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Today Apple announced the Apple iPad and like many of you, we at Adobe are looking forward to getting our hands on one of these devices. This is an exciting time to be a software designer with an explosion of new devices and we look forward to helping Flash developers and designers bring innovative applications to these devices using our tools and frameworks.
We announced the Packager for iPhone at MAX 2009 which will allow Flash developers to create native iPhone applications and will be available in the upcoming version of Flash Pro CS5. This technology enables developers to create applications for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad (though applications will not initially take direct advantage of iPad's new screen resolution). It is our intent to make it possible for Flash developers to build applications that can take advantage of the increased screen size and resolution of the iPad.
Flash developers are used to being able to create rich expressive content that run well across multiple screens. The Flash Platform already provides developers with the ability to create applications without making assumptions about screen resolution and pixel density. Our very own Christian Cantrell has posted an in-depth article on the Adobe Developer Connection, Authoring For Multiple Screen Sizes, that details best practices in creating applications that run on multiple screens. If you want to prepare applications today that will work great on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, follow the guidelines from this article today.
While we put the finishing touches on the Packager for iPhone, we have invited a few developers and designers to join a closed pre-release program. As they are testing it and giving us feedback, they also have been able to use it to build some applications that they have submitted to the iTunes App Store. Here are some recent iPhone applications that you can find in the App Store now:
Gold Strike
This popular action/puzzle game has been around for nearly a decade and played by millions. You are a miner who has struck gold! But the mine is unstable. Remove gold by finding groups of blocks as tremors fill the mine up.
Dr. Alan Acierno has created a Brush application which times every tooth and section of the mouth to help you brush 3 minutes twice a day
To follow news from the Flash Platform Team about the iPhone Packager and other new developments, follow us at @Flash_Platform
As a result of Apple's updated legal terms (section 3.3.1 of the Apple iPhone SDK License Agreement), Apple is no longer permitting these applications to be delivered to iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users through the Apple App Store. This a legal restriction imposed by Apple and is not a technical limitation of Adobe AIR or Adobe Flash Professional CS5.
At this time, we have ceased further development of the Packager for iPhone, and we plan to keep this completed work in CS5 to demonstrate the capabilities of the Flash Platform to support multiple platforms and devices. We have already started the pre-release of AIR for Android and will shift our investment there and to other technologies, in addition to the work we have already been doing on Flash Player 10.1 for Android. We believe Android will enable a series of very competitive devices in the market and are working closely with Google and other Open Screen Project (OSP) partners on this.


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- BandSteel Bracelet
- Case MaterialBlack Steel
- ConditionExcellent
- MovementAutomatic
Orfina Porsche Design Black Steel Chronograph
Orfina Porsche Design chronograph black PVD coating and Lemania 5100 automatic winding movement. The watch is a cult collectors classic. Orfina is a company steeped in history. They were founded in Grenchen, Switzerland in 1922 and from the outset have focused on building durable, practical and robust watches. To this end they achieved a great deal of success in producing, aviation, navigational and military wristwatches. They rose to world eminence when they were awarded the contract to build the Porsche Design watch. The original Porsche Design watches were designed by Ferdinand Porsche himself - the man who brought us the Porsche 911. He had the confidence in Orfina's ability to manufacture his designs, and they executed, as expected, like true masters of horological excellence. Many of the Porsche design watches were sold to the retail public, but were also very popular with aviators, navigators and military personnel. The Orfina Porsche Design "3H military" model was issued to the German military forces in the 1970's. This watch was manufactured by Orfina, to the design of the Porsche company. Orfina were the original company used by Porsche for their watch designs. This later went to IWC and is currently Eterna. This particular model is the original and cult classic 1970's Porsche design watch. The watch is a beautiful and masterful watch, with sweeping and curving lines, the dial is clean and minimalist in design bringing a pure functionality without un necessary clutter. The watch is striking and a pleasure to wear. Being of steel construction, it is durable, strong and solid and heavy in weight. Black PVD case is in immaculate condition. Matte black dial with superbly contrasting hands and dial markings with evenly faded luminosity. Porsche Design logo on dial, case back and PD logo on the crown, folding bracelet clasp. Day and date function the 3 position. Uncluttered and minimalist tachometer scale printed on the inner bezel. Dimensions are: width is 40 mm excluding crown, 43 mm including crown, 44 mm lug to lug and thickness is 14 mm.

subset: commoncrawl


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Ed Koch, the larger-than-life, acid-tongued politician who rescued New York City from near-financial ruin during a three-term City Hall run, died of congestive heart failure Friday, Feb. 1, at the age of 88.
Here's a look at some of his most famous lines over the years:
—"How'm I doing?"
—"I'm not the type to get ulcers. I give them."
U.S. & World
—"You punch me, I punch back. I do not believe it's good for one's self-respect to be a punching bag."
—"If you agree with me on 9 out of 12 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a psychiatrist."
—"Have you ever lived in the suburbs? It's sterile. It's nothing. It's wasting your life."
-On the prospect of living in Albany, during his failed 1982 race for governor
—"Whether I am straight or gay or bisexual is nobody's business but mine."
—"If they want a parade, let them parade in front of the oil drums in Moonachie."
-After the New York Giants, who play in New Jersey, asked for a permit to hold a parade in the city after winning the Super Bowl in 1987
—"I was defeated because of longevity, not because Yusuf Hawkins was murdered six weeks before the election, although that was a factor. People get tired of you. So they decided to throw me out."
-After losing the 1989 mayoral primary
—"It's not soaring, beautiful, handsome, like the George Washington or the Verrazano. It's rugged, it's hard working — and that's me."
-On the 59th Street Bridge being renamed for him in 2011.
—"I don't want to leave Manhattan, even when I'm gone. This is my home. The thought of having to go to New Jersey was so distressing to me."
-After purchasing a burial plot in Manhattan's Trinity Cemetery in 2008
—"I know that nothing happens here on this Earth that wasn't ordained by God. I know that. You know that. And therefore, while I know that it was the people who elected me, it was God who selected me."
--In 1985, during an Easter Sunday worship in Harlem explaining why he thought he was selected by God to be mayor. The next day, Koch stressed that it did not necessarily mean he was endorsed by God
—"Not that I was given approval by the Deity, but I am delighted I was given the opportunity by the Deity."


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Cirque du Soleil sets up shop at the Bayside Expo Center from Sept. 5 to Oct. 5.
When Cirque du Soleil performs, audiences expect jaw-dropping innovation, talent and theatricality.
Serge Roy, creative director of the new show "Kooza," thinks they won't be disappointed with the daring teamwork of acrobats on The Wheel of Death, giant wheels that rotate on an axle at great speed.
"It's just something to make you have a cardiac attack. My wife, every time she sees it, she screams," Roy said jokingly. "The Wheel of Death is not that usual in the circus because not many people can master it."
Since premiering in Montreal in April 2007, "Kooza" has played in eight cities and opens Sept. 5 for a four-week run at The Bayside Expo Center in Boston. Named after the Sanskrit word "koza," meaning "chest" or "treasure," the show is a treasure chest of circus arts and a return to the foundation of the acclaimed Montreal-based circus, which has 18 shows throughout the world.
"We've tried to go back to our roots," said Roy, who has worked for almost 25 years with Cirque du Soleil, which began in 1984 as a troupe of street performers.
"We wanted to go 110 percent circus and do something that's a mix of fun and drama, laughing and being scared. In the past, with some shows, we were a little more theatrical."
But that isn't to say that the costumes, sets and original music still won't dazzle. The surface of the stage is decorated to look like a starry sky, and the traveling tower that moves the artists in and out of the spotlight is decorated with images inspired by Hindu culture and Indian jewelry.
Many of the costume coats have fabric made with fiber optics and LEDs molded in translucent resin to diffuse light, and the juggler's clothing is made of a fabric of mirrored squares.
The clowns also carry on the circus' tradition of theatricality. Each plays archetypical characters: the Innocent, the Trickster, the King, the Pickpocket and the Obnoxious Tourist and his Bad Dog.
"The clowns do magic and their world is absurd," Roy said. "They are the link between our world and the acrobats."
But it's the 53 circus artists who push the boundaries. Many are renowned in the circus world, such as juggler Anthony Gato, who makes objects blur, and the Dominguez high wire team, who crisscross the stage on two wires.
"Sometimes we try to reinvent, but with this show, we've hired some of the best circus acts in the world," Roy said.
Other highlights are a unicycle duo who share one bike, contortionists who become body sculptures, teeterboard acrobats who twist five times as they fly 30 feet high on stilts, and a solo trapeze flier of amazing grace.
But it's not enough to showcase these artists. Roy wants them to connect with the audience as street performers do. To that end, the show departs from tradition and sets the high wire and the trapeze on the diagonal stage left to stage right.
"We put it at an angle to offer the public a better view," Roy said.
If you go...
WHAT: Kooza
WHERE: Bayside Expo Center, 200 Mount Vernon St., Boston
WHEN: Sept. 5 to Oct. 5
HOW MUCH: $55 to $125 for adults, $49.50 to $122.50 for students ages 13 and older and seniors ages 65 and older, and $38.50 to $87.50 for ages 2-12
MORE INFO: Call 800-678-5440 or go to www.cirquedusoleil.com for other shows scheduled around the country.
The Patriot Ledger


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Hey lovelies! I know we already posted about this but we wanted to make it a little easier to see and navigate. After a great year of blogging, Addy and I, the Pixelannies will be moving to separate blogs. This is nothing personal we still luff each other! We just decided that it's time to branch out and grow as individual bloggers! I'll post our new directions below. Thank you all for your support and we hope you will continue to follow us to support what we love to do most. See you all very soon! Muahss!
New information and blogs will be at the addresses below =).
- Dani's Blog: http://pixeldanica.wordpress.com/
- Dani's Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danicasaerwen/
- Dani's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danica.saerwen
- Dani's Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/DanicaSaerwen
- Dani's Twitter: https://twitter.com/pixeldanica
- Dani's Tumblr: http://mspainfullyhip.tumblr.com/
- Addy's Blog: http://fashionaddytude.wordpress.com/
- Addy's Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/92868553@N02/
- Addy's Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/adrienne.walpole
- Addy's Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/AdrienneWalpole
- Addy's Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdrienneWalpole
Thank you all so much and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Love Always, Dani & Addy
PICTURE DONE BY: Libby Farleigh


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3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Building #104
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Explore Singapore4 days
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Soho Flat Armchair
Furni-Soft Leatherette
Leatherette is known for better-fitting and durability. It looks and feels like genuine leather. Despite being cost effective, leatherette seat covers provide the appeal and comfort of leather. Suitable for all climates, Soho Concept leatherette material is breathable, anti-microbial, flame retardant and easy to clean. It is made of 53% polyurethane, 32% polyester and 15% cotton.
Ercan Wool
Wool is a natural fiber with a number of excellent qualities and unique properties. Suitable for all climates, wool fibers adapt easily to room temperature, having a cooling effect in warm rooms and a warming effect in cold rooms. The fibers are elastic so they tolerate compression and stretching better than any other materials. Wool will always seek to regain its original shape, and therefore woollen textiles are highly resistant to wear and wil show few signs of creasing. Wool naturally repels dirt thanks to its unique structure of fibers and to the fact that it is not prone to static electricity. Intrinsically flame retardant, wool has a very high ignition temperature and chars rather than dripping or melting. It is made of 90% wool and 10% viscose.
Camira Blazer I Wool
Manufactured in the UK, Camira Wool is a totally natural, renewable and sustainable wool that gives task and soft seating a contemporary edge. Camira's most sustainable fabric ever is a unique blend of pure new wool and nettle fiber, creating an unrivalled environmental profile with inherent fire retardancy. The fibers are extracted using an environmentally preferable mechanical decortication process instead of separating them from the woody core by soaking them in chemicals or water. The Blazer range is made from 100% Lanev wool, sustainably produced and traceable right back to the individual farms in New Zealand. Totally natural and renewable, this contemporary fabric has a great palette of bold solid and melange shades.
Kent (Top-Grain) Leather
Top-grain leather is a natural material which is permeable to air and moisture; it is supple and soft, warm, flexible and durable-its characteristic comfort properties have been appreciated since time immemorial. With its fine finish, top-grain leather is flame resistant lightfast, oil-resistant and water repellent. It complies with today's most stringent standards. The exquisite beauty and true naturalness of top-grain leather is easy to clean and care for and it retains its original beauty for a very long time. Made of 100% top-grain leather.
Soho Flat Armchair
- Modern dining armchair with sled legs
- Can be used as a dining chair or lounge chair
- Seat & back in your choice of upholstery and is removable via velcro enclosure
- Flexible and strong because of "s" shape internal springs
- Suitable in residential and commercial settings
- A Tayfur Ozkaynak design


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Dr. Mathew PhilipHOD. Senior Consultant
- Gastroenterology
The Lisie has its foundation on unshakeable social commitment and is striving to take its great work further by transforming specialities into super-specialities, making the new advancements in medical field reachable for everyone. The centre of gastroenterology which started functioning here two years back was thus a firm step ahead in that direction.
Now, to cater to the growing demand, we are into an expansion phase with addition of more space, equipment, personnel and expertise. And the much awaited division of gastrointestinal surgery was commenced in mid- February, 2016 with a highly specialized GI surgeon joining our department.
With skilled personnel, dedicated team, sophisticated equipment and service oriented management policies, the Lisie centre of gastrointestinal and liver diseases endeavour to fill the great void between the big corporate centers and the government hospitals.
With two senior consultants on board, the unit focuses on individualized care of patients. We make use of the fact that all specialities are available at Lisie including oncology, radiology and cardiology and we team up with them for multidisciplinary care as per patients' needs. The department has state-of-the-art
Sevices and Facilities
2012- Department started
November 2014- Department expanded and shifted to new floor with modern endoscopy suite and sonology room
August 2015- Started ERCP with dedicated fluoroscopy machine
February 2016- Started gastroenterology ICU integrated with endoscopy suite
November 2017- Started EUS, both diagnostic and therapeutic


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I was over at OSH park, and I noticed that the purple Teensy 3.2 (previously 3.1) was no longer for sale. But they now have the Teensy 4.0 for sale:
For USA buyers, it is perhaps the cheapest option to get a Teensy 4.0 ($18 with free USPS shipping), providing you can wait a week or two. I don't know what the shipping charges would be outside of the USA.


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Fozzy's Chris Jericho Discusses 'Sin and Bones,' Balancing WWE Career With Music + More
Chris Jericho boasts a career that only he, and he alone, has been able to accomplish. Along with an incredibly decorated tenure with WWE, a job that comes with a notoriously grueling schedule, Jericho serves as the vocalist for hard rock band Fozzy. Balancing two of the most demanding jobs on the planet, on top of being a father, is a mixture that would quickly burn out the average person, but Jericho takes on the challenge full-force while keeping his fans strongly in tact.
We recently spoke with Jericho about Fozzy's new album 'Sin and Bones,' the upcoming, 'Evil Dead' inspired music video for 'Sandpaper,' Fozzy's entrance into the Loudwire Cage Match Hall of Fame and he is able to balance a life devoted to music and professional wrestling, among other topics.
Check out our exclusive and in-depth interview with Fozzy vocalist Chris Jericho below:
'Sandpaper' is the first single from 'Sin and Bones.' Is that any indication of what fans can expect from the rest of the new Fozzy record?
Yeah, absolutely. There's certain songs that you pick to be a single because they're a little bit more radio friendly, so there's definitely other songs on the record that are in that style. There's some longer songs, there's a few more songs that are a little bit more unorthodox, but we thought 'Sandpaper' was the best cross-section for what we're doing now. We discovered this on the 'Chasing the Grail' record, that basically what we do best is very heavy music with very melodic choruses, and I think 'Sandpaper' is the epitome of what the new record sounds like. If you could take the perfect cross section of 'Sin and Bones,' 'Sandpaper' would be it.
I recently read the video for 'Sandpaper' is going to be inspired by the 'Evil Dead' movies. Is there anything more you can tell us about that?
It all stemmed from an idea that I had because I was, for whatever reason, just thinking about how to do a video where the song is a very big section that's sung by somebody else, by M. Shadows [ of Avenged Sevenfold]. I wasn't sure if he was going to be in the video. We said, 'How can we do a video for a song that has somebody else singing and not have me doing that part, so I thought, 'What if my back is to the camera?' You do that point-and-shoot camera flying through the woods like 'Evil Dead,' and then as soon as it hits 'Sandpaper,' I turn around and my eyes are all white.
It kind of started from that and then we said, 'What if we do a whole Evil Dead-type homage?' And then we found this bad-ass cabin in the woods in Atlanta, and just everything kind of fell together from there. We found, right by the cabin, there was a civil war burial ground, and there was this creepy bridge that was near it, and the cabin couldn't have been more perfect for what we were looking for. It looks exactly like the little Evil Dead cabin. Then we started doing all the effects that were involved, all the gags that were involved, the point-of-view camera and being attacked by the vine. It's just really, really cool. Then we just filmed M. Shadows' stuff too, so he's going to be in the video. So I think it's going to be something no one else has seen before. It's very, very cool and it's just what we wanted.
I can't wait to see that. I'm such a huge 'Evil Dead' nerd.
Yeah, man, it's going to blow you away completely. Nobody has really done a video like this before, and I'm the same way, I'm a huge Evil Dead fan and a huge horror movie fan. It was almost like getting to kill two birds with one stone. It was really fun.
So when it comes to Fozzy in general and the new album, 'Sin and Bones,' are there any vocalists in particular that you're trying to emulate?
No, I mean, at this point in time, after all the touring we've been doing for 'Chasing the Grail' and after how successful it was, I discovered that if you're touring as much as we have, you really get to know your wheelhouse about what you're doing vocally and what you're doing live. So when you get to the studio, you can use all those tricks and use all those ideas and thoughts. So, I don't really try to emulate anybody, I'm just being Chris Jericho at this point.
It is funny, though, because people have said over the years that I sound a little bit like Ozzy, who I never tried to sound like, but there's definitely that quality in there. We did a B-side on the record, and did 'Fairies Wear Boots' by Sabbath. It was like, people think I sound like Ozzy without trying, so what would I sound like if I tried to sound like Ozzy? It's hilarious, because you would think that Ozzy was actually in the studio with us. It worked really good, it was fun. At this point, I'm more interested in the Chris Jericho style of singing, it's exactly who I am and what I do. I think it's unique and I think it's good to the point where people hear my voice and they know it.
You guys did a stellar job of promoting our Cage Matches and ended up winning five in a row and entering the Loudwire Cage Match Hall of Fame. Is that a good representation of a natural competitive nature that you have?
Yeah, I mean, you have to have that with anything you do in life, especially in show business, especially in rock and roll. You have to have that competitive element. It was funny because when the first Cage Match came up, we didn't know if other people were into this or if it was the just same ten people voting over and over again. But we found out that Loudwire had a lot of readers and a lot of notoriety for doing the Cage Match. Actually when it was first presented to us, we were up against Motley Crue's 'Sex,' and our record company said, "It's probably going to be hard to beat Motley Crue, but you're in this thing, so give it a try." And I was like, "F— it, if we're in it, lets try it."
And then we were losing for a while, but we eventually took over Motley Crue and won. To me, it was a big deal. You know, here's one of the most legendary bands of all time and we can beat them. Then we beat Fear Factory and then we beat Papa Roach and then we beat Linkin Park and then we beat Slash — it was like each band was bigger than the next and we just kept steamrolling. It did mean a lot to me and I thought it was cool. Like I said, I don't know how may people were voting, but I don't care. All I know is Linkin Park has over a million twitter followers and we beat them. That to me, means something, and it was very important to us and it was a big honor for us to be involved. So just that we can say we're in the Loudwire Hall of Fame, it does mean something to Fozzy and to all of our fans who voted. We got everybody to vote; that's for sure.
Yeah, there were a lot of votes and it's definitely a testament to the dedication of your fans, I think.
It's just a long career and, you know, the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations … We've been in this for thirteen years and now that we're kind of getting to the next level and there are so may great things happening with the band, and have been for the last two or three years. I think, not only are we getting so many great new fans, but the fans who have been with us from the start are as loyal as they come, so it's cool to kind of see that pay off.
That competitive nature, it must spark something within you when you see a truly great live band. Who are some of those live bands that make you go, "Holy hell, I need to try to be as epic as these guys."?
It's interesting, I guess about a month and a half ago, I was going to Atlanta to see the the Iron Maiden 'Maiden England' tour. When I got there, I just put two and two together and realized that Orion Fest was the next day in Atlantic City with Metallica and Avenged Sevenfold playing. So I just called M. Shadows and I'm like, "When are you playing?" and he said, "Were playing on Sunday." So I created a little road trip for myself and I went to see Maiden on Saturday and flew to Atlantic City the next day to see Avenged and Metallica.
So in a 24 hour period, I saw three of my favorite bands. All three of them, in different ways, put on clinics on what it's like to be a great live band. And obviously, you can't really get much bigger or much better than Maiden or Metallica when it comes to presence and their stage show and energy. But then Avenged, being one of the younger bands, they're amazing too as far as working the crowd and having that total confidence and their vibe on stage. That's something not a lot of bands have, and you know, we strive for that too.
We've been critically acclaimed, shall we say, for our live performances. Word of mouth has really gone around that we're a very entertaining, energetic live act, but that's mostly been in Europe for whatever reason. We've done most of our touring in Europe and the UK, and we've always done very well there. And that's why we're really excited to do the Uproar tour, where we're going to be going coast to coast in the States, in our own country, and I think some people have seen us because we've played a lot of shows in the States, but there's really a lot of people that are seeing us for the first time. Or side note that, because I think as much as people can hear our music and can hear how the band keeps growing musically, I think when you see us live, it's a whole different ball of wax, it's a whole different vibe and it stems from the fact that we are very much big Metallica fans, Avenged Sevenfold fans. You have to know your audience and be able to take them on a ride and they should have a great time and that's what we do. We don't accept substitutes for people having fun and for people being involved in our shows. We'll go the extra mile every time and we're excited to get on the road and show what it is that we do.
I actually saw two of those 'Maiden England' tour dates myself and they were absolutely phenomenal. And 'Seventh Son' is one of my favorite records.
Yeah, me too, it's actually my second-favorite Maiden record. Being a longtime Maiden fan, I think I saw that show [original Maiden England tour] when I was 14. But you know, to see the show, and not just all of the props and all of the effects and all the production of it, but just to hear the band just killing it and Bruce [Dickinson] sounding better now than he did 20 years ago — it's great to see because I think what's going on in music, which is really cool, is that age is kind of becoming irrelevant now for people. It's more about, 'Is the music good?' Are people excited about the bands? You see just as many kids at these shows as you see people who are in their 40s and who are in their 50s and everybody in between. So I think music and metal has become almost evergreen in the same way that the Stones, or Motorhead, or the Ramones — there's people there that are of all ages. It's that way for Maiden and Metallica as well, where age is becoming irrelevant. It's just about this rock and roll band and these great tunes that all ages of people who love music can enjoy.
You've have accomplished a great deal when it comes to wrestling. And then Fozzy of course, and books, and movies, and 'Dancing with the Stars' and all that stuff. Do you find it difficult to kind of just sit back and do nothing for a couple of days or even a week?
Not really, the thing with me is that when I was a kid I had two dreams: I wanted to be in a rock and roll band and I wanted to be a wrestler. I'm the first person that's ever done both of those things and I've been through the ringer because of it. A lot of people go, 'There's no way you can do both' or 'It's not real,' but it's much like Jared Leto in 30 Seconds to Mars. He's an accomplished actor and a great rock 'n' roll singer. It's a weird thing for people to kind of realize and accept, that it's legit. Now it's happened, and especially over the last few years, people don't really care that I'm a wrestler, they just care that it's a great rock 'n' roll band and it is what it is. So all of those do stem from the fact that I am a creative person.
I don't put boundaries on myself, and if it's something I think I can do, then I do my best to make it happen. But the routine when I'm at home, hanging out with my family and my kids, I don't do anything. I don't go out, I don't have friends … I may have friends, but no one that I'm going out to see movies with or hang out with at the bar. I just stay at home and hang out with my kids. That's the trade off, even when I'm on the road, or working I'm at 1000 percent. I have no limits, no boundaries. When I'm at home, I'm 1000 percent about family and that's the only way that I can make it work.
Being on the road for such a tremendous amount of time, is there any specific inspiration that the road offers you as a songwriter?
We've never written a 'Turn the Page' like Bob Seger or a 'Whiplash,' Metallica, but what I get from the road is I keep my eyes open at all times and I'm always looking for song titles that intrigue me. And that's how I write my lyrics; backwards from song titles. You see like 'Spider in My Mouth,' or 'Sandpaper,' or 'Dark Passenger' or 'She's My Addiction' — any songs like that have titles that I'll write down and then work my way backwards from there. I think also because we've been so many places and seen so many things, it gives you a different mindset as far as what to write about. You know what I mean? I don't just write about "The moon in June, with a spoon" type of stuff. I try to think of songs that are a little outside of the box and I try to be unique and original with every song that I write, including every title. If I think of a song title, I always Google it to see if anybody else has it and see if you know, a song like 'She's My Addiction,' I couldn't believe that there's never been a rock song with that title before. I thought of it and then I did some research to make sure no one had done a song like that so it would be original, and off I went.
Song titles mean a lot to me because when I was a kid, I used to look at the back of records and if I saw a title that intrigued me, I instantly liked that song before I even heard it. You know, I remember 'Disposable Heroes' [Metallica] or 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner' by Iron Maiden or something like that. It's like, "Wow, I love that song already and I haven't even heard it yet." So, I'm very much into making sure song titles are something that sound intriguing right off the bat.
What would you say are the biggest differences between touring for the WWE and touring with Fozzy?
Well, Uproar [Festival] notwithstanding, we're playing bigger venues with the WWE, so they're all arenas and stuff like that. Whereas with Fozzy, it's more clubs and theaters. With WWE, everywhere I travel, I travel by myself, whereas with you're in the band, you're on the bus with everybody else. It's a much easier vibe to travel by bus, especially in Europe because with the WWE there is a lot of flying. Short flights are hard because you've got to get to the airport, you've got to check in, you've got to go through security, then you've got to wait, then you're on the plane, then you take the flight, then you're off the plane and you wait, then you get your bags, you go to transportation, then you go to the hotel. The bus is kind of your one stop shop. You get on it, you hang out, you get off it, and you're at the next gig. So, there is a little bit of sanity in traveling by myself, which I love with the WWE, but it's way easier to travel with Fozzy on the bus for sure. It makes it a lot less of a hassle to be traveling for long periods of time when you're in your own little world that you never have to really get out of.
The WWE schedule is so demanding, as is touring with a band. A lot of people get burnt out just doing one of the two…
I don't do it at the same time. I mean, that's impossible. So I mean, when 'Chasing the Grail' came out, I left the WWE the last time and went into the whole album cycle and it was just all Fozzy all the time. You know, tours go in blocks. You may be gone for three weeks, or four weeks, or five weeks. Then you come home for two or three weeks, or four weeks, or five weeks, so that's a lot easier. With the WWE, it's non-stop, but you get two, or three, or four days off a week. You get bigger chunks of time off when you're traveling with Fozzy, but you get more time away from home with the WWE. I just like being on the road. I've been on the road ever since I was 19 years-old, so it's something that I do, and it's something that I always do, and I'm just glad to have Fozzy growing to where we've grown. When wrestling is long gone, I'll still be traveling the world with the band and that's a pretty cool feeling.
Has there ever been tension within the band due to your absences with the WWE?
No, because everybody is always doing other stuff too. Like I said, for the first two or three records with Fozzy, we were doing them both at the same time, but with 'Chasing the Grail' we really sat down and said, "We really have a chance to do something here." Lets put all of our effort in this and do this full time, and that's what we did. Now that we have this momentum behind us, the side projects are kind of just that; the side. I'm getting ready to finish up with the WWE next week .. and then it's full-time Fozzy for the whole album cycle. The only reason why I came back this time to the WWE, for the nine months I was back, is because we were recording a new record and my contribution is writing the lyrics and singing. I had all the lyrics written before the record started, and then once we started recording, I've got 15 days of work and other than that I'm not doing anything. So, it was a perfect time for me to come back to the WWE for not a short run, but a decent size run. Like I said, the record is coming out, it's time to go back full-time with Fozzy and see where the road takes me then.
Fozzy's 'Sin and Bones' is now available through Century Media. To purchase the album, click here.


text:
Let the U.N. die
By Henry Lamb
web posted February 17, 2003
For more than a half-century, the United States has invested
untold billions of hard-earned dollars in the United Nations.
Once, there was a hope that the sprawling bureaucracy could be
a forum where nations hammer out solutions to the world's
problems, instead of resorting to war. That hope became a
fantasy many years ago. Between bureaucratic inertia, and
political posturing, the U.N. has become a bottomless pit, where
good money chases bad. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union,
the U.N.'s highest priority appears to be to contain, constrain,
and ultimately, to control the United States.
Germany, aided by France and Russia, has been at the forefront
of this effort for more than a decade. Their current display of
solidarity on Iraq, and NATO, is far more public than normal,
which suggests that they believe they now have the power to
force the United States to conform to their demands.
Willy Brandt, then-Chancellor of Germany, called an emergency
meeting of
the world's socialist leaders in 1991, when George H.W.
Bush stood up to Saddam Hussein. Out of this meeting came the
Commission on Global Governance, which produced a
blueprint for creating world government. That blueprint has now
been substantially implemented, and the one-worlders believe
they have the power to force the U.S. to acquiesce to their will.
The Clinton administration supported the global governance
agenda; the Bush administration has tried valiantly to keep the
U.S. out of the clutches of the one-worlders, while working
within the framework of the United Nations. The selection of
Lybia to head the Human Rights Commission; the selection of
Iraq to head the Disarmament talks; and now, France and
Germany's determination to continue the U.N.'s 12-year "rush"
to war, and their refusal to allow NATO to plan for Turkey's
defense - should convince even Congressional Democrats that
the U.N. is a lost cause.
America's role, and responsibility to the world, is neither to fund,
nor to conform to the wishes of the United Nations. The first
responsibility of the American government is to protect U.S.
citizens, and to defend the U.S. Constitution. Acquiescence to
the U.N.' global governance would subject U.S. citizens to
policies imposed by unelected bureaucrats in foreign countries,
enforced by judges chosen by the very people who seek to
control the United States.
It's time to let the U.N. die.
Ironically, the U.N. could not have possibly reached this stage of
global governance without the financial and political support of
the United States. If the United States were to stop funding this
monster, it would die of starvation. To be sure, the world's
socialists would close ranks, and try to consolidate their global
power. They could, and likely would, impose sanctions on the
U.S., forcing a direct confrontation between capitalism and
socialism. No contest.
Withdrawal from the U.N. is not withdrawal from the world, nor
should it be. President Bush's "coalition of the willing" consists of
at least 18 nations that have made a public commitment to
participate, with or without the U.N. Still, Senator Carl Levin,
among others, contend that action against Iraq without U.N.
approval is "unilateral" action. This idea that the U.N. must
legitimize U.S. foreign policy is to deny the concept of national
There are many people in America who have been taught that
global governance, administered by the U.N., is the next plateau
in the evolution of governance, and that failure to acquiesce to
the inevitable is irresponsible. This idea is the result of a half-
century of careful indoctrination by UNESCO, the National
Education Association, the U.N. Association, the World
Federalist Society, and a host of other one-world advocates. To
those who subscribe to this point of view, the U.S. Constitution
is obsolete; national sovereignty is outdated, and individual
freedom must be suppressed for the greater collective good of
The decisions made by the United States government in the next
days or weeks could well determine the future of the United
States for generations. If the United States bows to the will of
the U.N., America - the land of the free and the home of the
brave - will be history. On the other hand, if the U.S. exercises
its national sovereignty and moral authority to protect its citizens,
and the U.S. Constitution, despite the objections of France,
Germany, and Russia - we could see the beginning of a new era
of freedom in the United States, and throughout the world.
Henry Lamb is the
executive vice president of the Environmental Conservation
Organization (ECO), and chairman of Sovereignty International .
Enter Stage Right -- http://www.enterstageright.com


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text:
Life in the Saunders house has been crazy over the last six weeks, and that is why I have been a terrible blogger.
School started. Will is in first grade and Cate is in pre-k. Both kids are doing well. Will has the same teacher and therapists and several of the same classmates as last year. He loves school, and I love that! Cate started at Abundant Life School, a small private Christian school, and is doing wonderfully. She loves school and is learning so much. Not that I'm biased in the least, but she really is a smart girl. She is learning lots of book stuff but also, more importantly, she's learning the Word of God. She learns a Bible verse every week and tells me about Isaac, Adam and Eve, Noah, etc. I love it! When she thinks we're not listening, I hear her teaching her big brother about the Bible stories she is learning. So proud!
Jeremiah has been on the job hunt but hasn't found anything yet. He's in the process of applying to be a substitute teacher for North Little Rock schools. Hopefully it will work out and he can work at least some. Now that both kids are in school, we really need for him to be working. money is tight, and some breathing room sure would be nice.
My job is going great! I love what I do and for the most part, love everyone I work with. Taking care of kids with special needs is what I was made to do. I'm in the second year of my three year fellowship and am starting to have to think about what I'm going to do when I grow up. I really didn't think it would happen so soon, but it is. So, I am praying and trying to stay focused on God's will for my life, not my will. There is a lot tugging at us to keep us here in Arkansas. While I know that wouldn't thrill my family, I have to remind them that Arkansas is not nearly as far away as Papua New Guinea or China (where I have friends who are missionaries), so it could be much worse.
Will is doing okay medically. His seizures seem to be stable. His increasing lower extremity tone is probably still progressing, but if so, it is doing so slowly. His MRI showed that the syrinx on his spinal cord has only grown a tiny bit and is still too small to operate on. The test for neurotransmitter disorders he had came back normal, which didn't surprise me. It's good that it was normal but doesn't explain why his tone is getting worse. I'm going to do my best not to worry about it though. I can't change it. All I can do is love my boy and provide the most love and best care he can get. And after attending the funeral of a child from his class at church this week, I am reminded of how lucky we are and how much worse things could be.
I know this hasn't been the inspirational or encouraging post I often try to write, but I just don't feel very inspirational right now. I'm praying for strength, peace, and provision for my family. I'm praying for physical health and healing for my son, my niece and nephew, my friend from work and many others. I'm praying for wisdom and guidance regarding the decision I'll have to make about work. And I'm praying for rest and renewal, for my mind, body, and spirit. I hope everyone reading this is doing well, and I hope to have an uplifting post for you to read soon. Until then...


text:
Ukrainian church in Carnegie sends prayers abroad
Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church to hold service for victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
Many parishioners who attend Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carnegie have family members and loved ones still living in Ukraine, and with the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, it has renewed a tragedy that has been part of their lives for some time.
VIDEO: Watch Marcie Cipriani's report
The Rev. Jason Charron has only been with the church for two weeks, but Ukraine has been a part of his life for much longer. His daughter, Maria, and her older sister were born there. His wife is Ukrainian and they still have family living there, just as many members of his congregation do.
He said they pray often for those suffering in Ukraine and will continue to pray for those affect by the plane crash.
"As a local community, we want to respond to the spiritual catastrophe and needs of those who senselessly lost their lives in the plane crash, so after our 11 o'clock liturgy here, we'll be having a very short memorial service for those who died. We can't always be there on the other side of the world to pray for them, but with God, land doesn't divide us," said Charron.
He said Sunday's 11 a.m. service will be in English and they're hopeful everyone will attend and pray with them.


text:
|STS-133 Shuttle Mission Imagery
high res (0.7 M) low res (65 K)
|JSC2010-E-089928 (10 June 2010) --- Robonaut 2, a dexterous, humanoid astronaut helper, will fly to the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Discovery on the STS-133 mission. Although it will initially only participate in operational tests, upgrades could eventually allow the robot to realize its true purpose -- helping spacewalking astronauts with tasks outside the space station. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Curator: JSC PAO Web Team | Responsible NASA Official: Amiko Kauderer | Updated: 11/13/2012


text:
Hey, I was only joking when I said fishing rule breakers ought to be chopped up for shark chum, but some days…this story about fisherman bragging about killing a record 1300 lb mako shark gives me second thoughts. There's nothing praiseworthy about exterminating a top predator, especially one that doesn't threaten your terrestrial butt at all.
There is a poll, if you'd like to express your opinion.
Should sharks be protected from fishing?
Yes 86%
No 14%


text:
LOKSAK Inc is a manufacturer of protective cases, pouches, and bags made in the United States. Based in Naples, Florida, the company is the creator of several newfangled storage solutions that are guaranteed resealable as well as water, dust and humidity proof.
aLOKSAK storage bags are the only resealable bags that's certified waterproof up to 200 feet, and can survive diving conditions. These multi-patented bags come in more than a dozen sizes, which can fit in all of your prized possessions (from gadgets to important documents and accessories) and protect them from dust, water, humidity, sand and snow amongst others. The three 3 x 6 inch bags, perfect for small gadgets such as smartphones and mp3 players, wholesale at $4.17 and retail at $8.39. The two 16 x 24 inch bags, which can fit bigger items such as documents, wholesale at $11.38 and retail at $22.79.
Like aLOKSAK bags, OPSAK storage bags have the same level of protection plus odor blocking films to keep any unpleasant stench lingering from your possessions. "Many parks are telling people they must pack out body waste," report LOKSAK owner and inventor Linda Kennedy. "OPSAK can be used to carry food, undetected by animals, or to pack out waste. Canyonlands National Park has been testing the product, and they are really excited by the odor barrier for people camping with food. You can also pour boiling water into the OPSAK and rehydrate food." It's available in 4 various sizes. The 7 x 7 inch special-purpose bag comes in a three-pack that wholesales for $4.62 and retails for $9.29. The 28 x 21 bag is sold in twos, and wholesales for $11.11 while retails for $22.29.
LOKSAK also makes SPLASHSAK nylon carrying cases for aLOKSAKs. Choose from 13 different sizes that can be carried around the waist, neck or arm. Each SPLASHSAK comes with two aLOKSAKs inside. Wholesale price ranges from $9-16, while retail prices is from $19-33.
Recently, LOKSAK introduced SHIELDSAK, a protective pouch proven to jam radio frequencies, infrared and skim/quick scan technology. All these signals are blocked from entering or escaping the bag, and keep your electronic gadgets hack-free when inside the bag. "I developed this product for the military, and now it is very popular with celebrities, executives and anyone who wants to avoid being hacked, tracked or scanned," states Kennedy. The phone size case wholesales for $34.92 and retails for $69.89. Its tablet size counterpart wholesales for $78.59 and retails for $157.19.
Retailers interested in finding out more about LOKSAK can go Sands Expo or Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas, where the company will be exhibiting their products. The minimum order is $120 with point-of-purchase displays available. More information are also available on the website, www.loksak.com/retailers.


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A high-end lead made of Neutrik connectors and Sommer Cable. As used in top UK recording and rehearsal studios where the best sound quality and utmost reliability are required.
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SAMJ: South African Medical Journal
On-line version ISSN 2078-5135
Print version ISSN 0256-9574
SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. vol.98 n.10 Cape Town Oct. 2008
Surgical complications of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection in HIV-infected children: Time for a change in policy?
J S KarpelowskyI; A G AlexanderII; S Dix PeekIII; A J W MillarIV; H RodeV
IMD, FCS (SA), Cert Paed Surg (SA). Division of Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town
IIMD, FCS (SA), Cert Paed Surg (SA). Division of Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town
IIIMD, FCS (Ortho) (SA). Division of Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town
IVMD, FRCS, FRACS. Division of Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town
VMD, FCS (SA). Division of Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and University of Cape Town
AIM: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunisation is well established as part of the South African national expanded programme for immunisation (EPI). The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends that BCG be given to all asymptomatic infants irrespective of HIV exposure at birth but does not recommend BCG vaccination for children with symptomatic HIV infection. This approach, however, has led to HIV-infected neonates who are asymptomatic at birth, developing severe vaccine-related complications. We present a surgical case series, representative of a minority of the cases in circulation, in support of a change to the timing of BCG administration to HIV-exposed neonates.
METHODS: A case series of 17 HIV-infected patients with surgical complications of BCG vaccination.
RESULTS: Seventeen patients are presented. The first two illustrate disseminated systemic BCG infection, resulting in BCG infection of the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and tibia, and the second with gastrointestinal involvement causing bowel obstruction. The other 15 patients represent a series of severe ulcerating lymphadenitis secondary to BCG.
CONCLUSION: The risks of BCG in HIV-infected infants are significant. Current recommendations are not satisfactory, and a change in policy is required to prevent the harmful effects of this vaccine in a high-risk group of patients. We believe that there is sufficient need to adequately stratify patients and vaccinate them according to a protocol that takes impaired immunity into consideration.
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunisation is well established as part of the South African national expanded programme for immunisation (EPI). The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends that BCG be given to all asymptomatic infants irrespective of HIV exposure at birth. The same report, however, acknowledges the risks of disseminated BCG and does not recommend BCG vaccination for children with symptomatic HIV infection.1 This recommendation does not take into consideration the fact that most vertically transmitted HIV-infected neonates are asymptomatic at birth, which has led to a significant number of immunocompromised patients developing severe vaccine-related complications.2-10 We present a surgical case series, representing a minority of the cases in circulation,3,4 in support of a change to the timing of BCG administration to HIV-exposed neonates.
Case 1
A 3-year-old HIV-infected boy first presented to our medical service at 11 months of age. He was noted to have firm, enlarged, matted axillary lymph nodes >3 cm in diameter; this was in keeping with BCG lymphadenitis of his right axilla. He also had pneumonia, oral thrush and neuro-developmental delay. He was subsequently started on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). During this admission, he was diagnosed as having tuberculosis (TB), based on acid-fast bacilli (AFB)-positive gastric washings, and he was commenced on TB therapy. Owing to the presence of BCG adenitis, the systemic isolates of AFB were submitted to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and found to be Mycobacterium bovis rather than M. tuberculosis. He was discharged after 6 weeks of treatment, placed on 6 months of anti-TB treatment, and booked for regular follow-up, from which his caretakers defaulted. Almost a year later, he presented with multiple small subcutaneous abscesses evenly distributed over his trunk and limbs. Soft-tissue thickening over the tibial aspects of both lower legs was noted. Ultrasound of the abdomen revealed an enlarged spleen and liver; both revealed multiple focal hypodense lesions. The tibial thickening that had been detected clinically was not investigated further at the time. However, 2 months later he presented again with severe pain, subcutaneous inflammation and fluctuation over the anterior surface of the medial aspect of the lower legs. X-ray changes included a localised osteopenia and a periosteal reaction (Fig. 1). Surgical intervention revealed bilateral tibial osteitis. Histological examination of bone biopsies confirmed osteitis secondary to M. bovis infection. In summary, this boy developed disseminated (lymph node, cutaneous, hepatic, splenic and osteal) BCG infection subsequent to routine immunisation.
Case 2
A 13-month-old HIV-infected boy presented with bile-stained vomiting and a distended abdomen. He was on HAART, and disseminated BCG was confirmed on PCR analysis of gastric washings. The initial working diagnosis was that of gastro-enteritis, but when the symptoms failed to resolve and abdominal distention became evident, he was referred for a surgical opinion. A diagnosis of small-bowel obstruction was made. Laparotomy identified a large group of ulcerating nodes, to which the omentum had attached and consequently caused the obstruction. The histology of node biopsy confirmed necrotising granulomatous inflammation due to disseminated BCG infection. There were no other bowel lesions.
Cases 3 - 17
In this series of 15 infants,11 14 had routine BCG vaccination, administered into the right deltoid area, during the first week of life. Vaccination was delayed for 2 weeks in 1 infant owing to perinatal sepsis. All the infants were HIV positive (PCR analysis). On average, the CD4 count was 664 cells/µl, with a range of 9 - 2 057 (normal values: 500 - 2 010). The average time from inoculation to the development of BCG complication was 6.8 months. Fourteen of the 15 infants were referred for surgery for management of right axillary abscesses or breakdown of nodes (Fig. 2). One child had disseminated disease as detected by gastric washings and positive PCR for M. bovis. Fourteen of the infants received HAART. In 10 patients, the implementation of HAART predated the complications of the BCG vaccine.
The average time from starting HAART to the onset of symptoms was 1.4 months. Nine of the 15 infants were placed on TB treatment. A total of 22 interventions were performed on 14 patients. One infant required no surgical intervention. Five were treated with at least 1 aspiration; 7 incisions and drainages were performed; and 6 had at least 1 curettage of the involved nodes. Two axillary lymphadenectomies were performed. One child had 1 aspiration, 1 incision and drainage and 4 curettages. Of the 11 patients who had histological analysis, all had the classic features of a caseating granulomatous lesion. All 14 patients who had had TB cultures performed, grew mycobacteria with subsequent PCR analysis confirming M. bovis.
South Africa currently uses the intradermal Danish 1331 strain of live attenuated M. bovis in the BCG immunisation administered at birth. The efficacy and safety of this vaccine in immune-competent individuals is well demonstrated, with only a few adverse effects.5 There are, however, growing concerns over the morbidity and mortality of BCG immunisation in HIV-infected children - a disease process that may be preventable.2-10
BCG disease may take several forms and should be distinguished from the expected reactions induced by the vaccine An appropriate response would include a shallow, dry, crusted ulcer at the injection site and regional lymphadenopathy that should not exceed 1 cm in diameter. It is considered pathological if deep ulcers or abscesses develop at the injection site, gross lymphadenitis or suppuration develops in the axilla,11 or disseminated disease is detected.12 The extent of BCG disease is difficult to estimate but the growing epidemic of BCG lymphadenitis may serve as a marker for disseminated infection, and would suggest a marked rise in the incidence of BCG disease. The relative paucity of reports in the literature underestimates the true prevalence, as disseminated and local BCG disease in HIV-infected children is under-reported, especially in settings highly endemic for TB and HIV, where diagnostic facilities are often limited.8 Even if acid-fast mycobacteria are detected, the disease is often mislabelled as TB owing to the failure to test adequately for the correct mycobacterium species by means of PCR analysis.13 The complex and expensive process required to diagnose M. bovis, combined with a culture of under-reporting of adverse drug and vaccine events in South Africa, has added to the problem.4 Hesseling et al. have developed models to predict the potential scale of the epidemic and estimate the true prevalence to be 110 - 417/100 000 vaccinees (depending on HIV prevalence and rate of vertical transmission), with the risk of disseminated BCG disease being 100 times greater for HIV-infected infants.3
There are several clinical implications of BCG infection in HIV-infected children. The optimum treatment for both disseminated and local BCG disease is poorly defined. Inherent resistance of BCG to pyrazinamide14 and the possibility of extended resistance patterns15,16 have made medical treatment more complex and is compounded by the poor response to therapy observed in HIV-infected children with BCG disease and the suggested duration of therapy of 9 months.4 Treatment with anti-TB drugs will also have an impact on any concomitant antiretroviral therapy that is prescribed, and adverse drug interactions are well described.17,18
The treatment of loco-regional disease is somewhat more controversial. An important subgroup has been identified in those patients who develop significant regional lymphadenopathy or a worsening of existing disease following the implementation of HAART. This, we believe, represents immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS).19-23 It is uncertain whether these conditions should be managed differently or whether they represent the same risk for potential dissemination in HIV-infected infants. Some authors feel that the risk of BCG spread together with the poor outcome in HIV-infected infants mandate systemic medical and, in some cases, surgical therapy.4 The concerns over interference with antiretrovirals have made other authors more reticent.18 The surgical management of node excision has been well described24 for both therapeutic and cosmetic reasons.25 Potential complications of wound breakdown, sinus development and damage to vital neighbouring structures need to be taken into consideration.11 With the growing number of HIV-infected infants both immunised with BCG and on antiretrovirals, the IRIS BCG lymphadenopathy epidemic is growing exponentially. Frustrated parents and physicians are increasingly likely to look for surgical solutions to an extremely morbid condition.
It is ironic that a vaccine developed to protect children from severe mycobacterial infection is now, in a subset of patients, causing significant mycobacterial disease. Current recommendations1 of giving the BCG vaccine to all asymptomatic infants, regardless of HIV exposure, is problematic. At present, the selective administration of the BCG vaccine is not possible in the absence of antenatal maternal screening and neonatal symptoms of HIV disease. All the infants in our study, and those in others5 who went on to develop BCG disease, were asymptomatic at birth. Apart from the risks of BCG infections, there are also concerns that BCG vaccination may accelerate the progression of HIV disease in HIV-infected infants.4 Given the benefits of BCG vaccination in non-HIV-infected infants and the real risks to HIV-infected infants, we would argue that a change in the timing of BCG administration should take place, especially if predictions3 of BCG disease among HIV-infected infants hold true.
Most of the BCG disease that is seen can be prevented by adopting a stratified policy for the timing of BCG administration. Our proposal is that infants of mothers who test positive for HIV during their antenatal care should not have their BCG vaccination at birth but rather have it delayed to the second vaccination visit, at which time the infants' HIV status can be determined (Fig. 3). If an infant is HIV-infected, BCG vaccination should be with a less virulent strain or withheld. If an infant is HIV-negative, the vaccine can be given. It would therefore be possible to prevent those infants most at risk from BCG disease from becoming exposed to BCG, while not prejudicing those who would benefit from its administration. This problem will hopefully be solved with the advent of an effective vaccine that is not alive and attenuated; this process is well under way.
BCG disease is a growing epidemic. TB in BCG-exposed HIV-infected children needs to be differentiated from M. tuberculosis as it mandates different treatment. The risks of BCG in HIV-infected infants are significant. Current recommendations are not satisfactory, and a change in policy is required to prevent the harmful effects of this vaccine in a high-risk group of patients. Current policy focuses on the most reliable point of contact and does not place enough emphasis on the potential dangers of live attenuated vaccines in immunocompromised infants. We believe that there is sufficient need to stratify our patients adequately and vaccinate them according to a protocol that takes impaired immunity into consideration.
1. World Health Organization. Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, 29-30 November 2006. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 2007; 82(3): 18-24. [ Links ]
2. Campos JM, Simonetti JP, Pone MV, Carvalho LA, Pereira AC, Garrido JR. Disseminated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin infection in HIV-infected children: case report and review. Pediatr AIDS HIV Infect 1996; 7(6): 429-432. [ Links ]
3. Hesseling AC, Marais BJ, Gie RP, et al. The risk of disseminated bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) disease in HIV-infected children. Vaccine 2007; 25(1): 14-18. [ Links ]
4. Hesseling AC, Rabie H, Marais BJ, et al. Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine-induced disease in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected children. Clin Infect Dis 2006; 42(4): 548-558. [ Links ]
5. Hesseling AC, Schaaf HS, Hanekom WA, et al. Danish bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine-induced disease in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children. Clin Infect Dis 2003; 37(9): 1226-1233. [ Links ]
6. Raton JA, Pocheville I, Vicente JM, et al. Disseminated bacillus Calmette-Guérin infection in an HIV-infected child: a case with cutaneous lesions. Pediatr Dermatol 1997; 14(5): 365-368. [ Links ]
7. Rosenfeldt V, Paerregaard A, Valerius NH. Disseminated infection with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin in a child with advanced HIV disease. Scand J Infect Dis 1997; 29(5): 526-527. [ Links ]
8. Talbot EA, Perkins MD, Silva SF, Frothingham R. Disseminated bacille Calmette-Guérin disease after vaccination: case report and review. Clin Infect Dis 1997; 24(6): 1139-1146. [ Links ]
9. Thaithumyanon P, Thisyakorn U, Punnahitananda S, Praisuwanna P, Ruxrungtham K. Safety and immunogenicity of bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine in children born to HIV-1 infected women. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2000; 31(3): 482-486. [ Links ]
10. Waddell RD, Lishimpi K, von Reyn CF, et al. Bacteremia due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis or M. bovis, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) among HIV- positive children and adults in Zambia.AIDS 2001; 15(1): 55-60. [ Links ]
11. Alexander A, Rode H. Adverse reactions to the bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine in HIV-positive infants. J Pediatr Surg 2007; 42(3): 549-552. [ Links ]
12. Fine PEM, Carneiro IAM, Milstein JB, Clements CJ. Issues Relating to the Use of BCG Immunisation Programmes - a Discussion Document No. WHO/V&B/99.23. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1999. [ Links ]
13. Talbot EA, Williams DL, Frothingham R. PCR identification of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. J Clin Microbiol 1997; 35(3): 566-569. [ Links ]
14. Diagnostic Standards and Classification of Tuberculosis in Adults and Children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000; 161(4 Pt 1): 1376-1395. [ Links ]
15. Hesseling AC, Schaaf HS, Victor T, et al. Resistant Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin disease: implications for management of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin disease in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2004; 23(5): 476-179. [ Links ]
16. Sicevic S. Generalized BCG tuberculosis with fatal course in two sisters. Acta paediatrica Scandinavica 1972; 61(2): 178-184. [ Links ]
17. Cotton MF, Schaaf HS, Hesseling AC, Madhi SA. HIV and childhood tuberculosis: the way forward. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2004; 8(5): 675-682. [ Links ]
18. Swaminathan S, Luetkemeyer A, Srikantiah P, Lin R, Charlebois E, Havlir DV. Antiretroviral therapy and TB. Trop Doct 2006; 36(2): 73-79. [ Links ]
19. Kroidl A, Huck K, Weinspach S, et al. Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) due to Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) in an HIV-positive child. Scand J Infect Dis 2006; 38(8): 716-718. [ Links ]
20. Narendran G, Swaminathan S, Sathish S, Rajasekaran S. Immune reconstitution syndrome in a child with TB and HIV. Indian J Pediatr 2006; 73(7): 627-629. [ Links ]
21. Puthanakit T, Oberdorfer P, Akarathum N, Wannarit P, Sirisanthana T, Sirisanthana V. Immune reconstitution syndrome after highly active antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected Thai children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2006; 25(1): 53-58. [ Links ]
22. Puthanakit T, Oberdorfer P, Punjaisee S, Wannarit P, Sirisanthana T, Sirisanthana V. Immune reconstitution syndrome due to bacillus Calmette-Guérin after initiation of antiretroviral therapy in children with HIV infection. Clin Infect Dis 2005; 41(7): 1049-1052. [ Links ]
23. Siberry GK, Tessema S. Immune reconstitution syndrome precipitated by bacille Calmette-Guérin after initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2006; 25(7): 648-649. [ Links ]
24. Hengster P, Solder B, Fille M, Menardi G. Surgical treatment of bacillus Calmette-Guérin lymphadenitis. World J Surg 1997; 21(5): 520-523. [ Links ]
25. Grange JM. Complications of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination and immunotherapy and their management. Commun Dis Public Health 1998; 1(2): 84-88. [ Links ]
J Karpelowsky
Accepted 15 December 2007.


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While The Wolfman (2010) is hardly what I'd call an animal-friendly film – or even a good film – I found this exchange between two "gypsy" women (Irish Travellers?), tending to an injured man in the wake of a werewolf attack, rather insightful (if unintentionally so):
Daughter: Once he is bitten by the beast, there is no cure. You should let him die.
Maleva: That would make me a sinner.
Daughter: There is no sin in killing a beast.
Maleva: Is there not?
What of killing a man? Where does one begin and the other end?
Elsewhere in the movie, villagers are shown tying up a moose and using him as "bait" with which to catch the werewolf who had been terrorizing their village (happily, the moose escapes unscathed). Additionally, the traveling gypsy clan owns a "dancing" bear who is initially blamed for the "animal attacks." While the bear appears to be computer generated, his captivity still makes for depressing viewing. Last but not least, the bulk of the story's plot involves the hunting of a werewolf, which could quite possibly be construed as a matter of self-defense, as said wolfman primarily preys on his human kin.
Possibly there's a more nuanced discussion to be had on the animal ethics of The Wolfman; if so, I'm not feeling it. In one word: yawn.
Tags: bears, dancing bears, free living animals, horror, monsters, moose, movie, The Wolfman, werewolves


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Carcass-burying beetles reintroduced to area
Once-endangered nsects bury dead animals overnight for food
The American burying beetle was once in 35 states in the eastern U.S., but their numbers quickly diminished in the second half of the 20th Century as their habitat disappeared.
The Cincinnati Zoo has been working since 1990 to save the species, which was placed on the Endangered Species list the year before, and it was reintroduced for the first time locally Monday at the Fernald Reserve.
"We picked Fernald Reserve because they have an on-site staff that's out there constantly, surveying for other types of wildlife," said Mandy Pritchard, insectarium keeper.
The reserve also has a high population of birds and mammals, which is essential to the beetle's reproduction.
The burying beetle got its name because it finds and then buries the carcasses of small rodents or birds about 1 foot underground to use as food for its offspring.
"A beetle that weighs a gram can bury a 300-gram rat overnight, like us burying an elephant in one night, with no tools," Pritchard said.
The beetle plays a key role in the ecosystem by recycling dead material.
Pritchard plans to release the nocturnal beetles each spring for the next five years at Fernald, but they can fly up to 2 miles each night, so they aren't likely to remain concentrated there.
"As far as dispersal goes, it's going to be southwest Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana," Pritchard said.
The beetles have few predators, but they typically live only six months.
Although they aren't easily spotted, the zoo is asking nearby residents to take photos if they spot one and send the information to the zoo so their reintegration can be tracked.


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A fresh, light, delicious salad.
Preparation Time: 15 mins
DRESSING: Combine mustard, vinegar, garlic, and olive oil in a small jar with lid and shake well.
SALAD: Place the tomato, shallots, cucumber and basil in a small bowl, add the dressing and mix to combine.
Drizzle the lemon juice over the avocado halves. Use a small knife to remove a 1/2-inch slice of the rounded side of the avocado half. Place the avocado halves on serving plates. Divide the tomato salad equally among the four avocado halves. Garnish with arugula leaves and black olives.


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We pay attention to the details so you don't have to. We begin with uncompromising quality. Because so much is on the line, we strive to exceed your expectations with exceptional portion sizes, beautifully plated creations, exquisite seasonings, colors, textures, accoutrements, ambiance, and taste that elevates food from something you merely eat to a culinary experience.
This is the fabric of our success.
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Home » Explore » The Signalling Centre - The Signalling Centre
The Signalling Centre tells the story of how signalling has developed since the earliest days of the railways and offers hands-on opportunities to try some of this equipment out for yourself.
This is a newly opened exhibition and more exhibits will be added shortly - so do come back and have another look next time you visit.
Stay up to date with events and what's going on at Didcot Railway Centre.
You may unsubscribe at any time. We do not share your data with 3rd parties.


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Product Description
Girls Knee High Black 5PP
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The composition for white, black & navy socks is 74% cotton, 24% polyamide, 2% elastane, and our grey marl socks are 47% Cotton, 29% Polyester, 23% Polyamide, 1% Elastane.
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Hi, not even sure if this is the right section for this im new to the forums new to programming! Im an engineering student doing an operating systems module with about 6 weeks Java experience and a little bit of C/C++ from before that. We have been given this bounded buffer problem as an assignment and I am truly lost. I understand the concept but have no clue how to implement that into a java program. There are a lot of examples of sample code for this problem online however we have been told we were are not allowed to use semaphores. Below is a brief of what we have been asked to do, any help/input would be great, cheers!
We have a buffer of a fixed size. A Producer thread inserts integers into the buffer, a Consumer thread takes them out. There are obvious constraints:
* The Producer cannot insert into a full buffer
* The Consumer cannot take from an empty buffer
* Updates to the buffer must be mutually exclusive
When roomAvailable is false the buffer is full, when true there is at least one free slot available for the Producer. When dataAvailable is false the buffer is empty, when true there is at least one integer in the buffer for the Consumer to remove. The buffer operates in a FIFO manner, i.e. the first item to go in is the first to come out.


text: List of .NET Dependency Injection Containers (IOC) March 14, '08 Comments [29] Posted in IOC | Learning .NET | Programming Sponsored By I'm trying to expand my mind around dependency injection in .NET (beyond the two frameworks I've personally used) and an starting to put together a list of .NET Dependency Injection Containers and IOC resources. Here's what I've got so far. What am I missing? Castle Windsor based on the Castle MicroKernel. Licensed under Apache 2 Currently 1.0 RC3 Well documented and used by many. StructureMap has been around since June 2004 Licensed under Apache 2 Actively developed and approaching v2.5. Written by Jeremy D. Miller Spring.NET Licensed under Apache 2 Currently 1.1, working on 2.0 Written by Mark Pollack Autofac intends to be IoC with a C# 3.0 flavor, but also supports 2.0. Licensed under MIT Written by Nicholas Blumhardt and Rinat Abdullin Unity Licensed as MS-PL Recently released Written by Chris Tavares. Build on the "kernel" of ObjectBuilder: ObjectBuilder was formerly MSFT's only public foray into DI/IoC Custom PnP License, more restrictive than MS-PL Part of the MS PnP group Written by Brad Wilson, Peter Provost and Scott Densmore Puzzle.NFactory Licensed under the Lesser GPL Part of the larger Puzzle Framework Written by Roger Alsing and Mats Helander Ninject formerly "Titan" Licensed under Apache 2 Was quiet, but has recently sprung back to life. Written by Nate Kohari S2Container.NET on version 1.3.7. Port of Java's Seasar2 PicoContainer.NET Port of Java's PicoContainer Written by Aslak Hellesøy LinFu Licensed under Lesser GPL Written by Philip Laureano Hacked DIY (Do It Yourself) There are many examples of quicky IOC Containers. Interesting for learning but little else. Oren Eini's IOC in 15 lines and a follow up in Ken Egozi's IOC in 15 lines What projects have I forgotten? Thanks! Related Links IOC and Unity compared to other containers Introduction to using StructureMap for Dependency Injection Dependency Injection with Spring.NET Context Variables in Ninject About Scott Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author. About Newsletter Sponsored By Hosting By Comments [29] Share on: Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or use the Permalink


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Like every Red Sox manager, Terry Francona has received a considerable amount of criticism in the four years that he's been at the helm in Boston's dugout. The complaints directed at Francona haven't been as venomous as those spewed at most of his Red Sox predecessors and certainly aren't as harsh as the pointed barbs he was subjected to on a daily basis during his unsuccessful tenure as Philadelphia's manager, but each of his decisions is subjected to intense scrutiny.
Like every Red Sox manager, Terry Francona has received a considerable amount of criticism in the four years that he's been at the helm in Boston's dugout. The complaints directed at Francona haven't been as venomous as those spewed at most of his Red Sox predecessors and certainly aren't as harsh as the pointed barbs he was subjected to on a daily basis during his unsuccessful tenure as Philadelphia's manager, but each of his decisions is subjected to intense scrutiny. "I'm originally from western Pennsylvania, which in noted for producing football players," said Francona during the World Series. "In Boston, they produce managers. There are at least 30,000 people in Boston who think they can manage the Red Sox." Only 30,000? That's being much too conservative. Francona still might not be beloved in Boston, but he's already become among the most important individuals in the Red Sox history, and no, that's not an overstatement. Not only was he the manager when Boston ended its 86-year World Series drought in 2004, he guided the club to another championship this year. Be honest, did you ever believe the Red Sox would actually win two World Series crowns, and within such a short period of time? In this year's World Series, Francona completely outmaneuvered his counterpart in the opposing dugout, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle. Francona continually created pitching and hitting matchups that were favorable to Boston. A Denver columnist seemed surprised that Francona had a strategical edge over Hurdle even though he manages in the American League, which doesn't employ the designated hitter. "First of all, I've managed in the National League, secondly, we've been playing interleague games since I've been with the Red Sox," said Francona. "Making a double switch isn't rocket science. Our scouts prepare very detailed reports. We try to take the information they provide and utilize it the best way possible in game situations." After the Red Sox opted to fire Grady Little after Boston's collapse in the seventh game of the 2003 American League Championship Series, Francona, who had been serving as Oakland's bench coach, was hired in part because shared the same basic baseball philosophy espoused by Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. Like his young boss, Francona believes in the value of statistics and computer analysis. A laptop computer is on Francona's desk in the Red Sox clubhouse. As an organization, the Red Sox believe a player's on-base percentage is among the most important statistics when evaluating hitters. Francona said he didn't attempt to tell management of the Red Sox what he thought they wanted to hear when he was originally interviewed. "You can have a good interview and maybe even get the job, but if what you are telling them is something you don't truly believe in, then you are going to create problems when the season starts and you are doing things differently than what the people in the front office expect," said Francona. This doesn't mean that Francona is some sort of a stat-driven robot. His biggest attribute as a manager is the way he handles the clubhouse. The Red Sox's clubhouse has been extremely harmonious overall since Francona has arrived in Boston, which is remarkable considering that he's had to deal with some of the games biggest starts, including Curt Schilling, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Pedro Martinez. "One of the things that pleased me the most about this season is that we didn't have any issues," admitted Francona. There have been instances when Manny Being Manny has infuriated Francona, but he's never let his feelings be known publicly. Francona can be very funny and forthcoming when dealing with the media, especially when he's just with the Boston-based writers he's gotten to know and trust, but he'll never rip a player, either to send a message to the athlete or to make his own managerial decisions look good. When Francona needs to reprimand a player, something he's done on several occasions, it's done with his office door closed. Earlier in the season, Francona stuck with rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia when he was struggling despite the cries from the public to play Alex Cora regularly. "The fact that (Francona) was a player himself makes it easier for him to understand that a player is going to have ups and downs, especially a young player," said Pedroia. Pedroia blossomed into the leading candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year Award and was outstanding in the postseason. Francona also struck with right fielder J.D. Drew when he was producing much less than what was anticipated. The Red Sox were rewarded for Francona's patience by how Drew performed in the playoffs. "One thing about Boston is that a player can't fail, no matter what the circumstances are," said Francona. Throughout the regular season, Francona was cautious not to overuse Jonathan Papelbon. Francona wanted to make sure Boston's outstanding closer wouldn't be fatigued when the games mattered the most in October. Papelbon excelled throughout the Red Sox and finished Boston's 4-3 World Series-clinching victory last Sunday night with an emphatic strikeout. The Red Sox have Francona under contract through next season. Protocol mandates that Francona be given a contract extension before next season begins. Whether Francona merits a new deal is something that can't be debated. Francona sidestepped a question about whether he can be compared to Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who has won three Super Bowls. "Bill deserves all the accolades he receives. And I know that I wouldn't be a very good football coach," said Francona with a smile. Considering the Red Sox's long history of failure, it can be argued that what Francona has done during his four seasons as the club's commander is among the most remarkable accomplishments in the long and glorious history of Boston sports. Art Davidson is a Daily News staff writer. He can be reached at 508-626-4403 or firstname.lastname@example.com.