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Whilst intense diplomatic efforts to construct a long-term arrangement between Israel and Hamas are continuing action is being taken in the West Bank and across the world to apply pressure on Israel to end its siege on Gaza, occupation of the West Bank and stop Israel from taking the lives of innocent civilians in the future.
At the forefront of this decisive action is the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement. Over the past month awareness and importance of BDS's cause has been raised as a result of Israel's 'Operation Protective Edge' in Gaza and the high Palestinian death toll caused by the offensive on the Strip.
"If scenes from the Gaza concentration camp reveal an Israeli-made tsunami, a counter tidal wave of BDS campaigning is crucially needed to end Israel's habitual brutalities and massacres...It has never been as urgent to isolate Israel as a world pariah as it is right now," said Zaid Shuaibi, a spokesperson for the Palestinian BDS National Committee,
The BDS movement, established in 2005, was created after a call from Palestinian civil society for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights. Over 170 Palestinian organizations, endorse the movement. The BDS movement has a wealth of support internationally with a number of international trade unions and a network of international civil society organizations supporting and promoting the boycott of Israel.
BDS took inspiration from the South African anti-apartheid movement and seeks to redress the power imbalance against the Palestinian people and make Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories economically unfeasible.
A common BDS strategy to guarantee sustainability
In the West Bank, several grassroots initiatives to boycott Israeli goods in supermarkets have been galvanized through social media and young local volunteers, BDS spokesperson Omar Barghouti told Palestine Monitor.
"The popular proliferation of boycotting Israeli products in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as a minimal form of resistance, is unprecedented since BDS was launched in 2005. Even among Palestinians in the 1948 areas, boycott has become one tool of activism directed against companies producing in illegal colonies," according to Barghouti.
Word of mouth is also playing an integral role. Boycott activists in Nablus, northern West Bank, "are going door to door, talking with women to convince them to observe the boycott by changing their consumption style and asserting their commitment to this minimal form of standing with our people in Gaza facing the brunt of Israel's crimes," commented Barghouti.
In Bethlehem a 'Pledge of Honor' has been produced in Bethlehem to boycott Israeli goods, whereby the public "was invited to go and sign their names on the pledge, morally committing themselves to the boycott," said Barghouti.
Activists in the Jordan Valley, West Bank, have reported that European retailers have contacted Palestinian farmers in efforts to clarify that they are Palestinian and not Israeli.
In addition to increasing efforts to boycott Israel domestically calls for action in the internaional arena are being heeded. There is mounting evidence of a "silent boycott" against Israel by European businesses that are unwilling to be associated with Israel. Priniv, a major Israeli fruit juice exporter, has revealed a large deal has collapsed as a result of Israel's offensive in Gaza. Priniv director, Ido Yaniv has recognized a drop in sales since Israel's operation began in Gaza.
The BDS movement, with the support of the Congress of South African Trade Unions, has called "on trade unions internationally to take immediate action to stop the Israeli massacre in Gaza," which has been set out in a five step guide.
"The BDS movement encourages consumers worldwide to boycott any product with a 972 barcode"
In efforts to amplify the boycott to the wider world the BDS movement has published a nine-step guide, which includes boycotting Israeli goods in supermarkets around the world, raising awareness of Israel's disregard of international law and getting involved with grassroots BDS organizations around the globe.
"The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), which leads the global BDS movement, is currently trying to coordinate with the various initiatives and bodies to reach a common strategy, which would guarantee sustainability well after the current brutal phase of Israeli aggression," said Barghouti.
The barcode 972 is associated with all Israeli products, including those from illegal Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories. "The BDS movement encourages consumers worldwide to boycott any product with a 972 barcode" said Barghouti.
"It's shameful, it's sickening and it's revolting"
In addition to encouraging the boycott of Israeli goods the BDS movement has called for the application of pressure on international governments to cease trading arms with Israel. BDS deems these governments complicit in Israel's killing of innocent civilians.
"It's shameful, it's sickening and it's revolting that Britain sells components to Israel for its weapons. It's shameful that weapons that Israel has field tested on the Palestinians are brought by Britain. The arms trade with Israel has to end now," stated Sarah Colborne of Palestine Solidarity Campaign at a demonstration in London, July 26th.
A petition from the BDS movement has called on the UN and governments around the globe to implement a comprehensive and legally binding military embargo on Israel. The petition will be presented to the new UN High Commissioner for Human rights when they take up their post in September 2014.
"Israel must be made to pay a heavy economic and political price for its crimes against the people of Gaza…people are echoing the call from Palestinian civil society for a full military embargo on Israel as the most urgent measure of accountability," said Shuaibi, the BDS movement's spokesperson.
In addition to a military embargo, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, six Nobel laureates and other prominent figures have written an open letter to the United Nations and national governments expressing concern regarding Israel's military arsenal and the impunity with which it's military conducts itself.
"Israel's ability to launch such devastating offensives with impunity largely stems from the vast international military cooperation and trade that it maintains with complicit governments," states the letter, which more than 45,000 people have signed.
'Field tested' equipment and technology
Calls for a military embargo come due to Israel's position at the forefront of the arms business. The technology it uses is marketed as "field tested." "Revenue from exports of military equipment and technology provides a vital revenue source for the Israeli government and military," according to BDS.
According to many commentators, Israel's edge in the global arms market is based chiefly on its military occupation of the Palestinian territories and grim escalations like we've recently seen in Gaza.
Israeli military companies market their military exports as "field tested," said Yotam Feldman, director of The Lab, a documentary about Israel using Palestinians as guinea pigs for military experiments to enrich a new elite of arms dealers.
"Israel has turned the occupied territories into a laboratory for refining, testing and showcasing its weapons systems," argued Feldman.
Israel's economic and military prestige is ostensibly bound together by the high death toll in Gaza. Israel's unwillingness to comply with international law and the impunity with which it often conducts itself, allow these crimes to continue. Boycotting Israeli goods and pressuring governments to cease trading arms with Israel could have serious economic implications.
International outcry and anger over the slaughter of innocent civilians in Gaza has now been turned into concrete action. As Palestinian human rights activist associated with the BDS movement Rafeef Ziadah argues, when the talk of international community is cheap, "We must step up our boycott, divestment and sanctions, campaigning internationally to end Israel's impunity."
Over the past month more than a million people have demonstrated around the world in solidarity with Gaza.
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For prospective students: Hear about our MLS program, including: Specializations, Career Opportunities, Scholarships Available, and Application Tips
Director of Learning Environment and Academic Affairs
Adjunct Faculty
- B.A. UC Santa Barbara, 1982
- J.D. Harvard, 1986
Anthony Tolbert teaches Street Law. Tolbert received his B.A. from UC Santa Barbara (1982) and his J.D. from Harvard University (1986). At Harvard, he served as a teaching assistant in Federal Litigation. Immediately following his graduation from Harvard Law School, Tolbert practiced at Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg & Phillips. He later held a number of in-house sports and entertainment positions. Tolbert is currently the Director of Learning Environment and Academic Affairs. He was formerly the Associate Director of Outreach at UCLA School of Law, where he assisted in the design and implementation of the Law Fellows Outreach Program and Summer Research Program, and represented the Law School in various recruiting forums. He also counseled prospective law students in the application process, as well as current students on matters relating to the practice of law, particularly in the sports and entertainment industries.

subset: commoncrawl


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Freak Man hangs from ceiling, then when activated drops down with multiple head movement. The upside down head will mess with your patrons heads like nothing else. Super freaky!
Comes with Character, pneumatics, programmed controller, motion sensor. (Plug & Play).
Audio package option includes: Digital audio player, Powered speaker and Audio scream effect.
Designed for easy install. Comes with 4 quick link clips and 4 mounting brackets.
Can be themed as Clown as another option.
REQUIREMENTS: AC power and Air 100 psi.
Ships freight. *** Shipping $245
NOTE: Shipping calculator is an estimate only for USA. If you are buying more than one prop it will most likely be less.
If you're looking for something to really scare your guest this Halloween this animatronic haunted house prop will do the trick! Props that hide and then come out of nowhere work great for startle scares. This is the show stopper of all animatronics. A must for your halloween attraction. All poison props animatronics are built with 100% quality material and attention to detail is very important.


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"Twilight's" latest film has eclipsed another box office record.
"The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" raked in $68.5 million in its first 24 hours, the most ever for a film debuting on a Wednesday, according to reports.
The third installment in the teen vampire-werewolf thriller starring Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson, "Eclipse" also took in $30 million alone from its midnight opening on a record 4,416 screens across the U.S.
U.S. & World
That midnight opening surpassed the franchise's previous box office record for "The Twilight Saga: New Moon's" witching hour debut.
"New Moon," the franchise's second film, still holds the record for all-time best opening with its $72.7 million take last year. But "New Moon" debuted on a Friday, which usually assures better attendance at theaters than on weekdays, The Associated Press reported.
Summit Entertainment's head of distribution, Richie Fay, told the AP that if the film can draw more male fans over the next five days, "Eclipse" has a shot at surpassing "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen's" record $200 million coup.
Like "New Moon, "Eclipse" has so far counted on the support of female "Twi-Hards" for 80 percent of audiences. The Fourth of July holiday weekend is shaping up as another x- factor.
"We have the location and screen count that could get us there," Fay told the AP. "But if the weather isn't in our favor, if people are out barbecuing and looking at fireworks Sunday night, we may not get there."
Click here for our "Eclipse" review.


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Add a custom Ribbon for your flowers, such as "Beloved Dad", "Dear Friend".
A beautifully patriotic way to pay tribute to a loved one. This half-couch spray sends an eloquent message of strength, respect and freedom.
Flowers will be received by a Chapel of the Chimes Oakland's staff.
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Happy Thursday friends!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Lots of stuff I want you to know
Posted by Unknown at 7:33 AM 7 comments Links to this post
Labels: everyday life, links, prayer
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Yet Another Scathingly Brilliant Idea!
Whew! Its Tuesday already?
Posted by Unknown at 5:00 AM 18 comments Links to this post
Labels: priorities
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sweet Saturday
This morning its cool outside, but the sun is shining so beautifully. So I thought I would post a few links I think you'd enjoy, and then go for a nice long walk. Especially since the forecast is calling for snow on Sunday.
Posted by Unknown at 8:46 AM 6 comments Links to this post
Friday, February 20, 2009
Friday List
I have random things that I want to tell you. I should really save them for next Tuesdays What I Learned This Week, but if I don't tell you right now, I'll forget:
Posted by Unknown at 9:17 AM 8 comments Links to this post
Labels: stuff
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Good Help Is Hard To Find
I'm unplugging today.
Posted by Unknown at 6:49 AM 17 comments Links to this post
Labels: Silly Things I Do, unplugging
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Its Raining, Its pouring. This Day'll Be Far From Boring
Posted by Unknown at 8:49 AM 15 comments Links to this post
Labels: random thoughts, Silly Things I Do, Twitter
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What I Have Learned This Week: Pride and Pruning
I have been praying for awhile about what ministry God was leading me to. He has blessed me with many talents: I can (and have) lead small groups, taught bible studies, mentored in areas that I have experience, and led worship. I loved all of it. However, they are all gifts that bring attention to myself. Most of them all have to do with performing (in one way or the other)...and stroking my ego just a bit. I was approaching them with the idea of helping others, but also with the kickback of "being noticed" in mind.
So you can imagine my surprise, when after praying for many, many weeks about my role in ministry, I was surprised that His answer was consistently-- "Your family."
I really think that the Lord is using this time to burn away the chaff. To break the pride that motivates me to use the gifts he has given to promote myself.
He had to intervene, and teach me how to get out of the way of myself.
There has been nothing more humbling for me than homeschooling (probably because there wasn't anyone more judgmental in the past about home-schoolers than I was!)
There isn't anyone around telling me what a great teacher I am. No one to stroke my ego and let me know I am doing a good job. I am daily having to lay down my wants and desires to serve my family. My time is not my own, I cannot go to the gym everyday, nor have lunch with girlfriends whenever I want. My days are no longer solely in my control!
On top of that, I am an extrovert with deep insecurities. I have hidden those insecurities with a people-pleaser- I- can-do- it -all- attitude for so long, I didn't realize how it controlled me. I am always so afraid of what people think of me, that I let it rule my days. I find myself battling my own presuppositions regarding home-schoolers, not many of which are true. But I digress...
The most difficult part was God was telling me to "wait". Not just for your ministry, but even the Women's MInistry that I led here four years ago. He has put the reigns on me like never before, and its hard. But its good.
I am learning that I depend far too much on my God-given talents than I do on God. I depend on the kudos and praises of "man" instead of the love of God. I am learning that the bright lights of center stage aren't as rewarding as the humble position of being the doorkeeper...but I haven't learned that the easy way....I am stubborn, and my ego and flesh have been well fed for many, many years...
I should have contacted you sooner. But i just kept hoping God would let me know that I had learned what I needed to learn, and give me the thumbs-up to tell you that I could jump in with both feet.
I was so CERTAIN it was the right time, because God had so finely tuned our meeting, and the meeting with Travis, and the eight weeks of writing the True Campaign stuff on the blog....and the response and conversation that all those things had sparked (and continues to spark) with people on the net and in real life. I just knew my day had come!
And it has...it just looks a lot different than I thought it would.
As difficult as yielding myself to the Lord has been, I am finally feeling peace about where God has me.
Learning this lesson still has a bit of a sting to it. Dealing with pride is never painless...but the fruits of pruning are beginning to feel worth it...
I know that there will be a day when I can be more active in FindingBalance and the True Campaign. I look forward to that day. Until then, I am content.
To see what other bloggers have learned head on over to Musings of a Housewife.
Posted by Unknown at 6:50 AM 12 comments Links to this post
Labels: FindingBalance, homeschool, True Campaign, What I Have Learned This Week
Monday, February 16, 2009
Federal Holidays on Mondays Never Get me Down
Posted by Unknown at 6:58 AM 12 comments Links to this post
Labels: gardening, The Mister
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day!
The Mister has been at a conference for six full days, but last night, he came home!
Posted by Unknown at 8:09 AM 9 comments Links to this post
Labels: Silly Things I Do, valentines day
Friday, February 13, 2009
This Good Day!
Posted by Unknown at 6:34 AM 6 comments Links to this post
Labels: not-quite spring, The Boy, The Girl, Twitter
Thursday, February 12, 2009
A Hairy Tale
My lower left leg looks like a mangy dog.
Posted by Unknown at 5:46 AM 13 comments Links to this post
Labels: and now leg(s), haircuts and two eyebrows
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
What I Learned This Week
Last week seemed like such a long week. I'm still processing really. So I will go with a light-hearted lesson for this weeks carnival of What I Learned This Week, hosted by Musing's of a Housewife.
Posted by Unknown at 7:04 AM 16 comments Links to this post
Labels: What I Have Learned This Week
Monday, February 09, 2009
The Things I Want To Say...
I have many things I need to write about.
Posted by Unknown at 12:40 PM 9 comments Links to this post
Labels: stuff
Saturday, February 07, 2009
My post When Life is Hard, was intentionally vague. I didn't want to bring attention to my friend's (or their blog) before they were ready.
Posted by Unknown at 7:36 AM Links to this post
Labels: prayer
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Behind Door Number One: Solitude!!
I should should have cleaned my nest/office/sewing room last night.
Posted by Unknown at 9:00 PM 6 comments Links to this post
Labels: Silly Things I Do
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
When Life Feels Hard
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Trials are real. Bad things happen-to good people and bad people alike. And we who are Christian don't escape life, Paul says. We overcome life: "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)In all these things...we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us...
Posted by Unknown at 12:56 PM 9 comments Links to this post
Labels: scripture


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iD Tech Camps: The Future Starts Here - Held at Virginia Tech - Virginia Beach
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Camp Type: Overnight, Day
- Age of Campers: 7 - 17
- Gender of Campers: Coed
- Year Established: 1999
- Accreditations: 1
This is a basic camp listing: no contact information is provided.
Experience the world's #1 tech camp
This summer, your child can explore a prestigious campus, make friends as they master new tech skills, and join a community of more than 300,000 alumni. At iD Tech Camps, students ages 7-17 learn to code, design video games, produce videos, mod Minecraft, create with Roblox, engineer robots, model and print 3D characters, work with AI and machine learning, build laptops, learn about cybersecurity, and more!
The top universities on the planet—Stanford, MIT, Caltech—have trusted and hosted our programs for over 19 years, inspiring students to dream BIG.
Want to learn from an energetic Stanford computer science major? A virtual reality guru from MIT? A game developer who wants to share her lifelong passion? We've bet our reputation on recruiting the top instructors in the country. Our 8:1 student-to-instructor average ensures customized learning with the smallest class sizes, leading to "a-ha moments" and awesome outcomes. iD Tech summer courses are inclusive of every skill level and learning style.
Today, every career, from art to engineering to social work, requires a strong foundation in tech. With a focus on skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration, our courses pave the way for bright futures in any field. Whether your child dreams of working at Facebook or Google, launching their own startup, or founding a nonprofit, their long-term skill development pathway starts here.
iD Tech also offers all-girls tech camps and teen-only academies.
Get started today at www.idtech.com or call (888) 709-8324 for personalized course recommendations.


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This Wedding Ring is 9ct White Gold. Stamped and Hallmarked inside the ring.
Design: Diamond Set with a Swirly Engraved Pattern all around the ring.
Width of Band: 5 mm.
Style: Flat.
Sizes: R-Z.
Please let us know which size you would like when you order.
Gift Box included.
ALL our wedding rings are ordered and made personally to size.
Due to this we do not accept returns on wedding rings as we can not in turn return them.
We do this so we can offer a unique wedding ring service of different and unusual rings you would not find on the High Street.
PLEASE allow 2 - 4 weeks delivery.
5 mm Diamond SLE504-5 Wedding Ring
- Product Code: Product 000208
- Availability: In Stock


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Cha, Cha, Cha Edition: THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE INCREDIBLY HOT!
5 days until the premier of season 9!!!! According to twitter, our pros and celebs are brushing up on their first dances so I am taking the first four dance styles (Cha, Cha, Salsa, Viennese Waltz, and Foxtrot) and finding the best, the worst, and the incredible hot from all previous seasons! After these next four editions, we should know exactly what to look for when it comes show time!
Season 3: Emmitt Smith
Emmit displays a lot of qualities that make a cha, cha, cha so hot! First of all, you can tell that he is having a blast by his expressions through out the dance. He always keeps up with Cheryl and is able to dance her choreo precisely and with only one noticeable slip up which was when he slide under her.
Season 4: Laila Ali
It is so nice to see the girly side of Laila! She looks like she is have such a ball with Maks! I am always impressed when a celeb can pick up footwork/technique! It's got to be one of the hardest aspects of the show since it is so specific! However, Laila's hands kill me!!!! Not her extension stops mid forearm and never extends through her hands or fingers! Overall, she was fabulous!
Helio Castroneves: Season 5
Helio always cracked me up! I loved that he got so excited about his performances 🙂 I will say that this cha, cha, cha wasn't the most exciting dance but it did earn them a 30 so I feel like I should pay tribute to them along with the other 30s 🙂
Season 6: Kristi Yamaguchi
Kristi was amazing to watch all season! I wish she would have come out of her shell just a little bit more and let America see her personality! I kind of felt like she was business all the time! However, Mark was a great teacher for her and the two of them had amazing chemistry together 🙂 This cha, cha, cha was precise, articulate, and a lot of fun all around!
Season 8: Shawn Johnson
Shawn is so adorable! I can't say enough about this little lady! You could tell that she had so a blast with Mark and this dance! Mark choreographed it so suit her so well and she performed it flawlessly!
Season 3: Tucker Charlson
A pretty good hint that a dance is going to be a train wreck is if the celeb is sitting in a chair for a good amount of time during the opening of the dance! I think Tucker looked like he was having fun but I feel like you could tell her was uncomfortable with the steps. He was very heavy on his feet and didn't display the technique that the Cha Cha Cha requires.
Season 5: Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan is a classic and this song is great for a cha, cha, cha! And how can you not love Julianne, Kim, Mark, and Maks 🙂


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a friendly family of wild animals, bright alphabet patterns and more to hear,
see, feel and touch, this activity gym grows with baby! Attach the soft arches
with loops for 5 animal friends to hang high, low or on the mat. Baby can gaze
up at the colors, patterns and mirror, or reach and grab to discover textures
and sounds. Tummy time with the quilted mat and matching pillow rewards baby
with crinkles, a removable mirror, tactile fringes, flaps and more.


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We all remember that one morning in November when we'd wake up to the savory smell of roasts in the oven, the light chatter of your visiting relatives in the kitchen, and the sound of young children springing into piles of fall leaves. Since childhood, Thanksgiving has always been a holiday where we appreciate even the little things life has to offer. Just being able to have a gathering of your favorite people in one house is something to celebrate! Whether you choose to spend it with family or host a Friendsgiving party, you'll be surrounded by the people you love and cherish – over plenty of hearty food, of course!
The Bouqs is all about helping bring loved ones together, and we want to make sure that your dinner party is spruced up with the freshest Thanksgiving decorations, including beautiful Thanksgiving centerpieces to accompany the cozy atmosphere at the table! With our stunning collection of kale, roses, hydrangeas, and more, you'll find yourself warming up to the traditions and company in no time!


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Shrink Tube 4:1 Small - White 1 Metre
- 1 metre shrink tube in White with 7 mm diameter and 4: 1 shrink factor for modding projects and sleeving.
Stock Code: CM-038-MD
Manufacturer: MDPC-X
+44 (0)1782 44 44 55
Shrink Tube 4:1 Small - White 1 Metre
Specification- Colour: White
- Length: 1 m
- Diameter (before shrinking): 7 mm
- Diameter (after shrinking): 1.75 mm
- Shrink factor: 4: 1
DescriptionAs with the famous MDPC-X Sleeving, the MDPC heatshrink quality is globally regarded as the best-in-class, since MDPC started in 2007. Instead of beginning to talk about all kind of technical data, test results and specifications, here is what users typically told us about our heatshrinks: "Hello MDPC, I just wanted to tell you that I have used so many different heatshrinks in my professional career, but yours top them all in every aspect." MDPC just offers what can't be exceeded in quality; otherwise we would not offer it. While most manufacturers of heatshrinks went the cost-saving route in the last years and the available quality degraded, our quality stayed the same.
What makes a good heatshrink for us?First of all we like ultra-thin walls. It just looks awesome and you can easily over-expand it in order to extend its original diameter even more. MDPC offers the thinnest walls in relation to its corresponding shrink-ratio.
We love a high shrink-ratio, so one heatshrink-size can be used in many situations easily and effectively. "1:1" would mean that it does not shrink at all. "2:1" means that it shrinks down to 1/2 of its original diameter. "3:1" means that it shrinks to 1/3, "4:1" means that it shrinks down to an amazing 1/4. MDPC offers unusual shrink-rates, which make your work as easy as possible.
Absolutely smooth surfaces with a matte appearance is not a very common combination, but MDPC gives this to you. While being ultra-thin, it is important that the heatshrink does not burn so quickly. With this property, it is easy to melt MDPC Sleeve underneath the shrink by applying temperatures of more than 250°C. The very thin walls help you to see when the sleeve melts. You recognize it as soon as the footprint of the sleeving edge underneath the heatshrink turns into a smooth transition.
Different colours are very important, so people can color-code their cables and of course support their designs in a beautiful way. To sum up what MDPC-X heatshrink stands for: Only the best in heatshrink-technology and design is good enough for us. If something could be done better, we have already done it.
How to use heatshrink in combination with MDPC-X sleeveYou either need a heatgun or lighter to shrink the heatshrink. A hair-dryer is not enough to shrink to the minimum diameter. For colored heatshrinks, we recommend to only use a heatgun. Using a lighter, the best technique is as follows: Only use the lower portion of the flame (the flame should be at least 3 cm long) and move it into the heatshrink and out of it again and again, while twisting the cable & heatshrink from time to time, so you heat it up at different sides.
Let the heatshrink completely cool down, before you apply any length-stretching-force onto the MDPC-X Sleeve. Once the heatshrink is cooled down, it turns hard and holds the sleeve in position. If you want to move a cable-end into a connector (i. e. ATX wire into ATX connector), you can heat up the front of the heatshrink, so it gets soft again and adjusts perfectly to the inner shape of a connector. Learn more about using our heatshrink for "melting" techniques in the previous section.
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Create a lasting empire in a continuous campaign that covers the entire Earth. Build your empire from one of three completely unique factions or create a custom faction of your choosing. Take your empire from fledgling kingdom to dominant superpower as you battle for control of a lifelike and persistent Earth. Your quest for world domination is finally at hand.
Only registered members can share their thoughts. So come on! Join the community today (totally free - or sign in with your social account on the right) and join in the conversation.


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Many years ago I became aware of unreached or least-reached people groups and it changed my whole view regarding my purpose and calling. I would like to share with you how this came about, but first let me give you a simple definition of the unreached (also called least-reached). According to Joshua Project and many others who have also embraced this definition, it is
"An unreached or least-reached people is a people group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group".
Now a people group is simply a group of people who have a common affinity with one another in which the gospel can spread without encountering barriers of understanding and acceptance (also from Joshua Project).
I was serving as pastor of a small church that we planted in 1983 in West Chester, PA. After about five or six years we began to prepare ourselves and others in the congregation to take a team into inner city Philadelphia to plant a church in the Kensington/Northern Liberties area of Philly. I enrolled in the Center for Urban Theological Studies in Philly (part of Geneva College) to hopefully prepare me for the road ahead. I had always had an interest in missions, and it was during that time that I subscribed to Mission Frontiers magazine. One of the issues I received contained a chart of all the unreached people groups in the world. As I began to read the over 7,000 names of these people groups from nations around the world I began to weep and desired to know more about what it would take to reach these who know nothing about Jesus, and no one is going to them to tell them about Him. I also had "ears to hear" when I read Matthew 24:14 which says:
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (NIV)
It was not long after that that I received and invitation to go to Indonesia and serve in the development of a recently established indigenous bible school. My strategy to go to the inner city and plant a church became pointless since there are thousands of churches in Philly, but my heart was now consumed with the fact that there were over 7,000 people groups that had no gospel witness available to them in the form of a church in their own language and culture.
Within two years my family (my wife and four daughters) moved to Indonesia to serve for the primary purpose of assisting the students of that bible school to focus their efforts on those people groups in Indonesia and other nations who have no gospel witness. Our adventure in Southeast Asia began and continues on to this day even though we do not presently live there.
Over the years, we have found ourselves involved in ministries overseas as well as here in the states that have reaching the unreached as their primary task. But lately, another passion has developed while serving in Asia assisting others to reach the unreached; and that is, seeing the church function in a more simple, organic way that focuses on making disciples. While training workers to go into the unreached areas of Southeast Asia we had to first "un-train" them regarding how to do and be the church and learn how to make disciples in a simple, organic way that fit the culture and understanding of the people they were reaching.
Upon returning to the states, I was "ruined" for church as I had always known and even served as leadership in the past. I longed for a more simple, organic expression focusing on making disciples rather than all the other "stuff" churches find themselves invested in. So I began to familiarize myself with those who are part of the simple, organic and house church movements here in the USA. What a blessing to meet those who had come to the same conclusions as I had regarding church. But something was lacking: the zeal and burden for the unreached. This new direction caused me to be involved with many who have no present tangible desire to reach the unreached. Fortunately, I had met a few who were personally sacrificing and doing what they could to reach unreached peoples in India, China, and other nations, but these individuals are few, and congregation and networks are hardly nowhere to be found although I am sure there are some out there.
This is why in 2007 we started House2Harvest Network to serve, network and assist simple, organic churches and house churches to do strategic missions in order to finish the task of reaching all peoples with the gospel. Needless to say, the results have been slow. Unfortunately I have not been able to devote as much time as needed to accomplish our goals, but we are praying that this will soon change. I am still deeply moved when I read the list of unreached people groups, and I pray that our role in the near future will become more productive in seeing hundreds of teams from the simple, organic, house church movements take the gospel to these pioneer regions and begin making disciples where there are no disciples.
You can find the most recent list at: Joshua Project's Unreached Listing
Will you weep with me!


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On Wednesday and Thursday, the journalists at ABC continued to treat the gay marriage issue as though there was only one acceptable side. Diane Sawyer and Terry Moran framed the case before the Supreme Court as simply "one American seeking justice" and gave almost no time to the opposition. On the March 27 World News, Sawyer used loaded language as she hyped, "Edith Windsor received a hero's welcome when she emerged from the Supreme Court, saying it's time to take a stand for marriage equality."
Windsor is an 83-year-old lesbian who is petitioning the high court to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Journalist Moran seemed to dismiss principled opposition to gay marriage as he insisted, "Sometimes, the big cases come to the Supreme Court out of conflicts between the states or battles between the branches of government and sometimes one American walks up these steps seeking justice." He added, "That's what's happening today." Sawyer could barely contain herself as she enthused, "Tonight, the fighter...Her case challenges the justices and rallies the crowd on marriage in America." [See video below. MP3 audio here.]
On World News and Thursday's Good Morning America, Moran allowed just 14 seconds per segment of opposition to gay marriage. The rest of the stories were devoted to playing up emotional details about Ms. Windsor. On GMA, Moran referred to the elderly woman as a "folk hero to countless young Americans." He praised the case as "an issue which comes to [the court] in part out of the life and love of one remarkable American woman."
Earlier this week, Moran found no time to feature the thousands who marched for traditional marriage on Tuesday.
CBS This Morning only briefly covered the case on Thursday. Regarding federal the federal benefits gays don't have because of DOMA, Charlie Rose reminded, "If it's struck down, it may not be a financial windfall for same-sex couples." Lower taxes aren't something liberals at CBS are generally concerned with.
On the NBC Nightly News, Pete Williams predicted DOMA's demise: "It does appear that at least five of them are prepared to say DOMA is unconstitutional and strike it down." He also highlighted Ms. Windsor, but not to the degree ABC did.
A transcript of the March 28 GMA segment can be found below:
ABC GRAPHIC: Justices Weigh in on Same-Sex marriage: Cast Doubt on U.S. Law Defining Marriage
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Now to the Supreme Court and those emotional arguments over gay marriage. At issue yesterday, the federal law which defines marriage as a union between a man and woman. At the heart of the case, an 83-year-old pioneer. Our Supreme Court expert, Nightline's Terry Moran, is here with her story and what to expect from the court. Good morning, Terry.
TERRY MORAN: Good morning, George. All quiet here today. No protesters, no arguments but the justices are at work getting ready for their big weekly conference, one of the most secret meetings in Washington. Only nine of them, that will be tomorrow morning. They'll take their first votes on the issue of same-sex marriage and the Constitution and an issue which comes to them in part out of the life and love of one remarkable American woman.
CROWD CHANTING: Edie! Edie!
MORAN: This morning, Edie Windsor is celebrating after having her day in court and what a day it was. This 83-year-old woman has become a kind of folk hero to countless young Americans.
EDIE WINDSOR: I'm talking to you freely. You know, I'd have been hiding in the closet ten years ago.
MORAN: Her case arises from the love of her life, Thea Spire, they spent 44 years together, finally marrying in 2007. But after Thea died in 2009, Edie was suddenly hit with $363,000 in estate taxes, taxes no straight widow would have to pay because the federal government refused to recognize their marriage under the Defense of Marriage Act. In court, Justice Ruth Ginsberg said it seemed like a second class system for gay couples.
RUTH BADER GINSBURG: Two kinds of marriages, the full marriage and then this sort of skim milk marriage.
MORAN: That comment struck a cord on social media becoming a popular Twitter hashtag but for millions of Americans it's no laughing matter. Same-sex marriage is about bedrock beliefs.
UNIDENTIFIED AFRICAN AMERICAN MINISTER: We're not motivated by bigotry. We just believe that when the God of the Bible created the institution, he defined it, and I really believe that he got it right.
MORAN: Edie Windsor and Thea Spire were actually engaged way back in 1967. But Edie told Thea she wouldn't be able to wear a ring because all of her colleagues at IBM would say who's the guy? So she got a diamond broach which she was wearing in that court yesterday.
ROBIN ROBERTS: What a story. What a story.


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The Sleep-EVAL system schematic tree for exploring a major depressive episode.19
Associations between medical conditions and chronic painful physical conditions in 3140 subjects with at least 1 depressive symptom (A) and 748 subjects with major depressive disorder (B), including 76 subjects with a mood disorder due to a general medical condition (major depressivelike episode: endocrine condition, 9 subjects; heart disease, 53 subjects; cancer, 3 subjects; and another disease, 11 subjects).
Customize your JAMA Network experience by selecting one or more topics from the list below.
Ohayon MM, Schatzberg AF. Using Chronic Pain to Predict Depressive Morbidity in the General Population. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2003;60(1):39–47. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.60.1.39
© 2020
Pain syndrome is thought to play a role in depression. This study assesses the prevalence of chronic (≥ 6 months' duration) painful physical conditions (CPPCs) (joint/articular, limb, or back pain, headaches, or gastrointestinal diseases) and their relationship with major depressive disorder.
We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey of a random sample of 18 980 subjects from 15 to 100 years old representative of the general populations of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Answers provided during telephone interviews using the Sleep-EVAL system were the main outcome measure. Interviews included questions about mental disorders and medical conditions. Data on painful physical conditions were obtained through questions about medical treatment, consultations, and/or hospitalizations for medical conditions and a list of 42 diseases.
Of all subjects interviewed, 17.1% reported having at least 1 CPPC (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.5%-17.6%). At least 1 depressive symptom (sadness, depression, hopelessness, loss of interest, or lack of pleasure) was present in 16.5% of subjects (95% CI, 16.0%-17.1%); 27.6% of these subjects had at least 1 CPPC. Major depressive disorder was diagnosed in 4.0% of subjects; 43.4% of these subjects had at least 1 CPPC, which was 4 times more often than in subjects without major depressive disorder (odds ratio [OR], 4.0; 95% CI, 3.5-4.7). In a logistic regression model, CPPC was strongly associated with major depressive disorder (OR: CPPC alone, 3.6; CPPC + nonpainful medical condition, 5.2); 24-hour presence of pain made an independent contribution to major depressive disorder diagnosis (OR, 1.6).
The presence of CPPCs increases the duration of depressive mood. Patients seeking consultation for a CPPC should be systematically evaluated for depression.
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE disorder is estimated to occur at a rate of 2% to 6% in the general population of the United States and Western Europe.1-6 Variations in prevalence estimates are due partly to the time frame used (previous-year or previous-month basis) and the diagnostic instruments employed (eg, Diagnostic Interview Schedule, University of Michigan Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and Clinical Interview Schedule, Revised). Furthermore, major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders and is the second most common cause of disability in industrial countries.
Some studies have reported associations between depression and a number of long-term medical conditions, including pain syndrome.7-12 An epidemiological study in the United Kingdom reported that 16.9% of participants with chronic widespread pain also had a psychiatric diagnosis.13 A 7-year longitudinal study reported that the presence of multiple physical symptoms is predictive of a new onset of depression, and, conversely, subjects with depression are 3 to 7 times more likely to develop multiple physical symptoms than are subjects who are not depressed.8 More recently, a 1-year longitudinal study reported that nondepressed subjects with a long-term medical condition (eg, migraine headaches, sinusitis, or back problems) were twice as likely to develop major depression within the next year than were subjects without a long-term medical condition.11 Surprisingly, few studies have attempted to determine if a comorbid medical condition in individuals with chronic painful physical conditions increased the likelihood of having major depressive disorder. Similarly, few studies have attempted to determine the role of obesity, a factor found to be associated with increased pain severity14,15 and major depressive disorder,16,17 in the association between pain and depression.
In this study, we explored further the relationship of chronic painful physical condition to depression in a large community sample of 18 980 Europeans aged 15 years and older. More specifically, we examined (1) the prevalences of pain, depressive symptoms, and major depression in this representative sample; (2) the degree of association between chronic painful physical condition and depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder; (3) whether other factors, such as a comorbid nonpainful medical condition, modified the association between pain and depression; and (4) whether pain symptoms are more common than classic vegetative symptoms in a community-based sample of subjects with major depressive disorder.
Participants from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain were interviewed by telephone between 1994 and 1999 to investigate sleep habits, sleep-related symptoms, and psychiatric and sleep disorder diagnoses according to the DSM-IV. The target population in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain was all noninstitutionalized residents aged 15 years or older; in Portugal, the minimum age was set at 18 years according to the recommendations of the ethics committee. These 5 countries had approximately 206 million inhabitants. The study was approved by an ethics and research committee in Canada, where one of us (M.M.O.) was living at the time the study was conducted. A 2-stage sampling design was used for all 5 countries, using the geographical distribution in the first stage and the Kish selection method18 in the second stage. The Kish method is based on 8 selection tables. It maintains the age and sex representation of the sample and avoids bias related to noncoverage error.
Participants granted verbal consent before proceeding with the interview. For subjects younger than 18 years, verbal consent was also requested from their parents. Potential participants who had insufficient fluency in the national language, hearing or speech impairment, or an illness that precluded the feasibility of an interview or who were currently hospitalized were excluded.
The participation rate was 79.6% (4972 of 6249 eligible subjects) in the United Kingdom, 68.1% (4115 of 6047 eligible subjects) in Germany, 89.4%(3970 of 4442 eligible subjects) in Italy, 83.2% (1858 of 2234 eligible subjects) in Portugal, and 87.5% (4065 of 4648 eligible subjects) in Spain. Altogether, 18 980 subjects participated in the study. The overall participation rate was 80.4%.
The Sleep-EVAL System,19,20 a computer program specifically designed for conducting epidemiological studies in the general population and administering questionnaires, was used to perform the interviews. Lay interviewers read subjects the questions displayed on the computer screen and entered their answers into the Sleep-EVAL System.
The Sleep-EVAL System is composed of a standard questionnaire, written by one of us (M.M.O.), and diagnostic pathways covering the International Classification of Sleep Disorders21 and the DSM-IV.22 The questionnaire covers sociodemographic information, the sleep/wake schedule, physical health, and sleep and mental disease symptoms. Interviews typically begin with general questions about demographic characteristics, followed by questions about sleeping habits and more private questions about mental health. Questions about psychotic symptoms appear near the end of the interview.
The system uses subjects' answers to select a series of plausible diagnostic hypotheses (causal reasoning process) and confirms or rejects these hypotheses based on further questioning and deducing the consequences of each answer (nonmonotonic, level 2 feature). The differential diagnosis process is based on a series of key rules allowing or prohibiting the co-occurrence of 2 diagnoses in accordance with International Classification of Sleep Disorders and DSM-IV prescriptions. The interview ends once all diagnostic possibilities are exhausted. The system is also endowed with fuzzy logic reasoning, managed by 2 neural networks. The system has been tested in various contexts, including clinical psychiatric settings and sleep disorder clinics.23-26 In psychiatric studies, κ ranged from 0.44 (schizophrenic disorders) to 0.78.23,24
The duration of the interviews ranged from 10 to 333 minutes (mean ± SE, 40 ± 20 minutes). The longest interviews involved subjects with multiple sleep and mental disorders. If the duration exceeded 60 minutes, then interviews were completed during 2 or more sessions.
The questionnaire was translated from English to German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. Each translation was verified by at least 3 translators who were native speakers of the targeted language. In all translations, the questionnaire was translated back to English to verify that the questions retained the same meaning.
Painful physical conditions were addressed through questions about treatment for a medical condition at the time of the interview (if the subject was being treated, he or she enumerated the conditions), current medication consumption (prescribed or not) and for which disease subjects were taking medication, and hospitalizations in the 12 months before the study and the reason(s) for each hospitalization. Subjects were also provided with a list of 42 diseases and asked if they had one or more of them. Duration of the disease was also determined.
Subjects were considered to have a painful physical condition if the pain had persisted for at least 6 months and they had consulted a health specialist for the pain, whether or not it resulted in a treatment; were taking medication, prescribed or not, for the pain; or reported that pain interfered with functioning. Painful physical conditions were then classified according to 5 categories:(1) joint/articular conditions (arthritic and rheumatoid diseases), (2) limb pain (all nonarticular pains in upper and lower limbs), (3) backache (nonarticular pain in the back regardless of the location on the spine), (4) headache (migraines and all other types of headaches), and (5) gastrointestinal diseases (all types of painful diseases, such as stomach or gastric ulcer, stomach burns, colitis, Crohn disease, gastritis, ileitis, or colonopathy).
Medical conditions were also identified, including both organic diseases (ie, morbid changes in organ structure or the composition of bodily fluids) and functional diseases (ie, diseases in which the symptoms cannot be attributed to any appreciable lesion or structural change).
The exploration of depression began with questions assessing whether subjects were feeling sad, downcast, or depressed, feeling hopeless, or had lost interest and lacked pleasure in activities formerly considered pleasant. These questions were answered on an intensity scale (ie, extremely, a lot, moderately, slightly, not at all, does not know), and it was determined whether each symptom was present most of the day and nearly every day. Subjects who had at least 1 of these symptoms were asked another series of questions that assessed changes in appetite or weight; insomnia or hypersomnia symptoms (obtained with the help of the sleep questionnaire and supplemental questions to evaluate their relationship to depressive illness); psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt; difficulties in concentrating, thinking, or making decisions; and suicidal ideations. All these were rated by the subjects on the intensity scale used for the initial symptoms and by whether the symptom was present most of the day and nearly every day. Subjects were also asked about the duration of their depressive mood, current and past use of antidepressant medications, and whether they were currently consulting a health professional for depressive mood or had ever done so.
For a DSM-IV diagnosis of major depressive episode, all 5 criteria needed to be met (Figure 1). Therefore, in addition to having impaired functioning (criterion C), subjects who meet the criteria for a mixed episode (ie, who had both a major depressive episode and a manic episode) (criterion B; n = 32), those who developed depressive symptoms in relation to the use or withdrawal of a drug or medication (criterion D; n = 6), or those who developed depressive symptoms in relation to the loss of a loved one (criterion E; n = 27) were not considered to have a major depressive episode according to the DSM-IV. For example, a subject whose depressive symptoms appeared after the onset of alcohol use (ie, the subject was using alcohol before the onset of the depressive mood) and who reported that his or her mood had changed since using alcohol was not considered to have a major depressive episode. On the other hand, subjects who reported having lost a loved one more than 2 months before the interview and who displayed all the DSM-IV criteria were considered to have a major depressive episode.
Subjects with a mood disorder due to a general medical condition (major depressivelike episode; n = 76) were included in the analyses.
The sleep questionnaire included questions about sleep habits, sleep/wake schedule, sleep quality, and several sleep symptoms (eg, insomnia, hypersomnia, parasomnia, and snoring). Some questions were related to the experience of pain during sleep, such as whether pain awakens the subject and, if so, how many times per night. Sleep disorder diagnoses were made according to DSM-IV and International Classification of Sleep Disorders criteria. A differential diagnosis procedure was applied prior to the diagnosis attribution.
A weighting procedure was applied to correct for disparities in the geographical, age, and sex distribution between the samples and each studied country. This procedure compensated for any potential bias from such factors as an uneven response rate across demographic groups. Results were based on weighted n values. Percentages for target variables are given with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) or SEs. Bivariate analyses were performed using the χ2 test. Logistic regression was used to compute the odds ratios (ORs) associated with major depressive episodes and pain. Logistic regressions were performed using SUDAAN software (Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC), which computes an appropriate estimate of the SEs from stratified samples by means of a Taylor series linearization method. P≤.05 was considered statistically significant.
The sample included 18 980 subjects from 15 to 100 years old; 26.2% of subjects were from the United Kingdom; 21.7% were from Germany; 21.4% were from Spain; 20.9% were from Italy; and 9.8% were from Portugal.
At the time of the interview, 17.1% of subjects reported having at least 1 chronic painful physical condition (95% CI, 16.5%-17.6%). More women than men had a chronic painful physical condition (20.7% vs 13.2%; P<.001). The prevalence increased linearly with age (subjects younger than 25 years, 11.4%; subjects aged 65 years or older, 25.4%; P<.001). Headaches were reported by 7.6% of subjects, followed by pain in lower or upper limbs (5.8%), joint/articular disease (3.2%), backaches(3.1%), and gastrointestinal diseases (1.5%). Prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases was comparable between men and women. The other chronic painful physical conditions were more frequent in women than men (Table 1). All these conditions significantly increased with age.
At least 1 of the 3 key symptoms of depression was reported by 16.5% of subjects (95% CI, 16.0%-17.1%), and there was a higher prevalence in women than men (17.8% vs 15.3%; P<.001). More than a quarter (27.6%) of subjects with at least 1 of the 3 key depressive symptoms also had at least 1 chronic painful physical condition. Limb pain was reported by 10.5%, whereas 4.9% of subjects without depressive symptoms mentioned limb pain (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 2.0-2.5; P<.001). Joint/articular diseases were reported by 4.9% of subjects with depressive symptoms compared with 2.9% of subjects without depressive symptoms (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.4-2.1; P<.001). Backaches were 2 times more prevalent in subjects with depressive symptoms (5.7%) than in subjects without depressive symptoms(2.5%) (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 2.0-2.8; P<.001). Gastrointestinal disturbances were found in 2.4% of subjects with depressive symptoms compared with 1.3% of subjects without depressive symptoms (P<.001). Headaches were reported 2 times more frequently in subjects with depressive symptoms (14.0%) compared with subjects without depressive symptoms (6.3%)(OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 2.1-2.7). Overall, subjects feeling sad or depressed were more likely to report chronic painful physical conditions than those who were hopeless or those with loss of interest or lack of pleasure (Table 2).
Subjects who reported fatigue or loss of energy more frequently reported all types of chronic painful conditions than did subjects without this symptom(Table 2). Limb pain was more frequently reported by subjects with symptoms of insomnia or hypersomnia, fatigue or loss of energy, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt compared with depressed subjects without these symptoms. Backaches and headaches were not significantly more common among subjects who reported changes in appetite or weight. Only subjects with fatigue or loss of energy reported significantly more gastrointestinal diseases.
The association between chronic painful physical conditions and depressive symptoms increased with the number of depressive symptoms reported. More than a quarter of subjects reporting only 2 depressive symptoms (28.5%) also had a chronic painful physical condition. This rate increased to 37.9% when subjects had 5 depressive symptoms and jumped to 61.9% when at least 8 depressive symptoms were reported (P<.001).
Furthermore, 75.3% of subjects with at least 1 chronic painful physical condition reported having 1 of the symptoms associated with somatic depression (fatigue, changes in appetite/weight, or insomnia/hypersomnia).
Subjects with at least 1 key symptom of depression and a chronic painful physical condition reported a longer duration of the depressive mood (19.0 months) than did subjects with at least 1 key symptom of depression without a chronic painful condition (13.3 months; Mann-Whitney U; z = −2.99; P =.003).
Finally, 27.6% of subjects with at least 1 key depressive symptom reported having a painful physical condition; 9.3% reported both a chronic painful physical condition and a nonpainful medical condition, and 18.3% reported a chronic painful physical condition alone (Figure 2A).
Major depressive disorder was diagnosed in 4.0% of subjects, including 76 subjects with a mood disorder due to a general medical condition (major depressivelike episode). Women had a higher prevalence of major depressive disorder than did men (4.9% vs 3.1%; P<.001). As indicated in Figure 2B, 43.4% of subjects with major depressive disorder reported having at least 1 chronic painful physical condition; this is 4 times more often than in the remaining sample (16.1%) (OR, 4.0; 95% CI 3.5-4.7; P<.001). Conversely, the prevalence of major depressive disorder was 10.2% in subjects with a chronic painful physical condition compared with 2.7% in subjects without chronic painful physical condition (P<.001).
Subjects with major depressive disorder were more than 5 times more likely to report backaches than was the rest of the sample (12.8% vs 2.7%; OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 4.2-6.7; P<.001). Gastrointestinal diseases (3.0% vs 1.5%; OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-3.2; P =.003) and joint/articular diseases (6.9% vs 3.1%; OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.7-3.1; P<.001) were 2 times more frequently reported by subjects with major depressive disorder. Headaches were 4 times more frequently reported by subjects with major depressive disorder (24.5% vs 6.9%; OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 3.7-5.2; P<.001), and limb pain was 3 times more prevalent in subjects with major depressive disorder (16.3% vs 5.4%; OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.8-4.2; P<.001).
Most subjects with a major depressive disorder diagnosis (61.6%) reported having either a chronic painful physical condition or a nonpainful medical condition (Figure 2B). A chronic painful physical condition alone (without another medical condition) was reported by 28.9% of subjects with major depressive disorder. Co-occurrence of a painful physical condition and a nonpainful medical condition was found in 14.5% of subjects with major depressive disorder.
A chronic painful physical condition alone (without a comorbid nonpainful medical condition) was more frequently observed among subjects with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder who reported a change in appetite or weight, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue or loss of energy, or difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions. Comorbid chronic painful physical conditions and nonpainful medical conditions were more frequent in subjects with insomnia or hypersomnia symptoms.
We performed logistic regression to determine if having a chronic painful condition made an independent contribution to major depressive disorder. We included in the model variables most often associated with major depressive disorder: sex, age, occupational status, alcohol intake, smoking, stress, and body mass index (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared). Daily caffeine and alcohol intake were not significant in the final model. Table 3 displays crude and adjusted ORs for subjects with major depressive disorder. Significant adjusted sociodemographic factors included being a woman, being from 45 to 54 years old, working on shifts or at night, being a homemaker, or being unemployed. Being married was a protective factor, as was having a body mass index in the overweight range (25-27). Other significant factors were smoking fewer than 20 cigarettes per day and having a moderately stressful or stressful life.
Illness status was significantly related to the presence of a major depressive disorder diagnosis. The OR for having major depressive disorder was 2.2 for subjects with only a nonpainful medical condition. The OR increased to 3.6 for subjects with only a chronic painful physical condition and 5.2 for subjects with both a chronic painful physical condition and a nonpainful medical condition. Interestingly, the presence of pain during the night and day made an independent significant contribution to major depressive disorder diagnosis.
This study investigated the association between major depressive disorder and pain in a large sample representative of the general populations of 5 European countries (the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain).
This study was primarily designed to address sleep and mental disorders in the general population and the questionnaire did not include extensive questions about the characteristics or location of pain. Therefore, it was not possible to distinguish between the different clinical forms of pain with great specificity.
Second, the data collected on pain and nonpainful medical conditions were self-reported. However, because pain involves mainly subjective perception and experience, self-reports are commonly considered accurate. Studies that have examined the concordance between subjective reports and external measures of pain have found good agreement between the two.27 Furthermore, a physician or other health specialist had already diagnosed the nonpainful medical conditions reported in this study.
Nearly 17% of subjects in our sample reported having a chronic painful physical condition. This rate is similar to that reported in epidemiological studies assessing chronic pain28-31 but lower than the rates reported in studies that addressed both short-term and chronic painful physical conditions.32-34 In this study, the painful physical conditions reported were mostly chronic, and many of these subjects had sought medical assistance for their physical conditions.
We found a prevalence of 4% for major depressive disorder in this European sample, which is close to the 1-month prevalence of 4.9% reported in the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS).2 The differences between this study and the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA)1 and NCS studies are numerous. First, the age range is broader in this sample (15-100 years) than in the NCS (15-54 years). Second, the time frame is also different (current study, point prevalence; ECA and NCS studies, 1-month, 6-month, 1-year, or lifetime prevalence), and, third, in this study, a differential diagnosis procedure was applied to all the subjects who had experienced a major depressive episode.
Among the 4% of subjects with major depressive disorder, more than 40% also had a chronic painful physical condition. A third of subjects with major depressive disorder also had a nonpainful medical condition. Therefore, only 38.4% of subjects with major depressive disorder had neither a chronic painful physical condition nor a nonpainful medical condition; approximately 15% had both. In subjects with major depressive disorder, the odds of having a chronic painful physical condition were greater than for subjects with depressive symptoms but no major depressive disorder diagnosis, with crude ORs ranging from 2.0 to 5.0.
Conversely, among subjects with a chronic painful condition, subjects with backaches or headaches had the highest odds of having major depressive disorder. These results confirm the results of other clinical studies that examined the prevalence of depressive disorder in patients with lower back pain or headaches.35-38 Interestingly, 24-hour presence of pain made an independent contribution to the presence of major depressive disorder, indicating that continuous pain independently increases the likelihood of having major depressive disorder. Furthermore, when controlling for the presence of a nonpainful medical condition, a chronic painful physical condition remains an important factor related to the presence of major depressive disorder. The influence of 24-hour pain and comorbid chronic painful physical condition and nonpainful medical condition have not previously been investigated in the general population.
Other results are noteworthy. We found that shift work was a predictive factor for major depressive disorder as were unemployment and being a homemaker. Previous epidemiological studies of major depressive disorder did not assess individuals according to their work schedule.1-5 However, some studies of shift workers have reported high rates of major depressive disorder in this population.39,40 We also investigated the influence of obesity on the association between pain and major depressive disorder because obesity is related to both pain severity14,15 and the presence of major depressive disorder.16,17 Interestingly, in bivariate analyses, these two associations were observed; ie, obese individuals were more likely to report a chronic painful condition, and they had a higher prevalence of major depressive disorder than individuals whose body mass index was within the normal range. However, when introduced into a multivariate model, the association between obesity and major depressive disorder disappeared. Instead, we found that being overweight was a protective factor for major depressive disorder.
In this study, 16.5% of subjects reported having at least 1 depressive symptom; of these subjects 27.6%, also reported a chronic painful physical condition. Nonpainful medical conditions also were frequently reported; a quarter of subjects with at least 1 depressive symptom had a nonpainful medical condition. The types of chronic painful physical conditions that were analyzed (limb pain, backache, joint/articular disease, gastrointestinal diseases, and headaches) were strongly associated with the presence of depressive symptoms. The ORs for reporting one of these chronic painful physical conditions in subjects with depressive symptoms ranged from 1.7 to 2.4. Similar rates have been reported in other general population studies.41,42
The pain-depression interaction is not yet fully understood. Some argue that chronic pain should be viewed as a potent physical and psychological stressor that may influence mood.43 Thus, pain can be viewed as a potential trigger of depressive illness. Some longitudinal studies partly support that hypothesis.8-12 However, the relationship is far more complex. If pain precedes the depressive illness in as many as 40% of cases, then the reverse is also true, and depressive illness often precedes physical pain.7,8,10,12 Our data are cross-sectional; therefore, they offer limited information about the course of pain and depression. We found, however, that depressed moods were of significantly longer duration, about 6 months longer, in subjects who reported a chronic painful physical condition. Therefore, pain could also contribute to the prolongation of a depressive episode. This result has also been reported in clinical studies.44
In contrast, others argue that depression should be assessed differently in subjects with physical pain or, at least, that special attention should be brought to the somatic symptoms of depression, which are also often associated with physical pain and can in fact be attributable to the painful physical condition rather than to depression.45-47 Therefore, there is a question about the extent to which painful physical conditions can induce a false-positive diagnosis of major depressive disorder.
In this study, we found that changes in appetite or weight, fatigue, insomnia or hypersomnia, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt were frequently associated with pain alone. About 88% of subjects with major depressive disorder reported having somatic depressive symptoms, such as fatigue or sleep and appetite disturbances. If we exclude subjects who reported having both a chronic painful physical condition and somatic symptoms of depression and who did not have sufficient depressive symptoms to fulfill the criteria for a major depressive episode, the prevalence of a major depressive disorder diagnosis drops to 3.4%. Therefore, about 15% of major depressive disorder diagnoses would be discarded. There is no clear consensus about how to manage depressive somatic symptoms in the context of painful physical conditions. Some argue that the overlap between pain and depressive symptoms may even compromise the validity of diagnostic questionnaires in that specific population.48-50 Endicott51 has recommended that alternative diagnostic criteria be used, such as using nonsomatic substitute symptoms to make the diagnosis of major depression.
In summary, this study clearly shows the importance of chronic painful physical conditions in subjects with major depressive disorder. It is a common symptom that remains strongly associated with major depressive disorder even when controlling for the presence of nonpainful medical conditions. Furthermore, the co-occurrence of chronic painful physical conditions and nonpainful medical conditions increased the likelihood of having a major depressive disorder. Further studies on the relationship of pain to major depressive disorder are warranted.
Corresponding author: Maurice M. Ohayon, MD, DSc, PhD, Stanford Sleep Epidemiology Research Center, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 3430 W Bayshore Rd, Suite 102, Palo Alto, CA 94303 (e-mail:email@example.com)
Submitted for publication February 25, 2002; final revision received June 5, 2002; accepted June 6, 2002.
This study was supported by grant 971067 from the Fond de la Recherche en Santé du Quèbec, Montreal (Dr Ohayon), and an unrestricted educational grant from Sanofi-Synthelabo Group, Paris, France (Dr Ohayon).
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Happy New Year To all at FOTM. 😀
A New Year Prayer For the Elderly
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,
The good fortune to run into the ones that I do,
And the eyesight to tell the difference.
New Year's Day Prayer for One and All
Dear Lord
So far this year I've done well.
I haven't gossiped, I haven't lost my temper, I haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I'm very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, Lord, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help.
A New Year's Wish
On New Year's Eve, Marilyn stood up in the local pub and said that it was time to get ready. At the stroke of midnight, she wanted every husband to be standing next to the one person who made his life worth living.
Well, it was kind of embarrassing. As the clock struck – the bartender was almost crushed to death
Lecture Tour with A Difference
On New Year's Eve, Daniel was in no shape to drive, so he sensibly left his van in the car park and walked home. As he was wobbling along, he was stopped by a policeman. 'What are you doing out here at four o'clock in the morning?' asked the police officer.
'I'm on my way to a lecture,' answered Roger.
'And who on earth, in their right mind, is going to give a lecture at this time on New Year's Eve?' enquired the constable sarcastically.
'My wife,' slurred Daniel grimly.
Happy New Year


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Tibo Beijen has a new post today showing his method for fixing mysqldump on Zend Server CE running on an OS X platform. The default install throws a socket error when you try to dump a database using the command.
Inspecting the mysql configuration contained in /usr/local/zend/mysql/data/my.cnf confirmed that the section [client] showed the socket as returned by executing SHOW VARIABLES; from the mysql client: /usr/local/zend/mysql/tmp/mysql.sock Although it is possible to specify the socket by using mysqldump's --socket switch, that doesn't really seem a 'solution'.
As a real solution to the problem was to copy over the my.cnf file from the custom location Zend Server has it in to the default "/etc/my.cnf" with settings pointing to the correct MySQL socket.


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Change in Direction?
I am writing to express my concern with the sudden change in direction that Linux Journal appears to have taken. LJ has always stood apart from its competitors by covering diverse technical material that would be of no interest to the beginner or casual Linux user, but is the bread and butter of the hacker.
When the first competing magazines appeared on the market, it was apparent that their audience was less technically savvy people, perhaps interested in dipping their toes into the world of Linux.
The last three issues of LJ have shown a marked reduction in such diverse, technical articles. I was particularly surprised to find six pages dedicated to installing MediaWiki—a job that would take the average hacker no more than five minutes to do.
Conversely, the newsstand Linux magazines have been slowly moving toward accommodating the hacker, with more in-depth coverage of happenings in the kernel and distro worlds.
I urge you to take a closer look at what has made LJ such a
unique publication over the last 12 years and strive to
maintain the level of technicality and diverseness that is
key to that uniqueness.
Jon Dowland
Appalled by Rant
I've been an LJ subscriber for six years and figured I had to reply to your recent /etc/rant [May 2006]. I am seriously considering terminating my subscription after reading this one, and I have only thought this since you have joined on as editor in chief. Sometimes I think these sections are written just to kill off some of the loyal readership you do have.
I just wanted to say that I am quite appalled by your latest /etc/rant. Usually, these sections are slightly tolerable, even though they have no place in a technical journal, but this one certainly takes the cake. I feel you expose your own ignorance when it comes to the AMD64 platform. Before someone comes out and declares all of Linux to be unsuitable for 64-bit use, perhaps he should try other distributions?
There are many distributions out there that will support AMD64 quite nicely, namely SUSE, Red Hat and Gentoo. Perhaps you should try one of these next time before writing such a damning article to an audience that just might be working to improve the situation.
As for your plugin issue, it really is quite simple. No 64-bit browser will run 32-bit plugins, which means no Flash. If you want Flash, run a 32-bit browser. (As for Java, there is a 64-bit plugin that will run in 64-bit compiled browsers.) Due to ABI differences, this is the case. (Somewhat akin to, say, running x86 plugins on a PPC system.)
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Also, if you would like some constructive articles for the journal, I'd also be willing to help turn things around over there (the way it used to be). If these sorts of articles are not fixed/changed, I will have no choice but to terminate my subscription.
I've got a dual-core Athlon X2 here with two gigs of RAM, GeForce FX
7800GT, and one terabyte of storage purring along nicely.
Where did you get your 64-bit Java plugin for Firefox? It doesn't come with 64-bit Java, as does the 32-bit plugin. I do not expect 32-bit plugins to work with a 64-bit browser. I expect 64-bit plugins to be widely available and to work. As long as this isn't the case, distributions should automatically set up a 32-bit browser that is able to use 32-bit plugins (better still, install the plugins too). That's the way SUSE does it. Unfortunately, Ubuntu/Kubuntu didn't do that. Considering how long the AMD64 has been around, I'm shocked that there's popular software (such as Flash) that still isn't available for AMD64. —Ed.
Rave about "The 64-bit Question"
Excellent article! You told it like it was and did it with class
and style!
Don't like the new look though.
Keep up the good work.
Gary Burt
No Kids?
My son and I were at Mr Negroponte's $100 Laptop Keynote yesterday morning [LinuxWorld Boston 2006] and very much enjoyed it. We have been following the progress of the project since it first hit the wire!
The unfortunate thing we learned when we arrived was that LinuxWorld had raised the age restriction to 18 after we had registered in early January, therefore my son was not allowed in the Expo. The VP of LinuxWorld told me that the larger vendors demanded that children not be allowed on the floor because they interfere with selling their products. She did allow us to see the keynote, which was the highlight of an otherwise devastating day for my son. LinuxWorld states on its site that the 18-year-old age restriction is for safety and insurance reasons. That is not what I was told. Red Hat was the one company mentioned about pressuring LinuxWorld to up the age.
Mr Negroponte's excellent talk was all about the
children of this
World, Linux and Education, and unfortunately there was no EXPO
education for my son today. I wanted you to know that the only person
under 18 in his audience yesterday is a fan of his, and he wanted
vendors to know that he wasn't able to enjoy the rest of the Expo.
Thank you for listening.
Brad Fligor
More Responses to "The 64-Bit Question"
In response to Nick Petreley's etc/rant "The 64-Bit
Question" in the May
2006 issue, how is it that Linux has an opportunity to be "the first,
best AMD64 desktop platform"? Solaris 10 has been running flawlessly on
my W1100Z for months. Is your magazine trying to inform its readers and
make them more productive or simply sell them something?
Ralph Wojtowicz
Get Off Your Arse
I could rant that my toilet tank is badly designed because
new format slides off of it and interferes with raising the seat.
But the blame for that problem would be about as well placed
as Nick Petreley's arrogant May 2006 /etc/rant that distro developers
should get "off their arses" and give him a better AMD64 desktop
Mr Petreley screwed up. He chose a hardware and software
platform without researching whether the combination was
well supported in his intended application.
That's not the problem of the generous noncommercial distro
developers who put their limited resources where they'll help
the most colleagues, nor of the commercial distro developers,
who have to make hard business decisions based upon demand.
The way that Linux works is that if Petreley wants a distro that
nobody else is making, it's up to him to get off of his own arse
with like-minded contributors and make it happen.
Greg Bullough
Stay Away from Java?
After reading your etc/rant column, "The 64-Bit Question", you may have finally realized (hopefully) why some open-source advocates suggest staying away from Java.
You see, neither Java nor Flash has good support for running in 64-bit under AMD64 chips. Neither Sun nor Macromedia is willing to release their source code freely enough for those who want to do the work for them. In another words, we can run Java because Sun allows us to run it. Obviously, we don't have the mercy (yet) from Sun to run Java on AMD64 chips.
If we are so dependent on Java and Sun decided tomorrow that nobody can run Java on any architecture other than Sparc, all of us have to have Sparc because, as I said, we've become "dependent" on it.
I am not saying we should throw out Java totally, but shouldn't we
be cautious as to which programming tool we choose for our open-source
Jack Cheung
Java runs fine on an AMD64. The downloadable version from Sun (at least at the time I tested it) simply didn't include a 64-bit plugin for 64-bit Firefox. —Ed.
Some Questions
I love LJ and find the tips very useful. Regarding GNOME bashing, try XFCE instead! My questions, however, pertain to the QEMU and User Mode articles in the May 2006 issue.
Is it possible to run the user-mode techniques on my Powerbook (PPC) running Ubuntu, and would I be able to run x86 or other architectures? How?
Also, I installed QEMU using Ubuntu's Synaptic, but every image that I tried to emulate with the commands given in the article cause the wm to crash and log me out. Any suggestions?
Keep up the good work and the good looks!
Brian O'Keefe
Missed Opportunity
I fully agree with your article [Nick Petreley's "The 64-Bit
Question", May 2006]. Linux misses a big opportunity. So does
OpenOffice.org. The 64-bit binary for AMDs is still not available, and
glancing through Web sites, OOo 2.0.2 doesn't compile on x86_64.
Therefore, one needs to install the 32-bit version, which in turn doesn't
like the 64-bit Java, and the first time you start up OOo, it takes about
minutes until its search for Java times out.
Thomas Spuhler
Have Hope
My right-hand man here in the USA reads your magazine regularly. He brought a copy along when he came to visit last week. You and those AMD chips—hee, hee, hee. The IT industry makes a business in circulating slop, does it not?
I just wanted to send along a note of thanks—for putting some gas on our fire through the years—for being human enough to respond when I have e-mailed. That is usually not the case with writers in the IT media.
I have been working away on a vision to radically fix the world's IT messes since 1995. To date, three systems designed and implemented from the ground up (aka Opus 1 through 3), plans for two more sitting on paper (aka Opus 3.5 and 4). Just because the seemingly entire world complains about things as they are, ya think they would get behind an effort to fix it all! Well, it takes other types of preparations to do a project like this—far more than simply writing the code, creating the IP, distributing and supporting it. So in that way we are making progress. Nick, the fix is coming, I tell you.
Nick, you seem to be one of a rare breed—those who are able to use
their brains. So, thanks, keep doing so. Probably it is mostly for being
able to help, to rescue, folks like you that keep me going—the folks
that "get it" about the way things "should be". Just keep encouraging
through your work as you can,
Nick, we are out here, trying to make progress, trying to bring the
solution. Steps forward are not always easy, not always fast,
not always fun.
Michael Lueck


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The last time the Packers saw Colin Kaepernick in person, he was a meteor bolting through a flimsy defence. When Green Bay journeys to San Francisco for Sunday's marquee matchup with the NFC champion 49ers, the defence better be a lot stingier or the Packers will get smashed up again.
Kaepernick set a post-season record for quarterbacks by rushing for 181 yards in San Francisco's 45-32 divisional-round victory. Green Bay, which has a pretty effective passer of its own in Aaron Rodgers, looked inept when it came to slowing down Kaepernick and the Niners' read option.
As Packers star linebacker Clay Matthews said, the read option "has become a big part of the league, and it causes you problems because it can make you unsure what to do."
Packers defensive co-ordinator Dom Capers wants his guys to be aggressive and force the issue with Kaepernick and the versatile 49ers offence. That's not easy, of course, with Frank Gore at running back, Vernon Davis at tight end and Anquan Boldin at wide receiver, all working with a stout line.
Rodgers actually is one of the better scrambling quarterbacks in the league, and no one throws on the run better, not even Kaepernick. He could keep off-balance a staunch 49ers defence led by linebackers Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith.
On Thursday night in the season opener, Peyton Manning matched the NFL record with seven touchdown passes in Denver's 49-27 home victory over Super Bowl champion Baltimore.
On Sunday, it's Atlanta at New Orleans, Minnesota at Detroit, Tampa Bay at the New York Jets, Seattle at Carolina, Cincinnati at Chicago, New England at Buffalo, Oakland at Indianapolis, the New York Giants at Dallas, Tennessee at Pittsburgh, Kansas City at Jacksonville, Miami at Cleveland, and Arizona at St. Louis.
Monday night has Philadelphia at Washington, then Houston at San Diego.
Atlanta at New Orleans
Welcome back, Sean Payton. Now let's see how much your presence means for the Saints.
New Orleans lost its first four games last season while Payton was suspended for the entire schedule due to the bounty scandal. He doesn't want his return to be the focus at the Superdome, especially with the division rival Falcons and their equally prolific offence in town.
Sorry, Sean, it's the big storyline in the Big Easy.
"I get it, because it's a little bit unprecedented," Payton said. "I've said this to our players: Teams are made up of large groups of players and coaches that are committed to the good of the common cause. I don't buy into the idea that, 'Well, now the head coach is back and they'll be back to contending right away.' There's no evidence of that."
Philadelphia at Washington, Monday
Here's one to savour: Robert Griffin III, back from major knee surgery, running the read option.
And this: Chip Kelly's fast-paced, versatile offence trying to match points with RG3 and the Redskins.
The furor over Griffin's injury — and whether he should have been on the field in the playoff game against Seattle last January — was followed by daily, if not hourly, reports on his recovery. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year is back.
"I feel very good where Robert's at," coach Mike Shanahan said.
Kelly's Philly version of the Quack Attack already is without receivers Jeremy Maclin and Arrelious Benn. But he does have DeSean Jackson, do-everything running back LeSean McCoy, and Michael Vick to run the show.
Houston at San Diego, Monday
Finishing off the opening weekend will be the Texans, who have never beaten the Chargers, but are favoured over rebuilding San Diego.
Houston is built around stars like a RB Arian Foster, WR Andre Johnson, DE J.J. Watt and LB Brian Cushing, who just got a huge contract extension.
San Diego has few stars left and has concentrated on improving the defence, although new coach Mike McCoy is an offensive master. One thing to look for: How many sacks does Dwight Freeney have left as he comes over from Indianapolis through free agency?
Minnesota at Detroit
This one is simple: If the Lions can neutralize Adrian Peterson, then their high-powered offence could have a field day, particularly if Reggie Bush ignites the running game. That, of course, is an IF the size of Ford Field.
Peterson rushed for 273 yards in two games against Detroit in his MVP 2012 season. He could reach that number on Sunday if he matches the way he performed down the stretch as Minnesota won four straight to get a wild card last year.
Detroit has its own record setter, of course, in WR Calvin Johnson. "Megatron" had 1,964 yards receiving on 122 catches.
Tampa Bay at New York Jets
Darrelle Revis was the Jets' best player for most of his six years with them. A shutdown cornerback with big-play skills, he also was one of the franchise's biggest headaches because of several contract disputes.
So New York dealt him to Tampa, and the NFL, showing its sense of timing — or sense of humour — scheduled him to return from last season's knee surgery right back at the Meadowlands.
Considering the uncertainty at quarterback for Rex Ryan's club — rookie Geno Smith starts — Revis could find himself with several chances for picks. And pick 6s.
Seattle at Carolina
Historically, the Seahawks don't travel to the East Coast too successfully. That really shouldn't be a factor to start the season, though, and this is one of Seattle's best squads.
While versatile quarterbacks Cam Newton and Russell Wilson are focal points, how much the defences can slow down the opposition will decide this one. Newton will face a superb secondary led by All-Pros Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, and each side has a terrific linebacker, Bobby Wagner in Seattle and 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year Luke Kuechly in Carolina.
Cincinnati at Chicago
A very intriguing game out of the gate for the Bengals, who many see as a Super Bowl contender — or at the very least, an AFC North winner. A win at Soldier Field over the revamped Bears under new coach Marc Trestman could stamp Cincinnati as a force.
To get it, the Bengals will need a big effort from star DT Geno Atkins, who just got a huge contract. If he can unnerve Bears QB Jay Cutler, who can be rattled, Cincinnati would prosper.
Two standout wideouts, Cincy's A.J. Green and Chicago's Brandon Marshall, will be on display.
New England at Buffalo
The Patriots, winners of nine straight openers, dominate the Bills like no one else, winning 18 of the last 19 meetings and 23 of 25. Don't look for Tom Brady's streak of games with TD passes (48, second only to Drew Brees' 54) to end against an injury-depleted secondary.
Plus, there's Buffalo's quandary at quarterback, where it can only hope first-round pick EJ Manuel, who will start, has fully recovered from his preseason left knee injury.
Yet, somehow, Bills receiver Stevie Johnson is not-so-cautiously optimistic about the opener.
"I don't think they've got nobody to stop me for real," Johnson said, referring to the Patriots' questionable defence. "And I think we've got guys in the receiver room that's as good as I am ... if not better."
We'll see.
Oakland at Indianapolis
The Raiders have the look of the worst team in football. The Colts look like they could push Houston to the limit in the AFC South.
Oakland, with nearly $50 million going to players no longer on the roster, is playing it coy about its starting QB, Terrelle Pryor or Matt Flynn. Unless Ken Stabler is coming back in his prime, it might not matter against an Indianapolis team that went from 2-14 in 2011, earning it the top draft pick (Andrew Luck), to 11-5.
The uncertainty at quarterback means the Raiders will force feed RB Darren McFadden, who when healthy is very dangerous. Indy was 29th against the run last year.
New York Giants at Dallas
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones loves the idea of his team being featured in prime time. He must hate the idea of playing the Giants, who have never lost in Jerry's billion-dollar house, going 4-0.
Breakaway receiver Victor Cruz is back from a bruised left heel, something Eli Manning finds critical for New York.
"Definitely, it's good to have all your weapons out there, one of your top receivers," Manning said. "It's good to get him running around. I'm excited he'll be back for this opening game."
Tennessee at Pittsburgh
Yes, the NFL is a passing league, and when Ben Roethlisberger is healthy, the Steelers can do major damage through the air.
Still, this has the look of whatever team runs most effectively will take charge. While the Steelers' backfield is a jumble after the presumed starter, rookie Le'Veon Bell, sprained his right foot, the Titans have Chris Johnson, a one-time 2,000-yard rusher.
Pittsburgh has won 10 straight home openers, longest active streak in the league.
Kansas City at Jacksonville
Both of these teams were 2-14 on merit last year. Only one, Kansas City, seems ready to distance itself from the cellar.
Andy Reid is following an approach in KC that is similar to the one that helped him turn the Eagles from doormats to contenders. He brought in a quarterback, Alex Smith, who has a good grasp of his West Coast offence, and he inherits a lot more talent with the Chiefs than new coach Gus Bradley does with the Jaguars.
Jacksonville's best chance is for Maurice Jones-Drew to be unstoppable in the ground game.
Miami at Cleveland
The Browns have won four straight over Miami. To get to five, new coach Rob Chudzinski needs his offence to pound the ball with Trent Richardson.
The Dolphins are considered a potential challenger to New England in the AFC East, but after a difficult preseason, expectations might have been tempered. They brought in Mike Wallace as a deep threat to complement Brian Hartline in the passing game, but with Bush gone to Detroit, who will run the ball?
Arizona at St. Louis
The Rams went 4-1-1 in the division, and considering how strong San Francisco and Seattle were last season, that's impressive.
If St. Louis truly is on the upswing in its second season under Jeff Fisher, it will get more production in the deep passing game. The tools are there with QB Sam Bradford and first-round pick Tavon Austin.
Bruce Arians parlayed an interim coaching gig in Indianapolis after Chuck Pagano underwent treatment for leukemia into NFL Coach of the Year honours. And now, at age 60, his first head coaching assignment, with a Cardinals team that fell apart after a 4-0 start in 2012.
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org