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|January 11, 2009, 11:28 PM
Junior Member
Join Date: January 11, 2009
Posts: 3
CVA Barrels
Hi Everyone,
I'm looking at buying a muzzle loader for the first time. One rifle I'm considering is a CVA. I have a concern though...I've been reading they have had safety issues with the barrels. Does anyone know about this issue?
Your help will be appreciated.
|January 12, 2009, 12:15 AM
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Location: Central Connecticut
Posts: 2,973
As far as I know, CVA only had one recall of an inline model and that was a long time ago.
The information was previously listed on their website but when I checked I couldn't find it.
The following is contained in post #7 of the thread linked below:
|January 12, 2009, 01:40 AM
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Join Date: January 11, 2009
Posts: 3
Thank you for the reply Arcticap.
I've noticed posts in other forums talking about the same problem that is in your post. A friend of mine sent me a link that brought me to this article. http://www.randywakeman.com/WillMyCV...aderBlowUp.htm
I have considered the source may have a bias but figured bring the question up would be helpful in my decision. I just wanted to learn if CVA has this reputation with their barrels.
I'm interested in the Knight Bighorn (50 cal.)and the CVA Elkhorn (50 cal.). The Elkhorn is a bolt action and the Bighorn seems to be a proven rifle over time. I'm from Oregon so an open ignition is required to hunt.
Any thoughts?
|January 12, 2009, 02:30 AM
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Join Date: June 24, 2007
Location: West Central Florida
Posts: 207
Without making any bones about it, I do NOT like CVA & Traditions products because from an overall standpoint they are JUNK - by that comment I mean they have quality and design issues with most every part of them - some safety issues but mostly functionality & reliability issues. However, in all fairness, the statements and claims made by Randy Wakeman and the others who parrot these statements and claims are doing so purely to drive their chosen agenda and not to present "facts" in the interest of consumers.
I've made my statements loud and clear, in case you missed them, I have seen a number of safety & functionality issues with guns from the above two named companies - as they relate to SIDELOCKS only, the problems are with poor quality control and lack of craftsmanship. Lock & trigger failures and/or malfunctions resulting in inadvertent discharges (firing when they are not supposed to); lack of sufficient & reliable ignition and so forth. In all fairness, I have detailed the same lack of quality and craftsmanship issues with many Pedersoli muzzleloaders as well. To continue the fairness issue, I've also seen numerous part failures on Thompson Center sidelocks such as broken sears, galled tumblers and broken sear springs.
First and foremost, NO MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL DEVICE IS FOOLPROOF!!!! This is why we continuously stress the absolute need for anyone handling a gun at any time for any reason know and follow all the common firearms handling and operation safety measures AT ALL TIMES! I don't care if you buy a $150 CVA or Traditions, a $650 T/C, a $50,000 custom gun or a $530,000,000 bucket-wheel mining machine, any part at any time can fail without warning and improper operation will at some point injure/kill you or someone! I manufacture muzzleloaders, industrial machinery and associated items. I go to great lengths to test and/or specify every part/material used in the manufacturing process meets or exceeds the nominal operational and safety specifications ... but ... that does not mean something can't fail - thus is the reason why electrical circuits are protected by circuit breakers or fuses, it's an insurance policy to help prevent the possibility of catastrophic failure but it by no means can assure absolute protection. All that being said, when any item, including guns, are "built to a price" meaning they are manufactured in the cheapest possible manner so as to sell for the lowest possible price, the only way to achieve this goal is to reduced the manufacturing costs and that is done by reducing the costs of both labor and materials. When you reduce the cost of labor and materials, the result is reducing the level of quality.
Back to the basis of the issue at hand - First off, the "700Kp/cm2" is NOT a "proof mark" of any kind. A quick internet search will bring you numerous documents containing the past and present "proof marks" being used by the proofhouse in Eibar Spain and the above is nowhere to be found because it isn't a "proof mark". Without being able to contact the Eibar proofhouse personally, I have to settle for the word of a gentleman I have no reason to doubt that the "700kp/cm2" stamp is nothing more than an indication the steel meets the minimum acceptable standards - what we here in the USA would know as an ANSI, AWS, SAE, ect. specification - it does not mean the finished product was tested by either organization, it simply means the particular raw material in question was manufactured to meet the minimum acceptable standard corresponding to its identification mark. Example of this is ER70S6 welding wire. Because the number appears on the product does not mean it was tested by AWS or anyone else, it means that wire was manufactured in such a manner as to meet or exceed the minimum requirements for specification of that identifying number. Thus, the "70" portion of that identification number means that a weld bead laid down with that wire must achieve a minimum strength of 70,000psi - that does not mean the weld made will be a 70ksi joint, it means the composition of the wire must produce a minimum of 70ksi and in most cases the actual wire will test well above the 70ksi MINIMUM requirement. The same goes for the 700kp/cm2 marking, it means that steel meets or exceeds the minimum requirement for it to be labeled as such. If one takes the time to look, you can find other Spanish made centerfire guns wearing the same 700kp/cm2 marking in addition to the "actual" proof marks.
Going one step further, just because a particular gun/barrel has a "proof mark" it simply means that it didn't blow-up when it proofed and that doesn't mean it can't blow-up with the next round fired or the 1,000th round fired or the 10,000th round fired. A proof mark does not mean it won't or can't fail especially if it's operated/loaded improperly, it simply means that at the time it was tested it didn't fail. Proof marks are in reality worth about as much as an ISO rating - just because a company has an ISO 2xxx rating does not mean the product(s) they manufacture/sell are any good, it simply means that company has maintained their records properly. If you want to get down to brass tacks, firing an overpressure proof load can actually cause damage resulting in catastrophic failure at a later point in time with a standard pressure load.
A long time ago, I think in the 70's, maybe early 80's? Someone, think it was one of the gun rags did a series of destructive tests on the cheap mass-production ML's, I know CVA was one of them. At some point the stock broke but the barrel held and was strapped to a plank or some such fixturing jig and they continued upping the loads to further levels of insanity. This besides the point, I have seen several good-quality USA made ML barrels that have in fact suffered catastrophic failures but every single one was caused by either a improper operation or because the structural integrity of the barrel was compromised by a modification made after the barrel was shipped from the manufacturer thus making the failure caused by stupidity rather than a manufacturing or material safety issue. By far, the majority of catastrophic failures were the direct result of incorrect/unsafe loading.
If we really want to question proof marks and countries of origin, how about being truthful about where most barrels and other parts come from that are used on the alleged "made in USA" mass-production guns for use with both black powder and smokeless powder. Can you say?... Pakistan, India, China and Turkey to name just a few.
Another thing, how many of our domestic gun parts like barrels & actions are being made on machinery and with tooling that comes from foreign lands like China, Korea, Japan & Taiwan? What about the guns that are made in the Czech Republic, Romania, Germany, Georgia and so forth? Can we condemn Benelli and other high-quality Italian gun makers simply because Pedersoli produces a good amount of junk? Can we condemn all the American electrical equipment manufacturers simply because Federal-Pacific produces junk? Obviously the answer is "no" to all of these questions yet if we choose to accept the agenda-driven hype of a few people who have a vested financial interest in pushing that agenda, then we are simply being ignorant to the facts and making no progress than that which can be had from repeatedly hitting ourselves in the head with a hammer.
Summing all this up - First and foremost is SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY! Know everything about the gun! Pay attention to what you're doing! Don't allow yourself to be distracted when loading! When in doubt, throw it out! - Pull the load rather than taking a chance on firing it! If you don't know what you're doing, don't do anything, get professional help! If there is any question as to the maximum allowable load/bullet you can use in that particular gun is, contact the manufacturer BEFORE trying anything and then verify the information is correct! Common sense goes a long way!
If you buy guns built to a low price, barring the few very rare exceptions, normally you get cheap junk. If you buy a mass-production gun being sold at any price, do some homework and find out where all the raw materials come from and where all the parts are made before handing over your money. If you're buying a custom/semi-custom/handmade gun at any price, do your homework and find out where all the materials and parts come from. No matter what you choose to buy, get the facts, not agenda-driven hype! If we want to argue the fact that cheap production ML's can be unsafe because of "quality control" issues, I'll go along on that ride because I've seen way too many with lock and trigger issues that made them very much unsafe.
"Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything."
Harry S. Truman
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|January 12, 2009, 05:08 AM
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Posts: 14,160
I had a CVA barrel reworked to fit my Investarms Hawken. I'm tickled to death with it.
|January 12, 2009, 06:30 AM
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after a member referred to CVA meaning as meaning "causes violent accidents" i sent an email to CVA on the matter. they replied i still have the reply in my mail. they told me it was in 1995,1996 models inlines only. the specific inline model/s was not mentioned. the reply did also say that the rifle has a/the 95 or 96 AFTER the serial number. it only was the inlines, not sidelock, percussion or flintlock. my sidelock CVA was made in 87.
i PM'ed you the reply they sent me.
if i recall right,i'm not condoning or leaning in any way,but the trouble was blamed on HUMAN error. the rifle shooter/loader overcharged the rifle,too much powder.
BEAR Bows,Remington shotguns,Marlin rifles
Last edited by rem870hunter; January 12, 2009 at 06:36 AM.
|January 12, 2009, 12:03 PM
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I recal reading a fairly extensive article in Chuck Hawks about a year ago, that had a good evaluation on barrels and not exclusive to CVA. I remember that it included barrels in Remington M/L's are well as other well known companies. You concerns are well founded. More and more, I see companies listing Green Mountian as their source for barrels. I only trust them with Heavy shot strings W/ 777. Keep looking and if i run into this article again, I will forward it to you. ....
Be Safe !!!
|January 12, 2009, 01:15 PM
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Join Date: January 11, 2009
Posts: 3
Thank you everyone for all the great information.
You guys are a great help!
|January 25, 2009, 11:33 PM
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Join Date: January 25, 2009
Location: Yoder, Colorado
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I have several BP Riffles, and in CVA I have and hunt with a .50 Stainless (Elk) a .45 Stainless (Deer & Antelope) and the 12ga. (Turkey).
I have been hunting with these for several years and have had Zero trouble with any of them. I am very please with their performance.
I too have read all the "issues" they once had and have spoken to many who own CVA, but I have enough confidence in these guns that I let my son (11 yrs) shoot them.
|January 26, 2009, 10:44 AM
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Chris, what powder, primer and bullets do use in your .50? Thanks.
|January 26, 2009, 08:20 PM
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Location: Yoder, Colorado
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I use 120gr 777 (weighed) with a 245gr tipped copper Powerbelt in my 50.
I use 105gr 777 (weighed) with a 195gr tipped copper Powerbelt in my 45.
My last buck I took with the 45 at just over 100yrds and it blew a baseball size hole out the back side. The Powerbelts are BAD!
I spent a lot of time playing with different loads and bullets.
The 50 setup (120/245) works so well that a friend of mine bought a CVA Optima Elite (same barrel as my Optima Pro) and grabbed a few of my speed loaders and the first 5 shots had 4"-5" groups at 50 yards. (open sights)
But like I said, I go against conventional wisdom and I weigh all my loads.
I like the consistency I get with weighed charges vs volume.
|January 26, 2009, 08:32 PM
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120 gr by weight of 777 is way, way to much power for a deer.
|January 26, 2009, 08:48 PM
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Join Date: January 25, 2009
Location: Yoder, Colorado
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These re high-plains deer in Eastern Colorado.
100yards is a "close" shot. 150yards is more typical.
The Powerbelts expand on impact and shreds most whatever they hit.
Also, I have tried lighter loads, but with much less accuracy.
|January 27, 2009, 09:58 AM
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To FL Flinter - I think I remember that article
It was a number of years ago and the test included superimposed loads if I am not mistaken.
I do agree with you on CVA stuff but I must add two caveates.
1. I can only rely upon experience with CVA single shot pistols and rifles.
2. My experience is not recent.
My quarrel was with the rifles, the design of which I felt made too many compromises to the marketplace. I could just imagine some marketer asking, "Okay now how can we get this to the market quick and cheap?"
I stay away from them now but I hasten to add that I have not compared present day offerings to the competition. I am just a creature of habit.
My feelings do not extend to the pistols which I found to be reliable and highly accurate and a fairly faithful representation of period pistols. (Keep in mind, I am not a purist or a reinactor)
|January 27, 2009, 06:30 PM
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Join Date: January 7, 2009
Posts: 107
Thanks Chris.
Deer in Colorado can grow big and 120gr. is not overkill in my opinion. Those that blackpowder hunt whitetails in Saskatchewan for example, 150grs is the norm. Unless one is lucky enough to hunt Jackson, Mi. and surrounding areas, yes 100gr is sufficient, as elsewhere in the state, the deer are not allowed to get old enough to get that big.
|January 29, 2009, 09:35 AM
Join Date: January 22, 2009
Location: SC
Posts: 60
I have a CVA .50 Cal Frontier Carbine kit. I never shoot over 75 grs, and I have only shot patched RB out of it with 1 exception, I fire six maxiballs some one gave me once and they did well. With the 75 gr pyrodex load, and the PRB I can group 3 shots at 50 yds inside of 2". I am a gun safety nut, and if I ever have any doubt about whether I loaded incorrectly I pull the load. My bbl was made in 1988 and I have had the bbl checked for uniformity in the bore by a competent gunsmith. That check just told me the bore was straight, and the rifling consistant. I would never assume it would tell me the quality of strength. Load to manufacturer specs and always resist the temptation to hot load your rifle or pistol for that matter.
My .02 fwiw.
|January 29, 2009, 07:19 PM
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Posts: 28
100 grains by volume of 777 weighs 70 grains, therefore 120 grains of 777 weighed is equal to 171 grains in volume. 777, volumetrically, is 15% hotter than black powder resulting in pressures comparable to 197 grains of BP.
Last edited by whosyrdaddy; January 29, 2009 at 07:40 PM.
|January 29, 2009, 08:10 PM
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That's just simply a ridiculously high load, no matter how big your deer grow. You are seriously abusing that gun. The damage to the carcass should be the first clue, but whosyrdaddy's calculations have to convince you.
|January 30, 2009, 07:39 PM
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dang 120gr triple by weight? Thats a scary load!
Just curious but when you shoot deer or elk with those loads have you ever recovered a powerbelt or do they exit?
|January 31, 2009, 02:14 AM
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Are you guys aware that the CVA Optima Pro can handle 150gr of Palletized powder (about 120gr by weight)? I am not claiming to know everything. Nor am I recommending that you all head out and pack your ML's to the brim; however in all fairness I did answer the questions asked.
They are designed for these kinds of loads... Now before everyone gets their panties in a wad, yes I know that CVA recommends that you only go to 100gr (by volume) of loose powder and that is somewhere around 80-85gr of 777. These are their "recommended" loading amounts.
However, after talking with & CVA, I have been shooting with 120gr for many years. I have done rather well with these loads... I have seen many of these barrels produce some very satisfactory results at 100yards.
And yes, it is a bit much for Deer, but not so much for Elk. AND here in Colorado Deer & Elk (and Bear for that fact) all run the same week for Muzzleloaders to hunt. In most cases a hunter will have a tag for at least two if not all three of these critters.
And yes, retrieving a Powerbelt from an Elk is not uncommon, and yes is it typically the size of a silver dollar when found.
And if you don't mind, let me state one more thing... For me, I would rather put a baseball size hole "through" a deer - rather than wound an Elk and spend the next five days of my hunting trip trying to find the dang thing! I hear it all the time - hunters that either shoot high/low trying to compensate for a too light of a load for a too heavy of a bullet or thump an Elk and bitch because it didn't drop and then go walk off looking for another animal to harvest.
I am not target shooting, and we are not shooting tin cans. When we hit the woods, we have a job to do and a duty to the animal to harvest it as cleanly & quickly as possible. Pie plates at 100 or even 150 yards are very satisfactory for us.
Let me also state that Muzzleloading season (here in Colorado) is the 3rd week of the 4 week Bow Hunting season, so a hunter can also have a Bow! I know many hunters that take both, myself included - and if the animal is with in reach of a bow that will typically be my first choice (tag permitting).
Now I can hear the whispers "dang that boy is carrying a ton of crap to hunt with!"
In some ways, yes - but note this - I am fat and lazy and my horses (yes multiple) carry most my gear. And when hunting we (not just me) will have a bow scabbard on the right and my riffle scabbard on the left. While this is a little uncommon to see everyday - it has proven to work very well for us.
Having multiple weapons has also saved our butts! On a trip a couple years ago we were hunting Elk and while sitting and calling, we actually called in a cat (Mountain Lion for you city folks). She was not in any mood to discuss the weather that day - I tell you what. Mike fired a shot with his ML thinking that she would leave... Wrong - just ****** her off. So at nine (9) yards I put an arrow right through her chest. Job Done.
|January 31, 2009, 01:14 PM
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Bergara barrel Info
Mike Belms news letter,
Last night curiosity got the best of me and I uncovered the Rockwell hardness tester to check out the hardness of the Bergara Encore barrels.
"Cheap, Soft Spanish guns" has traditionally sometimes been true, unfortunately, which I can personally vouche for in regard to some I have had such as a Llama 1911 type .45 ACP that had the slide showing signs of stretching after very little use. Likewise, my .45 Firestar shows signs of stretching with only a few Federal +Ps run through it.
Likewise, Taurus handguns from Brazil once had a reputation for being cheaply made, but today it is another story entirely with Taurus putting out superb guns that rival the very best. Frankly, I have picked up several Taurus wheel guns that left me lusting for one myself!
Over the past year and a half doing machine work on Bergara barrels, I have rechambered, cut and crowned, relined, had numerous barrels cut rifle rebored to larger calibers, drilled and tapped, and cut my TBOSS into them.
Their steel machines VERY nicely. Harking back to the days when I did a lot of cut rifling reboring, off the cuff in terms of machineability, I would put the Bergara Encore barrel steel somewhere between early Winchester stainless steel and Ruger's blued, chrome-moly, steel for machining easily and very cleanly.
Cut rifle reboring will tell you more about the machining qualities of barrel steel probably better than any other test. The Bergara barrels I have had rebored recently have cut rifled beautifully!
Internal finishes and the costs to produce those finishes are in part a function of how readily the steel machines and is reflected in the finishes of both the bores and the chambers of the Bergara barrels and their excellent price points.
The point of this Newsletter is this. Has anything by way of barrel hardness (ie, tensile strength) been sacrificed to get these nice finishes at the price we pay for the product?
Drum rollllllll:
Blued steel Bergara Encore barrels Rockwell hardness tested at Rc 25.
Stainless steel Bergara Encore barrels Rockwell hardenss tested Rc 17.
(Their Encore muzzle loader barrels are made from the same steel as their rifle barrels.)
How does this compare with other high power rifle barrels?
Quick summary of checks I have made over the years:
Older vintages of military Mauser barrels and early 1903 Springfield .30/06 manganese steel barrels around Rc 10.
Later Springfield .30/06 barrels made from what P.O. Ackley said was "WD4140," WD meaning "War Department", was around Rc17, the average hardness of "normalized," ie, air cooled 4140 steel.
The majority of commercial barrels from Winchester, Remington, Ruger, etc. tested around Rc 24-26, while at the time I tested them, the Savage 110 barrels were right up there at around Rc 30-32.
Shilen barrels at the time were Rc 19 while Douglas was around Rc 25.
Current Shilen barrels run around Rc 29-30.
Most 416 stainless rifle barrels are around Rc 20, +/-.
As you can see, barrel steel hardnesses range all over the planet, over the entire hardness range from dead soft annealed up through about Rc 32, the upper end of the hardness range that still readily permits the types of machining operations involved in making barrels.
Bottom line:
The Bergara Encore barrels made in Bergara, Spain are right where they need to be for hardness, which determines in large part the tensile strength of the steel.
"Soft Spanish guns" does not apply here!
Another plus for Bergara barrels!
Mike Bellm
|January 31, 2009, 01:18 PM
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Chris, Do you have pics of the recovered bullets? I do a little experimenting with powerbelt bullets and like to take the info down along with any pics and make adjustments to powder charges.
This was my doe i got in 2007 near Burns Colorado *unit 35* 80gr triple 7 3f, 80 yards and a 225 grain .45cal Aerotip Powerbelt.
|February 1, 2009, 12:08 AM
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No pics, typically the processor is the one who finds them.
Nice harvest; what was the shooting distance?
Also, I see you are using 3f instead of 2f, what the difference in loads (not the actual difference of the powder), how does that shoot, why did you pick 3f over 2f?
I choose to weight my loads vs. vol just for the consistency value.
|February 1, 2009, 12:38 AM
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80 yards. I picked 3f on accident and so i went with it. I usually shot pyrodex rs in that rifle i had but the store was out. I hate t7 and refuse to use it.
You'd be surprised at how accurate it is to load by volume. I have my own way of doing it. I'll send you the info on how to do it. Check your PM when you can.
|February 1, 2009, 12:49 AM
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Some more pics of that deer on the inside,
Part of the blood trail * she only went 5 yards if that*
225 grains New/Recovered bullet weight,
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Jo Dee Messina: Boston Bombings Hit Close to Home for Massachusetts Native
While much of the nation has been gripped by news of Monday's (April 15) Boston Marathon bombing and Friday's area shootout that has resulted in a complete lockdown of the city and surrounding communities, Jo Dee Messina was among those trying to reach relatives by phone and text after hearing about the gun battle on Friday morning. The singer, who was born in Framingham, Mass., has family members living in Watertown, the small community where events continue to unfold.
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PROVO, Utah • Rescue crews pulled 11 people from a sinking boat in a storm at the American Fork Boat Harbor on Monday night.
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Pratice White 2 Tier
I am new to this and I wanted to try something different. I made it with cream cheese frosting and decorated it with BC. I used the super enhanced cake formula recipe I found on this site. I also used peach filling on top layer and strawberry filling on lower layer. It tasted very good. The cakes came out very level too. No need to use leveler!!


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NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine, France, 2009/05/27 - Lead Tech Design (LTD), is extending its offering with aRDAC (8,16, 32 bits), a brand new range of configurable microcontrollers, guaranteeing performance of 1 MIPS/MHz.
Lead Tech Design, which specializes in the design of ASIC/FPGA System-on-Chip (SoCs) and embedded software for Linux and Linux hard real time with Xenomai, is extending its offering with aRDAC, a brand new range of configurable microcontrollers, guaranteeing performance of 1 MIPS/MHz.
This new product family has been specially designed to meet the constraints of all applications requiring high processing capabilities while enabling significant reductions in energy use.
aRDAC is compatible with a wide range of applications, such as home automation, consumer electronics, M2M or even electronics for the medical, automotive and aeronautical industries.
Microcontrollers from the aRDAC range are available in 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit versions and are based on Harvard architecture. They offer outstanding code density, an optimized core size (13K gates in the 32-bit version), and low power consumption. Featuring a memory capacity of up to 4 Gbytes, aRDAC is designed for ASIC and FPGA integrated circuits.
With aRDAC, customers have the advantage of a built-in development environment (IDE Eclipse, GCC compilator). They can therefore easily migrate from one architecture to another, and switch from an 8-bit microcontroller to a 16- or 32-bit one. An expert support team guides customers in their choice of microcontroller and assists with microcontroller integration in the end product.
The 32-bit aRDAC has been tested in real conditions on a WiFi video streaming application, by our customer Firstmile Telekom. Lead Tech Designs aRDAC solution enabled us to implement high performance video streaming in under two weeks. We are delighted to have been able to take advantage of its significant innovations, explains Aziz Bouab, CEO of Firstmile Telekom.
The aRDAC microcontroller family is an ideal and cost-effective innovative solution for System-on-Chip, combing high performance, service quality and cost reduction
About Lead Tech Design (LTD)
Lead Tech Design (leadtechdesign.com) specializes in the design of microelectronic circuits (SoC, ASIC and FPGA) and embedded software (Linux, hard real time Linux with Xenomai).
Set up in 2001, LTD has offices in France and Morocco (Rennes Atalante and Casablanca science parks), and has a total workforce of 40, including 90% experts and engineers.
The company boasts recognized expertise in audio/video and networks/telecoms fields, and in-depth knowledge of fab constraints. It therefore offers a complete range of services in the field of circuit design, while developing its own range of software and hardware IPs (Intellectual Property).
LTDs team of expert HW/SW engineers guides customers in their choice of solutions and customization of their products to better meet challenges while reducing Time-to-Market.
About FirstMile Telekom
FirstMile Telekom is a leader in wireless broadband access technologies, and provides integrated broadband solutions and Wireless products to telecom, service providers and enterprises.
Contact: Laurence Dubrac
E: laurence[.]leadtechdesign.com
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Reuters reports on a new discussion paper, put forth by Sweden and the Netherlands, about food waste in the European Union and calling into question the need for "best before" dates on products with a long shelf life.
According to the researchers, 100 million tons of food is unnecessarily thrown away every year in the EU because of this confusion. This waste has a two-pronged impact — environmentally, it's more stuff being thrown out that doesn't need to be; economically, it's consumers paying for food they don't eat, or stores throwing away food they don't sell.
Stateside, former Trader Joe's president Doug Rauch has been launching a pilot store called The Daily Table, to sell perfectly good food that grocery stores like his former employer would deem no longer sellable because it has passed a certain date.


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Verizon's iPhone 4 Market Share Quietly Rises
About a third of Apple iPhone 4s are on Verizon Wireless' network, Localytics says.
The mobile app analytics firm notes market share has grown significantly this summer, possibly because of Verizon's plans to get rid of its unlimited data plan. Localytics says that despite reports of "lackluster" iPhone launch at Verizon, network managed to pull together a "very respectable" segment of the market.
"With rumors swirling about the iPhone 5 perhaps launching in September on multiple carriers, Verizon's recent market share gains may be a precursor of what is to come this fall," firm says.
Verizon shares off a smidge at 37.40. Apple shares up marginally. AT&T shares down 0.4%.


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DESTIN -- On the final day of the Southeastern Conference spring business meeting Friday, league presidents unanimously approved a rule limiting conference football teams to signing just 28 players annually.
NCAA rules allow teams just 25 scholarships per year, but SEC schools generally over sign players, anticipating a portion of the ones they sign won't academically qualify. The new SEC rule takes effect immediately.
No one said the rule was a reaction to Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt, but when the Rebels signed 37 players in February it set off alarms with the SEC presidents.
"The presidents and chancellors view the signing of a letter-of-intent as a commitment by a student-athlete capable of being academically admitted and can contribute athletically," SEC commissioner Mike Slive said. "Coaches have their own decisions for signing a player, but the chancellors believe this is an academic-educational decision when someone signs."
Ole Miss athletic director Pete Boone said Friday that he wasn't shocked that Nutt had over signed players, but didn't care for the large number.
"I know all the academic requirements needed to enter our school, so I knew it would get down to the right number," Boone said. "We went through ones that wouldn't make it, he went through the ones he thought he would greyshirt. He knew how they would all be placed. I did think it all got a little overdone."
Earlier this week, Nutt explained why he over signed so many players.
"I wanted to really make sure we had a good relationship with the state of Mississippi high schools," Nutt said. "We knew that seven to eight of those guys wouldn't qualify. We were able to help some Mississippi junior colleges."
Slive said over the last three years, more than half of SEC schools have over signed players in the 26 to 29 range. The league will have the new rule even if the NCAA doesn't adopt it nationally.
Meanwhile, the conference divided a record $132.5 million in revenue for 2008-09 fiscal year ending Aug. 31 -- a figure expected to increase by $100 million next year when the new 15-year CBS and ESPN contracts kick in. Nevertheless, presidents and athletic directors discussed cost-cutting proposals.
The $132.5 million came from football television ($52 million), bowls ($25.4 million), the SEC football championship ($14.3 million), basketball television ($13.6 million), SEC men's basketball tournament ($4.1 million) and the NCAA championships ($23.1 million).
The average amount distributed to each school was $11.1 million. Not included in the $132.5 million was $11.6 retained by the schools participating in bowls and $744,000 divided among all 12 league members by the NCAA for academic enhancement.
Slive said by the time the recession fully hit last year, season football ticket packages had been sold. While he's curious to see how the recession will impact each individual SEC school, he believes stadiums will still be full, even with a new TV contract that calls for all conference football games and all non-conference football home games to be televised.
"There's no safe harbor from the recession," Slive said. "But if history teaches us, we've had extraordinary attendance the last 20 years. Last year, we had 6.7 million fans at our games. We averaged over 75,000 people. We filled stadiums to 98 percent capacity. That's the real strength of the SEC. Television is a byproduct of that strength."
Men's and women's basketball have increased exposure in the new TV package. Men's basketball will have six televised games per week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The semi-finals and finals of the men's tourney will be on ABC.
Women's basketball will have 72 televised games during the season.
On Tuesday, Slive will begin negotiations in Birmingham, Ala., for the nine SEC bowl tie-ins whose contracts expire after this season.
"I expect the process to extend into August, if not later," Slive said.
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NEW YORK (Aug. 13)
President Carter arrived in New York City this morning as the Democratic National Convention prepared to nominate him as its candidate for a second term. In brief remarks of thanks to his supporters and volunteer campaign workers, the President, as expected, said that Vice President Walter Mondale would be his running more again.
As Carter is driven around town tomorrow before his acceptance speech in the evening, an electronic message will be flashed above Times Square which will remind the President and the Democratic delegates of Israel's 32-year "partnership in democracy" with the United States. The message is sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.
One of the many groups demonstrating outside Madison Square Garden, the convention site, was the Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry which sounded a shofar and declared, "Jimmy, repent–Jerusalem is one." With some of the SSS J demonstrators wearing mock Soviet prison uniforms and others wearing prayer shawls, the group also called for "Prisoners of Conscience in the USSR to be able to rejoin their loved ones in a united, peaceful Jerusalem."
Meanwhile, the Democratic conventionalized down the platform today approving the sections on the Middle East which included a call for moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. However, Alfred Moses, special advisor to the President on Jewish affairs, told reporters here earlier this week that the President believes that the status of Jerusalem should be determined by negotiations between the parties involved rather than any unilateral action.
Moses called attention to a section of the Mideast plank which states that the Administration has to proceed with "sensitivity resulting from its deep engagement in the delicate process of promoting a wider peace for Israel."
During the debate within the platform committee, when the platform was being completed in June, Carter forces had wanted to have this proviso placed at the end of the paragraph which said the Democrats are adopting the plank of 1972 and 1976 which calls for moving the embassy. But in a compromise with the supporters of Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, it was agreed to shift this proviso to an earlier part of the Mideast plank.
The changes approved in the platform were entirely on domestic matters. Following Kennedy's speech last night which electrified the convention, the delegates approved the Senator's proposals for a $12 billion job program and his condemnation of high interest rates. The convention also voted to cut off financial and political aid to Democratic candidates who do not support the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and approved another amendment which calls for federal financing of abortions for poor women.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Edmund Muskie invoked the memory of the late Sen. Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota to urge support of continued Middle East negotiations. Muskie, who was Humphrey's running mate when the then Vice President ran for the Presidency in 1968, said that Humphrey would have "applauded Jimmy Carter's work in the Camp David agreements."
"He would have encouraged us to see it through," Muskie said, adding Humphrey would have understood that reaching a final agreement is hard work.
Muskie in his speech, which was part of a tribute to Humphrey, noted that the late Minnesota Senator was always in the forefront to "help laws in the Soviet Union, Blacks in South Africa" and other oppressed minorities in this country and abroad.


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Whatever Happened to Larisa Oleynik From 'The Secret World of Alex Mack'?
Then: Most people probably can't put a face to the name Larisa Oleynik, but any child of the early '90s will tell you that she's none other than the star of the Nickelodeon series 'The Secret World of Alex Mack.' Shortly after the show's series finale, the young actress put aside her character as the girl with radioactive powers for her next big break as Julia Stiles' annoying sister Bianca in '10 Things I Hate About You.' So whatever happened to her?
Now: Were you watching the most recent episode of 'Mad Men' and scratching your head trying to figure out where you recognize Ken Cosgrove's wife from? Well, that's Olyenik all grown up. After her '90s fame fizzled out, her most prominent TV roles were on '3rd Rock from the Sun' and 'Hawaii Five-0.' And now it looks as though we'll be seeing more of her as Cynthia Cosgrove in the AMC series.


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[16 November 2006]
Economist Milton Friedman, a tireless champion of markets over government intervention, has died. His book Capitalism and Freedom is an accessible and forcefully stated argument for the idea that only markets can guarantee freedom and democracy and, along with Hayek's Road to Serfdom, gives you all the basic philosophical underpinnings of the conservative/libertarian view, which is essentially that the market can arbitrate economic matters better than any council of state experts a society could convene. Yes, there's a lot in there about floating currencies and monetary policy and the evils of board certifications, but possibly Friedman's most influential idea outside of the realm of economists is that political and economic freedom are essentially synonymous—this view almost seems like common sense in America, where purchasing power is typically seen as a proxy for individual liberty.
Friedman rose to prominence with his prediction of 1970s stagflation and Reagan's subsequent adoption of his rhetoric, but beyond changing the terms of the debate on state interventionism, his practical legacy is still debated. Tyler Cowen has links to articles on Friedman here, but this Guardian piece jumps out with its decidedly unbalanced take: it's called "Milton Friedman: a study in failure"— the kind of uncompromising gesture Friedman himself might have appreciated (The NYT quotes him defending his own extremism thus, "In every generation, there's got to be somebody who goes the whole way, and that's why I believe as I do.")—and argues that Friedman's only lasting contribution to policy was the withholding tax: "Rest in peace Milton Friedman, big government's best friend." That's harsh; he hasn't even got a chance to roll over in his grave yet at this jibe.
The NY Times obit provides a more general overview of his life, but also suggests his ideas haven't had the lasting impact on policy that he's sometimes credited with.
"Prof. Robert Solow of M.I.T., a Nobel laureate himself, and other liberal economists continued to raise questions about Mr. Friedman's theories: Did not President Reagan, and by extension Professor Friedman, they asked, revert to Keynesianism once in power? "The boom that lasted from 1982 to 1990 was engineered by the Reagan administration in a straightforward Keynesian way by rising spending and lowered taxes, a classic case of an expansionary budget deficit," Mr. Solow said. "In fairness to Milton, however, it should be said that one of the reasons for his wanting a tax reduction was to force the spending cuts that he presumed would follow."
The WSJ's lengthy front-page story, which not surprisingly has a more positive assessment of his policy contributions, concludes with Friedman's explanation of his devotion to academia (not exactly an open market liberated from professional certification and bureacuracy) , which suggests some of the contradictions that lurk behind his seemingly single-minded stance: "For society to be at once humane and to give opportunity for great human achievements, it is necessary that a small minority of people who do not have materialistic objectives have the greatest degree of freedom." In other words, markets and economic "freedom" (i.e. the guiding rules of scarcity and necessity and ceaseless competition) are good for the little people, the people of bronze. The greatest degree of freedom is reserved for the people of gold who shouldn't have to waste their energy earning a living and stunting what they need to share with the world by routing it through markets.
Published at: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/milton-friedman-is-dead/


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Mazda will drive home its commitment to motorsport in Australia with a turbocharged triple treat for Targa Tasmania 2009. Two Mazda3 MPS performance hatchbacks and a turbocharged Mazda RX-8 SP rotary sports coupe will headline Mazda's biggest ...
Mazda will drive home its commitment to motorsport in Australia with a turbocharged triple treat for Targa Tasmania 2009.
Two Mazda3 MPS performance hatchbacks and a turbocharged Mazda RX-8 SP rotary sports coupe will headline Mazda's biggest attack on Targa Tasmania in over a decade.
Not content to merely make up the numbers, Mazda has secured a top notch driver line-up that will ensure all three Mazda Motorsport-prepared race cars perform at their peak.
Targa Tasmania 2008 winner, South Australian Steve Glenney will give the Mazda RX-8 SP its motorsport debut. He will be partnered with his co-driver of four years, Bernie Webb and be competing in the Modern Competition.
The pair jumped at the chance to give the Mazda RX-8 SP its motorsport debut. Glenney says nothing short of a podium finish will do.
"I'm excited to be chosen by Mazda Motorsport to play a role in the development of the Mazda RX-8, and to be driving it in its Australian rally debut," he said.
"The RX-8's a great-looking car, the rotary engine is synonymous with Mazda's Motorsport history in Australia, and I'm confident of getting a top result for Mazda."
Glenney is looking forward to his fifth Targa experience and says the RX-8's inherent attributes will give his rotary-spun rally car a competitive edge in the five-day event.
"The RX-8's perfect 50/50 weight balance will give it a huge dynamic advantage on Tasmania's twisting roads. That, combined with its torquey turbocharged engine, will make the RX-8 SP a standout at this year's Targa."
The two-pronged Mazda3 MPS attack for honours in the Showroom 2WD Competition will mix the best attributes of experience and youth. Australian rallying mainstay Rick Bates returns for his fourth Targa with Mazda, and is determined to achieve the top-ten outright finish that eluded him last year.
In the second car is the brother and sister team of Brendan Reeves and Rhianon Smyth. This is Brendan's first Targa, but it's far from his first motorsport event. Together the siblings won the showroom category of the 2008 Tasmanian Tarmac Challenge behind the wheel of the same Mazda3 MPS they will be driving in Targa.
Bates, an eight-time Targa competitor three with Mazda finished 10th outright in 2007 in the Mazda3 MPS. In 2008 he was poised for a top-ten finish before mechanical gremlins scuppered his charge to the chequered flag.
"We got a great result in 2007 and were agonisingly close in 2008. This year's a new beginning, and with the rally pedigree of the Mazda3 MPS under me, we've got a real opportunity to win the Showroom Competition and better our 2007 result."
Expert co-driver Anthony McLoughlin will call the corners for Bates. The pair reunites following a successful Targa in 2007.
Reeves will be the youngest driver to score a factory drive in Targa Tasmania, and is keen to show that youthful aggression can be just as effective as years of experience.
The dynamic brother and sister duo have competed in more than 25 rallies together, including rounds of the World Rally Championship. They won the Showroom class in the Tasmania Tarmac Challenge in October 2008 in the same Mazda3 MPS they'll drive in Targa.
"I am really excited to be driving my first Targa with Mazda," says Reeves, who turned 20 in August. "The Mazda3 MPS has a proven rally pedigree at endurance events like Targa, and I've already had some competitive time in the car, so I am confident I can get a great result for Mazda."
Mazda Motorsport manager Allan Horsley is the mastermind behind Mazda's most potent attack on Targa.
"It's great to be able to put together our biggest Targa team in ten years, especially in these challenging times. Competitive motorsport is an integral part of Mazda's Zoom-Zoom spirit."
Horsley says a lot of preparation has gone into making the Mazda RX-8 SP as competitive as possible, but is cautious about its prospects.
"Targa Tasmania is not a race to be taken lightly. It's a flat-out sprint over 2,000km in five tough days, and that's a real test of man and machine. The RX-8 SP has plenty of potential, but it is an unknown package in a rally environment. So it's difficult to know how it will perform at its first competitive outing."
Horsley also believes the Mazda3 MPS hatchbacks driven by Bates and Reeves will dust up some of the more highly fancied competitors.
"Rick and Anthony will be very quick in the proven Mazda3 MPS and I have equally high expectations of Brendan and Rhianon.
"Last year the Mazda3 MPS came home ahead of Lamborghinis, Porsches, Evos and other exotica, and I'm confident the boys can do it again this year."
-credit: tt


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CasebookJoseph O'Reilly
Why settle for overnight if you can ship a package same day? That's the question delivery companies such as Ensenda are taking to prospective customers.
Reader ProfileMerrill Douglas
I.T. ToolkitMerrill Douglas
A materials management system gives Army depot and its partners a better view of parts used to rebuild M1A1 Abrams tanks.
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Good news for investors who like to lose all their money, "John Meriwether, the hedge fund manager and arbitrageur behind Long-Term Capital Management, is in the process of setting up a new hedge fund — his third." What's that, you ask, didn't his first fund lose all its money? Why, yes. And didn't the second fund fold because it lost a ton of money? Yes, quite so. So how will this new one be different? It won't! It's "expected use the same strategy as both LTCM and JWM to make money: so-called relative value arbitrage, a quantitative investment strategy Mr Meriwether pioneered when he led the hugely successful bond arbitrage group at Salomon Brothers in the 1980s."
The way this works is that you identify arbitrage opportunities such that you make trades you're overwhelmingly likely to make money on. But those opportunities only exist because the opportunities are very small. So to make them worth pursuing, you need to lever-up with huge amounts of debt. Which means that on the rare moments when the trades do go bad, everything falls apart: "The strategy typically has a high 'blow-up' risk because of the large amounts of leverage it uses to profit from often tiny pricing anomalies."
As a friend puts it, this strategy is "literally the equivalent of putting a chip on 35 of the 36 roulette numbers and hoping for no zero/36." But you're doing it with borrowed money. I'm not a huge believer in human rationality, so I totally understand how this scam worked once. That he was able to get a second fund off the ground is pretty amazing. If he finds investors for a third spin around the wheel I'm going to propose confiscating all the rich peoples' money and giving it to capuchin monkeys.


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MARKHAM, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2006-- ATI Technologies Inc. (TSX:ATY)(NASDAQ:ATYT) today announced the newest family member of the Radeon® X1800 series, the Radeon® X1800 GTO. Available from ATI's add-in-board partners by the end of the month at a suggested retail price of $249, the Radeon X1800 GTO delivers outstanding gaming performance that will dominate other graphics options in its price class. With simultaneous support of high definition rendering (HDR) and anti-aliasing (AA)-functionality unique to ATI-the Radeon X1800 GTO is the ideal choice for those who want their games to look their best.
Press release can be read at ATI


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Some of the best tacos in New York City are hiding from you in the back of Chelsea Market. It's time you went and found them.
Located just around the corner from Amy's Bread, Los Tacos No. 1 is an indoor taco stand started by three young taco-preneurs, two from California and one from Mexico. It's a simple set-up, much like you'd find from any good roadside operation, except instead of the road, Los Tacos No. 1 is serving tacos and quesadillas from a luxury retail sidewalk. And that's exactly why the quality and authenticity of this food will surprise you. You can't usually find excellent tacos this close to a sample sale on bedding.
The truth is, Los Tacos No. 1 would kick almost any other taco's ass in this town, no matter where they sold them. We eat a lot of these things (see, Taco Tuesday) and Los Tacos are the best we've found in Manhattan, and we'd put them up against pretty much anything in the outer boroughs too.
There's one other interesting thing that happens at Los Tacos No. 1, and that's the high probability that you'll end up having a conversation with another taco enthusiast as you stand at the counter eating your food. The friendly staff, quality eats, and Mexican jams from the radio will put you and the people around you in a supremely good mood, and the next thing you know, you're sharing napkins with a stranger. Good thing you just picked up that new duvet.
Food Rundown
Your choices are: marinated pork, steak, chicken, or cactus, on flour or corn tortillas. Our go-to is the pork on corn, but you really can't make a bad decision here. The key, though, is to load up on the salsas at the bar before you dig in.
These quesadillas are incredible. And they're not like the quesadillas you'll find at your local airport Chili's. These are more like soft tacos from the griddle with a lot of melted cheese on top. You want one/several.
The tostadas here are another great way to go, but the only problem is that you'll end up finishing them with a fork once the tortilla breaks. I guess that's not really a problem.
Drink some juice with your tacos. The horchata and tamarindo are both tasty and refreshing.


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Farah Khan to direct a Biopic on Sania Mirza
Thu, Aug 06, 2015, 10:44 AM
Bollywood is lined up with biopic movies. After Milkha Singh, Mary Kom and Mohammad Azharuddin, another biopic film is coming up on Tennis star Sania Mirza. It has been reported that Farah Khan, who is reportedly a close friend of Sania, is going to direct the movie. Sources say that Parineeti Chopra will be best suited to play her role and she is likely to play the character of Sania Mirza.


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International Journal of Ecology
Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 846546, 6 pages
Behavioural Studies of Harpalus rufipes De Geer: An Important Weed Seed Predator in Northeastern US Agroecosystems
Department of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, University of Maine, 5722 Deering Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5722, USA
Received 5 August 2011; Accepted 2 December 2011
Academic Editor: Andrew Denham
Copyright © 2012 Sara Harrison and Eric R. Gallandt. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Harpalus rufipes, a member of the Carabidae, is the most common granivorous invertebrate in Maine agroecosystems. While previous research demonstrated a positive correlation between H. rufipes activity-density and weed seed predation, little is known about the behaviour of this seed predator. We conducted mesocosm experiments to examine seed burial, soil surface conditions, and seed mass effects while tracking H. rufipes movement using a video camera, capture card, and EthoVision software. H. rufipes showed a preference (), for seeds on the soil surface compared to those half or fully buried. Species with larger seeds were preferred, but Amaranthus retroflexus, which had the smallest seeds, had the highest feeding efficiency (i.e., seeds eaten per distance travelled). Undisturbed soil resulted in highest predation rates, presumably because seeds were easier to detect relative to disturbed soil. Video-tracking measurements of duration within areas of particular seeds, and efficiency of seed predation, indicate that H. rufipes behaviour is prey dependent.
1. Introduction
Seed predation is increasingly viewed as a critical component of multitactic, "Many Little Hammers," weed management strategies [1–4], even an ecosystem service that can be considered at a national scale [5]. Our work in organically managed vegetable-cover cropping systems indicated that invertebrates were responsible for the majority of predation estimated using feeding assays: 73% averaged over two field studies [6]. Pitfall trapping in these experiments indicated that the predominant invertebrate seed predator was Harpalus rufipes Degeer, a member of the Carabidae, a particularly well-studied taxa with wide geographic distribution and notable services to agroecosystems [7].
H. rufipes was introduced to North America from Europe in 1937. The first reports came from Topsfield, Maine in 1966 [8]. The beetle is now abundant throughout Canada, including New Foundland, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick and, in the USA, from Maine through to Connecticut [9].
Adult beetles are a dull black, with an elongated oval body and reddish legs. They vary from 1.25–1.6 cm in length [9] and are very mobile [10]. H. rufipes overwinters as both larvae and adults, the overwintered adults becoming active towards the beginning of May, with their densities peaking by the end of June [11]. They are most active at night, and cache seeds in burrows beneath plant residue [9]. Vegetation and plant residues may offer a favourable microclimate, and perhaps protection from hyperpredators. In the aforementioned vegetable-cover cropping systems experiment, H. rufipes activity-density was greater in plots with vegetation compared to areas recently tilled [6]. This preference and/or increased movement was subsequently confirmed using mark-recapture experiments; H. rufipes released in fallow plots (bare soil) were more likely to move to densely vegetated cover crop plots [12]. These studies offered correlative evidence of H. rufipes role as a seed predator [6], and laboratory choice tests conducted with seeds in Petri dishes confirmed that weed seeds are eaten (e.g., [9, 13]). However, little is known regarding the behaviour of H. rufipes prey seeking of weed seeds in a more realistic soil environment, where seeds may be partially or fully buried and surface conditions vary. This is due, at least in part, to the nocturnal habit of H. rufipes, as well as the challenge of observing these relatively small animals in the field.
Here, we used a computerized video tracking and movement analysis system to test the following hypotheses.(1)H. rufipes feeding rate and feeding efficiency are affected by seed burial, with maximal predation occurring when seeds reside on the soil surface, intermediate rates with partially buried seed, and very low or no predation observed when seeds are buried.(2)In choice feeding experiments, H. rufipes will prefer larger seeds as they offer more resource for the feeding energy expended, and beetles will spend more time searching for preferred seeds, and these will be consumed faster than less preferred seeds.(3)Substrate condition will affect predation rates, with reduced predation occurring following disturbance, compared to undisturbed, relatively smooth soil surface conditions.
2. Methods
Experiments were conducted using EthoVision, a computerised video tracking and movement analysis system [14] that incorporates software able to analyse movement of a variety of species, thus allowing the acquisition of an insight into animal behaviour otherwise difficult to obtain. Animals may be tracked longer periods of time than if the research were to be carried out by observation [15]. The system uses a frame grabber card (Picolo) that digitises an analog signal provided from an overhead camera thus the computer can read the output as a set of pixels. Arena boundaries are defined by accurately tracing the outline of the arena on the tracking screen. Zones can then be defined and outlined within this arena boundary. The software is calibrated to the dimensions of the given arena so that subsequent position data can be converted from the pixel output into actual measurements in terms of centimetres. Tracking is determined by a grey-scale detection method, that is, brightness, therefore, the greater the colour differentiation between the animal and the substrate background, the more reliable the tracking. For each sample, the arena is scanned and the position of the tracked animal is recorded; normally tracks are analysed at a rate of 6 samples per second. The resultant x-y coordinates, and time, are used to calculate the movement pattern during the trial period [16]. Calculations are performed on a series of frames to derive the output set of quantitative descriptors of the tracked animal's movements [17].
Preliminary tracking experiments compared both sand and a soil substrate, but because results were similar, sand was chosen over soil as the tracking process was easier to set up due to the greater difference in colour between H. rufipes beetles and sand. The substrate was moistened at the beginning of each new trial to ensure the beetles were not stressed through dry conditions.
All experiments were carried out at night as H. rufipes is nocturnal. In preliminary trials, beetles were found not to predate during the day and only remained static in one corner of the arena. To enable tracking at night time, a black light (15 W; BioQuip Products, Rancho Dominguez, CA, USA), suspended horizontally 1 m above the arena, was used to illuminate the arena, and a small dot of white neon paint was placed on the back of the individual being tracked.
Adult H. rufipes were collected from a local field site in September, 2005, by pitfall trapping. They were maintained in 48 by 30 by 10 cm deep polyethylene containers with 3-4 cm of moist sand and weedy plant debris to provide habitat. The experimental colony was maintained at 4°C. Individual adult H. rufipes were removed from the colony, placed in a Petri dish with moist filter paper, and acclimated to room temperatures (20°C) for four days prior to use in an experiment. All experiments were carried out using 5 individuals in the arena, but solely tracking one throughout; the tracked beetle was different in each experiment. To initiate an experiment, beetles were released in the center of the arena, regardless of the within-arena zone characteristics. Preliminary tracking experiments demonstrated that beetle density had a large effect on behaviour, with considerably greater movement of a tracked individual if conspecific neighbors were present (data not shown). Although the EthoVision system can track multiple individuals if marked with unique colors, our requirement for tracking at night under a black light prevented us from taking advantage of this feature.
Wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.; 175 mg 100 seeds−1) was used for studies of seed burial and substrate disturbance; yellow foxtail (Setaria glauca L.; 164 mg 100 seeds−1) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.; 33 mg 100 seeds−1) were included when investigating weed seed preferences. Seeds were collected in the fall of 2005 at the University of Maine Rogers Farm, Stillwater, Maine, by gentle shaking from mature mother plants; they were air dried and stored at 20°C until use. Sixteen seeds were subjected to predation; using fewer seeds ran the risk of all seeds being predated.
The test arena was a 48 by 30 by 10 cm deep polyethylene tray filled with 4 cm of moistened sand. Zones were defined as follows: Zone 1 was the whole arena; Zone 2 was outside the feeding zone; Zone 3 was the feeding zone which measured 5 by 8 cm. An undisturbed substrate was present, and 16 wild mustard seeds were placed in a 1 by 1 cm grid formation in Zone 3. The trial was then repeated to simulate cultivation by scoring in four parallel ridges to a depth of 1 cm, and again with foliage placed over the top of the seeds in Zone 3 to simulate ground cover. Seed burial treatments included seeds placed either on the surface, half buried, or completely buried (1-mm deep). In the seed preference studies, four zones (6 × 20 cm), one for each weed species, and a control (no seeds added) were included; zones were separated from each other, and the arena sides, by 5 cm. The nature of the sand substrate resulted in an apparently uniform arena condition following placement of the seeds. In these experiments, 20 seeds were placed in each feeding zone, in a grid formation; species were randomly assigned to individual feeding zones. Seeds were counted this time after 5 hours of the time period and then after 10 hours when the trial finished. The disturbance regimes were all carried out at all three seed exposure levels: fully exposed, half buried, and fully buried. Trials were conducted over consecutive nights during February through April, 2006.
ANOVA (SPSS 14.0) was used to test for effects of seed burial, seed species, and disturbance, on predation rate, predation efficiency, and residence in particular arena zones. Means were separated using Fisher's protected least significant difference.
3. Results
3.1. Seed Exposure
Both feeding rate, that is, seeds consumed per hour, and feeding efficiency, defined as amount of seed eaten per unit time per distance travelled, decreased with increasing seed burial (Figure 1).
3.2. Seed Preference
H. rufipes spent considerable time travelling the perimeter of the arena (Figure 2(a)), but when in the central area, more time was spent in yellow foxtail and wild mustard Zones (Figure 2(b)), meaning that the beetle entered these feeding zones more regularly or remained there to a greater extent after entering, compared to the redroot pigweed or empty feeding zones. Consistent with this observation, wild mustard predation was greater than redroot pigweed, with yellow foxtail intermediate (Figure 3). Although yellow foxtail and wild mustard exhibited the highest feeding rates, redroot pigweed showed the highest feeding efficiency, (Figure 4).
3.3. Soil Disturbance
In the undisturbed trials, the levels of seed exposure followed the same pattern as described earlier with the most seeds being eaten when on the surface and the least when buried. Out of the three disturbance regimes, the most seeds were eaten on undisturbed sites. The cultivated and ground cover disturbances were not found to be significantly different (Figure 5). Predation of half-buried and fully buried seeds were not significantly different from each other on both cultivated and foliage-covered soils. When the seed husks were collected at the end of the trial periods on cultivated regimes, a high proportion of them were found to be within the ridges (data not shown).
4. Discussion
Carabids are considered important agents in the natural control of weeds. Consistent with our first hypothesis, both the feeding rate and feeding efficiency were highest when the seed was on the surface, compared to half buried or fully buried, suggesting that burial, either by farmers' management or through natural mechanisms [18], will greatly reduce predation losses, perhaps to an even greater extent than observed in natural ecosystems [19]. Earlier crop sowing [20], and no-till fall cover cropping [6] have been proposed as techniques that farmers could employ to extend the surface residence time of weed seeds, thereby maximizing potential predation losses.
In the simulation models of Westerman et al. [18], sensitivity analyses revealed that predation was affected more by seed availability then seed demand. Further, it has been widely reported that burial reduces, and sometimes eliminates, seed predation [21]. It is important to note that datasets supporting this conclusion are often from forest or grassland ecosystems, where rodents are the predominant seed predators [22, 23]. There are surprisingly few published datasets focused on invertebrate seed predation responses to seed burial, however, evidence suggests that burial may not always prevent seed predation. White et al. [24] conducted controlled environment predation assays with velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti L. Merr.), redroot pigweed, and giant foxtail (Setaria faberi L.), both on the soil surface and buried at a depth of 0.5 or 1.0 cm. Burial reduced predation by Amare aenea and A. sanctaecrucis, but, interestingly, Harpalus pensylvanicus predation was mostly unaffected by burial. The different responses between H. rufipes in our experiments, and these results with H. pensylvanicus, indicate that further studies of seed burial are likely warranted, at least for invertebrate predators.
Consistent with our second hypothesis, H. rufipes predated more seeds from the yellow foxtail and wild mustard feeding zones, the two largest species tested. H. rufipes also spent more time in these two zones and entered these zones more frequently than the redroot pigweed zone. Because the four feeding zones were placed across the arena, we interpret the frequency in areas to reflect the beetle's preference for these species. However, feeding efficiency (seeds consumed per unit time per distance travelled) was greater for the smaller seeds of redroot pigweed. While we expected predation efficiency to be regulated by preference, or perhaps ease of detecting larger seeds, this result suggests that seed size and shape affects ease of consumption. Redroot pigweed was the smallest of the three species used in these experiments; wild mustard and yellow foxtail are larger but comparatively similar in mass. Such a preference has been reported for other important carabid seed predators. Harrison et al. [25] found H. pensylvanicus preferred the smaller and smoother seeds of yellow foxtail and smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.) over giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.), which has a dispersal unit comprised of a single achene with fused, hardened bracts. Elsewhere, species of Harpalini have been described as "generalist" predators, even when individual species were compared to similarly sized species of another carabid genus, Zabrini [26].
Predation was greatest for surface seeds on an undisturbed substrate (Figure 5). However, when seed husks were collected at the end of each trial, they were more dispersed in the disturbed treatment, especially being found in the actual ridges, suggesting that the beetles may have preferred feeding in ridges when given the choice. This suggests the beetles would take a seed, remove it from the feeding zone, and predate on it whilst in the ridge, possibly enjoying the protection a ridge may provide to such a small animal.
5. Conclusion
H. rufipes predation behaviour was influenced by prey species, seed burial, and soil surface conditions. Although predation assays may be conducted without the specialized equipment, video tracking demonstrated that seed burial similarly affected predation rate (seeds predated per hour) and predation efficiency (predation rate per distance travelled). In contrast, predation rate and efficiency differed for certain weed species; yellow foxtail and redroot pigweed predation rates were not different, but predation efficiency was up to several fold greater for redroot pigweed. While our results support an already large body of literature regarding seed burial and preference effects on seed predation, video tracking offered unique-dependent variables that indicated H. rufipes behaviour is prey dependent.
The authors thank Dr. Mark Hassall, University of East Anglia, for his invaluable supervision throughout this project, also Tom Molloy, Dan Allalemdjian, and Peter Rogers for help with laboratory, beetle and EthoVision work, and Aubrey Barse for provision of essential equipment. Lastly, they thank an anonymous reviewer who made many detailed and thoughtful criticisms of an earlier version of this paper. The authors have no relation to Noldus Information Technology, the manufacturer of EthoVision, nor the Picolo brand of frame grabbing computer hardware. These trade names and sources have been included to assist a reader in repeating our experiments and should not be considered an endorsement. This is Publication no. 3241 from the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station.
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Sending flowers overseas?
My sister has been living in England (Surrey, to be specific) for the past year. Her birthday is Sept. 22 and I would love to send her something besides just a card.
She and I aren't as close as we could be, which is why I was thinking flowers. Getting flowers is always fun, and I don't have to worry about sending a gift that isn't a good fit. (Plus, she sent flowers to me twice this past year when I was recuperating from surgeries... another reason why I think she'd like getting flowers herself). I'm open to any other ideas, though!
I've used proflowers.com as a florist for years, and was going to just use their international delivery.
But then I started thinking that using a UK based florist would probably be a better option. Can't seem to find any review sites or other ways to help me distinguish between good, bad, and great.
Would love suggestions and/or specific recommendations!!!
Try interflora. It should use the closest florist to her to make the bouquet/arrangement.
Thanks, curlylaura!! They have beautiful arrangements on the website. I sent an email to their customer service to get things rolling... looks like a winner to me.
Thank you for the recommendation!
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text: Serve up your favourite soups and stews with ease using the Master Class Soft Grip Soup Ladle in stainless steel. The black silicone handle is soft and comfortable to hold, providing an easy grip. When paired with the mirror-polished finish of the ladle itself, it creates an attractive, practical utensil you can simultaneously display and store with its integrated hanging solution.Check stock and price


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Obituaries from the Pendleton Times, 11 December 2003
William E. Ketterman, 89
William "Bill" Edward Ketterman, 89, of Moorefield, died Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, at the home of his daughter Alice Cross, in Moorefield.
Mr. Ketterman was born Sept. 2, 1914, in Moorefield and was the son of the late George W. Ketterman and Virginia Bell Jenkins Ketterman.
He was a retired laborer and farmer. He was a member of Bakers United Methodist CHurch in Durgon, VA.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Vada Simmons Ketterman, on Nov. 7, 1951, and his second wife, Virginia Lee Ketterman, on Dec. 3, 1985.
Surviving are three daughters, Eleanor Riffey and Alice Cross, both of Moorefield and Hilda Raines of Brandywine; a son, Glenn William Gensler of Waynesburg, PA; two brothers, Oscar Ketterman of Moorefield and Joe Ketterman of Bowling Green, VA; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Judith Stump conducted the funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Elmore Funeral Home in Moorefield. Burial followed in the Olivet Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Grant Memorial Hospice, PO Box 1019, Petersburg, WV 26847.
Wade T. McDonald
Wade T. McDonald, 94, of Riverton died Nov. 27, 2003, at Elkins Hospital. He had been a resident of Nella's Nursing Home, Elkins.
Mr. McDonald was born May 3, 1909, at Key, the son of the late Jobe and Amanda Rexrode McDonald.
He was a farmer, worked for the Greer Lime company in Germany Valley for many years, and had been employed by the West Virginia State Highway Department.
He is survived by his wife, Madge Lambert McDonald; two brothers, Mack McDonald of Arlington, VA, and Stern McDonald of Levels; one grandchild, Cindy Ranson of Waldorf, MD; two nephews, Dewey of Springfield, VA, and Ronald of Arlington, VA; two nieces Barbara Levine of Port St. Lucie, FL, and dotsie Beckman of levels.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Joy Thompson; four brothers, Olie, French, Ward and Johnny; and two sister, Ruth and Nellie.
Pastor R. Malone conducted the funeral service at the North Fork Apostolic Church on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. where Mr. Mcdonald had been a life long member.
BUrial was at North Fork Memorial Cemetery, Riverton.
Funeral arrangements were provided by Basagic Funeral Home of Franklin.
Memorial donations may be made to the North Fork Apostolic Church in Riverton, WV 26814.
Ruby Virginia "Sis" Burns
Ruby Virginia "Sis" Burns, 67, of riverton, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at her home.
Mrs. Burns was born January 13, 1935, at Alpine and was the daughter of the late Laura Bennett Grapes. She is survived by her stepfather, SAm Grapes, of Pendleton Nursing Home.
She had been employed at Connie Sportswear and for 15 years at Hanover Shoe. She was a member of the Dixie Homemakers and was United Brethren by faith.
On November 22, 1952, she married Charles A. Burns, who survives.
Also surviving are three sons and daughters-in-law, Charles E. "Chuck" and Debbie Burns and Steven L. and Donna Burns, all of Riverton, and Dale P. and Donna Burns of doe Hill, VA; two sisters, Shirley Harman of Dorcas, and Faith Horan of Winchester, VA; five brothers, Wayne Grapes of Riverton, Harold Grapes of Hagerstown, MD, Raymond Grapes of Pennsylvania, Larry Grapes of Petersburg and Donnie Grapes of Moorefield; and two grandchildren, Sarah Burns and Derek Burns.
She was preceded in death by one son and one brother.
The family received friends 6;00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.
Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. today at the Burns family cemetery in Riverton.
Faye Wimpling
Faye Wimpling, 62, of Sugar Grove , and formerly of Warrenton, VA, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, at her home.
Mrs. Wimpling was born July 28, 1941, in Thomaston, GA, and was a daughter of Robert Edward Coates of Jacksonville, FL, and the late Emily Matthews Coates.
She was a retired LPN having worked at nursing homes in Warrenton, VA, and a Baptist.
In addition to her father, she is survived by her husband, Harry Joseph Wimpling; five daughters, KAthleen Margaret Hagewood of Thomaston, GA, Terry Lynn Dirosario of King George, VA, Christina Louise Sanders of Quantico, VA, Kimberly Shackleford of Woodbridge, VA, and Robin Clarke of Nashville, TN; a son Stuart Wimpling of King George, VA; a sister, Evelyn Wilburn of Thomaston, GA; and 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Pastor Tracy C. Fletcher conducted the funeral 2 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of Brandywine. Burial was at the Sugar Grove Cemetery, Sugar Grove.
Memorial donations may be made to Grant County Hospice, Petersburg, WV 26847.
Robert L. Simmons, 85
Robert L. Simmons, 95, of Moyers, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 9, 2003, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, VA.
Mr. Simmons was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Emma Simmons, on July 13, 1995.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time and under the direction of Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin.
Obituaries are used with the permission of the Pendleton Times.
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This Page was last updated -- Monday, 15-Dec-2003 15:51:45 MST.


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- Screening
- Lung Cancer Basics
- Treatment
- Support
- Events
- Policy
- Research
Cancer and its treatments can cause many unwanted symptoms and side effects, both physical and emotional. Palliative care can provide relief for the person experiencing these issues and improve their quality of life at all stages of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Palliative care is an area of medicine focused on pain and symptom management. Palliative care specialists are highly trained in the most up-to-date ways of managing pain and discomfort. They are able to provide help controlling problems such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and sleeping problems. They are also able to provide emotional support. The team works with your primary care doctor or oncologist to determine the best way to meet your needs.
Palliative care is not the same as hospice care. Hospice care uses palliative care approaches, but is for people who are no longer seeking curative treatment for their illness, and it is focused on end-of-life care and support. Unlike in hospice care, palliative care can be used along with medical treatment for any serious illness, at any point in the illness. In fact, a recent study showed that early palliative care had major benefits for people with advanced lung cancer. Not only was quality of life and mood improved in the group of patients receiving early palliative care, but on average they lived longer than those not receiving early palliative care.
In 2007, the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) released the 2nd edition of their Palliative Care in Lung Cancer guidelines, which you can read here.
In February 2012, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) issued a provisional clinical opinion (PCO) recommending that all patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer be offered palliative care along with standard cancer therapy. To read more about the recommendation, click here.
For resource links, please go to the Lung Cancer Online section, Palliative Care.


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The map is hardly the last word on the subject of bank fees. Ed Mierzwinski, who monitors consumer issues for U.S. PIRG, the federation of state public interest research groups, notes the study doesn't appear to look at whether banks offer free checking or not. He is also puzzled that Arkansas and Massachusetts, two very different states, both rank among the very best places for banking from a consumer point of view.
But the observation made by Arvest's Kincy, however tainted it may be by its association with Walmart, jibes with Mierzwinski's own research.
"Small banks tend to have lower fees than big banks," Mierzwinski says. He hastens to add, however, that one shouldn't look at this study or any other as definitive. Instead, one should look at several and draw one's own conclusions.
"I'm not moving to Arkansas because of this study," he says.
Infographic provided by GOBankingRates.com.
>>>Read More:
Bank of America Exec Preaches Gospel of 'Too Big to Fail' Banking
Wells Fargo Looks to Benefit From Fannie Freddie and the Fed


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Your Town Column June 28, 2009
I made 12 new friends this past week — we'd all received an invitation in the mail to attend the same event.
The invitation was disguised as a jury summons.
As the time to attend neared, I created the perfect scenario in my mind, quite confident that my number would not come up and I'd be off the hook for another year.
That did not go as planned. When I checked online the night before, my number did come up and I was instructed to report to the Justice Center at 8:45 the next morning.
All right then, I surmised ... I'll get to the Justice Center and the trial will be canceled. That's it.
I arrived at the jury assembly room on the third floor and waited along with the others for the "canceled" announcement, that never came.
Before long, the large group of us climbed a flight of stairs and filed into a courtroom.
OK, fine, but my name surely won't be called to take a seat.
The nice judge even pronounced my name correctly. This isn't looking good.
At least the seats are cushy.
So now the plan is to be excused randomly during the lawyer questioning of potential jurors.
When the lawyers announced that the jury had been seated and the trial was under way, I was not walking out to my car, heading back to my normal life.
There were 13 of us — 12 jurors and an alternate, who would be determined when closing statements were made and the case given to the jurors.
I had never served on a jury before and no one can prepare you for the task of juror, as each case and its defendant on trial is different. Circumstances come into play that can make the challenges of a juror an overwhelming, but highly rewarding task.
After 2 1/2 days of observing the procedure and participating in its outcome, I came away emotionally exhausted but a better and more informed person for having been a part of the judicial system that makes this country the incredible place that it is.
And the cushy seats aren't too bad either.
• Local Boy Scout Troop 318 is selling U.S. Flag kits and African Baskets at the American National Bank Farmers' Market each Thursday, in an effort to raise money for the scout's Jamboree Fund.
The troop is seeking community support to help send 15 boys to the BSA National Jamboree in Virginia. The scouts will sell the kits and baskets each Thursday at Farmers' Market, through Sept. 17.
Each boy needs to raise $2,900 to attend the event.
The public can also take old flags to the scouts for retirement.
For more information, call Sandy Keichline at 216-0898.
• The theme for the July 9 Farmers' Market is "Vets Welcome Home."
During farmers' market from 5 to 8:30 p.m., there will be a booth and information tables by veteran and military organizations, at the corner of Fourth and Main streets.
It's still a week a way, but I extend wishes for a happy Fourth of July to all.
On Saturday, Independence Day, we'll celebrate the freedom our country claimed 233 years ago, when democracy was born.
Be safe, be festive and be proud.


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Seems that Bill (Harry and the Hendersons) Dear's first slasher film, the Crispin Glover-starring Simon Says (read Crispin's comments on it here), is ramping up for some kind of release soon, though be it self-funded or otherwise I'm not sure.
Twitch Film got a look at the newest trailer for the film and has offered it up as a sacrifice to their readers, so we thought we'd help 'em out. A little sacrifice never hurt anyone (save for those being sacrificed), especially this close to the holidays. We've got a lot of naughtiness to make up for so we'll take any help we can get.
Hit the Twitch link to see the trailer, and then click here for the film's official site and here for its MySpace page. Why do so many films have both these days? I guess it's all about exposure. Glad we can help the makers of Simon Says expose themselves to you!