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text: Maude C. Brown, 101, 301 S. Bay St., Eustis, died Saturday. Born in Rochester, N.Y., she moved to Eustis from there in 1978. She was a homemaker and a Protestant. Survivors: son, Hulbert, Rochester; daughter, Mrs. Helen Northrup, Mount Dora; two grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Hamlin & Hilbish Funeral Directors, Eustis.

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Official Red Dead Redemption TV Ad
Rockstar want to make sure Red Dead Redemption is well received and well marketed. They plan to spend a large portion of their marketing budget to showcase the wild west shooter on the silver screen in cinemas and now, they've revealed the official TV ad for the title.
The GameStop commercial for Red Dead Redemption was recently revealed. The game is scheduled for a May 18th, 2010 release.


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You cant hide a child from things FOREVER. And so what if they see porn. When they're older they will , so why hide them from it now? Im not saying they SHOULD be allowed to see it, im just saying if they do than they do. Imagine if age never existed, would it matter? I think not.
There are too many things on the internet that children simply are not mature enough to handle. There is great of violent and pornographic content that children should not be exposed to. Some level of freedom to explore might be a good thing, but blocking certain types of content from children is necessary.
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text:
If you enjoy outdoor running and yet you stay in a busy city, you may find it challenging to do running. Yes, running in the city requires more planning and attention. If you are new to urban running, here are the tips.
Entries Tagged as 'Health'
Top 10 Tips For Urban Runners
July 15th, 2012 · 1 Comment
Tags: Health
How To Prevent and Minimize Ugly Varicose Veins on Your Legs
June 25th, 2012 · No Comments
Our parents probably have those blue purple veins on the legs. They are varicose veins. Before I talk about how not to have them, let's find out what exactly are them. Whare Are Varicose Veins and What Causes Them? We have veins and arteries which are tubes carrying blood in our body, from brain to […]
Tags: Health
Does Beer Really Cause Beer Belly?
June 1st, 2012 · No Comments
I went to a pub with my colleague after work. This place is his favorite. He sat there, pointed his huge belly while talking to the barmaid, "Fill this up." The barmaid smiled and came back with two jugs of beer. I look around the pub, I saw some customers have one common appearance – […]
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3 Reasons Your Legs May Itch When You Run
May 19th, 2012 · 1 Comment
One reader has sent me e-mail telling me that he experienced an itchy sensation all over his legs when he ran. The feeling was so overwhelming that he has to stop to scratch his legs. Worse, he wore shorts and his legs looked like two huge reddish carrot. No, it is nothing to do with […]
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What Causes Dark Circle Under Eyes and How To Get Rid Of Them?
April 22nd, 2012 · 3 Comments
When you look at a person, it is the eyes that normally catch the attention. If you have dark circles under eyes, they tend to make you look old and tired. Given a choice, we do not want those panda look alike eyes. So, it is important to learn about the causes of these infamous […]
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Do You Have A First Aid Kit At Home?
April 3rd, 2012 · 1 Comment
I have most of the items in a typical first aid kit, but they are not stored in a box. I put them in few drawers. If I cut myself, I have to dig through those drawers to find the stuff I want. Then, I realized that it is time to get a proper first […]
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text:
Some of the UK's leading pole vaulters will taking part in a special competition this Sunday outside the Baltic.
The Baltic Square Pole Vault Challenge is in its second year.
The event is organised by England Athletics regional development co-ordinator Richard Hunter and the North East Pole Vault Academy.
It will take place on part of the track surface used in the Commonwealth Games Stadium last summer, which has been donated to the Pole Vault Academy.
Wearsider Mark Christie heads the region's charge.
The event gets under way at 1.30pm.


text:
|Radiation Damage Discussion
edited and compiled by doctordee
|Search LMS site
|Some Important Points
Areas that have been irradiated should be regularly observed not only for recurrence of the initial tumor or its metastasis, and for late radiation effect, but also for the possibility of development of a New Cancer. Additional or returning symptoms may indicate recurrence OR metastasis of original tumor, OR radiation damage, OR a New Primary Cancer developing at that site. Differentiation of radiation pathology from recurrent or metastatic tumor or new malignancy can be difficult.
Because the target organ for the development of late effects is most probably the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels, much of the permanent damage is caused by impairment of circulation, as these blood vessels undergo premature and progressive aging, scarring, and arteriosclerosis. Hyperbaric oxygen should be considered when managing late-onset sequelae in previously irradiated patients. The use of hyperbaric oxygen for radiation-induced bone and soft tissue complications is safe and results in few significant adverse effects.
Fetch PMID: 10465478
Subsequent surgery--Irradiation for malignancy in an area makes subsequent surgery more difficult. Injection of intravenous contrast medium [and subsequent Xrays] might help identify the vascular structures within the area, especially when disease process and post-irradiation fibrosis have destroyed the tissue planes. Because of the damage to blood vessels, there may be poor healing in previously irradiated areas. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help irradiated tissues heal faster.
Fetch PMID: 8635114
One study followed 221 consecutively treated patients for 8 to 42 years after post mastectomy irradiation. Complications requiring in-hospital treatment were observed in 24 of 221 patients (11%). There were four sarcomas of the treated chest wall, three squamous carcinomas (two in the esophagus), two angiosarcomas of the swollen homolateral arm, nine chronic ulcers, five respiratory insufficiencies, six pathologic fractures of the radiated shoulder or ribs, two fatal cardiomyopathies, one persisting leukopenia with fatal brain abscess, and one severe neurovascular impairment of the arm. In a comparable group of 394 consecutive post mastectomy patients who were not irradiated, one similar event, a myxosarcoma of an unswollen arm, was observed. Only long-term follow-up can determine the ultimate risks of radiotherapy.
Fetch PMID: 6498728
Spiral CT scans of abdomen, pelvis and chest, with or without contrast, every three months, has its own radiation risk as well. Admittedly, it is smaller than irradiation for eradication of malignancy. The radiation burden from diagnostic CT scans may ultimately contribute to carcinogenesis, mutagenesis and other radiation damage.
Fetch PMID: 9693333
Radionecrosis is the death of tissue in small patches, in the areas of irradiation. If it occurs in bone, the structural strength of the bone is much decreased. If it occurs in the brain, it can lead to dementia and death.
References: Radiation Damage & Radiosensitivity
References: Arterial Damage as the Cause of Late Effects
|Early and Late Side Effects
Acute side effects are sometimes referred to as "early side effects." The symptoms may occur soon after the treatment begins and usually are gone within a few weeks of finishing therapy. "Late effects of radiation" is permanent damage and may take months or years to develop and can be progressive.
Acute radiation damage from abdominal or pelvic irradiation will usually present with skin reaction, digestive tract reaction and/or bone marrow depression. White blood cells and platelets decrease rapidly. Red blood cells also can decrease. These symptoms go away in a matter of weeks. The damage to the bone marrow is cumulative, however, and repeated irradiation or chemotherapies can result in myelodysplasia [See Myelodysplasia]. Acute severe digestive tract reaction increases the risk for late effect radiation damage.
The incidence of late effect abdominal radiation effects depend upon the type of radiation, the amount of exposure, and the fields chosen, as well as other, patient-related, factors. It is best to ask the oncologist who is prescribing the radiation, for the acute AND late effect risk profile involved in the particular regimen he has chosen. Discuss alternatives with him/her, as well as ways to shield other organs or remove them from the field of irradiation.
Late Effects of Radiation: Permanent Radiation Damage
Essentially, the late effects of radiation are probably due to one of two processes occurring in exposed tissues:
Chromosomal damage is likely the cause of the New Cancers that develop years later, and at least part of the problem with the Myelodysplasia Syndromes. Some tissues are very sensitive to radiation, and the cells do not recover from treatment: bone cells die and bone becomes osteoporotic, salivary tissue also dies. Most of the other symptoms of late effects probably come from damage to the irradiated blood vessels that service the tissues, resulting in those blood vessels undergoing premature aging, scarring, and arteriosclerosis. The organs that rely upon these damaged vessels for their blood supply are compromised, and often undergo ischemic damage, or cannot function reliably.
References: Radiation Damage & Radiosensitivity
References: Arterial Damage as the Cause of Late Effects
|Damage & Risks to Structures Usually Within the Beam
Late radiation symptoms at most sites are caused by widespread, premature blood vessel aging, radiation-induced arteriosclerosis, and radiation-induced blood vessel obliteration, leading to tissue death and scarring. Compromise of tissue circulation can occur wherever the blood vessels were exposed to radiation. It is established that small and medium sized arteries undergo extensive radiation damage. Larger artery stenosis [e.g. carotid, axillary, subclavian] may also present in patients who have undergone radiotherapy.
The arterial changes resemble chronic, progressive arteriosclerosis. This may be due to a combination of scarring around the artery, direct damage to the arterial wall, severe damage to and obliteration of the tiny arteries that nourish the larger arteries' walls, and acceleration of naturally occurring arteriosclerosis. Factors that may predispose to arterial occlusion that relate to radiotherapy include maximum tissue dose, beam energy and field size. The time interval between radiotherapy because of malignancy and onset of symptoms due to radiation-induced arteriosclerosis ranged from 1 month to 29 years in one study.
A typical finding at angiography was the well-localized vascular lesion in the previous radiation area, its localisation clearly distinguishable from typical arteriosclerosis. Due to absence of multifocal arteriosclerotic lesions, long-term results of vascular reconstruction are good and will certainly contribute to further improvement of life quality after curative therapy for malignant disease. Aneurysms of arteries also can occur in association with radiation treatment. An aneurysm occurs when an artery wall is very weak in an area, and the wall bulges out.
Irradiation of large blood vessels in the course of tumor therapy represents a long-term local risk factor for development of arteriosclerosis. Inclusion of major arteries into the radiation field is often inevitable: in a series of clinical studies, a consistent 3- to 4-fold increase in carotid stenoses is observed following radiation therapy of head and neck tumors. The majority of clinically symptomatic stenoses, however, is not observed earlier than 8 years post irradiation. Although observations in other peripheral arteries do not allow estimating incidences, they do confirm, however, the finding of a very long latent time. Following mediastinal or thoracic wall irradiation, the risk of coronary artery disease is significantly increased after 10 years or more. Radiation related arterial injury is sharply limited to arterial segments included in the treatment field and is often observed in unusual locations. The histological appearance and development however, is not fundamentally different from lesions observed in cases of generalized arteriosclerosis. Experimental observations indicate that patients with general arteriosclerosis risk factors might have a particularly increased risk of developing arterial injury following therapeutic irradiation.
The studies of late radiation effects upon Skin, Brain, Bone, Heart, Lung, Eye, Spinal Cord and Muscle, all seem to reinforce the concept of the blood vessel wall being the prime site of radiation damage. Most, even all, of the subsequent damage is due to the loss of blood supply to these tissues, and consequent cell death. The tissues then show widespread fibrosis [a kind of scarring.] The effect of radiation can be an on-going process; the percentage of small arteries with cell wall damage increasing with the time after radiotherapy.
References: Damage to ARTERIES
Where bone is directly in the radiation beam or field, radiation damage to bone is probably twofold. There is damage to the blood vessels supplying the bone, and probable damage to the bone cells. Early on, new bone is no longer made, without subsequent resumption. Fractures may no longer heal, and osteoporosis might occur. This has been noted in jaws, spine, and ribs, among other locations. The presence of a connective tissue disorder in a patient with other risk factors such as steroid use, old age and osteopenia should alert the clinician to the risk of radionecrosis following radical irradiation. In addition, bone marrow would be affected. [See Myelodysplasia]
References: Bone Damage
For open lesions in the irradiated area, local antibiotic treatment is difficult, as most of the substances used are known to inhibit wound healing. Discuss choice of antiseptic ointment with your doctor.
Radiation burns to the hand consist of ulcerative necrotic changes of the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
Longterm effects of radiation exposure on the skin include possible skin aging [atrophy] and increased risk for New Cancer formation in the skin. There is also an unusual effect of possibly having allergic drug reactions appear at the site of the previous radiation exposure.
References: Radiation Damage to Skin
New Cancers
Ionizing radiations have been shown to be carcinogenic to man, even in low dosage. High radiation dosage and severe radiation damage are not essential for radiation-associated New Cancers. After irradiation for malignancy, the latent period for New Cancer induction varied from 5 years to 31 years in one study, peak frequency was between 5 and 10 years in another. All these cases showed no evidence of recurrence or metastases of the original primary lesion. Another group of people receiving irradiation for a noncancerous condition also had an increase of cancer deaths. Cancer mortality remained high for up to 50 years for this group. The risk of a second cancer from radiation damage may persist to the end of life.
Areas that have been irradiated should be regularly observed not only for recurrence of the initial tumor, and other late effects of irradiation, but also the possibility of later development of a New Cancer. And for New Cancers, the necessity of systematically searching for previous irradiations in the affected zone is emphasized.
Death from cancer, in relation to radiation dose, was evaluated among 4153 women treated with intrauterine radium (226Ra) capsules for benign gynecologic bleeding disorders between 1925 and 1965. Deaths due to cancer in this group were increased, especially cancers of organs close to the radiation source.
For organs receiving greater than 5 Gy: excess mortality of 100 to 110% was noted for cancers of the uterus and bladder 10 or more years following irradiation.
Among cancers of organs receiving average or local doses of 1 to 4 Gy: excesses of 30 to 100% were found for leukemia and cancers of the colon and genital organs other than uterus.
Among organs typically receiving 0.1 to 0.3 Gy: a 30% excess was noted for kidney cancer (based on eight deaths), and there was a 60% excess of pancreatic cancer among 10-year survivors, but little evidence of dose-response.
Estimates of the excess relative risk per Gray were 0.006 for uterus, 0.4 for other genital organs, 0.5 for colon, 0.2 for bladder, and 1.9 for leukemia [see myelodysplasia].
For organs receiving greater than 1 Gy: cancer mortality remained elevated for more than 30 years, supporting the notion that radiation damage persists for many years after exposure.
Fetch PMID: 2217730
Post irradiation sarcoma of soft tissue and bone is a well-known occurrence. It occurs in the irradiated area. The five-year survival for this is about 30%, and follows the usual sarcoma pattern, with size and grade of tumor and successful surgical excision being important determinants.
References: New Cancer as a Late Effect of Irradiation
Bone Marrow: Myelodysplasia
Myelodysplasia, also known as Myelodysplastic [pronounced MY-eh-low dis-PLAH-stic] Syndromes, are conditions that affect the bone marrow.
The bone marrow makes blood cells. Red blood cells that carry oxygen. White blood cells that fight infection. Platelets that make clots and prevent bleeding.
The stem cells in the bone marrow are the "parent cells" of the cells [red, white & platelet] which are eventually released into the blood. The myelodysplastic syndromes are caused by damage to the stem cells of the cell line[s] affected. The damage is to the DNA [genes] of the stem cells.
Patients treated for cancers with high dose radiation have a higher incidence of therapy-related myelodysplasia. Alkylating agents used in chemotherapy are known to induce myelodysplasia, as well. There are other causes, too, but these are two causes that are important to LMS patients.
If the red blood cell line is affected, the patient becomes anemic, and requires transfusions. Eventually there is an iron buildup in the body, called hemosiderosis, which can cause further problems.
If the white blood cell line is affected, the patient is more prone to get seriously ill with infections. Sometimes some of the white cell line transforms to leukemia.
If the platelet cell line is affected, the patient is prone to hemorrhage, and internal bleeding.
The progress of the condition depends upon which cell lines are affected and how badly, and whether leukemia develops.
Development of myelodysplasia puts a limit on how much radiation and chemotherapy a person can have. A patient might be cured of his or her cancer, but then succumb to myelodysplasia or leukemia as a result of the treatment for the cancer.
[Reference for this section: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th Edition, pp. 676-8]
Other References for this Section: Bone Marrow Damage
|Possible Late Effects in Individual Irradiation Areas
Radiation therapy is used to treat many intrathoracic and chest wall malignancies. A variety of changes may occur after radiation therapy to the thorax. In the chest, irradiation indicates potential for injury to arteries, ribs, nerves, and esophagus, as well as to the heart and lungs.
Radiation therapy produces dramatic effects in the lung. Radiation pneumonitis [lung inflammation] can be a major complication for patients receiving chest irradiation. Pulmonary necrosis is an uncommon, severe, late complication of adjuvant postoperative irradiation. Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia is a distinct separate entity characterized by patchy, migratory, peripheral air-space infiltrates. Radiation therapy can also cause spontaneous pneumothorax, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. In the mediastinum, radiation therapy may cause thymic cysts, calcified lymph nodes, and esophageal injuries.
Cardiovascular complications of radiation therapy are often delayed and insidious. Premature coronary artery stenosis occurs after radiation therapy to the mediastinum. Radiation therapy may also give rise to calcifications of the ascending aorta, pericardial disease, valvular injuries, and conduction abnormalities. Women who undergo chest irradiation before the age of 30 years have a high risk of developing a second breast cancer. Radiation-induced sarcomas are an infrequent but well-recognized complication of radiation therapy. Other chest wall injuries due to radiation therapy are osteochondroma and rib or clavicle [collar-bone] fractures.
When irradiating the mediastinum for malignancy, the radiotherapeutic technique (site and number of fields, division of dose), and especially the dose absorbed, seem to be relatively closely related to the frequency and severity of the post-irradiation lesions of the heart and lung.
Knowledge of the imaging features of injuries caused by radiation therapy can prevent misinterpretation as recurrent tumor and may facilitate further treatment. Additional or returning symptoms may indicate recurrence OR metastasis of original tumor, OR radiation damage, OR a New Cancer developing at that site. Differentiation of radiation pathology from recurrent or metastatic tumor or new malignancy can be difficult.
Standard fractionated dosage of radiation to the chest gave about 6% incidence of late bone damage to the ribs, causing spontaneous, radiation-induced osteoporosis and rib fracture within the treated area.
Irradiation of the left side of the chest puts the heart at risk for early and late effects of radiation. Irradiation of the mediastinum [the central portion of the chest cavity, housing the esophagus, heart, & major blood vessels,] may create a subclinical [unnoticed] cardiomyopathy [damage to the muscle of the heart] in more than one-half of the patients. In addition, irradiation of the mediastinum can make further surgery difficult due to post-irradiation sequelae, and pacemakers can be susceptible to irradiation; consequently, modest radiation doses could induce life-threatening arrhythmias.
The greatest risk for most cancer patients is inadequate treatment of their disease. Although mediastinal radiotherapy is a safer procedure than it was 20 years ago, it still may damage the thoracic viscera, including the heart. Cardiovascular problems tend to present subtly years later, when the patient may not recall the prior radiation or may not deem it significant. Awareness of this long latency period and of the wide spectrum of heart disease that may result from radiotherapy is essential for management of these patients. Radiation-induced pericardial constriction is frequently associated with coronary artery disease, mostly silent, with valvular insufficiency, and with pericardial and myocardial disease. Thorough cardiac evaluation in such patients is mandatory. Surgical treatment frequently uncovers an underlying restrictive myopathy [muscle abnormality] that presents a serious challenge to treat.
Cardiac late effect damage from therapeutic irradiation, can and does cause ischemic heart disease and angina, heart block requiring a pacemaker, heart arrhythmias, pericardial disease including pericardial constriction, heart valve damage [e.g. aortic stenosis, mitral insufficiency] with heart failure, and damage to the heart muscle itself with scarring [e.g. dilated, flabby left ventricle]. Patients often require surgical treatment and postoperative complications are common.
All of the cardiac damage has a common anatomical denominator: fibrosis [death of tissue, with subsequent scarring], which develops progressively following the radiotherapy. It has now been demonstrated that the incidence of cardiac radiation lesions can be reduced by homogeneous distribution of the dose of radiation administered to the mediastinum, by treating each side alternately, by fractionating the radiation and staggering the sessions and by reducing the cardiac mass which is irradiated.
Radiation induced heart disease, with its clinical manifestations, is becoming a growing problem. Its prevalence is increasing, keeping pace with the increased survival of many malignancies. The majority of patients with radiation induced heart disease is constituted by Hodgkin's disease survivors, followed by non Hodgkin's disease, esophageal carcinoma, thymoma, lung cancer, breast cancer and metastatic seminoma.
Cardiovascular mortality associated with radiation therapy correlates with the dose of radiation to the heart and the amount of the heart that was irradiated. All of the following factors are thus important: laterality of the tumor [left sided irradiation causes more cardiac damage], portal arrangements [shielding, overlap], radiation energy, fractionation, and total dose. The study illustrates that an increased cardiovascular mortality can be avoided by the use of appropriate techniques and avoidance of excessive treatment.
All patients undergoing chest irradiation require serial cardiac evaluation. Important risk factors of radiation-induced heart disease are previous chemotherapy, total radiation exposure, administration next to the heart and/or on the left side of the chest. The cardiac damage limitation basically is founded on prevention. Significant results have been obtained with fractional exposition, high-energy utilization and "split" zone covering. A comprehensive individual patient risk evaluation will provide a substantial benefit for the future. The consultant cardiologist should cooperate with the oncologist and the radiotherapist, providing specific competence and continuing care.
Radiation therapy produces dramatic effects in the lung. Radiation pneumonitis [lung inflammation] can be a major complication for patients receiving chest irradiation. Pulmonary necrosis is an uncommon, severe, late complication of adjuvant postoperative irradiation. Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia is a distinct separate entity characterized by patchy, migratory, peripheral air-space infiltrates. Radiation therapy can also cause spontaneous pneumothorax, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
Acute radiation-induced pulmonary effects on Xray and CT scan must be differentiated from malignancies and other abnormalities. The CT scan results from acute radiation to the chest were lung opacities in an irregular pattern within the radiation beam boundaries. There was increased lung density, loss of lung volume, and pleural thickening. Sharply defined nodular opacities are atypical of radiation damage. Confinement of the findings within the irradiated volume was the only specific characteristic of post-irradiation changes.
For the lung, the blood flow was the function most affected by radiation. In some cases in which the Xray changes were mild, the functional measurements indicated severe vascular damage. The radiation appears to reduce the number and efficiency of functioning lung units within the irradiated region.
Radiation-induced neuropathy has affected the phrenic nerve [diaphragm dysfunction] and vagus nerve [vocal cord paralysis] as well as the brachial nerve plexus [pain and changes in movement and feeling of the arm]. Other more subtle damage to the nerves may occur without being recognized as late radiation injury. Symptoms appeared 7 months to 25 years after irradiation. Tumor recurrence or metastasis has to be eliminated as a cause for these symptoms.
Acute radiation injury to the esophagus is observed in approximately half the patients receiving radiation therapy. It can result in substantial morbidity.
Severe skin reactions are commonly observed after breast irradiation. Chronic ulcerations, soft tissue damage and osteonecrosis are well-known though relatively rare long-term radiation-induced injuries. The ever-present possibility of recurrence or persistence of the primary malignant neoplasm must be always suspected.
References: Chest Irradiation Damage
HEAD and NECK
Radiation treatment plays an important role in the management of head and neck cancer.
Cranial irradiation for nasopharyngeal cancers carries a risk of other structures becoming injured by the radiation. Incidental damage to the hypothalamus of the brain can cause hypopituitarism [See Brain.]
Unfortunately several radiation-induced side effects may occur including mucositis, hyposalivation, radiation caries, trismus ['locked' jaw] and radiation bone injury possibly progressing to tooth loss or osteoradionecrosis. It is generally accepted that most side effects can be prevented or reduced in severity. There should be a general protocol for prevention and treatment of oral side effects, and timely referral to a dental team before irradiation starts.
Eustachian tube patency showed deterioration if maximum irradiation dosage for nasopharyngeal cancers was more than 70 Gy. Mucosal reactions were observed in 30-35% of the patients with tumors of the oral mucosa. The most frequent radiation damage in a long-term period was fibrotic changes of the skin and subcutaneous connective tissue.
A study was done on patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, to compare accelerated-hyperfractionated radiotherapy with conventional dosing. In this study, the survival criteria were not significantly different. However there was significantly increased radiation-induced damage to the CNS.There was more damage to the temporal lobe, cranial nerves, optic nerve, neck soft tissue, and the pituitary gland. And the complications occurred sooner.
The eye's sensory retina, as well as other central nervous system tissues, is highly resistant to radiation damage. But the retinal blood vessels are extremely sensitive to radiation damage, producing damage to the retina that is like the damage from other diseases that obliterate the blood supply. In one study, radiation retinopathy [damage to the retina] occurred in 63% of patients who had orbital irradiation, and 36.3% who had periorbital irradiation. The first group had damage appearing earlier, with greater involvement, and also had three cases of glaucoma developing. Care must be taken when irradiating periorbital structures as well.
Radiation damage in the oral soft tissues and jawbones makes the atmosphere favorable for anaerobic microorganisms. The present results indicate that the role of A. israelii in the pathogenesis of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws has not been fully appreciated. See BONE.
The thyroid gland may be inadvertently irradiated while cancer in another structure is being treated. The thyroid is an organ that is usually susceptible to exposure to ionizing radiation, both by virtue of its ability to concentrate radioiodine (internal radiation) and by routine medical usage: Chest Xray, Dental Xray, X-irradiation of cervical lymph nodes etc. (external radiation). Iodine-131 is widely used for the therapy of Graves' disease and thyroid cancers, of which the disadvantage is radiation-induced hypothyroidism but not complications of thyroid tumor. The thyroid gland is comparatively radioresistant, however, the data obtained from Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Marshall islands indicates a high incidence of external radiation-induced thyroid tumors as well as hypothyroidism. The different biological effects of internal and external radiation remains to be further clarified. Interestingly, recent reports demonstrate the increased number of thyroid cancer in children around Chernobyl in Belarus. There was an increased incidence of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid neoplasia when compared to the general population, in children who received neck irradiation for cancer.
Salivary Glands & Mouth
The salivary glands have a greater sensitivity to radiation damage than the gustatory tissues. The decrease in salivary secretion was correlated with the amount of salivary glands irradiated. When the rest of the major salivary glands are irradiated, most of the parotids have to be outside of the treated volume to prevent severe dryness phenomena.
Radiotherapy to the parotid bed is not without morbidity. Complications may arise as a result of radiation damage to neighboring structures [brain, spinal cord] and there is also potential to induce malignant disease.
References: Damage from Head and Neck Irradiation
References: Radiation-Induced Brain Damage
Radiation therapy plays an integral part in managing intracranial tumors. While the risk: benefit ratio is considered acceptable for treating malignant tumors, risks of long-term complications of radiotherapy need thorough assessment in adults treated for benign tumors. In one study of post-irradiation effects for benign brain tumors, 38% had delayed side effects of radiotherapy [visual deterioration, pituitary dysfunction, brain tissue changes, new cancers].
Areas that have been irradiated should be regularly observed not only for recurrence of the initial tumor or its metastasis, and for late radiation effect, but also for the possibility of development of a New Cancer. Additional or returning symptoms may indicate recurrence OR metastasis of original tumor, OR radiation damage, OR a New Cancer developing at that site. Differentiation of radiation pathology from recurrent or metastatic tumor or new malignancy can be difficult.
Fraction size, total dose, and treatment time are all important factors when considering the biological effects of radiation. A total dose of >40 Gy was frequently a major predictor of radiation damage. The combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy seems to aggravate the course of radiation damage.
Intracranial Radiation Damage
Essentially, the late effects of radiation are probably due to one of two processes: damage to the wall of the blood vessels, or damage directly to the chromosomes of the exposed cells. Chromosomal damage is likely the cause of the New Cancers that develop years later. Most of the other symptoms of late effects probably come from damage to the irradiated blood vessels that service the tissues, and subsequent tissue death and atrophy. Radiation necrosis is the death of normal tissue in small, localized areas, as a result of radiation exposure.
The steroid responsive neurological deterioration assumed to represent late radiation damage is radiation dose dependent. It might be useful for prevention of radiation damage to use split-course-method or shrinking-technique at doses of 40 Gy or more. Radiation damage may present in a CT scan as a multifocal, disseminated lesion, and misdiagnosed as tumor spread. There is a need for prevention, appropriate diagnosis, and subsequent life-saving management.
The long-term changes during late delayed radiation-induced brain damage: The radiation damage appeared as an enhanced lesion. The volume and number of enhanced lesions continued to increase for 3 to 23 months (mean 10.3 months). The lesions then stabilized, and in four long-term survivors, the lesions then decreased in size. The intervals from onset to regression were 12, 13, 17, and 35 months (mean 19.3 months). But two patients showed a relapse of the enhanced lesion. Finally, the radiation-damaged brain became atrophic. Late delayed radiation-induced brain damage continues to progress for over a year and then regresses, but thereafter a relapse may occur.
Whole-Brain Irradiation.
Late effects of Whole Brain Irradiation can include abnormalities of cognition [thinking ability] as well as abnormalities of hormone production. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls pituitary function. The pituitary makes hormones that control production of sex hormones, thyroid hormone, and cortisol. Both the pituitary and the hypothalamus will be irradiated if whole-brain irradiation occurs. Damage to these structures can cause disturbances of personality, libido, thirst, appetite, or sleep, and other symptoms, as well. The CT scans show cortical atrophy and/or third ventricle dilation in approximately 1/2 of the patients so affected. Psychiatric symptoms can be a prominent part of the clinical picture presented when radiation necrosis occurs. Psychiatric consultation should be obtained in the diagnosis and management of such patients.
Focal Irradiation.
Late effects of Focal [specific site, rather than general] Irradiation, whether external beam or implant, could be seen in those tissues which were exposed to the radiation. Blindness or other focal symptoms can occur as a late effect.
Late radiation necroses and late delayed radiation damage occurred in 50% of patients after permanent implantation of Iodine-125 seeds. The occurrence of radiation necrosis was correlated with total radiation dose, amount of implanted radioactivity, and with velocity of tumour shrinkage. A rapid shrinkage of tumour after interstitial Iodine-125 implantation may cause a significant irradiation of surrounding brain tissue, which was initially lying outside the target volume. The risk of radiation damage could probably be minimized either by reduction of irradiation dose, or by using temporary implants of Iodine-125.
There is a need for precision, high dose radiotherapy.
Stereotactic radiation therapy of intracranial lesions. Fractionated Stereotactic RadioTherapy is a noninvasive form of localized radiation that may be a suitable alternative to interstitial therapy. It uses a linear accelerator (6 MV photons). Treatment relies on a fixation system permits a precise use of the coordinates estimated at stereotactic computed tomography. The field of treatment can be exactly outlined in the CT images during repeat examinations, thus facilitating the recognition of changes induced by radiation. A dose of 40 Gy or more was a major predictor of steroid responsive neurological deterioration assumed to represent late radiation damage. Hypofractionated SRT is a noninvasive, well-tolerated, outpatient-based method of delivering palliative, high-dose, focal irradiation.
Boron neutron capture therapy. It can be suggested that BNCT is a radiotherapy that can produce "cure" of both malignant and benign brain tumors while preserving a good quality of life if conducted without previous conventional radiotherapy. Out of 87 patients operated on before May 1987, 18 lived or have lived longer than 5 years. Nine of these 18 lived or have lived longer than 10 years out of 53 patients operated on before May 1982. Among more-than-10-year survivors, only two died at 17 and 12 years. All of the others are still alive. The two died of delayed radiation damage because BNCT was applied to glioblastomas that recurred after their conventional radiotherapy. They lacked evidence of tumors when they died. Out of these nine more-than-10-year survivors, three had been previously treated by conventional external radiotherapy and they developed radiation damage that brought all patients ultimately to an incapacitated condition. Two of the three died. All the other 6 who were free from previous radiation history are active in their jobs and have no evidence of tumors.
References: Radiation-Induced Brain Damage
References: Abdominal and Pelvic Radiation Damage
In several series of patients treated by radiation, the early gastrointestinal complication rate varied from approximately 10 to 20%. The late gastrointestinal complication arising varied from approximately 2 to 11%. In one study, there was an 8.2% incidence of late complications developing in those patients who had experienced early complications, compared with a 3.0% incidence of late complications developing in patients without early complications. Thus, the risk of developing a late complication was greater by a factor of 2.7 in those patients developing an early one. However, of the patients developing late complications (75%) did not experience a severe acute one.
The median time for severe radiation late effects [adhesion, fistula, structure, perforation, colitis, or vascular occlusion] after radiotherapy was 18 months, as against 9 to 10 months for milder symptoms. Rectal bleeding is a factor with a significantly poorer prognosis.
The most consistently observed changes in Radiation Bowel Disease were in the arteries, arterioles and to a lesser extent the veins. The damaged blood vessels showed small clots, death of cells making up the blood vessel wall, and swelling and edema around the vessel wall. The blood vessels are a main site of injury in RBD and that the wall of the blood vessels is an initial target for radiation damage. The effect of radiation was an on-going process; the percentage of small arteries with cell wall scarring increased with the time after radiotherapy. [See Arteries]
Vitamin B12 malabsorption after irradiation for gynecological tumours is common, and routine follow-up of patients should include a blood test for B12 levels.
The effects of pelvic radiotherapy on 202 prostate cancer patients [men] were reported as a major alteration in bowel function in 11%, significant bladder symptoms in 4%, and loss of potency in 35%.
Cause of Radiation Damage:
Dosage, timing, inflammation , poor nutrition, previous operations, and the presence of infection have all been implicated in causing or exacerbating late effects.
One study found that the only factors significantly related to late intestinal complications were the beam arrangement and, consequently, the treated volume. Detailed analysis showed that radiation sequelae developed in 12/106 (11.3%) patients treated with the two sagittal fields technique, while small bowel toxicity was observed in only 2/85 (2.3%) patients treated with the three--or four--fields technique. The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Pelvic radiation tissue toxicity increased significantly when the dose exceeds 45 Gy, with the incidence of marked bladder and rectal changes rising from 8% to 51% and from 24% to 48%, respectively [MR scans]. Similar dose-related changes are seen in other pelvic organs. In asymptomatic patients, minimal MR changes were seen in the bladder (47%) and in the rectum (33%).
The incidence of bladder, rectal, & vaginal radiation damage differs for different irradiation methods and different fractionalization of dosages. Some factors that contribute to risk of complications due to late radiation damage of the small bowel are: hypoalbuminemia, more than one laparotomy prior to irradiation and a short interval (< 12 months) between irradiation and surgical intervention.
Description of Damages and Treatment:
Small bowel obstructions due to extensive matted small bowel adherent to the pelvic operative sites are frequent sequelae of radical hysterectomy, being more common if concomitant radiotherapy is given.
Radiation therapy of cancers in the pelvic region may lead to radiation proctitis [inflammation of the rectum]. Radiation injury to the rectal wall results in damage and obliteration of the blood vessels, causing death of local tissue and subsequent scarring. Patients with radiation proctitis may be minimally ill and heal spontaneously. However, symptoms of proctitis may persist, and the disease progress to chronic bleeding and/or stricture and fistula formation. Medical therapy is often unsuccessful, and surgery is eventually required. Because of numerous postoperative complications and no guarantee of success, surgery is often recommended as a last resort.
Ureteral stricture is a rare late complication of curative radiotherapy. During the first 5 years after treatment, tumor recurrence is the most common cause of ureteral stricture in patients treated with radiotherapy. However, radiation injury to the ureter, although rare [continuous actuarial risk increase of approximately 0.15% per year], may not become apparent for many years, necessitating continued vigilance. Radiation injury can also occur to the kidneys as well as the ureters.
Arterial occlusions[blockages] are a rare yet dramatic complication of radiotherapy for gynecologic cancer. Three patients underwent amputation of a lower extremity when they developed chronic arterial insufficiency after pelvic radiotherapy. The patients were irradiated at the ages of 28, 30, and 35 years. Two received neutron beam therapy and one received conventional photon beam therapy. All three had extensive late radiation morbidity to the bladder and rectum and had multiple prior surgeries. The amputations occurred at the ages of 48, 48, and 55 due to accelerated arteriosclerosis. Two patients died as a result of this complication.
The differentiation of the variations in appearance which can be produced by radiotherapy damage from recurrent malignancy can be difficult.
Surgical treatment of intestinal radiation injury.
Many cases require operative intervention. This usually consists of resection, the establishment of a bypass anastomosis [joining bowel in such a manner as to bypass the problem area] or enterostomy [creation of a stoma for bowel]. There is a high complication rate, and often a significant mortality, partly due to the poor general condition of the patient, and partly due to the radiation induced impairment in wound healing, which may lead to insufficiency of the anastomosis [join] and the development of fistulae [draining channels from one area to another].
The endoscopic spectrum of late radiation damage to the rectosigmoid colon included abnormalities of the mucosa with characteristic telangiectasis, luminal narrowing, superficial or deep solitary ulcers or more extensive diffuse ulceration and fistulae. Late radiation damage presented as stenoses , fistulas , perforations, rectal ulcers and hemorrhagic proctitis. Resection with end-to-end-anastomosis and bypass were the operations most frequently performed on the small bowel, whereas most colonic and rectal lesions were treated by colostomy alone. The postoperative course complications include fistulas, peritonitis, pulmonary embolism, and ulcer perforations. This series had a 10.7% death rate.
Another series of twenty-eight patients with late radiation damage presented with rectovaginal fistulas, hemorrhage from ulcerative proctitis, low rectal strictures, rectal ulcer and rectal carcinoma. Associated pathology in these patients included urinary fistulas, small bowel fistulas or stenoses and a variable degree of fibrosis of the pelvic cellular tissue. Treatment involved subtotal rectal resection with restoration of continuity by means of a perianal sleeve anastomosis between healthy colon and the rectal stump denuded of its mucosa. Technical success was achieved in 35 of the 37 patients, with no mortality. Where anastomosis was possible at a higher level, all 19 patients cured of fistula, ulcer, stenosis or hemorrhagic proctitis were fully continent at 1 year.
A review of 43 consecutive patients requiring operation for serious intestinal radiation injury was undertaken to elucidate the efficacy of surgical treatment. The overall operative mortality was 14%; morbidity, 47%; and the postoperative symptom-free period, 18 +/- 30 months. Colostomy (N = 20) carried the lowest risk of mortality, 0%, as compared with resection (N = 17) and bypass procedure (N = 6), which were accompanied by the mortalities of 24% and 33%, respectively. During the follow-up (3-13 years) 12 patients (28%) died of recurrent cancer and 9 patients (21%) of persistent radiation injury, which yielded an overall mortality of 65% after resection and 50% and 65% after bypass and colostomy procedures, respectively. Continuing radiation damage led to 15 late reoperations. Ten of these were performed after colostomy, four after resection, and one after bypass. We conclude that colostomy cannot be regarded as a preferred operative method, because it does not prevent the progression of radiation injury and because it is, for this reason, associated with a higher late-complication rate. A more radical surgery is recommended but with the limitation that the operative method must be adapted to the operative finding.
References: Abdominal and Pelvic Radiation Damage
References: Radiation Damage and the Spine
Inflammation of the spinal cord nervous tissue is called myelitis. Damage to the spinal cord [myelopathy] can result in paralysis. The spinal cord may be inadvertently damaged while irradiating another organ or structure. However, spinal cord symptoms do not always mean late effect radiation damage, they sometimes are due to recurrent or metastatic tumor.
The incidence of permanent damage to the spinal cord as a complication of radiation therapy generally correlates positively with total radiation dose. However, several reports have indicated that fraction size is also an important factor in the development of late damage in normal tissue. Low fraction sizes appear to decrease the incidence of such damage, but increasing the number of doses per day increases the incidence of damage. If re-irradiation of the cord is necessary, latent time to myelopathy decreases following retreatment. The risk of myelitis that accompanies higher spinal cord irradiation doses must be weighed against the therapeutic gains.
The Post-irradiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome. Six men who had presented with testicular neoplasms and received irradiation were studied. A predominantly motor disorder affecting the legs ensued after variable and often prolonged latencies (3-25 years). However, all patients also developed mild sensory features either initially or on prolonged follow-up. Mild sphincter symptoms occurred in three of five surviving cases after a mean of 7.9 years. The first reported neuropathological study, uncomplicated by metastatic disease, of this area of the spinal cord showed a radiation-induced vasculopathy. Radiation exposure exceeded 40 Gy both in our series and in previous reports. The natural history of this disorder is one of relentless deterioration occasionally punctuated by 1-2-year periods of stability. Post-irradiation lumbosacral radiculopathy is a more accurate name for this condition.
References: Radiation Damage and the Spine
Late radiation edema of the extremities may develop after therapy of malignancies. It is associated with radiation damage of lymph and veins, and with scarring of tissues in the radiation zone, which can result in muscle atrophy. Serious late radiation damage, such as grave functional deficiency, and/or painful scarring or contractures, might require amputation later. Bone damage can also occur. The generalized late effect risks of New Cancer and Bone Marrow damage, also apply.
There is a relatively wide variation in the duration and degree of post-irradiation edema in soft tissues. This edema seems to persist longer between muscle compartments than in fat or muscle itself. One study suggested that the edema resolved more slowly and that muscle atrophy was more severe in a neutron treated group as compared to a proton treated group.
Re-irradiation is sometimes an option for local control, if the tumor recurs. Combined conservative surgery and re-irradiation provided superior local control to local re-excision alone and a functional outcome superior to amputation. Combined treatment with re-irradiation should be considered the primary salvage therapy for patients who fail combined therapy and who are suitable for conservative re-excision.
References: Radiation Damage to Limbs
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Vacationland (2006)
Vacationland Photos
Movie Info
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News & Interviews for Vacationland
Critic Reviews for Vacationland
All Critics (6) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (0) | Rotten (6)
The autobiographical script meanders and the acting never solidifies. Besides, the leads look too old to be in high school -- maybe even college.
A generic coming-of-age movie whose arrival on the scene suggests that the audience for gay indie clunkers is inexhaustible.
... Todd Verow's overstuffed Vacationland promises more than it delivers in just about every sense.
Vacationland remains marred by sluggish script and Verow's inability to either direct actors or cast ones whose thesping ability matches their good looks.
Though Verow attended the American Film Institute and has made more than a dozen shorts and features since 1994, his low-budget gay-themed films are characterized by phenomenal indifference to framing, sound quality and performance.
The film aspires to the splendor of The Living End and Totally F***ed Up, but Verow's passion and talent, unlike Gregg Araki's, is not equal to his ambition.
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text: Megan Stolen Finding Clues Into Mass Animal Die-Off May Play Out Like 'CSI: Indian River Lagoon' By Sascha Cordner • Jan 4, 2014 Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute Finding out the source of a mysterious animal die off in the Indian River Lagoon is the goal of many researchers and scientists across the state. They're searching for clues into the massive amount of unusual deaths of manatees, dolphins, and pelicans in what's known as one of the nation's most biologically diverse estuaries. CSI: Indian River Lagoon Taking a tour of the Southern part of Indian River Lagoon, Its Riverkeeper Marty Baum points out a small pod of dolphins frolicking in one part of the 156-mile estuary.


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Brainiversity is a brain training game
designed to stimulate your brain with 24 different activities covering Language, Memory, Math and Analysis.
The game includes a Daily Exam mode that records your daily workouts - the results of which are viewable on a monthly chart. You can even compare your results with other users on the same computer.
Your host, Edison, will keep you informed of your progress and will occasionally make jokes, give you some fun scientific facts and let you know if someone famous was born on the day you are playing.
* 4 different training categories
- Language, Memory, Math and Analysis
* 24 unique activities
- Running Total, Do The Math, Sum Time, Big Tipper, Add It Up, Shape Count
- Word Spin, Proverbs, Odd Words Out, Word Builder, Sort It, Spelling Bee
- Repeat After Me, Card Memory, Shopping List, Phone Numbers, Visual Memory, What's New?
- Stroop Shapes, Odd One Out, Number Sort, Reverse Shapes, Perfect Match, Stroop Test
* 23 different Trophies to earn
* Daily Exam mode keeps your brain on it's toes with different daily tests
* Practice mode lets you hone your skills
* Daily Chart visually tracks your progress in Daily Exam and daily Practice
* Many people can play on one computer
* Use the Chart to compare your results with other players on the computer
* Hosted by Edison who is full of fun facts and jokes


text:
President and CEO: Hisashi Ietsugu) and Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics (HQ: NY, USA; CEO: Michael Reitermann) have announced the signing of a five-year global supply, distributorship, sales and service contract extension under which clinical laboratory customers around the world can retain access to the largest portfolio of innovative hemostasis instruments and reagents through 2018. The companies, which began partnering in 1995, also agreed to continue joint product development activities, ensuring customer access to new hemostasis technology. The signing occurred during the 2012 AACC and ASCLS Annual Meetings and Clinical Lab Expo in Los Angeles, California.
The large assortment of hemostasis products covered in this latest agreement is used by clinical laboratories to test for blood disorders in patients and to monitor patients on blood-thinning medication. To date, Sysmex and Siemens have released to market a variety of advanced solutions, including the recently launched Sysmex CS-5100*(1), the top-end model in Sysmex's CS hemostasis analyzer series, the Sysmex® CA-600 Systems*(1), a new line of compact, fully automated hemostasis analyzers, as well as several new Siemens INNOVANCE™ reagents.
"We are pleased to extend our longstanding relationship with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics," said Hisashi Ietsugu, President and CEO of Sysmex Corporation. "Our partnership in the field of hemostasis combines the strength of two leading diagnostics companies whose joint expertise offers best-in-class solutions to the laboratory. We remain committed to further expand our offerings with enhanced clinical utility and workflow efficiency."
"Our shared goal to deliver high quality products and services that address our customers' needs is a key reason for the success of our 17-year relationship," said Michael Reitermann, CEO, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. "Sysmex and Siemens remains a reliable partnership for customers worldwide amidst an evolving hemostasis market. Together, we will continue offering customers the broad portfolio of hemostasis solutions they have come to expect from us and we will also focus on delivering next-generation technologies going forward."


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Sure Twitter is all about hot trends and flash news, but maybe you also wanna have some fun in those 140 characters: And you're damn right! We need to get some laughs! So here it is: we just finished our list of the funniest 25 Twitter accounts ever. Follow them and feel no pain!
Jimmy Carr @jimmycarr | Jimmy Carr. Literally the biggest face on television.
Christopher Moyles @CHRISDJMOYLES | Chris Moyles is me. I am him. Thanks for reading and God Bless You.
Tim Siedell @badbanana | The Washington Post says I'm funny. And they know funny (see Watergate).
Seth Rogen @Seth_Rogen | I make movies and smoke weed… thats about it! Yes this is my official page!
P Diddy @iamdiddy |KING COMBS
Graham Linehan @Glinner | I make problems 'go away'. Permanently. Also, comedy writer.
Weird News @weirdnews | We try our best to bring the weirdest and most offbeat news as possible… to You. Add the hashtag #weirdnews to anything you want us to see.
AZIZ ANSARI @azizansari
Steve Buscemi @Steve_Buscemi | I don't have my own website, so I decided to link artists I'm currently into. Fuck it.
Sthephen Fry @stephenfry
The Onion @TheOnion | America's Finest News Source
Darth Vader @DarthVader | Evil Orphan Annie™
Shaquille O'Neal @THE_REAL_SHAQ | ERY QUOTATIOUS, I PERFORM RANDOM ACTS OF SHAQNESS
Michael Scott @MichaelScott | Former very awesome boss at Dunder Mifflin, Scranton PA.
Michael Ian Black @michaelianblack | The Official Michael Ian Black Twitter Page
Borat Sagdiyev @Borat | I make Sexy Time!
Stephen T. Colbert @StephenTColbert | I Am America (And So Can You!)
Funny or Die @funnyordie | We like to laugh.
Doug Benson @DougBenson | Comedian. Actor. idiot.
David Lynch @DAVID_LYNCH | Filmmaker. Born Missoula, MT. Eagle Scout.
Fake Michael Bay @michael_bay | Better than you. (Not affiliated with the real michael bay)
Ashton Kutcher @aplusk
Karl Lagerfeld @Karl_Lagerfeld | A terrible underarchiever.
John Hodgman @hodgman | hodgman=expert
Diablo Cody @diablocody
If you are following other funny people on Twitter, please let us know in the comments. Thanks!
[lpbc posts="2" categories="4,5" more="Archive of %name%"]


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The Invisibility of Open Source Search
March 27, 2012
I was grinding through my files and I noticed something interesting. After I abandoned the Enterprise Search Report, I shifted my research from search and retrieval to text processing. With this blog, I tried to cover the main events in the post-search world. The coverage was more difficult than I anticipated, so we started Inteltrax, which focuses on systems, companies, and products which "find" meaning using numerical recipes. But that does not do enough, so we are contemplating two additional free information services about "findability." I am not prepared to announce either of these at this time. We have set up a content production system with some talented professionals working on our particular approach to content. We are also producing some test articles.
Until we make the announcement, I want to reiterate a point I made in my talks in London in 2011 about open source search and content processing:
Most reports about enterprise search ignore open source search solution vendors. A quiet revolution is underway, and for many executives, the shift is all but invisible.
We think that the "invisible" nature of the open source search and content processing options is due to four factors:
Most of the poobahs, self appointed experts and former home economics majors have never installed, set up, or optimized an open source search system. Here at ArnoldIT we have that hands on experience. And we can say that open source search and content processing solutions are moving from the desks of Linux wizards to more mainstream business professionals.
Next, we see more companies embracing open source, contributing to the overall community with bug fixes and new features and functions. At the same time, the commercial enterprises are "wrapping" open source with proprietary, value-added features and functions. The leader in this movement is IBM. Yep, good old Big Blue is an adherent of open source software. Why? We will try to answer this in our new information services.
Third, we think the financial pressure on organizations is greater than ever. CNBC and the Murdoch outfitted Wall Street Journal are cheering for the new economic recovery. We think that most organizations are struggling to make sales, maintain margins, and generate new opportunities. Open source search and content solutions promise some operating efficiencies. We want to cover some of the business angles of the open source search and content processing shift. Yep, open source means money.
Finally, the big solutions vendors are under a unique type of pressure. Some of it comes from licensees who are not happy with the cost of "traditional" solutions. Other comes from the data environment itself. Let's face it. Certain search systems such as your old and dusty version of IBM STAIRS or Fulcrum won't do the job in today's data and information rich environment. New tools are needed. Why not solve a new information problem without dragging the costs, methods, and license restrictions of traditional enterprise software along for the ride? We think change is in the wind just like the smell of sweating horses a couple of months before the Kentucky Derby.
Our approach to information in our new services will be similar to that taken in Beyond Search. We want to provide pointers to useful write ups and offer some comments which put certain actions and events in a slightly different light. Will you agree with the information in our new services? We hope not.
Stephen E Arnold, March 27, 2012
Sponsored by Pandia.com
3 Responses to "The Invisibility of Open Source Search"
Charlie Hull on
March 27th, 2012 3:49 am
The other reason that open source search is invisible is that so much of it is implemented behind closed doors by internal IT teams – and you may never know it happened. It's in the interest (and sometimes the contracts!) of closed source search vendors to publicise who is using their software, but there's no such pressure from the open source community. This does of course make it very hard to measure adoption.
xavier pornain on
March 27th, 2012 11:02 am
I agree with Charlie, open source search is mainly used by IT teams.
When you see the level of knowledge of executives in Enterprise Search and what it can do. You realize that it needs huge effort to "sell" Enterprise Search. This is not the business model of open source or systems integrators.
Open source works better in a "demand" market than an "offer" market. The difference being the maturity of the market.
Piccole note sul software libero – parte terza « HyperNext on
April 15th, 2012 7:01 pm
[…] The Invisibility of Open Source Search (arnoldit.com) Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailStampaLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. […]


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By Need or Choice: The Baby Boomer Entrepreneurs
Not all baby boomers are created equal. Sure, most grew up in the same era, experienced the cultural and social changes, long hair, bell bottom jeans, peace signs, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, the Mod look,wide belts, drugs, sex and so on BUT not all of them bought "into" that scene. Those on the West and East Coasts determined how many carried on as the "youth culture" spread across America like an insidious communist plan. Those living in more conservative areas clung to the Elvis look and the 50's teen way of life but the dam broke in 1964 with The Beatles and British invasion.
Now, all these wild and crazy youths are, well, graying, if not already there. Many are retired and with grand-kids (some of them still feel too young for that!), some planned for the retirement well as their work years rolled by. Others, well, felt that the day would never come, the day when they will be THAT old. So, they did not plan for the future much but lived for moment because one never knows if tomorrow will come. Yet, it did and did and did.
Soon, years turned into decades and some started to realize they WILL make it to the "golden years" so they were late in the game when it came to retirement planning. According to stats, there are many of them between age 55-65+. Of course, during their work years, wages were lower and retirement planning was new along with IRA and Roth accounts. Not all of them were interested or savvy about such things because it is boring stuff. But, the overriding philosophy among them was, "live for today, not tomorrow". One could be killed at any moment. Some lost their nest egg for these years to ponzi schemes or stock market crashes, were talking hundreds of thousands in bad investments. At their height, had 130 employees under them, had a house in Florida and flew to NYC and London three times a month.
But now, the same person works for $9 hr. taking inventory just to make ends meet and augments it with savings that did survive. One never knows what the future will hold.
So, many aging boomers try to get a job. Sending out hundreds of resumes with no response. Many experts but because of their age and younger competition and how younger managers think of elder workers, they are not employed, even though they can do the job. After awhile, the boomers are forced to start a business of some sort, usually something they loved as a young person. One 64 yr.-old was in this dire situation and needing money. So, out of his garage, he started a business that deals with vintage drum sets. He set up a website and while the business has not made him rich, it does bring in money he would not otherwise have.
Other boomers did retire but are bored. This has drove some to start their own small pizza business after they took out a second mortgage from the home they live in. It is risk that should it fail, the money situation will be far worse. In this case, the 60 yr-old man was lucky. It did work out and the business does provide income.
But, for all the success stories, just know the odds of success are not in your favor according to statistics, where almost 50% of them fail. Most boomers only try this as a Plan B, a backup plan for the years of not investing in retirement or when their financials are in the red and no job is on the horizon. Most of these people want to start a business costing less than $10K. So, franchises are generally not happening.
The key is to love what you are doing at this stage. Make all the time spent getting the business to be a success seem like fun, not work.
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More Useful Freeware
Computing on the Cheap
It (literally) pays to know all the crafty ways you can save money without sacrificing your power user cred
As much as we love ogling top-of-the-line PC hardware and fantasizing about price-be-damned rigs, we also love, love, love to stretch a dollar. Does that make us cheapskates? You betcha, if that's what you want to call someone who doesn't pay a premium when he or she doesn't have to. Sign us up! In fact, where computing is concerned, knowing all the various angles to save a buck—a buck that can then be put toward new and better gear, mind you—is as much a part of being a power user as knowing how to flash a BIOS or overclock RAM. If you're currently spending top dollar on your PC activities, it's time you got schooled in the fine art of penny-pinching. From free software alternatives, to the best deals on all forms of digital entertainment, to hardware-buying tips, to our blueprint for a $600 PC, this year's MaximumPC Cheapskate's PC Guide can save you thousands of dollars and make you a more savvy consumer in the process.
Save on Software
Why plunk down cash when you can have these outstanding free alternatives?
The sad truth about building a PC is that you never end up sticking to your budget. Even if you manage to resist the temptation to splurge on an extra SSD, you're going to hit the point where your brand-new system is assembled and ready for action—just as soon as you buy some software. First you shell out for the operating system, then some office software, then a security suite. Before you know it, your budget is ancient history and you're taking out a second mortgage to pay for Photoshop.
Well, it doesn't have to be that way. Here are some excellent free software options that can take the place of pricey commercial applications.
AV: Microsoft Security Essentials
It's getting harder and harder to justify paying for an antivirus suite, now that Microsoft offers its own capable AV solution. Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time system scanning, Windows Firewall integration, and rootkit protection, all for the unbeatable price of zero dollars. We say slap it on any new system, and leave paying for AV to the idle rich.
File Backup: Syncback Free
You know all those photos you have on your hard drive? Priceless reminders of family vacations and childhood memories? Well, it would be a real shame if something happened to them.
No, we're not trying to shake you down—this is just a reminder that you should be using software to automatically back up any file you're not prepared to lose. SyncBack Free is a great choice for backing up and synchronizing your valuable files, automatically. If you want to go a step further and clone your whole drive, our standing recommendation is Macrium Reflect .
Office Suite: Google Docs
In the past we've recommended Open Office (or its descendant, LibreOffice) as the best free replacement for Microsoft Office, but we think it's time for a change. Let's all admit to ourselves that much of what we currently do using software on our hard drives will, in the next few years, move over to the cloud. Office software has been some of the first to make the transition, and nowadays there's no reason you can't use Google Docs as your everyday productivity software.
Google Docs can create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and forms. It's also a great way to collaborate remotely, as multiple people can log in and work on shared documents simultaneously.
Photo Editor: GIMP
There's still only one truly good replacement for Adobe's versatile-yet-oh-so-expensive Photoshop, and that's GIMP. The Gnu Image Processor (for long) is open source, free, and has all the tools you need to spruce up your photos, do a little image manipulation, or add some LOLtext to a picture of a cat. If the built-in features aren't enough for you, there's an extensive library of scripts and add-ons available online that should provide what you need.
Vector Editor: Inkscape
GIMP can help you with any raster (that is, pixel-based) editing you do, but it's no good for creating vector-based images.
Vector images, which can be smoothly scaled to any size, are the perfect format for company logos or any other illustration that you want to be able to use over and over again. Adobe Illustrator is the standard application for vector editing, but like all professional Adobe software, it's very expensive.
Instead, take a look at Inkscape.
Inkscape is yet another product of the open-source scene, and it has all the tools you need to create great-looking, high-quality vector graphics.
Desktop Publishing: Scribus
Finishing off the trifecta of open-source design apps is Scribus, which lets you take all those graphics you've created in GIMP and Inkscape (along with any text you've written in Google Docs), and lay them out on a page for publishing. Whether you're putting together an e-book, a magazine, or just the family newsletter, a desktop publishing app like Scribus is the best way to create a professional layout that you can re-use whenever you want.
Video Editing: Lightworks
For a long time, nonlinear video editing software was something you just couldn't really get for free. Microsoft's Windows Live Movie Maker is free, and can be a good option for very basic video editing tasks, but if you're looking to put together anything more complicated than a simple home video, it just doesn't have the feature set you'll need. Other than that, you're pretty much out of luck.
There's Blender, which is free and actually has a fairly powerful sequencer, but something just feels off about doing our video editing in a 3D-modeling application. There have also been a number of high-quality open-source video editors in Linux, but those haven't been of any help in Windows. Until now, that is.
Earlier this year, professional video editing software Lightworks went open source, and released a free version for Windows. The software was formerly a professional film‑editing suite (The King's Speech, The Departed, and Braveheart are just a few films that were edited in Lightworks), and therefore has a pretty steep learning curve. Additionally, only a handful of codecs are supported for importing footage, unless you upgrade to the Pro version, which is offered for only $60. Even with those caveats, Lightworks is hands-down the most powerful video editing suite you can get for free.
DVD Playback: VLC
If you bought an optical drive to play movies, but don't have a copy of playback software like Cyberlink PowerDVD, you might think you're out of luck. But don't take out your wallet just yet—if all you need is bare-bones video playback, VLC might be just right for you. The free, open‑source player can handle pretty much any digital video file, as well as video DVDs. Blu-ray playback is also possible in VLC, although you'll need to do a little Googling if you want to watch copy-protected discs.
Operating System: Ubuntu
If you've gotten this far in your hunt for free software, it might be time to think about going all the way. That's right—the ultimate in free computing: Linux. Nearly every program mentioned so far started as a Linux application before being ported to Windows, and there are still more free software packages that aren't available on Microsoft's OS.
If you're ready to get started with Linux, you'll want to create an Ubuntu Live CD from the website. Ubuntu's the most user-friendly Linux distro, and the easiest to get started with. Once you've downloaded the installer, just burn it to a CD, put the disc in your drive, and restart. When your computer boots from the live CD, you'll be able to try out Ubuntu and see how you like it. If you want to go all the way, you can install the full operating system to your hard disc.
Linux is great for productivity applications, but it doesn't always have an equivalent for your favorite Windows applications. You can use WINE in Linux to run most Windows applications natively.
Free Cloud Storage
Cloud storage solutions are cheaper and more numerous than ever before, with several contenders just begging to give you something for nothing. But what if one service and 5GB isn't enough for your vast collection of J-Pop and Klingon poetry? Pay attention, young Padawan: We'll show you how to get the biggest bang from your lack of bucks when choosing a free cloud service.
Microsoft SkyDrive – Old‑skool SkyDrivers are sitting pretty on 25GB of free cloud storage, but new users are "limited" to 7GB. Even so, that's more than the competition offers, and SkyDrive hooks deeply into the native apps found in both Windows Phones and Windows 8.
Google Drive – Google Drive offers 5GB of free storage and the same basic functionality as SkyDrive, including the ability to edit documents with others in real time through your web browser. We prefer Google Docs to Microsoft's Office Web Apps, though, which makes Google Drive a great place to stash documents, spreadsheets, and slide shows.
SugarSync – SugarSync adds another 5GB of free cloud storage to your total, but more importantly, it syncs any folders of your choosing on your PC. The desktop clients of the other services mentioned here force you to stash your files in a predetermined location. That makes SugarSync a terrific option for a hands-off, constantly updated backup of critical folders, such as your Documents folder.
Dropbox – At first blush, Dropbox's free 2GB offer pales in comparison to the others, but a little legwork opens up a bountiful cornucopia of free storage. Using the Camera Upload feature and linking social media accounts earn you more space, but the big payoff comes in referring friends: Each referral gets you another 500MB, capped at a whopping 16GB of free additional space. Don't want to bug your pals? We've already explained how to game the system.
Add it all up and that's 22GB of free cloud storage. Plus, Dropbox doesn't impose size restrictions on files uploaded via the desktop client. It's ideal for large file dumps.
Box – Box is just a 5GB storage locker; it doesn't sync files, search text, or offer version histories. What it does do is frequently hold promotions for 50GB of free space. Files are still limited to 100MB in size, though.
ADrive offers 50GB free without all the hoop-jumping, but its craptastic web-only interface and lack of mobile support make it more hassle than hurrah.
Grand Total: 44GB, or 119GB if you're a veteran SkyDrive user who hops on Box's 50GB offer. Not too shabby for nothing! Protip: With the exception of SugarSync, disable the services' desktop clients from running at startup to avoid needlessly tying up system resources.
With credit to Maximum PC – A subscription is only $29.95 per year for Canadians.


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In my previous article I've covered Designer Interview as the last main basic thing to consider for your success in Designer career.
In this article I'll try to tell you about UI/UX Designers. Who we are, what we do, what is required to be successful etc.
To better understand what is a UI/UX Designer role, you have to be familiar with the terms UI and UX.
UI – User Interface. UX – User Experience.
On the example of a button it could be explained like this:
– UI is the visual representation: the color of a button, it's shape, position, font used for copy etc.
– UX is the functional representation: how well the color, shape, position, font etc. works to satisfy business requirements of a button.
And even more simple way to explain would be:
– UI is a set of images that shows how the Interface has to look.
– UX is how this Interface has to work. It defines the meaning of any design decision for each Interface element.
Again, UI is how it looks, UX is how it works.
What makes UI and UX to be good?
It's a subjective topic. However, good UX is when the interface designed the way it is intuitive to understand, easy to remember and convenient to use.
And of course good UI supports user experience with contrast visual implementation, that makes a good UX possible.
What makes a good UI/UX to be great?
To my opinion Interface becomes great when a Designer is ready to move beyond design decisions that are just enough for a certain task.
What I mean by that is, when you create an Interface that is delightful to use, in terms of UX, but not just convenient. And when the visual part of a design, in terms of UI, is followed by beautiful design decisions, not just easy to look at. Using latest trends in your designs also makes both UI and UX great.
UI/UX Designers have a lot of names in today's world, so don't freak out. Product Designer, Interaction Designer, Visual Designer, UI Designer, UX Designer, Android Designer, iOS Designer and even Web Designer etc., all of these names in job descriptions of multiple roles are very similar and sometimes even the same. But behind these names is covered the explanation of required skills.
First of all, the reason why UI/UX Designers are not called just Web Designers or whatever, like they were in the past, is because of higher industry requirements, where our "only visual skills" is not enough now. So to differentiate us from less qualified professionals, industry started calling us – UI/UX Designers.
Second, now there are much more different fields of software to design for, divided to Web, Android, iOS, Desktop (Windows/Mac OS) etc. So some companies are looking for professional with even more narrow experience with a certain environment.
Also, comparing to past years, when web designers were doing only 3-5 page websites, modern technology and interfaces themselves became more sophisticated and complex. Now Designers have not just to "draw" an interface, but they have to understand, collect, define and explain the logic of it's interactions.
Biggest takeaway here is basically now we design not just images, but also a logic for interactions of those images between each other to satisfy business needs. Now it's not just brochure website, now it's a complex interactive application.
And it all leads us straight to a…
To summarize all above and to understand what skills are actually required to be a UI/UX Designer – you have to know what UI/UX Designers do at work on a daily basis.
First of all Designer is still a Designer. The majority of UI/UX Designer work comes down to graphic design process. The main technical difference from other Design disciplines is that UI/UX Designer has to produce his designs for screen (display) device interfaces. That is why the basic requirement is to pay attention to a certain specifications of screen environment.
But also, UI/UX Designers today are like a glue that holds product creation together. We create, define, design, control implementation and iterate to improve interface on all stages of software production. That is why the UI/UX Designers are so important in today's tech world.
Here are the main activities UI/UX Designer tackles every day:
- Collecting and understanding Business requirements for the project.
- Translating those requirements into wireframe (rough sketch of future product).
- Designing hight-fidelity design of the interface.
- Creating an interactive prototype.
- Testing design decisions to iterate and improve design before development.
- Collaborating with developers to help them produce the actual product exactly the way it was designed.
After all that is done UI/UX Designers repeat the process to improve the existing product.
As you've already noticed, UI/UX Designer do a lot more than just the design itself. Our work involves a lot of creative thinking, user flow architecture, collaboration and communication with co-workers, and constant improvement of past work and own skills.
And that is the reason why for the last few years more and more billion-dollar companies are founded by designers. It happens because we're involved from day 1 of product creation and during the whole and every stage of it as well. So UI/UX Designer is the person that knows more than most of the team mates of how business and product operates, because we're those who defines it.
Hope now you understand what we do. But let's talk about how we do it.
The most common technical activities are Wireframing (low-fidelity), Visual Design (high-fidelity) and Interactive Prototyping. These are the top skills to have.
There are tons of tools to use, and it all comes down to price and preference. So I'll name some that I use:
- Wireframing – Axure, Adobe Illustrator
- Visual Design – Sketch, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe AfterEffects
- Prototyping – InVision, Axure, POP
I hope now you understand the UI/UX Designer role much better. I'll tell you more about what and how I use it in details in my future articles.
As always, thanks for reading. I highly appreciate your interest and support. Check out my blog for more articles.
And share my blog, if you like it. Thanks.


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The ultimate tourist experience offering bespoke guided tours within Auckland; Our beautiful 'City of Sails'.
Introducing you to the best iconic must-see sights Auckland City has to offer with its intriguing history that will leave you spell bound.
Sit back in the comfort of our tuk tuks and relax for an hour whilst we whisk you around Auckland's inner city iconic locations complete with full audio commentary.
Design your own with one of our consultants


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- Home
- About Us
- News
- Services
- Pet Library
- Informational Pages
- Forms
- Other Features
- Contact Us
- Links
- Site Map
Carp Road Animal Hospital
In addition to the Pet Health Care Library, we have provided the following links to websites that provide some great information on a variety of topics related to veterinary medicine and pet health care. We will update this page frequently, and would love to hear your ideas on links that you would like to see us add to this page to share with other pet owners. Feel free to send us your favorites. If we like them, we will add them to our list!
Dog On It
Just for Cats


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Our collection of menus have been created by our team of talented chefs here at Berwick Lodge, whose passion and style for food revolves around a love for Modern British cuisine.
Treat your family, friends or colleagues to the perfect present that's been tailored to deliver a luxurious experience of pure indulgence.
A unique events venue with luxury rooms and magnificent grounds, combined with good food, fine wine and high quality service.
Our stunning collection of bedrooms has been individually styled to offer guests a personal experience during their stay at Berwick Lodge.


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Paul Greenberg, who gave an interesting keynote at CRM Evolution last week, was nice enough to make his keynote slides available to all. I love how open source concepts are everywhere these days.
But looking over these again, an interesting question popped into my head. As Paul's slides paint a picture around convergence of CRM, the call center (since CRM Evolution is put on in tandem with the SpeeckTek conference), and customer voice, I thought to myself: "What's the difference?"
I mean, really – in a call center scenario, what are we doing besides having the kinds of "social" engagements that Paul and other next-generation CRM gurus talk about? What better place to have a social strategy than when you're actually talking to your customers, right?
Well, yes and no. The "yes" is that, of course, call center interactions are a great opportunity to show that you are a customer-centric organization. And a great experience there can spawn advocacy and great viral activity in a positive light. It can, of course, go terribly wrong – as we've seen in the now infamous United Breaks Guitars fiasco (I'll be the one blogger to not post the video link).
But social CRM and understanding the voice of the customer is much more than simply optimizing direct interactions. There are more amorphous concepts at play here. Marketing is perhaps the biggest driver and department to benefit from the non-call center type of social CRM. While social CRM can and does help sales – the impact is not really felt there. Sales is about closing, and as I've discussed before, social CRM is not a closing tool. Instead, the branding, awareness and ability to learn a lot from the multiple conversation points with customers helps marketing and those taxed with measuring and optimizing loyalty, satisfaction, etc.
So, ultimately, a call center can be a strong component of a social CRM strategy. But social CRM encompasses much more in terms of channels, messaging, opportunities, purpose etc.


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AYNOR, SC (WMBF) - Aynor's Hunter Windham has done a little bit of everything for the Aynor Blue Jackets over the course of his career, racking up over 700 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground this year.
But for the junior nothing was more rewarding than helping aynor win their first playoff game in twenty years last week against Garrett.
"Just the history that we've had and lately we haven't been winning as much, but it means a lot to get that win, especially with Coach J," said Windham.
Before last Friday, the 2011 season has been up and down for the Blue Jackets and Windham.
After starting his season off at wing in head coach Jody Jenerette's triple option offense, Windham was forced to become the team's quarterback after an injury.
"We had our quarterback go down against Marion, so we moved Hunter to quarterback and he's done a good job managing the game, doing the things we've asked. We'll snap it straight to him sometimes and let him run," said Jenerette.
"It's different because I'm handing the ball off a lot more, but we still get me involved running the ball with wildcat. I'm still a leader of the team and still a prominent member," said Windham.
Often times in a triple option offense a quarterback may not the glamorous position many people think of, but Windham insists concern isn't stats or recognition, it's making sure the Aynor offense gets on a roll.
"It's really nice to play quarterback when your offensive line is blocking and we're moving them off the ball and the running backs are running, and we're getting four and five yards a gain," said Windham.
While the small town of Aynor can surely celebrate their first postseason win in two decades, for Windham and the rest of the Blue Jackets the celebration was short lived because they're focused on pulling an even bigger upset at Silver bluff on Friday night.
"I think the first playoff win is nice, but I'm not going to lie, it'd be nice to go to Silver Bluff and get this next one too."


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Gameplay walkthrough videos of "Grand Theft Auto IV" are available for viewing at IGN.com. Walkthrough videos of the game are also available on various channels on YouTube.
A wide variety of gameplay walkthrough videos for "Grand Theft Auto IV" are available on IGN. These videos include strategy for the main storyline, as well as videos on extra items, unlockable secrets, character interactions and side quest strategies. Additional gameplay videos of "Grand Theft Auto IV" are available on YouTube, with videos uploaded by players. Some of these videos feature player commentary on the game, while others feature unaltered footage of the game, so viewers can better understand the game's content.


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Tribune to publish list of Halloween doings
The Tribune will be publishing its annual list of Halloween happenings Sept. 29.
Groups and organizations sponsoring haunted houses, trails and other scary events should contact The Tribune.
Mail information, complete with details including times and dates, address, phone number and a daytime phone number for office use, to Halloween Roundup, Features Department, South Bend Tribune, 225 W. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46626 or fax (574) 236-1765 or e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com. Submissions will not be taken over the phone. Deadline is Sept. 22.
WB, UPN become CW Monday on channel 25
SOUTH BEND -- WMWB WB 25 will officially become WCWW-TV, Michiana's CW 25, as part of the new CW network beginning Monday.
The CW combines the best programs from the WB and the best from UPN. Such programs as "Smallville," "Supernatural" and "Gilmore Girls" will now share a home with "Everybody Hates Chris," "Veronica Mars" and "Friday Night Smackdown!"


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January 28th
helloooooooo flowers...
Maybe I should run a lottery on when the flowers will open.
Not sure what a hyacinth looks like? See some here
New addition to the blogroll:
Allow me to introduce Faded Charm which is full of shabby chic charm. I still can't figure out how other people's tarnished silver looks really cool and mine just looks, well, tarnished.


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LAHORE: An attendance of more than 18,000 was recorded at the two-day Children's Literature Festival which ended at the Children's Library Complex in Lahore on Saturday.
Baela Raza Jamil, Director Programs at the Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi, said the organisers had expected a turnout of approximately 5,000, but the response shown by schools, parents and especially the children was very encouraging. "According to our estimates, over 18,000 people showed up at the festival and we are just thrilled by the response," said Jamil.
The last day of the festival included over 20 book reading sessions, theatrical plays, book launches and puppet shows. Besides the sessions, a book fair with over 15 stalls had also been organised.


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Fairfax County is about take a comprehensive look at planning and zoning recommendations for the Dulles Suburban Center. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/dullessuburbancenter/
For context, the Dulles Suburban Center extends north/south along the Route 28 corridor from the CIT to Westfields and west to the Loudoun County line. The collective corridor contains a number of very strategic real estate opportunities. The planning process will kick off on March 29th 2016. Subsequent to that kick off meeting, there will be a "window" for owners and potential developers to submit "ideas" for more specific consideration. This corridor has been heavily affected by structural shifts in the office and commercial real estate markets and this process is an critical opportunity to add value to assets that may be under performing, or otherwise need repositioning.