the elbow, Martinez needed weeks of recovery.
Now the only leftover effects of the injury, he says, are an occasional soreness and a 3-inch scar.
"It's just something I'm going to have to get used to the rest of my career," Martinez said of the pain. "But it hasn't slowed me down any. I'm sparring and throwing punches just like before. I'm ready to get back in the ring."
Martinez says he never considered hanging up the gloves.
"Boxing's in my blood," he said. "I want to fight three or four more years."
A former super flyweight contender, Martinez appeared headed for stardom after turning professional in 2004. He went undefeated in his first 24 bouts and on April 19, 2009, earned his first world title opportunity.
It ended in disaster, however, when Martinez lost by fourth-round TKO to Nonito Donaire in the Philippines.
More Information
Alvarez vs. Trout
Who: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KOs) vs. Austin Trout (26-0, 14 KOs)
When, where: Saturday, Alamodome (doors open at 3:30 p.m; first fight 4:30 p.m.)
What: 12 rounds for WBA and WBC super welterweight titles
TV: Showtime (telecast starts at 7 p.m.; co-main event starts at 9 p.m.)
Tickets: Sold out
Park and Ride: VIA service ($5 round trip, discounts available) from Crossroads, Randolph, Madla and Airport locations starts at 1:30 p.m. and runs for 45 minutes after event.
Two years later, in his only other world title fight, he lost a six-round, technical decision to Rodrigo Guerrero in Tijuana, Mexico. The bout was stopped after Martinez suffered a deep gash over his eye from an unintentional head butt.
Not long after, Martinez changed trainers, electing to go with "Jesse" James Leija, a local legend and former world champion.
Leija was in Martinez's corner for the Jimenez fight, but both of them feel as if they're just getting started.
"He's been doing great," Leija said. "He's been sparring seven and eight rounds and looking good. I'm really happy with his work ethic and the way he's been pushing himself."
Leija said he's been working a lot on technique with Martinez, mostly balance and footwork, using his legs, hips and core muscles more in order to increase his power.
He said Martinez relied too much on arm punches and a strong upper body in the past.
The biggest obstacle for Martinez, Leija says, will be overcoming the mental hurdle associated with the injury.
"It may be in the back of his mind," Leija said, "but you can't think about it in the ring."
Martinez says that won't be a problem Saturday. He said he's feeling strong and eager to get back in the ring, even if he won't be the main attraction.
Just like Wednesday in front of the Alamo, when the always-popular Oscar De La Hoya, the promoter for Saturday's event, showed up, followed by Alvarez.
"It's an amazing feeling knowing that you're going to be fighting in front of 38,000 people," said Martinez, ranked No. 9 in the world at 115 pounds by the International Boxing Federation. "I'm pumped up for it."


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Did you know?
Pilanesberg Game reserve is regarded as one of the top birding destinations in Southern Africa.
Birding in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve is an exciting experience because of the wide variety of habitats that shelter over 300 bird species.
Good roads, affordable accommodation and plenty of opportunities to get out of your vehicle and stretch your legs make Pilanesberg a popular, rewarding destination for birders.
Choose any of the roads that criss-cross the park and have your binoculars ready. Look for secretary birds in the grasslands – they are regular breeding residents. Listen for the flappet lark clapping its wings in the air, as grassveld pipits dart about the ground.
Endemics in the woodlands and bushveld include the southern yellow-billed hornbill, Swainson's spurfowl, the southern black tit and the white-backed mousebird. During summer you can also spot up to 15 species of shrike, including the dazzlingly beautiful crimson-breasted shrike.
You'll find short-toed rock-thrushes in rocky terrain and keep an eye out overhead for raptors, including the black-chested snake eagle, the brown snake eagle, the martial and Verreaux's eagles and the white-backed vulture.
Mankwe Dam attracts many water birds (as well as hippos and all sorts of game), including blacksmith lapwings, grey, black-headed and Goliath herons, great white egrets, Egyptian geese and white-faced whistling ducks.
Make yourself comfortable in the big hide and prepare to witness an extraordinary passing show of birds and animals.
You'll see huge crocodiles dozing on the banks as herds of antelope graze nearby. If it's early morning or evening, you may even find a breeding herd of elephants, a pride of lions or a leopard coming to drink.
As you leave the dam, look out for that most attractive of all waxbills – the violet-eared – as well as the black-faced waxbill, foraging low down in the undergrowth.
At the gate to Manyane Camp, look out for the locally common endemic southern pied babblers – a Pilanesberg special.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Pilanesberg Game Reserve
Phone: +27 (0) 14 555 1600
Email: email@example.com
Web: www.pilanesberggamereserve.com
North West Parks Board
Tel: +27 (0) 14 555 5351/2/3/4
Web: www.parksnorthwest.co.za
How to get here
From Johannesburg/Pretoria take the N1 north towards Polokwane. Take the N4 Rustenburg split. Follow the Pilanesberg signs to the left on route 91.
Best time to visit
Summer time is best for birders because all the migrant birds are back from winter vacation. Gate times are as follows: March & April 6am to 6.30pm; May to September 6.30am to 6pm; September and October 6am to 6.30pm; November to February 5.30am to 7pm.
Around the area
The entertainment mecca that is Sun City lies adjacent to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.
Tours to do
You can organise any number of guided game drives or a guided birding walk. You can also take a balloon ride over the reserve.
Get around
In your own vehicle, on a guided game drive, or on foot with a ranger guide. The latter is the best option for serious birders.
What will it cost
R45 for adults; R20 for children and pensioners. There is also a R15 entrance fee for vehicles.
What to pack
In summer it is essential you pack plenty of sunscreen and a hat. For those who plan to do a lot of walking, sturdy yet comfy shoes or boots are a must. And don't forget your bird books and binoculars.
Where to stay
There are various accommodation options available within the reserve, ranging from basic self-catering camps to luxury lodges.


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Fits Replace-A-Top 51121, 51124 or 51127
TINTED WINDOW KITS for Bestop Replace-a-Top Soft Tops
Tinted Window Kits include two rear side window panels and one rear window curtain.
- This kit specifically for Bestop Replace-a-Top #51121, #51124 and #51127.
- Replaceable heat-sealed windows (31% tint) meet U.S. and Europe regulations.
- Heavy-duty molded tooth zippers allow for easy window installation and removal.
- Exterior fabric color matches Bestop and factory original soft tops.
Instructions & Parts List
Tell us what you think. Click on Write a Review below in order to submit your own.


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PEOPLE across Salisbury and south Wiltshire got into the fundraising spirit for Children in Need on Friday.
Cake sales, quizzes, Pudsey Bear biscuits and non-uniform days were held to raise money for the charity. Among those taking part, were children and staff at Kiwi School, Bulford, who raised £251by wearing pyjamas and holding a bake sale.
Headteacher Susan Raeburn said: "Everyone got involved and we had a really busy day raising money for Children in Need, which was a great success."
Also doing their bit were pupils at St Edmund's School in Salisbury. They raised more than £800 by dressing up in something spotty.
And youngsters at Salisbury Cathedral School raised about £160 by filling a Pudsey bear poster with £1 coins , while the catering department made Pudsey bear biscuits.
Leehurst Swan and St Osmund's schools collected about £200 through a non-uniform day and bake sale.
And staff at Farley Nursery School helped raise £487 by cycling the distance to London and back on an exercise bike.
A Children In Need Ladies Luxury Gift Fayre and Pamper Evening, which took place at Coombe Bissett Village Hall, raised £504.
Organiser Karen Dale said: "We'd like to thank everyone who attended and for their generosity. The evening was a great success."
Businesses also joined in the fun. Barclays Bank in Salisbury sold a range of cakes for the cause while staff at the Lazy Cow dressed up in pyjamas


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Spark: How Creativity Works, with Julie Burstein, Keynote Address, Clarice Smith National Teacher Institute
Monday, July 18, 2011, 11am
Through stories from some of America's greatest artists, writers, directors, and musicians, Burstein will trace the roots of creativity, pulling back the curtain to reveal the sources of these artists' inspirations, and the processes by which they create their art. These stories illuminate and inspire, helping educators and others find a spark of their own.
Burstein is a Peabody Award-winning radio producer and author with a passion for creativity in everyday life. In 2000, she created Studio 360, public radio's premiere program about pop culture and the arts, hosted by Kurt Andersen. Drawing on Studio 360's hundreds of interviews with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Richard Serra, Mira Nair, Chuck Close, and Joyce Carol Oates, Burstein recently published Spark: How Creativity Works (2011). Please visit the Clarice Smith National Teacher Institutes for more information.
The Clarice Smith American Art Education Initiative is supported by a generous gift from the Robert H. Smith Family Foundation.


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Affordable Touring
River Cruising
Vacation Packages
From the ancient ruins in Athens to the cultural relics in Ephesus, a Globus Greece tour and cruise package offers experiences sure to delight. Greece is a country synonymous with crystal-blue water, spectacular beauty, archeological sites, famous myths, and ancient civilizations. In fact, traveling to Greece is like stepping back into the origins of Western civilization. Cruise through the Greek Islands, experience quaint fishing villages, visit the Acropolis, and walk among the remains where the athletes of antiquity competed in the Olympic Games. Visit Ephesus, where the Virgin Mary spent her last days. From picturesque fishing villages to ancient historic ruins, our Greece vacations are full of endless excitement. Explore the guided Greece tours below!
Sunny beaches, beautiful islands, some of Europe's oldest civilizations, fascinating archaeological treasures, and much more await you on this marvelous Greece cruise and tour. Your tour starts and ends in Athens and includes guided sightseeing with an expert Local Guide. Among ...Read More.
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You've seen photos of the ancient Acropolis in Athens, dating back to the 5th century BC—now's your chance to see it in person. You've watched the Olympics on TV—now's your chance to walk among the remains in Olympia, where the Olympics began in 776 BC. You've eaten at Greek ...Read More.
Starting at: $1,749
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Stunning scenery, sun-soaked beaches, the crystal-clear Aegean Sea, and tasty Greek cuisine…on this Greek Islands tour, you'll experience all of this and more! Your tour starts in Athens with guided sightseeing and a visit to the Acropolis, dating back to the 5th century BC and ...Read More.
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Sunny beaches, beautiful islands, ruins from some of Europe's oldest civilizations, plenty of fun, and much more await you on this marvelous Greece cruise and tour. Your tour starts and ends in Athens and includes guided sightseeing with an expert Local Guide. Among the sights ...Read More.
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Fascinating archaeological treasures, sunny beaches, crystal-blue water, and much more await you on this marvelous Greece cruise tour. Your adventure begins and ends in Athens, and includes guided sightseeing featuring the Acropolis, located on a rocky promontory and dating to ...Read More.
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For the traveler who wishes to see it all, this is the perfect vacation to explore Eastern Europe from Vienna to Athens. Visit the must-see sights and hear about the long and fascinating history as you journey through Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Republic ...Read More.
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Showing 1 - 2 of 2 for "wellness"
Calvin considered Michigan's Best and Brightest in Wellness
Calvin is one of only two colleges to make the list of Michigan's Best and Brightest in Wellness.
September 19, 2013 | Matt Kucinski
The Camino: a Healthy Habit
Calvin faculty and staff are invited to walk the Camino de Compostela this spring via an Adventure Trip from Healthy Habits.
November 17, 2011 | Myrna Anderson


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Lacoste Spring 2013
Sports tech has a reputation for throwing out questionable trends every once in a while, and the eighties (the decade that gave us the acrylic leg warmer, the neon sports visor, and rainbow-mirrored wraparound sunglasses, to name but a few) was no exception.
You have to hand it then to Lacoste creative director Felipe Oliveira Baptista. Not only has he combined two of the eighties' most awkward sportswear items (namely the shell suit and the fanny pack) into the centerpiece of his Spring 2013 collection; but he's done it with an incredible amount of flair and inventiveness.
After raiding Lacoste's eighties archives for inspiration—possibly due to the fact that, in a nice bit of numerical synergy, Lacoste is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2013—Baptista has affixed subtle fanny packs onto most of the tracksuits, shorts, and high-waisted pants that pepper the collection. Beyond conjuring images of Olivia Newton-John's "Let's Get Physical" music video, however, they blend nicely into the looks, giving the already vibrant urban shapes—new territory for the label, which is clearly looking to break away from its previous preppy reputation—an added sense of bagginess.
This eighties conceit has also brought with it bright shocks of eighties-rific color blocking—most successfully in a blistering red jersey pencil skirt and blouse for the women and an oversize electric blue polo shirt for the men. The end result, far from reflecting the gaudiness that inspired it, is superclean, minimal urban sportswear that, at its most adventurous, verges on the futuristic—the show closed with high-concept, translucent plastic raincoats that evoked the stylish eighties sci-fi classic Blade Runner. All that aside, even as Baptista (hitting his stride now in his fourth season at Lacoste) evolves the brand, it doesn't mean he is completely abandoning its heritage. The opening blazer, it turns out, is a reimagined version of René Lacoste's own pre-match jacket, and if you look closer at the multicolored tribal prints, you'll see they're made up of miniature tennis balls, rackets, and, in a waggish twist that underscores Baptista's clear sense of humor, pictures of folded Lacoste shirts.


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Remy Martin - Cognac Louis XIII
A truly special blend aged 50 years and bottled in a handblown Baccarat decanter. With this extraordinary cognac, thirteen is a lucky number. However, this drink will set you back nearly $400...according to my father who happens to love cognac, "it's worth every dollar." Judge for yourself.


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Ricoh has posted a firmware update for the Ricoh GXR system. Affecting all camera-lens modules, Version 1.51 improves the quality of images taken using a combination of negative exposure compensation and Multi-P AUTO white balance. For the Ricoh GXR M module, it additionally fixes bugs related to the colour of the display and the recording of manually entered focal length and f-number values in the DNG file headers. The A16 module (pictured) now correctly records the colours at the top of colour images recorded using color bracketing. You can download the firmware update from the website below.
Website: Ricoh
Discover a wide range of digital cameras at low prices. Buy cheap cameras from Sony and Canon. Share your photos thanks to digital photo frames.
Varnam offers digital photo frame with built-in memory & battery.
© Copyright 2003-2008 Photo
360 Limited
Best Viewed at 1024x768 Screen Resolution


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Intel Demonstrates Direct3D 12 Performance and Power Improvementsby Stephen Barrett & Ryan Smith on 8/15/2014 6:00 AM EST
42 Comments
Back to Article
dstockwell23 - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkIs q4 15 correct for dx12? Is it not expexted to launch with win 9? 1st half 2015??? Reply
Ryan Smith - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkMicrosoft is targeting it so that the first games are released in Q4'15. It may technically come out sooner than that, but there's really no reason to pull it out of the oven before there are games. Reply
UpSpin - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkI expect that AMD is the biggest beneficiaries to D12 and not Intel. AMD always had more but slower CPUs (poor single threading, good multi-threading), with a much more powerful GPU, compared to Intel.
So while Intel CPU/GPU will gain some FPS, AMD should gain much much more. Reply
nathanddrews - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkThanks to Mantle, we already know what sort of improvements reduced CPU load does for AMD. Reply
Krysto - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkDefinitely. AMD chips will see a far bigger boost. Reply
Klimax - Saturday, August 16, 2014 - linkSo far it didn't really show. Reply
Stuka87 - Sunday, August 17, 2014 - linkSure it does. AMD CPU's that fall way behind an Intel when matched with good GPU's show a huge boost. In some cases a game can go from being very CPU bound on an AMD chip, to being GPU bound because the CPU is no longer the bottleneck. Reply
lilmoe - Saturday, August 16, 2014 - linkagreed Reply
tomsworkshop - Monday, August 18, 2014 - linkyes, with gpgpu and opencl become mature, we will no longer need the compute power from the beast like the i7, direct all computing to the gpu and the gpu will compute far better than the cpu, only leave the basic task to the cpu, a tiny little arm core or puma core with good gpu will done the job well. Reply
haukionkannel - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkOf course the benefits are greatest with APUs. If you have fast CPU and fast discrete GPU the difference is much, much smaller. But still a good thing! Even 3-5% is better than nothing!
Seems to be quite near the Mantle. The differences are that Mantle works in win7 and up and maybe in Linux, where DX12 is for win 8 and win 9 only. Reply
Thermogenic - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkGood luck getting an AMD APU in something like the Surface Pro 3's form factor. Reply
gdansk - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkMullins is 4.5W TDP compared to Haswell's 15W TDP. There exist solutions, especially if Microsoft wanted to make a lower cost Surface again (this time without ARM). The AMD PRO A10-7350B can be set, by manufacturer, to 15W TDP (default is 19W). Reply
Krysto - Friday, August 15, 2014 - link> If this carries over to when DirectX 12 games and applications launch in Q4 2015, it could help usher in a new era of mobile gaming and high end graphics.
Is that a joke? The only place where DirectX12 would be is in $1,000 "mobile" devices like Surface Pro. But I hardly consider that to be part of the mobile market. Also, we're already being "ushered into a new era of mobile gaming", by stuff like Tegra K1 (and its Maxwell successor, which will give mobile gaming yet another huge boost in GPU performance), and Apple's Metal API in iOS devices. And then we'll get the similar OpenGL NG API for mobile, too.
But really my point is, as far as the "mobile market" is concerned, DirectX12 has nothing to do with it. As Intel keeps stagnating in performance with its new CPU generations, and keeps pushing lower-end chips as its "main chips" that consumers should buy (such as Broadwell M), DirectX12 merely allows consumers to buy notebooks that don't have terrible gaming performance, because of Intel's aggressive push for reducing power consumption, at the cost of performance. Reply
Metroid - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkBlame AMD to follow Intel footsteps and now seems Nvidia is walking the same road with Maxwell. All for performance per watt, ppw is here to stay whether we like or not. Reply
B3an - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkAre you fucking stupid??
First of all, the Surface Pro is part of the mobile market. Not debatable. STFU.
Secondly, DX12 will be supported across all mobile areas including tablets and phones. ARM's Mali, Intels Atom, Nvidia's Tegra K1, Samsungs Exynos 5 all support DX11. Their future SoC's will obviously support DX12 too. Windows Phone and $300 (and under) Windows tablets support DX11. DX12 will VERY much be part of the mobile market.
DirectX isn't something that only works on x86 PC's. Reply
Alexey291 - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkYou feeling ok there? Seen your shrink recently?
Sure Surface pro is a part of a mobile market. In the same way that a 3kg 3kUSD gaming laptop is. A niche device that has a really small market. (Especially now that MS has decided to sell MS office on ipads why would you buy a surface again eh?) So yeah its part of the market. The 0.01% of it. Reply
menting - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkmaybe not Surface RT, but the iPad can't hold a candle to the Surface Pro..If you think the performance and usability of the iPad is greater than the Surface Pro, you must be smoking something really heavy. Reply
andrewaggb - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkCouple guys I work with have surface pros. One just ordered the sp3 i7. Another guy I worked with had the rt and my friend has the rt and a couple pros. I know that's nothing compared to iPads but its the only tablet I see at work. Reply
Speedfriend - Friday, August 15, 2014 - link@Alexey291
Why would you buy a Surface, well because as people around the world are discovering, an iPad is an expensive toy. Once Windows tablets reach the same size battery life, why would any corporate roll-out iPad except in situation where essentiually they are replacing a pen and paper, not a laptop. And in case you don't believe, check out Apples results - iPad revenue down in each of the last three quarters. Most people in the world can't afford a tablet and laptop, so if you want a tablet to entertain your kids - get a $200 Android one or if you want one as aproductivty device - get a windows one Reply
Alexey291 - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkyou mean get a windows ultrabook? Because if you had said that I'd be with you all the way.
Pro is a gimped ultrabook or a stupidly expensive tablet. "Productivity" with a terrible touchpad and awful keyboard... yeah no thanks. Reply
iLovefloss - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkOr a very nicely made Convertible. Which are getting popular. Reply
iLovefloss - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkWait, what? The Surface Pro line is most definitely part of the mobile market. It is a fucking tablet. It is mobile unlike transportable gaming machines. It's just on the high end. Implying that the Surface Pro isn't a mobile device is like implying that ultrabooks aren't laptops because they have a touch screen and are expensive or implying that the rMBP is too expensive to count as a laptop.
Anyway, what's your point? DirectX 12 direct benefit is that it'll allow more power hungry CPUs in smaller form factors. A device that is known to suffer form thermal throttling can now run smoothly thanks to the efficiency of the new API. Why does it matter that the device that they tested it on has a relatively small market share? The test proves Intel's point sufficiently: DirectX 12 helps with battery life, thermals, and performance. Reply
Alexey291 - Monday, August 18, 2014 - linkWell that's a test show. I've seen one of those regarding every DX going back to 9 and beyond (was too young to care before 9 really) and every single one promised lowered overheads, higher efficiency etc etc. In reality we have the mess that we have. But yeah maybe this time they ACTUALLY did something good. Though I have doubts once more.
And besides I'm all for greater efficiency. I just find the angry guy sweet. He seems so into this :) Reply
B3an - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkYou think an iPad with crippled Office is going to compare to a full PC Surface Pro? You think people the Surface Pro is aimed at would even consider an iPad? You're the one who needs a shrink you delusional moron. Reply
Alexey291 - Monday, August 18, 2014 - linkWell considering that most people who this device is aimed at (looking at MS marketing) already own either an ipad or an mba or both... Yeah I do seriously think they'd consider an ipad first or the newer mba when one comes out.
Plus surfaces run windows. That's enough of a deterrent for A LOT of people. You might be surprised just how many people would rather never have to run antiviruses on their tablets.
But do continue being angry. Its really cute. Reply
lilmoe - Saturday, August 16, 2014 - linkYou're not seriously comparing an iPad to Surface (any Surface!) are you? Reply
Alexey291 - Monday, August 18, 2014 - linkI'd seriously rather have ANYTHING than a surface rt. Nexus 2012 even rather than surface rt. What a waste of silicon that was....
And well yeah the pro's? I'd rather have a good tablet at half the price (not necessarily an ipad even) or a decent ultrabook at a similar price. Because either of those would be better :) Reply
Alexey291 - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkSounds like the usual:
1 year ahead "look at the performance benefits!"
1 year after "look at how much slower the 1st generation of dx12 hardware runs with dx12 functions enabled!" Reply
Metroid - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkThis is big, no matter how you see, can't deny this is what most of us were expecting, dx12 will probably have the same effect for GPU's as Conroe had for CPU's, but we cant expect the same cause CPU's date back to old apps whereas games are dx related versions, so unless the game runs as dx12, we will not see any gain about that. Reply
Alexey291 - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkthis would be big if adoption would just SUDDENLY happen and would be "perfect".
In reality though the majority of features will not be seen for years to come. I mean even now the list of DX11 games is actually quite small. And some (terrible) AAA titles still come out as DX9 only (I'm looking at you X:Rebirth).
Most likely the consumers will never actually see any performance benefits per se. Instead the games will become more complex (graphically etc) and would look better. Leaving us with essentially more detail for the same performance. Which is arguably ISN'T what low power mobile devices would want.
But obviously we shall see :) Reply
iLovefloss - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkDid you even read the article before making such a comment? The main point of DirectX12 isn't about increasing GPU performance (it still does that of course); DirectX 12 was created to eliminate inefficiencies in the code and reduce CPU usage. Reducing CPU usage (and smarter use of multicore processors) has allowed up to a 50% decrease in power consumption. How, in the loving fuck, is that not something that low-power mobile devices would want?
Low-end devices will get more powerful over time as CPUs and GPU get better and better, so it really doesn't matter if DirectX 12 doesn't immediately increase performance relative to the graphics. A performance increase will be there. Compare what you could get for $200 in a phone or phablet form factor to what you could've gotten three years ago. Stuff is getting much more powerful especially the GPUs.
But even if that wasn't the case, if you don't lock the framerate, you can benefit from the increased performance. Drastically increased performance for not a bit more power consumption will be a huge boon for the mobile gaming market. Reply
garadante - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkBefore bashing on him with such colorful language, pay attention to what he's saying. What he said is effectively that devs will increase the number of draw calls in their games with the reduced overhead, bringing up CPU power consumption to the same level as before DX12 but increasing the graphical quality of the game. This would work to reduce power consumption only if game developers don't use the newly unutilized CPU resources to introduce heavier features into game. Reply
MikeMurphy - Sunday, August 17, 2014 - linkI guess you've never heard of the Xbox One. Reply
azazel1024 - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkI dunno, I'd consider my Asus T100 as part of the mobile market and I certianly wouldn't mind a good boost either in power on time or in frame rates in games from reduced CPU and/or GPU load for the same frame rate.
Understandably, and sadly, I am sure the Bay Trail-T in there won't ever support Dx12, but I probably won't have the T100 when Dx12 hits the market anyway. I'd much prefer lower cost and lower power Atom based processor in my 10.1" tablet through the future anyway, no matter what Broadwell M and future low power Core based processors can deliver. Atom is likely to always be lower, but the performance delta between the two looks likely to shrink further and I won't mind that at all. Reply
Speedfriend - Friday, August 15, 2014 - link@azazel1024
Just bought a Asus T100, what a fantastic little machine, sure the screen isn't great, but its fast, has full office and a keyboard for half the price of an iPad, plus for $25 I added 64Gb of extra storage. Can't wait to see what the next version is like. Reply
haukionkannel - Friday, August 15, 2014 - linkYep. T100 is a good device! And sequel will be really interesting to see! Reply
SunnyNW - Saturday, August 16, 2014 - linkSeems like the perfect time for Microsoft to introduce a low-level api...They had no real motivation before... The PC market has matured and consumers are hanging on to older hardware, what do you do to...You want to include these people and make them a part of your consumer base...Games are only getting more demanding... Reply
fteoath64 - Saturday, August 16, 2014 - linkAMD"s Mantle is a "wake up call to MS". Sure DX11 and DX12 are propreitary and subjected to MicroSoft's whims as to when and where they will deploy it. Why not go Open GL 4.4 instead ?. That is an open standard and scalable over multiple architectures and platforms too.
The fact the Windows 9 will have DX12 is just an attractor to their product. "Games are going to scream!", they will claim.
Oh, games already scream on consoles and high-end tablets, thank you!. The lowly PC really needs a mid-range video card costing half a tablet to be in on the games. I am sure consumers are changing the way they play and look at gaming in general. Reply
lilmoe - Saturday, August 16, 2014 - link"so to achieve such a reduction in consumption with software alone is a very significant result and a feather in Microsoft's cap for Direct3D 12"
Just tells you how much more room there is for software to improve. Reply
c plus plus - Saturday, August 16, 2014 - linkthats my microsoft d3d12 Reply
Wolfpup - Monday, August 18, 2014 - linkWow, that's awesome! I wonder if that applies to EVERY DirectX game, like even older stuff? Only directX 11 games?
At any rate, that's seriously impressive. I'm sure that's why this was picked, but still going from 19FPS to 33 is going from unplayable or marginal at best to probably playable.
Man, I love the Surface too...I can't decide if I buy now or wait for Broadwell (only then do I wait for the next chip? LOL) Reply
Gonemad - Tuesday, September 16, 2014 - linkAnd I thought Microsoft would embrace open standards, like OpenGL. Pffft. Now, they want to prove DX12 is better, and are willing to put some work on it.
Perfect Xanatos Gambit: they prove DX12 is better, and avoid embracing OpenGL altogether while keeping monopoly of the PC gaming market and other venues that rely on DirectX, of fail miserably, and start twisting OpenGL standards on its head so MS-created code works better (which will take much more time and effort), forcing everybody to embrace their code, and perhaps avoid losing monopoly once again. Win, may-win scenario for MSFT.
Oh, yes, Microsoft loves to twist open protocols. They did it on HTML 4.0 with Internet Explorer using JavaScript, what makes you think they won't pull this card from their sleeves again. Reply


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Victorians may face even worse fire conditions next summer, with a new study estimating there is a 76 per cent chance of an El Nino weather pattern in the Pacific.
An El Nino typically sees rainfall shift east away from Australia and is linked to dryness and active fire seasons in the country's south-east.
Melbourne University fire ecologist Kevin Tolhurst said a likely El Nino, as suggested by a German study published in US journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, would increase the bushfire risk.
''We're heading back into a dry period again,'' Professor Tolhurst said. ''In El Nino years, you have much larger and more destructive fires because there's much more of the landscape available to burn.''
He said fire authorities should devote more resources to suppressing fires, not just in El Nino years. That effort relies less on "our big helicopters and the massive numbers of fire trucks – which are all really important in the emergency situation", he said. Rather, "this is the hard slog, days after the main fire run has finished, before the next series of bad weather."
El Nino signs
The Bureau of Meteorology said neutral conditions for the El Nino-Southern Oscillation were likely to persist until the end of autumn at least, but warming of the Pacific was likely in coming months. It said some models indicated temperatures in the central Pacific could approach El Nino levels by early winter.
Ross Bradstock, a bushfire expert at the University of Wollongong, said the severity of Victoria's fire season would be determined by interplay between an El Nino and conditions in the Indian Ocean.
A cooler-than-usual eastern Indian Ocean, known as a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, is also associated with a drop in rainfall in central and southern Australia.
''If you have a positive Indian Ocean Dipole event, possibly in interaction with an El Nino event, it may favour the incidence historically of major fires in Victoria,'' Professor Bradstock said.
NSW, which had less than a third of its normal rain in January, would also likely have more bushfires in an El Nino year. "El Nino effects do increase the severity of fire weather, that's been shown historically for NSW, Professor Bradstock said.
One sign Victoria's drying out is that Melbourne's water storages fell 0.8 per cent last week, the biggest weekly drop in 11 years, Melbourne Water said.
2013, Austrralia's hottest year on record, was also a dry one for much of the country. Rainfall in the key Murray-Darling Basin was 24 per cent below average, while Victoria had its 14th below-average year of rainfall in the past 17 years, the bureau said last month.
Summer crops down
Meanwhile, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Reource Economics and Sciences said, heatwaves and spreading drought were likely to cut the output of summer crops for 2013-14 by 25 per cent, pushing it to its lowest in four years.
Peter Collins, manager of the bureau's agricultural commodities unit, said it was too early to say if El Nino conditions would take hold, but many farmers were already struggling with low soil moisture.
''A continuation of this dry weather would not be good news for next season's winter crop,'' Mr Collins said.
While the winter crop was a bumper one, land planted for summer crops fell 15 per cent on a year earlier. Output is expected to drop by 25 per cent, the bureau said.