text:
Hi, Dr. Bob!
I was talking about latex condom and vaseline which would be used sometimes also by prostitutes, unfortunately. He read that latex condome, if it once comes in touch with vaseline or baby-oil can at once pass hiv particles, even if it is intact. But, i asked other professional people , and they said, there is no chance that hiv pass through intact latex, no metter if it was exposed to some vaseline, and that vaseline can increase chances of condom breakage. We are both from Germany and here, lot of professional girls sometimes have vaseline or oil on their hands, soem of them put small amounts in her "that one". So, we are now asking around : are there any chances that condoms get damaged via some vaseline? (prostitute he visited use vaseline, but she did not do it in his case- i think he posted his question on this site and sorry, if i'm bother you, Doc.) .Is it true, vaseline do not make condoms permeable to viruses, it increases only chances of it breakage??
Thank you for your time, for your willingness to read and answer my questions.
BEST wishes to you and all your friends,
always reading you)
Hello Robby,
Vaseline and all other oil-based or petroleum-based products should not be used with latex condoms, as they cause the condom to deteriorate and increase the risk it will break. If Vaseline cannot be avoided, bring your own polyurethane condoms (Avanti), as these can be safely used with oil-based lubricants.
I'll reprint some additional information about condoms from the archives below.
Good luck. Stay safe.
Dr. Bob
latex condom with vaseline lubricant Oct 16, 2006
While having anal sex with sex worker i used 2 latex expired condoms and over condoms for smooth insersion i used vaseline cream. what is my chance of getin HIV. I have read that if one use vaseline with latex condom the condom is virtually useless. please advice
Response from Dr. Frascino
Two expired latex condoms plus Vaseline????? Yikes, you're a safer sex flunky three times over!
Using two latex condoms (double bagging) can cause friction, as latex will rub on latex, thereby increasing the risk the condoms will fail (pop).
Expired condoms? Never a good idea.
Vaseline is an oil-based lubricant. Oil-based lubricants and latex don't play well together. The petroleum in oil-based products can denature the latex, which can ruin the integrity of the condom and thus cause it to fail.
What are your chances of getting HIV? I have no way of knowing. Assuming that luckily the condoms did not break and that they may not have been too far out of date, there's a good chance you dodged the HIV bullet and did not have a significant risk. However, if you're concerned, get a single HIV test at the three-month mark. And please spend some time reviewing the principles of safer sexual techniques and purchase some non-expired latex condoms! You may not be so lucky next time!
Dr. Bob
still get HIV/AIDS while using a condom Jan 11, 2005
Can you still get HIV/AIDS while using a condom?
Response from Dr. Frascino
Yes and no!
No, if the latex or polyurethane condom is properly used and doesn't fail.
Yes, if the latex or polyurethane condom is not used properly or fails.
Things that can go wrong include:
Using lambskin (instead of latex or polyurethane) condoms. These prevent pregnancy, but not HIV.
Using condoms that have been "mistreated," i.e. kept in your wallet or car glove compartment. Too much heat, cold or friction can cause a condom to pop.
Using expired condoms. (Yes, just like milk, they can outdate and go "bad.")
Tearing the condom by opening the package with your teeth, Streisand-like fingernails or Dame Edna-like jewelry. Also, sharp edges on "body jewelry" on your big bopper or her love canal can also lead to problems.
Using oil-based lubricants Crisco, butter, baby oil, Vaseline and cold cream may be "handy" but they make latex fall apart.
Dr. Bob
Condom Permeability (CONDOMS) Oct 3, 2006
Some recent questions posted in the forum are really intresting and I would like the discussion to go a little further since it is a really important matter.
As you were questioned about the efficacy of condoms by an AIDS activist and recently another friend posted about permeability of hiv through latex. I would like to ad my situation. After going through an incidence of protected sex 2 months ago I became concerned about my exposure to HIV and so I started looking at the internet.
To my horror there are so many websites saying that latex pores are bigger than the size of HIV virus and thus HIV can pass through condoms. Reading all that material I have gone through such a painful time of extreme anxiety and of which I am still suffering since I want to get tested after 6 months and I think I still have to bear up with this for another 4 months.
My question is that if this information is wrong, health professionals like yourself and also the websites why are they not countering this disinformation. People like me who after their whatever exposures go to internet and unless there is correct information available they end up getting worried for nothing. It is definitely the responsibility of the health professionals to put forward the right information.
Having said all that I would just add to the earlier questions asked that I have looked at some of the details of the experiments they undertook to check the permeability and the report said I dont remember the exact number that 26 out of 80 or something condoms did leak some virus however the protection the provide is 10,000 fold more than unprotected sex. If 26 out of 80 leak its a big number and how do u say HIV cannot pass no way, no how. I still cant understand this. Your reply to last email giving links to planned parenthood article said that the virus particles used in that test were much smaller than HIV, whereas those tests describe particles to be of the same size.
This is very confusing. I would be grateful if you could really give us some concrete information about the whole debate and also post it as a permanent feature in your website to further the cause of right information.
Thanks a million for your good work. Keep it up.
Response from Dr. Frascino
Why aren't health care professionals and Web sties countering disinformation about condoms? Hmmm . . . hold on a second, dearie, I'm counting to 10 so my head doesn't explode. I just did a quick search for "condoms" for the archives of this forum and came up with 2320 separate posts. Honey, I'm typing as fast as I can! I've answered and re-answered and re-re-re-re-answered this question so many times that I feel like "The Department of Redundancy Department." This is definitely a QTND (Question That Never Dies). I cannot police the Internet or demand that misleading or frankly false information be removed from other Web sites any more than I can keep Bush/Cheney from saying Iraq was responsible for 9/11. What I can and do do is provide scientifically sound factual information. What you choose to read and believe is totally up to you, not me! If you had asked me (or a science-based factual HIV-prevention expert), I would have told you protected sex is indeed protected if the latex condom was used properly and did not fail. HIV cannot permeate intact latex. No way. No how. No matter what the Vatican or other rightwing, anti-abortion, extra-chromosome religious zealots may post on their sites. OK?
You write "it is definitely the responsibility of the health professionals to put forward the right information." I absolutely agree and I encourage you to read all 2320 posts in this forum alone to see that that is exactly what I (and many others) have been doing for years. What you need to realize, sweetie, is that there is a big difference between "the right information" and "information from the Right!"
I'll repost just a few posts from the archives and urge you to read the rest on your own.
Dr. Bob
can the HIV virus pass through the pores of a latex condom? Mar 8, 2003
Hi, I heard that the HIV virus is so small that it can possibly pass through the pores of a latex condom.
Is this information true? Also, what are the chances of contracting HIV from performing vaginal sex on a woman that is HIV positive assuming ideal conditions (condom stays intact and no leakage from the sides)?
Thank You.
Response from Dr. Frascino
You heard what? Where are you getting this information? The Department of Irresponsible and Irreproducible Results?" No, HIV cannot pass through a latex condom. Why else would we wear them? Oh yeah, there are the glow-in-the-dark ones that make pretty nifty night lights, but really, my friend, I certainly hope you don't believe everything that you hear. Perhaps what you heard was that HIV can pass through certain types of "natural" condoms, like those made form sheep's intestines (Ramses). That is true. Those types of condoms are fine for preventing unwanted pregnancy, but do not protect against HIV.
So what's your risk, if we assume the "ideal conditions" you describe? Essentially nonexistent.
Stay well.
Dr. Bob
Using condoms Sep 12, 2006
Hi Dr Bob,
I really like your forum. By the way my fiancee is positive and I'm negative. We have sex for 3 weeks using condoms and we double it. The condom did not break nor it leak. However I encountered itchiness when we try another brand of condoms and I have white discharge so I'm taking meds for it now. I'm just curious if this might be a symptoms that despite of using condoms I still get infection of HIV because the OB gyne I went to here in the Philippines told me that using condoms is not safe and STD like HIV may infect me still...Thanks a lot for your response.
Regards, Concerned woman
Response from Dr. Frascino
Your OB/GYN doctor told you what???? The facts are that latex or polyurethane condoms are very effective in reducing the risk of STDs, including HIV, if they are used properly and do not fail (break). HIV and other STDs cannot permeate intact latex or polyurethane. No way. No how.
I don't recommend using two latex condoms simultaneously, because the friction of latex on latex could actually weaken the condom and increase the risk of rupture. A single condom with water-based lubricant is all you need. If itchiness is occurring with latex condoms, it may be an allergy. Try switching to polyurethane.
I'll reprint some information about condoms from the archives below. Additional information about condoms, latex allergy, "double bagging" and condom efficacy can be found in the archives.
I'd also suggest you read through the archives that pertain to magnetic couples (one poz and one neg.).
Stay safe. Stay well.
Dr. Bob
January 10, 2006
What Are Condoms?
What Are They Made Of?
How Are Condoms Used?
Using a Male Condom
Using a Female Condom
Condom Myths
The Bottom Line
What Are Condoms?
A condom is a tube made of thin, flexible material. It is closed at one end. Condoms have been used for hundreds of years to prevent pregnancy by keeping a man's semen out of a woman's vagina. Condoms also help prevent diseases that are spread by semen or by contact with infected sores in the genital area, including HIV. Most condoms go over a man's penis. A new type of condom was designed to fit into a woman's vagina. This "female" condom can also be used to protect the rectum.
What Are They Made Of?
Condoms used to be made of natural skin (including lambskin) or of rubber. That's why they are called "rubbers." Most condoms today are latex or polyurethane. Lambskin condoms can prevent pregnancy. However, they have tiny holes (pores) that are large enough for HIV to get through. Lambskin condoms do not prevent the spread of HIV. Latex is the most common material for condoms. Viruses cannot get through it. Latex is inexpensive and available in many styles. It has two drawbacks: oils make it fall apart, and some people are allergic to it.
Polyurethane is an option for people who are allergic to latex. One brand of female condom and one brand of male condom are made of polyurethane.
How Are Condoms Used?
Condoms can protect you during contact between the penis, mouth, vagina, or rectum. Condoms won't protect you from HIV or other infections unless you use them correctly.
Store condoms away from too much heat, cold, or friction. Do not keep them in a wallet or a car glove compartment.
Check the expiration date. Don't use outdated condoms.
Don't open a condom package with your teeth. Be careful that your fingernails or jewelry don't tear the condom. Body jewelry in or around your penis or vagina might also tear a condom.
Use a new condom every time you have sex, or when the penis moves from the rectum to the vagina.
Check the condom during sex, especially if it feels strange, to make sure it is still in place and unbroken.
Do not use a male condom and a female condom at the same time.
Use only water-based lubricants with latex condoms, not oil-based. The oils in Crisco, butter, baby oil, Vaseline or cold cream will make latex fall apart.
Use unlubricated condoms for oral sex (most lubricants taste awful).
Do not throw condoms into a toilet. They can clog plumbing.
Using a Male Condom:
Put the condom on when your penis is erect -- but before it touches your partner's mouth, vagina, or rectum. Many couples use a condom too late, after some initial penetration. Direct genital contact can transmit some diseases. The liquid that comes out of the penis before orgasm can contain HIV.
If you want, put some water-based lubricant inside the tip of the condom.
If you are not circumcised, push your foreskin back before you put on a condom. This lets your foreskin move without breaking the condom.
Squeeze air out of the tip of the condom to leave room for semen (cum). Unroll the rest of the condom down the penis.
Do not "double bag" (use two condoms). Friction between the condoms increases the chance of breakage.
After orgasm, hold the base of the condom and pull out before your penis gets soft.
Be careful not to spill semen onto your partner when you throw the condom away.
Using a Female Condom:
The female condom is a sleeve or pouch with a closed end and a larger open end. There are flexible rings at each end of the Reality condom, and a flexible V-shaped frame in the V-amour condom.
Put the condom in place before your partner's penis touches your vagina or rectum.
For use in the vagina, insert the narrow end of the condom, like inserting a diaphragm. The larger end goes over the opening to the vagina to protect the outside sex organs from infection.
Guide the penis into the large end to avoid unprotected contact between the penis and the partner's rectum or vagina.
Some people have used the Reality condom in the rectum after removing the smaller ring. Put the condom over your partner's erect penis. The condom will be inserted into the rectum along with the penis.
After sex, remove the condom before standing up. Twist the large end to keep the semen inside. Gently pull the condom out and throw it away.
Nonoxynol-9 is a chemical that kills sperm (a spermicide). It can help prevent pregnancy when it is used in the vagina along with condoms or other birth control methods. Nonoxynol-9 should not be used in the mouth or rectum.
Because nonoxynol-9 kills HIV in the test tube, it was considered as a way to prevent HIV infection during sex. Unfortunately, many people are allergic to it. Their sex organs (penis, vagina, and rectum) can get irritated and develop small sores that actually make it easier for HIV infection to spread. Nonoxynol-9 should not be used as a way to prevent HIV infection.
Condom Myths
Condoms don't work: Studies show condoms are 80% to 97% effective in preventing HIV transmission if they are used correctly every time you have sex.
Condoms break a lot: Less than 2% of condoms break when they are used correctly: no oils with latex condoms, no double condoms, no outdated condoms.
HIV can get through condoms: HIV cannot get through latex or polyurethane condoms. Don't use lambskin condoms.
The Bottom Line
When used correctly, condoms are the best way to prevent the spread of HIV during sexual activity. Condoms can protect the mouth, vagina or rectum from HIV-infected semen. They can protect the penis from HIV-infected vaginal fluids and blood in the mouth, vagina, or rectum. They also reduce the risk of spreading other sexually transmitted diseases.
Condoms must be stored, used and disposed of correctly. Male condoms are used on the penis. Female condoms can be used in the vagina or rectum.
For more information, see Condomania's World of Safer Sex at www.condomania.com or the FDA's condom brochure at www.fda.gov/oashi/aids/condom.html.
Jul 6, 2006
Hey Dr. McHandsome,
I'm about to enter into the sexually active period of my life.I'm 25 and I can't wait to impress the ladies with my wit and fashion! I'm writing because I'm concerned about carrying condoms in my pocket or wallet. Should i carry them in my man-bag instead or would that be too ticky-tacky?
Thanks for your prompt repy,
Sincerely yours,
Response from Dr. Frascino
You refer to me as Dr. McHandsome; you're 25 but only now about ready to enter into the sexually active period of your life; you expect to impress ladies with your wit and fashion; you carry a man-bag and your name is Sergio-Gaylord????? Whoa! There are so many rainbow flags waving in that message that it's only one penis Popsicle away from a Gay Day parade.
Dude, first off, when someone mentions man-bag on this site, I think scrotum.
To answer your question, condoms can be comfortably carried in your pockets or attaché case or stored for handy use in your nightstand "goody drawer."
Next, you may well be as straight as a lawn dart, but the tone of your post makes me wonder if you could bottom for Liberace. Either way, of course, it's fine with me. I just want you to be safe and sexually content and never-ever ticky-tacky.
Good luck.
Dr. Bob
Holes in Latex Condom (CONDOMS) Jul 29, 2006
Hello Dr.
These last days there had been a lot of "bad information" circulating on the net about, the fact that the holes in the latex condom, are about 100 times bigger than an HIV particle, so the virus could pass the intact condom. I think, ( and i believe i read that in an paper) that althoug the hole could be 100 times bigger than a virus particule, at that level of interaction, the electromagnetic forces, make imposible for the particle to pass the intact latex. Unfortunately I coulnd't find any demonstration about this fact on the net, and my math or knowledge in molecular biology it's not enought to prove it. Thanks for your comments and sorry about my english. The bad info sometimes is worse than no info. Thanks again.
Response from Dr. Frascino
You are correct the information about holey condoms is "bad information" often generated and perpetuated by the holiest of holies, the Vatican. Religion obviously is based solely on beliefs, be they virgin births, walking on water, Adam and Steve (I mean Eve), etc. Science and common sense sometimes get in the way of these belief systems the science of evolution versus the belief of creationism, etc.
Unfortunately we have this type of problem with condoms. Anti-science religions, like the Catholic Church, believe that condoms are nothing more than Swiss cheese. Science, on the other hand, has confirmed repeatedly that HIV cannot permeate intact latex. No way. No how.
The concept that condoms have holes is a myth that has been disproved on numerous occasions. The Vatican (and other rightwing religious sex-phobic wingnuts), however, continues to "believe" their fantasy. Actually, it's hard for me to really accept that they actually truly believe this obvious fallacy, but they most likely continue to promote it because it fits in nicely with their other agendas.
I'll post some information form the archives that addresses the efficacy of condoms. You can also find much more information on this topic in the archives.
Yes, there is "bad information" out there; however, focusing on the scientifically sound information will mitigate and hopefully eventually eliminate myths in favor of truth, fact and common sense. Watch for a swing back toward science, truth and reality once Dubya and his cronies have been tarred, feathered and run out of town. One small victory this week was the crushing defeat of the Religious Right's poster boy, Ralph Reed, in his bid to become lieutenant governor of Georgia.
Stay safe. Stay well.
Dr. Bob
only 80%????
Jul 25, 2006
I just was watching The Today and there was a doctor on there who stated that condoms are only 80% protective against HIV. I have always had protective anal sex - no condoms breaking. I have heard I am at close to zero risk - but this doctor "chic" on The Today show freaked me out. Can you add to this?
Response from Dr. Frascino
No need to freak out. HIV cannot permeate intact latex. No way. No how. The reason condoms are not 100% protective has to do with many potential factors, such as:
Using the wrong kind of condom. Natural (lamb's skin) condoms do not protect against HIV.
Using condoms improperly. This is a biggy! You'd be amazed how many studs just don't know how to dress for success!
Condom failure. It's rare, but it can happen, especially if one is stingy with the lube.
I'll post some questions from the archives below that address condom efficacy. The "doctor chick" on the Today Show seems to be a bit of an alarmist. Chances are she voted for Dubya and his sex-phobic anti-science cronies.
Stay safe and you'll stay well.
Dr. Bob
What's the story with those new condoms?
Apr 3, 2006
Hey Dr Bob Thanks for answering our questions.
Recently I bought a Trojan condom and what I found written on it frightened me a lot.
The message written on the condom went something like, " although proper use of the condom may protect against HIV/Aids, it does not properly eliminate the risk".
That seemed a little bit in contradiction to what I have read from your archives here. My impression was that if the condom was used properly and does not break then you can count on 100% protection. Does this mean that those of us who had protected sex with people of unknown status should go for tests? I am confused.
Thanks Doc
Response from Dr. Frascino
". . . does not properly eliminate the risk???" I doubt that was the exact wording, but the take-home message you really need to hear is that if you're going to have sex, using a latex condom properly is the smartest thing you can do to prevent contracting HIV. I'll repost a question from earlier today that addressed condom efficacy.
Dr. Bob
not another hypothetical risk question Apr 3, 2006
Hi Dr Bob:
After finding out that my bf was HIV positive, I've been a regular in this great site, mining for as much information as I can find and process. I understand people's fears, but somehow I grow tired of the "5 years ago I touched a handkerchief that a prostitute had used to wipe her butt, I washed my hands with bleach 432 times after that and my ELISA, western and PCR came back negative 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after that, what should I do?" type of question. So here are my questions, from a neg. guy who regularly engages in protected sex with a pos. guy: 1- When they say that condoms offer at least 85% protection against HIV, do they mean that out of 100 episodes of protected sex with a pos. individual, 15 result in transmission? I guess not, but what do they actually mean? 2 - The HIV specialist my bf is seeing told him that there is no data to back up PEP, so she doesn't recommend it. Is this true? 3 - How often do you think I should be tested? Thank you so much for the amazing site, it goes to show that information is power.
Response from Dr. Frascino
Gosh, if you think you're tired of the "touched a hooker's hankie" type of question, you can just imagine how I must feel as I wade through literally thousands of such questions on a continual basis day after day. So let's proceed to your magnetic couple questions: 1. The bottom line here is that HIV cannot pass through intact latex. No way. No how. Condom statistics (like all statistics) can be a bit misleading. I'll repost below a few questions from the archives that address the condom-efficacy question. I also suggest you check the Planned Parenthood Web site and review their document, "The Truth about Condoms." It's well referenced. Now let me show you an example of how statistics can be misleading in a very Republican-NRA sort of way. Consider the following stats: Doctors: The number of doctors in the U.S. is 700,000 Accidental deaths caused by physicians per year are 120,000 Accidental deaths per physician is 17.14% (Statistics courtesy of the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services) Guns: The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000 (yes that's 80 million) The number of accidental gun deaths per year is 1,500 The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is 0.001875% (Statistics courtesy of the FBI) Therefore, "statistically speaking," doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners, the logical conclusion being "guns don't kill people, doctors do!" See what I mean about statistics and how they can be manipulated to support an illogical conclusion?!?
Your boyfriend's HIV specialist doesn't recommend PEP? That's worrisome. The most direct evidence supporting the efficacy of PEP is a case-control study of needlestick injuries to health care workers. In that study the prompt initiation of AZT was associated with an 81% decrease in the risk of acquiring HIV. In the nonoccupational arena we have data from observational studies and registries. Although data from observational studies and case reports may not provide definitive evidence of PEP's efficacy in nonoccupational exposures, the overall cumulative data is so convincing that it would now be considered unethical to run a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of PEP to scientifically verify what has now become standard of care for most HIV specialist practices. I would suggest you print out a copy of the recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services entitled "Antiretroviral Postexposure Prophylaxis After Sexual, Injection-Drug Use, or Other Nonoccupational Exposure to HIV in the United States" (January 2005) and review it with your boyfriend's HIV specialist. If he/she doesn't promptly change his or her opinion on PEP, you might want to consider changing HIV specialists! I also bet that if that specialist found himself/herself on the wrong end of a broken condom with an HIV+ partner, he or she would have PEP meds swallowed faster than Bush can write " I souport publik edekasion"
That depends on your level of risk. For instance, some magnetic couples don't use condoms for oral sex, some may not use condoms "properly" each and every time, etc. Some HIV specialists suggest an every-six-month STD/HIV screen for the sexually active "at risk" population. Consequently the answer to how often I would recommend that you be tested would depend on a variety of variables. But remember, the option of testing is always open to you if you feel there has been a potential exposure. Yes, information is indeed power.
Stay well. I hope your magnetic coupling is as successful and satisfying as mine. I think we should change the terminology of "serodiscordant" to "serodiverse," as serodiscordant is so, well, discordant, and that certainly doesn't apply to my relationship!
Dr. Bob
With age comes wisdom, maybe? Jun 29, 2005
Has there been any known cases of persons getting infected with HIV even though they have consistently and correctly used a latex condom without any breakage of slippage? This may sound like a dumb question to you and others, but me and my friends at my high school are getting different answers from alot of adults here at school and elsewhere about condoms and there effectiveness against HIV. Thanks for reading this letter and it is important to have an expert opinion like yours, I know you know more than these so called other grown-ups.
David (still not sure if I'm bi or just gay) either way would like to do it right.
Response from Dr. Frascino
Hi David,
With age comes wisdom? Maybe. But far too often with age the broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places. So, since I still have a narrow waist, I'll try to clear up the condom efficacy/effectiveness conundrum. Under controlled laboratory conditions, latex condoms are essentially impermeable to particles the size of STD pathogens, including HIV. However, when placed into the context of horned-up mattress mambo with the lights off after a few cosmopolitans, the "real life" large-scale epidemiological studies show condoms to be 80-95% effective in reducing HIV infection. Some folks think they are using condoms properly, when, in reality, they are not. I'll attach a few recent posts from the archives that also address this issue, OK?
David, bi, gay or whatever, it's cool with me. What's most important is that your facts are "straight!"
Stay well! Stay safe.
Dr. Bob
critical: have you shifted your opinion on condoms? Posted: Apr 6, 2005
I am a donor to your organization, a regular reader and an admirer. I have a question for you that has very important ramifications for myself and the entire population that frequents this site. For literally years, your position has been, simply stated, that the proper use of a condom prevents HIV transmission. While "proper use" is somewhat loaded phraseology, and you have always very candidly pointed out that humans are not always perfect, the gist of your position has been that proper use of a condom prevents HIV transmissions and obviates testing. Of course, I realize that this prevention statement incorporates assumptions, e.g., condom did not fall off, break, was not expired, and was put on properly. Now, however, I am reading your posts indicating that "large epidemiological studies" indicate that practically speaking, i.e., in the real world of human error and shortcoming, condoms are (I believe you stated) approximately 80% to 95% effective at preventing transmission. You still state, though, that they are nearly 100% efficacious in the laboratory world. Perhaps I am missing something, but to me, you seemed to have shifted considerably your views on the overall effectiveness (i.e., real world effectiveness) of condoms. The question to you that I think should clarify your position: if you were advising an individual, such as myself, on the safety of using a condom for intercourse with a partner of unknown statuts (and therefore, to error on caution's side, let's say positive); and assuming that I have used many condoms in the past and know how to use them "properly," i.e., leave room at tip, unroll to base, don't put on inside-out, etc.), then would you advise me that using a condom for intercourse with this partner will effectively prevent HIV transmission? I realize that large epidemiological studies are not necessarily reducible to the individual level. But I think your apparent shift (at least as perceived by me) merits elaboration to the "individuals" who visit your site. Thank you, and god bless you!!!!
Dr. Bob's reply:
No, my position on condoms has not changed at all over the years and I don't anticipate it will unless new scientific research evolves to support a change.
So, why the confusion??? Like many other current problems, it can be traced back to a "son of a Bush." In the context of U.S. Government policies and programs for combating HIV/AIDS domestically and internationally, a debate has resurfaced about the effectiveness of condoms in preventing sexual transmission of HIV infection. Some recent U.S. Government policies have begun to shift emphasis to the "lack of condom effectiveness" in educational materials and other publications that receive federal funds. This shift has caused confusion in the general public about whether condoms should be used and promoted for preventing HIV infection. I have consistently restated the scientific evidence related to condom efficacy and effectiveness for prevention of HIV/AIDS. You are correct that I have often quoted the scientific facts from laboratory studies, including those conducted by the FDA, concluding that latex condoms are impermeable to particles the size of STD pathogens, including HIV. Therefore, if you did use a latex condom properly and the condom did not fail, I do not believe HIV testing is warranted.
There are many reasons condom effectiveness in preventing HIV may be compromised. For instance, using natural skin rather than latex or polyurethane condoms, using the wrong type of lubricant (oil-based rather than water-based), not using the condom for the whole sex act (some folks put them on just before ejaculating), compromising the integrity of the condom (excessive heat if kept in the glove compartment of your car, tearing the condom when opening the foil packet, using condoms beyond their expiration date), etc., etc., etc. the list can go on and on and on.
Even with all these "real life" limitations of not using a condom "properly," condoms still remain 80-95% effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection if used consistently. I hope that helps clarify any confusion.
The real take-home message is that scientific evidence does not support the recent shift in U.S. Government policy that stresses lack of condom efficacy. Rather the scientific evidence clearly shows that both male and female condoms are highly effective in preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
Gosh, if I'm getting this many questions about condoms, I can just imagine what the evolution and global warming experts are up against in refuting Dubya's faith-based science initiatives. Stay safe. Stay well.
Dr. Bob
I hope you won't be annoyed. Posted: May 14, 2005
Dr Bob,
You seem to imply that the catholic church's position re: rubbers is wrong. And I agree with you a 100%. However, what I disagree with is your counter-implication that condoms provide almost perfect protection. Fact is, in studies with discordant couples, there were always one or two that got infected with condoms (as opposed to 10 out of a 100 odd couples) implying that the risk is still significant. I want to know if I am misunderstanding you, or what your opinion is on this otherwise.
Thank you for educating us on these issues. You are the best!
Dr. Bob's response:
No, of course I'm not annoyed but I do think you are misinterpreting my "counter-implication." If you go back to the archives, what you will find is that my statements are very consistent and reflect what we know about how well condoms work for preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Perhaps the easiest way to explain this is to make a distinction between efficacy and effectiveness. Efficacy can be defined as the protection the user would have under "ideal" conditions. Efficacy, therefore, is dependent on the properties of the device, in this case the condom, tested in controlled situations. Effectiveness can be defined as the protection the user would have under "actual" or "real life" conditions. Effectiveness, therefore, is dependent on both the properties of the device (condom) and the behaviors of the user. Laboratory studies, including those conducted by the FDA, have shown the latex condom to be essentially impermeable to particles the size of STD germs, including HIV. However, in large-scale, "real life" epidemiological studies, condoms are 80-95% effective in reducing HIV infection.
The bottom line is that condoms provide a highly effective barrier method when used correctly.
The Catholic Church is shamefully wrong in their condemnation of condoms. For example, in El Salvador the Church helped push through a law requiring condom packages to carry a warning label stating that condoms do not protect against AIDS. Studies now show fewer than four percent of Salvadoran couples use condoms the first time they have sex. The result will be more funerals. The Church must choose between obeying tradition and saving lives. Somehow the answer to the often quoted question "What would Jesus do?" seems painfully obvious.
Stay safe. Stay well.
Dr. Bob
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION Basic Facts About Condoms and Their Use in Preventing HIV Infection and Other STDs With more than 1 million Americans infected with HIV, most of them through sexual transmission, and an estimated 12 million other sexually transmitted diseases occurring each year in the United States, effective strategies for preventing these diseases are critical. The proper and consistent use of latex condoms when engaging in sexual intercourse--vaginal, anal, or oral--can greatly reduce a person's risk of acquiring or transmitting STDs, including HIV infection. In fact, recent studies provide compelling evidence that latex condoms are highly effective in protecting against HIV infection when used properly for every act of intercourse. Latex condoms are highly effective when used consistently and correctly-- new studies provide additional evidence that condoms work The protection that proper use of latex condoms provides against HIV transmission is most evident from studies of couples in which one member is infected with HIV and the other is not, i.e., "discordant couples." In a study of discordant couples in Europe, among 123 couples who reported consistent condom use, none of the uninfected partners became infected. In contrast, among the 122 couples who used condoms inconsistently, 12 of the uninfected partners became infected. As these studies indicate, condoms must be used consistently and correctly to provide maximum protection. Consistent use means using a condom from start to finish with each act of intercourse. Correct condom use should include the following steps: Use a new condom for each act of intercourse. Put on the condom as soon as erection occurs and before any sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral). Hold the tip of the condom and unroll it onto the erect penis, leaving space at the tip of the condom, yet ensuring that no air is trapped in the condom's tip. Adequate lubrication is important, but use only water-based lubricants, such as glycerine or lubricating jellies (which can be purchased at any pharmacy). Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, cold cream, hand lotion, or baby oil, can weaken the condom. Withdraw from the partner immediately after ejaculation, holding the condom firmly to keep it from slipping off. Myths About Condoms There continues to be misinformation and misunderstanding about condom effectiveness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following updated information to address some common myths about condoms. This information is based on findings from recent epidemiologic, laboratory, and clinical studies. Myth #1: Condoms don't work Some persons have expressed concern about studies that report failure rates among couples using condoms for pregnancy prevention. Analysis of these studies indicates that the large range of efficacy rates is related to incorrect or i inconsistent use. The fact is: latex condoms are highly effective for pregnancy prevention, but only when they are used properly. Research indicates that only 30 to 60 percent of men who claim to use condoms for contraception actually use them for every act of intercourse. Further, even people who use condoms every time may not use them correctly. Incorrect use contributes to the possibility that the condom could leak from the base or break. Myth #2: HIV can pass through condoms A commonly held misperception is that latex condoms contain "holes" that allow passage of HIV. Although this may be true for natural membrane condoms, laboratory studies show that intact latex condoms provide a continuous barrier to microorganisms, including HIV, as well as sperm. Myth #3: Condoms frequently break Another area of concern expressed by some is about the quality of latex condoms. Condoms are classified as medical devices and are regulated by the FDA. Every latex condom manufactured in the United States is tested for defects before it is packaged. During the manufacturing process, condoms are double-dipped in latex and undergo stringent quality control procedures. Several studies clearly show that condom breakage rates in this country are less than 2 percent. Most of the breakage is due to incorrect usage rather than poor condom quality. Using oil-based lubricants can weaken latex, causing the condom to break. In addition, condoms can be weakened by exposure to heat or sunlight or by age, or they can be torn by teeth or fingernails. Preventing HIV Infection And Other STDs Recommended Prevention Strategies Abstaining from sexual activity is the most effective HIV prevention strategy. However, for individuals who choose to be sexually active, the following are highly effective: Engaging in sexual activities that do not involve vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse Having intercourse only with one uninfected partner Using latex condoms correctly from start to finish with each act of intercourse Other HIV Prevention Strategies Condoms for Women The FDA recently approved a female condom, which will soon be available in the United States. A limited study of this condom as a contraceptive indicates a failure rate of about 26 percent in 1 year. Although laboratory studies indicate that the device serves as a mechanical barrier to viruses, further clinical research is necessary to determine its effectiveness in preventing transmission of HIV. Spermicides The role of spermicides in preventing HIV infection is uncertain. Condoms lubricated with spermicides are not likely to be more effective than condoms used with other water-based lubricants. Spermicides added to the tip of the condom are also not likely to add protection against HIV. Making Responsible Choices In summary, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection, are preventable, and individuals have several responsible prevention strategies to choose from. But the effectiveness of each one depends largely on the individual. Those who practice abstinence as a prevention strategy will find it effective only if they always abstain. Similarly, those who choose any of the other recommended prevention strategies, including condoms, will find them highly effective if used correctly and consistently. For further information contact: CDC National AIDS Hotline: 1.800.232.4636 Spanish: 1-800-342-SIDA Deaf: 1-800-324-7889 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control and Prevention July 30, 1993 ________________________________________ Our thanks to<> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which provided this article to The Body.
aids virus through condoms Oct 1, 2006
Someone stated that the Aids virus is smaller than the pores in latex condoms. So, a person could get aids while wearing a condom during sex. goggle sent me to a site posted by a Right to life group that sounds like they're trying to scare people into abstinance. My common sense and reading your opinion tell me those statements are false and misleading. Is there a definitive study by CDC or real science that covers this subject? I need to print a copy for this guy. Thanks, JC
Response from Dr. Frascino
Google sent you to a Right to Life group that said HIV can pass through "pores" in latex condoms??? Yikes! That means the rightwing religious zealot wing-nuts have taken control of Google!?!? Your "common sense and reading" are absolutely correct. Statements like the ones you read are both "false and misleading." I'd also add dangerous to that list! Check out the two links below for the truth one article is from the American Foundation for AIDS Research and the other is from Planned Parenthood. Both of these articles include references from the published scientific literature rather than gobbledygook fantasies from the Vatican and Bush/Cheney pseudo-science!
Stay informed. Stay safe. Stay well.
Dr. Bob


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Look who's talking too.
Kim Kardashian must be jealous of her pregnant big sis Kourtney because the "Keeping up with the Kardashians" star now pines for a little one.
"I want a baby!" Kardashian wrote on her website Thursday, Usmagazine.com reported.
U.S. & World
Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world.
"OK, so maybe not right now, but I can't wait to be an aunt," she wrote.
For weeks, Kourtney, 30, has detailed each new stage of her pregnancy in the media: the bizarre cravings for health food, fears of not being able to breastfeed with implants, her sexy new curves.
But it was shopping for baby clothes in Miami last week that finally flipped the baby boom switch for Kourtney's 28-year-old sister Kim.
"It's really fun, but we have to stay neutral when you're shopping for a baby and you don't know what the sex of the baby is," she wrote. "I found that really hard...just wanted to to shop for pink or blue, haha! I want Kourt and Scott to find out already!!"


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|Lanterns from last years Lantern Festival
For the second year in a row, my wife and I have tried to make it to the Lantern Festival in our community. Last year, it was on Sunday, which make it impossible for us to go, but this year it was on Monday. The weather was beautiful that day, too. Monday is the day we usually plan to go somewhere and do something. We went, but we couldn't find it.
It was interesting because we went on the Taoyuan County website, and they talked about it being on Nankan Creek, but it wasn't too specific about what part of the creek. I would have thought that someone could have put a Google map on there to show where to go, but they didn't. I'm making myself a promise right here; right now, that next year I will make it to the festival. To me, it's the most interesting of all the festivals, which happen in Taiwan. There is one other celebration that holds an interest for me, the Yan Shui Fireworks festival where they fire fireworks right at you. You see people wearing heavy clothing and their motorcycle helmets while the fireworks smash against them. That would be fun to see but I'm not sure about participating. I'm old and slow and I think I'd be a sitting duck.
|Lantern from the Year of the Rabbit
The Lantern Festival usually lasts about a month or couple of weeks, this year in Taoyuan County the festival lasted from January 28 through February 6, and is sometimes called, "little New Year." The Lunar New Year is, of course, the Big New Year.
There are a number of legends associated with the origin of this festival. Many of the legends are associated with relationships between people and their gods. I found one of them to be very interesting:
The first is a legend that tells of a beautiful crane that flew from heaven to earthy. When the crane landed on earth the people of a certain village killed it. The Jade Emperor (The Emperor of Heaven) was angry and sent an army to destroy the people and the village. Apparently the crane was the Jade Emperor's favorite bird, so his plan was to destroy the village through a storm of fire on the fifteenth day of the first month according to the lunar calendar.
The Jade Emperor's daughter warned the village of their impending disaster so that they could prepare. The village people were frantic because thy had no idea how to turn away the wrath of the Jade Emperor until one wise man came up with an idea. He said to hang lanterns and light bonfires throughout the city, so that when the soldiers arrived, they would think the village was already ablaze and leave without further damage. The villagers embarked on that particular plan and the village was saved.
The interesting thing to me is the similarity to the legend surrounding the origin of the Chinese New Year traditions. See Taiwanese Traditions: Chinese New Year: The Legend of Nian.
There are a number of ways that the lantern festival is celebrated in modern Taiwan. This year, the Taoyuan Lantern Festival was an aquatic festival, where lanterns were lit and floated in Nankan Creek. In Pingxi, the lanterns were lit and released into the sky. And In Yanshui, fireworks were lit and flew through the crowd. In each, there are lanterns that are made. Many are complex works of art that depict people and animals, as well as the sky lanterns on which are written wishes for the new year. These are lit and released into the sky. There are also lanterns on which riddles are written and children sped time to solve the riddles.
|The Beautiful Crane of the legend
It is a fun time where families and friends get together and enjoy each other. There is also a romantic feeling as young couples stroll together and spend time together. In the early days this was the time when young people strolled the streets with their chaperones in the hopes of finding a spouse. Matchmakers were busy in the weeks prior to the Lantern Festival trying to find the best matches for the young people. As marriages in Taiwan are no longer arranged this part of the festival has disappeared. Now young people enjoy the festival with their lovers.
Other posts you may be interested in:
Taiwanese Traditions: Chinese New Year: The Legend of Nian
Random Asianess: Oh Sure, Now We Decorate
Taiwanese Traditions: Holidays and the Lunar Calendar


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Unskippable: Two Worlds
Pages 1 2 3 4 NEXT
This week, Graham and Paul team up to take on Two Worlds.
'bout time! yay! was wondering when you'd do this game...
LOL! Glorious!
Taint magic.
Yay! A new one!
Love these guys. Loading Ready Run is a fantastic website.
Good grief the dialogue in that game is horrible...
Good, but not as good as their previous work.
"Oil Can! Oil Can!"
Where's Dorothy when you need her.
T'wasn't 'errible.
Y'know, I thought about this game for a while at release time.
That was ok. Grandia was way better though.
"Stand aside archway!"
Great job guys, next time you should do the opening cutscene to...whatever the hell you want to, you guys could make good cutscenes hilarious.
Nay the problem with the dialogue was the fact that the actors put emphasis on the strangest sylables.
Great one this week. Oh, and I put one of the jokes as a quote on a TVTropes page.
Such a terrible intro for such a terrible game. Bad writing, bad VO work, bad gameplay, bad everything. Ugh.
But, funny unskippable! So I suppose it was worth it.
"Oh NOW we're adding T' on the beginning of everything..."
Awful, awful dialogue, nice for someone to mock that.
"This is no time to quote Monty Python!"
What terrible script/voice-acting. I mean honestly, calling the ultimate evil 'The Taint'? That's just silly.
Look out for the taint!
They REALLY need some better voice actors for that game, a brain dead hamster could've voiced those lines better than whoever they hired. hmmm maybe they hired a brain dead hamster to do the voice acting? it would explain alot.
Not to mention that the opening scene made almost no sense for the first half. Orcs? Taint? Who is the girl? Why was she kidnapped? Who is that dude with the awful voice? The main dude, I mean, not the other 3 people who also have terrible voices. T'were it any worse I would refuse to buy this game. T'were it any better, I would just ignore it anyway.
Here's a challenge to Paul and Graham: You should try to carry one joke from each video over to the next one. The "Eyebrows" gag in Grandia III was hilarious.
Also, this video is awesome. Not as great as Grandia and Dirge of Cerberus but then, look at what Paul and Graham have to work with. You can only make shit look so pretty.
Oh, the Taint tain't nothin' to worry about. tain't it?
Woo! This is the reason I love mondays!
Aye, but the money's tainted.
'Tain't yours, 'tain't mine.
"Go On!....."
Oh god I hope that was a Daily Show reference because that sounded just like JS...
Yeah, the taint thing is going to drive me crazy after a while..
Stand aside archway!
"I bet it's just like diablo...." :D
They said they have to watch the videos several times, so yeah
Best Unskippable quote ever.
Beautiful job. Although to be honest, I think the rediculousness of the dialogue had it coming.
Favorite parts:
Slow start, but worth the wait =)
Wow, thats really bad voice acting. Now only is it poorly structured, paced and not real old english, they even flip flop on that. No wonder it got bad reviews...
"Horse, you had ONE job!" Nice!
I guess the rooster isn't a morning person.
What? What's behind the door? Are 'twe not going to find out?
Nice one. That was some terrible game cinematics but at least the Unskippable was lolz.
I also hate it when my taint gets infested.
|Pages 1 2 3 4 NEXT


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Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related families of wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. They are a diverse group of more than 12,000 species, with a higher diversity in the tropics. They are known for their highly organized colonies and nests, which sometimes consist of millions of individuals. Individuals are divided into sub-fertile, and more commonly sterile, females ("workers", "soldiers", and other castes), fertile males ("drones"), and fertile females ("queens"). Colonies can occupy and use a wide area of land to support themselves. Ant colonies are sometimes described as superorganisms because the colony appears to operate as a unified entity.
Ants have colonized almost every landmass on Earth. The only places lacking indigenous ant species are Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, parts of Polynesia, the Hawaiian Islands, and other remote or inhospitable islands. When all their individual contributions are added up, they may constitute up to 15 to 25% of the total terrestrial animal biomass.
Termites, sometimes called white ants, are not closely related to ants, although they have similar social structures. Velvet ants, although resembling large ants, are wingless female wasps.
The Formicidae family belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which also includes sawflies, bees and wasps. Ants are a lineage derived from within the vespoid wasps.
Phylogenetic analysis indicates that ants evolved from vespoids in the mid-Cretaceous period about 120 to 170 million years ago. After the rise of angiosperm plants about 100 million years ago, they diversified and assumed ecological dominance about 60 million years ago. Several fossils from the Cretaceous are intermediate in form between wasps and ants, adding further evidence for wasp ancestry. Like other Hymenoptera, the genetic system found in ants is haplodiploidy.
In 1966 E. O. Wilson, et al. obtained the first amber fossil remains of an ant (Sphecomyrma freyi) from the Cretaceous era. The specimen was trapped in amber from New Jersey and is more than 80 million years old. This species provides the clearest evidence of a link between modern ants and non-social wasps. Cretaceous ants shared both wasp-like and modern ant-like characteristics.
During the Cretaceous era, only a few species of primitive ants ranged widely on the super-continent Laurasia (the northern hemisphere). They were scarce in comparison to other insects (about only 1%). Ants became dominant after adaptive radiation at the beginning of the Tertiary Period. Of the species extant in the Cretaceous and Eocene eras, only 1 of approximately 10 genera is now extinct. 56% of the genera represented on the Baltic amber fossils (early Oligocene), and 96% of the genera represented in the Dominican amber fossils (apparently early Miocene) still survive today.
Ants are distinct in their morphology from other insects by having elbowed antennae, metapleural glands, and by having the second abdominal segment strongly constricted into a distinct node-like petiole, forming a narrow waist between their mesosoma (thorax plus the first abdominal segment, which is fused to it) and gaster (abdomen less the abdominal segments in the petiole). The petiole can be formed by one or two nodes (only the second, or the second and third abdominal segments can form it).
Ant bodies, like other insects, have an exoskeleton, an external covering that provides a protective casing around the body and a place to attach muscles, in contrast to the internal skeletal framework of humans and other vertebrates. Insects do not have lungs, but oxygen and other gases like carbon dioxide pass through their exoskeleton through tiny valves called spiracles. Insects also lack closed blood vessels but have a long, thin, perforated tube along the top of the body (called the "dorsal aorta") that functions like a heart in that it pumps hemolymph towards the head, thus creating some circulation of the internal fluids. Their nervous system consists of a ventral nerve cord running the length of the body, with several ganglia and branches along the way into each extremity.
The three main divisions of the ant body are the head, mesosoma and metasoma or gaster.
The head of an ant has many sensory organs. Ants, like most insects, have compound eyes with numerous tiny lenses attached together enabling them to detect movement very well. They also have three small ocelli (simple eyes) on the top of the head, which detect light levels and polarization.[9] Most ants have poor to mediocre eyesight and others are blind altogether. Some ants have exceptional vision though, including Australia's bulldog ant. Also attached are two antennae ("feelers") which are special organs that help ants detect chemicals. The antennae are used in communication, detecting pheromones released by other ants. The antennae are also used as feelers, aiding in their sensory input about what is in front of them. The head also has two strong jaws, the mandibles, used to carry food, manipulate objects, construct nests, and for defense. In some species a small pocket inside the mouth holds food for passing to other ants or their developing larvae.
The thorax of the ant is where all six legs are attached. At the end of each leg is a hooked claw that helps ants climb and hang onto things. Most queens and male ants have wings; queens shed the wings after the nuptial flight leaving visible stubs, a distinguishing feature of queens. Wingless queens (ergatoids) and males can also occur.
The metasoma (the "abdomen") of the ant houses many important internal organs, including the reproductive organs. Many species of ants have stingers used for subduing prey and defending their nests.
The life of an ant starts with an egg. If the egg is fertilized, the ant will be female (diploid); if not, it will be male (haploid). Ants are holometabolous, and develop by complete metamorphosis, passing through larval and pupal stages (with the pupae being exarate) before they become adults. The larval stage is particularly helpless – for instance it lacks legs entirely – and cannot care for itself. The difference between queens and workers (which are both female), and between different castes of workers when they exist, is determined by the feeding in the larval stage. Food is given to the larvae by a process called trophallaxis in which an ant regurgitates food previously held in its crop for communal storage. This is also how adults distribute food amongst themselves. Larvae and pupae need to be kept at fairly constant temperatures to ensure proper development, and so are often moved around the various brood chambers within the colony.
A new worker spends the first few days of its adult life caring for the queen and young. After that it graduates to digging and other nest work, and then to foraging and defense of the nest. These changes are fairly abrupt and define what are called temporal castes. One theory of why this occurs is because foraging has a high death rate, so ants only participate in it when they are older and closer to death anyway. In a few ants there are also physical castes – workers come in a spectrum of sizes, called minor, median, and major workers, the latter beginning foraging sooner. Often the larger ants will have disproportionately larger heads, and correspondingly stronger mandibles. Such individuals are sometimes called "soldier" ants because their stronger mandibles make them more effective in fighting other creatures, although they are still in fact worker ants and their "duties" typically do not vary greatly from the minor or median workers. In a few species the median workers have disappeared, creating a sharp divide and clear physical difference between the minors and majors.
Most of the common ant species breed in the same way. Only the queen and breeding females have the ability to mate. Contrary to popular belief, some ant nests have multiple queens. The male ants, called drones, along with the breeding females emerge from pupation with wings (although some species, like army ants, do not produce winged queens), and do nothing throughout their life except eat and mate. At this time, all breeding ants, excluding the queen, are carried outside where other colonies of similar species are doing the same. Then, all the winged breeding ants take flight. Mating occurs in flight and the males die shortly afterward. The females that survive land and seek a suitable place to begin a colony. There, they break off their own wings and begin to lay eggs, which they care for. Sperm obtained during their nuptial flight is stored and used to fertilize all future eggs produced. The first workers to hatch are weak and smaller than later workers, but they begin to serve the colony immediately. They enlarge the nest, forage for food and care for the other eggs. This is how most new colonies start. A few species that have multiple queens can start a new colony as a queen from the old nest takes a number of workers to a new site and founds a colony there.
Ant colonies can be long-lived. The queens themselves can live for up to 30 years, while workers live from 1 to 3 years. Males, however, are more transitory, surviving only a few weeks. Thus ants are more K-selected than most insects. Ant queens are estimated to live 100 times longer than solitary insects of a similar size.
Ants survive the winter by going into a state of dormancy or inactivity. The forms of inactivity are varied and some temperate species have larvae that go into diapause while in others the adults alone pass the winter in a state of reduced activity. This does not happen in the tropics.
Ants show a wide range of morphological differences between the castes. While in some species, these differences are small, they are large in others. In some ant species there can be several size variants within the worker castes. Workers cannot mate; however, because of the haplodiploid sex-determination system in ants, workers of a number of species are able to lay unfertilized eggs leading to fully functional haploid males. The role of workers may change with their age and in some species, young workers are fed until their gasters are distended, and play a role in food storage. These workers with a storage role are termed repletes.


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I have been writing, editing, and occasionally self-publishing since I was a kid. When I was really young, I used to pretend I was a newspaper reporter, just like in the detective movies on TV. In the basement I'd set up a table with my mom's manual typewriter on it, clamber up to remove the shade from the ceiling light (reporters always write under a bare bulb), and dangling from my mouth was a "cigarette" (actually a building block or pencil).
Eventually, I actually learned how to write. Over the years, this has run the gamut: my high school's newspaper, punk and underground zines, long-form journalism on politics and national security, scripts for film and performance, press releases, program notes, arts history, blogging, technical writing, documentation, songs, reviews, and all kinds of crap.
Below you will find some samples of some of my more recent stuff.
Program notes for film screenings
Since co-founding The Sprocket Society in 2007, I have compiled and written program notes for its screenings. These booklets include production histories, biographical profiles, preservation info, excerpts from archival sources, and always bibliographies of sources and suggested reading.
Full PDFs of these program notes can be downloaded from The Sprocket Society's web site.
Blog archive
For many years, I maintained a blog called Mugu Brainpan. After languishing for several years, I finally decided to decommission it in 2016.
Some of the posts from the blog will be archived here as I'm able to get to them.
- The Pre-History of Sound Cinema, Part 1: Thomas Edison and W.K.L. Dickson (April 10, 2006)
- Georges Melies Titles from the Blackhawk Films Anthologies (July 22, 2006)
- Film Notes on 3D Rarities II at the World 3D Film Expo II, 2006 (September 24, 2006)


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Welcome to Manroland Sheetfed
Manroland Sheetfed GmbH is a leading global producer of sheetfed offset printing presses and related technologies for commercial, packaging and publishing applications.
Founded in 1871 on the finest traditions of German engineering excellence, the company is a global watchword for quality, precision and supreme reliability.
As the chosen partner of many leading print houses around the world Manroland Sheetfed GmbH, together with its in-house R&D department, network of sales and service partners and over 40 own subsidiaries worldwide, is continuing to help ensure profitability and growth for its customers in these rapidly changing times with an array of innovative, cutting edge solutions and with service levels second to none.
Manroland Sheetfed GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the privately owned UK engineering group, Langley Holdings plc.


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Guest Blogger's Blog
Juliet's Journey: Butterflies and Notes To SelfPosted 16 March 2016
What started out as A BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOAL seven months ago, has come down to 9 more days before I embark on one of my biggest challenges ever - as I attempt to run my first
Diary of a Running BloggerPosted 16 March 2016
There are a mere 9 days left until the Fun Run and my stress levels are at an all-time high. Between endless family gatherings where the
Inspiring Runner: John KagonaPosted 10 March 2016
There is a lot of discussion and statistcs surrounding the topic of domestic violence in South Africa. But how often do you hear about a man being the victim?
How I Got My Running Groove BackPosted 09 March 2016
"Why? Why do I have to do this today! American Horror Story and Matt Bomer's flawless abs are calling my name and it's way too hot. Who feels like running anyway?!"
Juliet's Journey: Legends and LegaciesPosted 09 March 2016
The past two weeks have been bittersweet for the running fraternity. The passing of Mr Two Oceans, Chet Sainsbury, left everyone in a state of profound sadness because this giant of a
Inspiring Runner: Angelica LamprechtPosted 04 March 2016
I suppose everyone has a story as to why they run. Some do it for fun, some do it to blow off steam, some go through a traumatic event.
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Rafael Nadal outlasted David Nalbandian 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the BNP Paribas Open on Friday, setting up a semifinal against Roger Federer that will be a rematch of their Australian Open semifinal.
Federer had an easier time in his quarterfinal, beating Juan Martin del Potro 6-3, 6-2 in just more than an hour for his fourth victory over the Argentine this year.
Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka defeated Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-4, 6-3 to reach the final of her sixth consecutive tournament. It was her 22nd straight victory, giving Azarenka the best start to a season since Martina Hingis began 37-0 in 1997.
The second set was littered with service breaks, with Azarenka breaking four times and Kerber twice.
"It's a little bit difficult with the wind, especially from one side," Azarenka said. "She was really playing, putting a lot of pressure, and it was difficult to control the ball a little bit. Overall, I played pretty good on the return."
Second-ranked Maria Sharapova advanced to the final when Ana Ivanovic retired with a left hip injury after losing the first set 6-4 and leading 1-0 in the second in their first meeting since the 2008 Australian Open final, won by Sharapova.
"I am happy after a long match yesterday that I got a little shorter one," Sharapova said.
Azarenka beat Sharapova in this year's Aussie Open final. Their rematch Sunday will be the first final between the world's top two women since 2008.
"I would love to get my revenge," Sharapova said.
Ivanovic left the court with a trainer trailing 5-4 in the first set.
"After the treatment, it was just getting worse and worse rapidly," she said. "We taped it and then I tried to continue, but at the end, I couldn't even return. I couldn't even stand there on my return."
Sharapova practiced her serves during the eight-minute delay on a cool, windy evening in the desert. Ivanovic returned and held to open the second set, but then quit.
"I hope it's nothing that's going to put me away from the court for too long so I can start straight back into it because I feel physically very good," Ivanovic said. "I really felt like I have been playing the best tennis probably played in a very, very long time. Against top players I can bring that level. That's what's very encouraging."
Nadal, ranked second in the world, handed No. 3 Federer one of his two losses since last year's U.S. Open when he beat the Swiss star in the Australian Open semifinals in January. They will play Saturday, when rain and wind is forecast to move into the Coachella Valley, spoiling the sun and 80-degree temperatures that have prevailed during the two-week tournament.
"I play always against Roger means a little bit more than against the rest of the opponents because I am playing probably against the best of the history," Nadal said, "so that's why it makes the match a little bit more special than the rest."
Federer improved to 37-2 with five titles since the U.S. Open. His other loss came in Davis Cup against American John Isner, who advanced to the other semifinal against top-ranked Novak Djokovic.
Despite all his success, Nadal said he routinely has doubts about whether he can win matches and that only arrogant people don't doubt themselves.
"I believe that it's going to be a very difficult match for me, and I don't know if I'm going to be able to play my best," he said. "But that's part of the game, and that's the beautiful things about the sport. I'm going to go there, I'm going to fight every ball and try to play my best tennis and I hope that's going to happen, but I don't know."
Nadal hadn't lost a set coming into the quarterfinals, but Nalbandian spoiled that right away. The Argentine was full of confidence, having earlier taken out Janko Tipsarevic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga — his first time beating two top-10 players at the same event since 2008. Nalbandian won the final three games to take the opening set.
The Argentine led 4-3 and 5-4 in the second before Nadal reeled off the final three games to take the set, breaking Nalbandian in the 11th game on a double fault.
Nadal broke three times in the final set, including at love to go up 5-2. Nadal served two love games and served and volleyed with success at times.
"I hit fantastic volleys," he said.
Nadal had his first match point in the ninth game, but three consecutive errors helped Nalbandian close to 5-4.
Nadal faced two break points in the next game — the first when he netted an easy smash after being run all over the court. He saved the second after Nalbandian missed a drop shot, then smashed his racket and yelled. Nalbandian tossed his racket after netting a forehand to give Nadal his second match point. The Spaniard closed it out after Nalbandian's backhand off Nadal's drop shot went wide.
The first game between Federer and Del Potro lasted 11 minutes. One of Federer's first serves was called good by a line judge, although both he and Del Potro believed it was out. Del Potro wanted to challenge, but the Hawk Eye line calling system temporarily broke down when an Internet connection was lost and data couldn't be provided.
As a result, the chair umpire supported the line judge's original call and Federer held on his way to building a 3-0 lead, including the set's only service break. Del Potro, who had two break points in the first game, argued to no avail.
"It was clear out and the machine doesn't work," he said. "But then the chair umpire told me he made a mistake ... could be a big chance to me to change the way of the match in that game. After that I was not concentrating."
He broke Del Potro twice in the second set when he led 5-1. Del Potro netted a return of Federer's second serve on the Swiss' second match point.


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70 HASKINS & SELLS July Federal Taxation—1920-1930 BY ARTHUR B. FOYE ASSISTANT MANAGER, NEW YORK OFFICE. T H E subject of federal taxation will be of importance for the next decade to every accountant in his capacity as a citizen. Not only will he be concerned with the total amount toward which he must contribute, but with the mode of levy which will determine his individual share. In his capacity as an accountant, it has particular emphasis. The time and energy to be given to this subject by the staff men are largely dependent upon the permanence of the taxes to be studied, the relative importance of tax expense in the statement of Income and Profit & Loss and the tax liability in the Balance Sheet, and the value of the service that may be rendered to a client in connection therewith. The degree of attention to be given to organization for and education of the staff in tax work by the accounting firm is determined by the same factors. As in the case of every vital subject, no single plan, lucid and concise, which adequately resolves the complex situation has ever been presented. What national honor would come to the individual who could lay down in simple language the unquestionably right plan to follow with respect to the League of Nations! What undying fame would be the portion of the philosopher who could set forth in a plain manner the one philosophy which would infallibly conduce to immediate as well as future happiness! What gratitude would be his who could devise an understandable, satisfactory and adequate scheme of taxation! The problem with which we are confronted in taxation is to determine the revenue needed to sustain the Government and then to arrange a plan to raise it with as much equity and as little pain as possible. Government will continue to be more costly than before the world war. The reasons lie partially in the general rise in the price level, and partially in the expanded functions of government. While the amount of revenue to be raised automatically increases with a rising price level, tax rates will naturally not increase in the same proportion. The creation of new and the broadening and deepening of old functions of the government, however, will require additional revenue that can be secured only through opening new sources of taxation or increasing the rates of taxes already in force. The present tendencies toward governmental control and governmental ownership presage the need for increasingly larger current revenue. In addition to raising normal revenue, the cost of the war must be paid. Interest on the war debt is heavy. "Cleaning up" governmental war operations will be expensive. The war debt itself must be amortized. It is estimated by competent authorities that a yearly revenue of $3,500,000,000 will be required for from five to ten years. Compare this with revenues from 1900 to 1916, which ranged from $567,000,000 in 1900 to $779,000,000 in 1916. The necesssity for heavy taxation is patent.
Object Description
Federal taxation -- 1920-1930
[News items]
Foye, Arthur Bevins
Taxation -- United States
|Personal Name
Champlin, Hervey Simpson
Stevenson, Mr.
Carson, Mr.
Farrington, Howard Faulkner
Garner, Howard Preston
Brawner, John David
Doiseau, Clarence M.
Haskins & Sells. Buffalo Office
Haskins & Sells. Shanghai Office
Haskins & Sells. Watertown Office
Haskins & Sells. Philadelphia Office
Haskins & Sells. Paris Office
Haskins & Sells. New Orleans Office
Haskins & Sells Bulletin, Vol. 03, no. 07 (1920 July 15), p. 70-73
|Originally published by: Haskins & Sells
|Deloitte Digital Collection
|Digital Publisher
|University of Mississippi Libraries. Accounting Collection
|Date-Digitally Created
|HS Bulletin 3-p70


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xmonad 0.8.1 : GHC 6.10 maintainance release
xmonad 0.8.1 is out. It is functionally identical to xmonad 0.8, but adds tweaks to build with GHC 6.10 (which is now the default on some distributions). xmonad-contrib is also up to date.
Meanwhile, work continues on the head branches, with many new improvements coming up for xmonad 0.9.
If you're using GHC 6.10, get the latest release from Hackage.
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Saturday, 28 August 2010
Trish McEvoy Lash Enhancer Nighttime Conditioning Treatment
Although I am usually skeptical about these types of products I don't think of TM as a gimmicky brand and I think that Trish truly believes that every product she puts out there not only works, but is the best.
My interest was further piqued when I was given the opportunity to try the product for free, I really don't think that the brand would send out a product of this price (£89) if they thought it was going to get a bad review, I've noticed it featured on some other blogs so to my mind I think they must be confident that this product delivers results.
The product uses the " highest possible concentration of potent SymPeptides™ and an abundance of powerful proteins, vitamins, and moisturizing ingredients". Its meant to help "condition, hydrate, strengthen, and nourish lashes"
The product comes in a tube, similar to mascara size and has a long thin pointy tip.
All you do its apply it to the root of your top lashes every night. The claim is that in just "2 weeks of daily use, you can experience as much as a 25% increase in volume". An extra bonus is that you can also apply it on sparse areas of your brow to promote fullness.
I used this last night and it took seconds to apply and I didn't feel like I had anything on and when I touched the area I didn't feel like there was any stickiness. I didn't get any irritation either.
Here's just a picture of my sad lashes before treatment;
In two weeks times I'll post some detailed comparison pictures and we can see if this works.
Disclaimer: This was sent to me for free.
4 comments:
I really look forward to finding out how you get on with this. My lashes are pitiful and I would love for them to actually look better.ReplyDelete
I remember having a Trish McEvoy lash building product and mascara back in the days before it was everywhere. TM stuff is very nice but I often forget about it as it's not available nearby. Do you know if anywhere sells it online?
Jane x
Hi Jane,ReplyDelete
They were meant to be online but there has been a delay (Selfridges and Harvey nichols) so I don't think they have a fixed date now, such a shame as they have some really lovely stuff coming out, think I will have to do a phone order!
So excited how it turns out!! I do skip the mascara when I'm in a hurry, a natural 'lash boost' would be beneficial for those days!ReplyDelete
Hi Sam,ReplyDelete
I keep checking my lashes every morning now to see if they look different :) sure they are a bit thicker but maybe thats my imagination.


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By BRENT ZWERNEMAN
COLLEGE STATION — Three years ago almost to this day, Texas A&M hired Houston Texans offensive coordinator Mike Sherman as its head coach.
Three years later, Sherman has led the Aggies to a share of the Big 12 South crown. Thanks to Oklahoma's defeat of Oklahoma State late Saturday night, the Aggies share a tie for first with OU and OSU.
The teams will find out tonight which one will advance to the Big 12 title game against Nebraska on Saturday in Arlington, but it's likely to be OU since it was already four spots ahead of A&M in last week's BCS standings.
The Aggies (9-3, 6-2) won their first division title since 1998, when they won their lone Big 12 title.
As for as a bowl game goes, I've been told the Cotton Bowl would love A&M vs. LSU for its 75th anniversary game on Jan. 7 in Cowboys Stadium, but there are still a couple of variables at work with the league title games, including the one for the SEC championship.
A&M started the year 3-3 but finished with a six-game winning streak, after Sherman inserted Ryan Tannehill at starting quarterback, and the defense continued improving throughout the season under first-year coordinator Tim DeRuyter.
On Thanksgiving night, the Aggies won in Austin for the second time since Big 12 play started in 1996.


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Performance Note: Clinical Management of VCM near Elective Replacement
Kappa 700 and other IPGs equipped with the VCM algorithm
Original Date of Communication:
July 2008
View specific models that this applies to
Medtronic Technical Services has received reports of devices going to ERI or end of life (EOL) sooner than expected after a normal follow-up in which the device longevity was projected to be approximately 18 months. It has been noted that these cases typically involve Kappa 700 devices where Ventricular Capture Management set the ventricular lead to high output (5 V, 1 ms), which occurs by device design when a high threshold is measured. It is important for physicians and allied professionals to understand VCM behavior as it relates to longevity so that they can, in turn, understand how this affects management of the device and follow-up visits as VCM equipped IPGs near the end of their expected longevity.
Device Longevity and VCM Behavior
Ventricular Capture Management is a feature that uses evoked response sensing to determine the stimulation threshold needed to capture the ventricular chamber. Proper detection of the evoked response is crucial to the VCM algorithm determining an accurate capture threshold. There are rare conditions, however, during which the VCM algorithm will not be able to measure the evoked response accurately.1 When this occurs, for safety reasons the VCM algorithm will reprogram the output to 5 V, 1 ms until the subsequent VCM measurement.
If the device has considerable remaining longevity, these occasional excursions to high output do not substantially affect remaining longevity. However, if the device has less than approximately 18 months remaining longevity, there is the possibility that the high output condition caused by the 5 V, 1 ms output will drain the battery and trigger ERI.
When ERI is declared by the device, VCM is disabled and the outputs are left at 5 V, 1 ms until the device is reprogrammed at an in-office follow-up. This increased current drain of a high output condition will speed depletion of the device, possibly resulting in the device getting to the EOL (battery voltage ≤ 2.15 V).
Please note that the following parameter changes occur when the device goes to ERI:
Kappa 700 is Medtronic's first-generation VCM algorithm, which has a relatively higher incidence of evoked response undersensing compared to subsequent algorithms, resulting in more frequent high output conditions. Therefore, Kappa 700 products are the primary focus of this note. It should be noted that IPGs equipped with the second-generation VCM algorithm (Kappa 900, EnPulse, Adapta/Versa/Sensia, and Relia) have not been observed with evoked response undersensing in the general population, though the items listed in "Follow-Up Considerations" may also be used on these devices.
Follow-Up Considerations
Estimated longevity in the event the device goes to high output can be determined by the following steps. This allows the clinician to determine follow-up frequency if he or she is concerned the device may go to ERI due to high output.
- – Program the ventricular channel to 5 V, 1 ms
- – Navigate to Data/Battery and Lead Measurements
- – When the message stating "Warning – Old Data" is displayed, select "Yes" to measure battery voltage and lead impedance at the new ventricular outputs
- – An updated remaining longevity estimate will be calculated on the elevated outputs. Note the "Minimum Remaining Longevity." Clinical decisions can be based on this value.
- – Program the Amplitude and Pulse Widths back to their original values before leaving the session
- If the capture trends and lead impedance trends are stable, VCM can be programmed to "Monitor Only" for the remaining device life. This should be considered only if remaining longevity is 18 months or less.
- Follow-up frequency can be increased for those patients who do not have stable capture or lead impedance trends. This can be done via a CareLink Home Monitor, or in-office.
1 Medtronic, Inc. (2001). Medtronic Kappa 700/600 Series Pacemaker Reference Guide (Chapter 4, p. 27). Can be retrieved from http://manuals.medtronic.com.
Specific Models This Applies To
Methods for Estimating
Contact Us
Worldwide Contact Information


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DEWOLF, 2D LT. PAUL DANIEL Schoolcraft, MI
Went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 24, 2013. Age 25. Paul was born in Kalamazoo on March 26, 1988, the son of Thom DeWolf and Kristine (Yarger) DeWolf. He was captain of the Cross Country Team at Schoolcraft high school, graduating as class Valedictorian in 2006. He received his Bachelors Degree in Bio-Medical Sciences from Grand Valley State University in 2010 and then joined the United States Air Force, where he was in the top ten percent in Certified Officer Training and received the Top Athlete Award. Currently, he was in his fourth year of Medical School at the University of Michigan. He belonged to Sigma Phi Epsilon at Grand Valley State University and Phi Rho Sigma Fraternity at the University of Michigan. He was a talented musician and especially enjoyed the piano and French horn. He was a certified scuba diver, traveled the world on several mission trips, and had competed in marathons. Paul had a great love for his Lord, and God was present in every aspect of his life. He is survived by his parents, Thom and Kristine DeWolf of Schoolcraft; brother and sister, Joshua DeWolf of Schoolcraft and Rebekah DeWolf of Schoolcraft; grandparents, Kathryn Yarger of Kalamazoo, Donald and Jenny DeWolf of Kalamazoo; many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded by his grandfather, Dr. Richard Yarger. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00-5:00 PM on Sunday, July 28, 2013 at Berean Baptist Church, 7813 S. 12th St., Portage, MI 49024. A community prayer service will follow the visitation at 6:00 PM. Funeral service will be held at the church at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 29, 2013, with Pastor Bill Abernathy officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Alternatives of Kalamazoo, or Schoolcraft Schools (Cross Country and Track). Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes. Please visit Paul's personalized web page at www.langelands.com.
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