text:
My Account
Contact Us
About Our Store
News & Features
Reference Room
Health Calculators
Conditions & Allergies
Health & Wellness
Vitamins & Minerals
Functional Foods
Children's Health
Adolescent's Health
Women's Health
Men's Health
Senior's Health
Healthy Recipes
Ingredient Glossary
Delicious Living
Cone's Links
Table of Contents
> Alstrom syndrome
Alstrom syndrome
Related terms
Signs and symptoms
Integrative therapies
Author information
Risk factors
Related Terms
ALMS, ALMS1 human, ALSS, Alström-Hallgren syndrome, blindness, cardiomyopathy, deafness, KIAA0328.
Alström syndrome is a rare, progressive genetic disorder, with characteristic deafness, obesity, and visual problems in children, and diabetes with insulin resistance (type 2) and kidney failure in adults. In infancy, the earliest signs are usually extreme photophobia (light sensitivity) and nystagmus (a back-and-forth movement of the eyes). Another early sign may be dilated cardiomyopathy (an enlarged heart) and congestive heart failure in infants less than one year of age. For the first year of life, infants with Alström syndrome gain excessive weight, leading to obesity. Numerous organ systems may be affected later, resulting in blindness, hearing impairment, heart failure, diabetes mellitus type 2, liver disease, pulmonary fibrosis, renal (kidney) failure, and urological dysfunction.
Alström syndrome is caused by mutations or defects in the Alström syndrome 1 or
gene, which provides instructions for making a protein with a currently unknown function. Researchers believe that the protein may play a role in hearing, vision, regulation of body weight, and functions of the heart, kidney, lungs, and liver. It may also affect how the pancreas regulates insulin, a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels. More than 80 mutations in the
gene have been identified in people with Alström syndrome. Most of these mutations lead to the production of a dysfunctional version of the ALMS1 protein.
Alström syndrome is inherited, or passed down among family members, as an autosomal recessive trait. This means that two copies of the causative gene must be inherited for the disease to occur.
Alström syndrome is extremely rare, with only about 425 cases recorded worldwide. Its exact prevalence is unknown, but the syndrome is more common among people of French-Acadian heritage.
Signs and symptoms
: Signs and symptoms of Alström syndrome tend to appear in infancy or early childhood. Symptoms of the disorder may vary widely, even among members of the same family.
Developmental delay
: About 20% of affected individuals have delays in early developmental milestones, including delays in gross and fine motor skills and in expressive and receptive language, and about 30% have a learning disability. Severe intellectual disability, characterized by an intelligence quotient (IQ) under 70, is very rare.
: People with Alström syndrome are prone to developing type 2 diabetes early in life. Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic health condition in which the body is unable to produce enough insulin and properly break down glucose (sugar) in the blood. Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability, and blurry vision.
: Up to 70% of people with Alström syndrome gradually lose hearing during the first decade of life. By age 20, hearing loss may be classified as severe or moderately severe. People with Alström syndrome may also be prone to developing "glue ear," in which a sticky substance collects in the ear canal, further obstructing hearing.
: Individuals with Alström syndrome may develop a condition called cardiomyopathy, in which the muscular walls of the heart weaken. In dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart is not able to pump blood efficiently. Symptoms may include irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and shortness of breath. About 40% of people with Alström syndrome develop cardiomyopathy between the ages of three weeks and four months. Most of these children make a full recovery in infancy and survive into adulthood. More than 60% of people with Alström syndrome develop heart failure at some stage in their lives.
High cholesterol
: People with Alström syndrome may have high levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol in the blood. Very high levels of triglycerides have been associated with pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in individuals with Alström syndrome.
Kidney disease
: Kidney disease is typically recognized later in life in individuals with Alström syndrome. Signs of kidney disease include frequent urination and extreme thirst. End-stage kidney disease may occur as early as the teenage years.
: Individuals with Alström syndrome may develop lung problems, which may include susceptibility to bronchitis and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs).
: Although people with Alström syndrome generally are of normal weight at birth, they may become obese during childhood. In particular, people with Alström syndrome gain fat in the abdominal area. In adults, obesity is defined as a body-mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. In some individuals with Alström syndrome, weight may be in the high normal range after adolescence. Some researchers believe that a mutation in the
gene may lead to these weight changes.
Skeletal abnormalities
: Almost all people with Alström syndrome are of short stature. Other skeletal abnormalities may include scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine) or kyphosis (forward curvature of the spine), especially during puberty.
: Some individuals with Alström syndrome develop a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans. In this condition, the skin folds in the underarms or on the neck become thickened, dark, and velvety. This condition is often associated with diabetes.
: Normal vision is gradually lost in almost all patients with Alström syndrome. This is caused by cone-rod dystrophy, sensitivity to light, and nystagmus (involuntary movements of the eyes). Vision loss usually begins at around age 15 months. By 20 years of age, individuals with Alström syndrome typically cannot perceive light. People with Alström syndrome may often touch, press, or rub their eyes.
: Liver problems may be present in people with Alström syndrome. Underactive thyroid and underdeveloped male genitals may also be observed in Alström syndrome. While some individuals with Alström syndrome may have growth and developmental delays, intelligence is usually not affected. About 30% of people with Alström syndrome have a learning disability.
: A thorough physical exam and family history should be completed if Alström syndrome is suspected. The diagnosis of Alström syndrome is based on characteristic clinical features that emerge throughout infancy, childhood, and young adulthood. In particular, obesity occurs in early childhood, hearing impairments usually develop between ages one and 10 years, and childhood or adolescent cardiomyopathy occurs in more than 60% of affected individuals. Development of diabetes, liver disease, and progressive kidney disease; and developmental delay of fine and gross motor skills and receptive or expressive language skills have been described in some individuals, and some school-age children experience academic difficulties.
Fasting blood glucose test
: Fasting blood glucose testing checks blood glucose levels after fasting for 12-14 hours. The individual may drink water during this time but should strictly avoid any other beverage. Individuals with diabetes may be asked to delay their diabetes medication or insulin dose until the test is completed. This test can be used to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes. The fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test is preferred for diagnosing diabetes, because it is convenient and reliable when done on an empty stomach in the morning. When done at other times of day, the presence of food and natural biorhythms may cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels and an inaccurate test result.
If the fasting glucose level is 100-125 milligrams per deciliter, the individual has a form of prediabetes called impaired fasting glucose (IFG), meaning that the he or she is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than with a lower glucose level but does not yet have the condition. A level of 126 milligrams per deciliter or higher, confirmed by testing on another day, means that the individual has diabetes.
Oral glucose tolerance test
: During an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), a high-glucose drink is given to the individual to determine how quickly the glucose is cleared from the blood. High glucose levels, meaning that the glucose was not normally cleared from the blood, may indicate diabetes. Blood samples are checked at regular intervals for two hours. Glucose tolerance tests are used when the results of the fasting blood glucose test are inconclusive. They are also used to diagnose gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy). This test can be used to diagnose diabetes or prediabetes.
Blood tests
: A sample of blood may be taken to measure liver, kidney, and thyroid function. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test evaluates kidney function in individuals with Alström syndrome. Urea is a by-product of protein metabolism. This waste product is formed in the liver, then filtered from the blood and excreted in the urine by the kidneys. The BUN test measures the amount of nitrogen present in the urea. High BUN levels may indicate kidney dysfunction, but BUN may also be affected by protein intake and liver function. A blood creatinine test is also performed. This test measures blood levels of creatinine, a by-product of energy metabolism that, like urea, is filtered from the blood by the kidneys and excreted into the urine. An individual's muscle mass determines the amount of creatinine produced. With normal kidney function, the amount of creatinine in the blood remains relatively constant, since muscle mass usually fluctuates very little. Due to this consistency, and because creatinine is affected very little by liver function, a blood creatinine level is a more sensitive indicator of kidney function than BUN. Liver function tests (LFTs) are a set of blood tests that may help determine how well an individual's liver is working. LFTs measure albumin, bilirubin, cholesterol, liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP), prothrombin time, and total protein. The blood levels of thyroid hormones can be measured directly to detect thyroid hormone functioning.
Eye exam
: A thorough eye exam may identify nystagmus (involuntary movements of the eyes), sensitivity to light, and poor color perception. These problems are often detectable during the first year of life.
Hearing test
: A hearing test, called an audiogram, may help diagnose Alström syndrome. During an audiogram, the patient is exposed to various sounds of different pitches and frequencies through headphones. The patient is asked to identify each time a sound is heard. The audiologist may also say various words to evaluate the patient's hearing ability. Hearing loss in Alström syndrome may progress to the severe or moderately severe range (40-70 decibels) between the ages of 10 and 20 years old.
Hemoglobin A1c
: The hemoglobin A1c test is an advantageous measure of blood glucose control over an extended period of time. The American Diabetes Association currently recommends an A1c goal of less than 7.0%, which corresponds to a mean blood glucose level of 170 milligrams per deciliter. Since individuals with Alström syndrome may not effectively clear glucose from the blood, it is likely that their A1c percentages would be high.
Imaging studies
: An electroretinography (ERG) can establish the presence of cone-rod dystrophy, a progressive disease that causes the breakdown of the rods and cones in the retina and usually results in blindness. An electrode is placed behind the lower eyelid, allowing it to touch the cornea, or the clear layer on the outside of the eye, and another is placed on the skin near the eye. During a recording, the patient's eyes are exposed to various stimuli and the response signal is recorded.
Other imaging studies such as X-rays may be used to diagnose and track progress of scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine) or kyphosis (forward curvature of the spine). An echocardiogram (ECG) is an ultrasound of the heart muscle from which a clinician can determine aspects of the structure and function of the heart. A chest X-ray may reveal lung problems, such as chronic bronchitis, frequent pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure within the artery in the lung).
Genetic testing
: If Alström syndrome is suspected, a cytogenetic test may be performed to confirm a diagnosis. A sample of the patient's blood is taken and analyzed in a laboratory for a defect in the
gene. If this defect is detected, a positive diagnosis is made.
Prenatal DNA testing
: If there is a family history of Alström syndrome, prenatal testing may be performed to determine whether the fetus has the disorder. Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can diagnose Alström syndrome. However, because there are serious risks associated with these tests, patients should discuss the potential health benefits and risks associated with these procedures with a medical professional.
During amniocentesis, a long, thin needle is inserted through the abdominal wall and into the uterus, and a small amount of amniotic fluid is removed from the sac surrounding the fetus. Cells in the fluid are then analyzed for normal and abnormal chromosomes. This test is performed after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The risk of miscarriage is about one in 200-400 patients. Some patients may experience minor complications, such as cramping, leaking fluid, or irritation where the needle was inserted.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS), requires removal of a small piece of tissue (chorionic villi) from the placenta between the ninth and 14th weeks of pregnancy. CVS may be performed through the cervix or through the abdomen. The cells in the tissue sample are then analyzed for the mutation in the
gene. The risk of miscarriage is about 0.5-1% of women who undergo CVS.
: Complications of Alström syndrome affect many organs in the body. Alström syndrome may cause diabetes, obesity, heart problems, kidney disease, and lung problems, and other complications.
Developmental delays
: About 20% of affected individuals have delays in early developmental milestones, such as gross and fine motor skills and in expressive and receptive language; about 30% have a learning disability. Severe intellectual disability, characterized by an IQ under 70, is very rare. The presence of these developmental disabilities may require specialized programs in school.
Diabetes complications
: Diabetes is linked with long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body. The disease affects many Alström patients and often leads to blindness, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputations, and nerve damage. Uncontrolled diabetes may complicate pregnancy, and birth defects are more common in babies born to women with diabetes. Pregnant women may temporarily develop gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that begins late in pregnancy.
Hearing loss
: Up to 70% of people with Alström syndrome gradually lose hearing during the first decade of life. By age 20, hearing loss may be classified as severe or moderately severe. Individuals with hearing loss need to learn how to communicate with people in other ways, including the use of sign language.
Heart problems
: Individuals with Alström syndrome may develop a condition called cardiomyopathy, in which the muscular walls of the heart weaken. In dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart is not able to pump blood efficiently. Symptoms may include irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Kidney disease
: Some people with Alström syndrome may develop kidney disease, which may progress to life-threatening kidney failure if not treated properly.
Liver problems
: Liver problems may be present in people with Alström syndrome. Hepatomegaly (an enlarged liver) and related complications may be life threatening. These include portal hypertension (high blood pressure in the vein that carries blood from the digestive tract to the liver) and may result in ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity), splenomegaly (an enlarged spleen), and esophageal varices (extremely dilated veins in the esophagus).
Lung problems
: Individuals with Alström syndrome may develop lung problems, which may include susceptibility to bronchitis and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs).
: Individuals with Alström syndrome typically develop obesity in early adulthood. Complications of obesity include high blood pressure, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol.
: People with Alström syndrome may have high levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol in the blood. Very high levels of triglycerides have been associated with pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) in individuals with Alström syndrome.
: There is no cure for Alström syndrome. Instead, treatment aims to reduce symptoms and prevent complications. Permanent blindness, deafness, and type 2 diabetes are likely to develop. Kidney and liver failure may worsen.
Corrective lenses
: Eyeglasses are limited in their ability to improve vision in those with Alström syndrome. Tinted lenses may help with sensitivity to bright light. Because almost all people with Alström syndrome progressively lose vision, they should be instructed in the use of Braille, adaptive equipment, mobility aids, and adaptive computing skills early in life.
: By law, patients with Alström syndrome who suffer from intellectual disabilities must have access to education that is tailored to their specific strengths and weaknesses. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, all children with disabilities must receive free and appropriate education. Staff members of the patient's school must consult with the patient's parents or caregivers to design and write an individualized education plan based on the child's needs. The school faculty must document the child's progress in order to ensure that the child's needs are being met.
Educational programs vary among patients depending on the child's specific learning disabilities. In general, most experts believe that children with disabilities should be educated alongside their nondisabled peers. The idea is that nondisabled students will help the patient learn appropriate behavioral, social, and language skills. Therefore, some Alström syndrome patients are educated in mainstream classrooms. Others attend public schools but take special education classes. Still others attend specialized schools equipped to teach children with disabilities.
Hearing aids
: People with Alström syndrome who experience hearing loss may benefit from hearing aids. These battery-operated devices are available in three basic styles: behind the ear, in the ear, and inside the ear canal. Patients should talk to a healthcare provider to determine the type of hearing aid that is best for them. A behind-the-ear device is used for mild-to-profound hearing loss. The device is worn behind the ear and is attached to a plastic ear mold inside the outer ear. In-the-ear hearing aids are worn inside the outer ear and are used for mild-to-severe hearing loss. Canal hearing aids are smaller hearing aids that fit inside the patient's ear canal. These are used for mild to moderately severe hearing loss. If hearing loss is severe, patients may benefit from cochlear implants. These electronic devices are surgically implanted inside the ears. Unlike a hearing aid, which amplifies sound, a cochlear implant compensates for damaged parts of the inner ear.
: Consuming a healthful and appropriate diet is essential to people with Alström syndrome, because it may help minimize obesity and diabetes. The progression of diabetes may be slowed by consuming a diet limited in sugars and high in vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. In fact, diet and exercise are often the first line of treatment for diabetes. An optimal diet for an individual with diabetes maybe planned with a registered dietitian (RD) or certified diabetes educator (CDE).
Occupational therapy
: Patients with Alström syndrome may benefit from occupational therapy. During sessions, a therapist helps the child learn skills to help him or her perform basic daily tasks, such as eating, getting dressed, and communicating with others. Some patients work with therapists who specialize in disorders and disabilities. Parents and caregivers may ask their child's pediatrician for recommended therapists.
Physical activity
: People with Alström syndrome should follow a regular plan of physical activity that is created with the help of a qualified healthcare provider such as a physician. Exercise not only reduces obesity but also helps control blood sugar levels.
: Some people with Alström syndrome who have lung problems are prone to infections such as bronchitis. To treat these infections, patients may be given antibiotics.
Oral diabetes medications
: Many different types of drugs may be taken by mouth to treat diabetes. Some of these drugs may be combined into a single pill, which may be more effective and convenient for people with diabetes. Sulfonylureas such as chlorpropamide (Diabinese®), glipizide (Glucotrol®), glyburide (Micronase®, Glynase®, DiaBeta®), and glimepiride (Amaryl®) work by stimulating the cells of the pancreas to release more insulin. These drugs are taken once or twice daily by mouth before meals. Side effects may include an unsafe drop in blood sugar.
Meglitinides such as repaglinide (Prandin®) and nateglinide (Starlix®) also stimulate the cells of the pancreas to release more insulin. These drugs are taken by mouth before each meal and may also cause an unsafe drop in blood sugar. Side effects include weight gain and low blood sugar.
Metformin (Glucophage®) is a biguanide, a drug used to treat diabetes by decreasing the amount of blood sugar released by the liver and by stimulating cells in the muscles to take up blood sugar. Metformin is usually taken twice daily and may cause stomach upset. The most common side effect is diarrhea and acid reflux, occurring in up to 30% of patients.
Thiazolidinediones such as rosiglitazone (Avandia®) and pioglitazone (Actos®) help insulin work more efficiently in muscle and fat cells and cause the liver to release less glucose. These drugs may be associated with heart failure, and their use should be thoroughly discussed with a qualified healthcare provider, including a pharmacist.
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitors such as sitagliptin (Januvia®) improve levels of blood sugar by decreasing the action of an enzyme that breaks down GLP-1, a substance that naturally lowers blood sugar levels. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose (Precose®) and miglitol (Glyset®) block the breakdown of certain carbohydrates so they can be excreted. Side effects include intestinal gas and diarrhea.
Injected diabetes medications
: Other diabetes drugs may be taken by injection into the fat just below the skin, called subcutaneous injection.
Pramlintide (Symlin®) is a synthetic form of insulin, a hormone that naturally occurs in the human body and serves to take up extra blood glucose. This drug, taken with meals, helps maintain normal levels of blood sugar. Side effects may include nausea.
Exenatide (Byetta®) is a synthetic form of exendin-4, a substance that naturally occurs in the body and helps increase insulin secretion from the pancreas. Side effects may include nausea, but this usually decreases with continued use of the drug.
Depending on the type and severity of diabetes, insulin may be introduced by subcutaneous injection. Insulin allows the body to use the sugar in the blood for energy. There are many different types of insulin, and a treatment strategy may be tailored to an individual patient's needs. Use of insulin therapy should be thoroughly discussed with a qualified healthcare provider and a certified diabetes educator (CDE).
Cholesterol-lowering drugs
: Drugs that lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels may be necessary in some people with Alström syndrome. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, also called "statins," effectively lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol and triglycerides. High-dose nicotinic acid (niacin) may also reduce cholesterol levels.
Heart medications
: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, diuretics, digoxin, and beta-blockers may help with the management of cardiomyopathy and heart failure.
: When the kidneys begin to fail, patients may undergo several types of dialysis to restore their filtering function. In hemodialysis, a patient's blood is circulated into an external filter and cleaned. The filtered blood is then returned to the body. In peritoneal dialysis, a fluid containing dextrose is introduced into the abdomen through a tube. This solution absorbs the wastes in the body and is then removed.
: Some patients who experience kidney failure may undergo kidney transplantation. Transplantation is associated with complications, including infection and the possibility of rejection of the new organ. To reduce the chance of rejection, patients may need to take immunosuppressive drugs.
: If scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine) or kyphosis (forward curvature of the spine) is severe, surgery may be required.
Integrative therapies
Currently there is limited scientific evidence on the use of integrative therapies for the treatment or prevention of Alström syndrome.
: Alström syndrome is an inherited condition, or passed down among family members. Therefore, there is currently no known way to prevent the disease. However, a number of options are available for prospective parents with a family history of Alström syndrome.
Genetic testing and counseling
: Individuals who have Alström syndrome may meet with a genetic counselor to discuss the risks of having children with the disease. Individuals with a family history of Alström syndrome may meet with a genetic counselor to determine whether they carry the defective
gene. Carriers can be determined through detailed family histories or genetic testing.
Known carriers of Alström syndrome may undergo genetic counseling before they conceive a child. Genetic counselors may explain the options and the associated risks of various tests, including preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), amniocentesis, and chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
PGD may be used with
in vitro
(artificial) fertilization. In PGD, embryos are tested for the defective
gene, and only the embryos that are not affected may be selected for implantation. Because Alström syndrome may be detected in a fetus, parents may choose whether to continue the pregnancy. Genetic counselors may assist parents with these difficult decisions.
Author information
This information has been edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).
American Society for Deaf Children. .
Bond J, Flintoff K, Higgins J, et al. The importance of seeking ALMS1 mutations in infants with dilated cardiomyopathy. J Med Genet. 2005; 42: e10.
Cardiomyopathy Association. .
Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation (CCF). .
Collin GB, Marshall JD, Ikeda A, et al. Mutations in ALMS1 cause obesity, type 2 diabetes and neurosensory degeneration in Alstrom syndrome. Nat Genet. 2002; 31: 74-8.
Deeble VJ, Roberts E, Jackson A, et al. The continuing failure to recognise Alstrom syndrome and further evidence of genetic homogeneity. J Med Genet. 2000; 37: 219.
Maffei P, Boschetti M, Marshall JD, et al. Characterization of the IGF system in 15 patients with Alstrom syndrome. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2007; 66: 269-75.
Maffei P, Munno V, Marshall JD, et al. The Alstrom syndrome: is it a rare or unknown disease? Ann Ital Med Int. 2002; 17: 221-8.
Makaryus AN, Popkowski B, Kort S, et al. A rare case of Alstrom syndrome presenting with rapidly progressive severe dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosed by echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiography. 2003; 16: 194-6.
Marshall JD, Bronson RT, Collin GB, et al. New Alstrom syndrome phenotypes based on the evaluation of 182 cases. Arch Intern Med. 2005; 165: 675-83.
Michaud JL, Heon E, Guilbert F, et al. Natural history of Alstrom syndrome in early childhood: onset with dilated cardiomyopathy. J Pediatr. 1996; 128: 225-9.
Minton JA, Owen KR, Ricketts CJ, et al. Syndromic obesity and diabetes: changes in body composition with age and mutation analysis of ALMS1 in 12 United Kingdom kindreds with Alstrom syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006; 91: 3110-6.
National Eye Institute. .
Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. .
Quiros-Tejeira RE, Vargas J, Ament ME. Early-onset liver disease complicated with acute liver failure in Alstrom syndrome. Am J Med Genet. 2001; 101: 9-11.
Genetic mutations
: Alström syndrome is caused by mutations or defects in the Alström syndrome 1 or
gene, which encodes for a protein with a currently unknown function. Researchers believe the protein may play a role in normal hearing, sight, weight regulation, and functioning of the heart, kidney, lungs, liver, and pancreas. This protein is present in virtually all tissues of the body, which may explain why nearly every system in the body is affected by Alström syndrome.
Autosomal recessive inheritance
: Alström syndrome follows an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance, meaning that an individual must inherit two copies of the defective gene, one from each parent. Individuals who inherit only one copy of the defective
gene generally have no symptoms and are called carriers, because they can pass on the disorder to their children.
If one parent is a carrier, or has only one copy of the defective gene, then each child has a 50% chance of inheriting one defective gene and also being a carrier. If both parents are carriers, each child has a 25% chance of inheriting two defective genes, a 50% chance of inheriting only one defective gene, and a 25% chance of inheriting neither defective gene. Therefore, if both parents are carriers, about one out of four children will have Alström syndrome.
Random occurrence
: It not known whether Alström syndrome occurs as the result of a spontaneous mutation in the egg, sperm cells, or developing embryo.
Risk factors
Alström syndrome is inherited, or passed down among family members. Therefore, the only known risk factor is a family history of the disorder. Although the exact prevalence is unknown, the incidence of Alström syndrome appears to be higher among people of French-Acadian heritage. If one parent is a carrier, or has only one copy of the defective gene, then each child has a 50% chance of inheriting one defective gene and also being a carrier. If both parents are carriers, each child has a 25% chance of inheriting two defective genes, a 50% chance of inheriting only one defective gene, and a 25% chance of inheriting neither defective gene. Alström syndrome appears to affect males and females equally.
Copyright © 2011 Natural Standard (
The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions.
Search Site
Entire Site
Reference Room
Healthy Recipes
News & Features
About Our Store
Reference Room
Cone's Links
My Email Subscription
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
All contents © Copyright 1999-2019 Genius Central and Cone's Health Foods. All rights reserved. This internet site is hosted by Genius Central, a Web site service provider to natural health stores nationwide. Genius Central and Cone's Health Foods have no means of independently evaluating the safety or functionality of the products offered by their suppliers and affiliates and thus can neither endorse nor recommend products. Information presented is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. Statements about products and health conditions have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Products and information presented herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Your use of this site indicates your agreement to be bound by our
Terms and Conditions
Cone's Health Foods
8200 Stockdale Hwy
Suite B-3
Bakersfield, CA 93311
(661) 832-5669
Monthly Newsletter
Enter your e-mail address into the field below to subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
Social Networking
Copyright © Cone's Health Foods. All rights reserved.


text: Bleckley County is named for Chief Justice Logan E. Bleckley of the Georgia Supreme Court. Made a county in 1912, Bleckley pulled its territory from Pulaski County. The name of the county seat, Cochran, is a tribute to the president of the Macon & Brunswick Railroad, Arthur E. Cochran, who is credited with leading development in the area.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Mushroom, Asparagus & Tofu Soup
A Happy New Year to all!
The cold weather and short winter days have brought a 'stay cosy and hibernate' mood to my house this holiday. Who knew teens could sleep so long?
This mood extends to the kitchen in the form of simple comfort food. There's been a lot of mac 'n cheese and baked potatoes around here lately. And, of course, soup...
This rich tasting Mushroom, Asparagus & Tofu Soup not only warms, but is a complete meal in itself. The secret to the richness is a little sherry (I used Harvey's Bristol Cream) and a little miso. I pureed some of the sauteed portobello mushrooms to thicken the base without adding any cream, so this is rich in taste, but not heavy. If you want a heartier soup, try adding some cooked brown rice.
Mushroom, Asparagus & Tofu Soup:
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp butter (or vegan butter or oil)
6 oz portobello mushrooms, skin removed, sliced and cut in half
1 tsp sherry
few drops of balsamic vinegar
1/2 small onion, finely diced
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 tsp minced fresh ginger
3 cups vegetable stock
1/8 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp miso
8 stalks asparagus, hard stems removed, cut on the diagonal
4 oz firm tofu, small dice
Salt & Pepper (Soy sauce can be used in place of the salt)
Place 1 1/2 tsp olive oil in a saucepan and add the diced onion and half of the minced garlic. Cook over very low heat until softened.
Heat 1/2 tsp olive oil and 1/2 tsp butter in a large skillet over low heat. Add the other half of the minced garlic and cook over low heat for a couple of minutes. Add the mushrooms, turn the heat up to medium-high, and saute until still firm. Add the sherry and stir well. Add the balsamic, stir well and remove the mushrooms from the heat. Add S&P.
Add the minced ginger and vegetable stock to the saucepan with the softened onions. Bring the stock to a boil. Turn to simmer and add the toasted sesame oil, miso and 1/3 of the cooked portobellos. Simmer for 4-5 minutes and remove from heat. With an immersion blender, blend the soup base. Return to the heat, raise heat to a simmer, and add the asparagus. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the remaining cooked portobello mushrooms. Cook for 2 minutes, then add the tofu. Cook for a few more minutes, taste and adjust the salt and pepper (or use soy sauce). Enjoy!


text:
Hotel Nan Hai
- Useful information
- Location
- Opinions
Family room offers ?One Double Bed or?Two Single Beds.This room overlooks the ocean (partial) or mountains. Premium bedding, cotton linens, and blackout drapes/curtains invite a good night's sleep. The private bathroom has a deep soaking bathtub with a rainfall showerhead, as well as slippers and a hair dryer. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and the 32-inch LCD TVs is offered for your entertainment. You can request an in-room massage. A minibar, a coffee/tea maker, and a refrigerator are provided. Complimentary bottled water, a safe, and a desk are among the conveniences offered. There are restaurants available serve Chinese and Western cuisines. During Summertime, poolside BBQ dinner party will also be held.
It is a 10-storey modern building. The lobby is large in size with extensive sitting area.
This is a 5* property with fullest recreational facilities. The only hotel in Shenzhen with 30,000 sq-feet war game site offers full battle gear and facilities. This hotel is ideal for both individual and group traveller on leisure or meetings as it is next door to the Shekou International Passenger Pier, providing guests with easy access to Hong Kong, Macau, and Zhuhai. (Dec08 IL)
Choose your room
Share it
Useful information: Hotel Nan Hai
Other names for Hotel Nan Hai:
Nan Hai Shenzhen
Location: Hotel Nan Hai
Hotel is conveniently situated in the Shenzhen Shekou Special Economic Zone, next to the Shekou Passenger Ferry Pier. It is only 30 minutes drive to Shenzhen Luohu Train Station and 25 minutes drive to Shenzhen Airport. 25 kms to city centre 28 kms to the nearest airport (shenzhen bao'an international airport) 5 minute walk to the nearest metro station (window of the world) 30 km to the nearest station (shenzhen railway station) 5 minute walk to the nearest bus stop 20 km to the nearest fair site (convention & exhinition centre)


text:
March 1, 2008
LONG BEACH, Calif. - Senior Theo Brunner put away a career high 26 kills, but it wasn't enough as the No. 12 UC Santa Barbara men's volleyball team lost in five games at No. 2 Long Beach State Saturday. The Gauchos came back from two games down, but couldn't put the match away.
Game scores from the Gold Mine were 30-27, 30-28, 28-30, 25-30, and 15-13. UCSB, which has lost three straight, fell to 7-10 overall and 5-8 in the MPSF. Long Beach State improved to 13-2 and 9-2.
In game five, the Gauchos scored three consecutive points on a Mike Runkle kill, a block, and a Cullen Irons ace to take a 12-9 lead. However, the 49ers came right back with three scores of their own on a Paul Lotman kill and a pair of UCSB attack errors. Brunner put Santa Barbara up 13-12 with his final kill of the match, but LBSU reeled off another three straight points to secure the victory. A kill by Dan Alexander evened the game at 13-13 and an ace by Lotman gave Long Beach its first lead of the game. A Gaucho hitting error put an end to the match.
Brunner's 26 kills eclipsed his previous career high of 25, set this season against Hawai'i. The middle blocker also set a new career best with 28.5 points as he added three blocks - two solos and one assisted.
Freshman opposite Jeff Menzel had 22 kills, six digs, three blocks, and 24.5 points. Vince DeVany, another true freshman, amassed a career high 60 assists from the setter position. Senior Ben Brockman had a match high 16 digs.
For Long Beach, Dean Bittner had 24 kills and Lotman followed with 20. The 49ers out-blocked the Gauchos 14 to 9 as Tommy Pestolesi had seven blocks and Alexander had six.
UCSB out-hit Long Beach .286 (70-30-140) to .240 (62-27-146) and also held a 48-32 advantage in digs.
The Gauchos held leads in all five games.
Game one was tied at 26-26 before LBSU rattled off three straight points to go up 29-26. Following a Long Beach service error, the Gauchos committed one of their own to give the set to the 49ers.
Game two was close throughout and featured 16 tie scores. Down 28-27, the 49ers would again go on a three-point run and win the game.
The Gauchos led by as many as seven points in game three. They hit a match high .444 (21-5-36) in the set. LBSU was stubborn and came back to knot the game at 28 apiece. Matt Thobe came up with a big kill and a hitting error by the 49ers gave UCSB the 30-28 win and the momentum.
Game four saw UCSB jump out 14-8 and 26-19 leads before finally winning 30-25. Long Beach hit just .167 (11-6-30) in the game.
The Gauchos conclude their season long four match road swing March 5 at Cal State Northridge (7 p.m.).
-- UCSBGauchos.com --


text:
Teacher resources and professional development across the curriculum
Teacher professional development and classroom resources across the curriculum
Making Meaning in Literature: A Workshop for Teachers, Grades 6-8
Individual Workshop Descriptions
1. Introducing our Literary Community
2. Encouraging Discussion
3. Going Further in Discussion
4. Diversity in Texts
5. Student Diversity
6. Literature, Art, and Other
7. Assessment
8. Planning and Professional Development
9. Starting in September...
Support Materials
The complete guide to the library series activities is available
here for download in PDF. You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat
Reader to read these files. You can download
it for free from Adobe.
Workshop 1. Introducing Our Literary Community
Workshop 2. Encouraging Discussion
Workshop 3. Going Further in Discussion
Workshop 4. Diversity in Texts
Workshop 5. Student Diversity
Workshop 6. Literature, Art, and Other Disciplines
Workshop 7. Assessment
Workshop 8. Planning and Professional Development
Workshop 9. Starting in September
© Annenberg Foundation 2017. All rights reserved. Legal Policy


text:
Monday, August 30, 2010
Houston Aeros Will Play at Xcel Energy Center on Hockey Day Minnesota
On February 12, the Minnesota Wild's AHL affiliate the Houston Aeros will be playing at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Aeros will be there for Hockey Day Minnesota and will take on the Peoria Rivermen at 2:30 PM. The Peoria Rivermen are the St. Louis Blues' AHL affiliate. The St. Louis Blues will be playing the Minnesota Wild later that night, at 8:00 PM. This will be the 3rd time that the Houston Aeros will be playing in St. Paul.
Posted by MN Wild Freak
Labels: Houston Aeros
2 comments:
I love Hockey Day Minnesota! I wonder how much the Aeros tickets will be and if it will be a mess to clear out the Xcel Energy Center in time for the Wild Blues fans to show up.
- September 2, 2010 at 10:48 AM
birthday present? please and thanks.
- September 9, 2010 at 9:05 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Goodwrench Question
Terry Hagen; Cornelius, OR: Longtime reader (as in "Honk" if you remember), first time writing in. First, I'd like to say project Sten is about as perfect and spot-on a project as you could have come up with. It really brings up memories of what the essence of what hot rodding really is. Stuff a V8 into something small, fun, and that we can get parts for. Make it street legal so we can actually drive it. Keep Sten rolling—I love it!
Here's my question. I have a '69 GMC pickup that is need of a new motor. It currently has a 0.040-over 350 that is equipped with cam, lifters, heads, intake, carb, headers, and exhaust. I liked the article you wrote up on the basic 290hp GM replacement long-block and its potential, while remaining very affordable. I'm wondering if the Vortec small-block would be a better choice at only $300 or $400 more? What problems would I encounter swapping in this motor, other than the intake manifold and fuel pump? What electric fuel pump would be a good choice?
Jeff Smith: Thanks for the comments on the Sten. It has been on the back burner longer than planned while we worked through a bunch of engine testing and Chevelle flogging, but now that I have some time, we can get back on the beast. Look for details soon.
To address your question, the engine we used was the GM Goodwrench replacement 350 from Scoggin-Dickey in Lubbock, Texas—not the 350 HO engine. The Goodwrench 350 (PN 10067353; $1,499.95, Scoggin Dickey) is a brand-new engine using the older, two-piece rear main seal block and crank along with a flat-tappet camshaft. The engine is rated at 245 hp and has a very mild hydraulic flat-tappet camshaft. It has generic 1.94/1.50-inch-valve small-block heads with 76cc chambers. The engine you referenced (PN 12499529) is a 290hp 350 engine long-block. It also uses the older-style, two-piece rear main seal, flat-tappet hydraulic camshaft, and 76cc combustion chamber heads. The increased horsepower is mainly due to the longer 222/222 degrees of duration camshaft that sports 0.450/0.460-inch lift, which is much more lift and duration than the Goodwrench engine. Scoggin-Dickey sells the 12499529 long-block for $1,999.95, which is $500 more for the addition of a longer-duration camshaft that you could do yourself (though that would affect the warranty). The long-block that has the best potential is the 290hp 350ci with the iron Vortec heads (PN 19210007, $2,899.95). But as you can see, this involves a significant price jump of roughly $900. If you're willing to do a little parts-swapping, there is an alternative that involves using the best parts of these engines. First, we'd start with the basic Goodwrench engine and then add a pair of iron Vortec heads. The least expensive version is the stock Vortec heads (PN 12558060; $619.90, Scoggin-Dickey), but you do have to modify them to accept more than 0.450-inch valve lift—more on that in a minute.
As you know, these heads will require a specific Vortec intake manifold. We usually choose the Edelbrock Performer RPM Vortec (PN 7116; $189.95; Summit Racing). You could go with the stock 222/222-degree camshaft, but this is a single-pattern cam, and the Vortec exhaust ports are not quite as good as the intakes are, so a dual-pattern cam with more lift and duration on the exhaust lobe is a better choice to help make a little more power.
We used a very inexpensive cam from Summit Racing on our Goodwrench test, which worked very well. The cam is PN SUM-1105, and the specs are 224/234 degrees at 0.050 with 0.465/0.485 lift and a 114-degree lobe-separation angle. When we did our Slayer story in the May '12 issue, the cam was $54.95, but when we re-checked the price, Summit has reduced it to $49.95. In addition, if you replace the cam before starting the engine, you can use the brand-new GM lifters and save even more money. This will require modifications to the Vortec heads, because the stock valvesprings cannot handle this additional lift, especially on the exhaust side. So if you decide to go with this bigger cam, we'd suggest ordering Scoggin-Dickey's modified version of the Vortec heads. Scoggin-Dickey machines the valveguides to improve the retainer-to-seal clearance and adds a set of Z28 springs that allow the heads to accept valve lift up to 0.525 inch, which is more than enough for that Summit camshaft. These modified heads (PN SD8060A2; $779.90, Scoggin-Dickey) are a simple bolt-on and are certainly worth the $180 additional price over the stock Vortecs. Adding the bigger cam should put this package at roughly 350 to 360 hp, which is really good power considering the inexpensive components. The Vortec heads automatically improve the compression with their 64cc chambers instead of the 76cc heads that come stock with the Goodwrench engine. Another step you could take—as we did on our Slayer engine—is to switch to Fel-Pro 1094 head gaskets, which are thinner at 0.015 inch and will help pump the compression up to around 9.4:1. This would make a great package with excellent street manners and great torque, and it would deliver consistently good power for as long as you wanted to drive it. These changes to the basic Goodwrench engine will cost about $2,600, but they will help to make more power than the 290hp Vortec GM package and will save you about $300! Of course, you've also lost some of the warranty, and to some that might be worth $300. At least you have plenty of choices.
As for a fuel pump, there are probably dozens to choose from since 350 to 375 hp doesn't require a tremendous amount of fuel volume. The classic Carter rotary vane (PN GP4070; $81.95, Summit Racing) or the Holley red pump (PN 12-801-1; $108.95; Summit Racing) are both capable of delivering sufficient fuel volume and neither requires a fuel-pressure regulator, keeping the price down.
More Info
Federal-Mogul (Carter); 810/354-7700; Federal-Mogul.com
Holley Performance Products; 270/781-9741; Holley.com
Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center; 800/456-0211; SDParts.com
Summit Racing; 800/230-3030; SummitRacing.com
Low-Rev Pontiac
Roger Miller; Farmingdale, NY: First of all, I have been a loyal subscriber for more than 20 years. I have cancelled other subscriptions but have always kept Car Craft.
I have a '76 Trans Am with a Pontiac 400 motor. The motor is not original but is stock (year unknown), with stock intake and exhaust manifolds, Rochester Q-jet carb, and so on. It has 6H heads, which I believe came on 455s. It has a dual-exhaust setup without cats.
The problem is the engine will not rev past 3,200 rpm, even in Park, so it's not related to the trans or rear end. When I floor the gas pedal, the motor revs to about 3,200 and then levels out. The motor seems to have decent power, and there are no other problems. I have checked the carb, and the throttle is opening all the way. I have been advised of a few possible causes: weak valvesprings, too low a compression ratio (400 motor with 455 heads = under 8.0:1), distributor timing/advance needs to be changed, carb secondaries not opening. What should I check first?
Jeff Smith: Over the years, Roger, I've found that it's best to eliminate the easily fixable problems first when performing a diagnosis. There's nothing more humbling than doing a major repair only to discover that the real reason was the throttle wasn't opening all the way. Be sure that the choke lock on the passenger side of the carb has released the secondary linkage. The Q-jet uses a small lever on the secondary side that can be locked by the choke linkage to prevent the secondaries from opening when the choke is engaged. The linkage will make it feel as though the secondaries are opening, but you have to look inside the carburetor to make sure.
This would also be a great time to check initial and total mechanical advance. You can do this even if you don't have a dial-back timing light. The easiest way is to buy an MSD timing tape (PN 8985; $4.95, Summit Racing) intended for the diameter of your balancer. If you don't want to wait, you can make your own with a length of masking tape and a one-sixty-fourth graduated ruler. If your balancer is 8 inches in diameter, that makes the circumference 25.13 inches. Divide that by 90, and every 4 degrees will be 0.279 or nineteen-sixty-fourth of an inch. Mark off these graduations from zero to 40 degrees and lay the tape on the balancer with the zero mark in line with the zero mark on the balancer. Be sure to disconnect the vacuum-advance line from the carburetor, and with the transmission in Neutral or Park, rev the engine to 2,800 to 3,000 rpm. You should read around 36 degrees. If the number is much higher or lower, try adjusting the initial timing to compensate. If the engine runs worse after adjusting, then you need to check for the proper position of top-dead center (TDC).
The best way to check for TDC is to remove all the spark plugs and use a spark plug–style piston stop. Put the stop in the No. 1 cylinder, and then, by hand, very carefully rotate the engine clockwise until the piston hits the stop. Do not bump the engine with the starter, as that's a good way to break a piston! Mark the balancer where the piston stopped, and then rotate the engine in the counterclockwise direction until you hit the stop. Mark that position and then measure to see if TDC on the balancer is exactly halfway between the marks. If not, the TDC mark on the balancer is incorrect. Often what happens is that the ring on the balancer has rotated on the hub, thereby creating the discrepancy. I suspect you'll find the ignition timing is correct, or within range. This will likely lead us to what I think is the real cause of your problem: the valvesprings. But let's try one more thing. With all the spark plugs removed, check the cranking compression. It should be between 160 and 180 psi. If the pressure is way down but consistent throughout all eight cylinders, it's possible that the timing chain is very loose and has skipped a tooth. This would radically affect cam timing and perhaps cause your problem. Since you said the engine seems to run acceptably below 3,200, I think the valvesprings are the real culprit.
The best way to confirm this is the problem is to test one of the existing springs, before replacing all 16. You will need a source of compressed air, a spark-plug hose adapter to put the air in the cylinder (similar to what's used on a compression tester), a valvespring compressor, and a checking spring. Once you have air in the cylinder, tap the valvespring retainer with a rubber hammer to help loosen the retainer locks. For your engine, a lever-type valvespring compressor tool will work, but we've also had good luck with the type that clamps on the outside of the spring and uses a knob that, when tightened, compresses the spring. Once you've removed the locks, retainer, and spring, place a lightweight checking spring in the spring pocket and reuse the locks and retainer. This way, you don't have to rely on air to keep the valve in place. Next, take the old valvespring to your local machine shop and have them measure the spring pressure. Stock specs are generally around 100 pounds on the seat at the normal installed height of 1.60 inches. The installed height is the distance from the spring seat on the head to the underside of the retainer with the valve fully closed. A machinist's rule will get you close enough on this measurement. Give that installed height to the machine shop, and they can measure the closed spring pressure. Valve-open pressure should be around 220 to 230 pounds at 0.500-inch valve lift. I think you will find the old spring pressure is down to maybe 60 or 70 pounds on the seat (and perhaps less) with roughly 140 pounds open. This poor spring pressure allows the valves to bounce off the seat when closing and won't allow the engine to rev past 3,200. If you find the spring pressure is low, I'd suggest replacing all the springs. This will require measuring the installed height and possibly adding shims to ensure the height is the same for all 16 springs. This will certainly help engine performance. Stock replacement springs will suffice, as there's no reason to install heavier springs since the cam is stock.
If the spring pressure is within acceptable range of at least 90 to 100 pounds on the seat, then I would check a second spring elsewhere in the engine. If that spring also checks good, then it's possible the cam has gone flat. The best way to check is with a dial indicator on the valvespring retainer to measure lift. Even a stock cam should be able to generate 0.380 inch of valve lift. If the lift numbers are way down, you've found your problem! But my money is on the valvesprings.
More Info
Manley Performance; 732/905-3366; ManleyPerformance.com
Summit Racing; 800/230-3030; SummitRacing.com
Head Flow Under Pressure
Trevor Kertson; Silverton, OR: I am particularly interested in articles and tech answers regarding cylinder heads. This brings me to my question: Does anyone know what type of effect supercharging (turbo, roots, etc.) has on the way a cylinder head flows? I understand that, generally speaking, cylinder heads are tested at a certain depression (vacuum) of atmosphere, and this may not be identical from one tester (or manufacturer) to another.
I am aware of the wet-flow testing that is being done on some aftermarket heads, but I know this is done with vacuum and not pressure. Perhaps I am overthinking this whole thing, but I currently think that a cylinder head optimized for naturally aspirated operation could be optimized in a different manner for a supercharged operation.
Jeff Smith: Some enthusiasts think that using a supercharger or some kind of forced induction minimizes the need for a good cylinder head because the boost is a cure-all. While the inlet pressure does push the air and fuel in, anything that will help airflow for a normally aspirated engine will also improve power. It turns out that a weak set of heads, especially on the exhaust side, can have a detrimental effect on the supercharger's ability to make power. I subscribe to what my friends like to call the Louie Hammel Funnel Theory. Louie is a very sharp internal-combustion-engine tech head who once described a supercharger as functioning like a funnel, directing a maximum amount of (in our case) air and fuel into the engine. But power potential is often limited by the exhaust side of the cylinder heads, which in this analogy is the restricted outlet of the funnel. If you want to flow more water (or air and fuel), you need to open up the restriction—the exhaust side. You can bolt on a very large supercharger, but if the exhaust ports are restricted in flow, the results will be disappointing.
You asked whether the cfm coming into the engine needs to be equal to the cfm coming out. It would appear on the surface that this would be true. But consider that the inlet side on a normally aspirated engine is only using atmospheric pressure to push the air and fuel. The air is relatively cool and is not under great pressure. Conversely, when the exhaust valve opens, the combusted mixture is very hot and still under significant pressure. This pressure helps to push the mixture past the exhaust valve. Later in the exhaust cycle, the piston also assists with pushing the exhaust gas out. That is why the exhaust valve can be roughly 20 percent smaller than the intake valve and still do a good job of venting the exhaust gas. But the valve is only a portion of the requirement. A very important element is the shape of the exhaust port. A very well-designed exhaust port can help evacuate the cylinder of spent combustion gases, which improves power everywhere, but especially at higher engine speeds where there is less time (both in exhaust lobe duration and actual physical time) to vent the cylinder.
Based on thousands of dyno tests on lots of different engines, a general rule of thumb is that if the exhaust port on a flow bench can flow roughly 70 percent of the intake-port flow at the same valve lift, the head will generally work well. Of course, this is a very general description with several caveats. For example, if the cylinder head has a weak intake port, even a poor-performing exhaust port can generate a 70 percent exhaust to intake (E/I) percentage. What we're looking for is a balance between the intake and exhaust-port flow. For example, if you have a hero intake-port-flow number, like 280 cfm at 0.500-inch valve lift, the exhaust port has to perform as well. Using our 70 percent evaluation, the exhaust port should flow somewhere around 195 cfm or greater in order to achieve this percentage (280 x 0.70 = 196 cfm). Certainly, flow numbers exceeding this percentage are not bad, but it is important to keep this percentage in mind because it helps when deciding on camshaft specs. If the exhaust port performs at 70 percent or higher throughout the entire valve-lift curve, it's a good indication that the engine will respond better to a single-pattern camshaft on which the intake and exhaust lobes are the same duration numbers. Conversely, a cylinder head with poor E/I percentages will generally work better in an engine fitted with a dual-pattern camshaft with more exhaust duration compared with the intake. Even cylinder heads with good E/I numbers will often produce better peak horsepower numbers with longer exhaust duration numbers mainly because of the limited amount of time available to push the exhaust out of the cylinder at very high engine speeds (above 7,000 rpm).
You also asked about flow numbers and the danger of comparing flow numbers of different heads flowed on different benches. Several years ago, we embarked on a quest to flow as many small-block Chevy cylinder heads as possible on the same flow bench while minimizing the variables between tests. While the most popular test depression is 28 inches of water, there are many other variables that can drastically affect flow numbers. The most obvious is fitting the exhaust port with a flow tube. This simulates the use of a header pipe and will often deliver 5 percent or more flow increases with no other changes. So when evaluating a cylinder head, you need to know whether the head was fitted with an exhaust-flow tube. It goes without saying that the intake port should always be fitted with a radius entry, but we still run across tests in which this is not done. Another favorite trick with flow-bench testing is to use a very large bore diameter. Again using our small-block Chevy example, if all we do is change from a 4.00-inch bore sleeve to a 4.155-inch bore in the flow bench, intake flow will especially increase by several percentage points. With a 250-cfm intake port, that could be worth 5 or more cfm. This is simply due to moving the cylinder wall away from the intake valve and allowing the air a less restrictive path in to the cylinder. This is not a flow-bench cheat. The flow bench is merely indicating what will happen if you place that cylinder head on a larger-bore engine. This is why big-bore engines are so popular in drag racing. The important thing to remember when comparing flow numbers is to make sure the heads you are comparing were all tested on the same bore adapter. If not, you need to take that into account in the comparison.
Each family of cylinder heads has its advantages and disadvantages. One reason the new-generation LS engines are so popular is because this family has tremendous flow potential on both the intake and exhaust side. This makes the heads very balanced components. The Mod motor Fords are also popular because of their multiple valves. Stuff two small intake and exhaust valves in the same-size cylinder bore, and you radically increase the flow area. This is commonly called the flow curtain and is a function of valve diameter x pi x valve lift. Let's take an LS3 with a huge 2.16 intake valve at 0.600-inch valve lift. Valve diameter multiplied by pi equals the circumference of the valve: 2.16 x 3.1417 = 6.78 inches. Now let's take that circumference and multiply it by the valve lift. That computes the flow area
One cylinder-head component that is not as easily measured is the shape of the combustion chamber. Newer-model heads tend to take advantage of chamber shape in order to improve combustion efficiency. There's no test procedure for this, but CNC-machined chambers tend to be more consistent than as-cast chambers, and shallow, heart-shaped chambers tend to be more efficient than older, deeper chambers. Continuing with our small-block Chevy example, compare a '60s-vintage 64cc "fuelie" chamber with an iron Vortec head and then with a current LS3 chamber design to get an idea of how the chamber has progressed. This can have a dramatic effect on engine performance, as a well-designed chamber requires less total timing. LS engines typically make best power with less than 30 degrees of total ignition timing. This may not seem important, but as you shorten the lead time of the initial spark, the engine reduces the negative work required to push the piston against increasing cylinder pressure as it approaches TDC. A difference of 6 to 8 degrees can be worth measureable horsepower, assuming, of course, that the chamber can take advantage of that shorter ignition lead time. We hope we've given you some information you can chew on to supplement your own fact-gathering efforts. As the famous rock song goes: "Is the knowledge gained worth the price of the pain?"
More Info
SuperFlow Performance; 800/471-7701; SuperFlow.com
Axle Play
Larry Soley; Istanbul, Turkey: I'm in Istanbul, Turkey, and it takes a while for me to get Car Craft. My wife forwards it from Wisconsin. The Apr. '12 issue carried an article by Jeff Smith titled, "Junkyard Builder: Budget GM Rear Disc Brakes." The closing sentence of the article (on page 74) reads, "Perhaps the biggest hassle in mounting this rear-brake conversion on an early car is pulling the rear cover to yank the C-clips so the rear axles can be removed." Why do the axles need to be removed? There was no mention of this in the rest of the article. Thanks.
Jeff Smith: The axles have to be removed in order to remove the original drum-brake backing plates and to install the caliper mounting brackets. The drum-backing plates must be removed first—we just skipped that step.
A common complaint about rear-disc brake conversions is called piston knock-back, where excessive axle endplay pushes the caliper pistons into their bores, which creates a soft brake pedal that can cause major pedal travel before the rear-brake pistons regain their proper position. This is typically more of an issue with fixed-caliper brakes, but it's worth discussing here because the fix is easy and cheap. We spoke with Tom at Tom's Differentials, and he sells select-fit C-clips that can be used to set a minimal endplay clearance between the ends of the axles and the differential cross-shaft of 0.005 to 0.008 inch. These C-clips are high-strength forgings sold in various thicknesses. By varying the thickness of one or both clips, you can blueprint the endplay to the minimum spec and eliminate the problem of piston knock-back. The custom-fit clips are only $6 each.
More Info
Tom's Differentials; 208/ 265-8111; TomsDifferentials.com
GM Crate-Engine Warranty Update
Kevin Shafer; Chevrolet (GM) Performance Parts specialist & Powertrain Contact Center consultant: In the May '12 issue of Car Craft, Jeff Smith wrote an article called "Saturday Night Slayer." The article uses the PN 10067353 universal 350. The article asks, "Who would give you a three-year /100,000 mile warranty and all new parts? GM does if you leave the engine stock."
There are two things that are incorrect. The GM crate engine PN 10067353 only carries the three-year/100,000-mile parts and labor warranty if installed in '72 to '85 models that were available with a small-block. The engine could be used in a Monza or Monte Carlo but not in an S10 or a Vega. Jeff Smith intends to install this engine in a '66 Chevelle, which is not covered under the 3/100 but would have the 12-month/12,000-mile "parts-only" warranty. Since you are using nitrous, the warranty would be void, and Jeff points this out in the article. But if a reader doesn't use nitrous and installs it "out of application," they would not receive the three-year/100,000 mile warranty. If the reader is installing the engine in an application outside of the '72 to '85 application, a wiser choice is to use the 290hp PN 12499529 application. This would carry a 24-month/50,000-mile parts and labor warranty in any street-licensed vehicle, as long as no power-adder was used. The 12499529 290hp engine is similar to the 10067353 engine, but with a different camshaft installed, so the basic foundation of the build would not be different.
The second item to clarify is how changing parts affects the warranty. On the 10067353 engine, the warranty would be void if you change items, because it is an "OE" engine. However, the warranty is not void if you change items on the 290hp engine, since it is a Performance Parts engine. In the article, Jeff changed the camshaft. If the reader changes the camshaft, the only portion of the warranty that would be void is if the failure were related to the camshaft or the change. For example, if the front-cover gasket starts leaking, this would not be covered, since the cover was removed for the cam swap. If the head gasket failed, this would be a covered warranty, since a camshaft swap does not disturb the cylinder heads. Of course, any warranty goes out the door with power-adders. The 12499529 290hp engine may be a wiser purchase for the majority of builders. This seems like a really cool "low-buck" article.
Jeff Smith: Thanks to Kevin Shafer, who works under contract with GM on warranty issues to make the GM warranty clear. I wasn't aware that you could change the cam and still have the short-block under warranty. I also had not paid attention to the fact that the warranty applied only to the later-model GM vehicles. This makes choosing either the Goodwrench engine or the 290hp motor that much better of a deal. Keep in mind that the time factor often runs out long before the miles do. That means you should bolt the engine in the vehicle right away after purchase rather than waiting five years like some of us!
Ask Anything— We've Got Solutions!
Car Craft Mag
831 S. Douglas St.
El Segundo, CA 90245


text: blog postsDesign for America at the University of IllinoisApr 23, 2012 10:45 am by Starza KolmanShare on FacebookTweetEmail First-year MBA student, Ankit Iyer, along with two other MBA students and two undergraduate students created this video as part of the application process to start a Design for America (DFA) chapter at the University of Illinois. Design For America is a national organization that looks at using design thinking to solve social problems. Currently there are chapters at Northwestern, Stanford, Brown, Columbia, UCLA, Cornell, etc. DFA was on the cover of Fast Company magazine in October and has been featured in Forbes, Inc. magazine, and Harvard Business Review. I asked Ankit share some information about the project and the video. The Project: Right now we have over 80 students signed up for DFA UIUC from all across campus. The students looked at a variety of issues and voted on which problem they'd like to address for a pilot project. "Walking home safely at night was picked" and we worked on coming up with a solution over a month-long time period as part of our application. The team went through DFA's design and problem solving process to try to come up with a solution. The Video: Mike Remolona, Jason Soderlund and I were the three MBA students that worked on the video. We wanted to spread the word about DFA@UIUC and share some of the work we've been doing over the past few months. The video explains the process that we followed, along with briefly explaining some of the interviews and prototypes we had considered. Working on the video was a lot of fun: I shot the video and Mike and Jason were the hand actors with Jason providing the voiceover. Takeaways: If selected, DFA@UIUC will need more talent and we'd love for more people to sign up. We're hoping to increase awareness of the work we're doing, and take on even more projects once we are integrated with the national organization. If you like design, innovation, or solving social problems, and want to be a part of DFA@UIUC, join their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/dfauiuc/. stats606 Views 0 Comments additional actions Add commentShare on FacebookTweetEmail


text:
Company : Blickman Inc
UMDC Code : 392414
7831SS Howard Instrument Table with shelf features a new and improved design offering complete 18 gauge, 304 stainless construction. Lightweight, yet extremely durable. Sanitary closed top hem prevents bacterial build-up. Sealed reinforcing channels provide structural rigidity. 1-1/4" diameter legs are fully welded for strength and stability. There is a 16" clearance between shelves on the Howard Models. The Sawyer Model has an H-brace in lieu of a second shelf. H-braces are fully welded around the legs with no crevices for dirt to collect.
Product URL : http://www.blickman.com/products/0117831000
Last Updated : 03/16/2013
Categories : "Tables, Instrument", "Tables"
Please provide the following information and a representative of Blickman Inc will contact you to assist with any questions you might have.
Home |
Specialties |
About |
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy
Copyright 2019 Medical Product Guide. All Rights Reserved
ECRI Institute Universal Medical Device Nomenclature System (UMDNS™) Proprietary Statement
Ensure that document matches include...
...all of these word(s):
...and optionally include these word(s):
...but do not have these word(s):
Enter your phrase:
Enter the first few characters of a word:
There are 2 types of basic queries: Terms and Phrases.
A Term is a single word search.
A Phrase would wrap a string of words in quotes and find matches on the extact string.
Boolean Operators
You can combine basic queries with Boolean operators to form a more complex query. Boolean operators define the relationships between Terms or Phrases. Our search supports the following Boolean operators: AND, "+", OR, NOT and "-". Please note that Boolean operators must be all uppercase.
example search: default AND document
This is the default operator. It will be used if there is no Boolean operator between two terms. For example:
default document is the same as default AND document. In this case both terms need to exist within a listing to find a match on that listing.The + character is synonymous with using AND.
example search: default OR document
In this case just one of the terms needs to exist within a listing to find a match on that listing.
example search: default NOT "document type"
The NOT operator excludes documents that contain the term (or phrase) after NOT. So a listing match would have to include the word default but not the phrase "document type". The - character is synonymous with using NOT.
Wildcard/Prefix queries
You can perform "wildcard" or "prefix" queries using the '*' operator. Whereas all of the previous search found exact matches on the whole term or phrase, a wildcard search will find partial matches.
example search: ehr*
This query will match all documents containing words beginning with the prefix 'ehr' like the word Ehrlichia.


text:
Larry the Cable Guy here. As many of you know, I have quite the fashion sense. My idea of formal attire is a tuxedo t-shirt, and "dry clean only" is when I hang my clothes out on the line in my backyard. But what I'm probably most known for (aside from my sparkling personality) is my lack of sleeves.
For me, sleeves are just a nuisance, especially when tailgating. I mean let's be honest, sleeves are only going to end up covered in sauce. Save yourself the load of laundry and cut those suckers off, am I right? But if I've learned anything in my life, it's never to be wasteful. Everything has a purpose in this world, and while sleeves don't necessarily belong on my shirts, they can definitely do some good when you and your pals are chowing down before a game.
For instance, do you lady tailgaters ever get cold and not pack enough layers? Cut off sleeves make a nice pair of leg warmers. Ever have your car parked smack in the middle of the stadium lot with no real distinguishing landmarks? Stick those sleeves on a plastic pole…I bet no one else there will be able to say "our tent is the one with the flannel sleeves flag blowing in the breeze." And after a successful tailgate, there's always grease and gook on the tables and grills. Nothing like a strong, durable shirt sleeve to wipe those nice and clean so you can do it all again next Sunday.
Do you already use sleeves to accentuate your tailgate? How does your football fiesta stand out from all the others? I have full intentions on spreading this bit of wisdom and more as I visit football stadiums across the country with Prilosec OTC to search for the best of the best in "A Better Way to Tailgate" challenge. Enter HERE to win in one of three categories: 1). Food Served, 2). Tailgate Set-Up and 3). Team Spirit. All entries must include a tailgate photo. Note the "Food Served" category also requires a recipe submission. In addition to game day tickets, other prizes include the ultimate tailgate gear. To view the official contest rules, click here: TailgateFanChallenge.com. It doesn't get better than that. Show us what you got!
Content for this article provided by Prilosec OTC.
Related Stories
- Top 10 Tailgate Resolutions
- Tailgate Recipe: Beer Cheese Dip
- Larry The Cable Guy's Tailgating Tip #5
- [Photos] NFL Cheerleaders Are The Hottest And We Have Proof
- Tailgate Turf Wars: Pros and Cons of Location


text:
You'll Never Guess What This Dude in a Wingsuit Flies Through – NSFW
We've never flown around in a wingsuit, but this NSFW video from the Slackline Pirates makes us want to take flight. The only thing is that we wouldn't want to aim for the kind of targets they fly through.
In the video above, the Slackline Pirates take to the mountains in order to film a New Year's greeting for us. How they choose to ring in 2014 is a little strange though, since it involves a dude in a wingsuit flying through a drawing of a giant butt. Not our cup of tea, but we appreciate the sentiment.
Actually, it's quite a sight to see them painstakingly affix giant sheets of what appears to be canvas together and then meticulously draw the aforementioned butt, mooning us with all of its black and white glory. After they head up to the mountains and set up the drawing as a huge target (which is probably difficult to see for whoever's in the wingsuit, given the powdery-white background of the snow-covered mountain), they await the flyby.
Regardless of the weird drawing of an exposed man-booty, the footage from the wingsuit itself looks incredibly badass. We'd love to take one of those bad boys for a stroll and float around some mountains. Then again, it probably requires lots of training to maneuver in one of those, and we'd be afraid that we'd veer a little bit to the left and eat a tree. Still, one can dream. Check out the video above and imagine flying with us!


text:
Switch Site:
2007 Orthophotos. USDA National Agriculture Image Program (NAIP) natural color orthophoto mosaics from aerial photos taken in June - October 2007. The maximum resolution of this imagery is 2 meters. Imagery is provided by the Iowa State University GIS Lab. The red dot represents where we believe the sensors for the SchoolNet8 site to be located. For a majority of the sites, the red dot was the location of the GPS sensor during the site installation (often in the parking lot).


text:
After soaking them for thirty minutes in freezing liquid nitrogen, the New York based photographer Jon Shireman hurls flowers onto a hard, white surface, causing them to shatter into hundreds of pieces. The series, titled Broken Flowers, plays on our assumption that flowers are soft and supple; as an integral part of much still life photography, the blossoms normally symbolize youth and delicate feminine beauty. Under Shireman's lens, however, the flora is transformed into something cold and hard. Against a sterile white backdrop, they appear sterile and brittle, a far cry from the spring buds that blow in the wind.
Throughout his career, Shireman has maintained a connection with flowers in decay; in other still lifes, he has cataloged the wilting of tulips and mums. This series, unlike those previous, is brutal and instantaneous. Where his other flowers underwent a slow, gradual death, these broken flowers are quickly frozen and violently ruptured. The process captured here is not a natural one but one that necessitates the use of a manmade element.
With almost surgical precision, Shireman's lens focusses on the fallen flower, and he abandons the moody, romantic lighting he uses elsewhere in favor of high resolution and vivid color. Though flattened, the shattered blossoms maintain their basic structure; the bud, the stem, and the leaf can still be made out. The very veins of the plant are preserved by the liquid nitrogen. In this way, the flowers look like dead bodies in some unusual crime scene, outlined yet robbed of their living essence. Take a look. (via iGNANT, Feature Shoot, and Agonistica)


text:
Tous chea honey yang mex kor yang mex tov somkhan nhom s'lanh family nhom Pa Mak nhom. Jong tov na kor tov tov...... ort kvol
Phnom Penh
Joined on June 2017
Snapchat lets you easily talk with friends, view Live Stories from around the world, and explore news in Discover.
Memrise is an online learning tool with courses created by its community. Its courses are mainly used to teach language.
Thousands of Albums. Completely Free. Completely Legal.
Inspiring stories from dropouts.
The front page of the internet.
Hunter is the easiest way to find professional email addresses. Give a domain name and get the list of all the emails related to it found on the internet.
Wikia is a community site that anyone can contribute to. Discover, share and add your knowledge!
IFTTT puts the internet to work for you. Create simple connections between the products you use every day.


text:
Owning a home is one of life's greatest achievements. It's a chance to provide security for your family and create memories that will last a lifetime. Your home keeps you safe. You need a homeowners policy that protects your investment and ensures that you're not caught off guard when unexpected events happen.
Homeowners insurance provides protection for your home and its contents. It also provides liability protection, covering you when claims are brought against you for bodily injury, property damage or personal injury. For increased liability protection, consider an umbrella policy.
Advice that Hits Home
Farm Bureau agents are here for you. Rely on us to help you determine the right amount and type of homeowners insurance you need, the appropriate deductible and assist you with taking advantage of available discounts.
Be sure to have adequate coverage for your belongings. You can get started by listing all of your possessions — inside and out — using our handy home inventory kit. There is also coverage available for special items like antiques, fine jewelry or artwork.
Whether you're considering your first home, upgrading or downsizing, there are some home-buying basics to keep in mind as you shop:
- Evaluate your financial situation — set goals for a home's cost, location, type and size.
- Choose a real estate agent — once you find your dream home, initiate a purchase agreement that meets your goals.
- Select a lender — seek mortgage approval, negotiate an interest rate, complete the home inspection and close on your loan.
- Purchase homeowners insurance — your mortgage lender will require you to have adequate coverage.
Added Peace of Mind
Chances are you will make mortgage payments on your new home. But what if you're not there to make them? Consider the added security you can provide your family with a life insurance policy that can ensure mortgage payments can still be made.
Your home is where life happens. It's a place of comfort, security and memories. Talk to a Farm Bureau agent today about homeowners insurance to help protect the things that matter most.


text:
Latest Chronic Pain News
THURSDAY, July 25 (HealthDay News) -- Music decreases children's pain when they're undergoing an uncomfortable medical procedure, according to a small new study.
The study included 42 children, aged 3 to 11, who were treated at a pediatric emergency department and required an intravenous (IV) needle insertion. Some of the children listened to music while getting an IV.
Children who listened to music reported much less pain and some showed lower levels of distress than those who didn't listen to music. In addition, the parents of children who listened to music were more satisfied with their youngster's care.
"We did find a difference in the children's reported pain -- the children in the music group had less pain immediately after the procedure," study leader Lisa Hartling, of the faculty of medicine and dentistry at the University of Alberta, said in a university news release.
"The finding is clinically important and it's a simple intervention that can make a big difference. Playing music for kids during painful medical procedures would be an inexpensive and easy-to-use intervention in clinical settings," she added.
Among health care providers, 76 percent of those who dealt with children who listened to music said the IVs were very easy to administer, compared with 38 percent of those who gave IVs to children who didn't listen to music, the investigators found.
The study, published July 15 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, also found that children who had been born premature experienced more distress overall.
Hartling and her colleagues hope to investigate if music or other distractions can reduce pain and distress for children undergoing other painful medical procedures.
"There is growing scientific evidence showing that the brain responds to music and different types of music in very specific ways," Hartling said. "So additional research into how and why music may be a better distraction from pain could help advance this field."
-- Robert Preidt
Copyright © 2013 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
SOURCE: University of Alberta, news release, July 15, 2013


text:
Get Started Today
Our experts are on it! We'll be in touch shortly to get you set up.
Join the millions of SharePoint and Office 365 users who depend on AvePoint—a four-time Microsoft Partner of the Year—to oversee and safeguard their data and IT infrastructure.
Register today for our eBook on records management best practices for Office 365, SharePoint and Hybrid environments.
Empower users, enable business success, increase IT efficiency, and prove compliance with internal and external policies, and regulatory requirements.
Ensure your users adopt the new technology platforms you're providing with minimal intervention and make it easier for them to get the tools they need for success.
Improve information quality for your users, and compliance for your privacy, security, and records teams.
Our head's in the cloud. We'll securely and swiftly move your data to Microsoft Office 365, to empower productivity and communication. Guaranteeing security, privacy, transparency and compliance coverage is part of our job too.
Versatility and accessibility. Whether data's on-prem or in the cloud, we'll enforce governance, ensure compliance, and easily manage content, settings, configurations and permissions across all deployments.
Ensure You are Protected with a Comprehensive Office 365 Data Management StrategyClaim Your eBook
Ready or Not, Microsoft Teams is Changing the Way You Work!Register Today
Free access to regularly updated articles, webinars with industry leaders and best practices.Learn More
With offices in over 20 countries and customers worldwide, you could say we've won the world over. Our connections and experience span the globe. We've gained so much knowledge by conquering your technical needs and challenges…and we bring it back to you.
We developed DocAve, our first Microsoft SharePoint product, in the corner of a New Jersey public library. Fast-forward 16 years—a passion for technology paved the information superhighway for over 40 Microsoft Office 365 and SharePoint platforms. That's called #winning.
Without you, we wouldn't be here today. Check out our reviews and read through the hundreds of case studies praising us. It's simple…we want you to be as thrilled with your AvePoint experience as we are about calling you our customer.
Our experts are on it! We'll be in touch shortly to get you set up.
Thanks - We've received your submission.


text:
Calling all hot mamas! In honor of Mother's Day this coming Sunday, we dove into our Singles in America data to reveal some interesting stats about the women who run the place– Moms! With over 45% of Match.com users having children, we wanted to a closer look at the profile of today's single mom to better understand their wants, needs and the unique issues they face while dating. Here's what we found about the modern day single mother:
- Can't hold them down: The combined stresses of singledom and parenthood aren't taking a toll on mom's attitudes as 78% of single moms were happy with their lives, slightly more than single women without children
- Relationship, hold the marriage: 1/5 of single moms would not remarry under any circumstance, while 42.4% would consider getting remarried if their child(ren) had built a strong, positive relationship with their partner.
- Little Cupids: Nearly one third (33.5%) of single moms would let their child set them up on a date.
- Democratic domestics: A majority (43.4%) of single moms identify as Democrats, while only 24.2% identified as Republicans. Less than the 29.9% responded as Independents.
- Online (date) shoppers: One fifth of single moms met their most recent date through an online dating site, more than any other place.
- Dating deal breakers: when considering a committed relationship a disheveled, unclean appearance (78.6%), laziness (77.8%) and neediness (72.9%) ranked as single moms' top deal breakers.
Happy Mother's Day to all moms out there looking for love! Do you find any of these stats surprising? Tell us in the comments below!


text:
Guantánamo judge orders Pentagon to let him read Red Cross-U.S. correspondence
The military judge in the Sept. 11 trial ordered the U.S. government Wednesday to turn over all correspondence from the International Committee of the Red Cross about the treatment of the alleged 9/11 conspirators in Guantánamo detention, a blow to Pentagon arguments that the contacts are confidential.
Defense lawyers hailed the decision by the judge, Army Col. James Pohl, who will review years of reports between the Geneva-based aid agency and the United States dating to the Bush administration to decide if the material is relevant to the defense of accused Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four alleged co-conspirators.
Pretrial conditions can be at issue in U.S. military trials, and the defense lawyers want to examine how the five alleged terrorists were treated at Guantánamo to argue against their tribunal's going forward as a death-penalty trial.
"The ICRC records may provide important information about the extremely harsh conditions of confinement at Guantánamo over the years," said James Connell, attorney for Ammar al Baluchi, Mohammed's nephew and an alleged co-conspirator.
"The ICRC correspondence represents the only independent historical record of the prisoners' time at Guantánamo."
The conditions of the five men, who got to Guantánamo in September 2006 from years at secret overseas prisons, have been shrouded in mystery. They're held in seclusion at a prison compound run by a clandestine Pentagon unit called Task Force Platinum, and the facility is so secret visitors are forbidden to describe it.
It's called Camp 7. While the Red Cross has had access to the prisoners, and members of Congress have been allowed to look inside, the Pentagon says it's strictly off-limits to reporters and other guests invited to U.S. Navy base to get a glimpse of other prisoners' conditions.
Pohl's order doesn't instruct the prosecution to make the communications public. Rather it orders the chief prosecutor, Army Brig. Gen. Mark Martins, to catalogue and turn over the documents to Pohl's office, without reading them.
In June, the ICRC argued at the Guantánamo war court that their contacts ought to be untouchable to maintain the ICRC's independent ability to engage governments on prison conditions the world over.
"The ICRC goes places, to places of conflict that no one else can go to," said attorney Matthew MacLean. "We visit and speak to people that no else can speak to."
In a statement emailed to the Herald, spokeswoman Anna Nelson said, "The ICRC takes note that Judge Pohl did not find an absolute privilege of non-disclosure under U.S. law for ICRC materials. However, his decision does not mean that ICRC information is unprotected nor does it result in a public release of this information.
"Judge Pohl has undertaken to review the material in camera, under seal, which the ICRC views as an indication of the seriousness with which the Military Commission is treating it. "
The 9/11 case prosecutors had argued the ICRC was entitled to confidentiality and offered to review the documents, a proposal the ICRC rejected.
Pohl will review and search for information that is relevant to the defense, then decide what — if anything — to turn over to defense teams.
If he, as judge, "decides disclosure of the ICRC reports is necessary based on relevancy and materiality," Pohl wrote, he will deem them "protected" as "unclassified discovery material where disclosure is detrimental to the public interest."
Navy Cmdr Walter Ruiz, defending Saudi accused Mustafa al Hawsawi, called the ruling "tremendously significant," particularly the portion where the judge found: "The Commission does not recognize an ICRC absolute privilege under the laws of the United States or the rules of discovery governing this proceeding."
The Pentagon had no immediate response. It was unclear whether, under the rules for war court prosecutions, the government could file an interlocutory appeal.
The next pretrial hearing at Guantánamo in the 9/11 case is scheduled for Dec. 16-20. The soonest jury selection could start is in January 2015.


text:
ECHL Game Night: 3-10-13
Florida Everblades 1 @ Kalamazoo Wings 2 (OT)
W Danick Gauthier, FLA: 0-1-1, E, 4 SOG, 0 PIM
Season totals: 4 GP, 3-2-5, +1, 0 PIM
D Charles Landry, FLA: 0-0-0, 0, 0 SOG, 2 PIM (hooking)
Season totals: 42 GP, 3-11-14, +6, 27 PIM
F Maxime Langelier-Parent, FLA: Did not play
Season totals: 3 GP, 2-1-3, -3, 5 PIM
(Syracuse Crunch contract)
D Daniel Milan, FLA: 0-0-0, -1, 0 SOG, 0 PIM
Season totals: 39 GP, 2-6-8, +4, 54 PIM
Florida fell behind 1-0 midway through the second period before evening the score with just over seven minutes remaining to force the extra session but Kalamazoo claimed the extra point by prevailing in the shootout. It was a tough-luck loss for netminder Jesse Deckert, who, making his fourth start for Florida, has put up some pretty decent numbers (2.45 GAA, .925 SV%, averaging 30 saves per game) after signing a try-out contract. Danick Gauthier had the primary dish on the lone Everblades goal, an even-strength tally defenseman Mike Ratchuk. Gauthier has now registered at least a point in three of the four games he has played since being assigned from AHL Syracuse and is also averaging 3.5 shots per game. Florida (32-20-11, 75 PTS) starts a five-game home stand with a crucial match, the first of three consecutive, against South Carolina (34-24-7, 75 PTS), which is tied with the Everblades in the South Division standings, Wednesday night.
- 1234 reads
- Printer-friendly version


text:
Jase.clamp necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 143 diseños de 34 diseñadores freelance.
We're developing software that will be used for contact management - like syncing address books and such.
Everyone will love it once it's out. Your logo will be seen by millions.
(Sure you've heard that before... oh well, there's a 1 in a million chance that I'm right ;)
People like you. Seriously. Probably an iPhone or Android in the pocket. Just got back from Starbucks. Folks who's Facebook or Gmail accounts are more than 8 years old. You know the type. App lovers.
Donkey Kong.
The new one with the tie (not the old pixelated one with the nipples).
I'm not about to break any trademark laws here but if we can make the logo look close to donkey kong, that will be great.
He's cute, he's fun, and he could tear your house down if he wanted to.
We're going to do a web design that has the "Kawaii" or Illustrative look
Here are some links to give you some ideas:
Those examples have slightly less complexity in the character. Maybe a good example is the MailChip logo http://freecmstuff.com/wp-content/u…_chimp.png
COLORS: Gorilla - browns ofcourse.
Words - red - orange hues.
I'm thinking if you integrate the Gorilla with the word "Contact" that will be great. Like have him curve his arm up for the "C" or hang off the end of it. Or whatever you think is best.
Thanks so much for your work on this. I'm just ... quivering with excitement to see them and pick one.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them. - Ray Bradbury
posted by Snave at 9:54 AM 1 comments
posted by Snave at 2:40 PM 3 comments
posted by Snave at 8:21 PM 1 comments
I am a native eastern Oregonian, and have lived here 50 of my 62 years. I left at 20, but was back by age 32 to be near my parents to help them in times of need. I don't fit in politically here because I view things from a decidedly left wing perspective... but that's o.k. because I love the people, I love the area and for the most part I like living here. I enjoy family time, listening to music, reading books, traveling, bird watching, hiking, backpacking, watching movies, keeping up on politics, watching sports, sitting at the computer so much I get sores on my ass, and playing music... if you need a band for your party or celebration, let me know; I play keyboards and sing for a rock and roll band, and we do mostly "classic rock". (I also like to play guitar and bass and other instruments, but those are for my private enjoyment only!) I am mainly an agnostic/skeptic, but would consider myself spiritual. I work in schools and in clinical settings as a speech/language therapist. It is enjoyable work and it pays some of the bills. I have a rather unpredictable sense of humor, which can get me in trouble at times, but hey, is life worth living without laughter? I think not!


text: Courtney Love has been called many things. Boring is not one of them. She was raised on a commune, went to reform school for shoplifting and became a stripper by 16. She formed and was kicked out of Sugar Baby Doll and then Babes In Toyland in 1987. She had a part in 1986's "Sid and Nancy" before forming Hole in 1989 and releasing their 1991 debut Pretty On The Inside. She met Nirvana's Kurt Cobain in 1990 at a Portland club and after reuniting at another show in 1991, they began a whirlwind romance, which led to her second marriage in February 1992, the August 1992 birth of daughter Frances Bean, Hole's major label signing and the couple's escalating drug abuse. Cobain committed suicide just before Hole's immensely successful sophomore CD Live Through This was released. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for 1996's "People Vs. Larry Flynt". She reteamed with the director on 1999's "Man On The Moon". After releasing 1998's Celebrity Skin, Hole called it quits in 2002 and self-destructive behavior hit an all-time high. She was arrested at Heathrow for being abusive and in LA for breaking windows at her boyfriend/manager's home in 2003. An accidental overdose, drug charges, loss of custody, many stints in rehab, public and legal battles with the surviving NIrvana members and plastic surgery rumors followed. She released a memoir/diary in 2006 and tried to unsuccessfully revive Hole in 2010. A jury ruled in her favor in January 2014 when accused of Twitter libel.